As more and more people travel and use public Wi-Fi hotspots, they are increasingly vulnerable to security threats. One way to protect your data is to use a virtual private network or VPN to mask your data from unethical hackers and snooping. These networks encrypt your traffic so no one can see your activity.
Not all VPNs are created equal, and some can be very expensive. That’s why a list of the 5 cheapest VPNs has been compiled. Read on to find the best one for your needs.
Surfshark
Surfshark has made a name for itself since its inception in 2018, and while it’s one of the newer services in the industry, the Nertherlands-based VPN has quickly cemented itself as one of the best. What’s more, while it’s cheap, it doesn’t skimp on features – not the least of which is security.
Fire up Surfshark and you’re protected by a full suite of security features, including OpenVPN UDP & TCP and WireGuard protocols, private DNS, a two-hop VPN using AES-256 encryption, and a termination switch. Best of all, there’s a zero-logging policy, so none of your data is saved anywhere, and Surfshark is the only true fake GPS VPN available – with a built-in GPS spoofing device to spoof apps and games.
Despite the excellent security, you can maintain a fast experience no matter where you are when using WireGuard, thanks to Surfshark’s 3,200+ servers in over 100 locations in over 99 countries/regions. The select servers also help provide excellent streaming capabilities with access to US Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more.
However, one of Surfshark’s real party pieces is its unlimited simultaneous connection policy. So even if you have 20, 30 or even 50 devices in your home that you want to protect with VPN, you can do it for less than $2.50 per month with Surfshark.
And, at this point, you can also choose the right app for a large number of devices. While they don’t go as deep as some of their more expensive competitors, Surfshark’s apps have a ton of features to meet almost all of the VPN needs of most users.
Private Internet Access
A service that fits its name perfectly, Private Internet Access has been around for years, but only recently has it really moved up our VPN rankings.
In our recent tests, we praised the quality of its clients and applications. Not only are they easy to use and friendly, but they offer additional features for anyone who wants to fully customize their VPN experience.
Its best pricing depends on whether you’re happy enough to commit over the next few years (and pay upfront for the privilege), but any doubts should be put to rest by the fact that PIA keeps improving.
On the streaming side, it keeps adding more and more services to its “unlocked” list (it has recently upgraded its games to BBC iPlayer VPN). Its recent redesign suggests – at least on the surface – that this is a provider that is investing in the future.
ZenMate
ZenMate is an ultra-popular, low-cost VPN service trusted by more than 45 million users worldwide. Its cheapest VPN subscription is $1.51/month for its 3-year + 3-month free plan and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
At this affordable price, you can get a large number of servers in more than 78 locations to bypass strict geographic restrictions. If we’re talking about its performance, we can easily download seed files and stream almost any blocked content we can think of, including Netflix, Hulu, NBC, Amazon Prime, and more.
In addition, ZenMate doesn’t keep any logs, which is perfect from a privacy perspective. This means that your identity will be safe when conducting any investigation. It also offers termination switches, DNS leak protection and split tunnels to ensure user security. Its Smart Location feature allows users to automatically connect to a preset location on the ZenMate extension when they visit a site.
Another cool thing about ZenMate is that it offers unlimited simultaneous connections. It is compatible with all popular devices and operating systems, including Android, i OS, Mac, Fire Stick, and Smart TV, so you can connect it to any number of devices.
Overall, ZenMate is the cheapest online free VPN solution. In addition to a money-back guarantee, you can try it for free for 7 days.
Mullvad VPN
At just 5 euros per month ($4.89 at the time of writing), Mullvad offers the features of a premium VPN service at almost half the cost, with a strong focus on privacy. Like IVPN, Mullvad VPN uses an account system that associates a small amount of valuable personal information with the account. This system also allows you to log in securely without a password. Along with IVPN, Mullvad VPN is one of only two VPN services we’ve seen that accepts cash payments sent directly to its headquarters.
Despite its low price, this VPN doesn’t skimp on features. It supports the WireGuard protocol across all platforms as well as multi-hop connections. Split tunnels are available on most of its platforms, giving you control over which applications use the VPN connection and which don’t.
With its commitment to privacy and advanced privacy features, Mullvad is sure to appeal to the most privacy-conscious consumers. In addition, its low cost and simple interface means that the barrier to entry for this VPN is well below that of its competitors.
NordVPN
If you’re looking for a VPN that you can use for a long time, then NordVPN is hard to beat. Considering what you get in return, it’s a good deal for a two-year plan. For starters, NordVPN offers fast connection speeds, second only to ExpressVPN (see our VPN speed comparison). Plus, with over 5,300 servers in 60 countries, the VPN service excels at bypassing geo-blocking and blackouts.
NordVPN also has a wide range of security and privacy features, including termination switches, darknet monitoring and ad blockers. There is also the very rare split tunnel, which allows you to specify which applications or URLs are protected by the VPN. The simple Nordlynx protocol is NordVPN’s version of the WireGuard protocol, offering an impressive combination of security and speed, and easier troubleshooting.