11 Best Free VPN Sites & Services List 2023 (Fast & Safe)

Using the internet comes with privacy and security risks, especially if you are connected through public Wi-Fi or if you need to access a restricted website. A virtual private network (VPN) helps protect your online privacy and encrypts your data from snoopers and hackers. However, high-quality VPNs usually require a paid subscription.

Fortunately, there are some truly free VPN services that you can use to stay secure online. In this guide, we will cover the top 11 best free VPN sites and services of 2023 to help you browse the web privately and access blocked content.

How Does a Free VPN Work?

A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a remote server operated by the VPN provider. Your internet traffic passes through this tunnel, hiding your IP address and online activity from ISPs, hackers, and other third parties.

Free VPN services work the same way but may place more limits on bandwidth, speed, number of server locations, and features compared to paid plans. They make money by showing ads or converting free users to premium accounts.

Even with some limitations, a trustworthy free VPN still provides core security and privacy:

Encryption – Secures your connection using protocols like OpenVPN and AES-256.
No-logging policy – Does not track or store your browsing data and online activity.
Alternative IP – Masks your real IP address so your location and identity stay hidden.
Extra features – May offer ad blocking, malware protection, kill switch to prevent data leaks.

11 Best Free VPN Services for 2023

Based on factors like privacy, security, speeds, servers, and ease of use, here are the top 11 free VPN options:

1. AtlasVPN

AtlasVPN is our top pick for best free VPN thanks to its high-speed connections, watertight security, and generous free plan.

Some highlights:

Provides unlimited data bandwidth.
750+ servers in 40+ countries.
AES 256-bit encryption and DNS/IPv6 leak protection.
Allows P2P traffic.
Compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux.
30-day money back guarantee on paid plans.

The free version gives you unlimited bandwidth but limits you to just one VPN server. You‘ll need a paid plan ($2/month) to unlock all servers and premium features.

2. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN has an unlimited free plan with no bandwidth caps, though speeds may be slower during peak times.

Benefits include:

No logs policy and Swiss jurisdiction keeps your data secure.
AES 256-bit encryption and Perfect Forward Secrecy.
Built-in ad blocker, malware protection.
Allows torrenting and streaming (Netflix use is limited).
Apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android.

The main limitation is that you only get access to 3 VPN server locations with the free account.

3. Windscribe

Windscribe is a Canadian-based VPN provider that offers a very generous 10GB monthly data allowance on its free plan.

Some key features:

Apps available for all major platforms.
AES-256 bit encryption.
Allows P2P filesharing.
Works with Netflix US, BBC iPlayer.
Browser extensions available.
No credit card required to sign up.

The free VPN plan gives you access to 11 server locations in 10 countries. You can upgrade to the Pro plan ($9/month) to unlock unlimited data and more features.

4. Hide.me

Hide.me has one of the most fully-featured free VPN tiers with 10GB of high-speed VPN bandwidth each month.

Key features include:

Apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. Browser extensions also available.
256-bit AES encryption.
No logs policy.
2,000+ servers in 70+ countries.
Works for streaming (Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer).
Allows P2P traffic.

The generous free VPN data allowance makes Hide.me a great choice if you need more than a few GBs per month.

5. Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield is a popular free VPN known for its speedy connections. The free version sets a daily limit of 500MB per day.

Some benefits:

Proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol offers fast speeds.
Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android.
Allows 5 simultaneous connections with free account.
No logging of browsing data.
3,200+ servers in 80+ countries.

Hotspot Shield occasionally inserts ads in the free version. But overall, it‘s one of the better free VPN services thanks to the daily data allowance and unlimited bandwidth.

6. TunnelBear

TunnelBear is very easy to use thanks to its friendly bear-themed interface. The free plan limits you to 500MB of data per month.

Features include:

Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Linux.
AES 256-bit encryption.
Strict no-logging policy.
Allows 5 simultaneous connections.
20+ server locations, mainly in the Americas and Europe.
Works with Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer.

TunnelBear is ideal if you just need a basic VPN for light usage each month. But power users will need to upgrade to the paid version ($3-$6/month) for more data.

7. Speedify

Speedify is focused on providing fast connection speeds by bonding your Wi-Fi and cellular networks.

Some key features:

Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, router setups.
Unlimited free data and bandwidth.
Masks your IP address and encrypts data with military-grade ciphers.
40+ server locations in 35+ countries.
Allows P2P traffic.

The main caveat is that Speedify collects some connection logs and analytics to analyze performance issues, but doesn‘t record browsing activity.

8. Encrypt.me

Encrypt.me is the free VPN offering from StackPath, built specifically for light personal use.

Features include:

Apps for Windows, iOS, and Android.
Unlimited bandwidth with free plan.
256-bit AES encryption.
No-logs policy.
12 countries to choose from.
Allows P2P traffic.

The main limitations are lower speeds and a lack of advanced features. But overall Encrypt.me is handy for basic privacy needs.

9. Private Tunnel

Private Tunnel is a straightforward free VPN service operated by the privacy company Anonymizer.

Some key details:

Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
200MB daily data limit with free plan.
AES 256-bit encryption.
No logs are maintained.
12 countries available for free users.
Allows P2P traffic.

Private Tunnel offers a simple free VPN option that delivers on the basics. But the 200MB daily data cap means it‘s best suited for light usage.

10. VPNBook

VPNBook provides a totally free VPN service funded through donations. There are no bandwidth restrictions.

Features include:

OpenVPN protocol for desktop platforms. L2TP/IPSec & PPTP also available.
No account signup required.
No traffic logs are maintained.
11 server locations in 8 countries.
Allows P2P traffic.

Since VPNBook doesn‘t require an account, it offers more anonymity. But speeds are slower than premium VPNs and advanced features are limited.

11. VPN Gate

VPN Gate is an academic project that relies on volunteer servers hosted by members around the world.

Some details:

Offers L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, and SSL protocols.
Requires free registration to use the service.
No bandwidth restrictions.
4,700+ volunteer servers in 100+ countries.
Allows P2P traffic.

The number of servers and countries is impressive for a free VPN. But speeds vary since servers depend on volunteers. Still, VPN Gate is useful in a pinch.

Benefits of a Free VPN

There are good reasons to use a free virtual private network:

Enhanced Privacy

Free VPN services encrypt your internet traffic and hide your IP address. This prevents snooping by hackers, government agencies, and internet providers.

Safer Public Wi-Fi

Connecting to public Wi-Fi without a VPN is risky since it‘s easier for others to intercept your data. A free VPN keeps you protected on the go.

Access Restricted Sites

VPNs allow you to bypass censorship and geographic blocks to access content not available in your country.

Avoid Bandwidth Throttling

Some ISPs intentionally throttle bandwidth usage for certain sites and services. A free VPN prevents this throttling, though speeds may still be limited.

Stop Price Discrimination

Sites sometimes adjust pricing based on customers‘ locations and browsing history. Connecting via VPN hides this information for fair pricing.

Choosing the Best Free VPN

Here are key factors to consider when selecting a free VPN:

Privacy & Security Protocols

A VPN should use AES 256-bit encryption or greater and have a strict no-logs policy to protect your privacy. Protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec are more secure than PPTP or L2TP/IPSec.

Server Network Size

More server locations means you‘re likely to get better speeds and more reliable connections. Paid VPNs generally have more (and faster) servers.

Speed & Reliability

Even the best free VPN will be slower than a direct connection. But it still needs to provide usable speeds. Steer clear of VPNs with very slow connections.

Ease of Use

The VPN app or software should be intuitive and make it simple to select locations, connect/disconnect, and more.

Extra Features

Additional features like ad blocking, malware protection, kill switches, split tunneling and port forwarding increase a VPN‘s value.

Daily/Monthly Data Limits

Some free VPNs limit how much data you can use each day or month. Generous limits like 10GB/month provide more flexibility.

Limitations of Free VPNs

There are a few potential downsides to using a free virtual private network:

Slower speeds compared to paid VPN services, which have more premium servers.
Fewer server location options. Paid plans unlock more countries.
Limited features compared to full-featured paid VPN apps.
Some free VPNs log traffic data and see browsing activity. Check policies carefully.
Daily or monthly data allowances can limit streaming and downloads.
Technical support may be minimal compared to paid subscribers.
Free users served more ads in the apps.

For maximum speed and features, a premium VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN is worth the investment. But free services work fine for basic privacy needs.

FAQ About Free VPNs

Are free VPNs safe to use?

Free VPN services from reputable providers that don‘t log your activity are generally safe to use. But free VPN apps also pose a higher risk of containing malware or selling your data, so stick to well-known names.

Do free VPNs work for streaming sites?

Free VPNs often cannot access Netflix and other streaming sites due to inferior speeds or lack of IP addresses. A few providers do offer streaming access, but it may not be reliable.

Does a free VPN protect banking info?

Yes, connecting to your bank’s website through a free VPN will encrypt your data to keep your login credentials and transactions secure.

Can I torrent with a free VPN?

Most of the top free VPNs allow peer-to-peer torrenting. Just beware of the daily/monthly bandwidth caps which could limit large downloads.

Are free VPN browser extensions safe?

Major VPN companies like TunnelBear and Windscribe offer free browser extensions that are safe to use. This gives you a layer of protection for general web browsing.

Wrapping Up

A trustworthy free VPN gives you a measure of privacy, anonymity, and security when browsing the web. While paid VPN services tend to be faster and more full-featured, a free option can still be handy for basic use.

We recommend AtlasVPN as the overall best free VPN thanks to its unlimited bandwidth, privacy protections, and high speeds. Windscribe, TunnelBear, Speedify, and Encrypt.me are also solid options with 10GB or unlimited monthly data limits.

Remember to carefully check the provider‘s policies, protocols, and logging practices before using any free VPN service to ensure your personal data stays protected.