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How much does a VPN cost? Prices explained for beginners
Why VPN prices look so different, what the initial term and the renewal price are, and what the providers in this archive charge per month, from their own pricing pages.
Key points
- The lowest advertised prices in US dollars range from $2.03 to $5.75 per month in this archive (6 providers).
- That low price usually applies only to a long initial term, often one to three years, paid up front.
- After that term, the plan renews at a higher price: by up to 274 % per month for one plan in this archive.
Three numbers on every pricing page
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Advertised per month | the price divided by the months of the initial term; you pay the whole term at once |
| Charged for the initial term | what you actually pay today |
| Renewal price | what the plan costs when the initial term ends, if the page says |
The glossary explains “initial term” and “renewal price” with the archive’s current figures.
Why the second price matters
Many providers advertise a low monthly price for a long first term. When that term ends, the plan renews at the regular price. The table shows the offers in this archive with the largest rise, one per provider.
| Provider | Plan | Initial term | Initial term per month | Afterwards per month | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 NordVPN | NordVPN Complete | 24 months | €4.89 | €18.29 | +274 % |
 Surfshark | Surfshark One | 24 months + 3 months | $2.49 | $8.25 | +231 % |
 Proton VPN | Proton VPN Plus | 24 months | $3.49 | $6.99 | +100 % |
 Private Internet Access | PIA VPN | 36 months + 3 months | $2.03 | $2.19 | +8 % |
 hide.me | hide.me Premium | 12 months + 1 month | $4.23 | $4.23 | 0 % |
 Windscribe | Windscribe Pro | 12 months | $5.75 | $5.75 | 0 % |
| NordVPN | 274 % | |
|---|---|---|
| Surfshark | 231 % | |
| Proton VPN | 100 % | |
| Private Internet Access | 8 % | |
| hide.me | 0 % | |
| Windscribe | 0 % |
Providers without a figure do not state a price for the time after the initial term, or the archive does not collect their prices.
How to compare prices fairly
- Compare the same term. A 2-year plan and a monthly plan are different products.
- Look at the renewal price, not only the first one.
- Mind the currency and the country. Prices depend on where you buy; the archive shows the country each price was requested from.
- Check tax. Some pages show prices without tax; the price comparison says which.
- Count the refund period as your test time.
A simple habit: set a reminder a week before your initial term ends. Then you can decide whether to renew at the new price, switch, or cancel.
Free plans and trials
Some providers also offer a free plan with limits. Is a free VPN safe? compares free plans, trials, and money-back guarantees.
Next step
For a full three-year example, read The real cost of a VPN over three years. To filter by price, use the VPN finder.
The figures in this guide come from the archive and change with every data update. As of October 17, 2026.