The Best VPN Deals for March 2023

Those of you who log into a corporate network each morning are likely familiar with a VPN, or virtual private network. These services create a secure connection between your computer and a network (or networks), disguising your location and making it safer to deal with sensitive data.

VPNs can be helpful for those who work in dangerous regions, from journalists to activists. But they can also be useful for everyday internet surfing, especially if you’re logging in to the coffee shop Wi-Fi or looking to skirt region-specific content blocks on top streaming services.

So which VPN is right for you? Many VPNs offer incentives for long-term subscriptions and deals vary based on the time of year, so it’s worth checking back frequently if the price isn’t currently in your budget. Read on for a breakdown of some of the most popular services, as well as some of the top VPN deals you can grab now.

How a VPN Works

(Credit: NordVPN)

NordVPN

Like many VPNs nowadays, NordVPN has moved beyond just VPN protection to offer password management and encrypted file storage, both of which can be purchased separately or bundled with the core VPN product for a few extra bucks. NordVPN covers up to six devices; some routers can also be configured to connect via NordVPN to protect other connected gadgets, like smart home devices. Extend that coverage even wider with the Meshnet(Opens in a new window) feature, which lets you share access to your device with other NordVPN members you approve.

The Standard plan includes just the VPN and is typically $11.99 per month or $67.35 for the first year and $99.48 for each year after. You can lock in more savings if you opt for the two-year subscription which retails $99.63. NordVPN received PCMag’s Editors’ Choice award for offerring a slick client that has grown beyond just VPN protection into a privacy juggernaut, offering antivirus and unique tools. While it’s on the more expensive side in comparison to others on the market, it’s still an outstanding value.

(Credit: Surfshark)

Surfshark VPN

Surfshark VPN is a top contender on our list due to the company’s large global server presence, multi-hop and split tunneling tools, and unlimited simultaneous connections. The company long-term commitments with discounts, though you may want to start small and work your way up to a multi-year plan if Surfshark works for you.

Surfshark offers VPN servers in 100 countries, meaning you’ll be able to find a stable, secure connection while traveling—even to countries with more repressive internet policies like China. Surfshark works on Windows, Android, and Apple/Mac devices as well as Chrome OS and Linux, so all of your internet-connected devices are covered. That split-tunneling tool, dubbed Bypasser, lets you decide which apps and websites use the VPN connection, which is helpful since some sites block access to VPNs. Other noteworthy features include a custom DNS service, a built-in ad-blocker, and access to static servers.

(Credit: TunnelBear)

TunnelBear

TunnelBear has cartoon bears and a team with a great sense of humor, which makes it a win in my book. Its user-friendly UI, excellent privacy policies, and growing roster of features are enough to win it a PCMag Editors’ Choice stamp of approval. The free subscription tier restricts you to 500MB of data per month with allowances granted for tweeting about the company (up to 1.5GB). This is a brilliant business model: TunnelBear gets free advertising and you get to see if the product suits your needs before commiting to a purchase.

If you do take the plunge, TunnelBear VPN will set you back $59.88 for a year or $120 for a three-year plan with a savings of about $60. TunnelBear secures your connection with the OpenVPN protocol on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. With servers in 48 countries, TunnelBear has less of a global presence, but can still spoof your location to a wide variety of places. You’ll also be more likely to find a server while traveling abroad for a more reliable connection than you would get from a distant server.

(Credit: IPVanish)

IPVanish

PCMag’s review praises IPVanish for offering “good value with a robust collection of server locations and excellent customizability. ” This VPN will set you back $10.99/month or $53.99 for the first year and $89.99/year thereafter. There’s no limit to the number of devices you can connect simultaneously and IPVanish supports both OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN protocols. With servers spread across 52 countries, IPVanish has very inclusive geographic diversity—minus regions like China and Russia where internet restrictions are more oppressive. 

While it doesn’t offer multi-hop connections or split-tunneling, IPVanish has access to the Tor anonymization network via VPN. IPVanish is also available for Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, and Linux, which combined with unlimited simultaneous connections means that every internet-connected device you own can be protected when you go online.

Private Internet Access

Headquartered in the United States, Private Internet Access offers features like split-tunneling, dedicated IP addresses, and encryption settings that set it apart from the competition. Private Internet Access VPN includes its own ad- and tracker-blocking tool called MACE and also supports port forwarding on some servers. The company recently lifted it 10-device cap to allow unlimited simultaneous connections without increasing the price. Currently, the best deal is the 2-year plan, which costs $56.94 for the first two years and then yearly thereafter after a three-month free trial. Private Internet Access has servers in 84 countries, which is an above average number, and they’re a mixture of physical and virtual locations. Our experts gave it an excellent rating, for offering a robust VPN service with advanced network and privacy tools packaged into a clever interface.”

Disclosure: IPVanish is owned by PCMag parent company Ziff Davis.