My team and I tested over 100 VPNs out there, and I shortlisted the best free VPNs in 2023. Do keep in mind that no free VPN can match up to the performance of premium VPNs. You’ll still need to put up with things like data limits and inconsistent speeds. If you want to save yourself the hassle, I recommend you try ExpressVPN risk-free. It isn’t free, but it’s the fastest and most reliable VPN I’ve used. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee (which is honored 100%), so you don’t have to worry about getting stuck with a VPN you don’t like.
Quick Guide: Best Free VPNs You Can Trust in 2023
The Best (100% FREE) VPNs in January 2023
1. ExpressVPN — Blazing-Fast Speeds and Powerful Security Features for Online Privacy
ExpressVPN isn’t normally free, so you might be wondering why I’m listing it as the #1 VPN. The reason is that ExpressVPN has excellent server speeds, top-tier security, and a strict no-logs policy. While it’s not free upfront, it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can easily get a full refund if you’re not satisfied (no questions asked — I’ve tested it myself). This makes ExpressVPN tough to beat. In my tests, I connected to over 50 servers in the US, UK, Japan, and more. I was impressed that ExpressVPN only caused a tiny speed drop of 18% on average (from my base speed of 115Mbps to 94Mbps). This is extremely fast, considering some servers were more than 15,000km away. I didn’t have any problems with slow loading pages, buffering videos, or lagging video games. ExpressVPN allows for the choice of multiple protocols including Lightway (ExpressVPN’s proprietary competitor to WireGuard), OpenVPN, and IKev2 in addition to the following security features:
AES 256-bit military-grade encryption DNS & IP leak protection Obfuscation on every server An automatic kill switch
As soon as you connect to a server, none of your online movements are tracked, logged, or shared. The audited no-logs policy has even been proven in a Turkish police investigation, when no user information could be recovered after a physical server was seized by the authorities. ExpressVPN also uses TrustedServer technology, which means the network runs on RAM-based servers that can’t physically store any data. In addition, the company headquarters are based in the British Virgin Islands — a privacy haven with no mass surveillance or data collection laws. You can sign up to a 1-month, 6-month, or 1-year plan, with the 1-year plan offering the best value for money at only $6.67 per month. At the time of writing, you can even get 3 months of ExpressVPN for free when you subscribe. Every plan is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so it’s easy to get a refund if you’re not 100% satisfied with the service. When I tested this myself, I was really surprised at how easy it was to get my money back! Other VPNs that I’ve tried wasted my time trying to troubleshoot or get me to stay, but ExpressVPN processed my refund immediately. The money was returned to my bank account within 5 days.
2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers for Streaming, Torrenting, and More (Free for 45 Days)
CyberGhost is great for beginners as it categorizes servers into specific activities, like streaming, torrenting, and gaming. These dedicated servers are regularly tested and optimized to guarantee smooth connections. On the Windows app, you can connect to an optimized server by clicking into the For streaming, For torrenting, or For gaming server lists. On Mac, you only have the For downloading (torrenting) and For streaming categories. If you want to browse the internet with maximum privacy, you can connect to the unique NoSpy servers (available on Windows in its own dedicated list and in the All Servers list on the Mac app). These servers are based in Romania, which has strict data privacy laws and is outside of the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes Alliance (a global intelligence-sharing network). The NoSpy servers are also owned and operated by CyberGhost staff to ensure no third-party interference. In addition to its stellar privacy policy, CyberGhost makes sure your information stays secure with the following safeguards:
AES 256-bit military-grade encryption Automatic kill switch DNS leak protection “NoSpy” advanced obfuscated servers for complete anonymity
The biggest downside is that my speeds dropped by 39% on average from 115Mbps to around 70Mbps. I also noticed a slowdown over long-distance connections (that I didn’t experience with other VPNs like ExpressVPN). You may find this impacts your connection if your regular internet speeds are slower, but you’ll only know by testing CyberGhost out for yourself. Luckily, you can use CyberGhost for free with its 45-day money-back guarantee. Its no-questions-asked refund policy means CyberGhost is a great choice if you only need a VPN for a short time, like binge-watching your favorite TV show or traveling abroad. Once you’re done, you can get a full refund easily within 45 days — I tested the process myself and it really does work. If you do want to use CyberGhost for longer, the best-value plan is the 2-year + 4 months plan at only $2.03 per month (it’s one of the most affordable monthly VPNs). Try CyberGhost for free for 45 days
3. Proton VPN — Unlimited Data for Free and No Ads
