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Cheapest VPN 2026 — Top 5 Affordable Options

Editorial Team
NordVPN
NordVPN

65.88 EUR/yr

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Surfshark

35.88 EUR/yr

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CyberGhost VPN

26.28 EUR/yr · 26-month term

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Proton VPN

53.88 EUR/yr

Visit
ExpressVPN

29.88 EUR/yr · 28-month term

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Introduction

A cheap VPN doesn’t have to be a bad VPN. Several well-known providers advertise long-term prices of a few euros a month, and one of them has a genuinely free plan. The catch is that the lowest prices almost always require paying one or two years upfront, and the renewal price is usually higher.

This guide compares five VPNs on the criteria that matter when budget is the priority: the lowest advertised monthly price, the commitment it requires, device limits, refund period and independent no-logs audits.

How we compared them: we did not run our own speed or streaming tests. Prices and features come from each provider’s official pages and published audits, checked in September 2026. VPN promotions change often, so confirm the price on the provider’s site before you buy.

Comparison Table

VPNLowest advertised priceDevicesMoney-back guaranteeLatest no-logs audit
Proton VPN—10 on paid plans30 days2026
CyberGhost—745 days on long-term plans, 14 days on monthly2025
ExpressVPN—10 to 14 depending on plan30 days (new users)2025 (KPMG)
Surfshark—Unlimited30 days2025 (Deloitte)
NordVPN—1030 daysDecember 2025 (Deloitte)
Surfshark

The Options in Detail

CyberGhost: lowest long-term price

  • Devices: up to 7 at once.
  • Refund: 45 days on plans of 6 months or longer, 14 days on monthly plans. This is the longest refund window in this comparison.
  • Audit: CyberGhost published a 2025 privacy audit.
  • Best for: the lowest long-term price, if 7 devices are enough.

See CyberGhost VPN

ExpressVPN: low entry price for a premium VPN

  • Devices: 10 (Basic), 12 (Advanced) or 14 (Pro).
  • Refund: 30-day money-back guarantee for new users.
  • Audit: KPMG assessed ExpressVPN’s no-logs claims and TrustedServer technology in 2025.
  • Best for: people who want a premium VPN with RAM-only servers at a low long-term price.

ExpressVPN

Surfshark: best for many devices

  • Devices: unlimited.
  • Refund: 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • Extras: CleanWeb blocks ads and pop-ups.
  • Audit: Surfshark’s no-logs policy was verified again by Deloitte in 2025.
  • Best for: households that want to protect many devices with one subscription.

See Surfshark

Proton VPN: the free option

  • Free plan: no data or time limit, with servers in ten countries (including the Netherlands, Japan, Switzerland, Canada and the United States). There are no ads.
  • Refund: 30-day money-back guarantee on paid plans.
  • Audit: Proton published a no-logs audit in 2026.
  • Best for: anyone who needs a free VPN they can trust, or wants to try Proton before paying.

Proton VPN

NordVPN: more features, higher price

  • Devices: up to 10.
  • Refund: 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • Extras: specialty servers such as Double VPN and Onion Over VPN; higher plans add Threat Protection Pro and the NordPass password manager.
  • Audit: sixth no-logs assurance engagement by Deloitte, completed in December 2025.
  • Best for: people willing to pay a bit more for extra security features.

See NordVPN

How to Pay Less for a VPN

  • Compare the total billed upfront, not just the monthly equivalent. A 26- or 28-month term is paid in one go.
  • Check the renewal price. Introductory prices usually apply to the first term only.
  • Use the refund period. Test the VPN on your own devices and services during the money-back window.
  • Consider a free plan first. If you only need a VPN occasionally, Proton VPN’s free plan may be enough. See our guide to free vs paid VPNs.
  • Watch for promotions. Our VPN deals page lists current offers.
CyberGhost VPN

Cheap VPNs to Be Careful With

Many free or very cheap VPNs have no published independent audit, and some fund themselves with ads or data collection. Before choosing an unknown provider, check whether it has published an independent no-logs audit, where it is based and how it makes money. Our no-log VPN guide explains what to look for.

FAQ

What is the cheapest VPN in 2026?

Among the VPNs in this comparison, Proton VPN is the only one with a free plan.

Is a free VPN safe?

It depends on the provider. Proton VPN’s free plan has no data limit and no ads, and Proton publishes independent no-logs audits. Many other free VPNs don’t, so check before installing one.

Which cheap VPN allows the most devices?

Surfshark allows unlimited devices on one subscription. ExpressVPN allows up to 14 on its Pro plan, and NordVPN and Proton VPN (paid) allow up to 10.

Which VPN has the longest money-back guarantee?

CyberGhost, with 45 days on plans of 6 months or longer. The other VPNs here offer 30 days.

Why is the monthly plan so much more expensive?

VPN providers reserve their lowest prices for long commitments. A month-to-month subscription often costs several times the monthly equivalent of a two-year plan.

Proton VPN

Conclusion

If you want to spend nothing, start with Proton VPN’s free plan. If you are ready to commit for two years or more, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN have the lowest advertised long-term prices in this comparison, Surfshark is the pick for households with many devices, and NordVPN costs more but bundles extra security features. Whatever you choose, check the renewal price and use the refund period to make sure the VPN works for you.

Sources

ExpressVPN