If you're going to get a VPN, don't pay more than you have to. With the best VPN deals, you can cut the cost of a great service and protect yourself online for less – even the best VPN apps are on this list, so don't think low cost means low quality.
Whichever VPN you want to get for cheaper, make sure you visit this page in a new incognito tab or window. This will remove all cookies from your visit, so you won't get stung with dynamic pricing because you happened to stumble across a VPN website a few months ago. That's the best way to grab a bargain on a premium VPN.
As we head into December, there are tons of holiday savings to be had – which extend to VPNs, too. We'll keep this page updated with the biggest and best discounts we come across. So, keep reading and dive into the best VPN deals available today.
Recent updates
The Black Friday weekend might be over, but that doesn't mean you can't pick up a tasty bargain. We've updated our list to reflect the year-end pricing and will add new deals as they're announced.
The best VPN deals in December 2024
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 best VPN deals today:
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 working with a limited budget.
What is a VPN?
A virtual private network, or VPN, is a service 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.
If you're interested in putting all these features to good use, check out my guide on how to use a VPN.
How to choose a VPN service
At first glance, the VPNs I've listed above might seem pretty similar. There are major differences between them, however, and not just where prices are concerned. All of my shortlisted services come with battled-tested security that'll keep your personal details out of the hands of dodgy third parties – but there are plenty of providers that don't have your best digital interests at heart.
At TechRadar, we have a team of VPN experts who 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
With our combined 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 for security 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.
Click to read more about what makes a great VPN ↓
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 TechRadar chooses VPN deals
Deals are popping up left, right, and center as we enter December and while it's great to be spoiled for choice, spotting real value for money isn't always easy. We only include services that we would genuinely recommend to our 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 we have actually tested: I wouldn't recommend something I've never had my hands on, and you shouldn't trust anyone that would.
- It's a reliable service: you can trust it to keep you and your loved ones safe online.
- It's a price we would genuinely pay for it: if we don't think the price being asked is worthy of the service, then it's not going on the list. If I wouldn't pay for it, why should you?
VPN deals FAQs
What's the best VPN deal today?
Surfshark's VPN deal is bringing the sunshine this summer – you won't find better value for a better price. You can bag a basic 2-year plan for the equivalent of $1.99 a month and, as an added bonus, get 3 extra months of coverage for free.
Surfshark is lightning-fast, unblocks pretty much every streaming platform out there, and is jam-packed with security tools. The fact that you can get a subscription for less than the price of a coffee every month is, in a word, awesome.
What is the best cheap VPN?
If you're wary about adding an extra expense to your monthly budget, don't worry. There are plenty of VPNs on the market that don't cost an arm and a leg. We've rounded up 5 of the best cheap VPNs in 2024 in our detailed guide – and currently, Surfshark leads the pack, combining performance, privacy, and teeny-tiny prices.
What is the best VPN overall?
There are a lot of VPNs to choose from and not enough time in the day to vet them all. Luckily, that's kind of our thing here at TechRadar.
In our guide to the best VPNs of 2024, NordVPN claimed the top spot, knocking ExpressVPN down to the runner-up position. NordVPN is the total package – it's wickedly quick, unblocks any site or platform you point it at, and doesn't cost a fortune. Plus, it's half as pricey as ExpressVPN.
How often do VPNs change their prices?
Honestly? Not very often. Sometimes you'll see an incremental increase or decrease in a VPN's monthly cost (and we're talking pennies, here), but the biggest and most dramatic changes happen around the holiday season.
You can often bag a real bargain on Cyber Monday, and VPNs keep prices low over Christmas and into the New Year, too.
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.
