Selecting the right VPN can be daunting with numerous options available. But VPN free trials offer a chance to evaluate a VPN’s performance and features without commitment before deciding to subscribe.
However, most VPNs require advanced payment and offer a money-back period for testing, rather than a true free trial with no credit card.
But no worry, our blog reviews the best 5 VPN free trials of 2024: X-VPN, Express VPN, NordVPN, Surfshark VPN, and Proton VPN with detailed analyses of their features, pros, and cons. And you can find both two kinds of free trial modes in this list.
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VPN Free Trials VS Money-Back Guarantees
When it comes to trying out a VPN trial service, there are two main options available: free trials and money-back guarantees.
VPN Free Trials with No Credit Card
VPN free trials allow users to access the full functionality of the VPN for a limited period, typically ranging from 24 hours to 7 days. During this time, users can explore all the functions and test the VPN’s performance without any financial commitment. However, it’s important to note that free trials may come with some download channels.
Money-Back Guarantees
Money-back guarantees, on the other hand, are more extensive. Most providers typically require an upfront payment and allow users to utilize the VPN service’s full features for a more extended period, usually lasting 30 days or more.
But if the service doesn’t meet the user’s expectations, they can request a refund. Money-back guarantees provide users with ample time to thoroughly evaluate the VPN service and recognize whether it meets their needs.
All in all, both trial options allow you to experience the full functionality of the VPN, and both are also “free”. You can decide whether or not to provide payment details depending on how long you want the trial to last and what device you’re using.
Top 5 VPN Free Trials Recommended in 2024
This section will provide an in-depth overview of the 5 best VPN free trials and their features, performance, security, and which free trial mode it is using.
A Quick Overview of the Top 5 VPN Free Trials
・X-VPN: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Best VPN with state-of-the-art features and a free version.
・ExpressVPN: ⭐⭐⭐⭐. Great combination of speed, features, and security features.
・NordVPN: ⭐⭐⭐⭐. Fastest VPN with a large network.
・Surfshark VPN: ⭐⭐⭐⭐. Cheap VPN but has great performance.
・ProtonVPN: ⭐⭐⭐. Reliable and trustworthy VPN with high security.
X-VPN (Our Top Recommendation)
X-VPN is one of the best VPNs on the market, offering an excellent balance of features and affordability. It provides access to its full range of 8000+ servers across 225 locations worldwide, which makes it one of the best performance VPN in the VPN test and allows users to unblock geo-restricted content.
In terms of security, X-VPN features AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and 11 protocols for different needs, balancing speed, stability, and privacy. Advanced options include a kill switch, custom protocols, split tunnel, DNS/IP leak protection, and WebRTC leak detection for comprehensive online security.
X-VPN Free Trial
X-VPN provides new users with three complimentary options: an unlimited free version, a 7-day free trial, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Its free version can be used for unlimited usage with no registration and binding info. Although it does not allow you to choose the server location and offers few features, it is still the best option for testing the water.
The 7-day free trial of X-VPN is available for all apps which downloaded from app stores, including Google Play, Microsoft Store, etc., while Money-back guarantee always applies to downloads from its official website.
So you can:
– Get the 7-day free trial via iOS, Android, Windows, MacOS and TV download with no credit card.
– VPN download for Chrome extension, routers, etc., for a 30-day trial with payment but refundable.
💡Note: Check the X-VPN refund policy for more detailed info.
Compatibility
・macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, TVs, game consoles and Chrome.
Pros
・High speed with stable connections.
・Huge selection of global servers.
・Offers many advanced features and powerful performance.
・Has a free trial without requiring any payment details.
・Provides a free version without any bandwidth limit.
Cons
・Lacks ad and malware blocker now.
Pricing
Plan | Price |
---|---|
Free Plan | $0 |
1-Month Plan | $11.99/mo |
6-Month Plan | $9.99/mo |
12-Month Plan (+3 extra months free) | $4.79/mo |
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is widely regarded as the industry leader when it comes to speed, reliability, and the ability to unblock even the toughest geo-restrictions. It gives you unrestricted access to its entire network of 3,000+ servers across 94 countries. During the trial, you can expect top-tier speed and performance. The VPN consistently ranks among the fastest VPNs in independent tests, thanks in part to its proprietary Lightway protocol.
