We bring you a small list of the best free VPNs that you can use to browse a little more privately. VPNs or virtual private networks allow you to connect to the Internet through another server instead of your router, obtaining another IP different from yours, and this server may be in another country.
Therefore, they are very popular solutions when it comes to hiding where you are browsing from or being able to access content that is blocked for you or your country. However, we are going to start this article with a warning: free VPNs are not as secure as they should be, and they can end up doing the opposite of what they are intended to: endanger your privacy, both installed and with VPN extensions.
A note about free VPNs
When you connect through a VPN, you are accessing a company’s server and connecting through it to browse. By doing so, this company can store data with all the sites you browse, and some have already discovered that they were selling this data to other third-party companies. Therefore, they are less secure than other paid ones like NordVPN.
The companies dedicated to making paid VPNs and offering free versions are usually reliable. Most of the list today is those types of products. However, it is not advisable to use VPN applications that you hardly know anything about; it is not advisable to simply put in Google or the application store of your free VPN mobile and hit the first result, no matter how popular it is.
You have to try to ensure minimum privacy, such as the service not keeping logs of your activities that it can later sell. It is also important to investigate whether the encryption they use for your data is good.
And then come the rest of the normal limitations for any type of free service: free VPNs usually have a fairly limited amount of data. You will only be able to access the Internet with them until you consume that data, and sometimes they can even insert advertising or make your connection a bit slow because they prioritize the speed of their paid users.
But despite their limitations and the potential dangers of many of them, the fact is that they continue to be good tools for specific moments. Also, if you later want to use them regularly, you can always look at the payment plans that most of them will offer you.
Hotspot Shield Free VPN
One of the most recommended free VPNs and certainly one of the first choices if you are looking for one. It allows you to use the service on up to five devices with a single account, with 500 MB per day for safe browsing. It has good encryption for your data, and it belongs to a well-known company that lives off its paid VPN solution.
Another point in its favor is that it is extremely easy to use; you just have to download its application for Windows, Android, or iOS, click on the Connect button, and that’s it; you’ll be using the service. The negative part is that the free version has advertising, and you will not be able to select the server’s location to connect to since it will be random in the free mode.
- Link: Hotspot Shield Free VPN
Windscribe
Windscribe is one of the most popular paid VPN services out there, and it also offers a generous free alternative. One of its great incentives is to allow 10 GB of data per month for your secure connections, and it offers the same privacy policies as for its paid users, which is a great advantage in the world of free VPNs.
The downside is that connection speeds aren’t as consistent as we’d like, but in free mode, you get up to 10 server locations to choose from, a built-in ad blocker and firewall, and the promise of no buffering. logs with the sites you visit. You can register only with a username and password for maximum privacy, although if you want all the free data you will also have to provide an email.
- Link: windscribe
ProtonVPN Free
The above services try to strike a balance between a good amount of data for safe browsing and a decent amount of locations. However, if data is more important, ProtonVPN Free may be an alternative that interests you, since it has unlimited data for VPN connections, something very rare to see in free services.
As for the negative points, you can only use one device at a time, P2P downloads are blocked, and you only have three locations for your servers, with a speed that is not usually great either, given that it is prioritized for paid users. Instead, you don’t need to log in to use it, which is always a plus for privacy. It has versions for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and even GNU/Linux.
- Link: ProtonVPN Free
Opera VPN… and soon Firefox
Some internet browsers are also developing their own VPN solutions so their users don’t have to rack their brains looking for the best alternatives. Opera already has its VPN, and Firefox is beginning to test it. So, if you use either of these two browsers, you may want to opt for them.
In this aspect, there is one thing that you should keep in mind. We have mentioned both because they are implemented in browsers, but Opera’s is completely free, with unlimited data and no registration, while Firefox’s VPN will be paid. We will have to wait for its launch to see if it offers a free version when it comes out of its testing phase.
Speedify
This is another alternative focused on paid VPNs but also offers a free version to sign up for. Of course, it only offers 2 GB of monthly data for your secure connections, and you can only connect one device at a time.
It offers a mode for streaming connections, encryption that they consider robust, and servers worldwide. It is cross-platform and allows P2P connections, although its speed limit does not make it a priority option. It also promises not to keep logs with the connections you make when you connect.
- Link: Speedify
Hide. me
A free VPN that has versions for all operating systems and browsers, and also promises not to save logs or show you ads when you connect. In addition, as a great incentive is the fact that it will not limit the speed of paid users, and since it does not save logs or ask you for personal data, it should be a good option for those who want a minimum of privacy.
But there is also bad news. For example, the free plan only offers 2 GB of data per month for your private connections, you can only connect with one device, and you can only use up to five server locations, two of which are in the United States and Canada. However, it is still an interesting alternative.
- Link: hide. me
TunnelBear
This is another classic among free VPN services, and behind it is a company the size of McAfee, which you can trust more or less, but which is powerful and has a good team behind it. It’s easy to use and has a great range of apps, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and even a browser extension.
The registration requires little personal information, although its great drawback is that it only offers 500 MB per month for your safe browsing. Therefore, it is a service for minimal connections, such as checking your email, some information websites, or forums while you travel. However, it is also extremely easy to use.
- Link: TunnelBear
Free VPN FAQ
1. What is the best VPN?
There is no exact answer since it will depend on what we are looking for and what we need. Among the best free VPNs are Hotspot Shield Free VPN, Windscribe, and ProtonVPN Free.
2. Are VPNs legal?
In Spain, VPNs are perfectly legal, although there are some countries where VPNs are prohibited or restricted.
3. On which devices can free VPNs be used?
It depends on the VPN in question and what its free version offers, but they are usually compatible with smartphones and computers.
Sharlene Meriel is an avid gamer with a knack for technology. He has been writing about the latest technologies for the past 5 years. His contribution in technology journalism has been noteworthy. He is also a day trader with interest in the Forex market.
