Best Free VPN for South Korea in 2024

Censorship is the first word used to describe the internet in China. However, its neighbor country, South Korea, often isn’t much better. People seek a free VPN for South Korea for various reasons, one of which is to unblock websites and unblock the “wider internet”, as many say.

In South Korea, you’ll find restrictions on porn, gambling, and various political sites. In addition, the country isn’t alien to geo-restrictions that often plague every step of the internet. That’s why its residents can’t access Netflix US or enjoy foreign TV channels.

Paid VPNs for Korea are much better at fixing all of these problems. But today, our task is a bit different. We’ll talk about the top 3 really FREE VPNs for South Korea that’ll alleviate these issues. They will be great as long as your demands are in check, so tread carefully.

Best 100% Free VPNs for South Korea – Top 3 for 2024

When we say 100% free VPNs for South Korea, we refer to providers that require no previous payment.

This means they’re free to download and use forever, without any hidden costs. Now, we usually don’t recommend these providers, especially in censored countries.

For example, none of them seem to work in China or Iran. On the other hand, Astrill VPN does and it’s an expensive, reliable service. Still, South Korea is a bit different and its censorship measures aren’t that harsh. As a result, you can still find a few quality providers that will work.

Luckily, you don’t have to move a finger, as we found the 3 best free VPNs for Korea. In short, our picks include:

1. Proton VPN
2. PrivadoVPN
3. Hide.me

Done reading? Go and get one. Still there? Let us continue with our reviews of each provider and talk about its features.

1. Proton VPN

Offering unlimited bandwidth, Proton VPN is off to a good start in the minds and hearts of many free VPN users in South Korea.

This provider’s security is among the best around in both free and premium servers. It offers AES-256 encryption with WireGuard and OpenVPN support for a nearly premium experience.

In addition, Proton VPN sports split tunneling and port forwarding, both of which are rarely found in even more expensive services. We like its free version a lot, especially due to the no-logging policy and Swiss-grade security, which South Korean residents will appreciate quite a bit.

And while Proton VPN is easy to use and install, you’ll find many of its issues at first boot. One of them is lackluster performance which prevents performing bandwidth-intense activities. Torrenting is forbidden completely while streaming won’t work on popular platforms. As a result, it is far from being the best VPN for enjoying porn sites freely.

Despite being so safe, Proton VPN still lacks Secure Core servers, NetShield, and a few other features. The server count is minuscule here too, as the provider comes with servers in the US, the Netherlands, Romania, Poland, and Japan only. This doesn’t make it suitable for those in need of a South Korean IP.

Proton VPN’s servers are frequently overloaded as well, so speeds can be atrocious. This rings true with the US servers during later hours when most users are at their PCs. Sure, unlimited bandwidth should make up for it but when you have the performance this bad, it might not be enough.

Keeping your expectations in check should make Proton VPN good. Expect a bit more and you’re in for a rude awakening.

Read our comprehensive Proton VPN review to find out more about its features.

Visit Proton VPN

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2. PrivadoVPN

Another highly secure free VPN for South Korea is PrivadoVPN. And before you ask, it has no servers in South Korea.

Compared to Proton VPN, however, it does offer more in this regard, with 12 server locations in Europe, the US, and South America.

PrivadoVPN is based in Switzerland, so its privacy and security are excellent. The provider uses 256-bit encryption for keeping your connection safe while WireGuard ensures uncapped speeds and performance. Interestingly PrivadoVPN is among the rare free VPNs that work with Netflix!

This is further improved with the P2P allowance and applications with plenty of security features. Being primarily a premium VPN, the provider lacks some features, albeit, the no-log policy is here. First, it’ll limit you to just 10 GB of monthly bandwdith which is hardly enough for a day of browsing.

Second, it’ll exclude an ad blocker and its Control Tower DNS from the free plan. This makes the VPN more “barebones” and not as functional as the premium version. As a free VPN for South Korea, the provider cut corners even in terms of servers, as more of them are in the paid option.

One thing to note is that no third-party audits are present, which isn’t the case with Proton VPN and Hide.me. In addition, PrivadoVPN lacks a Linux VPN client, so Ubuntu and Mint users might be insulted. At least you get 24/7 support through live chat, giving you that slight premium feel.

Do we recommend buying PrivadoVPN? Most definitely not. However, using it as a free provider yields a heap of security and privacy benefits for Korean users. Just create a free account, download its application, and connect to the server. Now, you’re ready to soar the internet safely in Korea.

Find out more about this provider in our full PrivadoVPN review.

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3. Hide.me

As one of the best free South Korea VPNs in 2024, Hide.me offers serious security.

Free users get AES-256 encryption as a standard, along with a kill switch and IP/DNS leak prevention. Moreover, the service stores no logs either, so privacy is undeniable.

