- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Best VPN
- Best For Locations
- Notable Mentions
- All Reviews
- Comments
If you're looking for the best free VPNs for PC, you need to be vigilant to make sure that you're not using software that's collecting and selling your data to third parties without your consent, or even trying to scam you. The internet is rife with services that claim to be free VPNs, but there's usually some sort of catch. That said, it's impossible to be certain what any VPN provider does with your data, even the largest and most well-known paid services. If you want to learn more about VPN privacy and what they can and can't do, check out our article on the topic. Still, some services are better than others. We've tested four of the most popular services you can download, and our picks for the best free VPNs for Windows are below.
But how do we test VPNs? Our team of experts evaluates each VPN using the same standardized test bench to ensure fair and unbiased product comparisons. We subscribe to every service we test with our money and have complete editorial independence. See how we test VPNs and judge for yourself.
If you'd like to see what we learned about kill switches when we launched our VPN reviews, read our R&D article. For more recommendations, check out our other articles for the best VPNs for Windows PCs and the best free VPNs. If you're a macOS user, check out our recommendations for the best VPNs for Mac.
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Best Free VPN For Windows PC
Torrent8.3Performance Usages: Security6.2Speed7.2Hotspot Shield Free is the best free VPN for PC that we've tested. Unlike nearly every other VPN, you can download the client directly from the site without creating an account. This means none of your personal data gets tied to your IP address when you install or use it. It also means that it doesn't track how many devices you're using it on, so you can effectively use it on all your devices at the same time. It doesn't have a data cap and delivers decent speeds with the WireGuard protocol, albeit they're limited to around 100Mbps.
With all that in mind, like most free VPNs, it comes with some compromises. Firstly, it doesn't have the same obvious dedication to digital rights and transparent policies as our recommended paid VPNs, and its ownership structure is nebulous. On the technical side, its kill switch doesn't work effectively, meaning it leaks some unencrypted data if the client crashes or if you restart your computer. Lastly, it only has servers in a few countries, so you're better off with our pick below if you need access to more destinations. Overall, if these aspects aren't important to you, it's an effective free VPN service.
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Best Free VPN For Windows With More Locations
Torrent7.3Performance Usages: Security8.6Speed6.7If you're looking for servers in more countries than our top pick and don't mind dealing with a data cap, Windscribe Free is a great alternative. If you choose to sign up with an email address, you get a 10GB monthly data limit, or you can register anonymously with just a username for a 2GB limit. Windscribe is upfront about its private ownership, has an easy-to-understand privacy policy, and enjoys a solid reputation online for its transparency and business practices. Like Hotspot Shield Free, you can connect as many devices as you like simultaneously. Windscribe also packs in several features typically found in paid VPNs, such as malware and ad blocking, extensive protocol options, split tunneling, and detailed configuration options. Download speeds can be slower, however, especially with larger files, depending on your location and server choice, but latency is generally good, and upload speeds are fine for typical browsing and everyday use.
If you're after servers in even more countries, TunnelBear Free is worth considering. It lets you access servers in 47 countries, matching its paid service. However, with just 2GB of data per month, you'll quickly run out if you're a big user.
Notable Mentions
- Proton VPN Free:
Proton VPN Free is a solid pick, offering unlimited monthly data just like Hotspot Shield Free. It's from a trusted company with clear privacy policies and includes useful extras, like a functioning kill switch. That said, torrenting and P2P file sharing are blocked, as those features are exclusive to the paid version. Still, it's great for everyday browsing and general internet use.
See our review
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are currently the best free VPNs for PCs for most people. We only recommend VPNs with a clear and digestible privacy policy, a proven track record of protecting their customers' privacy, and acceptable security and speeds. We also factor in feedback from our users and reputation within the community.
When choosing a VPN, consider what you need it for and understand its limitations. Depending on your risk profile, using one at all times is probably unnecessary. Modern websites, browsers, and devices have ample built-in security measures to protect you from the most common threats. With that in mind, here's the list of all the free VPNs we've tested.