The Best Cheap VPN in Sep 2023 [Affordable and Low Cost VPNs]

A VPN is the ultimate solution to secure your data, protect your device from online threats, and access unlimited geo-restricted services.

But who said it has to be expensive? In this guide, you’ll find a list of the best cheap VPN services that offer affordable packages for monthly and yearly plans!

Most VPN users, when on a budget, often go for free VPNs. But, not every VPN comes with reliable services. A free VPNs provider often steals data and throttles speeds and bandwidth. So, instead of going for a free service, why not invest in an affordable VPN?

The best part about the cheaper VPNs on our list, besides affordable packages, is that they also provide robust features, user-friendly apps, and much more!

Quick Overview of the Cheapest VPN Services

We’ve chosen these 11 low-cost VPN providers based on their affordable packages, robust security features, and the ability to bypass multiple geo-blocked websites and streaming services.

1. Surfshark – best and cheapest VPN that offers unlimited simultaneous connection
2. NordVPN – inexpensive VPN that offers top-notch security & privacy
3. LimeVPN – one of the cheapest VPNs on the market
4. PrivateVPN – offers secure servers and a budget-friendly VPN provider
5. PIA VPN – low-cost VPN for torrenting and P2P file sharing
6. CyberGhost – comes with thousands of servers at an affordable price
7. Hotspot Shield – cheaper VPN for streaming
8. StrongVPN – best-budgeted VPN that offers solid VPN servers
9. IPVanish – least expensive VPN provider that offers 40,000+ IP addresses
10. ExpressVPN – cheap and fast VPN service
11. VyprVPN – pocket-friendly VPN that offers easy and secure connection

11 Best Cheap VPNs for 2023 – Detailed Analysis

There are many inexpensive VPNs in the market, but we’ve chosen only 11 of the best cheap VPN providers that offer all-around services, reliable in-app features, and much more!

If you look below, you’ll find a detailed analysis of each provider, showing you what to expect. We start with:

1. Surfshark – Best and Cheapest VPN that offers unlimited simultaneous connection

First, on the list, we have Surfshark. It doesn’t need any introduction and is often placed on the top 5 list of best VPNs. However, at the same time, besides being one of the best services, Surfshark offers the most affordable prices for its yearly packages. Here’s what the prices look like:

• $12.95 for the monthly plan
• $3.99/mo. for 1-year plan
• $2.30/mo (Save 82% and get 2 extra months FREE with 24-month plan)

The Surfshark monthly plan is a little overpriced, however, the 2-year package is the cheapest at the moment and does offer more value for your money.

Along with an affordable yearly plan, Surfshark offers around 3200+ servers in 65 countries. You’ll find the majority of its servers optimized for streaming and torrenting. When we ran a few tests, we were able to unblock BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, 16 Netflix libraries, Hulu, and a lot more. The speeds were consistent throughout!

Just in case you’re planning on investing in Surfshark, and find the monthly rate a little overpriced, you should know that Surfshark allows unlimited device connections. That’s practically paying a few cents for unlimited devices.

This provider has apps for Windows, iOS, macOS, Android, and much more! Surfshark is one of the best VPNs for Xbox one and it supports routers, which means you’ll be able to connect multiple other devices to the connection that don’t support VPN apps; Smart TVs for instance.

Surfshark strictly follows no logs policy and offers great security features like an efficient kill switch, AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and multi-hop servers at the most reasonable price.

Other than Surfshark offering the most affordable prices throughout, did you know that you’ll be given the chance to test the VPN app first before investing? Surfshark offers a free trial for smartphones. You can also test the VPN during its 30-day money-back guarantee. Read our full review of Surfshark before buying this VPN.

2. NordVPN – Inexpensive VPN that offers top-notch security & privacy

After Surfshark, we have NordVPN. This provider is one of the more popular options, especially where VPN security, fast speeds, and unblocking abilities are concerned. It offers excellent security features like powerful kill switch, AES 256-bit encryption, etc at most budgeted prices. NordVPN is listed among other cheapest VPNs, mainly because of the affordable price of its 2-year plan. Here’s what NordVPN costs:

• $11.99 for the monthly plan
• $4.99/mo. for 1-year plan
• $5.29/mo (Save 68% and get 3 extra months FREE with 24-month plan)

The monthly and bi-annual prices are a little expensive, but the 2-year plan is extremely worth the money especially since this provider performs great!

