How Much is a VPN?
🔍 Quick answer:
A VPN costs between $0 and $15 per month. Trustworthy free VPNs like ProtonVPN cost nothing (no ads, no data selling). Premium VPNs are $10-15/month if paid monthly, or $3-6/month with annual plans. The best value is a 2-3 year plan at $2-4/month. Avoid completely free VPNs from unknown companies — they make money by selling your data.
VPN pricing breakdown (2026)
| VPN Provider | Monthly | Annual | 2-3 Year Plan | Free Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | $12.95 | $8.32/mo ($99.95/yr) | — | ❌ 30-day refund |
| NordVPN | $12.99 | $4.99/mo ($59.88/yr) | $3.09/mo (2 years) | ❌ 30-day refund |
| Surfshark | $10.99 | $3.99/mo ($47.88/yr) | $2.29/mo (2 years) | ❌ 30-day refund |
| ProtonVPN | $9.99 | $4.99/mo ($59.88/yr) | $3.99/mo (2 years) | ✅ Unlimited free |
| Mullvad | €5 ($5.50) | Same as monthly | No discounts | ❌ |
Free VPNs: What's the catch?
Trustworthy free VPNs
ProtonVPN Free is the only recommended free VPN. No ads, no data selling, unlimited data. Limitations: slower speeds, only 5 countries, 1 device.
Avoid these "free" VPNs
Hola VPN, Betternet, TouchVPN, TurboVPN — they often sell your data, inject ads, or use your device as an exit node. If you're not paying, you're the product.
What affects VPN price?
- Server network size: More servers = higher operating costs
- Privacy audits: Independent security audits cost money but prove trustworthiness
- Customer support: 24/7 live chat costs more than email-only support
- Marketing budget: Big brands spend heavily on ads, reflected in price
- Jurisdiction: Companies in expensive countries (Switzerland, Panama) may have higher overhead
💡 Pro tip: Never pay monthly — annual or multi-year plans save 50-70%. Most premium VPNs offer 30-day money-back guarantees, so you can test risk-free. If you're on a tight budget, ProtonVPN Free is genuinely trustworthy and costs $0.
On this page
Top 3 VPNs 2026 Tested
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Similar questions
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.