Discovering the perfect Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be crucial for safeguarding your online presence and shielding your personal information from prying eyes. However, the cost of VPN services can be a concern. Luckily, there’s a solution – VPN free trials that allow you to explore and assess the service before making a commitment.
Nonetheless, it’s essential to note that many top-tier VPN providers don’t offer conventional free trials; instead, they provide a money-back guarantee. While this might entail an initial payment, my experience has shown that the refund process is seamless. In fact, if you seek one of the most highly acclaimed VPN services available, this is the path worth considering.
To provide you with comprehensive insights, I’ve meticulously tested various contenders based on their speed, ability to bypass restrictions, security features, value for money, and, of course, the availability of free trials.
In this blog post, I reveal the VPNs that offer risk-free trials, allowing you to sample their services worry-free before making a commitment.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a top-rated VPN service that offers comprehensive security and privacy features. While it doesn’t provide a traditional free trial, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to try the service risk-free. The VPN is known for its excellent support, user-friendly interface, and wide compatibility across various devices and platforms.
The service boasts strong unblocking capabilities, effortlessly allowing access to popular streaming platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more. Though not as fast as some competitors, it still delivers speeds of up to 560Mbps, making it suitable for most internet activities. With servers in 160 locations worldwide, including 26 in the Asia-Pacific region, users can enjoy a buffer-free experience regardless of their location.
ExpressVPN prioritizes user privacy by operating on RAM-only servers that erase data after each boot, ensuring no user information is stored. The service also employs a proprietary Lightway protocol to enhance speed and connectivity. While it allows up to 8 simultaneous connections, other providers offer unlimited connections for users with more devices.
Features
- Compatibility: ExpressVPN supports various platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, routers, and more.
- Simultaneous Connections: Users can connect up to 5 devices simultaneously.
- Streaming Support: The VPN unblocks popular streaming sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and more.
- Server Network: ExpressVPN boasts a wide server network with 160 locations, including 26 in the Asia-Pacific region, ensuring reliable connections.
- Security: The service prioritizes privacy and security with a strict no-logs policy and RAM-only servers that erase data after each boot.
- Proprietary Protocol: ExpressVPN uses the Lightway protocol for better speeds and reliable connectivity.
- Customer Support: The VPN offers 24/7 customer support with helpful guides for users.
Pricing
ExpressVPN’s pricing varies based on the subscription length: $6.67/month for 12 months, $9.99/month for 6 months, and $12.95/month for a monthly plan.
Pros
- Full-fledged trial functionality with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Unblocks multiple streaming platforms, making it great for entertainment.
- Excellent security and privacy features, including a no-logs policy.
- Easy-to-use VPN with beginner-friendly apps and friendly 24/7 customer support.
Cons
- The service is relatively more expensive than some budget VPN alternatives.
- Users seeking a VPN for Linux devices may miss a graphical user interface (GUI).
ExpressVPN is the top-rated VPN despite not having a traditional free trial. The 30-day money-back guarantee allows users to test its excellent security, streaming capabilities, and reliable performance risk-free. While it might be pricier, the quality of service, user-friendly experience, and top-notch customer support make ExpressVPN a worthwhile investment.
Surfshark
Surfshark is a cheap and fast VPN service that offers a seven-day free trial for mobile users and a 30-day money-back guarantee for all users. It has unlimited simultaneous connections, servers in over 100 countries, and a no-logs policy. It can also unblock popular streaming sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney Plus.
However, Surfshark has some drawbacks, such as an unreliable kill switch and a mediocre performance for torrenting. It also requires users to sign up on their mobile devices to activate the free trial, which may be inconvenient for some. Surfshark is not the best VPN for every purpose, but it is a great value option for casual users.
Surfshark is a bargain VPN that delivers a lot of features and functionality for a low price. It is easy to use, fast, and effective for streaming and browsing. However, it may not be suitable for users who need a more robust and secure VPN service. Surfshark is worth trying out with its free trial and money-back guarantee.
Features
- Speed: Surfshark is one of the fastest VPNs on the market. In my tests, I was able to get download speeds of up to 950 Mbps.
- Unblocking: Surfshark can unblock almost any streaming platform, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney Plus.
- Security: Surfshark uses strong encryption and a no-logs policy to protect your privacy.
- Other features: Surfshark also offers a number of other features, such as unlimited simultaneous connections and a 24/7 customer support.
