In today’s digital age, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) has become essential for anyone who values online privacy. A VPN encrypts your internet connection, hides your IP address, and allows you to browse the internet anonymously. However, finding the best free VPN that offers reliable security and privacy can be difficult. In this article, we review six of the best free VPN services: Proton VPN, TunnelBear VPN, Hotspot Shield VPN, PrivadoVPN, Windscribe VPN, and Hide me VPN. Each of these VPNs offers unique features that make them the best free VPN services.
1. Proton VPN – Best Free VPN for Unlimited Bandwidth
Proton VPN is one of the best free VPNs available and is known for its focus on privacy and security. Developed by the team at ProtonMail, Proton VPN adheres to a strict no-logs policy, ensuring that your online activity isn’t tracked or stored, making it an excellent choice for users who value privacy the most. What sets Proton VPN apart as the best VPN is its unlimited bandwidth, a rarity among free VPNs. The free plan lets you connect to servers in three countries at reliable speeds. Upgrading to a paid plan gives you access to faster servers and advanced features like Secure Core, which routes your traffic across multiple servers for added security.
2. TunnelBear VPN – Best Free VPN for Beginners
If you’re new to VPNs, TunnelBear VPN is one of the free VPNs for beginners. The user-friendly interface features an animated bear that “tunnels” your connection through different countries. TunnelBear is a great choice for casual users who want to protect their privacy without having to deal with complicated settings. TunnelBear offers a free plan with 500MB of data per month, which is more than enough for light browsing. The data limit is low compared to other best free VPNs, but TunnelBear makes up for it with its simplicity and ease of use. Paid plans offer more data and access to additional servers, making them a flexible option if you need more bandwidth.
3. Hotspot Shield VPN – Best Free VPN for Speed
Hotspot Shield VPN is known as one of the fastest free VPNs and is popular among users who stream content and play online games. Hotspot Shield uses the proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol to deliver fast connection speeds without compromising security. The free version of Hotspot Shield is ad-supported and has limited bandwidth, but it’s a strong contender as one of the best free VPNs for basic browsing. The premium version removes ads, increases bandwidth, and provides access to more servers, ensuring a smoother browsing experience.
4. PrivadoVPN – Best Free VPN for Generous Data Allowance
PrivadoVPN is a new provider on the market, but has quickly established itself as one of the best free VPNs, especially due to its generous data capacities. Based in Switzerland, PrivadoVPN benefits from the country’s strict data protection laws and adheres to a strict no-logs policy. PrivadoVPN’s free plan offers 10GB of data per month, making it one of the best free VPNs for users who need more data. The free plan gives you access to servers in multiple countries, allowing you to get around geo-restrictions. Premium plans offer unlimited data and more server options, making PrivadoVPN a versatile choice.
5. Windscribe VPN – Best Free VPN for Flexibility
Windscribe VPN is a popular choice among the best free VPNs, especially for users who need flexibility. Windscribe’s free plan offers 10 GB of data and is known for its advanced features, such as split tunneling, ad and tracker blocking, and a double-hop feature that routes your traffic between two servers for added security. These features make Windscribe one of the best free VPNs for users who want more control over their VPN experience.
6. Hideme VPN – Best Free VPN for Advanced Features
Hideme VPN is a feature-rich service whose advanced features make it stand out as one of the best VPNs. The free plan offers 10 GB of data per month, access to five server locations, and strong encryption to protect your data. Hide.me also adheres to a strict no-logs policy and is based in Malaysia, a country with no mandatory data retention laws. Premium plans unlock unlimited data, access to a wide selection of servers, and features like a kill switch and stealth mode that hides your VPN traffic to circumvent censorship. These advanced features make this VPN for users who need extra security and privacy.
Conclusion
Finding the best free VPN can be challenging, but these six options offer reliable security, privacy, and unique features.