Best US VPN in 2024

Whether you’re living in the US or just visiting on a trip, there are lots of reasons why you may want to use a VPN.

A VPN is a great tool if you’re looking to keep your online activities private from prying eyes, whether it be concerned about hackers, advertisers, government agencies, etc. By using a VPN, you can make sure you maintain your online privacy, whether you’re just traveling to New York on business or living in your home in Ohio.

VPNs are also useful if you’re an avid TV or movie watcher and want to be able to access movies and shows on streaming services that are only available outside of the US. A VPN is exactly what you need to bypass those geographical blocks on sites like Netflix or Prime Video by making it seem as though you virtually relocate to a different place with your VPN server.

Or perhaps you’re an avid gamer who wants to access more games and stop bandwidth throttling. Or maybe a big sports fan who wants to be able to access all your favorite teams. Well, a VPN can help with that, too!

But how do you know which VPN provider to choose? There are tons of options on the market, and it can be tough to sift through all the various VPN services. Well, luckily, I’ve done it for you! Keep reading to learn more about our top picks for the best VPN USA options out there.

In a hurry? Here are the 5 best US VPNs 

Looking for the best VPNs to use in the US? These are our top picks:

How to choose the best VPN for the USA 

When choosing the best VPN for you to use in the USA, be sure to keep these points in mind:

• Geo-restrictions. Look for a VPN that can bypass geo-restrictions so that you can stream, torrent, or play games without being limited by your location.
• Server network. Choose a provider with a vast network of VPN servers, which will help keep the network fast and give you plenty of VPN server locations to choose from.
• Speed. Look for a VPN with top-notch speeds so you won’t have to worry about lag or being slowed down by your VPN while streaming, torrenting, gaming, or any other online activity.
• Compatibility. It’s important to choose a VPN service that is compatible with your devices.
• Pricing. Be sure to consider the pricing of the VPN service and choose the plan that works best for you and your budget. It’s also important to choose a VPN that offers a money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.

5 best VPNs for the USA 

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is my top pick for VPNs for the USA. It has over 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, so you’ll have plenty of server locations to choose from.

Features: ExpressVPN is known for its user-friendly and intuitive interface. It offers unlimited bandwidth and up to 8 simultaneous connections. It also comes with a MediaStreamer, which is a DNS service to improve your streaming experience if your device doesn’t support VPNs, as well as a password manager to keep all your passwords protected.

Speed: Thanks to its Lightway tunneling protocol, ExpressVPN offers lighting-fast speeds, so you’ll never have to worry about annoying buffering while streaming content or lag time while gaming.

Security: ExpressVPN has top-of-the-line security and privacy features, including military-grade encryption, a kill switch, an ad blocker, and a Threat Manager. It also has a strict no-logs policy, so you know your data is being kept completely safe.

Streaming: ExpressVPN has no problem bypassing geographical restrictions so that you can access most of the popular streaming platforms from any country, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max.

Compatibility: This VPN is compatible with most devices, including Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux, FireStick, Smart TVs, gaming consoles, and routers.

Pricing: Prices for ExpressVPN start at $6.67 per month. However, it does come with a 30-day money back guarantee, so you can try it risk free before deciding if you want to fully commit.

2. NordVPN

NordVPN is known as one of the best VPNs on the market and is a popular choice among VPN users. It has recently expanded its server network to include over 6,400 servers across 111 countries.

Features: NordVPN comes with unlimited bandwidth and allows for up to 10 simultaneous device connections under one account. It also features a SmartPlay feature for watching movies anywhere, as well as private DNS and double VPN. Additionally, it offers a dedicated IP address for an extra layer of privacy and security.

Speed: This VPN is one of the fastest VPNs on the market thanks to its NordLynx protocol, which will ensure minimal lag time so you can stream, game, or torrent without any worries of annoying buffering.

Security: NordVPN has all the top security and privacy features, including AES-256 encryption, split tunneling, threat protection, Meshnet, a dark web monitor, a kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy. With these features, you can rest assured all your data will remain safe.

Streaming: NordVPN has no problem bypassing geographical restrictions, so you can access all the popular streaming platforms around the world, including Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and HBO Max.

Compatibility: This VPN is compatible with most devices, including Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux, and Smart TVs.

Pricing: Prices for NordVPN start at $3.39 per month and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. For any issues you can contact their customer support team 24/7.

3. Surfshark

If you’re looking for a premium VPN at a bargain price that won’t hurt your wallet, then Surfshark is the VPN for you. This VPN comes with over 3,200 servers across 100 countries.

Features: In addition to unlimited bandwidth, Surfshark stands out by offering its users unlimited simultaneous connections so that you can use your subscription on as many devices in your household as you want. It also offers a dedicated IP address, as well as antivirus software to keep you protected.

Speed: While it might not be as fast as the first two VPNs on our list, Surfshark still has very fast speeds utilizing WireGaurd and other protocols, so you should still not have troubling lag time.

Security: Surfshark has all the top standard security and privacy features, including AES-256 encryption, DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and a strong no-logs policy to keep your data safe and secure.

Streaming: Surfshark works at unblocking streaming sites such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, and HBO Max.

Compatibility: This VPN is compatible with most of the popular devices, including iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, Apple TV, and FireTV.

Pricing: This is one of the more affordable premium VPNs on the market, with prices starting at just $1.99 per month. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 customer support.

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has a huge server network that comprises 11,500 servers spread across 100 countries, including many server locations in the US and is known for being dependable and user-friendly.

Features: CyberGhost allows for up to 7 simultaneous device connections. It also offers dedicated IP addresses and streaming-optimized servers.

Speed: This VPN utilizes WireGuard protocol for fast speeds to avoid buffering issues, although its speed doesn’t quite measure up to the other top VPNs on this list.

Security: CyberGhost has robust security features, including military-grade encryption, DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and a verified no-logs policy.

Streaming: Thanks to its streaming-optimized servers, CyberGhost is great for streaming and unblocking sites such as Netflix, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Disney+.

Compatibility: CyberGhost is compatible with numerous devices, including Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and gaming consoles.

Pricing: Prices for CyberGhost start at $2.03 per month. But it truly stands out with its impressive 45-day money-back guarantee.

5. Proton VPN

Proton VPN is a solid choice for a premium VPN provider that has 8,600 servers in 112 countries. Unlike the other VPNs on this list, Proton also comes with a free version of its services, which many users gravitate towards if they are budget-conscious.

Features: Proton VPN features an ad-blocker, port forwarding, and a stealth mode to evade firewalls and blocking. It allows up to 10 simultaneous device connections and unlimited bandwidth. It does offer a free version. However, users should be aware that the free services do not come with all of the same advanced features as the subscription version.

Speed: This VPN has great speeds with the WireGaurd protocol, which is ideal for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. However, the free option has much slower speeds.

Security: Proton VPN offers top privacy and security features, including AES-256 encryption, DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy. This VPN is also based in Switzerland, so you can rest assured your data is truly safe with privacy laws.

Streaming: With Proton VPN, you access blocked content on streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and HBO Max.

Compatibility: Proton VPN is compatible with iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, FireTV, and more.

Pricing: Besides the free option, prices for Proton VPN start at $4.99 per month, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

How we picked and tested the best VPN for US 

When looking at the best VPNs for the US, there are several factors I took into account when choosing and testing which ones to put on this list:

• Speed. VPNs are known to slow down the connection from your internet service provider, so we tested the speeds of all the VPNs on this list to ensure that you’re getting the best speeds possible, and the drop in speed will be virtually undetected.
• Security. Security and privacy are crucial factors when it comes to a VPN, so we only chose VPN services that take online security seriously. These VPNs all have robust security features that will help you keep your data secure while online.
• Servers. We made sure to pick VPNs that have server locations around the world, giving you global coverage and multiple servers to choose from.
• Streaming and torrenting. We tested each VPN on various popular streaming platforms and tested their unblocking capabilities to ensure they could bypass any geo-restrictions. We also tested the VPNs on torrenting platforms to test their download speeds and more.
• Simultaneous connections. For those who plan to use a VPN on multiple devices, it’s important to choose a VPN that offers simultaneous connections, which we took into account when compiling this list.
• Pricing. There are tons of VPNs to choose from on the market, all at different price points with different features included. So, we wanted to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck when it comes to choosing a VPN.
• Apps and devices. We made sure to include VPNs on this list that are compatible with most of the popular apps and devices available, including iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows.

VPN for USA: Quick comparison chart 

Brand
Free Trial	Available – 7 Day (For Mobile Devices)	Available – 7 Day Free Trial	Available – 7 Day Free Trial	Available for – 1 day on desktop, 3 day on Android, and 7 day on iOS	Available – Unlimited	Available – 30 Days Refund Trial	Available – 7 Day Free Trial	Available – 7 Day Free Trial	Available – 7 Day Free Trial	Available – 30 Days Refund Trial
Starting Price	$6.67/month	$3.39/month	$2.19/month	$2.03/month	$4.99/Month	$2.03/month	$2.19/month	$2.00/month	$2.14/month	$5.00/month
Logging	No logs, independently audited by Cure53	No logs, independently audited twice by PwC	No logs, independently audited by Deloitte	No logs, independently audited by Deloitte	No logs, independently audited by Securitum	No logs, independently audited by Deloitte	No logs, independently audited by Leviathan	No logs, operated under Swedish privacy laws	No logs, always-on audit by KPMG	No logs, independently audited by Leviathan
Servers	3,000+ servers in 105 countries	6,400 + servers in 111 countries	3,200+ servers in 100 countries	11,500+ in 100 countries	5,200+ servers in 91 countries	30,000+ servers in 91 countries	2,400+ servers in 55 locations	200+ servers in 63 countries	6,500+ servers in 65 countries	700+ servers in 64 countries
Streaming	Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more	Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more	Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more	Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more	Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more	Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more	Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Vudu, and more	Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more	Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more	Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Peacock, ITVX, SkyTV, Apple TV+, and more
Simultaneous connections	8	10	Unlimited	7	10	Unlimited	Unlimited	10	10	5
Based in	British Virgin Islands	Panama	The Netherlands	Romania	Switzerland	United States	United States	Sweden	British Virgin Islands	Switzerland
Reviews	ExpressVPN Review	NordVPN Review	Surfshark Review	CyberGhost Review	ProtonVPN Review	Private Internet Access Review	IPVanish Review	PrivateVPN Review	PureVPN Review	VyprVPN Review

Why you need a VPN for USA

You might be wondering why you need to have a VPN if you’re living in or visiting the US, and there are several reasons why it could be useful and important for you:

• Maintain your privacy. Maintaining your privacy online is incredibly important, and unfortunately, the United States is part of what’s called the 5-eyes-alliance, meaning they might share intelligence information with other countries. However, by using a VPN with strong encryption and a solid no-logs policy, you can ensure your data never falls into the wrong hands. Additionally, it will help protect you if you use public Wi-Fi.
• Stop bandwidth throttling. If you’re having problems with bandwidth throttling, a VPN can help prevent that and stabilize your speeds.
• Prevent ISP tracking. US-based ISPs have a reputation for sometimes selling user data to advertisers, but with a VPN, you can block ISP tracking by rerouting internet traffic through a VPN’s server.
• Unblock streaming content. Being in the US means that streaming content in other countries is often blocked to you, whether it’s a Netflix show in Germany or a Premier League game in the UK. But with a VPN, you can unblock streaming content from all around the world.
• Bypass sports blackouts. Sometimes, sports games for your favorite teams can be tough to stream outside of your city, but with a VPN, you can connect to a server in whichever area you need so you never miss a game.
• Unblock sports betting sites. If you’re someone who loves sports betting but find yourself blocked because of your location in the US, a VPN can help you bypass the geographical restrictions and unblock the sites.
• Unblock state-restricted websites. Some websites can only be accessed if you are in a specific state, but with a VPN, you can unblock those sites from all 50 states and more.
• Bypass ID checks. Sometimes certain states require an ID check on their sites. But if for whatever reason you don’t want to show your ID, you can change your server location and access the site from a different state.

How to get a US VPN

Getting a VPN for the US is as simple as can be. Start by choosing which of the VPN services work best for you, and follow the provider’s instructions on their website to download the VPN once you’ve subscribed. For any issues you can usually contact customer support.

For those using a Mac, many VPNs can also be accessed through the Mac App Store. The apps can usually be downloaded for free, however, if you want to be able to use them and access all the available features that the VPN has to offer then you will need to log in to the VPN service and subscribe.

Once you’ve downloaded the VPN software, you should be able to install it like any other program on your computer or device. A dialogue box may pop up on your computer asking if you will grant permission to the VPN to access or change settings, which is perfectly normal. Be sure to click “yes,” as you’ll need to allow for this anyway.

Once you have everything downloaded and squared away, simply log in to your VPN app or site using the details you created when you began an account with the service. Click the button on the app to turn the VPN on, and after that, your device will be protected anytime you have internet access.

VPNs with the most US servers 

Something to consider when you’re deciding which VPN you want to use for the USA is to take into account how many physical servers each VPN has in the country (as opposed to just virtual servers). By connecting to a physical server in the country, you can optimize your speeds, avoid lag time or connectivity issues, and overall enjoy a strong and secure VPN connection with great performance.

It’s also worth considering which VPN has physical server locations closest to your actual location because connecting to a server closest to you will generally also improve speed, connectivity, and performance.

• ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN has an undisclosed number of servers in the US. However, we can confirm that they have physical servers in the following cities:
  
  Albuquerque, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey, New York, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Fransisco, Seattle, Tampa, and Washington D.C.
• NordVPN. NordVPN has over 1,970 servers located in the US. We can confirm that there are physical servers in these cities:
  
  Atlanta, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Manassas, Miami, New York, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Fransisco, San Jose, Seattle, and St. Louis.
• Surfshark. Surfshark has over 600 servers in the US, with physical servers in the following cities:
  
  Ashburn, Atlanta, Bend, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Latham, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and San Jose.
• CyberGhost. When it comes to US servers, CyberGhost has the largest number of all the VPNs on our list, with over 2,100 US-based servers. They have physical servers in the cities of:
  
  Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC.
• Proton VPN. Proton VPN has 2,012 US servers. Their server locations include the following cities:
  
  Ashburn, San Jose, Miami, Secaucus, Washington, Dallas, Salt Lake City, Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta, New York, and Denver.

Do we recommend using a free VPN for USA?

While it might be tempting to use a free VPN and save yourself a few bucks, it is generally not something that we recommend for several reasons.

To begin with, free VPNs tend to be limited in the number of server locations they offer, and their performance can leave a lot to be desired. Because they have a smaller number of servers, their server network is often crowded and can lead to really slow speeds. Additionally, if you’re looking for a VPN to unblock Netflix or other sites, a free VPN is unlikely to be able to bypass those restrictions successfully.

More importantly, free VPNs tend to majorly lack in the security and privacy department. They simply do not have the privacy and security features that other VPN providers offer and can leave you vulnerable to online threats. Many free VPN companies have also been found selling their users’ data to third parties as a way to make money, meaning your online privacy is majorly at risk with these companies.

Even quality VPNs like Proton VPN that offer a free version of their services can have issues, as the free versions don’t usually come with all the same features and performance that the subscription versions have. This can leave you with limited service of what you can do with your VPN.

This is why we recommend spending the money on subscription VPN services like ExpressVPN or one of the other recommendations on this list. And you can always be on the lookout for the best deals in order to save some money.

Is it legal to use a VPN in USA?

Yes, it is legal to use a VPN in all 50 states in the USA. Many workplaces in the US encourage the use of VPNs for safe and secure internet access while on the job, especially those who handle sensitive information, such as medical practices, law offices, government agencies, and more.

However, be aware that while using a VPN might be legal, this does not mean it is allowed to be used for illegal activities.

It’s also worth noting that while it may be legal to use a VPN, it might go against terms of service for various web pages like sports betting sites, streaming platforms like Netflix, etc. While you won’t get into legal trouble for using a VPN on a website like Netflix, it will be trying to detect the VPN and block you. This is why it’s important to have a VPN with lots of servers to choose from so you can always stay one step ahead of the detectors.

Is it safe to use VPN in USA?

Yes, it is safe to use a VPN in the US. Since it’s legal, you have nothing to worry about.

In fact, using a premium VPN can actually keep you safer while online. It ensures you have secure internet access, no matter what kind of network you connect to. By having an encrypted connection, along with a good no-logs policy, you can make sure that hackers and third parties can’t access your private data or track your online activities.

FAQ

Which VPN is the best VPN for USA?

There are tons of VPNs to choose from on the market, but our top pick for an all around good VPN for the USA is ExpressVPN.

Express is a great VPN that is consistent, reliable, and has a great user-friendly interface. It also has a good server network, including numerous US servers, top-notch speeds, and robust privacy features. It also has a tried and tested no-logs policy that’s proven itself in the real world to not keep user logs, so you know that you’ll be secure when you use it.

Which VPN is the best for California?

To choose the best VPN for California, we recommend looking at the options to see which VPN has servers located in California that you could connect to if you’re looking for a secure connection during your online activities.

All five VPNs on our list have servers in California, but our top recommendations are ExpressVPN or NordVPN.

How does a VPN affect my internet speed?

Inevitably, a VPN will slow down your internet speed. However, with a good-quality VPN, the slowdown in your speed should not be significant and can even be virtually unnoticeable.

But it’s important to know that your speed will also be impacted by your ISP. If your service provider is slow and you struggle with the connection on a regular basis, then a VPN will not solve that issue or improve it.

How can I get a US IP with a VPN?

Getting a US IP with a VPN is a simple process. Once you’ve chosen the VPN provider you’d like to sign up with, made an account, and downloaded the VPN app to your device, it’s just a couple clicks away.

Simply go into the VPN app or browser extension and look for a US-based server to which you would like to connect. Click on the city of your choice, and your VPN should then access the server and turn it on. Once it’s on, check your connection, and you should be all set with a US IP.

Conclusion

Whether you’re living in the US or just planning a trip to one of the 50 states, a VPN is something that you will want to have. It has so many uses, such as helping to provide you with secure internet access and keeping your activities safe from prying eyes. It also allows you to unblock restricted content on streaming platforms like Netflix, sports betting sites, local news sites, state-specific sites, and more.

With so many options on the market to choose from, it can be hard to figure out which VPN is the right one for you to use in the USA. You have to keep in mind what you intend to use it for, what your budget is, and all in all what you will get out of it.

All five VPNs on this list are great options for a USA VPN, but our number one pick is ExpressVPN, for a true, well-rounded VPN that’s great for beginners and experts alike.

And be sure to keep an eye out for our coupons and links to get the best deals available for these VPNs.