| Best VPNs with a Free Trial: | |
| 1 | NordVPN (with 72% off coupon) |
| 2 | Surfshark |
| 3 | VyprVPN |
| 4 | TrustZone |
| 5 | ExpressVPN |
What better way to test out a VPN service risk-free than with a free trial VPN? In this guide we are going to examine the best free trial VPN services, as well as a few VPNs to avoid.
Many people are looking for a free trial VPN in order to test the service without any risk and see if it meets their unique needs. Using a VPN with a risk-free trial is a great option, especially if you plan to cycle through different VPNs before finding the best fit for your needs.
In this report we’ll examine two different types of VPN trials:
- 30 day risk-free trial VPNs – This gives you a full 30 day risk-free trial window to test out the service, but requires up-front payment. This may be the best option because it gives you a full month to test everything out. And if you aren’t completely satisfied, simply cancel for a 100% refund.
- Completely Free trial VPNs – These are usually limited to a short time window or limited bandwidth. This really limits your ability to test out the service and comes with more risk.
Whether you decide to go with one of the short-term free trial VPN services or a risk-free 30-day trial VPN, both options will allow you to test the VPN without any risk.
So without further delay, let’s examine the best free trial VPN options for you to consider.
Here are the best free trial VPN services:
1. NordVPN: Best VPN with a free trial (30 days)
| VPN | NordVPN |
| Based in | Panama |
| Logs | No logs (audited) |
| Price | $3.30/mo. |
| Support | 24/7 live chat |
| Refund | 30 days |
| Website | NordVPN.com |
NordVPN is a Panama-based, no logs VPN service offering a 30 day risk-free trial with all of their VPN subscriptions. It is a fully-featured VPN service with excellent performance, strong security, and a very reasonable price.
In terms of privacy and security, NordVPN is on the cutting edge. All VPN apps include built-in leak protection features (kill switch) to secure traffic. In addition to OpenVPN and IKEv2, NordVPN also supports the WireGuard VPN protocol through NordLynx. WireGuard delivers the latest in security and encryption, along with blazing fast speeds. Below I was able to hit speeds of 445 Mbps when testing out NordVPN with the WireGuard protocol:
Aside from WireGuard, NordVPN has some other great security and privacy features to consider:
- CyberSec feature to block ads, trackers, malware, and phishing domains
- Double-VPN servers that encrypt traffic across two different locations
- Tor-over-VPN servers that encrypt traffic with the Tor network, in addition to the VPN server
- Obfuscated servers to get around VPN blocking (important if you are using a VPN in China or other restricted countries)
NordVPN also boasts a large network of over 5,200 servers spread across 60 countries. With NordVPN’s network, all servers run in RAM-disk mode without hard drives. This means no data can ever be stored (or taken) from a VPN server. With secure and fast servers, NordVPN beats other leading VPNs with performance, as you can see in the ExpressVPN vs NordVPN speed comparison.
NordVPN is also a great service if you need a safe VPN for torrenting with secure and reliable connections. They offer 24/7 live chat support and a large knowledge base of guides and tutorial videos. Additionally, it is also a great VPN for streaming, with support for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, and more.
Audited: Like ExpressVPN, NordVPN is also a verified no logs VPN service. It passed two different audits by PWC AG that confirmed NordVPN is a true no-logs service. Additionally, NordVPN has passed a security audit by Versprite, which includes ongoing penetration testing and server audits.
With the 30 day risk-free trial, you will have plenty of time to test out NordVPN on all your devices to see if it’s a good fit.
+ Pros
- User-friendly and reliable apps for all operating systems and devices
- Double-VPN and Tor-over-VPN servers
- No logs (audited twice)
- Strongest encryption standards with full support for WireGuard
- Works with Netflix and many other streaming services
- CyberSec feature to block ads, trackers, and malware domains
- 24/7 live chat support
- Split tunneling on desktop and mobile apps
- Dedicated RAM-servers with 10 Gbps bandwidth channels
– Cons
- Big discounts only available with long-term subscriptions
NordVPN 72% off coupon + 30 day trial here >>
Check out our NordVPN review for more info.
