How to Get an ExpressVPN Free Trial (7 & 30 Days) in 2025

ExpressVPN offers a 7-day free trial through its mobile app on iOS and Android. It gives you full access to premium features like high-speed servers, military-grade encryption, and streaming support. Once the trial is active, you can use the same account across all your devices, including your PC, Mac, smart TV, or router.

However, 7 days isn’t always enough to thoroughly test everything ExpressVPN offers. Does ExpressVPN offer a 30-day money-back guarantee*? Yes, this lets you continue using the service for an additional 30 days if you’ve never used its guarantee before. You’ll need to pay upfront, but you can request a refund anytime within the guarantee period through 24/7 live chat.

I tested both trial options myself, and the process was seamless. The setup took just a few minutes, the apps worked flawlessly across platforms, and my refund was processed very quickly. Whether you’re testing for streaming, privacy, or speed, ExpressVPN lets you explore everything it offers without any financial risk. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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How Does ExpressVPN’s Free Trial Compare to Other VPNs?

Many premium VPNs offer a mix of free trials and money-back guarantees to let you test their services without risk. During our testing, we found key differences in trial lengths, payment requirements, and feature access. Here’s how ExpressVPN’s trial options compare to other leading VPNs.

1. CyberGhost — Activity-Specific Servers to Easily Find the Right Connection for Your Needs

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

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

What we liked most about CyberGhost was its dedicated servers for streaming, gaming, and torrenting, which are clearly labeled in the app. You can connect to the right server without trial and error. In our tests, CyberGhost worked reliably with Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer, and we didn’t even have to switch locations.

We also tried CyberGhost’s gaming servers and got a 9ms ping on a nearby server, which is great for smooth online play. That said, speeds weren’t always consistent on long-distance servers — we saw noticeable slowdowns during peak hours, something we didn’t experience with ExpressVPN.

CyberGhost offers a 24-hour free trial on desktop, up to 7 days on mobile, and a 45-day money-back guarantee on longer purchases.

2. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Unlimited Connections to Protect All Your Devices

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

PIA is one of the few VPNs that lets you connect unlimited devices at once. In our PIA tests, this didn’t impact performance at all. We streamed, torrented, and played online games on 8 devices simultaneously, and everything ran smoothly — no buffering, no disconnects. It’s a great option if you have a household full of devices or want to share your account. Similar to ExpressVPN, it also offers a 7-day trial on mobile.

It also gives you a ton of control — you can tweak encryption levels, switch between protocols, and even customize DNS settings. That said, all these options can feel overwhelming if you're new to VPNs. The good news is, it comes fully preconfigured, so you don’t have to change anything unless you want to.

3. NordVPN — Double VPN Provides Enhanced Security and Privacy

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try NordVPN >

www.nordvpn.com

NordVPN offers Double VPN, which routes your traffic through two VPN servers instead of one. This adds an extra layer of encryption to your connection. It's useful when you need heightened security, such as when handling sensitive data or browsing in countries with strict internet regulations. Even with Double VPN enabled, we got good speeds with NordVPN.

One thing I did notice is that the Windows app can be slow to launch, especially right after booting up. ExpressVPN felt a bit more responsive in day-to-day use. Still, NordVPN’s 7-day trial gives you a lot of advanced features, and its extra security options (like Dark Web Monitor and Threat Protection) are great if you want advanced features.

Our Methodology for Testing VPNs With a Free Trial

We tested each free trial VPN by going through the full process ourselves — from sign-up and setup to cancellation and support interaction. This included checking how easy it was to activate the trial, whether payment details were required, and if full features were available during the trial period.

We also tested performance across multiple devices and locations, including streaming capabilities, download speeds, and general browsing. To put their money-back guarantees to the test, we contacted support directly to request a refund and recorded how fast and hassle-free the process was. Our goal was to see how the VPN performs and how well the trial reflects long-term user experience. For more details, visit our VPN testing methodology page.

How to Cancel Your ExpressVPN 7-Day Trial

To avoid being charged, make sure to cancel your 7-day trial at least 24 hours before it ends. You can manage your trial directly through your device’s subscription settings, either on the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).

If you signed up through Apple, any refund request will need to go through Apple Support, and approval is at their discretion, not ExpressVPN’s. This also means that the VPN’s money-back guarantee doesn’t apply if you pay through Apple.

If you want more control over your subscription and access to ExpressVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee, it’s best to sign up directly through ExpressVPN’s website. For step-by-step instructions on how to cancel ExpressVPN on any device, check out this guide.

