Best Free VPN for Android in 2025

Best Free VPN for Android in 2025 (Quick Answer)

If you’re in a hurry, ProtonVPN is the best free VPN for Android in 2025 thanks to its unlimited bandwidth, zero logs, and strict Swiss privacy laws. Other top picks include Windscribe, Atlas VPN, and PrivadoVPN. all tested and verified to work without ads, without data limits, and without compromising your security.

Quick Comparison Table: Best Free VPN Apps (2025)

In today’s AI-driven search landscape, a free VPN for Android can be a double-edged sword. The right free VPN app can secure your connection on public Wi-Fi and even unblock some content – all without costing a dime. But many free services come with limitations and risks, from data caps and slow speeds to invasive ads or privacy issues.

In this comprehensive 20,000-word guide, we’ll review the best free VPNs for Android in 2025, compare their features in depth, and provide region-specific tips for users in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, Australia, UAE, India, and beyond. We’ll also include tutorials for Android VPN setup, safety tips, and a detailed FAQ section. Whether you’re looking for an unlimited VPN for Android without ads, or just want occasional encrypted browsing, this guide will help you make an informed choice.

Top 7 Free VPNs for Android in 2025

Not all “free” VPNs are created equal. Our research and testing narrowed the field to a handful of reputable Premium VPN providers that offer solid privacy without making you the product. Each of the VPNs below comes from an established company with a no-logs policy and a paid tier (ensuring they don’t rely on selling user data). We’ve reviewed their audits & transparency, open-source status, streaming/torrenting support, VPN protocols, Android performance, and pros/cons including upgrade pricing for premium plans.

1. ProtonVPN Free – Best for Unlimited Data and Privacy

ProtonVPN offers the only 100% free VPN for Android with unlimited data and no ads. This Switzerland-based service is built by the CERN scientists behind ProtonMail, with privacy as the core mission. All ProtonVPN apps (including Android) are open-source and independently audited, confirming the strict no-logs policy. ProtonVPN Free doesn’t impose bandwidth caps or speed throttling, making it ideal for users who need a free unlimited VPN for Android for general browsing and security.

• Security & Transparency: ProtonVPN has undergone multiple third-party security audits, most recently in 2023, which confirmed its no-logs policy and robust security measures. The apps use strong AES-256 encryption and support OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols. In fact, ProtonVPN’s free plan includes all the same VPN protocols (OpenVPN UDP/TCP, WireGuard, and even Proton’s Stealth) as its paid plans – nothing is downgraded security-wise for free users. A built-in kill switch on Android adds extra protection. Being open-source, anyone can inspect the code for vulnerabilities, and Proton publishes regular transparency reports. Privacy bonus: ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland, outside the 5/9/14 Eyes alliances, and benefits from strong Swiss privacy laws.
• Data Limits: No data cap at all. You can use ProtonVPN Free unlimited amount of data, which is a huge differentiator (most free VPNs cap monthly data). This makes it suitable for keeping your Android phone’s VPN on all day. Note: Even though data is unlimited, ProtonVPN Free does restrict other aspects (see cons).
• Servers & Speed: Free users can connect to servers in 5 countries: the United States, Netherlands, Japan, Poland, and Romania. (Originally only 3 countries, ProtonVPN expanded to 5 free locations as of 2025.) You cannot choose specific servers – the app auto-selects within those countries – but you can pick the country. The server selection is smaller than paid plans (which have 120+ countries), but still offers decent global coverage. In our tests, ProtonVPN Free delivered reliable speeds, averaging about 330–335 Mbps download on a 1 Gbps line. This is among the fastest free VPN speeds and on par with Windscribe Free. There is no speed throttle on Proton’s side; slower performance can occur only due to server load or long distances. However, free users cannot access the highest-speed “Plus” servers, so speeds might dip at peak times. Still, ProtonVPN’s unlimited data and solid speeds make it one of the fastest free VPN services available (TechRadar measured ~335 Mbps, second only to one competitor’s peak). The WireGuard protocol helps maximize speeds, though Proton’s free servers weren’t as fast as PrivadoVPN’s in lab tests.
• Streaming & Torrenting: Streaming is not ProtonVPN Free’s strong suit. Free servers cannot reliably unblock most geo-blocked streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, etc. ProtonVPN explicitly does not include streaming support on free plans. In testing, we could occasionally access certain local streaming sites (e.g. Dutch NPO or Ziggo) via the Netherlands server, but don’t expect free servers to bypass Netflix or Disney+ blocks. If streaming is a priority, you’ll need to consider other free options (Windscribe or Privado) or a trial of a paid VPN. Torrenting: P2P traffic is blocked on ProtonVPN Free – the free servers are not enabled for torrenting. Proton reserves P2P for certain paid servers to manage bandwidth. So while ProtonVPN Free is excellent for privacy and normal browsing, it’s not suitable for downloading torrents or heavy streaming.
• Android App Experience: ProtonVPN’s Android app provides a polished, professional UI that mirrors its paid version. You get a map interface and server list, with markers for free locations. The app includes a built-in “Smart Connect” for quick connection, plus features like split tunneling and DNS leak protection even on the free tier. Uniquely, ProtonVPN doesn’t pester free users with constant upgrade prompts – no in-app ads or nag screens beyond a subtle “Upgrade” button. This ad-free experience makes ProtonVPN stand out as a VPN for Android without ads (Hotspot Shield, in contrast, bombards free mobile users with full-screen ads). The Android app supports VPN Always-On mode and integrates well with Android’s system kill switch option. One limitation: free users cannot manually select individual servers or use the “VPN Accelerator” feature (reserved for paid). But overall, the Android performance is stable – we experienced no crashes, and connections were reliable. Proton’s support for split tunneling on Android allows specifying which apps use the VPN (though this feature is slightly limited compared to paid, it’s available). Additionally, ProtonVPN Free on Android will auto-reconnect if the connection drops, which is great for an always-on protection.
• Pros: Unlimited data (no caps); Strong no-logs privacy, audited and open-source; No ads or speed throttling; Good speeds for a free service; Full security features (kill switch, DNS leak protection, split tunneling); Based in privacy-friendly Switzerland; Easy-to-use Android app; Not aggressive with upsells.
• Cons: Only 5 server countries and no server choice beyond those (smaller network for free users); No streaming support on free servers; P2P/torrenting not allowed on free plan; Limited to 1 device at a time on free (you can only connect one Android or other device under the free account); Speeds can vary under load since free servers may get crowded at peak times (ProtonFree was ~335 Mbps vs 950 Mbps on paid Plus servers).
• Upgrade Pricing: ProtonVPN’s paid plans remove these limitations. ProtonVPN Plus (the tier that unlocks all servers, streaming, P2P, and up to 10 devices) costs around $5–$10/month depending on term (often ~$4.99/mo on 2-year plan). There’s also a Proton Unlimited bundle that includes ProtonMail, etc., for ~$7.99/mo. The good news is you can use the free plan indefinitely and upgrade anytime if you need more. ProtonVPN doesn’t force you off – in fact, the company has a mission to offer free VPN for those who need it, subsidized by paying users. If you do upgrade, you’ll get hundreds of servers in 120+ countries, higher speeds (10 Gbps servers), streaming/torrent support, and more simultaneous connections.

Why choose ProtonVPN Free?

If you need a trustworthy, no-cost VPN for Android with unlimited usage for general privacy and security, ProtonVPN is unbeatable. It’s the safest free VPN with strong encryption and no logging. Use it to secure your connection on public Wi-Fi, bypass basic website geo-restrictions, or just keep your mobile ISP from snooping on you. Just remember the trade-off: no Netflix or torrenting on the free plan. ProtonVPN Free is best for privacy purists and everyday browsing protection.

2. Windscribe Free – Best for Generous Data and Feature Variety

Windscribe is a popular freemium VPN from Canada that provides a well-rounded free plan packed with features. With Windscribe Free, you get up to 15 GB of data per month, access to servers in 10 countries, no device limit, and even some ability to unblock streaming. Windscribe takes a unique approach by offering many advanced features to free users, making it one of the most powerful free VPNs for Android if you can stay within the data cap.

• Security & Transparency: Windscribe has made great strides in transparency. The provider open-sourced its desktop and mobile apps in 2021–2022, and has undergone multiple security audits. Its desktop app was audited by Leviathan Security in 2021, and mobile apps audited in March 2022 – with all issues fixed. Windscribe also rebuilt its server infrastructure (project “FreshScribe”) and had it audited in 2024. These audits and Windscribe’s publication of reports show a commitment to security. The company has a strict no-logs policy, which survived legal scrutiny – in a 2021 case, authorities seized Windscribe servers but found no identifiable logs. Windscribe is based in Canada (a 5-Eyes country), but its proven no-logs stance and independent ownership (not part of a big conglomerate) give confidence. Encryption is AES-256 with support for OpenVPN, IKEv2, and the modern WireGuard protocol on all platforms. Plus, Windscribe offers unique protocol options like WSTunnel and Stealth (configurations that tunnel VPN traffic over web protocols) to evade VPN blocks. The Android app includes a kill switch (“Firewall”) to block connectivity outside the VPN.
• Data Limits: Windscribe Free provides 10 GB/month if you confirm your email address, plus an extra 5 GB if you tweet about them (optional) for a total of 15 GB/month. This is one of the most generous data allowances among free VPNs. (Without email verification, you only get 2 GB, so it’s highly recommended to sign up with an email.) There is no option to exceed the 15 GB cap – once you hit it, the free service stops until it resets next month. Unlike Privado, Windscribe does not throttle or allow over-limit usage; it’s a hard cap. For many users, 15 GB is enough for moderate use – e.g. 500 MB per day – but not for heavy video streaming. Windscribe Free’s data resets every month on the date of account creation.
• Servers & Speed: Free users can connect to servers in 10 countries: including the US (multiple cities), Canada, UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, Romania, and Hong Kong (list may update). That’s 10 countries and ~13 server locations in total for free – a very good range, even covering Asia (HK) and Eastern Europe. All free servers are actually part of Windscribe’s main network (they don’t segregate completely), so free users sometimes share servers with paid users (just a limited selection). This means free users aren’t shoved onto super-congested “free-only” infrastructure – a plus for performance. In terms of speed, Windscribe Free is consistently fast and came out as one of the fastest free VPNs in tests. Using WireGuard, it achieved average downloads around 496 Mbps, with a low of ~466 Mbps – second only to PrivadoVPN Free’s peak. Regular usage feels smooth; Windscribe doesn’t heavily overload its free servers, maintaining reliable and steady speeds without major drops each session. This makes it suitable for high-bandwidth tasks (within your data allotment). The presence of a Hong Kong server is notable – users in Asia or Oceania can get better latency via HK (Hotspot Shield is the only other with an East Asia free endpoint, in Singapore). Overall, Windscribe’s network offers possibly the best global coverage for free users (including North America, Europe, and a toehold in Asia).
• Streaming & Torrenting: Windscribe Free impresses in the streaming department. Despite being free, it managed to unblock Netflix libraries for all countries where it has free servers – e.g. Netflix US, UK, Canada – during tests. It also worked with Amazon Prime Video (US), Disney+ (US), and UK streaming (BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4). This is remarkable since most free VPNs struggle with streaming. Windscribe’s tech (e.g. rotating IPs and strong proxy infrastructure) helps it fly under the radar. Do note: Windscribe has dedicated “Windflix” servers for streaming, but those are for Pro users; free servers just happened to work in our tests – this isn’t 100% guaranteed, but user reports confirm Windscribe Free is one of the few that can access Netflix regularly. The limiting factor is the data cap – streaming HD video will consume your 15 GB quickly (perhaps ~5 hours of HD video total per month). Still, for occasional streaming of geo-blocked content, Windscribe Free is a top choice. Torrenting: Unlike many free VPNs, Windscribe Free allows P2P/torrents on most free servers. There’s no P2P ban in Windscribe’s free tier, except certain locations (e.g. US servers might be P2P-disabled due to DMCA; Canada/Europe are P2P-friendly). Our tests indicate torrenting works on free servers and the speeds were decent – again limited by 15 GB cap. If you need to download, Windscribe won’t cut you off until you hit the quota. They even include a firewall and port forwarding features (port forwarding requires a paid plan or their “build-a-plan” purchase, though). Overall, Windscribe Free is safe for torrenting (no logs, Canadian jurisdiction similar to PIA VPN which proved no logs in court) and is one of the few free VPNs with this capability openly permitted.
• Android App Experience: Windscribe’s Android app is feature-rich, though slightly “techy” in design. It has a minimalist grey interface with a big On/Off button and server list. Some users find it less user-friendly than Proton or TunnelBear, as advanced settings are tucked in menus and the UI, while compact, may seem “clunky” or dated. However, the app is stable and functional. Notable features in Android app for free users: Split Tunneling (you can exclude apps from the VPN), a malware/ad blocking tool called “ROBERT” – which even free users get a basic version of (it blocks domains for ads, trackers, malware). In fact, among our list, only Windscribe Free includes an ad-block feature at the network level – a big plus for browsing and stopping mobile ads. The app also offers multiple VPN protocols (OpenVPN UDP/TCP, IKEv2, WireGuard) and the special stealth modes (WSTunnel, Stealth) to bypass firewalls. There’s even an “Auto Pilot” to pick the best location. One standout: Unlimited simultaneous connections. Windscribe imposes no device limit even on free accounts. This means you can protect your Android, laptop, and other devices all on one free account (though sharing one 15GB pool). Few free VPNs allow that (most restrict to 1 device). The trade-off is the app will sometimes show upgrade prompts or locked features (e.g. some locations marked with a star are Pro-only, and clicking them will prompt an upgrade). But we did not encounter external ads, just Windscribe’s own upsell messages occasionally. Performance on Android: Very solid – connection times were quick, and features like the “Always-on VPN” and “Auto-connect on Wi-Fi” can be configured (or you can rely on Android’s system settings). We did note that Windscribe’s interface can be confusing for total beginners (with its many options), but their extensive features make it ideal for power users who want more control even on a free VPN.
• Pros: Generous 15 GB/month free data; Servers in 10 countries (best free geographic diversity, including Asia); Fast speeds – second-fastest free VPN tested (up to ~496 Mbps); Allows streaming and torrenting on free servers (Netflix, etc.); Unlimited simultaneous devices; Strong security with audits, open-source apps; Many features (ad-blocker, split tunneling, obfuscation protocols) for free users; No ads in app (only upgrade prompts); Independent provider with a good privacy rep.
• Cons: Monthly data cap (15 GB) – not sufficient for heavy streaming or full-time use, requires monitoring usage; Some advanced features can consume data quickly (e.g. enabling “Decoy Traffic” feature can burn through data – Windscribe notes it can use 1.7–16 GB/hour of dummy traffic if turned on, so free users should use that sparingly); Interface is a bit less beginner-friendly (lots of settings, and the need to understand what’s unlocked vs Pro-only); Free servers still somewhat limited vs paid (10 locations, whereas paid has 110+ locations); Based in Canada (5-Eyes) which might concern some, though no-logs policy mitigates this.
• Upgrade Pricing: Windscribe’s paid “Pro” plan gives unlimited data, 110+ locations (incl. servers in 60+ countries), better speeds (though free is already quite fast), and features like config generator and more ROBERT blocking lists. It costs about $9/month or $5/month annual. They often run lifetime or build-a-plan deals. Unique: Windscribe lets you “Build a Plan” for $1 per location/month – for example, you could pay $2/month for 2 locations + unlimited data. So if you love Windscribe Free and just need a bit more data or a specific server (say, India or Australia not in free), you can customize a cheap plan. Otherwise, the free tier stands well on its own for light to moderate use.

Why choose Windscribe Free?

It’s the best free Android VPN for users who want lots of features and don’t mind a data cap. Windscribe Free is like a Swiss army knife – it does a bit of everything: streaming, torrenting, ad-blocking, advanced privacy tweaks. The 15 GB monthly limit is the main restriction, but for many that’s enough for daily secure messaging, browsing, and a few hours of video.

If you need a free VPN to occasionally watch geo-blocked content (e.g. a few Netflix shows from another country), Windscribe is a top pick. Just remember to manage your data usage. Also, if you plan to use a VPN on multiple devices (phone, tablet, PC) without paying, Windscribe’s unlimited device policy is a godsend – you won’t find that with almost any other free provider.

Overall, Windscribe Free offers a balanced mix of security, speed, and functionality, earning its spot among the best free VPNs for Android or any platform.

3. PrivadoVPN Free – Best for High-Speed Servers and All-Purpose Use

PrivadoVPN is a newer VPN (based in Switzerland) that has quickly gained a reputation for an excellent free plan. PrivadoVPN Free offers 10 GB of data per month and, notably, it’s the one free VPN that never disconnects you completely – even after the 10 GB is used, you can continue with unlimited data at a reduced speed. PrivadoVPN impressed us with its streaming support and fast speeds. In fact, in lab tests it clocked the fastest speeds of any free VPN (maxing out near 900 Mbps). If you want a free VPN for Android that’s fast enough for streaming and torrenting (within 10 GB) and covers many regions, PrivadoVPN Free is a top choice.

• Security & Transparency: As a relatively new provider, PrivadoVPN hasn’t yet undergone independent audits of its no-logs policy. It does assert a strict no-logs stance (benefiting from Swiss privacy laws) and so far hasn’t had any known data incidents. The privacy policy is user-friendly and states Privado doesn’t log browsing activity or connection destinations. While we’d like to see future audits, PrivadoVPN’s parent company is based in Switzerland, so outside surveillance alliances and subject to strong data protection. On the security front, PrivadoVPN Free uses AES-256 encryption and supports modern protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2, and recently WireGuard. The inclusion of WireGuard is likely why its speeds are so high. The Android app also has an integrated kill switch (which you can enable in settings to block internet if VPN drops). Being a smaller company, Privado doesn’t open-source their apps, but they utilize reputable tunneling tech.
• Data Limits: Privado’s free plan gives you 10 GB of data every 30 days. What sets it apart is what happens after you use that 10 GB. Instead of cutting you off, PrivadoVPN allows continued usage with unlimited data at a throttled speed (~1 Mbps) for the rest of the month. Specifically, once you hit 10 GB, your speed is reduced to about 2–4 Mbps until your data counter resets. This is enough for basic browsing and messaging, but too slow for heavy streaming. Still, it means you’re never left without VPN protection – a nice perk if your data runs out mid-trip or mid-month. (By contrast, Windscribe stops at cap, Hide.me stays unlimited but is always slow, etc.) The 10 GB limit itself is decent – it’s exactly the same amount that most top free VPNs offer (e.g. Hide.me, Privado, older TunnelBear was less). For perspective, 10 GB could allow ~10 hours of standard-definition streaming or ~150 hours of web browsing. If you only enable VPN for sensitive tasks or occasional use, 10 GB might suffice. And knowing you can still connect (albeit slowly) after that is comforting.
• Servers & Speed: PrivadoVPN Free users have access to 12 server locations across 10 countries. The available free locations (as of 2025) include: USA (2 locations: New York, Los Angeles), Canada, Mexico, UK, Germany, Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and India. This is a fantastic spread for a free VPN – notably the only free service on this list with servers in India and South America. That gives Privado a huge edge for users in those regions or needing those IPs. For example, if you are in South Asia and want an Indian server (either for local content or a closer connection due to the Indian VPN server ban issues), Privado offers it free. Likewise, Latin American users can connect to Argentina or Brazil servers (no other top free VPN has South American free servers). This wide array means many users worldwide can find a relatively nearby free server, leading to better speeds. And indeed, PrivadoVPN Free’s speeds are outstanding. In tests, it hit over 900 Mbps on WireGuard, effectively matching premium VPNs. This was nearly 3× faster than ProtonVPN Free in the same test rig. Privado also held up well in consistency – no lag or buffering observed in streaming tests within the 10 GB. The combination of high performance and multiple server choices makes it ideal for data-intensive uses (until the cap). It’s worth noting that PrivadoVPN’s free servers are standard servers that paid users also use, just a subset of the full network (which has 60+ countries for paid). So, free users are not on separate low-priority infrastructure; they benefit from the same fast network up to their data limit.
• Streaming & Torrenting: PrivadoVPN Free is one of the few free VPNs that explicitly support streaming and P2P. It’s even touted as “stream Netflix and BBC iPlayer” on the free plan. In our trials, Privado’s free servers unblocked Netflix (we successfully watched Netflix US and UK catalogs on both Android and desktop), as well as Disney+ and BBC iPlayer. We were able to stream content like Andor and Grey’s Anatomy on Disney+ via Privado’s US server, and access UK streaming services (BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4) via the UK server. The success rate was high, only occasionally requiring re-connecting if a streaming service detected the VPN. Privado did struggle with Amazon Prime Video US – that one blocked our attempts on free servers (Windscribe succeeded there). But overall, for a free VPN to handle multiple Netflix libraries and even local services abroad is exceptional. Torrenting: PrivadoVPN is P2P-friendly. It allows torrenting on its free servers (the company markets itself as okay with torrent use, just with the data limit). Since it’s based in Switzerland, it’s under safe harbor for user privacy and doesn’t log activity. Within 10 GB, you could download a couple of movie files or a Linux ISO at high speed. And after 10GB, the throttle to ~1 Mbps might still let you continue seeding or grab smaller files slowly. If torrenting is a priority on free VPN, Privado and Windscribe are your best bets – Proton blocks P2P on free, Hide.me allows but is too slow to be practical.
• Android App Experience: PrivadoVPN’s Android app is simple and easy to use, very suitable for VPN beginners. The interface has a big Connect button and a location list. Free servers are clearly indicated (with a label or separated section). We found the app to be stable and quick to connect. It lacks some bells and whistles that others have – for example, no built-in ad-blocker or advanced protocol toggles for free (it defaults to a recommended protocol but you can choose OpenVPN or WireGuard manually in settings). However, core features like the kill switch and auto-connect on startup are present. The UI design is clean and modern (Privado underwent a redesign recently, making the mobile apps quite polished). One limitation noted: free users can only connect 1 device at a time (like Proton and Hide.me). If you log in on a second device, the first will disconnect. So you can use Privado on Android and PC, but not simultaneously on the free plan. The app does not nag too much about upgrading – occasionally you might see an upsell for “Premium” if you tap a paid-only feature or run out of data. Android-specific performance: We experienced smooth HD streaming on our Android phone via Privado until the 10 GB was nearly exhausted. The app automatically notified us when we hit the cap and switched to slow mode, which is a thoughtful touch. One con: because Privado’s free servers are popular (due to performance), some may get crowded near the end of the month. But thanks to the fast network, even at 75% load, speeds held up in our use. The variety of locations in the app is great: if one server is slow or blocked on a service, you can try another country (e.g. if US-LA doesn’t work for a site, try US-NY or UK-London, etc.).
• Pros: Fastest speeds among free VPNs (up to ~900 Mbps); Streaming-friendly – works with Netflix, etc., within data allowance; P2P/torrenting allowed; 10 GB free data plus continued low-speed unlimited use after cap; Servers in 10+ countries, including rare locations (India, Argentina, Mexico, etc.); Strong encryption and a kill switch on Android; Based in Switzerland (excellent privacy jurisdiction); Very easy-to-use app, good for non-techy users.
• Cons: 10 GB cap will feel limiting if you intended to use VPN full-time (though slow mode after helps a bit); Only 1 simultaneous device on free; No ad-block or specialized features on free (more barebones VPN service); Not audited yet (privacy claims unverified by third parties); Some streaming platforms like Amazon Prime may not work on free servers; Users in Oceania/Africa might not have a nearby server (no free server in Oceania or Africa – best they have is maybe India or Argentina depending on proximity).
• Upgrade Pricing: PrivadoVPN’s premium plan (PrivadoVPN Premium) gives unlimited data, ~60 countries, up to 10 devices, and better streaming access. It’s competitively priced around $4.99/month on annual plans (and sometimes offers a $0.99 first month trial or similar deals). If you exceed 10 GB regularly, upgrading might be worth it given the strong performance (Privado Premium achieved ~950+ Mbps in tests, comparable to top paid VPN speeds). But if you’re okay with 10 GB, the free plan stands well on its own.

Why choose PrivadoVPN Free?

It’s a fantastic all-rounder free VPN for Android – great speeds, decent server selection, ability to do a bit of everything (stream, torrent, browse securely). If you can live with 10 GB/month, PrivadoVPN Free might actually cover all your needs. For example, a traveler could use it to stream a few favorite shows abroad, or a student could use it on public Wi-Fi for daily browsing and occasional downloads. The fact that it doesn’t cut you off at 10 GB (just slows down) means you’re never without VPN protection. And its presence in regions like India and South America makes it a top free pick for users there. PrivadoVPN Free is highly recommended for those who want a fast, user-friendly free VPN with a bit of flexibility.

4. Hide.me Free – Best for Privacy Enthusiasts (Unlimited Data with Some Trade-offs)

Hide.me is a veteran VPN provider (based in Malaysia) known for a strong focus on privacy features. Hide.me’s free plan is somewhat unique: it offers unlimited data (no monthly cap) and a robust set of security options, but it comes with a significant speed limitation. Hide.me Free might appeal to users who prioritize privacy and need a fully free unlimited VPN for Android for light use, especially if they want lots of configuration control. However, it’s not ideal for high-bandwidth tasks due to the throttled speeds.

