Best free VPNs for Windows 11 in 2026
Our in-house cybersecurity experts and journalists, renowned for major reports like The Mother of All Breaches, conduct transparent, unbiased VPN testing and in-depth analysis.
With 750+ articles crafted based on real-world research, we empower readers to make informed purchasing decisions through first-hand expertise.
Learn more
Windows 11 is the latest iteration of the most popular desktop operating system on the market. And since the widely-used OS is available for free, it’s only natural that users would want to enhance it with extra security and privacy at no additional cost.
This is where a robust free VPN for Windows 11 comes in handy. While imperfect, it allows you to mask all your online activities while keeping your home location hidden from prying eyes.
Naturally, all free VPNs are burdened by a few drawbacks, such as slower connections, monthly data caps, and limited server options. But that’s the price for trustworthy free VPNs because unreliable providers can cause more significant harm. Therefore, I urge you to learn about the best free VPNs for Windows 11 PCs and use them to protect your precious information.
To offer you only the best solutions, the Cybernews research team and I have tested numerous VPN providers in terms of compatibility, security, servers, streaming, and more. For that reason, in this article, I discuss premium free trial VPNs with good money-back guarantees, as well as 100% free VPNs for Windows 11.
Top 5 best free VPNs for Windows 11
- NordVPN – best free trial VPN for Windows 11
- Proton VPN – functional truly free VPN for Windows 11
- Hotspot Shield – easy-to-use free VPN for Windows 11
- Hide.me – secure and fast free VPN for Windows 11
- TunnelBear – reliable free VPN for for Windows 11
📢 LIMITED OFFER: Get NordVPN, only now 76% OFF!
We spare no effort to test the products & their features. All information is gathered by our in-house research team & fact-checked by our team of experts. Discover the ins and outs of our testing procedures.
Free vs paid VPNs for Windows 11
Before I begin, it’s essential to clearly distinguish between free and paid VPNs and their differences. Then, you’ll see why all the best VPNs for Windows 11 are premium.
Paid virtual private network services accumulate revenue through subscriptions, affiliate deals, and outside investment. Thus, they can hire professionals from various fields to develop critical cybersecurity features and maintain the service to the highest quality standards.
On the flip side, completely free VPNs don’t have an obvious revenue stream and likely rely on collecting user data and selling it to advertisers. Even worse, they may infect your device with malicious software like ransomware or adware.
Then, there are freemium services in the middle. As the name suggests, these are free VPN alternatives that premium providers offer. Unsurprisingly, these plans are somewhat limited to make the paid options more enticing. Typical drawbacks include reduced speeds, fewer server options, lack of security features, or time limits.
| Security: | AES-256 encryption, kill switch |
| Privacy: | Independently-audited no-logs policy |
| Speed: | > 70% of initial connection speed |
| Compatibility: | Windows 11 |
Still, it’s possible to find reliable free Windows 11 VPNs that offer decent performance and essential security. You can even use the top providers on the market using trials and money-back guarantees. The table above shows some of the criteria by which I compiled the best free VPNs for Windows 11.
Best free trial VPNs for Windows 11 – detailed list
There are a ton of free VPNs that promise so much, but in reality, offer so little. I'm here to separate the fact from the fiction. After testing more than 30 VPNs with free versions or free trials, I concluded that the following providers are the most worthwhile options. Let’s begin with the leading free trial Windows 11 VPNs.
1. NordVPN – best overall free Windows 11 VPN
| Servers/countries: | 9,500+ servers in 149 countries |
| Free trial: | Yes, 3-day |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | Get 76% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
NordVPN is one of the best free trial VPNs for Windows 11. The provider is best known for its massive range of servers, super-fast speeds, and phenomenal approach to security.
Security and privacy. All NordVPN subscription plans include the powerful Threat Protection feature, which blocks ads, trackers, and malware. Customers also don’t have to worry about intrusions or data leaks, thanks to AES-256 encryption and robust DNS leak protection. Plus, the service boasts a zero-logs policy that was reviewed six times by independent auditors.
Streaming. The provider is a top contender for streaming and our testing proves that. I managed to unblock the most popular foreign libraries on the biggest streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and many more.
Speed. NordVPN employs its proprietary NordLynx protocol to ensure around 90% speed retention rates while connecting to any location. Additionally, you can choose from over 9,500 servers across 149+ countries for guaranteed optimal connectivity anywhere.
Pricing. While it may not offer a free version, the provider offers a 3-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee to test things out. Plus, the paid subscription is very reasonable, too – just $3.09/month.
For more information, visit our NordVPN review.
2. Proton VPN – privacy-focused free VPN for Windows 11
| Servers/countries: | 20,300+ servers in 148 countries |
| Free version: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | Get up to 70% OFF Proton VPN |
Proton VPN is definitely a worthwhile free VPNs for Windows 11, given that it has no monthly data caps on the free version. You can use the service as much and as frequently as you desire without worrying about sudden lockouts.
Security and privacy. The free plan includes highly secure AES-256 encryption and the WireGuard protocol. More so, there’s an audited no-logs policy in place, meaning there’s nothing the provider could share with others. This is further confirmed by the provider’s jurisdiction in privacy-friendly Switzerland and open-source software.
Streaming. Unsurprisingly, the free version is incapable of unblocking geo-exclusive movies and TV shows on online streaming services. Moreover, non-paying users can’t employ Proton VPN for P2P.
Speed. You won’t experience significant slowdowns because the free app includes the efficient WireGuard protocol. Another perk worth noting is the proprietary VPN Accelerator technology, eliminating inefficiencies while delivering data packets.
Pricing. Although the free version is pretty functional, the paid option will include more premium features like Tor over VPN, Secure Core servers to further encrypt your traffic from snoopers, and the NetShield malware and ad blocker, all for $2.99/month. Plus, a 30-day money-back guarantee is in place.
For more information, visit our Proton VPN review.
3. Hotspot Shield – user-friendly free VPN for Windows 11
| Servers/countries: | 1,800+ servers in 80 countries |
| Free version: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Chrome |
| Current deal: | Now up to 77% OFF! |
Hotspot Shield offers a fast and intuitive VPN experience with its Hydra protocol, making it ideal for premium users. The free version is best for basic browsing needs.
Security and privacy. Hotspot Shield ensures protection with AES-256 encryption and a reliable kill switch. Premium plans maintain a strict no-logs policy, while the free version collects minimal data for ads, slightly compromising privacy.
Streaming. Premium users enjoy smooth streaming on platforms like Netflix and Hulu. The free version’s 500MB daily limit and single US server restrict extended streaming or access to global libraries.
Speed. The Hydra protocol delivers excellent speeds for premium users, but free-tier speeds are capped at 2 Mbps, limiting performance for bandwidth-intensive activities.
Pricing. The free tier is suitable for light use, while premium plans start at $2.99/month for a three-year subscription, including unlimited speed, global servers, and a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Explore our Hotspot Shield review for a thorough evaluation.
4. Hide.me – reliable and speedy free VPN for Windows 11
| Servers/countries: | 2,600+ servers in 91 countries |
| Free version: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS |
| Current deal: | Get Hide.me VPN, now 73% OFF + 2 months FREE |
Hide.me offers a secure and fast VPN experience with both free and premium plans, making it a versatile choice for users who prioritize privacy and accessibility.
Security and privacy. With AES-256 encryption and a no-logs policy, Hide.me ensures robust security. While the free version offers decent protection, its kill switch is inconsistent, posing potential risks for high-sensitivity tasks.
Streaming. The premium plan unblocks Netflix and BBC iPlayer effortlessly for smooth streaming. However, the free version’s 10 GB monthly cap, access to only 5 server locations, and a single connection limit make it unsuitable for extended streaming sessions.
Speed. WireGuard protocol ensures reliable speeds with minimal slowdowns. However, the free version’s limitations in data and server choices may impact performance for frequent or high-bandwidth users.
