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If you’re travelling to India, you don’t have to miss out on your favourite programmes, shows, and series.
Many platforms — such as BBC iPlayer — use geo-blocking to restrict content to users within their home country. However, employing the help of a VPN can help you stay connected to the content you love, wherever you are.
That said, India operates under a different regulatory environment than many Western countries. It’s important to understand the rules surrounding VPN use before signing up, as well as to choose a provider that aligns with your privacy and streaming needs.
GBN Tech has put together a guide about how you can use the best VPNs while in India.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is software that protects and anonymises everything you do online. | UNSPLASH What is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is software that protects and anonymises everything you do online. VPNs can conceal your online activities by routing traffic through an encrypted tunnel that connects to secure servers worldwide.
The most reliable VPNs use the same encryption standards as governments in the United Kingdom and the United States, ensuring that even your Internet Service Provider (ISP) on Wi-Fi cannot record the websites you visit, the duration of your sessions on each site, or your current location. This protection extends to advertisers, trackers, and hackers, preventing them from monitoring your online behaviour.
Personal information entered into online forms and sensitive data transmitted to and from your device will be safeguarded from hackers using strong encryption provided by a VPN.
Are VPNs banned in India?
VPNs are not banned in India, but new government regulations from 2022 require VPN providers with servers in India to log user data for five years, making true privacy difficult. This has led many providers to remove physical servers, instead using virtual alternatives.
For example, ExpressVPN was one of the first VPN providers to remove physical servers from India due to the government regulations.
The provider continues to offer virtual India VPN servers physically located in Singapore and the UK, allowing you to access the internet as if you were in India with minimal difference in user experience. This allows you to use a VPN without your online traffic being logged, stored, or monitored by the government.
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Can I use a free VPN in India?
Free VPNs can be appealing if you don’t want to spend money or if you’re just getting started with using them. However, they often come with significant limitations under regulations found in areas like India.
If privacy is your main concern, free VPNs may not be the best choice. Some providers log your browsing activity and could be required to share that data with authorities if requested. Others may sell your data to third parties, which directly undermines the purpose of using a VPN in the first place.
Many free VPNs also impose strict data caps, which can be quickly exhausted if you’re streaming or downloading content. Performance can suffer, too, with slower speeds and fewer server options.
Security is another concern. With the recent surge of new VPN providers — some entering the market in response to increased internet restrictions — there’s a higher risk of encountering untrustworthy or poorly secured services.
For these reasons, a reputable paid VPN service is generally the better option, offering stronger privacy protections, better performance, and more reliable security.
VPNs work by encrypting all of your online traffic before it's sent over the internet. This prevents your ISP, advertisers, hackers, and fraudsters from tracking your online activity, stealing your personal data, or placing restrictions on you | EXPRESSVPN PRESS OFFICE The best VPN to use in India
If you’re looking for a premium VPN service, there are several great options available.
One thing to consider is investing in a longer two-year plan. No matter which VPN provider you choose, the biggest discounts are always reserved for those who commit to a one or two-year subscription. In some instances, the cancel-anytime rolling one-month plans can cost as much as a one-year subscription — so you really want to avoid those wherever possible.
Here are the best VPNs to use on your travels.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN: Get 80% off + 4 months free
ExpressVPN: Get 80% off + 4 months for freeProtect your personal information and encrypt everything you do online for just £1.99 with the latest ExpressVPN deal. That equates to under 7p per day, trouncing NordVPN, its biggest competitor
ExpressVPN adds military-grade encryption across up to 10x devices, including iPhone, Android, Linux, Windows, Mac, Fire TV, and dozens more, to secure your internet traffic from prying eyes, advertisers, and governments. You'll benefit from an extra 4 months free with a two-year plan
ExpressVPN has earned top marks from industry experts like CNET and TechRadar, specifically for its high-performance servers that deliver dependable streaming regardless of your location. In our ExpressVPN review, we confirmed that it lives up to the hype.
As we mentioned above, it also runs virtual servers in India, so your privacy is 100% safe.
Subscription costs begin at £1.99 monthly, allowing you to secure up to 14 different gadgets. Users can tap into a massive infrastructure of 3,000+ servers spanning 105 nations. Its custom Lightway protocol is a standout feature, designed to boost speeds for uninterrupted viewing.
The software is compatible with virtually every platform, from PCs and smartphones to Smart TVs. Even consoles like Xbox and PlayStation, which typically don't support VPNs, can be covered via the MediaStreamer tool. With 10-Gbps network speeds, it handles gaming and high-definition videos with ease.
Security-wise, it offers military-grade encryption and a strict no-logs commitment. Because it is based in the British Virgin Islands, it operates outside the Five Eyes surveillance alliance, meaning it cannot be forced to share user data with UK or US authorities. While it is a premium-priced option, the 30-day refund policy provides a risk-free way to test its capabilities.
ExpressVPN also works on Linux, Mac, Windows 11, Windows 10, and more – ideal for any device you may have.
2. NordVPN
NordVPN: Get 73% off
All NordVPN subscribers will enjoy automatic malware scans to save you from dodgy downloads and alerts about leaked credentials on the Dark Web. NordVPN also offers access to 6,400 server locations across the globe with fast connection speeds.
A true titan in the industry, NordVPN is a great choice for users in India. A vocal proponent of internet freedom, the service hides your IP address and encrypts data to bypass blocks and annoying advertisements.
NordVPN has also removed all its physical India VPN servers and offers virtual servers instead, just like ExpressVPN.
To keep costs down, the provider frequently runs promotions on its one and two-year tiers, with basic entry prices starting at £2.59 per month. Like its competitors, it offers a 30-day money-back window.
Recent updates now allow you to connect 10 devices simultaneously on a single account. Based in Panama, the provider manages a robust network of over 5,000 servers across 60 nations. Beyond standard protection, it features Double VPN encryption and Onion Over VPN for maximum anonymity — innovations that helped earn it a spot on TIME's Best Inventions list.
3. Surfshark
Surfshark: Get 80% off + 3 months free
If you're looking for some of the lowest monthly bills around, look no further than the award-winning Surfshark VPN. It's cut monthly subscription prices by 80%. Not only that, but Surfshark will also bundle an extra three months at the end of a two-year plan, dropping the effective cost to just £1.48 per month. Surfshark lets you use your subscription across unlimited devices.
Launched in 2018 and operating out of the Netherlands, Surfshark has quickly grown to offer 3,200+ servers in over 100 countries.
Much like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, the provider offers virtual servers for India instead of physical servers.
Despite its low monthly price, it doesn't skimp on safety, offering a kill switch, DNS protection, and MultiHop routing. It has been widely recognised for its value, winning awards from Trusted Reviews and CNET.
For users seeking a total privacy overhaul, the Surfshark One+ bundle includes Incogni. This service actively contacts data brokers to delete your personal information from the web, serving as a powerful companion to the VPN itself.
4. CyberGhost
CyberGhost: Get 84% off + 4 months free
CyberGhost has cut its monthly subscription by 84%. If you sign up for a 24-month plan, you'll be gifted with 4 months of access to the award-winning VPN service for free. CyberGhost has one of the longest money-back guarantee periods, with a generous 45 days to decide whether you want to stick with your new VPN subscription
CyberGhost is an excellent alternative for travellers seeking a blend of performance and affordability. Established in Romania in 2011, this provider is one of Europe’s most established and reliable cybersecurity names.
CyberGhost also follows suit with other VPN providers in our list and offers virtual servers for India instead of physical ones.
Featuring more than 11,000 servers in 100+ countries, it ensures that you can find a fast connection anywhere on earth.
Unique perks include specialised NoSpy servers managed entirely by the company to prevent outside interference, alongside integrated ad and malware blockers. Perhaps most impressive is their 45-day refund guarantee — the longest in the industry — which shows just how much they trust their product.