Best VPNs for Cox: Bypass Throttling and Browse Privately

Cox may be one of the US’s most used internet service providers, but it’s not without its problems. Like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon, Cox can legally track your online activities, sell browsing data, and even throttle your connection. Needless to say, this isn’t good news for your online privacy or the speeds you require for streaming, torrenting, and playing games online.

This is where a VPN, short for Virtual Private Network, can help. A VPN takes your internet traffic and routes it through an encrypted tunnel to one of its servers. This encryption prevents your ISP from seeing what you’re doing online. You can stream or torrent without Cox seeing and throttling your connection. A VPN can also spoof your location if you want to unblock geo-restricted online content.

Want to know which are the best VPNs for Cox? Here’s a brief summary of each. If you want to learn more about a specific VPN service, see our reviews further down.

Best VPNs for Cox:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for Cox. Servers in 118 countries and 20 US cities. Very fast speeds and an impressive ability to access popular streaming services from anywhere.
2. Surfshark: Best value VPN for Cox. By far the fastest VPN we’ve tested which makes it ideal for streaming and torrenting. Also allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
3. IPVanish: Ideal for Cox thanks to its 1,400+ US servers in 20 cities. Ranks among the fastest VPNs we’ve tested and lets you connect all of your devices at the same time.
4. ExpressVPN: Browse with Cox privately thanks to ExpressVPN’s strong encryption and independently audited no-logs policy. Excellent customer support available 24/7.
5. CyberGhost: Vast server network which includes servers in a dozen US cities. Fast and with unlimited bandwidth. Excellent apps with streaming and P2P-optimized servers.
6. PrivateVPN: Access streaming services including Netflix from anywhere. Beginner-friendly VPN with a true no-logs policy and free remote help and installation.
7. Proton VPN: No-logs VPN for Cox with one of the largest server networks and high-speed connections. One of the few VPNs that lets you pay anonymously in cash.

Criteria for the best VPNs for Cox

The fact is that some VPNs don’t work with Cox. Some of those that do unfortunately fall short in other areas. Through our comprehensive testing of dozens of VPN services, we’ve identified those that work with Cox and provide the speed and security you require:

• Fast server speeds with no bandwidth throttling
• Global server network including servers across the US
• Strong encryption protocols to ensure your data’s security
• Absolutely no logging of any user-identifying data
• Strong unblocking of geo-restricted websites and services
• Live chat and email support, ideally around the clock

Best VPNs for Cox in 2025

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for Cox:

1. NordVPN

Mar 2025 Works with CoxTested Mar 2025

NordVPN offers everything you could ask for in a VPN for Cox. Its impressive network of 7,000+ servers covers 118 countries—far more than most VPNs. Some 2,000 of these servers are located in 20 US cities. This is ideal if you’re in the US and simply want to connect to a server close to your physical location.

It doesn’t hurt that NordVPN’s speeds are among the fastest around, either, making it ideal for streaming in 4K. During our speed tests, NordVPN produced an average speed of 177 Mbs, over 50 Mbs faster than the combined average of other providers we tested.

This has long been one of the best unblocking VPNs, making light work of popular streaming platforms. Thanks to NordVPN’s obfuscated servers, you can even use this VPN in countries that try to block VPNs, such as China (we’ve covered more on this in our guide to using NordVN in China). Security consists of 256-bit encryption, protection from DNS and IP leaks, and a kill switch. Deloitte has independently audited its no-logs policy.

You can choose from apps for Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. There are also Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browser extensions. If you’d like to use NordVPN with a Wi-Fi router, manual setup is required.

BEST VPN FOR COX:NordVPN has a vast server network, particularly in the US, and is more than fast enough for streaming and torrenting. Obfuscated and P2P servers available. Provides 24/7 live chat support and operates a no-logs policy that takes your privacy seriously. You can even try it risk-free because it includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Works with CoxTested Mar 2025

Surfshark servers averaged 665 Mbps in our tests. It’s the VPN of choice if you regularly stream, torrent, or play games online and want the fastest possible connection. Another area in which Surfshark stands out is its ability to navigate content restrictions. It works with more Netflix regions than most VPNs. This is in part thanks to its global network of 3,000+ servers covering 100 countries. Approximately 600 of these are in the US across 22 cities.

We tested Surfshark’s speeds over 24 hours, and despite a slow start in the morning (still 100 Mbs), the incredible evening performance meant an overall average of 172 Mbs.

Some VPNs only let you connect a handful of devices, but Surfshark doesn’t impose a limit, so you can easily share it with family or friends at home. Unlike some VPNs, Surfshark has a kill switch on all its apps. Internet traffic is secured with 256-bit encryption. It passed our DNS and IP leak tests with flying colors, and has a no-logs policy to boot. Your subscription includes 24/7 live chat support and an optional antivirus with the Surfshark One plans.

You can connect to Surfshark’s servers via its apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. It also makes Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser extensions as well as manual setup guides for routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark provides extremely affordable long-term subscriptions, making it the best value VPN for Cox. Fastest speeds of any VPN we’ve tested, servers in 22 US cities, and an unlimited simultaneous connection limit. It includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

Works with CoxTested Mar 2025

IPVanish has made huge strides in recent years to become one of the better all-round VPNs available today. It doesn’t offer as many servers or server locations as NordVPN, but its US server count (1,400+) is noteworthy. The US servers of IPVanish are spread across 20 cities, including Los Angeles and New York. As such, IPVanish is more than capable of bypassing the US porn ban, as well as accessing the likes of Netflix US and Hulu.

During our speed tests, IPVanish remained over 100 Mbps throughout the day but peaked in the evening at 192 Mbps. Overall, the average speed was 135 Mbps, making IPVanish more than fast enough for all data-intensive activities.

If Cox is throttling your connection, IPVanish offers unlimited bandwidth and is among the fastest VPNs around. It’s not short of security features either with 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. You’ll be able to connect as many devices as you like simultaneously with this zero-logs VPN. More recently, it has added a secure browser and cloud storage to its Advanced plan.

IPVanish apps can be found for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. It doesn’t offer any browser extensions but you can manually configure a connection with select routers.

SERVERS IN 20 US CITIES:IPVanish has plenty of US servers, offers excellent speeds for streaming and torrenting, and allows unlimited simultaneous connections. A zero-logs VPN, it includes Threat Protection which blocks ads and trackers. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

Works with CoxTested Mar 2025

ExpressVPN does everything you need a VPN to do, whether that’s to avoid Cox’s bandwidth throttling, bypass content blocks, or secure your connection. Its proprietary VPN protocol, Lightway, is very fast and recommended for streaming. When connected to its servers, we’ve had no trouble accessing streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. ExpressVPN’s network covers 105 countries, including the US and Canada.

ExpressVPN performed well in our speed tests. Speeds slowed during the day but still posted an average of 113 Mbs. This is a little slower than the combined average of the other providers but still fast enough for all online activities.

This is one of the few VPNs that works well in countries like China, where VPNs are actively blocked. The level of security offered by the ExpressVPN apps is impressive. Not only will you benefit from 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection from DNS, IP, and WebRTC leaks, but it also provides an ad blocker and password manager. ExpressVPN has undergone many independent audits to show that it takes user security and privacy seriously.

ExpressVPN has apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. Chrome and Firefox extensions are available, as is custom firmware for routers.

ROUTER-FRIENDLY:ExpressVPN is a reliable choice thanks to its global server network, good connection speeds, and ability to access streaming platforms. It packs a tonne of security extras including a password manager and has excellent 24/7 support. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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5. CyberGhost

Works with CoxTested Mar 2025

CyberGhost has one of the larger VPN server networks, allowing you to connect to a server close to home or access blocked content further afield. You’ll find servers in 100 countries and nearly a dozen US cities. It’s an excellent choice for streaming and torrenting for its high-speed, unthrottled connections and strong overall security. With a single CyberGhost account, you can connect up to seven devices simultaneously.

