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 US based 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.
The Best VPN for USA
After testing over 70 VPNs, our US-based experts have discovered the best US VPNs. These are our recommendations:
Top 7 Best VPNs for USA
- 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
- Proton VPN: Best Free VPN in the US
- PrivadoVPN: Excellent free VPN with multiple server locations
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.
To choose the best VPNs for the USA, we have focused on the following criteria:
- Number of servers in the USA, to ensure you have enough options to choose from.
- Security features to make sure your IP address is properly hidden at all times.
- Speed to ensure you can browse, stream and game with lag.
- Privacy policy to make sure your data are safe.
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.
The Best USA VPNs – Detailed List
Next, we’ll dig deep into each VPN, explaining why it made the best USA VPN list. We also added two free VPNs for the USA in case you’re on a tight budget.
1. NordVPN: The best VPN for USA overall
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.
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). On top of that, NordVPN’s Threat Protection blocks malware and trackers so you can browse the web securely.
1,970 servers in the US in 16 server locations are available, all of which can reliably unblock Netflix US and other US-based streaming services like Tubi TV and Peacock.
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.
Pros
- No logs policy to protect your privacy
- Military grade encryption to stay safe online
- Almost 2,000 servers in the USA
- Many additional security features
- Dark web monitoring to detect data breaches
- Threat protection to protect you against malware
- 30-day money-back-guarantee
Cons
- Browser needed to log in
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.
A strict no logs policy keeps your data safe. Surfshark’s 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.
This provider offers over 600 servers in 25 US cities to choose from. 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.
Unlimited simultaneous connections make Surfshark perfect for sharing with family or friends. Couple that with one of the cheapest monthly subscriptions and Surfshark VPN is almost impossible to beat.
Pros
- No logs policy and RAM only servers
- Military grade encryption to protect your data
- Over 600 US servers to choose from
- Great VPN for streaming
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Cleanweb blocks ads, trackers and malware
- 30-day money-back-guarantee
Cons
- Based in The Netherlands, part of the 14 Eyes alliance
Explore this VPN’s features in our Surfshark review.
3. Private Internet Access: 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. This is the widest range of US IP addresses out of all the VPNs on this list.
No matter which server you choose, you can always benefit from PIA’s advanced privacy features. PIA MACE is an effective ad blocker and malware blocker which ensures your online security remains intact. That’s topped with a free email breach monitor.
PIA has affordable subscription rates and unlimited connections to connect as many devices as you want to the VPN (perfect for smart homes).
Pros
- No logs policy to protect your privacy
- Military grade encryption
- Servers in all 50 USA states
- PIA MACE blocks ads and malware
- Email breach monitor to keep you safe
- Unlimited number of connections
- 30-day money-back-guarantee
Cons
- Servers can be slow sometimes
- Not always great for unblocking
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. 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. This is very convenient if you often use public Wi-Fi.
This provider offers 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. Dedicated gaming, streaming and torrenting servers make CyberGhost the VPN of choice for many gamers and streamers.
This US VPN has the longest money-back period: a 45-day money-back guarantee makes sure you can try this provider risk-free.
Pros
- No logs policy to protect your privacy
- Dedicated servers for streaming, torrenting and gaming
- More than 1,000 US servers to choose from
- Great for unblocking streaming services
- Smart Rules to configure the VPN according to your wishes
- Affordable VPN
- 45-day money-back-guarantee
Cons
- Logs the number of connections
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 has more than 1,100 servers in 20 US cities – more IP address options than other VPNs on this list. It’s also great for streaming ESPN in the US as we didn’t experience any hiccups while downloading or streaming ESPN.
Scramble protocol hides the fact that you’re using a VPN from snoopers, keeping your privacy intact. On top of that, IPVanish offers unlimited simultaneous device connections to protect all of the devices in your household.
Downside is that IPVanish is based in the US, a country that is part of the 5 Eyes Alliance. This isn’t great for your privacy: if IPVanish shares your personal with the US government, they might share that information with other countries in the 5 Eyes Alliance. Luckily, IPVanish doesn’t store any information about your traffic that could be led back to you.
Pros
- Excellent speed on servers nearby
- P2P downloads allowed on all USA servers
- More than 1,000 servers to choose from in the US
- Offers obfuscation
- Great for streaming
- Unlimited number of simultaneous connections
- 30-day money-back-guarantee
Cons
- Based in the USA (part of the 5 Eyes Alliance)
- Anonymous logging
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 is based in Switzerland, which has excellent user data protection laws. This means the VPN won’t hand over your data even if the US government requires it. Because of the no logs policy, Proton VPN doesn’t even store user data, which is a rare sight for a free VPN.
You can connect with free, secure core servers in the US so you can get a US IP address. These secure core servers use a double VPN connection. The first server is always based in a privacy-friendly country. In this way, Proton VPN ensures your data are always private.
We recommend Proton VPN if you want a free VPN service provider but don’t want to compromise your privacy. If you need a larger server network, you can also upgrade to Proton VPN Premium.
Pros
- Unlimited data and speed for free
- No logs policy to protect your privacy
- Based in Switzerland
- Secure Core Servers (double encryption)
- Kill switch to keep your IP address private
- Torrenting allowed
- 30-day money-back-guarantee on paid accounts
Cons
- Free version doesn't allow you to choose a server manually
- No live chat available
Learn all about Proton VPN’s free VPN in our Proton VPN review.
7. PrivadoVPN: Excellent free VPN with multiple server locations
Like Proton VPN, PrivadoVPN is a privacy-focused VPN based in Switzerland, which has excellent privacy laws. Although it has a 10 GB monthly data limit, it offers unlimited speeds and many additional security features, such as a kill switch and split tunneling.
With PrivadoVPN you get access to free server locations in the US, as well as the Netherlands, Canada, Mexico, Germany, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Brazil, India and France. This VPN comes with an effective ad blocker to give you a seamless browsing experience.
PrivadoVPN is a good pick if you work on multiple devices, say laptops, workstations, phones, and tablets. You could also upgrade to PrivadoVPN Premium if you need more than 10 GB a month.
Pros
- Free version available
- No logs policy to protect your privacy
- Based in Switzerland
- Free access to servers in 10 countries
- Built-in ad blocker
- Kill switch and split tunneling, even on free version
- 30-day money-back-guarantee
Cons
- 10 GB data limit on free version
Read more about this VPN provider in our PrivadoVPN 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?
The Best VPNs for the USA – Comparison
The table below will help you compare our top USA VPN picks at a glance.
| Editor’s Pick | |||||||
| VPN |  |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Servers | 5000+ | 3000-5000 | Thousands | 5000+ | 2000-3000 | 3000-5000 | Hundreds |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, WireGuard, L2TP/IPsec | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard |
| Operating systems | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux |
| Connections | 10 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 7 | Unlimited | 10 | 10 |
| Compatibilities |        | | | | | | |
| Money-back guarantee | Money-back guarantee, 30 Days | Money-back guarantee, 30 Days | Money-back guarantee, 30 Days | Money-back guarantee, 45 Days | Money-back guarantee, 30 Days | Money-back guarantee, 30 Days | Money-back guarantee, 30 Days |
| Price | $ 3.39 | $ 2.19 | $ 1.99 | $ 2.19 | $ 2.05 | $ 3.59 | $ 1.99 |
| Visit NordVPN | Visit Surfshark | Visit Private Internet Access (PIA) | Visit CyberGhost | Visit IPVanish | Visit Proton VPN | Visit PrivadoVPN |
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 or porn 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.
Save big with up to 72% off a two-year subscription!
- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
Here are some other helpful articles about using a VPN in different countries:
- Best VPNs to Use in Canada
- Top VPNs for Europe: Privacy, Speed, Unblocking
- The Best VPNs for Italy
- The Best VPN for Germany: Our Top Picks
- Best VPN for MLB.TV
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 upon 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.
