The best VPNs for the US boost your online privacy and keep your data out of the hands of potential eavesdroppers—allowing you to access content and services that might be restricted by your workplace, ISP, or government. VPN locations also let you compare prices across different regions, so you can snag the best deals on flights and hotels.
However, with so many VPNs on the market, how do you pick a provider that’s worth your hardearned cash? I’ve been testing VPNs for years, now, and have put hundreds of services under the microscope, including big names and independent providers—so, you’re getting real recommendations from a real person (who can spot a subpar service a mile away).
To help you avoid duds that don’t have your privacy in mind, I’ve compared the security tools, unblocking power, speed, US server locations, and value for money of my top picks. Let’s get stuck into my list of the best US VPNs.
The three best US VPNs at a glance
In a hurry? Here are my top three US vpn picks:
The best US VPN services in 2024
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We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Below, you’ll find my favorite US VPNs and a detailed analysis of their features, performance, ease of use, and servers. I’ll also let you know what I liked about each provider (as well as what I didn’t like), and how they compare to their closest competitors.
The best US VPN in 2023
Subscribe if:
✔️ You need a fast, reliable VPN: ExpressVPN is seriously quick, meaning you can tune into HD content without hiccups or endless buffering.
✔️ You want to access the best price deals: an expansive network of servers, in 160 locations (including the US), lets you check out bargains from around the world.
Don’t subscribe if:
❌ You need a budgetfriendly VPN: ExpressVPN is a premium VPN with a premium price tag. If you want a stellar free service, I’d recommend Proton VPN.
❌ You need unlimited device connections: you’re limited to 8 simultaneous connections with ExpressVPN, while PIA and Surfshark support unlimited connectivity.
Bottom line: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔒ExpressVPN is one of the pricier options in my rankings, but it’ll never leave you stranded when it comes to unblocking US streaming services and other localized content. Take ExpressVPN for a test drive with a 30day moneyback guarantee.
Want to know more?
ExpressVPN is just that good, easily claiming the top spot with its roster of features and access to US content. Learn more about the provider in my ExpressVPN review.
ExpressVPN is renowned for its lightningfast connection speeds, so whether you’re streaming, gaming, or simply scrolling through social media, you’ll hardly notice any lag or buffering.
There are a ton of servers spread around the globe, too, with key locations in the US. In just a click or two, you can connect to New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, Chicago, and lots more Stateside cities. That’s great news if you need a nearby server to maximize your performance—or if you’re looking to keep up to date with your favorite US content when traveling abroad.
If you’re on the hunt for a streaming VPN, ExpressVPN won’t disappoint. It unblocks popular streaming services like Netflix US, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, and more. During my testing, I had no trouble watching sameday blockbuster movie premiers with HBO Max, as well as original series and live sports events. Basically, you’ll never miss an NFL or NBA match ever again—but keep in mind that the one thing ExpressVPN can’t do is guarantee a win for your team.
Lightway, ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol based on WireGuard, optimizes its code for efficiency, which reduces the burden on your device’s resources and, therefore, minimizes the VPN’s impact on your connection speed. In essence, it allowed me to enjoy the full benefits of a VPN—privacy, security, and access to georestricted content—without slowing my connection down to a crawl.
There’s no avoiding the fact that ExpressVPN is more pricey than a lot of its closest competitors. However, I think it’s a worthwhile investment. You’re getting cuttingedge security tools and consistent performance for the cost of a cup of coffee each month. You’ll also have access to ExpressVPN’s Threat Manager system, which you can use to block ads, filter adult sites, and generally prevent leaks from giving away your real IP. The provider recently rolled out this handy feature on MacOS, too, which is good news for Apple loyalists.
All ExpressVPN apps offer a userfriendly interface. They made my testing experience a breeze—everything was straightforward, from selecting servers to enabling tools via the settings menu. Plus, live chat support ensures that you’ll always have a helping hand if any questions or issues arise.
