Cheapest VPN comparison: what is the best cheap VPN?

Nowadays, taking care of your online security and privacy is crucial, as much of our daily lives depend on the web. At the same time, the internet is rife with threat actors targeting us in various ways, further emphasizing the need to protect ourselves. Thankfully, we can significantly enhance our online security without breaking the bank by using reliable yet budget-friendly VPNs.

In this guide, I’ll compare the five best affordable VPNs (Surfshark, NordVPN, Bitdefender VPN, IPVanish, and PureVPN) to help you decide which one is the right fit for you. I’ll evaluate them based on various criteria, including price, features, connection speed, and privacy. That way, you’ll see which one best suits your needs and preferences. Let’s dive in.

My top 3 recommended cheap VPNs – short overview

1. Surfshark – an effective and affordable VPN for just $2.49/month. Surfshark offers the perfect balance between price and overall effectiveness. The lowest upfront cost for a plan is just $44.85/year. With Surfshark, you get unlimited device connections, strong streaming capabilities, blazing-fast speeds, and other premium benefits at a reasonable price. Crucially, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can subscribe and get a refund later if it doesn’t meet your expectations. Servers: 4,500+ in 100 countries, Speed: Up to 950Mbps, Devices: Unlimited connections, Streaming: Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Key security: RAM-only servers, AES-256, no-logs policy.
2. NordVPN – the best VPN on the market that money can buy. NordVPN offers an incredible array of benefits at an affordable price. The lowest upfront cost for a subscription is $74.85/year. With this provider, you get the best speeds on the market, loads of servers worldwide, and unparalleled security. Although NordVPN isn’t the cheapest option, it remains more affordable than other alternatives, such as ExpressVPN. Thanks to its incredible speeds, you can use NordVPN for streaming, online gaming, browsing, and other data-intensive activities. Additionally, it excels in security-focused areas, such as bypassing censorship and maintaining anonymity. Servers: 8,000+ in 149 countries, Speed: Up to 950Mbps, Devices: 10 connections, Streaming: Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Key security: Double VPN, RAM-only servers, audited no-logs.
3. Bitdefender VPN – an incredibly cheap VPN with solid security credentials. You can get this VPN for as little as $29.99/year, which is one of the lowest yearly prices available. Bitdefender VPN features strong encryption and a strict no-logs policy, ensuring customer privacy in all situations. Naturally, the provider’s affordability means it isn’t great in every situation, and our tests showed poor performance in streaming. Still, it’s a great VPN and comes with a 30-day refund policy, allowing you to test it in advance. Servers: 3,000+ in 112 countries, Speed: Up to 630Mbps, Devices: 10 connections, Streaming: Limited capabilities, Key security: AES-256, no-logs policy.

Why choose a budget VPN?

VPN services are a vital tool nowadays due to their versatility and security benefits. Moreover, even basic, inexpensive VPN services can offer the most fundamental security benefits. For example, practically any virtual private network will mask your IP address, location, and online activities through encryption. In most cases, that’s all the online security you need.

Additionally, you can still use a budget-friendly VPN to bypass geographical restrictions. Naturally, it may not be as effective as a top-quality VPN provider, especially for streaming, but that doesn’t mean it won’t work at all. You’ll likely have to spend a bit more time troubleshooting or searching for suitable servers.

Connection speeds shouldn’t be an issue as well since WireGuard, one of the fastest VPN protocols on the market, is open-source. That means any VPN provider can implement this technology into their service without trouble. However, they might be held back by the number of servers, which could impede your ability to find a nearby server for optimal connections.

Lastly, a reliable but budget-friendly VPN will still have a no-logs policy, thus ensuring your online anonymity. Just note that it might lack strong privacy assurances, such as independent audits and RAM-only servers. However, if those are important to you, then you should consider investing in a premium provider.

Cheapest VPNs’ detailed overview

Here’s a look at 5 VPNs that are solid on security and easy on your wallet.

1. Surfshark – the best cheap VPN in 2026

Surfshark offers discounts of up to 88% across its three subscription tiers. This means you can choose a budget-friendly but feature-light plan, or an all-inclusive but more expensive option.

The most affordable Surfshark plan is called Starter, which includes core VPN features and Alternative ID. The undiscounted monthly plan costs $18.95/month, which is quite a lot. As such, it’s better to consider the annual plan, which costs $2.99/month. It also comes with 3 bonus months, meaning you’ll pay $44.85 for 15 months instead of $231.75. Meanwhile, the two-year rate is $2.49/month, or roughly $53.73 instead of $417.15 for the first 27 months in total.

The second tier is called One, which adds Antivirus, Alert, and Search into the mix. The starting price is $19.95/month if you want to pay every month. Alternatively, the annual plan equates to $2.99/month, or $44.85 for the first 15 months. Meanwhile, the two-year plan costs $2.49/month. That makes the total price just $67.23 for 27 months.

