The best VPN deals in March 2024

Secure a big saving on the best VPNs.
By Joseph Green  on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Overview

Best For Streaming

ExpressVPN

Jump to Details
Best For Server Network

Private Internet Access

Jump to Details
Best For Free

ProtonVPN

Jump to Details
Best For Interface

CyberGhost VPN

Jump to Details
Best For Torrenting

PureVPN

Jump to Details
Best For Security

NordVPN

Jump to Details
Best For Unlimited Connections

Surfshark

Jump to Details
Best For Beginners

TunnelBear

Jump to Details
See 3 More

The online world can be a dangerous place, with hackers, viruses, and surveillance software lurking in every corner of the web. We're not trying to scare you, but have you ever considered just how much of your personal data is exposed to this sort of thing whilst you're browsing? If not, you probably should. You might be surprised by the results.

Your data is seriously valuable stuff these days, and everyone is looking to get their hands on it. Once you come to understand that the internet is insecure, it's perfectly normal to feel a little concerned about how much of your data is up for grabs. There's no need to panic though, because there is a simple and effective way that you can stay protected.

To stay safe online and keep all of your data and personal information secure, you really should consider investing in a VPN.

What is a VPN?

VPNs provide protection for your data and identity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address (digital location). All of your activity is untraceable and secure because everything passes through an encrypted tunnel. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside is protected against online threats. This means that hackers, governments, and your internet service provider will be unable to access any of your information.

Do you need a VPN?

Investing in a VPN is one of the best ways to ensure your safety and anonymity online. VPNs are vital tools in the fight against scammers and cybercriminals, but there's another reason you might consider these security services. And it has nothing to do with security.

VPNs can be used to unlock streaming services from around the world, including the likes of Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. How do they do this? It's actually a really simple process, and it can significantly boost your content options. All you need to do is open up your preferred VPN, connect to a server from another country in order to spoof your IP to another address, and then head to your preferred streaming site. This process tricks the site into thinking you are based in another country, meaning you can watch all that great content that is normally blocked.

VPNs are really useful for cybersecurity and streaming, which means they should be a worthwhile investment for just about everyone.

What should you know before subscribing to a VPN?

Selecting a VPN that is right for you is not easy, because there are a lot of options all offering similar packages. To make the decision a little simpler, we have highlighted a selection of the most important things to consider before making any sort of purchase:

  • Connection speed — This is absolutely vital whether you're looking to use a VPN for online security or streaming. It's normal for a VPN to result in a drop in your connection speed, but you shouldn't accept anything significant.

  • Encryption — We know that a lot of people will be using VPNs for streaming, but these services are primarily designed to provide cybersecurity, so encryption is important. The best VPNs will offer powerful protection for your data, meaning that everything is unreadable and untraceable.

  • Number of connections — You should seek out a VPN that offers multiple simultaneous connections, so you can stay protected on all your devices at the same time. This is also beneficial for large families or households with multiple people likely to be online at the same time.

  • Privacy policy — The best VPNs should be very clear about how they handle, store, and use your data. These practices should be laid out in a privacy policy, and if they aren't super clear, you should look elsewhere.

  • Server network — The best VPNs provide access to thousands of servers located all around the world. This is useful as you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for streaming, shopping, or browsing.

There are plenty of other things that are worth considering, like bandwidth, apps for certain operating systems, and customer support, but these are probably the most important features to keep in mind.

Should you use free VPNs?

With free versions of popular VPNs and free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan, why would you ever pay? As with most things in life, you get what you pay for with VPNs.

There tends to always be a catch with free versions, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. If you're just an occasional user, these plans will work fine. But if you're going to be streaming or downloading, this isn't going to work. Free trials are a little bit different: they come with everything you get in a paid plan, but obviously they don't tend to last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.

To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you need to pay up. The best VPNs are generally the most expensive, but there are plenty of cheap plans out there, especially if you're willing to commit to a lengthy contract.

What is the best VPN?

There are a lot of VPNs out there, and we recommend taking some time to carefully access all your options. Once you have established exactly what you need, you can turn your attention to finding the best deals on all the top VPNs.

We have reached out to partners in order to line up a list of the best deals on the most popular providers, to help you save big. You can find all the best deals on the likes of ExpressVPN, NordVPN, PureVPN, and more.

These are the best VPN deals in 2024.

Read our full review of Express VPN.