Users enjoy Hide.me VPN’s intuitive apps for all platforms, which makes the service very flexible. Plus, its performance is quite decent for a free provider, and Hide.me won’t limit your connection speed or bandwidth. Now, in terms of streaming, Hide.me can’t unblock Netflix US.

In addition, its torrenting is limited or better said, not allowed by the provider. On top of that, the free version lacks premium features like MultiHop and WireGuard. This means you’ll be locked to OpenVPN only, which, as expected, isn’t the most avid performer.

Being a free Korea VPN, Hide.me VPN also limits you in the number of servers and locations. Currently, the VPN has 8 locations in the US, the Netherlands, and a few other countries, making bypassing geo-blocks a hard feat. Thus, you’ll find more luck with the likes of NordVPN or ExpressVPN.

Another key point to mention is that this free VPN for South Korea has no simultaneous connections. But, on the brighter side, free users get 24/7 email support and apps for macOS, Android, Windows, and iOS. Even its Firestick TV app is available for free if you’d like to stream occasionally.

Overall, Hide.me VPN is incredibly safe and secure, and like that, it’s an ideal free VPN for South Korea. Those who want more in terms of bandwidth and advanced possibilities should seek premium options. More about them very soon.

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Why We Don’t Recommend Free VPNs for South Korea?

While the providers on the list are undoubtedly safe and secure, you can see they come with plenty of downsides as well.

Some of them are, admittedly, cardinal, and you most likely won’t be able to get over them. That’s basically the reason we don’t recommend free Korea VPN services.

For one, the majority of them limit your bandwidth or speed. You either get a few gigabytes a month and fast speeds or slow speeds and unlimited traffic. This isn’t great for streaming or torrenting, neither of which will work as intended on the three providers we talked about.

Let’s not forget that none of them offer simultaneous connections either and their customer support is lackluster. Above all, not a single free VPN on this list has servers in South Korea! As such, when abroad, you won’t be able to watch Korean TV channels or its Netflix catalog.

Another serious issue is the lack of premium features. We’re talking about functionalities like MultiHop, ad blockers, obfuscated servers, and so on. Even if you go outside of this list, you’ll be met with the same annoying limits, even in terms of security and privacy.

For instance, many use Hola VPN or Betternet, both of which are extremely unreliable. They store logs of your personal info and sell it to third parties on top of simply not encrypting your connection properly. So, in the end, it’s clear that free VPNs for South Korea aren’t the most satisfying.

This begs the question – what should I do then? Is there a cheap premium VPN I can try instead? Well, there are a couple of choices and we have a solution for users with shallower pockets. Read on to find out what we’re thinking about.

Solution: Use the Two Best VPNs in South Korea for FREE (Up to 30 Days)

Instead of using a 100% free VPN for South Korea, we advise following this separate guide.

What if we told you you can use a premium VPN for free for up to 30 days? In this part, we’ll examine two of the absolute best VPNs in 2024 and show you a trick to use them for FREE.

NordVPN: The Best Free VPN for Korea for 30 Days

If you’re willing to try the best overall VPN in 2024, NordVPN should trigger your radar. You see, this option is vastly cheaper than ExpressVPN, and while better, it also does offer the performance and security superior to this, and many other VPNs.

NordVPN’s long-term plans are equipped with a 30-day refund policy, but unlike CyberGhost, the same policy applies to its monthly plans. Long-term plans are generally cheaper and they come with exclusive discounts that you can claim through the button below.

Try NordVPN for Free for 30 Days

In doing so, you can start using NordVPN right away. Install it, connect to a server, and enjoy browsing the web limitlessly. Of course, you can get a refund in the first 30 days to make the VPN Free. Contact live chat support on the site, explain that you need a refund, and the support team will come to your aid.

In a few hours or days, the money will arrive in your account and you’ll lose nothing. That’s how to use the best free VPN for South Korea like NordVPN or ExpressVPN (next choice) without cost.

Why Try Out NordVPN?

Instead of 3,000, NordVPN sports 6,500+ servers in 110+ countries. South Korean servers are here too, and getting this IP is incredibly simple. In addition, NordVPN trumps every free VPN due to fast speeds, NordLynx support, and a full-fledged ad blocker that works wonderfully.

NordVPN even offers torrenting and streaming-friendly servers, which most users are excited about. Torrenting servers are available in 50+ countries, each of them allowing for fast and secure P2P. Other servers are optimized for a heap of streaming platforms.

For instance, they work with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and many geo-restricted channels. In Korea, you’ll want to use its Double VPN servers for added privacy. And if that’s not enough, there’s a kill switch and IPv6 leak protection to sway unwanted leaks out of your path.

Users like NordVPN’s affordability along with various bonus add-ons. While we’re at it, we should mention the option to get a dedicated IP or perhaps Threat Protection, which will protect your PC and clear malignancies from your computer in an instant.

NordVPN stores no logs and its Panamanian jurisdiction speaks volumes about its privacy. Additionally, the provider has published a few third-party audits from Deloitte and PwC, which tells us even more about its safety and security.

