Microsoft is adding a free virtual private network (VPN) to its Edge browser, according to a new official support site spotted by The Verge.
According to Microsoft, the Edge Secure Network offers all the usual benefits you would expect from a VPN, encrypting your connection, masking your location, and preventing online tracking.
“Microsoft Edge helps keep you safe online,” the company writes. “But the networks you join may not be secure enough. The Microsoft Edge Secure Network can help you protect your device and sensitive data while browsing.”
Given the Edge is built into every Windows 10 and 11 installation (something people have been deeply critical of in the past), this can be a big deal. People who have never felt the need to try a VPN before can give the Edge Secure Network a spin just because it’s there if Microsoft decides to actively promote it.
The service is not available yet, but the support page indicates that it will be rolled out to Edge Insiders first. But it is unlikely that it will take a place on our list of the best free VPN services for two reasons, which weakens its credentials.
First, there are limits to its use. Microsoft will only let you use the Edge Secure Network for up to 1 GB of traffic per second. month. This will no doubt be fine for light users, but if you travel a lot, you will find that the hood is actually reached very quickly.
Second, and more importantly, while some consider a VPN a must for online privacy, the Edge Secure Network requires you to sign in with your Microsoft account to use it. While the company claims that “all bandwidth data required” will be “automatically deleted at the end of the required service period”, it will still raise some eyebrows.
The service is actually provided by Cloudflare, and Microsoft says the company is “committed to privacy” and collects only “a limited amount of diagnostic and support data.” This data, it is said, is permanently deleted every 25 hours.
These two disadvantages may be enough to deter some people, but then they are probably not the ones the new service is aimed at. If you need lots of encrypted data or want more anonymity, you probably need a paid solution and should consult our list of the best VPNs for an overview of the best rated options.