Proton VPN has unlimited free data and server access in the US, Japan, and the Netherlands. Since you only get access to 3 server countries, I was expecting my speeds to slow down on servers on the other side of the world. However, I was impressed by the fast speeds — I only had a drop of 33% on average (from a baseline of 98Mbps to 62Mbps). There was minimal lag when streaming, browsing, and online shopping. I was surprised to find ProtonPN is also a top free choice for streaming Netflix. On the website, streaming support is officially only available for Plus and Visionary subscribers. However, my team and I could access Netflix in every server country in tests. The company has an audited no-logs policy and is based in Switzerland, which has strong data protection and privacy laws. To further protect your browsing activity, Proton VPN makes use of robust protections like:
AES 256-bit encryption A kill switch DNS leak protection Split tunneling Customizable DNS Settings
While you can only connect 1 device at a time on the free plan, you can configure Proton VPN onto your router at home. This allows you to protect all of your devices as long as it’s connected to your WiFi. To get started and download Proton VPN for free, all you need is an email address. You don’t have to provide any other personal details. Unfortunately, you won’t have access to the SecureCore, Tor, or 10 Gbit servers. There’s no torrenting support on the free plan either. This ensures the free servers aren’t overloaded for other free users, but it’s disappointing if you want to share files via BitTorrent. Proton VPN’s paid plans can be a little pricey if you’re looking to upgrade. The cheapest plan comes to $4.99 per month and you’ll need to commit to a 2-year plan. For a similar price — but a shorter commitment on a 2-year plan — you could get ExpressVPN’s superior speeds and security for torrenting, streaming, and more. Try Proton VPN for free
4. Hotspot Shield — High-Speed Browsing With 500MB Free Data Per Day
Hotspot Shield’s free VPN offers 500MB of data per day, which is equivalent to around 15GB per month. While this isn’t much for downloading large files or streaming, it’s enough for secure browsing, checking emails, banking, and online shopping. The free VPN uses the same AES-256-bit encryption and leak protection as the premium version (although there’s no kill switch on the free plan). I ran several leak tests and was pleased to find Hotspot Shield successfully masked my true IP and DNS address. You’ve also got access to the Hydra Catapult, OpenVPN and IPsec protocols. I was pleased with the fast speeds, especially when I connected to the proprietary Hydra Catapult protocol. However, Hotspot Shield caps bandwidth to 2Mbps in an effort to get you to upgrade. This meant I had some buffering when streaming on YouTube. It also took some time for websites to populate. You can’t unblock Netflix and other location-based streaming services anyway. This is reserved for Hotspot Shield’s premium users only — and if you’re going to pay, CyberGhost has optimized servers for streaming and it’s just $2.03 a month (compared to Hotspot Shield’s cheapest plan at $2.99 a month). However, the biggest downside is that the free VPN is supported in part by ads. Even though the company doesn’t log any activity that can be tied back to you, your device OS and general geographic location is collected. This means you’ll see some personalized ads when you’re browsing. I find Hotspot Shield is best suited for casual browsing, as long as you don’t mind a few personalized ads. Better still, it’s simple to create a free Hotspot Shield account and download the app onto your device. You can even sign up for the 7-day free trial of the premium version — if you cancel straight away, you’ll be able to keep using the paid plan for the duration of the trial. Try Hotspot Shield for free
5. hide.me — No Data Limits and 5 Free Server Locations
hide.me’s free plan has unlimited data and access to servers in 4 countries. However, once you use 10GB of data, you’re no longer allowed to choose your server connection — you’re automatically connected to a random free server instead. As long as you don’t mind where you connect, hide.me is a good option for secure browsing. You’re protected by an audited no-logs policy, so your browsing history and identifying data is never shared or tracked. The company headquarters are based in Malaysia, which is outside any global intelligence-sharing networks. I was surprised to find that you get access to some premium security features such as:
Split tunneling Auto-connect Stealth Guard server obfuscation Access to IKev2, OpenVPN, and SoftEther protocols
I ran speed tests on hide.me’s free servers and it has fast download speeds, but slow upload speeds. While this is great for downloading and browsing, I had some buffering and lag when uploading files and making video calls. Unfortunately, my team and I couldn’t access many streaming platforms on hide.me’s free servers. Netflix US and UK did work on occasion, but you have to be patient and try many different servers to find a working option. While I wouldn’t recommend it for streaming, torrenting, or gaming, hide.me does keep your data secure while browsing. It’s easy to get started — simply download hide.me onto your device for free. You don’t even need to create a username or provide an email address. Try hide.me for free
6. TunnelBear — Free Servers in 47+ Countries and 500MB of Monthly Data
