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VPN guide

Best Cheap VPN in 2026

Good protection without breaking the bank. Surfshark, NordVPN and Proton VPN compared by value for money.

You don't need to spend a lot for good encryption. Multi-year plans bring the monthly cost down significantly: Surfshark and NordVPN both offer competitive long-term pricing, and Proton VPN has a free plan to start with. Here's how they compare on value.

★ Our pick

Surfshark

Big households: unlimited devices on one account

  • Unlimited devices on one account
  • 30-day money-back guarantee on the first purchase
  • No-logs policy independently assessed (2025 report)
See the Surfshark offer

NordVPN

All-round choice: simple apps and up to 10 devices

  • Up to 10 devices on one account
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • No-logs policy checked by independent auditors
See the NordVPN offer

Proton VPN

Try before you pay: a free plan for one device

  • Free plan to start (1 device)
  • Up to 10 devices on the Plus plan
  • Swiss company, also behind Proton Mail
See the Proton VPN offer

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Side by side

Best Cheap VPN in 2026

Facts from each brand's official site, checked 27 Oct 2026. Prices change often: today's price is on the official site.

SurfsharkNordVPNProton VPN
Money-back guarantee30 days (first purchase)30 days30 days (paid plans)
DevicesUnlimitedUp to 1010 on Plus · 1 on the free plan
Free option7-day free trial (conditions on the official site)No free planFree plan (1 device)
Company baseNetherlands (Surfshark B.V.)Panama (parent company in the Netherlands)Switzerland (Proton)
Best forBig households: unlimited devices on one accountAll-round choice: simple apps and up to 10 devicesTry before you pay: a free plan for one device
Surfshark NordVPN Proton VPN
Tips

Tips

Look at the 2-year price

Monthly plans are expensive. A 2-year commitment drops the cost to a few euros per month.

Start free with Proton

If you only need one device, Proton VPN's free plan costs nothing and has no data limit.

Wait for seasonal deals

Black Friday, New Year and back-to-school periods often bring the deepest discounts.

Questions
What's the cheapest good VPN?

Surfshark's 2-year plan is typically the lowest per-month cost among audited, reputable VPNs. Proton VPN is free for one device.

Are cheap VPNs safe?

Surfshark and NordVPN are both independently audited and use modern encryption. Price doesn't compromise security on these services.

Should I avoid free VPNs?

Most free VPNs monetize your data. Proton VPN's free plan is the exception — it's backed by a paid service and has a transparent privacy policy.

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