Top free VPNs in the market: 5 options compared

Free VPN services differ significantly in monthly data limits, available server locations, device support, privacy practices, customer support, and features. Some are permanent free plans, while others provide a free trial period followed by a more limited service. 

If you are looking for the most convenient free VPN option, here is the ultimate list you may need. We don’t rank the services because the right option depends on how much data, device support, server choice, and flexibility you need.

Let’s dive in and look at the decision factors.

What makes a good free VPN?

The best free VPN is not necessarily the one with the largest server list.

A useful free service should balance privacy, usability, performance, and reasonable limitations.

1. Clear privacy practices

Read its privacy policy and look for clear explanations of what information it collects, stores, or shares. Examine terms such as “no logs” carefully, because providers may still collect limited account, diagnostic, or operational information.

2. Reasonable data limits

Some free VPNs allow unlimited data, while others provide a monthly allowance. Occasional public Wi-Fi use may require little data, while video, large downloads, or daily VPN use can quickly consume several gigabytes. But regular use may require limitless data.

3. Useful server options

More locations can add flexibility, but server quantity alone doesn’t determine performance. Distance from the server, congestion, your ISP, protocol selection, and your original connection all influence VPN speed.

4. Device compatibility

Before installing a free VPN app, make sure it supports the devices you actually use. 

Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS support is common, while Linux, browsers, televisions, and streaming devices vary widely by provider.

Top free VPNs comparison table

VPN	Free usage	Server choice	Connections	Main limitation
Symlex VPN	5-day Premium trial, then limited free access	Limited free locations after trial	Varies by plan	Permanent free service is more limited
PrivadoVPN	10 GB every 30 days at standard speeds	12 cities	1 at a time	Monthly high-speed data limit
Proton VPN	Unlimited	Servers in 10 countries, selected automatically	1 device	Limited server selection
TunnelBear	2 GB per month	45+ countries	App-based use	Small monthly data allowance
Windscribe	10 GB with verified email, 2 GB without	10+ countries	Multiple devices	Monthly data allowance

Plan features can change, so check the provider’s current free-plan page before installing.

List of the most popular free VPN services available

This ranking isn’t meant to rank each VPN. We feature the pros and cons of each VPN service. Match it to your pain points and choose what fits.

Symlex VPN

Symlex VPN currently uses a trial-first model. New users can start with a 5-day Premium trial without entering a payment card. After the Premium trial ends, the service provides access to limited free locations rather than the full server network. 

Apps are available for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, and Fire TV. Premium includes access to more than 100 locations, while the permanent free experience offers fewer server choices. Its privacy policy states that it does not permanently log browsing history, traffic destinations, data content, or DNS queries. 

Pros:

• 5-day free trial without a payment card
• Free access remains available after the trial
• All features and servers are ready to try on trial
• Apps across several desktop, mobile, and TV platforms
• 24/7 live support is available

Cons:

• Full Premium access is temporary
• Free server selection is more limited
• Users seeking a permanent full-featured free plan may prefer another model

Website: https://symlexvpn.com/ 

This model may be more useful for people who want to evaluate Premium features before deciding whether a VPN subscription is necessary.

PrivadoVPN

PrivadoVPN provides a permanent free tier rather than requiring users to begin with a paid subscription. Its current documentation states that free users receive 10 GB of data every 30 days, access to servers in 12 cities, and one VPN connection at a time. 

The provider also states that the free plan uses the same VPN protocols and encryption level as its paid service. Then, it supports major desktop and mobile platforms. Free users can connect one device at a time, even though they can install the app on multiple devices.

Pros:

• 10 GB of regular-speed data every 30 days
• Multiple free server locations
• Desktop and mobile app support
• One permanent free account

Cons:

• Only one active connection at a time
• Limited server selection compared with paid plans
• Heavy users may reach the monthly allowance quickly

Website: https://privadovpn.com/ 

It may suit people who want occasional VPN use without paying for a subscription.

Proton VPN

Proton VPN takes a different approach by offering a free VPN with unlimited data. Its current Free plan supports one connected device and provides access through servers in 10 countries. 

Free users don’t have the same freedom to select servers as paid subscribers because connections are automatically assigned based on the options available in the Free plan.

Proton states that its free service has no ads and no monthly data limit. Paid plans add more locations, additional simultaneous devices, and features not included with the Free plan.

Pros:

• Unlimited monthly VPN data
• No advertising in the free plan
• Apps for major desktop and mobile platforms
• No recurring monthly data reset to manage

Cons:

• One device connection at a time
• Limited control over server selection
• Several advanced features require a paid plan

Website: https://protonvpn.com/

For people whose main priority is unrestricted monthly usage, Proton’s data policy makes it different from most free alternatives.

TunnelBear

Websites: https://www.tunnelbear.com/ 

TunnelBear’s old 500 MB monthly allowance is outdated. Free accounts now receive 2 GB per month, with unused data expiring rather than carrying over to the following month. 

TunnelBear states that its free and paid plans use the same performance levels, with the main difference being the amount of available data.

Plus, TunnelBear currently operates servers across more than 45 countries. Its main apps support Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, while browser extensions are available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

Pros:

• Simple interface suitable for beginners
• 45+ available country locations
• Desktop and mobile apps
• Browser extensions available

Cons:

• Only 2 GB of data each month
• Limited Linux support
• No native support for some TV and gaming platforms

The 2 GB allowance makes TunnelBear better suited to occasional use than regular data-heavy activity.

Windscribe

Windscribe provides another permanent free plan. Users receive 2 GB per month when creating an account without confirming an email address. Confirming an email increases that allowance to 10 GB per month.

Current Windscribe documentation shows access to around 10 or more countries for free users. The exact number varies slightly across provider pages, so it is better to describe the service as offering 10+ free countries rather than giving an exact number.

The free plan also includes Windscribe’s basic R.O.B.E.R.T. filtering for ads, trackers, and selected harmful domains. Windscribe states that the same no-logging approach applies to both free and paid accounts.

Pros:

• Up to 10 GB of monthly data with a confirmed email
• 10+ free country options
• Support for multiple devices
• Basic tracker and ad filtering

Cons:

• Monthly data limit
• Only 2 GB without email verification
• Fewer server locations and configuration options than the paid plan

Windscribe offers a balanced free tier for users who need more monthly data than TunnelBear provides but don’t need unlimited usage.

Are free VPNs safe?

A safe free VPN is possible, but “free” alone tells you very little about how trustworthy a service is. Often, completely free VPNs rely on user data collection to run their business. 

Providers still need a sustainable way to run servers, develop apps, provide support, and maintain their networks. Some services use free plans to attract subscribers to paid products. Others may rely on advertising or additional business models.

So you need to know why some providers offer free resources. 

Before installing a free VPN for privacy, check:

• Who operates the VPN
• What information its privacy policy says it collects
• Whether the app contains advertising
• What permissions the app requests
• Whether security updates are maintained
• Whether there are clear data and device limitations
• Whether independent security information is available

Especially, avoid choosing a VPN based only on claims such as “complete anonymity,” “100% secure,” or “impossible to track.” No VPN can realistically guarantee those outcomes.

How to choose the right free VPN?

If you use a VPN regularly, unlimited data may matter most. If you only connect occasionally while traveling or using shared Wi-Fi, a smaller monthly allowance may be enough.

If you regularly switch between a laptop, phone, and other devices, connection limits matter more. Frequent travelers may value a wider selection of server locations.

Privacy should remain a core consideration regardless of the plan.

Final thoughts

No single free VPN is best for every user. You can start with Symlex VPN or Privado VPN: one gives 5 days of completely free access, while the other gives 10 GB of data per month. The right choice depends on how often you use a VPN, how many devices you need, how much data you consume, and how much control you want over server selection.