![Best Vpn With Free Trials](https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/08/Best-VPN-with-free-trials.jpg)
It’s so infuriating when you can’t get a VPN free trial before deciding on a purchase. Imagine going to a car dealership only to be confronted when you want to test a vehicle before buying it. Such a slog. Unfortunately, some providers are notorious for their anti-free-trial or anti-refund-policy business practices, both of which are silly.
We’re all for a test ride and prefer testing the grounds before walking them. Well, the good news is that you can use some of the best VPNs around and test them risk-free for up to thirty days. This can be done by signing up for a proper free trial VPN.
In this guide, we’ll cover outstanding VPN providers, see what free trial deals they offer, and discuss what makes them our favorite picks. We’ll also review their money-back guarantees and find out how you can use them as a form of a free trial. Keep reading.
VPN Free Trial Offers Ranked
Okay, so if you’re hungry, need to pee, or simply in a kind of rush, you’ll want to know what are the best VPNs that offer free trials. No worries, friend. Here are the best offers in 2024 ranked in the table for your convenience:
Free Trial Length | Money-Back Guarantee | Free Trial Available on |
Credit Card Info | |
NordVPN | 7 Days | 30 Days | Android | Yes |
ExpressVPN | 7 Days | 30 Days | Android, iOS, macOS | Yes |
PIA | 7 Days | 30 Days | iOS, Android | Yes |
Proton VPN | Free Plan | 30 Days | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | No |
Surfshark | 7 Days | 30 Days | Android, iOS, macOS | Yes |
CyberGhost | Up to 7 Days | Up to 45 Days | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | No |
Best VPN Free Trials in 2024: 6 Providers to Try Risk-Free
This list isn’t about amazing VPN free trials only. We cherry-picked the providers that performed the best in our tests and took their risk-free offers that you can try right away. Let’s see why they’re so popular and why you should give them a go.
1. NordVPN
![Nordvpn Free Trial Offer](https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/04/NordVPN-Free-Trial-Offer.jpg)
Pros
- Affordable subscription plans
- Over 6,400 worldwide servers
- Double VPN adds another encryption layer
- Obfuscation to avoid censorship
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Audited no-logs policy
Cons
- You need an Android device to sign up for a free trial
- Credit card information is required
The list is kicked off by NordVPN as the best free trial VPN deal you can get. Above all, this is our favorite provider that excels in every category, from speed to security and privacy.
NordVPN’s deal is simple. You can obtain its 7-day free trial if you sign up on your Android phone or tablet. Does this mean you can use the VPN only on Android? No!
Once you sign up for a trial, you can use it on ALL other devices and connect up to 10 of them simultaneously! NordVPN lets you access its premium features and enjoy unlimited bandwidth for streaming, torrenting, gaming, or browsing the internet indefinitely.
If you decide to pay for it, there’s another great benefit – a 30-day money-back guarantee. This is the refund period that you can use to be reimbursed and still not lose a penny. NordVPN comes with over 6,400 servers, the fastest speeds, and a credible no-log policy.
This provider’s Double VPN servers are famous for top-tier security, while its obfuscation allows it to be used in China. Threat Protection is enjoyed by many for its prowess in removing malware, ads, and trackers, ensuring a clean and enjoyable internet experience on all devices.
If that’s not enough, your NordVPN free trial gets you hundreds of P2P servers for unlimited torrenting. Even better, NordVPN includes Meshnet to aid file sharing and remote access to up to sixty other devices. This is an all-around VPN that doesn’t skimp on any features.
You can use it even on Firestick, routers, gaming consoles, or any other internet-capable device. If you decide to use it in the long run, which is smart, you’ll find its 2-year plan with a 70% price reduction attractive. It makes NordVPN cost just over $3 a month.
2. ExpressVPN
![Expressvpn Free Trial](https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/04/ExpressVPN-Free-Trial.jpg)
Pros
- Free trial + money-back guarantee for all plans
- Advanced Protection blocks ads and trackers
- Network Lock (kill switch)
- Smart DNS (MediaStreamer) support
- Great for bypassing geo-restrictions
- Dozens of third-party security audits
Cons
- Not the cheapest premium plans
- It doesn’t offer a free plan
So, ExpressVPN is known for its slightly higher prices but that’s why you have this VPN free trial. It’s even simpler in this case. Again, you’re getting a 7-day trial if you register not only on Android but iOS as well. iPhone VPN users can effortlessly obtain a trial and enjoy.
