Try Before You Buy: 8 VPN Free Trials Worth Checking Out
Before deciding on a VPNit’s worth checking it out first to make sure it has everything you need. Rather than just signing up and hoping for the best, free trials are the best way to achieve this. The best way to try multiple VPNs to find the one that works best for you is to activate a free trial and then cancel.
That’s a tip from SafePaper, along with its 2025 VPN Free Trial Guide. The online cybersecurity and privacy website tested more than 30 VPN services to see which ones offer truly free trials and “not just ‘risk-free’ money-back guarantees.”
When shopping for VPNs, you’ll find many that offer “free trials,” but not all free trials are the same. There are those where you have to pay upfront and then get your money back only if you don’t violate the refund clause.
SafePaper has identified VPNs that offer true free trials, where you can use the service for free (usually 1-7 days) before your payment method takes effect – unless you cancel first, of course.
Read more on CNET: The best free VPNs | Best Cheap VPNs | Save on your subscription
“True free trials are surprisingly rare in the VPN industry,” Paige West, editor-in-chief at SafePaper, said in a statement. “We wanted to move beyond marketing-speak and identify services that offer true, no-commitment access, especially for users who value transparency and cost control.”
It’s not that VPNs offering true free trials are better than those that offer refunds once the trial is over. “It’s a matter of preference” as to which free trial VPN you want to try, said CNET VPN expert Attila Tomaschek.
“A free trial of a VPN typically lasts only a few days, giving users limited time to thoroughly test the service,” Tomaschek said. “A money-back guarantee, while requiring an upfront payment, typically lasts around 30 days, which can help users get a much more comprehensive overview of the service over a longer period of time.”
See also: NordVPN vs Surfshark: See How These Sister Services Compare
But buyer beware, Tomaschek adds: “While getting your money back from a reputable VPN provider is usually unconditional and fairly straightforward, it’s important for users to read the fine print before making a purchase to ensure the VPN company doesn’t impose any hidden caveats like usage limits that could void its money-back guarantee.”
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Watch this: Tips for Using VPNs for Maximum Privacy
Free trials, no payment required
In its report, SafePaper identified eight VPN providers offering free trials that did not require payment to use the trial. They are listed below, with information on how long the trials last, what operating systems they work with, and whether payment information is required:
- Surfshark (see CNET review): 7 days; payment information required; all major operating systems
- CyberGhost (see CNET review): 1 to 7 days (varies by device); partial payment information; Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS
- Kaspersky: 7 days (excluding the United States); payment information required; all major operating systems
- X-VPN: 7 days; payment information required; all major operating systems
- NordVPN (see CNET review): 3 days; required payment information; Android only
- HideIPVPN: 3 days; no payment information required; all major operating systems
- Hidemy.name: 1 day; no payment information required; all major operating systems
- WordVPN: 1 day; no payment information required; all major operating systems
Look before you jump
SafePaper has added some pro tips to consider when taking a free VPN trial:
- Cancel immediately after activating the trial. This way, you won’t be charged if you miss the deadline to cancel the subscription. And haven’t most of us already made this mistake?
- You should try two to three different VPN services before making your final decision. Compare speed, support and stability.
- Use alternative email addresses to protect the privacy of your primary email account.
