Cheapest monthly VPNs in 2025
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If you're looking for a VPN with a flexible monthly subscription, these three providers stand out for their balance of pricing, performance, and features. On average, VPNs cost around $12.05/month, with most providers charging between $10 and $13/month.
NordVPN ($12.99/month) is the top pick overall – it offers powerful security, blazing-fast speeds, and a strict no-logs policy, making it the best choice for any use case. Bitdefender VPN ($6.99/month) is the most affordable premium option, delivering solid security features at the lowest monthly cost. Meanwhile, Proton VPN ($9.99/month) is a great middle ground – it combines privacy-focused tools, fast speeds, and a generous free version, all at a competitive rate.
Top 5 best cheap monthly VPN plans in 2025
- NordVPN – from $12.99/month with a monthly plan, $3.09/month with a 2-year plan
- Bitdefender VPN – from $6.99/month with a monthly plan, $2.92/month with a yearly plan
- Proton VPN – from $9.99/month with a monthly plan, $3.59/month with a 2-year plan
- IPVanish – from $12.99/month with a monthly plan, $2.19/month with a 2-year plan
- Surfshark – from $15.45/month with a monthly plan, $1.99/month with a 2-year plan
Monthly VPN plans price analysis
In April 2025, I collaborated with the Cybernews research team to analyze the monthly pricing of leading VPN services. The goal was to help users find the most affordable short-term options while getting reliable performance and security.
To conduct the research, I checked the prices using our affiliate access to each provider. For VPNs with tiered pricing, I selected the cheapest monthly plan available. All prices are shown in USD and reflect standard, non-discounted rates.
The graph below visualizes the results and shows how monthly VPN prices stack up. Most providers fall within the $9.99 to $12.99 per month range, with the average cost landing at $12.05. On the high end, Astrill VPN charges a steep $30.00/month, while Mullvad VPN is the most affordable at $5.69/month.
Popular services like NordVPN ($12.99/month) and ExpressVPN ($12.95/month) sit closer to the upper end, while Bitdefender VPN offers one of the best deals at just $6.99/month. Meanwhile, Surfshark raised its monthly pricing to $15.45, although its long-term plan still starts at a very competitive $1.99/month.
Longer subscriptions generally come with deep discounts. For instance, NordVPN drops to $3.09/month with a 2-year plan, and Surfshark cuts down to $1.99/month.
It’s also worth noting that several well-known providers, such as Norton VPN, TotalVPN, Avast VPN, and McAfee VPN, do not offer monthly billing at all. That makes them less suitable for users who want a VPN without long-term commitments.
From this research, I’d highlight NordVPN and Bitdefender VPN as the best-value options right now. NordVPN combines world-class speed and security with flexible pricing, while Bitdefender VPN is the most affordable pick with strong encryption and beginner-friendly apps.
Best cheap monthly VPNs – detailed list
I gathered a list of the best cheap monthly VPNs that don’t compromise security, speeds, and other factors for the sake of affordability.
1. NordVPN – best monthly VPN overall
| Cheapest monthly price: | $3.09/month |
| Servers/countries: | 7400+ servers in 118 countries |
| One-month pricing: | $12.99/month |
| Current deal: | Get 77% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
NordVPN is the best monthly VPN due to its unbeatable mix of top-class security, blazing-fast speeds, and an audited no-logs policy. The monthly plan is available for $12.99/month, but you can also choose the 2-year plan at just $3.09/month.
All plans cover up to 10 devices, ensuring that your main home devices stay protected. I also appreciate that NordVPN offers a 7-day free trial for its users. Plus, there's a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is great for trying out the service risk-free.
NordVPN monthly subscription includes the powerful NordLynx tunneling protocol, a reliable kill switch, and DNS leak protection to prevent accidental data leaks. All your information is encrypted with the currently best in-market AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryptions. What really reassures me, though, is NordVPN’s commitment to privacy with a strict no-logs policy. It’s not just a claim either – it has been audited an impressive 4 times: twice by PwC and twice by Deloitte.