If they don’t want to cancel it, ExpressVPN will charge them but there’s an insurance – a 30-day money-back guarantee. That’s right, you can again enjoy this premium provider and be refunded in a month. ExpressVPN is similar in terms of security, performance, and privacy.
The provider uses RAM servers and Private DNS, keeping all your sensitive data shrouded. With over 18 third-party audits, it’s not strange that millions trust it. ExpressVPN covers all devices with its native, good-looking apps capable of great things. Streaming is one of them.
Our tests have shown its ability to unblock Netflix and sports-streaming channels. For instance, it’s often a choice to watch F1 races online. In addition, ExpressVPN’s inclusion of the Network Lock (its kill switch) is handy to keep IP leaks at bay and works like a charm.
The Lightway protocol boosts the performance and ensures much-needed connection stability. As one of the best VPN free trials in 2024, ExpressVPN offers advanced tools such as Advanced Protection for tracker removal and Parental Control for blocking porn sites.
ExpressVPN’s pricing model isn’t the definition of flexibility. If you’re thinking about the premium route, NordVPN’s price is much more approachable. But if you really like this free VPN trial, consider its annual plan with a 49% discount thanks to 3 free months.
3. Private Internet Access
![Pia Vpn Free Trial](https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/04/PIA-VPN-Free-Trial.jpg)
Pros
- 256-bit GCM encryption
- Dedicated IP addresses
- MultiHop connection support
- No-logging policy proven in court
- WireGuard VPN protocol
Cons
- It could be a bit faster
- Not impressive to unblock Netflix catalogs
PIA is already very affordable at $2 or so a month, making this VPN-free trial even greater. You can obtain this provider’s 7-day by registering on iOS or Android the same way you did with ExpressVPN. A 30-day refund policy is there too, allowing for reimbursements down the line if you want to use it for longer than 7 days.
Private Internet Access has a wealth of features you’ll like to explore. One of them is MultiHop paired with Shadowsocks which adds obfuscation. These two provide ample security, along with 256-bit GCM encryption that works in the background, keeping things private.
Many users love PIA for offering servers in all 51 American states. This makes it ideal to watch Netflix US and access ample American content anywhere. On top of that, the provider’s performance is decent, and while certainly not groundbreaking, its speeds will surely scratch your itch.
This provider is no stranger to privacy, as it’s one of the safest VPNs whose no-log policy has been verified in court plenty of times. We found its PIA MACE feature to work well as an anti-tracker tool and the VPN packs reliable protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN.
Private Internet Access has a few optional extras we like. For example, you can get an antivirus for just $1 a month – cheaper than your breakfast. Then, there’s a selection of dedicated IP addresses to aid in bypassing the captcha and preventing IP blacklisting.
Private Internet Access is an amazing VPN free trial offer thanks to unlimited concurrent connections. This goes ideally with its apps for all devices, 24/7 live chat support, and stellar streaming abilities for Netflix and BBC iPlayer. Asking for more would be ungrateful.
4. Proton VPN
![Proton Vpn Free](https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/07/Proton-VPN-Free.jpg)
Pros
- Unlimited torrenting
- It offers a free plan with unlimited bandwidth
- IPv6 and DNS leak protection
- Secure Core servers
- Split Tunneling
Cons
- Stealth VPN on macOS only
- Expensive overall
- No Smart DNS
Proton VPN built its reputation brick by brick as the most reliable European VPN. Based in Swiss, Proton VPN governs a robust server fleet and Secure Core servers that represent the peak of VPN technology. But what about its free trial? It doesn’t have one – there’s something better instead. A free plan.
Yes, users can sign up for a free plan and enjoy unlimited bandwidth, a couple of server locations, and rock-solid security. This is far from its premium plan but still a nice way to test the service before buying it. Best of all, it doesn’t require payment information.
Proton VPN’s premium plan is far ahead and luckily, has a 30-day refund policy if you’re getting it. The provider’s security is characterized by WireGuard, IPv6 leak protection, and RAM-based servers in about 100 countries. Proton VPN doesn’t keep logs either.
Its minimal logging practices pushed it far above its competitors and among the top options for overall privacy. Proton VPN’s apps span all systems, with 10 simultaneous connections. Its apps are also optimized for P2P, streaming, and Tor connections for dark web access.
The lack of a free trial doesn’t hurt the experience you’ll get. After all, Proton’s intelligently crafted apps include everything you need. From split tunneling and kill switch to Stealth VPN on macOS and VPN Accelerator to give the performance a slight push to the back.
