Best VPNs for remote workers and freelancers in 2024

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 of the 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.

With high-speed internet, advanced device technology, and a wide range of online tools and free remote desktop software at our disposal, many of us can work from virtually anywhere. What’s more, the number of freelancers and workers who work fully remotely is constantly on the rise. And in some cases, circumstances beyond our control force people to work from home. Take the coronavirus pandemic, for instance. So it’s vital that everyone who could work from home already has a VPN installed, should the need arise.

We’ll go into more detail about these below, but here’s our list of the best VPNs for remote workers.

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, good for remote workers.
5. CyberGhost: This VPN offers strong security features, great speeds, and a huge network of over 9,000 global servers.
6. PrivateVPN: Known for its strong privacy features, PrivateVPN is a small but powerful VPN.
7. PureVPN: Offers everything you’ll need to work securely. Faster than most of its rivals, with the ability to bypass almost any online restriction. No-logs policy and an expansive network.
8. ProtonVPN: A zero-logs provider boasting exceptionally high speeds and a comprehensive set of security features. Works with most region-locked sites and includes 24/7 support.

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.

Best 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. We used the following criteria when making our selections:

• Has excellent speeds
• Provides reliable connections
• Uses strong encryption and other security features
• Offers servers across the globe
• Doesn’t log user data
• Provides solid customer support

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

1. NordVPN

Dec 2024

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 5,400 servers in 60+ countries. It works 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 has one of the largest selections of security options out there. Features include strong encryption, perfect forward secrecy, a kill switch in all apps except Android, protection against leaks, and automatic wifi protection. It also provides a wide selection of obfuscated servers that can help you avoid web filtering techniques such as deep packet inspection (used in China). NordVPN has a policy of keeping no logs whatsoever.

You can use the VPN on up to six 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 rapidly proven itself a worthy contender in the industry, boasting impressive speeds, excellent streaming capabilities, and strong security. It has around 3,200 servers in over 100+ countries and can securely access just about every service we’ve tested, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.

This provider keeps adding to its security suite with existing features, including 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, automatic wifi protection, split tunneling, a kill switch in all apps, and leak protection. Surfshark never logs user data. Further, it recently added a tool that lets you 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. With great speeds and reliable connections, this VPN is suitable for a host of reasons. It’s especially useful for Kodi users, and torrenters as its Android APK can be downloaded directly to your device and is remote control friendly. IPVanish has more than 2,000 servers in over 60 countries. It doesn’t work with as many streaming sites as rivals, but it does help you stream Netflix US and UK, among others. It doesn’t currently work in China.

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.

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.

NO-LOGS VPN:IPVanish is highly secure and has strict no-logs policy. 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 blazing-fast speeds and reliable connections, so you don’t have to worry about a choppy conference call. This provider has an extensive network of more than 3,000 servers in 94 countries, so you can usually find a location that’s close by.

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. It can also bypass censorship in countries like China, enabling access to sites like Facebook, Skype, Instagram, and more.

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 in the desktop apps. ExpressVPN doesn’t keep logs of any user-identifying data. ExpressVPN offers prompt and knowledgeable support via 24/7 live chat, so you can troubleshoot quickly should you run into issues.

Need a VPN on multiple devices? ExpressVPN allows up to five 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. You can also configure the VPN manually on certain routers with compatible firmware.

FAST AND SECURE:ExpressVPN ideal for freelancers choice. It’s super-fast, very reliable, and highly secure. 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 another solid VPN worthy of consideration. This provider operates a huge network comprising more than 9,000 servers spanning 90+ countries. It has great speeds, so you won’t have to wait forever for that huge project file to download, and it’s very beginner-friendly. 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, and automatic wifi protection on familiar networks.

Apps are available for Windows, Linux, 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. 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 all other areas, including speed, security, streaming, and more. It provides fast, reliable connections and can bypass even the country-wide censorship used in places like China. As such, streaming Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video safely is child’s play.

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 (in the Windows app), and protection against leaks.

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.

HIGH-PERFORMANCE:PrivateVPN might be smaller than competitors, but it’s fast, secure, and versatile. The company extends a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN 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. It’s extremely fast, too, with average speeds of almost 400 Mbps – that’s 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 if you pick the Plus or Max plans, you’ll be able to block trackers, too. We’d prefer if it was 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 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of PureVPN for more info.

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8. 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 5,000 servers in 90+ 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 even secure up to 10 devices at a 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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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 remote workers

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 created a list of strict criteria our top services had to meet:

• Fast speeds: Slow connections cause frustration, whether it’s by reducing your efficiency or preventing you from participating in meetings. We regularly speed-test leading VPNs and can safely say that those above are fast enough for any day-to-day task.
• Lots of server locations: Generally, the closer your chosen server is, the more reliable your connection will be. That’s why we prioritize VPNs with servers all over the world; no matter where you are, there should be one that’s relatively close by.
• Strong security and privacy tools: You’ll need a secure connection to work remotely. Our top VPNs must offer 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; many of those above include additional tools, including custom protocols and stealth modes.
• High degree of versatility: 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 test our top VPNs with a plethora of services, including Skype, WhatsApp, BBC iPlayer, Tor, and uTorrent.
• Easy to use: We strongly prefer newcomer-friendly VPNs, which is why we keep an eye out for multi-platform support, 24/7 live chat, and any other features that make the service easier to use. These might include streaming-optimized servers, a lack of connection limits, or money-back guarantees.

Interested in learning more? We’ve put together a full guide that explains exactly how we test VPNs at Comparitech.

VPNs and remote work: FAQs