Best Cheap VPN 2023: Top 5 Picks & Reviews
Reviewed by Randolph Vialva, MBA
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A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, allows VPN users to send and receive data across shared and public networks. There are free VPNs and cheap and expensive VPNs. VPN providers can be helpful in business because it extends how staff members communicate and collaborate whether they are in the same office or working remotely. Some options include port forwarding, unblocking streaming services, unblocking Netflix access, internet security, and VPN routers. Using a VPN corporate network allows all VPN users to share information as if their desktops, laptops, or mobile devices were directly connected to a private network. We’ll review the best business VPNs so that you can make the right choice for your business.
What is a VPN?
A virtual public network, or VPN, allows the user to securely send and receive data, forms, and other information. Work has changed dramatically over the past three years. Some offices are hybrid, some are fully remote, and some have staggered schedules. All of this means that team members will need a secure access point to connect to the office. When off-site, a good VPN will have dedicated streaming servers, VPN technology will help to secure remote access no matter the time and have unlimited bandwidth. In addition, the best cheap VPN service can protect your personal information while you surf, stream, chat, or otherwise engage in online and social media spaces and have great service when issues arise. From a work standpoint, this network will connect sales teams, marketing teams, and administration teams, and can interconnect teams, as well. Having this type of encryption available protects not only the employee’s personal data and information but the data and information of the business, which is especially important as staff members use not only computers but mobile devices which typically have a less secure connection. With business VPNs, server locations can be in the same city or spread across the country, or the business could use cloud VPN services to connect a corporate server network across countries and even continents. There are affordable VPN platforms, but the paid tiers will give more options.
Read More: The Best VPN Services
How VPN Works
A VPN encrypts your online secure VPN connection and hides your IP address from other organizations, governments, and even hackers. The best cheap VPNs are similar to a zero-trust network in that it gives hackers less space in which to work to access your network or devices. The VPN will go around your personal internet service provider and instead goes to a secured host to access the internet through secure internet access. Using this network the user can appear to be accessing the web from any location in the world and can increase the security of their connection when connecting to a network from a remote location. Many options have a kill switch.
Top 5 Best Cheap VPNs Secure 2023 Review
- Surfshark VPN: Best Overall
- Private Internet Access VPN: Most Affordable
- PureVPN: Fastest Connection
- IPVanish: Most Intuitive
- CyberGhost: Best for International Use
Top 5 Best Cheap VPN 2023 Review
Surfshark
Surfshark has a lot to offer the right company: unlimited simultaneous connections, affordability, and an easy-to-use infrastructure. All of this means the business or individual can be up and running within a few hours.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Simple interface
- Affordable price tag
- Money back guarantee
- No dedicated IP server
- Limited server location
The limitations of the platform, however, may be a drawback for some businesses. For instance, Surfshark doesn’t offer a dedicated IP address for its double VPN servers. That said, there are more than 3,000 dedicated DNS servers, at a cost of under $60 per year making it affordable for most businesses.
Private Internet Access
PIA is a great cheap VPN that lands in our Top 10 because of its extensive server locations and dedicated IP address add-on. This can be especially helpful for those in need of a dedicated business VPN server and is priced well at only $4.25 per month as an addition to the regular monthly cost.
- Affordable, money-back guarantee
- Extensive server network
- The dedicated business VPN server
- Money back guarantee
- Lacking Customer Service
- VPN market
- No third-party review for products
Both CyberGhost and Private Internet Access VPNs are owned by Kape Technologies. Some cybersecurity experts count this as a negative because the parent company has been involved in malware creation in the past; also, these two products don’t include third-party review features, which some say could be an indicator that their privacy protections are not as powerful as other cheap VPN services.
PureVPN
PureVPN is an excellent cheap VPN work look. You can use it in the British Virgin Islands. They are a solid VPN offering some good features like routers. Like many cheap VPNs, especially for those looking for individual or family plans in addition to a business VPN, they offer split tunneling, internet security, and an extensive server network. The service includes fast connection speeds without VPN connection drops, DNS leak protection, and a password manager. In addition, it will unlock some services, like Netflix, and has dedicated apps for use with some devices, including AppleTV. This can be a good feature for those looking for streaming VPN services like the BBC iPlayer.
- Fast connection speeds
- DNS leak protection
- 31-day money-back guarantee
- VPN market
- Some connectivity issues
- WireGuard compatibility issues
The only true downside to PureVPN is security. While the service does offer secure remote access, many users will find lessened privacy protections and security because of the expanded streaming capabilities like BBC iPlayer.
IPVanish
IPVanish lands in our Top 5 for business VPNs because it offers unlimited simultaneous connections. This makes it a good option for businesses and remote workforces because there will be no limitation on the number of people who can be logged in during a session.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Affordability, money-back guarantee
- Simple user experience
- No dedicated server option
While the business features are strong, and the costs for this service are affordable, IPVanish doesn’t offer a lot of unique features. However, it is simple to get up and running so there will be little lag time between installation and actually using the system.
CyberGhost VPN
We rate CyberGhost VPN as the Most Intuitive because of its ease of use. The system includes dedicated business VPNs and includes NoSpy servers, as well, to increase the level of security experiences. Like Hotspot Shield, CyberGhost’s encryption is compatible across devices, including mobile devices. Their multi-year plans will include significant discounts. On average, the platform costs $78 for two years or $89 for three years, and the platform does include a 45-day money-back guarantee.
