The Best VPNs for India 2024

The government in India requires virtual private networks (VPNs) to keep data logs, so you should be cautious about which one you choose. If you’re interested in using a VPN within Indian borders or just want an Indian IP address, we recommend NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark for your online privacy needs.

We’ve determined that these are the best VPNs for India due to their extensive server networks, availability of virtual server locations in India, fast speeds, and more.

The best VPNs for India 2024

A VPN works by encrypting your traffic so your online activities are hidden. In a country like India that requires VPNs to report on users' activities, it’s important to use a quality product that won’t keep logs. Our choices below are highly rated and offer additional features that are useful when you’re accessing the internet in a highly monitored region of the world, such as India.

• NordVPN: Best for additional tools
• ExpressVPN: Best for an Indian IP address
• Surfshark: Best for bundled security

Top 3 VPN services for India compared

VPN	NordVPN	ExpressVPN	Surfshark
Starting price	$2.99/mo (billed every two years)	$6.25/mo (billed annually)	$1.99/mo (billed every two years)
Free version	No	No	No
Streaming support	Yes — Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, Hulu, Netflix (unofficially), and more	Yes — Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, HBO, Hulu, Netflix, Showtime, Sling TV, and more	Yes — Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, Disney Plus, HBO Max, Hotstar, Hulu, Yle Areena, and more
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review

How we tested the best VPNs for India

We extensively tested these VPNs to make sure they were a good choice to use in India. Here are the features we looked out for:

• High speeds — we made sure each VPN offers high speeds so your browsing isn't interrupted.
• Streaming support — we ensured each VPN could access popular streaming sites such as Netflix so that you can keep watching your shows while using a VPN.
• Money-back guarantees — each of the VPNs we chose offer risk-free money-back guarantees, so you can get a refund if the service isn't right for you.
• Strong security features — all of the VPNs on this list have strong encryption protocols and an automatic kill switch for your safety. Some also offer additional security features such as split tunneling. 
• No-logs policy — we checked that each VPN has a no-logs policy, so your browsing data is never stored.

NordVPN: Best for additional tools

Who it’s best for

Anyone looking for a quality VPN that can be bundled with a password manager and cloud storage. NordVPN, NordPass, and NordLocker are all gathered conveniently in one dashboard. A bundled package also contains NordVPN Threat Protection, which can protect you from malware and viruses.

What we liked

NordVPN has been a trusted name for years, and we like its speed, multiple simultaneous connection options, and its ability to unblock Netflix and other streaming services’ geo-restricted catalogs.

We also appreciate the fact that NordVPN is always adding more servers. As of right now, NordVPN offers 6,800+ servers. For us, that means Nord is proactive about keeping its product updated and relevant. Although it shut down its servers in India, it has plenty of servers in nearby countries so you can keep your connection fast.

We’re also huge fans of Nord’s Meshnet, which is offered for free whether or not you purchase a Nord product. This service allows you to connect to other devices, as if you’re all on the same IP address. We’re sure Netflix doesn’t love it, however, because it’s an easy way to get around the streaming provider’s sharing ban.

What we didn’t like

Nord isn’t the most affordable option when it comes to VPN services. It offers a lot of different plans, including bundled plans, which may be confusing if you’re trying to comparison shop. If you’re looking for a simple VPN without a lot of bells and whistles, there are Nord plans for that, but you might find a less expensive option somewhere else.

NordVPN specs

Price range	$2.99–$17.99/mo
Free version	No
Number of servers	6,800+ servers in 111 countries
Servers in India	No
Number of connected devices	10
VPN protocol	OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, NordLynx (WireGuard)
No-logs policy	No logs
Streaming support	Yes — Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, DAZN, Hulu, Netflix (unofficially)
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review

ExpressVPN: Best for an Indian IP address

Who it’s best for

Anyone who wants to avoid India’s data collection mandates but still needs an Indian IP address. ExpressVPN offers virtual Indian servers located in other countries, as a way to circumvent the data collection laws. This could be the perfect solution for someone who needs privacy and accessibility.

What we liked

ExpressVPN is the only name-brand provider that offers a proprietary router, Aircove, preinstalled with the VPN client. If you’ve ever tried to put a VPN onto a router, you know that it can be very confusing if you aren’t tech-savvy. ExpressVPN eliminates that hassle and allows you to blanket your entire space in protection. This is also useful if you want all of your devices to have an Indian IP address, as ExpressVPN operates virtual Indian servers from other countries.

In addition to Aircove, ExpressVPN includes ad and tracker blockers in its service. Ad blockers aren’t just nice, they can stop potentially malicious programs from installing on your device. Blocking trackers can help keep your browsing habits anonymous as well as reduce the overall spam you receive in your email, texts, and over the phone.

What we didn’t like

If you purchase an Aircove, you’ll still need to purchase a separate ExpressVPN subscription. We’d go with an annual plan, which will save you money in the long run. Saving with ExpressVPN is good because it is one of the priciest VPN options available.

ExpressVPN specs

Price range	$4.99–$12.95/mo
Free version	No
Number of servers	Unlisted in 105 countries
Servers in India	Yes (virtual)
Number of connected devices	8
VPN protocol	Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2
No-logs policy	No logs
Streaming support	Yes — Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, HBO, Hulu, Netflix, Showtime, Sling TV, and more
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

Surfshark: Best for bundled security

Who it’s best for

Anyone who wants antivirus, identity theft protection, and other security tools wrapped into their VPN. Surfshark is blocking cookies, stopping ads, and hiding you from trackers. Add that to antivirus and identity theft protection, and you have a robust security product.

What we liked

We like that Surfshark has options. If you want all of the security features together, you have the option to purchase that bundle. If you want a low-cost, effective VPN option, you can get that too. All of this, plus unlimited device connections, make Surfshark a smart choice.

We also like that Surfshark has a soft and strict option when it comes to its kill switch. A kill switch will sever your internet connection if the VPN connection drops, to make sure your IP address stays private.

Surfshark’s soft kill switch will disconnect you from the internet if there’s a disruption in internet service. In theory, you could reconnect after Surfshark disconnects you, even if the VPN isn’t working. The strict kill switch won’t allow you to connect to the internet at all until the VPN is active. Make sure you know which option you’ve chosen, because this can be very frustrating if you aren’t sure where to go to fix it.

What we didn’t like

Surfshark has been unsuccessful in unblocking Netflix in Canada. While this may not be a huge deal, it could indicate that you may have trouble unblocking other geo-restricted catalogs in the future, as Netflix is always trying to block VPN access. 

Surfshark specs

Price range	$1.99–$17.95/mo
Free version	No
Number of servers	3,200+ servers in 100 countries
Servers in India	Yes (virtual)
Number of connected devices	Unlimited
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
No-logs policy	No logs
Streaming support	Yes — AbemaTV, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, Disney Plus, HBO Max, Hotstar, Hulu, Yle Areena, and more
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review

Honorable mentions

We rounded up the best VPNs available and double-checked that they’re usable in India. Since India’s data laws are malleable, it’s worth getting a VPN early, in case the legality of their use changes. Now is the best time, so if the suggestions above don’t fit your needs, check out our honorable mentions.

• Private Internet Access: PIA has been on the market for over 10 years with complete transparency from its open-source software. With 24/7 customer support and the ability to purchase extra antivirus and a dedicated IP address, PIA has a lot to offer. PIA is also reasonably priced and offers unlimited connections, so you can protect every device for every person in your family.
  
  Get PIA | Read Our PIA Review
• CyberGhost: CyberGhost offers up to 7 simultaneous connections, but since it’s compatible with routers, you can cover all the devices inside your home on one connection. This is great if you want to stream and browse online anonymously without the government spying on you.
  
  Get CyberGhost | Read Our CyberGhost Review

How to choose the best VPN

Not every VPN is good to use for India. There are several important features you need to consider before choosing a VPN service.

• Price — A good VPN shouldn't break the bank. Choose a VPN with prices that match its value, and consider signing up for a longer plan for the best discount.
• No-logs policy — A no-logs policy will ensure that your browsing data is never saved, so your online activities remain private.
• Server network — The best VPNs for India need servers within the country, so you can access local news and streaming sites. Make sure the VPN you pick has servers where you need them.
• Strong security — The internet is not a safe place, but a VPN can make it safer by protecting your browsing data. You should prioritize VPNs with features such as a kill-switch, 256-bit AES encryption, and split tunneling.
• Fast speeds — Using a VPN should not interfere with your online activities. When you're choosing a VPN, make sure it offers fast speeds and optimized servers.

Why should you use a VPN?

The government in India has required that all VPN providers keep logs of user data and release it to the government upon request. Anyone not wanting to be monitored is subject to attacks from hackers, ISP throttling, and security risks when using public Wi-Fi. This puts travelers and citizens in the uncomfortable position of having to choose between privacy and security.

Most VPN servers are no longer located in the country. To protect personal data from the government, top VPN providers are shutting down the physical servers and offering user-friendly virtual servers out of locations like Singapore and the U.K. Some VPN providers are forgoing any Indian servers but still allowing people in the region to use the service.

Best VPNs for India FAQs

Bottom line: The best VPNs for India

The best VPNs for India are strong, secure, and offer plenty of features. Our three top suggestions, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark, tick all those boxes, while our three honorable mentions are also worth checking out.

No matter what, it’s important to use a reliable, strong VPN to avoid the Indian government’s data collection requirements. Everyone deserves to enjoy privacy.

3 best VPNs for India 2024

	Starting price	Best for	Learn more
NordVPN	$2.99/mo (billed every two years)	Best for additional tools	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review
ExpressVPN	$6.25/mo (billed annually)	Best for an Indian IP address	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review
Surfshark	$1.99/mo (billed every two years)	Best for bundled security	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review