Last updated on July 12th, 2023 at 07:52 pm
Are free VPNs Safe – In an era where online privacy and cyber security are more important than ever, VPNs or Virtual Private Networks have become an essential tool for safeguarding our digital lives. With a myriad of VPN providers available, choosing the right one can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to selecting a free plan that meets your needs without sacrificing quality.
In this comprehensive review, we will explore five popular VPN brands offering free plans: Atlas VPN, ProtonVPN, TunnelBear, Windscribe, and Hide.me. We will delve into the pros and cons of each service, compare their features, and examine their premium plan offerings.
As we navigate through this comparison, you will notice that Atlas VPN consistently emerges as a top choice for users seeking a balance between unlimited data, decent connection speeds, and a user-friendly experience.
Read on to discover which free VPN plan is best suited to your unique requirements and preferences.
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- Best VPN for Digital Nomads
- Atlas VPN Free vs Premium
There are several VPN providers that offer free plans with varying levels of features and limitations. Here’s a list of some popular VPNs with free plans:
VPNs with Free Plans
Atlas VPN
Offers a free plan with access to a limited number of servers, no data caps, and decent connection speeds. The free version is supported by ads, and upgrading to a premium plan will unlock additional features like faster speeds and more server locations.
ProtonVPN
The free plan provides unlimited data and access to servers in three countries (the United States, the Netherlands, and Japan). The speed is slower compared to the paid plans, and it doesn’t support P2P or streaming services. Upgrading to a premium plan will provide access to more server locations, faster speeds, and advanced features.
TunnelBear
The free plan includes a monthly data allowance of 500MB, which is suitable for occasional use or light browsing. TunnelBear’s paid plans offer unlimited data, priority customer support, and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously.
Windscribe
The free plan provides 10GB of data per month and access to servers in 10 countries. To unlock additional features like unlimited data, more server locations, and faster speeds, you can upgrade to a premium plan.
Hide.me
The free plan offers 10GB of data per month, access to servers in five locations, and supports one device connection. Premium plans provide unlimited data, more server locations, and simultaneous connections on multiple devices.
Please note that free VPN plans typically have limitations such as reduced speeds, fewer server locations, or data restrictions compared to their paid counterparts. Additionally, some free VPNs may show ads or have less robust privacy policies. It’s important to carefully evaluate each VPN’s features and limitations to determine the best option for your needs.
Free Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN Pros
- No data caps on the free plan
- Decent connection speeds
- User-friendly interface
Atlas VPN Cons
- Limited number of server locations in the free plan
- Free version supported by ads
- Lacks advanced features compared to competitors
- Atlas VPN’s free plan offers unlimited data usage and reasonable connection speeds, making it an attractive option for users who don’t want to worry about data restrictions. However, the free plan provides access to a limited number of server locations and is supported by ads. Atlas VPN’s premium plans offer faster speeds, more server locations, and additional features like SafeSwap and a kill switch. Among the VPNs reviewed, Atlas VPN emerges as a top contender due to its unlimited data and user-friendly interface.
Free Proton VPN
ProtonVPN Pros
- Unlimited data on the free plan
- No-logs policy
- Strong security features
ProtonVPN Cons
- Limited server locations in the free plan
- Slower speeds compared to premium plans
- No support for P2P or streaming services in the free version
- ProtonVPN offers a free plan with unlimited data and access to servers in three countries. The company has a strict no-logs policy and robust security features, making it a reliable choice for privacy-conscious users. However, the free plan has slower speeds and does not support P2P or streaming services. Upgrading to a premium plan provides access to additional server locations, faster speeds, and advanced features like Secure Core and Tor over VPN.
TunnelBear
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Strong encryption and security features
- Wide server network
Cons:
- Only 500MB of data per month in the free plan
- No access to all server locations in the free version
- No money-back guarantee
- TunnelBear’s free plan offers a user-friendly experience, strong encryption, and a wide server network. However, the monthly data allowance of 500MB may not be enough for users with heavy data requirements. TunnelBear’s paid plans offer unlimited data, priority customer support, and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously.
