If you want to protect yourself online but don't want to break the bank, chances are you're looking into getting one of the best cheap VPNs. Thankfully, there are a decent amount of cheap VPNs that don't compromise on quality even when offering a cut-price VPN, even ranking on our list of best VPNs.
Thanks to the imminent Black Friday VPN deals, now is the absolute best time to get your hands on the best cheap VPN for even cheaper than usual. Grab one of our top 5 budget-friendly VPNs in order to stay protected without a hefty price tag.
Unfortunately, when it comes to cheap VPNs, there can be some that use shady practices or simply do not offer the features you want from a VPN in order to justify their low price. We've put all the VPNs on this list to the test to make sure that they're offering the best protection and unblocking for you, so you can use them without being worried your data may be at risk.
The 3 best cheap VPNs at a glance
Recent updates
With Black Friday 2024 coming closer, I've updated the prices to reflect the deals on offer. In typical fashion, the cheapest VPNs have become even cheaper, so it's a great time to grab a bargain.
The best cheap VPNs in 2024
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The very best cheap VPN today
✅ You want the best cheap VPN. When it comes to a balance of performance, privacy, and price, I think Surfshark is unbeatable.
✅ You want super-fast connections. In my tests, Surfshark was the fastest provider – bar none.
✅ You want to plug and play. Surfshark's apps are attractive and intuitive, and setup is very simple.
❌ You want to subscribe and forget. After your first term, Surfshark raises its prices, meaning you'll need to resubscribe to keep that cheap, cheap price.
❌ You're a tinkerer. Surfshark has plenty of features, but not a huge amount of customization. If you like to play with settings, Private Internet Access is a better choice.
If you're looking for a cheap VPN that doesn't cut any corners, Surfshark is the best choice. Its privacy features are excellent, it's very effective for unblocking streaming services that aren't available in your country, and it's the fastest provider I've tested. There's not a lot it can't do, and it's worth every penny.
If you're familiar with our other VPN buying guides, you won't be surprised to see Surfshark topping our list as the best cheap VPN. If you're not, let me give you the lowdown – this Netherlands-based VPN is super fast, excellent at unblocking content and has added extra cybersecurity features, yet still manages to be one of the cheapest VPNs around.
In my latest Surfshark review, I even noted that Surfshark overtook ExpressVPN in our official VPN rankings, taking the coveted #2 spot. This was all thanks to its very impressive performance in our latest round of tests.
As you may have guessed from its move up our rankings, Surfshark does not scrimp on features. It includes a full roster of security features you'd expect from any other top-rated VPN, including a kill switch to protect you if your VPN connection drops out, and industry-standard AES-256 encryption.
> Head to the Surfshark website to test out the best cheap VPN
In my most recent review, Surfshark has addressed the biggest issue I found, which was to do with the kill switch. Now, it can stand up to absolutely anything, from dropped connections to root process tampering.
Surfshark also offers an impressive server network, hosting 3,200 servers across more than 100 countries. This global range means that no matter where you are in the world, you can be sure that Surfshark has a speedy server nearby.
Speaking of speeds, Surfshark does not disappoint in this area, either. It is the fastest VPN we've tested, clocking in at over 950 Mbps when using the WireGuard protocol, and around 900 Mbps when using OpenVPN. These figures are, frankly, staggering, so you can be sure that you won't be left buffering.
On that note, unblocking global streaming content is now one the most sought-after VPN abilities, and Surfshark is up there with the very best. Featuring in both my best streaming VPN and best Netflix VPN guides, you'll be able to unblock a huge amount of content, from free live sports streams to global platforms like BBC iPlayer, 10 Play, ITVX and many more.
The final bonus is that Surfshark allows subscribers to install and use the apps on unlimited devices. This is far more generous than many more expensive rivals, and really adds value, especially for families and friends.
