NordVPN
All-round choice: simple apps and up to 10 devices
- Up to 10 devices on one account
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- No-logs policy checked by independent auditors
VPN guide
★ Our pick
Best VPN for Public Wi-Fi
Protect your connection on café, hotel and airport Wi-Fi. NordVPN, Surfshark and Proton VPN compared for public hotspots.
Public Wi-Fi in cafés, hotels and airports is convenient but risky. Anyone on the same network can potentially intercept your data with freely available tools. A VPN encrypts your connection so your passwords, messages and banking stay private — even on an open hotspot.
Surfshark
Big households: unlimited devices on one account
- Unlimited devices on one account
- 30-day money-back guarantee on the first purchase
- No-logs policy independently assessed (2025 report)
Proton VPN
Try before you pay: a free plan for one device
- Free plan to start (1 device)
- Up to 10 devices on the Plus plan
- Swiss company, also behind Proton Mail
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Side by side
Best VPN for Public Wi-Fi
Facts from each brand's official site, checked 27 Oct 2026. Prices change often: today's price is on the official site.
| NordVPN | Surfshark | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days (first purchase) | 30 days (paid plans) |
| Devices | Up to 10 | Unlimited | 10 on Plus · 1 on the free plan |
| Free option | No free plan | 7-day free trial (conditions on the official site) | Free plan (1 device) |
| Company base | Panama (parent company in the Netherlands) | Netherlands (Surfshark B.V.) | Switzerland (Proton) |
| Best for | All-round choice: simple apps and up to 10 devices | Big households: unlimited devices on one account | Try before you pay: a free plan for one device |
| NordVPN | Surfshark | Proton VPN |
Tips
Tips
Connect before you browse
Switch the VPN on before opening your bank, email or any login page. Once it's active, your data is encrypted end to end.
Use the nearest server
A server close to your location keeps speeds high while still encrypting everything.
Enable auto-connect
Most VPNs can connect automatically whenever you join a new Wi-Fi network. Set it once and forget it.
Questions
Is public Wi-Fi really dangerous?
Without encryption, others on the same network can intercept your traffic. A VPN prevents this by creating an encrypted tunnel.
Does a VPN slow down café Wi-Fi?
Encryption adds a small step, but on modern VPNs the difference is barely noticeable — typically 5–15 % at most.
Should I use a VPN at home too?
It adds privacy on any network, but public Wi-Fi is where the risk is highest.
Complete your setup