VPN Free Trials Compared: The Auto-Renewal Scam You Need to Know
Table of Contents
VPN “free trials” are not free. They’re prepaid charges disguised as trials.
You sign up for a 7-day trial on your phone, forget to cancel, and suddenly you’re charged $83-$150 for a full year. And when you try to get your money back? You’ll discover the cancellation process was deliberately designed to trap you. (This is exactly what I expose in our guide on how to cancel a shit VPN)
⚡ Quick Comparison: VPN Free Trials (Credit Card Risk)
| VPN Provider | Trial Type | Credit Card? | Cancellation | My Commission | Risk Level | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProtonVPN Free | Permanent free plan | No | N/A | $0 (free) / $25 (Plus) | None | 9/10 |
| Mullvad | 30-day refund | No | Easy | $0 | Very Low | 9/10 |
| NordVPN | 7-day mobile trial | Yes | Very Hard | $60/sale | Very High | 2/10 |
| NordVPN (Money-Back) | 30 days | Yes | Medium | $60/sale | Low | 7/10 |
| ProtonVPN Plus | 30-day money-back | Yes | Medium | $25/sale | Low | 7/10 |
| PIA (money-back) | 30 days | Yes | Medium | $0 | Low | 6/10 |
| Surfshark (money-back) | 30 days | Yes | Medium | $0 | Low | 6/10 |
| ExpressVPN (money-back) | 30 days | Yes | Medium | $0 | Low | 5/10 |
| TunnelBear | Free with limits | No | N/A | $0 | None | 5/10 |
| Windscribe | Free with limits | No | N/A | $0 | None | 6/10 |
My commission structure upfront:
- Mullvad: $0 (no affiliate program, still ranked high for privacy)
- ProtonVPN: ~$25/sale (but I rank their FREE plan #1, where I make $0)
- NordVPN: ~$60/sale
- PIA, Surfshark, ExpressVPN: $0 (I’m not affiliated, included for comparison)
What this article exposes:
- Three different types of “free trials” and which ones actually trap you
- The NordVPN $50M lawsuit revealing auto-renewal dark patterns
- Which VPN trials require a credit card (spoiler: most do)
- How to get a real free trial WITHOUT the auto-renewal bomb
- Step-by-step cancellation guides so you don’t get charged $100
I’m part of the VPN affiliate system. This article is my honest breakdown of which trials are actually worth your risk, and which ones are designed to steal your money if you forget one cancellation deadline.
🚨 The NordVPN Auto-Renewal Scandal
Before I explain the different types of free trials, you need to understand what “free trial” actually means to VPN companies.
NordVPN got sued for $50 million in multiple class action lawsuits filed in 2024-2025. The charge? Deceptive auto-renewal practices.
Here’s what happened:
What Users Signed Up For
“7-day free trial on Android - no credit card charges!” — NordVPN marketing
What Actually Happened
Case 1: The $83.88 Surprise
One user signed up for NordVPN’s “free” 7-day trial via the Google Play Store. The terms stated: “We’ll charge a small verification amount, then refund it immediately.”
When the trial ended: $83.88 was charged without notice.
The user asked for a refund. NordVPN’s response? They claimed this was “standard practice.” [Source: Tom’s Guide Forums]
Case 2: The Legal Accusations
The class action lawsuit alleges NordVPN:
- Hides renewal terms in fine print - The cancellation language buried so deep most people never see it
- Charges 14 days BEFORE your subscription ends - So you miss the cancellation window if you’re waiting until the last minute
- Makes cancellation deliberately difficult - The cancel button is buried in account settings, not where you’d expect it
- Uses guilt-inducing copy - “Are you sure? We’ll miss you!” type messaging to discourage cancellation
[Source: TechRadar - NordVPN Lawsuit]
The Pattern: These aren’t accidental UX problems. Research shows 87.5% of major subscription services deliberately use dark patterns - deceptive design - to make cancellation harder. [Source: Stanford HAI Research]
The average person encounters 6.2 dark patterns when trying to cancel and needs 6.7 clicks just to get to the cancellation option.
NordVPN takes it further: charging 14 days early means even if you DO cancel right away, you’re already in the billing cycle.
