5 FREE Safer Alternatives to Onavo VPN in 2023
There’s no such thing as a free lunch - and this applies to VPNs, as well.
Facebook’s free VPN service, Onavo, has officially closed down following a shocking privacy scandal.
Onavo allowed Facebook to trace its users' browsing activity and monitor the time its users spent on various apps. This data informed Facebook’s business model and led to its acquisition of WhatsApp.
This is a strong example of why many free VPNs can’t be trusted to keep your information private and safe. But, there are still some trustworthy providers out there.
If you need a free VPN that will not track your data or sell it to Facebook, take a look at the providers below. They’re free, secure, and not affiliated with any social media apps or market research companies.
The Best Free Alternatives to Onavo VPN
1. Editor’s Choice: CyberGhost
Try Risk-Free for 30 DaysTested July 2023
I’m going to let you in on a little secret: did you know you can get one of the most popular premium VPNs for free? Here’s how.
CyberGhost is one of the best premium VPNs on the market, and it comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Once you’ve registered for an account, you can try it out risk-free and request a refund within 45 days. This is perfect if you’re looking to trial a new service, or if you only need a VPN for a short time.
With CyberGhost, you’ll enjoy unlimited bandwidth on lightning-fast servers across the globe. Its military-level security features will ensure total anonymity while you browse.
CyberGhost can even bypass VPN blocks to unlock Netflix and other streaming services.
If you’re new to VPNs, CyberGhost is perfect for you. It’s one of the most user-friendly VPNs available, and it’s incredibly easy to set up. It will even auto-select the best settings for your connection based on your needs. And if you ever run into trouble, you can get immediate help from its 24/7 live chat support service. You can read more about why we love CyberGhost here.
- Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and more
Supports torrenting:
- P2P optimized servers are great for downloading and seeding
CyberGhost works on these devices:
- Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV, Linux, Chrome, and Firefox. It’s also compatible with routers.
Get Started With CyberGhost Now!
2. ZenMate
Second only to ExpressVPN, ZenMate offers one of the least-restrictive free VPN services.
Although your speed is capped at 2 MB/s, there are no data limits. So, unlike most free VPNs, you’ll never have to wait for your account to reset before you can continue your Netflix marathon.
All ZenMate packages offer top-of-the-line encryption and a comprehensive NAT Firewall to keep hackers away from your personal information. A free account grants you access to servers in Germany, Hong Kong, the US, and Romania, but you will need to upgrade to a premium account to unlock extra servers.
Here’s the good news: every free account comes with a 7-day free trial of ZenMate Premium so you can try out its powerful, feature-rich VPN service for yourself. But don’t just take our word for it. Check out what real users are saying about ZenMate here.
3. Windscribe
Windscribe is one of the most popular free VPN providers, and it's easy to see why. It offers 10GB of free data each month and is dedicated to protecting your privacy and online freedom.
Windscribe provides some notable features not commonly found in free VPNs, such as the ad and tracker blocker integrated within its browser extensions.
Unfortunately, Windscribe’s free version can’t bypass anti-VPN technology. So, if you want to unblock content from services like Netflix and Hulu, you’ll need to upgrade to the budget-friendly premium version. With Windscribe Pro, you’ll also enjoy unlimited data and access to servers in over 60 countries.
4. Proton VPN
Swiss-based Proton VPN offers one of the richest free VPN plans, and it’s got everyone talking.
In addition to military-grade security, its Secure Core technology routes your traffic through multiple servers before it leaves the network.
The free version offers uncapped data and high speeds, so you can browse and stream to your heart’s content. However, you can only connect to servers in three different countries. For a wider variety, you’ll need to upgrade to one of its premium plans.
Luckily, each new user is entitled to a 7-day free trial of Proton VPN Plus, so you can try it out yourself for free. As a premium user, you’ll enjoy higher speeds and the ability to protect multiple devices at the same time.
5. Hotspot Shield
Popular premium VPN provider, Hotspot Shield, offers a great free plan, as well.
Hotspot Shield's free account protects your data with the same military-grade security as its premium customers.
It’s one of the fastest services, but it caps data transfer at 500 MB per day. This is enough for browsing, sending emails, and updating Facebook, but if you need a VPN for streaming, you’ll have to upgrade.
The good news is that its paid plans are very well-priced. Similar to ExpressVPN, all premium subscribers get a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. This means you can try it risk-free to see if it’s the right VPN for you.
Get Started With Hotspot Shield
Summary
With so many free VPNs on the market, it’s hard to know which providers are trustworthy.
The services on our list are safe, secure, and 100% free. Best of all, they’re not affiliated with Facebook, and they won’t make a profit from your private data.
Still not sure which VPN to use? We recommend trying out CyberGhost risk-free. You have up to 45 days to ask for a refund if you don’t like it.
Get Started With CyberGhost Now!
Further Reading
You don’t have to pay for a good VPN, but you do need to be careful which service you trust. Here’s why some free VPN providers are downright dangerous to use.
Looking for the best free VPN for your Mac? Look no further! Check out our experts’ top recommendations for Mac.
Or, maybe you’re after a more lightweight solution? Take a look at the best free VPN extensions for Chrome.
Your data is exposed to the websites you visit!
Your IP Address:
Your Location:
Your Internet Provider:
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 offering 49% off.
About the Author
Kate has been writing and editing for vpnMentor since 2018. She is driven by her passion for helping people to protect themselves from online threats.
