How much does a VPN cost?

VPN costs can range from free to over $20 per month, but the real question isn’t how much you’ll pay — it’s how much value you’ll get for your money. 

VPN pricing varies dramatically based on provider, subscription length, and extra security features, so finding the best budget-friendly VPN can feel overwhelming.

Use this guide to explore the top VPN price differences, so you can make a smart choice that protects your online privacy and your wallet.   

Note: Prices valid as of July 1, 2025. All prices in USD.

How much is a VPN?

Leading VPN (Virtual Private Network) providers typically offer three subscription lengths: one-month, one-year, and two-year plans. While free options are available for all types of subscriptions, monthly plans tend to be more expensive than long-term ones.

Here’s a VPN pricing breakdown from top providers for each subscription length.

How much does a VPN cost per month?

The best VPN services charge the following base prices for their one-month plans.

*A free VPN with limited features is available through ProtonVPN.

For monthly subscriptions, paid plans range from $4.49 with ProtonVPN to $15.45 with Surfshark. It’s worth noting that ProtonVPN offers a free VPN, but this comes with limited access to fewer VPN servers and security features.

Monthly VPN plans are usually the most expensive because they give the most flexibility. You can walk away from your subscription without making a long-term commitment. 

Providers charge a premium for this convenience because there’s a higher risk of cancellations, and it’s harder to predict how many monthly subscribers they’ll retain.

How much does a VPN cost per year?

Here are the base VPN costs from leading providers for users on a yearly plan.

*CyberGhost offers a six-month plan instead of a traditional one-year plan.

A review of yearly VPN costs shows prices much lower than those for one-month plans. Generally, a VPN has an average monthly cost between $3.19 and $6.99 on a yearly subscription. 

Surfshark offers the lowest monthly price for one-year plans: $3.19/mo, or $47.85 total (with three extra months included). This means a VPN user who chooses Surfshark’s one-year plan over 12 back-to-back monthly subscriptions can enjoy savings of well over $150.  

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How much is a VPN on long-term plans?

VPN providers offer the best value on their long-term plans, usually lasting two years. Here are the base VPN prices for two-year plans.

When you look at the VPN costs from providers who offer two-year plans, you’ll see that all VPN providers give even lower prices. VPNs typically have average monthly costs between $1.99 and $4.49 on two-year plans. 

Surfshark is once again the most affordable option at $1.99/mo. VPN users who choose a two-year plan over Surfshark’s standard monthly subscriptions save over $350.   

Longer subscriptions are cheaper because of simple business economics. VPN providers face high customer acquisition costs and prefer the predictable revenue stream from upfront payments. They pass these savings along to users willing to make longer commitments.

What factors influence VPN pricing?

Understanding what drives VPN costs helps explain why prices vary significantly between providers. Several key factors determine how much VPNs charge for their services.

Subscription length

The most important factor affecting your VPN cost is how long you’re willing to commit to a plan. The best VPN services use this pricing strategy for reasons like:

• Lower customer acquisition costs: getting new users through traditional advertising and marketing is expensive;
• Reduced payment processing fees: processing one annual payment costs less than 12 monthly transactions;
• Predictable cash flow: upfront payments help providers plan for growth, invest in infrastructure, and cover operating costs more efficiently;
• Customer retention: users who pay upfront are less likely to switch providers. 

Connection speeds

Maintaining fast VPN speeds requires large investments in high-quality servers and a robust network, which can increase providers’ operating costs. 

As a result, some free or cheap VPN services may offer a noticeably lower base internet speed. They simply rely on limited resources to minimize expenses. 

Surfshark, however, delivers high-speed connections at an affordable price by efficiently managing its network and continually investing in server upgrades. In fact, third-party speed tests find Surfshark to be the fastest VPN on the market.

Security features

The security features included in a VPN service can significantly impact pricing. Basic VPN functionality includes encryption and IP (Internet Protocol) address masking, but advanced features that require additional development can increase costs. 

Standard security features that are available in most paid VPNs include:

• AES-256 encryption;
• No-logs policy;
• DNS (Domain Name System) leak protection;
• Kill switch functionality that cuts internet access if your VPN connection drops.

Users should expect even cheap VPN services to have these. On the other hand, many VPNs offer extra security features to justify higher costs, including:

• Double VPN routing through two VPN servers;
• Obfuscated servers for avoiding censorship;
• RAM-only servers that don’t store data;
• The option to switch your VPN protocol.

