Featured Partners
1
NordVPN
72% off, starting at $3.39 for 24 months
6
Yes (add-on)
2
Surfshark
$2.19 / month
Unlimited
Yes
3
Norton
Starting at $49.99 / month
1-10
Yes
4
Private Internet Access
Starting at $11.95 / month
Unlimited
Yes
Compare the Best Free VPN Providers of 2025
Best Free VPN Providers of 2025
Premium ‘Free’ VPN Options
As you may have noticed, trustworthy VPNs with a free plan are scarce; however, you do have another option if you only need a VPN for a short amount of time. If you want to binge-watch your favorite show or watch a live event that’s not broadcast in your country, you could take advantage of 30-day money-back guarantees. Sure, you’ll pay upfront for the VPN, but if you cancel the plan within 30 days, you’re guaranteed to get your money back. The four providers below could wind up being your best friend.
NordVPN
NordVPN is the best VPN I have tested.
NordVPN, which topped our roundup of the best VPNs, offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can sign up for a plan, use the service to binge-watch your favorite shows, then cancel the service and get your money back. NordVPN’s speeds are incredibly fast, and it offers thousands of servers globally. It also boasts unique features, such as Meshnet, which lets you create a secure local network, making it one of the best VPNs for business.
Learn more: Read our full NordVPN review.
PureVPN
NordVPN is the best VPN I have tested.
PureVPN, which also made it to the list of the best VPNs, offers a 31-day money-back guarantee. No matter what you need to do while online, as long as you can get it done within a month, you can walk away with your money in hand. During the month, you’ll have access to over 6,000 servers, split tunneling, a kill switch and obfuscated servers. PureVPN has a no-logs policy and uses WireGuard, IKEv2 and OpenVPN protocols to keep you safe and secure.
Learn more: Read our full PureVPN review.
Surfshark
Connecting to and changing servers takes no time in Surfshark.
If you need a VPN for a short period (30 days), Surfshark is another good option. This VPN made our roundup of the best no-logs VPNs. You can search, download and stream to your heart’s content knowing that Surfshark is not collecting any data from you. This also means that if authorities come calling, Surfshark will have nothing to share with them. Surfshark’s connection speeds are fast across its more than 3,200 servers in over 100 locations. You can use Surfshark knowing that, if it’s not the service for you, you can get your money back.
Learn more: Read our full Surfshark review.
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Private Internet Access’s interface isn’t the best, but it gets the job done.
The last VPN option that offers a 30-day money-back guarantee is Private Internet Access (PIA). This VPN works with all major operating systems, devices, and routers and offers fast, local servers with minimal latency in all 50 U.S. states, making it ideal for individuals who want to game or torrent. PIA also offers fast servers for streaming, meaning you can catch up on your shows from around the world. You can see how PIA stacks up against CyberGhost in our Private Internet Access vs CyberGhost comparison.
Learn more: Read our full Private Internet Access review.
Methodology
Software testing is a serious business. So, to give software platforms a fair trial, I use our proprietary rubric to help rank multiple features and test the top platforms. For the best Free VPN software, 15 platforms were chosen, and 44 features across nine categories were analyzed. I then tested the top 10 platforms. Each VPN was then awarded a final score.
| Decision Factor | Scoring Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer Sentiment | 32% | We take into account the thoughts and opinions of real-world VPN users from review websites such as Capterra, G2 and Trustpilot so that we can better understand how the general population feels about each service. |
| Security | 30% | During testing, we evaluate VPN protocols on offer, encryption methods, split tunneling, double or multi-hop tools, kill switches, IPv6 leak protection, simultaneous connections, malware protection, Tor Over VPN, automatic Wi-Fi protection features, P2P encryption, static and dedicated IPs and perfect forward secrecy tools. I also test each provider through Wireshark and ipleak.net to ensure data is encrypted and that there are no DNS leaks. |
| Privacy | 13.5% | We evaluate each provider's policies regarding no logs, third-party audits, warrant canaries, payment anonymity, email protection, ad and cookie blocking and whether or not RAM-Only servers are in use. |
| Servers and Jurisdiction | 10.5% | We consider the number of servers each VPN provides and the number of server locations offered. We also check where the provider is located and whether or not they fall under Five, Nine and 14 Eyes alliances. |
| Service and Support | 5% | We interact with each provider's customer service team to see how quickly they respond to questions and concerns and how knowledgeable the support staff is. |
| Product Differentiators | 4% | We take into account any advanced features, such as dark web monitoring services and password managers. |
| Value | 2% | We evaluate the value of every plan offered by each VPN provider. We look at monthly and yearly costs compared to the features and tools offered. We also take into account the number of ways users can pay for subscriptions. |
| Compatibility | 2% | We evaluate each VPN's compatibility with leading operating systems (Windows, macOS and Linux) and a wide variety of web browsers and mobile devices (iOS and Android) |
| App Reviews | 1% | We have a look at user reviews on the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store and take user sentiments into account. |
How To Choose the Best Free VPN
Choosing a free VPN is no different from choosing a premium VPN, as you simply cannot make any compromises when it comes to your online safety. Below, I’ll cover everything from the features you should not overlook, pricing and why ease of use is so important, so you can confidently pick a safe, free VPN.
Essential Free VPN Software Features
While you’re shopping for free VPN software and can’t be too choosy, I suggest you ensure that as many of the following features are included so that you can stay safe while online.
- Server locations. The more server locations, the better your speeds and latency will be. Pick a VPN that offers VPNs in the countries you want to connect to, so you can ensure the best possible experience.
- Kill switch. Under no circumstances should you ever use a VPN that does not offer a kill switch. A kill switch immediately cuts your internet connection if the VPN goes offline, ensuring your identity is not compromised.
- Multiple VPN Protocols. Pick a VPN that offers at least WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2. These are industry-standard VPN protocols that help ensure you stay safe online.
- Industry standard encryption. Along with VPN protocols, double-check to see if the VPN you’re interested in uses AES-256-bit or ChaCha20 encryption. These encryption methods will ensure your data stays encrypted at all times.
- Mobile applications. Even if you’re only looking for a free VPN, look to see if the provider that interests you offers mobile applications. This way, you can protect your data when you’re out and connect to unsecured public networks.
- No-logs policy. A no-logs or zero-logs policy is an absolute must. Never use a VPN that collects and stores data about your connection and what you’re searching for. This is why I only trust the providers I have listed above.
- Verifiable third-party audits. All of the providers listed here, apart from PrivadoVPN, allow access to third-party audits. PrivadoVPN is an exception, not the rule, as it is a newer VPN that has not yet been audited by a third-party company. If any audits are shared, we will, of course, read them and update if necessary. However, when possible, you should always read the third-party audits to be sure your data is safe.
Value
While this roundup covers free VPN’s, I feel it is important to touch on value, simply because the last thing you want to do is become comfortable with a provider and then, when you need more features, find out the paid plans offer little value. Before picking a free VPN, research the paid plans as well. Most VPN providers will list plan prices on their websites.
You will need to pay attention to the fine print with VPN providers, as many significantly lower the cost of their services when you sign up for longer plans, such as 12 and 24 months. While these deals offer tremendous value, the fine print usually states that at the end of your contract, the price increases sharply, so keep this in mind.
In addition, be sure to compare plans from providers and see what each plan offers to ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck. Are any extras included, such as dark web monitoring, malware protection and password managers? Check to see how many simultaneous connections are allowed, whether or not router installation is supported and any other features you need. Doing the legwork up front can save you a lot of time later.
Ease of Use
I always encourage everyone to ensure that software is easy to use. With free VPNs, you can shop around at no expense to find the VPN that’s right for you. Before making a final VPN decision, I recommend testing desktop and browser extensions to see how they work. I encourage you to download mobile apps on your devices to see if they’re supported and work well. While it may not be an option with all free VPN providers, if you can, install the VPN on your router. Regardless, take the time to test drive the software to ensure that it’s easy to use.
Which Free VPN Is Best For You?
If you’re still struggling to decide which free VPN is right for you, take a look at the scenarios below to help you decide:
- If you need unlimited data, Hide.me and Proton VPN are the best choices as they do not cap how much data you can use each month.
- If you have no experience using a VPN, TunnelBear is the best choice as it has the most user-friendly interface.
- If you use multiple platforms, Proton VPN and PrivadoVPN offer clients for all major operating systems, mobile devices, browsers, smart TVs and routers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a free VPN?
Free VPN software enables its users to establish a secure, private connection with servers worldwide when accessing the internet. Free VPN software helps block your IP address, making it appear as if you’re located elsewhere in the world, and encrypts all your data, allowing you to surf the web safely.
Are free VPNs safe?
Some free VPNs can be trusted, but not all of them. If you stick with the VPNs we have shared in this list, you’ll be fine. However, don’t assume that any free VPN will do. You’ll be playing with fire unless you’re sure the VPN can be trusted to protect your privacy. Double check to ensure it offers a no-logs policy, does not force ads upon you, and offers a kill switch and strong protocols. To learn more about what a VPN does and does not do, read our page about VPN security.
What does no logs or zero logs mean?
A no-logs or zero-logs policy ensures that a VPN provider does not collect and store any identifiable information or search history data. When your session ends, there is no record of your IP, what you searched for online, or any identifiable data. Even if a VPN provider is subpoenaed by the government or local authorities, they will not be able to hand over data because they don’t have any.
What are the Five, Nine and 14 Eyes Alliances?
Five, Nine and Fourteen Eyes are government surveillance and sharing communities. While it is illegal for governments to spy on their citizens, these alliances, in theory, allow other countries’ governments to spy on different countries’ citizens and share information. For example, Spain could surveil U.S. citizens and share the data they have collected with the U.S. government.
What countries participate in the Five, Nine and Fourteen Eyes alliances?
Participating countries include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Italy.