What really impressed me was that NordVPN provides consistently blazing-fast speeds. Whether you’re a hardcore streamer or gamer, I found that you can watch movies or play games smoothly, without any frustrating lag or buffering. According to our in-house tests, it retained an impressive 90% of initial speeds, which is among the best I’ve seen.
As the NordVPN review shows, it is very simple to use, whether you’re using the Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS app. In addition, it’s a subscription-based VPN for FireStick, Android TV, and Apple TV. I find it great even for beginners because once you set the app up, all you have to do is press the Connect button. Plus, all of the features are placed in one section, making the app easy to navigate.
Overall, I suggest choosing NordVPN if you need the most powerful VPN available with cheap and flexible pricing plans.
2. Bitdefender VPN – competitive cheap prices and high-security standards
| Cheapest monthly price: | $2.92/month |
| Servers/countries: | 3000+ servers in 100 countries |
| One-month pricing: | $6.99/month |
| Current deal: | Get up to 50% OFF Bitdefender VPN |
Bitdefender VPN stood out as the most affordable monthly option, delivering solid security and performance at a budget-friendly price.. Its cheapest plan costs $2.92/month, whereas the monthly plan costs just $6.99/month, making this service the cheapest 1-month VPN out of all top 5 providers.
With the plan, you can protect up to 10 devices. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, a 7-day free trial, and a somewhat limited free version if you would like to test it freely.
From my experience, Bitdefender VPN takes security seriously, adhering to market-leading standards with AES-256-bit encryption to keep your data locked down. With its recent WireGuard implementation, I was glad to see that ChaCha20 encryption is now available too. It doesn’t stop there – it also includes a reliable kill switch, split tunneling, Double Hop, and even an ad blocker, making it a well-rounded security package.
I appreciate that for its price, the Bitdefender VPN package offers great performance, where it retained 74% of initial speeds during its testing. However, I tried unblocking several streaming services, such as Netflix and Bitdefender VPN didn’t provide great quality. I experienced a few buffering issues and struggles to load.
Bitdefender VPN comes from a company known for its great antivirus software. As highlighted in the Bitdefender VPN review, its app works on macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android, but I was disappointed to see that it doesn’t support Linux, browser extensions, or router configuration. If you need a VPN for Linux, consider using NordVPN.
When I tested Bitdefender VPN myself, I appreciated that apps are easy to use, even for beginners. I didn’t encounter any problems when connecting to servers or navigating through its additional features. Moreover, Bitdefender VPN apps look pretty much the same across all platforms, including mobile, which makes them extra easy to use on multiple devices.
Bitdefender VPN is great for people seeking an affordable monthly option with low-cost upgrades for premium features.
3. Proton VPN – budget-friendly monthly VPN with a great set of features
| Cheapest monthly price: | $3.59/month |
| Servers/countries: | 12000+ servers in 117 countries |
| One-month pricing: | $9.99/month |
| Current deal: | Get up to 64% OFF Proton VPN |
Proton VPN is a strong, affordable monthly VPN with excellent security, privacy, and speed retention of up to 85% , operating from a privacy-friendly Swiss jurisdiction. If you opt for a longer subscription, you get the best deal from $3.59/month. For a single-month plan, Proton VPN asks for a reasonable $9.99/month.
Like NordVPN, I liked that Proton VPN allows up to 10 simultaneous connections and offers a 30-day money refund policy. I like that it also has a free version, although a limited one: only one connection, reduced speeds, and no access to streaming or P2P.
As shown in the Proton VPN review, it is a safe VPN that uses the fastest WireGuard tunneling protocol with highly secure AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryptions. Other features include a kill switch, NetShield Ad-blocker, and Tor over VPN. I was impressed with Proton VPN’s performance during my testing – it retained an impressive 85% of the original speed.
I like that Proton VPN is based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction – Switzerland, and follows a strict no-logs policy. But I’m slightly concerned about the provider’s stance on privacy policy changes – it’s stated that the changes will be deemed as accepted if you continue to use the services. To be on the safe side, always enable privacy policy change notifications.
Proton VPN’s Windows app offers a wide array of features, providing numerous settings and tools. The interface is intuitive and packed with options. The macOS version, while slightly different, still includes all the essential security elements and is easy to navigate.
