5 Best Free VPNs for Stake in 2026: Expert Ranked

Published on: November 24, 2023
Fact-checked by Eric Goldstein
Updated 4 times since publishing
Gjurgjica Panova Gjurgjica Panova Writer
Published on: November 24, 2023 Updated 4 times since publishing
Fact-checked by Eric Goldstein
Short on time? Here’s the best free VPN for Stake in 2026:
  • 🥇 ExpressVPN : Although it’s not free, first-time users get a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. It reliably works with Stake and has the fastest speeds for online gambling. Plus, it has servers in 105 countries, including ones where Stake is available, like Germany and Poland.

I don’t recommend using free VPNs with Stake. Many of them don’t work with the platform, have slow speeds for online gambling, and set strict daily or monthly data caps. Some free VPNs also drain your battery quickly on mobile, interrupt gameplay with ads, and don’t always work well with mobile apps or browsers. So, you won’t be able to gamble on Stake as much as you like.

In my opinion, high-quality paid VPNs are much better options. They reliably work with Stake and have fast speeds. Plus, premium VPNs have unlimited data and servers in locations where Stake is available. If you want a secure gambling experience on Stake, I recommend ExpressVPN, which is my top choice in 2026.

If you still want to use a free VPN for Stake, there are some good ones out there. I’ve tested dozens of free VPNs and found the 5 best providers for Stake based on performance, speeds, and overall reliability.

Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

Quick Summary of the Best Free VPNs for Stake

Editor’s Choice
ExpressVPN
Best overall paid VPN for Stake with a 30-day money-back guarantee (secure & fast).
Most of our readers choose ExpressVPN
Proton VPN
Great free VPN with unlimited data for playing Stake + servers located in 5 countries.
Hotspot Shield
Good free VPN with fast speeds for Stake and unlimited data (but includes ads).
hide.me
Free beginner-friendly VPN for Stake with user-friendly apps (no streaming).
TunnelBear
Fun free VPN for Stake with access to all servers & features (2 GB data).

DISCLAIMER: Before accessing Stake, I recommend checking your local laws. Otherwise, you risk potential fines or legal actions. We don’t condone any illegal activities or those that violate Stake’s terms of service, which may result in account bans.

🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Stake

Expert & Reader Favorite
Premium Plan
Data limit
Unlimited
Servers in countries
105
Streaming support
P2P support
Number of devices
14
Money-back guarantee
30 days (first-time users)
Starting Price
$2.49 / month
Basic 2-year purchase: $2.49 / month
Basic 12-Months plan: $3.99 / month
1-month plan: $12.99 / month
20,748 5-star reviews Trustpilot
20,748 5-star reviews Trustpilot
expressvpn.com
Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

ExpressVPN is my top choice for Stake. It doesn’t have a free plan, but it has a 30-day money-back guarantee for first-time users, which allows you to test the VPN’s features and performance risk-free for a full month. Moreover, the VPN has a large server network with servers in 105 countries, including where Stake is available, like Poland, Germany, and Canada. Plus, it has unlimited data, so you can gamble as much as you want.

Pros
  • Unlimited data
  • Super-fast speeds
  • A large server network
  • Battery-friendly Lightway protocol
Cons
  • No free plan

🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Stake

This VPN has strong security features to protect your data and device while playing Stake. It has a built-in password manager, ExpressVPN Keys, that generates strong, unique passwords and securely stores your Stake login details. It can also autofill your credentials when you sign in, so you can access your account faster and more easily. I also like its Threat Manager, which prevents you from accessing malicious sites imitating Stake.

🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Stake

ExpressVPN had the fastest speeds in my tests since it has tons of servers to limit overcrowding. It also has a proprietary Lightway protocol, which establishes connections more quickly with its lightweight code and consumes less battery power on mobile devices. During my tests, I was able to play different live poker games and place bets during live sports streams without any interruptions.

I really like ExpressVPN’s obfuscation feature. It hides your VPN traffic to help you access Stake from any location or on any network (even school/work networks that block it). It’s automatically enabled on all protocols and for all servers so that you can choose any Stake-friendly location nearby.

I found the VPN’s apps quite user-friendly. They come with a cool Shortcuts feature, which allows you to create 1-click connections to your favorite apps or sites, like Stake. In addition, the Smart Location feature is very convenient, as it connects you to the fastest server based on your location.