Common Issues With the ExpressVPN Trial Account (and How to Avoid Them)

While ExpressVPN is one of the most reliable VPNs we’ve tested, no service is completely issue-free. Here are some common purchase-related problems users have reported — and how you can avoid them.

1. Purchase auto-renewed unexpectedly

ExpressVPN purchases are set to auto-renew by default, which is standard across most VPNs. If you don’t want to be charged again, you’ll need to cancel before your next billing cycle begins. The process is simple if you purchased through ExpressVPN’s website — just log in and manage your account. If you signed up through the App Store or Google Play, you’ll need to cancel through your phone’s settings.

2. PayPal billed even after cancellation

While this doesn’t usually happen when you cancel properly, some users have reported unexpected charges via PayPal after cancellation. This is typically due to pre-approved payments still being active in their PayPal account. To be safe, it’s a good idea to log into PayPal and manually remove ExpressVPN from your list of recurring payment agreements.

3. Refund delays or confusion

ExpressVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee is only available when you sign up through its website. If you purchased it through the App Store, refunds must be requested from Apple, and approval is up to them.

In addition, the money-back guarantee only applies if you’ve never requested a refund from ExpressVPN before.

To avoid delays or complications, I recommend getting ExpressVPN through its site whenever possible. This means that you’ll be covered by the money-back guarantee, where applicable.

How Does ExpressVPN’s Referral Program Work?

ExpressVPN’s referral program is simple: when someone signs up using your unique link, both of you get 30 days of free service. You can start referring friends as soon as you create your account, and there’s no limit to how many people you can refer.

Each time a friend becomes a paying customer, you earn another free month, so it’s possible to extend your purchase for months at no extra cost.

FAQs on How to Get an ExpressVPN Free Trial

Can I get the ExpressVPN free trial with no credit card?

No — a valid payment method is required to start the ExpressVPN free trial. That said, you usually won’t need to enter new details, since your phone's app store (Google Play or Apple App Store) already has a linked payment method. The trial is tied to that existing account, and you won’t be charged unless you continue past the 7-day period.

Does the ExpressVPN free trial work on any device?

You can only get the ExpressVPN 7-day trial on Android or iOS. However, once you activate the free mobile trial, you can actually use ExpressVPN on any supported device, like your PC or laptop. But the trial window itself is still just 7 days. That’s why you have another chance to test it risk-free since it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Even though you have to pay for this option upfront, you’ll get a better idea of how well the VPN works for you. And, if it doesn’t, it’s really easy to claim a refund.

When you sign up, you can use it on all of your devices, such as:

Will ExpressVPN charge me after the free trial ends?

Yes — if you don’t cancel in time, ExpressVPN will automatically charge you for the 12-month offer you selected when the trial started. To avoid this, make sure to cancel at least 24 hours before the trial ends through your app store’s subscription settings.

That said, if you forget and get charged, you're still covered by ExpressVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee as long as you’ve never claimed it before. This gives you extra time to try the full service with zero risk. If you’re not satisfied, you can request a refund by contacting its 24/7 live chat support — the process is quick and hassle-free.

Do I need a free trial code or coupon to try ExpressVPN?

No, you don’t need a free trial code or coupon to use ExpressVPN's 7-day free trial. Simply sign up and download the app through an existing Apple App Store or Google Play Store account to start your trial. However, you can use discount codes and coupons when you sign up for ExpressVPN through the website.

Should I use a free VPN instead of ExpressVPN’s free trial?

I don't recommend using a free VPN instead of ExpressVPN's free trial. It's always better to use a premium VPN that offers a free trial or money-back guarantee, as these give you full access to high-quality features without a long-term commitment.

ExpressVPN's free trial (and subsequent money-back guarantee) provides unlimited access to all of the VPN's premium features. This allows you to thoroughly test its streaming capabilities, speeds, security measures, and more without any restrictions. In contrast, free VPNs often come with significant limitations and can even pose security risks.

Some of the drawbacks associated with free VPNs include:

• Small server networks
• Slow speeds
• Restrictive torrenting abilities
• Severe data caps that hinder streaming and other online activities
• Potential sharing of personal user data with third parties
• Invasive targeted ads
• Possible exposure to malware, trackers, and other cyber threats

References

1. https://analyzify.com/statsup/vpn/
2. https://www.getastra.com/blog/security-audit/malware-statistics/