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RiseupVPN

riseup.net

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid
Visit riseup.net
Spec score 8.3 #30 of 88 in VPN services

What it is

RiseupVPN is a free personal VPN for traffic encryption, location anonymization and censorship circumvention. Clients are available for Android, Linux, macOS and Windows, and torrent support is listed. The software is designed to install and run without account registration or configuration. It routes internet traffic through an encrypted connection to riseup.net before reaching the public internet. Riseup describes protection against ISP surveillance, blocking most tracking companies and bypassing government censorship where internet access remains available. Its stated logs exclude IP addresses, DNS requests, traffic flows, browser fingerprints and identifying information; minimal logs are encrypted and rotated within five days. Riseup warns that traffic can face man-in-the-middle attacks after leaving the VPN gateway, so HTTPS remains important. The service is funded by donations and estimates its cost at approximately $60 USD per person per year. Android installation is documented through F-Droid, Google Play or an LEAP APK. Riseup says clients use open-source Bitmask software. Windows lacks a kill switch, and the Linux Snap package is out of support.

Spec sheet

Platforms
Riseup lists downloads for GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows, and Android.Read 12 Oct 2026 · riseup.net
Free plan
YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · riseup.net
Support
Riseup directs users to its support ticket system and provides platform-specific troubleshooting and bug-report guidance.Read 12 Oct 2026 · riseup.net
Founded
1999Read 28 Sep 2026 · riseup.net
Android distribution
Riseup documents Android installation through F-Droid, Google Play, or an APK download from LEAP.Read 12 Oct 2026 · riseup.net
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.Read 12 Oct 2026 · riseup.net
Funding
The service is funded by user donations, and Riseup estimates its cost at approximately $60 USD per person per year.Read 12 Oct 2026 · riseup.net
Kill switch
YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · riseup.net
Linux package limitation
Riseup says its Snap package is out of support and warns users not to install the outdated Snap Store version.Read 12 Oct 2026 · riseup.net
Log retention
Riseup says the minimal logs it keeps are encrypted and retained for no more than five days before rotation.Read 12 Oct 2026 · riseup.net
Logging
Riseup says its logs do not contain user IP addresses, DNS requests, traffic flows, browser fingerprints, or personally identifying information.Read 12 Oct 2026 · riseup.net
Open source
Riseup says its clients are based on the open source Bitmask software and that RiseupVPN is built using bitmask-vpn.Read 12 Oct 2026 · riseup.net
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.Read 12 Oct 2026 · riseup.net
Service
Riseup offers a personal VPN for censorship circumvention, location anonymization, and traffic encryption.Read 12 Oct 2026 · riseup.net
Setup
The client is designed to install and run without configuration or account registration.Read 12 Oct 2026 · riseup.net
Torrent support
YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · riseup.net
Traffic routing
The VPN sends internet traffic through an encrypted connection to riseup.net before it reaches the public internet.Read 12 Oct 2026 · riseup.net
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.Read 12 Oct 2026 · riseup.net
Windows limitation
Riseup says the Windows client has no kill switch and that its leak protection is not battle tested.Read 12 Oct 2026 · riseup.net

Plans and prices

RiseupVPN Free No account registration · funded by user donations Read 12 Oct 2026 · riseup.net

Every RiseupVPN plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free plan with no account registration
  • Supports Android, Linux, macOS and Windows
  • Torrent support listed
  • Minimal logs retained up to five days
  • Open-source Bitmask-based clients

Limits

  • Windows client has no kill switch
  • Traffic may face attacks beyond gateway
  • Linux Snap package is unsupported

Who it suits

It suits people seeking a no-registration VPN on Android, Linux, macOS or Windows for encrypted traffic, torrent use or censorship circumvention. Users needing Windows kill-switch protection should note the stated limitation.

Verdict

RiseupVPN offers free, no-registration VPN clients across four platforms with torrent support and stated minimal logging. Its Windows and post-gateway security limitations deserve attention.

Where Specifiction places it

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