Travelling in the Keystone State? A virtual private network (VPN) should be your trusty online companion.
VPNs encrypt your internet connection to keep data secure on public Wi-Fi, disguise your location to bypass restrictions, and shield your privacy from snooping by ISPs, hackers and advertisers.
This in-depth guide will cover:
- Top-rated VPNs for use in Pennsylvania
- Security risks of public Wi-Fi and how a VPN protects you
- Unblocking geo-restricted sites and streaming sports with a VPN
- How to choose the fastest VPN protocol
- Pros and cons of free vs paid VPN services
- Steps to getting a Pennsylvania IP address with a VPN
Let‘s dive in and explore the best VPN options for privacy, security and unlimited streaming in Pennsylvania.
Contents
Why You Need a VPN in Pennsylvania
Here are some compelling reasons to use a virtual private network when visiting the Keystone State:
Public Wi-Fi Security
Free public networks in places like airports, cafes, hotels and libraries are convenient but often insecure. According to a survey, 83% of public Wi-Fi hotspots lack basic security measures.
When you connect to an unsecured public Wi-Fi, hackers can easily intercept the unencrypted data you send over the network. They can steal passwords, financial information, and other sensitive personal details.
A VPN encrypts all internet traffic between your device and the VPN server, preventing snooping and hacking attempts over public Wi-Fi.
Bypass Sports Blackouts
Nothing‘s worse than traveling to see your home team play, only to be blacked out from watching the game online due to antiquated broadcast restrictions.
NFL games get blacked out on streaming services if attendance doesn‘t sell out. NBA League Pass blacks out local team games. MLB.TV can‘t show in-market games.
A VPN tricks these services into thinking you‘re out of market by routing your traffic through a server in another city. This avoids blackout restrictions so you can cheer on the Eagles, Pirates, 76ers or your other favorite Pennsylvania team.
Stream Events From Other Countries
Whether you‘re a college student studying abroad or just love British TV, a VPN makes it possible to access streaming apps from back home.
Because of licensing limitations, streaming catalogs vary by country. Netflix UK has different shows than Netflix US. The BBC iPlayer only works in the United Kingdom.
By connecting to a VPN server in another country, you can virtually reposition yourself to unlock overseas streaming platforms. This allows you to bypass geographic restrictions.
Hide Your Identity
Your internet service provider has a front-row seat to your online activities, as do the sites you visit. They can legally record data like:
- Websites you connect to
- Your location
- Bandwidth usage
- Browsing history
This data profiling fuels creepy targeted advertising and comprises your privacy. A VPN hides your IP address and online footprint from ISPs, advertisers, governments, and other snoops.
6 Best VPNs for Pennsylvania
1. ExpressVPN – Best VPN for Pennsylvania Overall
With top speeds, air-tight security and easy streaming, ExpressVPN is our #1 pick for Pennsylvania.
This British Virgin Islands-based provider has 3,000+ fast servers in 94 countries. While they don‘t have Pennsylvania-based servers, you can connect to the nearest locations in Virginia, New York, New Jersey and Washington DC.
ExpressVPN earned our highest ratings for speed and ability to unblock popular streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and more. It uses industry-leading 256-bit AES encryption plus a no-logging policy to protect user privacy.
Some more reasons to love ExpressVPN:
- Lightning-fast speeds for HD and 4K streaming
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Apps for all major platforms – Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, routers, browsers, etc.
- MediaStreamer SmartDNS unblocks streaming sites
- Excellent 24/7 live chat support
For blazing speeds, watertight security and simple streaming worldwide, you can‘t go wrong with ExpressVPN.
2. NordVPN – Fastest VPN for Pennsylvania
NordVPN earns second place for delivering the fastest speeds we‘ve tested, ideal for HD and 4K streaming.
This Panama-based provider owns and manages 5,500+ servers in 60 countries worldwide. While they don‘t have Pennsylvania-based servers either, you can connect to fast options in Washington DC and New York.
NordVPN uses AES-256 encryption plus advanced security features like a kill switch, malware/ad blocking, and Double VPN encryption. Their strict no-logging policy means no tracking or storing user data.
Why else we recommend NordVPN:
- Optimized servers for fastest streaming & downloads
- Works with Netflix, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu
- CyberSec VPN to block ads & malware
- P2P supported on all servers
- Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and more
- 30-day money-back guarantee
For the fastest speeds and fort-knox level security, NordVPN is a top choice.
3. Surfshark – Most Affordable VPN for Pennsylvania
Boasting low pricing and unlimited device support, Surfshark is a great budget-friendly VPN option.
Surfshark has over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, allowing you to connect from pretty much anywhere. They don‘t have Pennsylvania-based servers but you can choose US servers located in Virginia, New York and other nearby areas.
Surfshark offers double AES-256 encryption, a private DNS and kill switch for security. Setting up the apps takes mere minutes – just choose a server location and you‘re protected.
Other handy Surfshark features include:
- Unlimited device connections with a single account
- Whitelister to exclude apps/sites from VPN
- Multi-hop connections for enhanced privacy
- Supports Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer
- 30-day money back guarantee
For affordable pricing along with solid speeds and security, Surfshark is hard to beat.
4. CyberGhost – Easiest VPN for Pennsylvania
CyberGhost makes it super simple to enable VPN protection on all your devices. It owns and operates an impressive 7,400+ global servers.
Although CyberGhost is based in Romania, they have servers spread worldwide including fast connections in New York and other eastern US locations.
CyberGhost utilizes military-grade 256-bit encryption and a strict no-logging policy to protect users‘ privacy. You can even connect to their high-anonymity servers using Tor over VPN.
