Cheapest VPN in 2026: cheap VPNs worth paying for, and what they cost after renewal
You do not need to pay a lot for a good VPN. The catch is that the cheapest-looking price is not always the cheapest deal: most providers raise the price when the first term ends.
We read the prices of the seven VPNs we review on their official pages and worked out what each costs a month after renewal.
CyberGhostStrong alternative8.72
SurfsharkBest value9.21
PIACheapest8.53- Among the lowest prices on long plans
- Unlimited devices
- RAM-only servers
- 30-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhost8.7We may earn a referral commission when you sign up through our links. It never changes the ranking.
Prices today, and what you pay after renewal
Read on each provider's official pages on 2 November 2026. The monthly price is the first-term price on a long plan. The last column is our own sum from the renewal price.
| VPN | First-term price | You pay first | Renewal price | A month after renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Internet Access | $2.03/mo | $79 for 3 years and 3 months | $79 every 3 years | about $2.19 |
| CyberGhost | $2.19/mo | $56.94 for 2 years and 2 months | $56.94 a year | about $4.75 |
| Hotspot Shield | about $2.42/mo | $29 for the first year | $95.99 a year | about $8.00 |
| Proton VPN Plus | $3.49/mo | $83.76 for 2 years | $83.88 a year | about $6.99 |
| NordVPN Basic | $3.49/mo | $94.23 for 2 years and 3 months | $139.08 a year | about $11.59 |
| ExpressVPN Basic | $4.99/mo | $74.85 for 1 year and 3 months | $99.95 a year | about $8.33 |
| Surfshark Starter | Shown in local currency | Not read in dollars | Not read | Not worked out |
Prices may be shown in your currency and tax may be added. Surfshark showed only Moroccan dirhams to our reader (MAD 15.59 a month on the 2-year plan), so we do not convert it.
The cheapest first term is not always the cheapest overall
$2.03 a month at first, about $2.19 a month after renewal.
Lowest$3.49 a month at first, the equivalent of about $11.59 a month when it renews yearly.
Renewal x3Compare the last column of the table, or set a reminder to cancel or switch before the renewal date.
TipWhat good value means in a VPN
The real cost of keeping it, not the first-year deal.
PIA, Surfshark and CyberGhost are cheap and have audited no-logs policies.
Surfshark and PIA cover unlimited devices, which divides the price across the family.
30 days with most, 45 days with CyberGhost (long plans) and Hotspot Shield.
How to pay less for a good VPN
- 1Choose the long plan
It gives the lowest monthly price, but you pay it up front.
- 2Try it first
Use the money-back window on your own connection before the window closes.
- 3Watch the seasonal offers
Prices drop around big sales such as Black Friday.
- 4Note the renewal date
Decide before it renews whether to stay or switch.
Surfshark or CyberGhost?
Surfshark covers unlimited devices. CyberGhost renews cheaper per month and gives 45 days to ask for a refund on long plans.
SurfsharkOur top pickCyberGhostStrong alternativeRead the full Surfshark review and CyberGhost review.
Cheapest VPN: frequently asked questions
Short answers to what readers ask most. Question not here? Write to us.
Private Internet Access, in our review: $2.03 a month on its first term and about $2.19 a month after renewal ($79 every three years).
Surfshark, our value pick: unlimited devices on one subscription, RAM-only servers and Deloitte no-logs audits at a low price. CyberGhost is the alternative, with 45 days to ask for a refund on long plans.
The advertised monthly price is a first-term deal on a long plan. NordVPN, for example, goes from $3.49 a month at first to about $11.59 a month when it renews yearly.
The same providers sell at the same prices in the UAE, sometimes shown in local currency with tax. PIA is the cheapest in our review.
A cheap paid VPN with an audited no-logs policy is far safer than a free app that lives on your data. PIA, Surfshark and CyberGhost are cheap and audited.
The best VPNs this month
Our full ranking with scores and prices, kept up to date.
See the full ranking