VPN renewal increases: what you pay after the intro deal
The cheapest VPN at checkout is not always the cheapest VPN over two years. Renewal pricing is where many buyers lose the savings they thought they were getting.
Tunnel Report Staff
Updated October 18, 2026
Quick Take
This guide supports our VPN rankings and comparisons. It is written for readers who want the methodology behind our recommendations, not just a one-click buying decision.
Introductory pricing is a funnel
Most VPN providers sell multi-year introductory offers and raise the rate at renewal. That is not automatically predatory, but it is often under-explained.
A fair comparison looks at the full lifecycle cost: first term, renewal term, add-ons, taxes, refund policy, and device limits.
What VPNs cost after the intro term (Oct 2026)
Most VPNs charge a low rate for your first term and then renew at a higher one. On the 2-year deals we checked in October 2026, NordVPN renews at $139.08 a year and ExpressVPN at $99.95, while Mullvad and hide.me charge the same price every time. Here's each provider's intro rate next to its renewal rate.
| Provider (base plan) | Intro price | Renews at | Source (as of Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN Basic, 2 yr + 3 mo | $3.49/mo ($94.23 for 27 months) | $139.08/year | nordvpn.com/pricing |
| ExpressVPN Basic, 12 mo + 3 mo | $4.99/mo ($74.85 for 15 months) | $99.95/year | expressvpn.com/pricing |
| Surfshark Starter, 24 mo + 3 mo | $2.49/mo ($67.23 for 27 months) | Not listed on the pricing page | surfshark.com/pricing |
| PureVPN Standard, 2 yr + 3 mo | $2.15/mo ($58.20 for 27 months) | $47.95/year | purevpn.com/order |
| Proton VPN Plus, 2 yr | $3.49/mo ($83.76 for 24 months) | $83.88 every 12 months | protonvpn.com/pricing |
| Mullvad (one plan) | €5/mo (EUR, incl. VAT) on any term | €5/mo, no intro rate | mullvad.net/pricing |
| hide.me Premium, 24 mo + 2 mo | $2.69/mo ($69.99 for 26 months) | $69.99 every 26 months | hide.me/pricing |
Prices change often, so check the provider's site before you buy.
Set a renewal reminder
If you buy a two-year VPN plan, set a calendar reminder 30 days before renewal. That gives you time to re-check pricing, negotiate, cancel, or switch.
Do not assume the checkout price is the long-term price. The year-two or year-three rate can materially change the value equation.
When switching makes sense
Switch when renewal pricing rises and your current provider is not clearly better for your use case. Surfshark and PureVPN often win on entry price.
If your current provider is reliable and the renewal rate is fair, switching for a marginal discount may not be worth the setup friction.
Related Coverage
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do VPN prices go up at renewal?
Introductory discounts are acquisition offers. Renewal pricing usually reflects the standard plan rate after the promotional term ends.
Which VPN has the best long-term value?
Surfshark is strongest for multi-device households. Mullvad has the cleanest flat-rate pricing (€5/month on every plan length mullvad.net/pricing, as of Oct 2026) but no affiliate program and fewer streaming features.
Can I cancel before VPN renewal?
Usually yes, but policies vary. Set a reminder before the renewal date and confirm cancellation in your account dashboard.
Sources & References
- [S5] Nord Security. NordVPN Pricing (2026). https://nordvpn.com/pricing/ (checked Oct 15, 2026).
- [S8] ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN Pricing (2026). https://www.expressvpn.com/order (checked Oct 15, 2026).
- [S7] Surfshark. Surfshark Pricing (2026). https://surfshark.com/pricing (checked Oct 15, 2026).
- [S6] PureVPN. PureVPN Pricing (2026). https://www.purevpn.com/order (checked Oct 15, 2026).
- [P1] Proton VPN. Pricing (2026). https://protonvpn.com/pricing (accessed Oct 6, 2026).
- [MV1] Mullvad. Pricing (2026). https://mullvad.net/en/pricing (checked Oct 15, 2026).
- [H1] hide.me. Pricing (2026). https://hide.me/en/pricing (accessed Oct 6, 2026).