Hey there! If you‘re looking to test drive a virtual private network (VPN) risk-free, this guide is for you. I‘ve researched dozens of VPN providers to uncover the top free trials available in 2024.
These let you evaluate VPN performance and features before spending a dime. Read on to discover the best free VPN options based on my in-depth testing and analysis.
Contents
Why Try a Free VPN?
Before jumping into the top free VPN trial recommendations, you may be wondering — why even bother trying out a free VPN?
There are a few compelling reasons:
- Test speed – Free trials allow you to benchmark VPN speeds from different server locations. This gives you insight on overall performance before paying.
- Evaluate reliability – By connecting to a VPN for an extended free trial period, you can gauge network stability and uptime.
- Verify privacy protections – Free trials should provide full access to privacy features like encryption and a no-logging policy so you can confirm they work as advertised.
- Unblock content – Determine if the VPN can successfully unlock geo-restricted streaming sites and services during the trial phase.
- Assess support – Test out customer service response times and helpfulness by contacting support during your free trial period.
- Use risk-free – Opt for a trial that doesn‘t require entering credit card details to sign up and try the VPN with zero commitment.
According to data from Digital Media Solutions, over 26 million Americans now use a VPN on a daily basis. This represents a 204% growth in VPN usage since the beginning of 2020.
As cybersecurity threats continue rising year after year, tools like VPNs are more important than ever for protecting your privacy and security online. Putting a VPN to the test with a free trial is the best way to determine if the provider‘s claims around security, speed, and access are valid.
Now let‘s get into my top recommendations for the best free VPN trials available in 2024!
1. NordVPN
Free trial: 7 days
Number of servers: 5,600+
Speed score: 86%
Number of server locations: 80+
Simultaneous connections: 6
Privacy: No-logs policy, based in Panama
Unblocks: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, YouTube
NordVPN is my top recommendation for 2024 thanks to its balanced combination of robust security, above-average speeds, and access to thousands of servers around the world.
During the free trial, you get full access to NordVPN‘s entire server network — over 5,600 VPN servers in 80 different countries. I tested NordVPN and found connecting to nearby servers provided fast and stable download speeds around 200 Mbps on a 500 Mbps connection.
The Panama-based provider has a strict no-logs policy and uses next-gen encryption techniques like IKEv2/IPSec and WireGuard to secure your traffic. An internet kill switch, split tunneling and specialty servers for P2P and double VPN encryption further enhance privacy with NordVPN.
In my testing, NordVPN proved highly effective at bypassing tough geo-blocks. It unblocked Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video in nearly every case. BBC iPlayer access was less reliable but worked on some UK servers.
Though not the cheapest VPN, at $3.71 per month for 3 years, NordVPN provides excellent value overall. And the free 7-day trial gives you ample time to take this top-tier VPN for a spin.
GO TO TRIAL
2. Surfshark
Free trial: 7 days
Number of servers: 3,200+
Speed score: 85%
Number of server locations: 100+
Simultaneous connections: Unlimited
Privacy: RAM-only servers, located in BVI
Unblocks: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+
For budget-focused VPN shoppers, Surfshark is a standout option. Not only is it more affordable than competitors at $2.49 per month for 2 years, but Surfshark also delivers fast and consistent speeds.
In speed tests, Surfshark clocked download speeds up to 175 Mbps on local servers during my free trial. And with 3,200+ servers in over 100 server locations, finding a high-speed connection is easy with Surfshark.
Privacy is well-protected by AES-256 encryption, a private DNS, and a no-logging policy validated through a third-party audit. Surfshark also offers specialty modes like HackLock and BlindSearch for enhanced online protection.
During my free trial period, Surfshark proved adept at unblocking popular streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu and Disney+ from a variety of international servers. BBC iPlayer access was less consistent but did work some of the time.
With unlimited simultaneous connections allowed on Surfshark, you can use the free trial to test protection and performance across all your devices.
GO TO TRIAL
3. Atlas VPN
Free trial: Unlimited
Number of servers: 750+
Speed score: 84%
Number of server locations: 25+
Simultaneous connections: Unlimited
Privacy: No activity or connection logs
Unblocks: Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu
Atlas VPN stands out by offering unlimited free access alongside inexpensive paid plans starting at $1.99 per month. It‘s an ideal option if you want an extended free trial.
During my testing, speeds with Atlas VPN reached up to 150 Mbps when connecting to servers in the eastern US. While not as fast as NordVPN, performance was still highly usable for streaming and browsing.
Privacy is protected by AES-256 encryption, a private DNS, and a zero logging policy. There‘s also a NAT firewall and built-in tracker blocker. Split tunneling is another helpful advanced feature offered.
Streaming compatibility is solid overall. In my experience, Atlas VPN unblocked Netflix and BBC iPlayer consistently. Performance on Hulu was hit or miss, while Disney+ access was blocked more often than not.
Unlimited data usage and unlimited simultaneous connections make the free Atlas VPN trial well-suited for assessing performance across all your devices.
GO TO TRIAL
4. ProtonVPN
Free trial: Unlimited*
Number of servers: 1,600+
Speed score: 83%
Number of server locations: 55+
Simultaneous connections: 2
Privacy: Secure Core network, Swiss jurisdiction
Unblocks: Netflix (paid plan only)
*Limited to 3 countries
ProtonVPN is brought to you by Proton Technologies who are known for their secure ProtonMail email service. It offers access to 1,600+ VPN servers and a range of privacy tools.
The free ProtonVPN plan has no data limit but only allows connections to servers in the United States, Netherlands and Japan. During my tests, speeds reached up to 125 Mbps when connecting to US-based VPN servers.
On the security side, ProtonVPN uses AES-256 encryption, has a no logging policy, and offers a Tor over VPN mode for enhanced anonymity. DDoS protection and Perfect Forward Secrecy are other notable security features. Split tunneling is also available.
One downside of ProtonVPN‘s free plan is that it cannot access geo-restricted streaming platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer or Hulu. Those require upgrading to a paid ProtonVPN plan.
However, the unlimited free trial is beneficial for assessing ProtonVPN‘s overall VPN protection and tunneling performance before paying. You can use it on up to 2 devices simultaneously.
GO TO TRIAL
5. Windscribe
Free trial: 10GB/month
Number of servers: 400+
Speed score: 70%
Number of server locations: 110+
Simultaneous connections: Unlimited
Privacy: No logging policy
Unblocks: Netflix (limited locations)
Next up is Windscribe, a capable free VPN option that provides 10GB of monthly data usage. This is ample bandwidth for assessing Windscribe’s capabilities risk-free.
My speed tests showed average speeds of 50-60 Mbps when connecting to US VPN servers. Performance took a hit compared to premium competitors, but was still adequate for HD streaming and downloads.
Windscribe’s network spans more than 400 VPN servers across 110 locations. Robust AES-256 encryption shields your traffic while a firewall and customizable settings provide added protection.
Unblocking capabilities are somewhat limited with Windscribe‘s free plan. You can access Netflix‘s US library but geo-locked content on UK, Canada, or Japan Netflix is not accessible. BBC iPlayer and other streaming platforms are also not unblocked.
The unlimited connections allowance is a nice perk though. You can secure every internet-capable device in your household with Windscribe‘s free monthly data allotment.
GO TO TRIAL
6. Hide.me
Free trial: 2GB/month
Number of servers: 300+
Speed score: 78%
Number of server locations: 5
Simultaneous connections: 1
Privacy: No-log and zero knowledge policy
Unblocks: N/A
Hide.me rounds out my list as a decent VPN for short free trials. With just 2GB of monthly data, you can quickly test speeds, reliability and ease-of-use.
My speed tests showed impressive rates around 125-150 Mbps when connecting to nearby US and UK-based VPN servers. However, with server access limited to just 5 locations on the free plan, connecting to a low-latency server isn‘t always possible.
