7 Best Free VPNs in 2023

Are you worried about your online privacy and security? If so, you might want to consider using a VPN to protect your sensitive information from prying eyes. But with so many VPN options available, it can be challenging to pick the right one, especially if you’re on a tight budget. 

Fortunately, there are plenty of free VPNs out there that can help you safeguard your online activities without breaking the bank. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best free VPNs on the market and help you find one that suits your needs. 

So, let’s dive in and explore the world of free VPNs!

Best Free VPNs: An Overview

Running short on time? Let’s glance at the best free VPNs and some of their important factors to decide which suits you.  

7 Best Free VPNs in 2023 

Here’s our list of 7 best free VPNs. You can easily find a suitable VPN from this detailed list. 

Atlas VPN

The outstanding features of Atlas VPN make us mention it in our list. It is a good choice for device-heavy households, as you can use it on any device without creating an account.

Security and privacy: Although most VPNs increase customers’ privacy, Atlas VPN gives extra protection by offering several tools. These include; 

• A tracker blocker to block all the trackers in your computer
• By entering your email, a breach monitor determines if Atlas has been a part of a data breach.

Streaming: Unlike most VPNs, it offers streaming access with a data limit of 5GB. Altas VPN will unblock most streaming sites such as Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO, etc. 

Good For: It allows access to unlimited devices and has a strict no-log feature to increase the privacy of customers’ data. 

Limitations: The 5GB data speed needs to be improved for most users as you can only enjoy some episodes of your favorite serial, and your internet will be over. 

You can buy a paid version using Atlas VPN if you want more internet. But those wishing for more internet for further streaming should check out the Proton VPN. 

Proton VPN

It is the most well-known VPN for heavy data users. It will allow you to access unlimited data without paying a penny. Proton VPN can be installed and works fine with most devices such as Android, iPhone, Chromebook, Android TV, etc. 

Security and Privacy:  Proton VPN offers a no-logs policy, meaning no one can access any user’s data once the VPN has been activated. 

Streaming:  Customers can also access streaming sites through Proton VPN. The free version opens only a few streaming sites. In contrast, the premium gives access to Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney Plus, etc.

Good For: The Proton VPN is suitable for those looking for unlimited internet but could be better for enjoyment. Surf Shark is a better option for a free VPN without a limited screen and advantages. 

Limitations: Most of the features of Proton VPN are available only in paid version, such as the connection speed of the free version sometimes could be better. Unfortunately, free Proton VPN serves only three countries, and this limit can also be increased by upgrading to the paid version.  

Surfshark

Surfshark caught our eyes with its impressive features and one-month free trial period. On the top, there are no limitations for free trial advantages; it works the same as the premium one. 

Security and Privacy: Surfshark has earned a good name regarding its security and privacy policies. There is no need to worry about privacy concerns while using this VPN. 

Streaming: One such great opportunity for Netflix users is here, as you can unblock Netflix from Surfshark free of cost, without privacy issues. 

Good For: It is one of the best free VPNs for Windows, which highly values the privacy of its customers. The interface is also easy to use and well-designed. Surfshark VPN allows unlimited connections and is compatible with most devices, including ios, Android, Windows, Linux, and Xbox. 

Limitations: Surfshark is designed for Windows; therefore, smartphone users can’t use this app. If you need a mobile-supporting free VPN, check out the PrivadoVPN. 

Read our in-depth review of Surfshark VPN to learn the honest opinion of the experts.

Privado VPN

PrivadoVPN has some unique features that others in the market do not. It is the best free VPN for streaming overseas content, and we consider it better than many paid VPNs. 

Security and Privacy: This platform is very strict regarding the security and privacy of customers, thus offering a no-log policy also. 

Streaming: If we talk about the interface, it is well-designed, allowing users to check how much data is left. It serves 13 locations in over ten countries and can unblock Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlaye.

Good For: Customers can easily switch to the WireGuard, and control encryption tool for more efficient services. Every month, you’ll get 10GB of data with remarkable speeds. 

Fortunately, you can also unblock the geo-restricted streaming sites through this VPN. 

Limitations: PrivadoVPN’s limits include that it can only be accessed on a single device.  

Hotspot Shield

The free version of  Hotspot Shield VPN has all the essential features, making it one of our favorites. It gives access to 500MB of data daily, which you must use within 24 hours; it will not be included in the next day’s data limit. 

Security and Privacy: Like most VPNs, it also does not track the browsing activities of its customers, but still, it is not a secured VPN due to the absence of a no-lag policy. 

