Lifetime VPN Subscriptions (and reasons to avoid them)

Lifetime VPN subscriptions involve users paying a large one-time fee, enabling them to use the VPN service at no additional cost for the rest of their lives. At first glance, this may seem like a good deal, but there are many reasons to avoid lifetime VPNs.

Best Lifetime VPNs

We’ve taken a look at reasons why you should avoid lifetime VPNs, as well as exploring some lifetime VPN alternatives. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know before buying a lifetime VPN.

Our Top Recommendations

Lifetime VPNs: Why You Should Avoid Them

Lifetime subscriptions may seem cost-effective in the long run, but there is a lot of evidence that suggests it is better to opt for a regular long-term VPN plan.

Third-party risks

Firstly, most lifetime subscription offers come from third-party resellers instead of the actual providers themselves. However, purchasing a lifetime VPN via a third-party seller increases cybersecurity and financial risks for customers. You may fall for a scam, or have your data shared.

Weak software

A VPN service needs to invest in first-rate software and new technology to provide users with a continuously premium VPN experience. Lifetime VPNs will often not update their services, meaning users won’t have updated protection against the latest cybersecurity threats.

The VPN shuts down

The worst-case scenario is the VPN service shuts down, taking your money with it and cutting off access to the VPN. Make sure you read the VPN company’s fine print when signing up to see what would happen if the service were to cease operation.

Your data isn’t secure

A lifetime VPN service may maximize its profits by selling user data, including personally identifiable information. Even if the lifetime plan claims to operate a no-logs policy, this could change at any time during your long-term use of the software.

Best Lifetime VPN Alternatives

Simply put, we don’t recommend that you use a lifetime VPN. Fortunately, there are many VPNs with long-term plans over one year that will provide you with plenty of security and privacy online. Here are the VPNs we recommend.

#1

VPN Service: NordVPN

Simultaneous connections / Users: 6
OS support: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Boxee Box, Chromecast, ChromeOS, FireOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Roku, Windows
Streaming: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouSee, DR TV, Disney+, Plex, Kodi, NBC, ESPN, BBC iPlayer, TV Player, HBO Go, HBO Max, Apple TV
Browser Extentions: Firefox, Safari, Chrome

Pros:

  • proiconFast connection
  • proiconZero-log policy
  • proiconMore than 5000 worldwide servers

Cons:

  • coniconFew payment options
  • coniconSplit tunneling unavaible
  • conicon6 Devices Maximum

Capabilities:

  • cross iconUnlimited Bandwidth
  • cross iconKill Switch
  • cross iconSplit Tunneling
  • cross iconZero Data Logging
  • cross iconFree Version / Trial
  • cross iconMobile App
  • cross iconBrowser Extention
  • cross iconNetflix Approved
  • cross iconFirestick Compatible

NordVPN offers Lifetime Subscription

NordVPN offers excellent and renewable long-term plans that you can use for a lifetime. Best of all, since these plans are not typical lifetime subscriptions, you’ll always enjoy the most up-to-date version of Nord’s VPN software.

With NordVPN, you can have access to a vast network with servers spread across all continents. This enables users to bypass geo-restrictions globally, browsing the web under foreign IP addresses.

You can ensure that your VPN use remains undetected as you surf the web, thanks to obfuscated servers. This means you can access sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu without detecting and blocking your VPN.

There is also torrenting support on NordVPN’s server network, meaning you can P2P file share in private. In addition, a kill switch is available to ensure your torrenting data is never exposed.

You can use NordVPN on six devices simultaneously, and the apps are straightforward to use. The setup process is simple and doesn’t require any manual configuration. In addition, NordVPN offers support for many devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, and home routers.

To ensure that your devices remain secure, you can activate NordVPN’s CyberSec feature. This will protect your device from infections such as adware and phishing scams that can appear on malicious websites.

NordVPN operates a no-logging policy and is based in Panama to ensure that user data is always safe and secure. If you sign up to NordVPN and create an account, you can enjoy a 30-day refund policy.

Price Starting At: 3.29 $ / monthly 39.48 $ / annually
For New Users: 30 days free trial + 30-day money-back guarantee
Number of servers: 5400+
#2

VPN Service: Surfshark VPN

Simultaneous connections / Users: Unlimited
OS support: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows
Streaming:
Browser Extentions:

Pros:

  • proiconUnlimited simultaneous connections
  • proiconUnblocks streaming services
  • proiconBased in privacy-friendly country

Cons:

  • coniconNo phone support
  • coniconNo 12 month plan
  • coniconFew payment methods

Capabilities:

  • cross iconUnlimited Bandwidth
  • cross iconKill Switch
  • cross iconSplit Tunneling
  • cross iconZero Data Logging
  • cross iconFree Version / Trial
  • cross iconMobile App
  • cross iconBrowser Extention
  • cross iconNetflix Approved
  • cross iconFirestick Compatible

Surfshark VPN offers Lifetime Subscription

Surfshark offers one of the best affordable alternatives to lifetime VPN subscription deals. Although its short-term plans are relatively expensive, if you commit to 2 years, you will get the VPN for just $2.49 a month.

