VPNs, or digital personal networks, are among the most accessible methods to strengthen your privateness on-line. They’re additionally intuitive and handy instruments we will use to entry geo-restricted content material on the web.
The issue is most high quality VPNs require a paid month-to-month or yearly subscription to make use of. This turns into a difficulty since a enterprise can’t know for positive if a VPN matches their wants except they’re capable of try it out.
SEE: 10 Myths about Cybersecurity You Shouldn’t Imagine (TechRepublic Premium)
Fortuitously, there are a variety of VPN suppliers providing useful free trials that enable entry to premium VPN options with out paying for an upfront subscription. On this article, I’ve gathered among the finest VPNs with free trials in 2024.
ESET PROTECT Superior
Staff per Firm Measurement
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Massive (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Any Firm Measurement
Any Firm Measurement
Options
Superior Menace Protection, Full Disk Encryption , Fashionable Endpoint Safety, and extra
ManageEngine Log360
Staff per Firm Measurement
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Massive (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Micro (0-49 Staff), Small (50-249 Staff), Medium (250-999 Staff), Massive (1,000-4,999 Staff), Enterprise (5,000+ Staff)
Micro, Small, Medium, Massive, Enterprise
Options
Exercise Dashboard, Superior Menace Analytics, Analytics/Reporting, and extra
Graylog
Staff per Firm Measurement
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Massive (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)
Medium (250-999 Staff), Massive (1,000-4,999 Staff), Enterprise (5,000+ Staff)
Medium, Massive, Enterprise
Options
Anomaly Detection, Audit Logs, Compliance Reporting, and extra
Greatest VPNs with free trials: Comparability
I’ve gone forward and damaged down among the finest VPN free trials obtainable available on the market right this moment. Particularly, you’ll be able to try trial lengths, function restrictions and variety of servers within the desk beneath:
| Size of free trial | 7 days | 24 hours for desktop; 3–7 days for cell | 7 days | 7 days | Free model, free ceaselessly |
| Learn how to entry trial | By way of cell apps (usable on different platforms after) | Home windows, macOS, Android, iOS | By way of Android solely (usable on different platforms after) | iOS or Android solely | Free model on Home windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Requires cost info | No | No | Sure | Sure | No |
| Characteristic restrictions | None | None | None | No entry to desktop app | Slower speeds; entry to solely 5 server international locations |
| Pricing of paid plan | $2.19 monthly (2 years) |
$2.19 monthly (2 years) | $4.69 monthly (2 years) | $6.67 monthly (1 yr) | $4.49 monthly (2 years) |
| No. of servers | 10,000–35,000 (reportedly) | 9,000+ (reportedly) | 6,300+ | 3,000+ (reportedly) |
4,900+ servers |
| Server areas | 91 international locations | 100 international locations | 111 international locations | 105 international locations | 91 international locations |
| VISIT PIA VPN | VISIT CYBERGHOST | VISIT NORDVPN | VISIT EXPRESSVPN | VISIT PROTON VPN |
Non-public Web Entry VPN: Greatest VPN free trial
Non-public Web Entry VPN is an all-around resolution that carries quick speeds and an in depth server community. Particularly, you get servers unfold throughout 91 international locations, permitting you to unblock geo-blocked content material simply whereas getting good speeds.
Free trial particulars
PIA VPN gives a seven-day free trial that’s accessible by way of its cell apps on the Google Play Retailer and the iOS App Retailer.
SEE: Free VPN vs Paid VPN: Which One Is Proper for You? (TechRepublic)
I personally suggest PIA VPN’s free trial resulting from its limitless simultaneous gadget connections.This allows you to take a look at its premium VPN on a number of gadgets, as its limitless gadget threshold allows you to use PIA VPN in your desktop or different gadgets after accessing its cell free trial.
Does it require cost or bank card info?
No, PIA VPN’s free trial by way of cell doesn’t require any cost info to entry. Once I tried its free trial utilizing my Android smartphone, I didn’t must enter any bank card to activate the seven-day trial.
Pricing
- 1 month: $11.99 monthly.
- 6 months: $7.50 monthly.
- 2 years (+2 months free): $2.19 monthly.
Options
- Servers throughout 91 international locations.
- WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec protocols.
- RAM-only server know-how.
Professionals
- Limitless simultaneous gadget connections.
- Quick general VPN speeds.
- Customizable app bookmarks.
Cons
- WireGuard protocol could also be buggy.
- No free model.
If you wish to study extra, try my full Non-public Web Entry VPN evaluate right here.
CyberGhost VPN: Greatest desktop free trial
CyberGhost VPN is an excellent choice for customers who need a numerous server fleet and easy-to-use specialised servers. Proper now, CyberGhost gives servers from 100 international locations and well segregates its servers so they’re finest optimized for streaming, gaming and torrenting. Its desktop free trial can also be probably the most accessible on this checklist.
Free trial particulars
CyberGhost gives a 24-hour free trial obtainable for Home windows and macOS by way of its official web site. It additionally gives a three-day free trial for Android smartphones and a seven-day trial for iOS gadgets.
I selected CyberGhost VPN as the very best for desktop because it doesn’t require any further hoops to entry. You don’t want to enroll by way of its cell app or create an account on a unique gadget. All you could do is go to CyberGhost’s official web site and begin a trial.
That is on prime of not requiring any cost info to start out a free trial. Whereas I’d’ve most popular the trial to be longer than 24 hours, it’s nonetheless the simplest strategy to get a desktop VPN trial with out handing over bank card data.
Does it require cost or bank card info?
No, CyberGhost doesn’t require any bank card or cost info to entry. CyberGhost VPN is likely one of the solely VPNs that supply a free trial of their premium desktop utility with out requiring any cost particulars to activate.
Pricing
- 1 month: $12.99 monthly.
- 6 months: $6.99 monthly.
- 2 years (+2 months): $2.19 monthly.
Options
- Specialised servers for streaming, gaming and torrenting.
- OpenVPN, IKEv2 and WireGuard protocols.
- 24/7 dwell buyer help.
Professionals
- Servers in 100 international locations.
- Free trial doesn’t require cost data.
- 45-day money-back assure.
Cons
- Desktop free trial might be longer.
- Difficult firm historical past.
If you wish to study extra, try my full CyberGhost VPN evaluate.
NordVPN: Greatest for privateness fans
If safety is your major concern, I like to recommend NordVPN. This selection consists of quite a lot of security-focused options, similar to built-in menace safety, darkish internet monitoring and Meshnet safe file-sharing. It additionally just lately elevated its server unfold, now providing servers from 111 international locations in comparison with 60 nation areas in 2023.
Free trial particulars
NordVPN has a seven-day free trial accessible by way of its Android utility. Fortuitously, you need to use NordVPN on different platforms after you’ve signed up for a trial on Android.
Does it require cost or bank card info?
Sure, NordVPN requires cost data or a bank card to entry its free trial on Android. Whereas it might’ve been superb to have entry with out cost information, I discover NordVPN’s heavy emphasis on offering quite a lot of safety features to be value a strive.
Pricing
Beneath is an outline of the mid-tier NordVPN Plus subscription:
- 1 month: $13.99 monthly.
- 1 yr: $5.49 monthly.
- 2 years (+3 months): $4.69 monthly.
Options
- Servers in 111 international locations.
- 10 simultaneous gadget connections.
- Double VPN performance.
Professionals
- Specialised safety servers (Double VPN, Obfuscated).
- Independently audited.
- Constructed-in safety in opposition to malware and intrusive advertisements.
Cons
- Priced comparatively excessive.
- No free model.
- Free trial accessible solely by way of Android.
If you wish to study extra, try my full NordVPN evaluate.
ExpressVPN: Greatest cell free trial
A go-to selection for a lot of, ExpressVPN gives probably the most intuitive VPN experiences available on the market. It has an especially straightforward to make use of interface and constantly quick efficiency. It has additionally proven a powerful dedication to transparency, being probably the most prolific VPN suppliers that frequently endure third-party safety testing.
Free trial particulars
ExpressVPN gives a seven-day free trial for its Android and iOS purposes solely.This implies Home windows or macOS customers might must look elsewhere in the event that they wish to take a look at drive a premium VPN. Regardless of this, I imagine ExpressVPN’s top-tier person expertise is a superb choice for customers who solely plan to make use of a VPN on their cell gadgets.
Does it require cost or bank card info?
Sure, ExpressVPN does require cost info to entry its cell free trial. Whereas it doesn’t explicitly ask for cost particulars whenever you join a free trial, it’ll robotically hyperlink your trial entry to the default cost information linked in your cell gadget.
Pricing
Right here’s a rundown of the Surfshark One mid-tier subscription plans:
- 1 month: $12.95 monthly.
- 6 months: $9.99 monthly.
- 1 yr (+3 months): $6.67 monthly.
Options
- Servers in 105 international locations.
- 100% RAM-only server infrastructure.
- 24/7 buyer help.
Professionals
- Limitless simultaneous gadget connections.
- Inexpensive paid subscriptions throughout the board.
- Properly-designed and intuitive utility.
Cons
- Free trial is for cell solely.
- On the costly facet.
- Lacks longer two-year subscription choice.
If you wish to study extra, try my full ExpressVPN evaluate.
Proton VPN: Greatest absolutely free model
Proton VPN is a Swiss-based VPN that has a beneficiant free model, which I imagine counts as a viable free trial. Being primarily based in Switzerland, Proton is ready to provide among the world’s strongest privateness legal guidelines to its person base — a significant value-add to these aware of presidency surveillance.
Free trial particulars
Whereas Proton VPN technically doesn’t have a free trial of its premium service, it has one of many extra usable and full free VPNs obtainable right this moment. Proton VPN’s free model is exclusive in that it gives limitless information, in comparison with different free VPNs, which impose month-to-month information caps which are straightforward to make use of up.
The good thing about this free model is that it’s free ceaselessly,with no expiry date in comparison with full free trials. The draw back, then again, is that you just don’t get to strive Proton VPN’s premium options and performance.
Its free model gives servers in 5 international locations, encrypted VPN servers and medium VPN pace.
Does it require cost or bank card info?
As a free model, Proton VPN Free doesn’t require any cost info to obtain or use.
Pricing
Beneath is a rundown of Proton VPN’s Plus subscription tier:
- 1 month: $9.99 monthly.
- 1 yr: $4.99 monthly.
- 2 years: $4.49 monthly.
Options
- Safe Core, privacy-friendly international locations.
- VPN pace accelerator.
- NetShield advert, malware and tracker blocker.
Professionals
- Very beneficiant free model.
- Beneath pro-privacy Swiss jurisdiction.
- Limitless bandwidth within the free model.
Cons
- No devoted free trial of premium plan.
- Dwell chat help for paid customers solely.
If you wish to study extra, try my full Proton VPN evaluate.
Regularly requested questions (FAQs)
Do VPN free trials work?
Sure, VPN free trials are designed to work as an everyday premium VPN subscription. The primary distinction is that VPN free trials enable entry to the software program for a restricted time.
They’re designed to provide customers an opportunity to check paid software program with out paying for a full VPN subscription. When it comes to security, VPN free trials needs to be as protected as their absolutely paid counterparts.
When you’re curious to know the way protected VPNs are, try our current explainer overlaying whether or not VPNs might be hacked and why they’re good enterprise investments in the long term.
How lengthy do VPN free trials final?
VPN free trials will usually final for as brief as in the future or so long as seven days.
VPN free trials vs. free VPNs
VPN free trials differ from free VPNs in that they provide all of the premium options of a given VPN. In distinction, a free VPN can have a restricted function set in comparison with its paid counterparts. This sometimes interprets to not getting access to the entire server suite, decrease VPN speeds or a month-to-month information cap.
One upside of free VPNs is that they’re free ceaselessly,whereas VPN free trials will solely final you a day to so long as every week’s value of use.
When you’re interested by studying extra about the very best free VPNs, I extremely suggest trying out our rundown of the Greatest Free VPNs for 2024.
In that article, we spotlight the very best general free VPN, the very best VPN for learners and different choices it’s best to contemplate within the VPN house.
Do VPN free trials require cost or bank card info?
It relies upon.From my expertise, many VPN free trials require cost or bank card info to entry. Both they ask you throughout the free trial course of for cost info or they’ll use the cost methodology already linked to your gadget of selection.
Nonetheless, there are a handful of VPNs, like CyberGhost VPN and PIA, that supply free trials with out cost info.
Personally, I feel extra distributors ought to undertake this strategy because it lowers the barrier to entry into making an attempt out their software program.
VPN free trials vs. money-back ensures
You might need seen money-back ensures if you happen to’ve browsed for VPN subscriptions. Most VPN suppliers assist you to refund your subscription after a set time frame by way of money-back ensures that usually span 30 or so days.
Whereas each VPN free trials and money-back ensures enable you and your group to check out a paid VPN, availing of a money-back assure requires you to pay for an preliminary subscription after which refund throughout the allotted time.
For customers interested by figuring out how a lot a VPN sometimes prices, now we have an in depth information overlaying VPN prices and saving ideas.
Then again, VPN free trials received’t cost you till after the free trial interval expires. Higher but, some VPNs don’t require any kind of cost methodology in any respect and can simply ask if you want to subscribe to a plan after the allotted trial interval.
When you’re interested by which one is best, that may depend upon your enterprise’ wants. On one finish, money-back ensures are extra easy to entry because you’ll go straight to buying a subscription as common. Nonetheless, the refund course of generally is a trouble and varies amongst totally different suppliers.
In the meantime, VPN free trials have fewer strings hooked up and received’t cost you upfront. The caveat right here is there could also be some further steps you could take to check out their software program, i.e., having to enroll by way of cell earlier than testing on a desktop machine.
Methodology
In my rundown of the very best VPN free trials obtainable right this moment, I thought-about a mixture of how accessible every trial is and the standard of the VPN software program itself.
For the free trial, I checked out trial size, function limitations for every trial, how straightforward it’s to entry the trial and whether or not it required cost or bank card info to activate, amongst different elements.
I’ve additionally personally evaluated every VPN listed above. All of the VPNs talked about have gone by way of our full evaluate remedy, which was performed by way of a mixture of first-hand testing, in depth product analysis and skilled evaluation.
Lastly, I took under consideration how every free trial and VPN service might be helpful to various kinds of customers and use instances. That is particularly necessary since companies can have various necessities, relying on their wants and circumstances.