Updated on: May 6, 2024
Short on time? Here’s the best VPN for families in 2024:
- 🥇 ExpressVPN : It secures up to 8 devices simultaneously, has an easy-to-use dedicated router app to cover every device in your household under 1 connection, and comes with apps for all major devices, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android TV, and Apple TV. It includes high-end security, a malicious site blocker, and a really good adult site blocker. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
A VPN is the best way to protect every device your family uses. VPNs encrypt all of your online activities, making your traffic unreadable to any third party, hiding your location, and making it harder for anyone to track you or compromise your privacy.
However, many VPNs don’t offer enough simultaneous connections for each device you have in your household. The industry average is 5–10 simultaneous devices, but if you live in a large household and everyone in it uses a lot of devices, you may find that not even 10 connections are enough.
After weeks of research and testing dozens of VPs, I found the best ones for families. My top pick is ExpressVPN — it covers up to 8 devices, which is on the upper end of the industry average, and it has an easy-to-use dedicated router app that’ll protect every device in your home under 1 connection.
GET EXPRESSVPN FOR YOUR FAMILY TODAY
Quick summary of the best VPNs for Families:
- 1.🥇 ExpressVPN — Best overall VPN for families in 2024 with blazing-fast speeds and a router app.
- 2.🥈 Private Internet Access — Fast VPN with advanced security features and unlimited simultaneous connections.
- 3.🥉 Surfshark — Easy to use & affordable for families new to VPNs (+ unlimited connections).
- 4. CyberGhost VPN — Streaming-optimized servers so all family members can watch their favorite content.
- 5. TunnelBear — Simplistic and fun-to-use apps with great security (good for beginners).
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Families in 2024
ExpressVPN is my #1 recommendation for families that need a VPN. It allows up to 8 devices to connect simultaneously, which is on the higher end of the industry average, and it’s very secure and fast. Plus, it has servers in 105 countries, allowing virtually any user to connect to a local server to get the fastest speeds.
ExpressVPN is one of the only VPNs on the market to offer a dedicated router app, which is super-easy to install and use. When you configure the VPN on your router, all of the devices in your home that are connected to the router will be connected to the VPN. This way, you can secure all devices in your household with just 1 connection, including devices that don’t support VPNs, like certain smart TVs and your gaming consoles. ExpressVPN also offers its own proprietary Aircove router, which comes with ExpressVPN pre-configured on it.
It has apps for all major devices, including Android, Windows, iOS, and macOS, as well as Linux, Fire OS, and Apple TVs. In addition, I love how all of the apps are very intuitive — for example, ExpressVPN divides all server locations into regions, making it very easy to find the country you’re looking for, and has a Smart Location feature that connects you to the fastest server for your location.
ExpressVPN has excellent streaming and torrenting support. It’s the best streaming VPN, as it works with 100+ streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. It also works very well with popular torrenting clients, such as qBittorent, Deluge, and Vuze.
When it comes to speeds, ExpressVPN is blazing-fast thanks to its Lightway protocol. In my speed tests, websites loaded instantly, and I could stream videos in the highest quality without any buffering. I could also torrent a 20 GB file in 15 minutes, which is quite impressive — and I didn’t have any noticeable lag while playing Call of Duty, even over distant servers.
ExpressVPN also has top-notch security. It includes full leak protection so websites are unable to see your real IP address, RAM-only servers, which wipe all data with each reboot, and perfect forward secrecy (changes the encryption key often to protect against hackers).
I really like Advanced Protection, which blocks ads, trackers, and malicious and adult websites. In my tests, it blocked most banner ads from loading and prevented pop-ups on the sites I visited. I tested its adult-site blocker, too, and it blocked all adult sites I tried to visit.
ExpressVPN has plans that start at $6.67 / month, and it backs all subscriptions with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you and your family can try it risk-free.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is my top pick for a family. It lets you connect up to 8 devices and has a user-friendly router app, allowing you to protect every device in your household with just 1 connection. ExpressVPN has apps for all major operating systems, includes top-notch security, maintains very fast speeds, and comes with the best streaming, torrenting, and gaming support. It backs all purchases with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Highly Secure VPN For the Entire Family With Unlimited Connections
Private Internet Access has strong security to keep your entire family safe online. It allows an unlimited number of simultaneous connections, so everyone in your household can use it on as many devices as you need.
PIA has apps for all major devices, including Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS, as well as Android TVs. It also has router support but you have to manually configure the VPN on the router, which can be a little complicated — I like how PIA has great guides that’ll help you set it up. That being said, I prefer ExpressVPN’s router app, which is much easier to install.
In terms of security, PIA is excellent. It has RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, and full leak protection. I like that its apps are all open-source, so anyone can inspect them for security flaws in the code, and it regularly releases transparency reports that detail all the requests the VPN receives for user data (and how it has nothing to share thanks to its no-logs policy).
