Using a virtually private networks (also known as VPN) has become ever more important in 2023 because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up allowing users to circumvent government control over their internet usage. It can also enable various people to access content that might be blocked in their parts of the world, along with boosting privacy which has become considerably more difficult as the years have gone by.
With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that you don’t need to pay for a VPN if you need online protection. We are going to list out some of the best free VPNs that are out there as of right now, and any one of them will be great for what you’re looking for.
Without further ado, here are the best free VPNs of 2023:
Cloudflare offers this service absolutely free of charge, and it blows all of its competitors out of the water! You get the security of the VPN without having to worry about the kind of profiteering that privately owned VPNs have started to become known for. There’s also a handy mobile app (both for Apple's iOS users and Google's Android users) that extends the availability of this service, and it also helps that it doesn’t require much technical skill to use!
However, you will be restricted to just three VPN servers in free version which might be a downside that many users would not be able to come to terms with. What’s more, streaming and torrenting can be absolute nightmares with this VPN, but it’s still an excellent choice if you need something that will help you browse websites that would have otherwise been blocked.
That said, one major roadblock to surfing your favorite streaming sites with this VPN is the 10GB download limit. This would allow for a day or two of streaming at most, but this VPN can still be useful in its free version nonetheless. Upgrading to the paid version might be necessary to avail the full length and breadth of its features, but you can still use the full version to access libraries from other countries and use the data limit strategically over the course of a month.
However, once again the 10GB download limit can become a major obstacle for users. There’s also a marked reduction in speed for those that are using the free version, and you won’t even have human customer support to rely on. Bearing all of these downsides in mind, Windscribe is still a decent choice if you want to use Netflix in countries other than your own, although it is notorious for not being compatible with the original US version.
Now, long distance speeds are another matter entirely. Users that choose servers that are on the other side of the globe may experience speeds that pale in comparison to the ones they are paying for, and they only have five different locations on offer. Also, considering this is a free VPN, you should expect the ever present 10GB download limit to be in effect as well.
While the AES 256 bit encryption is nothing to sneeze at, you won’t be able to use this VPN for any streaming services since it just isn’t designed for that type of usage. There’s also the one device policy that can be a real thorn in your side, so this VPN will really only be suitable for those users who are just getting started with VPN usage in general. More experienced users might want to broaden their horizons to other options that don’t have such limitations such as the ones outlined above.
Unfortunately, there are several downsides as well that prevented this VPN from getting a higher ranking. For one thing, the monthly data cap sits at just 5GB, which is half of what you would get from virtually any other free service that is in the same league. Also, Chinese users who were hopeful that they may be able to take advantage of this VPN will be fresh out of luck, since it is no longer available on the Chinese mainland.
As for the negatives, there are quite a few of them with all things having been considered and taken into account. The monthly data limit is only marginally higher than that of Atlas VPN, sitting at around 6GB per month. You will also be limited to just 500MBs of downloads per day, so you won’t be able to exhaust the full 6GB in one sitting even if you wanted to. Also, it’s worth mentioning that this VPN will log at least partial quantities of your data, so it might not be a viable solution for people that place a lot of stock in maintaining their privacy online.
The thing is, TunnelBear also has the most restrictive data limits that we have seen in the free VPN space. The maximum downloads that you can go for with this VPN will be capped at a measly 500 megabytes per month, which would go by so fast that you won’t even know what hit you. There’s also a noticeable lack of browser extensions, so users that wanted to use an extension to toggle the VPN on and off might be forced to use the mobile or web app instead.
However, free users will have to go without any type of customer support whatsoever. Furthermore, while you have the option to use several connections, only one of them can be on a desktop. Painfully slow connection speeds also need to be considered, as would the 1GB download limit that is only surpassed by TunnelBear in terms of how restrictive it is.
Missing this feature practically cripples the VPN since you would most likely need to use it in situations where your government has blocked or banned certain sites that you want to visit. It’s also only available for iOS and Android users, so there is a very limited set of users that would be able to utilize this VPN to the greatest effect. Anyone that just wants to block a couple of US streaming services and watch shows to their heart’s content would do just fine with this VPN, but it simply fails to deliver on a core component that is bizarrely missing from the free version, perhaps for the purposes of enticing users to spring for the paid version.
Read next: VPN Restrictions Impact 47.3% of Global Population
With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that you don’t need to pay for a VPN if you need online protection. We are going to list out some of the best free VPNs that are out there as of right now, and any one of them will be great for what you’re looking for.
Without further ado, here are the best free VPNs of 2023:
1. Cloudflare WARP 1.1.1.1
One thing that sets this service apart is that it’s not a VPN in the truest sense of the term. Instead, it is an optional app that you can include along with a 1.1.1.1 third party DNS resolver to add an extra layer of protection. This also has the added advantage of preventing your ISP from mining your data, along with being one of the fastest resolvers on the market.Cloudflare offers this service absolutely free of charge, and it blows all of its competitors out of the water! You get the security of the VPN without having to worry about the kind of profiteering that privately owned VPNs have started to become known for. There’s also a handy mobile app (both for Apple's iOS users and Google's Android users) that extends the availability of this service, and it also helps that it doesn’t require much technical skill to use!
2. Proton VPN
This VPN is more in the vein of traditional VPNs that users might already be fairly familiar with. Its man advantage is the lack of a data usage limit which can be a real pain for users who are trying to download something important. You also have Swiss jurisdiction to thank for the exceptional level of privacy this VPN tool can send your way, and the fact that you won’t have to put in any payment info while signing up helps make Proton VPN more trustworthy than might have been the case otherwise.However, you will be restricted to just three VPN servers in free version which might be a downside that many users would not be able to come to terms with. What’s more, streaming and torrenting can be absolute nightmares with this VPN, but it’s still an excellent choice if you need something that will help you browse websites that would have otherwise been blocked.
3. PrivadoVPN
Unlike Proton, Privado is a VPN that has been fully optimized for streaming. Its primary focus is Netflix, namely by allowing users to access Netflix catalogues from other countries. It also unblocks HBO Max and Disney+ to users not residing within the US, which can be great for streamers who feel like the geographical restrictions inhibit them to an unfair degree.That said, one major roadblock to surfing your favorite streaming sites with this VPN is the 10GB download limit. This would allow for a day or two of streaming at most, but this VPN can still be useful in its free version nonetheless. Upgrading to the paid version might be necessary to avail the full length and breadth of its features, but you can still use the full version to access libraries from other countries and use the data limit strategically over the course of a month.
4. Windscribe VPN
This is yet another VPN that is highly suited to the needs of streamers around the world, and it might even be superior to Privado in some respects. Firstly, you will gain access to as many as six additional Netflix libraries from various countries. What’s more, users that choose to download this VPN may be able to unlock several different streaming platforms that aren’t available in their local area, thereby expanding their content options by a large margin.However, once again the 10GB download limit can become a major obstacle for users. There’s also a marked reduction in speed for those that are using the free version, and you won’t even have human customer support to rely on. Bearing all of these downsides in mind, Windscribe is still a decent choice if you want to use Netflix in countries other than your own, although it is notorious for not being compatible with the original US version.
5. Hide.me
Here we have a VPN that has been tailor made for a singular purpose, namely enhancing privacy for the users that have the good sense to give it a try. If you’re looking for a free VPN that won’t end up throttling your download speeds all that much, Hide.me can be the ideal candidate since it will only decrease speeds by around 7% as long as the servers aren’t located too far from where you live. Plus, it also provides a free web proxy that enables users to unblock any blocked website, however, sometimes it doesn't work properly.Now, long distance speeds are another matter entirely. Users that choose servers that are on the other side of the globe may experience speeds that pale in comparison to the ones they are paying for, and they only have five different locations on offer. Also, considering this is a free VPN, you should expect the ever present 10GB download limit to be in effect as well.
6. Zoog VPN
If you want to try out a VPN for the first time but feel intimidated by the overly complex options that are out there, you should definitely give this VPN a shot. It has exceptional browsing speeds, and it also has a privacy policy that prohibits the creation of any logs. Most VPNs will log your information to one extent or another, so it’s great that you have an option that won’t force you to go through that.While the AES 256 bit encryption is nothing to sneeze at, you won’t be able to use this VPN for any streaming services since it just isn’t designed for that type of usage. There’s also the one device policy that can be a real thorn in your side, so this VPN will really only be suitable for those users who are just getting started with VPN usage in general. More experienced users might want to broaden their horizons to other options that don’t have such limitations such as the ones outlined above.
