The Best VPNs with Free Trials in 2023
If you want your online experience to be carefree and fun, it is time to get a VPN.
There is a wide range of VPN providers out there, and deciding on the right one for you can be a daunting task. If you are aware of the need to get a VPN but have not yet made a decision to buy one, you can try out some of the available free trials.
In case you don't want to read the entire article, here’s a quick summary of the best VPN services according to our independent tests and research:
- ProtonVPN (Free Version) Proton is often referred to as the single most trustworthy company in the VPN business. They focus on security over anything else and offer the best free VPN available. This is the company behind ProtonMail.
- NordVPN Best VPN for general work and entertainment purposes. I found it to be reliable, high-speed, and easy to set up, and it's one that I use daily for work.
- CyberGhost VPN was voted as the best gaming VPN for 2023 and is one of the cheapest VPN services among the whole top 10.
BEST FREE TRIAL VPN 2023
RANK
BRAND
DEVICES
STATS
DOWNLOAD
1
6
6 simultaneous devices.
- ● Fastest VPN 2023
- ● Servers: 5300+
- ● Countries: 60+
WHY I LIKE NORDVPN NordVPN has long been regarded as one of the strongest brands in cybersecurity. With one of the largest server offerings on my list and support for most, if not all operating systems, making NordVPN an obvious choice for many. They have 24/7 customer support if you need help getting started. Their app is one of the most well-designed apps I have ever used. NordVPN even accepts cryptocurrencies as payment for extra anonymity.
2
10
10 simultaneous devices.
- ● Best Free VPN 2023
- ● Servers: 1713+
- ● Countries: 63+
WHY I LIKE PROTONVPN: ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland and is most known for their e-mail service ProtonMail. They currently offer the safest free VPN services on the market. There is also support for TOR usage and P2P file sharing. I highly recommend ProtonVPN if you are intending to do some extensive online sharing. It goes without saying that Proton does not collect logs of any kind and is completely safe to use.
3
7
7 simultaneous devices.
- ● Best Torrent VPN
- ● Servers: 7400+
- ● Countries: 91+
WHY I LIKE CYBERGHOST CyberGhost VPN is the first choice of many other cybersecurity experts, and the reason is clear; they have the most complete VPN service. An incredible number of extra features that are best suited for the more advanced users but also work flawlessly for every-day purposes like P2P-filesharing. Cyberghost VPN also has the longest stretching money-back guarantee at a full 45 days.
4
∞
Unlimited simultaneous devices.
- ● Best Cheap VPN 2023
- ● Servers: 3200+
- ● Countries: 65+
WHY I LIKE SURFSHARK: Surfshark VPN is perfect for those who want a cheap and reliable VPN that also has many extra features. "Camouflage Mode" hides your usage from your ISP, "Kill Switch" suspends your connection and protects your information if you temporarily lose Internet access, "MultiHop" to connect from multiple countries at the same time just to name a few. My favorite feature of Surfshark is "Whitelists" which allow the user to exclude specific apps and programs from the VPN connection.
5
∞
Unlimited simultaneous devices.
- ● Robust/Security focused
- ● Servers: 750+
- ● Countries: 43+
WHY I LIKE ATLAS VPN: Atlas VPN is one of the best new free VPN services. With the free version, you get unlimited data, no ads and zero logging. During my speed tests, Atlas VPN performed very well and could compete with mainstream services. Kill Switch, Ad-blocker, and P2P support all included with a regular subscription, which is incredibly cheap for such a robust service.
6
10
10 simultaneous devices.
- ● Best Netflix/Streaming VPN
- ● Servers: 35500+
- ● Countries: 84+
WHY I LIKE PIA VPN: PrivateInternetAccess is at the top of my streaming tests, which is a great combination with their easy-to-use UI, Open-Source software and built in adblocker. PIA is also perfect for those who want to be able to pay with PayPal which for some reason, many other VPN services do not support. 30-day money-back guarantee, multiple Netflix libraries, and extremely affordable are the three main selling points for this VPN service.
