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VPN

Riseup VPN

Free activist-focused

with no account required and tracker blocking

Privacy score 75 Free Technical: Intermediate Open source
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Riseup

offers a privacy-conscious alternative in the space, with a stronger focus on data protection than many mainstream tools.

🔀

Recommended alternatives

Mullvad VPN IVPN
Android iOS Windows Mac Linux

Who is this for?

✓ Good for you if:

  • • You need a free for activists and marginalized communities
  • • You want no account registration (invite code only)
  • • You need tracker and ad blocking built-in
  • • You prefer volunteer-run, donation-based services
  • • You want open-source software

⚠ Think twice if:

  • • You need the fastest speeds (Riseup may be slower due to limited resources)
  • • You want to choose specific server locations (automatic assignment only)
  • • You need advanced features like or obfuscation
  • • You want extensive customer support (volunteer-run, limited support)
  • • You need an invite code to access (not publicly available)

Key qualities

✓ No account required ✓ Donation-supported ✓ Community-run

Overview

Riseup VPN

implements a certificate-based authentication system where each VPN session generates a new certificate, preventing correlation between sessions. The service uses OpenVPN protocol (AES-256 encryption, RSA or ECDSA for key exchange) for VPN connections. The no-logs policy means no IP addresses, DNS queries, connection timestamps, or user activity are logged. Minimal encrypted logs are retained for troubleshooting purposes for up to 5 days, then automatically deleted. The service implements automatic blocking of known third-party trackers and advertisers at the network level. Riseup VPN is operated by the Riseup collective, a volunteer-run organization based in Seattle, Washington (US jurisdiction - 5 Eyes country). The software is open source, allowing security audits. The service is free and donation-funded, which may result in limited server infrastructure and slower speeds. Server selection is automatic - users cannot manually choose server locations. Advanced features like kill switch and obfuscation are not available.

Privacy highlight

This score will be updated after a full review.

Quick facts

Country:
🇺🇸 United States
Pricing:
Free
Platform:
Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux
Technical:
Intermediate
:
Yes
:
Minimal telemetry
:
Yes
Open-source status:
Fully open source
:
No
:
No

Key features

  • WireGuard protocol support
  • No personal information required
  • Anonymous account numbers
  • No-logs policy
  • Cash payment option
  • Multi-hop connections
Security & encryption Click to expand
Yes
Encryption protocols
OpenVPN
Riseup uses OpenVPN protocol with AES-256 and RSA or ECDSA for key exchange. is certificate-based - each session generates a new certificate, preventing correlation between sessions. Keys are ephemeral and not stored long-term. The service implements perfect forward secrecy.
Offline support
No
Telemetry & tracking Click to expand
Minimal telemetry
No
Ip minimal
No collection. Minimal encrypted logs may be retained for up to 5 days for troubleshooting, then automatically deleted.
Jurisdiction & compliance Click to expand
US-based infrastructure with servers in United States. Operated by Riseup collective, Seattle, Washington.
Minimal : no IP addresses, queries, connection timestamps, or user activity logged. Minimal encrypted logs retained for troubleshooting for up to 5 days, then automatically deleted. Certificate-based sessions prevent correlation.
Legal frameworks
US jurisdiction (5 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance)
Revenue sources
Donations
Editorial signals Click to expand
75
Trust score
75
Trust breakdown (0–10)
Not specified
Editorial notes
Usability: , Performance: , Family friendly:
User experience Click to expand
Signup requirements
No account registration required. Certificate-based authentication - each session generates a new certificate.
Onboarding difficulty (1-5)
2
Accessibility features
Desktop application (Windows, macOS, Linux) based on Bitmask. Basic screen reader support via OS accessibility APIs. Keyboard navigation available. Mobile support via Android app with TalkBack compatibility. Minimal UI design aids accessibility.
Backup & portability Click to expand
No
Migration tools
Describe CLI, export/import, and migration flows after review.
Explain key and account recovery models after research.

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