Affordable VPNs in 2025 offer top-tier privacy, fast streaming, and bonus features without draining your wallet. Compare five budget-friendly VPNs with strong security, refund guarantees, and reliable access to global content platforms.
By Brad Nakase, Attorney
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Looking for the most inexpensive VPNs is a smart first step if you want to increase your internet security without investing in possibly expensive antivirus software. These VPNs are a fantastic way to keep safe online at a lower cost because they include important security features like password managers & antivirus software in one package.
It can be difficult to choose which cheap VPN is ideal for you in terms of cost and effectiveness, so we’ve made the process easier. With our combined expertise of countless hours with such offerings, we are aware of the small things that can distinguish the unstable from the beneficial.
Fortunately, the best VPNs available today are now much more affordable, especially as the holiday season approaches. Check out the top five cheap VPN options that provide more than what you might anticipate if you want to score a true deal and save money this Christmas season.
Want a quick fix for your cheap VPN requirements? I’ve outlined my top five picks here.
The most affordable VPN
Surfshark provides unrivaled value for money; you won’t find a better deal elsewhere. Global material may be streamed from servers all over the world, and a wealth of privacy-enhancing technologies protect your regular browsing sessions. A basic 2-year package with a ton of features for only $2.19 a month. Take advantage of Surfshark’s risk-free 30-day refund policy.
The top cheap VPN for Linux
The combination of price and security that Private Internet Access offers is fantastic. You are receiving battle-tested solutions that protect your privacy on the internet and eliminate advertisements at a discounted price. Although PIA isn’t as fast as Surfshark, its highly customizable programs make it an excellent choice for seasoned users on a tight budget. If you purchase a 2-year package for $2.03 per month, you will save an incredible 83% and be protected by a thirty-day refund guarantee.
Overall, the best VPN
NordVPN demonstrates that a VPN that accomplishes everything doesn’t have to cost the earth. It contains everything you require for video conversations, online gaming, and seamless HD streaming—as well as everything else you do online. At the moment, a 2-year NordVPN plan costs only $3.09 per month, and you’ll also be protected by a convenient 30-day return policy.
Excellent cheap VPN for novices
CyberGhost is an experienced VPN provider with strong all-around skills. You may access servers worldwide and get the speed you need to stream continuously. Get a 2-year plan for just $2.19 & save 84% right now, even though it’s not nearly as affordable as companies like Surfshark and PIA. CyberGhost also has a substantial 45-day refund guarantee, which you can utilize to test the service before purchasing.
An affordable all-around player
In our most recent tests, PureVPN unblocked every platform available, making it yet another excellent option for streaming fans. Unfortunately, it’s not quite as fast as Surfshark & NordVPN, but for a price of $1.99 per month (with its 31-day refund guarantee), it’s definitely worth trying out if you’re searching for a cheap solution to get the most out of your streaming services.
Because of its high-end feel and minimal cost, Surfshark is the most significant cheap VPN option available. Surfshark is ranked #2 overall, competing with more expensive options with respect to features and functionality. If you are willing to spend a little more money, you may upgrade to a complete safety suite that includes dark web detection, ad blocking, and antivirus software.
However, few VPNs may match Surfshark in terms of absolute value for money, with the largest and strongest example being limitless simultaneous connections. With only one subscription, Surfshark enables you to set up the VPN on as many devices as you wish, eliminating the need to limit connections among your family, friends, or a small contingent of devices.
There’s more good news: Surfshark’s inexpensive prices don’t necessarily translate into poor-quality products. Like its more expensive competitors, Surfshark prioritizes privacy and provides a full suite of security protections. Additionally, you will be protected by a zero-log that guarantees no information will fall into the hands of prying authorities (or any third parties).
Surfshark is constantly adding new features to its list, such as an Alternative ID feature that lets you improve your anonymity by creating a fake digital identity, with an email address. It’s fantastic to see a well-known VPN company dedicate itself to creating new products, especially when they’re so reasonably priced.
Numerous VPN protocols are available for selection, such as OpenVPN, IKEv2, & WireGuard, which is the newest and best in the market right now. This enables you to personalize your experience to achieve the ideal balance between security and speed, whether you are torrenting big files, playing online games, or watching Netflix.
It cannot be any simpler than its “Quick connect” feature, which links me with the fastest server with a single click.
There are less expensive VPNs, including PureVPN, but using them requires sacrificing quality or upgrading to a five-year membership. Alternatively, you may test Surfshark out with its 30-day cash-back guarantee and determine whether it’s the appropriate service for you without having to pay a dime.
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Bottom line
My top inexpensive choice is Surfshark, which is also an excellent all-rounder. You also get a number of VPN services at a great price, with amazing speeds and unblocking capabilities. Test out Surfshark with a 30-day refund policy.
A seasoned player in the market, Private Internet Access has added thousands of servers in recent years, bringing its total number of servers to over 20,000. With a plethora of customizing options and some very practical security capabilities, it’s a top-notch service sans the premium cost.
