6 best VPNs for AT&T: Top for streaming, privacy, and safety in 2023

Want to gain privacy on AT&T internet? A VPN for AT&T prevents ISP tracking and government surveillance, bypassing restrictions and avoiding bandwidth throttling to ensure fast speeds.

If you’re an AT&T customer, you may not be aware that regulatory changes made during the Trump administration allow ISPs to monitor users’ online web browsing habits. The changes passed in 2017 allow US ISPs like AT&T to sell your data to third parties and create a loophole that permits US authorities to access browsing histories. The best way to prevent this is to use a VPN for AT&T.

In 2019, the FTC revealed that ISPs in America regularly share a huge amount of sensitive user data with third parties. Most consumers are unaware that this is occurring. The best solution is to use a VPN that encrypts your internet connection to prevent AT&T from harvesting your data in the first place.

In addition to giving you online privacy, a VPN can prevent bandwidth throttling. ISPs like AT&T are known to slow down people’s internet when they access certain websites and services. With a VPN, you can prevent AT&T from knowing what you are doing online, which stops it from throttling you when you torrent, stream, play games, or do other data-intensive tasks.

An AT&T VPN also provides a means for you to change your IP address. You can use a VPN to bypass blackout restrictions, watch state-level TV broadcasts, or watch foreign TV streams like the UK’s BBC iPlayer. It will also come in handy when you go on vacation by letting you watch US Netflix, Hulu, ESPN Plus, or any other region-locked service while abroad.

The list below is designed to give you a quick look at the best VPNs for AT&T. Later in this guide, we will provide detailed summaries that will help you identify all the primary differences between the top providers. While all of these VPNs are great for AT&T users, they do differ slightly, so it is worth checking our summaries to get the best VPN for all your needs.

The best VPNs for AT&T:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for AT&T. Over 6,000 servers in 61+ countries. Works with Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, and others. Fast speeds to prevent throttling and allow torrenting and HD streaming. 24/7 live chat support. Strict no-logs policy to safeguard your privacy. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: The best budget VPN for AT&T. Allows unlimited simultaneous connections. 24/7 live chat support. Works with Netflix, Prime Video, and many others. User-friendly interface and a solid no-logs policy. Includes ad blocking and malware filtering.
3. ExpressVPN: Solid speeds and robust security. Operates a network of 3,000+ servers across 105+ countries, including servers in 17+ US cities. Proven track record of accessing Netflix, Hulu, and other popular streaming services. Reliable AES encryption prevents ISP and government tracking. 24/7 live chat support.
4. CyberGhost VPN: Best AT&T VPN for beginners. A high-speed VPN with a strict no-logs policy. Supports connections for up to seven devices. Boasts numerous servers in the US and 100+ countries. Provides 24/7 customer support and user-friendly apps. 
5. IPVanish: Successfully accesses Netflix US while abroad. Excellent streaming speeds and permits up to 10 simultaneous connections. Prioritizes security with encryption and a no-logs policy. Includes 24/7 customer support.
6. PrivateVPN: A reliable VPN based in Sweden. Servers in 63+ countries worldwide. The port forwarding feature makes it the best AT&T VPN for torrenting. Works to access Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max. No logs policy. 

Summary Table

Finding a secure and reliable VPN for AT&T can be quite challenging if you don't know what to look for. Many providers are unreliable, slow, and over-priced, which can lead to frustration. 

To prevent you from accidentally subscribing to an unreliable VPN, we tested market-leading VPNs to find services compatible with AT&T. You can find out more about how we test VPNs later in this guide. 

For now, here are some of the most important criteria we used to select the best AT&T VPNs:

• Fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth to prevent ISP throttling and provide decent speeds for streaming, gaming, and torrenting.
• Works with major streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO, ESPN, etc.
• Servers worldwide give you plenty of choices and online freedom.
• High level of security with encryption.
• Customer support via live chat and email.
• Apps for all popular platforms, including support for VPN-compatible routers.
• A money-back guarantee to let you try the VPN yourself.

In addition, our top three choices must have:

• Third-party audits. Our top three recommended VPNs have undergone comprehensive third-party audits. These audits check their privacy policies, network infrastructure, and applications. This ensures that the VPN services are living up to their claims to provide reliable online security free of potential vulnerabilities. 
• Diskless servers. Our top three recommendations all employ diskless servers that operate on RAM. This approach ensures that data stored on these servers is in a constant state of flux and that they can be wiped instantly in an emergency to delete all data. 