CyberGhost was fast throughout the day, and our speed tests recorded an average of 126 Mbps. Although not as fast as some others on this list, you won’t notice any issues when streaming or torrenting.

Every CyberGhost subscription includes 24-hour access to live chat and email support. Yet this VPN is easy for anyone to use – even beginners. The apps even feature servers that are optimized for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. CyberGhost has had its no-logs policy independently audited and ticks every box in terms of security features. There’s 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection from DNS leaks. You’ll also find an ad blocker.

To use CyberGhost, you’ll need to access its app for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, or Fire TV. If you only need to secure browser traffic, Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are an option. There are no router apps but a connection can be manually configured.

STREAMING-OPTIMIZED SERVERS:CyberGhost stands out for its servers, which are optimized for streaming and torrenting. Its large network covers 100 countries. User-friendly no-logs VPN with 24/7 support. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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6. PrivateVPN

Works with CoxTested Mar 2025

PrivateVPN is ideal if you want a streaming-friendly VPN for Cox. Although its server network is much smaller than the other VPNs we’ve covered (just over 200 servers), it’s still spread across 63 countries including a dozen US cities. Where it really excels is in its ability to access some of the most popular streaming platforms. This includes Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Hulu.

PrivateVPN averaged 89 Mbps throughout the day, 50 Mbps below the average of all other providers. It isn’t the fastest VPN, but it’s fast enough and comes with unlimited bandwidth.

With PrivateVPN, you don’t need to worry about your ISP or other snoopers getting their hands on your data. It boasts 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and a genuine no-logs policy. In fact, it doesn’t even keep the connection logs (such as timestamps) that so many other VPNs keep. You’ll be able to secure up to 10 devices at the same time with PrivateVPN, and if you need help, live chat support and remote help are offered.

PrivateVPN has desktop (Windows and Mac), mobile (Android and iOS) apps, and an Amazon Fire TV app. Manual setup instructions are available for configuring a connection with Linux and compatible wireless routers.

STREAMING-FRIENDLY:PrivateVPN works with the likes of Netflix and Hulu and has servers in a dozen cities in the US. It’s very easy to use and protects your privacy through its strict no-logs policy. Allows up to 10 simultaneous connections. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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7. Proton VPN

Works with CoxTested Mar 2025

Proton VPN now offers one of the most impressive VPN server networks. This stands at roughly 11,500 servers in 117 countries. As such, you’ll rarely have trouble finding a fast server in your preferred location. As for US servers, Proton VPN has more than 2,500 in 17 cities.

Although Proton VPN has rightly always strongly emphasized privacy, it’s also fast, averaging 108 Mbps in our latest round of speed testing. It’s not as fast as others, but plenty fast enough.

ProtonVPN is suitable for streaming and works well with Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, and more. It offers servers optimized for torrenting and supports split tunneling and port forwarding. It’s one of the most secure VPNs you’ll find, thanks to a combination of 256-bit encryption, a very effective kill switch, and comprehensive protection against leaks. Proton VPN operates one of the strictest no-logs policies of any VPN and even lets you pay anonymously.

Proton VPN apps can be found for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. Chrome, Firefox, and Brave browser extensions are available, as is the option to manually configure a connection with a variety of routers.

PRIVACY AND PERFORMANCE:Proton VPN may be a privacy-first VPN but its performance is admirable. You can use it for streaming and torrenting and it has one of the biggest server networks of any VPN. Includes a very strict no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Proton VPN review.

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How to stop Cox throttling your connection with a VPN

Whether you’re tired of Cox throttling your bandwidth, are concerned about how much your ISP knows and can share about you, or want to sidestep geographic restrictions, getting your VPN set up is simple.