ExpressVPN has a formidable number of servers, with thousands spread out across 94 countries worldwide. It also promises great security, offers unlimited bandwidth, and abides by a zero-logs policy. Users get strong connection speeds and powerful encryption, with reliable unblocking of top streaming sites like Netflix and Prime Video. 

Buying Options

The Good

The Bad

Details

Read our full review of Private Internet Access.

Private Internet Access users get speedy performance and strong features, with excellent customer service. Private Internet Access also provides users with a massive network of geographically diverse servers and 10 multi-logins meaning all your devices can remain protected at the same time.

Buying Options

The Good

The Bad

Details

ProtonVPN provides access to hundreds of servers located in 40 countries, with multiple simultaneous connections, P2P/BitTorrent support, and a strict no-logging policy. ProtonVPN also offers one of the best free trials.

Buying Options

The Good

The Bad

Details

Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.

CyberGhost VPN has thousands of servers worldwide, offers unlimited bandwidth, and features AES 256-bit encryption, DNS and IP leak protection, and an automatic kill switch (among other stellar security tools). It's also capable of unblocking streaming services like Disney+, Prime Video, Netflix, and more top sites.

Buying Options

The Good

The Bad

Details

PureVPN logo

PureVPN

Best For Torrenting

Read our full review of PureVPN. 

PureVPN users get apps for every operating system, enterprise-grade security, 10-multi logins, and access to over 6,000 secure servers in 140 countries. PureVPN also has a strong record for good customer support.

Buying Options

The Good

The Bad

Details

NordVPN logo

NordVPN

Best For Security

Read our full review of NordVPN.

NordVPN is one of the most reliable VPN services out there, NordVPN lays claim to over 5,200 servers in nearly 60 countries around the globe. It's also one of the best services for streaming and powerful security. NordVPN is one of the most comprehensive services on the market.

Buying Options

The Good

The Bad

Details

Surfshark logo

Surfshark

Best For Unlimited Connections

Surfshark users get an unlimited number of connections, uncompromised security and privacy, around the clock customer service, and enterprise-grade infrastructure. Surfshark also has a strict no-logging policy, meaning all of your data is protected from prying eyes.

Buying Options

The Good

The Bad

Details

TunnelBear wins if your priority is finding a service that doesn't intimidate. Users get a slick and friendly interface with reliable customer support for troubleshooting any issues. It's not the most advanced service on this list, but users still get plenty of features for protecting their data and hiding their identity when online.

TunnelBear also offers one of the best free versions. You are restricted to only 500MB of data per month and you won't get the best connection speeds, but this might be all you need if you'll only need to stream from time to time. Upgrading to a paid plan removes the restrictions associated with the free plan. You won't get download limits, and you'll be able to connect to a greater number of servers and connect more devices simultaneously. 

Buying Options

The Good

The Bad

Details

Photo of Joseph Green
Joseph Green
Shopping Editor

Joseph joined Mashable as the UK Shopping Editor in 2018. He worked for a number of print publications before making the switch to the glittery world of digital media, and now writes about everything from coffee machines to VPNs.


Recommended For You
Best antivirus software deals for Feb. 2024: Get a free Uber Eats voucher with NordVPN, plus more
Person typing on laptop

Get three months of Starz for less than 10 bucks
Starz logo on orange and purple abstract background

The White House is cracking down on brokers selling your data to China and Russia
President Biden making a speech at a podium in front of American flags

Tumblr users, here's what to know about Tumblr selling your data to OpenAI and MidJourney
Tumblr logo seen displayed on a smartphone.

The best VPN for travel
Laptop on table with map on wall

More in Tech
The best laptops you can buy in 2024 for work, school, and gaming
a 15-inch m3 apple macbook air sitting on a wooden table in starbucks

15-inch M3 MacBook Air review: Read this before you even think about buying
15-inch M3 MacBook Air on a table

XREAL (formerly Nreal) Air AR glasses are so cool but need some serious work
pair of tinted AR glasses with smaller lenses inside

RayNeo Air 2 XR glasses capitalize on the hype without delivering on promises
woman's hand holding dark, reflective XR glasses

Galaxy S24 Ultra review: I’m a Samsung stan, but iPhone 15 Pro Max is testing me
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for March 9
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for March 9
a phone displaying Wordle

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for March 8
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for March 8
a phone displaying Wordle

Best hookup apps and dating sites to find casual sex with no strings attached
Cartoon graphic of a person on a dating app.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!