2. Surfshark: Low-cost VPN with 30 day trial
| VPN | Surfshark |
| Based in | British Virgin Islands |
| Logs | No logs |
| Price | $2.49/mo. |
| Support | 24/7 live chat |
| Refund | 30 days |
| Website | Surfshark.com |
Surfshark is one of the best VPNs in the low-cost category at only $2.49 per month. That makes it the cheapest VPN with a trial in this guide. Despite the lower price, Surfshark has a lot to offer and is quickly growing in popularity.
First, Surfshark has many privacy and security features. Like NordVPN, Surfshark has a feature to block ads, trackers, and malware domains — they call this the CleanWeb feature. It also offers double-VPN servers for many locations around the world, as well as browser extensions.
If you want to stream media, Surfshark is a great choice. It supports numerous Netflix regions around the world and is also a good VPN to unblock Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and many other streaming services. It’s easy to connect any popular device to the Surfshark network. It even has a dedicated app if you need a VPN for Firestick (available in the Amazon App Store).
Below is the Surfshark Windows VPN app we tested. You can see it is clean, simple, and user-friendly. We also rate it as one of the top VPNs for PC systems.
If you want a VPN with a large server network, Surfshark fits the bill. They offer 3,200+ servers in 65 countries. And like NordVPN, Surfshark has also incorporated the WireGuard VPN protocol into their network. We hit speeds up to 397 Mbps in tests for the Surfshark review. It also beat out other leadings VPNs, as we noted in the Surfshark vs ExpressVPN comparison.
You get a lot for your money with a Surfshark subscription. The low price gives you all the features we described above, plus an unlimited number of connections. They also have 24/7 live chat support and a 30 day money-back guarantee.
+ Pros
- Unlimited connections
- User-friendly apps for all devices and operating systems
- CleanWeb feature to block ads, trackers, and malware domains
- Works great with Netflix and many other streaming services
- 24/7 live chat support
- Strong encryption and leak protection features
– Cons
- Limited support for VPN routers
- No WireGuard support for Linux (currently in development)
Surfshark 81% off coupon + 30 day trial here >>
Check out our Surfshark review for more info.
3. VyprVPN with a 30 day trial
| VPN | VyprVPN |
| Based in | Switzerland |
| Logs | No logs (audited) |
| Price | $1.81/mo. |
| Support | 24/7 live chat |
| Refund | 30 days |
| Website | VyprVPN.com |
VyprVPN is an affordable, high-performance VPN service that offers a 30 day risk-free trial with all subscription plans. This Switzerland-based VPN has a great lineup of VPN apps that are reliable, secure, and user-friendly with built-in leak protection.
One unique aspect of VyprVPN is that they own every server in their network (no third-party rental servers). This helps to secure all data on the network, while also offering better performance. VyprVPN’s server network is built to encrypt all DNS queries via their VyprDNS system.
VyprVPN remains a good choice for streaming, with full support for Netflix, Hulu, and other services. It is one of the best VPNs for Amazon Prime Video as well. Torrenting is allowed with VyprVPN with all servers without any restrictions.
For security, VyprVPN uses strong encryption and also supports the WireGuard VPN protocol, similar to NordVPN. It has also been audited and verified to be a no-logs VPN. Speed tests were previously good with VyprVPN, and with the addition of WireGuard, they are now even better. However, it still could not beat out NordVPN in the VyprVPN vs NordVPN comparison.
Every VyprVPN subscription plan comes with a 30 day risk-free trial. Take advantage of this offer to test drive the VPN service.
+ Pros
- Secure applications with strong encryption
- Excellent speeds with all servers tested
- Full WireGuard support directly in VPN apps
- Chameleon protocol (obfuscation)
- Entirely self-owned server network
- User-friendly apps for many devices/platforms
- Based in Switzerland with an audited no-logs policy
- 30 simultaneous connections
– Cons
- Requires name for registration (but this is not strict)
- No cryptocurrency payment options
Get a 30 Day Trial of VyprVPN Here >>
Our VyprVPN review has more test results and info.
4. Trust.Zone: Free trial VPN with no credit card (1 GB of data)
| VPN | Trust.Zone |
| Based in | Seychelles |
| Logs | No logs |
| Price | $2.33/mo. |
| Support | |
| Refund | 10 days |
| Website | Trust.Zone |
Trust.Zone is a Seychelles-based VPN service that offers a completely free trial with 1 GB of data – no payment info required. Whilte it is a basic VPN, Trust.Zone still offers excellent performance, Netflix streaming, and strong security. If you want a VPN with a static IP address, then Trust.Zone is one of the cheapest options you will find.
