Kaida Rylan Updated on Apr 30, 2025
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Try NowFinding the Best Free India VPNs has become more challenging due to India's recent cybersecurity laws, which require VPNs to store user data locally. As a result, many global VPN providers have shut down their Indian servers. While some free VPN options remain, they often come with compromises such as weak privacy policies, limited security features, and slower speeds, making both streaming and browsing more difficult.
In this guide, we’ve tested over 45 VPN services to bring you the best free VPNs for India, evaluating them based on privacy, security, speed, and server availability. Keep in mind that free services often have restrictions, such as limited server access or capped monthly data.
For a seamless and secure experience, we recommend ExpressVPN—while not free, it offers virtual Indian servers, lightning-fast speeds, and top-tier security features. ExpressVPN also comes with a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test it risk-free.
Editor’s Note: Indian VPN laws require local data storage, which may compromise your privacy. The VPNs listed here don’t use physical servers in India and operate outside India’s jurisdiction to ensure no-log policies. However, it's essential to comply with Indian laws and streaming platform terms. Ethical and legal use of VPNs is recommended.
Due to India's evolving cybersecurity laws, some VPN apps have been removed from Indian app stores. hide.me and PrivadoVPN may be impacted, so we recommend downloading their mobile apps before traveling to India. We will keep this page updated with the latest information.
Here’s a breakdown of the top 5 free VPNs for India, evaluated for secure browsing, streaming, and seamless connections.
Although ExpressVPN isn’t fully free, it stands out as one of the fastest and most reliable VPN services for India. It offers a 7-day free trial for mobile devices and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Key features include:
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Proton VPN is one of the few free VPNs offering unlimited data. It provides moderate speeds and robust privacy features. Although Proton VPN does not have Indian servers, it is still a top choice for secure browsing and access to global content:
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hide.me offers strong customizable security with free access to servers in 8 global locations (though none in India). Key features include:
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Hotspot Shield uses its proprietary Hydra protocol, which ensures fast speeds on free servers. During testing, it performed well even on long-distance servers:
This VPN is ideal for securing connections on public Wi-Fi in places like cafes and airports in India.
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PrivadoVPN is unique for offering virtual Indian servers, allowing users to get an Indian IP address. While it doesn't support popular streaming platforms like Hotstar, it is perfect for accessing Indian banking services:
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| VPN Service | Indian Servers | Monthly Data Cap | Speed | Streaming Platforms | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | Virtual | None | Fast | Hotstar, Netflix India | 7-day free trial, no data retention |
| Proton VPN | None | Unlimited | Moderate | Netflix, Disney+ | Open-source, strong privacy |
| hide.me | None | 10GB | Moderate | General streaming | Zero-logs policy, P2P support |
| Hotspot Shield | None | Unlimited | Fast | Public Wi-Fi security | Hydra protocol, encryption |
| PrivadoVPN | Virtual | 10GB | Fast | Banking sites | Virtual Indian servers, fast speeds |
When assessing free VPN services suitable for India, we prioritize the key factors that impact real-world usability. Our comprehensive evaluation covers connection speeds, privacy safeguards, and the consistency of Indian IP addresses. To ensure accuracy, we conduct multiple speed tests at varying times, verify access to both local and global streaming platforms, and rigorously check all security functionalities.
User privacy and data protection are central to our review process. We scrutinize each VPN’s logging policies, company jurisdiction, and revenue model—particularly how "free" services sustain themselves. Additionally, we test compatibility with financial websites and digital payment services to confirm seamless everyday usability. For a deeper dive into our assessment criteria, visit our dedicated VPN testing methodology section.
When selecting a free VPN to access Indian sites free, prioritize platforms that maintain your privacy and include robust encryption. Both Hotspot Shield and PrivadoVPN performed well in terms of speed and security, earning them spots on our list of the best free India VPNs.
India's updated cybersecurity regulations have redefined the role of VPNs, especially in protecting user privacy. These rules now require VPN providers to log user data such as browsing history, personal details, and IP addresses. Unfortunately, this contradicts the fundamental purpose of VPNs, which is to safeguard your online privacy.
Several big-name VPNs have taken drastic measures to address this situation. While some removed physical servers from India to maintain user privacy, others discontinued their services entirely. Here are a few notable VPNs that no longer work in India:
Avira has completely withdrawn its servers from India. They’ve stopped serving Indian users, citing that the new regulations compromise their ability to uphold privacy standards.
TunnelBear no longer offers services in India, as the data logging laws conflict with their stringent privacy policies.
Although Hola wasn’t a strong choice for privacy protection to begin with, we tested its service, and it doesn’t work in India anymore. Its website is also entirely blocked.
Opt for a trusted service like ExpressVPN to access fast speeds, strong security, and virtual Indian servers.
Choose a server near your location for the best connection. Virtual Indian servers are perfect for staying private while accessing Indian content.
Securely browse, stream, or work online with a fully encrypted connection.
Most free VPNs don’t offer servers in India, making it difficult to access Indian content. While PrivadoVPN has Indian servers, it failed our tests when trying to unblock Netflix India and Hotstar. To stream without interruptions, ExpressVPN is a better choice since it consistently unblocks Indian streaming services and doesn’t limit data.
PrivadoVPN is among the few free VPNs offering Indian servers, but it comes with limitations like poor streaming capabilities and a restrictive 10GB monthly cap. For uninterrupted access, a premium service like ExpressVPN, providing virtual India servers, is a superior option.
Free VPNs rarely have Indian servers, which are necessary for playing games like BGMI or reducing latency. High ping times and lag are common issues with free services. For a smoother gaming experience, it’s better to use a low-cost VPN with an Indian server and a refund guarantee.
Yes, VPN usage is legal in India. Individual users can freely use VPNs for personal browsing. However, remember that using a VPN for illegal activities remains prohibited.
Most free VPNs offer Chrome extensions, but most lack Indian server access. If secure and unrestricted streaming is your goal, the ExpressVPN Chrome extension is a great choice, offering robust security and reliable access to Indian content.
While free VPNs promise cost-free browsing, they often fall short in providing secure and consistent access to Indian servers. For the best free India VPNs, consider premium services like ExpressVPN, which combine virtual Indian servers, data security, and seamless streaming. Their 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to try the service risk-free. Safeguard your browsing and enjoy unrestricted Indian content with peace of mind.
Kaida Rylan is a Junior Writer specializing in VPN reviews and online security. Passionate about technology and digital privacy, Kaida has been researching and testing VPNs to provide readers with honest, in-depth insights. Kaida holds a Master’s Degree in Communications and a Bachelor’s in Media Studies. Additionally, they completed a cybersecurity certification program and gained experience working at a tech startup. Before joining the VPN industry, Kaida worked as a content creator, tech writer, and digital marketing specialist. In their free time, they enjoy exploring new cybersecurity tools and staying up to date with the latest tech trends.