This article has been just updated: January 17, 2024
If you want to secure your internet connection and prevent unauthorized third parties from analyzing your traffic, a virtual private network (VPN) is an easy choice.
But what if you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford yet another monthly subscription? Well, you’re in luck because we’ve created a list of the top 7 best free VPN services available in 2024.
Are Free VPN Services Trustworthy?
It’s often said that the best things in life are free, but the saying certainly doesn’t hold true when it comes to online services, whose free versions are often supported with ads or are severely limited when it comes to their functionality. Because free online services hardly ever live up to their paid counterparts, many people shy away from them and don’t consider them to be trustworthy.
Free VPN services are in an especially tough spot because they sound almost too good to be true. In reality, there are many excellent free VPN services that we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to anyone who wants to access the internet anonymously but is on a tight budget.
Just keep in mind that paid VPN services have become very affordable, especially if you pay for multiple years of service upfront. For example, NordVPN, a Panama-based provider of a personal virtual private network service, costs as little as $2.99 per month, which is a steal considering that it allows its customers to connect up to six devices at the same time, doesn’t collect any logs, and has over 5,100 servers in 62 countries.
Of course, there are also free VPN services that you should avoid for a variety of different reasons. To help you protect your private web traffic from snooping, interference, and censorship without paying a single dollar, we’ve put together a list of the top 7 best free VPN services available in 2024.
1. TunnelBear
The people over at TunnelBear believe that VPNs aren’t just for geeks. We live in a day and age of large-scale internet surveillance, targeted cyber attacks, and internet censorship, and everyone should be able to enjoy the benefits of a private connection.
Free version:
TunnelBear gives all users 500 MB of free data every month, and it doesn’t ask for anything in return. The service doesn’t log any activity of its customers, and it can automatically connect you to the location with the lowest ping thanks to its Auto Tunnel functionality.
Pro version:
TunnelBear gives you the option to upgrade to either TunnelBear Giant for $9.99 per month or TunnelBear Grizzly for $49.99 for 12 months.
2. Windscribe
What if you could unblock geo-restricted content, stop tracking, and browse privately without paying anything for the privilege? Well, with Windscribe, you can. Windscribe encrypts your browsing activity, blocks ads, and unblocks entertainment content for free, and it’s available for all your devices, including Windows, Mac, and Linux computers as well as iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.
Free version:
Confirm your email address and get 10GB/month of data, unlimited connections and access to over 10 countries.
Pro version:
As amazing as the free version of Windscribe is, the Pro version, which costs $4.08 per month with Windscribe’s yearly plan, is even better, offering much more server locations and unlimited data.
3. Hotspot Shield
With 650 million users around the world, Hotspot Shield is one of the most popular free VPN services. It offers a polished desktop and mobile client that makes it very easy to establish a secure connection and obtain a new IP address, enabling access to social networks, sports, audio and video streaming, news, dating, gaming, and more.
Free version:
The Free Mode of Hotspot Shield gives you access to US servers only, and you have exactly 500 MB of bandwidth per day.
Pro version:
The good news is that Hotspot Shield Premium plans start at just $3.49 if you pay for three years of service up front, and you can pay with PayPal, credit or debit card, and nearly 100 other payment methods.
4. ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is an excellent free VPN service from the people behind ProtonMail, which is an end-to-end encrypted email service founded in 2014 at the CERN research facility. Even though ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland, it’s exempted from EU’s data retention laws.
What’s more, the service can’t legally comply with foreign requests that are not supported by a Swiss court order. If you know anything about Switzerland and its attitude toward privacy, you can probably already understand why ProtonVPN is one of the most trustworthy VPN services today.
Free version:
Signup for a free account here and follow the instructions on screen. The free version of ProtonVPN limits your speed, but at least it doesn’t limit your bandwidth.
5. Hide.me
Hide.me is a robust free VPN service that encrypts your data so you can safely surf the web whether you are at home, at work, or in public. With 55 locations in 34 countries and over 160 dedicated gigabit servers, Hide.me offers excellent value at unbeatable prices.
Free version:
You can try the service for free with a limitation of 2 GB data transfer
Pro version:
Hide.me Premium allows to enjoy unlimited bandwidth, 5 simultaneous connections, and access to 55 blazing fast locations for just $9.99.
6. SurfEasy
SurfEasy is a progressive VPN service that stops advertisers from following you around the web with its Ad Tracker Blocker algorithm, which intercepts the cookies that advertisers use to follow you online. SurfEasy doesn’t want your internet service provider to decide which websites you are and are not allowed to visit. You can use the service to download torrents, watch movies and TV shows on online streaming sites, play games, listen to music, and more. All popular operating systems are supported, and there are absolutely no logs to worry about.
7. Speedify
Speedify is a unique VPN service that combines Wi-Fi and cellular into one reliable, secure connection, allowing you to benefit from superior speeds, improved security, and unmatched reliability. Speedify offers several different plans to satisfy the needs of everyone from individual home users to families to enterprises and mobile operators.
