Best VPNs for Spectrum

Are you worried that Spectrum is throttling your bandwidth? You’re not alone. Although the FCC is trying to rekindle net neutrality rules that prevent Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from slowing down their customers’ connection speeds when accessing particular content, change is slow and heavily resisted. In the meantime, a VPN for Spectrum can help users by masking the online content being accessed, thus preventing the ISP from discriminating against it.

Users can connect to a server anywhere the VPN provider is present. The chosen server acts as an intermediary between the user’s device and the internet, making it look like the user is connecting from the server’s location. This makes it possible to change virtual locations by switching between servers.

We’ve summarized the best VPNs for Spectrum below. More detailed information on each provider is available later in the article.

Best VPNs for spectrum:

1. NordVPN: Our top VPN for Spectrum. Fast connection speeds and works well with all major streaming platforms. Strong on privacy and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Best budget option for Spectrum. Extremely fast and allows unlimited device connections. Works well in restrictive countries and is a great choice for streaming.
3. ExpressVPN: Consistently fast service with excellent security credentials. Has its own connection protocol and Onion site on the Tor network. Works with most streaming platforms.
4. CyberGhost: Great value long-term subscription plans and an audited no-logs policy. Has a vast network of RAM-only servers, many of which are labeled for specific streaming providers.
5. IPVanish: Allows unlimited device connections and owns and operates its own server network. Very fast speeds, user-friendly apps and an audited no-logs policy.
6. PrivateVPN: Able to access popular streaming platforms and has an effective stealth mode. Provides robust security and privacy. Helpful customer support and decent speeds.

Criteria for choosing the best Spectrum VPNs

If you’re new to VPNs, the sheer amount of choice can be overwhelming. To help narrow the search, it’s prudent to focus on a few key areas. We do this as part of our own testing methodology. The criteria we used are listed below, and expanded upon later in the article.

• Fast speeds
• Large server network
• Robust security and privacy
• Good for streaming
• Reasonable pricing

Best VPNs for Spectrum

Here are our top picks for the best VPN for Spectrum customers:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2024

NordVPN has 6,200+ servers in its network and a presence in 111+ countries. More pertinently, it has servers in 15+ US cities, which makes it easy for Spectrum customers to find a nearby server to connect to.

The provider uses strong 256-bit encryption and has its own proprietary connection protocol. NordLynx provides speeds fast enough for streaming 4K video, gaming, and torrenting. Other features include a Dark Web monitoring service, a kill switch, split tunneling, and access to static IP addresses and MultiHop servers.

NordVPN is a great option for streaming and is able to access multiple content libraries from popular platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. It’s a good option for torrenting too, with plenty of P2P-optimized servers and no download limits.

For additional privacy, users can access the Tor network in a single click, or use obfuscated servers to get connected in restrictive countries such as China. NordVPN – which is incorporated in privacy-friendly Panama – has a no-logs policy that’s been audited multiple times.

Apps are well-designed and easy to use. They’re available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. The Linux app is command-line only, but this won’t be a problem for seasoned Linux users.

BEST SPECTRUM VPN:NordVPN is packed with security and privacy features. It’s fast and able to access all of the most popular streaming platforms. You can try it risk-free thanks to a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our detailed NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is an extremely capable provider with competitively priced long-term subscriptions. It allows unlimited device connections and was the fastest of the VPNs we recently tested.

There are plenty of high-speed connections available for Spectrum customers in North America, with more than 600 US servers spread across 25+ cities. The provider has servers in 100+ countries overall.

Apps – which all come with a full GUI – are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux and Firestick. Subscribers can use as many of them as they like simultaneously. Surfshark software comes with a built-in kill switch, leak protection, split tunneling, and a CleanWeb feature that blocks ads, trackers and malware.

A No Borders mode allows users to bypass online censorship, and a Rotating IP feature increases security by periodically rotating users’ IP addresses in-session. MultiHop servers are available, as are static IP addresses.

Surfshark is a solid option for streaming and works well with platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+. Torrenters will appreciate the unlimited bandwidth allowance.

The provider uses 256-bit encryption and allows users to hide their presence on Local Area Networks (LANs).

