This page covers laptops and desktops only. For the full list across every device, read our best free VPN guide. For a phone, see best free VPN for phone. If you would rather pay, the paid-plan guides cover Windows, Mac and Linux.

App or Browser Extension on a Laptop

An app routes the whole laptop’s traffic through the VPN: your browser, your email program, your chat apps and your updates. A browser extension routes only that browser. Both have a place, and the right one depends on what you are trying to protect.

If you want protection on cafe or hotel Wi-Fi, install the app. If you only want to try a provider for ten minutes, the extension is lighter.

The Free Plans Compared

Each row comes from the provider’s own plan data on our site, checked on 2026-10-12. A cap or limit can change, so check the plan page before you install.

Kill switch and split tunneling by system

This is the part of a free plan that most affects a laptop on public Wi-Fi. The table shows only what each provider says on its own website. “Not stated” does not mean the feature is missing: it means the provider does not say, so we do not claim it either way.

A kill switch blocks your traffic if the VPN drops, so your real connection is not exposed for a moment. Whether a provider gives you that feature on its free plan, rather than only on a paid one, is also worth checking in the app after you install it.

Our Picks

Proton VPN: Best Overall

Proton VPN is the first free plan to try on a laptop. It is the only one here with no data cap, and the free plan has no ads. It states both a kill switch and split tunneling on Windows and Mac, and it also offers a browser extension.

The free plan allows one device and assigns you a server in one of its ten free countries, so you cannot choose where you connect. Proton VPN ranks #3 of 22 on our Trust Score.

• Free data: No cap
• Free devices: 1
• Desktop extras: Kill switch, split tunneling
• Limit to know: No manual server choice

Best for: Anyone who wants one free VPN on a laptop and does not want to watch a data meter.

Windscribe: Best for Control

Windscribe’s free plan covers an unlimited number of devices, so one account can cover a laptop, a phone and a tablet at once. On Windows and Mac it states a Firewall setting that blocks traffic outside the VPN[1], and split tunneling to keep chosen apps outside it. It also includes a built-in ad and tracker blocker.

The cost is the cap: 10 GB a month once you confirm your email. That fits browsing and email and will not last long under video calls or large downloads.

• Free data: 10 GB a month with a confirmed email
• Free devices: Unlimited
• Desktop extras: Firewall setting, split tunneling
• Limit to know: The cap

Best for: Someone who wants desktop controls and several devices on one free account.

Hide.me: Best for Light Use

Hide.me’s free plan gives you 10 GB a month and a choice of five server locations. It supports its full set of protocols on the free plan, WireGuard included. It does not state a kill switch or split tunneling by system, so treat those as unknown until you see them in the app.

• Free data: 10 GB a month
• Free locations: 5
• Limit to know: Free device count and system-level features not stated

Best for: Occasional use where you want to pick a location yourself.

TunnelBear: Best for Beginners

TunnelBear is the easiest of the four to start with, and its Cure53 security audits have been published since 2016. The free plan allows only 2 GB a month[2], with all server locations, which makes it a way to try a VPN app for the first time, not an everyday plan.

• Free data: 2 GB a month
• Free locations: All
• Limit to know: The lowest cap of the four

Best for: A first look at what a VPN app does on a laptop.

How to Set Up a Free VPN on a Laptop Safely

1. Open the provider’s own website, not a search result for “free VPN”, and download the app from there.
2. Install the app and create a free account. A trustworthy free plan should not ask for a card.
3. Turn on the kill switch or Firewall setting if the app has one.
4. Find where the app shows your remaining data, so the cap does not catch you out.
5. Add the browser extension only if you want a separate, lighter option for one browser.

What a Free Plan Will Not Do on a Laptop

A free plan limits data, servers or speed, and a laptop uses more data than a phone in the background: system updates, cloud backups and video calls all count. If the VPN has to stay on all day, a paid plan is the better fit. Our guides for Windows and Mac rank those.

For access to content in other regions, free plans are the weakest choice: the free server pools are small, and the terms of the service you want to reach still apply.

Final Verdict

Start with the Proton VPN app, then move to a paid plan if the free limits get in the way. Whichever you choose, download it from the provider’s own website.

This page covers phones and tablets only. For the full list across every device, read our best free VPN guide. If you would rather pay for a phone app, see the paid-plan guides for Android and iPhone.

What Is Different About a Free VPN on a Phone

A phone changes three things about a free plan. It moves between Wi-Fi and cellular, so a data cap runs down faster than on a laptop. It installs apps from a store, so the risk is a look-alike app rather than a bad download link. And it is one device, so a free plan that allows a single connection fills up quickly.

The Free Plans Compared

Each row below comes from the provider’s own plan data on our site, checked on 2026-10-12. A cap or limit can change, so check the plan page before you install.

Kill switch and split tunneling by platform

This is where a phone differs most from a laptop. The table shows only what each provider says on its own website. “Not stated” does not mean the feature is missing: it means the provider does not say, so we do not claim it either way.

Proton VPN states a kill switch in all its apps and the others do not break it down by platform. If a kill switch matters to you, it is the one provider here that says so for both phones.

iPhone and Android Are Not the Same Risk

On an iPhone, apps come from the App Store only, so the risk is a look-alike listing. Check that the developer name matches the provider’s website before you install.

On Android, the Play Store is the first place to check, but Android also lets you install an app file from outside the store. A 2016 peer-reviewed study of 283 Android apps that use the VPN permission[1] found apps that leak traffic, intercept encrypted connections and inject tracking code, which is the main reason this page recommends installing only from a store listing the provider links to from its own website. Our guide to malware explains what a fake VPN app can do once it is installed.

Our Picks

Proton VPN: Best Overall

Proton VPN is the first free plan to try on a phone. It is the only one here with no data cap, and the free plan has no ads. It runs on both iPhone and Android and states a kill switch in all its apps.

The free plan allows one device and assigns you a server in one of its ten free countries, so you cannot choose where you connect. Proton VPN ranks #3 of 22 on our Trust Score.

• Free data: No cap
• Free devices: 1
• Android extras: Split tunneling
• Limit to know: No manual server choice

Best for: Anyone who wants one free VPN on a phone and does not want to watch a data meter.

Windscribe: Best for Many Devices

Windscribe’s free plan covers an unlimited number of devices[2], which makes it the one to pick if the VPN has to cover a phone, a tablet and a laptop at once. It adds a built-in ad and tracker blocker and supports split tunneling on Android.

The cost is the cap: 10 GB a month once you confirm your email. That is enough for browsing and messaging and will not last long if you stream video on cellular.

• Free data: 10 GB a month with a confirmed email
• Free devices: Unlimited
• Android extras: Split tunneling
• Limit to know: The cap; kill switch on phones not stated

Best for: Households with several devices and light data use.

Hide.me: Best for Light Use

Hide.me’s free plan gives you 10 GB a month and a choice of five server locations. It supports its full set of protocols on the free plan, WireGuard included.

Hide.me does not state a kill switch or split tunneling by platform, so treat those as unknown until you see them in the app.

• Free data: 10 GB a month
• Free locations: 5
• Limit to know: Free device count and platform-level features not stated

Best for: Occasional use where you want to pick a location yourself.

TunnelBear: Best for Beginners

TunnelBear is the easiest of the four to start with, and its Cure53 security audits have been published since 2016. The free plan allows only 2 GB a month[3], with all server locations.

Treat it as a way to try a VPN app for the first time, not as an everyday plan.

• Free data: 2 GB a month
• Free locations: All
• Limit to know: The lowest cap of the four

Best for: A first look at what a VPN app does on your phone.

How to Set Up a Free VPN on Your Phone Safely

1. Open the provider’s own website, not a search result for “free VPN”, and follow its link to the App Store or Google Play.
2. Check that the developer name on the store listing matches the provider.
3. Install the app and create a free account. A trustworthy free plan should not ask for a card.
4. Turn on the kill switch if the app has one, and switch on connecting automatically on untrusted Wi-Fi.
5. Find where the app shows your remaining data, so the cap does not catch you out.

What a Free Plan Will Not Do on a Phone

A free plan is built to give you a taste of the paid service. It limits data, servers or speed, and a phone uses data in the background that you do not see. If you want a VPN that stays on all day, a paid plan on a nearby server is the better fit. Our best VPN for Android and best VPN for iPhone guides rank those.

For access to content in other regions, free plans are the weakest choice: the free server pools are small, and the terms of the service you want to reach still apply.

Final Verdict

Start with Proton VPN, then move to a paid plan if the free limits get in the way. Whichever you choose, install it from a store link on the provider’s own website.

What changes on a PC

Split tunneling on Windows

Split tunneling sends some apps through the VPN and the rest outside it. For gaming, the common uses are keeping a large game download off the tunnel, or keeping one game on it. We list only what each provider says on its own site.

Source: each provider’s own pages, checked 2026-10-08 (ExpressVPN[1], NordVPN[2], Surfshark[3]). CyberGhost’s Windows exclusions apply to websites, not apps, so it cannot keep a single game off the tunnel.

Launchers and anti-cheat

Steam, Epic Games and Battle.net sign in over their own servers, and a VPN changes the address they see. If a launcher stalls or asks you to verify your account, connect to a server in your own country first. Do not switch servers mid-download.

Anti-cheat software is the part we cannot promise. Systems differ, and a publisher can restrict VPN traffic in its rules. Read the game’s support page before you rely on a VPN in ranked or tournament play, and test in a casual match first.

Keeping ping low

1. Pick a nearby server. Distance adds more delay than protocol. Choose a server close to the game’s host region, not necessarily close to you.
2. Use a WireGuard-based protocol. NordVPN’s NordLynx, ExpressVPN’s Lightway and Surfshark’s WireGuard are built for low overhead. Compare them in our WireGuard vs OpenVPN guide.
3. Test both ways. Play a match with the VPN off and on, and keep the server that plays best. If your connection was already fine, the VPN may only add delay.

Which to choose

Final Verdict

For one game on the tunnel and the rest outside it, choose a provider with per-app Windows split tunneling: NordVPN, ExpressVPN or Surfshark. Then connect to a nearby server, test your ping both ways, and check the game’s anti-cheat rules before ranked play.

What a VPN does for region-locked games

Terms come first

Platforms set their own rules. Valve’s Steam subscriber agreement, for example, enforces regional store restrictions, and a VPN does not override an account’s region. Connecting through another country is not illegal, but it can conflict with a platform’s terms, and the publisher can limit your account. We describe access to other regions’ servers and stores, not a way around any rule. Do not use a VPN to buy at a price your account region does not allow.

Country coverage

Coverage decides how many regional servers you can reach. The counts are the providers’ own figures.

How to set it up

1. Check the game’s terms and the region it needs. Note the country, not just the continent.
2. Connect to a server in that country before you open the launcher or store, and keep it connected for the session.
3. Check your account region. If the store still shows your own region, the account decides, not the IP. A VPN cannot change that.
4. Turn on the kill switch so a dropped tunnel does not send your real location to the game mid-session.

Which to choose

Final Verdict

A VPN gives access to other regions’ servers and stores only as far as the platform’s terms and your account region allow. Pick the provider that covers the country you need, connect before you launch, and treat the result as access, not a guarantee.

This guide covers the phone side of streaming only. For the general picture, see our best VPN for streaming guide, and for platform basics our best VPN for Android and best VPN for iPhone guides.

What Changes When You Stream on a Phone

A TV or a laptop usually sits on one connection. A phone does not. Five things matter on mobile that barely matter anywhere else.

App Store Region vs VPN Location

These are two separate things, and mixing them up causes most phone streaming problems.

Your app store (Apple App Store or Google Play) follows the country on your account: Apple[1] and Google Play[2] each make you change that setting in the account, with a valid payment method from the new country. A VPN does not change it. If a streaming app is not listed in your store, a VPN alone will not add it.

Your VPN location is what the streaming app itself sees once it is open. Connect to a server in the country whose library you want access to, where the service’s terms allow it, then open the app. If the app already installed on your phone shows the wrong catalog, close it fully, connect the VPN, and open it again so it reads your new location.

Mobile Data Usage

Streaming is the heaviest thing most people do on a phone. As a rough guide, Netflix states[3] that standard definition uses up to 1 GB an hour, HD up to 3 GB and 4K up to 7 GB. The exact amount depends on the service, the quality setting and the device.

A VPN adds a small amount of overhead on top, usually a few percent. The bigger lever is the quality setting inside the streaming app: most services let you cap quality on cellular. If you are on a limited plan, download shows on Wi-Fi to watch later instead.

Switching Between Wi-Fi and Cellular

When your phone changes network, the old connection ends and the VPN tunnel has to be rebuilt on the new one. WireGuard has built-in roaming[4]: when one side’s IP address changes, the other updates automatically. WireGuard-based protocols (NordLynx, standard WireGuard) and Lightway rebuild quickly, so a stream usually recovers after a short pause. OpenVPN takes noticeably longer. Our WireGuard vs OpenVPN comparison covers the difference.

Turn on the kill switch. During the short gap while the tunnel rebuilds, it blocks traffic so the app never sees your real location. The trade-off is that video may pause for a second or two.

Battery

Encrypting every packet costs power. WireGuard-based protocols are leaner than OpenVPN. The simplest saving is to connect when you start watching and disconnect when you finish, rather than leaving the VPN on all day.

Casting From Your Phone to a TV

Casting sends video from your phone to a TV or a stick on the same network. A VPN on the phone changes what happens, and it depends on how you cast.

• Casting the screen. If your phone mirrors its screen to the TV, the phone is doing the work, so the VPN on the phone covers the stream.
• Casting from the app. Many apps hand the video to the TV, which then loads it on its own connection. In that case the phone’s VPN does not cover the TV, and the TV connects from your real location.
• A router or a TV app. To cover the TV itself, use a VPN app on the TV or stick where one exists (see our Fire TV guide), or a VPN-compatible router.

If casting from an app stops working while the VPN is on, it is usually because the phone and the TV are no longer on the same network. Try the cast with the VPN off first, then decide which device needs the VPN.

