Free VPNs have improved a lot, but they still come with trade-offs. Most cap your data, limit server choices, or hold back advanced features to nudge you toward a paid plan. That said, a handful of providers offer genuinely useful free tiers that are safe, reasonably fast, and transparent about how they handle your data. Below you will find the best free VPNs you can use in 2025, what our review of public test data shows about their speeds and safety, and a simple checklist to help you pick the right one for your needs.
How we evaluated
To compare free VPNs fairly, we focused on five things that matter most:
- Privacy stance and independent verification
We looked for publicly documented audits, open security practices, and clear no-logs policies. Services with recent third-party audits and strong transparency ranked higher. (Tom’s Guide, Proton VPN, TunnelBear: Secure VPN Service) - Speed and stability under real world use
Reported performance from reputable labs and reviewers in 2024–2025 carried weight. Keep in mind that many free plans throttle after a certain amount of data. (TechRadar) - Security features that actually protect you
We checked for a working kill switch, modern protocols like WireGuard, leak protection, and trustworthy apps. - Free plan limits
We compared data caps, server choice, and device limits. Unlimited data is rare and often comes with hidden throttling. - Company track record
Jurisdiction, transparency reports, and clarity about ownership all matter. Regular public audits and clear communication earned bonus points. (TunnelBear: Secure VPN Service)
The best free VPNs in 2025
1) Proton VPN Free — the safest choice for everyday browsing
If you want a free VPN primarily for privacy, Proton VPN Free stands out. The free tier offers unlimited data, no ads, open source apps, and a no logs policy that has been independently audited. You do not get every premium feature and you cannot pick any server you want, but the essentials are done right. Multiple reviewers in 2025 still consider Proton among the most private services. Some test labs also note that while data is not capped, speeds may be throttled during heavy use on the free tier, so it is best for browsing and general app use rather than long streaming sessions. (Proton VPN, Tom’s Guide)
What you get: unlimited data, strong encryption, WireGuard and an obfuscation mode, a kill switch, and well designed apps.
What to watch: limited country choice on the free tier and possible throttling after sustained high usage. (TechRadar)
2) PrivadoVPN Free — the quickest burst speeds with a modest cap
Privado’s free plan is frequently measured as the fastest among free options in recent tests, which makes it a smart pick when you need short bursts of high speed downloads or smooth video calls. The trade-off is a 10 GB monthly cap at full speed. After that you can still connect via a fallback location at a much lower speed. Privado does well on speed and basic privacy, but as of 2025 it has not published an independent no logs audit, which keeps it behind Proton and TunnelBear on transparency. (TechRadar, PrivadoVPN, Cloudwards)
What you get: very fast performance for the first 10 GB, split tunneling on many platforms, and a simple interface.
What to watch: the data cap, and the lack of a published independent audit so far. (TechRadar, PrivacyJournal.net)
3) Windscribe Free — the power user pick with useful extras
Windscribe’s free plan gives you 10 GB per month when you confirm your email, access to servers in multiple countries, and the ability to connect on unlimited devices. It also includes R.O.B.E.R.T., an integrated blocker for ads, trackers, and malware, which is rare in a free tier. Windscribe has published audits of core infrastructure and maintains a detailed transparency page tracking requests for user data. For tinkerers and privacy fans who want more control than most free apps allow, Windscribe is a strong fit. (Windscribe)
What you get: generous free plan, unlimited device connections, ad and tracker blocking, and a history of third-party reviews of its stack.
What to watch: the same 10 GB cap applies, and speeds can vary by location. (Windscribe)
4) TunnelBear Free — friendly design with annual audits
TunnelBear’s interface is beginner friendly and its security posture is unusually transparent for a free option. The company has published independent security audits every year for many years, and continues to talk publicly about upcoming audits. The free plan’s main limitation is a small monthly data allowance. It is perfect for occasional secure connections on public Wi-Fi, quick logins from airports or cafes, and testing the app before deciding whether to upgrade. (TunnelBear: Secure VPN Service)
What you get: polished apps, consistent independent audits, and easy one tap connections.
