The best cheap VPNs for 2023

By Brittany Vincent

Updated on: August 2, 2023 / 3:06 PM / Essentials

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You can do anything you want online, within reason. But it's not without its own unique set of dangers. From connecting with friends overseas to catching up on your favorite TV series, exploring the vast corners of the internet can expose you to danger. Luckily, you've got a weapon in the war against anyone who might want to do you harm: VPNs.

Short for Virtual Private Networks, these services are something like your own personal invisibility cloak. They mask your online activities and act as a protective barrier between you and online threats. VPNs are a reliable, safer way to roam the internet, whether you're evading prying eyes, sidestepping geo-blocks, or shielding yourself from potential cyber attacks. And while there are some VPNs that can be pricey to keep up with each month, you'll be glad to know there are plenty of affordable, budget options that provide everything you need to stay safe online.

Aside from price, however, when shopping for a VPN service, there are a bunch to choose from, and that can make it tough to lock in a choice. We've already lined up some of the best VPNs in 2023, but they're not all one-size-fits-all solutions. You'll want features like robust encryption, a reliable kill switch that can pull you out of a connection immediately, and leak protection to make sure your data is secure even if your connection fails.

Another critical factor is speed. A VPN that slows down your browsing to snail-speed is no good. The ideal VPN should let you to sail smoothly through the internet with minimal lag, ensuring your digital journey stays speedy.

Ahead, we've compiled some of our top picks for the best budget-friendly VPN services in 2023. These services not only protect your online presence but also do it without breaking the bank.

Top VPNs in this article:

Surfshark, $2 monthly

IPVanish, $4 monthly

NordVPN, $4 monthly

Surfshark is the most affordable VPN that delivers seriously great results. With a wide array of privacy and security features, it excels at keeping your internet activity private while remaining simple to use. Though its costs are low, it manages to incorporate cutting-edge technology like AES-256 encryption, an automatic kill switch, and split tunneling.

In addition, Surfshark is currently the only service to offer MultiHop and Nexus. MultiHop is invaluable -- an additional layer of encryption, as it routes another server to your VPN to bolster your security. Nexus is a Surfshark-exclusive feature that can connect you to a server network, then route you to the server of your chioce, all easily and painlessly. It's one of the innovations the company is known for, and while it still has a few glitches, it's improving all the time.

Surfshark also offers a generous simultaneous connection policy, making it a fantastic choice for families. You can have a variety of devices connected at the same time, from Mom's office PC to the kids' tablets, all with great speed and reliable connectivity. Surfshark is exceptionally zippy when compared to the competition. While there are some glitchy aspects -- its kill switch's often frustrating behavior and occasional dropped connections -- Surfshark is a valuable yet affordable budget contender that stands tall above the rest. It's got everything you need and more.

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Surfshark, $2 monthly

A VPN setup can be daunting. While most services, including the other budget options on this list, tend to make it simple to connect, sometimes you just want a one-touch solution. IPVanish is perfect for that. It has a one-step requirement to get you off and running, no matter what device you're on, whether you're on your laptop or another mobile device. To that end, it also offers protection on an unlimited number of devices with no data cap, so you can connect everything in your home through your VPN service if you want to.

In terms of servers, IPVanish has more than 40,000 IP addresses that keep you protected from potential prying eyes in more than 75 VPN locations. It also offers local network protection in addition to completely anonymous IP addresses. Its security feature set doesn't just keep your activity safe at home, either. It offers a Wi-Fi hotspot shield to help anonymize your activity when you browser outside your home on public wireless connections. You should always be using caution when surfing on those networks, but IPVanish has your back if you happen to need to.

For the price, IPVanish has everything you need and more to maintain a secure connection. While it doesn't have as many server locations as some of its more expensive competitors, there are still more than enough to keep you protected. It also doesn't assign you a dedicated IP address, if that's a concern, but for the money, you'll hardly find a better option.

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IPVanish, $4 monthly

NordVPN is likely a name you've heard before, and that's for good reason. It's a reliable and affordable option that's every bit as good as its more expensive competitors. It boasts quick browsing speeds, few drops, and little latency. Switching servers may cause a bit of a headache for some users, but this is a small complaint for all the positives this VPN does offer.

Why? Because there are plenty of reasons to subscribe, including an additional layer of encryption via the Double VPN feature. It's free, and doesn't require any complicated setup. NordVPN also offers peer-to-peer sharing. For those looking for a truly personalized experience, there's also the option of a dedicated IP address to establish a server for your VPN. Users who like to tinker and customize will find plenty to enjoy about NordVPN's compatibility with Meshnet, a service that allows direct connectivity to certain devices.

All that said, NordVPN has a user interface that tends to favor people with more extensive VPN experience. Its pricing tiers can get expensive if you decide to go above the cheapest option at $4, and some of the cooler features don't come with the budget plan. That includes cloud storage, the data breach scanner, and a password manager. But you can hardly go wrong with the rest of NordVPN's slick feature set, especially at this price.

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NordVPN, $4 monthly

Think of a VPN, or Virtual Private Network, like a secret tunnel on the internet. Normally when you go online, you're traveling on public roads where anyone can see you. But with a VPN, you enter this private tunnel that keeps you hidden from others. It's like having your own private internet highway that keeps your activities hidden from prying eyes.

