10 Best Free VPN Services for 2024

It is hard to choose the best free VPN since there are so many of them. Most free VPN services come with significant security setbacks.

In terms of online security, it isn’t ideal to compromise on protecting your privacy. We understand that budget becomes an issue sometimes, and people start looking for free solutions.

However, if you want the best free VPN providers that suit all your needs, you will need to research. To save your valuable time, we did all the necessary research.

Best free VPN services comparison

VPNs	Bandwidth	Speed	No. of servers	No. of devices	Supported platforms	Streaming services	Keeps logs
ProtonVPN	Unlimited	66 Mbps	1720 (134 free)	1	Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Android TV	Netflix, Hotstar, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime, etc	No
Urban VPN	Unlimited	10 Mbps	2000+	Unlimited	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox	Netflix, Disney+, Amazon fire stick TV (with issues)	Yes
Turbo VPN	Unlimited	45 Mbps	21000 + mostly virtual	1	PC, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS	Netflix, Hulu, HBO, HotStar	Yes
Hola VPN	Unlimited	48 Mbps	1500 +	1	iOS, Mac, Linux, Windows, Samsung, Huawei, FireTV, LG web OS	Netflix, Amazon Prime	Yes
Hotspot Shield	500MB/day	2 Mbps	115 (1 free location)	1	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome	Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, etc	No
Hide.me	10GB/month	40 Mbps	(5 free locations)	1	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Router, Amazon fire TV	Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, ESPN, HBO, NHL, NFL	No
iTop VPN	700MB/month	100 Mbps	(16 free locations)	5	Android, iOS, macOS, chrome, and Windows	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, HBO	No
CyberGhost	Unlimited	548 Mbps	7900 +	7	Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Smart TVs, Xbox, PS3, PS4	Netflix, Disney+, Hotstar, Amzon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Hulu, DAZN, etc	No
ExpressVPN	Unlimited	135 Mbps	3000 + (160 locations in 94 countries)	5	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Routers, Chromebook, Kindle fire, Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Apple TV, etc	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hotstar, HBO max, Amazon Prime, ESPN, DAZN, etc	No
PureVPN	Unlimited	200 Mbps	6000 +	10	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Firefox, Chrome, Smart TVs, Gaming consoles	Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO Go, Hotstar, etc	No

Top 10 best free VPN providers

After testing more than 30 providers, here are our findings for the top 10 best free VPN service providers in 2024.

List 1: Best completely free VPN services

We have divided the list into two categories: completely free VPNs and best free trails VPNs to make things easier.

We have included those VPN services in the completely free VPNs category that does not require any penny from the user. Whereas best free trails VPNs include those that offer a free trial or money-back guarantee.

1. ProtonVPN – Overall best free VPN

Data limit: Unlimited

Platforms supported: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Android TV

Devices per account: 1 for free

Average speed: 66 Mbps

Servers: 134 free servers in 3 countries

Based on: Switzerland

Streaming platforms: Netflix, Hotstar, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime, etc

No-logs policy: Yes

Cheapest premium plan: Get Proton VPN for $3.29 per month in a 2-years deal

Pros

• Good speeds despite throttling
• Unlimited bandwidth
• 100 + free servers
• High level of security

Cons

• Only 3 free countrie’s servers are available

Related info: Check out this – Proton VPN review, where you can get all the details about this VPN provider.

Who is Proton VPN recommended for?

• Torrenting
• People in restricted countries
• Free users who want premium-level features

ProtonVPN has a lot going for it. It’s one of the better performing free VPNs, with only marginally slower speeds than some premium providers. It has a strict no-logging policy and offers servers in 3 countries for free users.

It has just the right amount of security, features, and speed. It has no significant issues, and we highly recommend this Proton VPN to everyone.

Related: Best Premium VPN Services in 2024

2. Urban VPN – Best free unlimited VPN

Data limit: Unlimited

Platforms supported: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox

Devices per account: Unlimited

Average speed: 10 Mbps

Servers: 2000 + in 80 + countries

Based on: USA

Streaming platforms: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon fire stick TV (may run into issues several times)

No-logs policy: No

Cheapest premium plan: Get Urban VPN for $1.49 per month in a 3-years deal

Pros

• Extremely easy to use
• Unlimited bandwidth
• Good for beginners

Cons

• Poor desktop speeds
• Retains user data
• Limited platforms support
• Not great for frequent VPN users
• It doesn’t work well in China

Who is Urban VPN recommended for?

• Individuals
• Newbies
• Those who rarely use VPNs

Urban VPN is a simple VPN that does what it claims to do. It takes pride in being 100% free, and it does it quite well.

It has plenty of servers, offers bare-bones protection, and is very simple. It doesn’t work in restricted countries and is better suited to those who rarely use VPNs.

Learn more: Urban VPN review: How good and safe is Urban VPN?

3. Turbo VPN – Best free VPN for multiple locations

Data limit: Unlimited

Platforms supported: PC, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS

Devices per account: 5

Average speed: 45 Mbps

Servers: 21,000 +

Based on: Singapore

Streaming platforms: Netflix, Hulu, HBO, HotStar, and more

No-logs policy: No

Cheapest premium plan: Get Turbo VPN for $4.17 per month in a 24-months plan (65% off)

Pros

• Unlimited bandwidth
• Easy user interface
• Lightweight

Cons

• No browser extensions
• Limited platforms support
• Constant speed throttling

Who is Turbo VPN recommended for?

• Newbies
• Changing locations quickly
• Browsing censored websites

Turbo VPN has the most extensive server network out of paid or free VPNs, with over 21,000 VPN servers worldwide. Most of these are virtual, so they aren’t all quick, but this free version works very well to change your location instantly. It is one of the best VPN available in the market, if you are looking for the free options.

Learn more: Turbo VPN review 2022: How good and safe is Turbo VPN?

See also: Check out this Dbd post – best iPhone VPNs, where we have listed the best VPN for iOS devices reviewed by experts.

4. Hola VPN – Best free, user-friendly VPN

Data limit: Unlimited

Platforms supported: iOS, Mac, Linux, Windows, Samsung, Huawei, FireTV, LG web OS

Devices per account: 1 to 20

Average speed: 48 Mbps

Servers: 1500

Based on: Israel

Streaming platforms: Netflix, amazon prime (not always effective)

No-logs policy: No

Cheapest premium plan: Get Hola VPN for $2.99 per month in a 3-years deal (70% off)

Pros

• Unlimited bandwidth
• P2P support
• Great at changing locations
• 7.7 million IP addresses to mask your actual IP address with
• Lightweight and easy to use
• No ads

Cons

• Unavailable on Google Play Store or chrome browser
• Identified as malware by chrome
• Sells user data
• Bad security
• Uses your network resources
• Lacks kill switch

Who is Hola recommended for?

• P2P file sharing
• Beginners
• Those who just need to change locations

Hola VPN is as simple as it gets. It changes your location very quickly, almost all it does. It is an entry-level VPN with a single-click connect feature for beginners. That makes it incredibly beginner-friendly.

It does not have many security features, and it stores user data. But it is perfect if you want a real location changer to see websites and recommendations from other countries.

Do not use this free service if your priority is online security. Even its paid version stores some user data.

Learn more: Hola VPN reviews (2022): How good and safe is Hola VPN?

See also: Check out this Dbd post – best Android VPNs, where we have listed the best VPN for Android devices reviewed by experts.

5. Hotspot Shield free VPN – Best free secure VPN

Data limit: 500 MB per day

Platforms supported: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome

Devices per account: 1

Average speed: 2 Mbps

Free Servers: Only 1 location

Based on: USA

Streaming platforms: Netflix, YouTube, Disney+ & more

No-logs policy: Yes

Cheapest premium plan: Get Hotspot Shield for $7.99 per month (40% off)

Pros

• Consistent 2 Mbps speed without connection drops
• Good security protocols
• Military-grade encryption
• No-logs policy

Cons

• Limited free bandwidth
• Throttled speed
• Only 1 location for free users
• No-kill switch

Who is Hotspot Shield recommended for?

