How Much Does a VPN Cost in 2024?
Posts by Colin TanMay 28, 2023
How much does a VPN cost to make the internet safe for you? How much should you be spending? Are VPNs really worth as much money?
This post will help you unlock the answers to these and many other VPN-related questions that you may have.
With a VPN, you can surf the web anonymously, connect using a variety of IP addresses, encrypt all of your data, and safeguard your online activity from prying eyes.
All in all, it’s an incredible privacy tool. But at what price does it provide you with that privacy?
By the time you reach the end of this article, you should be familiar with all the factors contributing to a VPN’s safety level and the cost of a high-quality VPN service.
So, without further ado, let’s see what we should or shouldn’t expect from a VPN.
Are VPNs Services Worth Buying?
VPNs are excellent at working diligently in the background, without creating any nuisance, to ensure our online safety.
Given that they can’t really tell if a service is functioning, some customers may find it difficult to justify paying a monthly subscription fee.
Even if they need to use a VPN, such users tend to rely on free services only.
They overlook the fact that these free services also need to generate revenue, which they are most likely to do by leaking user data to advertisers and other third parties.
On the contrary, some people find privacy on the internet just as essential as the internet itself.
Therefore, they don’t mind allocating a few dollars every month to enhance their online safety.
With the growing competition in the VPN industry, many VPNs have started to appear on the scene.
While some of them might be making false claims, many others are offering excellent value for the money you pay.
These are the finest VPNs in the industry that we unquestionably believe to be worth buying.
How Much Does a VPN Cost in 2024? What Should you Expect to Pay?
To give you a general idea, a VPN that costs less than $3.00 a month is typically considered inexpensive, while those that cost more than $6.00 a month are considered more costly.
However, prices may differ based on several variables.
Each VPN provider might have varying price tags depending on their popularity.
You should expect to spend more if a particular VPN provider is renowned for its superior performance and customer service.
Additionally, your cost may vary based on the set of features that you want your VPN service to offer. There are several features that you are essentially paying for when you buy a subscription.
These include having access to the VPN’s network of servers, the number of devices permitted to use the VPN, and access to additional helpful features like servers optimized for gaming and streaming.
For instance, some plans might provide cloud storage, a password manager, or a dedicated IP address.
A cheaper plan may be offered with only the standard features alongside one that charges extra for offering some additional advanced features.
The length of the subscription plan you select, however, is usually the most important element in VPN pricing.
Generally speaking, buying a monthly subscription is the most expensive option, whereas paying ahead for 12 to 36 months often decreases your monthly cost substantially.
If you choose to pay monthly, a good and secure VPN service will typically cost you $5–13; however, if you choose to commit to a service for one or more years by paying for it in advance, it will only cost you $40–70 per year.
So, the lowest monthly price offered by almost every top-notch VPN requires subscribing to at least a 1-year package.
Additionally, some VPN services have “lifetime deals” that you can take advantage of.
A lifelong subscription to a VPN service, for instance, is frequently offered on deal websites for a price as low as $50.
Although such low prices of lifetime offers are usually appealing, you should exercise caution because, with such deals, there is no motivation for your particular VPN service to continue providing a high-quality product after they receive your money.
Your speed will be compromised due to overloaded servers, and they will have no motivation to invest in any security updates or other improvements either.
Therefore, paying for a recurring service is your best option if you are serious about the security and speed of your VPN.
You may have to pay a bit more, but at least your money won’t be going to waste.
A Safe VPN or an Inexpensive VPN?
Comparing prices is the first and foremost step in buying a VPN service.
However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a choice between the safety a VPN offers and affordability.
In fact, when comparing VPN costs, we strongly advise against simply selecting the cheapest alternative.
The best approach to make this decision is to set a budget for yourself first, then examine the features offered by each alternative to determine which VPNs offer the best value.
There are many reputable VPN service providers available that offer the perfect mix of safety and affordability to their customers.
For instance, Atlas VPN is an incredible VPN service that meets all your privacy needs at the cheapest possible rates.
From solid AES encryption to a zero-logs policy, robust internet kill switch, multi-hop function, and unlimited device connections, Atlas VPN offers all the standard features that one looks for.
Surpassing the value offered by most industry veterans, Atlas VPN offers some rare features, too, including an IP rotation tool (called SafeSwap) and a data breach detector.
However, there are still some aspects where Atlas VPN lags, such as the size of its server network, as well as the tenure of its service.
Launched only a few years back in 2019, Atlas VPN offers a very modest network of only 750 servers covering 38+ countries, compared to quite sizable networks of its rivals.
To balance off such shortcomings, Atlas VPN offers the most affordable rates in the industry, charging only $10.99 for monthly subscriptions and $39.42 (per year) for annual subscriptions.
Surfshark is another highly recommended VPN service if you are looking for something that offers a good balance between affordability and performance.
Its pricing begins at $12.95 per month if you want a monthly subscription plan and jumps down to $3.99 per month (or $59.76 per year) if you opt for the annual subscription plan.
Renowned for its premium features and trustworthy services, Surfshark further increases the value of its services for customers by offering infinite simultaneous device connections.
The discount on its subscription fee, however, is associated only with the duration of the user’s commitment to the service. Customers’ online safety is never compromised.
