VPN is key to the internet now. Literally, you simply can’t open certain sites in a country that has its own policies and rules regarding internet pages.
That is why whether you’re browsing free internet from home, traveling abroad and using a VPN, or working remotely, you need a good VPN that offers a free plan to try and a real discount when you have decided which one to download on your phone or use on a pc.
The good news? Reputable VPNs have real money discounts, first-time user deals, seasonal coupons, and promo codes that let you lock in unbeatable prices on long-term subscriptions (1-2 years or more).
Best VPN Promo Codes, Discount Codes & Free Trials in 2026
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Best for speed · ExpressVPN discount offer
ExpressVPN 94+ countries
Up to 78% off the 2-year plan — $2.79/month (was $12.49); the Advanced plan at $3.59 (74% off) and Pro at $5.99 (70% off). Use the ExpressVPN promo code LOCALS at checkout; the new-customer discount is applied on top through this link.
ExpressVPN has no free plan, but the 30-day money-back guarantee works as a risk-free trial. The best available promo discount is applied when you pick a plan. Read our ExpressVPN review.
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Best for streaming · NordVPN coupon & new-user deal
NordVPN 60+ countries
Up to 72% off — the 2-year plan at $3.89/month (68% off, was $12.49) or the Complete plan with malware protection, ad blocking and dark-web monitoring at $4.99/month (72% off). Enter the NordVPN promo code LOCALS at checkout to claim the new-user discount offer.
NordVPN free trial: none as such, but the 30-day money-back guarantee gives you a full month to test it; 3-month plan at $7.99/month. Read our NordVPN review.
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Best for privacy · Proton VPN free plan & promo
Proton VPN Swiss · 20,000+ servers · 140+ countries
70% off the 24-month VPN Plus plan — $2.99/month (was $12.49); 12-month VPN Plus at $3.99 (60% off), VPN x Pass Plus bundle at $6.99 (42% off). The Proton VPN coupon code is auto-applied at sign-up, so there is nothing to type in.
The only one of the four with a genuinely free VPN plan — no data cap, no card needed — if you only need the basics; upgrade to Plus for streaming and 10 devices. Read our Proton VPN review.
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Best value · Surfshark promo code & free trial
Surfshark unlimited devices · 7-day free mobile trial
Up to 86% off 24-month plans — from $1.78/month (was $11.95), with ad blocking and malware protection included. The Surfshark discount codes SHARKGIFT and SHARKSECURE add extra savings at checkout, and new users get a free 7-day trial before paying.
Surfshark free trial code is not needed — the 7-day trial is built into the iOS and Android apps. Students get a further Surfshark student discount through Student Beans. Unlimited simultaneous connections on one plan. Read our Surfshark review.
Every VPN promo code, discount and free-trial offer above is taken from the provider’s official site and change without notice — the price you see at checkout is the one that applies. Locals Insider may earn a commission if you buy through these links; it never affects what you pay. VPNs are legal in most countries; check local rules before using one in a restrictive country.
TOP VPN Coupons & Promotions from ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Proton, and Surfshark Reviewed
ExpressVPN Deals & Promo Discounts: Up to 78% Off!
ExpressVPN offers some significant savings for users who want to secure up to 14 devices with high-speed servers in over 94 countries. Right now, you can save as much as 78% on their two-year plan, dropping the price to just $2.79/month (was $12.49). No coupon code is required. Download for free and explore additional plans that include:
- 74% off the 2-year Advanced plan – $3.59/month (was $13.99)
- 70% off the 2-year Pro plan – $5.99/month (was $19.99)
ExpressVPN automatically applies the best available discount when you select your plan, making it easy to get the best deal. Plus, with 30 days of free service through their money-back guarantee, it’s a risk-free trial to explore what the VPN has to offer. Check the current deals on ExpressVPN.
NordVPN Discounts: Save Up to 72%!
If you’re looking for a reliable VPN that doesn’t skimp on privacy features, NordVPN might be the solution. Their latest deals include:
- 64% off the 3-month plan – $7.99/month (was $12.49/month)
- 68% off the 2-year plan – $3.89/month (was $12.49/month)
- 72% off the Complete plan – $4.99/month (was $17.49/month)
NordVPN is known for its 9,300+ servers in over 60 countries, offering features like malware protection, ad-blocking, and dark web monitoring. Their automatic discounts ensure you’re getting the best offer with no promo code needed. Find more about NordVPN deals here.
Proton VPN Deals & Discounts: Save Big on Premium Privacy
Proton VPN is known for its strong encryption and excellent performance, and with the latest offers, it’s even more affordable. The coupon code is auto-applied during signup. Current deals include:
- 70% off the 24-month VPN Plus plan – $2.99/month (was $12.49/month)
- 60% off the 12-month VPN Plus plan – $3.99/month (was $9.99/month)
- 42% off the 24-month VPN x Pass Plus plan – $6.99/month (was $11.99/month)
Proton VPN’s plans come with unlimited streaming support, up to 10 devices, and access to 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries. Best of all, Proton applies the best discount automatically, so there’s no need to enter promo codes. Explore Proton VPN’s latest offers.