It offers a huge range of server locations as you’ll be able to access 5200+ servers in 59+ countries that are optimized for streaming and P2P file sharing. In general, NordVPN unblocks numerous websites, apps, and more, from restricted regions.

We were able to access Hulu, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, Netflix, and a couple of others during testing.

If you require VPN protection on multiple devices, then you’re in luck since it is one of the best VPNs for multiple devices. NordVPN allows up to 6 simultaneous multi-device connections. It offers apps for Windows, iOS, macOS, Android, Firestick, Linux, and much more.

Besides being one of the best pock-friendly VPNs, it is one of the Best VPNs for small businesses as well. NordVPN allows you to test the app using its 7-day free trial for smartphones. You can even test the app for the first 30 days during the refund period. Even if you don’t like the services, you can always ask for a full refund! If you want to know more about this VPN then check our complete review of NordVPN.

3. LimeVPN – One of the most cheap VPNs on the market

LimeVPN is another cheap VPN provider that is not very popular but is quite adept at unblocking Netflix. The Hong Kong-based service provider is very cheap, and it currently offers two subscription plans:

• $1.49/mo for its 12 Months plan 
• $14.98/mo for its 1 Month plan

The 12-month plan offers a 70% discount and all plans are backed with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

So, what do you get at such a low price tag? In terms of performance and features, LimeVPN offers a small network of just 17 VPN server locations including Canada, the US, the UK, France, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, India, and Sweden.

Moreover, there are 6000 shared dynamic IP addresses with unlimited bandwidth and server-switching features. For data protection, there is corporate class 256-bit encryption with a 2048-bit key along with 8 VPN Protocols.

The supported protocols include PPTP, L2TP, IPsec, SSTP, OpenVPN, Softether, SOCKS5, and IKEV2. LimeVPN also offers a NAT Firewall, and Hotspot Wi-Fi protection for additional protection.

Another impressive thing about LimeVPN is that there is no third-party intervention, as all its servers are in-house. There are a lot of customizable security features as you can choose the cipher algorithm you want to use, along with SSL keys for authentication.

There are apps for various devices, and it allows 3 devices on a single account. You can find its apps for SofEther, and OpenVPN on its official website.

4. PrivateVPN – Offers secure servers and a budget-friendly VPN provider

PrivateVPN offers excellent security features and unblocks several geo-restricted services. It breaks into three plans, with its 13-month plan offering the most value for your money. Here’s what the prices look like:

• $9.99 for the 1-month plan
• $6.00/mo. for 3-month plan
• $2.00/mo. for 3-year plan (85% off)

The PrivateVPN network coverage has around 200+ servers in 60+ countries. You’ll find servers from the Asian Pacific regions and well as coverage in European countries.

These servers are optimized for both streaming and torrenting and rendered pretty great speeds. During testing, we were able to unblock many popular streaming services restricted to a few countries. They include the US Netflix library, Hulu, ESPN, Amazon Prime, and other websites like YouTube and Messenger.

Need to secure multiple devices? That’s great considering PrivateVPN allows simultaneous connections on up to 6 devices per subscription. You’ll be able to connect to your Android and other supported devices. Since PrivateVPN is compatible with routers, you can also add devices to the network that don’t support VPN apps.

Other than cheap price ranges, PrivateVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for you to test the VPN out. If you’re not happy with the service, just contact their support team, asking for a full refund. Of course, there are a few guidelines to follow regarding the procedure of the money-back guarantee.

5. PIA VPN – Low-cost VPN for torrenting and P2P file sharing

Private Internet Access is another renowned VPN in the market and has been a user favorite since 2010 because of its affordable price and great features.

