How to get an Indian IP address with a VPN in 2024

A VPN is a simple way to get an Indian IP address from abroad. Here’s what you need to know about the best VPNs for an Indian IP address.

An Indian IP address will allow the user to access sites and services like Hotstar from anywhere in the world. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a simple method to get an IP address from abroad, but the Indian government has caused many providers to exit the region following a 2022 mandate that compels providers to archive user data for five years.

As a workaround, some VPNs now offer virtual Indian servers, which are actually found elsewhere. As such, there’s no need to store user data, and you’ll still be able to get an Indian IP address from anywhere on the planet. 

How to use a VPN to get an Indian IP address  

It will only take a few minutes to sign up with a VPN and get an Indian IP address, no matter where you are in the world.   

Here’s how to set up a VPN for an Indian IP address:

1. First, pick a VPN with Indian servers. ExpressVPN is our top recommendation. 
2. Sign up with the provider, and download the relevant VPN app to your device. 
3. Open the app, and log in. 
4. When prompted, select a server in India. 
5. Wait to be connected. You’ll now be assigned a temporary Indian IP address. 

That’s all it takes to get started, and you’ll be able to access a long list of blocked Indian sites and services while overseas for as long as you’re connected to the VPN server. The same goes for any other country, as long as there’s a relevant server. 

What are the best VPNs for getting an Indian IP address?

If you’re in need of a VPN for an Indian IP address, there are a few top providers that will be able to get the job done. We’ll take you through each of the best VPNs below.

The best VPNs for an Indian IP address:

1. ExpressVPN: The best VPN for an Indian IP address. Speedy virtual servers in India that are ideal for getting a local IP address. Strong AES encryption and one of the best VPNs to access region-locked and censored websites and services. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. 
2. Surfshark: Our top budget VPN for an Indian IP address. Virtual Indian locations, works with Hotstar, MultiHop, servers in 100+ countries, unlimited device connections, and 24/7 live chat support.
3. Proton VPN: Virtual servers in New Delhi. Streaming access, speedy connections, various advanced features like Secure Core, and limited free locations available. 
4. CyberGhost: Virtual Mumbai servers, great streaming support for Indian TV, no-logs, affordable subscriptions, and fast speeds. 
5. IPVanish: Speedy, secure provider with virtual Indian servers for an IP address. No device limits and excellent streaming access. 
6. PrivateVPN: Physical servers in India and can be used to access services like Star Sports and Hotstar from abroad. 

Summary Table

No value	TEST WINNER	No value	No value	No value	No value	No value
No value	ExpressVPN www.expressvpn.com	Surfshark www.surfshark.com	Proton VPN www.protonvpn.com	CyberGhost www.cyberghost.com	IPVanish www.ipvanish.com	PrivateVPN www.privatevpn.com
Ranking	1	2	3	4	5	6
Servers in India	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Avg Speed (Mbps)	100+ Mbps	100+ Mbps	100+ Mbps	100+ Mbps	100+ Mbps	71 Mbps
Popular sites Unblocked	86%	88%	87%	85%	70%	85%
Devices Supported	Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, Routers	Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, Routers	Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux Android TV	Windows, MacOS, Linux (command line), iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV	Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android Amazon Fire TV	Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android Amazon Fire TV
Best deal (per month)	$4.99 Save 82% + 6 mo FREE	$1.99 87% off 2yr starter plan + 4 months free!	$2.99 SAVE 70%	$2.03 SAVE 83%	$2.19 SAVE 83%	$2.00 SAVE 85% on 3yr plan

Methodology: How we chose the best VPNs for an Indian IP address 

Rather than picking out providers at random, we’ve compiled a comprehensive VPN testing methodology. We test and compare the best VPNs in the business. 

Our strict criteria mean that only providers dedicated to digital privacy, with excellent usability and optimal performance, can make it onto our list. Below, you can see the criteria we used to pick the best VPNs for an Indian IP.

• Servers: For once, servers in the country aren’t a prerequisite, and it’s a good idea to avoid any provider which has agreed to log the data of Indian users. Ideally, the provider will offer virtual Indian servers that can be used for an Indian IP address, as well as to access local sites and services. 
• Speeds and performance: Fast connection speeds will ensure no lag, even if you’re connecting to servers located halfway around the world. The VPN needs to be reliable, especially if you’re planning to access content from India while abroad.
• Privacy and security: How does the VPN perform in terms of security and privacy? We look at features, their implementation, and everything from leak protection to encryption and protocols. 
• Third-party audits: Trust is the foundation of the value that VPNs provide. You are essentially placing more faith in your VPN provider than you are in your ISP. Almost every provider says they are a ‘no-logs' VPN. The only ways to test this claim are either through the courts or through audits. We will only consider providers for our top three positions if they have undergone infrastructure audits from a reputable third party. While this isn't foolproof, it's the closest the industry has to a verification process for logging policies.
• Diskless infrastructure: Again, this is a prerequisite to be considered for one of the top three positions on BleepingComputer. While the data stored on a VPN server should be minimal, it could, theoretically, be accessed if the servers were seized or hacked. Moving processes to RAM means that no information can be physically taken from servers and it is wiped on shutdown. It can also easily be wiped as a part of regular security procedures.

VPN Indian IP address FAQs

Can I use a free VPN for an Indian IP address?

Free VPNs tend to be a tempting prospect, but it’s always going to be a risk in terms of security and privacy. For example, malicious free providers have been found selling user data to third parties in the past, while others lack the basic encryption needed to keep you safe. 

Meanwhile, the majority of free VPNs neglect to have any servers in India, whether they’re of the physical or virtual variety. It’s going to be tough to find a reputable service that will allow the user to get an Indian IP address for free. Everything from speeds to bandwidth is also likely to be capped. 

As such, we’d recommend sticking with any of the premium providers listed above, even if you will have to pay a fee for an Indian IP address.

Are VPNs legal in India?

VPNs are legal in India itself, with a number of notable caveats to consider. The Indian government made it mandatory for VPNs with servers in the country to log data that could be used to identify its customers in 2022, so many providers have opted to offer virtual servers found elsewhere or to pull out from the region entirely. Make sure to make a note of the local laws before downloading a VPN to your device.

How do I stream Indian TV abroad?

It’s simple to stream Indian TV from abroad, and services are often far cheaper than their western counterparts. If you would like to stream via Indian platforms, you’ll just need to connect to a VPN server in India to begin. 

If you do run into any issues, make sure to clear the cookies and the cache from your device. If possible, select a different Indian VPN server and try again. Lastly, we’d advise you to get in contact with the VPN support team to see if they have a solution.

Why do so many VPNs lack Indian servers?

In 2022, India’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-in) ordered numerous data-handling companies like VPNs to begin collecting and storing user data. Worse still, the data must be stored for up to five years and can be shared with the Indian government if requested. 

This goes against the privacy-focused business model of many VPNs, who decided to shut down their Indian servers instead of logging user data. Some providers like ExpressVPN and Surfshark have opted to provide virtual Indian locations. However, big names like NordVPN never returned, even if Indian users can connect to locations found elsewhere.

Did you know

The following information is available to any site you visit:

Your IP Address:

 

Your Location:

 

Your Internet Provider:

 

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