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RiseupVPN
RiseupVPN · Seattle · founded 1999
What it is
RiseupVPN is a free personal VPN for censorship circumvention, location anonymization, and traffic encryption. It runs on Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows and supports torrent traffic. The client is designed to install and operate without configuration or account registration. It sends internet traffic through an encrypted connection to riseup.net before reaching the public internet. Riseup presents the service as protection against ISP surveillance, a way to block most tracking companies, and a method for bypassing government censorship where access remains available. The organization says its logs exclude user IP addresses, DNS requests, traffic flows, browser fingerprints, and personally identifying information. Minimal logs are encrypted and retained for no more than five days. Riseup warns that traffic may still face man-in-the-middle attacks after leaving the VPN gateway, so secure connections such as HTTPS remain important. Android installation is documented through F-Droid, Google Play, or a LEAP APK. The service is funded by donations and has no account-registration requirement.
For and against
For
- Free plan requires no account registration
- Supports Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Torrent support is listed
- Logs exclude IP addresses and DNS requests
- Minimal logs rotate within five days
Against
- Windows client has no kill switch
- Riseup warns of post-gateway man-in-the-middle risk
- Linux Snap package is out of support
- Free service is funded by user donations
The verdict
RiseupVPN offers no-cost VPN access across four platforms without requiring an account. Its privacy statements and censorship focus are notable, but users should heed the documented Windows, Snap, and post-gateway security limitations.
Who it suits
RiseupVPN suits people seeking a free VPN on Android, Linux, macOS, or Windows, especially those needing torrent support or censorship-circumvention tools. It also fits users who prefer a client without account registration.
Plans and prices
RiseupVPN
No account registration · funded by user donations
Read 12 Oct 2026 · riseup.net
On the record
- Android distribution
- Riseup documents Android installation through F-Droid, Google Play, or an APK download from LEAP.riseup.net · read 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 · read 12 Oct 2026
- Funding
- The service is funded by user donations, and Riseup estimates its cost at approximately $60 USD per person per year.riseup.net · read 12 Oct 2026
- Kill switch
- Yesriseup.net · read 22 Sep 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 · read 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 · read 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 · read 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 · read 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 · read 12 Oct 2026
- Service
- Riseup offers a personal VPN for censorship circumvention, location anonymization, and traffic encryption.riseup.net · read 12 Oct 2026
- Setup
- The client is designed to install and run without configuration or account registration.riseup.net · read 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- Riseup directs users to its support ticket system and provides platform-specific troubleshooting and bug-report guidance.riseup.net · read 12 Oct 2026
- Torrent support
- Yesriseup.net · read 22 Sep 2026
- Traffic routing
- The VPN sends internet traffic through an encrypted connection to riseup.net before it reaches the public internet.riseup.net · read 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 · read 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 · read 12 Oct 2026
