Want strong online privacy but hate shelling out a fortune for the best VPNs? Me too—that’s why I’ve found some smart ways to pick up discounted VPN subscriptions.
1Look for Long-Term Subscription Discounts
Since I started using VPNs, one thing that’s been clear to me is that paying monthly is expensive.The best VPNs, likeNordVPNandExpressVPN, will set you back at least $10 per month. That’s become the industry standard, so if you want the best of the best, there’s no way around it.
Instead of paying close to or slightly over $10, I’ve found most VPN providers offer long-term plans, which significantly reduce the monthly cost to around $5 or less.
Another good example is ExpressVPN, which costs $12.95 monthly but averages $6.67 and $4.99 if you commit to its yearly and two-year plans, respectively.
The story is similar for other VPNs. The longer you commit, the less you pay.
2Search for VPN Coupon Codes
Another great way to score the best deals on VPN subscriptions is to search online for coupon codes. I use this trick on all online purchases—not just for VPNs—and it almost always works. Consequently, it’s become one ofmy considerations before subscribing to a VPN.
If I want to renew my CyberGhost VPN subscription, I’ll use a search term like “CyberGhost VPN discount code.” I usually focus on Reddit results by appending “Reddit” to my search term, as I’ve had far more success with coupon codes provided by Redditors.
Companies sometimes provide coupon codes on their official website, but you’ll have more success finding them by searching via Google, Bing, or other search engines than by directly visiting the website.
3Take Advantage of Seasonal Sales
From time to time, VPN companies offer sales to try and attract as many people as possible to their product. This is usually one of the best times to lock in a long-term subscription to your favorite VPN at a much lower cost. Major sale events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and New Year’s typically see companies slash subscription prices.
VPN providers also slash prices on certain occasions, such as company anniversaries and national holidays like Memorial Day. If you keep an eye out for these seasonal sales, you’ll certainly score a good deal on a VPN.
The 5 Best VPNs With a Free Trial or Risk-Free Period
Considering using a VPN but unsure about subscribing? Here are five big name VPNs all with free trial guarantees and offers.
Since seasonal deals only come around a few times a year, you don’t always need to wait until your subscription ends. Some VPN providers support stacking, allowing you to purchase multiple subscription periods at once or a new one in advance.
For example, once you spot a must-have deal, you can buy two separate two-year subscriptions and stack them, extending your subscription to four years. But before you try stacking, contact the customer care of your favorite VPN provider to find out whether it supports it.
4Look for Bundled Deals
Yes,you need a VPN in your life, but you don’t have to pay full price. Getting the best VPNs at the right price can be tough if you don’t have the right knowledge. By comparing prices, subscribing to long-term plans, hunting for bundled software deals and coupon codes, and waiting for seasonal sales, you can get the same level of privacy and security for a fraction of the cost. Before you splurge on a VPN subscription, remember that a little research can go a long way.
