For digital nomads and remote workers, it’s almost a guarantee that you will need a VPN (Virtual Private Network) at some point. Whether you’re blocked from a website or need to hide your location from your boss, a VPN can come in handy for many situations. But with so many options and technical terms, it can be hard to know where to start.
In this guide, we compare five leading VPNs for remote workers and digital nomads. Our breakdown includes factors such as speed, price, security features, and customer ratings. We also dive into use cases, so you can decide which VPN is best for your particular needs.
Let’s get started. ⬇️
Compare VPNs for Remote Workers and Digital Nomads
| NordVPN | ProtonVPN | StarVPN | Mullvad | Surfshark | |
| Discount price | $3.39 | $4.49 | N/A | N/A | $2.19 |
| Normal price | $12.99 | $9.99 | $8.00 | $5.77 | $15.45 |
| Prepaid plans | Buy now | ❌ | ❌ | Buy now | ❌ |
| Free version | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Trustpilot score | 4.2 | 2.1 | 4.5 | 3.2 | 4.5 |
| Mobile app score | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 3.9 | 4.7 |
| Device limit | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | unlimited |
| Server locations | 118 countries | 110 countries | 100 countries | 49 countries | 100 countries |
| Residential IP | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Anonymous login | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
NordVPN
Excellent for reliability, speed
Monthly price
Starts at $3.39 per month
Speed retention
90-95% download, 85-95% upload
Features
encryption, double VPN, kill switch, secure browsing, ad block
Editor’s Take
Nord is one of the leading brand names among VPN services, especially for casual users. We included NordVPN as a top choice for digital nomads and remote professionals thanks to its balance of speed, security, and ease of use. With a worldwide network of servers, it is consistently ranked among the fastest VPNs on the market.
Although it isn’t the best choice for hiding from your boss, NordVPN provides reliable performance around the world. This makes Nord a solid choice for anyone seeking to bypass geographic restrictions, bolster network security, and prevent location-based tracking for things like streaming.
Pricing and plans
NordVPN offers four plan tiers. Pricing can vary substantially, depending on if you commit to a monthly, yearly, or two-year subscription.
For customers who want payment anonymity, prepaid NordVPN digital cards are also available for sale on Amazon.
| Basic | Plus | Complete | Prime | |
| Price (2-year plan) | $3.39 | $4.39 | $5.39 | $7.39 |
| Price (1-year plan) | $4.99 | $5.99 | $6.99 | $8.99 |
| Price (monthly) | $12.99 | $13.99 | $14.99 | $17.99 |
| Device maximum | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Threat protection | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Anti-malware | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Browsing protection | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ad blocker | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Password manager | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Data breach scanner | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Encrypted cloud storage | ❌ | ❌ | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| Dark web monitor | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Credit monitor | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Credit freeze assistance | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Identity theft insurance | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Cyber extortion insurance | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Pros & Cons
✅NordVPN consistently ranks among the fastest VPNs, crucial for Zoom calls, large file uploads, and remote desktop work.
✅Features like AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and Threat Protection (malware/phishing blocker) keep your data safe on public Wi-Fi.
✅NordVPN garners strong reviews for its mobile apps.
❌Unlike services like StarVPN, NordVPN doesn’t offer static U.S. residential IPs, which might be needed to bypass corporate geo-checks.
❌While Nord offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, there’s no free plan for casual or budget-conscious users.
❌Advanced users may find fewer low-level configuration options compared to something like Mullvad or self-hosted WireGuard setups.
Proton VPN
Excellent for free VPN, privacy
Monthly price
Free version available, then starts at $4.49 per month
Speed retention
80-90% download, 80-90% upload (premium plans only)
Features
ad-free, no-logs, ad blocker, anti-malware, private inbox
Editor’s Take
Proton VPN is a great choice for privacy-focused remote workers and digital nomads who want a secure and ethical VPN backed by a strong reputation. Built by the team behind Proton Mail, it is one of the few VPNs with a genuine, independently audited no-logs policy.
We also like that Proton VPN offers a free version of its service. Unlike most (sketchy) free VPNs, Proton Free is devoid of ads and doesn’t log your activity. Even though the free service is rather slow for streaming, it is adequate for remote workers that just need to quickly access blocked websites. Users that want faster speeds can upgrade to one of Proton’s paid plans.
