Protecting your identity online is very important in today’s world. When you use public Wi-Fi or browse the internet from an unsecured network, it is easy for hackers to see what you do online and steal your personal information. One way to stay safe is by using a virtual private network, a VPN. A VPN creates a secret tunnel for your internet connection and masks your online activity. There are many free VPN options available, but not all protect your privacy well. Here are the top ten free VPNs to keep your identity secure online.
1. TunnelBear
TunnelBear is easy to use with apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. It has a friendly polar bear mascot and simple interface that makes it great for beginners. TunnelBear gives you 500MB of free data per month, which is enough for light browsing but may not be enough for streaming videos. It has servers located in 20 countries worldwide. TunnelBear takes privacy and security seriously, with no logging of user activity.
2. ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is also simple to use and has apps for all major devices. Unlike most free VPNs, ProtonVPN does not limit your data usage – you get unlimited data for free. It has servers in more than 50 locations worldwide. ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland, which has robust privacy laws. However, the free version only allows you to connect to one server at a time, and speeds may be slower than other options.
3. Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield has a clean interface and was one of the first free VPN providers. It gives you 500MB of free data per day, which is more than enough for casual browsing. Hotspot Shield has over 3,200 servers in over 80 countries. It works well for streaming and downloading on Netflix, Hulu, and other sites. Hotspot Shield does not log user activity or connection data.
4. Windscribe
Windscribe is very customizable, and advanced users can tweak it to get the best speeds. It gives you 10GB of free data per month. Windscribe has servers in over 60 countries worldwide. You can connect to specific servers for things like Netflix streaming. Windscribe does not log user connections or activity. However, it can be more complex for beginners to set up.
5. Speedify
Speedify is excellent for improving internet speeds. It combines data from your Wi-Fi with your mobile data connection using a technology called multi-homing. This allows you to browse faster. Speedify has a generous 7-day free trial. It works on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. Speedify protects your privacy by not logging connections or activity. However, the free version has limited features compared to the paid plans.
6. Hide.me VPN
Hide.me VPN has a clean and straightforward interface. It gives you a generous 7-day free trial with unlimited data. After the trial, it reverts to the free plan, which has limited data. Hide.me has over 480 servers in over 50 countries worldwide. It works well for streaming and torrenting. Hide.me does not log user activity or connection data to protect privacy. However, speeds may be slower than paid plans.
7. ZoogVPN
ZoogVPN is entirely free, with no time limits or data caps. It gives you 10GB of data per month. ZoogVPN has apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and routers. It has over 20 server locations worldwide. ZoogVPN does not log any user activity or connection data. However, speeds are slower than paid VPNs, and it has fewer servers overall.
8. Privado VPN
Privado VPN is also completely free, with no data limits or time restrictions. It has apps for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. Privado VPN protects privacy by not logging any user activity or connection data. However, speeds are slower than paid options, and it has fewer servers overall. Connection reliability can also be inconsistent at times.
9. CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost VPN gives you a generous 45-day free trial with access to over 6,900 servers worldwide. It works well for streaming and torrenting sites. CyberGhost VPN does not log any user activity or connection data. However, after the trial, it reverts to a limited free plan with fewer features than paid options. Speeds are also slower than paid VPNs.
10. Avira Phantom VPN
Avira Phantom VPN gives you 500MB of free data per month. It has apps for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. Avira Phantom VPN protects privacy by not logging user activity or connection data. However, the free plan only allows access to a few servers, and speeds are slower than paid VPNs. 500MB also runs out quickly for active internet users.
Conclusion
In summary, free VPNs like TunnelBear, ProtonVPN, Hotspot Shield, and Windscribe are significant options that protect your online identity without costing any money. Be aware that free plans have limited data or features compared to paid VPN subscriptions. But even with restrictions, these top ten free VPNs are excellent tools for staying safe online.
