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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

10 Best VPN FREE Trials in 2024: Some Need No Credit Card

Keira Waddell Updated on 7th March 2024 Fact-checked by Christine Johansen Senior Writer

The last thing I want to do is spend money on a VPN just to find it’s slow, unreliable, and not secure. That’s why I always prefer to test it for free before I commit to a subscription — after all, you can’t just blindly trust its marketing. I’ve been burned too many times by doing that.

That said, a lengthy free trial without major limitations can be hard to come by. To help you find the best option for you, we tested 60+ VPN trials, and shortlisted only the best ones. I also looked at VPNs with trustworthy money-back guarantees, as these allow you to test without risk for longer periods (I personally prefer a money-back guarantee to a free trial).

Of the VPNs tested, ExpressVPN has the best free trial options. You can try its mobile app for 7 days free of charge, and each plan is backed by a money-back guarantee so you can try ExpressVPN totally risk-free. You can claim a refund within 30 days if you’re not satisfied. I tested the policy myself after using it for 28 days, and I got my money back 3 days later.

Try ExpressVPN’s Free Trial >>

Short on Time? Here Are the 5 Best VPN Free Trials in 2024

  1. Editor's Choice
    ExpressVPN
    ExpressVPN
    7-day mobile free trial and 30-day refund policy. Offers fast & reliable connections.
    70% of our readers choose ExpressVPN
  2. CyberGhost VPN
    CyberGhost
    Various dedicated servers, free trials, and a 45-day refund (desktop trial is 1 day only).
  3. Private Internet Access
    Private Internet Access
    Test it on unlimited devices with a 7-day trial or 30-day refund. But, it’s US-based.
  4. NordVPN
    NordVPN
    Offers a 7-day Android trial and 30-day refund policy, but some slow connect times.
  5. Surfshark
    Surfshark
    Intuitive app with a 7-day trial and 30-day refund period. But, based in the Netherlands.

See 5 more great VPNs with free trials

VPN Free Trial vs. Money-Back Guarantee: What’s the Difference?

Let’s quickly clear something up — VPNs offer different ways you can try their services for free, and some are better than others. You don’t want to mix these up (and it is easy to do so), so let’s break down the most common forms of free trial a VPN offers.

  • Money-back guarantee. Most VPNs offer at least a 30-day money-back guarantee that gives you full access to its services. The downside is that you have to pay for a plan first — but you’re guaranteed a refund as long as you cancel within the guarantee period. This is the method I recommend the most, as it’s the only option that lets you try the VPN for a long time with total access to all of its features.
  • Classic free trial. This is where you’re given access to the VPN without having to pay at all. Some VPNs don’t even require you to sign up. But, most free trials do not exceed 7 days; some only last 1 to 3. In addition, you may be locked out of certain features and limited to a single device, and if you forget to cancel, you’ll be automatically charged.
  • Forever-free plan. Some VPNs offer 100% always-free plans, which sound great! The problem is that many are incredibly limiting — you usually have to deal with very slow speeds, tight data caps (think 500MB to 1GB per month), and a lack of advanced security features. What’s worse, some will even actively log and sell your data, or even embed malware into their apps.

You’ll find all 3 types of free trials in the following list of VPNs. Every single one of these free trial VPNs has been thoroughly tried and tested — they’re safe to use, and it’s easy to cancel them when you’re finished testing.

Warning! If you want to test our top-rated VPN (or use any VPN’s free trial), then you should sign up through the website. If you purchase a VPN through the Apple Store or Google Play Store, then you have to abide by its refund policy rather than the VPN provider’s. This could mean that you don’t qualify for the money-back guarantee and therefore be unable to claim your refund if the VPN doesn’t work out for you.

Best VPN Free Trials in 2024

1. ExpressVPN — Fastest, Most Reliable VPN With a Couple Free Trial Options

Free Trial 30-day money-back guarantee + 7-day mobile free trial
Server Network 3,000+ servers in 105 countries
Simultaneous Device Connections 8
Works With Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and more

While ExpressVPN’s trial options are pretty standard, it’s this VPN’s performance and reliability that makes it stand out against the competition. It’s super easy to use and is compatible with tons of devices — in a couple of clicks, you can connect to a nearby server for smooth streaming, torrenting, and gaming, all the while protecting your online identity with some of the best privacy and security features in the industry.

It has a couple of trial options, but I always opt for a solid money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN guarantees a full refund within 30 days if you’re not satisfied with the service when you sign up directly through its website. The guarantee comes with all subscription terms, so you don’t have to fork over tons of cash for a year’s subscription to use it, either.

