We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover 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 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.
Advertising Disclosure

vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover 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 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.

How to Get an ExpressVPN Free Trial (7 & 30 Days) in 2024

Akash Deep Published on 11th April 2024 Fact-checked by Emma Browne Cybersecurity Researcher

ExpressVPN offers a 7-day free trial, but it's only available for mobile devices through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. This free trial lets you test out all of ExpressVPN's features and ensure it’s fast enough, works with your country’s streaming platforms, and protects your data. 7 days is a decent amount of time, but it might not be enough to properly put the VPN through its paces.

The good news is that ExpressVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. This gives you plenty of room to really test it risk-free across all your devices, including PCs. You'll have to pay upfront for a subscription, but getting a refund is easy if you're not satisfied. Plus, ExpressVPN often has deals that can knock up to 49% off the regular price, making it more affordable.

When I tested the refund policy, I found the process really straightforward. I contacted an agent via live chat and answered a couple of user-experience-related questions. Within a few minutes, my request was approved. I saw my money back in my account in 3 days.

Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free >>

Quick Guide: How to Get an ExpressVPN 7-Day Free Trial in 3 Easy Steps

  1. Download ExpressVPN. Get the ExpressVPN app from the iOS App Store or Google’s Play Store to start your 7-day trial. If you want to test it for longer, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days as it’s backed by a robust money-back guarantee.
  2. Click Start Free Trial. Select the 12-month plan to start your trial and follow the prompts to complete the setup.
  3. Connect. Select a server and connect to start testing out ExpressVPN.

How to Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free For 30 Days

It’s quick and easy to install ExpressVPN and test it risk-free. The money-back guarantee isn't a free trial hack, as you'll have to pay for the VPN upfront, but it does give you a risk-free trial period. You'll be able to get a refund within 30 days if it doesn't work for you.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set it up and request a refund if you’re not happy with it.

  1. Visit the ExpressVPN homepage. Go to the ExpressVPN site, then select Get ExpressVPN or Start Your Trial Today. This will bring you directly to its pricing list.
    Screenshot of ExpressVPN's risk-free trial pageAfter clicking this button, I was presented with multiple subscription options
  2. Choose the length of your plan. Every plan offers the same robust feature suite and a full money-back guarantee. When I tried ExpressVPN, I got 49% off the total price by choosing the longest plan. If you’re not sure you’re ready for a long-term subscription, you can choose the 1-month plan, which will cost less upfront.Once you've selected your plan, just enter your email and payment details. ExpressVPN accepts credit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, UnionPay, AliPay, Mint, and more. Note that using credit cards or PayPal will set up recurring payments, but you can easily cancel this by reaching out to 24/7 live chat support.
    Screenshots showing how to purchase an ExpressVPN planExpressVPN even lets you pay with cryptocurrency for added privacy
  3. Take note of your activation code. This will appear on the next screen after your email and payment information are processed. Then, you just need to click Download to set up the app on your device (it automatically detects which device and OS you’re using).
    Screenshot of ExpressVPN activation code pageExpressVPN has apps for almost any device
  4. Paste your activation code in the app. The app launches automatically once it's installed. Once you’ve logged in with your activation code, select your preferences. You can choose to have the app start automatically when you use your device (which I highly recommend) and opt for/against sending error reports.
    Screenshot of setting up ExpressVPN on your deviceThe entire process of setting up and activating the app took me less than 3 minutes
  5. Use ExpressVPN for 30 days risk-free. This gives you plenty of time to test it for HD/UHD streaming on your local platforms, browsing, gaming, torrenting, and more.
  6. If you’re not satisfied, you can claim a refund. As long as it's within the money-back period, it's not difficult to get your money back. You can make your request via email or its 24/7 live chat feature.
    Screenshot of a chat with ExpressVPN supportThe agent was friendly and helpful — my refund was processed within minutes
  7. Check your account for your returned payment. This can take up to 7 business days — however, I had my money back in 3 days.
Pro Tip: Be careful not to download ExpressVPN from websites offering software for free use. These unauthorized downloads often consist of illegal "cracked" versions that potentially contain viruses and malware. Make sure you only download ExpressVPN from its official website or trusted app stores.

