Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are commission-bearing. We may earn if you buy after clicking — this never changes our editorial verdict. Read our full disclosure.
By Kaylan von Papen · Updated 2026-07-04 · Methodology
Quick answer (July 2026): No — NordVPN does not have a free plan. There is no permanent free tier, free account, or ad-supported option. What NordVPN offers instead: a 30-day money-back guarantee on all paid plans (full refund, no questions), and a 7-day free trial on iOS and macOS via the App Store. If you cancel before day 7, you pay nothing. For Windows/Android/Linux, the 30-day money-back is your risk-free window.
Everything you need to know about NordVPN's trial options, the money-back guarantee process, and how it compares to genuinely free VPNs
NordVPN has never offered a free plan. Unlike some competitors (ProtonVPN, Windscribe) that maintain permanently free tiers, NordVPN is a paid-only service. Every plan requires a subscription.
What they do offer:
There is no "freemium" tier, no bandwidth-limited free version, and no free account that persists after a trial ends.
Active Affiliate — NordVPN
Buy the 2-year plan at $2.99/mo, use every feature for up to 30 days — streaming, torrenting, split tunnelling, Threat Protection — then request a full refund via live chat if you're not 100% satisfied.
Start NordVPN Risk-Free →Since there's no free plan, here are the paid options — all covered by the 30-day money-back guarantee:
| Plan | 2-Year Price | 1-Year Price | Monthly Price | Key Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $2.99/mo | $4.49/mo | $12.99/mo | VPN + 6 devices |
| Plus | ~$4.99/mo | ~$6.49/mo | ~$14.99/mo | + Password Manager + Data Breach Scanner |
| Ultimate | ~$6.99/mo | ~$8.99/mo | ~$17.99/mo | + Cyber Insurance + Dark Web Monitor |
Plus/Ultimate prices are approximate — NordVPN runs frequent promotions. Verify current pricing at checkout. Basic plan pricing from our verified NordVPN pricing page (July 2026). All plans renew at higher standard rates after the first term.
The 2-year Basic plan is the best value for most users. The 30-day guarantee applies regardless of which plan or billing period you choose.
The money-back process is genuinely straightforward. Here's how it works:
The 2-year Basic plan ($2.99/mo, $71.76 upfront) gives you the full 30-day window at the lowest cost. You get immediate access to all VPN features.
Test everything: streaming (Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+), torrenting on P2P-optimised servers, Threat Protection for blocking ads and malware, and obfuscated servers for restrictive networks.
Go to NordVPN's website, open the live chat widget, and tell support you want a refund under the 30-day money-back policy. No forms, no lengthy process. Refunds are reported to process within 5–10 business days back to your original payment method.
The 30-day window starts from your purchase date — not activation. Cryptocurrency payments are typically non-refundable. If you signed up through an App Store (iOS/macOS), refunds go through Apple's refund process, not NordVPN directly.
If you use iPhone, iPad, or Mac, NordVPN offers a genuine 7-day free trial via the Apple App Store:
This is not available on Windows, Android, or Linux. Those platforms get only the 30-day money-back guarantee.
If you specifically need a permanently free VPN (not willing to commit even with a refund option), here are the honest alternatives:
| VPN | Free Tier | Free Data Limit | Server Locations (Free) | Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | ✕ None | 30-day guarantee only | 6,300+ servers (paid) | ✓ Excellent |
| ProtonVPN Free | ✓ Yes — unlimited data | Unlimited (throttled) | 3 countries only | ✕ Blocked on free |
| Windscribe Free | ✓ Yes | 10GB/month | ~11 countries | Limited |
| Surfshark | ✕ None | 30-day guarantee only | 3,200+ servers (paid) | ✓ Good |
ProtonVPN's free tier is the only truly unlimited free VPN from a reputable provider — but it's limited to 3 server locations, slower speeds, and no streaming access. For streaming (Netflix, BBC iPlayer), torrenting, or reliable speeds, the free alternatives don't come close to NordVPN's paid service.
No. There is no permanent free NordVPN tier. Once the 7-day App Store trial or 30-day money-back window closes, you need an active subscription to use the service.
Yes — it is broadly considered genuine. Users across Reddit and review platforms report successful refunds with minimal friction. Contact live chat within 30 days of purchase, state your reason (or no reason), and the refund is processed.
If you cancel before day 7 in your Apple ID subscription settings, you are not charged. The VPN access stops at the end of the trial period. If you forget to cancel, Apple will charge you for the plan you selected.
NordVPN does not have a permanent student free plan. They occasionally run student discount promotions through student deal platforms (check Student Beans or UNiDAYS). These are discounted paid plans, not free access.
iOS/macOS users: download from the App Store and start the 7-day free trial, cancel before day 7. Everyone else: buy the 2-year Basic plan at $2.99/mo ($71.76), use it for up to 30 days, and claim a full refund if it doesn't suit you. You lose nothing if you refund within the window.
Bottom Line
The 30-day money-back guarantee is the real entry point. Buy the 2-year plan, put NordVPN through its paces on streaming, speed, and privacy — and refund in full if it doesn't deliver. 6,300+ servers, verified Netflix unblocking, and a track record since 2012 make it the most tested VPN on the market.
Get NordVPN — 30-Day Guarantee →