The Best Free VPNs for Your PC

Although there’s no shortage of free VPNs for PC, very few can be trusted. Some of the many problems you’ll face using one include slow speeds, limited server locations, data caps, insufficient encryption, and extensive data logging. Needless to say, free VPNs aren’t suitable for more bandwidth-heavy tasks such as streaming or online gaming.

The good news is that there are still a handful of free VPNs for PC that avoid the many common pitfalls of free VPNs. I installed them on my Windows, MacOS, and Linux devices to assess their speed, server locations, security, and privacy policies, as well as their available features. Better still, all of the VPNs covered below are genuinely free as opposed to merely free trials (though they do also have paid plans with more features than the free versions).

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a service that takes your internet traffic and routes it through an encrypted tunnel to a server in your preferred location. You’re provided with a different IP address, which allows you to browse the web anonymously. The ability to effectively change virtual locations also makes VPNs a popular choice with those who wish to bypass geo-blocks on content.

Best Free VPN for PC

Best Free VPN With No Signup

Best Free VPN for Features

Best Free VPN for Privacy

Best Free VPN for Traveling

The fact is that most free VPNs have a number of issues, some of which are too significant to overlook. This may be heavy bandwidth throttling or expensive logging of user data. Below are some of the key things to evaluate in a quality free VPN for PC.

Unlimited data: Very few VPNs offer unlimited data to free users. This means that in most cases, you’ll only have between 2-10GB of data which is extremely limiting, particularly if you want to use your VPN for streaming. Fortunately, I’ve found two rare exceptions in Proton VPN and Hide.me.
No speed limits: Bandwidth throttling is common with free VPNs. Often, this can make even basic browsing a challenge. This is not the case with the VPNs included here, all of which offer unlimited speed. You’ll still find them to be slower than their paid counterparts, though, due to the heavier user load on each free VPN server (though TunnelBear makes its entire server network available to free users).
No ads: Download a free VPN for your PC and there’s a chance you’ll be bombarded with ads. Of course, this is a way in which a free service is able to remain free. However, it’s not the only way (and it’s downright annoying!). For this reason, none of the free VPNs for PC I’ve recommended include ads.
Strong security: Some free VPNs may actually put your security at greater risk than not using a VPN at all. Weak encryption and outdated software can result in vulnerabilities and lead to data breaches. What’s more, some free VPNs even install adware or malware on your device. I only recommend VPNs with a high level of encryption, typically 256-bit AES.
Strict no-logs policy: Most people don’t, understandably, read what can be extremely long privacy policies. As a result, they don’t realize that some free VPNs keep extensive records of their data. This may include their actual IP address and the websites they visit. Such data can easily identify a user, compromising privacy in the process. It’s important to stick with VPNs that have no-logs policies with absolutely no logging of any identifying data.
Multiple server locations: The more locations a free VPN offers, the more likely it is that there’ll be one close to your location for a faster connection. A greater number of server locations increases flexibility when it comes to bypassing geographic restrictions on online content. TunnelBear lets its free users access its entire server network (across 45 countries) while our other selections offer multiple locations.
No signup required: Most VPNs, free or paid, require you to sign up for an account and provide an email address to access their services. One notable exception is Hide.me, which lets you access its servers anonymously.

Regardless of the VPN you choose, the process for getting set up and connected to a server is pretty much the same:

Visit the website of the provider in question and select the free plan. In most cases, you’ll need to sign up for a free account.
Download and install the Windows, Mac, or Linux app for your device by following the on-screen instructions provided.
Open the VPN app and log in (or create an account if you haven’t already).
You can now connect to a server in your preferred location.
That’s it! Your connection is now secured.

Are free VPNs safe to use?

Unfortunately, many free VPNs are not safe to use and pose genuine risks including malware. I’ve tested dozens of VPN services and identified the best free options, performing leak tests and fine-combing their privacy policies. That way, you know you can use them with absolute peace of mind.

What are the differences between free VPNs and paid VPNs?

Free VPNs tend to be far more limited than paid VPNs. Data, speed, and connection limits are all common. In most cases, you’ll have access to far fewer servers and features. Some free VPNs are adequate for basic browsing but for anything else (namely streaming or online gaming), you’ll almost certainly want a less restrictive, paid VPN subscription.

Can I use a free VPN for streaming?

You cannot use most free VPNs for streaming, at least not without contending with persistent performance issues. Although I’ve identified free VPNs that don’t throttle speeds, their servers aren’t optimized for streaming. Free VPN servers also attract plenty of users, which means they tend to experience too much load for seamless streaming.

How do free VPNs make money?

The answer to this question is really what separates quality free VPNs from the rest. Most free VPNs make money by spamming you with ads or, even worse, by logging and selling your data. The difference is that the best free PC VPNs have quality paid services that help support their free tiers. Of course, these plans are more limited, encouraging you to potentially upgrade in future.

Mark Gill is a freelance VPN writer for IGN, bringing over five years of dedicated experience from Comparitech, where he delves deep into the intricacies of VPNs. When he’s not testing VPNs, Mark is an avid gamer with a soft spot for the Sega Mega Drive, reliving the classics for a dose of nostalgia.