How to Get a 7-Day ExpressVPN Free Trial on Mobile

ExpressVPN's 7-day free trial is available for iOS and Android users. Once you start your trial, you can use your activation code to test it out on up to 8 devices simultaneously. The following instructions show you how to set it up on iPhone, but the steps for Android are mostly the same.

  1. Visit your phone's app store. Search for the ExpressVPN app and download it from either the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Alternatively, you can find the exact links on ExpressVPN’s website, and they’ll take you to your app store. Once the app has been downloaded, tap Start Free Trial.
    Screenshot showing how to download ExpressVPN on iOSI just typed "Express VPN" in the search bar to locate the app
  2. Choose the 12-month plan. You'll be prompted to proceed with the annual plan since the monthly plan doesn’t come with the free trial. However, you won't be charged at this point. The subscription will come into effect if you choose to continue and don’t cancel it at least 24 hours before your trial ends.
    Screenshot explaining how ExpressVPN's free trial worksYou don't need to enter your card details; it uses the card saved to your app store account
  3. Give permissions. ExpressVPN will display its privacy policy for you to review and agree to. Next, you'll have to allow ExpressVPN to configure your phone’s network settings. This simply adds a VPN configuration to your phone that contains ExpressVPN’s server information, so it can connect whenever you choose to.It also asks if you would like the VPN to launch on startup and to share data with ExpressVPN regarding crash reports, speed tests, usability diagnostics, and whether VPN connections succeed. This is all totally up to you — none of your choices here affect the functionality of the VPN.
    Screenshot of ExpressVPN's data collection policyExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy — you can read about it in its privacy policy
  4. Test ExpressVPN for 7 days. Once the mobile app is set up, you can sign in using the email address you used for the free trial and get straight to testing its features. You’ll then be sent an email link to complete the sign-in. Alternatively, you can use the activation code. At this point, you can also download the VPN on each of your devices.It’s important to note that once your free trial is up, you won’t be able to get an ExpressVPN free trial again on that operating system. However, you can get one free trial on iOS and another on Android, so you can do this if you want to get the ExpressVPN free trial more than once.
    Screenshot of ExpressVPN app connected to East London serverIts Smart Location feature automatically finds the fastest server for you

How to Cancel Your ExpressVPN 7-Day Trial

You need to cancel at least 24 hours before the end of the 7-day trial period if you don’t want to be charged. You can manage your free trial subscription within your phone’s settings. Follow these steps to check how much time is left in your free trial and choose whether you’d like to cancel or upgrade to a paid subscription:

On iOS

  1. Go to your phone’s settings. Then, tap on your Apple ID.
  2. Press Subscriptions. Now, find your ExpressVPN subscription.
  3. Find your ExpressVPN subscription. Here, you can see how long you have left of your trial.
  4. Choose whether you want to cancel or upgrade early. Hit See All Plans to subscribe to a longer plan, or Cancel Free Trial to avoid being charged.
    Screenshot showing how to cancel ExpressVPN free trial on iOSWhen you cancel, you can still use the app for the remaining days of your trial period

Pro Tip: I highly recommend against purchasing a subscription through the Apple App Store. ExpressVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee doesn’t extend to iOS devices because it doesn’t have direct access to your billing information.

If you’re using an iOS device and you’d like to continue with ExpressVPN, cancel your free trial and sign up for ExpressVPN via its website. This way, you’re covered by the money-back guarantee, and you’ll still be able to easily set up and use ExpressVPN on your iOS devices.

On Android

  1. Go to the Google Play Store. Tap on your profile icon in the top right-hand corner.
  2. Tap Payments and subscriptions. Then, click Subscriptions.
  3. Find your ExpressVPN subscription. This will give you a variety of subscription management options.
  4. Choose whether you want to cancel. You can’t upgrade your subscription here, but you can cancel by hitting Cancel subscription. If you’d like to upgrade early, contact ExpressVPN’s 24/7 chat support.

ExpressVPN Free Trial Vs. Money-Back Guarantee: Which is Better?

Every ExpressVPN subscription comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not satisfied with the service, you can cancel within that period and easily get a full refund. This means you have 30 days to thoroughly test ExpressVPN for various activities and devices risk-free, so you can get a real sense of how well it works for your needs.

