The Best Free VPN Service of 2025: Unblock Netflix Libraries & Mask Your IP For Free

Key Takeaways: What Is the Best Free VPN Service?

1. PrivadoVPN — The overall best free VPN
2. hide.me — Decent free VPN with unlimited data
3. Proton VPN — Good free VPN with unlimited data and 10 simultaneous connections
4. Windscribe — A fast, free VPN service
5. TunnelBear — Handy free VPN with a large server network

Facts & Expert Analysis from the Article:

• PrivadoVPN, a well-rounded free VPN: PrivadoVPN offers free access to servers in 10 countries that can unblock streaming services. It’s also secure and privacy-friendly, thanks to its no-logs policy, kill switch and multiple protocols.
• Proton VPN’s Unlimited Data Caveat: Proton VPN offers unlimited data, but you cannot choose your preferred server location. When you click the connect button, Proton VPN will choose from its five free server locations (The U.S., Japan, Netherlands, Bulgaria and Romania).
• TunnelBear’s Global Server Network: TunnelBear is the best free VPN if you need access to specific locations not covered by PrivadoVPN’s free plan. It offers a huge global server network but is limited to 2GB per month, making it a bad option for heavy streaming.

Best Free VPN

privadovpn.com

$1.11 / month

(save 89%) (All Plans)

Visit PrivadoVPN Review

Finding the best free VPN is akin to finding a needle in a haystack. There are many free VPNs, but only a few providers prioritize user security and privacy. Several gather and sell user data to third parties, whereas others struggle to access streaming sites.

If you’re on a tight budget or need a free VPN while traveling abroad, we have you covered. We scoured the VPN landscape and found free VPN providers with top-notch security and privacy. Our experienced testers put these services through the wringer to determine their strengths and weaknesses.

In this guide, we’ll tell you how each free VPN performs in terms of security, privacy, speed, streaming and other vital aspects. We’ll also share details about the limitations of free plans, such as server and data caps, to help you make an informed choice.

Cloudwards Editor’s Choice: PrivadoVPN

Our comprehensive hands-on testing showed that PrivadoVPN is the best free VPN. It’s fast, secure and offers many privacy features — a rare combination in the free VPN arena. PrivadoVPN offers access to servers in 10 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France and Brazil.

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Privado can unblock many streaming services, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, Max and Amazon Prime Video. Unfortunately, it’s not a good option for binge-streaming, as it offers only 10GB of high-speed data per month, after which you’re switched to the slower Lite plan.

The 5 Best Free VPN Services: Comparison Table

VPN	Free Plan	Cheapest plan	Netflix	Torrenting (free plan)	No-Logs Policy	Security
	Unlimited per month (10 countries)	$1.33 per month (15-months plan)				AES-256 ChaCha20
	Unlimited per month (7 countries)	$2.69 per month (two-year plan + two months)				AES-256 ChaCha20
	Unlimited per month (5 countries)	$4.49 per month (two-year plan)				AES-256 ChaCha20
	15GB per month (11 countries)	$5.75 per month (one-year plan)				AES-256 ChaCha20
	2GB per month (47 countries)	$3.33 per month (three-year plan)				AES-256 ChaCha20 AES-128

1. PrivadoVPN – The Overall Best Free VPN

PrivadoVPN is a secure, free service that has been making great strides since its launch in 2019. The free plan offers 10GB of high-speed data free every month. The data limit makes PrivadoVPN suitable for casual users — sorry, binge-watchers and avid gamers. After the 10GB is used, you’re switched to the Lite plan — it can be much slower, and you can’t choose your server connection.

The provider lets free users access 13 global servers across different countries: France, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Germany and the United Kingdom. PrivadoVPN is the only provider on this list with servers in South America (Brazil and Argentina). The four servers in the U.S. make it a good option for bypassing NFL, NBA and other sports geoblocks. 

PrivadoVPN Hands-On Testing

PrivadoVPN’s desktop and mobile apps have a well-organized design, which makes them easy to use. The home UI is clean, providing the details and features you need to stay on top of your online security. 

There’s a server search function, but you likely won’t need it — only 10 free server locations are available, and they are listed at the top. In addition, there’s an option to add a go-to server location to your favorites. 

With the SmartRoute feature, PrivadoVPN users can better control their network traffic by selecting which apps should bypass the VPN. This allows for greater flexibility when certain applications require your real location while others need privacy protection.

