Published on: November 12, 2024 Updated 2 times since publishing
- 🥇 ExpressVPN : It uses military-grade encryption to anonymize your online activities in the US. It also doesn’t log any of your data and has 20+ US server locations that access streaming sites like Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video. All of its plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee for first-time users.
After weeks of testing, I picked the best VPNs for the US. Every VPN I recommend encrypts your online data, preventing your internet service provider (ISP) from seeing the websites you visit or files you download. Plus, they’re based in countries with privacy-friendly laws and have strict no-logs policy, which means the VPNs don’t store your data.
The VPNs I recommend access top US-only streaming sites for watching live local sports, like Hulu, ESPN, and Peacock. They all have fast speeds and large US server networks. In addition, you get really cool extras to enhance your security and online experience.
ExpressVPN is my favorite because it has top-notch security and privacy features, provides excellent streaming, torrenting, and gaming support, and offers affordable plans — each one is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for the US
Editor's Note: Intego ONE, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for the US
Basic 12-Months plan: $3.99 / month
1-month plan: $12.99 / month
ExpressVPN is my top choice for the US, as it includes industry-leading security and privacy features, maintains the fastest speeds out there, offers servers in tons of US cities, and is the best VPN for streaming, torrenting, and gaming.
When it comes to security, ExpressVPN is unmatched. In addition to having all of the essential features, it has conducted and passed 15+ independent security audits of its no-logs policy, protocols, apps, browser extensions, and router. All of these audits were performed by highly respected security companies, such as Cure53, KPMG, and F-Secure.
ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs for streaming. It works with all top US streaming sites like Hulu, SlingTV, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and 100+ other sites in and outside the US. Plus, it works with ESPN, Paramount+, and Peacock, so you can securely watch local sports events.
The provider has servers in 20+ US server locations, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami (and 105 countries worldwide). Thanks to this large server network, you can easily find a nearby server and connect to the fastest server.
When it comes to speeds, ExpressVPN is the fastest one. Its Lightway protocol provides super-fast speeds — I was able to stream in HD and 4K without buffering. It’s also great that it resists network changes, meaning the VPN connection won’t drop when you switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data while streaming.
I like that the VPN offers dedicated IP addresses for an extra cost in 5+ US cities, such as New York, Seattle, and Houston, as well as 20+ countries worldwide. Streaming sites and banks often monitor for shared IP addresses linked to VPNs to prevent unauthorized access. A dedicated IP is unique to you, so there’s less of a chance that streaming sites and banks will block your access.
I’m a big fan of ExpressVPN’s Threat Manager, which blocks connections to shady sites. It also prevents tracking cookies, scripts, and cross-site trackers from collecting your data, reducing targeted ads. Plus, there’s a ShuffleIP feature — it changes your IP address every time you visit a new site or re-open an app. This makes it even more difficult for trackers to follow your activities across different sites and build a profile on you.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for the US. It offers best-in-class security features, has a great US server network, and can access all popular streaming sites, including those that broadcast live sports events. Plus, it has a useful tracker blocker that prevents sites from targeting you with ads.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Great for Streaming Regional Sports
6-month plan: $7.50 / month
1-month plan: $11.95 / month
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a great pick for streaming live local sports in the US securely, as it has servers in every US state — it can access MLB.TV, Fubo, ESPN+, Sling TV, DirecTV, and Paramount+.
PIA offers dedicated US servers for streaming on Netflix, Hulu, Max, and Amazon Prime, as well as streaming-optimized servers in 10+ countries. The VPN regularly tests these servers to ensure they always work with the intended streaming platform. However, I prefer ExpressVPN for streaming, as it works with 100+ streaming sites.
PIA MACE is the best VPN ad blocker on the market. It gets rid of ads on ad-heavy media outlets like the NY Post and Washington Post, and it blocks trackers that collect your data and target you with personalized ads.
PIA lets you get a dedicated IP address from the East or West Coast and 11 other locations like New York, Atlanta, and Washington DC for a small extra fee, which gives you hassle-free access to your US bank account. You can also pick a dedicated IP from 10 other countries, including Australia, Canada, and Germany.
I really like how customizable PIA is, which is useful for getting faster speeds on unstable, public Wi-Fi. For instance, you can switch from 256-bit AES encryption to 128-bit AES encryption, which will improve your speeds. Plus, you can set the VPN to automatically connect when it detects a public Wi-Fi network, so you don’t go online unprotected in a café or at the airport.
I’m a big fan of PIA’s Identity Guard feature, which alerts you if your login credentials connected to your streaming or bank account have been leaked. This is useful, as it allows you to quickly take measures (like changing your email and passwords) to avoid identity theft or fraud.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access has servers in each US state, works with many top US streaming sites, and its PIA MACE is great for blocking trackers. The VPN is also very customizable and can automatically protect your connections on public Wi-Fi.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
Editor's Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Dedicated Servers for US Streaming Platforms
6-month plan: $6.99 / month
1-month plan: $12.99 / month
CyberGhost VPN has dedicated servers for streaming in the US that access Netflix, Max, Disney+, and YouTubeTV without an issue. I also like how some of the streaming servers are optimized to work with these platforms on specific devices — for example, there are Netflix US servers for Android TV and Fire Stick devices.
I like that CyberGhost lets you automate a lot of your connections via the Smart Rules feature. For example, you can set the VPN to connect to any US server location on launch and then auto-open any app on your device, like the Netflix app. There’s also an option to set the VPN to start when connected to an unsecured Wi-Fi network.
CyberGhost has servers in 10+ US locations, including Seattle, New York, and Dallas, for accessing local content, and servers in 100 countries around the globe. You can also purchase a dedicated IP address in Miami, Los Angeles, and Washington. That said, if you need more US server options, I recommend checking out ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access — they also offer dedicated IP addresses in more US cities.
The VPN also includes an Identity Guard feature that informs you if your credentials have been compromised in a data breach. I also like its ad blocker, which blocks ad trackers and prevents you from accessing malicious websites.
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost VPN has dedicated servers for streaming in the US and lets you customize your connections. The VPN has servers in 10+ US states, offers dedicated IP addresses in the US, and includes useful extra security features.
Read the full CyberGhost VPN review
Editor's Note: CyberGhost and this site are in the same ownership group.
4. NordVPN — Malware Protection for Safe Downloads
Plus 24-month plan: $3.59 / month
Complete 24-month plan: $3.99 / month
Prime 24-month plan: $6.99 / month
NordVPN is great for safely downloading files in the US. Its Threat Protection Pro feature scans the files you download for malware, preventing any harmful content from reaching your device. This not only blocks viruses but also helps protect your sensitive banking and personal data from being stolen by spyware. The feature is great for blocking trackers, too.
For streaming, NordVPN accesses 10+ platforms, including the US libraries of Netflix, Amazon Prime, Max, and Disney+. That said, I prefer ExpressVPN for streaming, as it works with more streaming sites.
I’m a big fan of NordVPN’s Meshnet feature because it lets you securely connect all your devices, even if they’re in different locations. For example, you can connect your home PC to your work network securely, as if you were in the office. Or, you can even access files and devices on other devices you own, all through a private, encrypted connection.
NordVPN has servers in 15+ locations in the US, including cities like Atlanta, San Francisco, and Denver, as well as 149 countries. For a small extra fee, you can get a dedicated IP address in 5+ US cities, such as New York, Chicago, Miami, and Seattle, and 15+ other countries.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN protects you from malware-infected downloads and blocks trackers and shady sites in the US. The VPN offers servers in 15+ US locations and works with 10+ streaming sites. Plus, its unique Meshnet feature lets you remotely access your devices.
5. Surfshark — Good for Protecting Your Identity on US Online Services
One 24-month plan: $2.49 / month
One+ 24-month plan: $4.19 / month
Surfshark’s Alternative ID lets you set up a fake identity for extra privacy. It allows you to create a fake email, name, date of birth, and address from different US states. This prevents your real personal info from being collected or leaked during data breaches. Plus, you can get a US virtual phone number for an extra cost and avoid spam and scams on your real number.
Another cool feature is the IP Rotator tool — it changes your VPN IP address at set intervals without changing the location or dropping the VPN connection. This makes it difficult for websites and advertisers to track your browsing habits and build a comprehensive profile.
The VPN has servers in 20+ US cities like Boston, Las Vegas, and Buffalo as well as 100 countries worldwide. Plus, these servers work with 50+ streaming sites, including Netflix and Max. It also offers static US IP addresses and dedicated IP addresses in 3 US cities (Los Angeles, Dallas, and San Jose) — that being said, ExpressVPN has dedicated IPs in more cities.