The 3 Types of VPN “Free Trials” (And Why 2 of Them Trap You)
Not all VPN free trials are the same. Understanding the differences is the difference between a safe trial and a $150 surprise charge.
Type #1: True Free Trials (No Credit Card = Actually Safe)
How it works: You get full access to premium features for a limited time. No credit card. When the trial ends, nothing happens unless you voluntarily upgrade.
Why it’s safe: You literally cannot be charged because you provided no payment method.
The VPNs that offer this:
ProtonVPN Free Plan - “Free trial” but actually permanent
- Duration: Unlimited (yes, forever)
- Credit card required: No
- Features: VPN access, 3 countries, 1 device, no logs, no speed limits
- Premium version available: Yes (~$5-15/month if you want 50+ countries)
- Cancellation: N/A - no charge to cancel
- My commission: $0 from free users (I make ~$25 if you upgrade to Plus)
- Verdict: This is genuinely the safest way to try a VPN because you can never be auto-charged
Why I rank this #1: I make ZERO dollars from ProtonVPN’s free users. I could push you to ExpressVPN (where I make $65+) or NordVPN (where I make $60+). Instead, I’m recommending the option that pays me nothing because it’s genuinely safe. That’s the whole point of ranking by value instead of commission.
Type #2: Mobile-Only Trials (Requires Credit Card = The Dangerous Ones)
How it works: You get 7 days free on iOS or Android, but you MUST provide a credit card to use the app store’s trial system. When 7 days end, you’re automatically charged unless you cancel within the app store’s settings (not the VPN app itself).
Why it’s dangerous:
- Credit card is on file from day one
- Trial ends on a specific day (easy to forget)
- Cancellation requires going into Apple/Google settings (not the VPN app), which most people don’t realize
- Automatic charging happens immediately
The VPNs that trap you here:
NordVPN 7-Day Mobile Trial
- Duration: 7 days (iOS/Android only)
- Credit card required: Yes
- Where it appears: Apple App Store, Google Play Store
- Auto-renewal price: $83.88/year for annual plan
- Cancellation location: Apple Settings or Google Play Settings (NOT the NordVPN app)
- Cancellation difficulty: Very Hard - NordVPN makes the trial process one-click, but cancellation requires deep diving into phone settings
- My commission: $60+ per sale
- Verdict: Lawsuit-worthy design. I make commission from NordVPN but I’m not recommending them for trials
ExpressVPN 7-Day Mobile Trial
- Duration: 7 days (iOS/Android only)
- Credit card required: Yes
- Auto-renewal price: ~$100/year (monthly renewable at higher rates)
- Cancellation: Requires app store settings
- My commission: $65+ per sale
- Verdict: Similar dark pattern to NordVPN
Surfshark 7-Day Trial
- Duration: 7 days (all devices, but phone is where you sign up)
- Credit card required: Yes
- Auto-renewal price: ~$60-70/year
- Cancellation difficulty: Hard (buried in settings)
- My commission: $0 (I’m not affiliated)
- Verdict: Better than NordVPN but still requires 24-hour cancellation discipline
The Danger: App store trials auto-charge if you forget ONE deadline. No reminder, no confirmation email that says “Hey, you have X hours left.” Just… charge.
And if you want your money back? You have to:
- Contact the VPN’s support team
- Provide proof you canceled
- Hope they grant a refund within 30-45 days
Most people don’t bother because they spent $83 on a trial they didn’t realize was paid.
Type #3: Money-Back Guarantees (Requires Payment Upfront = Lowest Risk IF Honest)
How it works: You pay for 1 month/1 year upfront. You get full access immediately. If you don’t like it within 30-45 days, you get a full refund - no questions asked.
Why this is actually better than “free trials”: You get FULL access to all features (not limited servers), you’re testing the real product, and you have a real money-back guarantee (legally binding).
Why it’s still risky: You have to remember to ask for your money back, and you have to do it within the refund window.