In speed tests for the Trust.Zone review, I found the VPN to be quite fast with all servers tested. It is a good VPN for Netflix with US and UK regions supported. Trust.Zone works well for torrenting without any restrictions.
One of the main drawbacks with Trust.Zone is that it only offers apps for Windows and Android devices. While it may not be the best VPN for Android, the apps still offer all the basic features you would need with strong encryption. Other operating systems, such as Mac OS and iOS, are supported through free third-party apps.
No payment info needed: One benefit to a VPN trial with Trust.Zone is that you don’t need to enter any payment info. Simply create an account and start using the VPN. If you do decide to get a paid subscription, they are offering a 10% discount for Restore Privacy readers with this coupon code: RESTOREPRIVACY10
+ Pros
- Competitive prices
- Great speeds and reliability
- Good leak protection settings
- No payment info required for free VPN trial
- P2P torrents allowed on all servers
- Dedicated IP addresses are available
– Cons
- Limited on features
- No custom VPN clients for Mac OS (but still supported)
Free Trust.Zone trial here (no payment info required) >>
See our Trust.Zone review for more info and test results.
5. ExpressVPN: Reliable VPN with a free trial (30 days)
| VPN | ExpressVPN |
| Based in | British Virgin Islands |
| Logs | No logs (audited) |
| Price | $6.67/mo. |
| Support | 24/7 live chat |
| Refund | 30 days |
| Website | ExpressVPN.com |
ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands and offers a 30 day risk-free trial. It’s slightly more expensive than other options, but it gives you the best performance and very secure apps with built-in leak protection settings. ExpressVPN secures data using the OpenVPN protocol with AES-256 encryption, which offers the best mix of security and speed. They also have released the Lightway protocol, and while this is faster than OpenVPN, it’s still not close to WireGuard.
ExpressVPN offers a large selection of apps for all devices – from computers and phones to routers, Smart TVs, and TV boxes. It is one of the few VPNs with a split tunneling feature, allowing you to route apps or websites outside the VPN tunnel.
If you want a VPN for streaming media and unblocking websites, ExpressVPN has you covered. With 160 server locations in 94 countries, you have a huge selection to unblock the media you want. ExpressVPN is also one of the few VPNs that work with Netflix, allowing users to stream numerous Netflix regions around the world.
Audited: ExpressVPN is a verified no-logs VPN service, having passed an independent audit by PWC that verified no logs are being kept. In addition to the no-logs audit, ExpressVPN also passed a security audit conducted by Cure53, which verified the security of their service. Lastly, ExpressVPN runs all servers in RAM-disk mode, similar to NordVPN and Surfshark.
Support: Customer service with ExpressVPN is top-notch. They provide 24/7 live chat support directly through their website. If you have any questions or issues, support is always available to help.
ExpressVPN is currently rated as one of the best VPN services and it continues to improve. Test it out with the 30 day risk-free trial to see for yourself.
+ Pros
- User-friendly and secure apps
- Fast speeds throughout the server network
- Split tunneling feature (for Mac OS, Windows, and routers)
- Works with Netflix and most streaming services
- 24/7 live chat support
- Passed independent third-party audits for security and no-logs
- Very large server network
– Cons
- Above-average prices
- Fewer features than some leading VPNs
3 months Free Coupon + 30 day trial here >>
Check out our ExpressVPN review for more test results and analysis.
Free trial VPNs that we do NOT recommend
Above are the top free trial VPN recommendations. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are a few other free trial VPNs you may want to avoid:
- PureVPN offers a trial, but we found the service to leak DNS requests, while also having really slow speeds. And if that wasn’t enough, PureVPN was also caught logging users and providing the data to the FBI, as we discuss in our PureVPN review.
- CyberGhost previously offered a completely free trial, but this has been discontinued. Either way, this VPN had some issues when we tested it out. First, CyberGhost speeds are really hit or miss, which we discovered in testing for the CyberGhost review. CyberGhost is now owned by Kape, a company that has a history of producing malware. We noted in our CyberGhost vs NordVPN comparison that CyberGhost does not work well for streaming.
