Best US VPNs to use in and outside America in 2024
The USA is notorious for spying on internet traffic. You are under constant surveillance from tech companies, your ISP, and government agencies like the NSA. For this reason, VPNs in the USA are in high demand.
A virtual private network (VPN) is a perfect tool to keep your data safe and privacy intact. That’s because a VPN can encrypt your data, hide your IP, and spoof your location. Apart from being virtually untouchable, a VPN will grant you access to services and content that might be restricted by your workplace, ISP, government, or location. Additionally, you can use a VPN to compare prices across different regions to snag the best deals on flights or hotels.
Currently, the VPN market is full of service providers. However, choosing the best one that will cover all your needs and work in and outside the US can be difficult. Hence, I tested 18 reputable providers and narrowed the list to the 5 best USA VPNs. Read on to learn more about them.
5 best USA VPNs: shortlist
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Overall best US VPN in 2024
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Ultra-fast USA VPN with unlimited connections
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Budget-friendly VPN for USA and beyond
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American VPN with great features for streaming
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Torrenting friendly VPN for US
The best US VPNs in 2024
In the search for the best VPN for USA, I tested 18 promising VPN providers, but only 5 made the list. I had many requirements for them and carefully compared providers side by side. I checked their upload and download speeds, loading capabilities, and ability to access geo-blocked content. I also didn’t overlook providers’ apps and their interface and how easy they are to use.
After careful comparison, NordVPN took all the glory. However, it has only 10 simultaneous connections compared to Surfshark’s unlimited. ExpressVPN and CyberGhost have even fewer, but they perform well in terms of speeds and have 24/7 live chats that Proton VPN lacks. On the other hand, only Proton VPN has a free version, which is suitable for first-time VPN users.
1. NordVPN – the best USA VPN overall
Panama
7000
118
452 Mbps
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Fastest VPN overall
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Powerful security features
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Great for streaming, torrenting & gaming
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No router applet
NordVPN stands out as the best US VPN in 2024 because it boasts the largest number of servers in the USA and worldwide. Also, it offers reliable privacy features, seamless unblocking capabilities, lightning-fast speeds, and the best price-to-quality ratio.
Currently, NordVPN has 7000+ servers in 118+ countries, of which 2,200 are located in the USA. I easily switched between servers in New York, Washington, or California. The distance wasn’t an issue for a great connection. A huge network of servers will also allow you to avoid blackouts of any sports events and enjoy them without any disturbances.
If you love getting useful extras, NordVPN comes packing. Threat Protection will fend off malicious ads, trackers, and viruses. If you need to bypass strict firewalls at school or your workplace, you can utilize obfuscated servers. You will also retain your privacy as NordVPN comes with a kill switch, which turns off your internet connection if you lose access to a VPN.
On top of that, I was able to unblock content on various streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Disney+, or YouTube TV. It’s no secret that there are different content or streaming libraries in different countries. I managed to get access to the USA Netflix library while vacationing in Spain, which I found quite useful since my favorite TV show was not available in the country. Additionally, SmartPlay features let enjoy shows and movies on smart TVs or consoles.
My biggest concern was speed. Using a VPN can result in drastic speed drops; however, with NordVPN, browsing was seamless and great. Torrenting was easy, as downloading speeds met my expectations. Streaming was also without any lag. Moreover, NordVPN offers 10 simultaneous connections, and it works perfectly with my phone, tablet, and PC.
There are many other things that make NordVPN the best VPN inside and outside the US, so you can try them all for as little as $2.99/month. Before committing, you can try a 7-day free trial, available for Androids, and there is always a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are unsatisfied with the service. Also, don’t forget to check NordVPN coupons for better deals.
For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark – a powerful and affordable US VPN
Netherlands
3200
100
405 Mbps
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Excellent speed
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Great for streaming & P2P
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Unlimited simultaneous connections
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Some features cost extra
Surfshark is the best USA VPN for many reasons. Firstly, it offers unlimited simultaneous connections, making it a perfect multi-device VPN for American users. Moreover, it covers 100+ countries with 3200+ servers, 600+ of which are in the US alone. This means that you will get great connections wherever you are.
