Want a VPN to protect online activities and unlock content, but don’t want to spend money? So, are there any trustworthy free VPNs? Of course! In this blog, we list the 5 best free VPNs for 2025 and provide a detailed analysis of their security, performance, and usability.
Table of Contents
How to Choose the Best Free VPN? Factors to Consider
Free VPN services have always been a controversial topic. But in fact, many free VPNs strike a good balance between privacy and performance. This is because the VPN market is highly competitive. Many top VPN providers offer free services alongside their paid options to attract more users and stay competitive.
So, what is the best free VPN? How to avoid unsafe free VPNs and choose a reliable one? Consider these key factors:
- Security and Privacy: Look for the best free VPN with strong encryption and a strict no-logs policy to protect your data.
- Speed and Data Limits: Many free VPN services have monthly data caps and might be slower than the paid versions. Check if the free VPN offers fast speeds and if the data limits meet your needs.
- Free Server Network: The more servers, the better the performance. Also, check if the free VPN has servers in the countries or regions you need.
- Extra Features: Free VPNs with additional security features like a kill switch, leak protection, and ad blocking are better choices. These features can enhance your online safety.
- Ease of Use: Choose a free VPN with a simple, intuitive app. A clear interface can greatly improve the user experience, especially for beginners.
- Device Compatibility: Make sure it works on all your devices, like phones, tablets, and computers.
- Reputation and Reviews: Go for good free VPNs with a good reputation and positive user reviews. Avoid those with a history of data leaks or malware.
- Customer Support: Reliable customer support is important for solving any issues. It’s best to choose a free VPN that offers 24/7 live chat support.
Next, let’s see which free VPNs meet all the above requirements.
5 Best Free VPNs for 2025
Based on the criteria above, we’ve picked the 5 best free VPNs for you. Each one has its own strengths, and the top choice even offers the same level of security and features as paid VPNs.
1. X-VPN (The Best Free VPN Overall)
💻 Available on: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, ChromeOS
🔗 Simultaneous Connections: 5
X-VPN stands out among free VPNs. It is a favorite for its unlimited free plan and high regard for user privacy. Besides, it combines powerful features with ease of use, making it a top choice for anyone looking for a reliable and free VPN solution.
Data Limit & Speed Limit
X-VPN has no monthly data usage limit, meaning you can use the service as much as you want. This is a significant advantage since many other free VPNs have strict data caps. The free version of X-VPN is slower than the paid version. But for simple tasks like browsing at school, quickly protecting privacy, or bypassing basic geo-blocks, it’s more than enough.
Free Servers
With 1000+ servers in 17 countries, including the US, UK, Germany, Canada, Australia, and more, X-VPN’s free plan offers the most free servers on this list. The large number of servers makes geo-unblocking very easy. Additionally, each server is an obfuscated server, allowing you to effectively avoid VPN detection by ISPs and sites.
Security & Privacy
Another big advantage of X-VPN is its commitment to privacy and security. It offers a no-logs policy and top-tier AES-256 encryption, even in the free version. Your data won’t be exposed to third parties. On top of that, it provides extra security features like a kill switch and DNS leak protection. So, even if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly, you stay safe.
Ease of Use
With a simple and intuitive interface, X-VPN is suited for users of all levels. You just need to click the big “Connect” button on the screen and wait a couple of seconds. The system will automatically connect you to the best nearby server. They also offer 24/7 live chat for all users, helping you resolve issues quickly and efficiently. If privacy is a top concern for you, you’ll be pleased to know that X-VPN can be used without an account.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unlimited data | Speed limits |
| 1000+ free servers | Limited advanced security features in the free plan |
| No account needed | Cannot manually select servers |
| Strong security and privacy | |
| 5 simultaneous connections | |
| 24/7 customer support | |
| Can pay with cryptocurrency |
2. Proton VPN
💻 Available on: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Chromebook
🔗 Simultaneous Connection: 1
Just like X-VPN, Proton VPN Free is one of the best free VPNs with unlimited bandwidth. However, it ranks second in this list due to its fewer free server locations, slower speeds, and lack of live chat options.
Data Limit & Speed Limit
Proton VPN Free also has no data limits and claims not to throttle free users’ speeds. However, many users find that the free servers are often much slower than the paid ones. Therefore, Proton VPN Free is better suited for regular browsing. Streaming, online gaming, and large file downloads can be challenging.