7
10
10 simultaneous devices.
- ● Best VPN for Gaming and Streaming
- ● Servers: 200+
- ● Countries: 63+
WHY I LIKE PRIVATEVPN: PrivateVPN is the strong underdog in the world of VPNs. With a shy number of servers, it is evident that they are focusing on quality over quantity. Overall, PrivateVPN is a very decent choice of VPN, especially if you had enough of the excessive advertising by some of the other more known brands in this list. Setting up the VPN requires extremely little intervention, and you can even pay with Bitcoin.
8
49%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Best Mobile VPN app
- ● Servers: 3000+
- ● Countries: 94+
10
77%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
45 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Fastest free VPN
- ● Servers: 3200+
- ● Countries: 80+
11
85%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
7 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Great free VPN
- ● Servers: 1000+
- ● Countries: 26+
12
68%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
10 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Best reputation
- ● Servers: 91+
- ● Countries: 17+
14
79%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
15 day money-back guarantee.
- ★ Great adblocker included
- ★ Servers: 1800+
- ★ Countries: 20+
15
66%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● 5 devices simultaneously
- ● Unlimited usage
- ● 50+ locations
16
70%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Unlimited traffic
- ● Up to 1 Gbps
- ● Free trial
17
85%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● 10 devices
- ● Unlimited bandwidth
- ● Countries: 60+
19
$5.00 /user
14 day free trial/money-back guarantee.
- ● Simple Cloud VPN Setup
- ● Site-to-site VPN Tunneling
- ● Easy Server & User Management
21
67%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
7 day money-back guarantee.
- ● 5 devices
- ● Locations: 65+
- ● 24/7 live support
22
80%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● 10 devices
- ● Countries: 20+
- ● P2P Optimization
23
66%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
Basic, advanced, and pro plans.
- ● Countries: 22+
- ● Locations: 36+
- ● 24/7 live support
24
79%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Best multi-device VPN
- ● Servers: 1000+
- ● Countries: 200+
What Is a VPN?
VPN, short for Virtual Private Network, is a virtual tool that keeps your identity private and your online content hidden. A VPN sends your online traffic through a VPN server and assigns your device the VPN server’s IP address, thus obscuring your actual location.
VPNs use strong encryption to encode your content, which nobody but the VPN server can decode. So, even if your content fell into the wrong hands, nobody would be able to understand it.
Why Do I Need a VPN?
People with high-risk jobs require a VPN to protect their identity and data. At the same time, business people need it to communicate and share information with their remote staff safely.
Some people prefer to have a VPN because they are aware of the dangers lurking on the internet. Others need it to break geographical blocks on global streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu or HBO, or websites banned by their governments, like Google, YouTube, TikTik, Facebook, etc.
What Features Should a VPN Possess?
The quality of VPN service is mirrored in its ability to provide a safe, private, and hassle-free virtual environment.
When selecting a VPN provider, either paid or free, pay attention to the following:
- Size of the server network
A server network comprises servers, i.e., IP addresses that a provider uses to disguise its users’ actual locations. Having as many servers as possible is what all the top VPN providers strive for.
Another important aspect is the location of those servers. It is good to have them in different parts of the world to cater to the needs of various customers. The number of servers per VPN provider usually ranges from a hundred to several thousand.
- Unlimited bandwidth
Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transferred from one point in the network to another in a given amount of time. Bandwidth is usually measured in bits per second. Unlimited bandwidth means your internet speed is not restricted, and you can watch or download your favorite programs without worrying about poor connection.
- Safety features
The main safety feature of any VPN is the encryption it uses. Most of the top VPN providers use AES-256 or AES-128-bit encryption, considered the gold standard in the VPN industry. Other important safety features are the kill switch, split tunneling, DNS leak protection, ad blockers, and additional safety features such as a dedicated IP address and double VPN.