I tested the refund guarantee, and the process was hassle-free. Using 24/7 live chat, the agent approved my refund in less than 5 minutes after asking a couple of questions about my satisfaction.

The 7-day free trial for mobile is OK. It’s great you can use it on desktop, too, but since you need to subscribe through an app store, you must provide payment info and will be automatically charged if you forget to cancel in time anyway (and with iPhone you need to sign up for a year). You’re also subject to your app store’s refund policies, which could cause issues if you want to use the money-back guarantee after the trial period.

Useful Features

  • Great for UHD streaming. ExpressVPN offers consistently fast speeds and stable servers, making it ideal for smooth streaming. From the US, I tried multiple of its US servers, and they worked reliably with my Hulu, Max, and Netflix US accounts.
  • The fastest VPN I tested. This is thanks to its unique Lightway protocol. My speeds never dropped more than 13% on long-distance connections (a 40% drop is normal for most VPNs). Every server supports torrenting, so P2P downloads are speedy. Plus, Lightway provides low latency connections, which is required for smooth online gaming.
  • Compatible with tons of devices and operating systems. ExpressVPN has native apps for all popular operating systems, and you can set it up easily on almost any device you want. What’s most unique is its native app for routers, making it one of the easiest VPNs to set up network-wide. Plus, its MediaStreamer feature lets you watch streaming content on smart TVs and gaming consoles with a quick configuration (not available with the 7-day trial).
  • Solid security and privacy. In addition to leak protection and a kill switch, ExpressVPN offers AES 256-bit encryption enhanced with perfect forward secrecy. This regularly changes your encryption keys, making it virtually impossible for anyone to decipher your data. Plus, its no-logs policy has been audited and proven.
ExpressVPN Offer March 2024: For a limited time only, you can get an ExpressVPN subscription for up to 49% off! Don't miss out!

2. CyberGhost – Test Dedicated Streaming, Torrenting, and Gaming Servers for 45 Days

Free Trial 45-day money-back guarantee + free trials for iOS (7 days), Android (3 days), macOS and Windows (1 day)
Server Network 11,690 servers in 100 countries
Simultaneous Device Connections 7 (only 1 with free trial)
Works With Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and more

What really sets this VPN apart is that you can try CyberGhost free for 45 days with its generous money-back guarantee. Most VPNs only give you 30 days. I recommend this trial for anyone new to VPNs because CyberGhost’s app and interface are set up in a very intuitive, easy-to-use way.

CyberGhost offers optimized servers for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. For instance, US-based users can find reliable servers for platforms like Netflix US, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, and more. Each streaming server we tested from within its licensed region worked seamlessly with the corresponding platform. The gaming and torrenting servers are designed for security and speed.

Screenshot of CyberGhost's streaming serversCyberGhost's intuitive interface also lets you favorite servers so it's easy to find them next time

While you can, theoretically, use a VPN to access platforms that aren’t available in your region, we advise against it. Doing so would likely break the terms of use of the platforms that you use, and it may even be considered copyright infringement. Always use a VPN responsibly and within the bounds of the law.

Like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost’s refund guarantee is legit — it was easy to get my money back. I used the 24/7 live chat feature on its website, and the agent only asked me why I wanted to cancel. They approved my refund without pressuring me to stay, and it took about 5 days to see the money fully refunded.

It’s important to keep in mind that you only get a 14-day money-back guarantee with the monthly plan. And while CyberGhost has a few free trial options, they’re only good on 1 device for a few days. The free trials give you: 1 day for desktop, 3 days for Android, or 7 days for iOS.

Since I have a few different devices I use regularly, testing it with the money-back guarantee was my best option (plans let you use it with 7 simultaneous devices). And like ExpressVPN, if you sign up through a mobile app store, you could be subject to the app store’s refund policy.

Useful Features

  • Fast speeds. I averaged download speeds of 119 Mbps on its nearby UK servers, which is a speed drop of only 7%. Unfortunately, its long-distance connections aren’t as fast as ExpressVPN, as there was a 24% drop on US servers. But this is still acceptable, especially if your base speeds are fast to begin with.
  • Privacy-focused VPN. For added privacy, CyberGhost offers Nospy servers managed by its employees in its own headquarters — these reduce the risk of third party-interference. Regular transparency reports document legal requests it receives for user data and how it handles them. Thanks to its no-logs policy, CyberGhost has never complied.
  • Security Extras. CyberGhost provides everything you need, like military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection. You also get automatic WiFi protection and Block Content, which prevents ads, malware, and trackers.
March 2024 Deal: CyberGhost is currently offering 83% off its most popular plan! Take advantage of this offer now and save more on your CyberGhost subscription.

