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 the holiday season in full swing, the good news is that today's top VPNs are now even cheaper. 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.
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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The best cheap VPN
✔️ You want the best budget VPN: a low–cost, high-quality option, Surfshark has lots of features, unbelievable speeds, and a reliable network.
✔️ You need a fast VPN: Surfshark clocked in at over 950 Mbps average download speeds in my latest round of testing.
✔️ You want a cheap security suite: much like NordVPN, Surfshark comes with an array of internet security tools to keep you safe.
❌ You're an avid torrenter: Surfshark can handle P2P file sharing well enough, but we found ExpressVPN to be the more reliable pick.
🔒 Surfshark is my #1 cheap pick and a fantastic all-rounder. You get a lot of VPN for a bargain price, too, including awesome speeds and unblocking power. Take Surfshark for a test drive with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our in-depth Surfshark VPN review and see why this super-fast VPN is also my top budget pick.
Surfshark is the best cheap on the market thanks to its premium feel and microscopic price. In our overall rankings, Surfshark sits at the #2 spot, holding its own against pricier options in terms of features and performance. If you do fancy splashing a little extra cash, you can upgrade to a full security suite, including antivirus, ad blocking, and dark web scanning.
Few VPNs can match Surfshark when it comes to sheer value for money, however, with unlimited simultaneous connections being the biggest and best example. Surfshark lets you install the VPN on as many gadgets as you like with just one subscription – so you don't have to worry about rationing out connections amongst your friends, family, or a small army of devices.
The good news doesn't stop there, either, because Surfshark's low prices don't mean that the overall product is low quality. Surfshark is just as privacy-focused as its more premium counterparts and offers a whole kit of security features. You'll also be covered by a no-logs policy that ensures none of your data will end up in the hands of nosy authorities (or other third parties).
Surfshark keeps adding new stuff to its feature list, too, including an Alternative ID tool that allows you to create a fictitious digital identity (including an email address) and boost your privacy. It's great to see a mainstream VPN commit to developing new tools – especially when offered at such a low price point.
There are plenty of VPN protocols to choose from, too, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard – the latest and greatest in the industry today. This lets you customize your experience to get the perfect blend of speed and security, regardless of whether you're streaming Netflix, gaming online, or torrenting large files.
In addition to that customization, you also get a kill switch that cuts your internet if your VPN connection drops, preventing any unencrypted data from accidentally falling into the wrong hands. While we did note some kill switch issues in a previous round of extreme stress testing on Windows, the provider has since resolved the issue.
I also love Surfshark's "Quick connect" option, which automatically matches me to the quickest server in just one click—it doesn't get easier than that.
While cheaper VPNs. such as PureVPN, are available, choosing them means you have to compromise on quality or crank up the subscription to as much as five years. Instead, you can put Surfshark to the test with its 30-day money-back guarantee, and see if it's the right service for you – all without risking a penny.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Elegant, simple, and intuitive | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Great for beginners, and seamless connections | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Faster than most of my top picks | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Good content unblocking, but not amazing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Some kill switch issues, and the built-in ad blocker and antivirus wasn't as good as I was expecting | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Lots of supporting articles, but awkward to navigate to when you need help on the fly | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | The best cheap VPN on the market | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best cheap Linux VPN
✔️ You want a VPN that's proven its claims: PIA has proven its no-logs policy in court – not once, but twice.
✔️ You need the best Linux VPN: GUI apps for the most popular distros and plenty of support.
✔️ You need a cheap torrenting VPN: port-forwarding and a mountain of torrent-friendly servers make PIA an excellent pick for P2P file sharing.
❌ You want a built-in password manager: unlike ExpressVPN and NordVPN, PIA doesn't come with its own password manager.
❌ You want the fastest VPN: PIA offers good speeds for torrenting, but it's nowhere near what you can expect from NordVPN or Surfshark.
🔒 Private Internet Access is a long-standing favorite of privacy purists like myself. See why I love it so much with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our in-depth Private Internet Access VPN review and see why this low–cost option is also great for Linux.
Private Internet Access is a veteran of the industry, and over the past few years, it's grown its server count by the thousands, with its total server count now sitting at over 20,000. With a wealth of customization and some seriously useful security tools, it's a high–quality service without the premium price tag.
In my most recent testing, I lauded the quality of its clients and apps. PIA made great strides in improving the service, and now comes with a lot of extra features if you want to tailor your VPN protection. However, I did see that it's a little slower than Sufshark and NordVPN.