Pricing. Premium plans begin at $2.69/month (annual) with a 30-day money-back guarantee. The free version, ad-free and no-logs, is best suited for basic browsing rather than intensive usage.
For more information, visit our Hide.me review.
5. TunnelBear – dependable free VPN for Windows 11
| Servers/countries: | 8,000+ servers in 45 countries |
| Free version: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS |
| Current deal: | Now up to 67% OFF! |
TunnelBear offers a secure and beginner-friendly free VPN for Windows 11, ideal for light browsing or testing its features. Its charming interface and basic privacy tools make it a popular choice for casual users.
Security and privacy. TunnelBear ensures solid online security with AES-256 encryption, a kill switch (VigilantBear), and independent audits for transparency. However, its Canada-based jurisdiction within the 5-Eyes alliance might raise privacy concerns for more security-conscious users.
Streaming. While TunnelBear supports accessing platforms like Netflix and Hulu, the free version’s 2GB monthly data cap makes it impractical for extended streaming sessions. Premium plans improve access, but the service occasionally struggles with maintaining consistent connections to certain libraries.
Speed. TunnelBear performs well with WireGuard for downloads but falters with uploads and consistency, particularly when using OpenVPN. Free users may notice slower speeds due to the limited resources allocated to the free plan.
Pricing. The paid plans start at $3.33/month, offering unlimited data and premium features. The free version is capped at 2GB/month, with no money-back guarantee, making it more of a trial.
For more information, visit our TunnelBear VPN review.
How we tested these free Windows 11 VPNs
Not all VPNs are equally suitable for Windows 11, let alone free ones. So, to pick only the best free VPNs for Windows 11, the Cybernews research team and I tested over a dozen candidates based on these criteria:
- Compatibility. On top of being compatible with Windows 11, we also looked for VPNs that are compatible with other popular operating systems like macOS, IOS, Linux, and Android.
- Free trial. Not all VPNs offer their services without charge forever; in fact, some may only let you use them for a short period of time. To ensure that you can get the best usage without interruption, we took care to choose VPNs with the longest free trial terms.
- Money-back guarantee. Free VPNs are sometimes seen as having unpredictable features. Since you can upgrade to premium versions of our chosen VPNs and receive a complete refund within 30 days, we did our research carefully. It’s a perfect way to test out VPNs' full potential risk-free.
- Data caps. Most free VPNs have tight data caps that try and influence you to upgrade to a premium version. So we looked at VPNs that had the highest data caps if any at all.
These are a handful of vital factors to consider when looking for a VPN. If it ticks all the boxes above, then you're on the right path.
Free Windows 11 VPNs compared
Consult the table below if you need a reminder of the critical differences between the top 5 best free VPNs for Windows 11 PC.
| Brand | Ranking | Free version | Platforms | Simultaneous connections | Unblocks |
| NordVPN | Yes (Free 7-day trial) | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | 10 | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more | |
| Proton VPN | Yes | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | 10 | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, HBO Max, Disney+ | |
| Hotspot Shield VPN | Yes | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Chrome | Up to 10 | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Amazon, Hulu, and more | |
| Hide.me VPN | Yes | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS | 10 | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Youtube, and more | |
| TunnelBear VPN | Yes | Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS | Unlimited | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube |
Is it worth having a free VPN on Windows 11?
Free VPNs for Windows 11 may seem like a highly alluring alternative, but not every user will find them to be the ideal solution. For many users, paid solutions offer more robust and comprehensive packages that come with well-rounded online security.
Although the majority of individuals who require a solid VPN for Windows 11 typically pay for one, there are still free options available. Free VPN services frequently have limitations, such as capped browser usage or slow network connections. And while some providers will offer greater freedom in this regard, you will not escape some sort of limitations.
