The Best VPNs for Streaming for North America Server
In North America, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) offer a secure and reliable way to access online content (websites, movies, games, software, etc.). VPN technology works by encrypting users’ online traffic & sending it through a private server and protecting users’ privacy and security and allowing them to bypass restrictions on what they can view on the internet. Some popular VPN services available in North America include NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and Atlas VPN. These providers provide different features at various price points so that customers can choose based on their individual needs.
Many people use these services to watch geo-restricted content such as streaming services not available in certain countries outside of North America, while others use them to hide their IP address or access websites blocked by governments or ISPs.o
Importance of VPNs in North America
Over the past few years, North Americans have become increasingly aware of their online safety, leading to a rise in the usage of virtual private networks (VPNs). There are many reasons VPN technology is important for North Americans, such as:
1. Protecting Privacy
The importance of protecting personal information and data online is becoming increasingly critical in the face of online surveillance & data breaches. One way to safeguard these details is by using a VPN, which provides encryption for all internet traffic, making it impossible to access or intercept by any external entities, such as governments, ISPs, or hackers.
2. Accessing Geo-Restricted Content
Many streaming services and websites restrict access to content based on geographical location. VPNs can bypass these restrictions by allowing users to connect to servers in other countries, thereby accessing content that may not be available in their region.
3. Secure Remote Work
As more people work remotely, VPNs are becoming increasingly important for protecting company data & ensuring that employees can work securely from any location.
4. Safe Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi networks are often insecure and can leave users vulnerable to cyber-attacks. VPNs can provide a secure connection when using public Wi-Fi, protecting users from potential threats.
What Makes a Good VPN for North America?
There are a few key factors we considered when picking the best VPN services for use in the United States and Canada:
Speed
You want a VPN that provides consistently fast connection speeds to avoid buffering and lag when streaming or browsing. Top VPNs use protocols like Wireguard or OpenVPN and large server networks to enable fast speeds.
Server Network
The number of servers a VPN provider operates in North America impacts performance. More servers mean less crowded connections and improved speeds. A large network also makes it easier to find a server matching your location.
Unblocking Abilities
The top VPNs can reliably unblock popular streaming platforms like Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and CBC to bypass regional restrictions. Media streaming accounted for over 70% of North America’s internet traffic in 2020.
Security Protocols
A VPN should use strong encryption like AES-256 combined with secure protocols such as OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec to safeguard your data. Features like a kill switch, split-tunneling, and a no-logs policy also enhance privacy.
Ease of Use
You want a VPN that’s straightforward to set up and use on various devices, such as Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. User-friendly apps with clear navigation simplify the process.
Pricing and Plans
While free VPNs seem appealing, paid services are vastly superior regarding speed, reliability, and features. The best VPNs offer affordable monthly or yearly rates and flexible plans.
Best VPNs for North America Servers
Based on extensive testing and research, these 5 VPN services are currently the top options for online privacy and security in the United States and Canada.
- NordVPN – Most Reliable VPN for Streaming & Torrenting
- Surfshark – Most Affordable VPN for North America
- ExpressVPN – Best VPN for North America Overall
- Private Internet Access – Largest VPN Server Network in North America
- CyberGhost – Best for Anonymity and Torrenting
NordVPN – Most Reliable VPN for Streaming & Torrenting
6300 servers
111 covered countries
30-Day Refund Policy
10 simultaneous connections
Panama-based NordVPN is another excellent choice if you do a lot of P2P file sharing or media streaming in North America. It has specialty servers optimized for torrenting and accessing platforms like Netflix.
Over 6000+ NordVPN servers are available in North America, including 3,200+ locations in the US and 280+ in Canada. Thanks to specialized media streaming servers, connections were extremely reliable for HD streaming. NordVPN also has P2P-optimized servers to enable private, fast torrenting.
Onion over VPN servers routes your traffic through the Tor network for extra anonymity. Obfuscated servers also allow bypassing VPN blocks. CyberSec ad-blocking blocks ads and malware. NordPass password manager is now included for free.
