NordVPN and ExpressVPN Top Complaints Over Surprise Auto-Renewals on Play Store

Full text

The VPN industry has a problem. For a significant number of people, their VPN subscription has quietly auto-renewed, jumped in price, or cost more than they initially bargained for.

The issue is so bad that multiple VPN providers — including ExpressVPN , NordVPN and Surfshark — have faced legal scrutiny over their auto-renewal practices.

This creates a dilemma for us at TechRadar when it comes to recommending VPNs. We are confident these are the best VPNs available — they are the fastest , most secure , and best at streaming — but it's clear that more needs to be done to ensure fair and transparent billing.

To get a better understanding of people's real-world experience using our top-rated VPNs, we analyzed almost 30,000 Android VPN reviews across the 'Big 4' — NordVPN , ExpressVPN , Surfshark & Proton VPN — published on the Play Store since the beginning of the year.

The results are stark. Across the entire Play Store dataset, people are mostly happy with the apps — just 35% of overall written comments are negative. But when we looked at billing and pricing specifically, that figure rose to almost 60%.

Read on to find out which provider performed the best, which you might want to be wary of, and the key practical steps to avoid common VPN issues.

This article is the first in a series investigating real-world customer experience of using major VPN services, inspired by our exclusive analysis of user-generated Android VPN reviews.

Which VPN has the most positive reviews?

The vast majority of written Android reviews offer little insight into how people really feel. There are thousands of generic entries like "top app," "good," "ok," or "bad."

However, once we filtered out the noise, billing and pricing issues emerged as a significant area of frustration, accounting for almost 30% of all categorized feedback.

Because total review counts varied widely between brands, we compared percentages rather than raw numbers. Attitudes were scored using a machine-learning model supported by manual human checks.

Read more about our methodology here .

When it comes to billing and price satisfaction, Proton VPN is the clear winner. Just 35% of billing-related comments were negative. However, that’s in large part because of the free tier it offers.

In fact, if you remove references to the product being 'free,' the rate of negative comments rises to 57%. While that points to significant underlying friction for paid accounts, it’s still better than the rest.

By contrast, the remaining market leaders face significant dissatisfaction:

NordVPN : 83% negative billing sentiment

ExpressVPN : 79% negative billing sentiment

Surfshark : 71% negative billing sentiment

It wasn’t all bad news, though. There was some positive feedback, with one user praising Surfshark for its "outstanding value for money" and another calling NordVPN the "best affordable" VPN. But for the majority of reviewers, issues around free trials, auto-renewals and price hikes dominated.

Of course, all written reviews skew towards negative emotions as consumers seek to fix or change something. However, taken together they demonstrate a comprehensive picture with clear issues at play.

Free trials, auto-renewals, and price hikes

Across all of the reviews analyzed, three distinct issues appeared.

Firstly, it’s clear many people are experiencing issues with free trials. Specifically, people are signing up only to find themselves charged automatically.

As one Surfshark user wrote: “Wanted to try using the free trial, [it] didn’t work and still charged me for a month.” Meanwhile, a NordVPN user reported not being able to “cancel my free trial just days in.”

Another source of friction occurs when automatic renewals are triggered. And it impacts all of the providers mentioned. As one Proton VPN reviewer wrote: "A lot of users would appreciate more transparency before renewals happen.”

Closely related to the automated renewals are the price hikes that are associated with them. Even if you sign up for a certain price for a year, VPN providers often use more expensive rates at the point of renewing a user’s subscription.

One ExpressVPN user wrote: "Of course every time they renewed my subscription they used old prices and never told me about it.” Meanwhile, a Surfshark reviewer put it even more succinctly for others: “Beware of subscription auto renewal.”

