The best VPN deals as of May 16: ExpressVPN, NordVPN, CyberGhost VPN, and more

Using a virtual private network (VPN) is one of the best ways to protect your online data and stay anonymous on the web, whether you’re trying to stream movies abroad, torrent, bypass geo-restrictions, or just plain browse. Most providers’ plans cost anywhere from $2 to $12 per month, though many lure customers in with discounted introductory rates that skyrocket after your initial term. To help you lock in a plan that’ll fit your budget in the short and long term, we’re compiling a weekly roundup of the best deals on all the VPNs we’ve personally tested. Below, you can check out our top picks for the week of May 16.

ExpressVPN — save 35% on a 12-month plan

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

A reliable server network, a user-friendly app, a strong commitment to data protection, and a headquarters in the privacy-forward British Virgin Islands make ExpressVPN our favorite full-featured VPN on the market. It also happens to be one of the most expensive VPNs out there, though you can shave a few bucks off its standard $12.95/month rate by opting for a 12-month plan, which offers a 35% savings at $8.32/month. (Bonus: Your rate won’t increase after that initial term is up, and your purchase is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.) Bitcoin is accepted.

NordVPN — save 51% on a two-year plan

Read our full review of NordVPN.

Power users shouldn’t think twice about signing up for NordVPN, another industry giant based in British Virgin Islands that packs robust security features like double encryption, obfuscated servers, dark web monitoring, malware protection, ad and tracker blockers, and Onion Over VPN, a tool that combines your VPN connection with the Tor network for an extra layer of privacy. All of its subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, the cheapest one being its two-year plan: New customers can sign up for an introductory rate of just $3.99/month, or 51% off its usual $11/month pricing. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP areaccepted.

Optional add-ons include:

• NordPass Premium (password manager) — $1.49/month $4.99/month (save 70%) for your first two years

• NordLocker Premium, 2TB (cloud storage) — $7.99/month $19.99/month (save 60%) for your first year

ProtonVPN — save 33% on a two-year Plus plan

Read our full review of ProtonVPN.

The Swiss-based ProtonVPN is another great pick for privacy wonks, with open-source apps and critical infrastructure that’s stored inside a datacenter requiring biometric access. We recommend its Plus plan, which gets you full access to its server network, streaming service and P2P support, ad/tracker/malware protection, and a Tor over VPN tool that lets you direct traffic through the Tor network with a single click. Monthly subscriptions go for $10, but you’ll pay just $6.63/month if you commit to two years (with a 30-day money-back guarantee) — that’s a 33% savings. Note that crypto is not accepted.

CyberGhost VPN — save 82% on a 39-month plan

Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.

This Romania-based provider lays claim to the biggest, most globally diverse network we’ve seen, with special severs optimized for streaming, gaming, and P2P to maintain consistent connections. Sign up for a 39 months of CyberGhost coverage at $2.29/month (or 82% off its standard monthly fee of $12.99), and you’ll be able renew at that exact same rate every 36 months thereafter. Like all of CyberGhost’s multi-year plans, that’s protected by a 45-day money-back guarantee and includes free access to its ID Guard and Privacy Guard tools. Bitcoin is accepted.

Optional add-ons include:

• Dedicated IP — $3.75/month $5/month (save 25%) for three years

• CyberGhost Password Manager — $2/month $3.49/month (save 43%) for one year

Editor’s note: The CyberGhost website features a countdown to a deadline for locking in that three years + three months rate, but we’re pretty sure it’s just a marketing ploy.

TunnelBear — save 67% on a three-year Unlimited plan

Read our full review of TunnelBear.

Our go-to recommendation for anyone who’s never used the technology before, TunnelBear is simple, lightweight VPN with an intuitive (and adorable) interface. Though it’s incapable of unblocking streaming sites and based in Canada, a Five Eyes country, it should serve you well if you’re just surfing the web. We recommend its Unlimited plan over the free version for unlimited browsing and priority customer service, which goes for just $3.33/month when you enroll for three years — that’s 67% off its usual $9.99/month rate and a fix price that won’t increase after your first term. Bitcoin is accepted and refunds are offered on a case-by-case basis.

Private Internet Access (PIA) — save 82% on a 26-month plan

Read our full review of PIA.

It’s nothing particularly special (and its U.S. headquarters location isn’t ideal), but for users in search of a basic VPN with open-source apps, built-in ad blocking, and a free email breach monitor, PIA is worth a look. Pick its longest plan and you’ll pay just $2.19/month for 26 months of coverage, which takes 82% off its regular rate of $11.99/month (with a 30-day money-back guarantee). That switches over to an annual plan at $4.75/month after the term is up, which still isn’t terrible. Crypto and third-party gift cards are accepted.

Optional add-ons include:

• Dedicated IP — $4/month $5/month (save 20%) for two years

• Antivirus by PIA — $1.45/month $4.50/month (save 68%) for two years

IPVanish — save 64% on a one-year plan

Read our full review of IPVanish.

Another middle-of-the-road pick with a U.S. headquarters (boo), IPVanish makes up for a lack of advanced security features with a minimalist, straightforward app and support for unlimited simultaneous connections. You can get your first term of its annual plan for just $3.99/month (or 64% off its standard monthly rate of $10.99), which comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and free antivirus protection from VIPRE. After that first year is up, you’ll get bumped to $7.50/month. Bitcoin is not accepted.

Editor’s Note: IPVanish and VIPRE are owned by Ziff Davis, Mashable’s publisher. Any Ziff Davis products featured on Mashable are covered independently by our editorial team.

PureVPN — save 82% on a 27-month plan

Read our full review of PureVPN.

We don’t have a ton of nice things to say about PureVPN — our review turned up slow download speeds, buggy apps, iffy Netflix support, and a questionable privacy policy — but hey, it’s cheap! Enroll in a 27-month plan and you’ll pay only $1.99/month, which is an 82% discount on its normal monthly rate of $10.95. (Don’t be afraid to take advantage of its 31-day money-back guarantee if necessary.) You’ll switch to a $4.50/month yearly plan at the end of that initial term. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin are accepted.

Optional add-ons include:

• Dedicated IP — $2.99/month

• Port forwarding — $0.99/month

• Dedicated IP with port forwarding — $3.49/month

• DDoS protection — $3.99/month

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