Best cheap VPN services in 2023

The VPN (Virtual Private Network) market is constantly expanding. This growth results in more competition among service providers and potentially lower consumer prices. Nowadays, some of the best VPN services are exceptionally affordable. 

Is it possible to unlock the numerous benefits of VPN technology without breaking the bank? Shockingly, the answer is yes! Simply choose one of our five cheap VPN providers and enjoy zero geographical restrictions, airtight online privacy, and top-notch security.

• Are cheap VPN services worth getting?
• Best cheap VPN providers: a detailed overview
• How we picked the top cheap VPNs
• Affordable VPNs for specific uses
• Should you use free VPNs?
• Conclusion
• FAQ

Keep in mind that all cheap VPN services in this article have a 30-day money-back guarantee. That means you’ll get a full refund during the first month of your subscription. If that’s not enough, you can utilize a free trial via various app stores for a risk-free test run. Alternatively, freemium VPNs grant no-cost plans if you want to get familiar without spending a dime.

Are cheap VPN services worth getting?

If you’ve been interested in virtual private networks long enough, you’ll know that these services come in various price ranges. Some are free, while others can cost around $10 per month. But is price a good metric for measuring quality?

A glance at the best overall VPN services shows that none of them are ridiculously expensive. Instead, they occupy a middle ground and vary between $3 and $5 per month when opting for long-term subscriptions. However, the features are quite extraordinary. It becomes abundantly clear that users should pay more attention to what features the VPN has rather than the price tag alone.

Of course, taking the word of VPN providers isn’t enough. It’s crucial to check independent sources who review VPN products. For example, we at Cooltechzone test virtual private networks vigorously before considering recommending them.

In this article, we’ve selected five best cheap VPNs that provide an exceptional price-to-performance ratio. They excel in connection speed, security, privacy, utility, and more. They have strengths and weaknesses, but these are your top budget-friendly options.

Best cheap VPN providers: a detailed overview

First and foremost, we had to consider VPN providers with affordable prices. Fully-free VPNs are out of the question because good products can’t thrive without paying users. After all, if you’re not paying a subscription, the service is most likely siphoning your data and injecting adware to earn a profit.

After that, we checked the essentials – connection speeds, server networks, encryption, and security standards. A slow internet connection is the most noticeable and frustrating issue a VPN can have. Luckily, it’s well-known which VPN tunneling protocols provide lightning-fast speeds.

And finally, we tested the numerous bonuses each VPN provides. In particular, I’m talking about streaming capabilities, anonymity features, device compatibility, and other extras. 

Ultimately, your choice will depend on your needs and preferences. Whatever they are, these five cheap providers give the most bang for your buck!

1. Atlas VPN

• 750+ servers in 37+ countries
• Unlimited device connections
• Swift connections using WireGuard
• Excellent security features
• Good free plan to get started

• Doesn’t support manual router configuration
• Free plan doesn’t unlock bonus streaming content

Atlas VPN is the best cheap VPN money can buy. It’s loaded with features that even some of the most expensive providers don’t have. Additionally, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee and even a free plan if you’re looking for a risk-free introduction to this provider.

Firstly, the Atlas VPN network contains 750+ servers across 37+ countries. These are further categorized by purpose – regular, streaming, or privacy. Regardless of which one you pick, blazing-fast connections are guaranteed with the open-source and modern WireGuard tunneling protocol.

Using the aforementioned streaming servers grants easy access to foreign Netflix libraries, US-exclusive Hulu, and other popular content-viewing platforms. Meanwhile, the anonymity features include SafeSwap for changing your IP address intermittently. If that’s not enough, Multihop+ will reroute your connection through multiple servers and periodically alter your location.

The top Atlas VPN bargains begin at $1.99/month. If you’re ready to commit, payment options include credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, and even cryptocurrencies.

Learn more about Atlas VPN by reading our complete Atlas VPN review.

2. PureVPN

• 6500+ servers in 78+ countries
• WireGuard-powered connections
• 10 simultaneous connections
• Quantum-resistant encryption
• Independently-audited no-logs policy
• Cheap 7-day trial

• Some features cost extra

PureVPN is the most-affordable VPN for digital security enthusiasts. The service provides otherworldly protection by utilizing quantum-resistant encryption to keep your online activities confidential now and far into the future.

This service boasts an impressive fleet of 6500+ servers in 78+ countries. Many of them are powerful enough to facilitate 20 Gbps connections. Combine that with the WireGuard protocol, and you won’t even notice that PureVPN is running in the background.

Excellent privacy is guaranteed thanks to this service’s British Virgin Islands jurisdiction. Any skepticism will fade once you hear about the always-on audit deal PureVPN has. Of course, this is the cherry on top of previous zero-logs policy audits. Lastly, customers can ensure an utterly confidential transaction by utilizing Coingate to pay for the VPN anonymously.

The one drawback of PureVPN is that some features, such as port forwarding and DDoS protection, cost extra. This explains the low $1.99/month subscription price. If you’re not sure about this provider, remember there’s a 31-day money-back guarantee keeping you covered. 