- Ivacy has connections to PureVPN, and they also offer a cheap trial. However, after the trial expires, the prices jump up to an above-average rate.
Tread carefully when selecting a free trial VPN. We only recommend going with a reputable service with a good track record.
Which is the best free trial VPN?
In terms of the best overall VPN discussed on this page, NordVPN is the top recommendation.
It consistently performs well in all areas of testing, especially in the categories of speed, reliability, and security. NordVPN’s speed is now far above other VPNs, thanks to the WireGuard protocol and a high-performance network of dedicated servers. For a lower-priced VPN, it also delivers many features, apps for all devices, and full streaming capability across a wide range of services.
Best free trial VPN with no credit card payment
If you are looking to try out a VPN right now without paying anything up front (or providing billing info), then Trust.Zone would be the best option. It is also one of the fastest and cheapest VPNs on the market.
With any of these VPNs, you’ll have a chance to try out the service without risk.
Test your VPN during the trial window
Ok, so now you have a free trial VPN and you want to see how well it performs.
You may want to run the service through various VPN tests and checks to look for:
- IP address leaks
- DNS leaks
- VPN speeds and reliability
- VPN features working properly
You can also test out the different VPN apps on the devices you want to use, such as on your computers, phones, or tablets. If you find any issues, you can work with the VPN’s support department or cancel the service and go with a different option.
Free trial VPNs vs paid trial VPNs
The main problem with most free trial VPNs that we highlighted in this report is that the trial window is short. You can see this for example with the following free trial VPNs:
- Trust.Zone – 3 days or 1 GB data
- TunnelBear – 500 MB data
- Windscribe VPN – 10 GB data
One potential problem here is that this short time window (or minimal bandwidth) may not be enough to really test the service. Consequently, your free trial may expire before you are comfortable with the VPN and have performed enough testing to see if you like it.
On the other hand, you can also test a 30 day trial VPN. Having a full 30 days to test out the service (risk free) with all your different devices will ensure that you are satisfied with the VPN and it works for your situation. Here are the best 30 day risk-free trial VPNs:
Be sure to use the discounts above for maximum savings.
A quick note on free VPNs
Since we are on the topic of free trial VPNs, we may as well mention free VPNs.
As a general rule of thumb, free VPN services are usually dangerous, invasive, and oftentimes malicious. Simply put, free VPNs make money off the user by collecting your data and selling it to the highest bidder, which is usually advertisers. There have been numerous free VPNs busted for installing malware and tracking libraries in their apps, such as Betternet, for example. We even noted in our Hotspot Shield review how this VPN was busted for installing tracking libraries in its Android VPN app.
There was also recent news about free VPNs delivering financial malware. If something is free, you are probably the product.
Are there any risks with a free trial VPN?
If you go with one of our tested and recommended VPNs in this guide, then there are no risks for the free trial VPN. The key, however, is avoiding various scams and fake trials, which the Better Business Bureau has warned us about.
If you are nervous about getting stuck with a VPN you don’t like, then I’d recommend going with one of the 30 day risk-free trial VPNs. This gives you lots of time to test and be certain it is the VPN for you, without any risk.
Note: You can also check out the cheapest VPNs here.
Conclusion on VPNs with free trials
Alright, as a brief recap, we covered the best free trial VPN services currently available on the market. We also discussed a few risk-free trial VPNs that give you a full 30 days to test out the service.
Whichever option you decide to go with, keep the trial window in mind when testing out the service.
You could even put the last day of the trial on your calendar as a reminder. If you find the VPN is not to your liking during the trial, simply cancel the service and move on to a different option. Stay safe!
If you have any other questions about free trial VPN services, just drop a comment below.
Last updated on October 15, 2021.
Ibvpn has been shut down and integrated with strong vpn. And they dont offer free trials. Sorry to post two times . Wish we can delete post. Reply button needs to work.
Wow, thanks for the heads up about IBVPN. I’ll get that changed.
The reply button should be working again. You need to clear your browser cache and refresh; it should work now. And if there are comments you want deleted, just let me know, that’s an easy fix.
RusVPN offers 7 day trial. Its pretty fast and no logs. I think its base in dominican republic i think. Do check. Ipsec and open vpn.
