It is perfectly reasonable to use a VPN to access your online banking account. A VPN will make for an even more secure experience than it already is. Also, with a VPN running on your computer or some other device, you will be able to check your balances or make transactions even in places like public Wi-Fi hotspots.
A VPN keeps your connection secure by encrypting all data coming to and from your devices, whether it’s a computer, a smartphone, a tablet or some other device. For instance, your router could be set up to sing along a VPN, thus keeping your entire network protected. This would mean that your smart TV and even a gaming console get to benefit from a VPN connection.
But that’s not all; beyond protecting your connection, a VPN can also unlock some “doors” for you that would otherwise be closed. Think: accessing media sites in high-censorship countries or accessing streaming services that you couldn’t access from where you live.
Also, you get to be anonymous online with a VPN, so that the likes of Google and Facebook can’t easily track you down.
All being said, here are the best VPNs for online banking that will work in other situations just as well:
Pros
Cons
- 5,000+ servers in the network
- Easy to use - install it and forget it
- One license is good for up to 6 devices
- Strict zero-logs policy
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Chrome extension is just a proxy
- You can't pay with PayPal
Summary
Its network includes more than 5,000 servers spread across 60 countries, which directly translates into faster speeds. NordVPN is also very secure, relying on the strong 256-bit encryption combined with secure VPN protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec). But as a user, you get a seamless experience with all this technology "doing its thing" in the background.
NordVPN is well suited to pretty much every task you throw at it — whether it's accessing a banned site from some country that filters out the internet, torrenting, accessing streaming services, or just wanting to keep a low profile on the web. It also doesn't keep any logs.
We highly recommend NordVPN to anyone looking for reliable service.
Pros
Cons
- Feature-rich yet easy to use
- One of the best VPNs around
- Strong no-logging policy
- Reliable support you can reach 24/7
- Limited number of servers in Africa and the Middle East
- Kinda pricey
Summary
ExpressVPN has great desktop apps for Windows and Mac, mobile apps and browser extensions. Also, it is well suited for video streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and others.
However, what makes it stand out is its ease of use. We can't emphasize this enough. One could tell a lot of time has been spent making sure even the advanced features are easily accessible. And we love it for that. Plus, let's not forget ExpressVPN's speed which tends to leave other services in the dust.
Pros
Cons
- It's super fast!
- Works with Netflix, BBC and others
- Easy to use apps, browser extensions
- You can try it for free!
- Some advanced features are not configurable
- Not the best for high-censorship countries
Summary
Furthermore, thanks to the availability of browser extensions - Hotspot Shield is also one of our top choices for Chrome and Firefox VPNs.
Your privacy is equally well protected, with the software only collecting some anonymized that help continually improve its service.
There is one caveat though - it won't work in high-censorship countries like China. If you don't need that in the first place, we highly recommend Hotspot Shield.
As that's typically the case with most VPN services out there, the longer you commit - the better deal you get. However, what makes Hotspot Shield even better is the fact that it offers a 7-day free trial of its service. A few other top VPN providers do the same. Plus, its money-back guarantee lasts for 45 days, making for a risk-free purchase. Cause, you can always get your money back. Sweet and just the way we like it.
Pros
Cons
- Reliable download and upload speeds
- Works with Netflix and BBC iPlayer
- Strict zero-logs policy
- Lets you use it on unlimited number of devices
- Low number of servers in Africa and Australia
Summary
You can rely on it for streaming and torrenting, with included extra features like CleanWeb and MultiHop, delivering a that much better — and more secure — experience.
Surfshark, the company, is based in the British Virgin Islands and with its zero-logs policy makes for a powerful combo to anyone looking to keep its web whereabouts under the radar.
The service is easy to use and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
Cons
- One the best VPNs for torrenting
- Works well with Netflix
- Simple setup on all popular devices
- Strict zero-logs policy
- Doesn't work with BBC iPlayer
- Doesn't work in China
Summary
Its desktop apps are not among the prettiest ones, but they get the job done. The important thing is that installation is easy and straightforward, and that no logs are kept by the company.
When it comes to pricing, IPVanish is somewhere in the middle — it's not the most affordable option but also not the most expensive one. As noted, it will be most appreciated by heavy BitTorrent users, and — related — Kodi fans.
How we’ve selected the best VPNs for online banking?
You may be wondering how we’ve come up with the list of the Best VPNs for online banking. Well, we’ve set a few criteria and put the VPNs through several tests:
1. Encryption
Strong encryption means strong security. Not every VPN offers world-class encryption but the best do. You see, high-level encryption is key to preventing hackers from gaining access to your personal information. We’ve selected VPNs that offer 256-bit AES encryption, which is the same standard used by governments around the world.
2. Server network
The general rule is that the bigger the network of servers a VPN has, the better service you’ll get. Also, a large server network with worldwide coverage and solid leak protection is important to prevent lockouts caused by accessing your account from a foreign country or a server in a foreign country.
3. Speed
Somewhat related to the previous point as the speed has a lot to do with the size of the server network — especially if you’re accessing your online banking account from another country. But that’s just one of the pieces of the puzzle as the speed is also related to the VPN protocol used. So we’ve tested VPNs to come up with those that are both secure and fast.
4. Mobile
You may access your online banking account from your smartphone and would therefore benefit from a mobile VPN. The good news is that pretty much all VPNs have a mobile app. However, not all these apps are great. And again, we’ve selected VPNs with great mobile apps that are easy to use.
5. Overall experience
Chances are you won’t be using a VPN only to access your online banking account, but also for other things. Whether we’re talking about streaming services that could otherwise be outside of your reach or you just want to keep a low profile on the web — you’ll want a companion you can trust. Therefore, we’ve summed it all up and went for VPNs that offer an all-around amazing experience.
Essential online banking tips
Using a VPN is just one piece of the puzzle and by no means you should exclusively rely on it.
First, you should always use a 2-factor or multi-factor authentication for accessing your online banking account. This can include having secure login codes sent to your phone or email, using an external security device, or adding biometric recognition to your login. Every additional level of authentication you add makes it harder for a cybercriminal to hack into your account.
Keep an eye out for phishing scams like fake emails or phone calls. Banks never send their customers emails asking them to click on a link or to send them passwords over the email or phone.
Last but not least is also the simplest thing you could do — to monitor your account as much as possible. The more you check, the quicker you can identify and report any suspicious activity. To make this easier, see if you can enable alerts so that you’re instantly notified whenever someone logs in, makes a purchase, or initiates a transfer.
Get a VPN for all your needs
Being secure when online banking is important but you will probably also need a VPN for other purposes. For what it matters, we have it enabled at all times and think you should do it too. Let a VPN do its magic in the background as you safely and securely browse the web, download stuff, watch movies and so on. In that sense, a good VPN will:
- Protect your privacy from the government and big corporations
- Bypass restrictions imposed by the government or various organizations
- Change your IP address so you get unrestricted access to Netflix, Disney+, iPlayer, HULU, and other video streaming services
- Encrypt and protect private data from cybercriminals
The top contenders that check all these boxes include the following:
