UPDATE: Feb. 3, 2023, 9:50 a.m. EST This story has been updated.
Using a virtual private network (VPN) is one of the best ways to protect your online data and stay anonymous on the web, whether you’re trying to stream movies abroad, torrent, bypass geo-restrictions, or just plain browse. Most providers’ plans cost anywhere from $2 to $12 per month, though many lure customers in with discounted introductory rates that skyrocket after your initial term. To help you lock in a plan that’ll fit your budget in the short and long run, we’re compiling a weekly roundup of the best deals on all the VPNs we’ve personally tested. Below, you can check out our top picks as of Feb. 3.
Read our full review of ExpressVPN.
A reliable server network, a user-friendly app, a strong commitment to data protection, and a headquarters in the privacy-forward British Virgin Islands make ExpressVPN our favorite full-featured VPN on the market. It also happens to be one of the most expensive VPNs out there, which is why we highly recommend taking advantage of an ongoing deal on its 15-month plan(Opens in a new window): You can sign up for just $6.67/month (billed $99.95 upfront), which is 49% off its standard $12.95/month rate and covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. You’ll switch to an $8.32/month annual plan after the first term is up.
Read our full review of NordVPN.
Power users shouldn’t think twice about signing up for NordVPN, another industry giant based in the British Virgin Islands that packs robust security features like double encryption(Opens in a new window)(opens in a new tab), obfuscated servers(opens in a new tab), dark web monitoring(Opens in a new window)(opens in a new tab), malware protection, ad and tracker blockers, and Onion Over VPN(Opens in a new window), a tool that combines your VPN connection with the Tor network(Opens in a new window) for an extra layer of privacy. Its two-year Standard plan(Opens in a new window)(opens in a new tab) has dipped to $3.49/month as part of its lingering New Year sale (billed $83.76 upfront), which is 71% off its usual $11.99/month pricing and protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Note that you may have to pull up NordVPN’s website in an incognito window to see the discount reflected in your rate. Also, feel free to ignore the countdown timer on its homepage — it’s just a marketing ploy.
Optional upgrades include:
Read our full review of ProtonVPN.
The Swiss-based Proton VPN is another great pick for privacy wonks, with open-source apps and critical infrastructure stored inside a data center requiring biometric access. We recommend its Plus plan(Opens in a new window)(opens in a new tab), which gets you full access to its server network, streaming service and P2P support, ad/tracker/malware protection, and a Tor over VPN(Opens in a new window)(opens in a new tab) tool that lets you direct traffic through the Tor network with a single click. Monthly subscriptions typically go for $9.99, but you’ll save 50% and pay $4.99/month (billed $119.76 upfront) if you commit to a two-year plan(Opens in a new window)(opens in a new tab). A 30-day money-back guarantee applies here, too.
Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.
This Romania-based provider lays claim to the biggest, most globally diverse network we’ve seen, with special servers optimized for streaming, gaming, and P2P to maintain consistent connections. New customers can sign up for a 26-month plan(Opens in a new window)(opens in a new tab) at just $2.19/month (billed $56.94 upfront), which trims 83% off its standard monthly fee of $12.99. Your subscription will renew as a $4.75/month annual plan after the initial term is up, which still isn’t terrible — and like all of CyberGhost’s multi-year plans, it comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee plus free access to its ID Guard(Opens in a new window)(opens in a new tab) and Privacy Guard(Opens in a new window)(opens in a new tab) tools. (Disregard the countdown timer on this one, too.)
Optional add-ons include:
Read our full review of TunnelBear.
Our go-to recommendation for anyone who’s never used the technology before, TunnelBear is a simple, lightweight VPN with an intuitive (and adorable) interface. Though it’s incapable of unblocking streaming sites and based in Canada, a Five Eyes country, it should serve you well for basic web surfing. We recommend its Unlimited plan(Opens in a new window)(opens in a new tab) over the free version for unlimited browsing and priority customer service, which goes for just $3.33/month (billed $120 upfront) when you enroll for three years — that’s 67% off its usual $9.99/month rate and a fixed price that won’t increase after your first term. There’s no money-back guarantee, unfortunately, but refunds are offered on a case-by-case basis(Opens in a new window)(opens in a new tab). Note that you may have to click through to its “Plans” page to see the offer.
Read our full review of PIA.
It’s nothing particularly special (and its U.S. headquarters location isn’t ideal), but for users in search of a basic VPN with open-source apps, built-in ad blocking, and a free email breach monitor, PIA is worth a look. Pick its longest plan, and you’ll pay just $2.19/month (billed $56.94 upfront) for 26 months of coverage(Opens in a new window)(opens in a new tab), shaving 82% off its regular rate of $11.99/month; that also includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. You’ll switch to an annual plan at $4.75/month after the initial term is over.
Optional add-ons include:
Read our full review of IPVanish.
Another middle-of-the-road pick with a U.S. headquarters (boo), IPVanish makes up for a lack of advanced security features with a minimalist, straightforward app and support for unlimited simultaneous connections. You can get your first two years of service for just $3.33/month (billed $79.99 upfront), which takes 68% off its usual monthly rate of $11.99 and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. After that term is up, you’ll get bumped to $7.50/month on an annual plan.
Editor’s Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, Mashable’s publisher. Any IPVanish or Vipre products or services featured on Mashable are covered independently by our team.
Read our full review of PureVPN.
We don’t have a ton of nice things to say about PureVPN — our review turned up slow download speeds, buggy apps, iffy Netflix support, and a questionable privacy policy — but hey, it’s cheap! Enroll in a 27-month plan(Opens in a new window)(opens in a new tab) to lock in a rate of just $2.08/month (billed $49.95 upfront), or 81% off its normal monthly fee of $10.95. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of its 31-day money-back guarantee if necessary.
Optional add-ons include:
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