The best VPN for working from home

We've been banging on about VPNs for years, and now the world has opened its eyes to how great these services are for boosting online security and bypassing geo-restrictions.

It's about time.

What is a VPN?

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide important protection for your data and identity when you're online by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. This means that all of your activity is untraceable and secure. You can think about VPNs as encrypted tunnels through which all of your online traffic passes through. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware.

Do you need a VPN when working from home?

More and more businesses are making the transition from a traditional office setting to a remote workforce. A VPN is absolutely essential for working remotely because it provides an organisaton with an encrypted connection for securely accessing internal company networks.

VPNs can also be used to watch shows on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and more of the most popular streaming sites. The need for online entertainment has grown recently, and more people are now turning towards VPNs to unlock blocked or restricted content.

The message is: VPNs are vital for both work and play at home.

What should you consider before investing in a VPN?

The first thing you're likely to notice when you begin the hunt for a VPN is just how many services there are to consider. Yes, it's good to have options, but it's easy to get bogged down by all the choice. That's why it's important to focus on some key factors when making your decision:

• Customer support — if you encounter any problems, it's good to know that you can rely on support agents with the technical knowledge to help.

• Fast connection speeds — the best VPNs offer servers in countries all around the world, ensuring that you get a fast and reliable connection for when you need it most.

• Kill switch — this technology makes sure your sensitive data is not exposed, even if your connection drops unexpectedly.

• Multi-logins — some accounts let you connect multiple devices simultaneously, which is great for protecting an entire household under the same subscription.

• Reliable encryption — the most important thing to consider is how well a service protects your connection, so your data and identity remain hidden from prying eyes.

If you take all of these features into consideration, and find something that ticks most of the boxes, you should be in a good position. Don't panic if things still aren't clear though, because we have already considered these points in detail. We're nice like that.

What is the best VPN for working from home?

We have lined up some of your best options for working and playing at home, with top providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN making the cut. There is something for everyone and every budget in this list. All you have to do is pick your favourite.

These are the best VPNs for working from home in 2024.