There are approximately 540 million WiFi hotspots worldwide in 2023. If you frequent any of them, use NordVPN to stay secure and anonymous.
NordVPN is the best VPN for public WiFi because it’s switched on before you are: its Auto-connect setting fires up the tunnel the moment your device joins a hotspot, and Double VPN servers plus Threat Protection cover the two things a café network can throw at you, snooping and malicious pages.
You also get a reliable kill switch (two on Windows), a Panama base with an independently audited no-logs policy, and 26 Mbps over NordLynx, which is enough to stream on a crowded hotspot, on up to 10 devices at once.
If NordVPN isn’t your cup of tea, there are other alternatives. You can use Surfshark (fastest speeds and unlimited devices), CyberGhost (Smart Rules WiFi protection), PureVPN (Secure WiFi feature), and IPVanish (Trusted Network feature).
Are you a regular public WiFi user? Then this is for you!
Top 3 VPNs for Using Public WiFi Anywhere
Surfshark
Best for protecting many devices
- Fastest at 28 Mbps
- Trusted Wi-Fi list
- Unlimited device connections
NordVPN
Best for public hotspots
- Auto-connect on Wi-Fi
- Double VPN and Threat Protection
- 10 simultaneous connections
CyberGhost
Best for per-network WiFi rules
- Smart Rules WiFi protection
- Reliable kill switch
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Login information, bank details, private photos, images, messages, and your home address may fall into the wrong hands if you use an unsecured public hotspot.
There’s also the danger of sophisticated hackers using Evil Twin, malware, and Man-in-the-middle attacks to take over your device. VPNs are the most reliable tools to counter all this, and I will show you how and why.
Keep Yourself Safe on Any Public WiFi Network With These Secure VPNs
There’s so much at stake when you connect to an unsecured public WiFi hotspot.
But you can use your devices securely and anonymously with these 5 VPNs.
- NordVPN – Best Public WiFi VPN With Auto-Connect and Double VPN
- Surfshark – Best for Securing Multiple Devices on Public WiFi
- CyberGhost – Smart Rules for Automatic Public WiFi Protection
- PureVPN – Secure WiFi for Public Network Connections
- IPVanish – A Reliable Trust WiFi Network Feature
I live in Los Angeles and used the WiFi Map feature to find the nearest public hotspot (Corner Bakery Cafe along the Pacific Coast Highway). It took a considerable time to test everything. So the information I’ll present is derived from real-time tests.
I used base internet speeds of 30 Mbps for all the speed tests.
5 Best VPNs for Staying Secure and Anonymous on Public Networks
I’ll show you how each of the 5 VPNs performed in all the key areas and how to set up a VPN for public WiFi protection on any device. Then, you can decide on the best VPN for public WiFi based on detailed comparisons.
NordVPN - Best Public WiFi VPN With Auto-Connect and Double VPN
| Location | WiFi Protection | Connections | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | Auto-connect + Trusted Wi-Fi | 10 | 26 Mbps | Show Offer |
The moment that matters on public WiFi is the first second after your device joins the network, before you’ve had time to open anything. NordVPN covered that second better than anything else I tested at the Corner Bakery hotspot, which is why it leads this list.
Its Auto-connect setting has an “On Wi-Fi networks” option that starts the tunnel as soon as the device attaches to a hotspot. On Windows, macOS, and iOS, you then mark your home and office networks as Trusted Wi-Fi, and the VPN stays out of the way there. The one gap: Android 10 and newer can’t whitelist networks, so on my phone it was every WiFi network or none. I left it on “every.”
On top of the regular AES 256-bit encryption, which passed my Wireshark test with nothing readable in the capture, I used Double VPN servers to encrypt my traffic twice. My speeds took a hit, but these servers came through for me when online shopping on SHEIN using my credit card.
There was no risk of man-in-the-middle attacks or WiFi sniffing.
