In this guide, we’ll navigate the world of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), crucial tools for online privacy and security. A VPN is a service that creates a secure, encrypted connection over the internet, making it appear as though your online activity is coming from a different location. With so many options, finding the best free VPN for a PC can seem tough. We’ll explore the top free VPNs of 2024, including their features, strengths, and limitations. In addition, we will also recommend the best-paid VPN options alongside their attributes. Let’s get started.
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1) Best Overall Free VPN: PrivadoVPN Free
PrivadoVPN Free is a standout in the realm of free VPNs, earning the title of Best Overall Free VPN. It offers a generous 10GB data allowance that caters to most casual users’ needs. This data limit is more than enough for regular browsing, email checking, and even some light streaming.
One of the unique features of PrivadoVPN is the ability to connect multiple devices for free, a rare feature among free VPNs. This makes PrivadoVPN an excellent choice for families or individuals with multiple devices, ensuring all your devices are protected without any additional cost.
PrivadoVPN also excels in content accessibility. It unblocks popular streaming services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer, providing you with a world of content at your fingertips. This is a significant advantage for those who love to stream but are restricted by their location.
However, it’s worth noting that speeds are throttled after you use your 10GB. This could impact streaming or large downloads, but for most casual browsing, the speed should be sufficient.
Pros:
- Generous 10GB data allowance
- Allows multiple device connections
- Unblocks popular streaming services
- Good speeds until the data limit is reached
- Committed to user privacy, it does not log or sell user data to third parties.
2) Best for Free (Almost) Unlimited Browsing: ProtonVPN Free
ProtonVPN Free is another strong contender, particularly for those concerned about security. It offers unlimited data – a rarity among free VPNs – along with strong security features and a strict no-logs policy, ensuring your online activities stay private. This makes it the Best for Free (Almost) Unlimited Browsing.
However, the free plan is somewhat limited in terms of server access, with only three countries (United States, Netherlands, and Japan) available. This could impact speed and the ability to bypass geo-restrictions. Despite this limitation, the unlimited data and strong security features make ProtonVPN a solid choice for those who prioritize privacy and unrestricted browsing.
Pros:
- Unlimited data
- Strong security features
- Strict no-logs policy
- Servers in three countries
- With a strict no-logs policy, it does not track or sell user activity to third parties.
3) Best for Free Location Spoofing: Windscribe Free
Windscribe Free is a solid choice for those looking for a balance between data allowance and security, making it the Best for Free Location Spoofing. It provides a generous 10GB of data per month, which should be more than enough for casual browsing, social media, and light streaming.
Like ProtonVPN, Windscribe also offers strong security features and a strict no-logs policy, ensuring your online privacy is maintained. This means that your online activities are not tracked or recorded, providing peace of mind when browsing.
However, Windscribe does limit you to a single device connection, which may not suit users who wish to protect multiple devices. Despite this limitation, its generous data allowance and strong security features make it a worthy contender in the realm of free VPNs.
Pros:
- Generous 10GB data allowance
- Strong security features
- A strict no-logs policy prioritizes user privacy by not logging or sharing user data with third parties.
- Single device connection
4) Best for Free US-Based Browsing: Hide.me Free
Hide.me Free is a solid choice for those who prioritize security and server selection in their VPN, making it the Best for Free US-Based Browsing. It offers a free plan with 2GB of data per month, which should suffice for light browsing and email checking.
The ability to connect to one device at a time is standard among free VPNs. However, Hide.me stands out with its good selection of servers in several countries, providing more options for bypassing geo-restrictions. This means you can access content that may be blocked in your current location.
Hide.me also offers strong security features, ensuring your online activities remain private. This makes it a great choice for those who prioritize privacy and security in their VPN.
Pros:
- 2GB data allowance
- Good selection of servers
- Strong security features
- Single device connection
- Ensures no collection or sale of user data to third parties through its zero-log policy.
5) Best for Free (Almost) Unlimited Browsing: Hotspot Shield Free
Hotspot Shield Free is unique in the realm of free VPNs, offering unlimited data, a feature rarely seen. This makes it an attractive option for heavy internet users, earning it the title of Best for Free (Almost) Unlimited Browsing. Whether you’re streaming, downloading, or just browsing, Hotspot Shield has you covered.
However, it does come with a catch – you’re forced to watch ads when you’re not connected. This could be a minor inconvenience for some, but it’s a small price to pay for unlimited data. Additionally, speeds are throttled on the free plan, which can impact activities like streaming or large downloads. Despite these limitations, its unlimited data offering makes it a strong contender.
