Best VPN for Public WiFi

Want to use public WiFi without being tracked and safe against hackers? In this guide, we explain how to use public WiFi securely from anywhere with a VPN. 

When you connect to public WiFi, your web visits can be tracked by the hotspot provider. Public WiFi providers may harvest this data for profiling purposes and sell it to third parties to create a revenue stream. With a VPN, you can encrypt your data to prevent WiFi hotspots from monitoring what you do online.

Connecting to public WiFi also exposes you to cyber attacks. Using public WiFi increases the chance that you might connect to a hotspot that has been improperly secured. Data passing over the network could be vulnerable to hackers, putting you at risk. 

You could also accidentally connect to an Evil Twin hotspot controlled by a hacker. This would allow cybercriminals to intercept your data, and potentially even allow hackers to infect your device with malware.

The encryption provided by a VPN protects you against these threats. It also allows you to bypass restrictions placed on a WiFi hotspot to stream YouTube videos, play games, or access anything else that the network has blocked. In this guide, we recommend the best VPNs for public WiFi and explain how to use a VPN to use hotspots more securely. 

Top recommended VPNs for public WiFi:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for public WiFi. A fast and reliable VPN that offers strong encryption, fantastic accessibility, and apps for all popular mobile devices and laptops. Works with Netflix and can provide access to any service on public WiFi. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Best budget option. The cheapest VPN that works to secure you against hackers and prevent tracking when using public WiFi. Allows unlimited connections, so you can share your account.
3. ExpressVPN: A veteran VPN service with a loyal fanbase. With strong encryption and servers in 94+ countries, this VPN will let you bypass blocks and use public WiFi completely safely. Works with Netflix and other popular services.
4. CyberGhost: A secure VPN that is perfect for beginners. Easy to use to gain privacy and security in any public WiFi location. Great for unblocking websites, games, or streams blocked on public WiFi.
5. ProtonVPN: A super-secure option, with a free plan that has servers in Japan, the US, and the Netherlands. Lots of advanced features and strong encryption to prevent hacking and tracking on public WiFi.
6. IPVanish: A fast US-based VPN that implements solid AES encryption. Has servers in more than 50 countries. Works with Netflix US, but is not the best option for streaming. Allows unlimited connections with a single account.
7. AtlasVPN: A fast VPN that has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Works with most streaming services. Includes ad blocking and malware filtering. 

Summary table

We tested all of the VPNs in this guide to ensure they work perfectly on public WiFi. As part of our first-hand approach to testing, I even used our top recommendation NordVPN to connect to a UK server and stream the UFC while on an AirCanada flight! It worked a treat!

As you can imagine, choosing just seven VPNs from the hundreds available on the market is a challenging task. To ensure we only included the very best VPNs for public WiFi, we carefully considered all the criteria below:

• Has fast servers to let you stream and make video calls on public WiFi without lag. 
• Comes with strong 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection to protect you against hackers and tracking by the hotspot provider.
• Has a solid no-logs policy that ensures there are never any records of what you do while connected.
• Has a large server network to let you access regional content and bypass local blocks or censorship.
• Works to securely access popular streaming services that have been blocked by public WiFi hotspots.
• World-class customer support that lets you get help setting up or using the VPN at any time of day.
• Has apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS – so you can connect safely to public WiFi on any device.

In addition to the criteria listed above, our top three recommendations must also have fully diskless servers and have completed third-party audits of their policies and infrastructure. This ensures that the VPN has been verified as safe and you don't have to take its claims on faith alone. 

Best VPNs for public WiFi

Here's our list of the best VPNs for public WiFi:

NordVPN is the best option if you want a reliable VPN that is multi-functional and represents exceptional value for money. Every subscriber gets access to apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, meaning that you can use it to secure your data on any smartphone, tablet, or laptop while on public WiFi.

