8 Best VPNs for Digital Nomads in 2024
As digital nomads, we can work and travel anywhere, achieving a better work-life balance. Even if you don't have a fully remote business, you can still enjoy this lifestyle, like Will Cotter, who runs his professional cleaning company HappyCleans remotely while traveling. However, being a remote worker or traveler also makes you more vulnerable to data breaches and hacking, which is where a VPN comes in. A good VPN protects your connection and secures your data without slowing down your download speeds. For digital nomads, using a reliable VPN is crucial for protection. This guide covers some of the top VPNs for digital nomads and why we recommend them.
Why using a VPN as a digital nomad is important
Protect sensitive data and information
According to PrivacyJournal, a VPN is a virtual private network that protects your sensitive information by encrypting it before it ever leaves your computer. Your data is encrypted by a digital key that only you know, so even if someone gets hold of your data, they can't read it. The VPN server then sends the encrypted data to its destination and decrypts it when it arrives, so that only the intended recipient can read it.
Unlock streaming services abroad
In addition to bypassing geo-restrictions and accessing content not available in your region, VPNs can also allow you to access all of your home country's services while traveling. With a VPN installed on your devices, you can continue to watch shows on streaming platforms like Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and others that may be blocked in certain regions.
Security while using public Wi-Fi
As a digital nomad, you may frequently use public Wi-Fi for convenience, but it can also pose a security risk. Public Wi-Fi networks are often insecure, allowing anyone on the same network to access your data and potentially steal your identity. To safeguard yourself on public Wi-Fi, it's recommended to use a VPN as you travel. This simple program encrypts your data as it travels through the internet, making it unreadable to anyone monitoring your traffic.
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8 best VPNs for digital nomads in 2024
1. Best overall VPN for digital nomads: NordVPN
NordVPN is a top choice for digital nomads due to its strong security features and wide network of servers. With NordVPN, you can connect to servers in over 60 countries, allowing you to access content and services from around the globe. NordVPN also utilizes military-grade encryption to protect your data and features a strict no-log policy, ensuring that your online activity is private. Additionally, NordVPN offers a range of advanced security features, such as double VPN encryption and CyberSec technology, to protect you against online threats. Overall, NordVPN's combination of global coverage, strong security, and advanced features make it an excellent VPN option for digital nomads.
Top features: 30-day money-back guarantee, connection to the TOR network, multi-device support, can connect up to 6 devices, 24/7 customer support
Pricing: Starting at $3.48 to $11.34/month
2. Best VPN with multiple features: SurfShark
SurfShark is a great VPN option for digital nomads because it offers a wide range of features at an affordable price. With SurfShark, you can connect to servers in over 65 countries, allowing you to access content and services from around the world. It also utilizes strong encryption to protect your data and has a no-log policy, ensuring that your online activity is private. Additionally, SurfShark offers a range of advanced security features, such as a kill switch and CleanWeb technology, to protect you against online threats. One of the standout features of SurfShark is its unlimited simultaneous connections, which means you can use it on all of your devices without any restrictions. Overall, SurfShark's combination of global coverage, strong security, and advanced features make it a great value for digital nomads.
Top features: IP address hiding, split tunneling, camouflage mode, no borders mode to use the internet in restricted areas, private DNS and leak protection, no-logs policy, and unlimited device connectivity.
Pricing: Starts at $12.95/month
3. Best VPN for reliable connection: Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN is a great choice for location-independent professionals due to its various features that make it easy and secure to access the internet from any location. One of these features is its fast and reliable connections, which allow professionals to access websites and services without any delays or interruptions. Another useful feature is the multiple server locations, which allow professionals to connect to a server in a different location and access websites and services as if they were physically located there. Atlas VPN also uses military-grade encryption to protect users' online activity and personal information from being monitored or intercepted by third parties. Additionally, the service has a user-friendly interface that makes it simple for professionals to connect to a VPN server and access the internet securely.
Top features: Strong encryption protocols, anonymous browsing, no-logs policy, ad-blocking, wide-server network, and easy-to-use interface
Pricing: Starting at $1.64 to $10.99/month
4. Best VPN for data security: CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost VPN offers strong encryption to protect user's data and activity from being intercepted, as well as a no-logs policy to ensure that no information about users' activity is stored. Additionally, it has an ad-blocking feature to block unwanted ads and pop-ups while browsing, and a wide server network located in over 90 countries, allowing users to choose a server in a specific location or access content that may be restricted in their region. With its user-friendly interface, CyberGhost VPN makes it easy for users to connect to the VPN and manage their settings. Overall, it offers a range of features designed to provide users with a fast and secure internet connection.
Top features: One-click connect to anonymize your internet connection, smart rules and manually configured privacy triggers, secure file sharing with no bandwidth limits, strict no logs policy, 24/7 live customer support
Pricing: Starting at $2.29 to $12.99/month
5. Best transparent and reliable VPN: Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a well-known and respected VPN service that has been downloaded over 30 million times and has over 10 years of experience in the industry. PIA is committed to transparency, and all of its apps are fully open-source, allowing users to examine the inner workings of the software to ensure that their data is not being collected or stored. As a result, PIA is a popular choice for digital nomads who want to maintain their privacy and security online.
Top features: Unlimited bandwidth, fast connection speeds, access to thousands of next-gen servers in over 83 countries, can protect up to 10 devices simultaneously, never records or stores any usage data
Pricing: Starting at $2.03 to $11.99/month
6. Best VPN with a large number of servers: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN offers a large number of servers located in various countries, including the United States, and supports a range of protocols that can be adapted to different devices. In addition to its wide server network and support for various protocols, ExpressVPN is also easy to download and set up. It has a simple on/off button that activates the VPN connection, making it easy for users to protect their internet connection at home or on the go. Whether you're looking to secure your connection from hackers or government surveillance, or simply want to access content that may be restricted in your region, ExpressVPN can provide the protection you need.
Top features: Unlimited bandwidth, 30-day money-back guarantee, multi-device support, can connect up to 5 devices, 24/7 customer support
Pricing: Starting at $8.32 to $12.95/month
7. Best VPN for strong encryption: IPVanish
IPVanish is a great VPN for digital nomads because it offers a range of features that are specifically designed to meet the needs of people who are constantly on the move. One of the key advantages of IPVanish is its wide network of servers located in various countries around the world. This allows digital nomads to choose a server in a specific location or access content that may be restricted in their region. Another advantage of IPVanish is its strong encryption protocols, which protect users' internet activity and personal data from being intercepted by hackers or government surveillance. This is especially important for digital nomads who may be using public WiFi networks while traveling.
Top features: strong industry-standard encryption, unlimited simultaneous devices/connections, split tunneling, DNS leak protection, customizable kill switch, and 500GB encrypted cloud storage.
Pricing: Starting at $3.75/month
8. Best freemium VPN: TunnelBear VPN
Based in Toronto, Canada, TunnelBear is a VPN service that was founded in 2011 and acquired by McAfee in 2018. As a freemium product, you can use up to 500MB for free - perfect for those who only use a VPN very infrequently or would like to test out the product first before purchasing. We love how TunnelBear has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to connect to a VPN server and switch between locations. It also includes a feature called "GhostBear" which makes it more difficult for VPN traffic to be detected and blocked. TunnelBear also has a strict no-logs policy, ensuring that users' online activity is not tracked or recorded.
Top features: Surprisingly cheap for its value, one of the few VPN providers that conduct annual independent security audits, up to 5 devices per connection, strong AES-256 encryption, zero user log.
Pricing: Starts at $3.33/month
VPNs for digital nomads - common FAQs
Do digital nomads need a VPN?
Although it’s not mandatory by any means, it’s highly encouraged. As a digital nomad, you may find yourself often using public Wi-Fi, which can expose you to hackers or other individuals who want to steal your private information. A good VPN protects your sensitive information by encrypting it before it ever leaves your computer. That way, even if someone gets hold of your data, they can't read it.
How much should I expect to pay for a VPN?
The average cost of a VPN is around $4/month. However, most VPN service providers often run sales and reduce the price if you pay for a full-year subscription instead of paying monthly.
Why is using a VPN abroad important?
Using a VPN abroad is important because it allows you to access an encrypted server that hides your IP address from any government agencies, hackers, or corporations. It protects your identity even if you are using shared Wi-Fi, and your data will always be private. It also encrypts your online activity, so that even if you are using a malicious hotspot, no hacker will be able to monitor your activity.