10 Best Pay-Monthly VPNs in 2024 (Cheapest Plans)

I’ve been testing VPNs for years now, and while I enjoy the privacy benefits, I do have some issues. Some examples: a service cuts a useful feature, stops working with a favorite streaming platform, or the app updates to a clunky interface. Especially infuriating if you’ve just paid up for a 2-year subscription! So why commit when you can play the field?

Long-term plans can save you a fortune over time, but I looked into the temporary options. I paid particular attention to value for money and ease of use (since you may be looking for short-term usage). After plenty of testing, I can present my favorites.

Of all the apps I tested, ExpressVPN’s monthly plan offers the best value. It gave me Ultra HD-friendly speeds for streaming and reliable connections with every server I tried. Its monthly subscription comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you’re not totally happy, you can easily get a full refund.

Editors' Note: Expressvpn and this site are in the same ownership group.Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free >>

Short on Time? Here Are the Best Cheap Monthly VPNs in 2024

Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, Cyberghost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

Best Cheap Monthly VPNs — Full Analysis (Updated 2024)

1. ExpressVPN — Overall Best Monthly VPN With Consistently Fast Speeds for Any Online Activity

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested April 2024

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.ExpressVPN.com

As a technology writer, I have access to dozens of premium VPNs. However, I use ExpressVPN for everyday browsing, UHD streaming, DDoS-free gaming, and P2P. These activities are supported on every server, so you don’t have to disconnect or adjust any settings. Add the app’s slick design and intuitive interface, and you have a VPN that’s easy to grasp and a pleasure to use.

It also has the fastest VPN speeds I’ve ever tested. Our speed tester in the UK recorded speeds of 122.95 Mbps (a drop of just 3%) from a nearby UK - Docklands server. From the New York server, they got 106.42 Mbps (a drop of 16%), which is impressive considering it’s over 5,500km away.

ExpressVPN lets you save shortcuts to your favorite apps and sites; they show up as logo links on the home screen

If you eventually decide to go long-term, ExpressVPN offers its service at a discounted price. However, it’s not as great of a discount as you get with some VPN long-term plans. That said, its monthly plan is comparable — even cheaper than others, making it a great value. Plus, it’s one of few VPNs that offers 6-month contracts.

All plans, including the monthly one, come with a money-back guarantee, so you can try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days. I tested the refund via the fast and knowledgeable 24/7 live chat on the website. The process was easy, and I had my money back after 3 days.

Useful Features

• Proprietary Lightway protocol. Protocols manage your data in transit, and most VPNs use standard open-source options like OpenVPN and WireGuard. But ExpressVPN built Lightway to ensure no unnecessary code. It offers lightweight, fast, and secure connections — but if you use it for a month, you might not want to let it go!
• Automatic obfuscation on every server. ExpressVPN can detect VPN blocks (like at work, school, or on public WiFi networks) and will automatically scramble your data to avoid detection. It’s even known to work in China.
• Robust security. RAM-based servers automatically wipe all user data on reboot, and a strict, court-proven no-logs policy further ensures your privacy. It also offers IP/DNS leak protection and a kill switch to prevent your data from being exposed. I didn’t find any leaks from the 12 servers I tested. Plus, it comes with Threat Manager, an effective ad, tracker, and malware blocker.
• ExpressVPN Keys. You can secure as many passwords as you want with this feature, which is available with all ExpressVPN plans. It lets you generate, store, and fill passwords on multiple devices. Plus, if it detects a data breach associated with some of your saved accounts, you will be notified.
• Smart DNS. ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer allows you to easily avoid ISP throttling when streaming on devices that don't support VPNs (like smart TVs and gaming consoles). You also get native apps for many popular routers, so you can easily cover all your devices for a full month.

2. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Customizable Security to Optimize Your Connections

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ FIFA+ Netflix

Disney+ APV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.PrivateInternetAccess.com

PIA has customizable security so you can tailor your connections to suit your preferences. You can select between WireGuard and OpenVPN, and with the latter, you can adjust encryption levels to 256 or 128-bit. When I switched to 128-bit encryption in my tests, I noticed a significant improvement in speed while maintaining solid security levels.

