What the guarantee actually covers
A VPN money-back guarantee is a provider's own policy, not a legal right, and each company writes its own rules. When you read the policies of the biggest providers side by side, the same pattern keeps showing up:
- It's for new customers. ExpressVPN limits its guarantee to first-time customers. NordVPN and Surfshark say theirs covers only the first subscription purchase.
- It runs from the purchase date. The clock starts when you pay, not when you first connect.
- It applies to purchases the provider processed. Buy through Apple, and Apple is in charge.
- It's usually a full refund of the eligible payment within the window, not a partial refund for unused time. More on that below.
The guarantee is a trial period you pay for up front. To get the most from it, buy directly from the provider, test thoroughly in the first week or two, and request any refund well before the deadline.
Provider refund windows, checked
We read each provider's official refund or guarantee page on October 29, 2026. Policies change, so check the page linked in Sources before you rely on any of this.
| Provider | Window | Notable conditions |
|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 30 days from first purchase | Initial subscription only. Renewals generally excluded unless local law says otherwise. Purchases from retailers or resellers must be refunded by the seller. |
| Surfshark | 30 days from first purchase | First subscription only, and only through Surfshark, Paddle, Google Play or Cleverbridge. Dedicated IP and Alternative ID add-ons are non-refundable. |
| ExpressVPN | 30 days | First-time customers only. Anyone who has had a refund before isn't eligible. Promotions may carry different terms, shown at checkout. |
| Proton VPN | 30 days | Bank transfer and cash payments aren't eligible. |
| PIA | 30 days from your last payment | No prorated refunds. PIA gift cards and PayGarden purchases are non-refundable. |
| CyberGhost | 14 days (1-month plan), 45 days (6-month and 2-year plans) | App Store, Google Play and Amazon purchases are excluded and handled by those platforms. |
Sources: each provider's official support or guarantee page, linked below. "Window" refers to purchases made on the provider's own website.
Direct vs Apple vs Google billing
Where you pay matters more than which VPN you pick. Here's how the three common routes compare.
Provider's website
The provider's own policy applies, and you deal with its support team. For the providers above, that means a clearly written window and a live-chat request process.
Apple App Store
NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, PIA and CyberGhost all say they can't refund App Store purchases. You request a refund from Apple at reportaproblem.apple.com, and Apple says to expect an update within 24 to 48 hours. PIA says approval is at Apple's discretion.
Google Play
Google lets you request a refund yourself within 48 hours of purchase. After that, it directs you to the developer. NordVPN and Surfshark say they'll consider Google Play refunds under their own policy after the 48 hours. CyberGhost and ExpressVPN say store purchases follow the store's policy.
Amazon and resellers
NordVPN and Surfshark route Amazon Appstore refunds to Amazon. NordVPN says anything bought from a retailer, marketplace or physical store must be refunded by that seller.
A subscription started in an app can look identical to one bought on the website once you're signed in. If you're unsure which route you used, check your Apple or Google subscription list before contacting the VPN provider. It'll save a round of support messages.
What can void a refund
Across the policies we read, these are the common reasons a request gets declined:
- The window has passed.Requests made after the deadline are declined. PIA says so directly. Count days from the payment date, and don't leave it to day 29.
- You've had a refund before.NordVPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN all exclude customers who have already been refunded. You can't cycle through the guarantee as a free plan.
- It's a renewal, not a first purchase.NordVPN and Surfshark limit refunds to the first subscription payment. A plan that has already auto-renewed isn't covered by the guarantee. See our auto-renew guide to avoid this.
- You paid a way that's excluded.Proton excludes bank transfer and cash. PIA excludes its gift cards and PayGarden. App store purchases go to the store.
- The order included non-refundable add-ons.Surfshark lists Dedicated IP and Alternative ID as non-refundable options.
- You bought through a third party.Bundles from retailers or marketplaces fall under the seller's policy, not the provider's.
Some policies also include terms we couldn't fully confirm. For example, PIA's eligibility page points to its Terms of Service for the full rules, and none of the pages we read addressed crypto payments for NordVPN or Surfshark. If any of these apply to you, ask support before you buy.
Full refunds, prorating and renewals
Full vs prorated. The standard VPN guarantee is all or nothing: request in time and you get the eligible payment back, request late and you get nothing. PIA states that prorated refunds aren't available. The other pages we read describe full refunds within the window and don't offer partial refunds for unused months afterward. Proton's cancellation page doesn't say either way, so ask its support if this matters to you.
