Firefox is adding a free VPN for all users – but can you trust it?
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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Firefox is launching a VPN for its browser users.
- The built-in VPN is free and arrives March 24.
- Limitations mean you shouldn’t cancel your current VPN.
Mozilla is launching a free virtual private network (VPN) service for users of it Firefox browser.
In a blog post published last week detailing upcoming updates with the rollout of Firefox 149, Mozilla said the VPN will be free and available to all Firefox users.
Mozilla’s VPN
Mozilla’s VPN has been around for some time as a standalone product, but as a frequent VPN reviewer and tester, I haven’t seen it make much of an impact in a crowded, saturated marketplace.
You can sign up for the service, which offers around 500 servers in over 30 countries, to protect up to five devices for $4.99 per month, plus tax.
Also: How to turn on Google’s free VPN on your Pixel
The new, browser-based offering will be available to Firefox users in the US, France, Germany, and the UK to begin with, with more countries likely to follow. It’s free, unlike the existing paid solution, but you are restricted to 50GB of data monthly.
Can you trust the new Firefox VPN?
Mozilla is a nonprofit, and its Firefox browser is known as one of the more privacy-focused options around. Mozilla says it will apply its existing data principles and privacy-focused approach to its VPN.
Also: The best secure browsers for privacy in 2026: Expert tested
“Free VPNs can sometimes mean sketchy arrangements that end up compromising your privacy, but ours is built from our data principles and commitment to be the world’s most trusted browser,” Mozilla says. “It routes your browser traffic through a proxy to hide your IP address and location while you browse, giving you stronger privacy and protection online with no extra downloads.”
There’s no word on an independent audit yet, so we can’t say whether or not the new VPN will be inherently secure — but there have been no significant security concerns around the existing solution, so the baked-in browser version may be no different.
Why offer a free VPN?
As Mozilla itself noted, free VPNs are usually associated with something sketchy — such as suspicious activity, malware, or the sale of user data.
There’s only a handful of trustworthy free VPN services out there, of which our top choices are Proton VPN and Windscribe. However, as with Mozilla’s traffic data cap, there is always a trade-off when you opt for a free VPN rather than a paid service, such as device protection limits, speed throttling, or limited server access.
Also: Are free VPNs legit? I asked security experts to learn the true cost (and what services to avoid)
VPN server infrastructure costs money to run, so there has to be some form of revenue stream. This will apply to Mozilla, too, so introducing the VPN in-browser could become a funnel for more paid subscribers, who will then fund free usage. It might also serve as an incentive to lure some of us to switch from other browsers, such as Chrome, to Firefox.
Should I cancel my existing, paid VPN?
No. If you’re already a paid subscriber to a standalone VPN service, this new offering — while likely to benefit some Firefox users — isn’t necessarily going to work as a full replacement.
As a browser-based VPN, you’ll probably only be protecting your session if you enable the VPN, rather than your full device or other activities. As such, it might be useful for accessing geo-locked content or reducing the risk of being tracked or spied upon, but it doesn’t offer the other privacy and security features found in independent VPNs, such as encryption protocol options or specialized streaming servers.
Also: Best VPN services 2026: Expert tested and recommended
There’s also quite a small country server selection (unless this will be higher than Mozilla VPN’s existing count), with rivals often offering at least 100 countries.
The Firefox VPN will probably be best suited for casual browsing and for users who want to protect their online sessions or hide their IP address, and it will likely benefit those who want to learn about VPNs. Also, the 50GB monthly traffic limit is generous, benefiting anyone who doesn’t yet have a paid VPN subscription.
Alternative VPNs for you and your browser
You don’t need to compromise your data, privacy, or security just because you don’t want to pay for a free VPN. However, you do need to be cautious when signing up for one.
There are countless free VPN services out there, many of which include browser extensions, but they don’t necessarily tell you exactly how you are going to pay, if not in dollars. Many free VPN providers will collect and sell your data, track you, or develop software that masquerades as a legitimate service, only to deliver malware to your machine instead.
Also: Firefox users didn’t want AI, so Mozilla is giving them a way to kill it
If you want a free VPN that can do more than just protect your browser session, consider Proton VPN, Windscribe, or one of the other free VPN services we recommend. As previously mentioned, there are always trade-offs, but it should never be a user’s privacy — as this negates the whole point of using a VPN in the first place.
Alternatively, check out our top picks for the best VPNs on the market today in our 2026 guide.
