The best US VPNs boost your online privacy and keep your data out of the hands of potential eavesdroppers. 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 hard-earned cash? I've been testing the best VPNs for four years now and have examined hundreds of services, 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 respect your privacy, 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
The best US VPN services in 2025
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Now, it's time to examine my favorite US VPNs in depth and analyse their features, performance, ease of use, and servers to help you decide which one is right for you. I'll also share 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
If you're looking for US server coverage, it's hard to match PIA (Private Internet Access), which is why it's our number-one US VPN. 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 well-known commitment to user privacy make PIA a stand-out 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).
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Customizable encryption options give users the chance to tailor their security preferences—which is good news if you like to go deep-diving into settings. I particularly appreciate the support for AES-256 encryption, which is the gold standard for VPN security.
If you're looking for a VPN to stream content with, PIA also has you covered there, unblocking popular platforms like Netflix and Hulu in my testing, giving me full access to their content libraries with no trouble at all. Unfortunately, this cannot be said for all streaming services, with Disney+ and BBC iPlayer causing the most issues. If you're after a VPN that unblocks it all streaming-wise, ExpressVPN will probably suit your needs better. With this being said, as unblocking services is a massive challenge across the VPN world, 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.
The best US VPN with antivirus
NordVPN is big in the US—in fact, there are more than 1,970 Stateside servers in 16 locations (including Atlanta, San Franciso, and New York). You'll have no trouble finding and connecting to a server in a city near you. If you fancy traveling further afield, don't worry—NordVPN has coverage in over 110 countries, total.
When it comes to speed, NordVPN blows most of the competition out of the water. The VPN clocked in at 950 Mbps during my most recent tests—which actually maxed out my connection and put the provider at the top of my fastest VPN recommendations. Considering you only need 25 Mbps to enjoy HD or 4K content, NordVPN will have no trouble keeping up with your Netflix marathon. So, it should come as no surprise that NordVPN comes in at #1 in our streaming VPN guide.
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Not only this, you can also use NordVPN with your Android Smart TV, preventing speed throttling while enhancing your online security. I was able to stream HD YouTube content while using NordVPN without a hint of buffering or stuttering.
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.
However, if you're an avid torrentor, NordVPN may not be the best choice for you, due to its lack of features like port forwarding. While it does allow P2P and torrenting to some extent, if you are looking for a US VPN for torrenting specifically, you're better off with more reliable torrenting alternatives, like PIA or Proton VPN.
All in all, Nord is packed with advanced security options without a hefty price tage, meaning if you're security-conscious but have a strict budget, it's a great choice for you.
The easiest to use US VPN
ExpressVPN is a great choice for a US VPN as it provides servers in key US locations, like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago thanks to its massive network of 3,200+ servers dotted across the globe. 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 streaming is your thing, ExpressVPN has your back. It unblocks popular streaming services like Netflix US, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, and more. During my testing, I had no trouble watching same-day 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.
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Not only that, but ExpressVPN helps reduce the VPN's impact on your connection speed through the use of Lightway, ExpressVPN's proprietary protocol based on WireGuard. Lightway's code is optimized for efficiency, which reducing the burden on your device's resources and allowing you to enjoy the full benefits of a VPN—privacy, security, and access to geo-restricted content—without slowing my connection down to a crawl.
Next, let's address the elephant in the room—ExpressVPN's pricing. It's more expensive than the other VPNs on my shortlist, which might be enough to put you off taking it for a whirl. That's totally understandable, seeing as we're all feeling the pinch of a cost-of-living crisis, and there are more budget-friendly options available (like Surfshark).
On the other hand, ExpressVPN provides a premium service in exchange for a premium price tag. You're getting cutting-edge 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.
ExpressVPN ticks all the boxes, whether you're living in the States or just passing through, and you can trial the service before committing to a long-term subscription by making good use of its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Other VPNs we tested
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 internet-enabled 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 multi-device household, as I use multiple devices for work and leisure.
