Multi-Hop VPNs Compared: Free and Paid Double VPN Options
2 min read
Multi-hop (or "double VPN") sends your traffic through two servers so no single one sees both who you are and where you're going. Most VPNs that offer it keep it on paid plans. Here's who offers it, where, and what the free tiers include. New to the idea? Start with what a multi-hop VPN is.
Disclosure: Krypt makes Krypt VPN. Everything about the other products comes from their own sites, docs or repositories, checked in November 2026. Prices and features change often, so confirm on their site before you choose. No affiliation with any of them is implied.
At a glance (November 2026)
| Free plan | Multi-hop | Paid from | Independent audit | Open source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Krypt VPN | Yes, free nodes | Yes, on the free nodes | — | None published | Not stated |
| Proton VPN | Yes, no data limit; 1 device, servers in 10 countries | Secure Core, paid plans only | $2.99/mo (1-year plan) | Yes (Securitum, 2026) | Yes |
| Windscribe | Yes, 10 GB/mo with email (2 GB without) | Double Hop on desktop; plan not stated | $9/mo or $69/yr | Server and app audits (self-reported) | Says so |
| Mullvad | No | Yes, on its one plan | €5/mo flat | Yes (Cure53 2024 and others) | Yes, GPL-3.0 |
| Surfshark | No (free trial) | MultiHop | $2.49/mo (2-year plan) | Yes (Deloitte) | Not stated |
What to weigh
- Audits and track record. An independent no-logs audit is the closest thing to proof a VPN does what it says. The established providers above have them; Krypt VPN is newer and hasn't published one.
- Speed. Every hop adds latency. Use multi-hop for privacy, and a single nearby server for streaming and games.
- Free limits. Proton's free plan has no data cap but no multi-hop; Windscribe's free plan caps data.
When each one fits
- Proton VPN Free for an audited, open-source free VPN without data limits (single hop).
- Mullvad for a simple flat price, multi-hop included, and strong audit history.
- Windscribe Free if you want a free tier with more locations and can live with the data cap.
- Surfshark for multi-hop on long paid plans.
- [Krypt VPN](/blog/krypt-vpn-setup-guide) if you want to try multi-hop for free on Windows, macOS or Linux. For high-stakes privacy, prefer an independently audited provider.
FAQ
Is there a free VPN with multi-hop?
As of November 2026, Krypt VPN offers multi-hop on its free nodes. Proton VPN's multi-hop (Secure Core) is on paid plans only, and Windscribe doesn't say which plan includes Double Hop.
Does Proton VPN Free include Secure Core?
No. Proton says Secure Core is available on all paid Proton VPN plans.
Is a free VPN safe?
It depends on the provider. Look for a clear privacy policy, independent audits and open-source apps, and be wary of free VPNs that fund themselves with ads or data.