Updated 2026
27 March 2026
2 min read
How Much Does a VPN Cost?
🔍 Quick answer:
A VPN costs between $0 and $15 per month. Here's the breakdown: Free VPNs: ProtonVPN Free is trustworthy, unlimited data, no ads. Monthly plans: $10-15/month. Annual plans: $3-6/month. Multi-year plans: $2-4/month. The best value is a 2-year plan from NordVPN or Surfshark at ~$2-3/month.
VPN pricing tiers (2026)
| Tier | Price Range | What You Get | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Limited servers, slower speeds, 1 device, no logs, no ads | ProtonVPN Free |
| Budget | $2-4/month | Full features, fast speeds, unlimited devices (Surfshark), 2-3 year contracts | Surfshark, NordVPN (2-year) |
| Mid-range | $5-8/month | Full features, excellent speeds, 5-10 devices, 1-2 year contracts | NordVPN, ProtonVPN, Mullvad |
| Premium | $10-15/month | Fastest speeds, most servers, 24/7 support, month-to-month | ExpressVPN, monthly plans |
Total cost comparison (annual)
- ExpressVPN: $99.95/year ($8.32/month) — premium speed, ease of use
- NordVPN: $59.88/year ($4.99/month) — best balance of price and features
- Surfshark: $47.88/year ($3.99/month) — cheapest premium, unlimited devices
- ProtonVPN: $59.88/year ($4.99/month) — privacy-focused, Swiss jurisdiction
- Mullvad: €60/year ($65) — flat rate, no discounts, maximum privacy
Hidden costs to watch for
- Auto-renewal: Most VPNs auto-renew at higher rates. Cancel or contact support for renewal discounts.
- VPN router: Buying a pre-flashed VPN router costs $150-300 (one-time).
- Dedicated IP: Some VPNs charge extra ($3-5/month) for a static IP address.
- Free VPN "cost": If not ProtonVPN, the cost is your personal data being sold to advertisers.
💡 Pro tip: Always check for discount codes before purchasing. Many VPNs offer 50-70% off through affiliate links or seasonal sales (Black Friday, Cyber Monday). Never pay full monthly price — annual plans save 50% or more.
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Terms you'll meet
- IP address
- Your device's public ID online.
- Encryption
- Scrambling data so only you can read it.
- No‑logs policy
- VPN doesn't store your activity.