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Fact Checked
A virtual private network (VPN) can be used to hide your data from hackers and other prying eyes. These networks encrypt your traffic so no one can see your activity.
Not all VPNs are created equal, however, and some can be quite costly. That’s why Forbes Advisor has compiled a list of the best cheap VPNs available today. Read on to find the right option for your needs and budget.
| Company | Forbes Advisor Rating | One-Year Plan Price | Money-Back Guarantee | Server locations | LEARN MORE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CyberGhost |  |
4.6 |  |
$41.94 (can get two years plus three months for $56.94, which renews at that price annually after that) | 45 days | Located in 91 countries | Learn More | On CyberGhost's Website | |
| Private Internet Access |  |
4.5 | |
$45 (can get two years plus two months for $56.94, which renews at that price annually after that) | 30 days | Located in 84 countries | Learn More | On Private Internet Access' Website | |
| Surfshark |  |
4.4 |  |
$41.86 (renews at $153.86) | 30 days | 65 countries | Learn More | On Surfshark's Website | |
| TorGuard |  |
4.2 |  |
$59.99 (or $9.99 per month) | 7 days | More than 3,000 | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review | |
| Hotspot Shield |  |
4.0 | |
$95.99, plus free option available | 45 days | More than 80 countries | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review | |
| VyprVPN |  |
4.0 | |
$60 | 30 days | More than 70 | Learn More | On VyprVPN's Website | |
| IPVanish |  |
3.7 |  |
$53.88 (comes with three free months; renews at $89.99) | 30 days | More than 2,000 | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review | |
| Bitdefender Premium VPN |  |
3.1 |  |
$39.99 (renews at $89.99) | 30 days | More than 4,000 | Learn More | On Bitdefender's Website | |
| Windscribe |  |
3.1 | |
Free; or $69 per year (for premium plan) | 3 days | More than 63 countries | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review |
To find the best cheap VPNs, we first looked at 17 different providers across 35 data points to narrow it down to the top five options. Each provider can score up to 55 points based on the following criteria:
We then weighted each criterion based on how important it is to a cheap VPN. For example, price is more important than customer support because you’re looking for a cheap VPN, not the best customer support. After scoring each provider, we ranked the scores to get our final rankings.
When looking for a cheap VPN, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you’ll want to make sure the provider has a no-logs policy. This means it won’t store or track your data, which is important for privacy.
You’ll also want to make sure the provider has a kill switch. This is a security feature that prevents your traffic from being exposed if your connection drops.
Finally, you’ll want to make sure the provider offers malware protection. This is important because VPNs are a popular target for malware and hackers.
Featured Partners
1
NordVPN
$3.49 per month
6
AES-256
2
Surfshark
$2.29
Unlimited
AES-256
3
Proton VPN
$4.99
servers to 4462+
protected by Swiss law
4
Private Internet Access
$2.03
Unlimited
AES-256
A VPN is a tool that allows you to change your IP address and encrypt your traffic. This makes it difficult for your ISP or government to track and block your traffic.
VPNs are also a great way to unblock websites and streaming services that are blocked in your country. They can also improve your online security and privacy.
One thing to keep in mind when looking for a cheap VPN is that you may experience some speed loss. This is because the encryption process used by VPNs slows down your traffic. However, the loss is usually minimal and won’t affect most activities, such as browsing the internet or streaming video.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The best VPN for you depends on your needs and budget. However, after a thorough analysis of the best cheap VPNs available, we determined CyberGhost is the best option across many data points. It scored 4.6 out of 5 stars in our review.
A cheap VPN is a great option for those on a budget. However, you may experience some speed loss when using a cheap VPN. Additionally, cheap VPNs may not have all the features that more expensive options have. Overall, a cheap VPN is a great option if you’re looking to improve your online security and privacy on a budget.
No matter the price of your VPN, there are many with encryption as strict as what the U.S. military uses, which is AES-256 encryption. Go with any of the providers on our list and you’ll have secure encryption.
One of the most popular use cases for VPNs is accessing streaming content in other territories. If a VPN offers service locations in a given country, there’s a good chance that you can access georestricted content. However, some streaming services do have anti-VPN measures in place, so your mileage may vary.
Technically, you can set up and host your own VPN on your home computer. It’s not the best idea to do so, however, because you’ll miss out on the main reasons to use a VPN. Connecting to a third-party VPN can change your location, which lets you access otherwise blocked content, and you won’t be masking your location with a VPN. Plus, a VPN requires a bit of bandwidth, which you likely don’t have with your home internet connection.