Windscribe
Pros:
- 10GB of data per month in the free plan
- Access to servers in 10 countries in the free version
- Built-in ad and malware blocking
Cons
- Slower speeds compared to premium plans
- Limited server locations in the free plan
- No live chat support
- Windscribe’s free plan offers 10GB of data per month and access to servers in 10 countries, making it a suitable choice for users who require more data than TunnelBear’s free plan provides. The built-in ad and malware blocking are additional perks. However, the free plan has slower speeds and fewer server locations than premium plans. Upgrading to a premium plan offers unlimited data, more server locations, and faster speeds.
Hide.me
Pros:
- 10GB of data per month in the free plan
- Five server locations in the free version
- Strong security features
Cons:
- Limited server locations in the free plan
- Only one device connection in the free version
- Slower speeds compared to premium plans
- Hide.me offers a free plan with 10GB of data per month and access to servers in five locations. The strong security features make it a reliable option for users concerned about privacy. However, the free plan has some limitations, including slower speeds, fewer server locations, and support for only one device connection. Premium plans provide unlimited data, more server locations, and simultaneous connections on multiple devices.
Data Allowance Comparison
Atlas VPN: Unlimited
ProtonVPN: Unlimited
TunnelBear: 500MB/month
Windscribe: 10GB/month
Hide.me: 10GB/month
Server Locations (Free Plan)
Atlas VPN: Limited
ProtonVPN: 3 countries
TunnelBear: Limited
Windscribe: 10 countries
Hide.me: 5 locations
Simultaneous Device Connections (Free Plan):
Atlas VPN: Not specified
ProtonVPN: 1
TunnelBear: 5
Windscribe: Unlimited
Hide.me: 1
P2P and Streaming Support (Free Plan):
Atlas VPN: Supported
ProtonVPN: Not supported
TunnelBear: Not specified
Windscribe: Not supported
Hide.me: Not specified
Ads in Free Plan:
Atlas VPN: Yes
ProtonVPN: No
TunnelBear: No
Windscribe: No
Hide.me: No
Paid Plans Comparison:
Atlas VPN, ProtonVPN, TunnelBear, Windscribe, and Hide.me all offer premium plans with added benefits, including faster connection speeds, more server locations, and additional features.
Atlas VPN: Premium plans provide faster speeds, more server locations, and additional features like SafeSwap and a kill switch.
ProtonVPN: Upgrading to a premium plan offers access to more server locations, faster speeds, and advanced features like Secure Core and Tor over VPN.
TunnelBear: Paid plans offer unlimited data, priority customer support, and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously.
Windscribe: Premium plans offer unlimited data, more server locations, and faster speeds.
Hide.me: Premium plans provide unlimited data, more server locations, and simultaneous connections on multiple devices.
Final Thoughts
When choosing a free VPN plan, it’s essential to consider your specific needs and preferences. Atlas VPN and ProtonVPN offer unlimited data, while Windscribe and Hide.me provide more generous data allowances than TunnelBear. However, each VPN has its own set of limitations and strengths.
For users who prioritize privacy and security, ProtonVPN and Hide.me offer strong encryption and no-logs policies. If you require more data and a user-friendly experience, Windscribe or Atlas VPN might be a better fit. TunnelBear’s wide server network and ease of use make it suitable for casual users with light browsing needs.
Throughout our review, Atlas VPN stands out as a preferred option for those seeking a balance between unlimited data, decent connection speeds, and user-friendly interface. Ultimately, the best free VPN plan will depend on your unique requirements. It’s crucial to evaluate each VPN’s features and limitations to determine the most suitable option. Remember that upgrading to a premium plan can unlock additional benefits, such as faster speeds, more server locations, and advanced features.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues to share his travel experiences alongside his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.