Updated on: November 27, 2024
Short on time? Here’s the best VPN for Los Angeles in 2024:
- 🥇 ExpressVPN : It has servers in 4 LA locations and nearby US cities, like Santa Monica and San Francisco. It accesses Netflix, Hulu, Sling, and ESPN+ without an issue and includes advanced features that protect your privacy and security on public networks, like at a mall or a café. All plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
After a few weeks of testing, I found the best VPNs for Los Angeles. They have servers in LA, nearby cities, and other US locations. This means you can connect to the closest server to get the fastest possible speeds for streaming and gaming.
Each VPN I recommend works with US streaming libraries from Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Max, and platforms where you can watch sports, like ESPN+. Plus, they protect you from government surveillance thanks to military-grade 265-AES encryption, don’t see or log your online activities, and offer excellent security on public Wi-Fi in LA.
My top choice, without a doubt, is ExpressVPN. It has servers in 4 LA locations, reliably works with multiple streaming platforms, and has strong security and privacy features. All plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for Los Angeles
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Los Angeles
ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for Los Angeles, as it has servers in 4 LA locations and nearby cities like Santa Monica and San Francisco, so it’s easy to connect to the closest server to get the best speeds. It also has servers in 20+ US locations, such as New York, Washington, and Houston so you can access local content.
The VPN is a great choice for streaming from LA. It accesses 100+ streaming platforms hassle-free, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. You can also securely watch the Lakers on ESPN+ and the Dodgers on Fubo and Sling TV.
It provides lightning-fast speeds for both streaming and gaming, too. In my tests, websites loaded instantly, and I was able to stream in HD buffer-free. I like that ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol resists network changes, so the VPN connection won’t drop when you switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data.
The provider offers dedicated IP addresses for an extra cost in Los Angeles and 7 other US states, such as Chicago, Houston, and New York. A dedicated IP address is only assigned to you (unlike shared IPs), which allows you to securely access your bank account from LA and anywhere else with the VPN and avoid annoying CAPTCHAs when browsing.
ExpressVPN’s Threat Manager blocks unwanted ads when browsing online and stops trackers from gathering information about you that can be used to target you with ads. It also prevents you from visiting shady sites, so you don’t accidentally visit a fake, malicious website.
ExpressVPN has plans starting at $4.99 / month. All plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Los Angeles. It has servers in 4 locations in LA and other US states for safely accessing local content. It works with top streaming sites, offers dedicated IP addresses in LA and 7 other US cities, and protects you from annoying ads and trackers. Each purchase has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Great for Watching Local Sports Games
Private Internet Access (PIA) is great for watching local sports games from LA, as it has servers in all US states, including LA. It has an optimized streaming server on the US West Coast that is designed to work with ESPN+, Paramount+, and MLB.TV, where you can securely watch the Lakers and local college football or basketball games.
It also offers dedicated IP addresses in 11 US states, but you can’t get a dedicated LA IP, like with ExpressVPN. Still, I like how you can choose a dedicated IP from the East and West coasts.
PIA is a highly-customizable VPN — for instance, you can switch from 256-bit AES encryption to 128-bit AES encryption to get slightly faster speeds and retain excellent security. It’s also great that you can configure the VPN to automatically connect whenever it detects a public Wi-Fi network, so you don’t accidentally go online while connected to a public Wi-Fi at the mall.
You also get PIA MACE, the best ad blocker on the market, which also blocks annoying trackers. Its Identity Guard is a pretty great addition, too — it scans the dark web for your credentials and lets you know if they’ve leaked, which is convenient for quickly protecting your gaming account.
Private Internet Access offers plans that start at $2.03 / month. Every plan is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access is great for watching local sports from LA thanks to its large server network in the US. It offers dedicated IPs in 11 US states, lets you customize your connections when using public Wi-Fi in LA, and its PIA MACE is great for getting rid of annoying ads when browsing online. All plans offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
Editors' Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Dedicated Servers for Streaming From LA
CyberGhost VPN is great for streaming from LA thanks to its dedicated streaming servers. These servers work with 50+ streaming platforms like the US libraries for Max, Disney+, and Sling TV.
CyberGhost also comes with dedicated gaming servers in the US. They are optimized to provide low ping and stable connections — in my tests, I played Dota 2 with no lag and a stable ping of 90–92 ms.
The VPN has a server location in LA and 10+ other US states, which also work great for safely streaming local Kings and Rams games. Plus, it offers dedicated IP addresses from LA and 5+ other US states for an extra price. That said, ExpressVPN has servers in multiple LA locations.
Its Smart Rules feature lets you automate your VPN connections in LA. For instance, you can set the VPN to automatically connect to the LA server and even launch a streaming app, like ESPN+. Plus, there’s an option to automatically connect if the VPN detects an unsecured network, which is useful if you often use public Wi-Fi in LA. The provider also has Identity Guard, which is similar to Private Internet Access’s tool, and an ad and tracker blocker.
CyberGhost VPN’s plans start at $2.03 / month. The long-term plans have a 45-day money-back guarantee, and the monthly plan has a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost VPN’s dedicated servers make it an excellent pick for streaming from Los Angeles. It also has dedicated gaming servers in the US and offers dedicated IP addresses in LA. Plus, it lets you customize your connections, so you don’t accidentally use public Wi-Fi unprotected. Plus, you get long-term plans that have a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full CyberGhost VPN review
Editors' Note: CyberGhost and this site are in the same ownership group.
4. NordVPN — Great Malware Protection for Safe Downloads
NordVPN is a great pick for safely downloading files in LA. Its Threat Protection Pro feature scans files for malware, which is useful if you’re downloading sensitive work or personal information, especially on public Wi-Fi in an LA café or a restaurant. This feature also blocks ads and ad trackers.
NordVPN has servers in LA for safely accessing local content, and there are servers in 15+ other US states. Plus, you can get a dedicated IP address from Los Angeles and other US locations.
When it comes to streaming, NordVPN can access 10+ streaming sites, including US libraries of Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Max as well as NBC Sports and Sling TV. However, ExpressVPN works with 100+ streaming platforms.
I also like its Meshnet feature, which allows you to link all your devices through an encrypted network. This is useful for gaming in and outside of LA — you can create secure LAN parties for up to 60 devices and play with your friends, without having to worry about DDoS attacks or other security threats.
NordVPN’s plans start at $2.99 / month. All plans offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN is a secure LA VPN that blocks malware-infected downloads, ads, and trackers. It has servers in LA, lets you get a dedicated LA IP address, and works with top US streaming sites. The Meshnet feature is a nice extra if you’re an LA gamer, as it lets you safely play in LAN parties with your friends. Each plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Surfshark — Intuitive VPN With Privacy-Friendly Tools
Surfshark is an excellent choice for protecting your privacy in LA. It offers servers in LA and 15+ other US states, and you can buy an LA dedicated IP address. Still, ExpressVPN has them in more US locations.
The IP Rotator feature changes your VPN IP at intervals without disconnecting, making it hard for sites and advertisers to track your activity. Plus, there’s an Alternative ID feature that lets you create fake personal details like email, name, and address to protect your real info. You can also get a US virtual phone number to avoid spam and scams for an extra cost.
The VPN is great for streaming from LA. It can access 50+ streaming sites, including Netflix, Hulu, and Max. In addition, it works with NBC Sports, Sling TV, and ESPN+ without any problems.
Surfshark’s affordable plans start at $1.99 / month. Each plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Surfshark comes with great extra tools for protecting your online privacy in LA, including an IP Rotator feature that regularly changes your IP address and an Alternative ID feature that allows you to create fake online identities. It works with popular US streaming sites and all plans offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Surfshark review
Quick Comparison Table
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
To ensure I only recommend the best VPNs for Los Angeles, I followed our proven testing methodology. I checked each VPN in different scenarios for servers in LA, streaming support, privacy, and more. Here are the criteria I used to choose these VPNs:
- I checked for servers in LA and other US locations. The VPNs I recommend have servers in Los Angeles and other US cities, like San Francisco, New York, and Washington. So, you’ll easily find a nearby server with the fastest speeds and securely access local content.
- I considered streaming support. All the VPNs on my list access top US streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. They also work with platforms like ESPN+, Paramount, and NBC Sports where you can securely watch the Lakers, Clippers, and Rams.
- I looked into security features. Every VPN on my list has a 256-bit AES encryption to hide your online activities from US ISPs and the government, and an audited no-logs policy that confirms it doesn’t keep or see what you do online. They all have a kill switch to prevent your IP from leaking if your connection fails and offer DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks.
- I tested for good speeds. VPNs reduce your speeds due to the encryption process, but I made sure the VPNs I recommend provide excellent speeds on nearby or distant servers for streaming, browsing, and other online activities from LA. ExpressVPN stands out as the fastest on the market.
- I found VPNs that are easy to use. The VPNs I recommend have user-friendly apps that make it easy to find and connect to servers in LA, as well as in locations like New York, Washington, and other countries. Plus, they allow you to set rules for the VPN to automatically connect when using a public Wi-Fi in LA.
- I ensured the VPNs offered a good value. Each VPN on my list comes with affordable plans and generous money-back guarantees. Moreover, they allow multiple simultaneous connections.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- TunnelBear. TunnelBear has an intuitive, bear-themed interface and offers servers in multiple US locations. However, it doesn’t match the speeds of the VPNs on my list and can’t access Dinsey+ and ESPN+.
- IPVanish. IPVanish has a decent server network in the US, including servers in LA. That said, it doesn’t work with Disney+ and lacks some advanced security features that my VPNs have.
- Mullvad VPN. Mullvad VPN comes with top-notch security features but it isn’t good for streaming, as it doesn’t consistently work with Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Hulu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best VPN for LA?
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for LA. It has servers in 4 LA locations and 20+ US locations in total. All of its servers allow you to securely watch local sports games or your favorite shows, movies, and series on sites like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. Its security and privacy features don’t allow your US ISP and US government to monitor your online traffic, and they also keep you safe on public Wi-Fi in LA cafés and restaurants.
How to get a VPN in LA?
Getting a VPN in LA is simple and involves just a few steps:
- Select a great LA VPN. My favorite is ExpressVPN. It has 4 server locations in LA, 20+ US server locations, and 105 countries around the world. It maintains very fast speeds and offers excellent streaming support.
- Download the VPN app. Once it’s on your device, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
- Launch the VPN. Open the app and connect to a server to securely browse the web from LA!
Are VPNs legal in LA?
Yes, VPNs are legal in Los Angeles, as well as in the rest of California and the United States. In fact, many residents and tourists use VPNs to protect their privacy, especially on public Wi-Fi in LA. Still, using a VPN for illegal activities is illegal, so it’s best to use the VPN in compliance with all local laws.
Can I use a free VPN in LA?
Yes, but I’m not a fan of free VPNs. The main reason is most free VPNs are not secure or private. Even the secure free VPNs come with limitations, such as limited data, access to a small number of features and server locations, and often, restricted speeds.
That’s why I recommend using a premium VPN like ExpressVPN. It has servers in 4 LA locations, maintains very fast speeds, and works with 100+ streaming platforms.
