The best VPN for Crypto users

The best VPN for Crypto users


In today's increasingly online world, protecting your privacy and security has never been more important – and this goes double for crypto users.

Virtual Private Networks or VPNs are services that provide an encrypted connection to the Internet that protects your Internet Protocol (IP) address from prying eyes.

For incoming users CryptoVPNs provide an extra layer of security to protect against hacking and phishing attempts that can lead to financial losses.

In this guide, we'll explore some of the best VPN options for crypto users, from big name brands to unique offerings.

coinbase

This guide comes from hundreds of hours of testing, years of developing VPNs, and covers features including speed, security, privacy, pricing, user experience, crypto payment options, and everything else you need to know.

Details like server number and location are included so you can decide which one works best for you. We'll also take a look at a VPN's ability to deliver on claims like privacy and security, and how it supports details like third-party log audits—and take them into consideration.

Note that this is an overview of the best VPNs for crypto users, so you may want to jump into specific reviews before deciding which one is right for you.

Best VPN for general crypto: NordVPN

nordvpn.com

Image: NordVPN

What security measures does it use?

NordVPN uses the same AES-256 encryption standard employed by the US military, so you can rest easy knowing that the WireGuard and OpenVPN protocol options are both extremely secure. That can be ensured by using multi-hop and obfuscating your connection, so your VPN usage cannot be detected.

What privacy features does it offer?

Thanks to a third-party audited no-logs policy and all servers running on RAM-only memory, NordVPN offers privacy at its best. The company is based in Panama, so it sits outside the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes spy groups, which means governments can't ask for information — not that NordVPN holds anything of much use.

Ease of use

With a choice of apps for multiple devices, Smart Connect's quick connect button, and the option to select servers based on specific needs like streaming – NordVPN is very easy to use. Of course, you have more complex options if you want, but this is great for automatic connections.

Server locations

Thanks to more than 140 server locations in 111 countries, NordVPN offers a truly wide range of options to connect globally without sacrificing speed and security.

Other features

NordVPN offers up to 10 simultaneous connections, high-speed yet secure WireGuard protocol, kill switch, auto-connect, split tunneling, and threat protection to protect against malicious websites and malware.

Pricing

NordVPN's pricing sits in the mid-range, which is good considering it's a premium option. That means $12.99 a month, but you can pay upfront for two years and it only works out to $3.79 a month. NordVPN accepts payments in cryptocurrencies, debit cards, PayPal, credit cards, and even iTunes and Google Pay options. There's also a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try before you decide to buy.

Best VPN for speed and privacy: ExpressVPN

expressvpn.com

Image: ExpressVPN

What security measures does it use?

Thanks to RAM-only servers and some great features like DNS leak protection, both AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, and a threat management tool, ExpressVPN is focused on high security.

What privacy features does it offer?

ExpressVPN's location in the British Virgin Islands means privacy is naturally very good, and it's also guaranteed by an independent auditable no-logging policy—meaning the company doesn't keep any data on its users.

Ease of use

One-click connection and a minimal layout on the apps make ExpressVPN one of the most user-friendly offerings out there. That means some of the more complex features are missing on some apps, but for beginners, this is a real winner.

Server locations

Although ExpressVPN does not display the exact number of its servers, as these vary often, it covers a wide range of at least 105 countries. This means that no matter where you find yourself, you can safely pop up in any country of your choice—including countries with specific laws that block VPNs.

Other features

ExpressVPN offers a kill switch, flexible and unique IP options, and uses the Lightway protocol, which offers a balance of speed and security. And you can do it all on eight devices at the same time.

Pricing

Payment can be made using PayPal, BitPay, Bitcoin and many other cryptocurrencies, plus online bank transfers, Apple Pay and Google Pay, and (of course) credit and debit cards. Expect to pay $6.67 per month, but you get a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Best for free version: Proton VPN

protonvpn.com

proton vpn
Image: Proton VPN

What security measures does it use?

Proton VPN covers many security bases with AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption as well as the latest WireGuard protocol technology.

What privacy features does it offer?

Based in Panama and third-party audited, Proton VPN keeps no data on its users using a no-logs policy.

Ease of use

Proton VPN's Smart Protocol feature, which connects quickly based on network connectivity, is a useful user-friendly option. Adding to this, the Quick Connect button makes accessing the VPN very easy.

Server locations

Proton VPN has a whopping 8,300 servers covering over 112 countries, making it one of the most extensive offerings out there.

Other features

Unlike many others, Proton VPN offers a free plan, which gives you very few restrictions – making it one of the most comprehensive VPN options you can find without paying anything.

Pricing

It also offers a free version of Proton VPN at a low price of $3.59 per month and a paid tier with the ability to pay in crypto.

Best Free Open Source Decentralized VPN: Secret VPN

mysteriumvpn.com

mysterium vpn
Image: Secret VPN

What security measures does it use?

Thanks to the extensive cross-network coverage, you can trust that your data will remain secure. Not having a single point company allows for decentralized information distribution, which keeps you more secure (in theory).

What privacy features does it offer?

The open source nature of this VPN means you can see for yourself what's happening, which means your data is as safe as you want it to be. No more trusting a company to do it for you.

Ease of use

Just like any other VPN, it's easy to download and set up using Myst coin before you go. The apps are easy to use with a layer of deep complexity if you need them.

Server locations

It has a huge worldwide reach, featuring a whopping 16,000 servers in 135 countries. That equates to over 20,000 IP address options to choose from.

Other features

You can use up to six devices simultaneously with unlimited bandwidth.

Pricing

Options start at $6.85 per month on a six-month plan, up to $3.19 per month if you go up to a two-year tier. Payments can be made with cards, PayPal and cryptocurrencies, including Myst and Bitcoin.

Best for random security: Orchid VPN

Orchid.com

orchid vpn
Image: Orchid

What security measures does it use?

This decentralized VPN uses a stake-weighted algorithm to randomly connect to provide the best security and optimal connection.

What privacy features does it offer?

It uses onion-driven multi-hop connections, which means your privacy is extremely secure and no central business processes your data, making it even more private.

Ease of use

The Orchid VPN app makes it easy to use – although it's worth noting that it doesn't work on Windows and uses WebRTC as a protocol.

Server locations

Since this is decentralized, the company says it is not possible to provide exact server numbers or locations. Users report that they often connect through the US.

Other features

The use of a VPN client separates this from a Tor-style decentralized network. And a helpful feature here is that it's so easy to use, it gives clarity and control even to beginners. That said, the multi-hop feature is a very useful option for those looking for additional layers of protection.

Pricing

This is a pay-as-you-go Oxt token that uses the system to buy and sell. This is an ERC-20 token built on Ethereum.

Best for browser coverage and firewall: Brave Firewall + VPN

Good.com

brave vpn
Image: Brilliant

What security measures does it use?

Brave VPN is military-grade secure thanks to AES-256 encryption and is backed by a firewall service that helps protect against surveillance, malware and other malicious attempts at your privacy. And the WireGuard protocol keeps you secure while still getting high speeds.

What privacy features does it offer?

Unlike other browsers, Brave doesn't collect your data when Chrome watches you, for a more private browsing experience, but DNS or IP leaks won't be a problem with this VPN up and running. Although US-based location and IP and email address data is stored, it is not very privacy-conscious.

Ease of use

Since this is a standalone VPN and offers a browser version, it means VPN access is easy. This enables a secure web browsing experience from within the browser or from the top menu.

Server locations

Brave doesn't share server numbers, but it appears to cover 14 countries, with four servers in the US. So not much compared to the competition.

Other features

Connections are issued simultaneously on five devices. But this provides the application for many including Windows, Linux, macOS, Android and iOS.

Pricing

There's a 7-day free trial and a flat rate of $9.99 per month makes it expensive for what you get. It only allows you to pay with credit cards and Stripe, but not crypto or PayPal.

Best VPN for decentralized options: NymVPN

nymvpn.com (beta)

nymvpn
Image: Nim

What security measures does it use?

NymVPN offers a unique 5-hop mixnet, which ensures your identity is harder than most other VPNs, which are 2-hop at best. There is also a 2-hop option, which offers WireGuard speeds, if you need a lower latency connection if security is not so important. Thanks to running nodes independently, more than 750 at the time of printing, protection is extremely effective.

What privacy features does it offer?

NymVPN is designed to provide NSA-proofing, according to its creators – a bold claim, but with that multi-hop system built on the ZK-powered blockchain, it could be one of the most secure decentralized VPN options. just now. You get sphinx encryption, metadata is encrypted and it uses token-based access for secure communication and privacy setting management options.

Ease of use

NymVPN primarily stands for Public VPN, although it's a privacy powerhouse available here, it works as an easy-to-use decentralized VPN. That means apps on different devices are all designed to integrate and work intuitively. You can expect a kill switch to prevent data leaks in future builds as well.

Server locations

There are over 30 countries where you can use NymVPN, including Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania. You also have over 110 exit servers to ensure maximum resiliency.

Other features

Thanks to the encouragement of server operators, NymVPN is a high-quality offering. Data is protected from analysis with packet scrambling and encryption. There are also zero knowledge payment methods to ensure complete anonymity. Apps are available for iOS, Android, Linux, MacOS and Windows.

Pricing

NymVPN is in beta at the time of publication, and you can download and test the app for free. Sign up and get 30 days free with an access code sent to your email.

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