Notes From the Lab: PrivadoVPN Speed Test Results

PrivadoVPN delivered the second fastest download speeds, reaching an average speed of 89.5%. On the upload front, the speeds hovered above 90% of our unprotected speeds. The excellent speed performance makes it a great option for casual and speed-intensive use cases. 

Notes From the Lab: PrivadoVPN Unblocking Capability Test Results

During our testing, PrivadoVPN accessed Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer on the first attempt, but we had to switch servers to bypass the Disney Plus and Hulu geoblocks. Sadly, Netflix and Max geoblocks proved too good for PrivadoVPN’s tricks. 

Notes From the Lab: PrivadoVPN Security Analysis

PrivadoVPN supports the automatic protocol by default. You can switch the protocol to OpenVPN, WireGuard or IKEv2 to suit your speed and security preferences. 

PrivadoVPN’s only advanced security tool is the “scramble” button, which is available when you select the OpenVPN protocol. When activated, the feature adds obfuscation capability to OpenVPN, allowing you to use the VPN without getting caught. 

PrivadoVPN’s Swiss jurisdiction offers significant advantages, providing some of the strongest privacy protections in the world — outside of EU and US jurisdictions, and free from mandatory data retention laws.

While PrivadoVPN offers strong security features, it has not yet undergone a comprehensive independent security audit to verify its privacy claims, unlike some competitors.

PrivadoVPN Pricing & Value

PrivadoVPN offers three pricing tiers: monthly, one-year and two-year. The two-year tier, which offers a massive bang for your buck, costs $1.11 per month. One thing to note is that a 30-day money-back guarantee is available with the one-year and two-year plans. Read our full PrivadoVPN review to learn more. 

30-days money-back guarantee

Free

• 10GB
• 1

FREE

Premium

• Unlimited GB
• 10
• Yes

1-month plan, 15-months plan

1-month plan

$10.99/month

15-months plan

$1.33/month

$20 billed first 15 months and 12 months thereafter

Save 87%

2-year plan + 3 months

$1.11/month

$30 billed every 2 years

Save 89%

2. hide.me — Decent Free VPN with Unlimited Data

hide.me is another easy-to-use free service and is ideal for privacy-conscious users. It offers unlimited data, which makes it a great choice for binge-watching movies, gaming or downloading torrents. However, these data-intensive activities also require fast speeds, an area in which hide.me falls flat. 

The free version lets users access servers in seven countries: France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, the U.K., the U.S. and Singapore. Each country has servers in one city except the U.S., which has servers on the East and West coasts. The U.S. server might be handy for bypassing some but not all sports geoblocks.

hide.me Hands-On Testing

One thing we like about hide.me is that you don’t need an account to use the free version. Just download the app to your device, and you’re good to go. The desktop and mobile apps are designed with ease of use in mind. 

The features are easy to find and come with brief descriptions about how they work to guide you. The free servers are listed at the top, and you can sort them by ping rate to pick one primed for optimal performance. 

Notes From the Lab: hide.me Speed Test Results

hide.me has the slowest upload speeds on our list. The provider managed an irritating 10% of our upload speeds, ruling it out for users looking to upload files. It’s faster for downloads (73%) and may be serviceable for streaming in standard definition. Its ping rate was the worst of the five providers.

Notes From the Lab: hide.me Unblocking Capability Test Results

hide.me’s unblocking ability is a mixed bag. During our testing, we were able to get into Amazon Prime Video, Max, Disney Plus and Hulu on the first attempt. We ran out of luck with BBC iPlayer and Netflix, which proved to be hard nuts to crack even after multiple attempts. 

Notes From the Lab: hide.me Security Analysis

Like the rest of our picks, the provider uses an automatic protocol by default. In addition to the widely used OpenVPN, WireGuard and IKEv2 protocols, hide.me supports SoftEther VPN and Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP). 

SSTP is excellent for bypassing firewalls and censorship tools but has limited configuration capabilities. SoftEther VPN is a secure multi-protocol VPN software that offers fast connections even over sluggish networks. However, it’s not compatible with Android or iOS devices.

hide.me offers advanced security features such as StealthGuard and fallback configuration. The former allows you to restrict certain apps to work when the VPN is on. The latter enables you to configure the hide.me app to use an alternative VPN protocol if the one you’re using fails. 

hide.me Pricing & Value

hide.me is affordable, especially when you subscribe to a one-year or two-year plan. With a paid plan, you unlock limited features, servers (including streaming servers) and 10 simultaneous connections. The best deal is the two-year plan, which costs $2.69 per month.

