Virtual private networks, also known as VPNs, are excellent tools to help protect your privacy and security.
Also: The best Black Friday deals live now
At ZDNET, we’ve been testing top VPNs for years, and we recommend that you sign up for one to stop people from spying on your online activities. As VPNs create a secure, encrypted tunnel to protect your data and mask your IP address, you can use them as an additional layer of protection for changing your location, streaming, and more.
If you’re looking for a great VPN deal ahead of Black Friday, you’re in luck. We found the best promotions and deals on VPN services before Black Friday begins. Check out our recommendations below. (Note that while many of these are for a monthly price, you typically have to pay the full contract amount up front, though there are often money-back guarantees if you change your mind.)
Our favorite VPN deals for Black Friday 2024
- Surfshark: $1.99 (four months free): Surfshark’s entry-level VPN plan is only $1.99/month on a two-year contract. It’s also our tested pick for the best value VPN.
- NordVPN: $3.59 (three months free): NordVPN is one of our favorite VPNs across the board for speed, streaming, and security. If you sign up for a one- or two-year contract, you will receive three months of free access.
- PureVPN: $1.99/month: If you want a set-and-forget VPN for up to five years, consider the discounts available when you sign up for a PureVPN subscription. Ahead of Black Friday, you will only pay $1.99/month on a standard five-year contract.
- PrivadoVPN: $1.99/month (three months free): Another excellent deal is for PrivadoVPN, a VPN service with a reasonable server network that’s also one of our picks for the best cheap VPNs.
- Private Internet Access: $2.19/month (two months free): Also known as PIA, Private Internet Access is a solid VPN and our pick for the best open-source option, which ahead of Black Friday, is only $2.19/month if you agree to a two-year contract.
- CyberGhost: $2.19/month (two months free): CyberGhost is an excellent VPN option if you want a service able to handle streaming services without any fuss.
- ExpressVPN: $4.99/month (six months free): It’s unusual for ExpressVPN to go on sale, so it’s worth considering the Black Friday promotion on a two-year contract. Instead of the typical $6.67/month price, you will pay $4.99/month and you will be given six months of access for free.
- Current price: $1.99/month
- Four months free
Surfshark’s entry-level VPN plan is on sale ahead of Black Friday. You will only pay $1.99/month on a two-year contract, and as a bonus, you will be given four months of free access, added to the length of the contract.
We recommend Surfshark as an affordable VPN suitable for beginners and experienced users alike. It offers excellent value for money, reasonable speeds, and a solid server network.
- Current price: $3.59/month
- Three months free
NordVPN is one of our favorite VPNs for speed and security. It offers an excellent server network with 111 countries, easy-to-use apps across numerous operating systems, and great customer support. Ahead of Black Friday, you can pay as little as $3.59/month (on a two-year contract) and you can enjoy three months of free access.
- Current price: $1.99/month
- Three months free
PrivadoVPN is a consistently affordable VPN with a reasonably sized server network. If you sign up for a two-year plan, you will only pay $1.99/month, and you will be given three months of free access. This VPN service also comes with useful features such as ad blocking and parental controls.
- Current price: $2.19/month
- Two months free
Private Internet Access, also known as PIA, is a solid VPN that often launches promotional deals. Ahead of Black Friday, you can sign up for only $2.19/month if you are happy to agree to a two-year contract. As a bonus, two months of free access have been thrown in.
- Current price: $2.19/month
- Two months free
CyberGhost is an excellent VPN option if you want a service able to handle streaming services without any fuss. Currently, the VPN provider has a promotional deal available on two-year contracts: you will pay the equivalent of $2.19/month and you will receive two months of free access at the end of your plan.
Best Black Friday long-term VPN deals
- PureVPN: $1.99/month: If you want a set-and-forget VPN for up to five years, consider the discounts available when you sign up for a PureVPN subscription. Ahead of Black Friday, you will only pay $1.99/month on a standard five-year contract.
- ExpressVPN: $4.99/month (six months free): It’s unusual for ExpressVPN to go on sale, so it’s worth considering the Black Friday promotion on a two-year contract. Instead of the typical $6.67/month price, you will pay $4.99/month and you will be given six months of access for free.
Best Black Friday family VPN deals
- Surfshark: $1.99 (four months free): Surfshark’s entry-level VPN plan is $1.99/month on a two-year contract and as it offers unlimited simultaneous connections, it’s a great option for families.
- PrivadoVPN: $1.99 (three months free): PrivadoVPN, available for only $1.99/month, is a VPN service with a reasonable server network, parental controls, and ad blocking.
- Norton Ultra VPN Plus: $60/year: Norton Ultra VPN Plus is also offering a family plan for $5/month. This plan allows you to protect up to 10 devices and use parental controls, including screen time restrictions.
Best Black Friday VPN router deals
- ASUS RT-AX1800S wireless router: $66 (save $24 at Amazon): The ASUS RT-AX1800S is a budget-friendly router with a built-in VPN.
- TP-Link AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 router: $86 (save $44 at Amazon): You can save 34% off the typical RRP if you pick up the TP-Link AX3000 WiFi 6 router, another great option if you want blanket VPN coverage in your home.
- GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 travel router: $113 (save $57 at Amazon): If you need a pocket-sized, travel-friendly router, this option supports AdGuard Home, OpenVPN, or WireGuard-based VPN services.
- Archer AXE75 router: $155 (save $37 at Amazon): You can also save $37 on the TP-Link Archer AXE75, a budget-friendly Wi-Fi 6 router with VPN client support.
- M3000 WiFi 6 Mesh VPN FlashRouter: $230 (save $120 at FlashRouters): If you need a VPN solution for large homes and multiple devices, consider the $120 discount on an M300 model.
FAQs
When is Black Friday?
In 2024, Black Friday will launch on Nov. 29, one day after Thanksgiving, in the United States. Deals will appear not only on the actual day but also during the week of Black Friday and days afterward. The best sales will likely emerge from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2.
When is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday will land on Dec. 2 this year. There will be plenty of deals on tech, accessories, clothing, and more in the run-up to Thanksgiving, throughout Black Friday week, and during Cyber Monday.
Are VPN deals really better on Black Friday?
They can be. Many VPN providers use countdown timers as marketing tools and display the typical plan price as a “sale” rate, but this doesn’t mean that the occasional promotion isn’t genuine. Historically, we’ve seen some great deals appear for VPNs around Thanksgiving and Black Friday.
What’s the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are similar, but one appears before the other. Black Friday launches on Nov. 29, 2024, while Cyber Monda will launch on Dec. 2. The days in between are often called Cyber Week.
How did we choose these Black Friday deals?
At ZDNET, we only write about products we like or want to buy, and we endeavor to let you know about every deal we find that we believe offers great value. Our deal-hunting experts look for deals that are at least 20% off retail price, when possible, but we also highlight deals for products that are rarely on sale, such as Apple devices.
We consider customer reviews and our own hands-on product experience and conduct extensive research to ensure we only recommend the best deals. We aim to help you shop smarter and get the best return for your money.
Where can you shop the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals?
You can enjoy the in-store Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales at major retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. However, in recent years, many shoppers have opted to make their purchases online, with Amazon becoming one of the top retailers to visit.
ZDNET’s experts have been searching through Black Friday sales live now to find the best discounts by category. These are the best Black Friday deals so far, by category:
You can also find the best Black Friday deals by price:
And the best Black Friday deals by retailer:
