The Best Cheap VPN in 2023 | Top VPNs for Less Than $2 per Month

With the best cheap VPNs, you’ll be able to hide your online activity from prying eyes to surf the web safely and discreetly, plus access a world of geo-restricted streaming and browsing content without sacrificing your online security, features, or speed. In fact, our shortlisted top 10 budget VPNs give the premium ones a good run for their money!

We know that finding a quality low-cost VPN is tough, so we’ve reviewed the best cheap VPNs in depth. Our research clearly identified Private Internet Access as the top pick. As a leading, seasoned VPN, it outshines its rivals in terms of value for money — you’re looking at industry-leading security and amazing unblocking power of leading streaming services, for as little as $2.03/month! Cheap. Reliable. The best.

You can take advantage of its solid 30-day money-back guarantee now, or read on to learn how Private Internet Access fares against its powerful, budget-friendly VPN competitors.

The Best Cheap VPNs in 2023 | Shortlist

We’ve scoured the market and evaluated leading VPNs to find the best of the bunch that take it easy on your wallet. Here are our top 10 for those on a serious budget:

1. Private Internet Access — Overall, the best cheap VPN. Has the largest server network. As little as $2.03/month! Take advantage of the 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee!
2. Surfshark — Best cheap VPN for smooth streaming. Just $2.49/month for unlimited devices + a 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. NordVPN — Most feature-rich budget VPN. Industry-leading security. Cover up to 6 devices for $3.09/month + a 30-day money-back guarantee.
4. PrivateVPN — The best cheap VPN for torrenting. Fast. Great unblocking power + 30-day money-back guarantee. As low as $2/month.
5. CyberGhost — The best budget VPN for beginners. $2.19/month for 7 devices. Optimized streaming servers + a whopping 45-day money-back guarantee.
6. IPVanish — An affordable VPN with superb customisation. $3.99/month + 30-day money-back guarantee.
7. ProtonVPN — One of the best cheap VPNs for solid security and speeds. $4.99/month. Check out the freemium service before you commit.
8. VyprVPN — Leading cheap VPN for China. $5/month. Exceptional security + 30-day money-back guarantee.
9. AtlasVPN — The best cheap VPN for 4K streaming. $1.99/month + 30-day money-back guarantee and free trial.
10. StrongVPN — A popular budget VPN for Netflix and torrenting. $2.47/month for 12 devices + 30-day money-back guarantee.

Keen to learn more about the best budget VPNs? Read our in-depth reviews below for all the nitty-gritty details to find the best VPN for your needs and budget.

The Best Cheap VPN services | In-Depth Reviews

Here we’ve tackled key factors like VPN server count and distribution, their special features and overall capabilities, pricing, top pros and cons (as expressed by customers), and more so you can see exactly how the best cheap VPNs stack up.

Following our reviews, we offer a neat head-to-head comparison of each — so skip the reviews if you only want to compare details like pricing and money-back guarantees.

1. Private Internet Access — Overall, the Best Cheap VPN on the Market

Pros:

• It has a stellar reputation
• World-class server infrastructure
• Audited no-logs policy
• Strong, stable connections
• Unlimited bandwidth

Cons:

• No free trial
• Not ideal for torrenting

With over a decade of experience in the industry and bargain prices, it’s unsurprising that Private Internet Access is our No. 1 best cheap VPN and has over 15 million users worldwide. As affordable as PIA is, it gives you complete online privacy, security, and freedom.

You can expect industry-leading security and a proven no-logs policy that gives you the peace of mind that nobody can see your online activity — not your ISP, governments, or hackers because there is nothing to see!

To add to PIA’s exceptional VPN experience, you also get the most trusted protocols, including OpenVPN and WireGuard for superior speeds and security, plus RAM-only servers that, when rebooted, delete all of your activity.

And the plus points don’t end there. With over 20,000 servers worldwide, PIA gives you unmatched choice and speeds for incredible borderless freedom online. Paired with the 10Gbps connections, this vast server network makes PIA the cream of the crop for streaming, browsing, and one of the best VPNs for gaming.

Pricing:

The 3-year plan is the clear standout here — $2.03/month to cover up to 10 devices is an absolute bargain!

That said, the 1-year plan is great value too, coming in at just $3.33 per month.

You can also opt for additional add-ons such as antivirus protection and a dedicated IP address for a higher level of security and to avoid the pain of overcrowded servers.

Because it’s completely risk free, we highly recommend taking advantage of the lengthy 30-day money-back guarantee now.

2. Surfshark — Best Cheap VPN for Unlimited Simultaneous Device Connections

Pros:

• Sleek apps
• Fast connections
• Powerful security measures
• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• Unblocks leading streaming services

Cons:

• OpenVPN speeds can be slow
• Renewal prices can be high

Overall, for $2.49/month and unlimited device coverage, Surfshark practically sells itself.

Wondering how to watch House of Dragon from anywhere in the world (or loads of other brilliant shows)? Surfshark! It’s incredibly budget-friendly and perfect for families looking to cover all their devices on one subscription and enjoy smooth streaming and torrenting with unlimited bandwidth.

Surfshark is an absolute steal in terms of price, and you can rest easy that the low price doesn’t equal poor security. They’ve had an independent audit of their no logging policy, plus they use:

• Leading protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard
• Powerful RAM-only servers and AES-256 encryption

And you also get data leak protection and the ‘CleanWeb’ feature to protect you from annoying ads, cookie trackers, and malicious websites — everything you need for the highest level of privacy and security.

Overall, although Surfshark is fairly new compared to PIA, they’ve attained a solid reputation for lightning-fast streaming speeds and consistent unblocking capabilities. Literally no streaming service is off-limits, and you can unblock leading Netflix libraries, Amazon Prime, and more with ease.

Pricing:

For added protection and security, you can also opt for Surfshark One — a powerful combination of a VPN, one of the best antivirus software out there, a private browser devoid of ads and trackers, plus alerts on any data leaks — starting at just $3.98/month! Here are the prices:

You can trial Surfshark on mobile for free for 7 days, or sign up now risk-free with the solid 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. NordVPN — Most Feature-Rich Budget VPN with Industry-Leading Security

Pros:

• Superb value for money
• Unbeatable security and speeds
• Powerful unblocking capabilities
• A trusted name in the VPN space

Cons:

• Renewal prices can be high
• Many of the servers are in the USA

Nord VPN is not just one of the best cheap VPNs — it’s one of the most well-known and highest-rated VPNs out there. It has a staggering 14 million users — just shy of Private Internet Access.

With new features added frequently, NordVPN is a VPN to be reckoned with. For example, the added threat protection makes for a smoother, safer browsing experience, and unlike most, it doesn’t come as an extra optional add-on.

Plus, the new revolutionary protocol, NordLynx (based on the popular WireGuard framework), offers astonishing speeds. This, paired with unlimited bandwidth and servers in practically every corner of the globe, makes NordVPN one of the fastest VPNs for streaming.

You can consistently unblock leading Netflix libraries, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and others to stream your favourite shows when you’re abroad or safely bypass censorship to access new content at home.

With a strict no-logs policy and a bunch more industry-leading security measures, including obfuscated servers that allow you to hide that you’re using a VPN in even the most restrictive of environments — NordVPN gives you an affordable VPN solution, without sacrificing features and security.

To learn more, check out our in-depth NordVPN review.

Pricing:

The above plans are for the 2-year subscription option. You also get a choice of 3 plans for the annual and monthly billing options.

There’s no doubt that NordVPN has incredible features at a phenomenal price. You even can try it for 30 days and get a refund if it isn’t your cup of tea, so check it out now.

4. PrivateVPN — The Best Cheap VPN for Torrenting

Pros:

• Fast servers
• Incredibly cheap
• Intuitive, simple interface
• Ideal for streaming and torrenting
• Top-notch customer support

Cons:

• Fewer servers
• Apps for iOS and Mac lack functionality

There’s no doubt that compared to rivals, PrivateVPN is lacking in terms of server count. Still, despite this, the unlimited bandwidth, top-notch server speeds, and phenomenal unblocking capabilities are seriously impressive, even more so when you consider the mere $2/month price tag.

You can unblock major Netflix libraries, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more and experience no buffering when streaming your favorite shows! Plus, the port forwarding feature and P2P-optimized servers are perfect for those who want to dabble safely with torrenting.

