If you’re craving content accessible in New York but stuck somewhere far from the city that never sleeps, you’ll need a reliable VPN. Even those in NYC don’t have guaranteed unrestricted access to the web. Geo-restrictions can prevent you from accessing your favorite streams and sites, while your ISP can keep tabs on your online activities. Either way, the best VPN for New York can help you bypass restrictions while shielding your digital identity.
However, not just any VPN will let you access exclusive content freely and securely. You need a service with blazing speeds and multiple servers in New York State, so you can easily get a New York IP address for uninterrupted streaming and browsing. Top-tier encryption and leak protection are critical too, as you don’t want your internet activities exposed while appearing as a virtual New Yorker.
Our curated VPNs for New York meet these exact standards. We meticulously tested numerous providers to uncover those finely tuned for the NYC experience. We’ll cover each VPN in detail along with their strengths and weaknesses, and answer some frequently asked questions. But if you don't have time for the full guide, here’s a brief summary of our top six picks for New York.
The 6 best VPNs for New York:
- ExpressVPN - Best overall VPN with servers in New York and 23+ other US locations. It offers exceptional speeds and security via the TrustedServer technology. Tops it off with RAM-only servers and a 30-day risk-free trial.
- NordVPN - Security-focused service with 1,970+ servers across 16+ US cities. It includes robust features like DoubleVPN and Threat Protection for enhanced protection. The proprietary NordLynx protocol and RAM-based servers ensure fast NYC connections.
- Surfshark - Get a New York IP address on unlimited devices at once. Features specialized modes like Camouflage and NoBorders to bypass restrictions. Plus you get CleanWeb ad-blocking, breach alerts, and private search, for complete anonymity.
- Private Internet Access - Highly customizable VPN with multiple encryption levels and protocols. Servers in all US states including New York City. Useful MACE feature blocks ads and malicious threats. Court-proven and audited no-logs policy and RAM-only server infrastructure.
- IPVanish - Reliable and competitively priced option with 150+ servers in New York. It provides robust security with a strict no-logs policy and full leak protection. You also get unlimited simultaneous connections and a “scramble” feature for evading VPN blocks.
- PrivateVPN - Budget pick with decent NYC performance. It provides compact setup files and quick installation but lacks advanced features. There’s no security to validate its no-logs claims which can be concerning given its US jurisdiction.
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When choosing the best VPNs for New York, we evaluated several factors that are crucial to an exceptional local experience. Here are the key criteria we used to pick our top VPNs.
- Server availability in New York
- Robust unblocking capabilities
- Exceptional speed and performance
- Advanced security and privacy measures
- Excellent customer support
- Value for money
While this covers the major factors, we’ll delve into our detailed VPN testing methodology later in the article. Read on to find out why these top-rated VPNs made the cut for safeguarding your online activities in New York.
| TEST WINNER ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | Private Internet Access | IPVanish | PrivateVPN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Website | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | Private Internet Access | IPVanish | PrivateVPN |
| Ranking for New York | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Performance | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Reliability | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Free trial | ||||||
| Total servers | 3000 | 6200 | 3200 | 3386 | 2000 | 200 |
| Payment | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency |
| Unblocks: | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu |
| Supported platforms | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android |
Best VPNs for New York
ExpressVPN is our favorite VPN for New York due to its unbeatable combination of speed, security, and reliability. ExpressVPN offers servers in NYC and 23+ other US cities so you can easily obtain a local New York IP address for uninterrupted streaming and browsing. ExpressVPN uses TrustedServer technology and the proprietary Lightway protocol to ensure buffer-free performance. Security is also a forte of ExpressVPN. You get a RAM-only server network, perfect forward secrecy, and full leak protection to protect your internet activities from prying eyes. There’s also a Network Lock kill-switch that disconnects your device from the internet in case your VPN connection drops. Thanks to its built-in obfuscation features, you can bypass VPN blocks and network firewalls on all ExpressVPN servers. You also get the Threat Manager to block app trackers and malware that could compromise your anonymity. ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, a jurisdiction that’s outside the 14 Eyes surveillance alliance. Plus, it maintains an independently audited and verified no-logs policy to give you peace of mind. The service is compatible with virtually every platform and allows up to eight simultaneous device connections. While not the cheapest option on the list, ExpressVPN regularly offers discounts that you could use to cut down the overall costs. To top it off, there’s a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, making ExpressVPN a compelling option for New Yorkers. NordVPN is an excellent option for accessing New York-based content all around the world. Offers a vast network of servers, superb security features, and affordable subscriptions. NordVPN is hard to beat for a security-focused VPN experience. It’s based in the privacy-friendly jurisdiction of Panama and boasts an impressive arsenal of advanced features to secure your online anonymity. With a vast network of 1,970+ servers across 16+ US cities, including New York City, NordVPN allows reliable access to local New York IP addresses. The VPN features the proprietary NordLynx protocol, which is optimized for speed and security, to ensure minimal lag during your browsing and streaming sessions. Like ExpressVPN, NordVPN operates entirely on RAM-based server infrastructure, with no data ever stored on hard drives. Additionally, it’s a strict no-logs service that has undergone multiple third-party security audits to affirm its no-logs commitment. But NordVPN excels in unique offerings such as MultiHop and DoubleVPN capabilities. The former routes your traffic through multiple VPN servers, while the latter encrypts it twice for unparalleled online protection. Furthermore, it comes with a useful Threat Protection feature that blocks malware, ads, and trackers, to further strengthen your security posture. With NordVPN, you’ve got the option of connecting up to 10 devices at once using a single license. Alternatively, you can install NordVPN on your router to get network-wide protection. Surfshark is an excellent, budget-friendly choice for New Yorkers, offering unlimited simultaneous connections and an audited no-logs policy. Surfshark's feature-packed service makes it a strong option for protecting your online activities in New York. With servers in 22+ US locations, including NYC, you can easily obtain a local IP address to access your favorite sites and streams without interruption. What sets Surfshark apart is its unlimited simultaneous connections policy, so you can secure all your devices under a single subscription. This versatile provider packs quite a punch, with advanced modes like NoBorders to circumvent VPN blocks and Camouflage mode to disguise your VPN traffic. For complete online protection in NYC, Surfshark offers CleanWeb, which actively blocks ads, trackers, and malware from infecting your device. It also includes a real-time data breach monitoring tool (Surfshark Alert) and a private search functionality (Surfshark Search) to bolster your anonymity. Its RAM-only server infrastructure, audited no-logs policy, and IP rotator further safeguards your digital footprint. While not the fastest, Surfshark remains a reliable VPN for smooth streaming and browsing performance. Subscriptions start from $2.19/month and are covered by a 30-day refund policy. Monthly plans are expensive, so I recommend getting the annual or two-year plan which also comes with three extra months. Private Internet Access offers a highly customizable solution for those who prefer to tinker with their VPN connection. This US-based provider offers servers in all the US states, with 664+ servers in New York City alone. It supports multiple encryption levels and VPN protocols so you can tailor the VPN connection to your needs. PIA operates under a strict no-logs policy that has been scrutinized through multiple independent audits. The provider also proved its commitment to the no-logs policy in two separate court cases when