Overall, Surfshark is a very premium VPN that just happens to have a bargain basement price tag. If you're looking for the very best provider, I'd usually steer you towards NordVPN – but in truth, Surfshark sacrifices very little for a big saving.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Attractive and intuitive apps on all devices | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Well-suited to beginners, but not dumbed-down | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | The fastest provider I've tested | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Excellent for streaming and accessing censored content, but fails on a couple of more niche sites | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Good underpinnings, but the kill switch needs work | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Helpful live chat, but articles can be tricky to navigate | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Undeniably great value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
NordVPN isn't quite as cheap as Surfshark, but offers even more
✅ You want my #1-rated VPN. In my last round of testing, NordVPN beat out every other VPN for the crown.
✅ You're a big streamer. NordVPN is capable of unblocking every streaming site I tried it with
✅ You want a full security suite. If you're looking for a password manager and cloud storage, you can add them on to your subscription.
❌ You value simplicity. While not bamboozling, NordVPN's apps aren't the most streamlined.
❌ You torrent a lot. Nord's perfectly capable of protecting you while torrenting, but rivals like Private Internet Access are better suited if this if your #1 priority.
NordVPN is the complete package – and it's good value, too. When you consider the amount of features and functionality you get, even on the base subscription, that sub-$3-a-month price tag starts to look ever so tempting. It's not the very cheapest, but it is the best.
NordVPN tops the list as our best VPN on the market, and for good reason. In my hands-on NordVPN review, I explain how this top-ranking VPN provider packs a serious punch, but at a pretty small price tag. NordVPN is slightly more expensive than our top cheap VPN Surfshark, costing $2.99 per month currently (although this price is subject to change throughout the year thanks to various VPN deals), but it is still better value for money than the likes of ExpressVPN.
NordVPN offers over 6,400 servers in a recently upgraded 110 countries around the world, which means you'll never be far away from a speedy connection. One of Nord's biggest flaws previously was its slightly meager selection of locations, so this upgrade really made a difference.
> NordVPN is my #1 VPN – get it from $2.99 a month
If you're worried that a lower price means your VPN will be slower than a more expensive one, think again. NordVPN supports both OpenVPN and NordLynx protocols (with NordLynx based on WireGuard), with its speeds topping out at over 950 Mbps on my 1 Gbps connections when on NordLynx. I don't think this is NordVPN's limit, either – if I had a faster connection, I think it would go faster.
It's worth noting that NordVPN recently removed support for the IKEv2 protocol. This was because WireGuard essentially does everything it can do, but better, and removing it made the service marginally more secure. I see this as a positive rather than a negative.
Those speeds also tie in really nicely with NordVPN's exceptional streaming power. I test VPNs with a number of Netflix locations, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and a ton more smaller sites, and Nord regularly comes out at the very top. This time around, it was no different.
With split tunneling, a kill switch and AES-256 encryption, the privacy basics are covered, but Nord offers a little more than you might expect. The Double VPN and Onion over VPN modes offer enhanced security – and although these are almost certainly overkill for day-to-day tasks, if you need it, you have it.
If you have a range of devices you want to use NordVPN on, Nord's apps have you covered. Secure and stable, they are available across a huge amount of different devices. This means that Nord takes the crown as the best VPN for a lot of devices, for example it's the best VPN for Fire Stick we've tested. One thing to note, however, is that while NordVPN's map-based interface looks pretty great on larger screens they can be a little overwhelming on handheld devices. If you are looking for the best iPhone VPN, you'd be better off looking at ExpressVPN (although it is about roughly double the price).
If you're willing to spend a little more, you can also subscribe to the Plus and Ultimate plans. These get you features like the anti-malware software Threat Protection Pro, a password manager, and even cyber insurance to protect you from scams. However, these might not appeal if you're looking to get the cheapest service you can.
