A virtual private network (VPN) is a tool that provides a protected and encrypted connection to a public network. It also helps users access geo-restricted websites or content on streaming services and masks the user’s IP address to hide their online activities.
For tools like the best free VPNs, online forums like Reddit provide users with authentic feedback. This feedback, backed by firsthand user experience, is a better way to assess the tool’s usability than relying only on a professional review. So, while researching the best free VPNs, the Geekflare team also scoured privacy and VPN subreddits, where users discussed, reviewed, and rated their direct experience with renowned VPN services.
Based on this research, we have tested and listed some of the best free VPNs (as per Reddit users), based on factors like security, privacy, server locations, and overall performance.
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ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is an all-inclusive VPN that takes care of all your privacy needs quickly and safely. The server network of this tool is based on military-grade shelters, which adds a physical layer of security.
It uses all the security features like DNS protection, split tunneling, and kill switch, so you can rest easy knowing that your data is secure while giving you exclusive access to geo-restricted content.
You can stream your favorite shows and movies from anywhere in the world on prominent streaming platforms like Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hotstar, Hulu, and more while protecting your identity and IP address.
Check out the best VPN for Smart TV for unlimited access to content around the world.
ProtonVPN Features
- Anonymous browsing
- DNS protection measures
- Kill Switch and Split Tunneling
- 100+ servers on the free plan
ProtonVPN flaunts 2,978 servers across 68 countries, giving you a high-bandwidth server close to you and protecting you from potential cybersecurity issues.
ProtonVPN Pricing
While the VPN has several paid plans, starting at $4.99/month (when billed annually), it also comes with a free version, which gives you access to the basic features. However, the advanced features are only available through the paid plans.
Opera VPN
While the Opera browser may have lost touch with Google Chrome and Firefox leading the race, Opera VPN is one of the best free ones in the market. You don’t have to install a separate app or browser extension. It also comes with a browser – both for mobile and desktop.
Once you enable Opera VPN, you can browse the Internet with a virtual IP address that hides your location and gives you complete privacy on the World Wide Web.
Opera VPN Features
- Integrated into the Browser
- No need to log in
- Available for both mobile and desktop
- General and 30+ unique locations
Moreover, it doesn’t log your online activities, let alone collect information or data.
Opera VPN Pricing
Opera VPN is completely free to use, with no fee or data limit attached to it.
Windscribe
If there’s any VPN that I found the easiest to use, it’s Windscribe. This VPN makes it super simple to change your location and access the benefits of browsing the internet from that location, including access to geo-restricted content.
It’s advanced algorithms allow it to bypass China’s Great Firewall and other restrictions in Saudi Arabia and Turkey. The VPN service works seamlessly with Mac, PC, Linux, Android, and iOS while blocking out the trackers and improving your online privacy.
Moreover, you get 10 GB per month for free, after which you’ll have to go for the premium plan. However, the free version is enough to handle your basic VPN needs since the speed is decent and enables unlimited simultaneous connections.
Windscribe Features
- Servers in more than 63 countries
- Blocks IPs and domains
- Provides R.O.B.E.R.T – a custom DNS-based tool
- Anonymous and safe browsing
I can personally vouch for its reliability, swiftness, and protection protocols. It also comes with a simple interface that can be used by beginners.
Windscribe Pricing
Windscribe’s free plan offers 10GB data per month, and its premium plans start at $5.75/month, when billed annually.
Hide.me
As the name suggests, Hide.me literally hides you on the world wide web. It provides you robust digital privacy and advanced security that can bypass censorship to allow you access to worldwide content, including the restricted content in certain countries.
The VPN service is trustworthy as it isn’t owned by major corporations and provides a no-logs policy. Its proprietary Bolt technology ensures that there aren’t any hiccups in speed when browsing or streaming.
Hide.me Features
- Independent provider
- Complete IPv6 support
- Bolt technology
- Bypass internet censorship
In addition, it provides protection against IPv6 leaks. Despite a hoard of amazing features, it’s pretty simple to use, with the ability to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously.
Hide.me Pricing
Hide.me’s premium plans start at $4.49/month, when billed annually.
Tunnelbear
Tunnelbear has a beautiful interface, a privacy-respecting record, and a free tier to help users get started without paying. It is a bear-themed VPN, with most terminologies named as such. For instance, it comes with a VigilantBear (kill switch), SplitBear (split tunneling), and GhostBear (VPN obfuscation).
Tunnelbear deploys industry-standard AES-256-bit encryption and lets users choose between WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 as their VPN protocols.
TunnelBear Features
- 8,000 servers in 46 countries
- Unlimited devices per subscription
- City-level server selection
- Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android
- Browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge
Its free quota is excellent for lightweight web surfing. For more, users can switch to their individual or team plans.
TunnelBear Pricing
TunnelBear’s premium plans start at $3.33/month.
PrivadoVPN
PrivadoVPN is a Swiss-based VPN with a very generous free tier, offering access to 13 global servers, 10GB of unrestricted speeds, and unlimited data.
It has all the essentials, including a kill switch, a decent list of VPN protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2), AES-256-bit encryption, and more.
PrivadoVPN Highlights
- 10 devices per subscription
- Adblocker and SOCKS5 Proxy
- Servers in 49 countries
PrivadoVPN is one of the few in the entire VPN industry to provide streaming support for its free users. The paid plans offer even more features, including all its servers, unlimited data with uncapped network speeds, threat prevention, parental controls, and more.
Users can install PrivadoVPN on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, and tvOS.
PrivadoVPN Pricing
PrivadoVPN’s premium plans are available at a starting price of $1.33/month (when billed annually).
What is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network or VPN is a protected and encrypted network connection on the internet that hides your online identity and prevents you from being detected by other network users.
It hides your IP address (the unique address of your network) by making the network redirect it through a configured remote server operated by the VPN host.
Using a VPN, you can prevent third parties or even your own internet service provider from tracking your online activities, potentially hacking into your system, and stealing your data. All your online activities, such as browser history and exchanged data, remain hidden.
Since encryption occurs in real-time, you can protect your data while using any public network.
Benefits of Using a VPN
A VPN has 3 main benefits, as highlighted below:
Secure Encryption
VPNs allow you to protect your data through secure encryption while using public internet networks. Third parties would need an encryption key to read your data. If they don’t have it, they can’t force their way into your data.
Access to Geo-restricted Content
VPNs can mask your real location and make it appear like you’re using the internet from a different region. When this happens, you can access the websites and content of those countries which are inaccessible in yours.
For example, if you want to watch a show on Netflix US, you can use a VPN to change your location to any of the states in the United States, and you’d gain access to their content as well.
Anonymity
VPN allows you to spoof your location. Anyone attempting to steal your data would be directed to the VPN server’s data, which means your location and IP address are anonymous and safe. This can give you greater freedom while using any public or private network.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly VPN service with all the premium features, then you should definitely try Namecheap FastVPN.
Limitations of Using a Free VPN
There are 4 main limitations of using a free VPN, and they’re listed below.
Security Risks
Free VPNs come with security risks, as these companies don’t have the resources to develop or maintain a stronger security protocol. This leaves you prone to cyberattacks, like tracking, hacking, malware, and phishing.
Slower Speed
Free VPNs have meager bandwidth, which can suffocate the internet speed, leading to slow load and streaming times. If you’re fine with pages taking longer to load, this drawback won’t affect you.
Limited Server Locations
Many VPN service providers only offer limited server locations in the free plan, with others being locked for paid subscribers. This means you can access geo-restricted content of only specific countries, which narrows down your scope of use.
Limited Customer Support
If you’ve downloaded a free VPN, it’s best not to expect a very responsive customer support experience when encountering problems. You’re left at your own devices, so consider this drawback before getting one.
Wrapping Up
So, these were some of the best free VPNs, as voted by Reddit users and tested by the Geekflare team.
Free VPNs aren’t trusted by most users as your data is left vulnerable, and there’s a risk of the data being sold by the service to fund in-house operations.
However, the VPN services mentioned in this post provide only limited services in the free tier, with advanced options in the paid tiers. Their reputations amongst reviewers/experts and users alike have fared well (at the time of writing).
If you have to rely on a free VPN for temporary or basic needs, you can use one of the options I’ve mentioned without worrying about data theft or tracking. For long-term use, I’d recommend investing in a paid VPN that meets all your needs and fits your budget.