The best Black Friday VPN deals of 2024

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 on Black Friday, you're in luck. Check out our recommendations below. (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/month + 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. (Stack Social is also running a deal to get you a three-year contract for $84.)PrivadoVPN: $1.11/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. If you select the two-year plan you pay only $1.11/month, or if you want an annual subscription, you will pay only $1.33/month.NordVPN: $3.59/month + three months free: NordVPN is one of our favorite VPNs across the board for speed, streaming, and security. You will receive three months of free access if you sign up for a one- or two-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 be given six months of access for free. Proton VPN: $2.99/month: Proton VPN features one of our favorite free VPN offerings. With this Black Friday discount, you can upgrade to its paid tier for $2.99 a month (70% off the usual price) when you sign up for two years.PureVPN: $1.69/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, a standard five-year contract will only cost $1.69/month. Private Internet Access: $2.03/month + four 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 $2.03/month if you agree to a two-year contract. CyberGhost: $2.03/month + four months free: CyberGhost is an excellent VPN option if you want a service that can handle streaming services without fuss. 

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: $1.11 (three months free): PrivadoVPN, available for only $1.11/month, is a VPN service with a reasonable server network, parental controls, and ad blocking.Norton Ultra VPN Plus: $40/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: $69 (save $21 at Amazon): The ASUS RT-AX1800S is a budget-friendly router with a built-in VPN.GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 travel router: $93 (save $56 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: $135 (save $65 at Amazon): You can also save $20 on the TP-Link Archer AXE75, a budget-friendly Wi-Fi 6 router with VPN client support.M3000 WiFi 6 Mesh VPN FlashRouter: $260 (save $120 at FlashRouters): If you need a VPN solution for large homes and multiple devices, consider the $120 discount on an M300 model.Brume 2: $67 (save $22 at GL.iNet: If you need a compact VPN gateway, you can enjoy a $22 discount on the Brume 2, a device set with a USB-C connector and both Wireguard and OpenVPN pre-installed.ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000: $360 (save $40 at Best Buy): You can take advantage of a great discount on a powerful VPN-ready router, the ASUS ROG Rapture, at Best Buy. 
TP-Link Archer A9: $49 (save $7 at Amazon): If you are looking for a cheap router capable of handling VPN software, you can pick up a renewed model at Amazon for only $50.TP-Link Archer GX90: $236 (save $14 at Amazon): Another option is the TP-Link Archer GX90. This is a powerful, future-proof tri-band router that gamers will love.ExpressVPN Aircove: $133 (save $57 at ExpressVPN): If you want a router with an inbuilt VPN -- and one of the best VPNs we currently recommend -- consider the discount available on the ExpressVPN Aircove. For a portable version, you can also save $51 on the Aircove Go. 

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.