Cheapest monthly VPNs in 2024
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Choosing a cheap monthly VPN plan is a wise decision if you need the service for a short period or want to test it out before committing long-term. While many VPN providers offer discounts on long-term plans to encourage extended commitments, a monthly subscription plan offers flexibility without long-term obligations.
After evaluating 41 VPN providers, I’ve narrowed down my top 5 picks that offer affordable monthly plans. These VPNs stood out for their performance in unblocking streaming services, gaming, and overall security.
Top 5 best cheap monthly VPN plans in 2024
- NordVPN – from $12.99/month with a monthly plan, $2.99/month with a 2-year plan
- Bitdefender – from $6.99/month with a monthly plan, $2.92/month with a yearly plan
- Surfshark – from $15.45/month with a monthly plan, $1.99/month with a 2-year plan
- Proton VPN – from $9.99/month with a monthly plan, $2.99/month with a 2-year plan
- IPVanish – from $12.99/month with a monthly plan, $2.19/month with a 2-year plan
Monthly VPN plans price analysis
In December 2024, I collaborated with a team of researchers to analyze the monthly pricing of various VPN services, focusing on the most affordable options. Our aim was to provide you with up-to-date insights into the current market trends for VPN pricing to help you make data-based decisions. For VPNs offering tiered pricing options, we chose the cheapest available plans, and all prices are presented in USD.
To help you understand our findings, I've summarized the data in the graph below. This graphical representation will give you a clear view of the pricing landscape, highlighting which VPNs offer the best value for their monthly plans.
During my testing, I found that most VPN services range in price from $4.99 to $14.99 per month. Astrill VPN is notably the most expensive, costing $30/month, while Mullvad VPN is the cheapest monthly VPN at $4.99/month. On average, the monthly cost for VPNs is around $11.67.
Popular VPNs like NordVPN and ExpressVPN fall into the mid-to-upper price range, with NordVPN priced at $12.99/month and ExpressVPN at $12.95/month. Surfshark's monthly price has recently increased to $15.45/month, but its long-term plans still make it one of the cheapest VPNs. If you subscribe to longer plans, the monthly prices decrease significantly: NordVPN to $2.99/month and Surfshark VPN to $1.99/month. However, ExpressVPN’s longer subscription price of $4.99/month is still quite high compared to these two.
Several well-known VPN services, including Norton VPN, TotalVPN, Avast VPN, and McAfee VPN, do not offer monthly plans, which could be a drawback for users seeking short-term VPN solutions without a long-term commitment.
My test results reveal a highly competitive market where many VPN providers successfully balance affordability with premium features. VPNs priced between $10 and $13 per month typically offer both value and efficiency.
Throughout my research, I identified NordVPN and Surfshark as the best VPNs on the market, providing the best balance of cost and features. Their pricing reflects extensive server networks, robust security measures, and reliable performance.
Based on my experience, I've compiled a list of VPNs that offer affordable monthly plans and quality services.
How we selected and tested these cheap monthly VPNs
When recommending VPNs, our primary goal is to provide options that offer the best value without compromising on essential features like security, performance, and user experience. While cost is significant, the top VPNs must meet high standards in other critical areas to ensure comprehensive protection and functionality.
First, I selected VPNs based on their monthly pricing plans. My list includes a range of premium, mid-priced, and affordable VPNs, ensuring there's something for every budget. This approach ensures that users looking for short-term commitments or those on a tight budget can find a suitable VPN without sacrificing quality. Here are the main criteria I considered, along with the Cybernews research team, when testing VPNs and selecting the top affordable monthly VPNs:
- Geo-block bypassing (30%). To determine a VPN's capability to bypass geo-blocking, I evaluated the number of servers and their global distribution. More servers typically mean better access to geo-blocked content and improved connection stability. Each VPN was tested for its ability to unblock popular streaming services such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. When choosing the top VPNs, it was important to select providers that can offer access to streaming platforms and restricted websites from different regions without issues.
- Security and privacy (25%). Since security and privacy are paramount when choosing a VPN, I prioritized providers that use industry-standard encryption protocols, like AES-256, to ensure data security. I also verified that the VPNs maintain strict no-logs policies, meaning they don't track or store information about user activities. I also tested such essential features as ad blockers, anti-malware protection, and a kill switch, which disconnects the internet if the VPN connection drops, to ensure user privacy is maintained.
- Performance (25%). Performance testing involves conducting speed tests to ensure the VPNs provide fast and reliable connections, minimizing buffering and lag — crucial for activities like streaming and gaming. The research team also evaluated the stability of these connections to ensure minimal interruptions during use.
- Hands-on experience (20%). To assess their performance and usability, I tested each VPN in various scenarios, such as streaming, browsing, and gaming. I only picked tools that were easy to set up and use for beginners and advanced users.
By thoroughly evaluating these criteria, along with the research team, I identified the best cheap monthly VPNs that balance affordability with high-quality service.
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: | $2.99/month |
| Servers/countries: | 6800+ servers in 111 countries |
| One-month pricing: | $12.99/month |
| Current deal: | Get 74% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
NordVPN is the best monthly VPN, serving top-class security features for an affordable price. The monthly plan is available for $12.99/month, but you can also choose the 2-year plan at just $2.99/month.
