Do you want to change your network based on the country you travel to using the best free VPNs? A free VPN for Windows can help and provide you with surface-level security.
Do you know 77% of people use VPN for personal use and 50% for business use? Yes, because a Virtual Private Network (VPN) has advanced security features that protect your data from being tracked by unwanted trackers/hackers via IP address encryption.
However, choosing a free VPN app can be tricky. Why? Because a substandard free VPN for Windows often sells users’ personal information, private IP addresses, and their own web traffic to third parties to earn a profit. Still, some best free VPNs in the market work well without tracking your online activity.
Expert Advice
Choosing a highly functional VPN is necessary to access blocked content and browse anonymously without being tracked. You must first equip yourself with the right knowledge of different VPNs for Windows and then decide upon the one that best matches your data privacy and overall requirements.
In this guide, we have incorporated the challenges of using free VPNs for Windows so you can overcome them and the 9 best free VPN apps. Let’s dive right in!
Challenges with Free VPN Services
Are you considering opting for a free yet reliable VPN? Well, you must be aware that they can threaten your online privacy. Let’s learn about the challenges with free VPNs:
1. Malware Infection
Do you know that free VPNs are often infected with malware? Yes, that’s true. Free VPNs rely on advertisements to make profits. And some of these ads might contain links that, if clicked, can install malicious software in the user’s computer, leading to privacy breaches.
2. Failure to Unblock Content
Free VPNs aren’t your best bet if you’re looking to unblock content from reputed websites. Unlike paid VPNs, free VPNs often fail to unblock content and are insufficient to bypass the geo-restrictions of big streaming sites like Netflix due to their limited servers. Big websites catch free VPN IP addresses and block them immediately due to lagging encryption/security levels.
3. Slower Internet Connection
Free service providers slow down the internet connection. Why? A free VPN comes with
- Limited servers that can easily be overcrowded with free users, lowering the internet speed
- Data usage limits so the internet slows when the data limit is exhausted
- Basic low-quality encryption and fewer resources which pushes down internet speed
- A grueling intention to shift users to premium VPN plans because of which it slows down its internet speed
4. Free Access to Browser
With free VPNs, you lose control over your browser as the VPN might frequently redirect you to different unknown websites. This is done to install malware, push ads and earn ad revenue, or even access your browsing history, leading to cyberattacks. However, there are some safe VPN extensions for Chrome to help you browse anonymously.
5. Threat to Privacy
Free VPNs often track and collect your online activities to show targeted ads and earn money from brands. This can slow down your connection speed. Not just that, VPN for Windows also sells your personal data to third parties to make a few bucks, hindering your privacy.
Best Free VPNs for Windows PC
Although free VPNs usually come with challenges, some best free VPNs can fulfill your requirement and protect your data securely. So let us go ahead and check the 9 best free VPNs for Windows PC:
|
Software name |
Number of servers |
No. of Server Countries |
Max connections |
Free trial: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | 3000+ | 94 countries | 5 | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| NordVPN | 5000+ | 59 countries | 6 | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| CyberGhost | 7100+ | 91 countries | 7 | 1-day free trial, and they also provide a 45-day money-back guarantee for their paid plans |
| Atlas VPN | 700+ | 30+ countries | 5 | 30-day money-back guarantee for paid plans |
| Surfshark | 3200+ | 65 countries | No limit on simultaneous connections per account | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| ProtonVPN | 1500+ | 55 countries | 10 | 30-day money-back guarantee for their paid plans |
| Private Internet Access | 3300+ | 48 countries | 10 | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Opera | Not specified | Not specified | 5 | Free built-in VPN feature within their browser |
| Turbo VPN | Not specified | Not specified | 5 | 30-day money-back guarantee for their paid plans |
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN, one of the best VPN software, provides risk-free VPN for Windows 10, 11, 8, and 7. Apart from a hassle-free setup, ExpressVPN allows you to browse privately and securely with high-speed server locations in 94 countries.
Features
- Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)-256-bit encryption
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Private DNS
Pricing
It’s free to begin with, as all the plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- 1 Month: $12.95/month
- 6 Months: $9.99/month
- 12 Months: $8.32/month
Pros and Cons
2. NordVPN
NordVPN, a VPN software, aims to keep all your communications, internet connection, and network secure. It truly encrypts your incoming and outgoing traffic, ensuring that no third party gets access to your personal information or confidential data.
Features
- Split tunneling
- Private Domain Name System (DNS)
- Double VPN server
Pricing
Use NordVPN’s free VPN service with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Complete: $5.99/month
- Plus: $4.49/month
- Standard: $3.29/month
Pros and Cons
3. CyberGhost
CyberGhost, an outstanding VPN service provider, has ultra-fast servers in 91 countries with unlimited bandwidth. Encrypt your internet traffic, experience powerful digital security, get a dedicated IP to bypass blocklists, and more with CyberGhost.
