5 Best FREE VPNs for India (Tested in 2025)
Reading time: 17 min
Last Updated: Apr 21, 2025
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Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Content Manager
Using a free VPN in India isn’t as simple as downloading an app and connecting. Many don’t work due to strict regulations, and the ones that do often come with serious trade-offs like slow speeds, weak security, or hidden data tracking.
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 streaming and gaming 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. It offers airtight security and super-fast speeds for lag-free streaming. While not free, you can test it out yourself with its 7-day free trial and 30*-day money-back guarantee.
Important! Most VPNs no longer host physical servers in India due to data storage laws, but you can still access Indian and global content securely. Some offer virtual Indian locations for local services, while others provide international servers for unrestricted browsing. It’s your responsibility to comply with local laws and platform rules.
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.
Short on Time? Here are the Best Free VPNs for India in 2025
- ExpressVPN — The best paid VPN for India, offering superfast speeds, local IP addresses, impenetrable security, and a 30*-day money-back guarantee.
- Proton VPN — Stealth Protocol lets you access global sites securely on restricted networks in India, but the free plan doesn’t allow manual server selection.
- hide.me — Offers reliable customer support even for free users, but its speeds can take a hit on distant servers.
- Hotspot Shield — Ensures fast speeds with its Catapult Hydra protocol, but the free plan is ad-supported.
- Windscribe — Has 10 free servers, the most on this list, but it comes with a 10GB monthly data cap.
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.
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:
- Has servers across 105 countries, including multiple virtual options in India
- Maintains fast connection speeds to ensure lag-free streaming and browsing
- Secures online activity using AES 256-bit encryption and multiple other features
- Provides responsive support via 24/7 live chat and other channels
- Comes with a 30*-day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN is the best VPN you can get for India. It doesn’t have servers in India but can give you an IP address there through virtual servers in Singapore and the UK. This way, you can access local websites without issues.
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.
While it isn’t free, its performance and security make it worth the cost. You can test it yourself with its 30*-day money-back guarantee, and if you’re unsatisfied with the performance, you can always get a full refund.
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.
ExpressVPN works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Nvidia Shield, Xiaomi Mi Box, Chromecast, Roku, Android TVs, smart TVs, routers, and more.
2025 Update! You can subscribe to ExpressVPN for as low as per month with a 2-year purchase (save up to %)!! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
2. Proton VPN — Stealth Protocol Lets You Access Global Sites on Restricted Networks in India
Key Features:
- Has 5 free server locations in the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Japan, and the US
- Provides good speeds for lag-free browsing
- Ensures safety via AES 256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy, and more
- Delivers unlimited bandwidth to ensure there aren’t any interruptions
- Works on 1 device with the free plan
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 /month.
Proton VPN works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, smart TVs, routers, and more.
3. hide.me — Round-the-Clock Customer Support for Free Users
Key Features:
- Offers 7 different server locations with the free plan
- Ensures unbreakable security via AES 256-bit encryption
- Delivers decent connection speeds for smooth browsing
- Comes with unlimited bandwidth on the free plan
- Provides live chat and other support options to free users
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 /month if you get the 2-year + 4 months plan.
hide.me works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi, Chrome, Xbox, Firefox, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Nvidia Shield, Chromecast, Android TVs, smart TVs, routers, and more.
4. Hotspot Shield — Maintains Consistently Fast Speeds With the Catapult Hydra Protocol
Key Features:
- Offers servers in the US, UK, and Singapore with the free plan
- Maintains fast connection speeds with its proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol
- Uses AES 256-bit encryption to protect traffic against prying eyes
- Provides email support and setup guides to free users
- Allows use of the free plan without even signing up
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 /month with the 3-year plan.
Hotspot Shield works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi, Chrome, Firefox, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Nvidia Shield, Chromecast, Android TVs, routers, and more.
5. Windscribe — Gives You the Most Free Servers to Connect From India
Key Features:
- Free servers in 10 countries, including the US, Canada, Germany, and Hong Kong
- Has secure protocols, military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and more
- Doesn’t paywall premium features, like firewall, ad blocking, and P2P support
- Connect as many devices as you like simultaneously
- Monthly data cap of 2GB if you don’t sign up and 10GB if you do
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.
Windscribe works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and routers
Comparison Table: 2025’s Best Free VPNs for India
| Free Plan | Data Allowance | Indian IP Address | Server Countries | Average Speed | |
| ExpressVPN | ✘ | Unlimited | ✔ | 105 | 90Mbps |
| Proton VPN | ✔ | Unlimited | ✘ | 5 | 70Mbps |
| hide.me | ✔ | Unlimited | ✘ | 7 | 55Mbps |
| Hotspot Shield | ✔ | Unlimited | ✘ | 3 | 75Mbps |
| Windscribe | ✔ | 10GB/month | ✘ | 10 | 70Mbps |
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
- Subscribe to a top VPN — ExpressVPN is my top choice because it’s one of the rare VPNs that can give you an IP address in India. Visit the ExpressVPN website, choose a plan, and sign up.
![Screenshot of how to download ExpressVPN from its official website]()
- Install the VPN — Download the VPN app on your device. Once downloaded, follow the on-screen instructions to install the app.
![Screenshot of how to enter ExpressVPN's activation code and set up its app]()
- Use the VPN — Open the app and log in with your credentials. Select a server based on your activity—connect to a nearby server for faster speeds or a global server for specific content.
![Screenshot of ExpressVPN connected to a server in India via Singapore]()
Warning! Avoid These Free VPNs for India
SuperVPN
SuperVPN has been flagged as a high-risk app due to major security flaws. Tests show it lacks proper encryption, leaving your data vulnerable to interception. Worse, it’s been linked to malware activity and intrusive ads that track your online behavior. If you value your privacy and security, SuperVPN is a service you should avoid at all costs.
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.
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.
| Free VPNs | Proxies | Paid VPNs | |
| Encryption | Can have basic or military-grade encryption | Often don’t have encryption at all | Most use AES 256-bit encryption |
| Data Limits | Usually capped, but can be unlimited | Don’t have limits usually | Unlimited |
| Speed | Often slow due to congested servers | Unreliable based on server load | Optimized for streaming and gaming |
| Privacy | May track and sell data | Little to no protection, leaves you exposed | No-logs policies, strict privacy measures |
| Servers | Limited locations | Often one location only | Hundreds of global servers |
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.
FAQs: Free VPNs and India
Is there a free VPN that offers servers in India?
Are VPNs legal in India?
Why do I need a VPN for India?
How can I watch cricket from outside of India?
Which free VPN works with Netflix India and Disney+ Hotstar?
Is there a good free VPN Chrome extension for India?
What is the best VPN for PUB G and BGMI in India?
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.
*Please note that ExpressVPN’s generous money-back guarantee applies to first-time customers only.
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.
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