7 Best Free Proxies to Try for Safer Web Browsing

In 2025, safe browsing is not just a concern for tech enthusiasts, but a necessity for anyone online. The challenge is that not all proxies are trustworthy. Some are extremely slow, others pose security concerns, and some even sell your data to the highest bidder. That's why choosing the right tool is so important.

 

But when it comes to safe browsing, proxies are still an important piece of the puzzle. This guide has rounded up the best free proxies of 2025—rated based on privacy, speed, and real-world usability—so you can find the right option for your needs. Whether you're a business user, a student, or simply someone who values ​​online freedom, there's an option for you.

 

1. Thunderbit

Thunderbit is not a typical proxy or VPN - it is a Chrome extension that uses AI technology to collect web data, and is also a secure proxy for data collection. If you work in sales, e-commerce, or research and need to collect data from websites without getting IP banned, Thunderbit's cloud data collection mode is a lifesaver.

 

When using Thunderbit Cloud Scraping, your requests will be routed through Thunderbit's servers in the US, EU, and Asia. This means that websites will see Thunderbit's IP, not yours - keeping your identity private and your data scraping activity anonymous. No more worries about being intercepted or your true location being exposed.

But Thunderbit does more than just hide your IP. Its AI can automatically detect and extract data fields, track links to subpages, and handle pagination—all while keeping your connection encrypted. You can instantly export collected data to Excel, Google Sheets, Airtable, or Notion , and the extension supports 34 languages.

2. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a household name in the privacy world, and for good reason. Developed by the team behind ProtonMail , ProtonVPN offers a free plan with unlimited data, no ads, and a strict no-logs policy—all while complying with Swiss privacy laws.

 

ProtonVPN's free servers are available in five countries (US, Netherlands, Japan, Poland, and Romania), along with strong encryption (AES-256, WireGuard , OpenVPN ), DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. Unlike many other free VPNs , ProtonVPN doesn't throttle your speed, although its free servers can get overloaded during peak hours.

3. Hide.me

Hide.me is a user-friendly VPN that offers a surprisingly strong free plan: 10GB of data per month, access to 8 server locations (including the US, UK, Germany, and Singapore), and no ads or registration required.

 

Hide.me's app is clean and easy to use, and it supports all major platforms. Free users enjoy the same encryption and security as paid users (AES-256, WireGuard, OpenVPN), along with a kill switch and Split Tunneling . Hide.me is independently audited to verify its no-logs policy, and even free users get 24/7 support.

4. TunnelBear

TunnelBear is the friendliest VPN out there – its bear-themed interface keeps privacy safe for everyone. The free plan gives you 2GB of data per month and access to servers in over 47 countries.

 

TunnelBear takes security seriously, with annual independent audits, strong encryption, and a strict no-logs policy. Its "VigilantBear" kill switch and "GhostBear" incognito mode help bypass VPN barriers and keep your connection secure.

5. Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield focuses on speed. Its free plan offers unlimited data (with ads), access to four server locations, and its proprietary Hydra protocol, which keeps things fast even for free users.

You get AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and Split Tunneling. Hotspot Shield's privacy policy has improved in recent years, but the free plan still shows ads and logs minimal device data.

6. Windscribe

Windscribe is a power user's dream: 10GB of data per month (with email confirmation), servers in 10 countries, and a feature set that rivals many paid VPNs.

 

Free users get access to Windscribe's ad/tracker blocker (ROBERT), Split Tunneling, and unlimited simultaneous connections. Privacy policy is strict - no identifiable logs, only bandwidth monitoring to ensure limits.

7. Opera VPN

Opera VPN is built into the Opera browser - no additional download or registration required. Just turn it on, choose your region (Americas, Europe, Asia), and all your Opera browser traffic will be encrypted and routed through Opera's servers.

Opera VPN is unlimited and ad-free, with a strict no-logs policy for VPN traffic. It's perfect for fast, private browsing or local unblocking.