The pandemic has pushed us into new workplace formats. We hold meetings over Skype, submit work via email, and telecommute to the office from different locations. In fact, according to the US Census Bureau, 4.7 million people were already working remotely in the US alone, even before the pandemic hit. This has surely given a lot of workers more freedom — but this also means we may need a few extra tools.
VPNs are essential for freelancers and remote workers — just like project management tools and time tracking apps. We need Virtual Private Networks to protect our data online. Plus, they let us have unlimited access to the Internet – no matter what our current geographical location is. So, what is the best VPN for working from home?
Choosing the Right VPN
There are several things to keep in mind when choosing a VPN for remote workers.
Encryption strength. A VPN’s primary job is to keep your data safe when you are online. Thus, it’s important that you choose a VPN with a strong encryption. The industry standard for this is a
256-bit encryption, and you shouldn’t settle for less.
Connection speed. VPNs tend to slow down your network, and a bad one will slow it down significantly. Naturally, this will make working and communicating online unnecessarily complicated. This is why you should always make sure that the VPN you choose has a fast connection.
No logging policy. When it comes to privacy, you should look for a VPN provider that doesn’tkeep logs of their users’ data. This will ensure that none of your online activities are recorded, and there is no risk of this data falling into the wrong hands.
Multiple OS support. When using a VPN, you will probably want to have it on all your devices to keep them protected. If this is the case, you may want to search for a provider that can support several platforms.
No traffic limits. While most VPNs do require a paid subscription, you will also be able to find lots of free VPNs online. While these can be a great way to get started, you should always check if they come with bandwidth limitations.
So, let’s get into it. What are the best VPNs to use when working from home?
Express VPN
94 countries over 3,000+ servers
No data logging
24/7 Customer Service.
Express VPN is one of the most popular VPN services. It guarantees a fast connection and covers lots of locations across the world, which makes it perfect for frequent travelers. Your connection is protected with a 256-bit encryption and the provider won’t keep any logs of your online activity. Express VPN is available for Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Linux, and more.
NordVPN
60 countries over 5,500+ servers
Double encryption
No data logging
If you are looking for an extra level of protection, you should try out NordVPN. The service comes with the standard data protection set: 256-bit encryption + no-logging policy. However, in addition to that, there is the double encryption feature onboard. With it, your data goes through an extra level of encryption for enhanced security. Basically, your data is encrypted not once but twice. NordVPN is available Windows, Mac OS, Linux, iOS, Chrome OS, Android, and Windows Phone.
Surfshark
65 countries over 3200+ servers
Zero logging
NoBorders anti-censorship
Surfshark is another great option for digital nomads. It would be especially useful for those working in countries with restrictive media policies like Russia or China. With Surfshark, you get the standard safety features like 256-AES-GCM encryption, zero logging, and a kill switch. Additionally, there are the automatic Camouflage obfuscation and NoBorders anti-censorship methods. The VPN also lets you set specific encryption settings for individual networks. This is a useful option for remote workers who might use different connections throughout the day.
IPVanish
60 countries over 1,300+ servers
Zero logging
Fast connection
If your priority is connection speed, IPVanish is the option to consider. In addition to fast speed, IPVanish offers a good security package complete with a 256-bit encryption and a no logging policy. There are other handy features onboard like a kill switch, auto-reconnect, leak protection, IP address change, and more. The service is available for almost all major operating systems Windows, Mac OS, Android, Linux, Windows Phone, and iOS.
VyprVPN
70 countries over 700+ servers
Zero logging
The Chameleon protocol
VyprVPN is another great option for travelers, especially fortravelers to China. As you may know, the country uses something known as the Great Firewall of China to restrict access to several websites, apps, and social media. This means that you won’t be able to access several important online resources when in China — and not all VPNs may be able to help. This is where VyprVPN comes in. The service is equipped with a feature called the Chameleon protocol, which lets you encrypt not only your data but also metadata. This makes it possible for the VPN to work even in closely monitored environments like China.
Naturally, this is by far not an exhaustive list of VPN services that you can use when working remotely. There are a lot of efficient VPN services with a free trial when you sign up. This way, you get to try out the service before committing to recurring payments and check which option works best for you.
We hope that this article has been helpful in your VPN search. As you look through the variety of options, you are sure to eventually find the perfect match for your needs and working style.
