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Best free VPN services to use in 2018

Hailey Avatar By: Hailey | Last updated February 10, 2020

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If you’re reading this article, then you probably know about the advantages of using a VPN. Maybe you are trying to access geo-blocked content, you want to be able to use torrents in peace, you want to hide your identity and protect yourself while browsing the Internet, or maybe you want all of those things. A good VPN service can help you with all of the above and more.

But if this is the first time you’re thinking about using a VPN, you may have your doubts and want to test before you buy. Or maybe you just want to know what your free options are.

Disadvantages of using a free VPN

Before we give you a list with best free VPN services you can try, you should know the main disadvantages of using a free VPN:

  • They come with bandwidth limits: most if not all free VPNs limit the amount of data. Whether it is 500MB/month or 2GB, it is still a frustrating issue
  • They are not as secure as paid VPNs. Even though the main purpose of a VPN is to protect your online security, studies show that a lot of free VPN services contain malware
  • A lot of free VPN providers track your data and sell it to third parties for profit
  • Free VPNs are full of annoying ads
  • Free VPNs aren’t that good at unblocking Netflix and other geo-restricted content

All disadvantages aside, free VPNs can be a useful thing if you just need such a service in a specific situation or if you just want to see what a VPN can do, because you’re new to the whole idea. And the best thing about them is that you can always upgrade to a paid version if the free VPN doesn’t do it for you anymore.

So, without further ado, here are some of the best free VPNs you can find in 2018:

TunnelBear.  TunnelBear is one of the most reputable and reliable free VPNs out there. The company has more than 1,700 servers in 20 countries and offers a free plan. Its only drawback is the fact that it has a bandwidth limit of 500MB/month. Other than that, TunnelBear is easy to use, has mobile apps and a very user-friendly interface. TunnelBear was acquired by McAfee this year.

Windscribe. Windscribe has over 600 servers in over 50 countries, although users who opt for the free plan only have access to 10 countries. The free plan has a bandwidth limit of 2GB/month, but if you are willing to provide an e-mail address, the limit is 10GB/month. Windscribe is impressive in terms of speed and also includes a firewall.

Hotspot Shield. It has a user-friendly interface, it is easy to set up and has client apps for macOS, iOS, Android and Windows. As a free user you can connect to their servers in 25 countries. There is a more generous data limit, although it has some tricky terms that might not be to everyone’s liking. You get 15GB/month, but you can only use a maximum of 500MB/day. If you go past that amount, you have to wait until the next day to be able to use more. One annoying thing about the free plan offered by Hotspot Shield are the aggressive ads.

ProtonVPN.  This VPN has a very irresistible free plan in that it comes with unlimited data. The interface is really user-friendly and you get client software for macOS, Windows and Android. It also works with iOS if you use third-party apps. On the downside, the free plan is really disappointing when it comes to speed and it limits you to only 3 server locations.

Hide.me. The free plan includes 2GB/month and limits you to just 3 server locations (Netherlands, Canada and Singapore). However, the free plan comes with a no-logs policy and the speed is also decent.

 

If you have tried out all the free VPNs that we have listed here and are still wanting more take a look at our reviews of the best paid VPNS available online right now. We have chosen ExpressVPN as our industry leader so just take a read of our ExpressVPN Review here. 

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