Pricing and plans
In addition to a basic free tier, Proton VPN offers two paid plans with premium features.
| Proton Free | VPN Plus | Proton Unlimited | |
| Price (2-year plan) | Free | $4.49 | $7.99 |
| Price (1-year plan) | Free | $4.99 | $9.99 |
| Price (monthly) | Free | $9.99 | $12.99 |
| Device maximum | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Server locations | 5 countries | 110 countries | 110 countries |
| Streaming | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ad blocker | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Anti-malware | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Password manager | Limited | Limited | ✅ |
| Dark web monitor | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Encrypted cloud storage | 5 GB | 5 GB | 500 GB |
| Private inbox | Limited | Limited | ✅ |
Pros & Cons
✅Proton is one of the few VPNs that provides a safe, free version of its service.
✅Proton VPN maintains a strict, independently-verified no logs policy.
✅All apps are open source and regularly audited, which is rare in the industry.
❌Unlike services like StarVPN, Proton VPN doesn’t offer static U.S. residential IPs, which might be needed to bypass corporate geo-checks.
❌Many features are not available on the free tier, and you must pay to upgrade.
❌In online reviews, some customers complain about the difficulty of canceling Proton’s monthly subscription.
StarVPN
Excellent for residential IP
Monthly price
Free version available, then starts at $8 per month
Speed retention
45-55% download, 45-55% upload
Features
residential IP, SOCKS5 proxy, OpenVPN & Wireguard
Editor’s Take
StarVPN (not to be confused with the similarly-named “Star VPN”) has gained a reputation in the digital nomad community for its residential IP capabilities. While the vast majority of VPN services rely on commercial IP addresses, StarVPN provides static residential IPs on its premium plans. This makes the service a much better choice for hiding your location from your employer.
When paired with a travel router for remote work, StarVPN can make it look like you are working from a home address in the U.S. or another fixed location. Although StarVPN isn’t as fast or reliable as setting up a VPN on your home network, it’s the best existing option for nomads and remote workers who can’t run the DIY method.
Pricing and plans
StarVPN offers a limited-data free version, as well as a commercial VPN for $8/month. The coveted residential IP addresses are only available on StarVPN’s premium plans, though.
| Datacenter VPN | Business Residential | Premium Residential | |
| Monthly price | $8 | $20 | $45 |
| Locations | worldwide | 5 countries | 100 countries |
| Device limit | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Commercial IP | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| SOCKS5 proxy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tier 1 ISPs | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Residential IP | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mobile IP | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Pros & Cons
✅StarVPN is one of the only VPNs that offers residential IP addresses.
✅While VPNs with residential IP addresses can be shady, StarVPN rotates through IPs less frequently.
✅You can choose which protocol works best for you.
❌Some users report significant reductions in speed (including during Zoom calls), making StarVPN a risky choice for users that require fast internet.
❌StarVPN’s residential IP service is expensive for the casual user.
❌Some users complain of dropped connections and occasional outages.
Mullvad
Excellent for anonymity, privacy
Monthly price
€5 ($5.77) per month
Speed retention
88-90% download, 88-90% upload
Features
cryptocurrency payments, prepaid plans, open source
Editor’s Take
Mullvad is a popular choice for security-conscious professionals around the world, including remote workers and digital nomads. The company’s commitment to extreme privacy separates it from other VPNs – no email is required for signup, there is no tracking whatsoever, and the company accepts anonymous cryptocurrency payments. We also like that you can purchase prepaid Mullvad cards through various retailers, including Amazon.
Under normal conditions, Mullvad maintains surprisingly fast speeds for a VPN with a relatively low server count. However, performance has been known to vary based on server on server location, protocol, and overall network traffic.
Pricing and plans
Mullvad takes a refreshingly simple approach to pricing. The company’s VPN service costs €5 ($5.77) per month, and that’s it. No upsells, no gimmicks, no nonsense.
Pros & Cons
✅Mullvad accepts various forms of payment, including cryptocurrency, PayPal, and even cash mailed in envelopes to its Sweden headquarters.
✅No email is required for signup; users are assigned randomized tokens.
✅Mullvad doesn’t try to upsell users or offer discounts for longer subscriptions.
❌Performance on servers far from your location (e.g., Asia from the U.S.) can drop by 40–60%.
❌Doesn’t reliably unblock Netflix or other geo-restricted content.
❌Lacks some of the extra tools offered by more consumer-oriented VPNs.
Surfshark
Excellent for many devices
Monthly price
Starts at $2.19 per month
Speed retention
93-95% download, 39-52% upload
Features
unlimited devices, ad blocker, alternative ID, antivirus
Editor’s Take
Surkshark is another mainstream VPN utilized by many remote workers and digital nomads for casual use. You are allowed unlimited connections on all of Surfshark’s plans, making it a good choice for families and remote teams with many devices. We also like that the service offers sizable discounts (though only if you commit to two years).
Pricing and plans
Surkshark offers three paid plans. When you commit for two years, the monthly price goes down to a mere $2.19, although month-to-month pricing is more expensive.
| Starter | One | One+ | |
| Price (2-year plan) | $2.19 | $2.69 | $4.29 |
| Price (1-year plan) | $3.19 | $3.39 | $6.09 |
| Price (monthly) | $15.45 | $17.95 | $20.65 |
| Device maximum | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited |
| Alternative ID | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ad blocker | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Anti-virus | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Data leak alerts | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Data removal | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Pros & Cons
✅Surfshark imposes no limit on connections, making it a good choice for travelers and remote workers with many devices.
✅Surfshark’s prices are lower than competitors if you take a 2-year commitment.
✅Users can enjoy extremely fast download speeds on Surfshark’s network.
❌Surfshark’s pricing is rather expensive if you choose to pay month-to-month.
❌Doesn’t offer a free version of its VPN, although it does offer a 30-day money back guarantee.
❌On average, Surfshark loses a lot of upload speed retention, making it a poor choice for users that need to upload a lot of large files.
Guided to Choosing a VPN for Remote Work and Digital Nomads
When it comes to VPNs, there really isn’t a “best” that works for every remote worker. A lot depends on your own personal needs and what you’re looking to get out of the service.
In this section, we’ll walk through different use cases and features that you should consider before making your decision.
How does a VPN work?
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a tool that helps you stay private and secure online by hiding your real location and encrypting your internet traffic.
When you use the internet—say, by visiting a website or logging into a work system—your computer sends out a message from your public IP address (which is like your home address on the internet). The website or network you’re connecting to can see that IP address, which tells them where you are in the world.
Instead of going straight to the website, your computer connects first to a VPN client (a small app running on your device) that sends your traffic to a VPN server. The server could be located anywhere, like back in your home country. The VPN then passes your request on to the website or service you’re using.
From the website’s point of view, it only sees the VPN server’s IP address. It appears as though you’re connecting from wherever that server is located, not from your actual location.
In short, a VPN is like a secure tunnel that hides your internet activity and makes it look like you’re browsing from somewhere else. It’s an essential tool for privacy, security, and location flexibility, especially for digital nomads.
Choosing a VPN
The best VPN depends on your own individual needs as a traveler and remote worker. Consider what you’re looking to get out of the service before you commit.
Speed
Like automobiles, not all VPNs are created equal when it comes to speed and performance. While casual internet browsers may not notice any performance issues, your VPN’s speed can have a big impact for activities like streaming and gaming.
“Speed retention is largely going to be dependent on latency, and the latency that will dominate the VPN connection is the physical distance between the client and server,” says Adam Kimbrough of The Wired Nomad.
If speed is your priority, consider the number of servers offered by the VPN company, as well as their locations relative to where you will be traveling.
💡Tip: Looking for accommodations with verified internet speeds? Check out The Wired Nomad database.
IP address type
If hiding from your location from your employer is the main goal, then you will need a residential IP address. Major commercial VPNs such as NordVPN and Proton use IP addresses that are often flagged by IT departments and easily uncovered. Currently, StarVPN is the only major VPN service that offers vetted residential IP addresses.
When it comes to obscuring your location from the boss, “none of the commercial VPN options are viable” observes Kimbrough. “Except for StarVPN.”
Privacy and security
If extreme privacy and anonymity are your priorities, consider VPNs that cater to your specific needs. Mullvad, for example, offers anonymous login, untraceable payment methods, and a strict no logs policy.
Beware of free VPN services from unvetted providers. Like most “free” software services, you become the product via advertising and/or the sale of your personal browsing data.
Benefits of using a VPN
A VPN is a useful tool for remote workers, especially digital nomads working overseas. Consider these use cases as you research various providers.
Accessing blocked sites
Some sites maintain restrictions that prevent overseas internet users from accessing them, including many U.S. government and corporate websites. Other countries like China, the UAE, and Turkey have enacted censorship or local firewalls. If all you need from a VPN is occasional access to a blocked site, a free or low-cost VPN should satisfy your needs.
- Best VPNs: Proton, NordVPN, Surfshark
Streaming
Many VPN users just want to access cheaper subscription prices or content libraries from other regions (e.g., watching U.S. Netflix from Europe or paying less for Spotify/YouTube Premium). However, 4K streaming will require a VPN with faster speeds.
