The Best VPN Free Trials 2026

Looking for a VPN you can test before paying? Surfshark stands out with a seven-day free trial that works across desktop and mobile. That's rare among premium VPNs, and it's an easy way to test the service before paying anything. 

We also recommend CyberGhost and ExpressVPN for their trial periods, which can be combined with money-back guarantees. Learn more about our recommended VPN free trials below. 

The best VPNs with free trials 2026

Compare the best VPN free trials

VPN
Best for	Overall	Money-back guarantee	Testing on the go
Free trial	Yes — 7 days on any device	Yes — 24 hours for desktop, 3 days for Android, 7 days for iOS	Yes — 3 days for Android and iOS
Payment info needed for free trial?		Not needed for desktop trial
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 30-day money-back guarantee	Yes — 45-day money-back guarantee	Yes — 30-day money-back guarantee
Starting price	Starts at $2.49/mo	Starts at $2.19/mo	Starts at $2.99/mo
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

What is a VPN free trial?

There are multiple ways you can get a VPN free trial, and all the terms may confuse you. Here's a breakdown of the different types of VPN free trials you can get:

Free trial	A short and free test of the VPN service which usually lasts a few hours to a couple of days. It may have restricted features, like a smaller server count. However, it doesn't typically require payment information.
Money-back guarantee	Requires an up-front payment, but offers a non-restricted way of testing out the VPN for a long period of time. Money-back guarantees are frequently 30 days long, but some may be longer. A lot of VPNs offer "risk-free" refunds, which means you can get your money back for any reason at all.
Free VPN	Free VPNs are free forever, no payment details are required. However, free VPNs are a lot more restrictive than their premium counterparts, with fewer server locations, an inability to access streaming services, and sometimes weak security. You should also be careful of free VPNs that steal your browsing activity — remember, if it's free, you're the product.

The best VPN free trial is the money-back guarantee method. While you do need to make a payment, it offers the longest testing period. All of the VPNs listed above offer tried-and-tested money-back guarantees.

How we chose the best VPNs with free trials

When selecting the best premium VPN services offering free trials, we focused on a balanced set of criteria catering to security-conscious users and those looking for ease of use and exceptional performance.

We considered factors such as the robustness of privacy features, the breadth of server networks, the speed and reliability of service, the user-friendliness of apps, and the overall value for money.

Our goal was to find VPNs that provide a risk-free opportunity to test their capabilities while still offering comprehensive features that users would require in the long term.

• Money-back guarantee: This lets users explore the VPN service for an extended period after paying upfront, with the option to request a refund within the guarantee period.
• No-logs policy: Ensures that the VPN provider doesn’t log or store any records of your internet activity, which is critical for maintaining privacy.
• Server coverage: A vast network of VPN servers in numerous locations provides better speed and access to geo-restricted content.
• Simultaneous connections: Allows multiple devices to connect to the VPN simultaneously, making it a versatile choice for a family or individual with many devices.
• Compatibility: Support for a wide range of devices and platforms means the VPN can protect all your internet-enabled devices.
• Streaming support: Accessing streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and others while using the VPN is essential for users who want to enjoy content from around the globe.
• Speed: A fast VPN minimizes the impact on your internet speed, ensuring you can browse, stream, and download without noticeable slowdowns.
• User interface: An intuitive and easy-to-navigate app makes setting up and using the VPN accessible to all users, regardless of technical expertise.
• Customer support: Reliable customer service means that users can get help whenever needed, making the experience smoother and more enjoyable.

These features provide a snapshot of a VPN's performance and user experience and allow users to assess how well the service will fit into their daily internet usage without the immediate pressure of a premium subscription fee.

Surfshark: Best free trial

Who it’s best for

Surfshark is the pick for anyone who actually wants to test a VPN for free before paying on any device. It's the only major VPN with a genuine 7-day free trial that works the same way on desktop and mobile, not just an app-store-only version.

What we liked

Seven-day free trial across all platforms: According to Surfshark, its trial is available on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and even smart TVs. It's also available for one week, which is the longest trial period on this list.

30-day money-back guarantee on top: Once the trial converts to a paid plan, you still get the standard 30-day refund window, for up to 37 days of total risk-free testing. Just note that you must pay for a Surfshark subscription to take advantage of the money-back guarantee.

Multiple devices, even during the trial period: Surfshark's free trial can be installed on three devices. Once the trial period is over, Surfshark allows for unlimited simultaneous connections.

What we didn’t like

A payment method is required to start the trial, even though you won't be charged during it. Only CyberGhost offers a free trial with no payment method required.

