The Best VPNs for Cheap 2025

We determined that Surfshark, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, PureVPN, and PrivadoVPN are the best cheap VPN services. 

Surfshark was our best choice for the penny pincher on a budget who seeks a high-quality VPN, thanks to its unlimited simultaneous connections. In fact, we think it's the best value VPN overall due to its price, performance, and perks. 

Thanks to its specialty servers and other unique features, CyberGhost was our pick for streaming and gaming. PIA helps bypass regional content bans in the U.S. as the only VPN to offer servers in all 50 states. PureVPN allows you to customize your VPN experience, while PrivadoVPN includes a nice choice of servers with its free tier. 

Read on to learn why we favored these VPN providers based on their affordable pricing, valuable features, and more.

The best VPNs for cheap in 2025

	Best Overall
Best for	Best overall	Best for streaming and gaming	Best for bypassing U.S. content blackouts	Best for customization	Best for free servers
Star rating	4.8 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.8 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.7 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.7 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.5 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Starting price	Starts at $1.99/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at $2.19/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at $2.19/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at $2.14/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at Free or $1.48/mo (billed every two years)
Server count	3,200+ servers in 100 countries	Unlisted servers in 100 countries	Unlisted servers in 91 countries	6,000+ servers in 65+ countries	Unlisted servers in 50 countries
Simultaneous connections	Unlimited	7	Unlimited	10	Unlimited
Extras	CleanWeb, Incogni, antivirus, alternative ID	Gaming, streaming & torrenting optimized servers, content blocker, RAM-only servers	Ad, tracker, & malware blocker, pCloud/Washing machine license, antivirus, corporate VPN	Tracker blocker, dark web monitoring, data removal, password manager, favorite app shortcuts	Ad blocker, parental controls, threat protection
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review	Get PIA Read PIA Review	Get PureVPN Read PureVPN Review	Get PrivadoVPN Read PrivadoVPN Review

Surfshark: Best overall

Who it’s best for

Surfshark is an affordable, reliable, and secure VPN service with a wide range of features, including unlimited simultaneous connections and security tools like antivirus and identity theft protection. It's ideal for the budget-conscious person seeking a cheap VPN provider but refusing to compromise on quality.

What we liked

Variety: Surfshark is the best VPN for the price because it offers a wide range of server locations to select from, allows for unlimited simultaneous connections, and can unblock and stream Netflix libraries around the world without any lag, all without breaking the bank.

Security: This VPN offers plenty of tools to keep your device secure. Surfshark uses AES-256-GCM encryption. Unlike AES-256, which only provides encryption for confidentiality purposes, AES-256-GCM encrypts and secures your data to remain confidential but also verifies its authenticity and integrity. 

For VPN protocols, it uses WireGuard, a modern, fast, and secure tunneling profile (and it's faster than OpenVPN), and OpenVPN and IKEv2.

Useful features: Beyond a kill switch, split tunneling, and other common VPN features, Surfshark VPN's subscription plans also comes with the following:

• Dynamic multi-hop (also known as a double VPN): This lets you connect to the VPN via multiple server locations at once for enhanced security.
• IP Rotator: Changes your IP address periodically without disconnecting you from the VPN.
• Smart DNS: Helps you unlock streaming U.S. content by changing the DNS addresses on your device from your local ones to Surfshark’s DNS servers based in the U.S.
• CleanWeb: Blocks ads, trackers, and malware and prevents phishing attempts.
• Surfshark Alert: Notifies you when your personal information is leaked online.
• Surfshark Antivirus: Protects against viruses, malware, and intrusive apps.
• Surfshark Search: Allows you to search privately with a zero-logs private search engine.
• Incogni: Removes your name and other personal information from data broker sites. 

Accountability: While Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands, a Nine Eyes alliance country, it successfully passed an independent audit of its no-logs policy. Deloitte conducted Surfshark's latest audit in January 2023. As per its no-logs policy, Surfshark only processes minimal user information to maintain its services; it doesn't collect or store any data regarding your IP address, browsing activities, or internet traffic data.

Flexibility: Additionally, Surfshark accepts cryptocurrency payments, making it a viable choice for anyone seeking extra privacy. It also offers responsive customer support 24/7 via live chat or email.

What we didn’t like

Inconsistency: Surfshark had some issues during our last round of testing. Surfshark's download speeds dropped about 41% during our speed tests when connecting to a nearby U.S. server. Our download speeds with U.K. servers were faster, which is out of the ordinary as far as speed tests go. However, during our most recent in-house testing, Surfshark's download speeds dropped less than 1%, which is very good. 

Surfshark specs

Price range	$1.99–$20.65/mo
Money-back guarantee	Yes, 30 days plus a seven-day free trial for macOS, iOS, and Android
Number of servers	3,200+ servers in 100 countries
Number of connected devices	Unlimited
VPN protocol	WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review

CyberGhost: Best for streaming and gaming

Who it’s best for

CyberGhost is best for streaming enthusiasts and gamers who want a fast, secure, and powerful VPN service. It has an extensive catalog of advanced security features, such as a global server network, 10-Gbps servers for fast speeds, and special optimized servers for gaming, streaming, and torrenting. Its content blocker helps stop malicious or disruptive ads while RAM-only servers wipe all data with every reboot.

What we liked

Speed: CyberGhost has 10-Gbps servers that handle high traffic volume while also maintaining speed. The optimized servers are specifically coded for gaming, streaming, and torrenting. Plus, the content blockers help speed up your device by stopping extra and possibly malicious scripts from loading during your online activity.

Customization: Our CyberGhost preferences are set to automatically connect to unknown networks. Like other top-quality VPNs, we were able to choose our protocol. While this might not feel like a huge deal, if your goal is streaming or gaming, you'll want a protocol optimized for speed.

Servers: We've touched on the variety of CyberGhost's servers, but feel it's worth noting again. First, the streaming, gaming, and torrenting optimized servers allow you to choose exactly what you want in a variety of regions. Whether you want to watch your U.S. HBO Max while vacationing in Mexico or play a game released only in the U.K., there are server options.

Additionally, the RAM-only servers wipe themselves clean of any data, even though it's not tied to your personally identifiable information, upon reboot. We also appreciate how many locations CyberGhost has on its roster.

What we didn’t like

Number of devices: CyberGhost currently only allows for 7, which is fine for an individual person, but families might need more. This comes into play even more if you and your family are all on vacation and trying to protect each of your devices. Most people take 2-3 each, and your CyberGhost simultaneous connections could quickly run out with a family of 3 or more.

CyberGhost specs

Price range	$2.19–$12.99/mo
Money-back guarantee	Yes, 45 days
Number of servers	Unlisted in 100 countries
Number of connected devices	7
VPN protocol	OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review

Private Internet Access: Best for bypassing U.S. content blackouts

Who it’s best for

Private Internet Access, or PIA, is the best VPN for anyone who lives in a state where certain content is banned. Since PIA has servers in all 50 U.S. states, getting around regional content bans while still maintaining a U.S. IP address is easier. Whether you want to participate in sports betting or watch geo-restricted online content, PIA has a server in a state where that content is allowed.

Additionally, it's very affordable, coming in at a low cost of $2.19/mo (billed every two years) if you select the two-year plan or $11.99/mo if you choose the annual plan.

What we liked

Server choice: Private Internet Access has servers in 91 countries, is reliable and fast, and has robust online privacy and security features. It's a fast VPN for torrenting, supports all popular BitTorrent clients, and has its own SOCKS5 proxy server. 

Security: SOCKS5 is an internet protocol that Tor uses. Since PIA supports SOCKS5, it can send the traffic through the Tor network instead of sending it from your IP address into the open network. PIA offers AES-128 and AES-256 encryption, WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec protocols, a kill switch, split tunneling, and more. Some of PIA’s top features for privacy and security are as follows:

• Dedicated IP addresses
• Multi-hop servers with Shadowsocks and SOCKS5 proxies
• Smart DNS
• DNS leak protection
  
• Port forwarding
• PIA MACE, which blocks ads, trackers, and malware at the DNS level
• Antivirus protection (premium add-on)

What we didn’t like

In a 5 Eyes Country: While PIA has many great features to offer, we didn’t like that it’s headquartered in the U.S. This means that PIA is part of the Five Eyes alliance, which includes the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand. Countries in the Five Eyes alliance have made agreements to share intelligence.

