A good VPN doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, there are few affordable options that not only “get the job done,” but also offer a ton of features.
No matter how little you’ll end up paying for the service, you still want it to work for your specific needs. Like, you may want to access streaming services like Netflix and get a buffer-free experience, or want to download files via BitTorrent — all those features are available with good VPNs, which — again — don’t have to break the bank.
We’ve tested more VPN services than we care to count. And out of all of them, we have compiled the following list of best cheap VPNs.
All of them rock, but for the best experience without paying the premium – go for the top pick, install the app and let it do its magic in the background. Yes, it’s actually that easy. 😉
Pros
Cons
- 5,000+ servers in the network
- Easy to use - install it and forget it
- One license is good for up to 6 devices
- Strict zero-logs policy
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Chrome extension is just a proxy
Summary
Its network includes more than 6,200 servers spread across 111 countries, which directly translates into faster speeds. NordVPN is also very secure, relying on the strong 256-bit encryption combined with secure VPN protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec). But as a user, you get a seamless experience with all this technology "doing its thing" in the background.
NordVPN is well suited to pretty much every task you throw at it — whether it's accessing a banned site from some country that filters out the internet, torrenting, accessing streaming services, or just wanting to keep a low profile on the web. It also doesn't keep any logs.
We highly recommend NordVPN to anyone looking for reliable service.
Pros
Cons
- It's super fast!
- Works with Netflix, BBC and others
- Easy to use apps, browser extensions
- You can try it for free!
- Some advanced features are not configurable
- Not the best for high-censorship countries
Summary
Furthermore, thanks to the availability of browser extensions - Hotspot Shield is also one of our top choices for Chrome and Firefox VPNs.
Your privacy is equally well protected, with the software only collecting some anonymized that help continually improve its service.
There is one caveat though - it won't work in high-censorship countries like China. If you don't need that in the first place, we highly recommend Hotspot Shield.
As that's typically the case with most VPN services out there, the longer you commit - the better deal you get. However, what makes Hotspot Shield even better is the fact that it offers a 7-day free trial of its service. A few other top VPN providers do the same. Plus, its money-back guarantee lasts for 45 days, making for a risk-free purchase. Cause, you can always get your money back. Sweet and just the way we like it.
Pros
Cons
- Fast, reliable download and upload speeds
- Works great for Netflix and torrenting
- Dedicated Chrome and Firefox extensions
- Connect 10 devices simultaneously
- Doesn't work well in China
Summary
It also happens to be one of the more affordable options on the market, and considering all the features you get as part of the deal — PIA offers quite a bang for the buck.
Its zero-logs policy is something many folks will appreciate, and the same goes for PIA's browser extensions — which are available for Chrome and Firefox.
Free trial is not available but there is a money-back guarantee that is good for 30 days.
Pros
Cons
- Fast download speeds
- Optimized servers for Netflix
- One license is good for 7 devices
- Strict zero-logs policy
- Some restrictions for torrenting
- Doesn't work well in China
Summary
You can use CyberGhost on just about any device imaginable — including computers, phones, tablets, game consoles, streaming boxes and even routers.
The included security and privacy features are excellent, with CyberGhost only logging non-identifiable information as part of its plan to monitor and continually improve the service. We like it. A lot.
Pros
Cons
- Fast download and upload speeds
- Works with Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, etc.
- Great for torrenting
- Advanced privacy features (i.e. Tor over VPN)
- Relatively small number of servers
- There are no browser extensions
- Live chat support is not always available
Summary
Specifically, you can rely on PrivateVPN for both torrenting and streaming, without paying a premium. It is, in fact, one of the most affordable options in its league and we love it for that.
Customer support may not be on par with bigger players but it's not like you should experience many problems anyway. You will get the same level of security and privacy as with other services, and a single license will let you run PrivateVPN on up to 6 devices. Pretty cool.
Do you really want a cheap VPN?
We don’t think you should be cheap on your VPN purchase. This is your privacy we’re talking about here, and paying a few extra dollars per month could mean the world. Literally.
What you should strive for is a VPN that gets you the fast connection with a proven zero-logs policy that it preferably audited by a third-party. And it shouldn’t break the bank.
Luckily there are such services out there and yes, we did the hard work, of testing many VPNs to come up with the list above.
Instead of being cheap on the price…
Be cheap by testing the VPN’s money-back guarantee…
Best VPN services offer money-back guarantees that typically last for 30 days. This gives you a full month to test out their service and only if it works for you, keep the account with them. Otherwise, contact support and ask to get your hard-earned cash back.
Some VPNs may ask you for an explanation, like what didn’t work for you so they could improve their service down the road. And that’s ok. Nevertheless, if you’re not 100% happy, we urge you to get that money back and try some other service. This, we believe, is how all of us should be cheap. There is no need to settle for less than stellar service.
But get the best possible service!
During the first 30 days (the money-back period), you’ll want to test the ins and outs of a VPN to see whether it’s worth your cash. There are many awesome VPNs out there, but every now and then, we hear someone is complaining about the service they’re getting. Therefore, you should test, test, test.
Try to see how a VPN works with Netflix or whichever streaming service you’re using. How does it work with BitTorrent? How about web browsing? Is it significantly slower while the VPN app is working in the background?
You don’t have to deal with any of that. It’s your money and you should demand the best possible service. Period. Which leads us to the final section…
Get a VPN for all your needs
You (all of us, really) need a VPN for many things and it doesn’t have to be expensive. In that sense, a good and fast VPN will:
- Protect your privacy from the government and big corporations
- Bypass restrictions imposed by the government or various organizations
- Change your IP address so you get unrestricted access to Netflix, Disney+, iPlayer, HULU, and other video streaming services
- Encrypt and protect private data from cybercriminals
- Download files with BitTorrent anonymously
The top contenders that check all these boxes include the following:
