VPN cost calculator: compare the first bill and renewal

Two totals for two different questions

Allocated cost answers how much of the subscription is used during your chosen period. A $144 payment covering 48 months allocates $36 to a one-year project. Cash required still shows $144, because the provider collects the whole first bill.

If an offer covers 27 months and renews in 12-month blocks, reaching month 36 requires one complete renewal. Three paid service months remain after the comparison horizon. Bonus months belong to the initial service period; we do not add them again to later renewals.

Formula and assumptions

Initial allocated cost = first payment × the smaller of the comparison period and initial service months ÷ initial service months. Later allocated cost uses the published renewal payment divided by its service months. Cash rounds required renewals upward to whole bills.

An extra first billed in month 13 is free in the first 12 months of this model. From month 13 onward, allocated cost spreads each payment across its service period; cash includes the complete bill. This can create prepaid service beyond the horizon. The tax input applies one estimated percentage to every modeled charge.

We hold renewal rates constant to compare scenarios; providers can change them. Refunds, exchange rates, usage charges, overlapping migrations and future promotions are outside the calculation. A provider may collect a renewal before the next service period starts; the tool models service periods, not an exact bank-statement calendar.

Missing data stays visible

If the first total or its term is unknown, the tool cannot calculate a complete scenario. If only the renewal is unknown, periods entirely within the verified first term still have a result. Beyond that point we show the gap instead of inserting a zero. Hostinger’s published monthly renewal equivalent can support an allocated estimate, but its unverified invoice duration cannot support a complete later cash total.

Using and checking the data

Each CSV row identifies the provider, tariff, storefront, initial payment, covered months, renewal, source URL and verification date. Empty numeric fields mean unverified. A zero is used only for a documented free tier. Calculated totals are labeled. The data are dated observations, not a live checkout feed.

Figures and downloadable tables can be cited with a link to this page and the observation date. Provider trademarks remain their owners’ property. Please report corrections with an official source.

We allocate the first payment across all months it covers, including any bonus months. Cash includes whole billing periods needed to reach the chosen horizon. Renewal rates are held constant for this illustration; they are not guaranteed future quotes. Unknown bills remain unverified. Domains, optional services and taxes are excluded unless explicitly added. Read the calculation method.