5 Best VPNs for CenturyLink (2026)

NordVPN - Best Overall With NordLynx Speeds and Top-Notch Privacy

Bypassing Speed Throttling

CenturyLink can only throttle what it can see, and NordVPN does the most thorough job on this list of keeping the ISP blind. ExpressVPN beat it on raw speed, but nothing else here balances fast, uncapped connections, obfuscation, strong privacy protections, P2P servers, and price as well as NordVPN does.

With average speeds of 27 Mbps on my 30 Mbps line, NordVPN was within 2 Mbps of ExpressVPN, and I had no trouble streaming FLAC files on Apple Music or 4K content on BritBox.

Like ExpressVPN, NordVPN relies on a unique protocol called NordLynx for its incredible and stable speeds. There are no data caps, so you can do whatever you want without worrying about speed throttling from CenturyLink.

This VPN provider is one of the few on this list, alongside CyberGhost and PureVPN, with P2P dedicated servers optimized for torrenting speeds.

I use these servers even for streaming and gaming since they’re high-speed operations. Try and see how things work out for you.

User Privacy + P2P Support

Privacy and security are NordVPN’s most significant strengths, with several features to keep CenturyLink out of your business.

First is the standard military-grade encryption, which blocks all external surveillance and unauthorized access, including snooping from the ISP and hackers.

Furthermore, with P2P support, you can partake in activities forbidden by CenturyLink (like torrenting) without risking getting banned over DMCA violations. You’ll never catch me opening Pirate Bay without an active NordVPN connection.

Like the other alternatives on this list, NordVPN keeps you safe on public networks run by CenturyLink. Otherwise, you may fall victim to conversation hijacking, man-in-the-middle attacks, and other public WiFi dangers at the mall, supermarket, or cafe. Its Threat Protection adds another layer, blocking malicious sites, trackers, and ads before they load.

There’s also a reliable kill switch (two on Windows) that disables your internet to prevent accidental leaks of your actual IP address.

If you fail to activate this, CenturyLink can immediately pinpoint your location and see some of the websites you visit during the brief VPN connection drop.

I don’t need to tell you how bad that could be.

On top of all this, NordVPN is very protective of its customers, adhering to a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited. So, nothing tied to your online activities is ever saved. This helps protect you against DMCA warrants if you’re ever slapped with one, which is rare.

Bypassing Geo-Locked Content

With 8,400+ servers in 167+ countries, NordVPN is second only to CyberGhost in sheer server count and covers far more countries than anyone else here.

This impressive server haul ensures you can unblock geo-restricted content in the US. You may also be interested in the specialty servers like Double VPN servers which encrypt your internet traffic twice and obfuscated servers that hide the fact that you’re using a VPN from CenturyLink’s deep packet inspection.

However, you’ll lose some speed with these servers (obfuscation runs over OpenVPN), so only use them for lightweight activities (like highly secure browsing and communications, but not streaming/downloads) that don’t require heavy bandwidth. For everyday throttling, a regular NordLynx server is all you need.

Multi-Platform Support

This VPN software has native Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux apps with up to 10 simultaneous connections, the same as ExpressVPN and PureVPN; only Surfshark’s unlimited plan beats it. And if you’d rather cover every device in the house at once, my NordVPN router guide walks you through running it on a compatible router.

Regarding the price plans, NordVPN costs noticeably less than ExpressVPN on long-term plans, though not as little as PureVPN or Surfshark. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee that you can activate anytime before it expires.

Plus, check out these fantastic discounts to get the best prices.

Try NordVPN Now

Surfshark - Best Value With Unlimited Simultaneous Connections

Bypassing Speed Throttling

Surfshark is my runner-up, with an impressive 28 Mbps average speed, second only to ExpressVPN and a hair ahead of NordVPN. I achieved these fantastic speeds using P2P servers, and that was enough to handle 4K streaming, fast downloads, and gaming with minimal latency.

At no point did I feel like I was being throttled by CenturyLink, proof that Surfshark deals with this annoying habit without problems.

Like CyberGhost and PureVPN, Surfshark uses the WireGuard and IKEv2 protocols that combine the best security and fastest speeds for the best experience.

User Privacy + P2P Support

Surfshark’s military-grade encryption ensures no one can access your private browsing. The only thing snoopers will see is gibberish texts and symbols they can’t use.

Furthermore, like the other alternatives, Surfshark offers blanket protection against unauthorized access to your traffic when you switch to public WIFI.

This is an underrated convenience as it means you can carry on with whatever you do, even when moving, without major online privacy concerns.

You’ll also get a kill switch (two on Android) that stops your IP address from falling into the wrong hands when the VPN connection drops.

It’s like a fail-safe button that prevents further damage until order is restored, so you won’t access the internet until the VPN connection is back up.

Finally, with P2P support on every server and a strict no-logs policy, you can comfortably torrent files as much as you want without CenturyLink slapping you with DMCA notices or threatening you with court orders.

