Skip to main content

Disclosure: Top10VPN is editorially independent. We may earn commissions if you buy a VPN through links on our site.

The Best Free VPNs for the USA

6 comments
Illustration of the flag of the USA
Simon Migliano Head of Research at Top10VPN
Simon Migliano
6 comments

Simon is a recognized world expert in VPNs. He's tested hundreds of VPN services and his research has featured on the BBC, The New York Times, CNet and more. Read full bio

  1. Top10VPN logo
  2. Best VPN
  3. Free
  4. USA

The most effective VPNs cost money, but your right to privacy shouldn’t depend on what you can afford.

That’s why we put together a list of the best free US VPNs that hide your IP address and protect you from your ISP’s and the NSA’s snooping.

We’ve tested dozens of free VPN services’ local US speeds, server availability and security to identify the safest and fastest for America.

Based on our privacy, security and streaming tests, the best free VPNs for the US are:

  1. Windscribe Free: The best free VPN for USA and for US Netflix. Read summary
  2. Hide.me Free: A free VPN with fast speeds on both US coasts. Read summary
  3. ProtonVPN Free: Five free US VPN servers and unlimited data. Read Summary.
  4. ZoogVPN Free: A no-logs VPN with 11GB of free monthly data. Read summary
  5. TunnelBear Free A user-friendly VPN with lots of international servers. Read Summary.

The free VPNs above encrypt your web traffic, mask your browsing activity, and give you access to thousands of free US IP addresses. Compare them side by side using our free US VPN comparison table.

Remember though, free VPNs are limited by slower speeds, data caps, reduced server locations and limited access to content platforms.

For unrestricted use, considering using a top-rated (paid) US VPN.

Our #1 choice is ExpressVPN, which you can try risk-free for 30 days.

The Top Free US VPNs: Performance Ratings

Use the following table to compare how the best free US VPNs perform in each key testing category:

The 5 Best Free VPNs for the United States

  1. 1. Windscribe Free: Best Free US VPN

    A safe and completely free VPN with eight US city servers.

    Ranked #1 Free VPN for the US
    Windscribe mobile screenshots
     100% 
    (2 user reviews)
    Visit Windscribe

    Pros

    1. Best 100% free VPN on the market
    2. Eight US city servers
    3. Risk-free VPN with no device limit
    4. Generous 10GB data cap
    5. Unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer & more
    6. Useful for torrenting
    Cons
    1. Data restriction imposes limits
    2. Slower than premium Windscribe
    3. No live chat support
    4. Based in Canada

    Free VPN for US Rating: 8.8/10

    This overall rating is calculated using the following subcategory ratings. For more details, learn how we test free US VPNs.

    • 9
    • 8.1
    • 8.3
    • 9.5
    • 9.5

    Windscribe Free is the best free VPN for the US. It comes with a 10GB data cap that is restrictive but generous, eight US cities to connect to, and access to popular US streaming platforms.

    Most importantly, it’s safe, secure, and trustworthy. Despite limitations, Windscribe Free will protect you from snooping and hackers.

    Data Cap10GB
    Top Download Speedi

    Based on a 100Mbps test connection

    		54Mbps
    Logging PolicyAnonymous Server Usage Data
    JurisdictionCanada (Five-Eyes Member)
    US NetflixYes
    TorrentingPermitted
    Data LeaksNo
    Countries10
    Servers-
    SupportEmail & Online Resources Only

    Free servers in California, New York, and more

    Windscribe free lets you connect to eight US cities in eight different states. These include:

    • Atlanta, Georgia
    • Chicago, Illinois
    • Dallas, Texas
    • Los Angeles, California
    • Miami, Florida
    • New York City, New York
    • Washington, D.C.

    For a free VPN, this is a very good amount of US servers. It has East Coast, West Coast, and Southern options.

    You can also connect to global IP addresses in 10 more countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Turkey, Hong Kong, and more.

    This is a small amount compared to the full, paid version of Windscribe. However, it still offers a diverse range of servers for Americans to connect to.

    Excellent security for a free VPN service

    When it comes to security, there is barely any difference between paid and free versions of Windscribe. Both use the top encryption cipher AES-256 and the OpenVPN protocol is available. Both are subject to the same minimal logging policy, too.

    The free VPN operates Perfect Forward Secrecy and has a functioning kill switch called ‘FireWall’. There’s even a double hop feature and port forwarding options. For a free service, this is very advanced.

    We haven’t recorded any IP, WebRTC, or DNS leaks when testing Windscribe free. The ad-tracker is disabled on the free version, but it still works as a malware blocker.

    These credentials make Windscribe a dependable provider. When it comes to free VPNs, this is close to the best security available.

    Works with Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer

    Windscribe Free unblocks all the major US streaming services. This includes US Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.

    All of its free US servers still work to unblock US Netflix. Regular servers also unblock the Netflix libraries of Canada, UK, and Japan. This means that all the largest Netflix libraries are available through Windscribe Free.

    It’s not quite as good at unblocking foreign streaming services like BBC iPlayer. We found that the full VPN app struggles to unblock the British streaming service. However, Windscribe’s free proxy browser extension is more reliable.

    Most of Windscribe’s servers are optimized for P2P activity, and it’s a good VPN for torrenting. Its credible security package and trustworthy logging policy will protect you from copyright trolls and malware.

    This makes Windscribe Free the best free service for your entertainment needs. The problem is that Windscribe free is restricted to 10GB of data per month, which isn’t a lot for streaming or torrenting.

    Restrictions and underperforming speeds

    As with any free service, Windscribe Free has its drawbacks. You’ll be able to stream and torrent fine, but its speed performance is less impressive than the paid version. The free servers just don’t compare.

    And while there’s little difference between Windscribe Pro and Free when it comes to an ability to unblock websites and offer protection, there’s no getting around Windscribe Free’s data cap.

    It’s important that Americans have a safe free VPN option, but using Windscribe free will not be sustainable if you plan on using a VPN a lot. This is especially true if you’re streaming.

    Visit Windscribe

    or read our full Windscribe VPN Review.

  2. 2. Hide.me Free: Free VPN for Torrenting

    Ad-free VPN with New York and Los Angeles servers, unrestricted speeds, and P2P-support.

    Hide.me mobile screenshots
     100% 
    (1 user reviews)
    Visit Hide.me

    Pros

    1. Free server on both US coasts
    2. Zero speed restrictions
    3. Safe logging policy
    4. Torrenting supported on all free servers
    5. Based in a privacy haven
    6. No registration required & no ads
    Cons
    1. Can’t access US Netflix
    2. WireGuard & multi-hop excluded
    3. One-device limit

    Free VPN for US Rating: 8.6/10

    This overall rating is calculated using the following subcategory ratings. For more details, learn how we test free US VPNs.

    • 9
    • 8.8
    • 7.4
    • 9.8
    • 8.5

    Hide.me Free is easy to install and has minimal restrictions. It measures fast speeds on two US servers and ensures privacy with its sensible logging policy.

    It can’t access Netflix and its advanced security features have been removed, but it is based in a privacy haven and you can torrent on all its servers. The 10GB data cap is on the generous side, too.

    Data Cap10GB
    Top Download Speedi

    Based on a 100Mbps test connection

    		72Mbps
    Logging PolicyAnonymous Server Usage Data
    JurisdictionMalaysia (Privacy Haven)
    US NetflixYes
    TorrentingPermitted
    Data LeaksNo
    Countries4
    ServersNot disclosed
    SupportLive Chat

    Two free US servers & a generous data allowance

    Hide.me has a free server on the US East Coast (New York) and the West Coast (Los Angeles). It only has two US servers overall, which is less than Windscribe Free. But it’s good that both coasts are covered.

    Internationally, it has three more locations to choose from, including nearby Canada. There’s also servers in the Netherlands and Singapore. This means you can connect to Asia, Europe, and a neighboring country should you want an international IP address.

    There is a 10GB monthly data limit. This is inevitably restrictive but it’s a relatively generous amount. Even better, unlike many other free VPNs, Hide.me allows you to continue using the VPN even after the data limit has expired.

    The only difference is that you’ll be restricted to a single server. If you only want to connect within the US, this might not be a problem anyway.

    A private VPN based in Malaysia

    Hide.me will hide your IP and protect you from NSA snooping. It’s based in Malaysia, a country outside the reach of US surveillance. Even with all of its security power, the US authorities have no power there.

    It has a safe logging policy, too. What little data it does store is deleted every few hours. Thanks to Hide.me’s regular transparency reports, we know that it has received legal requests and DMCA complaints but it has been unable to cooperate.

    Hide.me has decided to exclude the WireGuard protocol from its free version as well as its multi-hop feature. This is a shame, but it’s still a secure VPN encrypted with AES-256 cipher. Available protocols include OpenVPN and IKEv2, which are both reliable.

    You can also still use the advanced Stealth Guard feature. This allows you to choose which apps are encrypted by the VPN and which are not.

    Good for torrenting but not for streaming

    Hide.me Free is secure but it’s less useful as a streaming VPN. The limits imposed on the free version prevent it from working with most major streaming platforms. This includes US Netflix, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video. You’ll have to pay for the premium account to access streaming sites.

    However, Hide.me Free is a good option for torrenters. All of its five server locations are P2P-optimized. With its privacy policy and kill switch, you’ll be able to torrent safely and without fear of copyright trolls.

    It’s speeds are more than fast enough for torrenting activity. Hide.me imposes no speed restrictions or throttling on its free version. Our tests found local download speeds to be around 78Mbps, which is good. This is around 20% less than our normal internet connection.

    But there is always a chance that paying users will be prioritized ahead of free users. Your speeds may suffer as a result.

    Simple sign-up and installation

    Hide.me Free couldn’t be easier to get. All you have to do is download the installer from the Hide.me website and select the free plan option when launching the application.

    It doesn’t require payment details or sensitive information of any kind. That means you won’t have to worry about remembering to cancel.

    It’s limited to one device only but the app is easy to use and free of intrusive ads. You can also use the live chat support, available on the Hide.me website. The chat agents are always quick to respond and helpful.

    Visit Hide.me

    or read our full Hide.me Review.

  3. 3. ProtonVPN Free: Best for Privacy

    Very private VPN with unlimited data allowance and US server.

    ProtonVPN Mobile Screenshot
     100% 
    (3 user reviews)
    Visit ProtonVPN

    Pros

    1. Unlimited free data & no speed throttling
    2. Security package identical to premium
    3. Audited privacy policy
    4. Five US servers available
    5. No payment info required & no ads
    6. Strong security package
    Cons
    1. Only three countries available
    2. Torrenting not allowed
    3. Streaming services blocked
    4. One device limit
    5. No live chat support

    Free VPN for US Rating: 8.3/10

    This overall rating is calculated using the following subcategory ratings. For more details, learn how we test free US VPNs.

    • 9.9
    • 7.7
    • 7.7
    • 9.8
    • 3

    ProtonVPN is the only safe free VPN with an unlimited data allowance. You can use this data to connect to three locations, including the US.

    There are limitations when it comes to streaming, torrenting, and server network size, but this VPN is highly safe and transparent.

    Data CapUnlimited
    Top Download Speedi

    Based on a 100Mbps test connection

    		95Mbps
    Logging PolicyAnonymous Server Usage Data
    JurisdictionSwitzerland (Privacy Haven)
    US NetflixNo
    TorrentingRestricted
    Data LeaksNo
    Countries3
    Servers16
    SupportEmail & Online Resources Only

    No data cap & five US servers

    If you need a free VPN to browse the web and visit sites safely then ProtonVPN is the best choice. You can leave this VPN on all the time without worrying about data limitations, or annoying adverts. This is uniquely generous among free VPNs that are safe.

    You can connect to a free US server and experience strong performance. ProtonVPN Free does not throttle your speed. But its overall server network is very small.

    There are only 16 servers in three available countries, including US (five), Japan (three), and the Netherlands (eight). So you might not pick up the same speeds as the premium version.

    Windscribe Free and TunnelBear Free have many more servers, but you might choose to prioritize ProtonVPN’s unlimited data.

    ProtonVPN’s Secure Core servers aren’t part of the free service, either. But the servers that are included benefit from the same level of security as the premium account. These are bare-metal servers physically located in the listed countries, leased only from trusted data centers.

    Transparent VPN with audited logs

    ProtonVPN is an industry leader when it comes to service transparency. All of its apps have been audited by third-party security firms. On top of that, the VPN is open-source so the public can scrutinize its practices and point out insecurities.

    It’s based in Switzerland, which has stronger privacy laws than the US. It records very little information about its users, too. Some connection timestamps are logged, but it’s not identifiable.

    When a Swiss court asked ProtonVPN for information, it was unable to offer anything relevant, thus proving its safe logging practices. Simply put, ProtonVPN will definitely keep you anonymous and protect you from snoopers and hackers.

    The app uses OpenVPN as the default protocol, which offers a nice balance of speed and security. AES-256 encryption is employed and Perfect Forward Secrecy is included, too.

    We wish it supported the newer WireGuard protocol, but ProtonVPN’s security is still watertight. It encrypts your connection and protects you from IP exposures with its kill switch and leak protection.

