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The Best Free & Premium VPNs to Get a US IP Address

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Illustration of the Statue of Liberty Holding a VPN
Simon Migliano
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Simon Migliano is a recognized world expert in VPNs. He's tested hundreds of VPN services and his research has featured on the BBC, The New York Times and more.

Fact-checked by Callum TennentAdditional Testing by David Hughes

EXPERT ADVICE: Free VPNs rarely work with American streaming services. Private Internet Access is the best USA VPN because it unblocks popular US streaming services, including American Netflix. Try PIA VPN risk-free for 30 days.

The absolute best USA VPNs cost money, but your right to internet privacy and security shouldn’t depend on what you can afford.

My team and I reviewed 55 VPNs to find the best free and premium VPNs that offer anonymous US IP addresses, and unblock American streaming platforms from overseas.

What Is the Best Free US VPN in 2023?

Based on our US-specific tests, the best free US VPNs are:

  1. Windscribe Free: Best Free VPN for the US
  2. Proton VPN Free: Best Free VPN for US Speed & Server Locations
  3. PrivadoVPN Free: Best Free VPN for US Netflix

The best free VPN for USA in 2023 is Windscribe Free. It offers fast speeds on seven US servers and unblocks most US streaming sites, but free data is capped at 10GB per month.

All the free VPNs above come with secure US servers that give you access to a range of US IP addresses.

However, caps on data use, limits on US server locations, and weaker unblocking capabilities make them less effective than premium VPNs.

What Is the Overall Best VPN for USA in 2023?

Our tests show that the overall best VPNs for USA are:

  1. Private Internet Access: Overall Best VPN for USA
  2. ExpressVPN: Best for Unblocking US Streaming Sites
  3. NordVPN: 1,970 Fast & Secure US Servers

The absolute best VPN for USA is Private Internet Access. It gets a US-specific test rating of 9.7/10 because it has a proven no-logs policy, fast speeds, and VPN servers in 50 US states. No other VPN has such a wide coverage in the US.

These premium USA VPNs deliver fast speeds both locally and internationally, and operate thousands of private US IP addresses that unblock American video content from overseas.

Best Free & Premium US VPNs Compared

You can use the table below to compare the best VPNs for the US based on its US speed, its ability to access US streaming platforms, and more:

Why Trust Top10VPN.com?

We’re completely independent and focused on VPN software. We’ve spent thousands of hours testing and reviewing US VPNs using our US VPN testing process to recommend the best ones.

Here is an overview of our key US VPN testing statistics:

VPN Services Reviewed55
Total Hours Testing US VPNs30,000+
US Streaming Services Tested Weekly8
Weekly US VPN Speed Tests5,772
US VPN Servers Tested5,000+
How Much We've Spent On Testing$25,000+

Analysis of the Best Free US VPNs

  1. 1. Windscribe Free: Best Free VPN for USA

    Free VPN with eight US city locations and access to most US streaming services.

    Ranked #1 Free VPN for the US
    Windscribe mobile screenshots
     Rated 5 out of 5 
    3 user reviews
    Visit Windscribe

    • Excellent 100% free VPN
    • Eight US city servers
    • Unlimited device policy
    • Generous 10GB data cap
    • Unblocks HBO Max, Disney+, & Hulu
    • Good Fire TV Stick application

    • No longer works with US Netflix
    • 10GB monthly data restriction
    • Slower than PrivadoVPN Free
    • Less servers than Proton VPN Free
    • No live chat support

    Overall USA Rating: 8.2/10

    This overall rating is calculated based on the following subcategory ratings. To learn more, read our USA VPN testing methodology.

    • 88.0/10
    • 8.58.5/10
    • 8.88.8/10
    • 9.39.3/10

    Windscribe Free is the best free VPN for the US. It comes with a 10GB data cap that is restrictive, but it offers lots of US IP addresses and can access popular US streaming sites via eight US city servers.

    Most importantly, it’s safe, secure, and trustworthy. Despite limitations (it no longer unblocks US Netflix), Windscribe Free will protect you from snooping and hackers.

