NordVPN is the best VPN for the USA after numerous tests considering server location spread, data privacy and security, speed, and torrent support.
During my tests, I also found that Surfshark, PureVPN, PrivateVPN, and CyberGhost are impressive alternatives for users in the USA or those looking for US IP addresses.
Some of these VPNs even allow you to access online betting sites like 888 Poker, GGPoker, and DraftKings from inside the USA.
So, continue reading to know why these VPNs passed the test, what they offer, and how to get the best out of them.
Top 3 VPNs for the USA
Access quantum-resistant servers with military-grade encryption on 1800+ US servers. Also, you get 6500+ global servers for improved security and reliable unblocking from anywhere.
NordVPN offers a massive 1970+ US server spread and global 5500+ server coverage to access and unblock content from anywhere. Plus, you get reliable online data security and privacy anywhere you go.
Get superior data protection, US servers, online privacy, and security with Surfshark’s unlimited simultaneous connections. It’s also fast and supports the majority of mobile and PC platforms.
The USA is at the heart of the 14 Eyes Alliance countries. So, the government is heavy on collecting user data and won’t hesitate to share that data with other countries.
However, the US government isn’t the only one to blame here.
Private tech companies like Facebook, Google, and Microsoft are also digging their hands into the data pie, and there are no stops in sight.
On top of that, the US government signed an “ISP Selling Data” bill in 2017 to allow providers like Verizon and AT&T to collect and sell your data without consent.
Before then, your ISPs were still collecting your data, but they had to ask for your consent to share it with others. Now, they can aggregate all that data and sell it without your knowledge.
Sadly, this is a product we’re paying for, but our data is being sold like we’re freeloaders. Worse, they’ll throttle your internet speed – so you don’t get the full breadth of the service you’re paying for.
Likewise, your internet service provider (ISP) can see EVERYTHING you do online.
This leads to copyright issues from downloading files on torrent sites.
In fact, these concerns stop most students, workers, and everyday persons from accessing relevant files on torrent sites.
You don’t have to deal with this massive online surveillance, internet restrictions, speed throttling, and other privacy issues. Thanks to my top Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), those issues can quickly become a thing of the past.
Want to Safely Download Torrents and Prevent ISP Spying in the USA? Try My Top VPNs
What if I told you that you could download torrent files, unblock almost any website, and browse privately in the USA? Find out how my best VPNs for USA can help you do that:
- NordVPN – A reliable no-logs VPN service provider with 5500+ secure servers for privacy and content unblocking.
- PureVPN – Features a massive global server count, impressive USA server count, and a New Jersey server for online gambling enthusiasts.
- Surfshark – The best budget-friendly VPN for robust privacy and encryption over unlimited simultaneous connections.
- CyberGhost – Lightweight, simple, secure, and fast VPN provider with a massive 8000+ server count globally.
- PrivateVPN – Offers free dedicated IP addresses in the USA, decent server spread, and fast obfuscation speeds if needed.
I know the summaries might have you excited about what VPNs to pick.
But they don’t tell the whole story.
After spending hours testing each Virtual Private Network (VPN), I compared them below to help you identify their strengths and weaknesses.
So, let’s go!
Comparisons and Mini-Reviews of the Best VPNs for the USA
I tested 20+ VPNs over 36 combined hours, looking for the best performers across speed, security, local ISP support, privacy, torrent support, and notable extras.
Here’s how the top 5 VPNs compare.
NordVPN – Reliable Security on 1970+ US Servers and 5400+ Global Servers
NordVPN carries the largest US server count of the VPNs I tested, and that’s not just for show.
I connected to a few of these 1970+ US servers and
- I never got an IP leak. So, you can encrypt your local internet connection in the US.
- My internet activity was tunneled to prevent my ISP, hackers, or the government from seeing what I was doing online.
- I got better security over public Wi-Fi networks at my local Starbucks and Mcdonald’s.
- I still retained access to US-specific content (like Netflix, Hulu, my banking apps, Venmo services, etc.).