What to watch: the low data limit means it is not ideal for streaming or large downloads. (TunnelBear)
5) Hide.me Free — flexible features with a fair allowance
Hide.me’s free plan gives 10 GB per month on one device. The service has long marketed a strong privacy stance and has referenced independent reviews of its logging practices. It also tends to include helpful extras, like split tunneling and support for modern protocols, even on the free tier. For casual users who want a little more configuration than the simplest apps provide, Hide.me is a balanced choice. (hide.me VPN)
What you get: reasonable monthly allowance, extensive protocol support, and a feature set that feels closer to paid tiers.
What to watch: the single device limit on the free plan.
Also consider: Atlas VPN Free — small cap, unlimited devices
Atlas VPN still offers a free plan with about 5 GB per month and unlimited device connections. Its apps are straightforward and the paid version has grown steadily. The free tier is too small for heavy use but works in a pinch when you need a quick secure tunnel on many devices. (TechRepublic, PrivacyJournal.net)
What the speed tests really mean
When a reviewer says a free VPN hit hundreds of megabits per second, it usually reflects best case performance on a nearby server with WireGuard. In practice, your experience will depend on distance to the server, time of day, network congestion, and whether the provider throttles free users after a threshold. The headline lesson from recent 2025 roundups is simple: Privado’s free tier often tops short burst speeds, while Proton remains the most dependable for sustained private browsing thanks to its unlimited data and strong security posture. (TechRadar)
What to avoid with free VPNs
- Unknown publishers and vague privacy pages. If you cannot find a real company, a country of registration, and a readable privacy policy, skip it.
- Unlimited data that is funded by ads or trackers. Many so-called free services monetize by profiling users rather than charging for premium tiers. Stick with providers that publish audits or credible transparency reports. (TechRadar)
- Outdated protocols only. Look for WireGuard or at least IKEv2 and OpenVPN, plus a working kill switch.
Quick buyer’s guide for different needs
- Safest free VPN for privacy first users: Proton VPN Free, due to unlimited data, open source apps, and a recent no logs audit. Use it for day to day browsing and app use. (Proton VPN)
- Fastest free VPN for short sessions: PrivadoVPN Free for burst speed, especially when you have a small task to complete within the monthly allowance. (TechRadar)
- Best free VPN for features: Windscribe Free, thanks to unlimited device connections and an integrated blocker that reduces tracking and junk traffic. (Windscribe)
- Best free VPN for beginners: TunnelBear Free, because of its simple layout and consistent annual audits. (TunnelBear: Secure VPN Service)
How to test a free VPN yourself in five minutes
- Install and sign in
Pick one from the list above, install it, and connect to the nearest location. - Run a basic speed check
Before connecting, note your base download and upload in any speed app. Connect to the VPN, repeat the check, and compare the difference. Expect some drop; anything within a third of your base speed is usually fine for browsing. - Check for leaks
With the VPN on, use any well known leak test site to confirm that your IP address and DNS servers show as the VPN’s, not your own. - Toggle the kill switch
If the app offers a kill switch, enable it, then briefly disconnect the VPN. Your internet should pause until the secure tunnel is back. - Stream or download a small file
Try a short video clip or a test file. If the free plan buffers or slows after a few minutes, you are likely bumping into throttling or capacity limits. Rotate to a different provider or save the heavy work for a paid plan.
Final verdict
If you want the most private free VPN in 2025 for daily use, pick Proton VPN Free and accept the limits on server choice and the chance of throttling during very heavy use. If you want the fastest free option for quick tasks, PrivadoVPN Free is excellent until you hit its cap. Windscribe Free remains the best all-rounder with useful extras and unlimited device connections, while TunnelBear Free is the easiest for newcomers and earns trust with regular public audits. Hide.me Free and Atlas VPN Free are solid backups when you need a different mix of data cap, device limit, and features. Use these free options to protect yourself on public Wi-Fi, to secure logins, and to reduce tracking across your devices. For around the clock streaming, gaming, or heavy downloading, a reputable paid plan will still deliver a smoother, faster, and more private internet experience. (TechRadar)
Key takeaway: choose providers that publish audits or transparency reports, turn on the kill switch, and keep your expectations realistic. Done right, a free VPN in 2025 can be both safe and surprisingly capable.