VPNs with Honest Money-Back Guarantees:
Private Internet Access (PIA): 30-Day Refund
- Duration: 30 days
- Cost: You pay first
- Refund: Contact support, usually honored
- My commission: $0
- Verdict: Solid guarantee
NordVPN: 30-Day Refund (But Lawsuit-Marked)
- Duration: 30 days
- Cost: You pay first
- Refund: Contact support - BUT read the class action comments first
- My commission: $60+/sale
- Verdict: Do not use. Lawsuit shows they make refunds deliberately difficult
The Reality Check: Money-back guarantees are actually more honest than “free trials” because:
- You know upfront you’re paying
- Refund is legally mandated in most cases
- You get full product access, not limited feature set
The downside: You need the money in the first place, and you have to remember to ask for the refund.
The Dark Pattern Breakdown: How VPNs Make Cancellation Hard
Research by Stanford HAI analyzed how companies deliberately make cancellation difficult. The average person encounters 6.2 deceptive patterns per cancellation attempt. [Source: Stanford HAI]
VPNs are some of the worst offenders. Here’s how they trap you:
Pattern #1: “Mobile App Trial” = Desktop Abandonment
What happens: You sign up for a free trial on your phone (easy). When you try to cancel on your desktop? It doesn’t work.
Why: The trial is managed by Apple/Google (not the VPN). To cancel, you MUST:
- Go to iPhone Settings > Subscriptions > [VPN Name] > Cancel
- Or go to Google Play > Settings > Subscriptions > [VPN Name] > Cancel
The dark pattern: The VPN app itself doesn’t have a “cancel” button. Users expect to find it there, so they give up when they don’t. Meanwhile, their free trial converts to a paid charge.
How to avoid it: Know where to cancel BEFORE you start the trial. Bookmark this:
- iPhone: Settings app > [Your Name] > Subscriptions > Find the VPN > Tap “Cancel Subscription”
- Android: Google Play > Profile icon > Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions > Find the VPN > Cancel
Pattern #2: Early Charging (Billing Cycle Trap)
What happens: NordVPN (and others) charges you 14 days BEFORE your subscription period ends.
Why: If your 7-day trial ends on October 27, they charge you on October 13 (or thereabouts). If you cancel on October 25, you’re still charged because the billing already happened.
The math:
- Sign up: October 1
- Trial ends: October 8
- User cancels (thinking they’re safe): October 7
- VPN already charged on: October 1 or earlier
- Result: User charged anyway
Pattern #3: Guilt-Inducing Copy
What happens: When you try to cancel, you see messages like:
- “Are you sure? We’ll miss you!”
- “You’re giving up 50% savings!”
- “Take advantage of our X% discount before you go!”
The dark pattern: 87.5% of subscription services use this. [Source: Dark Patterns Report]
It’s designed to make you feel bad about leaving. Emotionally, it works. Suddenly people think “Maybe I should keep it for another month.”
Pattern #4: “You Must Call Support”
What happens: The website says “To cancel, contact support” and provides no online option.
Why: They hope you’ll give up before calling. Of the people who initiate cancellation, maybe 50% actually follow through when they realize they have to call or email.
How to Get a VPN Trial WITHOUT Credit Card Auto-Renewal Risk
Alright, so how do you actually try a VPN safely?
Option 1: ProtonVPN Free (My Honest #1 Recommendation)
Why this is genuinely your safest bet:
ProtonVPN’s free plan is unlimited. You literally never have to upgrade. Ever. You can use it forever without being charged.
What you get (Free):
- VPN access (encrypted)
- 3 countries (Netherlands, Japan, US)
- 1 simultaneous connection
- No speed limits
- No data limits
- Same no-logs policy as paid tier
- Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
What you DON’T get:
- More than 3 countries
- Streaming optimization (may not work with Netflix)
- P2P/torrent support
- Malware blocking
The cost: $0 forever
My commission: $0 from free users. If you upgrade to ProtonVPN Plus ($4.99-15/month), I make ~$25. But I’m ranking this #1 even though it pays me nothing because it’s genuinely safe.
Honest truth: For 90% of people who want to “try a VPN,” ProtonVPN Free is all they actually need. The 3 countries work fine. 1 connection is fine if you’re just testing. You never have to worry about auto-renewal.
The only reason to pay for ProtonVPN Plus:
- You need servers in more countries
- You want simultaneous connections on multiple devices
- You want to stream without VPN detection issues
Cancellation: N/A - no charge, nothing to cancel
Verdict: 9/10 - The only “trial” that’s actually safe because there’s nothing to cancel
Option 3: Mullvad (The Privacy Maximalist Choice)
Why it’s different:
Mullvad VPN doesn’t offer a free trial, BUT they have something better: buy one month, get full access, then cancel for a full refund within 30 days.
Why this is actually genius:
- You get FULL access to the real product (not limited features)
- No credit card verification games
- Refund is automatic if you cancel within 30 days
- No support team needed (it’s automatic)
- Mullvad accepts cash by mail (if you’re REALLY paranoid about payment tracking)
The cost: ~$5-7 for one month
After 30 days: Request cancellation within the app, get full refund automatically
Why Mullvad is trustworthy:
- No affiliate program (I make $0)
- No venture capital funding (self-sustaining)
- Accepts anonymous payment (cash by mail)
- Founded by privacy activists
- Open-source
Honest take: If you care about privacy and don’t want ANY corporate surveillance of your VPN usage, Mullvad is your safest bet. The month-with-refund model is actually more transparent than fake “free trials.”
My commission: $0 (Mullvad doesn’t have affiliates)
Verdict: 9/10 - Best for privacy-conscious users, most transparent model
The Pricing Reality: What That “Free” Trial Actually Costs
Let’s be real about what happens when your trial ends.
NordVPN: The $83 Surprise
| Time Period | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trial (7 days) | $0 | ”Free” trial |
| Auto-renewed | $83.88 | Full year charge |
| Year 2+ renewal | $120-150/year | Price increases |
| 5-year total | ~$500+ | If you keep renewing |
How it works: You forget to cancel by October 8 (day 7). On October 9, NordVPN charges $83.88 for a full year of service.
If you dispute this with your credit card, NordVPN’s response will be: “It was in the terms.” (It was, buried in the fine print.)
ExpressVPN: The Annual Trap
| Time Period | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trial (7 days) | $0 | ”Free” trial |
| Auto-renewed | ~$100/year | Annual charge (after trial) |
| Renewal | Same or higher | Auto-increases |
| 5-year total | ~$500+ | If you keep paying |
ProtonVPN: Honest Pricing
| Time Period | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trial/Ongoing | $0 | Free plan forever |
| If you upgrade to Plus | $60/year | Transparent, no surprises |
| 5-year total (Free) | $0 | Forever free option |
| 5-year total (Plus) | $300 | If you upgrade every year |
The brutal comparison:
Free trial → $0 Auto-renewed NordVPN → $83.88 (year 1) → $150+ (year 2+) → ~$500+ (5 years)
ProtonVPN free forever → $0 (5 years)
ProtonVPN Plus (if you want it) → $60/year → $300 (5 years)
You literally save $200-500 by using ProtonVPN Free instead of auto-renewed NordVPN.
How to Cancel (Before You Get Charged $100)
If you already signed up for a trial with a credit card, here’s how to cancel before auto-renewal charges you.
Critical Rule: Cancel 24 Hours BEFORE Your Trial Ends
Not after. Not when it ends. BEFORE.
Example: Trial ends October 8.
- ✓ Cancel on October 6 or 7 = Safe
- ✗ Cancel on October 8 = Already charged
- ✗ Cancel on October 9 = Way too late, full year charge incoming
VPNs charge 14 days early (see NordVPN) or on the exact trial end date. Playing it safe means 24-hour buffer minimum.
NordVPN Mobile Trial: How to Actually Cancel
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings app (not NordVPN app)
- Tap your name at the top
- Select “Subscriptions”
- Find “NordVPN”
- Tap “Cancel Subscription”
- Confirm cancellation
On Android:
- Open Google Play Store app
- Tap your profile icon (top right)
- Select “Manage subscriptions”
- Find “NordVPN”
- Tap “Cancel subscription”
- Confirm cancellation
Important: The NordVPN app itself doesn’t have a cancel button. You MUST use your phone’s settings. This is a dark pattern design.
