iTop VPN Free

About this release

The main window has one button on it. Press it and the client picks a server, brings up the tunnel and reports the new address. That is the whole experience for most of the people who install this, and everything else is arranged so that it never has to be looked at. For anyone who does want to look, the server list is organised by country and by purpose, with load and latency shown next to each entry.

The client side features are the ones that matter day to day. A kill switch drops all traffic if the tunnel fails rather than quietly leaking, split tunnelling lets chosen applications bypass the connection entirely, automatic connection on untrusted networks handles cafes and hotels without being asked, and protocol selection between the modern fast option and the older widely compatible one covers restrictive networks.

There is a small set of extras around the edges. A browser data cleaner, a leak test that checks address and name resolution against the tunnel, and connection statistics showing throughput and session duration. None of it is essential but the leak test in particular is worth running once after any change to how the client is configured.

The free tier is what most people install. It carries a monthly transfer allowance and a smaller server list than the paid tier, which is enough for occasional browsing on public networks but not for continuous heavy use. The client is honest about which servers are outside the free list rather than letting a connection fail without explanation.

What it does

One button connect

The client chooses a server and connects without any configuration on first run.

Kill switch

All traffic stops if the tunnel drops, so nothing continues over the plain connection unnoticed.

Split tunnelling

Choose applications that bypass the tunnel entirely while everything else stays inside it.

Automatic connection

Connect by itself when joining a network that is not on the trusted list.

Protocol selection

A fast modern protocol with an older widely compatible fallback for restrictive networks.

Leak testing

Check the visible address and name resolution against the tunnel from inside the client.

Changed in this version

• Server list expanded with additional regions.
• Faster connection establishment on the modern protocol.
• Split tunnelling rules now survive an application update.
• Reduced background memory use while idle.
• Interface reorganised so the server list is one click from the main window.

System requirements

Install order

1. Unpack the archive and run the installer.
2. Allow the network adapter driver to install when prompted, since the tunnel needs it.
3. Enable the kill switch from settings before relying on the connection.
4. Run the leak test once after the first successful connection.

Worth knowing before you start

File details