In today’s era of advanced technology, online banking plays a crucial role, especially when you’re traveling or studying abroad and need access to your funds. However, you may encounter difficulties accessing your online bank from certain countries, or you might worry about data leaks when using public Wi-Fi. In such cases, a VPN can be a reliable solution.
Next, we’ll introduce some of the best VPNs for banking to help you choose the right one.
4 Best VPNs for Banking
Here is a brief comparison of the 4 VPNs for banking.
| VPN brands | Monthly price | Servers | Bandwidth Limitation | Encrypting data on online banks |
| LightningX VPN | $5.99 | 2,000+ in 50+ countries | No | Yes |
| NordVPN | $12.99 – 17.99 | 7400+ servers in 118 countries | No | Yes |
| ExpressVPN | $12.95 | 3000+ servers in 105 countries | No | Yes |
| Surfshark VPN | $15.45 – 20.65 | 3200+ servers in 100 countries | No | Yes |
Is It Safe to Use a VPN for Banking?
Yes. It is safe to use a VPN for banking. Reliable VPNs use encryption protocols to help hide your IP address and online data. It adds an extra layer of security to your privacy.
Additionally, there’s no need to worry about the bank blocking your account. A VPN with strong encryption algorithms will effectively hide your real IP address and replace it with a virtual IP address. If the bank recognizes the virtual IP address as your actual location, it will assume you are physically in the region corresponding to that IP.
Do I Have to Use a VPN for Banking?
It depends. If you are in a foreign country where your online bank is geo-blocked, you can use a VPN to unblock the restriction and resume using it. This often happens to many travelers who didn’t prepare a specific credit card to use abroad. For example, you might need to adopt a VPN when using Alipay in China.
Also, if you connect your phone to a public Wi-Fi network while using the online bank, you might need to use a VPN to encrypt the transaction process.
Additionally, a VPN can be used to unblock many geo-restricted content. It is a great tool for getting resources for entertainment, working, or studying.
Best VPN for Banking: A Detailed Introduction
LightningX VPN
LightningX VPN is one of the best VPNs for banking. It has high-grade encryption technologies and excellent performance. Let’s break down its key features.
It uses the best VPN protocols today, including WireGuard, Shadowsocks, and Vless, based on military-level encryption algorithms like AES-256-GCM and ChaCha20-Poly1305. These technologies help encrypt your traffic transmission during online transactions. Additionally, it offers a DNS leak protection.
LightningX VPN has a strict no-logs policy, promising not to collect or store any user data.
It offers 2,000 servers in 50+ countries including Japan, China HK, South Korea, Argentina, Turkey, Brazil, Canada, and so on. Each server node has unlimited bandwidth and online connection speed for you to smoothly transact, stream, browse, or play games online.
It allows 3 simultaneous devices, such as Windows PCs, Mac-based devices, Android phones, iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs, Android TVs, PlayStations, Switches, Linux devices, etc. It supports customizing the number, with $0.83 per month per device. You can share the account with others to split the cost.
It offers a 30-minute free trial for beginners.
Price and plan:
- 1 day: $0.99
- 1 month: $5.99
- 3 months + 1 month free: $15.99
- 1 year + 1 year free: $59.99
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
NordVPN
NordVPN is also one of the best VPNs for banking. It offers comprehensive features and powerful performance, meeting the needs of different users. Here is how it works for online banking.
NordVPN’s encryption ability is well known. It uses protocols like OpenVPN, NordLynx, and IKEv2/IPsec and adopts the AES-256-GCM encryption algorithm. These technologies help protect your data from being leaked to hackers and strangers.
It boasts a vast server network spanning regions worldwide, with some nodes particularly popular for changing regions in Epic Games, Valorant, and other games. Fortunately, NordVPN doesn’t throttle any bandwidth, so it doesn’t affect much on your online experience.
It allows up to 10 devices to be connected with one NordVPN account at the same time. This is great for a large family to share the account. You can set NordVPN up on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Apple TV, and Android TV.
However, NordVPN doesn’t provide a free trial for beginners.
Price and plan:
- 1-month plans: $12.99 – 17.99
- 1-year plans: $59.88 – 107.88
- 2-year plans + 3 extra months: $83.43 – 188.73
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is famous for its connection speed and server nodes which provide much convenience for online banking. Here’s why it can be one of the best VPNs for banking.
It uses protocols like Lightway, OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2, helping users get a fast and reliable connection. Just like the former two, ExpressVPN uses the advanced algorithm AES-256-GCM. Your online activities including banking, gaming, or streaming will be highly encrypted.
ExpressVPN offers enormous server nodes including the Bahamas, Brazil, Mexico, the US, Germany, etc. Each server has no bandwidth throttling.
It allows 8 simultaneous connections on a single subscription. So, when you are traveling abroad with your family or friends, you can share one account to unblock the online banks. The VPN can be connected to PCs, Mac computers, Linux devices, smartphones, TVs, and consoles.
Unfortunately, ExpressVPN doesn’t provide a traditional free trial.
Price and plan:
- month: $12.95
- year + 3 months free: $99.95
- year + 4 months free: $139.72
Surfshark VPN
Surfshark VPN provides top-grade security and cheap prices, making it one of the best VPNs for banking. Check its features below.
Surfshark VPN uses strong VPN protocols like WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN, based on the AES and ChaCha 20 encryptions.
It covers regions around the globe, such as Australia, Turkey, Spain, the US, Chile, etc. No matter where you are, you can use Surfshark VPN to do online banking. It also doesn’t limit data and bandwidth.
It offers a lot of simultaneous connections on platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, TVs, and TV boxes.
It doesn’t provide a traditional free trial.
Price and plan:
- 1 month: $15.45 – 20.65
- 12 months + 3 months free: $47.85 – 91.35
- 24 months + 3 months free: $59.13 – 115.83
Surfshark’s Starter plan is the cheapest. However, this plan doesn’t provide antivirus protection, data leak alerts, or optimized searching experience.
How to Use the Best VPN for Banking
After choosing the desired VPN for banking, you can set it up to protect and unblock the online banks from the country you are in. Follow the steps below.
- Download and install the VPN from its official site. You can find a download button and click on it. Then the installer will be downloaded onto your device. Open the installer to install the VPN.
- Sign up for an account.
- If there’s a free trial, use it. If not, choose a subscription and pay for it.
- Select the server region where you are at.
- Tap or click on a button named “Connect” or something like that. Now your real IP address should be changed to this virtual one.
- Open the online bank and start your transactions.
Tips for Using the Best VPN for Banking
Here are the considerations for choosing a VPN for banking.
Encryption ability: Online banking should be highly protected. So, choose a VPN with great encryption ability.
Unblocking ability: This is usually related to the VPN protocols and encryption algorithms.
Available servers: You should choose a VPN with the servers you want.
Compatible devices: You need to choose a VPN that can be set up on your devices.
Simultaneous connections: You can share your account with others to cut the budget or have fun together.
Bandwidth limitation: If the VPN throttles your bandwidth, it will affect much on your online banking speed.
Price: The price is also an aspect to consider if you want to save money.
Free vs. Paid VPN for Banking
Many users choose to use a free VPN because it saves a lot of money. However, for sensitive activities like online banking, you might need a robust VPN that can provide a reliable connection.
Many free VPNs don’t have strong encryption algorithms and protocols and they might collect logs.
Additionally, free VPNs don’t provide enough server options. For example, the free version of Proton VPN only has several server nodes. It can’t help you unblock the online bank from China.
Conclusion
The best VPN for banking offers more benefits than drawbacks. It conceals your IP address, protecting your data from malicious hackers. With a VPN, you not only gain secure encryption but also unlock enjoyable experiences on social media, streaming services, and gaming platforms.
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