Best US VPN in 2024: 6 Safe & Secure Options

Many cybersecurity enthusiasts yearn for a quality VPN for the United States. After all, it’s the largest VPN market with plenty of people trying to avoid ISP monitoring, copyright trolls, and geo-blocks. Well, if you’re after the best US VPN in 2024, you’re in the right place.

Whether you’re in the USA or abroad, using a VPN with US servers goes a long way in ensuring your privacy and security. Such a service can obfuscate your IP address, making you untraceable by snoopers. Another benefit is accessing restricted websites.

Getting a US IP address grants access to American Netflix and other TV channels. In addition, this service’s privacy lets you download torrents in P2P with top-tier performance. Unfortunately, this is true only for the best-rated VPNs in the United States.

Not all providers are equal and some are far less impressive. In this guide, we’ll avoid the latter and focus on the creme de la creme options. Also, our favorite picks are perfectly usable in the USA and abroad for people who want an American IP address. Read on.

Best US VPN: Our 6 Favorite VPNs Usable in the USA & Abroad

As we focus on the top-tier layer of the VPN market, all providers will be paid. We, however, have a separate guide with free US VPNs that you can check out. Don’t be too excited because non-paid options are far less reliable.

Now, where were we? Oh, yes!

These are the most reliable providers in and out of the United States, tested and reviewed by our cybersecurity experts:

1. NordVPN – the #1 rated US VPN overall
2. ExpressVPN – fast and secure VPN to use in the USA
3. Private Internet Access – the best American VPN with servers in all 51 states
4. Proton VPN – supreme privacy and security for everyone
5. Surfshark – great for unlimited simultaneous connections
6. CyberGhost – dedicated US-based VPN servers for streaming

Are you interested in finding out more about all of these providers before you take a pick? That’s a smart decision. Let’s see what makes each provider so awesome and dependable.

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is the most popular VPN in the USA because of its versatility. If you’re in the United States, you can enjoy countless servers abroad. If you’re overseas, NordVPN has around 2,000 servers in multiple American states. This makes it a perfect choice for both sides.

Apart from that, NordVPN excels in every way. It’s equipped with bank-grade encryption, Double VPN servers, and even a two-level automatic kill switch. There’s another feature – Threat Protection – which keeps you safe from malware, trackers, and ads.

We love NordVPN’s Meshnet, which US VPN users can enjoy directly from the app. It’s great for hosting LAN parties for gaming or remote file-sharing with utmost security. NordVPN’s no-log policy ensures your browsing activities and IP address are never stored.

We should also point out its P2P servers. Being the best VPN for America, NordVPN lets you torrent privately to avoid DMCA notices and copyright trolls. Very beneficial for people in the United States. NordVPN also offers built-in obfuscated servers to circumvent firewalls.

If you’re wondering about streaming, let us bear good news. This amazing VPN for the US works with American Netflix and around 20 other catalogs. Its high-speed NordLynx protocol provides exceptional stability, letting you watch even 4K movies and shows without a hitch.

Finally, NordVPN works on all devices, making it suitable for everyone. You’ll be more than happy with 10 concurrent connections, 24/7 support, and above all, incredibly affordable prices. How affordable is it? Less than $4 a month if you choose the 2-year plan.

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2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a premium VPN to use in the USA or abroad. With its 3,000+ servers and 22+ US VPN locations, you’re all set for ultimate enjoyment. This provider’s speeds are amazing thanks to its Lightway protocols and robust 10 Gbps servers around the world.

In addition, we found this VPN suitable for all activities. P2P is fast and safe, streaming is possible on a variety of services, including 15+ Netflix catalogs, and gaming is without latency. This, combined with ExpressVPN’s “safety” side of things, makes it very popular.

You see, ExpressVPN has over 18 third-party audits from security firms like Cure53, PwC, KPMG, and others. This has to do with its crystal-clear no-log policy and the use of RAM servers, both of which ensure your data NEVER lingers in ExpressVPN’s hands.

Additionally, people will find its in-app features quite handy. There’s Advanced Protection with Parental Control for blocking ads, trackers, and porn sites. You’ll also find the Network Lock kill switch, which protects against IP leaks, plus split tunneling for added customization.

ExpressVPN lacks Double VPN connections, which is a minor downside. The silver lining is its ExpressVPN Keys password manager which you can use for free for added password security. This VPN works in the USA and overseas perfectly on all devices, with added router support.

Its 8 simultaneous connections will suffice if you want to protect all your devices. Unfortunately, as it’s one of the best-rated US VPNs, it’s not the cheapest. At least you can lower the price by 49% thanks to 3 free months for its 1-year plan by using the button below.

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3. Private Internet Access

PIA VPN is quite a popular option in the USA. It’s very interesting because it offers servers in ALL 51 American states, making it perfect for obtaining a US IP address. If you’re in the United States, don’t worry because you get 30,000+ servers in 90+ countries. Impressive numbers!

This massive VPN for the USA doesn’t skimp on anything. Users can enjoy unlimited concurrent connections while not breaking the bank. It costs just around $2 a month for the 2-year plan with 4 free months. With this money, you’re getting everything you need.

Starting with streaming and torrenting – everything will work. PIA works with Netflix USA and offers superb P2P support with port forwarding. A great addition is MACE, a feature that prevents ads and malicious sites from harming you. PIA also has WireGuard.

This protocol ensures proper stability and speeds needed for daily use. Our tests of PIA showed that it reaches 250+ Mbps in speed, which isn’t to be neglected. Security-wise, you can use this great VPN for the USA without worrying about data leaks and other fluff.

It uses 256-bit encryption with IPv6 leak protection to keep your privacy intact. Its app also contains MultiHop + Obfuscation, helping you bypass censorship in a blink. PIA comes with the SOCKS5 proxy too but users can optionally get a dedicated IP address for cheap.

Like CyberGhost, which we’ll mention later, it offers antivirus for around $1 a month. Not to mention that every plan you choose comes with 500 GB of free cloud storage from pCloud. This means you’re getting the safest VPN for the USA plus the best cloud storage provider for a measly $2 or so a month.

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4. Proton VPN

Proton VPN resides in Switzerland, so it’s far from the USA. Yet, with its 6,300+ servers and 2,000+ in the USA, it’s a great option to have. Proton VPN is famous for its Secure Core servers that enhance your encryption and privacy to deter snoopers and hackers.

Another benefit is NetShield, which not only blocks ads but also keeps tracking and malicious sites at bay. Proton VPN uses several types of dedicated servers to add a bit of variety. It directly supports Tor Over VPN connections – great for dark web users.

Then, you have streaming and torrenting support, which one of the best VPNs for the USA must possess. Our team likes its VPN Accelerator which boosts the performance a bit, but alas, not by a lot. This can be remedied by using some of the fastest VPNs we tested.

This provider’s Swiss jurisdiction grants users an immense feeling of privacy and seclusion. The provider doesn’t store ANY logs and uses RAM servers to prevent data from accumulating. Every server restart wipes all information, keeping a clean slate all the time.

Proton VPN works on all devices and we found its 10 simultaneous connections more than suitable in most cases. Interestingly, this is the only provider on the list with a free VPN that can be used forever with unlimited bandwidth. However, the premium VPN is expensive.

Proton priced its VPN service so that it costs around $4 a month for the 2-year plan. This is pretty much 2 times more than PIA. For this reason, Proton VPN isn’t the #1-rated VPN for the USA despite its more than obvious qualities.

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5. Surfshark

Surfshark is no slouch compared to the other best US VPNs on the list. However, it took this place because of occasional kill switch problems and slower connection speeds. Other than that, Surfshark devours security problems and geo-blocks like a dead-hungry shark.

With over 3,200 servers around the world, this provider has you covered in the USA or abroad. It has 10+ US VPN locations, all capable of unblocking US-based content and platforms like ESPN+, Netflix, Sling TV, MAX, and dozens more.

