A VPN, or virtual private network service, is one of the easiest ways to add an extra layer of online privacy and security to your phone, laptop, PC or tablet. When you use a VPN, it creates a secure connection between your device and your service provider, and all internet activity will be routed through the provider’s servers. This means that sites you visit can no longer see your IP (internet protocol) address, making it much harder for others to see your browsing activity.
People use VPNs for a range of reasons. Because they provide an encrypted internet connection, many people use them simply to keep their online activity private, particularly when using Wi-Fi in public places like cafes, hotels and airports. Another common use is to change your location. VPNs let you connect to servers in other countries, which can sometimes make it possible to access streaming content that isn’t available in your physical location (for example, a Netflix show that’s only available in the US).
If you’ve been thinking about getting a VPN, the good news is that it doesn’t have to cost a lot. Many VPN providers offer affordable monthly plans with strong security features and easy-to-use apps, with options starting from as little as $2.15 per month.
Here are the affordable VPN services that we recommend:
NordVPN is one of the most well-known VPN providers in Australia. Headquartered in Lithuania, it has more than 6,000 servers in over 60 countries, helping deliver fast local connections. Nord uses its own proprietary NordLynx protocol to maintain speeds and keep data encrypted, and its services also include security features like Threat Protection (which helps keep you safe by blocking trackers and suspicious websites) and Double VPN (which routes your traffic through two servers rather than just one). If you’ve got doubts, our colleagues at TechRadar run extensive tests on VPNs and currently names NordVPN as the best overall choice, praising its fast speeds, ability to flawlessly unblock streaming services, and user-friendly apps. The only downsides to NordVPN is that it is on the more expensive end, particularly if you want to pay month-to-month. You can save by signing up to a yearly plan, however, and overall this is a robust, reliable option.
Nord also offers VPN plans designed specifically for businesses, so if you’re looking for a VPN for work or to protect a team of employees, there are dedicated options available.
Pricing:
NordVPN offers three plan tiers: Basic, Plus, and Complete. All plans include core features such as threat protection, the ability to secure up to ten devices simultaneously, and monitoring of up to five email accounts for potential data leaks. The Plus plan adds extra protections, including anti-malware tools and an ad and tracker blocker, while the Complete plan includes additional benefits such as 1TB of encrypted cloud storage and scam detection.
For plan lengths, you can choose between a month-to-month plan, a 1-year plan, or a 2-year plan. The monthly cost depends on how long you sign up for, and longer subscriptions are much cheaper.
Here the prices for each different plan duration:
• Monthly plans: from $17.49 to $25.09 per month
• 1 year plans: from $6.69 to $7.39 per month
• 2 year plans: from $4.59 to $7.29 per month
Pros
- Extra security features like Threat Protection and Double VPN are available
- Easy-to-use apps
- NordLynx protocol ensures fast speeds
- Save up to 61% per month on a 1-year plan and up to 73% per month on a 2-year plan
- Cheap per month when you sign up for a 2-year plan (from just $4.59 per month)
Cons
- Plans are on the more expensive side vs competitors
- Monthly plans are quite expensive (from $17.49 for the most basic option)
- Have to to sign up for a long term subscription for best pricing
Surfshark is a popular VPN service that offers a range of different plan options at relatively affordable prices. It operates over 4,500 servers in approximately 100 countries globally, helping users connect to nearby servers for faster speeds.
One of the standout features of Surfshark is that most of its plans (except for the Basic plan) allow for unlimited device connections, meaning you can secure your whole family’s devices with a single subscription. It also offers tools like CleanWeb which provides extra features as well as ad blocking and and protects against malicious websites, and added security features such as MultiHop which routes your connection through two VPN services to give you an extra layer of privacy. Surfshark also has a 30-day money back guarantee, so if you’re not happy with the service, you can request a refund. Our colleagues at TechRadar named Surfshark as one of the best overall VPNs in their guide, commenting on the competitive pricing and fast speeds. However, they did note that it’s not quite as good at unblocking streaming services as some others.
Surfshark also has VPNs catered towards business – check out the Surfshark Teams page for more details.
Pricing:
Surfshark pricing depends on the plan length, but all plans are pretty competitively priced. There are three options: Surfshark Starter, Surfshark One, and Surfshark One+. Every plan includes features such as an ad blocker, rotating IP, cookie pop-up blocker, and a masked email generator. The Surfshark One and Surfshark One+ plans add scheduled scans, webcam protection, and AI-powered threat detection, while Surfshark One+ also includes additional features like access to a licensed identity theft investigator.
Here are the pricing details for each plan duration:
• Monthly plans: from $21.79 to $29.39 per month
• 1 year plans: from $4.49 to $9.89 per month
• 2 year plans: from $2.79 to $5.89 per month
Pros
- Budget friendly long-term pricing
- Save up to 87% on a 24 month plan, or 81% on a 12 month plan
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Extra features like ad-block and MultiHop security available
Cons
- Month-to-month plans are quite expensive (from $21.79)
- Some advanced features are only available on the more expensive plans
- Has a smaller Australian network than some competitors
Based out of the British Virgin Islands, PureVPN operates more than 6,000 servers across over 65 countries, giving users plenty of options when choosing where they want to connect from. Its VPNs services can be used to support up to 10 simultaneous device connections, so you can secure all your devices under the one account.
PureVPN also offers some unique features like split tunneling, which allows you to choose which specific apps use the VPN, as well as a kill switch that automatically disconnects your internet if the VPN connection drops, ensuring your privacy at all times.
Some plans also include extras like a password manager, tracker blocker and dark web monitoring tools.
Our colleagues at TechRadar gave PureVPN four out of five stars in their review, praising its exceptional WireGuard speeds, budget-friendly pricing and ability to effectively unblock popular streaming services, however they did comment on inconsistent app performance (especially on Android), and average connection speeds compared to some competitors.
PureVPN also offers VPNs for businesses, with plans designed to help protect teams and their data.
Pricing:
PureVPN has three plan options - Standard, Plus and Max. The Standard Plan provides faster VPN speeds and tracker blocker, while the Plus Plan also provides a secure password manager, and the Max Plan gives you access to additional features like data removal and dark web monitoring.
If you opt for a 1 or 2-year plan, you can get up to 83% off the total price.
Here the prices (with the current discount) for each different plan duration:
• Monthly plans: from $12.95 to $19.95 per month
• 1 year plans: from $2.55 to $5.55 per month
• 2 year plans: from $2.15 to $3.55 per month
Pros
- Competitive pricing on long-term plans
- Save up to 83% on a 2-year plan, and up to 80% on a 1-year plan
- Get an extra 3 months for free on all 2-year plans, and an extra 4 months on all 1-year plans
- Supports up to 10 networks at once
Cons
- Some advanced tools are only available on more expensive plans
- Add-ons such as dedicated IP addresses cost extra
ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries and uses its own proprietary TrustedServer technology which it claims ensures your data is never written to hard drives, helping enhance online security and privacy. It also uses strong encryption, has a strict no-logs policy and has its own VPN protocol (called Lightway) to deliver fast and secure connections across its network.
The platform has easy-to-use apps for a wide range of devices, including iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and select smart TV platforms, and also includes features like split tunnelling and a kill switch that automatically cuts your internet if the VPN drops.
With no data caps, ExpressVPN can support multiple users carrying out high bandwidth activities at the same time. Depending on the plan you choose, ExpressVPN supports between 10 and 14 simultaneous connections, and you can also set it up on many routers to protect every device on your home network.
ExpressVPN also offers 24/7 customer support and a 30-day money back guarantee, so you can get help quickly and try the service risk free, knowing you can request a full refund if you’re not satisfied.
ExpressVPN also offers plans for businesses through ExpressVPN for Teams, which allows you to choose how many licenses you want on each plan, with options from 5 to over 100. Business plans start from $2.04 per user, per month.
Pricing:
ExpressVPN has three plan options — Basic, Advanced and Pro. The Basic plan includes Lite Protection, which comes with ad blocking and malicious site blocking and allows you to connect up to 10 devices at once. The Advanced plan includes Advanced Protection, adding features like ExpressKeys for securely storing passwords and payment details, a protected email address with up to 100MB of monthly forwarding, and unlimited travel eSIMs with three days of unlimited data included, while supporting up to 12 simultaneous device connections. The Pro plan includes all Advanced Protection features, along with unlimited eSIMs with five free days of unlimited data and unlimited protected email storage, and supports up to 14 simultaneous device connections.
If you opt for a 1- or 2-year plan, you can get up to 73% off the total price versus paying monthly.
Here the costs (with the current discount) for each different plan duration:
• 1 month plans: from $12.99 to $19.99 per month
• 1-year plans: from $4.99 to $8.99 per month
• 2-year plans: from $3.49 to $7.49 per month
Pros
- Save up to 73% on 2-year plans
- Servers in 105 countries
- 30-day money back guarantee
Cons
- More expensive than some competitors on month-to-month plans
- Some features are only available on more expensive plans
FAQs
Do I need a VPN?
While not everyone needs or wants a VPN and it’s not essential to have one, if you want an extra layer of security and privacy, or just want to be able to change your location and view streaming content that would not otherwise be available, there’s really no substitute to a VPN.
Can you get deals and discounts on VPNs?
Yes, a lot of VPN providers offer discounts on their plans, especially if you’re prepared to sign up for a 1- or 2-year plan. Some providers even offer a few additional months for free when you sign up for long-expiry plans, meaning you’ll pay for 12 months but receive 15 months of service.
What’s the best VPN provider?
This will depend on your needs. As mentioned above, NordVPN is currently the highest rated by TechRadar, however its pricing is more expensive than some other providers. We have broken down the pros and cons of each provider in our guide, so you can decide which meets your needs the best.
