VPNs & Subscription Audits: Cutting the Stack
A VPN subscription is one item in a broader subscription stack that most people have accumulated without periodic review. Here's how to audit your recurring subscription costs and determine whether the VPN (and adjacent subscriptions) still make sense.
The Average Subscription Burden
US adults spend an estimated $200–300/month on recurring subscriptions — streaming, software, news, cloud storage, and services they signed up for and forgot. A VPN at $2–4/mo is one of the lowest-cost items in a typical stack. But the audit process for VPNs is the same as for any subscription: does it provide consistent value at the current cost?
VPN Audit Questions
1. How often are you using it? If you haven't connected in 3 months, the use case isn't there. 2. Are you using it for the use case you bought it for (travel, streaming, privacy on public Wi-Fi)? If your life circumstances have changed, the VPN may no longer serve that purpose. 3. Is your renewal rate significantly higher than the current introductory rate? If so, either negotiate or switch. 4. Does a cheaper or better option now exist for your specific use case?
| Subscription | Monthly Cost | Worth Keeping If... |
|---|---|---|
| NordVPN (2-yr) | $3.49 | You travel, work remotely, or use public Wi-Fi regularly |
| Netflix | $15–22 | You watch 5+ hours/month |
| Adobe Creative Cloud | $54–60 | You use it professionally |
| Spotify | $10–16 | You listen to music daily |
| Unused gym membership | $30–50 | Cut immediately |
Stacking VPN with Security Tools
If you're already paying for a VPN, a password manager (NordPass, Bitwarden), and an ad-blocker (uBlock Origin, free), check whether a VPN bundle covers two of these for less than the sum of standalone tools. NordVPN Plus includes NordPass at a tier premium; Surfshark One includes a proprietary antivirus. These bundles don't always save money — calculate before assuming a bundle is cheaper.
Review NordVPN Plan Options Review Surfshark Plan OptionsFrequently Asked Questions
How often should I audit my VPN subscription?
Once a year at renewal is the practical cadence — check the renewal rate against current promotional rates, assess whether you're using the service actively, and decide whether to renew, negotiate, or switch. Setting a calendar reminder 30 days before renewal makes this automatic.
Is a VPN worth keeping in my subscription stack?
If you travel, work on public Wi-Fi, or care about DNS-level privacy, yes — at $2–4/mo it's one of the lowest-cost items in a typical subscription stack. If you're never on public networks and don't travel internationally, the use case may not be there.
Can a VPN bundle replace my standalone ad-blocker or password manager?
VPN bundles that include these (NordVPN Plus = NordPass, Surfshark One = antivirus + alt-ID) can replace standalone tools for users who don't need enterprise-grade password management. Compare: NordPass standalone ~$1.69/mo, NordVPN Plus upgrade premium ~$1–2/mo. If the VPN is already chosen, the bundle math often works. If you prefer Bitwarden (free) or 1Password ($3/mo), the bundle doesn't save money.