Learn more about PureVPN by reading our full PureVPN review.

3. PrivateVPN

• 200+ servers in 63+ countries
• Great for streaming
• 7-day free trial
• 10 simultaneous connections
• Well-rounded security features

• Doesn't have WireGuard

PrivateVPN provides a versatile VPN experience in a neat and affordable package. It doesn’t appear impressive at first glance, but its strength lies in its jack-of-all-trades skill set.

For starters, PrivateVPN runs a tight operation with 200+ servers in 63+ countries. The hardware is maintained entirely without third-party providers for complete accountability and better performance. Meanwhile, connections between users and the servers are facilitated using the OpenVPN tunneling protocol. 

Torrenting fans will be happy to hear PrivateVPN has port forwarding and doesn’t restrict P2P traffic. On the other hand, content connoisseurs can use this VPN to unlock bonus movies and TV shows on streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and many more. Plus, you can use one account to secure up to 10 different devices simultaneously, more than enough for a tech-focused household.

Get started with this service by investing only $2.00/month. If you’re not ready to commit just yet, take advantage of the 7-day free trial. After that, your subscription is protected with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Learn more about PrivateVPN by reading our complete PrivateVPN review.

4. Surfshark VPN

• 3200+ servers in 95+ countries
• Fast connection with WireGuard
• Limitless device connections
• Packed with excellent security and privacy features
• Excellent for streaming
• 7-day free trial

• Unaudited no-logs policy
• Some features cost extra

Although Surfshark VPN is slightly pricier than the other suggestions, it’s completely worth the extra investment. Plus, it’s a favored cheap VPN among Reddit users. The provider is overflowing with servers, grants top-notch connectivity, and has great device compatibility.

The Surfshark fleet has over 3200 servers in 95+ countries, the most diverse region selection of all cheap VPN services. Furthermore, it’s the only affordable provider with a 100% RAM-only network for unrivaled data integrity. Naturally, connection quality isn’t forgotten and kept ultra-fast with WireGuard.

This VPN will make the web spotless by keeping annoying ads and phishing attempts out of sight with the help of CleanWeb. Additionally, you can stay hidden from surveillance by enabling NoBorders mode. Meanwhile, IP Rotator makes it impossible to track you by constantly switching your IP address. 

Unlock these and other features by sparing $2.49/month on a Surfshark subscription. If you’d like a test run first, you can claim a 7-day free trial on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. After that, your subscription is still secured by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Learn more about Surfshark VPN by reading our complete Surfshark VPN review.

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5. NordVPN

• 5400+ servers in 60+ countries
• Proprietary NordLynx protocol for outrageous speeds
• Based in Panama
• Independently-audited zero-logs policy
• Top VPN for streaming
• 7-day free trial

• No router app
• Only six simultaneous connections

NordVPN belongs at the bottom of the cheapest VPN list when judged by price. But by all other metrics, it deserves to be on top. It’s mind-blowingly fast, exceptionally secure, and more confidential than a monk with a vow of silence. 

First off, the server network boasts 5400+ servers across 60+ countries. The majority of them utilize RAM-only technology to prevent any long-term data storage on hard drives. Additionally, the proprietary NordLynx protocol guarantees industry-leading download and upload speeds no matter what you’re doing online.

When NordVPN is enabled, all digital dangers are thwarted using Threat Protection. It destroys ads, online trackers, phishing attacks, and defends against viruses. Meanwhile, the nuisances of online surveillance and network restrictions can be annihilated using obfuscated servers. Plus, absolute privacy is ensured because this VPN had its no-logs policy audited multiple times by PwC.

Pricing plans start at a whopping $3.49/month and include a 30-day money-back guarantee. Potential buyers with doubts may use the 7-day free trial, available on the Google Play Store. Lastly, you can keep your subscription a secret by buying it anonymously with cash at a retail store.

Learn more by reading our complete NordVPN review.

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How we picked the top cheap VPNs

It should come as no surprise that price was the most important criterion by which we compiled this list. But not all low-cost VPN providers are worth trying. Below is an explanation of all the other aspects we considered and tested. Keep these in mind if you’re ever researching VPNs yourself.

1. Subscription price and trial options. Besides appealing prices, a worthwhile VPN should allow potential customers to test the service risk-free. With Atlas VPN, you have the free plan for that. Other providers typically offer a 30-day money-back guarantee or even a time-limited trial. 
2. Essential security features. A VPN is pointless if it can’t even hide your IP address reliably. This involves being ready for unexpected disconnections by having a VPN kill switch. Meanwhile, DNS leak protection keeps your true location masked while the VPN is running. 
3. Connection speed and quality. The introduction of WireGuard shook the VPN industry and allowed any provider to facilitate fast connections by implementing this protocol. We’re reaching a point where the few virtual private networks without this technology are left in the dust. 
4. Server network. The number of available servers influences traffic congestion, connection quality, and geo-block circumvention capabilities. Ultimately, it’s the backbone of any VPN service. Potential customers should check who owns the hardware and what’s the underlying technology. For example, is the fleet bare-metal, does it use RAM-only technology, and what’s the theoretical maximum throughput.
5. Privacy practices. Some could argue that cheap VPN services cut corners by collecting and selling user data. We picked providers with reliable privacy features and other confidentiality-ensuring practices, such as privacy-respecting jurisdiction, strict (or even audited) zero-logs policies, and anonymous payment options.
6. Device compatibility. A versatile virtual private network can be used on a wide range of devices. There are no limits if you choose a router-compatible VPN. Otherwise, consider your most important use cases and check if the provider supports those devices.
7. Customer support options. Even cheap services should at least have solid customer support options. Ideally, 24/7 live chat for quick and easy problem solving and an extensive list of guides for manual troubleshooting.