    Data Cap10GB
    Cheapest PriceFree
    US NetflixNo
    Free US Servers8
    Free US States7
    Logging PolicyNo Identifying Data
    Compatible with
    1. windowsWindows
    2. macosMac OS
    3. linuxLinux
    4. iosiOS
    5. androidAndroid

    Free Servers In California, New York & Five More States

    Windscribe free lets you connect to eight US cities in seven different states. These include:

    • Atlanta, Georgia
    • Chicago, Illinois
    • Dallas, Texas
    • Los Angeles, California
    • Miami, Florida
    • New York City, New York
    • Seattle, Washington, D.C.
    • Washington, Washington, D.C.

    For a free VPN, this is a very good amount of US servers. It has East Coast, West Coast, and Southern options.

    Windscribe Free comes with eight servers spread from coast to coast.

    You can also connect to global IP addresses in 10 more countries, making it the best free VPN for Germany, as well as the UK, France, Germany, Turkey, Hong Kong, and more.

    This is a small amount compared to the full, paid version of Windscribe. But it still offers a diverse range of servers for Americans to connect to.

    Premium-Standard Security

    When it comes to security settings, there is barely any difference between paid and free versions of Windscribe.

    Both use the AES-256 encryption cipher as well as the OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. Both are subject to the same reassuring logging policy, too.

    Just like the premium version, the free VPN operates Perfect Forward Secrecy and has a functioning kill switch called ‘FireWall.’

    There’s also a double hop feature, port forwarding options, and the free browser extension comes with an effective VPN ad blocker. For a free service, this is very advanced.

    Windscribe Free comes with multiple VPN protocols and other connection settings.

    Over hundreds of hours of testing, we haven’t recorded a single IP, WebRTC, or DNS leak using Windscribe free.

    These credentials make Windscribe a dependable provider. When it comes to free VPNs, this is close to the best security available.

    Works With Most Popular US Streaming Platforms

    Windscribe Free unblocks most major US streaming services. It is the best free VPN for Amazon Prime Video and it works with HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu.

    Sadly, the VPN no longer works with US Netflix. While this wasn’t the case in the past, now all its free US servers are blocked.

    Windscribe Free HBO Max Streaming Test

    Windscribe Free unblocks all major US streaming sites except for US Netflix.

    Slower Than Competitors

    As with any free service, Windscribe Free has its drawbacks. Primarily, its speed performance is less impressive than the paid version. The free servers just don’t compare.

    And while there’s little difference between Windscribe Pro and Free in terms of security offering and unblocking capabilities, there’s no getting around the free version’s 10GB data cap.

  2. 2. Proton VPN Free: Fastest US VPN

    Highly secure free VPN with an unlimited data policy and the most free US servers.

    Screenshot of Proton VPN's mobile app
     Rated 5 out of 5 
    3 user reviews
    Visit Proton VPN

    • Unlimited free data & no speed throttling
    • Audited privacy policy & open-source apps
    • Fastest local US speeds
    • 26 free US VPN servers available
    • No payment info required & no ads
    • Security offering identical to premium version

    • Only three countries available
    • Torrenting not allowed
    • US streaming services blocked
    • One device limit policy
    • No live chat support
    • No browser extensions

    Overall USA Rating: 7.6/10

    This overall rating is calculated based on the following subcategory ratings. To learn more, read our USA VPN testing methodology.

    • 11.0/10
    • 99.0/10
    • 9.49.4/10
    • 9.59.5/10

    Proton VPN is a safe free VPN with an unlimited data allowance. You can use this data to connect to three countries, including the US.

    There are limitations when it comes to streaming, torrenting, and server network size, but this VPN is highly safe and transparent.

    Data CapUnlimited
    Cheapest PriceFree
    US NetflixNo
    Logging PolicyNo Identifying Data
    Compatible with
    1. windowsWindows
    2. macosMac OS
    3. linuxLinux
    4. iosiOS
    5. androidAndroid

    No Data Cap & Lots of US Servers

    If you need a free VPN to browse the web and visit sites safely, then Proton VPN is the best choice.

    You can leave this free VPN on all the time without worrying about data limits, or annoying adverts. This is uniquely generous among safe free VPNs.

