RiseupVPN
by RiseupVPN
What RiseupVPN is
RiseupVPN is a free personal VPN for traffic encryption, location anonymization, and censorship circumvention. It routes internet traffic through an encrypted connection to riseup.net before it reaches the public internet. The client is designed to install and run without configuration or account registration, and is available for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Riseup describes the service as a way to protect against ISP surveillance, block most tracking companies, and bypass government censorship while internet access remains available. It says its logs exclude user IP addresses, DNS requests, traffic flows, browser fingerprints, and personally identifying information; the minimal logs it keeps are encrypted and rotated within five days. Riseup cautions that traffic may be vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks after leaving the VPN gateway, so secure connections such as HTTPS remain important. The service is funded by user donations, with Riseup estimating its cost at approximately $60 USD per person per year. Riseup says the clients use open-source Bitmask software. Android installation is documented through F-Droid, Google Play, or a LEAP APK.
Who it suits
RiseupVPN may suit people seeking a free VPN for censorship circumvention, traffic encryption, or location anonymization on a supported platform. Its no-account setup may appeal to users who want to start without registration.
What it does well
- Free plan requires no account registration.
- Available on Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Logs exclude IP addresses and DNS requests.
- Minimal logs are encrypted and retained no more than five days.
What to know first
- Windows client has no kill switch.
- Riseup warns leak protection on Windows is not battle tested.
- Traffic may be vulnerable after it leaves the VPN gateway.
- The Linux Snap package is out of support.
Limits
The service is free, with no trial. Windows has no kill switch, and Riseup says its leak protection is not battle tested; traffic may also be vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks after leaving the VPN gateway.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| RiseupVPN | No account registration · funded by user donations | Free |
As riseup.net lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the RiseupVPN website.
- Choose Android, Linux, macOS, or Windows.
- Install the client for your platform; Android installation is available through F-Droid, Google Play, or an APK from LEAP.
- Run the client without configuration or account registration.
Verdict
RiseupVPN offers a free, no-registration client across four platforms, with stated limits on the information in its logs. Users should keep HTTPS in mind after traffic leaves the VPN gateway, and Windows users should note the missing kill switch.
Questions
How much does RiseupVPN cost?
The RiseupVPN plan is free. The service is funded by user donations, and Riseup estimates its cost at approximately $60 USD per person per year.
Is there a free trial?
No. RiseupVPN is offered as a free plan, and there is no free trial.
Which platforms does RiseupVPN support?
RiseupVPN is available for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Android installation is documented through F-Droid, Google Play, or an APK download from LEAP.
Do I need an account to use it?
No account registration or configuration is required to install and run the client.
Is RiseupVPN open source?
Riseup says its clients are based on the open source Bitmask software and that RiseupVPN is built using bitmask-vpn.
Does RiseupVPN support torrents and have a kill switch?
It supports torrents. Riseup lists a kill switch, but says the Windows client does not have one.
Facts from RiseupVPN's own pages
- Android distribution
- Riseup documents Android installation through F-Droid, Google Play, or an APK download from LEAP. · riseup.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Encryption limits
- Riseup says traffic can remain vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks after it leaves the VPN gateway, so users should still use secure connections such as HTTPS. · riseup.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1999 · riseup.net, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · riseup.net, 22 Sept 2026
- Funding
- The service is funded by user donations, and Riseup estimates its cost at approximately $60 USD per person per year. · riseup.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Kill switch
- Yes · riseup.net, 22 Sept 2026
- Linux package limitation
- Riseup says its Snap package is out of support and warns users not to install the outdated Snap Store version. · riseup.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Logging
- Riseup says its logs do not contain user IP addresses, DNS requests, traffic flows, browser fingerprints, or personally identifying information. · riseup.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Log retention
- Riseup says the minimal logs it keeps are encrypted and retained for no more than five days before rotation. · riseup.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Riseup says its clients are based on the open source Bitmask software and that RiseupVPN is built using bitmask-vpn. · riseup.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Organization
- Riseup describes itself as an autonomous collective based in Seattle with members worldwide that provides communication and computer resources to allies engaged in struggles against oppression. · riseup.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- Riseup lists downloads for GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows, and Android. · riseup.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Service
- Riseup offers a personal VPN for censorship circumvention, location anonymization, and traffic encryption. · riseup.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Setup
- The client is designed to install and run without configuration or account registration. · riseup.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- Riseup directs users to its support ticket system and provides platform-specific troubleshooting and bug-report guidance. · riseup.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Torrent support
- Yes · riseup.net, 22 Sept 2026
- Traffic routing
- The VPN sends internet traffic through an encrypted connection to riseup.net before it reaches the public internet. · riseup.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Use cases
- Riseup describes the service as a way to protect against ISP surveillance, block most tracking companies, and bypass government censorship while internet access remains available. · riseup.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Windows limitation
- Riseup says the Windows client has no kill switch and that its leak protection is not battle tested. · riseup.net, 12 Oct 2026
Where RiseupVPN stands on Freedom251
- VPN services#14 of 88
- Free VPN Services#14 of 43