Monthly VPN plans are the best way to test a VPN and decide if it’s right for you.
But most VPNs charge extortionate fees for shorter subscriptions – sometimes 4x what you pay on a one or two-year plan.
So, we’ve gone beyond standard reviews to uncover the best monthly VPNs that don’t break the bank. They balance flexibility, affordability, and performance for industry-leading experiences.
In a rush? Here are our top five choices:
- ExpressVPN - The #1 VPN, offering top-tier security, speeds, stealthy servers, advanced features, and a massive global server network.
- NordVPN - Outstanding value, with fast, secure connections on a vast server network and excellent privacy features.
- CyberGhost VPN - A user-friendly VPN for monthly subscribers. Simple setup and great value for casual users.
- IPVanish - Solid pay-as-you-go VPN. Offers unlimited connections and robust security to protect numerous devices.
- PrivateVPN - The cheapest monthly VPN, offering essential protection and privacy (but a small network).
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Here’s a quick breakdown of the criteria we used in selecting these VPNs (keep reading for more details):
- Affordable monthly plans
- Global server network
- Fast, reliable connections
- Excellent security
- Unlimited bandwidth (no limit to how much you can stream)
- Access any content, including popular global streaming sites
- Work on numerous devices (Windows PC, Mac, iPhone, Android, and more)
| TEST WINNER ExpressVPN | NordVPN | CyberGhost VPN | IPVanish | PrivateVPN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Website | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | CyberGhost VPN | IPVanish | PrivateVPN |
| Ranking for monthly vpn | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Performance | 10 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Reliability | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Free trial | |||||
| Total servers | 3000 | 6200 | 11625 | 2000 | 200 |
| Payment | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency |
| Unblocks: | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu |
| Supported platforms | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android |
Deep dive: The best monthly VPNs in 2024
Let's explore the best monthly VPNs, and what makes each one unique.
If you're still curious after these mini-reviews, check out our complete VPN reviews for a deeper dive into every provider.
ExpressVPN is the best all-around VPN, offering industry-leading performance on an affordable monthly subscription. Priced at USD $12.95 monthly, ExpressVPN delivers incredible performance at the same price as most (inferior) competitors. Thanks to its massive server network in 100+ countries, you get lightning-fast connections worldwide. This extensive network ensures you'll never compromise on speed or performance due to distance from a server. For even more speed, ExpressVPN uses its innovative Lightway protocol, which maximizes performance while maintaining robust security. It ensures minimal downtime and optimizes your data routes, providing quick and efficient connections. ExpressVPN also offers unrivaled security. It uses RAM-only servers, meaning your data is never recorded, stored, or shared. 256-bit AES encryption and automatic kill-switches safeguard your online activities. Plus, it’s based in the British Virgin Islands – one of the most notoriously private places on Earth. ExpressVPN’s one and two-year plans are more expensive than most VPNs. But there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee to try it risk-free. You can also use an ExpressVPN coupon to save up to 49%. NordVPN is a fast and reliable pay-as-you-go VPN. It offers cutting-edge security features to safeguard your data and online activities. NordVPN's extensive network of over 6,000 global servers is optimized for reliable performance, providing fast connections for streaming Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and other popular platforms and accessing websites worldwide. The exclusive NordLynx protocol provides lightning-fast connections, averaging around 55 Mbps. Additionally, NordVPN's SmartDNS feature enables you to stream on devices that don't always support VPNs, like game consoles and some smart TVs. You can install NordVPN on up to 10 devices at once. Installation is easy, and it’s compatible with every popular phone, computer, game console, smart TV, and router. A monthly plan costs $12.99, and the 30-day money-back guarantee lets you try it risk-free. Check out our exclusive NordVPN discount code to save on extended plans. CyberGhost is the most user-friendly monthly VPN. Enjoy its simple apps and consistently fast connections on every device. CyberGhost’s monthly plan costs $12.99 per month. A vast network of 9,500+ servers in over 90 countries gives you plenty of features for protecting your privacy and accessing content worldwide. Performance varies in countries with heavy censorship and anti-VPN measures, like the UAE or China. But, for everywhere else, it generally delivers good speeds for streaming and other online activities. Our favorite feature is CyberGhost’s auto-configuration. Once you’ve installed it on your first device and configured your settings (i.e., favorite servers, preferred VPN protocol), these settings are saved for all future installs. This saves a lot of time as you set it up across every device. The user-friendly interface is perfect for beginners, and you can protect up to seven devices simultaneously.Try CyberGhost risk-free with its generous 45-day money-back guarantee. Save up to 79% on extended plans with a CyberGhost coupon. IPVanish is a reliable VPN with easy-to-use apps, fast connections, robust security, and excellent privacy protection, all at an affordable monthly