The most reliable free VPN applications are ones that don’t pile on restrictions and limits to try to push you to upgrade. Proton VPN Free, for instance, is at the top of my list, because it provides a great combination of features and power, as well as app quality that doesn’t limit data usage or display ads. The dedicated geoblocking team makes it one of the very few free options infrastructure security to consistently remove Netflix or BBC iPlayer. In contrast to other free providers it doesn’t lose essential privacy features such as kill switch, WireGuard, or content blocking.

Other top free vpn apps include TunnelBear, which offers beginner-friendly applications and offers good speeds while letting you use 2GB of data per month. Its data collection policy, however it is alarming. It logs regions, browsing activities, and other details which could expose you to online surveillance. Psiphon is another option that is popular provides more threatening data such as timestamped browsing activities and device data, and also shares user data with commercial partners.

Another great option for free is CyberGhost, which has an easy-to-use application and simple navigation. Its “Best server location” feature automatically picks the most efficient connection for your location and you can also expand it to pick one specific country. Its security is also impressive with leak-proofing in full RAM-only servers, as well as perfect forward secrecy. It also has a zero-logs audited security policy and a robust tracker blocker. The only downside is that it only supports one device at the time.