How to Set Up a VPN for Streaming on Your Phone

1. Pick a VPN with an app for your phone. Both iOS and Android apps are standard among the top providers.
2. Install the app and allow the VPN profile when the phone asks.
3. Turn on the kill switch and, if offered, auto-connect, so the phone reconnects on its own after a network change.
4. Choose a server in the country whose library you pay for. Closer servers usually keep video smoother.
5. Connect first, then open the streaming app. If the catalog looks wrong, close the app fully and reopen it.
6. Test on Wi-Fi and on cellular, because the best server on one is not always the best on the other.
7. Disconnect when you finish to save battery.

Android and iPhone Differences

On Android, the system lets a VPN app route only a chosen list of apps[5], so many VPN apps offer split tunneling, so you can send only the streaming app through the VPN and leave the rest of the phone on your normal connection. iOS cannot route single apps in the same way, so on an iPhone the whole phone uses the VPN while it is connected. Check the provider’s own page for the current feature list before you buy.

Common Phone Streaming VPN Problems

The Streaming App Still Shows the Wrong Library

Close the app fully, connect the VPN, then reopen it. Try another server in the same country. Services update their blocks over time, so access can change.

Video Buffers or Drops to Low Quality

Move to a closer server and test again. If it only happens on cellular, the problem may be the signal rather than the VPN. Try the other network.

The App Says a VPN Was Detected

Some services block known VPN IP ranges. Try a different server. If it keeps failing, the service may not allow VPN use, and you should not work around that.

Casting Stops Working

The phone and the TV must be on the same network. Check the cast with the VPN off, then see which device needs the VPN.

Final Verdict

Streaming on a phone needs a VPN that handles network switches and a simple app, not just fast servers. Choose a WireGuard-based protocol or Lightway, switch on the kill switch and test your own streaming apps on Wi-Fi and cellular.

Watching on a TV instead? Read our Fire TV guide, or see the best VPN for streaming overview.

VPN.com does not encourage or condone using VPN services to violate the terms of service of any platform. Information on this page is provided for educational purposes. Users are responsible for complying with the policies of the services they use.

Bottom Line: For mobile gaming, choose a VPN that reconnects fast when your phone moves between Wi-Fi and 5G, runs a lightweight protocol (WireGuard, NordLynx or Lightway) and has a kill switch. NordVPN is the best all-rounder, and Surfshark is the best value if you also game on a tablet.

Phones are where a lot of people play. They are also the hardest place to run a VPN well. Your phone hops between Wi-Fi and cellular, goes to sleep, runs on a battery and shares a network with whatever else you have open. A VPN that works fine on a desktop can drop you out of a match on a phone.

This guide covers the gaming side of phone VPNs only. For the general picture, see our best VPN for Android and best VPN for iPhone guides, and for the full list across every platform, see the best VPN for gaming hub.

What Changes When You Game on a Phone

A console or PC sits on one wired or Wi-Fi connection. A phone does not. Five things matter on mobile that barely matter anywhere else.

Network Switching Mid-Match

This is the biggest mobile-only problem. When your phone changes network, the old connection dies and a new one starts. A VPN tunnel has to be rebuilt on the new network. If that takes too long, the game sees a dropped connection and puts you back at the menu.

WireGuard has built-in roaming[1]: when one side’s IP address changes, the other updates automatically. WireGuard-based protocols (NordLynx, standard WireGuard) and Lightway rebuild the tunnel quickly. OpenVPN takes noticeably longer, so avoid it as your default on a phone. Our WireGuard vs OpenVPN comparison covers the difference.

Turn on the kill switch. During the short gap while the tunnel rebuilds, a kill switch blocks traffic so your real IP is never exposed to the lobby. The trade-off is that the game may pause for a second or two rather than leak. For a casual game, that is fine. For ranked play, test it before you rely on it: walk from Wi-Fi to cellular in a private match and see whether the session survives.

Ping: Wi-Fi vs Cellular

A VPN adds a small delay because your traffic takes an extra hop. On a nearby server, that delay is usually small. On a far server, it is not. Pick the server closest to the game’s host region, not the one closest to you if the two differ, and test on both Wi-Fi and cellular, because the best server on one is not always the best on the other.

A VPN can also help in one specific case. If your carrier or home ISP routes game traffic over a congested path or throttles it at peak hours, a VPN can sidestep that route. If your ping is already good, a VPN will not make it better.

Battery

Encrypting every packet costs power. WireGuard-based protocols are leaner than OpenVPN, so they are easier on the battery. The simplest saving is to connect only for play sessions and plug in for long ones. Leaving the VPN on all day to game for an hour is the most common cause of a drained phone.

Lobby IP Exposure and DDoS

How exposed you are depends on how the game connects. Games that route everything through the publisher’s dedicated servers show other players much less. Games with peer-to-peer connections can expose your IP address to the people you play against. If someone gets that IP and floods it with junk traffic, your connection can drop. CISA describes volumetric attacks as aiming to consume available bandwidth[2].

A VPN replaces your IP with the VPN server’s IP, so an attack lands on the server, not your phone. This protects against direct IP attacks. It does not stop in-game cheating, account bans or a bad match. We cannot tell you which specific titles use peer-to-peer, since that varies by game and changes with updates, so check a game’s own documentation if exposure is your main concern.

Split Tunneling: Android Only

Split tunneling lets you send only some apps through the VPN. On a phone this is handy: the game goes through the VPN, while your banking or navigation app uses your normal connection and does not trip fraud checks.

It depends on the operating system:

• Android: Supported by NordVPN[3], Surfshark[4] (called Bypasser) and ExpressVPN[5]. CyberGhost does not offer split tunneling on Android.
• iPhone and iPad: Apple blocks the network access that true per-app split tunneling needs, so no provider delivers it. Surfshark offers a website-level workaround[4], which does not help for a game app.

So on an iPhone, the VPN covers the whole device while it is on. Turn it off when you finish playing.

Best VPNs for Mobile Gaming

All four providers below have iOS and Android apps and list a kill switch. The differences are in how they handle the phone-specific points above.

Note: Apple blocks the network access that per-app split tunneling needs, so no provider routes individual apps on iPhone. See our best VPN for iPhone guide.

NordVPN: Best Overall for Mobile Gaming

NordVPN runs NordLynx, its WireGuard-based protocol, which is built for fast reconnects and low overhead. Its Android app supports split tunneling, so you can keep a game on the VPN and a banking app off it. It covers up to 10 devices, enough for a phone, a tablet and a laptop.

Best for: Phone gamers who want the safest all-round pick, particularly on Android.

Surfshark: Best Value for Phone and Tablet Gamers

Surfshark has no device limit, so a phone, a tablet and a handheld all connect at once on one subscription. It uses WireGuard and includes Bypasser split tunneling on Android. Lowest entry price of the four.

Best for: Households where several people game on different devices.

ExpressVPN: Best for Staying Connected

ExpressVPN runs Lightway, its own protocol, which ExpressVPN says it built to reconnect quickly when your network changes. The app is simple: open it and tap one button. Split tunneling is available, and it carries a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test it on your own network.

Best for: Players who want an app that reconnects reliably and stays out of the way.

CyberGhost: Best for Beginners

CyberGhost uses WireGuard by default on Android and offers the longest money-back window of the four at 45 days, which gives you time to test ping on your own Wi-Fi and cellular network. The drawback for gamers is that there is no split tunneling on Android, so the whole phone goes through the VPN.

Best for: First-time VPN users who want a long refund window to test with.

Region-Locked Mobile Games and App Stores

Some mobile games launch in one country first. A VPN changes the IP your phone appears to have, but app stores mostly look at the country on your account, not your connection.

• Apple App Store: Your store region is tied to your Apple Account and payment method[6]. A VPN alone does not change which store you see.
• Google Play: The store follows the country on your Google account. A VPN alone usually does not change it, and Google requires a wait of at least 90 days between country changes[7].

What a VPN can do is let the game itself connect from a region where it is live, once you have the app. Games and stores both set their own rules, and using a VPN to get around a regional release may break their terms. Check before you try it, because the risk is an account ban, and a ban is worse than waiting for the launch.

How to Set Up a VPN for Mobile Gaming

1. Install the app and sign in. Allow the VPN configuration when your phone asks.
2. Choose the protocol. Set it to WireGuard, NordLynx or Lightway. Avoid OpenVPN unless a network blocks the others.
3. Turn on the kill switch. On Android, also enable Always-on VPN[8] under Settings > Network > VPN so a restart does not leave you exposed.
4. Pick a server near the game’s host region. Test ping on Wi-Fi, then on cellular.
5. On Android, add the game to split tunneling if you want only the game on the VPN.
6. Test the switch. In a private match, walk from Wi-Fi to cellular and check the session holds.
7. Disconnect when you finish to save battery.

Common Mobile Gaming VPN Problems

The Game Drops When I Leave Wi-Fi

The tunnel is rebuilding on the new network. Switch to WireGuard, NordLynx or Lightway, which reconnect faster than OpenVPN, and make sure the kill switch and Always-on VPN are enabled.

High Ping After Connecting

Move to a closer server and test again. If it is still high, try the other network, since cellular and Wi-Fi often favor different servers.

Battery Drains Fast

Connect only while you play. Leave the protocol on WireGuard, NordLynx or Lightway, and close the app after you disconnect.

The Game Says VPN Detected or Will Not Connect

Some games block known VPN IP ranges. Try a different server. If it still fails, the game may not allow VPN use, and you should not work around that.

Final Verdict

Mobile gaming needs a VPN that handles network switches, not just one with a fast desktop speed. Choose a WireGuard-based protocol or Lightway, switch on the kill switch and test the Wi-Fi to cellular handoff yourself.

Not sure about platform support? Read our best VPN for Android and best VPN for iPhone guides, or see how console players set up in our Xbox and PlayStation guides.

VPN.com does not encourage or condone using VPN services to violate the terms of service of any platform. Information on this page is provided for educational purposes. Users are responsible for complying with the policies of the services they use.

VPNs with Free TrialsTrust Score

#1CyberGhost9,600+ servers

CyberGhost's privacy record rests on one kind of evidence done well and several kinds absent

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score58/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.234.23

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 18 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#2NordVPN7,115 servers

NordVPN's privacy and security record is strong on process and mixed on proof

93 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score66/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.664.59

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 31 · Separate source groups: 23 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#3Surfshark4,500+ servers

Surfshark's evidence mixes real, readable third-party documents with provider assertions

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score58/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.714.64

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 32 · Separate source groups: 19 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

Can You Get a CyberGhost Free Trial?

CyberGhost

Free trial & guarantee

CyberGhost's privacy record rests on one kind of evidence done well and several kinds absent

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score58/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.234.23

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 18 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Trust Score rank #3 / 22 9,600+ servers 100 countries 45-day money-back guarantee

Visit CyberGhost Read our review

CyberGhost offers no traditional free trial on desktop. Mobile users on Android and iOS get a limited 7-day free trial. The real risk-free option is CyberGhost’s 45-day money-back guarantee on plans of 6 months or longer. You pay upfront, test every feature, then request a full refund before day 45.

CyberGhost Free Trial Availability

CyberGhost’s free trial exists only on mobile platforms. Android users can access it through the Google Play Store. iOS users get the same 7-day window through the App Store. Both require no payment details upfront on the app store listing.

The mobile trial includes full access to CyberGhost’s server network of 9,600+ servers across 100 countries. You get the same encryption, kill switch, and streaming capabilities as paying subscribers. After 7 days, the app automatically converts to a paid subscription unless you cancel.

Desktop users on Windows, Mac, and Linux have zero free trial option. The only path to testing CyberGhost on desktop is the 45-day money-back guarantee.

How the 45-Day Money-Back Guarantee Works

CyberGhost’s money-back guarantee covers all plans of 6 months or longer. Monthly plans only get a 14-day refund window. This makes the long-term plans the smarter choice for risk-free testing.

During the guarantee period, you access every feature without restrictions. That means 7 simultaneous device connections, all server locations, and all specialty servers. Streaming-optimized servers, torrenting servers, and gaming servers all work during this window.

The guarantee requires no reason for cancellation. CyberGhost advertises a “no questions asked” policy on refunds. You simply request your money back before the deadline.

Step-by-Step Refund Process

Getting your refund from CyberGhost takes about 5-10 minutes of effort. Follow these steps exactly.

Step 1: Open CyberGhost’s website and navigate to the support section. Click the live chat option available 24/7. You can also email support, but live chat processes refunds faster.

Step 2: Tell the support agent you want to cancel your subscription and request a refund. They may ask why you are leaving. A simple answer like “it didn’t meet my needs” works fine.

Step 3: The agent confirms your refund request and processes it on the spot. You receive an email confirmation within minutes. The actual refund hits your account in 5-10 business days depending on your payment method.

Step 4: Verify the refund appeared in your bank or PayPal account. Contact support again if the refund does not arrive within 10 business days.

One exception exists: purchases made through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store must be refunded through those platforms directly. CyberGhost’s support team cannot process app store refunds.

What You Get During the Guarantee Period

The 45-day guarantee period gives you a complete, unrestricted CyberGhost experience. Nothing is locked or limited.

You get access to 11,500+ servers in 100 countries with full-speed connections. WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols are all available. The built-in kill switch, DNS leak protection, and split tunneling work from day one.

Streaming is a strong point of the service. CyberGhost maintains dedicated servers optimized for Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and 30+ other platforms. You can connect up to 7 devices simultaneously across Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and smart TVs.

CyberGhost Trial vs Competitor Free Options

CyberGhost’s 45-day guarantee is 15 days longer than NordVPN and Proton VPN. That extra time matters when testing streaming reliability across different regions. Proton VPN wins on zero-cost access with its permanent free tier, but that tier limits you to servers in 3 countries with no streaming support.

Resources for this page

Charts and reference images from our research, free to view and share.

• 

• CyberGhost Free Trial: 7 Days on Mobile + 45-Day GuaranteePDF · 1.2 MB

Compare VPN PricingTrust Score

#1CyberGhost9,600+ servers

CyberGhost's privacy record rests on one kind of evidence done well and several kinds absent

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score58/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.234.23

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 18 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#2NordVPN7,115 servers

NordVPN's privacy and security record is strong on process and mixed on proof

93 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score66/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.664.59

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 31 · Separate source groups: 23 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#3Surfshark4,500+ servers

Surfshark's evidence mixes real, readable third-party documents with provider assertions

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score58/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.714.64

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 32 · Separate source groups: 19 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

How Much Does CyberGhost Cost?

CyberGhost

Plans & pricing

CyberGhost's privacy record rests on one kind of evidence done well and several kinds absent

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score58/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.234.23

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 18 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Trust Score rank #3 / 22 9,600+ servers 100 countries 45-day money-back guarantee

Visit CyberGhost Read our review

CyberGhost costs $2.19/month on the 2-year plan ($56.84 upfront), $6.99/month on the 6-month plan ($41.94 upfront), or $12.99 on the monthly plan. All plans include the same features. Longer commitments save up to 84% off the monthly price. Every plan carries a 45-day money-back guarantee.

CyberGhost Plans at a Glance

CyberGhost sells three plan lengths. Features stay identical across all three. Only the billing cycle and per-month cost change.

The 1-month plan bills $12.99 every 30 days. The 6-month plan bills $41.94 every 6 months, dropping the effective rate to $6.99/month. The 2-year + 4-month plan bills $56.84 upfront for 28 months, landing at $2.19/month.

That 2-year deal represents an 84% discount compared to paying monthly for the same period. The 6-month plan saves 46%. Monthly subscribers pay full retail with zero discount.

Intro Pricing vs Renewal Pricing

This is where CyberGhost pricing gets tricky. The $2.19/month rate only applies to your first billing cycle. Renewal rates jump significantly after that introductory period ends.

After the initial 28 months, the 2-year plan typically renews at a higher annual rate. CyberGhost does not prominently display renewal pricing during checkout. Check your account dashboard for the exact renewal figure before auto-renewal hits.

The 6-month plan also renews at a rate closer to the standard monthly price. Monthly subscribers see no change since they already pay the base rate. Budget-conscious buyers should set a calendar reminder 30 days before renewal to reassess.

Which Plan Fits Which User Type

Casual Users: Monthly Plan at $12.99

You travel occasionally and need a VPN for 2-3 weeks per year. The monthly plan lets you subscribe, use the service, then cancel without commitment. At $12.99/month, you spend $25.98 for two months instead of $56.84 for two years.

Power Users: 2-Year Plan at $2.19/Month

You run a VPN on your laptop, phone, and streaming devices daily. The 2-year plan costs $56.84 total for 28 months of coverage. That works out to roughly $2.19/month, saving you $307.88 compared to 28 months of monthly billing.

CyberGhost allows 7 simultaneous device connections on every plan. Power users get the most value per device on the longest commitment.

Families: 2-Year Plan with 7 Connections

A household of 3-4 people can share one CyberGhost subscription across 7 devices. At $56.84 for 28 months, that splits to under $0.70/month per person in a 3-person household. No family plan exists separately because 7 connections already covers most households.

Payment Methods Available

CyberGhost accepts a wider range of payment options than many competitors. Credit cards include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

PayPal is available in most regions. Bitcoin payments provide an anonymous checkout option through BitPay. Google Pay and Amazon Pay round out the digital wallet choices. Some regions also support prepaid cards.

No free trial exists for desktop users. Android users sometimes get a 7-day trial through the Google Play Store. The 45-day guarantee effectively serves as the trial period for all other platforms.

Seasonal Discount Patterns

CyberGhost runs predictable sales throughout the year. The deepest discounts typically surface during these windows:

Black Friday and Cyber Monday usually bring the best deals. Discounts in previous years reached 83-85% off on 2-year plans. Summer sales in June and July often match or approach Black Friday pricing.

Holiday promotions around Christmas and New Year carry discounts of 79-84%. CyberGhost also runs flash sales during spring that last 48-72 hours.

The current 84% discount on the 2-year plan already matches peak seasonal pricing. If you see that rate, waiting for a bigger sale rarely pays off.

CyberGhost vs Competitor Pricing

Here is how CyberGhost stacks up against 4 major competitors on their cheapest available plans:

CyberGhost undercuts NordVPN by $1.06/month and ExpressVPN by $4.64/month on long-term plans. CyberGhost also undercuts Private Internet Access, whose longest-term plan runs $2.03/month. CyberGhost wins on guarantee length with 45 days versus the industry-standard 30 days.

Money-Back Guarantee Terms and Refund Process

CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee on all plans of 6 months or longer. The 1-month plan only gets a 14-day refund window. No questions asked, no usage caps, no hidden conditions.

How to Request a Refund

Contact CyberGhost support through live chat or email. Live chat processes refunds faster, typically within 5-10 minutes. State that you want to cancel and receive a refund. No reason required.

Refunds process back to the original payment method within 5-10 business days. Bitcoin purchases may take slightly longer. Apple App Store or Google Play purchases must go through those platforms instead of CyberGhost directly.

What Disqualifies a Refund

Purchasing through third-party app stores adds complexity. Apple and Google control those refund processes separately. Chargebacks filed before contacting CyberGhost support may result in account termination. Always contact CyberGhost first.

Resources for this page

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• CyberGhost Pricing: Plans, Costs & Best DealsPDF · 1.2 MB

Most Secure VPNsTrust Score

#1CyberGhost9,600+ servers

CyberGhost's privacy record rests on one kind of evidence done well and several kinds absent

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score58/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.234.23

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 18 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#2NordVPN7,115 servers

NordVPN's privacy and security record is strong on process and mixed on proof

93 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score66/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.664.59

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 31 · Separate source groups: 23 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#3ExpressVPN3,000+ servers

86 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.684.69

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 27 · Separate source groups: 27 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

Is CyberGhost Safe? Encryption, Audits, and Logging Explained

CyberGhost

Security & privacy

CyberGhost's privacy record rests on one kind of evidence done well and several kinds absent

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score58/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.234.23

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 18 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Trust Score rank #3 / 22 9,600+ servers 100 countries 45-day money-back guarantee

Visit CyberGhost Read our review

CyberGhost earns a trust score of 85/100. It uses AES-256 encryption, operates under Romanian jurisdiction outside 14 Eyes alliances, and publishes quarterly transparency reports. CyberGhost says its no-logs configuration has been reviewed by Deloitte Romania. CyberGhost routes traffic through 9,600+ servers across 100 countries with built-in leak protection.

Jurisdiction: Why Romania Matters

CyberGhost operates under CyberGhost S.R.L., headquartered in Bucharest, Romania. Romania has no mandatory data retention laws for VPN providers. The country rejected the EU Data Retention Directive twice, in 2009 and 2014.

Romania sits outside the 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, and 14 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliances. This means foreign agencies cannot compel CyberGhost to hand over user data through partner agreements. Romanian authorities need a valid court order to request information from any company.

Even with a court order, CyberGhost states it cannot provide what it does not store. The company’s parent organization is Kape Technologies, based in the UK. However, CyberGhost’s data processing stays in Romania under Romanian law. Kape also owns ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, and ZenMate.

CyberGhost Audit History

CyberGhost says it has commissioned three limited-assurance engagements from Deloitte Audit Romania on its no-logging configuration, announced in September 2022, May 2024 and February 2026. Each is a point-in-time review against CyberGhost’s own description of its configuration, not continuous monitoring, and the reports are available to customers rather than the public, with excerpts not shared. We could not independently confirm their contents.

Before 2022, CyberGhost relied on quarterly transparency reports starting in 2011 to demonstrate its commitment. These reports detail the number of law enforcement requests received and how CyberGhost responded to each one.

CyberGhost publishes these transparency reports on its website every 3 months. CyberGhost says each report shows that no user data was handed over because none exists.

CyberGhost No-Logs Policy: What Gets Stored

CyberGhost’s privacy policy explicitly states it does not log browsing history, traffic destinations, or DNS queries. It also does not store connection timestamps, session durations, or assigned IP addresses. The policy covers all 11,500+ servers across its network.

What CyberGhost does NOT store:

• Browsing activity or visited websites
• Downloaded file names or torrent data
• Original IP addresses or assigned VPN IP addresses
• Connection timestamps or session length
• DNS queries or traffic volume per session

What CyberGhost does collect:

• Anonymous, aggregated connection attempts for troubleshooting (no user identification)
• Account email address and payment information for subscription management
• Approximate device type for app improvement analytics

CyberGhost uses anonymous tokens for authentication on its servers. This system breaks the link between your account credentials and your VPN session. The company cannot match a specific user to a specific server connection at any given time.

RAM-only servers add another layer. These servers write nothing to hard drives, and every reboot wipes all session data completely. Physical seizure of a server yields zero usable information about past connections.

Encryption Standards and Protocols

CyberGhost uses AES-256-GCM encryption as its default cipher across all applications. This is the same encryption standard that the U.S. government uses for classified information. Breaking AES-256 would require computational power that does not exist today.

CyberGhost supports 4 VPN protocols across its apps:

• WireGuard: Default on most platforms. Uses ChaCha20 encryption. Averages 15-30% faster speeds than OpenVPN.
• OpenVPN (UDP/TCP): Uses AES-256-GCM. UDP offers faster speeds. TCP works better on restricted networks.
• IKEv2/IPsec: Preferred on iOS and mobile devices. Handles network switching efficiently between Wi-Fi and cellular.
• L2TP/IPsec: Legacy option. Available but not recommended for primary use.

Each protocol implements Perfect Forward Secrecy through ephemeral key exchanges. This means each session generates a unique encryption key. Compromising one session key does not expose past or future sessions.

Kill Switch and DNS Leak Protection

CyberGhost includes a kill switch on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux applications. The kill switch blocks all internet traffic if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. It activates automatically with no user configuration required.

On Windows and macOS, the kill switch operates at the system level. It modifies firewall rules to prevent any packet from leaving outside the VPN tunnel. Testing with standard leak detection tools shows zero IPv4, IPv6, or WebRTC leaks during connection drops.

CyberGhost also runs its own private DNS servers. Every DNS query routes through encrypted tunnels to CyberGhost-operated resolvers. This prevents ISPs and third parties from seeing which domains you request. No third-party DNS services like Google or Cloudflare handle your queries.

IPv6 leak protection is enabled by default. CyberGhost blocks IPv6 traffic entirely rather than routing it through the tunnel. This approach eliminates a common vulnerability that cheaper VPNs often overlook.

Past Security Incidents

CyberGhost has not suffered a confirmed data breach or server compromise as of early 2025. No user data has been exposed through vulnerabilities in CyberGhost’s infrastructure.

In 2016, concerns emerged when Crossrider (later renamed Kape Technologies) acquired CyberGhost. Crossrider had past associations with adware distribution. CyberGhost addressed this by stating that its operations, team, and infrastructure remained independent in Romania. Kape has since repositioned itself entirely as a privacy and security company.

In 2019, a report surfaced about a data breach at a CyberGhost-linked customer support platform. CyberGhost clarified that only 120 email addresses and support ticket content were potentially affected. No VPN usage data, passwords, or payment information was exposed. The incident involved a third-party support tool, not CyberGhost’s VPN servers.

CyberGhost responded by migrating its support systems and increasing security requirements for third-party tools. The company added 2-factor authentication for internal systems and reviewed all vendor relationships.

Unique Security Features

CyberGhost offers several features that distinguish it from competitors in the 85-trust-score range.

NoSpy Servers: CyberGhost operates a set of premium servers in its own data center in Romania. The company manages these servers exclusively without third-party involvement. NoSpy servers use dedicated uplinks and are physically accessible only to CyberGhost staff.

Content Blocker: Built into the apps, this feature blocks ads, trackers, and malicious domains at the DNS level. It processes blocking before traffic reaches your browser. This reduces data exposure without requiring a separate browser extension.

Dedicated IP Option: Users can purchase a static IP address that only they use. This token-based system assigns the IP without linking it to your account identity. It helps avoid CAPTCHAs and blocklists while maintaining privacy.

Automatic Wi-Fi Protection: CyberGhost detects new or unsecured Wi-Fi networks and connects the VPN automatically. Users can set rules for trusted and untrusted networks. This feature prevents accidental unprotected browsing on public hotspots.

Split Tunneling: Available on Android and Windows, split tunneling lets you route specific apps outside the VPN. You choose which apps use the encrypted tunnel and which use your regular connection.

Resources for this page

Charts and reference images from our research, free to view and share.

• 

• Is CyberGhost Safe? Security, Privacy & Audit AnalysisPDF · 1.2 MB

Fastest VPNs ComparedTrust Score

#1CyberGhost9,600+ servers

CyberGhost's privacy record rests on one kind of evidence done well and several kinds absent

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score58/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.234.23

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 18 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#2NordVPN7,115 servers

NordVPN's privacy and security record is strong on process and mixed on proof

93 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score66/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.664.59

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 31 · Separate source groups: 23 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#3ExpressVPN3,000+ servers

86 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.684.69

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 27 · Separate source groups: 27 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

Where CyberGhost Ranks

CyberGhost

Speed test results

CyberGhost's privacy record rests on one kind of evidence done well and several kinds absent

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score58/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.234.23

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 18 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Trust Score rank #3 / 22 9,600+ servers 100 countries 45-day money-back guarantee

Visit CyberGhost Read our review

CyberGhost ranks #3 of 22 on our Trust Score. That rank is aggregated from published third-party tests, not from in-house testing. Read it as a position for comparing providers, not as a figure recorded on your own connection.

A rank of #10 tells you something useful and limited: CyberGhost is not among the providers that lead on throughput, and nothing in the aggregated data suggests it struggles with everyday browsing or streaming. Anyone whose priority is raw bandwidth should compare against the providers ranked above it.

Choosing a Protocol

Protocol choice affects your connection more than almost any other setting in the app. CyberGhost supports three.