These US servers are also life savers anytime I travel outside the country.
Thus, non-US residents, travelers, international students, and expats can connect to these US servers to
- Unblock sports content like MLB.tv, NHL.tv, etc.
- Get region-specific content like Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video US, etc.
- Keep accessing banking apps and financial services from abroad.
I’m also impressed that these US servers are distributed across 15 cities. Thus, I could choose the ones in my city/closest to me to enjoy better speeds and less ping.
Gamers would care about the low ping when choosing a suitable VPN server. Fortunately, NordVPN didn’t lag and even gave me DDoS protection when playing online titles like
- League of Legends
- Clash of Clans
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
- PUBG
- Fortnite
- FIFA 21
Sadly, NordVPN lacks servers in New Jersey, Delaware, and Connecticut.
Given that these are locations where online betting is legal in the US, you’ll have to connect to supported European locations to place bets with this VPN. Otherwise, choose PureVPN or PrivateVPN for their New Jersey server.
Moving on, NordVPN is more than just US servers.
While we have a lot of content here in the States, some region-specific content elsewhere eludes us. Thus, NordVPN’s 5500+ servers in 59 countries come into play to unblock services like
- BBC iPlayer over UK servers
- CraveTV over Canadian servers
- Voot over Indian servers
- France TV over French servers
- Netflix Australia over Oz servers, and many more.
Fortunately, NordVPN is fast enough to unblock content in HD quality across these platforms. Even though VPNs cause connection drops (due to their encryption), it’s negligible with NordVPN.
In fact, I sometimes bypass throttling from Verizon and AT&T to get better speeds, thanks to NordVPN.
Perhaps one of the biggest reasons I like NordVPN is its torrent downloads support. The VPN provider even set up specialty P2P servers for better data transfer (or torrent download) speeds, improved privacy, and download security.
So, you can unblock torrent sites on Verizon, CenturyLink, and AT&T and download files without getting nasty copyright notices.
NordVPN’s AES 256-bit encryption also makes it possible to protect your torrent activity from your school/workplace’s network admins.
To be sure, I set up and tried NordVPN over
I didn’t suffer any IP or DNS data leaks, get nasty copyright notices, or suffer slow download speeds on any of these clients.
Furthermore, not seeing your internet activity makes it impossible for ISPs to throttle your speeds based on the specific activity. That contributes to overall better torrent download speeds without compromising privacy.
Make sure you’ve enabled the NordVPN kill switch and choose the fast, in-house NordLynx protocol.
Finally, NordVPN is based in Panama.
That’s significant because it’s outside US’s jurisdiction and not in any data-sharing alliance with the States. Thus, the US government can’t legally require it to hand over data on your VPN activity and what you’re doing online.
Likewise, NordVPN has an audited, strict zero-data logging policy even if such requests go out. In other words, it doesn’t collect any data on you.
Thus, it can’t give what it doesn’t have.
For all that goodness, you can set up NordVPN on six devices under one account. Thus, your mobile phones, PCs, gaming consoles, smart TVs, and routers can enjoy premium protection and content unblocking.
Use these NordVPN discounts to get better deals and a 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee.
Pros
- 1970+ US servers in 15 cities
- 5500+ global servers to unblock content
- Fast enough to bypass throttling
- P2P-optimized servers for torrent downloads
- Six simultaneous connections
- Audited zero data logging policy
Cons
- Doesn’t support torrent seeding
- No New Jersey servers in the USA
PureVPN – Fast Content Unblocking and Streaming on 6500+ Servers
PureVPN is the closest to NordVPN in US server counts, offering 1800+ servers in the States. However, PureVPN impresses more with quantum-resistant technology on its AES 256-bit encryption over these US servers.
Thus, not even next-generation quantum computers can hack the data you transmit over these US servers.
I know it’s important to keep the US-based big tech companies and our nosy ISPs out of our online business. Given that the US government has advanced tech at its disposal, I can also rest easy with this level of data protection.