Surfshark’s VPN solution comes with a range of advanced privacy and security features that are not seen with many lifetime VPN options, including AES-256 bit military-grade encryption and a reliable integrated kill switch that will automatically cut your internet connection if the VPN drops for any reason. This means that your online privacy is always protected.

The company boasts an extensive network of over 3,200 servers, much larger than most lifetime VPNs’ networks. In addition, there is a range of additional features, including MultiHop, which allows you to reroute your data traffic through multiple servers for an extra security layer.

When it comes to online anonymity, Surfshark is an excellent choice, thanks to its strict no-logging policy. The company states that it will never collect, store, monitor, or share private user information, which many less reputable lifetime VPNs cannot say. You don’t have to take the provider’s word for it either, as Surfshark has completed an independent security audit of its software and privacy policies.

Connection speeds are impressive, making Surfshark a great choice if you like overseas streaming. In addition, the provider successfully assesses a host of geo-restricted content on sites including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, and more.

The company offers a range of excellent apps for various devices and operating systems, including Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, macOS, Android TV, and more. The clients are well-designed and intuitive no matter what devices you use. Thanks to the generous unlimited device connections, you can enjoy the privacy and security of premium VPN technology on all of your devices and share the subscription with your loved ones too.

Customer support is excellent with Surfshark, with a comprehensive support section on the website, email, and live chat support. All of Surfshark’s pricing plans are covered by a 30-day refund policy for peace of mind. If you are not completely satisfied within the first month, you can request a full refund, no questions asked.

Price Starting At: 2.49 $ / monthly 29.66 $ / annually
For New Users: 30 -day money-back guarantee
Number of servers: 3200+
#3

VPN Service: ExpressVPN

Simultaneous connections / Users: 5
OS support: Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows
Streaming:
Browser Extentions:

Pros:

  • proiconPlenty of payment methods
  • proicon24 hours live chat support
  • proicon30 days money back guarantee

Cons:

  • coniconMore expensive than competitors
  • coniconOnly 5 simultaneous connections
  • coniconNo servers in Russia

Capabilities:

  • cross iconUnlimited Bandwidth
  • cross iconKill Switch
  • cross iconSplit Tunneling
  • cross iconZero Data Logging
  • cross iconFree Version / Trial
  • cross iconMobile App
  • cross iconBrowser Extention
  • cross iconNetflix Approved
  • cross iconFirestick Compatible

ExpressVPN offers Lifetime Subscription

ExpressVPN is another first-rate service that offers a secure service. Even though its short-term plan is not cheap, there are good deals available if you are happy to commit for a longer period of time.

Your data will be extremely secure with ExpressVPN since it employs AES-256 bit encryption combined with a 4096-bit RSA certificate and support for a wide range of secure protocols. There is Perfect Forward Secrecy technology, too, for extra protection if the encryption key is breached. The provider’s servers operate on RAM-only memory, which is much more secure than traditional hard-drive storage.

Moreover, ExpressVPN’s software, no-logging policy, and website have been independently audited by renowned security company PricewaterhouseCoopers, providing evidence for its strong privacy claims.

The provider successfully unblocks content on almost every streaming site, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, and more. There is complete torrenting support across all ExpressVPN servers, something rarely seen with lifetime products.

Downloading and installing the ExpressVPN clients is quick and easy. The site will offer app download links for the relevant devices. Once the app is installed, the client will launch to reveal a clean and functional interface. Customers can use the VPN on up to 5 devices, which is slightly disappointing considering the provider’s high price.

There is excellent customer support with a helpful support site and a 24/7 live chat available. If you run into difficulties of any kind while using the service, the VPN company offers help anytime.

Pricing deals start at an affordable $6.67 a month if you commit to ExpressVPN’s 1-year plan. There is also a generous 30-day refund policy, something which is rarely seen with lifetime deals.

Price Starting At: 6.67 $ / monthly 99.95 $ / annually
For New Users: 30 days free trial + 30-day money-back guarantee
Number of servers: 3000+
#4

VPN Service: KeepSolid VPN Unlimited

Simultaneous connections / Users: 5
OS support: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows
Streaming:
Browser Extentions:

Pros:

  • proiconFree version available
  • proiconAccepts Bitcoin as payment option
  • proicon7-day free trial

Cons:

  • coniconNo audit of privacy policy
  • coniconLimited features
  • coniconMay throttle bandwidth for torrenters

Capabilities:

  • cross iconUnlimited Bandwidth
  • cross iconKill Switch
  • cross iconSplit Tunneling
  • cross iconZero Data Logging
  • cross iconFree Version / Trial
  • cross iconMobile App
  • cross iconBrowser Extention
  • cross iconNetflix Approved
  • cross iconFirestick Compatible

KeepSolid VPN Unlimited offers Lifetime Subscription

KeepSolid VPN Unlimited is a relatively small but impressive Virtual Private Network service with a lifetime VPN subscription option. However, it is not without limitations, and the provider’s small server network, restricted torrenting support, and limited device support leave room for improvement.

