Best VPNs for Digital Nomads (2026)
ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Mullvad, and ProtonVPN compared — security, speed, and what actually works in China
Updated March 2026 · Covers security, streaming, and restricted countries
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN wins for most nomads because it solves the two hardest VPN problems simultaneously: raw speed and reliability in restricted countries. Most VPNs work fine in Europe and Southeast Asia. When you are heading to China, the UAE, or any country with heavy internet censorship, the list of VPNs that actually work shrinks dramatically. ExpressVPN is consistently at the top of that shorter list.
It is the most expensive option here, but at ~$6.67/month on an annual plan, it costs less than one café coffee per week. The peace of mind of having a VPN that works reliably from Bali, Tbilisi, Bangkok, and Shanghai is worth the premium. If you are purely cost-focused and never visiting restricted countries, NordVPN at $3.99/month offers excellent value.
Why Digital Nomads Need a VPN
Public WiFi Security
EssentialAirport lounges, café WiFi, coliving spaces, hotel networks — any shared network can expose your unencrypted traffic. A VPN encrypts everything between your device and the VPN server, protecting passwords, banking sessions, and work credentials from network-level attacks.
Restricted Countries (China, UAE, Russia)
Critical if visiting ChinaChina blocks Google, Gmail, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, Slack, and most Western services. A VPN lets you continue using these services. Important: set up and test your VPN before entering China — you cannot download most VPN apps once inside. ExpressVPN is the most consistently reliable for China.
Streaming Your Home Country Content
ConvenienceNetflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and other streaming services have geographic content libraries. When abroad, you often lose access to content licensed for your home country. A VPN with servers in your home country restores access. Note: streaming platforms actively block VPN IPs — not all VPNs work reliably for streaming.
Remote Work Security Policies
Often required by employersMany companies require employees to use a VPN to access internal systems, company intranets, or corporate resources. This is a company-provided VPN, not a personal one — they are different things. You may need both: a company VPN for work resources and a personal VPN for general security.
Price Discrimination on Bookings
OptionalAirlines, hotels, and software tools sometimes charge different prices based on your apparent location. Searching with a VPN set to a different country can occasionally reveal lower prices. This is less reliable than it used to be, but worth checking for expensive bookings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | ExpressVPN Our Pick | NordVPN | Mullvad | ProtonVPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $12.95/mo | $12.99/mo | €5/mo flat (no long-term plans) | $9.99/mo (Plus) |
| Annual Price | ~$6.67/mo (annual plan) | ~$3.99/mo (2-year plan) | €5/mo — same price always | ~$4.99/mo (annual Plus plan) |
| Servers | 3,000+ servers in 105 countries | 6,400+ servers in 111 countries | 700+ servers in 46 countries | 9,000+ servers in 112 countries |
| Works in China | Yes — reliably (use before entering China) | Inconsistent — not recommended for China | No — not designed for restrictive countries | Sometimes — Stealth protocol designed for censorship circumvention |
| Devices | 8 devices | 10 devices | 5 devices | 10 devices (Plus) |
| Best For | Nomads who want the best performance and don't want to think about it | Value-focused nomads outside of highly restricted countries | Privacy-conscious nomads who want zero tracking from the VPN provider itself | Privacy-focused nomads, those wanting open-source transparency, or anyone wanting a free option |
| Audited No-Logs | ||||
| Kill Switch |
Detailed Reviews
ExpressVPN
Our PickFastest, most reliable — the premium choice
From ~$6.67/mo (annual plan)
Pros
- Consistently fastest speeds in independent tests
- Reliable in China, UAE, and other restricted countries
- Excellent apps on all platforms including routers
- 24/7 live chat support
- No-logs policy audited by PwC
Cons
- Most expensive VPN on this list
- Only 8 simultaneous devices (was unlimited before 2024)
- Owned by Kape Technologies — some privacy purists avoid
NordVPN
Best value for most nomads
From ~$3.99/mo (2-year plan)
Pros
- Excellent value on long-term plans
- Largest server network — good coverage everywhere
- Threat Protection feature blocks ads and trackers
- Multi-hop and obfuscated servers for extra privacy
- No-logs policy audited by Deloitte and PwC
Cons
- Performance in China is unreliable
- 2019 server breach (though no user data was exposed)
- WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol occasionally unstable
Mullvad
Best for privacy — anonymous by design
From €5/mo — same price always
Pros
- No account required — numbered accounts only
- Accepts cash, cryptocurrency, and anonymous payments
- No email required to sign up
- Independent no-logs audit by Cure53
- Flat pricing — no upselling or artificial discounts
Cons
- Smaller server network than competitors
- No browser extensions
- Not useful in China or highly censored countries
- No 24/7 customer support
ProtonVPN
Open source, Swiss-based, excellent free tier
From ~$4.99/mo (annual Plus plan)
Pros
- Fully open-source — apps are auditable by anyone
- Swiss jurisdiction (strong privacy laws)
- Excellent free tier (limited servers, no speed limit)
- Stealth protocol helps in restricted countries
- Part of Proton ecosystem (ProtonMail, ProtonDrive)
Cons
- Slower than ExpressVPN on some servers
- Free tier has limited server selection
- Stealth protocol not as reliable in China as ExpressVPN
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a VPN as a digital nomad?
