Best VPNs for Freelancers & Remote Workers: Protect Your Privacy

In today’s digital age, remote work and freelancing have become increasingly prevalent, offering flexibility and independence. However, with this freedom comes the responsibility of securing your online activities and sensitive data.

This is where Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) play a crucial role. As a remote worker or freelancer, your online privacy, data security, and access to essential tools are paramount. VPNs act as your digital shield, safeguarding your internet connection, protecting your valuable information, and enabling access to restricted content and services, regardless of your location.

This article will explore the top VPN services tailored specifically for remote workers and freelancers’ unique needs. We’ll investigate their features, performance, security measures, and how fast they can be. Whether collaborating on projects, accessing corporate networks, or simply working from your favorite coffee shop, the right VPN can enhance your online experience and keep your digital presence safe.

What is a VPN?

VPN stands for a virtual private network. A VPN provider or a secure VPN service works by encrypting your internet traffic from and to your device, so it keeps your data safe.

Some remote workers or freelancers work from coffee shops or co-working spaces, so the network they use is unsafe and accessed by thousands of people. For that reason, a virtual private network is important because it provides encrypted connections. In addition, you do not want to compromise data when accessing the company network remotely. Hence, a virtual private network that allows employees to access company resources and data as if they were in the office is a great choice.

VPNs provide a secure connection between users and the websites they access. A secure VPN is a great solution to avoid data breaches.

VPNs work through a VPN client, which is VPN software installed on the device to establish a connection with the VPN server.

Why Should I Use a VPN When Working Remotely?

You now have an idea of what a VPN is. When you’re working remotely, a VPN is a must. Let’s see why you should use VPN services when working remotely.

Safety and Security

Nothing is more important than protecting company or work data. If you’re constantly accessing your company’s files remotely, you’re risking company data every time you access it, or worse, if your remote workers are working from public WiFi hotspots. This is also true for freelancers.

Since VPN encrypts data, it is one of the defense methods organizations use to protect data. Encrypting data protects it from attacks from hackers. As a company, you don’t want to risk losing company data to hackers. A VPN provides secure remote access.

Online Payment Processing

Working remotely means you need to process payments online, and there is nothing worse than being restricted to certain banks and payment processors because of your location. Some banks restrict some locations. A VPN helps you manage your funds online wherever you are. A VPN gives you a US IP address to manage your account and make necessary transfers.

VoIP

VoIP services are restricted in some countries. A VPN gives you access to any VoIP service you like. You can use Skype or any VoIP tool to communicate with your remote workers and save money.

Best VPN Tools for Remote Working and Freelance

• ExpressVPN
• NordVPN
• CyberGhost VPN
• Surfshark
• Private Internet Access

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is one of the trusted VPN providers that you can use on every device. ExpressVPN apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Chromebook, Kindle Fire, and routers. ExpressVPN has server locations in 94 countries and offers ultra-fast global access. It also provides instant online protection. In addition to the VPN services, ExpressVPN offers live customer support and a free trial with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

The core features of ExpressVPN are anonymous browsing, split tunneling, and a kill switch. ExpressVPN calls kill switch Network Lock. It helps maintain privacy and security. The automatic kill switch blocks online activity if the VPN connection drops or the VPN server goes offline. As for split tunneling, it allows users to choose if traffic goes through the VPN or to the internet.

Pros

• Helpful and live customer support
• ExpressVPN is easy to use
• Availability of split tunneling and kill switch
• Various VPN servers in multiple locations
• It can be used on every device, including routers

Cons

• Limited business features
• Pricey compared to the other VPN providers

Pricing

ExpressVPN offers different pricing based on the length of the contract.

• For one month, you pay $12.95.
• For six months, you pay a monthly rate of $9.99.
• As for 12 months, you pay a monthly rate of $8.32.

URL: https://www.expressvpn.com/

NordVPN

With one account from NordVPN, you can secure up to 6 devices. NordVPN provides no bandwidth limits and automatically blocks malicious websites. NordVPN keeps online data safe as it has a no-logs policy. Also, NordVPN doesn’t share data with third parties. NordVPN has 5600+ servers and has browser extensions for Firefox and Chrome.

