How to Cancel PrivateVPN and Get a Refund (Tested 2024)

Reading time: 18 min

I used PrivateVPN for 25 days and then asked for my money back using the “Support” tab on my account dashboard. It was easy to get a refund, and my money was returned quickly, even though I got the cheapest PrivateVPN plan with a deal.

PrivateVPN offers a simple cancelation process with its 30-day money-back guarantee. After testing PrivateVPN for 25 days, I created a support ticket and requested a refund. The process was fast and easy — my money was returned within 6 days.

It’s important to stay safe online, especially since cyber threats are on the rise. I’ve tested dozens of VPNs and listed the top 3 that beat PrivateVPN’s speeds and overall performance.

I strongly recommend you try ExpressVPN as it outperforms PrivateVPN in every category, including speed, unblocking capability, and security. In addition, it also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. I verified this policy by requesting a refund over live chat and got my refund in just 3 days. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Try ExpressVPN risk-free

Quick Guide: How to Cancel PrivateVPN and Get a Full Refund

  1. Go to the PrivateVPN website. Log into your account.
  2. Contact the customer support team. Open the “Support” tab, click “Contact Us,” and fill in the form with your refund request.
  3. Get your refund. You’ll receive an email within 24 hours. Reply to this email to confirm your request. Once approved, you’ll get your refund within 10 days.

Step-By-Step Guide: How to Cancel PrivateVPN and Get Your Money Back

You can only request refunds through the PrivateVPN website by filling out a support ticket (live chat isn’t an option). However, the entire process is automated, so you don’t need to speak to a customer support representative.

You need to go through this process even if you signed up for PrivateVPN on the Google Play and Apple App Stores:

  1. Log in to your PrivateVPN account. Enter your email and password.
    Screenshot of PrivateVPN's login page
  2. Go to the “Support” tab at the top of the website. Select “Contact Us” on the left side menu.
    Screenshot of PrivateVPN's support section
  3. Fill in the form with your refund request. Enter your full name, email address, and a message requesting a refund. When you finish, click “Send.”
    Screenshot of PrivateVPN's online contact form
  4. Confirm your cancelation via email. A PrivateVPN agent will send you an email asking for a reason. I wrote that I didn’t need a VPN anymore.
    Screenshot highlighting 2 questions you need to answer to receive a refund from PrivateVPN
  5. Wait for a confirmation email. It may take up to 24 hours for your refund request to be reviewed and approved (but I got my response within 1 hour).
    Screenshot of PrivateVPN's refund confirmation email
  6. Get your refund. Mine arrived in 6 business days, but PayPal refunds are quicker. Unfortunately, there are no refunds for cryptocurrency payments like BitCoin.

The Best Alternatives to PrivateVPN (Tested in 2024)

1. ExpressVPN — #1 VPN for Speed, Security, and Privacy

Key Features:

  • 3,000+ servers in 105 countries across the world
  • TrustedServer technology, 256-bit encryption, leak protection, an automated kill switch, and a verified no-logs policy
  • Works on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, and more
  • Supports up to 8 simultaneous device connections
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN I’ve tested, with minimal speed drops on each server. On servers in the US, France, Germany, and Australia, my average speed was around 94 Mbps — only around a 6% drop from my regular speeds. This means you can easily stream, torrent, and play games online without lag or buffering.

ExpressVPN speed test results

ExpressVPN’s server speeds were close to my baseline speed

In addition, ExpressVPN is also one of the safest VPNs with the following security features:

  • TrustedServer technology — your data is never written to a hard drive, as the servers are RAM-only.
  • Network Lock kill switch — protects your identity by blocking all traffic if the VPN connection drops, keeping your data safe.
  • Leak protection — prevents accidental exposure of your IP address and DNS requests, safeguarding your privacy.
  • No-logs policy verified by Cure53 and KPMG — guarantees that your browsing history is not recorded or shared.
  • Based in the British Virgin Islands — falls within a privacy-friendly jurisdiction, keeping your data away from prying governments.
  • Split tunneling (Windows and Android) — lets you choose which apps use the VPN and which don’t, offering more flexibility and control.
  • Obfuscated servers — help to bypass internet censorship and VPN blocks, ensuring access even in restrictive regions.
  • AES 256-bit encryption — the highest level of encryption available, securing your online activities against any unauthorized access.

With over 3,000+ servers across the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, ExpressVPN can give you easy access to your usual local content. This is reassuring if you travel often, as you can keep up with your regular local online activities. Through extensive testing, my team and I found that ExpressVPN even works in countries with strict censorship, including China.