- Number of simultaneous connections
The number of simultaneous connections does not determine the quality of your VPN service. Still, having more than one means that other household members can use the service simultaneously. Most top VPN providers offer up to ten simultaneous connections (usually 5 to 7). In contrast, some offer an unlimited number of them.
- Privacy policy
Last but least, it is important to know your VPN provider’s privacy policy. Many providers claim to keep your data safe, but in reality, they sell your information to third parties. Another important thing is the provider’s logging policy. Always choose a provider with a strict no-log policy. That way, even if you end up in court for some reason, your VPN provider, having logged no information about your online activity, will have no data to hand over to the authorities.
What is a VPN Free Trial?
A VPN free trial is basically access to a free VPN service in one of the following forms:
- Unlimited service for a limited period (the paid providers’ free trial, between 1 and 7 days)
- Limited service for an unlimited period (free VPN providers)
- Money-back guarantee (provided by paid providers usually for 7, 30, or 45 days)
Classic free trials are rare among the top VPN providers. Most of them offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is an excellent opportunity to test the quality of service. Unfortunately, such service is frequently limited to only some of the features, even though there are providers which give you access to their premium features.
If you are not ready to invest in paid VPN service and do not really need extra safety features and unblocking ability, you can opt for one of the free VPN providers.
What Is the Difference Between Free and Paid VPN Services?
Besides the fact that free trials cost nothing, you will likely notice a difference in the quality of service and the large number of advertisements your free account will be flooded with until you decide to purchase the service. However, using a free trial with any of the top VPN providers is safe.
Using a free VPN, however, is always risky, though the prospect of saving money may sound inviting.
The first thing you need to ask yourself before getting a free VPN is this: how can the company survive if it is giving its product for free? The answer: it sells your data to third parties.
But the more important aspect of the free vs. paid VPN debate is the quality of service. On the one hand, the short-term service on a 30-day money-back guarantee provides adequate protection, but only for a short period. On the other hand, limited long-term protection does not provide sufficient protection. The best option, therefore, is to get paid VPN service.
What Are the Best VPN Free Trials?
The best VPN free trials are the ones provided by these top VPN companies:
| VPN Provider | Server Network | Bandwidth | Safety Features | Simultaneous Connections | Privacy Policy |
| NordVPN | 5,500+ servers in 59 countries | Unlimited bandwidth | Encryption: AES-256 Kill Switch: Yes Split tunneling: Yes DNS leak protection: Yes Double VPN: Yes | Up to 6 simultaneous connections | Strict no logging policy |
| Surfshark | 3,200+ servers in 99 countries | Unlimited bandwidth | Encryption: AES-256 Kill Switch: Yes Split tunneling: Yes DNS leak protection: Yes Double VPN: Yes (Multihop) | Unlimited number of simultaneous connections | Strict no logging policy |
| Atlas VPN | 750+ servers in 44 locations | Unlimited bandwidth | Encryption: AES-256, ChaCha20-Poly1305 Kill Switch: Yes Split tunneling: Yes DNS leak protection: Yes Double VPN: Yes (MultiHop Plus) | Unlimited number of simultaneous connections | Strict no logging policy |
| CyberGhost VPN | 8,900+ servers in 90+ countries | Unlimited bandwidth | Encryption: AES-256 Kill Switch: Yes Split tunneling: Yes DNS leak protection: Yes Double VPN: No | Up to 7 simultaneous connections | Strict no logging policy |
| PIA VPN (Private Internet Access VPN) | Servers in 84 countries | Unlimited bandwidth | Encryption: AES-256, AES-128 Kill Switch: Yes Split tunneling: Yes DNS leak protection: Yes Double VPN: No | Up to 10 simultaneous connections | Strict no logging policy |
NordVPN
NordVPN offers various packages, all of which can be tested on a 30-day money-back guarantee. In addition to its outstanding basic features, NordVPN’s Premium Plan also provides a range of extra safety features such as malware protection, ad tracker and blocker, cross-platform password manager, data breach checker, and 1TB encrypted cloud storage.