    Security over entertainment

    ProtonVPN is one of the most secure VPNs available, and its free version has the same security package as the premium version. But this comes at the cost of entertainment.

    ProtonVPN Free is, frankly, quite useless when it comes to streaming and torrenting. You won’t be able to use its unlimited data to stream any Netflix library, Hulu from abroad, or access foreign channels like BBC iPlayer.

    Torrenting is forbidden, also. If you try your torrenting traffic will be blocked. For a free VPN offering unlimited data, this isn’t surprising. But it does mean you’ll have to consider another option if you want a free VPN for streaming and torrenting.

    No payment details needed but no live chat

    You can start using ProtonVPN in a matter of seconds. It’s very easy to install and registration requires no payment details or sensitive information of any kind. We also like that it’s ad-free.

    However, unlike Hide.me, there’s no useful live-chat feature should you encounter some problems or have a question. You’ll have to email for support, if the online resources aren’t already helpful.

    Visit ProtonVPN

    or read our full ProtonVPN Review.

  4. 4. ZoogVPN Free: 11GB Free Data

    Easy sign-up with free 11GB of data, Washington server, and P2P-optimized server.

    Two screenshots of ZoogVPN's iOS app
     80% 
    (3 user reviews)
    Visit Zoog VPN

    Pros

    1. Washington server available
    2. 11GB data allowance per month
    3. Zero payment details required
    4. P2P activity allowed on Amsterdam server
    5. No logs VPN with OpenVPN
    6. Works with US Netflix
    Cons
    1. Single device limit
    2. Inferior 128-bit encryption
    3. UK server doesn’t unblock British TV

    Free VPN for US Rating: 8.3/10

    This overall rating is calculated using the following subcategory ratings. For more details, learn how we test free US VPNs.

    • 9.1
    • 7.5
    • 6.9
    • 9.8
    • 7.3

    ZoogVPN’s free version offers a Washington connection and 11GB of free data per month. It’s a zero-logs VPN that doesn’t require payment details and it works with US Netflix. Encryption isn’t the most robust and there’s no WireGuard protocol, but it’s safe and sign-up couldn’t be easier.

    Data Cap11GB
    Top Download Speedi

    Based on a 100Mbps test connection

    		84Mbps
    Logging PolicyNo Logs
    JurisdictionGreece (EU Member)
    US NetflixYes
    TorrentingPermitted
    Data LeaksNo
    Countries3
    Servers3
    SupportLive Chat

    Free Washington server

    ZoogVPN Free comes with three server locations – the same number as ProtonVPN but less than Hide.me and Windscribe. You can connect to Amsterdam, London, and Washington.

    Those based on the East Coast might want to consider Hide.me or Windscribe. But thanks to its Washington server those on the West Coast will experience solid connections and fast speeds when using ZoogVPN.

    ZoogVPN has a data cap of 11GB per month. With the exception of ProtonVPN, this is the largest amount of free data we’ve seen. This is useful for safe, casual online activity, like shopping or online banking.

    Good security, private logging

    ZoogVPN meets all the industry-standards of a secure VPN. OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols are available and there’s a kill switch to prevent IP exposure.

    One difference between the premium and free ZoogVPN is that the free version encrypts with a 128-bit cipher and not the superior AES-256.

    It’s disappointing that ZoogVPN has made its free version deliberately less secure, but it’s normal to see a service entice users to paid subscriptions.

    ZoogVPN is zero-logs. It collects information on aggregated data transferred on its servers, but this in no way threatens your anonymity.

    This makes its Greece jurisdiction less of an issue. The company also uses a warrant canary to warn its users of legal requests. So far there have been none.

    US Netflix access & torrenting allowed

    ZoogVPN Free is much more useful than ProtonVPN as an entertainment service. It unblocks US Netflix on its Washington server, which is rare among free services.

    Its Amsterdam server is P2P-optimized. So, unlike ProtonVPN, torrenting is allowed.

    11GB is a generous data allowance, but it still means that you won’t be able to torrent or stream endlessly.

    No payment info or cancellation required

    ZoogVPN makes the signup process easy with no hidden catches. You don’t need to provide payment information or cancel within a timeframe.

    The apps themselves couldn’t be simpler, either. It’s stripped back to the essentials, which is good for newcomers and those looking to do basic online browsing.

    If you do like ZoogVPN, it has one of the cheapest premium subscriptions on the market.

    Visit Zoog VPN

    or read our full ZoogVPN Review.

