A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is an encryption service that allows your internet connection to appear in a different location. These services keep you safe online by encrypting your data, which in turn protects your privacy. They also allow you to connect to a server in a different country, unblocking content that wouldn’t normally be available to you.

Thanks to some impressive free VPN services, you can now enjoy the above privileges without spending a dime. But there’s a catch; you’ll have to contend with a few restrictions that come with these free services, including limited speeds, data limitations, limited servers to choose from, and invasive advertising.

Some of the free VPN services that do a good job include:

TunnelBear

TunnelBear is the ideal selection for those who want to protect their browsing, especially on public Wi-Fi. With user-friendly features such multi-login and compatibility on different platforms, protecting your identity doesn’t get easier than this. It also has GhostBear (Stealth mode), which is invaluable for bypassing firewalls and VigilantBear (Kill Switch), which allows you to stop any unencrypted data from leaking should the VPN connection drop. After being purchased by McAfee, this VPN has developed top-of-the-line security and privacy upgrades.

Pros

• Strong encryption
• User-friendly interface
• Allows five simultaneous connections
• Works on Android, Mac, Windows, OS, and iOS

Con

• Offers only 500MB each month, but tweeting about the company will earn you an extra GB

Hide.me

Hide.me offers excellent free services with strong privacy protection and good performance. The free plan offers 2GB of data use per month at up to 80Mbps. This excellent VPN provider won’t throttle the connection speed for those using the free plan, plus they promise to store no user data and keep no log, which means your information won’t be passed on to third-parties. 

Pros

• No adverts
• 24/7 technical support
• Offers apps for different platforms such as Android, Windows, iOS, and Mac

Cons

• Limited to one device
• Limited to just three server locations, which include the Netherlands, Singapore, and Canada

Speedify

As the name suggests, Speedify is designed to maximize your connection speed all while offering free VPN services. The free plan offers 4GB of data in the first month and 1GB during the subsequent months. This provider uses all available internet connections like combining Ethernet connection with a tethered mobile 3G/4G connection to give you the best possible performance.

Pros

• Excellent download speeds
• Strong encryption
• Awesome performance boosting

Con

• Limited data that may only be able to cover some basic surfing and email duties

SurfEasy

SurfEasy allows users to access a huge network of servers, browse anonymously, and even bypass firewalls. The free plan offers 500MB of data use monthly, but you can get more by recommending the company to others. It features an AdTracker blocker that prevents advertisers from following you online.

Pros

• Five simultaneous devices allowed
• User-friendly client
• Compatible with all the major operating systems

Cons

• Limited monthly data
• Performance may be sluggish to more remote servers

Windscribe

With generous data allowance and a commitment to protecting users’ privacy, Windscribe is without a doubt a top-notch free VPN provider. This VPN allows you to choose from eight remote server locations, has a strong encryption, and keeps no logs, making it an outstanding option that’s fantastic for privacy.

Pros

• Users get 10GB of data per month, plus an extra 5GB for tweeting about the service and an extra GB for referring a friend
• Built-in adblocker and firewall
• Excellent Chrome extension

Con

• Users can anticipate data download restriction

ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a secre VPN provider that allows users to use the service on an unlimited basis, which is ideal for VPN Geeks. The free plan has all the right ingredients to make one of the best free VPNs. It comes with excellent features like compatibility and the ability to unlock geo-restricted content.

Pros

• Easy to use
• No logging
• No monthly data limits
• Has native software for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android
• No ads

Cons

• One device limit
• Only three locations to choose from
• Throttles free-users’ bandwidth

Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield is another great free VPN for protecting your privacy, especially if you use public Wi-Fi frequently. The free plan allows connections to the US only. However, this VPN allows users to get excellent chrome extension, which permits connections to 14 other countries. Users get 500MB of data use per day. This may not be enough for streaming or torrenting, but it’s a massive usage allowance considering it’s free.

Pros

• Compatible with all the major operating systems
• Easy-to-use
• Fast speeds

Cons

• Connects to only one device
• Comes with ads

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN isn’t a free VPN service; however, since it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, it would be the perfect option for those needing VPN services for a short period of time. For instance, if you are visiting a censorship-heavy country, you can use this VPN to access blocked content. The service is fully refundable within the set period of time, no questions asked. But chances are, you may never want to go back once you experience this VPN service. Some of the things you can enjoy during this period include:

• Advanced security options
• Outstanding encryption
• Allows you to access content in over 90 countries
• Fast speeds
• Unlimited bandwidth
• Unblocks Netflix from anywhere
• Complete privacy
• Can be used for all sorts of internet activities, including gaming, streaming, and torrenting
• Can bypass anti-VPN software