Although there’s no shortage of free VPNs for PC, very few can be trusted. Some of the many problems you’ll face using one include slow speeds, limited server locations, data caps, insufficient encryption, and extensive data logging. Needless to say, free VPNs aren’t suitable for more bandwidth-heavy tasks such as streaming or online gaming.
The good news is that there are still a handful of free VPNs for PC that avoid the many common pitfalls of free VPNs. I installed them on my Windows, MacOS, and Linux devices to assess their speed, server locations, security, and privacy policies, as well as their available features. Better still, all of the VPNs covered below are genuinely free as opposed to merely free trials (though they do also have paid plans with more features than the free versions).
TL;DR – These Are the Best Free VPNs for PC:
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a service that takes your internet traffic and routes it through an encrypted tunnel to a server in your preferred location. You’re provided with a different IP address, which allows you to browse the web anonymously. The ability to effectively change virtual locations also makes VPNs a popular choice with those who wish to bypass geo-blocks on content.
1. Proton VPN
Best Free VPN for PC
Proton VPN is able to provide its free tier thanks to its many paid users. What puts Proton VPN at the top of the free VPN pack is its unlimited data allowance and the fact that it doesn’t impose any speed limits. You won’t have access to as many servers as the paid plan, but there’s still five countries offered: the U.S., Netherlands, Japan, Romania, and Poland. The trouble is that you won’t be able to choose which country you connect to, instead being automatically connected to the fastest available server.
The speed of Proton VPN’s free servers is pretty impressive and exceeds that of most free VPNs. You’ll benefit from a high level of encryption and protection from DNS and IPv6 leaks. Unlike many rival VPNs, Proton VPN operates a true, independently audited no-logs policy. Just keep in mind that with this free tier, you’ll only be able to use it on one device at a time.
2. Hide.me
Best Free VPN With No Signup
Hide.me has a free plan with a lot to like. Like Proton VPN, there’s no speed limits or data limits in sight, yet one key difference is that you don’t have to sign up for an account to use Hide.me’s free tier. Luckily, there aren’t any caveats to this either, be it ads or data logging. At the time of writing, there are seven different server locations available – Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK, and the U.S. – which is more than most free VPNs provide.
Not all free VPN apps are easy to use, but Hide.me has a clean and simple interface. It’s good to see that users on Hide.me’s free tier have the same protection as paid users: 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. What’s even more impressive is that free users have access to split tunneling, allowing you to choose which apps use the VPN and which can bypass it. Having read through Hide.me’s, I’m pleased to find that there’s no logs either.
3. Windscribe
Best Free VPN for Features
Windscribe provides more free server locations than most free VPNs. Overall, it has 10 countries to choose from, including the U.S., Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, and Switzerland. What’s interesting about Windscribe is that you get a monthly data allowance of 10GB when you provide an email address (and 2GB without), and by posting about Windscribe’s service on X, you can get an extra 5GB of data.
Another reason to strongly consider Windscribe is that, unlike the other free VPNs for PC covered here, there’s absolutely no limit to the number of devices on which you can use it. The free tier of Windscribe includes all of the same features as the paid version. As such, you’ll have full access to ad blocking and split tunneling which is a lot of value at no cost. Windscribe doesn’t keep identifying logs, while data is secured with 256-bit AES or ChaCha20 encryption.
4. PrivadoVPN
Best Free VPN for Privacy
PrivadoVPN is a solid all-around free VPN for PC with free servers in 10 countries including the U.S., UK, and Canada. Particularly impressive is that you have four different cities to choose from in the U.S.: Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Washington, D.C. You can order the various options by latency, making it that much easier to find a fast server. Signup with an email address is required but once you’re done, you’ll have 10GB a month to play with.
The data limit means that it’s only suitable for basic browsing, but unlike some free VPNs, it doesn’t throttle your connection. As with most free VPNs, you can only use the PrivadoVPN’s free tier on one device. Yet that device benefits from 256-bit AES encryption and a kill switch which, should the VPN connection drop, cuts your traffic and prevents data exposure. PrivadoVPN is a no-logs VPN operating out of Switzerland, a country with strong privacy laws.
5. TunnelBear
Best Free VPN for Traveling
TunnelBear stands out for allowing free users to access its entire server network, which consists of more than 8,000 servers in 46 countries. The main downside is that you’ll only have 2GB of data each month. Fortunately, there’s no limit when it comes to server speeds. What’s more, you can use TunnelBear on as many devices as you like simultaneously.