The customers who place a greater value on a VPN’s reliability and reputation, NordVPN is a perfect choice.
While its monthly subscription charges may be at the higher end at $12.99 per month, it offers a significant decrease when you choose a longer 1-year subscription plan.
Charging $68.85 for the entire year, NordVPN’s monthly cost drops down to $4.59 with an annual subscription to the standard bundle.
This may seem to be a relatively expensive alternative, but the VPN service offers features and performance that are worth every penny.
Be it the impenetrable AES encryption, a robust internet kill switch, protection against data leaks, lightning-fast connection speeds, DoubleVPN for extra security, or a Threat Protection feature for device security, NordVPN offers everything you could possibly need.
It even offers one of the largest and most widespread server networks of 5400+ servers across 65 countries. So, we highly recommend NordVPN if your pocket allows for it.
Can VPNs be Used Free of Cost?
Often it happens that you are in a dire need of a secure network but also on a budget too tight to afford a premium VPN.
Instead of wondering, ‘how much does a VPN cost?’ you will find yourself asking, ‘can I use a VPN for free?’
It may not look like there is much of a difference, but you truly understand the difference between these two questions when you have limited funds.
You’ll be pleased to know of the following three ways you can use VPNs free of cost:
- Sign up for a free trial of a premium VPN
- Use the money-back guarantee of a genuinely premium VPN
- Use a free version of a premium VPN
Signing up For a Free Trial
Remember that the majority of VPNs provide a free trial, so you can typically test a VPN without paying for it.
If you require a VPN for up to seven days, you can always make use of the free trial offered by any trustworthy VPN.
You can test a completely functional VPN for a set period with a free VPN trial. This typically lasts between five and seven days.
Some VPNs don’t even ask for payment information upfront. It costs nothing to test out these services.
Other free trials require prior payment information and charge a subscription fee if the trial is not canceled promptly.
For instance, you can sign up for a seven-day free trial of Surfshark, but you must provide payment details.
Using Money-Back Guarantees
The primary distinction between a money-back guarantee and a free VPN trial is whether or not you are required to make a purchase first.
Although they are both ways of trying out the service without any financial risks, you must pay a subscription fee upfront if you want to use a money-back guarantee.
It is worth emphasizing again that you will not only be providing payment details but paying for the service.
The best VPNs, however, offer refunds with no queries asked.
In other words, you can test a VPN risk-free for up to 45 days thanks to some genuine money-back guarantees.
If you are interested in any of the three VPN providers mentioned above, you’ll be glad to know that all three of them (NordVPN, Surfshark, and Atlas VPN) offer genuine money-back guarantees for 30 days.
Using a Free VPN
Using a VPN that is totally free is another choice available to you. The VPN market is full of services that are completely free of cost.
The limitations of these free VPNs in terms of performance are one thing, but you must also remember that they aren’t free out of altruism.
You should be mindful of the fact that these free VPN services are probably monetizing your data in some way.
Unfortunately, the majority of free VPNs don’t protect your online anonymity and security. Some free VPNs can even be risky to use.
However, there is another kind of free VPN that you can use.
These are essentially the free versions of a premium VPN, hence, known as ‘Freemium VPNs.’
Although these freemiums also tend to have limited streaming options, slow speeds, and data limits, at least they are secure.
Atlas VPN, for instance, has a freemium version that provides the same level of privacy and security as its paid counterpart.
However, it has other limitations making it inferior in nature.
FAQs
Are VPNs Costly in Terms of Data Being Used?
Yes, browsing the web using a VPN incurs higher data costs than without one.
Research shows that using a VPN could result in a 4%–20% increase in data usage.
Your data consumption may be influenced by several factors, including the VPN protocol being used.
Are VPNs Worth All the Money We Pay?
VPN services vary in the value they offer.
Given that there are both costly and inexpensive VPNs, each with a different set of features and functionalities, it’s critical to assess each VPN on its own merits.
However, knowing that the average identity theft case results in thousands of dollars in financial losses or that your web activities can be traced back to you by ISP or the government any time they want, it makes complete sense to protect yourself in any way you can.
You are free to make your choice, but given the potential outcomes and the cost of protection, why would you choose not to use a VPN?
What Characteristics Make a VPN Safe for Use?
When looking for a safe and affordable option, affordability is determined by the budget of the users, but safety is determined by the features offered by a VPN.
If a VPN can safeguard your privacy when using public Wi-Fi networks, prevent websites from tracking your online activity, conceal your IP address from everyone (including your ISP), and help you access blocked websites without being caught, it should be considered safe to use.
Conclusion
VPNs are crucial tools for assisting in the protection of your internet privacy and sensitive data.
You’re usually more secure against hackers and trackers when using a VPN because it hides your location and encrypts your data.
This may be useful for maintaining your online privacy both at home and overseas.
However, the cost of obtaining this privacy may influence your choices to a great extent. It is a common belief that VPNs are very expensive.
However, we are hoping that this article has clarified to readers that there are a lot of cheap choices available too, not to mention the free ones.
Don’t let the cost of VPNs stand in the way of protecting your online privacy because there are choices available for every budget.
Instead, when you begin wondering, ‘how much does a VPN cost?’ start asking yourself what VPN features fulfill your requirements and how long you need a VPN to make the best decision.