7 Best Free VPN Services in 2023 [ 170+ VPNs Tested]

Finding the best free VPN service is a challenge. This is because selecting the best VPN for you requires testing dozens of VPNs. In comparison to premium Vpn providers, especially when you choose your best option, there are some restrictions you ought to take into account.

For PCs and mobile devices, there is a tonne of free VPNs available. Free VPNs, however, fall short in terms of security, privacy, and functionality, so it’s important to proceed with caution. after selecting your preferred free VPN, make sure you are well aware of the geographic, data, and feature limitations that will apply to you.

We tested more than 170+ VPNs for this post and have selected the top 7 safe and reliable free VPNs for you. Although the majority of these VPNs do not enable torrenting or unblock streaming services, you may use them to browse safely when using public Wi-Fi networks. Let’s examine the list that follows.

The Best Free VPN Services: A Comprehensive Analysis

We present to you the top 7 free VPNs in 2023 that are secure to use after evaluating 170+ free VPNs on a variety of criteria like server access, speed, data allowance, and protection. Here is a thorough evaluation of these free services:

1. Windscribe VPN

The finest free VPN service available today is Windscribe, which has no dubious practices or additional fees. That’s a result of numerous servers, strong functionality, and easy-to-use apps.

Regarding servers, the free edition of Windscribe provides 10 different locations. These servers can be utilized for torrenting, streaming, and a variety of other tasks. All the main streaming services are accessible with this provider, comprising YouTube, Hulu, ITV, and Amazon Prime, according to our testing.  

Windscribe is one of the top free VPNs for Netflix. The Windscribe torrenting combination is fantastic since it permits torrenting on its free servers and doesn’t record user activity.

All of the VPNs on our list are slower than Windscribe in terms of speed. We used Windscribe to test its speeds, and we obtained download and upload speeds of 68.21 Mbps and 36.75 Mbps, respectively.

The provider’s free edition includes several security features, including the Internet Kill Switch, military-grade encryption,  Ad-blocker, and even MultiHop, which enables you to connect over multiple VPN servers. Additionally, Windscribe provides security against DNS and IPv6 breaches.

Besides, it has a “Stealth protocol” that masks your VPN communication so that it seems to be regular HTTPS data. With the help of this amazing function, the VPN may operate in places like China that have stringent internet regulations.

The VPN allows users to connect an infinite number of times simultaneously even on a free account. It is the finest free VPN for Android and iOS because of its compatibility with mobile devices. 

If you run into any problems, you can always make a ticket or interact with the live chatbot “Garry” on Windscribe. Visit our review of Windscribe VPN for more details.

Pros

Monthly data of 10 GB.

Unblocks US using AES 256-bit encryption.

Netflix has a Stealth protocol available.

Torrenting benefits.

With a Canadian base (member of the 5 eyes).

Cons

No ad-free bandwidth.

Does not provide WireGuard’s free version.

2 – ProtonVPN

The most well-known free VPN with unlimited bandwidth is Proton VPN.  

Netflix was not supported during testing, however, we were able to unblock services like YouTube, Spotify, and a few regional websites. Furthermore, the free edition of Proton VPN does not support torrent downloads since these servers do not support P2P.

The Proton VPN performed admirably in our test of VPN speed. The VPN produced download speeds of 65.12 Mbps and upload speeds of 59.32 Mbps on our 100 Mbps connection.

The strength of ProtonVPN is its uncompromised security, which includes split tunneling, military-grade 256-bit encryption, and the OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. 

Additionally, a kill switch that activates automatically keeps you safe at all times.  ProtonVPN’s premium subscribers have access to the majority of its services. NetShield, P2P file sharing, Tor over VPN, Secure Core VPN, and the ability to access geo-restricted streaming services are only available to those who pay for premium memberships.

The free ProtonVPN account you create can only be used on one device at once. However, everyone enjoys using this service. Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, provide applications. You may refer to it as the finest free VPN for iPhone/iPad because of its user-friendly iOS app.