@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Open+Sans:wght@400;700&display=swap');@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Poppins:wght@400;700&display=swap');#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird *, #fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird *:before, #fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird *:after, #fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird-slideshow *, #fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird-slideshow *:before, #fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird-slideshow *:after {box-sizing: border-box !important; margin: 0; padding: 0; border: 0;font-size: 100%; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird, #fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird-slideshow { font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird {position: relative !important; overflow: visible !important;--riv-primary: #2E6E93;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-inner-wrapper {color: #1F2937 !important; background-color: #ffffff !important;padding: 1.5rem 1.5rem 2rem !important; border-radius: 0.5rem !important;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) !important;margin: 1rem 0 !important; display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important;overflow: hidden !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-inner-wrapper.fv-no-header.fv-is-image-compare {padding-top: 0 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.fv-full-bleed {width: 100vw !important;margin-left: calc(50% - 50vw) !important;}body {overflow-x: clip !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.fv-full-bleed .fv-inner-wrapper {padding: 0 !important;border-radius: 0 !important;box-shadow: none !important;margin: 0 !important;background-color: transparent !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-inner-wrapper.fv-is-shop-the-look {padding: 0 !important;border-radius: 0 !important;box-shadow: none !important;margin: 0 !important;background-color: transparent !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird-slideshow {position: relative !important;width: 100% !important;margin: 1rem 0 !important;--riv-primary: #2E6E93;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird-slideshow .fv-slides-wrapper {position: relative !important;width: 100% !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird-slideshow .fv-slide {width: 100% !important;animation: fv-fade-in 0.3s ease-in-out;}@keyframes fv-fade-in {from { opacity: 0; }to { opacity: 1; }}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird-slideshow .fv-slideshow-nav-row {position: relative !important;display: flex !important;justify-content: space-between !important;align-items: center !important;padding: 0 0 16px 0 !important;width: 100% !important;z-index: 20 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird-slideshow .fv-nav-btn {background-color: var(--riv-primary) !important;color: #ffffff !important;border: none !important;border-radius: 4px !important;padding: 8px 16px !important;font-size: 14px !important;font-weight: 700 !important;cursor: pointer !important;display: flex !important;align-items: center !important;justify-content: center !important;gap: 6px !important;transition: opacity 0.2s, background-color 0.2s !important;height: 36px !important;text-transform: none !important;box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,0.1) !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird-slideshow .fv-nav-btn svg {width: 18px !important;height: 18px !important;stroke-width: 3px !important;filter: none !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird-slideshow .fv-nav-btn:hover {opacity: 0.9 !important;transform: translateY(-1px) !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird-slideshow .fv-nav-btn.disabled {background-color: #E5E7EB !important;color: #9CA3AF !important;cursor: default !important;pointer-events: none !important;box-shadow: none !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird-slideshow .fv-slide-counter {font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif !important;font-size: 14px !important;font-weight: 600 !important;color: #374151 !important;text-align: center !important;min-width: 40px !important;background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.8) !important;padding: 2px 8px !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird-slideshow .fv-slideshow-select {position: absolute !important;top: 10px !important;right: 10px !important;z-index: 20 !important;appearance: none !important;-webkit-appearance: none !important;-moz-appearance: none !important;background-color: white !important;border: 1px solid #d1d5db !important;color: #1F2937 !important;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important;font-size: 14px !important;font-weight: 600 !important;padding: 6px 32px 6px 12px !important;border-radius: 4px !important;cursor: pointer !important;box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,0.05) !important;background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' fill='none' viewBox='0 0 20 20'%3e%3cpath stroke='%236b7280' stroke-linecap='round' stroke-linejoin='round' stroke-width='1.5' d='M6 8l4 4 4-4'/%3e%3c/svg%3e") !important;background-position: right 0.5rem center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: 1.5em 1.5em !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird-slideshow .fv-slideshow-select:focus {outline: 2px solid #2E6E93 !important;border-color: #2E6E93 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-chart-title {font-weight: bold !important;text-align: center !important;margin-bottom: 0.5rem !important;color: var(--riv-primary) !important;font-size: 20px !important;line-height: 1.2 !important;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important;text-transform: none !important;white-space: normal !important;overflow-wrap: break-word !important;padding: 0 20px !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-chart-subhead {font-size: 18px !important;font-weight: 500 !important;text-align: center !important;margin-bottom: 2rem !important;color: #374151 !important;line-height: 1.7 !important;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important;display: block !important;text-transform: none !important;padding: 0 20px !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .rv-chart-caption { font-size: 15px !important; color: #374151 !important; text-align: center !important; font-style: normal !important; font-weight: normal !important; line-height: 1.7 !important; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important; display: block !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-chart { display: flex; flex-direction: column; width: 100%; margin-top: 1rem; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-header { display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0 1rem; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-select-wrapper { flex: 1; min-width: 0; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-left { text-align: center; padding-right: 1rem; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-right { text-align: center; padding-left: 1rem; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-select-container { position: relative; display: inline-block; max-width: 100%; width: 100%; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-chevron { position: absolute; top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%); pointer-events: none; width: 16px; height: 16px; flex-shrink: 0; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-left .fv-versus-chevron { right: 0; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-right .fv-versus-chevron { right: 0; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-select { background: transparent; border: none; border-bottom: 2px solid; font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; padding: 0.25rem 0; cursor: pointer; outline: none; appearance: none; -webkit-appearance: none; -moz-appearance: none; max-width: 100%; width: 100%; text-overflow: ellipsis; overflow: hidden; white-space: nowrap; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-select.fv-select-left { text-align: center; direction: ltr; padding-right: 1.25rem; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-select.fv-select-right { text-align: center; padding-right: 1.25rem; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-select option { font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-weight: 400; font-size: 14px; color: #374151; direction: ltr; text-align: left; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-vs { font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; color: #374151; letter-spacing: 0.1em; padding: 0 1rem; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-body { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 1.5rem; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-row { position: relative; height: auto; padding-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.25rem; display: block; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-bar-container { position: relative; height: 32px; display: flex; align-items: center; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-bar-left-wrapper { flex: 1; height: 100%; display: flex; justify-content: flex-end; align-items: center; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-bar-right-wrapper { flex: 1; height: 100%; display: flex; justify-content: flex-start; align-items: center; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-bar { height: 32px; width: var(--target-width); transition: width 0.8s ease-out; animation: fv-grow-max-width 0.8s ease-out forwards; display: flex; align-items: center; overflow: hidden; color: #ffffff; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-bar-left { border-radius: 4px 0 0 4px; justify-content: flex-end; padding: 0 8px; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-bar-right { border-radius: 0 4px 4px 0; justify-content: flex-start; padding: 0 8px; }@keyframes fv-grow-max-width {from { max-width: 0; }to { max-width: 100%; }}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-center-line { position: absolute; left: 50%; top: 0; bottom: 0; width: 4px; background-color: #ffffff; transform: translateX(-50%); z-index: 1; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-inside-left { white-space: nowrap; flex-shrink: 0; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-inside-right { white-space: nowrap; flex-shrink: 0; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-val-text { font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-pct-diff { font-size: 12px; font-weight: 600; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-label { position: absolute; left: 50%; transform: translateX(-50%); top: 0; background-color: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: none; padding: 0; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; color: #374151; white-space: nowrap; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .sr-only { position: absolute !important; width: 1px !important; height: 1px !important; padding: 0 !important; margin: -1px !important; overflow: hidden !important; clip: rect(0,0,0,0) !important; white-space: nowrap !important; border: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bottom-bar { display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; align-items: center !important; margin-top: 0.5rem !important; gap: 1rem !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-footer-content { text-align: center !important; width: 100% !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-logo {display: block !important;margin: 0 auto !important;width: 120px !important;min-width: 120px !important;max-width: 120px !important;height: auto !important;object-fit: contain !important;flex-shrink: 0 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-dropdown-wrapper { text-align: center !important; margin-bottom: 16px !important; margin-top: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-dropdown-title-container { position: relative !important; display: inline-block !important; max-width: 100% !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-dropdown-title {appearance: none !important;-webkit-appearance: none !important;-moz-appearance: none !important;background: transparent !important;border: none !important;font-size: 18px !important;font-weight: 600 !important;color: var(--riv-primary) !important;padding-right: 28px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;cursor: pointer !important;text-align: center !important;text-align-last: center !important;width: auto !important;max-width: 100% !important;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important;line-height: 1.3 !important;margin: 0 !important;text-overflow: ellipsis !important;overflow: hidden !important;white-space: nowrap !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-dropdown-title:focus { outline: none !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-dropdown-title::-ms-expand { display: none !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-dropdown-chevron {position: absolute !important;right: 0 !important;top: 50% !important;transform: translateY(-50%) !important;pointer-events: none !important;color: var(--riv-primary) !important;display: flex !important;align-items: center !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-carousel-title-controls { display: flex !important; justify-content: space-between !important; align-items: center !important; margin-bottom: 16px !important; width: 100% !important; gap: 12px !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-carousel-nav-btn {background: transparent !important; border: 1px solid #d1d5db !important; border-radius: 6px !important; padding: 6px 10px !important;cursor: pointer !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; gap: 4px !important; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-carousel-nav-btn:hover { border-color: #9ca3af !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-carousel-counter { font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; text-align: center !important; margin-top: 1rem !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-legend { display: flex !important; justify-content: center !important; flex-wrap: wrap !important; gap: 8px 16px !important; margin: 0 !important; padding: 0 !important; margin-top: 1rem !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-legend-item { display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; gap: 6px !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-legend-color { width: 12px !important; height: 12px !important; border-radius: 3px !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-multi-value-legend {display: flex !important;justify-content: center !important;flex-wrap: wrap !important;gap: 12px 24px !important;margin-bottom: 1.5rem !important;padding: 0 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-multi-legend-item { display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; gap: 8px !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; font-weight: 500 !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-multi-legend-swatch { width: 16px !important; height: 16px !important; border-radius: 3px !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-benchmark-group { margin-bottom: 1rem !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-benchmark-title {font-size: 18px !important; font-weight: 600 !important; margin-bottom: 16px !important; margin-top: 0 !important; padding: 0 !important;text-align: center !important; color: var(--riv-primary) !important; flex: 1 !important; min-width: 0 !important;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3 !important;text-transform: none !important;white-space: normal !important;overflow-wrap: break-word !important;word-wrap: break-word !important;max-width: 100% !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-row, #fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-stacked-product { display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; width: 100% !important; margin-bottom: 0.75rem !important; position: relative !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-label { width: 150px !important; flex-shrink: 0 !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; padding-right: 10px !important; text-align: right !important; font-weight: 500 !important; display: block !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-container { flex-grow: 1 !important; background-color: #E5E7EB !important; border-radius: 4px !important; min-height: 25px !important; border: 1px solid #D1D5DB !important; position: relative !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-commentary-inline { display: none !important; position: absolute !important; left: 150px !important; top: 0 !important; bottom: 0 !important; right: 0 !important; width: calc(100% - 150px) !important; margin: 0 !important; padding: 0 8px !important; font-size: 13px !important; color: #fff !important; background: rgba(0,0,0,0.8) !important; border-radius: 4px !important; line-height: 1.4 !important; font-weight: normal !important; text-transform: none !important; word-wrap: break-word !important; z-index: 10 !important; align-items: center !important; overflow-y: auto !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.preview-wrapper .fv-bar-row:hover .fv-bar-commentary-inline, #fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.preview-wrapper .fv-bar-commentary-inline:focus, #fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.preview-wrapper .fv-bar-commentary-inline:focus-within, #fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-bar-row:hover .fv-bar-commentary-inline, #fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-bar-commentary-inline:focus, #fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-bar-commentary-inline:focus-within { display: flex !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar { height: 100% !important; border-radius: 3px !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; transition: opacity 0.2s ease, width 0.8s ease-out !important; min-height: 23px !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar:hover { opacity: 0.8 !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-inner-content { display: flex !important; justify-content: space-between !important; align-items: center !important; width: 100% !important; height: 100% !important; padding: 0 8px !important; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: bold !important; overflow: hidden !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-inner-label { white-space: nowrap !important; overflow: hidden !important; text-overflow: ellipsis !important; padding-right: 8px !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-inner-value { flex-shrink: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-value-outside { padding-left: 8px !important; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: bold !important; color: #374151 !important; white-space: nowrap !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-label.fv-primary-product { font-weight: bold !important; color: var(--riv-primary) !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-multi-bar-container { flex-direction: column !important; padding: 4px !important; align-items: stretch !important; gap: 4px !important; height: auto !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-multi-bar-item { display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; height: 25px !important; width: 100% !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-stacked-bar { display: flex !important; overflow: hidden !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-stacked-segment { height: 100% !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: flex-end !important; padding-right: 8px !important; border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.3) !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-stacked-segment:last-child { border-right: none !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-segment-value { font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: bold !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-grouped-bar-product { display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; width: 100% !important; margin-bottom: 1.25rem !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-grouped-product-title-wrapper { padding-left: 150px !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-grouped-product-title { width: 100% !important; text-align: left !important; padding-right: 0 !important; margin-bottom: 0.5rem !important; font-weight: 700 !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; text-transform: none !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-cluster { width: 100% !important; flex-grow: 1 !important; display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-cluster .fv-bar-row { margin-bottom: 3px !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-cluster .fv-bar-container { height: 20px !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .riv-grid line {stroke: #D1D5DB !important;stroke-dasharray: 3 3 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-x-axis-wrapper { display: flex !important; width: 100% !important; margin-top: 0.5rem !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-x-axis-label-space { width: 150px !important; padding-right: 10px !important; flex-shrink: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-x-axis-chart-space { flex-grow: 1 !important; padding-right: 8px !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-x-axis-wrapper.fv-grouped-x-axis { margin-left: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-x-axis-line { border-top: 1px solid #D1D5DB !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-x-axis-ticks { display: flex !important; justify-content: space-between !important; padding-top: 4px !important; font-size: 13px !important; color: #374151 !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-x-axis-ticks span { position: relative !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-x-axis-ticks span::before { content: '' !important; position: absolute !important; top: -6px !important; left: 50% !important; transform: translateX(-50%) !important; width: 2px !important; height: 4px !important; background-color: #D1D5DB !important; border-radius: 1px !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-x-axis-unit { text-align: center !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; margin-top: 8px !important; display: block !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-x-axis-title { text-align: center !important; font-size: 15px !important; color: #374151 !important; margin-top: 8px !important; margin-bottom: 16px !important; line-height: 1.5 !important; padding: 0 1rem !important; display: block !important; font-weight: bold !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-y-axis-title {font-size: 15px !important;color: #374151 !important;line-height: 1.5 !important;text-align: left !important;padding-left: 5.83% !important;margin-bottom: 4px !important;display: block !important;font-weight: bold !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-pie-container,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-pie-container {flex-direction: column !important; gap: 1rem !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-grouped-product-title-wrapper,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-grouped-product-title-wrapper {padding-left: 0 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-bar-row,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-stacked-product,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-grouped-bar-product,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-bar-row,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-stacked-product,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-grouped-bar-product {flex-direction: column !important; align-items: flex-start !important; margin-bottom: 1.25rem !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-bar-label:not(.fv-grouped-product-title),#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-bar-label:not(.fv-grouped-product-title) {width: 100% !important; text-align: left !important; padding-right: 0 !important; margin-bottom: 0.25rem !important; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: 700 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-bar-label,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-grouped-product-title,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-bar-label,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-grouped-product-title {width: 100% !important; text-align: left !important; padding-right: 0 !important; margin-bottom: 0.25rem !important; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: 700 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-bar-container,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-bar-cluster,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-bar-container,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-bar-cluster {width: 100% !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-bar-row .fv-bar-commentary-inline,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-bar-row:hover .fv-bar-commentary-inline,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-bar-row .fv-bar-commentary-inline:focus,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-bar-row .fv-bar-commentary-inline:focus-within,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-bar-row .fv-bar-commentary-inline,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-bar-row:hover .fv-bar-commentary-inline,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-bar-row .fv-bar-commentary-inline:focus,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-bar-row .fv-bar-commentary-inline:focus-within {position: static !important; display: block !important; width: 100% !important; margin: 4px 0 0 0 !important; padding: 0 !important; background: transparent !important; color: #6B7280 !important; font-size: 12px !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-x-axis-wrapper,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-x-axis-wrapper {margin-left: 0 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-x-axis-label-space,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-x-axis-label-space {display: none !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-x-axis-chart-space,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-x-axis-chart-space {padding-right: 0 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-benchmark-title,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-benchmark-title {font-size: 16px !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-dropdown-title,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-dropdown-title {font-size: 16px !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-carousel-nav-btn,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-carousel-nav-btn {padding: 8px 12px !important; font-size: 14px !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-chart-title,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-chart-title {padding: 0 8px !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-chart-subhead,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-chart-subhead {padding: 0 8px !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-versus-header,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-versus-header {flex-direction: column !important; align-items: center !important; padding: 0 !important; gap: 0.5rem !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-versus-select-wrapper,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-versus-select-wrapper {flex: 1 !important; min-width: 0 !important; width: 100% !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-left,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-left {text-align: center !important; padding-right: 0 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-right,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-right {text-align: center !important; padding-left: 0 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-versus-select.fv-select-left,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-versus-select.fv-select-left {text-align: center !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-versus-select.fv-select-right,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-versus-select.fv-select-right {text-align: center !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-versus-vs,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-versus-vs {text-align: center !important; padding: 0.25rem 0 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-versus-select-container,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-versus-select-container {max-width: 100% !important; width: 100% !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-versus-select,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-versus-select {font-size: 14px !important; width: 100% !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-stl-shop-all-btn,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-stl-shop-all-btn {bottom: 0.5rem !important; right: 0.5rem !important; height: 2rem !important; font-size: 0.75rem !important; padding: 0 0.75rem 0 2.5rem !important; max-width: calc(100% - 1rem) !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-stl-shop-all-logo,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-stl-shop-all-icon,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-stl-shop-all-logo,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-stl-shop-all-icon {width: 2rem !important; height: 2rem !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-stl-shop-all-icon svg,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-stl-shop-all-icon svg {width: 14px !important; height: 14px !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-bar-commentary-inline,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.labels-on-top .fv-bar-commentary-inline {display: block !important; margin-left: 0 !important; width: 100% !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view .fv-y-axis-title { padding-left: 5% !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.mobile-view.fv-contains-line-chart .fv-footer-content {margin-left: -1rem !important;margin-right: -1rem !important;}@media (max-width: 599px) {#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-pie-container {flex-direction: column !important; gap: 1rem !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-grouped-product-title-wrapper {padding-left: 0 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-row,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-stacked-product,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-grouped-bar-product {flex-direction: column !important; align-items: flex-start !important; margin-bottom: 1.25rem !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-label:not(.fv-grouped-product-title) {width: 100% !important; text-align: left !important; padding-right: 0 !important; margin-bottom: 0.25rem !important; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: 700 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-label,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-grouped-product-title {width: 100% !important; text-align: left !important; padding-right: 0 !important; margin-bottom: 0.25rem !important; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: 700 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-container,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-cluster {width: 100% !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-row .fv-bar-commentary-inline,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-row:hover .fv-bar-commentary-inline,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-row .fv-bar-commentary-inline:focus,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-row .fv-bar-commentary-inline:focus-within {position: static !important; display: block !important; width: 100% !important; margin: 4px 0 0 0 !important; padding: 0 !important; background: transparent !important; color: #6B7280 !important; font-size: 12px !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-x-axis-wrapper {margin-left: 0 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-x-axis-label-space {display: none !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-x-axis-chart-space {padding-right: 0 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-benchmark-title {font-size: 16px !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-dropdown-title {font-size: 16px !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-carousel-nav-btn {padding: 8px 12px !important; font-size: 14px !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-chart-title {padding: 0 8px !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-chart-subhead {padding: 0 8px !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-header {flex-direction: column !important; align-items: center !important; padding: 0 !important; gap: 0.5rem !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-select-wrapper {flex: 1 !important; min-width: 0 !important; width: 100% !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-left {text-align: center !important; padding-right: 0 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-right {text-align: center !important; padding-left: 0 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-select.fv-select-left {text-align: center !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-select.fv-select-right {text-align: center !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-vs {text-align: center !important; padding: 0.25rem 0 !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-select-container {max-width: 100% !important; width: 100% !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-versus-select {font-size: 14px !important; width: 100% !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-stl-shop-all-btn {bottom: 0.5rem !important; right: 0.5rem !important; height: 2rem !important; font-size: 0.75rem !important; padding: 0 0.75rem 0 2.5rem !important; max-width: calc(100% - 1rem) !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-stl-shop-all-logo,#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-stl-shop-all-icon {width: 2rem !important; height: 2rem !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-stl-shop-all-icon svg {width: 14px !important; height: 14px !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-bar-commentary-inline {display: block !important; margin-left: 0 !important; width: 100% !important;}#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird .fv-y-axis-title { padding-left: 5% !important; }#fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird.fv-contains-line-chart .fv-footer-content {margin-left: -1rem !important;margin-right: -1rem !important;}} {"@context": "https://schema.org","@type": "Dataset","name": "VPN auto-renewal costs","description": "Comparing the prices of 1-year VPN plans across the 'big four' initially and after renewal","creator": {"@type": "Organization","name": "TechRadar","logo": "https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dAwPEozB9GMMhAngdFJTHb.png"},"isAccessibleForFree": true,"dateCreated": "2026-07-28T15:07:47.480Z","citation": "Add your caption to explain the data, the learnings and the key takeaways of the data being visualized","keywords": ["NordVPN","Surfshark","ExpressVPN","Proton VPN","Initial cost","Renewal cost","Group 1","benchmark","comparison","performance","review","TechRadar"],"measurementTechnique": "Performance Benchmarking","variableMeasured": [{"@type": "PropertyValue","name": "NordVPN – Initial cost","value": 53.88,"unitText": "USD"},{"@type": "PropertyValue","name": "NordVPN – Renewal cost","value": 139.08,"unitText": "USD"},{"@type": "PropertyValue","name": "Surfshark – Initial cost","value": 50.85,"unitText": "USD"},{"@type": "PropertyValue","name": "Surfshark – Renewal cost","value": 79,"unitText": "USD"},{"@type": "PropertyValue","name": "ExpressVPN – Initial cost","value": 74.85,"unitText": "USD"},{"@type": "PropertyValue","name": "ExpressVPN – Renewal cost","value": 99.95,"unitText": "USD"},{"@type": "PropertyValue","name": "Proton VPN – Initial cost","value": 47.88,"unitText": "USD"},{"@type": "PropertyValue","name": "Proton VPN – Renewal cost","value": 83.88,"unitText": "USD"}]} VPN auto-renewal costs

Comparing the prices of 1-year VPN plans across the 'big four' initially and after renewal

NordVPN

Initial cost

53.88

Renewal cost

139.08

Surfshark

Initial cost

50.85

Renewal cost

79

ExpressVPN

Initial cost

74.85

Renewal cost

99.95

Proton VPN

Initial cost

47.88

Renewal cost

83.88

0 37.5 75 112.5 150

USD

Group 1 Data Product Initial cost (USD) Renewal cost (USD)

NordVPN 53.88 139.08

Surfshark 50.85 79

ExpressVPN 74.85 99.95

Proton VPN 47.88 83.88

window.iFrameResizer = {heightCalculationMethod: 'taggedElement'}; (function() {window.fvAnimateCharts = function(chartWrapper) {if (!chartWrapper) return;function animateBars(chartElement) {if (!chartElement) return;var bars = chartElement.querySelectorAll('.fv-bar, .fv-stacked-segment');bars.forEach(function(bar, index) {bar.style.setProperty('width', '0%', 'important');bar.style.setProperty('transition', 'none', 'important');var targetWidth = bar.dataset.targetWidth;if (targetWidth === undefined) return;void bar.offsetWidth;var targetMargin = bar.dataset.targetMargin;var baseMargin = bar.dataset.baseMargin;if (baseMargin !== undefined) {bar.style.setProperty('margin-left', baseMargin + '%', 'important');}setTimeout(function() {var marginTransition = baseMargin !== undefined ? ', margin-left 0.8s ease-out' : '';bar.style.setProperty('transition', 'opacity 0.2s ease, width 0.8s ease-out' + marginTransition, 'important');bar.style.setProperty('width', targetWidth + '%', 'important');if (targetMargin !== undefined && baseMargin !== undefined) {bar.style.setProperty('margin-left', targetMargin + '%', 'important');}}, index * 50 + 50);});}function animateLineChart(chartElement) {if (!chartElement) return;var lineSvg = chartElement.querySelector('svg');if (!lineSvg) return;var paths = lineSvg.querySelectorAll('.riv-line-path');paths.forEach(function(p, i) {if (typeof p.getTotalLength === 'function') {var len = p.getTotalLength();p.style.transition = 'none';p.style.strokeDasharray = len;p.style.strokeDashoffset = len;p.getBoundingClientRect();setTimeout(function() {p.style.transition = 'stroke-dashoffset 1s ease-out ' + (i * 0.1) + 's, stroke-width 0.2s, opacity 0.2s';p.style.strokeDashoffset = '0';}, 100);}});var dots = lineSvg.querySelectorAll('.riv-dot');dots.forEach(function(dot, i) {dot.style.opacity = '0';setTimeout(function() {dot.style.transition = 'opacity 0.3s ease';dot.style.opacity = '1';}, 500 + i * 10);});}var charts = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-chart-item');charts.forEach(function(chart) {if (window.getComputedStyle(chart).display === 'none') return;var chartType = chart.dataset.chartType;if (chartType === 'Line') {animateLineChart(chart);} else if (chartType !== 'Pie') {animateBars(chart);}});};function initialize(uniqueId, isSlideshow) {var root = document.getElementById(uniqueId);if (!root && !isSlideshow) return;function setupWrapper(chartWrapper) {if (!chartWrapper) return;function checkMobileView() {var width = chartWrapper.getBoundingClientRect().width;var isMobileDevice = window.screen && Math.min(window.screen.width, window.screen.height) rightNum) {winner = 'left';if (rightNum > 0) {var diff = Math.round(((leftNum - rightNum) / rightNum) * 100);pctDiffStr = '+' + diff.toLocaleString() + '%';}} else if (rightNum > leftNum) {winner = 'right';if (leftNum > 0) {var diff = Math.round(((rightNum - leftNum) / leftNum) * 100);pctDiffStr = '+' + diff.toLocaleString() + '%';}}}var leftDisplay = data.productData[leftProduct] && data.productData[leftProduct].displayValue !== undefined ? data.productData[leftProduct].displayValue : (leftIsNum ? leftNum.toLocaleString() : (leftVal !== undefined ? leftVal : '-'));var rightDisplay = data.productData[rightProduct] && data.productData[rightProduct].displayValue !== undefined ? data.productData[rightProduct].displayValue : (rightIsNum ? rightNum.toLocaleString() : (rightVal !== undefined ? rightVal : '-'));var unit = (data.productData[leftProduct] && data.productData[leftProduct].unit) ||(data.productData[rightProduct] && data.productData[rightProduct].unit) || '';var leftTextStr = leftDisplay;var rightTextStr = rightDisplay;var leftBar = row.querySelector('.fv-versus-bar-left');var rightBar = row.querySelector('.fv-versus-bar-right');var leftText = row.querySelector('.fv-inside-left');var rightText = row.querySelector('.fv-inside-right');var labelText = row.querySelector('.fv-versus-label span');var leftWrapper = row.querySelector('.fv-versus-bar-left-wrapper');var rightWrapper = row.querySelector('.fv-versus-bar-right-wrapper');var existingPctDiffs = row.querySelectorAll('.fv-versus-pct-diff');existingPctDiffs.forEach(function(el) { el.remove(); });if (winner === 'left' && pctDiffStr) {var pctSpan = document.createElement('span');pctSpan.className = 'fv-versus-pct-diff';pctSpan.style.color = 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9)';pctSpan.textContent = pctDiffStr;if (leftBar) leftBar.insertBefore(pctSpan, leftBar.firstChild);} else if (winner === 'right' && pctDiffStr) {var pctSpan = document.createElement('span');pctSpan.className = 'fv-versus-pct-diff';pctSpan.style.color = 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9)';pctSpan.textContent = pctDiffStr;if (rightBar) rightBar.appendChild(pctSpan);}if (leftBar) {leftBar.style.backgroundColor = leftColor;leftBar.dataset.targetWidth = leftWidth;leftBar.style.setProperty('--target-width', leftWidth + '%');leftBar.style.width = leftWidth + '%';}if (rightBar) {rightBar.style.backgroundColor = rightColor;rightBar.dataset.targetWidth = rightWidth;rightBar.style.setProperty('--target-width', rightWidth + '%');rightBar.style.width = rightWidth + '%';}if (leftText) {leftText.innerHTML = leftTextStr;}if (rightText) {rightText.innerHTML = rightTextStr;}if (labelText) {labelText.textContent = data.attribute + (unit ? ' (' + unit + ')' : '');}});}if (leftSelect) leftSelect.addEventListener('change', updateVersusChart);if (rightSelect) rightSelect.addEventListener('change', updateVersusChart);});var barRows = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-bar-row');var globalCaptionEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.rv-chart-caption');var fallbackCaptionHtml = globalCaptionEl ? globalCaptionEl.innerHTML : '';barRows.forEach(function(row) {var commentaryEl = row.querySelector('[data-commentary-key]');if (commentaryEl) {var commentaryText = commentaryEl.textContent;if (commentaryText && commentaryText.trim().length > 0) {row.addEventListener('mouseenter', function() {if (!chartWrapper.classList.contains('mobile-view') && globalCaptionEl) {globalCaptionEl.innerHTML = commentaryText;globalCaptionEl.classList.add('fv-bar-active-caption');}});row.addEventListener('mouseleave', function() {if (!chartWrapper.classList.contains('mobile-view') && globalCaptionEl) {globalCaptionEl.innerHTML = fallbackCaptionHtml;globalCaptionEl.classList.remove('fv-bar-active-caption');}});}}});var charts = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-chart-item');var dropdown = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-dropdown-title');var prevBtn = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-carousel-nav-btn.prev');var nextBtn = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-carousel-nav-btn.next');var carouselTitle = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-carousel-title-controls .fv-benchmark-title');var counter = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-carousel-counter');var subheadEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-chart-subhead');var captionEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.rv-chart-caption');var footerContentEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-footer-content');var bottomBarEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-bottom-bar');var logoEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-logo');if (charts.length > 1 && (dropdown || prevBtn)) {var currentChartIndex = 0;var titles = [];if (dropdown) {titles = Array.from(dropdown.options).map(function(o) { return o.text; });} else {charts.forEach(function(c) {titles.push(c.getAttribute('data-title') || '');});}function showInternalChart(index) {if (index = charts.length) index = 0;currentChartIndex = index;charts.forEach(function(c, i) {c.style.display = i === index ? 'block' : 'none';if (i === index) {var cType = c.dataset.chartType;if (cType === 'Line') {} else if (cType !== 'Pie') {window.fvAnimateCharts(chartWrapper);}var labelsOnTop = chartWrapper.dataset.barLabelsOnTop === 'true';if (labelsOnTop && (cType === 'Bar' || cType === 'Stacked Bar' || cType === 'Versus')) {chartWrapper.classList.add('labels-on-top');} else {chartWrapper.classList.remove('labels-on-top');}}});if (dropdown) dropdown.value = index;if (carouselTitle && titles[index]) carouselTitle.textContent = titles[index];if (counter) counter.textContent = (index + 1) + ' of ' + charts.length;var activeChart = charts[index];if (activeChart) {var newSubhead = activeChart.getAttribute('data-subhead');var newCaption = activeChart.getAttribute('data-caption');var currentChartType = activeChart.getAttribute('data-chart-type');var hideGlobalCaption = currentChartType === 'Countdown' || currentChartType === 'Image Comparison' || currentChartType === 'Shop the Collection';if (subheadEl) subheadEl.textContent = newSubhead || '';if (captionEl) {captionEl.textContent = newCaption || '';fallbackCaptionHtml = newCaption || '';}if (footerContentEl) {if (newCaption && newCaption.trim().length > 0 && !hideGlobalCaption) {footerContentEl.style.display = 'block';if (bottomBarEl) bottomBarEl.style.display = 'flex';} else {footerContentEl.style.display = 'none';if (bottomBarEl && !logoEl) {bottomBarEl.style.display = 'none';}}}}}if (dropdown) dropdown.addEventListener('change', function(e) { showInternalChart(parseInt(e.target.value)); });if (prevBtn) prevBtn.addEventListener('click', function() { showInternalChart(currentChartIndex - 1); });if (nextBtn) nextBtn.addEventListener('click', function() { showInternalChart(currentChartIndex + 1); });}var imageCompareWrappers = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-image-compare-wrapper');imageCompareWrappers.forEach(function(wrapper) {var inner = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-inner') || wrapper;var slider = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-slider');var fgImage = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-fg');var bgImage = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-bg');var labelLeft = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-label-left');var labelRight = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-label-right');var isDragging = false;var scale = 1;var panX = 0;var panY = 0;var isPanning = false;var hasPanned = false;var lastClientX = 0;var lastClientY = 0;var initialDistance = null;var lastCenterX = null;var lastCenterY = null;function updateTransform() {if (wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen')) {inner.style.setProperty('transform', 'translate(' + panX + 'px, ' + panY + 'px) scale(' + scale + ')', 'important');} else {inner.style.removeProperty('transform');scale = 1;panX = 0;panY = 0;}}function constrainPan() {var rect = wrapper.getBoundingClientRect();var maxPanX = Math.max(0, (rect.width * scale - rect.width) / 2);var maxPanY = Math.max(0, (rect.height * scale - rect.height) / 2);panX = Math.max(-maxPanX, Math.min(panX, maxPanX));panY = Math.max(-maxPanY, Math.min(panY, maxPanY));}wrapper.addEventListener('wheel', function(e) {if (!wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen')) return;e.preventDefault();var zoomSensitivity = 0.005;var zoomFactor = Math.exp(-e.deltaY * zoomSensitivity);var newScale = Math.max(1, Math.min(scale * zoomFactor, 5));if (newScale === scale) return;var rect = wrapper.getBoundingClientRect();var mouseX = e.clientX - rect.left - rect.width / 2;var mouseY = e.clientY - rect.top - rect.height / 2;var ratio = newScale / scale;panX = mouseX - (mouseX - panX) * ratio;panY = mouseY - (mouseY - panY) * ratio;scale = newScale;constrainPan();updateTransform();}, { passive: false });wrapper.addEventListener('mousedown', function(e) {if (!wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen') || scale 2 || Math.abs(dy) > 2) {hasPanned = true;}lastClientX = e.clientX;lastClientY = e.clientY;panX += dx;panY += dy;constrainPan();updateTransform();});window.addEventListener('mouseup', function() {isPanning = false;});wrapper.addEventListener('touchstart', function(e) {if (!wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen')) return;if (e.touches.length === 2) {e.preventDefault();var dx = e.touches[0].clientX - e.touches[1].clientX;var dy = e.touches[0].clientY - e.touches[1].clientY;initialDistance = Math.sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy);var rect = wrapper.getBoundingClientRect();lastCenterX = (e.touches[0].clientX + e.touches[1].clientX) / 2 - rect.left - rect.width / 2;lastCenterY = (e.touches[0].clientY + e.touches[1].clientY) / 2 - rect.top - rect.height / 2;hasPanned = true;} else if (e.touches.length === 1 && scale > 1) {if (e.target.closest('.fv-image-compare-slider') || e.target.closest('button')) return;isPanning = true;hasPanned = false;lastClientX = e.touches[0].clientX;lastClientY = e.touches[0].clientY;}}, { passive: false });wrapper.addEventListener('touchmove', function(e) {if (!wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen')) return;if (e.touches.length === 2 && initialDistance !== null) {e.preventDefault();var dx = e.touches[0].clientX - e.touches[1].clientX;var dy = e.touches[0].clientY - e.touches[1].clientY;var distance = Math.sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy);if (initialDistance > 0) {var zoomFactor = distance / initialDistance;var newScale = Math.max(1, Math.min(scale * zoomFactor, 5));var rect = wrapper.getBoundingClientRect();var centerX = (e.touches[0].clientX + e.touches[1].clientX) / 2 - rect.left - rect.width / 2;var centerY = (e.touches[0].clientY + e.touches[1].clientY) / 2 - rect.top - rect.height / 2;var ratio = newScale / scale;panX = centerX - (centerX - panX) * ratio;panY = centerY - (centerY - panY) * ratio;if (lastCenterX !