One of my favorite PIA features is PIA MACE, which an excellent ad, tracker, and malicious site blocker. I tested it on multiple ad-heavy sites, and it blocked all banner, pop-up, and overlaying ads — which is why it’s the best VPN ad blocker out there. It also prevented me from accessing shady sites 100% of the time.
PIA has good streaming and torrenting support. It works with 30+ streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu (as confirmed by my US colleague), and top torrenting clients like qBittorrent and Deluge. I also like how it offers port forwarding and SOCKS5 proxy servers, which boost your P2P speeds.
In my speed tests, all sites loaded instantly, and so did HD and 4K videos. I also torrented a 20 GB file in 20 minutes, which isn’t as fast as ExpressVPN, but it’s still pretty fast. Plus, PIA has servers in 91 countries, so you and your family will be able to find a nearby server no matter where you are.
PIA’s plans are very cheap, with prices starting as low as $2.03 / month. All purchases are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access lets you connect an unlimited number of devices on a single subscription, so everyone in your family can install and connect to the VPN on as many devices as they need. PIA has advanced security features, comes with very useful extras like PIA MACE, and has excellent streaming and torrenting support. PIA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. Surfshark — Beginner-Friendly VPN for Large Families
Surfshark is a beginner-friendly VPN for securing every device in your family. It offers unlimited connections (just like Private Internet Access) and has apps for all major devices, including Fire TV.
Surfshark also offers manual router support configuration, which is great for protecting devices that don’t natively support VPNs, like your PlayStation and Xbox. However, less tech-savvy users will find ExpressVPN’s dedicated router app much easier to install and use.
Surshark’s apps are super easy to navigate and connect to any of its servers, which are located in 100 countries. I like how you can pick servers as a Favorite, and these servers are displayed on the top of the server list. Moreover, it recommends the fastest server and lists the last 3 server locations you connected to for 1-click access.
Surfshark uses RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy. Unlike ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access, it only protects against DNS leaks, but I never experienced any leaks in any of the 10+ leak tests. It has Clean Web, which is a good ad, tracker, and malware blocker, too — I especially like that, on top of desktop and mobile, this feature is available on Android TV and Fire TV, too.
Surfshark has good torrenting and streaming support. It works with popular P2P clients like qBittorrent and Vuze, as well as with 50+ streaming apps, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer — as confirmed by my colleague in the UK. However, it doesn’t work with Disney+.
Surfshark offers decent speeds. In my tests, sites loaded in 1–2 seconds, and I could stream videos over a local server without any buffering. I also torrented a 20 GB file in just 25 minutes, which is fast, but slower than ExpressVPN.
Surfshark has low-cost plans ($2.29 / month), so it’s ideal if your family is on a budget. Plus, all of its plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Surfshark is a good option to secure every device in the household, as it allows unlimited connections and has apps for all major operating systems. It’s also very secure, offers decent speeds, and has good streaming and torrenting support. Surfshark’s plans are budget-friendly and each is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Surfshark review
4. CyberGhost VPN — Great Family VPN With Streaming-Optimized Servers
CyberGhost VPN has very good streaming support for the entire family. It offers streaming-dedicated servers for more than 50 streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, and BBC iPlayer that are optimized to provide a buffer-free streaming experience.
CyberGhost VPN has apps for all major devices, allows 7 connections, and supports manual router configuration. I’m a big fan of the Smart Rules tool, which allows automation on desktop. For example, you can auto-connect to any server when you launch the VPN, auto-connect to a certain server when you open a specific app (such as your favorite streaming app), and even launch any app (like a social media app) after it connects to a specific server.
CyberGhost VPN comes with perfect forward secrecy, RAM-only servers, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. It has an ad, tracker, and malicious site blocker, too (Content Blocker), but it’s not as good at blocking ads as the other top 3 VPNs on this list.
In my speed tests, all sites loaded immediately and HD and 4K videos took only 1–2 seconds to load (and I didn’t experience any buffering). Plus, I torrented a 20 GB file in just under 20 minutes.
CyberGhost VPN has very affordable plans that start as low as $2.19 / month. It backs long-term subscriptions with a 45-day money-back guarantee and the monthly plan with a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost VPN is a great family VPN for streaming, as it has streaming-optimized servers for 50+ sites and maintains fast speeds. Plus, its apps are very easy to use and offer convenient automation options. CyberGhost backs its long-term plans with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full CyberGhost VPN review
5. TunnelBear — Family-Friendly VPN With Simplistic Apps
TunnelBear is a fun-to-use VPN for families — its apps include adorable bear images and the features have cute bear puns. In addition, there’s an interactive map that lets you connect to a server by clicking on a country pin, at which point a bear tunnels through to that location on the map and roars after the VPN establishes a connection.
TunnelBear offers unlimited connections, but the VPN only has apps for Android, iOS, macOS, and WIndows. Unfortunately, there’s no router support.
In terms of security, TunnelBear has full leak protection, perfect forward secrecy, and its server infrastructure and software have undergone multiple security audits, confirming the VPN is a safe to use.