TunnelBear’s free VPN lets you access every premium feature on the paid plan. This includes access to all 47+ servers in its worldwide network, meaning you can easily browse the internet from anywhere. I claimed an extra 1GB of data by tweeting about the service — only to learn that this was a one-time gift and the next month I was back to the 500MB limit. Upgrading to Tunnel Bear’s premium plan will cost you $3.33 per month on the cheapest 3-year plan. For almost half that price, you could benefit from CyberGhost’s optimized servers for streaming instead. However, TunnelBear is still a decent option if you only need to casually browse the internet. TunnelBear uses AES-256-bit encryption and leak protection on every server. I was especially impressed by its GhostBear feature, which obfuscates your connection and makes it look like regular internet traffic. TunnelBear even performs annual independent security audits, confirming no user data is logged. It takes less than 1 minute to download TunnelBear’s free app and sign up for an account. You can connect to a server as soon as you’re done and start using the service. Try TunnelBear for free
7. NordVPN — Premium VPN With Cheap Prices on Long-Term Plans
NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market — and you can get super cheap prices when you sign up for a long-term subscription. One thing to note, however, is that when it’s time to renew your subscription, prices do increase quite significantly. I did, however, have issues with using NordVPN’s native Fire TV app. Although it worked and unblocked some streaming services, it sometimes had issues unblocking Netflix US and kept crashing. I also found that NordVPN’s user interface for desktop devices was less user-friendly than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. NordVPN has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryption A kill switch that cuts your internet access if your connection to a VPN server drops suddenly Built-in ad and malware blocker, so you don’t need a third-party ad blocker Fully audited no-logs policy (audited by PwC) – NordVPN doesn’t store any personal or identifying data while you’re connected to the VPN
In addition, NordVPN includes Threat Protection that protects you from viruses, infected websites, and trackers – and it works whenever you have the NordVPN app open, even if you’re not connected to a VPN server. While NordVPN is not entirely free, you can stream, torrent, and browse for free for up to 30 days with its money-back guarantee. NordVPN has plans that cost as little as $3.69 per month. To ensure that you’ll really get your money back, I tested NordVPN’s money-back guarantee. At first, the support team tried to give me an extended trial period — but they initiated my refund right away after I told them I wasn’t interested in the extension. I got my money back in 6 business days. NordVPN works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Chromebook, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Fire Stick, and Android TV
8. Surfshark — Best Value for Money with Unlimited Device Connections and Fast Speeds
Surfshark offers the best value for money out of every premium VPN on the market. You can connect an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription, which means you can use Surfshark on all your devices without getting logged out. I tested Surfshark’s simultaneous connections on 2 PCs, 2 phones, a Fire Stick 4K, and an iPad. My connection remained reliable on all 6 devices. Even while I was actively streaming on all my devices, my average speed was 112 Mbps — fast enough for UHD quality. When I saw the price of this service, I thought it couldn’t possibly have top-grade security features for such a low price, but I was pleasantly surprised. Surfshark has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryption on all devices, with ChaCha encryption available for Android users Wireguard VPN protocol enabled by default Diskless, RAM-only servers to protect your privacy (no data can be physically extracted from any servers) Kill switch (although this isn’t enabled by default) IP and DNS leak protection
Surfshark offers two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. This feature requires you to enter an extra code before you can log in to ensure that only you can access your account. While Surfshark does have slightly fewer global servers than rivals such as CyberGhost and PIA, I didn’t experience any issues during my tests. I easily connected fast working servers every time, and I had excellent speeds for streaming Netflix in UHD, downloading torrents, and browsing the internet. Surfshark is not truly free, but it offers a 7-day free trial on Android, iOS, and macOS devices. You can also test out Surfshark on other devices for 30 days thanks to its money-back guarantee. It has plans that cost as little as $2.05. Requesting a refund is easy with Surfshark’s live chat feature. Although the support team asked why I wanted to cancel my subscription, I had no problem getting my money back (and it only took 4 days!). Surfshark works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire Stick, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Android TV, Kodi, and selected routers
Side-by-Side Comparison of the Best Free VPNs in 2023
No matter which free VPN you choose, you’ll have to deal with some limitations, like data caps and server restrictions. If you want to avoid these limitations, I suggest you try ExpressVPN risk-free. While it’s a paid VPN, it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you change your mind about the service, you can get a full refund within 30 days. It’s super quick and easy over 24/7 live chat.
Avoid These Free VPNs Like the Plague
The sad truth is that you can’t always trust Google Play or Apple App Store ratings. Even if you find a VPN with many downloads and positive user reviews, it could still be malware. In fact, a study by research agency CSIRO found that 75% of free VPNs have at least 1 tracking library — despite claims to protect user privacy. Through my own research and testing, I found some shocking facts about several VPN services that I had to warn you about.
“Freemium” vs Free VPNs: Hidden Costs You Should Know
A freemium VPN is a sample of a premium VPN. It’s a free plan offered by reputable VPN companies who let you try the free version with some limitations, in order to promote the paid plan. You can trust freemium VPNs not to sell your personal data — the companies won’t risk ruining their reputation and losing the trust of paying customers. However, you’ll face the hidden cost of limited data, slow speeds, and restricted server locations. This is done in the hopes that you’ll get frustrated and eventually upgrade to the premium VPN. When a free VPN doesn’t promote its premium version or show ads, your data is probably being sold to third parties. Your free VPN might even contain malware designed to mine your data for profit. In my opinion, this is the highest price you’ll pay as your private information and sensitive files could easily be stolen by cybercriminals. The cost of using a free VPN far outweighs the price of a premium service, especially when you can try a top-tier VPN like ExpressVPN risk-free. You can even try ExpressVPN to make sure it works for you with the 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, you can get a full refund as long as you request it within 30 days.
How I Tested and Ranked the Best Free VPNs in 2023
Any VPN can be listed on the app store with positive reviews, but that doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous. That’s why I strongly advise you to consider the below points when evaluating a free VPN:
Business model — You don’t want your free VPN to make money at your expense. Some shady VPNs fill their app with ads, trackers, or malware (sometimes all 3!) to secretly collect and sell your private data. Strict no-logs policy — No VPN should compromise your privacy (or it defeats the point of using a VPN), so I checked each VPN’s privacy policy to make sure your data is never tracked, logged, sold, or shared. Restrictions — Free VPNs often have limitations due to a lack of resources and funds. This could include slow speeds, finite bandwidth, overcrowded servers, zero torrenting support, and no access to streaming platforms like Netflix. Security features — Look for at least AES-256-bit encryption and tunneling protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Avoid protocols like L2TP/IPSec and PPTP, which are outdated and frankly shouldn’t be used anymore. User-friendly app — The last thing you want to do is spend time configuring and installing the VPN. That’s why every VPN I tested works on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and other popular devices.
Are free VPNs really safe?
Unfortunately, most free VPNs aren’t safe. At best, your private data is collected by trackers while your device is bombarded with pop-up ads. At worst, you could infect your device with malware and expose your sensitive files to hackers. The reality is that there are only a few trustworthy free VPNs — and I’ve tested them all. All my recommended free VPNs have a strong privacy policy, and won’t steal or sell your private data to make money. I’ve only selected reputable free VPN providers as well, since these companies will constantly update their VPN networks to ensure there are no security flaws. Every VPN also comes with military-grade encryption, multiple protocols, kill switches, and leak protection. You can be sure that your data is safe and your browsing activity is anonymous every time you connect.
What’s the best free VPN for Netflix?
Free VPNs do work with Netflix – and we even have a guide to the best free VPNs for Netflix. However, keep in mind you’ll still have to put up with some limitations. This includes data caps, speed restrictions, or access to a small number of servers and Netflix libraries. For example, Hotspot Shield works with Netflix US — but you only have 500MB of free data per month. TunnelBear can unblock Netflix on all its global servers, but you’re also restricted to just 500MB of free data each month.
Should I use a free VPN for torrenting?