A VPN creates a private and secure connection between your device and the websites or services you're visiting. It takes the data your device sends and receives, and encrypts it - think of it like putting that data into a secret code that only your device and the VPN can understand. This keeps your online activities private, even if you're using a public Wi-Fi network.

In addition to privacy, a VPN can also give you more freedom online. Some websites or services may be blocked in certain countries. But with a VPN, you can make it look like you're accessing the internet from a different location, bypassing these restrictions. It's like a magic door that lets you appear in a different place on the internet.

So, in short, a VPN gives you more privacy, security, and freedom when you're online. It's a tool that many internet users find invaluable for their daily surfing.

A budget VPN is just a VPN that offers good value for your money. You aren't going to have to spend an arm and a leg to get what you need every month. They typically offer you a lot of the same features that the more expensive VPNs do -- like protecting your online privacy, securing your data, and letting you access content from all around the globe -- but at a much more affordable price.

On warning: Just because it's cheaper doesn't always mean it's the best choice. Some budget VPNs might not offer as many features, or they might not be as fast or reliable. It's kind of like getting a budget airline ticket: Yes, it gets you where you need to go, but you might not get the extra leg room or free snacks. So, always remember to check out the features and reviews before you decide which VPN, budget or otherwise, is right for you.

Do you use the internet? If your answer is yes, then you probably could benefit from a VPN. When you browse the web without a VPN, it's like leaving your internet wide open for anyone to watch you surf. So, if you're concerned about keeping your internet activities private from snoopers like hackers, advertisers, or even your internet service provider, a VPN can help.

VPNs are also great for when you're traveling and can't access the content you normally can in your home country -- or just want to see what other streaming services elsewhere around the world have. Usually, a lot of this content isn't made available to everyone. This is called geo-blocking. A VPN can help you trick these services into thinking you're back in your home country, so you can continue watching.

There are plenty of other reasons, but in short, if you value your privacy, want to access your favorite shows from anywhere, or often use public Wi-Fi, then getting a VPN could be a smart move for you!

Yes! Price doesn't necessarily determine the level of security a VPN can provide. Some lower-priced, or "budget," VPNs can offer a level of protection that's on par with, or sometimes even better than, their more expensive counterparts.

The core function of any VPN, regardless of its price, is to secure your internet connection and protect your online privacy. This is usually done by using encryption to scramble your data and hide your online actions. Most budget VPNs offer this level of encryption -- often the same AES-256 encryption used by pricier VPNs and even the military.

But: Just like with any budget purchase, you might have to compromise on some bells and whistles. Some budget VPNs might not have as many servers worldwide, may be slower, might not unblock as many streaming services, or may lack some advanced features like kill switches or split tunneling. Also, cheaper VPNs may have less robust customer service.

But in the end, as long as a budget VPN covers the basics -- strong encryption, no logs policy, and a decent server network -- it can indeed offer solid protection for most users. Always remember: The most important thing is to do your research and make sure the VPN you choose fits your specific needs and budget.

When looking for a budget VPN, it's important to pay attention to security features. You should expect robust encryption, ideally AES-256, and a range of secure protocols. A VPN isn't much use if it doesn't keep your data private, after all.

Privacy policies are also essential. Look for a service that has a clear no-logs policy, meaning it doesn't store any records of your online activities. Keep in mind that the VPN's location can impact privacy, as companies based in countries with strong data retention laws may be required to keep some logs.

Check for speed and reliability. A VPN that slows down your internet connection considerably or drops out frequently can be more frustrating than helpful. It's also important to look for a VPN with a good number of servers and server locations, as this can impact both speed and the ability to bypass geo-restrictions.

Consider the number of simultaneous connections allowed. If you have multiple devices or a family to protect, a VPN that allows more connections can be more economical. Lastly, make sure that the VPN is compatible with your devices and that it has a user-friendly interface, especially if you're new to VPNs.

Remember, just because a VPN is cheap doesn't mean it's a bargain. It needs to tick the right boxes for you. Keep in mind that budget VPNs might not offer all the features or the same level of service as their pricier counterparts. Still, with some careful shopping, you can find a budget VPN that delivers solid performance and good value.

While budget VPNs can offer a great deal of value, it's worth noting that more expensive VPNs often provide additional features. Here's what you might expect when you opt for a pricier service.

One of the key benefits is speed. Premium VPNs often have more servers around the world, which can help to maintain faster and more consistent internet speeds. That's crucial if you're streaming video, playing games, or doing anything else that needs a fast, steady connection.

Advanced security features are another advantage of pricier VPNs. For example, some premium services offer things like double VPN (routing your traffic through two servers for extra security), malware blocking, and more sophisticated leak protection. While budget VPNs will typically have solid basic security, premium services tend to go a step further.

Finally, more expensive VPNs often offer better customer support. That might mean 24/7 live chat support, more in-depth guides and tutorials, or faster response times when you have a problem. For some people, the extra peace of mind that comes from having great support is worth the higher price.

That's not to say that a budget VPN is a bad choice -- far from it. But if you need the best speeds, the most advanced features, or the most reliable access to geo-restricted content, it might be worth spending a little more.

Brittany Vincent has been covering gaming, tech, and all things entertainment for 16 years for a variety of online and print publications. She's been covering the commerce space for nearly a decade. Follow her on Twitter at @MolotovCupcake.

First published on August 2, 2023 / 3:06 PM