Black Friday and Cyber Monday may have already come and gone in a flash, but there are still plenty of VPN deals from top providers to be had this holiday season. Whether you’re looking for something that will give you the privacy you need or access location-restricted streaming content, we’ve got you covered with the very best VPN deals currently available. But not all deals are worth it, so we only highlight those offered by reputable providers that we’ve personally reviewed and recommend.
We’ve also included some helpful answers to common questions about VPN shopping at the bottom of this article. Before you decide on a new VPN, be sure to check out our roundup of the best VPNs to help you choose the right service for your needs.
Note: Tech deals come and go quickly, so it’s possible some of these VPN discounts will have expired before this article’s next update.
Best VPN deals
- ExpressVPN, now $4.99 per month for 24 months + 6 free months (61% off at ExpressVPN)
- Surfshark VPN, now $2.49 per month for 24 months + 4 free months (86% off at Surfshark)
- NordVPN, now $3.89 per month for 24 months + 3 free months (74% off at NordVPN)
- FastestVPN, now $23 for lifetime plan (93% off at FastestVPN with coupon)
- Private Internet Access, now $2.03 per month for 36 months + 3 free months (83% off at PIA)
- Norton Ultra VPN, now $4.17 per month for 12 months (54% off at Norton)
- Proton VPN, now $4.49 per month for 24 months (55% off at Proton VPN)
- PrivadoVPN, now $1.48 per month for 24 months + 3 free months (87% off at Privado VPN)
- IPVanish VPN, now $3.29 per month for 24 months (64% off at IPVanish)
Our Editors’ Choice and top overall VPN pick, ExpressVPN is offering a great deal on its long-term 2-year plan for $4.99 per month (61 percent off). The real kicker, though, is the extremely generous six extra months thrown in for new subscribers. That means not only are you getting the best VPN on the market at a steep discount, but you’ll also enjoy the service for an additional half a year without paying an extra cent.
Surfshark is another of our top picks here at PCWorld, and this one’s on sale for just $2.49 per month for two years (86 percent off). It also provides an additional four extra months for free when you sign up. Alternatively, you could opt for the NordVPN deal that’s currently $3.89 per month for two years (74 percent off). Both services come with a stacked line-up of privacy and security features. Personally, I think the Surfshark deal is a bit better — it comes with fewer features and the speeds are just a tad slower, but the price can’t be beat.
FastestVPN also has an outstanding deal going for its unique lifetime plan. Using the coupon code BFCM24, you can get a lifetime subscription to the service for a one-time charge of only $22.90. On top of all of the basic protections you would expect from a VPN, FastestVPN’s lifetime plan also includes 15 simultaneous device logins and access to its password manager service for free.
FAQ
When’s the best time to shop for a VPN?
Typically you’ll want to time your VPN shopping around a prominent sales period. The biggest sales periods are Black Friday/Cyber Monday in late November . The best sales often occur leading up to and during these two events and they are great times to snag a VPN subscription for cheap. Many VPN providers have even begun extending these deals past Cyber Monday and through to the end of the year.
What should I look for in a VPN deal?
There are a few things you should keep in mind when shopping for a good VPN deal.
The first thing to consider is, of course, your budget. How much are you willing to spend each month? How much can you afford to drop on a longer-term plan with an upfront payment? You’ll also need to determine how long you intend to use the VPN. Do you just need it for a short trip? A few months? Or forever? The very best VPN deals are generally on longer-term plans for two or three years.
After you decide on your budget and how long you’ll use the VPN, next you can start comparing features. Look at the number of servers and locations for each VPN. A good starting point is to look for services that have at least 1,000 servers and 30 or more country locations.
The next thing to consider is VPN speed. This may be tricky to do since you aren’t likely to be able to test connection speeds without first paying to use the service. Reading reviews online will give you a general estimate. Look for reviews, like ours, that give you a relative average of connection speeds rather than direct Mbps speed comparisons for a more accurate picture.
Finally, compare each VPN’s privacy protections. Does it have a no-logs policy? Has it undergone any independent audits of its servers? Where is the VPN company located? All of these are critical and you’ll want to go with a VPN that has clear and transparent data collection policies.
What is a VPN?
A VPN creates a secure tunnel between your PC and the internet. You connect to a VPN server, which can be located in the United States or a foreign country (like France or Japan). Your web traffic then goes through that server to make it appear as though you’re browsing from that server’s location and not from your actual location.
When you’re using a VPN, it’s difficult for others to snoop on your web-browsing activity. Only you, the VPN service, and the website you’re visiting will know what you’re up to.
A VPN can be a great solution to a variety of concerns, such as online privacy, anonymity, greater security on public Wi-Fi, and, of course, spoofing locations.
Author: Sam Singleton, Assistant Editor, PCWorld
Sam Singleton is PCWorld's VPN beat reporter and jack of all trades. When he's not on the hunt for the best computer deals he's covering VPNs, productivity software, laptops, and a wide gamut of consumer-grade hardware and software.