The service has 10 simultaneous connections, which should be enough for all your needs. This will allow you to protect all your devices and wrap them in a tightly secured and robust network. In South Korea, this is vital for ensuring a safe, secure, and wide internet.

ExpressVPN: Also Free for 30 Days!

As one of the fastest, most secure, and reliable VPNs in South Korea, it’s easy to see why we like it so much. Yes, it’s a premium service at its core but the provider offers something called a 30-day money-back guarantee.

As you can guess, this feature lets you get a refund in the first 30 days. However, ExpressVPN’s refund policy is unconditional, so you can be reimbursed if you simply don’t need a VPN or dislike it for whatever strange reason. The trick is to first get ExpressVPN below.

Use ExpressVPN for Free for 30 Days

Through this button, you can claim a 49% discount and 3 free months for the annual plan, which drops the price quite a bit.

Alternatively, you can just pick a monthly plan, pay for it, and set up ExpressVPN. We explain how to set up a VPN in this article, so read it if you’re a newbie.

Regardless, once you install it, you get unlimited bandwidth, uncapped speeds, streaming, and everything else. And before the first 30 days expire, just contact ExpressVPN, say that you want a refund, and it’ll give you your money back.

Why Use ExpressVPN Instead of Free VPNs in Korea?

Now, why even bother getting a refund and doing all the stuff we explained? Because ExpressVPN has 3,000 servers in 160 cities and not just 3-5 server locations. Plus, as a free VPN for South Korea for 30 days, it also has servers in South Korea, so people wanting this IP are taken care of.

One thing to mention is that this a fast service, thanks to its Lightway protocol. It’s not only fast but also secure, as AES-256 encryption protects your online identity. ExpressVPN’s easy to use and its setup process lasts merely 2 minutes.

Living in Korea with ExpressVPN makes life so much better. First, you’ll circumvent censorship thanks to obfuscation and keep your identity safe with a kill switch. ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy is here too and with several audits from the most notable auditors, you can be sure it stores ZERO logs.

But what about having fun with it? Well, streaming is simply impeccable, as ExpressVPN works with 10+ Netflix catalogs and many other platforms. Even torrenting is possible on all 3,000 servers, which goes to show just how versatile and flexible it is.

You’ll hardly notice you’re using a VPN due to the lack of bigger speed reduction. ExpressVPN works on all platforms, including iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, and Firestick. With 8 simultaneous connections, protecting all your devices with one subscription is a breeze.

Overall, ExpressVPN will wipe the floor with every “best” free VPN for South Korea. You can now use it for free for 30 days or keep using it and feel all of its mighty benefits. Once you experience it, you’ll never want to use a limiting free VPN again.

Best Free VPN With Servers in South Korea: TunnelBear

One provider we haven’t mentioned so far is TunnelBear. It’s a free VPN that actually has servers in South Korea.

The downside? Well, there is a boatload of them. First, the service limits you to a measly 2 GB of monthly bandwidth, which is hardly enough for a day’s browsing.

Second, you’ll find it lacking in terms of P2P and streaming. Torrenting is completely forbidden and streaming on Netflix and BBC iPlayer won’t work. This is in stark contrast to its impressive server fleet scattered across ~50 countries, which ends up being useless in the end.

TunnelBear is pretty slow too and you’ll find its lack of advanced features annoying. It only has a kill switch, IP/DNS leak protection, and this GhostBear mode which can’t seem to bypass censorship in China. TunnelBear is a Canadian VPN too, so it’s in the 5 Eyes region.

But the good thing is that it’s safe and secure, even having third-party audits. For us, the biggest turn-off is the limited bandwdith, which renders this provider barely useful. With 2 GB each month, you can’t even scratch the surface of the internet, let alone stream, download torrents, or watch YouTube.

In the end, it’s safe to say that the best free VPN for South Korea with servers in this country doesn’t exist.

Or it does – in the form of NordVPN and ExpressVPN and their risk-free refund policies. Unfortunately, you’ll have to pay for proper South Korean VPN servers.

Summary: Which Free VPN to Choose in South Korea?

So, to summarize our journey so far, we presented a grand total of 5 services today – 2 more than we promised!

But to sum it up, the most reliable free VPNs for Korea include, Proton VPN, PrivadoVPN, and Hide.me. These are really free and you don’t need a credit card or any upfront payments.

Visit Proton VPN

A more superior solution is to use a paid service with a money-back guarantee instead. Here, we recommend NordVPN and ExpressVPN.

Albeit, we also find CyberGhost quite capable in a country like South Korea, especially thanks to hundreds of NoSpy servers for added privacy.

Free services that offer everything unlimited without charging you should be avoided. Some of them include Urban VPN, Turbo VPN, Hola VPN, and many others. And if you need a dependable option that has free South Korean VPN servers, use TunnelBear, an option we reluctantly mentioned again.