UPDATE: Dec. 2, 2022, 11:35 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. 2.
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.
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(opens in a new tab), obfuscated servers(opens in a new tab), dark web monitoring(opens in a new tab), 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(opens in a new tab) 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:
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(opens in a new tab), which gets you full access to its server network, streaming service and P2P support, ad/tracker/malware protection, and a Tor over VPN(opens in a new tab) 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(opens in a new tab) during its still-live Black Friday sale. (A 30-day money-back guarantee applies here, too.)
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(opens in a new tab) at just $2.03/month during its prolonged Cyber Monday 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(opens in a new tab) and Privacy Guard(opens in a new tab) tools.
Optional add-ons include:
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(opens in a new tab) 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(opens in a new tab). Note that you may have to click through to its homepage in order to see the offer.
It’s nothing particularly special (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 lingering Cyber Monday offer nabs you 28 months of coverage(opens in a new tab) 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:
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 15 months of service for just $3.19/month as part of its extended Black Friday sale (with a 30-day money-back guarantee), which takes 71% off its standard monthly rate of $10.99. 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.
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(opens in a new tab) during its holiday sale and enter the promo code CYBER at checkout to pay just $1.27/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:
