Best VPNs for remote workers and freelancers

While working remotely can be relatively straightforward, it does come with risks, including those related to online security and privacy. Thankfully, plenty of great tools are at your disposal — the most important one being a Virtual Private Network (VPN). This will encrypt all potentially sensitive traffic going to and from your device, keeping it safe from prying eyes. As a bonus, a VPN routes your traffic through an intermediary server. This means you can use it to spoof your location and access region-locked or censored content.

In this article, we’ll list the best VPNs for freelancers, explain how to use them, and answer some common VPN questions. In case you’re short on time, we’ll start with a quick summary. Scroll down for more detailed reviews.

Best VPNs for remote workers and freelancers:

1. NordVPN Our first choice for remote workers. This provider packs a suite of security extras and has a huge server network. It comes with a no-fuss 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for remote work.
2. Surfshark Best budget option for remote workers. This provider allows you to customize security, has plenty of server locations, and allows you to connect all your devices at once.
3. IPVanish If you’re looking for speed, privacy, and reliability while working remotely, this could be another great pick. Allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
4. ExpressVPN Boasts excellent speeds and is extremely reliable. A large number of global server locations to choose from, and automatic obfuscation.
5. CyberGhost This VPN offers strong security features, great speeds, and a huge network of over 10,000 global servers.
6. ProtonVPN A zero-logs provider boasting high speeds and a comprehensive set of security features. Works with most region-locked sites and includes 24/7 support.
7. PureVPN Offers everything you’ll need to work securely. Fast servers and the ability to bypass almost any online restriction. No-logs policy and an expansive network.
8. PrivateVPN Known for its strong privacy features, PrivateVPN is a small but powerful VPN. Great for accessing geo-restricted services.

Best VPNs for remote workers: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN — our #1 choice for remote workers.

How we found the top VPNs for remote workers

A simple web search for VPNs will deliver a ton of results. However, they come in a broad range in terms of quality, performing differently in areas such as speed, security, customer service, and more. To ensure we covered all bases, we carried out comprehensive testing in the following areas:

• Speed: There’s nothing more frustrating when you’re trying to work from home than a slow connection. To help ensure that you avoid the most sluggish providers, we carried out multiple speed tests while connected to their US servers.
• Features: We looked for VPNs with extensive server coverage across many countries. This helps you avoid congestion and means there’s always a server nearby for the fastest speeds. We also looked for providers with split tunneling, in case you want to use any apps or websites outside of the VPN tunnel.
• Security and privacy: Keeping your data safe is vital while working from home. As such, we’ve only recommended VPNs that scored highly against our 16 security and privacy criteria.
• Ease of use: If you’re working remotely, the last thing you want is to spend time learning how to use new software. We found the easiest-to-use services by evaluating providers against 10 metrics.
• Streaming: To ensure you can access any geo-restricted services you might need for work, we evaluated each provider’s overall streaming ability using nine different metrics.

We talk more about how we test and rank our recommended VPNs in our methodology section below, but for now, let’s take a closer look at the ones that made the list.

Best VPNs for freelancers and remote workers

Here is our list of the best VPNs for remote workers:

1. NordVPN

Jun 2025

NordVPN is our top pick for remote workers and freelancers. It has been a mainstay in the industry for many years and continues to provide solid performance across its large network of servers. It currently operates around 7,700 servers in 118+ countries.

It has a wide selection of obfuscated servers that can help you avoid web filtering techniques, such as deep packet inspection. It also has a dedicated obfuscation protocol that enables it to work in China and other countries where VPNs are normally blocked. Plus, it’s an excellent choice for streaming and works with Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.

NordVPN outperformed all of the other VPNs in our tests for this article. Its overall average download speed of 199.33 Mbps was more than 62 Mbps faster than the combined average speed of the other tested providers, plus there was less than 4 Mbps of variance across the day.

NordVPN has one of the largest selections of security options out there. Features include strong encryption, perfect forward secrecy, a kill switch in all apps, protection against leaks, and automatic Wi-Fi protection. NordVPN has a policy of keeping no logs whatsoever.

You can use the VPN on up to 10 devices under one subscription. Apps are provided for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. There’s support for some home routers, too.

BEST VPN FOR REMOTE WORKERS:NordVPN is our first choice. Highly secure, with impressive speeds, user-friendly apps, and 24/7 live chat. Packages come with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is the best budget option. It has around 3,200 servers in over 100+ countries and can securely access just about every streaming service we’ve tested, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.

It’s fast, too. In our tests for this article, it achieved an average download speed of 188.87 Mbps. This is more than fast enough for anything you’ll need to do for work, including video calling and sending large files. 

This provider keeps adding to its security suite with existing features, including 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, automatic Wi-Fi protection, split tunneling, a kill switch in all apps, and leak protection. Surfshark never logs user data. It also has tools that let you create alternative online personas and swap IP addresses at regular intervals. Customer help is available 24/7 over email and live chat.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, and Surfshark can be manually configured on some home routers. A huge plus is that you can connect an unlimited number of devices at any given time.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is our low-cost pick. Speedy, secure, and great at accessing your favorite content. Plus, you can use it on all devices. Packages include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Learn more from our in-depth review of Surfshark.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish is another great choice for freelancers or others working from home, as it offers fast speeds and reliable connections. It has more than 2,400 servers in over 140 locations, and lets you choose between individual servers based on their ping time and relative load.

IPVanish is especially useful for Kodi users as its Android APK can be downloaded directly to your device and is remote control-friendly. It works with a wide range of streaming platforms, including Netflix US and UK, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and Hulu.

While connected to IPVanish’s US servers, we recorded speeds of between 165.41 Mbps and 178.1 Mbps. These are excellent results and mean it’s possible for several people in your household to be streaming in 4K while you carry on a video call at the same time.

This provider has always hung its hat on offering private and secure service. It has a strict no-logs policy and encrypts your connection with 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, leak protection, and a kill switch in the desktop apps. Obfuscation is available, but it doesn’t currently work in China.

Desktop clients are available for Windows and macOS, and mobile apps can be installed on iOS and Android devices. The VPN is compatible with select home routers. You can connect any number of devices at a time under one plan. IPVanish offers 24/7 live chat customer support, and has a great value advanced tier which comes bundled with unlimited VPN, access to a secure browser, and 1 TB of cloud-based storage.

NO-LOGS VPN:IPVanish is highly secure and has strict no-logs policy. Allows unlimited device connections. Annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Discover more from our full review of IPVanish.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN offers consistently fast speeds and reliable connections, so you don’t have to worry about choppy conference calls or failed uploads. In our tests, it averaged a solid 127.96 Mbps.

This provider has an extensive network of more than 3,000 servers in 105 countries, so you can usually find a location that’s close by. Its automatic obfuscation means you can connect from anywhere — even restrictive countries like China and the UAE.

If you do get some downtime while working from home, ExpressVPN has you covered on the entertainment front. It can securely access Netflix, as well as Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.

Security is a strong focus of ExpressVPN, and you can expect military-grade encryption with perfect forward secrecy, protection against leaks, split tunneling, and a kill switch. The provider doesn’t keep logs of any user-identifying data, and offers prompt and knowledgeable support via 24/7 live chat.

Need a VPN on multiple devices? ExpressVPN allows up to eight connections at a time and has apps for Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. If you’d prefer to set up the VPN on your home router, you’re in luck, as ExpressVPN has an easy-to-use custom firmware that works with select routers.

FAST AND SECURE:ExpressVPN is an ideal choice for freelancers. It’s fast, very reliable, and has servers in 105+ countries. It even comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our in-depth review of ExpressVPN.

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a particularly user-friendly VPN that will get you connected with the minimum of fuss. It operates a huge network comprising more than 10,000 servers spanning 100+ countries.

In our speed tests for this article, it achieved an overall download speed of 142.81 Mbps. This is fast enough to download the largest project files without breaking a sweat.

If you’re looking to stream, you’re in luck: CyberGhost works with a ton of services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.

You’re covered on the privacy front as CyberGhost keeps no logs, deploys leak protection, and includes a kill switch in all of its apps. Additional security features include 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, split tunneling, and automatic Wi-Fi protection on unfamiliar networks.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. You can connect up to seven devices simultaneously. Some home routers can be manually configured with the VPN. Customer support is available around the clock.

GREAT FOR NOVICES:CyberGhost offers a large network, solid speeds, and strong security. Plans include 24/7 support and a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

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6. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a freemium service with plenty to offer. However, if you’re planning on using it for work, we’d suggest upgrading to a paid plan. This removes the speed cap, lets you choose from 12,000+ servers in 117+ countries, and provides access to 24/7 customer support.

Not only that, but you’ll be able to access popular streaming sites like Peacock or BBC iPlayer, just in case you need to take a break. Paid users can secure up to 10 devices at a time.

Speeds are both consistent and fast. In our tests, ProtonVPN’s slowest and fastest results differed by just 6.3 Mbps. Its overall average download speed was 136.36 Mbps, which is comfortably fast enough for streaming 4K video on five devices at the same time.

Let’s talk about security. ProtonVPN uses effectively uncrackable encryption, blocks DNS and IPv6 leaks, and has a kill switch designed to keep you safe after brief outages. This provider has been audited, proving that it doesn’t keep logs of your activities. Its Secure Core servers send your traffic through multiple locations and are kept in high-security data centers so third parties can’t access them. Split tunneling and port forwarding are supported too!

ProtonVPN offers apps for Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It can also be installed on most routers, although you’ll have to follow manual setup instructions.

CUSTOMIZED SECURITY:ProtonVPN gives you the freedom to tailor your security setup to your needs. Better still, it’s fast, reliable, and can reliably access a ton of geo-blocked sites. Limited free plan available, with a 30-day guarantee on every paid subscription.

Interested? Check out our complete ProtonVPN review.

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7. PureVPN

PureVPN is a strong choice for any freelancer or remote worker. It has 6,000+ servers spread across 65 countries, so no matter where you are, you’ll be able to find one nearby.

In our speed tests for this article, it averaged a respectable 137.29 Mbps overall. This is quick enough for any day-to-day task, including video-calling, streaming, or torrenting.

Better still, users can secure 10 devices simultaneously or speak directly to support staff in the event of any issues.

This service makes staying safe nice and simple since most of its security tools are enabled by default. These include unbreakable encryption, IPv6 and DNS leak protection, and a kill switch.

There’s also a no-logs policy that’s been independently verified on four separate occasions. Users can allow certain sites to bypass the VPN entirely, and you’ll be able to block trackers, too. We’d prefer if it were possible to pay anonymously, but all things considered, this is a fairly small complaint.

PureVPN has its own iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, and macOS apps. Further, it works with a huge range of routers. There are detailed setup guides available in the website’s help section.

SECURE AND VERSATILE:PureVPN is perfect for remote workers thanks to its impressive performance, powerful privacy features, and low price point. Works in places like China and the UAE. Not only that, every subscription comes with a 31-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of PureVPN for more info.

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8. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is often overlooked due to its small network size (it has just over 200 servers in 63 countries). However, it consistently delivers in several all other areas, including security, streaming, and privacy.

It can bypass the country-wide censorship used in places like China and the UAE thanks to an effective stealth mode. It also works great with stubborn streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.

PrivateVPN won’t record any of your traffic or connection data and employs 256-bit encryption. This is in conjunction with perfect forward secrecy, a kill switch, and protection against leaks.

The provider’s speeds averaged out at 53.68 Mbps in our tests. While slower than the other VPNs in this list, this is still fast enough for interruption-free video calling and streaming (provided that you have a relatively quick base connection speed).

If you’re in need of a few extra Mbps, PrivateVPN is one of the few providers that allows you to adjust the level of encryption used on your traffic.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. The VPN is compatible with select home routers. PrivateVPN imposes a 10-device limit. You can contact customer support via live chat, although it’s unavailable for several hours per day.

LOW-COST SUBSCRIPTIONS:PrivateVPN might be smaller than competitors, but it’s secure and versatile, with a stealth mode that works in China. Subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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How do I set up a VPN for remote working?

If you’re new to VPNs, they can sound a bit intimidating. However, they really are very simple to set up. Below are the basic steps.

Here’s how to set up a VPN for remote workers:

1. Select a suitable provider and pay for your chosen subscription period. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Download the native app for your device. Desktop apps can be found on the provider website, and mobile apps in their respective app stores.
3. Launch the app and log in using your new username and password.
4. Select a server in a location of your choice. Choose a geographically close server for the fastest speeds, or select one in the appropriate country for unblocking content.

That’s it. You’re now protected and can browse, download, and stream with peace of mind. Note that if you run into any issues, all of the above providers have troubleshooting advice on their websites, or you can contact a support representative.

Our Methodology: How we chose the best VPNs for freelancers

Not every VPN is suitable for business use. Some are too slow, while others are incapable of accessing the tools you need or lack the tools required to do so safely. To ensure we only recommend the best VPNs for freelancers and remote workers, we tested each provider in the following key areas:

Speed

Slow connections cause frustration, whether it’s by reducing your efficiency or preventing you from participating in meetings. We tested the speed of each provider multiple times over the course of a day while connected to their US servers.

We used the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app for measurements, and rate-limited our base connection speed to 250 Mbps (which is slightly slower than the average user’s download speed in the US).

Each provider’s results were averaged and then converted to a score out of 10 relative to the others. This makes a direct comparison much easier — as the chart below demonstrates.

NordVPN was the fastest provider overall, though Surfshark was a close second. Although all VPNs have some negative impact on your connection speed, you’re unlikely to notice it with either NordVPN or Surfshark. Either provider is a solid choice if you need consistently fast connections throughout your working day.

Features

Generally, the closer your chosen server is, the more reliable your connection will be. That’s why we’ve prioritized VPNs with servers all over the world: no matter where you are, there should be one that’s relatively close by. To help you avoid congestion, we also sought out providers with large server counts. Finally, we looked for VPNs that offered split tunneling, as this allows you to use non-work apps and websites outside of the VPN tunnel.

We weighted and then combined each of the above scores to generate an overall score out of 10 for each provider. This makes a quick comparison possible.

ProtonVPN scored a near-perfect 9.8 out of 10. It has a vast server network that seems to grow by the day. CyberGhost and NordVPN are great alternatives. Note that all three come with split tunneling.

Security and privacy

You’ll need a secure connection to work remotely. As such, we’ve only recommended VPNs with 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against IPv6 and DNS leaks, as well as a no-logs policy. This is just a baseline — as shown in the table below, many providers include additional tools, including custom protocols and stealth modes.

If you’d prefer a general overview of each provider’s relative abilities, the chart below contains the combined scores for the above metrics.

NordVPN and Surfshark each scored 9.5, and offers remote workers excellent online protection. Both VPNs use strong encryption and RAM-only servers by default. Furthermore, they have effective obfuscation and undergo regular independent audits to check their software and infrastructure. ProtonVPN also achieved an impressive score, though it’s worth mentioning that — unlike NordVPN and Surfshark — it doesn’t work in China.

Streaming

During the course of your day, you might have to participate in video conferences, contact those in other countries, stream video, or download large files (possibly using P2P networks). For this reason, we tested our top VPNs with a plethora of services, including Skype, WhatsApp, BBC iPlayer, Tor, and uTorrent. As you can see in the table below, we also looked at the features they had that supported streaming.

Each metric was given a score based on its relative importance. These scores were then combined to generate an overall score out of 10 for each provider.

The three highest-scoring providers were NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN. All three work with a vast range of streaming platforms. In addition, they come with a smart DNS service that enables you to access geo-restricted services using VPN-incompatible devices like game consoles and smart TVs.

Ease of use

We strongly prefer newcomer-friendly VPNs, which is why we looked for VPNs with multi-platform support, 24/7 live chat, and any other features that make the service easier to use — see the table below for examples.

As before, each test metric was given a score. These were combined to generate overall scores out of 10, which we used for the chart below.

NordVPN was the easiest-to-use provider overall. Its apps are particularly well-designed and come with handy task-specific servers. In addition, its customer support team is responsive and knowledgeable. IPVanish and ExpressVPN are also well-suited to VPN newbies.

VPNs and remote work: FAQs