The best free VPNs of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

Virtual private network (VPN) services encrypt and mask your online activities, helping you preserve your right to privacy. However, these networks aren’t free to run, requiring vast computing resources and servers worldwide. As a rule of thumb, you should always approach “free” VPN apps and software with caution. Supposedly free VPNs may actually be malware packages, or shady providers will steal and sell your information in return for free access. The latter negates the entire point of a VPN.

Instead, you should look for free VPN services that are backed by paying subscribers and those provided by organizations with solid privacy policies. Finding a trustworthy, free VPN can be challenging, but if you’re looking for one that offers long-term security and privacy protections, there are some options available.

In ZDNET’s February update, we thoroughly reviewed and refreshed our guide on the top free VPN services for 2026.

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What is the best VPN for free right now?

My pick for the best free VPN is Proton VPN. The service, developed by the team behind the encrypted ProtonMail service, is supported by paying subscribers. The number of device and server connections is limited, as you should expect from a free account, but it’s still a top-tier VPN with a security focus. If you’re interested in an upgrade, Proton’s paid plans start at $3 per month.

Also: The best cheap VPNs: Expert tested and reviewed

I extensively tested every major VPN on the market including free offerings. I also recommend other trustworthy, free VPN services listed below. Alternatively, if you’re interested in trying out a paid VPN, consider one of my picks for the best VPNs with free trials or my top picks for the best VPNs of 2026.

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The best free VPNs of 2026

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My top pick for free VPNs available in 2026 is Proton VPN, which, despite its limits, will suit many users who do not want to subscribe.

Why we like it: The free version of Proton VPN offers many useful features that are paid for through other services and VPN subscribers. This is important when it comes to free VPN services, as it provides a measure of security and data protection that some shady services do not.

Robust online protection features like AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and a no-logs policy help hide your identity and digital footprint, regardless of whether you pay for this service. Proton VPN doesn’t sell your information or monetize its free apps with ads, allowing you to browse without distractions.

It doesn’t cap bandwidth, so you can use it year-round without worrying about exceeding monthly data limits. Proton VPN’s free tier also doesn’t throttle your speed, but server selection is limited, so you might not experience the network’s true speed during peak hours.

During my frequent tests, I found that Proton VPN’s connection and server speeds are always reasonable. While it doesn’t often match top competitors, especially on the free tier, it’s still a great option. It’s also suitable for bypassing UK age verification blocks imposed on websites.

Review: Proton VPN

Who it’s for: Anyone who wants a free VPN and won’t mind server and device restrictions.

Free servers are available in 10 locations, including the United States, Romania, Mexico, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Japan. However, you can’t manually choose and connect to a server. The VPN automatically selects one for you, but you can click “Change Server” to be assigned a different server location.

Proton VPN recently improved its NetShield phishing domain blocking capabilities. The service also revamped its Android and iOS apps to reduce their power consumption. The latest product roadmap indicates that ProtonVPN is planning to roll out a new and improved VPN architecture as well.

Who should look elsewhere: A drawback is that you can only use one device with your free account. So, if you need a VPN for your PC, smartphone, and TV, for example, you should look elsewhere.

Alternatively, premium plans unlock 10 simultaneous connections and start at $3 per month on a two-year subscription. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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Windscribe is another great free VPN choice because, like Proton VPN, you can do a lot with the app without paying for it.

Why we like it: You can access free servers in 10 countries, allowing you to change locations. The free servers also support streaming across multiple popular platforms. You can use Windscribe on various devices, including Amazon Fire TV and browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.

There are many customizable settings, including an ad blocker, split tunneling, and a firewall to prevent data leaks.

Review: Windscribe VPN

In Windscribe news, Dutch authorities seized a company-owned server, allegedly without a warrant. Law enforcement said they would return it after they “fully analyze it.” Windscribe hit back, noting that as it was a RAM-based server, all they would find is “a stock Ubuntu install.”

