30-day money-back guarantee · plans from $1.99/mo
30-Day RefundPay First
48 countries·10 devices·WireGuard, OpenVPN
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Cheapest VPNs — ranked by true cost
"$1.99/month" usually means paying two years upfront and renewing at triple the price. This ranking sorts by the cheapest real plan and shows the renewal price next to every intro price — the number most comparison sites hide. Cheaper than cheap: genuinely free plans.
30-day money-back guarantee · plans from $2.19/mo
30-Day RefundPay First
100 countries·Unlimited devices·WireGuard, OpenVPN·Audited no-logs
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45-day money-back guarantee · plans from $2.19/mo
45-Day RefundPay First
100 countries·7 devices·WireGuard, OpenVPN·Audited no-logs
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7-day money-back guarantee · plans from $2.49/mo
7-Day RefundPay First
50 countries·10 devices·WireGuard, OpenVPN
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30-day money-back guarantee · plans from $2.59/mo
30-Day RefundPay First
54 countries·10 devices·WireGuard, OpenVPN·Audited no-logs
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30-day money-back guarantee · plans from $3.39/mo
30-Day RefundPay First
126 countries·10 devices·NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN·Audited no-logs
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True cost table — intro vs renewal
| # | Provider | Cheapest plan | Per month | Billed upfront | Renews at | Refund window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🔷 PrivadoVPNAlso has free plan | 2-Year | $1.99 | $47.76 / 24 mo | same price | 30 days |
| 2 | 🦈 Surfshark | 2-Year | $2.19 | $52.56 / 24 mo | $4.98/mo | 30 days |
| 3 | 👻 CyberGhost | 2-Year | $2.19 | $56.94 / 24 mo | same price | 45 days |
| 4 | 🐦 ZoogVPNAlso has free plan | 2-Year | $2.49 | $59.76 / 24 mo | same price | 7 days |
| 5 | 🕶️ hide.meAlso has free plan | 27-Month | $2.59 | $69.95 / 27 mo | same price | 30 days |
| 6 | 🔵 NordVPN | 2-Year | $3.39 | $81.36 / 24 mo | $8.29/mo | 30 days |
| 7 | 🟣 Proton VPNAlso has free plan | 2-Year | $4.49 | $107.76 / 24 mo | $5.99/mo | 30 days |
| 8 | 🐻 TunnelBearAlso has free plan | 1-Year | $4.99 | $59.88 / 12 mo | same price | — |
| 9 | 🔴 ExpressVPN | 2-Year | $4.99 | $119.76 / 24 mo | same price | 30 days |
Frequently asked questions
▸What is the cheapest good VPN?
By current VPNUS data, PrivadoVPN has the lowest real monthly price at $1.99/mo on its 2-Year plan. Mullvad is the cheapest without long-term commitment: a flat €5/month that never changes.
▸Why do VPN prices jump at renewal?
Intro prices are customer-acquisition pricing on long prepaid terms; renewals revert to the 'real' rate, often 2–3× higher. The table above shows both numbers. Mullvad is the notable exception with flat pricing forever.
▸Is a cheap VPN worse than an expensive one?
Price and quality are weakly correlated. Surfshark at ~$2/mo has audited no-logs and unlimited devices; some pricier services lack audits. Check privacy scores and audit status, not price tags.
▸Should I just use a free VPN instead?
For basic privacy on public Wi-Fi, a reputable free plan often suffices — see the free directory. Paid plans add full server networks, streaming support and unlimited data. Never pick an unverifiable 'free' app to save $2.