Surfshark’s app is filled with P2P-friendly servers that you can use for torrenting or simply seeding torrent files. We like its no-quibble approach, with excellent features like MultiHop, which doubles your encryption, and even NoBorders, which adds obfuscation.

Our team listed Surfshark as one of the favorite USA VPNs because of its IP Rotation feature. It rotates your IP periodically while keeping your connection intact, to prevent ISPs and hackers from tracking your activities. The best-value VPN deal is its One+ plan.

This one offers a capable antivirus for ALL devices, along with a Search browser for kinky searches without anyone’s notice. Surfshark has unlimited bandwidth and connections, which is handy considering its overwhelming device compatibility. Even Smart DNS is there.

The VPN doesn’t store logs either, which has been proven in several third-party audits. Surfshark is a complete package whose price never goes above a few monthly dollars. When you factor in the discount you can get on our site, things get a lot more interesting…

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6. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is an incredible VPN for the US if you don’t want to spend much. It doesn’t have a load of advanced features like NordVPN but still manages to be very efficient. For instance, it offers servers dedicated to torrenting and streaming on different platforms.

You can, for example, connect to a US VPN server for Netflix or ABC. After that, go to the respective site and enjoy streaming. Its P2P servers span more than 70 countries, making it easy to find the fastest one and download torrents at full speed (up to 200+ Mbps).

CyberGhost’s desktop apps offer access to NoSpy servers. They’re operated directly by the VPN – not rented – which ensures another thick privacy layer. CyberGhost is based in Romania, so you can expect no logging of your IP address and traffic history.

We’ll also highlight its implementation of RAM-only servers and Private DNS, adding to the sense of privacy. CyberGhost uses OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols aided by AES-256 encryption, DNS leak prevention, and domain-level split tunneling.

Be aware that CyberGhost lacks obfuscation, so it won’t work for bypassing censorship. However, if you need a great VPN to use in the United States, that won’t matter much. CyberGhost offers the same optional extras as PIA. This means you can get an antivirus if you want.

Sadly, it’s capped at just 7 simultaneous connections, so it’s unimpressive compared to NordVPN’s 10 or PIA’s unlimited connections. CyberGhost’s 45-day refund policy sounds awesome, though, and users can freely test it for 24 hours on Windows without paying.

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Why Do I Need a VPN in the USA?

While we don’t think VPNs are necessary, we can all agree they improve your internet experience quite a lot. Of course, this is true only if you pick a reputable service and do not go for an “obscure” provider with shady business practices.

Let’s discuss some of the most prevalent reasons for using a VPN in America.

Privacy

By far the biggest reason to use a VPN in the US is privacy. We all know America as the bastion of freedom, diversity, and whatnot. Well, that’s the case only on the surface. Underneath, you’re looking at the government that doesn’t shy away from surveillance.

Yes, this is a founding member of the 5 Eyes Alliance. For those unfamiliar, the 5 Eyes Alliance is a conglomeration of English-speaking countries (5 of them) that employ nationwide surveillance and data collection. This is what’s going on in the background.

The authorities request the ISPs to monitor your activities and log your data. This data is then distributed to the authorities who can do with it whatever they want. Allegedly, it’s for your safety but we don’t think they need THAT much information to keep you safe.

A VPN that focuses on privacy can greatly reduce data collection and surveillance. By obfuscating your IP address and encrypting your connection, everything you do online will be unknown to your ISP. A connection becomes a garbled mess of letters and characters.

This is what encryption does to your traffic. Next time you connect to the internet, enable one of our recommended VPNs in the USA to stop your ISP in its tracks. From this point on, you can surf the internet and enjoy your peace of mind that otherwise wouldn’t exist.

Unblocking Websites

We know that websites like Netflix, MAX, Hulu, Prime Video, and many more work in the USA.

So why would you want a VPN service for this country?

Well, if you want to watch BBC iPlayer, Hotstar, or different Netflix/Prime Video libraries, think again.

Not all content is in America. Many great movies, series, and sites are available ONLY outside your country. This calls for an IP change with a VPN that can effortlessly get over geo-blocks and bring you closer to the content you want. People also do this for gambling sites.

