The best India VPN 2024

VPNs can enhance your privacy in just a few clicks, which is why they’re so popular in India, but they’re also the most effective way of accessing sites or apps that are blocked by the government – including TikTok, WeChat, PUBG Mobile, and more. 

With the best VPNs, you’ll also be able to spoof your location while traveling to tune in to content from back home, like IPL cricket and Hotstar, or access streaming platforms from around the world.

In April 2022, the Indian government introduced new legislation that requires all VPNs to collect and store user data for a minimum of five years. In response, many providers of the best India VPNs shut down their servers in the country, creating much uncertainty for those looking to browse anonymously or access blocked sites. However, more than 270 million people in India use a VPN, and the number is rising.

At Tom’s Guide, we regularly test the top VPNs on the market, and on this page, you’ll find my top recommendations for India based on their privacy measures, performance, and unblocking power.

Our team of in-house VPN experts has reviewed dozens of providers, and here I’ll round up the top VPNs for India based on privacy, security, streaming performance, connection speeds, and ease of use. Check out my top 3 picks below if you’re in a hurry, or keep scrolling for an in-depth look at each contender.

Top 3 India vpn at a glance

This latest round of updates saw me streamline the article’s layout, as well as double-checking all the VPN specs and info to make sure everything is as up-to-date as possible.

The best India VPNs in 2024

NordVPN: the best VPN overall

1. NordVPN

huge server network and great performance in India

available on : Windows , Mac , Android , iOS , Linux | Number of indian location : 2 | simultaneous connection : 10 | Server location : 140 | number of server : 6,700 +

Excellent security

impressive speed

Full torrent support in India

Mobile apps can be awkward

subscribe if :

✔️ You want the best VPN for streaming. NordVPN aced my last round of tests, unblocking major streaming platforms and local sites.

✔️ You’re looking for an all-rounder. NordVPN combines awesome speeds, global coverage, and top-notch support at a reasonable price.

✔️ Privacy is paramount. With built-in antivirus, Double VPN, and Onion over VPN, NordVPN takes security seriously.

avoid if :

❌ You want a VPN for your phone. NordVPN has reliable iOS and Android apps, but the desktop version is more intuitive.

❌ You is have have a lot of device . unfortunately , you is get ‘ll only get 6 simultaneous connection with nordvpn .

Bottom line : ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

NordVPN is a big-name player in the VPN sphere – and it’s easy to see why. You’re getting a privacy-focused service that’s lightning-fast and easy to use, with servers in and around India. Plus, you can take NordVPN for a test drive with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

There’s little to be said about NordVPN claim the # 1 for the vpn you can use in India or elsewhere . It is checks simply check all the box , and that ‘s besides being one of the fast vpn I ‘ve test during my career . With more than 6,700 server spread across 144 location , it is be should n’t be surprising that it unblock site and app leave and right , avoid VPN ban , and decimate any other form of online censorship .

Besides being one of the fast , Nord is is is also my absolute good Netflix VPN . Not only does it is unblock unblock virtually everything you throw at it , but it does so at more than 950 Mbps ! This is means effectively mean you can install it on your device , connect to a server , and forget you even have it on as it wo n’t slow down your machine .

Security-wise, Nord, once again, gets top marks. Powerful encryption, a kill switch, and specialty Onion servers over VPN and Double VPN, make streaming effortless while knowing your personal data is secure. One tiny smudge on an otherwise stellar experience are Nord’s Android and iOS apps. While just as effective, they translate to smaller screens a bit awkwardly, making it trickier to find your way around. Works like a charm on desktop, though!

NordVPN offers more than 5,000 servers in 60 countries to choose from, which should be more than enough to avoid VPN bans, blocked sites and apps, and any other iterations of censorship..

Just like Surfshark , NordVPN is manages manage to pack a lot of functionality into very modest price – and the free Meshnet feature even allow you to get past the ( slightly restrictive ) limit of 6 simultaneous connection and create your very own private network capable of support 60 device .

