Best VPNs for public WiFi hotspots: A comprehensive guide

Public Wi-Fi networks can be a lifesaver when you’re traveling abroad or even just out and about in your own city. However, they can also be risky since they can be a magnet for hackers and snoopers. But don’t worry, you don’t need to avoid them altogether. You just need to protect yourself and your online activities by using one of the best VPNs for public Wi-Fi listed in this article.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are your digital shields, encrypting your data and keeping you safe from prying eyes. As a bonus, they can also give you access to geographically blocked content (such as your home Netflix library while you’re on vacation). And you don’t need to be a tech genius to use them!

This article explores the best VPNs for public Wi-Fi, focusing on those providers that deliver security, privacy, and simplicity. We’ll go into each of the providers we recommend in more detail later on, but in case you’re short on time, we’ll start with a summary.

Best VPNs for public Wi-Fi hotspots:

1. NordVPN: — The best VPN overall for public Wi-Fi
   TIP: TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for public Wi-Fi. You can try it risk free with NordVPN's 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: — Best for users on a budget
3. IPVanish: — Best for security and privacy
4. ExpressVPN: — Best for users who want a premium VPN
5. CyberGhost: — Great choice for beginners
6. PureVPN: — Good for users connecting from restrictive countries
7. ProtonVPN: — Excellent choice for privacy-focused users
8. Private Internet Access — Good choice for technical users
9. PrivateVPN: — Great choice for ease of use

How to use a VPN for public Wi-Fi hotspots

We recommend you always use a VPN when using a Wi-Fi network you don’t know or fully trust. And don’t worry, even if you’ve never used a VPN before, you’ll find it quite simple. Follow the steps below, and you’ll be protected in no time.

How to get a VPN for public Wi-Fi hotspots in four easy steps

1. Choose a quality VPN provider – we recommend NordVPN.
2. Download the VPN, making sure to get the correct version for your devices.
3. Open the VPN app or browser extension and connect to a server in the location of your choice. If you’re just looking to browse safely, connect to a nearby location. However, if you want to access geo-restricted content, connect to a server in that country. For example, a server in the US to access US Netflix or a server in the UK to access BBC iPlayer.
4. You’re now connected to the VPN and can browse the site you want securely!

How we chose the top public Wi-Fi VPNs

Selecting the right VPN from the hundreds on the market can be somewhat daunting, so we’ve done our best to take the guesswork out of it for you. To find the best VPNs for public Wi-Fi, we tested the most promising providers in the following areas:

• Speed: To find the fastest VPNs for streaming, gaming or browsing while connected to public Wi-Fi, we carried out multiple speed tests for each provider.
• Network suitability: We scored VPNs on whether they had automatic public Wi-Fi protection available as well as whether they worked in restrictive countries like China. We also scored them on the number of countries they supported and their overall server count.
• Security and privacy: To ensure that each provider was as safe as it claimed to be, we evaluated them against 16 security and privacy metrics. Those who performed badly were rejected.
• Ease of use: When you’re out and about, you’re unlikely to want to waste time with VPN software. With this in mind, we looked for those that performed well against our 10 test metrics.
• Streaming: Not all VPNs are good for streaming. In fact, very few of them are. If you’re planning on exploring new content from the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, make sure to opt for a provider that scored well against our nine streaming metrics.

The above is just a summary. You can learn more about how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend in our methodology section below.

Public Wi-Fi VPNs compared

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 public Wi-Fi hotspots.

Best VPNs for safely using public Wi-Fi hotspots

Let’s take a look at the VPNs that meet all our requirements for stress-free browsing on public networks. The following reviews are based on our first-hand experiences and rigorous real-world testing.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for public Wi-Fi hotspots to protect your privacy:

1. NordVPN

May 2025

NordVPN is our top pick for a public Wi-Fi VPN. It offers approximately 7,400 servers in 118 countries. Whether you’re connecting to a public wi-fi hotspot at your hotel or a local restaurant, there are plenty of secure servers to choose from.

This VPN is ideal for accessing geo-restricted content, such as Netflix, to catch up on your favorite TV show, or Skype to keep in touch with family and friends.

We’ve found NordVPN to be very well-designed. It’s quick and easy to use, and it offers a wide range of apps and browser extensions. In addition to 24/7 live chat support, you can use NordVPN on up to 10 devices simultaneously.

While connected to its servers in the US, tested speeds ranged from 199.15 Mbps to 204.56 Mbps. NordVPN was the only provider in our tests to exceed 200 Mbps. To put this into perspective, 200 Mbps is fast enough to stream in 4K on eight devices simultaneously. 

NordVPN protects your online activities from hackers and snoopers with 256-bit AES encryption. In addition to a strict no-logs policy, NordVPN offers DNS leak protection and a kill switch feature. NordVPN also has an automatic VPN connection for Wi-Fi feature, automatically connecting you to the VPN when you join a Wi-Fi network.

Choose NordVPN, and you’ll have access to apps on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Android TV — all of which have a full GUI. Also available are browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Routers require manual setup.

BEST VPN FOR PUBLIC WIFI HOTSPOTS:NordVPN It has over 7,400 high-speed servers worldwide and unblocks geo-restricted content including Netflix and Skype. Secure to use at public Wi-Fi hotspots thanks to encryption and a strict no-logs policy. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it a risk-free option.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a great budget-friendly alternative to NordVPN. Its server network comprises more than 3,200 RAM-only servers in over 100 countries. While connected to its US servers, we recorded speeds averaging 195.89 Mbps. This is a fantastic result (second only to NordVPN), and ensures that you’ll be able to make the most of your public Wi-Fi connection. 

Easy-to-use apps make this a great VPN for when you’re on the go. It’s known for its access potential and can help you watch Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more.

Surfshark’s security suite really stands out. It packs all the features you get with higher-priced providers, such as military-grade encryption, perfect forward secrecy, and leak protection. In addition, it comes with a kill switch in all apps, split tunneling, obfuscation, and automatic Wi-Fi protection. No logs are ever maintained, and you can connect unlimited devices at once.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, and Android. There are also browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, and Surfshark is compatible with some routers.

BEST BUDGET PROVIDER:Surfshark is an excellent low-cost alternative. It offers automatic Wi-Fi protection and a kill switch in all apps. Plus, it’s a great unblocker and doesn’t limit connections. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish is a quality VPN well worth considering if you or your family have many internet-connected devices. It lets you secure unlimited devices simultaneously, which is handy if you want to use public Wi-Fi safely with family and friends.

In our speed tests, IPVanish averaged a solid 177.13 Mbps. As a rough guide, this is fast enough for streaming in 4K on seven devices at the same time. 

This VPN service has a respectable network of over 2,400 servers, which are located across 140 locations. As such, you should have no problem finding the right server for your needs and unblocking geo-restricted content.

Having tested out the various IPVanish apps, we can say that they’re simple to use. You’ll find various options to customize your preferences, while you can also search for servers via a map as well as by region and latency.

Customer support is available should you encounter any issues. With zero traffic logs, IPVanish is a secure VPN to use and includes 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. You’re also presented with various ‘On Demand’ options. These allow you to automatically connect to IPVanish, protecting you from unsafe mobile hotspots or public Wi-Fi.

IPVanish apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Fire TV. However, manual configuration is required in the case of Linux and routers.

SECURE UNLIMITED DEVICES:IPVanish is ideal for families using public Wi-Fi hotspots. Keeps zero traffic logs and uses encryption to secure your data. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is another great option for use with public Wi-Fi hotspots thanks to its combination of speed and security. In our tests, the provider’s speeds ranged from 132.55 Mbps to 136.11 Mbps. As well as being fast, speeds were notably consistent, with a difference of just 3.56 Mbps between the slowest and fastest results.

It has over 3,000 servers in 105+ countries, which means you’re unlikely to have a problem finding an appropriate server wherever you are. Whether browsing or streaming the likes of Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, ExpressVPN performs well.

Due to the risks involved with using public Wi-Fi hotspots, security is of the utmost importance — and ExpressVPN doesn’t fail to deliver. It uses 256-bit AES encryption to protect your device’s traffic. Also offered are DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and split tunneling, all of which make it more difficult for your device and data to be compromised.

Lastly, ExpressVPN doesn’t store any identifying logs of its users, ensuring the protection of your privacy. And for the extra privacy conscious, you can sign up with an anonymous email address and pay for this VPN using Bitcoin.

ExpressVPN apps are available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and routers. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also offered.

