5 Best VPNs for Los Angeles

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NordVPN is the best VPN provider for Los Angeles. It has advanced security features to keep you safe on public WiFi hotspots at LAX, the Universal CityWalk, or your local coffee shop.

The VPN can also help you access foreign streaming services like BBC iPlayer and Netflix titles unavailable in the US.

But NordVPN isn’t the only service that’s ideal for Angelinos. After testing and examining over 50 top VPNs in Los Angeles, I was also impressed by Surfshark, CyberGhost, PrivateVPN, and Mullvad.

Keep scrolling to find why each VPN stands out!

It’s tempting to connect to free WiFi. However, while convenient, LA public hotspots put you at risk of getting breached.

On top of that, you have to worry about AT&T, Verizon, or any internet service provider monitoring and recording your internet history. Unless you hide your traffic behind a VPN.

Even then, be careful with which VPN you trust with your data. 

I don’t recommend providers based in LA or the US in general.

While the United States doesn’t have data retention laws, the authorities can easily demand user data through the courts. And considering that Los Angeles is in a 5 Eyes jurisdiction,  you should avoid providers based in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK.

But I did all the hard work, so you don’t have to.

Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!

Safety First! Get a VPN Before Connecting to Public WiFi

Live in LA? Or are you an Angelino residing abroad? Everything considered, I found the services below to be the best VPNs for Los Angeles:

  • NordVPN – Best Overall for Los Angeles + Fastest LA Server Speeds
  • Surfshark – Best for Multiple Devices + Premium Security Features
  • CyberGhost – Best for Streaming Foreign Content in LA
  • PrivateVPN – Best Budget VPN for LA
  • Mullvad – Best VPN for Anonymity + Port Forwarding

Each VPN performs optimally in LA, but the best choice for you will depend on your needs and budget. I compare all 5 below.

Detailed List of the Top 5 VPNs for Los Angeles

Ready to have an in-depth look at my top picks for LA? Below I look at everything, from security and speed to P2P support, streaming, and servers in Los Angeles.

1. NordVPN - Best Overall + Fastest LA Server Speeds

NordVPN for Los Angeles

NordVPN ticks all the right boxes, whether you’re looking to safeguard your data or unblock streaming services.

One of the things I like about the VPN is its premium security features. 

Like every VPN on my list, NordVPN uses AES 256-bit encryption, the gold standard in VPN encryption.

But the service goes beyond that. You also get “Double VPN,” which encrypts your data twice, giving you an extra shield against ISP tracking and targeted ads. Surfshark and Mullvad also offer this feature but at much slower speeds.

NordVPN also comes with DNS leak protection and an automatic kill switch to keep you safe if your VPN connection fails. 

I conducted DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak tests and was pleased with the results.

NordVPN IP Leak Test

The VPN is robust enough to protect against man-in-the-middle attacks and other hacking attempts when on public WiFi at Venice Beach or Griffith Observatory.

On the privacy front, NordVPN is also reliable. The Panama-based provider maintains an independently-audited no-logging policy.

That means the LAPD won’t get their hands on your browsing history.

And you don’t have to sacrifice speed to enjoy these awesome security features. NordVPN supports WireGuard, which keeps you safe without noticeably impacting your connection.

But the VPN doesn’t use the out-of-the-box WireGuard protocol. 

Instead, it uses a proprietary WireGuard technology – NordLynx – which features a double NAT, ensuring your actual IP is hidden. 

NordVPN is the only VPN on my list with a proprietary protocol.

Besides NordLynx, the VPN offers IKEv2, OpenVPN (UDP), and OpenVPN (TCP).

NordLynx Double NAT

Whichever protocol you opt for, expect excellent speeds. 

NordVPN delivered the fastest speeds during my tests on local LA and distant servers.

What’s more? Its servers work perfectly with most streaming platforms. 

If you’re traveling abroad, you can use NordVPN to access Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and US Netflix exclusives.

The VPN is also fantastic for torrenting and features P2P dedicated servers for a smooth torrenting experience. 

You won’t have to worry about DMCA notices from AT&T or Spectrum, download speeds, or interruptions.

Unfortunately, NordVPN doesn’t support seeding torrents. 

For that, I recommend PrivateVPN or Mullvad.

NordVPN P2P

The best part is that NordVPN offers all this without being overly expensive. The provider has 3 subscription plans –VPN, VPN Plus, and Ultimate.

NordVPN Subscription Plans

Plus, you can connect up to 6 simultaneous devices with a single subscription. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee to try the service risk-free.

