It is advisable to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when traveling in Chicago or anywhere else. Below, we’ll explain how a VPN might benefit you and recommend the best VPNs for Chicago, Illinois.
You may already be aware of this, but services like Netflix and MLB.tv alter their content according on the user’s location. This implies that you may not be able to access your favorite shows or watch the Cubs play if you visit Chicago. Additionally, if you are traveling abroad, you may not be able to access domestic websites from Chicago. Nevertheless, there is a workaround: connect to a VPN server in your native nation (or state, if you need to circumvent sporting blackouts).
Geo-restricted services use the user’s IP address to determine their location. Once you are connected to a VPN, only your server’s IP address is visible. In other words, if you select a French server, services such as Netflix will believe you are located in France. Plus, VPNs encrypt your data, concealing your actions from prying eyes and allowing you to concentrate on enjoying your time in Chicago.
Seeking the abbreviated version? Below is a summary of the best VPN services for Chicago. If any pique your interest, simply scroll down for further analysis.
Top VPNs in Chicago
- NordVPN – Our first recommendation for a VPN in Chicago is NordVPN. A seasoned provider who is quick enough for any task. Has an exceptional security offering, a real no-logging policy, and a 30-day, risk-free money-back promise.
- Surfshark is the most cost-effective VPN for Chicago. Quick, trustworthy, and capable of unblocking a multitude of geo-blocked services from overseas. The best part is that there is no connection limit.
- ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN we have tested. Unblocks major streaming services without difficulty. Excellent security features and 24/7 customer service.
- CyberGhost offers more than 100 high-speed Chicago servers. Offers full protection with a single click. Has dedicated streaming and torrenting servers.
This VPN service keeps no logs and delivers consistent speeds, decent unblocking capabilities, and protection for several devices concurrently. - PrivateVPN offers amazing unblocking capabilities, extremely fast connections, and a zero-logging policy. A particularly solid option for Chicago residents wishing to view content online.
1. NordVPN
Users of NordVPN have access to 5,000 servers in 60 countries, including the United States. In fact, it is concentrated in more than a dozen American cities, including Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. This service easily unblocks platforms such as MLB.tv, ESPN+, and NBC Sports, so you should have no trouble accessing your preferred content. Moreover, the speeds are fast enough that you should not experience any lag or buffering. Per account, up to six simultaneous connections are permitted.
This provider is renowned for its commitment to security. It conceals your activities using a combination of 256-bit encryption, protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks, and an app-specific kill switch. There are even obfuscated servers designed to provide additional privacy, allowing you to browse safely in countries such as China. NordVPN adheres to a no-logging policy and accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple. Support is available via email and live chat around the clock.
Users of NordVPN can download applications for Linux, MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. Alternately, you can install the VPN manually on their router to protect every device on their home network.
BEST VPN FOR CHICAGO: NordVPN is our top recommendation for Chicago residents and visitors. It is a highly adaptable service with high speeds, industry-leading security features, and remarkable unblocking capacity. In addition, you can try the service risk-free for 30 days with a money-back guarantee.
Still have questions? Find the answers in our comprehensive review of NordVPN.
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2. SurfShark
Users of Surfshark have access to servers located in 25 U.S. cities, including Chicago. This provider has approximately 3,200 servers across 65 countries. Users are able to access a vast array of platforms (including Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube TV) from any device due to the lack of any connection restrictions. Moreover, with consistent and dependable speeds, you should be able to watch at high resolutions without noticeable buffering or lag.
Despite how simple it is to use, this VPN has numerous security features built in. For example, there is a kill switch, 256-bit encryption, protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, and a NoBorders mode that conceals the fact that you are using a VPN. Perhaps most importantly, Surfshark does not keep any logs, so no one can discover your activities. Help is accessible 24/7 via live chat and email if you encounter any issues.
There are Surfshark applications for Android, Windows, iOS, Linux, and MacOS. This service is compatible with certain routers via manual configuration.
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3. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN has approximately 3,000 servers in 94 countries worldwide. This includes 15 cities in the United States, including Chicago. Given this service’s superior streaming capabilities and the fact that it’s the fastest we’ve tested, it’s a no-brainer for anyone looking to stream content while traveling abroad. You will have access to platforms such as Netflix, Sling TV, and Disney+, among others. Five devices can be connected simultaneously.
This provider is an industry leader in terms of security. It uses 256-bit AES encryption and a kill switch, in addition to DNS and IPv6 leak protection, to ensure that your activities are always safe from snoopers. You can also choose to block all local connections or to allow specific applications to traverse the VPN. ExpressVPN does not store logs that could identify you. Using Bitcoin and a disposable email address, it is possible to register with near-complete anonymity. Support via live chat is available around the clock.
ExpressVPN’s Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android apps are quick and responsive. It provides its own router firmware, which simplifies the process of securing the entire network.
GREAT VPN FOR EVERYDAY USE: ExpressVPN meets all requirements. It’s ideal for day-to-day activities in Chicago and everywhere else thanks to its high speeds, great security features, and impressive unblocking potential. Each plan includes a thirty-day money-back guarantee.
- Read the complete ExpressVPN review for additional information.
