在网络安全领域，付费VPN通常被认为是最安全可靠的选择。但对于预算有限的用户，一些优质的VPN服务提供免费套餐或试用期，例如TunnelBear、CyberGhost和ExpressVPN。这些免费版本虽然功能有限，但通常遵循相同的隐私政策，并提供基本的安全保障。文章比较了TunnelBear、CyberGhost和ExpressVPN的免费版本，并介绍了Proton VPN作为潜在的最佳选择。文章旨在帮助用户找到安全可靠的免费VPN服务，满足偶尔或短期使用的需求，同时强调了免费VPN潜在的安全风险。

🤔**TunnelBear是大多数用户最推荐的免费VPN**：它拥有简单易用的界面，提供一定程度的流量分割功能，每月为免费用户提供2GB的浏览数据，且不记录用户数据或要求提供信用卡信息。

⏱️**CyberGhost和ExpressVPN提供免费试用**：用户可以在桌面或移动设备上免费使用CyberGhost长达一周，ExpressVPN则提供一周的移动设备免费试用。这两个VPN都拥有庞大的全球服务器网络，适合旅行或解锁地区内容，但存在某些平台上限制流量分割以及母公司历史存在争议等问题。

🚀**Proton VPN成为潜在的最佳选择**：它承诺重视用户隐私和透明度，对免费用户不限制数据量，也不要求提供信用卡信息，目前正在进一步评估中。

⚠️**免费VPN存在安全风险**：大多数免费VPN存在数据泄露、出售或恶意软件捆绑等风险，因此建议用户谨慎选择并了解其隐私政策。

💰**付费VPN更安全可靠**：付费VPN服务通常提供更高的安全性和可靠性，建议用户根据自身需求选择合适的付费VPN。

In the realm of cybersecurity, "best VPN" and "paid VPN" are effectively synonyms. Yes, free VPNs (aka virtual private networks) do exist, but most of them are extremely sketchy. That means your data could be logged, sold, or leaked — or even downloading an app intentionally bundled with malware. They need to keep the lights on somehow.

So, here's my general rule of thumb: Paid, premium VPN services are always the safest and most reliable. But there's a small loophole for cash-strapped users, which is that some premium providers do offer free tiers and trials. They're typically more limited than their paid counterparts, with usage restrictions and fewer server options, but they're at least protected by the same privacy practices — including vetted no-logs policies.

For users searching for the best free VPNs, or those who need a VPN for occasional short-term use, these free tiers are handy tools.

What is the best free VPN?

After testing some of the most popular free VPN services, I think TunnelBear is the best free VPN for most people. Its cute, basic, and ad-free app is super easy to use, it offers some form of split tunneling on all platforms, and its free users get 2GB of browsing data on one simultaneous connection per month. (You can't have it running constantly in the background across all your devices, but life is full of tradeoffs.) TunnelBear abides by sound transparency and privacy practices, and it doesn't make any money off its free users — nor does it require they enter any credit card information.

CyberGhost VPN and ExpressVPN also offer decent trials. CyberGhost is free on desktop or mobile for up to a week, and ExpressVPN is free for a week on mobile. Both apps have large and globally diverse server networks that make them good for traveling or unblocking regional content, like streaming services, and free users get full access to these networks. (They both allowed me to watch Love Island UK from my home in Chicago.) However, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN both restrict split tunneling on certain platforms, have a shared parent company with an iffy past, and require credit card info from trial users.

What I'm testing next

In mid-2024, I tried the free version of Proton VPN on Windows for another one of Mashable's VPN guides. I was extremely impressed by its commitment to user privacy and transparency, and liked the fact that it didn't place data limits on its free users (or ask them for credit card deets). I'm still in the process of fully vetting Proton VPN, but so far it's a really strong contender for the No. 1 spot. Watch your back, TunnelBear.

For now, read on for Mashable's guide to the best free VPNs.