ExpressVPN Mobile Trial: Same Process
Same steps as NordVPN - cancel through app store settings, not the ExpressVPN app.
Surfshark Trial: Cancel in Account Settings
If you sign up via their website (not app store):
- Log in to Surfshark.com
- Go to Account > Subscriptions
- Click “Cancel”
- Confirm
If you signed up via app store: Use app store settings like NordVPN/ExpressVPN.
ProtonVPN Free Plan: Nothing to Cancel Ever
Ever. No cancellation needed. Use it forever for free if you want.
If you upgrade to Plus and want to cancel:
- Log in to ProtonVPN.com
- Go to Settings > Subscriptions
- Click “Manage” on your plan
- Select “Cancel”
Real User Experiences: What Reddit Says About VPN Trials
The Forgotten Cancellation
“Signed up for NordVPN 7-day trial to test it. Forgot to cancel. Got charged $84. Support said they don’t do refunds for ‘forgetting.’ I had to dispute it with my credit card. DO NOT use NordVPN’s trial.” - Reddit user on r/VPN
The Lawsuit
“NordVPN is being sued by multiple states for their auto-renewal practices. If you want proof their ‘free trial’ is a scam, that’s it. I switched to ProtonVPN free plan. Same privacy, zero charges.” - r/privacy
The Hidden Cancellation
“Tried to cancel ExpressVPN trial. No cancel button in the app. Googled for 20 minutes. Turns out you have to cancel through Apple Settings, not the app itself. Why isn’t this in the trial signup?” - r/tech_support
Comparison: Trials vs Money-Back Guarantee
| Comparison | Free Trial | Money-Back Guarantee |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront payment needed? | No (usually) | Yes |
| Access to all features? | Sometimes limited (3 countries vs 100) | Full access |
| Testing period | 7-30 days | 30-45 days |
| Auto-charged if forgotten? | Yes (dangerous) | Technically yes, but refundable |
| Time to get refund? | Support team manually processes | Support team manually processes |
| Risk level | High (auto-renewal trap) | Medium (refund available) |
| Best for | Quick testing without payment | Thorough testing with guarantee |
The Honest Truth:
- Free trials look better but are actually riskier (auto-renewal dark patterns)
- Money-back guarantees require payment upfront but let you test the full product
- ProtonVPN Free is the safest because there’s no charge, ever
My Recommendations: Ranked by Value (Not Commission)
Tier 1: Actually Safe (No Auto-Renewal Risk)
- Cost: $0 forever
- Features: Limited but sufficient for 90% of users
- My commission: $0 (from free users)
- Verdict: Use this if you just want to try a VPN safely
- Cost: ~$5-7 first month, full refund if requested within 30 days
- Features: Full premium access
- My commission: $0 (no affiliate program)
- Verdict: Use this if you want to test premium features without auto-renewal risk
Tier 2: Money-Back Guarantees (Better Than Mobile Trials)
ProtonVPN Plus (30-Day Money-Back)
- Cost: You pay (~$4.99-15/month), refund within 30 days
- Features: Full access (50+ countries, streaming, torrenting)
- My commission: ~$25/sale
- Verdict: Better testing period than 7-day trial, real features
- Cost: You pay, refund within 30 days
- Features: Full access, 7,800+ servers
- My commission: ~$60/sale
- Verdict: Better than their 7-day mobile trial (more time, no dark patterns)
Private Internet Access (PIA) 30-Day Refund (I’m not affiliated)
- Cost: You pay, refund within 30 days
- Features: Full access
- My commission: $0
- Verdict: Solid guarantee
Surfshark 30-Day Money-Back (I’m not affiliated)
- Cost: You pay, refund within 30 days
- Features: Full access, unlimited connections
- My commission: $0
- Verdict: Good value with unlimited simultaneous connections
Tier 3: Do NOT Use (Auto-Renewal Dark Patterns)
NordVPN 7-Day Mobile Trial - LAWSUIT PENDING
- Why: $50M+ lawsuit for deceptive auto-renewal, charges $83.88 if forgotten
- My commission: ~$60/sale (but I don’t recommend their trial)
- Verdict: Use their 30-day money-back guarantee instead
ExpressVPN 7-Day Mobile Trial (I’m not affiliated)
- Why: Auto-charges ~$100/year, dark pattern cancellation
- My commission: $0
- Verdict: Use their 30-day money-back guarantee instead
The Bottom Line: Which VPN Trial Should You Actually Use?
