There are many free VPN services available for Windows users. Some are better than others, but all of them will provide you with a way to browse the web privately and securely. When choosing a free VPN for Windows, make sure to pick one that doesn’t keep logs of your activity and that has a good reputation.
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a service that encrypts and tunnels your internet traffic through an intermediary server. A VPN can be used to hide your IP address and make it appear as if you are accessing the internet from another location. A VPN can also be used to bypass geographic restrictions and censorship. There are many free VPN services available, but not all of them are trustworthy. This article will list the best free VPNs for Windows.
Most people believe that they have to pay for a VPN service in order to keep their data and web browsing private. However, there are plenty of free VPN services out there that provide the same level of security and privacy as paid services. Windows VPN free is one of the best free VPN providers available. With military-grade encryption and a strict no-logs policy, your data will be safe with Windows VPN free.
Free VPN services make their living by selling your information to third parties, even in cases where they are indeed responsible. Regardless of this, they often provide you with a lesser level of protection than dedicated options. If you use Windows VPN software, there are a lot of inherent threats to your online presence, even to the point that Microsoft collects a lot of your personal data.
After scanning more than 70 totally free downloaded VPNs, we chose only the best for Windows 10 so they could shield your devices from hackers and cybercrime. Every totally free VPN has its challenges, like a small server network, slow speeds, and restricted security features. Notwithstanding, we’ll be able to highlight some of the best free VPNs for Windows.
The best VPN I tested was ExpressVPN. I was in search of 100 totally free VPNs, but they didn’t have any kind of pricing restrictions like free VPNs do. You just receive advanced security features, a large network of servers, and extremely fast speeds. Plus, you can try ExpressVPN out risk-free as it is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested it to make sure it is reliable and received my refund in 3 business days with no hiccups.
What is Windows VPN?
A Windows VPN is a Virtual Private Network that allows users to connect to a private network over the internet. A VPN can be used to access resources on a private network, or to securely connect to a public network.
A Windows VPN can be used to improve security and privacy when accessing the internet. When connected to a VPN, all traffic is encrypted and routed through the VPN server. This makes it more difficult for third parties to intercept and eavesdrop on communications. Additionally, a VPN can be used to bypass internet restrictions and censorship.
A Windows VPN can be configured using the built-in networking features of the Windows operating system.VPN connections can be created using the Network and Sharing Center or the Command Prompt.
How to set up a free Windows VPN
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a great way to protect your online privacy and keep your data secure. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in another location, making it difficult for anyone to track or spy on your activity.
There are many VPN providers out there, but not all of them offer free services. In this article, we’ll show you how to set up a free Windows VPN using the built-in Windows 10 VPN client.
Before we get started, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
First, free VPNs often have stricter data limits than paid ones. So if you’re planning on doing a lot of streaming or downloading, you may want to consider upgrading to a paid plan.
Here Are the Best Free VPNs for Windows PCs
ExpressVPN
Offers military-grade security features to protect your Windows device
CyberGhost
Extensive server network, unlimited data, and advanced security features with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
Proton VPN
Free Windows app with a strict no-logging policy and unlimited data, but free servers don’t support torrenting.
Avira Phantom VPN
User-friendly and completely free Windows app with AES 256-bit encryption, but doesn’t come with a kill switch.
Hide.me
Several security features to protect the data on your Windows device for free, but you can’t use it to access streaming sites.
Hide.me
- 10GB data per month and decent speeds
- 5 free server locations
- 1 device connection
- Can unblock: Netflix, Youtube, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram
Your personal information is well-protected with hide.me’s strong security features. The VPN uses the latest encryption technologies to ensure that your data is safe from prying eyes. Moreover, the service offers a strict no-logs policy, meaning that your activities are never stored or monitored. Overall, hide.me is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a reliable and secure VPN service.
It offers several security protocols (including OpenVPN), 256-bit encryption, split tunneling, IP/DNS leak protection, an auto-connect feature, and a kill switch. You can also use the Stealth Guard feature to conserve your data (you get 10GB per month). This lets you block apps on your Windows device from connecting to the internet, so you’re not wasting bandwidth.
We tested its 5 free servers on a Windows PC and averaged 23.4 Mbps download and 66.1 Mbps upload speeds. Combined with your monthly data allowance, you can stream for about 3.5 hours with no lag.
hide.me does not have a strict no-logs policy (it stores your IP address, VPN username, and other information you have provided). Furthermore, it’s located outside the 14-Eyes Alliance.
The software utilizes hide.mes.in web resource on Windows 7 and older versions of Windows. It is restricted, though, and can only be run through one computer. If you choose not to use a router with a free plan to use hide.mes with your gaming console or TV, Amazon Fire TV is the native app store, but there are no router-specific characteristics.
Players can use five P2P-speendable servers located in Canada, the Netherlands, the United States, America East, and America West. Despite their design, it takes a long time to download from these resources. However, it has always worked well with youtube-dl to unblock content on streaming platforms.
A rare plus offered by free VPNs is their 24 7 live chat customer support feature. The representatives were welcoming and happy to answer my questions, even for me as a free user.
Avira Phantom VPN
- 1GB of data per month and decent speeds
- 1 server location
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Can unblock: Only local sites (the free plan only connects to local servers)
Avira Phantom VPN is a free and easy-to-use app for Windows 7 and higher. The app offers a fast, secure, and anonymous way to browse the internet. With Avira Phantom VPN, you can unblock websites, hide your IP address, and protect your privacy. We evaluated our latest-Avira install using a household goods device, and it took the appliance 4 minutes to set up everything. Setting up the system was very easy; all I had to do was press Win, start, ‘secure my connection‘, and add a single device. It offers unlimited connections, so you can add as many sources as you want.
The VPN utilizes a variety of security options to help protect your online data, but it does not come with a kill switch. You can apply a variety of encryption protocols, apart from OpenVPN and IKEv2, and it utilizes high-grade 256-bit military-grade AES encryption. When I ran through leak tests on my Windows computer, no IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks were detected.
As it does not have a logging policy, it may be a good option for you if you’re looking for a privacy-friendly computing option. However, it does not have data from your IP address or any other browsing history, and it is located in the 14 Eyes Alliance.
Avira Phantom VPN has good speeds. During the tests on my Windows PC, our speeds averaged 32 Mbps (a 54 percent decrease). These speeds, combined with its security features, could make Avira a good VPN for torrenting. Unfortunately, the VPN’s data transfer allowance is restricted to 500 MB a month, or 1GB if you sign up using an e-mail address. VPN-supported P2P file sharing is accessible through the connection, and I was able to send along a 100 MB file within one minute with only a moderate delay and briefly, but its file-sharing tool will only allow you to download small files.
Although you connect to only one server using this VPN, it is a great choice if you want to encrypt the Windows device’s private information. In addition to the minimal server network, this particular service offers oversimplified tech support.
Proton VPN
- Unlimited data and good speeds
- 3 free server locations
- 1 device connection
- Can unblock: Netflix Originals, Youtube, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram, Kodi
Proton VPN’s free VPN offers unlimited data, so you can use it on your Windows device without being cut off. The best part is that there are no ads, and your data usage is never tracked. Proton VPN also offers a money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with the service.
This is a nice feature on the grounds that many free VPNs only offer between 500MB and 10GB of information each month. While testing its free servers in America and The Netherlands, we never obtained speeds under 36.6 Mbps. That was a 47 percent decrease in comparison with our link with no VPN, so it wasn’t a great outcome, but we could still watch shows and movies without buffering.
The word processor includes advanced security features that make it practically impossible for others to access your information, such as encryption, → quack factor (256-bit crypto), flue protection, kill switches, etc. The encrypted tunnel can unblock only the limited bandwidth necessary for mainstream streaming media on the streaming app of your choice.
