Best VPNs for Public WiFi

Public WiFi is a hacker's playground. We've seen too many people get their credentials stolen at airports and cafes. These VPNs automatically protect you the moment you connect to an unknown network — no technical knowledge required.

Last updated: January 2026

Selection Criteria

Auto-connect on untrusted networks

Bank-grade encryption

Prevents man-in-middle attacks

One-tap protection

Works on all devices

Top Pick for Public WiFi

NordVPN

9.8/10

Industry-leading security with blazing fast speeds and an extensive server network.

95 Mbps on 100 Mbps connection (fastest in our tests)Unblocks 15+ Netflix libraries reliablyDouble VPN and Onion over VPN for extra privacy

$2.99

per month

Visit Site Read full review

ExpressVPN

9.6/10

Premium VPN with exceptional speeds and the best-in-class streaming capabilities.

93 Mbps average speed - near-zero slowdownMost reliable VPN for China (tested quarterly)Unblocks every major streaming platform

$3.49

per month

Visit Site Read full review

Surfshark

9.4/10

Budget-friendly VPN with unlimited devices and impressive security features.

Just $1.99/mo - best value in our testsUnlimited devices (protect your whole family)89 Mbps speed - great for 4K streaming

$1.99

per month

Visit Site Read full review

ProtonVPN

8.8/10

Swiss-based VPN from the makers of ProtonMail with strong privacy focus.

Swiss privacy laws - strongest in the worldFree tier with no data limits (3 countries)All apps are open source and audited

$4.99

per month

Visit Site Read full review

CyberGhost

9.2/10

User-friendly VPN with specialized servers for streaming and torrenting.

10,000+ servers - largest network available45-day money-back guarantee (15 days longer)Dedicated servers labeled by streaming service

$2.03

per month

Visit Site Read full review

Explore Other Lists

Streaming

Netflix

BBC iPlayer

Disney+