March 23, 2026 Mozilla will introduce a free VPN feature in Firefox, offering users up to 50GB of monthly data directly within the browser. The feature will be limited to browser traffic only, meaning it will not protect data from other apps or system-level activity.
The VPN will roll out with Firefox version 149, scheduled for release on March 24, and will initially be available in the United States, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. Users will need a Mozilla account to access the feature.
Mozilla said the VPN routes browser traffic through a proxy to hide a user’s IP address and location while browsing. Unlike full-device VPN services, it does not include features such as server switching or broader system-wide protection.
The company already offers a paid VPN service in partnership with Mullvad, but the free version will operate on Mozilla’s own global server infrastructure. The distinction suggests the free offering is designed as a lighter, browser-specific privacy layer rather than a replacement for full VPN services.
Free VPN tools have previously raised privacy concerns, particularly around how user data is handled. Mozilla addressed this by stating the feature is “built from our data principles and commitment to be the world’s most trusted browser.”
The launch comes as Firefox continues to face declining desktop market share, which has dropped from 6.3 per cent to 4.2 per cent over the past year. The addition of a free VPN introduces a new user-facing feature as the browser competes for retention and adoption.
The feature also creates a clear product tiering strategy, offering basic privacy protection within the browser while positioning the paid Mozilla VPN as a more comprehensive option.