Fortunately, these servers aren’t just there to make up the numbers.
So, I took PureVPN through the paces, and I unblocked content like
- Netflix US
- Amazon Prime Video US
- Hulu
- CNN Go
Besides content unblocking, you can also connect to these US servers to encrypt your internet connection, preventing your ISP and network admins from seeing what you’re doing. That way, you don’t lose access to US-specific banking apps, services, and online platforms on your secure internet.
In fact, the last time I was touring New York, these US servers encrypted my connection over public Wi-Fi networks at The Hotel @ Fifth Avenue, The Shake Shack, and Asuka Sushi.
Otherwise, I could have fallen victim to
- Session hijacking
- Malware infection
- Sensitive data theft (banking passwords, online logins, etc.)
- Man in the middle attacks
- Other common public Wi-Fi hacks
Furthermore, PureVPN beats NordVPN with its addition of a New Jersey server. I prefer connecting to this server anytime I want to gamble online in the US. So far, I’ve successfully unblocked and placed bets on websites like
When you’re not using the US servers, you can get a lot of value over the global servers too. Here, PureVPN manages a combined 6500+ global server count across 78+ countries, besting NordVPN on both counts.
These servers are relevant for
- Travelers (students, expats, tourists, etc.) in the USA want to unblock content from their home country.
- US residents who want to watch Crave TV, NRK TV, France TV, or unblock other websites not available in the USA.
- Gamers interested in playing against peers in other countries/server locations.
Speaking of gaming, PureVPN did excellent in my tests over titles like
However, I was surprised it doesn’t bundle DDoS protection on its basic plan. So, you’ll have to pay extra for that, unlike NordVPN or the other listed providers.
Of course, I didn’t get DDoS-ed while gaming on PureVPN, but I might not have extra protection if that happens.
Fortunately, PureVPN is no slouch when it comes to speeds.
In fact, it scores better than NordVPN on some tests and servers.
And that’s with the extra quantum resistance!
These stellar speeds combine with robust server security to deliver some of the best torrent download speeds and privacy I’ve seen.
Luckily, PureVPN also offers specialty P2P-optimized servers to ensure maximum torrent download speeds like NordVPN. Better still, PureVPN allows seeding, which is missing on NordVPN.
Sadly, you don’t get P2P servers in the US or UK, some of the fastest locations I tested across all VPNs.
If that isn’t a major dealbreaker, which it shouldn’t be, you should know that PureVPN is also twice audited for its no-logs policy.
So, suppose Verizon, Comcast, AT&T, or any other ISP traces your internet activity to it and asks for your web data. In that case, PureVPN won’t have anything to give.
On top of that, PureVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands.
That’s as beyond US jurisdiction as they can get. Plus, the BVI is a data privacy-centric hub.
Finally, PureVPN edges NordVPN out again by offering ten simultaneous device connections. You can also use this across your mobile devices, smart TVs, PC units, and routers. Best of all, the VPN is still affordable.
Even so, these PureVPN discounts will help you save more costs.
Pros
- 1800+ US servers in 13 cities (including New Jersey)
- 6500+ servers in 78+ countries
- Twice audited no-logs policy
- Supports torrent download and seeding
- Ultra-fast VPN to unblock content in 4K
- Ten simultaneous device connections
Cons
- DDoS protection is a paid add-on
- No P2P servers in the US or UK
Surfshark – Secure Your Entire Family Over 3200+ Servers
Surfshark is the best VPN to get if
- You plan on safely sharing your VPN with a large family group
- You’re traveling into the US and need a decent US VPN for the group
- You’re traveling outside of the US and need a great group-buy VPN for the trip
- You have numerous devices to protect with a VPN service
But what makes it that appealing?
To start with, it offers unlimited simultaneous connections on a single account. That comes with unlimited bandwidth too. Given that its servers are optimized for 1Gbps – 10Gbps speeds, you don’t have to worry about speed.
Surfshark operates the second least US servers on this list, just ahead of PrivateVPN. However, it offers the highest US city spread with 600 US servers in 25 cities.
I’m sure gamers would love this to connect to the closest server for less ping while getting DDoS protection, better gaming speeds, and reliable in-game content unblocking.
Likewise, non-gamers can easily switch cities to view preferred content unavailable in a US city. For example, accessing a blacked-out sports game stream in your US region.
Sadly, Surfshark doesn’t include a New Jersey server, either.
So, online bettors in the US should pick PureVPN and PrivateVPN to unblock online casinos and gambling websites.
That said, Surfshark offers 3200+ global servers in 65+ countries.
That’s not as many servers as NordVPN, but it’s more countries.
So, you stand a chance of unblocking content from more countries (usually in the Middle East and Africa) that are missing from NordVPN.
Despite that good news, there’s a significant issue I have with Surfshark:
The VPN provider is based in the Netherlands, part of the 14 Eyes alliance with the USA. So, technically, the US government can ask the Netherlands to collect and hand over your user data from Surfshark.
That’s scary, but Surfshark’s audited no-logs claims nullify the fear.
So, the government can ask for your data, but there won’t be any to share.
Thankfully, that increased my trust in Surfshark’s torrent downloading capabilities. So far, I’ve downloaded many torrents without getting nasty copyright notices or cease-and-desist letters from Verizon.
The only downside is that Surfshark mimics NordVPN in not supporting torrent seeding. I must defer to PureVPN to do this safely.
Thankfully, I get better download speeds by bypassing my ISP’s throttling, especially over Surfshark’s WireGuard protocol.
On top of that, its unlimited simultaneous connections promise doesn’t translate to a higher price. In fact, it’s one of the cheapest VPNs I reviewed.
That said, grab these Surfshark discounts while they last to sweeten the deal further.
Pros
- 600+ US servers in 25 cities
- 3200+ global servers in 65+ countries
- Audited zero data logging policy
- Torrent downloads support
- Servers optimized for 1Gbps – 10Gbps speeds
- Offers unlimited simultaneous connections
Cons
- Doesn’t support seeding torrents
- No New Jersey servers in the USA
- Based in a 14 Eyes member country
CyberGhost – Massive Server Count for Privacy, Security, and Unblocking
If you’ve been looking for the most extensive servers to unblock content from virtually anywhere, CyberGhost is your best bet.
With 8900+ servers in 115 locations across 91 countries, there’s almost no country you won’t find on the list.
US servers are plentiful, too, recorded at 1300+ across 11 cities.
This makes it the third highest provider of US servers I reviewed, only behind PureVPN and NordVPN.
CyberGhost impressed me by splitting its servers into categories, offering some for
- Torrenting
- Gaming
- Streaming
The VPN provider has US servers optimized for each of these connection speed-intensive activities. That includes torrenting, unlike PureVPN, which doesn’t have a supported US server.
In fact, I’m impressed at how each streaming-optimized server also tells you what US-specific or abroad content you should best watch over the server.
Looking at the impressive effort put into these servers, I wasn’t surprised to see my CyberGhost VPN unblock
- Netflix
- HBO Max
- MTV
- Hulu
- BBC iPlayer
- Amazon Fire TV content
- Canal+
- DAZN
- Disney+
Those are some of the platforms I could test, and CyberGhost brilliantly handled everything I threw at it!
By these, it needs no telling that
- CyberGhost is optimized for speed.
- The VPN provider will unblock and download content on torrent sites while keeping you anonymous.
- You can get the best gaming experience + DDoS protection over CyberGhost servers.
I still tested each of these concepts, and I wasn’t wrong.
In fact, CyberGhost presented one of the most minor connection drops over its WireGuard protocol.
When I tested its servers for gaming, CyberGhost didn’t disappoint at
- Getting me into new flags on Mobile Legends
- Ensuring lower ping and DDoS protection when gaming on Steam
- Unblocking region-locked games on Game Loop
- Playing titles like CS:GO, PUBG, Fortnite, League of Legends, etc.
Surprisingly, CyberGhost has no New Jersey servers with its extensive reach. That puts it out of contention if you need a USA VPN to play Roobet, 888 Poker, or GG Poker, or unblock other online casinos.
That said, CyberGhost is based in data-friendly Romania, which isn’t in any data-sharing agreement with the USA. In fact, Romania turned down the data-sharing alliance with other EU countries that it’s a part of.
Add that to the no-logs policy on all its servers, although unaudited, and you can rest easy.
CyberGhost also bests NordVPN by offering seven simultaneous device connections, one more than the second provider. However, this is behind PureVPN’s offering and no match for Surfshark’s simultaneous device connections.
Still, this affordable, secure VPN protects your mobile devices, smart TVs, and gaming consoles under a single subscription.
Enjoy these CyberGhost deals while they last and get a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- 1300+ US servers in 11 cities
- 8900+ global servers in 91 countries
- Zero data logging policy
- Specially-optimized torrent supported servers
- Fast speeds for downloads and lag-free content stream
- Seven simultaneous device connections
Cons
- Unaudited data logging policy
- No servers in New Jersey
PrivateVPN – Free Dedicated US IPs and Online Betting-Supported Servers
PrivateVPN hauls the least servers on this list, packing just 200+ VPN servers in 63 countries. However, it stands firm against the other heavyweights by offering
- 12 US server cities, one more than CyberGhost.
- FREE Dedicated IP addresses in the USA (New York and Los Angeles).
- A US server location in New Jersey.
PureVPN and NordVPN are the only other VPN providers with dedicated IP addresses on this list. However, you’ll need to pay extra to get these IP addresses on those providers.
Even so, you can’t choose preferred US locations for the dedicated IP address for these other VPNs. Fortunately, PrivateVPN lets you choose between dedicated servers in New York and Los Angeles.
But there’s a catch.
The dedicated IP address on PrivateVPN isn’t unchanging like the one with PureVPN and NordVPN. Instead, the VPN assigns you a new, unused IP address in the chosen server location anytime you connect.
Still, it’s better to unblock financial services and other location-sensitive services that may block common VPN-assigned IP addresses.
Whether you’re using the regular servers on PrivateVPN or its dedicated US servers, you can still access
- Streaming sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and DAZN
- US content on streaming services like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, etc.
- US gaming servers on titles like League of Legends, Mobile Legends, etc.
Furthermore, the VPN manages super-fast speeds for reliable HD content unblocking on streaming platforms. The ping value is also surprisingly low, ensuring faster gameplay and lesser latency for the core gamers.
Since PrivateVPN isn’t only a collection of US servers, you also get European, Asian, Oceanic, and African servers to
- Unblock content like NRK TV (Norway), Crave TV (Canada), and France TV (France) not available in the US.
- Access local content, banking apps, and other services in your country if you’re traveling to the US.
In fact, you get those free dedicated IP addresses in 10+ more countries besides the USA. So, you can connect to any of these to access platforms that may not play nice with VPN traffic.
Again, this is way more dedicated IP address locations than the other VPNs offer combined.
PrivateVPN doesn’t use WireGuard or any of its fast alternatives (like NordVPN’s NordLynx). However, it still manages ultra-fast speeds on mobile and PC with its OpenVPN (UDP+1194) protocol.
These speeds help bypass ISP throttling to unlock better download and upload times for streaming, file sharing, and torrent downloading.
You can also seed torrents with PrivateVPN, which is best done when connected to any of the Dedicated IP addresses it provides.
Furthermore, PrivateVPN offers an easy-to-setup port forwarding feature to get even faster torrent download speeds without sacrificing security.
PureVPN is the only other provider with port forwarding, but only as a paid add-on. That makes PrivateVPN the more affordable VPN for the bundled features.
Even so, I’m concerned that PrivateVPN is based in Sweden, also a member of the 14 Eyes countries. Thankfully, it has a no-logs policy but hasn’t been independently audited.