ExpressVPN: Save 80% on the Basic 2-year purchase!
Get a full 80% discount on the 2-year purchase.

Bottom Line:

ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for Stake because of its large server network, strong security features, unlimited data, and fast speeds. It also has useful extra features, like obfuscation for bypassing Stake blocks, a password manager, and a malicious site blocker. Plus, its apps are user-friendly and designed to use less battery power.

Read the full ExpressVPN review

🥈2. Proton VPN — Great Free VPN With Unlimited Data for Playing Stake

Free Plan
Premium Plan
Data limit
Unlimited
Unlimited
Servers in countries
10
127
Streaming support
Limited
Proton says it doesn't support streaming on free plans, but some streaming services work
P2P support
Number of devices
1
10
Money-back guarantee
N/A
30 days
Prorated
Starting Price
N/A
$2.99 / month
24-month plan: $2.99 / month
12-month plan: $3.49 / month
1-month plan: $4.99 / month
163 5-star reviews Trustpilot
163 5-star reviews Trustpilot
protonvpn.com

Proton VPN is one of the only free VPNs that allows unlimited data, solving the usual frustration of tiny data caps. However, you only get access to 5 server locations, including the US, the Netherlands, Romania, Poland, and Japan, but you don’t get to choose the server location. It also limits you to 1 device. Users in US states where online gambling is allowed can access Stake’s US-only site securely with the VPN, and users in Poland, the Netherlands, and Japan can gamble privately while connected to a local server. Unfortunately, Stake is unavailable in Romania.

Pros
  • Unlimited data
  • Strong Swiss privacy laws
  • Advanced security features
  • Fast speeds without limits
Cons
  • Can’t choose server location
  • 1 device connection

Proton VPN’s free plan is backed by a reputable provider and strong Swiss privacy laws. Since Switzerland is outside the EU and US jurisdiction (and the 14-Eyes Alliance, a group of intelligence-sharing countries), it’s a good choice for privacy-focused gamblers who want extra protection for their Stake activity. In addition, Proton VPN’s apps are all open-source, which means anyone can inspect the source code for security issues.

🥈2. Proton VPN — Great Free VPN With Unlimited Data for Playing Stake

Moreover, VPN’s Stealth obfuscation helps you access Stake even on networks that usually block gambling sites, such as school, work, or restricted Wi-Fi, so your gambling isn’t interrupted.

I got good speeds with Proton VPN’s free plan. The Stake’s website loaded in 2–3 seconds, and HD sports betting streams played with some buffering only in the beginning. Unfortunately, Proton VPN can’t match ExpressVPN’s speeds.

🥈2. Proton VPN — Great Free VPN With Unlimited Data for Playing Stake

The free plan also comes with some extra features, such as split-tunneling, which lets you route your Stake traffic through the VPN. This means you can simultaneously check your bank account balance or access accounts that would lock you out if they don’t recognize your IP address. Moreover, Proton VPN’s password manager, Proton Pass, protects the email address connected to your Stake account from tracking, breaches, and spam.

Proton VPN’s paid plans give access to the full server network of servers across 148 countries and 10 simultaneous connections.

Proton VPN: Save 70% on the 24-month plan!
You can save 70% if you act right now.

Bottom Line:

Proton VPN is one of the few free VPNs that come with unlimited data for gaming on Stake. The free plan gives access to 5 server locations, including the US, Japan, and Poland, and 1 connected device. It has strong security features, decent speeds, and extra features.

Read the full Proton VPN review

🥉3. Hotspot Shield — Good Free VPN with Fast Speeds for Stake

Free Plan
Premium Plan
Data limit
Unlimited
Unlimited
Servers in countries
3
80
Streaming support
P2P support
Number of devices
1
10
Money-back guarantee
N/A
45 days
+ 7-day free trial
Starting Price
N/A
$7.99 / month
12-month plan: $7.99 / month
1-month plan: $12.99 / month
613 5-star reviews Trustpilot
613 5-star reviews Trustpilot
hotspotshield.com

Hotspot Shield’s free plan has good speeds for gambling on Stake. It uses the proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol, which is often faster than OpenVPN, and your speeds aren’t limited on the free plan. In my tests, I could play different poker games without any buffering, and HD sports live streams loaded in 4–5 seconds. What’s more, it has unlimited data, so there’s no limit on how much you can play Stake on a daily or monthly basis.

