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Free VPNs - Are Reddit Users Upvoting or Downvoting Free VPNs?
Reddit users often argue over differences of opinion, but the one thing they agree on is that free VPNs are not safe to use.There’s no such thing as ‘completely free.’ It’s expensive to run a VPN, and providers need to cover their costs. Most free VPN services aren’t honest about how they make their money, and it’s usually at the expense of their users’ security.Free VPN services make money by:
Displaying ads and annoying pop-ups. Selling your personal information to third parties. Using your data for marketing and advertising. Using your device as an exit node for its paid subscribers.
If you only need a VPN for a short period or you want to try the service before you commit, Reddit users recommend using a premium VPN’s free trial period.That way, you can try the service for free without compromising your security.
The Best VPNs According to Reddit Users - Full Analysis (Updated March 2023)
1. ExpressVPN - Best for Fast Connection Speeds
ExpressVPN is popular among Reddit users and there’s plenty of reasons why. ExpressVPN is one of the fastest options available and it’s packed with security features.With 256-bit AES encryption, a zero logs policy, and an automatic kill switch it ensures your information and data are secure. ExpressVPN also offers TrustedServer technology that ensures data is never written to a hard drive and a split-tunneling feature that lets you decide what traffic you route through the VPN and what directly accesses the internet.A few Reddit users have said they’ve noticed a recent decline in speeds, customer service, and performance, but many other users are still very happy with ExpressVPN.With over 3,000 servers in 94 countries, ExpressVPN can unblock geo-restricted content on almost any streaming service. Its security features hide your IP address and encrypt your data so no one can see what you’re doing online. ExpressVPN works on most devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and many routers and with the ability to connect up to 5 devices simultaneously you and your family are covered.ExpressVPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is plenty of time to ensure it’s the right VPN for your needs.Want to know more? Explore our ExpressVPN review to see the full results of our research and testingTry ExpressVPN Now!
2. Proton VPN - Best for Cost-Effective Plans
Proton VPN is popular with Redditorsbecause of its high-speed connections, huge server selection, and Secure Core technology.Secure Core routes your data through multiple servers before it leaves the network. This prevents spies monitoring the network and matching your browsing activity with your connection.Its servers are located in secure data centers in Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden. This means your data is protected by strong privacy laws.Proton VPN uses military-grade encryptionto secure your data. It keeps a strict no-logs policy, and its apps feature a built-in kill switch to prevent unprotected data leaving the network if your connection fails.It also offers DNS leak protection and its Always On feature ensures that your personal information is never exposed.One of Reddit’s favorite Proton VPN features is its built-in support for Tor. Combining Tor and a top VPN provides the ultimate level of security. It also protects you from corrupted Tor nodes and monitored servers.Proton VPN offers a limited free account so you can test its service before upgrading to one of its flexible and affordable subscriptions. All its plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.Want to know more? Explore our Proton VPN review to see the full results of our research and testing.Try Proton VPN!
3. Mullvad VPN - Best for Anonymity
Reddit is full of die-hard Mullvad fans who are excited about its cost-effective prices and easy-to-use, no-frills approach.It currently offers apps for Windows and MacOS, but it has been criticized for its lack of iOS and Android support. With that said, it’s one of the only providers to offer apps for Debian and Fedora OS.Mullvad offers all the security must-haves, like 256-bit encryption and a no-logs policy. However, its anonymous accounts really set it apart from other VPN providers.When you register, it assigns you an account number instead of a username and password. Mullvad doesn’t use your name, email address, or other identifying information.For complete anonymity, you can even pay with cash. If you’re a fan of convenience, it also accepts credit cards, PayPal, Swish, and bank wires.Mullvad offers a 3-hour free trial so you can test out its service before you subscribe. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for all its plans.Want to know more? Explore our Mullvad review to see the full results of our research and testing.Try Mullvad!
4. IPVanish — Best for Security Features
IPVanish ensures any browsing you do is safe and secure. Since being bought out by StackPath in 2017, IPVanish has doubled down on privacy features such as its zero-logs policy. As well as its no-logs policy, it has a range of impressive security features. It has military-grade 256-bit AES encryption along with DNS leak prevention. Leak prevention means that your DNS requests will never be revealed by being routed through your ISP, and the 256-bit AES encryption would stop any of your information from being legible even if it was somehow intercepted by cybercriminals.There are IPVanish apps for both iOS and Android, and the service can be configured to work on most platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux.The pricing on IPVanish’s plans are generally not bad, but to make the best savings you’ll need to sign up for one of its yearly subscriptions. You can pay for this using credit cards or PayPal.One of the nice things about IPVanish, particularly if you’re unsure about signing up for the service long-term, is its money-back guarantee. It lets subscribers try out the service for 30 days before claiming a full refund.Want to know more? Explore our IPVanish review to see the full results of our research and testing.Try IPVanish
Where to Find VPNs on Reddit
Reddit’s organizational structure is hard to navigate if you’re not an experienced user. There are several VPN subcategories, called subreddits, featuring reviews, advice, and technical support.I’ve created a master list of VPN subreddits to help you find your way around Reddit.