If you’re hesitant about the price, make the most of the 30-day money-back guarantee and read our full hide.me review to be sure before committing. 

30-days money-back guarantee

Free

• 5 servers
• 10GB
• 1

FREE

Premium

• Unlimited GB
• 10
• Yes

1-month plan, 1-year plan

1-month plan

$9.95/month

1-year plan

$4.58/month

$54.95 billed every year

Save 53%

2-year plan + 2 months

$2.69/month

$69.95 billed every 2 years

Save 72%

3. Proton VPN — Good Free VPN with Unlimited Data

Proton VPN is a useful free VPN thanks to its solid security and privacy features, including AES encryption, a kill switch and a strict no-logs policy. It offers unlimited data, which is ideal for binge-watching movies and TV shows and not worrying about losing your connection in the middle of a captivating scene.

Proton VPN offers access to free servers in five countries: Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and the United States. However, users don’t have the option to pick a preferred server. When you click the “quick connect” button, Proton VPN randomly connects you to the fastest free server (usually the closest). 

Proton VPN Hands-On Testing

The main desktop user interface (UI) looks a little cluttered, showing details about your connection, a list of servers and a map view with server location pins. Luckily, the design isn’t complicated for new users, so it’s easy to find key features such as the kill switch. 

The provider flattens the learning curve further with a succinct description of how each tool works. Plus, free servers are listed at the top to make them easier to find.

Notes From the Lab: Proton VPN Speed Test Results

Proton VPN showed incredibly fast download speeds, reaching 91% of our unprotected speeds. It also had blazing-fast upload speeds, hovering above 95% of our unprotected speeds. These results mean that Proton VPN suffices for speed-intensive activities like streaming, gaming, torrenting and P2P sharing. 

Keep in mind that Proton VPN puts free subscribers on a slow-speed tier during peak hours. We have had cases where its speeds on free servers were sluggish and unusable, particularly on slow connections. 

Notes From the Lab: Proton VPN Unblocking Capability Test Results

Proton VPN’s free servers reliably unblock Netflix and other U.S. streaming services. However, new free users may struggle to get a U.S. IP address, given that Proton VPN now randomly assigns IPs based on location. Since Proton VPN doesn’t offer a free server in the U.K., it doesn’t unblock BBC iPlayer. 

Notes From the Lab: Proton VPN Security Analysis

By default, Proton VPN uses a smart protocol: it picks the best protocol based on your network. However, you can manually change the protocol to WireGuard, OpenVPN or Stealth, depending on what’s available on your device. 

Proton VPN Protocols and Encryption

Proton VPN Pricing & Value

Proton VPN’s free plan is a good fit for users on tight budgets who don’t mind the slow speeds during peak hours. However, the free plan has a few notable omissions, such as the NetShield ad blocker and P2P support. You can access limited premium features when you subscribe to a paid version.

The best deal is the two-year plan, which costs $4.49 per month. Paid plans offer a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you change your mind. Read our full Proton VPN review to learn more.

30-days money-back guarantee

Free

• Unlimited GB
• 1
• Yes

FREE

Proton VPN Plus

• 500 GB storage 1 user 15 extra email addresses for you Support for 3 custom email domains Unlimited folders and labels Unlimited hide-my-email aliases Dedicated customer support Ultra fast and private VPN Encrypted password manager Encrypted cloud storage for photos and documents Advanced account protection
• Unlimited GB
• 10
• Yes

1-month plan, 1-year plan

1-month plan

$9.99/month

1-year plan

$4.99/month

$59.88 billed every year

Save 50%

2-year plan

$4.49/month

$107.76 billed every 2 years

Save 55%

Proton Unlimited

• **Renewal prices differ for the 1-year and the 2-year plans. Price includes all premium Proton services (Proton Mail, Calendar, Drive, VPN, Pass, & Wallet)
• Unlimited GB
• 10

1-month plan, 1-year plan

1-month plan

$12.99/month

1-year plan

$9.99/month

$119.88 billed every year

Save 23%

2-year plan

$7.99/month

$191.76 billed every 2 years

Save 38%

4. Windscribe — A Fast Free VPN

Windscribe is another good free VPN pick, offering free servers in 11 countries: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Switzerland, Turkey and Hong Kong. Windscribe is lightning-fast, making it a good pick for fast browsing and streaming.

