Introduction
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) could assist in protecting your internet connectivity through encryption of network traffic and protection of IP addresses from website operators and other network monitors. Free VPNs can come in handy when you need to protect yourself from being monitored while you do not want to purchase an expensive subscription for a paid provider. However, free providers normally have some limits in terms of data, availability of servers, speed, etc. Some providers may even show ads or gather information about user activity, so it is important to choose a trustworthy provider. In this guide, we will discuss some of the best free VPN services and discuss their advantages and disadvantages along with their possible use cases.
How to Choose the Best Free VPN
There are two clear strategies followed by the best free providers; thus, you need to pick either of the two:
Unlimited Browsers: Proton VPN Free gives you unlimited data when you use it privately for browsing. But they limit your speed and do not allow you to stream or download torrents from torrenting sites.
Feature-Rich Streamers: Privado VPN Free or Windscribe Free allows you unlimited speed and streaming. But they limit you to a monthly cap of 10 GB data allowance.
What is VPN?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a service that establishes a secure link between your computer and a VPN server. If you use a VPN service, all of your web traffic will go through the server which, in turn, allows you to protect your data from prying eyes in case you are using an insecure network and even to hide your IP address from the sites you are visiting. People tend to use VPNs for more privacy while browsing the Web especially when using Wi-Fi networks available in cafes, airports, and hotels.
With the help of a VPN, it will look like you are accessing the Web from the location of the server you are connected to instead of the location of your network. But using a VPN doesn’t give you complete anonymity on the web and makes you invincible to any cyber attacks. You should carefully choose a reliable provider of the service because a provider might know some of your connection details.
How a vpn works
Encryption: The software encrypts data on your device to scrambled information.
Tunneling: The information is sent through encrypted and private “tunnels” to a remote server owned by the vpn company.
Masking: The vpn server masks your ip address by replacing it with an ip address of the vpn server.
Why people use a vpn
Protects passwords and banking information on public wifi networks.
Keeps your isp and advertising companies from spying on you or your online activities.
Get around internet censorship by schools, work places, or government filters.Spoof your location to access streaming services or other region locked websites.
Proton VPN
ProtonVPN is another good service that provides its users with the opportunity to try its free package if they want online protection without spending money for subscriptions. Free package from this provider is based on the encrypted VPN connection and is available for such platforms as Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS. The main benefit of this package is in the fact that there is no data cap within a month like in other services, but free users have only limited access to the features provided by this service. ProtonVPN is known for its high standards of online privacy and security. Thus, if you want to be sure about your internet traffic protection when using public Wi-Fi, this service can be the right solution for you. The only disadvantage of this service is that free servers get overloaded in peak hours.
Core Security Features (Accessible by all users)Swiss Privacy Jurisdiction:
Operated in Switzerland, which ensures your information is not accessible by any US and European surveillance consortiums.
Open-Source Code: Contrary to other products, Proton uses a completely open-source code that undergoes auditing by external security companies.
Kill Switch: Automatically cuts off your internet when the VPN disconnects and prevents exposure of your actual IP address.
StProtocolealth : A unique way of connecting that hides VPN traffic as regular traffic to bypass stringent internet censorship.
Advanced Premium Features
By subscribing to the premium service, you will have access to more advanced privacy functions:
Secure Core (Multi-hop): An internet traffic route through extremely safe wired servers based in Iceland, Sweden or Switzerland, which send your data to the target location even in case of compromising the destination VPN server.
NetShield: A DNS-based firewall that blocks advertisements, trackers and malicious scripts before your browser loads them.
Windscribe
Windscribe is one of the well-known VPN services which have a free version that provides some useful functionalities to those users who want some online privacy but do not want to pay for it. The free package provides a limited amount of monthly data, although users might be able to expand their data limit using some specific actions in their accounts.
Also, this program provides access to some choices of locations of their servers, giving users the ability to use some different regions. The software has applications for some platforms like Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. This can be helpful for hiding users’ internet traffic in public Wi-Fi and providing an additional privacy layer for browsing. However, in comparison to the paid plan, the free one has more limitations and less features.
Key Technical StrengthsUnlimited Concurrent Connections:
While both premium and free services limit your connections between 1 to 5 accounts, Windscribe lets you connect your PC, phone, tablet and extension to one profile and secure all at once.R.O.B.E.R.T.
Firewall: Native, dedicated firewall built into the server that blocks trackers, phishers, and any malware before it even reaches your computer.
Deep Protocol Customization: Offers you 6 different ways to connect including the fast WireGuard, regular OpenVPN and unique Stealth and Wstunnel protocols for bypassing restricted workplaces or state censorship firewalls.Deep Protocol Customization: Offers you 6 different ways to connect including the fast WireGuard, regular OpenVPN and unique Stealth and Wstunnel protocols for bypassing restricted workplaces or state censorship firewalls.
“Build-A-Plan” Customizability: If 10 GB is not enough for you, Windscribe offers an amazing minimal customization model of $3 per month. It lets you get any unlimited server location for $1 and also add unlimited network traffic for $1.
Security Concerns Windscribe follows a stringent and well-tested no logs policy. However, being based in Toronto, Canada, it places their servers under the Five Eyes intelligence agency jurisdiction. While not logging your connection and server logs at all, customers who seek complete legal protection from Western agencies prefer Proton VPN which is absolutely Switzerland-based.