VPN Subreddits
Should I use a VPN to access Reddit?
Using a VPN to access online content is never a bad idea.A VPN isn’t just for bypassing geoblocking and censorship, it has a number of practical uses. A premium service, like Reddit’s top pick ExpressVPN, protects entered form data from hackers and keeps your browsing habits hidden. It offers a strict no-logs policy and military-grade encryption to keep your identity and data safe and anonymous.
What is Reddit?
Reddit is a large information-sharing platform that’s primarily self-managed. It serves as an online information exchange and offers a large array of primary topics, those topics then branch into numerous subtopics (subreddits). Reddit allows you to discuss, distribute, and rate content on its site. You can also share articles and links from outside of Reddit, so you get all the latest news on almost any topic you can imagine. The downside is anyone can enter information on Reddit, so finding a reliable, unbiased source is difficult.If you’ve quit using Reddit but can’t figure out how to delete your account, we can help. Check out our article How to Delete Your Reddit Account Permanently - Updated 2023.
Are VPNs legal?
In most parts of the world using a VPN is completely legal.That said, there are places that restrict or ban the use of VPNs. These countries include North Korea, Russia, and China. To learn more about VPNs and where using one is limited or banned, read Are VPNs Legal? Where are they Illegal.
The Bottom Line
It’s difficult to impress Reddit users, but the VPNs on my list have done it!Overall, reddit’s top choice is ExpressVPN for its super fast connections and ability to easily bypass geoblocks on streaming platforms.Although it’s a smaller provider, Mullvad VPN is Reddit’s favorite provider when it comes to privacy. Unlike its competitors, it accepts cash payments by mail so you can remain 100% anonymous.For the best combination of security and speed, Redditors recommend Proton VPN. According to r/privacy, its built-in Tor compatibility is a must-have for securing your connection.Still not sure which VPN is the best choice for you? Reddit recommends ExpressVPN.Try ExpressVPN Now!
To summarize, here are the best VPNs according to Reddit in 2023…
The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.
VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we've tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it's currently offering49% off. Visit ExpressVPN
FAQs
4 Best Vpns Reddit Users Recommend In 2023 Safe Fast? ›
According to thousands of Reddit comments, top-rated and all-around best Reddit VPN is Panama-based NordVPN. This service is a combination of blazing fast connection speed, high security standards and a good price.
What is the most secure VPN for Reddit? ›- NordVPN – Recommended by many Reddit users in 2023. ...
- OVPN – A Swedish VPN recommended by Reddit. ...
- Surfshark VPN – An affordable and reliable VPN (based on Reddit) ...
- Mullvad – Great VPN according to Reddit (but not for streaming)
According to thousands of Reddit comments, top-rated and all-around best Reddit VPN is Panama-based NordVPN. This service is a combination of blazing fast connection speed, high security standards and a good price.
Which VPN is highly suggested? ›CNET rigorously tests each virtual private network to find the ones with exceptional privacy, reliability, speed and value. Currently, ExpressVPN is our Editors' Choice for best overall VPN.
Who has the safest VPN? ›- NordVPN: Best Overall.
- TorGuard VPN: Most Customizable VPN.
- TunnelBear: Best for Beginners.
- Private Internet Access: Best for Customizable Security.
- ProtonVPN: Best for Tor Integrations.
- hide.me: Best for Wi-Fi Security.
- Surfshark: Best for Unlimited Connections.
Tor is better than a VPN for the following: Anonymously accessing the web – It's almost impossible to trace a Tor connection back to the original user. You can safely visit a website without leaving any identifying evidence behind, both on your device and on the website's server.
What VPN is free and safe reddit? ›- ExpressVPN – Best VPN for Reddit with a 30-day free trial. ...
- Windscribe – Positive reviews on Reddit. ...
- ProtonVPN – Best Unlimited Free VPN. ...
- TunnelBear is – Decent Free VPN as per Reddit. ...
- Speedify – Fast for the internet as per Reddit.
- NordVPN – the fastest VPN in 2023 overall.
- Surfshark VPN – fast VPN with top-notch protection.
- IPVanish – unlimited VPN with good speeds.
- ExpressVPN – VPN with a fast custom protocol.
- CyberGhost VPN – cheap VPN with specialized servers.
- Mullvad: The fastest VPN in 2023. ...