UDP transport is generally faster, but TCP can be more reliable on unstable networks

You can apply PIA’s optimization to a broad range of activities. For example, torrenting exposes your real IP to the peers you connect to, but PIA’s Multi-Hop provides an additional layer of security. This routes your traffic through the VPN server as well as a SOCKS5 or Shadowsocks proxy. Plus, PIA supports port forwarding, which can increase your download speeds.

My only gripe with PIA is that it's based in the US. This country is part of the 5 Eyes Alliance, whereas ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands and, therefore, isn’t subject to any such government compliance. However, PIA’s privacy policy is solid — it’s been around for over 10 years and has never shared any user data, even when requested in court.

PIA’s monthly plan costs a reasonable $11.95, although that’s far higher than the monthly cost of its long-term plans. However, it’s still good value, considering you can use it on unlimited devices. Whichever plan you choose, you’re eligible for its 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try PIA for free and get a full refund if it’s not for you.

Useful Features

• Locations in every US state. PIA is the only service on my list with servers in every US state, offering fast speeds from anywhere in America.
• Streaming-optimized servers. While PIA doesn’t work with as many streaming platforms as ExpressVPN, it does offer streaming-optimized servers. These can provide fast speeds for lag-free streams in the US, UK, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Japan, and Australia.
• PIA MACE blocker. Despite PIA’s customization options, its ad, tracker, and malware blocker is a simple one-click solution. Plus, it actually blocked more ads than ExpressVPN’s Threat Protection in my tests.
• Great speeds. Our speed mentor recorded download speeds of 120.61 Mbps from a nearby server in Southampton (UK). New York speeds were 60.39 Mbps (a 53% drop), which is nowhere near as impressive as ExpressVPN but still more than fast enough for most online activities.

3. CyberGhost — User-Friendly Monthly VPN With Activity-Specific Servers

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost offers specialty servers for streaming, gaming, and torrenting, which are grouped in separate tabs in the app for easy access. Plus, its engineers continually maintain them to ensure they work for their designated purpose (e.g., Netflix in the US, BBC iPlayer in the UK), meaning you don’t have to worry about them not working.

I tested the servers for Disney+, Prime Video, and Channel 4 from my location in the UK, and I could watch UHD content lag-free. Its gaming servers are optimized for fast speeds and low ping for smooth gameplay and are just as reliable, although they’re not available on macOS.

I tested all 7 of CyberGhost's UK streaming servers and they each worked with their respective platform

For added privacy, you can use the NoSpy servers. These are in CyberGhost’s highly secure HQ in Romania (outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance). My only issue is that since they are limited in number, they regularly have a user load of 75%+ (compared to around 20% on the regular Bucharest servers). However, they’re a nice option for certain activities, like banking transactions, when privacy matters the most.

CyberGhost's monthly subscription is $12.99. I ranked it below ExpressVPN and PIA since it’s slightly more expensive than them, and it only provides a 14-day money-back guarantee for this plan. Conversely, its long-term plans are among the cheapest on the market and come with a generous 45-day refund period.

Useful Features

• Easy to use. With relatively few features, you’ll quickly get the hang of CyberGhost’s app. Plus, you can pre-configure your favorite settings for even faster usage with Smart rules.
• Block content. Like PIA, CyberGhost offers a one-click solution to stop trackers and malware. It just doesn’t block that many ads.
• Reliable speeds. Nearby servers are consistently fast, with drops of just 4%. New York gave a 20% drop, but that’s still very healthy for long-distance.

4. NordVPN — Monthly VPN With Threat Protection to Block Ads and Malware

Works With:

Sky Dazn Netflix Disney+

APV More

Try NordVPN >

www.nordvpn.com

NordVPN’s Threat Protection is highly customizable, so you can filter your blocking. For example, when I worked in advertising, I wanted to see the ads on our clients’ and competitors’ sites — but I didn’t like those sites tracking me. That was easy to achieve with NordVPN. Plus, it can scan your hard drive for dangerous files you’ve already downloaded.

NordVPN can automatically scan everything you download and quarantine any dangerous files

You won't have to sacrifice speed for security and privacy. In fact, NordVPN is the second-fastest VPN after ExpressVPN, with a mere 6% speed drop on nearby UK servers and 14% on a New York server. Connection times were a little slow in my tests, though; it sometimes took up to a minute to connect to Vancouver, CA. Once established, my connections were reliable.

