Best VPN Free Trials of 2021

5 Best VPN Free Trials of 2021

1. 1. PrivateVPN

   Unrestricted seven-day free-trial that requires no payment and expires automatically.

   Ranked #1 VPN Free Trial

    98% 

   (1,736 user reviews)

   Visit PrivateVPN

   ProsCons

   Pros

   1. Best genuine free trial
   2. No payment details required
   3. Trial expires automatically
   4. No data caps or server restrictions
   5. Great for streaming, torrenting and Fire TV Stick
   6. Safe and secure, beats Chinese censorship

   Cons

   1. Inconsistent speeds
   2. No browser extensions
   3. Live chat is not 24/7

   PrivateVPN offers the best genuine free trial. Its trial software is easy to download, and it requires no payment information. There are also no limitations to the trial that make it different to the paid PrivateVPN experience.

   Moreover, the free trial is available on Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Fire OS and more. This means you’ll be able to test the VPN on all your favorite devices, with up to five simultaneous VPN connections.

   Free Trial Duration	7 Days
   Money-Back Guarantee	30 days
   Cheapest Price	$1.98/mo over 24 months See all plans
   Top Download Speedi Based on a 100Mbps test connection	94Mbps
   See all features
   US Netflix	Yes
   Torrenting	Unlimited
   Servers	150+
   Compatible with	MacOS Windows iOS Android +more
   Logging Policy	No Logs
   Jurisdiction	Sweden (14-Eyes Member)
   Data Leaks	No
   Works in China	Yes
   Support	Live Chat

   Unblocks 32 Netflix libraries

   PrivateVPN’s free trial is great if you want to unblock streaming services all over the world. It’s a very reliable VPN for unblocking Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more.

   The VPN service comes with the highest number of dedicated servers for Netflix that we’ve seen. It can unblock up to 32 different Netflix libraries, the second highest number after Windscribe.

   Also, PrivateVPN has dedicated servers for Hulu, HBO Max, Sky Go, DAZN, Hotstar and IPTV. We equally like its intuitive Amazon Fire TV app that has the same dedicated streaming servers as the desktop version, unblocking geo-restricted content just as easily.

   However, connection speeds on its dedicated streaming servers aren’t always as strong as we expect them to be. PrivateVPN comes with 150 servers across 60 countries, but the streaming servers are very popular and therefore often congested, resulting in slower streaming speeds.

   Sadly, PrivateVPN has no SmartDNS feature, which rules out testing PrivateVPN on Apple TV and games consoles like the Xbox Series S/X and PlayStation 5.

   On the plus side, PrivateVPN works extremely well for torrenting. It’s got dedicated P2P servers, a no-logs privacy policy, and an effective kill switch to prevent accidental IP address leaks. PrivateVPN owns and controls dedicated IP servers, and therefore handles DNS requests directly, and not by third-party data handlers.

   A safe VPN that also works in China

   PrivateVPN is trustworthy and safe. It’s security technology will encrypt your data and hide your IP without any complications. We looked beneath the surface and can confirm that it uses the strongest encryption cipher, AES-256. There’s also a reliable kill switch backup to cut your entire internet connection should the VPN stop working, and we recorded no leaks of any kind, including DNS, IPv6, or WebRTC.

   PrivateVPN uses the best encryption protocols and ciphers

   We’d like to see PrivateVPN invest in a split-tunneling feature, browser extensions, and other bespoke tools that compares to some of the most extensive packages around, but we were very pleased to see that PrivateVPN’s Stealth VPN protocol works to get around the Chinese government’s firewall.

   We have physical servers in Shanghai, and we’ve connected to the Chinese internet remotely to test Private VPNs effectiveness. It works well and reliably, making it one of the best anti-censorship tools and ideal for those looking to access YouTube, WhatsApp, or Wikipedia no matter where in the world you are.

   How to get PrivateVPN for free

   Getting PrivateVPN completely free for seven days is very easy. All you have to do is head to its free trial page and click ‘Try PrivateVPN risk-free’. You’ll then be directed to an online form so that you can generate a PrivateVPN account.

   Insert your email and chosen password and you’ll then be sent an email confirmation. Confirm your address and you’ll be automatically directed towards your PrivateVPN account. There is no automatic renewal or payment details required at any point. You can then download the trial software from the website onto your device of choice, including Windows, Android, MacOS, or iOS.

   PrivateVPN’s free trial login screen

   Once downloaded, launch the VPN application. To log in, insert the email and password that you used to register. Once logged in you’ll be given a quick tutorial. Then, you’ll be granted full access to PrivateVPN with a notification of when your trial expires in the bottom left corner.

   PrivateVPN’s free trial has all the full product features, so you can test it thoroughly before deciding if to subscribe or not. If you do, PrivateVPN is actually one of the best cheap VPNs of 2021.

   Visit PrivateVPN

   or read our full PrivateVPN Review.

2. 2. Astrill VPN

   100% seven-day free trial with no cancellation required.

    0% 

   No user reviews

   Visit Astrill

   ProsCons

   Pros

   1. Free trial cancels automatically after seven-days
   2. No payment details required
   3. Works with US Netflix
   4. Fast international speeds
   5. Servers optimized for P2P & torrent use
   6. Works in high censorship countries

   Cons

   1. Restrictions on available servers
   2. No refunds
   3. Trial not available in China
   4. No native Fire Stick TV app

   Astrill VPN is available to download completely free of charge for a seven-day free trial run on Windows, MacOS, Android and iOS. It’s the best genuine free trial service from any top VPN provider, with a no-hassle sign up that requires no payment details and cancels itself on expiry.

   Free Trial Duration	7 Days
   Money-Back Guarantee	No Refunds
   Cheapest Price	$10.00/mo over 12 Months See all plans
   Top Download Speedi Based on a 100Mbps test connection	80Mbps
   See all features
   US Netflix	Yes
   Torrenting	Unlimited
   Servers	110
   Compatible with	MacOS Windows iOS Android +more
   Logging Policy	Some User Logs
   Jurisdiction	Seychelles (Privacy Haven)
   Data Leaks	No
   Works in China	Yes
   Support	24/7 Live Chat

   Extremely strict privacy measures

   Astrill itself is robust, secure, and extremely strict on privacy. It has a no-logs privacy policy, is based in the privacy haven of Seychelles, and comes equipped with a proprietary stealth protocol that makes it one of the best VPNs to work in China.

   Unfortunately, Astrill’s free trial isn’t available in China, which is a shame since it’s one of the best anti-censorship tools out there. While you won’t be able to trial Astrill in China, we do know its premium service works there as we’ve tested the VPN our own test server in Shanghai.

   You’ll still be able to test Astrill’s general performance and it’s a strong anti-censorship tool in countries like Turkey, Russia, and the UAE.

   Fast international speeds

   Its speeds are good too, even in China, thanks to its ‘SuperCharged’ servers designed specifically for the country. Astrill’s international speeds are generally strong across the board, with a high average score of 81Mbps connecting to the US from our UK base. It’s even competing with NordVPN in our speed test comparison tool.

   Astrill has servers in 110 cities across 59 countries, which seems a lot but these are made up of only 350+ IP addresses. Astrill should invest in more IP addresses, even though speed performance isn’t currently being affected by congestion.

   Most of these servers aren’t available on Astrill’s free trial, which restricts the countries you’re allowed to connect to. It would be better to see Astrill offer a completely unrestricted trial period, but this is common practice among VPN providers, and it is the sole limitation.

   Astrill fades the servers unavailable on its free trial

   Astrill has P2P-optimized servers for torrenting and file sharing, it’s useful for Kodi and Linux users, and it works to unblock US Netflix. It’s less reliable on BBC iPlayer, but privacy and security is Astrill’s true strength.

   We’ve never seen any DNS, IPv6, or WebRTC leaks when using Astrill and, even better, it forces users traffic through its own first-party DNS servers. This means that your internet requests are not handled by unreliable third-party servers, but Astrill itself.

   Using the Astrill free trial is an easy and safe way to test the benefits that come with a VPN that takes a strong stance on internet privacy. OpenVPN is easily selected via setting, the trailblazing WireGuard protocol is included, and your traffic is encrypted with the very best cipher AES-256.

   Astrill is a very expensive VPN on its premium subscription; the cheapest price is $10 per month, which is far pricier than anything else on this list. The free trial is the perfect chance to see whether you  think it’s worth the investment, particularly as Astrill has such a uniquely strict refund policy – all sales are final.

   How to get Astrill VPN for free

   Astrill VPN offers seven-days of access to its service with absolutely no data caps or payment details required to sign-up. Even better, you don’t have to worry about cancelling as this trial cancels itself.

   To take advantage of this you need to head to the Astrill free trial page on the Astrill VPN website and create an account. Input your email address and generate a password then you’ll receive an access code.

   Once activated, Astrill gives you daily updates on the remaining days left on your trial. But this is for informational purposes only as Astrill doesn’t charge after the trial expires. Instead, a pop-up will appear asking if you want to upgrade to a full account.

