Best VPNs for remote workers in 2024
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It is critical that people who work remotely use a high-quality VPN. Remote or hybrid-working environments open a new world of potential security threats to companies. A VPN keeps your personal and company data safe from third parties, such as your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Additionally, if you tend to work on public wifi networks, including coffee shops, having a VPN helps stop hackers from getting their hands on anything you do online. The way it works is – a VPN masks your IP address, giving you much more privacy online.
There are a ton of options out there, some good, some bad. To help you out, we did the legwork and tested various providers to find the most suitable picks. So let’s explore the best VPNs for remote workers.
Top 5 best VPNs for remote workers
- NordVPN – best VPN for remote workers with exceptional speeds
- Surfshark – great remote worker VPN for multiple devices
- Atlas VPN – budget-friendly VPN for remote workers
- ExpressVPN – fast remote worker VPN with great security features
- CyberGhost – excellent VPN for extra privacy
What makes the best VPN for remote work?
The best VPNs for remote working are the ones that can guarantee you a seamless experience. Here’s what you should consider when choosing a VPN for working remotely:
- Advanced security features. You want a VPN that would provide you with unbreakable encryption as well as extra safety features. Such additional protection measures as a functional kill switch or threat protection are some of the ways to keep your data even more secure.
- Strict privacy policy. A clear no-logging policy is a must no matter what you need a VPN for. Plus, it would be even better if it would be audited.
- Fast speeds. While security is crucial, you don’t want to compromise speeds because of it. You can find the list of fastest VPNs review to see which ones offer the best performance
- Large server network. Ideally, you want a VPN that has a large number of servers in multiple locations. This helps you find plenty of servers that aren’t overcrowded and can guarantee optimal performance.
- Affordable price. Even the best VPNs don’t cost a fortune. Make sure that you get your money’s worth for the price you pay.
The best VPNs for remote work – our detailed list:
We tested a wide range of different VPNs to be used for remote work using strict criteria. This includes testing and researching performance, security, ease of use, cost, and more. Keep on reading to find out everything about the best VPNs for remote workers.
1. NordVPN – best VPN for remote workers in 2024
| Based in: | Panama |
| Servers/countries: | 6900+ servers in 111 countries |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more |
| Current deal: | 🔥Get 74% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free🔥 |
The best VPN for remote workers is NordVPN due to its great features and excellent performance. It has long been a cornerstone in the sector and continues to offer reliable service across its massive server network.
NordVPN has some of the best selection of security features out there. These include powerful AES-256 encryption, a reliable kill switch, and even threat protection for security against malicious threats.
In terms of security, NordVPN has a very strict privacy policy. It has been independently audited, proving that it keeps zero logs. Plus, their servers are RAM-only, meaning your data is wiped out with each reboot.
There’s nothing worse than lag, be it during meetings or simply working. You won’t have this issue with NordVPN and its proprietary NordLynx protocol. It retains around 92% of initial internet speeds on average, making it one of the fastest VPNs on the market. Moreover, NordVPN's parent company offers a business VPN NordLayer that's focused more on bigger businesses and can offer boosted speeds, if you want to secure not only one, but let's say, the whole team's devices.
Currently, this NordVPN runs over 6900 servers across 111 locations. Given their vast amount of server locations, you can work from just about anywhere across the world.
All of this comes at an affordable price, starting from as little as $2.99/month. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee you can make use of.
To learn more, check our NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark – remote worker VPN for unlimited devices
| Based in: | The Netherlands |
| Servers/countries: | 3200+ servers in 100 countries |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more |
| Current deal: | 🔥Now up to 87% OFF Surfshark + 4 months FREE🔥 |
Another excellent VPN pick for remote workers is Surfshark. Given its excellent speeds, unlimited simultaneous connections, and affordability, it’s a serious contender.
Starting from security, you’re kept safe with the 256-bit encryption, a functional kill switch, and the CleanWeb feature. The latter helps keep you safe from malicious contents lurking on the web.
User data is never logged by Surfshark – their privacy policy is independently audited. While we found that Surfshark does collect some data to improve its products, you can simply opt out of it.
While Surfshark may have fewer servers in fewer locations across the globe than NordVPN, their server speeds are super fast. With the WireGuard protocol, Surfshark retains up to 89% of initial connection speeds on average. Plus, it has around 3200 servers spread across more than 100 countries.
What stands Surfshark out is the unlimited simultaneous connection allowance. You get to use your account across as many devices as you like – perfect solution for the modern worker.
Surfshark is priced up at budget-friendly $1.99 a month with a 30-day money-back guarantee. This makes it one of the most affordable and complete packages out there.
Gain valuable insights from our Surfshark VPN review or compare Surfshark vs NordVPN for a comprehensive evaluation.
3. Atlas VPN – inexpensive remote worker VPN
| Based in: | United States |
| Servers/countries: | 1000+ servers in 42 locations |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube |
| Current deal: | 🔥Now up to 86% OFF + 6 months FREE!🔥 |
Atlas VPN is another suitable VPN solution for remote working due to its security measures that come at a low price point. There’s even a basic free version available.
With Atlas VPN, you get the SafeSwap feature. It improves your privacy by routinely changing your IP address, helping to keep your work or personal files safe. A kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and 256-bit encryption are also valuable additions that come in the package.
Concerning privacy, Atlas VPN adheres to a clear no-logs policy. This means it cannot expose anything you do online to anyone simply because it doesn’t collect any of your data.
Like many fast VPN services, Atlas VPN uses the WireGuard protocol. That’s part of the reason why it can retain up to 80% of initial connection speeds on average. Plus, it has around 1000 servers spread across 42 locations. While it may not seem like much, they can provide incredibly fast speeds.
This VPN comes at a very low price point of $1.64/month. It also applies a 30-day money-back guarantee and allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
To learn more, check out our Altas VPN review.
4. ExpressVPN – feature-loaded VPN for extra security
| Based in: | British Virgin Islands |
| Servers/countries: | 3000+ servers in 105 locations |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more |
| Current deal: | 🔥Now up to 61% OFF ExpressVPN + 4 months FREE🔥 |
If you’re looking for a feature-rich VPN for working remotely, ExpressVPN is a great and very fast choice. It prioritizes security while maintaining excellent performance for whatever job you need to be done.
Aside from a market-standard yet functional kill switch, ExpressVPN provides you with split tunneling as well as a router applet. The latter helps you set up your VPN on a router much easier.
The independently audited privacy policy of ExpressVPN states that it's a no-log VPN. They don’t track your browsing activities, DNS queries – nothing. You can even opt out of the data collected to improve their services.
In terms of performance, ExpressVPN performed similarly to Atlas VPN. On average, it retained up to 77% of initial connection speeds. So you’re guaranteed a seamless experience no matter what type of work you do. The server fleet of this VPN is big – it has around 3000 servers in 105 different locations.
You can try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days thanks to its refund policy. While the prices start from $4.99/month, this VPN allows you to connect up to 5 devices to one account.
Read up on this provider in the full Express VPN review, or fare it against the #1 in our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison.
5. CyberGhost – privacy-guaranteeing VPN for remote work
| Based in: | Romania |
| Servers/countries: | 11500+ servers in 100 countries |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ |
| Current deal: | 🔥Get 84% OFF CyberGhost + 4 months FREE🔥 |
CyberGhost stands out as one of the best VPNs for remote workers due to its audited no-logs policy and massive server fleet.
As soon as you connect to CyberGhost, your data will be protected with the powerful AES encryption. Plus, you’re getting specialized servers, an ad blocker, and a kill switch to keep you safe. If you want to choose which apps use the VPN yourself, split tunneling is also available.
We read CyberGhost’s privacy policy, and they don’t log your IP address, browsing activities, or other information. The policy is also independently audited, proving your data is in safe hands.
With more than 11500 servers spread across 100 locations, CyberGhost’s network is significantly bigger than most. And thanks to its WireGuard protocol, it can retain around 84% of initial connection speeds on average.
In terms of pricing, the service is super affordable – starting from just $2.03/month. Plus, you get to connect up to 7 devices to your account. Not to mention that you get a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read more in our CyberGhost review.
How we selected and tested these VPNs
We thoroughly tested dozens of VPNs to ensure you end up with the best option for your individual needs working remotely. Here are some of the criteria we used to choose our top picks:
- Strong security and privacy. To work remotely, you'll need a secure connection. All of the VPNs on our list ensure at least a strict no-logs policy, powerful encryption, and a functional kill switch.
- Speed. Slow connections are frustrating since they may decrease your productivity at work. We tested multiple providers and only included VPNs that don’t reduce your device speed or cause lagging issues.
- Server fleet. All of the VPNs we offer provide you with a large number of servers. This will help you never miss best-performing ones.
- Simultaneous connections. When working remotely, it’s likely that you’re using more than one device. We selected VPNs that offer multiple simultaneous connections.
- Best quality-price ratio. While the most expensive VPNs may seem the best, that’s usually not the case. So we measured what the VPNs offer and for what price. Even the best cheap VPN picks made the list.
Why do you need a VPN for remote work?
The primary reason for getting a VPN when working remotely is security, but that’s not all. Here are the main reasons why you need a VPN as a remote worker:
- Connect to your workspace securely. Unsecured devices are potential weak points in your company’s security. A VPN fixes this by masking your IP address and encrypting your data, keeping it safe from prying eyes.
- Protect your banking details. Online transactions are nothing new for employees. But some remote workers tend to work on public wifi networks, increasing security risks. A VPN hides your information from any threat actor, letting you insert your banking details in peace.
- Prevent country price discrimination. Some services apply different price points depending on the country. In some cases, you can find cheaper alternatives when connected to a foreign server with a VPN.
How to connect and set up a VPN for remote work?
Setting up a VPN can slightly vary depending on which platform you’re using, but the fundamental process is the same. You can follow these steps to connect to a VPN for remote working:
- Head over to the official site of the VPN of your choice and sign up. We suggest NordVPN, which is now 74% OFF!
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Download the app and follow the installation instructions
- Log in or create an account
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Use the recommended settings, such as enabling the kill switch
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Pick a server and click on it to connect
It’s as simple as that! Now you’re safe and private while working remotely.
Remote work VPN keeps disconnecting: what to do?
If you’ve connected to your VPN but it keeps disconnecting, don’t drop it all just yet. Here’s a few things you can try to fix the issue:
- Try switching servers
- Try changing tunneling protocols
- Try connecting on a different wifi network (your internet connection may be at fault)
- Change your DNS server. If your VPN lets you use a custom DNS server, you can try changing it to, for instance, Google’s public DNS (8.8.8.8)
- Contact your VPN’s customer support team
- Choose a better VPN. If nothing helps, upgrade your VPN to a better one, such as NordVPN or Surfshark
Should I use a free VPN for remote work?
As appealing as they might seem, we don’t recommend using free VPNs. That’s purely for security reasons.
Unreliable services may end up collecting and selling your data as a means to make a profit. Some other untrustworthy free VPNs may even act as malware in disguise.
A great alternative is freemium VPNs, such as Atlas VPN or Proton VPN. To put it simply, they’re free tier options of premium VPN providers. They’re reliable, yet very limited. You shouldn’t expect loads of servers or features.
Yet, the best solution is opting for a paid VPN and making use of their money-back guarantees or free trials. This way, you’re getting yourself a full-on online privacy service.
- NordVPN – enjoy a massive server fleet, competitive speeds, and advanced security features. You can claim NordVPN’s free trial of 7 days on Android (and set it up on other devices after that). You can also make use of its 30-day money-back guarantee!
- Surfshark – work on as many devices as you need and enjoy a private remote working experience. Get Surfshark’s free trial on iOS or Android (and set it up on other devices after that) or test it with their 30-day money-back guarantee.
Conclusion
In this day and age, using a VPN is critical for remote workers. A VPN encrypts your data and can protect your and your company’s information while working.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about hackers while working on public wifi networks. A VPN hides your browsing activities and IP address, making you anonymous online.
Our top suggestion is NordVPN. It’s a market-leading service in the VPN industry and ensures advanced security features, lightning-fast speeds, and a massive server fleet.
FAQ
Should remote workers use a VPN?
Yes, remote workers should use VPNs to keep their work files and company data safe. If you like working from a cafe that offers free wifi over an open network, a VPN can help keep you safe from potential hackers.
Can my employer know my location on a VPN?
No, if you’re using a personal VPN rather than a business VPN of the whole workspace, then your employer won’t know your location.
Is it okay to leave a VPN on all the time?
Yes, it's advised to keep your VPN connection on at all times. It can help you avoid attacks on unsecured public wifi networks and keep your online identity private.
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