For a family, group of housemates, or small office–or if you just own a lot of gadgets–you’ll want a VPN that allows you to connect multiple devices at the same time. Many VPN providers only allow a single connection at a time, which means kicking off one device to make room for another.

Maybe you need to connect a phone and laptop at the same time, or two people want to use the VPN at the same time to stream Hulu or Netflix. Perhaps everyone in your office should be on a VPN, but you don’t want to buy separate subscriptions for everybody. In scenarios like these, you’ll want multiple simultaneous connections. VPN providers offer anywhere from one to six connections at the same time.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about multiple device VPNs. Don’t want to read the whole thing? Here’s a quick summary of the best VPNs for connecting multiple devices at the same time:

  • NordVPN: The best VPN connecting multiple devices at the same time. Up to six simultaneous connections. Fast speeds, specialty servers, and 24/7 support. You can also get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • Surfshark: Best value VPN. Connect all of your devices at once. Works with 30+ Netflix libraries. Very good speeds and MultiHop servers for extra security.
  • ExpressVPN: Secure five devices at the same time. Unlimited bandwidth for seamless streaming. Uses high-end encryption. No identifying logs of users.
  • CyberGhost: Up to seven devices per account. Fastest speeds we’ve tested. Offers extra features including a Windows antivirus and password manager.
  • PrivateVPN: Can be used on six devices at once. Strong unblocking with high-speed connections. Privacy protection thanks to a strict no-logs policy.
  • IPVanish: Unlimited simultaneous connections. Improved speeds after upgrading to WireGuard protocol. Security includes encryption and a kill switch.
  • VyprVPN: Connect 10 of your devices with a single account. Doesn’t throttle your bandwidth or keep any logs of its users. Works well with Netflix.

Best VPNs for connecting multiple devices – at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for connecting multiple devices.

The best VPNs for connecting multiple devices

Below we’ve curated a list of the best VPNs for multiple simultaneous connections. For each provider, we’ve divided the cost of the subscription by the number of connections so you can get an idea of how much you’ll be paying per month, per device.

1. NordVPN

                    Jan 2023

There are no hidden terms or conditions—just contact support within 30 days if you decide not to stick with NordVPN and you’ll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background
  • FireTV

Website: www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

  • 6 simultaneous connections

NordVPN is our top choice. Its standard package nets you a whopping six simultaneous devices. When you combine that with the already-low prices, the price drops to less than a dollar per month per device with a one-year plan. Apps are available for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, iOS, and Android. It’s the fastest VPN we’ve tested and operates a network of thousands of servers around the world. Security is extremely strong and NordVPN is a zero-logs provider.

BEST VPN FOR MULTIPLE DEVICE CONNECTIONS:NordVPN is our top choice. Great performer for fast streaming and torrenting. Strong privacy and security features. Hard to beat. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free deal.

Pros:

  • Blazing fast speeds
  • Allows 6 simultaneous connections on one account
  • Vast server network is very capable at unblocking most geo-restricted content
  • Strong security and privacy credentials
  • Keeps no logs whatsoever
  • Offers 24/7 live chat

Cons:

  • Can select city location of servers, but not specific servers

Our score:

Read our full NordVPN review here.

2. Surfshark

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website: www.Surfshark.com

  • Unlimited connections

Surfshark is a low-cost provider that offers stellar all-round VPN coverage. One of the standout features of this service is that it doesn’t limit the number of connections so you can connect as many devices as you like under one subscription. Apps are available for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android. Surfshark has around 3,000 servers in over 60 countries. It’s known for its range of security extras, strict no-logs policy, and excellent unblocking ability.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark offers great value for money. It has decent speeds and a strong suite of security features, and unblocks restricted content with ease. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Works with Netflix US, UK, and others

  • Kill switch on all platforms

  • Unlimited devices

  • 24/7 live chat

  • Keeps no logs whatsoever

  • Some servers are slower than others

Read our full Surfshark review here.

