8 Best Monthly VPNs in 2023 — Great Value & Cheap Plans

It can be frustrating that most VPNs are so pricey if you sign up for a short-term plan. Especially when signing up for a 2-year term can cost up to 75% less. But sometimes you just want to test it out or only need the VPN for a short time, so a monthly plan can be helpful — they allow you to use a VPN without commitment.

However, with so many on the market, it can be hard to tell which one is right for you. My team and I tested 50+ monthly VPNs and found the ones that offer the best value. I looked for affordable prices, fast speeds, robust security features, and good streaming capabilities. Plus, I ensured each VPN service comes with a trustworthy money-back guarantee and a reliable support team.

Out of all the VPNs I tested, ExpressVPN’s monthly plan offers the best value. It has fast speeds, strong security, and a reliable server network that make it one of top performing VPNs on the market. Its monthly subscription is also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If it doesn’t work for you, you can get a full refund before the month is up.

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Best Monthly VPNs — Full Analysis (Updated in 2023)

1. ExpressVPN — Overall Best Monthly VPN With Fast Speeds and Strong Security

ExpressVPN remains my favorite because it’s the fastest of all the monthly VPNs I tested, which makes it ideal for bandwidth-intensive activities (like streaming and torrenting). During my tests on its nearby servers, I recorded an average download speed of 121 Mbps (a speed drop of only 4%). Even on its distant Toronto server, the speed drop was minimal at only 12%. I didn’t experience any lag while watching Better Call Saul in HD on Netflix Canada.

These speeds are more than enough for 4K streaming

When it comes to unblocking streaming platforms, ExpressVPN is one of the most reliable monthly VPNs out there. In my tests, it unblocked over a dozen Netflix libraries. I could also access HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+ without hassle. ExpressVPN also works to unblock gaming content that’s only available in certain regions, which is great if you’re traveling to countries where certain games are banned or censored.

ExpressVPN doesn’t cut any corners in terms of privacy, either. Its entire network uses RAM-based servers that delete user data after every reboot, which was reviewed and verified by PwC. Plus, it adheres to a strict no-logs policy that’s been independently audited and verified by KPMG.

While its monthly subscription price of $12.95/month isn’t exactly cheap, it’s still on par with other top premium VPNs. But you get unmatched streaming capabilities, seriously fast speeds, and powerful security, making it worth every penny.

That said, you get better value with its long-term plan — it’s about half the cost at $6.67/month. I recommend this if you’re going to use the VPN for a long time. All the plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee anyway, so you can try ExpressVPN risk-free no matter which plan you choose.

Useful Features

• Robust security. ExpressVPN uses military-grade encryption with perfect forward secrecy. This regularly changes your encryption keys and makes it even harder for cybercriminals to intercept your data. It also offers leak protection and a kill switch to prevent IP/DNS leaks.
• Smart DNS. ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer allows you to easily unblock streaming content on devices that don't support VPNs (like smart TVs and gaming consoles).
• Native app for Firestick. You can easily install the VPN directly onto your Firestick or other Fire devices through the Amazon Appstore.
• P2P support. All of ExpressVPN’s servers are P2P-friendly, which means you can torrent as much as you want without restrictions.

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2. Private Internet Access — Customizable Security to Optimize Your Connection

The reason I love PIA is that it provides customizable security features that allow you to tailor your VPN connection to your liking. You have the option to select between OpenVPN and WireGuard and, with OpenVPN connections, you can also adjust the encryption level to either 128-bit or 256-bit.

When I tested PIA’s customizable connections and switched to 128-bit encryption, I noticed a significant improvement in speed while still maintaining a high level of security.

Changing these settings helped me improve performance for torrenting, streaming, and gaming

If you’re someone who wants a monthly VPN for torrenting, you’ll appreciate PIA’s Multihop feature. This routes your traffic through the encrypted VPN server first and then through a SOCKS5 proxy, providing an additional layer of security for torrenting. Plus, PIA supports port forwarding, which can increase your download speeds.