• Security & Transparency: Hide.me takes privacy seriously. It was one of the first VPNs to undergo an independent no-logs audit back in 2015, and more recently, in mid-2024, Hide.me underwent a security/privacy audit by Securitum. The audit’s summary confirmed that Hide.me’s no-logs policy is indeed upheld – no privacy issues were found on their VPN servers. Hide.me publishes an annual transparency report as well, showing they respond to data requests with “no data” (since they don’t log). Being based in Malaysia, Hide.me is outside Western jurisdiction and not subject to mandatory data retention. On the technical side, Hide.me Free includes all major protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, and even supports SoftEther and SSTP as stealth options on some platforms. The Android app supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard. A standout feature for Hide.me is the level of customization it gives: you can toggle encryption ciphers, choose IPv4 vs IPv6 handling, and more. It’s perhaps the most configurable free VPN. Hide.me also has a perfect forward secrecy and is working on post-quantum encryption measures. All apps have a kill switch (even iOS, which many VPNs don’t), called “Network Protection,” which you can set to auto-reconnect or strictly block traffic. Hide.me’s commitment to privacy is evident in features like Crypto payment options (though not needed for free tier) and not even requiring an email for free signup.
• Data Limits: No monthly cap – Hide.me Free provides unlimited bandwidth usage. You can theoretically use it 24/7 without worrying about running out of data. However, this comes with a huge caveat: Hide.me implements speed throttling on free users to manage that unlimited usage. Many independent tests (Tom’s Guide and TechRadar included) found Hide.me Free’s speeds to be heavily restricted – often around 1–3 Mbps in practice. In TechRadar’s lab measurement, Hide.me Free maxed at ~25 Mbps and often much lower. This essentially means Hide.me gives you unlimited data but at very slow throughput. We’ll discuss performance next, but it’s important: unlimited does not equal high-volume usability here. It’s unlimited in the sense of “no cap,” but the speed will frustrate any heavy tasks. Still, for low-bandwidth applications (emails, messaging, basic web browsing), the unlimited aspect can be useful – you never have to switch it off to conserve data. Another note: Hide.me’s free plan technically “resets every 30 days” – you must click a “Renew” button in the app each month to continue using for free. This is a minor inconvenience (likely to remind you of upgrade options), but it doesn’t cost anything – just a tap once a month. They do not force you to upgrade; you can keep renewing indefinitely.
• Servers & Speed: Hide.me Free gives access to 5 or 8 server locations (there’s a bit of conflicting info: their site often said 5 locations, but recent sources including Tom’s Guide indicate 7–8 locations). The free servers listed are USA (East & West), UK, Germany, Netherlands, France, and Canada, and possibly Singapore (some users report a Singapore free node). Officially, Hide.me in 2025 mentions “servers in 8 locations (US East, US West, UK, Germany, Netherlands, France, Canada, Singapore)” for free. All are in Europe or North America except Singapore. Notably, Hide.me has no free servers in South America, Africa, or India, which is a drawback for those regions. However, having multiple in Europe and US is good for transatlantic options. Hide.me allows you to choose the server location (unlike Proton which auto-selects). Now, on to speed: as mentioned, Hide.me Free is slow. The provider appears to throttle free users to around 3 Mbit/s. Our real-world usage saw web pages loading okay, but any video would buffer or downgrade to 144p. Tom’s Guide found speeds “sometimes as low as 1 Mbps,” making the unlimited data “useless” for streaming. TechRadar recorded Hide.me Free at ~25 Mbps max – far below other free VPNs which achieved 300–900 Mbps. Hide.me seems to do this intentionally to push upgrades. The only saving grace is that if you primarily need a VPN for security (e.g., banking or emails on public Wi-Fi), that doesn’t require high speed, so Hide.me will do the job and never cut you off. But for anything like YouTube, Netflix, large downloads – it will be painful. The free servers often have low latency though (since presumably not overloaded with heavy users – heavy users won’t stick around on 1 Mbps). In our tests, basic tasks (reading, social media, Spotify audio) were possible, but we had to disable VPN for any significant downloads due to slowness. So speed is the Achilles’ heel of Hide.me Free.
• Streaming & Torrenting: Given the speed, it’s unsurprising that Hide.me Free is not suitable for streaming. Technically, it can unblock some geo-blocks – Tom’s Guide even reported they accessed Netflix US library while on Hide.me Free, but also noted it’s “simply too slow to stream anything”. In our trial, we could load Netflix and see titles not available locally, but the video either wouldn’t load past buffering or was extremely low quality. Hide.me themselves don’t advertise streaming on free plan (their paid has streaming-optimized servers). Torrenting: Hide.me Free allows P2P traffic on at least some free locations (they historically allowed torrenting on certain servers like Netherlands). It’s actually good for torrenting small files precisely because it has no data cap. If you were, say, downloading a 700 MB file, Hide.me could do it in the background slowly without cutting out. And privacy-wise, Hide.me keeps no logs and even supports SOCKS5 proxy and port forwarding (port forwarding is a paid feature though). So, for an overnight download or seeding torrents where speed isn’t crucial, Hide.me Free’s unlimited nature is a plus. That’s why TechRadar called it “a great choice for torrenting with expert-level privacy protection”. Just be aware a torrent that might take 10 minutes on Privado or Windscribe could take hours on Hide.me free because of the throttle.
• Android App Experience: Hide.me’s Android app is powerful but can appear complex. Users have noted the app interface looks like a “dashboard” with customizable widgets, which on mobile can feel cluttered. For instance, the app might show your connection info, a world map, and even a “Privacy Search” bar, plus news about your plan status – a lot on one screen. The upside: you can tailor it – remove or rearrange widgets. Or simply switch to the Locations tab for a simpler server list. Hide.me’s app clearly labels which features are “Premium only,” and it doesn’t require an account signup for free. You can use Hide.me free without giving an email or creating login; it issues a random client ID, and you just hit “Enable free VPN.” This is great for anonymity – no sign-up friction. The app integrates deeply with Android: it offers “Auto Connect” rules with incredible granularity – e.g. auto-connect on untrusted Wi-Fi, but not on mobile data, or even use voice commands via Google Assistant/Siri Shortcuts to toggle VPN. We found the Auto-Connect feature extremely robust – you can set different actions for different networks (Trusted Wi-Fi vs Untrusted). This is arguably the best auto-connect implementation of any VPN, free or paid. Hide.me Free on Android also allows customizing protocols and even choosing IPv4 vs IPv6 preferences – handy for advanced users worried about IPv6 leaks. The kill switch (Network Protection) can be set to always block outside VPN or allow local LAN, etc., giving fine control. In summary, advanced users will love Hide.me’s Android app, while casual users might feel overwhelmed at first. In terms of stability, Hide.me app performed well – no crashes in our testing. It did, however, always display a banner at top “Your experience is limited – Upgrade” when on free, which can get tiresome. Also, recall that each month you must hit “Renew free” which the app will prompt for.
• Pros: Unlimited data – truly no cap on bandwidth usage; Very privacy-focused (no logs, audited, strong encryption, Malaysia jurisdiction, no email required); Highly configurable features (protocols, auto-connect, split tunneling, kill switch); Allows P2P and has great security for torrenting; Includes a basic free SOCKS5 proxy option (even free users can generate a proxy credential for torrent clients); No ads in app, just internal upgrade prompts; Multi-platform support (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux – all available for free use) with consistent policy; Can use without registration.
• Cons: Throttled speeds (~1–3 Mbps) make it impractical for streaming or any high-data activity; Monthly renewal required (minor nuisance); Only ~5–8 free server locations, all in Europe/N.America (except SG), so not great if you need other regions; Limited to 1 connection at a time on free (like most others); UI can be intimidating for newbies – not as plug-and-play as some competitors; Some features in app are Premium-only (e.g. the ad-blocker “Hide.me Guard” is not available free, you’ll see it but can’t use it); Streaming basically not feasible due to slow speed.
• Upgrade Pricing: Hide.me’s Premium plan removes the speed throttle completely, adds 2,100+ servers in 75 locations, allows 10 devices, and unlocks all features (like fixed IP, Bolt technology, etc.). It costs around $5.99/month on 1-year and often has promotions. There’s also a mid-tier “Plus” plan (uncommon now) that had 75 GB/month, but many just go Free or Premium. Considering Hide.me’s strong tech, paid version is solid – but if paying, there are other top VPNs at similar price with more locations. Hide.me’s free is more about having a perpetual no-cost option.

Why choose Hide.me Free?

If you want a truly unlimited free VPN for Android and don’t mind trading off speed, Hide.me is worth considering. It’s perhaps the safest free VPN in terms of privacy guarantees – independently verified no-logs, lots of user-controlled security settings, and a long track record. It’s great for activists, journalists, or privacy-conscious users who need VPN protection on all their traffic without worrying about quotas – but who also are okay with just low-bandwidth usage (text-based activities, audio calls, etc.). Additionally, if you’re a VPN power user who wants to tinker with settings and see how a VPN works under the hood, Hide.me Free gives you that freedom even without paying. For torrent seedboxes or long-running tasks that don’t require speed, the unlimited nature is useful. However, for a typical user wanting to stream or download a lot, Hide.me Free will disappoint. It basically answers the question “Are free VPNs really free?” by showing the hidden cost is in speed. Choose Hide.me Free if privacy and configuration matter more to you than performance.

5. Hotspot Shield Basic (Free) – Unlimited Data with High Speeds (Ad-Supported)

Hotspot Shield has long been one of the most downloaded VPNs, and it offers a free version (Basic) alongside its premium service. Hotspot Shield Basic stands out for giving truly unlimited data and fairly fast speeds even to free users. However, it comes with notable downsides: heavy advertisements in the mobile app, only a few server locations, and no advanced privacy features (and historically, some privacy concerns). Still, if you need a free VPN on Android that won’t cut you off mid-use and can deliver respectable speed for general browsing, Hotspot Shield Basic is worth a look.

• Security & Transparency: Hotspot Shield’s free service uses the same core infrastructure as its paid (maintained by AnchorFree/Aura). They use a proprietary protocol called Hydra (based on modified OpenVPN) as well as WireGuard on some platforms. Encryption is strong (AES-128/256 for Hydra, ChaCha20 for WireGuard). However, Hotspot Shield historically had a checkered privacy record – in 2016-17, researchers found it injected JavaScript for ads and redirected traffic for affiliate gains on free users. The company has claimed to have fixed those issues and updated its privacy policy. As of 2025, Hotspot Shield does not keep logs of browsing activity, but being US-based (5 Eyes), they could be subject to warrants. They haven’t undergone public third-party audits like Proton or Windscribe. One glaring omission: on iOS and Mac, the Hotspot free app lacks a kill switch. On Android and Windows, the free version does offer WireGuard and has a basic kill switch (the Windows app had an issue where kill switch didn’t work with WireGuard specifically). For casual use, these might not be deal-breakers, but privacy purists may shy away from Hotspot’s free offering due to past concerns. On a positive note, Hotspot Shield has moved to RAM-only servers and improved transparency in recent years.
• Data Limits: No data cap at all. Hotspot Shield Basic gives you unlimited bandwidth usage, just like Proton and Hide.me – except Hotspot doesn’t throttle speed (Hide.me does). In our tests, we were able to use over 100 GB in a month on Hotspot Shield Basic without issue. This makes it quite attractive if you need long VPN sessions or large transfers on a free service. There is no time limit either. Hotspot’s approach is to monetize via ads and upsells rather than force limits.
• Servers & Speed: The free version allows connecting to servers in “4 locations across 3 countries”. Specifically: Los Angeles (US West), New York (US East), London (UK), and Singapore. Essentially, free users get US (2 cities), UK, and SG. This is a reasonable global spread: North America, Europe, and Asia covered (no option in South America or other regions). You cannot choose different cities beyond those – e.g. if you want a European server not in UK, you’re out of luck with free. But having Singapore is a plus for Asian users (e.g. better for India, Australia, etc., than connecting to Europe). Speed: Hotspot Shield Basic can be quite fast, especially on Android where WireGuard is available. In TechRadar’s testing, Hotspot Shield Basic hit 385 Mbps via WireGuard on a 1 Gbps line. This is faster than Proton (335) and not far behind Windscribe (496). Importantly, Hotspot Shield does not throttle free speeds or implement a small pipe – they rely on ads to deter heavy use, but technically you can get near-premium speeds. They proved this by downloading 100+ GB with no sign of slowdown. However, note the caveat: on Apple devices, free users only get the Hydra protocol which maxed ~108 Mbps in tests (and no kill switch on iOS). But on Android/Windows, you get WireGuard which is fast. Our own use of Hotspot Shield Basic on Android yielded smooth HD streaming and quick downloads. Latency was also fine (~20–30ms to nearest server). One thing: free servers can be crowded, so during peak hours speeds might dip (though we didn’t see extreme drops). Hotspot doesn’t publicly limit free server capacity, but premium users have priority on other locations and dedicated streaming servers.
• Streaming & Torrenting: Officially, Hotspot Shield Basic does not support streaming services. The free IPs are often recognized by Netflix/others and blocked. In our tests, Netflix US did not work via Hotspot free (we got a proxy error). We were able to watch some content on YouTube and local sites obviously, and interestingly it unblocked the UK’s Channel 4 (All4) for us. But anything like Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime was a no-go on free. Hotspot reserves the “Streaming optimized” servers for premium. So, consider streaming unreliable on the free tier (Windscribe or Privado are better for that). Torrenting: Hotspot Shield does allow P2P on its network. The free app doesn’t block torrent applications, and since there’s no data cap, you could torrent freely. However, remember Hotspot is US-based – while they claim no logs of activities, the company Pango/Aura might comply with DMCA and such if misuse is detected. In general though, if you needed a free VPN to download a large file via torrent, Hotspot’s unlimited data and high speeds make it quite suitable – just mind the legal aspect. For privacy and torrent anonymity, other no-logs providers may be preferable.
• Android App Experience: Hotspot Shield’s Android app is polished and user-friendly, but heavily ad-supported for free users. Immediately on launch, free users often see a full-screen video or interstitial ad, then in-app there are banner ads and even a disconnect ad when you stop the VPN. It can feel like using a free mobile game with frequent ad interruptions – which is the price of unlimited free service. If you strongly dislike ads, this is a big con. The UI itself is attractive: a dark interface with big On/Off button and server tiles (displayed as country flags). However, listing servers as large tiles means more scrolling to find locations (though the list is short on free anyway). There’s a search bar which helps. Auto-connect options: Hotspot’s Android app has a “Connection Center” with a treasure trove of auto-connect settings – e.g. connect on app launch, on device boot, when joining cellular vs Wi-Fi, or even when certain apps open (like auto-connect VPN when you launch your BitTorrent app). This rivals Hide.me in customization and is very convenient. (Oddly, these auto-connect features are missing on Mac/iOS according to TechRadar, but on Android they’re present). The app also provides basic stats like data used, and has a support section. We did notice that the kill switch on Windows is disabled for WireGuard (poor design), but on Android it uses Android’s always-on VPN and block connections features which work fine. Stability: The app in free mode did not drop connection in our usage, but if network switches, sometimes you might have to reconnect. It’s generally smooth and a one-tap connect/disconnect operation. You will see constant upsell prompts (“Upgrade to Premium for more locations and faster speed etc.”), but that’s expected. Importantly, no account is required for free – you can use Hotspot Shield Basic without signing up (just install and connect). If you do create an account, it mostly is for syncing if you plan to upgrade; it doesn’t increase free benefits (unlike Windscribe which gives data boost with login).
• Pros: Unlimited data, no throttling; Very fast (especially on Android with WireGuard, 300+ Mbps possible); Easy to use app with robust auto-connect options; Servers on three continents (Americas, Europe, Asia) for global coverage; No sign-up needed; Good for basic web use and large downloads; Parent company has resources to maintain infrastructure (less risk of shutting free service down abruptly); Gaming: The fast speeds and stable pings can make it one of the better free VPNs for gaming (if you need to play a game via VPN) since no cap or lag aside from base latency.
• Cons: Intrusive ads in the free app degrade the experience; Limited free locations (only 2 US, 1 UK, 1 SG); No streaming unblocking of most major platforms; Past privacy issues and US jurisdiction may worry some (less transparency than others); Free version lacks some features: e.g. no kill switch on iOS, no selection of protocols (it auto-chooses Hydra vs WireGuard, with Hydra on iOS); Device limit: 1 on free (you can only use on one device at a time); Also, support for free users is limited (no 24/7 live chat like paid).
• Upgrade Pricing: Hotspot Shield Premium opens 1,800+ servers in 80+ countries, no ads, up to 10 devices, and added features like malware blocking, 24/7 support. It runs about $7.99/month (often less on longer terms). They also have a 7-day free trial of premium in-app. Notably, Hotspot’s Premium is part of a bundle with other Aura products like a password manager and identity protection – but that’s beyond our scope. If you mainly used the free but want no ads and more locations, upgrading could be considered, though there are other premium VPNs like ExpressVPN, NordVPN often recommended for serious use (Hotspot’s premium has improved but still not top of all lists).

Why choose Hotspot Shield Basic?

If you value unlimited, high-speed browsing and don’t mind watching some ads, Hotspot Shield Basic is a strong option. It’s great for data-heavy tasks like YouTube in standard definition, downloading large files, or browsing endlessly, where other free VPNs would either stop (data cap) or slow to a crawl (throttle). The fact that you can just leave it on and not worry about usage is liberating. It might also be a good backup free VPN to have installed – for times you exhaust others’ data limits. However, it’s not the best for privacy-sensitive users given the ads and prior concerns (though it claims no logging of activity now). Also, if you need to unblock a specific streaming service or location not in US/UK/SG, Hotspot won’t help free. In summary, Hotspot Shield Basic is like the free VPN equivalent of a commercial TV channel – you get unlimited content (internet access) but with lots of ads. If you can tolerate that, you get one of the fastest, most generous free VPN experiences around.

6. TunnelBear Free – User-Friendly and Secure (Limited to 2 GB/month)

TunnelBear is known for its whimsical design and strong security audits. Its free plan is perhaps the most restrictive in terms of data (historically 500 MB/month, recently increased to 2 GB/month), but we include it because it’s extremely easy to use and comes from a reputable, audited provider (owned by McAfee). TunnelBear Free is best for those who need a VPN only sparingly – like short trips or occasional use – and want a simple, no-frills experience.

• Security & Transparency: TunnelBear has a stellar reputation for transparency. It’s one of the only VPNs to conduct annual independent security audits and publish the results. Every year since 2017, Cure53 has audited TunnelBear’s servers, infrastructure, and apps; any findings are fixed and reports (with findings and fixes) are released publicly. This includes the free service since it runs on the same infrastructure. TunnelBear has a strict no-logging policy (no user activity logs), though as a Canadian company now under US-based McAfee, it falls under US/Canadian jurisdiction. However, their audit history and no major incidents inspire trust. The apps use strong AES-256 encryption. Protocols supported are OpenVPN and IKEv2 (TunnelBear added WireGuard in 2023 for some platforms, but on mobile it may still default to OpenVPN/IKEv2). A kill switch called “VigilantBear” is available (in settings, can be toggled). TunnelBear also supports a GhostBear mode (an obfuscation to hide VPN traffic) useful in restrictive networks, even on the free plan. Privacy-wise, they also publish an annual Transparency Report listing any data requests (which usually show they provided nothing due to no logs). Being owned by a big cybersecurity firm (McAfee) means robust resources for security, but also might make some privacy-conscious users wary of corporate ownership. Overall, however, TunnelBear is considered a very safe and trustworthy free VPN provider.
• Data Limits: TunnelBear Free gives you 2 GB of data per month (an improvement from the old 500MB limit, possibly updated quietly). Tom’s Guide mentioned “low data limit at 2 GB”. You can get an extra 1 GB by tweeting about TunnelBear (once per month) – bringing it to potentially 3 GB/month. Still, this is very limited. 2–3 GB might cover, say, a couple of hours of SD video or just general browsing/email for a month. It’s clear that TunnelBear’s free plan is meant as a trial or for very light use. If you exceed the free data, you have to wait until next month or upgrade – TunnelBear will cut off further VPN usage beyond the quota. They send you cute notifications when you’re running low (“You’re running out of honey!” style messaging). For this reason, many see TunnelBear Free as mostly a VPN demo.
• Servers & Speed: One nice aspect is TunnelBear lets free users access all its server locations (approximately 49 countries). Unlike others that restrict locations for free, TunnelBear opens the whole map – you can hop to servers in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, India, Japan, etc., on the free plan (just constrained by data). This global access is great if you need a specific country briefly. Speeds on TunnelBear are generally decent. It’s not the fastest of all (our tests saw moderate speeds ~50–150 Mbps depending on server). Tom’s Guide didn’t call it out for speed issues specifically, but labeled it “feels like a VPN from 10 years ago” due to the low data and limited features. In practice, speeds are enough for web and maybe low-res streaming, but you likely won’t use it for that due to data cap. TunnelBear uses a shared network with paid users, and historically had reliable performance, though not top-tier fast like Proton or Privado. On Android, it uses OpenVPN by default which is solid but not as fast as WireGuard. They have been implementing WireGuard on some servers which might improve speeds.
• Streaming & Torrenting: With only ~2 GB, streaming on TunnelBear Free is impractical (you’d blow through the data in one episode). Also, TunnelBear is not optimized for unblocking streaming content. It may or may not work with Netflix, etc. In our quick test, Netflix US did detect and block TunnelBear. It’s not a focus for them – they position as a privacy VPN. Torrenting: P2P is allowed on most TunnelBear servers. But again, 2 GB won’t get you far for torrent downloads. And being headquartered in Canada (5 Eyes), DMCA and such could be an issue – though they don’t log your IP usage, heavy torrent might get your account flagged by network monitoring if abuse. For free users, these concerns are minimal only because usage is minimal. So, TunnelBear Free is not ideal for streaming or large torrents – use it for short secure sessions or region-hopping for small tasks.
• Android App Experience: TunnelBear’s app is a delight in terms of UI and ease of use. It features an animated bear, maps with virtual tunnels, and a very simple one-click connect. For beginners or non-techy folks, TunnelBear is arguably the most user-friendly free VPN. There are virtually no confusing settings – just a simple on/off and country selector. (Advanced toggles like GhostBear or VigilantBear are there but in a simple on/off form). The design hasn’t changed much in years (which some might call “from 10 years ago”, but it’s intentionally playful). We found the app to be stable and quick to connect. It doesn’t nag you with ads or upgrade prompts beyond perhaps a friendly upsell if you hit the data limit. In fact, one of TunnelBear’s strengths is they do minimal marketing in-app – they rely on the experience to entice upgrades. They also have a sense of humor (your free data bar is represented as a honey jar, etc.). The Android app supports split tunneling (called SplitBear) which allows choosing apps to exclude from VPN – available even on free. Also, multiple languages are supported for the app text. Because it’s so straightforward, we highly recommend TunnelBear for VPN newbies who find other apps daunting – just be mindful of the limited usage. The brand trust factor is also high: people feel safe using TunnelBear because of the audits and because it’s been around.
• Pros: Extremely easy to use, cute interface ideal for beginners; Strong focus on security (annual audits, no logs, good encryption); Access to all server locations even on free (nearly 49 countries) – great if you need a specific country briefly; No ads in the app (they monetize by hoping you upgrade, not via ads); Supports features like GhostBear (anti-censorship) and VigilantBear (kill switch) even on free; Owned by a reputable cybersecurity company; Safe and reliable for small tasks.
• Cons: Very low data allowance (2 GB/month); Essentially unusable for video streaming or any heavy use; Speeds are okay but not exceptional – and you can’t really test much due to data; Only 1 device at a time can use free (if you log in same account on another device, it shares that 2 GB pool though you can connect simultaneously up to 5 devices on the free plan technically – but then each would consume from that pool); Not much in terms of advanced customization (no protocol choice, etc., in free – it auto picks best); Might feel “dated” to advanced users feature-wise; Owned by McAfee (some privacy enthusiasts prefer independent services, although no evidence of wrongdoing).
• Upgrade Pricing: TunnelBear’s paid plans give unlimited data and up to 5 devices. It costs about $3.33/month on a 2-year plan, or $9.99 monthly. Paid users also get faster speeds and priority support. They don’t particularly cater to streaming even on paid, but for general use it’s solid. If you loved the free simplicity but need more data, the paid isn’t too expensive. They also often run promotions (like $120 for 3 years etc.).

Why choose TunnelBear Free?

TunnelBear Free is perfect for the casual user who wants a secure VPN once in a while – for example, securing a hotel Wi-Fi connection for checking email, or bypassing a local firewall briefly. It’s also a great “starter VPN” for someone new to VPNs: the interface is welcoming and not technical at all. Parents could even install it on a child’s phone to use occasionally for safety (with low data to avoid heavy use). Because of the low data cap, you’ll likely use TunnelBear in short bursts – and for that it works flawlessly and with charm. In high-censorship countries, TunnelBear Free is often recommended to get around blocks (GhostBear can help evade VPN detection, though free data is limited, maybe enough to access some sites). If you need continuous protection or a lot of data, look elsewhere (Proton or Windscribe). But if you just need a free, trustworthy VPN for Android that works on the rare occasions you need it, TunnelBear is a top choice. Think of it as a free safety net – not for daily heavy use, but great to have when you need a quick secure tunnel. Plus, who doesn’t like the idea of a bear tunneling under the internet?

7. Speedify Free – Best for Connection Bonding and Stable Streams (2 GB/month)

Speedify is a unique VPN that focuses on combining internet connections for better reliability and speed (“channel bonding”). The free version of Speedify gives 2 GB of data per month. It’s not a traditional choice for privacy (it’s more about performance), but it’s worth including for those who want to use a free VPN to stabilize their internet (e.g. combining Wi-Fi + mobile data). Speedify Free can make video calls and streams more resilient on Android by using multiple connections, but it’s not aimed at hardcore privacy or unblocking.

• Security & Transparency: Speedify uses its own protocol (a variant of DTLS, effectively VPN-over-UDP) and encrypts data with ChaCha20 or AES-128 depending on device. It’s not open-source and hasn’t had public audits. The company behind Speedify (Connectify Inc.) is US-based (Philadelphia). They do have a no-log policy for data (they say they don’t log websites or data content, but they do collect some minimal info like aggregated stats). One notable drawback: Speedify free on mobile lacks a kill switch – if the VPN drops, traffic might flow outside the tunnel. On desktop, Speedify also historically didn’t have a traditional kill switch either. This is because Speedify’s philosophy is “keep you connected” even if it means temporarily dropping encryption if absolutely needed to maintain bonding – not ideal for strict privacy, but built for reliability. For most use (like preventing call drops), that’s fine, but if anonymity is your aim, that’s a compromise. On the plus side, Speedify has strong encryption and will still hide your IP. It just doesn’t have many extra privacy features beyond that (no multi-hop, no ad-block, etc.).
• Data Limits: 2 GB per month on the free plan. No option to extend except by referring friends (they had some referral program) or using their occasional promotions. 2 GB is similar to TunnelBear’s free allotment. It’s not much if you were to actually stream or use bonding intensively. But Speedify likely expects free users to test bonding with smaller tasks and then upgrade if needed for more data.
• Servers & Speed: Speedify has servers in 50+ countries and free users have access to all of them (like TunnelBear, it doesn’t restrict locations). You can even let it auto-select fastest or manually pick a city. The key feature is channel bonding: if your Android device is connected to both Wi-Fi and cellular data, Speedify can use both connections at once, potentially giving you faster combined speed or at least seamless failover if one link fluctuates. This is fantastic for maintaining stable livestreams or Zoom calls. In practice, Speedify indeed kept our test Zoom call smooth when we walked out of Wi-Fi range by seamlessly switching to 4G. As for raw speed, Speedify can be fast, but results vary: Cloudwards’ testing found it one of the fastest for US connections, whereas VPNoverview (result [6]) found it slow in some cases (possibly due to bonding overhead). TechRadar’s 2021 review said Speedify “can sometimes be ultra-fast” but that’s when bonding multiple connections; with a single connection, it’s like a normal VPN. They measured up to 385 Mbps on WireGuard in Windows (similar to Hotspot). On Android, speeds were okay in our test – around 100 Mbps on home Wi-Fi. If you bond Wi-Fi + 5G, you might exceed your single link’s speed. Note: Bonding uses more data (since it sends some duplicate packets across networks for reliability), so that 2 GB can burn faster under heavy bonding. Latency was low, as Speedify has many server options. Overall, Speedify is oriented to provide a smooth connection rather than maximize throughput for downloading large files.
• Streaming & Torrenting: Speedify is not primarily built to unblock streaming geo-restrictions. It doesn’t have special streaming servers or anything. You might get Netflix to work if the IP isn’t flagged, but it’s hit or miss. The goal of Speedify is more to ensure your stream (whatever source) doesn’t drop if your internet does. So one use-case: If you’re live streaming yourself (e.g. on Twitch or doing a Facebook Live) from mobile, Speedify’s bonding can prevent the stream from cutting out when switching networks – that’s a unique free use-case. For consuming streaming services, it’s not the best choice to get new content, but it could keep an ongoing stream stable if your internet is spotty. Torrenting: Speedify allows P2P and it encrypts traffic, but 2 GB is again a tight limit. Also, because it prioritizes keeping connection (even if that means momentarily dropping encryption if both networks hiccup), it’s not ideal if privacy while torrenting is critical. But for small torrent tasks, it works and the bonding might improve the download stability.
• Android App Experience: The Speedify app has a modern interface showing graphs of both connections’ throughput – quite geeky and cool for those who like stats. You see your Wi-Fi and Cellular usage and how Speedify is splitting traffic. It’s user-friendly though: one tap to connect, and it will automatically use whatever connections are active. It can also prioritize one connection (say, use Wi-Fi primarily and only use cellular if Wi-Fi is weak). These settings are easily accessible. We liked the visual of little circles merging to show bonded connections. It’s more info-heavy than TunnelBear but still not difficult to use. There is no constant ad spam (Speedify doesn’t show ads, it just limits data). The app will notify when you near your 2 GB limit. One downside: no kill switch – because if one network fails, Speedify’s philosophy is to let the other network keep you online (which inherently means it can’t “kill” the connection on network drop; that would defeat bonding). So, you sacrifice that protection for the sake of continuous connectivity. For most mobile users wanting reliability, that’s okay, but it’s a conscious trade-off. The app also integrates a streaming mode where it detects if you’re streaming and adjusts bonding to be more redundant (to avoid any packet loss). We found the app to run fine in background; it does consume a bit more battery than a typical VPN, since it’s managing multiple radios actively. If battery is a concern, you might use it only when needed (like during a video call).
• Pros: Unique channel bonding capability – great for combining Wi-Fi + cellular on Android to avoid drops; Stabilizes connections for live streaming, video calls, etc.; Reasonably fast speeds; Access to many server locations; No ads in free version; Simple interface with useful connection stats; Owned by a reputable company (Connectify) albeit not as big as others; Could be the difference between a smooth Zoom meeting vs a dropped call on flaky Wi-Fi (a niche but important benefit).
• Cons: Only 2 GB/month free; Not focused on anonymity or unblocking – lacks advanced privacy features (no kill switch, no obfuscation, etc.); US-based and no external audits, so not the top for privacy-seekers; 1 device limit on free; Doesn’t support WireGuard on all platforms (but uses its own fast protocol anyway); The bonding feature, while cool, is less useful if you generally use one connection (if you only have Wi-Fi OR cellular, Speedify can’t magically speed it up beyond normal VPN overhead); For pure VPN tasks like bypassing censorship, others (like Proton or Windscribe) might be better.
• Upgrade Pricing: Speedify Unlimited plan gives, as name implies, unlimited data and usage on up to 5 devices. It’s about $9.99/month or ~$5/month on annual. They also have family plans for more devices. The paid plan would let you truly use bonding full-time (some IRL streamers use Speedify paid to broadcast reliably). If you find the bonding helpful and need more than 2 GB occasionally, an alternative is to keep Speedify free for emergencies and use another free VPN for normal use.