3. ExpressVPN

Website: www.ExpressVPN.com

  • 5 simultaneous connections

ExpressVPN used to cap its device limit at three, but it now allows you to connect up to five devices at a time. This provider offers beginner-friendly apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android. It operates a large network of more than 3,000 in 94 countries. ExpressVPN is adept at bypassing blocks, uses strong encryption, and doesn’t log user-identifying data.

GREAT ALL-ROUNDER:ExpressVPN is a solid choice for many tasks. It takes user security seriously, can unblock a range of content, and allows up to five simultaneous connections. 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Comprehensive security and privacy features

  • Unblocks a variety of content, including Hulu

  • Offers 24/7 live chat

  • 3,000+ servers in 94 countries

  • Not as inexpensive as rivals

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

4. CyberGhost

Website: www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

  • 7 simultaneous connections

CyberGhost’s standard subscription allows up to seven simultaneous connections. You’ll find easy-to-use apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android. CyberGhost operates some 6,000 servers, and you can choose which is best for you based on either location or how you use the VPN, such as securing privacy with Netflix. CyberGhost uses strong encryption and adheres to a no-logs policy.

GREAT VALUE:CyberGhost is a great budget choice. Strong on privacy, fast speeds and reliable buffer-free connections. We found it easy to set up and use. Works well with most streaming sites. 45-day money-back guarantee.

  • Connect up to 7 devices simultaneously

  • Ability to connect to multiple servers simultaneously on the same device

  • Budget provider that doesn’t compromise on security and privacy

  • Fast, streaming-optimized servers

  • Not suitable for those that need control of advanced features in the apps

Read our full CyberGhost review.

5. PrivateVPN

Website: www.PrivateVPN.com

PrivateVPN lets you connect six devices at one time on a single account. This relatively young VPN provider uses top-notch encryption and doesn’t store any logs. It’s great for unblocking pretty much everything including Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. The server network is smaller than its rivals, but you should have no problem finding a fast connection. Apps are available for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android.

GREAT SPEED:PrivateVPN is consistently reliable. Good for general purpose use and HD Streaming. Could do with having more servers to chose from. 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Can connect up to six devices simultaneously

  • Strong security and privacy protection features

  • Our tests revealed impressive speeds

  • Growing reputation for unblocking popular streaming sites from anywhere

  • Needs manual tweaking to get it to work in China

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

6. IPVanish

Website: www.IPVanish.com

IPVanish offers a very competitively priced plan and boasts a huge array of servers. If you want a true zero-logs service that can also change your IP address at a specified interval, this is the VPN for you. Apps are available for Windows, Mac OSX, iOS, and Android.

FAST AND RELIABLE:IPVanish has a large network of servers. Uncongested network achieves good speeds. Strong security and privacy features. Could do with having live customer support. 7-day money-back guarantee.

  • Allows unlimited connections

  • Preferred by Kodi and Firestick TV for its remote-friendly apps

  • Strong encryption makes apps secure

  • Impressive 4K streaming speeds achieved during testing

  • Look elsewhere if you need to use apps in China

  • Technical support tickets are done by email and can take one or two days

Read our full review of IPVanish here.

7. VyprVPN

Website: www.VyprVPN.com

VyprVPN offers three tiers with two, three, and five simultaneous connections. Note that these are the prices for their consumer plans, but VyprVPN also has business plans if you need more than that. The single-month price is pretty steep, but if you pay annually it cuts the price in half. VyprVPN is one of the only providers that owns all of its own physical servers instead of renting them out from a third party.

INDEPENDENT NETWORK:VyprVPN is user friendly. Good speeds and uptime as all servers are owned by VyprVPN. Not the cheapest option. 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Can connect up to 6 devices simultaneously

  • Speeds are fast and stable

  • Class-leading security and privacy features

  • Could have more options for advanced configuration

  • Not the cheapest provider in this list

Read our full review of VyprVPN here.

