Best cheap VPN providers for 2026
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Surfshark is the best cheap VPN for long-term use – starting at $2.49/month, it works great for streaming, provides strong privacy, and supports unlimited simultaneous connections.
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Proton VPN offers the best cheap monthly plan at only $9.99.
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NordVPN offers the best value package with top-tier privacy, high speed, and lag-free streaming, starting at $3.49/month.
Finding the best cheap VPN in 2026 can get really complicated. A low price tag is easy to slap on any product, but independent audits, verified no-logs policies, a proven unblocking track record, and high-speed retention are much harder to fake.
I tested 41 VPN providers to find the cheap VPN plans that offer the best value. I checked their speed, streaming performance, privacy features, ease of use, and, of course, pricing. Below, I analyzed both the cheapest multi-year subscriptions and the cheapest monthly VPN plans in case you’re looking for a short-term solution.
Best cheap long-term VPN plans 2026
Below are the cheapest long-term plans of the best VPN providers we tested. The longer the plan you commit to, the lower the monthly cost. This is a standard practice for VPNs and a 2-year subscription is almost always where the biggest savings are.
- NordVPN – overall best value VPN for streaming and browsing. $3.49/month with a 2-year NordVPN Basic plan
- Surfshark – best budget-friendly VPN with unlimited devices. $2.49/month with a 2-year Surfshark Starter plan, cheaper with checkout code OFFCN
- Proton VPN – best for privacy-conscious users. $2.99/month with a 2-year VPN Plus plan
- IPVanish – reliable and cheap VPN. $2.19/month with a 2-year IPVanish Essential plan
- ExpressVPN – fast and streaming-friendly VPN. $2.49/month with a 2-year Basic plan.
Best cheapest monthly VPN plans 2026
Here are the best monthly plans that offer the best value for money. While there are cheaper monthly options like Bitdefender ($6.99/month), it didn't make it to my list as it didn’t pass our tests as well as other VPNs.
- NordVPN – $14.99/month for the NordVPN Basic plan
- Proton VPN – $9.99/month for VPN Plus plan
- ExpressVPN – $12.99/month for the Basic plan
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How to choose a high-quality, cheap VPN
Based on my experience, a cheap VPN doesn’t have to be low-quality. Here are the questions I recommend asking yourself to select the right, affordable tool:
- How long do you plan to use the VPN? Monthly plans are always more expensive – even the cheapest VPNs, like Surfshark, offer monthly subscriptions for $16.45, while its 2-year plan costs as little as $2.49/month. So if you only need a VPN for a few weeks, it’s smarter to buy an annual plan and take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Does it have security essentials? Make sure the VPN you choose uses the industry-standard AES-256 encryption and has a reliable kill switch and DNS leak protection. If a VPN is missing any of these, it's not worth it. Based on my research, there are plenty of cheap VPNs that offer these essential safeguards.
- Does the VPN follow a strict no-logs policy? Ensure that the VPN follows a verified no-logs policy and is consistently audited by third parties.
- Does it ensure fast speeds? Think about what you will use the VPN for. A slow VPN can be acceptable for protecting yourself on public Wi-Fi, but it's a nightmare for streaming. The budget VPNs I cover below all include the speed-optimized WireGuard protocol and retained at least 60% of my baseline connection speed during my tests.
- Do you really need all the included features? VPNs nowadays include a lot of extra tools to enhance your privacy, from antivirus to data removal. Think about what kind of extras are important to you specifically and if they are truly worth the money.
Best cheap and cheap monthly VPNs – detailed list
Below is the full detailed analysis of the best cheap VPNs that don’t compromise security, speeds, and other factors for the sake of affordability.
1. NordVPN – overall best-value VPN in 2026
| Cheapest monthly price: | $3.49/month |
| Servers/countries: | 9,500+ servers in 149 countries |
| One-month pricing: | $14.99/month |
| Current deal: | Get 75% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
NordVPN is the best VPN overall in 2026 because it combines top-class security, blazing-fast speeds, and an audited no-logs policy. It’s not the cheapest option on my list, but it has the best price-to-value ratio while still offering subscriptions at under $4.00/month. The monthly plan is available for $14.99/month, but you can also choose the 2-year plan at just $3.49/month.
