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As someone living in the US, you are under constant surveillance from tech companies, your ISP, and government agencies like the NSA. That’s why using a reliable VPN is one of the best decisions you can make for your privacy.
Spoofing your IP address and encrypting your data will hide your online activities from prying eyes.
Yet that’s not all a VPN is good for. For example, if you’re going on a trip and don’t want to miss your HBO show, a proper VPN will ensure you don’t get stopped by geo-restrictions. It will also allow you to use torrents anonymously, beat censorship, and more.
Top USA VPNs: a shortlist
To help you choose the best VPN for the USA, we’ve gone ahead and listed our favorite ones.
| # | PROVIDER | CATEGORY SCORECATEGORY SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | The best VPN for the US | 9.7 |
| 2. | Powerful and affordable US VPN | 9.5 |
| 3. | Affordable Hulu VPN for streaming | 9.3 |
What can I use a VPN in the US for?
If you want to keep your anonymity while browsing, you need to use a VPN in the US. By using a VPN, it would seem that you’re connecting to the internet from your chosen part of the world, instead of the US. This way, you can escape from the Fourteen Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance.
Another important thing is safe torrenting. Without a VPN, your Internet Server Provider (ISP) knows what you’re downloading. And if the content is copyrighted, you may as well get a fine.
Moreover, using a VPN will help you access the geo-blocked content on your favorite streaming platforms. 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.
How to get the best VPN for the US
- Get a VPN with US servers. Our #1 choice is NordVPN, now 72% off
- After installation, pick a server in the US or any other country
- Connect to the VPN server
- Now you’re safe online!
Best USA VPNs in 2021: an overview
Each of the top US VPNs listed below has its own set of pros and cons. One might be known for excellent privacy but not streaming. The other may be great for torrenting but lack some features. However, all VPN services mentioned in this article are the best options for the US in 2021.
It doesn’t matter which provider you choose – all of them offer Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS apps. What’s more, they come with AES 256-bit encryption, no-logs policies, and kill switches. Finally, these US VPNs unblock Netflix and secure your torrenting efforts.
1. NordVPN – the best VPN for the US
Panama
5100
60
1,269 Mbit/s
- Fastest VPN overall
- Powerful security features
- Great for streaming, torrenting, and gaming
- No router app
NordVPN is based in privacy-friendly Panama and has an independently audited no-logs policy. Also, it offers the best security features on the market. These include military-grade encryption, a powerful kill switch, Onion over VPN, and more.
Additionally, NordVPN has 5100+ servers in 60+ countries, as well as excellent speeds. There are nearly 2,000 servers in 15 US cities. Most of the fleet is RAM-only, which means added protection.
If you’re looking for a provider that will ensure a smooth streaming experience, look no further. NordVPN unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and other content platforms. Due to its high performance, you’ll be able to enjoy your movies and shows in full HD or even 4K.
NordVPN is also the top choice for torrenting. It comes with split tunneling (Windows and Android) and a SOCKS5 proxy. Thanks to the proprietary NordLynx tunneling protocol, downloading large files won’t take long.
Luckily, NordVPN is not only powerful and secure but is also highly affordable, with prices starting at $3.29/month. And with a 7-day free trial plus the 30-day money-back guarantee, you’ll have plenty of time to make your final decision. Each account gets six simultaneous connections.
For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark – a powerful and affordable US VPN
Netherlands
3200
65
688 Mbit/s
- Excellent speed
- Great for streaming and P2P
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- No-logs policy not audited
Surfshark’s privacy-friendly home in the Netherlands, low price, and stellar list of features make it an excellent choice for US VPN users.
This provider has a strict no-logs policy. Its other security features include military-grade encryption, DNS and IP leak protection, and a kill switch. Also, Surfshark VPN accepts anonymous payments.
Furthermore, this service is certainly among the fastest VPNs on the market, thanks to the next-gen WireGuard protocol. It also has 3200+ servers in 65+ countries. All of them are RAM-only, and those 500+ in the US are spread across 20+ cities.