My only gripe with PIA is that it's based in the US, which is part of the 5 Eyes Alliance (an international government surveillance network). However, PIA’s privacy policy is solid and instills confidence — it’s been around for more than 10 years and has never shared any user data, even when requested.

PIA offers a monthly subscription at $11.95/month, which is considerably more expensive than the monthly cost on its long-term plan. If you sign up for the longest-term subscription, the price drops significantly, with prices as low as $2.03/month, making it one of the most affordable VPNs out there.

No matter which plan you choose, you’re eligible for its 30-day money-back guarantee. This means you can try PIA risk-free and get a full refund if it’s not for you.

Useful Features

• PIA MACE. This feature enhances your privacy and online experience by blocking ads and trackers. I tested it on ad-heavy buzzfeed.com and forbes.com, and it removed some of the ads on the page.
• Fast speeds. When I connected to its nearby London and Frankfurt servers, I received an average download speed of 116 Mbps, which was a speed drop of only 8%.
• Large server network. PIA has the largest server network of all the monthly VPNs I tested. So, you don’t have to worry about server overcrowding, making it easy to find a server with great speeds.

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3. CyberGhost — User-Friendly Monthly VPN With Activity-Specific Servers

CyberGhost offers specialized servers, which makes choosing the ideal server for your needs effortless. Plus, every specialized server is regularly reviewed to ensure it still meets its designated purpose, meaning you don’t have to worry about stumbling across one that doesn’t work.

For example, it has specialized servers for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. I tested its streaming servers optimized for Disney+, Netflix US, and BBC iPlayer and had no problem accessing these platforms. Its gaming servers were just as reliable. They’re optimized for fast speeds and low ping, so you can play lag-free. I tested its US-based gaming servers, which instantly allowed me to play Minecraft with my friends in California with no issues.

CyberGhost's gaming-optimized servers let me play games without lag

CyberGhost also provides great security – it uses RAM-based servers and adheres to a strict no-logs policy. Plus, it’s based in privacy-friendly Romania, which has no data retention laws. This allows CyberGhost to honor its privacy commitments to its users.

CyberGhost's monthly subscription is $12.99/month. It has a shorter money-back guarantee period (only 14 days) compared to longer-term subscriptions. It's worth noting that this is the only CyberGhost plan that doesn't include the use of its in-house NoSpy servers, but you'll still have thousands of other servers to choose from.

However, if you choose to sign up for long-term (plans start at just $2.19/month), you can make use of its 45-day refund guarantee, giving you more than a month to use it with no financial risk. Plus, the long-term subscription is much more affordable than the monthly plan.

Useful Features

• Fast speeds. I had a speed drop of only 6% on its nearby UK servers. However, its long-distance connections can be a bit slow. The speeds dropped by 22% on its Melbourne server.
• Robust security. This includes AES 256-bit encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch. I also liked its Content Block feature, which blocks sites used for malware.
• Smart Rules. This lets you customize how the app protects your online traffic. For example, you can configure the VPN to turn on automatically when you connect to an unfamiliar network, ensuring that you're always protected.

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4. NordVPN — Monthly VPN with Threat Protection to Block Ads & Malware

NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature blocks unwanted ads, pop-ups, and trackers, making your browsing experience smoother and safer. Plus, it prevents you from downloading malware by notifying you if it detects an infected file before it can damage or steal your data. I tested this feature while browsing on my Windows PC, and it blocked malicious ads even when I forgot to switch the VPN on.

You can enable Threat Protection by clicking on the shield icon

To add to this, NordVPN follows a strict no-logs policy that has been verified on multiple occasions. Plus, it uses RAM-based servers and is based in Panama, which is outside of the 14 Eyes jurisdiction. It’s not obligated by law to hand over user data, even if the government requests it.