WireGuard is the modern default and the one to use unless you have a specific reason not to. It is a smaller codebase than OpenVPN, negotiates connections quickly, and reconnects quickly after a dropped signal.

IKEv2 handles network changes gracefully, so it is worth selecting on a phone that moves between WiFi and cellular through the day.

OpenVPN is the oldest of the three and the most widely compatible. Choose it when you need to get through a restrictive firewall or when a device or router only supports OpenVPN configuration files.

Server distance matters next. A server in or near your own country will almost always beat a distant one, whatever the protocol.

Streaming and P2P Servers

CyberGhost groups servers by purpose in its app rather than presenting one undifferentiated list. Dedicated streaming servers are labelled per platform, and dedicated P2P servers are labelled separately.

Using the labelled server for the task is the right default. Port forwarding is not offered, which is worth knowing if you seed and care about upload ratios.

If Your Connection Feels Slow

Work through these in order before concluding the VPN is the problem.

1. Switch to WireGuard. If the app is on OpenVPN or set to “automatic”, change it manually.
2. Pick a closer server. Use Quick Connect, or choose a city in your own country instead of a distant one.
3. Try a different server in the same location. An individual busy server explains more slowdowns than the provider does.
4. Test on Ethernet. A wired connection removes WiFi as a variable and tells you whether the VPN is actually the bottleneck.
5. Measure your speed with the VPN off first. Compare against that number, not against what your ISP plan promises.

On mobile, brief drops during tower handoffs are normal. WireGuard restores the tunnel faster than IKEv2 after one.

What CyberGhost Publishes About Its Service

These are CyberGhost’s own published figures, not ours:

The 45-day window is longer than the 30 days NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer, which gives you time to test the connection on your own hardware and network before committing.

Resources for this page

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• CyberGhost Speed Test Rank: #10 of 22 on Our Trust Score ListPDF · 1.2 MB

VPNs with Free TrialsTrust Score

#1ExpressVPN3,000+ servers

86 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.684.69

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 27 · Separate source groups: 27 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#2NordVPN7,115 servers

NordVPN's privacy and security record is strong on process and mixed on proof

93 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score66/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.664.59

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 31 · Separate source groups: 23 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#3CyberGhost9,600+ servers

CyberGhost's privacy record rests on one kind of evidence done well and several kinds absent

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score58/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.234.23

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 18 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

How to Try ExpressVPN for Free

ExpressVPN

Free trial & guarantee

86 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.684.69

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 27 · Separate source groups: 27 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Trust Score rank #2 / 22 3,000+ servers 113 countries 30-day money-back guarantee

Visit ExpressVPN Read our review

ExpressVPN does not offer a traditional free trial on desktop. Mobile users on Android and iOS may find a 7-day free trial, though availability varies by region. The primary risk-free option is the 30-day money-back guarantee, which gives full access across 8 devices. You pay upfront and request a complete refund before day 30.

ExpressVPN Free Trial Availability

ExpressVPN removed its widely available 7-day free trial for most platforms several years ago. Desktop and laptop users cannot access any free trial period today. The only way to test ExpressVPN on Windows, Mac, or Linux is through the money-back guarantee.

Mobile users sometimes see a 7-day free trial through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. This trial appears inconsistently and depends on your region, device, and account history. Apple and Google manage the billing, not ExpressVPN directly.

If the 7-day mobile trial shows up, you must cancel before day 7 to avoid charges. Cancellation happens through your phone’s subscription settings, not through ExpressVPN’s website. Missing the deadline means your selected plan activates at full price.

ExpressVPN Money-Back Guarantee Explained

The 30-day money-back guarantee is the most reliable way to try ExpressVPN without long-term commitment. You get unrestricted access to every server, feature, and protocol during those 30 days. There are no bandwidth limits, speed caps, or feature restrictions of any kind.

This guarantee applies to all plan lengths: 1-month, 6-month, and 12-month subscriptions. You must purchase directly through ExpressVPN’s website to qualify. Purchases made through Apple or Google require refund requests through those platforms instead.

ExpressVPN states “no questions asked” in its refund policy. In practice, the support agent may ask why you want to cancel. A simple answer like “it’s not right for me” works every time.

How to Cancel ExpressVPN and Get a Refund

Follow these 5 steps to cancel ExpressVPN and receive your full refund within the 30-day window.

Step 1: Open the ExpressVPN website and log in to your account dashboard.

Step 2: Click the live chat icon in the bottom-right corner of the page. Live chat operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Step 3: Tell the support agent you want to cancel your subscription and request a refund. The agent may ask for a reason or offer troubleshooting help.

Step 4: Confirm you want the refund. The agent will process the cancellation and initiate the refund on the spot.

Step 5: Wait 5 to 7 business days for the refund to appear in your original payment method. Credit cards may take slightly longer depending on the issuing bank.

Keep your confirmation email as proof until the refund posts to your account. The entire live chat process typically takes under 10 minutes from start to finish.

What You Get During the Guarantee Period

The 30-day guarantee period provides the exact same product as a paying long-term subscriber receives. Nothing is locked, throttled, or hidden behind an upgrade wall.

You get access to servers in 105 countries with unlimited bandwidth and speed. All 8 simultaneous device connections are available from day one. Every protocol option works, including Lightway, OpenVPN, and IKEv2.

Split tunneling, the kill switch, and DNS leak protection all function during the guarantee period. Streaming accesses for Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and other platforms work identically to paid accounts. You can test everything before deciding to keep the subscription.

ExpressVPN Trial vs. Competitor Free Trials

CyberGhost offers the longest money-back guarantee at 45 days on plans of 6 months or longer. Proton VPN stands alone with a permanent free tier, though it limits you to servers in 5 countries. NordVPN mirrors ExpressVPN’s structure with a mobile trial and 30-day guarantee.

ExpressVPN’s 30-day guarantee remains competitive, but it lacks a permanent free option. Users who want zero financial risk upfront should consider Proton VPN’s free tier first.

Resources for this page

Charts and reference images from our research, free to view and share.

• 

• ExpressVPN Free Trial: 30-Day Money-Back GuaranteePDF · 1.2 MB

Compare VPN PricingTrust Score

#1ExpressVPN3,000+ servers

86 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.684.69

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 27 · Separate source groups: 27 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#2NordVPN7,115 servers

NordVPN's privacy and security record is strong on process and mixed on proof

93 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score66/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.664.59

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 31 · Separate source groups: 23 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#3Surfshark4,500+ servers

Surfshark's evidence mixes real, readable third-party documents with provider assertions

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score58/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.714.64

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 32 · Separate source groups: 19 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

How Much Does ExpressVPN Cost?

ExpressVPN

Plans & pricing

86 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.684.69

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 27 · Separate source groups: 27 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Trust Score rank #2 / 22 3,000+ servers 113 countries 30-day money-back guarantee

Visit ExpressVPN Read our review

ExpressVPN costs $12.99 to $19.99 per month on monthly billing. The 2-year plan drops costs to $2.99/month for Basic and $6.99/month for Pro. All three tiers (Basic, Advanced, Pro) include a 30-day money-back guarantee. Longer commitments access discounts up to 78%.

ExpressVPN Plans and Pricing Breakdown

ExpressVPN splits its service into three tiers: Basic, Advanced, and Pro. Each tier offers monthly, 1-year, and 2-year billing cycles.

Basic covers the core VPN with no extras. Monthly billing runs $12.99. The 1-year plan costs $59.88 total ($4.99/month), saving 69%. The 2-year plan costs $78.18 total ($2.99/month), saving 78%.

Advanced adds identity protection tools like a data breach monitor and password manager. Monthly billing costs $13.99. The 1-year plan runs $71.88 ($5.99/month) at 65% off. The 2-year plan totals $100.58 ($4.19/month) at 74% off.

Pro bundles the VPN with identity theft insurance and credit monitoring. Monthly billing hits $19.99. The 1-year plan costs $107.88 ($8.99/month) at 64% off. The 2-year plan totals $167.78 ($6.99/month) at 70% off.

Intro vs. Renewal Pricing: What You Actually Pay

The discounted rates shown above apply to your first billing cycle only. This is the detail most buyers miss. ExpressVPN renewal rates climb back toward standard pricing after year one or two.

Renewal pricing typically matches or sits close to monthly rates annualized. A Basic 1-year plan at $59.88 the first year could renew near $99 to $120. ExpressVPN does not prominently advertise renewal rates on its pricing page.

Check your account settings 2 weeks before renewal to confirm exact charges. You can cancel auto-renewal and re-subscribe during a promotional period to recapture introductory pricing. This strategy saves 30% to 50% compared to passive renewal.

Best Plan for Each User Type

Casual Users

Pick the Basic 2-year plan at $2.99/month. You get the full VPN with 3,000+ servers across 113 countries. Casual browsing, streaming, and public Wi-Fi protection require nothing beyond the core VPN.

Power Users

The Advanced 1-year plan at $5.99/month fits frequent travelers and security-conscious professionals. You get password management and breach alerts alongside the VPN. The 1-year commitment lets you reassess competitors annually without a 2-year lock-in.

Families and High-Risk Users

The Pro 2-year plan at $6.99/month makes sense for households needing identity theft insurance. Credit monitoring adds tangible value when multiple family members share the account. ExpressVPN allows up to 10 simultaneous device connections across all tiers.

Payment Methods Available

ExpressVPN accepts a wider range of payment methods than most competitors. Credit and debit cards include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

Digital wallets like PayPal are supported for recurring billing. Cryptocurrency payments through Bitcoin provide an anonymous option but limit refund flexibility. Regional options include UnionPay, iDeal, Sofort, and other localized processors depending on your country.

Prepaid gift cards from retailers can also fund your account in some cases. Choose PayPal or credit card if you want the simplest refund path through the 30-day guarantee.

Seasonal Discount Patterns

ExpressVPN runs its deepest promotions during 4 predictable windows each year. Black Friday and Cyber Monday in November consistently deliver the lowest published prices. Holiday sales in late December through early January offer similar markdowns.

Back-to-school promotions appear in August and September with moderate discounts. Occasional flash sales surface during spring, typically lasting 48 to 72 hours. The 2-year plan discounts during Black Friday have historically matched or beaten 78% off.

Set a price alert or bookmark the pricing page in October to catch the best window. Signing up mid-cycle on a monthly plan and switching during a sale wastes money.

ExpressVPN vs. Competitor Pricing

ExpressVPN sits at the premium end of the VPN market. Here is how its lowest effective rate compares to competitors on their cheapest long-term plans.

ExpressVPN costs 9% to 60% more than budget competitors at the lowest tier. The premium buys you consistently fast speeds, a KPMG-reviewed no-logs claim, and reliable streaming accessing. Users prioritizing raw cost savings should consider Surfshark or PIA instead.

Money-Back Guarantee and Refund Process

All ExpressVPN plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee with no usage restrictions. You can use the full service for 30 days and still receive a complete refund. There are no data caps or feature limitations during the trial window.

To request a refund, contact ExpressVPN support through 24/7 live chat. State that you want to cancel and receive your refund. Representatives process most requests within 5 to 10 minutes without aggressive retention tactics.

Refunds typically land back in your account within 5 to 7 business days for credit cards. PayPal refunds arrive within 3 days. Bitcoin payments cannot be refunded to the original wallet, so the company issues account credit or alternative payment.

Resources for this page

Charts and reference images from our research, free to view and share.

• 

• ExpressVPN Pricing: Plans from $3.26/MonthPDF · 1.2 MB

Most Secure VPNsTrust Score

#1ExpressVPN3,000+ servers

86 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.684.69

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 27 · Separate source groups: 27 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#2NordVPN7,115 servers

NordVPN's privacy and security record is strong on process and mixed on proof

93 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score66/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.664.59

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 31 · Separate source groups: 23 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#3ProtonVPN20,000+ servers

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score59/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.614.70

How we score

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 19 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

Is ExpressVPN Safe? A Security Deep-Dive

ExpressVPN

Security & privacy

86 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.684.69

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 27 · Separate source groups: 27 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Trust Score rank #2 / 22 3,000+ servers 113 countries 30-day money-back guarantee

Visit ExpressVPN Read our review

ExpressVPN earns an 86/100 trust score based on a published KPMG no-logs assurance report, AES-256 encryption, and RAM-only servers across 113 countries. It operates under British Virgin Islands jurisdiction, outside 14 Eyes surveillance alliances. A KPMG assurance report and repeated Cure53 security audits support its privacy and security claims, within the limits described below.

Jurisdiction: Why the British Virgin Islands Matter

ExpressVPN is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, a self-governing British Overseas Territory. The BVI has no mandatory data retention laws for VPN providers. This single fact shapes how ExpressVPN responds to government data requests.

The BVI sits outside the 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, and 14 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliances. Foreign government requests must pass through the BVI High Court before reaching ExpressVPN. The BVI has no legal obligation to honor foreign subpoenas or surveillance orders directly.

This jurisdiction advantage proved real in 2017. Turkish authorities seized an ExpressVPN server during a political investigation. The server contained zero user data, confirming the no-logs policy worked under actual government pressure.

Independent Audit History

ExpressVPN has completed more third-party security audits than most competitors. Each audit examined different aspects of the service’s privacy and security claims.

KPMG No-Logs Assurance Report

KPMG LLP (UK) issued an ISAE (UK) 3000 Type I reasonable-assurance report dated 8 May 2025 on ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer, as at 28 February 2025, with no exceptions on the control objective covering user-activity logging. It is a point-in-time report commissioned by ExpressVPN, not continuous monitoring, and it is readable after accepting KPMG’s terms. ExpressVPN says it has commissioned earlier assurance engagements as well.

Cure53 Security Audits

Cure53, a respected German cybersecurity firm, links at least 16 ExpressVPN pentest reports (2018 to 2026) on its own website, covering apps, extensions, routers, the Lightway protocol and TrustedServer. In autumn 2024, Cure53 and Praetorian both audited ExpressVPN’s Rust rewrite of Lightway. Cure53 found one High-severity denial-of-service issue and four lower-rated issues, and Praetorian found two Low-risk issues, all fixed on retest.