On the flip side, the 7-day free trial doesn't require any upfront payment. However, one week is barely enough time to properly evaluate all of ExpressVPN's features on your different devices. A VPN's performance can fluctuate day to day, so a week-long trial may not give you the full picture.

Between the two options, I recommend the money-back guarantee. Sure, you'll need to pay upfront, but ExpressVPN frequently offers generous discounts, and its money-back guarantee is 4 times longer than the trial.

If it doesn't meet your expectations, getting a refund is super easy through its 24/7 live chat. I didn’t have to jump through any hoops to get my money back, and it was back in my account in just a few days.

What You Get With an ExpressVPN Free Trial and Money-Back Guarantee

Best Feature Fastest speeds of any VPN I tested; ideal for data-heavy tasks like streaming, torrenting, gaming, and more
Server Network 3,000 servers in 105 countries for reliable connections with no server congestion
Security and Privacy AES 256-bit encryption, kill switch, IP/DNS leak protection, robust no-logs policy, split tunneling, and more
Works With Netflix, Disney+, Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, DAZN, ESPN, and more

Every time I use ExpressVPN, I’m impressed by how little it affects my base speeds compared to other VPNs. I tested several local servers in the UK and France from my home in London, and I had an average speed drop of only 5%. This splendid performance is in part due to its proprietary Lightway protocol, which is engineered to deliver fast speeds without compromising security.

Screenshot of It's Always Sunny streaming on Netflix UK with ExpressVPN connectedI never experienced any buffering throughout my tests

But it’s not just speed — ExpressVPN’s servers are reliable, too. While in the UK, I connected to its London server and could stream from Netflix UK, BBC iPlayer, and Hotstar UK without any problems. Our tester in the US said that it worked seamlessly with Disney+, Netflix US, Max, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.

ExpressVPN has strong security features to protect you against online threats. In addition to military-grade encryption, it uses perfect forward secrecy. This means a unique encryption key is generated for each VPN session you initiate. As a result, even if one encryption key is somehow compromised, your previous and future online communications remain fully secure.

The only downside to ExpressVPN is that it’s pricier than some of its competitors. However, it regularly offers discounts that equate to getting a few months of the service for free. When I signed up, I got 49% off.

Useful Features

  • Strong focus on privacy. ExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy and uses RAM-only servers that completely wipe your data after every reboot. Plus, it’s based in the British Virgin Islands, a place with no data retention laws. This allows the company to uphold its privacy commitments — your online activity won't be traced back to you.
  • Great torrenting support. ExpressVPN is a great choice for torrenting since every server supports P2P connections. Plus, it offers strong IP and DNS leak protection, so anyone else connected to the torrenting swarm won’t be able to find out your true location.
  • Automatic obfuscation. This disguises your VPN traffic as normal internet traffic, letting you get around tough firewalls and VPN blocks on restrictive networks. Plus, it’s one of the very few VPNs that is known to still work in China.
  • Easy router setup. Of all the VPNs I’ve tested, ExpressVPN is the easiest to set up on routers. It offers custom firmware for easy installation, coupled with a dedicated router app that simplifies server selection and VPN setting adjustments.
ExpressVPN Offer April 2024: For a limited time only, you can get an ExpressVPN subscription for up to 49% off! Don't miss out!

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

There are several VPNs on the market that offer a free trial. Let’s look at how ExpressVPN's free trial stacks up against those offered by other VPN providers.

Duration of the free trial Trial available on Money-back guarantee Payment method required?
ExpressVPN 7 days Android and iOS (after the mobile download, you can use the trial on other compatible devices) 30 days on all plans Yes
CyberGhost 24 hours All devices 45 days on long-term plans; 14 days on the 1-month plan No
Private Internet Access 7 days Android and iOS 30 days on all plans Yes
NordVPN 7 days Android and iOS 30 days on all plans Yes
Surfshark 7 days Android and iOS 30 days on all plans Yes

FAQs on How to Get an ExpressVPN Free Trial

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

No, you will need a linked payment method to start the ExpressVPN free trial. However, it's likely already connected to your phone's app store account (Apple App Store or Google Play Store), so you don't have to manually enter any new card details.

The free trial is essentially validated by those existing payment details from your phone’s app store account. Just keep in mind that you'll need to cancel your subscription 24 hours before the 7-day trial period ends to avoid being automatically charged. You can still use it for the remaining period after you cancel.

