Best VPNs for India in 2024 - Get an Indian IP address

A VPN is perfect if you’d like to bypass content blocks or browse the web securely while in India. Here’s a list of the best VPNs for India, factoring in speeds, security, and streaming access. 

India is a prime location for VPN usage, although the country has a troubled history with many services. In 2022, the government demanded that all VPNs operating in the region must begin keeping customer logs for at least 180 days. This includes usage details, allotted IP addresses, the purpose of using the services, user addresses, contact details, and more.

Numerous VPNs pulled out of the country in response, and we’d advise sticking with a provider that doesn’t have any servers that are physically located within India. 

VPNs work by routing all traffic through an encrypted server which is located in a country of your choice. This helps to improve online privacy, and the user is assigned a new temporary IP address for as long as they stay connected to the VPN server.  This can be used to access various blocked sites and services worldwide, and you’ll be able to browse anonymously without anyone keeping tabs on your online movements. 

We’ll take you through each of the best VPNs in detail below. We’ve also included a quick rundown detailing what you can expect from each provider:

The best VPNs for India:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for India. Completely withdrew from India in 2022. Fast connection speeds, streaming access in popular regions, large server network, various unique features, obfuscated servers, DNS leak protection, Double VPN, and more. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. 
2. Surfshark: Our top budget VPN for India. Matches up to more expensive providers with speedy WireGuard connections, apps for all devices, streaming support, servers in 100+ countries, and unlimited simultaneous connections. Virtual Indian servers.
3. ExpressVPN: Reliable provider with secure connections and virtual servers in India. Strong AES encryption and is one of the best VPNs to access region-locked and censored websites and services.
4. Proton VPN: Privacy-focused provider with virtual servers in New Delhi. Still provides streaming access, various advanced features like port forwarding, and limited free locations available. 
5. Mullvad: Ideal for anonymity, IPv6 support, excellent speeds with all apps, obfuscation, anonymous sign-up available, and a zero-logs policy. 
6. CyberGhost: Streaming optimized servers in various locations and roughly 30 virtual Indian servers. Ad blocking, malware filtering, split tunneling, and more. Affordable subscriptions. 
7. IVPN: Open-source no-logs transparent provider with speedy WireGuard connections and numerous advanced features. 

Summary Table

If you’re in need of a VPN for India, there’s a long list of services that will be able to get the job done. We've been able to narrow the field with our inclusion criteria. Here are some of the non-negotiable characteristics we looked for when picking out the best providers for India.

• No physical servers in India, although virtual servers are fine depending on where they are based 
• Connection speeds will dictate how efficiently the user is able to perform any online task
• Streaming access, as well as allowing the user to bypass any restrictions on sites from abroad 
• Privacy and security, including everything from notable features to available protocols
• In order to qualify for one of the top three positions, the VPN must operate a 100% diskless server network and have had its infrastructure audited by a reputable third party

For more information about the specific criteria we used for picking the best VPNs for India, check out the testing methodology section found later in this article.

Best VPNs for India

Here’s a roundup with detailed information about each of the VPNs that have made it onto this list.

NordVPN immediately shut down its Indian servers in 2022 following the news that India's Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-in) ordered VPN companies operating in the region to collect their customer data, store it for five or more years, and hand it over to the government if requested. With no coverage in the country to speak of, it’s not going to be the best option if you need an Indian IP address from abroad. 

However, it does come with a long list of unique features that help it to stand out in a crowded market. NordVPN is speedy (200 Mbps) thanks to the NordLynx protocol, while Meshnet is free of charge, and lets the user create a private connection between multiple trusted devices.

It’s great for streaming, working with popular services like Netflix US, as well as free platforms like BBC iPlayer. SmartPlay is an automatic Smart DNS feature, making it easy to circumvent any DNS blocking while continuing to benefit from encryption.  

Apps and infrastructure have been independently audited, and the decision to leave India bodes well in terms of privacy and security. A large network includes over 5,900 servers in 60+ countries, and it can be used with a total of six devices at the same time. 

THE BEST VPN FOR INDIA: NordVPN is a trustworthy provider that removed all Indian servers as soon as it was asked to log user data. Unique features like Meshnet and NordLynx, fast speeds and steaming access, and audited infrastructure and apps for peace of mind. Comes with a simple risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of NordVPN.

Surfshark is our top pick if you’re in need of a low-cost solution for India. The provider has a selection of 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries, including coverage in India itself. 

Due to the privacy risks associated with India, these are virtual servers that are actually physically located in Singapore, the Netherlands, and the UK. Essentially, a virtual server will work to hide your location while masking your IP address, in the same way a physical server does. The main difference is jurisdictional, which is why it makes sense to stay away from India due to the rules concerning data collection. In any case, Indian servers can be used to get an Indian IP address.

There are Surfshark apps for all major platforms, and it allows the user to connect unlimited devices with a single account. It’s fully audited, with sturdy AES-256 encryption and support for tasks like streaming and torrenting. Features include MultiHop servers, split tunneling, obfuscation, rotating IPs, and more. Average speeds work out to roughly 190 Mbps.

Surfshark is a little rough around the edges in some respects. For example, the macOS app doesn’t support obfuscation and a kill switch at the same time, and some locations are slower than others. Even so, it's a speedy provider with no connection limits and advanced security features. 

THE BEST BUDGET VPN FOR INDIA: Surfshark is a strong option if you’re on the market for a low-cost provider that can give you an Indian IP address. Watertight security, audited logging policy, and streaming access. Unlimited simultaneous connections, 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

ExpressVPN is a premium provider that is perfect for users in India. As with Surfshark, it withdrew from the country in 2022, and now offers virtual Indian locations that are physically located in Singapore and the UK. You'll find servers in a total of 105 countries. 

It’s great for accessing streaming sites from abroad, and it should be seen as a go-to VPN if you’re trying to bypass blocks found with an obscure site or service. This is the case whether you're interested in international content, or Indian TV channels. The provider offers a custom protocol (Lightway), and average speeds amount to 175 Mbps. 

ExpressVPN is a reliable option when it comes to privacy and security. It has a strict no-logs policy, while features include split tunneling, obfuscation, a kill switch, and leak protection. It even works in countries like China and the UAE.

There are apps for iOS, macOS, Windows, Android, and Linux, and it can now be used on up to eight different devices at the same time. Custom router firmware is also available. 

Despite constant improvements, the competition has caught up to ExpressVPN in most respects. As such, it’s hard to justify paying more each month for a subscription compared to budget options, even if it is a smooth experience with reliable connections. 

RELIABLE INDIAN VPN: ExpressVPN has reliable connections and numerous virtual server locations in India. Lightway protocol, industry-leading support, and fully audited. Apps for all devices and unmatched in terms of bypassing geo-blocks. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

Proton VPN has a collection of 16+ virtual servers in New Delhi. These offer streaming support, as well as access to its NetShield ad-blocker. As with the services above, Proton decided to pull out of India in 2022 in order to adhere to its strict no-logs policy. It uses Smart Routing, and notes that virtual Indian servers are physically found in Singapore. 

The provider also has Secure Core servers, which route data via Switzerland before reaching India. It’s essentially MultiHop, and works to provide an additional layer of security. 

You’ll find everything from port forwarding to support for Tor over VPN. Average speeds of 320 Mbps ensure that you’ll never have to deal with lag or slowdown.  

Proton even has a trio of free server locations, found in the US, the Netherlands, and Japan. However, these can’t be used for streaming, and there’s no support for Secure Core. Speeds are slower, but there’s no bandwidth cap to worry about. 

It’s relatively expensive, so it might not be the best option if you’re not interested in the more advanced features on offer. 

VIRTUAL SERVERS IN INDIA: Proton VPN is another viable solution for users in India or elsewhere. Virtual servers in New Delhi, Secure Core support, streaming access, and fast connection speeds. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ProtonVPN.

