Best USA VPN providers in 2023

When it comes to government surveillance of its citizens, the US is unbeaten. You remember the Snowden revelations, right? There is also the issue of your ISP (Internet Service Provider) tracking your activities to limit your bandwidth and enforce content blocking.

And as if that’s not bad enough, we have internet companies like Facebook and Google that thrive off your personal information. So, if you’re in America, a US VPN (Virtual Private Network) will hide your real IP address and encrypt your internet traffic so that no one can track you online.

If you are outside the US, a VPN can grant a USA IP address, giving you unlimited access to US streaming platforms and content that would otherwise be blocked in your region.

But, not every VPN is the same. We tested numerous solutions and, in this post, we give you the 5 best VPNs for USA.

Top 5 best VPNs for USA

1. NordVPN – Best USA VPN overall
2. Surfshark – Inexpensive USA VPN with unlimited device support
3. Atlas VPN – Freemium USA VPN with free USA servers
4. Express VPN – Reputable USA VPN with premium features
5. CyberGhost VPN – Reliable VPN with dedicated USA IP address

Comparison of the best USA VPNs

Overview of the best USA VPNs

The best USA VPN should tick all the right boxes, including a comprehensive server list in the US, excellent connection speeds, and reliable privacy. After testing hundreds of VPNs, these are the 5 providers that made the list.

1. NordVPN – #1 Recommended USA VPN

Get NordVPN, the #1 US VPN

NordVPN is our top recommended US VPN. It has 1900+ servers distributed across 15 US cities, offers the best speeds on the market, and unlocks numerous streaming services.

NordVPN lets you enjoy unlimited access to US entertainment content on all platforms including Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and Paramount+ – No buffering even in UHD.

Based in Panama, NordVPN does not log any user data and it’s under no legal obligation to record users' information. On top of regular encryption, the VPN affords users another encryption level through its Double VPN feature. It also allows you to connect to the Tor network using the Onion over VPN feature without needing to download the Tor browser.

NordVPN doesn’t use the standard WireGuard connection protocol. Instead, it uses NordLynx, a modified version of WireGuard, which gives it better stability and speed than other leading providers. Overall, we only got a 7 percent drop in speed, meaning the service is perfect for streaming, online gaming, and downloading large files.

NordVPN is also packed with various extra features you won’t normally find on other VPNs. These include Meshnet for creating LANs and accessing remote devices, the Dark Web Monitor to alert you when your data is leaked, and Threat Manager to guard you against malware, web trackers, and ads.

You can connect up to 6 simultaneous devices using a single subscription. If you encounter any issues using the VPN, you can contact its 24/7 customer support via live chat or email.

2. Surfshark - low-cost reliable VPN for USA

Browse securely with Surfshark

Surfshark has more server locations in the US than any other VPN we tested, and it supports unlimited simultaneous connections. With over 600 servers distributed in 25 US cities, you certainly find a high-speed server near you to encrypt your traffic and unblock your favorite content.

In our tests, Surfshark successfully unblocked all the popular streaming services including Netflix US, HBO Max, YouTube TV, Hulu, and Paramount+. The VPN is also compatible with the WireGuard protocol, which guarantees excellent speeds for surfing the web without compromising security.

Speaking of which, Surfshark also goes the extra mile in terms of security by including MultiHop, CleanWeb, and IP Rotator features. Naturally, the VPN doesn’t store any information that could compromise your online identity, and it's based in the Netherlands where there are no mandatory data retention laws. Furthermore, the zero-logs policy was independently-audited by Deloitte to ensure excellent privacy practices.

In case you have trouble unblocking content using Surfshark or can’t get it to work on your device, you can contact customer support via live chat, email, or social media, all of which are open 24/7.

3. Atlas VPN – USA VPN with free plan

Get a US IP at affordable prices

Atlas VPN is another great solution for USA with servers in 7 cities. The VPN has about 1000+ servers across 42+ countries. Additionally, you won't encounter lag or stuttering issues because the service is powered by the swift WireGuard tunneling protocol.

Atlas VPN also did not disappoint when it came to unblocking US-only content. The specialized streaming servers worked well with with Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, Paramount+, and Disney+.

The one downside is that the VPN is based in the USA which is a member of the Five Eyes alliance. However, Atlas VPN has a strict no-logs policy, so even if the government comes knocking it won’t have any data to give.

Additionally, you get extra security features, such as Data Breach Monitor for keeping an eye out for data leaks. Meanwhile, SafeBrowse will block malicious ads and excessive trackers. Atlas VPN also allows you to change your IP address without disconnecting from a server through the SafeSwap feature.

Finally, don't forget that Atlas VPN doesn’t limit the number of concurrent devices you can connect on a single subscription, giving you plenty of bang for your buck.

4. Express VPN – Premium USA VPN of high reputation

Enjoy online freedom with ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is famous in the industry as a reliable and well-performing VPN. Therefore, not a surprise it made our list of best US VPNs. And while the company has stopped revealing its total number of servers, it’s available in 15 US cities and 91 countries worldwide.

ExpressVPN uses the proprietary Lightway tunneling protocol that it built from the ground up to give it a speed advantage over its competitors. The in-house technology was even audited by independent parties to ensure it's secure and reliable. In our tests, we didn’t find any streaming service we couldn’t unblock using ExpressVPN. It worked with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Paramount+, and Disney+.

