X
Tech
Why you can trust ZDNET : Our process

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.

Close

The best cheap VPNs you can buy

ZDNET's experts found the best cheap VPNs that offer security without breaking the bank.

Why you can trust ZDNET

ZDNET's reviewers perform extensive testing on the VPNs on this list. We test out connections through different countries, and run speed tests using speedtest.net to measure and compare results. We also test whether the VPN has any DNS leaks while connecting, which would potentially provide information to your ISP or other services about what sites you visit or your originating location or IP address. We evaluate how easy each service is to navigate via website and app, how well it works for streaming content, and its customer service offerings. All of these factors give us a view into how well the VPN works, and how secure it is.

What to Consider

+

Performance

+

Simultaneous connections

+

Security

+

Kill switch

+

Geoblocks and streaming

+

Platforms

+

Countries and servers

+

Trial length and price

Atlas VPN | Best cheap VPN overall
Atlas VPN Web
Atlas VPN
Best cheap VPN overall
View now View at AtlasVPN
Ivacy | Best cheap VPN for the long haul
Ivacy VPN
Ivacy
Best cheap VPN for the long haul
View now View at Ivacy
Private Internet Access | Best VPN for usability
Private Internet Access VPN Web
Private Internet Access
Best VPN for usability
View now View at PIA
Privado VPN | Best cheap VPN with a free option
privado vpn
Privado VPN
Best cheap VPN with a free option
View now View at PrivadoVPN
CyberGhost | Best VPN for money-back guarantee
Cyberghost VPN Web
CyberGhost
Best VPN for money-back guarantee
View now View at CyberGhost

You may be concerned about your online security but dread adding yet another fee to your monthly budget by signing up for a VPN service. 

Sure, there are free VPNs, but they often come with limitations and risks. It can be unclear how those vendors make their money and whether or not your data is being mined as it transits across the free VPN providers' networks. 

Also: The best VPN services you can buy

It's better when VPN vendors make money from their customers rather than from shadowy marketing enterprises, but sometimes, cheap or limited VPNs can operate by using the cash flows from paying subscribers. 

If you want the best protection, consider choosing an option from our list of the best VPNs -- but there are cheap VPN providers that can get the job done while keeping your data safe and don't require you to agree to shady data-sharing policies.

ZDNET has rounded up the top best budget VPN services. Our top pick is Atlas VPN, an extremely affordable VPN with a reasonable number of country and server options. 

Read on for the rest of our picks for the best cheap VPNs of 2024.

The best cheap VPNs of January 2024

Atlas VPN

Best cheap VPN overall

Atlas VPN featuresMoney-back guarantee: 30 days | Platforms: Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV | Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: Payment information only | Countries: 42 | Servers: 1,000+

Atlas VPN is an exceptionally affordable VPN -- and yes, it actually works well. It also doesn't skimp on privacy, and we were (happily) surprised that Atlas VPN enlists the services of an outside company to perform security audits. That's good practice.

Compared to higher-priced VPN providers, the number of locations offered by Atlas VPN is relatively limited. The company operates about 1000 servers in 42 countries, compared to the thousands of servers operated by more expensive competitors. 

Also: The best travel VPNs

We like that the company uses a warrant canary, which informs you whether or not the company has been asked to cooperate with government investigations. 

Atlas VPN frequently offers discounts and sales on its services. At the moment, you can spend as little as $1.64 per month if you sign up for a two-year plan, with six months of access thrown in for free. 

Atlas VPN Web
Show Expert Take Show less

Ivacy

Best cheap VPN for the long haul

Ivacy features: Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Platforms: Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Kodi, and more | Simultaneous connections: 10 | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: Payment information only | Countries: 70+ | Servers: 5,700+

Ivacy is one of the newer VPNs on the market and is worth considering if you want a set-and-forget VPN for years to come. 

Ivacy has over 5,700 servers across over 100 locations, a zero-logs policy, split tunneling, and utilizes the WireGuard protocol. However, you are limited to 10 simultaneous device connections. 

Also: The best VPNs for iPhone and iPad

Ivacy is compatible with many devices and operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Kodi, alongside Xbox and PlayStation consoles.

At the moment, Ivacy has a deal running for five-year plans. If you're willing to sign up for so long, you will pay the equivalent of only $1 a month. The company has also included a password manager. You'll need to pay extra for a dedicated IP, though. 

A one-year subscription will set you back $3.99, whereas you will pay $9.95 for a month of access.

Ivacy VPN
Show Expert Take Show less

Private Internet Access

Best VPN for usability

Private Internet Access features: Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Platforms: Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Linux, routers, and more | Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: Payment information only | Countries: 91

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a reliable, open-source VPN perfect for beginners as it is very user-friendly. While the company's one-month and six-month plans are relatively expensive, two-year subscriptions are very affordable.

ReviewPrivate Internet Access: A cheap, powerful, open-source VPN

PIA's VPN offers server connections in 84 countries, multi-hopping, split tunneling, ad and malware blocking, and encryption capabilities. PIA takes security seriously and operates a no-logs policy. Furthermore, the VPN's code is publicly available on an open-source basis, which allows anyone to examine the code. 

At the moment, the best price available for this VPN is $2.19 per month, with two months of free access added to the length of a two-year contract. Alternatively, a six-month subscription is the equivalent of $7.50 per month. A monthly subscription is $11.99.

Private Internet Access VPN Web
Show Expert Take Show less

Privado VPN

Best cheap VPN with a free option

Privado VPN features: Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Platforms: Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, and more | Simultaneous connections: Unlimited, 10 on a free plan | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: Credit card not required for a free plan | Countries: 48 | Servers: 65

Privado VPN is another choice if you are looking for a cheap or free plan. This Swiss VPN offers a comprehensive free option with support for up to ten devices -- but you are limited to 10GB of monthly traffic. 

The user interface is clean and easy to use, but beyond an inbuilt ad blocker feature, it lacks some of the more advanced features offered by VPN competitors in the market. Another point worth mentioning is that currently, there appears to be no evidence of third-party auditing.

Prices begin at $1.11 per month for two years of access (with three months free) and $1.33 monthly for an annual plan, rising to $10.99 if you want to try out the software for a single month.

privado vpn
Show Expert Take Show less

CyberGhost

Best VPN for money-back guarantee

CyberGhost features: Money-back guarantee: 45 days | Platforms: Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Linux, game consoles, and more | Simultaneous connections: | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: Payment information only | Countries: 100+ | Servers: 10,300+

CyberGhost is an affordable VPN that provides users with high levels of encryption, DNS leak protection, split tunneling, customizable security options, and a vast network of over 100+ countries. However, simultaneous connections are limited to seven devices.

Also: The best VPNs for streaming

Currently, the company is offering a deal on two-year subscriptions: $2.19 per month, with two months free. There's also an interesting option you don't often find with VPN providers -- a six-month plan for $6.99 per month. CyberGhost also offers a 45-day money-back guarantee for long contracts, which is more than most VPN providers. 

Cyberghost VPN Web
Show Expert Take Show less

What is the best cheap VPN?

Our top pick is Atlas VPN, an extremely affordable VPN with a reasonable number of country and server options. It will set you back only $1.82 per month. Plus, three months' extra for free is a bonus.

This service provides top-tier security along with unlimited connections, making it a potentially cheaper alternative to other top VPNs like NordVPN and ExpressVPN. Plus, you get a 30-day refund guarantee -- that's hard to beat.

Best cheap VPN

Best price

Free months?

No logs policy?

Simultaneous connections

Atlas VPN

$1.64

Six months

Unlimited

CyberGhost

$2.19

Two months

7

PIA

$2.19

Two months

Unlimited

Ivacy

$1

None

10

Privado VPN

$1.11

Three months

Unlimited, 10 on a free plan

 *Lowest price at the time of writing. Please note that prices may vary based on retailer and available promotions, sales, or discounts.

Which is the best cheap VPN for you?

The best cheap VPN for you depends on various factors besides price. If you choose a low-cost service, but you can't unblock the streaming services you want to use, then what did you really save? Start by asking yourself why you need a VPN. Then, test out a reputable provider that has high standards for security.

If you want to learn more about how VPNs work and how to choose the best one for you, check out our guide: What is a VPN and why do we need one?

