The best VPN for digital nomads
A VPN is one of the few tools almost every nomad ends up needing. It keeps you secure on the public wifi you work from, lets you reach home banking and services that block foreign logins, and unblocks the content you already pay for. Here is what a VPN does for a nomad, how to choose one, and how the two best options compare.
Why nomads use a VPN
Security on public wifi
Cafes, airports and co-working spaces are where most nomads work, and their open networks are easy to snoop on. A VPN encrypts your connection so your logins and data stay private.
Reach your home services
Banks, government portals and payment apps often block or flag foreign logins. Connecting through a server back home makes it look like you never left, which avoids locked accounts.
Unblock content abroad
Streaming libraries, news sites and some tools change or disappear by country. A VPN lets you switch your apparent location to reach the services you already pay for.
Privacy from local networks
On a hostel or rental network you don't control, a VPN hides your traffic from the network owner and your internet provider.
How to choose one
Server countries that match your life
Pick a VPN with servers in your home country (to reach your bank) and in the places you travel. Both options below cover 100+ countries.
Speed
A slow VPN makes video calls painful. Modern protocols (like WireGuard, or NordVPN's NordLynx) keep the speed hit small, which matters when you work online all day.
How many devices at once
Most nomads run a laptop and a phone at minimum. Check the simultaneous-device limit. Surfshark allows unlimited devices on one account; NordVPN covers up to ten.
A real no-logs policy
Choose a provider with an independently audited no-logs policy, so there's no record of your activity to hand over. Both options below have been audited.
The two best options: NordVPN vs Surfshark
You won't go wrong with either, and both are independently audited with fast WireGuard-based speeds and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Surfshark stands out for unlimited devices at roughly half the price; NordVPN for the largest, fastest network and extras like Threat Protection. Which one is right depends on what matters most to you.
| Surfshark | NordVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | Unlimited | Up to 10 |
| From (2-year plan) | ~$2 / month | ~$3.30 / month |
| Servers | 4,500+ in 100 countries | 7,400+ in 118 countries |
| Protocol | WireGuard | NordLynx (WireGuard-based) |
| No-logs audit | Independently audited | Independently audited |
| Standout | Unlimited devices, CleanWeb, Alternative ID | Threat Protection, Meshnet |
| Money-back | 30 days | 30 days |
Prices are the cheapest 2-year-plan rates and shift with promotions, so check the live price. Specs from each provider.
Surfshark
Unlimited devices, lowest priceBest for: Unlimited devices at the lowest price
The value pick. It covers unlimited devices on one account, so your laptop, phone, tablet and a partner's devices are all protected, and it costs roughly half what the big names charge. Servers in 100 countries, a standard WireGuard protocol, an independently audited no-logs policy, and CleanWeb ad and tracker blocking built in.
- Unlimited devices on one plan
- From about $2/month on a 2-year plan
- 4,500+ servers in 100 countries, audited no-logs
NordVPN
Biggest, fastest networkBest for: Top speed and the largest server network
The best-known name, and the one to pick if raw speed and network size matter most. Its NordLynx protocol is among the fastest available, it runs 7,400+ servers across 118 countries, and it adds genuinely useful extras like Threat Protection (ad, tracker and malware blocking) and Meshnet for linking your own devices. Up to 10 devices and an audited no-logs policy.
- 7,400+ servers in 118 countries
- Fast NordLynx (WireGuard) protocol
- Up to 10 devices, Threat Protection, audited
These are partner links: if you subscribe through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list VPNs we'd recommend to a friend. Compare each provider's current plans before you buy.
Using a VPN responsibly
A VPN is a privacy and security tool, not a way around the law. Most countries allow VPNs, but a few restrict or ban them, so check the local rules before you travel and use any VPN within the law and each service's terms. Pair it with an eSIM for data and you have your connectivity sorted in two apps.
First, sort out where you can live
Tools are the easy part. The bigger question is which countries will let you stay. Check the visas you qualify for in seconds.
Run the free visa checker →VPN for nomads FAQ
Do digital nomads really need a VPN?
For most, yes. You work on public wifi where your data is exposed, and you often need to reach home banking or services that block foreign logins. A VPN solves both, and unblocks content you already pay for.
What is the best VPN for digital nomads?
It depends on what matters most to you. Surfshark covers unlimited devices on one account and costs roughly half the price, which suits a laptop, phone and a partner's devices. NordVPN has the largest, fastest network plus extras like Threat Protection. Both have independently audited no-logs policies, so the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Will a VPN let me access my bank while abroad?
Usually. Connecting through a server in your home country makes your login look domestic, which avoids the security flags and blocks that foreign access can trigger. Always follow your bank's terms.
How many devices can I protect?
It depends on the plan. Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous devices on one account, while NordVPN covers up to ten. For a couple traveling together, unlimited is handy.
Are VPNs legal everywhere?
VPNs are legal in most countries, but a few restrict or ban them (for example China, the UAE, Russia and a handful of others). Check the local rules before you travel, and always use a VPN within the law and each service's terms.
VPN features, plans and country availability change over time, and local laws on VPN use vary. Confirm the current plan and the rules in your destination with the provider and local sources before you rely on it.