VPN coupon codes and deals

How VPN deals usually work

VPN pricing is built around plan length. A monthly plan costs the most per month, and the price per month drops as the commitment gets longer. That's why almost every VPN offer you'll see, including the ones from NordVPN and Surfshark on this page, is framed around a one-year or multi-year plan rather than a single month.

Most VPN discounts are applied automatically on the provider's own pricing page rather than through a code you type in. When a brand does publish a promo code through its affiliate program, it's usually for extra months on a long plan, a bundled add-on, or a better rate on a specific plan length. Our deals grid shows whichever kind the brand has published, with the end date it set.

The one thing to keep in mind: the headline percentage is measured against the monthly price. A plan that's a big percentage off is still a large single payment, so check the total you'll actually be charged today.

What to look for before you pay

A cheap VPN that doesn't work where you need it isn't a deal. Before you compare prices, decide what you need it for, because that settles most of the choice.

• Plan length and total price. Look at what you pay today, not just the monthly equivalent.
• Renewal price. Intro prices often apply to the first term only. Note the date it renews and set a reminder.
• Simultaneous connections. Check how many devices can be connected at the same time on the plan you're buying.
• Apps for your devices. Make sure there's a native app for every device you use, including routers or TVs if that matters to you.
• Add-ons. Some plans bundle extras like antivirus, password managers or cloud storage. Only pay for a bigger tier if you'd use them.
• Refund terms. Read how long the money-back window is and how to claim it before you buy, not after.

NordVPN and Surfshark side by side

These are the two VPN brands we list. Rather than repeat claims about speeds or server counts that change all the time, here's how to compare their offers on the day you buy.

Open both store pages, pick the same plan length on each, and compare the total charged today, the renewal price and the number of devices allowed. If one brand has a live code in the grid above and the other doesn't, check that the code applies to the plan length you want before deciding it's the better deal.

If you'd also want antivirus or a password manager, compare their bundled tiers against buying a separate tool from our antivirus deals. Bundles can work out cheaper, but only if you'd have bought both anyway.

Don't get caught by the renewal

The most common way people overpay on a VPN is letting a cheap first term roll into a full-price renewal. Subscriptions usually renew automatically, and the renewal price is often higher than the intro price.

Two habits help. First, put the renewal date in your calendar the day you buy. Second, a few weeks before it, check the provider's current new-customer offers and your account's renewal options. Sometimes the renewal price is negotiable through a support chat or a retention offer, and sometimes a fresh plan is the cheaper route.

Can you stack VPN codes?

Generally one promo code per order, and many VPN checkouts already have the discount built into the plan price. A code that adds extra months on top of a sale price is the closest thing to stacking you'll find. If a code doesn't apply, check whether it's limited to a specific plan length or to new customers.

When to buy

These are patterns across the category, not promises from any one store. The end date on each offer is the one to trust.