The Best Cheap VPN in 2024 (2024)

The best cheap VPNs have come a long way in the last few years. No longer are they unreliable knock-offs of more expensive products – now, some of the very best VPN services cost less than $2 month.

VPNs work by sending your internet traffic through its own encrypted servers before you connect to any website. This hides your activity from any snoopers, and can also virtually relocate you to almost anywhere in the world. However, there are still a lot of dodgy cheap VPNs out there that could pose a risk to your privacy, so doing your research is absolutely vital. That's why I've got hands-on and reviewed dozens of popular providers, testing every feature to make sure they're worth your money.

You can keep reading for my in-depth list of all the best budget VPNs available today. If you just want to know which providers offer the best value for money, though, simply pick from my top 3 directly below:

The 3 best cheap VPNs at a glance

The best cheap VPNs in 2024

All of the following cheap VPNs have been rigorously tested and reviewed by the Tom's Guide VPN team, and I'm confident in recommending them as safe, effective, and good-value tools for staying more private online and unblocking restricted content.

Surfshark: the very best cheap VPN today

Surfshark has made a real name for itself since its inception in 2018. While it's one of the newer services in the industry, the Netherlands-based VPN has quickly cemented itself as one of the very best, ranking #3 overall regardless of price in my Surfshark review. What's more, although it's undeniably a cheap VPN, it doesn't scrimp on features – the most important of which is security.

Packing 3,200 servers in a huge 100 countries, Surfshark has great global range, and no matter where you are in the world, there's bound to be a speedy server nearby.

Fire up the app, and you'll be protected by the full roster of security features you'd expect from any VPN worth its salt. Built around AES-256 encryption, your data is protected by an uncrackable algorithm, and you'll also have a kill switch to stop your IP address from leaking should the VPN cut out at any time.

It's worth noting that in my review, I managed to slightly break the kill switch – although unless you're going to be messing around with root processes, this is very unlikely to happen in actual use. This is worth noting, though, since rivals ExpressVPN and NordVPN were untroubled by the same tests.

> Head to the Surfshark website to test out the best cheap VPN

OpenVPN (UDP & TCP) and WireGuard protocols come as standard. While WireGuard is now the default and what the vast majority of users will stick with, it's good to have some options. The legacy OpenVPN still has its uses, especially when trying to avoid detection on networks that ban VPN use, and Surfshark's Camouflage Mode still implements it.

Unblocking global streaming content is now one the most sought-after VPN abilities, and Surfshark is up there with the very best. Featuring on both my streaming and Netflix VPN guides, you'll be able to unblock a huge amount of content, from free live sports streams to global platforms like BBC iPlayer, 10Play, ITVX and many more.

Buffering isn't an issue either, since Surfshark proved to be one of the very fastest VPNs I've ever used. Delivering over 950 Mbps on my 1Gbps line in testing, it's clear that Surfshark has the performance to max out just about any connection you're likely to connect to.

The final bonus is that Surfshark allows subscribers to install and use the apps on unlimited devices. This is far more generous than many more expensive rivals, and really adds value, especially for families and friends.

Overall, Surfshark is a very premium VPN that just happens to have a bargain basem*nt price tag. If you're looking for the very best provider, I'd usually steer you towards NordVPN – but in truth, Surfshark sacrifices very little.

Private Internet Access: affordable customisation

Just like with Surfshark, calling Private Internet Access a 'cheap VPN' feels like it's doing the veteran provider a disservice. Yes, it's an absolute bargain with prices hovering around the $2-a-month mark, but it's also one of the best services I've reviewed – and has been for a long time.

Headline figures that include over 10,000 servers in 91 countries worldwide, with at least one in each state of the US, show that PIA is no bargain basem*nt throwaway, and over the years it's proved itself to take its customers' privacy seriously. In fact, it's the only VPN provider that's had its zero-logging policy proved in court not once, but twice.

It has all the basics like AES-256 encryption and a kill switch covered, but VPN aficionados will also appreciate the inclusion of more niche features like port forwarding – making PIA an excellent torrenting VPN.

In my Private Internet Access review, I also found that PIA's browser extensions were a cut above, offering tons of functionality not often found in other Chrome VPNs.

> Head to the Private Internet Access to test out this quality cheap VPN

PIA also proved pretty useful when it came to unblocking streaming services, with US Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime posing no problem. As an improvement from last time, it also works as a BBC iPlayer VPN, which will appeal to Brits abroad. However, a few less popular Netflix locations were unavailable

It's worth noting that PIA isn't perfect. In my last round of speed testing, WireGuard speeds peaked at around 360 Mbps, which is mid-pack at best. The likes of Surfshark, ExpressVPN and NordVPN are much faster.

It's also worth noting that while the apps are seriously powerful, they're not exactly simple, which could prove a challenge for newbies to VPN. However, if you're keen to explore things like port forwarding and connection automation, there aren't a lot of providers that come close to PIA's customization.

While Surfshark may offer a slightly better service for those looking for an ultra-simple experience, Private Internet Access is affordable, secure, and perfect for experts.

PureVPN: the cheapest VPN worth considering

Thanks to its incredibly cheap introductory deal, PureVPN is easily the cheapest VPN worth actually using right now. While in my PureVPN review it didn't match up to the likes of Surfshark, PIA, NordVPN or ExpressVPN, it's still a reliable provider that I'm happy recommending.