You won't have to sacrifice speed for security and privacy. In fact, NordVPN is the second-fastest VPN I tested (after ExpressVPN), with a mere 6% speed drop on nearby servers and 14% on distant LA servers. You can stream, torrent, and game without any slowdowns. Unfortunately, it took a while to connect on some Canadian servers — more than a minute sometimes.

There are 3 monthly plans available: Standard (starting at $12.99), Plus, and Complete. The more expensive packages include extras like cloud storage and a data breach scanner. I personally prefer its long-term options, as they're the most affordable at $3.49/month.

You can take NordVPN for a test run completely risk-free using its 30-day money-back guarantee. Just ask for a refund if it’s not for you.

Useful Features

• User-friendly. Its Quick Connect button automatically picks the best server for optimum speeds. Plus, the World Map feature lets you quickly connect to your preferred server by visually selecting a location from the map.
• Excellent streaming capabilities. NordVPN has excellent streaming capabilities. With its monthly plan, I could access Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and several Netflix libraries right away.

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5. Surfshark — MultiHop for Enhanced Online Security

Surfshark’s MultiHop feature routes your traffic through two VPN servers instead of one, encrypting your data twice. Its AES-256 encryption is virtually impossible for hackers and cybercriminals to crack once, let alone multiple times – so it’s even harder for snoops to track or decipher your data.

For fast speeds, choose a nearby server as your entry location

I like that Surfshark offers Static IP addresses at no additional cost, even with the monthly plan. This is useful in cases where you need to use the same IP address. For example, if your IP address keeps changing, your bank may flag you for suspicious activity and deny you access. I tested its Static London IP address and had reliable access to my banking apps.

On the downside, I found some of its long-distance servers to be a bit slow. For example, I experienced a speed drop of 27% on its Sydney server. But this won’t be a problem if you have a fast baseline connection.

Its monthly plan costs $12.95/month. Although not the cheapest option, it is still a good value for money because you can connect unlimited devices at once. With its long-term subscription, you can get Surfshark for just $2.30/month.

Additionally, there's a 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscriptions, even the monthly ones. If it’s not for you, you won’t have any issues getting a refund.

Useful Features

• Rotating IP. This regularly switches your IP address while keeping your VPN location the same. Enabling this feature provides an added layer of security as it makes it harder for snoops to track your activity.
• Good for streaming. It could unblock all the streaming sites I tested it with. This includes Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, and HBO Max. Plus, its speeds are good enough for HD and 4K streaming.

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6. PrivateVPN — Budget-Friendly Monthly VPN That Works Even On Restrictive Networks

PrivateVPN’s standout feature is StealthVPN, which hides VPN use by disguising your protected traffic as regular internet traffic. This allows you to bypass tough firewalls and VPN blocks. It’s a great choice if you need a VPN to protect your data while traveling, particularly if you’re going to a country with restrictive internet and data laws.

PrivateVPN’s StealthVPN feature is pre-configured, so you can obscure your traffic with one click

PrivateVPN’s intuitive app is suitable for both beginners and advanced users. Its Simple Mode makes the entire user interface minimalistic and straightforward, which lets you connect to a fast server in 1 click. There’s also an Advanced Mode that enables additional security, protocol, and tunneling settings you can tweak, but this isn’t necessary.

Unfortunately, its server network is relatively small compared to other providers on this list, so I was worried about potential server overcrowding and reliability issues. However, when I tested PrivateVPN, I never experienced any slowdowns and could access sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ without issues.

You can get PrivateVPN’s monthly plan for $9.90/month, making it the cheapest month-to-month plan on this list. However, you can get it for just $2/month with its long-term plan.

All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it risk-free. Just keep in mind that there's a 100 GB data limit, so be sure to stay within that limit if you decide to request a refund.

Useful Features

• Retains minimal data. PrivateVPN doesn’t keep anonymized logs — it just stores your email address and payment details. But you can use a temporary email address and pay with cryptocurrency if you don’t want to share this information.
• Torrent-friendly. All its servers support torrenting, so you don’t have to waste time searching for a specialized server. Plus, it also allows port forwarding for increased download speeds.

