A useful free VPN comparison starts with conditions, not slogans. “Free” can describe a permanent limited plan, a short trial, or an app that recovers its costs through advertising. The important details should be visible before download: whether registration is required, whether ads appear, what data may be processed, and what speed, data, and device limits apply.
What “free,” “in-app advertising,” and “no registration” mean
- Free plan: a plan that can continue without a paid subscription. It may still have clearly stated data, speed, or device limits.
- Third-party in-app advertising: the current app does not display third-party banner, interstitial, or injected ads. RelyVPN paid-plan offers are product promotions rather than third-party ads. This may change by version or distribution channel.
- No registration: you can start without creating a RelyVPN account or providing an email address and password. Limited technical and transaction data may still be processed.
These definitions help separate a usable free tier from a time-limited trial or an offer whose material conditions appear only after installation.
RelyVPN free-plan limits
RelyVPN's free plan supports one device. It includes a one-time 300 MB allowance without the free-tier 160 kbps cap; actual throughput varies by device, local network, route, server load, and destination. After the allowance is used, the free tier applies a maximum rate of 160 kbps. The current app does not display third-party banner, interstitial, or injected ads, although RelyVPN paid-plan options may still appear and product behavior can vary by version or distribution channel. No RelyVPN account or email login is required to start; a device or license identifier and limited operational data are still processed as described in the Privacy Policy.
The 160 kbps mode is intended for light tasks such as basic messaging and simple web pages. It is not intended for large downloads, high-resolution video, or other bandwidth-intensive use. Paid plans do not apply the free-tier 160 kbps cap; actual throughput still varies by device, network, route, server load, and destination. Plan details are available on the pricing page.
Privacy without absolute promises
An account-free design reduces the amount of registration information requested, while limited data processing remains necessary. Traffic routed through RelyVPN is encrypted between your device and the RelyVPN VPN gateway. Secure destinations should still use HTTPS for protection beyond the gateway.
Depending on the feature and purchase channel, RelyVPN and its service providers may process limited information needed to operate, secure, support, and measure the service. This can include a device or license identifier, subscription entitlement, connection status, traffic counters, source IP during network delivery or security checks, diagnostics, website analytics, referral information, and payment events.
The applicable purposes, recipients, retention periods, choices, and request methods are explained in the Privacy Policy. Review that policy together with the plan limits when comparing services.
Supported platforms
The free plan is offered through RelyVPN's five download options: iOS/iPad, Android APK, Mac for Apple Silicon, Mac for Intel, and Windows. Availability, installation requirements, signatures, permissions, versions, and update instructions should be checked on the relevant download page before installation.
A practical comparison checklist
- Is the offer permanent or a trial?
- Are speed, data, and device limits shown next to the offer?
- Does the app display ads or repeated promotional interruptions?
- Is an account or email required before the first connection?
- Does the privacy policy describe operational data, analytics, payments, and request rights?
- Does the download source identify the version, publisher, signature status, and update method?
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the limits of RelyVPN's free plan?
The free plan supports one device and includes a one-time 300 MB allowance without the free-tier 160 kbps cap. Actual throughput varies by device, local network, route, server load, and destination. After the allowance is used, the free tier applies a maximum rate of 160 kbps.
Do I need an account or email to start?
No RelyVPN account or email login is required to start. The service still uses a device or license identifier and may process limited operational, security, diagnostic, analytics, and transaction data as described in the Privacy Policy.
Does the free plan display ads?
The current RelyVPN free-plan app does not display third-party banner, interstitial, or injected advertising. RelyVPN paid-plan options may still be shown. Check the current app version and distribution channel because product behavior can change.