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By
Betty Nelson
Betty Nelson
Contributor
Betty is a freelance content writer and contributor to Newsweek with expertise in personal finance, including credit cards, budgeting & savings, bank accounts and loans. She has a B.A. in Media Studies & Communication and a Certificate in Creative Writing from the University of Wisconsin. In pursuit of financial literacy, Betty started crafting informative and compelling articles in the personal finance industry. She grew up in a mediocre community and witnessed how people struggled to understand how finances work. So, Betty developed a passion for helping people manage their debt, develop a greater understanding of their finances, and become financially better off.
Her passion is not just about numbers but the stories they tell. With every word, she strives to interpret finance, turning it from a daunting mystery into a relatable piece that resonates with everyone.
Betty is currently based in Alpharetta, GA
Read Betty Nelson's full bio
Reviewed By
Shannon Ullman
Shannon Ullman
Editor
Shannon is a freelance editor for Newsweek Vault. She has previously worked as an editor in the B2B space, primarily focusing on cryptocurrency and finance tools for small businesses. She does freelance review writing in the health space as a hobby. Some of her bylines can be found on sites like Business Insider and Shape.
Read Shannon Ullman's full bio
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
VPNs make it easier to unblock restricted content and streaming services abroad while hiding your online activity. There are hundreds of VPN service providers, but most of them don’t offer as much security and privacy as you’d need.
However, to help you decide on the best VPN service that is worth your hard-earned money, we’ve curated a list of the top 10 best VPNs in 2024. These best VPN services provide you with a new IP address through a secure server, making it seem like you’re in your chosen location.
Methodology
To compile this list, we reviewed the top services on the market, compared their specs and features, and created a short list of the top inexpensive VPNs. Then, we used product descriptions, reviews, ratings and hands-on experience to find the best inexpensive VPNs for each category.
Our Picks
- Best for Tech Users: Private Internet Access
- Best for Plug-and-Play Solutions: CyberGhost
- Best for Newbies: Surfshark
- Best for Global Travelers: TorGuard
- Best for Durable Security: ExpressVPN
- Best for Unlimited Connections: IPVanish
- Best for Power Users: NordVPN
- Best for Streaming: Hotspot Shield
- Best for Torrenting: PrivateVPN
- Best for Remote Workers: Bitdefender Premium VPN
Best Cheap VPNs of 2024
Featured Offer
Best for Tech Users
Private Internet Access is a Newsweek Vault featured partner. If you make a purchase using the link included, we may earn a share of the revenue.
Monthly Cost
$2.03-$11.95
Free Trial
30-day money-back guarantee
Number of Devices
Unlimited
Dedicated IP Address?
Yes
Why We Chose It
This VPN secures your data with high-grade encryption. It prevents advertisers, hackers and ISPs from accessing (viewing) your online activity.
Key Features:
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- VPN router
- 24/7 technical support
- 100% strict no-log policy
- Dedicated IP address
Pros
- Split tunneling
- Unlimited device connections
- Massive server network
Cons
- There is no free version
- No detailed transparency report
- Headquartered in Five Eyes (FVEY) country
Best for Plug-and-Play Solutions
Monthly Cost
$2.19-$12.99
Free Trial
14- to 45-day money-back guarantee (plan dependent)
Number of Devices
Up to 7
Dedicated IP Address?
Yes (with add-on)
Why We Chose It
CyberGhost is easy to install and automatically connects to the fastest server. It’s among the cheapest VPN services for small businesses and individuals.
Key Features:
- 24/7 customer support
- Over 11,000 servers across 100 countries
- Security add-ons and antivirus are available
- Active and fast internet speed
Pros
- Ad-blocking capabilities
- “No spy” server
- Dedicated IP address add-on
Cons
- You need to make payment before accessing the free trial
- Complaints about the parent company (according to some CyberGhost reviews)
Best for Newbies
Monthly Cost
$1.99-$21.99
Free Trial
30-day money-back guarantee
Number of Devices
Unlimited
Dedicated IP Address?
Yes (with subscription)
Why We Chose It
Surfshark is an unlimited VPN with no bandwidth, speed or device limits. With a single click, you can easily connect to unlimited devices.
Key Features:
- Top-tier privacy features
- 24/7 customer support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- More than 3,200 servers in 100 countries
- Fast and reliable network
Pros
- Multi-hop features
- Split tunneling
- Blocks phishing attacks and malware
- Unlimited simultaneously connected devices
Cons
- No dedicated IP address add-on without subscription
- The monthly plan is pricier compared to competitors like IPVanish and NordVPN.
- Less useful for small business owners
Best for Global Travelers
Monthly Cost
$9.99-$32.99
Free Trial
7-day money-back guarantee
Number of Devices
Up to 8
Dedicated IP Address?
With Pro Plan
Why We Chose It
TorGuard is known for its customization and flexibility. This VPN is cheap and helps you maintain your privacy and stay safe while sourcing your favorite content without any restrictions.
Key Features:
- 7-day free trial
- Free access to the first month on all premium plans
- Under the Five Eyes alliance
- Ad-blocking at DNS level
- Internet kill switch
Pros
- DNS leak protection options
- Multiple security protocols
- Highly customizable subscriptions
Cons
- Only 7-day money-back guarantee
- Split tunneling is available for only Android users
- No public audits
Best for Durable Security
Monthly Cost
$6.67-$12.95
Free Trial
30-day money-back guarantee
Number of Devices
Up to 8
Dedicated IP Address?
No
Why We Chose It
Express VPN has high privacy, excellent speed and security features. Despite its pricier subscriptions, it has unmatched performance quality and streaming capabilities.
Key Features:
- Connect up to eight devices at once
- No activity logs
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- Blocks online trackers
- Perfect for torrenting
- Fast download speed
Cons
- Feature-light VPN
- Pricey subscription plans
- Only RAM servers have complete privacy
Best for Unlimited Connections
IPVanish
IPVanish
Vault Verified
Monthly Cost
$3.59-$7.99
Free Trial
30 days (yearly and 2-year plan)
Number of Devices
Unlimited
Dedicated IP Address?
No
Why We Chose It
IPVanish offers increased speed and online privacy through encrypted internet access. This cheap VPN service offers better security for those surfing the internet on public Wi-Fi.
Key Features:
- Access to over 2,200 servers in 75+ countries
- 24/7 customer support
- 30-day money-back guarantee on most plans
- Easy-to-use interface
- Anonymous browsing
Pros
- Users can connect different devices simultaneously
- Servers from numerous geographic regions
- Affordable annual plans
Cons
- Vague no-logs policy
- There is no publicly published transparency report
- No dedicated IP address add-on
Best for Power Users
Monthly Cost
$3.39-$15.99
Free Trial
30-day money-back guarantee
Number of Devices
6
Dedicated IP Address?
Yes
Why We Chose It
NordVPN comes standard with the proprietary NordLynx tunneling protocol for increased speed. With a single click on location, it instantly connects you to the fastest server.
Key Features:
- Free mesh net
- Threat protection feature
- Next generation encryption
- A cheap VPN plan with versatile online security tools
- Access to over 5,100 servers in 60+ countries
Pros
- No DNS leaks
- Kill switch to prevent privacy compromise
- Accepts payments in cash and cryptocurrencies
Cons
- Slow server and app connection
- Torrenting is only supported on some servers
- OpenVPN’s configuration isn’t user-friendly
Best for Streaming
Monthly Cost
$0-$7.99
Free Trial
45-day money-back guarantee (with Premium)
Number of Devices
Up to 10
Dedicated IP Address?
No
Why We Chose It
Hotspot Shield is one of the cheapest VPN services with military-grade AES-256 encryption. Plus, you can use this VPN to unlock streaming sites like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix.
Key Features:
- Malware protection
- Kill switch
- Additional anti-phishing protection
- “Smart VPN” features
- Users can connect five devices at once
Pros
- Offers a free forever plan
- Optimized for streaming sites like YouTube, BBC iPlayer, and Netflix
- No-log policy
Cons
- It doesn’t use DNS servers
- Slow customer support responses
- It can’t be installed on all routers
Best for Torrenting
Monthly Cost
$2.00-$9.90
Free Trial
30-day money-back guarantee
Number of Devices
10
Dedicated IP Address?
Yes
Why We Chose It
PrivateVPN provides its users with an impressive browsing experience. It is particular about user security and doesn’t store any data logs.
Key Features:
- Unlimited bandwidth at no extra cost
- Automatic kill switch
- Secure servers have 2048-bit encryption
- DNS and IP leak protection
Pros
- Router compatibility
- Great for torrenting
- Customizable encryption
Cons
- No split tunneling
- The mobile app has a poor interface
- Small server fleet
Best for Remote Workers
Monthly Cost
$3.33-$6.99
Free Trial
30-day money-back guarantee
Number of Devices
10
Dedicated IP Address?
No
Why We Chose It
This VPN offers high-quality protection, regardless of where or how you use the internet. It’s a versatile VPN that’s perfect for remote access.
Key Features:
- Strict no-log policy
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Perfect forward secrecy
- Full leak protection
- Split tunneling
Pros
- Cheap personal plans
- Visual response and endpoint detection
- Plans for enterprises and small businesses
Cons
- DNS leaks
- More demanding compared to other antivirus services
- Data logging
VPN Introduction
The main aim of introducing VPNs was to protect and encrypt internet browsing data. Read on to find out more about VPNs and how they work.
What Is a VPN?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a private and secure connection between the internet and your device. It protects you from censorship, snooping, and interference. With a VPN, you can surf the internet securely at optimal speed, encrypting your internet data and hiding your IP address.
Additionally, VPNs offer enhanced privacy, disabling your Internet service provider from tracking your online activity and selling off your browsing data to advertisers. A VPN is highly recommended for those living in countries with restrictive internet policies to avoid government surveillance.
How Does a VPN Work?
A VPN works by creating encrypted connections between devices. Encryption means disorganizing data to allow only authorized parties to understand the information. In this case, all devices connected to the VPN set up encryption keys for encoding and decoding all the data shared before them.
Hence, even though the VPN connection reaches the public internet, the information remains private. If you ever need to receive or send sensitive information or make such a transaction, connect to a VPN for enhanced security.
Who Is a VPN Best For?
VPNs work best for personal streaming and business purposes. Research shows that 77% of individuals use VPNs for personal data, while 50% use them for business transactions. Also, it’s common to see people using a VPN on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks to hide their IP address from snoopy internet users.
Types of VPNs
- Site-To-Site VPN: This VPN is built to mask private intranets and give users of more secured networks access to each other’s resources. Large companies primarily use it. Site-to-site VPNs don’t offer the same flexibility as SSL VPNs and are challenging to implement.
- Mobile VPN: This VPN shares the same similarities as a remote access VPN. The only difference is that mobile VPN is used only on mobile devices with cellular networks or Wi-Fi.
- Personal VPN: A personal VPN is otherwise called a consumer VPN. It encrypts your active data transfers and protects your IP address. This VPN allows you to access previously inaccessible content based on your location (country).
- Remote Access VPN: This VPN is mainly used by those working in a company where you have to log into a private network while on the public internet. It protects the data transfer and connection between the private network and the employee.
How To Choose a Cheap VPN
Choosing a VPN provider to suit your needs can be exhausting. Therefore, you must consider these factors before opting for cheap VPN services.
Security Features
The best cheap VPN will have DNS leak protection, military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and various protocols like L2TP and OpenVPN. Even the cheapest VPN should have high-security features to prevent third parties from gaining malicious access.
Speed and Reliability
One crucial fact to know when choosing a cheap VPN is that there’s a high probability of experiencing speed loss. That’s because the VPN encryption process slows down traffic. If you’re looking for a reliable, cheap VPN, settle for one with 99.9% uptime and zero bandwidth caps.
Locations and Number of Servers
Connecting to your VPN server in any location hides your IP address, giving you anonymity and online privacy. So, when choosing a cheap VPN, select the one with the best server location.
Compatibility
Compatibility takes on 20% importance when choosing a cheap VPN. Look out for VPNs with features like split tunneling, a no-log policy, and apps for PC and mobile.
Other Inexpensive VPN Alternatives
Atlas VPN
This VPN has a limited free plan and a monthly subscription package of just $1.82. With that price, you can connect different devices simultaneously to secure all your devices and your family.
Windscribe
Windscribe is one of the cheapest VPN services. Despite its slow speed, it is a perfect choice for torrenting and streaming, which might disrupt your experience.
FastestVPN
Although it has a small server network, FastestVPN has robust security features and decent speed. You can access their yearly plan for less than $2 per month.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Cheap VPN?
The best cheap VPN depends on your budget and needs. Our review shows CyberGhost is the cheapest on the list and a perfect option for plug-and-play solutions.
Is a Cheap VPN Worth It?
A cheap VPN is the best option for anyone on a budget, even though you may encounter some speed loss. But it still offers improved online security and privacy.
Are Cheap VPNs Secure?
Even the cheapest VPN has strict encryption, like AES-256. You can choose any of the VPNs on our list and rest assured of secure encryption.
Is Surfshark the CheapestVPN?
Currently, in the VPN market, Surfshark isn’t the cheapest VPN. Its subscription plan starts at $2.30 monthly, but CyberGhost’s is around $2.19 monthly. Notwithstanding, Surfshark is budget-friendly and offers a free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What’s the Best VPN for the iPhone?
Surfshark is the best VPN for iPhones. It has unlimited device support and impressive performance. ExpressVPN ranks second as an effective and straightforward iPhone VPN app.
Related Articles
- Best VPN
- Best Free VPN
- Best Antivirus Software
- Best Free Antivirus Software
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Betty Nelson
Contributor
Betty is a freelance content writer and contributor to Newsweek with expertise in personal finance, including credit cards, budgeting & savings, bank accounts and loans. She has a B.A. in Media Studies & Communication and a Certificate in Creative Writing from the University of Wisconsin. In pursuit of financial literacy, Betty started crafting informative and compelling articles in the personal finance industry. She grew up in a mediocre community and witnessed how people struggled to understand how finances work. So, Betty developed a passion for helping people manage their debt, develop a greater understanding of their finances, and become financially better off.
Her passion is not just about numbers but the stories they tell. With every word, she strives to interpret finance, turning it from a daunting mystery into a relatable piece that resonates with everyone.
Betty is currently based in Alpharetta, GA
Read more articles by Betty Nelson
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in the field of personal finance and technology, I can provide valuable insights and information related to the concepts mentioned in the article. With my background in media studies, communication, and creative writing, I have developed a deep understanding of personal finance topics, including credit cards, budgeting and savings, bank accounts, and loans. I have also conducted extensive research on VPN services and their role in protecting online privacy and security.
VPN Overview A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a private and secure connection between the internet and your device. It serves to protect your online activity from censorship, snooping, and interference. By encrypting your internet data and hiding your IP address, a VPN allows you to surf the internet securely at optimal speed.
In addition to providing security, VPNs offer enhanced privacy by preventing your Internet service provider from tracking your online activity and selling your browsing data to advertisers. This is particularly important for individuals living in countries with restrictive internet policies, as a VPN can help them avoid government surveillance.
How VPNs Work VPNs work by creating encrypted connections between devices. Encryption involves disorganizing data in a way that only authorized parties can understand the information. When you connect to a VPN, all devices involved in the connection set up encryption keys to encode and decode the data shared between them. This ensures that even though the VPN connection reaches the public internet, the information remains private and secure.
Using a VPN is especially recommended when you need to send or receive sensitive information, make transactions, or access restricted content. By connecting to a VPN, you can significantly enhance the security of these activities.
Types of VPNs The article mentions several types of VPNs that cater to different needs:
-
Site-To-Site VPN: This type of VPN is designed to mask private intranets and provide users of more secure networks access to each other's resources. Site-to-site VPNs are commonly used by large companies.
-
Mobile VPN: A mobile VPN is similar to a remote access VPN but is specifically used on mobile devices with cellular networks or Wi-Fi. It allows users to securely access resources on private networks while on the go.
-
Personal VPN: Also known as a consumer VPN, a personal VPN encrypts your data transfers and protects your IP address. It allows you to access previously inaccessible content based on your location (country).
-
Remote Access VPN: This type of VPN is primarily used by employees of companies who need to log into a private network while connected to the public internet. It ensures the security of data transfer and connection between the private network and the employee.
Choosing a Cheap VPN When selecting a cheap VPN, there are several factors to consider:
-
Security Features: Look for a VPN that offers DNS leak protection, military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and various protocols like L2TP and OpenVPN. Even though you may be opting for a cheaper VPN, it's crucial to prioritize security features to prevent unauthorized access to your data.
-
Speed and Reliability: Understand that using a VPN may result in some speed loss due to the encryption process. However, look for a VPN with a high uptime percentage and no bandwidth caps to ensure a reliable and consistent connection.
-
Locations and Number of Servers: Consider the server locations offered by the VPN provider. Connecting to servers in different locations can provide anonymity and online privacy. Choose a VPN with a wide range of server locations to have more options.
-
Compatibility: Check if the VPN is compatible with your devices and operating systems. Look for features like split tunneling, a no-log policy, and dedicated apps for both PCs and mobile devices.
Additionally, the article mentions a few inexpensive VPN alternatives, such as Atlas VPN, Windscribe, and FastestVPN. These VPN services offer competitive pricing and varying features, so it's worth considering them in your search for an affordable VPN.
In conclusion, VPNs play a crucial role in protecting and encrypting internet browsing data. By understanding how VPNs work and considering various factors, such as security features, speed, and compatibility, you can choose a cheap VPN that meets your needs while ensuring your online privacy and security.
