In today’s digital world, protecting your online privacy has become a critical concern. With hackers, advertisers, and even government surveillance agencies targeting your personal data, using a reliable VPN service like ExpressVPN can significantly improve your digital security. ExpressVPN is one of the most well-regarded VPN providers, offering a combination of fast speeds, strong encryption, and a user-friendly interface. However, the service comes with a subscription fee, which may not always be ideal for users looking to access VPN protection without paying.
Fortunately, there are ways to use ExpressVPN for free, or at least for a trial period, to test out its features. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the available options for using ExpressVPN without paying. These methods are legitimate, and they allow you to explore the VPN’s services without any financial commitment, all while keeping your data safe.
Understanding ExpressVPN’s Free Trial and Money-Back Guarantee
ExpressVPN offers two main methods for users to test their services without paying upfront. These options are great for students, casual users, or anyone who wants to try out the service before committing. The two options are the 7-day free trial and the 30-day money-back guarantee.
1. 7-Day Free Trial for Mobile Devices
The 7-day free trial of ExpressVPN is available exclusively for mobile users, which means you can use the VPN service on your iOS or Android device for an entire week without paying. This is a great way to experience ExpressVPN’s features before committing to a subscription.
How to Activate the 7-Day Free Trial:
1. Download the App: Start by downloading the ExpressVPN app from either the App Store (for iOS devices) or Google Play Store (for Android devices).
2. Sign Up and Start the Free Trial: Once you’ve installed the app, open it and look for the “Start Free Trial” option. You’ll be prompted to select a subscription plan.
3. Enter Payment Information: Although the 7-day trial is free, you’ll still need to enter your payment details (credit/debit card or PayPal) to activate the trial. Make sure you keep track of the end date so that you can cancel if you don’t want to be charged for the next billing cycle.
4. Enjoy Full Access: You’ll have access to all of ExpressVPN’s features, including unlimited server switching, secure encryption, and fast speeds, for the entire 7-day period.
Important Notes on the 7-Day Free Trial:
- The trial is only available for mobile devices. If you want to use ExpressVPN on other platforms like Windows, macOS, or Linux, you’ll need to subscribe to a paid plan or use the money-back guarantee (see next section).
- The 7-day trial can only be used once per operating system, so once you’ve used it, you cannot activate another free trial on the same device or platform.
2. 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
The 30-day money-back guarantee offered by ExpressVPN is another excellent way to experience the service without paying upfront. With this option, you can use the VPN for a full month and, if you’re not satisfied, get a full refund within 30 days of purchase. This gives you plenty of time to test the service and decide if it’s right for you.
How to Use the 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee:
1. Choose a Plan: Go to ExpressVPN’s website and select a subscription plan that works best for you. You can choose from a monthly, 6-month, or 12-month plan.
2. Complete the Purchase: After selecting your plan, complete the payment process by providing your payment details. This is where you’ll be charged, but the 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to get a full refund if you cancel within the 30-day window.
3. Enjoy Full Access: Once subscribed, you’ll have complete access to ExpressVPN’s services, including its high-speed servers and industry-leading security features. You can use ExpressVPN on any device supported by the service.
4. Cancel and Request a Refund: If you’re not satisfied with the service, contact ExpressVPN’s customer support team through their live chat or email service. Let them know that you would like to cancel your subscription and request a refund. The support team is known for being very responsive and typically processes refunds within 24-48 hours.
Key Points to Keep in Mind:
- Make sure to request your refund within the first 30 days of your subscription.
- The money-back guarantee is available for all subscription plans, so you can choose whichever one suits your needs.
3. Combining Both Options for Extended Free Usage
By combining the 7-day free trial for mobile devices with the 30-day money-back guarantee, you can use ExpressVPN for up to 37 days without paying a dime. Here’s how you can maximize both offers:
- Start with the Mobile Free Trial: Activate the 7-day free trial on your mobile device and enjoy full access to ExpressVPN’s features.
- Subscribe for the Money-Back Guarantee: After the mobile trial ends, you can subscribe to any of ExpressVPN’s plans for desktop or mobile and use it for 30 days under the money-back guarantee.
- Use Multiple Devices: If you have multiple devices, such as a phone, tablet, and laptop, you can sign up for the mobile trial on your phone and use the money-back guarantee on your desktop or laptop to stretch your free usage even further.
This combination gives you an extensive trial period, allowing you to explore ExpressVPN’s features on both mobile and desktop devices.
4. Considerations and Risks
While using the free trial and money-back guarantee can help you avoid paying for ExpressVPN initially, it’s important to be aware of a few key considerations:
Payment Information
Both the 7-day free trial and the 30-day money-back guarantee require you to provide your payment details. While you won’t be charged for the trial, it’s important to remember that you need to cancel before the trial or guarantee period ends to avoid charges.
Cancellation Process
ExpressVPN makes it easy to cancel your subscription and request a refund, but you must do so within the time limits (7 days for the mobile trial, 30 days for the money-back guarantee). Be sure to cancel before the trial or guarantee period ends to avoid getting charged for the next billing cycle.
Limitations of Free Services
Keep in mind that free VPN services typically come with limitations in speed, server locations, and security features. While ExpressVPN is known for its reliability and security, some free VPNs may not offer the same level of protection. If you opt for the free trial or refund method, you’ll get full access to ExpressVPN’s premium features, ensuring a secure experience.
5. Alternative Free VPN Services
If you’re only looking for a free VPN and do not want to rely on trial periods, you might want to explore other free VPN options. While these services are not always as secure or feature-rich as ExpressVPN, they can offer basic privacy protection. Some popular free VPN providers include:
- ProtonVPN (offers a free plan with limited features)
- Windscribe (provides a free plan with limited data usage)
- TunnelBear (offers a free plan with a 500MB data cap per month)
Always make sure to read the privacy policies of any free VPN provider to understand how they handle your data.
Conclusion
ExpressVPN provides two main ways to use their premium service without paying: the 7-day free trial for mobile users and the 30-day money-back guarantee for all users. These options give you ample time to test the service, experience its top-tier features, and make an informed decision about whether to continue your subscription. By using both the trial and the money-back guarantee, you can enjoy up to 37 days of free access to one of the best VPN services available.
However, it’s important to understand the terms of both offers and ensure you cancel in time to avoid any charges. While ExpressVPN is a paid service, its robust privacy protection and fast speeds make it an excellent option for users looking to protect their data while browsing online.