Airvpn i think doesnt offer free trial anymore, unless paid upfront but cancellable. Am i mistaken? 😐
Did you send them an email asking?
Realizing this is many years after your reviews of those above VPN services, I wanted to let you know that Trust.Zone isn’t so much these years later. I went to their site to register for the free three day no card trial. After requesting a resend of their confirmation email to my email address three times, I never got that mail in either SPAM or my Inbox folders. Lord knows what they do with the email address people share before they find out there’s no confirmation coming to start that three day free trial. Sad.
TRUST.ZONE – while this may be being judged ok, some people might think that anything that has a word “trust” in its name is slightly suspect. Use of such a term may help persuade someone who has temporarily suspended/relaxed their disbelief (perhaps because of time pressure or exasperation) to put their trust in trust.zone and sign up in haste. The free 3day nopaymentinfo trial which is made to appear to only have a few hours availability remaining is also a pressurising marketing shove.
Still wondering whether or not to go for the free trial. Good that no payment info rqd, but you still have to give away an email address.
So use a burner email address, then your problem is solved.
Hi Sven,
I’m really researching this VPN thing. Which I had no idea about the huge cons if you’re not protected from hackers, identity theft, ip addresses and cookies etc. I have tried Cyber ghost and Express VPN. I did the free trial and paid x2 months but thankfully fully refunded by both. Either of them were compatible with my router(Roger’s Toronto, ont provider ciktel) so only my android phone or tablet. Which is 95% on wifi. Also couldn’t for my chromebook. Huge disappointment. I spent hours in chat and wasted time with no solution only one….to unsubscribe. Do I have to add a app for truly hiding my ip addresses, cookies and all my devices? Any recommendations…..please help me 😢🙏🙉
From what I’ve read between free vpns and trials….data theft, malware, bandwidth and not being able to provide 100% ip address what’s the best option 😭🙈🙏🙏🙏
Thank you so very much!
A VPN is one tool, but it doesn’t solve everything. You may want to check out the privacy tools page and just go bit by bit.
Hi Lisa,
I’ve been trying to crack the code for people realizing as you have.
https://restoreprivacy.com/privacy-tools/#comment-60265
A summary:
Yes, in the course of ordinary web activities users emit lots of Data and Metadata “digital exhaust,” or trace data, that leaves behind more fragmentary bits of personal information. From each device they use/own.
Then as advent where big data gone and more powerful analytics, which can discern quite a bit from even smaller and disconnected pieces of data, raises the possibility that data gathered and held by third parties can be amalgamated and analyzed in ways that reveal even more information about an individuals life.
I see you understand it by – “Do I have to add a app for truly hiding my ip addresses, cookies and all my devices? Any recommendations…..please help me.”
Well that’s part of it and your online habits to – needs amended usually. Remembering the web gives and takes back data specific to the device used. Which can tie to you specifically over time in use as device and web meta’s pool into a profile about you.
As Sven’s pointed out a VPN is one tool, but it doesn’t solve everything.
As so, it’s your encrypted tunnel to the sites you visit from a location offered by your chosen VPN – thus a good start to privacy.
So it’s a step by step course with building in the perspectives that needs your trial and errors time to finding your way to what you want. I can tell you look up at the sky and see the lion – and you say is it with the horse under the tree. See we both see it differently from our perspective of the clouds in the sky…example.
Same in similar hardware / software but a purpose and functions different for each owner – get my meaning.
I can’t speak about the mobile’s platform OS much – but yes on stationary PC – Mac. An application installed to the desk/laptop OS is a better way as vetting to ones privacy. Redundancy is OK too, if you’ve the power to overlap features of cleaning and protections in your applications.
Platform OS based on androids needs root privileges to harden it’s settings.
I’m not an ‘i’ person so as Apples unknown here other than it’s lock-down compared to androids OS.
I’ve also answered a reader, in close to what your generally asking here-
https://restoreprivacy.com/privacy-tools/#comment-55480
Hope it’s a start and helpful path to consider. : )
ProtonVPN now has 7 days trial as well, then it turns into ~~frog~~ free vpn.
And thanks for your site, quite interesting reading!
Sven i am so surprized that you do not coinedthe windscribe free trail😯.why you are not recomended it.please let me know because i am thinking after its primimum plane.
