Proton VPN
Try before you pay: a free plan for one device
- Free plan to start (1 device)
- Up to 10 devices on the Plus plan
- Swiss company, also behind Proton Mail
VPN guide
★ Our pick
Best VPN with Free Trial
Try before you pay: free plans, free trials and money-back guarantees. Proton VPN, Surfshark and NordVPN compared.
Want to try a VPN before committing? Proton VPN offers a permanently free plan for one device. Surfshark has a 7-day free trial (conditions on the official site), and all three offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on paid plans — effectively a risk-free trial period.
Surfshark
Big households: unlimited devices on one account
- Unlimited devices on one account
- 30-day money-back guarantee on the first purchase
- No-logs policy independently assessed (2025 report)
NordVPN
All-round choice: simple apps and up to 10 devices
- Up to 10 devices on one account
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- No-logs policy checked by independent auditors
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Side by side
Best VPN with Free Trial
Facts from each brand's official site, checked 27 Oct 2026. Prices change often: today's price is on the official site.
| Proton VPN | Surfshark | NordVPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days (paid plans) | 30 days (first purchase) | 30 days |
| Devices | 10 on Plus · 1 on the free plan | Unlimited | Up to 10 |
| Free option | Free plan (1 device) | 7-day free trial (conditions on the official site) | No free plan |
| Company base | Switzerland (Proton) | Netherlands (Surfshark B.V.) | Panama (parent company in the Netherlands) |
| Best for | Try before you pay: a free plan for one device | Big households: unlimited devices on one account | All-round choice: simple apps and up to 10 devices |
| Proton VPN | Surfshark | NordVPN |
Tips
Tips
Proton's free plan has no time limit
Unlike trials, Proton VPN's free plan lasts forever on one device with no data cap.
Use the 30-day guarantee as a trial
Sign up for any paid plan. If you're not satisfied within 30 days, request a full refund.
Test on your main device
Use the trial period to test on the device you use most — phone, laptop or both — to see if the speed and app suit you.
Questions
Is Proton VPN's free plan really free?
Yes. One device, no data limit, no time limit. It's funded by paid Proton subscribers.
How do I get a refund within 30 days?
Contact the provider's support before the 30-day window closes. They process refunds according to their terms.
Can I try all three for free?
Start with Proton's free plan, then use the 30-day money-back guarantee on NordVPN or Surfshark to test them risk-free.
Complete your setup