The best VPN on a budget isn’t simply the cheapest VPN. Indeed, there are countless free VPNs that fall far short of our testing standards. It’s only by taking a deep dive into each VPN and specifics such as server speeds and security features that we can find the best cheap VPNs. That is, those VPNs that offer the highest possible quality at the lowest possible price.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Budget VPNs
With a VPN, you can secure your online activities from prying eyes. Your data is encrypted while your IP address is hidden for anonymous browsing. Other benefits include the ability to sidestep content restrictions and even bypass bandwidth throttling. The best cheap VPNs allow you to do all of this at an affordable price without compromising on quality.
1. Mullvad
Best budget VPN
Mullvad is the best cheap VPN with a flat rate of just €5 a month (roughly $5.43). So if you’re looking for a quality budget VPN without being tied to a long-term contract, Mullvad is your best bet. Just bear in mind that if you’re willing to commit to a one or two year subscription, you can save as much as $2–3 a month with VPNs such as PrivateVPN, CyberGhost, and Surfshark.
One thing that Mullvad has proven is that it’s possible for a VPN to offer top-notch privacy without compromising on performance. Mullvad stands out in that you don’t need to provide an email address and can pay by sending cash in the mail. It’s one of the fastest VPNs I’ve tested, has very user-friendly apps, and operates a genuine no-logs policy.
2. PrivateVPN
Best VPN for beginners
PrivateVPN offers the lowest price plan of the best cheap VPNs covered. As long as you don’t mind a three year subscription, you can save significantly as it works out at just $2 a month ($72 total). PrivateVPN also has a three month subscription ($6/month) while its one month plan ($9.90) is one of the more affordable, albeit not as cheap as Mullvad.
This may be a lesser known provider, but it’s beginner-friendly and offers almost unrivaled unblocking of streaming services. PrivateVPN has fewer servers (a little over 200) but they’re located in over 60 countries. I’ve found that its IP addresses don’t get blacklisted as quickly as more popular providers, making it particularly suitable for unblocking streaming platforms.
3. Proton VPN
Best VPN with a free tier
Proton VPN lets you save 50 percent with its one year subscription which costs $4.99 a month ($59.88 total). However, its one month plan is also very affordably priced at $9.99, some $3 lower than NordVPN and nearly $5 less than Surfshark. You can only save an extra five percent with the two year plan ($4.49/month) so paying less upfront with the one year deal is a safe bet.
More than one of the best cheap VPNs, Proton VPN is one of the best free VPNs available and our best free VPN for PC. Its free tier has no ads, no logging, and no data or speed limits. It’s hard to find fault with Proton VPN which is a strong all-rounder. It’s the fastest VPN I’ve tested (290 Mbps in global speed tests) and, unlike most VPNs, gives you the option to pay in cash.
4. NordVPN
Best VPN for Gaming
NordVPN offers larger discounts (up to 69 percent) with its one and two year subscription plans. Its basic (VPN only) tier equates to $4.99 a month for one year or $3.99/month for two years. This puts it comfortably among the best budget VPNs for a long-term subscription. At $12.99 a month, the price of its one month subscription is about average.
This is arguably the best known VPN provider and for good reason. NordVPN excels at bypassing content restrictions. It’s also our best VPN for gaming thanks to its vast server network (6,000+ servers in 111 countries), consistent connections, and Meshnet feature for LAN gaming. However, the apps try to squeeze in too much such as a rather clunky server map.
5. IPVanish
Best VPN for multiple devices
IPVanish is currently offering one of the lowest monthly subscription rates of any VPN on the market. At 83 percent off, its two year plan costs just $52.56 which equates to $2.19 a month – a price only bettered by another of the best cheap VPNs, PrivateVPN. The one year subscription also comes with a significant saving (78 percent) and is priced at $2.79 a month.
This is a particularly popular option with North American users thanks to its more than 1,400 servers in the US and Canada. It has made strides with regard to its server speeds and unblocking (it works well with Netflix). There’s no limit to the number of devices you can connect at once either. IPVanish could improve its support which doesn’t always provide quality answers.
6. CyberGhost
Best VPN for traveling
CyberGhost is one of the best value VPNs with 83 percent off its two year plan. It costs $56.94 ($2.19 a month) and includes an extra two months free. It also offers a six month plan which is a rarity among VPNs. This costs $41.94 ($6.99 a month), providing a compromise between an expensive short term subscription and the higher upfront costs of a multi-year plan.
One area in which CyberGhost stands out is its server network which consists of 11,000+ servers in 100 countries. This gives you greater flexibility for unblocking and is a big reason why it’s among our best VPNs for streaming. CyberGhost has a no-logs policy and gaming-optimized servers in London and New York but, like many VPNs, is unable to bypass VPN blocks in China.
7. SurfShark
Best VPN for Netflix
Surfshark makes it onto the list of the best budget VPNs for its one and two year subscription deals. As is typical with VPN subscriptions, the biggest savings are to be found with its lengthier two year plans. The base plan costs $2.19 a month making it one of the cheapest VPNs. If you want all the trimmings like antivirus protection and database removal, you’ll pay $4.29 a month.
This is an excellent streaming VPN thanks to a combination of fast speeds and reliable unblocking. It worked with multiple Netflix libraries as well as the likes of BBC iPlayer and Prime Video in testing. It’s bursting with features including an ad, tracker, and malware blocker, and MultiHop servers for two layers of encryption.
How to pick the best budget VPN
The best cheap VPN could be defined as the best VPN offering the lowest one month subscription. Or it could be a VPN with the lowest average monthly rate. That’s why I’ve taken the one month subscription rates of each VPN as well as their lowest possible monthly price and compiled an average, factoring this into my rankings.
Mullvad VPN is the cheapest VPN if you’re looking for a VPN for one month or simply don’t want to have to commit to a VPN long-term. Yet PrivateVPN is arguably the best value VPN as its three year subscription costs 63 percent less each month. Alternatively, a two year subscription with CyberGhost, IPVanish, or Surfshark is only slightly more expensive at $2.19 a month.
How to use the best budget VPN
If you haven’t used a VPN before, rest assured that getting set up and connected is simple:
- Sign up with one of the best budget VPNs.
- Download and install the VPN app compatible with your device.
- Open the VPN app and log in.
- Connect to a server in your preferred location.
- You’re all set!
Cheapest VPNs FAQs
Are cheaper VPNs less secure?
Not necessarily. Factors that may dictate a VPN’s pricing include the number of servers it operates and the availability of extra features like specialty servers or a password manager. The best budget VPNs still offer all of the key security features required from a quality VPN. It’s just that they do so at a more competitive price point.
Can I use a free VPN instead of a cheap VPN?
Few free VPNs are trustworthy and of decent quality. Free VPNs don’t offer many servers or server locations. They also tend to throttle bandwidth and cap data, resulting in poor performance. Many don’t provide an adequate level of encryption and may log and sell your browsing data. If you do need to opt for a free VPN, we’d recommend Proton VPN’s free plan.
What’s the difference between monthly and yearly plans?
When you opt for a one month VPN subscription, you’ll pay more each month than with an annual plan. The advantage is that you have more flexibility to switch if you’re unsatisfied. However, the biggest savings come with yearly or even multi-year subscriptions. While you’ll pay less each month with a yearly subscription, you have to pay the full amount upfront.
Can I get a refund if I’m not satisfied with a VPN?
All of the best budget VPNs come with a 30-day money-back guarantee (except CyberGhost which is 45 days). This allows you to try them all out risk-free. As long as you remember to cancel before the end of this money-back guarantee period, you’ll receive a full refund.
Mark Gill is a freelance VPN writer for IGN, bringing over five years of dedicated experience from Comparitech, where he delves deep into the intricacies of VPNs. A journalism graduate with a passion for safeguarding digital freedoms, Mark has strengthened his expertise with a Google Cybersecurity Certificate and is now studying for the CompTIA Security+ certification. When he’s not testing VPNs, Mark is an avid gamer with a soft spot for the Sega Mega Drive, reliving the classics for a dose of nostalgia.