Grab our one-time NordVPN discount and enjoy the benefits of this fantastic VPN.

Pros

Cons

2. Surfshark - Best for Multiple Devices + Premium Security Features

Surfshark for Los Angeles

Surfshark is another ideal VPN for Angelinos. Thanks to its unlimited simultaneous connections, it offers the best value for money. 

All other VPNs on the list pale in comparison, with the second best being PrivateVPN at 10 simultaneous connections.

If you have multiple devices or want to share your connection with your UCLA roommates, then Surfshark is ideal.

Surfshark also boasts advanced security and privacy features. 

The VPN comes with two Stealth VPN features, Camouflage and NoBorders Mode.

Surfshark NoBorders Mode

Surfshark’s Camouflage Mode scrambles your VPN traffic, making it appear like regular traffic. Given that some LA schools block VPNs, this can help you get through the firewall to access restricted content.

And the VPN has an automatic kill switch to protect against accidental data exposure due to a connection drop. It also guards against IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks, ensuring Comcast, AT&T, and Charter don’t spy on you.

Surfshark automatic kill switch

Additionally, Surfshark keeps neither connection nor activity logs, so there isn’t any data to give if they get a National Security Letter (NSL).

Surfshark also supports P2P file sharing, enabling you to download torrents securely. But like NordVPN, it doesn’t allow seeding. 

For that, you need a provider like PrivateVPN or Mullvad that supports port forwarding.

Luckily, Surfshark remains as fast as ever, barely affecting my connection speeds in my tests. Only NordVPN is faster. When connected to LA servers, I gamed and streamed HD content seamlessly.

Surfshark is the only VPN on this list with a built-in speed test. 

This makes it easier to find the best-performing server at a given time and location. And it’s useful to LA gamers looking to connect to a foreign VPN server with low ping.

Surfshark built-in speed test

You can also unblock foreign streaming services from Los Angeles, like BBC iPlayer and CBC Gem. And when traveling to Cancun or your favorite holiday destination, Surfshark can unblock American Netflix.

Meanwhile, you can set up the VPN on many devices, including your xFi Wireless Gateway.

Alongside NordVPN and CyberGhost, Surfshark also offers Smart DNS, allowing you to bypass geo-restrictions on Xbox and other devices that lack built-in VPN functionality. But you won’t get the same with PrivateVPN or Mullvad.

Best of all, Surfshark is affordable despite its array of premium features and unlimited simultaneous connections.

In fact, it’s the second cheapest on this list after PrivateVPN. 

And with our exclusive discount, you can save even more on your first purchase!

Pros

Cons

3. CyberGhost - Best for Streaming Foreign Content in LA

CyberGhost for Los Angeles

If you want to unblock streaming content in Los Angeles, CyberGhost is a fantastic choice. The VPN boasts one of the largest server networks, with over 8900 servers in 90 countries and 124+ in LA alone

This is by far the most extensive server network on my list.

For comparison, Mullvad offers 45 servers in LA and 860+ in 39 countries. NordVPN comes close with 5500+ servers in 59 countries. 

If you opt for Surfshark, you’ll get 3200+ servers in 95 countries, while PrivateVPN has servers across 63 countries.

On top of that, CyberGhost is the only service on my list offering streaming-dedicated servers. These are grouped and optimized for specific streaming platforms, including Netflix UK, Hulu JP, and BBC iPlayer.

CyberGhost for streaming

While CyberGhost isn’t as fast as NordVPN or Surfshark, its speeds are more than sufficient. I could watch Peaky Blinders in HD on BBC iPlayer while waiting for my flight at LAX.

And no need to worry if your base internet speeds are low. 

CyberGhost supports Smart DNS, which allows you to unblock content with minimal speed loss.

The provider also leaves no stone unturned on security, providing military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection

I put its VPN connections to the test, and I didn’t detect any leaks.

Another CyberGhost feature you might like is split-tunneling. 

It allows you to access your local First Republic Bank app (etc.) while streaming BBC iPlayer.

Even better, CyberGhost is independently-audited, confirming it doesn’t keep logs. That means your online activity will remain private and hidden from your ISP and the FBI.

The VPN comes with P2P dedicated servers but doesn’t allow seeding. Still, if you’re only interested in downloading torrents, CyberGhost is a great choice.

Plus, with its Smart Rule feature, you can enjoy privacy on your terms.

For instance, you can set the VPN to automatically launch and connect when it detects you connecting to an unknown WiFi hotspot in LA. 