There are a range of monthly plans available starting at $12.99: Standard, Plus, and Complete. The more expensive packages include extras like cloud storage and a data breach scanner. There are no extra VPN features though, so I recommend the cheaper Standard. The 30-day money-back guarantee will protect you, whichever plan you choose.

Useful Features

• User-friendly. Its Quick Connect button automatically picks the best server for optimum speeds. Plus, the world map lets you quickly connect to your preferred server with a single click too.
• Excellent streaming capabilities. NordVPN has excellent streaming capabilities. With its monthly plan, our team confirmed it works well with Hulu, Max, and even the notoriously tricky DAZN in their respective licensed regions.

5. Surfshark — MultiHop Servers for Enhanced Online Security With a Monthly Plan

Works With:

ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+ Netflix

Disney+ APV More

Try Surfshark >

www.surfshark.com

Surfshark’s MultiHop feature routes your traffic through two VPN servers instead of one, doubling your protection. It actually offers more options than PIA’s version, which only gives you a limited choice of proxy servers to combine with a VPN connection. With Surshark, you can select from its entire network of VPN servers. Just click Create Connection.

Surfshark has a preconfigured list of MultiHop locations to choose from

It also offers static IPs, even with the monthly plan. This is useful since your bank may flag you for suspicious activity if your IP changes. I liked avoiding endless CAPTCHAs during my tests, which can be a nuisance when using most VPNs.

But it didn’t prevent another pet peeve of mine. 24/7 live chat is available (eventually), but you have to go through a chatbot before talking to an agent. This was also an issue with NordVPN. It only takes a minute or two to speak to a real person, though. You can just type “speak to an agent” or “live agent.”

Its monthly Starter plan costs $10.99, which is an especially good value since it supports unlimited devices. Additionally, there's a 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscriptions, including monthly.

Useful Features

• Rotating IP. This regularly switches your IP while keeping your VPN location, providing the opposite of static IPs. Enabling this feature offers an extra layer of security as it makes it harder for sites (and other prying eyes) to track your data.
• NoBorders mode. This feature narrows down the server list to connections that will work best when faced with restrictive networks. To enable it, simply use the OpenVPN protocol.

6. PrivateVPN — Cheapest Monthly VPN With a Stealth Feature

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try PrivateVPN >

www.privatevpn.com

PrivateVPN’s Stealth VPN feature hides your use of the VPN by disguising your data as regular internet traffic. That means you can enjoy the full freedom of the internet over tough network firewalls and bypass media blocks on public WiFi hotspots. It also means PrivateVPN is one of the few that is known to work reliably in China, after ExpressVPN.

I used Stealth VPN in my local public library, which has a tough firewall that blocks VPNs

Like all the VPNs on my list, you get a kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection that prevented all leaks in my tests. But there are a few limitations. There’s no premium protocol, the server network is relatively small, and it’s the only service on my list without RAM-only servers, hence the ranking. But it’s reliable, decent for streaming, and the cheapest monthly VPN on my list.

Longer subscriptions are also good value starting at $2/month. As well as having the cheapest monthly deal, you can also get a 3-month plan. It actually works out a lot cheaper than subscribing to a one-month deal for 2 months. All plans carry a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it for free.

Useful Features

• Switch encryption. Like PIA, you can switch between 256- and 128-bit encryption to find a balance between speed and security.
• Remote support. This unusual feature means PrivateVPN’s support team can take remote control of your device to install and set up the VPN. You can even request them to configure the best settings for your chosen online activity.

7. IPVanish — Unlimited Simultaneous Connections Even on the Monthly Plan

Works With:

ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+ Netflix

Disney+ More

Try IPVanish VPN >

www.IPVanishVPN.com

IPVanish offers unlimited device connections on its monthly plan, making it an excellent choice for large households with multiple devices. You also get a SOCKS5 proxy, which changes your IP but doesn’t encrypt your data like a VPN does. It’s great for speedy torrent downloads if privacy isn’t a concern, and I configured it to my Vuze torrent client in under 2 minutes.

I tested IPVanish on my Mac Book Pro, Android phone, iPad, Windows desktop PC, and 2 iPhones, and could still stream in UHD

Its Scramble feature obfuscates your OpenVPN traffic to hide your VPN use. But unlike PrivateVPN, it’s not recommended for use in China.

My main criticism of IPVanish is that you don’t get that many features, considering it has a more expensive monthly plan than the number 1 VPN on this list, ExpressVPN. Plus, you don’t get a money-back guarantee if you go monthly.

Useful Features

• Decent speeds. Our UK-based tester got a speed loss of 7% from the UK - Birmingham location. But during my tests, I configured the SOCKS5 proxy to Firefox and it was barely below my base speed.
• 4 protocols. You can choose between IKEv2, IPSEC, and OpenVPN protocols, plus you also get WireGuard, which may account for it being slightly faster than PrivateVPN.

Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, Cyberghost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

Other Notable Cheap Pay-Monthly VPNs

Proton VPN

A privacy-centric VPN from the makers of the popular Proton Mail. Its double VPN feature, Secure Core, routes your data through 2 privately owned, highly secure servers in countries with strict privacy laws. Plus, it offers a proprietary Stealth protocol, which is useful for overcoming tough firewalls, for instance, on public WiFi.

I like its Profiles feature for preconfiguring shortcuts, and unlike NordVPN’s Presets, they’re available for Windows as well as macOS. Its NetShield blocker is also customizable; you can block ads, malware, and trackers, or ads only. It’s not the most reliable option if you’re based in the US and want to stream Netflix. A 1-month plan is good value at $9.99.

Hotspot Shield

A good all-round service with the proprietary Hydra protocol, which Hotspot Shield specifically developed for low latency (ping). In my tests, it was 5ms faster than WireGuard, meaning Hotspot Shield is a good option for gaming.

When using Hydra, split tunneling is available on macOS. You can designate certain URLs to bypass the VPN, freeing up more bandwidth for your encrypted data. This feature isn’t usually available for Mac (it’s on the PIA app, but I got an error alert). A 1-month plan costs $12.99.

hide.me

A solid VPN with a split tunnel feature, but unlike Hotspot Shield, it works via apps rather than URLs. I found it less time consuming to assign a browser for non-VPN activities rather than designating individual sites.

Some P2P users find port forwarding offers faster downloads. With hide.me, you can assign it to certain apps (like your torrent client) rather than your whole internet connection.

You get streaming-optimized servers for 20 countries, SmartGuard customizable ad blocker, and a choice of 3 protocols, including WireGuard. Still, I was surprised that even with the streaming servers, my teammate in the US couldn’t get a consistently working connection for Netflix US. A 1-month deal is an affordable $9.95.

Quick Comparison Table: Cheap Monthly VPN Features

The table below compares the features of my top-recommended pay-as-you-go VPNs. This includes the lowest price, 1-month plan cost, money-back guarantee period, number of countries with servers, average download speed, and simultaneous device connections.

Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, Cyberghost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

Tips on Choosing the Best Cheap Monthly VPN

When choosing a monthly VPN, there are a few things you should keep in mind. The following list lays out the criteria I used to rank these monthly VPNs:

• Multiple subscription plans. A good monthly VPN should have several plans to choose from should you decide to commit. All VPNs on this list offer pay-as-you-go monthly subscriptions as well as long-term plans with reduced monthly costs.
• Trustworthy money-back guarantee. This allows you to test a VPN to see if it’s right for you and get a refund if you decide it’s not. Most VPNs offer at least 30 days. All the VPNs on this list offer refunds (excluding IPVanish’s 1-month deal) and held true to their guarantees.
• Value for money. Choose a VPN that offers plenty of extra features to ensure it's worth the price, like Smart DNS, split tunneling, or an ad blocker. The more simultaneous device connections it allows, the better, too.
• Fast speeds. Look for a monthly VPN that offers fast speeds across all its servers. Ideally, the speed drop on nearby servers should be less than 15%, which will let you browse, stream, and torrent without issues.
• Large server network. The bigger the network, the lower the chances of slow speeds due to congestion. It also gives you more options for connecting globally.
• Strong security and privacy features. The whole point of a VPN is to keep you safe and secure online. So it should, at the very least, offer 256-bit military-grade encryption, IP and DNS leak protection, and a kill switch as standard. A no-logs policy is also essential. The VPNs listed above all meet these standards.
• Easy to use. Choose a service that fits your technical preferences. I made sure all the VPNs on this list are easy to use with intuitive app interfaces, so you don’t have to waste time trying to get to grips with it.
• Compatible with multiple devices. You should be able to use your VPN on any of your devices. Only VPNs with vast device compatibility were selected, and they all offer at least 5 simultaneous device connections.

Editors' Note: Expressvpn and this site are in the same ownership group.

FAQs on the Best Cheap Monthly VPNs

What is the cheapest monthly VPN for the UK?

PrivateVPN is the cheapest monthly VPN for both the UK and US. The UK price is adjusted to £9.29, so it’s at least a lower figure than the US price of $9.90. (Many VPNs simply swap the dollar sign for GB £ and charge the same figure.) But I’ve only listed VPNs that offer fair monthly prices across most regions.

Since VPN providers want to retain customers for longer, they try to entice them with higher discounts on long-term plans. That said, it’s far cheaper to go monthly if you only want a VPN for a short period since you pay significantly less upfront.

What is the best monthly VPN according to Reddit?

Reddit users frequently recommend ExpressVPN for its rapid speeds and strong security. Reddit's community values monthly VPNs that offer reliable service for various activities, including streaming, torrenting, and gaming. Reddit posts often highlight ExpressVPN for its exceptional performance and user-friendly experience, making it a strong choice.

Will my pay-monthly VPN work on my Firestick?

Yes, you can download your pay-monthly VPN directly onto your Firestick from the Amazon Appstore. Most of the monthly VPNs on this list have native apps for Amazon Fire devices. But even if your VPN doesn’t have an app in the Amazon Appstore, you can sideload its APK file and just use the Android version. But make sure to only get APK files from the VPN’s official site to avoid security issues.

Which monthly VPN is best for Netflix and other streaming sites?

All the monthly VPNs on this list work with Netflix and other streaming sites, like Disney+, Hulu, and Max. Some VPNs offer specialty servers for streaming that are designed to minimize buffering, so you can binge-watch your favorite shows without interruptions. Others support streaming on every server.

How much should a monthly VPN plan cost?

A monthly VPN plan should cost under $15, depending on the service's features, privacy and security, server network, and speeds. Also, note its streaming, gaming, and torrenting capabilities. Prices vary widely among VPN providers and don’t always reflect the quality of service. I carefully selected and ranked the VPNs listed above to ensure you get a VPN that meets your budget and your expectations.

Monthly vs long-term VPN subscription: Which is better?

It depends on your budget and your requirements. If you only need a VPN for a short period, or you want to test a few out before committing long-term, then a pay-as-you-go plan could be ideal. It might cost more per month, but you won’t be locked into paying a lump sum upfront for a long subscription.

If you want a VPN for an extended period, a long-term deal is better, as you typically get a significant discount. All the VPNs on this list offer cheaper plans when you subscribe long-term.

Can I try a monthly VPN for free?

Yes, you can try the listed monthly VPNs risk-free via money-back guarantees, except IPVanish, because it doesn’t offer refunds for the 1-month plan. I tested each guarantee myself to ensure they were trustworthy. So, you can evaluate the VPN's performance, ease of use, and compatibility with your devices before committing to a paid plan.

Get the Best Cheap Monthly VPN

You wouldn’t marry someone without going on a few dates first, right? And, since a VPN subscription can last longer than many relationships, you need to make sure you’ve chosen the right option. And a short-term plan is perfect for that. It could even lead to something beautiful... Or, it could just be a one-month stand.

And while my team and I are fully committed, we’re in full agreement that ExpressVPN offers the best monthly deal. It’s ideal for everyday browsing as well as streaming, P2P, and gaming — all without switching settings. Plus, since it has a money-back guarantee, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free to see if it really is the one. You can easily get a full refund if the honeymoon is over.

To summarize, these are the best cheap monthly VPNs...

Rank

Provider

Our Score

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1

9.9 /10

9.9 Our Score

Save 49%!

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2

9.5 /10

9.5 Our Score

Save 83%!

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3

9.7 /10

9.7 Our Score

Save 84%!

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4

9.4 /10

9.4 Our Score

Save 69%!

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5

9.3 /10

9.3 Our Score

Save 85%!

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