Features
- Automatic kill switch
- Domain Name System(DNS) and IP
- Incorporates the best VPN protocols–WireGuard and IKEv2
Pricing
We call it free because CyberGhost’s 1 Month plan comes with 14-day money-back guarantee and 2 Years/6 months plan with 45-day money-back guarantee.
- 1 Month Plan: $12.99/month
- 6 Months Plan: $6.99/month
- 2 Years Plan: $2.19/month
Pros and Cons
4. Atlas VPN
AtlasVPN
Atlas VPN, a free VPN software, keeps your devices and data safe regardless of location changes. It protects your right to privacy and controls your digital presence. Also, Atlas VPN allows you to pick from 750+ premium servers in 49 locations worldwide.
Features
- SafeSwap server
- No log policy
- SafeBrowse to prevent the leakage of online activity
Pricing
Avail VPN services of Atlas VPN for free by availing of their 30-day money-back guarantee.
- 1 Month: 11.99 USD/month
- 1 Year: 4.08 USD/month
- 3 Years: 11.99 USD/month
Pros and Cons
5. Surfshark
Surfshark
Surfshark, a free VPN software, safeguards your digital life with its highly-functional VPN services. From encrypting your data activity to increasing your privacy while keeping your digital freedom intact, Surfshark does it all.
Features
- Personal data leakage alert
- Unlimited server switches
- CleanWeb to block ads and malware
Pricing
Use Surfshark’s VPN service for free with their 30-day money-back guarantee.
- 1 Month: 12.95 USD/month
- 12 Months: 3.99 USD/month
- 24 Months: 2.39 USD/month
Pros and Cons
6. ProtonVPN
Proton VPN, another free best VPN for Windows, has a high-speed Swiss VPN that empowers you to protect yourself online. It breaks down internet censorship, maintains your browsing history privacy, and has a high bandwidth server.
Features
- Swiss privacy standards
- DNS and IPv6 leak protection
- Proton VPN uses strong VPN protocols
Pricing
Proton VPN offers free VPN services under a free plan and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Proton Free: Free forever
- VPN Plus: 4.99 € /month
- Proton Unlimited: 7.99 € /month
Pros and Cons
7. Private Internet Access
PIA provides a top-notch VPN service that uses the tools necessary to protect your PC with Windows 8.1 or higher. It allows you to leverage the latest encryption standards–WireGuard, so you don’t have to worry about being monitored at every step.
Features
- Peer-Peer traffic management
- High-speed global server network
- Configurable automation
Pricing
Leverage PIA’s risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee to access free VPN.
- 1 Month: $11.95/month
- 1 Year: $3.33/month
- 3 Years: $2.03/month
Pros and Cons
8. Opera
Opera is a faster, smarter, and more secure way to browse confidently. This best free VPN service provider gives you system-wide VPN services with access to 3000+ VPN servers in over 30 countries.
Features
- No activity logs feature
- Ad blocker to browse with no distractions and fast website loading speeds
- Uses NextGen VPN encryption
Pricing
Opera is a totally free VPN service provider as it has an in-built free unlimited VPN and offers a 7-day free trial with a 30-day money-back guarantee on all their plans.
- 1 Month VPN Pro: $7.99/month
- 6 Months VPN Pro: $4.99/month
- 1-Year VPN Pro: $3.99/month
Pros and Cons
9. Turbo VPN
Turbo VPN, the best free VPN service provider, empowers you to unblock the world without moving countries. How? By letting you change your online location via IP address. It also provides bank-level encryption with a kill switch and protocols–OpenVPN and IPSec.
Features
- Anonymous Browsing
- Internet Service Provider throttling detector
- Turbo internet speed
Pricing
TurboVPN is free, as all its plans offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- 1 Month: $11.99/month
- 6 Months: $6.67/month
- 12 Months: $5/month
- 24 Months: $4.17/month
Pros and Cons
Conclusion
Now that you know the challenges of using a free VPN, we hope you’ll choose your best free VPN for Windows wisely.
Before signing up for a free trial, ensure the VPN software features are highly functional and match your requirements well. Also, check that the VPN software doesn’t slow down your speed, encrypts web traffic, has reliable customer support, and works well on Windows PC.
Now you’re fully armed with the knowledge to choose from the best free VPN providers list. So, make the most of best free VPN software!
Frequently Asked Questions
Naina Khare is a full-time freelance writer who fiercely believes in the power of storytelling and primarily holds expertise in creating content for B2B SaaS brands. She’s infinitely curious and happiest when reading, writing, or exploring spirituality and self-growth.
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