Like all good VPNs, PureVPN is based around AES-256 encryption and has an audited zero-logging policy – so even if it's ordered to share your activity, it won't have anything to divulge.

It apps are also fairly easy to use, but it's worth noting that they're not as intuitive as Surfshark, and there are a few UX issues I'd love to see remedied. What's more, the Mac VPN app is pretty thin in terms of features compared to the Windows VPN option.

Let's get to the meat of it, though – PureVPN is offers incredible deals on its 5-year and 1-year plans.

If you fancy bagging the cheapest monthly price, the 5-year plan is just $1.83 a month, which is $109 all-in.

For those looking for shorter-term cover, the 1-year plan will be more appealing. At $1.99 a month, or about $25 all-in, it's pretty eye-catching, and what's more, Tom's Guide readers will also get PureKeep, PureVPN's password manager, for free.

Of course, if PureVPN was a load of rubbish, I wouldn't even suggest you consider it, but in practice it's quite capable. In terms of streaming performance, you'll be able to unblock iPlayer from outside the UK along with Netflix, Amazon, and Disney+, and while simple, the apps will keep you private and secure.

Speeds are a little lower than the very fastest, coming in at 650Mbps, which is good but not exactly groundbreaking. However, that won't affect usage in practice. For the price, PureVPN is an incredible deal and is well worth testing out.

Other cheap VPNs I've tested

CyberGhost is a Romanian-based VPN service that offers a staggering 9,000+ servers across more than 90 countries – which gives you tons of scope for finding a quality connection anywhere in the world.

Like all the rest, CyberGhost uses super secure AES-256 encryption, and also offers a number of protocols, including the ubiquitous OpenVPN and WireGuard. It doesn't stop there, though. You'll also get automated HTTPS redirection and optional data compression for when on mobile – find out more in my full CyberGhost VPN review.

Since its update to CyberGhost 8, the apps have been greatly improved, and they're now a pleasure to use. Simple connection options mean that beginners will find it easy to get going, while there are a good few options for more advanced users to get stuck into.

> Head through to CyberGhost's website to check out the latest deals

CyberGhost has positioned itself as a streaming VPN, and in my testing it performed pretty well. With access to plenty of services like Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Hulu and HBO Max, there's plenty to choose from, and the apps themselves offer dedicated servers and a smart filtering system to get the best results.

However, it does lag behind the very best, as I was unable to unblock Netflix UK and Disney+. It'll be worth considering if you're going to want to watch any of these – if so, I recommend Surfshark as the best cheap VPN for streaming.

When it comes to connection speeds, CyberGhost has lost a little ground. In my last round of testing it peaked at 630Mbps when using WireGuard, and while this isn't slow by any means, a year or two ago it was one of the fastest. However, be aware that speeds can fluctuate day to day, and while I spread my testing over a number of days and times, you may get different results.

Although CyberGhost isn't quite up there with the best, it's a fantastic choice for those looking to stream and torrent without breaking the bank – and you'll also be covered by an unusually long 45-day money-back guarantee, so you'll be able to test it thoroughly before committing.

Ivacy is well-known to be an absolute bargain, and it would be remiss of me not to include it in my best cheap VPN guide. It's one of the few VPNs that includes antivirus that detects and blocks malware threats as you securely browse online.

My tests show you'll be well protected using this VPN, and it's well-suited for day-to-day use. Its top seeds reached 630Mbps in my last round of testing. This is decent, though there are other providers, like Surfshark, that are considerably faster.

When you connect to Ivacy, you have the option to be automatically connected to the fastest available server, or choose one yourself. There are over 5,700 servers located in more than 100 countries, so you're sure to find the best one for your situation.

If you travel away from home, you can use Ivacy to unblock your TV streaming accounts to watch your favorite shows. During testing, I was able to unlock Netflix in the United States, Australia, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Hulu, Amazon, and Disney+ are also accessible.

However, it's not all good news. In my full Ivacy review, I noticed a few issues with the apps. First off, the kill switch wasn't rock-solid, and this risks your data leaking should the VPN drop its connection. The apps themselves are also just a little troublesome, and privacy experts won't like the fact that the service hasn't been externally audited.

Ivacy's biggest draw is its price, and it has one of the best long-term plans that starts at just over $1 per month. However, you are locked into a 5-year commitment. Its monthly plan is a bit hefty at $9.95, though the 1-year plan is reasonably priced at around $4 per month.

With each plan, you are given a money-back guarantee, but the terms of this guarantee vary. You get 30 days to check out the 5 and 1-year plans, but only 7 days to back out of a monthly plan.

Tested by

These are the experts who have tested, reviewed, and ranked the best cheap VPNs in this guide:

How to choose a cheap VPN

Just because you're looking for a cheap VPN doesn't mean you should compromise on features, performance, or privacy. Some of the best value VPNs are far better than providers twice their price.

The most important step is considering what you plan on using your VPN for. Are you a TV addict who wants more content from around the world? An excellent VPN for streaming like Surfshark will likely fit the bill. Do you want your chosen provider's no logs policy to have been proven in court? PIA might appeal more.

It's also important to be aware of your expertise. Some VPNs are more complex than others, so if you're a newbie, it might be worth forgoing advanced customization for a simple and effective solution that you know is just going to work.

For most people, I think Surfshark fits the bill – it's cheap, simple to use, very secure and also offers plenty of extra features that experts will appreciate. I've also written up a guide on how to use a VPN if you want a concise explanation.

Cheap VPN FAQ