The best VPNs to safeguard your online privacy and security in India

• VPN adds an extra layer of privacy for users, allowing users to access foreign websites and securely transfer sensitive business information.
• In India, many cybersecurity companies providing VPN services have shut down their physical servers due to a government mandate to store users' personal data for five years.
• Protect yourself online and stream without restriction with these VPN service providers.

Virtual private networks (VPNs) add an extra layer of privacy for users, allowing users to access foreign websites and securely transfer sensitive business information. Business VPNs also offer features like managing multiple user accounts and blocking certain content to protect data.

However, in India, many cybersecurity companies providing VPN services have shut down their physical servers due to a government mandate to store users' personal data for five years. VPN service providers were asked by the CERT-In, a part of the Indian Department of Information Technology, to store information like names, email IDs, contact numbers, and IP addresses. This decision has not been well-received by most VPN service providers, who argue that complying with the regulation would compromise the privacy they offer to Indian consumers.

Nevertheless, VPN companies assure their Indian users that their operations will continue. They have announced plans to introduce virtual servers in countries like Singapore and London to ensure Indian users can still access their VPN services and secure their online activities despite the new data law.

What is a VPN?

A VPN, or virtual private network, is a crucial tool for online privacy. It safeguards and conceals your internet activity by encrypting the data from your device and routing it through a secure server in a location of your choice. This allows you to appear to be accessing online services from that specific country or place, which can help unblock censored or restricted content like TikTok or the US Netflix library.

But that's not all - because your data is encrypted, even the government won't be able to see what you're doing online, ensuring maximum privacy and security.

While VPNs are legal in most countries worldwide, it's important to note that a few countries have restrictions or bans on their use, such as China, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Oman, Russia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. However, even in countries where VPNs are legal, it's crucial to remember that engaging in illegal activities like torrenting copyrighted material, buying prohibited goods, or hacking is still illegal, even if you're using a VPN.

How to choose the best India VPN?

Selecting the right VPN in India can take time due to the many available providers. It's essential to conduct thorough research before buying a subscription. Here are some key factors we suggest considering.

Trustworthiness

Most importantly, look for an established VPN provider with a proven track record and a transparent privacy policy that ensures your data will not be logged or collected. It's a bonus if the policy has been independently verified through third-party audits. A simple Google search can reveal a lot about a VPN's reputation, and a reputable VPN should not have any significant security breaches or customer data leaks in its history.

Speed and security

Additionally, ensure the VPN you choose uses robust encryption to safeguard your data and offers fast and reliable services for smooth and lag-free streaming.

Network size and diversity

A wide selection of servers and server locations is beneficial for two reasons. Firstly, it means you'll have more bandwidth available and won't experience slow speeds due to overcrowded servers. Secondly, it reduces the chances of getting detected by streaming services that block VPNs, as services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and others often flag IP addresses with heavy traffic loads.

Independently audited no-logs policy

Given the active monitoring of online activities by the Indian government, it's crucial to choose a VPN that has a strict no-logs policy. This means they do not collect private information, including personally identifiable data, ensuring your privacy remains intact.

Customer support

Regardless of which VPN you choose, it's important to be realistic and anticipate potential connection issues. Therefore, having easy access to a responsible and reliable support team should be a priority on your ‘must-have’ list when evaluating VPN providers.

The best VPNs for India

ExpressVPN

Server/s in India: Yes (virtual)
Number of servers: 3,000+
Server locations: 160
Maximum devices supported: 5
24/7 live chat support: Yes

ExpressVPN is one of the best VPN providers that has set up secure virtual locations to bypass logging requirements in India. It has an extensive physical network covering countries around India. With obfuscated servers, ExpressVPN ensures that your traffic remains undetectable even under strict restrictions. It offers its own Lightway and OpenVPN protocols, has a verified no-logging policy, and provides 24/7 customer support via email or live chat. ExpressVPN also offers easy-to-use applications for major platforms and has a track record of unlocking streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more. It's also proven effective for watching sports and cricket from other countries, including accessing Hotstar content outside of India.

Try here

Surfshark

Server/s in India: Yes (virtual)
Number of servers: 3,200+
Server locations: 100+
Maximum devices supported: Unlimited
24/7 live chat support: Yes

Surfshark is a rising star in the VPN world with a clean and user-friendly interface and affordable pricing, making it the top choice for budget-conscious users. It offers a wide range of features, including AES-256 encryption, multiple protocols, DNS protection, split tunneling, and even a Double VPN hop for extra security. While there have been some reported issues with the kill switch on Windows, they are rare and extreme situations.

Like ExpressVPN, Surfshark also uses virtual servers to protect users' privacy, allowing for secure local browsing or access to its 3,200+ international servers. It has dedicated anti-censorship features, such as its ‘Camouflage mode’ obfuscation technology and "No Borders" option that connects to servers performing well under network restrictions.

Try here

ProtonVPN

Server/s in India: Yes (Smart Routing)
Number of servers: 1,800+
Server locations: 85+
Maximum devices supported: 10
24/7 live chat support: No

ProtonVPN, based in Switzerland, offers a sleek interface, impeccable performance, and plenty of nifty features. It has a free VPN option with unlimited bandwidth, making it a great choice for VPN beginners, and its free coverage has recently expanded to over 100 servers from the previous 29.

While ProtonVPN has shut off its physical servers in India, users can still access an Indian IP by choosing one of its Smart Routing servers in Singapore. Upgrading to the Plus plan allows users to connect through Secure Core servers located in Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden, adding an extra layer of security to their traffic.

Try here

NordVPN

Server/s in India: No
Number of servers: 5,600+
Server locations: 80+
Maximum devices supported: 6
24/7 live chat support: Yes

NordVPN earns high praise for several reasons. It is ideal for streamers, easy to use, and offers clients and apps for a wide range of platforms, along with a massive network of over 5,600 servers. Despite recently terminating operations in India, NordVPN assures customers that it can meet their needs without resorting to fake locations, unlike some competitors.

One of NordVPN's standout features is its extra layer of security options. In addition to standard protocols and 256-bit AES encryption, it offers Double VPN, which routes traffic through encrypted servers twice, and Onion Over VPN, which sends data through the secure Onion network. Furthermore, NordVPN undergoes an annual independent audit by PricewaterhouseCoopers to verify its strict no-logging policy, making it one of the most secure VPN services available.

Try here

CyberGhost

Server/s in India: Yes (virtual)
Number of servers: 9,200+
Server locations: 115
Maximum devices supported: 7
24/7 live chat support: Yes

CyberGhost offers an extensive range of over 9,200 international servers, including virtual locations for users in India who want to browse locally while maintaining their privacy. The option of Romanian-based NoSpy servers adds an extra layer of security, albeit at an additional cost. CyberGhost's apps are user-friendly and come with convenient features such as the Smart Rules panel, which allows users to connect automatically to their preferred server upon launching the app.

Although CyberGhost's peak speeds have slightly decreased in recent testing, it still outperforms competitors like ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN with impressive speeds of up to 730Mbps using the WireGuard protocol. While it may have some limitations in terms of unblocking UK Netflix and Disney Plus, it still easily bypasses restrictions to grant access to the US catalog of Netflix.

Try here

SEE ALSO:
From Bard to Magi: Google's latest weapon in the battle for search supremacy
AI-generated images and videos: A game-changer or a threat to authenticity?