Should I get a free VPN?

There are some issues with using free VPNs that you should be aware of. Here are a few of them: Your Internet speed could slow down. Some free VPNs offer a premium version that you have to pay for, so they might purposely make your connection slower to try to convince you to upgrade. You might see a lot of pop-up ads that can slow down your connection even more. Some free VPNs use ad-serving trackers to keep an eye on what you're doing online and show you ads based on that information. Some free VPNs can take over your browser and redirect you to other websites without your consent. Finally, there's a risk that governments could collect your data through free VPNs. Many VPN providers are based in countries with weak privacy laws. This could make it easier for governments to spy on your online activity. That's why it's generally safer to use a paid VPN service that can protect your data, give you faster Internet speeds, and let you access restricted content.

Are Free VPNs Safe to Use?

You have to wonder whether free VPNs are safe to use – and no wonder you do either. I mean, virtual private networks – or VPNs for short – can be a total game-changer for your online security. But are free VPNs up to the job? Lets take a closer look and figure out if they’re really worth using.

Of course, not all VPNs come with a price tag – though most of ’em do. But in recent years, an awful lot of free VPNs have started popping up online. Not surprising really – who doesn’t love the idea of getting something for nothing? But the thing is, many of these free VPNs have started cutting corners and putting your personal data at risk. Some even slow down your internet speed – and to make matters worse, many free VPNs collect and sell user data to advertisers and data brokers. With so many options out there, its really crucial to do your research and compare different VPNs – their policies on user data, what features they offer, and all that jazz – to make sure you get a provider that meets your needs.

If you’re on the hunt for a VPN that will keep you safe online without putting your data at risk, then you should take a look at VeePN. It’s got all the right credentials – a top of the line 256-bit AES encryption, a double VPN and a super strong network of 2,500 servers in 70 countries. And at the end of the day, that’s just what you want from a VPN – something that works and keeps you safe. So why not give VeePN a go and give your online security and privacy a bit of a boost ?

VeePN Research Lab

Jan 19, 2026

27 min read

Get the week’s best marketing content

Introduction to Free VPN Services

Free VPN services have really taken off in the past few years. More and more people are looking for ways to protect their online privacy and keep their internet traffic safe and secure. A virtual private network, or VPN, works by encrypting your data and masking your ip address – which means its a whole lot harder for anyone to track your online activities. Free VPNs offer a temptingly simple solution to online privacy, giving users a taste of safety and security without having to part with a single penny.

But while the idea of a free VPN is really appealing, its worth bearing in mind that these services often come with some trade-offs. Free VPNs can be a great introduction to the world of online privacy, but they may not offer the same level of protection or performance as their paid counterparts. In this guide, we’ll go into the best free VPNs – what features they offer, and what alternatives are available if you need more robust privacy and security for your internet traffic.

Free VPN – the good the bad & the ugly

Free VPNs have become a real thing in recent years. More and more people are looking for ways to keep their online activites private and secure without going broke. But here’s the thing – a VPN works by encrypting your internet traffic and hiding your IP address – which is what free VPNs do too. The problem is, most free VPNs come with some pretty big drawbacks, like limited server options, slower speeds, and the risk that your internet traffic might be logged or sold. A real question to ask yourself is how a free VPN makes its money – many rely on ads, offer limited free versions of paid services, or by selling user data. And to make matters worse, a lot of free VPNs collect and sell user data to third parties, which really undermines user privacy.

When you’re evaluating a free VPN provider, you’ve got to weigh up the pros and cons. On one hand, you get the basic security and the ability to bypass some restrictions – which is a good start. But on the other hand, you might have to deal with data limits, fewer security features, and the risk that the VPN itself is logging or selling your data. So how do you make an informed decision about whether a free VPN is right for you?

How VPNs Really Work

For all the fuss around VPNs, at the end of the day they’re pretty simple to understand. And the benefits are pretty obvious too – you can keep your personal details safe and secure online, which is something we could all do with a bit more of. So how do they do it?