What stood out to me was Proton VPN’s mobile apps, which offer the same level of usability and functionality as their desktop counterparts. This consistency across devices ensures that whether I'm on my computer or mobile, I get a seamless and secure VPN experience.
ProtonVPN is a good choice for those seeking fast speeds and usability, but if you’re concerned about their position in privacy policy changes, I suggest opting for a more privacy-focused provider like NordVPN.
4. IPVanish – affordable long-term VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections
| Cheapest monthly price: | $$2.19/month |
| Servers/countries: | 2400+ servers in 109 countries |
| One-month pricing: | $12.99/month |
| Current deal: | Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish |
If you can commit to a long-term plan, IPVanish is worth considering for its strong security, unlimited connections, and fast speeds—making it one of the cheapest monthly VPNs. While its essential monthly plan costs $12.99/month, opting for its 2-year subscription slashes the price to just $2.19/month.
I liked that all plans allow unlimited simultaneous connections, making sure that all the devices are encrypted and secure. Plus, there’s a safety net in the form of a 30-day money-back guarantee for long-term plans to cover change of mind. The one shortfall I noticed is that IPVanish doesn’t support anonymous payment methods, which could be a drawback for those who prioritize anonymity.
A security-first provider, IPVanish uses 256-bit AES and ChaCha20 encryption to keep your data safe. Plus, I found its security features quite robust, including a kill switch, split tunneling, traffic obfuscation, auto-connect, SOCKS5 proxy, and Threat Protection. Upgrading to its Advanced subscription was particularly interesting, as it unlocks Livedrive – IPVanish’s take on an encrypted cloud storage solution.
As for the privacy side of things, things are slightly more murky. As highlighted in the IPVanish review, it operates out of the US — a founding member of the Five Eyes alliance. But, the good news is that IPVanish’s no-logs policy has been independently audited by the Leviathan Security Group.
The one thing that leaves no doubt, though, is IPVanish’s speeds, which is likely due to its use of WireGuard — one of the fastest tunneling protocols. During the IPVanish testing, I found that whether I was streaming or gaming, the connection remained smooth, with no noticeable lag or buffering. Results from the in-house tests showed that IPVanish retained 80% of the initial speeds on average.
Like most modern VPNs, IPVanish is easy to use on various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. However, I noticed that its apps may be better suited for advanced users due to the sheer number of features, customization options, and elaborate stats.
Overall, I’d recommend IPVanish if you’re open to long-term subscriptions. Despite its affordable pricing, I found that it doesn’t compromise on security, features, speed, or ease of use.
5. Surfshark – affordable monthly VPN with exceptional speeds
| Cheapest monthly price: | $1.99/month |
| Servers/countries: | 3200+ servers in 100 countries |
| One-month pricing: | $15.45/month |
| Current deal: | Now up to 87% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE |
Surfshark is another great cheap monthly VPN, offering strong security, fast speeds, and unlimited device connections. While the monthly plan price is slightly higher than other providers’ on my list ($15.45/month), its 2-year plan costs only $1.99/month.
Sufshark stands out for unlimited simultaneous connections, which I found especially useful for sharing the plan with family or friends. Additionally, you can use the 30-day refund policy if you need a VPN for only one month or just aren’t satisfied with the service. Plus, there’s a 7-day free trial available, making it even easier to test out the VPN before committing.
The Surfshark VPN feature set makes your data highly secure, thanks to the strong AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryptions. What gives me extra confidence, though, is its strict no-logs policy, which has been independently audited by trusted firms like Cure53 and Deloitte.
With Surfshark, I never had to worry about unstable connections. Even if the VPN unexpectedly shuts down, I felt reassured knowing that the automatic kill switch prevents any data leaks. Another highlight for me was its impressive speed – Surfshark consistently delivers blazing-fast connections, retaining around 86% of initial internet speeds on average.
I found Surfshark's additional features very useful. With the cheapest monthly subscription, you get an ad blocker and a cookie pop-up blocker, which significantly enhances the browsing experience. One standout feature for me was Alternative ID – it lets you generate fake identities, including emails, adding an extra layer of security when websites ask for personal info.
Ultimately, as shown in the Surfshark VPN review, it offers a strong balance of performance and ease of use, closely rivaling the top contenders.
VPNs’ monthly price comparison
The data in the table represents various VPN services, comparing their pricing to our best cheapest monthly VPNs. In the lowest price per month column, you can see the cost per month when you choose the longest subscription period, which usually results in a lower monthly price.
| Cheapest monthly VPNs | Rating | Lowest price per month | 1-month plan | Number of servers | Money-back guarantee |
| NordVPN | $3.09/month | $12.99/month | 7400+ servers in 118 countries | 30-day | |
| Bitdefender VPN | $2.92/month | $6.99/month | 3000+ servers in 100 countries | 30-day | |
| Proton VPN | $3.59/month | $9.99/month | 12000+ servers in 117 countries | 30-day | |
| IPVanish | $2.19/month | $12.99/month | 2400+ servers in 109 countries | 30-day | |
| Surfshark | $1.99/month | $15.45/month | 3200+ servers in 100 countries | 30-day |
I recommend you choose NordVPN if you’re looking for the best VPN with a flexible monthly plan. It offers top-tier security, fast speeds, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Or you can choose Bitdefender VPN if you want the most budget-friendly monthly VPN option. It gives you a low-cost way to try out a VPN without a long-term commitment.
What makes the best monthly VPN?
The best monthly VPNs ensure the lowest prices and some of the highest quality. While most VPNs are pretty expensive for a single month, some are affordable and run below the $10/month threshold, such as Bitdefender VPN.
In case you need a short-term VPN, there's also an option to get one for free. While money-back guarantees do not apply to monthly plans, most providers include them with an annual subscription. So it's worth opting for yearly plans and claiming your money back before the end of the month if you're unsatisfied.
Of course, when looking for the best monthly VPN, you shouldn't only consider the pricing. It's imperative to get a VPN that has a reliable and secure connection. For instance, NordVPN is a great example of a provider that balances security with performance. As the best VPN with a monthly plan, NordVPN offers top-tier encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and excellent speed and reliability.
Many people use VPNs to access geo-restricted content, such as streaming services and social media platforms. If you're looking for a VPN to access region-locked apps, a TikTok VPN is a great example of how a VPN can help bypass restrictions. The same principle applies to streaming sites, gaming platforms, and other services blocked in certain regions.
Also, you shouldn't compromise connection speeds for the sake of security. Cheap monthly VPNs should still provide fast protocols like WireGuard and a vast server fleet to ensure excellent performance. Even if the VPN is inexpensive, it should have a clear no-logs policy. Also, ensure it is either audited or has no prior reputational issues.
Why are VPN monthly plans so expensive?
Monthly VPN plans are usually more expensive because providers want you to stay long term. This way, they ensure you don’t switch to competitors or quit the service.
For such reasons, long-term subscriptions are often cheaper, making them more tempting. Plus, you can use the 30-day money-back guarantee or free trials before the month ends to try the service out.
Either way, there are some pretty cheap monthly VPN options, such as Bitdefender VPN. Its monthly plan costs only $6.99/month, and you will enjoy excellent security and privacy features.
Instead of getting a monthly plan, opt for long-term VPN subscriptions that include a 30-day money-back guarantee, such as NordVPN. This way, you can enjoy a month of VPN service free of charge!
Why buy a VPN for one month only?
You might consider buying a VPN for one month only for several reasons. Here are some of the cases when it’s useful to purchase a VPN for a month:
- You’re going to travel. When traveling, people tend to connect to unsecured networks, such as public Wi-Fi hotspots. A monthly VPN helps to stay safe and private on your trip.
- You want to unblock streaming platforms. Perhaps a new movie came out on Netflix, but it’s unavailable in your country? A monthly VPN for streaming can help access the movie in no time.
- You want to test the VPN out. If you don't want to risk it with an instant long-term commitment, you may consider getting a VPN for a month first. In such cases, it’s better to opt for annual plans that come with month-long money-back guarantees.