Overall, NordVPN outdoes Surfshark, but it can't be ignored that it's considerably more expensive. Even at that price, though, I think it's an excellent deal, and if your budget can stretch I highly recommend it.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Fun interface but might seem a little crowded for some users | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Though simple to use, the map-like design might not work for everyone | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | One of the fastest with an average speed of 950 Mbps | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Effortlessly unblocks most content streaming platforms | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Strong encryption with additional features like Threat Protection for safe streaming | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Reliable 24/7 customer support | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Provides ample value for the price. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Great prices and tons of customisation
✅ You want an impeccable no-logs policy. PIA has proved it stores no user info in court twice.
✅ You're a big torrenter. Advanced features like port forwarding offer extra features for users who really know what they're doing.
✅ You want a powerful browser extension. The browser extension offers tons of features not offered by other providers.
❌ You need gigabit speeds. PIA certainly isn't slow, but with maximum speeds of around 430 Mbps, it can't compete with NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN.
❌ You're a novice. While the apps aren't incredibly complicated, those looking for an easy life might prefer a simpler option.
Private Internet Access is a well-trusted VPN provider that's great for torrenting, is super secure, and can also unblock tons of streaming sites. Its apps are powerful and customizable, and while Surfshark offers a marginally better package overall, PIA is a very solid choice that may suit those looking to delve into the settings a little more.
While Private Internet Access (PIA) is undoubtedly a cheap VPN, it's also a lot more than that. It's got a well-established reputation as one of the most secure VPNs around, and for good reason. But, since we're here to recommend cheap VPNs, I will also mention that its an absolute bargain at around $2 per month.
If privacy is one of your big reasons for using a VPN, then you should seriously consider PIA. As one of the most private VPNs, PIA has not only proven its zero-logging policy proved in court twice, the VPN provider also publishes quarterly transparency reports. these reports prove that PIA does not release user data, no matter what.
Headline figures that include over 20,000 servers in 91 countries worldwide, with at least one in each state of the US, making it one of the best US VPNs and proving its no bargain basement throwaway. It also has all the basics like AES-256 encryption and a kill switch covered, but VPN aficionados will also appreciate the inclusion of more niche features like port forwarding – making PIA the best torrenting VPN I've tested.
In my Private Internet Access review, I also found that PIA's browser extensions were a cut above, offering tons of functionality not often found in other Chrome VPNs.
> Get Private Internet Access from $2.03 per month
If streaming is more your thing, PIA has you covered in this area, too. In our latest round of testing, it unblocked every site we tried it with, including US Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime.
It's worth noting that PIA isn't perfect. In my last round of speed testing, WireGuard speeds peaked at around 430 Mbps, which is mid-pack at best. The likes of Surfshark, ExpressVPN, Proton VPN and NordVPN are much faster.
Finally, while the apps are seriously powerful, they're not exactly simple, which could prove a challenge for newbies to using VPNs. However, if you're keen to explore things like port forwarding and connection automation, there are very few providers that offer as much customization as PIA.
While others may offer a slightly better service for those looking for an ultra-simple experience, Private Internet Access is affordable, secure, and perfect for experts.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Attractive apps that offer tons of functionality | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Not too complex, but could be a challenge for newbies | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Mid-pack speeds won't slow you down, but you won't be breaking records | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Huge range of servers, but some Netflix locations are unavailable | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Comprehensive and trustworthy, with a proved zero-log policy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Great support with well-written guides | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Offers incredible value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Other cheap VPNs I've tested
✅ You want a balance of very cheap and decent performance. PrivadoVPN is the cheapest VPN that doesn't make too many compromises.
✅ You value simplicity. Simple apps mean getting protected online is a breeze.
❌ You demand a independent audit. While audits aren't the be-all and end-all of a VPN, I'd appreciate it if PrivadoVPN subjected itself to one.
❌ You need tons of server locations. Privado's relatively small pool of servers doesn't affect its speed, but you're limited to only 48 countries.
PrivadoVPN makes a very good impression, and at the sub-$1.50-per-month price range, there's no better service. You will have to make a couple of sacrifices – namely a wide selection of server locations and no independent audit – but it's a capable VPN that's worth considering if you're on a very tight budget.
While PrivadoVPN is a relatively new VPN service, that hasn't stopped it from making waves and rising in the ranks. If your ideal version of cheap is free, then I have to recommend PrivadoVPN Free – it is the best free VPN out there. Still, if you're on a budget but not that much of a budget, premium PrivadoVPN is also a great choice.
Plus, if you're worried that premium means far more expensive, then worry no further. PrivadoVPN costs just $1.48 per month for a two-year plan, making it even cheaper than Surfshark, Private Internet Access and NordVPN. Now, this may form other anxieties about whether you're getting a good product for this price, but I'm here to quash these – in my PrivadoVPN review I found that it performed admirably.
PrivadoVPN is the choice for you if you're looking for an easy to use, reliable and speedy VPN. It offers WireGuard, IKEv2 and OpenVPN protocols, as well as industry-standard AES-256 encryption. In our speed testing, it ranked among the fastest VPNs on the market, with top speeds of 950 Mbps. SmartRoute (Privado's version of split tunneling) means that you can choose which apps use your VPN and which don't, and its kill switch is effective, too.
While this is all great, it would be amiss of me to not mention PrivadoVPN's downsides, the biggest of which is its relatively small server network of just 49 countries. While it does serve the Americas, Europe and Asia fairly well, there's just a single server in South Africa for those in Africa and the Middle East. This means if you're looking for the best UAE VPN, you should look elsewhere.
It's worth noting that PrivadoVPN hasn't been independently audited, and this is likely to raise some red flags amongst the most privacy conscious users. However, I've spoken directly to the developers about this, and an audit is on their roadmap. The team has been hard at work developing the product, and audits take time and cause instability – but I'd like to see one soon.
PrivadoVPN is pretty good for streaming, only missing out on a few Netflix libraries and the British streaming site Channel 4 in my testing. Combined with those fast speeds, it's a great tool to have on hand.
Overall, PrivadoVPN is unbeatable for the price, and its searing connection speeds will go a long way to impressing casual users. For top-quality VPN protection, I'd go with NordVPN or Surfshark, but Privado's not far behind.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Decent, but pretty rudimentary | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Very easy to navigate use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | One of the very fastest | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | A decent performance, but misses out on a few Netflix locations | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Good basics, but an audit would be appreciated | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Support site is slim, but live chat and decent email support make up for it | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Incredible value considering what you're getting | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
✅ You want a recognized brand. CyberGhost has been around for a long time, and has developed a good reputation in the industry.
✅ You like to keep it simple. The apps are clean and clear, making it easy for beginners and experts alike.
✅ You want a long trial period. With a 45-day money-back guarantee, CyberGhost offers a longer trial period than any other VPN.
❌ You want to watch Disney+. Although CyberGhost is good for unblocking most sites, it failed in my tests with the House of Mouse's service.
❌ You'll need support. CyberGhost's support site isn't quite as comprehensive as the rivals'.
❌ You have tons of devices. Unlike most other VPNs, CyberGhost limits the number of installations rather than simultaneous connections.
CyberGhost is reliable, has excellent apps on most operating systems, and is an absolute bargain. The limited installation policy is a pain if you've got a lot of devices, and the lack of support for Disney+ is unfortunate, but overall it's reliable and easy to use.
CyberGhost's main draw as a cheap VPN is it's extensive server network, with 9,000+ servers spanning more than 90 countries. This means that no matter where you want to connect to in the world, chances are CyberGhost has a server that serves that area.
As is standard for the VPNs on this list, CyberGhost offers super secure AES-256 encryption, as well as a number of different protocols. This includes both OpenVPN and WireGuard. It also offers optional data compression and automated HTTPS redirection while on mobile. If you want to learn more about this, check out my CyberGhost VPN review.
Since its update to CyberGhost 8, the apps have been greatly improved, and they're now a pleasure to use. Simple connection options mean that beginners will find it easy to get going, while there are a good few options for more advanced users to get stuck into.
> Head through to CyberGhost's website to check out the latest deals
CyberGhost has positioned itself as great for streaming, and in my testing it performed pretty well. With access to plenty of services like Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Hulu and HBO Max, there's plenty to choose from, and the apps themselves offer dedicated servers and a smart filtering system to get the best results.
However, it does lag behind the very best, as I was unable to unblock Netflix UK and Disney+. It'll be worth considering if you're going to want to watch any of these – if so, I recommend Surfshark as the best cheap VPN for streaming.
When it comes to connection speeds, CyberGhost has lost a little ground. In my last round of testing it peaked at 630Mbps when using WireGuard, and while this isn't slow by any means, a year or two ago it was one of the fastest. However, be aware that speeds can fluctuate day to day, and while I spread my testing over a number of days and times, you may get different results.
Although CyberGhost isn't quite up there with the best, it's a fantastic choice for those looking to stream and torrent without breaking the bank – and you'll also be covered by an unusually long 45-day money-back guarantee, so you'll be able to test it thoroughly before committing.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Good, intuitive design | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | A couple of complexities, but largely very easy to use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Pretty fast, but can't compete with Surfshark | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Good specialized unblocking features, but lacking a few key services and locations | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Good basics with a Deloitte audit | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Live chat agents are helpful, but support site is lackluster | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | One of the best value VPNs out there | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
✔️ You want an absolute bargain. On longer plans, Ivacy is incredibly cheap. Simple as that.
✔️ You enjoy streaming content. Ivacy is remarkably effective for unblocking global streaming content.
❌ You want maximum privacy and security. With some faults in the apps and kill switch, for those looking for reliable protection, I'd recommend Surfshark or PIA.
❌ You don't want a long-term plan. While Ivacy's long-term plans offer crazy value, you have to commit for a long time to get it.
Ivacy is a decent VPN for general protection when browsing and unblocking streaming services. However, for that looking for really comprehensive protection, the kill switch issue and generally underwhelming apps will be red flags. For most, I'd say go for Surfshark, or even PrivadoVPN for similar value.
Ivacy is well-known to be an absolute bargain, and it would be remiss of me not to include it in my best cheap VPN guide. It's one of the few VPNs that includes antivirus that detects and blocks malware threats as you securely browse online.
My tests show you'll be well protected using this VPN, and it's well-suited for day-to-day use. Its top seeds reached 630Mbps in my last round of testing. This is decent, though there are other providers, like Surfshark, that are considerably faster.
When you connect to Ivacy, you have the option to be automatically connected to the fastest available server, or choose one yourself. There are over 5,700 servers located in more than 100 countries, so you're sure to find the best one for your situation.
If you travel away from home, you can use Ivacy to unblock your TV streaming accounts to watch your favorite shows. During testing, I was able to unlock Netflix in the United States, Australia, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Hulu, Amazon, and Disney+ are also accessible.
However, it's not all good news. In my full Ivacy review, I noticed a few issues with the apps. First off, the kill switch wasn't rock-solid, and this risks your data leaking should the VPN drop its connection. The apps themselves are also just a little troublesome, and privacy experts won't like the fact that the service hasn't been externally audited.
Ivacy's biggest draw is its price, and it has one of the best long-term plans that starts at just over $1 per month. However, you are locked into a 5-year commitment. Its monthly plan is a bit hefty at $9.95, though the 1-year plan is reasonably priced at around $4 per month.
With each plan, you are given a money-back guarantee, but the terms of this guarantee vary. You get 30 days to check out the 5 and 1-year plans, but only 7 days to back out of a monthly plan.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Usable, but apps are dated and unintuitive | ⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Not the easiest to use | ⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Speeds are fair, but nothing impressive | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Surprisingly effective | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Kill switch issues and lack of an audit means I'd only recommend for light use | ⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Live chat is quite good, but written guides are flimsy | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | The cheapest of them all, but perhaps with good reason | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Tested by
These are the experts who have tested, reviewed, and ranked the best cheap VPNs in this guide:
Mo is VPN Editor at Tom's Guide. He's covered VPNs since 2020, and in that time he has helped test and review over 100 providers. Mo handles the day-to-day testing of VPNs, making sure that they work for real people in real situations. He also undertakes ongoing streaming testing to make sure these services can unblock everything they claim, and produces video content to discuss and demonstrate the software.