VPN Unlimited is a US-based provider that comes from the developers of KeepSolid. It is one of the few reputable providers to offer lifetime subscriptions to users.

VPN Unlimited has a small network with just over 400 VPN servers. Fortunately, the servers are spread across over 80 locations around the world, with servers in regions that many VPNs tend to ignore, such as Africa.

Streaming and torrenting are supported on this VPN’s network. However, P2P support is restricted to 5 servers in the United States, Canada, France, Romania, and Luxembourg. Although KeepSolid isn’t the fastest VPN, there are, fortunately, fast speeds for buffer-free streams and speedy downloads.

VPN Unlimited excels when it comes to security features with support for IKEv2, OpenVPN, WireGuard protocols. It even offers its own proprietary KeepSolid Wise protocol built on OpenVPN and will scramble your VPN connection for an additional layer of protection.

Another impressive online privacy feature offered by the VPN provider is a DNS firewall. Although this is a standard feature for most premium VPNs, it is good to see it available with a low-cost VPN service. The firewall utilizes DNS addresses to prevent access to dangerous domains to protect your identity and anonymity on the internet.

KeepSolid VPN enables protection for up to 5 devices simultaneously. If you have reached your allocated device connections and need to use the VPN on a new device, you will first have to remove the VPN software from one device before using it on another. Browser extensions count towards the device limit, and you can only remove the VPN from one device per week, which could be limiting for many users.

VPN Unlimited comes with premium support for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android devices, and browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Edge. The client interface is well designed and easy to use. A large Connect button will automatically choose the best available VPN server regarding speed and geographical proximity. The client also features a helpful Favorites section which will save your favorite servers for easy access later on.

If you have enough money to pay for it, the lifetime subscription price is $159.99. However, if you opt for the Lifetime price option, you will have to continue using VPN Unlimited for more than 5 years to see an advantage over the 3-year plan, which works out to $2.22 per month.

It isn’t easy to know whether KeepSolid’s lifetime option will continue to offer a good service or be in existence 5 years from now. However, if you choose to purchase it, we recommend paying with Bitcoin to remain completely anonymous online.

Price Starting At: 4.99 $ / monthly 59.99 $ / annually
For New Users: 7 days free trial + 30-day money-back guarantee
Number of servers: 500+
Table of content

How Long is a ‘Lifetime’ VPN?

Lifetime indicates your entire lifetime. However, a lifetime VPN may only be available for a short time period. Some lifetime VPNs are for 5 years, whereas others are only available for the length of the company’s existence (which could be less than a year). It is extremely important to read the fine print before signing up for a lifetime VPN.

Is a Lifetime VPN a Scam?

Not all lifetime VPNs are a scam. For example, KeepSolid’s VPN Unlimited is a legitimate lifetime VPN that a well-known company offers. However, there are many lifetime VPNs that are a scam, and on average, most low-quality VPNs offer lifetime VPNs. We recommend avoiding lifetime VPNs if you don’t know the VPN service or if it doesn’t offer informative terms and conditions that you can check.

Are Free Lifetime VPNs Safe?

A quick search online for a VPN will reveal a wide variety of free VPNs, which many people see as an excellent alternative to lifetime VPNs. However, not all free VPN providers will protect your browsing data on public wi-fi networks, mask your actual IP address on BitTorrent, or hide your internet activity from your internet provider.

If you have your heart set on a free lifetime VPN, then we recommend ProtonVPN. No other free VPN compares to this incredible service. Firstly, users get unlimited bandwidth and can use the VPN as much as they like. In addition, there is access to three server locations in Japan, The Netherlands, and The US, and users can enjoy a strict no-logging policy.

Unfortunately, Proton’s free VPN service isn’t the best option if you’re looking for fast speeds or streaming site capabilities. If these are priorities for you, you are best off choosing a premium VPN service.

Is a Lifetime VPN Worth it?

If you want access to excellent security features, unblocking abilities, great apps, and 24/7 customer support, don’t use a lifetime VPN. While lifetime VPNs may seem like a great way to save money, they often offer low-quality VPN services and may be untrustworthy. If you want a long-term VPN service, sign up for a plan with a premium VPN that we recommend instead. This will ensure that you stay safe and enjoy unlimited internet freedom.

The Bottom Line

Not all VPNs support lifetime memberships. All VPNs are priced fairly, so pick whichever you like the design and functionalities of. A lifetime VPN has many pros, but even more cons. Understand this, before you buy a new VPN.
Pros

Pros

  • Lifetime VPNs are cheaper
  • Pay for 3 years and save money
Cons

Cons

  • Very few lifetime VPNs
  • Lifetime VPNs are not as secure
  • You burn money if you change to a new VPN
  • Lifetime VPNs are often shady providers
Author Cliff Durward

Hi, I'm Cliff. I'm based in Cleveland, Ohio, with my wife and two kids. I have a keen interest in cybersecurity and have been writing about it for around a decade now. Due to my background in computer science, I am familiar ...
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PrivacySharks » 10 Best VPN Services of 2024 » Lifetime VPN Subscriptions (and reasons to avoid them)
Last updated: June 27, 2022