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Best for Families on a Budget
Best for Streamers and Gamers
- Failed kill switch test
- Desktop interface isn't as clean as the mobile app
Best for Torrenting
- Antivirus and dedicated IP address cost extra
- Based in the U.S., which is part of the Five Eyes alliance
There are great VPN apps that protect your online activities and your family’s privacy, without charging you an arm and a leg for extra device coverage. Surfshark is one of the best, offering excellent privacy and security options for an unlimited number of devices and a low monthly cost.
IPVanish also covers as many devices as you need and protects gamers in the family from DDoS attacks, and Private Internet Access (PIA) protects unlimited devices at one of the lowest monthly costs we've seen. Plus, PIA's SOCKS5 proxy and 10 Gbps server network makes it a gem for torrenting.
Let's examine these top VPNs for multiple devices and go over their standout features and pricing plans to help you pick the best one for your home.
Surfshark: Best for families on a budget
IPVanish: Best for streamers and gamers
Private Internet Access: Best for torrenting
Honorable mentions
How we test VPNs
FAQs
Bottom line
The best VPNs for multiple devices 2024
We tested several VPNs to determine our top picks by evaluating their speed, connection reliability, security, and privacy features, as well as their ability to connect to multiple devices simultaneously. We’ll also share our least favorite options and explain our decisions.
The three best VPNs for multiple devices are:
- Surfshark: Best for families on a budget
- IPVanish: Best for streamers and gamers
- Private Internet Access: Best for torrenting
Top 3 VPN services for multiple devices compared
VPN | Surfshark |
IPVanish |
Private Internet Access |
Starting price | $1.99/mo (billed every two years) | $2.19/mo (billed every two years) | $2.19/mo (billed every two years) |
Free version | |||
# of simultaneous connections | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Streaming support | Yes: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Hulu, DAZN, Hotstar, YLE Areena, and AbemaTV | Yes: Kodi, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, ESPN, and more | Yes: Netflix, Crunchyroll, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and more |
Learn more | Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review |
Get IPVanish Read IPVanish Review |
Get PIA Read PIA Review |
Surfshark: Best for families on a budget
Who it’s best for
Surfshark is an affordable VPN that is an ideal choice for families on a tight budget who regularly use social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. It also seamlessly streams content on YouTube and Twitch, whether on a home or mobile device.
What we liked
We gave Surfshark a shot and were impressed by its plethora of security and privacy-related VPN features, which is excellent for families who can’t afford a fancy VPN but want to protect their privacy online while surfing the web. Also, it can be used for streaming content from the comfort of your home on a Fire TV, an Apple TV, as well as other smart TVs. Families can use it for multiplayer online gaming on their Xbox or Playstation as well.
Surfshark VPN also uses AES-256-GCM encryption, fast and secure tunneling protocols such as open-source WireGuard, reliable high-speed servers, and many other features that help protect your family’s privacy and personal information. For instance, its CleanWeb feature, which blocks ads, trackers, and malware, is also excellent for preventing social media apps from tracking you and your online activities.
Surfshark works on an unlimited number of devices and is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems, including mobile devices running on Android or iOS. Surfshark also works on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Opera, Safari, and Samsung browsers, as well as on routers.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of Surfshark VPN’s powerful features:
- Private DNS: Prevents DNS leaks and keeps user information private
- Kill switch: Automatically cuts off internet access once it detects your VPN connection is lost.
- Bypasser: Allows you to choose which data passes through the VPN connection and which does not
- Camouflage Mode: Makes it difficult for your internet service provider and other third parties to identify and block your VPN connections.
- NoBorders Mode: Lets you bypass censorship and geo-restrictions
We also liked Surfshark’s Dynamic MultiHop feature, which adds another layer of security by enabling you to route traffic through multiple servers, which makes it harder for anyone to snoop on your family’s online activities.
What we didn’t like
A potential drawback of Surfshark VPN is that its CleanWeb feature — which blocks ads, trackers, and malware in apps — doesn't block YouTube ads. Only the CleanWeb 2.0 feature, which is included with Surfshark's browser extensions, can tackle video ads.
Nonetheless, Surfshark still makes an excellent choice for families on a budget who are seeking an affordable VPN with multi-device compatibility and powerful features that enhance privacy and security online.
Surfshark specs
Price range | $2.19–$17.95/mo |
Free version | No, but it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee |
Number of connected devices | Unlimited |
Number of servers | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries |
VPN protocol | WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN |
No-logs policy | No logs policy; verified by Deloitte on December 14, 2022. |
Unblocks Netflix? | Yes |
Torrenting support | Yes |
Learn more | Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review |
IPVanish: Best for streamers and gamers
Who it’s best for
IPVanish is the go-to choice for hardcore sports fans and online gamers. Whether you're streaming American sports from abroad, or playing your favorite games on the fly, IPVanish has you covered. With features like protection from distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, fast and secure modern protocols such as WireGuard, and a global network of high-speed servers with low latency, IPVanish can keep your online activity private and secure.
