VPNs can be a great online privacy and security tool. But one thing that understandably concerns potentials users is the cost of these services, and especially the fact that most VPN subscriptions are recurring and ongoing, having to be renewed every 1-3 years to keep using them.

Some users would prefer not to use this model and instead just make a one time payment that does not renew and use that VPN forever. Are there any options to do this? That’s what we’re going to cover in this quick guide, giving you two main budget lifetime VPN plans that work on this one time payment model.

Here they are:

1. FastestVPN – $40 lifetime plan, 49 countries, 10 devices
2. OysterVPN – $49.99 lifetime plan, 32 countries, 5 devices.

Now let’s cover each option in a bit more detail.

Option #1 – FastestVPN (Best Value Lifetime Plan)

FastestVPN are a Cayman Islands based VPN provider with a functioning service that is middle of the road and not market leading, but certainly adequate for many users.

Here are some key details on this service:

• Lifetime plan just $40 – pay that and forget about it and use the service forever.
• Offers servers in 30+ countries (full list here).
• Decent but not market leading speeds.
• Strict and audited zero logs policy
• 10 devices allowed
• 31 day money back guarantee
• Great value recurring plans as well (1 year for $20)
• Unblocks some streaming services (including US Netflix).
• Compatible with all major device including apps for Smart TVs and Amazon streaming devices.
• P2P supported
• Lots of different protocols.
• 24/7 Live chat and email support.
• Based in Cayman Islands with no data retention laws.

Overall, FastestVPN is a perfectly decent option if you just want to pay once for a basic VPN and then just forget about any recurring payments and use it permanently. It’s not market leading in any category, but it’s perfectly adequate in all categories.

If you’re wanting absolutely top notch, comprehensive server selection and global streaming access, this service won’t be for you. In honesty, no cheap service will work for that – you need something high end like ExpressVPN.

But if you want a functioning zero log VPN that allows you to set a location and mask your real IP/location, FastestVPN’s lifetime plan is great.

Check server list and get started here

Option #2 – OysterVPN

Another lesser known but great value VPN provider that offers a lifetime plan is Ireland based OysterVPN.

They’re not quite as cheap as FastestVPN, and their server selection isn’t quite as large. But they’re not far off and it’s basically a similar level basic functioning VPN service that’s great for budget users who want to keep things simple.

Here’s some more info on OysterVPN:

• Lifetime subscription $49.99 – one time non recurring payment.
• Servers in 32 countries (list here).
• Acceptable speeds but not top notch.
• Zero logs policy
• 5 devices allowed
• 30 day money back guarantee
• Great value recurring plans as well (1 year for $20)
• Unblocks some streaming services.
• P2P supported
• Lots of different protocols.
• Live chat and email support.
• Great value 1 year recurring plans as well ($30/year).

Honestly, OysterVPN are offering slightly less on some metrics than FastestVPN, but they’re in the same ballpark in terms of offering a perfectly usable VPN service for a low one off price.

Check server list and get started here

Option #3 – VPN Unlimited (Not Very Cheap)

This article specifically covers cheap, good value lifetime VPN plans, and we’ve given two options for that above.

USA based VPN Unlimited are also a third option for this, but I wouldn’t call them cheap. They also offer a single payment, lifetime VPN plan for $199.99, way more than FastestVPN or OysterVPN.

Here are some feature VPN Unlimited offers:

• Pay $199.99 once and use forever.
• Use on unlimited devices
• Servers in 80+ countries
• Some streaming support (including US Hulu, HBO Max and iPlayer)
• Zero log policy
• 24/7 customer support.

You’re getting a little bit more from them versus the first two options, including more locations, but not a massive amount more and probably not worth paying 4-5 times more for lifetime use.

But it’s there as an option if you want to check it out.

Good Value Long Term VPN Plans

So far I’ve stuck strictly to covering truly lifetime VPN plans only with the 3 options above – where you make a one time payment and then can use the service forever with zero additional payments.

I’ll also tweak this slightly and detail some great value long term (2-3 years) VPN plans, which are recurring and not strictly lifetime, but are at least great value when the overall cost per annum is taken into account.

1. PrivateVPN – Swedish based provider who offer 3 year deals for basically $2 per month. Great value plans, good server selection and excellent streaming access as well. More info here.
2. AtlasVPN – Superb value plans for all periods, including latest 3 years + 6 months free deal (40 months for $1.70/month – initial payment $71.52 for 40 months use). Some streaming access and basic server selection, good speeds. See here for more info.
3. ZoogVPN – Greece based provider who again offer great value on a 2 year + 3 months free deal (27 months for $2.49/month), decent streaming access, basic server selection (more info here).
4. PrivadoVPN – Swiss based VPN offering great value 2 years + 3 months free deal (27 months for $1.48/month – $40 initial payment for 27 months use). Basic server selection, good speeds, clean interface but no guaranteed streaming access. Privacy focused VPN that I’ve used a lot myself (more info here).