PIA also offers a handy feature, called MACE, that'll block ads, help you steer clear of malware and dodgy websites, and even help sites load more quickly (since they don't have to spin up a ton of popups). Best of all, MACE is totally free. So, with a single subscription, you'll have everything you need to protect your device from hackers and secure your digital privacy. Earlier in 2024, PIA engineers even fixed a massive problem gripping the industry: making split tunneling available for MacOS.
PIA's best pricing depends on whether you are happy enough to commit to it for a couple of years (and pay upfront for the privilege), but any qualms should be quelled by the fact that PIA is constantly upgrading its service, and has proven its no-logs claims in court repeatedly.
PIA doesn't sit at the top of our overall streaming rankings – but it's still a solid choice for avid Netflix fans. In fact, it achieved a perfect score during our most recent unblocking tests, able to access all of today's most popular platforms (as well as smaller regional services) thanks to a handy suite of dedicated streaming servers.
In fact, PIA keeps adding more and more servers to its list, including recent additions in Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Nepal, Peru, Uruguay, and South Korea for users to connect to. Couple that with a server in every state of the US, and you've got an enormous network with plenty of customization.
When you put all of the above together with unlimited simultaneous connections, it's clear to see why PIA is nipping at the heels of Surfshark for first place. Use one of the most trusted and proven VPN services to protect every device you own, as well as everyone you know, all on a single plan, and with a month of risk-free protection.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Lots of customization, but could do with some attention to detail | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Not the best for beginners, but great for advanced users | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Good speeds, but generally average compared to industry leaders | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Dedicated streaming servers and tens of thousands of servers to help you unblock anything and everything | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | The latest and greatest in VPN tech, and a proven no-logging policy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | A mass of knowledge online and expert support on-hand at all times | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Budget-friendly and offering plenty of value for money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best VPN overall
✔️ You want an all-in-one security suite: NordVPN comes with ad blocking and malware protection as standard with its VPN subscription.
✔️ Streaming Netflix is your primary use case: access streams from around the world with NordVPN – the service that currently tops my list as the best VPN for Netflix.
✔️ You want a blend of cost and quality: tonnes of features, additional security tools, and competitive pricing make NordVPN one to watch.
❌ You want a super simple interface: NordVPN's map-style interface can be fun, but if you want a plain design without the bells and whistles, my other top picks all have cleaner apps.
🔒 NordVPN strikes the perfect balance between security, usability, performance, and unblocking capability. See for yourself with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our in-depth NordVPN review for a closer look at today's #1 rated VPN.
NordVPN blends functionality with affordable prices. So, not only do you get a very budget-friendly VPN, but you also benefit from a service with excellent security, and with the level of customization on offer, you can upgrade to include even more tools and services for just a fraction more.
NordVPN offers a number of "Double VPN" servers that route your data through not one but two separate VPN servers. This boosts your anonymity and makes it much harder for anyone to track what you get up to online. I also like that it's one of a handful of VPNs to offer Tor over VPN servers – which act as an additional layer of protection.
Thanks to NordVPN's automatic kill switch and robust encryption protocols, you can be certain your data is always protected, and if it's not, it won't let you continue with a false sense of security.
Couple that with built-in threat protection, password management, and encrypted cloud storage, and NordVPN secures its spot as an impressive all-in-one privacy and security solution. If you want to cut the cost of multiple separate subscriptions and invest in one single toolkit, NordVPN offers the best value for money.
A subscription to NordVPN also allows you to check out new features and tools as they're announced – like NordLabs. Touted as a space to create, test, and launch cybersecurity tools, it's an awesome example of NordVPN's active involvement in combating the ever-evolving tide of security threats. Sonar, an AI-powered tool against phishing, was the first project released in September.
NordVPN supports all major platforms with easy-to-use clients (or setup guides) and allows P2P traffic for those who like to use their VPN for torrenting. Check out its specialty server list for use-case-specific servers.
I found that it doesn't disappoint when it comes to performance, either, delivering the fastest speeds in my latest round of testing. Another plus point is that this provider has a zero-logs policy that's fully audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers no less. This means NordVPN does exactly what it says on the tin. No sharing your information and no watching what you're doing, unlike some of the more unscrupulous VPN services out there.
If you're unsure of whether NordVPN is the best cheap VPN for you, you can also take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee, to compare it to Surfshark and Private Internet Access without risking a penny.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A fun design that can be a little busy for some people | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Everything is easy to find, but the map interface can be off-putting, and there isn't much attention to detail | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | The fastest VPN in my latest round of testing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Perfect for Netflix and other streaming sites | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Every bit as strong as ExpressVPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Friendly, supportive and professional | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Fantastic value for money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best of the budget-friendly rest
✔️ You want an easy-to-use VPN: a clean and intuitive interface makes CyberGhost VPN a great choice for beginners.
