Regardless of where you are in the world, the right VPN can help you bypass frustrating content and website restrictions. If you’re an American citizen traveling overseas, a VPN can help you access your favorite US-exclusive content. Similarly, if you’re in the US, it can get you access to content from around the globe. If you want to access US shows, online games, and online banking services from anywhere in the world, I highly recommend you try ExpressVPN now. A VPN also keeps your personal information safe. American internet surveillance laws allow your data to be monitored and/or sold to third parties. The news about mass internet surveillance really worries me — that’s why I started using a VPN to protect my data at home and abroad. To save you time researching the available options, I’ve tested dozens of VPNs and compiled a list of the 4 best VPNs that you can try risk-free. Plus, I’ve listed 3 easy steps for you to get a US IP address in under 5 minutes. Try ExpressVPN for the US now
3 Easy Steps to Get a US IP Address
Quick Guide: Best VPNs for the US
4 Best VPNs for the US (Tested January 2023)
1. ExpressVPN — Protect Your Privacy and Pass Geo-Blocks With Military-Grade Security Features
ExpressVPN has a well-deserved reputation for getting around strict geo-blocking technology. Within seconds of starting the app, I was able to use its Smart Location feature to connect to the USA Miami – 2 server and log in to my Bank of America account. ExpressVPN is also one of the few VPNs that is able to get around geo-restrictions on multiple platforms like US Netflix, HBO, and Hulu. This means you can easily watch your favorite shows on different streaming platforms while abroad. ExpressVPN is also one of the few VPNs that can get around the Great Firewall of China — so, if you’re headed to China on business or a vacation, it is one of the few VPNs that can give you access to your email or Netflix shows. When I tested ExpressVPN, I thought that my connection might slow down when I was streaming Stranger Things since I was thousands of kilometers away in the UK — but I was wrong. It connected me to US Netflix quickly and let me watch in UltraHD with no buffering. ExpressVPN’s lightning-fast speeds ensure you’ll never have to wait around for slow loading times or experience annoying lag while streaming. In addition to fast speeds, ExpressVPN has some of the strongest security features available. It uses the same level of encryption as the US government and has a strict no-logs policy. ExpressVPN is also the only VPN on this list that uses TrustedServer technology to wipe your data from its servers’ RAM every time you disconnect. This means that third parties can’t monitor you because ExpressVPN doesn’t keep information about your online history. ExpressVPN has proven its privacy promises through independent security audits. Don’t take my word for it — the best way to know if a VPN is right for you is to test it out yourself. Try ExpressVPN’s US servers today. You can get your money returned if you don’t like it with the 30-day money-back guarantee. I put ExpressVPN’s money-back policy to the test and got my refund within 5 days.
2. CyberGhost — Free to Use for 45Days Plus Bufferless Streaming
Aside from hundreds of US server options, CyberGhost is the only VPN on this list that has special servers optimized for streaming. These optimized servers are located in the US and around the world. As a big fan of American movies on Netflix and UK shows on BBC iPlayer, I was very impressed that these servers (I tested the London and Chicago servers) let me stream without buffering. To keep you safe from prying eyes, CyberGhost also offers premium security features. It uses the same level of encryption as the US military to prevent hackers, ISPs, and government surveillance spies from monitoring your online activity. CyberGhost has demonstrated that it is serious about its security promises — through numerous law enforcement investigations, it has proven that it doesn’t have user logs to hand over, even when legally required to do so. This means you can be certain that no one is tracking your activity when you use CyberGhost. CyberGhost also has built-in malware protection and adblockers to prevent interruptions like auto-play videos. I was glad that there weren’t annoying advertisements popping up while I was streaming. Since I plan to vacation there soon, I was disappointed to learn that CyberGhost does not work in Turkey. A VPN is definitely necessary to protect your privacy in this country — the Turkish government promotes intense surveillance and censorship. Its bans are so strong that VPNs like CyberGhost don’t work there. CyberGhost offers you the longest money-back guarantee of all the VPNs on this list. While most premium services offer a standard 7-day trial period or 30-day money-back guarantee, I was very impressed that CyberGhost gives you a full 45 days to try its service at no risk to you. This lets you use one of the best VPNs for accessing US content abroad for free for over a month. Try CyberGhost for free
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Large Server Network for Easily Accessing US Content
