How to switch VPN providers
Looking to switch VPN providers? Here's how to do it
If you're unhappy with your current VPN's performance and have been thinking about switching VPN providers, you might be worried that this is a lengthy and complicated process.
Thankfully, cancelling your current VPN is usually a simple process. Plus, many of the best VPN providers offer money-back guarantees so you can try them out risk-free.
In this guide, we'll take you through how to switch your VPN provider this, as well as taking a look at all the best VPN deals.
One of the best VPN deals: Surfshark | 2 years + 4 months FREE
Save 87%: This Surfshark offer gives you access to a powerful yet great value VPN. Not only is it excellent for unblocking streaming sites, it's also one of the fastest VPNs on the market. At $1.99 per month, it's a great deal. Plus, there's even a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it out and make sure it's the right choice for you.
How to cancel your VPN
While not all VPNs are cancelled in the same way, many of the best VPNs follow the same basic structure. To cancel your VPN, simply follow these steps:
- Go to your VPN provider's website
- Log in to your account
- Go to your subscription management page
- Turn off automatic billing (you may be required to confirm multiple times that you want to turn off automatic billing)
- If you're still within your VPN's money-back guarantee period, contact your VPN provider either by email or live chat to get a refund
- That's it!
Once you have cancelled automatic billing, you will have cancelled your VPN service.
How to claim a refund
Many VPNs offer money-back guarantees, which means if you cancel your VPN within this time limit, you can claim a refund on it.
The length of the VPN money-back guarantee depends on the VPN provider, with some only offering a 7-day money-back guarantee, and others offering a 45-day money-back guarantee.
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In order to claim a refund, you will need to check that you are still within the money-back guarantee period. If you are, then you'll need to contact your VPN provider, either via email, live chat or contact support form. Let them know you have cancelled within the money-back guarantee period, and you will receive a refund.
How to pick a new VPN
There are a whole range of factors that go into choosing the right VPN for you, and if you're looking to switch providers chances are there's something your current provider is lacking that you're searching for in your next VPN.
If you're concerned about buffering and download speeds, the fastest VPN will be perfect, whereas if you're looking to watch all the latest content from across the world, the best streaming VPN will be more up your street.
If you're looking for the best deal, or indeed the best cheap VPN, then check out the deals at the end of this article to make sure you're getting the best price.
So, to pick the right VPN, consider what features you want from it, and choose one that matches your wants and needs best. If you need a hand, our guide to the best VPNs available can help you out.
The best VPN deals
Here at Tom's Guide, we follow all things VPN to make sure you're getting the most up-to-date info, and when it comes to the best VPN deals, this is no different.
Below are the best bargains on offer right now:
NordVPN | 2 years + 3 months FREE
Save 74%: Ranked at #1 in our testing, NordVPN's deal gives you access to our top-rated VPN for $2.99 per month. If you're looking for a VPN service that ticks all the right boxes from security to streaming, then Nord is a great option. There's also a 30-day refund period so you can put it to the test.
PIA | 2 years + 4 months FREE
Save 82%: If security is your number one when it comes to a VPN, consider Private Internet Access. On top of its commitment to user privacy and security, it also offers features like a kill switch, split tunneling, and even port forwarding. It's also available at just $2.03 per month.
Proton VPN | 2 years
Save 70%: This deal has seen Proton VPN has dropped its price below $3 per month for the first time ever. It's a great streaming VPN, but that's not all its got on offer – its Secure Core servers are unavailable anywhere else. Its exclusive price of $2.99 per month is the best price available until next year.
ExpressVPN | 2 years + 4 months free
Save 62%: This deal is a special one, considering it's the first time ever ExpressVPN has ever discounted its product. On top of this, this 2-year plan includes lots of brand-new features like Identity Defender, dark web leak alerts and ID Theft insurance alongside the world-class VPN. Plans start at $4.99 per month, and there's a 30-day money-back guarantee.
FastestVPN | Lifetime plan
Save 93%: If you want a VPN for life (literally) this deal from FastestVPN is just what you're looking for. For just one payment, you'll get a lifetime licence which you can use on 15 devices at the same time. FastestVPN is a decent VPN, too – while it may not match up performance-wise to that of NordVPN or ExpressVPN, it's a perfectly safe, functional VPN. The headline price is $30, but if you use the code BFCM24 you can drop that to just $23.
PrivadoVPN | 2 years + 3 months free
Save 87%: PrivadoVPN is a very balanced VPN, with solid security as well as great speed and unblocking power. It's also available at just $1.48 per month for a 2-year plan, plus an extra 3 months for free. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can put the service to the test.
IPVanish | 2 years
Save 83%: IPVanish is a well-known and trusted VPN provider that's been around for a long time – and it's especially good if you're the techy type that likes lots of settings to play with. Its current deal drops it to a very reasonable $2.19 per month, which is a hefty discount from its regular price.
Hide.me | 2 years + 3 months free
Save 77%: While it may not be as well known as some of the other providers in this list, that doesn't mean Hide.me doesn't isn't a great value VPN. You can get access to this super customizable, reliable VPN for just $2.29 per month.
PureVPN | 1 year + free password manager
Save 84%: While it's always been a bargain, this isn't stopping PureVPN from getting in on the deals. With prices from $1.99 per month it's already great value, but on top of this, you'll also get a year of PureVPN's password manager PureKeep for free. Thanks to its 31-day money-back guarantee, you can try it out to ensure it's right for you.
CyberGhost | 2 years + 4 months free
Save 83%: If streaming is your thing, CyberGhost is a great choice for you. Plus, this deal seems to be a semi-permanent pricing change, meaning this $2.03 per month price might be sticking around for a while.
Olivia joined Tom's Guide in October 2023 as part of the core Future Tech Software team, and is the Commissioning Editor for Tech Software. With a background in cybersecurity, Olivia stays up-to-date with all things cyber and creates content across TechRadar Pro, TechRadar and Tom’s Guide. She is particularly interested in threat intelligence, detection and response, data security, fraud prevention and the ever-evolving threat landscape.