A free VPN plan and a free trial are different offers. A free plan can be used within its limits without an ongoing subscription. A trial gives temporary access to a paid product and may require payment details or cancellation.
Choose according to the device and apps you want to protect. A VPN built into a browser does not automatically cover a game, mail app or every other program on your computer. This comparison uses provider documentation; it is not a hands-on speed ranking.
Free plans and trials compared
| Service | Offer to check | Main limitation or distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Proton VPN Free | No data limit listed for the free plan. | Free and paid plans have different server and streaming features. Paid streaming guarantees should not be applied to the free plan. |
| TunnelBear Free | 2GB per month in the normal free plan. | Suitable for limited use; current free users have fewer features than paid users. |
| Hotspot Shield Basic | A Basic free plan. | Check the app and platform’s current data, location and advertising conditions rather than relying on an old daily-allowance figure. |
| Opera Free VPN | Free VPN functionality built into the browser. | Protects traffic within Opera, not the entire device. |
| Speedify Free | The current account guide lists 5GB of optimized data per month. | Account registration is required; the free account is not a Router plan. Combining connections can use data on more than one connection. |
| NordVPN trial | A trial of a paid VPN, with eligibility and regional conditions. | Do not treat a trial or free app download as a permanent free VPN subscription. |
Plan details can change. Read the offer displayed for your device and region before signing up, especially the renewal amount and cancellation deadline for a trial.
What does a VPN protect?
A VPN creates an encrypted connection to the VPN service and changes the public IP address websites see. The scope depends on the app: it may cover the device’s traffic, selected apps, or only a browser.
It does not remove the identity you provide when signing in to a website. It also does not automatically make downloads safe, remove malware or replace account security. Avoid interpreting a privacy feature as a promise of complete anonymity.
How to choose the best free VPN for your use
There is no single best free VPN for every task. Compare data limits, which apps it protects, available locations and the provider’s current privacy and plan terms. “Free” doesn’t mean it suits your needs. This comparison uses the providers’ information; we haven’t tested their speeds.
- Occasional browsing: check that the free allowance is sufficient and that the browser or app you use is covered.
- Regular daily use: compare the data cap and the available locations. A small monthly allowance can run out quickly with video or large downloads.
- Several apps: check the desktop or mobile VPN app’s scope. A browser-only service may leave the other apps outside the VPN.
- Streaming: inspect the provider’s free-plan conditions. Access on a paid plan is not evidence that a free server will work with the same service.
- Bonding Wi-Fi and mobile data: check which connections the software uses and monitor your mobile allowance.
Set up and test the free plan
- Go to the provider’s own website and choose the app for your operating system.
- Confirm that you selected the intended free plan or trial. Record any renewal or cancellation conditions.
- Connect the VPN, then test your usual browser or app.
- Check the app’s connection status and remaining allowance. If the app supports a traffic-control setting, check how it affects the apps you use.
- Compare normal use with and without the VPN. Keep changes simple so you can identify the cause of a connection problem.
Why old VPN comparison figures can be misleading
The previous version of this guide described NordVPN as a permanent free service and used older TunnelBear and Speedify allowances. Those claims have been corrected. TunnelBear also documents changes to free-account features, showing why the allowance is only part of the decision.
Check price, scope and limits together. A service can be free to download while its useful features require a paid plan, and a generous browser allowance does not mean every app on the device is covered.
Plan information checked October 12, 2026, using the providers’ guides. Plans and terms may differ by device and country.