10 Best Free VPNs for PC in 2026
Free VPNs that are worth trying on Windows — including unlimited-data options, free-forever plans, monthly data limits, privacy features and official download links.
10 Best Free VPNs for PC – Complete Guide
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, creates an encrypted connection between your device and a VPN server. People commonly use VPNs when they want additional privacy on public Wi-Fi, want to hide their normal IP address from websites, or need a secure connection while travelling.
The problem is that the phrase “free unlimited VPN” can be misleading. Some VPNs are free forever but limit monthly data, while others offer unlimited data but restrict server locations or other features.
We have therefore included both unlimited-data free VPNs and useful free plans with monthly allowances, so you can choose based on your actual needs.
Quick Comparison
| # | VPN | Free Data | Windows | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proton VPN | Unlimited | Yes | Best overall |
| 2 | hide.me | Unlimited | Yes | Privacy |
| 3 | Urban VPN | Unlimited* | Yes | Basic browsing |
| 4 | Windscribe | 10 GB/month | Yes | Features |
| 5 | PrivadoVPN | 10 GB/month | Yes | Everyday use |
| 6 | ZoogVPN | 10 GB/month | Yes | Occasional use |
| 7 | TunnelBear | 2 GB/month | Yes | Beginners |
| 8 | Speedify | 2 GB/month | Yes | Connection stability |
| 9 | RiseupVPN | Free | Yes | Privacy-focused users |
| 10 | VPN Gate | Free | Yes | Experimental/public VPN network |
*Free-plan terms can change. Check the provider’s official page before installation.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is one of the strongest choices if your main requirement is a free VPN without a monthly bandwidth quota. Its current Free plan provides unlimited bandwidth, is free forever and has apps for Windows, macOS, Linux and Chromebook.
The free plan automatically connects users to an available free server. Proton says the Free plan has no bandwidth restrictions, although free servers can become busy and affect speed.
Download Proton VPN for Windows →- Unlimited bandwidth
- Free forever
- No ads
- Windows application
- Kill switch
- Open-source and audited applications
hide.me VPN
hide.me is another strong option for users who specifically want a free VPN with unlimited data. The provider currently states that its free plan is free forever and has no bandwidth cap.
The main limitations are fewer server locations and one simultaneous connection. Premium users receive more locations and additional features.
Download hide.me for Windows →- Unlimited bandwidth
- No registration required for the free plan
- No ads or trackers
- Windows application
- Kill switch
- Split tunneling
Urban VPN
Urban VPN offers a free Windows VPN and advertises unlimited bandwidth. Its official Windows page says the service supports Windows 11, Windows 10 and older Windows versions.
Urban VPN is worth considering for simple browsing, but users should review the provider’s current privacy terms and free-plan conditions before using it for sensitive activities.
Download Urban VPN for Windows →Windscribe
Windscribe is a popular choice for people who want more controls than a basic free VPN. Its current free Windows plan provides 10 GB of data per month when the account has a confirmed email address, or 2 GB without one.
Windscribe includes features such as a firewall, split tunneling and multiple VPN protocols even on its free plan.
Download Windscribe for Windows →PrivadoVPN
PrivadoVPN provides a free Windows VPN plan with 10 GB of data every 30 days. The provider also offers free applications for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and other platforms.
For light browsing, occasional streaming and public Wi-Fi protection, 10 GB can be enough for many users.
Download PrivadoVPN for Windows →ZoogVPN
ZoogVPN’s free plan is advertised as free for life, but it is important to understand that it has a monthly bandwidth allowance. The current free plan provides up to 10 GB every 30 days.
This can be a useful option if you need VPN protection occasionally rather than running a VPN continuously.
Visit ZoogVPN Free →TunnelBear
TunnelBear is known for its simple interface and beginner-friendly design. Its current free account provides 2 GB of VPN data per month.
The free plan is better suited to testing the service, occasional browsing and light usage rather than heavy streaming or large downloads.
Get TunnelBear →Speedify
Speedify takes a different approach by focusing on connection stability and the ability to combine multiple internet connections. Its free tier currently provides 2 GB of data every month.
Speedify can be interesting for users who frequently switch between Wi-Fi and cellular or other connections and want a VPN service focused on reliability.