During testing, I was able to use NordVPN to connect securely at coffee shops and on the free WiFi at my local mall. The speed of the VPN impressed me and allowed me to watch videos and play various mobile games without interruptions, which is great.

I was happy to find that using NordVPN allowed me to watch YouTube videos that refused to load while traveling to London by train. In terms of security, NordVPN had my connection covered no matter where I used public WiFi thanks to its strong AES-256 encryption and a kill switch. 

Obfuscation disguises VPN traffic as normal internet traffic, so you can trust it to make VoIP calls while connected to public WiFi in countries like the UAE, where VoIP is restricted. I tested NordVPN to watch BT Sport on a flight to Canada and was happily surprised at my ability to watch the UFC. It also worked to stream BBC iPlayer and Netflix USA, making it a great all-rounder.

A no-logs policy ensures the VPN never maintains any records of what its users do while connected. My only slight gripe is that NordVPN tracks mobile advertising IDs, but it does not share that data with any third parties, and this does not allow it to deduce what you did while connected to the VPN.

Live chat support is available 24/7, so you can ask questions about using the VPN at any time of day. It has a 30-day money-back guarantee to let you try the VPN yourself. I found the agents to be helpful and knowledgeable, which is a great selling point.

BEST OVERALL VPN FOR PUBLIC WIFI: NordVPN takes the top spot thanks to its ease of use, fast speeds, and ability to bypass blocks on any public WiFi hotspot. Strong encryption protects you against data snoops and hackers on public WiFi. Works with Netflix and other popular streaming services. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Surfshark is the perfect provider to ensure you can still use public WiFi without fear of being tracked or falling victim to hackers. Despite starting at just $2.30 per month, this VPN has strong encryption, a kill switch, DNS-based malware filtering, MultiHop connections, and a no-logs policy. 

I tested Surfshark at various public WiFi locations and found it to have no DNS or IP leaks wherever I used it. This makes it completely safe to use, no matter where I decide to connect to free WiFi, and means that I don't need to be worried about using insecure hotspots or even accidentally connecting to an evil twin set up by a hacker.

As part of my first-hand testing, I used Surfshark on my iPad, Samsung Android phone, and Asus laptop at Starbucks, a local pub, a shopping mall, and during a train journey. The VPN did not slow me down unnecessarily and worked to stream Netflix and YouTube videos without issues. I was also able to play PUBG, which is a testament to this VPN’s server speeds and the WireGuard protocol.

To speak of its ability to unlock streams, I recently carried out a comprehensive review of Surfshark and found it to work with around 20 Netflix regions, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, Sky Go, BT Sport, Hotstar, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, ABC, Peacock, and CBS. Needless to say that this makes it one of the best VPNs for streaming I have ever tested, especially considering the cost.

One of the things that impressed me most is that you can use this VPN on an unlimited number of devices. I can share Surfshark with all my friends and family, and use it whether at home, at work, or on public WiFi. This makes it the perfect VPN for public WiFi if you have a large family, or need a VPN for a larger party going on vacation together. Plus you can test it risk-free thanks to its money-back guarantee.

BEST CHEAP VPN FOR PUBLIC WIFI: Surfshark offers unbeatable prices, strong security, and fantastic accessibility. Easy to use. Perfect if you own many devices or want to share your account with friends and family. Apps for all popular mobile devices and laptops. 24/7 live chat support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

ExpressVPN is a service that has been around since 2009, which makes it one of the longest-running providers on the market. During that time, it has maintained an impeccable reputation with consumers worldwide for providing both high levels of privacy and fantastic accessibility.

I tested the VPN on various devices both at home and on public WiFi, and found it to provide excellent speeds for playing games, streaming Netflix, and making Zoom calls. Apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, which gives anybody the ability to protect their data no matter which device they happen to own. Perhaps the biggest drawback with ExpressVPN is that it is quite expensive compared to the VPNs above it. 