Private Internet Access (PIA) is one the best VPNs for use in the US because of its many US server options. Its large network of 35000 servers includes several US-based ones. With so many options, you won’t have to worry about crowded servers and slow speeds. Alongside its large server network, PIA uses military-grade encryption and an automatic kill switch to protect your privacy even if you get disconnected. Considering the internet is full of hackers looking to gain access to personal information, I wanted a VPN that lives up to its security promises. The idea of someone getting a hold of my data worries me, so I put PIA to the test. I performed DNS leak tests with PIA by connecting to its different servers worldwide. It never revealed my real geographic location, so I knew my information was secure. The one downside of PIA is its slower speeds. While it’s still moderately fast, PIA doesn’t compare to ExpressVPN or CyberGhost’s speeds. If you’re not ready to commit to a subscription yet, I recommend you try PIA risk-free. With its money-back guarantee, you have 30 to test the service and get a refund. Try Private Internet Access now
4. IPVanish — Access US Content Easily and Protect Your Data With Industry-Standard Features
I was impressed when I found that IPVanish offers nearly 700 American servers. With so many options, I was confused as to why it’s not more popular. During testing, I found out why — although IPVanish’s US servers allow you to bypass many geoblocks, it doesn’t let you access US Netflix while abroad. I was disappointed that I couldn’t stream my favorite US Netflix shows. If streaming from US Netflix while abroad isn’t important to you, IPVanish may still be a good choice. It is able to stream from other platforms like Hulu. Although I did experience some buffering, the connection speeds were still fast enough to let me enjoy the Mission Impossible on Hulu. IPVanish offers many of the same industry-standard security protections as other premium VPNs. Features like top-tier encryption and a strict zero-logs policy keep your data secure. I was also impressed to learn that IPVanish owns and operates its entire network of servers — this reassured me that my data would be safe because this prevents hackers and external server owners from spying on user information. If you want to try it, I recommend you take advantage of IPVanish’s 7-day money-back guarantee. This trial period is perfect to try out its features on short trips abroad. Test IPVanish for free now
How to Choose the Best VPN for the US
With so many VPNs on the market to choose from, it can be hard to make a decision about which one to get. I chose the VPNs on this list according to these important criteria: Stay secure with ExpressVPN
Why You Need a US IP Address
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How a VPN Gets You a US IP Address
A VPN acts like a secret, secure tunnel that connects your device to the internet. Information sent through this tunnel is hidden. That means private data like your real IP address (and thus true geographic location) can’t be seen by others. This protection also prevents third parties from tracking your online activity. When you connect to the internet with a VPN server, you’re given an IP address associated with that server. For example, when you connect to a server in New York, the IP address you’re given is also from New York. This makes it seem like your device is located in a different place. That’s one of the ways VPNs can keep your data hidden from streaming services, government organizations, and hackers. Since a VPN can give you an American IP address abroad, you can use it to get by geo-blocks. This gives you the ability to access streaming, online banking, and other services restricted to the US.
Can I Use a Free VPN to Get a US IP Address?
It’s true that a number of free VPNs can connect you to US servers — but I wouldn’t recommend them. Although some free VPNs offer decent service and security, most have serious issues in both areas. A VPN should give you greater safety and freedom on the internet, but many free VPNs do the opposite. To begin with, the majority of free VPNs can’t break through geo-restrictions to let you access your favorite content. Others have data usage caps that make it impossible to stream even if you can find the programs you want. Personally, I wouldn’t want a VPN that can’t let me stream while abroad — even if it is free. Aside from this limitation, many of these services are slow. Crowded servers cause slow connection speeds which may make it hard to even connect at peak times. Worse yet, numerous free VPN services have major security problems. Some make money by selling data about you to third parties. Other services have been involved in malware and fraud scams. A VPN should keep you safe from prying eyes — not expose you more! To avoid these serious privacy and connection problems, I recommend you try a premium VPN like ExpressVPN. Services like these work well and ensure your information is safe from prying eyes.
Warning — Why You REALLY Need a VPN in the US
Use a VPN even when you are within US borders to avoid having your data monitored without your permission by the US government. Protect your privacy with ExpressVPN
How to Save on VPNs for the US
Getting the best security and fastest US connection speeds shouldn’t have to break the bank. All of my recommended VPNs have money-back guarantees so you can try them out before you subscribe. Plus, you can check out these deals for more savings on some of the VPNs on this list.
