VPNs with free trial: best options to try before you buy in 2021

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A VPN can be an endlessly useful tool, but if you don't know much about this nifty piece of software, you may be dubious about paying for one of the many providers available. Thankfully, there are VPNs with free trials out there that allow you to try before you buy and get a sense for what one can do, and how it can better both the security and optimisation of your device and internet usage.

Allowing you to download the software onto your chosen device, you can reap the benefits of a VPN for a period of time and see all the perks of a virtual private network. From better securing your connection and your sensitive data, to allowing you to bypass geo-restrictions and access websites, social media platforms, and stream-able content where you otherwise wouldn't be able to when in the office, at school, or abroad.

While many VPN services can be fairly affordable - especially when committing to one of their longer term plans - it's always appreciated when you can see what a particular product has to offer first. From VPN with free trials, to money back guarantees, and free, limited versions of a VPN, we've got all the details you'll need to take this piece of software for a spin.

1. ExpressVPN - the VPN with a free trial out there
extra 3 months and secure cloud storage free

1. ExpressVPN - the VPN with a free trial out there
Like most other providers out there, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money back guarantee. But the reason we put them top of this list is because it's the best overall VPN out there... period. Fast, secure, easy-to-use and, if you do commit to an annual plan, it will throw in an extra 3 months and secure cloud storage free.

2. Surfshark - big features at a low price

2. Surfshark - big features at a low price
Surfshark has become a very popular VPN choice thanks to its incredible pricing - no other premium provider touches its sub-$2.50 per month multiyear plan. And if you want to give it a try, there's an option available to do so for seven days without even handing over your credit card details.

3. Hotspot Shield - consistently good performer

3. Hotspot Shield - consistently good performer
Offering both a free and paid for platform, Hotspot Shield is known for its impressive speeds with its Catapult Hydra protocol, as well as  its sleek interface and geo-unblocking capabilities. Give its free version a go, before upgrading for a fully-featured experience.

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Our top 5 VPN with free trial providers:

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(Image credit: ExpressVPN)

1. ExpressVPN

The number one VPN service, free or not, available right now

Free trial type: 30-day money back guarantee | Number of servers: 3,000+ |external/go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=trd-us-1006537310135902465&sharedId=trd-us&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.expressvpn.com%2Foffer%2Ffree-trial%3Foffer%3D3monthsfree%26a_fid%3D744" rel="sponsored noopener" target="_blank" data-url="https://www.xvtelink.com/offer/free-trial?offer=3monthsfree&a_fid=744" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" data-hl-processed="hawklinks" data-placeholder-url="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk-prefix&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.expressvpn.com%2Foffer%2Ffree-trial%3Foffer%3D3monthsfree%26a_fid%3D744" data-google-interstitial="false" data-merchant-name="ExpressVPN" data-merchant-id="298450" data-merchant-url="expressvpn.com" data-merchant-network="ImpactRad">

(Image credit: ExpressVPN)

1. ExpressVPN

The number one VPN service, free or not, available right now

Free trial type: 30-day money back guarantee | Number of servers: 3,000+ | Server locations: 160 |external/trk.aclktrkr.com/aff_c?offer_id=53&aff_id=1024" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" data-hl-processed="hawklinks" data-placeholder-url="https://trk.aclktrkr.com/aff_c?offer_id=53&aff_id=1024&aff_click_id=hawk-custom-tracking&aff_sub2=hawk-article-url" data-google-interstitial="false" data-merchant-name="trk.aclktrkr.com" data-merchant-id="undefined" data-merchant-url="trk.aclktrkr.com" data-merchant-network="Generic">

Hotspot Shield VPN with free trial

(Image credit: Hotspot Shield)

3. Hotspot Shield

Excellent free version is a great test run for Hotspot's premium VPN

Free trial type: Free version and 45-day money back guarantee | Number of servers: 1,800+ | Server locations: 110+ | Maximum devices supported: 5 | Works on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux