Firefox Will Have a Free Built-in VPN.

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If you prefer using Firefox, we have good news for you: your web browsing will soon become a little more private. On Tuesday, Mozilla announced a series of upcoming updates for Firefox, all united by the theme of user customization. One such feature is a built-in VPN, which Mozilla will offer to users free of charge.

The new VPN feature in Firefox will arrive on March 24th as part of the Firefox 149 update. There’s no need to download anything, as the VPN is already built into the update. Once it’s available in your browser, you can turn on the VPN and begin hiding your IP address and location while using Firefox.

The only caveat is that Mozilla limits VPN traffic usage to 50 GB per month. The company doesn’t say what happens after this limit is reached, and I’ve reached out for clarification, but I suspect the VPN will simply disconnect, and you’ll be reverted to the standard Firefox browser interface—at least until the beginning of next month, when the traffic limit resets.

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Why You Should Always Use a VPN

If you use the internet without a VPN , you’re being tracked (even if you use incognito mode). Without a VPN, your IP address is visible to the outside world. Trackers can follow you online, and your internet service provider (ISP) can monitor your activity. A VPN alone won’t make you immune to tracking, but it does help significantly—and all of this has virtually no impact on your browsing experience.

There are many VPN services on the market , and not all are created equal. However, as a general rule, you should be wary of free VPNs. It’s often a case of “you get what you pay for,” as many free options aren’t always “reputable.” After all, companies don’t make money from you directly, so they may look for ways to share your data for profit. This could ultimately compromise your privacy, defeating the purpose of using a VPN.

What do you think at the moment?

However, I don’t see a free VPN in Firefox raising such concerns. Mozilla has a much better reputation for user privacy, and in fact, the company already offers a paid VPN . In my view, adding a free, but limited, VPN to Firefox is a win-win for Mozilla: the company gets points for enhancing user privacy for free, and if those users are looking for more flexibility while maintaining their anonymity online, they can check out Mozilla’s paid VPN option.

What else will be coming to Firefox in the next update?

In its announcement on Tuesday, Mozilla announced other Firefox news beyond the free VPN, including:

  • Smart Window : This feature, formerly known as AI Window, uses artificial intelligence to provide “quick help” while you browse without leaving the current page. This help can include definitions, article summaries, and product comparisons. Mozilla states that this feature is optional and can be enabled only if you choose, consistent with the company’s stance on AI features being enabled only by choice .

  • Split Screen : This feature places two web pages side by side in one window, similar to features in other browsers like Chrome .

  • Tab Notes : This feature allows you to add notes to tabs, up to 1000 characters long . The note will remain attached to the webpage until you delete it, even if you close the tab.

  • New look: Firefox announces a “fresh new design” that includes updated themes, icons, toolbars, menus, and home page.

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