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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.
Surfshark's kill switch does slightly let it down, however. During my testing, I wasn't notified when the VPN connection dropped—a serious issue for a VPN as you could assume you're under its protection when actually you're exposed. 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 add-on 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.
Proton VPN impresses right off the bat with more than 2,000 servers in 14 US cities, including Chicago, Dallas, and Washington. This gives you plenty of choice when it comes to unblocking US streaming content or reconnecting to an American server if you're traveling outside the States.
It's also worth noting that Proton VPN has carved out a solid reputation for being one of the most privacy-oriented services on the market. A subscription bags you access to a whole heap of security tools, including Secure Core servers that route your traffic through two servers instead of one, for an all-important extra layer of security.
▶Try ProtonVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
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If you're on the hunt for a reliable free VPN, you'll probably have noticed that most providers only offer a limited free plan - but not Proton VPN. There are a few drawbacks, sure, like a smaller server pool and reduced speeds, but it's a great option to have if you'd rather not commit to a subscription or only need a VPN occasionally.
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.
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 user-friendly 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 US-specific content or hop across to overseas servers.
How to choose a US VPN?
I've highlighted today's top VPN picks in the rankings above - however, the VPN that's best for you will ultimately depend on your use case. Basically, what are you going to use the VPN for?
Is unblocking US streaming content your top priority? Do you need a privacy-focused provider? Or would you prefer a solid all-rounder?
With that in mind, here are a few other key criteria to keep in mind:
- US servers: a reliable US VPN needs servers in the US. Make sure that they're in the cities or states you need them to be.
- Speed: a quick VPN can keep up with HD streaming and online gaming, making the dreaded buffering circle and high ping a thing of the past.
- User-friendly apps: use the VPN's trial period to explore its apps on different devices to get a feel for how they work.
- Pricing: there's no need to spend a fortune to get a US VPN – there are services available at all price points.
- Security features: your VPN should have tough encryption and today's top protocols: OpenVPN and WireGuard. A kill switch and leak protection are important extras, too.
- Trials and money-back 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
We have a dedicated team of in-house VPN experts who take VPN testing seriously. Results vary over time, whether they're speed, unblocking, or other benchmarks, so we've committed to a consistent re-testing schedule to ensure we're providing the most up-to-date information possible.
We don't pull punches when it comes to our testing process, either, and have a thorough gauntlet of tests designed to identify which VPNs aren't worth your time, which ones are, and which VPNs are the cream of the crop.
Feature analysis: our first step is to investigate the VPN and collect as much data as we can. We check out how many servers the provider has (and where they are), which protocols are available, the encryption methods, and more. This information forms the basis of our comparisons and informs the tests we go on to do.
Privacy and security: next, we'll put the VPN's privacy policy and encryption methods under the microscope. We also check out any independent audits the service has gone through - and if we can't find any, well, that's an immediate red flag. This is where we perform our own raft of proprietary practical tests to see how well the VPN's DNS leak protection, kill switch, and other security tools work.
Performance testing: we use a 1 Gbps internet connection, and a variety of devices, to test the speed of VPNs. We'll perform tests at regular intervals throughout the day and year, too, and check out connection times, streaming performance, and regular browsing to get a clear picture of how the VPN functions during day-to-day activity.
Unblocking abilities: our next step is to check out the VPN's unblocking power. We'll pit it against today's most popular global platforms, like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and more.
Support and reliability: finally, we'll investigate the VPN's customer service. If live chat and/or email support are available, we reach out to measure the speed of the response and how well it addressed our inquiry. We'll also evaluate the support materials on the provider's site, too, to see how well they facilitate user troubleshooting.
FAQs
Can I use a free US VPN?
You can, but don't expect it to be as reliable or capable as a paid-for 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
Wondering how to use a VPN? It's a piece of cake – even if you're totally new to the tech. To access US content with your VPN, all you need to is:
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 geo-restrictions.
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.
Disclaimer
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 paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
