The Best VPNs for Online Banking: A Quick GuideIf you want to protect your information while banking online, you’ll need a VPN. A virtual private network will hide your identity and encrypt your connection. This will keep you safe from cyberattacks while banking.
If you’re not sure what the best VPN is, here are our top picks:
- ExpressVPN: The best all-around choice
- CyberGhost: A beginner’s best friend
- Surfshark: Affordable and accessible for everyone
- PIA: Top-notch privacy proved in court
- NordVPN: A top contender for online banking
We think the best VPN for online banking is ExpressVPN. It’s got everything you need, even if it’s not the cheapest option on the market.
If you want something more affordable, and if you want to learn more about safe online banking, read our full article below.
Online banking makes it easy for people to manage their funds and expenses while on the go. You can check your balance, make payments, print receipts, transfer money, make investments, and do a lot more, all on the go. Online banking is extremely convenient. But, it also carries an element of risk, especially if you use it on public Wi-Fi.
There is a risk that malicious actors could spy on your internet traffic on public Wi-Fi, which means they could access your banking details if you are not too careful. And let’s be honest, a vast majority of people don’t really know much about online banking safety. Using a VPN is critically important if you want to access your bank account when you’re out and about.
Why You Need A VPN For Safe Online Banking
Online banking poses more risks than any other online activity. If your online bank account is hacked, you can lose your livelihood, savings, and end up in debt. Phishing scams, man-in-the-middle attacks, and other cybercrime tactics are commonly used by malicious actors to gain access to people’s bank accounts.
Of course, banks do employ additional safety measures. Login tokens or one-time passwords are some examples of how banks protect online banking sessions. But they’re not completely foolproof. If you want to stay protected at all times, a VPN will also:
- Secure your internet connection when you’re using public Wi-Fi. This way, you can access the internet through an encrypted “tunnel,” instead of directly through public Wi-Fi. Once the data travels through that server, it can’t be traced.
- Anonymize your activity online. Your IP address is not visible to anyone when you’re connected to the VPN. Hackers spying on you won’t know that you’re accessing your online bank!
- Encrypt your internet traffic. Banks encrypt their own platforms, of course. This ensures that your data doesn’t get stolen from their database. But a VPN encrypts all of your internet traffic, securing data on your end as well.
- Give you extra security features. A kill switch, for instance, automatically terminates your internet connection if you get disconnected from the VPN server. This way, your privacy is never affected during an online banking session.
- Help you access your bank account from anywhere. If you’re abroad, it might be difficult to log into your bank account. Banks might actually With a VPN service, you can just change your IP to your home country and you’re in!
Transaction data and login credentials for bank accounts should be stored safely. If your computer is hacked while online banking, it can endanger those sets of data, threatening your privacy, security, and possibly even money. That’s why a VPN is important for banking and other financial online activities, like investing through apps such as Acorns and Ally Invest. It’s an added layer of security to your banking needs.
But it’s not the only reason a VPN is good for banking. Banks have security mechanisms built into their online platforms. So if you travel to a foreign country and access your bank account, those security mechanisms might think it’s someone else. To avoid any confusion and potential account freezes, get a VPN and connect to a server from your country.
The 5 Best VPNs For Banking
Before we round up all of your options, keep in mind that a VPN is not the one-size-fits-all solution for secure online transactions. It’s extremely helpful, yes. And we recommend you use a VPN service while you’re banking, especially if you do so from a public Wi-Fi connection.
But you might also want to look into getting good antivirus software, and a password manager if you want to protect your online banking data. They do more than simply protect your online banking activity; they’re also important for overall online safety.
1. ExpressVPN: The best banking VPN choice
In most of our best VPN lists, ExpressVPN takes the top spot. That’s because ExpressVPN is a very good choice regardless of what you need. It’s got:
- Fast and reliable servers spread all across the globe.
- Military-grade encryption and security protocols.
- Enhanced security with features like the kill switch.
- Dedicated features for better streaming.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Use up to 5 devices at once.
And it’s especially a good VPN for banking. It has high-quality 256-bit encryption. That’s industry-standard for qualitative VPNs, and it’s also what banks use for their online platforms. But with ExpressVPN, you’re protected from the moment you first open a browser, not just when you open your banking platform.
Moreover, ExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy. This means that they don’t keep track of when you connect to their service. So even if they get hacked, cybercriminals can’t get their hands on your data or online banking details. Governments can’t subpoena ExpressVPN to get your information either.
ExpressVPN can be a bit pricey. It’s more expensive than the other options on this list, especially if you pay each month for a subscription. But you can get a good deal if you click our link below:
- Very easy to use VPN
- Perfect for anonymous browsing, downloading, and streaming (i.e. Netflix)
- 3000+ servers in 94 countries
2. CyberGhost: A beginner’s best friend
If you feel overwhelmed by what you read so far, CyberGhost might be the right pick for you. It’s a very good beginner-friendly VPN. Their interface is top-notch, and the navigation is self-intuitive. If you want extra security while banking, but you’re not experienced with this type of software, CyberGhost is a good choice.
Not to mention, CyberGhost also has a very good deal. It’s one of the most affordable VPNs out there if you pay for a longer subscription. Besides, it has:
- A 45-day money-back guarantee.
- Access on up to 7 devices.
- Thousands of servers in over 90 countries.
- Enhanced 256-bit encryption.
- Extra customization features like the Smart Rules, which lets you create your own rules for different situations that protect your online banking.
But all of these added benefits aren’t everything CyberGhost has to show. This VPN app also has a good core service. It’s one of the best VPNs on the market, so you can choose CyberGhost without regret.
- Very user-friendly
- High quality for a low price
- Torrents and Netflix possible
3. Surfshark: Affordable and accessible for everyone
Like CyberGhost, Surfshark is a VPN service with a great interface. It’s easy to boot up, intuitive to use, and very beautifully designed. It’s also extremely affordable. And at its core, it’s a very good VPN service.
It has 256-bit encryption, security features like the kill switch, and decent connection speeds for daily use. You don’t get as many servers as you would with ExpressVPN and CyberGhost, so it might not be everyone’s first choice. But as long as one of their servers is nearby, Surfshark is a pick to take into account for online banking. It has a lot more to offer:
- A 30-day money-back guarantee
- Vast server network
- A NoBorders mode to bypass network restrictions in areas with higher censorship
- A CleanWeb mode to completely remove all ads or trackers
- Accessible on unlimited devices
- A dedicated Bypasser tool that allows specific apps and sites to bypass the VPN (ideal for mobile banking apps)
- Very user-friendly and works with Netflix and torrents
- 30-day money-back guarantee. No questions asked!
- Cheap with many extra options
4. PIA: Top-notch privacy proved in court
Private Internet Access is a solid pick for online banking. It has one of the largest server networks, it’s very secure, and it’s pretty affordable. On top of that, PIA is known for its dedication to a no-logging policy. They’ve even proven in court that they don’t hold any logs of their users’ activity. If privacy is important to you, the best VPN for online banking in your case might be PIA.
However, PIA is not the fastest VPN out there. That’s not a problem for banking. You’re not downloading large files. But since you’re spending money on a VPN, you might as well get the most bang for your buck. It’s got a lot of great features, such as:
- Open-source software
- WireGuard protocol
- Option for dedicated IP
- Built-in ad blocker
- Expansive server network
- Strong focus on privacy and security
- Good price
- Fast and stable servers
5. NordVPN: A top contender for online banking
NordVPN is very similar to ExpressVPN. It has an all-around great service, a huge network of servers for you to choose from, and military-grade 256-bit encryption. Safe to say, it’s a good pick for online banking, no matter where you’re from.
So why is NordVPN lower on our list? When we did our NordVPN review, we found that support agents’ knowledge could vary. If you use a VPN for online banking, and you need hasty support, it should be there, and help you solve any issue you might have.
NordVPN might still offer that in most cases! So we recommend it for online banking. It’s secure, reliable, and it has a strict no-logs policy. This means that even if the VPN database is breached, your information is still secure. On top of that, governments can’t subpoena your data. Well, they can, it’s just that there’s nothing for the VPN to deliver based on that subpoena. NordVPN has a bunch of great features, such as:
- CyberSec automatically blocks malicious sites and trackers
- DoubleVPN option for greater privacy
- Onion over VPN
- DNS leak protection
- Kill switch
- Support for streaming
- Incredibly fast speeds
- Option to buy a dedicated IP
- Excellent protection and a large network of servers
- Nice and pleasing application
- No logs
How to Choose a VPN For Online Banking
We’ve hand-picked all the VPN options above. They’re amazing for online banking, and they’ll keep you safe on the net. But what were our criteria? If you don’t like our options above, what can you look for in the best VPN for online banking? Here’s what we think makes a VPN app good for online banking:
- Baseline Security. Keeping your bank login credentials safe is crucial. A good VPN for banking has high-grade encryption protocols and a strict no-logging policy.
- Additional safety features. Kill switches, ad blockers, and any other extra safety features are crucial to protect your banking activities.
- Ease of Use. When you’re checking a balance or paying the utilities, you don’t need to install a VPN on your router. You just need a quick connection routing and encryption. So ease of use is great to have in a VPN for online banking.
- Server location. If a VPN doesn’t have servers in your country, you’ll have a harder time signing into your banking applications. Especially if you’re traveling and need to log into your bank account without triggering the anti-fraud failsafe of your bank.
- Pricing and support. The core VPN application is most important, but the service on top of that matters too. Consider your budget, and whether or not a VPN offers qualitative support.
If you like our picks above, but can’t decide yet, don’t worry. Despite their simplistic interfaces, VPNs are complex applications. That’s why we’ve curated this list after extensive testing to help users choose the best VPN for safe and secure online banking.
Can You Use Free VPNs for Online Banking?
Free VPNs can be a great fix when you need to quickly change your IP. But they’re not a reliable long-term choice. And they’re especially a bad pick for online banking.
Here’s why: free VPNs can change your IP address (in most cases). But they don’t employ the best security and encryption protocols. Moreover, most of them won’t have extra security features like a kill switch. And to top it all, free VPNs are much more likely to keep logs of your activity. Some may even steal your data.
So you’re not protected, and you’re not anonymous. That’s why we don’t recommend free VPNs for accessing your bank account. It might actually hurt you. A bad free VPN can trigger the safety measures of your bank. It will think it’s a hacker accessing your account from a different place, and it might even freeze your account until the situation is clear.
However, if you’re in an emergency, and need a free VPN, pick one from our top 6 truly free VPNs list. At least that way, you’re getting the best possible service.
Conclusion: VPNs and Online Safety
A VPN can protect you while you’re banking online. And with online banking projected to rise in the future, it’s a good idea to secure your accounts as soon as possible. But that’s only one of the many things Virtual Private Networks can do. If you want to find out more about how to protect yourself online, and what the best tool for the job is, read our other articles:
If we didn’t answer your questions about online banking security, don’t worry. We’ve got more condensed information in the FAQ section below!
We’ll be honest with you: online banking is one of the safest things online. Compared to other platforms, banking sites employ more safety measures for online transactions, like multi-factor authentication and one-time passwords.
But online transactions are not 100% risk-free. While online banking is generally more secure, the consequences of a breach are much more severe. So a VPN is a must when banking online, especially if you’re using public Wi-Fi. If you want to find out more, read our article here.
Yes, a VPN is good for online banking. It’ll safeguard your personal information, and encrypt your connection. That way, if cybercriminals attempt to hack your account, you have more protection in place. But not all VPNs are created equal. Read more about the best VPNs for online banking here.
Online banking is secure in and of itself. But if you want to mitigate all risks, and make sure you’re safe when banking here’s what you have to do:
- Use a secure password manager. It’ll keep your saved credentials more safely than a simple browser password manager would.
- Invest in a reliable antivirus. A software like Kaspersky can identify any potential malware and stop it before it can steal your information.
- Use a good VPN. VPNs encrypt your connection and keep your data safe while browsing any site.
Yes, some banks block access to their servers with a VPN. Banks in the US are especially known for this. But it’s not a universal practice. And even when a bank blocks access with a VPN, good VPN applications can circumvent these restrictions. If you want to find out what the best VPNs are, read our article here.
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