In this guide, we’ll show you the best VPNs to use in the USA, or to get a US IP address, and why US citizens should seriously consider subscribing to a VPN before going online.
What are the best VPNs for the USA?
These are the best of the best VPNs to use in the USA for 2021:
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ExpressVPN
– The Best VPN to use in the USA. You get lightning-fast speeds across their US servers, which are located all over the USA. -
NordVPN
– A great VPN for torrenting in the US. It keeps no logs, offers great encryption and is packed with handy features for torrenting. -
CyberGhost VPN
– An easy to use VPN for the US. Its sleek app is available for Android & iOS. Great value for the price. -
Private Internet Access
– A secure VPN for the US. It has excellent levels of privacy with proven no logs & loads of features. -
Surfshark
– A cheap VPN for America. But, don’t be fooled by the price. From $2.49 a month, it’s a great unblocker & plenty fast enough for HD.
Try ExpressVPN our #1 VPN for the USA
Whether you live in the US, or outside the US and want to spoof you location, a VPN is a versatile tool that can help. With the right VPN you can spoof into the USA, or across state lines, to access regional content, such as blackout sports games or the expanded US Netflix library if you’re abroad.
But, a VPN is not just for spoofing your location. It also encrypts your web traffic, so ISPs and the NSA can’t perform constant mass surveillance. Encryption also allows you to download torrents with complete privacy. This makes it one of the most powerful online tools available for US citizens concerned about their data.
It’s important to find a nice balance between privacy measures and unblocking power when deciding on a VPN for the USA. As such, we consider the following criteria when compiling our list:
- USA VPN servers
- A no-logs policy
- Fast VPN speeds
- Strong encryption (OpenVPN using 128-bit AES or higher)
- Unblocking capabilities
- Jurisdiction – to rule out any intervention by the NSA or FBI
- Privacy features
Now we’ve covered what we look for in a good VPN for the US, let’s take a look at our top picks.
The Best VPNs to use in the USA in 2021
This is a full list of the VPNs we recommend to for the USA:
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for the USA, and our #1 pick. This trustworthy VPN has it all: No logs, amazing features, fast speeds and unblocks pretty much anything.
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Pricing
From
$6.67 –
$12.95 -
Unblocks
- Netflix
- iPlayer
- Amazon Prime
- Hulu
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Simultaneous connections
-
Available for
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
ExpressVPN is a service based in the British Virgin Islands that is both universally trusted and extremely reliable. Its zero-log policy means that it never has data about users on file, and being based well out of reach of US authorities is a massive advantage. Express has software for all platforms, and the software is incredibly easy to use and perfect for beginners. However, it also has every important VPN feature and setting you are likely to need: a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, servers in 94 countries, obfuscation for bypassing ISP firewalls, port selection, and much more.
Express is slightly more expensive than other VPNs in this list. However, it is fully-featured and also consistently one of the two fastest VPNs in the world. And Express unblocks US Netflix as well as many other popular streaming services from all over the world. We love this VPN’s excellent 24/7 live chat support, which can help you with any issue at any time of the day. ExpressVPN lets you use the software on any platform on up to five devices simultaneously. And, you can test it for free for 30-days thanks to its money-back guarantee. If you want the very best of the best, look no further than ExpressVPN.
NordVPN is a great VPN for torrenting in the USA. It offers a no logs service, strong encryption and great privacy features that come in handy when torrenting.
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Pricing
From
$3.71 –
$11.95 -
Servers in USA
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Unblocks
- Netflix
- iPlayer
- Amazon Prime
- Hulu
-
Simultaneous connections
-
Available for
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
NordVPN is a well-known VPN service that is perfect for anybody who wants a lot of advanced VPN privacy features. The VPN has a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, obfuscation, OpenVPN encryption, double-hop server routing, VPN into Tor, and split tunneling. This makes the VPN ideal for torrenting and doing other sensitive online tasks.
With servers in over 60 countries, this VPN will let you unblock masses of geo-restricted international content and services. NordVPN is great for streaming thanks to its fast speeds, and it does work to access BBC iPlayer, All4, Netflix US, Hulu, and pretty much anything else you can think of. We enjoy using NordVPN on all platforms, and we like that it lets users install and use the VPN on up to six devices simultaneously. NordVPN stores no logs and is based in Panama, which makes it great in terms of protecting users’ data privacy. And this VPN has all the features you need to torrent safely – or to access censored websites without being tracked by your ISP or the NSA.
Finally, you can trial the service risk-free using its 30-day money-back guarantee. A lightning-fast VPN that is well worth trialing.
CyberGhost is a great value US VPN. All of its apps are very user-friendly and it offers a robust network of reliable servers inside and outside the USA.
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Pricing
From
$2.81 –
$13.47 -
Servers in USA
-
Unblocks
- Netflix
- iPlayer
- Amazon Prime
- Hulu
-
Simultaneous connections
-
Available for
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
CyberGhost is a superb VPN service based in Romania, and prides itself on providing top-notch privacy and security to its subscribers. A no-logs policy ensures that your online activity remains private, and this is further secured by OpenVPN encryption. A broad network of servers in more than 90 countries across the globe means that CyberGhost is an excellent pick for accessing virtually any streaming service. However, whilst the VPN does work with Netflix US, it can be a little temperamental compared to some of the other VPNs in this list.
CyberGhost has fewer features than NordVPN, however, for anybody who just wants privacy and unblocking, this provider is ideal. Customer support is good with this VPN, and the software is available for all platforms. Considering the cost of this VPN, the provider is extremely generous. It allows 10 simultaneous connections and provides a whopping 45-day money-back guarantee for you to test the service risk-free. A great option for beginners who are looking for a simple, user-friendly VPN solution and don’t necessarily require a ton of extra features.
PIA is the privacy-conscious choice on our VPNs for USA list. If you’re concerned about NSA spying or just want to go incognito, you should check this VPN out.
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Pricing
From
$2.84 –
$11.00 -
Servers in USA
-
Unblocks
- Netflix
- iPlayer
- Amazon Prime
- Hulu
-
Simultaneous connections
-
Available for
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
PIA is a byword in VPN circles for a service that offers top-notch security and means it when it claims to keep no logs that can endanger its users’ privacy. It does, in fact, have the distinction of having proven such claims in court… Not once, but twice!
PIA uses top-notch encryption and is completely free of IP leaks. It offers Shadowsocks anti-censorship tech, which those in some countries might need to unblock Netflix! It also offers port forwarding, split-tunneling, SOCKS5 Squid proxies, DNS ad and malware blocking (“MACE”). and more.
It runs over 15,700 servers in over 74 countries and comes with a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
SurfShark is a cheap VPN for the USA. This service is relatively new, but it has nailed the art of unblocking and its speeds can easily handle HD.
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Pricing
From
$2.21 –
$12.95 -
Servers in USA
-
Unblocks
- Netflix
- iPlayer
- Amazon Prime
- Hulu
-
Simultaneous connections
-
Available for
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
Surfshark might be relatively new to the VPN market, but that doesn’t mean it can’t hang at the top of the pile with the big players! Based in the British Virgin Islands, Surfshark keeps no user logs and is chock-full of useful features. Users can check out split tunneling functionality, kill-switches in all apps, robust IP leak protection, DNS ad blocking, static IP address (a bolt-on extra), multi-hop VPN, and more.
Americans looking to evade NSA surveillance or the USA’s harsh copyright environment will appreciate nearby servers in Canada and Costa Rica. And those wishing to stream US content will appreciate multiple servers across the States that are all effective at unblocking Netflix, Hulu, and many more streaming services from all over the world.
To top it off, Surfshark provides stellar 24/7 live chat support, unlimited simultaneous connections, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
VyprVPN offers a balance between privacy and functionality for US citizens. This superb VPN has proven its no-logs claims and owns its own network of servers.
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Pricing
From
$1.66 –
$12.95 -
Servers in USA
-
Unblocks
- Netflix
- iPlayer
- Amazon Prime
- Hulu
-
Simultaneous connections
-
Available for
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
VyprVPN is a provider based in Switzerland that would excel as your VPN for the USA. The only reason VyprVPN is a bit lower on our list is because it’s not a good VPN provider for torrenting. Other than that, VyprVPN offers over 70 server locations – ideal for accessing geo-restricted content on TV streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, and many others from around the globe. VyprVPN also allows up to five simultaneous devices and offers 24/7 live chat customer support.
This VPN includes better-than-average server speeds, strong encryption protocols, and proprietary technology for added security. If you prefer to sample the product before fully committing, you can do so risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
IPVanish is a secure VPN based in the USA. Not only is it fast, but it’s also reliable and secure – perfect for US citizens in need of watertight privacy and security features.
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Pricing
From
$6.49 –
$10.00 -
Servers in USA
-
Unblocks
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime
- Hulu
-
Simultaneous connections
-
Available for
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
Highly reliable and based in the US, IPVanish is a no-logs provider that’s compatible with virtually every platform out there. Even better, these apps are incredibly easy to use – even for VPN newbies! Users will enjoy a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, OpenVPN encryption, and a ‘Scramble’ obfuscation feature. These features make IPVanish ideal of shoring up your digital security and preventing government and/or ISP snooping, meaning you never have to worry about your browsing habits being sold on to third parties, either.
