VPNZuno

Free VPN: the only one we recommend, and why

Short answer: Proton VPN Free. It is the only free VPN with no data cap, no ads and no data resale, because paying subscribers fund it. But it does not unblock streaming.

Proton VPN

Privacy benchmark

The only genuinely free VPN with no data cap, based in Switzerland

8.8/10
  • 12 000+ servers
  • 110 countries
  • 10 devices
  • 30 day refund
from
4.49 €/mo
Plus, 2-year plan

Why most free VPNs are a trap

Running servers costs money. If you are not paying, someone else is: a 2016 CSIRO study found that 38% of free Android VPNs contained malware and 75% used third-party trackers. "Unlimited" free VPNs resell your bandwidth (Hola) or your browsing data. A VPN that spies on you is worse than no VPN at all.

What Proton VPN Free does well

Unlimited data, zero ads, audited open-source apps, Swiss headquarters. Perfect for securing hotel or café Wi-Fi and hiding your browsing from your ISP. Limits: one device, no country choice (the server is assigned automatically), and streaming is blocked.

When to go paid

As soon as you want a specific TV service or country. Surfshark costs about €2.19 a month on a two-year plan with unlimited devices: the price of one coffee a month. And if you are unsure, CyberGhost refunds for 45 days, so you can try a full month for free and cancel.

If you want streaming: the 2 cheapest paid options

CyberGhost

Best for TV

Streaming-optimised servers and a 45-day guarantee

8.6/10
from
2.19 €/mo
2-year + 2 months plan

Disclosure · VPN Zuno is reader-supported. If you subscribe through our links we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects our rankings: we only recommend VPNs we would use ourselves.

Frequently asked questions

Is Proton VPN Free really unlimited?+

Yes, in data volume. The limits are elsewhere: one device, an automatically assigned server from a handful of countries, "medium" speed and no streaming.

Is there a free VPN for Netflix?+

Not reliably. Netflix blocks free VPN IP addresses within hours. The only "free" route is to use a paid VPN’s money-back guarantee.

What about browser VPNs (Opera, Edge)?+

They are proxies, not VPNs: they protect only the browser and belong to companies that live off advertising. Fine for a one-off need, not for privacy.