SECURE AND RELIABLE:ExpressVPN is a highly secure VPN. Ideal for streaming and video calling at public Wi-Fi hotspots. Easy to use apps, 24/7 live chat support, and highly secure with encryption, kill switch, and no logs. You can try it with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a fast and reliable VPN service with strong security to boot. It has a huge network of servers, which currently stands at over 10,000 in 100+ countries. Usefully, it maintains a list of servers that are labelled with the streaming platforms that they work best with.

CyberGhost offers unlimited bandwidth and fast speeds, which are great whether you’re browsing, streaming, or video calling using a public Wi-Fi hotspot. In our tests, the provider pegged an average download speed of 141.60 Mbps. This makes it suitable for anything you’re likely to want to do via public Wi-Fi, whether that’s streaming, gaming, or torrenting.

We’re impressed by the level of security provided by CyberGhost. Firstly, this Romania-based VPN has a strict no-logs policy that ensures your personal information remains private. Further security features include 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch.

CyberGhost also has a Wi-Fi auto-protect feature, offering the option of automatically starting a VPN connection when an untrusted Wi-Fi network is detected.

CyberGhost’s apps are available for desktop (Windows and Mac) and mobile (Android and iOS) devices, as well as Amazon Fire TV and Android TV. You can use your CyberGhost account to secure up to seven devices simultaneously.

Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also available. Manual setup is required for Linux and routers.

EXCELLENT OVERALL SECURITY:CyberGhost keeps you secure when using public networks. Offers encryption, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch. Unblocks geo-restricted content for browsing, streaming, and video calling. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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6. PureVPN

PureVPN offers incredible performance for the low cost of a subscription. It is perfect for those who frequently use public Wi-Fi in cafes, airports, and hotels and for travelers, remote workers or freelancers seeking secure online access while abroad.

With an extensive network of over 6,000 servers across more than 65 countries, PureVPN offers reliable IP masking to help you securely access local content, conduct online banking, shop online, and browse in your native language while traveling overseas.

This VPN is known for its fast speeds, making it an excellent option for online activities such as streaming, gaming, torrenting, and video calling. While connected to its servers in the US, we recorded speeds of between 133.49 Mbps and 141.1 Mbps. 

For those who enjoy streaming, PureVPN efficiently unblocks geo-restricted content on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, and Prime Video, as well as many international TV streaming services.

This capability makes it invaluable for anyone looking to access their preferred shows and movies securely on public Wi-Fi. You can also use it to bypass blocks on services like YouTube when using public Wi-Fi, perfect when you need entertainment on public transport and in-flight Wi-Fi.

Regarding security, PureVPN has strong AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak prevention, all underpinned by a strict no-logging policy. These features ensure your online activities remain private and protected from potential hackers and trackers on public networks.

While customer support might respond slowly, the overall dependability of PureVPN minimizes the need for assistance. With its 31-day money-back guarantee, you can confidently try out PureVPN to access any of your favorite services.

LOW COST:PureVPN is a low-cost VPN that is perfect for accessing home services on vacation. It has servers in over 65 countries, perfect for bypassing blocks and accessing international services. Robust encryption allows you to use public Wi-Fi safely against hackers. Fast WireGuard protocol and apps for all platforms. 31-day money-back guarantee to try the VPN.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

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7. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is well known for its excellent reliability and headquarters in Switzerland—a country celebrated for its robust privacy laws. The VPN is excellent for gaining privacy on public Wi-Fi, as well as at home and work. The VPN has an impeccable reputation for user privacy, backed by its strict no-logs policy.

The VPN offers apps for all major platforms, each rich with security features such as AES encryption, multiple protocols, obfuscation, split tunneling, multi-hop connections, Secure Core, and Tor over VPN.

These functionalities make ProtonVPN particularly useful in locations with heavy online censorship and surveillance, perfect for users frequently accessing public Wi-Fi networks in airports, cafes, and hotels.

The provider’s tested speeds were solid. Overall, it averaged 138.28 Mbps, which is more than fast enough for video calling, streaming in UHD and multiplayer gaming.

While ProtonVPN’s longer subscription plans might not offer significant discounts, its monthly plan is competitively priced, providing superb value for users who need a trustworthy VPN for short-term use. In our tests, ProtonVPN could access a broad range of international streaming services such as Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer.

Customer support is accessible via live chat through the VPN’s member area, ensuring quick and helpful assistance. For those considering ProtonVPN for secure and private internet usage on public Wi-Fi, the service offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee to test it. Plus, it is great for torrenting thanks to its port forwarding feature.