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7. IPVanish — Unlimited Simultaneous Connections Even on the Monthly Plan

IPVanish stands out from the rest by offering unlimited device connections, even on the monthly subscription plan. This makes it an excellent choice for large households or individuals with a large number of devices. With each device you add to your subscription, the less it costs to protect each device.

During my tests, I connected my iPhone, Windows laptop, and 4 other devices to its New York server. Despite having multiple active connections, I never experienced any slowdowns or unexpected connection drops. Plus, it never took me more than 5 seconds to connect.

This feature helps bypass VPN blocks put in place by schools and workplaces

IPVanish has all the standard security features: AES 256-bit encryption, DNS/IP leak protection, and a kill switch. Plus, its Scramble feature obfuscates your OpenVPN traffic to hide VPN use.

You can get IPVanish on a month-to-month basis for $11.99/month, which is reasonable. However, there’s no money-back guarantee on its monthly plan. You have to sign up for at least a year to make use of the 30-day money-back guarantee.

Signing up for a yearly plan drops the monthly price to just $2.49/month. And, if you’re not happy, the refund process is incredibly easy — you don’t even have to contact customer support. You can cancel your subscription directly from your account dashboard.

Useful Features

• Fast speeds. In terms of connection speeds, IPVanish doesn’t disappoint. In my tests on its nearby servers, I experienced a speed loss of only 7%. I binge-watched The Recruit in HD on Netflix US with zero lag.
• At-a-glance server overviews. The IPVanish app shows key performance metrics like the ping on each server. This makes it easy to find a low-latency server for activities like gaming.

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8. ProtonVPN — Monthly VPN With Advanced Security Features to Protect Your Data

ProtonVPN’s Secure Core servers add an extra layer of privacy protection most monthly VPNs don’t offer. These servers are owned and operated by ProtonVPN and stored in highly secure data centers. If you connect to a server in a high-risk jurisdiction (like the US or UK), then your traffic will first pass through a Secure Core server — this eliminates the risk of your data being intercepted and traced back to you.

I like that it’s easy to toggle Secure Core off if you need higher speeds

Proton VPN's NetShield feature ensures the security of both your privacy and devices. NetShield effectively blocks ads, malware, and tracking software from compromising your device. I was particularly impressed by its ad-blocking prowess. Comparable to my experience with NordVPN, it successfully blocked all ads on the Forbes page I employed for testing.

I tested Proton VPN with its Plus plan — you can get it for $10/month with its monthly subscription. It also offers a Basic plan ($5/month), but this doesn’t give you access to Secure Core servers, caps your speeds, and doesn’t have streaming support. If you sign up for the Plus plan for longer, prices are as low as $4.99/month.

While all plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can only get a refund for the days you didn’t use the service. I found the refund process quick and hassle-free.

Useful Features

• Proven no-logs policy. ProtonVPN has a strict no-logs policy, which was put to the test in 2019 when a Swiss court ordered the company to hand over user data. However, since the company does not keep any records, it had nothing to share.
• Specialized streaming and P2P servers. You’ll also specialized servers optimized for streaming and P2P file sharing. These are clearly labelled so it’s easy to choose the right server for your needs.

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Quick Comparison Table: Monthly VPN Features

The table below compares the features of my top-recommended monthly VPNs. This includes the lowest monthly price, money guarantee period, number of countries where servers are available, and average download speed.