Hotspot attacks don’t stop at sniffing, though. An Evil Twin network usually leads to a fake login page or a “download this to connect” prompt, and that’s where Threat Protection earns its place. It blocks malicious domains and trackers on every plan, and the Pro version (Plus plan and up) also scans downloads for malware and keeps working even when you’re not connected to a VPN server.
Now, VPNs aren’t glitch-free, and the secure connection may occasionally drop. When I switched from the café WiFi to mobile data, NordVPN’s kill switch cut my internet immediately. Windows users get two of them, one for the whole connection and one for chosen apps, for extra IP and DNS leak protection.
Privacy was also guaranteed. NordVPN is based in Panama, where there are no data-retention laws, and its no-logs policy has been independently audited more than once. I could stream and open dating apps without worrying about network administrators looking at my traffic.
As for speed, I averaged 26 Mbps on regular servers with the NordLynx protocol, level with CyberGhost and two megabits behind Surfshark. That was plenty for streaming on a hotspot a dozen other laptops were sharing.
The VPN works on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux, with up to 10 simultaneous connections, so the laptop, the phone, and the tablet are all covered on one plan.
NordVPN costs a little more than Surfshark and PureVPN, but the 30-day money-back guarantee gives you a month to test it on your own hotspots. Grab these exclusive deals while they last.
Pros
- Auto-connect on WiFi networks, with a trusted-network list on Windows, macOS, and iOS
- AES 256-bit encryption plus Double VPN servers for card payments on hotspots
- Threat Protection blocks malicious pages and scans downloads
- Kill switch (two on Windows) for IP and DNS leak protection
- Panama base with an independently audited no-logs policy
- 10 simultaneous connections across Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux
Cons
- Android 10 and newer can’t whitelist trusted WiFi networks
- Double VPN servers cost some speed
Surfshark - Best for Securing Multiple Devices on Public WiFi
| Location | WiFi Protection | Connections | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Netherlands | Trusted Wi-Fi Networks | Unlimited | 28 Mbps | Show Offer |
Surfshark has a Trusted Wi-Fi Networks feature similar to NordVPN’s, available on Android, iOS, macOS and Windows. Add your home network to the trusted list and Surfshark auto-connects on everything else, so an unfamiliar hotspot never gets an unprotected connection out of you by accident.
It comes with AES 256 GCM encryption that handles public WiFi threats like computer worms, WiFi pineapples, and cookie theft. My Wireshark tests confirmed this.
Surfshark also seals potential security loopholes with its kill switch.
I connected to a second hotspot (but had to buy another cup of coffee to get the password), and, as expected, my internet was disabled.
When it came to speeds, none could hold a candle to Surfshark.
It averaged 28 Mbps, perfect for gaming, streaming, and torrenting.
I could hear people from the next table complaining about slow internet speeds as I smiled through my buffer-free streaming.
Its CleanWeb filter is on by default too, and it stopped the ad-heavy pages I opened from loading trackers and known malware domains.
Plus, like IPVanish, you can connect unlimited devices simultaneously with a single Surfshark subscription. This ensures your Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux devices are always protected whenever you connect to public networks.
NordVPN’s advantage is the depth of the safety net rather than anything I could measure at the café. CleanWeb filters domains, while NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro also scans the files you download; Surfshark answers to the Netherlands, a Nine Eyes member, while NordVPN sits in Panama; and Surfshark’s network is roughly half the size. For a household with a stack of phones and laptops to protect, though, Surfshark is the smarter buy.
Grab your Surfshark deal right now to enjoy its wide range of features.
Pros
- Solid encryption for securing public WiFi connections
- IP and DNS leak protection
- Fastest VPN on my hotspot tests
- Compatible with multiple portable devices
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Trusted Wi-Fi feature and CleanWeb filtering
Cons
- Smaller server network than NordVPN and CyberGhost
- Based in the Netherlands, a Nine Eyes country
CyberGhost - Smart Rules for Automatic Public WiFi Protection
| Location | WiFi Protection | Connections | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romania | WiFi Protection | 7 | 26 Mbps | Show Offer |
CyberGhost has the most configurable public WiFi protection feature on this list. I activated it on my Android, macOS, and Windows for the tests. Its Smart Rules let me decide how I wanted the VPN to behave when my devices encountered a new WiFi connection: connect automatically, ask me, or ignore it. And unlike NordVPN, the per-network choice works on Android too.
Furthermore, the public WiFi protection feature works alongside military-grade encryption.
I passed my internet traffic through the Wireshark app to double-check, and my results were successful. This allowed me to log into my work email and check for new updates without compromising my credentials.
CyberGhost also comes with a reliable kill switch for when your VPN connection drops. To test this, I switched from the Cafe WiFi to my mobile data on my Android device. This triggered the kill switch, disabling the internet immediately.
As for speeds, I got 26 Mbps on average, level with NordVPN and slower than Surfshark, but still enough for streaming videos on YouTube, TikTok, and Netflix without any buffering. Better yet, CyberGhost’s streaming and torrenting servers were super-fast despite the hotspot being used by many people.
Finally, CyberGhost is compatible with Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux. You can connect up to 7 devices simultaneously.
Third place reflects everything around the WiFi rules. Seven device slots are the fewest here, there’s no second-hop option like NordVPN’s Double VPN for the moments you type in a card number, and its content blocker filters domains without scanning downloads. If you mainly want fine control over which networks trigger the VPN, though, CyberGhost does that better than anyone.
Are you sold on CyberGhost? Then grab these fantastic discounts and test it over its 45-day money-back guarantee!
Pros
- Smart Rules give per-network control over public WiFi protection, on Android too
- AES 256-bit encryption + IP leak protection
- Fast and stable speeds for streaming and fast downloads
- Compatible with multiple portable devices
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Slower than Surfshark
- Fewest simultaneous connections on this list
- No Double VPN option
PureVPN - Secure WiFi for Public Network Connections
| Location | WiFi Protection | Connections | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Virgin Islands | Secure WiFi | 10 | 25 Mbps | Show Offer |
Fourth on my list is PureVPN with a public hotspot protection feature called Secure WiFi.
However, unlike CyberGhost and IPVanish, there’s no dedicated button for controlling your public WiFi connections. It’s activated automatically.
On top of that, PureVPN has the industry standard encryption.
A quick look through Wireshark proved that PureVPN’s encryption works.
Thus, I could confidently check my Binance account while in line at Starbucks.
There’s also a kill switch for IP and DNS leaks. If your VPN connection drops, this stands between you and a life of pain. You’ll never catch me opening sensitive apps like banking services on a public network if the kill switch isn’t activated.
PureVPN was also fast enough for live streaming and torrenting.
While waiting for an appointment, I started rewatching the 2022 World Cup final (Yes, Messi is the GOAT). I didn’t experience any buffering, even with everyone around me using the same network.
Like CyberGhost and NordVPN, PureVPN also comes with P2P servers that are optimized for speed. That’s what I used to get average speeds of 25 Mbps. That was slower than Surfshark, NordVPN, and CyberGhost but still impressive enough for bandwidth-heavy activities in crowded public hotspots.
This public WiFi VPN has native Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux apps. You can also connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, the same as NordVPN.
Moreover, PureVPN is one of the cheapest VPNs on this list, alongside Surfshark, and you can take advantage of our amazing deals right now!
Pros
- Equipped with Secure WiFi for extra protection
- Military-grade encryption + IP leak protection
- Fast speeds for live streaming and torrenting
- Compatible with multiple portable devices
Cons
- Slower than Surfshark, NordVPN, and CyberGhost
- No button for controlling Secure WiFi
IPVanish - A Reliable Trust WiFi Network Feature
| Location | WiFi Protection | Connections | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The US | Trust Network | Unlimited | 23 Mbps | Show Offer |
Like CyberGhost and PureVPN, IPVanish has a dedicated WiFi feature called Trust Network that can be activated in the settings. It’s available on Android, macOS, and Windows. It allows you to add trusted networks while offering protection against hackers.
