I tested multiple free VPNs to find the ones that work in India without putting your privacy at risk. While these options offer decent security and unlimited bandwidth, they have limits. If you want the best experience, a premium VPN is the way to go. ExpressVPN is one of the few VPNs that works in India and can give you an Indian IP address. Plus, it offers airtight security and super-fast speeds. While it’s not free, you can test it out yourself with its 7-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology. Try ExpressVPN risk-free in India
Short on Time? Here are the Best Free VPNs for India in 2025
The Best Free VPNs for India (Tested in 2025)
1. ExpressVPN — The #1 VPN for India With Unbreakable Security and Virtual Indian Servers
Key Features: ExpressVPN is the best VPN you can get for India. While it isn’t free, your purchase is protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee. So, you can ask for a full refund if you’re unsatisfied with the VPN’s performance — I got my money back within just 5 business days of the refund request. Unlike free VPNs, ExpressVPN provides virtual Indian servers that let you get a local IP address, ensuring you can access local websites without issues. Since Indian laws now require VPNs to store user data, ExpressVPN removed its physical servers in the country. Instead, you can connect to virtual Indian servers routed through Singapore and the UK. During speed tests, ExpressVPN maintained consistently fast speeds. My download speeds dropped an average of 10% on distant servers while providing near-baseline levels on nearby ones — meaning UHD streaming and lag-free browsing were not a problem at all. Of course, the app also offers reliable safety. Alongside its AES 256-bit encryption, ExpressVPN includes the following to keep you safe:
Threat Manager — blocks trackers and malicious sites while surfing the web. No-logs policy — ensures no logs of your activity are kept on ExpressVPN servers. Leak protection — stops DNS, IP, and WebRTC leaks that could compromise your identity. Kill switch — disconnects your internet if the VPN is unstable, keeping you anonymous. Ad blocker — keeps ads from loading, leading to smoother browsing.
ExpressVPN offers various plans, but I found that the app’s 2-year + 4 months free plan delivers the best value by providing a 61% discount. This lets you get ExpressVPN for just $$4.994.99/month. It’s not the cheapest VPN, but its performance and security make it worth the cost. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
2. Proton VPN — Stealth Protocol Lets You Access Global Sites on Restricted Networks in India
Key Features: Proton VPN’s Stealth Protocol disguises your VPN traffic as regular web traffic. This makes it harder for networks to detect and block your connection, ensuring you can access global sites even on restricted networks in India, like those at school or work. Other than that, Proton VPN protects you with:
AES 256-bit encryption — scrambles your internet activity in a 256-bit code so even if someone snoops on it, they won’t be able to read it. No-logs policy — keeps your browsing completely private, as Proton VPN is based in Switzerland, a country with strict privacy laws and no data-sharing agreements. Leak protection — prevents accidental exposure of your real IP address, ensuring websites and apps only see the VPN-assigned location.
Speeds on Proton VPN’s free plan are fast, with an average drop of 30% in my tests. While you can’t manually choose a specific server, the app automatically connects you to the fastest server in the Netherlands, the US, Poland, Romania, or Japan. I could stream videos in UHD and do video calls without a problem.
The free plan supports only one device, but you can secure all your devices at once by installing Proton VPN on a router. This way, your entire home network benefits from VPN protection. Getting started is simple — just sign up on Proton VPN’s website and download the app. If you need more server locations, faster speeds, or multi-device support, you can upgrade to its 2-year plan for $4.49/month.
3. hide.me — Round-the-Clock Customer Support for Free Users
Key Features: Most free VPNs leave you on your own, but hide.me offers 24/7 live chat support, even on its free plan. If you run into connection issues or need help setting up, you can reach a real person anytime. Support is available via live chat, email, and support tickets, so you’re never stuck.
While the app used to have a 10GB/month limit on the free plan, hide.me now provides unlimited data with its free subscription. Plus, the free version offers servers in 7 locations — the Netherlands, the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Finland, and the US. In terms of security, hide.me’s free plan includes:
Split tunneling — you choose which apps use the VPN and which connect directly to the internet, giving you more control over your data. No ads or trackers — keeps your browsing experience clean and private by blocking ads and preventing websites from tracking your activity.
Speeds are reasonably fast on hide.me’s free plan, but you should note that the connection is slower on long-distance connections. My connection was up to 45% slower than baseline values on some far-away servers, but it was still fast enough for smooth browsing. You can easily start using hide.me for free by signing up with your email and downloading the app. If you’re happy with its performance, you can get even faster speeds and more features with hide.me’s paid subscription, which will cost you just $2.69/month if you get the 2-year + 2 months plan.
