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Boston is one of the oldest cities in the US and, as such, is brimming with history. The almost 700,000 residents of this picturesque coastal city enjoy colonial-style architecture and a warm old-town vibe. Beantown is home to a wealth of culture and has a lot more to offer than just the Red Sox- something to which more than 20 million annual tourists can attest.
Most of Boston’s visitors are domestic, with people traveling from every corner of the country to enjoy the diverse cityscape and multiple annual events the city is home to. These events include Harborfest, the Wine Festival, and of course the Boston Marathon. Crowds pour into the area in even greater numbers than usual, which is great for the city but can lead to pretty overloaded public WiFi networks.
The city has many convenient free hot spots that make life easy for tourists exploring the city, but they also make it easy for cybercriminals to get hold of your private information. Unsecured networks are a data free-for-all and, although helpful, can be a security risk. With so many students, businesspeople, and tourists passing through the city, downloading a reliable VPN is the smart choice.
1. Most Important Features of a VPN
There are so many options out there, and narrowing it down can be tough. Below you can find a list of five of the best picks for use in Boston, but first, let’s look at some of the most important elements to look out for.
- Connection Speed: This is essential across the board for an enjoyable online experience. There are few things more frustrating than watching the “loading” emblem whirling around endlessly on the screen, so picking a VPN known for its reliable connection is at the top of the list.
- Privacy Protocols: One of the biggest reasons for getting a VPN is to protect your privacy and keep your online data secure. Before settling on your final choice, investigate what level of encryptions the VPN provider uses, and how it goes about protecting your information.
- Streaming and Downloading Capabilities: There is more to streaming and downloading than just a fast connection. A lot of platforms have geo-blockers and location-based restrictions in place to stop unlicensed access, but the right VPN can get around them without breaking a sweat.
- Customer Service and User Interface: Although a reputable VPN is far less likely to face issues, life is unpredictable, and things can go wrong. In the event that they do, it is good to know there is backup on hand if and when you need it. A user-friendly interface and an easily contactable customer service team are both useful elements, especially if you are not particularly tech-minded.
- Device Compatibility/Maximum Devices: The biggest VPNs tend to be compatible with all the modern devices, but it’s always worth double-checking. You should also find out how many devices can be in use at the same time, especially if you often have multiple screens on the go or are looking to cover your whole family.
- Server Locations: You don’t necessarily need your chosen VPN to have a local server, but it is beneficial if you want a local IP address for the duration of your stay. Nearby servers also often boost connectivity and streaming speeds. If you travel a lot to various places, picking a VPN with as many server locations as possible to cover all the bases.
2. How to Set up a Boston IP Address Using a VPN
Although there are ways to hide or temporarily change your IP address without using a VPN, they can be confusing and inconsistent. With a VPN, it couldn’t be any more simple.
If you need a Boston IP, make sure you use a VPN provider with at least one server based in the city (IPVanish has the most, but HMA is another good option). Once you have signed up for the provider of your choice, just follow these few simple steps:
- Log into your account and download the app onto your device. You can download it on to as many devices as you want and use multiple screens simultaneously (the maximum depends on what server you opt for).
- Open the app to launch the VPN and choose a Boston server to connect to. It automatically swaps out your current IP for one of their local ones.
- To double-check, you can search online to see your assigned address.
The beauty of a VPN subscription is the ease of it all. Everything is taken care of on your behalf: all you need to do is sign up, download, and go!
3. Best VPN for Boston 2023
3.1 NordVPN – Best Streaming Access for Boston
The shiniest jewel in the impressive crown of NordVPN’s resume is the no-nonsense geo-blocker navigation. In layman’s terms, this means access-all-areas streaming. Netflix and similar platforms have many blockers in place to restrict access based on location, which is an annoyance if you are traveling overseas or to a differently licensed part of the country. With a NordVPN, none of it matters. It has no trouble bypassing even the strictest regulations.
NordVPN also follows a strict “no-log” policy to keep your privacy protected. Privacy is an essential element for using the internet on unknown WiFi networks, so if you are a regular traveler, this is something to look out for. Similar to ExpressVPN, NordVPN has no servers in Boston- but it does offer a reliable, consistent, and fast connection in the area.
3.2 ExpressVPN – Best Connection Speeds for Boston
As far as VPNs go, ExpressVPN is hard to beat. Any trip for any purpose can benefit from lightning-fast connection speeds that remain stable and secure as long as you need them to. Although there are no ExpressVPN servers in Boston, the multiple towers spread across the US provide more than enough juice to cover the area.
Compatible with almost any device and all the biggest streaming platforms, ExpressVPN is the premier choice for leisure travel to keep you entertained on the go. The state-of-the-art encryption software and online safety protocols also make it popular for traveling business people who need top-notch security to back them up when they are out of town.
3.3 IPVanish – Most Boston Servers
No other VPN has as many servers in Boston (63 in total), making IPVanish a serious contender for the top pick. As the name suggests, this VPN provider puts protecting your IP address at the forefront of its marketing. If a Boston IP is what you need, there is no better choice than this.
Of course, all these servers are not only good for security reasons: they also provide some pretty perfect streaming conditions! Watching or downloading is easy with the consistently reliable connections provided by IPVanish, and because there is no limit to how many devices can be activated simultaneously, you can take full advantage.
3.4 HideMyAss VPN – Many Locations for Boston
One of the largest international VPN providers out there with more than 290 locations worldwide, Hide My Ass is a formidable competitor. Boston is one of those locations with 10 servers in total, making it a fitting choice for the area. It also has a few Boston IP addresses available for added security but can allocate you a randomized IP wherever you are.
HMA offers some great packages for families and can be set up on a home router to cover all your household appliances. Whether you are in Boston short-term or long-term, you can find some excellent deals. Both the security measures and connection speeds provided by HMA are high-quality and reliable, so you can connect freely and with peace of mind.
3.5 Surfshark VPN – Top Security and Privacy Protocols for Boston
Surfshark takes your online security seriously, using military-grade encryption methods and multiple levels of camouflaging to keep your identity hidden. MultiHop and CleanWeb are two of the anti-spy measures in place as well as a kill switch to automatically disconnect you should your VPN drop for any reason.
One of the few VPNs with a server in Boston, Surfshark has a reliable connection city-wide. Streaming is simple and secure, and to top it all off it is one of the best value for money subscriptions on the market.
4. Summary
Take location out of the equation: a VPN is essential no matter where you travel. Not only does it help protect your data and keep your browsing secure, but it also just makes everything so much easier when you are on the road. All the providers on the list above offer very affordable deals that are more than worth it for the peace of mind and the simple life.
Boston is a hub of activity all year round, and the public networks are always fully loaded, so taking matters into your own hands for your trip is definitely worth the effort. Even permanent residents of the city who want to increase their cybersecurity at home should consider adding a VPN to their home router. Online safety is of the utmost importance in this day and age, and a small step such as downloading a VPN is a great move to keep yourself safe.
VPN Service
www.nordvpn.com
NordVPN
Review
Price:
$11.95 $3.71/month
Servers: 5500+ in 59 countries
Simultaneous connections: 6
Jurisdiction: Panama
Payment: PayPal, AmazonPay, Crypto, Google Pay, Klarna
Torrenting: OK
Unblocks US Netflix: Yes
Dedicated IP: $70/yr
TrustPilot Score: 4,7/5
Money-back: 30 days
Extra: Double VPN, Obfuscated servers
Visit NordVPN »
www.expressvpn.com
ExpressVPN
Review
Price:
$12.95 $8.32/month
Servers: 3300+ in 94 countries
Simultaneous connections: 5
Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands
Payment: PayPal, Crypto, AliPay, Klarna,
Torrenting: OK
Unblocks US Netflix: Yes
Dedicated IP: Not provided
TrustPilot Score: 4,7/5
Money-back: 30 days
Visit ExpressVPN »
www.cyberghostvpn.com
CyberGhost
Review
Price:
$11.99 $2.25/month
Servers: 6600+ in 89 coutrines
Simultaneous connections: 7
Jurisdiction: Romania
Payment: PayPal, Crypto
Torrenting: OK
Unblocks US Netflix: Yes
Dedicated IP: $51/yr
TrustPilot Score: 4,8/5
Money-back: 45 days
Visit CyberGhost »
www.surfshark.com
Surfshark
Price:
$11.95 $2.49/month
Servers: 3200+ in 65 coutrines
Simultaneous connections: Unlimited
Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands
Payment: PayPal, Crypto, Google Pay, Amazon Pay
Torrenting: OK
Unblocks US Netflix: Yes
Dedicated IP: Not provided
TrustPilot Score: 4,3/5
Money-back: 30 days
Visit Surfshark »
www.purevpn.com
PureVPN
Review
Price:
$9.60 $3.33/month
Servers: 6500+ in 140 coutrines
Simultaneous connections: 10
Jurisdiction: Hong Kong
Payment: PayPal, Credit Cards
Torrenting: OK
Unblocks US Netflix: Yes
Dedicated IP: $35.88/yr
TrustPilot Score: 4,7/5
Money-back: 31 days
Visit PureVPN »