Pricing
Surfshark offers a number of different pricing plans. The monthly plan is $12.95, but you can save money by subscribing to a longer plan. For example, the 24-month plan is only $2.30 per month.
Pros
- Fast speeds
- Can unblock streaming platforms
- Strong security
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Kill switch can be unreliable
- Library of help articles can be hard to navigate
Surfshark is a great value for money VPN service. It is fast, secure, and can unblock streaming platforms. If you are looking for a VPN, I highly recommend Surfshark.
PrivadoVPN
PrivadoVPN is a new and free VPN service that offers a lot of features and benefits for its users. It has a free version that gives 10 GB of data per month, access to servers in 10 countries, and the ability to unblock some streaming sites like Netflix and BBC iPlayer. It also has a paid version that offers more servers, faster speeds, and 10 simultaneous connections.
However, PrivadoVPN also has some drawbacks, such as a limited number of servers, a lack of independent audit, and an average interface. It may not be the best VPN for users who need more security, reliability, and customization. It also does not offer unlimited data on its free version, unlike some of its competitors.
PrivadoVPN is a great choice for users who want a free VPN that is secure, easy to use, and capable of streaming. It offers more functionality than most free VPNs and has a low price when upgraded. However, it may not suit users who need a more advanced and verified VPN service. PrivadoVPN is worth trying out with its free version and 30-day money-back guarantee.
Features
- Free version with 10GB of data per month
- 10 simultaneous connections
- 395 servers in 48 countries
- AES-256 encryption
- OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols
- Kill switch
- Split tunneling
- Ad blocker
- DNS leak protection
- No logs policy
Pricing
- Free plan with 10GB of data per month
- 1-month plan: $9.99/month
- 6-month plan: $4.99/month
- 12-month plan: $2.99/month
- 24-month plan: $1.99/month
Pros
- Excellent free version
- Free version unblocks some streaming sites
- Great value when you upgrade
- Affordable pricing
- Secure and easy to use
- Good unblocking capabilities
Cons
- Limited server network
- No independent audit
- Apps aren’t as polished as some rivals
PrivadoVPN is a great option for those looking for a secure and affordable VPN. The free version is excellent, and the paid plans offer great value for money. If you’re looking for a VPN with a large server network or an independent audit, PrivadoVPN may not be the best choice for you. However, if you’re looking for a reliable and secure VPN at a good price, PrivadoVPN is a great option.
NordVPN
NordVPN is a well-known and reliable VPN service that offers a seven-day free trial for Android users and a 30-day money-back guarantee for all users. It has over 5,000 servers in 60 countries and can unblock any streaming platform, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. It also has a strong security suite with antivirus, encryption, and kill switch.
NordVPN also has some drawbacks, such as a limited number of simultaneous connections, a less intuitive mobile app, and a complicated refund process for Apple users. It may not be the best VPN for users who need more flexibility, customization, or global coverage. It also does not offer a free trial for desktop or iOS users, unlike some of its competitors.
NordVPN is a great choice for users who want a fast, secure, and easy-to-use VPN that excels at streaming and privacy. It offers a lot of features and benefits for a reasonable price. However, it may not suit users who need more connections, more servers, or more convenience. NordVPN is worth trying out with its free trial and money-back guarantee.
Features
NordVPN offers a number of features that make it a great choice for VPN users. These features include:
- Excellent speeds: NordVPN is one of the fastest VPN services available, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, and other activities that require high-speed internet.
- Strong security: NordVPN uses strong encryption and a no-logs policy to keep your data safe and secure.
- Ability to unblock streaming platforms: NordVPN can unblock streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
- Free trial: NordVPN offers a 7-day free trial, which is a great way to try the service before you buy.
Pricing
NordVPN offers a variety of pricing plans, starting at $3.49 per month. The longer the plan you choose, the lower the monthly price.
Pros
- Excellent speeds
- Strong security
- Ability to unblock streaming platforms
- Free trial
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Mobile apps can be awkward
- Limited simultaneous connections
- Not as cheap as some other options
NordVPN is an excellent VPN service that offers a wide range of features at a reasonable price. If you’re looking for a VPN that’s fast, secure, and easy to use, NordVPN is a great option.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is a Swiss-based VPN service that offers a free plan with unlimited bandwidth and access to over a hundred servers in three countries. The provider has a reputation for strong privacy features, including an independently audited no-logs policy, making it a reliable and trustworthy choice. Its paid plans allow for up to 10 simultaneous connections, making it suitable for individuals and families.