✔️ You want more than a month to test it: CyberGhost VPN offers the longest money-back guarantee on the market at a spectacular 45 days.
❌ You need in-depth support: while the customer support agents are friendly and helpful, CyberGhost's support site lacks the depth on offer with PIA and ExpressVPN.
🔒 CyberGhost VPN is a popular choice for beginners with easy-to-use apps and a whopping 45-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our in-depth CyberGhost VPN review to find out more about this popular VPN provider.
CyberGhost VPN has an enormous server count, with over 9,100 servers spread across 116 locationss. That's almost as much coverage as Surfshark and PIA – so you don't need to worry about busy servers slowing you down.
Its maximum speed is pretty impressive, with recent testing showing a return to speeds higher than the previous round. I saw WireGuard connections sitting around 760 Mbps. This is incredibly fast, and more than enough for gaming online, torrenting, and streaming in 4K, so you'll be glad to know it won't slow you down.
Similar to Surfshark and NordVPN, CyberGhost VPN offers the option to upgrade to a full security suite to help you save costs elsewhere. For just a fraction more, you get a built-in antivirus and auto-update to help prevent hackers from exploiting your device.
Sadly, CyberGhost VPN removed its password manager due to a lack of interest from users, which I think is a real shame and lowers the value on offer. However, there are still plenty of features to take advantage of, and it's an incredibly customizable service.
CyberGhost VPN is one of a handful of VPNs that offer SmartDNS technology, which makes it easier to unblock your favorite streams from abroad. By using SmartDNS VPN servers, you're less likely to run into the usual "it looks like you're using a VPN" message that we've all grown to hate.
While speeds aren't up to the same pace as those of ExpressVPN, Surfshark, or NordVPN, CyberGhost is still a decent service with easy-to-use apps. Discover all this for yourself with CyberGhost's generous 45-day money-back guarantee—the longest VPN free trial on offer.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Simple, intuitive, and easily customizable | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Perfect for beginners and anyone wanting a simple experience | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Decent speeds that are great for torrenting, streaming and gaming online | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Dedicated streaming servers, but struggled to unblock Disney Plus and Netflix UK | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Robust and reliable with a third-party audit from Deloitte | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Agents are helpful, but the on-site content could be better | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Excellent value and competitive pricing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
✔️ 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.
❌ 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.
🔒 PureVPN is a popular choice for users with an absolutely rock-bottom budget, and one of the best value VPNs around.
Check out our in-depth PureVPN review to see how it compares to Surfshark, PIA, and NordVPN.
You'll quickly notice that we've given PureVPN a lower star rating and ranking than the other providers on this list. But, its prices are so reasonable that it would be remiss of us not to feature this still-premium service on a list of the best cheap VPNs.
If, however, the price was the only positive about PureVPN, I wouldn't feature it on this list. Thankfully though, there are plenty of other ways to sing its praises. For starters, it boasts upwards of 6,000 servers worldwide, and your subscription covers 10 devices at once. This means that you, and your friends and family, can check out sites and services from around the world with peace of mind.
PureVPN impressed me with its capabilities when unblocking geo-restricted streaming services – Netflix US, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer were all on the success list which, for a VPN that costs just $2.14 per month, is fantastic. The provider was even among the first to launch a new dedicated Apple TV app.
So, where does it fall short? Speed was the first and most notable downfall, primarily because it doesn't offer WireGuard. This resulted in PureVPN coming up much slower than the competition on this list, which isn't a disaster, but you might not want to have PureVPN connected constantly just in case it has a negative impact on your day-to-day browsing.
The apps and client could do with some UX improvement, too, and the general layout of the support site doesn't fill us with much confidence. Still, it offers live chat support on-site, so if you get stuck, there's usually someone there to help.
For what it's worth, PureVPN will do just fine for anyone looking to shore up their protection, and at this price, I'd say it's well worth using its 31-day money-back guarantee to see whether going cheaper really is better in comparison to the likes of NordVPN and Surfshark.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A bit messy, and generally underwhelming | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Not the best user experience | ⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Somewhat slow speeds are a bit of a drag | ⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Surprisingly good at unblocking popular streaming sites | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | About industry standard, with the exception of WireGuard | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Support site just feels awkward, but live chat support is a bonus | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | The cheapest VPN I'd recommend | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
What if I just want the best premium VPN?
Everyone loves a bargain, especially with the holiday season fast approaching, but sometimes it's better to invest in the best. NordVPN is the industry leader today – and the good news is that a subscription won't break the bank.
