Best VPN for Multiple Devices 2020: More Can Be Better

If you add up how many devices you own now, you may be surprised. Yet you most likely only have a VPN installed on one or two, if any. Gadget-happy people and families need a VPN that will allow them to connect multiple devices at the same time. That’s why we’ve put together a guide for the best VPN for multiple devices.

Everything from your mobile phone to your TV can connect to the internet, so it doesn’t take long before you’re booting one device off the VPN so you can connect another. 

There are plenty of virtual private network providers on the market, but you need to pick wisely to not only get as many connections as possible, but also to make sure the rest of the service is decent. 

For example, ExpressVPN didn’t make this list because it only offers five simultaneous connections, but it’s still the best VPN out there for many reasons (read our ExpressVPN review). 

Other VPNs might get you a ton of connections, but they may have poor security. Thankfully, our best VPN for multiple devices, Windscribe, has unlimited connections, and it’s not a bad pick, either.

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Best VPNs for Multiple Devices 2020

What Makes a VPN the Best for Multiple Devices

The most important — and obvious — factor is how many devices the VPN protects at the same time. Some VPNs don’t include many connections right off the bat, but they allow you to add more to your package for a fee, so it’s worth checking what packages a provider offers before you write them off. There are other features you may want to take into account, too.

What devices it’s compatible with is important. You’ll most likely have an array of devices, such as your mobile phone, laptop, perhaps even a games console. Many providers offer dedicated apps for particular devices and operating systems, but some have guides on how to set it up manually on other platforms. 

How easy it is to use is something else to think of. Are you a beginner or an expert in the VPN field? Whichever it is, you may want to choose a VPN with usability that suits your knowledge. Plus, if family members will be using it, too, you may want to choose one that has a simple connect button, or is automatic at startup.

Unlimited bandwidth should also be considered, especially if a group of people will be using it at the same time. If you choose one with a limit, it’s going to get eaten up quickly, and once it’s gone the VPN will stop working. 

Make sure you choose one with good speeds, too. That is, unless you like waiting endlessly for content to load. 

Its security should also be taken into account. Security will protect you from many things, such as cybercrime, so you’ll want to make sure it’s decent. Privacy is just as important, and you can ensure it’s honored by choosing a VPN that has a no-logs policy in place.

If you like to stream, you should make sure the VPN can get into the streaming platform you want. Not all of them can, especially with Netflix, due to its smart VPN detectors. If Netflix is something you have your heart set on, then you should check out our best VPN for Netflix roundup. All the VPNs listed there are able to get past the Netflix proxy error.

You may want to consider other, less important factors, too. Having a large server network means you’ll have no problem connecting to a suitable server. It’s a good idea to also have good customer support at the ready. Lastly, you should make sure the VPN fits in with your budget.

1. Best VPN for Multiple Devices: Windscribe

We’ve chosen Windscribe as the best VPN for multiple devices. That’s mostly because it has unlimited connections, but it’s not the only VPN to offer that, so we took other features into account. 

Windscribe has a free plan and a paid “pro” plan. The free plan is impressive, and it’s top dog in our best free VPN guide. You still get unlimited connections with the free plan, but it understandably doesn’t have all the other features of the paid plan. 

For example, “pro” members get unlimited bandwidth, but those on the free plan are limited to 2GB, or 10GB if you enter a valid email address. The data allowance is renewed each month, but if you have lots of people connected, that allowance won’t go very far. 

There are other ways to increase your bandwidth allowance, which we’ll mention later on, but you’d get more joy out of the paid plan from the get-go. 

It’s compatible with a bunch of devices, such as Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. Plus, it can be installed on a router, too. That means anyone on that connection is secure, which helps if you have a whole tribe waiting to connect. Just remember that once you venture out, you’ll need to have it installed directly on your device to be safe.

It has a no-frills interface that beginners will find easy to use, but tinkerers can play around with the settings, too. Its security is good, but it does keep some logs. That said, the information held is nothing of true value, and it can’t be traced back to you.

Windscribe’s speeds are fine for most activities, but when compared to the cream of the crop, ExpressVPN, they look lackluster. 

One area it excels in, though, is streaming. It has purpose-built servers for Netflix, called Windflix servers. They’re available in the U.S., UK, Canada and Japan, and they work well. Paid members get access to them, but free members will need to add them to their package. You can read more about them in our Windscribe review.

Other Reasons We Like Windscribe

Windscribe’s server network isn’t as big as some providers, but there are more than 600 in 60 countries, which is still plenty to choose from. While “pro” members have access to all available servers, the free plan only gives access to 10. 

That said, Windscribe has a “build a plan” option, which allows you to add locations for $1 each per month, and that includes the Windflix servers, too. Plus, each location you add will increase your bandwidth allowance by 10GB.

If you need help, there are some handy online guides to get your teeth into. There’s also live chat, which is manned by an artificial intelligence representative named Garry. To be fair, though, Garry gives pretty good answers, and there’s email support available 24/7 if you need further assistance.

Windscribe’s monthly “pro” price isn’t bad, but by opting for the yearly plan, the price drops by more than half. You can use the free plan to make sure you like it, and while there’s no official refund policy, you’ll get one if you ask within three days of purchase. 

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2. Goose VPN

Goose VPN also offers unlimited connections, and although it doesn’t offer quite as much as Windscribe, it’s still a good contender. 

You can use it on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, as well as others. Plus, you can install it on a router. It’s simple to use, and you can have it up and running within minutes. 

Its speeds aren’t great, as you can read in our Goose VPN review, and your bandwidth allowance will depend on the plan you choose. There is an unlimited plan, but Goose VPN’s cheaper package has a limit of 50GB per month. 

You’ll be covered by strong security, which has several protocol options to choose from. A kill switch is also built in for extra safety. There’s a no-logs policy in place, too.

Goose VPN has special streaming servers available, and it was able to crack Netflix. However, it struggled with other streaming services, and its slow speeds didn’t make it the best experience.

Other Reasons We Like Goose VPN

Goose VPN’s server network isn’t great, but it still covers 26 countries, giving you a good choice for circumventing blocks. 

An extensive knowledgebase is available for self-help. Live chat and email support are available 24/7. That said, live chat gives vague answers, so you’re better off contacting the email support team if your problem is more technical. In our testing, we received a reply quickly.

Although the monthly plan isn’t great, Goose VPN is still inexpensive, especially if you pay for a year upfront. However, there’s no option to pay for longer than one year. There is a 30-day refund period, though, in case you find it’s not for you.

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3. Surfshark

Yet another provider that offers unlimited connections is Surfshark. It’s a pretty good provider, especially as it’s only been around since 2018. That said, there are areas that keep it from being at the top, so keep reading.

It can be installed on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, as well as on a router. Its interface is simple to use, but its functionality is limited. Still, it does what it needs to. 

Surfshark is sluggish compared to its competitors, as you can read in our Surfshark review. Streaming is possible and it can get into platforms easily, but the speed makes it a less enjoyable experience. You do get unlimited bandwidth, though, no matter what plan you’re on. 

The security is good, but it only supports two protocols — OpenVPN and IKEv2 — and you can’t choose which one you want to use, either. A kill switch is included with the service, and it doesn’t keep a log of your activities.

Other Reasons We Like Surfshark

Although other providers have larger server networks, Surfshark’s is better than Goose VPN’s, with more than 1,000 servers in 61 countries. That’s more than enough to choose from.

There’s a knowledgebase if you get stuck, but it’s not great, as there’s not much information provided. You’d be better off contacting support through live chat or email, which are both are available 24/7, and the response rates are quick.

Surfshark’s price isn’t bad, but the longer plans work out cheaper in the end. A free seven-day trial is available for mobile devices. Plus, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee in place.

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4. Private Internet Access

Next up is Private Internet Access, but it marks the end of this list’s unlimited-connections options. PIA allows you to simultaneously connect up to 10 devices and, to be fair, that’s still pretty good. The majority of services on the market, like ExpressVPN, only allow five, so 10 is a decent number. 

It works with Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. Plus, PIA has a full client for Linux, making it our best VPN for Linux. The interface is initially a little tricky to set up, and it’s annoyingly tied to the tray, meaning you can’t resize it or anything. Still, it gives you a lot of options for controlling the VPN, and you can install it on a router, too.

PIA is capable of fast speeds and is second on our fastest VPN list, but during our tests, it was inconsistent. You can read about it in our PIA review, but it’s worth mentioning that some of that speed is down to PIA’s default security configuration.

It’s set at 128-bit encryption. You can increase it to the much-preferred 256-bit encryption, but once you do, it’ll slow down some more. There are plenty of other security options to tinker with, too. There’s also a kill switch, and PIA doesn’t keep any logs whatsoever.