If we jump right to the price, it offers three plans, with the best saving on its long-term plans that are as follows:

• $2.03/mo for 2 Years + 4 Months Free
• $7.50 for 6 Months
• $11.99 for 1 Month

With one of the largest server locations networks that tally thousands of servers, finding a reliable, uncongested server with PIA is super easy. These servers are located in over 75 countries, with more than 12,000 of these in the US alone. With so many servers, you should expect good speed no matter where you are located.

During our recent testing, PIA proved to be very reliable when it came to unblocking streaming services. US Netflix, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime Video posed no problem, as we could access them on our first try with PIA VPN. While trying to watch BBC iPlayer, we did face connectivity issues but were able to stream Peaky Blinders on our second try.

One thing PIA is mostly famed for is its support for torrenting. Alongside a wide selection of servers, and AES 256-bit encryption, It also offers an effective kill switch with Port Forwarding and SOCKS5 proxy making it a great torrenting VPN.

Overall, we were impressed with PIA considering its price tag, but a couple of negatives to note here are that PIA is based in the US and has not undergone an independent audit. Nonetheless, it proved its no-logs policy in court twice.

Another negative about this VPN is that it is not the fastest VPN out there. Its OpenVPN speeds are good, but WireGuard speed is relatively poor, as we experienced a 40% drop in speed.

Overall, PIA is a good bargain as at such a cheap price, it supports 10 simultaneous connections and a good performance that not many cheap VPNs offer.

6. CyberGhost – Comes with thousands of servers at an affordable price

CyberGhost is known as one of the cheaper VPNs mainly because it offers great value for money and at the same time offers exceptional performance throughout our testing.

This Romanian provider secures its users with great privacy features, fast streaming speeds, and even offers servers that are optimized for P2P activities. You can get all that and more by subscribing to its most affordable package. The CyberGhost plans break into 4 packages:

• $12.99 for the monthly plan
• $6.99/mo. for 6 month plan
• $2.03 for the 2-year plan (84% off)

If you take a closer look at all the packages, you’ll find that CyberGhost really does offer great value for your money. There are circumstances when most VPN providers are overly priced for their 1-year plans. However, CyberGhost offers great discounts on its 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year packages.

For a great value, you’ll receive access to large network coverage of 7700+ servers in 90+ countries. When you launch the app, you’ll see that its servers are labeled separately according to the streaming and torrenting services it helps us access. That isn’t what most providers offer. During testing, we unblocked Netflix, Hulu, Hotstar, and many others.

Also, along with a discounted price, you can protect multiple devices in one go since Cyber Ghost allows simultaneous connections on up to 7 devices per subscription. A few of the supported platforms include Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, extensions, Firestick, and much more.

Don’t feel like investing just yet? Well, you’ll be able to test the app, by using the CyberGhost 7-day free trial for smartphones, and the 24-hour free trial for Windows. If you don’t like the services, you could always ask for a refund since CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee service. If you are thinking to buy this VPN, read our detailed review of Cyberghost.

7. Hotspot Shield – Cheaper VPN for streaming

Hotspot Shield is a simple yet effective cheap VPN as the provider is now offering massive deals, matching Surfshark’s subscription plans. Here are the three plans that this VPN is currently offering:

• $2.49/mo for 3 Years 
• $7.99/mo for 1 Year
• $9.99/mo for 1 Month

Even though the best deal is available on its long-term plan of three years, there is a 45-day money-back guarantee to test the service. If you don’t like it, you can request a refund in case you don’t want to continue.

If we talk about Hotspot Shield’s performance, it is an all-rounder that covers all the bases with good encryption, kill switch, torrenting, and streaming support.

While testing Hotspot Shield, we were able to unblock various Netflix libraries including the US, Japan, France, and India. Apart from that, it also works with Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.

Moreover, it offers well-designed apps for various devices and is a popular choice for Firestick users. You can use it on Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, Android TV, and other devices.

In terms of protocols, Hotspot Shield offers its proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol that boosts connection speeds. Even though it is not a match for WireGuard, it’s still speedy enough for daily use. Overall, it is one cheap VPN we definitely recommend.

8. StrongVPN – The best budgeted VPN that offers solid VPN servers

StrongVPN is another contender for best-budgeted VPN because the service has improved vastly in the last couple of years. StrongVPN’s pricing plans offer great savings with free SugarSync cloud storage.

