Don't overpay for your privacy this October. We've collected this month's best VPN deals, so you can get premium online protection without emptying your wallet.
VPN deals are going to be thin on ground this far ahead of the Black Friday VPN deals but expect those rock bottom prices to hit later this month. The VPN companies always go early in the run up to the big sales, and we'll bring you those details as soon as we have them.
For now, these are the best VPN deals on the table for October with the top deal right now the Surfshark 7-day free trial, for sure.
The best VPN deals in October 2026
If you're outside the US, don't let the dollar signs put you off. That's just how most VPN providers display their pricing – you can still subscribe from anywhere in the world.
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Still not cheap enough?
We understand that paying for VPNs can be a luxury, so check out our list of the best free VPN services and see why PrivadoVPN is our go-to solution when working with a limited budget. Other great free VPN options include Windscribe and Proton VPN.
What is a VPN?
A virtual private network, or VPN, is a service that helps protect your online identity with the use of encryption. Encryption scrambles the data being sent from your computer and improves your digital security and hides your activity from others.
Each VPN service listed here provides a no-log policy. While the VPN doesn't track your online activity, the best VPN services also promise never to keep identifying information on you, including account information like your name, address, or banking information.
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 listed above might seem pretty similar. But there are major differences between them – and not just in terms of price. All of the shortlisted services come with security features that'll keep your personal details out of the hands of dodgy third parties and policies that ensure your online activity remains private.
Unfortunately, though, that's not the case for all VPN companies. Many apps (and particularly free services) actually put your data at risk by collecting your browsing data and monitoring your digital activity. That's why it's worth spending some time researching the best VPNs and deciding what's best for you.
At TechRadar, we have a team of VPN experts who dive deep into physically testing these VPN services, combing through the no-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 VPN's 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
We only include deals on VPN services that we would genuinely recommend to our family and friends on this list. We also only include deals that are good prices compared to their regular offer.
A deal is only included on this page if it meets all of the following criteria:
- It's a VPN we have actually tested: We wouldn't recommend something we've never had our hands on.
- 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.
VPN deals FAQs
What's the best VPN deal today?
Right now, the best VPN deal is Surfshark's 7-day free trial. It's the second best VPN overall and the only top VPN provider with a free trial.
What is the best cheap VPN?
If you're wary about adding an extra expense to your monthly budget, don't worry. We've rounded up 5 of the best cheap VPNs in 2026 in our detailed guide – and, again, it's currently, Surfshark that leads the pack, combining performance, privacy, and great 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 2026, NordVPN claimed the top spot, knocking ExpressVPN down to third position behind Surfshark. NordVPN is the total package – it's super quick, unblocks any site or platform you point it at.
How often do VPNs change their prices?
Mostly, it's with the seasons. We find they tend to have spring, summer, fall and holiday season prices – particularly the likes of NordVPN, Surfshark, Proton, Norton and ExpressVPN.
Many of the cheaper services, such as PIA, CyberGhost and IPVanish tend to fluctuate by a few cents here and there over the weeks.
We expect the best prices of the year to drop towards the end of October.
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.
