How much is VPN?
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How much a VPN is in 2026 largely depends on what you need from it. If you are only interested in securing your connections with strong encryption, hiding your IP address to reduce tracking, and accessing region-blocked content from elsewhere, you might think that a basic VPN with budget-friendly pricing will do the trick. Well, did you know that premium VPNs can be cheap and offer many great extras, too?
A reliable VPN must include strong encryption, a clear no-logs policy, fast servers across the globe, and user-friendly apps for all popular operating systems. And even if you want all the features and all the extras, a strong VPN shouldn’t put a huge burden on your finances.
In this quick but comprehensive guide, I compare the prices of the top VPNs in 2026, dig deep into what affects VPN pricing, overview different pricing models, and answer the most commonly asked questions.
VPNs prices comparison
Before moving further into the details, it should be noted that:
Here are the prices and models of all the VPNs I tested hands-on:
| VPN | Lowest price per month | Plan duration | Upfront cost | Monthly subscription price (one-off payment) |
| NordVPN | $3.49 | 2 years | $83.43 | $14.99 |
| Surfshark | $2.49 | 2 years | $53.73 | $16.45 |
| PureVPN | $2.15 | 2 years | $58.20 | $12.95 |
| ExpressVPN | $2.49 | 2 years | $78.18 | $13.99 |
| CyberGhost VPN | $1.59 | 2 years | $45.50 | $12.99 |
| PrivateVPN | $2.00 | 3 years | $72.00 | $9.90 |
| Ivacy VPN | $1.69 | 5 years | $101.55 | $12.95 |
| Norton VPN | $3.33 | 1 year | $39.99 | – |
| Proton VPN | $2.99 | 2 years | $71.76 | $9.99 |
| Mullvad VPN | $5.00 | 1 month |
$5.00
| $5.00 |
| Bitdefender VPN | $2.50 | 1 year | $29.99 | $6.99 |
| Windscribe VPN | $5.75 | 1 year | $69.00 | $9.00 |
| Avast SecureLine VPN | $3.99 | 2 years | $95.76 | – |
| McAfee VPN | $2.50 | 1 year | $29.99 | – |
| AVG VPN | $4.39 | 2 years | $105.36 | – |
| Hide.Me VPN | $2.69 | 2 years | $69.99 | $11.99 |
| ZoogVPN | $2.49 | 2 years | $59.99 | $9.99 |
| Betternet VPN | $7.99 | 1 year | $95.88 | $12.99 |
Most VPN service providers have similar pricing plans lowering the monthly VPN cost the longer the user subscribes. Monthly plans are three times more expensive, costing, on average, around $10.00/month compared to $3.00/month.
It's crucial to note that higher prices do not necessarily equal quality. For example, Betternet VPN takes the top, costing $7.99/month, but is known to collect user data. Windscribe VPN starts from above the average $5.75/month but offers fewer servers compared to NordVPN, which costs $3.49/month and offers thousands of servers across the globe.
NordVPN is among the fastest VPNs on the market due to its unique NordLynx protocol. The cheapest VPN on the list, Ivacy VPN, also comes with a significant server fleet (just like NordVPN), but is known for inconsistent speed that affects streaming capabilities and user comfort. ExpressVPN doesn't have speed issues and does not collect user data, but it is more expensive than Surfshark, which is one of the top VPNs in 2026. In other words, VPN service quality doesn’t always correlate to its price, so it's essential to do your homework and research or, even better – test the service before buying.
One more thing to note is that monthly VPN subscriptions are not worth it, except for Mullvad, which has a fixed price of $5.00 regardless of whether you subscribe for a month, 5 years, or a decade. Some providers, like Proton VPN, also come with free versions. Meanwhile, others – like Surfshark and NordVPN – offer extended money-back guarantees and even free trials.
Factors affecting VPN pricing
Here are some of the factors that affect VPN pricing:
- Plan length. The plan length is the major factor affecting how much a VPN costs per month. For example, CyberGhost VPN costs just $12.99 for a monthly subscription, but its 2-year plan is $1.59/month – six times cheaper. Because most subscription-based software providers look for long-term users, the monthly prices are exceptionally high.
- Server network size. Another significant price contribution is the size of the server network. Because maintaining thousands of collocated servers is costly, you can expect higher prices for VPNs that own their large server infrastructures. On the other hand, it contributes to service safety, logging policies, and transparency. The same applies to connection speed: the faster the service, the more expensive – this is important for streaming and torrenting.
- Features. Fully-developed VPNs are armed with numerous benefits that might affect the cost. The features like dedicated IP addresses come at an additional charge not included in the basic subscription. On the other hand, high-quality VPNs often include DNS leak protection, ad blocking, real-time malware protection, tracker neutralizing, and a kill switch in the core package.
- Privacy policies. One of the most important VPN features is a no-logs policy. These VPNs do not collect, store, or sell user data. Some cheap or free VPNs collect and sell user browsing activities to maintain low prices at the cost of privacy. Reliable no-logs VPNs have independent third-party audits to prove their privacy policy, but these costly procedures also affect the price.
- Security and encryption. The more enhanced the security is, the more pricey it can get. For example, encryption methods are a very important part of VPN’s architecture. It’s how a VPN is securing the tunnel through which the data travels. AES-256-bit encryption is one of the safest encryption standards you can look for in a VPN.
