7 Best VPNs for San Jose: Safety, Streaming, and Speeds 2023

San Jose is known for its beautiful municipal rose garden and some of the best outdoor restaurants in California but accessing the local news online can be a pain for anyone that lives, or is traveling, outside the US. Just because you're an expat, doesn’t mean you don’t want to know what’s going on back home.

A VPN can help you eliminate the annoyance of geoblocks restricting access to your favorite US and local San Jose content if you go abroad. It can also help protect you from hackers and scammers when you use the free WiFi.

My top choice is ExpressVPN, it has a large server selection in San Jose and the ability to break through tough geoblocks. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you’re dissatisfied for any reason you can request a full refund. I’m confident you’ll love it but if you don’t, you can always use one of the other VPNs on this list.

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What to Look For in a VPN for San Jose

With free WiFi available all over the city, security is a big issue for users in San Jose. I looked for industry-standard features like the use of OpenVPN protocols for speed and security and military-grade encryption to protect your data as it travels from point A to point B.

Device compatibility is another major factor — a VPN should be able to protect most of your commonly used devices. Some VPNs can even be configured for routers so every compatible device that’s connected to your home WiFi is protected.

Here is a complete breakdown of all the factors I looked for when choosing the best VPNs for San Jose:

• Industry-standard features: A strong no-logs policy, military-grade encryption, and OpenVPN protocol are a must when selecting your VPN.
• Servers in San Jose (or nearby): Using a server directly in San Jose will give you access to local online content. That said, a California IP address will do the trick if the VPN doesn’t have a server directly in San Jose.
• Ability to bypass geoblocks: Many online services use anti-VPN technologies to prevent you from accessing your accounts outside of specific regions. For example, if you go on vacation to France and want to watch your Netflix US account it won’t happen without a VPN. That’s why it’s important to choose one with strong obfuscation features, that give you the ability to bypass tough geoblocks.
• Global Server Network: The more servers a VPN offers worldwide, the more accounts you’ll be able to access no matter where you are. This is great for frequent fliers, vacationing, and just accessing all your favorite streaming services at home.
• Device compatibility: Look for a VPN that covers most major devices like iOS, macOS, Android, Linux, and Windows. If you don’t use multi-platforms or multi-devices, you can simply choose one with the specific compatibility you are looking for.

The Best VPNs for San Jose - Full Analysis (Updated 2023)

1. ExpressVPN – Fastest Server Speeds for California

ExpressVPN doesn’t have servers directly in San Jose, however, the California servers are powerful enough to give you access to local content. It has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries total, including streaming and P2P optimized servers.

If you need a VPN for accessing geo-restricted content, ExpressVPN is an excellent choice. When I tested ExpressVPN servers it reliably gave me access to my Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu accounts when traveling overseas. It features an all-new protocol called Lightway, which offers both speed and security for streaming so you don’t need to choose between the security of OpenVPN and the speed of WireGuard.

Industry-standard privacy features include 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch to disconnect you from the internet if the VPN should fail, and the option to use OpenVPN protocol. While VPN failure is rare with ExpressVPN, a kill switch is a nice security feature as it helps prevent your ISP or anyone else from gaining access to your true IP address due to a temporary disconnect.

ExpressVPN allows you to use one license on up to 8 devices and it backs its service with a generous 30-day money-back guarantee for first-time users.

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2. IPVanish — Most Servers in San Jose for a Local IP Address

With 40+ servers in San Jose, getting an IP address for the city is fast and easy. If you want to access content from around the world, IPVanish can help you there too. It has over 2,200+ servers in over 75 countries worldwide.

IPVanish uses military-grade encryption, OpenVPN protocol for speed and security, and WiFi protection to keep you safe on unsecured or undersecured networks. It also has a strict no-logs policy, so your browsing history stays private.

It bypasses some of the toughest geoblocks, allowing you to access your Hulu and BBC iPlayer accounts from anywhere. When I tested IPVanish US servers, I could easily access my Netflix US account. IPVanish offers unlimited data and speed too, so you can watch as long as you want without worrying about hitting caps. Plus you can use one license on an Unlimited number of devices.

If you’re still unsure, IPVanish has a 30-day money-back guarantee. That way you can subscribe without feeling committed to the service if you’re unsatisfied for any reason.

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3. HideMyAss (HMA) - Offers A Dozen Servers in San Jose

HideMyAss has the broadest network reach of any of the VPNs on this list, spanning over 210+ countries, despite having only 1,090+ servers. Don’t worry though, with 12 servers in San Jose alone, you won’t have any trouble accessing local content.

It uses military-grade encryption and OpenVPN protocols, it has also been independently audited more than once and shown to have a solid no-logs policy. The IP Shuffle feature is customizable too, so you can choose to have your IP shuffled every 10 minutes, 3 hours, or 24 hours. Built-in IP and DNS leak protection helps protect your true IP address and DNS requests from being leaked on the web. When I tested HMA, I didn’t detect any leaks.

You can use HMA on up to 5 devices simultaneously and it can give you access to all your favorite US streaming services no matter where you are, including Hulu, Sling TV, and Amazon Prime.

