There are dozens of free unlimited VPN for windows in the Microsoft Store, so how do you know which ones are secure, reliable, and fast enough? I spent months testing 92 free VPNs on my Windows 10 laptop so I can show you which one you can trust.
Using a free unlimited VPN for windows may seem cheap, but it is rare. Almost every free VPN has a catch: they are often slow, limited, and even dangerous when it comes to your security and privacy.
I recommend using a cheap premium VPN like ExpressVPN for guaranteed reliability, speed, and security for your Windows operating system.
While the free VPNs on this list have limitations, they are safe, fast, and easy to use with Windows.
Little time? These are the best VPNs for Windows
- ExpressVPN: Unlimited data and bandwidth, blazing-fast speeds, and top-notch security. You can try it risk-free and if you don’t like it, you can request your money back within 30 days.
- Hotspot Shield: An easy-to-use VPN with 500MB of free data per day and a US-based server. Great for browsing, but it blocks streaming sites.
- Windscribe: 10 GB of free data per month and built-in malware protection, but no Netflix support.
- ProtonVPN: Unlimited free data and military-grade security, though limited speeds may hold you back.
- hide.me: 10 GB monthly free data and torrent support, but it can’t unblock streaming sites.
The Best Free Unlimited VPN For Windows – Full Analysis
I’ve looked into compatibility, speed, and security measures to make sure all my recommendations are safe and reliable. However, keep in mind that even the best free VPNs have limitations such as data caps or temporary usage.
1. ExpressVPN – Amazing Speeds and 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
- Risk-Free 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
- Share your VPN connection with other devices through a Windows virtual router
- Military-grade encryption and IP leak protection to keep you completely anonymous
- Unlimited data and bandwidth and super-fast speeds
- 3,000 servers in 94 countries that can bypass any geoblock
- Works with: Netflix, HBO, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Showtime, Sling TV
- Compatible with: Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, routers
ExpressVPN’s latest offer June 2021: Get 3 months absolutely free on your annual subscription with this current offer! It is not certain when this offer will expire, so it is best to check the offers page to see if it is still available.
ExpressVPN is a premium service that you can try risk-free before you decide to subscribe (it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee). It’s ideal when you need a VPN to unblock the most popular streaming sites like Netflix and BBC iPlayer, or to access your favorite websites on restrictive networks.
The installation process is easy with ExpressVPN. I enabled the “Start at startup” option in Settings and it automatically connected me to a smart location every time I turned on my computer.
It allows you to share the VPN connection with other devices through a Windows virtual router. You can easily set it up by following one of the ExpressVPN guides for Windows 8 or 10. This is a great way to connect your game console or smart TV to a VPN.
It operates 3,000 servers in 94 countries, allowing you to unblock content from all over the world. A large server network means reliable connections. During my testing, I had no issues unlocking Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. Even when connected to a server far away, my speeds were good enough to stream in HD.
An ExpressVPN subscription gives you unlimited bandwidth and data to stream, browse, and torrent as much as you need without sacrificing quality.
You can also use it to get around government censorship and content bans in your workplace or school. This works everywhere, including in China.
ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, outside of Eyes Alliance’s jurisdiction as of 5/9/14, so you can rely on its zero-logs policy. This guarantees that no data such as timestamp, your IP address, or your internet history will be stored.
You can torrent anonymously on all ExpressVPN servers. For added security, you can use the split tunneling feature and route your P2P traffic only through its servers.
ExpressVPN’s Windows apps are secured with AES 256-bit encryption and strong IP and DNS leak protection. This prevents your ISP and authorities from seeing your internet activity.
The security suite is completed by a powerful kill switch that protects your data and IP address if your VPN connection is suddenly lost. As a plus, it has IPv6 leak protection that prevents browsers from losing their data.
I tested the service of this VPN and found that they have very helpful 24/7 live chat customer support. Great for intermediate users, experienced users, and more, this VPN passed every test with flying colors.
2. Hotspot Shield – Catapult Hydra to increase speed
- Free Windows app, no credit card required
- 500MB of free data per day
- Automatic kill switch, AES 256-bit encryption
- Catapult hydra for more speed over long distances
- Works with: Kodi, YouTube, Spotify
- Compatible with: Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Chrome, Firefox
Hotspot Shield is a secure, fast, and easy-to-use free VPN. I was able to download the Windows app completely for free with no login process or email registration.
