Top 5 best free VPNs for 2022

Undoubtedly, it is alluring to get a VPN for free. Virtual Private Networks are a terrific method to keep safer and more anonymous online while also offering added benefits like getting around restricted websites and apps and streaming TV, movies, and sports that you otherwise wouldn't be able to where you are. However, things that seem too good to be true usually are. There are countless free VPNs available online and in your app store, but the majority of them aren't particularly good. You may even have your data sold by some of the shadier-free apps that constantly annoy you with advertising. And you probably won't be able to use yours to stream or download torrents.

In this article, we go over the risks associated with free VPNs and how to make sure you stay away from those that might be questionable. The best free VPNs can perform a respectable job if your primary goal in utilizing a VPN is to simply have a little bit more security on your laptop or mobile device when occasionally using public Wi-Fi. Although Proton VPN is now the top free VPN, ExpressVPN may be our favorite premium service in the world. We'll explain why below. Free VPN services may not cost anything, but there is typically a solid reason for that since it means the provider will be making money in another way—either by selling your browsing information to third parties or via intrusive advertising (rather defeating the whole drive for privacy in the first place).

Free services also frequently have data use and speed restrictions, making them useless for torrenting, streaming video, or adding an extra layer of trustworthy protection to your regular online activities. Additionally, don't anticipate the same level of accessible support or server selection that you receive with the paying services. Before we get into our selection of the best free VPN downloads, it's important to note that a paid version, which can be had for as little as $2/£2 per month, will provide you with much better performance and security.

TOP 5 FREE VPN Services for 2022

1. Proton VPN Free

Our Best Free VPN charts are now headed by Proton VPN Free. This is partially due to the well-balanced combination of features, power, and app quality. However, it's also because the service doesn't slam you with a ton of restrictions and limitations in an effort to get you to upgrade. You could utilize this free VPN on an ongoing basis. With Proton, for instance, there are no data restrictions. Proton VPN Free offers limitless data, allowing you to use it as frequently as you'd like, in contrast to practically all other free VPNs that may give you 500MB to 10GB per month. Because you don't have to pick and choose where you use the VPN when data is running low, it's practical but also a significant privacy bonus. Simply join if you sense a risk or are unsure because Proton VPN Free is always available.

Additionally, Proton has not penalized free users by omitting essential functionality. Proton VPN Free includes all the essential privacy features you require to keep safe online, unlike some free providers who forgo the kill switch, WireGuard, and possibly even support. There are still substantial limitations. For instance, you can only access the United States, the Netherlands, and Japan. Proton VPN can be set up on as many devices as you desire, but only one device can be connected at once. You must subscribe to a premium plan in order to use Proton VPN's specialized streaming servers, P2P support, or bonus features like ad and malware-blocking (opens in new tab).

However, none of this precludes Proton VPN Free from performing its primary function far better than the majority of its rivals. The company's well-designed, open-source, and audited apps are simple to use but also packed with helpful additions, gadgets, and technology. With 380Mbps, the service also topped our free VPN speed charts; in fact, it is faster than several commercial services. Not everyone may be a good fit for Proton VPN Free. If you have to have a location in the UK or another nation that isn't on Proton's very narrow list, for example, PrivadoVPN and Windscribe below each provide about 10 options. Proton VPN Free, however, provides nearly everything for the majority of users: it is quick, safe, and packed with useful features while being incredibly simple to use. Try this free VPN first if you require one.

2. PrivadoVPN Free 

Even though PrivadoVPN Free didn't quite get in the top rank, stay reading because you'll learn about some special and highly valuable features that can make it your favored provider. For instance, the company can't compete with Proton VPN's unlimited bandwidth plan, but its 10GB monthly allocation suffices for most people. And even if the data tap runs out, you may still access an "emergency server" for infinite data. This is quite basic—we only had one site with speeds of 1 Mbps in the Netherlands—but it's fantastic to have as a backup because it's a feature you won't find with the rest of the limited-data competition.

The first 10GB of data is also superior to many others. The selection of 12 locations across nine nations, including the unusually-included UK, surpasses most, including Proton VPN Free. Once connected, speeds are another impressive feature, with PrivadoVPN taking second place in our charts of the performance of free VPN services thanks to its 350Mbps. The results of PrivadoVPN Free's unblocking are the true surprise here. In contrast to the majority of free VPN services, PrivadoVPN allows both free users and paid subscribers to use the same streaming servers. In our most recent evaluation, we discovered that the firm had unblocked US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and BBC iPlayer. Even most premium VPNs cannot make the same claim.

The service has some drawbacks and restrictions. If you install PrivadoVPN Free on both your phone and laptop, you can only use one at once because it only supports one connection. Although the apps are trustworthy and reliable, they lack Proton's feature set. Additionally, the business hasn't had an impartial audit done to confirm its privacy credentials. However, PrivadoVPN Free is an outstanding service that performs well across the board. Even if you presently use a premium VPN to unblock content, downloading PrivadoVPN Free as a backup may be worthwhile due to its outstanding streaming results.

3. Windscribe Free VPN 

A top-tier Canadian provider, Windscribe Free VPN, has an intriguing combination of features that more than warrants its ranking. The data usage is strictly limited to 10GB per month, which is a little less than our two best VPNs. However, that is sufficient to secure a substantial portion of online activity, and Windscribe Free VPN offers its own benefit in return. With most free services, you are only allowed one connection at a time, but Windscribe has no such restrictions; you are free to install and use it on as many devices as you need. Another plus is the network, which offers 14 locations spread over 11 nations to Windscribe Free VPN users. This surpasses several other options, like Proton VPN's three countries and PrivadoVPN Free's nine.

In our most recent tests, speeds were approximately 240Mbps. That is only a third of what Proton VPN Free offered, but it should be adequate in the majority of cases. If you're unfamiliar with VPNs, the apps may seem complex in some places because they focus more on power than simplicity. However, they are simple to use on a fundamental level, more advanced users have access to a variety of tools and capabilities, and our tests have shown that they are dependable and deliver on their promises. There are also some unexpected benefits. Even without the specialized Windflix streaming servers, we discovered that Windscribe Free VPN was still able to unblock UK Netflix and BBC iPlayer. When everything is considered, Windscribe Free VPN comes extremely close to Proton VPN and PrivadoVPN but falls short in several areas. For these reasons, the service may be the best option for some users.

4. Atlas VPN Free

Our attention was initially drawn to Atlas VPN Free by its generous data allowance. This is all about Mac VPN customers, who can use an incredible 2GB per day, not the 10GB you get with its Windows VPN, Android VPN, and iOS VPN, though that's not bad either. The service's location selection isn't as wide-ranging. There are just three: New York, Los Angeles, and the Netherlands. However, you can connect many devices at once (our top two free VPNs only allow one), and according to our performance testing, Atlas VPN Free was able to reach 320Mbps, which is above average. When you take into account P2P support, Atlas can be a wise torrenting choice. The apps don't nearly persuade us as much. They cover the essentials, and what you receive is functional (the kill switch passed all our tests, for instance). They fall short of competitors like Proton VPN in terms of capabilities and have a few minor usability issues.

The service does have an independent audit, which puts it above many rivals in this regard. But because it only covers the iOS app, it is also rather constrained. Annual audits of TunnelBear Free VPN's apps, servers, infrastructure, and other aspects are now conducted. However, Atlas VPN Free outperformed our expectations in some key aspects. For instance, it doesn't support unblocking any streaming websites, but we discovered that the service allowed us to access Disney Plus, and perhaps you'll have success with other websites. Overall, Atlas VPN Free did a fantastic job of protecting us online, even though it had a few flaws. Mac users in particular will like the 2GB of data they get every day.

5. Hotspot Shield Basic VPN

Popular free VPN provider Hotspot Shield Basic has a huge advantage: starting in June 2022, Hotspot Shield will be expanding the service to provide limitless data across all devices. (As of this writing, Mac, Android, and iOS offer unlimited data; Windows will follow suit later.) Being able to use the service as much as you'd like is a great benefit in a world where the majority of free VPNs limit you to 10GB per month or even less. The service has a significant drawback in that it only permits connections to one US location. In comparison to TunnelBear, PrivadoVPN and Windscribe only serve about ten different nations. Among the usability problems and annoyances are mobile apps that frequently show video adverts when you connect. When you connect and disengage from the Mac program, pages on the Hotspot Shield website are opened.

The lack of a kill switch in Hotspot Shield Basic is a significant privacy issue. Your traffic could not be protected if the VPN connection stops. Oh, and there is neither live chat nor email assistance available if you encounter any issues with any of this. You need to search the Hotspot Shield website and come up with a resolution on your own. Even with unlimited bandwidth, this makes it challenging to recommend Hotspot Shield Basic over the alternatives. However, it's still worth trying out the service for yourself because it can be beneficial for straightforward jobs or as an emergency backup for another provider.