Best VPN free trials 2026 – try premium VPNs risk free
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A VPN free trial lets you test the service before paying for a long-term plan. Since yearly subscriptions can cost between $50 and $100, it makes sense to try the VPN first and see if it meets your needs.
Top 5 best VPN free trials in 2026
- Surfshark VPN – best free trial VPN for unlimited simultaneous devices
- NordVPN – best free trial VPN in 2026 for privacy, speed and bypassing restrictions
- CyberGhost – VPN with access to a free trial without credit card information
- Private Internet Access – free trial VPN with full settings customization
- Proton VPN – free VPN with unlimited data
Best free trial VPNs 2026 – detailed list
If you want to try a VPN before getting a full subscription, I have prepared a list of VPN providers that offer a worthwhile free trial option with access to many premium features. Let's have a look.
1. Surfshark – free trial VPN for multiple devices
| Free trial duration: | 7 days |
| Money-back guarantee: | 30 days |
| Payment details required: | ✅ Yes |
Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial to any new user who signs up for a 12- or 24-month plan via Surfshark's website using PayPal or a credit card. Unlike some competitors that restrict the trial to a single app store, Surfshark's trial works across every platform from the moment your account is created. It’s compatible with Windows, iOS, Android, smart TVs, Chrome, and more, on up to 3 devices simultaneously.
Free trial VPN features
Surfshark's free trial doesn't hold back on the core product. You get access to 4,500+ servers across 100 countries, unlimited simultaneous device connections, and your choice of WireGuard, OpenVPN, or IKEv2 protocols. CleanWeb blocks ads, trackers, and malware, while Camouflage mode hides the fact that you're using a VPN at all. For extra security, MultiHop routes your traffic through two servers instead of one, and NoBorders mode is available if you're connecting from a region with heavy internet restrictions. Kill switch and split tunnelling round out a feature set that would satisfy most users well beyond the trial.
What you won't get is anything from Surfshark's upgraded plan tiers. The One antivirus suite and data breach monitoring, along with the personal data removal tools from Surfshark One+, sit behind a paid upgrade. The other thing worth flagging: the trial itself can only be claimed through iOS or Android. There's no desktop equivalent, so you'll need a phone or tablet to get started, even if you plan to use it primarily on a laptop.
Free trial terms
The 7-day trial is available exclusively through Surfshark's website, not through the App Store or Google Play. You must select a 12-month or 24-month plan and pay using PayPal or a credit card to qualify. Your payment method will be charged at the end of the trial unless you cancel beforehand.
Cancellation process
To cancel, log in to your Surfshark account at Surfshark > Account > Subscription > Cancel Automatic Renewal before the 7-day window closes. Surfshark's 24/7 live chat support can also handle cancellation requests directly. If you miss the trial deadline, the 30-day money-back guarantee applies to first-time subscribers as a fallback.
After-trial costs
Surfshark is one of the most affordable premium VPNs when billed on a 2-year cycle – from $1.99/month on a 2-year plan. Month-to-month pricing is considerably higher. The One and One+ plans bundle in additional security tools for power users, so they cost extra, too.
How to get a free trial of Surfshark VPN
- Go to the Surfshark website and click Get Surfshark VPN
- Choose either the 12-month or 24-month plan, these are the only plans eligible for the free trial.
- At checkout, pay with PayPal or a credit card (other payment methods don't qualify for the trial)
- Create your Surfshark account with an email and password
- Download the Surfshark app
- Your 7-day trial begins immediately – set a reminder to cancel before it ends if you decide not to continue
2. NordVPN – best free trial VPN for speed and streaming
| Free trial duration: | 3 days |
| Money-back guarantee: | 30 days |
| Payment details required: | ✅ Yes |
NordVPN sits at number two in terms of performance. Its 3-day Android trial is shorter than Surfshark's, but the quality of what you're testing is exceptional – NordVPN consistently outperforms the competition on speed and streaming reliability. Combine the trial with a 30-day money-back guarantee and you still have over a month of risk-free access.
The trial is Android-only to claim, but your account works immediately on any platform – iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux included.
Free trial VPN features
NordVPN's free trial delivers the full Basic plan from day one, and there are no feature restrictions. The server network spans 9,500+ servers across 149 countries, which gave us reliable access to geo-restricted content during in-house testing.
Alongside that, you get a well-rounded feature set: P2P-optimized servers for torrenting, Threat Protection for blocking ads and malware, and Meshnet for remote device access. There’s also a kill switch on all platforms, obfuscated servers for restricted regions, and Double VPN for an added layer of encryption.
Free trial terms
The 3-day trial is Android-only and requires a valid payment method. However, note that your card will not be charged until the trial expires. The 30-day money-back guarantee is available to all first-time subscribers and runs from the date of the first charge. It stacks with the free trial for over a month of low-risk access; however, you’re limited to one trial per account.
Cancellation process
Cancel via Google Play > Account > Subscriptions > NordVPN > Cancel, before the trial ends. Alternatively, cancel directly through the billing dashboard on the NordVPN website. No retention scripts or chatbot loops – the process is direct, and the 30-day refund policy is consistently honored.
After-trial costs
The 2-year NordVPN plan is the best value and currently includes 3 bonus months – from $3.09/month on a 2-year Basic plan. Plus and Complete tiers add a password manager and encrypted cloud storage, respectively. It’s worth mentioning that monthly billing is significantly higher than the long-term rate.
How to get a NordVPN free trial
- Open the Google Play Store on your Android device
- Search for NordVPN and tap Install
- Open the app and tap Sign Up to create a new account
- Select your plan – the free trial option appears before checkout
- Enter your payment details to activate the trial – you will not be charged now
- Once your account is live, install NordVPN on any other devices you use
3. CyberGhost – free trial VPN with no credit card required
| Free trial duration: | 24 hours for Windows and macOS, 3 days for Android, and 7 days for iOS |
| Money-back guarantee: | 14–45 days |
| Payment details required: | ❌ No |
CyberGhost is the only VPN on this list offering a no-payment-required desktop trial. It's just 24 hours, but the real appeal is the 45-day money-back guarantee – the longest of any premium VPN here. Subscribe to a qualifying plan and you have over six weeks to test properly before committing.
Free trial VPN features
CyberGhost’s 24-hour desktop trial gives you full access to its complete feature set – the same as a paid subscription.
You get support for WireGuard and OpenVPN, a kill switch and DNS leak protection for security, and up to 7 simultaneous connections. There are also NoSpy servers (RAM-only and based in Romania), split tunneling on Windows, and automatic HTTPS redirection to improve browsing safety.
What you won’t get during the trial is everything behind additional paywalls. A dedicated IP address is a paid add-on, and the desktop trial itself is limited to just 24 hours.
Free trial terms
The 24-hour desktop trial is available on Windows and macOS with no credit card required. Mobile users can access a 3-day trial (Android) or a 7-day trial (iOS), but this requires payment details through the app store. The 45-day money-back guarantee applies to subscriptions of 6 months or longer.
Cancellation process
Log in to CyberGhost and navigate to My Subscriptions > Cancel Subscription. The 24/7 live chat team handles refund requests promptly and has a strong reputation for honouring them without friction within the guarantee window.
After-trial costs
CyberGhost is among the most affordable premium VPNs on a long-term plan – from $1.75/month on a 2-year plan. Renewal pricing is higher than the introductory rate, so make sure to factor this in before selecting a plan length.
How to get a CyberGhost VPN free trial
- Visit the CyberGhost website and click Get CyberGhost VPN
- Install the app on your Windows or macOS device
- Open the app and click Sign Up, no payment details required at this stage
- Create your account with an email address and password
- Your trial begins immediately upon account creation
- To extend your window, subscribe to any 6-month+ plan and use the 45-day money-back guarantee
4. Private Internet Access – free trial VPN with limited customization
| Free trial duration: | 7 days (Android and iOS) |
| Money-back guarantee: | 30 days |
| Payment details required: | ✅ Yes |
Private Internet Access (PIA) matches Surfshark's 7-day mobile trial length and adds something unique: fully open-source apps. Every line of code is publicly auditable on GitHub. For technically minded users who want to verify what a VPN actually does before committing, that transparency is a genuine differentiator.
