UPDATE: May. 11, 2023, 12:10 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with the latest VPN deals.
Using a virtual private network (or VPN) is an easy way to bypass geo-restrictions on streaming content, avoid certain cyber threats while gaming, protect company data while working remotely, and browse anonymously on public WiFi networks. Most providers’ plans cost anywhere from $2 to $12 per month, though many lure customers in with discounted introductory rates that skyrocket after your initial term. To help you lock in a plan that’ll fit your budget in the short and long run, we’re compiling a weekly roundup of the best deals on all the VPNs we’ve personally tested. Below, you can check out our top picks as of May 11.
Read our full review of ExpressVPN.
A vast server network, a user-friendly app, and a strong commitment to data protection make ExpressVPN our favorite full-featured VPN on the market. It also happens to be one of the most expensive VPNs out there, which is why we highly recommend signing up for its discounted 15-month plan(opens in a new tab): You’ll pay just $6.67/month (billed $99.95 upfront), which is 49% off its standard $12.95/month rate and covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. That switches to an $8.32/month annual plan after the first term is up.
Read our full review of NordVPN.
Power users shouldn’t think twice about signing up for NordVPN, another industry giant, which offers advanced security features like split tunneling(opens in a new tab), multi-hop connections(opens in a new tab), Tor support(opens in a new tab), and built-in malware protection(opens in a new tab). New users can sign up for a 27-month Standard plan(opens in a new tab) at the introductory rate of just $3.29/month (billed $88.83 upfront), which is 75% off its usual $12.99/month pricing and protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee. (If you don’t see that discount reflected, try pulling up its website in an incognito browser.) The plan will renew annually at $8.29/month after your first term ends.
Optional add-ons include:
Read our full review of ProtonVPN.
Proton VPN is another great pick for privacy wonks with open-source apps and a longstanding company commitment to transparency. It offers a decent free plan, but we recommend its Plus tier(opens in a new tab) for full access to its server network, streaming and P2P support, multi-hop, up to 10 simultaneous connections, and a Tor over VPN(opens in a new tab) tool. Monthly subscriptions typically go for $9.99, but you’ll save 50% and pay $4.99/month (billed $119.76 upfront) if you commit to a two-year plan(opens in a new tab). A 30-day money-back guarantee applies here, too.
Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.
CyberGhost lays claim to a massive and globally diverse network, with special servers optimized for streaming, gaming, and P2P to help minimize lag. New customers can sign up for a 26-month plan(opens in a new tab) at just $2.19/month (billed $56.94 upfront), saving 83% on its standard monthly fee of $12.99. Your subscription will renew as a $4.75/month annual plan after the initial term is up, which still isn’t terrible — and like all of CyberGhost’s multi-year plans, it comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee plus free access to its ID Guard(opens in a new tab) and Privacy Guard(opens in a new tab) tools. If you don’t want to commit to anything just yet, you can try CyberGhost for free(opens in a new tab) for up to a week, depending on your platform.
Optional add-ons include:
Read our full review of TunnelBear.
Our go-to recommendation for anyone who’s never used the technology before, TunnelBear is a simple, lightweight VPN with an intuitive (and adorable) interface. Though it’s incapable of unblocking streaming sites, it should serve you well for basic web surfing. Pick its Unlimited plan(opens in a new tab) over the free version for unlimited browsing and priority customer service, which costs just $3.33/month (billed $120 upfront) when you enroll for three years — that’s 67% off its usual $9.99/month rate and a fixed price that won’t increase after your first term, which is huge. (You may have to click through to its “Plans” page to see the offer.) There’s no money-back guarantee, unfortunately, but refunds are offered on a case-by-case basis(opens in a new tab).
Read our full review of PIA.
It’s nothing particularly special, but for users in search of a basic VPN with open-source apps, built-in ad blocking, and unlimited simultaneous connections, PIA is worth a look. You’ll pay just $2.11/month (billed $56.94 upfront) for 27 months of coverage(opens in a new tab), shaving 82% off its regular rate of $11.99/month; that does include a 30-day money-back guarantee. You’ll switch to an annual plan at $4.75/month after the initial term is over.
Optional add-ons include:
Read our full review of IPVanish.
Another middle-of-the-road pick, IPVanish makes up for a lack of advanced security features with a minimalist, straightforward app and support for unlimited simultaneous connections. You can get your first two years of service for just $2.96/month (billed $70.99 upfront) during its spring sale, which takes 83% off its usual monthly rate of $11.99 and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. After that term is up, you’ll get bumped to $7.50/month on an annual plan.
Editor’s note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, Mashable’s publisher. Any IPVanish products or services featured on Mashable are covered independently by our team.
Read our full review of PureVPN.
We don’t have a ton of nice things to say about PureVPN — our review turned up slow download speeds, buggy apps, iffy Netflix support, and a questionable privacy policy — but hey, it’s cheap! Enroll in a 27-month plan(opens in a new tab) to lock in a rate of just $2.08/month (billed $49.95 upfront), or 81% off its normal monthly fee of $10.95. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of its 31-day money-back guarantee if necessary.
Optional add-ons include:
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