Protecting your privacy online is a necessity in today's world, and a virtual private network (VPN) is an excellent way to begin.
VPNs provide tunnels that mask your online communication by issuing you an IP from another location, encrypting data, and disguising your online activities. They make it harder for third parties to track you, making you less likely to become a victim of eavesdropping, a data breach, or for your personal information to be exploited by marketers.
The choices out there for VPNs are endless, but some are more trustworthy than others. The easiest way to see if a particular VPN is the right option for you is to sign up for a free trial. Many VPN companies now allow potential customers to test them out for free for a set amount of time. In most cases, we recommend you choose a trial over a free VPN service, as many free offerings require you to agree to data collection and targeted advertising. That said, you must sign up if you want a trial, so take note of the money-back guarantee period and cancel before you are charged.
Also: The best VPN services you can buy
What is the best VPN trial right now?
Our top pick is Proton VPN as it is one of the few VPN providers that still provides a free option. Although limited, the VPN is user-friendly and has an attractive user interface, giving you all the time you need to figure out how VPNs work and whether this one suits your needs. Paid plans are also available.
Below are ZDNET's top picks for the best VPN trials on the market right now.
The best VPN trials of 2024
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Proton VPN
Best VPN trial overall
Since launching in 2017, Proton VPN -- the open-source virtual private network from the minds of Proton Mail -- has made its mark. It has garnered support because the company is transparent about software security practices and implements secure technologies, including two-factor authentication, Wireguard, forward security encryption keys, and a kill switch.
Review: Proton VPN
Proton VPN doesn't offer a trial, but its free option has some of the same features as its paid subscriptions. Alternatively, you can sign up for a subscription and cancel within 30 days.
At ZDNET, we like Proton VPN's free offering and view it as a "trial," especially if you are new to the world of VPNs and want to learn how to use the software before signing up for a paid plan. A bonus is that the VPN provider is backed by Swiss privacy laws, which are some of the strongest in the world.
The caveat is that you can only have one device connection to one of three countries with the trial. On the flip side, there are no data limits. If you opt for a paid subscription, you can access over 4,600 servers in 91 countries.
If you're interested in a paid plan, you can pay $4.99 per month on a two-year contract or $6.66 per month on an annual plan. One month of access is $9.99.
Proton VPN features: Open source | Simultaneous connections: One to 10, depending on the plan | Countries: 91 | Logging: No-logs policy | Security audits | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, Kodi, and routers | VPN accelerator | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Free option
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Surfshark
Best VPN for affordability
Surfshark, which includes a mobile trial, has many additional features, such as cookie blockers, an IP rotator, and the option to connect to two servers simultaneously. Our past tests found the connections to be reliable and secure, albeit with download speeds that can be slower than other VPN services.
A bonus to consider is the reasonable size of its server network -- with over 3,200 servers available in over 100 countries. Surfshark is also a very affordable VPN.
Review: Surfshark VPN
A seven-day free VPN trial is available for Android, iOS, and macOS, but you need to sign up for it by downloading the app from the Google Play Store or Apple's App Store.
You can also test out Surfshark by signing up for a plan. Don't forget to cancel within 30 days for a refund if you're unsatisfied. The subscription options include a two-year subscription for $2.19 per month (plus three months free), a 12-month subscription for $2.99 per month, or one month of access for $15.45.
Surfshark features: Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Ad blocker | Two-factor authentication | Kill switch: Yes | Countries: 100 | Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, and routers | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days on Android, iOS, and macOS
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Privado VPN
Best for free simultaneous device support
Another choice you should consider is Privado VPN. This Swiss VPN offers a comprehensive free plan with support for up to 10 devices, 10GB of traffic per month, and 13 server locations.
During our testing, we found the user interface clean and easy to use, with a handy button to enable or disable the kill switch. Unfortunately, it lacks the advanced features of many other VPNs.
For paid plans, the prices begin at $1.99 per month for two years of access (with three months free) and $2.99 per month for an annual plan, and rising to $10.99 if you want to try out the software for just one month.
Privado has a clear privacy policy. At the time of writing, however, there was no evidence of third-party auditing, an area the company should tackle if it wants to build more trust in the brand as a solid, secure VPN.
Privado VPN features: Simultaneous connections: Unlimited, 10 on a free plan | Ad blocker | Two-factor authentication | Kill switch | Countries: 49 | Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Android TV, and Fire TV | 30-day money-back guarantee | Trial: Free plan (credit card not required)
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ExpressVPN
Best VPN trial for user-friendliness
ExpressVPN is a widely used and popular VPN. While expensive, the service is best suited for individuals who want to adopt a reliable VPN that can be used both at home and abroad. Advanced features include content streaming and torrenting availability, split tunneling, and a threat manager designed to stop tracking.
The VPN is straightforward: install, choose a smart location or your preferred country, and connect.
You can connect up to eight devices simultaneously. A router app is also available to protect every device in your household.
Review: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN has adopted the same stance as many other VPN providers and does not offer a standalone trial. Instead, you can sign up for a short-term service -- either one month, six months, or a year -- and then cancel within 30 days to take advantage of a money-back guarantee. There are no functionality, speed, or server restrictions.
ExpressVPN subscriptions are priced as follows: $12.95 for one month of access, $9.99 per month for six months, or $6.67 per month if you sign up for one year. Three months of free access are also added to the yearly subscription, together with free Backblaze cloud backup.
There is also 24/7 chat support if you have queries or trouble setting up the VPN. Customers note the high price point but still appreciate this VPN's speed, rapid connections, and server network.
ExpressVPN features: Simultaneous connections: Eight | Kill switch: Yes | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Linux, Fire TV, Android TV, tvOS, and routers | Countries: 105 | Logging: No browsing logs, some connection logs | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days on Android and iOS
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NordVPN
Best VPN for speed
Although NordVPN doesn't offer a free trial, you can take advantage of a 30-day money-back guarantee to test the service and cancel within 30 days if you're unsatisfied or want to test other VPNs. Subscriptions start at $3.59 per month on a Standard, two-year plan, with three months of access thrown in for free.
Review: NordVPN review
Given NordVPN's popularity, accounting for millions of downloads, the service is worth considering, even though you have to jump through a few hoops to test it out. It's very fast and reliable, and the developers are constantly monitoring and working toward improving the VPN's security and features.
As we found in our own tests, NordVPN offers consistently fast speeds across an impressive array of country servers. Plus, it's compatible with many operating systems and devices. The company has a server network of 111 countries and allows 10 simultaneous device connections.
Also: NordVPN vs. Surfshark: Which is better for you?
NordVPN features: Simultaneous connections: 10 | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, and routers | Countries: 111 | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: Email address and billing information only | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days on Android
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