You get unlimited bandwidth, and it can get into the U.S. version of Netflix, but if you want any other platform, you’d be better off with one of our top selections. 

Other Reasons We Like PIA

There are more than 3,000 servers in 30 countries, and while most of them are located within the U.S., it’ll be plenty for bypassing restrictions. 

PIA has a knowledgebase for most common problems, and you can get thorough help from the email support team, which is available 24/7. However, unlike our other picks, there’s no live chat option.

Although PIA is still one of the cheaper options on the market, its prices increased dramatically not too long ago. Choosing a longer plan will get you the best rate, but we should point out that its refund period is only seven days, so make sure you like it.

Private Internet Access Review

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5. IPVanish

Our last pick is IPVanish, which allows you to connect up to 10 devices at the same time, just like PIA. It has clients for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, which are easy to set up and use. Plus, it’s compatible with certain routers, too.

It has great speeds, though you may find they’re bad on some servers. There are no bandwidth restrictions, but it’s not the best VPN for streaming. It can’t get into Netflix or BBC iPlayer, but if you’re a fan of Hulu or Amazon Prime Video, it’s an option (read our piece on the best VPN for Amazon Prime Video).

IPVanish’s security is good. There are plenty of protocol options to choose from, and there’s a built-in kill switch. 

A no-logs policy is in place, but IPVanish was caught out in 2016 because it handed logs over to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. That was a while ago, so its privacy level may be better now, but it’s something to keep in mind. You can read more about it in our IPVanish review.

Other Reasons We Like IPVanish

IPVanish has more than 1,300 servers in more than 75 locations, giving you plenty to choose from. Additionally, its customer service is decent, with a knowledgebase, live chat and email available 24/7. They’re helpful, and the response time is quick.

The monthly price is pretty average, but while its competitors make longer plans appealing, IPVanish only offers a small discount. There’s no free trial and only a seven-day money-back guarantee to fall back on. 

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 Best VPN for Multiple Devices Honorable Mentions

Although our five picks take the crown in the connections department, there’s more you should be thinking about. Your security and privacy are important factors, and some of the options above aren’t the best for that. 

Additionally, ExpressVPN, which is the most secure VPN, doesn’t even get a mention due to its five-connection limit, so here are some alternatives.

NordVPN

NordVPN is comparable to ExpressVPN in many ways, so it’s your best bet for strong security (read our ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN piece for more). It allows six simultaneous connections, which is a lot less than our other picks, but if that’s enough for you, it’s worth it.

It’s compatible with all the major operating systems and is easy to use. Its speeds are fast, but they can slow down over long distances. You get unlimited bandwidth, though, and it’s capable of getting into all streaming platforms. 

It has some of the best security available and adds more protection with its double-hop servers. A kill switch and a strict no-logs policy is also included. It provides a great value for your money, and there’s a 30-day refund window, in case you don’t like it. Read more about the service in our NordVPN review.

CyberGhost

Another great pick is CyberGhost. It allows up to seven connections, though that’s also the limit for installations. It can be used with most operating systems, and the clients are easy to use. Like NordVPN, its speeds are fast but slow down over long distances, and you get unlimited bandwidth. It can get into all streaming platforms, too.

CyberGhost has good security, as well as a permanently enabled kill switch. It doesn’t keep logs of your activity, either. It’s an inexpensive choice, providing that you opt for a lengthier subscription. Mobile users can make use of the seven-day trial, but there’s a money-back guarantee, too. Our CyberGhost review has more details about the service. 

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Final Thoughts

There are plenty of VPN providers that offer great features, but if you either own lots of internet-capable devices or you want to protect your family, the list becomes shorter. Most providers offer around five simultaneous connections, and there are only a few that go the extra mile. 

Our list of the best VPN for multiple devices points out those few, but remember that just because they offer a ton of connections, it doesn’t mean they’re the best choice for your security and privacy. If that’s something you value and you can squeeze the most out of six connections, then NordVPN is the best option. 

However, if you need as many connections as you can possibly get, Windscribe is the one for you. There’s no beating unlimited connections, and it’s a good provider, too. To get the most out of the service, you’ll need to opt for the paid plan, though. 

Do you have experience with connecting lots of devices to one VPN account? We’d love to hear about it in the comments section. Check our our other VPN articles while you’re here, too. As always, thanks for reading.

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