4 Best VPN on Public WiFi in 2025: How to Use a VPN with Hotspots

Public WiFi hotspots are pretty common these days; however, they aren’t very secure. Luckily, you can minimize this risk by using a secure VPN on public WiFi.

Today everyone uses public WiFi hotspots.

In fact, using public WiFi is the dream of every internet user, especially when anyone is traveling and needs to use the internet (either to get in touch with the family or to submit work).

However, free public WiFi is vulnerable to threats due to a lack of security (encryption). That’s where a VPN comes in. You can use a VPN on public WiFi to stay protected.

A VPN will encrypt your traffic while you’re connected to a public WiFi hotspot.

Apart from that, you can use it to bypass geo-restricted content; for instance, you can watch abroad content on your smartphone.

That’s why we always suggest you use a VPN on public WiFi.

However, finding a good VPN that works fine on public WiFi can be a bit complex, and that’s why we’ve compiled a list of the four best VPN providers for public WiFis available in the market. Let’s dive into it!

4 Best VPN on Public WiFi in 2025

Here’s a quick list of the four best VPN providers for public WiFis to try in 2025:

1. NordVPN 
2. Surfshark
3. Atlas VPN
4. ExpressVPN

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is one of the best-known VPN service providers out there; all credit goes to its excellent security, ease of use, and vast server network.

In fact, the name itself is correspondent with the VPN market as a whole.

And if you’ve been searching the internet for a reliable and quality VPN on public WiFi, you’re undoubtedly recommended this VPN provider.

Regarding platform support, NordVPN has applications for almost all platforms (operating systems) available in the market. The provider actually boasts about its platform support.

It supports Android, Mac, Linux, Windows, and iOS with apps. Moreover, you can quickly get NordVPN working on any operating system.

In addition, NordVPN comes with a setup guide for almost all platforms that you can ever think of; that way, you would have to worry if this provider will work for your device or not.

From BlackBerry to Western Digital network attached storage, NordVPN has a guide for everything. Also, you can connect six devices simultaneously with one account.

However, suppose you aren’t satisfied with its simultaneous device connection limit and are bumping up against it.

In that case, you can quickly get out of this situation by installing the VPN on your router.

In fact, installing it on your device while you’re traveling is the best option as it’ll protect your internet connection, and NordVPN is the best VPN on public WiFi.

Now, speaking of its feature set, NordVPN no doubt lives up to its billing as a premium quality VPN provider.

All the essential features are there, and it goes further with a wide range of unique features and server networks.

With that being said, it certainly isn’t lacking when it comes to features.

With NordVPN, you’ll get a unique kill switch feature that automatically disconnects your device from the internet whenever the VPN connection fails.

Moreover, an app kill switch allows you to specify the apps, which will automatically get closed whenever your connection drops or your device gets disconnected from the VPN.

Besides that, NordVPN comes with two different choices in terms of split tunneling.

The first method is specifying which applications bypass the VPN protection tunnel while the rest of your apps are still going through it.

On the other hand, you can choose to allow your VPN for some apps, with others going unprotected.

That’s not all; the provider even has a few standout features, such as its recently launched dark web monitoring tool. It’s currently available for Mac, Android, and iOS.

The tool constantly scours dark web repositories which associate data with your email address.

For instance, you can quickly check the dark web marketplaces to see if your email address comes up.

Moreover, if NordVPN detects any exposure connected to your private information, you’ll get an alert asking you to take remedial action immediately.

Another standout feature of NordVPN is the CyberSec tool. It basically blocks malware and ads when enabled. Remember, by default, it’s turned off.

Whenever you connect your device with NordVPN, its CyberSec tool automatically shifts via your web browser’s requests.

And if any of these are directed at a blocked hostname, your request will also be blocked. That way, it blocks all malicious websites and ads, offering you more security.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is one of the well-known VPN providers in the VPN market that offers a bunch of advanced features for an affordable price.

Ever since it came to light, the provider has successfully been categorized as a reliable VPN that you can use while being connected to public WiFi, all thanks to its excellent speeds, great user experience, and strong security.

The provider was launched back in 2018 and is registered in the British Virgin Islands (a privacy-friendly country).

However, in 2021, it moved to the Netherlands, and since then, it has abided by the laws of the Netherlands.

Moreover, early this year, Surfshark merged with NordSecurity to acquire a competitive edge over various other VPN providers.

Furthermore, it’s a good option if you want to use a VPN on public WiFi.

All thanks to its easy user interface, Surfshark VPN grabs a place on our best VPN on public WiFi for beginners list.

We truly appreciate the fact that it comes with an explanation below all its features that makes it very easy to use for both newbie and veteran users.

Moreover, its website is also straightforward to use and has a chat support button on each page.

You can install Surfshark VPN on almost all operating systems, including Mac, Android, Linux, iOS, Windows, and routers.

That makes it a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a good yet affordable VPN on public WiFi.

Additionally, it’s packed with amazing and unique features. Surfshark covers the basic features as well as has a few unique ones.

Just like most VPN providers today, Surfshark has an automatic kill switch feature. This tool will shut down your internet traffic whenever the VPN connection falls.

In addition to that, Surfshark also has a split tunneling tool which you can find under the name “Bypasser.”

It allows you to select which application to go via a VPN tunnel and which one to stay unprotected.

Moreover, you can also specify some IP addresses and websites to bypass the VPN. Surfshark even has an ad and malware blocker known as CleanWeb.

While various ad-blocking browser extensions are available in the market, CleanWeb can stop ads from loading in web browsers and apps.

Additionally, the CleanWeb feature also works on mobile devices (Android and iOS). However, it might disable a few elements in ad-reliant games.

This tool even prevents users from opening malware-infected websites. The VP provider has a selection of fourteen paired VPN server locations known as MultiHop servers.

The MultiHop servers route all your online traffic via VPN servers in two countries instead of one.

That way, even if one of the servers fails to provide security, your IP address will still be protected and private because of another server.

Today, you can just connect to predefined pairs; however, Surfshark will soon allow you to choose your team.

The latest addition to Surfshark VPN’s features is the ability to rotate your IP address constantly.

Although it might not be that useful for a majority of VPN users, it’s great for organizations that do a lot of data scraping and want constantly rotating IP addresses to avoid being blocked.

This is also beneficial to gamers who need to circumvent IP address bans. Apart from the rotating IP addresses, the provider also has static servers.

However, it’s more like a business feature and is beneficial to users who need a constant IP address.

Remember, these aren’t dedicated IP addresses. These servers offer you the same IP address all the time; however, it’s also shared with other users.

3. Atlas VPN

Atlas VPN claims itself as one of the fastest free VPN providers out there and is a newly introduced provider of VPN services that has thrown its hats into the already crowded VPN field.

It entered the marketplace in 2019 and was acquired by NordSecurity in 2021. It’s currently a leading alternative for anyone who wants to use a VPN on public WiFi.

When it comes to platform support, the coverage of Atlas VPN isn’t as comprehensive as other top-tier VPN services, such as Surfshark and NordVPN.

It currently covers only major operating systems: iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac. Sadly, it doesn’t support the Linux operating system yet.

Apart from that, Atlas VPN comes with various applications for Amazon Fire TV and Android TV.

In fact, it’s one of the best and most affordable options if you want to employ a handy VPN on public WiFi.

The provider also has all the essential features that one would expect from a VPN. Plus, it even offers a commendable suite of advanced tools.

You’ll have a kill switch feature with Atlas VPN that stops all your internet traffic whenever your VPN connection drops to prevent any accidental data leaks.

Isn’t that amazing? With the split tunneling tool, you can easily specify some applications to use the VPN tunnel while allowing others to access your internet network directly.

However, Atlas VPN’s split tunneling function is currently available only for Android, sidelining iOS, Windows, and Mac users.