ExpressVPN uses robust encryption standards, including AES-256. Additionally, they follow a strict no-logging policy and offer secure protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2, a kill switch, split tunneling, protection against IP leaks, and P2P torrenting support. All these services are available for free trial, ensuring a safe and secure online experience.
💡Note: If you are interested in best VPN for torrenting, check the recommendation.
ExpressVPN Free Trial
Unlike X-VPN, ExpressVPN does not have a free version but a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee. With their VPN trial, you get the full premium experience with great ease.
To access the ExpressVPN trial, you have two options:
– Download it on iPhone or Android devices and sign up to get the 7-day free trial.
– Subscribe to their plan and request a full refund within a month.
Compatibility
・Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, TVs, browsers, game consoles.
Pros
・Easy to use interface.
・Great security and privacy protections.
・Unblocks most streaming services.
・Powerful and efficient advanced VPN features.
Cons
・Too expensive.
・No free version.
Pricing
Plan | Price |
---|---|
1-Month Plan | $12.95/mo |
6-Month Plan | $9.99/mo |
12-Month Plan | $6.67/mo |
NordVPN
NordVPN is the first choice for users who value online privacy and security. You can expect minimal speed loss, allowing you to browse, stream, and download without any lags or buffering. NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol, built around the WireGuard protocol, delivers lightning-fast speeds without compromising security. The service is also renowned for its power to bypass geo-restrictions and unblock streaming platforms.
Moreover, with NordVPN, you not only get the VPN service but also additional features such as built-in ad blocking and antivirus protection to safeguard your browsing activities and personal information from cybercriminals. Users of its complete plan also have access to the data breach scanner, password manager, and secure cloud storage service.
NordVPN Free Trial
NordVPN does not offer a free version or a free trial period for mobile users. You can only verify its functionality with the promised 30-day money-back guarantee.
– Register an account and pay in advance to experience its full services.
Compatibility
・macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Edge, Android TV, and tvOS
Pros
・One of the fastest VPNs available.
・Offers effective VPN features and a built-in security suite.
・Supports many unique services.
・Undergoes independent audits from time to time.
Cons
・No free version and free trial.
・The mobile interface is not as user-friendly.
・The Linux app provides a command line interface only.
Pricing
Plan | Price |
---|---|
1-Month Plan | $12.99/mo |
12-Month Plan | $4.59/mo |
24-Month Plan | $3.09/mo |
Surfshark
Surfshark is another VPN service that’s more budget-friendly compared to the likes of ExpressVPN and NordVPN while also delivering top-notch features. Users can access its global network of 3,200+ servers in 100 regions. One standout aspect is their unlimited simultaneous connections policy, which allows you to protect each device you have with an account. Speaking of streaming, Surfshark’s dedicated streaming servers are optimized to bypass geographical restrictions, allowing you to access your favorite content from anywhere in the world.
In the security domain, Surfshark provides strong encryption, no logs, double VPN, ad blocking, and a mode to hide VPN use. Trial users can test these features, along with added antivirus and data removal services.
Surfshark VPN Free Trial
Surfshark does not have a free version, but it offers a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
You should note that the 7-day free trial requires a credit card that’s either linked to the Google Play Store or an App Store account. Furthermore, the trial is only for mobiles, and macOS.
– Get the 7-day free trial via iOS, macOS, and Android download with a credit card.
– Download, log in, and apply for a 30-day trial with payment.
Compatibility
・macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, routers, game consoles, and Firestick TV.
Pros
・Tons of features.
・Multiple versions to meet the needs of different populations.
・Unblocks most streaming services.
・Dependable live-chat support.
Cons
・No free version.
・Payment information is also required for the 7-day free trial.
・Outdated and confusing official website.
Pricing
Plan | Price |
---|---|
1-Month Plan | $10.99/mo |
1-Year Plan | $3.99/mo |
2-Year Plan | $2.49/mo |
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is operated by the same team that created the secure email provider, ProtonMail. One of ProtonVPN’s standout features is its Secure Core architecture, which routes your traffic through multiple servers in privacy-friendly jurisdictions like Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden. This added layer of security helps protect against network-based attacks and ensures your online activity remains private, even if a VPN server is compromised.
