1. NordVPN: 69% off and a free Amazon gift card
2. Surfshark: 80% off + 5 months free
3. Private Internet Access: 86% off + 4 months free
4. PureVPN: 85% off or get 2-for-1 on a 2-year plan
5. ExpressVPN: 49% off + 3 months free
As the best VPN services battle it out to get your business, they're constantly undercutting each other's prices and offerings to give you the best VPN deal. Because these prices are always changing, we've pulled together the biggest savings and the best deals on VPNs for December. However, as another year draws to a close, don't miss out on the awesome Cyber Monday VPN deals cropping up.
But there's more to picking a VPN than just price, which is why we've only included services that our experts have tested and recommend for everyday use. Whether you just want your virtual private network (VPN) to protect your privacy, watch Netflix on holiday, catch international sports coverage, or just remain anonymous while you surf online, you're bound to find the perfect VPN deal for you in our list of bargains.
If you're outside the US, don't let the $ signs put you off. That's just how most providers display their pricing—you can still subscribe from anywhere in the world. Don't overpay for protection. Check out the 10 best VPN deals today:
The best VPN deals in December 2023
Recent updates
Every month I check through the top VPN services to bring you the best savings and deals around. I compare the cost, features on offer, subscription length, server locations, speeds, ease of use, and any other goodies, and weigh them up to see which is the best value for money, and the biggest genuine saving.
VPN deals: best of the rest
Still not cheap enough?
We get it, in a cost-of-living crisis, VPNs can be a luxury. Have a look at our list of the best free VPN services and see why PrivadoVPN is our go-to solution when we don't have a budget.
What is a VPN?
A virtual private network, or VPN, is a service typically called a client that is used to help protect your online identity. This is done with the use of encryption. Encryption scrambles the data being sent from your computer and being received from the pages your visit, so it's virtually impossible to track what you're doing including who you're chatting with and browser history.
Each VPN service provides a no-log policy. While the VPN client doesn't track your online activity, the best VPN services also promised to never keep identifying information on you, including account information like your name, address, or banking information. This is so you can remain anonymous from physical prying eyes, too.
In addition to encryption, VPNs use secured servers to hide your physical location. When you connect to the internet, your device has a unique IP address that identifies where you are located. Using a VPN server gives you a different IP address each time, so it's impossible to trace online activity back to you.
Another perk of using VPN servers is being able to access geo-restricted content. This is especially important if you travel internationally. Since your IP address tells where you are located, some countries won't allow you to access web pages if you're not locally there. Choosing a VPN server in your home country lets you continue to access the web content you need.
How to choose a VPN service
VPNs seem to be all the same, but there are significant differences, and not just where prices are concerned. While each one should give you enough privacy for you to feel safe online, there are some that fall short of the task.
At TechRadar, we have a team of VPN experts that dive deep into physically testing these VPN services, combing through the on-log policies, and keeping an eye on any extra tools or features that are added. And we do this several times each year.
Check out our dedicated buying guides to find out which service suits you best:
• Best VPN apps
• Best Windows VPN for PC
• Best Mac VPN
• Best VPN for streaming
• Best torrenting VPN
After over 15 years of reviewing, testing, researching, and evaluating VPNs, we know what to look for. Here are some of the most important functions your VPN should have.
Security: This one is obvious. A VPNs primary function is to keep you safe. But it's hard to tell just how secure a VPN really is. That's why we have an amazing testing team that has a technical background and knows how to thoroughly test VPNs. We won't recommend one that is unsafe to use.
One important security feature included with VPNs is a kill switch. This will sever your internet connection if the VPN is ever compromised. One of the reasons ExpressVPN is our top pick is that we've seen firsthand how well it quickly engages its kill switch at the first inkling of trouble.
Privacy Policy: It doesn't do you any good to use a VPN if your digital and physical identities aren't protected. This is why a VPN no-log policy is so important. Many software and technology companies will keep some kind of identifying information on you just in case law enforcement comes asking about you.
One of the reasons ExpressVPN is our top pick is that we've seen firsthand how well it quickly engages its kill switch at the first inkling of trouble.
Unless the VPN is based in a country that is part of the Five Eyes Alliance, the VPNs we recommend won't store any of your data, period. In fact, some VPNs subject themselves to third-party security screenings to prove just how secure they are.
Speed: Speed is more than just how quickly you connect to the VPN server. It represents how quickly your data is encrypted and sent back and forth from the VPN server. While there are a lot of reasons why speeds may fluctuate, we tested and retested connections using both the newest WireGuard and commonly used OpenVPN protocols.
On top of being the cheapest VPN, Surfshark is also one of the fastest with an impressive top speed of over 950 Mbps. This makes it excellent for torrenting (sending person-to-person files), and for tapping into TV streaming services.
Servers: One factor that determines a VPN's speed is the number of servers and server locations. In theory, the more there are the faster speeds you'll have. This is because a single server won't be packed with too many users.
Server locations are especially important if you travel internationally. This is because if there are servers in your home country, you'll be able to continue to access your favorite web pages without geo-restrictions. We have VPN buying guides for just about every location including US VPNs, Canada VPNs, UK VPNs, and even China VPNs.
Streaming capabilities: One of the most commonly geo-restricted content is TV streaming services. This is because platforms, like Netflix, don't want you to watch content outside of your viewing area. However, if you travel and use a VPN server in your home location, you can still log into your online streaming accounts and watch your favorite shows without a problem.
As part of our testing, we make sure to try and tap into various streaming accounts, so we can tell you which VPNs are the best for watching Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney+, the BBC, and many others, regardless of which country your account is located in. Check out our recommendations for the best streaming VPNs to see which apps unblock your favorite shows.
How I choose my VPN deals
There are hundreds of VPN services on the market right now, and just because they're there, doesn't mean they're worth using. I only include services that I would genuinely recommend to my family and friends on this list—if I wouldn't trust it with the people I love using it, how could I justify recommending it to you?
I test VPNs every single day, and I've lived and breathed them for the past three years (nearly four). A deal is only included in one of my pages if it meets all of the following criteria:
- It's a VPN I have actually tested: I wouldn't recommend something I've never had my hands on.
- It's a reliable service: you can trust it to keep you and your loved ones safe online.
- It's a price I would genuinely pay for it: if I don't think the price being asked is worthy of the service, then it's not going on my list. If I wouldn't pay for it, why should you?
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
