The cheapest monthly VPNs: a complete market overview

The best cheap monthly VPN subscriptions: by the numbers

Here’s a quick look at the subscription rates for cheap VPN services, showing the base price for a single monthly plan and the lowest monthly price available through a long-term plan.

Comparing the best cheap monthly VPNs: an in-depth look

Let’s explore each VPN in greater detail so you can find the best low-cost choice for your specific needs.    

Surfshark

Surfshark’s one-month plan at $15.45 is slightly above average, but its lowest monthly price ($1.99/month for two years) is a killer deal considering what you get.

The Starter package alone gives you:

• Industry-leading encryption;
• Access to 3200+ servers in 100 countries;
• Simultaneous connections on unlimited devices;
• Modern VPN protocols (WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN);
• Advanced security features like a built-in Kill Switch and the CleanWeb ad blocker;
• The Alternative ID tool that masks your name and email to deliver greater privacy online.

Surfshark also has a no-logs VPN policy and undergoes regular independent audits, so you can rest assured that your connection always stays private.

For a bit extra, you can upgrade your VPN subscription to a Surfshark One or One+ plan.

Both include antivirus software, real-time data leak alerts, and a private search engine, while One+ also has the Incogni personal data removal service.

NordVPN

NordVPN may not be one of the cheapest VPNs on this list, but its value for money still makes it a top contender. Nord’s Basic subscription, priced at $12.99, is their most affordable monthly plan overall. The price goes down to $3.09/month when you opt for a two-year subscription.

The Basic plan gives you secure encryption, high connection speeds, and DNS (Domain Name System) protection thanks to Nord’s robust server network, which currently has 6,000+ servers across over 100 countries. While Basic users (who aren’t really basic) won’t enjoy unlimited connections, they can still secure 10 devices at once.

If you’re willing to pay a higher monthly cost, the Plus plan comes with anti-malware protection, a data breach scanner, and an ad blocker. You can also go all out with the Ultimate plan, which includes 1TB of encrypted cloud storage and identity theft recovery.

Deep dive into how NordVPN compares to Surfshark in our Surfshark vs. NordVPN comparison.

Proton VPN

Proton VPN offers its users a free plan, but it might as well be a limited free trial. You can only protect a single device and gain access to a small server network. These servers are frequently crowded, resulting in slower connection speeds.

For an improved experience, you can go with one of their two paid plans. The cheaper VPN Plus plan costs $9.99 for a monthly plan or $4.49/month if you choose a two-year subscription. While the one-month price makes Proton one of the most affordable VPN options, its long-term subscriptions are some of the most expensive.

The Plus plan boasts 6,200+ servers in more than 100 countries, an ad blocker, malware protection, and up to 10 connections at once. For more frills, the Unlimited plan includes 500GB of cloud storage, encrypted passwords, and support for high-speed streaming services, even on Proton VPN’s mobile apps.

However, these upgrades significantly increase your monthly payment. The two-year plan costs $7.99/month, so sorry, Toto — I have a feeling we’re not talking about the cheapest VPN anymore.

For a more detailed look at Proton VPN, check out our Surfshark vs. Proton VPN comparison.

PrivateVPN

With a one-month plan priced at $9.90 and its least expensive VPN subscription costing $2.00/month, PrivateVPN is undoubtedly a budget-friendly option. It also doesn’t differentiate between multiple product tiers — you only choose the subscription duration and price point that works for you.

Here, you get the standard stuff typically seen in a cheap VPN: secure encryption, unlimited bandwidth, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. However, PrivateVPN is a smaller provider with limited VPN servers, so it doesn’t offer many of the advanced security features other cheap monthly VPNs provide. Things like an ad blocker, malware protection, or leak alerts aren’t part of what PrivateVPN does.

PrivadoVPN

PrivadoVPN is in the same boat as PrivateVPN — it’s a relatively small VPN provider that, while inexpensive, may lack the infrastructure of the best cheap monthly VPNs.

In terms of pricing, the $10.99 one-month plan sits right around this list’s average, while the $1.99/month cost for its two-year plan makes it a more affordable VPN service.

PrivadoVPN offers unlimited data, servers in 66 cities, and 10 simultaneous connections. Users can also enjoy an ad blocker, kill switch, and support for streaming platforms.