Best VPNs for AT&T

Use the summaries below to find out more about each of the top VPNs for AT&T customers.

NordVPN is our favorite VPN for AT&T users for various reasons. It has a huge network of over 6,000 servers, including 1,600+ servers in the US to let you access region-locked state-level services, or stream Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, or anything else on vacation. 

With NordVPN, you can forget about bandwidth throttling. Thanks to the rock-solid encryption, you can completely prevent AT&T from monitoring your traffic and selling your data to third parties – or sharing it with US intelligence agencies like the NSA.

NordVPN caters to all your needs, featuring optimized servers for P2P file-sharing and enhanced security via double VPN servers. It has completely diskless servers and has passed a full third-party audit of its service.

User-friendly apps and browser extensions make it a breeze to stay protected on any device, and NordVPN has many advanced features, including ad-blocking, protection against malicious websites, robust DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, Meshnet, and a strict no-logs policy. You can use the VPN on up to six devices and get help at any time of day thanks to its 24/7 live chat support.

It starts at just $3.79 per month and provides some of the best speeds for gaming and HD streaming. Try it yourself risk-free using its 30-day money-back guarantee. 

BEST VPN FOR AT&T: NordVPN offers a reliable service with strong encryption. US servers let you access an IP address in 15+ cities. Works to watch Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and many other platforms from around the world. Zero-logs policy and reliable privacy features. Includes ad blocking and malware filtering. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full NordVPN review.

Surfshark is going to be right up your street if you are a bargain hunter looking for the best cheap option. The VPN was launched in 2018 and has quickly become one of the most revered VPNs on the market. Despite costing just $2.49 per month, it provides access to more than 3,200 servers in 100+ countries. This makes it a formidable option for accessing regional TV services, and streaming platforms from around the world.

The VPN is lightning-fast thanks to its WireGuard implementation. In our most recent tests, it had a global average download speed of 189 Mbps. This makes it a superb option for torrenting, gaming, and streaming. Surfshark works with Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, Crunchyroll, ESPN+, Sling TV, and Peacock. Plus, the fast speeds make it great for bypassing throttling.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. It even has a GUI app for Linux, which makes it by far the best Linux VPN for AT&T. Surfshark lets you use the VPN on an unlimited number of devices. Perfect for families or power users who own many devices. 

The apps come packed with useful features. You’ll find a kill switch, DNS leak protection, obfuscation, split tunneling, MultiHop, auto-connect, and robust encryption. Extra features include ad and tracker blocking for added security as you surf the web. It prevents online tracking on public WiFi, or at the hands of AT&T and the government while at home. You can compare it to our top option using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

BEST BUDGET VPN FOR AT&T: Surfshark offers the best price-to-performance ratio on the market. An impressive number of features. Unlimited connections make it perfect for families or sharing your account with friends. Servers in 100+ countries, including more than 20 US cities. Access to geo-restricted platforms. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

ExpressVPN is another excellent option for AT&T internet. The VPN was launched in 2009, and it has maintained an impeccable reputation for user privacy throughout that lifetime. The VPN has a solid no-logs policy and it is based in the British Virgin Islands – well out of reach of the US government's snooping.

You can connect to over 3,000 servers spanning 105+ countries, giving you the power to unlock region-restricted content across the globe. It works to access around 20 Netflix regions, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, and many other international services in countries ranging from Germany to Italy, Ireland, Japan, and beyond.

ExpressVPN offers apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and compatible routers. Additionally, browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox are readily available. Those apps feature 256-bit AES encryption, DNS, and IPv6 leak protection, as well as a reliable kill switch. It comes with a free Smart DNS service to let you connect to a US IP on consoles and smart TVs.

The VPN is ideal for bypassing ISP throttling thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol. Its fast speeds make it an ideal choice for those who want to play games, stream in HD, or download torrents. 

You can get help using its 24/7 customer support and try it for 30 days. The only real caveat is that it is a touch pricey compared to our top two picks. It has been fully audited and runs on diskless servers.

