The best free VPN

Mashable's guide to the best free VPNs spotlights free subscription tiers and trials from premium providers, including TunnelBear, CyberGhost VPN, and ExpressVPN.

In the realm of cybersecurity, "best VPN" and "paid VPN" are effectively synonyms. VPNs (aka virtual private networks) that are completely free to use do exist, but it's reasonable to assume that using one means maybe having your data logged and sold (or leaked) or downloading an app bundled with malware. They need to keep the lights on somehow.

A general rule of thumb is that paid, premium VPNs are the safest and most reliable VPN services out there (and we've got our own favorites). But there is a small loophole for cash-strapped users here, which is that some premium providers 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 private practices (including no-logs policies). For users who are interested in trying a VPN for the first time or those who need one for infrequent, short-term use, they can be handy tools.

Read on for Mashable's guide to the best free VPNs that we've tried ourselves.