If you happen to miss that cancellation window on an Android device, no worries — you're still covered by ExpressVPN's 30-day money-back guarantee. So you can request a refund during that time instead. Unfortunately, this money-back option doesn't apply if you started the trial on an iOS device. In that case, you'll have to follow Apple's standard refund policy.

How long is ExpressVPN’s free trial?

ExpressVPN's free trial lasts for 7 days. This means you only have a week to test all of its features, which isn’t long enough. To test it out for 30 days, sign up for ExpressVPN through its website and try it risk-free. You can then use its tried-and-tested money-back guarantee to get a refund if you’re not satisfied.

I’ve also come across questions in online forums about ExpressVPN’s 3-month free trial — in short, it doesn’t exist. However, when you sign up for its 12-month plan, it often gives you a discount, which amounts to 3 months of free service.

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 for a plan, you can use it on all of your devices, such as:

Windows macOS iOS Android
Linux Routers Smart TVs Samsung TV
LG Smart TV Apple TV Amazon Fire TV Fire TV Stick
Roku PlayStation Nintendo Switch Xbox

Will ExpressVPN charge me after the free trial ends?

Yes, you will be charged unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the 7-day trial period ends. However, canceling your ExpressVPN subscription within your mobile phone's settings is simple. Doing this will ensure you won't be charged for a plan when your trial is over. Remember that you can still use the free trial for the remaining days of your trial period once you cancel it.

However, if you need more time to test it risk-free, it also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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.

Does ExpressVPN have a referral option?

Yes, and it can save you (and your referral) money on your subscription. When you sign up for ExpressVPN and refer a friend, you can both use the service for free for 30 days. All you have to do is log into your account through the ExpressVPN website and enter your friend’s email address.

There are no limitations on the number of people you can refer to ExpressVPN, so you can continue to earn more free days.

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

You could, but I strongly advise against free VPNs. Many premium VPNs either offer a free trial or even let you sign up with the assurance of a money-back guarantee. This gives you unlimited access to all of the VPN's features so you can test its streaming abilities, speeds, security, and more.

While free VPNs don't require payment, they are very limited and can be unsafe. Some of these limitations and risks include:

  • Small server networks
  • Slow speeds
  • Restrictive torrenting abilities
  • Severe data caps that make streaming and other online activities impossible
  • Personal user data being shared with third parties
  • Invasive targeted ads
  • Malware, trackers, and other cyber threats

If I download ExpressVPN through an APK file, can I still get the free trial?

No — you need to download the app via the Google Play Store to get the free trial. That’s because to claim the free trial, the ExpressVPN app needs to link your account to the payment method stored in your Google Play account. It can’t do this if you install the APK files independent of Google Play.

However, you are still eligible for ExpressVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee if you download it from an APK file.

Remember to download ExpressVPN’s APK files only from its website. Third-party “cracked” versions are illegal and may contain cyber threats like malware.

Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free in Minutes

Signing up for ExpressVPN's 7-day free trial is easy if you have an iOS or Android device. However, one week is hardly enough time to evaluate the VPN’s full capabilities properly. A service's performance can fluctuate daily, depending on several factors. With such a short trial, you might not get an accurate sense of how ExpressVPN will work for your regular online activities.

On the other hand, ExpressVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee period, so you can test it for longer on any device you want. You can easily get a full refund if you’re not 100% satisfied. I tested out the refund policy myself — after a quick 5-minute chat with support, my request was approved. I had my money back in my account in just 3 days.

Here are the top VPNs with free trials or risk-free money-back guarantees

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 84%!
3
9.5 /10
9.5 Our Score
Save 83%!
4
9.4 /10
9.4 Our Score
Save 69%!
5
9.3 /10
9.3 Our Score
Save 85%!
Privacy Alert!

Your data is exposed to the websites you visit!

Your IP Address:

Your Location:

Your Internet Provider:

The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.

VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we've tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it's currently offering 49% off.

Visit ExpressVPN

We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover 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 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

Akash is a writer at vpnMentor dedicated to providing readers with unbiased and expert advice on online security and privacy. He specializes in analyzing the latest cybersecurity trends and providing up-to-date information to help readers make informed decisions.

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