Hotspot Shield’s free plan includes 500MB of data per day. With that amount of data, I could only stream for about 30 minutes a day.
I was disappointed to find that you are limited to a US server, so you don’t have much wiggle room to unblock streaming sites. I could stream YouTube, Kodi, and Spotify, but I couldn’t unblock Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or any other provider with Hotspot Shield’s free server.
Another drawback of having only one server access is the server congestion I experienced during testing. With all the free users on a single server, that concentrated traffic slowed my speed.
Hotspot Shield uses 256-bit encryption and an automatic kill switch to protect your data and ensure your anonymity.
As a free user, I had access to Hotspot Shield’s own Catapult Hydra, which increased my speed over long distances. For example, if you’re in South Africa and connect to the free US server, you shouldn’t see a noticeable slowdown.
If you’re a little slow and want to run a speed test, Hotspot Shield offers a step-by-step guide to testing your Windows connection.
The VPN does not log your browsing activity, but it does record some details, including your IP address. The good news is that the service clears these logs at the end of each session.
The free version has ads as it is supported by the ad money. According to the privacy policy, the ads come from Google. I noticed that Hotspot Shield gave Google my approximate location so they could show me relevant ads.
Hotspot Shield’s privacy policy states that Google may collect your IP address and device information. However, because Hotspot Shield masks your real IP address, Google can only see the address of the VPN server you are connected to.
3. Windscribe – 10 GB free data per month
- Easy to understand Windows installation guides
- 10 GB free data per month
- Integrated ad and malware blocking
- Military-grade security, no-logs policy
- Works with: Kodi, YouTube, Skype
- Compatible with: Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV Stick, routers
Windscribe is a truly free VPN that offers 10 GB of free data per month. With that much free data, I could watch over 11 hours of HD YouTube videos a month and browse the web for about 166 hours the next month.
To receive the 10 GB, you must provide your email address, otherwise, you are limited to 2 GB. But in addition to the 10 GB, I was able to earn extra data when I tweeted the company.
I was able to stream Kodi and YouTube with the free version, but I noticed huge slowdowns from too many users overwhelming the free servers. Additionally, Windscribe’s Netflix-optimized servers are only available to premium users. I couldn’t use my free account to unblock Netflix or other streaming services.
However, with Windscribe you can use 10 server locations – including the US, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Switzerland, UK, and Hong Kong.
Windscribe protects your personal data with military-grade 256-bit encryption and an automatic kill switch. It follows a no-logs policy that ensures that your browsing history is not recorded on the server.
The free unlimited VPN for windows plan also gave me access to a limited version of R.O.B.E.R.T, Windscribe’s version of an ad, malware, and tracker blocker built into the Windows app.
I had several modes to choose from when I started Windscribe. And I found that the stealth and wstunnel modes can even bypass the Great Firewall of China. Both are available in the free version.
I was even able to use the split tunneling feature to route certain traffic through my local IP address while connected to the VPN.
This is very useful if you are in a home office as it allows you to connect to your wireless devices (which use your local IP address) without disconnecting from your VPN. However, your local IP traffic is not encrypted. It’s also useful if you want to access local websites and services while streaming geo-restricted content.
Windscribe provides very detailed Windows installation guides with videos. I had a few more questions about the setup, so I turned to Windscribe’s chatbot, Garry, for help. When he couldn’t help me, the live chat took over and helped me out.
4. ProtonVPN – Unlimited Free Data
- Start with Windows feature provides automatic protection
- Unlimited free data
- 256-bit encryption, no-logs policy
- Perfect forward secret
- Works with: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Kodi, YouTube
- Compatible with: Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux
ProtonVPN makes it easy to protect your Windows device. I found it super easy to use the “Start with Windows” feature, which allows you to automatically connect to the VPN on startup.
ProtonVPN is one of the rare free VPNs that gives you unlimited data and bandwidth. However, I found that I was limited to servers in the US, Japan, and the Netherlands.
When I tested ProtonVPN, I was happy to learn that it can unblock Netflix and other streaming services like Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer. However, it limited my speeds on the free plan, which made streaming difficult. There was a lot of buffering and I couldn’t watch high-definition videos.
ProtonVPN uses 256-bit encryption to protect your data from hackers and other cyber thieves. It offers OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and L2TP/IPSec protocols. This VPN protocol choice allowed me to decide which one to use based on my activities.