When you create a free account (which doesn’t require an email address), you get 2 GB of data per month, but you can raise the data ceiling to 15GB per month. All you have to do is confirm your email to get an additional 8GB per month and tweet about Windscribe to earn 5GB more monthly.

Windscribe Hands-On Testing

Windscribe’s desktop and mobile UI displays more details about your connection than you need. The litany of details, such as the protocol and IP address, makes the small UI look cluttered and can be a little confusing for first-time users.

Luckily, some of the information on the UI simplifies its usability. For example, you can click on the protocol to quickly change it or click on the network icon to “allowlist” it without going into the settings. You can also use the server search function or “star” your favorite server locations to access them quickly. 

Notes From the Lab: Windscribe Speed Test Results

Even though Windscribe is part of our automated testing, we wanted to level the playing field and test all free VPNs manually. Windscribe reached 87% of our unprotected download speeds and 98% of our unprotected upload speeds. It increased the latency by a negligible 22%, which is excellent by VPN standards. 

Overall, Windscribe proved once again why it’s one of the fastest free VPNs. Its speeds make it ideal for uploading large documents or performing speed-intensive activities such as streaming, gaming or torrenting. 

Notes From the Lab: Windscribe Unblocking Capability Test Results

Windscribe unblocks virtually any streaming service, but you might have to switch servers to find your way around the geoblocks. During our testing, we unblocked Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer on the first attempt, but it required multiple attempts to access Max, Disney Plus and some Netflix libraries.

The data cap is the main strike against Windscribe. The initial 2GB of data lasted less than two episodes, meaning Windscribe isn’t for binger-watchers. 

Notes From the Lab: Windscribe Security Analysis

Windscribe uses the automatic protocol out of the box, but you can manually change the protocol to OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, WStunnel or Stealth. WStunnel is apt at bypassing censorship and is available only for Windows and Mac users. 

Windscribe’s free version offers advanced security features such as R.O.B.E.R.T. — a reliable ad, malware, tracker and harmful website blocker. It also lets you create custom security rules, such as configuring the app to block unwanted domains, IPs or networks. However, free users can only create three custom rules. 

Windscribe Pricing & Value

Windscribe’s flexible pricing policy is perfect for free users who plan to transition to a paid version. The provider has a custom-based pricing plan known as the build-a-plan option, which lets you pay for the features you need. 

For example, you can buy a paid server, unlimited data and unlimited custom rules for $1 each. Keep in mind that the build-a-plan option has a $3 minimum purchase. Windscribe also offers regular VPN pricing. The most affordable plan is the yearly plan, which costs $5.75 per month. Learn more in our comprehensive Windscribe review.

3-days money-back guarantee

Free

• Up to 15 GB free with email confirmation and Tweet
• 15GB
• Unlimited

FREE

Pro Plan

• Unlimited GB
• Unlimited
• Yes

1-month plan

1-month plan

$9/month

1-year plan

$5.75/month

$69 billed every year

Save 36%

5. TunnelBear – Handy Free VPN With a Large Server Network

TunnelBear is the only free VPN on our list that doesn’t restrict access to its servers. It has servers in 47 countries, including regions that other free VPN service providers overlook, such as Africa (Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa). However, it restricts city-level server access and isn’t ideal for bypassing sports blocks.

TunnelBear offers 2GB of data per month, but users on restrictive plans get bonuses of up to 10GB per month. Regardless, the data cap doesn’t favor binge-watchers or users engaging in other data-intensive activities. Remember that it takes less than two hours of HD streaming to chew through 2GB of data. 

TunnelBear Hands-On Testing

TunnelBear’s mobile and desktop apps adopt a simplistic design with a clean UI and clearly labeled features. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned user, you’ll only need a few seconds to figure it out. There’s no server search function, but server locations are listed alphabetically for easy access.

Notes From the Lab: TunnelBear Speed Test Results

TunnelBear managed 70% of unprotected download speeds and 88% of unprotected upload speeds while increasing the latency rate by 21%. These speeds are serviceable for casual use cases but might not suffice for interruption-free HD or 4K streaming on slow internet connections.

