Best VPN deals: Get 3 months FREE and up to 85% off cheap VPN subscriptions in April 2024

vpn icon showing the encrypted traffic in the cloud on a colourful background

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Aaron Brown

By Aaron Brown


Published: 24/04/2024

- 18:04

Updated: 25/04/2024

- 09:16

Securing one of the best VPN deals is a brilliant way to save money while streaming more shows, keeping safe online, and improving your internet speeds. We've scoured the latest discounts from the biggest VPN providers in this guide, so you've got everything you need to cut prices.

The cheapest VPN deal we'd recommend is Surfshark. This provider has cut subscription prices by 85% and will include an extra 2 months for free. At £1.79, it's a steal.


Another superb deal comes from powerhouse provider NordVPN. It's got a shelf bulging with awards and recently expanded its VPN server locations to cover more than half of all countries worldwide. It's offering 3 free months combined with a 69% price cut on the remaining subscription. At £2.49, this is a decent discount.

Both of these VPN deals come with a 30-day no-questions money-back guarantee, so you can treat the first month of your subscription like a free trial. Customer support is available 24/7, so you can cancel at any time.

Other VPN prices range from £1.57 for PIA VPNand max-out at £5.44 for ExpressVPN.

One of the cheapest VPN deals on the market came courtesy of Google, which bundled a VPN service with its Google One subscription for additional cloud storage. Starting from £1.59, this was a bargain...but the Californian company discontinued its VPN in April 2024.

Likewise, one of the best cheap VPN deals came courtesy of Atlas VPN, which has a generous free subscription. However, the company folded due to 'insurmountable challenges' in April 2024.

Whether you're looking at VPN deals to improve your online privacy, block broadband providers and advertisers from tracking you, stream from BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, and US Netflix when abroad, or boost internet speeds — we've rounded up a definitive list of the best VPN deals to help you get the most for your hard-earned money.

5 benefits of using a VPN

  • Boost your privacy online, so that not even your broadband provider can track you
  • Unblock TV shows that wouldn't usually be available in your current location
  • Access lower subscription prices from other countries
  • Avoid any restrictions placed on your internet connection
  • Stream live sports that would otherwise be unavailable

How to find the right VPN deal for you

With so many VPN providers offering generous discounts, there's no reason to pay full price for your VPN subscription. But with the sheer quantity of VPN deals available, it's easy to get lost.

But fear not — we've got some simple tips to help you unearth the best VPN deal for your needs.

First, it's helpful to figure out what you'll be using your VPN for. Want to encrypt your internet traffic for better security? In that case, you won't need a VPN with servers spread across hundreds of countries, since you'll probably only use the one closest to home. Want to stream shows only available on Netflix US? You should look for a VPN with the smallest impact on download speeds. Hoping to secure dozens of devices with a VPN? Find a VPN provider with the highest number of simultaneous connections.

a hand holds a smartphone with the nordvpn app running

VPNs let you choose between servers located in dozens of countries across the world, so you can spoof your IP address and appear as if you're in another location — unblocking streaming, sports coverage, exclusive deals, and a slew of other benefits

NORDVPN PRESS OFFICE

Here's a serious money-saving tip: the biggest discounts are only available to those who commit to a one- to two-year subscription. That doesn't always mean you'll need to pay a hefty sum upfront, with some providers spreading the cost of a multi-year subscription — with the biggest discount — over several months.

While an annual subscription might seem daunting, especially for VPN newcomers, we've only recommended VPN services with a 30-day money-back guarantee. At any moment during the first month, you can leave with a full refund.

We recommend treating the first month of your subscription like a VPN free trial to put the service through its paces to establish whether it fits your needs. If not, cancel your subscription with a full refund and try another.

What is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is software that protects and anonymises everything you do online.

VPNs can disguise your online activity by routing traffic through an encrypted tunnel that connects to secure servers across the globe. The best VPNs use the same encryption standard as governments in Britain and the USA, so even the Internet Service Provider (ISP) connecting you to Wi-Fi can't see a record of the websites you're visiting, how long you're spending on each site, and your current location.

illustration showing how vpn encryption works to enhance privacy and unblock streaming services across the world

VPNs work by encrypting all of your online traffic before it's sent over the internet. This prevents your ISP, advertisers, hackers, and fraudsters from tracking your online activity, stealing your personal data, or placing restrictions on you

SURFSHARK PRESS OFFICE

Advertisers, trackers, and hackers are also blind when trying to track your activity.

Likewise, personal information entered into online forms and other sensitive data sent to and from your device will also be shielded from hackers with strong encryption from a VPN.

What is a VPN for?

VPNs offer enterprise-grade security when visiting websites, filling out forms, and sending messages. But the best VPN services aren't only used to boost privacy online as the encryption can unlock extra perks too.

It can restrict the ability of your ISP to restrict broadband speed for certain types of traffic, a common practice known as bandwidth-throttling that usually applies to playing online multiplayer games and watching streaming services at peak times.

VPNs can be used to manually spoof your IP address. This unique label, usually in the form 192.0.2.1, is assigned to every device when it connects to the internet and includes information like the name of your broadband supplier and a rough approximation of your current location.

It's the IP address that enables websites to offer turn-by-turn directions from your location, or find your nearest branch of a popular shop or restaurant. Several streaming services use this location data to adjust the library of titles available to you (usually based on the licencing deals struck in each country) or block its service entirely.

a person sits with a windows laptop and connects to a vpn server location in the usa

VPNs are available on a wide range of devices, including Windows, Mac, and Linux laptops and desktop PCs, as well as iPhone, iPad, and Android phones and tablets, and streaming devices like Roku and Fire TV Stick, to name just a few

NORDVPN PRESS OFFICE

With a VPN, you can change your IP address by routing your internet traffic via one of the thousands of servers located around the globe. This can make it appear as if you're in another country, letting you stream from services that can't be used outside of the UK (Sky Go, BBC iPlayer, Channel 4) or altering the catalogue of films, documentaries, and shows available to watch in Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video.

Always check the small print of the streaming service to ensure you’re not breaking the rules by spoofing your location to unlock more shows to watch.

Is using a VPN legal?

Let's set the record straight — using a VPN to safeguard your data online is not a legal offence.

If you've been issued a company laptop to work remotely, the IT department will likely require you to use a VPN before you start a shift. Needless to say, this isn't against the law.

But while VPNs were once solely used in enterprise and government spheres, these apps are becoming increasingly popular with people across the world to improve personal online security. As all of us rely on the internet for more and more of our daily lives, VPNs are an essential way to enhance privacy, block advertisers from tracking your movements, unlock streaming TV shows and sports coverage, unlock easy lobbies in Warzone and CoD: MW3, and even find cheaper flights.

VPNs are illegal in 10 countries: China, Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Iraq, Turkey, UAE, and Oman. If you're currently based in any of these nations or plan on visiting one soon, consider uninstalling any VPN apps from your devices.

Outside of these countries, VPNs are legal and can be used without restrictions.

But while it might be legal, it's worth noting that using a VPN might be against the Terms Of Service of some websites or mobile apps, so it's always worth checking the T&Cs to make sure you're in the clear.

Do VPNs take part in Black Friday deals?

Yes, the biggest VPN brands will frequently participate in the Black Friday sales, offering generous discounts and giveaways to attract new customers and retain existing ones who might be coming to the end of their current subscription.

Once a shopping event reserved for malls across North America, Black Friday is now a pivotal time for businesses worldwide across almost every industry. And VPN providers are no exception.

During Black Friday, VPN companies will often offer some of their best deals of the year. Consumers looking to invest in VPN services can leverage these Black Friday sales to secure premium features at more affordable rates. However, it's essential to exercise due diligence and choose a reputable VPN provider known for prioritising internet privacy, high-security standards, and reliable performance.

If you need a VPN now, it might be worth taking advantage of the latest slew of VPN deals. That way your internet activity is protected long before the Black Friday sale starts on November 29, 2024.

Will a free VPN work for me?

A free VPN can be useful in a pinch, but there are too many compromises to make this a viable long-term solution for most. Most free VPN providers will place restrictions on your account to incentivise you to upgrade to a paid subscription plan, including limiting the amount of data or slower transfer speeds.

This can make browsing the internet, video calls, and streaming on Netflix and others arduous at best — and impossible at worst. With a 30-day money-back guarantee, it's possible to use the best VPN services for one month without restrictions. If you're unhappy, you'll pay no cost for VPN access.

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Should I trust VPNs?

Using a reliable VPN can be a safe and secure way to browse the internet. But it's best not to unreservedly place your trust in every VPN provider on the market. You should be looking for AES-256 encryption — this is the standard used by most VPN protocols. If the VPN provider says that it uses PPTP, it's best to avoid this option as it only relies on 128-bit encryption.

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