For security on public WiFi, yes — it is worth the cost of a VPN subscription. At $4–$13/month, a reputable VPN is one of the cheapest forms of digital protection you can buy. If you ever use café WiFi, hotel networks, coliving internet, or airport lounges to do banking, check work email, or access any account with a password, your traffic on an unencrypted network is potentially readable by anyone on the same network. A VPN eliminates that risk entirely. Additionally, if you plan to visit China, the UAE, or any heavily censored country, a VPN is not optional — it is how you continue doing your job.
Which VPN actually works in China?
ExpressVPN is the most consistently reliable VPN for China, followed by Astrill. NordVPN is inconsistent. Mullvad does not work in China. ProtonVPN's Stealth protocol sometimes works. The critical rule: install and test your VPN before you enter China — you cannot access most VPN provider websites or app stores once inside China's Great Firewall. Download the app, activate a subscription, and test it on a Chinese IP (you can simulate this using a proxy, or just have a backup plan). Always have 2 VPN apps installed before entering China, not one.
Is using a VPN legal?
In most countries, yes — using a VPN is completely legal. There are exceptions: China, Russia, North Korea, Belarus, Iraq, and Turkmenistan restrict or ban VPN use for civilians. In China, only state-approved VPNs are officially legal, but millions of people use unapproved VPNs without prosecution. The legal risk is generally low for tourists, but technically present. The UAE restricts VPN use for accessing services banned in the UAE (like VoIP calls). For the vast majority of countries and use cases, VPNs are a legal and standard privacy tool.
What does 'no-logs policy' mean and why does it matter?
A no-logs policy means the VPN provider does not record your browsing activity, connection timestamps, IP addresses, or traffic — so even if a government requests your data, there is nothing to hand over. All four VPNs on this list have been independently audited for their no-logs claims. An audit by a reputable firm (PwC, Deloitte, Cure53) means an external party has verified that the VPN's servers and infrastructure actually match their stated privacy policy. Look for audited no-logs policies, not just claimed ones. Also look at jurisdiction: Swiss (Proton) and Swedish (Mullvad) laws provide stronger protections than US-based VPNs.
Can I use a free VPN?
ProtonVPN is the only free VPN worth considering for serious use — their free tier has no speed limit or data cap, just limited server selection. All other free VPNs come with significant problems: data caps (100MB–10GB/month), slower speeds, smaller server networks, and in some cases selling your browsing data to advertisers (which defeats the entire purpose of a VPN). Some free VPN apps have been caught injecting ads or malware. At $3–$7/month on an annual plan, a paid VPN is worth it. If budget is a constraint, ProtonVPN free is the only safe free option.
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Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. GetSettld earns a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase a VPN subscription through our links. Our editorial process is independent — we only recommend products we have evaluated and that we would genuinely use. Pricing shown is approximate and subject to change; verify current pricing on each provider's website. VPN legality varies by country — always check the laws of the countries you plan to visit.
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