All plans cover up to 10 devices, ensuring that your main home devices stay protected. 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. Moreover, NordVPN proves safe by respecting privacy with a strict no-logs policy. It has been audited 4 times: twice by PwC and twice by Deloitte.
What I liked the most was that NordVPN provides blazing-fast speeds. Whether you’re a hardcore streamer or gamer, you will be able to watch movies or play games without lag or buffering. According to our in-house tests, NordVPN retains around 90% of initial speeds.
NordVPN 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: | 4000+ servers in 53 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. 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 a security perspective, Bitdefender adheres to market-leading standards with AES-256-bit encryption, ensuring your data remains secure. With the recent WireGuard implementation, ChaCha20 encryption also has become available. It also has a functional kill switch, split tunneling, Double Hop, and even an ad blocker.
I appreciate that for its price, the Bitdefender VPN package offers great performance, where it retains 74% of initial speeds. However, I tried unblocking several streaming services, such as Netflix and Bitdefender 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. The Bitdefender VPN app works on macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. It doesn't support Linux, browser extensions, or configuration on routers. 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's 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. 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 + 4 months FREE |
Surfshark is another great cheap monthly VPN supporting all your home devices. 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 is important if your goal is to share your plan with your friends or family. 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. Surfshark also has a strict no-logs policy, which has been independently audited by Cure45 and Deloitte.
With Surfshark, you also don’t have to worry about unstable connections. Even if the VPN accidentally shuts down, data leaks will be prevented with an automatic kill switch. Additionally, Surfshark consistently demonstrates blazing-fast connection speeds. On average, it retains around 86% of initial internet speeds.
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. The Alternative ID feature is especially handy, as it allows you to create fake identities, including emails, for added security when websites request personal information.
Ultimately, Surfshark VPN offers a strong balance of performance and ease of use, closely rivaling the top contenders.
4. Proton VPN – budget-friendly monthly VPN with a great set of features
| Cheapest monthly price: | $2.99/month |
| Servers/countries: | 9100+ servers in 112 countries |
| One-month pricing: | $9.99/month |
| Current deal: | Get up to 70% OFF ProtonVPN |
Proton VPN is a solid choice for those looking for an affordable monthly VPN with a solid feature set. If you opt for a longer subscription, you get the best deal from $2.99/month. For a single-month plan, Proton VPN asks for a reasonable $9.99/month.
Like NordVPN, 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.
Proton VPN 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.
5. IPVanish – affordable long-term VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections
| Cheapest monthly price: | $$2.19/month |
| Servers/countries: | 2400+ servers in 100 countries |
| One-month pricing: | $12.99/month |
| Current deal: | Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish |
If you can commit to a moderately long-term plan, IPVanish is certainly worth a look. While its essential monthly plan costs $12.99/month, opting for its 2-year subscription slashes the price to just $2.19/month.
All plans allow unlimited simultaneous connections, making sure that all your 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 is that IPVanish doesn’t support anonymous payment methods, which may be a deal-breaker for those after anonymity.
A security-first provider, IPVanish uses 256-bit AES and ChaCha20 encryption to keep your data safe. Plus, it also offers security features like a kill switch, split tunneling, traffic obfuscation, auto-connect, SOCKS5 proxy, and Threat Protection. Upgrading to its Advanced subscription unlocks Livedrive — IPVanish’s answer to encrypted cloud storage solution.
As for the privacy side of things, things are slightly more murky. IPVanish 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. Whether you’re streaming content or playing games, you’ll enjoy a lag and buffer-free experience. Results from our 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, its apps may be better suited for advanced users because of 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 cheap pricing, IPVanish doesn’t slack on security, features, speed, and ease of use.
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 | $2.99/month | $12.99/month | 6800+ servers in 111 countries | 30-day | |
| Bitdefender VPN | $2.92/month | $6.99/month | 4000+ servers in 53 countries | 30-day | |
| Surfshark | $1.99/month | $15.45/month | 3200+ servers in 100 countries | 30-day | |
| Proton VPN | $2.99/month | $9.99/month | 9100+ servers in 112 countries | 30-day | |
| IPVanish | $2.19/month | $12.99/month | 2400+ servers in 100 countries | ||
| ExpressVPN | $4.99/month | $12.95/month | Undisclosed number of servers in 105 countries | 30-day | |
| CyberGhost | $2.03/month | $12.99/month | Undisclosed number of servers in 100 countries | 45-day |
If you’re looking for the best deal, Surfshark offers prices starting at just $1.99/month with the 2-year plan. But if you're new to VPNs and want to try before committing, Bitdefender has the best 1-month deal. Alternatively, you can check out top-quality VPNs like NordVPN and IPVanish, both offering 7-day free trials and 30-day money-back guarantees.
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. 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 $2.99/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 $2.99/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 $11.67/month. Most VPNs are priced between $4.99 and $14.99 monthly. For example, Torguard is the cheapest at $4.99/month, while Astrill VPN is the most expensive at $30/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, 27 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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