All plans cover up to 10 devices, ensuring your main home devices stay protected. I also appreciate that NordVPN offers a 3-day free trial for new users. Plus, there's a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is great for trying out the service risk-free.
NordVPN pricing begins with its Basic plan at $3.49/month on a 2-year subscription, and that’s the one I used for testing. It includes all core features like AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection, though it lacks extras such as Threat Protection Pro, Dark Web Monitoring Pro, and password management found in pricier tiers.
When it came to streaming, NordVPN easily unblocked major platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Prime Video, delivering a smooth experience across different regions. Speeds were also excellent during our in-house NordVPN testing – retaining around 86% of the original connection, which kept streaming and gaming lag-free.
NordVPN’s strong privacy record stands out, backed by six independent audits, most recently in December 2025 by Deloitte, confirming its strict no-logs policy. I also found the apps to be intuitive across all operating systems, including Fire TV Stick and Android TV, making setup effortless even for beginners.
Overall, I suggest choosing NordVPN if you need the most powerful VPN available with cheap and flexible pricing plans.
2. Surfshark – best cheap long-term VPN
| Cheapest monthly price: | $2.49/month |
| Servers/countries: | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries |
| One-month pricing: | $16.45/month |
| Current deal: | Now up to 85% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE |
Surfshark is the best cheap VPN with the most affordable long-term plans. It offers strong privacy features, fast speeds, and unlimited device coverage on one account. While the monthly plan price is slightly higher than other providers’ on my list ($16.45/month), its 2-year plan costs only $2.49/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 1 month or if you aren’t satisfied with the service. Plus, there’s a 7-day free trial, making it easier to test the VPN before committing.
Surfshark pricing starts with its 2-year Starter plan at $2.49/month. This covers all the essentials, including AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and even adds useful extras like an ad blocker, cookie pop-up blocker, and Alternative ID. While it doesn’t include some of the more advanced tools like antivirus, an email scam checker, and identity theft coverage available on higher-tier plans, the base plan is still well-equipped.
In streaming tests, Surfshark performed very well and easily handled popular platforms, such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer, even on the cheapest plan I used for testing. It’s a strong choice if you want reliable access to geo-restricted libraries while traveling or just want to stream without hassle.
Speed was another highlight, with Surfshark consistently delivering fast, stable connections. Our testing showed it retained around 78% of initial internet speeds on average, which is more than enough for smooth browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Surfshark’s approach to privacy is also a major strength, thanks to its strict no-logs policy and independent audits by firms like Cure53 and Deloitte. The app is easy to use across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, as, in my experience, the setup is effortless even for first-time users.
Ultimately, as our Surfshark review shows, it’s one of the cheapest VPNs out there while offering a strong balance of performance and ease of use, closely rivaling the top contenders.
3. Proton VPN – affordable VPN with privacy-friendly features
| Cheapest monthly price: | $2.99/month |
| Servers/countries: | 20,300+ servers in 148 countries |
| One-month pricing: | $9.99/month |
| Current deal: | Get up to 70% OFF Proton VPN |
Proton VPN is a strong, affordable monthly VPN with excellent security, privacy, and speed retention of up to 80%, operating from a privacy-friendly Swiss jurisdiction. If you opt for a longer subscription, you get the best deal at $2.99/month. For a single-month plan, Proton VPN asks for a reasonable $9.99/month.
Like NordVPN, Proton VPN can secure up to 10 simultaneous connections and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Bitdefender has the cheapest monthly plan, but Proton VPN is second out of the top 5 providers.
Proton VPN offers a decent standalone free VPN option, which is rather uncommon among VPN providers. It’s limited to a single connection, with 10 server locations available (randomly selected and at reduced speed). Bitdefender also offers a free VPN option, but it is bundled with the company’s antivirus software.
Proton VPN pricing includes three tiers, and since its free version is quite limited, I opted for its cheapest subscription – VPN Plus – for this testing. It uses WireGuard, AES-256, and ChaCha20 encryption, along with a kill switch, NetShield ad blocker, and Tor over VPN. On the other hand, the Proton Unlimited plan gives you access to all premium Proton products, including Proton Pass and Proton Mail.