Renewals. A renewal is usually outside the guarantee. NordVPN adds a "unless local law requires otherwise" caveat, which matters because some jurisdictions give consumers extra rights. We aren't giving legal advice. If a renewal surprised you, contact support promptly and ask. Their answer will depend on their policy and your local law.
Timing. Approval can be quick, but the money takes longer to arrive. NordVPN says refunds are automated and usually processed within hours, though funds can take up to 10 business days to show up. Proton estimates 5 to 10 business days for cards, 1 to 2 working days for PayPal and Bitcoin, about 5 to 10 days for the App Store and 3 to 5 days for Google Play. Surfshark says a few business days, depending on your bank.
How to request a refund
- Confirm where you paid. Check your receipt email or your Apple or Google subscription list.
- If you paid directly, open live chat. NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN and Proton all point refund requests to customer support. CyberGhost accepts email or live chat. NordVPN's flow sends you a login link, and you then click "Refund" next to the eligible payment in your billing history.
- If you paid through Apple, sign in at reportaproblem.apple.com, choose to request a refund, pick a reason and select the subscription. Proton advises cancelling the subscription in your Apple account first.
- If you paid through Google Play within 48 hours, use Google's refund request. After that, contact the VPN provider.
- Turn off auto-renew too. A refund and a cancellation aren't always the same action. Make sure nothing will charge again.
- Save the paper trail. Keep the chat transcript, confirmation email and refund ID until the money arrives.
You don't need a dramatic reason. "It doesn't fit my needs" is enough under most of these policies. Be polite, be brief, and decline retention offers clearly if you don't want them.
Use the window well
A guarantee is only useful if you find out quickly whether the VPN works for you. In the first week, try the things you actually care about:
- Your streaming services. Detection changes often, as we explain in why Netflix still detects your VPN.
- Your bank and payment sites. Some flag VPN traffic. See online banking over a VPN.
- Hotel, airport or campus Wi-Fi, if you travel. See captive portals and VPNs.
- Every device you'll use, including the TV or router if that's your plan.
If anything is a deal-breaker, request the refund then, not at the deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Do all VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee?
Not all, and not on every plan. NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, Proton VPN and PIA listed 30 days when we checked on October 29, 2026. CyberGhost listed 14 days on its monthly plan and 45 days on its 6-month and 2-year plans.
Can I get a VPN refund if I paid through the App Store?
Usually only through Apple. NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, PIA and CyberGhost say they can't refund App Store purchases. You request it at reportaproblem.apple.com, and Apple decides.
Are VPN refunds prorated if I cancel partway through?
Generally no. The guarantees we read are full refunds of the eligible payment within the window, and nothing after it. PIA states explicitly that prorated refunds aren't available.
Can I get a refund after my VPN plan renews?
Usually not under the money-back guarantee. NordVPN and Surfshark cover only the first subscription purchase. NordVPN notes an exception where local law requires a refund.
How long does a VPN refund take to arrive?
It depends on the payment method. NordVPN says up to 10 business days for funds to appear. Proton estimates 5 to 10 business days for cards and 1 to 2 working days for PayPal and Bitcoin.
What can make me ineligible for a VPN refund?
Missing the window, having been refunded before, requesting a refund on a renewal, paying through an excluded method (such as bank transfer or cash at Proton, or gift cards at PIA), buying non-refundable add-ons, or buying through a third-party seller.
Sources
All pages below were opened and read on October 29, 2026. Prices and policies can change without notice.
- NordVPN: what is your refund policy? Window, exclusions, request flow, processing time.
- Surfshark: refund policy Eligibility, eligible resellers, non-refundable add-ons.
- ExpressVPN: refund policy First-time customers, app store exclusion.
- Proton VPN: how to cancel a subscription Refund eligibility, payment exclusions, timing.
- PIA: am I eligible for a refund? 30 days from last payment, no prorating, gift card exclusion.
- CyberGhost money-back guarantee 14 and 45-day windows; platform exclusions.
- Apple: request a refund reportaproblem.apple.com steps; 24 to 48-hour update.
- Google Play refund policies 48-hour self-serve window; developer refunds after.