Anthony Spadafora is the Senior Security and Networking Editor at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches and malware to password managers. He also undertakes VPN testing for Tom's Guide and TechRadar, which includes running all of our US-based speed tests.
How to choose a cheap VPN
The most important thing to consider is what you plan on using your VPN for. Are you a TV addict who wants more content from around the world? An excellent VPN for streaming like Surfshark will likely fit the bill. Do you want your chosen provider's no logs policy to have been proven in court? PIA might appeal more.
It's also important to be aware of your expertise. Some VPNs are more complex than others, so if you're a newbie, it might be worth forgoing advanced customization for a simple and effective solution that you know is just going to work.
For most people, I think Surfshark fits the bill – it's cheap, simple to use, very secure and also offers plenty of extra features that experts will appreciate. I've also written up a guide on how to use a VPN if you want a concise explanation.
Cheap VPN FAQ
What is the best cheap VPN?
From my in-depth review process, I can confidently say that Surfshark is the best cheap VPN on the market. It has excellent apps for tons of devices, is impeccable for unblocking streaming sites, and has top-notch privacy and zero-logging credentials.
However, closely following it is Private Internet Access. It's slightly cheaper, and in most areas is a comparable service – so if saving every possible penny is important to you, then PIA is a good choice.
Is a cheap VPN worth it?
If you pick the right one, it certainly is. While some cheap services might not have many servers, provide poor connection speeds or, at worst, leak sensitive data, all of the options on this list provide premium-quality VPN protection for a great price.
If you really can only spare around $2 a month, Surfshark is the absolutely the best cheap VPN. However, if you can spare a little more I'd steer you towards NordVPN. Although you might be spending a few extra dollars a month, Nord's functionality is class-leading, is my most-recommended VPN, and also has a bunch of added extras you can buy to tailor your experience.
Are cheap VPNs secure?
While quality varies a lot in the VPN market, the services on my list are all reliable, secure VPNs that I rank among the top VPNs no matter the price.
All feature at least AES-256 encryption, most have extra features to keep you and your data private, and most will also work well with Netflix, Suffice to say, if you pick your cheap VPN from this list, your data will be as secure as it would be with any other VPN.
Can you get a VPN for free?
It's not impossible to get a decent free VPN, but if you do you'll be sacrificing a lot in terms of performance and, in some cases, security.
Free services still have to make money, so if users aren't paying the provider directly with a subscription, it uses other techniques to earn revenue. Often you'll find the VPN might inject ads into pages you're browsing, and in the worst case it may well be selling your data.
Also, many free providers offer paid options as well, so the free versions are limited to encourage you to upgrade. You may find your connection speeds are throttled, and you'll usually have a data limit which is measured in MB rather than GB.
While free options are available, if you're looking to stream TV or use a VPN daily, it's worth picking up a cheap service like Surfshark rather than risking it – at least you know where your provider is making its money if you pay for a subscription.
Why are VPNs so expensive?
In actual fact, while some VPNs can be fairly pricey, on the whole they're one of the cheaper digital subscription services – especially if you go with one of my recommended cheap VPNs.
However, good VPNs aren't free because they need constant maintenance to ensure their servers are running reliably and securely, and technical teams to keep updating the service to ensure you can still access sites that actively block the use of VPNs – think Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
Also, none of the VPNs on this list will show you any sort of advertising when you're using it, and you'll also have unlimited bandwidth and data to use. Therefore, the only place they make their money is from user subscriptions, and starting at less than $2 a month, I think that's a pretty reasonable price to pay for total internet anonymity and data security.
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.