In other areas, Proton VPN is no longer outstanding. It has 1700+ servers worldwide, which doesn’t compare favorably to other competitors. Meanwhile, Proton VPN offers stable internet connections, but the speeds are not impressive, and it also fails to unlock most streams.
Proton VPN Free Trial
Like X-VPN, Proton VPN offers a free version for users to use, and although it has limited features and can only access 3 server locations, it also protects users’ data with a strong security barrier.
However, the only option Proton VPN offers to evaluate its full service is a 30-day money-back guarantee.
-Register for an account and prepay to test the service risk-free for 30 days.
Compatibility
・macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, TV, Browsers.
Pros
・Offers a completely free version with unlimited data.
・Unblocks most streaming services.
・Excellent privacy with Secure Core Architecture.
Cons
・Sub par customer support.
・Over expensive subscription prices.
Pricing
Plan | Monthly Cost | 1-year Cost | 2-year Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Free Plan | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Plus | $9.99/mo | $5.99/mo | $4.99/mo |
Unlimited | $12.99/mo | $9.99/mo | $7.99/mo |
At a Glance
VPN | Servers | Free Version | Free Trial | 30D Refund | Connection | Premium Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
X-VPN | 8000+ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | 5 | $11.99/mo |
ExpressVPN | 3000+ | ✖︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | 5 | $12.95/mo |
NordVPN | 5600+ | ✖︎ | ✖︎ | ✔︎ | 6 | $12.99/mo |
Surfshark | 3200+ | ✖︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | Unlimited | $10.99/mo |
ProtonVPN | 1700+ | ✔︎ | ✖︎ | ✔︎ | 10 | $9.99/mo |
Key Aspects to Consider During VPN Trials
When engaging in VPN trials, it’s crucial to methodically evaluate several key aspects to ensure the service aligns with your needs:
・Features: Scrutinize the range of features available during the trial. This includes server locations, compatibility, and advanced functions like dedicated servers or unblocking websites.
💡Note: You can run a VPN TEST to check the performance with great ease.
・Performance: Test the VPN’s speed and reliability across different servers. Performance can vary widely, so check for consistency during peak and off-peak hours.
・Security: Investigate the VPN’s security measures, including the encryption standards used and the robustness of their privacy policies. Look for features like a kill switch and DNS leak test.
・Compatibility: Ensure the VPN provider supports various systems to protect all your devices.
・Price: After the trial, consider the subscription costs. Determine if the price aligns with the value you expect from the service based on your trial experience.
・Transparent Cancellation Policy: A straightforward cancellation policy is a hallmark of a trustworthy VPN-free trial. The best trials make it easy to cancel before the trial period ends, without hidden fees or complicated procedures.
These factors will help you make an informed decision about which VPN service best suits your surfing requirements. Ensure to test thoroughly and read all terms during the trial to avoid surprises once the trial period concludes.
Conclusion
To protect your online privacy and circumvent censorship, try the top 5 VPN free trials we listed in this blog. X-VPN is our first pick due to its outstanding security, high performance, and ease of use. But the ideal VPN varies per user needs, so weigh all these factors to find the service that suits you best.
FAQs
Is there a VPN that has a free trial?
Yes, there are VPNs that have a free trial. Reputable VPNs typically offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, requiring upfront payment with the option to refund within the trial period to achieve the “free” effect. But providers like X-VPN will truly offer a genuine free trial without payment details, limited to official app store users for 7 days.
Can you get a VPN without paying?
Yes, I can get a VPN without paying. There are some trusted providers that offer limited-feature free VPN versions, which are ideal for beginners. For full access, users also can opt for risk-free trials to test its premium features.
Is free unlimited VPN safe?
The safety of a free unlimited VPN can be questionable. Unscrupulous providers may use “free” and “unlimited” as bait, offering low-quality services and potentially selling user data. However, reputable companies do offer secure and functional free VPNs. It’s important to ensure their reputation and read the terms of service carefully before choosing one.