• Casual web browsers
• Social media users

Hotspot Shield is one of the most popular free online VPNs. It is known for the excellent protection of your online activity and properly hiding your data usage. The free version comes with slow speed limits, where the speed caps at just 2 Mbps, but it is enough for browsing social media for a while.

Learn more: Hotspot Shield VPN Review

6. Hide.me VPN – The best free, trustworthy VPN

Data limit: 10 GB per month

Platforms supported: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Router, Amazon fire TV

Devices per account: 1

Average speed: 40 Mbps

Free servers: 5 locations

Based on: Malaysia

Streaming platforms: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, ESPN, HBO, NHL, NFL

No-logs policy: Yes

Cheapest premium plan: Get Hide.me for $2.59 per month in 24 months plan

Pros

• No ads
• No speed throttling
• Unblocks most sites seamlessly
• P2P support

Cons

• Limited bandwidth
• Only 5 locations

Who is Hide.me recommended for?

• Reading censored news and articles
• Binge-watching a show
• Casual VPN user

Hide.me VPN provides 10GB of data per month with its free subscription. It also comes with five server locations. The data usage limits aren’t too great but are just enough for those who make minor VPN usage.

This free subscription allows you to binge-watch a Netflix show or two with five major server locations since it offers 10GB of data.

Learn more: Hide.me VPN Review – How Good & Safe is Hide.me?

Related info: Check out this Dbd post – best free Android VPNs, where we have listed the best free VPN for Android devices reviewed by experts.

8. iTop VPN – Best free limited VPN

Data limit: 700 MB per day

Platforms supported: Android, iOS, macOS, chrome, and Windows

Devices per account: 5

Average speed: 100 Mbps

Free Servers: 16 locations

Based on: Hong Kong

Streaming platforms: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, HBO

No-logs policy: Yes

Cheapest premium plan: Get iTop VPN for $3.99 per month (65% off)

Pros

• No-logs policy
• 16 free locations, which is more than others
• No speed throttling

Cons

• Limited bandwidth
• Unavailable on some platforms

Who is iTop VPN recommended for?

• Those who need a VPN for a few days
• Casual web browsers
• Uncensored newsreaders

Out of all the limited VPNs, iTop is the best VPN. It offers 700 MB data transfer per day which is more than Hide.me and Hotspot Shield. It is the best free service if you are a casual user trying to bypass geographic restrictions for uncensored news.

Most free VPNs with limits only allow 500 MB per day and some throttle speeds. iTop isn’t known to reduce your speeds intentionally.

This VPN provider also offers military-grade encryption and 16 free locations in its free plan. However, it has limited bandwidth compared to other free VPNs. So if you need a full-fledged VPN service, you may want to opt for one of the others or get a paid version instead of using a free version.

Learn more: iTop VPN review: How safe is it?

Related info: Check out this Dbd post – best free iPhone VPNs, where we have listed the best free VPN for iOS devices reviewed by experts.

List 2: Best free trial VPNs

Following is a list of the best free trials among various VPN providers in 2024.

1. CyberGhost VPN – 45 days free

Data limit: Unlimited

Platforms supported: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Smart TVs, Xbox, PS3, PS4

Devices per account: 7

Average speed: Up to 548 Mbps

Servers: 8000

Based on: Romania

Streaming platforms: Netflix, Disney+, Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Hulu, DAZN, etc

No-logs policy: Yes

Cheapest premium plan: Enjoy 3 years CyberGhost VPN deals for Only $2.29/mo

Pros

• Great security protocols
• Long money-back guarantee
• Easy refund
• All features unlocked
• Unlimited bandwidth
• Works in China
• 100% Free browser extension
• Live chat support

Cons

• Upfront payment
• Who is CyberGhost VPN recommended for?
• Browser extension users
• Those who want a VPN for over a month for free
• Streamers and online gamers

CyberGhost offers the longest free plan in terms of a money-back guarantee. It provides unlimited data with a 45-day money-back guarantee, which is longer than any free VPN service.

