Discover the Best Free VPN Across Devices

March 25, 2025

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With the increasing threat of cyber-attacks and online hacking, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become essential for anyone seeking to secure their internet browsing. As more people look to protect their online privacy, many are turning to VPNs that offer both security and the ability to browse anonymously—without the cost of premium services.

Whether you're using Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS, a VPN is a powerful tool to enhance your browsing security and shield your data from unwanted eyes. For those looking to keep their online activity secure without breaking the bank, free VPNs offer a compelling alternative.

In this guide, we'll explore the best free VPN services for a variety of platforms, weigh the pros and cons, and answer an important question: Are free VPNs truly safe to use?

Free VPN vs. Paid VPN

While free VPNs offer a great starting point, it's essential to consider whether their limitations align with your needs. Some people will tell you the best free VPN does not exist, as most involve compromising on either speed, security, or privacy.

Meanwhile, paid VPNs provide advanced features such as unlimited data, unlimited simultaneous connections, and a larger network of VPN servers. These premium features are ideal for users who require constant and secure access to the internet and wish to eliminate all restrictions.

Understand the pros and cons of free VPNs:

Pros:

They are free and easily accessible.
Some free VPNs offer robust security features.
They can help you access geo-restricted content.

If you prefer a hassle-free, built-in solution, Wave Browser's Built-In VPN has got you covered—at no extra cost. Simply set Wave Browser as your default browser, and you'll have secure, fast browsing with its integrated VPN. It's an effortless way to safeguard your data while browsing on your desktop, providing reliable protection without the need for additional apps or subscriptions.

Cons:

Most limit your data usage.
Slower speeds due to server congestion.
Fewer server locations.
Some free VPNs may log user data for advertising purposes.

For those looking for top-tier online security, Connect VPN Now is an excellent choice. As a paid VPN service, it offers robust encryption, lightning-fast speeds, and a wide range of server locations for truly private and unrestricted browsing.

Best Free VPN for Windows - Proton VPN Free

When it comes to Windows, several top picks stand out as the best VPN services. ProtonVPN is a standout choice among free service VPNs. It offers unlimited bandwidth and a secure free version with robust privacy features.

Additionally, ProtonVPN provides a kill switch to ensure your online privacy even if your VPN connection drops. For those who want a VPN with server locations in the United States and the United Kingdom, ProtonVPN offers a reliable free plan with no data cap.

Pricing: ProtonVPN offers a free version and premium plans with various features and pricing tiers.
Logging Policy: ProtonVPN has a strict no-logs policy, ensuring user data is not stored.
Geographical/Usage Limitations: ProtonVPN does not impose specific geographical or usage limitations, although free users may have access to a limited number of servers.
Data Privacy: ProtonVPN is committed to user privacy and does not collect or sell personal data. They are known for their strong privacy practices.

Proton VPN Pros:

Developed by the team behind ProtonMail, known for its commitment to privacy.
Strong security features with a no-logs policy.
Large server network with a free version available.
Good for streaming and torrenting.

Proton VPN Cons:

Browsing speed may vary depending on server load.

Best Free VPN for Mac - Atlas VPN

For Mac users, Atlas VPN is a leading choice for those who want a free VPN service for Mac without a credit card requirement.

Pricing: Atlas VPN offers a free version and a premium version with monthly and yearly subscription options.
Logging Policy: Atlas VPN has a strict no-logs policy, meaning they do not log user data.
Geographical/Usage Limitations: The free version may have server and geographical limitations.
Data Privacy: Atlas VPN is committed to user privacy and does not collect or sell personal data.

Atlas VPN Pros:

Free version available.
User-friendly interface.
Strong encryption and security features.

Atlas VPN Cons:

Limited server network in the free version.
Free version may have slower speeds.

Best Free VPN for Android - Windscribe VPN

Pricing: Windscribe VPN offers both free and paid plans, with monthly and yearly subscription options.
Logging Policy: Windscribe follows a no-logs policy, ensuring user data is not logged.
Geographical/Usage Limitations: The free version of Windscribe has server limitations, while the paid version provides access to a wider network.
Data Privacy: Windscribe is committed to user privacy and does not collect or sell personal data.

Windscribe VPN Pros:

User-friendly interface with a free option available on the Google Play store.
Strong encryption and a firewall feature.
Good for Twitch streaming and unblocking content.

Windscribe VPN Cons:

Free version has data limitations and slower speeds.
Smaller server network in the free version.

Best Free VPN for iPhone - Nord VPN

Pricing: NordVPN offers various pricing plans, with monthly, yearly, and two-year options.
Logging Policy: NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not store user data or online activities.
Geographical/Usage Limitations: NordVPN offers a wide range of server locations and does not impose specific geographical or usage limitations.
Data Privacy: NordVPN does not collect or sell your personal data. They are committed to user privacy.