It’s also worth mentioning that PrivadoVPN doesn’t publicly disclose the number of servers it has. This may not be a big issue, but it’s always useful to know server count since a more extensive server network reduces your chances of seeing sluggish connection speeds.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is one of the biggest names in the business, but that doesn’t mean it’s one of the cheapest VPNs. Its monthly plan is priced at $12.95, while its most affordable option is $8.33/month, making it the most expensive subscription featured on this list.

It’s worth mentioning that ExpressVPN’s lowest-priced plan is only a one-year subscription, which is a shorter commitment than most other providers’ cheapest monthly VPN plans.

ExpressVPN also only offers a single subscription option — you’ll always get the same set of features, including secure encryption, eight connections at once, fast gaming servers, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

View our Surfshark vs. ExpressVPN comparison for a closer look at what ExpressVPN has to offer.

CyberGhost

CyberGhost is another popular provider that offers an all-around VPN experience without any glaring shortcomings.

CyberGhost’s monthly plan costs $12.99, while their cheapest plan is $2.03/month for two years with a 45-day money-back guarantee, longer than the industry-standard 30 days.

When it comes to what you get for your money, you can enjoy the usual AES-256 encryption to keep you safe and an ad blocker to clean up your surfing experience. Seven devices can be protected at once, and customer support is there to help 24/7. CyberGhost also flaunts an impressive fleet of over 9,200 RAM-only servers in 100+ countries.

Want to learn more about CyberGhost? Go in-depth with our Surfshark vs. CyberGhost comparison.

Private Internet Access

Subscription costs for PIA (Private Internet Access) are close to the industry average at $11.95 for a one-month plan. However, its cheapest plan is more affordable at $1.98/month for two years, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

PIA stands out from the pack thanks to its impressive number of servers — it claims to have some in all 50 states and 30,000+ worldwide.

It’s also feature-rich, as it supports unlimited simultaneous connections, comes with Smart DNS capabilities, and blocks ads, malware, and trackers. All are included in the plan at no extra cost, making PIA a great option for a cheap monthly VPN.

If you’re interested in how PIA compares to Surfshark, check out our Surfshark vs. Private Internet Access comparison.

Mullvad VPN

If you’re looking for a good monthly VPN, Mullvad is an option that should pique your interest. Instead of offering traditional monthly subscriptions or long-term plans, it charges a flat price of €5 (roughly $5.58) a month — you choose the duration yourself.

This makes Mullvad the cheapest VPN for a single month. However, Mullvad doesn’t offer any discounts for long-term plans, so the costs for a two-year subscription are higher than what you could find with most other VPN providers.

In addition, Mullvad tries to give a fully anonymous experience, letting users set up an account without requiring an email address or name. You can even pay for your VPN by sending cash through the mail.

While Mullvad offers standard encryption and DNS leak protection, it’s missing too many key features to be in the running for the best monthly VPN. It only supports five devices at a time, doesn’t have 24/7 customer support, and lacks the speed customers have come to expect from a reliable VPN.

In sum, Mullvad has found its place in the privacy-oriented niche but falls short of having the firepower to be considered the best low-cost VPN for many customers.

Learn more about Mullvad and how it lines up against Surfshark in our Surfshark vs. Mullvad comparison.

IPVanish

IPVanish has relatively cheap monthly VPN plans, starting at $12.99 for a one-month plan and $2.19/month for a two-year subscription. However, its 2,400+ servers in over 75 countries mean it has fewer servers than many leading alternatives.

That said, this limitation doesn’t have a major impact on performance. IPVanish’s secure encryption brings users a stable VPN connection over unlimited simultaneous connections, and you can enjoy standard tools like a kill switch, leak protection, and support for streaming services.

You can even see if it’s the best cheap VPN for you with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

To learn more about everything IPVanish offers, check out our detailed Surfshark vs. IPVanish comparison guide.

PureVPN

Like Surfshark or NordVPN, PureVPN offers more security tools than a VPN alone, including a file encryption solution, a password manager, and dedicated servers. Nevertheless, these aren’t part of the Standard monthly plan. PureVPN’s cheapest one-month option is priced at $12.95, but if you go for its long-term VPN subscription — valid for five years — you’ll find the price cut down to $2.16/month.

With the Standard plan, you get a good VPN and a built-in tracker blocker. A network of 6,000+ servers in 80+ locations facilitates accessibility, and a 31-day money-back guarantee — note the extra day — lets you make your purchase with peace of mind.

PureVPN’s more expensive tiers naturally have more to offer, like a data removal tool or social privacy manager — the company also has a solution geared specifically toward businesses. These add-ons may make set-up a little confusing for some users, but PureVPN is still a good choice if you’re hunting for cheap VPN services.   

Windscribe

Windscribe’s monthly plan costs $9.00, which is less expensive than most of the competition. The same can’t be said about its cheapest subscription, though, which is $5.75/month for a one-year plan. Keep in mind that Windscribe offers a limited free plan, which includes 10 GB of data a month and access to 10 locations (sadly, the highly coveted Antarctica VPN location only comes with the Pro plan).

Windscribe has a comparatively small number of servers — just over 480 in 60+ countries. But with high-quality encryption, support for the top VPN protocols, and a user-friendly app, it’s still a solid choice.

And a handful of desirable features that other small clients lack — like an ad blocker on browser extensions, GPS spoofing, and a double VPN — make Windscribe a strong contender for the best cheap monthly VPN.

Hide.me

Hide.me is another VPN provider that boasts a free plan — this one even includes unlimited data. But like every free plan, you’ll gain access to a reduced number of servers, so you’ll likely face overcrowded servers and slow speeds.

When it comes to paid monthly plans, Hide.me’s one-month option is priced at $9.95, while the cheapest subscription is $2.49/month for 24 months. Regardless of your choice, you’ll get the same package — your selection only affects how much you pay monthly.

The Hide.me package might not make it the most affordable VPN service, but it’s worth considering. Users get secure encryption, a no-logs claim, support for the WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 VPN protocols, and — you guessed it — a 30-day money-back guarantee.

If you want a dependable VPN experience without adding on any online privacy and security extras, Hide.me is a cheap, good VPN.

Is the cheapest monthly VPN really the best?

At the end of the day, a VPN ought to protect your online activities without slowing down your connection, and any cheap monthly VPN subscription worth its name should provide this.

But if you ask me, the best inexpensive VPN is one that’s audited, reputable, and absolutely feature-packed. So, if you go with a solution like Surfshark, you’re setting yourself up for success with an enhanced VPN experience that doesn’t break the bank.

FAQ

How much does a VPN cost per month on average?

VPN subscription prices vary heavily. You can expect to pay anything between $5 and $16 for a monthly plan, but you can usually get a better deal — something around $2 or $3 — if you choose a long-term subscription. For instance, Surfshark Starter’s two-year plan costs $2.19/month.

Which VPN providers offer a free trial?

Surfshark is one of the VPN providers that offers a free trial. Download the Surfshark app on the App Store or the Google Play Store, create your account, and choose the 12-month subscription to activate a seven-day free trial.

How much is Surfshark VPN per month?

The cheapest Surfshark VPN plan is $2.19/month for a two-year subscription. The same plan is $2.99/month for one year and $15.45 for one month. Surfshark also offers One and One+ two-year subscriptions at $2.69/month and $4.29/month, respectively.

How can I get a monthly VPN for cheaper?

To get a great deal on a paid VPN subscription, choose a longer subscription period. For example, Surfshark costs $15.45 for a monthly plan, $2.99/month for a one-year plan, and only $2.19/month if you commit to two years.

Is there a totally free VPN service?

There are numerous free VPNs, but using one isn’t recommended. Free tools often have limited features and may expose you to security risks. Paid VPNs with affordable monthly plans are far more effective than any free alternative.

What is the best monthly VPN, according to Reddit?

While the Reddit community has yet to agree on a single best monthly VPN, they have created a VPN Comparison Table that anyone can access to see how different tools stack up. Users from the r/VPN subreddit collaborated on this table so that members could easily compare different VPNs head-to-head. The table rates each tool based on criteria like speed, encryption, and availability while also linking to any exclusive deals available to the Reddit community.

What is the cheapest VPN?

With all the different plans available, there isn’t one tool that’s objectively the cheapest VPN service. For better deals, look for solutions that offer long-term subscriptions and a 30-day money-back guarantee policy. Starting at $2.19/month, Surfshark offers one of the most reliable cheap monthly VPN services.

Are cheap VPNs worth it?

Yes, using an affordable VPN service is an effective way to improve your online safety without needing to invest in expensive cybersecurity solutions. Options like Surfshark, which provides the best value for the price, are simple, inexpensive tools that protect your privacy and keep your accounts, devices, and personal information secure.