Using a VPN (or virtual private network) on your PC is a good way to reclaim some of your online privacy. But if you're downloading any random VPN app in the Microsoft Store just because it's 100 percent free, you could be risking the safety of your device and personal data. You have to be careful — free VPNs can be doing some really sketchy stuff behind the scenes.
The good news is that some trustworthy premium VPNs do offer free subscription tiers or trials for users' most basic needs. While these options come with fewer features, servers, and support options than the providers' paid subscriptions, they're covered by the exact same airtight privacy and no-logs policies. You know — the whole point of getting a VPN in the first place.
I've tested all of the top VPNs previously for Mashable, and after conducting new testing on Windows devices, I'm ready to recommend the best free VPNs for PC users in 2024.
Proton VPN is the top pick for most people: It doesn't place data or time limits on its free users, and transparency and digital safety are core tenets of its business model. For new users who aren't very familiar with VPNs, I also endorse TunnelBear: Its app is simple (and adorable), and it gives you 2GB of data per month plus country-level server selection with a free account.
As an honorable mention, CyberGhost VPN's 24-hour trial gives you full, free access to its gigantic server network, which is capable of skirting geo-restrictions on regional content — a decent short-term solution for fans of international TV shows. I felt like it was important to include here because so many people seek out VPNs for this secondary use case, but I want to stress that its track record isn't quite as proven and pristine as the competition. Maybe that matters to you; maybe you just want to binge the latest season of Love Island UK.