More significantly, free VPN services may employ questionable security procedures, so exercise caution. Most use the point-to-point tunneling protocol (PPTP) to connect to the internet, which, although widely supported, isn’t very secure. Even if it means being forced to use a VPN that throttles your connection or limits your bandwidth, you should avoid choosing one that fails to adequately disclose its security policies.
So while a free VPN for Windows 11 could suffice the most basic user needs, overall it is not worth it to risk the safety of your personal data. So if you’re serious about security, connection speed, and geo-restricted content accessibility, I suggest investing in a reputable free trial VPN provider.
How to download a free VPN for Windows 11
It’s worth pointing out that there are two ways to enable a free VPN on Windows 11. The first method involves downloading a dedicated app of a third-party provider, such as the ones outlined above. The other approach is enabling the built-in VPN available on Windows 11. Check the guides below for more information.
How to install a third-party free VPN on Windows 11
-
Visit the VPN provider's official website and head to the downloads page. I recommend picking NordVPN, the best free VPN for Windows 11
-
Download and install the official Windows VPN app onto your PC
-
Open the software and log in or create a new account
-
Choose a VPN server, connect to it, and use Windows 11 securely!
How to enable the free Windows 11 built-in VPN
-
Open Settings, click Network & internet on the left and choose VPN
- Click the Add VPN button in the top right
-
Give the connection a name and input all the details to connect to your desired VPN server (address and credentials)
- The connection option will appear in the VPN menu once everything is completed
- Click the Connect button next to the name to enable the manual Windows 11 VPN
Why free VPNs might be dangerous
While free VPN sounds like a tempting concept, in reality, free services may cause more harm than good. Below, I point out some of the things you should be wary of when downloading a free VPN:
- Malware. Free VPNs rely on advertising to make their money, and this can often be littered with malware. Previous studies have shown that free VPNs often have malware embedded within them.
- Selling data. Numerous real-life examples and past studies have shown that free VPN providers have sold customer data to third parties. This can put your personal data at risk.
- Slow speeds. When you use a free VPN service to access the internet, you could notice that your connection is slow. These companies may purposefully slow down your internet speed to entice you to upgrade to their paid services.
- Browser hijacking. Some free VPNs can hijack your browser and redirect you to other sites without your permission. These can often be dangerous or virus-heavy sites.
All things considered, you’ll be better off avoiding free VPNs when possible. At the very least, you should opt for a reliable free trial VPN or freemium service for Windows 11 because it’s clear where their revenue is coming from. You’ll have to deal with some drawbacks, of course, but that’s preferable to the malware risks.
Video review: best free VPNs for Windows 11
Check the video below if you want more details with added visuals about the best free VPNs for Windows 11.
Conclusion
Ultimately, there are a few good free VPNs for Windows 11 out there. However, more often than not free VPNs bring more harm than good. Plus, you would have to look past the lack of security features, data caps, and the inability to unblock your favorite streaming sites.
My tests concluded that the best free VPN for Windows 11 is Proton VPN. It provides acceptable security measures and server options for American and European residents alike to ensure satisfactory speeds. However, you may feel the 5 GB monthly data allowance is not enough if you use the VPN daily.
In that case, consider NordVPN, the top Windows 11 VPN with a free trial. You can snag it for over a month using the 7-day trial and 30-day money-back guarantee.
FAQs
What is the best free VPN for Windows PC?
The best truly free VPN for Windows PC is Proton VPN, but it does have some notable drawbacks. I recommend trying a premium service like NordVPN, which offers a free trial and a money-back guarantee for the best performance.
Does Windows 11 have a free VPN?
No, Windows 11 doesn’t have a free VPN included. You’ll have to download a free VPN for Windows 11 if you want online security and privacy at no cost. I particularly recommend free trial or freemium options for extra reliability.
How to download a free VPN for Windows 11?
First, pick a trustworthy free VPN for Windows 11, such as Proton VPN. Then, visit the provider's website and find the downloads page. Download the free Windows 11 VPN app, install it, and open it. You’ll be asked to log in or create a new account. All that’s left is to pick a server and connect.