Best VPNs for remote workers in 2026
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Remote work is no longer an exception but the standard for many teams. With employees accessing company systems from home networks, coworking spaces, and unsecured public Wi-Fi, the opportunities for cyberattacks have expanded significantly. This makes a secure connection critical for businesses. The best VPNs for remote workers reduce these risks by encrypting traffic, masking IP addresses, and ensuring consistent access to company resources across locations.
In 2026, the right VPN should have more than just excellent speed test results. Advanced encryption standards, reliable uptime, global server infrastructure, and features that support productivity are key factors to consider. In this guide, I review the 5 best VPNs for remote workers, focusing on providers that balance security, performance, and usability.
Top 5 best VPNs for remote workers
- NordVPN – best VPN for remote workers with exceptional speeds
- Surfshark – great remote worker VPN for multiple devices
- IPVanish – 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 were audited.
- Fast speeds. While security is crucial, you don’t want to compromise speed because of it. You can find the list of fastest VPNs in our 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.
Best VPNs for remote work – detailed list
Together with the Cybernews team, I evaluated a wide range of different VPNs for remote work using strict criteria. This includes testing and researching performance, security, ease of use, and cost. Keep on reading to find out everything about the best VPNs for remote workers.
1. NordVPN – best VPN for remote workers in 2026
| Based in: | Panama |
| Servers/countries: | 9,500+ servers in 149 countries |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more |
| Current deal: | Get 75% 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.
As described in our NordVPN review, the provider has one of the best selections of security features out there. These include powerful AES-256 encryption, a reliable kill switch, and even Threat Protection Pro 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, its 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 80% 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, NordVPN runs over 9,500 servers across 149 locations. Given its vast number 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 $3.49/month. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee you can make use of.
2. Surfshark – remote worker VPN for unlimited devices
| Based in: | The Netherlands |
| Servers/countries: | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more |
| Current deal: | Now up to 85% OFF Surfshark + 3 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. And you can get it even cheaper with our Surfshark promo code: OFFCN.
Starting with 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 content lurking on the web.
User data is never logged by Surfshark, as its privacy policy is independently audited. While I 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, its server speeds are super fast. With the WireGuard protocol, Surfshark retains up to 81% of initial connection speeds on average. Plus, it has around 4,500 servers across more than 100 countries.
What sets Surfshark apart is the unlimited simultaneous connection allowance. You get to use your account across as many devices as you like – a perfect solution for the modern worker.
Surfshark is priced at a budget-friendly $2.49/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. IPVanish – inexpensive remote worker VPN
| Based in: | United States |
| Servers/countries: | 3,400+ servers in 112 countries |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, and more |
| Current deal: | Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish |
IPVanish is another suitable VPN solution for remote working due to its security measures that come at a low price point. There’s even a 7-day free trial available for Android and iOS devices.
With IPVanish, you can enjoy a customized and automated VPN experience by using custom connection rules. Also, it has additional features, such as 1TB of LiveDrive encrypted storage, SOCKS5 support, and the Threat Protection feature that safeguards you against trackers, cookies, and ads.
As discussed in our IPVanish review, the 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, IPVanish uses the WireGuard protocol. That’s part of the reason why it can retain up to 62% of initial connection speeds on average. Plus, it has around 3,400 servers spread across 112 countries. While it may not seem like much, they can provide incredibly fast speeds.
This VPN comes at a pretty low price point of $2.19/month. It also applies a 30-day money-back guarantee and allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
4. ExpressVPN – feature-loaded VPN for extra security
| Based in: | British Virgin Islands |
| Servers/countries: | Servers in 105 locations |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more |
| Current deal: | Now up to 80% OFF ExpressVPN + 4 months FREE |
If you’re looking for a feature-rich VPN to work remotely, ExpressVPN is a great and very fast choice. It prioritizes security while maintaining excellent performance for whatever job needs to be done.
Aside from a market-standard kill switch, ExpressVPN provides you with split tunneling. It also has a router app that helps you set up your VPN on a router more easily; however, on March 31st, 2026, it will be discontinued. After this date, ExpressVPN will only work on its own Aircove routers.
The independently audited privacy policy of ExpressVPN states that it's a no-log VPN. It doesn’t track your browsing activities or DNS queries. You can even opt out of ExpressVPN’s data collection to improve its services.
In terms of performance, ExpressVPN retained up to 60% of initial connection speeds. So you’re guaranteed a seamless experience no matter what type of work you do. The server count of this VPN isn’t disclosed, but it is spread across 105 different locations. While the prices start from $2.49/month, this VPN allows you to connect up to 14 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: | Servers in 100 countries |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ |
| Current deal: | Get 88% OFF CyberGhost + 2 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.
I read CyberGhost’s privacy policy, and it doesn’t log your IP address, browsing activities, or other information. The policy is also independently audited, proving your data is in safe hands.
As disclosed in our CyberGhost review, the provider has servers spread across 100 locations. And thanks to its WireGuard protocol, it can retain around 78% of initial connection speeds on average.
In terms of pricing, the service is super affordable – starting from just $1.59/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.
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. However, some remote workers tend to work on public Wi-Fi 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 VPN site of your choice and sign up; I suggest NordVPN, which is now 75% 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
- 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 are a few things you can try to fix the issue:
- Try switching servers.
- Try changing tunneling protocols.
- Try connecting on a different Wi-Fi 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.
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 malicious hackers while working on public Wi-Fi networks. A VPN hides your browsing activities and IP address, making you anonymous online.
My 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 Wi-Fi over an open network, a VPN can help keep you safe from potential malicious hackers.
Can my employer know my location on a VPN?
No, if you’re using a personal VPN rather than a business VPN for 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 Wi-Fi networks and keep your online identity private.
