Introduction:
In a world that has increasingly grown to worry about online privacy, your way to the secure and unrestricted internet is through the right VPN. Be it streaming, gaming, or just keeping your sensitive data safe, a VPN keeps your digital life private and safe. The Indian internet landscape demands VPNs that are a perfect blend of speed, security, and versatility. Read our guide to discover the best VPN providers that cater to all your online needs!
How We Selected the Best VPN Providers in India:
We rated the VPN providers in India against some basic criteria that are particularly needed for Indian users. High-security features, including the AES-256 encryption level, no-logs policies, and DNS leak protection, were considered for high privacy. Speed was also of great importance since the user required it to be fast for streaming and gaming and without any interruptions while browsing. Compatibility is ensured by taking into major server providers offering virtual Indian servers for easy access to both comply with local regulations and have personal privacy.
Best VPN for Security and Speed: Nord VPN
NordVPN uses the latest NordLynx protocol, which is based on WireGuard technology, to give speed with no compromise on security. It uses AES-256 encryption and has a kill switch and DNS leak protection feature. It has more than 5,200 servers across 60 countries, providing optimal performance and secure connections. This makes NordVPN a great choice for those who need both speed and security.
Best VPN for Streaming Netflix / Hulu etc: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN especially excels at unblocking geo-restricted content for Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming services with its extensive network of servers spanning 94 countries. A proprietary Lightway protocol makes its connections super fast and super stable, which is ideal for any form of uninterrupted streaming.
Best VPN for Gaming: IPVanish
IPVanish promises lag-free gaming by providing high-speed, low-latency connections. It optimizes performance for both competitive and casual gamers by offering unmetered device support and a global server network. Robust encryption with no data caps offers unlimited secure sessions for gamers.
List of 10 Best VPN Providers in India
1. ExpressVPN
Features:
- Maximum Connections: 8
- Speed: 220 Mbps download and 71 Mbps upload speed
- Number of Servers: 163
- Countries: 105
Pricing:
- $12.95 per month
- $4.99 per month for 2 years + 4 months free
- $6.67 per month for 1 year + 3 months free
Pros & Cons:
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Why to Choose:
- Enables the service to provide multiple access options via various locations worldwide.
- It can provide access to geo-restricted content with reliable connections as well.
- Fast and consistent connection speeds make it suitable for activities such as streaming, gaming, and downloading large files.
Ratings:
- 4.3 star rating with 3.83 lakh reviews.
2. Nord VPN
Features:
- Maximum Connections: 10
- Speed: 229 Mbps download and 167 Mbps upload speed
- Number of Servers: 7000+
- Countries: 113
Pricing:
- Basic: $3.59 per month – Security features for daily online activity.
- Plus: $4.49 per month – Device protection and password management.
- Complete: $5.59 per month – Advanced security.
Pros & Cons:
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Why to Choose:
- The WireGuard technology ensures high speed.
- Consistent performance with low latency.
- Protects from Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.
Ratings:
- 4.6 star rating with 9.7 lakh reviews.
3. CyberGhost VPN
Features:
- Maximum Connections: 7
- Speed: 150 Mbps download and 23 Mbps upload speed
- Number of Servers: 11500
- Countries: 100+
Pricing:
- ₹ 965 per month (14-day refund)
- ₹ 175 per month for 2 years + 2 months free (45-day refund)
- ₹ 560 per month for 6 months (45-day refund)
Pros & Cons:
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Why to Choose:
- A well-known and quality VPN service.
- Protects your internet traffic with the highest encryption standard available.
- Specialized servers are used for streaming buffer-free playback.
Ratings:
- 4.2 star rating with 1.5 lakh reviews.
4. Private Internet Access
Features:
- Maximum Connections: Unlimited
- Speed: 110 Mbps download and 27 Mbps upload speed
- Number of Servers: 3288
- Countries: 91
Pricing:
- $2.03 per month for 1 year(30-day refund)
Pros & Cons:
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Why to Choose:
- The security features are very strong, and the server network is vast.
- Easy to use with guides and FAQs on setup and troubleshooting.
- Risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Ratings:
- 4.4 star rating with 90,000+ reviews.
5. Surfshark VPN
Features:
- Maximum Connections: Unlimited
- Speed: 221 Mbps download and 58 Mbps upload speed
- Number of Servers: 3200+
- Countries: 100+
Pricing:
- USD 1.99 per month with VPN and Alternative ID + 4 months free.
- USD 2.49 per month with VPN, Alternative ID, Antivirus, Alert & Search + 4 months free.
- USD 3.99 per month with VPN, Alternative ID, Antivirus, Alert, Search & Data removed by Incogni + 4 months free.
Pros & Cons:
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Why to Choose:
- A versatile and affordable solution for online privacy.
- Restricts internet access if VPN connection drops, preventing data leakage.
- Provides secure and fast torrenting with dedicated servers.
Ratings:
- 4.6 star rating with 1.3 lakh reviews.
6. Proton VPN
Features:
- Maximum Connections: 10
- Speed: Up to 10 Gbps
- Number of Servers: 1700
- Countries: 60
Pricing:
- €9.99 per month (30-day refund)
- €4.99 per month for 1 year (30-day refund)
- €4.49 per month for 2 years (30-day refund)
Pros & Cons:
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Why to Choose:
- Delivers a reliable and ethical service backed by advanced technology.
- Designed to bypass government censorship and restrictions.
- Ability to choose which apps or websites bypass the VPN to be flexible in your usage cases.
Ratings:
- 4.6 star rating with 2.9 lakh reviews.
7. Private VPN
Features:
- Maximum Connections: 10
- Speed: 52 Mbps download and 69 Mbps upload speed
- Number of Servers: 200
- Countries: 63
Pricing:
- USD 9.90 per month (30-day refund).
- USD 2.00 per month for 3 years (30-day refund).
- USD 6.00 per month for 3 months (30-day refund).
Pros & Cons:
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Why to Choose:
- It offers remote installation support.
- Prioritizes user privacy, security, and streaming capabilities.
- Optimized servers to ensure an uninterrupted and buffer-free playback experience.
Ratings:
- 4.5 star rating with 4.8 lakh reviews.
8. TorGuard
Features:
- Maximum Connections: 8
- Speed: 12 Mbps download and 16 Mbps upload speed
- Number of Servers: 3000
- Countries: 50
Pricing:
- Anonymous VPN: $9.99 per month
- Pro VPN: $12.99 per month
- Business VPN: $32.99 per month
- Anonymous Email: $3.29 per month
Pros & Cons:
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Why to Choose:
- Built for smooth streaming and high-speed torrenting with P2P-friendly policies.
- Availability of live chat and email support.
- It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android.
Ratings:
- 4.6 star rating with 9,000+ reviews.
9. IPVanish
Features:
- Maximum Connections: Unlimited
- Speed: 190 Mbps download and 77 Mbps upload speed
- Number of Servers: 2400
- Countries: 135
Pricing:
- IPVanish Essential: $2.19 per month (30-day refund)
- IPVanish Advanced: $3.29 per month (30-day refund)
Pros & Cons:
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Why to Choose:
- Adds another layer of anonymity by masking your real IP with shared IPs.
- Optimized online gaming experience with a stable and lag-free connection.
- Advanced data protection with military-grade encryption.
Ratings:
- 4.4 star rating with 60,000+ reviews.
10. Pure VPN
Features:
- Maximum Connections: 10
- Speed: 23 MB download and 91.85 Kbps upload speed
- Number of Servers: 6000+
- Countries: Not Mentioned
Pricing:
- Standard: $1.69 per month for 5 years (31-day refund)
- Plus: $2.99 per month for 5 years (31-day refund)
- Max: $3.29 per month for 5 years (31-day refund)
Pros & Cons:
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Why to Choose:
- Keep your data safe when the internet connection unexpectedly drops.
- Protect all your devices under a single subscription.
- Safeguards your data using the highest possible encryption level.
Ratings:
- 3.7 star rating with 40,000+ reviews.
Comparison Table on Top 3 VPN Providers in India:
VPN Provider | Number of Servers | Speed (Mbps) | Pricing | Ratings |
ExpressVPN | 163 | 2220+ Mbps | Expensive | 4.4 |
Nord VPN | 7000+ | 6730+ Mbps | Affordable | 4.6 |
Surfshark VPN | 3200+ | 221 Mbps download and 58 Mbps upload speed | Affordable | 4.6 |
Factors to Consider While Choosing a VPN in India
- Select VPNs with servers in or near India to achieve lower latency and faster connection speeds.
- Make sure that the VPN uses strong encryption protocols, like AES-256, to protect your data.
- VPN with high-speed connections and unlimited bandwidth for activities like streaming and gaming.
- If streaming services like Netflix India or Hotstar are a must, ensure the VPN can reliably bypass geo-restrictions.
- Ensure compatibility with various devices and operating systems.
Can a VPN Prevent ISP from Tracking Browsing
A VPN encrypts the internet traffic and hides the user’s IP address so that their ISP will not be able to view or log activities online. Once connected to a VPN, your data securely passes through an encrypted ISP-not-able-to-decrypt tunnel, hence incapable of analyzing your behaviour on the internet. The second one is that the VPN uses an IP from its network of servers to hide your real IP address. This prevents your current location and activities from being revealed.
The use of a VPN safeguards you against your ISP seeking the requests you make through a DNS query encrypted to your VPN servers. Your ISP may realize you are connected through a VPN but cannot know anything that you access or that you’re sending. An important consideration is to have a respectable VPN provider who adheres strictly to the no-logs policy on your data for more privacy when accessing data.
Do VPNs Protect Against Malware or Viruses?
VPNs do not protect directly against malware or viruses since they mainly focus on making online activity private and secure by encrypting internet traffic and hiding the user’s IP address. Even though a VPN might reduce the exposure to malicious websites due to ad and tracker blocking features, it does not find or remove malware, ransomware, or spyware. However, to achieve full security, this VPN needs to pair with a good antivirus that actively finds and removes all sorts of malicious program items.
Is It Legal to Use VPNs in India?
Indeed, using a VPN in India is permissible by the law. According to the government, people are authorized to use a virtual private network, even when they engage themselves in an attempt to extend their online security, protect data or break geo-limitations. At the same time, Indian authorities ensure their use of these services without committing any act contrary to the prevailing Indian laws. In 2022, the Indian government put in place a new set of rules where the VPN providers have to maintain the users’ data for five years, and some VPN companies pulled out their physical servers from India. However, most VPN providers offer virtual Indian servers so that users can keep themselves private and in compliance with local laws. A VPN service should only be used by a trusted provider, which is in line with legal requirements and keeps users’ privacy.
How to get a VPN in India?
- Research and select a VPN service that meets your requirements.
- Go to the VPN provider’s website, select a subscription plan, and create an account.
- Download the app for your device from the provider’s website or app store.
- Choose a server in India or another country, depending on your needs
- Click the Connect button to connect securely.
- Use a tool like “What’s My IP” to confirm your VPN connection is active and show the chosen server’s IP address.
Conclusion:
The right VPN gives you the right way of experiencing the internet for streaming, gaming, or securing sensitive data. Try our suggested VPN providers and take control of your digital life today; secure, explore, and thrive without boundaries.
FAQ:
1. Will a VPN slow down my internet speed?
Yes, a VPN may slightly reduce your internet speed due to encryption and server routing, but premium VPNs minimize this impact effectively.
2. How do I know if my VPN is working properly?
Check your IP address using tools like “What’s My IP” to confirm it matches the server location and ensure your traffic is encrypted.
3. Can a VPN bypass app bans or restrictions in India?
Yes, a VPN can bypass app bans by routing your connection through servers in countries where the app is accessible.
4. Will a VPN help with internet censorship in India?
Yes, a VPN allows access to restricted websites and content by masking your IP address and bypassing local censorship filters.
5. Can a VPN prevent government surveillance in India?
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it hard for surveillance agencies to monitor your activities online.
6. What things can one do with VPN help?
VPNs permit secure browsing, bypassing geo-restrictions, accessible global content, enhanced privacy, and protection of data on public Wi-Fi.
Sundeep Reddy is a seasoned expert in the digital marketing landscape with 15 years of comprehensive experience encompassing analytics, design, and UI/UX. As the founder of Growth Hackers, the top digital marketing agency in India for the past 7 years, Sundeep has established a reputation for innovative strategies and a results-driven approach. Recognized for his authority in the field, he’s not only led his agency to success but also actively shares his wealth of knowledge, mentoring the next wave of digital marketing professionals.