Our ranking
NordVPN 🏆 #1 pick
✅ Fastest VPN thanks to the NordLynx protocol · No-log policy audited three times
Surfshark 💰 Best value
✅ Unlimited simultaneous connections · Best value for money on the market
CyberGhost 🎬 Streaming king
✅ Largest server network (11,500+) · Servers optimised for Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video
| VPN | Rating | Price/month | Servers | Devices | Refund | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 9.6/10 | 3,09 €/mo | 9 200+ | 10 devices | 30 d. | See |
| Surfshark | 9.2/10 | 2,19 €/mo | 3 200+ | Unlimited | 30 d. | See |
| CyberGhost | 9.1/10 | 2,03 €/mo | 11 500+ | 7 devices | 45 d. | See |
Which VPN to choose for the USA in 2026?
NordVPN is the best VPN for the USA in 2026: over 2,000 servers in the United States, tested unblocking of 13 different Netflix catalogues, and compatibility with Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock TV, ESPN+ and Disney+. Surfshark is the unbeatable price alternative (€2.19/mo + unlimited connections). CyberGhost offers the easiest streaming servers thanks to its platform-labelled servers.
This article targets two profiles: people abroad who want access to US content (Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, ESPN+ sports) without moving, and travellers/expats in the USA wanting to secure public Wi-Fi and keep access to home services.
Why a VPN is useful for the USA
Case 1 — You’re abroad and want access to American content
- Netflix US — catalogue 30-40% larger than other countries, with HBO, Paramount, Universal exclusives, late-night archives (Letterman), documentaries
- Hulu — only exists in the USA. Very rich series catalogue (The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, Handmaid’s Tale)
- HBO Max / Max — Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, Succession, The Last of Us, Warner films
- Peacock TV (NBC) — NBC series, live Premier League, Universal films
- ESPN+ — US sports (NBA, NHL, MLB, UFC, golf), F1
- Paramount+ — Star Trek, Paramount series, Mission Impossible films
- Disney+ US versions — some titles exclusive to the US catalogue
Case 2 — You’re travelling or living in the USA
- American public Wi-Fi: airports (LAX, JFK, ORD), Starbucks, hotels — rarely secure without a VPN
- US ISP law: since 2017, your provider can legally sell your browsing history without consent. A VPN blocks this collection
- Keep access to home streaming (BBC iPlayer, France.tv, Hulu UK) from New York or LA
- Your home bank may block a connection from Phoenix or Miami — VPN with a home server avoids this
- Music and podcasts: some Spotify and Audible content is geo-restricted
Case 3 — You’re an American expat abroad
- American banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) which may block connections from Europe
- Shopping on Amazon US, Best Buy, Target with US promotions and shipping
- TurboTax, IRS for your annual taxes
The 3 criteria that matter for the USA
1. A wide US server network (well distributed)
The USA is a big country — a New York server gives a poor experience for Hulu in California. NordVPN has 2,000+ US servers across 15+ cities (NY, LA, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, Seattle, etc.). Surfshark and CyberGhost also have 600-1,000 well-distributed US servers.
2. Fast IP refresh for Netflix / Hulu
US streaming services, Netflix at the top, update their blocked-IP lists daily. Only VPNs that actively refresh their IPs stay reliable. NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN and CyberGhost do this; smaller VPNs give up on the race.
3. Speed compatible with 4K (25+ Mb/s)
For Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max in 4K, plan for 25 Mb/s minimum stable. With WireGuard / NordLynx / Lightway, you keep 80-90% of your home fibre speed to the USA.
Detailed ranking
1. NordVPN — The best overall pick for the USA
USA score: 9.6/10
NordVPN dominates the US VPN market in 2026. 2,000+ servers in the United States across 15+ cities, NordLynx (the fastest protocol), and tested unblocking of 13 different Netflix catalogues including US, UK, Japan, Canada, Germany. It unblocks every US service tested without exception: Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock, ESPN+, Disney+.
Why it works for the USA:
- 2,000+ US servers — the widest coverage
- NordLynx — fastest protocol for 4K from Europe
- Unblocks Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock, ESPN+, Disney+, Paramount+
- Threat Protection — anti-malware (useful on US public Wi-Fi)
- 10 simultaneous connections — whole family covered
- Triple no-log audit PwC + Deloitte 2026
- Panama jurisdiction (outside 14 Eyes, outside the USA)
Price: €3.09/mo on a 2-year plan (up to 72% off). 30-day guarantee.
2. Surfshark — Best price with unlimited connections
USA score: 9.3/10
Surfshark is the most rational option to equip a whole family or shared household for US streaming without breaking the bank. US servers in 25+ cities, unlimited connections, unblocks every major American service.
Why it works for the USA:
- Unlimited connections — laptop + TV + tablet + console + guest
- US servers in 25+ cities
- Unblocks Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, Sky Go, BBC iPlayer, ITVX
- CleanWeb — ad and tracker blocker
- Standard WireGuard
- Compatible with Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV, console
- Independent no-log audit
Price: €2.19/mo on a 2-year plan (up to 86% off + 3 months free). 30-day guarantee.
3. CyberGhost — The easiest for US streaming
USA score: 9.2/10
CyberGhost has made streaming its specialty, and the USA is the perfect illustration. You get servers labelled by platform: “Netflix US”, “Hulu”, “HBO Max”, “Peacock TV”, “ESPN+”. Click the service, the VPN picks the right server. Most direct UX on the market.
Why it works for the USA:
- Streaming servers labelled by platform
- Over 1,000 US servers across 11 cities
- 45-day guarantee — the longest
- 7 simultaneous connections
- Edited from Romania (privacy-friendly jurisdiction)
- Polished apps on Apple TV, Fire TV
Price: €2.03/mo on a 2-year plan + 4 months free. 45-day guarantee.
How to watch Netflix US from abroad
Very simple in 4 steps:
- Subscribe to NordVPN, Surfshark or CyberGhost, install the app on the viewing device.
- Connect to a US server (recommended: New York or Los Angeles, low latency from Europe).
- Open Netflix in browser or app — the US catalogue appears automatically.
- If Netflix blocks (“You seem to be using a proxy”): switch servers (2-3 tries are usually enough).
Expert tip: on Apple TV or Fire TV, install the VPN app directly on the box rather than using SmartDNS — you keep encryption.
How to set up the VPN for a US trip
- Install the VPN before departure on every device.
- Enable the kill switch (auto cut-off if VPN drops).
- Add home country and USA as favourites — you’ll switch often between them.
- On American public Wi-Fi: VPN active systematically.
- Important post-2017: US ISPs can sell your history. With a VPN, they only see the VPN server, period.
What NOT to do in the USA
- ❌ Rely on a free VPN for Netflix US or Hulu — all blocked, no exception
- ❌ Use a SmartDNS proxy without a VPN — you lose encryption
- ❌ Log into your home bank without a VPN from the USA — account block risk
- ❌ Disable the VPN “because it’s slow” — on US public Wi-Fi, it often signals a compromised network
Verdict: which VPN for the USA in 2026?
- Best overall: NordVPN — 2,000+ US servers, NordLynx, unblocks everything. From €3.09/mo.
- Best price: Surfshark — unlimited connections, ideal for families. From €2.19/mo.
- Easiest streaming: CyberGhost — servers labelled Netflix/Hulu/HBO Max. From €2.03/mo.
Our advice: for US streaming in 4K, NordVPN is unbeatable. To equip a whole family on a budget, Surfshark. For beginners or those who want the most direct UX (“click Hulu = it works”), CyberGhost.
To go further: our overall best VPN comparison, our streaming comparison or our NordVPN review.