Best VPNs for India
From Mumbai and Chennai to New Delhi and Kochi, a VPN should be standard equipment when you’re surfing the web in India.
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Last Updated on May 02, 2023
- Protects you when you’re logging on to public Wi-Fi in India
- Plenty of U.S. servers means you can log on to all your streaming services when you’re traveling in India
- Anonymous IP addresses prevent the Indian government from tracking your online movements
- With servers scattered throughout India, you can always get a fast connection no matter where you are in the country
- Strict privacy policy means the Indian government can never subpoena records of your online activity
- Connect to U.S. streaming accounts when you’re traveling in India
- Access Indian Netflix content from the U.S.
- Keep yourself safe from hackers and identity thieves when you’re in India
- Visit sites censored by the Indian government without worrying about being caught
India is a beautiful country with rich traditions and friendly people, but you’ll still need a VPN if you’re going to log on to public Wi-Fi. When you’re on a public network, you’re vulnerable to things such as man-in-the-middle attacks, malware infections, and all sorts of spying. A VPN solves those problems by routing your connection through an encrypted tunnel and masking your actual IP address. There are lots of VPN options out there, so which ones are the best if you’re in India?
Number of Servers Worldwide
| Private Internet Access | 20,000 |
| NordVPN | 5,400 |
| Surfshark | 3,200 |
| ExpressVPN | 2,000 |
| IPVanish | 2,000 |
The Best VPNs for India
- NordVPN - Best VPN for India with multihop
- Surfshark - Best VPN for India with split tunneling
- Private Internet Access VPN - Most affordable VPN for India
- IPVanish - Best VPN for India with dedicated IP addresses
- ExpressVPN - Best VPN for India for streaming
Comparison of the Best VPNs for India
| System |
NordVPN
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Surfshark
|
Private Internet Access VPN
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IPVanish
|
ExpressVPN
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
| Ratings | 9.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, 14 Eyes member | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| IP addresses | Dynamic, shared, or dedicated | Dynamic or shared | Shared or dedicated | Dynamic, shared, or dedicated | Dynamic |
| Multihop | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Netflix | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Split tunneling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Torrenting | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum monthly cost | $11.99 | $12.95 | $9.95 | $10.99 | $12.95 |
| Best monthly cost | $3.99 | $2.49 | $2.08 | $3.75 | $6.67 |
| Subscription options | 1 month, 1 year, 2 years | 1 month, 1 year, 2 years | 1 month, 1 year, 39 months | 1 month, 3 months, 1 year | 1 month, 6 months, 15 months |
| Read Review | NordVPN Review | Surfshark Review | Private Internet Access VPN Review | IPVanish Review | ExpressVPN Review |
A Detailed Look at the Best VPNs for India
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1. NordVPN - Best VPN for India with multihop
NordVPN is a top-tier company, whether your primary interest is security or productivity. From AES-256 encryption to multihop, NordVPN uses all the most cutting-edge technology to make sure you surf safely and anonymously. The company doesn’t skimp on the extras either. It offers split-tunneling capabilities, servers set up specifically for peer-to-peer torrenting, and full access to streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video.
NordVPN subscriptions start at just $3.20 per month, so it’s easy to see why NordVPN tops our list of best VPNs.
Servers in India and Around the Globe
Whether you live in India or you’re just visiting for a few days, you’ll want a nearby server. The closer the server, the faster your connection. NordVPN has more than 30 servers split between Mumbai in the west and Chennai in the east, so you can always find a clear signal. The company also maintains over 5,400 servers in 60 countries around the globe, so you’ll still be able to find a nearby connection if you decide to hop from New Delhi to Berlin.
Dynamic IP Addresses
NordVPN offers dynamic IP addresses, which create a safer browsing experience. All VPNs assign you an IP address to mask your actual address so no one can track your activities. Shared addresses keep you safe from spying. Since several users use the same address, it’s impossible for hackers to know who is doing what at any particular moment. An industrious hacker, however, could still target everyone using that address with a single scam, and they’d be bound to catch someone. A dynamic address, in contrast, changes periodically. If anyone does manage to zero in on your IP address, they’ll lose you again when the address switches to something new.
Multihop
NordVPN also features a relatively new VPN technology known as multihop. While a normal VPN routes your internet connection through one encrypted tunnel, VPNs that use multihop, like NordVPN, route the connection through two or more encrypted tunnels. Like dynamic IP addresses, all that hopping around makes it even more difficult for anyone to follow your online movements so you can stay safe and anonymous.
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2. Surfshark - Best VPN for India with split tunneling
Surfshark offers some great features, such as split tunneling and torrenting support, but it’s also secure. In addition to using AES-256 encryption and the OpenVPN protocol, the company is based in the British Virgin Islands so Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes countries can never force it to turn over customer data. Surfshark’s subscription plans, which start at $2.49, include servers in three Indian cities: Mumbai, Chennai, and Indore.
Split Tunneling
As we say all the time, you need a secure VPN any time you’re using public Wi-Fi. Routing all your traffic through the VPN, though, can use up valuable bandwidth and slow down your connection. That’s why Surfshark offers split tunneling. Split tunneling allows you to log on to the regular internet at the same time you’re logged on to the VPN. You can transfer sensitive materials, such as work files, via the VPN, but still use the public Wi-Fi connection for more routine tasks like listening to Spotify.
Torrenting
Most people associate torrenting with downloading copyrighted material, but you can get a lot of great open-source content through torrenting as well. A lot of classic old movies, for instance, are in the public domain and readily available on sites like BitTorrent. Just because you’re not doing anything illegal, though, doesn’t mean torrenting isn’t dangerous. Any time you’re doing P2P sharing, your personal information is at risk unless you’re using a secure VPN. Surfshark has many features for torrenting, including fast download speeds and servers specifically dedicated to P2P sharing.
Headquartered in the British Virgin Islands
You may think the best VPN companies would be located in the U.S., since America is the leader in most tech industries. Companies located in countries such as the British Virgin Islands, however, can be far safer than those in the U.S. The U.S. is a member of Five Eyes, a group of countries that have agreed to share intelligence information with one another. That intelligence includes information about its own citizens. BVI, where Surfshark is located, is outside Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes, which means the company never has to turn over customer data to government agencies.
Understanding the LAw: The British Virgin Island’s Data Protection Act, passed in 2021, forbids anyone from disclosing personal data “for any purpose other than the purpose for which the personal data was disclosed.”1
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3. Private Internet Access VPN - Most affordable VPN for India
You can get a one-month subscription to Private Internet Access (PIA) for just $9.95. We’ll be honest: It’s hard to trust a VPN that charges less than that. We would worry a company that charges less was making up the difference by selling our data to third parties. PIA, though, maintains a strict privacy policy, so we never have to worry about security. Plus, even at its low price, it still offers some of the best speeds on the market.
Privacy Policy
PIA’s privacy policy puts it plainly: “We collect as little personal information as possible.” What does that mean in concrete terms? It means the company keeps track of user email addresses and payment information such as credit card numbers, but PIA lives up to its name where it counts. Specifically, it doesn’t keep IP addresses, time stamps, or browsing histories — nothing that could connect you to your online activities.
We know the company’s promise is true, because, in recent court cases, PIA representatives testified that the company keeps no user records.2
Low Prices on Every Plan
PIA prices are affordable, and that’s true for all the company’s plans. We prefer month-to-month subscriptions because we don’t want to be tied down to long-term commitments. A single month of PIA costs $9.95, which is over $2 less than CyberGhost costs. If you’re looking for an even cheaper price, PIA offers one-year subscriptions for $3.33 per month and 39-month subscriptions for $2.08 per month.
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4. IPVanish - Best VPN for India with dedicated IP addresses
IPVanish has some features you won’t find with other VPNs. Many of the VPNs on this list, for instance, maintain servers on both sides of India (in Mumbai and Chennai). IPVanish has servers in the nation’s capital as well. In addition to New Delhi servers, IPVanish offers an unlimited number of devices and an unlimited number of simultaneous connections. For an extra charge, you can buy a dedicated IP address. The company also provides something truly rare in the world of VPNs: phone support.
Unlimited Devices and Connections
One of IPVanish’s real selling points is that you can install the VPN software on an unlimited number of devices. No matter how many desktops, laptops, tablets, readers, or phones your family has, they’re all covered under one IPVanish plan. IPVanish goes further though. It also allows an unlimited number of simultaneous connections, so not only can you use the VPN on all your devices, but you can also use it on all your devices at the same time.
Dedicated IP Addresses
IPVanish offers a feature you won’t find with every VPN: dedicated IP addresses. Dedicated addresses mask your actual IP address, so you can still surf with anonymity. They don’t change every time you log on the way shared and dynamic addresses do, which means you don’t have to verify your credentials constantly at secure sites. Your bank, credit card company, and phone company will all know exactly who you are every time you visit.
Phone Support
Here’s something else you won’t get with most other VPNs: IPVanish offers 24/7 phone support. You can also access the company’s library of help topics and talk to a real live person via the online chat feature. Every now and then, though, it’s nice to hear a human voice — something you can only do if a VPN service operates a phone line.
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5. ExpressVPN - Best VPN for India for streaming
Want to access content from streaming services located around the world? ExpressVPN does that. Want to get an Indian IP address using a server located in England? ExpressVPN does that. Want a protocol that’s as secure as OpenVPN but offers faster speeds? ExpressVPN has it. ExpressVPN’s price is at the high end of the market, but, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Plus, if you sign up for a full year of the service, the price falls by almost 50 percent.
Access to Streaming Services
VPNs keep you safe when you’re online, but that’s not their only function. Some VPNs, including ExpressVPN, help you get around blackouts and geo-restrictions to access more streaming content. Netflix, for example, offers different shows and movies in different countries. If you’re in the States and you want to watch U.K. content, you’ll need a U.K. IP address. The same is true if you want to watch shows and movies available only in Canada, Japan, or France.
Whether you’re outside India looking to access content available only in the country, or in India looking to access content available elsewhere, ExpressVPN has you covered. And you’ll get far more than just Netflix. ExpressVPN provides access to all the biggest streamers, from Hulu and Prime Video to HBO and Disney+ — and lots of niche services such as BritBox, Acorn, and Hallmark.
Virtual Server in the U.K.
Say you’re a native of India making your home in Great Britain. British servers will be close, so they’ll obviously give you the fastest connections with the least hassle. You want to be able to access Indian content, though, and that requires an Indian IP address. Wouldn’t it be great if someone offered a virtual server in the U.K. — a nearby server that would mimic Indian IP addresses? Turns out, ExpressVPN does.
Definition: A virtual server is a server that’s not actually in the physical location it claims to be. It lets VPN users choose an IP address from a relatively distant location, without having to route their signal through that distant location.
A Choice of Protocol
Protocols are important for a VPN. They are the instructions that tell the VPN how to deploy its various encryption methods. ExpressVPN offers several protocol choices, including OpenVPN, which has for many years been the gold standard in protocols. It’s open-source, and it has been tested for over two decades so it’s essentially bug-free.3ExpressVPN also offers the Lightway Protocol, a proprietary protocol developed by ExpressVPN itself. It’s based on OpenVPN source code, so it’s safe, but it eliminates redundancies in OpenVPN, so it achieves faster speeds.
Methodology
We devote a great deal of time and energy to putting together a list like this. We put every VPN through a battery of tests. We inspect privacy policies and research company histories. We use every product ourselves. Ultimately, we’re looking at a handful of very important categories: security, features, speed, customer service, and price. You can find out more about each category below.
What Makes a VPN Good for India?
If we’re going to put a VPN on a list of the best VPNs for India, our first concern is how well that VPN works in India. We take into account how many servers a VPN has in the country and where they are located. We consider whether it can unblock content from India-based streaming services such as Sun NXT. Finally, we think about the needs of users in India, such as the need to avoid government scrutiny.
Security
A VPN’s primary function is to provide a safe, secure browsing experience. Security is one of our chief concerns, but it isn’t about any single factor in how a VPN operates. Rather it has to do with the way many factors work together.
- Location: First up is location. We look for VPNs based in countries outside the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes surveillance alliances, which means they aren’t subject to subpoenas from government agencies and no organization can force them to turn over customer data.
- Encryption: Encryption is at the heart of what VPNs do. The definition of a VPN is an encrypted tunnel, so we expect the best VPNs to employ the best encryption methods. We prefer AES-256, since it’s the method used by the U.S. military.
- Protocols: Protocols must be secure since they control how a VPN’s encryption occurs. We have favored OpenVPN for many years because it’s open-source and has been around long enough to have been thoroughly tested. We have been impressed by some newer protocols, however, including WireGuard and Lightway, which are based on OpenVPN code but eliminate redundancies for faster speeds.
- Kill switches: We always make sure a VPN has a kill switch. Kill switches close down all internet activity if you lose your VPN connection, so you never have to worry that someone may catch a peek at what you’re up to.
- Multihop: VPNs with multihop route your connection through not one encrypted tunnel but two or more. The more encryption the VPN uses, the harder it is for governments or hackers to track your activities.
- Leaks: VPNs are subject to two nasty types of leaks: WebRTC leaks and DNS leaks. Either can expose your information to the web, so we test for both. We test for DNS leaks at DNSLeaksTest.com, and we test for WebRTC leaks using a tool developed by ExpressVPN.
- Privacy policy: We look carefully at every company’s privacy policy to find out what user information they keep. We understand that a VPN needs our email and credit card number in order to do business, but we don’t want it to keep anything related to our online activities, including IP addresses, time stamps, and browsing histories.
FYI: Many companies claim to offer “no log” VPNs. All VPNs log some information, though, even if it is only for billing and maintenance purposes.
Features
We look at the range of features each VPN offers, which may include:
- Streaming access: We’re interested in how well each VPN gets around blackouts and geographic blocks to access the best streaming content from around the globe.
- Torrenting: We prefer VPNs that offer services specifically geared toward torrenting, like P2P-dedicated servers and user-friendly tools for connecting directly to torrent sites.
- Split tunneling: Split tunneling can be a useful feature as well. It lets you log on to the regular internet at the same time you’re using the VPN, which can save you bandwidth and money.
- Server locations: We pay close attention to how many servers a VPN has and where those servers are located, which can have an impact on what streaming services users can access. They can also affect connection speeds.
Speed
We test every VPN we recommend to find out exactly how much it slows down Windows and Mac devices. Every VPN slows down your internet speeds to some extent, but we’re looking for VPNs that slow it down as little as possible. We’re primarily interested in three kinds of speed: upload, download, and ping.
We start by testing device speeds without the VPN, and then we test the same device with the VPN running. We use the two numbers to come up with a percentage indicating how much slower the device runs with the VPN than without it. Comparing these percentages allows us to rank VPNs by speed.
Customer Service
A VPN is a fairly sophisticated piece of technology, which means you’ll probably need help with it sooner or later. VPN setup can be tricky, or you may want to know what to do if your service goes down. We look at what kind of help each company offers. We like FAQs and libraries, but we get really excited when a company offers 24/7 live assistance either through online chat or over the phone. It’s especially important if you happen to be in another country (like India, for instance). We also take into account what sort of help we get. Surly customer-service agents don’t get extra points.
Price
Wouldn’t it be nice if none of us ever had to worry about how much things cost? We live in the real world, though, so we’re always on the lookout for VPNs that aren’t going to wreck our bottom line. Most companies offer a variety of subscription options. We like short-term, month-to-month plans, since they don’t lock us into anything, and we expect these types of plans to run somewhere between $10 and $13 per month.
We understand why you may be interested in a longer plan though. They’re almost always cheaper, depending on how long you’re willing to commit. We’ve seen some plans that extend as long as five years. Most good multiyear plans cost $200 or more.
Recap
Whether you live in India or you’re just visiting, you’ll need a good VPN if you’re going online. The best options will have servers in India, offer the best security and fastest speeds, and provide you with features that can make you more productive.
No VPN is perfect for everyone, but we’re confident somewhere on this list you’ll find the one that’s right for you.
FAQs
Still have questions? Take a look at our answers to the ones you ask most frequently.
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Which VPN is best for India?
NordVPN is the best VPN for India. The company maintains 30 servers in two locations on both sides of the country, and offers security features such as dynamic IP addresses, AES-256 encryption, and multihop. You’ll also get features such as split tunneling, a kill switch, and access to lots of global streaming services. Other great VPNs for India include Surfshark, Private Internet Access, IPVanish, and ExpressVPN.
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Which free VPN is best for India?
Privado is the best free VPN for India. Privado is located in Switzerland, a country with no data-retention laws, and the company maintains a strict privacy policy. It doesn’t collect any information related to browsing activities. Privado’s free plan doesn’t impose any speed limits, and the company offers a generous 10 GB per month data-usage limit. With servers in Mumbai, Privado is well positioned geographically to provide convenient, fast connections in India.
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Which VPN is fastest in India?
Generally speaking, Private Internet Access has the fastest VPN speeds in India. There are three kinds of speeds that matter to a VPN: download speeds, upload speeds, and latency speeds. It’s important to remember that speeds will differ depending on the type of device you’re using. In other words, other VPNs may be better than Private Internet Access if you’re talking about a particular type of speed on a particular type of device. In our tests, however, we discovered that PIA has the best speeds if you’re taking all the options into account.
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Are VPNs legal in India?
Yes, VPNs are legal in India. The country has no specific laws that ban the use of VPNs. As in most countries, however, you can still be arrested if you use a VPN to conduct illegal activities such as downloading copyrighted materials.
Gov. (2021). DATA PROTECTION ACT, 2021. eservices.gov.vg/gazette/sites/eservices.gov.vg.gazette/files/newattachments/Act%20No.%203%20of%202021-Data%20Protection%20Act%2C%202021.pdf
Almanac. (2018). Roommate: Alleged hacker said he was paid to attack news site. almanacnews.com/news/2018/06/02/alleged-hacker-claimed-he-was-paid-to-attack-news-site-witness-says.
Linux Security. (2003). OpenVPN: An Introduction and Interview with Founder, James Yonan. linuxsecurity.com/features/openvpn-an-introduction-and-interview-with-founder-james-yonan.