A virtual private network (VPN) can be an important tool for protecting your privacy and security online. But with so many VPN services out there, how do you know which one to choose and how much you should reasonably expect to pay?
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll break down the pricing and costs associated with VPNs, including:
- Average monthly and yearly costs
- Factors that affect pricing
- Whether cheap VPNs are worth it
- If free VPNs are secure options
- Tips for getting VPN deals and saving money
- Key features to look for when comparing VPNs
Contents
Average VPN Pricing Per Month
Most popular VPN services charge between $5-$15 per month for an individual plan if paying month-to-month. However, you can often get much lower rates by signing up for a longer subscription term.
Here‘s a look at the monthly pricing for some top VPNs:
- ExpressVPN: $12.95/month
- NordVPN: $11.99/month
- Surfshark: $12.95/month
- Private Internet Access (PIA): $9.95/month
- CyberGhost: $12.99/month
- IPVanish: $10.99/month
The average cost tends to be around $10 per month. However, signing up for 6 months to a year usually drops the monthly cost to $5-$8 on average.
For example, ExpressVPN costs $12.95 month-to-month but only $8.32/month if you pay for a full year upfront. The longer you prepay, the more you can potentially save per month.
What Impacts VPN Pricing?
Several key factors account for why some VPN services cost more than others:
Brand Reputation & Reviews
More well-known VPNs with excellent reviews and word-of-mouth tend to be priced higher than less popular services. For example, ExpressVPN and NordVPN are two of the most highly-rated and recommended VPNs, which is reflected in their above-average pricing.
Number of Server Locations
Having servers in more locations generally costs more for a VPN provider to maintain. VPNs with the most server locations (like ExpressVPN with 3,000+ servers in 94 countries) usually price higher than less expansive networks.
Speed & Performance
Faster VPN connections require more robust infrastructure investments, especially if a service has lots of users. VPNs known for reliably fast speeds often price higher as a result.
Extra Security Features
Advanced features like malware/ad blocking, a kill switch to prevent data leaks, and double encryption via multi-hop connections add overhead costs that lead to higher pricing for VPN providers offering them.
Simultaneous Connections
Allowing users to connect multiple devices to a VPN account is convenient but requires more resources. VPNs permitting five, seven, ten or even unlimited device connections typically price higher than those limiting accounts to just one or two connections.
Customer Support
Good customer service—including 24/7 live chat, extensive troubleshooting guides, quick response times, etc.—is surprisingly costly for VPN companies. Those known for excellent support often factor those expenses into pricing.
Are Cheap VPNs Worth It?
When it comes to security software like VPNs, generally you get what you pay for. However, not every cheap VPN is necessarily bad, and not every expensive VPN is automatically better.
For example, some cheaper VPNs like Surfshark ($2.30/month for two years) and Private Internet Access ($2.19/month for three years) still offer robust privacy protections, lots of servers, good speeds and helpful customer service.
The key is looking beyond just the price tag and reviewing each VPN‘s specific pros, cons and features. A very cheap VPN could be worth it if:
- It comes from a reputable provider with positive reviews
- It offers military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, etc.
- It has a decent-sized server network (500+ in 50+ countries ideal)
- It permits multiple device connections
- It has good speeds for streaming, torrenting, etc.
- It offers 24/7 live chat support
However, the cheapest VPN options often cut corners on security, server coverage, and speeds. Avoid any VPN with sketchy privacy policies, tiny server networks, poor reviews, or restrictive data caps. Paying a little more often provides much better protection and performance.
Are Free VPNs Secure?
Free VPN services do exist, but they come with some big caveats. While tempting, free VPNs often:
- Have very small server networks with limited locations
- Set low monthly data caps (500MB – 2GB typically)
- Have slow speeds that hinder streaming
- Lack advanced security features
- Have minimal customer support options
- Gain revenue by collecting & selling user data
Many free VPNs log user activity and sell that data to third parties to generate income. They may also show ads in the apps or software clients to earn money since they aren‘t charging subscriptions.
Some trustworthy VPN providers like ProtonVPN and TunnelBear offer free versions of their paid service. These maintain the strong encryption and privacy standards of paid plans, but limit you to just a few server locations and slower speeds.
Ultimately, avoiding data harvesting and getting full-featured service means paying for a premium VPN. But free VPNs work in a pinch if you just need basic encryption and don’t mind limited speeds or server selection.
Tips to Save Money on VPN Services
The good news is there are easy ways to get VPN protection at the lowest possible cost:
Choose Longer Subscription Plans
Signing up for 12 months, 2 years or even 3 years upfront offers massive savings over paying monthly. For example, Surfshark costs $12.95/month month-to-month but only $2.49/month on its two-year plan.
Look for Special Discounted Pricing
Many VPNs periodically offer deals like pricing as low as $2.99-$3.99 per month on multi-year plans, so check sites like BestVPNDeals for current promotions.
Use a VPN Deal Finder
Comparison tools like VPNCoupons.com scan for the latest coupon codes and VPN discounts automatically to save you time hunting for deals.
Consider VPN Bundles
Some VPNs offer discounted pricing when bundling plans across multiple services. For example, a bundle with a password manager or cloud storage provider can lower your total cost.
Change Billing Currency
Paying in certain currencies like Euros, Pounds or Australian Dollars may be cheaper than USD pricing based on exchange rates.
Leverage Refund Guarantees
Most VPNs offer 30-day money-back guarantees. Sign up, test out the VPN, and if performance is lacking, get a refund before the trial ends.
Check for Student Discounts
Lots of VPN providers offer discounted pricing for students, normally around 20%-25% off. Having a .edu email address is typically necessary to qualify.
By combining one or more money-saving tactics, you can drastically cut the amount you have to pay for VPN protection.
What to Look for in VPN Pricing & Plans
When comparing VPN options, keep an eye out for these key features regardless of pricing:
- Strong encryption (AES-256, 4096-bit RSA ideal)
- Strict no-logs policy
- Kill switch feature to prevent data leaks
- Malware/ad blocking for safer web browsing
- Unlimited bandwidth so you never have to worry about caps
- 5-10 simultaneous connections to cover all devices
- Apps for all major platforms (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, etc.)
- 30-day money-back guarantee for risk-free testing
- 24/7 live chat support in case issues arise
Also look for network size and server locations relevant to your use:
- 500+ servers in 50+ countries for basic worldwide access
- 1,000+ servers in 70+ countries to avoid congestion
- 3,000+ servers in 90+ countries for optimal streaming & torrenting
Top-tier VPNs like ExpressVPN check all the feature and network boxes, explaining their higher (but worthwhile) pricing.
Prioritize those core aspects over minor bells & whistles when comparing VPN options to make the best choice for your needs and budget.
The Bottom Line
A quality VPN that protects your privacy doesn‘t have to be prohibitively expensive. While prices vary across providers, you can snag a top VPN for as little as $2-$5 per month if you prepay for 1-2 years during a sale.
Avoid free VPNs and ultra-cheap services with shady privacy practices or tiny networks. But don’t assume high pricing equals the best choice either. Focus on core security features, server coverage, and tester reviews instead of just price tags when shopping for a VPN.
With the right promo deal on a reputable top-tier VPN like ExpressVPN, Surfshark or NordVPN, you can securely mask your internet traffic for just a few bucks a month.
