The best VPNs arent always the most expensive. Some leading VPNs are actually really affordable, which is great news for anyone looking to secure cheap online security, data protection, and increased streaming options.
You have come to the right place if youre looking for a premium VPN with advanced features, without the big price tag. Weve lined up some great value options for absolutely everyone, and there is no need to compromise on security, connection speed, customer support, or anything else.
But first, there are a few things we need to cover.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide valuable protection for your data and identity when youre navigating the online world. How do they do this? VPNs offer online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address and makes all of your information unreadable.
All of your activity is untraceable and secure, because your online traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel. Everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware. VPNs are primarily designed to provide online security, but there is another reason that millions of people use these services.
VPNs can also be used to stream movies and shows from around the world, and the process is actually really simple. Weve already mentioned how VPNs provide anonymity by hiding your real IP address. Well, this technique can also be used to manipulate the streaming market. By hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another location, you can trick your favourite streaming sites into thinking that you are based in a different country. This provides access to all the extra content that would normally be restricted in your location.
The question that everyone wants an answer to is whether you actually need to pay for a VPN. There are plenty of free VPNs out there, but do these offer the features you need to browse, shop, and stream securely? Unfortunately, there is often a catch with free versions (usually in the form of a limitation on your data usage or connection speed).
Occasional users will probably be satisfied with a free VPN, but if youre going to be streaming or downloading on a regular basis, you should look elsewhere. The only exception to this rule is a free trial. These come without limitations, but obviously dont tend to last for a long time.
The conclusion is that the best option for securing your data and streaming more content from around the world is with a paid subscription. The sad fact is that youll have to pay to gain access to advanced security features without limitations on your usage. Its not all bad news though, because there are plenty of cheap plans out there, especially if youre willing to commit to a lengthy contract.
The process of actually selecting a VPN can be seriously tricky, especially if you dont know what to consider. Most of the best VPNs offer many of the same features with similar packages, so its important to know what matters.
To make your life a little bit easier, we have shortlisted a few things to consider before making any sort of decision:
Customer support — VPNs can be difficult to understand if youre not an experienced user, and even if you are, problems can occur. Whether youre a total beginner or not, customer support is key for dealing with any potential issues that might arise. You should also consider whether customer support is offered by phone, email, or web chat.
Jurisdiction — Its a good idea to look for VPNs based in the British Virgin Islands, Panama, Switzerland, and other privacy-friendly countries. VPNs based in countries that fall under the jurisdiction of the intelligence-sharing alliances should be avoided: the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, France, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Spain. VPNs in these countries can be forced by authorities to collect and hand over user data.
Network size and location — The best VPNs offer a large network of geographically diverse servers. The more servers (and server locations) offered by a VPN, the more likely you are to find a reliable and fast connection. This is also particularly important for streaming, as you should always be able to connect to a server in the country with the content you want to watch.
Trustworthiness — We recommend finding an experienced provider with a strong track record and a clear privacy policy. Its important that your VPN of choice guarantees your data wont be logged or collected. If it isnt obvious what happens to your data, you should steer clear.
Make sure you carefully consider these features before deciding on the VPN that suits you and your lifestyle. Once you have narrowed down your options, you can begin the process of finding the best deals.
Were sorry to burst your bubble, but there isnt one VPN that stands above all the rest. The best VPN for you really comes down to your own set of personal preferences. Once you find a few options that tick your boxes, you need to consider the best deals.
We have reached out to partners in order to provide you with market-leading prices on VPN subscriptions, with performance and security in mind. All of these VPN services have been handpicked not only because of the prices and deals on offer, but because they all offer the most important features to protect your online data and identity.
There are also plenty of services to consider on this list if your priority is unlocking streaming sites like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. Online security should always be the priority, but we know that many subscribers use these services to unlock more content from around the world. We get it, and were here to help.
These are the best deals on cheap VPNs in 2025.
Read our full review of Express VPN.
ExpressVPN has a formidable number of servers, with more than 3,000 spread out across 94 countries worldwide. It also promises great security, offers unlimited bandwidth, and abides by a zero-logs policy. Users get strong connection speeds and powerful encryption, with reliable unblocking of top streaming sites like Netflix and Prime Video.
Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.
CyberGhost VPN has over 6,200 servers worldwide, offers unlimited bandwidth, and features AES 256-bit encryption, DNS and IP leak protection, and an automatic kill switch (among other stellar security tools). Its also capable of unblocking streaming services like Disney+, Prime Video, Netflix, and more top sites.
Read our full review of PureVPN.
PureVPN users get apps for every operating system, enterprise-grade security, 10-multi logins, and access to over 6,000 secure servers in 140 countries. PureVPN also has a strong record for good customer support.
ProtonVPN provides access to hundreds of servers located in 40 countries, with multiple simultaneous connections, P2P/BitTorrent support, and a strict no-logging policy. ProtonVPN also offers one of the best free trials.
Read our full review of NordVPN.
NordVPN is one of the most reliable VPN services out there, NordVPN lays claim to over 5,200 servers in nearly 60 countries around the globe. Its also one of the best services for streaming and powerful security. NordVPN is one of the most comprehensive services on the market.
Surfshark users get an unlimited number of connections, uncompromised security and privacy, around the clock customer service, and enterprise-grade infrastructure. Surfshark also has a strict no-logging policy, meaning all of your data is protected from prying eyes.
Topics
Cybersecurity
Streaming
Joseph Green is the Global Shopping Editor for Mashable. He covers VPNs, headphones, fitness gear, dating sites, streaming, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day.
Joseph is also Executive Editor of Mashables sister site, AskMen.