   Even though it’s restricted to a select few servers, the Astrill free trial still allows you to surf the web safely, try its port forwarding feature ‘SmartMode’, or stream online video/audio plaftorms — enough to decide whether this is the VPN for your needs.

   Visit Astrill

   or read our full Astrill VPN Review.

3. 3. ExpressVPN

   The overall best VPN with a seven-day free trial on mobile devices.

    96% 

   (1,758 user reviews)

   Visit ExpressVPN

   ProsCons

   Pros

   1. Risk-free refund within 30-day period
   2. 7-day free trial on iOS and Android
   3. Best overall VPN service
   4. Impressive international speeds
   5. Audited logging policy
   6. Unblocks 19 Netflix libraries including US

   Cons

   1. Have to insert payment details to sign up
   2. Must cancel within 30 days
   3. No VPN kill switch on iOS
   4. Fire Stick TV app needs updating

   ExpressVPN is available to use on a completely free seven-day trial for iOS and Android devices as well as risk-free 30-day money back guarantee. It’s fast, very private, and highly secure. It unblocks streaming services with ease and even gets around Chinese georestrictions.

   Free Trial Duration	7 Days
   Money-Back Guarantee	30 Days
   Cheapest Price	$6.67/mo over 15 Months See all plans
   Top Download Speedi Based on a 100Mbps test connection	88Mbps
   See all features
   US Netflix	Yes
   Torrenting	Unlimited
   Servers	3,000+
   Compatible with	MacOS Windows iOS Android +more
   Logging Policy	Anonymous Server Usage Data
   Jurisdiction	British Virgin Islands (Privacy Haven)
   Data Leaks	No
   Works in China	Yes
   Support	24/7 Live Chat

   Fast speeds across 3,000 servers

   Using ExpressVPN’s money-back guarantee allows you to use the service without limitations or restrictions, including access to a large network of 3,000 fast servers across 94 countries. In fact, ExpressVPN keeps registering very good international speed results, and you can compare it to other top providers through our speed test tool.

   You’ll also be able to test it across multiple devices and platforms, restricted to five simultaneous devices. This means you can install it across your Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS and Fire TV devices. You can even install ExpressVPN on your router, or on your AppleTV and gaming consoles by using its MediaStreamer. 

   Unblocks 19 Netflix libraries

   ExpressVPN is a great VPN for unblocking streaming platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer. It unblocks 19 global Netflix libraries and easily gets around restrictions on almost all of its US servers. It performs just as effectively with Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu and more.

   One thing to be aware of is that the ExpressVPN app for iOS doesn’t have a kill switch, which is a slight privacy concern. Should your encrypted VPN tunnel stop working, without a kill switch you risk exposing your true IP address. Having said that, this is an issue that affects many VPN mobile applications.

   ExpressVPN is one of the most expensive VPNs around, costing $6.67 per month on its cheapest price. This is why a free trial is so helpful – you’ll get to test its fast speeds, compatibility and ease-of-use across devices, robust security (encryption is via best-in-class AES-256), user-friendly apps and extremely helpful 24/7 live chat customer support. We think you’ll be left impressed with ExpressVPN.

   How to get ExpressVPN on mobile for free

   You can get ExpressVPN for free either by subscribing as normal from the ExpressVPN website and cancelling within 30-days per the money-back guarantee or downloading the iOS or Android free trial from the Google Play or App Store.

   We asked ExpressVPN if there are any instances they would refuse a refund and they confirmed that, no matter what, your refund won’t get refused. This gives you 30-days of risk-free web protection.

   Signing up for ExpressVPN’s seven-day free trial for mobile apps is very easy. Simply, head to the relevant online store and download the app.

   Once installed, launch the app and you’ll see two options: Start Free Trial and Sign In. You won’t need to provide any payment details or credit card information to access this trial on Android devices, so go ahead and select the free trial option and insert your email.

   ExpressVPN’s free trial sign up window

   Once signed-up, you’ll eventually be asked by email if you’d like to continue to an upgraded premium account. You can see how many days are left on your trial period via the Account menu from within the app.

   You can’t purchase a ExpressVPN subscription through the Play Store, but you can through the App Store. If you use the trial for iOS via the App Store you will have to insert payment details and you will be automatically upgraded to a premium account unless you cancel within seven days.

   However, while ExpressVPN won’t refuse a refund, it’s important to note that purchasing ExpressVPN through the App Store makes you subject to Apple’s refund policy and not ExpressVPN’s. In other words, if you don’t want to enter into a contract when using the free trial on iOS, you should cancel your free trial within seven days. 

