NordVPN is the best choice for users in the United States. Its US servers achieved speed-retention rates of 89.61 percent and unblocked American Netflix more consistently than any other provider. Proton VPN is a strong alternative, with a lower monthly cost and a larger network, but also slightly slower speeds.
Best VPNs for USA usage | 2026-Q3 · tested Sep 2026
Editorial highlights from the full chart. Scores are a use-case-specific blend of 7 inputs — us speed retention, us latency (p50), netflix us unblock rate, effective cost per month, first year (usd), server fleet size, effective cost per month over three years (usd), and countries with servers — weighted out of 10 (a use-case score, not each provider’s overall VPN rating).
NordVPN excels with a high Netflix US success rate, despite a relatively high first-year cost.
Proton VPN offers the largest server fleet and the widest country coverage, but while it kept 76.68% of the line speed, its Netflix US success rate is moderate.
CyberGhost boasts low latency to US servers but struggles with Netflix US access, performing well in only a small fraction of attempts.
Total VPN offers the lowest latency to US servers and is cost-effective in the first year, but its Netflix US success rate is less impressive.
Hotspot Shield kept the most of the line speed on US servers and offers a low first-year cost, but has a limited success rate with Netflix US.
IPVanish provides solid Netflix US access and a wide range of server locations, but it kept the least of the line speed on US servers.
ExpressVPN kept nearly 86% of the line speed and offers low latency to US servers, though it comes with a higher cost and a moderate Netflix US success rate.
Surfshark maintained a strong connection speed on US servers, but its high latency and limited Netflix US access are notable drawbacks.
PureVPN is cost-effective over three years, but only kept 68.87% of the line speed and has a low Netflix US success rate.
Mullvad VPN kept an impressive 89.25% of the speed in the US, but its small server fleet and low Netflix US success rate limit its appeal.
Lower-scoring providers from the full benchmark are left off this shortlist. Methodology · Full scorecard dataset · Streaming test drilldown
Quick answer card
Why should I consider using a VPN in the US?
There are many reasons to consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) in the United States. For instance, VPNs prevent your service provider and wifi hotspot owners from seeing which websites you visit. They also shield your real IP address and make automated throttling less likely, allowing you to torrent quickly and anonymously.
One of the most common reasons for using a VPN is accessing geo-restricted platforms abroad. For example, you could unblock BBC iPlayer while in the US or keep streaming Hulu while on vacation abroad. Further, 27 states now have mandatory age-verification for adult content. Using a VPN lets you access these services without sharing your government ID, immediately improving your privacy.
How to protect yourself using a VPN
- Sign up for a reputable service. Every VPN we tested this period offers a no-logs policy, powerful encryption, and robust protection against IP and DNS leaks. Expected result: You have a current VPN subscription.
- Install the VPN app. Enter the login details created during your registration to log in. Expected result: you’re taken to the main page of the app.
- Activate extra features. Your VPN may offer ad and tracker-blocking, obfuscation, or rotating IP addresses. If any of these interest you, enable them now. Expected result: you’re properly configured and ready to connect.
- Select a suitable server location. If you’re trying to access a geo-blocked site, you’ll need a server from a specific country. If your main priority is privacy, however, just use the quick-connect button to be assigned a speedy, nearby server. Expected result: you’re connected to the VPN within a few seconds.
- Browse the internet securely. So long as you’re connected, websites shouldn’t be able to see your real IP address or location. It’s still possible to undermine your own anonymity though, so be careful about posting anything personally identifiable.
What our data shows
VPNs with more US server locations tend to have higher effective monthly costs on their annual plans. NordVPN charges the most, at $7.85 per month, with 55 American locations. In contrast, CyberGhost and PureVPN have the lowest prices ($4.75 and $4.84 monthly), with 11 and 19 locations, respectively. On average, the VPNs tested had 27.3 US server locations.
Best VPN for USA
Scored on the Country / regional access rubric
- US speed retention
- US latency (p50) — lower scores higher
- Netflix US unblock rate
- Effective cost per month, first year (USD) — lower scores higher
- Server fleet size
- Effective cost per month over three years (USD) — lower scores higher
- Countries with servers
View scoring rules + raw values
Scoring rules
Each criterion has an editorial scoring curve (published in the methodology). The provider's raw measurement is mapped through the curve to a fraction of the criterion's weight; the row of contributions sums to the composite score, and providers are ranked by that score. Each also carries a 90% confidence interval showing how firmly it is established — wider means more variation between test runs. The interval is published as evidence and decides the order only between providers whose scores are equal.