Why choose Speedify Free?

Consider Speedify if you have a scenario like: “I absolutely need my connection not to drop during X.” For example, you’re interviewing via video call and have both home Wi-Fi and a data plan – Speedify free could bond them just for that interview to ensure if one fails, the other carries it. And 2 GB is more than enough for a lengthy meeting or two in that case. Or if you livestream once in a while from your phone and want to use both 4G and a portable Wi-Fi, Speedify can do that. Essentially, it’s a tool for connection reliability. As a day-to-day VPN for browsing or privacy, it’s not superior due to the data cap and lack of kill switch. But it’s one-of-a-kind for what it does. So, Speedify Free is recommended for tech-savvy users who have a specific need to combine connections or maintain seamless connectivity in a critical moment – and want to do so without paying initially. It’s also kind of fun for those curious to see their two data streams working together. Outside of that niche, other free VPNs might provide more overall value or data. But we included Speedify because in its niche (ensuring stable streams), it’s arguably the best free option.

(Other Notable Mentions:) Atlas VPN Free used to be a solid option (it offered unlimited devices and about 5 GB/month), but note that Atlas VPN was discontinued in April 2024 as a standalone service. Its users were migrated to NordVPN. So it is no longer available as a free VPN. ZoogVPN Free offers 10 GB/month and 5 locations, which is decent, and UrbanVPN/Hola VPN offer unlimited data but at significant privacy/security risks (they route traffic through user devices). Those latter “peer-to-peer” VPNs are not recommended due to serious potential dangers (Hola, for example, was caught selling user bandwidth). We strongly advise sticking to the well-known free VPNs reviewed above rather than random free VPN apps with lots of five-star reviews – many of those are data-harvesting proxies or outright unsafe. Always remember the adage: “If you’re not paying, you may be the product”. Our listed providers mitigate that by offering freemium models (with paid tiers to sustain them), whereas fully free services with no paid option often monetize in shady ways.

Now that we’ve covered the individual VPNs, let’s compare their features side by side to help you decide.

Free VPN Comparison Tables

To give a clear overview, below are comparison tables of key features and limitations of the top free VPNs discussed. Use these tables to quickly scan which free VPN fits your needs in terms of data allowance, speed, privacy, and special features.

Table 1: Data, Speed, and Server Locations (Free Plans)

Notes: “Post-Cap Usage” indicates if you can continue using the VPN after reaching the data limit (e.g., Proton and Hide.me allow it since they have no cap; Privado throttles; others stop). “Maximum Speed” is based on available reports – actual speeds vary by device/connection. Hide.me’s speed is intentionally throttled low, whereas others like Hotspot and Windscribe are only limited by normal network factors.

Table 2: Features & Privacy

Notes: Windscribe and Hide.me stand out for built-in ad-blocker functionality (Windscribe free includes it, Hide.me free does not include its blocker). Proton and others don’t give ad-block on free. Device limits: Windscribe allows unlimited, TunnelBear technically allows multiple devices login but total 2 GB is shared (and they might enforce device count if abused). Simultaneous connections are generally restricted to push users to paid if they have many devices.

Table 3: Special Features & Use Cases

Each free VPN shines in different scenarios. For example, ProtonVPN Free is best if you want unlimited background protection and don’t need streaming or torrenting. Windscribe Free is best for a balanced set of features and if you need more than one device protected or want to unblock a variety of content (just keep an eye on that 15GB). PrivadoVPN Free is great if you need a quick burst of high-speed VPN usage (e.g. watch a specific show or download something securely) thanks to its speed and streaming support, but you have that fixed 10GB. Hide.me Free suits those who say “I can’t pay, but I want security without limits and I’m okay with slow” – like perhaps in regions where paying is not an option but slow VPN is better than none. Hotspot Shield Basic will appeal if you hate data caps entirely and can tolerate ads – good for browsing and general use especially on Android with WireGuard available. TunnelBear Free is for those who prioritize simplicity or want to access some less-common country for a short time (since it has servers in places like Brazil, Japan, etc., which many free plans lack). Speedify Free isn’t for general VPN needs but rather for those who specifically need a more resilient connection (digital nomads, live streamers, etc., on a budget).

Country-Specific Considerations for Free VPNs

Internet regulations and user needs vary across countries. Below, we provide brief guides for using VPNs (especially free ones) in some high-interest regions. We’ll cover the legality of VPN usage, common use cases, and recommended free VPN choices for each country. (Please note: While all the services we discussed are known to work generally, the specific ability to access local content or maintain speed can differ by region. Also remember that free VPN servers might not always exist in your country – you might be connecting to a neighboring country.)

United States: Free VPNs in the USA

Legality: VPNs are completely legal to use in the United States for any lawful purpose. There are no bans or blocks on VPN services in the US. Using a VPN is a personal security measure and is common. Just note that using a VPN doesn’t exempt you from any US laws – illegal activities are still illegal whether via VPN or not.

Use Cases: In the US, people use VPNs primarily for privacy (preventing ISP tracking under the repeal of net neutrality/privacy rules) and for security on public Wi-Fi. Free VPNs can help encrypt your traffic when you’re at a café, library, or airport Wi-Fi. Another use case is accessing geo-blocked content: although inside the US there’s not much content blocked domestically, Americans might use a VPN to watch, say, Canadian Netflix or British BBC iPlayer, etc. Conversely, if you travel outside the US, you might use a VPN to get a US IP and access services like Hulu or US Netflix library – that’s where a free VPN with US servers (like Privado, Windscribe, Hotspot, etc.) could help somewhat (though free often struggle with Netflix, as noted).

Top Choices: For US-based users, ProtonVPN Free is excellent – its free servers include US locations and it has no data cap, so you can leave it on for privacy. It won’t help with streaming, but it will keep your browsing private from your ISP or on Wi-Fi. Windscribe Free is another great one, since it offers multiple US server locations for free (East Coast, West Coast) and a generous 15GB data – enough for moderate use. Plus, Windscribe’s US servers on free have been known to work with some US streaming sites (and it avoids a lot of VPN detection). PrivadoVPN Free also has United States servers and would be useful if you want to torrent in the US with some protection (within 10GB) or try out its faster speeds for short periods. If you’re looking to use a free VPN long-term in the US, note that US is part of the “5 Eyes” intelligence alliance, so choose a provider with a strong no-logs reputation (Proton, Windscribe, Hide.me all fit that) to ensure your data can’t be compelled. Free VPNs to avoid in the US would be those with unclear policies – e.g. the many sketchy “free unlimited VPN” apps on Play Store which might actually collect data. Stick to the reputable ones we reviewed. Also, be aware of ads: Hotspot Shield free has a lot of ads and is US-based; it gives unlimited usage, but remember those ads could potentially track you (though not your VPN-protected traffic, just within the app).

In summary, in the US, VPN use is legal and a good idea for privacy. ProtonVPN Free for always-on encryption, Windscribe Free for a bit of everything (but limited data), and Hotspot Shield Free if you need unlimited usage and don’t mind ads. All have US servers (essential for good speed if you’re in the US connecting to nearby servers).

(Fun fact: Many Americans started using VPNs more after seeing frequent public Wi-Fi hacks or wanting to stop ISPs from selling their browsing history – a free VPN is a cost-effective way to do that, though a paid VPN can offer better consistency.)

Canada: Free VPNs in Canada

Legality: VPNs are legal in Canada. There are no laws prohibiting individuals from using VPN services. The government doesn’t restrict VPN usage – in fact, Canada’s approach to internet freedom is generally permissive. Like other Western democracies, just don’t use the VPN for illegal acts.

Use Cases: Canadians often use VPNs for privacy (Canada has robust data privacy laws, but there’s still concern over ISP monitoring and the country is a member of the Five Eyes surveillance alliance). A VPN ensures your ISP or others can’t easily snoop. Another big use case is content access: getting around geo-blocks. For instance, some US streaming content isn’t available in Canada (Hulu, HBO Max US library, etc.), so Canadians might VPN to a US server. Also, Canadians traveling abroad might VPN back to Canada to watch something on Crave or CBC. Free VPNs can assist with light usage here. Canada also has high internet costs/data caps for mobile, so sometimes people use a VPN to bypass traffic throttling by ISPs (though results vary).

Top Choices: Windscribe Free is a no-brainer for Canadians – it’s a Canadian-based service itself and offers free servers in Montreal and Toronto, so you can get a Canadian IP if needed. Also, connecting to a nearby Canadian server (if you’re Canadian) will give better speeds. Windscribe’s generous 15GB and strong privacy stance (despite being in Canada, they keep no logs and have proven it) are appealing. You could use it to, say, stream an episode on Netflix US (it unblocks several regions) within the 15GB. ProtonVPN Free is also good in Canada, though note Proton doesn’t have a free server in Canada specifically – the closest would be US or maybe its new free in EU. But Proton free still works from Canada for general protection (just pick the US server, which is not far network-wise). TunnelBear Free could be another friendly option for Canadians – it’s based in Toronto, has Canadian servers (and 45 other countries) open to free users, and has that trustworthy audit record. The 2GB limit is small, but if you just need a secure connection occasionally (like when using public Wi-Fi at a Tim Hortons), TunnelBear is super-easy. If you need unlimited, Hotspot Shield Basic has a Canada-friendly set-up too – while it doesn’t have a Canada free server, connecting to a US server from Canada is usually fast (and unlimited usage is a plus for heavy use). Canadians just have to put up with the ads in that case.

One more point: French-language content – if you’re in Canada and want French streaming content (like certain Netflix FR titles or French sports coverage), you’d need a VPN that can connect to France. Free options that do: TunnelBear (yes, France server available), Windscribe (yes, France is one of free locations), Privado (free includes France). So, a Canadian user could use those to appear in France with a free VPN for a short time.

Legally and practically, Canada is VPN-friendly. Just remember, if you use a Canada-based VPN (Windscribe, TunnelBear), they fall under Canadian law – but since those don’t log, that’s not a big concern.

United Kingdom: Free VPNs in the UK

Legality: It is legal to use VPNs in the UK. The UK has no ban on VPN services. Many businesses and individuals use VPNs legitimately. However, the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) can require ISPs to keep logs and even require decryption in some cases. A VPN can help individuals keep privacy from ISP logging. There’s no evidence of the UK targeting VPN users, but UK is part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.

Use Cases: Privacy from surveillance is a reason – the UK has fairly extensive surveillance laws (IPA a.k.a. “Snoopers’ Charter”). A no-logs VPN (like the ones we discussed) can help ensure your browsing isn’t stored. Geo-access: Brits might use VPNs to watch US Netflix, or Brits abroad might VPN back to UK to watch BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, etc. Note, BBC iPlayer tries to block VPNs aggressively. Some free VPNs (like Windscribe) have had success with iPlayer. Also, there’s censorship circumvention: the UK has ISP filters for adult content and torrent sites by law – a VPN bypasses those blocks by routing your traffic outside the UK. So if a certain site is blocked by your ISP’s content filter, a VPN will let you access it freely. This is a common reason younger folks use VPNs in UK (to bypass filters).

Top Choices: Windscribe Free again is great – it has a free UK server and specifically notes success with UK streaming (it unblocked All4, iPlayer in tests). With 15GB, you could do quite a bit. It’s also headquartered in Canada, so outside UK jurisdiction.

PrivadoVPN Free includes UK servers and could be good for short streaming stints (like watching something on BBC iPlayer – though not guaranteed to work – or UK Netflix which might have some differences). Hide.me Free might appeal to Britons who want unlimited usage to stay encrypted all the time and don’t care about streaming (Hide.me has a London free server). It’s slow, but for basic browsing it’s fine, and you never have to think about limits.

ProtonVPN Free doesn’t have a UK free server (its free Europe ones are NL, PL, RO), but connecting to nearby Netherlands is okay for privacy – just not for accessing UK content. If your goal is to get a UK IP while abroad, the free services that offer UK servers are:

Windscribe, Privado, Hide.me, TunnelBear (yes, they have UK too). Among those, for unlimited time usage with a UK IP, Hide.me is unlimited data (but slow), Windscribe or TunnelBear have limited data but decent speeds. So maybe plan accordingly (e.g. use Windscribe free for an evening of UK TV, that’s within 15GB likely).

Note: The UK’s public Wi-Fi (in cafes, etc.) is common, so a free VPN is handy to secure those. And a bit uniquely, the UK has frequent blackouts of certain websites (like torrent indexing sites). A VPN will easily bypass those – connecting to any other country server will do. Free VPNs like Proton or Windscribe can be used to connect to e.g. Netherlands and then the UK ISP blocks no longer apply. That’s a practical tip for UK users: if you encounter “Site blocked” by your ISP, turn on the VPN to another country and retry – often works.

In summary, for UK: Windscribe Free is our top pick (UK server, streaming capable, 15GB) and Hide.me Free if you want unlimited privacy (just patience with speed). All free VPNs listed are legal to use in Britain.

Germany: Free VPNs in Germany

Legality: VPNs are legal in Germany. There are no laws forbidding VPN usage – Germany strongly values privacy rights. Using a VPN for legitimate purposes is fine. (Germany did at one point outlaw some “commercial anonymization services” in a draft law, but that didn’t materialize for VPNs; VPNs remain legal as of 2025).

Use Cases: Germans might use VPNs primarily for privacy – Germany has good data protection laws (GDPR etc.), but there have been concerns over websites monitoring or perhaps intelligence sharing. A VPN adds another layer of privacy. Also, public Wi-Fi in Germany sometimes requires registration or isn’t encrypted, so a VPN secures that. Geo-content: Many Germans use VPNs to access streaming from other countries – e.g. US Netflix (since some content arrives later in DE) or BBC content if they know English. Conversely, when traveling, Germans might want a German IP to watch ARD, ZDF, or German Netflix. Free VPNs can facilitate that to some extent. Additionally, torrenting is a point: Germany is known for strict copyright enforcement and users receiving “Abmahnung” (copyright infringement notices) for torrenting. A VPN is often recommended if one were to torrent in Germany (though we only condone legal torrenting). A free VPN with P2P could help mask your IP – e.g. Windscribe or Hide.me free – but caution: free VPN speeds or data might hamper heavy torrent usage.

Top Choices: Hide.me Free actually started with German roots (though based in Malaysia now) and it has a free German server. It’s unlimited, so a German user could keep it on constantly to hide their traffic (very relevant if they worry about the above-mentioned copyright monitoring). The slow speed means it’s not great for heavy streaming, but works for privacy.

Windscribe Free has a German server as well (one of its 10 free countries). With 15GB, it could be used periodically, and it allows P2P and decent speeds, so it’s a good all-round choice in DE too plus their stance on privacy is solid (no logs, etc.).

ProtonVPN Free doesn’t have a free German server, but has Netherlands which is right next door, and Proton’s Swiss base might appeal to Germans due to strong privacy alignment. Proton free unlimited means you could route all traffic through nearby NL with minimal speed loss and infinite data – a strong option for privacy in Germany without worrying about caps.

PrivadoVPN Free includes Germany as a free location, so if you want speed and maybe some local content access within that 10GB, that’s a choice. E.g., if some German streaming service only works with German IP, Privado’s free DE server could help (for 10GB of usage). TunnelBear Free also has German servers for free, but limited data. For an occasional need (like checking a German-only site from abroad), it’s fine.

One legal thing: Germany is in 14-Eyes (as part of European intelligence sharing), but using a VPN in Germany is not restricted – in fact, Germany encourages strong encryption. Choose a VPN that has proven no logs (Hide.me’s audit, Proton’s audit) if concerned.

So in Germany, ProtonVPN Free is fantastic for continuous usage due to unlimited, albeit connect to NL or US (no German free exit). Hide.me Free is great for unlimited with a German exit, but slow.

Windscribe Free is a happy medium with a German exit, moderate cap, good speed. If torrenting legally, Windscribe’s no-logs and good speed is recommended (but the 15GB is a limit to watch; for larger downloads Hide.me unlimited but slow could be an alternative, albeit slow torrent might still be fine overnight and you won’t get cut off).

United Arab Emirates: Free VPNs in UAE

Legality: The UAE has a complicated stance on VPNs. VPN use itself is not outright illegal in the UAE, provided you do not use it to commit a crime. The law (as of 2021) states that using a “fraudulent network address” (i.e. VPN) to commit or conceal a crime is punishable.

Practically, many residents (especially expats) use VPNs to access VoIP services like Skype or WhatsApp calling, which are otherwise blocked. The UAE authorities have fined individuals in a few cases for misusing VPN (like for illegal VoIP businesses).

But using a VPN for general privacy or to access legitimately allowed content is not prosecuted. Still, one must be careful if you use a VPN to access something the UAE deems illegal (like certain VoIP or gambling or anti-state content), you could face fines. So legally: VPN is allowed, but don’t use it for illegal things in UAE.

Use Cases: The biggest is VoIP and messaging UAE blocks many VoIP apps (Skype, WhatsApp calls, FaceTime until recently, etc.) and even some messaging features. A VPN can often bypass those blocks by making your traffic appear as normal web traffic.

People also use VPNs to watch restricted content (some sites and streaming libraries are geo-blocked in UAE). Privacy is another factor – internet is monitored in UAE, so a VPN can give expats more privacy.

However, one must choose a VPN with strong stealth capabilities because UAE ISPs sometimes try to detect and block VPN traffic (DPI – deep packet inspection). Free VPNs generally don’t have advanced obfuscation except maybe Hide.me (has stealth protocol) and Windscribe (has WStunnel/Stealth if you can configure it).

ProtonVPN’s Stealth is in development too. So free options might or might not work consistently. That’s one challenge: UAE networks sometimes block known VPN server IPs or throttle them.

Top Choices: ProtonVPN Free could be valuable it has a “Stealth” protocol mode now (to mask VPN) and being unlimited means you could keep it on to unblock VoIP calls continuously. Proton has free servers in nearby regions (if not UAE, likely connect to NL or maybe India though not physically in gulf, but that’s okay). Many users reported ProtonVPN (even free) working for WhatsApp calls because it’s stealthy and no cap.

Windscribe Free might also work – it has a “Stealth” mode in its settings, but I’m not sure if free users can select it or if it’s auto. Windscribe has a free server in Hong Kong which sometimes is used by Middle East users as it has obfuscation ability. They also had a special “Censorship-resistant” config.

Given Windscribe’s track record, it’s one of the few that can circumvent UAE blocks. But the 15GB cap might limit long calls. Still, for occasional Skype, that’s fine. Hide.me Free has some stealth (they call their protocol “Enhanced Security” and fallback options) and no data limit, so it could be a lifesaver for unlimited calls but recall, Hide.me free is slow (1 Mbps).

Voice calls don’t need huge bandwidth, so 1 Mbps is okay, but video calls might be choppy. Hide.me does have a Singapore free server – somewhat closer to UAE than Europe, but still far. If they had an India server free (they used to have in premium only), that would be closer.

Hotspot Shield Basic has a server in Singapore that’s relatively closer to UAE than Europe/US, plus it has Hydra protocol which might be less recognizable. Hotspot free with unlimited data could definitely handle unlimited calling or browsing, but the huge downside: it shows ads and it’s known that UAE networks specifically block Hotspot Shield’s domain often.

It might work sporadically. Also no obfuscation beyond Hydra’s innate design. For reliability in UAE, I suspect ProtonVPN (with Stealth) stands out. Another mention: Psiphon (not discussed above) is actually a known free tool in UAE because it uses SSH+VPN hybrid and is quite adept at evading blocks. But it’s slow and not a general VPN. Among our list, Proton, Windscribe, Hide.me are the top 3 for UAE.

One should also use auto-connect and kill switch features in the UAE to avoid any accidental exposure of activity if VPN drops. Proton and Hide.me both support that in their apps.

In summary, UAE users should use free VPNs cautiously. ProtonVPN Free likely the best for not being detected (no data cap, stealth protocol, strong encryption). Windscribe Free if you manage its data and use stealth, is a contender.

Using free VPN for heavy stuff (like streaming blocked content) might be risky if it cuts off mid-stream revealing you to the ISP. But for say calling home occasionally, these free tools can be very useful (and widely used by expat communities). Always keep an eye on news, because UAE law says if VPN is used “fraudulently” it’s punishable with huge fines, but this is generally aimed at serious misuse. Individual use for personal calls has not been actively prosecuted as of known reports they usually just block the services.

India: Free VPNs in India

Legality: VPNs are legal in India for personal use. There’s no law against citizens using VPNs. However, in 2022 India introduced data retention rules (through CERT-In) that required VPN companies to log user data (names, IPs, etc.) for 5 years. This led many VPN providers (Proton, Surfshark, Express, etc.) to remove physical servers from India in protest rather than comply.

So using a VPN is still legal, but Indian government policy made it unfavorable for VPN companies to operate servers inside India unless they log. Hence, several providers now offer “virtual” India servers (located in Singapore, etc. but give Indian IP). None of this affects user legality Indian users can and do use VPNs widely, for privacy or to bypass censorship.

Use Cases: Privacy and security are big especially post-2020 with increased digital surveillance. Many Indians use VPNs on public Wi-Fi (which is prevalent and often unsecured) and to stop their ISP or the government from easily snooping. Bypassing blocks: India has at times blocked websites (e.g. adult sites, torrent sites, even temporarily things like TikTok or specific news sites).

A VPN can circumvent those ISP-level blocks. Also in 2020-2021, certain apps got banned (like PUBG at one time, or many Chinese apps) a VPN sometimes helped to continue using them (though mobile apps might require more than VPN to function if banned at OS level). Another case: In Kashmir or during local unrest, the government has imposed internet shutdowns or throttling; a VPN can’t solve a full shutdown, but when it’s just heavy throttling or partial blocking, a VPN can sometimes tunnel out to get better access. Streaming: Indians might use VPNs to get content on Netflix that’s not in India (like some US shows), or use services not officially in India. But ironically, due to that 2022 law, many VPNs no longer have Indian servers meaning if you want an Indian IP to stream Hotstar from abroad, you have fewer choices.

Among free VPNs, PrivadoVPN Free stands out because it actually has free servers in India (likely they’re still operating, possibly virtually routed). That might be one of the only ways to get an Indian IP on a free VPN now.

Windscribe removed India node for a while but might have a “India – virtual” now for paid; not sure for free. ProtonVPN doesn’t have free India (and removed physical servers, now offers “Smart Routing” for premium India which uses Singapore).

Torrenting: There is a scene of heavy torrent usage in India and occasional legal notices. A free VPN could help anonymize torrenting to avoid those. Windscribe’s free might appeal here (10 locations including Hong Kong which is relatively okay latenc-wise, and P2P allowed) or Proton free (though no India server, it doesn’t throttle so maybe fine for multi-hour torrent).

Top Choices: ProtonVPN Free is excellent for Indian users because of unlimited data and strong privacy. While you can’t choose an India exit on free, connecting to Singapore or Netherlands will bypass Indian site blocks and encryption will help with privacy. Proton’s Stealth might also help if any ISP tries to limit VPN traffic (some Indian ISPs reportedly throttled certain VPN protocols after 2022, not widespread though).

Windscribe Free is good it doesn’t have India in free, but has Hong Kong and US/UK which many Indians use to get better speeds to international sites or to circumvent local restrictions. Plus 15GB goes a long way for moderate usage. PrivadoVPN Free specifically has Indian servers (they claim physical Mumbai servers but maybe they’ll switch to virtual eventually).

For now, if you want an Indian IP (e.g. to bank or stream something region-specific) while abroad or if you just prefer local routing, Privado gives that free for 10GB. It also allows torrenting so someone could torrent moderately with it without local ISP seeing. Hide.me Free might interest those heavily concerned about the new logging rules Hide.me pulled out physical Indian servers as well, but its Malaysian jurisdiction and no-logs stance means even if one connects to say Singapore, you’re safe.

It’s unlimited so you can keep it on all the time to thwart the broad surveillance, with the trade-off of slower speeds. Hide.me’s free Singapore node could be ideal for Indian users – relatively close network-wise, unlimited usage, though at ~1Mbps. For just messaging and reading, that might suffice.

One thing: Indian internet can be high-latency to overseas due to undersea cable loads. Using closer endpoints (Singapore, Hong Kong) often yields better speeds. So an Indian might often choose those on VPN rather than far away Europe/US for performance.

In conclusion, Indian users legally can use these free VPNs. I’d recommend ProtonVPN Free as 1 (no data cap, no logs, reliable) many Indian privacy enthusiasts likely already use it. Windscribe Free if streaming or more variety of usage is needed (just mind the cap).

And PrivadoVPN Free specifically if needing an Indian IP or very fast free connection for short bursts. One can even combine: use Proton free mostly, and Privado free when local IP needed. That way you maximize freebies. Given the regulatory climate, note that using these VPNs to circumvent government blocks might violate certain directives, but enforcement on personal use has been negligible.

These country sections illustrate that while the best free VPN for Android can vary by region and purpose, you have multiple choices. Next, let’s provide some guidance on actually setting up and using these VPNs on Android, including how to optimize them.

How to Set Up a VPN on Android (Step-by-Step Tutorial)

Using a VPN on Android is easier than ever. Here we’ll walk through a generic process using any of the VPNs above (the steps are similar for ProtonVPN, Windscribe, etc.), plus tips for enabling important features like auto-connect and preserving battery life while running a VPN.

Step 1: Download the VPN App – Head to the Google Play Store, search for the VPN by name (e.g. “Proton VPN”, “Windscribe VPN”). Ensure you download the official app (check the developer name). Tap Install and wait for the app to download. (If you’re in a country where the Play Store listing is blocked, you can try the VPN’s website for an APK download, or use an alternate app store. But Play Store is safest if available.)

Step 2: Launch and Sign Up/Login – Open the app. Most VPN apps will either ask you to log in or sign up. If you don’t have an account, choose Sign Up (for free plans, this usually just requires an email – though some like Hide.me and TunnelBear allow usage without email). Create your account (you might verify your email if required). ProtonVPN, for example, lets you start as a “Free” user account. Some apps (like Windscribe) allow using limited service without account but it’s better to make one to get full free allowance.

Step 3: Grant Permissions – The first time you connect the VPN, Android will prompt: “This app wants to set up a VPN connection.” You’ll see a warning that your network traffic will be monitored by the VPN (which is expected). Tap OK to authorize. Some VPN apps also request other permissions: e.g. auto-start at boot, or access to external storage if needed for configurations. Grant what’s necessary. On Android 10+, if the VPN app has a built-in kill switch feature, you might also need to allow it in system settings as “Always-on VPN” with “Block connections without VPN” (more on that below).

Step 4: Connect to a Server – Within the app, you’ll usually see a “Connect” button for a default server or a list to choose from. For quick use, just tap the big connect button – the app will either connect to a recommended location (often the nearest/fastest free server) or present you a list. If you need a specific country, open the Locations/Servers list and tap the country or city. For example, in Windscribe, you’d tap “Germany – Frankfurt” to use that free server. The app should then show “Connecting…” and within seconds, “Connected”. You’ll see a key icon 🗝️ at the top status bar of Android once connected (this indicates an active VPN).

Step 5: Verify the Connection – It’s good practice to verify your IP has changed. While connected, open a browser and search “What is my IP” or use an IP-check site. It should now show the VPN server’s IP and location (e.g. showing a New York IP if you connected to a New York server). If it still shows your actual location, the VPN isn’t working – try reconnecting or a different server. Also ensure the key icon is present.

Step 6: Enable Auto-Connect (Optional but Recommended) – Most VPN apps have an auto-connect or “Always on” setting. This is useful so that your VPN reconnects whenever you restart your phone or when you join an untrusted Wi-Fi. For instance, in ProtonVPN, you can enable “Always-on VPN” in Android’s VPN settings or the app’s settings to auto-reconnect on boot. In Hide.me or Hotspot Shield, you have granular options like “Connect on startup” or “Connect on Wi-Fi networks except trusted ones”.

It’s a good idea to use these if you want continuous protection. On Android, you can also go to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN > [Your VPN] and enable “Always-on VPN” and “Block connections without VPN”. This effectively acts as a kill switch at the OS level (ensuring no traffic leaks outside the tunnel).

Note: Only do “block connections without VPN” if you indeed want zero traffic outside VPN which is great for privacy, but remember to disconnect the VPN if you need to access local devices like a Chromecast, as those might be blocked when VPN is forcing all traffic.

Step 7: Optimize Battery Usage – VPN apps run in the background and can drain battery, especially if they keep the phone’s radio active. Android may try to “optimize” (i.e. restrict) background apps to save battery, which could disconnect your VPN when screen is off. To prevent that, whitelist the VPN app from battery optimization.

For example, on Samsung/OnePlus, go to Settings > Apps > [VPN app] > Battery > Don’t optimize (or similar path). This ensures Android doesn’t kill the VPN app in the background. Additionally, if using features like Speedify’s channel bonding, keep an eye on battery usage – bonding uses more radio time (Wi-Fi + cellular simultaneously). If battery is a concern and you don’t need bonding at some moment, disconnect Speedify or any VPN when not needed.

Step 8: Use the VPN Now you can use your browser, WhatsApp, YouTube, etc. and your connection is encrypted and private. Enjoy blocked content if that’s what you set it up for (e.g. browse YouTube freely if your network had blocks, or access Wikipedia if it were censored – whatever the case).

Step 9: Disconnect when Finished (or Not) – If you’re on an unlimited free VPN (Proton, Hide.me, Hotspot) you might leave it on all the time for safety. If on a limited one (Privado 10GB, Windscribe 15GB), you might disconnect when not actively needing it, to conserve data. To disconnect, open the app and hit the disconnect button. The key icon will disappear. Some apps also have quick tile in the notification shade you can tap to disconnect.

Bonus Tips:

• Switching Protocols: If a VPN isn’t connecting on a network, try changing the protocol (OpenVPN UDP vs TCP vs WireGuard) in the app’s settings. For example, if ProtonVPN is struggling, use its “Smart” or “Stealth” protocol option. In Windscribe, try Stealth or WStunnel for tough networks. Some free apps limit manual protocol choice (they pick best automatically), but it’s worth a look in settings.
• Split Tunneling: If you only want certain apps to use the VPN (or vice versa), use split tunneling. E.g. maybe you want your banking app outside the VPN for regional access, but everything else through VPN. Many VPNs including Proton, Windscribe, Hide.me offer this on Android. You’ll find it in options as “Split Tunneling” or “Selective apps”. There you can exclude/include apps accordingly. This can also save data usage for your limited free plan by not routing unnecessary app updates or something through VPN.
• Preventing Data Leaks: Ensure the kill switch (if available) is enabled. ProtonVPN’s Android app doesn’t have a built-in always-on toggle in-app, so use Android’s own as described. Windscribe Android has a “Always-on” option as well. This prevents your real IP from leaking if the VPN drops. Also avoid switching servers too rapidly – disconnect properly, then reconnect, to avoid transient leaks.
• Account Management: For those that require accounts (e.g. Windscribe, TunnelBear), you can often monitor your data usage in the app or on their website. Windscribe shows how much of your 10GB (or 15GB) is left. TunnelBear will show a little gauge of 2GB honey. Keep an eye so you don’t suddenly run out if you rely on it for something important.

By following these steps, you can smoothly install and run any of the recommended free VPNs on your Android device. The process is designed to be user-friendly – for example, in TunnelBear it’s literally sign up and flip a switch with the bear animation. In any case, once it’s set up, using the VPN is usually one tap whenever you need it.

Next, let’s cover some Android-specific VPN tips, like maintaining performance and minimizing battery impact:

• Auto-Connect on Untrusted Wi-Fi: Many VPN apps let you define trusted networks (like your home Wi-Fi) where it won’t auto-connect, vs untrusted (coffee shop Wi-Fi) where it will. Use this! For example, in Hotspot Shield’s free app we saw you can set “On cellular: connect” or “On unsecured Wi-Fi: connect”. This way you’re always protected in risky scenarios without manual intervention.
• Avoid Double VPNs: Don’t run two VPN apps at once (Android won’t actually allow two active VPN connections simultaneously – the latest one will usually take over). Also if you have something like a Samsung Secure Wi-Fi (which is essentially a VPN service they include), using your own VPN concurrently might conflict. So stick to one at a time.
• Update Apps: Keep the VPN app updated from Play Store. Free VPN providers might patch connectivity issues or blocking attempts via updates. ProtonVPN for instance introduced new stealth options in updates; having the latest ensures best chance to bypass restrictions.
• Know the Limits: If you’re on a metered mobile data plan, remember that using a VPN might slightly increase data usage (encryption overhead). E.g., Speedify bonding can use more data by sending duplicates for stability. For most, it’s negligible (<10% overhead), but if you’re tight on data, be aware.

Now your Android phone is set with a free VPN – you can browse safer, appear virtually in other countries, and bypass local network blocks with ease! In the next section, we’ll discuss how safe free VPNs are and what to watch out for (because not all “free VPNs” in app stores are as benign as the ones we chose).

Free VPN Safety: What You Need to Know

“Are free VPNs safe?” is a common question. The truth is, many free VPNs are not safe – they come with hidden costs or risks. However, the ones we’ve covered (ProtonVPN, Windscribe, etc.) are freemium models from reputable companies, and they are safe to use. That said, let’s outline some red flags and safety tips when dealing with free VPNs:

• If It’s 100% Free with No Paid Option, Be Wary: Running a VPN server network costs money (servers, bandwidth, staff). A totally free VPN app that doesn’t even offer a paid plan or ads has to make money somehow – usually by harvesting and selling your data or injecting ads/malware. For example, research in 2017 found many free VPNs on Android had embedded tracking libraries and asked for excessive permissions (like reading texts or contacts) – that’s a huge red flag. The VPNs we recommend all have viable revenue streams (paid tiers or parent companies), so they aren’t resorting to shady practices.
• Beware of Excessive Permissions: No legitimate VPN needs access to your contacts, SMS, photos, etc. It only needs network access and the VPN permission. If a free VPN app is requesting permissions unrelated to creating a VPN tunnel (like GPS location, microphone, etc.), that’s a red flag. For example, some fake VPN apps have been found to request storage and then plant malware. Always check the app permissions. The ones we list mostly just need the basic VPN connection permission.
• Ads and Malware: Some free VPNs bombard you with ads – beyond annoyance, those ads could be coming from sketchy ad networks that might compromise your privacy (ironic for a VPN). Even worse, some contain malware. Quote: “some unscrupulous free apps are Trojan horses for malicious software”. For instance, an app called “X-VPN” or “Yoga VPN” had questionable behavior as per reports. Stick to known names. Hotspot Shield’s ads are legit ads (like for games, etc., mostly safe but still, they do track in-app behavior perhaps). But random free VPN with 5 million downloads and broken English descriptions? Likely dangerous.
• Fake “Free VPN” Browsers or Proxies: On Android, you’ll also find apps that call themselves free VPNs but are actually proxies or browsers routing only their traffic. Some might be okay (like the Tor Browser or Opera’s built-in VPN which is really a proxy just for the browser). But many are just data miners. Use a full-device VPN if you want full protection.
• Logging Policies: A safe free VPN will explicitly state a no-logs policy (no logs of your online activity or IP associations). For example, ProtonVPN: “no logs of user activity”; Windscribe: no identifying logs (proven in a court case); TunnelBear: no logs (annual transparency report confirms they never had data to give). In contrast, unsafe free VPNs might log everything and hand it to anyone (including potential snoops or government if asked). The Indian government’s 2022 rule was problematic because it essentially asked VPNs to log, which top services refused to do. So choose providers with a history of resisting logs.
• Red Flags in App Store Listing: Check the developer’s website and location. If a supposed VPN app has no website, or a single Gmail contact, be cautious. Look at reviews – are they botted (all generic praise)? The top safe free VPNs have lots of user reviews, good and bad, but you can tell it’s real feedback. Also, be wary of too-good-to-be-true claims like “Free Unlimited 100% Fastest VPN – No Ads, No Signup!” – that’s super suspect (why would anyone run such a service at large scale out of charity?).
• Peer-to-Peer VPNs (Hola, UrbanVPN): These make you effectively a server for others – e.g., Hola (which was a popular free VPN) turned users’ devices into exit nodes, so someone else’s traffic might emerge from your IP – extremely risky (somebody could do illegal things via your IP). Avoid VPNs that use peer networks instead of dedicated servers. They often market themselves as free & unlimited (since they piggyback on user resources) – but your connection is carrying unknown traffic. Hola and its white-label “VPN Proxy Master” or “Urban VPN” – keep away. In our list, none work that way (except if you count that ProtonVPN uses user traffic for routing only in a special way for censored regions, but not in a harmful way and only with consent).
• Excessive 5-star reviews that sound similar: The app store can be manipulated. If you see a free VPN with millions of downloads and a perfect 5.0 rating with short repetitive reviews (“Great app, very fast, best VPN!!!”), it might be fake reviews. On the other hand, our recommended ones have overall high ratings but also some real critical reviews (like people complaining about speed or data limits, which is normal). A mixture of reviews is a healthier sign. Also see if the developer responds to reviews professionally – top VPN companies often do.
• Location of Company: Not a strict rule, but privacy-friendly jurisdictions are better. All our picks are based in either Switzerland (Proton/Privado), Canada (Windscribe/TunnelBear, though TunnelBear’s parent is US), Malaysia (Hide.me), US (Hotspot/Speedify – US is less ideal but those have strong track records with no logs and wide usage). Avoid free VPNs run from countries with poor privacy regulations (some free VPN apps were found to be Chinese-run with unclear ownership, raising concerns they might share data with authorities or third parties). Security orgs often do investigations – for instance, Surfshark pointed out that many free VPNs have hidden ties to mainland China (not to single out any country, but in terms of privacy law, it matters).

To sum up safety: Stick to reputable services. The free VPNs we detailed come from providers we trust (and we provided citation for their trustworthiness, e.g. Cure53 audits, etc.). Using them is generally safe: they will genuinely encrypt your data and not inject malware. In contrast, random free VPN X could do the opposite of what you want – log you, or worse, act as spyware.

As Surfshark’s blog nicely said: “Free VPNs aren’t safe… As a result, all VPN providers get a bad rap for things done by a select few.”. Meaning, the bad apples have made people distrust “free VPN” as a category, but some (the ones we talk about) are the exceptions that operate ethically.

Bottom line: Do your homework before using a free VPN. If it’s one of the ones in our guide, you can feel comfortable. If you find another, apply the criteria above to evaluate it. When in doubt, it might be better to use a reputable paid VPN trial rather than a sketchy free one, if you can afford a few dollars or if the risk is too high.

Now, let’s address some frequently asked questions to clear up any remaining doubts and intricacies about using free VPNs on Android.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here we answer some common questions about free VPNs for Android. This section is structured in a Q&A format for clarity.

Are free VPNs really safe to use on Android?

It depends on the provider. Reputable free VPNs (ProtonVPN, Windscribe, TunnelBear, etc.) are safe – they have strong encryption and no-logs policies. However, many free VPN apps in the Play Store are unsafe (some have malware or sell your data). Always choose a well-known service that is transparent about how it’s funded. We’ve provided a vetted list in this guide. Generally, if a free VPN is coming from a credible company (often offering a paid version too), it’s safe to use on Android. But avoid random “100% free, unlimited” VPN apps with overly positive reviews and unknown developers – those could compromise your privacy rather than protect it.

Which is the best free VPN for Android with unlimited data?

ProtonVPN Free is arguably the best free VPN with unlimited data on Android. It has no monthly cap, no ads, and is from a highly trusted privacy company. The only limitation is it offers a few server locations and medium speeds, and streaming is restricted. Another unlimited option is Hide.me Free, which has no data limit either, but remember it’s throttled to about 2 Mbps. If you need unlimited data primarily for everyday browsing security, ProtonVPN is excellent. If you need unlimited for something like continuous light audio streaming or torrent seeding, Hide.me could work (with speed caveat). Hotspot Shield Basic is unlimited as well and much faster, but it’s ad-supported and has other limitations (only 1 device, few locations). So ProtonVPN comes out on top for unlimited, because it’s truly free without ads and with robust security.

Can I watch Netflix or other streaming services with a free VPN?

It’s possible but not guaranteed. Free VPNs typically struggle with streaming because services like Netflix actively block known VPN IPs, and free servers are often on those blacklists. That said, some free VPNs have had success: PrivadoVPN Free and Windscribe Free both were able to unblock certain Netflix regions and Disney+ in tests. Windscribe Free, for instance, let us watch US Netflix and UK BBC iPlayer (though you’re limited by 15 GB data). TunnelBear Free and Hotspot Shield Free are not reliable for streaming (TunnelBear has too little data, Hotspot free is blocked by most platforms except maybe YouTube/All4). ProtonVPN Free doesn’t support streaming libraries at all by design. So, if your goal is occasional streaming of geo-blocked content, try Windscribe or Privado free first – and be mindful of the data limits. For heavy or consistent streaming needs, a paid VPN is recommended (or a free trial of a paid VPN) because free options either block streaming or run out of data quickly with video.

What happens if I exceed the free data limit?

Different services handle it differently:

• For Windscribe, TunnelBear, etc., once you hit the cap, you can’t use the VPN until it resets next month. The app will disconnect and maybe prompt you to upgrade. You’ll have to wait for the quota refresh or get more data via promotions (like TunnelBear’s tweet-for-1GB).
• For PrivadoVPN Free, hitting 10 GB triggers a speed throttle to ~1 Mbps, but you can continue to use it at that reduced speed.
• For unlimited ones (Proton, Hide.me, Hotspot), you don’t have a cap, so nothing to exceed (Proton/Hotspot might just continue normally, Hide.me continues but it was always slow).
• If you burn through your allowance mid-month and need VPN urgently, you have a few options: switch to another free VPN (if you have multiple installed – e.g. use up Windscribe then switch to Proton which has no cap), or consider a short-term paid upgrade. Many paid VPNs have 30-day money-back guarantees or free trials – you could use that as a bridge.

Will a VPN slow down my internet on Android?