   To help you, we’ve created a more detailed step-by-step guide on how to use ExpressVPN for free. 

   Visit ExpressVPN

   or read our full ExpressVPN Review.

4. 4. NordVPN

   Very fast VPN with a seven-day free trial on mobile.

    94% 

   (246 user reviews)

   Visit NordVPN

   ProsCons

   Pros

   1. Seven-day free trial available for Android & iOS
   2. 30-day hassle-free refund period
   3. Unblocks nine Netflix libraries including US
   4. Very fast speeds across its server network
   5. Torrenting allowed on most servers
   6. Strict zero-logs policy

   Cons

   1. Unreliable in China
   2. Limited VPN protocols on Windows & Android apps
   3. Not great for Firestick, Apple TV & gaming consoles

   NordVPN is a verified zero-logs VPN that effectively masks your IP address and hides your browsing activity from snoopers. It can be tested on all devices without restrictions as part of a 30-day refund period or a seven-day free trial for Android. 

   Free Trial Duration	7 Days
   Money-Back Guarantee	30 Days
   Cheapest Price	$3.71/mo over 24 Months See all plans
   Top Download Speedi Based on a 100Mbps test connection	93Mbps
   See all features
   US Netflix	Yes
   Torrenting	Permitted
   Servers	5,515
   Compatible with	MacOS Windows iOS Android +more
   Logging Policy	No Logs
   Jurisdiction	Panama (Privacy Haven)
   Data Leaks	No
   Works in China	Yes
   Support	24/7 Live Chat

   5,000 torrent-friendly servers

   All of NordVPNs apps are easy-to-use and come with robust security features, including a VPN kill switch, AES-256 encryption, WireGuard protocol compatibility and more.

   You can test over 5,000 physical servers in 59 countries that make up NordVPN’s large server network and you can torrent on almost every single one of them safely and without fear of your ISP spying on you. With DNS leak protection, Double VPN for an added layer of security and a completely log-free privacy policy, NordVPN is great for P2P-activity.

   NordVPN isn’t quite as good as ExpressVPN when it comes to streaming, but thanks to its SmartPlay feature it still unblocks nine Netflix libraries otherwise inaccessible because of content georestrictions, and works extremely well with BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max.

   Very fast speeds and easy to use

   NordVPN is fast too, often beating other top VPNs for download speed. You won’t have any issue streaming buffer-free in HD or 4K or performing any other online task for that matter. You can compare NordVPN’s speed to other major VPNs by using our simple speed test comparison tool. 

   Unfortunately, NordVPN is not quite as powerful at getting around Chinese censorship – it requires a manual set-up and isn’t always reliable for bypassing the Great Firewall. We’d also like to see NordVPN allow its users to pay via PayPal, which is currently not allowed. 

   Despite being one of the most advanced VPNs on the market, NordVPN remains one of the most affordable options if you decide to purchase a subscription once the trial period ends. It only costs $3.71 per month on its cheapest deal, which is great value for a VPN with so many features. You don’t need to be concerned about complexity either – NordVPN is consumer-friendly and incredibly simple to use from the outset. 

   If you do happen to get stuck or want to ask a technical question, NordVPN’s 24/7 live chatbot support is on hand for prompt assistance, or you can send an email. If you don’t like talking to the bot, you can just as easily select an option to quickly get a human support agent. 

   How to get a NordVPN free trial

   NordVPN offers a seven-day free trial for Android smartphones and tablets as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee on all other devices, including Windows, MacOS, and iOS.

   We confirmed with NordVPN that its money-back guarantee is absolutely risk-free. In other words, there are no exceptions or conditions to a refund request as long as you do it within 30-days. 

   So all you have to do is subscribe to NordVPN via its website as normal and cancel before 30-days are up, which can be done by simply contacting customer support. We wrote a step-by-step guide on how to do this.

   In the past, NordVPN offered a genuine free trial on all platforms but discontinued it after citing “abuse” of the service. However, it later reintroduced a free trial on Android via the Play Store.  To use this, just download and install NordVPN from the Play Store as normal.

   Once installed you’ll be asked to create an account. Unlike ExpressVPN’s mobile trial you need to insert payment details to be granted access. NordVPN will charge you for a subscription after seven days of use, unless you cancel. If you forget to cancel or want to continue with a premium subscription, you’re still eligible to claim NordVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee. 

   NordVPN free trial sign up

   There are no restrictions but it is limited to mobile devices but we recommend subscribing to the full service and taking advantage of the money-back guarantee, as you’ll need to cancel your subscription no matter what. 

   Visit NordVPN

   or read our full NordVPN Review.

5. 5. CyberGhost

   Fast VPN with a one-day free trial (and a 45-day refund period).

    94% 

   (308 user reviews)

   Visit CyberGhost

   ProsCons

   Pros

   1. One-day free trial & seven-day trial on mobile devices
   2. Generous 45-day money-back guarantee
   3. Unblocks four Netflix libraries including US
   4. Specialist streaming & P2P servers
   5. Fast short-distance speeds
   6. Huge server park: 6,000+ servers

   Cons

   1. Free trial could be longer
   2. No optimized streaming servers on free trial
   3. No torrenting on Australian server
   4. Unreliable ad blocker
   5. Doesn't work in China, Turkey & UAE

   CyberGhost is a popular VPN service that offers three free trial periods: a one-day free trial on desktop, a seven-day free trial on mobile devices, and a 45-day money-back guarantee. 

    

   Free Trial Duration	1 Day
   Money-Back Guarantee	45 Days
   Cheapest Price	$2.25/mo over 3 years See all plans
   Top Download Speedi Based on a 100Mbps test connection	89Mbps
   See all features
   US Netflix	Yes
   Torrenting	Permitted
   Servers	6,700+
   Compatible with	MacOS Windows iOS Android +more
   Logging Policy	Anonymous Server Usage Data
   Jurisdiction	Romania (EU Member)
   Data Leaks	No
   Works in China	No
   Support	24/7 Live Chat

   Unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and more

   It comes with fast speeds, and with over 6,1000 servers in 90 countries CyberGhost doesn’t disappoint for spread or network performance. On its premium subscription, many of these servers are optimized for streaming and torrenting, meaning CyberGhost can unblock four global Netflix libraries, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+.

   Unfortunately, CyberGhost has restricted the availability of its optimized streaming servers for those using the free trials. This means you won’t be able to test for yourself whether it suits your streaming needs. But it’s one of our top picks for streaming and is included in our lists of the best VPNs for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and Firestick.

   Fast speeds, AES-256 cipher & OpenVPN protocol

   You’ll still be able to test CyberGhost’s usability and overall performance. Speed-wise, CyberGhost is one of the fastest. It can stream HD and Ultra HD very easily, with a good overall average speed loss of 13%. Its international speeds take a dip and ping score could see some improvement, but this VPN is solid for almost any online activity and will hide your IP address no problem. 

   CyberGhost encrypts your data with the unbreakable AES-256 cipher and is equipped with OpenVPN protocol, the VPN kill switch safety net and DNS leak blocking. With these security features, alongside the fact that it has optimized servers for P2P traffic, CyberGhost is a good choice for secure and private torrenting.

   This is a user-friendly VPN that balances privacy and usability extremely well. VPNs don’t get much easier to install and use and the $2.75 per month pricing plan makes it a cost-effective solution to protecting your privacy and hiding your IP.

   How to get CyberGhost for free

   CyberGhost’s one-day free trial doesn’t require personal information or payment details at sign-up. You simply download the software from the website and trial it. However, there are restrictions: you can’t use its optimized streaming servers or manually configure it on routers. This is disappointing considering that streaming is one of CyberGhost’s strengths, but you can still test the software and get a good feel for it. 

   While this one-day free trial is limited to desktop, you get more time if you try CyberGhost on mobile. In fact, you can trial it for seven days on iPhone, iPad, and Android smartphones and tablets. To do this, you have to download the app from the Google Play Store or AppStore. 

   Like with NordVPN,  you must select a plan before being granted access and you will be charged for that plan after the seven-day period is up, unless you cancel before – which you can do from your device, as CyberGhost explained to us:  

    

   How to cancel CyberGhost’s 7-day free trial for iOS

   To cancel your seven-day free trial for Android, it’s best to follow the instructions laid out here.

   If you need a longer free trial period, we recommend signing up to CyberGhost but getting a refund within the 45-day money-back period. It’s absolutely risk-free as CyberGhost has a no- questions asked refund policy, with no exceptions. A 45-day refund period is also uniquely generous, with most VPN services typically offering 30 days or less. 

   Although, bear in mind that CyberGhost’s one-month plan is limited to a 14-day money-back guarantee, so make sure you choose the longer plans to get the most out of your free CyberGhost trial period. 

   Visit CyberGhost

   or read our full CyberGhost VPN Review.