Currently, there are two subscription plans available:

• $3.66/year for 1 Year 
• $10.99/mo for 1 Month

While it’s not as cheap as Surfshark, the StrongDNS and 250GB of free SugarSync Cloud Storage make it a great deal for users.

StrongVPN offers more than 950 servers in 40 countries. Even though it’s an improvement in the last few years, it is still very less as compared to its competitors. According to our StrongVPN review, we found its server speeds to be quite reliable and fast.

On a 100 Mbps connection of our office Wi-Fi, we got a download speed of 81 Mbps, which was great for streaming videos in 1080p. We were also able to torrent a 1 GB file in 18 minutes, which was great.

StrongVPN is a capable service for streaming as according to our tests it works with US Netflix, Hulu, and Disney Plus. However, keep in mind that you might have to try a few servers before finding one that works with the streaming platform you are trying to unblock.

It comes with all the bells and whistles that a privacy-focused VPN offers with AES-256-CBC channel encryption, SHA256 authentication, perfect forward secrecy, and ChaCha20 encryption.

StrongVPN also offers a Scramble feature that obfuscates your VPN traffic, so you can easily bypass VPN blocks like the Great Firewall. It is a good choice for users in China.

One StrongVPN account supports 12 concurrent connections and there are apps for various devices. It is not the cheapest VPN on this list, but considering the features and its performance, StrongVPN is worth a try.

9. IPVanish – Least expensive VPN provider that offers 40,000+ IP addresses

Next on the list for an inexpensive VPN provider, we have a US-based provider called IPVanish. It’s popular for its unblocking abilities, mainly allowing users to access US content from anywhere in the world. IPVanish offers affordable prices that break into 3 plans:

• $10.99 for the monthly plan
• $5.32/mo. for the 3-month plan
• $3.99/mo. for the 1-year package (63% off)

If you come to think of it, there are many providers that normally charge a lot for their monthly plans. However, IPVanish offers budgeted prices for all of its packages, with the most affordable being the 1-year plan.

IPVanish offers around 2000+ servers in 75+ locations, all of which are optimized for streaming and P2P file sharing. So, besides being affordable, you can connect to these servers to unblock geo-restricted and censored services globally! And, yes, they work. It allows you to stream Disney Plus in Philippines, different libraries of Netflix, and other services easily. When we tested the VPN, we unblocked Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, ESPN, DAZN, Disney+, and much more.

Another reason why IPVanish tops the list of best VPNs is that it uses AES 256-bit encryption and allows users to make unlimited simultaneous device connections. You’ll be able to secure all your devices on the VPN in one subscription. To mention some of the supported platforms, IPVanish is known as one of the Best VPNs for Nvidia shield and offers apps for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Firestick, and a lot more.

If you require a little trial run, you’ll be able to test the app using the IPVanish 30-day money-back guarantee. You’ll be able to ask for a full refund during the 30-day mark if you’re not happy with the services. We have covered an in-depth review of IPVanish so you can know more about this VPN.

10. ExpressVPN – Cheap and fastest VPN service

Even though ExpressVPN is not quite as cheap as some of the VPNs on this list, it is hands down one of the best providers available today. Considering its performance and the features offered, the higher price tag is definitely worth it.

Speaking of price, ExpressVPN offers three plans as follows:

• $6.67/mo (Save 49% and get 3 extra months FREE with 12-month plan)
• $9.99/mo for 6 Months
• $12.95/mo for 1 Month

During our ExpressVPN review, we found the service to be the best in all aspects. With a wide range of servers (3000+ servers in 94 countries), ExpressVPN offers blazing-fast speed no matter which server you are connected to, or where you are located.

With so many locations, you will be able to stream plenty of Netflix libraries, as well as access BBC iPlayer, Hulu, ESPN+, Disney+, HBO Max, etc.

ExpressVPN apps are incredibly easy to use with a great interface. It offers AES 256-bit encryption and provides a wide range of protocols, including kill switch, split tunneling, and Perfect Forward Secrecy. It ensures maximum privacy while using a brand new key each time you connect, and changing it every hour, so no one can keep tabs on you.