Pros
  • Unlimited data
  • Fast Hydra protocol
  • Anti-phishing protection
Cons
  • 1 simultaneous connection
  • Has ads on mobile

However, Hotspot Shield comes with some limitations. For example, the free plan limits you to servers in 3 countries, such as the US, the UK, and Singapore — but Stake isn’t available in the UK. You can also use it only on 1 device at a time.

🥉3. Hotspot Shield — Good Free VPN with Fast Speeds for Stake

The VPN’s free plan includes anti-phishing protection to keep you safe from fake Stake sites. It also supports obfuscation for easier access to Stake on restricted networks. Plus, it comes with split-tunneling. However, I don’t like that the free plan collects your IP address to serve you 30-second ads for every 15 minutes (on mobile only) — Proton VPN’s free plan is ad-free.

🥉3. Hotspot Shield — Good Free VPN with Fast Speeds for Stake

Hotspot Shield has paid plans that give access to the VPN’s full server network in 80 countries, have faster speeds, and allow 10 simultaneous connections.

Hotspot Shield: Save 38% on the 12-month plan!
You can save 38% if you act right now.

Bottom Line:

Hotspot Shield’s free plan has fast speeds, good security features, and unlimited data for gambling on Stake, but it collects your IP address to serve you ads on mobile devices. It offers access to 3 server locations and limits you to 1 device.

Read the full Hotspot Shield review

4. hide.me — Free Beginner-Friendly VPN for Stake

Free Plan
Premium Plan
Data limit
Unlimited
Unlimited
Servers in countries
7
58
Streaming support
P2P support
Number of devices
1
10
Money-back guarantee
N/A
30 days
Starting Price
N/A
$2.59 / month
24-month plan: $2.59 / month
12-month plan: $4.58 / month
1-month plan: $11.99 / month
881 5-star reviews Trustpilot
881 5-star reviews Trustpilot
hide.me

hide.me has user-friendly apps with an interface that’s clear and easy to navigate. All settings have quick explanations, which is quite helpful for users who haven’t used a VPN before.

Pros
  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • User-friendly apps
  • Includes advanced kill switch
Cons
  • 1 simultaneous connection
  • Speed restrictions

The free plan offers unlimited data, so you can secure your connections when you play Stake, no matter how long or often that happens. That said, you’re limited to 1 simultaneous connection.

I like that the VPN’s free plan gives access to servers in 7 countries, including locations where Stake is available, like Germany and the US. Even though hide.me uses the fast WireGuard protocol, it restricts speeds on the free plan. I ran a couple of speed tests while connected to the VPN’s free servers, and there were some interruptions when playing games, like Video Poker. ExpressVPN and Proton VPN provided me with faster speeds.

4. hide.me — Free Beginner-Friendly VPN for Stake

This free plan has good security features. It comes with a split-tunneling tool and port forwarding, which is rare in free VPNs, can improve connection stability for certain games, and helps maintain smoother access to Stake. It also has an advanced kill switch option called Stealth Guard, which won’t let you open the Stake site unless you’re connected to the VPN.

hide.me’s premium plans come with access to servers in 91 countries and 10 simultaneous connections.

Bottom Line:

hide.me is a beginner-friendly VPN for Stake with an intuitive interface. It limits you to 1 connection, but it provides unlimited bandwidth and access to servers in 7 countries. It has fast speeds, good security features, a port forwarding tool, and an advanced kill switch option.

Read the full hide.me review

5. TunnelBear — Intuitive and Fun Free VPN for Stake

Free Plan
Premium Plan
Data limit
2 GB
Unlimited
Servers in countries
47
47
Streaming support
P2P support
Number of devices
Unlimited
Unlimited
Money-back guarantee
N/A
Starting Price
N/A
$4.17 / month
36-month plan: $4.17 / month
12-month plan: $4.99 / month
1-month plan: $9.99 / month
31 5-star reviews Trustpilot
31 5-star reviews Trustpilot
tunnelbear.com

TunnelBear is one of the most intuitive and fun free VPNs to use, thanks to its playful bear-themed design and simple interface. The free plan gives you access to all of TunnelBear’s features, including servers in all 47 countries — which is rare for a free VPN. Plus, this large server count helps you maintain fast speeds for split-second bets no matter where you’re located.

Pros
  • Free access to all features
  • Servers in 47 countries
  • Allows unlimited connections
Cons
  • No money-back guarantee
  • 2 GB monthly data limit

I like that TunnelBear supports unlimited device connections, so you can gamble on as many devices as you want, and others in your household can do the same. However, you’re limited to just 2 GB of data per month, which is only enough for short sessions on Stake. If you need unlimited data, Proton VPN or Hotspot Shield are a better choice.

5. TunnelBear — Intuitive and Fun Free VPN for Stake

TunnelBear’s free plan also comes with solid security extras. You get a split-tunneling tool, and its GhostBear feature (obfuscation) makes it easier to access Stake on networks where the platform might be restricted. Moreover, Encrypted SNI and ECH (available on Android only) make it harder for anyone, like your ISP, to see that you’re visiting Stake.

TunnelBear’s paid plans add unlimited data, P2P support, and city-level server selection, so you can choose the exact city to connect to.

Bottom Line:

TunnelBear is a fun and simple VPN that’s perfect for beginners. Its free plan gives you access to all 47 server locations, all features, unlimited devices, and solid security — but the 2 GB monthly cap means it’s only good for light use.

Read the full TunnelBear review here

Quick Comparison Table

VPN Starting Price Data Cap Speed Limit Number of Countries Number of Devices Money-Back Guarantee
🥇1. ExpressVPN $2.49 / month Unlimited Unlimited 105 14 30 days
🥈2. Proton VPN $2.99 / month Unlimited Unlimited 5 1 30 days
🥉3. Hotspot Shield $7.99 / month Unlimited Unlimited 3 1 45 days
4. hide.me $2.59 / month Unlimited Restricted speeds 5+ 1 30 days
5. TunnelBear $4.17 / month 2 GB Unlimited 47 Unlimited

Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria

To help me find the best free VPNs for Stake, I followed our comprehensive testing methodology for VPNs. I analyzed a lot of criteria in my search for the best options, but here are the main ones:

  • I found free VPNs that reliably work with Stake. Most free VPNs don’t work with Stake, but all the VPNs on this list do.
  • I considered data limits. Most free VPNs have strict data limits, which means you’ll be able to gamble on Stake for a limited amount of time. The VPNs on my list have free plans with generous data caps — Proton VPN, hide.me, and Hotspot Shield offer unlimited data.
  • I checked server availability. A VPN with a wide range of server locations gives you more options to find a server in countries where Stake is available. ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries, but all of my recommendations have at least 1 Stake-friendly server location.Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
  • I tested for fast speeds. Most VPNs slow down your speeds due to the encryption process, but top VPNs can maintain fast speeds across all servers. ExpressVPN had the fastest speeds in my tests.
  • I looked for strong security features. I only recommend free VPNs that have strong security features, such as AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and leak protection. Plus, most of my top picks have advanced security tools and extras, like obfuscation, split-tunneling, anti-phishing protection, or a password manager.Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
  • I only recommended VPNs that offer good value. A good free VPN has affordable plans (in case you want to upgrade to a paid plan and access all of its features) and a generous money-back guarantee.

Risks of Using a Free VPN for Stake

  • Poor security — Most free VPNs lack essential security features, which defeats the purpose of using a VPN. For instance, without encryption, third parties to monitor your online activities, and without a kill switch, your data could potentially leak onto the internet.
  • Ads — Some free VPNs, like Hotspot Shield, may display ads or sponsored content within their apps or while you browse the internet. That can interrupt gameplay or slow down your connection on Stake due to bandwidth consumption. Plus, many ads contain dangerous links that can infect your device with malware.
  • Potential malware — Certain free VPNs may contain malware, adware, or other security threats that could compromise your device and personal information. However, all the VPNs listed here are secure options.
  • Privacy concerns — Certain free VPNs sell user data to third parties, like advertisers. In contrast, premium VPN services have strict no-logs policies and don’t log the user’s IP address, browsing history, or what files they download.

Free vs. Paid VPNs for Stake

The free VPNs on this list have security features to protect your data and privacy. They offer industry-standard VPN security features, like 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy. Additionally, some of these free VPNs offer advanced security features, such as full leak protection, RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, and full-disk encryption.

Most free VPNs don’t have the features that paid VPNs offer. They usually have smaller server networks, slow speeds, and data usage restrictions. Plus, some offer fewer connections and could leak your data to third parties.

Here are a few examples — Hotspot Shield’s free plan limits you to servers in 3 countries and 1 connection. Plus, it logs your IP address to serve you with ads. In addition, hide.me’s free plan restricts you to servers in 5+ countries and 1 connection.

Getting a premium VPN will give you a much better experience. You’ll get access to unlimited data, the VPN’s full server network, fast speeds, multiple simultaneous connections, and strong security features. Moreover, most paid VPNs have a money-back guarantee, so you’ll be able to test the VPN risk-free.

Overall, paid VPNs offer much better value than free ones.

Features Free VPNs Paid VPNs
Fast speeds

(Very few free VPNs offer good speeds)

Access to all servers
Unlimited data
24/7 customer support
Multiple simultaneous connections

(Most free VPNs limit you to 1 device)

Multiple protocol options

(Some free VPNs only give you access to all protocols on their paid plans)

Ad blocker

(Most free VPNs don’t come with an ad blocker, even if they do, it’s a limited version)

Split-tunneling

(Very few free VPNs provide access to split-tunneling)

Free VPNs for Stake to Avoid

  • AceVPN. AceVPN comes with a DNS leak protection but it lacks a kill switch feature. It has a small server network of 26+ server locations, so you’ll have a hard time finding a server location where Stake is available and it doesn’t have any dedicated apps. This means that you’ll need to manually configure the VPN on your device.
  • SuperVPN. SuperVPN logs your IP address, operating system, and browser type. On top of that, it lacks basic security features, like 256-bit AES encryption and a kill switch feature. What’s worse is that the VPN was caught leaking user’s data, including their IP addresses, email addresses, and geo-location.
  • DroidVPN. DroidVPN lacks essential security features to protect your data and device when using Stake, like a kill switch, and encryption and it logs your IP address. What’s more, its apps are hard to use and the VPN doesn’t publish the number of its servers.
  • TouchVPN. TouchVPN has a large server network of 5,900+ servers in 90++ countries, which means that you’ll have no issues finding a server location where Stake is available. However, the VPN logs your IP address and what sites you visit.
  • Phone Guardian. Phone Guardian only encrypts your traffic but it doesn’t hide your IP address and location. Plus, it doesn’t have essential security features that you would expect from a VPN, like a kill switch.
  • Hoxx VPN. Hoxx VPN isn’t a privacy-friendly VPN as it collects web activities, your device, and your location. On top of that, it says in its terms of use that it “may” keep it even after you close your account.
  • VPNBook. VPNBook isn’t a user-friendly VPN as it requires manual configuration. It stores your IP address and connection information but it claims that it deletes this data every week.
  • TuxlerVPN. TuxlerVPN’s privacy policy states that it stores your website activities, browser information, and contact information, and it can share all of this data with third parties for business purposes.
  • Hola VPN. Hola VPN is missing essential security features. Plus, it operates as a P2P service, which means your IP address gets replaced by another user’s IP address. This poses a risk, as any illegal activities performed by that other user can be traced back to your IP address.

Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut

  • Avira Phantom VPN. The VPN is easy to use and lets you connect unlimited devices. However, its free plan is very limited — with only 500 MB of data per month, which isn’t enough for playing Stake, and just a single server option on desktop.
  • Windscribe. Windscribe’s free plan has 10 server locations and good speeds, but limits you to 2 or 10 GB per month, depending on whether you provide your email address, which isn’t a lot for use with Stake.
  • PrivadoVPN. Privado is a solid free VPN with good security, speeds, and 13 free server locations. Unfortunately, it only allows 10 GB per month, which isn’t a lot if you gamble on Stake frequently, and the free plan doesn’t include any additional features.

Frequently Asked Questions

Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

Quick Overview of My Top Recommendations:

Our Rank
Our Score
Best Deal
1
9.8
save 80%
2
8.4
save 70%
3
7.8
save 38%
4
7.8
save 78%
5
8.4
save 67%
Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
The listings featured on this site are from companies from which this site receives compensation and some are co-owned by our parent company. This may influence rankings and the manner in which listings are presented. 
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About the Author
Gjurgjica Panova
Published on: November 24, 2023

About the Author

Gjurgjica is a former cybersecurity writer at SafetyDetectives who is driven by her passion for the written word and anything tech-related. When she's not working, she can be found wrapped in a comfy blanket, binge-watching her favorite shows.