The Best VPNs for Digital Nomads 

Given the nature of online life, digital nomads are able to hand in work from anywhere. A VPN will allow you to spoof your location, so you can appear to be back at home, or in another country entirely. Not only that, but a VPN can keep digital nomads safe from the threats of public wifi.

Anyone who spends a lot of time abroad will benefit from the use of a quality VPN. It’s ideal if you need to access region-locked financial services like online banking or credit cards. It will also unblock banned communication apps and streaming platforms. This includes the likes of Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, along with any sites subject to blocks by the local government. For example, China has banned Google, YouTube, Facebook, Wikipedia, and many other sites and services.

We’ll look at each of the providers in-depth, but we’ve also included a roundup of the best VPNs for digital nomads below.

Here’s a quick summary with some of the best VPNs for digital nomads: 

1. NordVPN: Our top pick for digital nomads. Capable provider with superb streaming functionality, strong security, and numerous high-speed servers. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Digital Nomads .
2. Surfshark: Our top budget VPN for digital nomads. Unlimited simultaneous devices, great for streaming, numerous deals at any given time.
3. ExpressVPN: Vast network of fast servers in 90+ countries, great for unblocking services consistently.
4. CyberGhost: Great for beginners, speedy servers, user-friendly apps. Ideal for busy digital nomads.
5. IPVanish: Popular Kodi solution, IPVanish owns and operates its network of servers.
6. PrivateVPN: Servers in 60+ countries, great for streaming, offers Stealth Mode for regions like China for nomads in Asia.

The best VPNs for digital nomads

We’ve picked out the best VPNs for digital nomads according to the following criteria:

• Has a global server network
• Can access region-locked content, or may offer ways to evade government restrictions
• Offers high speeds and reliable connections
• Has apps for all major platforms including Windows, Mac, Android and iOS
• Secures your web traffic, and keeps no logs of user data

Here’s a list of the best VPNs for digital nomads:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2024

NordVPN is our top recommendation for digital nomads. One of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, it offers consistently stable connections in a range of different locations worldwide. (It’s dependable, even if local internet speeds aren’t the greatest.) NordVPN is also able to evade government restrictions, and it’s our top pick for accessing websites that are blocked in China.

It can be used to connect to a large collection of streaming services, including US Netflix, HBO, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, ESPN, and more. A range of top of the line security features include double VPN, and Tor over VPN. It’s further complemented by an automatic kill switch and built-in ad blocker, which is available across all apps. NordVPN stores no user data, and comes with 256-bit encryption and DNS leak protection.

You’ll be able to use one account with up to six devices simultaneously. With 5,500+ high-speed servers in 59 countries, it’s ideal for anyone traveling the world. It also comes with dedicated IP addresses in the US (four cities), the UK, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.

BEST VPN SERVICE FOR DIGITAL NOMADS:NordVPN is a superior service in many respects, with strong security and privacy features coupled with thousands of high-speed servers to choose from across the globe. It comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our review of NordVPN.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a budget-friendly provider with a collection of 3200+ servers in 65 countries. It keeps no logs and benefits from security features such as an automatic kill switch, AES-256 encryption, ad-blocking, malware scanning, and protection against leaks. It’s another great choice for accessing regions like China, which can often be difficult to connect to with a VPN.

Especially performant given the price tag, it averaged over 320 Mbps during speed tests, and it allows for unlimited simultaneous connections. This means that you’ll be able to use Surfshark with all of your device without lag or buffering. You’ll find apps for Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, and MacOS, along with browser support for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

It can even be used to access platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Disney+, so you’ll never have to worry about region-locked apps. Surfshark also allows you to get a static IP address from five countries (Germany, the US, the UK, Japan, and Singapore) at no added cost.

BEST BUDGET VPN FOR DIGITAL NOMADS:Surfshark is affordable, offers strong security, and accesses lots of blocked sites and services. Protects unlimited devices, and has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a little pricier than the others to make this list, but it’s unrivaled by most of the competition if you need to unblock sites and services consistently. It benefits from a vast selection of servers to choose from (3,000 VPN servers across 94 different countries), as well as ultra-fast connection speeds. It can also access countries where VPNs are typically blocked, such as China, Indonesia, and Iran.

The provider uses industry-standard 256-bit AES encryption, and has apps available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Fire TV, and compatible routers. There’s an in-built kill switch, DNS leak protection, and split tunneling, so you can choose which apps are connected with the VPN.

It has 24/7 chat support, and it allows for five devices to be connected simultaneously. It doesn’t log any personally identifiable information, and you’ll be able to pay anonymously via Bitcoin.

SUPERB STREAMING PROVIDER:ExpressVPN can do almost anything, with impressive speeds, solid security, and lots of additional features. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our review of ExpressVPN.