- Dedicated IP add-on available
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Ease of use
- Lifetime VPN subscription
- No third-party review for products
- NoSpy servers only at additional cost
- No split tunneling availability
Both CyberGhost and Private Internet Access VPNs are owned by Kape Technologies. Some cybersecurity experts count this as a negative because the parent company has been involved in malware creation in the past; also, these two products don’t include third-party review features, which some say could be an indicator that their privacy protections are not as powerful as other best cheap VPNs.
Why You Need a VPN
Like Hotspot Shield, the Premium VPN service providers will help to secure any devices that connect to the internet from your office, your home, or a remote worker or off-site working location. A consumer VPN software platform will not completely anonymize your internet traffic, but will make it more difficult for hackers and other nefarious types to track your online movements; many offer connections to unlimited devices and even unlimited connections as part of their quality service. For most VPN services, the actual amount of privacy will depend on the VPN network that you choose for your business VPNs. Some VPNs will also offer a dedicated IP address, but they may also result in slower connection speeds. Despite the sometimes slower connections, a VPN company will offer simultaneous connections, allowing your workforce to connect as needed. One thing to remember is that some countries do not allow for the best cheap VPNs, so if there is a chance of an international expansion, you will want to make sure these kinds of connections and services are allowed abroad.
Best Cheap VPN Services: Affect Your Speed
Consider a free version as a trial. Some of the cheapest VPNs will also offer a dedicated IP address, but they may also result in slower connection speeds. Most cheap VPNs will still allow for connection speeds up to 1,000 MBPS. Despite the sometimes slower connections, some of the cheapest VPN platforms will offer simultaneous connections, allowing you to connect as needed. Double VPN servers may help with speed. Many options have a kill switch.
A Good Cheap VPN: Protect Your Privacy
An excellent cheap VPN will not completely anonymize your internet traffic but will make it more difficult for hackers and other nefarious types to track your online movements. The actual amount of privacy will depend on the VPN server network that you choose but working remotely will also add a layer of protection between your personal device and the company servers. However, paying for a small package will give you more options than the cheapest VPN. Many have a seven to a ten-day free trial.
VPN: Legal or Illegal?
In the US, the use of a VPN is legal, however, that is not always the case. One thing to remember is that some countries do not allow for cheap VPNs and if act considers them to be illegal. So if traveling internationally or if there is the chance of an international move in the near future, you will want to make sure these kinds of connections and services are allowed abroad.
Final Thoughts
A personal cheap VPN, free version, or best free VPN will provide secure access to the internet while hiding your IP address from other users, including hackers. You may want to start with the cheapest monthly VPN or a seven to a ten-day free trial. A VPN will protect your identity, even when using a shared or public Wi-Fi internet connection, which is important as more employers and employees choose remote or hybrid work options. For individuals, a VPN is typically used to protect the privacy of the user. Business VPNs, on the other hand, are used to protect the intellectual property, data, and information of the entire corporation. This is becoming more important as people return to work travel or work from vacations and other remote locations where they may need a public internet connection. Many options have a kill switch.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A VPN encrypts your online connection and hides your IP address from other organizations, governments, and even hackers. A dedicated business VPN server is similar to a zero-trust server network in that it gives hackers less space in which to work to access your server network or devices. The VPN will go around your personal internet service provider and instead goes to a secured host to access the internet or the closed network. Using this the network user can appear to be accessing the web from any location in the world, and can increase the security features of their connection when connecting to a network from a remote location. Many options have a kill switch.
Anyone who connects to the Internet may need a VPN service. The service will protect users who connect via public Wi-Fi networks from sharing all of their data with that network, the service will offer data privacy from a traditional ISP, from apps, and other services used online. It will also provide data privacy from governments, organizations, and other businesses, and will allow the user to access content from any place. This is especially important for remote workers who may need to access company servers from home or from a work trip. Sometimes you can use a seven to ten-day free trial to test the service.
While no virtual internet access is completely safe, a VPN provider will allow for additional layers of security features that you may not have with a simple internet connection. VPNs provide secure remote access and a dedicated business server will help with connectivity issues that may come around if the VPN is not dedicated to certain departments or divisions.
Setting up business VPNs is fairly simple.
1. Choose the provider that is right for your needs; consider a seven to ten-day free trial to test it. To make the decision easier consider the types of connections needed for your business: Do your teams need high-security levels to protect patents and other intellectual property? Do they need a large amount of collaboration time? Do they need a dedicated account manager? Is the system primarily for remote workers or an in-house corporate network?
2. Install the software. Once the questions above are answered, you’re ready to set up. Most VPNs need a client, a server, and a router.
3. Prepare your system. Once in place, you will begin preparing your computers and other devices to connect to the VPN by removing any old or outdated software and ensuring devices have plenty of bandwidth.
4. Finally, install the client. From there, you log in using a software-defined perimeter and choose the protocol or network package to encrypt and compress data files for transmission.
Free VPN providers will have a paid option. At the higher tiers, you’ll have more options for customer service, customization, and add ons. However, even at the free tiers, the best cheap VPN providers offer increased security in the online space.
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