VPN Money-Back Guarantees Compared: Who Actually Refunds?
Every major VPN provider offers a money-back guarantee, but the terms vary more than you'd expect. Some give you 45 days, others 30. Some process refunds in 3 days, others take 2 weeks. And at least one major provider has recently excluded certain purchases from its guarantee entirely. Here's what you need to know before relying on a "risk-free" promise.
Money-Back Guarantee Comparison
| Provider | MBG Length | Refund Speed | Method | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CyberGhost | 45 days | 5-10 business days | Live chat/email | Monthly plan: 14 days only |
| NordVPN | 30 days | 5-10 business days | Live chat/email | No refunds for App Store purchases |
| Surfshark | 30 days | 5-10 business days | Live chat | Standard terms |
| ProtonVPN | 30 days | Up to 30 days | Email/support | Prorated — not full refund |
| ExpressVPN | 30 days* | 5-7 business days | Live chat | *Promotional purchases may be excluded |
| PIA | 30 days | 5-10 business days | Live chat/email | Standard terms |
Key Differences That Matter
CyberGhost: The Gold Standard (45 Days)
CyberGhost's 45-day money-back guarantee is 50% longer than the industry standard. That extra 15 days matters — it gives you a full 6 weeks to test streaming reliability across different platforms, check speed consistency over time, and verify the VPN works in your specific use case. The guarantee applies to all plans longer than 1 month (monthly plans get only 14 days).
ProtonVPN: Prorated (Not Full Refund)
ProtonVPN's money-back guarantee works differently from others. Instead of a full refund, ProtonVPN prorates — you get back only the unused portion of your subscription. If you use the VPN for 15 days of a 30-day guarantee period, you receive roughly half back. This is more restrictive than competitors who refund the full amount regardless of usage.
ExpressVPN: Read the Current Terms
ExpressVPN recently introduced exclusions for subscriptions purchased during certain promotional periods. As of July 2026, purchases made during the current promotion (June 10 - July 11, 2026) are excluded from the 30-day money-back guarantee. Always check the checkout page terms before purchasing — this is a significant departure from the "risk-free" messaging.
App Store Purchases: Different Rules
If you subscribe through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, the refund is handled by Apple/Google — not the VPN provider. NordVPN explicitly notes that App Store purchases cannot be refunded through their support. You'd need to contact Apple directly, and their refund policies are more restrictive.
How to Get a VPN Refund
- Contact the provider's support — live chat is fastest (available 24/7 for NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, PIA)
- State that you want to cancel and request a refund within your guarantee period
- You may be asked for a reason — a simple "it didn't meet my needs" is sufficient
- Confirm your refund has been initiated and ask for a confirmation email
- Expect the refund to appear in 5-10 business days (bank/region dependent)
Which Money-Back Guarantee Is Best?
CyberGhost's 45-day guarantee gives you the most time to test. For straightforward, full refunds, NordVPN, Surfshark, and PIA all honor 30-day policies cleanly. Be cautious with ProtonVPN (prorated) and ExpressVPN (potential promotional exclusions).