Streaming: Unfortunately, the free version of Hotspot Shield cannot unblock Netflix, YouTube TV, and BBC iPlayer.

Good For: You can access 5 simultaneous devices, which works fine with most smart devices. The free version gives the most similar benefits as the paid one.

This platform gives a 15GB data limit monthly, which is much better than other paid VPNs. One most outstanding features of Hotspot Shield is that it allows you to increase your data limit by watching ads.

Limitations: However, its major drawback is that it offers to connect to only a single US location, and it also does not include a kill switch which most VPNs do.

Hotspot Shield could be a better free VPN; even with many excellent features, we wouldn’t recommend using this VPN as other flexible and secure options are available. If you need a VPN with an effective kill switch, Windscribe is for you. 

Windscribe VPN 

Windscribe VPN is a popular streaming service among many users worldwide. This VPN is flexible and fits the requirements of almost everyone; from using the desktop in the office to the smartphone in your home, all of your needs are fulfilled by Windscribe VPN. 

Security and Privacy: It can not identify or store your data and real IP address. However, it records our parallel connections and data usage during the 30 days, which is fair.

Streaming: The free version of Windscribe can not unblock most famous sites, such as BBC iPlayer and YouTube, but can be opened by the paid version. However, you can access Netflix through the free Windscribe VPN. 

Good For: It is compatible with almost all devices and offers a kill switch. The most exciting feature includes it blocks ads and trackers and makes social media safer for you. 

Limitations: People new to VPNs may feel the Windscribe interface needs to be clearer and easier to operate. The data limit of Windscribe is 2GB per month; however, it can be increased by providing your G-Mail ID to the company. 

TunnelBear

Unlike most VPNs, TunnelBear gives a happy and funny vibe with its easy-to-use interface. It also provides more than 20 server locations for free users and five simultaneous connections. Both these features make TunnelBear, the favorite VPN worldwide.

Security and Privacy: Your data is protected by military-grade AES-256 encryption, and the company has a no-log policy. However, they may record some of your data, such as your Email address. 

Streaming: It is good news that TunnelBear can unblock Netflix and YouTube. However, it offers a data speed of 500MB, which is insufficient for streaming even a single episode of your favorite show. For higher-speed data, you may need to upgrade to the premium plan. 

Good For: It helps the users to connect with the closest server, which as a result, provides fast speed and downloading.

Limitations: The data limit of TunnelBear is only 500MB, which is very low if compared to other VPNs; there is also no live chat support, and network connections are also sometimes unstable.

How Did We Test These Free VPNs?

We took the speed, security, performance, and streaming tests to determine the best free VPN. The information provided helps you access the best VPN for free. But if you want to explore it by yourself, here are the review process and criteria of how we ranked these VPNs. 

Speed 

Speed is an important factor to consider while looking for a VPN. Several factors cause speed problems, including the device we used and our proximity to the server, reducing connection speeds. 

We tested the VPNs provided in the list, and almost all have strong data speeds. It would help if you avoided a VPN with poor data speed, but still, paid versions of the same VPNs may offer faster speeds than the free ones. 

Streaming 

Most people use VPN services to unblock the geo-restricted content in their region and enjoy their favorite streaming sites, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Youtube. 

Hence, it is also essential to remember while seeking a free VPN. The VPNs we provide can easily unblock the most famous sites for free. 

Security 

It is true that free VPNs store their customers’ data and may sell them to third parties to earn a profit, as everything in the world is free for a reason. We have checked the terms and policies of these free VPNs in detail to ensure our data is always secured. 

Most VPNs in the list do not keep our data; some do, but delete it when we log out of the account. We found that most of them have strict no-logs policies and AES-256 encryption to increase the privacy of customers’ data. 

Features 

The selection of features should also be focused on while choosing the best free VPN, although each VPN in the list has some unique features. We looked for three specific elements in each VPN, and these are;

• Kill Switch,
• Split tunneling 
• Torrenting 

Customer Support 

We all face issues while using a new app and need efficient customer support, which is always available for our help. Therefore, checking customer service for the best free VPN is important. 

There are also other factors, such as policies, apps, subscriptions, and customer reviews which we examined before making the list of best free VPNs and ranking them. 

Are Free VPNs Worth It?

The answer to this question depends on your requirements and why you need a free VPN. Free VPNs are worth it if you only want to secure data on a Laptop or public Wi-Fi. They can also open some blocked websites and let you enjoy free internet. 

However, they are not suitable if streaming is your main purpose and you need more services. Still, you can always try their paid versions to fulfill your requirements and provide better services and features than the free ones. 

FAQs for Best Free VPNs