The Best Free VPNs to Use in 2025: Fast, Safe, and Trusted
Reading time: 17 min
Updated on March 06, 2025
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Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Content Manager
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Did you know that most free VPNs are unsafe to use and may track your activities? Many free apps have poor security and can expose you to malware. Plus, free VPNs often have limited bandwidth, slow speeds, and limited servers, making it hard to find a reliable choice.
After extensive testing, I’ve found several “freemium” VPNs that are worth using. These are completely free versions of premium VPN apps, meaning they come from reputable companies that value your safety. They have some limitations but still outperform most free VPNs.
Note that a premium VPN is still the best overall choice if you want extra security and a smooth connection. There are various reliable options, but ExpressVPN is the best overall choice. It even has a 7-day free trial that lets you try the VPN completely free. Plus, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, letting you ask for a full refund if unsatisfied. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Quick Guide: The Best Free VPNs You Can Trust in 2025
- ExpressVPN — Has excellent security features, lightning-fast speeds, and 3,300+ servers in 105 countries.
- Proton VPN — Comes from a trusted and privacy-focused company, but it doesn’t allow manual server selection.
- Avira Phantom VPN — Allows access to all 37 server locations in the free mobile app, but it has a data limit of 500MB/month.
- hide.me — Provides unlimited data with its free plan, but its connection speeds are slower than the rest.
- Hotspot Shield — Delivers fast speeds using the Catapult Hydra protocol, but its free plan only offers servers in 3 countries.
The Best Free VPNs (Tested in 2025)
1. ExpressVPN — The #1 Overall VPN With Unbreakable Security, Superfast Speeds, and an Enormous Server Network
Key Features:
- Has a massive network of 3,300+ servers across 105 countries
- Delivers safety via AES 256-bit encryption, network-wide obfuscation, a strict no-logs policy, ad/malware blocking, and leak protection
- Provides unlimited data for streaming, gaming, and torrenting without interruptions
- Works on up to 8 devices simultaneously
- Offers support via 24/7 live chat, email, and a detailed knowledge base
- Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN is the top VPN in 2025 with a network of 3,300+ servers across 105 countries. In my tests, ExpressVPN maintained lightning-fast connection speeds when I connected to servers in the US, UK, Germany, and Australia. My connection only slowed by an average of 15% compared to baseline values, even on long-distance servers.
The app’s fast connection speeds mean ExpressVPN is the perfect choice for gaming, torrenting, or streaming. During tests on popular streaming services, ExpressVPN successfully accessed Netflix US, Max, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Hulu..
Additionally, ExpressVPN helps keep you safe via AES 256-bit encryption and a strict no-logs policy. It also comes with the following tools to ensure you’re always protected online:
- Advanced Protection — blocks malicious websites, trackers, and annoying ads while surfing the web.
- Network-wide obfuscation — masks all VPN traffic as regular traffic to bypass detection on restrictive networks, making this the top VPN to use in China.
- Network Lock kill switch — stops all web traffic if the VPN disconnects, ensuring your privacy isn’t compromised.
- TrustedServer technology — uses RAM-based servers that are wiped clean with every reboot, making them incapable of storing user data.
While ExpressVPN doesn’t have a completely free plan, you can try ExpressVPN on any device with its 7-day free trial. The activation code for this trial lets you test ExpressVPN on all other platforms — not just the one you started the trial on.
If you decide to get it, ExpressVPN is available for as low as /month with the 2-year + 4 months free plan. Also, it provides a 30-day money-back guarantee with each subscription. This lets you request a full refund if you’re unsatisfied with its performance.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
2025 Update! You can subscribe to ExpressVPN for as low as per month + get extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to %)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
2. Proton VPN — An Excellent Free VPN for Maintaining Safety and Privacy
Key Features:
- Includes free servers in 5 countries — Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and the US
- Provides AES 256-bit encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch for protection
- Offers unlimited data with its free plan
- Works with various popular streaming platforms, like Netflix
- Compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, and more
- Comes with email support for free users
Proton VPN is the top free VPN for privacy and security. It’s made by Proton, a company renowned for its privacy-focused tools like Proton Mail and Proton Pass. Additionally, it has a strict no-logs policy and is based in Switzerland, where there aren’t any mandatory data retention laws. The app also has the following for added safety:
- AES 256-bit encryption — encrypts your connection to keep malicious third parties from spying on what you’re doing.
- Kill switch — stops all internet traffic if the VPN disconnects, thus keeping you anonymous.
- Leak protection — prevents you from leaking your IP address and other identifying information online.
Proton VPN doesn’t allow manual server selection, but it always ensured I connected to a nearby server during my tests. In speed tests, Proton VPN’s free servers delivered fast connection speeds, with an average drop of 20% compared to baseline values. However, you might experience a larger drop if the app connects you to a long-distance server.
I also found that Proton VPN is among the best free VPNs for streaming. While access is limited due to the small pool of available free servers, Proton VPN’s free servers in the US, Netherlands, Japan, Poland, and Romania work well with local streaming platforms. During tests, Proton VPN’s Netherlands server reliably streamed shows on the local Netflix library.
One downside is that the free plan only allows 1 device connection, but you can configure Proton VPN on your router to secure all devices. This is one of the best ways to use a VPN with your smart TV or gaming console.
Proton VPN’s free plan is available as soon as you sign up for an account. Plus, you can upgrade to a paid subscription at just /month if you get the 2-year plan. Each paid subscription even has a 30-day money-back guarantee, letting you try Proton VPN risk-free.
3. Avira Phantom VPN — Reliable Free VPN to Use on Mobile Devices
Key Features:
- Allows connections to any of its 37 server locations when using the free plan on mobile devices
- Safeguards online activity using AES 256-bit encryption
- Maintains good connection speeds for smooth browsing
- Supports 1 device connection for free users
- Works with Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
- Only offers email support with the free plan
Avira Phantom VPN is a great choice if you want a VPN for safety on mobile devices. The interesting thing about this VPN is that the free version only offers the auto-connect option on desktop devices. However, Avira Phantom VPN’s free mobile app lets you freely connect to any of the app’s servers.
For security, Avira provides AES 256-bit encryption and a strict no-logs policy, ensuring none of your activity is kept on the app’s servers. The free version also includes the WireGuard protocol to improve overall safety without compromising connection speed.
I also found that Avira’s VPN maintains good connection speeds for lag-free browsing. My connection only slowed an average of 25% when connected to nearby servers, but this increased to 35% on long-distance connections.
Note that the 500MB/month limit means that Avira Phantom VPN is best used for browsing safely instead of watching UHD streams or downloading large files online.
For support, Avira’s free VPN comes with a detailed online knowledge base containing lots of support articles you can consult. However, the app requires a premium subscription to access other channels, like email support.
You can also try the app’s premium version risk-free. Avira provides a generous 60-day money-back guarantee for its premium VPN, giving you lots of time to try all its features.
4. hide.me — Among the Few Free VPNs With Unlimited Data
Key Features:
- Has free servers in Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK, and the US
- Uses AES 256-bit encryption, StealthGuard, and a no-logs policy to maintain safety
- Provides a completely free plan with unlimited data
- Allows 1 device connection for free users
- Works with Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
- Provides 24/7 live chat, even for free users
hide.me’s unlimited bandwidth makes it an ideal free VPN. You can use it for lag-free browsing, uninterrupted streaming, and large file downloads without any issues. Its free servers include options in the US, UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Finland, and Germany.
While the free plan isn’t as feature-rich as hide.me’s paid subscription, the app still maintains security using AES 256-bit encryption and the following tools:
- StealthGuard — binds specific apps to hide.me, preventing them from working unless the VPN is connected.
- Auto Connection — secures your device automatically when connected to unsafe or unfamiliar networks.
- Kill switch — stops all connectivity if the VPN drops, ensuring you stay anonymous.
One downside is that speeds on hide.me’s free plan are slower than those of some competitors. During my tests, I noticed a 60% drop in speeds compared to the baseline when connected to long-distance servers. Thankfully, connecting to a nearby server ensures much faster speeds.
One key highlight is that hide.me provides live chat support to free users. Whenever I contacted support through this channel, I connected to an agent within a few minutes, and I always got helpful answers to my questions.
The desktop app requires an account, but hide.me for mobile devices lets you use the free plan without even signing up, and you can get a paid subscription for as low as /month with the 2-year + 2 months plan if you want to use all the VPN’s features. Each plan also has a 30-day money-back guarantee, letting you try hide.me risk-free.
5. Hotspot Shield — One of the Fastest Free VPNs Available
Key Features:
- Provides free servers in the US, UK, and Singapore
- Secures online activity with AES-256-bit encryption, no-log policy, and leak protection
- Maintains fast speeds on the free plan with its proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol
- Supports only 1 device connection on the free plan
- Works on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and web browsers
- Has email support and online guides for free users
Hotspot Shield is among the fastest free VPNs. Its Catapult Hydra protocol ensures your connection is always smooth — I only experienced a 30% drop in connection speeds when testing its free US, UK, and Singapore servers. So, the connection always stayed fast enough for gaming and watching high-quality videos without lag.
You’ll also get various security features with Hotspot Shield free, including AES 256-bit encryption and the following:
- Auto-protect — connects the VPN automatically when your device uses an unsafe network.
- Zero-log privacy policy — ensures none of your browsing data or information is stored on the VPN’s servers.
Among this app’s downsides is that the free plan is ad-supported, meaning you have to watch ads to use it. You’ll see an ad whenever you open the app, try to connect to a server, and even navigate between the app’s menus. Thankfully, Hotspot Shield’s free plan provides unlimited data as long as you watch these ads, which is a reasonable tradeoff.
You can also try Hotspot Shield’s 7-day free trial to test its premium features. Additionally, Hotspot Shield’s premium subscriptions start at just /month, which is a solid value. Plus, there’s a 45-day money-back guarantee that lets you try the premium VPN risk-free.
Comparison Table: The Best Free & Paid VPNs in 2025
| 100% Free | Monthly Data | Speeds | Account Required | Server Countries | Device Connections | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | ✘ 7-day free trial |
Unlimited | Very Fast | Yes | 105 countries | 8 |
| Proton VPN | ✔ | Unlimited | Fast | Yes | 5 countries | 1 |
| Avira Phantom VPN | ✔ | 500MB/month | Good | No | 37 countries (on mobile apps only) | 1 |
| hide.me | ✔ | Unlimited | Slow | Yes | 8 countries | 1 |
| Hotspot Shield | ✔ | Unlimited (ad-supported) | Fast | No | 3 countries | 1 |
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Free vs Freemium vs Paid VPNs: What’s the Difference?
Free vs Paid
While you can get them without paying, free VPNs can have various issues. They’re usually slow and have smaller server networks. Plus, free VPNs have poor security features, vague privacy policies, and may have tracking libraries. A study conducted by CSIRO even showed that 75% of free VPNs contain tracking libraries [1].
In contrast, premium VPNs are a much safer option. They ensure security via strict no-logs policies and industry-standard encryption standards. Plus, they maintain much faster connection speeds and provide vast server networks.
Freemium
“Freemium” VPNs are like free samples of premium VPNs. You can use them without paying anything, and many of the top VPNs in 2025 provide them. While they aren’t as feature-rich as their paid counterparts, they’re a better option than most free VPNs because they come from reputable companies that value your privacy.
The free VPNs listed above are “freemium” versions of premium VPNs that are much safer than most other free options.
What to Avoid When Choosing a Free VPN
It’s important to thoroughly check a free VPN before downloading and using it. Unsafe free VPNs may compromise your security and privacy, which is why you need to avoid free VPNs with the red flags listed below.
Unclear Privacy Policy
Steer clear of VPNs that don’t explicitly mention how they collect, use, or share user data. Some of these VPNs may collect your data and sell it to third parties, compromising your privacy.
Intrusive Advertisements
While free VPNs can be ad-supported, avoid free VPNs that have too many ads. This not only makes them harder to use, but the ads in an untrusted VPN may also lead you to dangerous websites containing malware.
Poor Security
Only choose VPNs that implement strict security protocols. Don’t download VPNs that don’t use the industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption or don’t have a strict no-logging policy.
Our Methodology for Testing and Ranking the Best Free VPNs in 2025
Free VPNs often promote themselves with positive reviews, but that alone doesn’t make them trustworthy. I used our comprehensive testing methodology to check each VPN and ranked them using the following criteria:
- Trustworthiness — I picked free VPNs from trustworthy companies that won’t log and sell your data for profit.
- Reasonable limitations — I chose free VPNs with reasonable data caps, server variety, and connection speeds, ensuring they don’t limit your experience too much.
- Security and privacy — I selected VPNs with AES 256-bit encryption, strict no-logs policies, leak protection, and kill switches to keep you safe and anonymous.
- Device compatibility — I found VPNs that work on all major platforms, with some even allowing router configuration.
- Customer support — I chose VPNs that offer support to free users via email or other channels.
FAQs About Free VPNs
Are free VPNs safe and legal?
Do you get unlimited data with free VPNs?
What’s the best free VPN for iPhone, PC, Android, Fire Stick, and other devices?
Do free VPNs work in China?
Should I use a free VPN for torrenting?
What’s the best free VPN for gaming? (PUBG, Minecraft, Roblox, and more)
What’s the best free VPN for Netflix?
Is there a 100% free VPN?
Choose a Free VPN That Won’t Compromise Your Safety
With all the free VPNs available, it’s critical to choose one from a reliable company that won’t compromise your privacy. Plus, you must find one fast enough to ensure you don’t experience slowdowns while surfing the web. The “freemium” VPNs listed above all fit this criteria, and Proton VPN is my top choice, offering unlimited data and airtight protection.
Note that premium alternatives are always better than free VPNs and even “freemium” options. They ensure the fastest possible connection speeds and include advanced features to enhance protection. Of these options, I suggest that you get ExpressVPN, as its impenetrable security, lightning-fast speeds, and massive server network make it the top choice.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
References
https://research.csiro.au/isp/wp-content/uploads/sites/106/2016/08/paper-1.pdf
Summary — Other Top VPNs in 2025 (With Money-Back Guarantees)
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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