Investing in a long-term VPN subscription is always a good idea – especially if you want to save plenty of money in the long run. With that said, we understand if you’re searching for VPNs offering free trials, letting you test-drive their offer before paying. However, what are truly the best free VPN trials? Let’s find out!
All of the VPN services you’ll find below allow you to test them for a maximum of seven days and a minimum of one day. There are those that only ask for your email address. However, some require your payment information (which is a misuse-prevention system). Therefore, be aware of their trials’ duration and cancel your account if you’re not happy. Otherwise, you will be charged once the trial ends.
To learn more about this ‘fine print,’ make sure to read our “Frequently Asked Questions” section, found at the bottom of this article. And now, let’s jump right in, shall we?
After plenty of research, we present to you the 13 best free trial VPNs to try before you buy in 2021.
1. ExpressVPN – Best VPN Available Today!
If you need the best VPN service that can be found today, look no further than ExpressVPN. You get the highest possible encryption level, capable VPN protocols, and the ability to protect your personal information seamlessly.
Besides general Web browsing, ExpressVPN can also unblock media streaming platforms, download torrent files, and plenty more. Take a more comprehensive look via our ExpressVPN review.
When it comes to its trial, know that ExpressVPN offers this option only via its mobile apps (on Android and iOS). Once you download any of those apps, you can pick a subscription plan while signing up, and then you’ll access ExpressVPN’s unlimited 7-day trial.
Keep in mind that you’ll be charged once the trial ends – unless you cancel your subscription on time. All in all, this could be an excellent way to test-drive what ExpressVPN offers, especially since its mobile apps are on par with what you’ll find on desktop systems.
2. CyberGhost VPN – Best for High-End VPN Users
Coming from Romania, CyberGhost VPN has reached massive popularity around the world. It’s being presented as one of the most user-friendly VPNs out there. Bringing a simple interface, it allows you to browse the Web without restrictions, use specialized media streaming servers, and engage in P2P traffic. Also, it has a huge network of servers and doesn’t collect any of your personal information, as discussed in our CyberGhost VPN review.
To test-drive this VPN, you need to download CyberGhost VPN on your computer or smartphone (without having to sign up on its website first). Install the application, sign up using its UI, and you’ll get to use it for a limited time.
Let’s not forget that CyberGhost’s trial applies to iOS and Android (7 days), as well as other platforms (1 day). Overall, we think this is one of the best offers available right now, as you have access to all of the VPN’s apps.
3. Surfshark – Best for Streaming Movies & TV Shows
This is one of our favorite and fastest VPN services at the moment, bringing a clever combination of advanced yet easy-to-use features. Surfshark is capable of protecting your Web data, unblocking websites, eliminating ads and trackers, and more. As mentioned in our Surfshark review, it can also help secure your email address and help you privately search the Web.
Keep in mind that Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial, but only via its Android and iOS apps. It means that you need to download the VPN’s app on your smartphone or tablet, decide on which plan you want to use, and you’ll be charged once the 7-day trial ends.
If you cancel your subscription on time, you’ll avoid getting charged. However, we’re 100% sure that many of you are going to continue using Surfshark for a long time to come.
4. NordVPN – Best for Fine-Tuning & Privacy
NordVPN is known for offering a comprehensive set of VPN-related features, wrapped up in a highly polished package. You get nicely designed (and highly intuitive) apps, the ability to block online trackers, unblock any website out there, and even fight against sophisticated anti-VPN measures. All of this is explained in our NordVPN review.
NordVPN’s trial is currently available on mobile devices only, on Android and iOS. It used to cover desktop platforms as well, but NordVPN was forced to shut down that trial due to widespread abuse.
That means you need to download this VPN app on your mobile device, pick a subscription plan, and you’ll have seven days to try NordVPN. If you don’t cancel at least 24 hours before the trial ends, you might be charged – so keep that in mind.
5. ProtonVPN – Best for Total Digital Anonymity
This is one of the top-ranked VPN providers with plenty to offer. It brings the standard set of features, including plenty of servers, top-level encryption, and the power to unblock websites. Also, it’s powered by a technology called ‘Perfect Forward Secrecy.’ It means that even if someone gets to your data, they won’t be able to decrypt it. To learn about this VPNs interface, features, speed, and performance, read our ProtonVPN review.
To test-drive ProtonVPN, you can use the link found below to sign up for a free-of-charge account. Once you download and activate your account, you’ll get to use a 7-day trial of ProtonVPN’s Plus plan (completely free).
Once the trial ends, you’ll automatically switch to the Free plan – which limits you to three countries and one device. Therefore, this is a completely risk-free option, and you can buy a subscription once the trial ends (if you decide to use ProtonVPN in the long-term, that is).
6. PrivateVPN – Best for Ease of Use
Bringing the highest level of encryption (2048-bit), PrivateVPN stays true to its name. This provider makes your online whereabouts hidden from anyone else and allows you to break through the strongest geo-blocking mechanisms. As noted in our PrivateVPN review, it’s bringing a healthy number of servers, and you will get to use new IPs from a wide range of countries.
Even though PrivateVPN’s trial should be available on a large scale, users from certain countries might see their access restricted. If you see an error message while trying to access PrivateVPN’s website (by using the link provided below), the VPN’s trial account isn’t available in your country.
However, we recommend using a different VPN to reach PrivateVPN and resolve this obstacle. Once you obtain your credentials (using the links we’ve provided below), you’ll be free to download any of the VPN’s apps and test-drive them.