plan. For $12.99 per month, you get access to IPVanish’s network of over 2,000 servers across 75+ global locations. While IPVanish works with popular streaming sites such as Netflix, it might struggle with others like Amazon Prime Video. Consider this if streaming is a priority. However, IPVanish excels as a VPN for torrenting and Kodi home theater if that's more your speed. We rigorously tested its security and privacy features across various devices (Windows, iPhone, Android, etc.). The military-grade encryption, leak protection, and kill-switches performed flawlessly, ensuring a secure online experience. One potential downside is that IPVanish is based in the U.S.A. If you're highly privacy-conscious, other VPNs on this list might be more appealing due to their locations in privacy-friendly jurisdictions. We recommend ExpressVPN. Try IPVanish using its 30-day money-back guarantee to see if it fits your monthly VPN needs. Use our IPVanish coupon to save 20% on your subscription. PrivateVPN offers the cheapest monthly VPN plan on this list, but it’s less advanced than top competitors, with a tiny server network and other issues. PrivateVPN is the most affordable option on our list – it costs $9.90 per month. Despite the budget-friendly price, you get reliable protection and surprisingly fast connections. While its server network is tiny (only 200+ servers in 60+ countries), it's powerful enough to access popular streaming sites and deliver smooth, buffer-free HD content. PrivateVPN doesn't compromise on security. You get robust 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and an automatic kill-switch – perfect for keeping your online activities private. You can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, including smart TVs, some routers, and game consoles. This flexibility makes it ideal for protecting all your devices month-to-month. Every new PrivateVPN plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. Save up to 83% on long-term plans with our PrivateVPN coupon. 1. ExpressVPN
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Methodology: how we tested the best monthly VPNs
At ProPrivacy, we understand the importance of reliable information when choosing the best monthly VPN. That's why we regularly speed-test top VPNs using servers on six continents. This proprietary method gives us real-time performance data, ensuring our assessments are independent and accurate.
Over the last three years, we've conducted over 250,000 tests using this system – the results you see are 100% authentic.
When recommending monthly VPNs, we prioritize:
- Affordable pricing: A good monthly VPN shouldn't break the bank. We only included VPNs with affordable pay-as-you-go plans.
- Global server network: We specifically recommended VPNs boasting a robust global server network to optimize the browsing experience.
- Content access: Our chosen VPNs access every global streaming site, bypassing geo-restrictions on websites, including financial and personal portals, without location limitations.
- Fast connections: These VPNs minimize the impact on internet speeds and deliver reliable performance to accommodate HD streaming and consistent connectivity.
- Lightweight: Every VPN listed works without impacting your device's battery, CPU, browser speed, and page load times.
- Top-notch security: The VPNs on our list offer industry-best security measures, including 256-bit AES encryption, IP leak protection, automatic kill-switches, and more. Rigorous testing verified the effectiveness of these features.
- User-friendly interface: Only VPNs with user-friendly apps and easy setups are included, catering to users new to VPN usage.
Refer to our comprehensive testing methodology overview for a more detailed breakdown.
How to set up a VPN
To set up a VPN for enhanced privacy and security, simply follow these steps:
- Sign up to your preferred VPN. We recommend ExpressVPN.
- Install VPN on your preferred device.
- Open the VPN app and configure it to your device.
- Restart your device.
Viola!
You're now ready to enjoy a seamless online experience on your devices.
If you encounter any issues, consider clearing your device's cache and cookies to address temporary glitches. Ensure your device is connected to a server within your preferred location, then reconnect to the VPN.
Refresh any page or app, and you should have unrestricted access.
Can I use a free VPN?
While free VPNs might seem tempting, they often have significant drawbacks and hidden dangers. Here's why you should be wary about free VPNs:
- Limit your server access. They usually restrict you to a handful of overcrowded servers, leading to slow speeds and connection issues.
- Too slow. Don't expect smooth streaming or browsing. They often throttle your bandwidth so you’ll upgrade to a faster connection.
- Come bundled with ads. These are often intrusive, annoying, and embedded with malicious software.
- May sell your information. Data brokers and advertisers love VPN user data because it’s so private.
- Been caught hosting malware and hackers on their networks. This poses an obvious danger to your safety – online and IRL.
Skip the free VPNs and invest $2/month in a budget-friendly premium VPN. They offer far superior protection and value compared to the risks of using a free VPN.
Best monthly VPNs FAQs
Conclusion: What’s the best monthly VPN?
PrivateVPN offers the most competitive monthly pricing – but it lacks many advanced features and has a tiny server network.
For the best mix of performance, speed, and affordability, we recommend ExpressVPN. Its monthly plans cost the same as many inferior competitors. And if you extend to a longer plan, you can get crazy discounts.
Regardless, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. So, there’s zero risk to trying it out.