Don’t worry; it’ll soon enable this tool for other operating systems as well. Moreover, just like Surfshark, Atlas VPN also allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices at once.

The premium Atlas VPN plan removes the data limit, allowing you to enjoy unlimited data. You’ll also get a tracker blocker that can block ads, party cookies, and malicious websites.

The tracker blocker will also show you the number of trackers it has detected and blocked. That way, you’ll know if the tool is working correctly or not.

Besides that, Atlas VPN has a data breach monitoring tool that scours the internet to see if your email address has been compromised or not.

The tool instantly sends a security alert when your information appears in a new data breach. So that you can change your VPN account credentials to avoid any leak of your personal data.

Moreover, Atlas VPN comes packed with valuable features and sports a design that makes the use of these features relatively easy.

However, its passwordless login procedure isn’t very user-friendly, to be honest. The provider has an Achilles’ heel for security.

That’s great because the primary purpose of a VPN is to provide safety and privacy.

Regarding the VPN protocols, Atlas VPN supports reliable and trusted IPsec/IKEv2 and WireGuard encryption protocols.

It uses ChaCha20-Poly1305 with WireGuard protocol and AES-256 with IPsec/IKEv2. These are the market standard and should offer excellent protection to your device.

Finally, the provider claims to follow a strict zero-log policy.

As per its privacy policy, Atlas VPN doesn’t monitor, keep or share your personal details, IP address, or online activity with anyone.

It currently has over 750 servers in 42 locations and 36 countries. It heavily covers European areas but also covers other regions like Oceania, Asia, and the Americas.

4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is one of the best VPN providers out there when it comes to using a VPN on public WiFi.

It’s a secure and fast VPN service that guarantees to get you into various streaming services while keeping you away from prying eyes.

It has consistently ranked as our best VPN to use on a public WiFi listing. That’s because everything about this provider is rock solid.

No doubt, ExpressVPN is one of the top VPN providers that pulls off updates to stay ahead of most of its well-known competitors.

The provider comes with installers for almost all devices that you could ever imagine. That way, it allows you to keep your data protected no matter where you’re.

In fact, ExpressVPN has applications for Mac, Windows, Linux distros, Android, iOS, and routers.

Besides that, it natively supports Chromecast, Kindle Fire, Roku, Fire TV, and other smart TV systems.

Moreover, you can also use your ExpressVPN on Chrome OS via the Google Play Store.

Similarly, ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer can be used on Xbox One, Xbox 360, Apple TV, PS5, PS4, and various other gaming consoles.

Well, this function won’t give you the same level of security and protection.

Moreover, you can easily install the VPN provider manually on devices that allow it, although the procedure can be a little complicated.

On top of all these, ExpressVPN has all the features that one would look for in a good VPN on public WiFi. It has an in-app split tunneling tool that only a few VPN providers offer.

It makes the entire split tunneling process a lot easier. As it allows you to directly specify in the application which programs will use a VPN connection and which won’t.

How to Use a VPN on Public WiFi?

Configuring a VPN on public WiFi can be a bit tricky if you don’t know the exact procedure.

However, after reading this article, you’ll be able to easily configure a VPN on your device and use it while using unsecured public WiFi.

First of all, you’ll need to select a VPN that is secured enough to protect you. You can use any of the mentioned VPN providers as each of them comes with robust encryption.

However, if you want to use the best, then NordVPN is a great choice.

Once you’ve decided on a VPN for yourself, sign up for one. Then, simply download and install its application on your desired device.

Launch the app and connect your device to the desired server location. If you want to surf the internet without buffering, use a server that is closer to you.

After selecting a server, press the “Connect” button and do whatever you want.

FAQs

In Summary, the best VPNs in 2025 are;

Conclusion

That’s all for today! This article talked about four leading VPNs you can easily use while being connected to public WiFi.

While each of them is good enough to be used, NordVPN is the best of all.

It’s currently the best VPN on public WiFi that you’ll find on the market. It comes with unique features, robust encryption, and a wide range of servers.