A VPN not only safeguards your privacy by preventing data leaks but also grants you the freedom to access geo-restricted content and even helps you save money when making online purchases.
If you’re looking for an affordable VPN that still delivers reliable performance, you’re in luck—there are plenty of great options available.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about VPNs, including what they are, how to choose the right one, and the most budget-friendly options on the market.
LightningX VPN
Compared to other VPNs in this post, LightningX VPN is the cheapest VPN. Here are the main features of it.
Secure data transmission: LightningX VPN protects your data from being attacked during transmission with encryption protocols such as Shadowsocks, Vless, and WireGuard, and strong encryption algorithms like AES-256-GCM and ChaCha20-Poly1305.
Multiple server locations for selection: LightningX VPN has 2,000 servers in 50+ countries like the US, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, etc. You can access unlimited content like films, shows, and videos that are blocked in your country.
No buffering: When you watch your favorite films and shows on YouTube, Netflix, or other media platforms, you can enjoy them without buffering. This is because LightningX VPN has no bandwidth throttling on your network connection.
Supported platforms and devices: LightningX VPN supports Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Android TV, and Linux.
Simultaneous device connection: It allows 3 simultaneous devices by default. And now you can customize the number with $0.83/mo/device.
Free trial: You can’t get a free trial from the purchase on its website. However, downloading it on a mobile phone will give you a 10-minute free trial when you first use it. What’s more, if you’re a Google Play or iOS user, you can get 30 minutes of free usage. You can determine if using it after having a free trial.
Price and plan:
- 1 day: $0.99
- 1 month: $5.99 ($0.19/day).
- 3 months+1 month free: $15.99 ($0.13/day).
- 1 year+1 year free: $59.99 ($0.08/day).
If you just want short-term usage, maybe the one-day or one-month plan is the best option. Once you decide to use it, you can choose the one-year plan to have the best value.
Related: Best VPN Free Trials: Free VPN Trial, No Credit Card Required!
NordVPN
If you are looking for the cheapest VPN for the best speed and protection, you can try NordVPN. Its key features are listed here.
Threat Protection Pro: Apart from the cutting-edge encryption tech, NordVPN improves its protection function by adding the Threat Protection Pro into NordVPN desktop apps. It protects your devices by blocking malware, intrusive ads, and phishing websites.
Servers in most countries: NordVPN has 6,000+ servers in 111 countries. It nearly covers most countries in the world. You can unlock the content when you are traveling around the world.
Blazing-fast speed: NordVPN causes the least network speed loss when you’re watching dramas or visiting websites. You can smoothly watch videos and play games online.
Meshnet: Meshnet is a new tech provided by NordVPN. It is like a LAN (Local Area Network) which allows you to exchange data with other devices in this network. Once you adopt it, you can transfer any file among your devices without lag.
Supported platforms and devices: NordVPN supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, etc.
Simultaneous device connection: NordVPN allows you to connect to ten devices simultaneously.
Free trial: If you download NordVPN from the Google Play store, you can get a 7-day free trial.
Sweet introductory pricing:
| Price and plan | Standard Plan | Plus Plan | Ultimate Plan |
| Per month | $12.99 | $13.99 | $15.99 |
| 1 year | $55.08($4.59/mo) | $65.88 ($5.49/mo) | $89.88 ($7.49/mo) |
| 2 years | $88.56($3.69/mo) | $112.56($4.69/mo) | $160.56($6.69/mo) |
Related: The Top Six Fastest VPNs
Surfshark
Even Surfshark isn’t the cheapest VPN, it still has excellent performance and a relatively cheap price.
Robust encryption: It has secure protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN UDP and TCP, AES-256-GCM encryption, and a kill switch to protect your identity, browsing, and other data from being leaked.
Multiple server options: Surfshark has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries around Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.
Fast connection speed: Surfshark provides at least a single 1 Gbps port on every server. It decreases the speed loss at its best to make you browse smoother.
Supported platforms and devices: Surfshark supports Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, etc. You can use it on iPhone, Mac, Android phone, etc.
Simultaneous device connection: This is the core premise of Surfshark. It allows you to connect to unlimited devices simultaneously without bandwidth throttling. However, if there are too many devices connected to it, it might harm the quality of Surfshark’s services and the experience for other users.