Surprisingly, even though Surfshark is one of the more affordable VPNs available, it still allows users to enjoy all the above features.   

Server locations

A VPN’s server network represents one of its largest operational expenses. Providers with widespread server coverage tend to face higher infrastructure costs, which are reflected in the final price.

Here’s what specifically goes into server network expenses:

• Hardware costs: physical servers, networking equipment, and regular updates;
• Data center fees: renting space in secure facilities around the world;
• Bandwidth costs: data transfer fees that scale with user activity;
• Maintenance: technical support, upkeep, and hardware replacements.

Simultaneous device connections

The number of devices you can protect under one VPN subscription may affect pricing. 

ProtonVPN’s free plan, for example, only lets you cover one device at a time. Choose a paid plan, and you can simultaneously secure multiple devices.

Nevertheless, options like Surfshark and IPVanish boast unlimited simultaneous connections on all their plans without sacrificing competitive prices.   

Bundle options

Several VPN providers let users choose between bundles of security tools, each with its own price point.

Take NordVPN. Its Basic plan essentially gives you a standalone VPN app, while more expensive bundles include features like a password manager, anti-malware protection, and cloud storage.

Likewise, Surfshark has three VPN plans available. The Surfshark Starter plan gives you reliable VPN protection with an ad blocker, kill switch, and alternative online persona generator. Users who select a higher tier can unlock antivirus software, personal data leak alerts, ad-free search results, and more.

How can I save money on a VPN?

Smart shoppers can drastically reduce their VPN subscription cost with some good planning. All it takes are these simple steps.

Look for long-term plans

Long-term plans often come with lower monthly rates than paying month by month. Choosing a plan that covers a year or more allows you to lock in these savings and avoid any unexpected price increases.

Use seasonal or promotional discounts

Many VPN providers run regular sales cycles throughout the year, offering substantial discounts during key shopping periods. Look for sales during the following periods:

• Back-to-school season (August-September);
• Black Friday/Cyber Monday (November);
• Winter and New Year holidays (December-January).

Apart from discounts off regular pricing, providers can offer extended subscription periods with bonus months, broader bundles, and other limited-time deals during these times.

Choose a bundle

Numerous providers offer additional value by bundling their VPN services with other tools to give greater cybersecurity protection at a fraction of the cost. 

For example, privacy-conscious internet users might want a VPN, antivirus software, data removal service, and more. While buying each individually can be expensive, certain services let you access all of the above straight from your VPN app.

Try a money-back guarantee 

The best VPN services let users try their tools risk-free with a money-back guarantee. 

A 30-day money-back guarantee has become standard for most major providers. You can test a VPN’s performance, connection speeds, and online privacy protection to see if it fits your needs. If you’re unsatisfied, no-questions-asked refund policies make it easy to walk away worry-free.

How to choose a VPN

Choosing the right VPN depends on your specific needs and online habits. To find the best VPN for you, look for the items in the checklist below.

Privacy and security

✅ Strong encryption of internet traffic;
✅ Effective IP address masking;
✅ Strict no-logs policy;
✅ RAM-only servers.

Advanced features

✅ Protection from DNS leaks;
✅ Double VPN;
✅ Kill switch.

Connection quality

✅ Fast connection speeds;
✅ Large server network;
✅ Unlimited bandwidth.

User experience

✅ Intuitive VPN app;
✅ Quick and easy setup;
✅ 24/7 live customer support;
✅ Unlimited simultaneous connections.

If you’re not sure which VPN is best for you, Surfshark is a great place to start. It ticks all the boxes above and is the fastest VPN around, so you don’t have to compromise security, usability, or performance.

Better still, when you choose one of Surfshark’s two-year bundles, you’re getting one of the most affordable VPNs available. Surfshark provides a comprehensive and hassle-free VPN experience that’s built for every type of user.

Key takeaways

• Costs for paid VPNs can range from $1.99/mo to over $20/mo, depending on subscription length, features, and bundle of choice;
• Monthly VPN subscriptions are generally much more expensive than long-term plans;
• Free VPNs typically offer limited servers and might not effectively encrypt your online traffic or mask your IP address. For most users, the best VPN is a paid VPN;
• Surfshark offers excellent value for users who want greater privacy online, high-speed servers, and plenty of advanced features.

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