When it comes to trying out a new piece of software or even just a new provider, it’s fair to assume you might be apprehensive about parting with your cash, especially when it comes to a VPN that can be both an enigma to many and hit-and-miss whether it’s the right one or not for you. Fortunately, there are VPNs with free trials available, giving you the chance to put your chosen VPN through the ringer and determine whether or not it meets your criteria.For full transparency, it’s important to point out while there are ‘true’ free trials available, a lot of VPN providers market their money-back guarantee periods as a free trial. These are usually a standard 30-days, though some providers have extended this to 45-days. While you technically don’t get to try out the service for free, you do have the reassurance that if it isn’t for you – and you notify the provider within that period – you’ll receive a full refund.As mentioned, though, there are a few VPN providers out there that do offer a ‘true’ free trial experience, whether on desktop or if you opt for a VPN’s smartphone app. Whatever the case, we’ve curated a list of the best VPNs with a free trial that you can test out today.The best VPN with free trials
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Our top 5 VPN with free trial providers:
(Image credit: ExpressVPN)1. ExpressVPNThe number one VPN service, free or not, available right nowFree trial type: 30-day money back guarantee | Number of servers: 3,000+ | Server locations: 160 | Maximum devices supported: 5 | Works on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, LinuxHuge selection of serversSimple and clean clientSuper secureFantastic unblocking prowessFewer simultaneous connections than some othersMoney back guarantee onlyBest free trial VPN 2022 – 100% risk-free 30-day money back guaranteeHolding the top spot across our VPN buying guides as the greatest VPN of them all, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to its new customers, allowing users to get a taste of what this superb VPN is all about.On top of that you get some of the best security out there thanks to enterprise-level encryption, DNS content unblocking, no logging, a kill switch, P2P support and leak protection. Even payment, if you decide to go beyond the ExpressVPN free trial, is secure with Bitcoin as an optional method.Outside of security you also have all the benefits of a geo-location workaround system meaning you can flit between countries always appearing to be where you need to be seen from. And that works across devices too thanks to iOS, Android, Mac and Windows clients.The 24/7 customer support service is a huge draw with help available whenever you need it. The only negative we have is that you can only use this on five devices at any one time. It’s still not bad (just fewer than some other services) and since you can set this up on the router, that helps bypass that issue at home.While its 30-day money-back guarantee doesn’t offer a ‘true’ free trial experience, it does give you ample time to see if this is the VPN for you, all your money back! Better still, you can get the best value ExpressVPN price if you sign up for an annual sub. This gets you 49% off and an extra 3 months FREE. Plus, Express has increased the value even further by throwing in one year’s unlimited use of Backblaze secure cloud backup, too.(Image credit: Future)2. SurfsharkBig features at a low price – and a handy 7-day free trialFree trial type: 7-day free trial (Android, iOS, macOS) and 30-day money back guarantee | Number of servers: 3,200+ | Server locations: 65 countries | Maximum devices supported: Unlimited | Works on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, LinuxLoads of featuresUnblocks US NetflixVery cheap two-year planSpeedy live chat supportTrial is for mobile apps and Mac users onlySupport website needs workSurfshark is a VPN that proves you can have an affordable version of a product that still delivers powerful features.This little gem offers a seven-day free trial, though it does require your credit card details, as you’ll download it from the Google Play Store or App Store for iOS and macOS devices (no luck for those after a VPN for Windows only).It’s worth noting however that while this will allow you to benefit from the Surfshark free trial, it will mean potentially missing out on the better rates when signing up direct on Surfshark’s website.Still, you’ll also benefit from its 30-day money-back guarantee whether you sign up through the dedicated app store or on its website for another device. Not to mention Surfshark offers a price that undercuts much of the competition, yet still crams in loads of security and geo-restriction unblocking powers, making it one of the best cheap VPN options out there.Get access to over 3,200 servers across more than 65 locations and, crucially, works to unblock Netflix – something many cheaper VPNs struggle with. Speeds are great and security is fierce with AES-256 encryption, IKEv2 protocols, OpenVPN UDP and TCP and a kill switch, to name but a few. Despite the complex sounding systems, the app is clear and easy to use, even for beginners. Today’s best Surfshark deals(Image credit: ProtonVPN)3. ProtonVPNUnlimited bandwidth with free planFree trial type: Free version | Number of servers: 1,600+ | Server locations: 63 countries | Maximum devices supported: 10 | Works on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, LinuxFull free plan with unlimited dataUnblocks Netflix, پروکسی iPlayer, Disney Plus, Prime Video and moreIncredible WireGuard performanceSupport not 24/7Need Plus plan for streaming unblocking and top speedsAs well as offering a 30-day money back guarantee, ProtonVPN offers a real trial run with its free version that allows you to try out many of its features without spending a penny.Of its 1,600+ servers, you can utilize 24 servers in three countries, with middling speeds. It also offers an unlimited data allowance alongside unlimited bandwidth support – practically unheard of for free VPN. Still, while ProtonVPN does have the ability to bypass restrictions on blocked content, including Netflix, پروکسی iPlayer, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video and more, you won’t be able to utilize its streaming unblocking prowess without paying for its Plus plan.That said, it gives an indication of the kind of power Proton is capable of. In fact, it offered some of the fastest results in our speed testing with figures of 720-740Mbps.There’s also a boatload of features to use in the free version like Auto-Connect, Split Tunnelling, and Alternative Routing. While upgrading to one of its paid-for plans