It works with around 20 Netflix regions, Hulu, HBO Max, and most other international services. I even tested it to watch Australian TV while using free WiFi in a British pub, and it worked perfectly! This makes it a great VPN for streaming out and about, as long as you don’t mind paying a bit extra for a top-notch VPN.

In terms of privacy, this VPN has solid DNS leak protection and AES-256 encryption. It implements obfuscation by default when you connect using the OpenVPN protocol, which makes it safe for using the internet privately on any public WiFi network where you would prefer nobody to know you are using a VPN to conceal your activities.

ExpressVPN’s live chat support is excellent. I found the agents to be helpful and able to provide plenty of information about using the VPN.

SOLID ALL-ROUNDER: ExpressVPN provides privacy and protection against hackers when using public WiFi. Lets you bypass internet blocks on public WiFi, at work, or elsewhere. Easy to use and has all the features you need to use the internet safely on holiday or when using free WiFi in your local area. 30-day money-back guarantee to test it yourself.

CyberGhost erodes the barrier to entry by making VPN use easy enough for even the biggest technophobe. The VPN is perfect for beginners thanks to its simple interface and basic feature set that provides everything you need to gain online protection whether at home, at work, or while connected to random public WiFi hotspots. 

I tested the VPN on an iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, and Asus laptop and found the VPN apps to be easy to navigate and a pleasure to set up and use. I especially liked the list of streaming-optimized servers, which are divided by country to let you find the one you need to watch Australian TV services, British TV services, American streams, and many other countries.

CyberGhost is cheap and doesn't have any advanced features such as port forwarding, MultiHop, Tor over VPN, or obfuscation. This makes it easy to use to gain privacy, but may rule it out for advanced users who want to torrent, for example.

It uses solid encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and split tunneling, which are the features that most mobile VPN users actually need.

CyberGhost operates a massive network comprising over 9,000 servers in 89+ countries, which allows it to avoid congestion and provide fantastic speeds. Live chat support is available around the clock, and you can try it on any restrictive WiFi network thanks to its generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS: CyberGhost is easy to learn and has all the features you need to prevent tracking and hacking on public WiFi. Decent speeds for streaming, gaming, and making private video calls. Works with Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and other popular services. Has a 45-day money-back guarantee.

ProtonVPN has you covered if you are looking for a free method to prevent tracking and bypass blocks on public WiFi. Unlike the vast majority of free VPNs, which have worrying privacy policies and a lack of reliable security, ProtonVPN has everything you need to use public WiFi safely without paying a dime.

The free plan is pretty basic, providing access to servers in just three locations. Those servers don't work for streaming popular services like Netflix, but they will encrypt your connection to the internet using the same AES-256 encryption used by the premium version, so nobody will be able to track your web visits. This makes the free version of ProtonVPN a reliable option for securing public WiFi connections against hackers.

The main caveat is that the free servers do have a tendency to get a bit congested, which makes them a touch slow. Thus, if you want to stream, play games, make video calls, or torrent, we would still recommend paying for a premium account.

I used the free version of ProtonVPN in my local Starbucks and found it could stream YouTube without too much buffering. However, I did have a little trouble when playing Android games, so I would definitely consider the paid version if you use public WiFi regularly and want the freedom of faster speeds.

ProtonVPN is a touch pricey, but you get DNS leak protection, split tunneling, port forwarding, MultiHop connections, and obfuscation, which makes it a fantastic all-rounder not just for on public WiFi, but also for torrenting and doing other tasks privately whether at home or elsewhere.

BEST FREE VPN OPTION: Proton VPN has a free plan with everything you need to browse the web securely on public WiFi. Bear in mind that the free version is slow, unsuitable for streaming, has fewer server options, and you will need to upgrade to watch Netflix. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee so that you can try premium risk-free.

IPVanish is a US-based provider that comes with feature-rich apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. The biggest drawback with this VPN is that it is based in the USA, which is home to the NSA, warrants, and gag orders. This is enough to put some privacy advocates off because it did once cooperate with the US Department of Home Security to target an IPVanish user suspected of child abuse.