    Proton VPN is constantly changing the amount of free US servers you can connect to, but there’s always plenty available. Crucially, Proton VPN Free does not throttle your speeds on these free servers.

    As of writing, there are 71 free servers in three available countries, including USA (26), Japan (7), and the Netherlands (38). This is a large amount for a free service.

    Proton VPN Free comes with three free locations and 26 free US servers.

    We tested all of Proton VPN’s free US servers and found that it connects you to seven different states, including California, New York, Georgia, and Texas.

    Audited Logging Policy

    Proton VPN is an industry leader when it comes to service transparency. Its apps have all been audited by third-party security firms.

    On top of that, the VPN is open-source so the public can scrutinize the application code and point out insecurities.

    Like PrivadoVPN, Proton VPN is based in Switzerland. It also records very little information about its users. It logs some connection timestamps, but they’re not identifiable.

    On this point, when a Swiss court asked Proton VPN for information, it was unable to offer anything relevant, thus proving its safe logging practices.

    Focus On Security, Not Entertainment

    Proton VPN is one of the most secure VPNs available, and its free version has the same security package as the premium version.

    The app uses OpenVPN as the default protocol, which offers a nice balance of speed and security. AES-256 encryption and Perfect Forward Secrecy are also employed.

    Proton VPN Free comes with a number of protocols and uses AES-256 encryption.

    The VPN encrypts your internet connections and protects you from IP exposures with its kill switch and built-in leak protection.

    While it’s great for security, Proton VPN Free is, frankly, useless for streaming. You won’t be able to unblock any American video content from overseas.

    Proton VPN Free failed to unblock Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+ & US Netflix.

    Moreover, torrenting is forbidden. The VPN actively blocks P2P file sharing traffic.

    For a free VPN offering unlimited data, this isn’t surprising, but it does mean you’ll have to consider another free VPN for torrenting.

    No Payment Details Needed But No Live Chat

    Proton VPN is very easy to install and registration requires no payment details or sensitive information of any kind.

    However, unlike PrivadoVPN, there’s no live chat feature for immediate support. You’ll have to email for support, if the online resources aren’t already helpful.

  3. 3. PrivadoVPN Free: Best for US Netflix

    Access to US Netflix, free US server locations, and fast US speeds.

    PrivadoVPN
     Rated 0 out of 5 
    No user reviews
    Visit PrivadoVPN

    • Best free VPN for US Netflix
    • Unblocks HBO Max, Hulu & Disney+
    • Four free US city servers
    • Fast local and international speeds
    • Privacy-focused logging policy

    • Fewer US servers than Windscribe
    • 10GB monthly data usage limit
    • Have to manually renew data each month
    • No evidence for logging policy
    • No VPN browser extensions

    Overall USA Rating: 7.4/10

    This overall rating is calculated based on the following subcategory ratings. To learn more, read our USA VPN testing methodology.

    • 99.0/10
    • 66.0/10
    • 9.39.3/10
    • 6.46.4/10

    PrivadoVPN Free is one of the best free VPNs for the US because it offers four free US servers and unblocks US Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, and Prime Video.

    The VPN delivers fast local and international speeds, is safe to use, and comes with a trustworthy logging policy.

    A 10GB monthly data cap limits the amount of streaming you’ll be able to do, but the VPN is an easy option for those in need of a free US IP address.

    Data Cap10GB
    Cheapest PriceFree
    US NetflixYes
    Free US Servers4
    Free US States4
    Logging PolicyNo Identifying Data
    Compatible with
    1. windowsWindows
    2. macosMac OS
    3. iosiOS
    4. androidAndroid

    The Best Free VPN for US Netflix

    PrivadoVPN is the only free VPN that unblocks US Netflix on desktop devices.

    Almost all other free VPNs we’ve tested cannot access US Netflix from overseas. Even Windscribe Free cannot unblock US Netflix.

    PrivadoVPN also unblocks a variety of other major US streaming services, including HBO Max, Hulu, and the US version of Amazon Prime Video.

    PrivadoVPN Free HBO Max Test

    PrivadoVPN Free unblocks HBO Max and more geo-restricted streaming sites.

    PrivadoVPN has also fixed its Fire TV Stick app, though, so you can now use it to stream geo-restricted content on TV devices.

    EXPERT ADVICE: Set up your PrivadoVPN account in a way that enables streaming. To do this, when asked to Choose Configuration, select Stream Content. Failing to do this prevents PrivadoVPN from working with streaming platforms.

    VPN Servers in Four American States

    PrivadoVPN Free runs four free US city server locations, including: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington.

    This offers a nice coast-to-coast spread, although it’s missing IP addresses in the flyover states and the South.

    PrivadoVPN Free US Servers

    PrivadoVPN Free comes with four US servers.

    Windscribe Free and Proton VPN both offer more US servers, but we’ve never encountered long-distance speed issues when using PrivadoVPN Free.

    Our speed test data shows an impressive average local download speed of 96Mbps. Connecting to the West Coast from our New York base, we picked up equally fast speeds of 91Mbps. We experienced no severe loading times when streaming and web browsing.

    Private Logging Policy, But Unproven

    PrivadoVPN only scores 6.4 in our privacy assessment, so improvements can be made.

    It loses points because it logs the amount of bandwidth used as well as some account and device information. Nothing can be used to identify you, but we’re also concerned about the lack of evidence given to prove its logging policy claims.

    The company is based in Switzerland, which is a privacy haven beyond the reach of privacy offenders like the Five Eyes alliance or European Union.

    The security suite is the same as the premium version, meaning that PrivadoVPN Free is just as safe. It uses AES-256 encryption and comes with a working kill switch.

    Restrictive 10GB of Data Per Month

    As with Windscribe, PrivadoVPN limits free use of its service to 10GB per month. This is restrictive, but still more generous than many other free VPNs, like TunnelBear’s 500MB data allowance.

    PrivadoVPN is peculiar in that it requests you manually refresh your free data each month within your online account area. This is frustrating and unnecessary.

Detailed List of the Overall Best VPNs for USA

  1. 1. PIA VPN: Overall Best VPN for USA

    A cheap, no-logs VPN with servers in every US state, and access to US streaming sites.

    Ranked #1 out of 55 USA VPNs
    Private Internet Access
     Rated 4.3 out of 5 
    29 user reviews
    Visit PIA VPN

    • Secure servers in 50 US states
    • Proven no-logs VPN policy
    • Unblocks US Netflix, HBO Max & Hulu
    • Fast speeds
    • Cheapest premium US VPN
    • Many advanced app settings

    • Smart DNS not working
    • Mac application has usability issues
    • Firestick app needs improvements
    • Based in privacy-unfriendly USA

    Overall USA Rating: 9.7/10

    This overall rating is calculated based on the following subcategory ratings. To learn more, read our USA VPN testing methodology.

    • 9.39.3/10
    • 9.99.9/10
    • 9.79.7/10
    • 9.79.7/10

    Private Internet Access (PIA) is a cheap, no-logs VPN that has the largest pool of available US IP addresses.

    The VPN service runs servers in 50 US states, and it’s the only VPN to offer IP addresses in every part of America. Its speeds are some of the fastest we’ve tested, too.

    You can unblock US Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, and more with PIA. The only problem is its Smart DNS tool, which doesn’t work to unblock the same apps. The Fire TV Stick could be improved, too.

    Cheapest Price$2.19/mo over 26 months See all plans
    US NetflixYes
    US Cities50
    US States50
    Logging PolicyNo Logs
    Compatible with
    1. windowsWindows
    2. macosMac OS
    3. linuxLinux
    4. iosiOS
    5. androidAndroid

    Fast Servers In 50 US States

    Private Internet Access is by far the best when it comes to US server locations.

    There are stable servers available in every state, meaning you can easily change your US IP location to watch different local news, and get around US sports blackouts.

    PIA's US server locations

    PIA VPN’s US server locations.

    Unlike NordVPN, PIA rents all its servers. This isn’t a problem since the company rents them from trustworthy providers and PIA undertakes a rigorous vetting process.