I really liked having Perfect Forward Secrecy, which gave me a new encryption key for every session. The advantage? This ensures that if a previous session is compromised, your others are not.
ProtonVPN does not log your surfing activities and its home base is in privacy-friendly Switzerland. This means no government snoops can share your private information either.
I was a little disappointed with the customer support options and the response from ProtonVPN. There is no live chat support – the only way to contact ProtonVPN is by email or through the support ticket system. I asked a question and got a response after about 24 hours.
5. hide.me – Unlimited Bandwidth and Speed
- Lifetime Free Windows App
- 10 GB free data per month
- Torrenting supports unlimited speed and bandwidth
- Zero log policy, kill switch, military-grade encryption
- Works with: Spotify, YouTube
- Compatible with: Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV Stick, routers
hide.me offers a free unlimited VPN for windows. I was able to set it up to connect at startup so I could enjoy online protection without having to reconfigure it every time.
It is a reliable and secure free unlimited VPN for windows that supports P2P sharing on all servers except the UK, US, and Australia. As a free user, I had easy access to servers in five locations: Canada, Netherlands, Singapore, US East, and US West.
It has unlimited bandwidth and speeds with 10 GB of free monthly data. I tested the free data and was able to watch about 10 hours of YouTube videos in high definition. I couldn’t unblock Netflix or other major streaming providers in my tests – only YouTube and Spotify.
hide.me is not suitable for streaming, but it will keep you safe and anonymous online. It uses the highest level of encryption to hide your activity and data.
The free service also includes a kill switch that activates if your VPN connection is lost, protecting your online data from disclosure.
Due to its strict no-logs policy, hide.me does not save your browsing history. His home is in Malaysia, far from the prying eyes of Secret Service guards.
Since I was able to download hide.me without logging in or registering with an email address, I know there is guaranteed to be no record of my personal information or contact details.
I’ve learned that downloading the free Windows app is easy and only takes three steps. But I had other questions and found that the 24/7 live chat service was available to me as a free user. And when I contacted them, they answered my questions immediately and were very friendly.
6. TunnelBear – GhostBear Mode Bypasses Censorship and Blocking
- Windows TCP override for improved performance
- 500MB of free data per month, unlimited speeds
- Kill switch, 256-bit AES encryption
- Avoid censorship and VPN blocks with GhostBear mode
- Works with: HBO Go, Kodi, YouTube
- Compatible with: Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Chrome, Firefox, Linux
TunnelBear is an easy-to-use VPN with a simple installation process that is very useful for beginners. His free account offers 500MB of data per month.
This isn’t enough data when planning a movie marathon because you can only watch one episode of your favorite show per month and get stuck in standard definition. However, I’ve learned that if you want an extra gigabyte of free data per month, you can tweet the company.
The free account includes unlimited speeds and access to servers in over 20 countries. During my tests, I was able to unblock HBO GO, but not Netflix US or Hulu.
TunnelBear offers an advanced Windows desktop app setting: TCP Override. While using this feature, I’ve found that if the connection is unstable, the override will force TunnelBear to use a slower but more reliable Tunneling Protocol (TCP), which gave me improved performance.
TunnelBear uses 256-bit encryption and has a no-logs policy to ensure your online security and privacy. It also has VigilantBear, the version of a kill switch.
GhostBear mode can bypass VPN blocking, censorship, and deep packet inspection (DPI). This means that your encrypted data is harder to block because GhostBear encrypts your metadata, making it less noticeable to government snoops. This makes TunnelBear one of the few VPNs still working in China.
You can contact customer service by email. I contacted and got a response about 24 hours later.
7. Opera VPN – No Data Restrictions
- Unlimited free data
- Easy to install
- Works with: Some Netflix regions, YouTube
- Compatible with: Windows, macOS, Linux
Opera’s VPN is built into its browser. When I tested it, I found that it was pre-installed and ready to use as soon as I enabled it in the extension menu on my Windows device.
There is no standalone app, so I had to install and use Opera’s browser on my Windows device to use the VPN. Being a browser extension, it does not protect data transferred outside of Opera. That means no protection for third-party apps like BitTorrent clients.
Opera VPN offers unlimited data and bandwidth for free, but I’ve found it to be slower than most of the other free unlimited VPN for windows on my list. There are three server locations to choose from: Europe, North America, and Asia.