- Zenmate: Runner up. ...
- ProtonVPN: Good internet speeds for users who also value their privacy.
- Bitdefender: A fast VPN from a reputable antivirus maker.
- CyberGhost: Beginner-friendly service that's great for streaming.
- Current fastest VPN we've tested.
- Tons of features.
- Diskless RAM-only server infrastructure.
- Solid encryption.
What is the top VPN free fast and unlimited VPN? ›
- Hotspot Shield - Best Overall. ...
- 500 MB Daily Data Usage Limit. ...
- PrivadoVPN - Best Free VPN with Unlimited Speeds. ...
- Atlas VPN - Best Free VPN for Privacy. ...
- Surfshark - Best Encryption. ...
- TunnelBear - Best Free VPN for Beginners. ...
- Windscribe VPN - Best Free VPN for the Security.
A VPN helps you stay invisible and behind the scenes, but it doesn't give you immunity against online risks like malware, ransomware, phishing attacks, or even computer viruses. That's where your antivirus software comes in.
Can you trust any VPN? ›How Secure is a VPN? Using a reliable virtual private network (VPN) can be a safe way to browse the internet. VPN security can protect from IP and encrypt internet history and is increasingly being used to prevent snooping on by government agencies. However, VPNs won't be able to keep you safe in all scenarios.
Is there a bad VPN? ›Most VPNs Are Dangerous to Use. Your VPN service has access to a lot of personal information. It can see your IP address, the websites you visit, and what you do on those websites. Trustworthy VPN companies ignore this information, and most make sure it is never recorded in the first place.
What is replacing VPN? ›Two of the most common choices are software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE). SD-WAN is designed to be a more efficient alternative to the VPN. Instead of implementing point-to-point connectivity, SD-WAN provides optimal routing of encrypted traffic between a network of SD-WAN appliances.
Why should you not always use a VPN? ›Using a VPN at home is preferable, advised even, but it isn't always essential. The main reason it may not be necessary, is that your internet activity should already be shielded by your password-protected Wi-Fi network. The other concern is connecting to a remote server can slow your connection speed.
Can I be caught using VPN? ›Police can't track live, encrypted VPN traffic, but if they have a court order, they can go to your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and request connection or usage logs. Since your ISP knows you're using a VPN, they can direct the police to them.
Which VPN is the safest and free? ›Proton VPN is a great choice for the best free VPN services with great connection speeds. It is an open-source Virtual Private Network that has an unlimited free version for Windows, Mac, Android, and other devices.
Do VPNs sell your data? ›Many free VPNs can sell or share your data to 3rd parties… Editor's note: Research was done in 2018, some facts are updated in November 2022. At TheBestVPN, we generally advise against the use of free VPNs. The reason is simple – many of them simply sell your data to 3rd party advertisers.
Am I getting tracked by using free VPN? ›Your ISP can't see what you're browsing online when you connect to a VPN. However, by detecting the encrypted data from your device, the ISP is aware that you're using a VPN. However, the ISP will not know your actual IP address or your browsing history.
Which free VPN makes Internet faster? ›
Speeds | Best For | |
---|---|---|
🥉ProtonVPN | Average | Privacy, Browsing |
Avira Phantom VPN | Fast | Privacy, Streaming (on mobile) |
hide.me | Average | Privacy, Streaming, Torrenting |
Hotspot Shield | Fast | Streaming, Torrenting |
Surfshark – super-secure VPN for multiple devices
It offers unlimited simultaneous connections and overall fantastic quality. Plus, Surfshark has apps for major platforms, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and can be configured on many more devices, including routers.
However, there are some VPNs that offer unlimited connections. This is ideal if you have a lot of devices to secure or if you'd like to share your VPN with family members in your household. VPNs that offer unlimited simultaneous connections include Surfshark, IPVanish, and Atlas VPN.
Which VPNs have unlimited connection? ›- Surfshark. Surfshark is an excellent choice for families and individuals with multiple devices. ...
- Private Internet Access. ...
- IPVanish. ...
- AtlasVPN. ...
- PureVPN. ...
- Windscribe.
- Hola! VPN – the worst VPN ever. 2.4. Visit Hola VPN Number of countries covered: 190. ...
- VPNBook – claims to be free but isn't. 5.5. Visit VPNBook Number of countries covered: Number of servers: ...
- Hoxx VPN – horrible VPN with weak security. 3.2. Visit Hoxx VPN Number of countries covered: Number of servers:
According to our research and testing, NordVPN is the best no-log VPN on the market. It has a zero-logs policy that's been independently audited twice, as well as numerous security and privacy features to help you stay anonymous online.