CyberGhost is also the best free VPN for chrome extension and Firefox. It is an excellent choice with advanced features and no monthly data limit. It might make you so satisfied that you’ll start thinking of becoming one of the paying users.

Learn more: CyberGhost VPN review – How good & safe is it?

2. ExpressVPN – 30 days free + 3 months extra

Data limit: Unlimited

Platforms supported: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Routers, Chromebook, Kindle fire, Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Apple TV, etc

Devices per account: 5

Average speed: 135 Mbps

Servers: 160 locations in 94 countries

Based on: The British Virgin Islands

Streaming platforms: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hotstar, HBO max, Amazon Prime, ESPN, DAZN, etc

No-logs policy: Yes

Cheapest premium plan: Get ExpressVPN for $6.67 per month with + 3 Months FREE (49% off)

Pros

• Easy refund
• Fast speed
• Most diverse servers
• Works in China
• 24/7 customer support

Cons

• Requires upfront payment
• Only 5 simultaneous connections

Who is ExpressVPN recommended for?

• Streamers, gamers
• Individual VPN users
• Those willing to pay more money upfront

No other VPNs have as diverse VPN serves as ExpressVPN does. It is also one of the best free VPNs for streaming services and torrenting with fast speeds. With 94 countries to choose from, users can switch their locations whenever they want.

While it only offers 30 days of free usage, you will access 3000 + VPN servers, live chat support, safer connection logs, and better online safety. It also provides DNS leak protection and simultaneous connection of 5 devices.

Learn more: ExpressVPN review– Who is this VPN best for, is it worth?

3. PureVPN – 31 days free

Data limit: Unlimited

Platforms supported: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Firefox, Chrome, Smart TVs, and Gaming consoles.

Devices per account: 10

Average speed: 200 Mbps

Servers: 6500 +

Based on: Hong Kong

Streaming platforms: Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO go, Hotstar, etc

No-logs policy: Yes

Cheapest premium plan: Get PureVPN for $1.99 per month with +3 months FREE (82% off)

Pros

• Diverse server locations
• 6500+ servers
• It supports all major platforms
• High upload speeds
• Anonymous purchase

Cons

• Requires upfront payment
• The iOS app lacks a kill switch and split tunneling

Who is PureVPN recommended for?

• Personal use
• Businesses
• Streaming
• Gamers who need port forwarding
• Family

PureVPN offers similar features to ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. It will keep your online activity completely private and your internet connection secure. It also unblocks almost all streaming services seamlessly.

It is a great VPN for families since it offers ten simultaneous connections and works on all major operating systems. Most free VPNs also do not have such a large number of server locations.

Learn more: PureVPN review– Who is this VPN best for, is it worth?

Methodology – How did we choose the best free VPN?

We looked at various factors to determine the best free VPN for 2024. These included speeds, security protocols, encryption, and the privacy policy of each service.

We’ve gone through numerous studies on VPNs and their security that have been conducted. To create this free VPN list, we studied the following research papers:

• “A New Approach for the Security of VPN” – research conducted by Kuwar Kuldeep V V Singh, PG Student at Amity Institute of Information Technology, Amity University Campus, and Himanshu Gupta, Senior Faculty Member at Amity Institute of Information Technology, Amity University Campus. ^[1]Kuwar Kuldeep V. V. Singh and Himanshu Gupta. 2016, “A New Approach for the Security of VPN. In Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Information and Communication Technology … Continue reading
• “Research of A VPN secure networking model” – research conducted by Z. Luo, G. Yu, H. Qi, and Y. Liu at Harbin University of Science and Technology, China. ^[2]Z. Luo, G. Yu, H. Qi, and Y. Liu, “Research of A VPN secure networking model,” Proceedings of 2013 2nd International Conference on Measurement, Information and Control, 2013, pp. 567-569, … Continue reading
• “Analysis of current VPN technologies” – research conducted by T. Berger at the University of Salzburg, Austria. ^[3]T. Berger, “Analysis of current VPN technologies,” First International Conference on Availability, Reliability, and Security (ARES’06), 2006, pp. 8 pp.-115, doi: … Continue reading

Additionally, we consulted user reviews to understand how users were experiencing these services.

