In an age where data breaches and privacy concerns have become daily news, securing your online activity is no longer a luxury but a necessity. This increasing need for online privacy has led many to turn to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for a secure browsing experience. But, let’s be honest—everyone loves free stuff, and why should internet security be any different? With that in mind, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the 9 best free VPN services available in 2023. Looking to stream international content, protect your identity, or secure your data? These free VPN options have you covered at no cost.
What is a VPN?
A VPN is a technology that establishes a secure and private connection between your device and the internet. When activated, a VPN routes your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a remote server operated by the VPN provider. This process accomplishes two main objectives:
- Masking Your IP Address – When your data arrives at the VPN server, it exits onto the public internet with the server’s IP address, not yours. This masks your actual IP address and makes it difficult for online entities to trace your digital footprint back to you.
- Encrypting Your Data – As data travels through the encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN server, it becomes unreadable to any third-party observer. This encryption protects your data from hackers and anyone else interested in your online activities.
Limitations of Free VPN Services
While a free VPN service sounds tempting, it’s important to note that these services often come with limitations compared to their paid counterparts:
- Limited Bandwidth and Speed – Free VPN services often limit the amount of bandwidth you can use, which can lead to slower browsing speeds.
- Data Logging – Some free VPNs may track your online activities and sell the data to third parties, essentially defeating the purpose of using a VPN in the first place.
- Limited Server Locations – Free versions often provide fewer options when it comes to server locations, which can also reduce your browsing speed.
- Ads – Many free VPNs make revenue by showing ads, which can be annoying and even compromise your security.
With that in mind, here are the 9 best free VPN services available in 2023:
1. ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is a VPN service based in Switzerland. Founded in 2017 by the same team behind ProtonMail, ProtonVPN aims to provide secure, private, and uncensored internet access to its users. Switzerland has strong privacy laws, which adds an extra layer of protection for users’ data.
Some Key Features:
- Strong Encryption – ProtonVPN uses AES-256 encryption, which is a high standard in the cybersecurity industry.
- Secure Core – Routes your traffic through multiple servers before leaving ProtonVPN’s network, making it harder for adversaries to track you.
- Kill Switch – Stops all internet traffic if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly, protecting you from accidental exposure.
- Unlimited Bandwidth for Free Plan – Proton VPN offers a Free plan designed for security with no data limits.
Pricing:
Free plan available, paid plans start at $4.99/month for two years.
Website: https://protonvpn.com
2. Windscribe
Windscribe is a VPN service that aims to protect your online privacy, unblock websites, and remove ads and trackers from your everyday browsing. Founded in Canada in 2015, Windscribe has gained a reputation for offering a robust free tier and a range of privacy features for paid users.
Some Key Features:
- Strong Encryption – Windscribe uses strong encryption algorithms including AES-256 cipher with SHA512 auth and a 4096-bit RSA key.
- R.O.B.E.R.T. – This is Windscribe’s domain and IP blocking tool which allows you to block ads, malware, and other types of traffic.
- Firewall – Provides an additional layer of security, ensuring that all data goes through the VPN and protecting you from leaks.
- Free 10GB per Month Plan – With a confirmed email address you get 10GB/month of data, unlimited connections and access to over 10 countries.
Pricing:
Free plan available, paid plans start at $5.75/month for one year.
Website: https://windscribe.com
3. TunnelBear
TunnelBear is a VPN service that aims to simplify the experience of using a VPN for the average consumer. It was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. In 2018, the company was acquired by cybersecurity firm McAfee. TunnelBear is known for its user-friendly interface, which features an interactive map to choose VPN locations, as well as its commitment to providing a secure and private browsing experience.
Some Key Features:
- Strong Encryption – TunnelBear uses AES-256 bit encryption by default to secure your data.
- VigilantBear – This is TunnelBear’s version of a “kill switch,” which blocks all unsecured traffic if your connection gets disrupted for any reason.
- GhostBear – Makes your encrypted VPN data less detectable to governments, businesses and ISPs.
- Free 2GB per Month Plan – Free TunnelBear account allows you to have access to 2GB of data per month and have the same performance levels as the paid plans.
Pricing:
Free plan available, paid plans start at $3.33/month.
Website: https://www.tunnelbear.com
4. Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield is a popular VPN service that aims to provide fast, secure, and private internet access. Founded in 2005, the company has its headquarters in the United States. Over the years, Hotspot Shield has gained a large user base, partly due to its free tier offering and high-speed performance. The VPN uses its proprietary Hydra VPN protocol, designed to enhance speed and security.
Some Key Features:
- Strong Encryption – Hotspot Shield uses best-in-class military-grade security and 256-bit AES encryption to ensure your data is protected.
- Proprietary Protocol – Hotspot Shield uses its own VPN protocol, Hydra, which provides better speed and reliability.
- Data Throttling Avoidance – With Hotspot Shield connected, certain services, like streaming sites, will never be throttled as your ISP cannot see what websites you visit.
- Basic Mode – Provides a daily allowance of 500MB of data, which can be enough for basic browsing needs.
