The "from $2.99/month" deal isn't the price — it's the bait. Here's what happens at renewal, with real 2026 numbers, and which VPNs don't play the game.
In real user feedback, the single most common VPN complaint isn't speed or streaming — it's the renewal bill. The deep "intro" discount is designed to auto-renew at a much higher rate once you've stopped paying attention.
You sign up for a 2-year plan at a headline rate. That rate applies only to the first term. When it auto-renews, you're charged the standard rate — often double, triple, or more — and most people don't notice until the card statement arrives.
| VPN | Intro /mo | Renews to /mo | Hike |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | $3.39 | ~$11.59 | +242% |
| IPVanish | $2.19 | ~$7.49 | +242% |
| ExpressVPN | ~$6–8 | higher | high |
| Surfshark | $1.99 | steps up | moderate |
| Proton VPN | ~$4.49 | ~$7–10 | mild |
| CyberGhost | $2.19 | ~$4.75 | gentle |
| Mullvad | $5.50 | $5.50 | 0% |
The honest way to compare VPNs is the total you'll pay over the time you'll actually keep it, renewal included. By that measure NordVPN's real 3-year cost is about $220 — not the ~$122 its headline implies. Our calculator defaults to this renewal-first number instead of the teaser. (Run your numbers →)
Mullvad charges a flat €5/month forever — no intro, no renewal cliff, the only 0% hike in our set. CyberGhost and Proton step up only modestly. If you hate pricing games, start there.
The advertised price is the bait; the renewal is the hook. Compare VPNs on true multi-year cost, not the intro rate — and remember that Mullvad's flat €5 beats a "$1.99" deal that triples in year three.
VPNInsider.org · Guide · prices verified June 2026 · updated monthly.