The core features of NordVPN are powerful encryption, DNS leak protection, ad blockers, security protocols, and a no-logs policy.

Pros

• NordVPN offers a no-logs policy.
• NordVPN offers many servers.
• Pricing is affordable compared to other service providers.

Cons

• Monthly subscriptions are considered pricey compared to the annual or 2-year plan.

Pricing

As for pricing, NordVPN offers three plans (complete, plus, and standard), and their pricing depends on how long you sign up for the service.

• The standard plan offers secure and high-speed VPN, malware protection, tracker, and ad blocker. It costs $3.29 per month on the 2-year plan.
• The Plus plan offers what’s in the standard plan: a cross-platform password manager and a data breach scanner. The Plus plan costs $4.49 per month on the 2-year plan.
• As for the complete plan, it offers what’s in the plus plan in addition to 1 TB cloud storage and next-generation file encryption, and it costs $5.99 per month on the 2-year plan.

URL: https://nordvpn.com/

CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost VPN also supports major apps and operating systems like Linux, Android, Mac, and Windows. CyberGhost VPN offers 7100 servers in 90 countries. It maintains no logs and provides speed, privacy, and security. CyberGhost, in addition to the 26-bit encryption and the kill switch features, offers seven simultaneous connections for one account. Furthermore, CyberGhost comes with quite a generous offer. You get a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Some of the key features of the CyberGhost VPN are a built-in ad blocker and the usage of private DNS servers.

Pros

• One account gives 7 simultaneous connections
• CyberGhost supports major operating systems
• Many servers worldwide
• CyberGhost maintains a strict no-logs policy.
• 45-day money-back guarantee
• 24/7 customer support via chat or email

Cons

• Pricey monthly subscriptions

Pricing

• 2-year plan subscription at $2.37 monthly, billed every two years ($56.94).
• The sixth-month plan costs $6.99 monthly, billed $41.94 every six months. It’s more expensive on a monthly subscription ($12.99 per month).

URL: https://www.cyberghostvpn.com/en_US/

Surfshark

Surfshark is an affordable VPN solution with 3200 servers in over 60 countries. Surfshark has powerful features like 256-bit encryption, automatic Wi-Fi protection, leak protection, and a kill switch in all the apps. Surfshark does not log the data of users. It comes with an added tool for swapping IP addresses.

24/7 live chat support and email support are available. Surfshark is available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. This VPN can be manually configured for home routers. This VPN allows you to connect unlimited devices, an added plus for businesses.

Surfshark provides a free 6-month subscription. This is perfect for business owners who have up to 10 employees. Surfshark also provides CleanWeb to block ads, malware, and trackers. It also offers camouflage mode.

Pros

• Affordable VPN solution
• Unlimited devices
• Fast speeds
• Free 6-month subscription
• No logs policy

Cons

• Additional payment for some features
• Surfshark offers limited support for enterprises

Pricing

Surfshark pricing starts at $2.49 per month and can reach $12.95. The company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Although it’s one of the most affordable VPN solutions, some features require additional payment.

URL: https://surfshark.com/

Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is a VPN service provider that offers unlimited simultaneous connections, has 500+ servers, and split tunneling. Private Internet Access offers servers in multiple locations in 84 countries. Private Internet Access doesn’t keep user activity or user data. Private Internet Access also offers a dedicated IP address. Private Internet Access provides an additional $1.49 monthly antivirus for Windows devices.

Pros

• The one-year plan is affordable
• Many server locations
• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• The company has a no-logs policy (it doesn’t keep user activity or data).
• Antivirus protection for Windows devices for an additional $1.49 monthly
• Private Internet Access offers dedicated IP addresses

Cons

• No free trial is available
• Monthly plans are a bit expensive

Pricing

As for pricing, monthly subscriptions are expensive. Private Internet Access costs $11.95 per month. A one-year plan from Private Internet Access costs way less. An annual plan costs $39.95

URL: https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/

How to Choose the Best VPN for Remote Working and Freelancers

How Large Is Your Business

When you’re choosing the best remote access VPN, there are some things you should consider, like your business needs. For example, do you have a limited number of remote workers or a large team? If you have a large team, maybe you should consider a VPN that supports multiple devices. A business VPN for multiple business users is different from a VPN that suits the needs of one remote worker.