== null && lastCenterY !== null) {panX += (centerX - lastCenterX);panY += (centerY - lastCenterY);}scale = newScale;lastCenterX = centerX;lastCenterY = centerY;constrainPan();updateTransform();}initialDistance = distance;} else if (e.touches.length === 1 && isPanning) {e.preventDefault();var dx = e.touches[0].clientX - lastClientX;var dy = e.touches[0].clientY - lastClientY;if (Math.abs(dx) > 2 || Math.abs(dy) > 2) {hasPanned = true;}lastClientX = e.touches[0].clientX;lastClientY = e.touches[0].clientY;panX += dx;panY += dy;constrainPan();updateTransform();}}, { passive: false });wrapper.addEventListener('touchend', function(e) {if (e.touches.length 90) {labelRight.style.setProperty('opacity', '0', 'important');} else {labelRight.style.setProperty('opacity', '1', 'important');}}}function onMouseMove(e) {if (!isDragging) return;handleMove(e.clientX);}function onTouchMove(e) {if (!isDragging) return;e.preventDefault();handleMove(e.touches[0].clientX);}function stopDragging() {isDragging = false;window.removeEventListener('mousemove', onMouseMove);window.removeEventListener('mouseup', stopDragging);window.removeEventListener('touchmove', onTouchMove);window.removeEventListener('touchend', stopDragging);}if (slider) {var startDrag = function(clientX) {isDragging = true;handleMove(clientX);window.addEventListener('mousemove', onMouseMove);window.addEventListener('mouseup', stopDragging);};var startTouchDrag = function(clientX) {isDragging = true;handleMove(clientX);window.addEventListener('touchmove', onTouchMove, { passive: false });window.addEventListener('touchend', stopDragging);};slider.addEventListener('mousedown', function(e) {e.preventDefault();startDrag(e.clientX);});slider.addEventListener('touchstart', function(e) {e.preventDefault();startTouchDrag(e.touches[0].clientX);}, { passive: false });}var expandBtn = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-expand-btn');var closeBtn = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-close-btn');if (expandBtn) {if (window !== window.parent) {expandBtn.style.display = 'none';} else {expandBtn.addEventListener('click', function(e) {e.stopPropagation();wrapper.classList.add('fv-image-compare-fullscreen');document.body.style.overflow = 'hidden';if (fgImage && fgImage.dataset.highresSrc) {fgImage.src = fgImage.dataset.highresSrc;fgImage.removeAttribute('srcset');fgImage.removeAttribute('sizes');}if (bgImage && bgImage.dataset.highresSrc) {bgImage.src = bgImage.dataset.highresSrc;bgImage.removeAttribute('srcset');bgImage.removeAttribute('sizes');}});}}if (closeBtn) {closeBtn.addEventListener('click', function(e) {e.stopPropagation();wrapper.classList.remove('fv-image-compare-fullscreen');document.body.style.overflow = '';updateTransform();});}document.addEventListener('keydown', function(e) {if (e.key === 'Escape' && wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen')) {wrapper.classList.remove('fv-image-compare-fullscreen');document.body.style.overflow = '';updateTransform();}});});var hotspots = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-stl-hotspot-btn');var allProductsModal = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-stl-all-products-modal');var shopAllBtn = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-stl-shop-all-btn');var allProductsList = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-stl-all-products-list');var stlContainer = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-stl-container');function closeAllModals() {if (allProductsModal) {allProductsModal.classList.remove('is-active');var items = allProductsModal.querySelectorAll('.fv-stl-all-products-item');items.forEach(function(item) {item.classList.remove('is-highlighted');});if (stlContainer) {setTimeout(function() {if (!allProductsModal.classList.contains('is-active')) {stlContainer.style.minHeight = '';if ('parentIFrame' in window) {window.parentIFrame.size();}}}, 300);}}hotspots.forEach(function(btn) { btn.setAttribute('aria-expanded', 'false'); });if ('parentIFrame' in window) {window.parentIFrame.size();}}hotspots.forEach(function(btn) {btn.addEventListener('click', function(e) {e.stopPropagation();var hotspotId = btn.getAttribute('data-hotspot-id');var isExpanded = btn.getAttribute('aria-expanded') === 'true';closeAllModals();if (!isExpanded && allProductsModal) {btn.setAttribute('aria-expanded', 'true');allProductsModal.classList.add('is-active');var container = btn.closest('.fv-stl-container');if (container && container.offsetHeight = iaNodes.length) {closeAllIANodes();resetExploreBtn();} else {currentIaIndex = nextIndex;var targetBtn = iaNodes[currentIaIndex];if (targetBtn) {if(targetBtn.classList.contains('is-active')) {targetBtn.click();}targetBtn.click();}}});}if (iaWrapper) {iaWrapper.addEventListener('click', function(e) {if (!e.target.closest('.fv-ia-node-button') && !e.target.closest('.fv-ia-explore-btn')) {closeAllIANodes();resetExploreBtn();}});}window.fvAnimateCharts(chartWrapper);var countdownContainer = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-countdown-container');if (countdownContainer) {var targetDateAttr = countdownContainer.getAttribute('data-target-date');if (targetDateAttr) {var targetDate = new Date(targetDateAttr);var primaryColor = countdownContainer.getAttribute('data-primary-color') || '#f97316';var subheadColor = countdownContainer.getAttribute('data-subhead-color') || '#ffffff';var pad = function(n) { return (n 0) {d = Math.floor(difference / (1000 * 60 * 60 * 24));h = Math.floor((difference / (1000 * 60 * 60)) % 24);m = Math.floor((difference / 1000 / 60) % 60);s = Math.floor((difference / 1000) % 60);}var daysEl = countdownContainer.querySelector('[data-time="days"]');var hoursEl = countdownContainer.querySelector('[data-time="hours"]');var minsEl = countdownContainer.querySelector('[data-time="minutes"]');var secsEl = countdownContainer.querySelector('[data-time="seconds"]');if (daysEl) daysEl.textContent = d;if (hoursEl) hoursEl.textContent = pad(h);if (minsEl) minsEl.textContent = pad(m);if (secsEl) secsEl.textContent = pad(s);};updateCountdown();setInterval(updateCountdown, 1000);}}}if (false) {var slideshowContainer = document.getElementById(uniqueId + '-slideshow');if (slideshowContainer) {var slides = slideshowContainer.querySelectorAll('.fv-slide');slides.forEach(function(slide) {setupWrapper(slide.querySelector('.fv-chart-wrapper'));});}} else {setupWrapper(root);}}if (document.readyState === 'loading') {document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { initialize('fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird', false); });} else {initialize('fv-chart-1785251267479-g474gdird', false);}})();

