We'll be direct: we don't recommend free VPNs. The one exception is ProtonVPN Free—and we'll explain why it's different.
The Only Free VPN We Recommend
ProtonVPN Free
Unlimited data, no ads, no logs, funded by paid users—not your data.
Why ProtonVPN Free Is Different:
- • Funded by paid users — Not by selling your data
- • Same privacy policy as paid — Strict no-logs, verified by audit
- • Created by CERN scientists — Same team behind ProtonMail
- • Swiss jurisdiction — Strong privacy laws, outside 14 Eyes
- • Open source apps — Anyone can verify the code
ProtonVPN Free Limitations
It's free, so there are restrictions:
✓ What You Get
- • Unlimited bandwidth
- • Servers in US, Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland
- • Full no-logs privacy
- • Kill switch
- • Works for basic browsing
⚠ What You Don't Get
- • No streaming support (Netflix, etc.)
- • No P2P/torrenting
- • 1 device only
- • Slower speeds (lower priority)
- • Only 5 countries
Why Other Free VPNs Are Dangerous
If a VPN is free and it's NOT funded by a paid tier (like ProtonVPN), ask yourself: how do they make money?
🚨 How "Free" VPNs Actually Make Money
They log every site you visit and sell it to advertisers and data brokers. You're paying with your privacy.
They insert their own ads into the websites you visit, tracking your behavior and profiting from impressions.
Some VPNs (like Hola) sell your IP address and bandwidth to others—your home connection could be used for anything.
Research found 38% of free Android VPNs contain malware. Some steal passwords, install cryptominers, or worse.
Free VPNs to Avoid
| VPN | Why to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Hola | Sells your bandwidth to others. Your IP used for unknown purposes. |
| SuperVPN | Leaked 360 million user records in 2023. Chinese ownership. |
| TouchVPN | Owned by ad company. Logs and tracks everything. |
| Betternet | Contains tracking libraries. Shares data with third parties. |
| Psiphon | Logs connection data. Funded by ad-supported model. |
| Opera VPN | Not actually a VPN (just proxy). Logs browsing history. |
| TurboVPN | Chinese ownership. Vague privacy policy. Ad-supported. |
The Better Alternative: Cheap Paid VPNs
Here's the thing: paid VPNs cost less than a coffee per month. For $2-3/month, you get:
- Unlimited devices
- Full-speed connections
- Streaming support (Netflix, etc.)
- P2P/torrenting allowed
- Thousands of servers worldwide
- Actual customer support
PIA
Best long-term value
Surfshark
Lowest intro price
NordVPN
Best overall
All of these have 30-day money-back guarantees. You can literally use them free for a month, cancel, and get a full refund. That's safer than any "free" VPN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there really only one safe free VPN?
Essentially, yes. ProtonVPN is the only major free VPN with unlimited data that's funded by a legitimate business model (paid users subsidize free users). Windscribe and Hide.me have limited free tiers but with much stricter data caps (2-10GB/month).
Can I use a free VPN for Netflix?
No. ProtonVPN Free explicitly doesn't support streaming. Other free VPNs either block streaming, have data caps too small for video, or get blocked by Netflix. You need a paid VPN for streaming.
What about free trials from paid VPNs?
Some paid VPNs offer 7-day free trials on mobile (NordVPN, ExpressVPN). But the best approach is using the 30-day money-back guarantee—full access, full refund if you cancel within 30 days. It's essentially a free month.
Are browser VPN extensions safe?
Most aren't. Browser extensions are often proxies (not real VPNs), don't encrypt all traffic, and frequently log your activity. Opera's "VPN" isn't actually a VPN at all. Stick with actual VPN apps from reputable providers.
The Bottom Line
If you absolutely can't pay: ProtonVPN Free is the only safe option. It's limited (1 device, no streaming, 5 countries) but it won't sell your data.
If you can spend $2/month: Get a real VPN. Surfshark at $1.99/month or PIA at $2.03/month gives you unlimited everything and actual protection. Use the 30-day money-back guarantee if you're unsure.
A "free" VPN that sells your data costs you far more than $2/month in the long run.