pros and cons and the best 3 apps in a row

Looking for a VPN service, but not too demanding? Then you might be able to do with a free VPN for Android. You can check in this article what the pros and cons are and what we think are the best three free alternatives.

Free VPN services for Android

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, a way to access the internet. With such a network connection you can choose yourself via which server your internet traffic goes. This way you can use the internet more anonymously, better protect your online privacy or circumvent geographic restrictions, for example. Want to know more about the basics of VPNs? Then check out our comprehensive VPN beginner’s guide.

In this article we dive deeper into free VPN services for Android. What are the pros and cons and what are three interesting free services?

Advantages and disadvantages of free VPN services

The advantage is of course that you do not have to spend any money on it. However, free is almost never free and that is often true in combination with VPN services. It may be that data from your internet visit is sold to other parties. After all, data is worth money and that way you can still use such a service without paying.

This also means that you can often not use the internet completely anonymously and securely via such a ‘free’ service. It may also be the case, for example, that your own data connection is shared with other users of the service. All in all, there are certainly reasons to keep in mind if you really don’t want to pay anything for a VPN service.

In addition, you often have to deal with data and speed limits, so you do not achieve optimal speeds. With other free services, for example, you cannot watch an American offer from a streaming service, or download torrents.

These are of course personal choices and there are always exceptions to the rule. That is why we have listed the best three free VPN services for Android, in no particular order, for you.

# 1 ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is an interesting VPN service that is completely free to use. The biggest advantages are not having limits on the amount of data you can send or the speed of the VPN connection. In addition, the service can be used on many other operating systems, such as Windows, iOS and Linux.

Several servers of the service have been placed in the Netherlands. This is useful if you are on holiday abroad and want to enjoy Dutch series from streaming services, for example. Netflix, among others, tries to logically constantly block such connections. Viewing the American supply from the Netherlands therefore goes in fits and starts.

This VPN service will probably not suit everyone’s wishes. For example, with a free connection via ProtonVPN you cannot download torrents, which you can with a paid subscription. You can also only use one device with a free line.

Proton VPN – Free VPN, Secure & Unlimited

Proton Technologies AG

# 2 Hide.me

If torrents are very important to you, you can take a look at Hide.me, because it has support for this. In addition to Android, this service can also be used on various platforms. However, in the free version, this is also possible on one device at a time. Hide.me does have a data limit of 10GB per month, so unlimited use is not possible. You do not have a limit in terms of speed and that is a bonus.

Do you also want to use a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions and, for example, watch a Netflix offer from another country? Then Hide.me is not a good choice, as it does not work. The service does not keep any data about your surfing behavior, which is good for privacy. Finally, you can count on 24/7 customer service support.

# 3 TunnelBear

Tunnelbear can also be an interesting player if you ever want to use a VPN. A big plus of this service is that you can use multiple devices. However, this is not possible at the same time, so you still have to choose your smartphone, tablet or laptop, for example. Tunnelbear does offer a more extensive server park than many other free services.

However, viewing the offer of foreign streaming services or downloading torrents is not included. Another disadvantage that should be mentioned is the limited amount of data you are allowed to use. That is 500MB per month. If you use TunnelBear for free, you cannot always rely on customer service. The service gives priority to paying users and any problems they experience.

TunnelBear: Virtual Private Network & Security

TunnelBear, LLC

Trial Periods: Test a paid VPN for free

As you can read, with a free VPN service you actually always compromise on a certain aspect or even several things. What you want to use a Virtual Private Network for and what is or is not important to you, only you can decide.

Almost every VPN service also offers a free trial package, where you can use the service fully, and then take out a subscription or not. This way you can easily test what works and what does not work well for you or which service you like best.

Know more about VPNs

Do you want to read more about VPNs? Then check out our VPN spotlight and check out our beginner’s guide, in which we cover all points about VPNs. Android Planet has also listed the best offers of VPN services for you. You can check them (in advance) in our Black Friday VPN deals article.

Do you use a VPN and if so for what and with which party do you have a subscription? Let me know in the comments!

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