    The VPN’s long-distance speeds are the fastest we’ve encountered. We’ve also never experienced traffic congestion, thanks to the sheer amount of servers on offer.

    Unblocks US Streaming Sites

    PIA is an effective streaming VPN, able to get around blocks from US Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, and Disney Plus.

    Streaming Hulu with Private Internet Access

    Private Internet Access unblocked Hulu in our tests.

    However, unlike NordVPN and ExpressVPN, PIA’s streaming compatibility isn’t as reliable across different devices.

    For instance, the Fire TV Stick app only works with Disney+ and Hulu, but no other major American streaming apps.

    Moreover, PIA’s smart DNS service doesn’t work with streaming apps at all.

    Installing the VPN on your router is the only way to unblock US video apps on Apple TV and games consoles. While this method works, it’s not as straightforward as using Smart DNS.

    Verified No-Logs VPN

    Private Internet Access is a safe and trustworthy VPN service with verified no-logs VPN policy.

    The policy has been verified by subpoenas in the US and server seizures in Russia — PIA simply has no information to provide.

    This is excellent news because Private Internet Access is based in the US, which is hostile to individual privacy. A true no-logs policy protects against this.

    PIA also comes with an effective ad blocker called MACE, and extra features like split tunneling, port forwarding, customizable encryption, and a SOCKS5 proxy as part of the VPN service.

    At the same time, PIA’s apps are user-friendly, which makes the service a good choice for newcomers and experienced VPN users alike.

    Finally, PIA only costs $2.19 per month, making it one of the best cheap VPNs for getting a US IP address.

  2. 2. ExpressVPN: Best VPN for US Streaming

    I P addresses in 16 US cities and access to all major US streaming services, including US Netflix.

    ExpressVPN's new app on mobile devices
     Rated 4.8 out of 5 
    1,848 user reviews
    Visit ExpressVPN

    • Very reliable unblocking US Netflix
    • Unblocks HBO Max, Hulu & Disney Plus
    • US IP addresses in 16 US cities
    • Excellent speeds
    • Strong security & private logging policy
    • Effective Fire TV Stick app & Smart DNS

    • More expensive than most rivals
    • US IP addresses trigger CAPTCHAs on search engines
    • Unknown number of US servers
    • No split tunneling on Mac devices

    Overall USA Rating: 9.6/10

    This overall rating is calculated based on the following subcategory ratings. To learn more, read our USA VPN testing methodology.

    • 9.99.9/10
    • 9.69.6/10
    • 9.79.7/10
    • 9.29.2/10

    ExpressVPN is the best premium VPN for US streaming thanks to its fast and reliable access to US streaming platforms across a large US server network.

    The VPN works to unblock streaming services outside the United States, including American Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.

    You can connect to 16 US cities spread across 11 states, including Arizona, Washington, California, Georgia, and New Jersey.

    Cheapest Price$6.67/mo over 15 Months See all plans
    US NetflixYes
    US Cities16
    US States11
    Logging PolicyNo Identifying Data
    Compatible with
    1. windowsWindows
    2. macosMac OS
    3. linuxLinux
    4. chromeosChrome OS
    5. iosiOS
    6. androidAndroid

    Bypasses US Streaming Geo-Blocks & Sports Blackouts

    ExpressVPN beats US streaming service geo-restrictions with ease, even US Netflix which is increasingly difficult to access.

    In our tests, the VPN easily streamed HBO Max and bypassed Hulu’s VPN blocks.

    In the video below, you can see how easy it is to access Hulu from outside the US with ExpressVPN:

    ExpressVPN unblocks Hulu from anywhere in the world.

    Moreover, ExpressVPN is a simple solution to get around national and regional sports blackouts within the US.

    We also streamed US content via ExpressVPN’s Amazon Fire TV Stick app and its Smart DNS service, MediaStreamer, for even easier access to US streaming content.

    IP Addresses Across 16 US Cities

    You can get a US IP address for any one of ExpressVPN’s 16 city-server locations. This includes popular cities like Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.

    None of ExpressVPN’s US servers are virtual. Instead, they are physically located in the server location, offering improved performance.

    ExpressVPN US Server Locations

    ExpressVPN has multiple US server locations.

    ExpressVPN doesn’t disclose exactly how many US servers it has, but it’s enough for us to have never experienced any serious server congestion.

    ExpressVPN has servers in the following US states:

    • Arizona
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Illinois
    • New Jersey
    • New York
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Washington

    An Excellent But Expensive VPN Service

    ExpressVPN performs very well in all our testing categories, and stands out particularly for unblocking US streaming platforms across most devices.

    In fact, ExpressVPN is the best VPN we’ve reviewed overall, and it comes with a price tag to match.

    At its cheapest, it costs $6.67 per month on a 15-month plan. It’s clearly more expensive than Private Internet Access, but it is a more complete VPN service that serves for more purposes.

  3. 3. NordVPN: 1,970 Fast US Servers

    Fast US speeds, 1,970 servers in 16 US cities, and access to US video platforms.

    NordVPN Mobile App Screenshot
     Rated 4.7 out of 5 
    246 user reviews
    Visit NordVPN

    • US IP addresses in 16 locations
    • Large, physical US server network
    • Unblocks all major US streaming services
    • NordLynx protocol delivers fast long-distance speeds
    • Panama-based no-logs VPN
    • Affordable subscription cost

    • Fewer US servers than PIA
    • Doesn't accept PayPal payments
    • Desktop apps can't be resized
    • Some issues streaming US Netflix on Firestick
    • Renews at a higher subscription price

    Overall USA Rating: 9.5/10

    This overall rating is calculated based on the following subcategory ratings. To learn more, read our USA VPN testing methodology.

    • 9.99.9/10
    • 9.49.4/10
    • 9.79.7/10
    • 8.88.8/10

    Similarly to ExpressVPN, NordVPN is excellent for getting a US IP address and a great all-round VPN, too.

    The service offers nearly 2,000 coast-to-coast US servers and reliable access to US Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.

    Additionally, the NordLynx (WireGuard) protocol provides quick long-distance speeds for connecting into 16 US locations.

    Cheapest Price$3.29/mo over 2 years See all plans
    US NetflixYes
    US Cities16
    US States13
    Logging PolicyNo Identifying Data
    Compatible with
    1. windowsWindows
    2. macosMac OS
    3. linuxLinux
    4. chromeosChrome OS
    5. iosiOS
    6. androidAndroid

    US Streaming On Multiple Devices

    NordVPN is a great solution if you want to watch US streaming services from anywhere in the world.

    You can unblock US Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and more on most of the VPN’s US servers.

    NordVPN HBO Max Streaming Test

    NordVPN is a reliable way to bypass US blocks and access HBO Max.

    With NordVPN, you can stream US content via its excellent Fire TV Stick app and Smart DNS service that works with Apple TV and games consoles, providing a bigger screen experience.

    Almost 2,000 US Servers Across the Country

    NordVPN owns nearly 2,000 US servers to give its customers access to a wide range of US IP addresses.

    NordVPN US Server List

    NordVPN comes with a large number of US city servers.

    Also, NordVPN are rolling out 10Gbps servers, which helps to explain its fast long-distance speeds. With an average download speed loss of 9% connecting to the West Coast from our New York server, NordVPN delivers smooth, buffer-free streaming and web browsing.

    NordVPN has servers in the following US states:

    • Arizona
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Illinois
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
    • New York
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Virginia
    • Washington

    No-Logs VPN With Extra Security Settings

    NordVPN is a no logs VPN that doesn’t record any personally identifiable information about its users.

    This policy, and the company’s claims, have been confirmed by multiple recent independent audits.

    NordVPN was also incorporated in Panama, a country not subjected to intrusive US jurisdiction, or the surveillance threat of Five Eyes nations.

    The VPN service also provides a enhanced layer of internet security thanks to its optimal security suite. This can be particularly useful to those traveling to the US.

    The VPN’s apps use secure protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and its own bespoke NordLynx. NordVPN’s in-house protocol is based on WireGuard and currently delivers the best speeds.

    Additional security features include Double VPN,Onion over VPN, and an ad tracking blocker called Threat Protection.

