Ring in the spring with a new layer of security for your private data. Did you know that Internet service providers are allowed to sell your data, so long as it is anonymized? This is just one of many reasons why you should purchase a VPN. A Virtual Private Network, keeps sensitive data safe and your browsing history private. A VPN can even let your computer appear to be in a different country–which can open up whole worlds of discounts, new streaming content, or let users dodge restrictions in countries that have tighter controls over online publishing. If it’s up to you to procure your own VPN, whether for work or personal use, there’s good news: We’ve found a number of early-year discounts from a variety of providers. Even better: today’s VPNs don’t just safeguard your data. You can have multiple simultaneous connections running under one VPN, and many also include helpful extras like password managers and encrypted file storage. New users often get massive discounts to join up while existing users can also find some strong savings as well, so take a look at the best deals we’ve found for VPN access right now:
The Best VPN Deals Available Now
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
How a VPN Works
(Credit: NordVPN)
NordVPNLike many VPNs nowadays, NordVPN has moved beyond just VPN protection to offer password management and encrypted file storage, both of which can be purchased separately or bundled with the core VPN product for a few extra bucks. NordVPN covers up to six devices; some routers can also be configured to connect via NordVPN to protect other connected gadgets, like smart home devices. Extend that coverage even wider with the Meshnet feature, which lets you share access to your device with other NordVPN members you approve.The Standard 1-Year plan includes just the VPN and is $4.59 per month, which works out to $68.85 for the first year. You can lock in more savings if you opt for the two-year subscription which will set you back $99.63 for the first two years. NordVPN received PCMag’s Editors’ Choice award for offering a slick client that has grown beyond just VPN protection into a privacy juggernaut, offering antivirus and unique tools. While it’s on the more expensive side in comparison to others on the market, it’s still an outstanding value.
NordVPN
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Up to 66% off 2-Year Plan + 3 months Free
(Credit: Surfshark)
Surfshark VPNSurfshark VPN is a top contender on our list due to the company’s large global server presence, multi-hop and split tunneling tools, and unlimited simultaneous connections. The company long-term commitments with discounts, though you may want to start small and work your way up to a multi-year plan if Surfshark works for you. An annual plan for the Surfshark Starter plan starts at $41.86 for a total savings of 81%, but you can bump up to Surfshark One—which includes a private search engine, antivirus, anti-spyware, and malware protection, and more—for just $48.86. Surfshark offers VPN servers in 100 countries, meaning you’ll be able to find a stable, secure connection while traveling—even to countries with more repressive internet policies. Surfshark works on Windows, Android, and Apple/Mac devices as well as Chrome OS and Linux, so all of your internet-connected devices are covered. That split-tunneling tool, dubbed Bypasser, lets you decide which apps and websites use the VPN connection, which is helpful since some sites block access to VPNs. Other noteworthy features include a custom DNS service, a built-in ad-blocker, and access to static servers.
(Credit: TunnelBear)
TunnelBearTunnelBear has cartoon bears and a team with a great sense of humor, which makes it a win in my book. Its user-friendly UI, excellent privacy policies, and growing roster of features are enough to win it a PCMag Editors’ Choice stamp of approval. The free subscription tier restricts you to 500MB of data per month with allowances granted for tweeting about the company (up to 1.5GB). This is a brilliant business model: TunnelBear gets free advertising and you get to see if the product suits your needs before commiting to a purchase.If you do take the plunge, TunnelBear VPN will set you back $59.88 for a year or $120 for a three-year plan with a savings of $239.64. TunnelBear secures your connection with the OpenVPN protocol on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. With servers in 48 countries, TunnelBear has less of a global presence, but can still spoof your location to a wide variety of places. You’ll also be more likely to find a server while traveling abroad for a more reliable connection than you would get from a distant server.
(Credit: Private Internet Access)
Private Internet AccessHeadquartered in the United States, Private Internet Access offers features like split-tunneling, dedicated IP addresses, and encryption settings that set it apart from the competition. Private Internet Access VPN includes its own ad- and tracker-blocking tool called MACE and also supports port forwarding on some servers. The company recently lifted it 10-device cap to allow unlimited simultaneous connections without increasing the price. Currently, best deal is the two-year plan which costs $56.94 for the first two years and includes four months free. Private Internet Access has servers in 84 countries, which is an above average number, and they’re a mixture of physical and virtual locations. Our experts gave it an excellent rating, for offering a robust VPN service with advanced network and privacy tools packaged into a clever interface.”
Recommended by Our Editors
(Credit: IPVanish)
IPVanishPCMag’s review praises IPVanish for offering “good value with a robust collection of server locations and excellent customizability.” This VPN will run you $3.33/month or for a year, plus three months free or $2.99/month for two years (plus three free months) for a savings of 74% and 78% respectively. There’s no limit to the number of devices you can connect simultaneously and IPVanish supports both OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN protocols. With servers spread across 52 countries, IPVanish has very inclusive geographic diversity—minus regions like China and Russia where internet restrictions are more oppressive. While it doesn’t offer multi-hop connections or split-tunneling, IPVanish has access to the Tor anonymization network via VPN. IPVanish is also available for Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, and Linux, which combined with unlimited simultaneous connections means that every internet-connected device you own can be protected when you go online.
Disclosure: IPVanish is owned by PCMag parent company Ziff Davis.
(Credit: CyberGhost VPN)
CyberGhost VPNCyberGhost offers the largest VPN server network, has a snazzy client, and supports a generous seven simultaneous connections. While VPNs often slow down internet speeds, CyberGhost VPN yielded excellent speed test results in PCMag’s tests. Its servers are encrypted and run in RAM only, meaning no data is stored on a hard drive. Even if an attacker physically removed the server, there would be no data to examine. In our review, we found that CyberGhost VPN is expensive for a VPN that doesn’t include all the privacy features found among top competitors, but you can save up to 84% if you commit to a two-year plan (which offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, plus two months free).
CyberGhost VPN
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Save 84% on 2-Year VPN Subscription + 4-Months Free
FAQ
What is a VPN? The individual letters stand for “Virtual Private Network”—but what does that mean for you? To put it simply, a VPN creates a secure connection between your computer and a network (or two networks) via encryption. It disguises your online identity, shielding your most sensitive personal information like credit card numbers, browsing history, and more. VPNs also hide your IP, which is essentially your virtual location, so that anyone who is looking for your information won’t know where in the world you’re browsing from. This applies both to hackers seeking to harm you and annoying advertisers looking to sell you a product in the website margins.Who Benefits From Using a VPN?The short answer: everyone.Frequent flyers and those working remotely in particular will benefit from this extra level of security when accessing networks outside of your home setup. Even gamers can utilize a VPN, which can protect from DDoS attacks and bandwidth throttling. What’s the Best VPN For Me?That depends on your individual needs. Number of connected devices, location of servers, and privacy features are all very important considerations even before you start getting down to the cost. The best way to decide is to try it out for yourself, so we recommend starting with a short-term subscription (or some VPNs even offer a free trial) and testing whether you can access all the sites and services you require. Pay special attention to the user friendliness of the interface as well. Is There a Free VPN Option?Yes. There are a number of free VPNs, but bear in mind that they have limitations such as fewer simultaneous device connections and data. How Does PCMag test VPNs?We’ve got a rigorous process to test VPNs that includes looking at the technology it uses, the servers it makes available, the presence of privacy-enhancing tools (primarily multi-hop connections and VPN access to Tor), and the measures a company takes to ensure that the VPN itself does not become a threat to user privacy.
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