Can You Continue to Get Free Trials With a Vpn
VPN performance depends on a lot of factors: advances in technology, time of day, and user congestion all affect how it runs day to day. That's why I don't like to pay for a VPN before I can fully test it out. Free trials are a good option, but I often find I can only test 1 of my devices (and not for long enough to get a clear picture). For me, a money-back guarantee is better because I can try it on all my devices for a much longer period.
That said, my team and I tested 60 VPN free trials and shortlisted the best ones. All of them give you access to industry-leading security features and reliable server networks that unblock a ton of popular streaming platforms.
Of the VPNs tested, ExpressVPN has the best free trial options. It comes with a 7-day free trial for mobile as well as a money-back guarantee that lets you try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days. You can claim a refund if you're not satisfied. I tested the policy myself and found that the guarantee was upheld. After 28 days of using it, I asked for my money back and it was hassle-free — it took 4 minutes to approve my refund and only 3 days until the money was returned.
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Short on Time? Here Are the 5 Best VPN Free Trials in 2022
- ExpressVPN — 30-day money-back guarantee, 7-day free trial on mobile devices, access to all VPN features, and superfast speeds for all online activities.
- CyberGhost — Generous money-back guarantee period of 45 days, 1-day free trial, and optimized servers for streaming.
- Private Internet Access — 30-day money-back guarantee, 7-day free trial, good for online privacy, but no money-back guarantee for payments with gift cards.
- IPVanish VPN — 30-day money-back guarantee, lightning-fast speeds but some difficulties unblocking popular streaming platforms.
- PrivateVPN — 30-day money-back guarantee, can bypass restrictions, but has a small server network.
And 5 more VPN free trials
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VPN Free Trial vs. Money-Back Guarantee: What's the Difference?
There are different ways in which you can test a VPN service for free:
- Money-back guarantee: You'll have to pay for the VPN upfront and can get a full refund within a certain period (usually around 30 days). Even though these trials require upfront payment, they're usually "risk-free", which means as long as you cancel within the time period, there's no risk that your refund will be refused.
- Free Trial: No commitment and no upfront payment. Although some free trials ask for card details, the payment will only be made after the free trial period ends. These trials are usually 1-7 days long, and you may have to cancel through customer service to avoid being charged after the trial. Some free trials have no limitations, while others can throttle bandwidth and limit server selection.
- Free VPN: This is a VPN service that is completely free to download and use. However, free VPNs always come with restrictions (like data limits, small server networks, and slow speeds) to encourage you to upgrade to a paid plan. They can also be dangerous if you aren't careful: some have malware embedded in the apps, while others log and sell your information to third-party advertisers without your knowledge.
You'll find all 3 types of free trials in the following list of VPNs. These free trial VPNs have been tried and tested — they're safe to use, and it's easy to cancel them when you're finished testing. I recommend using a money-back guarantee trial because it lets you really get to know the service. You can test it for 30+ days and access the full VPN and all of its features on all of your devices.
Warning! If you want to test our top-rated VPN (or use any VPN's free trial), then you should sign up through the website. When purchasing through the Apple Store or Google Play Store, you may have to abide by its refund policy rather than the VPN provider's. This could mean that you don't qualify for the money-back guarantee and therefore be unable to claim your refund.
Best VPN Free Trials in October 2022
1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN With a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and 7-Day Free Trial
Editor's Choice Editor's Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested October 2022
Available on:
Windows Mac Android iOS
Chrome Router Smart TV More
www.ExpressVPN.com
- 30-day money-back guarantee, plus a 7-day free trial
- Superfast speeds and unlimited bandwidth to browse and stream without interruptions
- 5 simultaneous device connections
- Can unblock: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and more
I was impressed to see that ExpressVPN offers a 7-day free trial since this is becoming a rarity with top VPNs. However, there are some things to keep in mind: you can only get it if you sign up on your mobile device and it's only available in countries that allow access to Google Play or the App Store. If you use iOS, you'll need to provide payment info and sign up for at least a year — if you don't remember to cancel, you'll be charged automatically.
This also means that you may need to adhere to your app store's refund policies, which could cause issues if you want to use the money-back guarantee after the trial period. If you sign up directly through ExpressVPN's site, every plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. With the guarantee, you can use ExpressVPN for a much longer period without the limitations that come with the free trial. I tested the policy myself to make sure it was trustworthy and it really was hassle-free.
Either way, you get a VPN with unlimited data and ultra-fast speeds. When I tested its local German and Belgian servers I had an average speed of 43.6 Mbps. Moreover, its Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, and New York servers averaged 41.2 Mbps. This is impressive because long-distance connections usually give you significantly slower speeds than nearby ones. ExpressVPN didn't affect my connection in any noticeable way, so I could continue online as usual.
With ExpressVPN, I had superfast speeds on every server I connected to
It has a vast server network of 3,000 servers in 94 countries that allows access to online content around the globe. I could easily load more than 20 different Netflix libraries, including US, UK, Australia, Japan, and Canada. It only took a few seconds to load shows on other platforms like Disney+, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video on the 4 US servers I tested.
Its large server network has more benefits, too — it's a great option for torrenting since the entire network supports P2P traffic. I liked that I didn't have to search for a "P2P-friendly" server like with other VPNs I've used. In addition, ExpressVPN's servers are powerful enough to bypass the Great Firewall of China. So, even if you plan to travel to a restrictive country, you'll still be able to roam the internet freely. Just be sure to inform yourself of the laws surrounding VPN-use in that location first.
ExpressVPN also has top-notch security features to keep you secure online. It has military-grade 256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch (known as Network Lock), and lets you choose between multiple security protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and its own unique Lightway. During my tests, Lightway performed better regarding speeds and reliability — I could connect to the VPN in less than a second and didn't experience any issues while browsing the web.
Your online privacy is well protected while using ExpressVPN. Its RAM-based servers ensure your data is deleted automatically upon each reboot. In addition, when I signed up for ExpressVPN after using its free trial, I could pay anonymously with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, which further shows its commitment to keeping your personal info private.
Moreover, ExpressVPN operates under a strict no-logs policy that has been verified by independent auditors. You don't have to worry about your online activity being collected or shared. Plus, the fact that ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands is another added security — it's outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance and it's not subject to data retention laws.
ExpressVPN is really easy to use on all major operating systems and has a handy feature that lets you connect devices that don't normally work with VPNs. Its SmartDNS (MediaStreamer) let me watch US Netflix and Hulu on my PS4. I tested it out and it only took me 3 minutes to set up with an easy-to-follow guide on its website. You can also set it up on Xbox, smart TVs, and Apple TV to watch your favorite shows directly on your big screen.
Other features include split tunneling which allows you to choose which traffic passes through the VPN (not available on iOS). I loved that I could optimize my laptop's performance while torrenting by only sending my P2P client's traffic through the VPN. I could use my regular connection for everything else, so your files download faster and your device will continue to run smoothly.
I definitely prefer ExpressVPN's 30-day money-back guaranteeover the free trial. I tested the refund policy myself and found the 24/7 live chat feature made the process extremely fast and simple. The agent approved my refund in less than 5 minutes after asking a couple questions about my satisfaction and I got a full refund 3 days later.
My money was refunded within 3 days
While you can use your credentials to sign into desktops with the 7-day mobile trial, I still recommend the money-back guarantee. It comes with all plans (including monthly), so you don't have to commit to a long-term subscription like with iOS. Plus, if you're not 100% satisfied, you're guaranteed a full refund if you sign up through ExpressVPN's site, rather than having to go through an app store.
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2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers for Streaming With a 45-Day Money-Back Guarantee and Free Trial
Available on:
Windows Mac Android iOS
Chrome Router Smart TV More
www.cyberghostvpn.com
- 45-day money-back guarantee and a 1-day free trial for desktop (7 days on mobile devices)
- Fast dedicated streaming servers make it easy to watch geo-restricted content
- 7 simultaneous device connections
- Can unblock: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and more
Cyberghost offers a few options for free trials: You can get a 1-day free trial for desktop, a 3-day free trial for Android, and a 7-day free trial for iOS and these might differ depending on where you're located. However, if you use the money-back guarantee instead, you can test the service for a generous 45 days, which is longer than any other VPN in this list.This gives you access to its entire server network, fast speeds, and military-grade security features on all your devices.
Not only does CyberGhost have a huge network of 9,283 servers, it also has special ones optimized for streaming. These servers are designed to access specific streaming platforms in different regions. During my tests, I could unblock more than 15 Netflix libraries and used its streaming servers to access Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. You won't have to waste time searching for a server that works — it's already been done for you.
CyberGhost has an easy-to-use interface that lists all streaming-optimized servers
This VPN's speeds are fast too. During my speed tests, I averaged download speeds of 37.4 Mbps across 4 US servers and 3 UK servers. Although CyberGhost's speeds aren't as fast as ExpressVPN's, my streams were still smooth and I didn't encounter any lag. Since you only need 5 Mbps to watch shows in HD, you won't face any buffering while watching your favorite content.
CyberGhost is incredibly safe to use with military-grade encryption, leak protection, and an automatic kill switch. It also offers multiple security protocols including WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2 so you can choose the one that best suits your online activity. I prefered to use WireGuard because it offers as much protection as the industry standard OpenVPN, but is a bit faster.
