CNET Survey: 43% of Americans Use VPNs, Citing Privacy as the Primary Reason. Experts Expect That Number to Rise

Virtual privacy networks are gaining popularity. Between January’s short-lived TikTok ban, the rise of AI scams and online privacy concerns, Americans are turning to VPNs to access restricted content or to increase their security. An exclusive CNET survey found that 43% of US adults are using VPNs, and nearly half do so to safeguard their online activity and IP address. 

Given how much we do online, Neal O’Farrell, a cybersecurity expert with over 40 years of experience and founder of Think Security First, believes we all should be using VPNs — especially if you’re worried about someone tracking your web surfing habits. 

“Instead of rolling the dice and hoping that no one’s snooping, just don’t take the chance,” said O’Farrell. Although the majority of Americans are not yet using a VPN, O’Farrell suspects that usage will increase as privacy concerns grow.

Interest in using a VPN to access banned or blocked content increased earlier this year, particularly when TikTok went down for a few hours on the night of Jan. 18. CNET’s survey found that 50% of Gen Zers and 50% of millennials used a VPN to attempt to access a restricted app or site since the start of 2025.

“The threat of a TikTok ban in the US caused a surge in VPN interest because many folks were seeking ways to bypass restricted access,” said Moe Long, a CNET senior security editor. “But in my testing, using a VPN to unblock TikTok wasn’t a viable solution. Still, this illustrates how VPNs are becoming more mainstream — we’ve also witnessed this trend with more folks turning to VPNs for streaming region-restricted content, like loading foreign Netflix libraries or watching BBC iPlayer outside of the UK.”

VPNs are legal in most countries. However, several countries ban or restrict VPN usage, and using one could lead to legal consequences. Here’s what CNET’s survey uncovered about why and how people use VPNs. If you’re interested in trying a VPN, I’ve compiled tips from online security experts.

Who’s using VPNs?

CNET found that 43% of US adults use a VPN, a number O’Farrell expects to rise as people become more worried about their data being tracked. Here’s how that number breaks down:

Men tend to use a VPN more than women. Half of the men surveyed have used or currently use a VPN, compared to 36% of women. Younger generations tend to use VPNs more, with 50% of both Gen Zers and millennials reporting they use a VPN.

Once people try a VPN, they seem to stick to it; 10% say they’ve used or tried using a VPN for one to two years, while 19% say they’ve used one for over two years. Here’s a closer look: 

More people are protecting their phones with VPNs

In the past VPNs have been commonly used on laptops and tablets, especially for work or to stream sports. However, 51% of US adults are now using VPNs on their phones. followed by 50% who use them on their personal computer, laptop or tablet. 

O’Farrell thinks using a VPN for mobile phone usage is wise.

“We forget that we transact and conduct so many sensitive discussions and transactions on our phones,” said O’Farrell. “Threats are everywhere, and if you’re using your phone as a daily tool, you need to be protecting that.” 

If you’re considering a VPN for your phone, you don’t need to look specifically for a mobile VPN, said Long.

“The best VPNs seamlessly switch between Wi-Fi and mobile networks, and in my testing, the major VPNs all worked smoothly on phones and computers,” said Long. Most VPNs support Android, iOS, and iPadOS, Long added.

Why are people using VPNs?

Most US adults turn to a VPN for its primary function — to protect their IP address. The second leading reason is to keep their online activity private. Other reasons range from streaming video games to accessing restricted content and apps. 

We asked experts to weigh in on the top reasons people are using VPNs, and here’s what we learned. 

Privacy 

Nearly half (47%) of US adults use VPNs to keep their online activity private. 

A VPN routes your online traffic through an encrypted virtual server, preventing apps and websites from viewing your IP address by masking it with your VPN server’s IP address. This protects your actual IP address, as well as your internet service provider, your online activity and your location.  

There are limits to what a VPN protects, however. It can’t secure your payment information, cookies and account logins.

If you use public Wi-Fi, such as at a coffee shop or airport, O’Farrell recommends connecting to a VPN. CNET’s technology writer, Attila Tomaschek, added that a quality VPN is usually fast enough for regular internet activities, even on public Wi-Fi. 

Accessing banned content

Accessing content that’s banned in your area is another common reason people are using VPNs, according to CNET’s findings. 

Users might connect to a VPN to watch regionally locked sports games or a show only offered in another country. Others might have even tried a VPN to access TikTok during the hours it was down in January. 

Since Jan. 1, 2024, 17% of US adults have tried accessing a banned app or website in their area, such as TikTok. Of those using a VPN to access illegal or banned apps, 45% started using a VPN in the past year.

You can’t always use a VPN to access banned apps, however. For example, Long tried accessing TikTok through a VPN during the app’s temporary ban last month and couldn’t. Some websites and apps have firewalls and VPN detection features that can block you. Content can also be restricted to certain regions due to licensing agreements and copyright restrictions, Tomaschek said. 

It’s also important to understand if accessing content is legal in your country. For example, accessing a TV show that’s regionally blocked is generally not illegal, as long as VPN usage is legal in your country. However, there are other ramifications you can face. If accessing blocked content violates your streaming service’s user agreement, your account could be suspended. 

You should never use a VPN to access illegal content or violate VPN laws in your country. If you do, you could face fines or imprisonment. 

“If it is banned in a specific country, the authorities in that country will have a right to access who’s accessing it,” O’Farrell said.

VPNs are banned or restricted in the below countries:

• Belarus 
• China
• Iran
• Oman
• Russia
• Turkmenistan
• United Arab Emirates 

Saving money on streaming

Using a VPN to alter your server’s location can help you lock in lower prices on items or services, which may be cheaper in other states, regions or countries. 

We found that 19% of US adults who use VPNs do so to save on streaming service costs, including TV, sports, and music. This breaks down to 12% who use VPNs to save on streaming TV, 9% to save money on streaming sports and 8% on streaming music, with some respondents using VPNS to save on more than one streaming service.

For example, Long tested using a VPN to save money on streaming content and was able to save $6 on renting a movie by using a VPN to change his location to the UK.

If you want to try using a VPN to save on streaming costs, make sure you check the service’s terms and conditions for any language that prohibits the use of VPNs.

VPNs can also help you save money on travel, but only 9% of VPN users are using one to save on plane tickets, hotels, rental cars and other travel expenses. When using a VPN to get the best price on travel, don’t forget to factor in exchange rates and international transaction fees.

Interested in trying a VPN?

CNET experts have been testing VPNs for over a decade, and have done hands-on testing to help you find the right one. If you’re considering trying a VPN, here’s what CNET experts say to look for.

Privacy standards 

CNET editors recommend looking for a VPN with AES 256-bit encryption to hide sensitive information, and a no-logging policy to prevent any of your online activity from being saved by your VPN provider. Look for other privacy features, too — like DNS leak protection and a kill switch.

Tomaschek recommends ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Proton VPN as quality providers. 

Watch out: VPNs aren’t a security measure to shield you from identity theft or scams. Yes, you’ll shield your location, but that doesn’t stop your device from getting a virus or malware. Tomaschek recommends both a VPN and antivirus software since they serve different purposes. Some VPNs are now even offering identity theft protection like ExpressVPN’s Identity Defender and NordVPN’s NordProtect.

Internet speed 

Many VPNs will slow your internet speed by 50% or more, but a VPN that’s considered fast will only slow your speed by 25% or less. If you’re using a VPN to stream or play video games, you’ll want to find one with low speed loss. Tomascheck recommends NordVPN. 

Servers and locations

As you narrow down your VPN choice, pay attention to the number of servers and locations the VPN offers. The more servers and locations it has, the more options you’ll have for bypassing geo-restrictions and accessing a wider variety of content from different countries. More importantly, you’ll have other options if a server is down in one location. 

VPN support 

If you plan to use your VPN on multiple devices, make sure your VPN can handle those simultaneously. Some VPNs allow eight to 10 devices at once, while others don’t have a limit. It’s also important to make sure your VPN supports your operating system. Some VPNs may be better compatible with Windows and MacOS, while mobile VPNs may work better on iOS and Android. Your device may also play a part in your VPN’s performance. We recommend looking at CNET’s best VPNs to help you narrow down your search. 

Methodology

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,429 adults, of which 1,057 have ever used a VPN. Fieldwork was undertaken between 3 to 5 Feb. 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18 or over).