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Best Free VPN for 2024

There are plenty of benefits to downloading and using a VPN, and while a free one can be a very viable choice, it’s, of course, not as protective as a professional, paid option.

In fact the option that I recommend as a cybersecurity professional is a 30-day free trial with a small monthly fee after the trial. This is the safest and most cost effective option:

NordVPN – Best all round VPN for security and speed with 30-day free trial
ExpressVPN – Free for 30 days. Highly popular.
CyberGhost – 45 day money back guarantee. Top rated.

There are plenty of benefits to downloading and using a VPN, and while a free one can be a very viable choice, it’s, of course, not as protective as a professional, paid option.

Still, if you simply want some security while you’re browsing the web or using public Wi-Fi, a free VPN can serve you very well. If that’s all you’re looking for, then you should check out one of the best free VPN for 2024 that we’ve gathered on this list to stay safe and anonymous online.

Naturally, with a free VPN, you’ll be limited in some way, either with a constraint on data or speed. So, if you’re willing to compromise on those for some extra security online, then a free VPN would suit you just fine.

VPN	Data Limit	Works With	Servers
NordVPN	No limit	iOS, Android, Mac, Windows	5000+
Hotspot Shield VPN	500 MB per day	iOS, Android, Mac, Windows	1
ProtonVPN	Unlimited	Linux, iOS, Android, Mac, Windows	3
Windscribe	10 GB per month	Linux, iOS, Android, Mac, Windows	10
Speedify	2 GB per month	Linux, iOS, Android, Mac, Windows	50+

 5/5

30-day money back guarantee

The 5 Best Free VPN Services for 2024

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is not a free VPN service; it is a premium VPN provider that requires a subscription. However, it is often considered a great choice for users who are looking for a VPN due to its strong reputation for privacy and security.

I includes NordVPN as my top choice because it is head and shoulders above all free VPNs and it offers a 30-day free trial. A subsequent paid plan is also offered at a 68% discount.

NordVPN offers a feature rich platform which ensures safety, performance and speed:

Strong Encryption: NordVPN uses AES-256-bit encryption, which is a military-grade encryption standard that ensures your data is secure.
No Logs Policy: NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not track or store your online activities, which is crucial for maintaining privacy.
Large Server Network: With thousands of servers in numerous countries around the world, NordVPN allows users to access geo-restricted content and provides a stable connection.
Double VPN: NordVPN offers a Double VPN feature that routes your traffic through two VPN servers, encrypting it twice for additional security.
CyberSec Feature: This feature blocks suspicious websites and ads, providing an additional layer of security against malware and phishing attacks.
Automatic Kill Switch: NordVPN’s kill switch automatically cuts off your internet connection if your VPN connection drops, preventing data leaks.
Dedicated IP Option: Users can opt for a dedicated IP address, which can be useful for online banking and accessing secure databases.
Onion Over VPN: For those seeking extra privacy, NordVPN provides the option to route traffic through the Tor network on top of the VPN connection.

Read our NordVPN Review

2. Hotspot Shield VPN

Hotspot Shield VPN is truly a top-notch option, and it’s ideal for anyone whose data usage doesn’t exceed 500 MBs on a daily basis, which adds up to 15 GB each month, trumping every other option on the list.

With “military-grade encryption,” you’ll get excellent security, which makes you feel secure while you’re shopping and entering your card numbers if you use online banking services.

Not to mention, Hotspot Shield VPN is very easy to use, so you wouldn’t have trouble figuring out how to navigate it whether you’re on a desktop or a mobile.

However, it’s worth mentioning that the free version is limited to a single US location that is automatically picked by the service, includes plenty of ads, and limits you to a speed of 2 Mbps.

Pros

Cons

3. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN has great paid plans, but its free plan is just as incredible. Firstly, it comes with no limit on your monthly data usage, and it’s the only service that offers this.

Naturally, there are some restrictions on the usage in the free plan, and these include a limitation to use on a single device only, three locations, and lower priority compared to users who are subscribed to the paid plans. This is intensified due to the fact that it lacks P2P support, so speeds are liable to drop when paid users get the priority, especially at peak times.

However, it still seems like a pretty great deal, especially with the no-logging policy and the fact that there aren’t any ads, be it on the client or website. Moreover, you can sign up for the service using only your email.

Pros

Cons

4. Windscribe

With more than 10 server locations, a data usage limit of 10 GB per month, and guaranteed privacy, Windscribe is easily among the best free VPN options.

The server locations include the UK, Germany, Canada, Hong Kong, and of course, the US and Canada. It’s worth mentioning that Netflix is only available for the UK and US.

And while Windscribe doesn’t keep a log of connection, stamps for IPs, or the sites you visit, it does store your username, data transfer amounts, and the servers you connect to. There’s also a built-in firewall and adblocker.

What’s more, you only need a username and password to start using the service, though we advise using an email to be able to retrieve your password in case you forget it.

Pros

Cons

5. Speedify

As its name suggests, Speedify focuses on maintaining your internet connection’s speed while giving you reliable encryption. A huge advantage it offers is that it uses all the available connections and combines fixed broadband and tethered ones or Wi-Fi and 4G data to enhance performance. What’s more, it comes with a turbocharging technology that further enhances the speed of the connection.

You get full access to the servers with the free plan, just as you would with the paid ones, only with a data usage limit of 2 GB per month. It’s on the lower end of the allowances, but then again, the service focuses on and prioritizes speed.

However, if you’re looking for a VPN that would allow you to use streaming services, Speedify is definitely not the one.

It’s also worth mentioning that Speedify is based in the US, which means that it’s not excluded from search warrants.

Pros

Cons

How we chose the best free VPNs

At VPNReactor our rigorous testing processes involve assessing each VPN across six different categories.

Each factor is given a weight based on the level of importance, which we combine together to determine the total score.

Our category testing methodology:

Speed and Performance: To measure the impact of the VPN on internet connection speed and the performance of individual servers.
Security and Privacy: To ensure that the VPN provides strong encryption and does not leak sensitive information.
Encryption Strength: To verify the robustness of the encryption algorithms and protocols the VPN uses.
Server Network: To evaluate the VPN’s server network size, distribution and performance.
Kill Switch: To test the VPN’s ability to maintain privacy during unexpected disconnections.
Usability: To ensure the VPN is user-friendly and compatible with multiple devices and operating systems.

Final Thoughts

Now that we’re done with the reviews on the best free VPN services for 2024, we hope you’ve managed to pick the one that best suits your use.

If you want a worry free browsing experience, go with the 30-day free NordVPN trial then upgrade for a small fee each month.

If you want a truly free VPN and your consumption isn’t that high plus you want solid features, opt for Hotspot Shield VPN. If you want to consume plenty of data each month, I recommend ProtonVPN.