Published on: May 19, 2025 Updated 2 times since publishing
- 🥇 ExpressVPN : It doesn’t offer a lifetime deal but has the best long-term deal on the market. It gets you 2 years and includes free months. It accesses 100+ streaming sites, supports torrenting, provides secure gaming, and has lightning-fast speeds for all of these online activities. This makes it the best alternative to highly risky lifetime deals.
Lifetime VPN deals often sound too good to be true — because they usually are. Many of these deals are bad investments or even scams. The term “lifetime” typically refers to the life of the service or software, which means that once the company shuts down (a common issue with low-cost VPNs) or stops supporting your version, your VPN access could expire. Essentially, you’re paying upfront for a service that may only last a few years, if that.
Instead of considering a lifetime deal, I recommend opting for a long-term subscription. These options generally offer consistent streaming and P2P support and fast speeds thanks to regular updates.
My favorite long-term VPN deal is what ExpressVPN offers. It has an affordable 2-year deal that provides top-tier streaming compatibility, high-speed connections, and secure and intuitive apps. Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Quick Summary of the Best Lifetime VPN Deals:
Editor's Note: Intego ONE, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall Lifetime VPN Deal in 2026
Basic 12-Months plan: $3.99 / month
1-month plan: $12.99 / month
ExpressVPN has the best long-term VPN deal on the market. Its 2-year offer starts at $2.49 / month, and it includes months for free. If you’re looking for a VPN that accepts multiple payment options, Express is a great choice — it lets you pay with Google and Apple Pay, PayPal, cryptocurrency, and 7 different credit cards.
ExpressVPN’s network of servers in 105 countries makes it easy to find a fast, nearby server. This is great if you travel a lot or want to access geo-restricted content. It also works in restrictive countries, like China and Iran, and on restricted networks that block VPN traffic, like your school or work Wi-Fi, thanks to obfuscation on all servers.
- Fastest speeds on the market
- Works with 100+ streaming apps
- Free password manager
- Works in restrictive countries
- Only 8 simultaneous connections
ExpressVPN works with 100+ streaming services, including 10+ Netflix libraries, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+. It supports P2P on all of its servers, and it offers port forwarding through its router app, so you can connect to more peers and get faster downloads.
One of my favorite features is Threat Manager, which blocks ads, trackers, and malicious sites. It’s a great addition for safe browsing and torrenting, and it comes in pretty handy if you often deal with shady sites for streaming and downloading files. Plus, you get ExpressVPN Keys, a password manager, which you can continue using even after your subscription expires! It’s very convenient for securely storing and managing your login credentials from one place.
ExpressVPN delivers the fastest speeds on the market, thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol. It has a minimal codebase that doesn’t require heavy processing, which allows for faster connection. This also helps save battery on mobile devices, since it uses less processing power to maintain the connection.
It has easy-to-use apps for all devices, and it’s the only VPN on this list that has a router app you can set up in minutes to cover every device in your home.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is the best alternative to risky lifetime VPN deals you’ll find on the web. Its longest purchase includes extra months. This includes a large server network, excellent streaming and P2P support, and lots of extras like an ad blocker and a password manager. Plus, you get the best possible speeds on the VPN market.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Cheap Long-Term Deal With Great P2P Support
6-month plan: $7.50 / month
1-month plan: $11.95 / month
Private Internet Access (PIA) has one of the best affordable long-term VPN deals out there. Its 2-year deal starts at only $1.33 / month and often includes months for free. It accepts credit/debit cards, PayPal, Amazon Pay, and cryptocurrencies. You get unlimited connections, making it a good option for large households, and access to servers in 50 countries.
- SOCKS5 proxies & port forwarding
- Best VPN ad blocker
- Great streaming support
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Obfuscation in only 5+ countries
- Live chat isn’t always helpful
PIA is a top VPN choice for torrenting, as it supports P2P traffic across all servers and is compatible with major torrent clients. I like that it offers port forwarding on almost all apps (except iOS). Additionally, PIA provides a SOCKS5 proxy, which routes traffic through a proxy server without encryption, offering faster speeds for torrenting.
