It's no secret that long-term VPN plans offer the best value, but there are a lot of reasons to seek out the cheapest monthly VPN subscriptions, too. If you're heading on holiday for a few weeks and still want to access the shows you love, or just want to see if you get any use out of having a VPN at all.
There are other options, though. If you just want to test out one of the best VPNs before committing, buying a longer plan and claiming a refund within the refund period may be a better choice – although this can be a bit of a hassle, and requires as hefty payment upfront.
Despite this, if you do just need a month's coverage, a month's coverage is all you need. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best cheap monthly VPNs so you can figure out which one you need. We test each VPN thoroughly, considering crucial factors like speed, security, streaming access. Read on to find the most reliable cheap monthly VPNs that don’t compromise your privacy.
The best 3 cheap monthly VPNs at a glance
Recent updates
Our latest update has seen us overhaul the reviews and change the rankings, putting Private Internet Access at our #2 spot. I've also checked over all the facts and figures to make sure all the information is as up-to-date as possible.
The best cheap monthly VPN plans today
Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.
Proton VPN: The best cheap monthly VPN
✅ You prioritize privacy: Proton VPN follows strict privacy practices, including a no-logs policy confirmed by third-party audits.
✅ You want reliable streaming access: Proton VPN consistently unblocks popular streaming platforms, including Netflix and Amazon Prime.
✅ You value flexibility: With servers in 112 countries, Proton VPN offers a truly global network for accessing content from nearly any region.
❌ You want a simple VPN: Proton VPN doesn’t have the most elegant UI compared to some of the other providers on our list.
❌ You like simple support options: You'll get a huge range of support articles covering many issue – but they can be quite dense and tricky to follow.
Proton VPN combines strong privacy, global server access, and great streaming performance, so it’s a top choice for a one-off purchase while you’re on holiday.
Proton VPN is privacy, security, and value for money all in one. It comes from the same minds behind Proton Mail and the rest of the Proton privacy suite, so it’s been designed from the ground up to keep your data out of the hands of hackers and spies.
At $9.99 a month, it’s the second cheapest provider on our list. Only Ivacy offers a lower starting monthly price at $9.95, but Proton VPN blows it out of the water when it comes to features. There’s too many to get into here, but of particular note is Secure Core, which routes your traffic through multiple hardened servers for extra security.
If privacy is what you're looking for out of your VPN provider, then Proton is an excellent option. With support for both OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, you can tailor your connection depending on what you're looking to do, with searing connection speeds of up to 950 Mbps. To put that into perspective, most households have WI-Fi that maxes out at around 100 Mbps, so Proton certainly won't be slowing you down.
Proton VPN isn’t just about privacy, either. It’s a very functional VPN. In fact, their server list currently gives you access to 112 different countries. If you need to access content from anywhere around the planet, Proton VPN has you covered.
While somewhat busy, Proton VPN's apps are intuitive and easy to use. With options for mobile and desktop, as well as a one of the best Linux VPNs, it's great for just about anyone. What's more, with the power to unblock just about every streaming site I tested it with, it's great for watching TV and movies at home and abroad.
I should also point out that Proton VPN comes with a free version that’s pretty unique. It’s one of the best free VPN options out there thanks to its unlimited data policy that won’t monetize your browsing habits, but this comes at the cost of only being able to access three locations.
For all of Proton VPN’s extra features, you’ll have to pay a subscription, but you can try them out for yourself without committing to a full plan thanks to a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Private Internet Access: fast, secure, and great value
✅ You need access to content in the US: PIA has servers in all 50 U.S. states, making it ideal for unblocking regional content and streaming in the US.
✅ You have multiple devices to protect: With unlimited simultaneous connections, PIA covers all your devices without added costs.
✅ You want advanced options for hosting: PIA’s unique port forwarding and dedicated IP options allow you to securely host services from home and abroad.
❌ You need ultra-fast speeds: While PIA is fast enough for HD and 4K streaming, it’s slightly slower than top-tier VPNs like NordVPN.
❌ You need global coverage: Although there’s plenty of locations in Europe and the US, other providers offer more in Asia and the Middle East.
Private Internet Access is a competently put together VPN that won’t thrill you with exciting extras, but scratch under the surface and there’s enough customizability to satisfy any VPN user.
PIA isn’t the very first VPN I’d recommend, but if you need a low-cost VPN that still does the core stuff very competently then look no further. PIA costs $11.99 a month, but buying into the two-year plan currently lowers this to $2.19 per month.
