5 Best Free India VPNs for Speed and Security in 2024 (2024)

Important! Most reputable VPN providers no longer host physical servers in India due to regulations requiring them to store user data. Using a virtual Indian server is safer and will give you the same benefits. The top 2 VPNs in our list offer reliable virtual Indian servers that work.

Finding a safe Indian VPN can be a challenge. Free VPNs often don't have the security and privacy features needed to keep your online activities anonymous; some may even collect and log your data. Also, most can't provide you with a free Indian IP address.

My team and I tested 40+ services to find the best free VPNs for India. All these VPNs will keep you safe and won't collect or share your personal information. But all truly free VPNs have restrictions, like small server networks, lack of Indian IP addresses, and limited data. If you don’t want any restrictions, consider using a premium VPN.

My top recommended India VPN is ExpressVPN. It has strong security features and a strict no-logs policy to keep your online activity private. Plus, it has a reliable server network (including virtual Indian servers) to safely watch content on streaming sites like Hotstar and Netflix in India. While it’s not 100% free, it does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it without financial risk.

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Short on Time? Here Are the Best Free VPNs for India in 2024

Best Free VPNs for India — Full Analysis (Updated in 2024)

1. ExpressVPN — Overall Best VPN With Virtual Indian Servers and Fast Speeds

ExpressVPN is the fastest India VPN I have tested. Unlike most free VPNs (that are notoriously slow), you won't experience any slowdowns watching your favorite Indian shows. While in India, during my tests, I only had a 3% speed loss connecting to nearby servers.

It’s one of the few safe VPNs that offer Indian IP addresses, so you can safely watch Indian content from India, even on public WiFi or restrictive networks. Its India (via UK) server worked well with Hotstar, SonyLiv, and JioCinema while I tested it using my hotel WiFi in India.The connections were reliable, too — I didn’t experience any drops or slowdowns while watching Shaitan in HD on Hotstar.

It never took me more than 2 seconds to connect to its Indian servers

I like that ExpressVPN takes your privacy seriously. All its Indian servers are virtual and securely located in other countries, so the Indian government can’t demand user data. Plus, it has a strict no-logs policy that has been verified on multiple occasions. This means you can use the web privately, even if you’re in India.

ExpressVPN isn’t 100% free, but you do get 3 months for free when you sign up for an annual plan. Plus, you can try it completely risk-free since it’s backed by a 30 money-back guarantee. If you’re not impressed, it’s easy to get a full refund. To make sure it’s legitimate, I requested a refund through its 24/7 live chat and got my money back in 2 days.

Useful Features

• Strong security. ExpressVPN offers AES 256-bit military-grade encryption with Perfect Forward Secrecy, which regularly changes your encryption keys for added protection.
• TrustedServer Technology. These RAM-only servers automatically erase all user data after every reboot, ensuring your online activity is private. Not that it’d have to hand over data if the Indian government (or any other body) requested it – ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, which is a privacy-friendly country.
• Lightway protocol. Even though ExpressVPN doesn’t offer WireGuard, it has its own protocol called Lightway, which is just as good. It’s fast, lightweight, and consumes less data. It’s especially helpful while torrenting and gaming — my ping was below 30 ms when playing BGMI on its virtual Indian server.

2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers for Reliable Streaming

CyberGhost is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a streaming VPN that allows you to watch your favorite shows in India safely and in HD. It offers virtual Indian servers optimized for Hotstar and Netflix. During my tests in India, its Hotstar server allowed me to watch shows on channels like Zee5, Voot, and JioCinema without buffering.

These servers are regularly maintained by CyberGhost staff to ensure that they work

If torrenting or gaming is more your thing, CyberGhost has specialized servers for these activities too. The gaming servers give you low ping times, while the torrenting ones prioritize download speeds without compromising security. During my tests in India, I experienced a speed loss of only 5%on its torrenting server.

CyberGhost doesn’t collect or sell your data because it uses RAM-based servers and has a strict no-logs policy. Plus, it’s based in Romania, which is a privacy-friendly country outside of 14 Eyes jurisdiction. This means that it isn’t required by law to hand over user data, even if the Indian government makes the request.

Similar to ExpressVPN, CyberGhost also isn’t 100% free. But all plans come with a trustworthy money-back guarantee. This way, you can test out CyberGhost risk-freeand request a refund within 45 days if it’s not for you.

Useful Features

• 24/7 live chat support. CyberGhost has responsive and knowledgeable customer support available via email or chat, no matter the time of day. Every time I reached out, I got a detailed and professional answer to my questions in a few minutes.
• Robust security. An automatic kill switch, military-grade encryption, and leak protection are all included. Plus, it also offers a “Content Block” feature, which blocks ads and malicious sites to enhance your online experience and privacy, whether you’re in India or abroad.
• NoSpy Servers. For ultimate privacy, you can use CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers. These servers are housed in private data centers in Romania, and only CyberGhost employees can access them. This further reduces the risk of third parties gaining access to your data.

3. Proton VPN — Free Unlimited Data to Browse the Web Without Interruptions

Proton VPN’s free plan offers unlimited data and bandwidth, so you can use it for hours without worrying about caps. I used it to watch videos on TikTok (sorry, boss!), and there were no interruptions. This is a refreshing change, given most free VPNs severely limit your data allowance.

The free version of Proton VPN only offers servers in Japan, the Netherlands, and the US. These countries enjoy a more open internet environment compared to India, with minimal censorship. My global team tested Proton VPN's servers, and it reliably worked with Crackle and Peaco*ck from the US. But they couldn't get working with Netflix. It also failed to work with Disney+ and Hulu.

Proton VPN's free US servers loaded within seconds

Despite being free, Proton VPN doesn’t skimp on privacy and security. You get all the essential features you need, like an automatic kill switch, AES 256-bit encryption, and leak protection. And it has a strict no-logs policy, too. This protects your online activity from the increasing digital surveillance in India (and other third parties too).

All of this means Proton VPN’s free plan is a good choice if you’re looking to access global content outside of India. However, the lack of free Indian IP addresses will limit you if you want to securely access local sites.

Useful Features

• Split tunneling. You can exclude certain apps from using the VPN connection, which improves speed since not all traffic will be encrypted.
• Reliable paid plan. If you upgrade, you get additional features like Secure Core, which enhances your privacy by routing your data through servers located in privacy-friendly jurisdictions. You’ll also be able to get an Indian IP address through its virtual servers in Singapore.
• No ads. The free plan is funded by Proton VPN’s paying users, so you won’t be served any ads in the app. So, you can be sure your data isn’t being sold to third-party advertisers for a profit.

4. hide.me — Customizable Security to Optimize Your Connection in India

With hide.me, you can tweak your VPN settings and have more control over your connection. For example, you can choose between 4 VPN protocols (including OpenVPN) and also change your connection type (IPv4 vs IPv6). During our tests, we found IPv6 to be 7% faster. Unfortunately, WireGuard is only available with the premium version.

You get strong security features to protect you from online tracking and surveillance in India. Like any good free VPN, it offers military-grade encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch. I was impressed that it passed every leak test I ran – not many free VPNs can say the same.

I tested 4 different servers for leaks and never found any

The free version offers servers in 8 locations: Canada, Germany, France, the US (East & West), Spain, Singapore, and the Netherlands. Its US servers, as tested by our team in the US, worked well with Disney+, Funimation, and Crunchyroll. However, like other free VPNs, it doesn’t have any Indian servers.

You get 10GB of data per month with hide.me’s free plan. You can still use it if you go over the cap, but it’ll connect you to a random server. So, you might end up on a long-distance, slow server. However, this limit is a small compromise to continue using the service for free.

Useful Features

• Privacy-focused. The VPN is based in privacy-friendly Malaysia and has a strict no-logs policy, which has been independently verified. So, you can rest assured that hide.me doesn’t store identifiable data.
• Supports torrenting. Unlike Proton VPN, all of hide.me’s free servers are P2P-friendly. You can also use its Stealth Guard feature to stop your torrenting client from connecting to the Internet unless hide.me is turned on. This is ideal for downloading files while you’re in India.

5. Hotspot Shield — Speedy Connections With Catapult-Hydra

What sets Hotspot Shield apart is its Catapult Hydra protocol for speedy connections, even on servers a long distance away from India. While it’s not as fast as ExpressVPN, we experienced a speed loss of 37% while testing Hotspot Shield’s free US server.

Hotspot Shield comes with excellent security features to keep your data safe both in India and abroad. In addition to military-grade encryption and leak protection, it offers an Auto-Protect feature that automatically secures your connection whenever you’re on public WiFi. Plus, it doesn’t store any of your identifiable data, thanks to its no-logs policy.

With Hotspot Shield, I never found any IP or DNS leaks on ipleak.net

The free plan offers servers in 3 countries: Singapore, the UK, and the US. Even though this could theoretically allow you to watch international content (on Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, or Crackle), this goes against platforms’ T&C.

Hotspot Shield now offers unlimited data, a significant upgrade from its previous 500MB daily limit. However, unlike some other “freemium” VPNs, Hotspot Shield’s free plan is ad-supported – so it collects some non-identifiable data.

Useful Features

• Easy to set up and use. You don’t even need to sign up with an email to get started. All you have to do is install the app, click “Proceed with Basic,” and you’re all set.
• Built-in speed test tool. This lets you find the fastest free server whether you’re connecting from India or abroad.

Quick Comparison Table: Free India VPN Features

Here’s a quick summary of the best free India VPNs I shortlisted. I’ve listed their speeds, data cap, and the streaming platforms they work with, so you can enjoy the content you love.

I’ve also listed how many devices you can use the VPN on, as this will be helpful if you’ve looking to protect a large household. Finally, I’ve noted if you need to provide any payment details to use the VPN. While my top choices aren’t 100% free, you can try them risk-free and see if they’re right for you before committing.

Tips on Choosing the Best Free VPNs for India

Numerous free VPNs are available, however, they are not all trustworthy and dependable. I evaluated all these VPNs for these characteristics and made my selections accordingly. Here are a few factors to consider when selecting the most suitable free VPN for India:

• No commitments. A free VPN shouldn't require a subscription. All the VPNs on my list are either completely free or come with a reliable money-back guarantee.
• Works in India. Due to new data collection regulations, many VPNs have stopped offering their services in India. At the time of writing, all the VPNs in this list offer their services in India, but I couldn’t find a free VPN that allowed you to use an Indian IP address.
• Fast speeds and enough data. You should look for a free India VPN that gives you fast speeds, so you can browse and stream without delays. All my recommended free VPNs have speeds that are sufficient for these activities. Plus, they offer enough data to stream for at least a couple of hours.
• Large server list. Every VPN on my list offers a good amount of servers, which means you have a lot of working servers at your disposal in case one malfunctions. While none of the free VPNs on this list offer virtual Indian servers, the two paid VPNs I recommend do.
• Strong security and privacy features. Look for a free India VPN that has strong security features such as military-grade encryption, an automatic kill switch, and DNS leak protection. All the VPNs on the list are trustworthy services and safe to use, offering AES 256-bit encryption and protection from potential leaks.
• A strict no-logs policy. Your free VPN for India should have a strict no-logs policy. This ensures that none of your data is ever stored, shared, or sold to third parties. I read each of my recommended free VPNs’ logging policies to make sure that your data is kept private.

Expert Tip: Most Free VPNs for India Aren’t Safe

Free VPNs often come with limitations such as slow speeds, restricted bandwidth, and limited server networks. Even worse, many free VPNs put your security and privacy at risk. All the free India VPNs on this list have been thoroughly tested to ensure their safety.

Below are some of the hazards that come with using a free VPN:

• Free VPNs can sell your data — Because free VPNs have to find alternative ways to make money, they often sell your data to third parties. Before downloading a free VPN, you should always make sure to read its privacy policy to ensure your online safety.
• Free VPNs can have weak security — Most free VPNs lack important security features such as military-grade encryption, an automatic kill switch, DNS/IP leak protection, and more. This makes you more vulnerable to hackers, identity leaks, and the new Indian data surveillance laws.
• Free VPNs can expose you to viruses and malware — Most free India VPNs don’t have built-in adblockers, so they won’t prevent malicious ads from loading. Even worse, some have malware embedded in their apps that will infect your devices.

Free India VPNs to Avoid

During my tests, I found some VPNs for India that are unsafe and should be avoided at all costs. They are:

• Hola Free VPN — Hola’s free VPN utilizes its users’ devices as endpoints, allowing other users to route their traffic through them. This means that any random stranger can use your IP address, and if they do something illegal, you could get in trouble for it.
• BetternetVPN — BetternetVPN doesn’t block IPv6 traffic, and its privacy policy is rather vague. It says that it may use your information to prevent fraud. Moreover, the VPN’s Android app was found riddled with malware in 2016.
• Psiphon — This free VPN keeps an alarming number of identifiable logs, including browsing history, region identifiers, and connection timestamps. On top of that, it shares this data with third-party advertisers.
• TouchVPN — TouchVPN keeps logs of your data to target you with ads.

FAQs on Free VPNs for India

Will a free VPN work with Netflix India and Hotstar?

Most free VPNs won’t work with Netflix or Hotstar. However, as tested globally, the top 2 VPNs on this list easily work with these and other platforms, like Disney+, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. They’re not 100% free, but you can test them risk-free with their money-back guarantees.

Like most free VPNs, the truly free options on this list also do not offer virtual Indian servers with their free versions. You’ll need to upgrade to their paid versions to access Indian sites.

Is there a free VPN with Indian servers?

Unfortunately, we have not found any safe free VPNs with Indian IP servers. The 100% free VPNs in this list are safe to use but don’t offer Indian IP addresses. Your best option is to use a low-cost premium VPN with Indian virtual servers that offers a free trial or money-back guarantee. That way, you can use them for free for a limited time.

Can I use a free VPN for PUBG and BGMI?

Yes, but I don’t recommend it. None of the reliable free VPN providers have servers in India, which means they won’t work with BGMI. It’s better to use a low-cost premium VPN with virtual Indian servers, so you can play from anywhere without issues. The VPNs on this list are backed by money-back guarantees, letting you try them risk-free.

While you can use free VPNs to play PUBG, you’ll likely experience slow speeds and high ping. This can cause frustrating lag during gameplay, negatively impacting your experience.

Why do I need a VPN for India?

There are several benefits to using a VPN in India due to its increasing data surveillance laws. It not only helps you use your favorite services on restrictive networks, such as hotels or public libraries, but it also adds a layer of security and privacy online. A reliable India VPN hides your IP address, guards you against hackers, and prevents third parties from snooping on you.

However, it's important to note that many free VPNs for India lack essential security and privacy features, so they won’t keep you protected. Some might even put you at risk of malware and viruses. Therefore, it’s important to choose a tried-and-tested free VPN that offers strong security features and has a trusted no-logs policy.

Is using a VPN legal in India?

Yes, but it’s a bit complicated. At the time of writing, there are no laws that ban VPN use in India, so using a VPN is legal. However, the legal landscape surrounding this could change since the government implemented laws requiring VPN services to store users’ personal data. So, I recommend double-checking the most recent laws, just to be safe.

In addition, you may get into trouble if you’re using a VPN to perform illegal activities, like downloading copyrighted content. I don’t condone using a VPN for illegal activities, so make sure to check the most up-to-date local laws to ensure you’re not breaking any rules.

Can I use a free VPN to access India channels and sites?

No. vpnMentor’s global team put several VPNs to the test and found no safe options that offer Indian IP addresses for free. If you want to securely access local sites from India, a paid service is your best bet. The top two VPNs on this list offer virtual Indian servers and successfully work in India. Although you can hypothetically watch Colors TV, Zee5, JioCinema, and Hotstar outside India using a premium VPN, this goes against the services' terms of use.

Will a free VPN let me use TikTok and Snapchat in India?

That depends on the VPN. To use TikTok, Snapchat, and other services that aren’t available in India, you’ll need to connect to a secure, international VPN server. You won’t be able to use Indian VPN servers (even virtual ones) to access these platforms, as they will block anyone connecting with an India IP address.

However, some free VPNs may not let you use these services. They may not effectively hide your IP address, so TikTok will block your access because it can see you’re trying to use it in India. Even if they offer strong IP leak protection, they may not be fast enough to let you watch livestreams or chat with your friends in real time.

Is it worth getting a free VPN Chrome extension for India?

It’s complicated. A free VPN Chrome extension is helpful if you just want to mask your IP and add a level of protection against hackers and online trackers.However, the VPN extensions are usually just proxies and do not offer the same level of encryption as the VPNs listed in this article. Plus, they offer limited servers and do not secure your traffic outside Chrome.

For maximum protection, it’s better to use a full VPN app instead. That way, you get faster speeds, more servers, advanced security features, and full device protection.

Get the Best Free VPN for India Today

Free VPNs often don’t have servers with an Indian IP address, so you can’t use them to securely watch your favorite local Indian content and sites from India. Plus, they can be dangerous and lack important security features, failing to keep you safe. You’re better off using a premium VPN with robust encryption, a no-logs policy, and reliable Indian virtual servers.

All the free VPNs in this list are safe to use. However, ExpressVPN is my favorite for India because it has strong security to keep you safe online and servers in India. While it’s not 100% free, it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means you can try ExpressVPN risk-free and get a full refund if you don’t like it.

To summarize, these are the best free VPNs for India…