GREAT VALUE:Surfshark has hundreds of US servers, market-leading connections speeds, and keenly priced subscriptions. It’s able to access a range of streaming platforms and allows unlimited device connections. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our detailed Surfshark review.

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3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is an experienced provider with a good reputation for security and privacy. It’s fast and there are plenty of US server options for Spectrum customers. Servers are also available in 104+ other countries.

The company has its own connection protocol and its own router firmware. This makes it easy to protect every device on your home network without needing to install multiple apps. ExpressVPN works well with all major streaming platforms and has a Smart DNS service that can help VPN-incompatible devices like games consoles and smart TVs access US content libraries.

Apps are available for Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux, Android TV, Apple TV, and Firestick. These come with a kill switch, split tunneling, and obfuscation enabled by default.

ExpressVPN has an independently verified no-logs policy, and has undergone multiple audits of both its software and hardware. Its servers are RAM-only and have their operating systems reinstalled on a weekly basis.

TRUSTED SERVERS:ExpressVPN has much to offer Spectrum customers, including fast servers in 17+ US locations, excellent streaming capabilities, obfuscation enabled by default, and an app specifically for routers. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our detailed ExpressVPN review.

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4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is known for its vast server network, which includes more than 2,100 servers in the US alone. This, coupled with impressively fast connection speeds, makes it a good choice for Spectrum customers.

It uses robust 256-bit encryption to protect user traffic and has an independently audited no-logs policy. Any third-party requests for customer information are detailed in quarterly transparency reports.

CyberGhost’s servers, which are all RAM-only, are labeled with the streaming providers they work best with – thus removing the need for a trial-and-error approach to finding a working connection. The provider also has dedicated torrenting servers available.

Apps are pleasingly simple to use and available for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV. Features include automatic wi-fi protection; a kill switch that stops the flow of internet traffic if the VPN connection drops out; and DNS leak protection. CyberGhost’s split tunneling feature enables users to choose which websites are excluded from the VPN tunnel.

FAST AND SECURE:CyberGhost has hundreds of US servers, excellent connection speeds, and easy access to popular streaming platforms. Subscriptions cost as little as $2 a month and come with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our detailed CyberGhost review.

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5. IPVanish

IPVanish is a notably fast provider, with servers available in 20 US cities. It’s a good option for Spectrum customers who want to maximize their chances of a speedy connection.

The provider works with several Netflix libraries, as well as Disney+, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. It allows torrenting on all of its servers and there’s no cap on bandwidth or data. Security is tight, helped in part by the company owning and operating its own server network.

IPVanish has an independently audited no-logs policy and uses 256-bit encryption to protect customer traffic. It uses the WireGuard connection protocol by default, though L2TP/IPSec and OpenVPN are also available. Other features include a built-in kill switch; split tunneling; and an ad, tracker and malware blocker.

Its apps are straightforward to use and available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Apple TV and Fire TV. Once downloaded and installed, users can connect as many as they like simultaneously.

IPVanish is compatible with some routers and provides step-by-step instructions for configuring connections on its website.

NO LOGS:IPVanish is a US-based provider with an independently audited no-logs policy and its own server network. It uses strong encryption and comes with a built-in ad blocker. You can try it risk-free thanks to a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is as privacy-focused as its name suggests, and keeps the details of user’s online activities safe from companies like Spectrum. It owns and hosts its server network and acts as its own ISP.

The company adheres to a strict no-logs policy and has a knowledgeable and helpful customer service team who can provide remote desktop help through the TeamViewer system. Other features include a Stealth mode that works for connections in China, port forwarding, a kill switch, and built-in leak protection.

PrivateVPN has a relatively small server network but is nevertheless able to access major streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. Servers are available in the US and 62+ other countries.

Apps are highly customizable and available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Amazon Fire TV. PrivateVPN provides instructions on its website for configuring connections on Linux and compatible routers.

Subscriptions start at just $2 a month and allow users to pay in cryptocurrency for additional privacy.

PORT FORWARDING:PrivateVPN has full control over its server network and is a solid option for Spectrum customers interested in streaming and torrenting. Subscriptions are reasonably priced and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our detailed PrivateVPN review.

