Best VPNs for Work & Streaming in 2025 (Simple Guide)

Disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links to partners like NordVPN, Surfshark, and Safeshell VPN. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Quick Picks (If You Don’t Want to Overthink It)

• Best Overall for Most People – Get NordVPN
  Fast, secure, easy to use, and works great for streaming + day-to-day work.
• Best Budget VPN – Get Surfshark
  Very cheap, lets you use unlimited devices, still solid speeds.
• Best Simple Option for Beginners – Get Safeshell VPN
  Very straightforward, clean interface, great if you just want a “turn it on and forget it” VPN.
• Best for Streaming Only – ExpressVPN
  Excellent at unblocking streaming services, very polished apps.
• Best Free / Freemium – ProtonVPN
  Has a usable free plan if money is tight, plus good privacy reputation.
• Best Alternative Value Pick – CyberGhost
  Lots of servers, optimized streaming servers, frequent long-term deals.

At a Glance: VPN Comparison Table

Why You Might Need a VPN (Simple)

A VPN (“Virtual Private Network”) does three main things:

1. Encrypts your internet traffic – your ISP, school, or public Wi-Fi can’t easily see what you’re doing.
2. Hides your real IP/location – websites and services see the VPN server’s IP, not your home address.
3. Lets you appear in another country – helpful for remote work, accessing region-locked content, or avoiding sketchy hotel Wi-Fi issues.

If you:

• Work from home or coffee shops
• Travel and use hotel / public Wi-Fi
• Stream Netflix, Hulu, etc.
• Just don’t want everything you do tied to your home IP

…then a VPN is worth having.

1. NordVPN – Best Overall for Work & Streaming

Good for: Most people who want fast speeds, strong security, and easy streaming.

• Why it stands out
• One of the fastest VPNs in real-world use.
• Huge server network across many countries.
• Extra security tools like Double VPN, Threat Protection, and dark web monitoring.
• Work use
• Great for remote workers who need stable and fast connections.
• Apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and browser extensions.
• Streaming
• Works well with major platforms (at time of writing), and their servers are regularly updated.

When NordVPN is a great pick

• You want one VPN that just handles everything.
• You care about speed as much as privacy.
• You don’t mind paying a little more than ultra-budget options for something more polished.

Link: 👉 Get NordVPN

2. Surfshark – Best Budget VPN (Unlimited Devices)

Good for: Families, households, or multi-device people on a tight budget.

• Key benefits
• Unlimited devices on one account – you, your partner, kids, tablets, etc. can all use it.
• Often one of the cheapest options on multi-year plans.
• Clean, modern apps that are beginner-friendly.
• Work use
• Good speeds for calls, remote desktop, cloud tools, etc.
• Useful if you want VPN coverage on your main PC, laptop, phone, tablet, and maybe a streaming box.
• Streaming
• Generally works well with many streaming sites (this can always change, like with any VPN).

When Surfshark is the best fit

• You want maximum devices for minimum cost.
• You’re okay with slightly less consistency than NordVPN in exchange for a lower price.

Link: 👉 Get Surfshark

3. Safeshell VPN – Easiest “Set It and Forget It” Option

Good for: People who want a simple, less overwhelming VPN.

• What makes it different
• Very clean, stripped-down interface – usually just choose a location and click connect.
• Great if you or a family member gets overwhelmed by too many toggles and features.
• Work use
• Good for basic encrypted browsing, email, and work apps.
• Streaming
• Best used as a general privacy tool; streaming support may vary more than the bigger brands.

When Safeshell makes sense

• You mainly care about encrypting your traffic and hiding your IP.
• You don’t need advanced settings, just a simple ON/OFF privacy switch.

Link: 👉 Get Safeshell VPN

4. ExpressVPN – Best for Streaming Quality & Reliability

Good for: People who watch a lot of streaming content and want the smoothest experience.

• Why people like it
• Very consistent at unblocking streaming platforms.
• Apps are extremely polished and easy to navigate.
• Good speeds, especially for HD/4K streaming.
• Downsides
• Usually more expensive than budget VPNs.
• Fewer “extra” features compared to some competitors.

When ExpressVPN is worth it

• Streaming is your main reason for getting a VPN.
• You’re okay paying more for reliability and smoother media playback.

Link: 👉 Visit ExpressVPN: https://www.expressvpn.com

5. ProtonVPN – Best Free / Privacy-Focused Option

Good for: People who need a free option or care a lot about privacy.

• Free plan
• Limited servers and lower speeds, but no data caps.
• Helpful if you just need basic protection on a budget.
• Paid plans
• Much faster, more locations, and more features.
• Ties in with ProtonMail and other privacy-focused tools.
• Work/streaming
• Free plan: more for basic browsing and occasional use.
• Paid plan: can handle work and streaming much better.

Link: 👉 Visit ProtonVPN: https://protonvpn.com

6. CyberGhost – Good Value and Streaming-Focused Servers

Good for: People who want a lot of locations and streaming-optimized servers.

• Highlights
• Huge number of servers across many countries.
• Some servers are labeled specifically for streaming or torrenting.
• Often has aggressive long-term discounts.
• Downsides
• Apps can feel a bit busy and less clean than Nord/Surfshark.
• When CyberGhost is a fit
• You want a “value” option that still has a ton of server choice.
• You’re okay with a slightly clunkier app in exchange for deals.

Link: 👉 Visit CyberGhost: https://www.cyberghostvpn.com

How to Choose the Right VPN (Without Overthinking It)

If you’re stuck, answer these questions:

1. How many devices do you need to cover?

• Just you (PC + phone)? → 6 devices is usually plenty.
• Whole household? → Surfshark’s unlimited devices is a big win.

1. What’s your main reason for getting a VPN?

• Work + general privacy → NordVPN or Safeshell.
• Streaming → NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
• Budget / many devices → Surfshark or CyberGhost.
• Free option → ProtonVPN (start free, upgrade later if needed).

1. How tech-comfortable are you?

• Don’t like settings? → Safeshell or ExpressVPN.
• Okay with options and tweaks? → NordVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost.

Simple Recommendations by Situation

• “I just want one good VPN and be done.”
  → Pick NordVPN.
• “We have a bunch of devices and I don’t want to pay for multiple accounts.”
  → Pick Surfshark.
• “I get overwhelmed easily. I just want something simple to turn on.”
  → Pick Safeshell VPN.
• “I mainly care about watching shows and sports when I travel.”
  → Pick ExpressVPN.
• “Money is tight but I still want protection.”
  → Start with ProtonVPN Free, upgrade or switch later.

FAQ – Quick Answers

Is using a VPN legal?
In most countries, yes. Using a VPN for normal privacy and security is legal. What you do through it still has to follow local laws.

Will a VPN slow down my internet?
A little, yes, because your traffic is encrypted and routed through another server. Good VPNs like NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN are fast enough that normal browsing and streaming still feel smooth.

Do I need a VPN on my phone too?
If you use public Wi-Fi, absolutely. It’s one of the easiest ways to protect yourself at airports, coffee shops, and hotels.

Can I use these VPNs on a smart TV or streaming box?
Many of them have apps for Fire TV, Android TV, and some smart TVs. Worst case, you can install the VPN on your router or use casting from your phone/laptop.

If you’re overwhelmed or still unsure, the simple move is:

Go with Get NordVPN if you want one all-around option, or Get Surfshark if you want unlimited devices for a lower price.

Both will cover you for work, travel, and streaming without you needing to think about it much.