Top 3 Best Free VPN Programs

Internet Software
July 15, 2021
0

VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a service that provides greater security and privacy when using the Internet. It is used by installing a program on your computer that allows you to access a private and secure network. If you want to learn in more detail what a VPN is and what its advantages and disadvantages are, read our post VPN – advantages and shortcomings.

As with most programs today, VPN programs come in a premium and free version. However, the difference between VPNs and most other programs is that VPNs deal with security. Since companies somehow have to cover the cost of the service, the question is how do they make money, especially when we are talking about the free version.

Unfortunately, the answer is not encouraging. Free services often limit the speed at which you surf the Internet, the amount of Internet traffic you can use (similar to mobile phones), the number of servers, and they display advertisements within the client. The worst thing is that there are companies that sell users’ personal data and thus completely destroy the purpose of the VPN.

This is why more than half of users use the paid version, so depending on your needs and expectations, you should keep this in mind. However, there are free VPN programs that perform their function quite well. They all come with certain limitations, but we believe they will meet the needs of most users. This is our top list of the 3 best free VPN programs.

ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a free program for Windows 7, 8, 10, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. The main feature that stands out is its unlimited use. This means that there are no restrictions on the amount of internet traffic you can spend. This is very unusual for this type of program, which you will see when you look at the rest of our list.

There are three servers to which you can set your location: America, Japan, and the Netherlands. It contains all the features we expect, as well as some that we mostly only see in paid versions, such as DNS leak protection. One option we liked was the ability to automatically connect to a VPN when the computer starts up.

The main problem with ProtonVPN is the speed when you use it. Users who have paid for the premium version are favored. For free users, especially when the internet is used the most, the speed will be lower and the connection will sometimes be unstable. The company behind ProtonVPN openly points out that a premium version is necessary for streaming.

Despite this limitation, in our opinion, this is the best free VPN service. Due to its limited speed, it is not suitable for games, but for other activities, especially downloading, it is great. The fact that there are no ads is just the icing on the cake.

Platform:
Windows 7, 8, 10, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS

To download ProtonVPN click HERE.

Hotspot Shield VPN

The premium version of Hotspot Shield VPN is one of the most popular and fastest VPN services on the market, so it is no wonder that the free version is so popular. Hotspot Shield VPN can be used in Windows 7, 8, 10, macOS, Android, and iOS.

What makes Hotspot Shield VPN stand out is its security. The encryption algorithm it uses is military-grade, among the best, and available in a free version. The program itself is very easy to use, so it is great for beginners. Most of the options, which you have to pay for in other programs, are free here.

However, there are limitations. First and foremost, you can spend 500 MB a day. This may sound restrictive, but when we compare it with other services, it is more than most offer. Another limitation is that you cannot choose where your location will be. A random location in America will be selected automatically. There are also advertisements, and the speed is limited to 2 Mbps.

Hotspot Shield VPN has a lot more restrictions than ProtonVPN, so we believe ProtonVPN is a better option for most users. However, if security is the most important aspect for you, Hotspot Shield VPN is definitely the best free option.

Platform:
Windows 7, 8, 10, macOS, Android, and iOS

To download Hotspot Shield VPN click HERE.

Windscribe

The developers of Windscribe are obviously proud of the free version of this program, and we admit that we agree with them. Windscribe can be used on Windows 7, 8, 10, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

The main limitation is that you only get 2 GB per month, with the option to increase it to 10 GB if you give the company your email address. You can set your location to one of 11 servers, 8 of which are located in the United States. In addition to desktop and mobile applications, there is also an extension for Google Chrome, so it is very easy to use inside the browser.

Windscribe does not remember your IP address or the websites you visited. When you are connected to the server, only your username and the amount of data consumed are remembered, and this is deleted three minutes after you disconnect. In addition to this, it also has a built-in ad blocker, firewall, and malware protection.

As with most free VPN services, speed can be a problem, especially when the internet traffic is high. Despite this, Windscribe is a great VPN provider, especially if you don’t mind sharing your email address with the company.

Platform:
Windows 7, 8, 10, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS

To download Windscribe click HERE.