We spare no effort to test the products & their features. All information is gathered by our in-house research team & fact-checked by our team of experts. Discover the ins and outs of our testing procedures.
How can I get a cheap monthly VPN subscription?
The best VPNs often compete in terms of pricing and the best discounts. So, if you’re searching for the best cheap VPN with some generous offers, you won’t have to look long. Here’s the best way to get a cheap VPN subscription:
- Long-term plans. Many VPN providers offer significant discounts for longer subscription periods. Look for yearly or multi-year plans, as they often bring down the monthly cost.
- Special deals and discounts. Keep an eye out for promotions, discounts, and special offers. VPN providers frequently run seasonal sales such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, where you can grab your favorite VPN for cheap. Additionally, you can use VPN coupons to lower the monthly price.
- Referral programs. Some VPN services offer discounts or free months for referring friends or family. For example, NordVPN offers such an opportunity – by referring a friend, you get even 3 months for free.
- Student discounts. Some VPN providers offer discounts for students. For example, with NordVPN, you can get a special discount for graduate, healthcare, teacher, student, military and other discounts.
- Free trials and money-back guarantees. Some VPN providers offer free trials where you can use all features without paying for a limited time to test the performance. Money-back guarantees, usually lasting 30 to 45 days, also let you subscribe to a VPN service and try it out. If you're not satisfied during this period, you can request a refund and get your money back.
By applying these strategies, you can find a cheap monthly VPN subscription without sacrificing the quality and security you need.
Why should you consider a longer-term VPN?
Longer-term or even lifetime VPNs are usually cheaper than single-month plans, so the monthly option is not worth it. For example, if you get a VPN for a month 12 times, it can cost you even 3 times more than getting the yearly plan.
If you don’t want to commit for a year or two, there’s a simple solution. You can get a yearly VPN plan that provides you with a 30-day money-back guarantee. This way, you can cancel the subscription before the month ends and have a month of service for free.
Conclusion
Finding cheap monthly VPN plans can be a true hassle. They’re usually way more expensive than the monthly prices of annual subscriptions. Another issue is that cheap VPNs often offer an unreliable service. This means that, on top of the price, you also have to consider the quality of the service, which includes security features, connection speed, and overall performance during everyday activities.
The best part is that even if you choose a more expensive VPN, most offer annual plans with month-long money-back guarantees. So you can use it to test premium VPNs for free.
I gathered a list of low-cost VPN providers to help you get started on your reach for cheap monthly VPNs with great features. NordVPN has one of the best monthly plan prices, starting from only $3.09/month on longer subscriptions and $12.99 for a single-month plan. It also offers a standard 30-day money-back guarantee. Plus, you’re guaranteed reliable connections, great speeds, and ease of use.
FAQ
What is the cheapest monthly VPN right now?
The lowest price VPN for a single-month is Bitdefender VPN that will cost you $6.99/month. However, if you want to get an even more budget-friendly and overall better VPN, I suggest NordVPN. Its subscription price starts from $3.09/month. Additionally, the provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee allowing you to test the service for free.
Is NordVPN paid monthly?
Yes, but only if you opt for NordVPN's monthly plan, then you’ll have to pay for it each month. However, the annual subscriptions have to be paid in total. But if you end up unsatisfied with the service you can ask for money back within 30 days.
How much does a VPN cost per month on average?
The average cost of a VPN is around $12.05/month. Most VPNs are priced between $9.99 and $12.99 monthly. For example, Mullvad VPN is the cheapest at $5.19/month, while Astrill VPN is the most expensive at $30.00/month. The cost can vary based on features and subscription duration, with long-term plans offering significant discounts.
Can I get a VPN for a month?
Yes, you can get a VPN for a month. From our tests of 41 VPN providers, 29 offer monthly plans. Affordable options include Bitdefender VPN at $6.99/month. For premium features, you can choose NordVPN, which also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Can I pay monthly for ExpressVPN?
Yes, ExpressVPN has a monthly plan for $12.95. It also offers long-term subscriptions which you can pay for monthly. The prices start at $4.99/month.
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