- Best VPNs: NordVPN, Surfshark
Privacy and security
For users who prioritize privacy and security, choose a VPN that encrypts all your online activity, masks your IP address, and allows for total anonymity.
- Best VPNs: Mullvad
Hiding from your employer
Many remote workers need to appear as though they’re working from a particular city or country, when in reality they live overseas or in a totally different state. This requires you to choose a VPN that offers static residential IP addresses, so you always look to be working using a home internet connection.
- Best VPNs: StarVPN
Cost of a VPN for remote workers
How much you pay for a VPN varies depending on the VPN’s features and the payment plan that you choose.
- Free VPN: A few companies offer free versions of their VPN. Keep in mind that your speed is usually greatly reduced on a free service. Stick with reputable providers like Proton that don’t push ads or take your personal data.
- Self-hosted VPN: If you’re tech savvy, it’s possible to set up your own self-hosted VPN. Equipment costs will total around $170. Walkthrough by an IT pro will likely cost several hundred dollars more.
- Basic VPN: Many VPN providers offer big discounts if you pay upfront for a 2-year plan. If you go with a longer commitment, your monthly price could be as low as $2.19 to $4.49 for a VPN with basic features. For a month-to-month payment plan, you’re looking at a price point between $5.77 and $15.45.
- Premium VPN: Choose a premium plan you want additional features like anti-malware, password managers, browsing protection, and ad blocking. Starting cost be will be around $7.39 monthly for a two-year commitment, and $12.99 for a month-to-month plan.
- Residential IP: You can obtain a residential IP using a self-hosting VPN at your residence, or by using a service such as StarVPN. The latter’s monthly plans start at $20 a month for static residential IPs.
Glossary: Key VPN terms and what they mean
| Term | Definition |
| VPN (Virtual Private Network) | Encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP by routing data through a remote server |
| Encryption | Secures your data so no one else can read it, protecting your privacy online |
| IP Address | A unique number identifying your device online that can reveal your location |
| No-Logs Policy | The VPN does not record or store your browsing activity or connection data |
| Kill Switch | Automatically cuts your internet connection if the VPN disconnects to prevent your real IP from leaking |
| Split Tunneling | Lets you choose which apps use the VPN and which use your regular internet connection |
| DNS Leak Protection | Keeps your DNS requests inside the VPN tunnel so your browsing activity stays hidden |
| Speed Retention | The percentage of your original internet speed that remains when using a VPN |
| Download Speed | The rate at which data is transferred to your device, affecting streaming and browsing performance |
| Upload Speed | The rate at which data is sent from your device, important for video calls and file sharing |
| Latency (Ping) | The time it takes for data to travel to a server and back, lower latency means faster response time |
| Bandwidth Throttling | When your internet provider slows down certain types of traffic, often bypassed with a VPN |
| Server Load | How busy a VPN server is, which can affect speed and performance |
| WireGuard | A modern VPN protocol that offers fast speeds and strong security |
| OpenVPN | A widely supported VPN protocol that is secure but usually slower than WireGuard |
| IKEv2/IPSec | A protocol that reconnects quickly when switching networks, good for mobile use |
| Multihop (Double VPN) | Routes your data through two servers instead of one for added anonymity |
| Static IP | A fixed IP address that stays the same every time you connect, useful for secure logins |
| Obfuscated Servers | Hide the fact that you are using a VPN, helpful in countries with internet restrictions |
| RAM-only Servers | Servers that do not store any data permanently and are wiped after every reboot |
| Geo-blocking | When websites or services restrict access based on location, bypassed using a VPN |
| Smart DNS | Unblocks streaming content without encryption, faster but not private |
| Residential IP | An IP address that appears to come from a regular home connection, useful for bypassing VPN blocks |
| Port Forwarding | Allows outside devices to connect to your device through the VPN, often used for file sharing or remote access |
❓FAQs
Are VPNs legal?
VPNs are legal in most countries, including the UK and U.S., as long as you use them lawfully. Some countries ban all but government-approved VPNs.
Do VPNs slow down my internet?
Yes, because your data travels farther and is encrypted. However, most reputable VPNs only reduce speeds slightly (often 5–20%), which isn’t noticeable for the majority of users.
➡️Further reading: Learn more about why VPN speeds drop from the pros.
Are there free VPNs?
Free VPNs exist, but many have risks like limited data, slower speeds, fewer features, and questionable privacy practices. Only use free VPNs from reputable companies, such as Proton.