You can watch your favorite shows and movies on any device. ExpressVPN has friendly apps for Android and Google-based smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and more. Plus, it works with the following popular streaming sites, including:

Netflix (US, UK, & more) Amazon Prime Video Disney+ BBC iPlayer Hulu
Peacock Paramount+ ESPN Max Twitch
YouTube TV Sling TV Crunchyroll Crackle …and more!

If your streaming device doesn’t support VPNs natively, you can set up ExpressVPN via MediaStreamer. MediaStreamer is ExpressVPN’s Smart DNS service, but it only works with US platforms. Alternatively, you can connect your streaming device to any server by creating a virtual router or configure it directly with your physical router.

Unfortunately, ExpressVPN’s plans are a bit expensive. However, long-term plans offer big discounts — you can get ExpressVPN’s 2-year + 4 months free plan for just $4.99/month.

What’s more, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee on all ExpressVPN plans. To test the policy, I asked for a refund over live chat. Surprisingly, the agent didn’t even ask me why I wanted to cancel and approved my refund right away. My money was back in my account 3 days later.

Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Get ExpressVPN's Black Friday Deal! You can subscribe to ExpressVPN for as low as $ 4.99 per month + get extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 61%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.

 

2. CyberGhost — Optimized Network of Servers for Streaming, Torrenting, and Gaming

Key Features:

  • 11,670+ servers across 100 countries worldwide
  • NoSpy servers, military-grade encryption, zero-logging policy, ad blocker, and a kill switch
  • Works on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, and more
  • Allows 7 device connections at the same time
  • Generous 45-day money-back guarantee

CyberGhost has optimized servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. Optimized servers give you steady connections and fast speeds. This makes it easy to find and select the best server, no matter what you need the VPN for. You can add the servers that performed well to your favorites for instant access every time you open the app.

Screenshot of CyberGhost's optimized server list

It was easy to find CyberGhost’s optimized servers on its app

With 11,670+ servers worldwide, CyberGhost ensures reliable access to geo-restricted content from anywhere. This means you can easily catch up on local news, TV shows, and movies while traveling. Also, tests proved that CyberGhost works with plenty of streaming platforms, including:

Netflix (US & more) Hulu Disney+ Amazon Prime Video Max Sling TV
DAZN YouTube TV Crunchyroll Paramount+ BBC iPlayer …and more!

It boasts industry-leading security features, including:

  • NoSpy servers — physically located in Romania, operated directly by CyberGhost to eliminate third-party access.
  • Independently audited zero-logs policy — an audit by Deloitte confirmed that CyberGhost doesn’t record your browsing activity or any other data.
  • A kill switch — prevents data leakage by instantly cutting off internet access if the VPN connection is lost, protecting your identity.
  • Leak protection — secures your IP address and DNS requests, keeping your information safe from accidental exposure.
  • Military-grade encryption — scrambles your data, making your online activities unreadable to potential hackers.
  • Split tunneling (Windows and Android only) — gives you the flexibility to choose which apps use your VPN connection and which stay on your regular internet connection.
  • Built-in ad and malware blocker — helps shield you from dangerous ads and malware, creating a safer browsing experience.

During my tests, CyberGhost’s speeds averaged around 73 Mbps, which is 27% slower than my usual connection. While these speeds aren’t as fast as ExpressVPN, they can easily handle high bandwidth activities, including streaming. Note that CyberGhost’s distant connections can be slow, so I recommend connecting to servers near your location.

Unfortunately, CyberGhost doesn’t work in countries with strict internet restrictions, including China. If you need a VPN for travel to high-censorship regions, ExpressVPN is a better option.

You can save 84% if you subscribe to a 2-year + 4 months plan. It will cost you just $2.03/month.

It even has a generous money-back guarantee of 45 days, so you can try CyberGhost at zero risk. After 3 weeks of testing, I requested a refund through 24/7 live chat. The agent asked why I wanted to cancel and approved the request when I explained that I no longer needed a VPN. My money was returned in just 5 days.

Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Get Black Friday Deal and Cyber Monday Deal from CyberGhost! You can subscribe to CyberGhost for as low as $2.03 per month + get an extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 84%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.

3. PIA — Massive Server Network for Uncongested Connections and Fast Speeds

Key Features:

  • 35,000+ servers available in 91 countries
  • MACE, AES-256 encryption, IP and DNS leak protection, no-logs policy, and a kill switch
  • Works on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, and more
  • Lets you connect unlimited devices at once
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Private Internet Access (PIA) has a massive server network of 35,000+ servers spread across 91 countries. This means you’ll easily find a fast, uncongested server nearby to access local sites with minimal lag.

