Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are private connections that provide a layer of security and privacy to users through virtual encryption. Besides protecting your IP address, it also allow you to bypass geo-restrictions.
Who says a VPN must cost an arm and a leg? There are some cheap VPNs in the market which offer world-class data protection and security to its users. The three best cheapest VPN providers are Surfshark, ExpressVPN and NordVPN. You can sign up for any of them today or read on to know why they made our list.
| Cheapest VPN Provider | Monthly Price | Yearly Price | 2-Year Price | Max Device |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SurfsharkVPN | $12.95 | $3.99/m | $2.30/m | Unlimited |
| ExpressVPN | $12.95 | $6.67 | - | 5 |
| NordVPN | $12.99-$14.99 | $4.99-$6.99 | $3.99-$5.99 | 6 |
Here are some of the things to look out for when seeking a Cheap VPN.
Alright, we are being Captain Obvious here, but hear us out for a moment. Some cheap VPNs are too good to be true, and they are in the real sense. Although they are some of the cheapest VPNs in the market, the cost does not match the available features. So, when you see a cheap monthly VPN, always look at the available services to confirm if it's balanced with the price.
We used to think this is a common thing among all VPNs, but imagine our surprise when we realized not all VPNs have this option, and even worse, most cheap VPNs don't. A great cheap VPN isn't a cash grab that only wants your money without providing the intended services and will always refund your money if you don't like its services. Choosing the cheapest VPN with a money-back policy ensures you don't lose out if their service is subpar.
When using a cheap VPN, always look for ones with a more extensive server network, preferably in a broader country. This ensures you can connect to those closest to you for increased speed. Also, with more servers, there will be less traffic which could help your user experience.
The type of encryption used by VPN providers determines how safe and fast it will be. Strong encryption ensures that all your data and internet activities are secured and cannot be breached. We often recommend only using cheap VPNs with unbreachable AES-256 encryption, as they are the best in the market. It's the same encryption used by the government and the military, so you are perfectly secured with a VPN using it.
The cost of running a VPN is huge, and it's always safe to assume that the cheapest VPNs are making up for the loss somehow - selling your data. However, the best cheap VPNs have RAM-only servers. This means all your data is not stored on the server, and the moment you switch off your VPN, it gets deleted.
Another thing to look out for is the number of devices you can connect simultaneously to the VPN using when using the cheapest VPN monthly plan. What good is an affordable VPN if you can't connect it to your other devices simultaneously? Always look out for good VPN providers with at least 5 simultaneous connections.
VPN protocols are as necessary as the encryptions used by cheap VPNs. They are part of the things that determine the speed, level of privacy, and security. The best in the markets are WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2; we have NordLynx and Lightway for proprietary ones. These ensure you don't suffer much speed drop when using or compromising your data.
Let's dive into the world of affordable VPNs with the reigning champion of affordability - Surfshark! It not only claims the title of the cheapest VPN on our list but also offers more bang for your buck. While this Netherlands-based VPN is a new player in the game since its launch in 2018, it has written its name in gold for offering outstanding features and even having the same security protocols as some high-end VPNs.
For starters, Surfshark uses AES-256 encryption, which is the best in the world, and it comes with a kill switch that prevents data leaks when you have slow internet, want to switch servers or the VPN is temporarily disconnected. On top of that, Surfshark has multiple VPN protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN with TCP and UDP. These are some of the fastest and most secure in the market that can be used for basic internet surfing and even dark web protection.
Surfshark VPN currently has over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, so you will never want for anything, especially if you want to access region-locked content on any streaming platform. Still not sold yet? Well, here is another thing you won't find anywhere that Surfshark offers, it allows unlimited simultaneous connection to just a single subscription. So whether you have two devices or 200, you have nothing to worry about.
So, how much does it take to use? Surfshark has a starting price of $2.39 monthly on its 2 year plan, meaning you spend $59.78 after tax on your first two years. As if that isn't enough, you also get 2 months free on your 2–year plan. If the 2-year plan is too pricey, Surfshark has got you covered as it has the cheapest monthly plan. You can get $3.99/monthly for a 12 monthly plan or $12.95 for a 1-month plan.
Alright, let's be real, Express VPN might not be as cheap as Surfshark at first glance or second glance since its 1-year plan is almost double in price. However, on a closer look, ExpressVPN offers more value than its price compared to the overall market pricing. How do we justify the $6.67 a month on your 2-year plan? Well, here we go.