Who it’s for: You can connect unlimited devices, but free users have a monthly data cap of 10GB. This drops to 2GB per month for users who are not signed up with an email address.

This is enough for occasional use while browsing online, but it won’t be suitable if you frequently stream movies and television shows, or if you want to torrent content.

Having said that, Windscribe also allows you to build a plan, starting at just $1 per location per month, if you want a VPN for specific countries. Alternatively, a subscription starts at $5.75 per month on an annual contract or $9 per month on a monthly term.

Who should look elsewhere: A downside is this free VPN’s user interface could use improvement, which may cause some users a bit of a headache. If a user-friendly UI is at the top of your list, look elsewhere.

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If you want a secure, free VPN with a high server location count, check out TunnelBear. However, be aware of its rigid data cap.

Why we like it: You can use all TunnelBear servers in more than 40 countries for free.

That’s more generous than most of our top free VPN contenders. If you want to change your IP address to almost anywhere, TunnelBear should be your first choice.

Review: TunnelBear VPN

Thanks to its user-friendly and interactive interface, learning how to use TunnelBear is easy, even for beginners. You can also connect as many devices as you want on the free account, and access native apps for PC, mobile devices, and browsers.

During testing, I could quickly connect to servers in countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Singapore, and across Europe without any problems or reliability issues.

However, these features are set to vanish. TunnelBear says it is removing split tunneling, country selection, and upcoming customization features from free account holders.

For now, TunnelBear remains in my top ranking, but this may change when the new free plan restrictions roll out.

Who it’s for: A significant limitation of the free VPN plan is the 2GB monthly bandwidth cap. You also can’t roll over the amount. This diminishes TunnelBear’s usefulness for regular content streaming and makes it best suited for occasional users.

Who should look elsewhere: If you plan to stream or use your VPN daily, 2GB is not a lot of bandwidth, and this option isn’t right for you. Consider Proton VPN or another one of my recommended VPNs, instead.

You could also subscribe to TunnelBear for one year to access more features, like unlimited bandwidth and full server network access on a three-year plan for $3.33 per month.

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Unlike many services that require a premium account for streaming, PrivadoVPN lets you watch content with the free tier.

Why we like it: You can access servers in 13 countries, including the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. — for example, to watch BBC iPlayer — but you won’t have access to the full 49-country network unless you’re a paying subscriber.

Free users have access to servers in the paid server fleet, meaning they receive the same high-end protection online. PrivadoVPN also supports safe torrenting and file sharing on free servers. I found torrenting worked well, and recent tests revealed speeds better than I expected from a free VPN.

Who it’s for: Anyone who wants to stream content online for free with some protection and a fair range of server locations.

Considering its low price, I also found this VPN to provide excellent value for money during testing. Subscriptions are very affordable, starting from just $1.11 per month with three months free.

Who should look elsewhere: This VPN is easy to install on devices including Android TV and streaming media players like the Amazon Fire TV Stick — the latest, running on VegaOS, notwithstanding. Choose wisely, as you’re only given one free device connection.

You also only receive 10GB of free data per month. If one connection isn’t enough, it might be better for you to opt for a free trial of a paid service instead.

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Users can connect to Hotspot Shield’s proprietary protocol to take advantage of solid speeds for free.

Why we like it: The HotSpot Shield Hydra protocol has a reputation for fast service like NordVPN’s NordLynx and ExpressVPN’s Lightway. Hydra handles connections up to 1Gbps and works on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows.

Were it not for the limited free server locations — one virtual “automatic” location — Hotspot Shield Basic could have easily made our fastest VPN shortlist. It’s fast, but connection speeds may be affected by server limitations, and you won’t have access to servers optimized for streaming purposes.

During testing, I found the connection to the one virtual location you have is almost instantaneous and remains stable throughout.

You can use split tunneling to exclude some apps and websites from VPN traffic routing for optimal connections. This also helps you conserve bandwidth since you only get 500MB daily — amounting to 15GB per month. Unfortunately, you can’t carry over any leftover bandwidth. However, you can bypass daily limits by watching ads.

Who it’s for: Someone who wants to use a free, fast VPN for casual browsing, or those who want to take advantage of the firm’s long 45-day money-back guarantee.

The ad-free premium upgrade plan costs $8 per month and offers server selection across over 80 countries. It should also be noted that Hotspot Shield is now part of Aura.

Who should look elsewhere: Though Hotspot Shield Basic offers high-end encryption, the app is ad-supported. If the idea of adverts puts you off, try an alternative like Proton VPN.

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Hide.me is a minimalist VPN service that could suit beginners who want to explore what a VPN can offer them, and how easy they can be to integrate into their daily lives.

Why we like it: Hide.me, like Proton VPN, offers unlimited bandwidth on the free plan so you can browse, stream, and download content without limitations.

You can connect to eight server locations — more than Proton VPN and other top free VPN providers. You can connect to Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK, the U.S., or a “best location” option selected automatically for you.

The interface could use a makeover, but it is easy to use and set up without much user input. However, during testing, I found its speeds were quite low, and I noticed the difference while watching YouTube videos and streaming.

The service’s ad and tracker blocker minimizes annoying third-party intrusions. To maintain a high level of online privacy, there is also a no-logs policy. In a new partnership, Hide.me has teamed up with Freifon, a smartphone developer focused on privacy and user security, which has now resulted in the development of a privacy-focused phone.

Who it’s for: The free plan allows only one simultaneous connection per account. If that’s all you need and you are new to VPNs, try it out.

If you find you like this VPN and want full access, premium subscriptions start at $2.49 per month plus three months free on a 28-month plan.

Who should look elsewhere: Experienced VPN users might find that another of my more advanced alternatives will be a better option, especially if you want to dive deeply into configuration and settings.

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Best premium VPNs you can try for free

The most popular VPN services rarely have freemium options, but some offer free trials and money-back guarantees. These allow you to test all premium VPN features risk-free for a limited time, typically up to 30 or 45 days. Keep in mind that you will likely need to provide your payment card details before you can use a VPN’s money-back guarantee service.

Here are my top picks with free trials or money-back guarantee options.

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NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to all users, including iOS and Android. It remains our best VPN for iPhone, but the free trial is only available to Android users. The free trial runs for seven days and is only accessible if you sign up through the Google Play Store.

Review: NordVPN

With servers in more than 120 countries, secure features, and fast speeds globally, you can experience the best streaming and online gaming performance at no cost. There are also specialty servers, like Double VPN, for secure peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing.

Subscriptions start at $3.39 per month. NordVPN is also ZDNET’s pick for the best no-log VPNs of 2026 and our favorite VPN of 2026.

Also: Best mobile VPN in 2026

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Surfshark offers a seven-day free trial for Mac device users, alongside Android and iOS devices. You can access the free trial via the App Store for macOS and iOS, or the Google Play Store for Android devices.

A 30-day money-back guarantee for risk-free testing is also available.

When using the Surfshark app for free, you can access servers in 100 countries and tons of other paid features, including the NoBorders tool. This works on network firewalls blocking VPN traffic.

It’s only $2 per month for the two-year starter package, which includes three months of free access, but short-term plans are more expensive.

Review: Surfshark VPN

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Unlike NordVPN, CyberGhost prioritizes iPhone users, offering a 7-day free trial without a credit card or subscription. Android and Windows/macOS devices can access shorter free trials of only three days and 24 hours, respectively.

CyberGhost’s 45-day money-back guarantee is more generous than any other VPN provider, allowing you to test the service and claim a refund.

As recommended in ZDNET’s CyberGhost review, it’s one of the best choices for streaming, thanks to its optimized servers that are available for multiple platforms worldwide. The app can be used even on PlayStation and Xbox consoles via the Smart DNS feature or a direct router setup.

It costs just $2.03 per month for the most affordable two-year plan with four months of free access. You can also opt for a six-month subscription or on a month-to-month basis.

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Typically, using free VPNs is discouraged because they can compromise your online safety and privacy.

