How to choose a VPN for USA?
How many servers does it have in the USA?
Most popular VPN providers will offer a good choice of US servers covering the length and breadth of the country. The nearer a VPN server to your physical location, the faster speeds you’re going to get, so you should opt for a provider that offers lots of city-level servers so you can determine which are closest to you.
Does it offer good performance on its US servers?
More servers tends to mean less congestion and therefore improved speeds, however this isn’t always the case.
Will it work with your favorite websites and apps?
Enjoy watching Netflix or BBC iPlayer? Not every provider will work with these apps, especially since the recent VPN crackdowns.
What is their logging policy?
Nearly all VPN providers will claim to be ‘zero logs’, however unfortunately this is rarely the case. In order to maintain a high level of performance across a global server network, most providers will need to collect at least some basic connection metadata from their customers, such as the amount of bandwidth used. Ideally you want a VPN provider that collects a minimal amount of logs, and nothing that could be used to personally identify you. Better still, a provider that doesn’t collect or store any logs is the best option, however these are few and far between.
Does it work on your preferred devices?
Almost all VPN services will work on Windows, Mac and Linux machines, along with iOS and Android mobile devices. However, some VPN services are also compatible with other internet-connected items, such as routers, games consoles and streaming devices, such as the Amazon Fire Stick.
Check the number of simultaneous connections supported
Do you want to protect your family’s devices as well as your own? Look for as many connections as you are likely to use at the same time.
Are their client apps and software easy to use?
No-one likes a clunky, confusing app. Look for a VPN with software that’s well-designed, simple and powerful and you will be much more likely to use it all the time.
Finally, check the price and money-back guarantee
Even the most expensive VPN plans are very affordable but you will likely have a budget in mind. 12-month plans typically offer the best value and you can reduce the risk of buyer’s remorse by choosing a VPN with a long refund period, preferably 30 days and with no questions asked. These guarantees are much more common than traditional free trials but are essentially the same thing.