I recently tested it and praised the standard of its apps and clients. By making significant improvements to the service, PIA now offers a plethora of additional capabilities that allow you to customize your VPN protection. But I did notice that it’s a bit slower than NordVPN and Surfshark.
MACE, another useful function from PIA, will help you avoid viruses and dubious websites, prevent advertisements, and even speed up website loading times (since it doesn’t have to launch a lot of popups). Most importantly, MACE is completely free. Therefore, anything you need to safeguard your digital privacy and defend your gadget from hackers will be included in one subscription. Previously in 2024, engineers at PIA even resolved a significant issue that was plaguing the industry: enabling split tunneling on MacOS.
PIA’s lowest price is contingent upon your willingness to dedicate yourself to it for a few years (and pay for the privilege up front). However, any concerns should be allayed by the reality that PIA is continuously improving its service and has frequently demonstrated its no-logs promises in court.
Even while PIA isn’t the best streaming option overall, it’s still a good option for Netflix devotees. It was able to connect to all of the most popular platforms available today (and some regional ones) thanks to a convenient suite of devoted streaming servers, and it even received a flawless score in our latest unblocking tests.
Users can connect to servers in Bolivia, Guatemala, Ecuador, Nepal, Uruguay, Peru, & South Korea, among other places, as PIA continues to expand its number of servers. You have a vast network with a great deal of adaptability when you combine that with servers in each US state.
When you combine all of the aforementioned with the ability to connect indefinitely at once, it’s easy to understand why PIA is vying for the top spot. Choose from a single plan and enjoy risk-free safety for a month by using among the most reputable and tested cheap VPN services to safeguard all of your devices and the people you know.
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Bottom Line
Those of us who value privacy, like myself, have long favored private internet access. You can see why I adore it with a return policy of thirty days.
NordVPN combines cost-effectiveness with functionality. As a result, you not only receive a cheap VPN, but you also get a service with exceptional security. With the amount of customization available, you can also upgrade to add even more services and tools for a small additional fee.
Numerous “Double VPN” servers are available from NordVPN, which routes your data over two different VPN servers. Your anonymity is increased, and it becomes much more difficult for others to follow your online activities. As an extra degree of security, I also appreciate that it is one of the few VPNs that offers Tor via VPN servers.
Because of NordVPN’s strong encryption methods and automatic kill switch, you can be sure that your data is constantly protected. If it isn’t, it won’t let you proceed with an inaccurate perception of security.
When you combine that with integrated cloud storage encryption, password management, and threat prevention, NordVPN solidifies its position as a remarkable all-in-one security and privacy solution. NordVPN provides the most value for money if you prefer to make investments in a single toolbox rather than several different subscriptions.
You may also test out newly revealed tools and features, such as NordLabs, with a NordVPN membership. A fantastic illustration of NordVPN’s proactive engagement in thwarting the constantly changing wave of security threats, it is marketed as a place to develop, test, and implement cybersecurity measures. September saw the debut of the first project, Sonar, an AI-driven phishing prevention solution.
P2P traffic is permitted for users who like to utilize their cheap VPN for downloading torrents, and NordVPN supports all main platforms with user-friendly apps (or setup instructions). For servers that are specific to a given use case, see its list of specialty servers.
Additionally, I discovered that it delivers the highest speeds in my most recent testing, proving that it doesn’t let me down in terms of performance. The zero-logs guarantee of this company, which has been thoroughly verified by PricewaterhouseCoopers, is another advantage. This indicates that NordVPN performs its stated functions exactly. It does not share your information or monitor your activities, in contrast to some of the less trustworthy VPN providers available.
In order to compare NordVPN to Private Internet Access and Surfshark without having to risk any money, you can additionally take benefit of their 30-day cash-back guarantee if you’re not sure if it is the most affordable VPN for you.
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You’re looking for an extremely basic interface: The map-style layout of NordVPN can be entertaining, but my other top choices all have neater interfaces if you prefer a simple layout without all the extras.
Bottom line
The ideal ratio of security, functionality, efficiency, and unblocking abilities is achieved by NordVPN. The thirty-day money-back assurance allows you to evaluate for yourself.
Around 9,100 servers are dispersed among 116 locations, giving CyberGhost VPN a massive server count. That’s nearly as comprehensive as Surfshark & PIA, so you have no reason to be concerned about being slowed down by overloaded servers.
With new tests indicating that it returns to speeds greater than the prior round, its top speed is quite remarkable. WireGuard connections were up to 760 Mbps, as I observed. You will be happy to know that it will not slow you down because this is really fast and more than sufficient for 4K streaming, torrenting, and online gaming.
Like NordVPN and Surfshark, CyberGhost VPN allows you to move up to a comprehensive safety suite, which can help you save money elsewhere. An integrated antivirus & auto-update that help stop hackers from taking advantage of your device are included for a small additional cost.
Unfortunately, CyberGhost VPN discontinued its password manager since users were not interested in it. This is a great tragedy because it reduces the value of the service. It is a highly customized service, though, and there are still many things to pick from.
Few VPNs have SmartDNS tech, which makes it simpler to unblock your preferred streams from overseas. CyberGhost VPN is one of these few. You’re more unlikely to encounter the frustrating “it appears like you’re connecting to a VPN” warning if you use SmartDNS VPN servers.
While ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and NordVPN offer faster connections, CyberGhost is still a respectable service with user-friendly interfaces. The lengthiest VPN free trial available, CyberGhost’s excellent 45-day cash-back guarantee, allows you to experience all of it for yourself.
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You require thorough support: Although the customer service representatives are kind and accommodating, CyberGhost’s support site isn’t as comprehensive as those of PIA & ExpressVPN.
Bottom line
A well-liked option for novices, CyberGhost VPN offers an extensive 45-day money-back assurance along with user-friendly software.
As you can see right away, PureVPN has a lower ranking and star rating than the other services on this list. However, its costs are so affordable that we would be negligent if we did not include this still-premium provider on our list of the top low-cost VPNs.
But if PureVPN’s cost were its only advantage, I wouldn’t include it on the list. There are many other ways to commend it, though, which is fortunate. To begin with, it has over 6,000 servers across the globe, and your subscription allows you to use 10 devices simultaneously. This implies that you, your loved ones, and your friends can visit websites and services from all over the world with confidence.
I was impressed by PureVPN’s ability to unblock geographically restricted streaming sites; Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+ were all on the list of successful services, which is amazing for a VPN that only costs $2.14 a month. It was even one of the first providers to release an application developed specifically for Apple TV.
So where is it lacking? Due to its lack of WireGuard, speed was its initial and most noticeable drawback. This caused PureVPN to rank far lower than the other options on this list. This isn’t an adverse result, but you may choose not to keep PureVPN open all the time in case it interferes with your regular browsing.
Additionally, the client and applications might use some UX enhancement, and the help site’s overall design doesn’t inspire much confidence. It does, however, have live chat assistance available on-site, meaning that if you run into trouble, someone is typically available to assist.
For the price, PureVPN will work perfectly for anyone wishing to strengthen their security, and I would recommend taking advantage of its 31-day refund guarantee to determine if it’s truly better to go lower than competitors like NordVPN & Surfshark.
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Bottom line
It is a well-liked option for consumers on a completely shoestring budget and is among the most affordable VPNs available.
Although merely focusing on price may be sufficient to identify the best low-cost VPN, testing them can be a challenging procedure. Time, place, device, and other factors can all affect how well a VPN performs. Regular testing is necessary to guarantee that rankings or suggestions remain really relevant because testing statistics and benchmarking results frequently change over time.
Our procedure puts VPNs through a unique series of tests that reveal both the strengths that can make one stand out from the others in a way you can’t resist and the flaws that might cause you to steer clear of certain providers. These assessments examine:
Although it should come as no surprise that VPNs are expensive, you don’t have to spend a fortune to receive a good service. Free VPN services simply cannot match the functionality, security, & privacy that a low-cost premium VPN can provide.
A few factors should be taken into account while selecting the most affordable VPN for you:
Select the option that best fits your requirements. I’ll just show you outstanding; you’ll have to figure out the one you think it is.
Keep in mind that before you make a final choice, compare providers and opt for one that has a refund policy so you can receive your money back. In this manner, you are able to experience the best without going over budget.
1. Which is the best low-cost VPN?
My number one pick for a high-end service that does everything without breaking the bank is Surfshark.
However, I am unable to advise you on the best VPN for you. The finest offerings above will fit into your priorities, which you will have to determine. I’m only able to provide you with the knowledge you need to choose the service that best meets your needs.
2. What makes VPNs so costly?
VPN services are still less expensive than the majority of security tool memberships, even though some of them are pricey. A really premium VPN service, regrettably, cannot be completely free. It must pay its employees, operate its servers, and update its IP address database while providing you with complete security and respectable speeds.
The best VPNs will choose to charge higher prices instead of using marketing to sell your data, which will provide you with a better experience and actually secure your private information rather than just providing you an unfounded feeling of security.
It should be noted that a quality VPN need not be costly. There are many low-cost options that can compete with even the most expensive providers, such as ExpressVPN. As a dependable substitute, I advise you to look into some of the top free VPNs if you are unable to pay for a good, inexpensive VPN.
3. Do inexpensive VPNs offer security?
Cheap VPNs aren’t always safe. I would, at the very least, only utilize a service that comes with a kill switch, no-logging regulations, & 256-bit encryption using AES with the common protocols of OpenVPN, IKEv2, or WireGuard. Nothing else is better than these VPN encryption technologies, which are the safest available.
Check for impartial independent assessments of a VPN’s network and procedures to see whether its claims are true. As an alternative, you can confirm the service yourself if you are aware of what you’re looking for and it is open-source.
4. Do inexpensive VPNs make sense?
Sure, but only when you choose the correct one. Not all inexpensive VPNs are made equal, and a few are not even worth the money. Sadly, just a small percentage of the dozens of VPN services we’ve evaluated over the years are truly valuable.
There are many features, a no-logging policy, unlimited data consumption, and no advertisements while utilizing a solid, low-cost VPN. Saving money doesn’t have to come at the expense of quality.
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