Some “free” VPNs are in no way actually free — they obtain payment in ways other than cash. There are free VPNs that secretly collect your data and auction it to the highest bidder, for example, defeating the purpose of a VPN as a privacy tool.

Adverts are another problem. They’re annoying and could indicate that your data is being used to profile you.

Some free VPNs are malware apps in disguise, and we’ve encountered supposedly “free” versions of legitimate VPNs that have slipped through vetting on official app stores and software repositories. These may contain viruses, spyware, or keyloggers designed to steal your information.

So, if you’re on the hunt for a free VPN and you see a familiar logo in an official app store or an extensions repository — for example, in the Google Chrome Web Store — make sure you are downloading legitimate software.

These and many more hidden risks of free VPNs prompted me to explore secure options you can use to bolster your online privacy. The free VPNs on my list have passed safety tests and garnered positive testimonials from millions of users. They’re not flawless and they tend to be restricted, but you don’t have to watch your back much while using them.

Accessing a VPN free trial depends on the provider. It’s important to check the company’s website for clear instructions on how to access their free trial or plan.

Some VPNs require you to sign up and provide your billing information, while others offer a free service that doesn’t collect any personal data.

VPNs that offer free trials via a money-back guarantee will charge you upfront, expecting that you’ll request a refund if you change your mind. This might require you to contact customer service and retention to request deletion of your account and a refund — a process we all know can be a complete pain to go through.

Mobile trials are not the same as PC and desktop trials. You’ll need to visit Google Play or Apple’s App Store to access them, and most of the time, you will be given up to a week of free access.

Best free VPN	Free bandwidth	Free server locations / countries	Lowest starting price
Proton VPN	Unlimited	10	$3
Windscribe	10GB/month	10	$1 – $5.75
TunnelBear	2GB/month	40+	$3.33
Privado VPN	10GB/month	10-13	$1.11
Hotspot Shield Basic	15GB/month	1	$8
Hide.me	Unlimited	8	$2.49

Choose this free VPN…	If you want…
Proton VPN	A privacy-centered, free VPN. Proton VPN protects your privacy by providing exactly the same security protections as paid subscribers. You’ll be missing out on additional advanced features and your server selection is limited, but this is still one of the best free and trustworthy VPNs available.
Windscribe	A free VPN with many server locations and as many simultaneous connections as you like. Bandwidth is limited but generous, and custom paid plans are also available, making this VPN another of my top choices.
TunnelBear	A free VPN service that provides IP addresses and servers in multiple countries through user-friendly apps. You can tap into over 40 countries, which is rare for free VPN connections. However, bandwidth is extremely limited, so this won’t be suitable for heavy usage, gaming, or TV and movie streaming.
Privado VPN	A free VPN with ample servers available for streaming and accessing geo-locked content. This is a great option for streaming and safe torrenting but take note of the monthly bandwidth limits. You may use up your free allowance sooner than you think.
Hotspot Shield Basic	A free VPN with fast connections in the U.S. and compatibility with popular operating systems and platforms. Customer support and server locations are restricted on the free plan. This option is ad-supported, but Hotspot Shield still offers a quality free VPN service.
Hide.me	A free VPN with unlimited data transfers. While you don’t need to sign up for a subscription, the app is basic. You are restricted to one device connection and a small selection of servers in a handful of countries.

If you’re set on using a free VPN, check for these essential features and be aware of some of the disadvantages of free services.