EXCELLENT ALL-ROUNDER: ExpressVPN provides robust online privacy thanks to its no-logs policy and robust encryption. Native obfuscation for OpenVPN and a kill switch for added protection. Diskless servers can be erased remotely in an emergency. Servers in 94+ countries, including 15+ US cities. Works with Netflix. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

CyberGhost is the perfect choice if you are completely new to VPNs and are looking for something stress-free and breezy. This VPN is based in Romania, which puts it well out of reach of invasive jurisdictions like the US, the UK, and the EU. The VPN has a solid no-logging policy, which means it never tracks your home IP address, the servers you connect to, or any of your browsing activities.

The VPN is fast thanks to its excellent WireGuard implementation. You can connect to over 10,000 servers in 100+ countries, which makes it a formidable option for getting an IP address abroad – or in over 11 US cities. It works to watch Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, ESPN, YouTube TV, and many others. And it is fast enough for gaming and streaming.

The apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. They are easy to use and have everything you need to gain online privacy on AT&T broadband or mobile internet. It protects you against hackers on public WiFi with robust encryption and an always-on kill switch. The apps list servers by use-case to help you find the one you need without any trial and error.

You can contact live chat support to get help 24/7 and test it with any of your services, whether at home or on vacation, by taking advantage of the 45-day money-back guarantee. Plus, it throws in ad blocking for good measure. It is also excellent value for money, considering the level of service it provides.

IDEAL FOR BEGINNERS: CyberGhost boasts user-friendly apps for all popular devices. No logs, a kill switch, and robust encryption. A solid option that works to access tons of popular US services, including Netflix. 24/7 live chat support. Generous 45-day money-back guarantee to compare it to any of our recommendations. 

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

IPVanish offers user-friendly apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV/Fire Stick. You can also set it up manually on Linux and routers, ensuring comprehensive device compatibility.

With servers strategically positioned in 24+ different US cities, IPVanish allows you to access state-level TV services, blackout games, game servers, and any other US services that take your fancy. It works to access streaming services like Netflix US, Peacock, and DirecTV Stream from abroad.

It is based in the US, which isn't the best place for a VPN to be due to the presence of the NSA, warrants, and gag orders. However, IPVanish prioritizes your privacy with a strict no-logs policy, strong encryption, a reliable kill switch, and steadfast DNS and IPv6 leak protection. 

IPVanish lets you connect an unlimited number of devices, which makes it suitable for families. Live chat support is available 24/7, so it’s easy to get help with setting up or using the VPN. 

LARGE US NETWORK: IPVanish is fast and offers servers right across the US and 50+ countries. 24/7 live chat support. Unlimited connections make it perfect for families. Strong encryption, obfuscation, ad blocking, and a kill switch. Not the best for streaming, so test it with your favorite services using the 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full IPVanish review.

PrivateVPN is a provider based in Sweden that doesn't keep any traffic logs. It protects your privacy with a combination of 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IP leak protection, and a kill switch. It also provides obfuscation for OpenVPN. 

You can use PrivateVPN through the apps for desktop (Windows and Mac) and mobile (Android and iOS). You can protect up to 10 devices simultaneously. The simplicity of PrivateVPN’s apps makes it easy to connect to servers in 63+ countries, including various places in the US to get an IP address that can access US game servers, state-level TV for blackout games, and anything else that interests you. You also get a port forwarding feature, which makes it great for techy users who like to torrent.

PrivateVPN is a good option for use with AT&T thanks to its unlimited bandwidth and speed. It can access popular services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, iPlayer, and DirecTV Stream. The service offers live chat support to get help at any time of day, and you can try the VPN thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. 

GREAT FOR TORRENTING: PrivateVPN offers value for money for those who want to torrent privately using an AT&T connection. The VPN is reliable and secure thanks to a no-logs policy and robust AES encryption. WireGuard is available using a third-party client only. Works to access DirecTV Stream, Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more. Use on up to 10 devices consecutively. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

AT&T VPN testing methodology

When searching for reliable VPNs for AT&T users, our main concern is to find services that champion privacy and data security for all internet users. To ensure unwavering dedication to user privacy, we check to ensure they have all the privacy and security features you would expect to get from a market-leading VPN.

You can find out more about our testing methodology, where we detail how we test for leaks, check the encryption, analyze the privacy policy, use a dedicated test server to track global server speeds, and check for various important features that make the VPN even better value for money (split tunneling, port forwarding, obfuscation, etc.).