The price is good, but what about the rest of the VPN? Well, it’s not quite as fast as the likes of NordVPN or ExpressVPN, but PIA will still more than adequately provide the speeds you need to stream 4k content without buffering or lag. Personally, I found that it’s the best US VPN for streaming content in the US thanks to a location list that includes all fifty states.
PIA also allows you to separately buy a dedicated IP address via a token system which you can then apply to your account. Combined with PIA’s port forwarding options (which is a rarity amongst VPN providers), this makes PIA one of the only providers out there which will effectively and safely allow you to host web services from your home connection which can be connected to through a VPN address.
PIA is also one of the most private VPNs out there, thanks to its fully-audited no-logs policy and its quarterly transparency reports that prove it will no release any user data, no matter what.
Support is great for PIA, too. There’s Windows and MacOS versions, as well as Android and iPhone apps, but the real standout is a Linux GUI version which comes with all the features you’d expect to find on Windows and MacOS.
NordVPN: our top-rated VPN overall
✅ You want both speed and security: NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol boosts speeds while maintaining high security, perfect for HD and 4K streaming.
✅ You need specialty servers: With Double VPN and Onion over VPN, NordVPN offers plenty of privacy-first server options.
✅ You’re looking for strong anti-malware protection: NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature blocks malware and phishing attempts, adding an extra layer of safety.
❌ You’re on a strict budget: At $12.99/month, NordVPN is more expensive than some alternatives.
❌ You need more than 10 device connections: If you have a large family or a need for unlimited connections, you should consider other options.
NordVPN bundles a wide range of powerful security features into an app that also has powerful unblocking capabilities across a global set of locations.
In my full NordVPN review I found that the biggest name in VPN is also the best. Who'da thunk it? With unbeatable speeds, excellent privacy features, good apps across tons of devices and a vast server selection, not a single rival can currently touch it.
NordVPN starts at $12.99 a month, but you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck. Compared to other VPNs, NordVPN is more expensive but brings a unique combination of high-speed performance, specialty servers, and advanced security features.
With over 6,700 servers in 112 countries, NordVPN offers one of the largest and most versatile networks available, making it highly reliable for bypassing geo-restrictions and unblocking popular streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+.
We found NordVPN to be one of the fastest VPNs in our tests at 950 Mbps, providing a smooth, lag-free experience for streaming, gaming, and browsing.
NordVPN also excels in security, offering a range of specialty servers, including Double VPN, Onion over VPN, and P2P-optimized servers. In addition to standard VPN protection, NordVPN includes its Threat Protection feature, which blocks ads, malware, and phishing attempts – although you'll have to upgrade to get Threat Protection Pro. You can see how well it works for yourself using their 30-day money-back guarantee.
As I mentioned, Nord's apps are very good, but I think they could be a little easier to use. Proton VPN actually outdoes Nord here, with a better implementation of a map-based interface. That said, this is unlikely to be a dealbreaker for many people – and that this is one of my biggest issues with the service is rather demonstrative.
Best of the rest
✅ You’re looking for budget-friendly long-term pricing: Ivacy’s five-year plan is one of the lowest-priced options on the market.
✅ You prioritize streaming access: Ivacy unblocks popular services like Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer in many regions.
✅ You value essential security features: With split tunneling, malware protection, and a kill switch, Ivacy offers good core security.
❌ You need a VPN with the fastest possible speeds: Ivacy’s speeds are solid but won’t match premium competitors for high-performance tasks.
❌ You want a VPN with verified privacy audits: Unlike some high-end providers, Ivacy has yet to undergo a third-party audit of its no-logs policy.
Ivacy VPN provides strong security, streaming access, and affordability, making it a ideal if you’re on a strict budget but still need reliable VPN protection.
Ivacy offers both good privacy protection and malware detection. Your online activity won't be tracked thanks to the serviceable VPN, but viruses and other online threats won't have an easy time infecting your device either.
Priced at $9.95 per month, Ivacy is the cheapest provider on our list. It also delivers good value on long-term plans, with a five-year option priced at $1.17 per month for a total of $69.99. You won’t be getting the range of features that you find from other providers on our list, but if it’s a one-off purchase you probably won’t care as much.
If you are looking for upgrades, such as a dedicated IP, extra device connections, or port forwarding, these all cost extra. It’s worth noting that PIA provides port forwarding as part of the core subscription, so if you’re a gamer on holiday it’ll be cheaper to get a month of PIA instead.
Ivacy’s streaming capabilities are impressive, as it unblocks popular services like Netflix in most regions, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. During testing, Ivacy’s speeds reached up to 630 Mbps, which is adequate for HD streaming and browsing.
One issue I have with Ivacy is that it hasn't been audited by a third party for its no-logs policy, which is a standard among almost all premium providers. While our testing found no sign of data leaks from the client app, it’s hard to tell if Ivacy is keeping their word about not storing your data without an independent audit. Its 7-day money-back guarantee allows you to test the service out for yourself with minimal commitment, but it’s a little shorter than the others on our list.
While there are a fair few providers I'd choose over Ivacy, its one-month plan is excellent value, and if you like the service it's an incredibly cheap VPN if you don't mind signing up for a long time.
✅ You need reliable, high-speed connections: ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol ensures fast speeds and smooth performance across all major streaming platforms.
✅ You’re looking for strong privacy protections: ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer technology, which operates only on RAM, ensures no data logs are ever stored.
✅ You prioritize ease of use and stability on mobile: The Lightway protocol is especially designed to handle mobile connections efficiently, saving battery and maintaining stability.
❌ You require a VPN with more than 8 simultaneous connections: Other VPNs, like Surfshark or PIA, offer unlimited connections.
❌ You want a range of specialty servers: ExpressVPN doesn’t include options like Double VPN or Onion over VPN, which NordVPN provides.
While ExpressVPN is a little more expensive, what you get in return is top-notch speeds, strong privacy protocols, and consistent streaming performance.
ExpressVPN is a titan of the VPN world, with one of the best VPNs for beginners. Naturally, what makes it a great choice for a long-term VPN similarly makes it a great monthly VPN.
ExpressVPN is a bit more of a premium provider at $12.95 per month, and unlike NordVPN you’re not getting a swathe of extra features for that price. What sets it apart is how well it performs the essential functions of a VPN. While competitors like NordVPN pack in specialty features, ExpressVPN focuses on getting the basics right with excellent connection stability and security.
What sets ExpressVPN apart from the competition is its proprietary VPN, Lightway. Lightway was designed from the ground up to optimize connection speeds, reduce battery drain on mobile devices, and provide stable performance across all platforms.
In our tests, Lightway consistently delivered high speeds comparable to NordVPN and Surfshark, making it an excellent choice for streaming in HD or 4K.
ExpressVPN has a long-standing reputation as one of the best streaming VPNs, and in our tests we found that it’s still easily capable of unblocking Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and other popular streaming services with minimal buffering.
Combined with best-in-class quantum secure encryption and a thoroughly audited no-logs policy, ExpressVPN is a VPN you can trust to handle your data safely. Try it out for yourself with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
✅ You need coverage for multiple devices: With unlimited device connections, Surfshark is perfect for families or users with a range of devices.
✅ You prioritize speed and streaming: Surfshark’s fast speeds and reliable unblocking make it ideal for streaming Netflix, Disney+, and more.
✅ You want international content access: With 140 server locations in 100 countries, Surfshark makes it easy to access content worldwide
❌ You’re looking for a budget-friendly monthly option: At $15.45 per month, Surfshark is on the higher end of the price range.
❌ You require specialty servers: While Surfshark offers a strong VPN experience, it lacks specialty options like Double VPN.
Rounding out our rankings is Surfshark. Just because it's at the #5 spot doesn't mean it's not worth considering – it's super fast, easy to use and one of the best Netflix VPNs.
With this being said, it’s the most expensive VPN on our list at $15.45 per month. However, if you’re willing to buy into a longer subscription, Surfshark goes all the way down to $1.99 per month. That’s the cost when you buy in for two years, with an additional four months for free, making it $55 in total.
For that price, you get a VPN that is arguably the fastest on this list according to our testing. In our speed testing, it maxed out our connection at over 950 Mbps, putting it on par with NordVPN and Proton VPN, so you can be sure that it won't slow you down.
Surfshark also comes with unlimited device coverage, so while Surfshark may be fairly expensive on the surface, if you’ve got a whole household of devices to cover it can end up working out cheaper than taking out several subscriptions with another provider. It’s a lot less effort than juggling multiple payment plans and login details, too.
Surfshark gives you 140 locations to choose from in 100 countries, and it’s no slouch at unblocking content either. I found that it handles unblocking all of the major Netflix regions, as well as Disney+, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Peacock. That makes it a great choice if you’re trying to watch content while abroad, but given the higher price it’s probably not going to be your top choice unless you’re on a big family outing.
You can try Surfshark for yourself with a 30-day money-back guarantee to see if it’s the VPN for you.
How to pick a cheap monthly VPN
When you’re trying to pick a cheap monthly VPN, there’s a few criteria you should be aware of:
- Server Network and Locations: A large network enables greater flexibility to bypass geo-blocks, so you can always get to the content you’re looking for. VPN servers that are closer to your physical location give you better connection speeds, too!
- Connection Speed: One of the ways cheap VPNs justify their cost is by skimping on the connection speeds they provide. Make sure you’re picking a VPN that has the bandwidth to handle streaming, gaming, and downloading.
- Privacy and Security Policies: There’s a lot of VPNs out there that offer rock bottom prices per month, but that comes at a hefty cost. The closer you get to a “free” VPN, the greater the likelihood that your data is being monetized by the VPN provider. You need to check that the VPN provider you’re using has a sensible no-logs policy.
- Device Compatibility: Make sure the VPN you’re purchasing actually works on your device before you make the buy. Most top-tier VPNs now cover all major platforms, but there’s a few edge cases like Windows ARM or Linux where you might be getting a worse VPN client or none at all.
How we test cheap monthly VPNs
Testing a VPN isn’t just a matter of hitting “connect” and seeing whether your internet still works. We check everything we can come up with to help differentiate between different VPNs on the market, which also gives us the advantage of being very confident in whether or not you can actually trust a VPN to keep your internet traffic safe.
If you want a full step by step of how we test VPNs, you can check out the linked page. For brevity’s sake, I’ll give you the gist of how we test below.
It goes without saying that we test every VPN by hand. Checking out the provider’s site is pretty useful for getting an understanding of what they claim to offer, how their data policy looks, what support options they have, and so on, but to really understand a VPN you have to take it for a test drive. So that’s what we do.
Every six months we go through each VPN, signing up for new plans and going through the install process on a bunch of in-house devices. This also allows us to see if there’s been any notable price changes, as well as the deals that are offered to new customers.
There’s a particular priority on making sure the Windows app is working as it should, as this is usually the flagship product for most VPN providers. This includes going over IPv4, IPv6, and DNS leak protection, as well as putting the kill-switch through a battery of tests. We also get some numbers on the connection speeds during different times of the day at this point, too.
Of course, we also test out the other apps, including the Mac VPN and Android VPN, to see if they work as expected. If there’s anything out of the ordinary that crops up during our testing, we check to see whether it’s something with our devices. If the app’s open source, we can also dive into the code and check out a RAM dump to see if everything’s running correctly.
With the technical stuff out of the way, we move onto issues of aesthetics and ease of use. This is a little more subjective, so your mileage may vary but we try to keep it objective where possible. There are some decisions that are simply bad design.
Finally, we wind down by testing the streaming capability. Netflix is still the gold standard when it comes to showing off how well a VPN can unblock content, so we try out a bunch of different Netflix regions along with some other bigger streaming providers to make sure a provider’s claims match up with the reality of using that VPN.
Cheap monthly VPN FAQ
Can I use a VPN for one month only?
Yes, you can use a VPN for one month only, although this may not be the most economical option.
An important thing to remember is to make sure you turn off auto-billing on your VPN account. Otherwise, you’ll be in for a nasty surprise when you're charged again when the next month rolls around.
Why are monthly VPNs so expensive?
Like almost any other industry, VPN providers want to keep hold of their customers for as long as possible, out of reach from their competitors.
Therefore, long-term plans are made incredibly appealing, and short-term plans are expensive. It could also be argued that having an expensive short plan makes a cheaper long-term plan look more appealing – but that's a different story...
The long and short of it is that cheap monthly VPN plans are hard to find, but some providers like Proton VPN deliver genuinely good-value plans that you don't have to commit to for years to get.
Is there a 100% free VPN?
There definitely are some good free VPNs out there, but these can be few and far between. The best way to find a good free VPN is to use a free tier offered by a legitimate, premium VPN providers offer free VPN tiers, but these are always limited in one way or another.
If you come across a free VPN which claims to be completely unlimited, at best you’re probably looking at a VPN that monetizes your data and out worst an outright scam or way to spread Trojan malware.
If you want the best VPN experience, we recommend going with a premium VPN instead, but if you really only need it for a month then Proton VPN Free tier might suit your needs.
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:
1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).
2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
