Is It Legal to Use a VPN?

Best overall
Nord VPN
NordVPN
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
Starting at:$3.39/mo (two-year plan)
  • pro
    7,700+ servers in 118 locations
  • pro
    Best security with user-friendly interface
  • pro
    30-day money-back guarantee
Best for high speeds
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
Monthly price:$12.95/mo
  • pro
    3,000+ servers in 105 countries
  • pro
    Amazing speed performance with popular apps
  • pro
    30-day money-back guarantee
Best value VPN
Surfshark
Surfshark
4 out of 5 stars
4
Monthly price:$15.45/mo
  • pro
    3,200+ servers in 100 countries
  • pro
    Very low price and unlimited simultaneous connections
  • pro
    30-day money-back guarantee
Best for gaming
Cyberghost
CyberGhost
3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9
Monthly price:$12.99/mo
  • pro
    11,500+ servers in 100 countries
  • pro
    Lowest ping for competitive gaming
  • pro
    14-day or 45-day money-back guarantee
Best free VPN
ProtonVPN
Proton VPN
3.7 out of 5 stars
3.7
Monthly price:$9.99/mo
  • pro
    Up to 12,000+ servers in 110+ countries
  • pro
    Very secure and decent free plan
  • pro
    30-day money-back guarantee
Chyelle Dvorak
Jun 05, 2025
Icon Time To Read4 min read

In the United States, yes, it is legal to use a VPN. Every country has different regulations regarding the legality of a virtual private network. Your VPN is a privacy tool, and you are completely free to use it as one.

While using a VPN service is completely legal, you should never engage in illegal activity while using a VPN. Never do anything that violates your VPN’s terms of use policy or download any copyrighted materials with your VPN provider.

Is “private browsing” a personal right?

Not necessarily. In 2017, Congress voted against regulations aimed at protecting the privacy of individuals online, mostly because the restrictions were too broad.1  Congress argued that the regulations would only cause consumers and large companies to lose their right to targeted promotions (basically, advertisements based on your search history).

Because of this decision, internet privacy is no longer guaranteed. If you’re not using a VPN service, companies can sell your information and browsing patterns to other companies.

Where are VPNs illegal?

Belarus, China, Russia, Iraq, North Korea, and the United Arab Emirates are a few examples of countries that outlaw VPNs and enforce strict internet censorship laws. Even though it is illegal to use a VPN service in these countries, other countries allow VPNs.

Businesses and private organizations originally used VPNs to provide secure networks for their employees and teams to use. Because some people perform illegal activities while using a VPN, some countries decided to ban them.

You can use a VPN for many legitimate purposes. People who are concerned about their privacy often use VPNs to help them stay anonymous. Many government organizations and non-governmental organizations use VPNs to keep their work private as well. This article provides more information about VPNs and why you should use one.

What is a VPN and how does it work?

A VPN protects your data—but are they necessary for everyone?

A virtual private network (VPN) creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a remote server. This protects your internet traffic by hiding your IP address and routing your activity through a secure, private network. VPNs help safeguard your data from common cyber threats like hacking, online tracking, surveillance, and malware, especially on public Wi-Fi or unsecured websites.

While most internet users can benefit from using a VPN, not all internet activity carries the same level of risk. Your vulnerability to data interception depends largely on how and where you use the internet. If you mainly browse from your own secure home network, you're generally less exposed to threats like data breaches or third-party tracking than someone who regularly uses public Wi-Fi. However, even home internet users should consider using a VPN to enhance privacy by encrypting their internet traffic and preventing third parties, like internet service providers or potential hackers, from monitoring their online activity. 

Can I use a VPN server located in a country that restricts VPNs?

Make sure you check into the legal restrictions of the country you’re connecting through because VPN laws can vary. There’s a difference between being in that country physically and using a VPN (which is illegal no matter what) and connecting from somewhere else. However, if a VPN is banned, it’s important to still check whether you can access a VPN server in that country no matter where you are.

Even if your VPN client provides servers located in that country, you never know what restrictions are in place. If you want to make sure your information is kept as private as possible, find a VPN that’s registered in a country outside of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

You should also consider the logging policy of your VPN. Most VPN providers have a “no logs policy,” which means that the VPN does not store your data. If your VPN has a no logging policy, then you don’t have to worry about your data being stored or sold. However, some countries can require VPNs to share their data, despite the logging policy. It’s always a good idea to check the VPN regulations for whichever country your server is located in.

Every country has different rules for how the VPN can operate, despite their logging policy. If you want to make sure your information is kept as private as possible, find a VPN that’s registered in a country outside of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. These five countries often share online data and have greater authority for forcing VPNs to give them private information.

CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, and ExpressVPN are great VPN services to use if you want a wide range of server options to choose from (both have servers located in over 80 countries).

Is a VPN safe to use?

Absolutely. A VPN is designed to keep your information safe and prevent unnecessary internet exposure. You might trust your internet service provider (ISP) to keep your data safe, but you are at risk of being hacked when you’re using public Wi-Fi. Since internet privacy is not a guarantee (as discussed earlier), you should use the freedom you have to buy a VPN and keep your information private and safe.

When choosing a VPN, look for something that best fits your needs. For example, some VPNs are faster than others, while some prioritize having a large number of servers to choose from. This guide can help you choose from the best VPNs available. If streaming movies over Netflix and Hulu is important to you, consider a VPN known to work well for streaming like NordVPN or Mulvad. If you’re more interested in the best security, then look for a VPN with a great encryption software like ExpressVPN.

Remember to think about whether the VPN has a “no logging policy” and check to see which country the client registers in. The last thing you want is for a VPN client to sell your personal information to another company. Fortunately, VPNs are legal in the United States, and using one can protect your privacy.

Now that you know, here are your next steps.
reviews.org best of logo

Check out the best VPNs available

reviews.org best of logo

Find easy ways to speed up your internet

Sources

1. Kimberly Kindy, The Washington Post, “How Congress Dismantled Federal Internet Privacy Rules,” May 30, 2017.

Chyelle Dvorak
Written by
Chyelle works as a freelance writer for The Daily Beast and edited articles for Forbes, Inc.com, Fox News and other review sites. Chyelle tests, writes, and researches products and services related to internet consumption. She found her passion for public speaking and writing in her childhood when she won the Voice of Democracy speech and essay competition. Chyelle has a degree in International Relations from Crown College, Minnesota. Outside of work, Chyelle loves to spend time reading, kayaking, and running.

Related Articles

Starlink Internet Plans and Deals
Read about Starlink Internet prices, plans, and deals for high-speed internet.
Optimum Internet Plans and Deals
Read about Optimum Internet prices, plans, and deals for high-speed internet.
Man pointing remote toward TV and DVR
Xfinity TV Equipment
Learn about the Xfinity TV equipment required to get cable service. We'll talk prices, features,...
Verizon 5G Home Internet Plans and Deals
Read about Verizon 5G Internet prices, plans, and deals for high-speed internet.