Working remotely means connecting from coffee shops, airports, and home networks. A VPN is essential for protecting your data and accessing work resources securely. Here is our guide to the best VPNs for remote workers.
Why Remote Workers Need a VPN
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your internet connection, protecting you from:
- Public WiFi snooping—hackers on coffee shop networks
- ISP tracking—your internet provider monitoring activity
- Geo-restrictions—accessing work resources from abroad
- Data interception—passwords and sensitive data theft
If you ever work from anywhere besides your home, you need a VPN.
Top VPNs Compared
NordVPN
Best for: Value and features
NordVPN offers the best combination of speed, security, and price. With 6,400+ servers in 111 countries, coverage is excellent.
Pros: Fast, feature-rich, good value, Threat Protection Cons: Best price requires 2-year commitment
Pricing: From $3.59/mo (2-year plan)
ExpressVPN
Best for: Ease of use and reliability
ExpressVPN is the most reliable and easiest to use. The Lightway protocol delivers consistent speeds worldwide.
Pros: Very reliable, easy to use, excellent support Cons: More expensive, fewer features than Nord
Pricing: From $6.67/mo (2-year plan)
Surfshark
Best for: Budget and unlimited devices
Surfshark is the best value VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections. Protect your whole household on one plan.
Pros: Unlimited devices, cheapest option, good streaming Cons: Speeds can vary, newer company
Pricing: From $2.19/mo (2-year plan)
Feature Comparison
| Feature | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (2-year) | $3.59/mo | $6.67/mo | $2.19/mo |
| Devices | 6 | 8 | Unlimited |
| Servers | 6,400+ | 3,000+ | 3,200+ |
| Ad blocker | Yes | No | Yes |
| Split tunneling | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Works with Netflix | Yes | Yes | Yes |
What Remote Workers Should Test Before Buying
A VPN review can look great on paper and still fail during your actual workday. Before committing to a long plan, test the boring moments:
- Join a video call while connected to the nearest server.
- Upload and download a large work file.
- Open your banking app, payroll tool, and company admin tools.
- Try split tunneling for apps that dislike VPN traffic.
- Switch networks between home WiFi, mobile hotspot, and public WiFi.
The right VPN should become invisible. If you keep disconnecting it because it breaks normal work, the security benefit will not survive real life.
Beyond VPN: Password Managers
A VPN protects your connection, but you also need strong, unique passwords. Password managers like 1Password generate and store secure credentials for every account.
1Password is our top recommendation for teams:
- End-to-end encryption
- Secure sharing
- Travel Mode for border crossings
- Team administration
Pricing: From $2.99/mo (individual) / $7.99/user/mo (business)
Security Best Practices for Remote Work
- Always use VPN on public networks
- Enable two-factor authentication everywhere
- Use a password manager for unique passwords
- Keep software updated for security patches
- Be wary of phishing—verify before clicking
Conclusion
For most remote workers, NordVPN offers the best balance of price and features. Choose ExpressVPN for simplicity and reliability. Choose Surfshark for budget-friendly unlimited devices.
Pair your VPN with a password manager like 1Password for complete security coverage.