How Much Does VPN Cost – Cheapest VPN
Are you looking to install a VPN on your computer? One of the main concerns people have is how much it would cost. The truth is, the cost of a VPN depends on several factors. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about VPN costs so you can make an informed decision.
A VPN’s cost varies depending on the type, subscription length, additional features, and discounts. Consider your needs and budget when selecting a provider. Remember that it’s an investment in your online security and privacy, and a little extra expense for a reliable service is worth it.
Installing a VPN on your computer can be an excellent way to secure your online activities and protect your privacy. By understanding the factors that affect VPN costs, you can make an informed decision and choose a provider that meets your needs.
VPN Costs: What You Need to Consider
Type of VPN: The cost of a VPN can vary depending on the type you choose. There are two main types of VPNs: free and paid. While free VPNs may seem like an attractive option, they often come with limitations, such as slower speeds and limited server locations. On the other hand, paid VPNs offer better security, faster speeds, and more server locations. The cost of a paid VPN can range from a few dollars per month to over $10 per month, depending on the features and services included.
Subscription Length: Another factor that affects VPN costs is the subscription length. Generally, the longer the subscription, the cheaper the monthly cost. For example, a one-year subscription to a VPN service may cost less than a monthly subscription for the same service. However, keep in mind that committing to a longer subscription means you won’t be able to switch to a different VPN provider easily.
Additional Features: Some VPN providers offer additional features, such as ad-blocking, malware protection, and access to streaming services. While these features can enhance your online experience, they also come at an additional cost. Make sure to consider which features are important to you before choosing a VPN provider.
Discounts and Promotions: VPN providers often offer discounts and promotions, especially during holidays or special events. Keep an eye out for these deals to save money on your VPN subscription.
How Much Does VPN Cost?
Like I said the answer depends. Below is a table of how much each commonly used VPN costs with a one-month subscription:
| Service | Price for 1 Month Subscription |
| ProtonVPN | $5.00 |
| IVPN | $6.00 |
| Mullvad VPN | $6.09 |
| Private Internet Access | $9.95 |
| TunnelBear | $9.99 |
| NordVPN | $11.95 |
| Surfshark | $12.95 |
| ExpressVPN | $12.95 |
| Hotspot Sheild | $12.99 |
| Lowest Cost: Proton VPN | $5.00 |
Why Shouldn’t You Use a Free VPN?
While discussing the cost of a VPN, free VPN services cannot be ignored. A free VPN service is attractive because it can provide the internet protection you’re looking for without the extra cost. However, you may have to make significant sacrifices in data logging, security coverage, and customer support if you decide to use a free VPN in place of a paid VPN service.
Cybersecurity firm Norton found that 72% of free VPN services tracked users’ data. Its study indicated that of the 10 VPNs most likely to be infected with malware, six of them were free VPN versions.
If you’re lucky enough that your free VPN isn’t tracking and selling your personal data, it’s highly likely that your browsing experience will be loaded with advertisements, or you’ll lack full access to VPN features that may be important to you. For example, a free VPN service may block access to streaming sites such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, or you could experience speed throttling when accessing file-sharing services.
Companies that offer free VPNs still need to turn a profit. If that profit isn’t coming from users’ subscription fees, then it’s likely coming from your data. This unfortunate scenario defeats the purpose of using a VPN in the first place.
Best Cheap VPNs
Here are the best VPNs that are not only high quality but also cheap.
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN has a no-logs policy, provides speeds up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps), allows up to 10 VPN simultaneous connections, offers torrenting support, and more. Users can also choose from four different VPN plans: Free, Basic, Plus, and Visionary. The Plus Plan is likely the best option if you want to access geographically restricted content via video streaming services.
ProtonVPN’s reputation as a leader in the sphere of online privacy is due in large part to the features provided at a low price, including the ProtonMail email service that provides users with fully anonymous and encrypted email access without a monthly fee. ProtonVPN can be a strong choice with affordable prices if your primary reason for using a VPN is protecting your data. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Here is a glimpse of the costs for a ProtonVPN subscription:
Proton VPN Costs
| Free | Basic | Plus | Visionary |
| $0 | $5 monthly $48 annually $79 biennially | $10 monthly $96 annually $159 biennially | $30 monthly $288 annually $479 biennially |
IVPN
IVPN is great for internet users looking for ultimate pricing flexibility. The company offers plans that can renew as often as once per week. This option is perfect for people who only need a VPN for a short amount of time, such as travelers who are visiting countries with content restrictions.
Depending on the plan you select, you can connect two to seven devices to your VPN at one time. IVPN supports Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, and more.
The company’s services and reputation are strong as well. IVPN has a versatile multi-hop connection feature available for IVPN Pro users, which stands out from the competition.
Listed below are the costs for IVPN:
IVPN Costs
| Weekly | Monthly | Annual | Biennial | 3-Year | |
| IVPN Standard Pricing | $2 | $6 | $60 | $100 | $140 |
| IVPN Pro Pricing | $4 | $10 | $100 | $160 | $220 |
Mullvad VPN
Mullvad VPN uses a unique pricing model that will appeal to some VPN users. The company charges five euros (roughly $6 at the time of publication) per month, regardless of how long of a commitment you make. The company even accepts cash, as long as you’re willing to pay the postage to Sweden.
