Best Free VPN for 2024: Affordable Risk-Free Privacy

Proton VPN's free tier is the only truly free VPN we've encountered that's worth using. True, it lacks support for torrenting and doesn't include all the bells and whistles as its paid subscriptions, but Proton VPN's free tier is secure and doesn't put limits on speed, data or usage time as most other free VPNs do. Proton VPN doesn't track you or serve you ads like other free VPNs do. We were even able to access Netflix using Proton VPN's free servers. Free users get access to servers in three countries (US, Netherlands and Japan) and can connect one device at a time. 

All of its apps across platforms are fully open-source and are routinely audited by third-party cybersecurity professionals. Proton VPN has all the standard security features you'd expect from any VPN provider worth its salt, including a kill switch, DNS leak protection and AES 256-bit encryption included on its free tier. Paid subscribers get additional security protections like an ad/malware blocker, access to Secure Core servers, Tor over VPN and a stealth protocol to help cloak the VPN connection and bypass firewalls. Proton VPN's paid plans cost $72 per year or $10 per month and include access to servers in 69 countries and support for 10 simultaneous connections. Paid plans also include a 30-day, money-back guarantee.

Pros:

Thanks to its overall performance and impressive security, ExpressVPN is our current Editors' Choice VPN. Like NordVPN, Express doesn't have a standard trial period, but it does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. It also currently has an offer for three months free, or 15 months for the price of 12. This is the best VPN for providing strong data protection through best-in-class encryption. There is one caveat: If you sign up for ExpressVPN by downloading the app on an iOS or Android device, you'll be offered a seven-day free trial there. This only works in certain countries, including the US. It works on all kinds of operating systems.

Surfshark boasts an impressive suite of privacy and security features, unlimited simultaneous connections, an easy-to-use interface and an expansive global network. We're particularly interested in the rollout of its Nexus network, whose Dynamic MultiHop, IP Randomizer and IP Rotator functions can give you a few extra layers of protection while you use the VPN. Surfshark's significantly cheaper price earned it CNET's Editors' Choice for Best Value VPN. Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial if downloaded through the App Store or Google Play store. Like ExpressVPN and sister company NordVPN, Surfshark also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

NordVPN is a die-hard heavy-hitter and one of the most recognized brands in the virtual private network field. Its two-year plan costs more than Surfshark but less than Express, and it has an enormous network of servers that's constantly getting faster and more secure. It's also easily the most reliable and best freemium VPN we've tested.

While NordVPN doesn't have an "official" free trial, it does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. That means you can try it out for a full month and simply request a full refund before your 30 days are up. You just need to remember to cancel your account before your free trial period is over. You can get a seven-day free trial of NordVPN's app for Android if you sign up through the Google Play Store.