Short answer: Most browser VPNs only cover traffic inside the browser, so they behave more like a proxy than a device-wide VPN. Opera, Firefox and Edge offer free versions with different limits, and Brave sells a paid VPN that covers the whole device. The figures below are the vendors’ own published numbers; check them before you rely on them, because limits change.
Checked against the sources listed at the end of this page on October 5, 2026. We did not run our own tests; where a figure comes from a vendor, the text says so.
Browser VPN versus a full VPN
A VPN app protects all the apps on your device. A browser VPN protects only what you do in that browser. Email, games, system updates and other apps keep using your normal connection. That is enough for light browsing on public Wi-Fi, but not for anything else. VPN vs proxy explains the difference in more detail.
The main options compared
| Browser | Cost (vendor figures) | Covers | Who runs it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opera | Free VPN described as unlimited and accountless; paid VPN Pro covers the whole device | Browser traffic on the free version | Opera |
| Firefox built-in VPN | Free, 50 GB per month | Browser traffic only | Mozilla |
| Microsoft Edge Secure Network | Free, 5 GB per month with a Microsoft account | Browser traffic | Microsoft, in partnership with Cloudflare |
| Brave VPN | $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year, with a 7-day trial | Whole device, up to 10 devices | Brave, powered by Guardian |
Opera
Opera describes its free VPN as free, built in and without data caps, and says it protects all activity inside the Opera browser. The paid VPN Pro extends protection across the device. Opera says its no-log policy is independently audited by Deloitte and that the security code was tested by Cure53. Those are Opera’s statements; we did not see the audit reports. How to use Opera GX VPN looks at what this means in practice.
Firefox built-in VPN
Mozilla offers a free built-in VPN in Firefox with 50 GB per month. When the limit is reached, protection pauses until the next cycle. Mozilla says it protects browsing in Firefox and does not offer full device protection. It began rolling out gradually in Firefox 149, first on desktop in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and France, with Android support added later. Mozilla also says it does not sell browsing data or inject advertising. The separate paid Mozilla VPN covers the whole device.
Microsoft Edge Secure Network
Edge’s Secure Network is provided in partnership with Cloudflare and gives 5 GB of free data per month when you sign in with a personal Microsoft account. Microsoft says that in its automatic mode only unsecure traffic is routed through it, for example on public Wi-Fi or on sites without a valid certificate. It also says Cloudflare briefly observes the source and destination addresses, ports, a timestamp and an access token, and deletes that data within 25 hours.
Brave VPN
Brave VPN is a paid product. Brave lists $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year with a 7-day free trial, and says one subscription covers up to 10 devices on Android, iOS, macOS and Windows. It says the VPN protects traffic from every app on the device, is powered by Guardian, and that Brave does not log traffic, DNS requests, connection data, IP addresses or bandwidth. Those are vendor claims.
What none of these promise
- Protection for apps outside the browser, on the free versions
- Anonymity: the provider still sees where your traffic goes
- Access to services that block VPN addresses
If you need protection across the device, or you want audits and a longer track record, compare dedicated providers in our VPN comparison.
How to turn each one on
- Opera: according to Opera’s help, go to Settings, click Advanced in the left sidebar, then Features, and under VPN turn on Enable VPN. A VPN badge then appears in the address bar, and you can pick a region or let Opera choose.
- Microsoft Edge: Microsoft gives two routes: Settings and more > Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Security, then turn on the Use Microsoft Edge Secure Network toggle, or Settings and more > More tools > Secure Network. A personal Microsoft account is required.
- Firefox: Mozilla says the built-in VPN is rolling out gradually, so you may not see it yet. Check Mozilla’s announcement and your Firefox version.
- Brave: Brave VPN is a paid add-on that you subscribe to on Brave’s site and use from Brave’s apps.
Limits you may run into
- Microsoft says Edge Secure Network is unavailable on managed devices and in certain regions. When the 5 GB monthly allowance is used up, the shield icon in Edge shows that the limit has been reached and when the data will refresh.
- Mozilla says that in Firefox, protection pauses until the next cycle once the 50 GB limit is reached.
- Opera’s help says its VPN is free and the amount of data you can transfer is unlimited.
These are the vendors’ own published terms at the time of writing. Free browser VPNs change their limits and regions often, so check the current page before you rely on them.
Frequently asked questions
Is a browser VPN safe?
It is as trustworthy as the company behind it. Look for a named operator, a privacy policy and independent audits.
Which browser VPN is free with no limit?
Opera describes its free VPN as unlimited. The others have monthly data limits, and limits can change, so check the current terms.
Can I use a browser VPN for streaming or torrenting?
Browser VPNs cover only the browser. Torrent clients and most streaming apps run outside it.