Best VPN free trials – some with no credit card required

A VPN with a free trial is an excellent way to test the service before committing to a long-term plan. It allows you to try out the connection speeds, server options, device compatibility, features, and streaming capabilities in a short period of time without any risk. Not having tried out the service, you might end up locked in a long-term subscription with a VPN that doesn’t meet your needs.

Sadly, not all VPNs offer a free trial option, and some of the ones that do – give limited access to the features. However, with our top pick, NordVPN, you can enjoy a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee, which, when combined, gives you a total of 37 days of a free trial. With it, you get unlimited access to all the features as you would with a premium subscription.

Along with our research team, I evaluated and ranked the best VPN free trials based on trial duration, feature availability, and payment detail requirements to help you choose the one for your individual needs. Let’s dive in.

Try a premium NordVPN service for free

NordVPN is an excellent premium VPN option, offering all the top features and no annoying compromises. Try it for free using its 7-day Google Play Store free trial that you can claim with any Android device. Once active, you can test the service on any device you own without any limitations.

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Best VPNs with a free trial – shortlist

1. NordVPN – the best overall VPN with a free trial in 2024
2. Surfshark VPN – free trial VPN for Android and iOS devices
3. Norton Secure VPN – VPN with the longest free trial period
4. ExpressVPN – a great no-logs VPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee
5. CyberGhost – the best VPN with a no-credit-card-required free trial

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Analysis of VPNs with the longest free trials

In July 2024, I analyzed the free trial periods from a large number of VPN service providers. My goal was to investigate which VPNs offer the longest free trial period. I combined the maximum free trial duration and money-back guarantee period to find the longest amount of time you can try out a VPN without paying a penny.

To help you better understand, I summarized my findings in the table below.

At the top of the list, with the longest free trial periods, we have Norton Secure VPN (7-day free trial, 60-day money-back guarantee), CyberGhost (7-day free trial, 45-day money-back guarantee), and Hotspot Shield (7-day trial, 45-day money-back guarantee).

I’ve noticed that the overwhelming majority of VPN providers offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, which seems to have become the industry standard. What’s more, at least half of them come with a 7-day free trial, with only a few well-known VPN providers, such as Mullvad and Proton VPN, not offering a free trial at all.

You may see that some VPNs have a longer free trial period but did not make it to our top free trial VPN list. This is because the free trial duration is not the only important aspect we’re considering when ranking these VPNs. We also consider whether the free trial allows users to try out all of the features, requires payment details, and has a money-back guarantee.

This is why NordVPN made it to the top of our free trial VPN list, despite not having the longest free trial period. NordVPN is a reputable VPN that offers a free trial with unlimited features, has excellent unblocking capabilities, and maintains some of the fastest speeds we’ve seen.

Free trial VPNs we tested and reviewed in 2024

If you want to try out a VPN before getting a full subscription, I have prepared a list of market leaders that will not disappoint. While evaluating each service, our research team and I looked at free trials, money-back guarantees, and the useful features included in the free versions. The best VPNs that performed well in those categories are included in the list below.

1. NordVPN – best free trial VPN overall

Visit NordVPN

Based on our research, NordVPN is the best VPN with a free trial. It offers a free 7-day trial – combine it with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and you have yourself 37 days of free security!

The free trial is applicable for Android users, but after claiming the trial and creating an account, you can set it up on any other device, including iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux devices.

You’ll have to provide your payment details to start the free trial, but the provider is reliable – NordVPN won’t charge you if you cancel the subscription before the 7 days are up. This VPN also supports PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and cryptocurrency payment methods in case you don’t want to use the credit card.

If you claim NordVPN’s free trial, you’ll get access to all VPN features. Aside from a huge server fleet (6300+ ultra-fast servers in over 111 countries), you’ll get access to various streaming services (like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more) and fast torrenting.

Not to mention that NordVPN uses a proprietary NordLynx tunneling protocol, which improves the overall performance. So whether you’re streaming, torrenting, or casually browsing, you won’t experience visible speed drops.

All in all, I recommend trying out NordVPN via a free trial. I think it’s the best free trial option because NordVPN is highly secure and allows its users to try out all features during the trial period. However, if you don’t have access to an Android phone, it may be difficult to get the 7-day free trial, and you might have to opt for a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is still plenty of time to test out the service.

And, if you decide to commit to NordVPN, you only have to pay $3.09/month.

2. Surfshark – free trial VPN for budget-conscious users

Visit Surfshark VPN

Surfshark is another great free trial VPN that allows users to test all of its features free of charge for seven days. Its 7-day free trial is available on the App Store and Google Play. Like NordVPN, once you get your free trial, you can use it on any device, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux devices.

I love that Surfhsark doesn’t limit the features you can try out during the free trial. Some of its most noteworthy inclusions are CleanWeb for blocking ads, IP Rotator, and NoBorders mode for bypassing online censorship.

Once you claim a free Surfshark trial, you can use it for free on as many devices as you want since it gives unlimited simultaneous connections. You’ll be able to access 3200+ servers in 100 countries and unblock Netflix, Peacock, Amazon Prime, and plenty of other streaming platforms.

Additionally, it has 24/7 customer support to answer any questions regarding the free trial setup or terms of use. This is who you’ll have to contact if in case you want to use the money-back guarantee.

Overall, I think Surfshark offers a great free trial and is an excellent option for those who have iOS devices. If you decide that you want to keep using Surfshark after the free trial, you can purchase one of its subscriptions starting at $2.19/month and pay with a credit/debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or cryptocurrency.

3. Norton Secure VPN – free trial VPN with antivirus protection

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Norton Secure VPN is among the best premium VPNs you can test for free with unlimited features. It offers a 7-day trial via Android and iOS devices and requires you to share payment details. Additionally, Norton Secure VPN has a 30-day free trial for Windows and MacOS devices.

If you cancel the subscription before the free trial ends, you will not be charged. However, if you forget to cancel the subscription within 7 days, you will be charged the full amount. Norton’s 60-day money-back guarantee gives you two whole months to test the VPN with the option to get a full refund.

I found its selection of features to be good but not well-rounded. The service boasts 5000+ servers across 28 countries and provides extra features, such as high-level antivirus if you purchase Norton 360. What I didn’t like was that the VPN plan is rather limited and doesn’t come with features like a dark web monitor.

In my opinion, Norton Secure VPN is great for those who want an all-around security package. Its cheapest plan starts at $3.33/month but doesn’t include important security features. I recommend opting for Norton 360, which comes with an antivirus, dark web monitor, and a password manager, allowing you to secure all of your sensitive information with one solution for just $3.33/month.

4. ExpressVPN – efficient free trial VPN

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ExpressVPN is a highly secure VPN with a 7-day free trial. Users can start the free trial by downloading the ExpressVPN app from Google Play or the App Store, creating an account, and entering their payment details. If you’re afraid you’ll forget to cancel before the free trial is up, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee to fall back on.

After claiming the free trial, you can use the ExpressVPN app on any device that supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux.

ExpressVPN accepts payments with credit/debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, cryptocurrencies, and other options. So, once your free trial ends, if you don’t cancel your subscription, you will be charged for the plan you’ve selected.

The free trial gives access to all features. You’ll be able to choose from thousands of servers in 105 countries, access streaming sites, browse seamlessly, block trackers, and more. In addition, this VPN is torrenting friendly, so you can easily enjoy secure P2P connections.

I recommend ExpressVPN for those who want to focus on security and don’t mind not having extra features. Starting at $6.67/month, ExpressVPN can be a bit pricey, so make sure to check out our ExpressVPN coupons page to find the best deal.

5. CyberGhost – best no credit card free trial VPN

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CyberGhost is the best free trial VPN that doesn’t require payment details. It’s affordable, fast, and secure, and it even offers a 45-day money-back guarantee so you can test the service risk-free for more than a month.