7. Atlas VPN
This VPN offers a singular advantage that sets it apart from the rest, namely that it has extremely fast download speeds. You won’t have to deal with much speed throttling when Atlas VPN is in your corner, and the privacy of your data logs is also a solid bonus benefit that will work wonders for privacy conscious users. Another major benefit of this VPN is that it’s one of the only options that can facilitate torrenting, since there aren’t any real restrictions placed on this type of usage.Unfortunately, there are several downsides as well that prevented this VPN from getting a higher ranking. For one thing, the monthly data cap sits at just 5GB, which is half of what you would get from virtually any other free service that is in the same league. Also, Chinese users who were hopeful that they may be able to take advantage of this VPN will be fresh out of luck, since it is no longer available on the Chinese mainland.
8. Hotspot Shield Basic
Perhaps one of the oldest VPNs that are included on this list, Hotspot Shield Basic definitely brings some decent features to the table. Much like Atlas VPN, Hotspot Shield Basic is suitable for P2P file sharing, which means that torrent users will be able to extract quite a lot of value from it. It also includes a malware blocker which ups the ante in terms of the features that distinguish this VPN, and it also helps that you don’t need to provide any unnecessary registration details before you can start using it to your advantage.As for the negatives, there are quite a few of them with all things having been considered and taken into account. The monthly data limit is only marginally higher than that of Atlas VPN, sitting at around 6GB per month. You will also be limited to just 500MBs of downloads per day, so you won’t be able to exhaust the full 6GB in one sitting even if you wanted to. Also, it’s worth mentioning that this VPN will log at least partial quantities of your data, so it might not be a viable solution for people that place a lot of stock in maintaining their privacy online.
9. TunnelBear
If you’re looking for a VPN that provides the maximum possible server locations, TunnelBear will have you covered. With up to 47 different server locations on offer, we’d say that TunnelBear wins out in this respect, and that’s not the only thing that makes this VPN worthwhile. You also get decent download speeds, access to US Netflix, HBO Max and BBC iPlayer along with a kill switch that works instantly if you want to turn the VPN off on a dime.The thing is, TunnelBear also has the most restrictive data limits that we have seen in the free VPN space. The maximum downloads that you can go for with this VPN will be capped at a measly 500 megabytes per month, which would go by so fast that you won’t even know what hit you. There’s also a noticeable lack of browser extensions, so users that wanted to use an extension to toggle the VPN on and off might be forced to use the mobile or web app instead.
10. Avira Free VPN
This is another great VPN for users looking to avail the highest feasible number of servers from around the globe. While it doesn’t quite measure up to TunnelBear’s 47 varieties, it still offers a respectable 33 countries which is a far cry from the five to ten offered by other VPNs on this list. There’s also no limit placed on how many connections can be made simultaneously, and access to US Netflix serves to sweeten the deal quite a bit.However, free users will have to go without any type of customer support whatsoever. Furthermore, while you have the option to use several connections, only one of them can be on a desktop. Painfully slow connection speeds also need to be considered, as would the 1GB download limit that is only surpassed by TunnelBear in terms of how restrictive it is.
11. VPNHub Free
If you need a quick and easy VPN in a pinch, VPNHub’s free version can be fairly decent for the most part. It actually has some respectable features such as no limit on how much data can be downloaded, and you will also gain access to not just US Netflix but Disney+ as well! However, as far as VPNs go, this particular option misses out on one key feature: circumventing censorship of the web.Missing this feature practically cripples the VPN since you would most likely need to use it in situations where your government has blocked or banned certain sites that you want to visit. It’s also only available for iOS and Android users, so there is a very limited set of users that would be able to utilize this VPN to the greatest effect. Anyone that just wants to block a couple of US streaming services and watch shows to their heart’s content would do just fine with this VPN, but it simply fails to deliver on a core component that is bizarrely missing from the free version, perhaps for the purposes of enticing users to spring for the paid version.
Read next: VPN Restrictions Impact 47.3% of Global Population