UPDATE: Feb. 1, 2024, 11:55 a.m. EST This story has been updated with the latest VPN deals and pricing.
Using a virtual private network (or VPN) makes it easy to browse securely on public networks and skirt the snooping eyes of your Internet Service Provider (ISP), Google, and advertisers. Some VPNs are also capable of bypassing geo-restrictions on streaming services — vital for when you need a Love Island UK fix. Most VPN providers’ plans cost anywhere from $2 to $13 per month, though many lure customers in with discounted introductory rates that skyrocket after your initial term. To help you lock in a plan that’ll fit your budget in the short and long run, we’re compiling a weekly roundup of the best deals on all the VPNs we’ve tested and reviewed. Keep reading for our list of the top VPN deals as of Feb. 1.
NordVPN
Read Mashable’s review of NordVPN.
Power users shouldn’t think twice about signing up for NordVPN, an industry giant that bundles its highly customizable VPN service with advanced security features like Tor access and multi-hop connections. New users can sign up for a two-year Standard plan at $3.39/month (billed $81.36 upfront) thanks to its lingering New Year’s deal, which takes 74% off its usual $12.99/month rate. (If you don’t see that discount reflected, try pulling up the NordVPN website in an incognito window.) The plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and renews annually at $8.29/month after your first term ends.
Optional add-ons include:
ExpressVPN
Read Mashable’s review of ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN is a sleek VPN service with a strong commitment to user privacy and a globally diverse server network that makes it easy to evade popular streaming services’ geo-restrictions. Its monthly rate also hovers around the high end of the spectrum at $12.95, but Mashable readers can get a 15-month plan for $6.67/month (billed $99.95 upfront) — that’s a 49% savings covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Your subscription will convert to an $8.32/month annual plan after the first term is up.
Proton VPN
Read Mashable’s review of Proton VPN.
Featuring open-source apps and ultra-transparent company policies, Proton VPN is a great pick for privacy wonks. It offers a decent free plan, but we recommend its Plus tier for full access to its server network, split tunneling, multi-hop, up to 10 simultaneous connections, and Tor access. While monthly subscriptions typically go for $9.99, you can save 50% and pay just $4.99/month (billed $119.76 upfront) by committing to a two-year plan; that’s a fixed rate that won’t increase after your first term if you decide to extend the subscription, which is pretty rare. A 30-day money-back guarantee applies here, too.
CyberGhost VPN
Read Mashable’s review of CyberGhost VPN.
CyberGhost VPN lays claim to a massive network around the globe, so frequent travelers will never have trouble finding a fast nearby server. New customers can sign up for a 26-month plan at just $2.19/month (billed $56.94 upfront), saving 83% on its standard monthly fee of $12.99. The subscription will renew as a $4.75/month annual plan after your initial term is up, which still isn’t terrible — and like all of CyberGhost’s multi-year plans, it comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t want to commit to anything just yet, you can try CyberGhost for free for up to a week, depending on the platform.
Optional add-ons include:
TunnelBear
Read Mashable’s review of TunnelBear.
Our go-to recommendation for anyone who’s never used the technology before, TunnelBear is a simple, lightweight VPN with an intuitive (and adorable) interface. Though it’s incapable of unblocking streaming sites, it should serve you well for basic web surfing. Pick its Unlimited plan over the free version for unlimited browsing on unlimited devices and priority customer service, which costs $3.33/month (billed $120 upfront) when you enroll for three years — that’s 67% off its usual $9.99/month rate. Your plan renews at $4.99/month on a yearly plan after the first term. There’s no money-back guarantee, unfortunately, but refunds are offered on a case-by-case basis.
Mashable Deals
Private Internet Access
Read Mashable’s review of PIA.
It’s nothing particularly special, but for users in search of a basic VPN with open-source apps, built-in ad blocking, and unlimited simultaneous connections, Private Internet Access (PIA) is worth a look. You’ll pay only $2.19/month (billed $56.94 upfront) if you lock into a 26-month plan, saving 82% on its regular rate of $11.99/month; that does include a 30-day money-back guarantee. Your subscription will switch to an annual plan at $4.75/month after the initial term is over.
Optional add-ons include:
IPVanish
Read Mashable’s review of IPVanish.
Another middle-of-the-road pick, IPVanish makes up for a lack of advanced security features with a minimalist, straightforward app and support for unlimited simultaneous connections. You can get your first two years for $3.25/month (billed $77.95 upfront), which shaves 71% off its usual monthly rate of $12.99 and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. After that term is up, you’ll get bumped to $7.50/month on an annual plan.
Editor’s note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, Mashable’s publisher. Any IPVanish products or services featured on Mashable are covered independently by our team.
