5 Best Free VPNs for India in 2025 (Android, iOS & PC)

Getting an Indian IP address with a free VPN isn't as simple as it used to be. After India’s 2022 CERT-In rules for providers with physical servers, many reputable VPNs removed in-country servers and now offer virtual Indian locations instead. App-store availability has also shifted in 2025, so a few options require desktop installers or Android APKs in India.

My team and I tested over 45 services to find the best free VPNs for India. We evaluated their security features, privacy policies, connection speeds, server networks, and other key factors. The VPNs on this list are safe to use, but like all free services, they do have limitations, such as restricted server access or limited monthly data allowance. A paid, premium VPN is a better alternative for unrestricted internet access, fast speeds, and top-notch privacy features.

Quick Comparison of the Best Free India VPNs

Here's a quick comparison of the best free VPNs for India. The table shows key details like speeds, data allowances, and whether you can get an Indian IP address. You'll also find information about free trials and money-back guarantees to help you test these VPNs risk-free.

I've also included whether you need to create an account to use these free India VPNs. This information should help you pick the right VPN for your needs.

Most Affordable Premium VPN

Our Score: 9.3

We’ve only included safe and reputable VPNs in our list, but every free VPN will be limited in its abilities. There are even some that compromise your privacy. We recommend sticking to our list because the wrong free VPN could sell your data to make a profit. With that said, the VPNs in our list still come with slower speeds, limited network coverage, and data caps. So, you might want to try an affordable premium VPN like Surfshark. Its prices start at $1.99/month for its longest purchase options, and every offer comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. On top of being secure, it comes with virtual locations in India, along with fast speeds and unlimited data.

Our Score: 9.3

Read more about Surfshark

See Surfshark's Best Deals

Visit Surfshark >

www.surfshark.com

Best Free VPNs for India in 2025

1. Proton VPN — Free India VPN With Unlimited Data for Continuous Browsing and Streaming

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested December 2025

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try Proton VPN >

protonvpn.com

What I like most about Proton VPN's free option is that it gives you unlimited data. You can keep the VPN connected without worrying about hitting data caps or dealing with ads. During our Proton VPN tests, we streamed HD content, browsed social media, and watched YouTube videos without any interruptions. The speeds stayed stable even during peak hours when most free VPNs slow to a crawl. It’s also easy to install in India since Proton VPN is available on the local Play Store and App Store.

Even with unlimited data, we never experienced bandwidth throttling

The VPN offers 5 free locations, including the US and Japan. However, you can't choose specific servers as the app automatically picks one for you. There's a Change Server button, but you never know which location you'll get connected to next. In our tests, we most often landed on US servers, which handled casual streaming and social media fine. Proton VPN’s free servers don’t work well with most streaming platforms, but the performance was good with Peacock and Crunchyroll.

Proton VPN takes your security seriously, which matters given rising cyber threats and India’s privacy climate. Its Swiss base keeps it away from local data-retention laws, and its no-logs policy has been independently verified. The apps are open-source and regularly audited, so you know exactly what’s running on your device.

The lack of Indian servers limits what you can do. You won't be able to get an Indian IP address to stream JioHotstar or SonyLIV safely. P2P traffic isn't supported on free servers either, so torrenting is off the table. That said, for day-to-day privacy inside India, especially on shared or unsecured networks, the free plan’s unlimited data and steady performance make it a reliable free VPN for Indian users.

Useful Features

• Reliable speeds for a free VPN. During our tests, we experienced around 36% speed loss on average, which is expected from a free VPN. It was still fast enough for smooth 1080p video, social media, and everyday browsing.
• Router compatibility. Unlike most free VPNs, Proton VPN supports router installation. This means you can protect all your home devices in India at once without installing the VPN on each one.
• Split tunneling. You can choose which apps use the VPN and which don't. This can improve connection speeds since not all VPN traffic is encrypted.

2. PrivadoVPN — Free VPN That Offers an Indian IP Address

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Router Smart TV More

Try PrivadoVPN >

https://privadovpn.com/

PrivadoVPN is the only trustworthy free VPN we tested that actually gives you an Indian IP address. The India servers are virtual, which means your traffic routes through nearby regions like Singapore or the Netherlands. This helps maintain privacy under India’s data-retention rules while still letting you appear as if you’re browsing from within India.

