The best India VPNs will enable you to unlock geo-restricted content in the subcontinent while securing your connection and blocking tracking by the government, hackers, and your ISP.
In 2022, India’s Computer Emergency Response Team brought in new VPN rules that required providers operating in India to collect a wide range of information on users and to store this for five years. Following this, many companies stopped providing physical servers in India. The good news is you can still reach the country using virtual servers and use international servers while in India.
Following our comprehensive testing methodology, I’ve found, tested, and reviewed the best India VPNs based on criteria such as speed and security, and I’ve highlighted services that can provide an Indian IP address and that offer secure connections outside of the country for people in India.
The Best India VPNs Tested By Our Experts
NordVPN – Best India VPN for Speed
Surfshark – Best India VPN for Unlimited Connections
ExpressVPN – Best VPN India for Security
PureVPN – Best VPN for Indian Virtual Servers
Proton VPN – Best Indian VPN for Unlimited Data
CyberGhost – Best India VPN for Streaming
- Show Full Guide
NordVPN – Best India VPN for Speed
Starting Price | $3.09/month |
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Free Version/Trial | 7-day Android trial |
Key Features | Fast Connections, Advanced Encryption, Web Protection |
Server Network | 6,400+ servers in 111+ countries |
Max Devices | 10 |
Pros
- Offers multi-factor authentication
- Robust 256-bit AES encryption
- 1TB of encrypted cloud storage via virtual servers
- 3 months of free service with every plan
- An extensive fleet of 5,000+ servers
Cons
- User configuration could be easier
Surfshark – Best India VPN with Unlimited Connections
Starting Price | $2.19/month (or ₹180/month) |
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Free Version/Trial | 7-day trial for iOS, Mac, Android |
Key Features | Unlimited Connections, Double VPN, Camouflage Mode |
Server Network | 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries |
Max Devices | Unlimited |
Pros
- An intuitive kill switch
- Available in over 99 countries
- Works on unlimited devices
- Private DNS protection for better security
Cons
- Some customer service complaints
ExpressVPN – Best VPN India for Security
Starting Price | $6.67/month |
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Free Version/Trial | 7-day iOS and Android trial |
Key Features | Proprietary Protocol, Threat Protection, Split Tunneling |
Server Network | 3,000+ servers in 105+ countries |
Max Devices | 8 |
Pros
- One of the fastest VPN services
- Boasts ample positive reviews
- Has one of the best password managers
- A wide knowledge base with blogs and tutorials
- Excellent split tunneling for more control over data
Cons
- No multi-hop connections
PureVPN – Best VPN with Indian Virtual Servers
Starting Price | $2.14/month |
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Free Version/Trial | 7-day trial |
Key Features | P2P Optimization, Geo Unblocking, Server Network |
Server Network | 6,500+ servers in 65+ countries |
Max Devices | 10 |
Pros
- Great pricing
- Cheap add-ons
- Intuitive interface
- Reliable kill switch
- Futureproof 20Gbps servers
- Among the top VPNs for adult content
Cons
- Fewer features for Mac users
Proton VPN – Best Free India VPN with Unlimited Data
Starting Price | $3.59/month |
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Free Version/Trial | Free plan |
Key Features | Free Plan, Double VPN, Large Server Network |
Server Network | 6,500+ servers in 112 countries |
Max Devices | 10 |
Pros
- Comes with an ad blocker
- Ideal for online streaming
- New encryption key protects every session
- Data protected by Swiss privacy laws
Cons
- Limited customer support
CyberGhost – Best VPN in India for Streaming
Starting Price | $2.19/month (or ₹175/month) |
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Free Version/Trial | 24-hour trial for Windows and macOS, 3 days for Android, 7 days for iOS |
Key Features | Gaming and Streaming Optimization, Audited Security, Support |
Server Network | 11,700+ servers in 100+ countries |
Max Devices | 7 |
Pros
- Comes with an online ad blocker
- Doesn’t retain any customer data
- Available in over 110 countries
- Uses bank-grade 256-bit AES protection
Cons
- Privacy policy needs more clarity
IvacyVPN – Best Cheap VPN for India
Starting Price | $1.17/month |
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Free Version/Trial | 7-day trial for $0.99 |
Key Features | Split Tunneling, Performance Optimization, Affordable Price |
Server Network | 5,700+ servers in 70+ countries |
Max Devices | 10 |
Pros
- DNS and IPv6 leak protection
- Diverse and numerous server locations
- Reliable customer support
- Affordable
Cons
- The interface could look better
How We Review and Test VPN Services
20 VPNS TESTED
25 DATA POINTS MEASURED
300+ HOURS TESTING
500+ USER REVIEWS READ
To provide our readers with accurate and well informed recommendations, we tested 20 leading VPN services to find the best in the market. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:
- Security Features: We made sure that the provider uses standard security features and a secure tunneling protocol.
- Privacy Policies: We looked for VPNs that come with a no-logs policy, and verify the extend to which user privacy is upheld.
- Speed: We run speed tests three times a day and draw an average of the result to see how much of the original broadband speed is retained.
- Compatibility: We ensure the VPN provider offers multiple simultaneous connections and is compatible with the most popular operating systems.
- Geo-unblocking: We test whether the VPN service can unlock different libraries (content available in different countries) on the most popular streaming platforms.
- Customer Experience: When researching products and services, we read real user experiences and test out their customer support channels ourselves.
- Price and Value for Money: We set out to recommend reasonably priced products that offer value for money.
How Does a India VPN Work?
This server acts as a filter for your data, turning it into a code that makes it difficult for anyone to track your activities or steal your information. The VPN server also masks your Indian IP address.
This makes it appear that your internet activity is coming from the VPN server instead of your device to protect you from being monitored by the Indian government, your ISP, hackers, and others while you surf the web. The best VPN services allow you to access the internet either via an Indian VPN server or servers located in other countries.
Why Do I Need a VPN in India?
One in five people use a VPN in India, and it’s a key service for ensuring you can use the internet securely and remotely. Here are a few reasons you absolutely need a VPN while browsing the internet:
- Access Politically Sensitive Material – The Indian government limits access to websites that advocate against or have anti-government or separatist information. If you want to access these websites, you’ll need to use a VPN. However, it’s important to note that accessing this content may be illegal.
- Access Geo-Blocked Content – If you wish to access content from other countries, like UK, US, and more, a reliable VPN will help you to bypass the geo-blocks. So you can enjoy streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or BBC iPlayer.
- Protect Your Online Privacy – VPNs core purpose is to enhance user online security by encrypting their online traffic. A VPN will hide your IP address and keep your location and identity private, protecting you against cybercrime and government monitoring.
See our guide to the best VPNs for travel for more tips and recommendations.
India’s VPN Data Law and Restrictions
The law states that all VPN providers operating in India need to keep logs of user identifying features, including:
- User name,
- Real physical IP address,
- User online activities and use patterns.
If the virtual private network service does not comply with the issued law, they might potentially face imprisonment for up to a year.
For this reason, numerous VPN companies eliminated their physical Indian servers, switching them to a virtual one. This is a very smart move as a virtual server still can provide an Indian IP address. However, since there is no hardware on the Indian soil, the provider is not forced to comply to local laws.
Is VPN Use Legal in India?
However, the Indian government has issued a VPN related law in 2022 stating that VPN providers need to collect and store all users-related data. And since the main purpose of a VPN is to improve online security, many VPN services have pulled out their physical servers from the country.
However, while netzines can purchase VPN apps in the country, they might face an issue of specific providers not allowing to complete purchases from India. Alternatively, there was a case where the Indian government has blocked users from accessing Google Play store and downloading the apps altogether.
How to Get an Indian IP Address
Surfshark is one of the best VPNs for India and is free to use for a trial, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Let’s get into how you can get an Indian IP address:
- Step 1 – Go to the SurfsharkVPN site and choose your preferred subscription plan.
- Step 2 – Create an account and download the app on your device (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, etc.).
- Step 3 – Install and launch the Surfshark app.
- Step 4 – Select an Indian server from the list of available countries.
Now, simply log into a streaming platform like Hulu or YouTube and start watching TV shows and movies in India or abroad.
Are Free India VPNs safe?
However, Proton VPN offers the same level of security on its free plan as on its premium plans, while Surfshark boasts a risk-free money-back guarantee that acts as a free trial.
If you’re considering a free VPN, it’s important to choose a reputable provider like Proton VPN that takes your privacy and security seriously.
Best Free VPN in India – Free Vs. Paid VPNs
Plus, it’s fast enough for seamless streaming, with an average speed of 66Mbps. While the free version of Proton VPN may not be able to unblock all geo-restricted content, like some region-locked Netflix titles, it does offer unlimited data and bandwidth, making it a good choice for bypassing content-based ISP throttling.
If you only need a VPN for occasional use, such as checking your email on public Wi-Fi, a free VPN like PrivadoVPN or Proton VPN might work for you.
However, a paid VPN would be a better choice if you want more robust security features, better streaming performance, additional features, and more flexibility.
What are the Downsides of Using a India VPN?
Using a VPN from a recommended provider is a great way to protect your privacy and security while using the internet and to bypass geo-restrictions and bandwidth throttling. On balance, there are some downsides to using a VPN, however.
And while it will be far harder for governments, advertisers, ISPs, and malicious actors to track you when using a VPN, if you log into services or post information or files, then there will inevitably be some tracks left behind, even if your IP is obfuscated.
FAQs
What VPN is best for Indian content?
Which VPN is best in India?
What’s the best free VPN for Indian users?
Can police trace a VPN in India?
What free VPN works with Netflix India?
What’s the best VPN for PUBG in India?
Is it legal to use a VPN in India?
Which VPN still works in India?
References
- Surfshark server infrastructure undergoes an independent audit (Surfshark)
- SHA-512 Hashing Algorithm Overview (Komodo)
- The state of surveillance in India: National security at the cost of privacy? (ORFOnline)
- WireGuard (WireGuard)
- NordVPN survey reveals: Users still trust free VPNs (NordVPN)
- Here’s what happened when India banned TikTok (PBS)