| Criterion | Weight | Scoring curve |
|---|---|---|
| US speed retention | 2.35 | piecewise: 0→0.00 pts, 50→0.24 pts, 60→0.59 pts, 70→1.06 pts, 80→1.53 pts, 90→2.00 pts, 100→2.35 pts |
| US latency (p50) | 1.18 | piecewise: 0→1.18 pts, 50→1.06 pts, 100→0.77 pts, 200→0.35 pts, 500→0.00 pts |
| Netflix US unblock rate | 2.35 | piecewise: 0→0.00 pts, 10→0.00 pts, 40→0.82 pts, 70→1.65 pts, 90→2.16 pts, 100→2.35 pts |
| Effective cost per month, first year (USD) | 0.88 | piecewise: 0→0.88 pts, 2.5→0.88 pts, 4→0.62 pts, 6→0.35 pts, 8→0.09 pts, 12→0.00 pts |
| Server fleet size | 1.18 | linear: raw 0 → 0 pts, raw 10000 → 1.18 pts |
| Effective cost per month over three years (USD) | 0.88 | piecewise: 0→0.88 pts, 2.5→0.88 pts, 3.5→0.66 pts, 4.5→0.44 pts, 6→0.18 pts, 9→0.00 pts |
| Countries with servers | 1.18 | linear: raw 0 → 0 pts, raw 150 → 1.18 pts |
Raw values + per-criterion contributions
| Provider | US speed retention | US latency (p50) | Netflix US unblock rate | Effective cost per month, first year (USD) | Server fleet size | Effective cost per month over three years (USD) | Countries with servers | Composite | Our overall VPN score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 89.61 · n=136 → 2.0 pts | 7.41 · n=44 → 1.2 pts | 76.07 · n=39 → 1.8 pts | 7.85 → 0.1 pts | 8400 → 1.0 pts | 5.52 → 0.3 pts | 111 → 0.9 pts | 7.290% CI 6.6–7.8 | 7.9 |
| Proton VPN | 76.68 · n=173 → 1.4 pts | 10.75 · n=66 → 1.2 pts | 57.26 · n=39 → 1.3 pts | 7.18 → 0.2 pts | 20533 → 1.2 pts | 4.72 → 0.4 pts | 148 → 1.2 pts | 6.890% CI 6.1–7.4 | 7.9 |
| CyberGhost | 78.82 · n=211 → 1.5 pts | 2.39 · n=63 → 1.2 pts | 8.82 · n=34 → 0.0 pts | 4.75 → 0.5 pts | 9700 → 1.1 pts | 2.90 → 0.8 pts | 100 → 0.8 pts | 5.990% CI 5.3–6.5 | 6.2 |
| Total VPN | 81.34 · n=75 → 1.6 pts | 1.09 · n=27 → 1.2 pts | 45.45 · n=11 → 1.0 pts | 2.42 → 0.9 pts | 1800 → 0.2 pts | 6.31 → 0.2 pts | 90 → 0.7 pts | 5.790% CI 5.0–6.4 | 5.8 |
| Hotspot Shield | 90.93 · n=42 → 2.0 pts | 13.08 · n=3 → 1.1 pts | 28.57 · n=14 → 0.5 pts | 2.42 → 0.9 pts | 1800 → 0.2 pts | 6.14 → 0.2 pts | 84 → 0.7 pts | 5.690% CI 5.0–6.2 | 6.8 |
| IPVanish | 68.14 · n=96 → 1.0 pts | 12.14 · n=82 → 1.2 pts | 57.14 · n=21 → 1.3 pts | 4.98 → 0.5 pts | 3400 → 0.4 pts | 4.44 → 0.5 pts | 110 → 0.9 pts | 5.690% CI 4.8–6.4 | 7.0 |
| ExpressVPN | 85.97 · n=73 → 1.8 pts | 5.95 · n=129 → 1.2 pts | 31.67 · n=40 → 0.6 pts | 6.98 → 0.2 pts | 3000 → 0.4 pts | 4.18 → 0.5 pts | 113 → 0.9 pts | 5.590% CI 4.8–6.2 | 7.7 |
| Surfshark | 88.81 · n=54 → 1.9 pts | 43.69 · n=16 → 1.1 pts | 11.49 · n=29 → 0.0 pts | 5.60 → 0.4 pts | 4500 → 0.5 pts | 3.51 → 0.7 pts | 100 → 0.8 pts | 5.490% CI 4.8–6.1 | 8.0 |
| PureVPN | 68.87 · n=42 → 1.0 pts | 2.64 · n=11 → 1.2 pts | 22.22 · n=21 → 0.3 pts | 4.84 → 0.5 pts | 6000 → 0.7 pts | 2.61 → 0.9 pts | 78 → 0.6 pts | 5.290% CI 4.6–5.8 | 7.3 |
| Mullvad VPN | 89.25 · n=112 → 2.0 pts | 12.55 · n=22 → 1.2 pts | 28.95 · n=38 → 0.5 pts | 5.81 → 0.4 pts | 589 → 0.1 pts | 5.81 → 0.2 pts | 50 → 0.4 pts | 4.790% CI 4.0–5.4 | 5.5 |
Score formula: US speed retention (max 2.4) + US latency (p50) (max 1.2) + Netflix US unblock rate (max 2.4) + Effective cost per month, first year (USD) (max 0.9) + Server fleet size (max 1.2) + Effective cost per month over three years (USD) (max 0.9) + Countries with servers (max 1.2) (out of 10)
How this is scored. Criteria are measured data points chosen for this specific use case from a fixed scoring template, so the same use case always scores on the same criteria. Each raw measurement is mapped through a published editorial curve to a share of its weight, and the contributions sum to a score out of 10. Capabilities that merely enable a result we already measure are left out to avoid double-counting. A provider that lacks a required criterion for this use case is excluded from the ranking rather than scored; where a non-required criterion is unavailable, the score is taken over the achievable maximum (shown “/ N”, marked *) rather than counting the gap as a zero. Read the complete methodology at vpn.comparitech.com/methodology.