The final subscription is called One+, which grants data removal features through Incogni. The introductory price is $22.85/month when picking the monthly plan. The annual option costs $6.99/month, or $94.35 for 15 months. Lastly, the two-year plan costs $3.99/month, which equates to $107.73 for a 27-month period.

Surfshark offers incredible value for money. It supports unlimited device connections and operates an impressive network of 4,500+ servers across 100 countries. Besides typical features like a kill switch and ad blocking, it includes unique perks like MultiHop, CleanWeb, and Alternative ID for increased anonymity online. Moreover, there’s a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee if you want to test it without a commitment.

2. NordVPN – ultra-fast best value VPN

NordVPN is an exceptional VPN that offers four different subscription plans for even greater flexibility than with any other provider. With NordVPN, you can get discounts of up to 78%.

NordVPN’s most affordable plan is called Basic, which unlocks the provider’s primary VPN features. Without a discount, it costs $14.99/month. Moving up to the one-year plan reduces the price to $4.99/month. That’s $74.85 in total for 15 months since the annual plan comes with 3 extra months. Alternatively, you can pick the two-year plan and pay $3.49/month. Then, you’ll pay $94.23 in total for a 27 subscription period.

The next tier is called Plus, which unlocks Threat Protection Pro and NordPass. The monthly option costs $19.99/month. Meanwhile, the annual plan costs $6.49/month, which equates to $82.35 for 15 months. Alternatively, you can pick the two-year plan and pay just $4.49/month. This means paying $105.03 in total for 27 months.

The third tier is called Complete, unlocking NordLocker and scam call protection. The starting price is $19.99/month if you want to pay every month. On the other hand, paying every year would give you a price of $6.49/month. This equates to $97.35 in total for 15 months. Or, pick the two-year plan and pay just $3.99/month for complete protection. In total, this option costs $132.03 for 27 months.

And finally, we have Prime, which unlocks NordProtect. The most expensive NordVPN plan starts at $29.99/month if you pay every month. Meanwhile, picking the annual tier costs $8.99/month, or $127.35 in total for 15 months. Finally, the two-year plan will set you back $6.99/month. In total, that’s $186.03 for the 27 months.

NordVPN offers a fleet of 8,000+ servers across 149 countries, allowing customers to easily bypass geographical restrictions while retaining fast speeds. It stands out with its Threat Protection Pro tool, which blocks ads, trackers, malware, and scans your device for vulnerabilities. Pricier tiers unlock password management and data breach monitoring capabilities. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee for risk-free testing.

3. Bitdefender VPN – security-focused cheap VPN

Bitdefender offers straightforward pricing, with excellent discounts available during shopping seasons.

The first option is the 1-month plan, which costs $6.99/month. This is pretty low compared to the monthly prices of many other VPN services, making Bitdefender VPN a solid choice if you want to pay every month.

The other option is the 1-year plan, which offers a 50% discount over the monthly option. It equates to $2.50/month, or $29.99 upfront, rather than $69.99 for the entire year. Once again, excellent pricing, as other providers offer similar prices when opting for longer, two-year plans. Most importantly, Bitdefender VPN offers a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Bitdefender offers solid features despite its affordable price. You can use one account to protect 10 devices, and the provider utilizes strong encryption to keep your connections private. Moreover, the network spans 3,000+ servers in 112 countries, which isn’t far behind Surfshark. You also get split tunneling, a kill switch, and ad blocking to keep your browsing activities safe.

4. IPVanish – inexpensive VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections

IPVanish offers excellent prices and a limited number of plans to choose from, keeping things simple. There are two subscription plans, and you can sign up for a month, a year, or two years.

The cheapest option is the Essential plan, and it unlocks the VPN with only a few extra features. The default price is the monthly plan, which costs $14.99/month. Meanwhile, moving up to the one-year plan reduces the price to $3.89/month, or $39.99 for the entire year, as opposed to $155.88. Finally, the lengthiest two-year option costs $2.19/month, or $52.56 for the first two years.

The other subscription tier is Advanced, which includes IPVanish’s Secure Browser, 2TB of cloud storage, and 10GB of eSIM data. The monthly price for this plan is $17.99/month. Moving up to the annual subscription reduces the price to $5.39/month, or $53.88 in total. On the other hand, choosing Advanced for two years costs $3.29/month, or $78.96 in total.

IPVanish is a reliable and speedy VPN, equipped with around 3,400 servers in 112 countries. All plans come with Threat Protection, the WireGuard protocol, split tunneling, and other key features for secure browsing. Like Surfshark, it supports unlimited device connections, allowing you to secure your entire household without trouble.

5. PureVPN – cheap VPN service with continuous auditing

PureVPN is another reliable and affordable VPN with three subscription plans to choose from. However, it sets itself apart from other providers by offering an even lengthier 5-year plan, which equates to unprecedented savings. All plans come with similar discounts that top out at 87%.

The cheapest plan is called Standard, which includes the fully-featured VPN and an ad blocker. As expected, the monthly subscription offers no discount and costs $12.95/month. Next in line is the annual plan, which costs $2.55/month and includes 4 extra months. That means you’ll pay $40.80 for 16 months. Next, the two-year plan costs $2.15/month. With this plan, you get 3 bonus months for free. That means you’ll pay $58.05 for 27 months in total. Lastly, you can pick the five-year plan and lock in a $1.99/month price. Like the two-year plan, this one comes with 3 extra months. That means paying $93.87 for a 63-month period.

The second tier is called Plus, and it adds a password manager to your feature package. Without a discount, it costs $17.95/month. Meanwhile, the 1-year plan costs $4.64/month, or $74.25 for the entire 16-month period. Next, the two-year plan costs $3.15/month, which equates to $85.05 for the entire 27-month period. And the final five-year option costs $2.19/month, or $137.97 for an entire 63-month subscription.

PureVPN’s most expensive plan is called Max, which includes data removal, dark web monitoring, and eSIM perks over the previous plans. Picking the monthly plan will set you back $19.95/month. Meanwhile, the annual plan costs $5.29/month, or $84.75 for 16 months. Alternatively, you can pick the two-year plan and pay $3.55/month. This approach costs $95.85 for 27 months. Finally, if you pick the five-year subscription, you’ll be paying $2.49/month. In total, that would be $156.87 for 63 months.

PureVPN is a well-rounded provider, offering 6,000+ servers in 65 countries. Each plan supports 10 simultaneous connections, just like with NordVPN. Naturally, the provider also boasts a strict no-logs policy that was independently audited for added trust. You’ll enjoy speedy connections and easy access to regional libraries of various streaming services.

Cheapest VPNs comparison

Below is our top selection of affordable VPNs, with a price comparison across different plans. This table focuses on the lowest-tier plans offered by each provider, which I discuss in detail throughout this article:

VPN provider	1-month plan	1-year plan	2-year plan
Surfshark	$18.95	$47.85	$67.23 + 3 months free
NordVPN	$14.99	$74.85	$94.23
Bitdefender VPN	$6.99/month	$29.99	N/A
IPVanish	$14.99	$39.99	$52.56
PureVPN	$12.95	$84.95	$109.95 + 3 months free

It is important to note that, currently, several VPN providers are offering special deals that include additional free months with their plans:

• Surfshark. With the 2-year plan, Surfshark offers an extra 3 months free, totaling 27 months of service.
• PureVPN. Similarly to the above, PureVPN offers 3 extra months for its 2-year plans.

How I selected the best cheap VPNs

When evaluating the best affordable VPNs, I focused on identifying services that deliver strong security and reliable performance at a genuinely low cost. Price and overall value were the primary priorities, but only VPNs that provided trustworthy protection and practical functionality were considered for this list.

1. Overall value, pricing, and extra features (40%). Because affordability was the central criterion, I closely compared long-term pricing, renewal rates, and the overall price-to-feature ratio. VPNs offering generous money-back guarantees, transparent pricing, and consistently low renewal costs ranked highest. I also evaluated the quality of customer support and additional tools – such as ad blocking, malware protection, Double VPN, and split tunneling – to determine which providers deliver the most substantial value for their price.
2. Security and privacy essentials (30%). To ensure that low-cost options still provide robust protection, I examined encryption standards, protocols, and the reliability of kill switches. I also checked for independently audited no-logs policies and considered the provider’s jurisdiction to ensure that user privacy isn’t undermined by intrusive legal environments.
3. Performance and server quality (20%). With support from the Cybernews research team, I tested speed retention across local and long-distance servers. VPNs with faster, more consistent speeds and well-distributed server networks received higher scores. Strong performance improves overall value, especially for browsing, torrenting, and HD or 4K streaming.
4. Streaming, torrenting, and everyday practicality (10%). I evaluated how effectively each VPN unblocks major streaming platforms, its 4K streaming stability, and whether it offers Smart DNS. Torrenting support, device compatibility, simultaneous connection limits

Final thoughts

In summary, a quality VPN doesn’t have to break the bank, and several affordable options deliver excellent security and performance. Many top providers also offer generous money-back guarantees or free trials, so you can try out their features without committing right away.

If you want the best value, my top choice is Surfshark. It combines speed, robust security, and the convenience of unlimited device connections. Plus, you can test it risk-free with its 7-day mobile free trial or the 30-day refund policy on all plans, ensuring a seamless, worry-free experience.

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