Surfshark specs

Free trial	Yes — 7 days on any device
Payment info needed for free trial?	Yes
Starting price	Starts at $2.49/mo
Server locations	4,500+ servers in 100 countries
Max # of simultaneous connections	Unlimited
No-logs policy	Audited no-logs policy
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and more
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review

CyberGhost: Best money-back guarantee

Who it’s best for

CyberGhost is best suited for users who appreciate a longer period to assess the VPN's capabilities fully, thanks to its 45-day money-back guarantee. It's an excellent match for those who may be new to VPNs and desire ample time to explore its features without the pressure of a quick trial period.

What we liked

Free trial with no credit card required: CyberGhost is the only VPN on our list that doesn't require a payment method for its free trial. This is exclusive to the 24-hour desktop trial.

Extended 45-day money-back guarantee: CyberGhost's generous 45-day money-back guarantee is a standout feature, as most VPNs offer 30-day money-back guarantees at most. The longer guarantee provides users with an extended period to test the VPN's full suite of services.

Beginner-friendly interface: It's also user-friendly, with dedicated profiles for streaming and torrenting, making it easy to find the best server for your needs.

What we didn’t like

CyberGhost's desktop free trial doesn't require a payment method, but it's only available for 24 hours. This may not be a long enough period for many people to assess if they want to purchase a service.

CyberGhost specs

Free trial	Yes — 24 hours for desktop, 3 days for Android, 7 days for iOS
Payment info needed for free trial	Not needed for desktop trial
Starting price	Starts at $2.19/mo
Server locations	Unlisted in 100 countries
Max simultaneous connections	7
No-logs policy	Audited no-logs policy
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and more
Learn more	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review

ExpressVPN: Best for testing on the go

Who it’s best for

ExpressVPN's free trial is mobile-only, but that still has its benefits. A three-day trial through the App Store or Google Play lets you test its speed on your phone before committing, whether you're traveling, working remotely, or just want a quick check on the go.

What we liked

Three-day trial for mobile: ExpressVPN's trial runs through the App Store or Google Play, so you can test it on iOS or Android before paying. It's shorter than Surfshark's seven-day trial, but still provides enough time to check speed and server access firsthand.

Lightway protocol for speed: ExpressVPN's proprietary Lightway protocol delivered consistently fast speeds in our testing, making it easy to judge performance during the trial window.

113-country server network: ExpressVPN has the highest server country count of our featured VPNs. With its trial period, you can test access to multiple regions, useful if you travel often, wish to unblock geo-restrictions, or just need specific locations.

What we didn’t like

The trial is mobile-only. If you want to test ExpressVPN on desktop first, you won't get a free trial there, only the 30-day money-back guarantee for website signups.

ExpressVPN specs

Free trial	Yes — 3 days for Android and iOS
Payment info needed for free trial?	Yes
Price range	$2.99–$22.99/mo
Server locations	Unlisted in 113 countries
Max simultaneous connections	14
No-logs policy	Audited no-logs policy
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

How do I cancel a VPN free trial?

If you've tried out a VPN but it's not what you're after, you'll want to know how to cancel the trial.This is usually easy to do. After all, one benefit of a trial period is being able to cancel before you're charged.

A lot of VPN free trials end automatically, and if you didn't add any payment details, you don't need to worry about anything. However, if you did, or you're relying on a money-back guarantee, there are some steps you need to take.

Here's how to cancel the most common VPN free trials:

Free trials with payment details

If you signed up for a free trial with payment details, you need to cancel before the end of the trial. Most free trials that require your payment info automatically sign you up for the lowest-priced tier and charge you when the free trial ends. To cancel, you can try the following:

• Go into the VPN dashboard and find the pricing or plans section. From there, you may be able to cancel the free trial or turn off the automatic payment.
• Alternatively, contact the VPN's customer support and tell them you'd like to cancel before the trial ends.

Free trials without payment details

Free trials without payment details don't require you to take any action! They will just end without charging you anything.

An example of a free trial like this is CyberGhost's 24-hour trial for Windows and macOS.

Money-back guarantees

Money-back guarantees always require you to sign up for the VPN, so you'll always need to take action to get your money back. Please note that canceling automatic payments is not the same as applying for a refund.

To get your money back, you will need to contact your VPN's customer support within the guarantee's time period. For most VPNs, this is 30 days. Make sure to tell them you would like to cancel the service and get your money back.

Some VPNs offer better money-back guarantees than others. Always make sure you're going for a "risk-free" VPN, or at least one that has a tried-and-tested refund policy.

Bottom line: The best VPNs with free trials

Surfshark, CyberGhost, and ExpressVPN are the best VPNs with free trials right now:

• Surfshark is the best pick if you want to try before you buy. It's the only one of the three with a full free trial on every platform.
• CyberGhost gives you the most time to decide, with its own free trial options plus a 45-day money-back guarantee.
• ExpressVPN is best for mobile devices, with its trial periods for Android and iOS.

Whether you prioritize security features, speed, server reach, or a longer testing period, these VPNs give you several ways to try their services before fully committing.

Best VPN free trial FAQs