In this guide, we'll show you the best VPNs to use on the USA, or to get a US IP address and why US citizens should seriously consider subscribing to a VPN before going online.

The best VPNs for the USA at a glance

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. CyberGhost VPN - An easy to use VPN for the US. Their 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. For $1.94, its a great unblocker & fast enough for HD. VyprVPN - A great all-round VPN pick for the USA. With proprietary servers you get fast connections & great levels of privacy.

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Whether you live in the US, or outside the US and want to spoof you location, a VPN for the USA 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 games or an expanded Netflix library.

But, a VPN is not just for spoofing your location. It also encrypts your web traffic, which means that 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.

When picking which VPNs to recommend for the USA it's important to find a nice balance between privacy capabilities and unblocking power. As such, we consider the following when compiling our list:

VPN server locations across the US

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 for the USA | In-depth analysis

At ProPrivacy.com we use detailed metrics to test VPNs in search of the best VPNs for privacy and unblocking content. Below we explain why these are very best USA VPNs in 2020:

1. ExpressVPN www.expressvpn.com Best VPN for the USA: ExpressVPN is our #1 pick. This trustworthy VPN has it all: No logs, amazing features, fast speeds and unblocks pretty much anything. Pricing From $ 6.67 - $ 12.95

Servers in USA 22

Unblocks Netflix iPlayer Hulu

Simultaneous connections 5

Available for Windows macOS iOS Android Linux

ExpressVPN is a service based in the British Virgin Islands that is both trusted and reliable. Its zero-log policy means that it never has data about users on file, and, being based out of reach of US authorities is a massive advantage. Express has software for all platforms, and that software is perfect for beginners. However, it also has every important VPN feature and setting you are likely to need; a killswitch, DNS leak protection, servers in 94 countries, obfuscation for bypassing ISP firewalls, port selection, and more. Express is slightly more expensive than other VPNs in this list. However, it is also consistently one of the two fastest VPNs in the world. And Express unblocks US Netflix. We love this VPN’s 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 three devices simultaneously. And, you can test it for free for 30-days thanks to its money-back guarantee. If you want the very best look no further. 2. CyberGhost VPN www.cyberghostvpn.com CyberGhost is a great value US VPN. All of their apps are very user-friendly and they have a great network of servers inside and outside the USA. Pricing From $ 2.81 - $ 13.47

Servers in USA 1,052

Unblocks Netflix iPlayer Hulu

Simultaneous connections 7

Available for Windows macOS iOS Android Linux

This superb VPN is based in Romania, and it prides itself on providing privacy and security for its subscribers. This VPN has a zero-logs policy, and it implements OpenVPN encryption for data privacy. Servers are located in over 60 countries and the VPN is excellent for unblocking anything you might want. It does work with Netflix US, but it can be a little temperamental compared to the VPNs above. CyberGhost has fewer features than NordVPN, however, for anybody who just wants privacy and unblocking it 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 for free. A good option for beginners. 3. Private Internet Access www.privateinternetaccess.com 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. Pricing From $ 2.84 - $ 10.51

Servers in USA 1,052

Unblocks Netflix iPlayer Hulu

Simultaneous connections 10

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 IP leak free. 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 3236 servers in 33 countries and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 4. Surfshark www.surfshark.com SurfShark is a cheap VPN for USA. This service is relatively new, but they have nailed the art of unblocking and their speeds can easily handle HD. Pricing From $ 2.49 - $ 12.95

Servers in USA 500

Unblocks Netflix iPlayer Hulu

Simultaneous connections Unlimited

Available for Windows macOS iOS Android Linux

A new VPN service, Surfshark can already rough it with the big boys. Based in the British Virgin Islands, it keeps no logs that can be used to compromise your privacy and is chock-full of useful features such as split tunneling, kill switches in all apps, good IP leak protection, DNS ad blocking, static IP address (a bolt-on extra), multihop VPN and more

Americans looking to evade NSA surveillance or the USA’s harsh copyright environment will appreciate 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 more.

Surfshark offers 24/7 Live Chat support and a 30-day money back guarantee. 5. VyprVPN www.vyprvpn.com 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. Pricing From $ 2.50 - $ 12.95

Servers in USA 8

Unblocks Netflix iPlayer Hulu

Simultaneous connections 5

Available for Windows macOS iOS Android Linux

VyprVPN is a Switzerland-based VPN service that would excel as your VPN for the USA. The only reason VyprVPN is so low 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. VyprVPN also allows up to five simultaneous devices and offers 24/7 live 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 committing, you can use VyprVPN’s free 3 day trial. 6. IPVanish www.ipvanish.com 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. Pricing From $ 6.49 - $ 10.00

Servers in USA 801

Unblocks Netflix Hulu

Simultaneous connections 1,000

Available for Windows macOS iOS Android

IPVanish is a reliable Us-based VPN. It is a no logs service with apps for all platforms that are easy to use. And it comes fully featured with a killswitch, DNS leak protection, OpenVPN encryption, and obfuscation. This makes it ideal for gaining digital privacy from your ISP and the government, which means that you will never have to worry about your browsing habits being sold onto third parties.

If you need a VPN for gaining 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 anything else you want to access while on vacation outside of the US. IPVanish can also be installed on upto 10 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. 7. Ivacy www.ivacy.com Ivacy is the cheapest USA VPN on our list. For $1.50 a month, you get servers in over 50 countries, strong privacy features and the ability to unblock streaming sites like BBC iPlayer. Pricing From $ 0.99 - $ 9.95

Servers in USA 129

Unblocks Netflix iPlayer Hulu

Simultaneous connections 5

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 killswitch and DNS leak protection, which means it is suitable for torrenting without being tracked down by copyright holders.

Thanks to its servers in 50 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 does cope with HD video, video conferencing, and other data-intensive tasks. An excellent VPN for US citizens that 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. 8. ProtonVPN ProtonVPN is a trusted and reliable VPN to use in the US. It has excellent privacy features, a solid zero logs and it consistently unblocks Netflix. Free option Yes Pricing From $ 3.29 - $ 5.00

Servers in USA 228

Unblocks Netflix iPlayer Hulu

Simultaneous connections 10

Available for Windows macOS iOS Android Linux

ProtonVPN might not have been around that many years, but it has quickly become one of Reddit user’s 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 50 countries, ideal for accessing geo-restricted content from right 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 it either with its excellent free plan or its 30-day money back guarantee. 9. PrivateVPN www.privatevpn.com 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. Pricing From $ 1.89 - $ 7.12

Servers in USA 17

Unblocks Netflix iPlayer Hulu

Simultaneous connections 6

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 never has any records about what you do online. This makes it great for gaining 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 versatility.

PrivateVPN can unblock BBC iPlayer, hulu, HBO Go, Netflix, and any other service you can think of. Plus, it will let you unblock games or YouTube in work or at school. We enjoy using this VPN on any device, and you can install and use it on upto 5 devices simultaneously. When it comes to advanced settings, this VPN has a killswitch, 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. 10. NordVPN www.nordvpn.com 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. Pricing From $ 3.71 - $ 11.95

Servers in USA 1,758

Unblocks Netflix iPlayer Hulu

Simultaneous connections 6

Available for Windows macOS iOS Android

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 killswitch, DNS leak protection, obfuscation, OpenVPN encryption, double-hop server routing, VPN into Tor, and split tunnelling. 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 anything else you can think of. We enjoy using NordVPN on all platforms, and we like that it lets users install the VPN on up to six devices simultaneously. NordVPN stores no logs and is based in Panama, which makes it great in terms of data privacy. And this VPN has 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.

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.

Place Provider Average Speed Max Speed Visit Site 1. Ivacy 108.21 Mbit/s 671.99 Mbit/s Visit Site 2. NordVPN 87.69 Mbit/s 323.35 Mbit/s Visit Site 3. Private Internet Access 76.17 Mbit/s 216.46 Mbit/s Visit Site 4. ExpressVPN 73.00 Mbit/s 289.13 Mbit/s Visit Site 5. Surfshark 69.66 Mbit/s 263.89 Mbit/s Visit Site 6. IPVanish 59.84 Mbit/s 213.55 Mbit/s Visit Site 7. ProtonVPN 58.88 Mbit/s 232.75 Mbit/s Visit Site 8. CyberGhost VPN 56.15 Mbit/s 130.26 Mbit/s Visit Site 9. PrivateVPN 55.70 Mbit/s 218.35 Mbit/s Visit Site 10. VyprVPN 36.27 Mbit/s 53.56 Mbit/s Visit Site

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?

No, a VPN must reroute all your traffic via the VPN server, as well as encrypt/decrypt your traffic, so it will slow down your connection slightly. 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.

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Why do I need a VPN in the USA?

In the US it is legal for ISPs to collect your data and sell it to third parties.

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 more than 800 commercial VPNs available!).

All our recommended USA VPN services are world class, however, they do all differ slightly. To ensure you get the best US VPN for your needs, you can compare prices, server numbers, connection speeds, and other essential differences in this guide. And, if you need more information - you can check out our VPN provider reviews.

If VPN technology is a new concept to you, take a moment to familiarise 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.

More information: Most secure VPNs

NSA surveillance

In 2015, Edward Snowden revealed that the US government lied about snooping on US citizens. Since then, new legislation has been passed that permits US agencies to keep performing mass data surveillance.

We don’t believe that US citizens deserve to have their entire privacy eroded for national security reasons

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.

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 decide to 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 does mean 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.

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Torrenting with a VPN in the US

Torrenting copyrighted material, which is what the vast majority of torrenters do, is a civil offence in the US and can carry a fine of up to $150,000 for each piece of copyright infringed upon. So, as you can see we're not messing around when we say you need to take precautions before you torrent - especially in the US.

Fortunately, VPN technology can protect your identity when torrenting so your ISP, the copyright holders, or even your torrent peers can know 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.

The good news is that all the VPNs we recommend in this guide do allow torrenting. So you can be sure that they will take every step to protect your identity.

The benefits of getting a USA IP address

Millions of people around the world use a VPN to get a US IP address. As 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.

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.

Is it illegal to use a VPN in USA? 👮 Not at all! A VPN is a completely legal piece of software, and you're well within your rights to encrypt your web traffic. Bear in mind that it is what you do with a VPN that could be illegal - like downloading copyrighted content, for example.

Can I be tracked if you use a VPN in the USA? 🕵️ A secure VPN encrypts your traffic and online activity - because of this, it's impossible for your ISP to track what you get up to online. Your real IP address will also be hidden, concealing your location and enabling you to check out websites and services that might otherwise be restricted.

Are there any free VPN services that work in the USA? 🆓 Yes, there are some free VPNs that are safe to use. It's important to note, however, that free VPNs that provide robust privacy often come with limitations. You'll likely experience bandwidth or usage limits, and these are imposed to encourage users to subscribe to the VPN's premium service. What's more, there are hundreds of dangerous free VPNs on the market with dodgy privacy policies that put people's data at risk. Free VPNs also fail to unblock services like Netflix or Hulu. However, some of the VPNs listed above do and some offer a free trial or a money-back guarantee.

Does a VPN change your IP Address?🏠 When you connect to a VPN server, your IP address is concealed and replaced with one that belongs to the VPN provider. By doing so, you can pretend to be located in the same place as the server you connect to. This permits VPN users to bypass geo-restrictions and unblock website content from overseas. This is a great solution for US expats or anyone on holiday, as you'll be able to pretend you're right back in the US!

How will a VPN protect my privacy? 👤 A VPN encrypts all of your web traffic - this provides privacy and stops your ISP and government from monitoring your online habits. With a VPN, you'll also be safe from hacking attempts or third-parties attempting to access your data when you use public WiFi. However, a VPN cannot stop you from visiting dodgy websites or downloading malware or viruses. For this reason, it is important to use a VPN in addition to good antivirus software.

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: