Mozilla's new VPN is free for all users.
Firefox is about to receive a significant privacy upgrade, with parent company Mozilla announcing a free built-in VPN as part of a broader update that will roll out in the coming weeks.
Mozilla's new VPN will be free for all users.
This feature, launching in Firefox 149 starting March 24th, integrates VPN functionality directly into the browser—no separate extensions or downloads required. Once activated, it routes browser traffic through a proxy server, masking the user's IP address and location while they browse the web.
"Free VPNs can sometimes mean shady deals that compromise your privacy, but our VPNs are built on data principles and a commitment to being the world's most trusted browser," the company wrote in its blog post.
Mozilla positions this feature as a more reliable alternative to typical free VPN services, which they argue may rely on opaque data practices. The company emphasizes that its browser-based VPN is built on existing security principles, aiming to provide protection without monetizing user data.
Upon launch, the VPN will be available to users in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. It operates entirely within the browser, meaning it only protects traffic generated within Firefox, not across the user's entire device.
The VPN rollout is part of a broader effort that includes new productivity tools such as split-screen browsing, tabbed note-taking, and an optional AI assistant feature, as Mozilla seeks to modernize its browser and give users more control over their experience.
Firefox is a free, open-source web browser developed by Mozilla, focusing on speed, privacy, and security for users across all major platforms. It includes advanced features such as tabbed browsing, a built-in password manager, a private browsing mode, robust tracker blocking, and customization through thousands of extensions and themes.
Firefox's built-in VPN has limitations.
Why might 50GB not be enough for professional users?
Despite its convenience, Mozilla's built-in VPN still has notable limitations – most notably the 50GB data limit per month.
For typical usage, such as checking email or browsing the web on public Wi-Fi, that amount of data might be sufficient. But for more intensive activities like streaming videos, downloading large files, or extended browsing sessions, users may quickly reach their limit.
This limitation also reinforces the product's positioning: It's a lightweight security tool, not a complete replacement for dedicated VPN services. Professional users seeking continuous protection across applications—or higher data limits—will still need to turn to independent VPN providers.
In summary, Mozilla's built-in VPN helps lower the barrier to entry for private browsing, but it still doesn't offer an always-on, high-capacity experience, with users consuming more data than expected.
Users needing more data or full device protection may consider standalone VPN services, which often offer higher or unlimited bandwidth and system-wide coverage. Even many free plans from specialized providers offer more flexibility than browser-only solutions.