Only three sites had server congestion issues that slowed down my connection. I couldn’t choose a specific location within these regions either. This made it very difficult to access Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming services.
Interestingly enough, I was able to unblock Netflix Sweden while connected to the European server location. I had better luck with YouTube and was able to unblock the international versions.
There is no dedicated support team for Opera VPN, so I had to contact Opera’s support team via the contact form on the website.
8. Speedify – channel binding for more speed
- 1 GB free data per month
- Channel binding for more speed
- Torrent friendly, kill switch
- Works with: Netflix US, Hulu, Spotify, YouTube
- Compatible with: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux
Speedify’s free unlimited VPN for windows gives you access to all Speedifys servers in over 50 locations worldwide: North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and Oceania.
With the free service, you only get 1GB of free monthly data, which prevented me from downloading or streaming much.
When I tested Speedify’s streaming capabilities, I was able to unblock Netflix US, Hulu, and Spotify. I also accessed geo-restricted YouTube content using the Windows app Windows
Speedify uses channel bonding. I tested this and found that it combined all my available internet connections, increased my speed, and improved upload and download times. The downside, however, is that it can eat up data quickly. It consumed up to 10x as much data on my phone so be careful if you are on a limited plan.
Channel binding is useful for torrenting and I have experienced some P2P support with my free Speedify account. The VPN’s speed server selection tool marked torrent-friendly servers so I could find them easily.
Speedify only uses AES 128-GCM encryption instead of AES 256-bit encryption, which provides sufficient protection for everyday surfing and streaming. If you have an older Windows device, Speedify uses ChaCha encryption which gives you 256-bit encryption and is three times faster than many other VPNs.
The service admits that it logs anonymized user information, despite promising never to log into browser activity or DNS queries and not to reveal any personal information to anyone
The Windows app has a kill switch that protects your private data if you lose connection to the server. During testing, I learned that you have to enable the kill switch to use it as it is disabled by default. I was able to use the helpful screenshots on Speedify’s website to set up the kill switch.
I’ve used the service and learned that if you have any questions about setting up the Windows app or any other questions, you should fill out the email form in the contact section of the website. It also has an extensive FAQ section that answers some of my basic questions.
9. Betternet – Military Standard Encryption for Anonymous Browsing
- 500MB of free data per day
- Military Standard Encryption
- Works with: YouTube, Spotify
- Compatible with: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS devices, Chrome
Betternet has a special app for Windows as part of the free plan, but you only get 500MB of free data every 24 hours. When I tried it, I found it was barely enough to stream an episode of my favorite TV show a day.
I couldn’t unblock Netflix or other major streaming providers with my free Betternet account. I was able to access YouTube, but the speeds were slow.
With the free plan, I only had access to the US servers, meaning free users flooded those servers and slowed down my already slow connection.
Betternet uses 256-bit encryption to ensure your online anonymity and protect your data from prying eyes.
I have read the privacy policy carefully and have noticed that some general information will be provided to third parties. The free unlimited VPN for windows version displays ads through Google’s advertising platform. For this reason, Betternet shares your approximate location with Google so that relevant ads can be displayed. However, when you are connected to the VPN, it will see and use the VPN’s IP address.
The service is based in the US and is therefore subject to all US law enforcement agencies and the 5/9/14-Eyes Alliance. However, the privacy policy states that the company does not log your browsing activity.
As a free user, my customer service was the same as with paid subscribers: I had to settle for his ticket system.
10. VPNBook – 100% Free VPN with Unlimited Bandwidth
- Free OpenVPN Configuration
- Clear and easy to understand installation instructions
- Unlimited speed and bandwidth, torrent support
- Works with: YouTube, Spotify
- Compatible with: Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, iOS, Android
VPNBook is a free unlimited VPN for windows with no apps or clients. Instead, you get the server information you need for manual setup via OpenVPN on your Windows device.
During my testing, I learned that, unlike many other VPNs, it doesn’t take a few clicks to set up.
Several steps in the installation process make it more difficult and time-consuming for VPN beginners, especially those who are not tech-savvy. However, we have a step-by-step guide to make OpenVPN installation easier.
VPNBook ranks lower than my other recommendations because it requires some technical knowledge and configuration to get started. However, the website has comprehensive installation guides for Windows 7, Windows XP, and Windows 10 that I found very helpful.