It adheres to a strict no-logs policy and even offers NoSpy servers that add an extra layer of protection when you use them. NoSpy servers are located in CyberGhost's headquarters and are only accessible by its own staff members. This is something I haven't seen with any other VPN, so if you're worried about privacy, CyberGhost will keep you well protected. Combined with the P2P-optimized servers, CyberGhost is also a secure option for torrenting.
It also has tons of other features like a built-in ad blocker, specialized servers for torrenting and gaming, and automatic WiFi protection. For regular browsing, I always turn on the ad blocker because it blocks annoying popups, prevents adware, and as a result allows web pages to load faster. Blocking ads can even help prevent you going over your data limit since you use less without ads.
Unfortunately, you can only use the free trials on 1 device. You'll also have to provide payment information to use the mobile trials. If you forget to cancel in time, you'll be charged after the trial period is over. In addition, you'll have to adhere to Google Play/Apple App store refund policies which means you might not be able to use the money-back guarantee.
The way around these limitations is to use the money-back guarantee instead. If you sign up for a year or longer, you can try CyberGhost for free for 45 days on up to 7 devices at once and have access to all its features (you only get 14 days if you sign up for less than a year). I tested the refund policy to make sure it's legit.
Requesting a refund from CyberGhost is super easy
Even though I was disappointed I had to pay for a year, it was really easy to get my money back. I used the 24/7 live chat feature on its website and the agent only asked me why I wanted to cancel. They approved my refund without pressuring me to stay and I had my money back after 5 business days.
Start Your CyberGhost Free Trial
3. Private Internet Access — Reliable P2P Connections With a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and 7-day Free Trial
Available on:
Windows Mac Android iOS
Chrome Router Smart TV More
www.PrivateInternetAccess.com
- 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial
- Fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth to torrent without interruptions
- 10 simultaneous device connections
- Can unblock: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more
The great thing about Private Internet Access (PIA) is its 7-day free trial doesn't have any limitations. However, since the performance of a VPN differs from day to day, you need more than 7 days to really test the service. A better option is to take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee. This gives you more time to test all its premium features, like its fast speeds for streaming and torrenting.
In fact, PIA's lightning fast speeds combined with its P2P-optimized network make it a great VPN for torrenting. During my tests, I used its US Atlanta server to download The Great Flamarion on BitTorrent — my speeds averaged 34.5 Mbps, which allowed me to download the file (850 MB) in less than 4 minutes. I could also boost my speeds by configuring my torrent client with PIA's port forwarding feature. After following the instructions on PIA's website on how to set it up, my download rate increased by 10%.
You can customize PIA's security settings for torrenting even further. The VPN offers AES-128 (can help to get faster speeds) as well as 256-bit encryption (optimizes your security). Moreover, you can switch between multiple protocols, including OpenVPN and WireGuard. Next to that, the VPN keeps you safe with DNS leak protection, a strict no-logs policy, a kill switch, and an ad and malware blocker called PIA MACE. This means you don't have to worry about your data being exposed while torrenting.
Getting around geoblocks is also possible because its server network is massive, with 29,650 servers in 84 countries. When I connected to its US servers, I accessed Disney+ in under a minute. I also managed to access more than 10 Netflix libraries using the UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan servers. Although PIA doesn't have as many server locations as ExpressVPN and CyberGhost, the number of servers in each one means you'll have no problem unblocking different streaming sites worldwide.
A minor con is that PIA gift card purchases are non-refundable. Meaning that you cannot use the money-back guarantee if you've used a gift card to sign up. However, I could use many other ways to pay for my subscription (like PayPal and cryptocurrency), so it was no issue at all.
While PIA offers a 7-day free trial on mobile devices, I recommend testing PIA for 30 days freewith its money-back guarantee by signing up directly through its site. With the mobile trial, you will be automatically charged if you forget to cancel before the free week is over — and it can be difficult to pursue a refund. This is because you have to adhere to the App/Play Store's refund policies. To be sure PIA stands by their word, I tested the money-back guarantee for myself.
PIA processed my refund quickly and without any hassle
I signed up for a subscription on the PIA website, and after 24 days of testing, I emailed customer service to cancel (you cannot ask for a refund through its live chat). I received a response in 4 hours confirming my refund and my money was refunded after 5 business days.
Start Your PIA Free Trial
4. IPVanish — Lightning-Fast Speeds and a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Available on:
Windows Mac Android iOS
Router Smart TV More
www.IPVanishVPN.com
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Unlimited device connections to stream, torrent, and game on multiple devices without interruption
- 2,000+ servers in 75 countries
- Can unblock: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more
Although IPVanish VPN doesn't offer an actual free trial, you can try it out for free with its 30-day money-back guarantee, which is really easy to use. Not only will you have access to its full features, but you can cancel your money-back guarantee without speaking to a customer service representative. When I wanted to cancel my trial after 28 days, I just had to log into my account and click a couple of times to confirm my cancellation. (I didn't even need to provide a reason for canceling!) From there, I received my refund after 4 business days.