Free trial: You can have a seven-day free trial by downloading it from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Price and plan:
- 1 month: $15.45
- 1 year: $41.86 ($2.99/mo).
- 2 years + 2 months free: $59.54 ($2.29/mo).
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost VPN is also a good option if you’re looking for the cheapest VPN. Check its key features.
Secure network connection: With industry-leading 256-bit AES encryption, CyberGhost VPN protects your identity, browsing, and internet traffic from being tracked by your ISP, hackers, and government.
Multiple server locations: It offers 9,200 servers in 126 locations across 100 countries. That is far more servers than most VPNs.
Excellent speed and performance: The connection bandwidth of a regular version usually won’t fall back behind an average speed of 6 Mbps, while the maximum could reach at best 1 GB. It’s quite enough for you to watch Netflix, YouTube, or other platforms.
Supported platforms and devices: CyberGhost supports Windows, Amazon Fire TV, Android, iOS, macOS, etc.
Simultaneous device connection: It allows you to connect to seven devices simultaneously.
Free trial: PC and Mac users can get a 24-hour free trial by downloading it from CyberGhost’s official website. Android users can get a three-day free trial from the Google Play Store while iOS users can get a seven-day one.
Price and plan:
- 1 month: $12.99 (14-day money-back guarantee).
- 6 months: $41.94 ($6.99/mo with a 45-day money-back guarantee).
- 2 years + 2 months free: $56.94 ($2.19/mo with a 45-day money-back guarantee).
Private Internet Access
If you’re looking for the cheapest VPN, You can try Private Internet Access. Here are its key features.
Privacy and security: PIA uses the latest and most secure protocols—like WireGuard and OpenVPN. DNS leak protection and a kill switch also disable your internet access if the connection drops.
Multiple server choices: It has 10,000-35,000 servers across 91 countries. This is quite enough for you to access huge amount of online resources in different countries.
Fast connection speed: Compared to NordVPN and Surfshark, PIA’s network connection speed is not the best. However, it still can satisfy users with an average speed of 330 Mbps.
Supported platforms and devices: It supports Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, etc.
Simultaneous device connection: It offers an unlimited number of connections to PIA services. You can use routers, computers, and mobile devices to connect to it.
Free trial: It only allows Android and iOS users to get a seven-day free trial by downloading it from the Google Play Store or Apple Store.
Price and plan:
- 1 month: $11.99
- 6 months: $45 ($7.50/mo).
- 2 years + 2 months free: $56.94 ($2.19/mo).
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
Note: PIA is also the cheapest VPN for Firestick.
About the Cheapest VPN
The most obvious benefit of using the cheapest VPN service is the cost savings. It allows users to access VPN services at a lower price point, making it a budget-friendly option for those looking to secure their online activities without breaking the bank.
These VPNs still provide security functionalities such as encryption, IP masking, and secure tunneling. This can help protect your online data and privacy from potential threats.
Also, many affordable VPN services allow users to access geo-restricted content by masking their IP address and connecting to servers in different locations. This can be useful for streaming services, accessing websites, or online gaming that may be restricted in certain regions.
Overall, cheap VPNs can still provide security and privacy at an affordable price point.
Related: How Much is a VPN? (Best, Cheapest, Cost-Effective)
Tips for Choosing the Cheapest VPN
When choosing the cheapest VPN provider, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure that you are getting a reliable and secure service. Here are some tips for selecting the right budget-friendly VPN:
Make a comparison between VPNs: Don’t settle for the first cheap VPN you come across, but research and compare multiple providers to find the one that offers the best value for your money. You can look for user reviews, expert recommendations, and comparisons of features and pricing.
Check security features: Security is the most important factor. Ensure that the VPN provider offers reliable security features such as strong encryption protocols, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch to protect your data and privacy.
Read the fine print: Before signing up for a cheap VPN service, read the provider’s terms of service and privacy policy carefully. Make sure you understand their data logging practices, refund policy, and any limitations on usage.
Consider your needs: You can choose the cheapest VPN depending on your specific needs. For example, if you’re a beginner, you may choose LightningX VPN.
Conclusion
There are many options for you to choose from, but you may need to compare their price, functionality, and policy to select the best VPN for you. You can also have a free trial before buying one to see if it is suitable for you.