If you have any difficulties when using the app, you may submit a support ticket or go through ProtonVPN’s self-help section. Unfortunately, none of the paying users have access to live chat assistance.

Pros

Unrestricted capacity.

256-bit AES encryption.

OpenVPN protocol is available.

No restrictions on torrenting.

Cons

Support for a single connection at once.

3. Hotspot Shield VPN

One of the top free VPNs in 2023 is Hotspot Shield. That’s because it includes a unique feature called Catapult Hydra protocol that is made to do a variety of tasks, including providing rapid connections on P2P networks.

The main limitation of this VPN service is that you can only connect to US servers using the free version. Additionally, because it is incompatible with streaming services like

Hotspot Shield’s speeds may be described as mediocre. On a 100 Mbps connection, it provided download speeds of 45.63 Mbps and upload speeds of 39.56 Mbps during testing.  

Due to its 256-bit AES encryption, kill switch, and variety of security mechanisms, Hotspot Shield is secure to use. It ensures that no one, including your ISP, can view your online actions because of its DNS leak protection.

Furthermore, despite having its corporate offices in the US, Hotspot Shield nevertheless offers a zero-log policy for its consumers. Further research revealed that Hotspot Shield does record user information such as timestamps, the device you are using, and bandwidth used. None of this information, however, can be used to locate you online.

Most devices and operating systems are supported by the VPN service’s app. On macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS devices getting started is simple thanks to the intuitive and slick app interface.

The fact that adverts are used to fund the free edition of Hotspot Shield is another drawback. Even throughout testing, there were several advertisements shown when surfing. We advise purchasing an ad-blocker if you wish to utilize Hotspot Shield to avoid having pop-up advertisements appear all the time.

Pros

Catapult Hydra protocol. 

Allows for P2P connections. 

Kill switch and DNS leak security. 

Cons 

The free plan only includes one server.

Untrustworthy for streaming. 

4. TunnelBear VPN

One of the most user-friendly free VPN services, TunnelBear provides simple-to-use applications that are ideal for novices. The layout is quite appealing and has a charming, animated bear that leads you through the program.

For streaming and other bandwidth-intensive applications, the free edition of TunnelBear only enables 500 MB of data per month, which is a very little amount.  

In comparison to the other VPNs on our list, it is one of the most dependable free VPN services with a large number of servers. It provides more servers than the majority of other suppliers do for free, in 49 different countries.  

 If we talk about its speed during our tests On a 100 Mbps connection, our TunnelBear speed test resulted in respectable download and upload speeds of 55.27 Mbps and 40.21 Mbps, respectively. You may connect to whatever server you choose with TunnelBear because it has a big server network, and you will get respectable speeds.

It offers Internet Kill Switch and Ghost Bear that provide the highest level of protection. It assures no data tracking and employs AES 256-bit encryption, much like the other providers on our list.

Although it is a member of the Five Eye Alliance and has its headquarters in Canada, it has proven to be a very safe and dependable service for preserving online identity and privacy. You can stay safe while engaging in all of your favorite activities with the help of protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard.

For use on a variety of platforms and operating systems, including Windows, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, and Opera, TunnelBear enables 5 simultaneous connections. 

Pros 

49 countries with servers. 

The speeds are not at all horrible.

AES 256-bit encryption was available with the Internet kill switch.

Cons

The data limit is inadequate.

Not the best choice for streaming. 

5. Hide Me VPN

Hide Me, which provides 256-bit encryption in addition to other privacy and security-related features.

It provides 10 GB of free monthly bandwidth, which is sufficient to carry out several data-intensive tasks for roughly 4-5 hours nonstop. Hide me offers access to 5 server locations in terms of servers. These servers are situated in Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, and the US (East and West), and Canada.

With this VPN, we were only able to access Netflix Netherlands when we tried to unblock streaming services.  

This vpn proved to be swift when put through speed tests. The VPN offered download speeds of 57.16 Mbps and upload speeds of 48.91 Mbps over our 100 Mbps connection.