Surfshark has servers in many USA states, including California, Arizona, New York, and Washington. This is great for connecting to the closest server nearby and for sports buffs facing state blackouts. This way, you can watch any match you want without any interference. I personally enjoyed NFL matches that would otherwise be out of my reach without this VPN.
If you care about your safety, you can utilize CleanWeb, which prevents you from digital calamities. Meanwhile, you can twofold your privacy and security with Multihop, as it routes your traffic through 2 VPN servers. Surfshark also offers their clients proper encryption, DNS leak tests, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch.
Thanks to the WireGuard tunneling protocol and proprietary Nexus technology, you’ll be able to stream, torrent, and browse without major performance hiccups. Furthermore, Surfshark allows you to torrent on all servers globally. I had no issues bypassing geo-blocks on streaming services like Crunchyroll, Netflix, or Prime Video. Additionally, Surfshark is compatible with any device, which I found quite convenient because I didn’t have to think about different VPNs for different gadgets.
You can get this versatile US VPN with loads of other features for $2.19/month only. Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial version, as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can rest assured. Also, you can try Surfshark coupons to reduce the price even more. This VPN is great for those looking for affordable option for many devices.
For a deeper investigation of Surfshark VPN, read our Surfshark VPN review.
3. Proton VPN – reliable American VPN at an affordable price
Switzerland
9200
110
423 Mbps
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Free version with servers in US
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Independently-audited
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Net-shield Ad-blocker
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No 24/7 live chat
Proton VPN is a great VPN for the USA. It also has a free version with servers in the USA, and it may cover all your needs. Additionally, the premium version also deserves your consideration, as it offers more servers, extra security features, and an overall better experience.
Proton VPN currently has 9200+ servers in 110 countries, 1500+ of which are in the USA. Therefore, you will always have a great connection and speed to back up your browsing. I was able to switch between servers in Florida, Illinois, and Washington with ease and didn’t notice any quality changes in performance.
Security and privacy are also among the best features of Proton VPN. Based in Switzerland, Proton VPN ensures a no-logs policy. Furthermore, it protects you from IP and DNS leaks, so you won’t have to worry about your personal location slipping away. It also has a kill switch, which turns off your internet connection if the VPN stops working. I tested this feature and can confidently confirm it.
Streaming and torrenting with Proton VPN exceeded all my expectations. The connection was great, and the speeds didn’t disappoint me. With this VPN, I got access to geo-blocked content without any difficulties. Furthermore, I unlocked different Netflix libraries only available in certain countries such as Japan or France. Proton VPN supports 10 simultaneous connections and works on many devices, for me it was more than enough.
Proton VPN prices start at $3.59/month, but remember to grab a Proton VPN coupon for a better deal. You can also try a free version before commiting or take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee. Proton VPN is great for first-time users, as it also offers a free VPN version.
For a deeper investigation of Proton VPN, read our Proton VPN review.
4. ExpressVPN – United States VPN for streaming
British Virgin Islands (BVI)
3000
105
440 Mbps
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MediaStreamer feature
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Great speeds with Lighway
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Allow torrenting on all servers
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Quite pricey
Another best VPN for USA is ExpressVPN. It offers excellent security and privacy features, and it performs very well on streaming tasks. Additionally, the provider offered 3000+ servers in 105+ countries, including the US.
A vast number of servers is great for reaching different parts of the USA and the world. During my tests, I had no issues connecting to states such as Texas, Utah, and Colorado. I found Express VPN very useful during hockey game blackouts. Because of this VPN, I could enjoy every game.
Furthermore, you can use ExpressVPN for P2P file sharing, as it allows torrenting on all servers. For that, you can also use port forwarding, which will improve your torrenting experience. Digital threats will be a thing of the past, as Threat Manager will deal with them in no time.
In addition, for excellent speeds, ExpressVPN provides the Lightway tunneling protocol. More so, it’s an excellent tool for bypassing geo-blocks on streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and many more. And if you want to stream on devices that don’t support VPNs natively, you can easily use the MediaStreamer feature. Also, ExpressVPN allows 8 simultaneous connections.
If you want to see how ExpressVPN works in the US, grab it for $4.99/month. Before that you can try 7-day free trial, and there is always 30-days money back guarantee to keep you safe from any disappointments. Nevertheless, don’t forget to grab Express VPN coupon, to reduce the price even further.