For streaming, PIA works with 30+ platforms, including popular sites like Disney+ and Hulu. Moreover, it can access 7+ Netflix libraries such as the US, UK, and Japan, and comes with a Smart DNS feature.
PIA works well in restrictive countries, like China, and can bypass restrictions on work and school networks that block access to certain content and VPNs. However, its obfuscation is only available on servers in 5+ countries, whereas ExpressVPN supports it on all servers.
As for the extras, I like PIA MACE, which is the top VPN ad blocker out there. In addition to blocking annoying ads and pop-ups, it denies ad trackers from seeing the websites you visit, and prevents you from accessing malicious websites.
Bottom Line:
PIA is a cost-effective alternative to lifetime VPN deals. Its 2-year offer includes free months, and you get a great server network, excellent torrenting support with extras like port-forwarding and SOCKS5 proxy. The VPN is compatible with many streaming apps and has an excellent ad blocker.
Read the full Private Internet Access review here
Editor's Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Low-Cost VPN Deal With Streaming-Optimized Servers
6-month plan: $6.99 / month
1-month plan: $12.99 / month
CyberGhost VPN is a smart pick if you’re looking for streaming support in a long-term VPN deal. Its 2-year offer will cost you only $1.59 / month and you’ll get months included for free. It conveniently allows you to pay with credit/debit cards, crypto, Amazon and Google Pay, and PayPal (it doesn’t accept Apple Pay).
- Streaming-optimized servers
- NoSpy servers for extra privacy
- Dedicated gaming servers
- Lots of automation options
- Only 7 simultaneous connections
- Doesn’t work in restrictive countries
CyberGhost has streaming-optimized servers for 50+ streaming apps, like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. The team at CyberGhost regularly tests and updates them to make sure they work as intended. Some of the server locations are even tailored for access to Netflix on specific devices like Android TV and Fire Stick, so it’s no wonder it’s one of the best VPNs for streaming.
For torrenting, CyberGhost offers dedicated P2P servers in 85+ countries out of a server network that spreads across 100 countries. Plus, the VPN offers dedicated gaming servers in 4 countries (the US, the UK, Germany, and France) that are designed to deliver the lowest ping for uninterrupted play.
I also really like CyberGhost for users who need extra privacy, especially journalists and activists. This is because CyberGhost has NoSpy servers, which are housed at the provider’s headquarters in Romania. Only in-house staff can access them, so there’s no risk of a third party spying or stealing any data. In terms of extras, you get a decent ad, tracker, and malicious site blocker (Content Blocker), and an Identity Guard feature.
However, there are no extras like port forwarding like with ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access, and CyberGhost doesn’t work in restrictive countries or restricted networks that block VPN traffic.
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost VPN offers a very affordable long-term deal for anyone who likes to stream a lot. You get access to dedicated servers optimized for streaming on 50+ streaming apps, torrenting-optimized servers across the majority of its networks, and NoSpy servers that offer an extra layer of privacy.
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review
Editor's Note: CyberGhost and this site are in the same ownership group.
4. NordVPN — Affordable Deals + Many Extra Features
Plus 24-month plan: $3.59 / month
Complete 24-month plan: $3.99 / month
Prime 24-month plan: $6.99 / month
NordVPN has tiered long-term 2-year deals that include free months. Its most basic deal costs only $3.39 / month and has every VPN feature NordVPN offers, including Threat Protection, which blocks ads and malicious sites.
If you opt for NordVPN Plus, which starts at $3.39 / month, you’ll be adding scam and fraud alerts and a malicious downloads blocker, as well as NordPass, its password manager. That said, I like how ExpressVPN includes all of its features, such as a password manager, in its 2-year deal.
- Blocks ads & malicious sites
- Works on school & work networks
- Works with 30+ Netflix libraries
- Allows for secure remote access
- No port forwarding
- Offers tiered pricing
I like that all deals include Meshnet — a tool that lets you create a private, encrypted network with up to 60 devices. It’s great for secure remote work as it lets you access files or software on your home computer while traveling. Plus, you can use it to set up virtual LAN parties and play games with friends as if you’re all on the same Wi-Fi.
NordVPN is a good choice for streaming. It accesses 10+ platforms, including 30+ Netflix libraries, which makes it one of the top VPNs for Netflix. It also offers P2P-optimized servers in 110+ countries and includes SOCKS5 proxy servers for faster torrenting. However, unlike Private Internet Access, it doesn’t offer port forwarding.
The VPN also works on restricted networks on servers in 15+ countries, so it’s a great pick if your school or work network restricts VPN traffic. Still, it doesn’t work in restrictive countries like ExpressVPN.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN offers budget-friendly tiered long-term deals with a comprehensive feature set. In addition to great streaming and torrenting support, you’ll get an ad and malicious site blocker and a unique Meshnet feature that’s great for remote access and secure gaming. If you want to pay a little extra for the slightly more expensive deal, you can protect yourself from malicious downloads and get a very secure password manager.
5. Surfshark — Fair-Priced Long-Term Deals With Great Privacy
One 24-month plan: $2.49 / month
One+ 24-month plan: $4.19 / month
Surfshark has 3-tiered long-term deals that are very affordable and feature-rich. Its most basic 2-plan includes all VPN features and starts at only $1.99 / month (and comes with months for free). It also includes Alternative ID, a tool that lets you generate an online persona, with a fake name and email to use when signing up for online services, so you can avoid giving out personal info.
- Creates an online persona
- Offers Override GPS tool
- Accesses 50+ streaming apps
- Supports P2P on half its network only
- Slow on distant servers
Surfshark works with 50+ streaming services and is compatible with 15+ Netflix libraries, and it supports P2P on half of its server locations. Still, I prefer ExpressVPN, which supports torrenting on all servers, so I don’t have to sacrifice speed when there’s not a nearby server location that’s P2P-compatible.
I really like Surfshark’s Override GPS feature, which hides your GPS data on Android and matches it to that of the VPN server you’re connected to — so apps that rely on location data can’t block your access based on GPS. The VPN also works on networks that block VPN data, so you can use it at school, your workplace, or a public Wi-Fi that restricts access to certain sites.
Bottom line:
Surfshark has very low-cost deals that include plenty of useful privacy features. This includes its Alternative ID tool that lets you create your own online persona for free, a tool that hides your GPS data on Android, and great streaming support.
Read our full Surfshark review
6. PrivateVPN — Budget-Friendly 3-Year Deal + Good for Restrictive Countries
3-month plan: $6.00 / month
1-month plan: $11.99 / month
PrivateVPN’s 3-year offer is one of the most budget-friendly options available, and it costs as little as $2.00 / month. Plus, this VPN’s great in restrictive countries like China thanks to its Stealth VPN mode that hides your VPN traffic. It also works on restricted networks.
- Offers a cheap 3-year deal
- Has port forwarding & SOCKS5
- Works in restrictive countries
- Smaller server network
- No smart DNS
- No split-tunneling
PrivateVPN has really good streaming support. It works with 20+ streaming services, including 10+ Netflix libraries. It also supports P2P traffic on all server locations and includes torrenting extras, like port forwarding and SOCKS5 proxy servers.
The VPN has servers in 63 countries, which is pretty small compared to VPNs like ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access. The server locations are well-spread out, but the VPN is still very bare bones compared to my top picks, as it’s missing extras like an ad blocker.
Bottom line:
PrivateVPN’s 3-year deal is excellent for anyone looking for a longer-than-usual VPN offer that works in restrictive countries and on restricted networks. It also has excellent streaming and torrenting, as well as port forwarding.
Read our full PrivateVPN review
7. TunnelBear — Beginner-friendly VPN With an Economical 3-Year Deal
12-month plan: $4.99 / month
1-month plan: $9.99 / month
TunnelBear has a budget-friendly 3-year offer. It costs just $4.17 / month, and it’s one of the most user-friendly VPNs on the market. You can connect to a server location by clicking on an interactive map with animated bears — its apps are fun.