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4. CyberGhost
CyberGhost has one of the largest networks available, with more than 7,000 servers in more than 90 countries. There are approximately 1,200 in the United States and 100 in Chicago. There are even servers designed for specific tasks, such as anonymous torrenting or secure Netflix streaming. Thanks to this VPN’s unlimited bandwidth and quick connections, it can do almost anything. Seven devices can be connected simultaneously per account.
CyberGhost excels at simplifying security, which is one of its greatest strengths. There is no configuration required for 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and malware scanning. Additionally, it is one of the few services that supports the new, secure, and quick Wireguard protocol. CyberGhost does not store traffic logs and offers email and live chat support around the clock.
CyberGhost provides applications for iOS, Android, MacOS, Linux, and Windows. If you wish to install it on your home router, you will need to manually configure it.
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PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN offers approximately 200 servers in 63 countries and 12 U.S. cities, including Chicago. This VPN can handle anything you throw at it, from unblocking obstinate streaming services like Amazon Prime Video to enabling anonymous torrenting. Best of all, it is among the fastest services we’ve tested and supports up to 10 simultaneous connections.
With 256-bit encryption, IPv6 and DNS leak protection, and a programmable kill switch, this service ensures that you will never again have to browse the web unprotected. You can even enable stealth mode to access the Internet securely in China and other countries. PrivateVPN has a no-logging policy and accepts Bitcoin payments. The majority of the day, agents are available via live chat and email to assist with any issues that may arise.
PrivateVPN provides user-friendly applications for MacOS, iOS, Windows, and Android. Linux systems and select routers are also supported, but must be manually configured.
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How to protect yourself with a VPN in Chicago
Unfamiliar with VPNs and uncertain where to start? These services are significantly easier to use than you might expect. Simply follow the steps below to obtain a US IP address or conceal your data in Chicago. You can also obtain a Chicago IP address from abroad by connecting to a Chicago-based VPN server.
Here’s how to make use of a VPN in Chicago:
You must first determine which VPN to use. As stated previously, we recommend NordVPN.
Now, download and install the VPN app on all of your frequently used devices. The majority of providers permit approximately five concurrent connections.
Connect to a server of your VPN. If privacy is your only concern, any location will suffice. To access a region-restricted service, you must connect to a server in the appropriate country.
All of your Internet traffic is now encrypted, rendering it unreadable to prying eyes. This enables you to use public WiFi hotspots in Chicago without fear of being observed.
Finding the most reliable VPNs for Chicago
There are numerous reasons why a VPN may be required in Chicago. You may be attempting to protect your online activities from snoopers during a brief visit, or you may simply wish to stream live Bears games. In either case, there are a few essential considerations. Here are the most important criteria we used to identify the best VPNs for Chicago:
The larger the network, the less likely you are to experience slow speeds during peak hours. However, location is also significant; we sought VPNs with server clusters in at least 60 countries and a strong presence in the United States. Thus, you will be able to bypass regional sporting blackouts and access geo-blocked services from abroad.
Performance: Slow speeds are, at best, a distraction and, at worst, a liability. Our team conducts frequent speed tests on a variety of VPNs, making us uniquely qualified to determine which ones can handle anything you throw at them and which ones are too slow to be truly useful.
We prefer VPNs that provide secure access to a variety of region-restricted streaming services. To determine their adaptability, we test them on platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and ESPN+.
Priority is placed on ensuring that your browsing habits remain private at all times. Therefore, we require our recommended VPNs to have a no-logging policy, 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. Naturally, we would prefer to see an even greater variety of security features included.
We believe that everyone should have access to digital privacy. Therefore, we prefer VPNs that are user-friendly for beginners. Anything that lowers the barrier to entry is incredibly valuable, whether it be 24/7 support, the absence of connection limits, or servers optimized for streaming.
Are free VPN in Chicago safe to use?
Free VPNs can be enticing at first glance, but they have more than their fair share of flaws when you scratch the surface. They typically cannot access streaming services such as Netflix and are generally ineffective for streaming anyway. Even if they are able to unblock a platform, free VPNs typically have low data limits and extremely slow speeds.
These services also pose a significant security risk. According to one study, nearly forty percent of free VPN applications surveyed contained malware. This means that there is a significant possibility that you are actively compromising your security by selecting a free VPN. It is also important to note that 18 percent of the more than 280 apps studied did not use encryption, rendering them practically useless from a privacy standpoint. Instead of using a free service, we recommend sticking with reputable, no-logs providers for maximum security.
VPN FAQs for Chicago
Are VPNs legal in Illinois?
VPNs are permitted throughout the United States and the majority of the world. In other words, utilizing a VPN in Illinois will not result in legal consequences. It is important to note that these services do not give you carte blanche to commit online crimes; if you use a VPN to harass someone, for example, you could still face consequences. However, as long as you do nothing illegal, you won’t encounter any issues.
How can a VPN benefit my travels?
VPNs can be used for significantly more than just accessing foreign streaming services. For example, you can connect to a server in your home country to securely access your online banking service from abroad without fear of your account being temporarily locked. Not having access to your funds may seem like a minor inconvenience, but if you’re in a foreign country, it can be a major issue.
With a VPN, you will be able to browse privately wherever you are. Even if you connect to a public wifi hotspot, which are notoriously insecure, the VPN will encrypt your data. In other words, even if an attacker is monitoring the network, they won’t be able to see what you’re doing or intercept sensitive data such as login credentials and payment information.