Mullvad is an exemplary service, with a collection of 650+ servers found in 43+ countries. As you may have guessed, India isn’t included, as the provider aims to improve online privacy and security with a long list of advanced features. 

For example, it supports split tunneling, while offering obfuscation, IPv6 support, and the ability to block ads, trackers, and malware. Lockdown Mode ensures that you can’t use the internet without connecting to a VPN server first. 

Performance is also notable, although it might be because the service can’t be used for accessing streaming sites. Average connection speeds of 660+ Mbps make it the fastest VPN on this list, and it is twice as quick as the nearest competitor (Proton VPN). 

Mullvad uses a simple pricing system, with a flat fee that works out to $5.50 monthly, no matter how long you sign up for. It’s fair, but it does mean that you will miss out on potential savings seen with longer deals. 

ANONYMOUS INDIA VPN: Mullvad is a great pick if you’re interested in anonymity and privacy above all else. No Indian servers, multiple advanced features like Lockdown Mode, and some of the fastest server speeds you’re likely to find. Industry standard 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Mullvad.

CyberGhost has opted to provide virtual servers in India that allow P2P filesharing. There are 29+ in total that can be used with local services like Disney+, Hotstar, PhonePe, and ShareChat, as well as giving the user an Indian IP address. It has 10,000+ servers in 100+ countries, which works out to be one of the more expansive networks when all is said and done. 

The provider makes it especially easy to stream via a range of international platforms, including the likes of US Netflix and Hulu. It goes a step beyond the average VPN in this respect, with labeled servers found within the app.  

Users in India will also benefit from ad blocking, malware filtering, split tunneling, and Smart DNS. However, it lacks obfuscation, and there’s no way to disable the kill switch on Android, macOS, or iOS. 

It has apps for all major devices, and it allows for up to seven simultaneous device connections. 

BEGINNER-FRIENDLY INDIA VPN: CyberGhost makes it easy for new users to get started with the service. Affordable deals, user-friendly apps for all devices, and lots of streaming support for popular platforms. Offers a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.

IVPN is a capable no-logs provider with open-source apps for all devices. It has decided to opt for no servers in India, but that doesn’t mean that it should be disregarded out of hand. 

Let’s get the main drawbacks out of the way first. As with Mullvad, IVPN focuses on privacy and security, with no support for popular streaming platforms. It has fewer servers than the competition, which can sometimes get overloaded. 

So, how does it manage to make the list? IVPN offers everything you need to improve online security, including a kill switch, a LAN-traffic blocker, split tunneling, and automatic connections. It's great for bypassing online censorship, and will keep you safe while accessing Indian sites and services. 

The provider is transparent, and comes with a GUI for Linux, leak protection, port forwarding, MultiHop, and an AntiTracker tool that helps to block ads, trackers, and malicious websites. It works with up to seven devices at the same time.

TRANSPARENT INDIA VPN: IVPN is ideal if you’re looking for an open-source solution for India. Fast speeds thanks to WireGuard, packed with advanced features such as MultiHop and port forwarding. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Methodology: How we chose the best VPNs for India 

Rather than picking out providers at random, we’ve compiled a comprehensive VPN testing methodology. We test and compare the best VPNs in the business. 

Our strict criteria means that only providers dedicated to digital privacy, with excellent usability and optimal performance, can make it onto our list. Below, you can see the criteria we used to pick the best VPNs for India.