TunnelBear
TunnelBear is a popular virtual private network service that provides a free plan for those users who would like to use the services of the virtual private network provider without any subscription fees. What makes TunnelBear popular among Internet users is the convenience of its interface which allows even novices to connect to the virtual private network by means of just a couple of clicks.
The service does not provide unlimited data allowance for free users, thus, it is perfect for casual surfing and checking emails or connecting to public Wi-Fi networks. There are special applications developed by TunnelBear for different platforms including Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. In case you need a convenient VPN service and you do not want to have complex settings, TunnelBear is your choice.
Main Security Characteristics Grizzly-Level Encryption:
Implements the standard, impossible to bypass AES 256-bit encryption in order to protect your online activity from monitoring by anyone in your local network.
VigilantBear (Kill Switch): Cuts your computer’s internet connection if anything goes wrong with the VPN, ensuring that your real IP address won’t be revealed accidentally.
GhostBear (Obfuscation): Encodes data packets in order to make them look just like regular data that comes with no VPN at all and makes it possible for users to get through firewalls imposed in schools, workplaces, and by governments.
Audit Proven Non-log Policy: Undertakes and publishes extensive annual independent security audit (by organizations such as Cure53) proving the company’s no logs policy.
Strategic Weaknesses2 GB Limited Data Pool: Despite that TunnelBear increased their free monthly data allowance from 500 MB to 2 GB, which is a significant rise for any other competitor (Windscribe offers 10 GB and Proton offers unlimited), 2 GB data package can be used up in one hour by streaming videos in high-definition or downloading large files.
Reduced Functionality of the Free Version: The free version connects you only to the nearest server and does not allow to choose a country yourself or to use split tunneling.
Under Five-Eyes Alliance Control: Headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Swiss based options are more optimal if you want complete geographical distance from Western countries.
Pros
Free VPN services can be a good option for those who want to ensure some privacy while not spending any money on a subscription. Such tools can be used to mask the user’s IP address and secure the connection, especially when using public Wifi spots.
Free VPNs usually offer servers across multiple countries and allow the user to remain anonymous when browsing the web, although not to the extent of the best paid services. Most free Virtual Private Networks are easy to set up and can be a good choice to try before deciding to purchase a more expensive one. For people whose main use of the internet is checking emails and browsing the web, a good free option can serve all their needs, and the security risks can be avoided.
However, the benefits of the service provided depend on the specific company and the features offered, and a bit of research is needed to find the most reliable free VPN with a proper privacy policy.
Proton VPN FreeUnlimited Browsing: Best, most reliable way possible since the browsing will have 100% unlimited data.
Maximum Privacy: It’s based in Switzerland, completely open source, and strictly audited.
No Ads: No ads within its free software program at all.
Windscribe FreeMaximum Connectivity: Provides maximum connections without limits in the same account.
Generous Data Usage: Provides 10 GB of data monthly after verification of an email account.
Advanced Functionality: Comes with an advanced tool (their server side Ad/malware Blocker-R.O.B.E.R.T).
TunnelBear FreeMost User-Friendly Interface: Has the most friendly interface for total computer noobs.
Tough Firewall Blocking: Provides the GhostBear technology that beats the toughest Wi-Fi restrictions in work and school environments.
Excellent Reputation: Guarantees annual security audits publicly that they have never collected data from users.
Cons
Even free VPN options have some benefits, yet at times they lack some advantages that paid VPNs offer. Most of the free providers impose some data limitation per month or limit the number of server locations available; others may limit your speed once the number of users on the server becomes high. Some of these providers will give you lesser security and privacy options than those offered by paid providers.
You will experience adverts or any other way by which they earn through your use, and that is why there is a need to be aware of the kind of user data treatment by such providers. Streaming and downloading of content might also be challenging because of data limitations and low speed.
Also, you should know that not all free VPNs offer better privacy and that is why there is no need to sign up with any free providers, especially when the claims of privacy are unrealistic.
ProtonVPN – FreeNo Country Selection Possible:
It is not possible to choose the desired nation as the application connects to the closest server of the five available.
No Streaming Allowed: It is not possible to access any regional streaming libraries such as Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+.One Device Limitation: It is only possible to use this software on one active device.
No Torrenting Access: The peer-to-peer (P2P) protocol is banned on the free network.
Windscribe – FreeStrict Data Caps: Your allowance is 10 GB of data per month and may become used fast through HD video streams.
Required Valid Email: To get all your allowance of 10 GB, you need to provide a valid e-mail; otherwise, you only have 2 GB available.
TunnelBear FreeScarse Data Limits: Only 2 GB per month of data – the minimum among all popular ones – not suitable for video streaming.
Limited Countries Selection: Similarly to ProtonVPN, you are not allowed to choose countries manually and you will be connected automatically to the closest server.
No Additional Features Available: Such useful features like split-tunneling are available only for premium users.
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Conclusion
A free vpn can help you achieve privacy and protection without spending a penny. The services such as ProtonVPN, Windscribe, TunnelBear, etc., offer their clients a certain amount of data, servers to use, and much more.
Though the offer might seem limited, it is enough to protect your location while browsing incognito once in a while or when being on someone else’s Wi-Fi. It is vital to choose the right service provider because almost all of them do not ensure total privacy, so it is safer to spend some money on a good free vpn.
A paid version of the service usually has more speeds, more servers to use, and extra options. Therefore, when a customer needs to protect some valuable information, it is better to invest in the best provider.