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Using a virtual private network, or VPN, you can hide your data from hackers and other people who might want to look at it. Your traffic is encrypted on these networks, so no one can see what you are doing. Not every VPN is the same, though, and some can be very expensive. So, we’ve made a list of the best cheap VPNs you can get right now.
Since there are now so many best cheap VPNs on the market, VPN providers have cut their prices to stay competitive. But, believe it or not, even the best VPNs, which used to cost a lot, now have deals and discounts that make them very cheap. The VPN services we’re going to recommend to you today give you great performance, security, and privacy without breaking the bank.
Best Cheap VPN
Surfshark
Surfshark has gotten a lot of attention since it started in 2018. Even though it’s one of the newer VPN services, the Netherlands-based Surfshark has quickly established itself as one of the best. Also, even though it’s cheap, it doesn’t skimp on features, especially security, which is the most important one.
When you turn on Surfshark, you’ll be protected by a full set of security features, such as OpenVPN UDP & TCP and WireGuard protocols, a private DNS, a double-hop VPN with AES-256 encryption, and a kill switch. On top of that, there is a no-logging policy, which means that no information about you is kept anywhere.
Features
Pros
- Over 3,200 server locations in 65 countries
- Unlimited devices
- Change your IP address
Cons
- Can make your connection slow on mobile
- Charges more at renewal
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access (PIA) has been a user favourite since 2010, when it was still a relatively new VPN service. It’s easy to see why. With a huge number of servers—over 10,000, according to reports—easy it’s to find a safe, uncrowded place to connect to. It has at least one server in every US state, making it a great choice for a US VPN.
In our most recent review of Private Internet Access, we found that it worked well to unblock streaming services like US Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime. It’s better than the last time because it also works as a VPN for BBC iPlayer, which will be appealing to Brits living abroad.
Features
Pros
- Excellent apps
- Goes big on server count
- Improving all the time
Cons
- Not the quickest VPN
NordVPN
NordVPN recently moved up in our list of cheap VPNs because the price of its best-value 2-year plan went down. Now, it costs more than 70% less per month than it did before. So, NordVPN is not only a very cheap VPN, but it also gives you a service with great security.
The provider has a number of “Double VPN” servers that send your data through not one but two separate VPN servers. You can also send encrypted traffic over the Onion network for an extra layer of security. There is also an automatic kill switch and other features.
Features
Pros
- Money-saving flexible subscription plans
- Great speed test scores
- P2P servers
- Independently-audited no-log policy
Cons
- Apps can be fiddly to use
PureVPN
You’ll notice right away that PureVPN is rated and ranked lower than the other services on this list. But the prices are so low that it would be wrong of us not to include this still-high-quality service on a list of cheap VPNs. You can download PureVPN from here.
All year long, the prices are fair, but on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, they offer prices so low that you can’t help but gasp. If the price was the only good thing about PureVPN, we wouldn’t have included it on this list.
Features
Pros
- So cheap!
- Decent for streaming
- 10 simultaneous connections
Cons
- Poor speeds
- Not the best user experience
Proton VPN
The Swiss company that makes the popular secure email service Proton Mail also made the VPN service Proton VPN. The VPN has a reputation for having the best security and being as open as possible. The apps for Proton VPN are fully open-source, and the software is also regularly audited to help users who don’t have the time or knowledge to look at the code know that the VPN is safe.
On top of security features like a kill switch and DNS leak protection, Proton VPN offers extras like malware protection, Tor over VPN, and a stealth protocol that helps hide the fact that you’re using a VPN. And if you connect to Proton VPN’s Secure Core servers, you can send your traffic through secure data centres in Switzerland, Sweden, or Iceland before leaving through another location.
Features
Pros
- Transparent privacy policy
- Open source apps
- Bonus privacy tools
- VPN accelerator
- Unlimited data on its free plan
Cons
- No dedicated IP server add-on
- Limited customer support
IPVanish
IPVanish isn’t the fastest VPN in the world, but it’s a great VPN for casual users and has enough speed for streaming and video conferencing. But in our tests, the Quick Connect feature didn’t always connect us to the fastest server.
If you want to find the fastest server, we suggest connecting manually based on the current server load numbers shown in the Locations section of the IPVanish app. IPVanish’s first-year rate is $48 just like Surfshark’s, but it goes up to $90 after the first year.
Features
Pros
- Free 30-day trial and competitively priced plans
- No limit on connections
- Over 75 VPN locations and over 40,000 IP addresses
Cons
- No dedicated IP address
Mullvad VPN
Mullvad has all the features of a premium VPN service, but it costs almost half as much and puts privacy first. Like IVPN, Mullvad VPN uses a system that gives each account a number and links it to very little personal information. You can also log in safely to this system without a password.
Mullvad VPN is one of only two VPN services we’ve seen that lets you send cash directly to its headquarters. The other is IVPN. Even though this VPN is cheap, it does not skimp on features. It works on all platforms and supports the WireGuard protocol as well as connections that go through more than one point.
Features
Pros
- Requires no email or account information
- Extremely affordable
- Radically transparent
Cons
- Awkward desktop interface
- Low number of servers
IVPN
Many things about IVPN and Mullvad VPN are the same, which is a good thing. Both services use an account system that protects customer privacy and doesn’t need a lot of customer information or a password. Both services are also very open and tell you a lot about the business, its infrastructure, and how it works.
IVPN and Mullvad stand out because they are the only VPNs we’ve seen that let you send cash to their headquarters to keep your identity secret. IVPN stands out because its subscription plans are very flexible. IVPN Standard, which is cheap, and IVPN Pro, which adds profit forwarding, multi-hop connections, and up to seven connections at the same time.
Features
Pros
- Audited no-logging
- Great WireGuard speeds
- Bitcoin and cash payment
- Torrenting is allowed
Cons
- Offers few server locations
- Multi-hop and Account ID might confuse some users
FAQs
What is the most trusted free VPN?
- Hotspot Shield
- PrivadoVPN
- Atlas VPN
- Surfshark
- TunnelBear
- Windscribe VPN
Is there a 100% free VPN?
Is there a VPN that is 100% free? Yes, and a few of them are pretty good too. For example, the free plan for hide.me lets you download torrents, gives you strong security and privacy, and lets you connect to servers in 5+ countries. The free plan for Proton VPN lets you use unlimited data, has fast speeds, and is very secure.
Why is VPN so expensive?
VPN prices depend on a number of things, such as: number of gadgets that are covered. Data usage limits (or lack thereof) You can connect to this many servers.
Is Nord VPN free?
Everyone can now use Meshnet for free on NordVPN. Even if you don’t pay for a NordVPN plan, you can still use Meshnet’s best features, like secure file sharing and traffic routing.