It was really easy to get a refund when I tested the refund process
IPVanish has superfast speeds. During my speed tests, my download speeds averaged 42.3 Mbps across the 15 US servers I tested. To put it into perspective, you only need speeds of 5 Mbps to watch shows in HD. Since the US is over 8,000 km from my location, I was surprised by how fast it was. Regardless of your server distance, you can stream or browse the web without annoying buffering. Moreover, its free SOCKS5 proxy allows for even faster speeds, especially for torrenting.
Your online data is kept super safe with its military-grade security features (like 256-bit encryption and an automatic kill switch). In addition, It supports IKEv2 and OpenVPN (which is the most secure protocol available). I could choose automatic selection so the VPN would select the best protocol for me. However, I manually selected IKEv2 during my tests because it was a bit faster than OpenVPN.
Your privacy will also be well-protected with IPVanish. Because of its IP leak protection and no logs policy, your online data and activity won't ever be visible to your ISP or other third parties. When I ran 3 leak tests on ipleak.net on servers in the US, UK, and Australia, no IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks were detected.
Finding a server from its 2,000 servers is easy, thanks to IPVanish's stylish interface. When you open it up, it displays all the servers in the region you want to connect to. Not only can you see the number of servers, but it'll tell you how full they are, which will prevent you from connecting to a slow and overcrowded server. It means you won't have to connect and disconnect to different servers to find the best one.
A minor con is that with IPVanish, you cannot always find a reliable server to unblock popular streaming sites, like HBO Max. You sometimes have to try multiple servers before finding one that will work. However, I managed to access more than 15 popular Netflix libraries, such as the US, the UK, and Australia.
Even though it doesn't come with a free trial, you can test all of IPVanish's premium features for free for 30 days. Simply log in to your account and cancel your subscription within the time frame to get your money back. Keep in mind that if you sign up through the App Store or Google Play store, the money-back guarantee period is only 7 days long. This means it's better to sign up on the IPVanish website and use these credentials to log in on your mobile devices.
Start Your IPVanish Free Trial
5. PrivateVPN — Bypass the Strongest Firewalls Using the 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Available on:
Windows Mac Android iOS
Router Smart TV More
www.privatevpn.com
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- StealthVPN bypasses restrictions imposed by schools, workplaces, and governments
- 10 simultaneous device connections
- Can unblock: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more
PrivateVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee that allows you to test its fast speeds and top-notch security features, including its StealthVPN protocol. This is a proprietary protocol that's not as detectable as other VPN protocols and enables you to bypass some of the toughest censorship restrictions globally, such as the Great Firewall of China. I tested StealthVPN in a public library where torrent sites are blocked. When I connected to PrivateVPN's Chicago and Sydney servers, I could easily access all the sites that are normally restricted.
Its privacy features will keep you safe and anonymous online. For example, it comes with 256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch, and IPv6 and DNS leak protection. The last one protects you from any DNS leaks occurring, which can expose your online data to your ISP even if your IP is masked. Since the VPN has private DNS and a strict no-logs policy, it is also an excellent option for torrenting. During my tests, I could safely download a 500 MB file in 2 minutes using its US Miami server.
I had some excellent speeds as well. I tested more than 15 servers in the US, UK, and Australia and got an average speed of 34 Mbps. It has a small server network of 200 servers in 63 countries. However, the servers I tested allowed me to get around restrictions and unblock Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, as well as more than 10 Netflix libraries. This means you won't experience any issues finding a reliable server and watching shows in HD.
After answering a few questions about my user experience, PrivateVPN's customer service accepted my refund request
Although it doesn't offer a free trial anymore, you can use its 30-day money-back guarantee to test all its premium features for free. After 23 days of using the service, I contacted live customer service to ask for a refund. The chat agent told me that refunds could only be processed through email, so I emailed asking for a refund. I received an email back after 2 days and had my money back in my account after 5 days.
Start Your PrivateVPN Free Trial
6. Proton VPN — Secure Free VPN With a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee Option
Available on:
Windows Mac Android iOS
Router Smart TV More
www.Proton VPN.com
- 30-day money-back guarantee and a very limited free version
- Based in the privacy-haven Switzerland, out of reach of government surveillance
- 10 simultaneous device connections
- Can unblock: Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more
Proton VPN offers a completely free version to test the VPN. However, it comes with a lot of limitations to encourage you to sign up for a paid plan. Some of those include capped speeds, access to servers in only 3 countries, and 1 device connection. I recommend using its 30-day money-back guarantee to avoid the free version's limitations.
With the money-back guarantee, you get a better idea of how Proton VPN really works. It's incredibly safe to use and comes with AES 256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch, and uses the safest protocol in the industry: OpenVPN. It also offers IP/DNS leak protection. I tested 3 server locations and didn't encounter any IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks.
Your online privacy will be protected since Proton VPN has a verified no-logs policy. While reading through it, I was impressed with how straightforward it is. I found that all the apps are open-source and have undergone security audits. This means that Proton VPN adds an extra layer of safety and transparency to its service.
Its 1,753 servers (across 64 locations) offer good speeds. During my speed tests, I tested its Netherlands, US, and Japan servers and never experienced slower speeds than 20 Mbps. This means you won't experience any annoying lag or interruptions while browsing the web or streaming your favorite shows.
A minor con is its slow customer service. It doesn't offer 24/7 live chat, so don't count on a speedy response from customer support. However, even though it took 2 days to receive a response, they were informative and helpful with my questions about the free version.
Although Proton VPN's free version comes with unlimited data, you only get access to its servers in Japan, the Netherlands, and the US. I found them all to be quite slow because there was a lot of overcrowding. I could access Netflix Originals with the US servers and region-locked shows with the Netherlands and Japan ones, but I had slow loading times and a bit of buffering while watching.
I recommend avoiding these limitations altogether — test out the premium version with its 30-day money-back guarantee instead. To get a refund, I had to contact Proton VPN using their support form. After 2 days, I received a response via email where they accepted my request. I had my money back in 10 days.
Start Your Proton VPN Free Trial
7. ZenMate — Enjoy a Free Trial Without Entering Your Credit Card Details
Available on:
Windows Mac Android iOS
Chrome Router Smart TV More
www.zenmate.com
- 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial for desktop and iOS
- Desktop free trial doesn't require payment info, so you can test worry-free
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Can unblock: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more
You can use Zenmate's 7-day free trial for desktop without entering any payment info. This is a great way to test out the service without having to worry about getting charged if you forget to cancel. However, there is no free trial available for Android and you do need to give your credit card info for the iOS free trial. While it also has a free browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, your speeds are capped at 2 Mbps and you only have access to 4 server locations. A better option is to use ZenMate's 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test the service for a longer period.
When using ZenMate's free trial, your privacy will be protected with its AES 256-bit encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and DNS leak protection. In other words, there's no way for anyone to know what you are up to online. I even tested its IP/DNS leak protection by going to ipleak.net, and it didn't reveal any IP/DNS leaks on 6 different servers.
It also has an impressive network of 4,800 servers in 81 countries. Moreover, I liked that ZenMate offers servers specifically for streaming and downloading. This way, I didn't have to spend time searching which ones worked best with Netflix US. You can always find a reliable server for streaming, torrenting, or browsing the web.
I was a bit disappointed that Zenmate doesn't offer 24/7 live chat support. However, I could find most answers to my questions using its extensive knowledge base on its website — the support articles and FAQ answers are very detailed. If you need to contact support, you can do so through a ticketing system on its website.
In addition to the 7-day free trial, you can take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee, which lets you test it out for longer. Keep in mind that you'll need to cancel it within 14 days of signing up to qualify for the refund. It took 24 hours to get a response, and my refund was approved without any hassle. I had my money back in 9 days.
Start Your ZenMate Free Trial
8. Hotspot Shield — Great Global Coverage With a 7-Day Trial and 45-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Available on:
Windows Mac Android iOS
Chrome Router Smart TV More
www.HotspotShield.com
- 7-day free trial and 45-day money-back guarantee
- Optimized Hydra protocol lets you stream in high-quality even on faraway servers
- 5 simultaneous device connections
- Can unblock: Netflix, DIsney+, Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and more
You can use Hotspot Shield without limitations with its 7-day free trial. This gives you access to all 80 server locations and lets you unblock most major streaming platforms. During my tests, I was able to access US and UK Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer easily. You can also opt to test it out for 45 days using its money-back guarantee.
Hotspot Shield has really impressive speeds. I tested its proprietary Hydra protocol, which is designed to boost your speeds, especially over long distance connections. My average download speed was 22 Mbps while connected to its New York location, which was only a 1 percent drop from my regular connection — it's normal for a VPN to decrease your speed by around 10-15 percent, so this was really impressive. You'll be able to stream in high quality even on servers located thousands of miles away.
It safeguards your connection and keeps your online activity private with military-grade 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and IP leak protection. In addition, I read the privacy policy carefully — while it doesn't operate under a strict no-logs policy, Hotspot Shield doesn't store any data that can be used to identify you.
Unfortunately, Hotspot Shield's free VPN isn't a good trial option because it's really limited. You only get 500MB of data per day (which isn't enough to watch a full movie), and can connect to just 1 server location (in the US). I also couldn't unblock any streaming platforms using it and I got pretty annoyed by all the in-app ads. You're much better off using the free trial or money-back guarantee.