Hotspot Shield, NordVPN, and Mullvad VPN had the highest speed retention rates (hovering around 90 percent). It’s not just their American servers that are quick, though; Mullvad VPN and NordVPN delivered the two highest median WireGuard speeds this quarter (829 Mbps and 821 Mbps). Hotspot Shield’s custom Hydra protocol, meanwhile, was close behind, at 794 Mbps.
Most VPNs in the cohort become more affordable the longer you subscribe for. Three exceptions stand out: Hotspot Shield, Total VPN, and Mullvad VPN. Hotspot Shield has extremely low introductory pricing but its cost triples after the first year. Meanwhile, Total VPN and Mullvad VPN each only offer one subscription term, and their prices don’t typically change. As such, these services may be better for those in need of short-term protection.
Troubleshooting: What to do if you’re having VPN problems
- Check the VPN is active. This should be the first thing you check whenever you’re having problems. It sounds obvious but you’d be surprised how often people forget.
- Update the app. Sometimes, VPN apps stop working as expected when a new version is released. The app should make it pretty obvious if an update is available.
- Switch servers. If you’re having trouble accessing a particular site, it may have blocked the IP address of your chosen server. Alternatively, your server may be overcrowded, leading to underwhelming performance. In either case, trying a new server should help.
- Disable advanced features. Try deactivating split tunneling, obfuscation, and tracker-blocking features to see if this helps. You may also want to swap back to automatic protocol selection, just in case there’s a connectivity issue on your end.
- Contact your VPN’s support team. If nothing helps, your best option is to speak directly with customer support. Most VPNs offer 24/7 assistance over live chat and staff will walk you through the troubleshooting process step-by-step.
Frequently asked questions
Are VPNs legal in the US?
VPNs are fully legal in the United States, and indeed, most of the world. However, you can still be held liable for any crimes committed while using a VPN. Just don’t torrent copyrighted material, harass anyone, or access illegal content and you’ll be fine.
Can my ISP tell I’m using a VPN?
Yes, your Internet Service Provider can see that you’re using a VPN, which port you’re using, and how much bandwidth you’re using. However, due to the VPN’s encryption, they won’t know which sites you visit or what you do there. Some providers also offer stealth modes or obfuscated protocols that can hide the fact that you’re using a VPN entirely.
Are free VPNs worth using?
Free VPNs aren’t really comparable to paid services. They have dramatically smaller networks, struggle to access geo-blocked platforms, and often impose monthly bandwidth limits. Not only that but their huge numbers of users and small networks mean you’ll likely face very slow speeds. For the best experience, stick with a reputable paid VPN service.
How we tested
We tested 10 consumer VPNs throughout Q3 of 2026. Our continuous performance testing setup allowed us to analyze the speed retention and latency of US servers, without the results being influenced by factors like protocol choice, ISP bottleneck, or older data. We also checked to see how consistently each service could access the American Netflix library.
Next, we manually calculated each providers’ effective monthly cost on annual and three-year plans, taking into account bonus, free months, and the like. We checked how many countries each VPN’s network covered and, where possible, the size of the entire server fleet too. Full methodology.
7 criteria decide this ranking, and 59% of the scoring weight comes from measurements we ran ourselves.
Produced by our own test machines running against real VPN endpoints.
- US speed retention24%
- Netflix US unblock rate24%
- US latency (p50)12%
None on this scorecard — nothing here rests on a provider's own claim.
Researched by our team from published sources and re-checked each quarter.
- Server fleet size12%
- Countries with servers12%
- Effective cost per month, first year (USD)9%
- Effective cost per month over three years (USD)9%
Great review, I tried ExpressVPN, but for my business NordVPN works better, because they launched a solution for business – NordVPN Teams, so I currently use it.