Recently we’ve got an email from one of our readers asking us to recommend him (it was a guy) a good free VPN he could use with his router.
Our initial reaction is always – you have to pay for a VPN in order to get good service… But then we remembered that one of the VPNs we consider to be among the best ones does offer a free plan. Albeit limited, it could show you what this VPN can do.
Hotspot Shield is a VPN you could try for free
Hotspot Shield works across platforms and devices, and also includes router support. The problem with its free offering is that it’s rather limited, though that’s kinda expected since you won’t be spending a single dime of your hard-earned cash on it. Here’s what Hotspot Shield’s free plan includes:
- Limited streaming access – you should get a paid plan for reliable access to services likes Netflix, HBO MAX and Disney+
- Up to 2 Mbps – should be enough for web browsing and social media
- 500 MB daily data limit – again, enough for accessing websites
- US-only – you get access to the server in a single location.
I guess you shouldn’t connect too many devices on that router or you will experience a slow Internet connection. Except if you upgrade to Hotspot Shield’s paid plan, which adds support for 5 devices (router could be one of those devices) with no limits of any kind.
You can use it to access any streaming service you want and roam the Internet “free as a bird.” And that, we believe, is what a VPN should be all about – to let you unlock every corner of the Internet.
Look beyond your router
It is cool to protect your router with a VPN, but it is even cooler to have a VPN app running on all devices you use. These would include your computer, a smartphone, and a tablet — if you have one.
Best VPNs like Hotspot Shield work across platforms, with a single license letting you install their apps across the board.
So, whether you need a VPN to bypass various restrictions or just to keep a low profile on the Internet — a good VPN will cover it all. Plus, it will keep your connection secure on public Wi-Fi hotspots, encrypting all traffic coming to and from your devices so that no one can snoop into it.
In case you didn’t know, the number of these so-called “man in the middle” attacks has been increasing in recent years, but luckily so has the use of VPNs.
To sum it up – if you want a free VPN, try out the free Hotspot Shield plan and take it from there. Upgrade if you determine it works for you – click the link below and take it from there.
Alternatively, you can skip that step and instantly grab the paid offering. Like most top VPNs, Hotspot Shield offers a 30-day money-back guarantee — allowing you to ask for a refund if you determine that it doesn’t work for you. Check it out.
Pros
Cons
- It's super fast!
- Works with Netflix, BBC and others
- Easy to use apps, browser extensions
- You can try it for free!
- Some advanced features are not configurable
- Not the best for high-censorship countries