In other words, your data can be potentially collected and shared, which is a privacy risk to consider, especially if you're viewing banned content.

Private Internet Access specs

Price range	$2.19–$11.99/mo
Money-back guarantee	Yes, 30 days plus a seven-day free trial for iOS and Android
Number of servers	Unlisted in 91 countries
Number of connected devices	Unlimited
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPsec
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get Private Internet Access Read Private Internet Access Review

PureVPN: Best for customization

Who it’s best for

PureVPN is best for anyone who wants a customized VPN experience. When testing, we found that PureVPN prompted us as to what our VPN goals were. It then customized our experience based on whether we wanted streaming, security, personal privacy, to bypass censorship, crypto access, and more. If you have a specific need, PureVPN might be perfect for you.

What we liked

Servers: PureVPN has 6,000+ servers, which is a decent amount, especially for such an affordable product. The customization option meant that PureVPN would recommend servers based on our VPN goals. When we chose streaming, those servers were offered up first. Overall, we were happy not only with the selection of servers but also with the guidance provided on which ones would be the best for what we wanted to accomplish.

Streaming: If streaming is one reason you want a VPN but not the only one, then PureVPN might have what you need. Plenty of less expensive VPNs lack the ability to unblock streaming, but we found that PureVPN even worked with Netflix. Netflix is notorious for its VPN blockers, so having a less expensive way to unblock it is appreciated. Not all VPNs can unblock streaming, but PureVPN did without issue.

What we didn’t like

Add-ons cost: While not every VPN includes extras like data broker removal, data breach monitoring, and a password manager, quality VPNs usually do. We love that PureVPN has these extras, but wish they weren't at an additional price. If you want a full security stack, PureVPN might easily become pricier than what you're willing to pay.

PureVPN specs

Price range	$2.14-$19.95/mo
Money-back guarantee	Yes, 31 days
Number of servers	6,000+ servers in 65+ countries
Number of connected devices	10
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPSec/IKEv2
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get PureVPN Read PureVPN Review

PrivadoVPN: Best for free servers

Who it’s best for

PrivadoVPN is best for anyone who wants server choices while testing out the free tier of this VPN. Most free VPN tiers have 3 or fewer servers, but PrivadoVPN offers over a dozen. While we definitely recommend snagging a paid tier so you don't have any data limits, if you're in a pinch and need a free VPN download, you'll also get the option of a variety of servers with PrivadoVPN.

What we liked

Consistency: Not all software translates between operating systems with the same consistency. If you're using your VPN on an iPhone and your PC, the agent may look very different. PrivadoVPN is consistent across operating systems. There's no confusion or hunting for features when you can access them the same way from whatever device you're using.

Unlimited simultaneous connections: Unlimited simultaneous connections aren't as common, even in quality VPN programs. Whenever we come across a VPN that offers it, we always make sure to note it as a notable feature. PrivadoVPN offers unlimited simultaneous connections in addition to its other features, like a nicely sized server network.

What we didn’t like

Data limits: The free plan is nice and offers a lot of server options, but it caps your data at 10 GB a month. For reference, watching an episode of Game of Thrones or The Last of Us on your phone would take about 1 GB of data. This can add up quickly, which is why we recommend using PrivadoVPN's paid plans.

PrivadoVPN specs

Price range	$1.48–$10.99/mo
Money-back guarantee	Yes, 30 days
Number of servers	Unlisted in 50 countries
Number of connected devices	Unlimited
VPN protocol	OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, SOCKS5
No-logs policy	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?	Yes
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get PrivadoVPN Read PrivadoVPN Review

FAQs

Bottom line: The best VPNs for cheap

Everyone should be able to afford a VPN to encrypt their online activities. We think Surfshark is the best budget VPN overall because you get a ton of advanced security features like a top-notch ad blocker, real-time antivirus protection, and more at a low price.

Our top cheap VPNs are Surfshark for the penny-pincher who desires a high-quality VPN, CyberGhost for streaming and gaming, PIA for anyone looking to bypass regional content bans, PureVPN for the customization-focused, and PrivadoVPN for free server choices. 

With these VPN subscriptions, you can protect your device and your personal data from hackers and other cyber threats.