The Best VPNs for the United States, ranked by our editors.
We buy every subscription, run 200+ hours of speed and streaming tests each quarter, and publish results — good and bad. No sponsored placements, no fluff.
Top 6 VPNs for the USA
Ranked by U.S. speed, streaming access, privacy audits and value.
- #1Best Overall
Editor Rating"Fastest VPN we tested for U.S. connections"
- Fastest average U.S. speeds in our lab tests
- Extremely simple apps across every major platform
- RAM-only Lightway-powered servers
- Unblocks nearly every U.S. streaming service
- 24/7 live-chat support that actually helps
- #2
Editor Rating"Beginner-friendly with dedicated streaming servers"
- Servers pre-labelled by streaming service
- Longest money-back guarantee in the industry (45 days)
- Very affordable long-term plans
- Massive server network with strong U.S. coverage
- Simple, guided app interface
- #3
Editor Rating"The most privacy-focused option in our top five"
- Swiss jurisdiction with strong privacy laws
- Fully open-source apps on every platform
- Free plan available (with limitations)
- Secure Core routing through hardened data centers
- Independently audited no-logs policy
- #4
Editor Rating"Our top overall pick for U.S. users in 2026"
- Consistently fast speeds on nearby U.S. servers
- Reliably unblocks major American streaming libraries
- Independently audited no-logs policy
- Strong AES-256 and NordLynx (WireGuard) protocol
- Includes Threat Protection to block ads and trackers
- #5
Editor Rating"Deep U.S. server coverage with court-proven no-logs history"
- Servers in all 50 U.S. states, so you can pick a city close to home
- No-logs claim tested and upheld in U.S. court proceedings
- Unlimited simultaneous connections on a single subscription
- Fully open-source apps with granular encryption and port settings
- Built-in MACE blocker stops ads, trackers and malware domains
- #6
Editor Rating"Best value VPN with unlimited device connections"
- Unlimited simultaneous connections on one account
- Very low long-term pricing
- Built-in ad and malware blocker (CleanWeb)
- Independently audited infrastructure
- Great for travelers with GPS spoofing on Android
Compare the top picks
Everything you need to make a decision — at a glance.
| Provider | Score | Servers | Countries | Devices | Money-back | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | 9.5 | 3,000+ | 105 | 8 | 30 days | Visit Site |
| CyberGhost | 9.2 | 11,500+ | 100 | 7 | 45 days | Visit Site |
| Proton VPN | 9.1 | 10,900+ | 117 | 10 | 30 days | Visit Site |
| NordVPN | 8.9 | 6,400+ | 111 | 10 | 30 days | Visit Site |
| Private Internet Access | 8.6 | 20,000+ | 91 | Unlimited | 30 days | Visit Site |
| Surfshark | 8.8 | 3,200+ | 100 | Unlimited | 30 days | Visit Site |
How we test VPNs for the U.S.
Rankings on this page are not paid placements. We buy every VPN subscription with our own money and rerun tests every month.
Speed testing
We benchmark download and upload speeds from multiple U.S. cities across nearby and long-distance servers, on both WireGuard-based and OpenVPN protocols.
Streaming checks
Every provider is retested weekly against U.S. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max and Prime Video to catch any regional access issues quickly.
Privacy audits
We only recommend providers with an independently verified no-logs policy and a jurisdiction that respects user privacy.
Real-world use
Our writers use these VPNs daily for work, travel, gaming and torrenting — so recommendations reflect real usage, not just spec sheets.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to use a VPN in the United States?+
Yes. Using a VPN is completely legal in every U.S. state. What you do while connected to a VPN still has to obey the law — a VPN doesn't make illegal activity legal — but the tool itself is fine to install and use.
Will a VPN let me watch U.S. Netflix from abroad?+
The best U.S. VPNs unblock American Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and Max most of the time, though streaming platforms do actively try to detect them. All of our top picks were confirmed working on U.S. streaming libraries in our latest round of tests.
Do free VPNs work for people in the U.S.?+
For casual browsing, a reputable free tier like Proton VPN Free is usable. Free plans generally do not unblock U.S. streaming services and tend to have slower speeds, so if you need reliability or streaming access, a paid plan is worth the small monthly cost.
Which VPN is fastest in the U.S.?+
ExpressVPN posted the fastest average U.S. download speeds in our most recent testing round, closely followed by NordVPN with its NordLynx protocol.
How much should a good VPN cost?+
Expect to pay between $2 and $5 per month on a long-term plan from a top-tier provider. Anything advertised as free-forever with unlimited streaming should be treated with caution.