Although TunnelBear is headquartered in Canada, a Five Eyes member, it operates a no-logs policy. It subjects itself to annual security audits, the results of which are published online. TunnelBear’s Windows app includes a kill switch and split tunneling. If you’re in a country with strict internet censorship, TunnelBear’s GhostBear feature disguises VPN traffic as regular web traffic to navigate restrictions.
What to Look for in a Free VPN for PC
The fact is that most free VPNs have a number of issues, some of which are too significant to overlook. This may be heavy bandwidth throttling or expensive logging of user data. Below are some of the key things to evaluate in a quality free VPN for PC.
- Unlimited data: Very few VPNs offer unlimited data to free users. This means that in most cases, you’ll only have between 2-10GB of data which is extremely limiting, particularly if you want to use your VPN for streaming. Fortunately, I’ve found two rare exceptions in Proton VPN and Hide.me.
- No speed limits: Bandwidth throttling is common with free VPNs. Often, this can make even basic browsing a challenge. This is not the case with the VPNs included here, all of which offer unlimited speed. You’ll still find them to be slower than their paid counterparts, though, due to the heavier user load on each free VPN server (though TunnelBear makes its entire server network available to free users).
- No ads: Download a free VPN for your PC and there’s a chance you’ll be bombarded with ads. Of course, this is a way in which a free service is able to remain free. However, it’s not the only way (and it’s downright annoying!). For this reason, none of the free VPNs for PC I’ve recommended include ads.
- Strong security: Some free VPNs may actually put your security at greater risk than not using a VPN at all. Weak encryption and outdated software can result in vulnerabilities and lead to data breaches. What’s more, some free VPNs even install adware or malware on your device. I only recommend VPNs with a high level of encryption, typically 256-bit AES.
- Strict no-logs policy: Most people don’t, understandably, read what can be extremely long privacy policies. As a result, they don’t realize that some free VPNs keep extensive records of their data. This may include their actual IP address and the websites they visit. Such data can easily identify a user, compromising privacy in the process. It’s important to stick with VPNs that have no-logs policies with absolutely no logging of any identifying data.
- Multiple server locations: The more locations a free VPN offers, the more likely it is that there’ll be one close to your location for a faster connection. A greater number of server locations increases flexibility when it comes to bypassing geographic restrictions on online content. TunnelBear lets its free users access its entire server network (across 45 countries) while our other selections offer multiple locations.
- No signup required: Most VPNs, free or paid, require you to sign up for an account and provide an email address to access their services. One notable exception is Hide.me, which lets you access its servers anonymously.
How to Use a Free VPN for PC
Regardless of the VPN you choose, the process for getting set up and connected to a server is pretty much the same:
- Visit the website of the provider in question and select the free plan. In most cases, you’ll need to sign up for a free account.
- Download and install the Windows, Mac, or Linux app for your device by following the on-screen instructions provided.
- Open the VPN app and log in (or create an account if you haven’t already).
- You can now connect to a server in your preferred location.
- That’s it! Your connection is now secured.
Best Free VPN for PC FAQs
Are free VPNs safe to use?
Unfortunately, many free VPNs are not safe to use and pose genuine risks including malware. I’ve tested dozens of VPN services and identified the best free options, performing leak tests and fine-combing their privacy policies. That way, you know you can use them with absolute peace of mind.
What are the differences between free VPNs and paid VPNs?
Free VPNs tend to be far more limited than paid VPNs. Data, speed, and connection limits are all common. In most cases, you’ll have access to far fewer servers and features. Some free VPNs are adequate for basic browsing but for anything else (namely streaming or online gaming), you’ll almost certainly want a less restrictive, paid VPN subscription.
Can I use a free VPN for streaming?
You cannot use most free VPNs for streaming, at least not without contending with persistent performance issues. Although I’ve identified free VPNs that don’t throttle speeds, their servers aren’t optimized for streaming. Free VPN servers also attract plenty of users, which means they tend to experience too much load for seamless streaming.
How do free VPNs make money?
The answer to this question is really what separates quality free VPNs from the rest. Most free VPNs make money by spamming you with ads or, even worse, by logging and selling your data. The difference is that the best free PC VPNs have quality paid services that help support their free tiers. Of course, these plans are more limited, encouraging you to potentially upgrade in future.
Mark Gill is a freelance VPN writer for IGN, bringing over five years of dedicated experience from Comparitech, where he delves deep into the intricacies of VPNs. When he’s not testing VPNs, Mark is an avid gamer with a soft spot for the Sega Mega Drive, reliving the classics for a dose of nostalgia.
