The Best VPNs for India 2024

The Indian government wants VPNs to track all user data and surrender it if requested, but the best VPNs for India are still protecting your personal information.
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Best for additional tools

4.9
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On NordVPN's website

NordVPN
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Best for an Indian IP address

4.6
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On ExpressVPN's website

ExpressVPN
View More

Best for bundled security

4.9
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Surfshark's website

Surfshark
View More

The government in India requires virtual private networks (VPNs) to keep data logs, so you should be cautious about which one you choose. If you’re interested in using a VPN within Indian borders or just want an Indian IP address, we recommend NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark for your online privacy needs.

We’ve determined that these are the best VPNs for India due to their extensive server networks, availability of virtual server locations in India, fast speeds, and more.

In this article
India’s stance on VPNs
The best VPNs for India
NordVPN: Best for additional tools
ExpressVPN: Best for an Indian IP address
Surfshark: Best for bundled security
Honorable mentions
Best VPNs for India FAQs
Bottom line: The best VPNs for India
How we tested the best VPNs for India

India’s stance on VPNs

The government in India has required that all VPN providers keep logs of user data and release it to the government upon request. Anyone not wanting to be monitored is subject to attacks from hackers, ISP throttling, and security risks when using public Wi-Fi. This puts travelers and citizens in the uncomfortable position of having to choose between privacy and security.

Most VPN servers are no longer located in the country. To protect personal data from the government, top VPN providers are shutting down the physical servers and offering user-friendly virtual servers out of locations like Singapore and the U.K. Some VPN providers are forgoing any Indian servers but still allowing people in the region to use the service.

The best VPNs for India 2024

A VPN works by encrypting your traffic so your online activities are hidden. In a country like India that requires VPNs to report on users' activities, it’s important to use a quality product that won’t keep logs. Our choices below are highly rated and offer additional features that are useful when you’re accessing the internet in a highly monitored region of the world, such as India.

Top 3 VPN services for India compared

VPN NordVPN ExpressVPN Surfshark
Starting price $3.99/mo $6.67/mo (billed annually) $2.29/mo
Free version No No No
Streaming support Yes — Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, DAZN, Hulu, Netflix (unofficially) Yes — Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, HBO, Hulu, Netflix, Showtime, Sling TV, and more Yes — Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, Disney Plus, HBO Max, Hotstar, Hulu, Yle Areena, and more
Learn more Get NordVPN

Read NordVPN Review

Get ExpressVPN

Read ExpressVPN Review

Get Surfshark

Read Surfshark Review

NordVPN: Best for additional tools

Customizable Coverage That is Simple to Use
4.9
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On NordVPN's website
VPN
NordVPN
Up to 66% off 2-year plans + 3 months extra
  • Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
  • Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
  • 3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
  • Too many confusing plans

Who it’s best for

Anyone looking for a quality VPN that can be bundled with a password manager and cloud storage. NordVPN, NordPass, and NordLocker are all gathered conveniently in one dashboard. A bundled package also contains NordVPN Threat Protection, which can protect you from malware and viruses.

A screenshot of the NordVPN server list, showing a partial list of countries, including South Africa, South Korea, Spain, and Sweden, as well as a map of the United States.

What we liked

NordVPN has been a trusted name for years, and we like its speed, multiple simultaneous connection options, and its ability to unblock Netflix and other streaming services’ geo-restricted catalogs.

We also appreciate the fact that NordVPN is always adding more servers. In our recent review, Nord offered a little more than 5,800 servers, but according to its website, it’s just shy of 6,000 now. For us, that means Nord is proactive about keeping its product updated and relevant. Although it shut down its servers in India, it has plenty of servers in nearby countries so you can keep your connection fast.

We’re also huge fans of Nord’s Meshnet, which is offered for free whether or not you purchase a Nord product. This service allows you to connect to other devices, as if you’re all on the same IP address. We’re sure Netflix doesn’t love it, however, because it’s an easy way to get around the streaming provider’s sharing ban.

What we didn’t like

Nord isn’t the most affordable option when it comes to VPN services. It offers a lot of different plans, including bundled plans, which may be confusing if you’re trying to comparison shop. If you’re looking for a simple VPN without a lot of bells and whistles, there are Nord plans for that, but you might find a less expensive option somewhere else.