Truly free without a catch: Some free VPN services aren’t what they claim to be. You can easily consent to a free app that collects and shares your private data with other entities, like marketers. You should carefully scrutinize your provider’s policy and only choose transparent services.
Safety: Even on free apps, the encryption should be AES 256-bit, as it helps mitigate online risks like hacking. Also, look for other features like secure protocols, a kill switch, and domain name service (DNS) leak protection.
Intended use: Consider what you want to use a VPN for. A free VPN might be fine for casual browsing, for example, but is unlikely to work well for resource-heavy applications. For example, you won’t find a free VPN that is a great match for torrenting, and free servers optimized for streaming are rare.
Speed and bandwidth: A free VPN will likely come with speed restrictions, meaning you might need to accept lower speeds as a trade-off. Even if a VPN provider says there are no speed caps, if servers are limited, the heavier load will likely reduce the speeds you can reach.
Server selection: Decent coverage should offer you connections in multiple locations. However, many free VPNs will impose limits on your access to the server network.
Streaming, torrenting, gaming: If you want to use a VPN for any of these, free options are likely unsuitable. You may need to opt for a paid subscription or trial instead.

The free and paid VPN providers we recommend have been vetted and reviewed by members of our ZDNET team. I’ve been reviewing VPNs for years, have spoken with their management and their users, and developed a generally favorable impression if I’ve included specific services on this list.

ZDNET tests VPN services from multiple locations, but we can’t test from all locations. Every home, community, local internet service provider (ISP), and nation has a different infrastructure. Once you choose a VPN, it’s essential that you test for all your likely usage patterns and then decide whether to keep the service or request a money-back guarantee refund.

I analyzed the best free VPNs of 2026 below using the following criteria:

Performance: My recommended VPNs must meet a minimum performance standard. After all, there’s no point in using a VPN if your connection continually drops or lags.
Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs limit the number of devices you can connect to a service simultaneously. If you have a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, or smart TV you want to connect to a VPN, you need a paid service that allows at least five or six simultaneous connections. When it comes to free services, though, there needs to be at least one.
Security: There’s no point in using a VPN unless its security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. I also ensured the development team behind each recommended VPN cares about making security improvements and patching reported bugs. It’s important that our free VPN recommendations are not known for selling user data.
Kill switch: A kill switch prevents an unprotected connection from your device to an online service from forming. It is an important feature for a VPN, as it protects you by preventing a return to a default, unencrypted Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.
Platforms: What systems and devices can you run the VPN on? My VPN recommendations have to offer easy-to-use and intuitive apps suitable for various hardware.
Countries and servers: In how many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers, and whether there are enough to provide variety. Expect fewer options with free plans.
Support: As with any subscription software, you may encounter problems with installing apps, using the service, renewing, or canceling. I have listed VPNs with an available support team, although support may be limited on free plans.

For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive VPN testing methodology page.

Latest news in the VPN industry

In a peculiar move, Dutch authorities seized a RAM-based server belonging to Windscribe, allegedly without a warrant.
An investigation found around 980 typosquatting scam and malicious domains are impersonating top VPN providers.
Google’s free Pixel phone VPN received an upgrade.
The UK’s new age verification checks are under fire as a potential privacy nightmare. In turn, VPN downloads skyrocketed.
Mozilla expanded its VPN to all major Linux distributions, granting access beyond Debian-based systems.

Avoid free VPNs that don’t provide basic security or have a negative privacy reputation. Here are some of the services users have reported experiencing major issues with:

Hola VPN: This VPN works by randomly assigning your device’s IP address to other users on the peer-to-peer (P2P) network. The IP might be used for criminal activities and traced back to you.
Hoxx VPN: The encryption isn’t secure, and the VPN collects more user data than necessary for tracking.
Urban VPN: Though offering lots of free features, including unlimited bandwidth and device connections, the app collects and stores your identifiable information, like your IP address. This isn’t safe, given that it’s also based in the U.S. and can be legally forced to hand over your information.
Tuxler VPN: Just like Hola, Tuxler offers a residential IP address pool, whereby users are assigned IP addresses of other users in the locations they want to connect. While this model seems to work, concerns have been raised about the VPN’s lack of transparency when it comes to the logging policy.

Nothing in life is truly free, including online services. Our social networks collect our data and serve targeted ads in our feeds; our free email accounts’ inboxes usually bombard us with ads, and our information can be collected and sold to marketers and third parties. When it comes to free VPNs, this is usually the case — user data is collected and sold on, which means there is little point in using one, as these practices don’t protect your privacy.