If you need a VPN for protecting your privacy on public WiFi, this VPN is ideal because it has an excellent Android and iOS app. Plus, this VPN is great for downloading torrents without having your IP address tracked by copyright holders. And IPVanish can unblock Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Go, and virtually anything else you want to access while on vacation outside of the US. IPVanish can also be used on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously; which makes it great for families, or for anybody who owns a lot of devices.
A superb all-rounder that is well worth comparing to our other recommendations using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Ivacy is the cheapest USA VPN on our list. You get servers in over 100 countries, strong privacy features and the ability to unblock streaming sites like US Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
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Pricing
From
$0.99 –
$9.95 -
Servers in USA
-
Unblocks
- Netflix
- iPlayer
- Amazon Prime
- Hulu
-
Simultaneous connections
-
Available for
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
Ivacy VPN is a service based in Singapore that provides excellent apps and great value for money. The VPN has apps for all platforms, and it has everything you need to gain digital privacy from the US government and data-hungry ISPs. Ivacy comes with vital features like a kill-switch and DNS leak protection, which means it is suitable for torrenting without being tracked down by copyright holders.
Thanks to its servers in over 100 countries – you can access online streams, game servers, internet banking, and any other geo-restricted services from around the world. We enjoy using this VPN to access Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and many other popular services. Admittedly, this VPN isn’t as fast as some of our other recommendations, but it copes with HD video, videoconferencing, and other data-intensive tasks. An excellent VPN for US residents who need to unblock content at home, at work, in school, or on public WiFi.
Well worth comparing to our other options using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
ProtonVPN is a trusted and reliable VPN to use in the US. It has excellent privacy features, a solid zero-logs policy and it consistently unblocks Netflix.
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Free option
Yes
Pricing
From
$3.29 –
$5.00 -
Servers in USA
-
Unblocks
- Netflix
- iPlayer
- Amazon Prime
- Hulu
-
Simultaneous connections
-
Available for
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
ProtonVPN may not have been around many years yet, but it has quickly become one of Reddit users’ favorite VPNs. It is a superb service for any US resident thanks to its free plan and its advanced privacy settings. ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland; a location that is known to be fantastic in terms of data privacy. And it is a no-logs service that will always ensure that your online habits are private both now and in the future.
This VPN has apps for all platforms, which means that US citizens can gain privacy both at home, at work, and on public WiFi hotspots. ProtonVPN has servers in 54 countries, ideal for accessing geo-restricted content from all around the world. And it permits torrenting if you desire privacy for downloading videos or software. Admittedly, ProtonVPN isn’t as fast as some of the other services we have recommended. However, it always lets us stream Netflix US without any issues.
You can test the service either with its excellent free plan or its 30-day money-back guarantee.
PrivateVPN is the best VPN for streaming in the US. It has excellent apps for all platforms, including Android and iOS with advanced features that make unblocking and streaming easy.
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Pricing
From
$1.89 –
$7.12 -
Servers in USA
-
Unblocks
- Netflix
- iPlayer
- Amazon Prime
- Hulu
-
Simultaneous connections
-
Available for
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
PrivateVPN is a provider based in Sweden that is perfect for gaining digital privacy in the USA. It is a no-logs service that has no records about what you do online. This makes it an excellent option for protecting your online privacy. With PrivateVPN, you get superb apps for all platforms. It is a highly reliable service that is often praised by consumers due to its fast connections, ease of use, and overall versatility.
PrivateVPN can unblock BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Go, Netflix, and virtually any other streaming service you can think of. Plus, it will let you unblock games or YouTube at work or at school. We enjoy using this VPN on any device, and you can install and use it on up to 6 devices simultaneously. When it comes to advanced settings, this VPN has a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, OpenVPN encryption, and obfuscation. This makes it great for torrenting.
A highly praised VPN that is well worth testing yourself using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Which is the fastest VPN for the United States?
At ProPrivacy.com, we check VPN speeds every day – and you can check out the results in the graph below. Hopefully, this gives you a better idea of how fast our recommended VPNs are.
Our speed tests are conducted under lab conditions using a dedicated gigabit line. You won’t get these exact speeds (because you don’t have a gigabit line), but this table precisely reveals exactly which VPNs are performing fastest right now. So, if you want the fastest VPN on the market, opt for the top dog.
Will a VPN improve my internet speeds?
Sadly, no. A VPN has to reroute all of your traffic via the VPN server, in addition to encrypting/decrypting your traffic. As a result, your internet connection will actually be slowed down a little. The best VPNs invest in high-quality servers and provide faster speeds, and as a result, your traffic will only be slowed by a negligible amount.
If you would like to know more, check out our VPN speed test guide.
ExpressVPN
Discount Coupon
when signing up for 1-year
An overall saving of 49%
Why do I need a VPN in the USA?
With your web browsing history and metadata constantly monitored, a VPN is the only way to stop US government agencies, corporations, and advertisers from harvesting your data.
In addition, US citizens cannot access geo-restricted content from overseas. And, if you go on vacation, US websites and services will also be subjected to a blackout. Leaving America shouldn’t result in an inability to access your internet banking, unblock Amazon Prime video, or the full US Netflix catalog. Luckily, a VPN for the USA will fix these issues.
That’s why our experts have done the hard work for you and searched far and wide for the five very best VPNs for the US market (an impressive feat when you consider that there are over 800 commercial VPNs available!).
All of the VPN’s we’d recommend for the US are world class – but they do differ slightly. To ensure you pick the best provider for your needs, you can compare prices, server numbers, connection speeds, and other essential factors in this guide. And, if you need even more details, you can check out our VPN provider reviews.
Also, if you’re a newcomer to VPN technology, take a moment to familiarize yourself by reading our helpful guides:
Staying secure with a VPN in the US
In the US, ISPs are legally permitted to sell users’ web browsing habits. This means copyright holders can easily get hold of consumer web browsing habits directly from ISPs. This makes it dangerous to download via BitTorrent without a VPN.
Your ISP may send you a cease and desist letter if you’re caught engaging in piracy. It’s even possible to have your account terminated. On other occasions, piracy can result in a costly lawsuit or letters demanding hundreds of dollars in the way of an out of court settlement.
To bypass restrictions and stop ISPs, copyright holders, and the government from snooping on your data; you need a VPN. Plus, with a VPN you can access any website at work – and because of the encryption provided by the VPN – your employer will never know.
NSA surveillance
In 2015, Edward Snowden revealed that the US government lied about snooping on US citizens. New legislation has been passed since then, and it permits US agencies to keep performing mass data surveillance.
Innocent US citizens are constantly monitored not just by the NSA but also by the CIA and other alphabet agencies using the CLOUD Act, the Patriot Act, and various other loopholes (as explained in Jennifer Granick’s book American Spies).
By removing your right to privacy under the auspice of combating terrorism, your freedom is destroyed. A VPN allows you to take your life back into your own hands by providing privacy for yourself and your family.
US-based VPN services
The jurisdiction of a VPN is something you should be aware of when picking a service to subscribe to. Given the widespread surveillance that US citizens and companies are subjected to online, you may begin to question the effectiveness of VPN providers that are based in the US.
Of all the VPN providers on our USA list, two of them are based in the USA, these are:
- Private Internet Access, Denver, Colardo
- IPVanish, Orlando, Florida
The reason we feel comfortable including both of the services on the list is down to the logs they keep, or rather the lack of logs they keep. For both providers, we scrutinized their no logs claims and found that they don’t keep any identifiable logs. And what they don’t keep, they can’t be forced to hand over when the authorities come knocking.
In fact, Private Internet Access has proven this to be the case, not once, but twice in a court of law. And, IPVanish has opened its service up to StackPath and independent third-party auditor to verify their claims on no logs, so you don’t need to take out word for it.
If you want to learn more about VPN logs, what they are and how they are used, check out our best VPN no logs guide for more information.
The benefits of getting a USA IP address
People all over the world are using VPNs every day to get a US IP address. The reason is due to the sheer amount of content that is on offer to US citizens online. Below, we look at some common reasons users go online with a USA VPN to appear in America.
More titles on US Netflix
That’s right, not all Netflix libraries are created equal, and while some countries get more than others, the US remains the holy grail, if not in terms quantity, certainly in terms of exclusivity.
There are a number of titles unique to US Netflix that you simply cannot access anywhere else in the world, such as The Queen, Charmed and The 4400 to name a few.
If you want to know more about what you could be watching with a USA VPN for Netflix, check out our handy Netflix tool StreamCatcher to view Netflix titles from around the world!
Unblock Hulu
So far, Hulu is only available in Japan and the US. With no signs of expanding beyond these two countries currently, more people are turning to USA VPNs for Hulu to get their fix of the many exclusive titles they hold the rights to, such as The Handmaid’s Tale and Marvel’s Runaway.
If these titles aren’t available on another streaming service in your country, then getting them on Hulu through a VPN remains one of the most effective ways of watching them online.
If you want to learn more, we have put together a handy guide about unblocking Hulu with a VPN.
Watching American sports
It’s no secret that the NFL, NBA, MBL and many other US sporting leagues are growing in popularity around the world. If you are a keen follower of American football, basketball, baseball, or any other American sport for that matter, it’s possible to tune in and watch native coverage from anywhere in the world.
Using a VPN for USA, you can unblock sport streaming services like ESPN and catch your favorite teams in action! To find out more, check out our best VPNs for ESPN guide.
Benefits of IP spoofing for US citizens
If you already live in the USA (and have a US IP); you might think you don’t need a VPN to get a US IP address.
However, many sports (baseball, football, and basketball) are restricted across state lines – due to blackout games. This can be annoying if you want to watch a game.
With a VPN, you can pretend to be in a different city or state. This allows you to gain access to different TV schedules and bypass MLB or NFL blackout games.
Alternatively, if you are an expat living in the US, or even if you are just visiting the States on holiday, it’s possible to access all your home comforts during your stay with the US VPNs we recommend in this guide. So, if you are missing Eastenders and want to watch BBC iPlayer from the US, or you want to unblock Hotstar, you can do with a VPN.
Is it safe to use a free VPN in the USA?
There are free VPNs on the market, and some of them can be trusted (follow the link for more details). However, if you do use a free VPN, you need to be extremely careful which one you choose. Many free VPN services make money by collecting user data and selling it to third parties to create a revenue stream. Unfortunately, as keeping a VPN up and running costs a lot of money, this is not a surprise.
Even a number of VPNs that are featured high-up on the Play Store have been found to contain embedded tracking libraries and spyware. These providers have also been caught red-handed lying about the level of encryption they provide. As a result, and because they don’t provide the privacy they claim, they’re terrible security risks.
If you want a secure free VPN, you can stick to the ones in our guide and you will be safe. However, those VPNs’ free plans are restricted with download limits, connection speed restrictions, and limited server options. VPN companies do this to encourage free users to move over to the premium paid service. This is fair, and it is generous – but it means that the free VPN is not as good as the full-paid subscription.
If you want to use a full premium VPN and all its features without restrictions, the best way to do so is using the money-back guarantee. That way, you can put a VPN through its paces and trial all of its functions without risking your cash.
How to get ExpressVPN for free in the US
Did you know you can experience ExpressVPN’s fully featured service without limitation… for free!
If you’re finding free VPNs too restrictive, why not test ExpressVPN premium service? Simply purchase a subscription using the button below and take advantage of the no-nonsense money-back-guarantee. Enjoy the service for up to 30-days, and when you cancel, you will receive a complete refund!
Torrenting with a VPN in the US
The vast majority of torrenters are going to be downloading copyrighted material – and that’s a civil offense. You can catch a fine of up to $150,000 for each piece of copyright infringed upon, in fact. So, we’re not messing around when we say that you need to take precautions before you torrent, and especially in the US.
VPN technology can protect your identity when torrenting. This prevents your ISP, the copyright holders, and even your torrent peers from knowing your real IP address.
Can I use any VPN to torrent in the US?
No, and this is important – not all VPNs allow torrenting on their servers. If you torrent using a VPN that doesn’t allow it, your account could get blocked and the VPN provider has made no promises to protect your data if anyone comes knocking.
There is good news, however. All of the VPN’s we’ve highlighted in this guide allow torrenting, and you can be sure they take every precaution to keep your identity protected.
FAQs
If we haven’t covered your question about using a VPN in the USA in the article above – we have you covered in the FAQ section below. However, if anything is still unclear – or if you have any other questions – please don’t hesitate to leave us a question at the end of this article.
Conclusion
By now you should have all the information you need to make an informed decision about which VPN to use for the USA, so let’s review our top picks:
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ExpressVPN
– The Best VPN to use in the USA. You get lightning-fast speeds across their US servers, which are located all over the USA. -
NordVPN
– A great VPN for torrenting in the US. It keeps no logs, offers great encryption and is packed with handy features for torrenting. -
CyberGhost VPN
– An easy to use VPN for the US. Its sleek app is available for Android & iOS. Great value for the price. -
Private Internet Access
– A secure VPN for the US. It has excellent levels of privacy with proven no logs & loads of features. -
Surfshark
– A cheap VPN for America. But, don’t be fooled by the price. From $2.49 a month, it’s a great unblocker & plenty fast enough for HD.