Free trial VPN features
On the privacy side, PIA’s MACE filters ads and trackers at the DNS level before they ever reach your device – a cleaner approach than browser-based blockers. Split tunnelling is available across all platforms, letting you route specific apps outside the VPN while keeping others protected. The kill switch works at both the app level and system level on desktop, which is a more robust implementation than what most competitors offer.
During internal testing, two PIA features stood out to me for power users. Port forwarding is enabled during the trial, allowing faster torrent peer connections that the majority of VPNs block outright. And unlike most services that cap device connections at 6 or 10, PIA places no limit – the entire household runs off a single account.
What the trial doesn't include is narrower than what it does. A dedicated IP address is a paid add-on separate from the core plan, and antivirus protection requires an additional purchase. The only structural limitation is that the trial itself must be claimed through iOS or Android – there is no desktop trial available.
Free trial terms
PIA's 7-day trial is available on iOS and Android via their respective app stores. Payment details are required through your Apple or Google account, and you’re limited to one trial per account. The 30-day money-back guarantee applies to all new subscriptions and can extend your risk-free testing window beyond the initial 7 days.
Cancellation process
You can cancel PIA via App Store or Google Play subscription settings before day 7 to avoid any charge. On desktop, log in to Private Internet Access > My Account > Cancel Subscription. PIA's live chat team processes refund requests within the 30-day money-back window.
After-trial costs
PIA is highly competitive on long-term plans – from $1.75/month on a 3-year plan. However, keep in mind that renewal rates increase after the initial term, so check the renewal price before subscribing. Luckily, PIA occasionally runs promotional pricing with additional bonus months.
How to get a Private Internet Access free trial
This Norton 7-day free trial VPN is only available through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Here’s how to get it:
- Open the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android)
- Search for Private Internet Access VPN and install the app
- Tap Sign Up inside the app to create a new account
- Select a subscription plan – the 7-day free trial option will appear before checkout
- Confirm your payment method through your Apple or Google account
- Your trial starts immediately – you can connect unlimited devices simultaneously from the same account
5. Proton VPN – unlimited free plan VPN
| Free trial duration: | Unlimited free version |
| Money-back guarantee: | 30 days |
| Payment details required: | ❌ No |
Proton VPN closes the list as the only VPN here with an unlimited free plan. Built by the same Swiss team behind Proton Mail, Proton VPN treats privacy as a technical standard rather than a selling point. The free tier is intentionally limited to encourage upgrades, but what it does offer is a fully functional, trustworthy VPN at no cost.
Free trial VPN features
You get servers in 10 randomly selected countries, which is limited compared to paid plans, but sufficient for privacy protection and everyday browsing. That said, there are no bandwidth caps or data limits of any kind, which is uncommon even among paid VPNs.
The underlying technology is identical to the paid plan: WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection are all active. The apps are fully open-source and available on every major platform.
Device coverage is capped at one simultaneous connection on the free plan, compared to ten on Plus, meaning it protects one device at a time, not an entire household. And during peak hours, free users are deprioritised on shared servers, which can result in noticeably slower speeds. The connection remains private and encrypted regardless, but if consistent performance is a priority, the free tier will occasionally let you down.
Free trial terms
You can sign up with just an email address via the official Proton website. The free plan is a permanent tier, not a trial, and can be used indefinitely without upgrading. The 30-day money-back guarantee applies to the Plus plan if you choose to upgrade and later want a refund.
Cancellation process
There’s nothing to cancel on the free plan, as you’re never charged. If you upgrade to the Plus plan and want to cancel, log into account.proton.me > Subscription > Cancel subscription. Refund requests for Plus subscribers are processed within the 30-day window, typically within a few business days.