Despite this one-time incident, the VPN has a solid no-logging policy, meaning that it would never have any historical data to hand to the authorities if approached with a warrant. Thus, unless it decides to cooperate with a very serious criminal investigation (by helping with a targeted attack on a specific server or user) this VPN will have no data records or usage logs to provide the authorities with. This makes the VPN perfectly secure for regular home users, and anybody looking to use public WiFi privately and safe against hackers.

I tested the VPN on various devices and found it to work without any IP or DNS leaks. It has solid OpenVPN connections with AES encryption, which will prevent any local network administrators from being able to detect what you do online, whether at work or on public WiFi.

The biggest issue I had during testing was that this VPN is not as reliable as others for accessing streaming services. I tried using a British server to watch Sky Go and BT Sport and found it to be unsuccessful. It did work with Netflix US, but not Hulu. So if a VPN for streaming is your main desire, you may prefer to shop elsewhere.

On the plus side, this VPN has a bunch of useful features, including a kill switch, obfuscation, and solid DNS leak protection, and it is fast enough for playing games while connected to public WiFi thanks to its WireGuard implementation. Live chat is available 24/7, though I didn’t find the agents to be quite as helpful as my top recommendations. The good news is that you can easily try it yourself using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS: IPVanish is fast and has a choice of servers in 20+ US cities. Perfect for American users who want to access state-level US services and TV streams while on public WiFi. Strong encryption, a no-logs policy, obfuscation, DNS leak protection, and a reliable kill switch. Allows torrenting and has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

AtlasVPN was launched in 2019, which makes it the newest VPN on this list. Despite being a relative newcomer, the VPN has proven that it is a fantastic VPN service for anybody who wants to protect themselves on public WiFi. 

Its basic free plan lets you use it without paying a dime. Paying subscribers can connect an unlimited number of devices. This allows you to share your account with your entire family, or to use it on a bunch of different devices if you are a power user.

The biggest drawback I noticed when testing the VPN is that the kill switch leaks for a moment during reconnection. In order to retain watertight privacy at all times, you will need to pause any sensitive tasks (such as your torrent client) until the VPN connection has fully re-established.

This slight problem aside, the VPN is fast thanks to its native WireGuard protocol, and although it has a smaller network than some of our other recommendations, you still get access to servers in 44+ countries, which is enough for most users. 

Best of all, this VPN works with Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and other popular streaming services. This makes it a pretty decent all-rounder that won’t break the bank. It also provides live chat support, though do bear in mind that you need to be a subscriber to access it.

The service has built-in ad blocking and malware filtering to help keep you safer online, and the apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android come with split tunneling and MultiHop connections, which is pretty impressive considering the price point. You can try it on any public WiFi hotspot using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

BEST NEW VPN: AtlasVPN is still relatively new, and it is in the process of perfecting its service, However, it is off to a flying start with a solid no-logs policy, reliable encryption (WireGuard protocol), and everything you need to stay safe on public WiFi. Works to watch Netflix on public WiFi and at work. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Methodology: How we find the best VPNs

At Bleeping Computer, we take user privacy extremely seriously. That is why we use a strict VPN testing methodology to find VPNs with strong security. We understand that users want a fast VPN capable of streaming their favorite TV services and bypassing blocks on public WiFi. 

We always try to recommend VPNs that cater to user needs and desires. We do not recommend VPNs unless they are also dedicated to user privacy, and have reliable apps with world-class privacy features.

To find out more about how we test and rate VPNs, you can see our full testing methodology guide. Below, we have included some of the important criteria we used to curate this list of the best VPNs for public WiFi.

• We prioritize user privacy above all else: We firmly believe that your online activities should remain confidential at all times. That is why we will never endorse VPNs that keep activity logs or personally identifiable information. All our recommendations provide solid encryption, have a strong moral compass, and have a proven track record of providing data security for their users. 
• Fast servers and protocols: Internet users want a VPN that is not only secure and reliable, but is also suitable for gaming, torrenting, streaming, and making video calls. All our recommendations invest heavily in their apps and server network to ensure users get the fastest speeds available, while protecting them against eavesdroppers.
• Reliable support: Not everyone is a seasoned VPN veteran. That is why we only recommend VPNs that have active customer support departments, excellent website resources, setup guides, blogs, and FAQs to ensure that users are never left without the help they need to get online privacy and freedom of access.
• Superb accessibility: We check whether the VPN works to access popular services and give users freedom of access no matter where they use the internet. Our recommendations have proven to be useful in addition to security. This includes the ability to provide access to Netflix, Amazon Prime, internet banking, shopping sites, and other popular services.
• Plenty of useful features: Not all VPNs represent good value for money. We try to find VPNs that offer an excellent price-to-feature ratio, with a wide choice of apps and VPN features that make its apps useful, no matter what your requirements might be.
• Fully audited service: Nobody should have to trust their VPN blindly. That is why we only recommend VPNs in our top three that have paid for independent, third-party audits of their policies and infrastructure. This helps ensure the VPN is working as advertised and is proven to keep user data protected at all times.
• Diskless servers: Our top three recommended VPNs for public WiFi all have diskless servers that run on RAM. This allows the VPN to pull the plug on a server to delete everything; perfect if the authorities arrive with a warrant or if there is an emergency that could put user privacy at risk.

Get a better internet service on public transport

If you often travel on coaches, trains, and airplanes it is well worth considering a VPN subscription with one of our top recommendations. The free WiFi on public transport often has severe bandwidth restrictions and blocks you from using services like YouTube.

For instance, in the UK, National Express coaches provide free internet but when you try to load a YouTube video the loading circle spins endlessly and it is impossible to stream the content. By connecting to a fast VPN, you can fix this issue and stream videos for the entire journey, which is a huge relief.

The same is true when you pay for in-flight WiFi. I often travel from the UK to Canada and pay for the internet. Despite paying for access, the connection is slow and it is hard to stream YouTube and other streaming services. This is hugely frustrating which is why I am always grateful to have a choice of fast VPNs installed on my devices.

I know from experience that VPNs can easily bypass the restrictions placed on various public transport WiFi networks, and allow you to enjoy the services you are interested in on the move. This is a huge blessing on long trips when you want to stick on some headphones, sit back, and enjoy your trip as if you were relaxing at home - without needing to eat into your mobile data allowance.

Public WiFi VPN: FAQs

Can I use a free VPN for public WiFi?

Yes. We have recommended a couple of VPN options that have a limited free plan. Those VPNs offer a free subscription to give people who can’t afford a premium VPN the ability to gain privacy when connecting to the internet – whether at home or on public WiFi.

The important thing to remember is that studies have revealed that most free VPNs should be avoided. Many free VPNs have troubling privacy policies that allow them to harvest user data for profiling purposes. They also suffer from leaks, have app and server vulnerabilities, and sometimes contain spyware in their apps.

Those free VPNs have been known to monitor your web habits and use your data to create a revenue stream by selling it to third parties. This is the opposite of what a VPN is supposed to do, which is to provide you with privacy and prevent your data from being disseminated online.

Due to the dangers posed by free VPNs, it is vital that you do not simply pick a random free VPN. Instead, you should stick to a recommended free VPN. Just bear in mind that legitimate free VPNs like the ones we have recommended in this guide have limitations.

Trustworthy free VPNs have fewer servers to pick from, slower speeds, and restrictions such as download limits. They will not work to watch popular streaming platforms such as Netflix. Thus, while you can use a free VPN plan to gain privacy on public WiFi, it will not give you the same unlimited experience as a paid account.

Why do I need a VPN on public WiFi?

