Is a long first term worth it? Hosting and VPN plans by how long you stay

• You stay on the plan for 1, 2, 3 or 5 years and then leave.
• The first term is bought at the measured length and paid as the provider page states: in full at sign-up, or month by month where the plan is billed monthly; money-back periods and refunds are not used.
• VPN renewal is paid for whole renewal terms at the renewal price shown on the page; hosting renewal is counted month by month, because the pages we check do not state the renewal term.
• Average monthly cost = the amount paid by the time you leave ÷ the months you used.

• First term of 1 month (1 plan): every stay we model covers the whole first term; staying 5 years, the average monthly cost is a median 2.8× the advertised price, pulled up by renewals.
• First term of 3 months (1 plan): every stay we model covers the whole first term; staying 5 years, the average monthly cost is a median 1.7× the advertised price, pulled up by renewals.
• First term of 12 months (10 plans): every stay we model covers the whole first term; staying 5 years, the average monthly cost is a median 2.4× the advertised price, pulled up by renewals.
• First term of 24 months (2 plans): leaving after 1 year, the average monthly cost is a median 2.0× the advertised price; the months of the first term that are not used are still paid.
• First term of 26 months (1 plan): leaving after 1 year, the average monthly cost is a median 2.2× the advertised price; the months of the first term that are not used are still paid.
• First term of 27 months (1 plan): leaving after 1 year, the average monthly cost is a median 2.3× the advertised price; the months of the first term that are not used are still paid.
• First term of 28 months (1 plan): leaving after 1 year, the average monthly cost is a median 2.3× the advertised price; the months of the first term that are not used are still paid.
• First term of 36 months (6 plans): leaving after 1 year, the average monthly cost is a median 3.0× the advertised price; the months of the first term that are not used are still paid.
• First term of 39 months (1 plan): leaving after 1 year, the average monthly cost is a median 3.3× the advertised price; the months of the first term that are not used are still paid.
• First term of 48 months (5 plans): leaving after 1 year, the average monthly cost is a median 4.0× the advertised price; the months of the first term that are not used are still paid.

A ratio of 1.0× means the average monthly cost equals the advertised monthly price. In our data each plan is measured at one first-term length, so the comparison is between plans with different terms, not between terms of the same plan.