3. Private Internet Access — Unlimited Device Connections With a Legit Money-Back Guarantee and 7-day Free Trial

Free Trial 30-day money-back guarantee + 7-day mobile free trial
Server Network 29,650 servers in 91 countries
Simultaneous Device Connections Unlimited
Works With Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and more

Private Internet Access is packed with features, so it’s nice that you can test PIA for almost a month with its money-back guarantee. The 7-day mobile trial just wasn’t enough time for me to get to know this VPN. To ensure PIA's refund policy is trustworthy, I personally tested their money-back guarantee, and I got my money back in just 5 days.

One of its stand-out features is that it allows unlimited simultaneous devices to connect at once, so it’s ideal for large households and families. During my testing, I streamed Netflix US lag-free on my iPad, Android tablet, and 4 other devices simultaneously while connected to its New York server from Washington. The connection remained stable, with videos loading in under 5 seconds.

Screenshot showing the money-back guarantee refund issued by PIALike with ExpressVPN and CyberGhost, you’re better off signing up through PIA’s website directly

One downside is that PIA is based in the US, which is a member of the 14-Eyes Alliance — a group of data-sharing countries. However, its no-logs policy can be trusted. In fact, it’s been proven in court, survived server seizures, and it also offers regular transparency reports.

Useful Features

  • Customizable settings. PIA’s ad, tracker, and malware blocker (MACE) prevents annoying and malicious ads from infecting your device. Plus, it offers AES 128-bit encryption for faster speeds as well as 256-bit encryption for optimized security. It also offers IP/DNS leak protection and an adjustable kill switch.
  • Massive server network. Its network of 29,650 servers in 91 countries works seamlessly with most streaming platforms. Its US servers let me watch Disney+ lag-free from my hotel room in Seattle. Our global team also found that it works with 10+ Netflix libraries while testing them in their respective licensed regions. Plus, its entire server network is P2P-enabled.
  • Fast speeds. During my tests, I used its US New York server to download Sita Sings the Blues on BitTorrent. I only lost 13% from my base speeds and got 89 Mbps, which I found impressive given that it’s thousands of miles from the UK. This let me download the 780MB file in less than 2 minutes.
March 2024 Update: PIA doesn't usually have deals or discounts (it's already so affordable), but right now you can get a new subscription for a crazy 82% off!

4. NordVPN — Online Threat Protection With Standard Free Trial Options

Free Trial 30-day money-back guarantee + 7-day Android free trial (limited availability)
Server Network 6,305 servers in 111 countries
Simultaneous Device Connections 6
Works With Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and more

Like most reputable VPNs NordVPN lets you test it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested its guarantee, and the refund process is straightforward. Using the 24/7 live chat, I made my request. After 5 days, I got my money back.

One of my favorite features that I tested is Threat Protection. This blocks ads and malware for smooth streaming and browsing. During my tests, I visited allrecipes.com, and it removed every ad, allowing the recipe to load faster and with way less scrolling. It outshines most ad blockers because it can even block in-stream ads (like on YouTube or Hulu).

NordVPN's 7-day free trial is only available on Android, and it’s only available in select locations. What stood out is that it doesn’t require payment details to use the trial and it grants unrestricted access to all servers and features.

Useful Features

  • Impressive speeds. On its Los Angeles and New York servers, I recorded an average download speed of 108.2 Mbps — a 15% drop. I got the fastest speeds with its proprietary NordLynx protocol, which is NordVPN’s WireGuard equivalent.
  • Reliable for streaming. Its network of 6,305 servers in 111 countries is super reliable for streaming on Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video in their licensed countries. Our worldwide testing team found that NordVPN works with 18 Netflix libraries.
  • Strong security and privacy. It offers double VPN (also known as MultiHop), which sends your data through 2 servers rather than 1 for extra encryption of your traffic. Plus, your data is protected with AES 256-bit encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch. NordVPN also operates under a strict, independently-audited no-logs policy.

5. Surfshark — Easy-To-Use VPN With a 7-Day Trial for macOS and Money-Back Guarantee

Free Trial 30-day money-back guarantee + 7-day free trial (mobile and macOS)
Server Network 3,200 servers in 100 countries
Simultaneous Device Connections Unlimited
Works With Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and more

Surfshark’s app is intuitive and easy to use, so it’s great for beginners. It has a simple interface, and the advanced settings provide detailed descriptions so you know when and how to use them. It also lets you save your favorite servers for quicker connections. While I was testing the app, I was able to install it, configure my settings, and connect to a local server, all within 5 minutes.