PrivateVPN also packs a serious punch in terms of security.

You have the option of AES 128-bit for speed or the powerful 256-bit encryption for max security. Plus, there’s a no-logging policy, kill switch, IP and DNS leak protection, and even stealth mode to bypass the most rigid VPN blocks and firewalls.

Overall, PrivateVPN is a solid budget VPN and is top of the list for cheap torrenting VPNs.

Pricing:

The limited offer of 12 months, plus 24 months extra, is a bargain. However, keep in mind that the renewal price jumps to $6/month on the annual plan after your first term.

As with the others, you have a risk-free 30 days to test PrivateVPN for 30 days and get your money back if you’re unsatisfied.

5. CyberGhost — The Best Budget VPN for Beginners

Pros:

• Very easy to use
• Solid customer support
• Incredible value for money
• Prices don’t jump upon renewal
• Generous 45-day guarantee

Cons:

• Inconsistent speeds
• Doesn’t work well in China

With over 9,000 servers around the globe, many of which are optimized for HD streaming, uninterrupted gaming, and torrenting, CyberGhost is a hugely popular VPN, particularly for those on a budget if you opt for the 2-year plan.

Besides affordability, CyberGhost’s popularity is also due to how easy it is to use and install, something that takes just minutes, even for the least tech-savvy among us. This VPN is all about being hassle-free for casual users, so linking up your gaming console, Smart TV, and Amazon Firestick is just as easy.

Even with server connections that can vary, you’ll have ample options to select a server that offers consistent speeds for whatever it is you’re doing. In fact, the ‘quick connect’ feature lets you do this automatically.

Overall, CyberGhost is reliable, secure, and a breeze to use. You’ll have no issue with accessing geo-restricted content and achieving low ping with your gaming sessions.

In terms of security, you can also expect all the security capabilities on offer with the best VPNs, including a verified no-logs policy, and RAM-only servers.

For more information, read our in-depth CyberGhost review.

Pricing:

CyberGhost’s $2.19 per month 2-year plan offers the best value for money, and unlike most, what you see is what you get, even when your renewal time comes around.

Try it now, and get your money back if it’s not for you.

6. IPVanish — An Affordable VPN with Superb Customisation

Pros:

• Supports P2P
• User-friendly apps
• Fast server speeds
• Unlimited device connections

Cons:

• High renewal price
• Doesn’t work in China

For just $3.99/month, including antivirus protection and support for unlimited device connections, our selection of the best cheap VPNs wouldn’t be complete featuring IPVanish.

This VPN offers incredibly fast speeds across the board with servers optimized for torrenting and gaming (in fact, IPVanish is one of the best VPNs for Xbox One!), and the option to connect to the fastest server automatically offers users a simple plug-and-play experience.

You’ll have no issue unblocking the US, UK, and Japanese Netflix libraries, ESPN, HBO Max, and several others. It does, however, struggle to access Amazon Prime and DAZN.

In terms of the best Kodi VPNs, IPVanish is a top choice as it allows you to stream HD Kodi content from your FireStick, desktop, or tablet devices with ease.

Finally, IPVanish’s no-logging policy and other measures are leakproof, plus they have an IP rotator that frequently changes your IP address to make tracking your activity almost impossible.

Pricing:

With savings as high as 63% off your first year, IPVanish is a budget-friendly VPN with killer capabilities and security. Although the renewal fee is quite steep, it’s worth trying with the 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee period.

7. ProtonVPN — One of the Best Cheap VPNs for Solid Security and Speeds

Pros:

• It’s user-friendly
• Well-designed, full-featured apps
• Ideal for unblocking streaming platforms
• Several server types, including Tor and P2P

Cons:

• Customer support is slow
• Pricier than others on this list

ProtonVPN gives you a comprehensive VPN for under $5/month, offering premium functionality, superb connections with up to 10Gbps servers, and military-level security. This makes it one of the best gambling VPNs, and means it’s great for other online activities too.

In fact, speed is where ProtonVPN really shines. Their unique VPN Accelerator can boost speeds by over 400%, making it fantastic for torrenting, bufferless streaming, and gaming. However, with some long-distance servers, you may unfortunately experience a slow connection.

