The best free VPNs of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

ZDNET’s February 2026 guide compares reputable free VPNs—Proton VPN, Windscribe, TunnelBear, PrivadoVPN, Hotspot Shield, and Hide.me—covering features, limits, speeds, platforms, and pricing, while recommending premium services with trials or money-back guarantees (NordVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost) as alternatives. It cautions against risky “free” VPNs, highlights critical security safeguards (AES-256 encryption, kill switch, leak protection, no-logs), and explains trade-offs in bandwidth, server access, and device limits. The piece also notes industry updates (e.g., a Windscribe server seizure and typosquatting targeting VPN brands) and summarizes testing criteria and buyer advice.