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Image: Michael Crider/IDG
Whether you want extra security while using a public Wi-Fi network, or to get around geo-locked content on your favorite streaming services, the right free VPN for your Android device can help you do it without having to pay a cent.
The problem when looking for a good free VPN, though, is that there are a ton available on the Google Play Store and many aren’t trustworthy. So how do you determine which ones are worth your time? I’ve personally tested heaps of VPNs, both for PCs and Android devices, and have curated a list of the best free options you can feel confident in using. Check out my top picks below.
You can also check out my guide to the best VPNs covering multiple devices.
Proton VPN – Best free VPN for Android
Pros
- Unrivaled free plan
- Great privacy tools
- Reliable and transparent no-logs policy
Cons
- Premium plan is expensive
- Some minor unblocking issues
Price When Reviewed: From $3.59 per month
Who should use Proton VPN?
Proton VPN’s free version offers speed and excellent privacy, making it an easy choice for anyone who is looking to safeguard a single device. Other than the one-device limit, the free version of Proton VPN is practically a premium service.
It comes from a trustworthy, privacy-focused company that has undergone multiple successful audits of its no-logs policy. It serves no ads and you’ll be able to choose from five servers located all over the world including Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and the U.S. Plus, the best part is that there are no data limits, meaning you can surf and stream to your heart’s content without worrying about hitting a paywall. No data limits is reason enough to use Proton VPN; add in everything else and the competition for top spot isn’t even close.
Proton VPN’s free version even showed decent speeds in my tests, just going to show that this is the free VPN to use right now.
Proton VPN: Further considerations
The VPN is from the same company behind Proton Mail, a privacy-focused email service, so it’s very easy to integrate the VPN into the whole Proton ecosystem if that’s your thing — just be aware that not every other service is offered for free.
The company has undergone multiple independent audits confirming its no-logs policy including the free VPN, as well. If you decide to upgrade to the premium version the monthly price is a bit expensive, so I recommend trying out the free version first before upgrading.
Read our full Proton VPN review
PrivadoVPN – Best free VPN for Android runner-up
Pros
- Excellent free version
- Unblocks streaming services
- Based in privacy-friendly Switzerland
Cons
- No independent audit
- Smaller server network
- Feature set not as robust as some competitors
Price When Reviewed: $10.99
Who should use PrivadoVPN?
PrivadoVPN is a good option for just about any free VPN user. While I recommend either the paid or free plan, it’s the free version of the VPN that really stands out. With 13 global servers to choose from, a generous 10 simultaneous device-connection limit, and up to 10GB per month of high-speed data, you can’t really go wrong. In my testing I found that even the free servers were able to unblock streaming services — something that’s virtually unheard of with other free VPNs.
The decent amount of global servers to choose from and ability to unblock streaming services means you can use it to stream while traveling for free — just be careful as you’ll run up against the 10GB-per-month data limit quickly while streaming in HD.
The only reason I rated Proton VPN slightly higher is because it offers a truly unlimited free version. Not to take away too much from PrivadoVPN, though, as it is about as close as you’re going to get otherwise. The 10GB-per-month data cap only applies to high-speeds, after you reach the cap you’ll still be able to use the free VPN but with throttled speeds.
PrivadoVPN: Further considerations
Privacy-conscious users should also be aware that the company hasn’t yet completed an independent audit, but it does promise to abide by its no-logs policy for both the paid and free versions — you’ll just need to take its word for it.
Read our full PrivadoVPN review
Windscribe Pro – Best for multiple devices
Pros
- Good free plan
- Fast speeds
- Unlimited device connections
Cons
- Streaming unblocking is inconsistent
- Smaller server network than some competitors
Who should use Windscribe VPN?
Another solid choice for Android users is Windscribe VPN. You won’t get the unlimited data like you do with Proton VPN, but it makes up for that with unlimited simultaneous device connections and solid overall speeds. Data is capped at up to 10GB per month, which means you can browse to your heart’s content, but likely won’t be able to use it for any streaming services.
The free service offers 10 regional connections including the U.S., Canada, UK, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, and Romania. It also has a ton of privacy features such as blockers for site notifications and “we use cookies” banners, WebRTC leak protection, location spoofing, user agent rotation, and more.
Windscribe VPN: Further considerations
Windscribe Pro’s free Android VPN is best suited for those who need access across multiple devices. Watch out for the data limit though, as you can hit it pretty fast while using multiple devices.
The service is also extremely easy to use with a simple setup and solid performance for a free VPN. I not only recommend the Windscribe free service on its own, but also as an easy way to get to know the service before committing to a paid tier with premium features.
Read our full Windscribe Pro review
Hide.me – Best for no sign-up requirement
Pros
- Good download speeds
- Easy-to-use Windows app
- No-logs promise
Cons
- Speeds were inconsistent in our tests
- Expensive single year subscription
Who should use Hide.me?
Since Hide.me’s free version does not require a sign-up in order to use, it’s good for those who just need a VPN for simple, one-off tasks. Alternatively, if you’re concerned about privacy, not having to enter in any personal information is a huge plus as well.
Hide.me has pretty good speeds, and like Windscribe you’re limited to 10GB per month. Hide.me offers eight connection choices including locations in the U.S. locations, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands. The big draw for most users though will that it doesn’t require an account for signing up, making it seamless and easy to use for just about anyone.
Hide.me: Further considerations
Hide.me’s free version should mainly be used for one-off tasks that you want to do privately. The data cap and inconsistent speeds means it won’t be a viable option for streaming.
If you do decide to upgrade, Hide.me’s paid version comes with a tremendous number of customizable features and settings. It also becomes quite affordable when you opt for a long-term plan.
Read our full Hide.me review
AVG Secure – Best free trial
Pros
- 10 simultaneous device connections
Unblocks streaming services
Free 60-day trial
Cons
- Logs some user activity data
Not a lot of extra features
Long-term only subscription options
Price When Reviewed: $53.88 per year
Best Prices Today:
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Who should use AVG Secure VPN?
It might sound odd to include a free-trial option here, but AVG Secure VPN is a fine VPN service on its own and it provides a 60-day free trial for new users. That’s incredibly generous for a premium service — most other VPNs only offer one-week free trials at best. The free trial extends to all devices as well so you can use it on both your Windows machine as well as your Android device.
Most people looking for a free VPN for shorter-term use will stand to gain a lot from AVG Secure VPN’s free trial. But I think it’s an exceptional choice in particular for those who are traveling for awhile and need a VPN while abroad. By taking advantage of a premium service’s speeds and broad server network you can access all of your streaming content no matter what country you find yourself in and you shouldn’t have to worry about frustrating data caps from other free services. Stream and browse to your heart’s content for no cost — well, at least for 60 days.
AVG Secure VPN: Further considerations
AVG is a household name in security software and its VPN lives up to its high-standards. The free-trial gives you complete access to all of the paid features such as 10 simultaneous device connections, over 700 servers across more than 50 countries, and guaranteed streaming service unblocking with specific servers. While the speeds aren’t the fastest I’ve ever seen, they’re good enough for most general online activities. All-in-all, two months for free of AVG Secure VPN is a fantastic deal, just don’t forget to cancel the subscription before the free trial runs out.
Read our full AVG Secure review
Other free VPNs we liked
While we believe that the above VPNs are currently the best and most trustworthy, there are a few other services that deserve attention: Hide.me is a well-rounded service that ticks almost every box and the fantastic array of configurable settings make it a power-user’s dream. Hotspot Shield is another decent free option if you’re fine with only U.S.-based servers and a few ads. IPVanish offers a 7-day free trial for Android users to try out and the service nails all of the basics: good speeds, a large server network, and privacy promises backed up with independent audits.
I’m continuously evaluating new VPNs and reevaluating services I’ve already tested on a regular basis, so be sure to come back for more recommendations and to see what else we’ve put through their paces.
Can I get a better VPN deal?
Here at PCWorld, we are regularly hunting down the best VPN deals to help you get the most bang for your buck. VPN services frequently run deals throughout the year, so if you decide to upgrade from a free to premium tier, you should have a few chances to snag your favorite VPN on a steep discount if you can time it right.
While the prices for all VPNs on this list are updated daily, they do not account for special deals or offers. It’s best to keep checking our deals article to see what new limited-time discounts are on offer each week. Additionally, sales events such as Amazon Prime Day in mid-July and Black Friday at the end of November provide excellent opportunities to find even cheaper VPN deals.
How we test VPNs
We judge VPNs on a variety of criteria including server network, connection speeds, privacy protections, ease-of-use, additional features, and cost. For a more detailed guide on our evaluation process, check out PCWorld’s comprehensive guide on how we test VPN services.
Speed tests are kept as simple as possible. We average the connections between different global locations for any given VPN and then compare them to our baseline internet speed to get a good picture of the overall connection speeds.
We thoroughly research and analyze the privacy policies and histories of each VPN and note any outstanding discrepancies or data collection issues. Experience and ease-of-use are subjective, but we try our best to give an accurate representation of how it feels to work with the VPN. And finally, we compare the value of the service based upon its price and additional features to the industry average to help you gain an accurate picture of what you’ll get for your money.
Why you should trust PCWorld for VPN reviews and buying advice
Here at PCWorld we’ve been testing computer hardware, software, and services since the 1980s. As reviewers and users of PC hardware and software, we put every product through its paces using rigorous benchmarking and hands-on evaluation. We’d never recommend something we wouldn’t want for ourselves.
Who curated this article?
Sam Singleton is PCWorld’s VPN beat reporter and jack of all trades. When he’s not on the hunt for the best computer deals he’s covering VPNs, productivity software, laptops, and a wide gamut of consumer-grade hardware and software.
How to choose the best free VPN for Android
Choosing a free VPN is a question of weighing the trade-offs with each service. Do you want unlimited bandwidth, but a restriction on devices? Or is it preferable to have more devices but deal with a bandwidth limit? This applies not only to Android VPNs, but all free services in general. Here’s what to look for to help you make a confident choice:
Server network
One of the first things you should look for in a free Android VPN is the number of servers and locations. It’s difficult to judge any VPN by just one feature, but a semi-reliable way to tell if a VPN is even worth your time is to look at the server network. While premium services should have 1,000 or more total servers, free VPNs will provide a lot less. Look for something in the range of 8 to 10 total servers, preferably located in different countries around the world. If it has less, don’t worry too much, but make sure the your preferred country locations are available regardless.
Speed
The next thing to consider is a VPN’s speed. This may be tricky to do since you aren’t likely to be able to test connection speeds without paying to use the service. Reading reviews online will give you a general estimate. Look for reviews, like ours, that give you a relative average of connection speeds rather than direct Mbps speed comparisons, for a more accurate picture. Also, be sure to check if the free version comes with any speed restrictions.
Privacy
You’ll also want to read up on a VPN’s privacy protections. Does it have a no-logs policy? Has it undergone any independent audits of its servers? Where is the VPN company located? All of these will give you an idea of whether or not a VPN is transparent with its data collection policies and if it’s subject to government data sharing requirements.
Other factors to consider
One thing you definitely want to avoid is a VPN that is ad supported. Ads expose you to tracking by the company delivering said ads, which is something you don’t want. Also, stay away from any deal that suggests you can get a VPN by “sharing” your bandwidth like we saw with the Hola VPN scandal back in 2015. You also want to watch out for any VPNs with no name recognition, or that don’t have any official reviews by third-parties.
FAQ
1.
What is the best free VPN for Android?
Proton VPN is our pick for best free VPN overall. With the free version, you’ll get all of the same privacy and security benefits of the premium version, plus no monthly data limits and good speeds.
The only major drawback is that you’ll be limited to a few global servers, but there should be enough variety to access what you want.
2.
Are free VPNs safe?
Free VPNs have a bit of a bad rap as some have been used to exploit users with targeted ads and dubious privacy policies. Figuring out which services are reputable and which you should steer clear of can be challenging — especially so with mobile VPNs that come from the app store.
When we review VPNs here at PCWorld, we look closely at each service’s privacy policy and do in-depth research to determine if there’ve been any historical data sharing issues associated with the company.
The best free VPNs, such as those listed above, will have strict no-logs policies and back them up with third-party audits. Many of these details aren’t widely known, so if you’re unsure about a service’s track record or privacy policy commitments, be sure to check out our detailed reviews, or do a bit of research on your own before using a free VPN.
3.
Do free VPNs work with Netflix?
Netflix has a reputation for strongly combating VPN usage on its site. Sometimes, even with premium VPNs, it can be difficult to find servers that can unblock these types of streaming sites.
Free VPNs in particular can struggle to access streaming services such as Netflix due in part to their limited number of servers — more servers means more potential options to bypass blocks. Additionally, free VPNs often limit connection speeds or the amount of data for users, meaning streaming isn’t a viable option.
I recommend that if your main goal with a VPN is to access location-restricted content, then you opt for a premium VPN such as those in our list of best VPNs for Netflix. Otherwise, you might find it difficult with any free VPN to access streaming content.
4.
Is a free Android VPN any good?
If you’re looking to increase your privacy and security while surfing the web, then the right free VPN can be a perfectly viable solution. You may run into some performance issues with free VPNs due to their imposed limitations, though.
That being said, all of the free VPNs above are more than worth trying out, especially if your VPN needs are basic. Just make sure that you stick with a reputable provider such as those above, with strong privacy practices.
5.
What is a VPN?
VPNs create a secure tunnel between your PC and the internet. When you connect to a VPN your web traffic is routed through the chosen VPN server to make it appear as though you’re browsing from that server’s location, and not from your actual location. The VPN app will also encrypt your data so that any third parties such as your ISP can’t see your specific online activities. A VPN can be a great response to a variety of concerns, such as online privacy, anonymity, greater security on public Wi-Fi, and, of course, spoofing locations.
6.
Can I be tracked with a free VPN?
While a trustworthy free VPN will certainly offer you better privacy and security, neither it nor any other premium VPN can make you completely anonymous or keep you from being tracked entirely.
A VPN will keep your ISP, or that snooping third-party on your cafe Wi-Fi, from seeing your traffic, but there are a mind-boggling number of ways that other companies or sites track you across the internet. For example, when you sign into a website, your identity is still revealed to that website, VPN or not. Or when you log into your Gmail account while using a VPN, Google can now collect personalized cookies based on your browsing.
Author: Sam Singleton, Assistant Editor, PCWorld
Sam Singleton is PCWorld's VPN beat reporter and jack of all trades. When he's not on the hunt for the best computer deals he's covering VPNs, productivity software, laptops, and a wide gamut of consumer-grade hardware and software.
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