Pricing:
7-day trial of Premium account is available, paid plans start at €7.99/month for one year.
Website: https://www.hotspotshield.com
5. Hide.me
Hide.me is a VPN service founded in 2012 and based in Malaysia. The company focuses on providing a secure, private, and unrestricted internet experience to users. Malaysia has favorable privacy laws and is not a member of any major international surveillance alliances like the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, or Fourteen Eyes, which may appeal to users looking for enhanced privacy.
Some Key Features:
- Strong Encryption – Hide.me uses AES-256 encryption, the same standard used by many governmental agencies and cyber security experts.
- P2P Supported – Hide.me supports P2P file sharing on all 8 free locations.
- No Ads – You can use Hide.me’s free VPN to enjoy the internet without ads.
- Free 10GB per Month Plan – Hide.me offers 10GB of free data per month and maintains a strict no-logs policy.
Pricing:
Free plan available, paid plans start at $2.59/month.
Website: https://hide.me
6. Speedify
Speedify is a VPN service known for its focus on speed and reliable internet connectivity. Founded in 2012 and based in the United States, Speedify uses a technology called “Channel Bonding” to combine multiple internet connections (like Wi-Fi, cellular, Ethernet, etc.) into one super-connection that is both faster and more reliable. This makes Speedify unique among VPN services, which traditionally focus solely on privacy and security.
Some Key Features:
- Strong Encryption – Speedify uses strong encryption standards, including the ChaCha-based encryption cipher.
- Channel Bonding – Combines multiple internet connections to increase speed and reliability.
- Advanced Algorithms – Helps to reduce packet loss and correct errors, improving the overall connection quality.
- Free 2GB per Month Plan – Speedify will optimize the first 2GB of data usage every month for free accounts.
Pricing:
Free plan available, paid plans start at $7.49/month for one year.
Website: https://speedify.com
7. ZoogVPN
ZoogVPN is a lesser-known but growing VPN service that aims to provide secure, private, and unrestricted internet access to its users. It’s especially popular among users looking for a straightforward VPN service that gets the job done without too many bells and whistles. Founded in 2013, the company is based in Greece, which is not a part of the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, or Fourteen Eyes international surveillance alliances.
Some Key Features:
- Strong Encryption – ZoogVPN uses AES-256 encryption to secure users’ data and online activities.
- ZoogShadowing – ZoogVPN’s obfuscation feature that allows using a VPN in heavily censored countries like China, UAE, Iran, Qatar, Turkey, and others.
- SOCKS5 Proxy – Several ZoogVPN servers allow you to connect using the SOCKS5 proxy technology which can help you can achieve the best download speed.
- Free 10GB per Month Plan – ZoogVPN offers 10GB of free data per month with 5 VPN locations.
Pricing:
Free plan available, paid plans start at $1.99/month for two years.
Website: https://zoogvpn.com
8. Avira Phantom VPN
Avira Phantom VPN is a VPN service offered by Avira, a Germany-based cybersecurity company known for its antivirus software. The company was founded in 1986, and it extended its portfolio to include a VPN service as part of its broader suite of security products. Avira Phantom VPN is designed to provide privacy, freedom, and security to users who want to browse the internet anonymously and securely.
Some Key Features:
- Strong Encryption – Avira Phantom VPN uses strong AES-256 encryption to secure your internet connection.
- Unlimited Devices – You can run the service simultaneously on all your devices.
- DNS Leak prevention – Avira Phantom VPN supports IP v4 and v6 protocols to help keep your internet connection secured at all times.
- Free 500MB per Month Plan – Avira Phantom VPN Free offers 500MB of data per month.
Pricing:
Free plan available, paid plans start at $10.00/month.
Website: https://www.avira.com
9. PrivadoVPN
PrivadoVPN is a relatively newer VPN service aiming to offer secure, fast, and private internet access. The company emphasizes user privacy and security, offering various features to enhance online anonymity and bypass geographical restrictions.
Some Key Features:
- Strong Encryption – PrivadoVPN uses AES-256 encryption, the industry standard for secure communications.
- Streaming Support – PrivadoVPN can reliably unblock popular streaming services like Netflix.
- Split Tunneling – Gives you complete control over how your data is encrypted while you’re online, app by app.
- Free 10GB per Month Plan – PrivadoVPN offers 10GB of free data per month with access to 12 of their fastest global servers.
Pricing:
Free plan available, paid plans start at $1.99/ month for two years.
Website: https://privadovpn.com
Conclusion
As we’ve explored in this blog, free VPN services offer a versatile solution for various online security and privacy needs. Whether you’re looking to keep your data safe on public Wi-Fi, maintain anonymity, or access geo-restricted content, a free VPN can be an excellent entry point into the world of secure browsing.
However, it’s important to remember that while free VPNs offer numerous benefits, investing in a premium service is often more secure and efficient.
So go ahead, review our top 9 list, and choose the best free VPN that aligns with your individual requirements. After all, in the increasingly interconnected digital world, online security should be accessible to everyone—budget constraints notwithstanding.
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