4. Hotspot Shield — Maintains Consistently Fast Speeds With the Catapult Hydra Protocol
Key Features: Most free VPNs are slow, but Hotspot Shield maintains consistently fast speeds in India with its Catapult Hydra protocol, even on the free plan. I extensively tested its free server options in the US, UK, and Singapore, and my connection speed didn’t drop more than 25%. Hotspot Shield provides good security features to ensure you stay safe and anonymous in India, including the following:
Leak protection — prevents DNS, IP address, and other leaks that may compromise your privacy. Always on — reconnects the VPN automatically if the connection drops.
One downside to Hotspot Shield’s free plan is that it’s ad-supported. Every ad you watch provides 15 minutes of connection time, meaning it’s best to watch multiple ads at once before connecting. Thankfully, the free plan offers unlimited data, meaning you can use it as much as you want as long as you watch enough ads. If you’re pleased with Hotspot Shield’s free plan, the paid subscription delivers even better performance and costs just $2.99/month with the 3-year plan.
5. Windscribe — Gives You the Most Free Servers to Connect From India
Key Features: Windscribe has the most free servers of any free VPN on this list. It gives you access to 10 locations, including the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, Romania, and Hong Kong — that’s pretty good global coverage if you’re staying in India and want access to your home content. In tests, I didn’t get more than 30% drops using servers in Germany and the Netherlands. North American servers were a little slower but good enough to stream YouTube in 1080p. Thankfully, all the locations I tested weren’t congested so there weren’t any performance drops. The best part about Windscribe is that it offers all the features of the paid version, including unlimited device connections. The only downside is that Windscribe has a monthly data cap of 10GB if you sign up or 2GB if you don’t. You can also get an extra 5GB by posting a tweet on X. For unlimited data and access to Windscribe’s global servers in 69 countries, you can upgrade to its paid plan starting at $5.75 a month. Or, you can go with the ‘build a plan’ option starting from $3 a month. If you’re unsatisfied, you can request a refund within 7 days of subscribing.
Comparison Table: 2025’s Best Free VPNs for India
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
3 Easy Steps: How to Set Up a VPN for India
Warning! Avoid These Free VPNs for India
Free VPNs vs. Proxies vs. Paid VPNs: What to Choose?
If you want complete privacy and fast, reliable connections, a top paid VPN is the best choice. It offers a global network of servers, top-notch security and privacy features, and faster speeds than what you’d get with a free VPN. Plus, free VPNs often have data caps, whereas many proxies don’t encrypt your data at all, leaving you vulnerable to hackers and surveillance.
Betternet VPN
Betternet VPN markets itself as a secure service, but it tracks and collects user data, including device details and activity logs. Even worse, it uses tracking libraries in its app, which can compromise your anonymity. With its history of data sharing with third parties, Betternet fails to protect the very privacy a VPN should provide.
Urban VPN
Urban VPN runs on a peer-to-peer system, which means your connection could be used to route traffic for other users, potentially exposing you to illegal activity. It also lacks essential security features like a kill switch and has been found to log and sell user data. This makes it one of the least secure VPNs on the market for Indian users or anyone else.
How I Tested and Ranked the Best Free VPNs for India in 2025
I tested the best VPNs in 2025 against the following criteria to find the top free choices for India:
Security — I picked VPNs offering impenetrable security via AES 256-bit encryption and other useful safety features. Connection speeds — I chose VPNs that maintain fast connection speeds to ensure uninterrupted browsing and streaming. Server variety — I selected free VPNs offering multiple servers to pick from to help avoid overcrowding. Device compatibility — I found VPNs that provide native apps for all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Bandwidth limit — I picked VPNs with unlimited bandwidth, ensuring there aren’t any interruptions. Customer support — I chose VPNs with responsive support that’s available to help at any time. Free/Money-back guarantee — I only selected VPNs that offer free plans or money-back guarantees that let you try them without risk.
Secure Yourself With a High-Quality VPN for India
Free VPNs sound great on paper, but in India, they come with serious trade-offs. Many don’t work due to strict regulations, and the ones that do often have slow speeds, weak security, and hidden data tracking. Even the best free options limit servers and features, making them unreliable for streaming, gaming, or privacy. If you want a fast, secure, and hassle-free experience, a premium VPN is the better choice. The top services offer unlimited bandwidth, strong encryption, and virtual Indian servers to help you access local content without exposing your data. They also provide better speeds and reliability, ensuring smooth browsing and streaming without connection drops. ExpressVPN is the best overall VPN for India. Its lightning-fast connection speeds, unbreakable security, and multiple virtual Indian servers make it my top choice. Also, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free. The app has a 30-day money-back guarantee that lets you get a full refund if you’re unsatisfied with its performance.
Summary — Top Free VPNs for India in 2025
Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.