A virtual private network, or VPN, is a great tool for increasing your online anonymity. We’ve previously compiled a list of some of the top VPN services available, and now we’ve narrowed it down to a select few of the finest VPN offers available right now.
Utilizing a virtual private network is beneficial for several reasons. Did you realise, for instance, that your internet service provider collects as much information as possible about your online behaviour? According to a Federal Trade Commission study from 2021, the biggest ISPs have accumulated consumer information on sensitive issues including ethnicity, sexual orientation, and current location. They have aggregated it, cross-referenced it, and made it available to partners in the outside world. Yikes.
Fortunately, a VPN may shield you from these widespread data collection techniques. A VPN can help you virtually change your location to a different city or country in addition to masking your internet activity by offering a secure and private “tunnel” to your online destination. This feature is useful if you want to avoid local censorship laws or test out different streaming media options in various locations.
It’s crucial to remember that using a free VPN service isn’t worth the danger. They are largely engaging in the same game of collecting and selling your data. The good news is that there are now some excellent VPN bargains available, with costs starting at less than $2 per month if you pay in advance for a year or two of subscription. Below are our suggestions for the top VPN offers after testing a number of the industry heavyweights. Just bear the following in mind:
- Some of these offers have countdown clocks saying that the VPN deals are ending “today.” These are usually marketing tactics that have no relationship to the deal’s actual end date.
- We will update sale prices when we notice a change, so be sure to check back often.
- The VPN industry has undergone significant change in the past year, with all three of our top VPN choices announcing major changes in corporate ownership. In December, ExpressVPN announced that it had officially joined Kape Technologies, a company that already owns several other VPNs and has raised privacy concerns in the past. In February, NordVPN and Surfshark announced the two companies were merging, though they’ll continue to operate autonomously. We’ve since given ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark fresh reviews in light of these changes, and we continue to actively evaluate other VPN services as well. Our rankings are likewise subject to change as they reflect our latest findings.
- Most of these offers below are for subscriptions of two years or more, which is a long time to tie yourself to a service that could change ownership (see above) or terms of service, or even have a security incident. While most services have a 30-day free cancellation policy at the start, be sure to check the terms of service before signing up for a long-term commitment.
VPN deals: Tested and recommended
The VPNs in this first category are also on our current list of the top five VPNs. As a result, given the aforementioned reservations, we can generally recommend them. However, despite the fact that the ownership landscape in the VPN industry is rapidly shifting, we will keep updating this as we learn more.
Surfshark: $2.30 a month for 26 months
Devices: Unlimited
Refund policy: Fully refundable for 30 days
Although Surfshark is a relative newcomer to the VPN industry, our VPN experts recommend it because of how rapidly it has established a reputation for speed. Additionally, Surfshark enables an infinite number of devices, which is perfect for big families. Right now, you can purchase Surfshark VPN for 26 months for for $2.30 per month with a $59.76 upfront payment. Remember that this deal only lowers the overall cost per month because it includes an additional two months of “free” access along with the two years of service. Although the two businesses have up until now operated separately, it should be noted that Surfshark recently joined with rival NordVPN.
NordVPN: $3 a month for 27 months
Devices: Up to six
Refund policy: Fully refundable for 30 days
NordVPN, a leader in the field and one of CNET’s top recommendations, is reducing the cost of its two-year membership plan by 63% and included three extra months for free. For 27 months of service, you will pay the equivalent of $3 a month (billed at an upfront cost of $80.73). The three months of “free” access reduce the monthly cost overall while spreading the savings over a longer period of time of 27 months. At $4.49 a month, the one-year plan is similarly reduced, but not as drastically. (Remember that although NordVPN and Surfshark just combined, they have so far continued to run independently.)
IPVanish: $4 a month for 12 months
Devices: Unlimited
Refund policy: Fully refundable for 30 days
According to our reviewer, IPVanish has one of the finest user interfaces in the industry and is suitable for both people who are new to using a VPN and those who want to be able to tweak settings. IPVanish is a dependable service with a low learning curve if you’re new to the rodeo and want to learn more about the technology. Normally, a year of IPVanish costs $90, but with this offer, you can buy a year for only $48 ($4 per month). One of the most affordable offers available without a long-term commitment is this one. If you’re a user who is concerned about security, be aware that Ziff Davis, a company with headquarters in the US, owns IPVanish.
ProtonVPN: $4 a month for 24 months
Devices: Up to 10
Refund policy: Fully refundable for 30 days
For $5 per month for two years, ProtonVPN lets you disconnect from the internet. Remember that this offer is advertised as two years for $120. There are no bandwidth limits or restrictions on server switching with ProtonVPN Plus (the premium subscription). ProtonVPN is a favourite among many users thanks to its simplicity, compatibility for Tor, and ad-blocking function. You may alternatively choose the one-year plan, which costs $6 per month (paid at $72) instead. Pick the two-year plan option to get the largest savings.
ExpressVPN: $6.67 per month for 15 months
When you choose ExpressVPN’s 12-month plan, you’ll receive an additional three months of service for free, bringing the comparable monthly cost down to only $6.67 (paid as $100 upfront). ExpressVPN continues to top our list of the best VPNs. Once more, the three months of “free” access only reduce the monthly cost overall while spreading the savings over a longer period of 15 months. We rate VPNs according on how well they perform overall in three key areas: speed, security, and cost. Even after being purchased by Kape Technologies, Express is still among the fastest and, so far, the most secure options. It is not the cheapest, though.
Additional VPN deals
We either haven’t fully tested the following VPNs, or have only tested them anecdotally. Thus we can only recommend them for casual use, such as bypassing geographic restrictions while streaming media.
PureVPN: $2 per month for 12 months
Devices: Up to 10
Refund policy: Fully refundable for 31 days
If you’re looking for a straightforward VPN without a high price tag, PureVPN offers another reasonable choice. Although we haven’t had the opportunity to test it, PureVPN boasts a strong server fleet of over 6,500 in 78 nations. Another item to note is this: According to a revelation from our sister site ZDNet, PureVPN sent the FBI timestamp-only data in a cyberstalking case back in 2018. Since then, PureVPN has discontinued timestamp recording and completed an external audit to make sure it adheres to its no-log policy. Currently, a deal is available for $2 per month for a full year ($23.88 upfront).
Atlas VPN: $1.64 a month for 30 months
Devices: Unlimited
Refund policy: Fully refundable for 30 days
Atlas VPN is a low-cost VPN designed for casual customers whose primary needs are P2P file sharing and video streaming. It comes with all the characteristics of a VPN, including robust encryption, a no-logs policy, and a network kill switch. The server count for Atlas VPN is presently listed as 700 across 28 countries, which is less than that of the top VPN services. The service’s acquisition by rival NordVPN last year may result in future terms of service adjustments. But because we already enjoy Nord, we’re hopeful this is a positive development rather than a regression.(Although Atlas provides a free version, we usually advise against using them.) For 30 months of Atlas VPN for roughly $1.64 a month ($49 up front), use coupon XMAS2022 at the checkout. Remember that although though this offer is for two years of service, the six “free” months cut the monthly cost and spread the savings over a longer period of time of 30 months.
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