We have also interviewed the cyber-security expert of Magical Media Studio, Adam Levin, about the importance of using a VPN and what to look for when choosing one. We learned about his experience as a cybersecurity professional and what criteria he uses when advising clients on which VPN to use for maximum privacy and security.

We conducted a telephone interview and email survey with users of each VPN service listed above to understand their experience using the service. We also delved into online reviews and ratings to see what actual users said about their experiences.

Our team has also gone through the customer review in subreddit /r/vpnreviews/ to find out the best free usage VPN. We went through all of the threads in that subreddit and analyzed all the reviews posted by real users. ^[4]Reddit, “VPN Reviews, https://www.reddit.com/r/vpnreviews/”

Besides that, we also considered the following:

• The platform supports each VPN service (Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, etc.)
• VPN protocols/ (OpenVPN, L2TPIPsec, PPTP, etc.)
• The number of devices that could be connected simultaneously
• The number of servers each service offered
• The locations of those servers
• The average speeds achieved by users
• Whether or not each service had a free trial or money-back guarantee

Finally, we compiled this information into our list of the best free VPNs for 2024.

Based on our analysis of the many available options, we believe that the best one is ProtonVPN. High speeds, strong security protocols, encryption, and a strict no-logs policy offer the best experience possible. It is excellent whether they are paying customers or simply using it for free as part of their daily internet browsing routine.

Should you use free VPNs?

When it comes to VPNs, there are two main options: free and paid. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. The best option for you will ultimately depend on your needs.

If you’re simply looking for a quick and easy way to improve your online security, a free version might be good. However, it’s important to choose a reputable provider that doesn’t sell user data.

Additionally, the free virtual private network providers often have lower speeds than paid ones. On the other hand, paid VPNs offer more features and higher speeds. They also tend to be more reliable and offer better customer support.

Ultimately, the best option for you will depend on your specific needs.

How do free VPNs work?

Free users typically have a lower data limit or slower speeds than paid users. Advertisements usually support free VPNs, or they may sell your data to make a profit.

Virtual private networks tunnel your internet traffic through an encrypted connection and route it through a server in a different location. It encrypts your data and hides your IP address, making it more difficult for people to track your online activities. A free Virtual Private Network is also often more limited in terms of servers and locations than paid VPN services.

Free service typically uses weaker encryption than paid VPN service, making it easier for people to intercept your data. Free providers also often throttle speeds for free users, making streaming or downloading large files difficult.

Overall, such free providers are not as secure or reliable as paid VPN services. But they can be helpful if you’re trying to avoid being tracked online or accessing geo-blocked content.

Are free VPNs illegal?

While using VPN for free is not illegal, there are some risks associated with using them. Free users are generally the most vulnerable to malware and other security threats, as they are often the target of online criminals.

Free VPN software can also bypass government censorship and restrictions, which may be illegal in some countries. In addition, free VPN providers may collect and sell user data, which could violate privacy laws. For an instance, using a free VPN in UAE might pose legal trouble as the government has strict rules in place.

As a result, it is important to research a VPN service before using its free version. Also, do not ever download copyrighted content using the free version since you may not be entirely hidden from your internet service provider.

Related info: Is VPN illegal in UAE & Dubai?

How to get a free VPN?

To get a secure free VPN, just type in the name in your app store’s search box and locate it. You can install the app of any free provider on iOS or Android devices.

For desktops, go to the website of one of the many free VPNs, and you’ll find a download option on their homepages. There are many free providers to choose from.

FAQs about free VPNs

Final thoughts

When looking for the best free VPN, there are many factors to consider. Speed, security, and ease of use are the most important ones. Other factors include server locations, encryption type, and features like money-back guarantees or unlimited service.

There are several excellent options available for free VPNs, but you must be careful to choose one that meets your needs.

We hope this best free VPN review has helped you decide and find the right VPN service provider for you.

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