4 Best Cheapest VPN Services: Affordable Options for Protecting Yourself
Last Updated on April 12, 2025 by Editorial
Surfshark is the cheapest VPN service.
It offers affordable plans, the best value for money, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, and you can use it on multiple devices. You also get access to amazing security features like encryption, NoBorders mode, obfuscation, and an ad blocker.
Other potential affordable VPNs you can use besides Surfshark include CyberGhost (most extended money-back guarantee), Private Internet Access (best for beginners), and NordVPN (reliable premium privacy features).
If you’ve been on the hunt for a good cheap VPN, you’ve come to the right place.
Surfshark – Cheapest VPN Overall
Surfshark is the cheapest VPN service. It comes with 3200+ servers and has fantastic security and privacy features to keep you safe online.
Why Choose Surfshark VPN?
Surfshark offers three pricing levels.
You can either go with the 1-month subscription plan that’s billed monthly. It is the costliest one out of the three. Another option is the 12-month subscription plan, which you pay in lump sum for 12 months. This comes with three free months on top, so you save more in the long run.
Finally, there’s a 24-month subscription plan, which offers the best value for money and is billed every two years. This comes with the biggest discounts plus three free months, offering the best value for money. All Surfshark plans are covered by a 30-day money back guarantee.
On top of all this, a single Surfshark subscription comes with the following features.
- 3200+ servers in 100 countries. So you can access restricted content from any corner of the globe.
- AES 256 encryption, public WIFI protection, and an ad and tracker blocker called CleanWeb. These combine to keep hackers and other online risks at bay.
- Surfshark Antivirus for dealing with zero-day threats and viruses. (only available in the Surfshark One package).
- Surfshark Alert guards your email accounts against leaks and checks for password vulnerabilities, among other things. (only available in the Surfshark One package).
- You can connect an unlimited number of devices through the same subscription. Surfshark is one of the few VPNs that offer this.
- A bypasser that allows you to choose the apps you need to pass through the encrypted tunnel. This is perfect for apps that don’t work with VPNs.
- An obfuscation feature called Camouflage Mode allows you to bypass any VPN blocks.
- Super fast speeds for streaming and downloads without buffering or long wait times.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Cheapest VPN | The 1-month plan is costly |
| 30-day money back guarantee | |
| Unlimited simultaneous connections | |
| Robust security and privacy features | |
| Compatible with multiple platforms |
CyberGhost – Best for Beginners
This is another unique and cheap VPN with tons of features that give you all the protection you need when navigating the internet.
Why Choose CyberGhost VPN?
Like Surfshark, CyberGhost comes with three main pricing tiers.
You have the 1-month plan, which is the costliest of the three. It also comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee, the shortest on this list.
The second price plan is the 6-month subscription that offers better prices than the monthly plan and is billed once every six months. You get a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Finally, a 24-month subscription plan offers the best discounts plus another two free months. You also get a 45-day money-back guarantee. There’s also a dedicated IP feature that you can get at an extra cost.
Some exciting features you’ll get with any subscription include the following.
- Thousands of servers in 100+ countries, the largest on this list. This includes speciality servers dedicated to streaming, gaming and torrenting.
- AES 256-bit encryption, public WIFI protection, and an ad and tracker blocker called Block Content.
- A strict no-logs policy plus a dedicated IP address.
- Streaming and torrenting dedicated servers for buffer-free experiences.
- No spy servers for extra security and privacy.
- Seven simultaneous device connections, the third largest on this list.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Largest server network | No obfuscation |
| Streaming dedicated servers | A dedicated IP address costs extra |
| Reliable privacy and security features | |
| No spy servers | |
| Works with all platforms |
Private Internet Access – Best User-Friendly Interface
Private Internet Access is one of the best-looking VPNs I’ve ever used. The Android version, in particular, has a smooth user interface that’s easy to navigate. It also offers cheap price plans, and I’m about to five into that.
Why Choose Private Internet Access VPN?
Private Internet Access also offers three price tiers.
The 1-month plan is the most expensive, billed recurrently every month. The second tier is the 12-month subscription plan that’s billed once, in lump sum, every 12 months. It’s significantly cheaper than the first one.
Finally, you get the 3-year plan with an extra three months. This is billed once every 36 months and is the best deal among all three. All the PIA plans are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Other notable features that make PIA an amazing option include the following.
- Military-grade encryption, IP leak protection, and a robust PIA MACE ad and tracker blocker.
- Advanced split tunneling for easy app management.
- A dedicated IP address.
- World-class protocols that offer both security and fast speeds.
- Reliable servers distributed across multiple countries.
- A strict no-logs policy for keeping your online data away from authorities.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Well-distributed servers | The exact number of servers is unknown |
| Reliable security and privacy | A dedicated IP address costs extra. |
| Affordable price plans | |
| Lightning-fast connection speeds | |
| SolId ad and tracker blocker |
NordVPN – Best for Privacy and Security
NordVPN is my favorite VPN when it comes to matters regarding privacy and security; this is because it packs extra features that most of the other VPNs lack. However, as much as it is affordable, it’s more expensive than the other VPNs we’ve covered.
Why Choose NordVPN?
NordVPN’s price plans are a little more complicated than the rest. At the same time, it features the standard three-tiered monthly, annual, and biennial plans.
Under each, you’ll find three more packages labeled Basic, Plus, and Complete, each with unique features. The Basic plan is the cheapest and has three price plans.
There’s a monthly-plan that’s the costliest. Then comes the 1-year plan, which is significantly cheaper than the monthly plans. Finally, you can choose the 2-year plan billed once every 24 months with.
All these price plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee plus a dedicated IP address addon.
Some fantastic features you’ll get include the following.
- Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, and obfuscated servers for extra security and privacy.
- AES 256-bit encryption, public WIFI protection, and one of the best ad and tracker blocker called Threat Protection.
- 7,000+ servers in 111 countries.
- A Dark Web monitor that alerts you whenever your credentials pop up in the dark web.
- A reliable IP leak, DNS protection feature, and a strict no-logs policy.
- Super speeds for buffer-free streaming and quick downloads.
- A dedicated IP address.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Best privacy features | A dedicated IP address costs extra |
| Super fast speeds | Costly plans |
| Over 6,000 servers | |
| Up to 6 simultaneous connections |
Our Criteria for Choosing the Cheapest VPN
Finding the best cheap VPN can be a tall task, especially for people who’ve never used a VPN. So here are the key factors we paid attention to when making this list.
- Price Plans: You can get a short-term subscription (monthly) or long-term (annual and longer). The ideal VPN should offer users these choices. But generally, long-term price plans are more affordable.
- Moneyback Guarantee: You should be able to opt-out if you feel like the VPN doesn’t give you what you need. For most premium VPNs, the standard period is 30 days.
- Value for Money: The best cheap VPN offers you more for less. You should be able to access restricted content and protect as many devices as possible without unnecessary add-ons.
Why Are the Long-Term VPN Subscriptions the Cheapest?
Long-term VPN subscriptions are often the cheapest because VPN providers want to encourage users to commit to their service for an extended period. By offering discounts and lower monthly rates for long-term subscriptions, VPN providers can incentivize users to sign up for a longer duration, increasing customer loyalty and reducing customer churn.
Furthermore, long-term subscriptions can provide VPN providers with a more stable revenue stream. This is because customers who pay for a more extended upfront subscription are less likely to cancel their subscription than customers who pay monthly. As a result, VPN providers can use the upfront payment to invest in improving their services, expanding their server network, and enhancing their security features.
Conclusion: Have You Made up Your Mind?
Getting a VPN is no longer debatable; subscribing to one is necessary if you want to keep yourself safe and secure online. However, since they’re not free, finding an affordable and reliable alternative is the next step. Surfshark is the best cheapest VPN as it offers amazing price plans and the best value for money.
FAQs
Can I use free VPNs?
Yes, you can use free VPNs, but they come with several limitations. Free VPNs lack essential features necessary to keep you safe. Things like obfuscation and ad blockers are non-existent. Furthermore, most free VPNs sell your data to third-party entities as that’s the only way they make money. That’s a security risk. Finally, free VPNs have shaky logging policies so that they may share your personal browsing history with authorities.
Is a Cheap VPN worth it?
A cheap VPN is worth it if it offers all the necessary features without compromising your privacy and security. Furthermore, affordable VPNs like Surfshark are just as capable, and even better in some instances, than costly options like ExpressVPN. Therefore, if you can go for a cheap but robust VPN rather than wasting money on an expensive alternative with similar features, then go for it.
Are cheap VPNs secure?
Cheap VPNs feature the same security and privacy features found in the more expensive ones. Surfshark, for example, has the same super secure encryption, IP leak protection, and public WIFI shield you’ll find in an expensive VPN like ExpressVPN. Therefore, as long as a VPN offers the features you need, the cheap price tag doesn’t diminish its ability to serve your needs.
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