It has dedicated apps for various devices, including mobile apps for iOS and Android as well. It is even compatible with routers. If you want to stream on your Apple TV, or other devices with no native support for VPNs, don’t worry as ExpressVPN also offers a MediaStreamer SmartDNS feature that only takes seconds to connect to your desired location. It provides great 24/7 support via email, live chat, etc.

The only downside is that ExpressVPN is a little more expensive than other services, but considering the features and performance offered, we reckon it is worth the investment.

11. VyprVPN – Pocket-friendly VPN that offers easy and secure connection

VyprVPN is a great service with feature-packed apps great for all online activities. However, the price tag leans toward the expensive side. Currently, it offers two subscription plans:

• $5.00/mo for 1 Year plan
• $10/mo for 1 Month Plan

It is a Swiss-based provider owned by Golden Frog, a company founded by internet founders Ron and Carolyn Yokubaitis. The provider offers a decent-sized server network with over 700 servers in 60 countries.

Even though the server network is pretty small, what we like about VyprVPN is that all of its servers are owned and managed by the company, with no third-party intervention.

On the security front, it comes packed with big guns including zero-knowledge DNS, WireGuard support, and a special Chameleon protocol that disguises your VPN traffic as normal HTTPS traffic to help bypass censorship.

Unlike most of its competitors, VyprVPN had an independent audit in 2018 to verify its no-logs policy. Furthermore, it supports AES-256-GCM and SHA384 HMAC for data protection.

Despite its small server network, VyprVPN is a good choice for streaming geo-blocked content. During testing, we could stream US Netflix, Hulu, and Disney Plus easily.

It supports up to 5 devices simultaneously if you sign up via its official website. It means you can share one account with your friends and family, to make the most out of your subscription.

Payment options are limited to PayPal and credit/ debit card only, and if you are not satisfied, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you want a refund. If compared with Surfshark, the VPN is not the cheapest option out there, but definitely worth a try.

Our Selection Process for the Best Cheap VPN Services

As some of the best VPNs in the market are incredibly affordable these days, when it comes to choosing a Cheap VPN, your selection criteria should not have any shortcomings. To help you pick the best option, here are a few important criteria to keep in mind while testing VPNs:

1. Price
2. Money-back guarantee
3. Logging Policy
4. Servers
5. Speed
6. Security Features
7. Unblocking Capability
8. Compatibility with Devices
9. Customer Support

1. Price

The best cheap VPN should offer various subscription plans with the best savings. The best way to get a great deal on a VPN subscription is to commit to a long-term plan. The longer the commitment, the cheaper it becomes.

2. Money-back guarantee

Most providers offer a money-back guarantee for their new users to help give them a chance to test the service risk-free. Make sure the VPN you choose offers at least a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can cancel and refund your money in case you don’t want to continue.

3. Logging Policy

Even if your primary concern for using a VPN is streaming or gaming, you should always choose a VPN with a no-logs policy. To shortlist our recommended affordable VPNs, we read out the privacy policy of each provider thoroughly to make sure none of the personally identifiable information is logged.

4. Servers

The number of VPN servers offered by the provider, along with the locations covered is very important. The most common use of VPNs is bypassing geo-restrictions on websites, so the more server you have the better the chances of unblocking content.

5. Speed

Make sure the cheap VPN is not compromising on connection speed. A fast-speed connection is crucial for gaming, streaming, torrenting, or general browsing. Naturally, VPNs tend to slow down your speed because of encryption, but the drop in speed must not be more than 25-30%. 

6. Security Features

Make sure the VPN offers industry benchmark encryption protocols with AES 256-bit encryption for data protection. An integrated kill switch, with IP leak protection, is vital to ensure your identity remains hidden in case of a VPN connection drop.

Some other security features to look for include split tunneling, obfuscation, double VPN, DNS leak protection, and more according to your requirements.

7. Unblocking Capability

If you are looking for an affordable VPN for streaming, make sure your chosen service can help you bypass geo-blocks on popular sites. It should work with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and other restricted streaming platforms.

