Technologies

Some VPN Free Trials Are Misleading, but These 8 Are Legit

You don’t have to pay upfront to take a spin with a VPN.

Repeat after me: Activate, then cancel. Activate, then cancel. You’ll sleep better at night and your wallet won’t take a hit.

That’s one piece of advice from SafePaper, accompanied by its 2025 VPN free trial guide. The cybersecurity and online privacy website tested more than 30 VPN services to determine which offer true-blue free trials and «not just ‘risk-free’ money-back guarantees.»

When shopping for VPNs, you’ll find many that offer «free trials,» but not all free trials are made the same. There are those where you have to pay up front, and then only get your money back if you don’t violate the refund clause.

SafePaper has identified the VPNs that offer genuine free trials, where you get to use the service for free (usually 1 to 7 days) before your payment method kicks in — unless you cancel first, of course.

Read more from CNET: The Best Free VPNs | The Best Cheap VPNs | Save on Your Subscription

«True free trials are surprisingly rare in the VPN industry,» said Paige West, editor at SafePaper, said in a statement. «We wanted to cut through the marketing language and identify services that offer real no-commitment access, especially for users who value transparency and cost control.»

It’s not that VPNs with genuine free trials are better than those that offer refunds after the trial is over. «It’s a matter of preference» as to which free trial VPN you want to try out, said CNET VPN expert Attila Tomaschek.

«A VPN free trial typically only lasts a few days, giving users limited time to thoroughly test the service,» Tomaschek said. «A money-back guarantee, while requiring upfront payment, usually lasts about 30 days, which can help users get a much more comprehensive look at the service over a longer period of time.»

See also: NordVPN vs. Surfshark: See How These Sister Services Stack Up

But buyer beware, adds Tomaschek: «While getting your money back from a reputable VPN provider is usually unconditional and pretty straightforward, it’s important for users to read the fine print ahead of making a purchase to ensure the VPN company doesn’t impose any hidden caveats like usage limits that may void its money-back guarantee.»

Free trials, no payment required

In its report, SafePaper identified eight VPN providers with free trials that did not require payment to use the trial. They’re listed below, with info about how long the trials last, which operating systems they work with and whether payment info is required:

Surfshark (see CNET review): 7 days; payment info required; all major operating systems
CyberGhost (see CNET review): 1-7 days (varies by device); partial payment info; Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS
Kaspersky: 7 days (non-US); payment info required; all major operating systems
X-VPN: 7 days; payment info required; all major operating systems
NordVPN (see CNET review): 3 days; payment info required; Android only
HideIPVPN: 3 days; no payment info required; all major operating systems
Hidemy.name: 1 day; no payment info required; all major operating systems
WordVPN: 1 day; no payment info required; all major operating systems

Look before you leap

SafePaper added a few pro tips to consider when going with a free VPN trial:

Cancel immediately after you activate the trial. That way, you won’t get charged if you miss the deadline to cancel the subscription. And haven’t most of us made that mistake before?
You should try two to three different VPN services before making your final decision. Compare speed, support and stability.
Use alternate email addresses to safeguard the privacy of your primary email account.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Watch on Instagram
Watch on YouTube

Technologies

Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop

Verum has officially released Verum Finance for macOS, bringing its financial platform to the Mac and expanding access to the Verum ecosystem across Apple’s devices. The launch allows users to manage their finances from desktop while enjoying the same secure and seamless experience available on iPhone and iPad.

The new Mac version includes the full range of Verum Finance features, including balance management, instant transfers to other Verum users, debit card management, Apple Pay support, asset exchange, and transaction history — all optimized for the macOS experience.

Verum Finance can be used as a standalone application or alongside Verum Messenger. Users who sign in with their Verum Messenger account automatically synchronize their balances, settings, and account data across devices, ensuring a consistent experience throughout the Verum ecosystem.

The macOS release further strengthens Verum’s vision of creating an integrated digital platform where communication and financial services work together. Verum Messenger, which is also available for Mac, complements the ecosystem with encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, VPN, eSIM, anonymous email, AI-powered tools, offline communication capabilities, and cryptocurrency features.

With both Verum Messenger and Verum Finance now available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can access secure communication and financial services wherever they work.

Verum Finance for Mac is available now through the Mac App Store.

Verum Finance for macOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im

Technologies

Why Travelers Are Switching to Verum E-SIM This Summer

Summer Travel, Freedom, and Seamless Connectivity: Why Verum E-SIM Is Becoming the New Standard for Travelers

Summer is the peak season for vacations, long-distance trips, and new experiences. Millions of people travel abroad, explore new countries, plan adventures, and try to stay connected with family, work, and social media. And in the middle of all this comes a familiar question: how do you stay online without expensive roaming or the hassle of buying local SIM cards?

The answer is already here — eSIM.

Why eSIM Is So Convenient

eSIM (embedded SIM) is a built-in digital SIM card that lets you activate mobile internet without a physical card. All you need is an app — choose a plan and connect in just a couple of minutes.

No more:

* searching for local SIM cards at airports
* paying expensive roaming fees
* swapping physical SIMs every time you travel

Now your internet travels with you.

Internet in 150+ Countries

Modern eSIM solutions provide coverage in 150+ countries worldwide, helping tourists, freelancers, and business travelers stay connected almost anywhere on the planet.

Among the services offering these capabilities:

Verum E-SIM — https://esim.verum.im
World E-SIM — https://worldesim.me
USA E-SIM — https://usa.esim.verum.im
Euro E-SIM — https://euro.esim.verum.im
Canada E-SIM — https://canada.esim.verum.im
Balkan E-SIM — https://balkan.esim.verum.im
Ukraine E-SIM — https://ukraine.esim.verum.im
London E-SIM — https://london.esim.verum.im
E-SIM Africa — https://africa.esim.verum.im