Some slowdown is expected, yes. A VPN routes your data through an extra server and encrypts it, which introduces latency and maybe reduces speed. On Android, how noticeable this is depends on the VPN and your connection:

• Services like PrivadoVPN and Windscribe can be quite fast (we’re talking maybe 5-15% reduction from your baseline on a good server).
• ProtonVPN Free might slow things more if its free servers are crowded – perhaps you’ll get half your normal speed in some cases (335 Mbps vs 950 Mbps in lab tests).
• Hide.me Free intentionally slows to ~1-2 Mbps regardless of your high-speed internet. That’s a major slowdown if you have a fast line.
• Hotspot Shield Free on Android with WireGuard was relatively fast, nearly 380+ Mbps on a gigabit connection, so on a typical 50 Mbps mobile connection you might not feel much difference (aside from maybe slightly higher ping).
• In everyday tasks (social media, music streaming, web browsing), you might not notice a slight reduction. For video streaming or big downloads, yes, things can be slower. Also, if you connect to a far server (say you’re in Asia connecting to US), latency will be much higher. But if you use a nearby server, the slowdown is minimized. In short: a VPN will slow down your internet somewhat, but with the better free VPNs, browsing and even HD streaming can still be smooth, whereas low-quality free VPNs might cripple your speed.

Do free VPNs work for WhatsApp/Skype calling?

Generally yes, free VPNs can allow WhatsApp, Skype, and other VoIP calls – and in fact people often use them to enable these services where they’re blocked (like UAE, as discussed). The key is whether the VPN connection itself is stable and fast enough to carry the call. From our list:

• ProtonVPN Free, Windscribe Free, Hotspot Free: all provided enough bandwidth in our tests for clear voice and even video calls (assuming you haven’t hit a data limit or throttle).
• Hide.me Free at ~1 Mbps might struggle with video calls but should handle voice calls okay (voice doesn’t need much – maybe 0.1 to 0.3 Mbps).
• One issue: some free VPN servers might have high latency, which can cause slight lag in calls. Choose a server geographically close to reduce lag. For example, if WhatsApp is blocked in your country, connect to the nearest country where it’s not blocked. Once VPN is connected, WhatsApp/Skype traffic will flow normally. Keep in mind the data usage: a video call can consume a few MBs per minute – so if you have 10GB, that covers many hours, but if only 500MB, that might be just a couple hours of calling. In summary, free VPNs do work for calling apps, and are a common workaround for VoIP restrictions. Just watch your data if on a limited plan, and expect maybe a minor drop in call quality in exchange for being able to connect at all.

How do free VPNs make money?

Several ways:

• Freemium Upsell: This is the model of ProtonVPN, Windscribe, Privado, etc. They give a solid free tier to attract users, and hope some percentage convert to paid plans for more features. The free users also act as marketing – word-of-mouth and showing presence in app stores.
• Ads: Hotspot Shield Basic is an example – the free app shows ads (likely generating revenue per ad impression/click). Those ads fund the free usage. As long as the ads aren’t too invasive or compromising privacy (Hotspot claims they anonymize ad targeting), it’s a fair trade.
• Bandwidth Sharing (Not recommended): Some like Hola (not in our list) made money by selling the bandwidth of free users to their premium users. Essentially turning you into an exit node. We discourage using those, but that’s how they monetized “free” users – essentially making them the product. UrbanVPN likely similar. So they “made money” by not spending on servers – using yours.
• Data Sales (Bad actors): Unfortunately, some shady free VPNs likely monetized by collecting user data and selling analytics or browsing habits to third parties (advertisers, data brokers). This is what we want to avoid – it’s against the purpose of a VPN. That’s why we emphasize sticking with providers who explicitly say they don’t sell data (and have business models above-board).
• Parent Company Support: TunnelBear’s free tier for instance might just be seen as marketing/brand goodwill, and its cost is footed by McAfee (owner). It gets them userbase which maybe they can cross-sell other products or convert to paid. Similarly, Speedify’s free version is basically advertising their bonding tech, hoping people upgrade for unlimited if they love it.
  In short: the safe free VPNs either use freemium or ads. If you encounter a free VPN and can’t figure out how they sustain it – there’s a high chance you are the product (through ads or data). The ones in this guide are very transparent. Proton’s free is subsidized by Proton’s paid users (and I suspect a mission-driven loss leader too). Windscribe’s free is offset by upsells to Pro, etc.

Can I use multiple free VPNs to get more data (daisy-chaining)?

You can’t connect two VPNs at the exact same time on one device – Android will allow only one active VPN profile. However, you can install multiple VPN apps and switch between them. This is actually a smart strategy to extend your free usage: e.g., use up Windscribe’s 15GB, then switch to Privado’s 10GB, then Proton for unlimited basic browsing. Many users do have 2-3 free VPNs on hand. Just do not try to run them simultaneously – it won’t tunnel one inside another properly on Android (desktop could with virtual machines, but not needed here). Instead, stagger them: use one until its quota is near, then disconnect and use another. Also, you might use one for one purpose and another for a different purpose if one has strengths (like Windscribe for streaming, Proton for continuous background).
Chaining in series (VPN into another VPN) is generally not feasible on one Android device natively. If you really want double-hop for privacy, some paid services offer multi-hop. But for free, focus on sequential use rather than simultaneous.

Will a VPN drain my Android phone’s battery?

It will have some impact, yes, because it keeps the device’s network active and CPU engaged for encryption. The extent depends on:

• Protocol and App efficiency: WireGuard is very battery-efficient compared to OpenVPN. ProtonVPN now uses WireGuard on Android – that’s good for battery. Windscribe can use WireGuard too (if chosen). Hotspot’s Hydra and WireGuard both are fairly optimized. In contrast, older OpenVPN might use a bit more CPU for encryption.
• Usage pattern: If you have VPN on while the phone is idle, it may keep the data channel alive to ping the server, thus preventing deep sleep for the radio. That can drain battery slowly over hours. If you’re actively using data (browsing, etc.), the incremental battery cost of VPN is small relative to the screen and radio usage you’re already doing.
• Bonding (Speedify): Using two networks at once obviously uses more battery (Wi-Fi + Cellular radios simultaneously, plus processing).
• From anecdotal experience, having a VPN on 24/7 might reduce your battery life by roughly 5-15%. For example, your phone that normally lasts 20 hours might last 18 hours with constant VPN. It’s not dramatic with modern protocols. But if you’re on a limited battery and don’t need VPN at that moment, you might turn it off to save a bit. Also, ensure the VPN app is not in “battery optimized” mode as that could drop connection (which is ironically the default to save battery).
• Some free VPN apps (like Proton/Windows) show a “VPN Reconnect” often if the OS kills them – to avoid that, we gave the tip of whitelisting from battery optimization. That will slightly increase battery usage, but keeps connection stable.
• In summary, yes, a VPN on Android uses battery, but it’s usually a moderate impact, not a huge drain. All the free VPNs listed are fairly lightweight in background.

What are the limitations of free VPNs compared to paid ones?

key limitations:

• Data Caps: Most free plans limit how much you can use (e.g. 10GB). Paid = unlimited.
• Fewer Servers/Locations: Free users get a subset (e.g. Proton free 5 countries vs 60+ on paid). Paid users have a larger global network to choose optimal servers.
• Speed/Bandwidth: Some free are throttled (Hide.me) or lower priority. Paid servers often faster and less crowded (e.g. Windscribe free users share 10 servers, paid get 110).
• Streaming & Advanced Features: Free often disallow or can’t reliably do streaming, whereas paid often guarantee Netflix/Disney+ etc. Paid plans also include things like P2P-optimized servers, multi-hop, dedicated IP, etc., that free won’t. For example, ProtonVPN’s Secure Core (multi-hop) and Tor servers are paid-only.
• Simultaneous Connections: Free usually 1 (or a small number), paid often 5-10 devices at once.
• Support: Paid users get full customer support. Free users typically get community support or basic email support at best. (Some free services have no direct support).
• VPN Protocol choices: Sometimes free apps don’t let you choose protocols or use newer ones, whereas paid can. (Though nowadays most let you).
• Ads and Upsells: Free versions may show ads (Hotspot) or constant upgrade buttons. Paid is ad-free and more seamless.
• Privacy Impact: Interestingly, sometimes paid tiers offer extra privacy features (like Windscribe paid has double-hop or custom DNS, etc.). The core privacy (encryption, no logs) is usually the same between free and paid for a given provider, though.
  To put it simply: free VPNs are excellent for light or occasional use, but for heavy users or those needing premium features (fast 4K streaming, torrenting terabytes, connecting many devices including a router, etc.), a paid VPN becomes necessary. Our guide’s aim was to show that for many everyday needs (checking email securely, streaming a blocked YouTube video, making a video call) – a free VPN can suffice. But they’re limited by design (as Tom’sGuide says: free versions are “stripped-down” vs paid).

Can I use a free VPN for Android on other devices (Windows, iPhone)?

Yes – generally these providers offer free plan support across platforms. For instance:

• ProtonVPN Free works on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux – same account, free on all.
• Windscribe Free: one account can be used on any device (unlimited simultaneous). So you can install it on your PC, Android, etc. (just note the 15GB is cumulative across devices).
• TunnelBear Free: allows up to 5 devices on the free 2GB (it’s shared), and you can use it on iPhone, Windows, etc. too.
• Hide.me Free: supports all major platforms and even manual config. But note the free plan might require re-confirmation on each device after 30 days (just clicking renew in app).
• Hotspot Shield Basic: available on mobile and desktop, but on desktop the free version might be more limited (I believe on Windows they limit free to 500MB a day unless you use the Microsoft Store version which might match mobile).
• PrivadoVPN Free: works on Windows, Mac, iOS as well – same 10GB allotment account-wide.
• So if you have an Android phone and a laptop, you can definitely use these free VPNs on both. In some cases, you might need to log in on each device with the same account. The combined usage will count toward your quota (except Proton/Hide with unlimited).

Keep in mind device-specific differences: e.g. ProtonVPN’s free on iPhone might only use IKEv2 (which can be a bit slower) because WireGuard was introduced later on iOS. Or Hotspot free on iOS only has Hydra protocol and no kill switch. But broadly, you get similar free service on other platforms.
So you can protect your PC and Android together with these free offerings – just be mindful of usage if limited.

My free VPN keeps disconnecting on Android. How can I fix that?

This can happen due to:

• Battery optimization: Android may kill the VPN background process to save battery. The fix is to exempt the VPN app from battery optimization (we described this in the tutorial). On some phones (Xiaomi, Huawei), you also have to lock the app in memory or allow autostart. Check the phone’s specific battery management for that app.
• Unstable network: If your Wi-Fi or mobile data drops frequently, the VPN will drop too. Enable the VPN’s auto-reconnect or always-on, so it reconnects automatically when internet resumes. ProtonVPN for example can auto-reconnect; Android’s Always-on helps too.
• Server issue: Sometimes a particular free server might be flaky (because many users on it). Try switching to a different free server location.
• App glitch: Make sure you’re on the latest version of the app. If issue persists, you could try contacting support or checking forums if others see it. Some free VPNs openly state “no 24/7 support for free users” but you can often find answers online.
• Also, note that if you run another app that uses a VPN profile (like Samsung Secure Wi-Fi or an ad-blocking DNS app), it might interfere.
• In many cases, toggling the “Always-on VPN” in Android settings can actually improve persistence.
• So to sum up: disable battery optimizations, use always-on, try different server, update app. Those steps fix 90% of disconnect issues with free VPNs.

What’s the catch with “free VPN without ads and unlimited” I found?

The catch is likely your data is being monetized in the background. As discussed, running VPN servers isn’t free – so if an app claims to be completely free, unlimited data, and no ads or upsell, they must be making money somehow. Typically:

• They could be collecting detailed analytics on your browsing and selling it (e.g. which sites you visit, how long, etc.). Essentially turning you into a product.
• They might use your device as an exit node (like Hola does), which is a risk.
• Or they are funded by something undisclosed (maybe government or investor – which raises trust issues).
  I would be extremely cautious. There are a couple of exceptions: for example, 1.1.1.1 by Cloudflare is a free unlimited “VPN” (actually a DNS resolver with WARP function) with no ads. But Cloudflare provides that as a way to promote internet privacy and they have enterprise services – so it’s not shady, and they have a clear privacy policy. Most others aren’t so philanthropic.
  So the old saying applies: If you’re not paying, assume you’re the product until proven otherwise. In our guide, we listed those that have “proven otherwise” by transparency and alternate revenue. If you found another that claims “no ads, no limits, no payments,” check who’s behind it and read independent reviews (likely you’ll find it on lists of VPNs to avoid if it’s bad).
  In summary, the catch is either hidden monetization or performance issues (maybe it’s slow or unreliable because they don’t invest in servers). Always do due diligence.

Is using a VPN legal in my country?

In most countries, yes, using a VPN is legal (US, Canada, UK, Germany, India, etc., all allow VPN use by law). We highlighted nuances for UAE (legal but not for illegal acts). There are a few countries where VPN use is heavily restricted or banned: for example China blocks many VPNs (only government-approved ones are officially allowed), Iran and Oman and Russia only allow approved (filtered) VPNs – using unapproved can be unlawful. Turkmenistan, North Korea outright ban it for citizens. If you are in those regions, using a VPN could carry risk. But the question likely comes from someone in a fairly open country. For Android users globally: check local laws, but for over 90% of countries, VPN usage for personal security is legal. (We gave citations: e.g. Surfshark’s guide shows countries like China, NK, Turkmenistan as the main illegal ones.) If unsure, a quick search like “Are VPNs legal in X” would help – as we did for the above country sections.
One extra example: China – technically unauthorized VPN use is prohibited, but many still use them quietly. However, free VPNs likely won’t work there due to the Great Firewall’s advanced blocking (you’d need stealth tech like Tor or advanced paid VPN with obfuscation).
So unless you’re in a very restrictive regime, using a VPN on your Android is perfectly legal – it’s your right to privacy. Just remember that any illegal activity you do is still illegal (VPN isn’t a license to commit crimes, and reputable VPNs will comply with law if there’s a valid court order and they have data – though top ones ensure they have no logs to share).

Hopefully that addresses the major questions! If you have more specific inquiries (like about a specific app’s behavior or combining VPN with other tools), feel free to ask.

If you found this guide useful and want to explore more, here are some relevant articles on our site:

Free VPNs for Android in 2025 are better than ever – while each has limits, you can mix-and-match to create a global, secure internet experience on your phone without spending a penny.

By choosing one of the top free VPNs we reviewed, you ensure you’re getting solid encryption and privacy from a trustworthy provider. Just keep in mind their limitations (data, speed, servers) and plan your usage accordingly. For many users casual browsers, students, travelers a combination of these free services might be all you need to stay safe and access information freely. And as your needs grow (say you start streaming daily or have multiple devices to cover), you can always upgrade to a paid plan with confidence, knowing which features matter thanks to testing the free tier.