Surfshark VPN Deals: Try It for Free, Save Big on Long-Term Plans
Surfshark offers some of the most affordable long-term VPN options, with discounts that make their service one of the cheapest around. Here’s what’s currently on offer:
- 86% off on 24-month plans – Starting at $1.78/month (was $11.95/month)
- Free 7-day trial – Full access to all features during the trial period, available on mobile.
In addition to great pricing, Surfshark offers features like ad-blocking, malware protection, and support for unlimited devices. Use promo codes like SHARKGIFT or SHARKSECURE to get even more savings. Plus, students can get additional discounts through Student Beans. Find more about Surfshark deals here.
Find Your VPN Match
Answer 4 quick questions and we’ll match you with the right VPN for 2026 — based on what you’ll actually use it for, your budget, how many devices you need to cover, and what matters most.
What will you mainly use the VPN for?
Different providers excel at different jobs — streaming and privacy aren’t the same problem.
What’s your budget?
Long-term plans (2-3 years) save 70-86% off monthly rates. Free plans exist but have real limits.
How many devices need protecting?
Most VPNs cap at 5–10 devices. Only Surfshark offers truly unlimited connections on one plan.
What matters most to you?
All four major providers are fast, secure, and have apps that work — pick the trade-off that fits.
Top VPN picks for you
VPN Promo Deals & Offers 2026: TOP Free Plans Compared
| VPN Provider | Best Deal 2026 | Price (per month) | Best For | Promo Codes |
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| ExpressVPN | 78% off 2-Year Plan | $2.79/month (was $12.49) | Top-tier encryption, high-speed servers, and 14 devices | No codes needed, deals auto-applied |
| NordVPN | 68% off 2-Year Plan – BEST! | $3.89/month (was $12.49) | Great for streaming, secure access to global servers | No codes needed, deals auto-applied |
| Proton VPN | 70% off 24-month VPN Plus Plan | $2.99/month (was $12.49) | Excellent privacy features, strong encryption | No codes needed, deals auto-applied |
| Surfshark | 86% off 24-month Plan + 3 extra months | $1.78/month (was $11.95) | Cheapest premium VPN with support for unlimited devices | Coupon Code: SHARKGIFT |
After reviewing the top VPN providers, ProtonVPN stands out as the best free plan for 2026. Here’s why:
Best Free VPN in 2026 (Based on Our Research and Reviews)
- ProtonVPN Free Plan: Offers unlimited data with no ads and is renowned for its strong privacy standards. It allows you to use their secure servers in the United States, Japan, and the Netherlands, making it an excellent option for users who prioritize online privacy.
- Key Features: No log-keeping policy, decent speed, and strong encryption, although limited to only one device and a smaller server selection.
Promo & Coupon Codes on VPN Subscriptions
- Surfshark: Use SHARKGIFT or SHARKSECURE coupon codes for additional savings on long-term plans.
- ExpressVPN: No promo codes required; the best deal is auto-applied during checkout.
- NordVPN: Deals are automatically applied based on the selected plan, no manual discount code needed.
- Proton VPN: No coupon codes required, discounts are applied automatically.
How to Use VPN Free Plans, % Discounts and Save Even More When Signing Up
Many VPN providers offer automatic promo code application when you select a plan, making it simple to secure the best deal. But there are also referral programs to look out for, where you can earn additional months of free service for referring friends. ExpressVPN and Surfshark both offer such programs, allowing you to extend your subscription without paying for additional months.
People Searching Free VPN Ask
Yes, you can use a free VPN on multiple devices including Windows, Android, iPhone, and PC. Providers like ProtonVPN offer free plans that work seamlessly across all major platforms. For example, ProtonVPN’s free plan is available for Windows and Android, allowing you to browse securely on both mobile and desktop devices. With a simple setup, you can install their app and connect to servers in the USA, Japan, and the Netherlands for no cost.
Free VPNs like ProtonVPN also offer Chrome extensions. While using a free VPN for Chrome can provide basic privacy by masking your IP address, it’s important to note that free services often have limitations in terms of data speed and server locations. For example, ProtonVPN’s free version offers access to servers in three countries, which might be enough for light browsing. But, for more robust security and faster speeds, you may need to consider a premium plan.
Yes, many VPN providers like Surfshark and ProtonVPN offer free trials with no credit card required. Surfshark provides a 7-day free trial (for mobile devices like iPhone and Android), allowing you to experience full access to their service without needing to input payment details. ProtonVPN offers a free forever plan that doesn’t require a credit card, making it a great option for users who want to stay private without committing to a subscription.
For users in the USA and India, ProtonVPN is highly recommended due to its no-log policy and strong security features. You can download the Free VPN app, use their free version to access servers in the USA and India. Though the free version is limited to 3 servers (compared to their paid version offering 20,000+ servers), it provides reliable encryption and decent speeds for browsing and streaming.