Choose this cheap VPN...

If you want...

Atlas VPN

Top-tier performance and plenty of features. Atlas VPN has long stood as a top VPN provider that offers reliable, stable connections, security, and a competitive price point.

PIA

Private Internet Access is a cheap, powerful VPN powered by open source technologies, and well worth considering if you want an affordable subscription service.

CyberGhost

CyberGhost is another top choice for a fast connection in an extensive server network at a reasonable price. This VPN has a long money-back guarantee and is great for streaming.

Ivacy

The most affordable, long-term option. While a relatively new VPN service provider, Ivacy unblocks major streaming services and its current deal is for a five-year contract at only $1 per month.

Privado VPN

Privado VPN is one of the cheapest options and also provides a free plan. You could try out this VPN's free solution, as long as you don't mind the 10GB monthly traffic limit.

How did we choose these cheap VPNs?

Pricing certainly played a significant part when we chose these VPNs, but it's not the be-all and end-all when choosing the best cheap VPN. There are several cheap and free VPN services that aren't trustworthy. Saving a little bit of cash isn't worth putting your privacy at risk.

If ZDNET is going to recommend a VPN, it needs to meet specific, minimum standards, like having a kill switch, a reasonable data log policy, and no outstanding issues linked to improper customer data use. The server network range and capacity, money-back guarantee periods, privacy policies, and the number of simultaneous connections allowed are also important.

How do free months on a VPN contract work?

Free months, added as an incentive for users to sign up for a VPN service, are typically added to the length of your contract. For example, if you sign up for a two-year contract with three months free, you pay for 24 months of access and then enjoy an additional three months, for free.

Should I use a VPN on my phone or tablet?

If you want your data to be secure, then yes. VPNs offer protection no matter what kind of device you use to transmit and receive data. Before you commit to a VPN service, it's a good idea to test it out and see how well it works with all of your devices. The best VPN for Android may not be the same as the best VPN for iOS, and vice versa.

Can using a VPN get you cheaper flights?

A VPN may help you get cheaper flights by connecting you with foreign servers and hiding your IP address. But airline prices shift based on various factors, and the impact of changing your location could be negligible or at the very least, hard to confirm. 

It's worth trying to use a VPN to save money on flights. I've managed to score slightly cheaper long-haul flights by appearing to come from my destination country, for example, but the discounts haven't been huge. 

Does a VPN slow down my connection?

Let's be clear: Yes. Using a VPN will slow down your connection because your data is encrypted, decrypted, and sent through intermediate servers. Your online gaming experience might suffer. You might have enough lag to miss shots if you're a first-person shooter player. That said, both computers and VPNs have gotten much faster. Years ago, VPNs caused everything to slow down far more than today's services.

But now the negative impact is almost unnoticeable, especially with the fastest VPN services. Most (but not all) VPN providers also limit the number of devices you can connect to simultaneously, so you may have to pick and choose which home devices to connect to.

What's the best free VPN service?

We've shone a spotlight on paid services in this article, although some of them offer a free tier. We don't usually recommend free VPN services because we don't consider them secure, the exception being ProtonVPN. 

Running a good VPN service requires hundreds of servers worldwide and a ton of networking resources -- it's expensive. If you're not paying to support that infrastructure, who is? Probably advertisers or data miners. What's the point of a VPN if it doesn't keep your data secure? 

However, we want to clarify that no one tool can guarantee your privacy. First, anything can be hacked. Second, a VPN protects your data when it transits from your computer to the VPN service, but it doesn't protect what you put on servers or whatever cloud-based application you're using. It doesn't typically offer password security or multi-factor authentication unless you pay for these add-ons. Privacy and security require you to be diligent throughout your digital journey, and VPNs, while helpful, are not a miracle cure. 

Are there alternative VPNs worth considering?

There is no shortage of reputable VPNs that get the job done.

If what has been highlighted here doesn't suit your needs, you can try out other services that may meet your requirements. Some may be free, even -- with limited capacity and network scope -- whereas others are still cheap, but might not perform quite as well as our top picks. Below, you can check out other VPNs that are worth consideration.

View at SurfsharkView at MullvadView at ProtonVPN
Editorial standards