VPN service testing methodology

Comparitech strives to publish the most comprehensive and useful VPN reviews and recommendations on the web. To do that, we put each VPN through a range of tests, day-to-day use, and expert analysis. When it comes to VPNs that support a lot of simultaneous connections, we specifically look at:

  • Number of simultaneous connections allowed: Pretty self-explanatory. How many devices can you connect on a single account?
  • Apps: Allowing a lot of connections won’t matter much if there aren’t apps available for your devices. A typical VPN makes apps for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. Some make apps for Linux, routers, and Fire TV Sticks, and a few make browser extensions.
  • Speed: We measure and record connection speeds to VPN servers located around the world.
  • Security: Every VPN we recommend meets our standards of quality including strong, up-to-date encryption, perfect forward secrecy, and a kill switch. We test each VPN for a range of data leaks including WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leaks.
  • Value for money: Pricing is especially relevant if you plan on maxing out your simultaneous connection allowance. We recommend VPNs we feel are a good value without compromising speed, privacy, or features.
  • Customer support: Our reviewers contact each VPN’s customer support as secret shoppers to gauge response times and quality.
  • Streaming: Unblocking region-locked content is one of the most popular reasons to use a VPN. We use real-world tests to find out which VPNs can unblock which geo-restricted streaming services from abroad.
  • Router support: By configuring a VPN on your router, you can connect all of the devices in your home to the VPN, and it only counts as a single VPN connection. Most of the VPNs we recommend allow for manual configuration on routers.

This is just a summary of our full review methodology. Find out more about how we test VPNs here.

How to use a VPN with multiple devices

If this is your first time setting up a VPN you’ll be happy to know it’s a very simple process. Just follow our steps below and you’ll have all your devices connected through a VPN in no time.

Here’s how to set-up a VPN on multiple devices:

  • First, sign up for a suitable VPN (we recommend NordVPN).
  • Next, download and install the app, making sure to get the correct version for your device.
  • Repeat this step with all of your devices (or share your details with members of your household). The number of devices will vary depending on your chosen VPN provider.
  • Decide which server you want to connect to. For streaming locked content you may want to choose a specific country (for example to unlock American Hulu you’ll need a US server). However, for security purposes, you can choose any.
  • You should now have secure internet access on all of your devices
  • If you’re trying to access content from abroad and still having problems, try clearing your cookies and refreshing the page.

Connect unlimited devices to a VPN with a wifi router

While all of the above VPN providers let you connect multiple devices at the same time, there are times when you may need even more. If that’s the case, consider setting up a VPN on your home or office wifi router instead of on individual devices.

Configuring a VPN on a wifi router only uses one of your available connections, but routes the traffic of all the devices connected to it through the VPN. This works with as many devices as your router and internet bandwidth can handle, including ones that don’t support VPN apps. Just make sure you pick a fast VPN server!

The exact process varies depending on your router’s firmware and your VPN provider’s specifications. Check your provider’s website for tutorials on how to configure your VPN on your firmware version. If you can’t find the firmware listed, consider flashing new firmware on the router to replace the built-in one.

Alternatively, you can also turn most laptops into virtual routers and connect devices to that. After setting up the virtual router and connecting through a normal VPN app, all the devices connected to your new laptop wifi hotspot will be routed through the VPN. We have instructions for how to set up virtual routers on Mac OSX and on Windows PC (scroll down to second subtitle).

See also: The Ultimate Guide to VPN Routers

If the free VPN does require account registration, chances are you’ll have to pay more for extra connections.

Note, however, that the VPN might cut off your smart devices from your local network, making them inaccessible to other devices in your home. Be sure to choose a VPN with an option to allow local networking if this is a concern.

As such, it’s perfectly possible to get multiple VPN connections on the same IP address, depending on which VPN you’re using. To do this, you simply need to search for the specific server name (this will usually be numbered). You can always check that your devices are all sharing the same VPN IP afterwards by looking at the IP address as listed in the VPN app. Alternatively, take a look at our IP Address Check tool.