  5. 5. TunnelBear Free: Good for Beginners

    User-friendly VPN with servers in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

    TunnelBear VPN
     100% 
    (2 user reviews)
    Visit TunnelBear

    Pros

    1. Same security features as paid version
    2. Fast speeds on local connections
    3. Servers in US and neighboring countries
    4. Good logging policy
    5. Torrenting permitted on all servers
    6. Simple, user-friendly apps
    Cons
    1. 500MB per month data limit
    2. Doesn’t work with streaming sites
    3. Limited customer support
    4. Based in Canada

    Free VPN for US Rating: 7.1/10

    This overall rating is calculated using the following subcategory ratings. For more details, learn how we test free US VPNs.

    • 5.5
    • 7.8
    • 7.2
    • 9.5
    • 5

    TunnelBear’s free VPN has the same security features, server locations, and customer support as its premium version. The one big difference is that you’re limited to 500MB per month.

    This means it’s not a viable option for long-term or intensive use, but most importantly TunnelBear is safe and user-friendly, particularly good for VPN beginners.

    Data Cap500MB
    Top Download Speedi

    Based on a 100Mbps test connection

    		52Mbps
    Logging PolicyAnonymous Server Usage Data
    JurisdictionCanada (Five-Eyes Member)
    US NetflixNo
    TorrentingPermitted
    Data LeaksNo
    Countries23
    Servers-
    SupportEmail & Online Resources Only

    Servers in America, Canada, and Mexico

    TunnelBear has servers in New Jersey, making it suitable for East Coast users.

    As there are no server restrictions, you can connect to 25 other countries. This offers the most international options on this list, more than double that offered by Windscribe Free. You can connect to nearby countries like Canada and Mexico should the US servers be slow on any given day.

    TunnelBear delivers decent speeds. We recorded speed losses of around 30% on our New York server. It’s not as fast as Hide.me, but there will be no issues when it comes to most online activity.

    Private logging policy

    TunnelBear’s logging policy is transparent, easy to read, and perfectly safe. It doesn’t log IP address, connection timestamps, or DNS requests of any kind. The only thing identifiable is the email you use to sign-up.

    According to TunnelBear’s 2020 transparency report, between January and December 2020 it received 22 legal requests for information. Based on an email address used to subscribe to the VPN, the company did once confirm that an individual has an account. But, crucially, no usage data was provided.

    When it comes to security, TunnelBear Free is exactly the same as the premium version. That means it encrypts with the same AES-256 cipher and includes first-party DNS servers.

    You can also use the VigilantBear and GhostBear features, its kill switch and anti-censorship tools. There’s leak protection, too.

    Torrenting on all servers

    You can torrent on all of TunnelBear’s servers. That’s great, but the major problem with TunnelBear Free is its 500MB data limit. With only 500MB at your disposal you won’t be able to torrent much or stream for long.

    You can get upgraded to 1GB if you tweet about TunnelBear. But even with that the data cap is far too restrictive. Windscribe, Hide.me, and ZoogVPN all offer 10 times more data per month. We recommend using TunnelBear for light web browsing only.

    Good for beginners

    One of TunnelBear’s strengths is its fun and functional apps, available on Android, Windows, Mac, and iOS. Newcomers to VPNs will find it super simple to operate. And you can use it across five different devices. There is no device restriction like there is with ZoogVPN and ProtonVPN.

    TunnelBear Free is particularly useful as there are no refunds on paid subscriptions. This free version allows you to test whether the VPN is for you or not. This isn’t a viable VPN for permanent use but is very useful as a free trial or one-off online activity.

    Visit TunnelBear

    or read our full TunnelBear VPN Review.

The Top Free US VPNs Compared

There are so many free VPNs on the market it can be overwhelming.

To help you decide, use the table below to compare the best free US VPNs on their number of US servers, logging policy, and access to US Netflix.

How We Test Free VPNs for the USA

We’ve tested all the major free VPNs to see which are safe and which will work well in the US specifically.

To find the best free US VPN, we test for:

  • As few restrictions as possible compared to the premium VPN as possible.
  • Available US servers.
  • Fast speeds on US connections.
  • A private logging policy and jurisdiction.
  • Success accessing streaming services at home and abroad.
  • Torrent-friendly policies and P2P-optimized servers.
  • Strong AES-256 & OpenVPN encryption, with no data leaks

Here’s a more specific breakdown of the key testing categories that go into our free US VPN testing process, and how much of the overall rating each category represents:

1. Data Cap: 30%

Minimum Requirement: At least 1GB per month.
We Recommend: At least 10GB per month.