This VPN boasts cutting-edge features like split tunneling, which enables you to use both your local IP address and the VPN IP simultaneously, an Internet kill switch, which adds a degree of security, and a Stealth Guard.

It supports a zero-log policy for obscurity and privacy, and its headquarters are in Malaysia. In addition, it provides free access to cutting-edge protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, SoftEther, and SSTP.

It is simple to configure on Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS. Furthermore, hide. I also provide free router configuration files so you may connect gadgets like Smart TVs, game consoles, and more that don’t naturally support VPNs.

 Pros

Supports 10 GB of data for torrenting each month.

24/7 live chat help was available for the OpenVPN, IKEv2, and SoftEther protocols.

Cons

Not compatible with Americans Netflix provides one multi-login option.

6. Atlas VPN

One of the fastest free VPN providers on this list is Atlas VPN. These speeds, when put to the test, were adequate for quick browsing, Netflix streaming, and torrent file downloads.

Additionally, like the majority of high-end VPNs, this one gives users unlimited bandwidth. It is the best option for web browsing, accessing social networking websites, streaming, and torrenting because it has no data cap.

There is a catch, though. With this VPN, you only receive access to servers in the Netherlands and the United States. This makes overloaded servers a potential problem. Sadly, it is incompatible with Netflix and other well-known websites like Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc.

The VPN is quite quick in terms of speed. On our 100 Mbps connection, we tested the download and upload speeds of Atlas VPN, and the results were 59.17 Mbps for download and 46.82 Mbps for upload.

The VPN is renowned for keeping you 100 percent secure online. It comes with a kill switch and a mechanism to prevent DNS leaks. Even on its free plan, it provides reliable protocols like the newest WireGuard and IKEv2.

Given the United States regulations around data retention, the fact that it is based there might worry some users. However, take notice that Atlas VPN adheres to a stringent no-logs policy. This is important for your security because it prevents Atlas VPN from disclosing any of your data to outside advertising.

All the major operating systems, including macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, and more, are currently compatible with Atlas VPN since it allows for an unlimited number of simultaneous connections.

Pros

Unrestricted capacity.

Several connections at once.

Lightning-fast rates.

Cons

Does not function with streaming services such as Netflix

7. Betternet VPN

One of the most anonymous free VPN providers that don’t require registration is betterment. It only provides 500 MB of data each day, which is insufficient to download or watch HD videos.  

Additionally, it is incompatible with well-known US streaming services like Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, etc.

Betternet’s speeds were generally below par. On a 100 Mbps connection, Betternet’s VPN provided download speeds of 42.12 Mbps and upload speeds of 30.15 Mbps during our speed test.

But when it comes to security measures, Betternet supports dual tunneling, allowing you to simultaneously use your real IP and a VPN-enabled connection. Additionally, it provides the IPSec and OpenVPN protocols with AES 256-bit and AES 128-bit AES-CBC encryption.

The VPN features a Catapult Hydra for quicker connections, just like Hotspot Shield, and offers DNS leak protection to prevent the disclosure of your IP address. Please be aware that it does not include an internet kill switch, which is a feature that is more widespread in modern VPNs.

Also, Betternet maintains certain logs. As a member of the 14 Eyes alliance, Canada, where its headquarters are situated, is not the best country for internet security and privacy. Additionally, it shows a lot of advertisements, which

Performance on well-known operating systems like macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS is rather respectable.  

You cannot obtain customer assistance on its free version either. In our evaluation of Betternet, we go into greater detail about this service.

Pros

Daily data usage of 500 MB. 

256-bit AES encryption. 

Cons

Holds logs.

Is it Dangerous to Use a Free VPN?

Yes, there are situations when using a free VPN might be very risky. Some free VPNs hijack your browser without your consent and send you to harmful websites. Because of this, the majority of privacy-conscious consumers strongly discourage them.

