The SetupVPN Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about SetupVPN in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
SetupVPN
The Insider’s Guide
Free VPN extension and apps with an optional Premium tier
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among VPNs, read from SetupVPN’s own pages.
Made by SetupVPN Inc · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from SetupVPN’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on SetupVPN’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.0
GPA, above 44 of the 50 other VPNs we grade
SetupVPN is a free VPN service offered as browser extensions and as apps for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android. Its site says free accounts have no bandwidth restrictions and 100+ locations, and mentions a Premium account for more speed and features without listing its price.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about SetupVPN, taken from its own pages and our grades.
No store rating on record, and the site asks you to register.
- 1
Best for an occasional free VPN extension
A Premium tier is mentioned, but no price or feature list is published, and Linux, Opera and ChromeOS are still marked coming soon.
- 2
There is a free plan
Free account with no bandwidth restrictions and 100+ locations, per the vendor's home page.
- 3
It runs on 4 platforms
Windows, macOS, iOS and Android, with a browser extension too.
- 4
Free account
The home page promises a lifetime free account with no bandwidth restrictions and no hidden charges.
- 5
100+ locations
The site says it has over 100 locations around the world and is adding more.
- 6
Virus and malware filtering
The FAQ says SetupVPN filters viruses from browsing and shields you from malware on the sites you visit.
- 7
A 3.0 GPA, above 44 of 50
That is against the other VPNs we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
To replace SetupVPN you would be making servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
SetupVPN at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
- Made by
- SetupVPN Inc
- Category
- VPNs
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
Best for an occasional free VPN extension
SetupVPN is a free VPN extension and app with no stated bandwidth limit and 100+ locations. A Premium tier is mentioned, but no price or feature list is published, and Linux, Opera and ChromeOS are still marked coming soon.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free with no bandwidth restrictions on the vendor's home page. The Premium price is not published, so there is no paid cost to compare. |
| Free plan and trial | A | A lifetime free account with no bandwidth restrictions and unlimited server changes. |
| Features | C | Free account, 100+ locations, malware filtering and Wi-Fi protection. Mail ports 25 and 465 are blocked, and TVs and routers are not supported. |
| Ease of use | C | No store rating on record, and the site asks you to register. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Extension, Windows, Mac, iOS and Android; Linux, Opera and ChromeOS are coming soon. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who SetupVPN is for
- Fits if you need a free VPN extension for occasional use
- Works for getting around a school or workplace firewall
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want to know what Premium costs, as no price or feature list is published
- Not for you if you send mail over SMTP, since ports 25 and 465 are blocked
- Watch out: Linux, Opera and ChromeOS versions are marked coming soon
- Watch out: televisions and routers are not supported
Good to know
Good for
- People who need a free VPN extension for occasional use
- Users behind a restrictive school or workplace firewall
- Anyone who wants a no-signup-fee VPN to try before paying elsewhere
Worth knowing
- A Premium account is mentioned on the home page and FAQ, but no price or feature list is published on the pages read.
- Ports such as 25 and 465 are blocked to limit spam, including SMTP.
- Linux, Opera and ChromeOS versions are marked as coming soon.
- The FAQ says televisions and routers are not supported.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
1
plan
SetupVPN has a free plan.
Free with no bandwidth restrictions on the vendor's home page.
Free
$0
Lifetime free account with no bandwidth restrictions, unlimited server changes and SSL-based encryption.
The free plan
Free account with no bandwidth restrictions and 100+ locations, per the vendor's home page.
Read from setupvpn.com on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
5
Places it runs: macOS, Windows, iOS, Android and Browser extension
Free VPN extension and apps with an optional Premium tier. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: vPN, malware protection.
Extension, Windows, Mac, iOS and Android; Linux, Opera and ChromeOS are coming soon.
- Free account
- The home page promises a lifetime free account with no bandwidth restrictions and no hidden charges.
- 100+ locations
- The site says it has over 100 locations around the world and is adding more.
- Virus and malware filtering
- The FAQ says SetupVPN filters viruses from browsing and shields you from malware on the sites you visit.
- Unlimited server changes
- You can switch servers as often as you like, with no stated limit.
- Public Wi-Fi protection
- Traffic is encrypted with SSL, which the vendor positions as protection on cafe and restaurant networks.
- Extensions and apps
- Downloads are listed for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android, Windows, macOS and iOS.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- iOS
- Android
- Browser extension
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
SetupVPN is made by SetupVPN Inc.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
44/50
Other VPNs it is graded above
SetupVPN's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 44 of the 50 other VPNs we grade, and level with 4.
It stands best on value for money (A, above 43 of 50) and worst on features (C, above 2).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 51 VPNs we grade, cut by the letter each got. SetupVPN’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 43 of 50
- AFree plan and trialAbove 43 of 50
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 50
- CEase of useAbove 6 of 50
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 4 of 50
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace SetupVPN you would be making servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 44 of the 50 other VPNs we grade.
What you could not
- Servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private.
- An engine that recognises new malware as it appears.
- Apps for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. SetupVPN’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Hoxx VPN, Windscribe, TunnelBear, Betternet and Hotspot Shield
The 5 tools SetupVPN is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.0GPA
Hoxx VPN
Free plan · from $1.99/mo
Free VPN proxy with a Premium upgrade sold inside the app.
- Only Hoxx VPN lists a Linux app.
- Hoxx VPN also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- 2.6GPA
Windscribe
Free plan · from $3/mo
VPN with a 10GB free plan and pay-per-location pricing.
- Only Windscribe lists a Linux app.
- Windscribe is open source, according to its own site.
- SetupVPN also covers malware protection.
- 2.4GPA
TunnelBear
Free plan · from $3.33/mo
McAfee-owned VPN with a 2GB free plan and pay-once multi-year plans.
- SetupVPN also covers malware protection.
- TunnelBear also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- 2.4GPA
Betternet
Free plan · from $95.99/yr
- 2.6GPA
Hotspot Shield
Free plan · from $95.99/yr
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
9
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is SetupVPN free?
SetupVPN has a free plan. Free account with no bandwidth restrictions and 100+ locations, per the vendor's home page.
How much does SetupVPN cost?
SetupVPN lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does SetupVPN work on?
SetupVPN is available on Windows, macOS, iOS and Android. It also has a browser extension.
Does SetupVPN have a Linux app?
No Linux app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. SetupVPN is listed for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.
Is SetupVPN open source?
SetupVPN is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
Who makes SetupVPN?
SetupVPN is made by SetupVPN Inc.
What are the alternatives to SetupVPN?
The closest alternatives to SetupVPN in our directory are Hoxx VPN, Windscribe, TunnelBear, Betternet and Hotspot Shield.
How does SetupVPN compare with other VPNs?
SetupVPN's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 44 of the 50 other VPNs we grade, and level with 4.
Could I make my own version of SetupVPN?
To replace SetupVPN you would be making servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from SetupVPN’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from SetupVPN's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by SetupVPN Inc. Prices change, so check setupvpn.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- SetupVPN, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/setupvpn
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "SetupVPN: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/setupvpn
Know someone choosing between VPNs?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/setupvpn/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
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- Cloudflare WARP Insider's GuideFree Cloudflare app that encrypts traffic, with an optional paid tier3.2 GPA
- Ultrasurf Insider's GuideFree censorship-circumvention VPN from UltraReach3.2 GPA
- hide.me Insider's GuideMalaysia-based VPN with a no-signup free plan and flat renewal prices3.0 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what SetupVPN’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. SetupVPN is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by SetupVPN Inc. Prices and plans change: check setupvpn.com before you buy.