Pros:
- Unlimited data
- Suitable for heavy internet users
- Forced to watch ads when not connected
- Speeds are throttled on the free plan
- Does not retain long-term user activity logs, preventing data sales to third parties.
6) Best for Casual VPN Use: TunnelBear Free
TunnelBear Free is a good option for casual VPN use. It offers 500MB of data per month with a single connection. While the data limit is very small, it’s sufficient for occasional browsing or checking emails, making it the Best for Casual VPN Use.
TunnelBear’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to use, even for VPN beginners. Its strong security features ensure your online activities are kept private, providing peace of mind when browsing the web.
Pros:
- 500MB data allowance
- User-friendly interface
- Strong security features
- Single device connection
- Adheres to a no-logs policy, avoiding the collection or sale of user browsing information
- Grizzly-grade security: TunnelBear uses AES-256 encryption by default.
- A VPN you can trust: No logging policy, and routine security audits
- 24/7 support: Friendly in-house tech team on hand to help answer your questions.
- Engineered for speed: Global server network optimized to let you stream and surf quickly.
7) Best for Trustworthiness: Avira Phantom VPN Lite
Avira Phantom VPN Lite is a product of Avira, a reputable security company known for its antivirus software. This lends a level of trustworthiness to the VPN that is often lacking in free options, making it the Best for Trustworthiness.
This free VPN offers 500MB of data per month. While this may seem small, it should suffice for very light internet use such as occasional browsing or checking emails. This makes it a good option for users who only need a VPN for minimal online activities.
Despite the data limit, Avira Phantom VPN Lite generally offers good speeds. This is a plus for those who value performance, ensuring a smooth and efficient browsing experience even with the data limit.
While Avira Phantom VPN Lite may not be the best VPN for heavy internet users or those looking for a free VPN for Chrome with a larger data allowance, its strong security features make it a good option. These features ensure your online activities remain private, providing peace of mind when browsing the web.
The reputation of Avira as a trusted security company further enhances the appeal of this VPN. Users can feel confident in the knowledge that their online activities are being protected by a reliable and reputable provider.
Pros:
- 500MB data allowance
- Good speeds despite data limit
- Strong security features
- Backed by a reputable security company
- Collects minimal data strictly for operational purposes, not for sale to third parties.
![Avira Phantom VPN Pro 2018 | 1 User | 1 Year Unlimited [Online Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61dmK6UI0SL._AC_.jpg)
- VPN for your Windows, Mac OSX, iPhone, Android Smartphone and Android Tablet devices with NO monthly bandwidth limitations
- Nobody can pinpoint your location, track your Internet activities, or see where and when you're surfing
- Every piece of data you transmit over unsecured networks is encrypted, your IP address is masked, and geo-location restrictions are remove
- Enjoy your favorite streaming sites free from restrictions, and surf securely and privately
- Automatic protection when on unsecured WiFi networks and public hotspots
Important things to consider when choosing a free VPN:
A) Data Limits: Most free VPNs have data limitations. Consider how much data you typically use per month and choose a VPN that offers enough data to meet your needs.
B) Server Locations: Free VPNs often have a limited number of server locations. This can be a problem if you want to access content that is geo-restricted to a specific country.
C) Speed: Free VPNs can be slower than paid VPNs. This is because they have fewer servers and are often overcrowded.
D) Security: Make sure the free VPN you choose uses strong encryption and has a no-logs policy. This will help to protect your privacy and security.
And given some of these limitations, is there such a thing as a free VPN?
The answer is yes, there are free Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) available. These VPNs provide basic features such as data encryption and IP masking, which can help protect your online activities from prying eyes. However, free VPNs often come with limitations such as data caps, fewer server locations, and slower speeds compared to their paid counterparts.
While they can be a good starting point for casual internet users or those on a budget, for more comprehensive coverage and better performance, a paid VPN is often recommended. It’s also important to choose a reputable VPN provider to ensure your online privacy and security
It is important to note that free VPNs may not be the best option for everyone. If you need a VPN for heavy streaming or frequent file downloads, a paid VPN is a better option. Paid VPNs typically offer more data, faster speeds, and more server locations. and that this effect, here is a list of the top VPNs for PCs in 2024
The Top VPNs For PCs In 2024
1) Editor’s Choice: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is often considered the best VPN for a variety of needs, earning it the title of Editor’s Choice. It consistently excels in speed, security, and ease of use, making it perfect for everything from casual browsing to torrenting.