When you sign up for a VPN, you just log in and away you go. This means that when you’re online, your IP address is protected by the VPN. But if the VPN itself isn’t secure, theres a risk of IP address leaks – which can really compromise your online privacy. Another key benefit of using a VPN is that it encrypts your data – so even if some malicious company tries to snoop on your browsing habits, they wont be able to get anything out of it. Free VPNs often lack strong encryption, which makes them pretty vulnerable to data interception.And that’s not all – good VPNs have got what we call ‘kill switches’. This is a feature that automatically kicks in if your VPN connection drops – and that prevents any accidental leaks of your IP address, keeping your data perfectly safe. This is a big deal, because without it, your data’s exposed to hackers and unwanted advertising – and that’s just not what you want.

Free VPNs – A Recipe for Disaster

The thing is, free VPNs just aren’t safe – at least, not in the way you’d think. Let’s face it, nothing ever is free. The providers have got to make money one way or another, and they usually do it by nudging costs down and flogging you out to the highest bidder. Many free VPNs only offer a watered down version of real protection, some of which aren’t even bothering to keep your data or online security secure. Free VPN users are especially vulnerable to privacy issues, because these services often make their money by plastering invasive adverts all over your screen or selling off your data to advertisers and data brokers. In some cases, free VPN users may even find their sensitive information getting leaked due to lousy security practices.

The appeal of a free service is easy to see, but the risks are very real. Using a free VPN can be riskier than using no VPN at all because of potential data logging and malware risks.

And let’s not forget another problem. Many free VPNs are just not secure enough to give you any peace of mind. And when you factor in the risks of logging or selling your data, things start to look pretty dodgy. And so, when it comes to picking a free VPN, you’ve got to be mighty careful.

Choosing a free VPN – what to look for

When it comes to choosing a free VPN provider, it’s all about the finer details. You need to check out the VPN protocols they use to keep your data secure. VPN protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard or IKEv2 determine how your data is encrypted and sent between your device and the VPN server – and it’s not just the protocol that matters, it’s the features and flexibility they offer too.

Some VPN companies offer a free tier with access to a limited number of server locations, while others have more restrictive features – like data limits or restricted internet speeds. The free tier can be a good option for people who are super concerned about their privacy or are on a tight budget, but you’ve got to compare what different VPN companies are offering in their free tier versus their paid plans. And if that’s not enough, some free VPNs are just not secure enough to give you any real peace of mind. Many free VPNs don’t have a ‘zero-logs’ policy, which raises big concerns about user privacy. Choosing a VPN with a clear no-logs policy is super important for ensuring user privacy and security. That’s why it’s so crucial to do your research, check out what your free VPN provider has to offer and see what kind of security features they give you.

When it comes to free VPNs, some providers are definitely better than others. For example, Proton VPN’s free tier offers the same rock solid encryption and security features as its paid version – which is something that not many free VPNs can say. So when you’re evaluating a free VPN provider, always check which protocols they use and what kind of security features they have to offer. And remember – if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Just ask the guys behind Quickfox, the free VPN provider that got hit with a data breach back in October 2021. They accidentally exposed the private details of over a million users, who’d signed up for the service in the hopes of accessing Chinese websites from outside China. This incident is a big deal – 500 million records were affected and 100GB of data ended up being exposed. The Personal Identifiable Information (PII) that was up for grabs included email addresses and phone numbers.

One of the most notable data breaches in recent times was the one that happened to the Colonial Pipeline Company. A group called DarkSide broke in via an old VPN that was just collecting dust – it’d been used to let employees work from home, but it had never been properly secured. The cost of this breach was huge – the Colonial Pipeline ended up paying the equivalent of around $5 million in ransom to DarkSide to get control of their networks back.

As these stories show, you’ve got to be pretty darn careful when it comes to using free VPNs – and it’s absolutely vital for businesses to do the legwork and find free VPNs that they can actually trust – because let’s be honest, there just aren’t that many around that you can rely on.

What’s the catch with using a free VPN

When it comes down to it, there’s a few catches with using a free VPN.Here’s the deal – safe & free VPNs are pretty few and far between. While there are loads of reasons why you might think about giving one a go, you need to be aware of the free VPN limitations – many free VPNs have some serious restrictions, often only allowing mobile devices or offering pretty limited functionality. If you’re not coughing up for the service, the company simply isn’t going to invest in top-class security measures. Free VPNs have fewer resources to pour into maintaining secure server networks, making them much easier targets for hackers. Plus, free VPNs often struggle with content restrictions because they’ve only got a tiny number of shared IP addresses on the go. On the other hand a VPN subscription usually gives you full access to features such as unlimited bandwidth, a wider server network and enhanced security. Now, we’re going to break down the security risks of free VPNs, and try to figure out the million dollar question: are they really even worth it?

Playing fast & loose with your security

A lot of free VPNs aren’t exactly great with your data. Since they’re not making any real cash, they’ve got to get creative with how they make a living – and that often involves flogging your data to anyone who’ll pay for it. And let’s be upfront, they can barely afford to hire someone to sort it out, so they’ve got to wing it as best they can. So, before you sign up for a free VPN, do take the time to read the terms & conditions – you don’t want to get caught out by some sneaky fine print you didn’t spot.

Limited by data caps

Just about every free VPN has a data cap. Now, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean you’re likely to have to be pretty careful about how much you use the service. Free VPNs often have to cap how much data you can access, and you might end up stuck to something like 1-10GB a month. When it comes to server selection, free servers are often pretty limited in number & location, which can impact speed, your ability to access geo-restricted content, and your ability to do P2P or torrenting.

Some VPNs manage to stand out from the crowd though. For example, Proton VPN is a big player in the space and their free tier really is the best on the market. No speed throttling or data caps, and you don’t even need to create an account to use it, which really does enhance user privacy.

Other VPNs that stand out in this area include PrivadoVPN, which offers a free tier with 10GB of data per month and lets you pick where you want to connect from among its free servers. Windscribe, which offers 10GB of data per month, has a knack for getting past geo-blocks, and allows P2P and torrenting on most of its free servers, which is pretty rare among free VPNs. TunnelBear, which has a user-friendly interface, offers 500 MB per month on its free tier. But to be honest, most free VPNs have to limit the number of devices you can connect, the features you can use, and the free servers you can access – so you might find your browsing experience is a bit slower & more clunky than it used to be.

Free VPNs are rubbish at unblocking location-restricted content

One of the main reasons people use VPNs is to access geo restricted content that’s blocked in their country. If you love Netflix but you can’t get the show you want because it’s not available in your country, you might try using a free VPN to unblock streaming services. However, free VPNs often struggle to unblock popular streaming services because their server networks are so limited and they’ve only got a handful of shared IP addresses. Some VPNs might let you access Netflix – but it’s always a bit of a gamble as to whether it’ll actually work.

The sad truth is, it probably means you’ll have to stump up for a paid VPN to get the kind of performance you need – & to be honest, most free VPNs are a bit of a letdown when it comes to streaming. Speed tests show that they just can’t compete with paid options when it comes to streaming and download speeds. And because they’re not using loads of servers, you’re probably not going to be able to pick which country you want to connect from when you watch Netflix. Even when a free VPN does manage to unblock Netflix, the streaming rates can be so slow they’re almost unwatchable. The ones that really do shine when it comes to streaming capabilities are a handful of VPNs that manage to deliver reliable speed & access.

Getting taken for a ride with malware

The thing is, safe & free VPNs are pretty few and far between. While there are loads of reasons why you might think about giving one a go, you need to be aware of the free VPN limitations – many free VPNs have some serious restrictions, often only allowing mobile devices or offering pretty limited functionality. If you’re not coughing up for the service, the company simply isn’t going to invest in top-class security measures, which means free VPNs have fewer resources to pour into maintaining secure server networks, making them much easier targets for hackers. Plus, free VPNs often struggle with content restrictions because they’ve only got a tiny number of shared IP addresses on the go. On the other hand a VPN subscription usually gives you full access to features such as unlimited bandwidth, a wider server network and enhanced security. Now, we’re going to break down the security risks of free VPNs, and try to figure out the million dollar question: are they really even worth it?

