Free VPNs sound great — privacy without paying a cent — but most of them come with a catch. In this video, I put two of the biggest “unlimited data” free VPNs head-to-head: Proton VPN Free vs hide.me Free. I focus on what actually matters in 2025: privacy, security, real-world speed, and whether their “no-logs” promises hold up. I also run leak checks and look at the practical limitations that usually get buried in the fine print. Proton VPN Free is the privacy-first pick. It’s built by the team behind Proton Mail, it’s open-source, and it’s backed by an independently audited no-logs policy. You also get unlimited data, plus leak protection and perfect forward secrecy — and even a discreet Android icon if you need to keep VPN use low-profile. The trade-offs are big, though: one device, limited locations, and no streaming or torrenting on the free plan. hide.me Free is the best truly free VPN overall for daily use. It’s fast, has unlimited data, runs RAM-only servers, and includes Stealth Guard (a smart kill switch) to prevent accidental leaks. It also passed every privacy and leak test I threw at it — but it still won’t do Netflix, and it’s limited to one device. If you need streaming, gaming, and full-speed performance, I explain why ExpressVPN’s 7-day free trial is the upgrade that actually delivers.