Its speeds are decent, but they don’t quite match ExpressVPN. During tests, HD videos loaded within 2–3 seconds, and 4K videos took about 6 seconds to start, with minimal initial buffering.
TunnelBear works with top streaming sites, like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, but it doesn’t work with Disney+. It supports P2P file sharing on all servers, though its server network only includes 47 countries.
TunnelBear’s plans start at $3.33 / month. While the VPN doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee, you can test out the VPN with its free plan, which includes access to all servers and features (there’s a 2 GB monthly data cap).
Bottom Line:
TunnelBear is an excellent family-friendly VPN, offering unlimited connections, an easy-to-use interface, and strong security and privacy features. It has good streaming and torrenting support, and offers decent speeds. There’s no money-back guarantee, but TunnelBear has a free version limited to 2 GB per month.
Bonus. NordVPN — Fast VPN With Great Features for Gaming
NordVPN has a unique feature gaming called Meshnet, which lets you create a secure and private network for up to 60 devices, no matter where they are in the world. This way, you can set up a LAN party for your entire family and all of your friends — allowing you to all play games on a secure network.
On top of using Meshnet for gaming, you can use it to access and share files from your children’s devices or another device remotely, as well as browse the internet with the IP address of another device connected to your network. The best part is this feature comes free with every NordVPN subscription and is available on Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS.
NordVPN is pretty fast, but it’s nowhere near as fast as ExpressVPN. In my tests, websites loaded instantly, and I could stream HD videos without buffering. I also specifically tested the Meshnet feature with my friends, and none of us noticed any lag while gaming or transferring files.
The VPN uses perfect forward secrecy and RAM-only servers, has full leak protection and includes Threat Protection, which blocks ads, trackers, malicious sites, and malicious downloads.
NordVPN has plans starting at $3.09 / month, and it backs your purchase with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN lets you connect all family devices (up to 60) via a secure network, making it a great pick for multiplayer gaming and transferring files. The VPN has great security features, apps for all major devices, and really fast speeds for all online activities. Its plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Quick Comparison Table
How to Choose the Best VPN for Families in 2024
- Look for a VPN that offers simultaneous connections. The VPNs I recommend allow at least 6 connections, so you can protect a lot of your devices.
- Pick a VPN with router support. A VPN that supports router configuration can protect all of your devices under 1 connection. ExpressVPN is the only VPN on my list that comes with an easy-to-use dedicated router app.
- Choose a secure VPN. I only recommend VPNs that have industry-standard VPN security features, such as 256-bit AES encryption (used by banks, governments, and militaries), a kill switch (shuts down your internet connection if the VPN disconnects), and an independently audited and confirmed no-logs policy.
- Check for extra features. Most of the VPNs I recommend offer an ad, tracker, and malware blocker that further protects your entire family from any online security risks. ExpressVPN even has an adult-site blocker.
- Get a VPN with good streaming support. All the VPNs on this list work reliably with popular streaming apps, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.
- Go for a VPN that offers excellent value. All the VPNs on this list offer competitive pricing plans, and offer either a generous money-back guarantee or a free plan, allowing you to try the service risk-free.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- PrivateVPN. PrivateVPN allows 10 simultaneous connections, has good security features, and very intuitive apps, but it’s slower than most of the VPNs I recommend.
- VyprVPN. VyprVPN is great for use in restrictive countries, has good streaming support, and allows 10 connections. However, it’s missing an ad and malware blocker for most apps and doesn’t offer as good a value as the other VPNs on my list.
- IPVanish. IPVanish comes with great security and privacy features and allows unlimited connections. I don’t like how it lacks most leak protection and is not as fast on distant servers as the other VPNs here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share a VPN with my family?
Yes, most VPNs allow you to share your account with your family members. However, not all VPNs allow enough simultaneous connections to cover all devices your family uses. My top pick, ExpressVPN, allows 8 simultaneous connections and has a dedicated router app that’s very easy to install and use — letting you protect all devices in your household.
What VPN supports the most devices?
ExpressVPN has dedicated apps for almost every device available, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chromebook, Kindle Fire, Fire Stick, Android TVs, Apple TVs, and even routers. It allows 8 simultaneous connections, but you can install it on your router to protect all devices in your household under 1 connection.
How does a VPN enhance online privacy for each family member?
A VPN encrypts your data so nobody, not even your Internet Service Provider (ISP), can see what you’re doing online. VPNs also hide your location and make it difficult for anyone to track you. Plus, most of the VPNs on my list block ads, trackers, and malicious sites. ExpressVPN’s Advanced Protection also blocks adult sites.
Can a VPN block websites I don’t want my kids to visit?
Not really. VPNs protect your kid’s online security and privacy by making it very difficult for anyone to spy on their online activities and track their devices. Some top VPNs come with malicious site blockers and ExpressVPN even blocks adult sites. However, if you’re looking for an app that stops your kids from visiting sites you don’t want them to visit, I recommend checking out top parental control apps.
