5 Best Free VPNs for Norway in 2024 (for Streaming & Safety)
Norway is a country that’s quite high up on the list of happiest countries on earth. However, this doesn’t mean that the country is without crime, and one threatening financial crime is cyber fraud. Norway’s businesses have experienced some cybercrimes in recent years. This report shows that Norwegian companies could lose over NOK 20 billion ($1.8 billion) to computer crime every year. It also stands to reason that individuals could lose a lot to hackers, as well.
To secure your data in Norway (or any part of the world, really), you need a VPN. VPNs can be either paid, free or risk-free. Risk-free VPNs make you pay and use their services, but you can get your money back from them if you ask within a specific period. We searched pretty hard and found the best free and risk-free VPNs available. Let’s check out the risk-free ones first.
Best Risk-free VPNs
These are the two best risk-free VPNs for Norway at the moment.
ExpressVPN
Features
- Number of servers: More than 3,000
- Speeds: Unlimited
- Server locations: 160 in 105 countries
- Maximum devices supported: 5
- 24 live chat: Yes
- 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
Pros/Cons
- Fastest VPN out there
- Strict no logs policy
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Few discounts
To start with, ExpressVPN has maintained its status as a premium VPN for years now. By using the best encryption technology and the most secure protocols, ExpressVPN protects users’ data steadily. It also runs private, encrypted DNS servers, which help in dissuading hackers and delivering your queries to their destination without tampering. A kill switch serves to stop all internet activities as soon as the connection to the VPN is disturbed, so Norwegians can rest easy.
We call ExpressVPN a risk-free VPN because there are absolutely no risks when using this VPN. Though you’ll have to choose a plan and pay for it, you can get your money back at any time within thirty days without having to answer any awkward questions or listen to any stories. They guarantee that you’ll get your money back if you ask for it within thirty days.
However, you may not want your money back. ExpressVPN is also a fantastic unblock and can bypass censorships on over a hundred media streaming sites like Hulu, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer. It uses over 3000 servers in 94 countries to unblock content in seconds. These servers are optimized for speed, so you can watch whatever you want in the highest quality available.
ExpressVPN has software for all sorts of devices. There’s software for Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, gaming consoles, routers, smart TVs, and browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. ExpressVPN is also a great choice for watching Norwegian TV abroad such as NRK and TV2.
- Pros: Fastest VPN out there; Strict no logs policy; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $6.67
NordVPN
Features
- Cryptocurrency accepted? Yes
- Simultaneous connections: 6
- Dedicated IP-addresses? Yes
- Servers: 5342 in 58 countries
Pros/Cons
- Lots of pricing options
- Netflix support kept up to date
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Slow app
In NordVPN’s eight years of existence, it has acquired a reputation for one thing which an internet user in Norway might find attractive. One: being strict about its users’ security and privacy. NordVPN has a stringent no-logs policy. In addition to using next-generation encryption technology, a kill switch, and DNS leak prevention to protect it’s clients’ information, they also added extra measures.
The first extra security feature is DoubleVPN. This VPN sends your data through NordVPN’s encrypted servers twice, doubly encrypting your data before sending it off to its destination. The next feature is called Onion over VPN. Your web traffic will be sent to NordVPN’s TOR (The Onion Router) servers. There, they’ll be encrypted severally to ensure that in the unlikely chance that the information falls is stolen, it’ll take multiple lifetimes to decrypt.
The last feature is called CyberSec. It blocks ads, phishing attempts, and malicious websites. NordVPN can bypass restrictions and censorships easily and give you access to some of your favorite shows and content. It has well over 5700 servers concentrated in 59 countries. There are servers optimized for streaming and torrenting, so you won’t have any lag while you’re browsing, and CyberSec can take care of all annoying cyber attacks.
NordVPN allows you to use its service for thirty days without any risks. They’re available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android TV, and routers. They also offer seven simultaneous connections so you can use it yourself or share.
- Pros: Lots of pricing options; Netflix support kept up to date; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $3.71
Best Completely Free VPNs
Having considered the best risk-free VPNs, let’s check out the completely free ones.
ProtonVPN
Features
- P2P support? Yes
- 30-day money-back guarantee? Yes
- Country of origin? Switzerland
- Servers: 600+ in over 40 countries
- Simultaneous devices: 5
Pros/Cons
- Professional support
- Modern interface and apps
- AES-256 encryption
- Lesser known provider
ProtonVPN has one of the most generous free VPNs available. A free VPN usually comes with some drawbacks such as bandwidth limits and slow speeds due to overcrowded or poorly maintained servers. However, ProtonVPN has done its best to fulfill its goal of offering the best security while keeping its services completely free, which is great news for bargain lovers.
ProtonVPN, like many other free VPNs, doesn’t offer a lot of servers. Users of the free version can only use servers located in Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States. These server locations may be an unexpected blessing to Norwegian users because Norway is less than a thousand miles from the Netherlands. Definitely not far enough to cause a significant slow down in network speed.
ProtonVPN uses military-grade encryption to guard users’ data and spares no expense when it comes to providing the most secure protocols. This is because that online privacy is a fundamental human right. To that end, they have a clear no-logs policy stating what they do and don’t collect.
Unlike many free VPNs, ProtonVPN has no bandwidth limits, so yes, streaming is a possibility with this VPN. Though, your streaming experience might not be the best seeing as ProtonVPN’s free servers aren’t optimized for speed. Their speed can only be called medium, and you cannot bypass restrictions with these servers.
ProtonVPN is available on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, and routers. But you can only use one device with this VPN’s free plan.
- Pros: Professional support; Modern interface and apps; AES-256 encryption;
- Lowest price: €4
TrustZone
Features
- Complete anonymity? Yes
- Unblocking of all websites? Yes
- Pricing options: 4
- Servers: 164 in 80+ zones
- Free trial: Yes
Pros/Cons
- Military grade encryption
- Bitcoin accepted
- App for mobile devices
- Lesser known provider
Trust.Zone is a VPN provider that joined the industry in 2014. This provider has proven itself to be a trustworthy provider that doesn’t store any logs. Furthermore, the company is headquartered in Seychelles, so Norwegians are protected by the country’s data privacy laws. However, Trust.Zone’s free version is more like a trial period than an actual free VPN.
Trust.Zone allows prospective clients to use their full VPN for three days. This means that for 72 hours, your data will be protected by the best encryption technology available and the most secure protocols. Trust.Zone also has a kill switch that will immediately stop all internet-related activities the moment the connection to the VPN is lost. There are also no DNS or WebRTC leaks, so all messages and information passed are safe.
However, there is a catch. Trust.Zone has a bandwidth cap of 1GB. This means that if you exhaust up to 1GB of data, your trial period will end. However, this is not really the problem as 1GB for three days should suffice for most people. However, it may stop you from really watching your favorite shows and content.
Trust.Zone VPN has 171 servers in 91 locations all around the world, Norway being one of them. And these servers work well for both unblocking and streaming media like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, etc. But while it’s awesome that you can watch all your favorites, Trust.Zone is a VPN strictly for smartphones, as it only has apps for Android and iOS.
- Pros: Military grade encryption; Bitcoin accepted; App for mobile devices;
- Lowest price: €3
IPVanish
Features
- One click connect? Yes
- Bandwidth cap? No
- Servers: 100+ superfast servers
- Platforms: Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome OS, iOS, Android, Routers
Pros/Cons
- Firewall
- Apps for all devices
- 40,000+ shared IPs, 1,300+ VPN servers in 75+ locations
- Not the cheapest out there
IPVanish is one of the oldest VPNs in the online security industry. IPVanish has used these years to evolve into one of the best VPNs available. IPVanish uses military-grade encryption technology and doesn’t have any DNS, WebRTC, or IP leaks. This VPN has over 1300 servers in 75+ locations, including Norway and other European countries.
You still need protection from hackers, so IPVanish provides a kill switch that stops web traffic if the connection to the VPN is even slightly disturbed. IPVanish also sends your web traffic through an app encrypted instead of a normal route. This blocks your ISP from seeing your activities and stops hackers from collecting your information and using it against you.
IPVanish’s servers are great at stopping geo-targeting. Geo-targeting occurs when your IP address is used to track what sites you’re on, and other information about you. This information is then thrown back at you in the form of annoying, targeted ads. IPVanish can make all of that disappear.
What it can make appear is geo-restricted and geo-blocked content. Media streaming services like BBC iPlayer, Crunchyroll, CBS, etc., can be made accessible by IPVanish. And, as IPVanish has software for Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, and routers, you can watch it with almost any device. You can share IPVanish with others because this VPN allows up to ten connections on one account.
