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

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.

Charlotte VPN Comparison Table

Rank	VPN Service	My Score	Available Servers	Simultaneous Connections	Supported Platforms
1.	NordVPN	4.8/5	5200+	6	Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Routers
2.	Surfshark	4.6/5	3200+	Unlimited	Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Routers
3.	Atlas VPN	4.5/5	750+	Unlimited	Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
4.	ExpressVPN	4.3/5	3000+	5	Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Routers
5.	Private Internet Access	4.2/5	30,000+	10	Android, 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.

Best VPNs for Charlotte in 2023 – our detailed list:

1. NordVPN

Security and Privacy Features:

NordVPN stands out with its impressive range of security features designed to provide a safe browsing experience for users in the US. The highlights include AES-256 encryption, a robust kill switch, and a CyberSec feature, which helps prevent access to harmful websites.

There are also specialized features like obfuscated servers and Double VPN servers which provide an extra layer of privacy and security. NordVPN is based in Panama and follows a strict no-logging policy, keeping your online activities secure and private.

Performance Metrics:

Performance-wise, NordVPN offers excellent download and upload speeds for users based in the United States. With a download speed of 248.7 Mbps and upload speed of 126.7 Mbps, it ensures smooth and efficient browsing, streaming or online gaming experiences.

NordVPN is excellent for unblocking popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and more, and it also supports P2P file sharing. You can enjoy a flawless user experience thanks to the high-performing NordLynx protocol and SmartPlay technology.

Pricing:

Plan	1-year plan	1-month plan	2-year plan
Standard Plan	$4.99/month	$12.99/month	–
Plus Plan	$5.99/month	$13.99/month	–
Complete Plan	$6.99/month	$14.99/month	$5.49/month

Despite its premium features, NordVPN offers affordable pricing options. Plans start from as low as $4.99/month for the one-year standard plan, climbing to $14.99/month for the complete one-month plan.

Additionally, NordVPN offers various payment options, including cryptocurrency payments, for added user privacy. For users who are still unsure, there is a 30-day money-back policy, which allows users to try NordVPN risk-free.

If you’re visiting or living in the states, NordVPN is highly recommended for all your VPN needs, from streaming content to ensuring privacy and security. Learn more about NordVPN here.

Speed Test	NordVPN
Website	NordVPN.com
Average Speed – North America (United States)	100 Mbps
Average Speed – Europe (United Kingdom)	89 Mbps
Average Speed – Asia (Singapore)	71 Mbps
Best deal	63% OFF + Gift

2. Surfshark

Security and Privacy Features:

Surfshark boasts top-tier security standards set to protect your privacy no matter where in the US you’re located. With a stringent no logs policy, private DNS on every server, and IP Masking, your online activity is secure and untraceable.

Surfshark utilizes powerful AES-256-GCM encryption with openVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard secure protocols. An automatic kill switch ensures your data never ends up in the wrong hands, even in connection losses.

The CleanWeb feature blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing attempts enhancing your safety and browsing experience. Surf freely in restricted regions with the NoBorders mode.

Performance Metrics:

The performance of this VPN is hardly matched. It promises download speeds of up to 235 Mbps, and upload speeds reach around 219 Mbps in America. With Surfshark, your speeds won’t be compromised despite secure browsing.

Take streaming with Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, or Amazon Prime Video to the next level with the reliable Smart DNS service. P2P sharing and torrenting? Not a hurdle with its optimized servers.

Pricing:

Surfshark Plans	2-year price	1-year price	1-month price
Starter	$2.30/month	$3.99/month	$12.95/month
Surfshark One	$3.22/month	$4.49/month	$17.95/month
Surfshark One+	$5.99/month	$8.29/month	$22.95/month

Surfshark offers various affordable plans. The starter plan begins at $2.30/month for a 2-year commitment, providing excellent savings. The One and One+ plans offer additional features and convenience for a bit more cost.

All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try out the service risk-free. Its easy setup and user-friendly interface promise a seamless experience.

Speed Test	Surfshark
Website	Surfshark.com
Average Speed – North America (United States)	85 Mbps
Average Speed – Europe (United Kingdom)	78 Mbps
Average Speed – Asia (Singapore)	71 Mbps
Best deal	Save 81%

3. AtlasVPN

Security and Privacy Features:

AtlasVPN is designed to maintain your online privacy and security. It uses AES-256 encryption and supports advanced protocols like WireGuard for enhanced security.

Additional privacy features include a strict no-logs policy and a kill switch that shields your internet activity if the VPN connection drops. An IP Rotator, SafeSwap, provides you with multiple IP addresses, further bolstering your online anonymity.

A key feature is the SafeBrowse tool that blocks access to malicious websites, enhancing your browsing security.

Performance Metrics:

The VPN provides noteworthy speed, with a download speed of 183 Mbps and an upload speed of 309 Mbps in the United States. Despite not having Charlotte servers, AtlasVPN ensures fast connections with servers in multiple East Coast US cities.

Users can also enjoy unlimited device connections and efficient unblocking of geo-restricted content, making it suitable for businesses, streaming enthusiasts, and individuals prioritizing digital privacy.