When you connect to public WiFi you are allowing the hotspot provider to monitor your traffic. This allows the owner of the WiFi to know which websites you are visiting, as well as the contents of any encrypted data sent to or from your device. That allows the WiFi administrator to monitor your activity, steal data, and launch attacks.

If the WiFi provider knows who you are because you logged into the WiFi using an email address or cellphone number, or because they have your name (when you rent a room in a hotel, for example) this data becomes even more valuable. It can be sold to third parties such as marketing companies and data brokers who want to know everything about you.

In addition to being tracked by the WiFi provider, using public WiFi exposes you to various risks. When you use WiFi at home, you have full control over the security of your network. This means you can update the password, implement solid WPA2 encryption, and stop broadcasting the WiFi name to make it undiscoverable.

Unfortunately, by connecting to public WiFi you are constantly taking a chance because you may accidentally connect to a WiFi hotspot that has been badly implemented, has poor security, or suffers from other vulnerabilities. This exposes you to the risk of having your data intercepted by other users connected to the same WiFi.

In addition, it is possible that you could run into an Evil Twin hotspot. This is a WiFi hotspot setup by a hacker in a location where you would expect to find WiFi (such as a hotel, coffee shop, airport, or mall). The Evil Twin hotspot will have a similar name (SSID) to a real hotspot, such as “Starbucks Wifi”, to trick you into connecting. If you do so, the attacker can redirect you to malicious websites, steal your data, or attempt to infect your device with malware

Can I bypass blocks on public WiFi?

Yes. Many WiFi hotspot providers block access to data-intensive websites and online services. They do this to save on bandwidth, cut costs, and prevent a few data-hungry users from clogging up the WiFi hotspot for everybody else (network congestion).

The reasons outlined above mean that you will often find that YouTube, game servers, Netflix, and other popular services fail to load on public WiFi. The good news is that you can use a VPN to bypass any restrictions placed on the WiFi. This will allow you to use the internet as if you were outside of the local WiFi network, meaning that you can watch videos and play games without the blocks imposed by the WiFi provider

Can I watch Netflix on public WiFi?

Yes. If you have connected to public WiFi but cannot access Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, or any other TV platform or streaming services, you can regain access with a VPN. A VPN can spoof your location which makes you appear to be outside of the local network. As a result, you can access any TV service or website that has been blocked.

Will a VPN protect me against hackers on public WiFi?

Yes. Using a VPN can provide added protection against hackers on public WiFi. Public WiFi networks, such as those found in cafes, airports, or hotels, are often set up insecurely, making them potential targets for hackers.

By using a VPN, you ensure that your internet traffic is protected with a layer of robust encryption and routed through a secure server. This prevents hackers from intercepting your data or potentially gaining access to your device. 

When you use a VPN, it protects your sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card details, and personal data. This makes a VPN an essential tool for anybody who uses the internet on public hotspots such as coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, malls, public transport, airports, etc.

When connected to a VPN on public WiFi, your data is encrypted and transmitted securely to the VPN server before reaching its destination. This adds a layer of security that helps safeguard your information from being intercepted or compromised. This also means that you do not need to worry about connecting to an evil twin hotspot set up by a hacker.

What is an Evil Twin attack?

When you connect to public WiFi hotspots, you run the risk of running into a fake hotspot that has been set up by a hacker. This could lead to data theft, device compromise, malware infection, fraud, and identity theft.

Cybercriminals often set up malicious hotspots in locations where you would expect to find free WiFi. That is how it gains its name as an Evil Twin. This means that when you visit a mall, an airport, or a coffee shop, you need to be extremely careful not to connect to the wrong hotspot accidentally.

To protect yourself, always check to see if there are multiple hotspots and check with the establishment to be sure that you are using a genuine hotspot.

In addition, you should use a VPN because it encrypts your data to prevent any local networks from intercepting your data. This means that you don't have to worry about a hacker stealing your data even if you accidentally connect to an Evil Twin.