PIA’s vast network can access multiple streaming platforms, including:

Netflix (US & more) Disney+ Amazon Prime Video BBC iPlayer Hulu
Max Hotstar DAZN ESPN …and more!

I was happy with PIA’s speeds — it delivered 71.98 Mbps average speed, which is almost as fast as CyberGhost’s servers. Although PIA was 28% slower than my regular internet connection, I could watch HD videos on YouTube without any buffering. Video calls were also smooth and lag-free, and I could play online games without interruptions.

MACE is PIA’s built-in malware and ad blocker, which is much better than CyberGhost’s ad blocker — it blocks all ads, not just those with malware attached. When I turned it on, it instantly removed all the pop-up and banner ads on ad-heavy news sites and speed-test sites.

Screenshot of PIA's MACE removing ads successfully on a website.

PIA’s MACE feature effectively removed all ads during my tests

In addition, PIA safeguards your online privacy with the following security measures:

  • A no-logs policy (audited by Deloitte) — ensures complete privacy, as your online activities are never recorded.
  • Multi-Hop — adds an extra layer of security by routing your connection through multiple servers, making tracking more difficult.
  • DNS/IPv6 leak protection — protects against accidental exposure of your IP address, safeguarding your online privacy.
  • AES 256-bit encryption — secures your data with top-level encryption, keeping your online actions hidden from unauthorized access.
  • A kill switch — acts as a safety net by cutting off your internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing any potential data leaks.

It’s worth noting that PIA is located in the US, a member of the 5 Eyes data-sharing agreement. However, its verified no-logs policy ensures that none of your identifying data is tracked, stored, or shared with third parties. Even if there is a government request, PIA doesn’t have any files to hand over.

Better yet, PIA is a budget-friendly alternative to PrivateVPN. In fact, it’s one of the most affordable monthly VPNs. Its standard pricing is already low, but its 83% discount makes the 2-year + 4 months plan one of the cheapest available (just $2.03/month).

You can test PIA yourself without risk using its 30-day money-back guarantee. Getting a refund is easy using the 24/7 live chat. I had to explain why I wanted to cancel (I said I couldn’t afford it anymore). The chat lasted only 3 minutes before the agent approved my refund, and I received the money in 5 business days.

Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Get PIA's Black Friday Deal! You can subscribe to PIA for as low as 2.03$ per month + get an extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 83%)! This is a limited offer, so grab it now before it's gone! See more information on this offer here!

Things to Consider Before Canceling PrivateVPN

Refund Policy

Make sure you understand PrivateVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee and refund process. Your cancelation must align with the policy to qualify for a full refund. PrivateVPN used to deny refunds if you used 100 GB of data. However, a customer support agent confirmed that this limit has been lifted.

Reason for Cancelation

Identify the reasons for dissatisfaction with PrivateVPN and select your next VPN based on those specific needs. Whether you’re looking for the best speeds, tightest security, or other relevant features, here are the best VPNs to choose from.

Backup VPN

Considering a backup choice before canceling is important so you can continue to stay safe online. I recommend ExpressVPN since it’s the best combination of speed and security.

Checking for Automatic Renewals

Review your account settings to disable any automatic renewals. This will prevent unexpected charges and ensure a smooth transition to your next VPN service.

FAQs on Canceling PrivateVPN and Getting a Refund

How do I cancel and get my money back from PrivateVPN?

You can easily cancel your PrivateVPN account and get a refund in just 3 steps. As long as you’re within the 30-day money-back guarantee, you should have no problems getting reimbursed.

Simply fill out a request form on the website. The customer support team will send you a follow-up email to ask why you no longer want the VPN. I said I didn’t need a VPN anymore, and this was enough to get my refund approved within 2 hours.

Can I cancel PrivateVPN anytime?

Yes, you can cancel your PrivateVPN account at any point.

  • If you cancel the plan outside of the money-back guarantee period, you’ll get to use the VPN until your subscription term ends.
  • If you cancel within the money-back guarantee period, you’ll get your money back and will no longer be able to use the VPN.

Top Tip: You can only get a refund within the 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re a new subscriber. If you change your subscription plan, you’ll also be prevented from getting a refund — even if you’re still within the 30-day period.

How long does PrivateVPN take to issue a refund?

It may take around 10 days to get a refund from PrivateVPN. I personally tested the refund policy, and it only took me 2 hours to have it approved. However, it might require up to 24 hours to receive confirmation. I found the funds in my account 6 days later, but please note that certain banks may require additional processing time.

If you paid for your subscription with PayPal, you should receive your refund as soon as it’s issued.

What is PrivateVPN’s refund policy?

PrivateVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with the service, you can request a refund within the first 30 days of purchase. There used to be a 100 GB data consumption limit with PrivateVPN subscriptions, but I confirmed with an agent that this restriction has been lifted.

Is PrivateVPN any good?

PrivateVPN only has 200+ servers in 200 countries, but it’s still a good VPN with top-tier security and decent server speeds. However, these PrivateVPN alternatives may suit you better if you’re looking for faster speeds and more server locations. For example, PIA has an extensive network of 35,000+ servers in 91 countries.

What’s the best alternative to PrivateVPN?

Even though all the VPNs I’ve recommended work great, I personally prefer ExpressVPN. This is because ExpressVPN has the best speeds for my streaming and gaming needs. It also offers more server locations, advanced security features, and works with more international streaming platforms.

How to cancel a PrivateVPN subscription on Android/Play Store?

Since PrivateVPN subscriptions are handled directly through their website and not via the Google Play Store, you’ll need to cancel your PrivateVPN subscription on the official website.

If you’re within the 30-day money-back guarantee, you can request a refund through PrivateVPN’s official website.

How to cancel a PrivateVPN subscription on iOS via iTunes/App Store?

Similar to Android, your PrivateVPN subscription can’t be billed through your App Store. Just visit the official website and follow my step-by-step guide to cancel your PrivateVPN subscription.

Also, you can only get a refund for cancellation, if you’ve used PrivateVPN for less than 30 days.

What should I do after canceling a PrivateVPN subscription?

When you cancel your PrivateVPN subscription, do the following:

  • Request a refund (if eligible) — if you’re within PrivateVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee period, follow the refund process to get your money back.
  • Check for automatic renewals — double-check to make sure automatic renewals are disabled to prevent unexpected charges.
  • Uninstall the app (optional) — if you no longer plan to use PrivateVPN, you may uninstall the app from your device.
  • Consider a replacement VPN — ExpressVPN is the #1 replacement for PrivateVPN because of its lightning-fast speeds and top security features.

Here’s a quick comparison for you to make an informed choice:

PrivateVPN ExpressVPN CyberGhost
 Money-Back Guarantee 30 days 30 days 45 days
 Time Taken to Get a Refund 6 days 3 days 5 days
Average Speeds

Base speeds: 100 Mbps

67 Mbps 94 Mbps 73 Mbps
 Number of Servers 200+ servers in 63 countries 3,000+ servers in 105 countries 11,670+ servers in 100 countries
 Lowest Monthly Price $2.00 $4.99 $2.03

Cancel Your PrivateVPN Account and Find a Better VPN for You

If you decide that PrivateVPN isn’t for you, you can cancel your account and get a full refund without issue. All you need to do is email PrivateVPN’s support team and explain why you want to cancel.

I ran multiple tests on top VPNs to find the best replacement, and ExpressVPN ranked as the top alternative to PrivateVPN. Unlike PrivateVPN, ExpressVPN has “no-questions-asked” refunds, so you won’t have to deal with pushy sales tactics.

You can also try ExpressVPN risk-free as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. To test it out, I got in touch with a customer agent through live chat and asked for a refund. The agent happily approved my request, and I got my money back in just 3 days.


Summary — Best Alternative VPNs to PrivateVPN in 2024

Top Ranked Top Choice
ExpressVPN
$4.99 / month Save 61%
Find Out More
CyberGhost VPN
$2.03 / month Save 84%
Find Out More
Private Internet Access
$2.03 / month Save 83%
Find Out More

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research, and also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Deep Shikha
Written By Deep Shikha
Deep Shikha is a tech writer at Wizcase. With a background in cybersecurity research, she has a deep understanding of the digital world and has made significant contributions to the field, particularly in the area of VPN testing. Deep Shikha's passion for technology and her expertise in cybersecurity make her a valuable asset to Wizcase. Prior to joining the team, she honed her writing skills as a freelance tech writer, contributing to various media platforms and publications, including Hackernoon. When she's not working, Deep Shikha enjoys learning about new advancements in technology and staying up-to-date on industry trends. She also loves spending quality time with her baby and soaking in the beauty of nature.
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