My VPN provider rankings
There are plenty of great VPN services out there, and I'm sure you could name a few that you've seen that aren't on this list, so here are my industry rankings for the best VPNs:
| Provider | Rating | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 1. NordVPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | The best VPN overall and my top pick for most use cases. |
| 2. Surfshark | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | The best cheap VPN, and also one of the fastest in my tests. |
| 3. ExpressVPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | The best VPN for beginners, and the most secure among our top picks. |
| 4. Proton VPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | A popular free VPN service with a history of advocating for the freedom of the internet. |
| 5. PrivadoVPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | The best free VPN. It even unblocks Netflix. |
| 6. Private Internet Access | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | The best Linux VPN. A dedicated GUI for Linux, and a no-logs policy that was proven in court twice. |
| 7. IPVanish | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | The best of the rest. An up-and-coming provider that supports Linux. |
| 8. Windscribe | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | A fast service with a popular browser proxy. |
| 9. CyberGhost VPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | A popular and easy-to-use platform that's great for beginners. |
| 10. Mullvad | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good for Linux, and you can even pay in cash. |
| 11. PureVPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | One of the cheapest premium VPNs on the market. |
| 12. Hide.Me | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | A speedy service with plenty of customization. |
| 13. Atlas VPN | ⭐⭐⭐½ | A new player in the VPN industry that's already making waves. |
| 14. TunnelBear | ⭐⭐⭐½ | A reliable free VPN but no support for content unblocking. |
| 15. Mozilla VPN | ⭐⭐⭐½ | A well known brand with a VPN that currently underperforms. |
| 16. Hotspot Shield | ⭐⭐⭐½ | A fast VPN service with lots of great features. |
| 17. VyprVPN | ⭐⭐⭐ | A reliable VPN with a dedicated protocol for bypassing even the most severe censorship. |
| 18. Norton VPN | ⭐⭐⭐ | Known for its popular security suite with a lacklustre VPN. |
| 19. PrivateVPN | ⭐⭐½ | An excellent cheap service that offers plenty of support for streaming and torrenting. |
| 20. AstrillVPN | ⭐⭐½ | A mid-range VPN that's popular for bypassing Chinese censorship. |
| 21. FastestVPN | ⭐⭐½ | Making its way up the list, but not yet living up to its name. |
| 22. StrongVPN | ⭐⭐ | Another mid-range VPN that continues to improve. |
| 23. AirVPN | ⭐⭐ | Built by hacktivists, for hacktivists. |
| 24. Goose VPN | ⭐⭐ | An incredibly cheap mid-range VPN. |
| 25. TorGuard | ⭐⭐ | A torrent-friendly VPN that's good for accessing foreign content. |
| 26. UltraVPN | ⭐⭐ | Fast and secure with plenty of server locations. |
| 27. Le VPN | ⭐⭐ | Lots of locations to choose from and integrated SmartDNS technology. |
| 28. VPNArea | ⭐⭐ | A mid-range VPN that struggles to hold up against the industry leaders. |
| 29. ZoogVPN | ⭐⭐ | A fairly underwhelming VPN from Greece. |
| 30. Google One | ⭐⭐ | Google's history with data doesn't give us much faith in the service. |
How we test VPN services
Testing VPNs can be a tricky process, even if finding the best cheap VPN may require only looking towards costs. VPN performance can vary depending on time, location, device, and more. Plus, testing figures and benchmarking results often change over time, meaning regular testing is key to ensure rankings and recommendations stay truly up to date.
Our process subjects VPNs to a custom array of tests that identify weaknesses that may lead to you avoiding some providers, as well as strengths that may set one apart from the rest in a way you simply can't avoid. These tests look at:
Features: one of the first things you'll notice when using a VPN is the features it has, so this plays a key part in what we look for. Whether it's the size and location of a provider's server network, the different protocols and encryption methods a VPN supports, or the other included functions and programs. There are numerous ways in which VPN providers differ in terms of features, so we ensure these are adequately compared to ensure you're not only getting your money's worth, but that you're also as secure as possible.
Privacy and security: our privacy and security testing probes the privacy policies, encryption protocols, and independent audits a VPN provider has. We also perform a number of proprietary tests on key security features such as killswitches and DNS leak protection to ensure there are no weaknesses and you can truly trust that your data will remain private with the VPN provider.
Performance: our performance testing uses a 1 Gbps internet line, testing multiple different device types across regular points throughout the day to spot any issues with speeds, connection times, jitter, and general performance issues in real-life use. This means testing VPN performance when performing tasks such as browsing online or streaming, at different times of the day, with an array of devices, to see where providers might struggle.