I contacted the VPN and learned that in addition to their extensive knowledge base, they also offer email support if you need help getting started. I was also able to contact the team through social media.
Once set up, VPNBook gives you unlimited data and bandwidth and access to servers in six locations: US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, and Poland.
It also offers military-grade security by routing your internet traffic through the encrypted tunnels, protecting your data from third parties and cyber thieves, and masking your real IP address.
I found that VPNBook was too slow to stream and I couldn’t access Netflix or similar streaming sites. However, I managed to install torrent on some servers powerful enough to bypass state censorship.
Research methodology for free unlimited VPN for windows
I have deployed field workers who have tested these VPNs in 12 countries, including Russia and China.
The first feature I considered when testing these free VPNs was Windows compatibility. I’ve tested every service on my Windows 10 laptop to make sure it’s easy to use.
Then I tested the speeds with speedtest.net. I compared my normal ISP connection speed to the upload and download speeds I got with the free VPN. I eliminated free VPNs that were too slow to even surf with Windows.
I also looked at the security measures and privacy practices of each VPN. I’ve tested protection claims against IP and DNS leaks and questioned logging guidelines. I’ve only listed secure VPNs that don’t log your browsing activity and have no leaks.
Most recently, I tested each VPN for its unblocking, streaming, and torrenting capabilities. I’ve added VPNs that have some streaming capabilities.
Ultimately, I found that no free VPN can offer you Windows compatibility, unlimited usage, fast speeds, watertight security, and 100% reliability. Every free VPN I tested had limitations in one form or another.
What is the advantage of free unlimited VPN for windows?
All the VPNs on my list are secure and fast, but most free unlimited VPN for windows limit your security, speed, and streaming capabilities.
Many free VPNs offer 256-bit encryption, but their no-logs policies may have some limitations. Using a free VPN can put your safety, privacy, and security at risk.
Free VPNs usually use smaller server networks as well. Since many free users are connected to the same few servers, these servers are often crowded and slow.
You’ll struggle to find a free VPN that can unblock streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu. Some free versions, like the ones on my Windows list, can access YouTube and, in some cases, Netflix, but the speed and bandwidth limitations result in buffering and poor quality video.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these VPNs run on my other devices?
The free unlimited VPN for windows on this list offer apps for most major operating systems, including mobile devices. That means you can protect your Android or iPhone in addition to your Windows computer.
Some VPNs on this list, such as ExpressVPN, are compatible with smart TVs and even routers. When you connect your VPN to your router, you can protect every device in your household with no extra hassle.
Is it easy to set up a free VPN on my Windows device?
Most of the free VPNs on my list have a Windows app and it’s just a few steps to set up. Plus, most VPN sites provide step-by-step instructions to walk you through the process.
Are these free VPNs safe for daily streaming on my Windows device?
These free VPNs offer a high level of security and, in most cases, military-grade 256-bit encryption. This means that your Windows device is protected from hackers and other third parties who see what you are doing while browsing the web through the VPN.
Are free VPNs safe to use on all my devices?
I’ve tested all the free VPNs on this list and confirmed that they are safe on all your devices. However, many free services are not 100% secure and can compromise your privacy and online security. Some may download malware onto your devices and others may sell your personal information to third parties.
How do free VPNs make money?
Even though it’s a “free” service, someone always pays somehow. Often these are pop-up ads that target the users – the ads pay for the service. Free VPNs usually mean very slow and frustrating connections, no access to streaming services, and data restrictions that annoy you so much that you upgrade to the premium service – now it’s no longer free.
Is it legal to use a VPN?
Yes, it is perfectly legal to use VPNs in most countries in the world, but some countries restrict the use of VPNs, such as Russia and China. Before downloading a VPN, read our guide to VPN legality to make sure VPNs are legal in your country. It’s important to understand that while using a VPN is legal in most locations, you can only use one for legal purposes – downloading copyrighted content, for example, is illegal.
Conclusion:
Even the best free unlimited VPN for windows are limited. Data limitations, slow speeds, and ads can hinder your browsing and streaming.
I recommend trying a budget-friendly premium service like ExpressVPN instead. It has no data or bandwidth restrictions and is a secure and blazing fast VPN that can unblock most streaming services. And if you don’t like it, you can use the 30-day money-back guarantee for a refund.
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