Best free VPN service 2023: how to surf in private

Looking for the very best free VPN service? You’re in luck — we’ve rounded up some of the best offerings below. Many VPNs are paid-for services, but there are several free options, too. And that’s what we’ll run through here.

A VPN can help you surf safely and anonymously whether you’re watching sports or streaming on Netflix and other services.

If you’d rather check out a paid-for VPN then check out our guide to the best VPN overall.

• Read more: these are the best paid VPN services

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What’s the best free VPN service?

Proton VPN Free

Data limit: Unlimited | Countries: 3 | Connections: 1

Pros: Unlimited data | Fast speeds
Cons: Only three locations on offer

• View the latest Proton VPN Free deals

Proton’s free VPN service is one of the best around. One of its biggest selling points is the fact that it has no data limits, which means you never have to worry about hitting any pesky caps. Despite being free, it also offers key features like a kill switch (your connection drops if the VPN service goes down so you’re not left unprotected), and the superior WireGuard VPN protocol.

Obviously, you’re going to have some limitations. In this instance, you only have access to three locations — the USA, Netherlands and Japan. And while you can install Proton VPN on as many devices as you like, you can only connect to one at a time if you’re using the free package. Still, considering it’s one of the fastest VPN services around (even on the free tier), there’s very little to complain about here, as long as the limited country choice doesn’t affect your specific use case.

PrivadoVPN Free

Data limit: 10GB (then unlimited at 1Mbps) | Countries: 9 | Connections: 1

Pros: Generous choice of locations | Fast speeds
Cons: Data not unlimited

• View the latest Privado VPN Free deals

While PrivadoVPN can’t match Proton VPN’s unlimited data allowance, it still offers a respectable 10GB monthly limit. This should be enough for more casual use on, say, a smartphone, but even if you do reach the maximum amount, you can still use an emergency server to get online. Sure, the latter is limited solely to the Netherlands with a crawling speed of just 1Mbps, but it’s better than nothing.

When you’re within the data limit, you have a generous choice of thirteen locations to choose from, with speedy 350Mbps connectivity to boot. The best part, though, is the fact that you can use the free version to unblock streaming services, including Netflix USA, Prime Video, Disney+, and more.

Windscribe Free

Data limit: 10GB | Countries: 11 | Connections: Unlimited

Pros: Unlimited simultaneous connections | Extra features
Cons: Slower than some rivals

• View the latest Windscribe Free deals

Windscribe stands out from the crowd in a few key areas. While it has the common 10GB monthly cap, you can install and use it on more than one device, which is a feature that many other free alternatives lack. You can choose from 11 different countries as well, which is more generous than most.

Overall, it’s definitely worth considering — especially if you’re after light use across different devices like phones and tablets. Just be wary of that strict 10GB cap, and you’ll be good to go.

Atlas VPN Free

Data limit: 10GB (2GB/day on Mac) | Countries: 2 | Connections: 2

Pros: Decent speeds | Reasonable data allowance
Cons: Basic features compared to some rivals

• View the latest Atlas VPN Free deals

While its 10GB monthly data allowance is decent enough, its Atlas VPNs Mac-specific allowance that really shines. Mac users can take advantage of a whopping 2GB per day, making Atlas VPN one of the most competitive free VPNs around.

There are, of course, some catches — namely the limit to just two countries (the Netherlands and the USA). Still, you can connect two devices simultaneously, and the speeds are far from shabby. While streaming site unblocking isn’t officially supported, some people have tried their luck and found success, so it could be worth a shot. Not that we condone that, mind.

Hotspot Shield Basic VPN

Data limit: Unlimited | Countries: 1 | Connections: 1

Pros: Unlimited data | Fast speeds
Cons: Only offers a single US-based location

• View the latest Hotspot Shield Basic VPN deals

Hotspot Shield’s free VPN service offers an unmatched unlimited data limit, letting you stream and surf to your heart’s content. There’s one major catch though — you can only connect via one USA-based location, which might be a dealbreaker for some users, depending on their needs.

If that’s not an issue for you though, then it’s hard to beat that glorious unlimited data allowance. If you can also live without a kill switch, then this is one of the best free VPN services.

• Read more: The best iPhone and iPad apps money can buy

How we test the best VPNs

Where possible, we’ve included VPN services that we’ve personally used ourselves over the years. Elsewhere, we’ve carried out in-depth research into each VPN service selected, cross-referenced against user reviews, company reputation, and other sources of expertise, such as the VPN selections and reviews at security.org.

Best VPN FAQs

What is a free VPN?

A virtual private network (commonly referred to as VPN), is a powerful tool that enables you to cloak your whereabouts on the web. VPNs work by directing your online traffic through the servers of the VPN provider, which are often located in various parts of the world.

You could, for example, use a VPN service to simulate your presence in the USA, letting you access Netflix content that may not be available in the United Kingdom. While we don’t officially endorse such usage, this is just one example of a common VPN use case.

Additionally, for individuals travelling to certain regions such as China (where access to popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google are restricted), VPNs become indispensable tools, letting you use your preferred apps while helping you stay in touch with people back home.

Are VPNs illegal?

VPNs are absolutely not illegal (although there are some exceptions in certain countries so it’s always worth checking), and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to anonymise your personal data and internet activity. Still, this doesn’t give you a blanket excuse to then carry out illegal activity, such as the downloading of copyrighted material. This also means that you shouldn’t use a VPN to bypass per-country streaming rights for services such as Netflix.

Can VPNs protect you from viruses and malware?

Short answer? No. Using a VPN to browse anonymously is one thing, but you’re still susceptible to malware and viruses. Stay away from dodgy sites, and practice your usual (hopefully alert) levels of internet safety. In other words, don’t go downloading .exe files willy-nilly.

Will using a VPN make your internet slower?

Any VPN will have the unfortunate effect of slowing down your internet connection, which makes total sense when you think about the extra steps your traffic is taking when passing through various server locations. Still, if you’ve got a reasonably fast internet connection already, then you shouldn’t notice too much of a difference.

Are paid VPNs better than free VPNs?

Paid VPNs will offer more services in exchange for your cash. In most cases, this means that you have a larger selection of countries and locations to choose from, with more supported devices to boot. If you’re planning on light usage though, then one of the best free VPNs should be enough for your needs.