The Best Cheap VPNs (2026)
Big-name VPNs for under $4 a month.
Our picks
Surfshark is the cheapest paid VPN here at $2.49 a month on the 2-year plan ($67.23 up front for 27 months), and it's the only one that…
If you only need a VPN now and then, Proton's free plan has no data limit, though it covers just one device.
AdGuard VPN comes from the makers of the AdGuard ad blocker.
Get AdGuard VPNYou don't need to pay $10 a month for a good VPN. Surfshark costs $2.49 a month and covers unlimited devices.
VPN prices are confusing on purpose: the headline monthly price only applies if you pay for two years up front, and renewal prices are higher. We lined up each provider's real up-front cost, device limit and refund policy, scored them on the same five criteria, and ranked them.
Surfshark One
Surfshark is the cheapest paid VPN here at $2.49 a month on the 2-year plan ($67.23 up front for 27 months), and it's the only one that lets you connect unlimited devices, so one subscription covers the whole household. The One plan adds extra security tools on top of the VPN.
Why we like it
- Lowest price: $2.49/mo
- Unlimited devices
- 3 extra months free
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Watch out for
- Best price needs a 2-year commitment
- Renewal price not shown up front
- Up-front cost
- $67.23 for 27 months
- Devices
- unlimited
- Refund
- 30 days
NordVPN Basic
NordVPN is the biggest name in VPNs. Basic costs $3.49 a month on the 2-year plan ($94.23 for 27 months) and covers 10 devices. Complete ($3.99/mo) and Prime ($6.99/mo) add more security tools. It renews at $139.08 a year, so set a reminder before the intro period ends.
Why we like it
- Best-known provider
- 10 devices
- Clear renewal price
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Watch out for
- Costs $27 more than Surfshark for the same 27 months
- Renewal price much higher than intro price
- Up-front cost
- $94.23 for 27 months
- Devices
- 10
- Renews at
- $139.08/year
- Refund
- 30 days
Proton VPN Plus
If you only need a VPN now and then, Proton's free plan has no data limit, though it covers just one device. Plus costs $3.49 a month on the 2-year plan and covers 10 devices.
Why we like it
- Free plan with no data cap
- 10 devices on Plus
Watch out for
- Free plan is 1 device only
- Fewer extras than Nord or Surfshark
- Up-front cost
- $83.76 for 24 months
- Devices
- 10
- Free plan
- 1 device, no data limit
- Refund
- 30 days
AdGuard VPN
AdGuard VPN comes from the makers of the AdGuard ad blocker. The free plan gives 3 GB a month on 2 devices, and paid plans cover 10 devices with unlimited traffic across 75+ locations. Monthly plans can't be refunded, so pick a yearly plan if you want the 30-day guarantee.
Why we like it
- Free plan to try it
- 10 devices on paid plans
- 75+ locations
Watch out for
- Free plan capped at 3 GB
- Monthly plans aren't refundable
- Devices
- 10 paid, 2 free
- Locations
- 75+
- Free plan
- 3 GB/month
- Refund
- 30 days on 1- and 2-year plans
Compare them side by side
| VPN | Best price | Up front | Devices | Refund |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surfshark | $2.49/mo | $67.23 (27 mo) | Unlimited | 30 days |
| NordVPN | $3.49/mo | $94.23 (27 mo) | 10 | 30 days |
| Proton VPN | $3.49/mo | $83.76 (24 mo) | 10 | 30 days |
| AdGuard VPN | See site | See site | 10 | 30 days (yearly) |
How to choose
Count your devices. Phones, laptops, tablets and TVs add up. Surfshark covers unlimited devices; most others cap at 10.
Look at the up-front total. The monthly price only applies if you pay for the whole term today.
Check renewal. Intro prices end. Set a reminder before the term runs out.
Use the refund window. All four offer 30 days on longer plans, so you can test speeds risk-free.
The bottom line
For most people, Surfshark is the best value: $2.49 a month, unlimited devices and a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you want the biggest name, NordVPN costs about $27 more over the same 27 months.
Get SurfsharkMore guides like this
How we pick
We compare the products people actually shop for on what matters in this category: value, devices, features, refund policy, track record. Specs and prices come from each brand's own listing and can change, so check the seller's page before you buy. We haven't lab-tested these unless we say so. Brands can't pay to be on this list.