However, the catch is that IPVanish’s free version is a trial run for the paid version. This service is only available for seven days.
- Pros: Firewall; Apps for all devices; 40,000+ shared IPs, 1,300+ VPN servers in 75+ locations;
- Lowest price: $2.62
Is using a VPN legal in Norway?
Yes, using a VPN is completely legal in Norway. People are allowed to exercise the right to protect their private information, and using a VPN is just another way to do that.
Norway is part of the 14 Eyes Surveillance Alliance. This is a group of countries that have agreed to share intelligence within this informal organization. This is another reason why you should look into getting a VPN. Norway might not be restrictive now, but your ISP is still privy to all that you d on the web, and the ISP is still answerable to the government. This means that if the government wants to collect information about your unprotected internet searches, your information will be quickly handed over.
This is why you should close an excellent VPN to protect you while you go on about your normal web activities. Get a VPN so that your secret information remains secret.
Is it difficult to set up a VPN?
Some people might have this preconception that VPNs have a complicated installation and set-up process that requires lots of programming. I mean, it’s not difficult to see why. The name of this security pretty much screams “computer gizmo.” But, however it sounds, we’re here to tell you that setting up a VPN is easier than setting up your backup Instagram account. They ask a lot fewer questions, that’s for sure.
Getting a VPN requires only four steps:
- Choosing a VPN: This is the most important part. Not every VPN is amazing, so you should put a lot of time and consideration into deciding what VPN to get. It’s like selecting a bodyguard for your online self. You don’t want to select the wrong one and have it leave you in the dust when a hacker draws near. Or you could just choose one of our first-grade VPNs.
- Creating an account: Most VPNs don’t ask for a lot of information. Your email address and password will suffice for most.
- Payment: You’ll probably be asked to pay through a third party payment provider like PayPal. Or you can be asked to pay directly through your cards or Bitcoin.
- Set-up: “Setting up” most VPNs involves choosing a server in another country. Once you choose one, your IP address is changed, and your digital footprint becomes a lot harder to trace. You can also enable the kill switch, the way you enable “Silence” on your phone.
And that’s pretty much it. Setting up a VPN takes around 2-4 minutes and can be done by anyone.
Can I reduce how much my VPN slows my network?
A VPN will always put a damper on your network’s speed. This is because your data isn’t following a straight route towards its destination. It has to be encrypted first and then sent through a safe and encrypted tunnel. The precious few seconds that this process takes can drastically reduce the speed.
But you can’t reduce this effect. A slower than normal VPN can have a lot of factors behind it like overcrowded servers, ill-maintained hardware, a system malfunction, etc. The only thing you can do is make sure you select a VPN with two things;
- Optimized servers because these are faster and less likely to fail suddenly.
- Responsive customer service. This is necessary because they need to be able to see and respond to messages quickly in case any user notices a problem in operations.
Can I Watch Norwegian TV for Free With a VPN?
Indeed, it would be great if you could watch Norwegian TV for free with a VPN. However, this isn’t exactly the case. A free VPN merely allows you to unblock Norwegian TV abroad. Whether or not you can stream your favorite programs for free depends on the TV station’s requirements.
Notably, too, there are several Norwegian TV channels. They include NRK TV, TV Norge, and TV 2. For NRK TV, you can stream it for free once you unblock the platform with a VPN. You can just visit Nrk.no to start streaming.
Can I Watch American Netflix for Free with a VPN?
No, you also cannot watch American Netflix for free because you’re using a VPN. Indeed, a free VPN can allow you to watch US Netflix from Norway. However, you’d still need an active Netflix subscription to watch any TV shows or other programs. Netflix has different subscription plans.
They include the Basic, Standard, and Premium plans. Furthermore, there’s a subscription option for mobile devices. So, after unblocking American Netflix with your free VPN for Norway, you can buy a subscription and start streaming content.
Conclusion
Data breaches and information theft are becoming major problems in Norway, and all across Europe. Using a VPN reduces your chances of becoming a victim of a computer crime.
Thankfully, there are free and risk-free VPNs available in Norway, but we recommend risk-free VPNs. This is because their only limitations are their deadlines. But they’re usually a lot more full-featured and secure. We’ve listed a few of the best above, so all you need to do now is sign up and begin using uncensored internet.