    Overall, NordVPN isn’t as good as PIA to connect into the US, but at just $3.29 per month, it does serve as a budget all-round alternative to ExpressVPN.

USA VPNs to Avoid

We’re regularly testing and reviewing VPN services for the US, and to date we’ve tested over 150 VPN apps.

We continue to be surprised to see how many VPNs are not optimized for internet users in, or connecting into, America.

Based on our tests, here are four popular USA VPNs we don’t recommend you use:

PureVPN

Overall Ranking: #29 out of 55 VPNs Reviewed

Overall Rating: 6.9/106.9

What we don’t like: PureVPN doesn’t unblock US Netflix, and its logging policy isn’t reassuring enough for privacy-focused users.

TunnelBear

Overall Ranking: #26 out of 55 VPNs Reviewed

Overall Rating: 3.5/103.5

What we don’t like: TunnelBear is not good for streaming in general. While it does currently work with US Netflix and HBO Max, it can’t unblock many other services. It’s also considerably slower than top-tier VPNs.

Turbo VPN

Overall Ranking: #46 out of 55 VPNs Reviewed

Overall Rating: 2.2/102.2

What we don’t like: Turbo VPN is not only useless at unblocking geo-restricted American content platforms, it’s also unsafe to use. It’s filled with invasive ads, suffers from DNS leaks, and has suspicious links to China.

Hola VPN

Overall Ranking: #41 out of 55 VPNs Reviewed

Overall Rating: 4.1/104.1

What we don’t like: Hola VPN is an awful free VPN you must not use. It logs all your internet activity, and shares your idle bandwidth with other Hola users. It also doesn’t unblock any US streaming platform.

How We Test VPNs for the USA

We’ve tested 55 VPN services to see which are safe and which will work well in the US specifically.

To find the best US VPN, we test for:

  • A large number of US servers
  • Access to US streaming platforms
  • Fast speeds on local US connections
  • A private logging policy and jurisdiction
  • AES-256 and OpenVPN encryption, with no IP or DNS leaks
  • As few restrictions as possible compared to the premium VPN

To form our recommendations, we connect into the USA and analyze each VPN in four different categories, rating each out of 10. We then combine these category ratings to calculate an overall rating for the USA.

In the table below, we summarize how our top-rated USA VPNs are rated in each category, as well as their overall rating for the USA:

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the categories that make up our US VPN testing process, and how much of the overall rating each category represents:

1. US Streaming Services: 20%

Minimum Requirement: Can unblock one or more US streaming sites.
We Recommend: Accesses multiple US streaming services and US Netflix.

Many people want a free VPN to access US Netflix. Or they want to watch content from US-exclusive services like HBO Max and Hulu.

We test each free VPN with the most popular streaming services to check whether it can unblock your favorite US services abroad and access content from international libraries.

We regularly test access to US Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.

The more effective a VPN is at getting around streaming geo-restrictions, the higher the rating.

2. US Server Locations: 30%

Minimum Requirement: At least one VPN server located in the US.
We Recommend: Many servers on the US East Coast, West Coast, and Southern States.

We analyze each VPN’s server infrastructure to determine how many are US-based. The more there are, the stronger the rating.

Free VPNs are unlikely to have more than 10 US servers, but the more servers a VPN offers the better its overall performance will be.

The US is a huge country, so we rate highly the VPNs that have multiple servers spread evenly across the country from coast to coast.

3. Speed: 30%

Minimum Requirement: Download speeds of at least 60Mbps.
We Recommend: US download speeds of 90Mbps or higher.

All VPNs slow down your internet speed, but the best ones do so only a small amount. The lower the speed loss we record when running a VPN, the higher its rating is for speed.

We are constantly running speed tests both locally and internationally to determine what sort of speeds users can expect when connecting in and out of the US.

4. Privacy & Logging Policy: 20%

Minimum Requirement: Anonymized connection logs and no activity logs.
We Recommend: A strict, zero-logging policy and no data leaks whatsoever.

The US has some of the most invasive security laws in the world. So you need a VPN that will protect your privacy.