ExpressVPN is known for its fast and reliable connections, ensuring a smooth and efficient online experience. Whether you’re casually browsing the web, streaming your favorite shows, or downloading files, ExpressVPN ensures your activities are quick and uninterrupted.
In terms of security, ExpressVPN offers top-notch features to protect your privacy and secure your data. It uses strong encryption to keep your data safe from prying eyes, ensuring your online activities remain private.
Whether you’re looking to protect your privacy, bypass geo-restrictions, or secure your data while torrenting, ExpressVPN is a reliable and efficient choice. It offers a comprehensive solution for all your VPN needs.
Pros:
- Fast and reliable connections
- Strong security features
- Easy to use
- Ideal for a variety of needs, from browsing to torrenting
- Upholds a no-logs policy, not collecting or storing any user activity data
- World-class VPN protection that moves with you. Exclusively developed by ExpressVPN, Aircove Go is a portable Wi-Fi 6 router with built-in VPN (when used with an active ExpressVPN subscription, sold separately). So in every new hotel room, holiday rental, or co-working space, you’ll enjoy the performance and stability you’re used to having at home. Aircove Go comes with a 30-day free ExpressVPN trial for new users, no credit card required.
- Protect everything, everywhere, all at once. Just connect your Aircove Go and you’ll enjoy internet access and VPN protection on all your family's phones, tablets, and streaming devices. Once connected, your devices will automatically remember and rejoin the network—even if you move from place to place. No more signing in on each device one by one, or managing separate VPN apps.
- Hassle-free connectivity and portability: Aircove Go fits in the palm of your hand but packs a punch. It’s powered by USB-C and can connect to the internet via another Wi-Fi network, not just Ethernet. It's trusted security without the headache.
- The tiniest and mightiest VPN router on the market. Advanced protection features let you block display ads and trackers and shield your kids from explicit content online. Get dual-band Wi-Fi speeds of up to 1,200 Mbps, access next-gen servers in 105 countries, and even connect to multiple VPN locations at once!
- This version of Aircove Go only ships to the U.S. & Canada. If you’re not in the U.S. or Canada, you can get our international version of Aircove Go. Both versions are functionally the same.
2) Best Overall VPN: NordVPN
NordVPN is often touted as the Best Overall VPN. It’s known for its robust security features, including double encryption and a strict no-logs policy, ensuring your online activities remain private.
NordVPN stands out for its strong security features. It uses double encryption to ensure your data is thoroughly protected, and it has a strict no-logs policy, meaning it doesn’t track or record your online activities.
In addition to its strong security, NordVPN also provides a seamless online experience. Whether you’re streaming your favorite shows or torrenting files, NordVPN ensures your activities are smooth and uninterrupted.
With its robust security features and excellent performance, NordVPN is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and secure VPN solution.
Pros:
- Robust security features, including double encryption
- Strict no-logs policy: Committed to user privacy with a strict no-logs policy, not storing user data.
- Great for streaming and torrenting
- Reliable and efficient
- Defend the whole household. Keep NordVPN active on up to 6 devices at once or secure the entire home network by setting up VPN protection on your router. Compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, Android, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and others.
- Stop common online threats. Scan new downloads for malware and viruses, avoid dangerous links, block intrusive ads, and more. It's a great way to protect your data and devices without the need to invest in additional antivirus software.
- Protect your personal details. NordVPN stops others from easily intercepting your data and stealing valuable personal information while you browse.
- Get alerts when your data leaks. Our Dark Web Monitor will warn you if your account details are spotted in underground hacker sites, letting you take action early.
- Make public Wi-Fi safe to use. Work, browse, play safely at your local cafe, your hotel room, or the airport lounge.
3) Best Budget VPN: Surfshark
Surfshark is the Best Budget VPN, offering high-quality service at a competitive price. It stands out in the crowded VPN market with its affordable pricing, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a budget-friendly VPN solution.
One of the standout features of Surfshark is that it allows unlimited connections. This is a rare feature among VPNs, making it a great choice for families or individuals with multiple devices. Whether you’re using a laptop, smartphone, or tablet, Surfshark has you covered.
In terms of security, Surfshark offers strong features to protect your online activities. It uses robust encryption and follows a strict no-logs policy, ensuring your data remains private and secure.
Surfshark also excels in performance. It offers excellent speeds for both streaming and torrenting, ensuring a smooth and seamless online experience. With Surfshark, a budget VPN doesn’t have to compromise on quality.
