Looking for the best India VPN? We decided to take a deep dive in search of the best VPN providers. We looked at all of the key issues from a no-logs policy and customer support right up to how they perform with the latest streaming services (from Amazon Prime Video to Disney Plus Hotstar).
We also took into account the features that you’re likely to care about including the number of servers, connection speeds, simultaneous connections, and that all-important Indian IP address.
Here is what our experts found.
In a hurry? If you want the best VPN for privacy, security, or speed, here are our editor’s picks for the best VPNs overall — each with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Click through now to get our best discount on your subscription:
- ExpressVPN: A global leader among VPNs, ExpressVPN offers one-click ease with high speed servers in 105 countries — and it also unblocks Netflix. Get 3 months free when you purchase a 12-month subscription.
- NordVPN: Compatible with many streaming services, featuring malware prevention and ad blocking. Get up to 68% off + 3 free months with NordVPN’s Back to School special when you choose a 2-year plan with our special offer.
- Surfshark: Award-winning VPN for unlimited devices, featuring worldwide connections with 10 GBit servers in 100 countries. Get up to 86% off your Surfshark 2-year subscription price.
Contents
A Quick Guide to Choosing a VPN For India
When it comes to choosing a VPN for India there are several things to consider.
Server Network
First off, you should ensure that your VPN of choice has a wide selection of servers around the world. You want to ensure that your VPN provider has several servers in India and neighboring countries (for example, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan) to ensure fast connection speeds and low ping rates.
No-Logs Policy
Secondly, you should ensure that the VPN provider that you choose has a no-logs policy. This is important if you want to be sure that your data doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
Free VPNs
One caveat to mention is that while it may be tempting to just hop on the app store and search for a “free India VPN”, we strongly advise against it simply because many of these applications will take your information and sell it to third parties. Alternatively, some may be outright malware that can harm your device. Always make sure that you choose a trusted provider like the ones recommended below.
The Best VPN Services for India in 2023
Here is a look at the best VPN services offered in India:
1. ExpressVPN
| Rank: | 1 | Max devices: | 8 |
| Servers: | 3000+ | 24/7 support: | ✅ |
| Speed: | 87 Mbps | Free trial: | ❌ |
| Countries: | 105 | Money-back guarantee: | ✅ |
| Encryption Type: | AES-256 | Apps & devices: | Win, Mac, Android, iOS, Router, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Xbox |
| Jurisdiction: | British Virgin Islands (BVI) | ||
Best & Worst:
- Servers in 105 countries around the world (including India)
- No free trial available
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| High-speed servers in 105 countries | Limited port forwarding |
| Unblocks Netflix, great for P2P and gaming | No dedicated IP options |
| Rock-solid security and privacy | |
| Works with iOS (iPhone & iPad), Android, Windows, Mac, browser extensions, and more | |
| Supports split tunneling |
ExpressVPN tops our list due to its absolute commitment to protect your privacy. While they do keep logs on server choice, date, and total amount of data used, that’s as far as it goes. There are no user logs or personal data history; nothing that ties to any individual user.
This means your privacy is never compromised.
For starters, ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, this company is not required to record or share data. It also means they’re well out of the jurisdiction of the Indian authorities.
And when it comes to encryption, you’re well protected.
ExpressVPN also uses 256-bit AES protection. This means you’re always secure, even when on public Wi-Fi. On top of this, Express VPN also offers over 3,000 VPN servers worldwide, in 160 server locations across 105 countries.
They also offer virtual servers across India, particularly in Chennai and Mumbai, which is great for viewing local content such as Amazon Prime Video or Disney+ Hotstar when traveling abroad. While not the cheapest on the market, the company offers reasonable pricing and a risk-free money-back guarantee.
They also offer apps for macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. ExpressVPN is a product that allows for secure and reliable service.
One possible negative point is that the company does not offer the option for getting a dedicated IP.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
2. NordVPN
| Rank: | 2 | Max devices: | 6 |
| Servers: | 5000+ | 24/7 support: | ✅ |
| Speed: | 88.1 Mbps | Free trial: | ❌ |
| Countries: | 50+ | Money-back guarantee: | ✅ |
| Encryption Type: | AES 256, OpenVPN | Apps & devices: | Win, Mac, Android, iOS, Android TV |
| Jurisdiction: | Panama | ||
Best & Worst:
- 24/7 support
- Only supports 6 simultaneous connections
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Compatibility with many streaming services | Only 60 countries |
| Fast NordLynx VPN protocol | Only six simultaneous connections |
| Dedicated IP option | |
| Multihop and Split tunneling support |
NordVPN keeps no usage logs or browsing history. This means that they don’t track what sites you visit or how often you use your VPN.
Both points are vital to anonymity.
How is NordVPN able to guarantee no user logs are stored?
They’re based in Panama, which means they’re not subject to data retention laws. This service also uses 256-bit AES encryption, and users can connect via a DNS proxy. This means that when it comes to privacy, NordVPN can deliver.
Another feature of NordVPN is a double VPN or multihop VPN, which uses two servers to route your data. This is great for ensuring enhanced security.
The goal of this functionality is to stop surveillance.The Indian government ordered all VPNs within the country to collect and store users’ data. Therefore, NordVPN no longer has any Indian servers.
However, they have servers in neighboring countries like Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. NordVPN has RAM-only servers in these nations, which are faster and more secure than virtual servers.
NordVPN also includes:
- Anti-DDoS servers so you never need to worry about service interruption.
- Cryptocurrency payment options for increased anonymity.
- Fast speeds in India – perfect for HD streaming.
- Servers dedicated to torrenting, streaming, P2P network sharing, and more.
- Apps for macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux are all included in one subscription.
NordVPN is a great choice for accessing content on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and more. With over 5500 servers worldwide, NordVPN has servers designed for use in India. So what’s the downside? NordVPN does not offer a free trial. And while they do offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, the lack of a trial could put some users off.
3. Surfshark
| Rank: | 3 | Max devices: | Unlimited |
| Servers: | 3200+ | 24/7 support: | ✅ |
| Speed: | 84.3 Mbps | Free trial: | ❌ |
| Countries: | 100+ | Money-back guarantee: | ✅ |
| Encryption Type: | AES-256, OpenVPN | Apps & devices: | Win, Mac, Android, iOS, Android TV |
| Jurisdiction: | Netherlands | ||
Best & Worst:
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- No dedicated IP
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Unlimited devices | Not all features are available on all platforms |
| 24/7 customer support | No dedicated IP |
| Private DNS and leak protection | |
| Fast connection speeds |
Surfshark is used by many Internet users who want guaranteed security. They have a strict policy around not keeping usage logs, which is ideal. Surfshark has its headquarters in the Netherlands.
They also use 256-bit AES encryption. But they go a few steps further with DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection. Surfshark also offers a kill switch on their apps. The kill switch activates in the case where your VPN connection drops. It turns off your internet connection, hiding your IP address to protect your location and personal data.
Surfshark also has a heavy-duty unblocking component for countries with internet restrictions such as India, automatic ad-blocking and malware scanning, exceptional chat support offered 24/7, as well as apps for MacOS, iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. They have the option to configure the VPN for secure use with a router, cryptocurrency payment plans for better privacy, and a 30-day money-back guarantee that makes it risk-free.
Surfshark has over 3,200 server locations in more than 60 countries around the world including several virtual Indian servers located in Singapore, the Netherlands, and London. They support Wireguard – a VPN protocol that aims to give security without compromising on speed.
Compared to the other two VPNs mentioned above, Surfshark is a newer brand and not nearly as flashy as providers like NordVPN or ExpressVPN. On the market for a few years now, the company puts focus on privacy and security features. With its additional security features, especially the kill switch, it’s got far more to offer than the other two brands.
And, with its unblocking capabilities and high security, Surfshark is a win. Add to that their 30-day money-back guarantee, and this VPN for India suits users.
Read our full Surfshark VPN review
Why Use a VPN For India?
There are many reasons why you might want to use a VPN if you’re visiting or living in India and we will discuss them in detail in this section.
But first, we should outline what exactly a VPN is. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your connection and sends it through a server, usually in another location. This makes it difficult for you to be tracked online and protects your online privacy from anyone who may wish to snoop on your online activities.
In terms of India though, there are other reasons why you might want to use a VPN. For instance, the country has banned a large number of websites for reasons ranging from adult material such as pornography, to geopolitical reasons (such as poor relations with neighboring China). The government has a numerous list of websites that simply can’t be accessed from inside India without the use of a VPN.
Meanwhile, the Indian government also introduced legislation in 2022 that forced VPN providers to keep logs of user data in case they were needed by law enforcement. The directive issued by India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITy) requires VPN service providers to keep logs of user data for up to five years. Many providers, including CyberGhost, Proton VPN, and IPVanish removed their physical servers from India and replaced them with virtual servers hosted outside the country.
What to Look For
It can be difficult to select a VPN provider for India as there are many things to look out for including the following:
- Virtual servers: Many providers now use virtual servers for India to avoid the new data retention directives
- Server network: You should ensure that your provider has a wide range of Indian servers to maintain decent speeds and to allow you to watch Indian streaming platforms with an Indian IP address if required.
- A no-logs policy: This is one of the most important privacy features, so that not even the VPN provider themselves knows about your activity online.
What to Avoid
If you want to protect yourself from hackers (or your ISP) then we highly suggest you choose ExpressVPN (our top VPN) as they offer a user-friendly experience along with other functionalities such as DNS leak protection tools, Chrome extensions and they support simultaneous connections, so that you can secure more than one device at once.
How to Get Started Using a VPN for India
As mentioned above, ExpressVPN is without a doubt our top pick when it comes to choosing a VPN for use in India. Here is a step-by-step guide on using ExpressVPN:
- Go to the ExpressVPN website and click on the “Get ExpressVPN” button.
2. Choose a subscription plan and enter your email address.
3. Select a payment method and enter your payment details.
4. After completing the payment, you will receive an email with a link to download the ExpressVPN app.
5. Click on the link in the email to download the app.
6. Once the download is complete, run the installer by double-clicking on the downloaded file.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the app.
8. After the installation is complete, launch the ExpressVPN app.
9. Enter your activation code, which can be found in your account dashboard on the ExpressVPN website.
10. Click on the “Sign In” button to log in to the app.
11. Choose a server location and click on the “Connect” button to connect to the VPN.
Our Methodology
We personally try out each VPN for our reviews. We evaluate speed, security features, ability to unblock streaming services, support for torrenting, customer support, and many other factors. We also look at the VPN company’s jurisdiction, history, past security incidents, privacy policy, and audit reports to ensure that you get a complete picture of the service. Learn more about how we test VPNs on our methodology page.
Wrapping Up
Let’s be honest, if you’re traveling or living in India then a VPN service is pretty much vital for your comfort and security. We’ve given you the facts on three of the VPN best services available for users in India: ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark.
We have weighed up the pros and cons of each and we must say that ExpressVPN is a clear winner in this case. We love its speed and unlimited bandwidth, it’s perfect for streaming, torrenting, and any other online activities you’re into. And you know that with ExpressVPN, your IP address is always protected, so you’re free to surf as you like. It offers excellent security and is worth every penny.
FAQs
Which is the best VPN to use in India?
According to our experts, the best VPN provider for use in the specific case of India is ExpressVPN. The service is user-friendly, easy to set up, and offers a range of high-speed servers with Indian IP addresses alongside privacy. ExpressVPN is a solid VPN all round and this is why we believe it is the best choice for use in India.
Which VPN is free and best for India?
As mentioned earlier in the review, we don’t recommend that you use “free” VPN providers as they are often selling your data or outright malware operations. Instead, we recommend that you choose a paid service such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or Surfshark for your India VPN needs. Many of these providers offer lengthy money-back guarantees so you don’t need to worry about paying for a service that you don’t like.
How can I get an Indian VPN in the USA?
You certainly can get an Indian IP address in the USA. All three of our recommended providers offer Indian IP addresses to customers around the world including in the land of Hulu, in case you feel like catching up on the latest geo-restricted TV series and movies from India.
