Last updated on December 17th, 2022 at 05:55 pm
Internet users who want to stay anonymous or get access to content that isn’t available in their country should use a free VPN. Most free VPNs aren’t the most secure or complete, but there are a few that can meet your needs without costing you anything. Here are a few platforms that caught our attention.
What is VPN for?
Most users use a VPN for two main reasons. The first is to protect their browsing and payment data . With some services, it’s even possible to trick your ISP into not tracing it back to you . Please note that the information you provide yourself to the sites you visit may of course be recorded by them. If the security of your personal information is important to you, be sure to use a platform whose policy is not to keep logs . Unfortunately, few free VPNs offer this feature (see below).
The second argument for using a VPN is access to content that is blocked in your geographic area . If you are abroad, for example, you cannot watch French television via the internet: the live broadcasts and replays of the various channels are blocked and Molotov does not work either (except for premium subscribers within the European Union ). With a VPN, you can pretend that your IP address is French .
On the contrary, you can access content from France that is not normally available there , in particular on SVoD platforms. But again, be careful. Netflix et al know how to detect many free VPNs and their use is sometimes doomed to failure. Another possibility: buy a good or service from the store of another country, where this good or service is offered cheaper . We are thinking in particular of virtual content: SVOD subscription, dematerialized video game, etc.
For many, VPN is still a geek thing. Complicated to install, to configure… It would require expertise that places it beyond the reach of ordinary mortals. However, the process is not as complex as it seems . You can also consult our tutorial which teaches you how to install a VPN on your Android phone .
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7 Best Free VPN In 2023
There are dozens of free VPN services, so it’s hard to choose. Choosing a platform that meets your needs is difficult, so we’ve listed the best free VPNs. Most free VPNs are volume limited, but some don’t impose data limits. This is the case with ProtonVPN. So you can download as much as you want, but at lower speeds.
PROTONVPN
ProtonVPN supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Its main selling point is unlimited volume for free users. You can browse, stream, and download. You won’t get fast speeds, so don’t expect a smooth ride.
However, you can only use the VPN on one screen at a time and can’t access all servers. Only a few servers allow torrenting, so the options are limited. No ads. ProtonVPN hopes to upgrade users to premium to make money.
The VPN’s privacy policy is strict. In addition to encryption and security, the service keeps no logs. Tor integration is available. ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland, which has pretty strict privacy laws.
- Compatible Devices : Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
- Servers available : 3
- Data volume : unlimited
PRIVADOVPN
Launched in 2019, PrivadoVPN is the bright new student in the free VPN class. The publisher has greatly improved its service, the paid version of which has received rave reviews. The free one is just as good. It doesn’t offer unlimited volume like ProtonVPN, but you get 10 GB per month , one of the most generous on the market. This free VPN allows you to connect from 9 different servers.
It has servers in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France or the Netherlands. Without forgetting Switzerland, the publisher’s country. Such a wide variety of choice with top countries is rare for a free VPN. This is a definite asset for Privado. Another advantage of the VPN is that it allows P2P downloads (torrents) in addition to offering automatic connection features, Kill Switch (cutting off all traffic in the event of temporary disconnection from the VPN).
- Compatible Devices : Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
- Servers available : 12
- Data volume : 10 GB per month
WINDSCRIBE
Windscribe is one of the VPN services with an attractive free plan. Available on Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome and Firefox, the platform provides access to 10 GB of data per month . It supports the downloading of torrents , for those who wish to avoid Hadopi’s remonstrances. The free plan allows you to connect to servers in around ten countries. Good news, there is no limit of devices on which you can use an account.
Please note that Windscribe is not an anonymity protection model and uses certain connection information. However, it uses AES-256, SHA512 and 4096-bit RSA encryption technologies as well as OpenVPN, IKEv2 and SOCKS security protocols, even for free members. You also get free ad and malware blocker.
- Compatible Devices : Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
- Servers available : 11
- Data volume : 10 GB per month
HOTSPOT SHIELD
Hotspot Shield has become a benchmark for free VPNs. It is present on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and Chrome. Its main interest is to be able to browse with good speeds, which is not always the case with free VPNs. In addition, the allocated volume is unlimited . It is therefore one of the few VPNs to allow you to browse without data restrictions with the free plan.
