Budget VPNs: my subjective top 5 services that won't break the bank

I want to share my experience using VPN services that won't make you live on nothing but pasta until the end of the month. I hate it when I'm blocked from accessing my favorite websites or when someone is tracking my every move online, and paying exorbitant amounts for privacy is just ridiculous!

I have tested many different VPNs, and here are my favorites that really work:

1. ExpressVPN – my personal choice for streaming

For $6.67 a month, you get access to servers in 105 countries. Yes, it's not the cheapest, but it really unlocks everything you need. When I was in Spain and wanted to watch BBC – no problems at all! They are currently offering 3 months for free – not a bad bonus.

2. CyberGhost – for paranoids like me

If you, like me, are afraid that someone is watching you through the webcam and reading your messages - this VPN is for you. The encryption is top-notch, and the anonymity is complete. Right now, they have some crazy 84% discount and are giving away four months for free. I think that's even too generous... maybe they're hiding something?

3. NordVPN – for technical novices

Works literally everywhere – from the fridge to the toothbrush ( just kidding, but almost ). I set it up for my grandmother, and even she figured it out! $2.99 a month on a two-year plan – quite a reasonable price. Although many praised features turned out to be not that necessary in practice.

4. Atlas VPN – the cheapest among the decent ones

$1.64 a month! That's even cheaper than a cup of coffee. The passwordless login system is convenient, but sometimes the servers lag during peak hours. However, for that price, it's a minor issue. I use it as a backup option.

5. Private Internet Access – for those who do not trust corporations

Open source is already a plus. This means that independent experts can verify the code. But what impressed me the most were the real user reviews – the ratings on Trustpilot are very high. The ad blocker works excellently!

What is important to understand about VPNs

All these services do one thing – they hide your location by encrypting your traffic. Imagine putting on a mask and costume before going online. No one knows who you are and where you are from.

Especially pleasing is the ability to watch foreign services. You sit somewhere in the backwoods, but you watch content that is only available in the USA or Europe.

When choosing, pay attention to two things:

1. Where is the company ( registered? It's better not to be in the "Five Eyes" countries ).
2. Do they log your actions ( all of them claim that they do not )

In reality, ExpressVPN is indeed the best for streaming ( personally verified ), while NordVPN is slightly overrated, although it works on all devices. CyberGhost truly provides complete anonymity, but sometimes at the cost of speed.

Setting any of them up is easy – download, install, choose a country, press a button. And that's it, you're virtually in another country!

In terms of money, it's better to buy a subscription for a year or two right away. Yes, you pay more upfront, but when calculated monthly, it turns out to be much more cost-effective. Moreover, you can try it out and get your money back if you don't like something – everyone has a return period of 30 to 45 days.