Despite not having a proper free trial, Proton VPN’s 30-day refund policy is great if you want a glimpse of its premium features. Keep in mind its slightly higher price even for long-term plans that many users refuse to pay. Well, you can be the exception.
5. Surfshark
![Surfshark Free Trial](https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/07/Surfshark-Free-Trial.jpg)
Pros
- Unlimited concurrent connections
- IP Rotation feature
- Reliable Netflix unblocking
- NoBorders helps to avoid censorship in China
Cons
- No discounts on its monthly plans
- Based in the Netherlands (a 9 Eyes country)
- The cheapest plan lacks antivirus
Surfshark offers a phenomenal free trial deal that you’ll surely want to test. This already affordable provider has 7 days for testing that can be claimed on iOS, Android, and macOS devices. Of course, you get your 30-day money-back guarantee if you decide to pay afterward.
We love this provider because of its overall excellent security, strong privacy, and versatility. For instance, it’s very effective at unblocking Netflix catalogs, which is why many use it for streaming. Another benefit is speed, which is drastically improved with the inclusion of WireGuard.
This provider isn’t a slouch in terms of features. In particular, its MultiHop support is a selling point but you can also enjoy IP Rotation, a kill switch, a CleanWeb ad blocker, and NoBorders to successfully overcome censorship in China. Now, this provider is stationed in the Netherlands, which is disliked by many.
The good news is that it’s still a revered no-log service. Surfshark showcased impressive privacy in our test, as it’s also audited multiple times by big security firms. This free trial VPN offers unlimited concurrent connections and can be installed on any device – you name it.
Its One+ plan includes bonuses like an antivirus and even Search – an incognito browser for anonymous online adventures. It’s worth noting that it’s a tad slower than NordVPN and its kill switch had some issues in the past. Thankfully, that’s rectified in 2024.
Besides, it’s one of the most useful providers because of its many features. We haven’t mentioned dedicated/static IPs, Smart DNS, a dark web monitor, and many others. Get a free trial on this VPN, test it, and see if you like it. We’re confident you will.
6. CyberGhost
![Cyberghost Free](https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/07/CyberGhost-Free.jpg)
Pros
- 24-hour free trial on Windows/Mac (no credit card)
- The 45-day refund policy is longer than average
- Dedicated servers for streaming and torrenting
- Decent performance when using WireGuard
Cons
- OpenVPN speeds can be underwhelming
- Only 7 simultaneous connections
- It doesn’t offer VPN connection masking (obfuscation)
CyberGhost has the best free trial VPN offers you’ll find on this list. It’s not necessarily the most impressive provider but its incentives are far too attractive to reject. Here’s the deal. You can get a 24-hour VPN free trial without a credit card on your Windows or Mac computer.
Simply download the app, sign up for free, and use it for a day. Other than that, there’s a 3-day Android trial plus a 7-day iOS trial. What’s more, CyberGhost also has the longest money-back guarantee of 45 days, which gives you ample time to test it thoroughly.
This provider does many things right, including dedicated torrenting and streaming servers, amazing performance with WireGuard, and unlimited bandwidth. Our experience with this service has always been great, especially when we wanted added security and privacy.
CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers are great for this because they’re owned by this company. Let’s also mention its IPv6 leak protection and RAM-exclusive servers, both of which are the building blocks of your privacy. We can add its no-log policy to that as well.
CyberGhost holds nothing back when it comes to other non-VPN-related options. Like PIA, it has this antivirus offer for $1 a month but with the addition of Security Updater, which updates all your computer’s apps and keeps vulnerabilities at bay. A neat little addition.
We found this provider slightly underwhelming because it lacks obfuscation and protects only 7 devices simultaneously, hence its place. However, as a free VPN trial offer, it’s hard to beat CyberGhost in the number of amazing incentives available for all platforms.
Money-Back Guarantee vs VPN Free Trial: Which to Use?
In this guide, we cycled back and forth between these terms; free trial & money-back guarantee. The first one is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a trial period that allows you to test the service WITHOUT paying. However, a VPN free trial doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t need to provide a credit card. It only means you won’t be charged right away.
Then, we have the money-back guarantee. It’s important to differentiate this and a refund policy. The latter comes with specific conditions that must be fulfilled to be reimbursed. A money-back guarantee is by definition something non-conditional. If you end up disliking the service you’ve got, you’re GUARANTEED to get your money back!
It’s good to know that all 6 VPN with free trials also have real money-back guarantees, so they’ll refund you in 30 or 45 days depending on the selected service. For a money-back guarantee, you have to pay first and subscribe to the service before you can be refunded – logical.
