Firefox extends free built-in VPN unlimited data through January 2027

Mozilla announced on November 10, 2026 that Firefox's free built-in VPN will offer unlimited data through January 31, 2027, removing previous bandwidth restrictions for users signed in with a Mozilla account. The feature, which masks users' IP addresses to prevent location tracking and cross-site visit correlation, is available on Firefox desktop and Android with iOS support planned. Unlike many free VPN services, Mozilla emphasizes that it does not sell browsing data, inject advertisements, or retain records of visited websites.

The built-in VPN operates only within the Firefox browser and is distinct from the separate Mozilla VPN paid subscription that provides system-wide protection across all applications. Users activate the service through the VPN icon in Firefox's desktop toolbar or via Settings on Android devices. Mozilla notes the VPN's limitations: it does not provide full anonymity, does not hide browsing history on the local device, and websites can still identify users through cookies or account sign-ins.

Firefox VPN scope and technical limitations

• Scope limitation: The built-in VPN only encrypts and tunnels traffic within the Firefox browser itself, not other applications on the device, which requires the separate paid Mozilla VPN subscription.
• Platform availability: Currently supported on Firefox desktop and Android, with iOS support explicitly marked as coming soon, indicating ongoing platform expansion.
• Privacy model: Mozilla states it does not log visited websites, sell browsing data, or display ads, differentiating from common free VPN monetization practices.
• Threat model boundaries: The VPN hides traffic from local network operators like café or shared home Wi-Fi administrators but does not prevent website tracking via cookies, browser fingerprinting, or authenticated sessions.
• Activation requirement: Users must create and sign in with a Mozilla account to access the service, linking VPN usage to Mozilla's account infrastructure.

Why it matters

For Linux and open-source users, Mozilla's expansion of free VPN access reinforces Firefox as a privacy-focused alternative to Chromium-based browsers, though the browser-limited scope means system-wide protection still requires additional tools like WireGuard or the paid Mozilla VPN. The promotion may drive Mozilla account adoption and increase Firefox's competitiveness against browsers with integrated commercial VPN partnerships, while the explicit no-logging claims set a transparency benchmark that other free VPN offerings in the open-source ecosystem are often pressured to match.