Unblocking content: we test a VPN's ability to unblock geo-restricted content across global platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu. We also look at more regional sites, such as BBC iPlayer, 10 Play, and Peacock, to see if a VPN can successfully access content without experiencing performance issues or running into errors.
Support and reliability: everyone gets a tad stuck now and again. So, we test VPN providers' customer support channels, FAQ pages, and AI chat options to see how quick and helpful different providers are with both common and more technical queries, and how easily you can troubleshoot issues yourself using the resources provided to you.
Want to know more? You can read more about our testing process on our methodology page.
How to choose the best cheap VPN
It's no surprise that you get what you pay for with VPNs, but that doesn't mean you have to break the bank to get a high-quality service. Even a cheap premium VPN can offer top-notch performance, security, and privacy that free VPN services just can't match.
When you're choosing the best cheap VPN for you, there are a few things you should consider:
Pick the service that suits your needs best. Only you will know which one it is—I can only show you the cream of the crop.
Remember: look out for a provider that has a money-back guarantee, so you can get your cash back and see how it compares to the competition before making a final decision. That way, you can try the best of the best, without having to pay for it.
- Privacy policy: is it cheap because it's selling on your information, or is it cheap because it cares about competitive pricing? I would advise against using any VPN service that sells on your data.
- Performance: how fast is the service? You only need 25 Mbps to stream in 4K without buffering, but if you have lots of apps all requesting data at the same time (social media, messaging apps, email, etc) then you may find it hard to watch your favorite shows on a slow provider.
- Content unblocking: want to stream from abroad? If the service struggles to get past VPN blocks and network firewalls, it'll quickly become a pain.
- Security: is the service using the latest and greatest encryption protocols? Most leading providers offer OpenVPN and WireGuard for users, as these are the most secure and speedy protocols in the industry. If a provider doesn't offer these, you may be getting a false sense of security.
- Cost: this one's obvious, but is it within your budget? Money-back guarantees are a handy feature to take advantage of, but VPNs charge up-front, so you'll need to make sure it actually affordable.
- Ease of use: you'll want a service with a clean UI that's easy to navigate, and options, settings, and menus that make sense. I have a jargon-free guide that'll walk you through how to use a VPN if you need a refresher.
Cheap VPN FAQs
What is the best cheap VPN?
If you just want a premium service that can do it all, without costing a small fortune, my #1 recommendation is Surfshark.
However, I can't tell you which VPN would be the best for you. It's up to you to decide what your priorities are, and how the best services above fit within those. All I can do is give you the information to help you decide which service suits you best.
Why are VPNs so expensive?
While some VPN services are expensive, they are still cheaper than most other security tool subscriptions. Unfortunately, a truly premium VPN service can't be wholly free. It needs to maintain its servers, refresh its list of IP addresses, and pay its staff while giving you total protection and decent speeds.
Most VPNs do this through advertising and selling your data, but the best will opt to charge a premium instead – giving you a better experience, and genuinely protecting your data privacy, rather than just giving you a false sense of security.
Note: a good VPN doesn't have to be expensive. There are plenty of budget-friendly services that rival even the most pricey providers like ExpressVPN. If you find yourself in a situation where you can't afford a decent cheap VPN, then I recommend you check out some of the best free VPNs as a reliable alternative.
Are cheap VPNs secure?
Not all cheap VPNs are secure. As a minimum expectation, I would only use a service that offers a no-logging policy, a kill switch, and AES 256-bit encryption with OpenVPN, WireGuard, or IKEv2 encryption protocols as standard. These are the most secure VPN encryption protocols on the market, and I wouldn't recommend anything else.
If you want to know if a VPN's claims are genuine, see if it has any independent third-party audits of its network and policies. Alternatively, if the service is open-source and you know what to look for, you can verify it yourself.
Are cheap VPNs worth it?
Yes, but only if you pick the right one. Not all cheap VPNs are created equal, and some aren't even worth paying for. We've reviewed hundreds of VPN providers over the years, and unfortunately, only a few of them are genuinely worthwhile.
A good cheap VPN will have plenty of features, a no-logs policy, unlimited data usage, and won't serve you adverts while you're using it. If you're looking to save money, you don't have to sacrifice value.
Andreas is Editor-in-Chief of Tech Software, making him a hub of knowledge when it comes to cybersecurity, online privacy, and, of course, VPNs. Coming from a research background, completing a Master of Research degree at LJMU, Andreas has written on VPNs and cybersecurity across sites such as ProPrivacy, Business2Community, and The Tech Report, and is a day-to-day VPN user and privacy advocate.
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