gets you P2P support and use of its adblocker, as well as access to hundreds more servers around the world, with unlimited data for an unlimited time, this is a great stepping stone into the world of VPN and trying before you buy, of which you’ll want to considering just how great ProtonVPN has become as a contender for the best of the best as of late.Today’s best ProtonVPN deals(Image credit: Hotspot Shield)4. Hotspot ShieldDecent free version is a good test run for HotspotFree trial type: Free version, 7-day trial and 45-day money back guarantee | Number of servers: 1,800+ | Server locations: 110+ | Maximum devices supported: 5 | Works on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, LinuxFree version is an ideal test bedAffordableEase of useOfficial app onlyAverage speedsHotspot Shield is a reliable VPN that offers consistent speeds across its 1,800 servers running in over 80 countries. With its very Catapult Hydra protocol this gives you decent speeds no matter where you are and works with clients for iOS, Android, Mac and Windows.But perhaps even more noteworthy is the fact that you can take advantage of its full free version otherwise known as its Basic plan, which is a great reflection of Hotspot’s premium plan but limited to 500MB use per day. You’ll also get limited access to its network of servers and features with streaming remaining exclusive to premium subscribers. If you want to know just how good Hotspot Shield is then download the free version first and give it a whirl. You can also benefit from a 7-day Hotspot Shield free trial of its premium service.Not to mention, Hotspot Shield spoils new customers with its generous 45-day money-back guarantee.Today’s best Hotspot Shield deals(Image credit: CyberGhost)5. CyberGhostSuper configurable VPN with a long money-back guaranteeFree trial type: 24-hour desktop free trial, 45-day money back guarantee | Number of servers: 7,700+ | Server locations: 110+ | Maximum devices supported: 7 | Works on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, LinuxGreat client optionsExcellent performanceTorrent supportInterface issuesCyberGhost is one of our favorite VPN services for unblocking video content thanks to its server selection. Just pick the service you want, be it US Netflix, Hulu, and more, then the VPN will select the best server to get you the ultimate performance.Better still, when it comes to a CyberGhost free trial, you can put it to the test for a 24-hours before you begin paying for it.Explore a whopping 7,000+ servers spanning more than 80 countries, all the usual clients and an impressive live chat support service. You also get automated HTTPS redirection and optional data compression to keep you secure and save you money respectively. The interface could be simpler and the desktop trial period is only 24 hours.Much like Surfshark, by signing up through the Google Play Store or App Store on your Android or iOS device, you can give it a whirl with a 7-day free trial.The money back guarantee lasts a decent 45 days – so a bit more than the industry standard. But that doesn’t apply on its one-month sub, where the guarantee is reduced to 14 days.Today’s best Cyberghost deals(Image credit: Hide.me)6. Hide.meA new entry with a decent free planFree trial type: Free version, 30-day money back guarantee | Number of servers: 2,000+ | Server locations: 75+ | Maximum devices supported: 10 | Works on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, LinuxFast speed performanceUnblocks US Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus10GB a month on its free planGreat smartphone appsKill switch issuesNeeds more recent security auditA new entry into our best VPNs with free trials, Hide.me is another provider that offers a completely free version of its services, allowing you to get an idea of if it’s the one for you before parting with your cash.Its free service offers users 10GB a month on its limited plan, an extensive amount when you consider some free VPN limit customers to as little as 500MB per month. You can also benefit from five locations in its free plan which support P2P for anyone looking to torrent. These locations are based in US, Canada, Netherlands, and two in Singapore.Unfortunately its free variant won’t offer streaming service support and you won’t benefit from its WireGuard protocol, which saw some seriously impressive results in our speed testing, charting 750-780Mbps. That said, the plan will give you a strong indication of whether you want to commit to one of its paid-for plans later down the line.If you do want to sign up for a subscription, you’ll also have the added security blanket or its 30-day money back guarantee, allowing you to receive a refund if you’re not happy within that period.Today’s best Hide.me dealsVPN with free trials FAQWhat is the difference between a VPN free trial and a money-back guarantee?It’s commonplace for a VPN provider to offer a 30-day money back guarantee, which many market as a free trial, including the best of the best like ExpressVPN. We want to be transparent, though, and point out this is not strictly a ‘true’ free trial.
While a free trial means you won’t pay for that period of use, a 30-day money-back guarantee simply gives you the security that if you decide not to proceed with the VPN within that time-frame, you’ll be fully refunded. The money therefore will leave your bank account and, if you do continue your VPN subscription, that first month will be paid for.(Image credit: Shutterstock)Are free trial VPNs safe?It’s good to be cautious when it comes to anything free where VPN is concerned. Completely free services certainly can have their drawbacks in terms of the degree of security they can offer.
However, if you opt for any of the free trials offered by the above VPN providers, you can rest assured that they are safe with TechRadar’s endorsement. Aside from the fact they have paid-for counterparts that ensure the funding of secure, strong infrastructure, we’ve also tried and tested them ourselves to ensure they’re the real deal.Which VPN offers a free trial without entering card details?There are a few options for those who don’t want to enter in their card details in order to make the most of a VPN with a free trial.
CyberGhost has a 24-hour free trial that you can make use of without requiring any payment details. Simply visit the free trial page and click the ‘Start your free trial’ button and an .exe file will be downloaded onto your device to install.
Alternatively, both ProtonVPN and Hotspot Shield offer completely free plans that install straight onto your desktop as explained above.More like this:Round up of today’s best deals