7. ZenMate VPN – Best for Inexperienced VPN Users
ZenMate comes from Germany, and this is a well-known and highly-reputable VPN brand. This is also one of the fastest-evolving VPNs, bringing new features at a rapid pace. You can use ZenMate VPN’s polished applications to connect to numerous locations, unblock a range of websites, and avoid online censorship. Check out more info in our detailed ZenMate VPN review.
You’ll also be happy to know that ZenMate allows you to test-drive its VPN service for up to seven days. All you need to provide is your email address. Once you verify it, you’ll get to use the VPN with no limitations whatsoever.
This applies to Zenmate’s mobile and desktop apps, even though there’s a catch to be aware of. If you decide to try ZenMate on your smartphone, you will be charged once the trial is over (which won’t happen if you cancel your subscription on time).
8. Avast SecureLine VPN – Best Fully-Automated VPN
We are sure that you’ve heard of Avast before, the creator of one of the world’s most popular and best antivirus solutions. Therefore, it’s not surprising to see Avast offering a VPN as well. Called SecureLine VPN, it brings a simple interface, gets you past the Netflix blockade, and doesn’t leak your data.
However, you’ll only get to use a limited number of servers (plenty of locations, though), and there aren’t any advanced features like split tunneling, for example. To get more info, here’s our Avast SecureLine VPN review.
Also, keep in mind that you can try Avast SecureLine VPN on desktop platforms without having to supply any personal information. Download the app, and you’ll use it with no limitations for up to seven days. However, if you decide to try the VPN’s mobile apps, you’ll need to agree to a subscription plan, and you’ll be charged automatically once the trial ends.
9. Astrill VPN – Best for Bypassing Online Restrictions
Having the ability to cross the Great Firewall of China, it didn’t take long for users to notice this VPN. You can use it on up five devices simultaneously without any limitations and rely on the company’s 24/7 support.
Astrill also lifts the blockade for Netflix and Hulu and brings highly reliable VPN encryption and protocols. The only downside is that it doesn’t bring the biggest server network out there. To learn more about this service, head to our Astrill VPN review.
When it comes to Astrill’s trial, keep in mind that it might not be available in every country (and the trial version is officially not available in China). If you’re automatically redirected to this VPN’s pricing page, this means the trial version isn’t available for your location.
A possible solution is to use another VPN (or a proxy), which should give you the ability to sign-up for an Astrill trial account.
10. HMA (HideMyAss) – Best Cross-Platform VPN
HideMyAss has managed to attract our attention thanks to the fact that it is present in the entire world. That’s true – you can find servers in almost every country of the world, giving you a chance to get a new IP instantaneously.
This VPN provider offers 24/7 support, hundreds of locations, military-grade encryption, and P2P support. However, as noted in our HideMyAss review, you’ll have a hard time unlocking new streaming services.
There’s also one more thing to know when it comes to HMA’s trial. To access it, you’ll need to supply your payment information. Once the 7-day trial ends, you’ll be charged as per the current price of the VPN’s annual subscription. Therefore, don’t forget to cancel the subscription at least 24 hours before it ends.
And while test-driving this VPN, you’ll get to use all of its apps – including software made for desktop and mobile operating systems.
11. AVG Secure VPN – Best for Speedy Connections
AVG, without any doubt, is known for its security-oriented software. Their Secure VPN solution is a bit different than what you might expect. It does work without any issues, unblocks websites, and even provides access to Netflix.
However, this VPN comes with a limited number of servers. Considering that it doesn’t allow you to fine-tune your VPN connection, there are many signs that more advanced users should look elsewhere.
If you’re willing to try out AVG’s Secure VPN, know that the best way to do that is by downloading its desktop application. You don’t have to supply any information in this case. You can also try the VPN on your mobile device, but know that you’ll get access to the trial only after you pick a subscription and agree to be charged automatically.
12. CactusVPN – Best Budget-Friendly VPN
This VPN service caters to those looking for an easy-to-use solution. As noted in our CactusVPN review, you can install this VPN on a whole range of devices and get to use equally simple UIs across all of those.
While CactusVPN doesn’t have a huge number of servers, its offer should be enough for average home users. And while it doesn’t work with Netflix, it supports other media streaming services. If you are interested, find out which is the best VPN service that works with Netflix.
CactusVPN comes with a 3-day trial, and keep in mind that you need to sign up via its official website (use the links provided in this article). This will get you your user credentials, using which you can log in to any of the VPN’s applications.
13. TigerVPN – Best for Non-Demanding Users
With hundreds of VPNs out there, it’s tough to stand out. Launched in 2011, TigerVPN is giving 2% of its profits to NGOs for animal welfare – which might persuade you into using this VPN.
However, there’s plenty that could be said about this VPN in terms of its technical capabilities. It offers plenty of servers and includes tools to keep your passwords safe. To learn more, check out our TigerVPN review.
What’s also important to note is that you’ll need to activate this VPN’s trial by downloading the trial version of TigerVPN – using the link we’ve provided. This provider doesn’t clearly indicate the availability of its trial on the website and instead routes you toward signing up for a paid account.
Once you download the file, install it, sign up for an account from within the app, and you’ll get to use it for a limited time.
Dear readers, this is where we conclude our article on the best VPNs with free trial . We hope that you’ll find a VPN that’s aligned with your needs and that you’ll become long-term VPN subscribers.