However, remember to always disable automatic WiFi connections.
It may be cumbersome to manually connect to a new hotspot every time, but it beats getting hacked.
In the same breath, the VPN is equipped with AES 256-bit encryption.
Next time you’re on vacation in the Caribbean and need to pay for your meal through PayPal, this encryption will keep your logins safe.
In fact, IPVanish aced my Wireshark test.
Furthermore, IPVanish offers a kill switch that terminates your internet traffic when your VPN isn’t connected. This was useful on my recent vacation since the hotel WiFi kept trying to block the VPN, causing it to disconnect.
That said, IPVanish was the slowest VPN on this list, with an average speed of 23 Mbps. But that was still enough for torrenting and streaming live games on all my devices.
The VPN also comes with user-friendly native apps for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux, and you can connect unlimited devices simultaneously.
Check out our exclusive IPVanish deals before they run out.
Pros
- Equipped with Trust Network for extra protection
- AES 256-bit encryption + IP leak protection
- Reliable and stable speeds for bandwidth-heavy activities
- Compatible with multiple portable devices
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
Cons
- Slowest VPN
How to Set up a VPN for Public WiFi Protection?
Setting up a VPN for use on an unsecured WiFi connection is easy.
Here are the steps:
- Download and install NordVPN on your preferred device.
- Open the app’s settings (Settings > Connection on Windows) and set Auto-connect to “On Wi-Fi networks” so the VPN starts the moment you join a hotspot. You can leave it on “Fastest server” or pick a specific location.
- On Windows, macOS, or iOS, add your home network to the Trusted Wi-Fi list so the VPN doesn’t kick in there. Skip this on Android 10 and newer; the app will simply connect on every WiFi network, which is the safer default anyway.
- Join a public hotspot. NordVPN connects on its own, and you can start enjoying secure and anonymous browsing.
How Else to Stay Safe on Public WiFi?
Besides using a VPN, there are things you can do to protect your sensitive data anytime you join a public WiFi network.
- Deactivate automatic connections: if you’re a regular public WiFi user, ensure you set your VPN to always ask before joining an unsecured network. This applies even to public hotspots you regularly connect to.
- Ask for the exact name of the network you want to join: You’ll likely see more than one public hotspot when you go to a cafe or any public space. Make it a habit to ask the staff for the exact name of the WiFi connection. Hackers can clone a WiFi name and grab your details when you connect.
- Avoid using sensitive apps on public networks: Never open your banking apps or anything with sensitive information. If you don’t have a VPN, I recommend switching to mobile data if you have to use your banking apps.
- Don’t open unsecured websites: Check if the URL has an HTTPS address before opening any website. This is usually represented by a padlock icon next to the address bar. Websites without this are unsafe; the data your device transmits can be intercepted.
FAQ
Can a Free VPN Offer Public WiFi Protection?
Most free VPNs have limited features, but they at least provide AES 256-bit encryption, which protects your device from unauthorized access when on public WiFi connections. However, most may lack extra security features like dedicated public WiFi protection features, which are common in premium VPNs.
Can a Public WiFi Provider See My Online Activities?
The person who owns and controls public WiFi has full access to the admin panel. This means they can see the browsing data that comes in and out on devices using their WiFi network. This is why a VPN is recommended, as it encrypts the transmitted data, turning it into illegible text that can’t be useful to anyone with access.
Are You Confident in Using Public Hotspots Now?
Free is not always good, which applies to public hotspots and VPNs.
Too many vulnerabilities are involved, and using a VPN like NordVPN is your best shot at keeping all threats at bay.
It connects itself on every hotspot you join, doubles the encryption when you need it, blocks the fake pages that Evil Twin networks rely on, and covers 10 devices on one plan. So grab your NordVPN subscription today, test it over the 30-day money-back guarantee, and enjoy stress-free browsing on public networks.