The best part about CyberGhost is how extremely easy it is to use – both the desktop and mobile apps. Just launch the app, choose your server location, and click connect – you‘re instantly protected.
Some more things we love about CyberGhost:
- User-friendly apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Allows torrenting and P2P
- Unblocks popular streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video
- Blocks trackers and harmful websites
CyberGhost delivers elite security with hassle-free setup across all your devices.
👉 Get CyberGhost VPN Today!
5. Private Internet Access – Reliable & Fast VPN
Private Internet Access (PIA) owns and manages its entire network infrastructure, rather than relying on third parties. This gives them better control over server speeds and uptime.
PIA runs blazing-fast servers in 78 countries worldwide. You can connect to speedy options in Virginia, New York, New Jersey and Washington DC.
Your privacy is ensured through AES-256 encryption, a zero-logs policy, and advanced features like split-tunneling and SOCKS5 web proxies. Of course, PIA allows P2P file-sharing.
Why Private Internet Access stands out:
- Has some of the fastest speeds around
- 10 device connections with one account
- Ad blocking and tracker blocking
- Reliably works with Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+
- 30-day money back guarantee
For top-notch speeds, proven reliability and excellent value, Private Internet Access is a VPN worth considering.
👉 Get Private Internet Access Today!
6. Atlas VPN – Best Free VPN for Pennsylvania
If you‘re looking for a free VPN option, Atlas VPN provides 10GB of free monthly data and unlimited speeds. It has 750+ servers in 40 countries.
While 10GB of data won‘t last long streaming HD video, it‘s enough for basic web browsing over public Wi-Fi hotspots. Atlas VPN uses IKEv2 and WireGuard protocols with AES 256-bit encryption to keep your data secure.
Of course, free VPNs have some limitations compared to premium services:
- Slower speeds due to more users sharing servers
- Data capped at 10GB on the free plan
- Smaller server network
- Fewer features like dedicated streaming profiles
However, Atlas VPN has capable speeds and allows torrenting. It‘s a workable free option to protect yourself on public networks in Pennsylvania.
Upgrading to a paid plan gives you unlimited data, priority speeds, and other perks.
VPN Protocols – What‘s Fastest for Streaming?
A VPN protocol controls how your device encrypts data and establishes a secure tunnel to the VPN server. Let‘s compare the top protocols:
OpenVPN – Open-source protocol that uses either TCP or UDP transport layer. Highly secure and customizable, but can be slower. Good general purpose protocol.
IKEv2/IPSec – Developed by Microsoft and Cisco. Very secure with fast connection speeds. Used by many top-tier VPN services. Reliable for streaming.
WireGuard – Newer protocol using state-of-the-art cryptography. Extremely fast speeds. Good for mobile devices and gaming/streaming. Offered by leading VPNs like NordVPN and PIA.
L2TP/IPSec – Lightweight Layer 2 Tunnel Protocol. Built-in security but slower speeds than above protocols. Good as a secondary protocol option if others don‘t work.
For the fastest VPN streaming speeds, OpenVPN, IKEv2 and WireGuard are your best choices. Connect to servers located geographically close to you for the fastest performance.
Paid vs Free VPNs – Which Should You Use?
Paid VPN
- Unlimited data usage
- Fast connection speeds
- More server locations
- Advanced security features
- Reliable access to streaming sites
- Allows torrenting/P2P
- Better customer support
Free VPN
- Data usage capped each month
- Slower speeds due to crowded servers
- Limited server locations
- Basic encryption and features
- Unstable access for streaming
- Often prohibits torrenting
- Little to no customer support
While free VPNs are tempting, paid services like ExpressVPN and NordVPN deliver much better overall performance and value. Their affordable subscription plans let you enjoy unlimited secure access.
Advanced security features like a kill switch, split-tunneling, ad blocking and anti-malware scanning further justify paying for a premium VPN.
However, free services like Atlas VPN or ProtonVPN offer capable basic protection that‘s "good enough" for some users.
Getting a Pennsylvania IP Address With a VPN
Connecting to a VPN server gives you an IP address associated with the server‘s location. Just follow these simple steps:
- Sign up for a VPN service like ExpressVPN or NordVPN
- Download and install the VPN app on your device
- Run the app and log into your VPN account
- Tap on Server Locations and select an available server in Pennsylvania
- Connect to the server and you now have a Pennsylvania IP address
- Visit a site like IPLocation.net to confirm your new Pennsylvania IP
- Now you can bypass location-based restrictions as if you‘re in Pennsylvania
Choosing a server outside Pennsylvania gives you an IP from that location, ideal for accessing geo-blocked streaming content and websites abroad.
In Summary
- A VPN like ExpressVPN secures your data on public Wi-Fi and lets you bypass internet censorship.
- Top VPNs encrypt your traffic, prevent hacking, and hide your IP address from snooping by third parties.
- Leading VPN services seamlessly unblock Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and other streaming platforms.
- The fastest protocols for HD streaming are OpenVPN, IKEv2 and the newer WireGuard.
- Paid VPNs give you better performance and value overall compared to free services.
- Connecting to VPN servers in or outside Pennsylvania lets you get IP addresses from those locations.
Conclusion
A quality VPN service is essential for secure and private internet access throughout the state of Pennsylvania.
ExpressVPN stands out as the best VPN for Pennsylvania due to unmatched speeds, next-gen encryption, and easy access to streaming sites – all with a risk-free 30-day money back guarantee.
But services like NordVPN, Surfshark and CyberGhost also deliver excellent performance and value. Unlock the full potential of the internet during your Keystone State travels by getting a trustworthy VPN today!