Free VPNs Are NOT Secure:

A CSIRO analysis found that more than 65% of them contain at least one third-party tracker. These trackers gather a lot of data, which is then given to outside advertisers. In addition, a large number of free VPNs available on the iOS and Android app stores have inadequate privacy rules and are known to share user data with law enforcement.

Aggressive marketing: 

This is yet another strategy free VPN services employ to generate revenue. Free services, however, go beyond intrusive pop-ups and banner adverts because the majority of them hide trackers in their advertisements. These trackers might remain on your browser and keep tabs on all of your activities.

High likelihood of contracting malware: 

Despite their claims to offer security and privacy features, 38% of free Android VPNs were found to have malware, according to another study. The fact that these VPNs are responsible for millions of Google Play Store downloads is even more troubling.

Data collection: 

Free VPNs frequently capture users’ surfing information and sell it to outside parties. Additionally, there are numerous privacy violations connected to free VPNs.

For this reason, paying for a secure VPN is always the best choice. Paid VPNs offer top-notch security features that won’t jeopardize your privacy and don’t gather user logs.

Also, you will have access to unlimited bandwidth, which is ideal for torrenting and continuous streaming. If you were to ask, we would without a doubt suggest ExpressVPN.

Testing Procedures: How We Sought Out the Top Free VPN Services for 2023:

The top 7 free VPNs for 2023 have been tested and have been chosen based on the following performance metrics:

Security: 

Because they log user data, most free VPNs are not secure. We made sure the free VPNs we listed here secure internet traffic using 256-bit encryption and further enhanced security with IP leak protection, a kill switch, and other features.

Speed: 

We made sure our connection speeds were not slowed by our free VPN by more than 30%. If your free VPN does, we advise against using it.

Limitations on bandwidth: 

We made sure to pick free providers that provide you with a lot of data. You can prolong your enjoyment of network browsing in this way.

Reliability: 

Is using the VPN secure and reliable? We took care to only include VPNs with trustworthy privacy policies and secure operations.

Streaming: 

The majority of the VPNs listed in this article, including Windscribe, are compatible with well-known streaming services like YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, and more. But be realistic; most free VPNs can’t even get over geo-restrictions.

Paid vs. Free VPN

A free VPN has no edges other than the fact that it is free of cost. Users typically don’t anticipate a robust service when they receive anything for free. 

However, you can anticipate a wealth of cutting-edge features, quicker speeds, strict encryption, and round-the-clock customer assistance if you pay for a VPN subscription.

Free VPNs, as previously mentioned, have numerous performance and security restrictions. Check out a couple of them below:

Speed: 

Due to their restricted number of servers, which are also overloaded, most free VPNs provide incredibly poor speeds.  

Streaming: 

Netflix, Disney+, and other streaming services restrict the majority of free VPNs. On the other hand, premium VPNs frequently update their IPs to let you get around geo-restrictions.

Security and privacy: 

Paid VPNs are the way to go if you want a VPN for online security and anonymity. This is because premium VPNs include top-tier security features and no-logging regulations, which cheap VPNs do not.

The Best Services are Provided by Paid VPNs: 

According to our experience, using commercial VPNs hasn’t caused us any annoyances or problems compared to utilizing free VPN services. Neither do they lag nor buffer while we are using the internet. In any event, they stood out in comparison to the free VPN providers.

Low-cost VPNs

The majority of free VPN users are hesitant to choose a premium VPN because they think it will cost them a lot of money. That is untrue, though. Several inexpensive VPN services on the market will run you for less than $2 per month.

The best part is that you can receive unlimited bandwidth, access to geo-restricted streaming services, P2P functionality, strong security, and much more for less than $2.

Free VPNs with Unlimited Data

Since maintaining VPN servers and connections costs money, the majority of trustworthy free VPN providers have data caps. However, bandwidth restrictions let users test out their VPN service without incurring significant costs for the VPN.

ProtonVPN is the only free VPN that has no bandwidth restrictions. However, because this VPN only has three server locations, its speeds can be poor. Although there may be no data cap, these servers would encounter traffic saturation, which would cause your speeds to slow down and impair your experience.

