How much does a VPN cost in 2026?

How much does a VPN cost on average in 2026?

VPN costs are most useful to compare by subscription length. A single overall average combines recurring monthly charges with advertised monthly equivalents for annual and two-year plans paid upfront, so the table below separates the three billing models.

Methodology: The pricing ranges and comparison tables in this article are based on advertised consumer VPN pricing checked on July 29, 2026, on providers’ official US pricing pages while connected to a US VPN server. Prices are shown in USD and may vary by country, currency, taxes, VAT, selected plan tier, promotional pricing, coupon codes, extra months, promotional availability, app store pricing, and renewal terms. The comparison focuses on selected paid consumer VPN plans and excludes business plans, add-ons, taxes, VAT, and renewal-price changes unless stated otherwise. For annual and two-year plans, the price shown per month refers to the provider’s advertised monthly equivalent for the initial subscription term, not a recurring monthly charge.

This comparison is not exhaustive, and the information used may change at any time. Before making a purchase decision, review each product’s official website, terms, and any other relevant information.

How much does a VPN cost per month?

One-month VPN plans usually have a higher advertised monthly price than the monthly equivalents shown for annual or two-year plans, but they can make sense if you need a VPN service only briefly or prefer not to pay for a longer subscription upfront. The table below compares advertised one-month paid consumer VPN plans from selected providers.

Methodology: This table follows the pricing methodology described above and compares advertised one-month paid consumer VPN plans only. It is for pricing reference and does not rank providers or provide an overall comparison of their performance, privacy, security, or service offerings.

How much does a VPN cost per year?

A one-year VPN plan can be a middle ground between a flexible monthly subscription and a longer two-year commitment. Providers often advertise annual plans at a lower monthly equivalent than one-month plans, but the total for the initial subscription term is usually paid upfront. The table below shows both the advertised monthly price and the initial-term total.

Note: This table follows the pricing methodology described above. The advertised price per month is the provider’s monthly equivalent for the initial subscription term, not a recurring monthly charge. The total due for the initial term shows the amount payable at checkout, excluding taxes/VAT, add-ons, and renewal-price changes. CyberGhost is marked with dashes because it does not offer a one-year plan; its available longer-term options are six-month and two-year plans.

How much does a VPN cost on a 2-year plan?

Two-year plans often show a lower advertised monthly equivalent than shorter plans, but the total for the initial subscription term is usually paid upfront. Compare this monthly equivalent with the total due at checkout before subscribing. The table below shows both figures for selected VPN providers.

Note: This table follows the pricing methodology described above. The advertised price per month is the provider’s monthly equivalent for the initial subscription term, not a recurring monthly charge. The total due for the initial term shows the amount payable at checkout, excluding taxes/VAT, add-ons, and renewal-price changes. Windscribe and TunnelBear are marked with dashes because they do not offer two-year plans. Windscribe offers a yearly plan, while TunnelBear offers one- and three-years plans.

How does NordVPN's price compare?

In this two-year pricing comparison, NordVPN appears at the higher end of the selected providers. Its Basic plan has an advertised monthly equivalent of $3.49, with $94.23 due for the initial subscription term, so it is not the lowest-priced option in the table.

However, the table compares advertised prices rather than equivalent feature sets. Providers may include different privacy, security, device support, and add-on features in their plans. Before choosing, compare the advertised monthly equivalent, total due at checkout, renewal terms, included features, add-ons, refund terms, and whether you need a standalone VPN or a broader bundle.

What factors affect VPN pricing?

VPN pricing depends on more than the advertised monthly price. Subscription length, server infrastructure, connection speeds, security features, device limits, add-ons, and even jurisdiction can all affect how much a VPN costs. Prices can also vary by region, plan tier, taxes, currency, and limited-time promotions, so always check the total due at checkout before subscribing.

Subscription length

Subscription length is one of the biggest factors affecting VPN pricing. Monthly plans typically have a higher one-month price, while annual and two-year plans often show a lower advertised monthly price. However, longer plans are usually billed upfront, so the amount due at checkout may be higher even if the price shown per month is lower.

Server infrastructure and locations

A VPN provider’s server network can also affect its pricing. Operating and maintaining VPN servers in many countries takes ongoing investment in infrastructure, bandwidth, maintenance, and support. A wider server network may give you more location options and help you connect to a nearby server, but it can also increase the provider’s operating costs.

Connection speeds and protocols

VPN speed depends on factors such as server capacity, distance, network load, and the technology used to create the VPN connection. Providers that invest in speed-focused infrastructure and protocol development may price their services differently. NordVPN, for example, offers the fastest VPN* experience supported by the NordLynx protocol, which is built around WireGuard™.

Security and privacy features

Security and privacy features can also influence VPN cost. Standard VPN plans usually include online traffic encryption, IP address masking, and a kill switch, while some providers add extra tools such as double VPN, split tunneling, dedicated IP options, or additional security features, such as scam, phishing, and malware protection.

When comparing plans, check how each provider encrypts your traffic and which VPN protocols — the methods a VPN uses to establish and secure your connection — it supports.

Simultaneous device connections

Simultaneous device connections can also affect VPN pricing. Some plans set a fixed limit on simultaneous connections, while others allow more devices or support installation on a router for wider household coverage.

More active connections can require more network resources, so compare device limits alongside the plan price, especially if you want a VPN for multiple devices in your household.

Bundles and add-ons

Some VPN subscriptions include only the VPN service, while others are sold as bundles with extra privacy, identity, or cybersecurity tools. These add-ons can raise the plan price, but they may also reduce the need to buy separate services.

Before choosing a plan, check whether you only need a VPN or whether NordVPN bundles or similar packages match your needs.

Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction can affect VPN pricing indirectly because providers face different tax, compliance, and operating requirements depending on where they are based. These differences may influence their legal, auditing, and infrastructure costs.

However, a provider's jurisdiction alone does not show whether the service offers good value. Consider it alongside the provider’s privacy practices, transparency, security features, and total subscription cost.

Is a lifetime VPN subscription worth it?

A lifetime VPN subscription is generally not worth the risk because “lifetime” is defined by the provider’s terms and may refer to the service’s lifetime rather than yours. After you pay, the provider’s ownership, apps, server network, support features, or security standards may change.

A monthly, annual, or two-year VPN plan is usually easier to evaluate because you can compare the current price, included features, renewal terms, and money-back guarantee. A lifetime VPN may be worth considering only if you understand what “lifetime” means in the provider’s terms and are comfortable with the risk that the service may change later.

How much does a VPN cost for a business?

The cost of a business VPN depends on the number of users, plan features, billing period, and the level of management and control your company needs.

Unlike personal plans, business services may include a central dashboard for managing team access, dedicated network gateways, single sign-on for using one company login across services, and priority support.

If you need a VPN for a company rather than individual use, compare business-focused plans separately from consumer VPN plans. For example, NordLayer offers business VPN opens in a new tab and network access solutions designed for teams, with pricing based on the selected plan and number of users.

How can I save money on a VPN?

You can save money on a VPN by comparing subscription lengths, checking official deals, using eligible discount codes, and reviewing the full checkout price before you subscribe. A cheap VPN may look appealing, but the lowest advertised monthly price does not always mean the lowest upfront payment or the best fit for your needs.

• Choose a long-term plan. Annual and two-year VPN plans usually show a lower advertised monthly price than monthly subscriptions. If you know you’ll use a VPN regularly, compare the advertised monthly price with the full initial-term total due at checkout.
• Use seasonal deals. VPN providers often run limited-time promotions around major shopping periods and online safety campaigns. Check current VPN deals, especially around Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Cybersecurity Month, or other seasonal campaigns.
• Apply influencer or YouTuber codes. Some providers work with creators, publishers, and influencers who share discount codes. Before using one, check whether it applies to your plan, region, and billing period. You can also look for NordVPN influencer codes or VPN coupons.
• Look for student or employee discounts. Some VPN providers offer discounts for eligible students, graduates, employees, or specific professional groups. These offers usually require verification, so check whether a student or employee discount applies before comparing the final checkout price.
• Use the money-back guarantee. NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee with its risk-free VPN option, so you can request a refund within 30 days of buying a subscription, subject to NordVPN’s terms. 
• Combine offers where supported. Some offers may include extra subscription time, add-ons, coupons, or seasonal promotions, but providers may not allow them to be combined. Before checkout, review the offer terms, total for the initial subscription term, renewal terms, and what happens after that term ends.

How to choose the best VPN

When choosing a VPN service, look beyond the advertised monthly price. The right VPN should match your budget, devices, browsing habits, and the VPN benefits you care about most, such as increased privacy, stronger connection security, or access to a wider server network.

• Check the no-logs policy. Look for a provider that clearly explains which browsing and connection data it does and does not log. Independent audits can provide additional support for these claims.

• Review encryption and VPN protocols. Encryption scrambles your traffic, while the protocol determines how the secure connection is created and maintained. Check which options the provider supports and whether it explains them clearly.

• Compare connection speeds. VPN speed can affect streaming, downloads, calls, and everyday browsing. Review the provider’s speed claims alongside independent reviews, user tests, or independent evaluations.

• Look at the server network. A wider server network can give you more location options. Nearby servers may also help you get a faster, more stable connection.

• Check device compatibility. Make sure the VPN works on the devices you use most, such as your phone, computer, browser, tablet, smart TV, or router.

• Compare simultaneous connections. Some VPN plans let you use the service on multiple devices at the same time. This can matter if you want VPN protection across several personal or household devices.

• Look for safety features. A kill switch and DNS leak protection can help limit data exposure if the VPN connection drops, while split tunneling lets you choose which apps or websites use the VPN connection.

• Review the app experience. A simple app can make the VPN easier to use every day. Check whether the interface is clear, stable, and easy to manage across devices.

• Check support options. Good customer support can help with setup, billing, connection issues, or troubleshooting. Look for live chat, email support, help articles, or setup guides.

• Compare pricing and guarantees. Review the advertised monthly price, total due at checkout, renewal terms, money-back guarantee, and VPN comparison details before subscribing.

Why buy a VPN service from NordVPN?

NordVPN offers VPN plans designed for privacy, security, and everyday browsing. Depending on the plan, NordVPN features can include encrypted VPN connections, a no-logs policy, high-speed VPN servers, Kill Switch, scam, phishing, and malware protection, and support for multiple simultaneous device connections.

NordVPN plans also include different subscription lengths, so you can compare the monthly plan, annual plan, and two-year plan before choosing. For the most accurate pricing, use the current figures from the pricing tables above and check the total due at checkout, because offers, taxes, currencies, and renewal terms may vary.

References

* Information related to "Fastest VPN" is based on testing conducted by West Coast Labs in October 2025, with the full report available here opens in a new tab. This is further supported by multiple other sources, including editorially independent evaluations and insights, internal tests, as well as statements from media articles, some of which were published through paid partnerships.