Bottom Line:
Surfshark offers an Alternative ID feature for creating a fake identity to protect your real personal data. There’s also an IP Rotator feature that changes your IP address, making it difficult for hackers to track your activities and locations. Plus, it has a decent server network in the US.
Read the full Surfshark review
Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Quick Comparison Table
Editor's Note: Intego ONE, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
When choosing the best VPNs for the US and ranking them, I applied our proven testing methodology. I tested and checked them in different real-life scenarios regarding the US server network, security features, streaming support, and more. The section below will outline the criteria I used in greater detail:
- I looked for strong privacy & security features. The VPNs on my list have industry-standard VPN security features like 256-bit AES encryption to hide your online activities from US ISPs. Plus, they have an audited no-logs policy, confirming that they don’t log your browsing activities, and a kill switch, which shuts down internet access if the VPN connection drops to prevent any leaks. Plus, they all include IP leak protection and in my tests, I never experienced any leaks.
- I checked for a large server network in the US. Each VPN that I recommend has servers in several US cities that are well spread across the country. Private Internet Access has servers in every US state. This means that you’ll have no problem finding a server nearby with the fastest possible speeds.
- I evaluated speeds. All VPNs slow down your speeds because of the encryption process, but my top picks maintain fast speeds on nearby and distant servers. That said, ExpressVPN had the fastest speeds in my tests.
- I considered streaming support. I only recommend VPNs that consistently work with popular platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Max, and Disney+ and their US libraries, as well as Hulu, Paramount+, Sling TV, and other popular apps that carry live regional sports content in the US.
- I ensured ease of use and good device compatibility. Every VPN on my list has intuitive apps for all major devices, including Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS, which makes it easy to find and connect to any servers in the US or other locations worldwide.
- I made sure the VPNs provided a good value. I only recommend VPNs that offer affordable plans that are backed by a generous money-back guarantee. Plus, they all include a malicious site and tracker blocker as well as split-tunneling.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- IPVanish. IPVanish has servers in 15+ US locations and offers good speeds. However, it doesn’t have as many advanced security features and doesn’t work with as many streaming sites as the VPNs I recommend.
- TunnelBear. TunnelBear has an intuitive bear-themed interface and allows unlimited connections. That said, it causes significant slowdowns on distant servers and doesn’t work with Disney+ and ESPN+.
- PureVPN. PureVPN has strong security features to protect your privacy in the US, but it doesn’t match the speeds of the VPNs that I recommend. Plus, it only sometimes works with Netflix and can’t access Amazon Prime Video.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best VPN for the US?
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for the US, as it offers top privacy from the prying eyes of ISPs and doesn’t log any data — so even if the government asks about your browsing data, it’ll have nothing to share.
ExpressVPN has servers in 20+ US locations, which is great for finding a nearby server for the best possible speeds, and all of these work with US streaming platforms like Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, ESPN+, and Paramount+.
Which VPN has servers in all US states?
Private Internet Access has servers in each US state. This means that you’ll have no problem finding and connecting to a nearby server that provides the fastest speeds for streaming and other online activities. It’s also great for safely streaming live local sports content in the US.
Are VPNs legal in the US?
Yes, using a VPN in the US is legal, and I recommend using a good US VPN to protect your privacy and security online. The US has no laws preventing individuals from using VPNs for secure internet access. However, it’s important to note that using a VPN for illegal activities remains against the law. Plus, certain websites and online services may have terms of service that prohibit VPN use, so it’s important to read these terms and respect copyright laws.
Can I use a free VPN in the US?
Maybe, but I don’t recommend it. Many free VPNs have poor privacy policies that allow them to see what you’re doing online, collect that data, and then share it with advertisers and other third parties — this defeats the purpose of using a VPN. Plus, they have strict data caps, so you’ll only be able to use the VPN for a limited amount of time.
Instead, I recommend purchasing a premium VPN, like ExpressVPN. It encrypts your data, making it unreadable to US ISPs and third parties. Moreover, it doesn’t log your browsing activity, has servers in multiple US locations, and works with numerous US streaming sites.
Editor's Note: Intego ONE, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
