If you're looking to improve your online security without splashing out on potentially pricey antivirus software, the best cheap VPNs are a good place to start looking. Packing serious security functionalities such as password managers and antivirus systems into an all-in-one software for a cost you'll barely notice, these VPNs offer a great way to stay secure online for less.
Differentiating between the best VPNs to find the balance of cheap and effective you need can be tricky, so we've taken the hassle out of it. The TechRadar VPN team and I have thousands of hours of experience with these services, and know what minor details can separate the valuable from the volatile.
With Black Friday fast approaching, the good news is that today's top VPNs are now even cheaper (and be sure to visit our Black Friday VPN deals hub for the details). So, if you're looking to bag a real bargain, don't miss out on the holiday savings – keep reading to check out our top five picks that offer more than you'd expect.
5 best VPNs: quick overview
Need a quick answer to your cheap VPN needs? Here's a brief rundown of my top five choices.
1. Surfshark – from $1.99 per month The best cheap VPN Surfshark offers unbeatable value for money – you won't get as much for so little anywhere else. Servers everywhere let you stream global content and a ton of privacy-boosting tools keep your everyday browsing sessions secure. A basic 2-year plan costs just $1.99 per month this Black Friday – and you'll get an extra 4 months for free. Check out Surfshark, risk-free, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. PIA - from $2.03 per month The best Linux VPN Private Internet Access is an awesome blend of security and affordability. For a bargain price, you're getting battle-testing tools that shore up your online privacy and banish ads. PIA isn't as quick as Surfshark, but its apps are massively customizable, making it a great pick for advanced users on a budget. Grab a 2-year plan for $2.03 a month, save a massive 83%, and rest assured that you're covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. NordVPN – from $2.99 per month The best VPN overall NordVPN proves that you don't have to pay a fortune for a VPN that does it all. It has everything you need to enjoy smooth HD streaming, video calls, and online gaming (as well as anything else you get up to online). Currently, a 2-year NordVPN plan comes in at just $2.99 a month. That's a whopping 74% saving in time for Black Friday, an extra 3 months free, and a handy 30-day money-back guarantee.
4. CyberGhost - from $2.19 per month Great for beginners CyberGhost is a veteran of the VPN industry and a solid all-rounder. A minute monthly fee bags access to servers all over the world and the speeds you need to enjoy uninterrupted streams. Although it's not quite as competitive as the likes of Surfshark and PIA, now's the best time to pick up a 2-year plan at just $2.03 and save 84%. Plus, CyberGhost offers a generous 45-day money-back guarantee you can use to try before buying.
5. PureVPN – from $1.99 per month An affordable all-rounder PureVPN is another stellar choice for streaming enthusiasts – it unblocks every platform out there during our latest tests. It's not quite as quick as Surfshark and NordVPN, unfortunately, but if you're looking for an inexpensive way to make the most of your streaming subscriptions, it's well worth checking out at a measly $1.99 a month (plus its 31-day money-back guarantee).
Recent updates
Our most recent round of tests just came to an end, and Surfshark continues to reign supreme at the top of our cheap rankings. PIA and NordVPN remain solid alternatives, however, and even the (admittedly pricey) ExpressVPN lowered the price of its 2-year plan for the first time ever.
The 5 best cheap VPNs in 2024
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Overall VPN ranking: 14 | Works on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux | Number of servers: 6,000 | Server locations: 80 | Maximum devices supported: 10 | Free trial?: 31-day money-back guarantee
So cheap
Decent for streaming
10 simultaneous connections
Poor speeds
Not the best user experience
Subscribe if:
✔️ You want the cheapest VPN: for a tiny monthly fee, you get a secure and reliable service for less than a cup of coffee.
✔️ You need the cheapest streaming VPN: PureVPN surprised us by reliably unblocking some of the most popular services.
Don't subscribe if:
❌ You don't want to commit to a five-year plan: PureVPN sets cheap prices by spreading the cost over five years, rather than the usual two or three.
❌ You want a fast VPN: without WireGuard, PureVPN is lagging behind the competition. If speed your top concern, I'd go with Surfshark instead.
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐½
🔒 PureVPNis a popular choice for users with an absolutely rock-bottom budget, and one of the best value VPNs around.