Free Servers
Its free service offers servers in 5 countries, with a total of 86 servers. This is much fewer compared to X-VPN. However, these servers are located in key regions, including the US, Netherlands, Japan, Romania, and Poland. This provides some basic connection options for free users. However, you can’t manually choose a specific location; the app will automatically select one for you.
Security & Privacy
Proton is based in Switzerland, so your data is protected by the country’s strict privacy laws. With its no-logs policy, military-grade encryption, Secure Core servers, Tor servers, Kill Switch, and Always-on VPN features, Proton VPN offers robust protection.
Ease of Use
It has a user-friendly and visually appealing interface. The app provides an intuitive server list, with special features of the servers clearly indicated by icons. However, one-on-one live chat support is only available to premium users, which might be inconvenient for free users.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unlimited data | Few server locations |
| Located in privacy-friendly Switzerland | Slow speeds |
| Many security features | Cannot manually select server locations |
| Easy to use | Requires account registration |
| No Ads | No live chat support |
3. Windscribe
💻 Available on: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox browser extensions
🔗 Simultaneous Connections: Unlimited
If you don’t want to spend any money on a VPN, Windscribe is also a good option. It offers a decent free plan, but it’s data-limited to 10GB per month, making it suitable for light VPN users.
Data Limit & Speed Limit
Windscribe’s free plan provides 10GB of data per month, which is relatively generous. However, you need to verify your email address to get this 10GB limit; otherwise, it’s only 2 GB. There’s no speed limit on the free version, but with just 10GB, you might run out quickly.
Free Servers
It offers free servers in 10 different countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Server speeds vary significantly by region. For example, the Hong Kong server is usually slow, while the UK and Germany servers are relatively faster. Like the top two best free VPNs, Windscribe’s free users cannot choose specific servers.
Security & Privacy
Windscribe uses AES-256 encryption and multiple protocols to secure your internet connection. In addition to common security features, Windscribe offers a tool called R.O.B.E.R.T., which blocks ads and malicious websites. This tool helps you avoid unnecessary online threats. Moreover, Windscribe promises a strict no-logs policy, ensuring no identifiable user information is recorded.
Ease of Use
Windscribe’s app looks a bit flashy, which may be a problem for newbies. But for experienced users, it’s a great VPN. Windscribe doesn’t offer live chat support, which may not be a good fit for users who need instant or in-depth support.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 10GB of free data per month | Only 10 free servers |
| No speed limits | Requires an account |
| Unlimited device connections | App interface can be a bit messy |
| Many advanced security features | No live chat support |
| No ads |
4. Hide.me
💻 Available on: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux
🔗 Simultaneous Connections: 1
Hide.me‘s free plan is feature-rich and offers many customizable options, making it a great choice for those who want to tailor their VPN experience.
Data Limit & Speed Limit
The free version of Hide.me has no data limits. However, the speed is restricted, which may not provide a smooth online experience.
Free Servers
Hide.me’s free plan allows you to connect to servers in 8 different locations: the US, UK, France, Finland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, and Singapore. In comparison, it has fewer servers than our top free unlimited VPN, X-VPN, which has over 1,000 servers in 17 countries.
Security & Privacy
Hide.me Free offers strong security and privacy features, including AES-256 encryption, RSA keys, PFS, and Stealth Guard. While Hide.me doesn’t store your browsing history, it does keep an encrypted version of your email address, a randomly assigned username, VPN IP address, and data usage.
Ease of Use
The app provides a simple, fast, and ad-free experience. Connecting to a server is quick, with just one button to turn the VPN on or off, and switching server locations takes only a few seconds. Hide.me offers 24/7 tech support for free users. However, free users can only connect to one device at a time, which might be a limitation for those needing a VPN on multiple devices.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 8 server locations | Speed limits |
| No data limit | Few servers |
| No sign up required | Only 1 simultaneous connection |
| 24/7 customer support | |
| No ads or trackers |
5. Hotspot Shield
💻 Available on: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome
Simultaneous Connection: 1
Hotspot Shield‘s free plan limits you to using only the US VPN server, with one device connection and 500MB of bandwidth per day. If you only need basic online activities, Hotspot Shield can come in handy.
Data Limit & Speed Limit
Unlike X-VPN and Proton VPN with unlimited data, Hotspot Shield’s free version has a 500MB daily data limit. Hotspot Shield VPN Free offers good speed performance, making it suitable for streaming, gaming, and other high-speed activities. However, the 500MB daily limit might not be enough for frequent VPN users.
Free Servers
Free users can only access one server located in the US, with no access to servers in other countries. If you need to unblock content from other regions, consider the other best free VPNs on our list.
Security & Privacy
Even with the free version, Hotspot Shield uses military-grade SSL encryption and ensures the fastest and most stable connection by fully owning all its VPN servers. However, these benefits are limited to the single US server. Hotspot Shield is based in the US, which raises privacy concerns for some users.
Note: Hotspot Shield has been involved in data logging controversies, with accusations of tracking user data (like frequently visited websites) and selling it to third-party advertisers. This led to an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Although Hotspot Shield has denied some of these claims, it remains a potential risk to consider.
Ease of Use
Hotspot Shield offers a one-click connect feature, making it easy for beginners to use. You can start using Hotspot Shield without registering or providing credit card information. Additionally, Hotspot Shield provides 24/7 live chat support, which is very helpful for users who encounter issues.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 500MB of data per day | Only one server in the US |
| Fast speed | Data logging controversies |
| No registration needed | Based in the US |
| 24/7 live chat support |
Make sure VPN use is legal in your location. Don’t use VPNs for illegal activities.
Quick Comparison of the Best Free VPNs
In a hurry? We’ve put together a quick comparison table of the best free VPNs, covering the key points you need to know.
| 👑X-VPN | Proton VPN | Windscribe | Hide.me | Hotspot Shield | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
| Security (Editor’s rating) | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ️⭐️⭐️️⭐️ |
| No-logs Policy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Data Limit | NO | NO | 10 GB/mo | NO | 500 MB/day |
| Speed Limit | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free Server Locations | 17 countries | 5 countries | 10 countries | 8 locations | 1 country |
| Number of Free Servers | 1000+ | 282 | 10 | Limited | Limited |
| Simultaneous Connections | 5 | 1 | ♾️ | 1 | 1 |
| Account Needed | NO | Yes | Yes | NO | NO |
| 24/7 Live Chat | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
After comparing, X-VPN is the clear leader in the best free VPNs for 2025. It’s completely free, has an unlimited data cap, and has the largest number of free servers. It also excels in simultaneous connections and customer support. Click below now to get X-VPN for free and get started!
If you want tailored recommendations for your specific device, click on the appropriate link to learn more:
- Best Free VPN for Windows
- Best Free VPN for Mac
- Best Free VPN for Android
- Best Free VPN for iPhone
- Best Free VPN Chrome Extension
Are Free VPNs Safe?
With a good free VPN, the internet is full of possibilities. But let’s be honest: while the best free VPNs we’ve listed above are trustworthy, many other free VPNs often come with potential risks:
- Security Risks: Many free VPNs may use outdated or insecure encryption protocols. They often lack essential security features like a Kill Switch and DNS leak protection. This makes users’ data vulnerable to hackers or other malicious actors.
- Privacy Issues: Free VPNs often make money by logging users’ browsing activities, IP addresses, and other sensitive information. It’s important to look for free VPNs with clear privacy policies.
- Speed and Performance Issues: Not all VPNs are as transparent as X-VPN in terms of their free version limitations and upgrade options. Some free VPNs might claim to have no speed limits but intentionally slow down your connection to push you to upgrade to a premium plan.
- Ads: Many free VPNs make money by showing ads. This is annoying and can also have harmful code, which can infect your device with malware.
So, before choosing a free VPN, it’s best to do thorough research. Carefully evaluate any VPN’s privacy policy and security features to ensure they meet your needs.
Conclusion
Which is the best free VPN? If you’re looking for a free VPN that truly delivers on its promises, try X-VPN. It’s powerful, safer, and more reliable than other options. Click below to get its free version and see what it can do for you.
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FAQs
What is the best completely free VPN?
We think X-VPN is currently the best completely free VPN. It offers unlimited data, high-speed connections, and strong security protection.
Is there a free VPN without signup?
Yes, there are free VPNs that don’t require signup or personal information. For example, the free versions of X-VPN and Hide.me allow users to use their services without registration.
Can a free VPN be trusted?
While many free VPNs have security risks and privacy issues, there are still some reliable free VPNs you can trust. Our top pick, X-VPN, is a trusted choice for hundreds of millions of users.
Are free VPNs legal?
In most countries, using a VPN is legal. However, doing illegal things with a VPN can get you in trouble. So, using a free VPN to enhance your online privacy and security is completely legal as long as you don’t engage in any illegal activities.
