Lantern
Lantern: A strong free option for blocked traffic, with daily limits and limited server choice. Ranked #12 of 43 in Free VPN Services by our editors (8.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for censorship circumvention and blocked traffic.
At a glance
- Editor score8.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forCensorship circumvention and blocked traffic
- Free planYes
- Paid from$4/mo
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Smart Routing separates blocked traffic from direct connections
- Free plan requires no sign-up and includes Action Mode
- Open source with apps for web, desktop, mobile, and Chrome
Where it doesn't
- Free access has a daily data allowance in most countries
- Server selection and enhanced locations are paid features
- Premium speed is reserved for Pro and Member plans
Our verdict on Lantern
Lantern is a nonprofit VPN from Brave New Software Project, Inc. It is designed for people who need access to blocked or sensitive traffic, especially where internet restrictions affect everyday browsing. Smart Routing sends blocked traffic through Lantern while allowing other traffic to connect directly. Full Tunnel and Split Tunneling modes provide additional routing choices, and automatic censorship-circumvention protocols support the service’s core purpose. Lantern is open source and available on the web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Chrome.
The Free plan costs $0 forever, requires no sign-up, includes a daily data allowance, and provides Action Mode through a volunteer network. The allowance is daily and variable in most countries, while free data is unlimited in Iran, Russia, and Belarus. Pro costs $4 per month when billed annually and adds unlimited data, premium speed, Smart Server selection, enhanced server locations, and ad blocking. Member costs $9 per month when billed annually and adds support for access for 50 people in need. Pro also supports connections on up to five devices.
Lantern’s strongest fit is targeted access: Smart Routing can keep ordinary traffic direct, while Full Tunnel routes all traffic through Lantern and Split Tunneling allows more selective control. Optional private-server hosting and anonymous diagnostics add flexibility, and the published logging policy is no logs. The trade-off is that free users work within daily data limits and do not receive the paid server-selection and speed benefits. Choose Lantern for censorship circumvention, blocked traffic, and a no-sign-up free tier; choose an alternative if unrestricted free data, broad server choice, or premium speed is the priority.
Your product? Our editors can test Lantern in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Lantern pricing
All 3 Lantern plans and prices →
Lantern fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $4/mo |
| Free data allowance | Not verified |
| Free server choice | Limited |
| Free speed policy | Unspecified |
| Logging policy | No logs |
| Ads on free plan | Not verified |
| Free device limit | Not verified |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension |
| Support | Email, Tickets, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | lantern.io |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Lantern
- Proton VPNA strong free VPN with unlimited data, audited no-logs coverage, and open-source apps.9.3
- hide.meA capable free VPN for privacy-focused streaming and torrenting.9.1
- WindscribeA flexible VPN with a capable free tier and unusually configurable paid plans.9.0
See all Lantern alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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