Nevertheless, unlike many, ProtonVPN also has Tor servers that allow you to integrate and route your traffic to the private Tor network to access hidden services and onion sites safely and easily directly from your browser.

On a final note, you’re guaranteed top-notch privacy with ProtonVPN as your data passes through countries that uphold the importance of privacy, such as Switzerland and Iceland.

Pricing:

Unlike most VPNs, ProtonVPN offers a free VPN service with solid security, but you only get 1 device connection and the choice of a mere 3 servers — one each in the US, the Netherlands, and Japan.

And although on paper, there’s no limit on bandwidth and speed, you’ll experience an overcrowded server and a slow connection, plus less than half the features.

The free version frequently encourages you to upgrade, so if you’re interested in ProtonVPN, you should experience all that’s on offer with the 30-day money-back guarantee by your side.

8. VyprVPN — Leading Cheap China VPN for Exceptional Security

Pros:

• Works in highly restricted areas
• Over 100,000 shared IP addresses
• Reliable VPN for users in China
• Powerful AES-256 encryption

Cons:

• More expensive than rivals
• A smaller network of servers

To break free from strong censorship in countries like China, Russia, and the UAE, you need next-level security to access restricted content without a worry in the world.

With VyprVPN, although it’s more expensive than many on this list, it’s one of the very few VPNs that offer free and open internet access even in countries that actively try to control internet use. So, in terms of accessibility and affordability, $5/month is well worth the freedom you get with Vypr.

With over 300,000 IP addresses and a solid no-logs policy, Vypr ensures your online data never gets stored and makes it impossible to track an IP address’ activity to you.

Security is the top priority with VyprVPN, but with WireGuard and its dynamic server feature, you also get quick connections and the option to automatically switch to suitable locations to prevent overloaded servers and improve your overall experience.

So wherever you may be in the world, VyprVPN gives you complete online freedom to access restricted content, dabble in P2P activities, and enjoy fast connection speeds — all for just five bucks a month on the 12-month plan.

Pricing:

The pricing is even more reasonable when you consider that you can cover up to 10 devices with one subscription.

Try VyprVPN risk free with the 30-day trial with no obligation, and cancel at any time if it isn’t for you.

9. AtlasVPN — One of the Best Cheap VPNs for 4K Streaming

Pros:

• Incredibly cheap
• Great for 4K streaming
• Fast and reliable
• Unlimited simultaneous connections

Cons:

• No Linux support
• Lacks OpenVPN encryption
• Small server network

AtlasVPN is one of the cheapest VPNs out there and, while it lacks the widely used OpenVPN encryption, IKEv2 and the powerful WireGuard protocols are on offer to provide an all-around solid VPN experience.

Based in the US, the watertight no-logging policy is a relief, as are the IP and DNS leak protection and kill switch features. These are a given, but what’s nice is the ‘SafeBrowse’ feature for mobile that stops you from entering unsafe websites, and blocks ads (on iOS devices).

So it’s safe and the most affordable. What’s the catch? Well, there’s a lack of servers compared to giants like PIA but most users shouldn’t have much issue with streaming. In fact, all Atlas VPN servers support 4K streaming!

This makes it a great option for binging Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ with fairly reliable connections for minimal buffering or lag.

AtlasVPN is also beginner-friendly, with easy-to-use apps and features like quick connect that find the best server for you with just a click of a button. Cheap pricing. Hardcore security. Reliable speeds. The biggest downfall is a relatively low number of servers and lack of support for the OpenVPN protocol. Deal breaker? Well, that’s up to you.

Pricing:

AtlasVPN has a free trial, and as with others, a solid 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.

10. StrongVPN — Popular Budget VPN for Netflix and Torrenting

Pros:

• Top-tier speed test numbers
• Unblocks Netflix consistently
• Optimized P2P servers

Cons:

• No Linux support
• No third-party audit
• Doesn’t unblock BBC iPlayer

Although StrongVPN doesn’t offer the speeds, backed-up security claims, or unblocking capabilities of its leading competitors, it does offer a simple, solid service that is enough for most users.

For example, although its no-logging claims haven’t been independently verified, it now runs WireGuard and all the best VPN protocols to give users industry-leading speed, security, and performance. Plus, it offers both a VPN and a DNS, so whether you prize security or speed, you’re covered.

