VPNs (or Virtual Private Networks) are handy security tools that route your internet connection through a secure server, where it's encrypted, boosting your digital privacy and anonymity. As you can imagine, with India tightening internet regulations and imposing data surveillance, VPNs have become must-have solutions for citizens looking for a way to safeguard their sensitive information.
There are a lot of VPNs out there, though, which is why the TechRadar team has committed to putting providers through their paces. We regularly test today's best VPNs, and on this page, you'll find my top recommendations for India based on their unblocking power, performance, and all-important privacy measures.
Keep reading, and I'll dive into my in-depth reviews of each shortlisted service, and explain why these 5 providers made the cut in a massively competitive field.
3 best VPNs: at a glance
The best India VPNs for 2024:
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Recent updates
Following our most recent round of VPN tests, NordVPN has shot to the #1 spot overall. I've adjusted the page rankings to reflect the results and made it easier for you to navigate around the article, too.
The best VPN overall
✔️ You use Onion Over VPN: shore up your anonymity by encrypting and routing your traffic via the VPN server, then passing it through the Tor network.
✔️ You're fed up with ads: with NordVPN's ad blocker, you can put a stop to annoying pop-ups and help pages load quicker.
✔️ You're a massive Netflix fan: NordVPN leads the pack as my #1 pick for Netflix, thanks to a massive network of servers across 111 countries.
❌ Simplicity is everything: NordVPN's apps work like a charm but you'll get a more streamlined experience with ExpressVPN.
❌ You're not in it for the long haul: a single month of protection is pretty pricey. So, if you want a short-term bargain, stick to Surfshark.
🔒 NordVPN ticks all the right boxes, with tons of privacy tools, awesome unblocking power, and speeds that can keep up with the most demanding tasks.
NordVPN is my top-rated VPN overall and a massive name in the VPN sphere in its own right. There's a good reason for all the fanfare, too, thanks to an absolutely massive network of servers stretching across 111 countries. Although NordVPN recently terminated operations in India, the provider has taken a different tack than its competitors, and is confident in its ability to meet user needs without relying on fake locations.
▶ Try NordVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Perhaps the biggest feather in NordVPN's cap is its extra, unique security features. Along the usual protocols and 256-bit AES encryption, it also throws in Double VPN (so that your traffic goes through its encrypted servers not once, but twice), Onion Over VPN to send all your data through the super secure Onion network, and a built-in ad and malware block system. Its new addition Meshnet—now free to use—is then perfect for those looking to secure their workflow across several devices.
On top of all that, NordVPN now calls in PricewaterhouseCoopers every year to carry out a full independent audit on its no-logging policy. This makes Nord one of the most secure VPN services around, too. So by all measures, your data should be in excellent hands.
Outside of security, this provider can supply dedicated IP addresses that should again help defeat any potential slow down, and its Quick Connect tool helps you get started on the most optimal server for you. Plus, its impressive unlocking power confirmed the provider once again as one of the best streaming VPN services on the market.
Take advantage of NordVPN's special offer and get up to 64% off when you subscribe to their 2-year plan, with prices starting from just $3.99 per month. Again, you have a 30-day money-back guarantee if you feel it isn't the best service for you.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A fun design that can be a little busy for some people | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Everything is easy to find, but the map interface can be off-putting, and there isn't much attention to detail | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | The fastest VPN in our latest round of tests | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Perfect for Netflix and other streaming sites | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Every bit as strong as ExpressVPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Friendly, supportive and professional | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Fantastic value for money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best VPN for beginners
✔️ You value your online privacy: Express VPN ensures that no user data is stored on the server hard drives.
✔️ You value accessing geo-restricted content: gain access to Netflix and other content, even on gaming consoles and smart TVs.
✔️ You want a newbie-friendly UI: ExpressVPN apps are easy to use and super intuitive, even if you're new to VPNs.
❌ You are on a tight budget: If you prefer a more affordable VPN option, Surfshark is a great option.
❌ You require specialized VPN features: We recommend Nord for options that are not offered by ExpressVPN.
❌You want to try before you buy: Express offers a 30-day money-back guarantee but requires a subscription first.
🔒 ExpressVPN is a top-tier VPN provider that prioritizes privacy and security, offering a vast server network, fast speeds, and user-friendly applications.
ExpressVPN offers a wide range of user-friendly apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux with support for up to 5 simultaneous connections at once. Its ExpressVPN Aircove is also the world's first high-powered Wi-Fi 6 router with a built-in VPN. Customer support is available 24/7 through live chat and email, too.
Despite being one of the providers pulling the plug to its Indian servers amid new logging requirements, ExpressVPN set up two secure virtual locations passing via Singapore and the UK. It also boasts a 3000+ servers network spread across 160 locations in 94 countries, with many located around India (Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are all covered). Plus, its obfuscated servers should make your traffic undetectable even under the strictest restrictions.
► Try ExpressVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Express operates a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not collect or store user activity data. While, security features include AES-256 encryption, multiple VPN protocols (including its very own WireGuard-inspired Lightway), kill switch, DNS leak protection, split tunneling, built in password manager and Threat Manager to keep you secure at ease,
ExpressVPN boasts a great unblocking record, too, allowing users to bypass geo-restrictions and access popular streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. And, despite not being fast as Surfshark or NordVPN, peaks of 750 Mbps are still over 30 times what you'd need for streaming in 4K ultra-high-definition and gaming online.
One drawback is that ExpressVPN falls on the higher end of the pricing spectrum compared to some other VPN providers like Surfshark. Also, ExpressVPN does not offer dedicated IP addresses like Nord VPN, for users who require a consistent IP for specific activities, such as accessing banking services or gaming. Try it out risk-free for 30 days to enjoy Express' special deal of 12 months plus an additional 3 months for free, saving you 49% off the regular price...
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A clean and simple design that gives you everything you need, exactly when you need it | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Intuitive apps with auto-connect functionality make life easier | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Fast enough for anything you could throw at it, but slower than NordVPN and Surfshark | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Effortlessly gives you access to content around the world | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Express offers military-grade protection for total peace of mind | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Always available, friendly, and helpful | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | More expensive than leading competitors | ⭐⭐⭐ |
The best cheap VPN service
✔️ You value affordability: Surfshark is a great choice if you want a cost-effective VPN solution without compromising on features and performance.
✔️ You prioritize privacy and security: Surfshark provides strong encryption, a strict no-logs policy and features like MultiHop and CleanWeb.
✔️ You seek excellent customer support: Surfshark offers 24/7 live chat assistance.
❌ You need advanced customization options: For specific features that are not available in Surfshark, we advise looking into Nord VPN.
❌ Occasional drops in connection would impact your activities like gaming: For those purposes, Express VPN offers the most stable connection.
❌May prompt captchas when browsing on mobile: many search engine entries involve having to complete a captcha before you can continue, presumably because the shared IP address was flagged for some reason.
🔒 Surfshark stands out with its strong security measures, censorship-bypassing capabilities, and unlimited simultaneous connections at a low cost.
Surfshark is undoubtedly the rising (Hot)star of the VPN world. It's probably fair to say that its clean and friendly interface and branding are a tad less intimidating than some of the competition.
Surfshark's pricing is great, too—earning it the top spot on our cheap VPN countdown. You can even use it on as many devices as you can handle in your household on the same, low-priced account, thanks to its unlimited device connections policy.
▶ Try Surfshark with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
AES-256 encryption, several protocols to choose from, DNS protection, split tunneling, CleanWeb to block ads and malware, and even an extra protection layer with a Double VPN hop: these are some of the security features you will get with Surfshark. The provider now offers a Dedicated IP, too, for an additional fee. It is worth noting that we experienced some kill switch issues, but only on Windows and in extreme situations.
Like Express, Surfshark went virtual to protect users' privacy, meaning you can still securely browse locally. Or, opt for one of its 3,200+ international servers. It even offers some anti-censorship dedicated features such as its obfuscation technology— called "Camouflage mode"—that hides your VPN usage. There's also a "No Borders" option that connects you to the servers performing the best under network restrictions by default.
From Netflix and Hulu to iPlayer and Disney+, Surfshark will allow you to access your favorite content at great speeds. And despite its peaks being below average when connected to OpenVPN, it confirmed itself as the fastest VPN when used with WireGuard with peaks of 950+ Mbps last time we checked.
You can always try it out risk-free for 30 days and decide for yourself if it's the right service for your needs.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Easy to use and elegant | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Connecting only takes a few clicks—ideal for newbiesideal for newbe | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | One of the fastest providers we tested | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks virtually everything you'll need | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Not a comprehensive antivirus or ad-blocking solution, and some kill switch ossues | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Browsing support articles isn't as intuitive as I'd like | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Real value for money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Other VPNs I've tested and recommend
✔️ You appreciate Open-source apps: Open-source apps show transparency and the ability to independently verify the security and privacy measures implemented by the software.
✔️ You value unlimited bandwidth: PIA VPN does not impose any bandwidth restrictions and allows adding unlimited devices.
✔️ You appreciate features like ad and malware blocking: PIA blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites at the DNS level, protecting against tracking, phishing, and malware.
❌ You need a VPN specifically for streaming: PIA has issues unblocking streaming services, we recommend Express VPN for that purpose.
❌ You are a beginner: For those who prefer a visually appealing VPN experience, Surfshark can be a better option.
❌ You need immediate customer support: PIA's customer service instructs you to fill out a lengthy form in order to contact them, and they respond via e-mail.
🔒 Private Internet Access (PIA) is a cost-effective VPN solution for Indian users that prioritizes privacy and security.
A highly customizable VPN software, Private Internet Access VPN (PIA) offers a comprehensive package with over 35,000 PIA VPN servers in 84+ countries—like its competitors, it now has only virtual locations in India.
Overall, users can enjoy safe and reliable connections for browsing, streaming, and torrenting thanks to many security options, advanced features and a strict no-logs policy.
▶ Try Private Internet Access on unlimited devices.
The provider employs strong AES-256 encryption and a wealth of great security features like its exceptional kill switch, Smart DNS, P2P across all its servers, and MACE (its built-in ad, tracker, and malware blocker).
It offers a mix of very capable browser extensions and dedicated apps for all major operating systems. Among all, PIA's Linux VPN app is perhaps the best we have seen so far.
PIA's recently added SmartDNS feature will help you to smoothly bypass online censorship and other geo-restrictions, too. We saw an improvement in its streaming VPN capabilities during our last testing, in fact, managing to access everything we tried last time (it even managed to do so with 10Play, which failed during the previous round of testing).
PIA isn't yet among the fastest services, either, dropping its top speeds from 510 to 360Mbps when using WireGuard and from 440 to 310Mbps with OpenVPN. On a more positive note, though, the provider finally carried on an independent audit on its no-logs claims and a more detailed security audit is underway.
A 10 device allowance and many additional features might be great for some users. However, for newbies and those who need assistance via the live chat option in customer support, we recommend utilizing Express or Nord VPN.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Lots of customization, but could do with some attention to detail | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Not the best for beginners, but great for advanced users | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Good speeds, but generally average compared to industry leaders | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Dedicated streaming servers and an enormous global network help you unblock anything and everything | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | The latest and greatest in VPN tech, and a proven no-logging policy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | A mass of knowledge online and expert support on-hand at all times | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Budget-friendly and offering plenty of value for money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
✔️ You value Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS): even if your VPN connection is compromised, previously encrypted traffic remains secure.
✔️ You appreciate their VPN Accelerator feature: Proton's unique feature helps with increasing VPN speeds by over 400%.
✔️ You value the Secure Core feature: Secure Core routes user traffic through multiple privacy-enhancing servers in different countries, providing an additional layer of security and protection.
❌ You need a large server network: While ProtonVPN has a decent server network, it is not as extensive as some other providers.
❌ You need a free VPN for Netflix: Proton VPN supports Netflix and other advanced features on their Premium plans.
❌ You need to connect more than 10 devices on the paid plan: While it's a generous offer from Proton, some users simply need more - Surfshark gives you the option to connect unlimited devices.
🔒 ProtonVPN's free plan option is a good option for those looking for basic VPN functionality without spending money.
The same Swiss-based provider behind Proton Mail, Proton Drive and Proton Pass, Proton VPN offers plenty of nifty features, a sleek interface, and impeccable performance overall.
Proton VPN also comes with an unlimited-bandwidth free VPN, which—while stripped back in terms of the provider's full package—is great for those new to the VPN world. Its free coverage has even recently gone up from only 29 to over 100 servers.
▶ Try Proton VPN's unlimited free plan.
The provider even teamed up with Deutsche Welle to offer people worldwide direct access to independent news content.
Also Proton shut off its physical servers in India. However, you can still get an Indian IP, picking one of its Smart Routing servers located in Singapore.
If you upgrade to its Plus plan, you can even connect through one of its Secure Core servers for an extra layer of security. By doing so, your traffic will be routed through multiple ultra-secure servers based in Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden.
The Plus plan is advantageous to put to work Proton's streaming unblocking prowess, with the ability to access the likes of foreign Netflix libraries, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus as well as many Indian platforms like Hotstar, JioTV, Hooq, Voot, and SonyLIV when overseas. Plus users can also take advantage of an extra layer of protection with its Tor over VPN option.
When it comes to speed, we have experienced some slower speeds this time around, with its WireGuard peaks dropping from 670 to 510Mpbs. However, this is unlikely to be a problem for most users.
The only real downside here is that, even if Proton has now added a live chat support, this is not 24/7 yet. This might be a problem for some Indian-based users.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | If you like dark mode, you'll love this interface | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Fairly easy on mobile, but a bit more complex on desktop | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Decent speeds, but there's a risk of congestion on free servers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Limits unblocking to premium services but otherwise fantastic | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Strong encryption and plenty of security add-ons available | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Agents can be hard to get ahold of, but there's a lot of very technical support available | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Moderately expensive premium plans, but a great free plan | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
How to choose the best India VPN
Opt for a VPN provider with servers in the countries you need to access or bypass geo-restrictions. Ensure strong encryption protocols like AES-256 and support for secure VPN protocols such as OpenVPN or WireGuard. Look for a strict no-logs policy.
Choose a VPN with a fast and stable connection for smooth browsing, streaming, and downloading. Verify if the VPN can bypass geo-restrictions and offers optimized servers for streaming and torrenting.
Look for VPNs with easy-to-use apps and compatibility across devices for convenient usage.
Prioritize VPNs with fast and helpful customer support via live chat or email. Consider flexible plans that suit your needs, including monthly, yearly, or longer-term subscriptions.
FAQs
What is a VPN?
Also known as a virtual private network, a VPN is an essential online privacy tool that protects and hides your internet activity. It does this by encrypting the data leaving your device and directing the traffic through a secure server in a location of your choosing.
This lets you appear as if you were accessing online services from that country/place and can unblock censored or restricted content, like TikTok or the US Netflix library. But that's not all. Because your data is encrypted, no one, not even the government, can see what you're doing online.
Can I legally use a VPN in India?
Considering the Indian government does regularly issue bans and restrictions on certain websites and services online, it is a fair question to ask whether the use of a VPN in India is legal. However, unlike other countries where the use of VPN products has been banned—including China, Iraq, and North Korea—VPNs are not illegal in India.
That being said, it has been reported in the past that the police have harassed those using a VPN. Under the Information Technology Act, the government has the right to block websites and specific content, giving the police the power to enter property and search the premise where it is suspected these laws are being violated. It is a good idea, therefore, to avoid using a VPN to access websites blocked by the government.
While specific websites may be banned by law, then, the use of a VPN is not. Though, using one does not automatically mean you're safe from the repercussions of using these restricted websites and services, nor does it exempt you from any other illegal activity you might carry out while connected to one.
What is India's new data retention law?
On April 28, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) announced that—among other directives, like the obligation to report a cyberattack within six hours—virtual private network (VPN) providers will soon be required to retain users' logs for at least five years. Companies will also be forced to hand over this data to authorities upon request.
These include users’ real names, IP addresses assigned to them, usage patterns and other identifying data like the purpose of using such software.
What's more, it's not just VPNs that are the subject of the new data retention law. Virtual private servers (VPS), cloud service providers, data centers and crypto exchanges all have to follow the new directive.
Initially planned to come into force on June 28, the new legislation is about to be enforced on September 25.
Which VPN offers India-based servers?
Many VPN services have taken a stand against India's new data law—expected to come into force on September 25 and now formally withdrawn—that required providers to store sensitive users' data for up to five years. Amid the decision to scrap the new legislation, we can expect new VPN providers to resume their Indian servers.
Below, the status of India-based servers at the time of writing.
ExpressVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN and CyberGhost all decided to shut down their servers in the country and are now offering secure virtual locations. This means that people can still locally browse safely with a secure Indian IP. Also, NordVPN removed its Indian servers to protect its customers' privacy, but it doesn't have any intentions to set up fake locations just yet.
River helps take care of cybersecurity content on TechRadar—ranging from breaking news pieces, reviews, and buying guides.
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:
1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).
2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
