Between growing internet censorship in India and occasional arrests of Indian internet users for their online activities, it’s no wonder VPN use is increasing in the country. Whether you live in India or you’re just visiting, a VPN addresses both problems. It lets you spoof your location and bypass content blocking while encrypting your data – so you can enjoy more private browsing.
The VPN market moves fast which is why we’ve recently re-rested all of the major VPN players. In this hands-on testing, we run countless speed tests, examine privacy policies, stress-test kill switches, and more to produce the most accurate and fair ranking of today's best VPNs.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll first find an in-depth analysis of each India VPN, comparing how they stack up when it comes to speed, security, features, and more. Ultimately, you’ll find out why each India VPN made the cut and which VPN best suits your needs.
5 best VPNs: at a glance
The best India VPNs for 2024:
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Recent updates
Following our most recent round of VPN tests, NordVPN has shot to the #1 spot overall. I've adjusted the page rankings to reflect the results and made it easier for you to navigate around the article, too.
The best VPN overall
NordVPN has proven to be consistently strong in all areas and this makes it our best India VPN – as well as the best VPN overall. Not only is it one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, it’s packed with intriguing extra features while managing to keep its subscriptions at almost half the price of ExpressVPN.
There’s no shortage of server locations with NordVPN. Indeed, its network covers 111 countries including virtual locations in India. Add to this NordVPN’s ability to bypass even the toughest of content restrictions, and you’ve got a highly capable VPN for every situation.
Features
You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to features with NordVPN. While the base subscription tier includes Threat Protection, which provides basic protection from ads and malicious domains, the higher tiers include Threat Protection Pro, adding advanced features such as malware scanning.
All plans above Basic include NordPass, NordVPN’s excellent cross-platform password manager. Having had plenty of time to try it out for ourselves, we consider it the best password manager overall.
Regardless of the NordVPN plan you choose, you’ll gain access to its full network of 6,000 servers in 111 countries – more than ExpressVPN and Surfshark. Specialty servers are available, too, and these include Double VPN servers for an extra layer of encryption.
Read more about NordVPN's features, app support, streaming, security and speed ▼
App support
You can use NordVPN on almost any device thanks to its native, easy-to-use apps. There's even an Apple TV app – which isn't something that every VPN offers. NordVPN does have a command-line app for Linux, too, but it would be nice to see it introduce a GUI app like Surfshark and Private Internet Access. If you only need to secure browser traffic, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browser extensions are available.
The automatic setup wizard makes getting started straightforward. Once you have NordVPN installed, you can connect to the best available server with a single click. Having said this, NordVPN’s map view is a little clunky and newcomers may be intimidated by the many features littering the menu. Overall, the apps aren’t as streamlined as ExpressVPN or Surfshark.
NordVPN lets you connect up to 10 devices simultaneously but manually configuring a connection with a router lets you bypass this limit.
Privacy and security
A VPN doesn’t become as popular as NordVPN without taking security seriously. This is evidenced by NordVPN’s use of robust 256-bit AES encryption to prevent third parties from intercepting your traffic. It also protects you from DNS and IP leaks, as evidenced by our own leak tests, which NordVPN passed with flying colors.
Also included as part of NordVPN’s security setup is a kill switch. Available via its desktop and mobile apps, this effectively cut traffic when we attempted to disrupt the VPN connection. Not only does NordVPN operate a no-logs policy, it has been independently audited on multiple occasions, most recently by Deloitte in January 2024.
Streaming, unblocking, and speed
NordVPN is a popular choice for streamers. Indeed it’s today's best VPN for streaming. One big reason for this is its highly consistent unblocking power. You can securely access popular streaming platforms like Netflix (multiple libraries including the US and UK), Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. If you travel outside of India, you’ll also be able to unblock Hotstar.
As one of the quickest VPNs on the market, NordVPN can handle whatever you’ve got to throw at it. In our latest speed tests, it maxed out our testing line at 950 Mbps on the WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol. This means that it’s more than capable of handling 4K streaming, fast-paced online multiplayer games, and heavy P2P downloads. You shouldn’t notice any downgrade in performance when you switch it on – particularly if you connect to servers closer to home.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A fun design that can be a little busy for some people | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Everything is easy to find, but the map interface can be off-putting, and there isn't much attention to detail | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | The fastest VPN in our latest round of tests | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Perfect for Netflix and other streaming sites | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Every bit as strong as ExpressVPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Friendly, supportive and professional | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Fantastic value for money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best VPN for beginners
ExpressVPN makes using a VPN simple. Its apps are intuitive, even for total VPN newbies, and packed with robust privacy-enhancing tools that don’t take a cybersecurity degree to use.
With ExpressVPN, you’ll have access to servers spread across 105 countries – including India. 3,000 total servers also mean that there’s always going to be a nearby connection point to take advantage of for a super-speedy browsing experience. Add the lightweight Lightway protocol into the mix, and you have a VPN that can keep up with today’s quickest services.
Features
ExpressVPN ticks all the basics, but its offering isn’t quite as generous as some rival services. For example, you won’t find any specialty servers as with NordVPN, or an antivirus as with Surfshark. However, all of ExpressVPN’s features are available for everyone, because it doesn’t carve up its offering into multiple subscription tiers.
What ExpressVPN does offer is a highly impressive ad blocker. With a 90% success rate, it performed better than rival VPN ad blockers in our testing. You’ll also get access to the handy ExpressVPN Keys password manager that uses the same zero-trust encryption as the VPN, and has even been independently audited, to keep your logins safe.
Read more about ExpressVPN's features, app support, streaming, security and speed ▼
App support
ExpressVPN’s apps are simple and straightforward – and there’s no clutter to slow you down. Getting set up is easy, too, and the auto-connect feature ensures that you’re protected the moment you boot up your device.
Apps are available for all major operating systems – and there’s even support for Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV. Currently, Linux users only have access to a CLI-app, but the good news is that a GUI is in the works.
Privacy and security
Although certainly a solid all-rounder, ExpressVPN’s biggest strength is security. In fact, we rate it as today’s most secure VPN. When you consider its extensive history of audits (which cover its apps, privacy policy, and proprietary protocol), it’s clear that ExpressVPN places great importance on transparency and trust.
Of course, ExpressVPN’s apps are packed with security features too, be it industry-standard 256-bit AES encryption, a reliable kill switch, or protection from DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks.
Streaming, unblocking, and speed
ExpressVPN generally has no trouble unblocking all of today’s most popular platforms, but we found that Surfshark was more reliable overall in our tests. Still, ExpressVPN is a great pick for folks in India (or traveling there) who want to check out content from around the globe in just a few clicks.
ExpressVPN speeds took a huge step forward in our latest round of testing, narrowing the (already thin) gap between Surfshark, NordVPN, and Proton VPN. It clocked in with top speeds of 898 Mbps, thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol, which is impressive. NordVPN and Surfshark have it beat, at 950 Mbps, but ExpressVPN is still more than quick enough to enjoy HD streaming and live sports without hiccups.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A clean and simple design that gives you everything you need, exactly when you need it | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Intuitive apps with auto-connect functionality make life easier | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Fast enough for anything you could throw at it, but slower than NordVPN and Surfshark | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Effortlessly gives you access to content around the world | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Express offers military-grade protection for total peace of mind | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Always available, friendly, and helpful | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | More expensive than leading competitors | ⭐⭐⭐ |
The best cheap VPN service
Surfshark packs a ton of features into its plans – making a long-term subscription particularly good value to anyone on the hunt for a bargain. It’s an awesome VPN for Netflix, and can even be considered a robust security suite when you consider its antivirus, ad blocker, and many other security features.
It’s also worth noting that Surfshark is currently the quickest VPN on the block. So, if you need a provider that can keep up with data-intensive tasks like HD streaming, online gaming, and torrenting, Surfshark could be your perfect match.
Features
Of its more than 3,000 servers in 100 countries, some 50 are located in India. This is significantly more than most VPNs – and the fact that they’re located in both Delhi and Mumbai means you can pick the server nearest to your location to keep your connection as speedy as possible.
Surfshark is also one of a handful of providers to offer unlimited simultaneous connections, allowing you to share your VPN protection with friends, family, and all of the gadgets in your house. It’s just one more reason why Surfshark is today’s best cheap VPN.
There’s no shortage of security features either. With the base plan, you’ll have access to Surfshark’s ad blocker, but it’s the Surfshark One plan that really opens things up with data breach alerts, a private search tool, and antivirus protection. The Surfshark One+ plan takes things a step further by offering access to – Incogni, Surfshark’s stellar data removal service.
Read more about Surfshark's features, app support, streaming, security and speed ▼
App support
Surfshark is compatible with just about every device out there – and its apps work like a charm. Aside from the usual desktop and mobile options, you can find Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV apps, as well as Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser extensions and a handy GUI app for Linux.
A big quick-connect button makes connecting to a server nice and easy, which is what we like to see, although ExpressVPN’s UI is still sleeker. Still, Surfshark is a solid VPN for beginners that won’t overwhelm with techy clutter.
Privacy and security
Surfshark’s security starts with a high level of encryption (256-bit AES or ChaCha20, depending on the VPN protocol you use). DNS leak protection ensures your ISP can’t snoop on your browsing activity either, while a kill switch, recently improved on Windows thanks to an update, is available in all apps. If that’s not enough, Surfshark’s MultiHop servers route traffic via two locations to give your browsing sessions an extra layer of protection.
The no-logs policy is backed up by a 2024 audit from Deloitte. We put Surfshark’s malware blocking to the test ourselves, too, and found that it only blocked 34% of malware sites. It fared far better with phishing sites however, blocking 94% – more than any other provider. So, a slightly mixed bag, but some protection is better than none.
Streaming, unblocking, and speed
Whether you’re checking out Indian shows or unblocking new content from overseas, Surfshark makes it a piece of cake. It unblocked every streaming platform we threw at it – from larger services such as Netflix to smaller ones like ITVX.
Surfshark doesn’t have streaming-optimized servers, however, but the good news is that all of its servers can bypass geo-blocks that’d otherwise keep you from checking out certain platforms and sites.
Surfshark continues to top our list of the quickest VPNs. It’s little wonder when it achieved speeds of 950 Mbps via the WireGuard protocol, equalling the likes of NordVPN and Proton VPN. If you’re a streamer or avid torrenter, you won’t find a VPN that performs better.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Easy to use and elegant | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Connecting only takes a few clicks—ideal for newbiesideal for newbe | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | One of the fastest providers we tested | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks virtually everything you'll need | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Not a comprehensive antivirus or ad-blocking solution, and some kill switch ossues | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Browsing support articles isn't as intuitive as I'd like | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Real value for money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best VPN for Linux
Private Internet Access (PIA) may have dropped out of our overall top five, but it’s still a solid choice for folks in India thanks to its advanced toolkit and customizability. Servers in more than 90 countries (including India) and unlimited simultaneous connections make it one of the best value VPNs on the market, too.
In fact, PIA’s pricing only gets more competitive the longer you subscribe. If privacy is your main priority, it’s well worth checking out one of PIA’s multi-year plans.
Features
Private Internet Access has one of the largest server networks of any VPN. Although it no longer publishes its server count, it previously exceeded a whopping 10,000 servers and currently covers over 90 countries, including India.
Although PIA doesn’t offer the password manager of NordVPN or the antivirus of Surfshark that’s not to say it doesn’t have intriguing features of its own – with MACE being the standout. It’s PIA’s built-in ad, tracker, and malware blocker, and it stopped 81% percent of ads in their tracks in our latest tests. That’s not bad but ExpressVPN (90%), NordVPN, and Surfshark (84%) were better.
Read more about PIA's features, app support, streaming, security and speed ▼
App support
PIA’s interface is clean and user-friendly, though it lacks some of the artier design elements of ExpressVPN. Still, you can pick up a PIA app for all major platforms, and connect to a server in a blink with a handy quick-connect button.
Expand the view on the PIA home screen and you’ll uncover a wealth of extra settings – which will excite advanced users who want to tailor their VPN experience down to the last detail. Better yet, all of these options can be dragged and dropped into place in your preferred order. However, if you’re just looking to quickly connect and unblock your favorite Indian streaming service, all of these options might seem like overkill.
Privacy and security
Privacy and security are PIA’s bread and butter, and a huge part of why PIA has carved out a reputation as a battle-tested service that puts user security front and center. Upon connecting to a server, all of your traffic is routed through a 256-bit AES encrypted tunnel which is essentially impenetrable. A kill switch is included in all apps and this worked exactly as it should in testing, halting internet traffic when the VPN connection was cut.
PIA operates a strict no-logs policy, too, which ensures that nobody is taking a peek at your personal data. This no-logs policy has been independently audited by Deloitte, not once but twice, with one audit as recent as April 2024. The fact that PIA’s apps are also open-source shows that this VPN provider has nothing to hide.
Streaming, unblocking, and speed
Whether you want to watch Indian TV channels and streaming services or international streaming platforms such as Netflix, PIA is a solid choice. It unblocked everything we threw at it, be it Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, or 9Now, and usually did so at the first time of asking. Notably, this is an awesome torrenting VPN, too, with plenty of specially optimized servers and the option of port forwarding.
Unfortunately, PIA can’t quite keep up with the likes of Surfshark and NordVPN – but that doesn’t make it a sluggish service. It clocked in at 436 Mbps during our testing, which doesn’t top our charts, but is still more than you need to enjoy HD and 4K content without worrying about buffering interruptions.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Lots of customization, but could do with some attention to detail | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Not the best for beginners, but great for advanced users | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Good speeds, but generally average compared to industry leaders | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Dedicated streaming servers and an enormous global network help you unblock anything and everything | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | The latest and greatest in VPN tech, and a proven no-logging policy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | A mass of knowledge online and expert support on-hand at all times | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Budget-friendly and offering plenty of value for money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best VPN for small businesses
Proton VPN has long stood out for its strong commitment to privacy, as evidenced by its independently audited no-logs policy. It even lets you pay anonymously in cash. The cherry on top of the security cake is the fact that all Proton VPN apps are open source – meaning anyone can inspect the code.
It’s great to see that Proton VPN has a generous server presence in India, too. There are 30 servers in Mumbai – way more than most rival VPNs - and intriguing extras to check out (like the Secure Core servers that give your privacy an extra boost).
Features
Proton VPN now operates one of the largest server networks of any VPN. Consisting of over 8,500 servers in 112 countries, you’ll have no problem finding a server to connect to in order to unblock a specific streaming platform, site, or news outlet. The world is basically your (digital) oyster.
This Switzerland-based provider has a number of other security-enhancing extras including Tor over VPN for accessing the Tor network via Proton VPN servers. Proton VPN’s Net-Shield Ad-blocker blocks pesky pop-ups, trackers, and malware. With a 79% success rate in our testing, the ad blocker didn’t perform quite as well as NordVPN and Surfshark (both 84%).
Read more about Proton VPN's features, app support, streaming, security and speed ▼
App support
Proton VPN is compatible with every major platform, including Windows, Android, MacOS, iOS, and Linux. Unlike NordVPN and ExpressVPN, however, Proton VPN offers a GUI app for Linux. All Proton VPN apps are quick and easy to set up and, once installed, you’ll have the choice of selecting a server from a list or a map. The map view is handily tucked away so it’s only there if and when you actually need it.
A Proton VPN subscription allows you to connect up to 10 devices at once. This is on par with NordVPN and more than ExpressVPN, but the likes of Surfshark and PIA both offer unlimited simultaneous connections. If 10 simultaneous connections aren’t enough to cover all of your gadgets, you can always configure Proton VPN with a compatible router to remove the cap altogether.
Privacy and security
Proton VPN gives you the choice of using WireGuard, OpenVPN, or its very own Stealth protocol. Both WireGuard and OpenVPN are considered highly secure VPN protocol, and. Stealth disguises VPN traffic as regular web traffic, which is great news for anyone struggling with VPN bans or laws that prohibit the use of VPNs entirely.
Plus, Proton VPN doesn’t even keep connection logs - a rarity amongst today’s services. The thorough no-logs policy has been independently audited as recently as July 2024. Notably, you can see the full audit results without having to sign up, which is a handy perk.
Streaming, unblocking, and speed
Despite such a heavy focus on privacy, Proton VPN doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to unblocking. Having tested its servers against a wide range of geo-restricted streaming platforms, it performed admirably. It worked with numerous Netflix regions, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and 10 Play, all of which were accessed at the first time of asking.
With speeds capping at 950 Mbps when using the WireGuard protocol, Proton VPN still ranks among the very fastest VPNs. However, we noticed a dip in its performance when using OpenVPN. While it previously registered speeds of 400 Mbps, it only managed 220 this time, some way off the 460 Mbps of our fastest VPN, Surfshark. Either way, it can handle 4K streaming and online gaming without a hitch.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | If you like dark mode, you'll love this interface | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Fairly easy on mobile, but a bit more complex on desktop | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Decent speeds, but there's a risk of congestion on free servers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Limits unblocking to premium services but otherwise fantastic | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Strong encryption and plenty of security add-ons available | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Agents can be hard to get ahold of, but there's a lot of very technical support available | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Moderately expensive premium plans, but a great free plan | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
How I test India VPNs
Testing each India VPN starts with visiting each provider’s website and exploring exactly what they have to offer. I look at their feature lists, available apps, pricing, and even their privacy policies to gather as much pertinent information as possible about each service. Even signup and setup processes are taken into consideration, assessing overall user-friendliness.
Once inside the apps, that’s when I get a sense of just how quickly I can connect to a server or adjust the various settings. I look at this with both VPN novices and power users in mind, with apps ideally striking a balance between having a clean UI while still having plenty of advanced settings to play around with.
Having connected to a server, I run a battery of tests. This includes measuring server speeds to determine the VPN’s performance when streaming and attempting to force close the VPN connection with the kill switch engaged to verify that it’s working as it should. All of this testing allows me to better compare each India VPN in different areas.
Take a look at our VPN testing methodology to find out more.
How to choose the best India VPN
The best India VPN for you depends on your personal use case. If speed is far and away your primary goal, Surfshark is your best bet. However, security-seekers can’t do better than ExpressVPN. Still, there are a few key factors to keep in mind when choosing:
- Speed: The faster a VPN, the less trouble you’ll have when it comes to streaming in HD, making video calls, downloading large files, and playing online games.
- Server locations: Access to more servers means greater flexibility for unblocking geo-restricted or government-censored content. You may want servers in specific locations such as India, too.
- Security: If you value the security of your data, any VPN you choose must have high-end encryption. Equally important is a strict no-logs policy.
- Compatibility: All major VPNs offer desktop and mobile apps but you may also want to secure devices such as your Smart TV or even your gaming console.
- Ease of use: Whether your aim is to browse securely or bypass content blocking, chances are you want to be able to do this without having to jump through too many hoops. We’ve placed an emphasis on user-friendly apps with great support.
- Price: You might think that the best India VPNs are the most expensive, but that’s not a universal truth. We’ve identified VPNs that offer a variety of subscription plans to suit all budgets.
FAQs
What is the best India VPN?
NordVPN is the best India VPN. It strikes the perfect balance between security, streaming, and speed, and boasts prices that won’t break the bank, either. You’ll be able to install NordVPN on any of your gadgets, too, with user-friendly apps that aren’t overflowing with clutter.
Can I legally use a VPN in India?
Yes, using a VPN in India is still legal. Using a VPN doesn’t make illegal online activities any less illegal, however. Instead, your VPN gives your digital privacy a much-needed boost, allowing you to go about your day-to-day browsing without worrying about who might be looking over your shoulder.
How does India’s data retention law affect VPNs?
2022 saw the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) introduce a law which required VPN providers with physical servers in India to log and store user data for up to five years. This includes identifying data such as IP addresses. Needless to say, no VPNs that take user privacy seriously accepted this, with many VPNs such as ExpressVPN withdrawing their India-based servers as a result, introducing virtual servers instead.
River helps take care of cybersecurity content on TechRadar—ranging from breaking news pieces, reviews, and buying guides.
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