Cheap VPNs for Netflix, torrenting, and other uses

Perhaps you’re looking for low-cost providers to fulfill just one goal. If that’s the case, here are our recommendations for some of the most common VPN uses.

Should you use free VPNs?

The pinnacle of frugality would be using free VPN services. However, no-cost VPNs come with various frustrating downsides.

First, it’s important to distinguish between fully-free services and freemium providers. The first option doesn’t cost anything and promises the complete package with no strings attached. Meanwhile, the second option is a no-cost alternative to existing premium subscriptions. Unsurprisingly, it includes a few limitations, such as monthly data caps and bandwidth restrictions.

The problem with fully-free virtual private networks is they never clearly state what’s the catch with their services. Think about it, how can a free VPN maintain its network and keep software up-to-date without revenue? Developers need paychecks, and servers don’t run on hopes and dreams.

Their privacy policies show that they collect excessive user data and share it with interested parties (AKA: sell it for profit to ad agencies). Alternatively, they inject adware directly into the VPN and subject users to annoying or even malicious ads.

Meanwhile, freemium VPNs make their money from paying customers. The free plan isn’t meant for serious use, only as an introduction to the complete package.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. I think completely free VPNs shouldn’t be touched with a ten-foot pole. However, freemium services are a-okay. I recommend checking out Atlas VPN or Proton VPN. But if you don’t have the patience and can’t handle restrictions, consider grabbing a VPN with a free trial for temporary access to the full feature set.

Are cheap VPNs safe to use?

It’s understandable that people care if they can trust cheap VPNs. There are providers with the lowest price of below $2 and above $8 in the market at the same time. Some people think there must be some secret behind these figures because we know from many other spheres of life that when prices differ radically, the quality of the products will likely differ as well.

With VPN services, it’s not entirely true. In reality, their prices aren’t so different. Most 1-month subscriptions are available for approximately $9-$12.

The lowest prices, on the other hand, are determined simply according to marketing strategies. Just take a look at the terms of these cheap subscriptions: most of the time, they last for 2 or 3 years and sometimes, even for 5!

It’s nothing but marketing. But if the customer plays it smart, such a situation can be beneficial for them.

My professional opinion is that you can hardly judge the quality of a VPN based on its cost.

Furthermore, one shouldn’t fear cheap VPNs. Experience shows that the decrease in prices has been a common trend over the past 2-3 years. Some providers have lowered their prices, while some are yet to do it.

Conclusion

Cheap VPN services are viable but not perfect for every scenario. If you want a well-rounded VPN, consider spending more on the best overall provider – NordVPN. 

On the other hand, if money is tight, don’t hesitate to opt for the best cheap and effective service like Atlas VPN. It’s excellent for streaming and security, and even permits unlimited simultaneous connections. The most significant downside is that you can’t configure it on routers. 

Finally, free VPN users don’t need to invest monetarily, but the potential cost of leaked data is much more severe. If you’re totally broke, at least use a freemium VPN, but don’t expect any miracles in terms of features. 

Which VPN would you suggest to users with tight budgets? Tell us your favorite low-cost VPN and if it’s worth the price!

FAQ

What’s the best cheap VPN?

Atlas VPN is the best VPN you can get at an affordable price. It’s powered by WireGuard, has over 750 servers in 37+ countries, and allows unlimited device connections. It’s also a solid choice for streaming, capable of unlocking loads of foreign content. Best of all, a handful of reliable security features are also available. 

Are there any 100% free VPNs?

Yes, technically, some VPNs don’t cost any money. However, their features are unreliable, and you’re likely paying with your personal data. If you can’t afford a premium or even a reliable cheap VPN, consider using a free plan of a freemium VPN provider, for example, Atlas VPN.

Which VPN gives free 10GB?

Atlas VPN is the best free VPN with a 10 GB monthly data cap. The no-cost plan also offers 3 server locations (New York, Los Angeles, and Amsterdam), a kill switch, and other essential security features. However, customers can’t use it to unlock bonus content on streaming platforms like Netflix.

Is there a free unlimited VPN?

Proton VPN is a viable free VPN option with unlimited data. Since it’s a freemium virtual private network, most features are unavailable and server locations are limited to Japan, the USA, and the Netherlands.