Why Use a VPN in United States?
ISP data collection and selling
NSA surveillance programs
Geo-blocking of international content
Data retention by tech companies
Top 5 VPNs for United States
Based on our testing from United States, these VPNs offer the best combination of speed, security, and reliability for users in this region.
NordVPN
Key Features for United States
- Servers in 111 countries including nearby regions
- Kill switch for connection protection
- Verified no-logs policy
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Unblocks major streaming services
Pros & Cons
- Industry-leading security features
- Massive server network in 111 countries
- Occasional server connection delays
- No free trial available
ExpressVPN
Key Features for United States
- Servers in 105 countries including nearby regions
- Kill switch for connection protection
- Verified no-logs policy
- 8 simultaneous connections
- Unblocks major streaming services
Pros & Cons
- Fastest VPN speeds with Lightway protocol
- Best-in-class streaming unblocking
- Premium pricing compared to competitors
- Only 8 simultaneous connections
Surfshark
Key Features for United States
- Servers in 100 countries including nearby regions
- Kill switch for connection protection
- Verified no-logs policy
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Unblocks major streaming services
Pros & Cons
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Best value for money in the market
- Speeds can be inconsistent on some servers
- Relatively newer provider
ProtonVPN
Key Features for United States
- Servers in 91 countries including nearby regions
- Kill switch for connection protection
- Verified no-logs policy
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Unblocks major streaming services
Pros & Cons
- Based in privacy-friendly Switzerland
- Open-source and independently audited
- Smaller server network than competitors
- Free tier has limited server access
Private Internet Access
Key Features for United States
- Servers in 91 countries including nearby regions
- Kill switch for connection protection
- Verified no-logs policy
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Unblocks major streaming services
Pros & Cons
- Massive network with 35,000+ servers
- Proven no-logs policy in court
- Based in United States (5 Eyes)
- Inconsistent streaming unblocking
VPN Legality in United States
Using a VPN is legal in United States. You can freely use VPN services for privacy, security, and accessing content. However, using a VPN for illegal activities remains illegal.
- VPNs are commonly used for privacy and security
- Businesses regularly use VPNs for secure remote work
- Using a VPN for illegal activities is still illegal
- No known cases of prosecution for personal VPN use
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, VPN use is completely legal in the USA. There are no restrictions on using VPNs for personal privacy, though using them for illegal activities remains illegal.
Americans need VPNs to protect against ISP data collection (which can be sold to advertisers), shield from government surveillance, access geo-blocked content, and secure public WiFi connections.
Yes, US ISPs can see and collect your browsing data. Since 2017, ISPs can legally sell this data to advertisers. A VPN encrypts your traffic, preventing ISP monitoring.
ExpressVPN and NordVPN are excellent for US streaming, reliably unblocking Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, and other popular American streaming services.
If you're already in the US, you don't need a VPN for Netflix access. However, a VPN protects your streaming activity from ISP tracking and helps access content while traveling abroad.
A VPN significantly improves privacy by encrypting your traffic. While no tool provides complete protection against state-level surveillance, a no-logs VPN in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction offers strong protection.
Choose a server close to your physical location for best speeds, or select servers near streaming service data centers (typically East or West Coast) for optimal performance.
Most free VPNs compromise privacy by logging data or showing ads. ProtonVPN offers a trustworthy free tier, but premium VPNs provide better privacy guarantees and performance.
Yes, connecting to servers in other countries lets you access their streaming libraries and services not available in the US, such as BBC iPlayer or region-specific Netflix content.
Your ISP can see you're connected to a VPN server but cannot see what you're doing. VPNs with obfuscation can hide even the fact that you're using a VPN.