In our Proton VPN testing, the provider delivered strong performance results, retaining around 80% of the original speed.
I especially like that Proton VPN is based in Switzerland and follows a strict no-logs policy. That said, its privacy policy change wording may be a concern, since continued use counts as acceptance, so it’s best to keep notifications on privacy policy changes enabled.
I noticed that Proton VPN’s Windows app is feature-rich and easy to navigate, while the macOS version keeps the key security tools without feeling cluttered. Its mobile apps are just as good, offering the same smooth and secure experience across devices.
Overall, I would say Proton VPN is a strong choice if you want an affordable VPN with fast speeds and great usability.
4. IPVanish – cheap monthly VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections
| Cheapest monthly price: | $2.19/month |
| Servers/countries: | 3,400+ servers in 112 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 unlimited connections, strong security, and fast speeds. 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, ensuring 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 a 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.
I picked IPVanish’s cheapest plan, Essential, to test the service out. I really appreciated that it already includes useful advanced security features, such as a kill switch, split tunneling, traffic obfuscation, auto-connect, a SOCKS5 proxy, and even 3GB of eSIM data. Its Advanced plan also adds Threat Protection Pro, Secure Browser, encrypted cloud storage, and phone customer support.
Privacy is a bit less straightforward, since IPVanish is based in the United States – a founding member of the Five Eyes alliance. However, its no-logs policy has been independently audited, which adds some reassurance on the privacy side.
During our IPVanish testing, the provider handled streaming and gaming well, with no noticeable lag or buffering. It also retained around 63% of its original speeds, which is sufficient for everyday browsing.
IPVanish’s apps are easy to use on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, though my impression is that many settings and detailed stats may appeal more to users seeking more control over their VPN setup.
Overall, IPVanish is a solid, cheap, long-term option if you want strong security, good performance, and a feature-rich experience.
5. ExpressVPN - fast VPN for streaming and gaming
| Cheapest monthly price: | $2.49/month |
| Servers/countries: | Undislosed number of servers in 105 countries |
| One-month pricing: | 12.99/month |
| Current deal: | Now up to 80% OFF ExpressVPN + 4 months FREE |
If you need excellent speeds at a low price, ExpressVPN is a solid choice. Its cheapest 2-year plan offers 4 extra months free for $2.49/month, while the monthly plans are similar in price to NordVPN and IPVanish, starting at $12.99/month.
I like that all plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out safely. The number of simultaneous connections depends on the plan and ranges from 10 to 14. While it’s enough to cover all your devices, it isn’t really comparable to the freedom of unlimited device support.
ExpressVPN pricing starts at $2.49/month for the cheapest Basic plan I tested. Along with the standard VPN features, this plan comes with an ad blocker and protection against malicious links. Moreover, it includes 10MB of ExpressMailGuard, which hides your real email address and lets you send anonymous emails. Dedicated IP, a password manager, identity protection tools, and eSIM are included only in pricier plans.
During my tests, ExpressVPN retained 91% of the baseline speed thanks to its fast proprietary Lightway protocol, making it perfect for smooth online gaming. I like that every plan includes a built-in speed test, so you can check all speed parameters yourself at any time.
ExpressVPN quickly unblocked Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer – my test results are also supported by our dedicated ExpressVPN review.
As for privacy, ExpressVPN is very secure and checks all the essentials: it uses AES-256 encryption, offers a kill switch and split tunneling, has an audited no-logs policy, and is based in the British Virgin Islands, outside the Fourteen Eyes alliance.
Overall, ExpressVPN is an easy-to-use tool with its own Lightway protocol. Its cheapest plan includes all the basics, which is perfect for those who need a straightforward, effective solution for fast streaming and online gaming.
VPN price comparison
The table shows various VPN services and compares their pricing to my lineup of the best cheap 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 with a long-term plan | 1-month plan | Number of servers | Money-back guarantee |
| NordVPN | $3.49/month | $14.99/month | 9,500+ servers in 149 countries | 30-day | |
| Surfshark | $2.49/month | $16.45/month | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries | 30-day | |
| Proton VPN | $2.99/month | $9.99/month | 20,300+ servers in 148 countries | 30-day | |
| IPVanish | $2.19/month | $12.99/month | 3,400+ servers in 112 countries | 30-day | |
| ExpressVPN | $2.49/month | $12.99/month | Undisclosed number of servers in 105 countries | 30-day |
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 Proton VPN. Its monthly plan costs only $3.99/month, and you will enjoy excellent security and privacy features.
