Cheapest monthly VPN plans in 2025: a comparison

The cheapest monthly VPN plans start at around $1/mo for long-term commitments, while month-to-month options range around $6-$15. Some VPNs like Surfshark deliver industry-leading encryption, global server networks, and privacy-focused extras at these prices.

Here’s how the cheapest options compare on features, server counts, and actual monthly costs.

Cheapest monthly VPN subscriptions: by the numbers

Here’s a quick look at VPN cost across affordable services, comparing the base price of a monthly subscription with the lowest monthly rate available on a long-term plan.

*Prices are accurate as of September 30, 2025.

The best cheap monthly VPN subscriptions: by the numbers

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

Surfshark

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Surfshark’s monthly plan is $15.45 — not cheap for one month — but its long-term promos are among the most attractive we see ($1.99/mo on the two-year Starter plan), and you still get the good stuff: unlimited devices, 4,500+ servers in 100 countries, Clean Web ad-blocking, modern protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN), and a no-activity logs policy. The slightly more expensive Starter+ plan adds the unique Alternative ID identity-masking tool and a private search engine. If you’re paying month-to-month, you’re buying power and features, not price leadership.

For a bit extra, you can upgrade to a Surfshark One or One+ plan. Both include antivirus software and real-time data leak alerts, while One+ also offers the Incogni personal data removal service.

What’s more, all Surfshark plans offer flexible payment options — credit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. You can also buy our VPN with bitcoin.

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NordVPN

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Nord’s Basic monthly plan is $12.99; it isn’t the cheapest monthly, but two-year deals often drop to the $3 range. You get a huge, frequently updated network (7,400+ servers across ~118 countries including many virtual locations), fast NordLynx protocol, Threat Protection DNS filtering, and 10 simultaneous devices on Basic. Value: strong if you’ll ever go long-term;  okay for a single month.

Dive deep into how NordVPN compares to Surfshark in our Surfshark vs. NordVPN comparison.

ExpressVPN

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ExpressVPN revamped its pricing with three tiers. On the website, Basic is $12.99/mo, Advanced $13.99/mo, and Pro $19.99/mo. Tiers raise device limits to 10/12/14 and add extras like password manager, ad/tracker blocking, and even includes a dedicated IP on Pro. Good apps and speeds, but in terms of pricing, it’s the most expensive in this lineup.

For a closer look at what ExpressVPN has to offer, read our Surfshark vs. ExpressVPN comparison.

CyberGhost

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CyberGhost’s monthly plan is $12.99; long-term deals can hit $2.19/mo and include a 45-day money-back guarantee (longer than the typical 30). You get 7 simultaneous devices and an enormous network (reports commonly cite ~11,500 servers in ~100 countries). Strong for streaming and ease-of-use, but not a monthly bargain.

Want to learn more about CyberGhost? Check out our Surfshark vs. CyberGhost comparison.

Private Internet Access

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PIA’s month-to-month price is currently around $11.95 (varies by region/tax), which lands mid-pack. What you do get for that month is unlimited devices, loads of advanced knobs (port forwarding, multiple protocols), and a vast location list covering all 50 US states. Long-term pricing falls to $2.03/mo for two years; the monthly price is fine if you specifically want PIA’s customizability.

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

PrivadoVPN

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PrivadoVPN offers competitive pricing but operates a smaller infrastructure than leading providers. The $10.99 one-month plan sits near this list’s average, while the $1.11/mo cost for its two-year plan makes it the cheapest VPN service on this list. PrivadoVPN offers unlimited data, 10 simultaneous connections, and some extras (an ad blocker and a kill switch). It’s a smart pick if you want a cheap service, but mind that PrivadoVPN doesn’t disclose its total server count — which matters, since larger server networks typically deliver faster connection speeds.

PrivateVPN

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PrivateVPN’s monthly plan is $9.90 with a 30-day money-back guarantee. It covers 10 devices, offers unlimited bandwidth, and has a simple, single-tier model (price changes with term only). Downsides for power users: a smaller server fleet and fewer advanced add-ons than the big brands. Overall, a good minimalist monthly buy if you value simplicity.

Proton VPN

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Proton’s VPN Plus plan is $9.99/mo (free tier exists but is limited). The Unlimited bundle (adds Mail/Drive/Calendar features) can go to $4.49/mo on a 2-year, long-term plan. On the monthly axis, Proton is reasonably priced and feature-rich (Secure Core, strong privacy/audits), with 10 devices on Plus — just not the cheapest single-month.

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

Mullvad VPN

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Mullvad sticks to one price: €5 per month ($5.88) — no sales, no long-term discounts — and that still makes it the cheapest single-month VPN here. You can create an account without an email, even mail cash to pay, and you get 5 device slots and a focused privacy posture. Trade-offs: smaller network and fewer convenience features.

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

Bitdefender VPN

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Bitdefender Premium VPN’s monthly price is $6.99, which is one of the lowest month-to-month rates among mainstream providers, surpassed only by Mullvad. It runs on Catapult Hydra infrastructure (so not running its own network from scratch but using a system from another provider), supports 10 devices, and offers an annual promo ($2.92/mo) — though that’s not month-to-month. Solid for light or occasional use, especially if you’re already in Bitdefender’s ecosystem.

Free vs. cheap VPNs

Most free VPNs cap data at around 500 MB-2 GB per month, throttle speeds, and restrict you to a handful of server locations. Some generate revenue by logging user activity and selling it to advertisers — undercutting the privacy they claim to provide. Because free services often skip costly security audits and may rely on outdated protocols like PPTP, your protection can be weaker. Limited server networks also mean overcrowding, leading to buffering and dropped connections.

The perks of cheap VPNs

Paid but cheap VPNs — often available for $1-$2/month on long-term plans — typically include unlimited bandwidth, access to dozens or even hundreds of servers, AES-256 encryption, and no-logs policies. Many invest in independent audits, support secure protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN, and maintain large server networks to reduce congestion. Depending on the provider, you may also get extras such as a kill switch, DNS leak protection, or malware blocking that are rarely offered by free services.

The bottom line

When you choose a long-term plan, the difference between free and cheap VPNs often comes down to less than the cost of a coffee per month. While exact pricing and features vary by provider, even the most affordable paid VPNs deliver far stronger performance, privacy, and security than free options can.

Conclusion: should you choose the cheapest VPN?

Choosing the cheapest VPN isn’t always the best move. At a minimum, your provider should reliably encrypt traffic and hide your IP without slowing you down.

The best budget-friendly options go further — backing up their claims with independent audits, strong reputations, and advanced features. Services like Surfshark prove you don’t need to pay premium prices to get premium value, offering extras like ad blocking, malware protection, and unique privacy solutions on top of core security.

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