Pricing:

AtlasVPN Plans	Pricing	Additional Benefits
Free Version	0.00$/month	5 GB data limit Access to 3 locations
1-Month Plan	11.99$/month	30-day money-back guarantee
1-Year Plan	3.29$/month Billed $39.48 annually	30-day money-back guarantee
2-Year Plan	1.82$/month Billed $43.68 biennially	30-day money-back guarantee

AtlasVPN operates on a freemium model and offers various pricing plans. The free version has limitations, but their premium plans offer attractive pricing options. The 1-month plan is $11.99/month, the 1-year plan $3.29/month, and the 2-year plan is highly affordable at $1.82/month.

All premium plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free trial.

Speed Test	AtlasVPN
Website	AtlasVPN.com
Average Speed – North America (United States)	80 Mbps
Average Speed – Europe (United Kingdom)	68 Mbps
Average Speed – Asia (Singapore)	61 Mbps
Best deal	83% OFF

4. ExpressVPN

Security and Privacy Features:

ExpressVPN champions privacy, with its no-logs policy and private DNS on every server. They handle your data with utmost care, ensuring none of it is left on their servers. TrustedServer technology means that all of their servers operate solely on RAM, which cannot hold data after a restart.

Additionally, they pack impressive cybersecurity measures such as AES encryption, Network Lock (kill switch), and WebRTC leak protection, keeping breaches at bay no matter where you connect from, including privacy-tight spots like China and Russia.

Performance Metrics:

Residing or visiting any state or city in the US is an advantage thanks to ExpressVPN’s exceptional speed performance. Their servers, say in nearby cities like New York or Atlanta, guarantees a stable and speedy connection, allowing for an unrivaled online experience.

Moreover, ExpressVPN doesn’t limit its reach to just the US, they offer servers in 160 locations across 94 countries, ensuring a seamless experience. Whether for streaming, P2P sharing, or general browsing, you’ll always find a fast and reliable server.

Pricing:

ExpressVPN Plans	Price per Month	Simultaneous Connections
1-Month Plan	$12.95	5
6-Month Plan	$9.99	Up to 8
1-Year Plan	$6.67	Up to 8

While privacy and speed are top-notch, ExpressVPN is also friendly to your pocketbook. They offer flexible plans – a 1-month plan at $12.95, a 6-month plan at $9.99/month, and the best value 1-year plan at $6.67/month.

What’s more, all plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you enough time to try out their services. Courageous enough to venture into unknown territories like cryptocurrencies? They accept Bitcoin among other payment methods.

No matter where you are in the US or the world, ExpressVPN is an assured choice for privacy, speed, and affordability.

Speed Test	ExpressVPN
Website	ExpressVPN.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

5. Private Internet Access

Security and Privacy Features:

Private Internet Access (PIA) boasts robust security and privacy measures that make it an excellent choice for those observing digital safety. It utilizes AES-256 encryption for superior data protection, plus SHA1 and SHA2 hashing algorithms to ensure the integrity of your data.

Most importantly, PIA refrains from logging users’ activities, bolstering user confidence in maintaining anonymity. Key features of PIA’s security and privacy module include:

– No activity logs policy
– AES-256 encryption
– SHA1 and SHA2 hashing algorithms
– MACE, a system that blocks ads, trackers, and malware
– Various protocols including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec
– Ability to customize encryption levels
– Kill Switch feature to ensure the user’s anonymity during connectivity interruptions

Performance Metrics:

On performance, PIA shines with speeds peaking at 111 Mbps for download and 168 Mbps for upload in the United States. This is impressive, ensuring smooth online activities, whether you’re streaming, gaming, or torrenting.

PIA is compatible with popular platforms such as Netflix US, YouTube, and Hulu, but access to non-US libraries can sometimes be problematic.

Pricing:

PIA Plans	Price per Month	Total Price per Year
1-Month Plan	$11.99	$11.99
6-Month Plan	$7.50	$45.00
2-Year Plan	$1.98	$56.94

PIA offers attractive pricing structures. It costs $11.99 for a month, but purchasing long-term plans can substantially reduce the cost per month. The six-month package costs $45, bringing the monthly rate down to $7.50 per month, while the 2-year plan is a bargain at $2.69 per month ($56.94 total).

PIA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, providing an opportunity not only to verify the claimed features but also to decide if it’s the right VPN for your needs. It supports payment methods such as credit cards, PayPal, and even cryptocurrencies.

However, PIA’s US base could be a concern to some users due to the invasive jurisdiction. Additionally, while it offers excellent features and high-speed connections, occasional speed dips may occur when streaming. Despite these minor setbacks, PIA is an impressive VPN service, and weighing the pros against the cons, it’s a worthy investment.

Speed Test	PrivateInternetAccess
Website	PrivateInternetAccess.com
Average Speed – North America (United States)	89 Mbps
Average Speed – Europe (United Kingdom)	81 Mbps
Average Speed – Asia (Singapore)	79 Mbps
Best deal	83% OFF + 3 Months Free

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).

2. Download the appropriate app for your device.

3. Complete the login process.

4. Connect to a Charlotte-based VPN server.

5. 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.