NordVPN specs

Price range $3.99–$15.99/mo
Free version No
Number of servers 5,900+
Servers in India No
Number of connected devices 6
VPN protocol OpenVPN, IKEv2 (IPsec), WireGuard (NordLynx)
No-logs policy No logs
Streaming support Yes — Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, DAZN, Hulu, Netflix (unofficially)
Torrenting support Yes
Learn more Get NordVPN

Read NordVPN Review

ExpressVPN: Best for an Indian IP address

Extensive Server Network Provides Protection Wherever You Go
4.6
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On ExpressVPN's website
VPN
ExpressVPN
Save 49% (3 months free)
  • Hides intrusive display ads when browsing the web, improving page speed and easing data usage on mobile
  • Privacy and safety benefits of a VPN with best-in-class encryption and innovative server technology in 105 countries
  • Enjoy no activity logs, malicious sites and trackers protection, and more on up to 8 devices
  • More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost

Who it’s best for

Anyone who wants to avoid India’s data collection mandates but still needs an Indian IP address. ExpressVPN offers virtual Indian servers located in other countries, as a way to circumvent the data collection laws. This could be the perfect solution for someone who needs privacy and accessibility.

While using its kill switch feature, ExpressVPN warned us that our internet traffic may not be encrypted while the VPN reconnects.

What we liked

ExpressVPN is the only name-brand provider that offers a proprietary router, Aircove, preinstalled with the VPN client. If you’ve ever tried to put a VPN onto a router, you know that it can be very confusing if you aren’t tech savvy. ExpressVPN eliminates that hassle and allows you to blanket your entire space in protection. This is also useful if you want all of your devices to have an Indian IP address, as ExpressVPN operates virtual Indian servers from other countries.

In addition to Aircove, ExpressVPN includes ad and tracker blockers in its service. Ad blockers aren’t just nice, they can stop potentially malicious programs from installing on your device. Blocking trackers can help keep your browsing habits anonymous as well as reduce the overall spam you receive in your email, texts, and over the phone.

What we didn’t like

If you purchase an Aircove, you’ll still need to purchase a separate ExpressVPN subscription. We’d go with an annual plan, which will save you money in the long run. Saving with ExpressVPN is good because it is one of the priciest VPN options available.

ExpressVPN specs

Price range $6.67–$12.95/mo
Free version No
Number of servers Unknown number of servers in 105 countries
Servers in India Yes (virtual)
Number of connected devices 8
VPN protocol Lightway, L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, IKEv2
No-logs policy No logs
Streaming support Yes — Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, HBO, Hulu, Netflix, Showtime, Sling TV, and more
Torrenting support Yes
Learn more Get ExpressVPN

Read ExpressVPN Review

Surfshark: Best for bundled security

Unlimited Device Protection and Large Server Network
4.9
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Surfshark's website
VPN
Surfshark
79% off + 2 months free
  • All-in-one VPN app with 24/7 protection thanks to 3,200+ RAM-only servers in over 100 countries
  • Real-time malware defense, webcam protection, alternative ID creation, ad blocking, and more
  • One subscription covers unlimited devices for your entire household with access to 24/7 support
  • Headquarters in Nine Eyes Alliance

Who it’s best for

Anyone who wants antivirus, identity theft protection, and other security tools wrapped into their VPN. Surfshark is blocking cookies, stopping ads, and hiding you from trackers. Add that to antivirus and identity theft protection, and you have a robust security product.

Surfshark offers a variety of security features including multihop, or double VPN, servers for double encryption.

What we liked

We like that Surfshark has options. If you want all of the security features together, you have the option to purchase that bundle. If you want a low-cost, effective VPN option, you can get that too. All of this, plus unlimited device connections, make Surfshark a smart choice.

We also like that Surfshark has a soft and strict option when it comes to its kill switch. A kill switch will sever your internet connection if the VPN connection drops, to make sure your IP address stays private.

Surfshark’s soft kill switch will disconnect you from the internet if there’s a disruption in internet service. In theory, you could reconnect after Surfshark disconnects you, even if the VPN isn’t working. The strict kill switch won’t allow you to connect to the internet at all until the VPN is active. Make sure you know which option you’ve chosen, because this can be very frustrating if you aren’t sure where to go to fix it.

What we didn’t like

In our testing, Surfshark was unsuccessful in unblocking Netflix in Canada. While this may not be a huge deal, it could indicate that you may have trouble unblocking other geo-restricted catalogs in the future, as Netflix is always trying to block VPN access. While it’s not a deal breaker, it’s definitely something to be aware of when choosing a VPN.