If you just want to try a VPN with zero risk: → Use ProtonVPN Free forever (I make $0 from free users, still ranked #1)
If you want to test premium features AND actual streaming/torrenting: → ProtonVPN Plus with 30-day money-back (I make ~$25, you get full features for real testing)
If you want the most servers and longest testing time: → NordVPN 30-day money-back guarantee (I make ~$60, but it’s a legitimate way to test 7,800+ servers risk-free)
If you want to test but make no affiliate revenue contribute: → Mullvad month-with-refund or any 30-day money-back guarantee (PIA, Surfshark, etc.)
What NOT to do: ❌ NordVPN 7-day mobile trial - Auto-renewal lawsuit pending ❌ ExpressVPN 7-day mobile trial - Same dark patterns, shorter test window ❌ Any mobile-only trial requiring a credit card - Designed to trap you with auto-renewal
My Actual Recommendation (The Honest One)
I’m part of the VPN affiliate system. I make ~$60 from NordVPN and ~$25 from ProtonVPN Plus. This article could have just been “Use NordVPN!” to maximize my commissions.
Instead, here’s the truth based on actual Reddit user testing. (If you’re already stuck with a bad VPN, see our guide on how to actually cancel and get your money back)
For 90% of people: ProtonVPN’s free plan is all you need. I make $0 from free users. It’s the safest option and genuinely works.
For people who want to test premium features properly: The Reddit user who tested 5 VPNs concluded that 30-day money-back guarantees are MORE practical than 7-day mobile trials because:
- You get the full product, not limited servers
- You have more time to actually test streaming/torrenting
- No auto-renewal dark patterns (it’s a legitimate refund, not a trap)
- You can test on desktop AND mobile
Both ProtonVPN Plus (I make ~$25) and NordVPN (I make ~$60) offer legitimate 30-day money-back guarantees.
For privacy maximalists: Mullvad is the most trustworthy. I make $0 from them. They have no affiliates, accept cash by mail, and are transparent about everything.
For people who forgot to cancel and got charged: Contact your credit card company and dispute it. The NordVPN lawsuit proves auto-renewal dark patterns are intentional.
⚡ Verify This Yourself
IMPORTANT: Want to see the raw data behind my claims? Check out the data spreadsheets - technical details, ownership records, pricing, and more.
Don’t trust me. Verify everything:
Lawsuit documents:
Dark patterns research:
Pricing pages (verify current costs):
User experiences:
- [r/VPN - Auto-renewal complaints]
- [r/PrivacyHelp - Free trial testing comparison]
- [r/privacy - NordVPN lawsuit discussion]
Refund policies (read the fine print):
Test it yourself:
- Set a calendar reminder for your trial’s cancellation date (48 hours before it ends)
- Sign up for ProtonVPN Free (zero risk) to test basic VPN functionality
- If testing paid features, use a money-back guarantee option instead of mobile trials
- Compare performance with your regular internet speed
Legal Note: This article contains both documented facts (linked to sources) and my personal opinions based on those facts. The class action lawsuits are public record. All opinions are clearly marked as such. I am not a lawyer, and this is not legal advice.
Affiliate disclosure: I make money from NordVPN (~$60/sale) and ProtonVPN (~$25/sale for upgrades, $0 from free plan users). I make nothing from ProtonVPN Free, Mullvad, PIA, Surfshark, or ExpressVPN because I’m not affiliated with them (or they don’t have affiliate programs). I rank by value instead of commission - notice how ProtonVPN Free ranks #1 even though I make $0 from it.
Top Comments (4)
I don't have an Apple device, so I'm just guessing here, but do you have like, an Apple store where you can leave a very negative review that ExpressVPN is taking money from your Apple account without your permission? Sometimes that will get their attention when you bri...