Whether you want a month-to-month deal or would rather pay for a decade of use in advance, you’ll always be charged the same rate. This can be a useful feature if you’re not ready to make a long-term commitment to a VPN service right away, as most competing VPN services encourage users to subscribe to a long-term plan by offering deep discounts on two-year (or longer) plan options.
Let’s look at the costs for a Mullvad VPN subscription:
Mullvad VPN Costs
| Monthly | Annual | 10-Year |
| $6.09 | $6.09 | $6.09 |
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access is another VPN provider with rave reviews. The VPN service keeps your data protected, unblocks censorship barriers, and allows you to access desired content from anywhere in the world. Private Internet Access also allows you to connect 10 devices simultaneously, includes a blocker for ads, trackers, and malware, and has a no-logging policy.
Here is a closer look at the VPN cost for a Private Internet Access subscription:
Private Internet Access Costs
| Monthly | Annual | Biennial |
| $9.95 | $39.95 | $69.95 |
TunnelBear
TunnelBear’s VPN is used by millions of people around the world due to its data protection, unblock restricted content, and IP-based tracking prevention. TunnelBear is a solid choice because you can try the free VPN version before you sign up for a subscription. The free VPN version is limited in features but does provide you with a good idea of what the service offers before purchasing a plan. Here is how the VPN cost breaks down across TunnelBear’s plans:
TunnelBear Costs
| Monthly | Annual | 3-Year |
| $9.99 | $59.88 | $120 |
NordVPN
NordVPN is consistently ranked as one of the top VPN providers on the market because it offers some of the fastest VPN servers, has a no-logs policy so you can rest assured that the company won’t track what you do online, and provides a full VPN suite for business use. NordVPN provides app support for many devices, including Macs, iPhones, Android phones, Windows, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, and more.
NordVPN also serves casual internet users. Let’s look at NordVPN’s pricing and plan details:
NordVPN Costs
| Monthly | Annual | Biennial |
| $11.95 | $59 | $99 |
Surfshark
Surfshark provides handy features such as a whitelisting service for sites that you want to bypass the VPN including your bank (which might block your access while using a VPN), as well as a CleanWeb browser that hides ads while you are using the internet. If you can’t stand online advertisements, Surfshark is a good VPN service to consider.
Listed below is a glimpse of the costs for a Surfshark VPN subscription:
Surfshark Costs
| Monthly | Bi-Annual | Biennial |
| $12.95 | $38.94 | $59.76 |
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN offers a split tunneling feature that lets you choose which types of traffic pass through your VPN’s encryption. This can be useful when you want to, say, watch a foreign film through a VPN but access local search results on Google. During our VPN speed test, we were able to access fast file-sharing speeds, as well as a wealth of privacy options and protocols through ExpressVPN.
On top of these features, the VPN also has a Network Lock kill switch. If your VPN suddenly loses connection, your device will automatically stop interacting with whatever network it’s on. This ensures that none of your data leaks out in the event of such a technical issue.
Listed below are the costs for a subscription to ExpressVPN:
ExpressVPN Costs
| Monthly | 6 Months | 15 Months |
| $12.95 | $59.95 | $99.95 |
Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield’s VPN comes with an automatic kill switch and 1,800 individual servers that allow users to tunnel into the internet through 80 countries. It also provides users with military-grade data encryption, global internet access without any restrictions, and unlimited bandwidth. Depending on your plan selection, you can add up to 25 devices on the VPN simultaneously.
Listed below are the costs for a Hotspot Shield VPN subscription:
Hotspot Shield Costs
| Basic | Premium | Premium Family |
| $0 | $12.99/month $95.88 annually | $19.99/month $143.88 annually |
Which VPN Offers the Best Value
Now that we’ve looked at some of the features of the most widely used and inexpensive VPNs on the market, which one offers the greatest bang for your buck? The answer to this question will depend on how you define value when it comes to VPNs.
For example, many users are looking for a high-quality VPN that costs them as little as possible each month. If all that you care about is the standard monthly VPN cost, then you’ll get the most value out of ProtonVPN.
If you’re more interested in signing a long-term deal with a VPN company to get a higher discount, companies like CyberGhost and Surfshark should be at the top of your list.
If you’re willing to pay more for a VPN company that offers specific features you find valuable, ExpressVPN’s long list of supported streaming devices is convenient while NordVPN offers plans for small businesses.
Which VPN Should You Use
At the end of the day, all of the VPNs on this list are strong options. Your VPN cost will vary depending on the VPN you choose, but this doesn’t mean you should always choose the lowest priced option. Our advice is to start by figuring out which VPN features matter the most to you. Once you’ve done that, you can then compare the prices of all the options that satisfy your criteria to figure out which one offers what you need at the best price.
