Intro vs Renewal Price: Every Provider Tabled
Every major VPN provider charges significantly more at renewal than at the initial promotional rate. This is the most important pricing fact that deal pages obscure — you're buying a 2-year subscription at $3.49/mo, but years 3 and 4 will cost dramatically more.
Intro vs Renewal: Every Provider
| Provider | Intro 2-yr Rate | Annual Renewal Rate | Price Jump |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | $3.49/mo | ~$5.75/mo (annual) | 65% higher |
| Surfshark Starter | $2.49/mo | ~$4.49/mo (annual) | 80% higher |
| ExpressVPN | $2.49/mo | ~$8–10/mo (annual) | 220–300% higher |
| PIA | $1.33/mo | ~$3.33/mo (annual) | 150% higher |
| CyberGhost | $1.59/mo | ~$4.29/mo (annual) | 170% higher |
| ProtonVPN Plus | $2.99/mo | ~$4.99/mo (annual) | 67% higher |
| PrivateVPN | $2.00/mo | ~$5.00/mo (annual) | 150% higher |
| Mullvad | €5.00/mo | €5.00/mo | 0% — flat forever |
| TunnelBear | $3.33/mo | ~$4.99/mo (annual) | 50% higher |
| VeePN | ~$2.50/mo | ~$4.99/mo (annual) | 100% higher |
What to Do About Renewal Pricing
Three strategies: (1) Cancel and re-subscribe at the introductory rate using a different email address — this works but is against most providers' ToS and creates account management overhead. (2) Negotiate at renewal — contact support before your renewal date and ask for a retention offer. Most providers will extend the promotional rate or offer a discount to prevent cancellation. (3) Switch providers at renewal — the introductory rate at a competitor is often lower than your current provider's renewal rate.
ExpressVPN's Renewal Gap Is the Largest
ExpressVPN's jump from $2.49/mo intro to $8–10/mo renewal is the steepest in the market. If you're price-sensitive, ExpressVPN's 2-year plan is a great deal for years 1–2 and then becomes one of the most expensive at renewal. Factor this into a 3-year cost model if evaluating ExpressVPN against competitors.
Get NordVPN — 65% Renewal Jump Get Surfshark — 80% Renewal JumpFrequently Asked Questions
Why is VPN renewal pricing so much higher than the introductory rate?
Introductory rates are acquisition pricing — designed to win new subscribers at a loss or low margin. Renewal rates represent what providers need to charge to be profitable from existing subscribers who are less price-sensitive (they've already chosen the product and switching has friction).
Can I get the introductory rate at renewal?
Sometimes — call or chat support before your renewal date and ask for a retention offer. Many providers will extend promotional pricing to prevent cancellation. This isn't guaranteed but works frequently enough to be worth the 5-minute conversation before canceling.
Which VPN has the lowest renewal price?
Mullvad charges €5.00/mo permanently — no intro/renewal gap. Among the providers with introductory pricing, NordVPN's annual renewal rate (~$5.75/mo) is among the more reasonable jumps. ExpressVPN's renewal is the steepest in the major provider category.