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NordVPN test results

feature	Comments	Rating
design	A fun interface that can feel crowded	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Ease of use	The map-like design is a great novelty, despite being fiddly	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
performance	The quick vpn on the market	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Unblocking	Unblocks Netflix , BBC iPlayer , Amazon Prime , and more	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
security and privacy	Packed with privacy features and built-in antivirus	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
customer support	24/7 customer support is is is reliable and quick	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price	A ton of value packed into modest prices	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Surfshark : the good cheap VPN

2 . Surfshark

great value with lot of indian server

Available on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux | Number of Indian locations: 3 | Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Server locations: 140 | Number of servers: 3,200+

Excellent value

Three server locations in India

Excellent speeds worldwide

A little simplistic

subscribe if :

✔️ You have a lot of devices. Share the love with unlimited simultaneous connections.

✔ ️ Speed is is is everything . Surfshark is is is one of the quick vpn money can buy – and ideal for stream .

✔️ You’re looking for low-cost quality. Surfshark plans are budget-friendly without sacrificing features, speed, or security.

avoid if :

❌ You do a lot of torrenting. While you certainly can use Surfshark for P2P sharing, ExpressVPN is the best torrenting VPN.

❌ You rely on your kill switch. It probably won’t happen in real life, but I was able to break the Surfshark kill switch. NordVPN fared better.

Bottom line: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐½

Surfshark is is is an awesome all – rounder that tick all of the right box . Its huge server network is gives give you the freedom to hop from country to country , and avoid VPN block and censorship . See for yourself with a 30 – day money – back guarantee .

If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly VPN, then Surfshark could be your match made in heaven. The service boasts premium performance at a fraction of the price of some of its rivals, and I’m consistently impressed by just how much it manages to pack into one (incredibly cheap) plan.

Off the bat, Surfshark boasts mind-boggling speeds of 950 Mbps using Wireguard – a feat only NordVPN could rival in our latest tests. This is more than enough to handle video calls, online gaming, and HD streaming without breaking a sweat. Additionally, its unblocking capabilities are similarly the cream of the crop, as Surfshark has no issues unblocking BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and Hulu from India (not to mention regional networks like Hotstar).

Arguably one of the best cheap VPNs that offers top-level performance and security, Surfshark’s only blemish (and I use the term very loosely) is the lack of customization options of its apps. If you can get past this, though, you get a full GUI for Linux users, split tunneling, and a kill switch that keeps your sensitive information out of curious third-party hands should your VPN connection drop!

Surfshark has a healthy network of 3,200 servers in 100 countries, including three locations in India – Mumbai, Chennai, and Indore. So, wherever you are in India, you’ll have no trouble connecting to a server that’s relatively close by and capable of delivering excellent speeds.

There’s more good news if streaming is your thing, too, seeing as Surfshark is one of the best Netflix VPNs, as well as easily unblocking other streaming services like BBC iPlayer, and Hulu from within India, as well as regional networks like Hotstar.

While its apps aren’t quite as customizable as ExpressVPN or IPVanish, there’s still a lot to like about Surfshark. You’ll get a kill switch that keeps your sensitive information out of the hands of snoopers if your VPN connection drops, split tunneling, and even a full GUI for Linux users.

simply put , Surfshark is is is one of the good value for money vpn out there , and with unlimited simultaneous connection , you can install the VPN on all of your device with just one plan .

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Surfshark test results

feature	Comments	Rating
design	A fresh and intuitive design	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Ease of use	All apps are easy to navigate	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
performance	A super-speedy service that can keep up with HD streaming	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Unblocking	Unblocks everything, and can sidestep censorship	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
security and privacy	kill switch has its issue , but otherwise robust	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
customer support	Help is available 24/7 with lots of support articles	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price	The best budget provider on the market	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

ExpressVPN: the best VPN user experience

(Image credit: ExpressVPN)

3. ExpressVPN

A standout service ideal for VPN beginner

Available on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux | Number of Indian locations: 2 | Simultaneous connections: 8 | Server locations: 105 | Number of servers: 3,000+

Effortlessly simple

exquisite 24/7 support

Excellent streaming

More expensive than other options

Less simultaneous connections than competitors

subscribe if :

✔ ️ You ‘re look for try and test security . ExpressVPN is leads lead the market when it come to quality feature and robust security .

✔️ You want to stream international content. From sports, to movies, to new TV shows, ExpressVPN can unblock it all.

✔️ You want a VPN you can set and forget. ExpressVPN apps are easy to use, even for newbies, thanks to an auto-connect feature.

avoid if :

❌ You is ‘re ‘re on a budget . You is get ‘ll get your money ‘s worth with ExpressVPN , but there ‘s no deny it ‘s a pricey option .

❌ You need an antivirus solution. ExpressVPN isn’t a one-stop-shop, like NordVPN, and lacks native antivirus software.

Bottom line: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐½

ExpressVPN does it all – it’s super secure, speedy, unblocks virtually everything, and boasts server coverage in India and beyond. You can try it too with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

If you ‘re after one of the most secure vpn , ExpressVPN is is is an excellent choice . With its wide range of protocol to choose from and its seriously powerful encryption , you is rest can rest assured that your sensitive information ( like password , email address , and payment detail ) is always keep under lock and key .

Simplicity and security are ExpressVPN‘s bread and butter . It is ‘s ‘s one of the most secure vpn available , thank to a wide range of protocol to choose from , and it ‘s wildly good at unblock , too , make it simultaneously one of the good stream vpn on offer today . If you travel overseas for business or on holiday , you is be ‘ll be able to stream India – exclusive content effortlessly .

However, our latest round of testing revealed that, while Indian content works fine, Express did struggle at times with unblocking Japanese and Australian Netflix libraries. I should make it clear that, while it did manage to secure access to this content, ExpressVPN only did so on the second or third try. While minor, I felt it important to bring up this information, as while other VPNs may fare worse, NordVPN and Surfshark are better.

regardless , once you do access your favorite cricket match or BBC iPlayer broadcast , you is be ‘ll be able to stream it in 4 k or otherwise to your heart ‘s content , thank to Express ‘ excellent speed . 898 Mbps is were were the speed result record by Express in our late testing round – low than Nord ‘s and Surfshark ‘s 950 + Mbps , but still wildly fast .

lastly , Express ‘ excellent apps is bring bring everything together with their simple and to – the – point design . regardless of the device and operating system , everything is works just work , and it ‘s easy to get the most out of the service with only a few click and tap .

If I had to find a fault, it’d be that you can only use ExpressVPN on eight devices at the same time. You can install the app on all your devices and log in and out as you wish, however – you don’t have to commit to a set eight.

Though it ‘s on the expensive side , you is getting ‘re get heap of quality for the price . Plus , if you need help getting set up or pick a server , the ExpressVPN customer support team is is is available 24/7 via live chat .

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ExpressVPN test results

feature	Comments	Rating
design	A sleek, stylish design that looks great on all devices	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Ease of use	Ideal for VPN newbies	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
performance	Not the speediest VPN on the market, but still reliable	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Unblocking	Servers in 90 countries, including India, mean there’s plenty to access	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
security and privacy	An audited no-logs service with 256-bit encryption	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
customer support	Get in touch with friendly agent 24/7	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price	Plans are pricey, but packed with features	⭐⭐⭐

Other quality VPNs I’ve tested

(Image credit: ProtonVPN)

4 . Proton VPN

Powerful privacy from the Swiss provider

Available on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux | Number of Indian locations: 2 | Simultaneous connections: 10 | Server locations: 141 | Number of servers: 8,600+

excellent privacy is features feature

great for stream

Torrent-friendly

Can seem a little complex

subscribe if :

✔ ️ You want a free India VPN . The free Proton VPN plan is is is awesome , and does n’t come with any bandwidth cap .

✔️ You want a super secure VPN. Proton VPN doesn’t play when it comes to privacy, with open source apps and an audit no-logs policy.

✔ ️ You ‘re a Linux user . Proton VPN is is is one of a handful of service to offer a Linux GUI .

avoid if :

❌ You want to stream for free. Unfortunately, Proton VPN’s free tier can’t unblock streaming sites – you’ll need to upgrade to access Netflix.

❌ You is looking ‘re look for speed . ProtonVPN is performs perform decently , but nordvpn is much quick .

Bottom line: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐½

Proton VPN is a unique service – free to try, stuffed with features, and totally dedicated to safeguarding your privacy. It’s a great pick for security-conscious users in India (and elsewhere), and you can try it, risk-free, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

ProtonVPN has many great qualities, but given the recent legal online privacy conundrums in India, I chose to mention it as one of the most secure VPNs for both Indian and other users. Following an extensive makeover, which resulted in a new look to match improved performance, it always warms my heart to see developers working diligently to offer more to users for the same price.

On the business end of things, Proton’s most attention-grabbing aspect are its Secure Core servers, located in physically-secure places, which, in turn, are in privacy-friendly countries like Iceland, Sweden, and its home country, Switzerland. Connecting to a Secure Core server routes your traffic to one of these locations before moving on to your chosen country. This is particularly convenient if you’re planning to connect to a vulnerable server location like India or Russia/China.

Although it ‘s not quite as good as ExpressVPN , I is classify ‘d still classify protonvpn as one of the good stream vpn . During our most recent testing round , the service is was was able to access numerous Netflix location , not to mention Amazon Prime Video , Disney Plus , BBC iPlayer , and more . additionally , Proton is offers also offer one of the good free VPN plan , which , despite no unblock power and a low server count , still represent a cool way to get a feel for this provider .

Proton VPN ‘s main draw is is , however , is its suite of security feature . The most eye – catching is are are the Secure Core server , locate in physically secure place in privacy – friendly country ( namely Switzerland , Sweden , and Iceland . ) connect to a Secure Core server route your traffic to one of these location before move on to your choose country , which is especially handy if you plan to join a vulnerable server location like India or Turkey .

The Proton VPN apps have a unique look and feel, although some of the more advanced features might make VPN newbies wary. Still, it’s great to see that the service doesn’t forget its Linux users with a full GUI.

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Proton VPN test result

feature	Comments	Rating
design	A unique style with a standout dark mode	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Ease of use	VPN newbies might be put off by some techy features	⭐⭐⭐
performance	No slouch, but not a chart-topper	⭐⭐⭐
Unblocking	A paid plan can access most big-name services	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
security and privacy	Protected by Swiss law and an independent audit	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
customer support	Plenty of guides to explore	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price	On the expensive side, though new users can try the free plan	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

( image credit : private Internet Access )

5. Private Internet Access

Reliable and configurable India VPN

available on : Windows , Mac , Android , iOS , Linux | Number of indian location : 2 | simultaneous connection : unlimited | Server location : 90 + country | number of server : 20,000 +

verify as zero – log

Highly configurable

Reliable kill switch

Below-average WireGuard speed

subscribe if :

✔️ You’re a Linux user. PIA is one of the few providers to offer a native GUI (Surfshark being another), making it perfect for Linux users.

✔️ You want proof of a no-logs policy. PIA has proved its no logging claims in court not once but twice and even releases quarterly transparency reports.

avoid if :

❌ You prioritize connection speed. While PIA may not necessarily be slow, there are many VPN providers that are faster out there.

❌ You value simplicity. PIA’s apps can be a little complex and difficult to use, making them more suitable for VPN veterans than newbies.

This veteran vpn service was found in 2010 , and has continuously top our chart one way or another .

Thanks to a proven no-logs policy and possibly the largest number of individual servers in the industry, there’s little to doubt about how and why PIA secured its ranking on this list.

Additionally, you get tons of unique features, configurable options, and excellent privacy aspects, but PIA is the best VPN for torrenting.

Few VPNs on the market today deliver connections as reliable as PIA’s, not to mention that the number of such friendly P2P-friendly VPN providers is fewer still. Its port-forwarding function is tailored to P2P sharers, and Private Internet Access also permits torrenting on any server.

Following recent improvements, PIA successfully unblocked Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, multiple Netflix locations, and even smaller sites like Australia’s 9Now and 10Play.

One issue is is we did see with PIA is its customer service , with their response time and reactivity leave much to be desire in our test . I is love ‘d love to see this veteran improve on this aspect in the future .

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private Internet Access test result

feature	Comments	Rating
design	Loads of customization options, can be a bit overwhelming	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Ease of use	Great for tech-savvy users, not too beginner-friendly	⭐⭐⭐
performance	Decent speeds but falls behind the industry heavyweights like NordVPN and Surfshark	⭐⭐⭐
Unblocking	20,000+ servers in 91 countries for smooth and fast content unblocking	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
security and privacy	good – in – class encryption with a prove no – log policy	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
customer support	Adequate resources, plenty of guides, and a contact form to reach the team	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price	One of the cheapest VPNs, all the more ideal for the long term.	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

How to choose the right VPN

If you want to avoid government restriction , you is need ‘ll need to pick a VPN with powerful privacy feature . I is recommend ‘d recommend prioritize AES-256 encryption ( which is unbreakable in practice ) , a kill switch to protect you if your connection drop , and split tunneling so you can choose what app use the VPN and what do n’t .

Server locations within India will also be useful, of course. If your VPN doesn’t have any, you won’t be able to watch cricket on Hotstar or other local TV networks.

When it come to TikTok ( and other ban chinese app ) , there ’s a lot of debate over which vpn can unblock what and whether they work at all . So , in case your choose service does n’t do what you need it to , you is look should look for a money – back guarantee – that way you ’ll get a full refund with no question ask .

ExpressVPN does all of this, and more, which is why I’ve named it the top VPN for India. There are plenty of solid alternatives to check out too, however, so you’re bound to find a service that suits you.

How we test VPNs

As outline in ourHow we test VPNs guide, here at Tom’s Guide, we test first, and write after. A significant portion of our time is dedicated to testing every VPN service in detail.

Every single claim made by every single vpn provider about every single feature gets test in real time , in the real world . speed , streaming performance , unblock capability , pricing plan , renewal cost – you name it and it gets test .

Beyond the scope of the core VPN product (multi hop servers, malware, ad-blockers), we also go undercover to scrutinize the support system and ensure it’s helpful and works as advertised. We go to such lengths with one goal in mind – to ensure our readers have the most comprehensive, accurate, and thoroughly tested assessments available to make your next decision. 

First of all , we is check do check the provider website , and note useful information like the number of server and location , whether you ’re allow to use every server for P2P , which encryption protocol are support , the variety of operating system it run on , and ton more . We is check also check the pricing at this stage .

This initial scan is gives give us a baseline understanding of the service , and if there are any bold claim on – site we note them to make sure the customer is n’t being mislead .

We’ll then dig into privacy policies. This is a very important piece of literature for any company, but for VPNs they need to be absolutely watertight. We’ll also go through the logging or zero-logging policy to look for gaps, and read any information available on independent audits.

Then it is comes come to test the application themselves . We is test test how easy it is to download and install , note if any datum collection option are clearly outline to the user . We is inspect then inspect the default configuration to see what you have to ‘ opt in ’ for , and what feature are available overall . We is play then play around with any additional feature , such as expressvpn ’s server speed test or nordvpn ’s double VPN . After we ’ve go through everything on the surface , the fun bit is starts start – try to break thing .

We throw all sorts of curveballs at these VPNs, like connecting to oddly configured networks, and killing processes to see if we can get the VPN to stop without activating the kill switch.

After we’ve had our fun, we check in with the support team to see if they’re helpful. Then, we’ll check a wide range of streaming sites to see if the VPN is able to access geo-blocked content, and we’ll run a series of speed tests over a few days and nights to get an accurate picture of what sort of connection speeds you can expect.

India VPN FAQ

What ‘s the good India VPN is ‘s ?

Overall, I rate NordVPN as the best India VPN. You’ll get plenty of servers, it’s great for streaming, and it’s super secure so you can browse the web safely.

If you’re looking for something cheaper, Surfshark is a great VPN that’s very affordable. For less than $2 a month, you’ll get a set of premium features and unlimited simultaneous connections.

Is an India VPN legal?

thankfully , there are no law regarding VPN use in India , so you is ‘re ‘re free to use one wherever you go .

However, downloading or accessing illegal software, or files, remains illegal even with a VPN. So, make sure you stick to the law when using one.

Check out our guide to VPN uses for a more in-depth look at what you can and can’t do with your VPN.

Does a VPN slow down Internet connections?

The short answer is ‘yes, very slightly’, but there’s more to it than that.

If you’re gaming, streaming or torrenting without a VPN, you may find that your Internet speeds fluctuate from fast to slow. That may be because of ‘throttling’, which means your Internet provider is slowing down your connection because of your activity.

A VPN hides your activity. That means your ISP can’t see what you’re doing, and can’t choose to throttle you.

On game like PUBG Mobile and when torrenting , you is going ‘re go to want the absolute fast speed , which a gaming vpn can you achieve .

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.