Cheapest VPN in 2026: Real Prices, Renewals and Free Options
The cheapest VPN depends on how long you are willing to commit and what you will pay at renewal. Specifically, this guide explains the four prices that decide what a VPN really costs, where renewals jump, which monthly and free plans are worth it, and which five providers fit which budget. We checked 10 VPNs on official pricing pages on 6 October 2026: nine US-dollar storefronts and Mullvad’s euro pricing. However, this comparison includes no invented speed tests or scores.
What the cheapest VPN really costs
The headline price on most VPN sites is a monthly equivalent for a long plan that you pay upfront. However, the cheapest VPN deal is not always the lowest total bill. First, compare these four numbers before you choose.
- The intro monthly price. This is the big number on the pricing page, such as $2.03 or $2.49 a month. However, it usually needs a 2- or 3-year commitment, and you pay for the whole term at checkout.
- The first bill. This is what actually leaves your account today. For example, Surfshark Starter is $67.23 for the first 27 months.
- The renewal price. After the intro term, most plans auto-renew at a higher price. For example, NordVPN Basic goes from $94.23 for 27 months to $139.08 a year, while CyberGhost renews at $56.94 a year, the same dollar amount as its first 26-month bill but now for 12 months.
- The monthly plan. If you only need a VPN for a trip, the 1-month price matters more. By comparison, it ranged from €5 (Mullvad) to $18.95 (Surfshark) in our check.
Cheapest VPN renewal prices: what to check
The intro price gets you in the door. However, the renewal price is what you pay if you forget to cancel or decide to stay, and that is where the cheapest VPNs differ most.
- Lowest renewals we found. PIA’s pricing page lists a renewal of $79 every 3 years, about $26 a year. Meanwhile, PureVPN Standard renews at $47.95 a year. Similarly, CyberGhost renews at $56.94 a year, the same amount as its first 26-month bill but for 12 months at a time. In contrast, Mullvad currently charges the same €5 monthly rate regardless of how many months you buy.
- Mid-range renewals. Windscribe Pro’s yearly plan is listed at $69 every 12 months. By comparison, Proton VPN Plus renews at $83.88 a year.
- Bigger jumps. ExpressVPN Basic renews at $99.95 a year after $83.72 for 28 months. Meanwhile, NordVPN Basic renews at $139.08 a year after $94.23 for 27 months.
- Not published. Surfshark’s pricing page says only that you pay the applicable renewal price. Similarly, IPVanish’s plan cards show the first-term bill but no renewal figure. Therefore, check the renewal line at checkout or in your account before your term ends.
Therefore, put a reminder in your calendar a week before the renewal date. You can usually turn off auto-renew in your account straight after you buy, and still use the full term you paid for.
Cheapest VPN options for month-to-month use
Monthly plans cost more per month, but you are not locked in. For example, the cheapest VPN for a short trip may be a monthly plan because you avoid paying for years you will not use.
- Mullvad, €5. The same flat price as every longer term, including VAT. For example, it shows as about $5.61, £4.24, CA$8.00 or A$8.05.
- Windscribe, $9 (or less). Pro is $9 a month. Alternatively, Build-A-Plan charges $1 per location per month with a $3 minimum and up to 7 locations, and each location adds 10 GB.
- Proton VPN Plus, $9.99. This is the cheapest major-brand monthly plan here, and it covers 10 devices. In addition, a first-month $1 offer was showing when we checked.
- The rest. PIA is $11.95, PureVPN Standard $12.95, CyberGhost $12.99, NordVPN Basic, ExpressVPN Basic and IPVanish Essential $14.99 each, and Surfshark Starter $18.95.
Free plans: is the cheapest VPN always paid?
The cheapest VPN is a free one, if its limits fit how you use it. For example, two well-known providers run permanent free tiers, and both are supported by paying users.
- Proton VPN Free. No data or time limits, no ads, no credit card and a no-logs policy. However, it covers 1 device, and Plus-only features stay locked.
- Windscribe Free. 10 GB a month if you confirm an email (2 GB if you don’t), 10 countries and unlimited devices on one account.
- Be careful with unknown free apps. However, a free VPN still has running costs. Therefore, if the company does not say how it pays for them, or does not publish a no-logs policy, keep it away from your banking and email. Our best free VPN guide covers the trade-offs in more detail.
- When to pay instead. If you need several devices, streaming on a TV or a VPN for the whole household, a cheap 2-year plan costs about $2–$2.50 a month and removes most free-plan limits.
Choosing the cheapest VPN for your needs
To choose the cheapest VPN for your needs, start with how you will use it. Then use the refund window to check it works on your own devices and connection.
- Low long-plan starting price: Private Internet Access ($2.03/mo, renews at $79 every 3 years) or PureVPN Standard ($2.15/mo, renews at $47.95/yr).
- Low price with the longest refund window: CyberGhost ($2.19/mo, renews at $56.94/yr, 45-day refund on long plans).
- No long commitment and no renewal jump: Mullvad at €5 a month for any term.
- $0 for light use: Proton VPN Free (no data cap, 1 device) or Windscribe Free (10 GB a month with email).
- Many devices on one cheap plan: Surfshark Starter ($2.49/mo) or PIA, both with unlimited devices.
How we priced them (official pages only)
We opened each provider’s official pricing page and recorded the cheapest VPN-only tier on that day: the long-plan monthly price, the stated first bill, the renewal line, the monthly plan and the refund window. In addition, device limits and company details come from the same provider’s own pages. However, where a page did not state something, we say so and do not estimate it, apart from one clearly marked calculation for PIA.
- In scope: published prices in US dollars (Mullvad in euros), renewal terms, device limits, refund rules, free-plan limits and the company’s stated location and audits.
- Out of scope: speed tests, streaming unblock checks, lifetime deals and coupon codes. Because these change often or need testing we did not do, we leave them out.
- Which tier we used: the cheapest VPN-only plan, such as NordVPN Basic, ExpressVPN Basic, Surfshark Starter, IPVanish Essential and PureVPN Standard. However, bundles with antivirus or cloud storage cost more.
- Affiliate note: brand-name links may be sponsored. However, that never changes the prices in this guide, which come from the official pages listed in Sources.
Cheapest VPN prices compared
Here are the five picks covered in the cards below, alongside five other well-known VPNs. Prices were checked on official provider pages on 6 October 2026; Mullvad lists euros and the others are US-dollar offers. In addition, taxes may be added at checkout, and cell text is kept short for phones.
Compare upfront and recurring charges
| VPN | Cheapest long plan | First bill | Renews at | 1-month plan | Devices | Refund window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CyberGhost | $2.19/mo (2 yr + 2 mo) | $56.94 for 26 mo | $56.94/yr | $12.99 | 7 | 45 days (14 on monthly) |
| ExpressVPN | $2.99/mo (2 yr + 4 mo) | $83.72 for 28 mo | $99.95/yr | $14.99 | 10 | 30 days (new users) |
| IPVanish | $2.39/mo (2 yr) | $57.36 for 2 yr | Not shown on plan card | $14.99 | Unlimited | 30 days (yearly and 2-yr plans) |
| Mullvad | €5/mo, any term (≈$5.61) | €5 per month | €5/mo at the checked rate | €5 | 5 | 14 days (not cash or crypto) |
| NordVPN | $3.49/mo (2 yr + 3 mo) | $94.23 for 27 mo | $139.08/yr | $14.99 | 10 | 30 days |
| Private Internet Access | $2.03/mo (3 yr + 3 mo) | ≈$79.17 (estimate) | $79 every 3 yr | $11.95 | Unlimited | 30 days (new users) |
| Proton VPN | $3.49/mo (2 yr) | $83.76 for 24 mo | $83.88/yr | $9.99 | 10 (Free plan: 1) | 30 days |
| PureVPN | $2.15/mo (2 yr + 3 mo) | $58.20 for 27 mo | $47.95/yr | $12.95 | 10 | 31 days |
| Surfshark | $2.49/mo (2 yr + 3 mo) | $67.23 for 27 mo | Not shown on pricing page | $18.95 | Unlimited | 30 days |
| Windscribe | $5.75/mo (yearly) | $69 for 12 mo | $69/yr | $9 (Build-A-Plan from $3) | Unlimited | 7 business days, under 10 GB |
How to read the price table
Provider names are shortened for readability. Prices refer to the paid VPN tier shown on each linked provider page; Proton VPN also has a separate free plan, and Windscribe’s $3 Build-A-Plan covers fewer locations than its full paid plan. Official sources are listed below. For example, PIA’s first bill is our estimate ($2.03 × 39 months = $79.17, before taxes), because the plan card lists only the monthly rate and the $79 renewal. Finally, on narrow screens, scroll sideways to see every column.
5 cheapest VPN options to consider
These five cover the main ways to pay less: the lowest long-plan price, a low renewal, a flat price with no renewal jump, a real free tier, and unlimited devices for a low intro price. For clarity, they are listed alphabetically. In other words, the numbers 1–5 show list position only, not scores or a winner. However, this shortlist uses facts checked on official pages on 6 October 2026, without speed or streaming tests.
1. CyberGhost – low price with a cheap renewal
CyberGhost’s 2-year plan with 2 extra months showed $2.19 a month, billed $56.94 for the first 26 months, then $56.94 a year. As a result, that renewal is among the lowest we found. By comparison, longer plans get a 45-day refund window and the monthly plan gets 14 days. In addition, the pricing page lists 7 devices. CyberGhost S.R.L. is registered in Bucharest, Romania, and says Deloitte checked its servers against its no-logs policy.
✔ Pros
- Low intro price and one of the lowest yearly renewals ($56.94)
- 45-day refund on 6-month and longer plans
- Deloitte no-logs check cited on its own site
- A 6-month plan ($6.99/mo, renews at $41.94 every 6 months) sits between monthly and 2-year
✘ Cons
- 7 devices, fewer than most rivals here
- Monthly plan is $12.99 with only a 14-day refund
- Password manager upsell appears in checkout
| Cheapest long plan | $2.19/mo; $56.94 for 26 months |
| Renews at | $56.94/year |
| 1-month plan | $12.99 |
| Devices | 7 |
| Money-back | 45 days (14 days on monthly) |
| Price checked | 6 Oct 2026, official US pricing page |
2. Mullvad – one flat price, no renewal jump
Mullvad charges €5 a month including VAT whether you buy one month, one year or ten years. Its page showed that as about $5.61, £4.24, CA$8.00 and A$8.05 when we checked. As a result, it is the cheapest full-network monthly plan we found, though a long intro deal elsewhere costs less in year one. In addition, you can use one account on 5 devices, and the 14-day refund excludes cash and crypto payments. Mullvad VPN AB is based in Gothenburg, Sweden. Its fourth infrastructure audit, by Cure53, ran 3–14 June 2024.
✔ Pros
- Same €5 price for every term, so no renewal jump
- Cheapest full monthly plan we found
- Numbered account; no email needed to sign up
- Public infrastructure audit write-ups
✘ Cons
- Only 5 devices per account
- Shortest standard refund here (14 days), not for cash or crypto
- Costs more than intro deals during year one
| Price | €5/month incl. VAT, any term |
| Renews at | Same €5 |
| 1-month plan | €5 (≈$5.61) |
| Devices | 5 |
| Money-back | 14 days (not cash or crypto) |
| Price checked | 6 Oct 2026, official US pricing page |
3. Private Internet Access – lowest long-plan price we found
PIA’s 3-year plan with 3 extra months showed $2.03 a month and renews at $79 every 3 years. By comparison, the 1-year plan is $47.88 and the monthly plan is $11.95, and all amounts are in US dollars. However, the page does not print the first-term total. For example, at $2.03 for 39 months it works out at about $79.17 before taxes; this is only an estimate, so confirm the first bill at checkout. In addition, PIA lists unlimited devices and a 30-day refund for new users. It is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, under US law. Furthermore, it says Deloitte Audit Romania has audited its no-logs policy twice and that it uses RAM-only servers.
✔ Pros
- Lowest long-plan monthly price in our check ($2.03)
- Lowest renewal we found: $79 every 3 years
- Unlimited devices on one subscription
- Two Deloitte no-logs audits cited
✘ Cons
- US jurisdiction, which some privacy buyers avoid
- Three-year commitment to get the lowest rate
- First-term total not printed on the plan card
| Cheapest long plan | $2.03/mo (3 years + 3 months) |
| Renews at | $79 every 3 years |
| 1-month plan | $11.95 |
| Devices | Unlimited |
| Money-back | 30 days (new users) |
| Price checked | 6 Oct 2026, official US pricing page |
4. Proton VPN – a real free plan and a fair paid tier
Proton VPN Free costs nothing, needs no credit card, has no data or time limits and covers 1 device. By comparison, VPN Plus showed $3.49 a month on the 2-year plan ($83.76 for the first 24 months, then $83.88 a year). In addition, it showed $4.49 a month on 1 year and $9.99 month to month, with 10 devices and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Meanwhile, a pop-up offer showed Plus at $1 for the first month, renewing at $9.99. Proton AG is in Geneva, Switzerland. Securitum’s 2026 report is its fifth annual no-logs audit.
✔ Pros
- Genuinely free tier with no data cap
- Renewal price ($83.88/yr) printed clearly on the pricing page
- Cheapest major-brand monthly plan ($9.99)
- Five consecutive annual no-logs audits
✘ Cons
- Free plan covers only 1 device
- 2-year Plus costs more per month than the cheapest deals here
- Promo offers change often, so check the price shown to you
| Cheapest long plan | $3.49/mo; $83.76 for 24 months |
| Renews at | $83.88/year |
| 1-month plan | $9.99 (Free plan: $0) |
| Devices | 10 (Free: 1) |
| Money-back | 30 days |
| Price checked | 6 Oct 2026, official US pricing page |
5. Surfshark – cheap for big households
Surfshark Starter showed $2.49 a month on the 2-year plan with 3 extra months ($67.23 for the first 27 months, VAT may apply). By comparison, the 1-year plan was $2.99 a month ($44.85 for 15 months) and the monthly plan was $18.95. In addition, the pricing page lists unlimited devices and a 30-day money-back guarantee. However, it does not give a renewal figure: its FAQ only says you pay the applicable renewal price. Surfshark B.V. is based in Amsterdam, and its no-logs page cites Deloitte assurance in 2023 and 2025.
✔ Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
- Low 2-year and 1-year intro prices
- Deloitte no-logs assurance cited (2023, 2025)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
✘ Cons
- Renewal price not published on the pricing page
- Most expensive monthly plan in our table ($18.95)
- Extras sit on the One and One+ tiers
| Cheapest long plan | $2.49/mo; $67.23 for 27 months |
| Renews at | Not shown on pricing page; check at checkout |
| 1-month plan | $18.95 |
| Devices | Unlimited |
| Money-back | 30 days |
| Price checked | 6 Oct 2026, official US pricing page |
Cheapest VPN deals: billing traps to avoid
Most complaints about cheap VPNs come from billing surprises rather than the service itself. Therefore, check the following terms before you pay.
- Auto-renewal at a higher rate. Therefore, remember that nearly every long plan renews automatically. NordVPN’s offer terms say renewal prices may be higher than intro prices and are billed up to 14 days before renewal.
- Refund fine print. IPVanish describes its 30-day guarantee for yearly and 2-year plans; cancelling a monthly plan does not trigger a refund on its own. However, Mullvad excludes cash and crypto payments. Windscribe refunds only the first payment, within 7 business days and under 10 GB of use. App store purchases are refunded under Apple’s or Google’s rules.
- Upsells in checkout. Bundles add antivirus, password managers, cloud storage or eSIM data. Although they can be useful, they are why the “Most popular” tier often costs more than the cheapest VPN-only plan.
- Tax and currency. US prices exclude sales tax where it applies. By comparison, other countries see VAT or GST and local currency at checkout. In addition, paying in a foreign currency can add a bank fee.
Prices in the UK, Canada, Australia and India
We checked US-dollar storefronts for most providers and Mullvad’s euro price. However, even when the plan structure (intro term, renewal, refund window) is the same elsewhere, the price you see can change.
- UK, Canada and Australia. Many providers switch to pounds or Canadian or Australian dollars at checkout. Mullvad’s own page converts €5 to £4.24, CA$8.00 and A$8.05. VAT or GST may be added.
- India. None of the pages we used showed a rupee price from our US check, so we have not invented one. Expect checkout in INR or USD depending on the provider, plus any card or forex fee. Using a VPN is legal in India for lawful use, as our guide to VPN legality in India explains.
- Compare like for like. Check the same term (for example 2 years), the same tier (VPN-only) and the renewal line in your currency before you decide which plan is cheapest for you.
Related reading:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest VPN right now?
On the official US pricing pages we checked on 6 October 2026, the lowest long-plan price was Private Internet Access at $2.03 a month on its 3-year plan with 3 extra months, renewing at $79 every 3 years. PureVPN Standard ($2.15) and CyberGhost ($2.19) were next. Prices change often, so confirm the total at checkout.
What is the cheapest VPN month to month?
Mullvad, at a flat €5 a month including VAT (about $5.61 on its pricing page), with the same price for any term. Windscribe’s Build-A-Plan starts at $3 a month but only covers the locations you pay for. Most big-name monthly plans cost $9.99 to $18.95.
Is a cheap VPN safe to use?
Price on its own does not tell you whether a VPN is safe. Instead, what matters is a published no-logs policy, independent checks of that policy, and a company you can identify. The five shortlisted providers publish privacy policies and cite independent assessments, but those assessments have different scopes: Mullvad’s cited Cure53 work is an infrastructure audit, not a no-logs audit. Therefore, check the scope before treating any audit as proof of every claim. In particular, be cautious about free apps from unknown developers.
Is there a good free VPN?
For example, Proton VPN Free has no data cap and no ads, but covers 1 device. By comparison, Windscribe Free gives 10 GB a month if you confirm an email (2 GB without) across 10 countries. Therefore, both can suit light use when their limits fit your needs. However, for streaming or a whole household, a cheap paid plan is usually the better fit.
Why does my VPN price go up at renewal?
Most long-plan prices are introductory. After the first term, the plan renews at a higher standard rate. For example, NordVPN Basic is $94.23 for the first 27 months and then $139.08 a year. In contrast, CyberGhost, PureVPN and PIA list much lower renewals, and Mullvad currently charges €5 per month for every term.
Can I get a refund on a cheap VPN plan?
Usually, but the rules differ. For example, CyberGhost gives 45 days on longer plans and 14 days on monthly. IPVanish describes its 30-day guarantee for yearly and 2-year plans, and cancelling a monthly plan does not start a refund automatically. Mullvad excludes cash and crypto payments. Meanwhile, Windscribe requires a request within 7 business days and under 10 GB used.
Are VPN prices different in India, the UK, Canada or Australia?
Often, yes. We checked US-dollar storefronts for most providers and Mullvad’s euro price. In addition, checkout can switch to your local currency and add VAT, GST or sales tax. Mullvad shows equivalents on its page (£4.24, CA$8.00 and A$8.05 for €5 when we checked) but no rupee price. Furthermore, if you pay in a foreign currency, your bank may add a fee.
Which cheap VPN covers the most devices?
Surfshark, Private Internet Access, IPVanish and Windscribe all list unlimited devices on one account. By comparison, Proton VPN Plus, NordVPN, PureVPN and ExpressVPN Basic cover 10, CyberGhost covers 7 and Mullvad covers 5.
Sources
Official pages checked on 6 October 2026 (IST) from a US connection. They support the prices, table, provider cards and FAQs above.
Official pricing pages
- CyberGhost pricing: 26-month plan, renewal, 6-month and monthly plans, 7 devices
- ExpressVPN pricing: Basic 2-year and 1-month plans, renewal, 10 devices
- IPVanish pricing: Essential 2-year and monthly plans, unlimited devices
- Mullvad pricing: €5 flat incl. VAT, plus currency equivalents
- NordVPN pricing: Basic 2-year and 1-month plans, renewal and offer terms
- Private Internet Access pricing: 3-year, 1-year and monthly plans, renewal, unlimited devices
- Proton VPN pricing: Plus 2-year, 1-year and monthly plans, renewal, 10 devices
- PureVPN pricing: Standard 2-year and monthly plans, renewal, 10 devices, 31-day refund
- Surfshark pricing: Starter 2-year, 1-year and monthly plans, unlimited devices
- Windscribe plans: Pro monthly and yearly, Build-A-Plan
Refund rules and free plans
- CyberGhost money-back guarantee: 45 days on longer plans, 14 days on monthly
- IPVanish money-back guarantee: yearly and 2-year plans; monthly cancellations
- Mullvad FAQ: 5 devices, 14-day refund and its exclusions
- Windscribe terms: refund conditions
- Proton VPN free plan: 1 device, no data limits, no ads
- Windscribe free plan and plan comparison: 10 GB with email, 10 countries, Build-A-Plan
Company locations and audit sources
- CyberGhost privacy policy: CyberGhost S.R.L., Bucharest, Romania
- CyberGhost no-logs page: Deloitte check
- Mullvad about page: Mullvad VPN AB, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Mullvad: fourth Cure53 infrastructure audit: June 2024
- PIA no-logs page: two Deloitte audits, RAM-only servers
- PIA about page: Denver, Colorado, US
- Proton about page: Proton AG, Geneva, Switzerland
- Proton no-logs audit post: Securitum, 2026
- Surfshark no-logs page: Deloitte, 2023 and 2025
- Surfshark about page: Surfshark B.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands
- ExpressVPN devices page: up to 14 devices by tier
The Bottom Line
The cheapest VPN is the one whose total cost over the time you will actually use it is lowest, which is not always the one with the biggest discount badge. For example, on 6 October 2026, PIA had the lowest long-plan price and renewal. CyberGhost and PureVPN kept renewals low, Mullvad currently charges €5 per month for every term, and Proton VPN gives you a real free starting point.
Practical move:
- CyberGhost: $2.19/mo for 26 months, renews at $56.94/yr, 7 devices, 45-day refund on long plans.
- Mullvad: flat €5 a month for any term, 5 devices, 14-day refund (not cash or crypto).
- Private Internet Access: $2.03/mo on 3 years + 3 months, renews at $79 every 3 years, unlimited devices.
- Proton VPN: Free plan for 1 device, Plus $3.49/mo on 2 years, renews at $83.88/yr.
- Surfshark: $2.49/mo for 27 months, unlimited devices, renewal price not published on its pricing page; verify it at checkout.
Screenshot the checkout total and renewal line, set a reminder before the term ends, and use the refund window on your real devices. This article is general information. It does not include invented speed or unblocking results.
Saurabh VPN Expert writes and reviews VPN guides for VPN Expert Guide, covering privacy, streaming, regional access, and device setup. Our articles draw on provider documentation and published product information, with updates when important details change.
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