However, it has the advantage of being longer. While free trial VPN offers don’t go over 7 days, a money-back guarantee is from 30 to 45 days. We can’t tell you which is better because it will depend on your preferences. Our opinion is that a money-back guarantee is better because you can use the VPN for longer but have to pay initially.
In the end, both have equal outcomes – you’re not losing money.
How to Get a VPN Free Trial Without a Credit Card?
There are a few VPN providers that offer a free trial without requiring payment info, but we found most to be subpar. Our list consists exclusively of top-rated services that you can trust, although almost none of them allow for a trial without at least some payment info.
CyberGhost is an exception and it lets you test the VPN on Mac and Windows for 24 hours just by registering and downloading the app. We can, in a way, put Proton VPN here. It doesn’t have a free trial but rather a free plan that requires nothing more than an email.
We think that providing payment information for a trial shouldn’t pose a problem if you’re canceling it. Many people forget to do that and get charged but again, that can be solved if you request a refund in 30 days. If you’re all about privacy and don’t want to provide this information, we get it.
The only remaining solution is to use cryptocurrencies. Bear in mind this leaves you with a money-back guarantee option because all free trial VPNs require either your credit card or PayPal during the registration process on your iOS or Android phone.
Is a VPN Free Trial Better Than a Free VPN?
Yes, we honestly think it is. Free providers have one glaring advantage and that’s the option to use them forever without paying. Proton VPN is one such provider whose free plan is unlimited and requires no money. However, it also has many disadvantages.
Such a provider blocks P2P traffic, it’s poor for streaming and is pretty slow. Bear in mind that Proton VPN is likely the best overall non-paid option.
If we take other free providers, such as:
- TunnelBear
- Betternet
- Hola VPN
- Hotspot Shield
- Hide.me
- Windscribe
- PrivadoVPN, and more…
You’ll notice a few persistent problems. First, most are bandwidth-limited, so you’re getting from 2 GB to 10 GB monthly. Second, neither can unblock Netflix. Third, at least half of them store logs – we’re looking primarily at you Hola! These providers have all kinds of issues.
We don’t say you won’t like some of them but you surely won’t be as satisfied as you would if you were using some of the best free trials on VPNs. After all, these are premium providers with no limits, zero logging, full streaming/P2P support, and other notable advantages.
The only downside is that your free trial period is limited to a maximum of 45 days. But the experience you’ll get is vastly different with paid providers; in a good way, of course. If you still prefer free providers, you can pick some of the best from our list but don’t expect much.
Are There Any 30-day Free Trial VPNs?
Unfortunately, it’s hard to find a provider with a free trial that lasts for 30 days. All providers with excellent reputations on our list are capped at 7 days and very few providers offer more than that. You can always use a money-back guarantee if you want 30 days of risk-free use.
But as explained, a money-back guarantee works differently and you’ll have to pay before you can get a refund in a month or so. You can try to combine the offers from our list. For example, use NordVPN for free for 7 days. After that’s over, move to ExpressVPN and so on.
Enjoy NordVPN’s 30-day Free Trial
If you combine all of the best-rated VPN free trials, you can get up to 42 days of risk-free use. That’s the only way to get 30 or more days of use without spending a dollar.
How to Cancel My VPN Free Trial?
There are a few ways to do it but by far the simplest is to go to your account and disable automatic renewal. This will ensure that when the trial ends, the VPN subscription terminates and you’re not charged. Another method is to contact the service directly.
All of them have live chat support, so it’s easy to visit the site and ask the support team to end your VPN free trial and not charge you again. If you’ve paid after the trial and want a refund, the process is the same. Contact the support and request your money back.
One thing to note is that if you’ve bought the VPN through a third-party site (Google Play, Amazon, Apple App Store, …), you’ll likely have to get a refund through that platform.
Summary
To digress, the best free trial VPNs of 2024 are NordVPN, ExpressVPN, PIA, Proton VPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost. We suggest using NordVPN for the best overall experience, with ExpressVPN being a close second in terms of overall reliability and performance.
PIA is very affordable, so it even makes sense to buy it after the trial period if you can spend over $2 a month. We then have Proton VPN whose forever-free plan is attractive and serves as an introduction to the service before and if you decide to buy it. What about Surfshark?
Another splendid option with unlimited connections and top-notch streaming prowess! Finally, we have CyberGhost with the most impressive VPN free trials and a 45-day money-back guarantee. We hope this list was helpful enough and that your decision is set in stone at this point.
Don’t wait – get a VPN and enhance your internet experience, if only for 7 or 30 days.