You can connect 6 devices at the same time with NordVPN. Apps are easy to use on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. NordVPN also offers dedicated IP addresses for a fee to access region-locked content. 30-day money-back guarantee plus 1-3 year plans available.
Surfshark – Most Affordable VPN for North America
3000 servers
65 covered countries
30-Day Refund Policy
Unlimited connections
With low monthly pricing, unlimited device connections, and reliable performance, Surfshark is the top budget pick for a North American VPN. Despite the low cost, it delivers fast speeds and can readily unblock Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and other sites.
The network is smaller than ExpressVPN or NordVPN, but Surfshark does offer 3000+ servers in over 50 locations across North America. Connections were consistently fast for HD streaming on local and long-distance servers.
Surfshark has a solid reputation for security and privacy. AES-256 encryption, a private DNS, a kill switch, and cleanweb ad/malware blocking provide robust protection. The jurisdiction in the British Virgin Islands has no data retention laws. Apps are available for all major platforms.
A single Surfshark plan can be used on unlimited devices simultaneously – great for protecting all your household devices.
ExpressVPN – Best VPN for North America Overall
3000+ servers
105 covered countries
30-Day Refund Policy
8 simultaneous connections
ExpressVPN operates 3,000+ VPN servers in 94 countries, including 105+ locations across 25+ cities in the US and Canada. In our tests, the service delivered blazing-fast speeds on short—and long-distance connections, reducing buffering and lag.
Powerful 256-bit AES encryption combined with TrustedServer technology ensures your traffic stays secure. ExpressVPN also offers a Private DNS feature on Android and iOS to prevent DNS leaks. The strict no-logs policy means no activity or connection logs are kept.
ExpressVPN makes media streaming effortless. It successfully unblocks Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and CBC Gem for seamless entertainment. The MediaStreamer Smart DNS extension lets you watch content on devices that don’t support VPNs, too.
Split-tunneling allows you to choose which apps route through the VPN and which use your regular connection. The Network Lock feature blocks internet access if the VPN drops. ExpressVPN supports OpenVPN, L2TP, IKEv2, and Wireguard on apps for all major platforms.
A single ExpressVPN subscription covers use on 8 devices simultaneously. You can try it risk-free for 30 days and get a full refund if you are unsatisfied. Monthly and 6-month plans are available, as well as a yearly subscription.
Private Internet Access – Largest VPN Server Network in North America
50 US states
90+ covered countries
30-Day Refund Policy
Unlimited connections
Private Internet Access (PIA) has the largest server network in North America, making it easy to find a local connection with low ping times. In our testing, PIA delivered reliable connections across its huge US and Canadian footprint. Server congestion was low, and we could find locations close to our real location. PIA owns all of its servers for better security.
PIA has good proven unblocking abilities for US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and other sites, though speed can suffer compared to faster rivals. Unlimited simultaneous connections are allowed. An Internet Kill Switch cuts off the Internet if the VPN drops.
Security features like a strict no-logs policy, 4096-bit RSA key encryption, and AES-256 traffic encryption keep your activity protected. Port forwarding and SOCKS5 web proxy complement the VPN. The apps are easy to use on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux.
CyberGhost – Best for Anonymity and Torrenting
125+ Locations
100+ covered countries
45-Day Refund Policy
7 simultaneous connections
CyberGhost is an excellent choice for P2P file sharing and maintaining online anonymity. During testing, speeds held up well for streaming and browsing when connected to US and Canadian servers. While not the fastest, performance was reliable enough even for HD streaming. Servers optimized for torrenting, streaming, and gaming are available.
CyberGhost consistently bypasses geo-restrictions to access Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, and more. Region-specific servers make bypassing blocks straightforward. Split tunneling allows apps to be assigned to use the VPN or regular connection.
Strong encryption and privacy protection keep your identity hidden when torrenting or accessing blocked content. CyberGhost uses AES-256, perfect forward secrecy, and SHA-512 hashing. An ad/tracker blocker enhances privacy. The Romania-based provider maintains a strict no-logs policy.