Proton VPN also uses Perfect Forward Secrecy for added protection. This allows for encryption keys to change every time you connect your PC to a new server. If a hacker gets a key for a given session, they can t even use it to extract any past or future sessions.
It uses a strict zero-logging policy, so your information is 100 % secure. FD Flavio Dotto’s encryption is decentralized, so there’s no single point of failure. In addition, the Windows program is open-source, so it’s always being improved. Also, the headquarters are in CH (outside the 5 9 14 Eyes Alliance). This means ProtonVPN can’t be forced to share your private information with countries from this agreement.
VPN with dozens of servers located in Japan, the Netherlands, and the US can be accessed for free. However, given that it only has three servers, it is still very limited, as only Netflix is compatible for use in streaming torrents.
The app was ready for use on Windows 7, and I was easily able to connect to the fastest server by using the quick-connect button on the app.
Proton VPN does not offer a 24/7 customer service hotline and you will need to send an email to the support team, but its extensive knowledge base can usually deal with most questions.
CyberGhost
- Unlimited data and superfast speeds
- 9,279 servers in 91 countries
- 7 simultaneous device connections
- Can unblock: Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, ESPN, and more
CyberGhost is a Romania-based company that provides VPN services. The company offers a Windows app that has an impressive network of 9,279 servers in 91 countries. The app is easy to use and provides a variety of features to keep your data safe and secure. CyberGhost is a great choice for those looking for a reliable and affordable VPN service.
The alternative to this large network is its money-back guarantee, which you are permitted to make use of however many times you want. I tested its servers in various cities throughout the United States, and I always received access to my Netflix and Hulu accounts.
You can access all sorts of content and you won’t experience delays when watching shows, thanks to its fast speeds and to receive an unlimited number of data. I was watching Peaky Blinders on Netflix, and my download speeds averaged 44.5 Mbps (a 35% decrease from my usual connection).
The VPN is incredibly secure, using AES-256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and IP DNS leak protection. It’s incredibly difficult for someone to intercept or track your online activities. Moreover, CyberGhost offers a variety of security protocols, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. We suggest using WireGuard since it is strong and gave the fastest speeds during our tests on our machine.
CyberGhost actively protects your privacy when using your computer, without your having to worry about America or other international agencies. Its no-logs policy is directly influenced by the safety of its Romanian servers, some of which are only accessible by CyberGhost employees.
It operates an antimalware blocker for Windows, stopping advertisers from getting your personal data and targeting you with individualized ads. The security system’s split tunneling feature lets you choose which apps you want the VPN to connect to and which ones to skip.
CyberGhost’s Windows VPN program is also simple to set up. We were able to download and install the VPN application within five minutes. The app is compatible with Windows 10 and higher.
For 43 days, we contacted CyberGhost’s chat agents to ask for a refund. The chat agents agreed and issued a refund within 4 days.
ExpressVPN
- Unlimited data and lightning-fast speeds
- 3,000 servers in 94 countries
- 5 simultaneous device connections
- Can unblock: Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, APV, ESPN, DAZN, SlingTV, and more
ExpressVPN has a secure Windows app that protects your data. The app is easy to use and keeps your data safe. ExpressVPN is a trusted and reliable VPN service.
It gives you AES 256 bit encryption, which is the most robust encryption standard, as well as an automatic kill switch that protects you in case your VPN connection abruptly drops. ExpressVPN’s IP DNS WebRTC leak protection makes sure that your data isn’t divulged. When we analyzed its servers, we didn’t find any leaks.
The VPN has multiple module protocols, including OpenVPN and its own Lightway protocol. Simply put, Lightway doesn’t use any more resources than OpenVPN does. OpenVPN is renowned for its security, but we do not recommend using it with a personal computer. It was thoroughly tested and has passed all of our security checks. Lightway installed our VPN connection in less than a second, and we weren’t troubled by any complications while browsing.