Because you risk exceeding your monthly limit in a matter of hours, one big drawback of data caps is that they prevent you from watching an entire movie or TV show. 

VPN software for Free on your Devices

Many free VPNs provide apps for a range of hardware and operating systems. They are therefore compatible with your smartphone, computer, tablet, laptop, and even Smart TV. Some VPNs also provide configuration files for operating systems like Linux, where there are no programs and you must manually configure the VPN.

Best Free VPN for Smartphone

Smartphone VPNs are growing in popularity since they not only assist safeguard devices but also let users access public Wi-Fi when traveling and other things safely. You may use unsecured Wi-Fi with confidence if you use the top free VPN for iPhone and Android devices.

Nevertheless, not all free VPNs offer apps for iOS and Android devices, and the majority of them include trackers. However, the free VPNs listed above include mobile apps specifically designed for iOS and Android devices that can be downloaded from App Stores and their official websites.

Free VPN for Mac and PC Users

The majority of free VPN services include specific Windows and Mac apps. There are three ways to utilize a VPN on a Windows computer or a Mac:

Install a specific VPN app on your device.

Set up the VPN manually on Windows and Mac computers.

Utilize browser extensions to access a VPN.

Some VPNs are only available as browser extensions and don’t offer apps.

Tablets with the best free VPN (iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, & more)

In addition to smartphones, VPNs offer apps for iOS and Android-powered tablets. Installing a VPN on a tablet is equally simple as on a phone. To access blocked content like Netflix, HBO, and other services, most individuals use a VPN on their tablet.

All of the free VPNs described above have apps for iOS and Android that are easily downloaded from App Stores for various brands of tablets, just like they do for smartphones.

How to Set Up a Free VPN?

To download and set up a free VPN service, follow these steps:

Select a no-cost VPN service. Windscribe comes with our highest endorsement.

From the provider’s official website, install the VPN.

Open the VPN application and join your preferred server location.

Access the internet at will!

Frequently Asked Qusetion:

Can I use a free VPN to access Netflix?

While using some free VPNs, you could have trouble unblocking Netflix. Additionally, even if you are successful in unblocking the streaming service, you will experience traffic jams, slow speeds, and proxy problems.

Therefore, rather than using a free VPN for Netflix, we advise you to take advantage of ExpressVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee and take advantage of free access to 11+ Netflix libraries for 30 days while also enjoying unlimited bandwidth and quick speeds!

Free VPNs can they get around geographical limitations?

Yes, free VPNs can get over blocks, but they’re not very dependable at it. Free VPNs may occasionally experience server crashes due to server overload. Additionally, while unblocking geo-blocked content, these VPNs could reveal your real IP address to your ISP and the risky government.

Does a VPN exist that is free?

Yes, Proton VPN is a completely free VPN service that gives customers unlimited bandwidth. With this VPN, you also receive some trustworthy security features and servers in three nations.

Please take note that you won’t be able to download torrent files or unblock any geo-restricted streaming services.

The Fastest free VPN is?

With 10 server locations to select from, Windscribe is the free VPN service with the quickest speeds. In this manner, there is less chance of server overload, and the link has dependable speeds.

Should I pair Tor with a free VPN?

No, if you want more protection for your Tor browser, you should always utilize a premium VPN provider. Free VPNs are shaky and can do more harm than good. For this reason, using a VPN for Tor like ExpressVPN is strongly advised.

Finishing up!

We have talked about the top 7 free VPN services for 2023, with Windscribe coming out on top due to its 10 GB/month bandwidth, compatibility with Netflix, and wide range of platforms.

All of the free VPNs we’ve discussed in this blog, meanwhile, are missing one or more features. The majority of them have bandwidth restrictions, show tonnes of advertising, or sell your personal information to outside parties.

Therefore, you can always choose a premium solution like ExpressVPN, which also gives a 30-day money-back guarantee to try the VPN risk-free for an entire month, if the hazards associated with the free VPNs are too much for you to stomach.