How to avoid VPN auto-renewal traps and surprise charges

It's clear that major VPN providers need to do more to ensure fair and transparent pricing and billing. Thankfully, there are also a number of steps you can take to make sure you're not unnecessarily impacted.

To avoid the billing and pricing issues referenced here:

Turn off auto-renewal immediately after signing up: Navigate straight to your account dashboard after subscribing and turn off auto-renew.

Prepare for the ‘early billing’ window: Many VPN providers trigger automatic renewal charges 7 to 14 days before your subscription technically expires. Set calendar reminders two weeks before your renewal date so you aren't caught off guard.

Keep an eye on your inbox: VPN providers will contact you to warn you about the auto-renewal and are likely to send you an email about extending your discounted rate around 60 days ahead of your contract expiring.

Always request an official cancellation first: Submit an explicit cancellation request through the provider's official account portal or support chat.

Check refund terms: Many ‘free trials’ require upfront payment details and automatically convert into full recurring plans. Read the fine print before providing billing information, and remember that 30-day money-back guarantees often only apply to first-time purchases and are void during certain promotional offers.

What did the VPN companies say?

We contacted each VPN provider for comment on our findings.

Representatives from NordVPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN highlighted their strong overall Google Play ratings and stressed that user feedback informs ongoing app development.

ExpressVPN added that subscriptions bought via Google Play are subject to Google’s payment and refund policies, but noted its focus is on making the experience "easier to understand, manage, and resolve when customers need help."

A NordVPN spokesperson argued that its premium pricing reflects ongoing infrastructure investment, but pointed out that because the app is free to download, "some users expect the service itself to be free as well," which can drive down review scores when users discover it is a paid product.

A Surfshark spokesperson acknowledged that "public reviews naturally tend to overrepresent moments of friction" but said its current approach is "resonating positively with users" overall.

Meanwhile, Proton VPN emphasized that its paid subscriptions fund an unlimited, ad-free tier for all users, adding that it "clearly states its pricing structure, upfront costs, and terms of renewal" without using tiered feature paywalls or surprise price increases.

Methodology

We collected almost 30,000 user reviews published on Google Play Store since the beginning of the year for the four VPN providers featured in this report using the google_play_scraper library.

As individual reviews often address multiple topics (e.g. streaming and security), we broke reviews down into sentence-level units. This expanded our analysis to over 47,000 entries, with reviews permitted to sit across multiple categories when required.

Each sentence was assigned to specific categories using regex keyword filtering, and analyzed for sentiment using a pre-trained BERT model that took into account the user’s star rating.

While all machine learning sentiment pipelines carry a margin of error, every VPN provider was subjected to the exact same pipeline to ensure consistency and fair comparison. Human review was also conducted throughout.

Data processing scripts were developed in Python with assistance from an LLM, and all outputs were manually reviewed.