Here’s how to use a VPN to stop Cox throttling your bandwidth:

1. Sign up with one of the best VPNs for Cox. We particularly recommend NordVPN which offers the best possible combination of speed, security, and usability.
2. You can now download and install the VPN on your devices. Most VPNs allow you to connect at least five or six devices at once. Some offer unlimited simultaneous connections.
3. Log in to the VPN app using the credentials created during signup. You’ll now be able to connect to the VPN server in your preferred location.
4. Once the VPN connection is established, you can browse securely. It’s also possible to connect to servers further afield to bypass geo-blocking.
5. If you have any issues such as with unblocking content or with the quality of your connection, you can always get in touch with your VPN’s customer support.

VPN testing methodology: How we found the best VPNs for Cox

We have an established VPN testing methodology which serves to guide us through the process of analyzing VPNs. The idea is to get hands-on experience with each VPN and put it through its paces by running speed tests, testing it against region-locked streaming services, and checking for leaks. Here’s what we looked for in the best VPNs for Cox as part of our testing process:

• Servers worldwide: There are no downsides to a VPN offering more servers and server locations. This provides you with greater flexibility when it comes to bypassing content blocks or simply finding a fast server close to your current location. Of course, we particularly want to see plenty of US-based servers in cities across the US.
• Speed: If Cox throttles your bandwidth, you’ll experience slower speeds which are particularly noticeable during more bandwidth-heavy tasks such as streaming and torrenting. Most of the best VPNs for Cox are among the fastest VPNs we’ve tested. All offer unlimited bandwidth so you won’t feel limited when connected to their servers.
• Bypass blocks: Internet users in the US can largely browse free from censorship. Yet international streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, Stan, and TSN are geo-blocked in the US for copyright and licensing reasons. Porn sites are blocked in a number of US states unless users can provide ID to prove their age. TikTok was, for a short time, removed from US app stores. The best VPNs for Cox can help you bypass these blocks.
• Security: By encrypting your data, a VPN protects you from a variety of security threats. This is particularly important if you often find yourself using public wifi or working from home and handling sensitive data. We only recommend VPNs that offer strong encryption, protect you from DNS and IP leaks, and include a kill switch.
• Privacy: We’ve spent a lot of time looking at over 100 VPN logging policies, separating those that protect your privacy from those that don’t. The best VPNs simply don’t keep any data by which you can be identified as a user. This means no IP addresses and no browsing activity. Most major VPN providers have even had their no-logs policies independently audited – some, like NordVPN, on multiple occasions.
• Ease of use: We don’t want to recommend VPNs that are overly-complicated to use. It’s understandable that some are more lightweight or less cluttered than others but all should have apps that make it quick and easy to connect or to adjust your settings. Live chat and email support should be readily available as and when you need it.
• Value for money: Funnily enough, there’s no shortage of VPNs that fail to provide some or even much of the above yet prove to be more expensive. The best VPNs for Cox also fall among some of the best value VPNs on the market. All come with risk-free money-back guarantees and you can get the best possible price with the VPN discount coupons included in this post.

Our VPN testing methodology further explains our process, particularly with how we test VPNs for speed, security, and unblocking.

Can I use a free VPN with Cox?

You can use a free VPN with Cox but it’s worth being aware of the limitations that come with free VPNs. Many free VPNs don’t actually solve the problems you’re likely looking to address with Cox. For example, most free VPNs throttle your connection and this makes them too slow for anything beyond basic browsing. Limited servers and server locations means they’re also poor unblockers so you won’t be able to bypass restrictions surrounding streaming services.

Free VPNs often don’t provide a sufficient level of security for your data. This may due to weak encryption, a lack of DNS leak protection, or even because the VPN actively logs your browsing activities. A VPN should solve all of the above problems, not add to them. That’s why most free VPNs are best avoided. Having said that, Proton VPN’s free plan is a rare exception in that it has no speed or data limits and has a genuine no-logs policy.

VPNs for Cox: FAQs

See also: 

• How to stop AT&T from throttling your internet