Only CyberGhost matches Hotspot Shield with a generous refund guarantee period. After the 7-day trial ends, you can continue with your subscription and test Hotspot Shield's full features for a further 45 days (most VPNs only offer 30 days). I made sure the guarantee was honored and requested my refund over 24/7 live chat. The agent just wanted to know why I wasn't happy with the service. After explaining, my refund was approved and I had my money back a week later.
Start Your Hotspot Shield Free Trial
9. hide.me — Easy-to-Use Interface With a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Available on:
Windows Mac Android iOS
Chrome Router Smart TV More
www.hide.me
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Beginner-friendly UI lets you secure your online activity in a few clicks
- 10 simultaneous device connections
- Can unblock: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more
While I was testing hide.me's 30-day money-back guarantee, I was impressed with its intuitive interface. The app was super easy to use and set up. This means you'll have more time to test your VPN's features without getting caught up in the technicalities. For example, it took me less than 2 minutes to download and set it up on my laptop and I could connect to a fast server in just one click. Switching servers only takes a single click too, and it took under 5 seconds to establish the connection.
It also comes with strong security features like a strict no-logs policy, 256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch, and DNS/IP leak protection. During my tests, I didn't find any DNS or IP leaks. This means you can browse the web knowing your connection is secure and your data is kept anonymous.
A minor con is its small server network of 2,000 servers. However, hide.me proved that a small server network doesn't mean you won't have reliable connections. I was surprised that I could unblock Netflix and Hulu in a matter of seconds when I tested 5 of its US servers.
You can download and use a restricted version of hide.me completely free. However, the limitations made it frustrating to use. For example, you only get 10GB of data per month, which is only enough to watch 2 HD movies (and it didn't unblock any popular streaming sites when I tested it, either).
If you use the 30-day money-back guarantee instead, you have access to all its premium features with no limitations. On day 25 of my subscription, I contacted live chat support to request a refund. I was told to send an email instead and after 3 days, I received a response approving my refund. 10 days later I had my money back in full.
Start Your hide.me Free Trial
10. TunnelBear — No Time Restriction With This Limited Free VPN
Available on:
Windows Mac Android iOS
Chrome More
www.tunnelbear.com
- Free VPN download
- Forever free access to a flexible network of 2,600+ servers in 48 countries
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Works with: Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Spotify
TunnelBear offers a free version of its VPN, which allows you to trial the service without time constraints. The free VPN offers its full server network of 2,600servers in 48 countries and you can connect Unlimited devices simultaneously, too. Most free VPN downloads only give you access to a few server locations and let you connect 1 device.
I could unblock Netflix US and BBC iPlayer and watch shows in HD using TunnelBear, which is impressive for a free VPN. My speeds averaged 12 Mbps on its New Jersey server when I tested it (you only need 5 Mbps for HD). It also supports torrenting across its entire network, so you can download files safely, too.
This VPN will keep you safe online. It offers AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch called VigilantBear, and has an obfuscation feature to mask the fact you're using a VPN (this is good if you want to get around tough firewalls or VPN-specific blocks).
The problem is that you only get 500MB of data per month using TunnelBear's free plan. However, I found out you can tweet the company and they'll top you up with an extra 1GB of data. I got the extra data less than 5 minutes after I tweeted them.
It's also disappointing that there's no money-back guarantee. While it's great that you can use TunnelBear for free for as long as you want, it's not ideal if you want to test a VPN for streaming or for safe torrenting since you don't get enough data. I'd recommend this free VPN trial for protected light browsing or staying safe on public WiFi networks.
Start Your TunnelBear Free Trial
Quick Comparison Table: Best VPN Free Trials
The following table gives a quick overview of all the VPN free trials, their duration, and their restrictions. Keep in mind that you won't have any limitations if you use a money-back guarantee, and you can test the service for a longer time period.
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Tips on How to Choose the Best VPN Free Trial
VPN free trials and money-back guarantees aren't all the same. Some VPNs are better than others in this regard. Below are the most important factors you should look into when choosing the best VPN free trial.
- No limitations. You should be able to get a good picture of what the premium version has to offer. It's pretty common for VPNs to limit their features on a free trial, so be sure to check beforehand since there's not much point in testing something that's not the full experience.
- No payment info required. The best free trials don't require any payment information. If you choose a free trial where you need to give your payment details, you could be automatically charged if you forget to cancel after your trial period.
- A long trial period. Look for a free trial of at least 7 days. The longer a free trial, the better you can test it. VPN performance differs from day to day, so a longer free trial is essential to get a good picture.
- Easy cancellation. A VPN free trial should be canceled automatically. Although this doesn't happen most of the time, try to look for a free trial where the cancellation process is hassle-free or no-questions-asked.
- No fine print. Be sure to check the terms & conditions to avoid any unpleasant surprises. For example, you could be charged extra because you went well beyond your download limits, or you might have to cancel within a certain window to qualify for the money-back guarantee.
- Excellent customer support. Look for VPN free trials that come with 24/7 live chat support. This way, you don't have to waste time waiting for a response during a limited trial period.
- Suitable Features: A good VPN needs to have top-notch security features and fast speeds to function properly. In addition, some VPNs are better for unblocking streaming sites, while others are better for torrenting. Choose a VPN that offers the features that you need.
VPN Free Trials You Should Avoid
You always have to be careful choosing a VPN free trial. I discovered numerous untrustworthy VPNs with security issues. Unlike the ones on my list, these are risky to use since they can log and sell your online information to advertisers and other third parties. I also came across some VPNs that pretend to offer a free trial but then charge you anyway.
The following VPN free trials should be avoided:
- Ivacy — Has a 7-day "free" trial, but you have to pay a small fee to use it. On top of that, after the trial period has ended, the VPN automatically charges expensive subscription prices.
- PureVPN — While using its free trial, I found that it has slow speeds and leaks IP/DNS requests. Moreover, the VPN claims to keep no logs, but in a recent case, the FBI requested data and got records of a user's data from PureVPN.
- SiteLock — There's no free trial, and the money-back guarantee only works if you can prove that the VPN failed to perform within the first 30 days. You need to send a request for a refund in writing, and SiteLock will determine if you get your money back, so there's really no guarantee.
Quick Guide: How to Get a VPN Free Trial in 3 Easy Steps
- Download a VPN that comes with a free trial. I recommend ExpressVPN since you can test all its features risk-free for 30 days. If you're not satisfied, you can easily claim a full refund.
- Test out your VPN. Make the most of your free trial by testing out its features. For example, try testing ExpressVPNs' extensive server network and geoblocking abilities.
- Decide to continue. Contact customer support to cancel your free trial within the timeframe or choose to continue with a paid subscription.
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What About Free VPNs?
Free VPNs let you use their service indefinitely without any payments. They might seem like a good option, but I advise against the majority of them. Not only are most VPN features limited, but they often bombard you with ads and cookies, which are used to collect your data. Also, free VPNs can infect your device with malware and viruses. I'd recommend avoiding CrossVPN, Archie VPN, and BetternetVPN. These free VPNs are known to have embedded malware in their apps.
In short, most free VPNs put your privacy at serious risk and significantly limit your internet capabilities. Some of these include slower speeds, capped data, and unstable connections, so it's best to avoid them.
However, there are some free VPNs that we do recommend (like Proton VPN and hide.me) since they're offered alongside a premium service. You can download these VPN services completely free, but they do come with restrictions, such as limited bandwidth and a smaller server network. I'd recommend testing their premium service by using their money-back guarantees. This way, you won't have to deal with the annoying limitations that the free plan has.
FAQs on the Best VPNs With Free Trials
Do ExpressVPN and CyberGhost have free trials?
Yes, they both have free trials. ExpressVPN offers a 7-day free trial for mobile devices, whereas CyberGhost offers a 1-day free trial for desktop and a 7-day free trial for mobile devices.
However, I'd recommend using their money-back guarantees to get a better picture of the VPN. A 1-day free trial isn't long enough to test a VPN since its performance varies from day to day. In addition, the free trials on mobile devices come with limitations such as no kill switch and no split tunneling. A money-back guarantee allows you to test all the features of the VPN on your iPhone, iPad, and other devices without restrictions.
Can I Watch Netflix using a free VPN trial?
Yes, it is possible to use VPN free trials to access Netflix libraries worldwide. However, keep in mind that VPN free trials often come with limitations that don't allow you to test the complete service. Some free trials don't give you full access to its complete server network. This way, it might be possible that you cannot use the servers that work with Netflix.
All of the VPN free trials in this list work with Netflix, but you might have to use the money-back guarantee to access this feature. In all cases, a money-back guarantee will allow you to test the premium service without limitations. In addition, it gives you a lot more time than a standard free trial (a money-back guarantee is usually 30 days, whereas free trials aren't usually longer than 7 days).
Can I use a VPN free trial without a credit card?
Some VPNs let you use a free trial without a credit card, while some do not. The best free trials will only ask for an email address and no credit card information. However, most VPNs require credit card information for you to test it. You should always read the fine print before starting a free trial. If credit card details are required, then it's likely you'll be charged immediately when your trial period expires.
Some of the VPN free trials in this list that don't ask for credit card details are ExpressVPN's 7-day free trial (on Android only), CyberGhost's 24-hour free trial (on desktop only), and Zenmate's 7-day free trial (on desktop only).
Do any VPNs offer free trials longer than 7 days?
Not really. Proton VPN has a free version that you can use for an unlimited amount of time. However, it comes with capped speeds and you only have access to servers in 3 countries. I recommend using a VPN's money-back guarantee if you want to test the service for longer than 7 days. Since VPN performance differs from day to day, the longer you can test the service, the better. I tested all the money-back guarantees from the VPNs on this list and could easily get a refund.
Cyberghost currently offers the longest money-back guarantee of 45 days with a 1-year subscription. I used it for 42 days before requesting my refund and had my money 5 days later.
Can I use a VPN free trial on a FireStick?
You can use a VPN free trial on a FireStick if your VPN is compatible with one. Most of the VPNs in this list have native apps for FireStick. Since free trials are usually restricted to a certain device, you may need to use the money-back guarantee for this to work. However, you can always try to download the VPN app to your FireStick and sign in with your free trial credentials if you're given them.
How do I cancel my VPN free trial?
You can cancel your free trial in a few ways. First of all, if you haven't provided any payment details, then your free trial will be canceled automatically. You won't need to worry about being charged.
If the free trial you've chosen requires payment information, then there are a couple of ways you may need to cancel. Some VPNs allow you to cancel without contacting customer support. You'll usually find a link to cancel when logged in to your VPN account in your browser. Most of the time, you just fill in a form and receive an email confirming the refund.
You might also need to contact customer support. If your VPN has a 24/7 live chat service, it is usually easier to do it that way. Simply tell them that you want to cancel your free trial, and they'll proceed with your request. Some VPNs may ask your reason for quitting, which is usually requested for feedback purposes. If you're entitled to a refund, then ask how long it'll take to be processed for confirmation.
Also, keep in mind that the cancellation process for mobile devices can be different. If you subscribed to a VPN service through the Apple App Store or Google Play, you'd most likely have to cancel your subscription through them. That means you'll have to abide by their refund policy, and your money-back guarantee might not be honored. I recommend signing up for a free trial through the provider's website whenever possible to avoid any difficulties.
Can I use a VPN free trial multiple times?
Technically, it is possible. By signing up with a new email address and deleting your cookies each time, you could use a VPN free trial more than once. However, you could end up getting banned from the VPN service if they catch you trying to sign up for a free trial multiple times, so I don't recommend it.
In addition, several VPN services ask for credit card information, so you would need to have numerous credit cards to sign up multiple times. Besides, many VPNs have stopped their free trials because of people abusing the system in this way. What you could do is test different VPN services using their free trials to see which one works best for you.
Are there VPN free trials for India and China?
Yes, most VPNs have either a free trial or a money-back guarantee for people in India and China. A free trial in India and China is no different from a free trial in another country because the trials differ based on the VPNs, not the user's country.
However, keep in mind that VPNs are banned in China if the government does not approve them, so you need to be careful. Luckily, ExpressVPN and PrivateVPN offer free trials or money-back guarantees and work well in restrictive countries like China.
India doesn't ban any VPNs, but the government also doesn't encourage using them. You should still check the laws and regulations if you plan to use a VPN there. In case you need to use a VPN there, ExpressVPN, IPVanish, and CyberGhost all come with money-back guarantees and work well in India.
What are the limitations of a VPN free trial?
There are different limitations you can have while using a VPN free trial. It could be that you're having slow speeds since you're restricted to a smaller pool of (overcrowded) servers. Besides, you could have data caps that could result in your free trial ending after a few hours because you reached the limit. In addition, it could be that you cannot make use of specific features such as split tunneling and ad blockers.
It's important to always check the terms & conditions before committing to a VPN free trial to avoid any unwanted surprises. To avoid limitations, use a money-back guarantee instead. This way you can test the full service for a longer period, which allows you to really get to know the VPN. I tested the refund policies of each VPN in this list and it was easy to get my money back every time.
Get the Best VPN Free Trial Today
Every free trial is different and some of them come with a lot of restrictions. You'll have to read the fine print, remember to cancel in time to avoid being charged, or won't have full access to the VPN features.
While the VPN free trials in this list are good options, testing a VPN using its money-back guarantee is the best way to get the full experience without paying anything. You can use it for much longer than a free trial and aren't restricted in any way.
Out of the 50 VPNs my team and I tested, I recommend ExpressVPN. It offers world-class security features and has a huge server network with fast speeds for every kind of online activity. And most importantly, it has a 7-day free trial and a trustworthy money-back guarantee. You can test it completely risk-free. If you're not satisfied, you have 30 days to claim a full refund.
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To summarize, the best VPN free trials in 2022 are…
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The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.
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Source: https://www.vpnmentor.com/blog/best-vpns-with-free-trials/
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