Short answer
Short answer: on a long plan, the VPNs we checked cost $2.03 to $3.49 a month in the first term, except Mullvad, which charges a flat €5 a month. After the first term they renew at a higher price. For the VPN-only plans, the yearly cost after renewal ranges from about $27 (Private Internet Access, 3-year plan) to $139.08 (NordVPN Basic). Surfshark does not show its renewal price before you pay. Prices were checked on November 12, 2026, from a US connection, during Black Friday sales.
Price table: VPN-only plans, longest first term
One row per provider: its VPN-only plan on the longest first term we found. Rows are sorted by the yearly cost after renewal, lowest first.
| Provider | Plan | First term | Per month | First-term total | Then renews at | Per year after renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Internet Access | PIA VPN | 40 months | $2.03 | not shown | $81.20 every 3 years | $27.07 |
| CyberGhost | CyberGhost VPN | 28 months | $2.19 | $61.32 | $61.32 every 12 months | $61.32 |
| Mullvad | Mullvad VPN | 12 months | €5.00 | €60.00 | €60.00 every 12 months | €60.00 |
| Proton VPN | VPN Plus | 24 months | $3.49 | $83.76 | $83.88 every 12 months | $83.88 |
| ExpressVPN | Basic | 28 months | $2.99 | $83.72 | $99.95 every 12 months | $99.95 |
| NordVPN | Basic | 27 months | $3.49 | $94.23 | $139.08 every 12 months | $139.08 |
| Surfshark | Starter | 27 months | $2.49 | $67.23 | not shown | not shown |
Checked November 12, 2026, from a US connection, during Black Friday sales. Sales tax may be added at checkout.
Why the first-term price is not what you will keep paying
Most long plans are sold at an introductory price that only covers the first term. The months in that first term include any bonus months the provider adds, which is why a first term can run 15, 27 or 28 months instead of a whole number of years.
When the first term ends, the plan renews at the provider's renewal price. NordVPN Basic, for example, costs $94.23 for the first 27 months and then renews at $139.08 a year.
What each provider charges after the first term
The renewal price for each VPN-only plan on its longest first term:
- NordVPN, Basic plan, 27-month first term: renews at $139.08 every 12 months.
- Proton VPN, VPN Plus plan, 24-month first term: renews at $83.88 every 12 months.
- ExpressVPN, Basic plan, 28-month first term: renews at $99.95 every 12 months.
- CyberGhost, CyberGhost VPN plan, 28-month first term: renews at $61.32 every 12 months.
- Private Internet Access, PIA VPN plan, 40-month first term: renews at $81.20 every 3 years.
- Surfshark, Starter plan, 27-month first term: the renewal price is not shown before you pay.
- Mullvad, Mullvad VPN plan, 12-month first term: renews at €60.00 every 12 months.
Taxes come on top
NordVPN and ExpressVPN say that sales tax may be added to the price at checkout. In Surfshark's checkout from New York, 8.875% sales tax was added on top, so $67.23 became $73.20.
Monthly plans cost the most per month
Paying month by month costs the most per month: from $9.99 for Proton VPN Plus to $14.99 for NordVPN Basic and ExpressVPN Basic. Mullvad charges €5 a month whatever the length. We did not record a monthly plan for Surfshark.
- NordVPN, Basic plan: $14.99 a month.
- Proton VPN, VPN Plus plan: $9.99 a month.
- ExpressVPN, Basic plan: $14.99 a month.
- CyberGhost, CyberGhost VPN plan: $12.99 a month.
- Private Internet Access, PIA VPN plan: $11.95 a month.
- Mullvad, Mullvad VPN plan: €5.00 a month.
How we checked
We read every price by hand from the providers' own pricing pages and checkout, from a US IP address in New York, on November 12, 2026, during Black Friday sales. No number on this page comes from a review site or an affiliate network.
We will check the prices again after the sales end and update the date on this page.
Compare plans and renewal prices
Frequently asked questions
Why does my VPN cost more after the first year?
Most providers sell the first term at an introductory price and renew at a higher regular price. NordVPN Basic, for example, costs $94.23 for the first 27 months and then renews at $139.08 a year.
Which VPN is cheapest after renewal?
Of the VPN-only plans we checked, Private Internet Access on its 3-year plan renews at $81.20 every three years, about $27 a year. Mullvad charges a flat €5 a month with no introductory price. Prices change often, so check the date on this page.