Not until recently, ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN in the world, and it's currently still a top contender for the number 1 spot. So, regardless of where you are or which server you connect to, you will surely have lightning-fast, lag-free usage. Also, the provider uses AES-256, the same encryption used by some of the best VPN providers out there and even top security agencies. Speaking of security, ExpressVPN has its own proprietary VPN protocol called Lightway. This protocol was built with world-class WireGuard, only that Lightway is faster and offers better privacy and security. In addition to Lightway, you can switch between OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols.
Besides all we've mentioned, the servers are another thing to look into, and ExpressVPN blew our minds with its whooping 3,000+ servers in more than 94 countries. There is a max simultaneous connection of 5, perfect for personal use and the occasional use by family and friends. The cheap VPN provider also uses a RAM-only server, so you don't have to worry about data leaks or being sold.
Now to the price, for its 1-year plan package, users will have to pay $6.67 monthly (yes, we know it is pricier but worth every penny), and you also get 3 free months on this package. When you look at the short plans, you will realize just slight price differences with other cheap monthly VPNs.
NordVPN might not be the cheapest VPN on our list, but it offers more flexibility and choices than any cheap VPN providers we've covered so far. NordVPN is a giant in the VPN world as it provides one of the faster internet speeds and unique features among its other counterparts. The provider has over 5,000 servers in 60 countries and has only a few contenders in this regard. Like other cheap VPNs we've covered, Nord uses AES-256, but instead of the usual WireGuard, it uses NordLynx VPN protocol alongside OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec. These three protocols offer the highest level of security and privacy for just about anything you want to use the VPN for.
Nord allows users to connect up to 6 devices to a single subscription, and you can also enable the VPN on your router conveniently.
Besides being a top-rated VPN, Nord offers a cross-platform password manager, data breach scanner, next-generation file encryption, and cloud storage, all for an extra fee. Despite being more expensive than the others we've talked about, NordVPN was able to make the list due to its flexibility.
You do not have to pay full price for a service you wouldn't use. For example, if you are just a regular netizen whose only concern is streaming movies and securing your data, especially when using sketchy Wi-Fi, you can get a 2-year plan for just $3.99/monthly for the standard package instead of paying a whopping $5.99/m. The annual and monthly packages also have three categories which allow you to see the features you are paying for to know which is best suited for you.
This is a million-dollar question; you will see many arguments for and against it. But how about we dissect it here? First, it's true that "not all that glitters is gold" and "you get what you pay for." However, this doesn't mean all cheap VPN services are inherently bad. In fact, you'd be surprised at how many good cheap VPNs are out there.
Regarding VPN, three crucial things to note are the type of encryption, the number of servers, and the VPN protocols. These three will determine your connection speed, safety, and privacy. Sure, many premium VPN providers perform outstandingly well in these regards, but we'd be wrong to underestimate their budget-friendly counterparts.
When you opt-in to use a cheap VPN, especially without doing adequate research, chances are you will be faced with several issues ranging from low internet speed to fewer servers and, in some extreme cases, data leaks. However, we've researched some of the best and cheapest VPN providers where you can get premium services for a meager price. This cheapest VPNs uses AES-256 encryption, which is inarguably the best in the industry. Most of these cheap VPNs also offer proprietary protocols which ensure you don't lose your internet speed when using them.
Sure, you might get better value if you get a pricier VPN or even opt in for the most expensive monthly plan, but if you aren't a hardcore internet ninja and only use VPN for daily activities like streaming, browsing, and sketchy public Wi-Fi, you'd be better off with the cheapest VPN.
In a market of thousands of products, the cheapest VPNs are not hard to come by. However, getting a good one will take more than just looking at the price. If you are going to go off our recommendations, a good place to start is the official website of each VPN provider. The sites are very easy to navigate, with some even providing video tutorials on how to use them.
If you are careful and would like to know more about these VPNs before choosing, we have more comprehensive reviews of each product that you can check out. Feeling adventurous and would like to do your own research? You can use our guide to know what to look out for. So, happy hunting!
You don't have to break the bank to enjoy world-class security and privacy; the cheap VPNs we've discussed here are a true testament to that. So whether you are just a casual surfer or an internet Ninja, we’ve found the best cheap VPNs for your internet surfing.
This depends on the VPN provider you choose. For your convenience, you can read up on the cheapest VPNs we recommend.
This isn’t very straightforward as what is affordable to you might not to others, you can check out the pricing of our selected cheap VPNs and what they offer to get a better idea of which is cheapest to you.
For a cheap VPN to be considered good, there are several factors to be considered. Read a detailed explanation on what these factors are above
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