NordVPN Advantages
- Excellent speeds
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Large server network
- Additional safety features
NordVPN Disadvantages
- Not all servers support torrenting
- Open VPN router setup complicated
Surfshark VPN
Surfshark offers two trial models: a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial for Android, iOS, and macOS. To enable your 7-day trial, you need to download the Surfshark app from Google or Apple Store, open the app and click on Start trial, create an account and choose the 12-month plan. After completing the free trial, you can still use the service with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Surfshark VPN Advantages
- WireGuard protocol
- Early access to games
- Protection against DDoS
- Great unblocking ability
Surfshark VPN Disadvantages
- Some server locations are slow
Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. In addition, it has a free version, though it is much more limited than the paid one. For example, on a free version, you are only allowed access to three server locations: one in the Netherlands (Amsterdam) and two in the USA (Los Angeles and New York). On a single account, you also get military-grade encryption and 5GB of data a month. After you have downloaded the app from Google or Apple Store, you need to choose a server of your preference, and you are good to go.
Atlas VPN Advantages
- WireGuard protocol
- MultiHop+
- Safe Swap servers
- Streaming servers
- Data Breach Monitor
Atlas VPN Disadvantages
- Smaller server network
CyberGhost VPN
Cyberghost is one of the few top VPN providers that does not limit the free trial service – users can use it as premium subscribers. In addition to this, they can use the free trial without providing any credit card information. The disadvantage of the free trial is that it only lasts for 24 hours on your desktop and 48 hours on your phone. A good alternative is CyberGhost’s money-back guarantee. You can get it by paying for the service and canceling your subscription within 45 days of purchasing it.
CyberGhost VPN Advantages
- Sizeable server network
- Smart Rules customizing
- No-spy servers
- Anti-censorship features
- Sizeable server network
CyberGhost VPN Disadvantages
- Some servers are slow and overcrowded
- No recent version for Linux
Private Internet Access VPN
PIA offers a 7-day free trial on iOS and Android and a 30-day money-back guarantee on all devices. Unlike CyberGhost, PIA VPN requires you to enter your credit card information and bills you after the 7-day period is up. PIA VPN also offers the possibility of using their service with a money-back guarantee. In this case, you must purchase the service first and then ask for your money back.
Private Internet Access Advantages
- Advanced safety features
- Easy-configuration
- Torrent-friendly
- Built-in ad blocking
Private Internet Access Disadvantages
- Limited streaming options
- VPN connection breaks down occasionally
- Free trial only available for iOS and Android
Conclusion
If you wish to improve your internet security and privacy, you should consider getting a VPN.
Purchasing a VPN service is always the best option because you will get access to all the best features the provider offers. In addition, you will not be bombarded with ads, and the provider will not be tempted to sell your data to marketers.
Nonetheless, if you are not sure which provider to get or are not in a position to spend money on a paid VPN service, try some of the available free trials. Most free trials come in the form of a money-back guarantee, requiring you to purchase the service first and then ask to be reimbursed within a certain period.
FAQ
Why do I need a VPN?
The most obvious reasons to get a VPN are to keep your identity private and to prevent your information from being stolen.
Are free VPNs safe to use?
No. If you want to save money, better choose a top VPN’s free trial because those providers have strict no-log policies. Unfortunately, a VPN service that is completely free of charge is provided by companies that almost certainly sell your information to third parties.
Are VPNs legal?
In the majority of countries, VPNs are legal. VPNs are banned in countries with high censorship, such as Belarus, North Korea, Iraq, Turkmenistan, etc.
Does a VPN slow down internet speed?
Yes, a VPN can slow down the internet speed. With a good provider, however, this should not be noticeable. However, if your ISP (Internet Service Provider) is throttling the internet connection, a VPN may help increase the speed.
Why do I need a credit card to subscribe for a free trial?
VPN providers let you use their service for free. However, if you do not ask for your money back within a certain period, usually 30 or 45 days, they will continue to charge you for it. That is why they need your credit card information.
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