They use this service to alter their IP and bet online on a website that doesn’t work in their country. To be clear, you can use this benefit outside the USA. If you’re on vacation, it’s easy to change your IP address to America and watch ABC, ESPN, Peacock TV, and other stuff.

Torrenting

Okay, so torrenting is a sensitive topic in the United States. You’ve heard about DMCA notices, copyright trolls, and a generally unfavorable “atmosphere” surrounding P2P. Torrenting isn’t illegal in this country as long as you’re downloading non-copyrighted files.

We all make mistakes and if you accidentally do that, expect to face consequences at some point. ISP monitoring will take care of that, as the ISP sees this activity, reports you to the copyright holder unbeknownst to you, and you’re ready to be roasted when the time comes.

This “roasting” can be a hefty fine for stolen property i.e. a song, movie, video game, etc. Even abroad, you want to safeguard your torrenting with a VPN. Torrenting isn’t safe and P2P sharing means divulging your IP address to other users – including torrent sites.

Torrent sites can also collect your download history and hand it out to the authorities upon request. We don’t advocate downloading copyrighted files but we’re all for hiding your online activities with a reliable VPN for the USA when performing P2P file sharing.

Doing so will keep you safe during downloading and prevent unwanted problems down the line.

What Is the Fastest VPN for the US?

All providers on our list are famous for being fast and reliable. That’s due to factors like:

• Cutting-edge protocols (NordLynx, Lightway, WireGuard)
• 10 Gbps servers
• Lots of server locations

These three are usually telltale signs you’ll get a fast VPN for streaming, gaming, downloading, browsing, and everything else. However, as said, at the start, not all providers are made equal and some prioritize speed more than others.

	Avg Download Speed Loss	Avg Upload Speed Loss
NordVPN	18%	7%
ExpressVPN	24%	9%
PIA VPN	26%	24%
Proton VPN	27%	32%
Surfshark	42%	16%
CyberGhost	44%	22%

The table above shows you the percentage of speed loss in our best US VPN providers. As you can see, NordVPN is the fastest VPN you can use in the USA in 2024, closely followed by ExpressVPN. When it comes to budget options, PIA is also a great one.

Bear in mind we performed these tests using several virtual locations; the UK, the USA, and Japan. These results present average speed losses based on these three countries. We were in Southeastern Europe during testing, with 320 Mbps and 20 Mbps native download and upload speeds respectively.

Are VPNs Legal in the United States?

Very few things are illegal in the US and VPNs aren’t one of them. Besides, many VPN services are based in the United States, including PIA, IPVanish, Betternet, and at least 10 more. This means this service is perfectly fine to use for legal things.

Watching content, browsing safely, and torrenting (non-copyrighted files!) are more than fine. Now, there are instances in which you can go to the other side of the law. If you use this service to sell copyrighted content, buy/sell drugs, or anything illicit, that’s another story.

While VPNs can, for good or bad, also conceal these activities, they shouldn’t be abused. Just because someone can’t see you’re doing something bad, it doesn’t mean you should do it. It’s worth noting that unblocking some sites this way is also against the “rules.”

Netflix has an anti-VPN policy that restricts using these services to access its content. However, while this is against terms and conditions, it’s not against the law and won’t get you in jail. To cut things short, using a VPN in the US “normally” is fair and legal.

It won’t get you arrested, fined, killed, or whatever. Go ahead and use one and in the meantime, inform yourself about the legality of the VPN around the world.

Conclusion

Have you just scrolled down without reading the entire guide? We forgive you if you were too busy but not if you were too lazy! All jokes aside, this is the end of our ranking of the best and most impressive VPNs for the USA, usable in and outside of this country.

NordVPN is likely going to be the top pick for many, with ExpressVPN and PIA being two awesome alternatives if you find it lacking. Proton VPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost are in the B-Tier, as less impressive but with great features like unlimited connections and no logging.

With these 6 choices, you’re ready to take on the world. Pick one – the time has come.

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