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With hundreds of cheap and free VPNs to choose from, it’s easy to disregard the importance of airtight security, minimal logs, and fast connection speeds. To avoid this, we tested dozens of affordable VPNs and compared their server networks, performance, and encryption methods so you can find one worth your money.
If you want to save even more, signing a two or three-year VPN deal may save you hundreds of dollars, all without compromising on the quality. Check out the five best cheap VPNs in 2024 and start protecting your online data today.
Top 5 Cheap VPNs
pros
- Great value for the money
- Top pick for unblocking streaming sites
- Unlimited device connections
cons
- Based in the Netherlands
- Slow upload speeds on far-away servers
Surfshark is an affordable VPN that packs a lot into its plans. Known for its streaming and P2P support, premium users have access to 3,200 servers across 63 countries and can unblock Netflix and other streaming sites including BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, and more. It also delivers impressive speeds for a fairly new VPN that rivals long-standing competitors like Private Internet Access.
Even more, Surfshark comes with unlimited bandwidth, Alert and Search add-on features, and a “NoBorders” trick to bypass censorship in places like China and Iran. Its longest two-year plan costs less than $3 per month and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For more in-depth information, read our Surfshark VPN Review.
pros
- Fast, secure & easy to use
- Supports torrenting/P2P
- Up to 7 devices per subscription
cons
- No OpenVPN option on Mac and iOS
- UK-based ownership
- Router config. requires a learning curve
CyberGhost is a trusted cheap VPN thanks to its massive network and advanced security features. To top it off, CyberGhost has dedicated VPN servers specifically for streaming to make all your movie marathon dreams come true.
Unlike free VPNs, CyberGhost’s premium plan comes with up to 7 simultaneous connections, so you never have to compromise one device for another.
CyberGhost offers a 3 Years + 3 Months plan that costs $2.25 per month and is backed by a 45-day money-back guarantee or 7-day free trial. It’s one of the longer subscriptions out there, but with a premium service like this one, the benefits outweigh the term length.
For more in-depth information, read our CyberGhost VPN Review.
pros
- Extremely affordable, with a great free tier
- Optimized for Netflix
- Unlimited device connections
cons
- Smaller server network
- Client app is basic
- Only for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS
Atlas VPN is another cheap VPN available in 2022. For less than a cup of coffee a month, you can enjoy 4K streaming, P2P support while torrenting, and unlimited device connections with a single subscription. Specifically, Atlas is optimized for streaming Netflix and its server network (while relatively small compared to other premium competitors) is steadily growing and fully capable of delivering the speeds needed for such online activities.
Atlas VPN also offers a solid no-logs policy and military-grade AES 256-bit encryption to thwart ISPs and hackers from slowing your speed or accessing your data. To reassure subscribers of its commitment to user privacy and security, Atlas VPN enlisted the help of an independent auditor, VerSprite, to conduct a security audit on Atlas’ service – which is passed with flying colors. That’s something not many premium VPNs can say.
Priced at $1.39 per month, Atlas VPN offers one of the cheapest subscriptions on the market with contingencies in place to protect your investment. Users get a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 customer service, so you can test it out and troubleshoot any issues you may have before committing to a multi-year plan.
For more in-depth information, read our Atlas VPN Review.
4. Private Internet Access
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Long-standing provider with robust security features
Visit Private Internet Accesspros
- Affordable premium subscriptions
- Up to 10 simultaneous connections
- Secure & customizable encryption
cons
- Room for interface improvements
- Limited advanced features
- Lacking recent no-logs policy audit
With the largest server network in the world, Private Internet Access (PIA) is another top-rated budget VPN. It’s fast, cheap, and easy to use. PIA’s network of 35,000+ servers gives users substantial coverage and the ability to access international content that is otherwise unavailable.
PIA also uses military-grade encryption, leak protection, and minimal logging to protect its users and network. This, coupled with its cheapest two-year plan, makes Private Internet Access a go-to for users on a budget.
For more in-depth information, read our Private Internet Access VPN Review.
pros
- Ideal for streaming
- Audited no-logs policy
- Easy to use
cons
- Limited payment options
- iOS app lacks some features
- No illegal torrents
An industry leader in terms of privacy, VyprVPN gives users great value for its small price tag. It’s easy to set up and comes with multiple security measures like public WiFi protection and an automatic Kill Switch.
Beyond that, VyprVPN has an impressive network that spans 70 server locations, giving users plenty of connection options for streaming and torrenting.
VyprVPN offers users three different plans: 1 month, 1 year, and 3 years. Its longest subscription costs less than a gallon of gas per month or just $1.66. You can try the service risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
For more in-depth information, read our VyprVPN Review.
Cheap VPN FAQs
- What is the best free VPN?
- What is the best cheap VPN?
- How often do providers offer VPN deals?
- What is the fastest VPN?
- What is the cheapest VPN?
- Are cheap VPNs safe?
- Can I use a premium VPN for free?
1. What is the best free VPN?
This is a hot debate among internet users. However, our experts compare the best free VPNs on the market today based on their security measures, privacy features, and overall speed performance. Among the top providers are Hola VPN, hide.me, and Windscribe.
2. What is the best cheap VPN?
The best budget VPN in our book is Atlas VPN. For just $1.39 per month, users get unlimited device connections, fast connection speeds, and consistent streaming capabilities. Check out what else it has to offer in our extensive Atlas VPN Review.
3. How often do providers offer VPN deals?
4. What is the fastest VPN?
Most premium VPNs deliver excellent performance, with only a 5%-25% drop in baseline speeds on devices. We’ve tested dozens of VPN services to see how their software and server network hold up. Some of the fastest VPNs include NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
5. What is the cheapest VPN?
Windscribe is currently the cheapest VPN service on the market. It costs just $1 a month per server location and comes with multiple features such as airtight security and streaming capabilities. For more information, check out our in-depth Windscribe VPN Review.
6. Are cheap VPNs safe?
Don’t mistake cheap for free in the case of VPNs. While free VPN services tend to have questionable data practices to make money, cheap VPNs are still premium (paid) services. The lower price tag may just be for a short-term subscription.
The best affordable VPN will provide security in the way of hiding your IP address and using industry-standard encryption for your online history. This encryption and shielding of information keep users safe from cybercriminals, government officials, and even internet service providers (ISP). However, VPNs in general cannot protect users who visit phishing websites or download compromised files on their own devices.
7. Can I use a premium VPN for free?
Premium VPNs sometimes offer free trials or money-back guarantees for users to test out their service. However, after the trial or refund period ends, your account is usually frozen until you pay to upgrade.
The best way to save money on a premium VPN is to lock in a longer subscription. That’s where you find the biggest discounts.