Playing fast & loose with your security

Limited by data caps

Free VPNs are rubbish at unblocking location-restricted content

Getting taken for a ride with malware

Now to be honest it’s not entirely surprising that free VPNs are really bad at unblocking location-restricted content. One of the main reasons people use VPNs is to access geo restricted content that’s blocked in their country. If you love Netflix but you can’t get the show you want because it’s not available in your country, you might try using a free VPN to unblock streaming services. However, free VPNs often struggle to unblock popular streaming services because their server networks are so limited and they’ve only got a handful of shared IP addresses. Some VPNs might let you access Netflix – but it’s always a bit of a gamble as to whether it’ll actually work.

Sadly, this means you might just have to stump up for a paid VPN to get the kind of performance you need – and to be honest, most free VPNs are a bit of a disappointment when it comes to streaming. Speed tests show that they just can’t compete with paid options when it comes to streaming and download speeds. And because they’re not using many servers, you’re probably not going to be able to pick a location in the country where you want to watch Netflix from. Even when a free VPN does manage to unblock Netflix, the streaming rates can be so slow they’re almost unwatchable. The only real high-flyers when it comes to streaming capabilities are a handful of VPNs that manage to deliver reliable speed and access.

The Dark Side of Free VPNs

It’s worth noting that some free VPNs can pose a security risk all their own – they might expose you to malware or other nasty code that you’d rather not have on your system. For instance, free VPN apps can be a major concern: a 2025 study of 800 free VPN apps found that a staggering 20-38% contained some form of malware, like trojans or spyware. Free VPNs often try to sneak malware or adware into their apps, so you’ve got something else to watch out for when you’re on the hunt for a VPN that’s really going to keep you safe & secure.

The irony of security risks linked to free VPNs isn’t lost on us – it really shouldnt’t be either. Loads of people sign up for a VPN to boost their online privacy game, but some of these so called “free” VPN providers are actually turning out to be security threats in disguise. Researchers have recently unearthed some pretty nasty vulnerabilities in ten of the most popular free VPNs on Google Play, including man-in-the-middle attacks that could potentially expose users to all sorts of nasty stuff.

The Ad Show

Free VPNs can seem like a no-brainer. Theyre free , so what’s the catch? Well, you might not be paying with your wallet but you’re probably paying in some other way – like with your internet traffic. The company can sell off your data, meaning every time you use the VPN, you’ll be bombarded with ads. They’ll pop up or you’ll be redirected to some dodgy sponsored webpage.

Not only is this a real nuisance but it also tends to slow your browser right down.

Browser Hijacking – Watch out!

You might think using a free VPN is safe but actually – its putting free subscribers at risk of browser hijacking by scammers. Sometimes these scoundrels will hide behind VPN extensions, inserting dodgy code into ads that’ll send free subscribers off to some obscure website they never wanted to visit in the first place. Its a right stressful and annoying experience.

In 2020, some of the most high-profile VPN extensions for Microsoft Edge got caught out – hijacking free subscribers to different search engines without even asking. The scammers were using fake brand names to hide their tracks in their scamming attempts.

Free VPNs for Torrenting – A Mixed Bag

If you’re thinking of using a free VPN for torrenting then you need to know that not all free VPNs are created equal. Just because something is free, dont assume it’ll be rubbish. Some free VPNs may log your activity, restrict your P2P traffic, or just not have the speeds or server network to make torrenting a smooth experience. But, there are some exceptions out there – Proton VPN and Windscribe are two of the better free VPNs that’ll let you torrent safely and privately. When searching for a free VPN to use for torrenting, look for providers with a strict no-logs policy, dedicated P2P support, and a reliable server network. Also, check how many simultaneous connections are allowed – this might sound silly, but if you use multiple devices it can be a real problem.

