Top5 VPN
All research goalsUse Case · Budget

Best Cheap VPNs of 2026

The best VPNs that won't break the bank — strong value on long-term plans without cutting the features that matter.

See the Top 5

A cheap VPN shouldn't mean a bad one. These deliver the best protection per dollar, with the caveat that the lowest prices require longer commitments.

Reviewed by Alex Carter, Lead VPN Analyst & EditorUpdated June 2026How we rank
#1
Best Value

Surfshark

Unlimited devices, unbeatable value

4.6

11,800 reviews

Unlimited devices at a rock-bottom price — the best value overall.

Unlimited simultaneous devices
Very affordable long-term plans
Fast WireGuard speeds
CleanWeb ad/tracker blocking
Bigger server-count claims than rivals
From $2.19/moGet SurfsharkRead full review
#2
Best for Beginners

PureVPN

Affordable, audited, easy to use

4.2

7,100 reviews

Among the cheapest long-term plans, with a 31-day money-back guarantee.

Affordable long-term plans
Always-on independently audited no-logs
Large network across 70+ countries
Simple, beginner-friendly apps
Speeds trail the top picks
From $2.11/moGet PureVPNRead full review
#3
Editor's Choice

NordVPN

The best all-round VPN

4.9

18,400 reviews

Premium features at a fair long-term price — best value among the top tier.

Blazing-fast NordLynx (WireGuard) speeds
Independently audited no-logs policy
Reliably unblocks Netflix & more
Threat Protection, double VPN, dedicated IP
Month-to-month plan is pricey
From $3.39/moGet NordVPNRead full review
#4
Best for Privacy

Proton VPN

Privacy-first, open-source, Swiss

4.5

8,600 reviews

A genuinely usable free tier plus affordable paid plans.

Open-source apps, independently audited
Strong Swiss privacy jurisdiction
Genuinely usable free tier
Secure Core & Tor-over-VPN options
Free tier limits servers/speed
From $3.59/moGet Proton VPNRead full review
#5
Most Reliable

ExpressVPN

Premium, reliable, effortless

4.7

14,200 reviews

The priciest here, but the reliability justifies it for many.

Extremely consistent speeds & reliability
Unblocks almost everything
Audited no-logs, RAM-only servers
Apps for every device, easy to use
The priciest on our list
From $4.99/moGet ExpressVPNRead full review
25+
VPNs tested
5
Scoring criteria
1,000+
Speed tests run
Monthly
Rankings updated
Independently researched · Reviewed by Alex Carter, Lead VPN Analyst & Editor · Updated June 2026

What to look for in a Budget

What matters most when researching VPNs for budget.

True full-term cost

What you actually pay over the whole plan, including renewals.

Devices per plan

More simultaneous connections means better value per device.

Money-back guarantee

A longer guarantee lets you test risk-free before committing.

Best VPNs for Budget — Compared

How our top picks for budget stack up side by side.

 
Surfshark#1
PureVPN#2
NordVPN#3
Proton VPN#4
ExpressVPN#5
Our Rating
4.6
4.2
4.9
4.5
4.7
PriceFrom $2.19/moFrom $2.11/moFrom $3.39/moFrom $3.59/moFrom $4.99/mo
Servers3,200+ in 100 countries6,000+ in 70+ countries6,400+ in 110+ countries8,800+ in 110+ countries3,000+ in 105 countries
DevicesUnlimited10 simultaneous10 simultaneous10 simultaneous8 simultaneous
No-Logs AuditYes (independent)Yes (always-on)Yes (independent)Yes (open-source)Yes (independent)
StreamingVery goodGoodExcellentGood (paid)Excellent
Money-Back30 days31 days30 days30 days30 days
 Get SurfsharkGet PureVPNGet NordVPNGet Proton VPNGet ExpressVPN

Frequently Asked Questions

A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in a location you choose. This hides your IP address and activity from your ISP and networks, and lets you appear to browse from another region.
Top Pick for Budget

Surfshark

4.6

Connect unlimited devices for one low price, with fast WireGuard speeds, solid streaming, and a genuinely feature-rich app.

Get Surfshark