Instead of getting a monthly plan, opt for a long-term VPN subscription that includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, such as NordVPN’s. This way, you can enjoy a month of VPN service free of charge.
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How to save when buying a VPN
The best VPNs often compete on 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 significantly.
- Special deals and discounts. Keep an eye out for promotions, discounts, and special offers, especially around events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when you can often grab your favorite VPN for cheaper. You can also lower the monthly price by using VPN coupons and promo codes. For example, use Surfshark's OFFCN code at checkout for additional savings.
- Referral programs. Some VPN services offer discounts or free months for referring friends or family. NordVPN offers such an opportunity – refer a friend and get 3 months for free.
- Student discounts. Some VPN providers offer discounts for students. For example, NordVPN gives an extra 15% discount to graduates, healthcare workers, teachers, students, and military personnel.
- Free trials and money-back guarantees. Some VPN providers offer free trials that let you use all features without paying for a limited time to test the performance. Money-back guarantees, usually lasting between 30 and 45 days, also let you subscribe to a VPN service and try it out risk-free. 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.
Considering 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, NordVPN’s monthly plan costs $14.99/month. Over a year, that adds up to $155.88. On the other hand, the yearly plan costs $5.49/month, which is $59.88/year. That’s more than 50% less than paying monthly. And if you choose the 2-year plan, the price drops even more – you’ll pay just around $42.00/year.
If you don’t want to commit for a year or two, there’s a simple solution. You can get a yearly VPN plan 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.
Video review
Prefer video over reading? Check out our best budget VPN review below to see how it stacks up.
Final verdict
Finding cheap VPN plans can be a true hassle. Per-month subscriptions are usually way more expensive than the monthly prices of annual subscriptions. Another issue is that cheap VPNs often offer 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 a month-long money-back guarantee. So you can use it to test premium VPNs for free.
Based on my findings, NordVPN is the best overall cheap VPN, with its 2-year Basic plan starting at $3.49/month. It stands out for its strong privacy protections, useful features, reliable speeds, and easy-to-use apps. Proton VPN offers the cheapest monthly plan overall at $3.99/month, making it the better choice if you want a low-cost short-term option.
FAQ
What is the cheapest monthly VPN right now?
A cheap monthly VPN usually costs from $4.00 to $15.00 a month. Considering the cheapest monthly VPN, Proton VPN is the best option at $9.99/month. Long-term plans offer much better prices.
Can I find a reliable cheap VPN?
Yes, you can find a reliable, cheap VPN. Key features that make a budget VPN secure and reliable include a no-logs policy, encryption, a kill switch, and the ability to choose a server. All of the top 5 providers on my list have these features, including Surfshark and NordVPN, but many other companies also offer such functionalities, including ExpressVPN.
Are cheap VPNs safe?
The first thing to remember is that price doesn’t determine safety. Important considerations for cheap VPNs include independent audits, a no-logs policy, high encryption standards, and the jurisdiction of the VPN’s servers. Free VPNs often lack such important features, making them unsafe. One noteworthy exception if you’re looking for a safe, cheap VPN is Proton VPN Free, which features the same security measures as the paid options.
Can I get a VPN for a month?
Yes, most providers offer a VPN for one month. However, note that paying monthly for a VPN costs you more than a yearly or bi-yearly plan. VPNs with attractive monthly pricing for a VPN plan include Bitdefender VPN, Proton VPN, and NordVPN. Many VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, which can be a good way of checking out the software with all of its features without taking a financial risk.
Is NordVPN paid monthly?
Yes, you can pay monthly for NordVPN if you choose the monthly plan. However, the annual subscriptions have to be paid in total upfront. If you end up unsatisfied with the service, you can request a refund within 30 days.
How much does a VPN cost per month on average?
The average cost of a VPN is around $12.00/month. Most VPNs are priced between $9.99 and $12.99 monthly. For example, TorGuard is the cheapest at $4.00/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.