After-trial costs
At $2.99/month on a 2-year Plus plan, Proton VPN sits at the higher end of this list's pricing, but the jump from free to paid is substantial enough to justify it. Upgrading unlocks servers in 148 countries, streaming-optimised servers, NetShield ad and malware blocking, P2P support, and up to 10 simultaneous connections. For privacy-first users who've outgrown what the free tier provides, the 2-year plan offers genuine value relative to what lands in your account the moment you upgrade.
How to get a Proton VPN free version
- Visit the Proton VPN website and click Get Proton VPN Free
- Create a Proton account using your email address – no payment details needed
- Download the Proton VPN app for your platform: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, or Linux
- Log in with your new Proton account credentials
- Connect to any available free server
- Upgrade to Plus anytime from within the app if you need servers in more countries, better speed, or streaming access
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. Meanwhile, with a money-back guarantee, you pay first, and then, if you change your mind, you get a refund.
| Free trial | Money-back guarantee | |
| Features | Depend on the trial | Unlimited features |
| Requires payment details | ✅ Yes, except CyberGhost, and Proton VPN | ✅ Yes |
| Charges money from your account | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Length | 1-7 days | 30 days for NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN; 45 days for CyberGhost |
| Can be redeemed on | Google Play for NordVPN; the official Surfshark, CyberGhost, Proton VPN website | Google Play, App Store, and the official website |
| Available on | iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux | iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux |
| Data limit | Depends on the provider | ❌ No |
| Speed cap | Depends on the provider | ❌ No |
| No-logs policy | Depends on the provider | Depends on the provider |
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 be used once the free trial period ends.
Remember that these two options might also offer different VPN features. For example, free trials often allow you to use only the basic features and require a premium subscription plan to access the rest. However, most of our best free trial VPNs offer unlimited features during their free trials.
What is the difference between a VPN free trial and a completely free VPN?
A free trial offers a time-limited window, typically 1 to 7 days, of full access to a premium VPN before you're charged. Once it ends, you subscribe or lose access. A completely free VPN has no expiry but comes with permanent limitations: a few server countries, one device connection, no streaming servers, and slower speeds at peak times.
One warning worth noting: VPNs that are free with no clear business model often monetize by logging and selling user data.
Final verdict on VPN free trials
Trying a VPN through a free trial helps you see if the service truly meets your expectations. Not every VPN performs as advertised, so testing it first lets you check the speed, features, and reliability before you spend any money.
My research showed that Surfshark is the best overall VPN that offers a reasonable free trial. Alternatives like NordVPN and CyberGhost offer 3-day trials if you need a more extended testing period. Plus, many other worthwhile VPNs offer 30-day or even longer refund guarantees, meaning you can test many other services if you don’t mind spending some cash.
FAQ
Which VPN has the longest free trial?
Surfshark has the longest trial period – a 7-day free trial plus a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you cancel before the 30 days are up, you will receive a full refund.
Which VPN can I use for free without paying?
You can use NordVPN for free for up to 3 days or Surfshark without paying for it for up to 7 days. After that, you can try them out with their money-back guarantees. Otherwise, CyberGhost and other freemium VPN providers are good options, although somewhat limited in features.
Which VPN has a 1-month free trial?
Surfshark allows you to use its service risk-free for 30 days. However, the actual free trial lasts only 7 days; afterward, you’d need to get a subscription and use a 30-day money-back guarantee to get a full refund.
Which VPN has a 7-day free trial?
Surfshark, PIA, and CyberGhost all offer a 7-day free trial, allowing you to experience their full range of features. Additionally, you have at least a 30-day money-back guarantee across all platforms, ensuring your top-class privacy and security.
Is there a free trial VPN without a credit card?
Yes, CyberGhost, and Proton VPN are my top choices of free trial VPNs. CyberGhost offers 1 to 7-day trials without requiring credit card details for Windows and macOS, while Proton VPN has a free VPN version.
Can I use a VPN free trial on multiple devices at the same time?
Yes, but it depends on the VPN. Surfshark and Private Internet Access both allow unlimited simultaneous connections during their free trials, so you can cover every device you own from day one. NordVPN's Basic plan, which the free trial runs on, supports up to 10 devices at once. CyberGhost allows 7 simultaneous connections during its trial period.