Best Free VPN Services

Before you download a "free" VPN, read this...

A free VPN sounds like a dream – you get more peace of mind while browsing the web. You can do your online banking safely, connect to public WiFi securely, browse freely on server networks around the world - all without spending a dime. But is it all it's cracked up to be?

The dangers of using a free VPN

Before you hit that 'download' button, it's important to know how a free VPN works. After all, you're entrusting them with your personal data and whatever it is that you do online. The thing is, like with all other free stuff, these companies have got to get their money somehow. If you're not paying for the product, then who does? Here are some ugly truths about these so-called free VPNs:

1. Some VPNs collect user information — where you live, how you shop, where you spent your last holiday, etc. They can even collect personally identifiable information like names and email addresses. What do they do with this information? They could give it to data brokers, who will then sell your information to the highest bidder, usually, the big online advertising firms. That explains the avalanche of ads.

2. You are forced to watch ads. Yup, most of these ads automatically play and are difficult to close.

3. They track your online activity. How else are they going to gather your data? Ironically, it defeats the whole purpose of a VPN.

As with all the free stuff you get online - if you're not paying for the product, you become the product!

Not all free VPNs are created equal; some are actually worth checking out...

That is if you know what you're looking for. Most people don't, especially those who will be using a VPN for the first time. Hence, we have outlined some factors to consider when choosing a free VPN:

1. Server network. How many servers are there? Where are these servers located?

2. Encryption method and security protocols. The best ones will give you the perfect combination of speed and security - such as PIA and Cyberghost's WireGuard and NordVPN's NordLynx.

3. Read the fine print. We know it's boring, but you need to go through a VPN provider's privacy policy. Do they collect data? If yes, what sort of data and how long are these stored in their system? Is there a risk of them disclosing user information to a third party? Fortunately, all VPNs we recommend here have a strict zero-log policy, so you won't even have to worry about it.

4. Cross-platform compatibility. You need a VPN that can work with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Some even offer browser extensions with a built-in ad-blocker.

5. Data limitation. When it comes to anything free, manage your expectations. The same is true for VPNs. Most free VPNs only offer between 500MB to 10GB per month. That is certainly not enough to browse freely on server networks around the world, for video conferencing or online gaming.

If you want the best possible protection and all the great features that the leading VPN services have to offer, but you're not ready to commit just yet, check out all of the VPN services we've recommended on this page. Most of them offer a 30-day trial, Cyberghost even offers a 45 day trial - so you can try them risk-free!