Will a VPN stop hackers? ›When you connect to a VPN, the original IP address assigned to you is hidden from public view. All anyone online can see is the address of the VPN server you're connected to. By hiding your original IP address, a VPN can prevent hackers from using it to remotely hack into or otherwise attack your device.
Can FBI track VPN? ›Can the FBI see through a VPN? If the VPN company is located in the US, and the server is located in the US, the FBI can get a warrant for their logs. But if either is located outside the US they can't. (The overseas server used by an American VPN company usually isn't “connected” to the company in any way.)
Can NSA track VPN? ›But this isn't much of a big deal if it's legal to use a VPN in your country of residence. Remember that, in almost all cases, the government can only see that you're using a VPN. They can't find what you're doing online, your internet history, or your actual IP address. Your VPN encrypts all of this data.
How do I know if my VPN is trustworthy? ›Inspect Your IP Address on BrowserLeaks
You can make certain that your VPN is safe and secure by inspecting and studying the IP address on BrowserLeaks. If you see the IP address of your VPN, then your IP address is indeed secure. If not, then your IP is leaked to the world.
What are the dark side of VPN? ›
VPNs Can Give You a False Sense of Security
Browsing through the internet may expose you to malicious websites, phishing attacks, data breaches, and more. Although VPNs typically give you an extra layer of security and privacy by encrypting your data and hiding your IP address, they are not foolproof.
A VPN is a surefire method to protect your credit card while shopping online, and should be the first service you turn to whenever you plan to pick up a new pair of boots on Amazon or just want to get a quick bite delivered to where you are on the go. VPN for online shopping will be a safe and secure method.
Is VPN safe for online banking? ›A VPN is safe for online banking, but you should also take other precautions. If you don't have up-to-date antivirus software installed, your operating system is old, or you ignore virus alerts, you will still be at risk of being hacked even if you are using a VPN.
Is secure VPN safe to use Reddit? ›VPNs can provide encryption between your system and the VPN server you are connecting to. They also obviously can allow you to remotely access otherwise inaccessible networks. They work perfectly for me, are a great way to help secure your traffic on networks you don't trust, and aren't a waste of money imo.
Are VPNs traceable reddit? ›It really depends on your security habits and other means of protecting your identify. If it's a verified no-logs VPN, and you pay anonymously, it becomes harder to trace but if you log into personally identifiable websites, you negate that privacy.
Which VPN is best for peer to peer reddit? ›- NordVPN – the best VPN for torrenting according to Reddit in 2023.
- Surfshark – affordable and fast torrenting VPN by Reddit.
- PureVPN – simple but reliable VPN for torrenting.
- ExpressVPN – fast VPN for torrenting tested by Reddit users.
- CyberGhost – privacy-oriented torrenting VPN.
Proton VPN is as safe and secure as VPN services go. It's equipped with powerful AES military-grade encryption and tunneling protocols. All of their apps are open-source so everyone can inspect their code to verify that it's safe to use.
Am I safe to hackers if I use VPN? ›Technically – no. Hackers can't get through standard VPN encryption. A brute force attack would take millions to billions of years to crack the current standard AES-256 encryption. This cipher is known for being essentially impenetrable and is a good choice to keep your online activity safe.
How do I know if a VPN is safe? ›Inspect Your IP Address on BrowserLeaks
You can make certain that your VPN is safe and secure by inspecting and studying the IP address on BrowserLeaks. If you see the IP address of your VPN, then your IP address is indeed secure. If not, then your IP is leaked to the world.
In fact, online banking with a VPN is safer than without it. A virtual private network does NOT compromise your data, protecting it when you bank over public Wi-Fi or through a home network. Generally speaking, encryption is the most important feature a VPN offers.
Are your searches hidden on VPN? ›
VPNs can hide your search history and other browsing activity, like search terms, links clicked, and websites visited, as well as masking your IP address.
Can someone see my search on VPN? ›No. The VPN software encrypts your online connections. That makes it impossible for anyone to see what you do. The ISP can tell you're using a different IP address from the one it assigned you and figure out you're using a VPN.
Can a VPN steal my information? ›When it comes to protecting your privacy, most VPNs fail. Many popular, highly-rated VPN services will leak your IP address or DNS requests, thereby exposing your data to third parties.
Is there a better VPN than Proton VPN? ›NordVPN offers better long-term deals and is overall a cheaper option than Proton VPN. The best deal comes with NordVPN's longest plan which costs $3.29/month.
Can the government track Proton VPN? ›Your government can't track what you do on the internet via your ISP.
Is Proton VPN real or fake? ›Is ProtonVPN legit? ProtonVPN is a legitimate VPN service based out of Switzerland with more than 1,700 servers in over 60 countries. It has a strict no-data logging policy, which the Swiss government's strong consumer privacy laws protect further.