Visit Speedify →RiseupVPN
RiseupVPN is a free VPN project designed around privacy and open-source software. It provides applications for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android.
VPN Gate
VPN Gate is different from commercial VPN services. It is an academic experiment project associated with the University of Tsukuba in Japan and provides access to volunteer-operated VPN servers.
VPN Gate can be useful for experimentation and accessing a large public VPN server network. However, because servers are volunteer-operated, it should not be treated the same way as a conventional commercial privacy VPN.
Visit VPN Gate →Which Free VPNs Are Actually Unlimited?
This is the most important part of the comparison because many articles incorrectly call every free VPN “unlimited.”
Windscribe and PrivadoVPN are free for ongoing use but have monthly data allowances. TunnelBear and Speedify are also free options, but their free tiers are much smaller.
Free Forever vs Unlimited Data
These two terms are not the same.
Free Forever
A service can remain available without a subscription indefinitely while still limiting how much data you can use each month.
Unlimited Data
Unlimited data means the provider does not impose a stated monthly or daily bandwidth quota on that free plan.
How to Install a Free VPN on Windows PC
Step 1: Choose a VPN
Pick a provider from the list above based on your data requirements.
Step 2: Use the Official Website
Always download the Windows application from the VPN provider’s official website. Avoid random download sites and modified installers.
Step 3: Install the Application
Download the Windows installer, open it and follow the installation instructions.
Step 4: Sign In if Required
Some VPNs require a free account while others allow limited use without registration.
Step 5: Connect
Open the VPN application, select an available location and click the Connect button.
Are Free VPNs Safe?
A free VPN is not automatically safe simply because it has a large number of downloads.
Before installing any VPN, check the provider’s privacy policy, reputation, security documentation and the permissions requested by the application.
- Download from the official provider website.
- Do not install modified VPN applications.
- Check the provider’s logging policy.
- Keep the VPN application updated.
- Use a kill switch when the provider offers one.
- Do not assume a VPN makes you completely anonymous.
- For banking and other sensitive accounts, use normal security practices such as strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
What a VPN Does NOT Do
A VPN is useful, but it is not a complete security solution.
- A VPN does not make you completely anonymous.
- A VPN does not automatically protect you from malware.
- A VPN does not make every website safe.
- A VPN cannot guarantee access to every streaming service.
- A VPN can sometimes reduce connection speed.
- A VPN does not replace antivirus or good account security.
Can Free VPNs Be Used for Netflix and Streaming?
Sometimes, but there is no guarantee.
Streaming services frequently detect and block known VPN server addresses. Free VPN plans also tend to have fewer locations and more crowded servers.
If streaming is your main requirement, check the provider’s current terms instead of assuming that a free VPN will unblock every service.
Can You Use a Free VPN for Gaming?
Yes, but a VPN does not automatically improve ping.
If the VPN server is far away from your location, latency can increase. For gaming, choose a nearby server and compare your ping with and without the VPN.
Our Final Ranking
- Proton VPN — Best free unlimited-data option
- hide.me — Excellent unlimited-data alternative
- Urban VPN — Good for basic free Windows browsing
- Windscribe — Feature-rich 10 GB free plan
- PrivadoVPN — Good everyday free option
- ZoogVPN — Free forever with a 10 GB allowance
- TunnelBear — Very beginner-friendly
- Speedify — Good for connection stability
- RiseupVPN — Privacy-focused free project
- VPN Gate — Interesting academic/public VPN network
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Verdict: Which Free VPN Should You Choose?
If your main priority is unlimited free data, start with Proton VPN. Its current Free plan has no bandwidth restriction and supports Windows.
If you want another unlimited-data option, hide.me is worth considering. For users who are comfortable with a monthly allowance, Windscribe and PrivadoVPN offer useful free plans with 10 GB of monthly data under their current terms.
For light or occasional use, TunnelBear and Speedify can also be useful. ZoogVPN is another free-forever option, but its free plan has a 10 GB monthly allowance.
VPN plans can change over time, so this guide should be checked periodically and the official provider pages should always be treated as the final source for current download and plan information.
Official VPN Websites
For safety, use the official provider websites rather than third-party download sites.