Notes From the Lab: TunnelBear Unblocking Capability Test Results

Unlike our top pick — NordVPN, during our testing, none of the TunnelBear servers could bypass Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer or Hulu geoblocks. The VPN only unblocked Max, and despite its slow speeds, we didn’t experience video lags or buffering.

Notes From the Lab: TunnelBear Security Analysis

By default, TunnelBear uses the automatic protocol option on mobile and desktop apps. You can switch the protocol to OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2 or IPSec. The provider keeps things to the basics and has no advanced security features.

TunnelBear Pricing & Value

TunnelBear’s paid version has two pricing models: Unlimited and Teams. The three-year Unlimited plan costs $3.33 per month; monthly and annual plans are available as well. Though the price sounds cheaper than those of many top-tier providers, it doesn’t represent a great value, given the provider’s lean feature set. 

Keep in mind that TunnelBear payments are non-refundable. According to TunnelBear’s policy, the provider may honor some refund requests under certain conditions. Read our full TunnelBear review to learn more. 

Free

• 2GB
• 2GB
• Unlimited

FREE

Unlimited

• Annual pricing only applies for the first year. Renewal fee varies. Unlimited GB, unlimited devices, priority customer service
• Unlimited GB
• Unlimited
• Yes

1-month plan, 1-year plan, 2-year plan

1-month plan

$9.99/month

1-year plan

$4.99/month

$59.88 billed every year

Save 50%

2-year plan

$4.17/month

$99.99 billed every 2 years

Save 58%

3-year plan

$3.33/month

$120 billed every 3 years

Save 66%

Teams

• Unlimited GB, centralized billing, account manager, price per user per month (minimum 2 users)
• Unlimited GB
• Unlimited
• Yes

1-month plan

$5.75/month

Premium VPNs With a Free Version

Some of the usage limits that free VPNs impose can be off-putting. For example, you find a VPN with unlimited data (perfect for binge-watching), but its speed dips during peak hours, ruining the streaming experience. The best way to sidestep the usage limits is to get a premium VPN such as NordVPN. 

1. NordVPN — Best Premium VPN With a Refund Period

Best VPN Overall

www.nordvpn.com

$3.09 / month

(save 76%) (All Plans)

Visit NordVPNReview

Pros

• Top-notch security
• Advanced security features 
• Fast connection speeds
• 7-day free trial on Android

Cons

• Suffered a server breach in 2018

Get up to 72% off if you sign up now for your first two years of NordVPN.

Download

87 Mbps
Very Fast

Upload

9 Mbps
Very Fast

Latency

5 ms
Very Fast

Source: Cloudwards VPN Speed Test. We test daily. Data from 03/24/25 to 04/21/25

Data for region: AllUSUKAUBRSASG

NordVPN is the fastest VPN and has excellent streaming capabilities. It can access popular streaming service libraries, but sometimes it takes multiple attempts. That minor issue aside, NordVPN delivers a lag- and buffer-free streaming experience thanks to its fast download speeds.

NordVPN is in its element on the security front. It has more advanced security features than you’ll find in other top-tier providers. The highlight is a cluster of specialty servers, including obfuscated servers (which hide the fact that you’re using a VPN) and double VPN servers (which back up each connection with a second layer of encryption in case a server fails).

In terms of pricing, NordVPN is budget-friendly. The monthly plan is pricey, but extended plans offer significant discounts. The best deal is the two-year plan, which costs $3.09 per month. Each plan offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, and there’s a seven-day free trial on Android. Learn more in our full NordVPN review. 

30-days money-back guarantee

Basic

• **VAT may apply
• Unlimited GB
• 10
• Yes

1-month plan, 1-year plan

1-month plan

$12.99/month

1-year plan

$4.99/month

$59.88 billed every year

Save 61%

2-year plan + 3 months

$3.09/month

$83.43 billed every 2 years

Save 76%

Plus

• *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
• Unlimited GB
• 10
• Yes

1-month plan, 1-year plan

1-month plan

$13.99/month

1-year plan

$5.99/month

$71.88 billed every year

Save 57%

2-year plan + 3 months

$3.99/month

$107.73 billed every 2 years

Save 71%

Complete

• *The prices are shown only apply for the first 12 months.
• Unlimited GB
• 10
• Yes

