Introduction
Free VPNs are tempting, but most come with hidden costs: selling your data, injecting ads, or providing inadequate encryption. However, a handful of free VPNs from reputable companies offer genuinely useful free tiers. Here is which ones travelers can trust.
The Danger of Most Free VPNs
A study found that 38% of free VPN apps on the Google Play Store contained malware. Many free VPNs log your browsing data and sell it to advertisers and data brokers. Others inject ads into your browsing or use your device as a node in a botnet. The golden rule: if the VPN is free, you are likely the product.
Free VPNs We Recommend
Proton VPN Free — Best Overall Free VPN
Proton VPN offers the only free VPN plan with unlimited data. The free tier includes servers in the US, Netherlands, Japan, Romania, and Poland. It is limited to 1 device and medium speeds, but there are zero ads and no data logging. This is the free VPN we recommend for most travelers.
Windscribe Free — Best Free Plan Flexibility
Windscribe free plan provides 10GB/month across 10+ countries. This is enough for about two weeks of moderate use including email, web browsing, and light streaming. The R.O.B.E.R.T. ad blocker is included on the free plan.
Hotspot Shield Free — Best Daily Allowance
Hotspot Shield free plan offers 500MB/day (about 15GB/month), which is more generous than most. The catch is ad-supported browsing and limited to US servers. The Hydra protocol provides fast speeds.
Hide.me Free — Best Privacy Policy
Hide.me free plan gives you 10GB/month with access to 8 server locations. The independently audited no-logs policy adds credibility. Limited to 1 device.
Free VPNs to Avoid
Avoid any free VPN not from a well-known, audited provider. Specifically avoid Hola VPN (uses your bandwidth as a peer node), SuperVPN (documented malware), and any VPN with excessive permissions requests.
When to Upgrade to Paid
If you travel frequently, stream content, need more than one device protected, or visit censored countries, a paid VPN is worth the investment. Plans like Surfshark at $1.99/month offer unlimited everything at minimal cost.
The Smart Approach
Use Proton VPN free as your always-installed backup VPN, and invest in a paid VPN for your main travel protection. This gives you redundancy without spending extra.
