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Virtual Protocol Networks or VPNs are definitely of the need in the world we live in today. Whether you want to access geo-blocked content from different parts of the world or browse in anonymity and hide your actual IP address from the rest of the world, a VPN is a must-have for your Windows PC. We have decided to put together this listicle of the 6 best free VPNs for Windows in 2022 that you can download and install on your device effortlessly.
Keep on reading until the end to find out what VPNs are worth downloading while considering the current state of affairs. Without wasting any further time, let’s dive right in.
6 of the best free VPNs to grab for your Windows PC
We will list the six best free VPNs with a comprehensive description of their features below, so you will find it easier to decide which one suits your preferences the most. Be sure to read until the end for the best results in formulating a decision.
1. ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is the undisputed king of free VPN software in 2022. Everyone who wants to test the functionality of a Virtual Protocol Network before jumping to a premium product should try out what ProtonVPN has to offer at least once. This program is available on an exhaustive array of platforms, including mobile operating systems and macOS, but it also brings forth the added convenience of unlimited data usage.
Most other free VPNs have a data cap that prevents users from running them in the long-term sense. That is certainly not the case with ProtonVPN, as you don’t have to worry about going too overboard with its data usage. Besides this considerable benefit, ProtonVPN stands out in the competition focusing on privacy. This is, by far, the best free VPN out there that makes it known not to sell your private browsing data to third-party sources.
As soon as you turn on the PC, ProtonVPN toggles on automatically as well, and this is nothing short of a paid feature that you get to enjoy for free. In addition, as far as a free-to-operate VPN goes, ProtonVPN respectfully comprises three different data servers. One’s from the USA while the other is from Japan. The last data server hails from the Netherlands. What’s more, users can enjoy a couple of premium-level features in ProtonVPN, including leak prevention of your DNS.
In addition, there’s very surprisingly split tunneling in this VPN that you can experience without paying a cent. This is when you can divide the functioning of your Virtual Protocol Network software, so it partly uses your regular connection as well. Doing so can avoid interruptions and inconveniences, especially when accessing websites that block out VPN-centric connections.
If the base functionality of ProtonVPN suits your interest, you can always consider upgrading to a more premium version of the program. That is where you’ll start to get higher priority for different users trying to connect to a data server and many other features. Feel free to download and install ProtonVPN from the official website using this link.
2. Hotspot Shield Free
Hotspot Shield Free
The next entry in line relates to one of the most popular VPN software called Hotspot Shield. This is one of the oldest VPN programs ever that traces its release back to April 2008. It’s been in service for more than a decade now and is widely circulated as one of the most high-quality VPNs that Windows users can employ consistently. However, all that praise is for the actual Hotspot Shield paid program.
The good news is that the software creators have developed a free-to-use version of the original Hotspot Shield VPN software and dubbed it Hotspot Shield Free. This software charges its users a flat fee of $0 per month and promises through-and-through and reliable encryption for browsing the internet safely. Moreover, the company is pretty transparent about how its business model works.
The developers also warn users to pick a free VPN that tells them how it makes money. If it doesn’t state anything regarding that, the software is probably selling your privatized data to earn funds. This is not the case with Hotspot Shield Free, though. You’re effectively utilizing a “freemium” software whose costs are covered by the premium edition of the VPN. Download the free program using this link and start today on your Windows PC.
3. Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN touts itself as the “fastest free VPN service,” but we have to admit that this is one kind of a stretch. Although it’s not the fastest out there in terms of raw speed, it’s capable, considering its efficiency as a free-to-use VPN software. Therefore, the software has quickly earned a spot on this list due to not one but multiple different reasons. First off, its free version does not require you to enter your credit card details or get into any like-minded hassle.
Secondly, if you’re in China, Atlas VPN will let you connect to most websites that have been cordoned off by the Chinese government and consume their content accordingly. Another tip-top reason to try Atlast VPN is its relentless privacy measures that ensure no data leaks happen. The free-to-use version of Atlas lets you use three different data servers placed in different parts of the world, which should be good enough for basic requirements.
Get the VPN directly from the official website using this link.
4. TunnelBear
TunnelBear
TunnelBear sports a fierce-looking mascot but guarantees a smooth-sailing experience from within. This is yet another high-quality VPN that makes short work of low-end programs that talk big but falter in despair regarding actual functioning. It provides pretty appreciable speeds to users on a reliable basis and is quite certainly the most user-friendly VPN on this list. You do not have to be an IT expert or a frequent PC user to be able to use TunnelBear.
For individuals concerned about their privacy the most, the VPN service in question is excellent in living up to its well-grounded reputation. You now do not even have to provide your first name to sign up for the free version of TunnelBear. Just download it on your desktop PC, and you’ll be good to go. One facet where this VPN comes across as lackluster is the available data limit per month.
You only get 500 MB of data to use every 30 days. While that figure may not appeal to a niche number of users, this next part of TunnelBear’s functionality definitely will. Unlike most free-to-operate VPN software that provides its users with 2-3 data servers worldwide, TunnelBear’s free version gives you access to more than 20 of those, letting you connect to more parts of the world painlessly.
Get the VPN directly from the official website here.
5. PrivadoVPN
PrivadoVPN
The second last best free VPN for Windows in 2022 belongs to PrivadoVPN, offering users a robust encryption service with more data limit availability than most basic users will probably require. That is to say, this software is a major step up from TunnelBear in the sense of a monthly data cap. You get 10 GB of available data to use each month with PrivadoVPN, and this is simply extraordinary.
In addition to just this benefit, this VPN allows you access to plenty of data servers, definitely more than ProtonVPN, which is overall the best free VPN program for Windows. With Privado, however, you can connect to a data server in the US, Canada, Netherlands, Sweden, Mexico, Great Britain, France, and Germany. Get going with the application and sign up for a free account today using this direct link.
6. Windscribe
Windscribe
We’re going to top this list off with Windscribe—a deserving VPN software that boasts many data servers spread out across different parts of the world. You can establish a connection from all the way to the United States or the United Kingdom to Romania, Switzerland, Norway, France, Germany, and even Hong Kong. Another noteworthy function of Windscribe is its ad-blocking capability as well. This makes the software 2-in-1.
If you’re a typical television show fan, you’re going to love the fact that the free version of Windscribe can connect you to the US version of Netflix at no additional cost. No other free VPN sports a feature like this, at least not those on this list. It’s speedy, lightweight, and ultra-fast, basically all the plus points that you’d like a free VPN to have. Grab it right away from the official website using this direct link.
Conclusion
VPN software is actively gaining traction in the energetic tech-forward age of 2022. More and more people are starting to show an inclination toward these privacy-oriented programs, so developers are trying to create the most effective working VPNs to attract the increasingly large consumer base of users for their products.
This guide outlines the six best free VPNs for Windows in 2022, so you know all of your options and can choose between them flexibly. Our personal favorites are PrivadoVPN and ProtonVPN, but you’re free to try all of them out and determine which one suits you the best.