This approach guarantees our recommendations excel in popular tasks like accessing Netflix and other US services while on vacation. They also provide ironclad online privacy and security to prevent AT&T and the US government from being able to monitor your activities. Below, you can see some of the most important criteria we used to find the best VPNs for AT&T:

• US servers: Our top VPN choices for AT&T put US users first, providing a wide choice of US IPs, and access to many popular US services.  
• Global server network: These VPNs let you get an IP address virtually anywhere in the world, granting you access to a wide array of international services.
• Fast speeds: These VPNs boast Tier-1 server networks and employ speedy VPN protocols designed to deliver optimal speeds. This ensures the VPNs is reliable for streaming, torrenting, gaming, and making video calls. VPN servers will also help to bypass speed throttling. We have conducted speed tests to ensure only the fastest options make the list.  
• No-logging policy: Upholding a stringent no-logs policy is non-negotiable for our recommended VPNs, guaranteeing the utmost confidentiality for your online activities at all times. The VPN must not leak your real IP address in the process. 
• Wide feature set: We recommend VPNs equipped with a comprehensive suite of security and privacy features, including a kill switch, obfuscation, MultiHop capabilities, split tunneling, and more for advanced users. The VPN should be available for all major platforms. 
• Excellent for streaming: Our recommendations let you connect to servers in various locations around the world to access TV streams and video-on-demand services, ensuring uninterrupted entertainment with your usual online content.
• Value: We prioritize VPNs that strike the perfect balance between security and affordability, ensuring you receive exceptional value for money.
• Robust AES encryption: All these VPNs offer AES or ChaCha20 encryption, providing robust protection for your data against surveillance and hackers. This allows you to use the internet safely, whether at home, at work, or on public WiFi. It also guarantees that AT&T and the US government can't track your web visits.

In addition to the features listed above, we also have a strict policy for our top three providers. To make it into the top three positions of our list, the VPN must have the following additional features:

• Completed a third-party security audit: This type of audit ensures that the policy, apps, and servers have been independently verified and that the VPN has used a reliable security firm to check for and fix any potential vulnerabilities in its service. This allows you to enjoy the VPN without having to trust the provider's claims on faith.
• Diskless servers: A network of servers that run in RAM means that the data passing through the servers is constantly self-replacing which helps to minimize the amount of data potentially accessible via real-time monitoring. It also allows the VPN provider to pull the plug on a server remotely to delete all data passing through it instantly. This provides an additional layer of protection by allowing the VPN to erase any server in an emergency.

ATT VPN FAQs

Can I use a free VPN for AT&T?

Although a few trustworthy free VPNs are available on the market, it is important to understand their limitations. Free VPN plans are provided to give people limited use of a VPN to gain online privacy in an emergency and to allow users to get a sense of what the VPN can do without needing to pay. 

The basic free plans provided by VPNs like Proton VPN and AtlasVPN are completely trustworthy, which means that they do not track your data, and provide the same level of encryption for your data as a paid plan. This makes them suitable for protecting yourself from tracking on public WiFi or to stop AT&T monitoring your web visits.

These free plans only have a few server locations to pick from. Additionally, those servers are much slower than those available with a paid plan. The free servers block access to popular platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and ESPN, as well as torrenting. They do this to encourage users to upgrade to a paid plan. This makes free VPNs pretty limited in how useful they can be.

At Bleeping Computer we only recommend free VPN plans provided by specific VPN providers. App stores are jam-packed with free VPNs, but these services have invasive privacy policies that allow them to harvest user data and sell it to other parties such as advertisers or data brokers. 

Studies have also revealed that most free VPNs lack encryption, and suffer from app and server vulnerabilities. Picking a free VPN at random can expose you to severe risks and data theft, such as spyware. So please, don’t pick a free VPN at random.

Can I use a VPN to access DirectTV Stream?

Yes. The VPNs recommended in this guide all have fast US servers that have been optimized for streaming. They are suitable for watching a wide selection of US TV platforms, including DirecTV Stream. 

By connecting to a server in America, you appear to have a valid IP address there. You can then watch your streaming accounts, whether that be Hulu, Netflix, or DirecTV while abroad. 