For a deeper investigation of ExpressVPN, read our ExpressVPN review.
5. CyberGhost VPN – torrenting-friendly VPN for USA
Romania
11700
100
432 Mbps
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Loads of servers globally
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Specialized servers
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Audited no-logs policy
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Mac version has less features
For torrenting needs, CyberGhost VPN is a wise choice for American users. Not only does it offer excellent security and privacy features, but it also has 11700+ servers in 100+ countries. And don’t worry, plenty of them are in the US.
A vast choice of servers is great if you want to experience safe internet browsing without any lag. CyberGhost offers more than 2000 servers in the USA, so you won’t have to worry about busy servers and connectivity issues. I tested CyberGhost with Georgia, New York, and Washington servers, and they performed as expected.
For your P2P needs, you’ll enjoy top-tier connectivity with the WireGuard tunneling protocol. Moreover, CyberGhost offers specialized servers that will further boost download speeds. Unlike many other providers, the provider includes a SOCKS5 proxy, which is great if you don’t want to mask your whole traffic. Apart from that, you can also use NoSpy servers that are more secure and private.
Furthermore, CyberGhost can help you bypass geo-blocks and provide you access to extensive content libraries on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or Prime Video. CyberGhost got my back when unblocking my favorite movies from other countries. Furthermore, it is great not only for unblocking USA content but also for other countries. I had no issues accessing the streaming platform libraries of Japan, France, and Australia.
You can get CyberGhost and all its benefits for $2.03/month. It has an extensive 45-days money-back guarantee, therefore you can try it even longer than other providers. Let’s not forget CyberGhost best deals and coupons, that will keep your wallet fuller.
For a deeper investigation of CyberGhost VPN, read our CyberGhost VPN review.
Best US VPNs comparison
Rating | US servers | Global coverage | Streaming services | Free version | Minimal price | |
NordVPN | 9.8⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 2218 | 7000+ servers in 118+ countries | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, etc. | Yes, 7-day free trial | $2.99/month |
Surfshark VPN | 9.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 600+ | 3200+ servers in 100+ countries | Netflix, ESPN, HBO Max, etc. | Yes, 7-day free trial | $2.19/month |
Proton VPN | 8.6⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 1500+ | 9200+ servers in 110+ countries | Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, etc. | Yes, unlimited | $3.59/month |
ExpressVPN | 8.4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 24 | 3000+ servers in 105+ countries | Hulu, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, etc | Yes, 7-day free trial | $4.99/month |
CyberGhost | 8.9⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 2077 | 11700+ servers in 100+ countries | ESPN, Hulu, Netflix, etc. | Yes, 1-day free trial | $2.03/month |
So, as you can see, NordVPN is the best VPN for the USA because it’s based in a privacy-respecting jurisdiction and has been independently audited plenty of times. Plus, it offers loads of servers globally, top-tier speeds and it can easily bypass content restrictions such as sports blackouts and streaming service geo-blocks. All of this for an affordable price, that won’t break your bank.
How I tested and selected best VPN for USA
I listed the Top 5 VPN services for the US in 2024 by evaluating the following criteria:
- Servers. A top VPN should have enough servers near your location and in the whole USA. It should also offer a vast network of servers worldwide in case you are traveling.
- Privacy. Each provider should have a no-logs policy, leak protection, and a kill switch, among other features. A VPN preferably shouldn't be registered in a Fourteen Eyes country or a location with strong data retention laws.
- Security. Each US VPN must use AES 256-bit encryption and WireGuard, OpenVPN, or IKEv2 tunneling protocols. A provider should also offer extra features like ad blockers, split tunneling, or Multi-hop as well.
- Performance. It's important for everything that you do, including browsing, torrenting, streaming, or gaming. The WireGuard or NordLynx tunneling protocols ensure the best speeds.
- Torrenting. P2P should be allowed on as many servers as possible. Including features like split tunneling, SOCKS5 proxy, or port forwarding is highly recommended.
- Streaming. Best VPNs for the US should unlock multiple Netflix libraries and other content platforms, such as BBC iPlayer.
- Price. Any VPN that costs no more than $4.00 a month is regarded as cheap. However, you should always check the price-to-value ration.
- Customer service. Any option other than a 24/7 live chat is below industry standards. While all US VPNs have a support email, response times can vary greatly between providers.
Which VPN has the most US servers?
One of the criteria I had for the best US VPN was having a great network of servers in the US. I compared the service providers' numbers of servers in the US and in which states.
Provider | USA servers | States |
NordVPN | 2218 | Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington |
Surfshark | 600+ | Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington |
Proton VPN | 1583 | Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington |
ExpressVPN | 24 | Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Utah, Washington |
CyberGhost | 2077 | Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Texas, Washington |
As it seems from the table, NordVPN has the most servers in the USA. This means that with a VPN, you will have no problems connecting to the USA servers, and you will maintain great speeds. However, Surfshark has fewer servers but in more states, therefore, with it, you can find servers closer to your own location.
Why do I need a VPN in the USA?
If you want to keep your anonymity while browsing, you need to use a reliable VPN in the US. Using a virtual private network makes it seem that you’re connecting to the internet from your chosen part of the world. That way, you can escape the watchful eyes of advertisers, surveillance agencies, and your ISP.
Moreover, a streaming VPN will help you access the geo-blocked content on your favorite platforms, as Netflix, Prime Video, or Hulu. You may want to access a particular documentary that is only available in the UK, Japan, or somewhere else. In such a case, a reliable VPN is essential. Moreover, you’ll be able to avoid blackouts when watching NFL, NBA, or NHL matches.
Another important thing is safe torrenting. Without a VPN, your ISP knows what you're downloading. And if the content is copyrighted, you may as well get a fine. Plus, P2P file sharing exposes your information, and anyone can take advantage of it. Therefore, using a VPN that encrypts your data is essential.
How to get a US IP address
If you want to avoid blackouts, get around geo-restrictions, or be more private, you can get an American IP address using a VPN:
- Pick a reliable VPN with servers in the USA. My #1 pick is NordVPN, now 74% off
- Install VPN on your device
- Launch it and connect to a server in the US, preferably nearby, for better connectivity
- Visit the site you want to access
- Now you can stay private as well as stream, torrent, or game as much as you want!
Conclusion
It would be naive to think that the US will soften its online surveillance. Additionally, blackouts and geo-restrictions are getting more severe. That's why you should use a reliable VPN to protect yourself and avoid various digital problems.
NordVPN is the best US VPN because it hides your IP address from third parties and encrypts your traffic with a military-grade cipher. Plus, you’ll get top-tier performance, so you won’t have any issues streaming, gaming, or torrenting. Thus, you’ll finally get the opportunity to enjoy the internet to the max.
You may also like to read:
Best VPN for Canada
Best VPN for Mexico
Best VPN for the UK
Best VPN for New Jersey
How to play Stake in the US
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FAQ
Which VPN has the most servers in the USA?
NordVPN offers the most servers in the US. You’ll find 2200+ pieces of hardware scattered around the United States, e.g., California, Washington, New York, or Illinois.
Can I get a US VPN for free?
Yes, there are a few free VPNs for the US. You can try providers like Proton VPN. It is reliable, secure, and offers free servers in the US.
Which VPN is fastest in the US?
The fastest VPN in the US is NordVPN. That’s because it utilizes the proprietary NordLynx tunneling protocol. Plus, it offers heaps of servers in the USA, so you can enjoy tremendous connectivity wherever you are.
How can I change my VPN to USA?
To change your VPN to a US server, firstly you have to choose a trustworthy VPN with a huge network of servers. My recommendation is NordVPN. Then, download and install the VPN app on your device of choice. Open the app and select a server in the US. After this, your IP address will change to match the server’s location.
Is using VPN legal in US?
Yes, using a VPN in the US is completely legal. You can legally use it for streaming, browsing the internet, and enhancing your online security. However, that doesn’t mean you should take part in any illegal activities. Use VPN for streaming, browsing the internet, and enhancing your online security.
Is there a US based VPN?
Yes, IPVanish and PIA are few VPNs based in the US. However, I recommend choosing a VPN based outside the US, such as NordVPN, Surfshark, or ExpressVPN. These VPNs operate from countries with no data retention laws, making them more private.