Additionally, it supports streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Kodi on multiple devices and smart TVs, among many others, which makes it an ideal VPN for those who love to stream on the go.
What we liked
We liked that IPVanish offers a wide range of features that make it the best choice for sports streamers and online gamers. It provides security and lets users protect their online identity and privacy with strong AES 256-bit encryption, fast and secure modern tunneling protocols such as the open-source WireGuard and IKEv2/IPsec, as well as the standard OpenVPN.
Additionally, it offers a kill switch, split tunneling, a SOCKS5 proxy, and DNS leak protection.
If you want to cover multiple types of devices, IPVanish offers support for unlimited device connections on various platforms:
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux (Debian or RedHat-based distros)
- Android
- iOS
- Android TV
- Fire TV
- Smart TVs
- Routers, such as DD-WRT v2 and v3, Tomato, Asus-WRT, Merlin
IPVanish also provides access to a global network of high-speed, reliable servers around the world that have low latency. This allows you to stream your favorite sports games, shows, and games from the comfort of your home, or even a hotel or Airbnb for frequent travelers.
What we didn’t like
One downside of IPVanish is that it is headquartered in the U.S., which makes it part of the Five Eyes alliance. This may be viewed as a potential risk or concern regarding privacy for users. However, its no-logs policy was last audited and verified in April 2022 by a cybersecurity firm, Leviathan Security Group, and shows IPVanish does not collect and share your data and online activities.
Although IPVanish offers features that are great for security and privacy, it doesn't have many additional VPN features that other VPN services like PIA offer, such as ad and tracker blockers or malware protection. Finally, the lack of a kill switch on iOS and Linux devices is a drawback for those who want an all-encompassing VPN experience.
IPVanish specs
Price range | $2.19–$11.99/mo |
Free version | No, but it does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee |
Number of connected devices | Unlimited |
Number of servers | 2,400+ servers in 90+ VPN locations |
VPN protocol | WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec, OpenVPN (TCP/UDP) |
No-logs policy | No logs policy; last audited and verified by Leviathan Security Group in April 2022 |
Unblocks Netflix? | Yes |
Torrenting support | Yes |
Learn more | Get IPVanish Read IPVanish Review |
Private Internet Access: Best for torrenting
Who it’s best for
If you're a privacy-conscious torrenter who wants to remain anonymous, then Private Internet Access may be the best VPN for you. It offers strong encryption and a number of advanced features, such as secure tunneling protocols, that are designed to protect your privacy and keep your online activities safe from prying eyes.
Furthermore, PIA has a no-logs policy that ensures your personal information and torrenting history are not collected. It has a SOCKS5 proxy, sometimes referred to as Tor SOCKS5 proxy, which is an internet protocol used by Tor. A Tor SOCKS5 proxy provides an added layer of anonymity and protection for avid torrenters. It does this by sending traffic through the Tor network instead of from your local IP address into the open network.
What we liked
We liked that PIA has a high-speed 10 Gbps network with servers in 91 countries around the world, as well as strong privacy and security features. It has port-forwarding support and a SOCKS5 proxy that allows for fast and secure torrenting without compromising your privacy. PIA also offers AES-128-GCM and AES-256-GCM for strong encryption.
Its security and privacy features include a firewall-based kill switch, advanced split tunneling, DNS leak protection, and auto-connect. It also includes a feature called MACE, which blocks ads, trackers, and malware on websites at the DNS level. Think of it as pepper spray that “maces” pesky unwanted content.
We also like that PIA has a strict no-logs policy that was previously audited and verified by Deloitte on June 30, 2022. PIA also collaborated with BugCrowd to work with its security researchers for its vulnerability disclosure program. Customers can submit bugs, too. This helps PIA remain secure and ensures it’s free from bugs or security vulnerabilities that can be exploited.
This VPN supports unlimited simultaneous connections for the following operating systems, browsers, and devices:
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- iOS
- Android
- PlayStation
- Xbox
- Nintendo Switch
- Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Safari
- Smart TVs (e.g., Apple TV, Samsung TV, Fire TV, and more)
What we didn’t like
We didn’t like that PIA, like IPVanish, is headquartered in the U.S., which is part of the Five Eyes alliance. On the other hand, PIA is adamant about adhering to a strict no-logs policy. Thus, to show its commitment to transparency and maintain the trust of its users, it allows independent audits of its no-logs policy.
Additionally, some of PIA’s features, such as its antivirus software and its dedicated IP feature, come with extra costs as add-ons. This may not be preferable for those on a budget. Lastly, PIA has not disclosed the exact number of servers it has, which may raise concerns regarding the extent and reliability of its server infrastructure.
Private Internet Access specs
Price range | $2.19–$11.99/mo |
Free version | No, but it has a 30-day money-back guarantee |
Number of connected devices | Unlimited |
Number of servers | Exact amount unknown in 91 countries |
VPN protocol | WireGuard and OpenVPN; IPSec for iOS. |
No-logs policy | No-logs policy; previously verified and audited by Deloitte in June 2022. |
Unblocks Netflix? | Yes |
Torrenting support | Yes |
Learn more | Get PIA Read PIA Review |
Honorable mentions
We tested several services to determine the best VPNs for multiple devices. A few VPNs worth mentioning that didn’t make it to the top three are CyberGhost, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is based in Romania, a privacy-friendly country, and offers a variety of advanced privacy and security features. These features include AES-256 encryption, an automatic kill switch, Wi-Fi protection, DNS leak prevention, and URL-based split tunneling. Additionally, it has a no-logs policy that was audited and verified by Deloitte in 2023.
Despite its many features, we didn't include CyberGhost in the top three because it supports a maximum of seven devices at once. Additionally, it has inconsistent speeds and shoddy connections from time to time.
Get CyberGhost | Read Our CyberGhost Review
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN, a veteran in the VPN market since 2009, boasts a range of excellent features for privacy and security. It has high-speed servers in 105 countries and advanced VPN features like strong encryption, a kill switch, split tunneling, and many more. It also supports connections for up to five devices, making it ideal for small households.
Despite these benefits, we didn't choose ExpressVPN as the best VPN for multiple devices because the number of devices it supports (eight) is too low. Also, its price is relatively high, with a price range of $6.67–$12.95/mo compared to the top VPNs.
Get ExpressVPN | Read Our ExpressVPN Review
NordVPN
NordVPN has also been in the VPN game for more than a decade, since 2012, and has a massive network of 6,300 ultra-fast servers in 111 countries. Additionally, it has advanced VPN features for security and privacy, such as AES-256-GCM encryption, a kill switch, a double VPN, smart DNS, a dedicated IP, an ad and tracker blocker, and more. This makes it perfect for households with 10 or fewer devices that need simultaneous connections.
Get NordVPN | Read Our NordVPN Review
How we test VPNs
We tested our chosen VPN providers for multi-devices based on their privacy and security features, as well as their performance. We checked the number of simultaneous connections they supported, compatibility with multiple platforms, speed, and whether they had reliable connections.
The selected VPNs all offered additional features such as split tunneling, kill switch, ad-blockers, and many more. Although some didn’t make our final cut, nearly all of the six VPNs we selected for our testing offered reliable and secure connections for multiple devices, which makes them ideal for families or even small businesses.
FAQs
Can I use the same VPN on multiple devices?
It depends on the VPN service you are using. Some VPN services may allow you to connect to an unlimited number of devices at the same time. Others may limit the number of devices you can connect to simultaneously with your VPN of choice. If you are unsure, double-check your VPN service provider's terms and conditions or contact support.
What is NordVPN’s device limit?
NordVPN’s device limit is 10 per account.
How many devices can you use ExpressVPN at a time?
ExpressVPN supports a maximum of eight devices simultaneously. It's proprietary router, Aircove, counts as one device and covers everything on your network.
What are the benefits of using a VPN on multiple devices?
A VPN can protect the privacy and security of those who use multiple devices (e.g., families and enterprises) by hiding their IP addresses and encrypting their data on the internet.
It can also be a convenient and easy way to watch geo-restricted content, stream while traveling, or browse the web and use social media apps safely. This can bring comfort in knowing sensitive data such as your financial information is encrypted as users access the web and switch between devices such as a PC, laptop, tablet, smart TV, gaming console, or mobile phone, whether from home or on the go.
Bottom line: The best VPNs for multiple devices
After putting several VPNs to the test, we have determined that the three best VPNs for multiple devices are Surfshark, IPVanish, and Private Internet Access. Our top choice, Surfshark, lets you connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously and has a lot of security and privacy features for a low price, such as its CleanWeb 2.0 feature, which makes it a great choice for families on a budget who browse the web, stream, and game online.
Our second-best pick, IPVanish, also supports an unlimited number of devices, has great security features such as DDoS protection, and supports a wide range of streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Kodi. It also provides optimal performance speeds for streaming and gaming by using modern protocols like WireGuard.
Finally, PIA is a great choice for torrenting with its strong AES-128 and AES-256 encryption, SOCKS5 proxy, and port-forwarding support.
3 best VPNs for multiple devices 2024
Starting price | Best for | Learn more | |
Surfshark |
$1.99/mo (billed every two years) | Best for families on a budget | Get Surfshark |
IPVanish |
$2.19/mo (billed every two years) | Best for streamers and gamers | Get IPVanish |
Private Internet Access | $2.19/mo (billed every two years) | Best for torrenters | Get PIA |