Streaming with Surfshark is a great choice. It unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu + Live TV, and other content from around the world. Depending on your internet connection, the speeds should be more than enough for watching in HD and even UHD (4K).
Surfshark also secures your torrenting. P2P activities are allowed on all servers, and the downloads are fast. Additionally, you can turn on Whitelister (split tunneling) to choose which apps will use the encrypted tunnel and which ones will go straight without protection.
The prices start from $2.21/month only. If you need a cherry on top, how about unlimited simultaneous connections? Surfshark also has a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For a deeper investigation of Surfshark VPN, read our Surfshark VPN review.
3. PrivateVPN – cheap US VPN for streaming
Sweden
150
62
93 Mbit/s
- Excellent security features
- Fast
- Great for streaming
- macOS and iOS apps have fewer features
If you’re looking for an affordable VPN for the US that doesn’t compromise on security, PrivateVPN is a good bet. This service is located in Sweden (Fourteen Eyes), but its no-logs policy makes up for that. Besides, you get AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and Stealth VPN for bypassing firewalls and VPN blocks.
PrivateVPN owns all of their 150+ servers in 62+ countries (11 cities in the US), which is not a lot compared to the providers mentioned above. In spite of that, PrivateVPN has fast speeds that are more than enough for both streaming and torrenting.
P2P is allowed on all servers, and there’s also a SOCKS5 proxy plus port forwarding for your convenience. When it comes to streaming, PrivateVPN unblocks Netflix, HBO Max, YouTube, and many more content platforms. Expect high video quality and minimal buffering.
PrivateVPN is available for $2.00/month with a six devices limit. However, it can be lifted by installing this US VPN on a router. Finally, there’s a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For a deeper investigation of PrivateVPN, read our PrivateVPN review.
4. VyprVPN – the cheapest secure VPN for the US
Switzerland
700
70
70 Mbit/s
- Excellent security
- Decent speeds
- User-friendly apps
- No anonymous payments
VyprVPN is a security and privacy first US VPN. Located in Switzerland, it has an independently-audited no-logging policy. Add NASA-grade encryption, a kill switch, and the proprietary Chameleon protocol against firewalls, and you get one of the most secure services.
Due to its WireGuard protocol and 700+ servers in 70+ countries (8 cities in the US), VyprVPN is able to provide good enough speeds for streaming or secure torrenting. It also works fairly consistently in anti-VPN countries like China – handy if you’re going on a business trip or holiday.
VyprVPN allows torrenting on all servers. We also liked its split tunneling (Mac & Android) but missed SOCKS5 proxy and port forwarding. When it comes to streaming, VyprVPN unblocks Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and many other content websites.
This VPN for the US is available for $1.81/month with a 5 device limit. That’s the best price on this list. In case you change your mind, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For a deeper investigation of VyprVPN, read our VyprVPN review.
5. Private Internet Access – the biggest server fleet
United States
29300
78
- Solid security credentials
- Decent speeds in the US and Europe
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Based in the US
Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the top choices for a US VPN. Although it’s based in the privacy-unfriendly US, its no-logs policy has been court-proven. Besides, you get military-grade encryption, solid leak protection, and a PIA MACE malware blocker.
At the moment, PIA has the largest server fleet (29300+ servers in 78+ countries) but they are currently switching the virtual ones with bare-metal. Therefore, it’s hard to say how many US cities they’ll be covering in the near future. One thing is clear – those connecting from Europe or North America can expect above-average speeds.
PIA is a good option for torrenting. P2P is allowed on all servers, and there’s also split tunneling, port forwarding, and a SOCKS5 proxy. No other VPN on this list has these three features available.
There aren’t many streaming options. Now, PIA unblocks Netflix US, which is great if you’re traveling and bad if you’re in the US. Other libraries and content platforms may work, but there’s no guarantee for that. In any case, you should be able to watch your movies and shows in HD or even 4K quality.
Private Internet Access prices start from $2.03/month. You get 10 devices per account, but this number can be increased by installing PIA on a router. There’s no free trial, but the 30-day money-back guarantee should be more than enough to test things out.
For a deeper investigation of Private Internet Access, read our Private Internet Access review.
6. IPVanish – a VPN for the US with bare-metal servers
USA
1500
75
106 Mbit/s
- Fast speeds
- Top-notch security & privacy
- Owns all of its servers
- No anonymous payments
IPVanish is a great option for someone living in the US. First of all, the product has excellent security and privacy features. Those include a no-logs policy, bank-grade encryption, leak protection, and Stealth VPN, to name but a few. IPVanish also offers secure cloud storage.
Subscribing for this US VPN will enable you to access their 1500+ servers in 75+ countries. More than 1,100 of those are spread across 20 US locations. And, unlike the majority of providers out there, IPVanish owns their whole bare-metal server network.
IPVanish speeds are excellent for streaming and secure torrenting thanks to the wicked-fast WireGuard tunneling protocol. It unblocks Netflix US (but no other libraries) and allows P2P on all servers. What’s more, you can toggle split tunneling and SOCKS5 proxy settings.
The prices start from $2.92/month. The best part of the deal is an unlimited number of devices. IPVanish doesn’t have a proper free trial, but a 30-day money-back guarantee should be more than enough to see if you like this US VPN.
For a deeper investigation of IPVanish, read our IPVanish review.
The best feature of each VPN for the US
| NordVPN | The fastest VPN for the US |
| Surfshark | Unlimited simultaneous connections |
| VyprVPN | The cheapest VPN for the US |
| PrivateVPN | Inexpensive US VPN for streaming |
| PureVPN | The biggest country list |
| Private Internet Access | The largest server fleet |
| IPVanish | US VPN with bare-metal servers |
Best VPN for USA video review
Why do you need a VPN in the US?
Sadly, the US is one of the worst options if you care about online privacy. Therefore, you need a solid VPN to protect yourself and your data.
To start with, the US is the founder of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. This means that your data can and will be shared among the members, including those from the Fourteen Eyes. The biggest intelligence partner of the US is the UK – they’ve been helping each other for a long time.
The level of online privacy depends a lot on your state. For example, California is doing pretty good when it comes to protecting its people. But states like Mississippi or Idaho are at the very bottom. On the national level, the 2002 Homeland Security Act and the 2001 PATRIOT Act forever changed the privacy landscape.
You also need a VPN for safe torrenting in the US. While it’s legal in the whole country, downloading copyrighted content may result in fines, house arrests, or even jail. What’s more, Peer-to-peer networks show your IP address to anyone, including the ISP, so catching the culprit becomes easy.
Furthermore, a VPN for the US helps against geo-blocking. Most content platforms are available without a VPN, but this service can help you access other Netflix libraries or foreign streaming websites, such as BBC iPlayer.
How we made this Best VPN for the US list
We listed the Top 6 VPN services for the US in 2021 by evaluating the following criteria:
- Privacy. Each provider should have a no-logs policy, leak protection, and a kill switch, among other features. A VPN shouldn’t be registered in a Fourteen Eyes country or a location with strong data retention laws.
- Security. Each US VPN must use the AES 256-bit encryption and WireGuard, OpenVPN, or IKEv2 tunneling protocols.
- Performance. It’s important for everything that you do, including browsing, torrenting, streaming, or gaming.
- Servers. A top US VPN should have servers near your location. It should also offer enough servers in the US, especially because of the country’s size.
- 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 if you’re getting enough for that price.
- Customer service. Any option that’s not a 24/7 live chat is below the industry standards. And while all US VPNs have a support email, the response times can vary greatly between the providers.
Which VPN servers to choose in the US
Generally speaking, you should connect to the nearest VPN server in the US. This will result in good speeds and low latency. Usually, selecting the US will be enough because the US VPN will choose the best option based on your location.
Be aware that not every VPN allows selecting a city, which can be an issue because the US is huge. On the other hand, sometimes the server that’s closest to you might be down or overcrowded. Having said that, picking our #1 NordVPN for the US is recommended because this service allows you to choose both a particular city and auto-connect.
How much does a US VPN cost per month?
A USA VPN doesn’t cost that much, especially if you choose a long-term plan. The discounts can be as high as 70% and even more, depending on the provider and the time of the year. Here are the prices of our Top 6 VPN services for the US.
- NordVPN – $3.29/month
- Surfshark VPN – $2.21/month
- VyprVPN – $1.81/month
- PrivateVPN – $2.00/month
- Private Internet Access – $2.03/month
- IPVanish – $2.92/month
Conclusion
It would be naive to think that the US will soften its online surveillance. The Patriot Act and The Homeland Security Act are here to stay, and we have to deal with them on our own.
That’s why you should use a reliable US VPN to protect yourself and your data. Without one, you can be easily tracked, with your information ending up not only at the ISP’s but your government’s hands too.
A solid VPN service, such as NordVPN hides your IP address from third parties and encrypts your traffic with a military-grade cipher. In fact, all VPNs listed above are great for use in the US in 2021. We hope that this article will make your choice process easier.
If you’re in the US, which of these VPNs have you used before? Did we miss any great VPNs for the US? Let us know in the comments below.
You may also like to read:
Are VPNs legal in my country?
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FAQ
Is using a VPN legal in USA?
The short answer is – YES.
What you have to keep in mind, though, is that any illegal activities without using a VPN are still illegal when using one. One of the most relevant examples is torrenting copyrighted content.
On the other hand, it is not illegal using a VPN to access different streaming platforms, such as BBC iPlayer, Netflix, or Hulu. It does violate their terms of use, but you won’t end of in prison for that.
Are free VPNs for US any good?
When it comes to free VPNs, it is really rare to find high-quality ones on the market. Of course, there are some, but more often than not, you’re still paying, and that price is your security.
Hence, we always recommend investing in a reliable paid service. That way, you’ll be sure that your online actives are private and safe. All of the VPNs mentioned above will do an excellent job of keeping you anonymous and secure online.
If you are not willing to spend money, we have compiled a list of the Best Free VPN for the USA – check it out.
What is the best VPN for streaming in the US?
NordVPN is the best VPN for streaming in the US. It has the best speeds and unblocks many content platforms. Those include multiple Netflix libraries, BBC iPlayer, BTSport, Hotstar, to name a few.
Is using a US VPN safe?
Yes, it is. Using a reliable USA VPN with zero logging is way safer than exposing your IP address and your unencrypted traffic. Using a top VPN in the US makes it much harder for your ISP, the government, and other third parties to track you down.
Chief Editor
Jan is the captain at the helm of VPNpro. He ensures that every crew member is practicing perfect digital hygiene and spreading only accurate pro tips about technology. Besides that, he is a frequent contributor on many renowned publications, such as Forbes, ComputerWeekly, PC Mag, TechRadar, and ZDNet.
I’m a big ExpressVPN fan. I’m disappointed that they don’t do independent audit reviews but otherwise they’re an excellent value. People drop $5 for a cup of coffee so why not cut back and get yourself a VPN that does everything you need?
This is a pretty exhaustive list of the best VPNs available! The top runners are also the most likely to work in other countries, too. I’ll always be won over by NordVPN’s prices, but you’re right that you get what you pay for with ExpressVPN!
Thanks for posting this article. I’ve been reading about the no-log audit and was pleased to see that NordVPN participated in it. I know that their were accusations about Nord being a front for a data mining operation and I’ve been anticipating the outcome of the audit. I’m relieved they were vindicated and I’m glad that I won’t need to find another provider. I hope that this will set a new standard in the industry.
I know this is kind of laughable but just to ask which is more secure. Using a VPN located outside the USA or within the States ?.. I have a feeling VPN services outside the states compromise our data since we can’t sue them from another country assuming something like that happens
I’ve been using NordVPN for quite a while now and it’s really good. The speed is great, you can do torrenting and any other stuff you’d expect. It also suits casual internet browsing. I’m really happy with this one and I’m not surprised it’s in the top 3 of the best VPNs.