Screenshot showing Surfshark's adjustable features in its appBypasser is Surfshark’s split tunneling feature that lets you encrypt select apps to reduce speed loss

Its 30-day money-back guarantee is one you can trust. When I tested it, I contacted live support and asked for a refund. The agent asked why I wanted to cancel but approved my request within 5 minutes.

Surfshark also offers a 7-day free trial on Android, iOS, and macOS, but not for Windows. You can install it on Windows devices after signing up for the trial, though. I actually installed it directly on my Windows laptop through its main site since I signed up with a money-back guarantee.

Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands, which is not a privacy-friendly country. However, it adheres to a strict no-logs policy that passed an independent audit by Deloitte in 2022.

Useful Features

  • Ideal for streaming. While testing its US servers, the speed drop was never more than 25%, even when I connected to one on the other side of the country. I could always stream in HD with zero lag. The server network is reliable, too. It worked with every major streaming platform I tried, including Netflix US, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.
  • No Borders Mode. This feature helps you bypass strict firewalls and VPN blocks. It’s what allows Surfshark to work on restricted networks, like at work or school, where VPN use is usually blocked. It activates automatically — when the app detects restrictions, it presents a list of servers equipped for overcoming them.
  • CleanWeb. This is Surfshark's ad and malware blocker. When I tested it, it effectively removed ads from Forbes and YouTube.

6. IPVanish — Security-Focused VPN With a Simple Refund Process

Free Trial 30-day money-back guarantee + 7-day mobile free trial
Server Network 2,400 servers in 90 countries
Simultaneous Device Connections Unlimited
Works With Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and more

IPVanish’s 30-day money-back guarantee is way easier to claim than most. You don’t even need to speak to a customer representative to cancel. When I tested it, I just logged into my account and confirmed my cancellation (I didn’t even need to provide a reason). Then, I received my refund after 4 business days.

Initiating a refund through the account settings on IPVanish's websiteI like that you don't need to go through an agent to claim your refund

IPVanish offers a 7-day free trial through Google or Apple. Just remember you’ll be charged a yearly subscription if you forget to cancel, and you’ll be subject to your app store’s refund policy instead.

One of IPVanish’s standout features is how trustworthy it is with your personal data — it owns and operates its entire server infrastructure firsthand. Most VPNs host their servers in third-party data centers, leaving your sensitive information open to monitoring. Only IPVanish staff can access its VPN servers, though. It also has 256-bit encryption and a kill switch.

One minor drawback is that it can be difficult to find a reliable server that works with popular streaming sites like Max. However, our global testing team had no problem watching 15 Netflix libraries from their licensed regions, including the US, UK, and Australia.

Useful Features

  • Fast speeds. During my tests, I had slowdowns of only 6% on local servers. Long-distance servers in the Americas had a higher average slowdown of 30%, but this was still plenty to browse and torrent with no issues.
  • IP leak protection. When I ran 3 leak tests on ipleak.net on servers in the US, UK, and Australia, no IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks were detected.
  • Unlimited device connections. You can protect all your devices with a single subscription. I tried it on my Windows laptop, iPhone, Android tablet, and 2 other devices while streaming on Netflix and never saw any dip in performance.

7. PrivateVPN — Bypass the Strongest Firewalls Using the 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Free Trial 30-day money-back guarantee
Server Network 200 servers in 63 countries
Simultaneous Device Connections 10
Works With Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and more

PrivateVPN is one of my top choices for privacy and bypassing network blocks. Its Stealth protocol is hard to detect and is designed to overcome VPN blocks and network firewalls. I tested StealthVPN in a public library where torrent sites are blocked. When I connected to PrivateVPN’s Chicago and Sydney servers, I could easily access the restricted torrent sites. This feature is great for restrictive networks at school and work, too.

Visiting The Pirate Bay while connected to PrivateVPN with Stealth VPN activatedStealth VPN also allows the VPN to work in countries with strict internet censorship

It also has a strict no-logs policy and private DNS servers. That way, you know your data will never be recorded, stored, or distributed.

It’s a bummer that PrivateVPN doesn’t offer a free trial anymore, but it does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. After 23 days of using the service, I contacted live customer service to ask for a refund. The agent raised a ticket to process my refund. I received a confirmation email shortly after and had my money back in my account after 5 days.

Useful Features

  • High Quality Network. PrivateVPN purchases internet capacity straight from the source, and regularly maintains its server to ensure you get fast speeds and reliable connections.
  • Good speeds. Our team tested more than 15 local servers across the US, UK, and Australia and got an average speed of 73.5 Mbps. We could all stream our regional Netflix libraries in HD.
  • Robust encryption. It comes with 256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch, and IPv6 and DNS leak protection, protecting you from any DNS leaks occurring.

8. Proton VPN — Free VPN With Limitations, Plus a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Free Trial Limited free plan and a 30-day money-back guarantee
Server Network 4,221 servers in 91 countries
Simultaneous Device Connections 10
Works With Peacock, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram and more

Proton VPN offers a completely free version to test the VPN. It comes with unlimited data and works with a few platforms, like Peacock and Spotify. Although, our team struggled to get it to work with our various regional Netflix libraries, Disney+, or Hulu.

You also get a few decent security features, like military-grade encryption and leak protection. I tested 3 server locations and didn’t encounter any IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks. And it comes equipped with industry standard protocol for security and speeds — WireGuard.

As with all free VPN plans, it comes with limitations that are meant to encourage you to upgrade. For instance, you only get 1 device connection, and it doesn’t support torrenting. You also don’t get access to NetShield, its ad, malware, and tracker blocker.

That said, you can avoid the free trial’s limitations by ProtonVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee. To get a refund, I had to contact Proton VPN using their support form. After 2 days, I received a response via email, and they accepted my request. I had my money back in 10 days.

Useful Features

  • Verified no-logs policy. Plus, all its apps are open-source and have undergone security audits.
  • Good speeds. During my speed tests on servers within the US, I never experienced slower speeds than 78.76 Mbps. Our global testing team reported similar results, and we were all able to stream in HD. This means you won’t experience any annoying lag or interruptions while browsing the web or streaming on your favorite platforms (provided you’re within a region they’re licensed for).
  • Free servers in 5 countries. Proton VPN allows you to connect to the US, the Netherlands, Japan, Poland, and Romania on the free plan. Many free VPNs only provide 1 server location.

9. Hotspot Shield — Fast & Secure Hydra Protocol With a 7-Day Free Trial and 45-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Free Trial 45-day money-back guarantee + a 7-day free trial
Server Network 1,800 servers in 80 countries
Simultaneous Device Connections 5
Works With Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and more

Hotspot Shield offers a speed-optimized protocol called Hydra that’s great for streaming. During my tests from the US, I tested its servers in Los Angeles and New York and had an average speed of 92.2 Mbps. This let me stream Netflix US in UHD with no buffering — perfect for binge-watching Scott Pilgrim Takes Off with my roommates.

It also works reliably with most popular streaming sites. My international colleagues reported that it worked consistently with their local Netflix and Disney+ libraries, BBC iPlayer, and more.

There are a couple of options for trying Hotspot Shield out. It has an ad-supported free plan, but that only comes with 1 device connection and 3 server locations. There’s also a 7-day trial plan, or, you can test it out for 45 days using its money-back guarantee for a little more wiggle room.

I made sure the guarantee was honored and requested my refund over 24/7 live chat. The agent just wanted to know why I wasn’t happy with the service. After a brief explanation, my refund was approved, and I had my money back less than a week later.

Useful Features

  • Private and secure. It has a strict no-logs policy, and keeps your data safe with an automatic kill switch and IP leak protection. Even if your connection to the VPN is interrupted, your data will never be revealed.
  • Simultaneous connections. Paid plans allow you to cover 5 devices across your household at the same time.

10. hide.me — A Decent Free Plan and a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Free Trial 30-day money-back guarantee + a restricted free plan
Server Network 2,400 servers in 89 countries
Simultaneous Device Connections 10
Works With Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and more

hide.me has a variety of settings you can tweak. It offers 5 different protocols — the most of any of the VPNs on this list. During my tests from within the US, I got the best speeds with WireGuard (I averaged 86.23 Mbps on nearby servers). I was able to stream The Last of Us on Max with zero buffering.

Unfortunately, hide.me doesn’t offer a free trial, but it has a restricted free plan. This has almost all of hide.me’s security settings, but it limits you to 5 servers with 10GB of data per month. It’s decent for a completely free plan, but wasn’t enough to give me the full picture, which is why I opted to try it with its money-back guarantee.

You can also test it risk-free for 30-days when you sign up. This includes everything it offers, like unlimited data, access to the full server list, and its speed-boosting feature, Bolt. When I was finished testing, I contacted customer support and requested a refund. After stating the reason for leaving, it was approved, and I received the refund in 5 days.