While paid VPNs tend to offer more advanced features and better performance for torrenting, some free VPNs can still deliver a safe and reliable experience if you pick the right one

Free VPNs – Will they work on all my gadgets?

When it comes to selecting a free VPN, you need to consider device compatibility. A good VPN app should just work seamlessly on loads of different platforms – like desktops, laptops, mobile devices and streaming boxes like Apple TV. However, a common limitation of free VPNs is that many restrict support to just mobile devices and may not offer full features across all platforms. A top VPN provider will offer their own native apps for Windows, mac, Android and iOS, making it easy to protect your connection no matter where you are. Some free VPNs like TunnelBear and Hide.me have been praised for their user-friendly apps and the fact that they support multiple devices under the same free account. When evaluating free VPNs, take a look at how many simultaneous connections are allowed and whether they support all the devices you want to protect. This way, you can keep your privacy and security across all your devices, whether you’re browsing on your phone or streaming on your TV.

A VPN Service You Can Rely OnA good VPN service is not just about having strong encryption – it’s also about the level of support you get from the company and how upfront they are about their practices. Sure, a top of the line VPN service – that typically costs at least $6 a month – often comes with 24/7 live chat, heaps of help resources, and independent security audits. But some free VPNs have pretty good customer support too – for example Proton VPN and Windscribe have teams that are super responsive and have clear privacy policies, even for users who don’t pay a cent. That being said, paid VPNs tend to have much better customer support and more reliable performance than free VPNs. When looking at a free VPN, look for providers that are honest about what data they’re logging, get regular security audits, and are genuinely committed to protecting users’ privacy. And of course, a good VPN should have a user-friendly interface, fast speeds and a wide range of server locations to give you a smooth and secure browsing experience.

By prioritising these features, you can find a free VPN that will keep your details safe and give you the support you need when things get messy.

Best Free VPNs

The thing is, when it comes to free VPNs not all providers are created equal. The top free VPNs have a big edge over the rest in terms of privacy and security features, even for users who aren’t paying a cent. Proton VPN is a well known favourite of mine, thanks to its unlimited data usage, secure VPN connection and strict no-logs policy that keeps your online activities private.

Other free VPNs worth checking out are PrivadoVPN, Windscribe and TunnelBear. These services offer a range of useful features like unlimited simultaneous connections, access to popular streaming services and a range of server locations to choose from. Windscribe, for instance, is known for its generous data usage limits and ability to get around geo-restrictions, while TunnelBear is praised for its super user-friendly interface and commitment to user privacy.

But let’s be real, even the best free VPNs have their limitations. You might run into data caps, slower speeds during peak hours, or a smaller selection of server locations compared to paid plans. Some free VPNs also restrict the number of simultaneous connections or limit access to certain features. It’s a good idea to weigh these factors up when deciding which free VPN is right for you – especially if you’re planning to use it for streaming or need unlimited data.

Alternatives to Free VPNs

While free VPNs can be a good starting point for protecting your online privacy, they often can’t compete with paid VPNs in terms of advanced features and overall performance. If you find yourself needing more from your VPN service – like unlimited data, faster speeds or a wider range of server locations – it might be time to look at upgrading to a paid VPN.

Paid VPNs like NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer a more comprehensive set of security features, including a kill switch, split tunneling, and multi-hop connections. They also provide a more reliable VPN connection, better support for streaming and torrenting and a larger global server network. And with paid VPNs, you’re less likely to run into data limits or restrictions on simultaneous connections, making them perfect for users who want a seamless and secure experience across all their devices.

If you’re really serious about your online security and privacy, investing in a paid VPN can give you peace of mind and access to features that most free VPNs just can’t match.

Testing out a premium VPN for free

If you’re not sure whether to commit to a paid VPN, many paid VPNs have free trials or money-back guarantees, so you can try them out before shelling out any cash. And premium VPN services often come with a free trial or money-back guarantee, so you can test out their advanced features and speed before you pay.

