Repeat after me: activate, then cancel. Activate, then cancel. You will sleep better at night and your wallet will not take a hit.
It is a SAFPAPER advice, accompanied by its free VPN 2025 trial guide. The online cybersecurity and confidentiality website has tested more than 30 VPN services to determine the free trials of real and “not only” risk -free “setbacks.
When you buy VPNs, you will find many that offer “free trials”, but not all free trials are in the same way. There are those where you have to pay in advance, then collect your money only if you do not violate the reimbursement clause.
Safpaper has identified the VPNs that offer real free trials, where you can use the service for free (usually 1 to 7 days) before your payment method starts – unless you cancel first, of course.
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“The real free trials are surprisingly rare in the VPN industry,” said Paige West, editor in Safpaper, in a statement. “We wanted to reduce the marketing language and identify services that offer real access without obligation, especially for users who appreciate transparency and cost control.”
It is not that VPNs with real free trials are better than those who offer reimbursements after the end of the trial. “This is a preference question” about the free trial VPN that you want to try, said the expert VPN Cnet Attila Tomaschek.
“A free VPN trial generally lasts only a few days, which gives users limited time to carefully test the service,” said Tomaschek. “A repayment guarantee, while requiring an initial payment, usually lasts around 30 days, which can help users get a much more complete overview of the service over a longer period.”
See also: NordVPN VS
But the buyer is wary, adds Tomaschek: “Although recovering your money from a reputable VPN supplier is generally unconditional and quite simple, it is important for users to read the small characters before making a purchase to guarantee that the VPN company does not require any hidden warnings such as the limits of use which can cancel its refund guarantee.”
Free tests, no payment required
In his report, Safpaper identified eight VPN suppliers with free trials that do not need payment to use the trial. They are listed below, with information on the duration of the tests, with which operating systems with which they work and if payment information is necessary:
- Surfhark (See CNET Review): 7 days; required payment information; All main operating systems
- Cyberghost (See CNET Review): 1-7 days (varies according to the device); partial payment information; Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
- Kaspersky: 7 days (non -American); required payment information; All main operating systems
- X-VPN: 7 days; required payment information; All main operating systems
- Northern (See CNET Review): 3 days; required payment information; Android only
- Hideipvpn: 3 days; No payment information required; All main operating systems
- Hidemy.name: 1 day; No payment information required; All main operating systems
- Wordvpn: 1 day; No payment information required; All main operating systems
Look before you jump
Safpaper added some professional tips to consider when he opts with a free VPN test:
- Cancel immediately after activating the trial. In this way, you will not be billed if you miss the deadline to cancel the subscription. And have most of us made this mistake before?
- You should try two to three different VPN services before making your final decision. Compare speed, support and stability.
- Use alternative email addresses to protect the confidentiality of your main messaging account.