Useful Features

  • Highly secure. There’s a kill switch and leak protection, plus Stealth Guard. This allows you to restrict or block internet access to apps when the VPN is not connected.
  • Privacy protection. hide.me is based in Malaysia, a privacy-friendly country outside the 14-Eyes jurisdiction. Additionally, it has a strict no-logs policy.

Quick Comparison Table: Best VPN Free Trials

The table below provides an overview of VPN free trials, including duration and restrictions. Remember that the money-back guarantees have no limitations and give you a longer testing period. I’ve personally tested all of these money-back guarantees and can assure you they’re trustworthy.

VPN Free Trial Duration Money-Back Guarantee Payment Details Required Restrictions With Free Trial
🥇ExpressVPN 7 days (mobile only) 30 days Yes, except for Android free trial No MediaStreamer
🥈CyberGhost VPN 1 day (desktop)
3 days (Android)
7 days (iOS)
45 days For mobile devices Only 1 device connection
🥉Private Internet Access 7 days (mobile only) 30 days Yes No
NordVPN 7 days (Android) 30 days No No
Surfshark 7 days (Android, iOS, macOS) 30 days No No
IPVanish 7 days (mobile) 30 days Yes No
PrivateVPN No free trial 30 days Yes No
Proton VPN Free plan 30 days No Small server network
Doesn’t work with popular streaming platforms
Capped speeds
Hotspot Shield 7 days
Free plan
45 days Free trial: Yes
Free plan: No
Free trial: None
Free plan: Only 3 server locations
hide.me Free plan 30 days No Small server network,
No streaming,
10GB data/month

Tips on How to Choose the Best VPN Free Trial

Free trials and money-back guarantees for VPNs can vary in quality; some VPNs excel in these aspects more than others. Here are the key elements to consider when selecting the most suitable VPN free trial.

  • No limitations. You should be able to get a good picture of what the premium version has to offer. It’s pretty common for VPNs to limit their features on a free trial, so be sure to check beforehand since there’s not much point in testing something that’s not the full experience.
  • No payment info required. The best free trials don’t require any payment information. If you choose a free trial where you need to give your payment details, you could be automatically charged if you forget to cancel after your trial period. And if you didn’t sign up through the VPN’s website, you might not be covered by their refund policy.
  • A long trial period. Look for a free trial of at least 7 days. The longer a free trial, the better you can test it. VPN performance differs from day to day, so a longer free trial is essential to get a good picture.
  • Easy cancellation. A VPN free trial should be canceled automatically. Although this doesn’t happen most of the time, try to look for a free trial where the cancellation process is hassle-free or no-questions-asked.
  • No fine print. Be sure to check the terms & conditions to avoid any unpleasant surprises. For example, you could be charged extra because you went well beyond your download limits, or you might have to cancel within a certain window to qualify for the money-back guarantee.
  • Excellent customer support. Look for VPN free trials that come with 24/7 live chat support. This way, you don’t have to waste time waiting for a response during a limited trial period.
  • Fast speeds. Choose a VPN that already has a reputation for fast speeds. That way, you don’t have to waste time trying a VPN that struggles to keep your connection fast enough for streaming, torrenting, or online browsing.
  • Device compatibility. A good VPN free trial will allow you to try it on all your devices and should be available at the very least for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. Router support is an added bonus, as this allows you to secure every device connected to your home network.

VPN Free Trials You Should Avoid

You always have to be careful choosing a VPN free trial. I discovered numerous untrustworthy VPNs with security issues. Unlike the ones on my list, these are risky to use since they can log and sell your online information to advertisers and other third parties. I also came across some VPNs that pretend to offer a free trial but then charge you anyway.

The following VPN free trials should be avoided:

  • Ivacy — Has a 7-day “free” trial, but you have to pay a small fee to use it. On top of that, after the trial period has ended, the VPN automatically charges expensive subscription prices.
  • PureVPN — While using its free trial, I found that it has slow speeds and leaks IP/DNS requests. Moreover, the VPN claims to keep no logs, but in a recent case, the FBI requested data and got records of a user’s data from PureVPN.
  • SiteLock — There’s no free trial, and the money-back guarantee only works if you can prove that the VPN failed to perform within the first 30 days. You need to send a request for a refund in writing, and SiteLock will determine if you get your money back, so there’s really no guarantee.

Quick Guide: How to Get a VPN Free Trial in 3 Easy Steps

  1. Download a VPN that comes with a free trial. I recommend ExpressVPN since you can test all its features risk-free for 30 days. If you’re not satisfied, you can easily claim a full refund.
  2. Test out your VPN. Make the most of your free trial by testing out its features.
  3. Cancel your trial or decide to continue. Contact customer support to cancel your free trial within the timeframe or choose to continue with a paid subscription.

What About Free VPNs?

Free VPNs let you use their service indefinitely without any payments. They might seem like a good option, but I advise against the majority of them. Not only are most VPN features limited, but they often bombard you with ads and cookies, which are used to collect your data. Also, free VPNs can infect your device with malware and viruses. I’d recommend avoiding CrossVPN, Archie VPN, and BetternetVPN. These free VPNs are known to have embedded malware in their apps.

In short, most free VPNs put your privacy at serious risk and significantly limit your internet capabilities. Some of these include slower speeds, capped data, and unstable connections, so it’s best to avoid them.

However, there are some free VPNs that we do recommend since they’re offered alongside a premium service. You can download these VPN services completely free, but they do come with restrictions, such as limited bandwidth and a smaller server network. I’d recommend testing their premium service by using their money-back guarantees. This way, you won’t have to deal with the annoying limitations that the free plan has.

FAQs on the Best VPNs With Free Trials

Do ExpressVPN and CyberGhost have free trials?

Yes, they both have free trials. ExpressVPN offers a 7-day free trial for mobile devices, whereas CyberGhost offers a 1-day free trial for desktop and a 7-day free trial for mobile devices. However, I’d recommend using their money-back guarantees instead to get a better picture of each VPN.

A 1-day free trial isn’t long enough to test a VPN since its performance varies from day to day. In addition, the free trials on mobile devices come with limitations such as no kill switch and no split tunneling. A money-back guarantee allows you to test all the features of the VPN on your iPhone, iPad, and other devices without restrictions.

Can I Watch Netflix using a free VPN trial?

It depends on the VPN. As long as the VPN you’re trying works with Netflix, you should be able to watch your local library, even on the VPN’s free trial. However, keep in mind that these free trials often come with limitations that don’t allow you to test the complete service. Some don’t give you full access to its complete server network. This way, it might be possible that you cannot use the servers in your country that work with Netflix.

All of the VPN free trials in this list work with Netflix, but you might have to use the money-back guarantee to access this feature. In all cases, a money-back guarantee will allow you to test the premium service without limitations. In addition, it gives you a lot more time than a standard free trial (a money-back guarantee is usually 30 days, whereas free trials aren’t usually longer than 7 days).

Can I use a VPN free trial without a credit card?

Some VPNs let you use a free trial without a credit card, while some do not. The best free trials will only ask for an email address and no credit card information. However, most VPNs require credit card information for you to test it. You should always read the fine print before starting a free trial. If credit card details are required, then it’s likely you’ll be charged immediately when your trial period expires.

Some of the VPN free trials in this list that don’t ask for credit card details are ExpressVPN’s 7-day free trial (on Android only), CyberGhost’s 24-hour free trial (on desktop only), and NordVPN’s 7-day free trial (on Android only).

Are free VPN trials safe?

Yes, for the most part free trial VPNs are safe. All the VPNs on this list have been tried and tested to ensure their free trials and money-back guarantees are 100% legit and trustworthy. Plus, they take the necessary steps to ensure their users’ data is completely secure. They use robust encryption, IP/DNS leak protection, and automatic kill switches to ensure third parties can’t access your data. Moreover, the VPN free trials included here are still covered the VPNs’ strict no-logs policies, so your data won’t be tracked or shared.

However, you should keep in mind that free trials from premium, trustworthy VPNs are much safer than free VPNs in general. Completely free VPNs often use other means to make money, like bombarding you with annoying ads, or even selling your data. For these reasons, I highly recommend using a reputable VPN’s free trial, or money-back guarantee, instead.

Which VPN has the longest free trial?

A few of my listed VPNs offer free trials for up to 7 days — it’s uncommon to find a VPN trial for longer. If you’re looking for an extended trial, then the best option is to opt for a money-back guarantee instead. Many VPNs offer refund guarantees of at least 30 days. While you have to put money down, you won’t face the limitations that some free trials come with.

For example, ExpressVPN’s 7-day free trial is only available on mobile devices, and there’s a risk of being charged if you forget to cancel before the trial period is up. For this reason, I’d recommend making use of ExpressVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee instead, which gives you much more time to comfortably test the service.

Another tip is to combine a free trial with a money-back guarantee to extend the amount of time you have to test the VPN. In most cases, you still qualify for a money-back guarantee if you continue with the service after your free trial.

Can I use a VPN free trial on a FireStick?