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Methodology for choosing the best VPNs for Spectrum

To evaluate all the different VPN providers we come across, we use our own rigorous VPN testing methodology. Part of this involves objectively comparing VPNs against the list of criteria we mentioned earlier. Let’s now have a look at this list in more detail:

• Fast speeds: If you’re frustrated with the speeds you’re getting from Spectrum, the last thing you want is a VPN that bogs them down even more. To ensure we only recommend the faster VPNs, we conduct regular speed tests and reject any providers that are unsuitable for gaming, streaming, or torrenting.
• Large server network: Spectrum customers should connect to a VPN server in the US for the fastest speeds. As such, we look for providers with a substantial US presence. Ideally, they should also have a substantial global presence. This ensures that a range of virtual locations are available and that lightly loaded servers are easy to find.
• Robust security and privacy: To effectively protect your connection from third parties like Spectrum – or even hackers – your VPN needs to have a kill switch, 256-bit encryption, leak protection, and a zero-logs policy. Ideally, it will provide additional features such as split tunneling, obfuscation, MultiHop servers, and port forwarding.
• Good for streaming: The ability to change your virtual location using a VPN makes them the ideal tool for accessing geo-restricted content. However, streaming platforms have long been wise to this and routinely block IP address ranges suspected of belonging to VPN servers. The result is that very few VPN providers now work with the big-name streaming platforms. To keep abreast of changes, we regularly test which providers work with platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.
• Reasonable pricing: Not everyone can afford the more expensive VPNs, which is why we try to find good quality services at a range of price points. If you’re on a budget, you can subscribe to some of our recommended providers for as little as $2 a month.

Why does Spectrum throttle bandwidth?

Although site-based discrimination is possible, ISPs like Spectrum have other legitimate reasons for throttling bandwidth.

Spectrum’s focus is on keeping its network usable for the greatest number of subscribers. This means that, when Spectrum’s network is particularly busy, it will “employ reasonable network management techniques” to “allocate bandwidth across all of its users”.

Specifically, it will “temporarily lower the priority of traffic with the greatest impact on peak congestion”. Gaming, torrenting, and streaming are most likely to be affected.

The ISP may also reduce available bandwidth for users who’ve exceeded a specific amount of data in a set period of time – say a month. This soft cap can apply to so-called unlimited plans.

All this might seem unfair given Spectrum’s marketing materials tell users they can, for example, “get 1Gbps” or experience “better gaming… with ultra-fast download speeds”. However, look carefully and you’ll find get-out clauses in the company’s user agreement that absolve it of responsibility for providing either fast or consistent speeds.

Spectrum says that it “does not guarantee that any particular amount of bandwidth on the Spectrum network or that any speed or throughput of Subscriber’s connection to the Spectrum network will be available to Subscriber”.

So, is there anything you can do?

It depends on why Spectrum is throttling your connection. A VPN won’t help disguise how much traffic is flowing to and from your device. If that’s a lot, and occurs during a busy time, your bandwidth could still be throttled.

However, some users believe that they are being throttled when using specific sites or services. In this case, a VPN can help. A VPN uses strong encryption to prevent any third parties from seeing what users do online.

All of our recommended VPN providers have at least a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can take advantage of to find out whether a VPN will improve your speeds.

Testing your connection

To check whether your connection is being throttled based on the sites you visit, do the following:

1. Sign up to a VPN subscription (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download the relevant app(s) for your device(s).
3. Open the app and connect to the nearest server.
4. Go to the site where you’ve previously experienced a sluggish connection.
5. Spend a few minutes using it as you normally would.
6. Disconnect from the VPN server.
7. Spend another few minutes on the site just mentioned and note any speed differences. If it feels noticeably slower, then your connection is being throttled.

Even if Spectrum isn’t throttling your bandwidth, you may still wish to use a VPN to prevent the company tracking your browsing history and selling the data to third parties.

Can I use a free VPN for Spectrum?

You can try, but it’s likely to be a frustrating experience. Free VPNs tend to have small server networks that are easily overwhelmed with users. This results in poor connection speeds as the providers are forced to throttle connections. This is far from ideal if you’re already experiencing slow speeds with Spectrum. Perhaps more importantly, free VPNs are unable to provide the privacy and security features you get with subscription-based providers. In many cases, your connection becomes less secure and less private while using a free VPN.

FAQs: Best VPNs for Spectrum