However, this has some limitations. You can only use it on one device at a time and only one server is available, which can be restrictive if you want to locate in a specific country. Finally, since Hotspot Shield’s free formula does not rely on the exploitation of your information, you must accept to support advertisements, which are sometimes invasive. The price to pay for freedom and security.
- Compatible Devices : Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
- Servers available : 1
- Data volume : unlimited
HIDE.ME
Hide.me is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome and Firefox. This is a great free solution for users who want access to a privacy-friendly VPN. Communications are encrypted and the service uses the security protocols found on the best-protected platforms. In addition, the platform does not save connection logs. All without unwanted advertising.
But if the speeds are fast, the bandwidth is limited: 10 GB per month. Enough to browse the web, use collaborative work tools and send emails (without too heavy attachments of course), but forget about streaming. You now only have access to 5 servers, including one in the Netherlands and another in the United States. Be aware that Hide.me tolerates torrenting .
- Compatible Devices : Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
- Servers available : 5
- Data volume : 10 GB per month
TUNNELBEAR
TunnelBear offers an app on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. Unlike other free services, this one has the merit of letting us choose from a generous selection of servers located in around twenty countries.
It is also a security model thanks to the use of AES 256-bit encryption technology and VPN protocols found on paid platforms. TunnelBear adopts a “no log” policy, that is to say that it does not keep any connection and browsing data on its servers.
The connection speed is average for free VPNs: there is better, but there is also worse. On the other hand, you should not count on unlimited bandwidth: it is limited to only 500 MB per month, with the possibility of earning a little more margin by performing certain actions, such as the publication of a tweet. This volume is just enough for very sporadic use of the VPN.
- Compatible Devices : Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
- Servers available : 20+
- Data volume : 500 MB per month
OPERA
Opera integrates a completely free VPN functionality within its browser. It is available on computer operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) as well as Android. Of course, the options are limited. For example, you cannot choose the server to which you want to connect. You only have the choice of the continent: Europe, Asia or Americas.
However, the bandwidth is unlimited and the speeds are very good . You also benefit from protection of our personal data as with an external VPN. The best thing about Opera is that you just have to use the browser, setting up the VPN is extremely simple and you don’t need to create an account. The service also includes an ad and malware blocker.
- Compatible Devices : Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
- Available servers : N/A
- Data volume : unlimited
Conclusion : What is the Best VPN?
There you have it, you have all the keys in hand to choose the free VPN that suits you best. It is not possible for us to come out with THE best, because it depends above all on your uses. If the protection of your personal information is important, it is better to turn to Hide.me than Windscribe for example. If you need to connect to a server located in a particular country, TunnelBear offers a wide choice . Finally, if you need a free VPN with no bandwidth limitations, you can turn to ProtonVPN. But logically, no service offers a complete offer without paying.
Free VPNS vs PAID VPNS
In this file, we present a selection of free VPNs that can help you out if you do not want to put your hand in your pocket. Of course, there is no free solution that has as many advantages as paid platforms. If you are looking for a VPN for the long term, our advice is to switch to a premium offer. Many VPNs offer low-cost subscriptions (less than three or even less than two euros per month) for excellent quality.
Free VPNs suffer from a few drawbacks that are worth considering. In one case, it is an entry-level version of a paid VPN , which therefore lacks many features: speeds , bandwidth and access to limited servers , unavailable options… It is a loss leader to encourage you to pay for a better experience. In the case of 100% free VPNs, your possibilities are also limited and your personal data is far from being protected . On the contrary, it is thanks to them that publishers are remunerated.
Finally, there is a last, more specific case: the VPN functionalities integrated into other services. We think in particular of the Opera browser VPN available on Mac, PC , but also on Android. This is very effective and guarantees the protection of your data, but lacks personalization. For example, it is not a viable solution for easily accessing content that is only available in a specific geographical area.
Trail Offers
This paragraph is for users who are looking for a VPN for a short time only. Note that most paid services offer a satisfied or refunded guarantee for a period of 30 days generally (even more for some). You can therefore subscribe, pay, and be reimbursed if you request it before the deadline. It’s less practical than a free month offer directly and it forces you to enter your bank details, but it can be a solution to enjoy a premium VPN for a few weeks without paying.