Unless free VPN accounts are backed by paying subscribers, you should steer clear of them — especially if there’s no privacy policy or transparency surrounding how user data is handled.

At the moment, we do not recommend any free VPN solution for use in China. Instead, although it is expensive, Astrill VPN is one of the best VPN choices, with customers reporting high success rates. China has imposed restrictions on many providers, and even premium VPNs might not work correctly. Also, you should download the VPN app before arriving in the country, as you might have trouble accessing the website once you’re there.

Also: Best VPN for travel in 2026

Windscribe, CyberGhost, TunnelBear, Proton VPN, and other services have Chrome extensions. All of the VPNs on our free list have extensions for Chrome and other browsers like Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge.

When installed on a browser, a VPN masks your IP address, secures your online activities, and enables you to access content on the go without the need for a native app on your device. However, you should carefully check the features supported by free VPN extensions, as some don’t provide encryption or servers.

Also: The best VPN extensions for Chrome: Expert tested

Some VPN providers double as proxy services such as Hide.me, Turbo VPN, HMA, and VPN Proxy Master. You can also use exclusive proxy services like ProxyScrape, FreeProxy, and Oxylabs. Keep in mind that while proxies can give you IP addresses to different locations, they do not encrypt your traffic like VPNs. This means websites, ISPs, and Wi-Fi owners can still monitor your activities.

Also: Proxy vs VPN: What’s the difference? | The best proxy server services: Expert recommended

A free VPN or free trial can be enough to get you started in the VPN world. You can use them to learn the basics, explore how servers and country selections work, and experiment with different protocols. However, the majority of free VPNs we recommend are backed by paid subscribers to ensure they are as secure as possible, so they will come with restrictions.

For example, you will be limited in the number of device connections you can have, your speed, or your server selections. You’ll find that a free VPN may be enough for some basic browsing tasks, but it may not be suitable for bandwidth-heavy activities such as streaming or gaming.

No software or online service, including VPNs — paid or otherwise — is fully protected from cybercriminal activity. Vulnerabilities in code, accidentally introduced during updates, or zero-day bugs may be discovered, exploited, or cause user data leaks. Your best bet is to choose a trustworthy VPN provider with a proven and transparent approach to audits and security updates.

Latest updates

February 2026: In ZDNET’s February update, we thoroughly reviewed and refreshed our guide on the top free VPN services for 2026.
August 2025: In ZDNET’s August update, we conducted editorial changes, updated our top picks, and included some of the latest news in the VPN space, including how the UK’s new age verification systems are causing VPN downloads to spiral. We also moved Privado VPN up our recommendations list.
July 2025: In ZDNET’s July update, we performed substantial copy updates and noted new price changes and deals.

Alternative VPNs to consider

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If you want to try out an excellent VPN with some of the best speeds on the market, take advantage of ExpressVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee. Prices start at $2.44 per month on a two-year contract, with four months free. There is a free sister service, EventVPN, but I can’t recommend it right now due to its usability.

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Consider Private Internet Access (PIA) if you want a cheap subscription with unlimited device connections. Plans start at $1.98 per month on a three-year subscription with four months of access thrown in for free. While it’s not free, it is very affordable over the long term.

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Starting at $2.19 per month, IPVanish is another great alternative, especially if you want a beginner-friendly VPN to learn the ropes. Its speeds are average, but it has a strong server network spanning over 113 countries.

Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, ZDNET’s parent company. For more information, see our Editorial Guidelines.

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Privacy Hero 2 is a hardware alternative if you want to take advantage of a free one-year VPN subscription. While you will need to purchase the router to take advantage of this deal, it provides blanket coverage for the devices in your home, and it is something I use on a daily basis. It also comes with an intuitive and easy-to-understand user interface for accessing streaming libraries. This router is currently available for $180.

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We hope that you’ve found a few free VPNs that pique your interest. You can also explore our top picks for the best VPNs on the market, as well as our selections for travel and streaming purposes.

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