You can also configure the VPN to connect to a pre-specified server when you launch certain apps.

CyberGhost Smart Rules

CyberGhost is also the only VPN on my list that offers a 45-day money-back guarantee with its long-term plans. 

All the other VPNs on this list come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

While CyberGhost’s monthly subscription is among the most expensive, its long-term plans are reasonably priced and in the same range as NordVPN’s standard plan.

Click here to grab our exclusive CyberGhost deal.

Pros

Cons

4. PrivateVPN - Best Budget VPN for LA

PrivateVPN for Los Angeles

PrivateVPN is an affordable VPN with all the features you would expect from a top VPN for Los Angeles.

It’s highly secure, thanks to its AES 256-bit encryption, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, and an internet kill switch. The VPN also offers Stealth VPN, allowing you to bypass Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) and VPN blocks when visiting China, for instance.

PrivateVPN Stealth VPN

I read through PrivateVPN’s privacy policy and confirmed that no logs are kept. Although the provider is based in a 14-Eyes Jurisdiction (Sweden), they are not under obligatory data retention laws.

If the US authorities try to obtain user data through their friends in Zurich, you’ll be safe since the provider doesn’t keep any.

You also can’t fault the VPN performance-wise. It keeps connections fast and stable, even when connected to distant servers. This makes the service ideal for torrenting.

Besides Mullvad, PrivateVPN is the only VPN on my list that supports port-forwarding. This lets you seed torrents while connecting to a larger pool of peers for better download speeds.

PrivateVPN Port Forwarding

The VPN is also suitable for streaming and can unblock all the primary streaming services. Although it doesn’t have dedicated streaming servers, I accessed BBC iPlayer and CBC Gem on the first try.

Overall, the provider has servers in 63 countries, making it possible to unblock foreign Netflix catalogs and watch movies and shows unavailable locally.

And by connecting to its Los Angeles server, or any of the other 11 US server locations, you can access Netflix US, Hulu, and Sling TV.

Overall, their server network lags behind CyberGhost, NordVPN, and Surfshark. Only Mullvad does worse in this category, with servers in 39 countries only.

You can install PrivateVPN on most devices and platforms, and I found the user interface easily navigable. Unfortunately, the VPN doesn’t support Smart DNS, so you can’t use it with gaming consoles and traditional Smart TVs.

PrivateVPN is also pocket-friendly. Its long-term plans are the cheapest on my list. The monthly plan is also quite affordable and is only bested by Mullvad.

privatevpn pricing

And you can lower the cost even further with our exclusive PrivateVPN deal.

Pros

Cons

5. Mullvad - Best VPN for Anonymity + Port Forwarding

My favorite thing about Mullvad is that it’s the most anonymous VPN I’ve ever used. It’s the only VPN on my list that doesn’t require an email address or other personally identifiable information when creating an account.

The provider uses automatically-generated anonymous account numbers. And by using Bitcoin or cash payment, you can ensure your online activities are untraceable.

While using a VPN in Los Angeles will safeguard your online privacy, paying for a subscription with conventional methods leaves a “money trace.” 

Your provider retains your name and card details.

But with anonymous payments, you can ensure you’re in no identifiable way linked to your VPN account.

Mullvad also supports port forwarding, allowing you to download torrent files faster. You can port forward on all servers over WireGuard or OpenVPN.

Mullvad supports Port Forwarding

Additionally, Mullvad has an internet kill switch to safeguard against leaks

It also blocks ads, malware, and tracking attempts and comes with a safety tool that blocks gambling and pornography – which is helpful if you live in a household with children.

One thing Mullvad could improve on is its server network. 

It’s smaller than the others on my list and comprises only 861 servers in 39 countries. Still, the VPN unblocked all the Netflix libraries I tried.

Unfortunately, the service couldn’t unblock Hulu. 

So if you want a VPN to access the streaming platform while traveling abroad, Mullvad isn’t the right option. I recommend other VPNs on this list –  NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost.

Another unique thing about Mullvad is its pricing strategy. 

The provider has a flat rate for all subscription plans. 

So, whether you opt for the monthly or yearly plan, it will cost you the same amount.

mullvad pricing

The good news is that Mullvad’s monthly plan is the cheapest on this list. However, its other subscription plans can be relatively more expensive compared to providers discounting long-term purchases.

Mullvad also supports the least number of simultaneous connections with 5. But this shouldn’t be an issue if you use a few devices at a time.

Click here to get our exclusive Mullvad deals and enjoy the VPN’s unrivaled anonymity.

Pros

Cons

What to Look for in a VPN for Los Angeles?

There are many reasons you need a VPN in Los Angeles. And you’ll find one that meets your needs in this guide.

But if you want to test the various providers yourself, here are the aspects you should look at:

Security & Privacy

Want to avoid DMCA notices, secure your data, and hide your online activities from your ISP? Make sure your VPN uses robust encryption like AES 256-bit and ChaCha20.

On top of that, test for IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. Only then should you be convinced your VPN service is safe.

Also, ensure your provider has a strict no-logging policy. A non-14-Eyes jurisdiction is also a bonus. Otherwise, you’ll risk your online activity falling into the hands of the LAPD, the FBI, or copyright trolls.

Los Angeles Servers

If you want the best VPN connection speeds, prioritize a provider with servers in Los Angeles or nearby cities.

Besides fast speeds and low latency, this also lets you obtain a Los Angeles IP for localized Google search results when traveling abroad.

It’ll also help you access your local bank account and newspapers, like the LA Times, blocking EU users due to GDPR.

Unblocks Foreign Content

While still on the issue of servers, you also need a provider with a network that extends worldwide. This allows you to unblock overseas content, like BBC iPlayer, from Los Angeles.

  NordVPN Surfshark CyberGhost PrivateVPN Mullvad
Servers 5500+ 3200+ 8900+ N/A 860+
Countries 59 95 91 63 39
Servers in LA Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Fast Connection Speeds

Obviously, you don’t want constant buffering when streaming. 

If your VPN speeds are fast enough, you can enjoy a seamless experience, whether streaming, downloading torrents, or browsing the web.

But how do you run speed tests? By taking advantage of your service provider’s money-back guarantee. If unsatisfied with the connection speeds, ask for a refund.

Device Compatibility

Most VPN service providers offer apps and compatibility for all the major platforms, including routers.

But if you’re looking to bypass geo-restrictions on Xbox or PlayStation, look for a VPN that supports Smart DNS. This is because gaming consoles and traditional Smart TVs don’t work with VPNs.

Can I Use a Free VPN for Los Angeles?

I don’t advise using a free VPN in Los Angeles.

A free VPN is a no-go if you want to keep your browsing history private. 

Many free VPNs have weak security features and can’t be relied on to stop your ISP from spying on your online activities.

Even more concerning, free VPNs are known to log user data and sell it to third parties.

And things aren’t any better when it comes to streaming. 

Finding a free VPN that can unblock Netflix and Hulu is almost impossible.

Then there is the issue of slow server speeds.

If you can’t afford a paid VPN, I recommend one that offers a money-back guarantee. NordVPN is quick to issue refunds –I received mine within 3 days.

If you find NordVPN’s 30-day refund period a bit short, you can opt for CyberGhost, which offers a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

How to Get a Los Angeles IP Address With a VPN?

Getting a Los Angeles IP address is straightforward. 

Just connect to a Los Angeles VPN server, and Bob’s your uncle.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get a Los Angeles IP address with NordVPN:

  1. Sign up for NordVPN.
  1. Download and install the NordVPN application on your device.
Install NordVPN app on your device
  1. Launch the VPN app and enter your account credentials to log in.
Enter credentials to log in
  1. Navigate to the server list, hover your cursor over “United States,” and click on the 3-dotted line.
Choose United States
  1. Click the “City” box and select “Los Angeles” from the drop-down menu.
Select Los Angeles
  1. Click “Connect” and enjoy.

FAQ

Yes, VPNs are legal in Los Angeles and across the US. However, you can still get in trouble using a VPN to conduct illegal activities.

Generally, the best Los Angeles VPN server is the one nearest to you. 

By simply clicking the LA server location, most VPNs will automatically connect you to the best-performing VPN server in the area.

NordVPN is the best VPN for Los Angeles if you’re traveling abroad. 

It offers numerous servers in the city and works with all the major US streaming sites. Plus, it supports Stealth VPN, enabling you to use it anywhere – even in China.

Yes, you can get an APK of your Los Angeles APK as long as the VPN has an Android app. Many providers have APK files on their websites, but you can also download them from trusted third-party sites.

Conclusion

If you want to keep your data safe in Los Angeles, a VPN is vital. 

It will help you stop data snoopers on their tracks – including your “caring” ISP.

I recommend NordVPN of Los Angeles. It’s secure and has blazing-fast servers, allowing you to unblock and stream content without buffering.

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