A VPN, also known as a Virtual Private Network, enables you to connect to a different network while using the Internet securely. VPNs alter your IP address and encrypt your data traffic to make it seem like you are using a computer in another geographic location or time zone. Primarily, VPNs are used to access region-restricted websites, safely browse public wi-fi, and get around censorship in countries that limit internet access.
The Internet offers some great free VPN options, which I will talk a little bit about in this article. Many are limited in their data, download speed, and server locations. However, for being free, they all have their unique benefits and capabilities.
Here are just 5 of the many great options:
ProtonVPN:
ProtonVPN is a VPN provider that is based in Switzerland. It doesn’t limit data or have a speed cap, and you have access to 3 different servers, located in the Netherlands, Japan, and the United States. There is an upgraded version of ProtonVPN if you are interested in enhanced functions, like downloading torrents. However, the free version is also sufficient if you are looking for a safe and quick free VPN option.
Hide.me:
Hide.me has both a paid and free VPN option, and similarly to ProtonVPN, it allows you to access three separate servers free of charge. One is in the Netherlands, the other is in Canada, and the last one is in Singapore. Hide.me supports many operating systems, from Windows to Android, and can be used on just about every device. With this VPN, you are allowed to download torrents, as long as you stay within the limited data allowance.
SurfEasy:
SurfEasy is a robust VPN that is easy to install and incredibly user-friendly. It has a high-quality encryption and is available with Windows, Mac, Androids, and iOS. SurfEasy allows you to select from numerous VPN servers, specifically “Brazil, the US, Singapore, Great Britain, Germany, and Canada.”
Windscribe:
Windscribe is one of the best free VPNs if you are looking for connection speeds and download speeds. The software is also extremely user-friendly, and the apps are easy and quick to install. The free data limit is up to 10GB per month, which is higher than many of the other free options. It also provides 11 different servers across a range of countries and allows you to use it on as many devices as you would like.
TunnelBear:
The last VPN that I’ll mention is TunnelBear, a strong contender when you are looking for a reliable free VPN. It has a user-friendly interface, and installation is simple. Additionally, unlike many other options, the free version of TunnelBear does not put a cap on speed and allows you to choose from a wide variety of 20 servers. It is also one of the best free VPNs for online streaming and will enable you to access Hulu, Youtube, Netflix, and other streaming services quickly and efficiently. Its only downside is limited data, but that can be remedied by purchasing more data, or by sharing that you are using TunnelBear on Twitter, so they grant you more data.