During our tests, we connected to the virtual Indian server without issues and could easily access regional websites and local news portals. It also worked well for checking Indian e-commerce platforms and government service portals. However, streaming on Voot or JioHotstar didn’t work, as the service blocks most free VPN IPs. For day-to-day browsing and light streaming, though, PrivadoVPN stayed fast and stable.

PrivadoVPN gives you decent global coverage with its free option. You get servers in 13 locations, including the US, UK, Canada, and the Netherlands. During our tests, PrivadoVPN successfully streamed Netflix US and Canada, plus Hulu — though Disney+ and other services didn’t work. PrivadoVPN could open some international libraries, but the results were inconsistent. Several platforms blocked the free IPs during peak hours, which is why it ranks below Proton VPN overall.

We used its Miami server to watch Hulu

The main limitation is the tight data cap. You only get 10GB of monthly data on the free option, which you can burn through quickly when streaming or gaming. And while having Indian servers is great, they don't work with popular local streaming platforms. Also, it’s not available on the Indian Play Store or App Store, but Android users can download the free APK directly from PrivadoVPN’s website, and the macOS and Windows apps remain fully accessible inside India.

Useful Features

• Solid performance across servers. We only lost 44% speed when connected to Indian servers, while locations like the US and Canada showed a 63% drop. These are decent results for a free VPN, but if you have a lower base speed, it may cause issues.
• Auto Connect and latency control. Lets you fine-tune connections for faster speeds or lower ping, depending on your activity.
• Built-in security features. Includes a kill switch, IP leak protection, and secure protocols to keep your data safe on public Wi-Fi.

3. hide.me — Free VPN With Robust Privacy Features

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try hide.me VPN >

www.hide.me

hide.me’s free plan is built for privacy first, not speed or streaming. You get unlimited data, which is rare for a free VPN, and its apps come with solid security features like AES 256-bit encryption and modern VPN protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2). The company is based in Malaysia, which is generally considered a privacy-friendly jurisdiction, and it does not log identifiable browsing activity.

I tested 4 different servers for leaks and never found any

In our tests, hide.me worked well for basic tasks in India, such as securing public WiFi in cafés, trains, and airports, and keeping everyday browsing and messaging encrypted. The lack of Indian servers means it doesn’t work with JioHotstar, and it no longer allows torrenting on the free plan.

The main drawback is speed. The free version caps your connection at around 2 Mbps, no matter which of its locations you use, but you cannot manually pick the exact location you connect to. This means websites and chats feel fine, but HD streaming is frustrating. This is why hide.me ranks below PrivadoVPN in our list, which actually gives you a virtual Indian IP.

Useful Features

• Works in restrictive environments. One of the few free VPNs that can still get around tough firewalls in countries like China, which is helpful if you travel from India to places with heavy internet censorship.
• Strong protocol support. Supports OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2, which lets you choose the balance of speed and security that works best for your setup.

4. Hotspot Shield — Hydra Protocol for Speedy and Stable Connections in India

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Router Smart TV More

Try Hotspot Shield >

www.hotspotshield.com

Hotspot Shield is a solid free option if you want speedy connections. Its proprietary Hydra protocol is designed to deliver fast connections, even on its long-distance servers. With a server about 5,000 miles away, we only experienced a 45% speed drop, which was still good enough for smooth HD video and gaming from India.

Its security features work well on Indian networks. In addition to military-grade encryption and leak protection, its Auto-protect feature automatically secures your connection when you're on public WiFi.

You'll find this option under Advanced settings

The free option offers access to 1 server locations. Additionally, when we connected to Hotspot Shield’s Singapore server for gaming, we had a decent ping of 48ms. This was low enough to play PUBG without any noticeable lag.

Hotspot Shield collects some anonymous usage data, such as general connection diagnostics and bandwidth statistics, to help maintain and improve its service. It does not log identifiable browsing activity, but this still makes it slightly less privacy-focused than VPNs like hide.me. These trade-offs are why Hotspot Shield sits below hide.me in our rankings, even though it remains a good pick when you want fast, free connections.

Useful Features

• No signup needed. Hotspot Shield is super easy to set up and use, and you don’t even need to create an account to get started. Simply install the app, click Proceed with Basic, and you’re all set.
• Unlimited data. Just like Proton VPN, the free option comes with unlimited data, which is a major improvement over its old 500MB daily limit. On mobile, unlimited data is supported by in-app ads, so you will see occasional interruptions while using the app.

5. Speedify — Bonding Mode for Fast Speeds in and Out of India

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Router More

Try Speedify >

www.speedify.com

Speedify uses Bonding Mode to combine multiple internet connections, like WiFi and mobile data. This can improve your connection speed and reliability. During our tests, enabling this feature improved our download speeds by 7%. It is especially useful in India if you play online games or hop on video calls over patchy home broadband, since bonding 4G data with WiFi helps smooth out lag and sudden drops in speed.

Each episode loaded within seconds without buffering

You get access to servers in 37 countries, even with the free option. While it doesn’t provide Indian servers, Speedify worked reliably with platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ during our tests. It’s a convenient option for general browsing and streaming when you want more stable performance rather than an Indian IP address.

Unlike many free VPNs, Speedify doesn’t require you to sign up. You can download the app and connect without providing any personal information, which adds a layer of privacy.

However, the free option comes with a 2GB monthly data limit, which isn’t ideal for regular streaming or downloading. We also noticed occasional connection issues — sometimes, it failed to connect to a chosen location. These drawbacks, along with the lack of Indian servers, are why Speedify ranks below all the other free VPNs for India on this list.

Useful Features

• Bypass feature. Speedify lets you select specific apps and websites to bypass the VPN connection. This is helpful in India if you want to access local banking or food delivery apps without interruptions while keeping the rest of your traffic secure.
• Decent security. Your data is protected with AES 256-bit encryption, which is strong enough to keep your information safe on public WiFi networks. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer a kill switch with its free app like Proton VPN does (you have to upgrade to get Speedify’s kill switch).

Why Do You Need a Free VPN for India?

A free VPN for India makes sense when you want basic protection and a bit more control over your connection, without paying for a full subscription yet. It will not replace a premium VPN, but it can still solve very real, local problems.

Start with public networks. In India, you are constantly hopping between open WiFi in airports, metro stations, cafés, colleges, and co-working spaces. Most of these hotspots are poorly secured and are shared by many people at once. A free VPN gives you an encrypted tunnel on top of that, so your logins, emails, and UPI activity are not just floating around the network while you quickly check your bank app or clear a few work messages.

Then there is the way connections behave during busy times. Mobile providers and ISPs in India often struggle when half the country is streaming a match or binge-watching the same show at night. A free VPN will not magically work with every streaming library, but routing through nearby locations like Singapore can sometimes give you more consistent speeds for everyday browsing, short YouTube sessions, or social media when your local route feels congested.

Free VPNs are also useful once you leave India. If you are travelling or studying abroad and need to quickly access Indian news sites, e-commerce platforms, or government information pages that behave differently outside the country, a free VPN with a virtual Indian location can be enough.

Finally, a free VPN is a low-risk way to figure out how a VPN fits into your daily routine. Students, freelancers, and remote workers can use these free plans to see how often they actually switch the VPN on in India, then upgrade later if they need stronger streaming support, better speeds, or more locations.

How We Test Free VPNs for India

Our testing focuses on what matters most to VPN users, whether they’re in India or abroad. We evaluate each VPN's speeds, security features, and ability to provide reliable Indian IP addresses. We run extensive speed tests across different times of day, verify streaming capabilities with popular Indian platforms and international ones, and ensure all security features work properly.

Because of CERT-In regulations, our tests include both physical and virtual servers in India, wherever available, as well as in nearby locations like Singapore, which many providers use instead of India-based hardware.

Privacy and security are our top priorities when testing free India VPNs. We thoroughly examine each provider's privacy policy, jurisdiction, and logging practices, paying special attention to how they monetize their service. We also test their performance with banking sites and payment platforms to ensure they work reliably for daily use. For a detailed breakdown of our testing process, check out our VPN testing methodology page.

Why Are Most Free VPNs for India Not Safe?

Using the wrong free VPN for India could seriously compromise your online privacy. With the government's data retention requirements, many free VPNs either can't or won't properly protect your information. We extensively tested each VPN on this list to verify it maintains strict security standards and avoids the issues many “free” services are known for.

Common issues with unsafe free VPNs include:

• Selling your browsing data. Many free VPNs secretly track your online activities and sell this information to advertisers or third parties. During our research, we found several popular free VPNs that logged everything from browsing history to device information and location data.
• Poor security implementation. We've tested numerous free VPNs that leaked IP addresses or had DNS leaks, exposing users' real locations. Some even lacked basic encryption, making your data vulnerable on public WiFi networks.
• Hidden malware and aggressive tracking. Several free VPNs, especially those heavily advertised on social media or bundled through shady download portals, have been linked to spyware, adware, or crypto miners.

These risks increase when you install third-party APKs from unofficial app stores. Many modified VPN APKs add extra trackers or logging code that isn't in the official version, which means your data can be harvested or sold without you realizing it. If you must sideload an APK (for example, PrivadoVPN’s official Android file when the Play Store blocks it in India), always download it directly from the provider’s own website, not from random mirrors or “cracked VPN” sites.

Popular Free VPNs That Don’t Work in India

India's cybersecurity regulations have dramatically changed the VPN landscape. The government now requires VPNs with physical servers in the country to store user data and share it with authorities when requested — including browsing history, IP addresses, and personal information. This directly conflicts with the core purpose of VPNs: protecting user privacy.

Many major VPN providers have responded by removing their physical servers from India rather than compromising user privacy. Some have completely stopped offering India-based infrastructure, while others now use virtual locations to keep user data outside Indian jurisdiction while still providing access to India-only sites.

Here are some popular free VPNs that we don’t recommend for use in India, either because they performed poorly in our tests or raised serious security and privacy concerns in external research:

• UrbanVPN: Aggressively marketed as a free India VPN, but its privacy policy allows logging of IP addresses, browsing data, and various identifiers, and independent reviews have flagged it for weak security and inconsistent performance.
• SuperVPN: Involved in multiple large-scale data breaches, with exposed databases containing logs of user IP locations, servers used, and online activity. This kind of logging is especially risky under India’s data-retention climate.
• Betternet: A well-known free VPN that has been repeatedly criticised for heavy advertising, weak performance, and data-related concerns. Recent reviews highlight that free users face intrusive tracking and poor privacy protections, making it a bad fit for privacy-conscious users in India.
• Hola Free VPN: Not a traditional VPN at all, but a peer-to-peer network that turns you into an exit node for other users. Research has shown that Hola traffic is often unencrypted and that your connection can be used by strangers, creating serious legal and security exposure.

These services are widely visible in app stores and search results, but they did not meet our standards for safe or reliable use in India. That is why you will not find them in our recommendation list, even though they are “free” and sometimes advertise India-related features.

Streaming Capabilities of the Best Free VPNs for India

We researched how well the free VPNs for India support popular streaming services. This includes Indian platforms (JioHotstar, SonyLIV, Voot, Zee5) and international ones (Netflix US, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video).

Indian Streaming Platforms

None of the free VPNs we tested could work with India-only platforms. JioHotstar, SonyLIV, Zee5, and Voot all detected VPN traffic and refused to play anything with PrivadoVPN and Speedify. Proton VPN, hide.me, and Hotspot Shield don’t offer Indian servers on their free plans, so they can’t even get you an Indian IP.

International Streaming Support (Free Plans Only)

If your goal is actually watching streaming platforms, you’ll need a premium VPN.

Best Free India VPNs According to Reddit

Reddit’s top pick for a free VPN in India is Proton VPN. Users repeatedly highlight the unlimited data, stable speeds, and the fact that it’s still available on the Indian Play Store and App Store. It’s the most recommended option in threads where people want something safe, fast, and genuinely free.

PrivadoVPN also comes up, mainly because it offers a free virtual Indian IP, but Redditors point out that the 10GB cap and APK-only installation in India make it less convenient.

Across r/India and r/VPN, the consensus is simple: if you want a free VPN you can trust inside India, Proton VPN is the one people actually stick with, while PrivadoVPN is seen as the niche pick for quick India-only tasks.

FAQs

Rounding Up

Most free VPNs come with privacy trade-offs, data caps, and weak security features. Plus, most of them don’t offer Indian IPs. If you want consistent streaming, stronger protection, and more stable performance, a premium provider will always be the safer bet.

That said, if a free VPN is what you need right now, the services on our list are among the few that remain safe, transparent, and functional in India. Proton VPN stands out with its unlimited data, decent speeds, and good server network.