Pros:
- Affordable pricing
- Allows unlimited connections
- Strong security features
- Excellent performance for streaming and torrenting
- Follows a no-logs policy, ensuring no collection of user online activity.
4) Best Free VPN with Paid Tiers: ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is the Best Free VPN with Paid Tiers. Its free tier provides unlimited data, a feature that is rare among free VPNs. This makes it an excellent choice for those who need a VPN for heavy internet use.
However, the free tier does come with some limitations. While it provides unlimited data, the number of server locations is limited. This could impact the user experience, particularly when it comes to speed and the ability to bypass geo-restrictions.
The paid options of ProtonVPN offer more features and server locations, providing a powerful solution for those who need more from their VPN. Whether you’re looking for a free VPN for Chrome or a paid VPN, ProtonVPN offers a range of options to suit your needs.
Pros:
- Free tier offers unlimited data
- Paid options provide more features and server locations
- Strong security features
- Suitable for heavy internet use
- With a strict no-logs policy, it does not track or sell user activity to third parties.
5) Best VPN for Beginners: CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost VPN is the Best VPN for Beginners. It features a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for those new to VPNs to navigate. This intuitive design removes the complexity often associated with VPNs, making it an ideal choice for beginners.
In addition to its user-friendly interface, CyberGhost VPN also offers strong security. It uses robust encryption methods to protect your data and maintain your online privacy. This ensures that your online activities are kept private and secure from prying eyes.
CyberGhost VPN also offers a variety of server locations. This allows you to bypass geo-restrictions and access content that may be blocked in your current location. Whether you’re looking to stream foreign films or access international news sites, CyberGhost VPN makes it possible.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Strong security features
- Variety of server locations
- Ideal for beginners
- Operates with a no-logs policy, not tracking or storing user behavior online.
6) Excellent Speeds and Security: PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN stands out for its Excellent Speeds and Security. It offers exceptional speeds, making it a great choice for activities like streaming and torrenting. With PrivateVPN, you can enjoy your favorite content without worrying about buffering or slow download speeds.
Alongside its impressive speeds, PrivateVPN also boasts strong security features. It uses robust encryption methods to ensure your online activities remain private. This means you can browse, stream, and download with peace of mind, knowing your data is secure.
Whether you’re a casual browser or a heavy internet user, PrivateVPN is a well-rounded VPN option that doesn’t compromise on speed or security. Remember, while free VPNs can offer many benefits, a paid VPN like PrivateVPN is often more reliable and offers better performance and more features.
Pros:
- Exceptional speeds
- Strong security features
- Suitable for streaming and torrenting
- Reliable and high-performing
- Adheres to a no-logs policy, not logging any user traffic or service usage.
7) Generous Free Plan with Paid Options: Windscribe
Windscribe is known for its Generous Free Plan with Paid Options. The free plan offers a decent amount of data, making it a good choice for light to moderate internet users. This data allowance should be sufficient for regular browsing, social media usage, and even some light streaming.
One of the standout features of Windscribe is its focus on security. It prioritizes keeping your online activities private, using robust encryption methods to protect your data from prying eyes. This ensures that your browsing habits, personal information, and online communications remain private and secure.
For those who need more from their VPN, Windscribe’s paid plans provide more features and server locations. This offers a more comprehensive solution, allowing you to bypass more geo-restrictions, enjoy faster speeds, and benefit from additional security features.
Whether you’re looking for a free VPN for Chrome or a paid VPN, Windscribe offers a range of options to suit your needs. It caters to a variety of users, from casual browsers to heavy internet users, ensuring everyone can enjoy a secure and private online experience.
Remember, while free VPNs can offer many benefits, a paid VPN is often more reliable and offers better performance and more features. So, if you’re a heavy internet user or require more advanced features, a paid plan from Windscribe could be worth considering.
Pros:
- Decent data allowance on the free plan
- Prioritizes security
- Paid plans offer more features and server locations
- Suitable for light to moderate internet users
- Reliable and high-performing
- Prioritizes user privacy by not logging or sharing user data with third parties.
Things to consider when choosing a VPN for PC:
A) Price: Ranges from free to around $15 per month. Decide on your budget before choosing.
B) Features: Consider features important to you, like strong security, bypassing geo-restrictions, or a no-logs policy.
C) Speed: Best VPNs have minimal impact on your internet connection speed.
D) Ease of Use: Choose a VPN that’s easy to set up and use
Tags: Best Free VPN For PC best vpn free vpn free vpn chrome paid vpn VPN
