Best Free Trial VPNs – Most Trusted Worldwide

If you’ve heard about VPNs and want to see what all the fuss is about, why not take advantage of a free trial? Premium VPNs often offer trials of their VPNs in a variety of different ways, including free trials, money-back guarantees, and paired-back free VPNs.

In this guide, we take a look at the best VPNs in terms of price, speed, and security and take a look at the types of trials they offer and how to get them.

For those who don’t know, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an online privacy tool that encrypts all of your device’s internet traffic and routes it through a VPN server before connecting to the internet. This offers a variety of benefits including concealing your IP address, it allows you to unblock websites and streaming services and it stops your ISP, government, or anyone from prying on your internet activity.

If you’re in a rush, we’ll dive right in with a summary of the best VPN-free trials.

A summary of the best VPN free trials

1. NordVPN: Our number one best VPN with a Money-back gaurantee. Exceptional in speed, security, and streaming ability. Instead of a free trial, you need to pay upfront, but there is a 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee. TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly.
2. Surfshark: A great budget VPN that also has a free trial. A high-speed, budget-friendly, security-conscious provider with no connection limit. Includes a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. ExpressVPN: A premium VPN service offering a money-back guarantee. A fast and reliable VPN with strong security. Requires payment but comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
4. CyberGhost: A top beginner VPN with a one-day free trial. Novice-friendly provider with a vast network of servers. 1-day free trial plus a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
5. IPVanish: No-logs VPN with impressive performance and a 7-day free trial for Android and iOS users. Can protect any number of devices simultaneously.
6. PrivateVPN: A small and powerful VPN for unblocking. A fast and secure VPN provider with a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
7. VyprVPN: A Versatile VPN pick with a 3-day trial. Quick, versatile, and security-conscious. Offers a 3-day free trial on IOS and Android plus a 30-day money-back guarantee on all devices.
8. Private Internet Access: Trial this top privacy VPN for 7-days! Quick, reliable, and versatile, this VPN is suitable for almost any task. Offers a 7-day trial for Android and IOS and a 30-day money-back guarantee for everyone.
9. HideMyAss: Offers a 7-day free trial followed by a 30-day money-back guarantee but requires a credit card to sign up.

A comparison of the best VPN free trials

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for a free trial VPN.

How we picked the best free trial VPNs

Our recommendations are based on the following factors:

• Speed and stability of service
• Strong encryption and no logs
• Wide range of worldwide server locations
• Ability to securely access platforms like Netflix from abroad
• Free trial and/or a money-back guarantee.

Different ways to trial a VPN

You may notice that in our list, not every VPN offers a strict free trial. Free trials are becoming less and less common in the VPN market, with most opting to offer money-back guarantees instead. Below we look at the different ways that you can test out a VPN service, including free trials.

VPN free trials

The standard VPN free trial gives you full access to a VPN for a short period, typically one, three, or seven days. Over this time you can test all of the PVN features and servers uninhibited. Some providers require credit card details before signing up for the free trial, and some don’t.

Money-back guarantees

The more common way to test a VPN is to use the money-back guarantee. This method involves paying for a VPN subscription upfront and then claiming a refund within the money-back guarantee period. So while you will have to part with your cash, you will get it back. In our time reviewing VPNs, we have had to use the money-back guarantees of all the provider’s features on this page, and we have never had an issue claiming.

Free VPN plans

Many VPNs also offer a free tier for users to sign up to. Typically this will give you access to a basic level of features, and a small number of servers. It is good for testing the overall UI, but they rarely live up to the experience you get from a premium plan. This is because the server choice is limited and often over-subscribed, so caps on speed can be experienced.

To get a real understanding of a premium VPN experience, we recommend using a free trial, or money-back guarantee.

The Best VPN Free Trials List: In-Depth Analysis

Here’s a list of the best free trial VPNs:

1. NordVPN

Dec 2024 offers free trialTested Dec 2024

NordVPN is our top-rated VPN as an all-around provider. It performs better than any others in our speed testing, packs a full suite of security features, and doesn’t store logs. Although it doesn’t technically offer a free trial, you can effectively try it for free by signing up and then getting a refund via the 30-day money-back guarantee. This also means that if you’re just trying the service out, you won’t have to contend with limited server selections or data caps.