Your Budget

You should also take a look at your budget. Does the VPN provider include the services you need in the price, or do you need to pay for the additional features?

Look for Security Features

In any VPN, you should always look for additional security features if you need them. Some VPNs have robust security features like military-grade encryption, DNS leak protection, kill switches, etc. Express VPN is a good choice for powerful security features. Those features are also recommended for those accessing the company’s network remotely.

Check the Servers’ Locations

When considering remote access VPN for your company, you should consider the VPN server locations. A VPN service should include the locations to run your business smoothly. A VPN with a huge server network and simultaneously connected devices is necessary for larger companies that depend on remote work.

Support of Operating Systems and Apps

VPNs support a number of operating systems and devices. So, one of the things you should consider when picking a VPN service provider is the operating systems and devices they support. This means you pick the VPN based on the operating system and apps you rely on to run your business smoothly. The VPN App must work smoothly with your mobile apps if you mainly depend on mobile devices for your business.

Speed

Business needs differ, and you should consider a VPN service that provides unlimited bandwidth, especially if you rely on streaming videos or uploading or downloading large files. Fast connection speeds are important for running your business smoothly. A VPN connection has to be stable, reliable, and with good connection speeds.

Customer Support

Even if you have the most reliable VPN, problems do occur. You cannot afford to lose connection or have any problems for some businesses. So, choosing a reliable VPN with 24/7 customer support and enterprise support is better if your company is large.

Conclusion

VPNs for remote workers and freelancers are important, as the article details. They provide security and help protect sensitive company data, especially since remote workers and freelancers might use public Wi-Fi networks.

VPNs are also useful for processing payments and using VoIP services. They are a good choice for freelancers and remote workers who want to run their businesses efficiently and smoothly.

In this article, we’ve shared some of the popular VPN choices in the market: ExpressVPN, NordVPN, CyberGhost VPN, Surfshark, and Private Internet Access. Each has different features, plans, etc.; choosing the best VPN depends on your business needs.

Surfshark offers a free six-month subscription for small businesses that want to save money. ExpressVPN is a good choice for powerful security options.

Most VPN service providers offer a generous money-back guarantee for up to 45 days. So, you can always try different services to reach the best VPN service provider that helps you protect your business data and avoid data breaches.

VPN FAQs

How Does a VPN Work?

A VPN provides a secure connection and encrypts data from and to your device to protect your data.

Are VPNs Illegal?

Using VPNs is not inherently illegal unless it violates your country’s laws, but it may entail inevitable consequences. Using a VPN could violate a site or service’s user agreement, and you could face penalties for doing so, like account termination or suspension. You could also face legal trouble using a VPN to access illegal content in your area.

We strongly recommend reviewing the terms of use of a website or service before using a VPN. Also, it is crucial to remember that engaging in illegal activities remains unlawful, even if you hide your location via a VPN.

Does Remote Desktop Solutions Make a Good Alternative to VPN?

Both allow workers to work remotely. However, VPNs provide security and protect data.

Can I use a free VPN for Remote Work?

VPNs encrypt data, so they are a good choice to protect your company or clients’ data. You need to pay for VPN services. Most offer a free trial.

Are there any reputable, free remote access VPNs?

You need to pay for remote access VPN service providers; however, some have great offers. Surfshark, for example, offers a free six-month subscription that you can use to try the service.

Does a VPN Use Data?

VPN service providers have a no-logs policy and don’t keep user activity or data.

What’s the Difference Between a Proxy Server and a VPN?

Proxy servers give users security and anonymity. However, they do not secure data. So, some firms combine both services.

We hope you enjoyed this article. If so, you might enjoy these resources:

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• Your Complete Guide for Digital Nomad Visa
• Top Virtual Office Services for Startups & Small Businesses
• How to Apply for a Remote Work Visa in Dubai – Your Complete Guide