Disclosure
Affiliate Commissions

CyberWaters is supported by its readers, therefore we may receive affiliate commissions if you purchase goods or services via our links. We appreciate your support.

5 Best VPNs for Charlotte in 2023 (Get Charlotte IP)

Best VPN for Charlotte

Charlotte VPN Key Points

  • A Charlotte VPN can be very convenient for accessing local services when in a different location or just protecting your connection while in the city.
  • It’s crucial to pick a trusted service that offers server options in Charlotte or nearby cities.
  • The right VPN doesn’t necessarily need to offer servers in the city, as long as it supports server options in nearby locations and offers fast connections.

Our tests have shown that NordVPN is overall the best VPN for Charlotte.

If you live in Charlotte, you might find it difficult to access websites in different regions or countries. Moreover, even if you’re just using local and other US services, you can never be too sure that the site or the connection you’re on is safe and 100% private.

For this reason, you need a reliable VPN for Charlotte. A strong VPN can keep you safe online and help you access any site in any location that would otherwise be restricted. In this thorough guide and review article, I’ll share with you the five best Charlotte VPNs and talk about other important details.

But, before I go into the specifics and discuss my top picks, I’ve drafted this streamlined and time-saving table. So, if you’re looking for quick tips, the information below can be helpful:

The Best VPNs for Charlotte – our shortlist:

  1. NordVPN – Overall the best Charlotte VPN.
  2. Surfshark – Best for unlimited connections.
  3. AtlasVPN – Charlotte VPN with a free version.
  4. ExpressVPN – A fast premium VPN for Charlotte.
  5. Private Internet Access – VPN with the biggest server grid.

A Quick Charlotte Virtual Private Network Comparison

RankVPN ServiceMy ScoreAvailable ServersSimultaneous ConnectionsSupported Platforms
1.NordVPN4.8/55200+6Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Routers
2.Surfshark4.6/53200+UnlimitedAndroid, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Routers
3.Atlas VPN4.5/5750+UnlimitedAndroid, iOS, Windows, macOS
4.ExpressVPN4.3/53000+5Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Routers
5.Private Internet Access4.2/530,000+10Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Routers

Why Use a VPN for Charlotte?

There are several major reasons why you should use a provider for Charlotte. I’ll go over the few that stand out the most:

  • Protect Your Privacy – As the US is known for heavily surveilling its citizens, a VPN for the United States is the most effective way to get your privacy back. Additionally, some ISPs have also been outed for collecting consumer traffic data and using them for profit. If all of this isn’t enough to convince you, there’s also the constant threat of online attacks and hackers.
  • Protect Devices on Public Wi-Fi – If you often use public WiFi networks, a VPN connection is a must-have. Its encryption will protect your connection and prevent anyone from stealing your data when using public Wi-Fi.
  • Bypass Geo-blocks – You may have found that an increasing number of websites in the US and other regions worldwide require you to have an IP address in the country in which the site operates. This is extremely inconvenient in general but easily fixable. You just need to pick a server in the region you want to access the local sites and bypass any geo-block in your way.
  • Avoid Bandwidth Throttling – Even if privacy, security, and censorship aren’t your primary concerns, there’s one more practical reason. This is that it can help speed up your Internet by bypassing bandwidth throttling in case your ISP is intentionally slowing down your connection. This is very useful if you like streaming or gaming online.

5 Best VPNs for Charlotte

1. NordVPN

NordVPN offers over 5,500 servers worldwide. This server options in the city, as well as nearby Atlanta and 13 more cities across the US. But, besides this qualifying factor, NordVPN comes with tons of other features that made us list it as the best VPN for the famously named Queen City.

With NordVPN, you don’t need to sacrifice speed for privacy and vice versa. It is the fastest VPN on the market and offers you unlimited bandwidth. Plus, with many of its servers being optimized for P2P or streaming, you can enjoy great flexibility when using NordVPN. Furthermore, all of NordVPN’s US server options support the service’s high-performing NordLynx custom protocol.

NordVPN also excels at delivering firm security and privacy features. Some of the most impressive ones include obfuscated servers, Onion over VPN kill switch, and split tunneling

It has a Double VPN feature. The Double VPN tool allows you to connect to two servers instead of one. There’s also a Threat Protection feature (Formerly the CyberSec feature) that helps you avoid any websites that host malware and unwanted annoying ads.

Despite all of these great features, NordVPN is one of the most affordable VPNs around. It also offers a 30-day money-back policy, within which you can get a full refund. All of this makes it the best VPN for Charlotte, in my expert opinion, and my go-to option.

NordVPN Speed Test for Charlotte

Speed TestNordVPN
WebsiteNordVPN.com
Average Speed – North America (United States)100 Mbps
Average Speed – Europe (United Kingdom)89 Mbps
Average Speed – Asia (Singapore)71 Mbps
Best deal63% OFF + Gift
Pros:
  • Thousands of lightning-fast and well-optimized servers
  • Unblocks all the major streaming sites
  • Fully supports Torrenting and P2P
  • Strict no-logs policy and RAM-disk servers
  • Ad blocker and malware protection features
  • Robust security features and military-grade encryption to protect you from DDoS attacks and other online threats
  • 24/7 live chat support
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
  • Only 6 simultaneous connections
  • No free trial

2. Surfshark

Surfshark offers one of the best US server networks you’ll find in the industry and also provides top-speed servers in Charlotte, North Carolina. In total, it currently covers 25 US cities with over 600 servers in the country

This plays into the overall number of over 3,200 servers worldwide. Equally significant is that Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, which has pretty lenient online privacy and data control laws.

It comes filled with advanced privacy features like private DNS and IPv6 leak protection, Camouflage Mode, and a kill switch. It is also known for its fantastic connection speed. This great connection speed is thanks to its 1 Gbps servers, with many server locations even supporting 10 Gbps ports.

Considering all of this, plus the option of connecting unlimited devices per one subscription account, Surfshark delivers impressive value for money overall. 

Surfshark Speed Test for Charlotte

Speed TestSurfshark
WebsiteSurfshark.com
Average Speed – North America (United States)85 Mbps
Average Speed – Europe (United Kingdom)78 Mbps
Average Speed – Asia (Singapore)71 Mbps
Best dealSave 81%
Pros:
  • A very affordable VPN provider
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Ad-blocking feature
  • Unblocks streaming platforms
  • A fast and light WireGuard protocol
  • Allows split-tunneling and has a multi-hop VPN feature
  • No-log policy and robust security features
  • GPS spoofing on Android devices
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
  • No free version
  • Does not allow P2P seeding

3. AtlasVPN

AtlasVPN doesn’t have any Charlotte servers but does offer more than 750 server options. This includes servers in a handful of East Coast US cities, so you can still connect and enjoy private and fast connections. This is because AtlasVPN primarily employs the WireGuard protocol, one of the best-performing VPN protocols.

In the bargain, AtlasVPN delivers a well-rounded VPN packed with great features. Some of the most impressive ones include strong encryption, advanced leak protection, split tunneling, and a network kill switch. AtlasVPN’s SafeBrowse feature helps you avoid any website that might contain malware.

There’s also a SafeSwap feature that allows you to access the Internet from several IP addresses simultaneously. In addition, AtlasVPN is one of the very few services that allow you to connect an unlimited number of devices.

AtlasVPN Speed Test for Charlotte

Speed TestAtlasVPN
WebsiteAtlasVPN.com
Average Speed – North America (United States)80 Mbps
Average Speed – Europe (United Kingdom)68 Mbps
Average Speed – Asia (Singapore)61 Mbps
Best deal83% OFF
Pros:
  • Very affordable plans and it has a free version
  • Fast Speeds
  • Helpful against an ISP throttling your connection
  • Unlimited device support
  • WireGuard protocol, DNS leak protection, and strong security features
  • Torrenting-friendly
  • Unblocks streaming services
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
  • Limited Linux app
  • Based in the US
  • Not so many servers

4. ExpressVPN

Although ExpressVPN doesn’t offer any servers in the city, it does provide plenty of server options to connect to in nearby cities. For example, you can easily connect to their blazing-fast connection options in New York or Atlanta and enjoy the same convenient service with all the perks. 

Moreover, this top-tier service provides servers in over 160 locations worldwide, covering 94 countries. I’ve tested ExpressVPN across many of its servers and was always pleased with the stability and speed.

ExpressVPN is also a great option if you want to protect your privacy and data. It maintains a reputation for being one of the safest services around. It’s based in the British Virgin Islands, uses robust encryption, and is regularly audited by independent authorities

It doesn’t collect any user logs and includes private DNS on every one of its 3,000+ servers. Lastly, ExpressVPN also employs TrustedServer technology. What’s more, ExpressVPN works in some of the most restrictive areas worldwide, including Russia and China.

ExpressVPN Speed Test for Charlotte

Speed TestExpressVPN
WebsiteExpressVPN.com
Average Speed – North America (United States)84 Mbps
Average Speed – Europe (United Kingdom)82 Mbps
Average Speed – Asia (Singapore)78 Mbps
Best deal+3 months FREE
Pros:
  • Works with streaming
  • Supports torrenting
  • No-logs policy
  • TrustedServer technology with RAM-only servers
  • Premium security features
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
  • Expensive subscription plans
  • Only 5 simultaneous connections

5. Private Internet Access

With Private Internet Access, you certainly won’t have a shortage of location options you can connect to. This is because PIA offers a massive server grid covering all corners of the world. It covers over 50 cities in the US alone.

PIA holds its fair share of advanced features. It has advanced encryption settings and split tunneling and enables you to tailor and customize many features. It uses open-source software, meaning that anyone can verify it. It also employs the excellent WireGuard protocol. You can have up to ten devices connected per subscription.

That said, there are a few negatives. The first negative aspect that I discovered was its inconsistency. On Netflix and other streaming platforms, there were some speed dips when connected to PIA servers. The second, which will be more worrying to some, is that PIA is based in the US. This is less than ideal in the main context of this page. 

PIA Speed Test for Charlotte

Speed TestPrivateInternetAccess
WebsitePrivateInternetAccess.com
Average Speed – North America (United States)89 Mbps
Average Speed – Europe (United Kingdom)81 Mbps
Average Speed – Asia (Singapore)79 Mbps
Best deal83% OFF + 3 Months Free
Pros:
  • Thousands of servers
  • Great for torrenting and P2P
  • Strong security and encryption
  • Block ads, trackers, and malware
  • 10 simultaneous device connections
  • Anonymous payment methods
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
  • Based in the US
  • Not all streaming services can be unblocked

Testing Methodology: How Did We Choose a VPN for Charlotte

So, I’ve listed the most significant criteria on which I evaluated VPN for Charlotte and shared my top five picks for doing so. But, I should also highlight the most important factors to consider when choosing the right VPN. 

With that in mind, you should focus on those factors that matter the most based on your usage needs and requirements. Here are the key factors we used to consider when choosing a VPN for Charlotte:

  • Server Selection – Firstly, a good service needs to have a solid selection of servers in this city and the state of North Carolina. Moreover, it should possess a good server base in plenty of other countries around the world. This includes your home country, whether that’s the US or any other location in the world. That way, you can handily a server whenever you want to connect to a different region.
  • Privacy and Security – The US is a part of all major international surveillance organizations, so the provider you pick must have outstanding privacy and security characteristics. This includes leak protection and strong encryption. Lastly, it should have an air-tight no-logs policy for all data.
  • Speed – Not all providers are fast enough to support smooth and lag-free streaming and steady torrenting. If these factors are particularly important to you, you need to pick a VPN with above-average speeds and great network stability.
  • Unblocking Capabilities – If you plan on using the service for much more than just privacy and protection, you need a service with powerful unblocking capabilities. This will allow you to access sites in other countries and open Charlotte-based websites when you’re traveling abroad.
  • User Experience and Overall Value – Finally, the Virtual Private Network shouldn’t only be capable but also simple and convenient to use. It shouldn’t break the bank and ideally, offer around-the-clock customer support. 

How To Use a VPN for Charlotte

OK, so you’ve probably found one provider the most interesting out of the five I’ve discussed above. With that in mind, let’s move to the more practical part. If you’re not sure how to go about this, I’ve created a helpful step-by-step guide:

  1. Sign up with a provider that offers VPN server options in Charlotte (I recommend NordVPN).
Step 1. Sign up for a VPN
  1. Download the appropriate app for your device.
Step 2. Download a VPN
  1. Complete the login process.
Step 3. Log into the VPN app
  1. Connect to a Charlotte-based VPN server.
Step 4. Connect to Charlotte VPN Server
  1. After connecting, you can start your Internet experience!

VPN Charlotte FAQs

Is a VPN needed in Charlotte? 

Yes, a VPN has become a necessary tool for anyone who wants to protect their online privacy and access the unrestricted Internet in Charlotte or any other US city. The most convenient feature of the best VPN providers is that they encrypt your data and keep it protected from anyone trying to steal or abuse it.

Are VPNs legal in Charlotte? 

Yes, you can use a VPN in Charlotte without any worry, as it’s legal to use these tools in the state. Moreover, you can use a VPN for the USA in any state in the country. That said, make sure you don’t engage in any illegal activities while connected to a VPN server, and you’ll be good.

How to use a Charlotte VPN server?  

Using a Charlotte IP address is very simple and doesn’t require a complicated setup process. To help you out, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get a Charlotte IP:

  1. Pick a trustworthy VPN (I recommend NordVPN).
  2. Sign up and download the app.
  3. Connect to one of the local servers.
  4. Enjoy browsing with a Charlotte IP!

Should I use a free VPN in Charlotte?

No, my expert advice to you is to avoid using free Charlotte VPN services. This is because these tools are not as capable as their premium counterparts. What’s more, many of them are generally unsafe and don’t keep you private, and some even sell your valuable data to whoever offers them the most money.

If you don’t want to spend any money, you can exercise the money-back guarantees each of my recommended VPNs offers. That way, you can still use the service and get your money back. But, if you need a provider for the long run, I recommend purchasing an extended subscription, as this offers the best value for your money.

Can I get a Charlotte IP address permanently?

Yes, some VPN services, like NordVPN, allow you to purchase your own IP address for an additional cost. That said, I should mention that this additional option isn’t so prevalent among most VPN users. So there’s no guarantee that any VPN offers permanent IPs for Charlotte or other US cities.

Which service offers the fastest VPN servers in Charlotte?

I’ve found that NordVPN offers the fastest servers in Charlotte. Its server grid is fast enough to offer high performance on any streaming website. I’ve tested it on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, and it worked without any issues every time.

Conclusion

If you live in Charlotte or are traveling abroad and need a Charlotte IP, a VPN can make sure you’re always protected and private. 

It can also help you avoid annoying online blackouts and access any site or online service that you want to use. It does so by providing you with a wide choice of server options that are always at your disposal.

And, with all of the detailed information you’ve read on this page, you know every tiny aspect you need to know before you start using a Charlotte VPN. To leave you off, I recommend you stick with the five VPNs I’ve thoroughly tested and listed on this page, as other VPNs might not be as safe or capable.

Finally, if you can’t decide which service suits you best, I suggest signing up with NordVPN. After testing and using all of the options I listed above, I found NordVPN to be the best VPN for users who need a Charlotte IP.

These articles could be helpful too
Leave Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *