A VPN is the best tool for protecting your privacy against monitoring from the US government, your internet service provider, advertisers, and hackers. Based on our tests, here are the five best USA VPNs:
- NordVPN: The overall best USA VPN with excellent security features
- Surfshark: A fast and affordable VPN perfect for streaming in the US
- PIA: Affordable VPN with servers in all 50 US States
- CyberGhost: An easy-to-use VPN for the US
- IPVanish: Excellent USA VPN for torrenting
NordVPN is our best VPN for USA because it has the largest server network in the US. It also boasts fast speeds and excellent security features like malware protection and dark web monitoring.
Continue reading the article to learn all the details about using a VPN in the US. We’ll also show you three free VPNs for the US.
If you live in the US or are traveling there, your online privacy might be at risk. The US government is known for extensive spying and surveillance. Many Big Tech companies, including Google, Facebook, and Amazon, also track and gather personal data.
A virtual private network (VPN) is the best tool for covering your online tracks in the USA. Not only does it encrypt your online traffic, but it also hides your identity from prying eyes.
After testing over 70 VPNs, our US-based experts have discovered the best US VPNs. Keep reading to learn about our findings.
Which VPN is Best for the USA?
NordVPN is the best VPN for the US because it’s a well-rounded VPN with multiple servers in the US, fast speeds, and excellent security features. Aside from NordVPN, we also recommend Surfshark, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access (PIA) as good alternatives. All these made our list of the best VPNs.
The table below will help you compare our top five USA VPN picks at a glance. For the full list, keep reading below.
| Feature | NordVPN | Surfshark | Private Internet Access (PIA) | CyberGhost | IPVanish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of servers | 5,000+ | 3,200+ | Unknown | 9000+ | 2,200+ |
| Number of countries | 60 | 100 | 84 | 91 | 51 |
| Number of US servers | 1790+ | 600+ | Servers in all 50 US states | 1288 | 1,100+ |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2, Wireguard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, Wireguard | OpenVPN, Wireguard, L2TP/IPsec, PPTP | OpenVPN, IKEv2, Wireguard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, Wireguard |
| Best Price | $3.79/month on the two-year plan | $2.30/month on the two-year plan | $2.19/month on the two-year plan | $2.19/month on the two-year plan | $3.33/month on the two-year plan |
| Purchase | Get up to 65% off NordVPN | Get 85% off Surfshark | Get 82% off PIA | Get 83% off CyberGhost | Get 72% off IPVanish |
Next, we’ll dig deep into each VPN, explaining why it made the best USA VPN list. Aside from the five picks in the table above, we also added three free VPNs for the USA in case you’re on a tight budget.
Note that each of our VPN app choices offers military-grade AES encryption, a kill switch to prevent leaks when your VPN connection drops, and DNS leak protection.
1. NordVPN: The #1 best VPN for USA
If you’re concerned about privacy and security, NordVPN is your only choice — it’s the best VPN for security, not just in the US but anywhere in the world. It encrypts your internet traffic using military-grade AES encryption and protects your connection with DNS leak protection, double VPN servers, and dark web monitoring.
- NordVPN 24 months $2.99mth Deal View offer
- NordVPN 12 months $4.49mth View offer
- NordVPN Monthly $12.99mth View offer
Why we picked NordVPN as the best USA VPN:
- 1,970 servers in the US in 16 server locations available, all of which can reliably unblock Netflix US and other US-based streaming services like Tubi TV and Peacock
- Double VPN servers encrypt your traffic twice, making you doubly sure that no snooper can access it
- Threat Protection blocks malware and trackers so you can browse the web securely
- Dark web monitoring scans the dark web and alerts you if your information appears there to help you combat identity theft, a pressing issue in the US
- A strict no-logs policy ensures that not even NordVPN gathers and keeps your data (NordVPN is based in Panama, which has mandatory data retention laws)
We recommend NordVPN for business executives, journalists, and anyone who handles sensitive information. Its suite of security and privacy features excels at keeping your information away from third parties.
Learn all about NordVPN’s features in our NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark: A fast and affordable VPN perfect for streaming content in the US
Surfshark has a unique way of keeping prying eyes at bay, thanks to its rotating IP feature. When you connect to a US server, Surfshark will switch between multiple US IP addresses. This makes it extremely difficult for anyone to track you.
Couple that with one of the cheapest monthly subscriptions and unlimited simultaneous device connections, and Surfshark VPN is almost impossible to beat.
- Surfshark 24 months $1.99mth Deal View offer
- Surfshark 12 months $3.99mth View offer
- Surfshark 1 month $10.99mth View offer
Why we picked Surfshark:
- Over 600 servers in 25 US cities to choose from for unblocking Netflix and hiding your IP address
- Unlimited simultaneous connections make Surfshark perfect for sharing with family or friends
- CleanWeb feature to block ads, trackers, and malware attacks
- RAM-only server network makes it unlikely for any third party to access your data because any data Surfshark has on you erases after each reboot
We recommend Surfshark if you intend to use a VPN to stream sports and movies in the US. In our tests, Surfshark unblocked all major streaming services, including Netflix US, Tubi TV, Peacock TV, and ESPN. Anyone who wants to save big on a VPN subscription will also love Surfshark.
Explore this VPN’s features in our Surfshark review.
3. Private Internet Access (PIA): Affordable VPN with servers in all 50 US States
Need a VPN that covers every single US state? Private Internet Access has you covered. You can get an IP address from 50 US states, all while benefitting from PIA’s advanced privacy features and affordable subscription rates.
- Private Internet Access (PIA) 2 Years (Plus 4 free months) 2.03mth Deal View offer
- Private Internet Access (PIA) 6 Months $7.50mth View offer
- Private Internet Access (PIA) Monthly $11.99mth View offer
Why we chose PIA:
- Servers in all 50 US states for the widest range of US IP addresses out of all the VPNs on this list
- Effective PIA MACE ad tracker and malware blocker that ensures your online privacy and security remain intact
- Free email breach monitor that alerts you if your email appears in a data breach (to avoid identity theft)
- Unlimited connections to connect as many devices as you want to the VPN (perfect for smart homes)
Choose PIA if you visit different US states often for work or leisure. Thanks to PIA’s servers in all 50 states, your chances of finding a nearby VPN server are much higher.
We have more information about Private Internet Access in our PIA review.
4. CyberGhost: Easy-to-use automated VPN for the US
CyberGhost is the ideal VPN if you want to automate your VPN use. For example, under smart rules, you can set up CyberGhost VPN to launch, connect to a specific US server, and open your browser. That way, you don’t have to manually set up the VPN each time you want to use the internet.
- CyberGhost 2 Years $2.03mth Deal View offer
- CyberGhost 6 Months $6.99mth View offer
- CyberGhost 1 Month $12.99mth View offer
Why we chose CyberGhost:
- Over 1,288 servers in 11 US cities as part of a large server network, which reduces the chances of overcrowding and slower VPN speeds
- Smart Rules helps customize CyberGhost so you can automate connection, server selection, and more
- Dedicated gaming and torrenting servers make CyberGhost the VPN of choice for many gamers and streamers
- 45-day money-back guarantee for this US VPN with the longest money-back period: try CyberGhost risk-free
We recommend CyberGhost if you often use public Wi-Fi in places such as coffee shops, malls, hotels, and airports. You can easily set up CyberGhost to automatically connect to a US server before connecting to an unsecured Wi-Fi network.
You can learn more about this VPN provider in our CyberGhost review.
5. IPVanish: Excellent USA VPN for torrenting
IPVanish rivals the best VPNs for torrenting because it allows P2P downloads on its US servers. We were able to download multiple torrents from the best torrenting websites without any issues. IPVanish’s speeds were also decent, so we didn’t experience any lags.
- IPVanish 2 years (Plus 3 months free) $2.99mth Deal View offer
- IPVanish 1 year (Plus 3 months free) $3.59mth View offer
- IPVanish 1 month $12.99mth View offer
Why we picked IPVanish:
- More than 1,100 servers in 20 US cities – more IP address options than other VPNs on this list
- Scramble protocol to hide the fact that you’re using a VPN from snoopers, keeping your privacy intact
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections to protect all of the devices in your household
We recommend IPVanish to anyone who wants to torrent in the US. It’s also great for streaming ESPN in the US as we didn’t experience any hiccups while downloading or streaming ESPN. Also, go for IPVanish if you want a VPN on multiple devices because it offers unlimited simultaneous connections.
You can learn more about IPVanish in our IPVanish review.
6. Proton VPN: Best free VPN in the US
Proton VPN is one of the few free VPNs to offer unlimited data and speed. This means that you can browse, stream, or torrent without running out of data while at it. This makes it the best free US VPN.
- Proton VPN 30 months $3.99mth Deal View offer
- Proton VPN 15 months $4.79mth View offer
- Proton VPN 1 month $8.99mth View offer
Why we chose Proton VPN:
- Free, secure core servers in the US so you can get a US IP address securely and for free (also connect to servers in Japan and the Netherlands)
- No user data logs despite being a free VPN, which is a rare sight
- Unlimited data for browsing and streaming without limits
- Based in Switzerland, which has excellent user data protection laws
We recommend Proton VPN if you want a free VPN service provider but don’t want to compromise your privacy. It’s located in Switzerland, which has data protection laws in its constitution. This means the VPN won’t hand over your data even if the US government requires it.
Learn all about Proton VPN’s free VPN in our Proton VPN review.
7. PrivadoVPN: Excellent free VPN that you can use on unlimited devices
Like Proton VPN, PrivadoVPN is a privacy-focused VPN based in Switzerland. Although it has a 10 GB monthly data limit, it offers unlimited speeds and unlimited device connections.
- PrivadoVPN 24 Months $1.11mth Deal View offer
- PrivadoVPN 12 Months $1.33mth View offer
- PrivadoVPN 1 Month $10.99mth View offer
Why we chose PrivadoVPN:
- Free server location in the US, as well as the Netherlands, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Brazil, and France
- Unlimited simultaneous connections for free allow you to protect all your devices at zero cost
- Ad blocker that is effective at stopping ads to give you a seamless browsing experience
- Based in Switzerland, which has excellent privacy laws
Use PrivadoVPN if you want a free VPN that you can use on unlimited devices. This makes PrivadoVPN a good pick if you work on multiple devices, say laptops, workstations, phones, and tablets.
Read more about this VPN provider in our PrivadoVPN review.
8. Atlas VPN: Free VPN service with split tunneling
Atlas VPN is one of the easiest VPN services to use, especially on mobile apps. You can use the VPN right after installing it, without even entering a username or password. It’s also fast and free, although you have to mind the 10 GB monthly data limit.
- Atlas VPN 24 Months $1.64mth Deal View offer
- Atlas VPN 12 Months $3.29mth View offer
- Atlas VPN Monthly $11.99mth View offer
Why we picked Atlas VPN:
- Free US servers in New York and Los Angeles so you can get an IP address from both the West and East coasts
- Allows torrenting, so you can safely download torrents without paying for a subscription
- Reasonably fast speeds that let you browse securely and without interruption (at zero cost!)
- Split tunneling so you can whitelist apps to bypass the VPN (usually a premium feature that’s not available in free virtual private networks)
Using a VPN might reduce your connection speeds, especially with free VPN providers. To prevent this, you can set up Atlas VPN to provide cover only for specific apps while allowing other apps to run regularly.
Learn more about this free US VPN service in our Atlas VPN review.
How We Chose the Best VPN Service for the US
Our team of experts used these questions as a basis for drawing up the list of the best United States VPN services:
- Does it have servers in the US? We chose VPNs that have a sizeable server network in the United States to ensure you have multiple options for choosing a US IP address.
- What security features does it have? AES encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch are standard fare for premium VPNs. Other handy security features include trackers and malware blockers, dark web monitoring, and double VPN.
- Is the VPN service fast? We chose VPNs with fast download and upload speeds and low pings to ensure you don’t suffer any lags or buffering wheels.
- How does it handle your data? Does the VPN log personal details that can be traced to you? Is it located in a country that’s known for data privacy or otherwise?
Why You Need to Use a VPN in the US
VPN software is a must-have tool in your arsenal for the following reasons:
- Protect your privacy: The US government tracks users. And because it’s part of the Five Eyes Alliance, a data-sharing arrangement between the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, your data could end up anywhere. A VPN encrypts your traffic so that no third party can read it.
- Prevent tracking by snoopers: A VPN hides your location and identity, making it hard for anyone, including cybercriminals, to track you.
- Stop ISP tracking and bandwidth throttling: Internet service providers (ISPs) are notorious for monitoring user activities and throttling bandwidth. A VPN can hide your information from your internet service provider.
- Access US-specific content: Some streaming services and sports websites work only in the US. A VPN can help you access such content regardless of your location.
- Unblock state-restricted sites: There are some websites, such as betting sites, that are restricted to specific states.
Conclusion: Connect to the Best US VPN Services
From our research and testing, NordVPN has the largest server collection in the US: over 1,970 servers in 16 locations. All these servers are fast and can unblock Netflix and other restricted websites, making them perfect for combating censorship in the US.
NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test the service risk-free.
Here are some other helpful articles about using a VPN in different countries:
- Best VPNs to Use in Canada (20+ Tested!)
- Top VPNs for Europe: Privacy, Speed, Unblocking
- The Best VPNs for Italy
- The Best VPN for Germany: Our Top 5 Picks
If our article didn’t answer your question, you can read our compilation of the most common questions about USA VPNs. Simply click on a question to reveal an answer.
We recommend NordVPN as the best VPN service for the US. It has over 1,970 fast and secure servers in 16 US cities. NordVPN has a wide range of security features, including dark web monitoring, double VPN servers, and a malware blocker.
Using a VPN in the US is perfectly legal. However, there are specific websites that frown on VPN use, such as streaming services. To be on the safe side, read their terms and conditions before using a VPN.
A good US VPN, like NordVPN, works with various US-based streaming services, including Netflix US, Peacock TV, Tubi TV, Disney Plus, and Crunchyroll.
The US government has sophisticated tools that can track VPN use. Your best bet is to use a VPN that conceals your VPN use so that not even the US government can track it. We recommend NordVPN, thanks to its obfuscated servers.
To get a VPN for the USA, do the following:
- Choose a fast and secure VPN. We recommend NordVPN.
- Purchase a subscription and download the app.
- Connect to a server in the USA.
- Open your browser and apps and start using the internet.