HMA offers 24/7 support via email and has an expansive knowledge base on its website. You can subscribe risk-free too, as it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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The following VPNs do not have servers in San Jose but have still shown excellent performance in terms of speed and security.

4. CyberGhost – Strong Security Measures

CyberGhost has over 9,371 servers in 91+ countries, including a mix of physical and virtual servers in California. Streaming and P2P optimized servers are marked, making it one of the most user-friendly VPNs on this list.

A built-in ad and malware blocker serves a dual purpose, it prevents annoying ads and protects your device from malicious software. CyberGhost also has industry-standard features like 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and OpenVPN protocol.

With CyberGhost, you can watch all your favorite US content from almost any device. It bypasses geoblocks for streaming services you’ve already paid for. When I tested CyberGhost US servers, I was able to access my Netflix and Hulu accounts. You can cover all of your devices with one subscription too, as it allows up to 7 simultaneous connections.

CyberGhost offers the longest money-back guarantee of any VPN I’ve tested, giving you a full 45-days to see if the service is right for you.

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5. PrivateVPN – Advanced Configuration Settings

PrivateVPN’s server network is relatively small, with around 200 servers in 63 countries. Still, with several servers in California, PrivateVPN performed well in my speed tests and could reliably access local San Jose content.

The interface is user-friendly and completely configurable. You can view server locations with ping times, sort them by name or distance, and even choose your protocol and encryption method. The company keeps no logs and the Stealth mode allows bypassing even China’s tough firewall. The VPN also has dedicated, labeled servers for unblocking geo-restricted streaming services.

PrivateVPN does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee for first-time subscribers but you’ll need to provide a reason for wanting a refund, so it isn’t a no-questions-asked guarantee.

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6. VyprVPN - Chameleon Protocol to Access Global Content

This Swiss-based VPN service provider has more than 700 servers in 70 countries. Due to VyprVPN’s base location, you’re also protected by some of the strongest privacy laws in the world.

In addition to Swiss privacy laws, your data is protected by a strict no-logs policy and encrypted using 256-bit AES as it travels between locations. VyprDNS is its zero-knowledge DNS service that helps eliminate man-in-the-middle attacks and better control DNS leaks.

VyprVPN’s Chameleon protocol makes it easy to access all your favorite San Jose content from anywhere. I also tested VyprVPN’s ability to unblock popular US streaming services and was able to access my Netflix, Hulu, ESPN+, and HBO Max accounts.

If you run into any issues, live chat support is available 24/7. VyprVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, that way you don’t have to commit to a long-term plan immediately and have some time to make sure it’s a good fit.

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7. Private Internet Access - Largest Server Network

PIA doesn’t have servers directly in San Jose, it has over 1,000 servers in California. In total, it has 29,650+ servers in 84 countries worldwide, the most of any VPN on my list.

While PIA uses 128-bit AES by default, you can also choose 256-bit encryption if you want added protection; though the default is strong enough for most online activity. While testing PIA, I was pleasantly surprised with its private DNS reducing DNS leaks. You can choose between OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2, and IPSec protocols depending on what you’re doing online.

It works reliably for accessing US Netflix and other major US streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, and SlingTV. The best part is you can use one subscription on up to Unlimited devices and it covers most major platforms, so you’re never unprotected.

PIA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee too, so you can ask for a refund any time within that window if you want to go with another service.

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Which VPN Is Right for You?

I highly recommend using ExpressVPN for San Jose, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and can offer you a San Jose IP address. The strong security, intuitive interface, and ability to bypass geoblocks make it a great choice.

If you find yourself uncertain about which VPN is the most suitable for your needs, it's important to note that all the VPNs mentioned in this list perform excellently in San Jose. While a few may not have servers specifically located in the city, you can still obtain a California IP address through these VPNs. This will grant you access to most services available in San Jose.

FAQs on VPNs in San Jose

What’s the best VPN for San Jose?

According to our tests, the VPN with the highest speeds, as well as the best security and privacy standards is ExpressVPN. The VPN offers military-grade encryption, OpenVPN protocol, and lightning-fast servers in California.

Can I use a free VPN for San Jose?

While there are a few safe, free VPNs they all limit you in some way. Most free VPNs put heavy restrictions on data, speed, bandwidth, and/or server selection.

To avoid the hassle of picking through free VPNs that limit you in the end, I recommend choosing a premium VPN that offers a money-back guarantee, like the ones on my list. You won’t need to feel locked into a plan and get to avoid all the restrictions of a free service.

Is a VPN legal in San Jose?

Using a VPN is completely legal in the United States, as well as in most countries. VPN’s are also safe to use when you’re visiting countries with strict internet censorship laws, such as China, Russia, North Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. I recommend ExpressVPN as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

That said, it’s important to remember that citizens of countries where VPNs are banned or restricted may face fines or even jail time for using an unsanctioned VPN.

How can I get a San Jose IP address?

With ExpressVPN, you can connect to a server in San Jose, and then any site you visit will think you are in San Jose, no matter where you are in the world. It has apps for most major devices too, so you can protect your mobile phone, tablet, and PC, at the same time.

To summarize, here are the best VPNs for San Jose