1-month plan, 1-year plan

1-month plan

$14.99/month

1-year plan

$6.99/month

$83.88 billed every year

Save 53%

2-year plan + 3 months

$4.99/month

$134.73 billed every 2 years

Save 66%

Prime

• **The prices are applicable only for the first 24 months. Secure, high-speed VPN Threat Protection Pro™: Anti-malware and advanced browsing protection Threat Protection Pro™: Ad and tracker blocker Password manager with Data Breach Scanner 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage Identity and SSN monitoring and alerts Credit monitoring services Up to $1M in identity theft insurance Up to $100K in cyber extortion insurance
• 10

1-month plan, 1-year plan

1-month plan

$17.99/month

1-year plan

$8.99/month

$107.88 billed every year

Save 50%

2-year plan + 3 months

$6.99/month

$188.73 billed every 2 years

Save 61%

2. Surfshark — Best Budget VPN

surfshark.com

$2.19 / month

(save 85%) (All Plans)

Visit SurfsharkReview

Pros

• Strong security suite options
• Solid security
• Excellent speeds

Cons

• Site may collect your real IP
• High latency on close servers
• No Mac/iOS split tunneling

Grab an exclusive 66% (plus 3 months free) discount on your first two years of Surfshark.

Download

94 Mbps
Very Fast

Upload

9 Mbps
Very Fast

Latency

4 ms
Very Fast

Source: Cloudwards VPN Speed Test. We test daily. Data from 03/24/25 to 04/21/25

Data for region: AllUSUKAUBRSASG

If you just look at the monthly plan, Surfshark might not seem like a budget-friendly VPN, but several details mean it ranks high in affordability. First, there’s the unlimited simultaneous connections that make it the best VPN for multiple devices; if you have a large family or a small business, you can save money by using one subscription for everyone.

Then there are Surfshark’s package deals, which you can use to bundle a VPN, ad blocker, credit breach monitor, antivirus software and data removal tool for less than $5 a month. These services aren’t just afterthoughts, either — read our Surfshark Antivirus review for an example.

The best price you’ll get with Surfshark is $2.19, which is as cheap as its monthly price is unfortunately expensive. See our Surfshark review for the full story, or check it out yourself with a 30-day refund guarantee.

30-days money-back guarantee

Surfshark Starter

• Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
• Unlimited GB
• Unlimited
• Yes

1-month plan, 15-months plan

1-month plan

$15.45/month

15-months plan

$3.19/month

$47.85 billed first 15 months and 12 months thereafter

Save 79%

2-year plan + 3 months

$2.19/month

$59.13 billed every 2 years

Save 85%

Surfshark One

• Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
• Unlimited GB
• Unlimited

1-month plan, 15-months plan

1-month plan

$17.95/month

15-months plan

$3.39/month

$50.85 billed first 15 months and 12 months thereafter

Save 81%

2-year plan + 3 months

$2.69/month

$72.63 billed every 2 years

Save 85%

Surfshark One+

• Everything in One, plus Data removal Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
• Unlimited GB
• Unlimited

1-month plan, 15-months plan

1-month plan

$20.65/month

15-months plan

$6.09/month

$91.35 billed first 15 months and 12 months thereafter

Save 70%

2-year plan + 3 months

$4.29/month

$115.83 billed every 2 years

Save 79%

3. ExpressVPN — Easy to Use VPN With Money-Back Guarantee

www.expressvpn.com

$4.99 / month

(save 25%) (All Plans)

Visit ExpressVPNReview

Pros

• Great unblocking ability
• Fast connection speeds
• Solid security & privacy
• 7-day free trial on mobile

Cons

• Pricey

Sign up now with a 30-day money-back guarantee and get 25% off.

Download

91 Mbps
Very Fast

Upload

9 Mbps
Very Fast

Latency

4 ms
Very Fast

Source: Cloudwards VPN Speed Test. We test daily. Data from 03/24/25 to 04/21/25

Data for region: AllUSUKAUBRSASG

ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs for streaming, with strikingly good average speeds. Test after test, we’ve found it unblocks all streaming services on the first attempt. Videos load like local sessions and stream without lag or buffering.

These excellent speeds are in part a product of the unique Lightway protocol, a mostly open-source project by ExpressVPN that frequently beats WireGuard in head-to-head matchups. Obfuscation is also automatically baked into the app no matter what protocol and server you choose.

ExpressVPN’s best offer (the two-year plan) costs $4.99 per month, on the expensive end of the spectrum. Despite this, it offers great value thanks to its excellent performance and rich feature set. There’s a seven-day free trial on mobile and a 30-day money-back guarantee for paid plans. Learn more in our ExpressVPN review.

ExpressVPN Plans

• Pricing for the annual and biennial plans applies only on the first year.
• Unlimited GB
• 8
• Yes

30-days money-back guarantee

1-year plan + 3 months

1-year plan + 3 months

$6.66/month

$99.95 billed every year

2-year plan + 4 months

$4.99/month

$139.72 billed every 2 years

Save 25%

Are Free VPNs Safe Compared to Paid VPNs?

Completely free VPNs aren’t safe compared to paid VPNs. Always remember that VPN providers require money to keep their infrastructure in top shape. The money has to come from somewhere, so if a VPN isn’t earning money through subscriptions, it could be using other unscrupulous tactics to compensate. Some sell user data, whereas others serve in-app ads. 

What to Avoid in a Completely Free VPN

If you’re still unmoved and want to use a completely free VPN, here’s what you should look out for to safeguard your privacy: 

• Understand how the provider handles user data: Read and understand the privacy policy to ensure you’re not handing over all your personal info to the provider. Avoid VPNs with vague or non-existent privacy policies.
• Examine the usage limits: Different providers come with different usage limits. Pick a provider with usage limits that suit your needs. For example, when looking for a free VPN for streaming, pick a provider with unlimited data and serviceable speeds. 
• Avoid providers that use proxy servers: Some VPNs use proxy servers because they can’t afford to maintain a proper VPN server network. By signing up for these free services, your device could become a proxy server for other users, and you could end up paying for others’ wrongdoing. 
• Pick a VPN with customer support: Find a free VPN with a reliable support channel in case you encounter issues with the software. 

How to Use a Free Netflix VPN

The steps to set up a VPN to stream Netflix are straightforward. Beyond streaming, these steps can also help with censorship circumvention in countries where certain websites and services are restricted.

Below is a step-by-step guide with images that you can easily follow. We’ll use PrivadoVPN as an example to follow.

1. Download and Install a Free VPN

   Create a free account and install your go-to free VPN for Netflix on your device. For Android and iOS devices, install the free VPN from the Google Play store or Apple’s App Store.

   

2. Connect to the VPN

   Launch the VPN app and select a server in your preferred Netflix library. We connected to a server in the U.S to access Netflix U.S.

   

3. Access Netflix

   Conduct a DNS leak test to confirm you have the correct IP address. Head over to your browser and open the Netflix website. Log in and enjoy watching your favorite movie.

   

Final Thoughts: The Best VPN for Free Users

When picking a free VPN provider, avoid completely free services. We recommend going for the free versions of secure providers like the ones we describe in our guide. Remember that most free VPNs come with usage limits that differ across providers. 

PrivadoVPN is the overall best free VPN because of its security and privacy features, wide server spread and fast speeds. If unlimited data is a priority, an unlimited free VPN like hide.me or Proton VPN will fit the bill. TunnelBear checks the box if you need a free VPN with servers on six continents, whereas Windscribe is appealing if speed is a top priority.

Have you used a free VPN before? Was it completely free or a free version of a renowned provider? Which VPN did you use? Did you consider upgrading to a paid VPN subscription, and if so, why? We’d like to hear about it in the comments section. As always, thanks for reading.

FAQ: Best Free VPNs

• Is There a 100% Free VPN?

  Yes, there are 100% free VPNs, such as PrivadoVPN and hide.me, but they limit access to certain features.

• Are Any Free VPNs Trustworthy?

  Yes, there are trustworthy free VPNs, such as PrivadoVPN, hide.me, ProtonVPN, Windscribe and TunnelBear.

• Are Free VPNs Safe?

  Most free VPNs, especially completely free VPNs, are not safe. We recommend trying the free options from reputable providers like PrivadoVPN and hide.me.

• Do Free VPNs Work With Netflix?

  Yes, some free VPNs, like PrivadoVPN and Windscribe, can reliably access Netflix.

• What Is the Best Free VPN for an iPhone?

  The best free VPN for an iPhone is PrivadoVPN thanks to its excellent compatibility, unlimited data and solid security.