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has a massive network of high-speed servers that can be used to connect to local services from anywhere in the world. A total of 8800+ servers in over 90 countries is going to be tough to beat. (However, that doesn’t include China or the UAE.) Another great pick for digital nomads, the service is registered in Romania, benefiting from strict local data laws.

It’s ideal for streaming, with servers labeled for specific platforms within the app. For example, it has options for US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more. You’ll find CyberGhost apps for Android, iOS, Windows, Linux and MacOS, and you can use up to seven devices simultaneously.

Security features include 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, an internet kill switch, and leak protection. It doesn’t store any identifying logs about its users. CyberGhost’s average download speed was 548 Mbps across all locations and times, so there’s little chance of lag or slowdown.

GREAT BEGINNER VPN:CyberGhost is great for new users, with thousands of servers to choose from in over 90 countries. Great for streaming, superb connections speeds, generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full user review of CyberGhost.

5. IPVanish

IPVanish is also a great choice if you need a VPN for your travels as a digital nomad. You’ll find 2,000 servers to choose from across 75 locations. As the service owns and operates these servers, it’s consistently one of the faster providers, and it boasts high security. (Other VPNs may rent their servers from third parties.)

It’s our top pick for Kodi users, and it will unblock streaming platforms like US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and ITV Hub. However, it struggled with Amazon Prime Video. As for security, it offers 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. It’s not able to unblock websites or apps censored by the Great Firewall in China.

IPVanish comes with apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS, and allows for 10 simultaneous device connections.

QUICK, SECURE VPN:IPVanish is a secure option with thousands of servers to connect you on your travels. 10 simultaneous connections, and will unblock various services. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN works in numerous authoritarian countries, including China. This is thanks to a special feature called “Stealth mode” which can be enabled in the settings. It consistently unblocks streaming platforms, and can be used to access various versions of Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, and more. In fact, it’s one of our top recommendations for streaming overall.

It uses 256-bit encryption and stores no logs about a users’ online activity. Additional security and privacy features include IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection, as well as a strict no-logs policy and a kill switch.

You’ll find PrivateVPN apps for iOS, Android, MacOS, and Windows, and it can be used with six simultaneous devices.

PERFECT STREAMING VPN:PrivateVPN will easily handle your entertainment needs and gives access to over 60 countries. Secure connections, six simultaneous devices, and it offers a simple 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our review of PrivateVPN.

How to set-up a VPN for digital nomads

It’s not especially difficult to get started with a VPN service, despite the numerous convoluted technical terms. We’ve put together a quick step-by-step guide to take you through the process.

Here’s how to set up a VPN for digital nomads:

1. Select a VPN service if you haven’t done so already. (We’d recommend NordVPN for digital nomads.)
2. Sign up with the VPN, and download the relevant app for your device. (NordVPN has apps for iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows.)
3. Install the app, and login when prompted to do so.
4. Select a server to connect to. You can choose a physical location which is nearer for faster speeds, or you can connect to a location like the US or the UK.)
5. Turn the kill switch on in case the connection cuts out unexpectedly.
6. You should now be assigned with a new IP address that matches the location you’ve selected. It can be used to access blocked sites and services from anywhere.

Methodology: How we found the best VPNs for digital nomads

A VPN for digital nomads needs lots of high-speed servers located in numerous countries, along with the ability to access region-locked services consistently. Strong security is a must, and it has to be easy to use.

Here is the criteria we used for when creating our list of the best VPNs for digital nomads:

• Servers worldwide: To make the list, the VPN needs to have a wide network of servers located worldwide. There should always be a local option to connect to, no matter where you go on your travels.
• Unblocking: If you’re trying to access a service like Netflix that is region-locked, a VPN with good unblocking abilities is crucial. We tested the VPNs above against a wide range of platforms including HBO Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video.
• Privacy: The VPN should provide privacy tools, as well as a strict no-logs policy. This ensures that your online activities can’t be revealed under any circumstances. Ideally, the provider should also offer an anonymous payment method.
• Speeds: Many countries have slower internet speeds, especially in rural locations. You’ll need a fast VPN to extract every last bit of performance. The best VPNs for digital nomads all recorded fast speeds during testing.
• Security: All of the providers must have a minimum of 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. We’ve also looked at VPNs with anti-surveillance protocols or cloaking features, so you’ll be able to access the service from anywhere in the world.
• Ease of use: The VPNs need to have apps for the most popular operating systems. The apps should be user-friendly, and may come with 24/7 customer support, or a lack of connection limits.
• Value for money: Each of the providers listed above offer deals that come with a significant discount for longer subscriptions. The VPNs  we recommend all offer a risk-free money-back guarantee.

Best VPNs for digital nomads: FAQ