The best cheap VPNs that actually work

Surfshark might have a low price tag, but that doesn’t mean it’s a budget VPN in terms of quality. Quite the opposite – it holds its own against (and even outperforms) some of the pricier options in my review of the best VPNs.

One of the best-value VPNs I’ve tested, Surfshark lets you install it on an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription, securing all your gadgets without having to pay extra. It’s fast, secure and feature-packed, with speeds only dropping by around five per cent when I connected to the nearest UK server.

The clean and approachable interface makes it easy to navigate, and you get a choice of multiple protocols, including WireGuard and OpenVPN, allowing you to balance security and speed. Standard AES-256 encryption (often called military grade), a recently improved kill switch and split tunnelling on all apps give you more control over your traffic.

A standout feature is ‘MultiHop’, which routes your connection through two servers instead of one, for an extra layer of security – something even the most expensive VPNs don’t always offer. The Alternative ID feature, included in the starter plan, is another clever touch, letting you generate a fake name, address, email and phone number to help dodge spam and data leaks. It also worked with every UK streaming service I tested.

Most people will be fine with the cheapest starter package but, if you want antivirus and Surfshark’s non-trackable search engine, you can upgrade to the Surfshark one bundle for a bit extra.

At the time of writing, a 27-month subscription to Surfshark starter costs £45.63 up front – just £1.69 per month, which is an absolute steal. The catch? You must cancel before the 27 months are up or you’ll be hit with a horrifying £331.83 renewal fee for another two years. I’ve heard horror stories of people forgetting and being charged full price. If you only need a VPN for a month, Surfshark isn’t the cheapest, costing £12.29 per month.

Read the full Surfshark VPN review now

IPVanish is very slightly cheaper than Surfshark. It offers decent performance for gaming and streaming, and lots of customisable settings. Like Surfshark, a single subscription lets you use it on an unlimited number of devices, though speeds aren’t as fast. My download speeds dropped by around 10 per cent when connected to the nearest UK server. It includes AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, split tunnelling and threat protection, which helps block malicious websites – something you’d have to pay extra for with Surfshark. It also supports WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols.

In terms of streaming, IPVanish worked with Netflix UK, letting me stream in 4K without buffering, and BBC iPlayer worked fine, but I did have some trouble accessing Prime Video. The interface also feels a little dated and clunky, especially on Android, and while there are lots of manual settings, the app isn’t the most user-friendly, making it less ideal for beginners.

At the time of writing, a two-year essential plan costs £45.55, which works out to be £1.58 per month. There’s no free trial, but a 30-day money-back guarantee is available. It’s a solid choice for gaming and streaming but Surfshark is easier to use and offers more features for less. Again, ensure you cancel your subscription before the two years are up, or you’ll be charged an extortionate £239.76.

Read the full IPVanish review now

If you’re looking for a VPN that’s built for streaming, look no further than CyberGhost. Affordable and easy to use, it has dedicated servers for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video and more.

Speeds dropped by five to 10 per cent when connected to the nearest UK server, which is fast enough for 4K streaming without buffering. A single subscription covers seven devices, though this is less generous than Surfshark’s unlimited connections. It includes AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and split tunnelling, with support for WireGuard and OpenVPN. While it doesn’t have MultiHop, it does include NoSpy servers, which are owned and managed by CyberGhost, for added privacy.

Streaming is where CyberGhost really shines, with servers optimised for specific platforms such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer and ITVX, making it easy to pick the best option for smooth playback. Some features, such as gaming-optimised servers and peer-to-peer (P2P) servers, are only available on Windows, making it a less versatile choice for Mac and mobile users.

At the time of writing, a two-year plan costs £49.92, which works out as £1.92 per month, and you get a 45-day money-back guarantee, which is longer than most VPNs. It’s a great choice for streaming but its Windows-first approach means Mac and mobile users miss out on some of its best features. It’s also very simple – there aren’t lots of extra features, and the provider canned its password manager a couple of years ago, which is a shame.

Read the full CyberGhost VPN review now

While NordVPN isn’t the cheapest provider in this list, it’s still an affordable service. Our pick for the best VPN on the market, NordVPN is the most feature-packed provider out of the list, offering lightning download speeds, top security and plenty of servers to choose from.

The user interface is a little bit clunky, boasting a large map front and centre, but it’s easy to forgive when you consider the breadth of the service. NordVPN currently offers the widest range of server locations among all the VPNs I’ve tested, with 118 countries and more than 7,150 servers. Last year alone, it added new locations, including Greenland, Bermuda, and the Isle of Man.

Meshnet is one of NordVPN’s standout features. It lets you create a secure private network linking up to 60 devices, including 10 of your own and 50 external, so you can share files and play games locally and securely in a private sandbox. But if you don’t care about those advanced features, then you’ll be pleased to know that it still has AES-256 encryption, an automatic kill switch and split-tunnelling support.

You also have features like double VPN, which routes your connection through two servers for added security. Plus it worked with all the streaming services we tested, letting us stream Netflix, BBC iPlayer, ITVX and others while connected.

At the time of writing, a 24-month subscription to NordVPN’s basic plan costs £62.16 up front – which works out to about £2.59 per month. Not the cheapest, yes, but a lot cheaper than some other providers. Like Surfshark, make sure to cancel your membership before the end of the subscription, or you’ll be hit with a huge £215.76 charge for the next two years.