VPNs are no longer an obscure tech protecting data transfer to and from a corporate network. They have permeated into the consumer market. An average netizen is now aware of the capabilities a VPN can muster in the face of a digital adversary. Hence, they are a strong cybersecurity option and can also spoof IP addresses. These facts have rendered them in a unique position in today’s streaming era. However, they are not cheap. Providers offer this technology as a service. Although they call it that, it integrates users into their ecosystem, a network of additional products and services.
A standard VPN subscription can cost anywhere from $2 to $10 per month. We agree this may be a costly investment. Although some services claim to be free, we decided to exclude them from today’s article, and focus on a comparison of VPN costs. Thus, to evaluate VPN prices, we have included the best overall providers alongside some cheapest available options. You’ll find out how these services fare against one another shortly.
Price comparison for leading VPN providers
The following are a few VPN vendors at the top of their game. They offer proprietary technology alongside numerous cutting-edge features to advance in this highly competitive market. However, today’s article will not focus on the features they offer, but their pricing. We will explore the various VPN cost and how they can benefit the user.
ExpressVPN
The best overall VPN.
Features:
- Over 3000 servers globally
- Hails from British Virgin Islands
- It has over 160 server locations in 94 countries
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Very fast
- Five (5) simultaneous connections
- Strict no-logs policy
Pricing:
- Best price — $6.67 per month over a year
- 6-month plan — $9.99 per month
- 1-month plan — $12.95 per month
Overview:
The first VPN on our list is the all-time favorite, ExpressVPN. The vendor, hailing from the British Virgin Islands, is currently the best at what it does. Although it is the costliest VPN on this list, we believe it to be a value for money product. Not only is the service accessible on a global scale, but it is also capable of heavy workload. The service provider is amongst the few competent options with a 100% success rate at geo-unblocking.
Also, it is a favorite of anti-censorship activists as it can effortlessly bypass VPN blocks. Exhibiting unparalleled speed and numerous features, ExpressVPN stands at the top. The service offers three plans the cheapest at $6 per month and the costliest at $13. Learn more about ExpressVPN with our review.
NordVPN
Best ExpressVPN alternate at a lower price.
Features:
- 5400 servers
- Hails from Panama
- Very popular
- Accepts cryptocurrencies
- Offers 6 simultaneous connections
- Stringent zero-logging policy
- Lots of advanced features
Pricing:
- Best price — $4 per month over 24 months
- 12-month plan — $5 per month
- 1-month plan — $12 per month
- Other conditional plans and discounts available
Overview:
The next VPN on our list doesn’t need an introduction. Regardless of if people use a VPN, chances are, they must have heard about NordVPN. Although quite popular, Nord doesn’t disappoint. The Panama-based vendor has worked towards being the best at the VPN game, and it has never stopped trying. The vendor offers intuitive and advanced features. It has numerous settings and effects to make the user experience more of this technology.
However, it comes at a price, but not as high as its rival. Nord is a heavy hitter with an affordable rate. The cheapest biannual plan bills for $96 upfront or $4 per month. Also, there is an annual and a monthly plan for $5 and $12, respectively. Interested readers can find our exclusive NordVPN review.
Surfshark
The cheapest VPN.
Features:
- Offers a free trial
- Torrent exclusive servers
- Over 3000 servers in 61 locations
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Most suitable for beginners
- Hails from the Netherlands
- Offers private browsing
Pricing:
- Best price — $2.5 over 24 months
- 12-month plan — $4 monthly
- 1-month plan — $13 monthly
Overview:
Surfshark is one of the cheapest VPNs out there. However, it doesn’t compromise on quality. The provider has an extensive network of over 7000 servers and works well with geo-unblocking at above-average speeds. Although the service is cheap, it offers a 7-day free trial. That is on top of the standard money-back guarantee, mind you. While you may not notice the price difference with the 1-month plan priced at $13, the best Surfshark can offer is $2.5 (sometimes lower in case of discounts). Learn more about Surfshark in our review.
PrivateVPN
The cheapest VPN with robust obfuscation.
Features:
- Offers free trial
- Hails from Sweden
- Only 200 servers
- Has a range of over, 7000 IP addresses
- Servers in 60+ locations
- Supports 10 simultaneous connections
Pricing:
- Best price — $2 per month over 36 months
- 3-month plan — $6 per month
- 1-month plan — $9 per month
Overview:
PrivateVPN is yet another affordable VPN option but with better obfuscation technology. Also, it offers a free trial and money-back guarantee to ensure trustworthiness. The company hails from Sweden and boasts a relatively small network. However, it can offer 7000+ IP addresses. Another thing to note is that, despite being cheap, the provider has all the basic advanced features. The VPN even comes with a proprietary protocol known as Stealth VPN to aid obfuscation efforts. Hence, at $2 per month for the 3-year plan, it is a good option for budget-sensitive consumers. We have a detailed PrivateVPN review available for curious readers.
PIA (Private Internet Access)
The VPN with the largest network.
Features:
- Hails from the States
- Offers approximately 30,000 servers
- Server location in 78 countries
- 10 concurrent connections
- Advanced yet customizable encryption
- Torrent supported on every server
Pricing:
- Best price — $2.2 per month over 39 months
- 12-month plan — $3.3 per month
- 1-month plan — $12 per month
Overview:
PIA or Private Internet Access is amongst the few old VPNs that have been around for ages. Although we have reason to believe that the service has far deteriorated, it is still a reasonable choice for those on a tight budget. Also, keep in mind that PIA offers the largest VPN network on the market, with about 30,000 servers. Although its international speed has fallen below average, such a large network can still ensure a congestion-free experience.
But over 70% of these servers are either virtual or based in the United States. Hence, we do propose user discretion. Yet, at $2.2 per month for 39 months, the service can be a steal, depending on your requirements. You can learn more about PIA with our in-depth review.
CyberGhost
A value for money choice.
Features:
- Token-based dedicated IP system
- WireGuard is available on all apps
- Has 7000+ servers
- Servers in 91 locations
- Operates from Romania
- Connection for 7 devices simultaneously
- 1-day free trial and 45-day money-back guarantee
Pricing:
- Best price — $2.4 per month over 36 months
- 24-month plan — $3.3 per month
- 12-month plan — $4.2 per month
- 1-month plan — $12 per month
Overview:
The final VPN on the list is a perfect blend of efficiency and cost. Hence, this product is the best of both worlds. CyberGhost offers a balanced VPN with numerous advanced features at the most inexpensive rates. Thus, it is our go-to choice for users on a budget. The service has a top-tier network with 7000+ servers in 91 locations. Furthermore, it has WireGuard, our go-to security protocol, on every app across multiple platforms, which is a huge plus.
Also, the provider offers highly customizable subscriptions at reasonable prices. The lowest one is a mere $2.4 over 36 months. Similarly, the 2-year and 1-year plans are priced at $3.3 and $4.2 monthly, respectively. Curious readers can give our CyberGhost review a read.