But if you do decide to go with a paid VPN, just remember that the premium version is generally safer than using a free VPN – after all, free services have been known to sell users’ data to make a buck.

If you do want to try out a free VPN, you might want to check out the best free VPN apps available right now, which are reputable and offer some basic protection, though with some limitations. And if you’re on iOS, just follow the instructions below to get started.

The free VPN trap: is it worth the risk?

If you check out our pretty detailed guide, you’ll see that using a free VPN can have some pretty serious downsides. It’s not just your online security that’s at risk – it can also really mess with your browsing experience as a user. So do think about what’s really important to you.But honestly you’d be quite surprised to find out that some of the free VPN options out there are actually pretty solid. The best free VPNs – Proton VPN, Windscribe, TunnelBear, Privado VPN and Hotspot Shield – they all have free versions that pretty much match the security features you need. Every single one of the free VPNs we’ve looked at has had its data and privacy policies thoroughly checked over in an independent audit – which is totally essential if you’re gonna trust them with your personal details.

When you’re on the hunt for a good VPN, think really hard about how big and reliable their free VPN server network is – that really will make a big difference to the speed of things, and how many places you’ll be able to get to. Stick with the ones that are upfront about not keeping any records – that’s the way to keep your data safe and avoid any potential privacy risks. Some VPNs also chuck in a few extra perks like password managers and unlimited simultaneous connections – which can be a total game-changer for people who want to stay safe and secure across loads of devices.

The Bottom Line

To sum it all up, free VPN services can be a super useful tool for anyone looking to boost their online security and privacy without breaking the bank. However, you do need to pick a reputable VPN provider, and make sure you’re aware of the limitations of the free version. If you need a solid and reliable VPN connection, sometimes it’s just better to go for a paid option.

Online security is way more than just using a VPN – don’t forget to turn on multi-factor authentication, and use a password manager to keep all of your accounts locked down. When you’re looking for a VPN, have a look for providers that do a free trial or free version – that way you can try before you buy. And dont forget to check out what other users think of a VPN before committing – that way you can make sure you’re getting a reliable and secure VPN that meets your needs. With the right approach, you can enjoy a much safer and more private online experience – free VPN or paid option – whatever floats your boat.

That’s why we suggest you tyring VeePN: a premium service with top AES-256 encryption and No Logs policy to ensure your safe, comfortable, and completely anonymous browsing.

FAQ

While there are several free VPN options available, note that using a free VPN may not be the most secure option. Many free VPN providers sell user data, which goes against the very purpose of using a VPN to protect your online privacy.

Paid VPN services, like VeePN VPN, are much more secure and reliable. They offer strong encryption, No Logs policy, and fast servers in different locations. VeePN VPN also provides a free trial period, allowing you to test their service before committing to a paid subscription. Ultimately, investing in a reliable paid VPN service can provide better protection and peace of mind while browsing the Internet.

Not really. Free VPNs can put your privacy at risk by sharing your data with third parties. Many free VPN apps have poor privacy policies and lack transparency. Some apps may even contain malware or use embedded tracking for advertising or other purposes. Paid VPN services are a better option if you want to ensure secure and private browsing. In fact, a study found that 60% of the top 10 malware-infected VPNs were free, while only 28% of free VPN providers avoided using embedded third-party trackers.

There are some issues with using free VPNs that you should be aware of. Here are a few of them:

Your Internet speed could slow down. Some free VPNs offer a premium version that you have to pay for, so they might purposely make your connection slower to try to convince you to upgrade.
You might see a lot of pop-up ads that can slow down your connection even more. Some free VPNs use ad-serving trackers to keep an eye on what you’re doing online and show you ads based on that information.
Some free VPNs can take over your browser and redirect you to other websites without your consent.
Finally, there’s a risk that governments could collect your data through free VPNs. Many VPN providers are based in countries with weak privacy laws. This could make it easier for governments to spy on your online activity.

That’s why it’s generally safer to use a paid VPN service that can protect your data, give you faster Internet speeds, and let you access restricted content.