The title of this article is: what is the best VPN for India? This is something that we are going to determine right here so you do not have to spend hours debating over which might be the best for you and your anonymity.
Censorship in the Country
Internet freedom in the country has been on the decline since 2017. This was when there was a huge increase in the number of websites and apps that closed down. The ban included access to more than 800 porn websites as well.
In August 2019, new rules came into force regarding connectivity restrictions. Things deteriorated for the internet freedom of residents in 2018. This followed violence and death due to misinformation, fake news, and rumors online.
All of this has led to many residents turning to use VPNs aka Virtual Private Networks to overcome censorship and blocked content.
It has also led to many asking what the best VPN for India is. And with that in mind, we have chosen our top five providers that you can find below.
The Best VPN Services in India
We have chosen the providers we consider to be among the best for residents. All providers offer a superb level of service and plenty of servers around the world. This means residents can remain anonymous and overcome censorship.
Providers also offer state-of-the-art encryption for security and more.
Our choice of providers is:
- ExpressVPN
- CyberGhost
- NordVPN
- Surfshark
- IPVanish
Now we will delve deeper into why we have chosen these providers out of the others out there and find out what each provider has to offer.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a great choice and the best VPN for India for overcoming government surveillance and censorship.
The provider offers what it takes for residents of the country to stream their favorite movies while they are overseas. Along with this, residents can overcome censorship and unblock websites.
Taking a vacation is nice. However, it is not so nice when settling down to stream media from sites such as SonyLIV, Eros Now, and Hotstar. These sites are inaccessible outside of the country.
But, VPN users can connect to a server in the country to overcome geo-restrictions from anywhere in the world.
Of course, many residents want to stream US content from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and other streaming platforms. Again, inside of the country, this is something that is not possible as residents can only access the local version of the streaming platform.
Unless of course, a subscription is taken out with one of the best VPN for India to overcome the restrictions.
By connecting to one of the many US servers or any other country, restricted content can be viewed and streamed.
Taking on an IP address inside of India or out is very easy and the provider supports numerous devices. It is also perfect for anyone who wants to remain completely anonymous when torrenting.
Along with this, the provider offers military-grade encryption to secure the personal details of the user, ensuring hackers cannot steal them.
The provider also makes it easy to bypass the throttling of the mobile network operator, Jio. The ISP often slows down the connection speeds of internet users who stream or torrent.
When connected to a server of ExpressVPN the ISP has no idea what users are doing so throttling does not occur.
- Unblocks Netflix US/UK/CA/AU
- Great security and encryption
- All major platforms are covered
- Easy-to-use application
- 5 simultaneous connection
- More than 3,000 servers in 94 countries
- A bit more expensive
Overcome restrictions in India with ExpressVPN >
2. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is a worthy contender among the best VPN for India in 2024. The provider claims that it offers a truly complete VPN solution for people to reclaim privacy rights.
The provider offers 7,400 servers around the world, thus making it easy for residents to overcome the heavy restrictions imposed by the government and ISPs.
CyberGhost offers apps for various devices so users can access the content at anytime and anywhere, securely. All apps are easy to download, install, and use.
With CyberGhost, residents can easily mask the IP address of the device being used and take on one from any server.
Whether this is one in India, while abroad, to overcome geo-restrictions and access Hotstar, or to connect to a server in the US to watch US Netflix.
The provider has a strict no-logging policy, making it one of the best VPN in India in 2024 for anyone who likes to use torrent software. This also applies to anyone who simply wishes to remain completely anonymous.
- Specific servers for streaming and torrenting
- 7 simultaneous connections
- Very good value for the price
- Application available on many devices
- 90 countries covered
- Not working in China/Turkey
Enjoy anonymity with CyberGhost >
3. NordVPN
NordVPN is our third choice of provider and also one of the best VPN for the USA. The provider recommends the best server possible using smart algorithms, along with allowing users to adjust the server preferences based on their needs.
The provider offers a huge range of apps for various devices suitable for on the go and at home, along with multiple connections. With over 300 million smartphone users in the country and increasing, remaining safe with your mobile is essential.
NordVPN provides a way for people to remain safe when downloading torrents, something that ISPs often retaliate against, despite the fact they can be used for legitimate reasons.
A specialty list of servers is offered by the provider to make connecting easy. This includes the best servers for connecting to when using P2P networks and software. Alternatively, a one-click fast connect option is offered.