The VPN should have a track record of content unblocking and should work with social media platforms, games, apps, and torrenting sites.

8. Compatibility with Devices

User-friendly apps that work on a wide range of devices and platforms are a must when it comes to choosing a VPN. The cheap VPN you choose should offer native apps for devices as well as simultaneous connections, so you can share your account or use it on multiple devices.

9. Customer Support

An important feature that people often overlook is customer support. Effective customer support is really important in case you face issues while setting up the VPN. Ideally, it should offer 24/7 support via live chat, email, and other methods.

The Best Cheap VPN Price Winner

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the best cheap VPNs and the winner in different categories like monthly subscription, annual subscription, and more.

Cheap VPN Providers	Monthly	3 Months	6 Months	1 Year	2 Year	3 Year
Surfshark	$12.95/mo	-	-	$3.99/mo	$2.30/mo	-
NordVPN	$11.99/mo	-	-	$4.99/mo	$3.29/mo	-
LimeVPN	$2.49/mo	-	-	$1.49/mo	-	-
PrivateVPN	$9.99/mo	$6.00/mo	-	-	-	$2.00/mo
PIA	$11.99/mo	-	$7.50/mo	-	$2.19/mo	-
CyberGhost	$12.99/mo	-	-	$4.29/mo	$3.25/mo	$2.29/mo
Hotspot Shield	$9.99/mo	-	-	$7.99/mo	-	$9.99/mo
StrongVPN	$10.99/mo	-	-	$3.66/mo	-	-
IPVanish	$10.99/mo	$5.32/mo	-	$3.99/mo	-	-
ExpressVPN	$12.95/mo	-	$9.99/mo	$6.67/mo	-	-
VyprVPN	$15.00/mo	-	-	$8.33/mo	-	-
Winner	LimeVPN	IPVanish	PIA	LimeVPN	PIA	PrivateVPN

Frequently Asked Questions

Are cheap VPNs unsafe to use?

No, technically, they’re not.

Most VPN users seem to have the wrong idea where cheap services are concerned. Not all great VPNs are meant to be expensive. In fact, there are times you’ll find a cheaper VPN more reliable and great in performance as compared to an expensive one.

All budget-friendly VPNs on the list above have been tested extensively, and they do indeed deliver the best performance. These cheap VPNs secure your privacy by offering great security features. Plus, they all offer money-back guarantee that is sure to be enough time to test the apps.

We were able to screen the money-back policy of multiple VPN providers to help our readers make the right choice.

How much does a VPN cost?

The prices of a VPN often vary. It depends entirely on the provider. However, there are quite a number of affordable VPNs that cost around $1.49 and $12 for monthly packages and can go up to $60 a year or two.

However, when choosing a cheap VPN in 2023, always go for one that offers a yearly or 2-year package.

Which is the best cheap VPN according to Reddit?

After multiple user reviews, and accumulated results, the best cheap VPN according to the Reddit community is Surfshark.

It offers an affordable price for its 2-year plan, and at the same time offers in-app features and performance that are much more reliable than many providers. And it comes with military-grade encryption, allows unlimited simultaneous multi-device connections, fast speeds, and great unblocking abilities.

All that and more are available at a pocket-friendly price of only $2.30/mo.

Can cheap VPNs provide quality and speed?

Yes, cheap VPNs do provide quality and speed, that is if you pick the right one. While some cheap VPNs offer poor connection speeds or overall quality of service, all options on this cheap VPN list are premium VPNs that offer the best quality for a great price.

Do cheap VPNs offer dedicated IP addresses?

Yes, some cheap VPNs certainly offer dedicated IP addresses, such as NordVPN. It offers dedicated IP addresses in the US, UK, France, Germany, and Netherlands. 

To Conclude

A VPN’s main target is to secure you online and allow access to multiple geo-restricted streaming services. However, what good is that if they’re not affordable enough to suit every kind of user?

All the VPN providers enlisted offer the most budgeted prices, and at the same time, maintain premium performance throughout. But, if we had to choose the best cheap VPN according to performance and other reasons, it would have to be Surfshark.