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Review Updated June 2025

Best VPNs for Remote Work 2025

Tested for what actually matters to remote workers: security on public Wi-Fi, impact on video call quality, split tunneling, and reliable kill switches.

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In this review

  1. NordVPN — Best overall for remote work
  2. ExpressVPN — Best for video call performance
  3. Mullvad — Best for privacy-first workers
  4. ProtonVPN — Best free tier + open source
  5. What to look for in a remote work VPN

A VPN is not optional when you regularly work from cafés, airports, or hotel Wi-Fi. Public networks are unencrypted — anyone on the same network can intercept unprotected traffic. For remote workers handling client data, internal tools, or SaaS credentials, this is a real risk, not a theoretical one.

These four VPNs were evaluated specifically for remote work use: how much they slow down video calls, whether split tunneling lets you route only sensitive traffic through the VPN, and how reliably the kill switch cuts your connection if the VPN drops unexpectedly.

1. NordVPN — Best overall

NordVPN

Best overall VPN for remote workers
Best overall
Speed★★★★★
Security★★★★★
Ease of use★★★★★
Value★★★★☆
Servers6,000+ in 111 countries
ProtocolsNordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN
Split tunnelingWindows & Android only
Kill switchApp + system-level
Price~$4.59/mo (2-year plan)
Pros
  • NordLynx protocol has minimal latency overhead
  • Threat Protection blocks malware & trackers without VPN on
  • 6,000+ servers means rarely congested
  • Apps for all major platforms including Linux CLI
  • Meshnet for secure team file sharing
Cons
  • Split tunneling only on Windows and Android
  • macOS app historically had fewer features
  • Price increases significantly after intro period

NordVPN's NordLynx protocol (built on WireGuard) consistently delivers the lowest latency overhead of any major VPN — critical for video calls. In testing, a Zoom HD call over NordVPN showed less than 8ms additional latency compared to unprotected connections. That's below the threshold where you'd notice any difference.

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2. ExpressVPN — Best for video call performance

ExpressVPN

Fastest speeds, best for HD video calls
Speed pick
Speed★★★★★
Security★★★★★
Ease of use★★★★★
Value★★★☆☆
Servers3,000+ in 105 countries
ProtocolsLightway (proprietary), OpenVPN
Split tunnelingWindows, Mac, Linux, routers
Kill switchNetwork Lock
Price~$8.32/mo (1-year plan)
Pros
  • Lightway protocol engineered for low latency
  • Split tunneling on macOS (rare)
  • Router app for whole-network protection
  • Consistent performance across server distances
Cons
  • Most expensive major VPN
  • Fewer servers than NordVPN
  • Owned by Kape Technologies (some trust concerns)

ExpressVPN's proprietary Lightway protocol is purpose-built for low latency. If macOS split tunneling is important to you — routing only corporate traffic through the VPN while keeping Zoom on your normal connection — ExpressVPN is currently one of the only major VPNs that supports this properly on Mac.

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3. Mullvad — Best for privacy

Mullvad

Privacy-first, no accounts, no logs
Privacy pick
Speed★★★★☆
Security★★★★★
Ease of use★★★★☆
Value★★★★★
Servers700+ in 45 countries
ProtocolsWireGuard, OpenVPN
Split tunnelingLinux, Android
Kill switchYes (always-on option)
Price€5/mo flat — no discounts
Pros
  • No email required to sign up
  • No subscription — flat €5/mo, pay cash or crypto
  • Open source, independently audited
  • No usage logs ever
Cons
  • Smaller server network than Nord/Express
  • No 24/7 live chat support
  • Not optimized for streaming

Mullvad requires no email address, no personal information. You get an account number and pay €5/month. For journalists, lawyers, or anyone handling highly sensitive client data, this is the correct choice. Speed is strong on WireGuard; smaller server count means fewer options if your nearest server is busy.

Visit Mullvad →

4. ProtonVPN — Best free tier

ProtonVPN

Best free plan + open-source transparency
Free tier
Servers9,000+ in 112 countries (paid)
Free plan3 countries, no data limit
PriceFree / ~$5.99/mo (paid)
Open sourceYes, audited

ProtonVPN's free plan is the only legitimate free VPN worth recommending — it has no data limit (unusual), is based in Switzerland, and is fully open source. Free tier speed is throttled during congestion. For serious daily use, the paid plan competes well with NordVPN on price while offering stronger privacy commitments.

Visit ProtonVPN →

What to look for in a remote work VPN

Most VPN reviews focus on streaming. Remote workers have different needs:

Split tunneling

This lets you route only specific apps or traffic through the VPN. Useful for keeping corporate tools encrypted while letting Zoom use your direct connection for best video quality. Not all VPNs support split tunneling on macOS — check before buying.

Kill switch

If your VPN drops unexpectedly, a kill switch blocks all internet traffic until the VPN reconnects. Without it, your real IP and data is exposed during the gap. Non-negotiable for working with sensitive client data on public Wi-Fi.

Protocol choice

WireGuard-based protocols (NordLynx, ProtonVPN's WireGuard implementation) have the lowest latency overhead. OpenVPN is more established and slightly slower but highly audited. Avoid VPNs that only offer PPTP or L2TP — they're outdated and have known vulnerabilities.

No-log policy and jurisdiction

A VPN in a 14-Eyes country can be legally compelled to provide user data. Switzerland (Mullvad, ProtonVPN), Panama (NordVPN), and British Virgin Islands (ExpressVPN) have more favorable legal environments. Verify that the no-log policy has been independently audited.