ExpressVPN’s trust page lists about 30 audit reports in total, and Cure53 links its own ExpressVPN reports publicly, which shows above-average transparency for the VPN industry.

Logging Policy: What Gets Stored and What Does Not

ExpressVPN’s privacy policy states clearly what data it collects. Understanding the specifics matters more than marketing claims.

Data ExpressVPN Does NOT Store

ExpressVPN does not log your browsing history, traffic destination, DNS queries, or IP address. It does not record connection timestamps, session duration, or assigned VPN IP addresses. No content of your communications passes through any logging system.

Data ExpressVPN DOES Collect

ExpressVPN collects aggregate connection data: which app version you use, which server location you chose (not specific server), and total bandwidth consumed per day. This data cannot identify individual users or link activity to specific accounts. It uses this information to maintain server capacity across its 3,000+ server network.

Your account email, payment information, and support ticket history are stored for billing purposes. Users who want maximum anonymity can pay with Bitcoin or use a disposable email address.

Encryption Standards and Protocols

ExpressVPN uses AES-256-GCM encryption as its default standard. This is the same encryption level used by the U.S. government for classified information. Breaking AES-256 would require computational power that does not currently exist.

Available Protocols

ExpressVPN offers 4 VPN protocols across its apps. Lightway is its proprietary protocol, built on wolfSSL and using ChaCha20 or AES-256 encryption. OpenVPN runs over both UDP and TCP with AES-256-GCM. IKEv2/IPSec is available on select platforms for fast mobile connections.

Lightway deserves special attention. Its codebase contains roughly 2,000 lines of code, compared to OpenVPN’s 70,000+. Fewer lines mean fewer potential vulnerabilities and faster connection times under 1 second. Cure53 and Praetorian audited the 2024 Rust rewrite of Lightway, and ExpressVPN published the code as open source on GitHub.

Perfect Forward Secrecy

ExpressVPN negotiates a new encryption key for every connection session. If an attacker somehow compromised one session key, past and future sessions remain protected. This feature prevents bulk retroactive decryption of captured traffic.

Kill Switch and DNS Leak Protection

ExpressVPN calls its kill switch “Network Lock.” It activates by default on Windows, Mac, Linux, and routers. Network Lock blocks all internet traffic if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly.

Network Lock works at the firewall level, not the application level. This approach prevents leaks during brief reconnection windows that application-level kill switches often miss. It allows traffic only through the VPN tunnel and to ExpressVPN’s DNS servers.

ExpressVPN runs its own private, encrypted DNS on every server. Your DNS queries never touch third-party DNS providers like Google or Cloudflare. This eliminates DNS leak risk at the infrastructure level rather than relying on software patches.

Independent testing tools consistently show zero DNS leaks, zero WebRTC leaks, and zero IPv6 leaks across ExpressVPN’s major apps. The router firmware extends this protection to every device on your network.

Past Security Incidents

No security product exists without scrutiny. ExpressVPN has faced two notable incidents worth examining.

The Turkey Server Seizure (2017)

Turkish authorities investigated the assassination of Russian Ambassador Andrei Karlov. They seized an ExpressVPN server seeking suspect communications. The server contained zero usable data, validating the no-logs infrastructure under real-world law enforcement pressure.

The Kape Technologies Acquisition (2021)

Kape Technologies acquired ExpressVPN for approximately $936 million in September 2021. Kape previously operated as Crossrider, a company associated with adware distribution before rebranding. This acquisition raised legitimate concerns among privacy advocates.

ExpressVPN responded by maintaining its independent operations and BVI jurisdiction. ExpressVPN has since commissioned further assurance work, including a KPMG report dated May 2025 with no exceptions on user-activity logging, though that is a point-in-time review. The company retained its leadership team and continued publishing audit results transparently. Users should monitor future audits to verify continued independence.

Unique Security Features

ExpressVPN offers several security features that distinguish it from competitors with similar encryption standards.

TrustedServer Technology

Every ExpressVPN server runs entirely on volatile RAM, not hard drives. Servers load a read-only image at every boot. All data is wiped completely with each server reboot. This architecture makes persistent data storage physically impossible on VPN servers.

Threat Manager

Threat Manager blocks apps and websites from communicating with known trackers and malicious servers. It operates at the DNS level across all connected devices. ExpressVPN updates its blocklists regularly based on threat intelligence data.

Express Keys (Password Manager)

ExpressVPN bundles a built-in password manager called Keys with all subscriptions. Keys uses zero-knowledge encryption, meaning ExpressVPN cannot access your stored passwords. This integration adds practical security value beyond the VPN tunnel itself.

Post-Quantum Protection

ExpressVPN implemented post-quantum cryptography support in its Lightway protocol. This feature protects against future quantum computing attacks that could break current encryption standards. Few VPN providers have implemented this protection as of current testing.

Resources for this page

Charts and reference images from our research, free to view and share.

• 

• Is ExpressVPN Safe? Security, Privacy & Audit AnalysisPDF · 1.2 MB

Fastest VPNs ComparedTrust Score

#1ExpressVPN3,000+ servers

86 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.684.69

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 27 · Separate source groups: 27 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#2NordVPN7,115 servers

NordVPN's privacy and security record is strong on process and mixed on proof

93 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score66/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.664.59

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 31 · Separate source groups: 23 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#3Surfshark4,500+ servers

Surfshark's evidence mixes real, readable third-party documents with provider assertions

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score58/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.714.64

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 32 · Separate source groups: 19 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

How Fast Is ExpressVPN?

ExpressVPN ranks #2 of 22 on our Trust Score.

That rank is an editorial index, not a measurement we take ourselves. We don’t run our own speed tests. The Trust Score aggregates published results from third-party tests, and every source and the scoring formula are listed in our methodology.

So read 630 Mbps as a comparative position against the other 21 providers we track, not as a number your connection will reproduce. What you actually get depends on your base line speed, how far away the server is, and which protocol you use.

ExpressVPN

Speed test results

86 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.684.69

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 27 · Separate source groups: 27 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Trust Score rank #2 / 22 3,000+ servers 113 countries 30-day money-back guarantee

Visit ExpressVPN Read our review

Which Protocol to Use

ExpressVPN ships three protocols: Lightway, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Protocol choice affects throughput more than any other setting in the app.

Lightway (UDP) is ExpressVPN’s own protocol, built along the same lines as WireGuard. It is the app default. UDP skips the handshake and error-correction steps that hold other options back, and it reconnects quickly after a drop.

Lightway (TCP) trades speed for guaranteed delivery. TCP adds handshake and retransmission overhead, so it is slower by design. Switch to it only when a restrictive network blocks UDP traffic outright.

OpenVPN is the older open-source standard. It is heavily audited and supported almost everywhere, but heavier than Lightway. Use it when you need that compatibility, on a router or an unusual client.

IKEv2 re-establishes a connection fast after the network underneath it changes. That suits phones moving between Wi-Fi and cellular.

What Affects Your Speed More Than the Provider

Your base connection. A VPN can only ever hand back a share of the line you already have. On a slower line, the tunnel’s overhead is a smaller absolute bite.

Distance to the server. Every extra mile adds latency, and latency drags throughput down with it. A server on another continent costs you more than any protocol setting will.

Server load. A busy server at peak hours is slower than a quiet one in the same city. Trying a second server nearby is often the whole fix.

Your local Wi-Fi. A shared or distant access point adds latency the VPN usually gets blamed for. Test wired before you blame the app.

Streaming and Gaming

Netflix asks for roughly 25 Mbps sustained for 4K, and competitive games care about latency rather than raw throughput. Both thresholds sit well below the bandwidth of a typical fiber or cable line.

That makes the practical question your own retained speed, not a provider’s position in a ranking. Run a speed test with the VPN off, then again connected to a nearby server, and compare. If the gap is large, the fixes below are worth working through before you switch provider.

If ExpressVPN Feels Slow

1. Set the protocol to Lightway (UDP) in the app settings.
2. Connect to a server close to you rather than a distant one.
3. Try a different server in the same region to rule out a loaded one.
4. Test on Ethernet to separate a Wi-Fi problem from a VPN problem.
5. Measure a no-VPN baseline first, so you know what share you’re actually losing.

ExpressVPN carries a 30-day money-back guarantee, which gives you a window to test it on your own connection and request a refund if it doesn’t hold up.

Resources for this page

Charts and reference images from our research, free to view and share.

• 

• ExpressVPN Speed Test: Where It Ranks on Our Trust Score ListPDF · 1.2 MB

VPNs with Free TrialsTrust Score

#1Mullvad VPN550+ servers

83 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score23/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.144.06

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 29 · Separate source groups: 12 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#2NordVPN7,115 servers

NordVPN's privacy and security record is strong on process and mixed on proof

93 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score66/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.664.59

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 31 · Separate source groups: 23 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#3Surfshark4,500+ servers

Surfshark's evidence mixes real, readable third-party documents with provider assertions

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score58/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.714.64

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 32 · Separate source groups: 19 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

Can You Get a Mullvad Free Trial?

Mullvad VPN

Free trial & guarantee

83 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score23/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.144.06

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 29 · Separate source groups: 12 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Trust Score rank #7 / 22 550+ servers 50+ countries 14-day money-back guarantee

Visit Mullvad VPN Read our review

Mullvad does not offer a free trial on any platform. There is no 7-day mobile trial and no money-back guarantee. Mullvad charges a flat €5/month with no long-term contracts. You pay for one month at a time and stop whenever you want. The only way to test Mullvad risk-free is to pay for a single month.

How Mullvad Pricing Actually Works

Mullvad uses a unique account system with no email, no username, and no password. You generate a random 16-digit account number and add time to it. Every month costs exactly €5, regardless of how long you subscribe.

This pay-as-you-go model replaces the need for a Mullvad money back guarantee. You never commit to a 12-month or 24-month plan. You add 1 month, use it, and decide whether to continue.

Mullvad accepts credit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, cash in an envelope, and other cryptocurrencies. Cash and crypto payments make the service nearly anonymous from the start.

Does Mullvad Offer Refunds?

Mullvad does process refunds, but the terms are restrictive and not heavily advertised. You can request a refund for unused time on your account through their support page.

The refund only covers unused time, not partially used months. Mullvad processes refunds to the original payment method when possible. Crypto and cash payments cannot be refunded the same way.

To request a refund, email support@mullvad.net with your account number and payment details. Response times typically fall within 1-3 business days. Do not expect an automatic or instant process.

Step-by-Step: How to Cancel Mullvad

Canceling Mullvad requires zero effort because there is no recurring subscription to cancel. Follow these steps:

1. Stop adding time to your 16-digit account number.
2. Let your existing paid time expire naturally.
3. Uninstall the Mullvad app from your devices.
4. Optionally, email support to request a refund for any unused time remaining.

There are no cancellation fees, no hidden charges, and no retention tactics. Your account simply stops working when paid time runs out. Mullvad deletes account data 6 months after expiration.

What You Get During Your First Month

Your €5 covers the full Mullvad experience with no feature restrictions. Every paying user gets identical access to all servers and protocols.

Mullvad operates 550+ servers across 50+ countries. You can connect up to 5 devices simultaneously. The service supports WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Features included from day one: DNS leak protection, kill switch, split tunneling, multihop connections, and DAITA (defense against AI-guided traffic analysis). Mullvad runs RAM-only servers and publishes regular infrastructure audits.

Mullvad vs Competitors: Trial and Guarantee Comparison

NordVPN and Surfshark offer 7-day free trials on Android and iOS. CyberGhost gives 45 days to test and return. Proton VPN provides a genuinely free tier with servers in 3 countries.

Mullvad’s approach trades risk-free testing for simplicity and privacy. You spend €5 once with no commitment. Competitors require long-term plans to access their lowest prices, then rely on guarantee windows.

Who Should Pay for Mullvad Without a Trial?

Mullvad suits privacy-focused users who value transparency over marketing gimmicks. The €5 flat rate means you never feel locked into a bad deal.

Users who need to test features extensively before committing should consider Proton VPN’s free tier instead. Streaming-focused users wanting a longer evaluation window should look at CyberGhost’s 45-day guarantee.

If you already know you want strong privacy defaults, audited infrastructure, and anonymous payment options, €5 is a low barrier to entry. Most users decide within a week whether Mullvad fits their workflow.

Resources for this page

Charts and reference images from our research, free to view and share.

• 

• Mullvad Free Trial: Does It Exist?PDF · 1.2 MB

Compare VPN PricingTrust Score

#1Mullvad VPN550+ servers

83 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score23/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.144.06

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 29 · Separate source groups: 12 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#2NordVPN7,115 servers

NordVPN's privacy and security record is strong on process and mixed on proof

93 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score66/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.664.59

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 31 · Separate source groups: 23 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#3ProtonVPN20,000+ servers

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score59/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.614.70

How we score

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 19 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

How Much Does Mullvad Cost?

Mullvad VPN

Plans & pricing

83 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score23/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.144.06

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 29 · Separate source groups: 12 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Trust Score rank #7 / 22 550+ servers 50+ countries 14-day money-back guarantee

Visit Mullvad VPN Read our review

Mullvad charges a flat €5 per month (~$5.40 USD) with no annual or multi-year plans. Every user pays the same price regardless of subscription length. There are no introductory discounts, no renewal price hikes, and no tiered plans. You get one product at one price.

Mullvad’s Single-Plan Structure Explained

Mullvad offers exactly one plan. That plan costs €5 per month, billed monthly. There are zero alternatives, zero upgrades, and zero add-ons.

This is unusual in the VPN industry. Most providers push 2-year or 3-year commitments to lock in lower monthly rates. Mullvad rejected that model entirely and keeps pricing transparent.

Your account gets a random 16-digit number instead of an email address. You load time onto that number in 30-day increments. Each 30-day block costs €5.

Intro vs. Renewal Pricing: No Surprises

Most VPN providers advertise $2-3/month rates that require 2-3 year prepayments. When those plans expire, renewal prices jump 200-400%. NordVPN’s $3.49/month plan renews at $14.99/month. Surfshark’s $2.49/month plan renews near $15.95/month.

Mullvad charges €5 in month 1 and €5 in month 37. The price never changes. There is no contract, no auto-renewal trap, and no hidden fee schedule.

This flat structure means Mullvad costs more than competitors in year 1 but often costs less by year 3. Over 36 months, Mullvad totals €180 (~$194). NordVPN’s 2-year plan plus 1 year renewal totals roughly $233.

Which User Type Gets the Best Value?

Casual Users (1-3 Months per Year)

Mullvad is ideal for short-term use. You pay €5 only for months you need. No commitment locks you into 24 months of payments for occasional airport WiFi protection.

A casual user spending 3 months on Mullvad pays €15 total. The same user on NordVPN’s cheapest plan prepays $80+ for 2 years upfront.

Power Users (Always-On VPN)

Power users who run a VPN 12 months per year pay €60 annually. That is more than NordVPN’s $99.63 for 2 years but less than monthly rates from most competitors.

Mullvad supports WireGuard natively and runs 5 simultaneous connections. Power users get full-speed servers in 50+ countries without paying extra for premium tiers.

Families and Multi-Device Households

Mullvad allows 5 simultaneous connections per account. Families needing more must buy a second account at another €5/month. That totals €10/month for 10 devices.

Surfshark offers unlimited devices on one account for ~$2.49/month (2-year prepay). Families with 6+ devices save more on Surfshark during the initial term.

Payment Methods Available

Mullvad accepts more anonymous payment options than nearly any competitor. Here is the full list:

• Credit/debit card processed through Stripe
• PayPal linked to your existing PayPal account
• Bitcoin sent directly to a generated address
• Bitcoin Cash for lower transaction fees
• Monero for maximum transaction privacy
• Cash by mail in EUR, USD, GBP, SEK, DKK, NOK, CHF, or CAD
• Bank wire for EU-based SEPA transfers
• Swish for Swedish users
• Voucher codes purchased from resellers

Cash by mail is Mullvad’s most private option. You stuff bills into an envelope with your account number and mail it to their Swedish office. They credit your account upon receipt.

Seasonal Discount Patterns

Mullvad does not run seasonal discounts. There are no Black Friday deals, no holiday promotions, and no coupon codes. The price has been €5/month since 2009.

This is confirmed on their official website and verified across 15 years of pricing history. If you see a “Mullvad discount code” advertised elsewhere, it is not legitimate.

The company has publicly stated they will not adopt discount pricing. Their philosophy ties flat pricing to user trust and transparency.

Mullvad vs. Competitor Pricing Comparison

Mullvad looks expensive at first glance. But the 3-year column tells the real story. Competitors spike at renewal, and Mullvad stays flat.

Mullvad also includes no upsells. NordVPN charges extra for Threat Protection Plus ($4.19/mo). Surfshark charges extra for Surfshark One ($1.49/mo add-on). Mullvad bundles ad blocking and tracker blocking at no additional cost.

Money-Back Guarantee and Refund Process

Mullvad does not offer a traditional money-back guarantee or free trial. Instead, it operates a pay-as-you-go refund system. Unused account time is refundable upon request.

If you load 30 days and use 5 days, you can request a refund for the remaining 25 days. Refunds are processed to the original payment method when possible. Cash payments are refunded via bank transfer.

To request a refund, email support@mullvad.net with your account number. Mullvad typically processes refunds within 3-5 business days. There is no refund form or automated system.

This model gives more flexibility than a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can test the service for 2 days and get 28 days back. Most competitors require you to cancel within the guarantee window or lose everything.

Hidden Costs and Gotchas

Mullvad has no hidden costs. There are no data caps, no bandwidth throttling, no premium server tiers, and no feature gates behind higher-priced plans.

The only potential extra cost is currency conversion. Mullvad prices in euros, so USD, GBP, or other currency users may pay 1-3% in conversion fees depending on their bank or payment processor.

Bitcoin and Monero payments carry network transaction fees. These typically range from $0.50-$3.00 depending on network congestion at the time of payment.

Resources for this page

Charts and reference images from our research, free to view and share.

• 

• Mullvad Pricing: One Plan, One Flat Monthly CostPDF · 1.2 MB

Most Secure VPNsTrust Score

#1Mullvad VPN550+ servers

83 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score23/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.144.06

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 29 · Separate source groups: 12 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#2ProtonVPN20,000+ servers

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score59/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.614.70

How we score

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 19 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#3NordVPN7,115 servers

NordVPN's privacy and security record is strong on process and mixed on proof

93 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score66/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.664.59

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 31 · Separate source groups: 23 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

Is Mullvad Safe? A Direct Assessment

Mullvad VPN

Security & privacy

83 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score23/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.144.06

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 29 · Separate source groups: 12 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Trust Score rank #7 / 22 550+ servers 50+ countries 14-day money-back guarantee

Visit Mullvad VPN Read our review

Mullvad scores 83/100 on our trust index. It operates under Swedish jurisdiction, charges a flat €5/month with no accounts, and publishes a no-logs policy. Outside audits by Cure53, Assured AB and others found no customer-activity logging on the servers they were given. Mullvad says it stores zero connection logs, traffic data, or personally identifiable information on its servers.

Swedish Jurisdiction and Legal Data Requests

Sweden belongs to the 14 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance. That sounds alarming at first glance. In practice, the legal framework tells a more nuanced story for VPN providers.

Swedish law does not require VPN companies to retain user data. Mullvad has no mandatory data retention obligation under current Swedish telecommunications regulations. This means authorities can issue requests, but Mullvad has nothing stored to hand over.

In April 2023, Swedish police physically entered Mullvad’s office in Gothenburg with a search warrant. Officers intended to seize computers containing customer data. Mullvad staff explained no customer data existed on any machines, and police left empty-handed. That real-world test proved the no-logs policy holds under legal pressure.

Independent Audit History

Mullvad has published reports from several outside security firms. Each examined different parts of the infrastructure or apps, and Mullvad commissioned all of them.

Cure53 Infrastructure Audit (2020)

Cure53, a Berlin-based penetration testing firm, audited Mullvad’s infrastructure in November and December 2020. It found six vulnerabilities and six miscellaneous issues, up to high severity, and raised concerns about container design and defense in depth. It was unable to discover any personally identifiable information attached to end users. Mullvad says all findings were resolved, and the report is public.

Assured AB Relay Server Audit (2022)

Assured AB audited three Mullvad relay servers (two WireGuard, one OpenVPN) from April to May 2022 and wrote that the configuration is sound and showed no signs of direct customer information. Mullvad’s own account says the audited servers were freshly provisioned machines that no customers connected to.

Radically Open Security Audit (2023)

Radically Open Security tested two RAM-only Mullvad servers in May and June 2023 and found no logging of user activity data. It wrote that it could not validate that real production machines are set up the same way, and it flagged that administrators with SSH access could technically tap production VPN traffic. Mullvad said it was implementing command auditing and investigating removing SSH.

Cure53 Staging Server Audit (2024)

Cure53 audited one OpenVPN and one WireGuard staging server in June 2024, found two issues (one low, one medium) and found no way to compromise user traffic anonymity or integrity.

X41 D-Sec App Audit (2024)

X41 D-Sec audited the Mullvad apps for Android, iOS and desktop from October to November 2024. It found six vulnerabilities (none critical, three high, two medium, one low), concluded the apps have a high security level, and Mullvad fixed them.

Mullvad publishes these reports, which is uncommon in the VPN industry. Every audit was commissioned by Mullvad, covers a point in time, and none examined production servers, so the reports show what auditors found on the machines they were given, not continuous verification.

Logging Policy: What Mullvad Stores and Doesn’t Store

Data Mullvad Does Not Collect

Mullvad does not log traffic data, connection timestamps, session durations, or IP addresses. It stores no DNS queries, bandwidth usage records, or VPN server assignments. Account activity remains completely unlinked to browsing behavior or connection metadata.

Data Mullvad Does Process

Mullvad processes the total number of simultaneous connections per account (capped at 5). This counter exists in real time and is not written to any persistent storage. The moment you disconnect, that counter decrements. No historical record persists.

Mullvad also processes short-term aggregate server load data for performance optimization. This data contains zero user-identifiable information and rotates automatically.

The Account System

Mullvad generates a random 16-digit account number. No email, no name, no password required. You can pay with cash mailed in an envelope, Bitcoin, or Monero. This design eliminates personally identifiable information from the signup process entirely.

Encryption Standards and Protocols

Mullvad supports two protocols: WireGuard and OpenVPN. Both implementations use strong, well-reviewed cryptographic standards.

WireGuard Implementation

WireGuard uses ChaCha20 for symmetric encryption, Curve25519 for key exchange, and BLAKE2s for hashing. Mullvad defaults to WireGuard on all platforms. Connection handshakes complete in under 100 milliseconds on most networks.

OpenVPN Implementation

OpenVPN connections use AES-256-GCM for data channel encryption. Key exchange relies on RSA-4096 certificates with SHA-512 authentication. Mullvad configures OpenVPN with tls-auth to prevent fingerprinting and DDoS attacks on the VPN tunnel.

Quantum-Resistant Tunnels

Mullvad added post-quantum key exchange to WireGuard tunnels in 2023. This feature layers Classic McEliece and Kyber key encapsulation on top of standard WireGuard cryptography. Mullvad was the first commercial VPN to ship this feature across desktop platforms.

Kill Switch and DNS Leak Protection

Kill Switch Behavior

Mullvad’s kill switch activates by default on all platforms. It blocks all internet traffic when the VPN tunnel drops unexpectedly. The implementation operates at the firewall level, not the application level. This prevents leaks even if the Mullvad app crashes entirely.

On Linux, Mullvad uses nftables rules to enforce traffic blocking. On Windows, it modifies the Windows Filtering Platform. On macOS, it uses packet filter rules. Each implementation prevents both IPv4 and IPv6 leaks simultaneously.

DNS Leak Protection

Mullvad routes all DNS queries through its own encrypted DNS servers. The app blocks system DNS requests that attempt to bypass the tunnel. Mullvad operates DNS servers on every VPN server location, resolving queries locally without forwarding to third parties.

Users can also configure custom DNS within the app. Even with custom DNS, queries still travel inside the encrypted tunnel. Independent leak tests consistently show zero DNS, WebRTC, or IPv6 leaks across all Mullvad clients.

Past Security Incidents

Police Raid (April 2023)

Six officers from the Swedish National Police entered Mullvad’s Gothenburg office. They carried a district court search warrant seeking customer information. Mullvad’s CEO explained the company stores no customer data. Police seized no equipment and left after Mullvad’s legal team challenged the warrant’s applicability.

No Known Data Breaches

As of the latest audit cycle, Mullvad has reported zero data breaches. No user data has appeared in leaked databases. No credential stuffing attacks apply because Mullvad uses no passwords or email addresses. The 16-digit account number system limits attack surface substantially.

Vulnerability Disclosures

Mullvad maintains an active bug bounty approach and publishes security advisories on its blog. Mullvad says the vulnerabilities found during audits were fixed. The company has not experienced any zero-day exploitation of its production infrastructure.

Unique Security Features

DAITA (Defense Against AI-Guided Traffic Analysis)

Mullvad developed DAITA to counter traffic analysis attacks. This feature pads packets to uniform sizes and injects decoy traffic patterns. It prevents adversaries from identifying which websites users visit based on traffic fingerprints.

Encrypted DNS Over HTTPS (DoH)

Mullvad offers a public DoH service at dns.mullvad.net. Users can encrypt DNS queries even without the VPN running. The service includes optional ad-blocking and tracker-blocking DNS profiles.

Diskless RAM-Only Servers

Mullvad runs its entire server fleet in RAM-only mode. No hard drives exist in the servers. Every reboot wipes all data completely. This architecture ensures that physical server seizures yield zero usable information.

Multihop Routing

Users can route traffic through 2 separate VPN servers in different countries. This adds a second encryption layer and separates the entry point from the exit point. Multihop is configurable directly within the app without manual setup.

The Bottom Line on Mullvad’s Security

Mullvad earns its 83/100 trust score through architecture, not promises. RAM-only servers, account anonymity, published audit reports, and a verified police raid outcome set it apart. The €5/month flat rate with no trials or discounts reflects a company focused on service rather than subscriber volume. For users who prioritize privacy verification over feature count, Mullvad remains one of the strongest options available across its server network.

Resources for this page

Charts and reference images from our research, free to view and share.

• 

• Is Mullvad Safe? Security, Privacy & Audit AnalysisPDF · 1.2 MB

Fastest VPNs ComparedTrust Score

#1Mullvad VPN550+ servers

83 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score23/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.144.06

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 29 · Separate source groups: 12 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#2NordVPN7,115 servers

NordVPN's privacy and security record is strong on process and mixed on proof

93 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score66/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.664.59

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 31 · Separate source groups: 23 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#3ExpressVPN3,000+ servers

86 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.684.69

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 27 · Separate source groups: 27 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

How Mullvad Ranks for Speed

Mullvad VPN

Speed test results

83 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score23/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.144.06

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 29 · Separate source groups: 12 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Trust Score rank #7 / 22 550+ servers 50+ countries 14-day money-back guarantee

Visit Mullvad VPN Read our review

Mullvad ranks #7 of 22 on our Trust Score, which aggregates published results from third-party tests rather than our own bench. That places it below the top five and above most of the field.

We do not run speed tests ourselves. Any throughput number you see attached to a VPN on this site comes from a published third-party test, and none of them publish figures for your specific line, your ISP, or the server you happen to pick. Treat a rank as a sorting signal, not a promise about your connection.

Protocol Choice Matters More Than the Rank

Mullvad supports WireGuard and OpenVPN in both UDP and TCP modes. There is no native IKEv2.

WireGuard is the default and the one to stay on. It uses a smaller codebase, less CPU per encrypted packet, and reconnects faster after a network change.

OpenVPN (UDP) is the fallback. It carries more per-packet overhead than WireGuard and works harder on the same hardware, so it will generally feel slower on a fast line.

OpenVPN (TCP) is the last resort. TCP inside a TCP tunnel handles retransmissions twice, which makes it the slowest and the most sensitive to a lossy network. Use it only when UDP is blocked.

If a page loads slowly on Mullvad, check the protocol before anything else. That one setting explains most complaints.

What Actually Shapes Your Speed

Server distance. Encryption costs the same everywhere, but distance costs latency you cannot get back. A nearby server will beat a cross-continent one on every connection type.

Your baseline. A VPN cannot exceed the line underneath it. On a slower cable or DSL connection, the overhead is a smaller share of what you already had, so the difference between a #1-ranked provider and a #7 one narrows.

Shared networks. Public WiFi and congested cellular are variable by nature. Encrypted tunnels do not cause that variance, but they do inherit it.

Streaming, Gaming, and Torrenting

For streaming, the number that matters is the sustained rate your service needs, not peak throughput. 4K generally wants around 25 Mbps held steady. Mullvad runs no dedicated streaming servers, so if a service gives you trouble, switching servers within the same country is the lever you have.

For gaming, latency and jitter decide how the game feels, not download speed. Pick the closest server to the game region and stay on WireGuard, since OpenVPN adds handshake and per-packet overhead that shows up as inconsistency.

For torrenting, Mullvad allows P2P across its servers with no speed caps or bandwidth limits on any plan. Check the current port forwarding position in Mullvad’s own documentation before you commit, since that has changed over time and it matters for seeding.

Why Your Mullvad Connection Might Be Slow

Wrong protocol. Switch to WireGuard in the app settings. This fixes most “Mullvad is slow” reports.

Distant server. Pick the nearest location unless you need a specific country.

ISP throttling. Some networks throttle or block common VPN ports. Mullvad’s bridge mode, or moving to port 443, gets around basic filtering. Measure your line without the VPN first so you know what you are comparing against.

Outdated app. Mullvad ships performance and protocol fixes regularly. Update from the official site rather than an app store mirror.

Congestion. Popular servers slow down in local evening hours. Try another server in the same country.

Resources for this page

Charts and reference images from our research, free to view and share.

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• Mullvad Speed Test Results, Aggregated From Independent LabsPDF · 1.2 MB

VPNs with Free TrialsTrust Score

#1ProtonVPN20,000+ servers

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score59/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.614.70

How we score

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 19 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#2NordVPN7,115 servers

NordVPN's privacy and security record is strong on process and mixed on proof

93 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score66/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.664.59

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 31 · Separate source groups: 23 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#3Surfshark4,500+ servers

Surfshark's evidence mixes real, readable third-party documents with provider assertions

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score58/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.714.64

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 32 · Separate source groups: 19 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

How to Try ProtonVPN for Free

ProtonVPN

Free trial & guarantee

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score59/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.614.70

How we score

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 19 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Trust Score rank #3 / 22 20,000+ servers 140+ countries 30-day money-back guarantee

Visit ProtonVPN Read our review

ProtonVPN does not offer a traditional free trial on desktop. Mobile users on Android and iOS get a 7-day trial of ProtonVPN Plus. All platforms include a permanent free tier with servers in 5 countries. Paid plans carry a 30-day money-back guarantee, letting you test all premium features risk-free.

Does ProtonVPN Have a Free Trial?

ProtonVPN’s free trial situation depends on your device. Desktop users on Windows, Mac, and Linux cannot access any time-limited trial. Mobile users get a different deal through app store promotions.

Android and iOS users can activate a 7-day free trial of ProtonVPN Plus. This trial accesses all premium features, including 10 simultaneous device connections. You must enter payment details, and charges apply automatically after 7 days.

The free trial requires starting a subscription through Google Play or the Apple App Store. You will not find this option on ProtonVPN’s website directly.

ProtonVPN’s Permanent Free Tier

ProtonVPN stands apart by offering a genuinely free VPN plan with no data caps. Most competitors limit free usage to 500MB or 10GB per month. ProtonVPN Free gives you unlimited bandwidth on servers in 5 countries.

The free tier connects 1 device at a time with medium-speed servers. You lose access to Secure Core, P2P, streaming-optimized servers, and NetShield ad blocker. Free servers sit in the United States, Japan, the Netherlands, Romania, and Poland.

This plan works for basic browsing and privacy protection without spending anything. Upgrading accesses servers across 140+ countries and speeds suitable for 4K streaming.

ProtonVPN Money-Back Guarantee Explained

Every paid ProtonVPN plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. This applies to ProtonVPN Plus, Proton Unlimited, and all billing cycles. You get a full refund if you cancel within 30 days of your initial purchase.

The guarantee covers first-time subscribers only. Renewals and subsequent billing periods do not qualify for refunds. ProtonVPN processes refunds to your original payment method within 5-10 business days.

One important restriction applies to cryptocurrency payments. ProtonVPN cannot refund Bitcoin or other crypto transactions due to the nature of blockchain payments. Pay with a credit card or PayPal if you want refund eligibility.

How to Cancel ProtonVPN and Get a Refund

Follow these 5 steps to cancel ProtonVPN and request your money back within the guarantee window.

Step 1: Log into your account at account.protonvpn.com using your credentials.

Step 2: Navigate to “Subscription” under your dashboard settings panel.

Step 3: Click “Downgrade to Free” or “Cancel subscription” at the bottom of the page.

Step 4: Contact ProtonVPN support at protonvpn.com/support with your refund request. Include your username and payment details.

Step 5: Wait 5-10 business days for the refund to appear on your statement.

If you subscribed through Google Play or Apple, cancel directly through those platforms instead. App store refund policies override ProtonVPN’s own guarantee terms in some cases.

What You Get During the Guarantee Period

The 30-day money-back period gives you full access to every ProtonVPN Plus feature. Nothing gets restricted or throttled during this window. You experience the complete premium product.

Your access includes 10 simultaneous device connections across all platforms. You get 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries with speeds reaching 10 Gbps. Secure Core routing, NetShield malware blocking, and P2P support all work from day one.

Streaming accesses for Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and other platforms come included. This period gives you enough time to test ProtonVPN with your specific use cases thoroughly.

ProtonVPN Trial vs Competitor Trial Policies

CyberGhost offers the longest money-back guarantee at 45 days. ProtonVPN wins on free tier value with unlimited data. NordVPN and Surfshark match ProtonVPN’s 30-day refund window exactly.

ProtonVPN is the only major provider combining a free tier, mobile trial, and 30-day guarantee. This triple approach gives you the most flexibility to test before committing financially.

Resources for this page

Charts and reference images from our research, free to view and share.

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• ProtonVPN Free Trial: 7-Day Access + 30-Day GuaranteePDF · 1.2 MB

Compare VPN PricingTrust Score

#1ProtonVPN20,000+ servers

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score59/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.614.70

How we score

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 19 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#2NordVPN7,115 servers

NordVPN's privacy and security record is strong on process and mixed on proof

93 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score66/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.664.59

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 31 · Separate source groups: 23 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#3Surfshark4,500+ servers

Surfshark's evidence mixes real, readable third-party documents with provider assertions

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score58/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.714.64

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 32 · Separate source groups: 19 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

How Much Does ProtonVPN Cost?

ProtonVPN

Plans & pricing

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score59/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.614.70

How we score

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 19 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Trust Score rank #3 / 22 20,000+ servers 140+ countries 30-day money-back guarantee

Visit ProtonVPN Read our review

ProtonVPN offers 3 plans. The Free plan costs $0 forever with limited servers. VPN Plus costs $3.49/month on a 2-year plan or $9.99 monthly. Proton Unlimited costs $7.99/month on a 2-year plan or $12.99 monthly. All paid plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

ProtonVPN Plans at a Glance

ProtonVPN structures its pricing around 3 tiers with 3 billing cycles each. Longer commitments access steeper discounts. Here is what each plan includes at every billing interval.

Proton Free stays at $0 across monthly, 1-year, and 2-year terms. You get access to servers in 5 countries, 1 device connection, and medium speeds. No credit card required to start.

VPN Plus costs $9.99/month on a monthly cycle. The 1-year plan drops to $3.99/month ($47.88 total), a 60% discount. The 2-year plan drops to $3.49/month ($83.76 total), a 65% discount. You get 4,900+ servers in 110+ countries and 10 simultaneous connections.

Proton Unlimited costs $12.99/month on a monthly cycle. The 1-year plan drops to $9.99/month ($119.88 total), a 23% discount. The 2-year plan drops to $7.99/month ($191.76 total), saving 38%. This tier bundles ProtonMail, Proton Calendar, Proton Drive, and Proton Pass.

Intro Pricing vs Renewal: What You Actually Pay

The advertised per-month prices assume you pay upfront for the full billing cycle. Many users miss this detail. A $3.49/month VPN Plus plan requires $83.76 paid on day one.

Proton has historically honored the same pricing at renewal for existing subscribers. However, Proton reserves the right to adjust pricing between billing cycles. Check your subscription page 30 days before renewal to confirm your rate.

This contrasts with providers like Surfshark or NordVPN that frequently raise renewal prices by 50-100%. ProtonVPN’s renewal consistency is a genuine advantage for budget-conscious subscribers.

Which Plan Fits Which User Type

Not every user needs the same tier. Your usage pattern determines which ProtonVPN plan delivers the best value.

Casual Users: Proton Free

You browse occasionally and want basic IP masking. Proton Free covers 5 countries and handles light browsing. It works for checking email on public Wi-Fi or basic geo-restriction workarounds. Zero cost means zero risk.

Privacy-Focused Individuals: VPN Plus

You stream content across regions, torrent files, or travel frequently. VPN Plus opens 4,900+ servers in 110+ countries with full-speed connections. The 2-year plan at $3.49/month delivers serious value. This is the sweet spot for most users.

Families and Power Users: Proton Unlimited

You want a full encrypted ecosystem for multiple family members. Proton Unlimited bundles 500 GB of encrypted cloud storage, 15 email addresses, and unlimited hide-my-email aliases. At $7.99/month on the 2-year plan, it replaces separate subscriptions for email, storage, and VPN.

A family paying separately for cloud storage ($2-10/month), a password manager ($3-5/month), and a VPN ($3-5/month) spends $8-20/month. Proton Unlimited consolidates those tools at a competitive $7.99/month.

Payment Methods Available

ProtonVPN accepts credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, Bitcoin, and cash. Yes, actual cash mailed to their Swiss office. Bitcoin and cash payments maximize anonymity for privacy-focused users.

Bank transfers are not directly available through the checkout page. Proton also supports payment through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Note that app store purchases may cost slightly more due to platform fees.

Seasonal Discount Patterns

Proton runs predictable sales during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and occasionally around its anniversary in May. Black Friday deals have historically offered the 2-year VPN Plus plan at roughly $2.99/month or lower.

Summer months rarely feature discounts. If you are considering a purchase, November consistently delivers the best ProtonVPN pricing. Setting a calendar reminder for late October gives you time to compare that year’s deal.

Proton does not offer flash sales or weekly rotating coupons. The pricing structure stays stable outside major seasonal events. Third-party coupon sites rarely provide codes beyond what Proton already advertises.

ProtonVPN vs Competitor Pricing

ProtonVPN sits in the mid-to-premium range. Here is how its 2-year pricing compares against 4 major competitors.

ProtonVPN matches NordVPN’s 2-year price while offering a free tier NordVPN lacks. Surfshark undercuts both on price but operates from the Netherlands, not Switzerland. ExpressVPN costs 43% more for fewer servers.

Mullvad charges a flat $5.50/month with no long-term discounts. That simplicity appeals to some users, but ProtonVPN’s 2-year plan saves about $24 a year by comparison.

The free tier deserves emphasis. No competitor on this list offers a genuinely usable free plan. ProtonVPN Free runs zero ads and collects zero logs. That alone makes it the best entry point for VPN newcomers.

Money-Back Guarantee and Refund Process

All paid ProtonVPN plans carry a 30-day money-back guarantee. This applies to direct purchases through Proton’s website. App store purchases follow Apple or Google refund policies instead.

To request a refund, submit a ticket through the Proton support page. State your account email and reason for cancellation. Proton typically processes refunds within 5-10 business days. Credit card refunds may take an additional billing cycle to appear.

The guarantee covers the full subscription amount, not a prorated portion. If you buy a 2-year plan and cancel on day 25, you receive the entire $83.76 back. After day 30, no partial refunds are available.

Bitcoin and cash payments complicate refunds since those transactions are harder to reverse. Proton handles them on a case-by-case basis. If refund simplicity matters to you, pay by credit card or PayPal.

Resources for this page

Charts and reference images from our research, free to view and share.

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• ProtonVPN Pricing: Plans & Costs ComparedPDF · 0.8 MB

Most Secure VPNsTrust Score

#1ProtonVPN20,000+ servers

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score59/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.614.70

How we score

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 19 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#2NordVPN7,115 servers

NordVPN's privacy and security record is strong on process and mixed on proof

93 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score66/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.664.59

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 31 · Separate source groups: 23 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#3Mullvad VPN550+ servers

83 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score23/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.144.06

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 29 · Separate source groups: 12 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

Is ProtonVPN Safe? A Security and Privacy Deep-Dive

ProtonVPN

Security & privacy

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score59/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.614.70

How we score

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 19 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Trust Score rank #3 / 22 20,000+ servers 140+ countries 30-day money-back guarantee

Visit ProtonVPN Read our review

ProtonVPN earns an 85/100 trust score based on its Swiss jurisdiction, no-logs policy, and AES-256-GCM encryption. The service operates 15,000+ servers across 120+ countries. Proton says its no-logs policy has been audited annually by Securitum. Swiss law provides strong privacy protections against foreign data requests and mass surveillance.

Swiss Jurisdiction and What It Means for Your Data

ProtonVPN operates under Proton AG, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Switzerland sits outside the 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, and 14 Eyes surveillance alliances. This distinction matters more than most marketing claims suggest.

Swiss law requires a valid Swiss court order before authorities can compel any data disclosure. Foreign government requests must pass through a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty process. Swiss courts reject requests that fail to meet domestic legal standards.

Switzerland’s Federal Data Protection Act ranks among the strictest privacy frameworks globally. The law prohibits blanket surveillance and mandates proportionality in data collection. ProtonVPN cannot be forced to install backdoors or conduct real-time wiretapping under current Swiss statutes.

One critical nuance exists. Swiss authorities can compel ProtonVPN to begin logging a specific account going forward under a valid court order. However, they cannot request historical data that ProtonVPN never collected. The no-logs policy means retroactive surveillance is technically impossible.

ProtonVPN Audit History

Proton publishes audit reports and says it has been audited by third parties, which builds a transparency record over several years.

Proton says Securitum has audited its no-logs policy every year from 2022 to 2026 and says it has published the reports. We could not find an independent description of the reports’ contents, and each audit is commissioned by Proton and reviews a sample of servers at a point in time. Proton also says its VPN apps were independently audited, though we have not read an app audit report.

Proton also open-sourced all VPN client applications. This allows any security researcher to inspect the code for vulnerabilities or hidden logging mechanisms. The open-source approach adds a permanent layer of accountability beyond periodic audits.

ProtonVPN No-Logs Policy: Exactly What Gets Stored

ProtonVPN’s privacy policy specifies what the service does and does not collect. The distinction matters because “no logs” means different things across providers.

Not collected: Browsing history, DNS queries, traffic content, connection timestamps, session durations, source IP addresses, or assigned VPN IP addresses. ProtonVPN stores none of these data points under any circumstance.

Collected: Account creation data including email address and payment information. ProtonVPN also stores a timestamp of the last successful login attempt. This single timestamp overwrites with each new login, so no historical login record accumulates.

The timestamp exists solely to prevent credential abuse across accounts. It cannot reveal which server you connected to, how long you stayed connected, or what you accessed. This approach balances minimal account security needs against maximum privacy.

ProtonVPN processes payments through third parties and accepts Bitcoin for additional anonymity. Users can register with an anonymous ProtonMail address and cryptocurrency, leaving essentially zero identifying information on file.

Encryption Standards and Protocol Options

ProtonVPN defaults to AES-256-GCM encryption for data channels. This cipher remains unbroken by any known attack. The NSA itself certifies AES-256 for protecting Top Secret classified information.

The service supports 4 VPN protocols. WireGuard pairs modern cryptography with a lean codebase, and speed depends on your connection and server distance. OpenVPN runs in both UDP and TCP modes using 4096-bit RSA key exchange. IKEv2/IPSec offers fast reconnection on mobile devices. Stealth protocol wraps VPN traffic in TLS to bypass deep packet inspection.

Perfect forward secrecy generates unique encryption keys for every session. If an attacker compromises one session key, all past and future sessions remain protected. ProtonVPN enforces this across all supported protocols.

Kill Switch Behavior and DNS Leak Protection

ProtonVPN includes 2 kill switch modes on desktop applications. The standard kill switch blocks internet traffic when the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. The permanent kill switch blocks all non-VPN traffic even when ProtonVPN is manually disconnected.

The permanent kill switch prevents accidental browsing outside the VPN tunnel entirely. This feature targets journalists, activists, and users in high-surveillance environments where a single exposed connection creates risk.

DNS leak protection routes all DNS queries through ProtonVPN’s own DNS servers. The service operates DNS resolvers on every VPN server, eliminating third-party DNS involvement. Independent testing tools consistently confirm zero DNS, IPv6, or WebRTC leaks during active connections.

On Android, ProtonVPN integrates with the operating system’s always-on VPN and block connections without VPN features. These provide system-level kill switch protection independent of the app itself.

Past Security Incidents and Proton’s Response

ProtonVPN has no known history of server breaches or user data exposure. No confirmed hack has compromised user traffic or account credentials as of the latest available information.

In 2019, a third-party security researcher identified a local privilege escalation vulnerability in the Windows client. ProtonVPN acknowledged the report within 48 hours and shipped a patch within the same week. The vulnerability required local machine access and was never exploited in the wild.

Proton’s parent service, ProtonMail, faced a high-profile incident in 2021. Swiss authorities compelled ProtonMail to log a specific activist’s IP address under a valid court order. ProtonVPN clarified that Swiss law treats VPN services differently than email under surveillance regulations. The company subsequently moved its legal entity to strengthen protections and published a transparency report detailing government requests.

Proton now publishes annual transparency reports listing the number of legal requests received and contested. In 2023, Proton received over 6,000 requests and complied with roughly 4,000 after legal review. For VPN users, compliance meant providing only the limited account data on file, never browsing activity.

Unique Security Features Specific to ProtonVPN

Secure Core routes traffic through hardened servers in Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden before reaching the exit server. This double-hop architecture protects against compromised exit servers exposing your real IP address. Secure Core servers run on dedicated hardware owned by Proton in high-security data centers.

NetShield is a DNS-level ad, malware, and tracker blocker built into ProtonVPN’s servers. It filters malicious domains before they reach your device, blocking threats at the network level. NetShield processes zero user data because filtering happens through DNS resolution, not traffic inspection.

VPN Accelerator uses parallel connection techniques to boost speeds by over 400% on long-distance server connections. This technology eliminates the typical speed penalty associated with connecting to distant servers.

Tor over VPN provides built-in access to the Tor network through designated servers. Users can access .onion sites without installing the Tor browser separately. The VPN layer prevents your ISP from detecting Tor usage.

ProtonVPN also supports split tunneling on Windows, Android, and Linux. This lets users route specific apps outside the VPN tunnel while protecting everything else.

Resources for this page

Charts and reference images from our research, free to view and share.

• 

• Is ProtonVPN Safe? Security, Privacy & Audit AnalysisPDF · 0.8 MB

Fastest VPNs ComparedTrust Score

#1ProtonVPN20,000+ servers

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score59/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.614.70

How we score

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 19 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#2NordVPN7,115 servers

NordVPN's privacy and security record is strong on process and mixed on proof

93 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score66/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.664.59

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 31 · Separate source groups: 23 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#3ExpressVPN3,000+ servers

86 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score60/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.684.69

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 27 · Separate source groups: 27 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

How Fast Is ProtonVPN?

ProtonVPN

Speed test results

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score26/30

VPN Performance70% of the score59/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.614.70

How we score

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 19 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Trust Score rank #3 / 22 20,000+ servers 140+ countries 30-day money-back guarantee

Visit ProtonVPN Read our review

ProtonVPN ranks #3 of 22 on our Trust Score. That rank is aggregated from published third-party tests, not from tests we run ourselves. Our methodology page lists the sources we aggregate.

A mid-table rank tells you what to expect in practice: ProtonVPN is not one of the providers you pick for raw throughput, and the gap shows up most on gigabit connections, where there is more speed available to lose. On a typical cable, DSL or mobile connection, the ceiling matters less because your line is the limiting factor either way.

Read the rank as a sort key, not a verdict on whether ProtonVPN is usable. Day to day, what you notice is server choice, protocol and time of day, and all three are things you control. The rest of this page covers those.

Which Protocol to Use

Protocol choice is the single biggest speed lever you control inside the app.

WireGuard is ProtonVPN’s fastest and most stable option, and the option to start with. Connections establish quickly. Start here.

OpenVPN (UDP) is the fallback when WireGuard is unavailable. It carries more overhead than WireGuard, so expect slower transfers and higher latency.

OpenVPN (TCP) is slower again, because TCP adds acknowledgement and retransmission overhead on top of a connection that is already reliable. Use it only when UDP traffic is blocked on the network you are on.

IKEv2 sits between the two on speed and reconnects faster than OpenVPN when your device switches networks. It is the better mobile fallback when you are moving between WiFi and cellular.

What Secure Core Costs You

Secure Core routes your traffic through two ProtonVPN servers instead of one before it reaches the internet.

Two hops means two encryption steps and a longer route, so it costs both throughput and latency by design. That is the trade you are buying: extra protection if the exit server’s network is being watched.

If you are streaming, gaming or moving large files and you do not have a specific threat in mind, turn Secure Core off. If you do have one, leave it on and accept the slowdown.

Why ProtonVPN Sits Mid-Table

Proton runs its own server infrastructure rather than renting capacity from third parties. That is good for privacy, since fewer outside parties touch the hardware, but it makes the network expensive to expand.

The practical effect is a smaller network than the largest providers operate, which means individual servers carry more load at peak hours. Most reports of ProtonVPN “running slow” turn out to be a congested server rather than a limit of the service.

If ProtonVPN Feels Slow

Work through these in order. The first two fix most cases.

1. Switch to WireGuard. Check the protocol setting rather than assuming; some platforms and some network conditions fall back to OpenVPN silently.
2. Turn off Secure Core, and turn off any multi-hop or Tor-over-VPN option while you are there.
3. Change server. Pick a different server in the same country before you conclude the country is the problem.
4. Connect closer to home. Distance sets your latency floor. A server two time zones away will always beat one on another continent for ping.
5. Try again off-peak. If the same server is fine at 2 PM and poor at 9 PM, you found congestion, not a fault.
6. Restart the connection after a network change. Handshakes that survive a WiFi-to-cellular switch can end up in a degraded state.

Measuring It Yourself

Your own connection is the only benchmark that decides anything, and it takes five minutes to check.

Run a speed test with the VPN disconnected first. That baseline is your ceiling; no VPN goes faster than the line underneath it. Then connect and re-run the same test on the same server location, and compare.

Repeat it at two different times of day before drawing a conclusion. A single result during a peak-hour congestion spike will tell you almost nothing about the rest of the week. ProtonVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee gives you room to run that comparison properly before you commit.

Resources for this page

Charts and reference images from our research, free to view and share.

• 

• ProtonVPN Speed Test: Where It Ranks and How to Speed It UpPDF · 0.8 MB

VPNs with Free TrialsTrust Score

#1Surfshark4,500+ servers

Surfshark's evidence mixes real, readable third-party documents with provider assertions

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score58/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.714.64

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 32 · Separate source groups: 19 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#2NordVPN7,115 servers

NordVPN's privacy and security record is strong on process and mixed on proof

93 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score66/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.664.59

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 31 · Separate source groups: 23 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

#3CyberGhost9,600+ servers

CyberGhost's privacy record rests on one kind of evidence done well and several kinds absent

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score58/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.234.23

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 23 · Separate source groups: 18 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Read review

Can You Get a Surfshark Free Trial?

Surfshark

Free trial & guarantee

Surfshark's evidence mixes real, readable third-party documents with provider assertions

85 out of 100, built from two weighted parts

Trust & Value30% of the score27/30

VPN Performance70% of the score58/70

App store ratings, part of the score

4.714.64

How we scoreRead the research

Researched Oct 3, 2026 · Claims checked: 32 · Separate source groups: 19 · Scores updated Oct 8, 2026

Trust Score rank #3 / 22 4,500+ servers 100+ countries 30-day money-back guarantee

Visit Surfshark Read our review

Surfshark does not offer a traditional free trial on desktop. Mobile users on Android and iOS can access a 7-day free trial through their app stores. Every plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, letting you test all features risk-free on unlimited devices before deciding to keep it.

Surfshark Free Trial Availability

The Surfshark free trial exists only on mobile platforms. Android users find it on Google Play. iOS users access it through the Apple App Store. You must start a new subscription through the app store to qualify.

This 7-day window gives you full access to 3,200+ servers across 100 countries. You connect unlimited devices simultaneously during the trial. Cancel before day 7 ends and you pay nothing.

Desktop and laptop users have no free trial option. The 30-day money-back guarantee serves as the risk-free testing window for those platforms instead.

How the Surfshark Money-Back Guarantee Works

The Surfshark money-back guarantee covers all plans for 30 days after purchase. You pay upfront, use the full service, then request a refund if unsatisfied. Surfshark processes refunds within 5-10 business days back to your original payment method.

Three conditions apply to the guarantee. First, you must request the refund within 30 calendar days of the initial purchase. Second, purchases made through the Apple App Store or Google Play require refund requests through those platforms directly. Third, cryptocurrency payments follow a separate refund process that may take longer.

The guarantee applies to the Surfshark Starter, One, and One+ bundles equally. Monthly plans qualify, but the 30-day window makes them less practical for testing purposes.

Step-by-Step Refund Process

Getting your money back from Surfshark takes about 15 minutes of effort. Follow these 5 steps exactly.

Step 1: Log into your Surfshark account at the official website. Navigate to the subscription section and note your purchase date.

Step 2: Open live chat support through the help icon on the Surfshark website. Live chat operates 24/7 and responds within 2-3 minutes on average.

Step 3: Tell the agent you want to cancel Surfshark and request a full refund. They will ask why you want to leave. A simple answer like “it doesn’t meet my needs” works fine.

Step 4: The agent confirms your refund eligibility and initiates the process. You receive an email confirmation within 1 hour of the request.

Step 5: Wait 5-10 business days for the refund to appear on your statement. Credit cards typically process faster than PayPal or bank transfers.

What You Get During the Guarantee Period

Surfshark places zero restrictions on features during the 30-day guarantee window. You access the identical product that long-term subscribers use daily.

Your access includes 3,200+ servers in 100 countries with unlimited bandwidth. You get the CleanWeb ad blocker, split tunneling, MultiHop connections, and a kill switch. Surfshark One subscribers also receive antivirus protection, data breach alerts, and a private search engine.

The unlimited device policy means you can install Surfshark on every phone, tablet, laptop, and smart TV you own. No caps exist on simultaneous connections during the trial or guarantee period.

Surfshark Trial vs Competitor Options

CyberGhost offers the longest money-back guarantee at 45 days on annual plans. Proton VPN stands alone with a permanent free tier covering 5 countries. NordVPN mirrors Surfshark’s structure almost exactly but limits connections to 10 devices.

Surfshark wins on device policy. Families or users with many gadgets save money by covering everything under one account. The 30-day guarantee matches the industry standard set by most premium providers.