Surfshark specs

Price range $2.29–$21.99/mo
Free version No
Number of servers 3,200+ in 100 countries
Servers in India Yes (virtual)
Number of connected devices Unlimited
VPN protocol WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
No-logs policy No logs
Streaming support Yes — AbemaTV, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, Disney Plus, HBO Max, Hotstar, Hulu, Yle Areena, and more
Torrenting support Yes
Learn more Get Surfshark

Read Surfshark Review

Honorable mentions

We rounded up the best VPNs available and double-checked that they’re usable in India. Since India’s data laws are malleable, it’s worth getting a VPN early, in case the legality of their use changes. Now is the best time, so if the suggestions above don’t fit your needs, check out our honorable mentions.

  • Private Internet Access: PIA has been on the market for over 10 years with complete transparency from its open-source software. With 24/7 customer support and the ability to purchase extra antivirus and a dedicated IP address, PIA has a lot to offer. PIA is also reasonably priced and offers unlimited connections, so you can protect every device for every person in your family.

    Get PIA | Read Our PIA Review
  • CyberGhost: CyberGhost offers up to seven simultaneous connections, but since it’s compatible with routers, you can cover all the devices inside your home on one connection. This is great if you want to stream and browse online anonymously without the government spying on you.

    Get CyberGhost | Read Our CyberGhost Review

Best VPNs for India FAQs


+

Is it safe to use a VPN in India?

It’s safe to use a VPN in India right now. While we can never predict what laws a government will enact in the future, we can say that the sooner you download a VPN service, the better. Once you have access to the VPN, you can browse anonymously.

It’s best to select a VPN with obfuscated servers that’ll allow you to use the service without anyone being able to tell you’re using it. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark all offer obfuscated servers.


+

Which VPN service is best for India?

The best VPN service for India is either NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark. All three offer obfuscated servers to hide your VPN usage and have a variety of features for extra security.

Since it’s still legal to use a VPN in India, you shouldn’t have a problem downloading and using any of these services. You will want a reputable VPN provider, however, because the Indian government has decided that all VPNs must turn over the browsing habits of anyone in the country. We recommend staying away from free VPNs unless they’re verified. Often, free VPNs will collect your data and share it with third parties. This defeats the purpose of using a VPN, especially in a country like India.


+

Can you use NordVPN in India?

While NordVPN has shut down its servers in India due to India’s data laws, you can still use it in the country. As of the date of publication, VPNs are legal in the country. However, NordVPN doesn’t currently offer virtual servers in India, so if you want an Indian IP address, you’ll need a different VPN service like Surfshark or ExpressVPN.

Bottom line: The best VPNs for India

The best VPNs for India are strong, secure, and offer plenty of features. Our three top suggestions, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark, tick all those boxes, while our three honorable mentions are also worth checking out.

No matter what, it’s important to use a reliable, strong VPN to avoid the Indian government’s data collection requirements. Everyone deserves to enjoy privacy.

3 best VPNs for India 2024

Starting price Best for Learn more
NordVPN $3.99/mo Best for additional tools Get NordVPN

Read NordVPN Review

ExpressVPN $6.67/mo (billed annually) Best for an Indian IP address Get ExpressVPN

Read ExpressVPN Review

Surfshark $2.29/mo Best for bundled security Get Surfshark

Read Surfshark Review

How we tested the best VPNs for India

We test all VPNs on MacBooks and Windows PCs as well as mobile VPN apps for iOS and Android. Each VPN we suggested was double-checked through the site’s own information to make sure it’s available to be purchased when you’re in India. Laws at the time of publishing show that VPN usage in the country is still legal, but it’s always a good idea to check the local laws regarding VPNs when traveling to a new country.

When choosing service providers, we looked for ones that had features and extras that offer ease of use to locals and travelers. Also, we included our top picks that offer virtual servers in India, so you can unblock geo-restricted content in the country if you’re not there but want to watch streaming platforms available only in that region. We took price versus safety and security into consideration to bring you the most secure options for the most reasonable prices.

Customizable Coverage That is Simple to Use
4.9
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On NordVPN's website
VPN
NordVPN
Up to 66% off 2-year plans + 3 months extra
  • Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
  • Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
  • 3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
  • Too many confusing plans
Author Details
Mary is a seasoned cybersecurity writer with over seven years of experience. With a B.S. in Liberal Arts from Clarion University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Point Park University, she educates audiences on scams, antivirus software, and more. Her passion lies in educating audiences on helpful ways to protect their data.