StrongVPN also has nearly 60,000 IPs and over 950 servers optimized for P2P — making it a suitable option for both streaming and torrenting. Plus, if you’re looking for one of the best Netflix VPNs, StrongVPN is a solid budget-friendly option as its unblocking capabilities for this streaming service are on par with its rivals.

Overall, StrongVPN has solid security. We’d just prefer, especially because they’re based in the US, that their security be audited by a third party.

Nevertheless, it’s cheap, has a loyal fan base, and offers consistent speeds and unblocking capabilities for most with no issues reported on security leaks or otherwise.

Pricing:

You’re limited on pricing options, but for $2.47/month with the annual plan, it’s certainly competitive and well worth a spot on our list of the best cheap VPNs.

Try the 30-day money-back guarantee to see exactly what Strong VPN has to offer.

Best Cheap VPNs: Comparison Table

Sometimes, seeing a neck-and-neck comparison can help to find the best budget VPN for your needs. Here’s how they fare pitted against each other:

What Makes the Best Cheap VPNs Good?

There’s certainly no shortage of sub-par cheap VPNs, so what factors did we analyze to ensure we included the best of the bunch that only cut costs, not security, speed, and overall capabilities?

Well, these are some of the core factors that make up the best VPN apps for those on a budget, and these are factors we used when short-listing our top picks for the best low-cost VPNs:

• Price for the value on offer — We took into account the overall features, security, free trial and money-back guarantee lengths, plus the number of simultaneous device connections permitted on one subscription
• Server count — Server number and distribution played a part in our short-listing to ensure users weren’t stuck with overcrowded servers and slow speeds
• Security — Each of the VPNs on our list meets high encryption standards and has industry-leading protocols to secure your personal information and internet activity stay protected
• Support — We analyzed the customer support, device compatibility, and the depth of the online documentation to ensure that the VPNs we selected offered the support you’d need
• Usability — We ensured each VPN on our list was easy to use and install, and that the apps are effortless to navigate even for beginners
• Streaming and torrenting — We considered the average speeds and their unblocking power to ensure whether it’s P2P, streaming, or browsing you’re after, our cheap, highly capable VPNs do the job

Obviously, the most expensive VPNs aren’t automatically the best. In fact, cheap VPNs like those on our list provide top-tier capabilities on par with those you’d find with premium VPNs. Yet, they don’t cost a fortune or leave you yearning for more.

When you’re looking for a budget-friendly VPN, you shouldn’t accept shoddy security or features — we’ve shown this isn’t a compromise you need to make. All of our top picks for the best cheap VPNs give you quality services without you needing to sacrifice crucial VPN capabilities.

How Does a VPN Work?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is used to protect your online privacy and activity from third parties looking to track or use your data. All your online traffic gets routed through a private encrypted tunnel that makes your data gibberish to anybody trying to read or track it.

With things like shared IP addresses that get rotated frequently, tracking your activity and location is near impossible with the best cheap VPNs, plus this allows you to appear anywhere in the world from the comfort of your home. That opens up a world of geo-restricted content that’s only available in certain countries.

Cheap VPN FAQs

Here we cover some of the most common questions about cheap VPNs.

Is a Cheap VPN Worth It?

Budget VPNs like those we’ve reviewed in our top 10 are absolutely worth it. If you opt for our top pick PIA, you get a premium VPN with over 10 years of experience and a vast server network for superb connections, all for just $2.03/month on the 3-year plan or a mere $3.33/month with the annual plan.

Hard to beat pricing, and even harder to beat value — certainly worth parting with a couple of dollars a month.

If you’re willing to spend a little more, Surfshark is also well worth it if you want to use the VPN on an unlimited number of devices, and NordVPN is the go-to option if you want blazing fast speeds.

Why Do I Need a VPN?

There are countless reasons to opt for a VPN, especially when it’ll cost you just a few dollars a month. Here are some of the key reasons you need a VPN:

• Security — Even if you have nothing to hide, the idea of someone accessing your data and activity is unsettling
• Public Wi-Fi — Public hotspots are a go-to for criminals looking to intercept your signal to dig into your private information like bank account details
• Visibility — With your IP address visible to anyone, your ISP monitors and controls what you see and can throttle your internet speeds
• Freedom — One of the leading reasons is simply the freedom to access and download the content you want to watch, securely and without limitations
• Deals — Believe it or not, online prices can change depending on the location you’re in, so a VPN can let you grab some serious online deals
• Threats — Some of the best budget-friendly VPNs will also protect you from malware and advertisers looking to track your online movements

Can You Get a VPN for Free?

Free VPNs are tempting, but in most instances, they’re not a wise move. For example, these are some issues you’re likely to come across with a completely free VPN:

• They often use tracking cookies to collect, store, and sell your data to third-party advertisers! What? It’s true. Free VPNs do the very opposite of protecting your data!
• You may have substantial download and bandwidth limits or access to very few overcrowded servers — this means slow speeds all round
• They lack fixed IP addresses which are needed to reliably unblock leading streaming platforms and mask your activity
• Often, you may have an ad-filled online experience that, apart from being a real pain, can put your device(s) at risk of malware

Overall, we feel these 4 reasons are enough to dissuade most users from free VPNs, there are some decent free VPNs out there. Some free plans from leading VPNs are incredibly reliable. If you are set on using a free VPN, then Proton VPN is our top pick — although highly limited, it’s reliable and safe.

You’ll find that free VPNs from reputable providers have one purpose though, and that’s to get you to upgrade to a paid membership. So, it’s better to opt for a paid plan and take advantage of the lengthy money-back guarantees on offer with leading VPN providers like PIA, Surfshark, and NordVPN.

Are the Best Cheap VPNs Secure?

Budget VPNs may seem risky, and of course, some are, but these cheap VPNs are well known in the industry and they all offer top-notch security.

Even though they’re half the price of premium VPNs, they have solid encryption protocols in place to protect your data and online activity from prying eyes.

Overall, if you go for the right budget-friendly VPN, like those listed in this guide, you can be confident that they safeguard your data with the same technology you’d find with expensive VPNs.

Conclusion: What is the Best Cheap VPN for 2023?

We’ve rounded up the top 10 options for those on the hunt for a VPN on a tight budget. With phenomenal VPNs suitable for various needs, there’s no doubt that there are loads of great options out there.

1. Private Internet Access — Overall, the best cheap VPN. Has the largest server network. As little as $2.03/month! Take advantage of the 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee!
2. Surfshark — Best cheap VPN for smooth streaming. Just $2.49/month for unlimited devices + a 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. NordVPN — Most feature-rich budget VPN. Industry-leading security. Cover up to 6 devices for $3.09/month + a 30-day money-back guarantee.
4. PrivateVPN — The best cheap VPN for torrenting. Fast. Great unblocking power + 30-day money-back guarantee. As low as $2/month.
5. CyberGhost — The best budget VPN for beginners. $2.19/month for 7 devices. Optimized streaming servers + a whopping 45-day money-back guarantee.
6. IPVanish — An affordable VPN with superb customisation. $3.99/month + 30-day money-back guarantee.
7. ProtonVPN — One of the best cheap VPNs for solid security and speeds. $4.99/month. Check out the freemium service before you commit.
8. VyprVPN — Leading cheap VPN for China. $5/month. Exceptional security + 30-day money-back guarantee.
9. AtlasVPN — The best cheap VPN for 4K streaming. $1.99/month + 30-day money-back guarantee and free trial.
10. StrongVPN — A popular budget VPN for Netflix and torrenting. $2.47/month for 12 devices + 30-day money-back guarantee.

That said, our top pick was easy. Private Internet Access is a leader in the industry and distinguished itself in our testing. Unless you’re looking for torrenting, it’s capable of delivering absolutely everything you’d need in a VPN, at one of the lowest prices around.

Take advantage of the rock-solid 30-day money-back guarantee now and enjoy unparalleled freedom and security online.

Try Private Internet Access Now

  This article was written for Business 2 Community by AmyLeigh.
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Author: AmyLeigh

Amy is a Software Content Writer with a passion for consistently writing quality software-related content that provides value to her readers. With over a year's experience, she's written pieces for leading software brands — namely, comparison posts and reviews on business tools. She's produced content for businesses like systeme.io, State …

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