If you are looking for a VPN that will enable you to access Reddit from any part of the world, you may want to consider going for one of the free options that are available. I’ll give you my thoughts on the best free Reddit VPNs below, as put together by reading Reddit forums and doing my own testing.
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WHAT IS REDDIT?
Reddit is essentially a big group of forums. You need to register to use the platform, and you can talk about pretty much anything that takes your fancy. From crime and technology to pop culture and world news… this is the platform that gives everyone a voice. And yes, that does include people who want to talk about slightly weird or potentially risque things. (You have been warned!).
WHAT DO REDDIT USERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT FREE VPNS?
I have spent countless hours reading what Reddit users have had to say about VPNs and online security, and there are some interesting discussions. There’s a VPN group on there, which has over 102,000 members at the time of writing. One thing I noticed is that a lot of Reddit users advocate using a paid service. I would have to say that I certainly agree. You get what you pay for, right? Free VPNs can often lack the necessary security that you’re looking for when choosing a VPN, which is why I prefer to recommend paid versions. However, I do recommend that some people want or need to choose a free VPN, and that’s why I have tested out many free VPNs so that I can give you advice regarding which options to consider.
IS VPN NEEDED TO ACCESS REDDIT?
Reddit has been banned in a number of countries around the world, and this is something that is changing all of the time. Take Russia as a prime example. The country banned Reddit for one day after a two-year-old post that instructed users on how to grow magic mushrooms caught the eye of the Roskomnadzor, Russia’s equivalent of the FCC. Now, one day may not seem very long, but Russian officials stated they would ban the site from its citizens’ devices if Reddit did not remove the post. On this occasion, Reddit did so, but who’s to say what would happen in the future?
There are some countries whereby Reddit has been banned outright for quite some time now. North Korea and China spring to mind! China banned Reddit in 2015 as part of the Golden Shield Project, which you’ve probably seen me refer to as the Great Firewall of China. Reddit joins a long list of heavily-trafficked websites that have been restricted in China, with others including Twitter, Facebook, and Google
THE BEST FREE VPNS FOR REDDIT
So, what sort of free VPNs do Reddit recommend? Let’s take a look…
Inside This Article...
1. NordVPN
Ease of Use
Pricing
Customer Support
NordVPN Pros:
- No IP/DNS leaks found
- Easy-to-use VPN apps
- Strict no-logs policy
- Works with Netflix
- Torrenting/P2P allowed
- Over 5,000 servers
NordVPN Cons:
- Discounts for longer subscriptions only
There really is only one place to begin, and this is with NordVPN. If you take a look at the comments left by Reddit users, you will see that NordVPN is held in very high regard, and I certainly recommend this VPN highly, as it ticks all of the boxes!
I must point out that NordVPN is not free for long-term use. However, there is a free trial option. Personally, I believe it is advisable to only use a free VPN when you’re trialing out services before making a purchase, so that is why I have incorporated NordVPN in my top choices. You can get your money back within the first 30 days if you’re not happy with NordVPN.
NordVPN leaves no stone unturned
One of the best things about NordVPN is that it provides a full service, covering everything from torrenting to gaming. It also works in China, which is a big plus, especially for users over there who want to be able to access Reddit. In fact, you can pretty much stream geo-blocked content from anywhere in the world with NordVPN, as its coverage is so extensive.
It’s easy to bypass geo-blocks thanks to the Smart Select feature. This will detect the server that is right for you, switching to this automatically so you can enjoy a seamless streaming experience.
Exceptional security is a highlight of the NordVPN service
The security is tight with NordVPN. Your activity is protected with 256-bit encryption. There is also a strict no-logs policy, meaning NordVPN will not hold onto any of your information. This is a rarity for a free VPN, which is another reason why I recommend going down this route.
Another security feature that I am very much a fan of is the CyberSec feature, which blocks suspicious sites automatically to protect you against cyber threats like malware. It also blocks those irritating ads!
Featuring obfuscated servers, NordVPN will camouflage your Internet traffic, making it appear like you’re not using a VPN at all. This is another feature that I rate highly. Again, it is great for countries like China where there is a high amount of censorship.
NordVPN Pros:
- No IP/DNS leaks found
- Easy-to-use VPN apps
- Strict no-logs policy
- Works with Netflix
- Torrenting/P2P allowed
- Over 5,000 servers
NordVPN Cons:
- Discounts for longer subscriptions only
2. TunnelBear
Ease of Use
Pricing
Customer Support
TunnelBear Pros:
- Zero log
- Wide network
- Multiple devices
- Easy to use
TunnelBear Cons:
- Slower connection across long distances
If you are looking for a VPN that will be free of the entirety of its use (unless they decide to change their offering), TunnelBear is one of the better options out there.
I must admit that the popularity of TunnelBear has gone a little bit downhill over the past few years. The reason for this is that the VPN is not able to unblock Netflix – obviously a very popular reason for using a VPN! So, a lot of the comments on Reddit about TunnelBear are old. However, if you’re looking for a basic VPN that’s free of charge, you can’t go too wrong with this option.
What can you expect from a free VPN account with TunnelBear?
As is the case with the majority of free VPNs out there, there are some restrictions. When it comes to TunnelBear, there is a monthly bandwidth limit of 500 MB. This is rather small, yet not very surprising considering the VPN is free. Nevertheless, on the plus side, there are 20 server locations with a large number of servers to select from, which is a big positive for a free VPN service.
You will also get dedicated apps for popular platforms when using TunnelBear, such as Mac, Android, iOS, and Windows.
Does TunnelBear collect logs?
A big concern with any free VPN is whether or not they will log your information. TunnelBear used to log some user information, which was incredibly disappointing, but I was delighted to see that they have righted this wrong. They do not store sensitive logs of data on their users anymore, which is a relief!
TunnelBear Pros:
- Zero log
- Wide network
- Multiple devices
- Easy to use
TunnelBear Cons:
- Slower connection across long distances
3. Mullvad
Ease of Use
Pricing
Customer Support
Mullvad Pros:
- Good privacy policy
- Server transparency
- Simple pricing
- Easy to set-up
Mullvad Cons:
- Limited amount of preferences and features
One thing I have noticed about Reddit is a lot of their users are big fans of Mullvad! The no-frills approach and ease-of-use that comes with Mullvad have won it a number of supporters. In terms of the free side of things, the free trial does only last three hours, but there is a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you’ve got a whole month to try out Mullvad without there being any risk.
Security from Mullvad
Mullvad does offer great security. You get all of the features you would expect from a VPN in this regard, including a no-logs policy and 256-bit encryption.
One of my favourite parts, though, is the anonymous account set-up. When you register, you will be assigned an account number, rather than using a password and username. This means that you will never use any identifying information on Mullvad, including your email address or your name.
In fact, you can even pay with cash if you want complete anonymity, which is pretty much unheard of with other VPNs. Of course, you don’t have to pay with cash. You can also pay via bank wire, Swish, PayPal, or credit card.
Native apps from Mullvad
Mullvad provides apps for macOS and Windows. Interestingly, it is one of the only VPN providers to supply apps for Fedora and Debian OS. However, we have noticed a bit of criticism for the lack of Android and iOS support. Hopefully, this is something that Mullvad will address in the future.
Mullvad is incredibly easy-to-use
One thing that Reddit users commonly refer to in their comments about Mullvad is just how easy it is to use. To get started, you just click on one simple button, and then you will get your account number. As I have mentioned, this is the only identifier you are going to require for this service. After you have done this, just add time to your account, download the application, and you’re on your way. Easy, right?
Mullvad Pros:
- Good privacy policy
- Server transparency
- Simple pricing
- Easy to set-up
Mullvad Cons:
- Limited amount of preferences and features
4. CyberGhost
Ease of Use
Pricing
Customer Support
CyberGhost Pros:
- 24/7 support with live chat
- Extremely fast performance
- Good for streaming
- Easy to use
CyberGhost Cons:
- Some logging information retained
Another option that is worth considering if you are looking for a free Reddit VPN is CyberGhost. While CyberGhost has a paid option, there is a free version available for Android, Mac, and Windows.
What can you expect from the free CyberGhost package?
Some of the different features that you get with CyberGhost include the anti-fingerprinting system, AES 256-bit encryption, unlimited traffic, and unlimited bandwidth.
Ease-of-use is a big plus with CyberGhost
Just like Mullvad, I have found CyberGhost incredibly easy to use. If you have never used a VPN before, I don’t think you will find any difficulties with this option. It is all very straightforward! Plus, it is available on both mobile and desktop too.
Are there any drawbacks?
I will always be honest with you about every VPN I review. After all, no service is perfect, and this is even more so the case when it comes to free VPNs. So, there are a few things that I should warn you about when it comes to using the free CyberGhost VPN. Firstly, the locations are pretty limited! This is probably to be expected, though, especially when you consider the fact that CyberGhost has come at you with unlimited bandwidth and unlimited traffic, which is pretty impressive for a free VPN. Another thing I would note is that there are annoying advertisements, surprise surprise! After all, when a company offers a free service, they do need to make their cash somewhere, right?
CyberGhost Pros:
- 24/7 support with live chat
- Extremely fast performance
- Good for streaming
- Easy to use
CyberGhost Cons:
- Some logging information retained
5. Hide.me
Ease of Use
Pricing
Customer Support
Hide.me Pros:
- Free to use
- Easy and simple to use
- Works with Netflix
Hide.me Cons:
- Logs your activity
- No customer support
The final free Reddit VPN that I will recommend to you is Hide.Me, which is a free VPN that is based in Malaysia. This is genuinely a free VPN; you won’t need to input your credit card details to sign up.
A basic VPN service
The VPN service provided by hide.me is very basic. It was been designed to try and encourage you to sign-up for one of the more premium plans, and so you can expect that the service is limited. However, this is the norm for free VPNs today. With the free package offered by this provider, there are three locations to choose from, as well as one simultaneous connection, 2GB data transfer, and at least 3 Mbit/s bandwidth.
Some good elements for a free VPN
There are some good features with this VPN, though. I was pleased to see the use of industry-standard encryption, ensuring all data is protected. You can also use a number of different devices. One thing that really impressed me, though, was the customer support. You can get help on a 24/7 basis, meaning there is always someone available should you have a query or a concern.
Hide.me Pros:
- Free to use
- Easy and simple to use
- Works with Netflix
Hide.me Cons:
- Logs your activity
- No customer support
FAQ ABOUT FREE VPNS
How do free VPNs make money?
One thing that I should make clear is that there is no such thing as “completely free” in life! Running a VPN costs money, and so providers need to cover their expenses. Unfortunately, a lot of free VPN providers are not truthful about how they make their money, and it can often come at the expense of the security of the user. Free VPN providers tend to make their money by doing the following:
- Utilising your device as an exit node for paid subscribers
- Using your data for advertising and marketing
- Selling your personal data to third parties
- Displaying annoying pop-ups and ads
Should you use a free VPN?
I only really recommend using a free VPN if you want to try it before you buy it! It’s a good way to enjoy a diluted version of the real thing so you can see whether or not the VPN is right for you. Using a free VPN over the long-term is not really a viable solution, as the security vulnerabilities are worrying and you will not get all of the features you need.