Security is particularly important when it comes to free VPNs. So many free services don’t protect your data. Instead, they sell your data.

We only recommend free VPNs that are reputable, certifiably safe, and private.

We do the work to analyze each VPNs security suite and privacy credentials. We read every word of the VPN privacy policy to ensure it meets the expectations users have of a VPN.

Simply put, the less information it collects, the better we rate a VPN. The ideal scenario is a zero-logs service, but those that do collect data should be transparent and detail exactly what data they store.

Data Cap Reduction: Up to 50%

Almost every free VPN has a data cap. Although free services can still perform well in our assessment, being limited to a data cap massively reduces your VPN’s capabilities.

To reflect this, we apply a penalty to the free VPN’s overall rating for the US based on how restrictive its data cap is:

  • 10GB per month: -20% to the overall rating
  • 500MB per day: -25% to the overall rating
  • 5GB per month: -30% to the overall rating
  • 1GB per month: -35% to the overall rating
  • 500MB per month: -50% to the overall rating

How to Get a US IP Address Using a VPN

By using a trusted VPN service with servers in the United States, changing your IP address to a US one is simple.

Follow the steps below to get an anonymous US IP address using a VPN:

  1. Pick a recommended US VPN from our list, download and install it on your device(s).
  2. From the VPN’s server list, search for your preferred US server location.
  3. Select and connect to your chosen USA server location.
  4. When the application indicates your’re connected to the server, check your new US IP address using our What Is My IP tool.

In the video below you can see how easy it is to get a US IP address. We used Windscribe’s free VPN to demonstrate:

You can use Windscribe Free to connect to eight US VPN servers.

Why Do I Need a VPN for the US?

You need a VPN with fast and reliable US servers if you want to access geo-restricted web content only available in the United Sates.

Your IP address is directly connected to your geographic location, therefore connecting to a server in American will assign you a US IP address.

Below are the two key reasons for using a VPN to get a new IP location in the United States.

Watch US Netflix & Other US Streaming Services

One of the main reasons to get a US IP address is to watch US video content from outside the United States.

For instance, the US Netflix library has some of the best TV shows and movies, but only those in America can access it – unless you have a VPN.

How to use Netflix with Private Internet Access

We easily unblocked US Netflix using Private Internet Access.

A top VPN can also unblock American platforms like HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, and more.

We run regular tests with all major VPN providers to see which VPNs are best for streaming.

Watch US Sports & Get Around Sports Blackouts

If you’re already in America, you can use a VPN to workaround MLB blackouts, live stream out-of-market NFL games, and access blackout NBA games.

A VPN getting around US sports blackouts

Inside the US, sports blackouts are common and frustrating, and prevent you from watching your team play on cable or online. These blackouts happen because of private agreements between sports leagues and broadcasters.

For example, if a national broadcaster like ABC or CBS acquires the rights to a game, viewers in the home team’s locality won’t be able to watch the game on other channels.

To get around these blackouts, you need a VPN with a large number of US IP addresses. Private Internet Access, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN all have extensive US server networks that let you connect to multiple US states to get around sports blackouts.

USA VPN FAQs

Are VPNs Legal in the US?

It is perfectly legal to use a VPN in the US and protect your personal data. There are no laws in the US that prohibit internet users from using a VPN.

In fact, a lot of major companies actually use VPN software to protect sensitive data from potential hackers or allow employees to access company files when working remotely.

One thing to remember when using a VPN is that you’re not exempt from other laws, particularly those regarding copyright. Using a VPN doesn’t exempt you from any US law.

This means that anything that is illegal without a VPN is still illegal when you’re using one.

If you’re interested in VPN legal questions, read our in-depth guide to VPN laws.

Can I Watch US Netflix with a Free VPN?

Most free VPNs don’t work with Netflix. However, there are two that work well and we recommend as the best free VPNs for Netflix.

You can only use PrivadoVPN or VPNhub Free to watch US Netflix, but we’re monitoring the situation closely to see if any more will start working.

VPNhub has no data cap, so you can stream US Netflix endlessly. However, VPNhub Free is limited to mobile devices only.