- 3-year deal is affordable
- Intuitive apps for beginners
- Decent streaming support
- No torrenting support
- Smaller server network
- No money-back guarantee
The VPN works in restricted countries like China thanks to GhostBear, its obfuscation feature, which is available across all of its servers in 47 countries. They’re well spread around the world, but the network is a lot smaller than that of ExpressVPN.
The VPN accesses most top streaming apps, including 5+ Netflix libraries. However, it doesn’t work with Disney+ or ESPN+ consistently. It also lacks P2P support — I couldn’t download files while connected to any server.
Bottom line:
If you’re looking for a great 3-year deal, TunnelBear is an excellent pick. It’s easy and fun to use, and comes with decent streaming and torrenting support.
Read our full TunnelBear review
Quick Comparison Table
Editor's Note: Intego ONE, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
To find the best VPNs that are better than lifetime VPN deals, I followed our in-depth VPN testing methodology and evaluated each service using a consistent set of criteria. I focused on long-term value, practical features, and real-world performance. Only the VPNs that passed my tests for speed, privacy, and usability made the final list.
- I analyzed each VPN’s long-term deals. I checked for any additional months the longest offer includes and money-back guarantees. All the VPNs in my list offer long-term deals of 2 or 3 years, and some include months for free.
- I looked at the value. I compared the pricing, the simultaneous connections the VPNs offer, included extras, and the size of the server network. For example, Private Internet Access has the most affordable pricing deals, packed with extra features and offers unlimited connections.
- I tested each VPN’s speeds on local and distant servers. All VPNs tend to slow down your connection due to the encryption process. Still, all the VPNs I listed here offered speeds that were fast enough for smooth streaming. In my tests, ExpressVPN had the best results.
- I checked how well each VPN works for streaming & torrenting. All the VPNs I listed can reliably access popular platforms like Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. Most allow torrenting on all servers and work with all major torrenting clients.
- I assessed each VPN’s privacy and security features. The VPNs I listed include military-grade encryption, leak protection, an independently verified no-logs policy, a kill switch, and more.
- I made sure the VPNs are easy to use. All the VPNs I recommend have intuitive apps across all devices, with simple interfaces, quick-connect options, and clean layouts that make setup and daily use hassle-free.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- Mullvad. It has excellent privacy tools and a rare 10-year deal, which is better than most lifetime VPN deals. However, it uses a flat rate, so you don’t actually save money by paying upfront — and it isn’t reliable for streaming.
- Proton VPN. It offers strong security, a good free plan with unlimited data, and a 2-year premium option. However, the deal is still a bit pricey, and I don’t like that its money-back guarantee is prorated.
- VyprVPN. Its 2-year deal includes good streaming capabilities and a decent server network. There are a handful of drawbacks, though, such as it only allows 5 simultaneous connections and has slow speeds on distant servers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best lifetime VPN?
I don’t recommend any VPN offering a lifetime subscription. Lifetime VPN deals often come with risks such as poor service quality, lack of updates, and potential provider shutdowns. Most of these deals only last for the lifetime of the company, which means you could lose access if the provider goes out of business.
Instead, I suggest choosing a reputable VPN from my list with long-term offers that provide consistent performance and security. The best lifetime VPN deal alternative is ExpressVPN. It offers an affordable 2-year deal (includes months free), has blazing-fast speeds, excellent privacy and security features, and great streaming and torrenting support.
Which lifetime VPN is the best for streaming?
For reliable streaming, consider a reputable VPN with a proven track record, such as ExpressVPN. While it doesn’t offer a lifetime deal, it has an affordable long-term offer and works with 100+ streaming apps.
Does NordVPN have a lifetime?
No, NordVPN doesn’t offer a lifetime subscription. It does provide 3-tiered long-term deals that last 2 years and include months for free, as well as tons of extras, giving you better value in the long run without the risks of lifetime VPN deals.
Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