The only saving grace is that it hasn’t been caught in any data logging, sharing, or government cooperation scandals.
If you’re willing to look past that, you’ll also enjoy the ten simultaneous device connections here. That ties in with PureVPN, only behind Surfshark, and slaps an affordable price tag on top.
Luckily, I have these PrivateVPN discounts to save more on your chosen plan.
Pros
- US servers in 11 cities, including New Jersey
- 200+ servers in 63 countries
- Zero data logging policy
- Supports torrent download and seeding
- Free dedicated IP address
- 10 simultaneous device connections
Cons
- Located in Sweden, a 14 Eyes member country
- Unaudited VPN service
How to Setup a VPN for the USA?
Setting up a VPN for the USA is as easy as enabling the VPN kill switch, choosing the correct VPN protocol, and connecting to suitable servers.
These processes can require some steps. Fortunately, my chosen VPNs are easy to use with stepwise setup guides like the one below:
- Choose a preferred USA VPN. I recommend NordVPN.
- Pay for your subscription and download the VPN app.
- Login with your account credentials.
- Enable the VPN kill switch. Go to Settings > Kill Switch > Internet Kill Switch (toggle on).
- Choose the correct protocol. I recommend NordLynx.
- On the VPN home, search for a preferred server location. I’ll use the USA for this example.
- Click the general US server location to automatically get the nearest and fastest server.
- Wait for the VPN connection confirmation. Then, test for leaks (go to www.ipleak.net).
- Start unblocking content and surfing the free internet over an encrypted connection.
Can I Use a Free VPN in the USA?
You can’t use free VPNs in the USA as they lack robust enough technology to stay anonymous from big data companies, the government, and your ISPs.
Thus, free VPNs still expose you to data privacy risks, compromise your online security, and harvest your data for themselves.
Alternatively, it’s best to choose a reliable yet affordable provider like NordVPN. Considering its no-logs policy, fast servers, and reliable encryption, it doesn’t compromise your security nor puts a dent in your pocket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are VPNs Legal in the USA?
VPNs are legal in the USA, and you can use them freely without fear of getting arrested, searched, or charged with a crime. However, always choose VPN software with a reliable no-logs policy that isn’t within the US jurisdiction.
Otherwise, the US government may collect your data from the VPN provider to deanonymize and charge you based on your online activity.
Will VPNs Work With US ISPs?
VPNs will work with internet service providers like Verizon, AT&T, Comcast, HughesNet, and others in the USA.
Some US ISPs may block VPN traffic on their services sometimes.
In that case, enable obfuscation (usually possible via OpenVPN protocols) on reliable VPNs like NordVPN to bypass the firewall.
Which VPN Services Have All USA States?
There are no VPN services that have servers in all 50 USA states.
However, some of the best VPNs for the USA like Surfshark have servers in 25 US cities across different states. You can also get states like New Jersey on PureVPN and PrivateVPN providers.
What’s the Best VPN for a USA Server?
NordVPN is the best VPN to get a US server and IP address.
The VPN provider offers 1970+ servers across 15 US cities, ensuring several options for reliable connection, low congestion, and better connection speeds.
However, it lacks a New Jersey US server which you can get from PureVPN and PrivateVPN.
Can the USA Read My VPN Data Over US Servers?
The US government, big tech companies, or other authorities can’t read or access your user data over US remote VPN servers. However, you need to have connected via a trustworthy, no-logs VPN provider like NordVPN.
This provider uses military-grade AES 256-bit encryption to ensure your live internet traffic can’t be decoded or fall into anyone’s hands.
And There You Go!
Never let anyone tell you that you can’t safely download torrents in the USA, escape your ISP’s notorious throttling habits, or unblock content available in other regions.
Even if online gambling isn’t legal in your state, these US VPNs will get you access to your best odds and bookmakers in no time.
I recommend NordVPN for its massive spread of US servers, reliable encryption, ultra-fast speeds, and robust security practices.
Don’t forget to enjoy these NordVPN discounts while they last.