Yes, you can use a free VPN for torrenting, but you’ll have to sacrifice either speed or data. Slow speeds can result in waiting hours for a single download to complete, whereas low data caps will restrict you from downloading large files. Many free VPNs only have a few server locations as well, which isn’t ideal if you need to connect to a specific country. If you only need a VPN for a short amount of time, I recommend taking advantage of a premium VPN’s money-back guarantee. For instance, you can torrent on CyberGhost’s optimized servers for 45 days for free and get a full refund when you’ve finished.
Do free VPNs work in China?
In short, no. Only a handful of paid VPNs still work in China as it’s exceptionally tricky to overcome the Great Firewall. If you’re heading to China on an overseas trip, I suggest you download one of these VPNs before entering the country (as VPN websites are blocked inside). While it’s possible to use a local Chinese VPN, I strongly advise against it. Oftentimes, these free VPNs are actually sharing your personal information with third parties. If you dig into the background of these local VPNs, you’ll find little to no historical information or even a privacy policy. Keep in mind that the government doesn’t officially condone using non-approved VPNs. However, no foreigner has been punished for using a VPN while on a vacation, business trip, or short-term stay to date.
How do free VPNs make money?
There’s always a hidden cost that allows free VPNs to make money. The most common way is by bombarding your device with pop-up ads. While it might seem harmless, all adware comes installed with trackers. Trackers keep tabs on your internet activity, which means your browsing history is no longer anonymous or private. Free VPNs sometimes sell your data to advertisers. They keep track of sites you visit, your IP address, and data relating to your connection. This is a huge violation of your privacy and can compromise your security, depending on the data being tracked and sold. Rarely, a free VPN can sell your data to the highest bidder — and this could mean your information is in the hands of a cybercriminal. It’s not a common occurrence, but you should be aware of the potential risk when looking at free VPN services.
Can I use a free VPN on any device?
It depends, but the free VPNs on this list have native apps for Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS. However, in most cases, you can only connect 1 device at a time. So if you’ve got both a smartphone and a laptop, you’ll have to log out of the VPN on 1 device in order to log into the other. If you want to use a VPN on multiple devices at the same time, ExpressVPN offers up to 5 device connections at once. You can even install it on smart TVs and gaming consoles, which normally don’t have native VPN support. If you have more than 5 devices, you can install ExpressVPN’s native router app. When you set up a VPN on your router, you can use every WiFi-connected device in your household with the VPN.
What’s the best free VPN for gaming? (PUBG, Minecraft, Roblox, and more)
Unfortunately, I can’t recommend any free VPN for gaming online. Even the best free VPNs in 2023 won’t guarantee you lag-free gaming. The issue lies with ping (or latency). This is how long it takes for data to reach the server and for your device to get a response. Free VPNs have high ping, so it takes a long time to get a server response. During a fast-paced game, you’ll experience delays and might even lose connection to the game server. However, a premium VPN can mitigate latency in ways that freemium VPNs won’t (or can’t afford to). ExpressVPN has blazing-fast speeds and low ping, as well as dedicated apps for smartphones and computers. You can even set it up on gaming consoles, like PlayStation and Xbox.
Are free VPNs legal?
VPNs are legal in most countries in the world, and using a free VPN to mask your IP address and keep your confidential data secure is permitted. However, it’s never legal to use a VPN connection to perform illegal online activities, like hacking, cyberstalking, or distributing copyrighted content. My team and I don’t condone any illegal behavior, so make sure you’re aware of local VPN laws and regulations before you connect. This is especially the case in countries like China, Belarus, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, where non-approved VPN usage is banned.
Choose A VPN That Won’t Compromise Your Safety
The market is flooded with free VPNs, but many of them pose serious risks to you and your data. Slow speeds, bandwidth limitations, and connection restrictions are annoying — having your data logged and sold to generate revenue compromises your data security. To keep yourself safe online and enjoy the internet without limitations, I suggest you consider a top-quality option like ExpressVPN. During my tests, I was impressed by ExpressVPN’s lightning-fast speeds, ease of use, and steady server connections worldwide. I also liked that there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can always get a refund if you’re not completely satisfied. I even tested the money-back guarantee myself to make sure it works. No one hassled me to stay when I asked for a refund over 24/7 live chat and better still, the money returned to my account in just 5 days.