Surfshark doesn’t save your online activities either; everything is wiped clean once you close the session.

Bypassing Geo-Locked Content

Surfshark has the second-smallest published server count after ExpressVPN, with 4,500+ servers in 100 countries. But accessing geo-blocked content from all over wasn’t an issue. I gained full access to the latest Bollywood blockbusters on Voot like I was doing all that from India.

This VPN provider also offers obfuscation called Camouflage Mode to bypass VPN blocks by CenturyLink. But like NordVPN and PureVPN, it slows down your overall speeds, so you may struggle to handle heavy torrenting or 4K streaming when enabled.

Multi-Platform Support

Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, the best by far.

You can secure your Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux devices and still have enough slots for everyone else in your family and friend circles.

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve scored free snacks just by offering neighbors free logins.

Surfshark is also one of the cheapest VPNs alongside PureVPN, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

So why is it second rather than first? Depth. NordVPN has nearly twice the servers across 167+ countries, specialty P2P and Double VPN servers, and Threat Protection, which are extras that matter when your ISP is actively watching. If you just want throttling-free speeds on every device in the house for the least money, though, Surfshark is the smarter buy. Grab these exclusive deals if this VPN ticks your boxes.

Try Surfshark Now

ExpressVPN - Fastest Speeds With Automatic Obfuscation

Bypassing Speed Throttling

ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN I tested for CenturyLink, and its always-on obfuscation is still unique on this list.

The VPN has always impressed me regarding speeds for downloading heavy files from PirateBay or streaming 4K content on Apple TV+.

So, I didn’t struggle one bit when it came to bypassing speed throttling from CenturyLink, thanks to the super fast and stable connections.

I averaged 29 Mbps with this VPN service, the fastest on this list, despite lacking the specialty servers that CyberGhost, PureVPN, and NordVPN offer. A combination of unlimited bandwidth, super-fast servers, and the Lightway UDP protocol delivered these fast speeds.

User Privacy + P2P Support

Nobody likes having their online activities monitored.

Unfortunately for most internet users, ISPs wield a lot of power and can see websites you visit; which is how they can apply targeted speed throttling.

ExpressVPN counters this through a few privacy features.

First is the AES 256-bit encryption, which creates an unbreachable wall between you, the ISP, and any other entity vested in tracking your activities.

I rely heavily on this excellent encryption whenever I go to my favorite chilling spots like cafes and malls to keep public WiFi admins/hackers out of my business.

Furthermore, ExpressVPN is equipped with a Network Lock kill switch for those moments when your VPN connection drops. I’ve had such drops several times during power blackouts, so it’s not unlikely.

This kill switch disables your internet, preventing CenturyLink from seeing your real IP address when you lose connection to the VPN server.

It would be bad for you if you got exposed in the middle of a torrent download because that would attract DMCA notices, and CenturyLink could permanently revoke your subscription.

Another handy aspect of this VPN provider that has helped me a lot when dealing with CenturyLink is the strict no-logs policy.

Although the chances of an ISP like CenturyLink singling you out are low, you get peace of mind knowing that ExpressVPN would never share your sensitive information with anyone, even under the threat of a court order.

Bypassing Geo-Locked Content

ExpressVPN offers 3000+ servers in 113 countries, the smallest published server count on this list, but that doesn’t impact the VPN’s ability to unblock restricted content from anywhere using CenturyLink. For example, using a South Korean VPN server, I quickly unlocked top Korean pop music playlists featuring BTS, which I couldn’t access in the US.

Where ExpressVPN truly stands out is fast and automatic obfuscation. While obfuscation (hides your VPN traffic and usage) in the other options only works with OpenVPN protocols and is slow, the one on ExpressVPN is fast and works with all protocols/servers.

The best part? There’s no button you need to toggle to activate the feature; once you launch ExpressVPN, it’s on.

Multi-Platform Support

You can install ExpressVPN on daily-use devices like Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux with up to 10 simultaneous connections on its Basic plan, the same as NordVPN and PureVPN.

This is flexible if you have multiple devices that need to be secured from CenturyLink’s tentacles.

That pricing screenshot is the catch. ExpressVPN is the most expensive VPN listed, and the gap is wide: the extra money buys a 2 Mbps lead over NordVPN, which counters with Double VPN, Threat Protection, and P2P specialty servers for less, while Surfshark finishes just 1 Mbps behind at a fraction of the cost. If you want the fastest possible connection and obfuscation you never have to think about, though, ExpressVPN is worth paying extra for.

You can get a 30-day money-back guarantee alongside our exclusive discounts to make it more bearable.

Try ExpressVPN Now

PureVPN - Best for Live Streaming With Secure WiFi

Bypassing Speed Throttling

I’m a heavy streamer, especially of live events, and if you’ve tried to watch something live, you know how vital stable connections are.

Unlike a movie or a TV show that you can pause and continue later, you can’t afford to miss a single second of a live match, for instance.

That’s where PureVPN comes in.

With 26 Mbps average speeds and unlimited bandwidth, I seamlessly streamed live games from my Macbook without buffering.

This proved that PureVPN easily bypassed any speed throttling from CenturyLink.

This speed was also fast enough for quick downloads, all thanks to torrenting servers combined with fast WireGuard and IKEv2 protocols.

User Privacy + P2P Support

PureVPN has torrent-dedicated servers, which automatically means the VPN provider offers P2P support. Don’t hold back when it comes to forbidden sites because there’s nothing CenturyLink can do about it, since PureVPN hides all that activity.

In addition, you get the industry standard encryption and a kill switch for IP and DNS leak protection. The encryption keeps you safe from CenturyLink surveillance and stops hackers from accessing your traffic over public networks.

The kill switch protects your anonymity during VPN connection drops by disabling the internet until the server connection is restored.

That’s why the first thing I do whenever I use PureVPN is checking the kill switch to ensure it’s on.

PureVPN, like the other alternatives, will never share your browsing history, DNS queries, traffic metadata, or IP addresses, thanks to its strict no-logs policy.

This personal information is gold, and CenturyLink would do anything to get its hands on it.

Bypassing Geo-Locked Content

PureVPN has the third-largest server network (6500+ in 78+ countries), including streaming, torrenting, and port forwarding servers.

Depending on what you want to unblock, choose what servers work best for you.

I mostly use streaming servers to catch live games in the Premier League without interference from CenturyLink.

Worried about your VPN connections getting blocked?

PureVPN offers obfuscation which makes your VPN traffic look regular, bypassing DPIs employed by CenturyLink. However, your speeds will take a hit since the feature only works with OpenVPN protocol, the slowest.

So, defer to ExpressVPN to enjoy faster obfuscation.

Multi-Platform Support

PureVPN is compatible with Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS.

So, you can switch between devices as much as you want, depending on your immediate needs, without losing the all-important encryption.

You can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, matching NordVPN and ExpressVPN and behind only Surfshark’s unlimited plan, enough to cover your devices and leave slots for your friends and family.

For those on a tight budget, you’ll be happy to know that PureVPN is the cheapest VPN on this list, with a 31-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s one better: if PureVPN is your choice, grab your subscription using these amazing discounts.

Try PureVPN Now

CyberGhost - Best for Unblocking With Streaming Servers

Bypassing Speed Throttling

CyberGhost is a one-of-a-kind VPN provider with what it takes to deal with speed throttling and other interferences from CenturyLink.

The VPN packs impressive speeds, 27 Mbps on average, similar to NordVPN.

This provider has some of the most efficient and user-friendly streaming and torrenting servers across all devices. This is the VPN I turn to when downloading heavy torrent files from RARBG or Limetorrents because its servers can hide my activities from CenturyLink.

Besides these speed-optimized specialty servers, CyberGhost has the WireGuard and IKEv2 protocols that offer both speed and state-of-the-art security. However, the Android version only offers WireGuard, but that does the job.

User Privacy + P2P Support

CyberGhost will keep CenturyLink, hackers, and government agencies from snooping in on the websites you visit, the shows you stream, and the files you download with its AES 256-bit encryption.

Cracking through this encryption is impossible, even for the best hackers using the most sophisticated computers. This is why even the US government uses this technology to protect sensitive documents.

The VPN also has a dedicated public WIFI protection feature which, when toggled, keeps malicious entities that prowl public networks from messing around with your traffic. Many shopping malls in my area use CenturyLink hotspots, which is reason enough for me to always walk with the feature activated.

Furthermore, CyberGhost has a kill switch against IP and DNS leaks when your VPN server connection is compromised. This could be due to a power blackout or switching between networks from WiFi to mobile data from a CenturyLink modem.

With its location in Romania, CyberGhost doesn’t have to honor any data request warrant against any of its customers since it’s outside the US jurisdiction. Thanks to its strict no-logs policy, there won’t be anything to hand over in the first place.

This is good news for people who love torrenting since CenturyLink is mandated by law to take action against such users.

Bypassing Geo-Locked Content

At 9000+ servers, CyberGhost has the largest capacity to bypass restricted content from anywhere. You can choose regular servers to unblock content or make your work easy by connecting to streaming/torrenting servers that are already optimized to unblock different content types.

I connected to these servers to unblock BBC iPlayer from the UK, Japan-Netflix libraries, and Qobuz, my favorite international music streaming service. The only unfortunate bit is the lack of obfuscation which means CenturyLink may restrict CyberGhost by blocking VPN traffic.

Multi-Platform Support

CyberGhost has native Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux apps. Whether you want to stream content on your smart TV from the comfort of your house or need to go for a run while listening to music, CyberGhost facilitates that.

Additionally, you can connect up to 7 simultaneous devices, the fewest on this list.

The VPN provider is affordable and has the most prolonged money-back guarantee of 45 days (for long-term plans). Remember to grab your subscription using these unbeatable discounts.

Try CyberGhost Now