Conclusion
In 2024, you can choose from many reputable free VPN services to protect your private traffic from snooping, interference, and censorship. A free VPN service is a great choice if you’re on a tight budget or just want to experience what virtual private networks are all about. Just because you start with a free VPN service doesn’t mean that you can’t easily upgrade to a paid one at any time.
FAQ
What are the top 7 best free VPN services available in 2024?
In 2024, the top 7 best free VPN services were ProtonVPN, Windscribe, Hotspot Shield, TunnelBear, Hide.me, Opera VPN, and Speedify. These services were widely recognized for offering reliable security features without a subscription fee.
What differentiates ProtonVPN from other free VPNs?
ProtonVPN stands out among free VPNs because it offers unlimited data, strong privacy policies, and is based in Switzerland, which has strong privacy laws. Additionally, ProtonVPN does not display ads in its free version, making it a very user-friendly option. You can learn more by visiting ProtonVPN’s website.
Does Windscribe offer enough data for regular use with the free plan?
Windscribe provides a generous 10GB of data per month on its free plan, which can suffice for regular browsing, but may not be enough for data-intensive activities like streaming video. For more information, please visit Windscribe’s homepage.
Is it possible to unblock geo-restricted content with Hotspot Shield’s free VPN?
While the free version of Hotspot Shield can unblock some geo-restricted content, it has a daily data cap and might not work with all services. It is particularly known for its ease of use and quick setup.
How many countries can I connect to with TunnelBear’s free VPN?
The free version of TunnelBear provides users with access to its full network of servers in 22 countries. However, there is a data cap of 500MB per month, which may limit its usefulness for heavy internet users.
Is Hide.me a good choice for a free VPN?
Hide.me offers a reliable free VPN option with a 2GB monthly data limit, strong privacy protection, and no ads. It is a good choice for those who prioritize privacy and perform activities that are not data-heavy.
Does Opera VPN integrate well with its browser?
Opera VPN is baked into the Opera browser; it offers unlimited data but is more limited in features compared to standalone VPN services. Its integration makes it very convenient for Opera users looking for simple anonymization features.
What special feature does Speedify offer with its free VPN service?
Speedify is known for its unique channel bonding feature which can combine multiple internet connections for improved speed and reliability. Its free plan has a 2GB per month limit but showcases this distinctive capability.
Do these free VPN services log user activity?
In general, these top free VPNs maintain policies against logging user activity. However, nuances vary by provider, and users should read each service’s privacy policy to understand their specific data handling practices.
Can I use these free VPNs on multiple devices?
Some, but not all, of the top free VPNs allow for multiple simultaneous connections. For example, Windscribe allows an unlimited number of devices, even on their free plan.
Are free VPNs safe for online banking?
Using a free VPN for online banking can be risky. It’s crucial to ensure the VPN service has strong encryption and a good reputation for protecting user data before utilizing it for sensitive transactions.
How does unlimited data with ProtonVPN free plan work?
The unlimited data offering from ProtonVPN means that you can use their service without any data restrictions, which is quite rare for free VPN plans. This allows you to browse without worrying about hitting a data cap.
Can I stream Netflix using a free VPN service?
Streaming Netflix with a free VPN can be a hit or miss due to limited data allowances and possible IP blocks by the streaming service. Even if accessible, the limited data and slower speeds may reduce streaming quality.
Are there any free VPNs that do not display ads?
Yes, services like ProtonVPN and Hide.me offer ad-free experiences even for their free plans, emphasizing a clean and distraction-free user experience.
Is customer support available for users of free VPN services?
Customer support for free VPN users can be limited compared to paid subscribers. Usually, it will be through email or support tickets, with priority typically given to paying customers.
What kind of speeds can I expect from these free VPN services?
The speeds on free VPN plans can vary, and they are generally slower than paid versions due to server limitations and higher user loads. Performance is suitable for basic browsing and modest streaming.
Do any free VPNs offer dedicated IP addresses?
Free VPN services do not typically offer dedicated IP addresses, as this is a feature commonly reserved for paid subscriptions due to the associated costs.
How does the data cap for the free plan of Windscribe refresh?
For Windscribe, the 10GB data cap on its free plan refreshes every month. If you hit the limit, you’ll need to wait until the next month or consider upgrading to a paid plan for more data.
Is it necessary to provide credit card details to sign up for these free VPNs?
In most cases, signing up for these top free VPNs does not require credit card details. Generally, a valid email address is enough to get started.
Can I upgrade from a free VPN service to a paid plan if needed?
Yes, all of these free VPN providers offer options to upgrade to paid plans. Upgrading usually grants access to additional servers, higher speeds, more data, and other advanced features.
Are any of the top free VPNs compatible with Linux?
Most top free VPNs offer compatibility with various operating systems, including Linux. However, it’s important to check each service’s specifications for Linux support as setup might vary.
