NordVPN free trial: three ways to try it before you commit
By Jean Luc Poitier, SEO and growth marketing strategist · NordVPN Reviews · Updated October 1, 2026 · Terms from NordVPN's own trial and pricing pages
NordVPN has no free plan, but you can try it without losing money. The 7-day trial covers Prime plans for new customers in some countries, Google Play runs a 3-day trial on Android, and every plan bought on nordvpn.com comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. For most people the 30-day guarantee is the simplest route: pick the plan you actually want, and ask for a refund within 30 days if it doesn't suit you.
NordVPN free trial options at a glance
| 7-day trial | 30-day money-back guarantee | |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | 1- or 2-year Prime only | Every plan bought on nordvpn.com |
| Who can use it | New customers in some countries (US, UK, Canada, Australia, and others) | All customers buying directly |
| Payment | Card or PayPal; you're charged on day 7 unless you cancel | Pay up front, refunded on request |
| How to stop | Cancel the trial in your Nord Account before day 7 | Ask support for a refund within 30 days |
| Not available via | App Store or Google Play (Play has its own 3-day trial) | App Store, Google Play, Amazon (those stores handle refunds) |
Figures checked against each company's published pages and review-platform listings as of 2026-10-01. “Not published” means the company does not publish that figure.
What the NordVPN trial includes
The trial is the full Prime plan: the VPN on up to 10 devices, the next-gen antivirus, Dark Web Monitor, and the identity features that come with Prime in the US. After 7 days it converts to the 1- or 2-year Prime plan you picked, at the price you saw when you started. If you only want the VPN, Basic costs less ($3.49/mo on the 2-year plan), and the 30-day guarantee covers it too.
The 30-day money-back guarantee, in practice
Reviewers who were unsure often used the guarantee as their trial. Refunds go through live chat, and NordVPN says they are processed within hours. The guarantee covers your first payment, so ask before day 30; our cancel and refund guide has the steps.
“it gave 30 days money guaranteed back so I purchased it and it’s been great”re parie, App Store, July 2026
“I moved to NordVPN after I tried it as a trial and saw how fast are the connection when used”Emily F., Capterra, March 2025
The Google Play trial
On Android, Google Play offers first-time users a separate 3-day trial, run under Google's terms. It turns into a paid subscription unless you cancel in Google Play, so set a reminder.
“I tried the 3 day free trial. App is absolutely great, works well, great for the price.”Kate Jones, Google Play, May 2025
What's free in NordVPN without a plan
Meshnet, which links your own devices (and friends' devices) in a private encrypted network for file sharing, remote access, and LAN games, is free and doesn't need a subscription. The VPN itself always needs a paid plan or one of the trials above. See every plan on our NordVPN pricing page.
NordVPN free trial FAQ
Does NordVPN have a free trial?+
Yes, with conditions. New customers in some countries get 7 days free on a 1- or 2-year Prime plan, paid by card or PayPal, and Google Play offers its own 3-day trial on Android. Everywhere else, the 30-day money-back guarantee is the way to try it.
Do I need a credit card for the NordVPN free trial?+
You need a payment method. NordVPN says you can start the 7-day trial with PayPal instead of a card. Other payment methods, such as Google Pay or crypto, can't be used for the trial.
Is there a free version of NordVPN?+
There is no free VPN plan. Meshnet, NordVPN's tool for linking your own devices in a private network, is free to use without a subscription.
What happens when the NordVPN free trial ends?+
Unless you cancel in your Nord Account before day 7, the plan you chose starts and you are charged its price. NordVPN emails a reminder before that.
Can I try NordVPN for free more than once?+
No. The trial is for first-time customers with a new Nord Account, once.