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Updated: Oct 28, 2024, 7:57pm
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 compiled a list of the best cheap VPNs available today. Read on to find the right option for your needs and budget.
When rating the cheapest VPN providers, our experts looked at more than 50 decision factors, from customer support to value. In deciding what points to consider, we prioritized things that we deemed important for small business owners. Data points we looked at for this best-of list included the following:
| Decision Factor | Scoring Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Expert Score | 20% | Our expert score was based largely on features and cost. Small business owners need a VPN that is able to include multiple devices, for instance, without adding exorbitant costs to their business expenses. We also assessed reputation, an indicator of trustworthiness, and ease of use, knowing that business owners don’t want to waste time with an overly complex tool. |
| Mobile | 4% | A mobile app can be convenient for business owners who do a lot of work from their phone or are often on the go. We scoped out the ratings in the Apple App and Google Play stores to see what real-world consumers had to say. |
| Support | 6% | If you experience an issue with your VPN, customer support is essential. We looked for diverse forms of support, including live chat, phone and email. We also considered whether there was an online knowledge base for self-support available. |
| Pricing | 48% | Business owners are always trying to keep overhead costs low. We thus considered the monthly subscription costs of plans paid monthly, annually and biennially. We also factored in how many users a subscription allowed for. |
| Security | 12% | The point of a VPN is to enhance security. We looked for the features that would allow this such as a kill switch, DNS leak protection and two-factor authentication. These are the features that can give a business owner peace of mind. |
| Privacy | 5% | A VPN is also supposed to provide privacy for online users. We assessed privacy features such as email protection and ad and cookie blocking. We also checked whether the VPN provider had been subjected to third-party audits, an indicator of a commitment to security. |
| Servers | 5% | A VPN with great server diversity can allow for more reliable, faster service. We considered the server locations and server count, as well as the availability of specialty servers, for example for gaming. |
Featured Partners
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NordVPN
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Surfshark
$2.49/month
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Private Internet Access
$2.03
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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 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.
Different business owners will have different needs in a VPN. For example, a solopreneur won’t require as many covered devices as a small business owner with multiple employees. That said, there are a few essential features to look for, regardless of your specialty needs. We’ve highlighted the most important factors below.
Shopping for a VPN can be confusing, as you’ll likely encounter terminology you’re unfamiliar with. Here are some essential features to consider:
A VPN should be simple to implement. Look for features such as a browser extension that allows you to quickly engage or disengage the tool. Another asset that simplifies VPN usage is automatic server selection. The VPN can switch which server you’re connected to based on details such as location, enhancing speed and consistency.
Real-world reviews from actual users can give you valuable insights into how good a VPN really is. Check out websites including Trustpilot, Capterra and G2 to see what people have to say. Keep an eye out for consistent comments between users regarding, for example, the quality of customer service or lag time. If you’re planning on using a VPN app, check the app store ratings as well.
| Lowest Paid Plan One-Month Price | Lowest Paid Plan One-Year Price | Lowest Paid Plan Two-Year Price | Free Version Available | Money-Back Guarantee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mullvad VPN | €5 (approximately $5.50) | €5 per month (approximately $5.50) | N/A | No | 30 days |
| Proton VPN | $9.99 | $59.88 for first 12 months (renews at $79.95 per year) | $107.76 for first 24 months (renews at $79.95 per year) | Yes | 30 days |
| IVPN | $6.00 | $60.00 (renewal price details not available) | $100.00 (renewal price details not available) | No | 30 days |
| NordVPN | $12.99 | $59.88 for first 12 months (renews at then-current renewal price upon time of renewal) | $96.93 for first 24 months + three extra months (renews at then-current renewal price upon time of renewal) | No | 30 days |
| Surfshark | $15.45 | $44.85 for the first 12 months + three extra months (renews at then-current renewal price upon time of renewal) | $59.13 for the first 24 months + three extra months (renews at then-current renewal price upon time of renewal) | No | 30 days |
| ExpressVPN | $12.95 | $99.95 for the first 12 months (renews at then-current renewal price upon time of renewal) | N/A | No | 30 days |
| Mozilla VPN | $9.99 | $59.98 for the first 12 months (renews at then-current renewal price upon time of renewal) | N/A | No | 30 days |
| Private Internet Access | $11.99 | N/A | N/A | No | 30 days |
| CyberGhost | $12.99 | N/A | $56.94 for the first 24 months + two extra months (renews at then-current renewal price upon time of renewal) | No | 14 to 45 days |
| hide.me | $9.95 | $45.00 every 12 months, renews at same rate | $59.95 every 24 months, renews at same rate | Yes | 30 days |
You don’t want to spend more than necessary on a VPN. Compare plans according to cost, considering monthly, annual and biennial pricing. Signing up for a longer-term plan can be one way to save some money. Some providers will offer a discount if you commit to a lengthier plan. However, make sure to read the fine print regarding renewals. Often, a long-term plan will start with a reduced rate and then renew (sometimes automatically) at a higher rate.
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 Mullvad VPN is the best option across many data points. It scored 5 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 geo-restricted 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.