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Tips on How to Choose the Best Monthly VPN

When choosing a monthly VPN, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Following are the things I tested to rank these monthly VPNs:

• Multiple subscription plans. A good monthly VPN should have several plans to choose from should you decide to commit. All VPNs on this list offer pay-as-you-go monthly subscriptions as well as long-term plans with reduced monthly costs, should you decide to commit for longer.
• Trustworthy money-back guarantee. This allows you to test a VPN to see if it’s right for you and get a refund if you decide it’s not. Most VPNs will offer at least 30 days. All the VPNs on this list held true to their guarantees and the refund process was simple in every case.
• Fast speeds. Look for a monthly VPN that offers fast speeds across all its servers. Ideally, the speed drop on nearby servers should be less than 30%, which will let you browse, stream, and torrent without issues. All the VPNs on this list meet this criterion.
• Large server network. The more servers there are, the lower the chances of experiencing slow speeds due to congestion. This also means you can access content from those locations. The VPNs listed here have reliable networks and can access geoblocked sites, like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu from anywhere.
• Strong security and privacy features. The whole point of a VPN is to keep you safe and secure online. So it should, at the very least, offer 256-bit military-grade encryption, IP and DNS leak protection, and a kill switch as standard. A no-logs policy is also essential. I tested each VPN to ensure my data was hidden and only selected ones that adhere to no-logs policies.
• Compatible with multiple devices. You should be able to use your VPN on all of your devices at once under a single subscription. Only VPNs with vast device compatibility were selected, and they all offer at least 5 simultaneous device connections.

FAQs on the Best Monthly VPNs

How much should I pay for a VPN per month?

It depends on how long you want to commit to the VPN. The VPNs shortlisted here offer month-to-month (or “pay as you go”) VPN subscriptions for between $9 and $13 per month. However, with almost all VPNs, the monthly price is significantly reduced if you sign up for a long-term subscription. For example, you can get a top VPN like ExpressVPN for $12.99/month on a monthly payment plan. However, you pay almost half that if you sign up for a year.

In some (but not all) cases, quality will reflect in the price as well. However, there are many really solid VPNs that offer top-of-the-line security and reliability for low prices, which I’ve also shortlisted.

What is the cheapest monthly VPN?

To get the best deal on any VPN, you usually have to sign up for a long-term subscription. But if you're not ready for that kind of commitment, then I’ve shortlisted a few options that offer month-to-month plans for less than $10. These offer great security features without exceeding your budget.

Will my monthly VPN work on my Fire Stick?

Yes! You can download your VPN app directly onto your Fire Stick from the Amazon Appstore. Most of the monthly VPNs on this list have native apps for Amazon Fire Stick. But even if your VPN doesn’t have an app in the Amazon Appstore, you can sideload its APK file and just use the Android version.

Can I use my monthly VPN on routers?

Yes, you can use your monthly VPN on routers. All the VPNs on this list are compatible with routers. Some VPNs even offer dedicated router apps and detailed how-to guides for installation, making the setup process quick and easy.

Monthly vs. long-term VPN subscription: Which is better?

It depends on your needs. If you plan to use a VPN for an extended period, a long-term subscription may be better, as you'll typically get a significant discount. All the VPNs on this offer great deals with long-term plans.

However, if you only need a VPN for a short period, or you want to test it out first, then a monthly subscription could be a better option. You might pay more per month, but you won’t be locked into paying a subscription fee over a long period of time.

Which monthly VPN is best for Netflix and other streaming sites?

All the monthly VPNs on this list work with popular Netflix libraries and other streaming sites, like Disney+, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. Some even offer dedicated servers for streaming that are designed to minimize buffering, allowing you to binge-watch your favorite content without interruption.

Get a Monthly VPN Subscription Today

Monthly VPN plans can be expensive. VPNs want you to commit to a longer subscription and make a larger upfront payment. While this saves you money in the long run, it’s not a viable option if you only need your VPN for a short period of time. Plus, it’s a lot of money to spend if you’re not sure the VPN will work for you.

Of all the monthly VPNs I tested, my favorite is ExpressVPN. While it’s not the cheapest option for a month-to-month subscription, it offers the fastest speeds, unbeatable streaming capabilities, and its security features are hard to beat. It comes with a money-back guarantee, as well. So you can test ExpressVPN risk-free with its monthly plan — if you’re not happy with it, you can get your money back within 30 days.

To summarize, the best monthly VPNs are…