By default, NordVPN uses 256-bit encryption with perfect forward secrecy and provides a kill switch and protection against IP address leaks. The kill switch will force your internet connection to drop should you lose your VPN connection for some reason, protecting your information.

NordVPN can securely access multiple Netflix libraries and a ton of other sites, including BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Hulu. It operates a vast network of more than 5,400 servers in around 60+ countries, so you’ll have plenty of options.

NordVPN is based in Panama, which means it’s not subject to mass data retention laws. Although, that wouldn’t matter as NordVPN keeps no logs of user data whatsoever. This provider accepts bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

OUR #1 CHOICE:NordVPN is super fast and great for streaming. It runs a huge network, utilizes a range of security tools, and doesn’t log your information. A six-connection allowance and risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee sweeten the deal.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

offers free trialTested Dec 2024

Surfshark is a low-cost VPN, but don’t let that put you off. It operates 3,200+ servers in over 100 countries and boasts some of the fastest speeds on the market. Not only that, but it works with just about every streaming service we’ve tested. Surfshark has a seven-day free trial if you install it from the Google Play Store or Apple Store. Its 30-day money-back guarantee, however, is available on all platforms.

So what sets this VPN apart from the rest? Well, to begin with, it has an incredible security toolkit. This includes 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, a stealth mode that works in China, and a rotator feature that changes your IP address periodically. Needless to say, Surfshark follows a zero-logs policy too. With no connection limit and 24/7 customer support, there’s plenty to like.

Surfshark has its own iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux apps. However, you’ll have to sign up on a mobile device or a Mac to take advantage of the free trial.

FAST AND VERSATILE:Surfshark is a real workhorse, suitable for streaming, torrenting, and gaming securely. It even includes a 7-day free trial and a further 30-day guarantee in case you decide to keep using it afterward.

Check out our complete Surfshark review.

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3. ExpressVPN

offers free trialTested Dec 2024

ExpressVPN is a highly-recommended VPN, and it’s not difficult to see why. It’s optimized for speed and incorporates strong encryption parameters guaranteeing anonymity, safety, and a leading privacy policy.

It doesn’t store any user data except for dates (not times) when connected to the service, choice of server, and total bandwidth used. The default encryption protocol is OpenVPN with 256-bit AES-CBC. There’s also a kill switch and protection against leaks.

ExpressVPN works with all kinds of streaming platforms and allows unlimited torrenting. It’s incorporated in the British Virgin Islands – and hence does not need to comply with any mandatory data retention laws. It also accepts Bitcoin as payment and operates a whopping 3,000+ servers spread across 94 countries.

There’s no free trial exactly, but ExpressVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee that gives you full access to all its servers as well as unlimited bandwidth. Your account will be charged when you sign up, but you will get a full refund if you cancel within the 30-day period. Supported platforms are Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

HARD TO BEAT:ExpressVPN is fast and secure. Has a vast global network of servers which makes this a great all-purpose VPN with unlimited data (no download caps) as standard. Great privacy features and keeps no connectivity logs of any kind. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Express VPN here.

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4. CyberGhost

offers free trialTested Dec 2024

CyberGhost has a truly exceptional network, with 9,000+ servers in 90+ countries. It’s fast, too, with makes it a natural choice for anyone looking to securely access services like Netflix or Hulu while traveling abroad. Best of all, this VPN comes with a 1-day free trial, and you don’t even have to provide payment info to get started.

There are all kinds of powerful security features built-in, including 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, an ad-blocker, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. Further, CyberGhost doesn’t keep any logs that could be used to identify you. Having trouble? Customer support is available around the clock via live chat and email.

CyberGhost has apps for Linux, macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android.

FAST AND USER-FRIENDLY:CyberGhost is a strong all-rounder with high speeds, easy to use apps, and plenty of reliable servers. Best of all, it comes with a 1-day free trial and a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our full CyberGhost review.

