UPDATE: Dec. 16, 2022, 10:35 a.m. EST This story has been updated.
Using a virtual private network (VPN) is one of the best ways to protect your online data and stay anonymous on the web, whether you’re trying to stream movies abroad, torrent, bypass geo-restrictions, or just plain browse. Most providers’ plans cost anywhere from $2 to $12 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 personally tested. Below, you can check out our top picks as of Dec. 16.
ExpressVPN — save 49% on a 15-month plan
Read our full review of ExpressVPN.
A reliable server network, a user-friendly app, a strong commitment to data protection, and a headquarters in the privacy-forward British Virgin Islands make ExpressVPN our favorite full-featured VPN on the market. It also happens to be one of the most expensive VPNs out there, which is why we highly recommend taking advantage of an ongoing deal on its 15-month plan: You can sign up for just $6.67/month, which is 49% off its standard $12.95/month rate. (Bonus: Your purchase is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.) You’ll switch to an $8.32/month annual plan after the first term is up.
NordVPN — save 75% on a 27-month Standard plan
Read our full review of NordVPN.
Power users shouldn’t think twice about signing up for NordVPN, another industry giant based in the British Virgin Islands that packs robust security features like double encryption, obfuscated servers, dark web monitoring, malware protection, ad and tracker blockers, and Onion Over VPN, a tool that combines your VPN connection with the Tor network for an extra layer of privacy. Its Christmas sale presents a rare opportunity to snag a 27-month Standard plan for just $2.99/month, which is 75% off its usual $11.99/month pricing (protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee). Note that you may have to pull up its website in an incognito window in order to see the discount reflected.
Optional upgrades include:
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NordVPN Plus (with cross-platform password manager and data breach scanner) — $3.99/month
$12.99/month(save 69%) for 27 months -
NordVPN Complete (with a cross-platform password manager, data breach scanner, and 1TB encrypted cloud storage) — $5.29/month
$14.29/month(save 63%) for 27 months
Proton VPN — save 60% on a 30-month Plus plan
Read our full review of ProtonVPN.
The Swiss-based Proton VPN is another great pick for privacy wonks, with open-source apps and critical infrastructure that’s stored inside a data center requiring biometric access. We recommend its Plus plan, which gets you full access to its server network, streaming service and P2P support, ad/tracker/malware protection, and a Tor over VPN tool that lets you direct traffic through the Tor network with a single click. Monthly subscriptions go for $9.99, but you’ll save 60% and pay just $3.99/month if you commit to a 30-month plan during its still-live Black Friday sale. (A 30-day money-back guarantee applies here, too.)
CyberGhost VPN — save 84% on a 28-month plan
Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.
This Romania-based provider lays claim to the biggest, most globally diverse network we’ve seen, with special servers optimized for streaming, gaming, and P2P to maintain consistent connections. New customers can sign up for a 28-month plan at just $2.03/month during its winter sale, which trims 84% off its standard monthly fee of $12.99. (Your subscription will renew as a $4.75/month annual plan after the initial term is up, which still isn’t terrible.) Like all of CyberGhost’s multi-year plans, it comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee and free access to its ID Guard and Privacy Guard tools.
Optional add-ons include:
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Dedicated IP — $2.50/month
$5/month(save 50%) for two years
TunnelBear — save 67% on a 1-year Unlimited plan
Read our full 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 and is based in Canada, a Five Eyes country, it should serve you well if you’re just surfing the web. We recommend its Unlimited plan over the free version for unlimited browsing and priority customer service, which goes for just $3.33/month when you enroll for a year during the TunnelBear Winter Sale — that’s 67% off its usual $9.99/month rate. (You’ll pay $4.99/month after your first term ends.) There’s no money-back guarantee, unfortunately, but refunds are offered on a case-by-case basis. Note that you may have to click through to its homepage in order to see the offer.
Private Internet Access (PIA) — save 83% on a 28-month plan
It’s nothing particularly great (and its U.S. headquarters location isn’t ideal), but for users in search of a basic VPN with open-source apps, built-in ad blocking, and a free email breach monitor, PIA is worth a look. Its Special Winter Sale nabs you 28 months of coverage for only $2.03/month, shaving 83% off its regular rate of $11.99/month. (That also includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.) You’ll switch to an annual plan at $4.75/month after the initial term is over.
Optional add-ons include:
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Antivirus by PIA — $1.45/month
$4.50/month(save 68%) for two years -
Dedicated IP — $2.50/month
$5/month(save 50%) for two years
IPVanish — save 67% on a 1-year plan
Read our full review of IPVanish.
Another middle-of-the-road pick with a U.S. headquarters (boo), 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 year of service for just $3.99/month (with a 30-day money-back guarantee), which takes 67% off its standard monthly rate of $11.99. After that term is up, you’ll get bumped to $7.50/month on an annual plan.
Editor’s Note: IPVanish and Vipre are owned by Ziff Davis, Mashable’s publisher. Any IPVanish or Vipre products or services featured on Mashable are covered independently by our team.
PureVPN — save 88% on a 5-year plan
Read our full review of PureVPN.
We don’t have a ton of nice things to say about PureVPN — our review turned up slow download speeds, buggy apps, iffy Netflix support, and a questionable privacy policy — but hey, it’s cheap! Enroll in a 5-year plan during its holiday sale, and you’ll pay just $1.33/month, which is an 88% discount on its normal monthly rate of $10.95. (Don’t be afraid to take advantage of its 31-day money-back guarantee if necessary.)
Optional add-ons include:
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PureKeep (password manager) — $0.85/month
$3.49/month(save 76%) -
PureEncrypt (file encryption) — $0.99/month
$11.99/month(save 92%) -
PurePrivacy (digital security suite) — $1.99/month
$5.99/month(save 67%) -
Port forwarding — $0.99/month
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Dedicated IP — $2.99/month
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Dedicated IP with port forwarding — $3.49/month
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DDoS protection — $3.99/month
