Free VPNs don’t compare well to paid ones. They almost always come with limited performance, small server networks, and restrictive data caps.
Worse still, some free apps can put your digital privacy and security at risk by logging your activity or selling your data to third parties. However, there are some good options out there.
We subject these free VPNs to the same rigorous lab benchmarks and real-world testing as every premium provider to ensure they meet our standards.
Below are the five best free VPNs according to our team. They are safe to use and are currently the only free services we recommend.
Alternatively, you can use a premium service for free by signing up for a 7-day free trial. We recommend Surfshark. It's ranked #2 in our best VPN guide. It's fast, secure, and the cheapest of the top five.
What is the best free VPN in 2026?
