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Free VPNs Compared — The Honest Guide

Proton VPN (genuinely free) vs Hola (fake free) vs NordVPN (not free at all). The only VPN comparison that asks who's paying.

The question with free VPNs is never 'does it work' — it's 'who's paying for the servers.' Three answers, three very different verdicts.

Proton VPN Hola VPN NordVPN
VerdictFree ForeverFake FreeNot Free
Free Score85/1008/1008/100
Value7/101/100/10
Card neededNoNoYes
AccountRequiredVariesRequired
LimitsFew server locations, one device, no country choice—No free tier; 30-day money-back guarantee
You getUnlimited data — no bandwidth capA browser extension that unblocks some sitesNothing free — every plan is paid
Real costSlower speeds and no country choice on free.Your device can become part of the product.Subscription only. The '30-day free' is a refund guarantee, not a free tier.
Full reviewRead →Read →Read →

Our pick

Proton VPN is the only honest answer: genuinely free, no data cap, funded by paid subscribers, independently audited. Hola historically monetized your bandwidth. NordVPN isn't free at all. For a free VPN, there is one choice.

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