ADVANCED AND SECURE:ProtonVPN is an impressive, high-quality VPN that works with many popular streaming services. Vast server network, strong AES encryption and a kill switch. Easy to use on all devices. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

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8. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is a strong all-rounder, making it ideal for use with public Wi-Fi as well as private networks. It stands out for offering servers in more than 91 countries worldwide.

It also has dedicated streaming servers that make it easy to access popular streaming platforms like Netflix US and BBC iPlayer.

PIA’s tested speeds were a little slower than the previous VPNs. Nevertheless, its average of 80.04 Mbps is still more than fast enough for streaming. PIA also offers unlimited bandwidth.

Your connection on public Wi-Fi hotspots is secured with PIA thanks to its use of 256-bit AES encryption. It also has protection from DNS leaks as well as a kill switch (very important should the VPN connection drop as your internet traffic will then be cut to prevent exposure). We particularly appreciate that this is a no-logs service and that it doesn’t even keep connection logs. Need help? 24-hour support is available.

Secure all of your devices on public Wi-Fi simultaneously with PIA’s apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. Browser extensions are available for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. However, use with routers requires manual setup.

SERVERS IN 91+ COUNTRIES:Private Internet Access uses military-grade encryption to keep your data secure on public Wi-Fi hotspots. Consistent connections and unlimited simultaneous connections. 24/7 support. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

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9. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a secure service with servers in 63+ countries. If you’re using a public Wi-Fi hotspot and want to stream Netflix or Amazon Prime Video or make video calls, PrivateVPN is a good choice.

Speed-wise, PrivateVPN was the slowest provider in this list, with an overall average of 53.30 Mbps. Bear in mind, however, that this is still fast when compared to the market as whole. You can get a speed bump by reducing the level of encryption, but we wouldn’t recommend this while using public Wi-Fi.

What stands out about PrivateVPN is how user-friendly it is. We recommend this easy VPN for anyone as the apps are simple to navigate while selecting a server takes seconds. PrivateVPN is headquartered in Sweden and states that it doesn’t keep any traffic logs. Your privacy is also protected with 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch feature that ensures your internet traffic is cut should the VPN connection drop.

PrivateVPN apps are offered for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. You can connect up to ten devices simultaneously with PrivateVPN, allowing you to secure all of your devices from hackers. If you want to use this VPN with Linux or a router, some manual configuration is needed.

UNINTERRUPTED STREAMING:PrivateVPN offers secure servers for streaming and video calling. Has user-friendly apps and keeps your connection on public Wi-Fi hotspots secure with encryption and a kill switch. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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Our Methodology: How we found the best VPNs for public Wi-Fi

Choosing a VPN to keep your data secure and private while using public Wi-Fi can be tricky without test-driving the service first. We did exactly that, subjecting each provider to tests in the following five key areas: 

Speed

For a VPN to be useful, it should run on a network of fast Tier-1 servers and be fast enough to stream HD video, play games, make video calls, and do other data-intensive tasks.

With this in mind, we speed-tested each provider multiple times over the course of a day while connected to its US servers. We rate-limited our base connection speed to 250 Mbps to better simulate the experience of an average user. Measurements were taken using the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app. 

Results for each provider were averaged and then converted to a score out of 10 relative to the other providers. This makes it possible to meaningfully compare them side-by-side.

NordVPN was the fastest provider overall, though Surfshark was also notably quick. Either provider is a great option if you want to ensure that you get the fastest speeds available while using public Wi-Fi.

Network suitability

We started by looking at whether providers had automatic public Wi-Fi protection — or the means of setting it up. We then checked whether they worked in restrictive countries such as China, Egypt and the UAE. Finally we looked at how many countries they supported and how many servers they had overall. All four of these metrics are important if you’re away from home and trying to get online safely via public Wi-Fi.

We weighted the scores and combined them to generate the overall score chart you see below.

NordVPN’s score of 9.7 was highest. It has easy-to-enable public Wi-Fi protection, a dedicated obfuscation protocol for disguising VPN traffic, and a large server network with a presence in 118 countries. Surfshark is the next best option if you don’t need servers in quite as many countries.

Security and privacy 

We ensured that our recommended providers have all the security and privacy features you would expect from market-leading VPNs. This includes the OpenVPN protocol with robust AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. You can see the other features that we scored providers against in the table below.

If you’d prefer an overview, the chart below contains overall security and privacy scores for each VPN.

As you can see, NordVPN and Surfshark scored the highest. Both use strong, effectively uncrackable encryption, and have independently audited no-logs policies. Furthermore, they only use RAM-only servers and include additional security features, such as MultiHop servers.

Streaming

Few VPNs are able to access platforms such as Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Disney+. We test each provider with these platforms as well as scoring them on the other streaming-related metrics shown below.

The scores for each provider were combined to generate overall scores out of 10 for comparison.

NordVPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN all scored 9.2 and are at the top of their game streaming-wise. For one thing, they worked with all the platforms we tested them with. They also all have a smart DNS service for accessing geo-restricted content on VPN incompatible devices.

Ease of use

Nobody really wants a VPN that’s difficult to use, particularly when you’re in a cafe, hotel or airport. We looked for providers with easy-to-use apps and active customer service departments with both email and live chat support. You can see the other ways VPNs try to make your life easier below.

Each of the metrics used above was assigned a score based on its relative importance. These scores were combined to generate the following quick-comparison chart.

NordVPN and PIA were the easiest to use providers overall. They have user-friendly apps, task-specific servers, and a hassle-free sign-up — and cancellation — service. IPVanish and ExpressVPN are strong alternatives.

Other ways to stay safe when using public Wi-Fi hotspots

Aside from using a VPN, there are a few things you can do to improve your online security when using public Wi-Fi hotspots:

1. Double-check the name of the network to which you’re connecting. Using a network with a similar name to a legitimate network is one of the tricks used by hackers.
2. Avoid using public Wi-Fi hotspots for tasks that require sensitive information, such as online banking or making purchases with your credit card. The same goes for passwords — you’re better off using a good password manager to be safe.
3. Make sure you connect to websites that use HTTPS and SSL. This makes your connection to the websites much more secure. You can easily see if a website uses HTTPS, as it should display a closed padlock icon at the beginning of the address bar.
4. Stick to secure networks that require a password where possible. Whether this is a cafe or a hotel, this is much safer than connecting to a public Wi-Fi hotspot that is completely open and without security.
5. Disable the automatic Wi-Fi connection on your phone. Many smartphones automatically connect to nearby wifi networks to ensure you don’t go without internet. You can set your device to ask before connecting to a network.

Using a free VPN for public Wi-Fi hotspots

We strongly recommend against the use of free VPNs for public Wi-Fi hotspots for the following reasons:

• Free VPNs are not secure. Many free VPNs lack encryption, DNS leak protection, and other important security features, such as a kill switch. Without these, your online security isn’t any better than that of a person who isn’t using a VPN. As a result, you’ll be an easy target for hackers, particularly when connected to public wifi hotspots.
• Free VPNs can’t be trusted. Very little is truly free, and this is certainly the case with VPNs that claim to be free of charge. Free VPNs typically make money by logging your data and selling it to the highest bidder. Others make money from ads that may interrupt your browsing and streaming.
• Free VPNs are slow. This can be a frustrating experience when you want to browse, stream, and video call. Due to the fact that many free VPNs have a lot of users and very few servers, the server load becomes too high, and your bandwidth is restricted. This is not the case with the best VPNs for public Wi-Fi hotspots in this list.

Why you need a VPN for public Wi-Fi hotspots

Whether you’re in your local cafe or a hotel abroad, public Wi-Fi hotspots can be highly convenient. The problem is that public wifi hotspots can also be a threat to your privacy and are something of a hacker’s paradise. Unfortunately, many public Wi-Fi hotspots aren’t secure and are used for phishing your private information.

For example, Man in the Middle attacks (MITM) involve hackers positioning themselves between your device and a web server. This allows them to see what you’re doing online, from your IP address to the websites you’re visiting to the content of messages you’re sending. Needless to say, this can be highly detrimental to your privacy. In some cases, this results in the loss of your data and even identity theft.

By using a VPN, you can create a private tunnel between your device and the VPN server. Traffic is encrypted in the process, protecting you from snoopers such as your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or the hotspot provider. The best VPNs for public wifi hotspots offer important security features such as encryption, protection from DNS leaks, and a kill switch. There should also be a strict no-logs policy to protect your privacy.

VPN for public Wi-Fi: FAQs