Complimentary services from reputable providers inevitably come with certain limitations. This is because they want you to buy its premium version.

When we recommend free VPNs we find those that have as few restrictions as possible.

This means that the data allowance is generous, there are minimal restrictions on servers and security features, and there are no hidden catches.

Some VPNs place data caps of 500MB per month, which is vey restrictive. Others are more generous and go as high as 10GB per month. The very best have no data cap at all, but there aren’t many of these.

2. US Speeds: 20%

Minimum Requirement: Local US download speeds of at least 30Mbps.
We Recommend: Local US download speeds of 60Mbps or higher.

All VPNs slow down your internet speed, but free ones tend to be worse. We score highly the free VPNs that reduce your normal internet speed the least.

We are constantly running speed tests on our New York server to determine what sort of local connections US users can expect.

3. Number of US Servers: 20%

Minimum Requirement: At least one VPN server located in the US.
We Recommend: Around 10 US servers.

We analyse each VPN’s server infrastructure to determine how many are US-based.

Free VPNs are unlikely to have more than 10 US servers, but the more servers a VPN offers the better its overall performance will be.

The US is a huge country, so we score highly the free VPNs that have multiple servers spread evenly across the country from coast to coast.

4. Logging Policy: 20%

Minimum Requirement: Anonymised connection logs and no activity logs.
We Recommend: A strict, zero-logging policy and no data leaks whatsoever.

The US has some of the most invasive security laws in the world. So you need a VPN that will protect your privacy.

Security is particularly important when it comes to free VPNs. So many free services don’t protect your data. Instead, they sell your data.

We only recommend free VPNs that are reputable, certifiably safe, and private.

We do the work to analyse each free VPNs security suite and privacy credentials. We read every word of the VPN privacy policy to ensure it meets the expectations users have of a VPN.

Simply put, the less information collected on you, the better we score it. The ideal scenario is a zero-logs service, but those that do collect data should be transparent about it and detail what exactly is collected.

5. US Streaming Services & P2P Servers: 10%

Minimum Requirement: Can unblock some international Netflix libraries and allows torrenting.
We Recommend: Accesses multiple streaming services and allows P2P activity on US servers

Many people want a free US VPN to access YouTube or Netflix temporarily. Or they want to watch a show from another country, like the UK.

We test each free VPN with the most popular streaming services to check whether it can unblock your favorite US services while abroad and access content from international libraries.

We test on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and Hulu.

We then assess whether the VPN is safe and friendly towards torrenting. We measure the torrenting bitrate and look for P2P servers.

Why Do You Need a Free VPN for the US?

A safe free VPN is better than no VPN at all.

That’s because government agencies as well as your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can track and store your web activity. American ISPs can even sell your web browsing data to third-parties.

Remember: you have a right to privacy. It’s explicitly protected by the US Constitution. A good VPN will protect this right by hiding your IP, encrypting your data, and preventing any illegal or unwarranted snooping.

For more information on the benefits of US VPNs, check out our list of the overall best VPNs for the USA.

Additional research by David Hughes

Are Free VPNs Legal in the US?

It is perfectly legal to use a VPN in the US. There are no laws in the US that prohibit internet users from using a VPN.

In fact, a lot of major companies actually use VPN software to protect sensitive data from potential hackers, as well as to allow employees to access company files when working remotely.

One thing to remember when using a VPN is that you’re not exempt from other laws, particularly those regarding copyright.

This means that anything that is illegal without a VPN is still illegal when you’re using one.

Are Free VPNs Safe?

No, not all free VPNs are safe. We’ve done extensive research on the dangers of free VPNs.

Many free VPNs share and sell activity data, have links to China, have unsafe permissions, or use lacklustre security that leads to data leaks.

You don’t have to avoid all free VPNs, just be cautious with which service you trust.

Can I Watch US Netflix with a Free VPN?

Most free VPNs don’t work with Netflix. However, there are a few exceptions that we’ve tested to recommend the best free VPNs for Netflix.

The main exceptions are Windscribe and ZoogVPN. You can watch US Netflix with these two free VPN services. But, even then, the data caps mean you won’t be able to stream for very long.

In the rare case that a free VPN offers unlimited data, it restricts websites like Netflix because it doesn’t want you using its data for streaming.

About the Author

  • Simon Migliano Head of Research at Top10VPN

    Simon Migliano

    Simon is a recognized world expert in VPNs. He's tested hundreds of VPN services and his research has featured on the BBC, The New York Times, CNet and more. Read full bio