Nord VPN Pros:

Strong security features with AES-256 encryption and a kill switch.
Large server network with free servers in numerous countries.
Excellent browser speeds for streaming and downloading.
User-friendly apps for various platforms.
No-logs policy.
Supports P2P file sharing.

Nord VPN Cons:

Slightly more expensive than some competitors.

Low-Cost VPNs

SurfShark VPN

Pricing: Surfshark VPN offers competitive pricing with monthly and yearly plans, and you can use it on an unlimited number of devices.
Logging Policy: Surfshark VPN follows a strict no-logs policy, meaning they do not log user data.
Geographical/Usage Limitations: Surfshark VPN does not impose specific geographical or usage limitations.
Data Privacy: Surfshark VPN does not collect or sell your personal data. They prioritize user privacy.

SurfShark VPN Pros:

Affordable pricing with unlimited devices.
Strong security and privacy features, including a strict no-logs policy.
Great for streaming and unblocking content.
P2P-friendly with dedicated servers.

SurfShark VPN Cons:

Smaller server network compared to some competitors.

Mullvad VPN

Pricing: Mullvad VPN offers a straightforward pricing structure with a flat monthly fee.
Logging Policy: Mullvad has a strict no-logs policy, ensuring user data is not stored.
Geographical/Usage Limitations: Mullvad does not impose specific geographical or usage limitations.
Data Privacy: Mullvad is committed to user privacy and does not collect or sell personal data.

Mullvad VPN Pros:

High level of privacy with a strong no-logs policy.
Accepts anonymous payments, enhancing privacy
Does not require you to provide an email address for VPN use.
Good security with WireGuard support.

Mullvad VPN Cons:

Smaller server network compared to some larger VPN providers.
Some users may find the interface less user-friendly.

PrivadoVPN Free

Privado is one of few VPNs that can reliably unblock popular streaming services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer—even most paid services can't say that.

Pricing: There's a free version available with the option to upgrade to premium plans for more features.
Logging Policy: PrivadoVPN Free states a no-logs policy, but it's advisable to review their privacy policy for specific details.
Geographical/Usage Limitations: The free version may have geographical and usage limitations.
Data Privacy: Review the privacy policy to understand data collection practices, especially in the free version.

Privado VPN Pros:

Free VPN option.
User-friendly interface.

Privado VPN Cons:

Limited server locations and slower speed limits in the free version.
Data limitations in the free version without premium services.
Does not provide a kill switch with the free version.

TunnelBear VPN

Pricing: TunnelBear VPN offers free and paid plans with monthly and yearly subscriptions.
Logging Policy: TunnelBear has a no-logs policy and has undergone a security audit to verify its privacy practices.
Geographical/Usage Limitations: The free version has geographical and data limitations. The paid version offers more flexibility.
Data Privacy: TunnelBear emphasizes user privacy and has a no-logs policy. Review their privacy policy for specifics, especially regarding the free version.

TunnelBear VPN Pros:

User-friendly and whimsical design.
Strong security with VigilantBear (kill switch) feature.

TunnelBear VPN Cons:

Limited server locations.
Data limitations in the free version.

Things to beware of in free VPNs

While free VPNs can be appealing due to their low cost, there are several potential pitfalls to be aware of:

Data collection policies: Some free VPNs may log your online activities and data. They might even sell your data to third parties for profit. Always read a VPN provider's privacy policy to understand how they handle your information. You want a “no-log VPN” that doesn’t collect (or log) your activity.
Limited Security Features: Free VPNs may not provide the same level of security features as paid options. This could include weaker encryption, fewer protocol options, and a lack of features like a kill switch or split tunneling.
Data Limits: Most free VPNs impose data limits, meaning you can only use them for a limited amount of data transfer each month. This can be restrictive for streaming and downloading.
Slower Speeds: Free VPN servers are often crowded because many users are sharing the same resources. This can result in slower connection speeds, making it less suitable for bandwidth-intensive activities.
Adware and Malware: Some free VPNs may inject ads or even malware into your browsing experience to generate revenue. This can compromise your online security and privacy, although an ad blocking browser may be helpful.
Limited Server Locations: Free VPNs typically offer a limited number of server locations. If you need to access content from different regions, free VPNs may not be suitable.
Security Risks: Some free VPNs could be malicious in nature, aiming to steal your data or infect your device with malware. Always choose reputable providers from trusted sources.
Bandwidth Throttling: Some free VPNs may throttle your bandwidth intentionally to encourage users to upgrade to their paid versions.

While free VPNs can be a viable option for basic online privacy and light usage, it's important to choose your Free VPN carefully and evaluate the provider's privacy policy, security features, and potential drawbacks.

If you have more demanding needs or require consistent privacy and security, investing in a paid VPN or premium VPN is often the safer and more reliable choice. You can also research the best VPNs according to Reddit users for more reliable opinions.