Top Five Free VPNs in 2025 Offer Mixed Performance and Limited Features

Nowadays, everyone is looking for a good free VPN to use. VPNs are used for different things, like enhancing privacy and security, or even accessing content from different locations. Most people assume that the best VPNs are those you have to pay for, but that’s not entirely true because some free VPNs are available with all the features you need.

Best Free VPNs in 2025

The top five best free VPNs in 2025 are:
1. Proton VPN
2. PrivadoVPN
3. Windscribe Free VPN
4. Hide.me Free VPN
5. Shield Basic VPN

1- Proton VPN


One of the best free VPN in 2025 is Proton VPN, which offers many advanced features like WireGuard protocol, kill switch, and many ad-free open-source apps that are secure. You can also switch between browsing and gaming nodes to improve usability. Proton VPN solely focuses on privacy with no data limits, but it has some its limitations as well. One of the biggest limitations of using Proton VPN is that you cannot connect to a server of your own choice, as it automatically connects to the five available servers. This means that it is only good for torrenting or streaming content from other countries, with the connection speed dropping during busy periods.

Why Should You Use It?
● Offers unlimited data, which is very rare
● Has regular independent audits
● Has decent privacy and security settings
● Has regular independent audits
● Has an ad-free interface

Drawbacks:
● No torrenting/P2P
● No choice of servers as they are auto-assigned
● Has no streaming support like BBC iPlayer and Netflix
● Its servers can get slow during peak hours

2- PrivadoVPN

PrivadoVPN is one of the best VPN in 2025, available on different Windows, Android, MAC, Linux, and iOS apps. Even though it has a lot of streaming functionality with limitations, it is the best free VPN with little to no security issues and breaches. It offers 13 servers from 10 different countries, including the UK and the US, and gives 10 GB of data every month, with up to 900 Mbps speed.

You can easily stream services like BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Max, Sling, ITV, etc. It is supported by torrenting as well. What you cannot get through PrivadoVPN’s free plan is verified privacy, as there is no third party to audit its security. There is also no unlimited streaming because 10 GB per month cannot cover enough shoes, and there is also no global access, as the free plan only covers specific countries.

Why Should You Use It?
● 10 GBs of data every month
● Torrenting is supported, and strong encryption
● Has a kill switch, Chrome extension, and split-tunneling
● Available for most devices

Drawbacks:

● Has no third-party security audit
● Only allows limited streaming (around 10 shows a month)
● Doesn’t have servers in places like Australia if you want to watch regional content

3- Windscribe Free VPN


The third-best free VPN on the list is Windscribe Free, with 14 server locations across 10 countries. It also offers different simultaneous connections, so no need to get worried about switching between your phone, laptop, or other devices. You get 10 GB of monthly data on Windscribe and can get an additional 5 GB if you promote it on social media. It also uses the R.O.B.E.R.T tool, which blocks ads, malicious sites, and trackers so you can have a smooth experience. The only drawbacks are that there is no port forwarding, which limits torrenting, and it also doesn't have a third-party security audit. Overall, it is good for everyday private browsing and light streaming, as you get decent data every month.

Why Should You Use It?
● Gives you unlimited device connections
● Has access to 14 servers, including the US and UK
● Has R.O.B.E.R.T, which is a built-in ad and tracker blocker
● Has fast speeds up to 900 Mbps
● Also includes browser extensions

Drawbacks:
● Has no port forwarding, and it's bad for torrenting
● Has no third-party audit of privacy policies
● Limited data (10 GB), which limits streaming

4- Hide.me Free

If you are looking for a VPN for accessing blocked platforms, Hide.me Free is a good choice as it offers a wide range of browsers and devices. Hide.me Free also has many advanced features like protocol selection and split tunneling. As with the case with many free VPNs, Hide.me Free also comes with only 10 GB of data every month, with only one device connection, and with very slow speeds. It also cannot support streaming services like Amazon Prime and Netflix, with no-log policy not being audited since 2015.

Why Should You Use It?
● Has P2P support on 7 servers
● Has strong privacy settings with no personal information required for sign-up
● Has features like split tunneling and other protocols
● Has apps for many browsers and platforms

Drawbacks:
● Has a slow speed of only 25 Mbps
● Has a one-device limit and 10GB of monthly data
● Has no support for streaming services like Amazon and Netflix
● Has an outdated privacy audit

5- Hotspot Shield


The fifth top free VPN in the list is Hotspot Shield Basic, which is very easy to use and offers unlimited data. It can also unblock US content like Hulu and Netflix, and has okish speeds of up to 70 Mbps. The major downsides of using Hotspot Shield Basic are that you can only get access to one server in the US and cannot choose other countries. There are also a lot of ads, and it doesn’t have security features like a kill switch.

Why Should You Use It?
● Offers unlimited data, which is best for streaming and heavy browsing
● Can access US Hulu and US Netflix
● It is available across many platforms, including smart TVs

Drawbacks:
● Has only one server, the US one
● Has limited protection as there's no kill switch
● Gets a lot of ads
● Has inconsistent stream reliability and speeds
● Has no advanced features like server choice, torrenting, and port forwarding

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Should You Use a Free VPN?

Yes, free VPNs can be a good choice if you are using them for basic needs like anonymous browsing, securing public Wifi, or for occasional use.

What Things are Not Available in Free VPN?

Free VPNs are good for basic usage and cover essential features like IP masking, encryption, and safe browsing. But they do not always have the best performance and features, which makes them multi-purpose. Moreover, paid VPNs also have more servers and locations to which you can connect.

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