You can use a VPN free trial on a FireStick if your VPN is compatible with one. Most of the VPNs in this list have native apps for FireStick. Since free trials are usually restricted to a certain device, you may need to use the money-back guarantee for this to work. However, you can always try to download the VPN app to your FireStick and sign in with your free trial credentials if you’re given them.

How do I cancel my VPN free trial?

You can cancel your free trial in a few ways. First of all, if you haven’t provided any payment details, then your free trial will be canceled automatically. You won’t need to worry about being charged. But, if the free trial you’ve chosen requires payment information, then there are a couple of ways you may need to cancel.

Some VPNs allow you to cancel without contacting customer support. You’ll usually find a link to cancel when logged in to your VPN account in your browser. Most of the time, you just fill in a form and receive an email confirming the refund.

You might also need to contact customer support. If your VPN has a 24/7 live chat service, it is usually easier to do it that way. Simply tell them that you want to cancel your free trial, and they’ll proceed with your request. Some VPNs may ask your reason for quitting, which is usually requested for feedback purposes. If you’re entitled to a refund, then ask how long it’ll take to be processed for confirmation.

Also, keep in mind that the cancellation process for mobile devices can be different. If you subscribed to a VPN service through the Apple App Store or Google Play, you’d most likely have to cancel your subscription through them. That means you’ll have to abide by their refund policy, and your money-back guarantee might not be honored. I recommend signing up for a free trial through the provider’s website whenever possible to avoid any difficulties.

Can I use a VPN free trial multiple times?

Technically, it is possible. Some VPNs let you use their money-back guarantee multiple times (with limits), but this isn’t the case for every provider. You may also be able to get a new free trial by using a different email. But, you could end up getting banned from the VPN service if they catch you trying to sign up for a free trial multiple times. It’s better to test different VPN services using their free trials to see which one works best for you.

In addition, several VPN services ask for credit card information, so you would need to have numerous credit cards to sign up multiple times. Besides, many VPNs have stopped their free trials because of people abusing the system in this way. If a provider’s free trial isn’t long enough, then consider using its money-back guarantee instead. Or, you may be able to email customer support and ask for an extension.

Are there VPN free trials for India and China?

There are some, but not many VPNs work in China, and many VPNs pulled their services from India due to political reasons. If you choose a VPN that works in these locations, you’ll have access to the trials and money-back guarantees like anywhere else. Check out our list of the best VPNs that actually work in China, and our top VPNs for India.

However, keep in mind that VPNs are banned in China if the government does not approve them, so you need to be careful and read the laws and regulations in your region before downloading and using one there.

India doesn’t ban any VPNs, but the government has implemented data-sharing laws that have made it impossible for many VPNs to abide by their no-logs promises. As a result, many have removed their services from the country.

What are the limitations of a VPN free trial?

There are different limitations you can have while using a VPN free trial. It could be that you’re having slow speeds since you’re restricted to a smaller pool of (overcrowded) servers. Besides, you could have data caps that could result in your free trial ending after a few hours because you reached the limit. In addition, it could be that you cannot make use of specific features such as split tunneling and ad blockers.

It's important to always check the terms & conditions before committing to a VPN free trial to avoid any unwanted surprises. To avoid limitations, use a money-back guarantee instead. This way you can test the full service for a longer period, which allows you to really get to know the VPN. I tested the refund policies of each VPN in this list and it was easy to get my money back every time.

Get the Best VPN Free Trial Today

Every free trial is different and some of them come with a lot of restrictions. You’ll have to read the fine print, remember to cancel in time to avoid being charged, or you won’t have full access to the VPN features.

While the VPN free trials in this list are good options, testing a VPN using its money-back guarantee is the best way to get the full experience without paying anything. You can use it for much longer than a free trial and aren’t restricted in any way.

Out of the 50 VPNs my team and I tested, I recommend ExpressVPN. It offers world-class security features and has a huge server network with fast speeds for every kind of online activity. And most importantly, it has a 7-day free trial and a trustworthy money-back guarantee. You can test it completely risk-free. If you’re not satisfied, you have 30 days to claim a full refund.

To summarize, the best VPN free trials in 2024 are…

Rank
Provider
Our Score
Discount
Visit Website
1
medal
9.9 /10
9.9 Our Score
Save 49%!
2
9.7 /10
9.7 Our Score
Save 83%!
3
9.5 /10
9.5 Our Score
Save 82%!
4
9.4 /10
9.4 Our Score
Save 67%!
5
9.3 /10
9.3 Our Score
Save 81%!
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

About the Author

Keira is an experienced cybersecurity and tech writer dedicated to providing comprehensive insights on VPNs, online privacy, and internet censorship.