The Best VPN for India in 2026

India ranks near the top of the leaderboard for frequent internet shutdowns. It’s a concerning reality and explains why almost half of India’s internet users use a VPN. Many websites and online applications are blocked, and the government isn’t shy about infringing on citizens’ privacy rights. On top of that, intrusive data laws have forced many VPN services to remove their servers from India.

Considering these issues, choosing the right Indian VPN isn’t exactly easy. However, we’ve put dozens of providers through their paces, extensively evaluating them based on factors relevant to Indian users and expats. Below, we’ll discuss each VPN, focusing on privacy and security features, performance, and more.

5 Best VPNs for India – Detailed List

The VPN market is overflowing with options, making it daunting to choose a quality service. That said, we’ve extensively tested dozens of VPNs and shortlisted the best ones below to make picking the right VPN for India easier.

1. NordVPN

According to thorough tests with NordVPN, it is currently the best VPN for India in 2026. Its decision to add a Mumbai location with 14 virtual servers means you can get an Indian IP address on your trips abroad.

There’s so much more to the VPN. NordVPN is a privacy-focused provider with an impressive arsenal of features. It implements AES 256-bit encryption to keep your ISP and snoops from looking in. Other tools include a kill switch, IP/DNS leak protection, modern protocols, and native Onion over VPN support.

Moreover, it doesn’t store identifiable information on its servers, so your online sessions are for your eyes only.

Its impressive unblocking capabilities are bound to come in handy, considering the level of content filtering in India. Connect to any of its over 7,100 servers in 118 countries and watch NordVPN breeze past government-imposed network blocks on various sites and applications. It’s also an excellent streaming VPN and easily unlocks exclusive content on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more.

All NordVPN servers support torrenting. On top of that, it offers specialized P2P servers for secure and speedy downloads and seeding.

As far as speeds are concerned, there’s no consistently faster provider than NordVPN. You’ll barely notice you’re connected to a VPN, which is great considering internet speeds in India can be spotty. We experienced uninterrupted browsing and smooth streaming during our tests, even while watching 4K videos.

NordVPN is a good choice if you have many devices because it allows up to 10 simultaneous connections. For all it has to offer, we like that the provider attaches modest prices to its plans. On top of that, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee with the promise of a full refund if you’re not impressed.

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2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN brands itself as the best VPN for India in 2026. We’ll check again soon, but for now, the highly-rated provider isn’t far off.

Like NordVPN, it has since pulled its physical servers from the country and is resorting to virtual servers in Chennai and New Delhi instead. They pass through Singapore and the United Kingdom.

You can instantly defeat government censorship by connecting to any of ExpressVPN’s 3,000+ across 104 other countries. Virtually uncrackable encryption keeps hackers and tech companies from reading or collecting your data. Plus, there are no logs to hand over if demanded, as third-party audits have verified that ExpressVPN doesn’t store any.

For the hyper-paranoid, the VPN’s support for Tor over VPN can be useful for an extra layer of security.

ExpressVPN’s ability to bypass network restrictions and geo-blocks blew us away. While testing ExpressVPN, it instantly unblocked various streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and other streaming platforms we tried.

It’s also a top-rated VPN for torrenting, even though there are no dedicated servers for this activity. You can download and seed torrent files quickly without worrying about lurking threats.

Thanks to ExpressVPN’s well-optimized network and 10 Gbps ports, you can be sure of high-speed connections. We especially like its custom Lightway protocol. It’s faster than OpenVPN and doesn’t sacrifice security for performance.

ExpressVPN allows you to connect up to eight devices to one account. The one significant drawback is its expensive pricing, but is the service worth it? Certainly. Besides, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee for each plan. Don’t feel you’re getting value for your money with this VPN for India? You can cancel and get a refund.

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3. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access helps you sidestep India’s online censorship to use your favorite websites and apps. That way, you can hop back on TikTok and play games like PUBG without restrictions. If streaming is your thing, you’ll like the access to Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, and various other exclusive libraries.

It’s easy to consider PIA a US-centric VPN because it has servers in every American state. But there’s more than enough to go around. In fact, it has the most extensive network by some distance, with upwards of 30,000 options across 91 countries. Like others on this list, it has to rely on virtual VPN servers for India, considering the country’s stance.

That said, India’s data laws don’t apply to Private Internet Access, the VPN insists. We’re inclined to accept that claim, considering it has demonstrated its strict no-logs stance in a US court. Besides, third-party auditors have combed through its operations multiple times.

On top of that, PIA uses the most robust encryption standards to keep your online traffic private. Thanks to an advanced kill switch and DNS leak protection, you won’t be unwittingly surrendering your data through leaks.

The provider’s extensive network means you get to enjoy pretty decent connection speeds, especially while using the lightweight WireGuard. Plus, you never have to worry about bandwidth throttling or data caps sneaking up on you.

Private Internet Access allows unlimited simultaneous connections. As long as it stays active, you’ll never need a second PIA subscription, no matter how many devices you own. You can take PIA for a spin risk-free, as every plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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4. Proton VPN

Proton VPN makes the cut due to its ability to bypass geo-restrictions and India’s censorship filters with its Stealth VPN and Alternative Routing tools. Connecting to any of the VPN’s servers outside India (it has a vast network with 9,900+ options) instantly does the trick.

Also, we’ve found it’s an excellent VPN for Indian users who want to enjoy content online. Dedicated streaming servers open access to a ton of streaming catalogs that are not ordinarily available in the region. And on your trips abroad, you can connect to its streaming-ready servers for Hotstar and Netflix India to catch up with your favorite TV shows.

There are other special categories for P2P, Tor Over VPN, and even Secure Core (Multi-hop), all popular in India and abroad. We were impressed by how well they worked during our test of Proton VPN, where we also enjoyed the NetShield ad blocker thoroughly.

Keeping with the theme, the provider has moved its servers out of India following the government’s data retention directives. However, 30+ virtual options mean you can still get an Indian IP address for a taste of home while overseas.

It’s safer to believe there are lurkers on every unsecured public network. Even if you forget to activate the VPN when you connect to one, Proton VPN’s Wi-Fi protection feature ensures it’s not an expensive mistake.

On top of that, it comes with AES 256-bit encryption and a string of modern protocols. There’s a prompt kill switch and protection against DNS leaks. Plus, Proton VPN has a stack of RAM-only servers used to clean out any user data residue with each restart.

While the VPN’s apps aren’t as customizable as some of its competitors, they’re pretty user-friendly. The ten-device limit is an industry-standard, but it’s offset by Proton VPN’s affordable long-term pricing for the 2-year plan at only $2.99/mo through Gizmodo.

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5. Surfshark

We considered Surfshark a fast-rising star a couple of years ago. These days, it is easily one of the best VPN services for India.

It’s a popular option for good reason. Fifty virtual servers in two locations is more than any other service can offer, so you’re spoiled for choice while seeking an Indian IP address from abroad. Back home, you can connect to any of its 3,200+ servers in 100 countries for unrestricted access.

Speaking of which, Surfshark holds its own against NordVPN and ExpressVPN when it comes to getting around network restrictions. It handles content filtering by Indian authorities and unblocks popular streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. Plus, its obfuscation feature (labeled Camouflage Mode) does such a great job of hiding your traffic that it’s effective even against China’s Great Firewall.

Surfshark won’t let snooping authorities see what you’re up to online, either. It implements bank-level AES 256-bit encryption and has a kill switch for accidental disconnections. There’s more good news if you’re especially privacy-conscious, seeing as independent auditors have verified the service’s no-logs policy.

Speed-wise, Surfshark is way ahead of most other VPNs, even though some of its servers use 1 Gbps ports. Connected to nearby Sri Lanka (and even farther away), we experienced no buffering or lag while browsing and streaming.

Surfshark is one of the best budget VPNs for India. Well, if you’re paying for an annual or two-year plan, as it has recently bumped its monthly subscription fee. You should seriously consider this VPN if you have loads of devices or a large family — it allows you to connect as many devices as you want on one account.

If you decide it doesn’t do it for you within 30 days of your purchase, you can request a full refund.

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Why Do You Need a VPN for India?

Internet service providers (ISPs) have to shut down the internet when the Indian government says so. Over the past half-decade, it’s given the order more than any other country in the world, and state-wide restrictions are now a thing.

But that’s not the only reason almost half of India’s internet users have turned to VPNs. The government blocks loads of websites and applications. Sometimes, the motive is national security (like when it blocks Chinese sites), but it can also be to control the flow of information or curb political dissent.

Then there’s the issue of surveillance. The Indian government is always looking to ramp up its monitoring efforts. For example, companies must share information (including customer data) with authorities within 72 hours of receiving an order. And in 2022, VPN companies were mandated to store identifiable logs for up to five years.

Besides, like most other countries, India is feeling the sting of rising cybercrime rates. Public Wi-Fi networks, like those in cafes, airports, and other public spaces, are especially vulnerable to hackers.

Enter the VPN. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through servers in different locations. In the process, it changes your IP address to make it look like you’re accessing the internet from another country.

How does this help? For one, it’s almost impossible for your ISP, government authorities, or anyone else to spy on you. As long as you’re connected to a top-rated VPN. Moreover, you can surf the web freely without worrying about censorship or government-imposed blocks.

VPNs can also come in handy if you’re interested in global content. Many premium providers can bypass geo-restrictions that keep streaming libraries exclusive for different regional audiences. That way, you can enjoy your favorite foreign shows and movies without traveling abroad or using shady third-party platforms.

All the options presented also prove to be good VPNs for accessing blocked pornographic sites.

Selecting the Best VPN for India — Our Methodology

You can get lost in a maze of options and technical jargon trying to pick the right VPN for India. False advertising, too. So, we passed a host of providers through our trusty testing process to draw out a list of the best Indian VPNs.

Here are the factors we evaluated each service for:

• Bypassing Capability: Most Indian residents turn to VPNs to evade government restrictions and use blocked content. As a result, we checked to see how well each VPN can circumvent these barriers (and disguise your VPN use) so you can enjoy unrestricted access to the internet.
• Privacy & Security: Considering the government’s monitoring and data retention mandates, a strict no-logs policy is non-negotiable. What’s more, each VPN offers robust security features to safeguard your data from hackers and other cyber threats.
• Speed & Performance: Internet speeds can be a major issue in some Indian regions. Even more so when you use a VPN. So, we conducted speed tests to ensure your VPN is fast enough to browse, stream, download, and play online games.
• Server Locations: An extensive global network and servers in India are requirements to make this list. They count for fast connection speeds and ensure you can easily bypass various restrictions regardless of your location.
• Ease of Use: A user-friendly interface makes a big difference. We confirmed that setting up and using each VPN across different devices and operating systems is relatively easy.
• Customer Support: On top of that, a prime Indian VPN must have reliable customer service 24/7 across multiple channels. The providers on our list certainly do, so you can reach support whenever you need assistance.
• Compatibility: Ideally, you should get a VPN that works on all your devices. We checked for support with major operating systems like Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and even smart TVs and routers.
• Money-Back Guarantee: Chances are that a VPN without a refund policy is not confident in the quality of its service. Each provider we shortlisted allows you to cancel and claim a refund if you’re not satisfied with your experience.

Using a Free VPN for India: Is it a Good Idea?

Getting a VPN for free beats having to pay for one, right? Well, not really. Free VPNs can be tempting if you’re on a tight budget, but they usually have issues that can make them more trouble than they’re worth.

For instance, strictly free VPNs only have small networks. And even the best freemium services restrict your access to a handful of servers so you can upgrade. That means fewer connection options globally and no servers in India. But it also translates to congestion and sluggish speeds.

As a result, streaming, downloading, playing online games, or even just browsing the internet can be frustrating. Throw in data caps and bandwidth limits, and you can expect interruptions in the middle of fun or important activities.

They’ll also struggle to bypass the government-imposed blocks on content. Similarly, there’s little to no chance you can unblock Netflix US and other libraries and streaming services with one.

Even more concerning, a free VPN may not have the security and privacy features you need for India. By that, we mean top-rate encryption, obfuscation, and other standard and advanced tools. More likely than not, they will also extensively log your sessions to obey the Indian government’s data retention laws (and for profit).

Plus, good luck getting help if something goes wrong. Most free providers offer little to no customer support, which means you’re on your own when you have issues.

Considering all these issues, you’re much better off investing in a quality premium service like the ones mentioned above. Affordable options such as NordVPN, PIA, and Surfshark are handy for those on a budget.

Conclusion

The government’s tendency to snoop and its privacy-unfriendly laws are only two of the several reasons you need a VPN in India.

Rising cybercrime rates mean your sensitive information is vulnerable on public networks. Also, without one, you’re stuck with a restricted online experience, thanks to network blocks and geo-restrictions.

Following extensive tests, we’ve ranked NordVPN as the top Indian VPN service. It easily beats digital roadblocks to content and keeps authorities and other actors from accessing your data. Plus, fourteen virtual Mumbai servers are part of its massive global network of high-speed servers.

Each NordVPN plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test the quality yourself risk-free.

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FAQ

We’ll top up our guide on the best Indian VPNs with a quick Q&A section.

Are VPNs legal in India?

They are. Though, they’re heavily restricted because of the 2022 law that orders all VPNs operating in the country to store logs for up to 5 years. If you’re in India, know that there is nothing wrong with using a VPN, as long as you stick to the right side of the law.

NordVPN is recommended as always but you can experiment with others if you like.

How to get an Indian IP?

Easy – with one of our best VPNs for India.

1. Subscribe to a chosen VPN.
2. Set up the VPN for India on your device.
3. Open the client and connect to an Indian server.
4. Optionally, check if the Indian IP is in place through an IP-checking site.

Can I watch Netflix India abroad?

Yes, you can always watch it with a VPN suitable for Netflix. NordVPN is our #1 pick, as its virtual Indian servers unblock this important library and allow you to access its Bollywood movies and series no matter where you are,