With security in mind, NordVPN offers subscribers the chance to use a double VPN feature. When connected to not one but two servers, users have double encryption and double the protection.
Anyone concerned about anonymity will be pleased to hear that NordVPN has a no-logging policy. With them not collecting information from users, they cannot provide any info to the government in the event of them being asked.
- The best option for security
- Great prices for long-term plans
- 6 devices covered
- 5,200+ servers
- Very clear and simple application
- Expensive short-term plans
Enjoy security and P2P sharing with NordVPN >
4. Surfshark
Surfshark is among the most affordable of the best VPN for India on our list. The provider offers access to 3,200+ fast and reliable servers. However, Surshark does not have the huge numbers of servers other providers give access to.
The provider offers residents the chance to unblock numerous streaming websites. Along with this, state-of-the-art security measures are here. These include the typical 256-bit encryption and Kill switch to stop the internet connection in the event the server is disconnected.
One way in which Surfshark stands out among other providers is the ability for users to connect to unlimited devices at the same time.
Surfshark offers subscribers a Multi-hop feature. This feature is available on all apps. A double connection is made as easy as going to the Multi-hop located in the right-hand corner of the screen and clicking on it.
Subscribers can then choose a pair of servers and connect to them.
Note that Surfshark offers an affordable VPN solution that’s almost perfect. And even a free app for iPhone and Android (but only for 7 days). This ensures the provider a place on our list of the providers who offer the best VPN for India.
- Very cheap plans
- No-logs policy audited by Cure53
- Unlimited devices covered
- Application available on all devices
- Slower speeds
Enjoy impeccable security in India with Surfshark >
5. IPVanish
IPVanish manages a network of 1,900 servers without an intermediary being involved, along with managing all other parts of the service. This includes servers in New Delhi that are stable with a good quality connection and solid download speeds.
Residents of the country can gain access and stream a wide variety of content. This includes accessing numerous websites and apps not available due to censorship.
Residents can also access US Netflix and many more streaming sites by choosing a server from the USA.
IPVanish supports torrenting along with offering unlimited P2P traffic. The provider also offers unlimited bandwidth and has a no-log policy.
For security, the provider offers many protocols including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard, while the user can set the IP address to change automatically following a certain interval.
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Strong encryption and security
- Unblocks Netflix US easily
- Unlimited traffic
- Based in the USA
- Not so great speeds
- Outdated-looking apps
Torrent safely with IPVanish now >
Why You Might Want to Use a VPN in India
We have already touched briefly upon the fact that censorship in India is increasing. This, of course, is one good reason why people have turned to ask – what is the best VPN for India?
However, there are many more reasons, other than overcoming censorship and we are going to talk about them below.
Stop Your ISP Spying on You
A Virtual Private Network does not replace an internet service provider. Users of such kind of service still need to subscribe to an ISP if they want to access content online. However, the VPN helps to stop ISPs from spying.
A VPN works alongside the connection to the internet service provider. Users of a Virtual Private Network connect to the VPN and choose a server from anywhere around the world.
In doing so, that server provides the user with an alternate IP address, providing anonymity. Neither the ISP nor anyone else looking can monitor the online activities of someone behind a Virtual Private Network.
Stream Blocked Content
India now has a large amount of content blocked by the government. This includes accessing pornography websites in the country, copyrighted material, and more.
The government also blocked legitimate social and political information, along with apps and social media platforms in the country. Intermediaries who have failed to comply with censorship laws are punished with fines or even jail time.
Along with this, the courts can block content without approval from the government. In 2017 alone, more than 700 URLs on social media have been blocked, along with more than 500 websites.
Thousands more URLs have since been blocked and censorship continues. This led to residents turning to VPN providers and looking for the best VPN in India to overcome restrictions.
A Virtual Private Network allows residents to overcome blocked content by taking on an IP address from a country around the world where censorship is low.
Protect Yourself Against Hackers
A VPN offers protection against hackers and there are many of them out there. As technology improves, the hackers get better, finding more ways to steal identities and information.
One way hackers steal information is through malware. Hackers can install software onto your device in numerous ways. This includes email attachments and fake software.
A good antivirus will help to catch the majority of them. However, as hackers are getting more advanced, antivirus and anti-malware software fight to keep up with them.