it couldn’t provide user data to authorities. While PIA's jurisdiction within the Five Eyes surveillance raises eyebrows, its RAM-based server architecture and security-focused features like Shadowsocks obfuscation and full leak protection instill our confidence. It also provides an effective malware and ad-blocker (MACE) to further fortify your online privacy. The service offers user-friendly apps for all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Similar to Surfshark, you can connect as many devices as you want at once using a single PIA subscription. IPVanish makes a compelling case as a reliable New York VPN with its robust server infrastructure at competitive pricing. The provider maintains a vast global network of over 2,400 servers across 50+ countries and 90+ locations. Over half of these servers are located within the US, with nearly 150 servers in New York alone. This extensive NYC coverage means you can reliably get a New York IP for streaming local content or securely accessing online services. IPVanish sweetens the deal with its unlimited simultaneous connections, letting you connect to a New York server on all your gadgets under a single subscription. IPVanish also prioritizes security with a strict no-logs policy and full leak protection. The proprietary “Scramble” feature disguises your VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic, bypassing VPN blocking efforts. While IPVanish is affordable, it does have some drawbacks. Opting for a monthly subscription can be costly and the refund option is only available for yearly and two-year plans. PrivateVPN is an affordable solution that delivers all the basic VPN features at a fraction of the cost of its premium rivals. With servers in NYC, PrivateVPN provides fast speeds and reliable unblocking capabilities for local streaming and browsing, all for just $2/month. What sets PrivateVPN apart from the competition is its simplicity and ease of use. It offers compact installation files, so setting it up across devices is a breeze. The user-friendly apps feature straightforward interfaces that cater to VPN beginners and experienced users alike. However, PrivateVPN lacks many of the advanced features you'd expect from a top-tier NYC VPN. It maintains a no-logs policy but there's no independent security audit to validate this claim. This is a notable concern given the provider's unfavorable US jurisdiction within the Five Eyes alliance. PrivateVPN does offer variable encryption levels and dedicated IP options for customizability. However, its overall security and privacy capabilities fall short compared to other premium providers. On the positive side, it provides a 30-day money-back guarantee which gives you ample time to test the service before committing long-term. 1. ExpressVPN
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Methodology: How we chose the best VPNs for New York
When evaluating the best VPNs for New York, we ran comprehensive tests and scrutinized each VPN across several critical factors. Here’s an overview of some of these factors:
- Server availability in New York: Dedicated server availability in NYC was a prerequisite. All the recommended VPNs offer multiple servers in New York and other US states to ensure easy access to a local IP address for unblocking geo-restricted content.
- Global server network: An extensive network of servers around the world makes it easier to connect to your preferred location while in NYC. The more servers there are, the easier it is to access geo-specific content.
- Speed and performance: With bandwidth-intensive tasks like HD streaming in mind, we ran speed tests across each VPN's NYC servers. Only those delivering fast and stable speeds made the cut.
- Unblocking capabilities: A VPN’s ability to bypass geo-blocks is a major selling point. We rigorously tested each VPN’s unblocking strengths across popular streaming platforms and local NYC channels.
- Security & privacy: The US, along with its other 14 Eyes Alliance members, has some of the most invasive privacy laws. We analyzed the encryption standards, no-logs policies, kill-switch efficiency, and DNS/IP leak protection to ensure your online activities remain anonymous all the time.
- Ease of use: All the suggested VPNs are easy to use so you can quickly connect to a server in NYC and get on with your browsing and streaming. They also feature 24/7 support which you can avail via live chat and email.
- Value for money: The VPNs we shortlisted offer a variety of subscription plans along with a generous money-back guarantee, allowing you to try them out completely risk-free. While some plans are more expensive than others, we’ve found the best VPN discount coupons to help you save on your subscription.
While this covers our primary testing scopes, we assess VPNs over several other data points through a meticulous process involving hands-on testing and qualitative assessments. To gain detailed insights into our evaluation process, take a look at our VPN testing methodology.
How to get a New York IP address using a VPN
By using a reliable VPN, changing your IP address to New York is straightforward. Here’s how you can do it in three simple steps:
- Subscribe to a VPN service with servers in New York. Our top pick is ExpressVPN for its lightning-fast speeds and stable connections. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free using the 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Download and install the VPN app on your device.
- Log in to the app and connect to a server in New York.
That’s it! With a New York IP, you can now access your geo-restricted content like live sports, local news, and TV just as if you were physically located in the city.
Best VPNs for New York: FAQs