The fastest US VPN plus Antivirus
Subscribe if:
✔️ You need a VPN with builtin extras: adblocking, antivirus, dark web monitoring, and even secure cloud storage—NordVPN goes the extra mile to keep your credentials secure.
✔️ You want to host game servers: NordVPN’s Meshnet feature is free to all users, giving up to 60 devices of your choice access to your network, so you can host a local server and play with friends outside the US.
Don’t subscribe if:
❌ You want a simple interface: NordVPN’s apps aren’t totally inaccessible, but ExpressVPN or Surfshark are both more suitable for beginners.
❌ You intend to torrent: although NordVPN supports torrenting, not all of its servers are optimized for P2P file sharing. PIA, on the other hand, has its own dedicated torrenting servers.
Bottom line: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
🔒NordVPN ticks all the right boxes; awesome speeds, industryleading security, and servers across the US that’ll make unblocking content a breeze. Try NordVPN for yourself, riskfree, with a 30day moneyback guarantee.
Want to know more?
Read my NordVPN review to learn why its doubleencryption makes it extra secure when it comes to protecting your privacy.
One of the first things you’ll notice about NordVPN is the massive amount of servers it has—and that a ton of these locations are in the US. NordVPN boasts coverage across New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and more, making it incredibly easy to find (and connect to) your nearest city.
I really can’t overstate how quick NordVPN is, either. It’s the fastest VPN I’ve tested in a long time—and that makes it ideal for streaming in HD. Oh, and did you know that you can also use NordVPN with your Android Smart TV? It not only enhances your online security but can also help prevent speed throttling. I was able to stream HD YouTube content while using NordVPN without a hint of buffering or stuttering.
You also have the option to take your security to the next level by installing NordVPN directly on your router. Doing so means that all devices connected to your WiFi network will automatically make use of the VPN tunnel, allowing you to protect more than the standard five devices that come with your subscription.
▶Try NordVPN with a 30day moneyback guarantee.
I didn’t experience any DNS leaks while using NordVPN—and that’s good news. It means the VPN did its job flawlessly by hiding my IP address, my location, and my internet activity from my internet service provider (ISP). With the NordLynx protocol, it’s even faster, so you won’t be waiting around for your NFL or NBA stream to load.
One drawback is that, although NordVPN allows P2P and torrenting to some extent, it lacks features like port forwarding, limiting its appeal to avid torrenters. If you’re looking for a more reliable torrenting alternative, PIA and Proton VPN are both great picks.
All in all, Nord is packed with advanced security options, with two important upcoming projects in development. Project Sonar will introduce a browser extension powered by AI to enhance security against phishing attacks. It’ll scan emails for potential scams and help keep users informed about the red flags that indicate a phishing attack. Similarly, Project Pixray will utilize AI to address the issue of AIgenerated images, which should help us all verify the authenticity of the pictures we see on the web.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A featurepacked user interface that can get cluttered | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Easy to start, but more advanced options are harder to spot | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Superfast speeds make streaming a breeze | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks Netflix, Disney+, and many others | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Tough encryption and security tools keep your data out of danger | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Expert advice is available 24/7 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Great deal when you count in everything that it features | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best value US VPN
Subscribe if:
✔️ You intend to torrent: PIA has its own roster of dedicated P2P servers—and the speeds you’ll need for snappy downloads.
✔️ You want to connect more than 10 devices: with PIA, you’ll get unlimited simultaneous connections for a fraction of the price of NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
Don’t subscribe if:
❌ You want to access Disney+: unfortunately, PIA’s IP addresses are sometimes blocked by Disney+ and other bigname streaming platforms. ExpressVPN has a more reliable success rate.
❌ Occasional speed fluctuations are a deal breaker: performance spikes can cause issues when gaming—and nobody wants to be pulled out of the zone by their VPN.
Bottom line: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
🔒Private Internet Access is a featurerich provider with bargain prices, and a great reputation across the US. Take advantage of a 30day moneyback guarantee to try PIA for yourself.
If you’re looking for US server coverage, it’s hard to match PIA (Private Internet Access). You’ll be able to take your pick of servers in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Miami, and grab a US IP address with ease. Unlimited device connections and a wellknown commitment to user privacy make PIA a standout service, and its affordable pricing is the cherry on top.
The PIA interface is intuitive, even for new users, and makes it incredibly easy to connect to any given location. Speed is a critical component of any VPN review, and during my testing, I saw that PIA was pretty quick (although the likes of Surfshark and NordVPN have it beat).
▶Try PIA with a 30day moneyback guarantee.
Customizable encryption options give users the chance to tailor their security preferences—which is good news if you like to go deepdiving into settings. I particularly appreciate the support for AES256 encryption, which is the gold standard for VPN security.
I was eager to see how PIA VPN performed in unblocking streaming services. It succeeded in accessing popular platforms like Netflix and Hulu, and I had no trouble browsing through their content libraries.
However, it’s worth noting that not all streaming services are equally cooperative. PIA struggled with Disney+ and BBC iPlayer, which is unfortunate, but ExpressVPN can access them with ease if you’re looking for a more wellrounded streaming solution. Unblocking services is a massive challenge across the VPN world, but PIA’s compatibility with several major platforms is still impressive.
There’s more good news if you’re looking for a torrenting VPN. PIA offers dedicated P2P servers, optimized for fast and secure downloads, and the kill switch will kick in to conceal your IP address and maintain your anonymity if the VPN connection happens to drop.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Plenty to customize with intuitive navigation | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | VPN newbies might feel daunted by the level of customization | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | No slouch, although other market leaders are quicker | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks most major streaming platforms thanks to an expansive server network | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | An audited nologs service with tough encryption | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Expert advice is readily available | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Fair prices for lots of functionality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best of the rest
Subscribe if:
✔️ You don’t want to break the bank: Surfshark packs a ton of features and value for money into inexpensive plans.
✔️ You need unlimited device connections: protect all of your devices, or secure the entire household, with a single account.
Don’t subscribe if:
❌ You’re looking for a VPN you can tinker with: there’s not a great deal of tweaking to be done with Surfshark’s advanced configurations—unlike NordVPN or PIA.
❌ You’re looking for a free VPN: Surfshark is one of the cheapest providers available, but Proton VPN gives you access to a decent service without parting with a penny.
Bottom line: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔒 Surfshark has more than 600 servers in the US, lowcost plans, and unlimited simultaneous connections—and you can take the service for a test spin with its 30day moneyback guarantee.
Want to know more?
Visit our full Surfshark review to see why our favorite cheap provider is also a great pick for US users.
Getting a US IP address is a piece of cake with Surfshark. The provider has servers in 25 cities, meaning virtually every corner of the States is covered—and that’s great news if you need a local connection to optimize speeds.
What truly sets Surfshark apart is its policy on simultaneous device connections. Other VPNs can limit the number of devices connected at any one time, but Surfshark supports unlimited connections. This meant I could secure all of my internetenabled gadgets under a single Surfshark account without worrying about hitting a stingy device limit.
I always consider a VPN’s compatibility with different devices when I put them to the test—and Surfshark passed with flying colors. It supports a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Comprehensive device compatibility is a significant advantage for any multidevice household, as I use multiple devices for work and leisure.
▶Try SurfsharkVPN with a 30day moneyback guarantee.
Performance is a critical factor when evaluating a VPN, and Surfshark delivered on this front, too. During my testing, I consistently saw impressive upload and download speeds. Surfshark is incredibly quick and should be able to keep up with intensive online activities like gaming, torrenting, and streaming.
In terms of drawbacks, I was slightly disappointed by Surfshark’s kill switch. I wasn’t notified when the VPN connection dropped during my tests—and that’s a problem, seeing as you could think you’re covered by the service’s protection when you’re most definitely not. Hopefully, Surfshark will address the issue before long.
Surfshark makes up for these issues with a suite of advanced features, some of which are part of the Surfshark One addon bundle. This bundle includes Surfshark Search, an ad and malware blocker, personal data breach alerts, and an antivirus scanner. There are also plenty of tutorials on the website, in both video and text formats, making it easy for users to troubleshoot solutions to any obstacles.
| Attribute | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Intuitive and suitable for beginners | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Apps are fresh and clutterfree | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | A blazingfast service, ireat for streaming and gaming | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks Netflix US, Hulu, Disney+, and more | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Plenty of security features as well as ad blocking | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | 24/7 support is available to handle any questions | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | An incredibly inexpensive premium provider | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Subscribe if:
✔️ You want a Linux app: IPVanish is one of the few VPNs that offer a dedicated app for Linux users.
✔️ You have a lot of devices to protect: much like Surfshark, IPVanish offers unlimited simultaneous connections.
Don’t subscribe if:
❌ You don’t intend to cancel your renewal: initial pricing is pretty cheap, but if you allow the service to renew, you might just break the bank.
❌ You want to stream Disney+: IPVanish has pretty reliable unblocking capabilities, but it struggled to unblock Disney+ in our latest round of testing.
Bottom line: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔒 IPVanish is a budgetfriendly provider with plenty of great features and unlimited simultaneous connections. It’s come a long way since our last deepdive.
Want to know more?
Check out our indepth IPVanish VPN review to find out more about this popular VPN provider.
IPVanish shot up the ranks in our latest round of testing, pushing its speed and apps to a whole new level and securing fifth place in our industry rankings.
In our latest round of testing, IPVanish unblocked US, UK, and Japanese Netflix with ease, and even accessed Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, and 9Now. However, it struggled to unblock Disney+.
▶ Try IPVanish with a 30day moneyback guarantee.
The desktop apps stand out with intuitive and easytouse map interfaces. It’s less imposing than NordVPN’s but comes with some of the same UI problems. Personally, I love the dark aesthetic of the software—it almost feels like you’re in a 90s hacker movie.
The company doesn’t just rent its servers, it owns them—giving it full control over bandwidth. On top of that, there are no device limits, so you can protect as many devices as you want. Combine all that with a featurerich offering and independent auditing, and it’s a reliable alternative.
IPVanish makes the most of WireGuard too, with blistering test results of over 950 Mbps earning it a place in our top three fastest VPNs. OpenVPN speeds were up from previous testing too, coming in at 225 Mbps. This might not seem like a lot in comparison, but bear in mind that OpenVPN has more than 10 times the code that WireGuard needs.
There are plenty of security features on offer, letting you tweak the app to suit your needs, and the builtin kill switch holds up to our most extreme testing, so you can be confident in the protection it gives you. I’m not a big fan of the absolute killswitch approach though. If you have it activated and intentionally disconnect from the VPN, it’ll stop your internet. This can be a pain in the neck if you just want to pause it for a moment. Thankfully, it’s easy enough to deactivate on the fly though, so this is only a minor gripe.
IPVanish is a great alternative for anyone with lots of hardware to protect and who wants to use its eyepopping WireGuard speeds. The 30day moneyback guarantee gives you a riskfree way to find out more, but beware, it’s for annual plans only—monthly billed users aren’t covered.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Dark and edgy, but generally complicated | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Some usability issues and a complex interface | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Incredibly fast WireGuard speeds | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Decent unblocking with a couple of hiccups | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Thoroughly audited and reliable encryption | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Support articles aren’t as helpful as they should be and generally say the same thing | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Generally cheap, but renewal prices are quite a sting to users that get caught out | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Subscribe if:
✔️ You need a reliable free VPN: PrivadoVPN doesn’t hide its most important features behind a paywall like ProtonVPN, so you get a reliable service without spending a penny.
✔️ You want to stream Netflix: a dedicated geounblocking team means that even free users benefit from reliable US and UK Netflix unblocking.
Don’t subscribe if:
❌ You want lots of server options: while the free service has 13 locations, it’s still incredibly limited, and the same can be said for the premium service compared to the likes of PIA and Surfshark.
❌ You need more than 10 GB of data per month: PrivadoVPN’s free service has a data limit on its uncapped server speeds, but after that’s used up, you go into “over quota mode” where you’re limited to 1 Mbps. If you need unlimited data on a free VPN, I recommend Proton VPN.
Bottom line: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔒 PrivadoVPN offers a decent midtier premium service, but it’s handsdown the best free VPN on the market right now.
Want to know more?
Check out our indepth PrivadoVPN review and see why this free service is so good at unblocking Netflix.
PrivadoVPN is a midtier premium VPN with a mindblowing free version. Premium users get 10 simultaneous connections, along with a zerologs policy, an ad blocker, parental controls, and even threat protection to help keep your devices safe from malware.
When it comes to the free version, some of these features are (unsurprisingly) locked behind the enticing premium paywall. However, there’s still a lot on offer, and Privado doesn’t restrict speeds for free users on up to 10GB of data—which is more than enough for most.
▶ Try PrivadoVPN absolutely free.
Our latest round of testing showed a fantastic 880 Mbps download speed, which is plenty for streaming in 4K, gaming online, and seamless torrenting. It even handles its own bandwidth and transit routes, so you get fantastic speeds and almost no server congestion—even on free servers.
Its easytouse apps offer oneclick connections and a kill switch to make sure you’re always protected, even if your VPN connection drops. Plus, with WireGuard VPN encryption, you get the latest and greatest in VPN protection at absolutely no cost.
For the streaming fans, PrivadoVPN has a dedicated geoblocking team that constantly looks to bypass censorship and regional content restrictions. What’s more, it doesn’t make free users suffer with subpar servers—making it one of the only free services that can reliably unblock US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime.
PrivadoVPN has yet to verify its privacy credentials with an independent audit. In our latest meeting with Privado (September 2023), I discussed audits and opensourcing with PrivadoVPN’s engineering team, who were keen to do more to improve the service, but noted that an audit would require a standstill for development, and that could prevent them from delivering on the needs of their users.
Privado plans to pursue an audit as soon as possible, but it needs to make sure it’s offering the best service it can at all times. It’s a catch22 situation, but one I’m confident will be addressed soon.
I like that PrivadoVPN doesn’t give you a reduced priority if you’re a free user. If you find yourself stuck, Privado has 24/7 email and live chat support for customers—regardless of what plan they’re on.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A simple yet colorful design | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Easy to use and clearly laid out | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | The low end of average for a leading service, but generally fast enough for anything you could throw at it | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Some hiccups despite a dedicated unblocking team | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Good scores on paper, but currently lacking an independent audit | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Decent email support, but not a lot of of onsite help | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Nothing beats free | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Subscribe if:
✔️ You want to try before you buy: free plans generally showcase the VPN’s most important features—although you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan to stream content.
✔️ You prioritize security and privacy: ProtonVPN comes from the same team behind Proton Mail, so you can rest assured they’re not interested in snooping.
Don’t subscribe if:
❌You want a broad server network: ProtonVPN has one of the more limited server fleets in our US ranking—and the number shrinks further if you’re a free user.
❌You have a need for speed: Proton VPN isn’t a speed demon, unfortunately, with disappointing connection speeds. NordVPN and Surfshark are better picks for the speedconscious.
Bottom line: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔒ProtonVPN is a fantastic free option with opensource apps, handy features, and coverage in the US for all users.
Want to know more?
Proton VPN is a privacyconscious choice that goes out of its way to prioritize your security—and you can read more in our indepth Proton VPN review.
Proton VPN has more than 400 US servers, meaning you’ll have easy access to georestricted content, and opensource apps that can be customized by techsavvy users. It’s an impressive level of flexibility, and invaluable to anyone who needs unique configurations or additional security measures to protect their web browsing.
In a world where most VPN providers only offer limited free trials, Proton VPN breaks the mold by providing a genuinely free option. While the free plan has some limitations, such as fewer server choices and slower speeds, it’s an excellent starting point for those who want to dip their toes into the world of VPNs without committing to a subscription.
▶Try ProtonVPN with a 30day moneyback guarantee.
With Proton VPN’s free plan, I was able to enjoy decent download and upload speeds, making it suitable for general web browsing and light streaming. Unfortunately, however, the plan doesn’t support streaming. You’ll need to upgrade to a paid subscription to get access to ten Netflix regions, HBO Max, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
Proton VPN uses Secure Core servers to maximize security and route your data through multiple locations, starting with privacyfriendly countries like Iceland, Switzerland, or Sweden. This multihop approach ensures that your data remains secure even if one server is compromised. Proton VPN doubles down on its commitment to privacy by using RAMbased servers that wipe all data daily, meaning nothing sensitive is ever stored for long.
Because Proton has a small server network, during times of high demand, such as when many users are connecting to the VPN simultaneously, I experienced connectivity issues. By comparison, PIA can handle increased traffic much more efficiently thanks to its larger fleet of servers.
Proton VPN offers userfriendly apps for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and even smart TVs. Its intuitive interface makes it easy for both beginners and experienced VPN users to access USspecific content or hop across to overseas servers.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A clean UI that’s easy to navigate | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of Use | Simple for both beginners and experts | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | The best free VPN in the business | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks all Netflix regions, Amazon Prime, and more, on paid plan | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Developed by CERN scientists, one of the most secure VPNs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Available through form submission, and knowledge base | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Only VPN to offer a completely free plan | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
How to choose a US VPN?
While we’ve shortlisted some of our favorite VPN services in this article, the provider you choose will ultimately depend on your own specific use case.
Consider what you’ll use your VPN for. Is unblocking US content your priority? Do you need a service that puts privacy above everything else? Or are you looking for an allrounder?
Other important criteria to consider include:
- US servers: make sure your chosen VPN has plenty of servers in the States—and that they’re physically located there.
- Speed: performance is vital to any streaming or gaming you’ll be doing.
- Userfriendly apps: use the VPN’s trial period to explore its apps on different devices to get a feel for how they work.
- Pricing: don’t break the bank to get your hands on a US IP address, and be sure to take advantage of our discounts.
- Security features: a kill switch, split tunneling, and multihop functionality can add allimportant security to your browsing sessions.
- Trials and moneyback guarantees: most VPNs give you a grace period where you can try the service for free, or claim your money back within a certain timeframe.
How we test VPNs for the US
When putting US VPNs to the test, I connected to a US server to test upload and download speeds, connection times, stability, which content it could unblock—and how reliably. I assess the service’s performance, ease of use, and arsenal of features, bringing them all together and comparing each provider sidebyside to see which services will really help you unblock American content unrestricted.
Best US VPN FAQs
Can I use a free US VPN?
You can, but don’t expect it to be as reliable or capable as a paidfor service. Even the best free VPN is still a limited version of a premium app. In fact, a good VPN doesn’t need to be expensive, either. Surfshark tops our list as the best cheap VPN and ranks third overall in our industry rankings. Still, if you’re looking for protection with no budget, PrivadoVPN is an excellent starting point.
How to unblock the US with a VPN
1. Select a US Server:
Open your VPN app and choose a server located in the United States.
2. Connect:
Click the ‘Connect’ button in the VPN app to establish a secure connection.
3. Start surfing:
Once connected, you can access US websites and streaming platforms as if you were physically located in the United States, bypassing georestrictions.
Is a US VPN illegal?
While you’re absolutely safe and within your right to use a VPN in the USA, there are countries that have laws against them, including the likes of China and North Korea. However, within the US, VPN services are completely legal to use.
Is a US VPN safe to use?
Absolutely. If you use one of the VPNs we’ve recommended in this article, you’ll have no trouble.
Bear in mind, however, that there are thousands of VPN services on the market—and they’re not all made equal. Some providers are seriously limited (by bandwidth caps and data allowances), and more unscrupulous VPNs even log your IP and browsing habits to sell to equally nefarious third parties.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paidfor is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.