Free VPN review
RiseupVPN review
Donation-funded, account-free VPN for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android. Connection protection varies by platform; no numeric data or device allowance is promised here.
By VPNTrends · Updated 2026-10-21
Our assessment
RiseupVPN at a glance
Donation-funded, account-free VPN for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android. Connection protection varies by platform; no numeric data or device allowance is promised here.
Key capabilities
Donation-funded, account-free VPN for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android. Connection protection varies by platform; no numeric data or device allowance is promised here.
Limitations to check
Free access is supported by voluntary donations. The suggested donation is not a mandatory subscription charge.
See platform support ↓
A free service supported by voluntary donations
RiseupVPN is a personal VPN operated by the Riseup collective and developed with LEAP. It does not require an account registration or a paid subscription before connecting. Donations support the service, and the suggested contribution is a request for funding rather than the price of a plan. That makes it different from a promotional trial that begins charging after a short introductory period.
The reviewed documentation does not publish a numeric monthly allowance or a contractual simultaneous-device limit. Those values remain unverified here. Account-free access should not be converted into a claim of unlimited household connections, and the absence of a quoted data cap is not a guaranteed speed or capacity commitment.
Desktop and Android support need different installation choices
The download list covers Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux and Android. There is no current iOS app established in this review, so an iPhone user should not assume that the Android instructions apply. The Windows page identifies Windows 10 as its tested system, while the macOS guide describes its installer and troubleshooting requirements. Check the current release against the operating system you actually run.
Linux users should pay particular attention to the installation route. Riseup explicitly warns that its Snap package is out of support. Debian packages, the documented Ubuntu repository and Arch community packages are separate installation options; an old search result for the Snap command is not sufficient guidance.
Windows has a specific kill-switch limitation
The Windows guide explicitly says that its client does not have a kill switch, contrasting it with macOS and Linux. A general diagram showing blocked traffic should therefore not be read as proof of identical protection on every desktop. If preventing traffic outside the tunnel during a failure is essential, this difference matters before choosing the Windows version.
Android uses a separately maintained, branded Bitmask application. Its listing identifies OpenVPN and describes WireGuard as a future addition. We do not count that announcement as a released WireGuard capability, or transfer desktop firewall behavior to Android without platform-specific confirmation.
Account-free access does not remove the need for trust
Riseup says that its service does not record user IP addresses and uses short-lived certificates rather than a persistent login. Its security explanation distinguishes the minimum operational logs from browsing records and describes a limited retention period. These are the operator’s documented practices, not results of our own traffic or infrastructure inspection.
The encrypted tunnel ends at the VPN gateway. HTTPS and other encrypted application protocols remain necessary beyond that point. Logging into a website or providing personal details can still identify you to that website, regardless of the IP address it sees.
Best considered for straightforward personal access
RiseupVPN is worth considering when the priority is account-free, donation-supported connectivity on a supported device. It is less suitable for a requirement that depends on a guaranteed country list, a verified streaming entitlement or a published service-level speed promise. None of those outcomes has been demonstrated by this review.
Download through the official project routes and keep the client updated. Review the platform-specific limitations before relying on the connection for sensitive work. A VPN protects a network path; it does not repair malware, secure files already stored on a compromised device or replace careful account security.
Free plan and limits
This continuing free plan has no subscription charge. Check the actual allowance and restrictions before relying on it.
Data allowance: No numeric monthly quota is published in the reviewed service documentation. This is not a guarantee of unlimited bandwidth or a minimum speed.
- No verified numeric simultaneous-device entitlement
- Windows documentation explicitly says there is no kill switch
- No current iOS app was established
- Linux Snap package is out of support; use the documented distribution packages
- No guaranteed speed, streaming access or fixed country inventory is established
A donation-funded service still requires trust in its operator. Windows lacks the documented macOS/Linux kill-switch protection, and a VPN cannot protect an already compromised device or make logged-in browsing anonymous.
Free access is supported by voluntary donations. The suggested donation is not a mandatory subscription charge.
Features and platform support
Support can differ between apps and operating systems. Platform coverage and limitations are shown below.
- Windows
Official RiseupVPN client and installation instructions. Check the current supported operating-system version before installing.
- macOS
Official RiseupVPN client and installation instructions. Check the current supported operating-system version before installing.
- Linux
Official RiseupVPN client and installation instructions. Check the current supported operating-system version before installing.
- iOS
The current official download list includes Windows, macOS, Linux and Android; a current iOS service was not established.
Current support not verified.- Android
Official RiseupVPN client and installation instructions. Check the current supported operating-system version before installing.
- WireGuard / WireGuard-based protocol
The Android listing describes WireGuard as coming soon. Availability of a current released WireGuard option was not established; no yes claim imported.
Current support not verified.- OpenVPN
Android listing identifies OpenVPN; Windows/macOS documentation also identifies OpenVPN process logs. No standalone router profile entitlement is inferred.
Verified platforms: Windows, macOS, Android.- Kill switch
The Windows guide explicitly says Windows has no kill switch, unlike macOS and Linux. Only macOS/Linux are included in the verified yes scope. Android behavior is not established here.
Verified platforms: macOS, Linux.- Router support
Not established for the current RiseupVPN service.
Current support not verified.- Split tunneling
Not established for the current RiseupVPN service.
Current support not verified.- Dedicated IP available
Not established for the current RiseupVPN service.
Current support not verified.
Questions about RiseupVPN
How many devices can connect simultaneously?
Not verified
Is this a continuing free plan or a paid trial?
This is a continuing free plan, not an introductory paid subscription. No numeric monthly quota is published in the reviewed service documentation. This is not a guarantee of unlimited bandwidth or a minimum speed.
Does a supported platform include every feature?
No. Protocols, split tunneling and kill switches can have different platform support. Use the feature descriptions above to check the app you intend to use.
Do I need a Riseup email account to use RiseupVPN?
No. The current RiseupVPN service does not require an account registration. Its access model is separate from the collective’s email accounts.
Does the Windows client include a kill switch?
The official Windows guide explicitly says it does not, unlike the macOS and Linux clients. Do not assume the same traffic-blocking behavior on every platform.
Before you choose
Check data, location, speed and connection limits for the free plan. Paid subscriptions and trials have separate terms and are not included here.
We have not conducted hands-on speed, streaming or app tests for this review. No numerical ratings or test badges are assigned.