Protect yourself against hackers with ExpressVPN >
With a Virtual Private Network installed, information passing from the user’s device is encrypted before it goes out onto the internet. This makes it impossible for hackers to read as it is only decrypted when it reaches its destination.
Even if a hacker were to come across the information, it would be a garbled mess and useless. This is a good reason to take the time to choose one of the best VPN for India.
Remain Safe When Using Public Hotspots
Another consideration in regards to safety and security is when using the internet outside of the home.
Public Wi-Fi is not the most secure way to connect to the internet but millions of people do it.
There are more than 31,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots in the country offered by hotels, the retail sector, cafes, airports, and more. At the same time, hackers infiltrate hotspots due to them having little or no security.
Hotspots such as these are easy to infiltrate, as they have no encryption.
Unsuspecting people shop online, entering credit card details or bank details, which the hacker can read.
Some even set up their hotspots close to the legitimate one, with a similar name. People do not pay too much attention to the hotspot connection and when connecting to a hacker’s hotspot they get a direct link to any information sent.
A VPN puts a tunnel between the device you are using with the hotspot and the internet, so again, information is encrypted. Along with this, the user has an alternate IP address.
Torrent Without Worry
Torrenting is an activity that may bring trouble with it depending on the content downloaded using the client software. Using a Torrent client is legal in India, providing the user is only downloading content that is not copyrighted.
However, this is a different story if the user is downloading copyrighted material.
Internet Service Providers monitor online activity. This means they know if users are downloading illegal content.
In the event of being found out, fines may be handed out, internet service may be restricted or cut off completely. In some cases, jail time is handed out by the courts.
With this in mind, it is well worth taking the time to consider the best VPN in India and sign up with a provider.
ExpressVPN - Torrent without worry >
A Virtual Private Network provides the tools needed to remain anonymous online. This means that not even the ISP can see what users are doing online and Torrenting becomes safer.
Save Money on Hotel Rooms and Flight Tickets
Another benefit of using a VPN is to make savings when booking such as hotel rooms, flights, and car rental.
When searching on comparison sites, the prices are based on location. Websites know the location based on the IP address as all countries have a specific range of IP addresses.
Residents who live in more affluent areas will be offered higher prices for flights and hotel rooms than someone living in a less affluent region.
Connecting to a server in another part of the country, or even in another country, might lead to savings as the prices will be determined based on the IP address of the countries connection.
Is It Legal to Use a VPN in India?
Using a Virtual Private Network in the country is not against the law. However, there are some things to consider.
While it is perfectly acceptable to choose and use the best VPN for India to remain safe online and save money, torrenting and overcoming geo-restrictions falls into a grey area.
Copyright infringement is illegal, while there might be legal consequences to face if caught out accessing websites and content banned in the country.
The government stated that anyone accessing banned websites and content would receive a fine and might face jail time. This is why it’s VERY important to choose a really good VPN for Inda that won’t get detected by your ISP or the authorities.
Once you do that, you can browse the web with no worries, even if you often visit porn sites, for example, or you simply love downloading torrents from 1337x or any other torrent site.
To Summarize
What is the best VPN to use in the country? Well, the answer to that question would depend on how it is going to be used.
One provider might excel in one area more than another. For instance, offering easier ways to connect to servers than other providers.
ExpressVPN offers some of the fastest servers out there in numerous locations around the globe. This might make the provider a perfect choice for anyone wanting to stream geo-restricted content in HD.
For Torrenting NordVPN offers dedicated P2P sharing servers along with dedicated IPs. The provider also offers double encryption for additional safety whilst sharing files.
CyberGhost offers an easy-to-connect solution with one-click connecting to the best server possible. The provider also offers built-in protection against malicious sites and website ads.
Surfshark is a good choice for anyone whose focus is on affordability but also plenty of features. The provider offers multi-hop, allowing users to connect to two servers simultaneously. Unlimited simultaneous connections are offered so all family members can use the same plan.
IPVanish might be the best VPN for India for anonymity as the provider manages everything internally along with having a no-log policy.
When it comes down to it, the best VPN for India is going to be the one that meets the specific needs of the user – in this case, you!
A professional writer with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Since his youngest age, he loves everything related to internet, technology, fitness, games, and dogs! He joined our team in order to bring his deep knowledge in security services, among which VPN is of course a key component.