The user-friendly CyberGhost apps make it simple to find the optimal server and switch locations. Settings are streamlined into basic and advanced options. Up to 7 devices can connect simultaneously on apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux platforms.
How Our Team Tested the Best VPNs for North America
To find the top 5 VPN services currently available for use in North America, we conducted in-depth testing and analysis based on these criteria:
- Speed: Using speed test tools, we measured VPN connection speeds from different locations on local and long-distance servers to gauge their impact on browsing, streaming, and torrenting. The fastest overall speeds earned a higher score.
- Server Network: We preferred VPNs operating robust server networks within North America for more reliable local connections. Wider coverage provides better performance.
- Unblocking Abilities: The top services for North America can bypass geo-restrictions to consistently access region-locked platforms. We tested unblocking Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, and other popular sites.
- Security Protocols: VPNs using robust protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec combined with strong 256-bit AES encryption ranked higher. Additional protection like a kill switch, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, and a proven no-logs policy were also key.
- Ease of Use: We considered how user-friendly each provider’s apps are across various platforms, such as Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Services with clear navigation and settings scored better.
- Pricing: Our top picks were VPNs offering flexible pricing models with affordable rates on monthly, 6-month, or yearly plans. Free trials and money-back guarantees add value as well.
Why Trust SearchVPN?
Our team has extensively tested virtual private networks for over 15+ years. We use a rigorous methodology to evaluate VPNs based on speed, security, privacy, unblocking abilities, server network, and ease of use to find the top services.
Our test results derive from tangible data, such as speed tests, hands-on analysis of features/apps, and verified unblocking checks. We purchase all reviewed products anonymously to remain unbiased. Transparency and accuracy are our highest priorities in helping readers choose the right VPN.
Final Thoughts
Protecting your online privacy and security is critical when accessing the Internet from North America. After extensive testing, we recommend NordVPN as the best VPN for use in the US and Canada, thanks to its excellent speeds, accessibility, strong encryption, and proven performance in unblocking top streaming services.
Surfshark VPN ranks a close second, with specialty servers that provide smooth streaming and torrenting. For budget-focused users, Surfshark offers fast connections and unlimited device support at a very low monthly price. CyberGhost and Private Internet Access also provide reliable VPN protection tailored for North America.
No matter which VPN you choose, using a virtual private network ensures your data and identity stay safe from prying eyes. Encrypting your internet traffic is crucial when accessing public Wi-Fi or streaming region-locked content anywhere in North America.
FAQs About Using a VPN in North America
Is a VPN legal in North America?
Yes, using a VPN is perfectly legal in both the United States and Canada. There are no laws restricting VPN use. Many people use VPNs every day for online privacy and security without issue. However, using a VPN for illegal activities may have consequences.
Will a VPN protect me on public Wi-Fi?
Yes, by encrypting your internet connection, a VPN shields you from hackers and snoops when accessing public Wi-Fi in coffee shops, airports, hotels, and other locations. VPN encryption prevents others on the network from seeing your browsing activity.
Can a VPN unblock Canadian content when traveling abroad?
Absolutely. Top VPNs allow Canadians traveling overseas to bypass regional blocks and access favorite streaming sites like CBC Gem, Crave, and Sportsnet Now by connecting to a Canadian VPN server. This tricks platforms into thinking you’re accessing from Canada.
Does a VPN impact internet speeds?
All VPNs can result in some speed loss versus your direct, unencrypted connection. However, the fastest VPNs minimize the impact through optimized network infrastructure. On a fast home connection above 100 Mbps, the speed hit is usually 10-25% and negligible.
Can I be tracked if I use a VPN?
No, a quality no-logs VPN makes tracking your online activity virtually impossible. Without access or server logs, a VPN has no data to tie back to your internet use or identity. Just make sure you only to use trusted providers that protect your anonymity.
Verified A Professional Content Writer
Riha Mervana is a professional content writer at SearchVPN.org, with extensive experience crafting engaging and informative content. She has established herself as an expert in the VPN industry, creating content that educates readers on the importance of online privacy and security.