You can even access your accounts on restricted networks, such as at work. The encryption provided by a VPN allows you to log in and stream on DirecTV at any time because it prevents you from being monitored. And since you’re connected to the VPN server instead of directly to the service, it won’t be blocked. This privacy allows you to watch DirecTV anytime you want.

Is it illegal to use a VPN with AT&T?

No. In the US, VPNs are legal to use to gain online privacy and security. Many businesses and individuals use them every day, and there is nothing illegal about subscribing to, installing, or using a VPN to encrypt your data. 

Note that what you choose to do with a VPN could potentially be illegal. For example, it is an offense to use a VPN to engage in cyberbullying, harassment, spamming, hacking, and other online harms. We condemn the use of a VPN to conceal these types of activities.

You mustn't use a VPN to engage in any illegal activities. For this reason, we urge you to do your own research so that you understand local laws where you live or travel. Use of a VPN is at your own risk and discretion. Nothing in this guide should be taken as legal advice.

Can AT&T detect VPN use?

Although the encryption provided by a VPN prevents AT&T from knowing what you are doing online, it is possible that they could use various detection methods to notice that you are using a VPN to gain online privacy. 

For example, Deep Packet Inspection that pinpoints VPN users seems like an unnecessary effort and expense. VPN use is not frowned upon in the US, and a large number of people use VPNs legally. Thus, it seems unlikely that ISPs like AT&T would bother with this kind of tracking. 

While it is technically possible for AT&T to detect VPN use, it is less likely that they would actively engage in tracking or blocking VPN users, as long as the VPN usage remains within legal boundaries and doesn't violate the ISP's terms of service. That said, this is speculative and we have no way to tell with absolute certainty what AT&T or any other ISP is doing.

Can I install a VPN on an AT&T router?

No. AT&T routers do not offer VPN compatibility. Thus, you will need to purchase a third-party router for your home. If this expense isn’t viable, you can either set up the VPN on each of your devices or set up a VPN-protected WiFi hotspot using a computer. You could even create a permanent VPN gateway using a Raspberry Pi, which serves as a cost-effective method for setting up VPN-protected WiFi in any home.

Can I stop AT&T from throttling my bandwidth with a VPN?

Yes. In the US, ISPs are known to throttle bandwidth to prevent network congestion, particularly during peak hours. If you suspect that AT&T is throttling your bandwidth when you engage in certain online activities, then it is a good idea to test a VPN.  A VPN can help to prevent you from being throttled by stopping AT&T from knowing what you are doing.

Since Net Neutrality rules were repealed in the US, services like AT&T can prioritize their own services over those of their competitors. This may mean that you get better speeds when streaming AT&T-owned services like DirecTV Stream and HBO Max than when trying to watch Hulu or Netflix, for example. 

This is hugely frustrating but can be avoided by using a VPN to prevent AT&T from knowing what you are doing online. By doing so, it becomes extremely hard for providers like AT&T to discriminate against you. This helps to keep your internet running at the best speed available regardless of the services you choose to use.

Note that a VPN will not stop throttling if all of your data is being throttled, such as when you hit your monthly data cap. It only works when specific activities or services are being targeted by AT&T.

Why do I need a VPN for AT&T?

Internet freedom in the United States has seen a decline and the country continues to suffer from high levels of online surveillance at the hands of the government. 

The repeal of Net Neutrality gave ISPs like AT&T the ability to discriminate against content and to engage in bandwidth throttling practices, which can result in frustratingly slow internet speeds when attempting to access specific online services.

VPN services offer a way to bypass these problems, which gives you additional privacy and freedom when using the internet. 

The United States is part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, and it has some of the most invasive and well-funded government surveillance agencies in the world. Just about everything you do online can be monitored by the government. 

Without the protection of a VPN, your online activities could be logged and shared not only with the NSA and the CIA, but also its international counterparts. 

The VPNs recommended in this guide provide robust encryption measures, which safeguard your data against unwanted spies. They protect your data against interception by cybercriminals. A strict no-logs policy ensures that no personally identifiable information is retained, even if it were to be requested by US authorities.

By choosing a reliable VPN for AT&T, you will gain a powerful tool to counteract bandwidth throttling, protect your online privacy, and ensure that you can access state-level services and international platforms from around the world. Plus, you can use it to access home services while on vacation abroad.