Hi Rdx, Windscribe did not do well in testing for the Windscribe review.
Hi Sven,
Thanks for the heads-up that this super-informative website provides!
My (Asian) location is a very vpn unfriendly environment, which is becoming more hostile by the day. I already subscribe to two of your recommendations, but they can (and sometimes are) be simultaneously blocked!
I see ‘Tunnelbear’ is your only ‘no payment, no details submitted’, 500mb/month free recommendation. This format is very useful as it could (at the very least) serve as an emergency backup, without the user needing to make any commitment. It can be installed, and set up, ready to use whenever required, without any time limit. The limited data available is better than nothing (if the vpn can connect).
I see that there are others (such as Windscribe, and Trust Zone), but they appear to have time limits, and at least require payment details.
Vypr used to offer an identical option, but it no longer does. Can you recommend any other service with a free trial format that’s similar to Tunnelbear?
Thanks again!
Hello, unfortunately you are limited with free VPN trials. But I can say that VyprVPN is one of the most successful VPNs for getting through Chinese censorship. You will need the premium package that includes the Chameleon protocol, which obfuscates VPN traffic – explained further in the VyprVPN review.
Hi Sven,
Yes, I had Vypr installed for quite a while, but it was never a main vpn. Whilst, as you say, it is very reliable, it just doesn’t have enough speed for everyday use.
Also, the software is a bit troublesome. I had to keep the ‘services’ process switched off, when i wasn’t using it, because of excess cpu usage. It also tended to interfere with the TAP adapter (unless i managed remember to switch it to their own: it never stayed on this setting).
So, I stopped using Vypr. I couldn’t justify subscribing to it, just for an occasional back up, when other vpns are so much faster.
Please, keep this page updated, especially if you find another commitment free, free trial.
Thanks.
UPDATE: I’ve just tried Tunnelbear, after having to go through a few hoops to get logged in.
For me, there’s nothing to recommend.
Firstly, their support staff doesn’t seem to read what the customer has written. They just issue general instructions. Then, when I mentioned this, the response was less than satisfactory.
Secondly, the program seems to use too much CPU, even when not logged on!
Finally, (the main problem) it doesn’t work! It can’t log in without being connected through another service. Once I disconnect the other vpn, and try to connect with Tunnelbear, it can’t even find my IP. Useless (for me)!
I hope that this information is helpful, to someone.
The search for a ‘no commitment’ back-up vpn continues.
Hi Sven,
I have ExpressVPN – I like to use it for cpa marketing like maxbounty, peerfly, cpalead (to fill forms as public), if i use expressvpn to fill the data can cpa websites track & block me??? I use different locations & different emails to fill forms to get some amount.
The only thing i need to know is, can they track my original ip if i use ExpressVPN?
I will delete cache using Ccleaner.
Hi, for this situation, you may also want to consider using an extension like Random User Agent, which will allow you to spoof your user agent using many different options. And no, they should not be able to track your original IP if you’re using ExpressVPN.
Hi Sven,
I was hoping you can provide a workaround for my issue.
Unlike with iOS, I noticed with Android that despite having “location services” disabled, Google and other many other sites are well aware of my location. For example, I try to access a different country’s Google Play store or even an app like Joox, the app or Play Store knows very well I am not in that location. I was unsuccessful with every VPN I tried, including ExpressVPN. I disabled location services and even “cleared data” on many of the Google services apps.
In contrast, disabling “Privacy” on iOS, which is Apple’s version of location services, I have no issue at all. My problem is only with Android based devices.
Would you have a suggestion or workaround?
Hi Lenovo, my apologies, but I do not have any suggestions for this as I no longer use Android phones.
Hi sven I noticed that you put McAfee
Security as a con for tunnel bear. I use nord vpn but I do use McAfee as an antivirus program. I wanted to know is it bad for security? Also can make a article reviewing the antivirus apps for privacy breaches as well. Thanks
I have not really gotten into the Antivirus programs too much. But assuming you are a Windows user, then McAfee would not offer any benefits over Windows Defender. There are also many privacy concerns with some of these third-party antivirus programs, which collect quite a bit of data, and in the case of Avast, will even share it with third parties.
Hmm interesting. I use this on setup on my note 8 android phone. But thanks for the reply. I have been reading your articles and learnt a lot. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.