Every November, VPN providers compete on the biggest-looking percentage. Most of those numbers are measured against a monthly price nobody pays. Here's what the deals are actually worth, and the current prices to hold them against.
The prices to beat
| Provider | Best current price | Plan | Standard monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | $3.49/mo | 2 years, billed upfront | $14.99/mo |
| Surfshark | $2.49/mo | 2 years, billed upfront | $16.45/mo |
| Proton VPN | $2.99/mo | 2 years, billed upfront | $9.99/mo |
Lowest advertised long-term rates, checked August 2026. Renewal prices are higher.
If a Black Friday offer isn't meaningfully below these — in total cost, not headline percentage — it isn't much of a deal.
How to read a VPN deal
- Compare the total you pay upfront. "$2/month" on a 27-month plan is a single payment of about $54. That number is the one to compare.
- Divide by the real number of months. Bonus months ("+3 months free") are genuine value. Total price ÷ total months gives you the true monthly cost.
- Check what it renews at. Introductory prices end. Put a reminder in your calendar for a week before renewal.
- Ignore "up to" percentages. They're measured against the month-to-month price and usually apply only to the longest plan.
- Match plan length to how long you'll use it. A two-year plan is only cheap if you'll still want a VPN in year two — frequent travelers and digital nomads usually will.
NordVPN for speed and streaming, Surfshark for multi-device value
Both carry 30-day money-back guarantees, which is what makes buying ahead of a trip low-risk. See the full comparison for why.
Should you wait for Black Friday?
If your trip starts before late November, no. The saving from waiting is typically a few dollars a month or a few bonus months on a multi-year plan — not worth spending a trip on hotel and airport WiFi without protection. Buy what fits now; the money-back window covers you if it doesn't work out.
If you're planning for next year — a gap year, a long stint as a digital nomad, or your first long trip — Black Friday is a sensible time to lock in a two-year plan. See the long-term travel guide and the digital nomad guide for which fits.
eSIM deals
eSIM providers like Saily sell data plans per trip rather than subscriptions, so there's no point stocking up months ahead. Seasonal offers tend to be discount codes or bonus data. Work out the plan size you actually need with the trip data calculator, then buy close to departure.
Frequently asked questions
When do VPN Black Friday deals start?
In recent years most major VPN providers have launched Black Friday pricing in early-to-mid November and kept it running through Cyber Monday, sometimes into December. Black Friday 2026 falls on 27 November and Cyber Monday on 30 November.
Should I wait for Black Friday to buy a VPN?
Only if your trip starts after the sale. The gap between a good regular two-year price and a Black Friday price is usually a few dollars a month or some bonus months. If you're traveling before then, buy now and rely on the 30-day money-back guarantee.
Are Black Friday VPN prices for new customers only?
Usually, yes. The headline discounts are aimed at new sign-ups on long plans. Check the renewal price as well as the first-term price.
Do eSIMs have Black Friday deals?
eSIM providers sell data plans rather than subscriptions, so seasonal deals tend to be discount codes or bonus data. Since plans are bought per trip, buy close to your departure date rather than stocking up.