Free VPN
Executive summary
Free VPNs can work for casual privacy needs but vary sharply in speed, data limits, and trustworthiness; major reviewers name Proton VPN, Hotspot Shield, PrivadoVPN and others as top free options while warning about data-selling and feature limits [1] [2] [3] [4]. Experts recommend premium trials or audited paid services if you need strong privacy, speed, or streaming reliability; several outlets call Proton VPN the best free option while noting restrictions, and PCMag/PCWorld warn some free products throttle or show ads [1] [5] [6] [4].
1. Free VPNs do useful things — but not all do the same things
Free VPNs encrypt your traffic and can mask your IP, giving baseline privacy and location routing, yet reviewers emphasize trade-offs: Proton VPN’s free tier is praised for strong privacy and no bandwidth caps but limits servers and features [5] [1]; Hotspot Shield’s free plan scores for desktop ease and no-account use, but other free apps throttle mobile speeds or insert ads [2] [6]. TechRadar and PCWorld list different winners—Privado, Proton, Hotspot Shield—illustrating that “best free” depends on whether you value privacy, speed, or convenience [3] [4].
2. The privacy calculus: audits, logging policies and historical incidents
Reputable reviewers prioritize audited no‑logs policies and transparency reports. Proton is repeatedly highlighted for privacy credentials and independent scrutiny, though Wirecutter notes a 2021 Swiss authority case around Proton Mail that prompted clarification about VPN data handling; Proton has said VPN users were not targeted in the same way, but reviewers still point to server restrictions and past context [1] [5]. Some free providers lack audits or transparency—TechRadar warns Privado hasn’t been audited, making it less suitable for people with “serious privacy concerns” [7].
3. Performance and practical limits: speed, servers, and data caps
Free plans usually impose limits—server choices, device connections, bandwidth or speed caps, and ads. Proton’s free tier is notable for not capping bandwidth, but restricts which servers you can use [5] [1]. PCMag and PCWorld document throttling, single simultaneous connections, or mobile speed limits (e.g., 2 Mbps) in some free plans, and TechRadar highlights Privado’s 10 GB monthly cap as inadequate for heavy streaming [6] [4] [3]. RTINGS and other labs sometimes reward Hotspot Shield for desktop performance, showing that free services can be fast in certain contexts [2].
4. Monetization risks: ads, data sales and “free” business models
Multiple outlets warn that some free VPNs monetize by advertising or data collection; PCWorld and CyberInsider caution that low‑quality free services have been implicated in exploitative behavior or malware distribution in the past, making vetting essential [4] [8]. Reviewers recommend preferring well-known vendors with independent audits rather than obscure, “no-name” free services that lack third‑party evaluation [4] [8].
5. When to use free vs. when to pay
Reviewers converge on a rule of thumb: use free VPNs for casual privacy, testing, or occasional geo-checking; upgrade to a paid, audited service for streaming, torrenting, bypassing censorship, or threat‑level privacy. PCMag and CyberInsider recommend either a trusted free tier (Proton) or short paid trials/money‑back windows to evaluate a paid VPN before committing [9] [10] [6]. Wired specifically recommends Proton and Windscribe as the only free options it still endorses for general users, but notes paid tiers meaningfully improve speed and features [5].
6. Practical buying and testing advice from reviewers
Experts advise: pick services with independent audits and transparency reports; try free tiers or risk‑free trials (many vendors offer 7‑day trials or 30‑day money‑back guarantees); check server count, simultaneous connections, and published privacy policies; and avoid schemes that “share” your bandwidth (the Hola precedent) or providers without third‑party reviews [11] [4] [8]. Tech outlets also recommend consulting multiple reviews—PCMag, Wirecutter, TechRadar, RTINGS—to match a provider to your primary need [9] [1] [3] [2].
Limitations and readers’ next steps: my summary cites major reviewers’ conclusions and specific cautions, but available sources do not mention pricing changes after December 2025 or every small free provider’s current behavior; if you want a tailored recommendation (best free for mobile, streaming, or strict privacy), say which platform and primary use and I’ll cross‑check the reviews cited here [1] [5] [6].