FreeVPN.org uses TLS (Transport Layer Security) 1.2, a protocol similar to what Microsoft employs for its corporate networking and generally considered secure. However, it is not the most recent or secure version available. TLS 1.3 offers enhanced performance and improved protection against potential attacks.
The app’s time-limited VPN access poses a significant security risk. When your allotted time expires, the VPN connection abruptly terminates without warning, leaving your data exposed.
On a positive note, our tests did not reveal any DNS or IP leaks, which is a commendable outcome.
Nevertheless, FreeVPN by FreeVPN.org urgently needs to enhance its security framework. In 2024, using more advanced and established protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, or WireGuard is essential. Additionally, better communication about its operational practices is necessary to ensure users feel confident in its security measures.
Device & OS Compatibility
iOS, Android, & Mac Apps Only
Device Compatibility
FreeVPN.org is primarily designed for mobile use, with applications available for both iOS and Android operating systems. It also offers a macOS app on the App Store; however, it is a paid application and its functionality is questionable.
Apps Available:
Like many free VPNs, FreeVPN by FreeVPN.org focuses mainly on mobile platforms. Its user base is predominantly on iOS and Android devices.
While a macOS version is available for purchase on the App Store, it does not offer a free version and its performance is not guaranteed.
In contrast, most of the VPNs we recommend provide comprehensive support for both mobile and desktop platforms, including Windows and macOS. These VPNs not only ensure reliable operation but also often include additional features, such as Smart DNS, which allows region spoofing on devices like Smart TVs and gaming consoles. FreeVPN by FreeVPN.org lacks such advanced features.
Ease of Use
Frustrating, Unattractive, and Ineffective Apps
Ease of Use Rating: 2.5/10
FreeVPN.org stands out as one of the least user-friendly VPNs we’ve encountered. The app is riddled with issues, offering a confusing and frustrating experience due to minimal effort from its developers. Features often malfunction or fail to meet expectations, and the interface is outdated and difficult to navigate. Regardless of your experience level with VPNs, FreeVPN.org is not recommended.
Ranked #57 out of 61 VPNs for Ease of Use
FreeVPN by FreeVPN.org is notable only for its ability to consistently disappoint. From the moment you launch the app, the user experience is unpleasant. The interface is cluttered and unattractive, buttons are poorly labeled and unreliable, and connecting to a server can take up to five minutes, if it connects at all.
Mobile (Android & iOS)
FreeVPN.org is particularly popular on Android, partly due to the challenging landscape of free VPNs in the Google Play Store. However, despite its 5 million-plus downloads, FreeVPN.org remains a frustrating and aggravating choice.
Like many free VPN services, FreeVPN.org requires users to watch ads to accumulate minutes for VPN usage. Four ads grant 30 minutes, eight ads provide 120 minutes, and twelve ads offer a full day of use.
However, we encountered frequent issues with ads failing to load or not registering, necessitating the viewing of additional ads beyond what was promised to receive the allotted minutes. Additionally, unused minutes expire at midnight, preventing the accumulation of a reserve and requiring daily ad viewing to maintain access.
This system is similar on the iOS app, although we found that ads generally loaded and displayed correctly on iPhones.
Once you have accumulated your free minutes, connecting to a server is also cumbersome. The server list lacks organization, making it difficult to navigate and select locations. After selecting a server, a misleading popup indicates a connection, but users must still press the Connect button to establish the connection, potentially confusing new users.
The home screen is cluttered with buttons and links to features that require a premium upgrade, and the settings menu offers no adjustable options.
In comparison to user-friendly and non-predatory free VPN services like Proton VPN or PrivadoVPN, FreeVPN.org falls significantly short.
Additionally, FreeVPN.org has recently released a macOS version on Apple’s App Store, but unfortunately, it suffers from numerous issues, failing to meet basic functionality standards.
Despite its name, FreeVPN.org does not offer a free version for Mac. While the app can be downloaded at no cost, a subscription is required to use it, though this requirement is not clearly communicated.
Additionally, many of the links intended for purchasing a subscription are non-functional. Most resulted in error messages indicating that “plans are not yet available,” which further erodes trust in the paid version of the service.
Upon locating a functional payment link, we were surprised to find that FreeVPN.org charges an exorbitant $9.49 per week. This price point would position it as one of the most expensive VPN services we have encountered, and we are highly skeptical that it justifies such a cost.
Additionally, the macOS version of FreeVPN.org is bundled with its own private browser. The VPN and browser are tightly integrated, requiring users to use both simultaneously. This design choice significantly limits flexibility and adds to the frustration of using the service.
Streaming
Streaming Features Restricted to Paid Version
Streaming Rating: 2.4/10
FreeVPN by FreeVPN.org clearly restricts streaming capabilities to its premium version. The ‘streaming’ option is grayed out and inaccessible without an upgrade. Despite these restrictions, we found that its London server was able to access BBC iPlayer, but this was the only streaming service that we successfully tested.
Ranked #37 out of 61 VPNs for Streaming
The table below outlines the streaming platforms that FreeVPN.org currently supports:
Streaming Platform |
Works with Free VPN by FreeVPN.org |
Amazon Prime Video |
No |
BBC iPlayer |
Yes |
Channel 4 |
No |
Disney+ |
No |
Hotstar India |
No |
Hulu |
No |
ITVX |
No |
Max |
No |
Netflix US |
No |
Similar to many free VPNs, FreeVPN.org does not effectively unblock streaming sites. The service is upfront about this limitation, clearly stating that a premium subscription is required to access its streaming servers.
While our review was based solely on the free version, we would be skeptical about the reliability of FreeVPN.org’s paid version for streaming purposes. Even top-tier premium VPNs can face challenges in this area, with reputable services like Astrill and Mullvad struggling to pass many of our streaming tests.
We were pleasantly surprised to find that FreeVPN.org’s London server successfully accessed BBC iPlayer.
While reliable free VPNs for streaming are rare, PrivadoVPN Free stands out as the best option we’ve tested. It is the only 100% free VPN that successfully unblocks US Netflix.
Torrenting
Too Slow and Insecure for Torrenting
Torrenting Rating: 2.8/10
While it’s uncommon for a free mobile VPN to support torrenting, FreeVPN.org deserves some credit for allowing it. However, its download speeds are extremely slow, and the app’s weak encryption makes it unsuitable for torrenting.
Ranked #46 out of 61 VPNs for Torrenting
FreeVPN.org does not provide any specific information about its policies on torrenting either in its apps or on its website. Despite our attempts to obtain more details from the company, we did not receive a response.
Although torrenting is technically possible with FreeVPN.org, the service’s performance and security are inadequate. During testing, it averaged a download speed of just 1.8 MiB/s, which is notably poor. Given these limitations, we strongly advise against using FreeVPN.org for torrenting.
In addition to its extremely slow speeds, FreeVPN.org lacks the trustworthiness required to protect torrenting data effectively.
The company’s poor communication, minimal public presence, unverified logging policy, weak encryption, and its base in a US jurisdiction all contribute to significant concerns about privacy and security.
For Android users who engage in torrenting, Windscribe Free offers a much safer and faster alternative. Note that FreeVPN.org’s iOS app does not support torrenting.
Server Locations
Deceptive Server Network Smaller Than It Appears
Server Locations Rating: 4.5/10
FreeVPN.org advertises over 80 server locations, suggesting it has one of the largest free VPN networks. However, this list is misleading, as only 8 unique locations were identified during testing.
Ranked #47 out of 61 VPNs for Server Locations
- 8 Countries
- 8 Cities
- Undisclosed Number of IP Addresses
While FreeVPN.org’s server list initially appears diverse, it falls short of delivering on its promises. Despite having a server on every continent except Africa, the network is not as extensive as it seems. The coverage in Asia, South America, and Africa is notably sparse, which is common among free VPNs.
Further investigation revealed that many server locations were misleading. Several continent-named servers were actually duplicates of country-level servers, sometimes using the same IP address. For instance, the servers labeled for China and Asia connected to the same IP address in Hong Kong. Similarly, servers listed for South America, Japan, and the US West all routed through a single server in Arizona, US.
This lack of transparency and reliable server distribution significantly undermines the effectiveness of FreeVPN.org’s network.
Even by the standards of misleading free VPNs, it is surprising to see multiple options from different continents all routing through the same server.
This issue significantly impacts FreeVPN.org’s performance, contributing to slow speeds and potential bottlenecks, especially during peak times, regardless of how close the server is to your location.
The evidence points to FreeVPN.org operating a much smaller server network than advertised. Despite reaching out for clarification, the company has not provided specific details. Our tests indicate that, contrary to the claimed 82 server locations across at least 20 countries, FreeVPN.org actually offers around 11 server locations in just eight countries.
In contrast, Proton VPN, which we tested, clearly operates 200 free servers across 5 countries, demonstrating a more reliable and expansive network.
Bypassing Web Censorship
Unlikely to be Effective in China
Bypassing Censorship Rating: 3.5/10
FreeVPN.org’s developer claims that the service has users in mainland China. However, there is limited evidence to support that the app effectively operates in heavily censored regions.
Ranked #41 out of 61 VPNs for Bypassing Web Censorship
Despite the developer’s claims, we have found little to suggest that FreeVPN.org is capable of bypassing stringent censorship measures. Effective circumvention of web censorship typically requires advanced VPNs with specialized obfuscation technology, which FreeVPN.org lacks.
Given its inability to reliably provide IP addresses from selected countries and its overall performance issues, FreeVPN.org is unlikely to successfully bypass sophisticated censorship systems like China’s Great Firewall.
For reliable access in censored regions, consider more robust VPN options. Consult our recommendations for the best VPNs for China, the UAE, or Turkey for effective alternatives.
Customer Support
Minimal Support and Unresponsive Service
Customer Support Rating: 0.5/10
FreeVPN.org provides virtually no customer support for its service. Users are left to navigate issues on their own, as the available support options are inadequate. The contact form on the website is non-functional, emails remain unanswered, and the FAQ section provides no meaningful assistance. The in-app support feature only offers a link to send an email.
Ranked #61 out of 61 VPNs for Customer Support
Customer Support |
Available in Free VPN by FreeVPN.org |
24/7 Email Support |
No |
24/7 Live Chat Support |
No |
Chatbot |
No |
Email |
Yes |
Email Support via Online Form |
No |
Live Chat Support |
No |
Online Resources |
No |
Tutorial Videos |
No |
When evaluating a VPN’s support services, certain minimum standards are expected to be met. Unfortunately, FreeVPN.org falls short of these expectations.
While it is reasonable to anticipate that a free VPN may not provide the same level of support as a premium provider such as ExpressVPN, it is crucial that it still offers a basic level of assistance. This is especially important given the numerous issues associated with the product.
FreeVPN.org lacks essential support features, including live chat, a user forum, a knowledge base, and a functional query form. Email is the sole method for seeking assistance, both within and outside the app. In our extensive experience reviewing this VPN, we have never received a response to our inquiries.
This absence of effective support, combined with the numerous flaws in the VPN, creates significant frustration. It suggests a troubling lack of concern from FreeVPN.org towards its applications and its users.