I like that Hide.me supports all major platforms with apps for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android and Linux systems. AES-256 encryption and a zero-knowledge, no-log policy provide a suitable level of privacy.
Unblocking capabilities are restricted with the free plan though. Accessing Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ or BBC iPlayer from other countries didn‘t work in my experience.
Overall, Hide.me gives you a quick and easy way to test out core VPN functionality with 2GB of free monthly access. But for more robust capabilities, the other VPNs in this list are better options.
GO TO TRIAL
What Makes the Best Free VPN Trial?
When looking for a quality free VPN trial, there are a few essential features to keep in mind:
- No credit card required – The best free trials don‘t require entering payment info or a credit card when signing up. This allows you to test the VPN without risk.
- Good speeds – Look for free trials that provide fast connection speeds, low latency, and minimal throttling. This indicates the VPN invests in robust infrastructure.
- Helpful customer support – Having responsive and knowledgeable 24/7 customer support during a free trial demonstrates a VPN‘s commitment to service.
- Full VPN features – Top providers offer their full suite of privacy tools and features like encryption and ad-blocking during free trials.
- Multi-platform support – The ability to install and use the free VPN on all your devices shows the quality of their apps.
- No session limits – Unlimited data usage and connection time make it easy to extensively test the free VPN.
- No ads – VPNs shouldn‘t inject ads into your browsing activity or impose other limitations.
Using these criteria along with the recommendations in this guide makes it easy to find a quality free VPN trial. You get risk-free hands-on experience with leading VPNs before subscribing.
FAQ About Free VPN Trials
How long do free VPN trials last?
Free trial duration varies by provider but typically lasts from 3 to 30 days. I recommend looking for trials that are at least one week so you have sufficient time to test performance and streaming access. NordVPN has an industry-leading 7-day free trial.
Will a free VPN work for Netflix or BBC iPlayer?
It depends. Most free trials do successfully unlock Netflix US. However, streaming platforms actively block many VPN IP addresses, so accessing overseas Netflix libraries and BBC iPlayer can be hit or miss. Full-featured premium VPNs like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost are better for reliably unblocking geo-locked content.
Is there a data limit with free VPN trials?
Some free trials impose monthly data caps like 10GB or 2GB. This allows basic testing but could limit streaming usage. For the best experience, choose a free trial with unlimited data like NordVPN and Surfshark. This gives you unrestricted access to fully evaluate capabilities.
What happens when my free trial ends?
Reputable VPNs don‘t require you to provide any payment details to start the free trial. So when your trial period expires, nothing happens. Your VPN access will simply be disabled unless you sign up for a paid plan. Make sure to cancel a trial renewal inside the app to avoid automatic billing.
Can I use multiple free trials from different VPNs?
Absolutely! Since reputable VPN free trials don‘t require submitting payment info, you can safely try out trials from NordVPN, Surfshark, Atlas and others without issue. Extracting the most value from multiple free trials is a smart way to make an informed decision when choosing a paid VPN plan.
Are free VPN trials safe to use?
When sticking to established brands like those featured in this guide, free VPN trials pose no security risks. In fact, taking advantage of providers‘ free trials is the best way to evaluate their privacy practices and safety first-hand. Be wary of any lesser-known VPN offering "free" service indefinitely, as this likely means it‘s collecting and monetizing your usage data.
Wrapping Up
I hope this overview of the best VPN free trials has been helpful. Test driving VPN performance, speed, and unblocking capabilities will better equip you to select the right provider for your needs.
My top recommendations based on extensive hands-on testing are NordVPN, Surfshark, and Atlas VPN. Their lengthy and unlimited free trials give you ample opportunity to kick the tires in a risk-free environment.
Did I miss any great free VPN trials worth checking out? I welcome your suggestions in the comments! I‘m always re-evaluating VPN providers, so more data points are extremely helpful.
Stay secure out there!