The VPN is headquartered in the British Virgin island which doesn’t have mandatory data retention laws. Additionally, the provider has a strict no-logs policy that’s been backed by an independent audit from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

As expected, ExpressVPN uses industry-leading AES 256-bit encryption to protect your browsing data. It’s also equipped with Threat Manager to block online trackers from undermining your confidentiality.

You can connect up to 5 devices using a single ExpressVPN subscription. If you need to protect more devices, there’s always the option to configure the VPN on a router. Consequently, every device that connects to the router will be VPN protected.

5. CyberGhost VPN – USA VPN with streaming-optimized servers

Unlock numerous US IPs with CyberGhost

CyberGhost is another great US VPN that offers an impressive number of servers in the US and ticks all the right security features. The VPN has 1300+ high-speed servers distributed across 11 cities in the US. Furthermore, it includes plenty of specialized server categories for achieving specific tasks like torrenting or gaming.

For instance, the streaming-optimized servers are further segmented by services and include special options for Netflix US, Prime Video, Hulu, Peacock TV, Disney+, HBO Max, and Paramount+. These servers are tested daily to ensure they are not blocked and they are fast enough for uninterrupted streaming in UHD.

You also don’t have to worry about compromising your privacy because CyberGhost does not log your personal information. Even better, the provider has undergone a third-party audit by Deloitte to verify its claims. And since the company is headquartered in Romania it can’t be forced by the US government to record or store user data.

CyberGhost supports up to 7 simultaneous connections using a single subscription. If you have any queries you can contact its 24/7 customer support via live chat and email.

Our methodology for picking best USA VPNs

These are the factors we considered when choosing the best American VPN.

• VPN server list – How many servers does the VPN have and how are they distributed across different states? More servers mean less congestion, while multiple server locations mean you can easily find a server near you.
• Speed performance – We tested our internet speeds before and after connecting to USA VPN servers. Any VPN that resulted in more than a 40% drop in speeds was eliminated.
• Privacy features – The VPNs that made our list don’t store any personal identifying information. We also checked for additional privacy features like a working kill switch, IP leak protection, and privacy-friendly headquarters.
• Security features – All our top recommended solutions use AES 256-bit encryption which is virtually uncrackable. Naturally, we couldn't overlook additional protection tools like ad and tracker blockers.
• Unblocking capabilities – We tested the VPNs ability to unblock popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Paramount+, and Disney+.
• Customer support – We looked for VPNs that offer 24/7 customer support via live chat and email. This way, if you experience any problem configuring the VPN or unblocking content, you can rely on customer support to promptly resolve the issue.
• Price – This was not a case of choosing the cheapest VPN, but rather ensuring that the VPN was offering the best value for your money.

How to get an IP address in the US

1. Subscribe to one of our recommended VPNs for USA. NordVPN is our top choice.
2. Download and Install the VPN on your device. NordVPN is compatible with all the popular operating systems and also has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Edge.
3. Launch the VPN and connect to a server located in the US. You can let NordVPN choose the best server for you, or you can select the specific city in the US you want to connect to.

Protect your identity with NordVPN

Why would you need USA VPN?

Not only does a VPN help you regain your online privacy, but it also comes with multiple other benefits. Here are all the reasons why you should use a VPN in the US.

• Maintain your privacy – A VPN helps you evade mass surveillance by the government, ISPs, and other entities by masking your actual IP address and encrypting your data.
• Secure your internet data – A VPN helps protect your private data from threat actors that might try to intercept and steal your data, especially on public Wi-Fi.
• Enjoy unlimited access to US content from anywhere – A US VPN gives you an American IP address to help you access US-only streaming platforms like Hulu and Paramount+ and also unblock US libraries for other streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+.
• Prevent ISP throttling – When a VPN is enabled, your ISP can’t see what you are doing online and can’t deliberately slow down your internet when performing bandwidth-intensive activities like streaming and downloading.
• Enjoy unrestricted internet access – You can connect to a server in a different state to access sites like online casinos and betting sites that are blocked in your home state.

Best free VPNs for USA

Even though some free options are available, they are often unadvisable due to quality. Free VPNs in general have poor security, struggle to bypass geo-blocks, not to mention their slower than desirable speeds.

If you care about your data, a better alternative would be using a freemium VPN like Atlas VPN. It is a trustworthy service that provides an introductory plan which you can later upgrade to a paid one. It gives you free access to servers in Los Angeles and New York. However, the free plan comes with certain limitations such as a 5 GB monthly data limit.

Another option to consider would be free trials and money-back guarantees of paid VPNs such as these:

1. NordVPN – NordVPN has a 7-day free trial, but only for Android devices. Alternatively, you can try NordVPN risk-free via its 30-day money-back guarantee. If the VPN does not meet your expectations, you can request a refund before 30 days are over.
2. Surfshark – You can get a 7-day free trial when you download Surfshark via the Google Play store or the Apple App Store – and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You try it out, and if it’s not what you were expecting then you get a full refund.

Conclusion

We tested more than 100 VPN providers and we couldn’t find a better USA VPN than NordVPN. It has the most servers in the US which, combined with NordLynx protocol, provide exceptional connectivity. The VPN also unblocked US content flawlessly, and it ticks all the right features to guarantee your online privacy and security. The best part is that you can try NordVPN risk-free thanks to the 30-day money-back guarantee. If it doesn’t meet your expectations, you can get a full refund.

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