CyberGhost offers several different free trials, all depending on the device you’re using. You can get a 1-day trial for Windows/macOS desktop apps, a 3-day trial with Android devices, and a 7-day trial for your iOS devices. In addition, if you pick the one-month subscription plan, you’ll get a 14-day money-back guarantee. All longer plans come with an extended 45-day money-back guarantee.

The best thing about CyberGhost is that you don’t need to provide payment information for the free trial. All you have to do is sign up using a valid email address, and you’re good to go. However, if you want to try out CyberGhost for 14 or 45 days, you’ll have to enter your payment details. CyberGhost accepts debit/credit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Amazon Pay, PayPal, and cryptocurrencies.

During the trial, you’ll get to try the full product. So, you can connect to any of the 11500+ servers in 100 countries, use specialized streaming servers, stream on different streaming platforms, or enjoy secure P2P connections.

In addition, even during the free trial, you’ll have access to 24/7 live chat customer support. So, if you run into any issues, CyberGhost support will be available for you.

All in all, CyberGhost is an excellent option for those who use VPNs to bypass geo-restrictions and stream video content. It comes with streaming-optimized servers to make the experience as smooth as possible. Once you’re done testing CyberGhost, you can get it for as little as $2.03/month.

How we test and rank these VPNs

I aim to provide you only with the best recommendations for VPN services. Likewise, together with the expert team, I have tested more than two dozen different providers to find the best VPNs with free trial options.

When selecting which providers to test, I looked through the most popular VPN providers. I filtered out those without free trials or with shorter than 30-day money-back guarantees. Here are the main criteria and scores we used when selecting VPNs with free trials. These scores helped determine the overall ranking.

• Trial duration (25%). I was looking for a minimum 7-day free trial and at least a 30-day money-back guarantee. VPNs should give users an adequate amount of time to test out all of their features and compatibility with their devices.
• Feature availability (25%). When picking VPNs with free trials for the list, I made sure that all premium features were available and that there were no limits imposed during the trial. It's crucial to test everything before making a commitment.
• Security and privacy (20%). Together with our research team, I prioritized services with advanced encryption like AES-256 to ensure security during free trials. I checked their privacy policies for no-logs practices and looked for proof from independent audits. I also considered whether each provider's country of origin is privacy-friendly and whether VPNs offer extra security features.
• Bandwidth and connection speeds (15%). I carefully researched whether a VPN limits speeds or bandwidth during free trials. Along with my research team, we tested the speeds of each VPN during their free trial using our in-house speed testing methods. We also conducted tests on various devices, platforms, browsers, streaming services, torrenting services, and video games.
• Server list (5%). I checked the server networks of each service to see which ones provide global coverage with their free trials. We only considered VPNs with a large server fleet because some VPNs with free trials only offer a few servers to test. This can make it impossible to access different streaming libraries, for example.
• Ease of use (5%). With a research team, I thoroughly tested apps on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. I checked if they were easy to use and if there were any confusing features. If any features were missing on one app compared to another, I made sure to mention it in my review.
• Pricing (5%). Lastly, I aimed to select VPNs that offer the best value for your money. I looked into whether they provide money-back guarantees and how long they last, so you can try them without any risk. I also reviewed their refund policies to ensure a hassle-free experience if you decide to cancel.

VPN free trial vs money-back guarantee: what's the difference?

The main difference between a VPN free trial and a money-back guarantee is that a free trial may ask for your payment details, but you don’t have to pay for the duration of it. Meanwhile, with a money-back guarantee, you pay first, and then, if you change your mind, you get your money back.

Some VPN providers market money-back guarantees as free trials because the user is eligible for a 100% refund if they claim it before the set period ends (e.g., 30 days). Due to this, it might be unjust to call it a free trial.

On the flip side, if the VPN provider allows you to test the tool without paying anything, that is considered a true free trial. Even if the provider requests your payment details to use once the free trial period ends.

Keep in mind that these two options might offer different VPN functions as well. For example, free trials often allow you to use only the basic features and require a premium subscription plan to access the rest. However, our best free trial VPNs all offer unlimited features during their free trials.

Can I get a VPN free trial with no credit card?

Yes, you can get VPNs with free trials without sharing credit card details. For example, CyberGhost enables Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS users to test the service for free without needing to share payment information. Once the trial ends, you can choose to pay for the services using credit/debit cards, PayPal, cryptocurrencies, and other payment methods. Keep in mind that you’ll have to cancel the subscription via Google Play or App Store.

Other VPNs on the list require you to share payment information to activate a free trial. NordVPN, Surfshark, Norton Secure VPN, and ExpressVPN accept payments via credit/debit cards, PayPal, and various other payment methods. Despite the fact that these VPNs request payment details, note that you will not be charged until the free trial ends.

Why should I look for a free trial VPNs?

When investing in a service, it's helpful to get a preview of what you're buying. Free trial VPNs offer a great way to discover which VPN best suits your needs.

Free trial VPNs are useful because they:

• Let you examine the VPN’s capabilities. VPN providers try their best to list all the benefits their customers are getting. However, reading about the features is different from trying them out yourself. A VPN with a free trial can help you check the tool’s server fleet, test its speeds, and try out other features.
• Allow you to check compatibility. While many VPNs have dedicated apps for all popular devices, some work worse than others. Likewise, free trials can be convenient when testing how efficient and compatible the VPN is with your device.
• Enable trying the tool's interface. Keep in mind that if you intend to use the VPN daily, it should be as easy to use as possible. Thus, free trial VPNs allow you to check out their interface and see how user-friendly it is for everyday use.
• Help test the trustworthiness. Free trials are an excellent option if you seek reliable VPN services that you can use without paying. Keep in mind that it’s a safer solution than using VPNs that are free in general.

Expert comment

Akvilė Tamašiūnienė

Content editor and security expert

I know that free VPNs can be appealing. However, they often come with drawbacks like data limits, limited servers, and slower speeds. On the other hand, premium VPNs provide better security, more servers, and faster speeds.

If you're unsure about committing to a VPN, try out premium ones that offer free trials or money-back guarantees.

These options let you test the service risk-free, giving you confidence that they aim to provide a quality experience to keep you subscribed.

How to get a refund after your free trial ends

Before starting a free trial, make sure to review the VPN provider’s refund policy to understand the terms and conditions. This will give you a clear idea of your eligibility for a refund and any specific steps you need to follow. Different providers offer different trial or money-back periods, so you should be aware of them.

Generally, all you have to do is contact customer support and request a refund. They will ask for your email address to verify your account and initiate the refund process.

For example, with NordVPN, you can simply request a refund via live chat. The chatbot will guide you through the entire process.

Follow any additional steps provided by the provider support team to complete the refund process. This may involve filling out a form or providing further details about your experience with the VPN service.

Which VPNs can I try without a credit card?

Currently, only CyberGhost offers the possibility of getting a free trial without entering payment details. Simply create an account with a valid email address and try out CyberGhost.

If you just don’t want to use a credit card, all of the above VPNs support alternative payment methods. For example, NordVPN accepts PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and cryptocurrency payments.

Likewise, technically you can try all VPN services risk-free with the money-back guarantee by using other payment options than a credit card. Here is a detailed list of payment methods that each of the provided VPNs supports:

Video review

Check out our full video review on which VPNs you can try entirely for free.

Conclusion

Most VPN providers offer a 7-day free trial and have a 30-day money back guarantee. Aside from free trial period length, I looked for feature availability, a solid refund policy, and multiple payment methods. After a detailed review, I can conclude that NordVPN is the best VPN with a free trial.

NordVPN allows you to try out its full features with a 7-day free trial for Android and a 30-day money-back guarantee for other OS like macOS, iOS, Windows, and Linux. While you have to enter your payment details to get a free trial, NordVPN has an excellent track record and won’t charge you before the free trial ends.

Although other VPNs on our list have met these conditions, NordVPN excels in other crucial areas. It offers one of the largest server fleets on the market, provides lightning-fast speeds via NordLynx, and supports its users with 24/7 live chat.

Norton Secure VPN and CyberGhost are also great options, especially if you want to try out the service for more than a month.

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