• Servers: For once, servers in the country aren’t a prerequisite, and we’d avoid any provider which has agreed to log the data of Indian users. Ideally, the provider will offer virtual Indian servers that can be used for an Indian IP address, as well as to access local sites and services. Bonus points are awarded for accessing international services like BBC iPlayer.
• Speeds and performance: Fast connection speeds will ensure no lag, even if you’re connecting to servers located halfway around the world. The VPN needs to be reliable, especially if you’re planning to access content from abroad. With average fixed broadband speeds of roughly 53 Mbps, each of the providers listed above is quick enough to get the job done. 
• Privacy and security: How does the VPN perform in terms of security and privacy? We look at features, their implementation, and everything from leak protection to encryption and protocols. 
• Third-party audits: Trust is the foundation of the value that VPNs provide. You are essentially placing more faith in your VPN provider than you are in your ISP. Almost every provider says they are a ‘no-logs' VPN. The only ways to test this claim are either through the courts or through audits. We will only consider providers for our top three positions if they have undergone infrastructure audits from a reputable third party. While this isn't foolproof, it's the closest the industry has to a verification process for logging policies.
• Diskless infrastructure: Again, this is a prerequisite to be considered for one of the top three positions on BleepingComputer. While the data stored on a VPN server should be minimal, it could, theoretically, be accessed if the servers were seized or hacked. Moving processes to RAM means that no information can be physically taken from servers and it is wiped on shutdown. It can also easily be wiped as a part of regular security procedures.

How to use a VPN in India 

Providers might appear to be overly technical, but it’s not tough to get started with a VPN in India. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up a VPN for Indian users. 

Here’s how to set up a VPN in India:

1. Firstly, you’ll need to pick a VPN. We’ve listed several top options for India above, but we prefer NordVPN.
2. Sign up with the service, and make a note of your login credentials. 
3. Download the VPN app to your device. 
4. Sign in with your credentials, and select a VPN server. Wait to be connected.

That’s all it takes to get started. You’ll be able to access content available in the region that you’ve connected to, and your data will be encrypted in the process.  For instance, a UK VPN server can be used to access geo-restricted content like BBC iPlayer. 

India VPN FAQs

Can I use a free VPN for India?

We’d advise against using a free Indian VPN for a variety of reasons. In this instance, security and privacy will be an issue, given any providers operating in India with physical servers are likely to have agreed to hand your data over to the government. 

Free VPNs have also been known to mine and sell user data, while there’s also the possibility of free VPN apps containing malware designed to infect your device. Performance is often an issue, as are bandwidth and data caps. 

Which VPNs have Indian servers?

Some VPNs provide virtual servers in India. Rather than being physically located in the country, these are found elsewhere, with Singapore and the UK being popular destinations. But they still have Indian IP addresses, so websites and apps will see them as such. ExpressVPN and Surfshark are two examples of providers with virtual Indian servers.

Do I need a VPN if I live in India? 

It’s a good idea to use a VPN no matter your current location. VPNs will improve online privacy, while giving the user access to geo-blocked sites and services in India and various other countries. You’ll be able to avoid censorship, as well as evading online surveillance carried out by the Indian government. India VPN servers should be virtual, rather than physical to avoid any data retention issues. 

Will Indian VPN servers slow down my connection speeds?

Indian VPN servers are likely to be of the virtual variety, which means they are found elsewhere. As such, you may experience some slowdown depending on where these servers are actually found. VPN server speeds will depend on a number of factors, including the current load, and your location. However, each of the providers we’ve mentioned above is quick enough to ensure no lag or buffering while connected.

How do I stream Indian TV abroad?

It’s possible to stream Indian TV from abroad with a VPN. The majority of platforms are geo-restricted, but they can be accessed with an Indian VPN server. This is the case no matter if it’s a virtual or physical server, as it will assign you an Indian IP address.

Is it legal to use a VPN in India?

Yes, it’s still legal to use a VPN in India, despite the rules that were implemented in 2022. Most providers have opted to use virtual servers instead, with others withdrawing from the country entirely. Even so, you’ll be free to download and use a VPN in India. Of course, if you break the law while using a VPN, then you’ll still have to face the consequences legally.  

What are India's data retention laws?

In 2022, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) decided that all VPNs in the country must keep customer logs for 180 days. Providers are obliged to retain usage details, allotted IP addresses, the purpose of using the services, user address, contact details, and more. As such, many VPNs have decided to avoid offering their services in the region whatsoever. You'll still be able to access Indian content via virtual VPN servers, but we'd avoid any providers with physical servers in India. The Indian government might have caused a lack of India VPN servers with the ruling, but you can still connect to servers elsewhere safely.