The free plan serves as a good starting point for testing the service, but it has some limitations compared to the paid plans. The 2-year plan is priced at $4.99 per month and offers additional features like access to Secure Core servers and excellent streaming performance. However, Proton VPN is relatively more expensive than some other competitors in the market.
In terms of security, Proton VPN excels with its Swiss jurisdiction and unique NetShield feature, which protects users from malware. While its server speeds are decent, the VPN Accelerator technology aims to improve the experience. The design of the app is clean and intuitive, and customer support is available, though the response time might not be the fastest.
Features
Proton VPN offers a number of features that make it a good choice for security and privacy-minded users. These features include:
- A strict no-logs policy: Proton VPN does not log any of your online activity, including your IP address, browsing history, or DNS queries.
- Open-source software: Proton VPN’s apps are open-source, which means that anyone can inspect the code to ensure that it is not tracking or logging your data.
- Independent audits: Proton VPN has been independently audited by a third party to verify its security and privacy practices.
- Secure Core servers: Proton VPN’s Secure Core servers are located in privacy-friendly countries, such as Switzerland and Iceland. These servers provide an extra layer of security by encrypting your traffic twice.
- Streaming support: Proton VPN can unblock a wide range of streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
Pricing
Proton VPN offers three pricing plans:
- Free plan: The free plan gives you access to 100+ servers in three countries, unlimited bandwidth, and no ads.
- Basic plan: The Basic plan costs $4.99 per month and gives you access to all of Proton VPN’s features, including Secure Core servers, streaming support, and 10 simultaneous connections.
- Plus plan: The Plus plan costs $8.99 per month and includes everything in the Basic plan, plus access to Proton Mail’s encrypted email service.
Pros
- Excellent security and privacy features: Proton VPN is a good choice for users who are concerned about their online privacy.
- Good streaming support: Proton VPN can unblock a wide range of streaming services.
- Free plan: Proton VPN offers a free plan that is perfect for testing the waters.
Cons
- Price: Proton VPN is on the more expensive side of VPN providers.
- Some features are only available on paid plans: Some of Proton VPN’s most advanced features, such as Secure Core servers and streaming support, are only available on paid plans.
- Apps can be complex: Proton VPN’s apps can be a bit complex to use, especially for first-time users.
Proton VPN is a good choice for users who are looking for a secure and private VPN with good streaming support. The free plan is a great way to test the waters, and the paid plans offer a good value for the price. However, Proton VPN is on the more expensive side of VPN providers, and some features are only available on paid plans.
What is a VPN free trial?
A VPN free trial is an offer from a VPN provider that lets you use its software without paying anything for a limited time. This way, you can see if the VPN suits your needs and preferences before you commit to a subscription.
There are different types of VPN free trials available. Some VPNs give you a ‘money-back guarantee’, which means you can pay for the service and then ask for a refund within a certain period, usually 30 days. This is a very common and fair practice among VPN providers.
Other VPNs offer a true free trial, which means you can use the full features of the VPN for free for a short time, usually seven days or less. This is a great option if you want to test the VPN quickly, but it may not be enough time to explore everything the VPN can do.
Lastly, some VPNs have a ‘free version’, which means you can use the VPN for free forever, but with some limitations. For example, the free version may have fewer servers, lower speeds, less security, or data caps. This is a good way to try the basic functions of the VPN, but it may not give you the best experience possible.
Why do VPN providers have free trials?
VPN providers have free trials for two main reasons: to help you make an informed decision about their service, and to get you familiar with their features and benefits.
VPN providers know that choosing a VPN can be difficult, especially with so many options available. That’s why they want to give you a chance to try their service for yourself and see if it meets your expectations and needs. They also want to show you how easy and convenient it is to use their apps and access their servers.
Of course, VPN providers also hope that you will like their service enough to become a paying customer. However, they also respect your right to cancel your subscription or request a refund if you are not satisfied. That’s why they offer money-back guarantees that are easy and fair to use.
How do I get my money back from a 30-day VPN free trial? If you have paid for a VPN that offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, and you want to cancel your subscription and get your money back, you can do so by contacting the VPN provider.
The process may vary depending on the provider, but usually you can find their contact information on their website or in their app. You can also use their 24/7 customer support chat or email to ask for help.
You may be asked why you want to cancel your subscription, but you don’t have to give any specific reason. As long as you are within the 30-day time-frame, you are entitled to get your money back without any hassle.
The refund should be processed quickly and automatically, and you should receive your money back in your original payment method.
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