ExpressVPN further conforms to a trusted zero-logs policy audited and verified by independent security firms. ExpressVPN also considers that its ReliableServer Technology servers use RAM instead of hard drives (zero-logs storage) to remove all your information when servers are rebooted. ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, which is outside of 105 Eyes jurisdiction. This means that even if a legal order was made for your data, ExpressVPN would not share (and wouldn’t have to provide) anything.
ExpressVPN has superfast speeds. When we evaluated its German, French, and UK servers on my Windows computer, we saw a speed of 67.5 Mbps, which was only a 2 drop from my base connection speed. On long distant servers in the US, we still saw a speed of 54.6 Mbps.
This broadband speed was adequate for watching movies in HD, as well as gaming on the web and torrenting large files. It offered unlimited data with uncompromising speed.
Within the world, its 3,000 servers provide bank-grade security to thousands of local and international subscribers. We streamed Netflix programming on our PCs from dozens of various libraries during our examinations. We also retained access to my Disney and Hulu accounts while abroad. Youtube also supports P2P activity.
The whole network makes peer-to-peer activity possible. ExpressVPN even works in China and Turkey, but the ExpressVPN collective and we support the legal use of VPNs and supports all users. Make certain to carefully research the laws of any of the countries you might use a VPN.
Setting and navigating ExpressVPN on your Windows 8.1 device is easy, using only 5 minutes. If you haven’t already enabled its start-up option, downloading the VPN, and connecting to a server only takes one click. We highly recommend that you enable launch on startup in ExpressVPN’s settings. It will connect your computer to the fastest server available every time it starts up, so you’ll soon never have to worry about online security.
Additionally, it lets you share a VPN network with other devices using a Windows virtual router. It took me 10 minutes to set up everything by following ExpressVPN’s instructions on its website. This way, you can connect your gaming console or smart TV to your VPN through your personal computer.
You’ll be able to use its split tunneling feature to prioritize which network traffic flows through the VPN. This allowed us to connect to a nearby server and watch Hulu from our PC, while we accessed local content outside the tunnel through the VPN.
Although ExpressVPN isn’t 100 free, it is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means that if you’re not satisfied with the service for any reason, you can cancel within the first 30 days and get a full refund.
ExpressVPN is one of the most popular VPN providers on the market, and for good reason. It offers fast speeds, strong security features, and a user-friendly interface. And although it’s not the cheapest option out there, its price is still very reasonable considering all that it has to offer.
If you’re looking for a reliable VPN provider that can help you stay safe and secure online, ExpressVPN is definitely worth considering. Just keep in mind that it’s not quite free – but you can always take advantage of its money-back guarantee if you’re not completely satisfied.
Find the Perfect Windows VPN Free your PC: A Quick and Easy Comparison
| VPN | Speeds | Data Limit Per Month | Logging Policy | Server Locations | Sign Up Required | Device Limit | Windows compatibility |
| ExpressVPN | Very Fast | Unlimited | Strict No-Logs | 94 | Yes | 5 | 7, 8, 10, 11 |
| CyberGhost | Very Fast | Unlimited | Strict No-Logs | 91 | Yes | 7 | 7, 8, 10, 11 |
| Proton VPN | Average | Unlimited | Strict No-Logs | 3 | Yes | 1 | 7, 8, 10, 11 |
| Avira Phantom | Fast | 1GB (500MB without signing up) | Keeps Anonymized Logs | 1 | No | Unlimited | 7, 8, 10, 11 |
| hide.me | Fast | 10GB | Keeps Anonymized Logs | 5 | No | 1 | 7, 8, 10, 11 |
| Hotspot Shield | Fast | 15GB (500MB a day) | Keeps Anonymized Logs | 1 | No | 1 | 7, 8, 10, 11 |
| TunnelBear | Average | 500MB | Keeps Anonymized Logs | 48 | Yes | Unlimited | 7, 8, 10, 11 |
Final Thoughts
In conclusion,we have compiled a list of the best Windows VPNs that are both free and reliable. While not all of them are perfect for every need, they are all worth considering for use on your computer or mobile device. If you’re looking for a VPN to keep your privacy and security protected, these should be at the top of your list.
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