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5. IPVanish

offers free trialTested Dec 2024

IPVanish is an extremely versatile VPN that has shown a real commitment to improving its service. In recent years, it has optimized its network of 2,000+ servers, added support for popular streaming services, and introduced quality-of-life features like an ad-blocker. Despite all of this, it has remained extremely easy to use and is still one of the very few providers that allows you to connect all of your devices at the same time. Staff are available over live chat, day and night, and in our experience, they tend to reply in seconds.

This service offers a fully-featured free trial if you sign up using the Android or iOS apps. This means you can take advantage of its uncrackable encryption, kill switch, leak protection, and traffic obfuscation features for a week with no risk whatsoever. It’s also important to note that IPVanish follows a true no-logging policy; you don’t have to take the company’s word for this, however, as it’s been independently audited. The latest version of the app even allows you to set up split tunneling, where traffic to certain apps or websites passes through the VPN unencrypted.

IPVanish has apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. There are also step-by-step guides explaining how to install it directly on your home router.

IPVanish speed test data

IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE:IPVanish delivers first-class speeds and provides all of the tools you’ll need to browse the web safely. Annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, plus a seven-day free trial if you sign up via Android or iOS.

Interested? Check out our in-depth IPVanish review.

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6. PrivateVPN

offers free trialTested Dec 2024

PrivateVPN is one of the newer entrants to the VPN world, but that doesn’t mean it lacks the robust security and features we’d expect to secure your internet freedom. PrivateVPN has apps available for most platforms and lets you protect up to ten devices simultaneously, which is ample for sharing with your entire household.

Unlike other providers on our list, PrivateVPN has a smaller server network with just over 200 servers. However, those servers are spread across 63+ locations, so you’ll always find a server nearby. If you’re traveling and want to stream the content as you would at home, PrivateVPN makes it possible by evading geo-restrictions on services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

PrivateVPN doesn’t collect logs and has a useful stealth mode feature that lets you connect in places like China with heavy internet censorship. It’s one of the easiest VPNs we’ve tested and includes a 7-day free trial, followed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

7-DAY FREE TRIAL:PrivateVPN allows 10 simultaneous devices It produces excellent speeds, has excellent security, offers a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarentee

Read our in-depth PrivateVPN review here.

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7. VyprVPN

offers free trialTested Dec 2024

VyprVPN is a sophisticated VPN that’s even able to evade China’s great firewall. The company has a paid option of sophisticated Chameleon™ technology, which leverages OpenVPN 256-bit AES encryption. It also owns all of its global servers – unlike some other VPN services that rent theirs- giving it total control over user data.

VyprVPN doesn’t log any sensitive data or identifying information about its users. It’s headquartered in Switzerland, which makes it very difficult for authorities to get their hands on it via court orders or injunctions.

VyprVPN does offer a 3-day free trial but you’ll have to sign up with a credit card and select one of its monthly/annual packages before you can access the offer. If unsatisfied, you can cancel before the 3-day trial expires, effectively making it free. Supported major platforms are Windows, Mac OS, iOS, Android, and Linux.

GREAT ALL-ROUNDER:VyprVPN is user friendly. Good speeds and uptime, as all servers are owned by VyprVPN. Offers a 3-day free trial plus a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our in-depth VyprVPN review here.

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8. Private Internet Access

offers free trialTested Dec 2024

Private Internet Access has servers in more than 80 countries and is fast enough for uninterrupted streaming, gaming, or torrenting. What’s more, this service lets you protect up to 10 devices at a time. The mobile apps include a seven-day free trial but users on any platform can take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee.

This service is extremely strong on security, with 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a true no-logs policy. It’s just recently added WireGuard support too, which means you don’t have to rely on older, slower protocols. If you need help, just get in touch using the 24/7 live chat service.

PIA apps are available for MacOS, iOS, Windows, Android, and Linux systems. However, you’ll need a mobile device to take advantage of the free trial.

SECURITY-FIRST VPN:Private Internet Access has a wealth of security and privacy tools, plus a generous connection limit. As such, it’s great for any task you have in mind. Comes with a 7-day free trial and a 30-day guarantee.

Read our full review of PIA.

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9. HideMyAss

offers free trialTested Dec 2024

HideMyAss offers a 7-day free trial plan with a catch—you must enter payment information to sign up. If you don’t cancel before the 7-days is up, you get billed. Don’t fret, however. You still get a 30-day money-back guarantee that begins when your real subscription starts, so think of this as a 37-day money-back guarantee.

HideMyAss works with Netflix, allows torrenting, and has a huge global server network. Download speeds are decent, and encryption is strong, but the service does log IP addresses, which might put off some more privacy-conscious users. Live chat support is available around the clock.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

HIDE YOUR ASS:HMA is a veteran VPN provider that offers solid apps and reliable service. Comes with a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full HideMyAss review.

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Methodology: How we test free trial VPNs

Very few VPNs actually offer a free trial, and many of the ones that do aren’t worth using in the first place. To make sure that we only recommend the best of the best, we decided to focus on five key areas where our top VPNs should excel. You’ll find these (and what we expect in each) below:

• Pricing: Obviously, the first step was finding VPNs you can try for free (whether it’s with a traditional free trial or a money-back guarantee). We’ve also looked for any available discounts or deals so that you pay as little as possible if you decide to keep using a service after the trial ends.
• Performance: Nobody wants to deal with slow internet. That’s why our top providers had to perform well in our latest VPN speed tests. Notably, our methods account for consistency of speed too, so there’s no need to worry about inadvertently choosing a sub-par server.
• Security and privacy: Most people use VPNs to improve their online privacy, which is why we require providers to use 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against IPv6 and DNS leaks. A no-logs policy is another must-have, and we strongly prefer VPNs with even more security tools included.
• Versatility: The most versatile VPNs are quick enough for torrenting, gaming, and video calling. Not only that, they’ll have servers in lots of different countries and be able to securely access platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max.
• Ease of use: The best VPNs are the ones anyone can use. We like to see strong multi-platform support, 24/7 live chat, and clearly labeled servers, as well as neatly organized settings menus. Really, anything that lowers the barrier to entry is greatly appreciated.

This is just a brief overview of our testing process. For all of the details, check out our in-depth methodology post.

What about free VPNs?

There are some VPNs online that you can access without signing up via a credit card. They’re not hard to find and, theoretically, seem free to use. However, our recommendation is to avoid such providers simply because they offer a sub-par and often unsafe service.

Free VPNs have high numbers of users and little choice of servers, and things like download speed and stability of connection are far from guaranteed. Plus, they will often bombard you with invasive advertising and even insert tracking cookies to mine your browsing data. Also, by using these free VPN services, you run a serious risk of contracting a malware infection.

So, to avoid unsafe practices as well as a cluttered and troublesome browsing experience, we recommend avoiding free VPNs and opting instead for a free trial of a reputable provider.

What happened to NordVPN’s free trial?

NordVPN no longer offers a free trial of its service as of 2019, but you can sign up and take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee.

NordVPN says it withdrew its free trial offer due to abuse. Many reputable VPNs have gone the same route, replacing their free trials with money-back guarantees. This prevents criminals from signing up without payment information and using the VPN service to anonymously spread malware, spam, and phishing emails.

Why should you use a VPN?

The internet was designed to be a project with the aim of breaking down barriers to information and bringing the world closer together by greatly enhancing connectivity. Unfortunately, such utopian ideals are increasingly threatened by a tilt towards censorship and the blitz against net neutrality.

Using a VPN mitigates these risks to a considerable degree. When you use a VPN, your private data is no longer available for sale to the highest bidder – a trait that’s helping search engines and social networks earn billions in advertising revenue – and neither is it possible for government agencies or hackers to snoop on what you do online.

And it’s clear netizens are catching on. Usage rates for VPNs are surging across the world – with estimates suggesting that 16 percent of US adults now use the software to browse the web. Adoption rates are even higher in other parts of the globe: 41 percent of internet users in Indonesia use VPN software, along with 39 percent in Thailand and 36 percent in Turkey.

Trends indicate that government restrictions on content and access to social media platforms don’t necessarily discourage users from logging on. Such people simply turn to VPNs so they can continue to enjoy a holistic experience. Troubling revelations from Edward Snowden and Wikileaks have brought the issues of online privacy and security into the mainstream – with users slowly starting to understand that the fundamental freedom of the internet is well and truly under threat.

Free Trial VPNs: FAQs