- Speed and performance. Quality VPNs offer users fast speeds by implementing VPN protocols. For example, NordVPN offers a proprietary WireGuard-variation protocol called NordLynx. With it, you can enjoy some of the fastest connection speeds out of all VPNs in 2026. These factors can also add up to the price of a VPN.
VPN pricing models types
There are three VPN pricing models: free, subscription-based, and tiered pricing. The types are self-explanatory but offer very different qualities and features. Let's go over each.
Free VPN services
Although there are free VPNs you can use for limited online activities like browsing, I don’t recommend them. Free VPNs often get revenue by collecting users' online activity and selling it to marketing agencies to bombard them with ads. Cybercriminals can also set up free VPNs to lure unsuspecting users and infect their devices with spyware.
Another issue is performance. Free VPNs often lack sufficient resources to maintain a large and fast server network. Streaming on such services is nearly impossible, and even checking email can be painful if the server is overloaded with active users. Instead, pick an affordable premium VPN and use its free trial or money-back guarantee to save funds.
Subscription-based VPNs
This is the most popular VPN pricing type. VPN service providers offer different length plans with a better or worse price-value ratio. The monthly plan is generally expensive to encourage users into longer-term subscriptions. Simultaneously, annual plans are generally more affordable and can reduce the monthly cost to a few bucks.
The lower cost is not the only reason to subscribe to a longer deal. VPNs are continuously evolving, adding new cybersecurity and quality-of-life features. Getting a longer plan will ensure you won't have to pay more if the service increases the price after an update.
VPNs with tiered pricing
Tiered pricing means paying a specific price for a set of features. The cheaper tiers offer a limited service. Meanwhile, a higher tier provides more functionalities and additional VPN benefits. This pricing model is relatively new in the VPN industry.
NordVPN is one of the services with a tiered pricing model. Its Plus tier adds a password manager and Threat Protection Pro. The Complete plan ups the game by adding Dark Web Monitor Pro, scam call protection, and 1TB of encrypted storage. Finally, we have the Prime tier that additionally includes identity theft and cyber extortion insurance.
Another great example of tiered pricing is Surfshark because it offers an antivirus and a private search engine with its Surfshark One bundle.
Additional VPN price considerations
So you have gone through dozens of VPN reviews and picked yours, but it’s not yet time to check out. Below you will find a few ways to lower the VPN’s cost even more or make the purchase more private.
Discounts and coupons
You can get massive VPN discounts on special occasions like Black Friday or Cyber Monday. There's no reason to spend extra if the discounts are just around the corner. In fact, Black Friday discounts can go up to 90%, so the difference is really staggering.
Another way to save money is by using a VPN coupon. Famous influencers often promote VPN services and get a coupon code with a special deal. Our team of researchers is also looking into the best deals available. So, check our list of VPN coupons to get the current deals and exclusive bonuses unavailable on a standard purchase.
Refund policies and money-back guarantees
You might need a VPN just for a limited time. Making a two-year subscription makes no sense, and resorting to free VPNs is also not an option. Instead, you can utilize a VPN free trial or a money-back guarantee.
You can use a 30-day money-back guarantee if a month is all you need, for example, to watch a TV show on Netflix. Simultaneously, VPN services like NordVPN and Surfshark offer free trials. These are excellent options to test the software out risk-free.
Payment methods and privacy
VPN is primarily a privacy protection tool. Privacy enthusiasts hate sharing personally identifiable data with third parties, and that's why several VPN service providers accept cryptocurrency payments.
Paying with cryptocurrency will make your purchase more anonymous. You can use a temporary mail for service registration, but remember it will complicate the money-back guarantee or support troubleshooting as the VPN service provider will have trouble identifying the buyer.
Final thoughts
Different VPNs are priced differently for various reasons. Some have more servers, offer more advanced extras, or are built with stronger security in mind. Interestingly, a VPN with all the perks and extras will not necessarily be the most expensive one on the market. Take NordVPN or Surfshark as perfect examples – both offer great services at reasonable prices. On the other hand, some more expensive VPNs might fail to unblock Netflix, stop ads, or even hide you effectively.
In short, it's up to you to scrutinize VPN reviews to find what's worth your money. Providers like NordVPN offer an excellent price-value ratio with thousands of high-speed servers and free additional features like an ad blocker and malware protection. Signing up for longer plans will significantly reduce the monthly subscription cost, so choose a VPN you want to stick with.
FAQ
Is a VPN worth it?
Yes, a fully-developed VPN is worth it. It protects your online privacy, neutralizes ads, trackers, and malware, and can bypass geo-blocks and unblock streaming content. Furthermore, you can wait for special occasions like Black Friday or Cyber Monday to get high-quality VPNs like NordVPN at huge discounts.
What is the average cost of a VPN?
The average cost for a long-term VPN subscription is around $3.00/month. Using a VPN for just one month is rather expensive, amounting to around $10.00/month. Before committing, it's always best to check VPN reviews with the best price-value ratio or do a test run with a free trial or a money-back guarantee.
How to save on VPNs?
You can save on VPNs by using a VPN coupon code, free trial, or money-back guarantee. Services like NordVPN offer a 30-day money-back guarantee for all users and a 3-day free trial for Android users. Simultaneously, you can use NordVPN coupon codes to get even better deals.
