The Best VPNs for Cleveland Residents in 2024
Living in the Cleveland area comes with some unique needs when it comes to privacy and access to content on the internet. That‘s why choosing the right Virtual Private Network (VPN) is so important.
In this guide, we‘ll explore the top VPNs that Cleveland residents should consider to enhance their security and unlock more content.
Why You Need a VPN in Cleveland
Here are some of the key benefits a quality VPN can provide if you live in or around Cleveland:
Access Region-Restricted Content
A Cleveland VPN allows you to gain access to streaming services, websites or apps that may be geo-restricted to residents of Ohio. By connecting to a server in Cleveland, you can virtually appear to be in the area and bypass this restriction.
This means you‘ll never get the dreaded "this content is not available in your region" message.
Enhanced Privacy and Security
Like all VPNs, a Cleveland VPN will encrypt all of your internet traffic and hide your IP address. This prevents your ISP and anyone else on the network from monitoring what sites you visit and seeing your online activity.
This added layer of security provides peace of mind, especially when accessing financial sites or entering sensitive information.
Bypass Censorship
Some authoritarian regimes censor access to parts of the internet. A VPN allows Cleveland residents to bypass this censorship when traveling abroad and access the open internet.
Avoid Throttling
Internet providers are notorious for throttling speeds, especially for streaming video content from sites like Netflix and Hulu. By using a VPN, you can avoid any speed throttling and stream in HD quality without buffering issues.
How to Choose the Best Cleveland VPN
You‘ll want to keep the following factors in mind as you pick the ideal VPN for your needs:
Server Locations
The most important feature is that the VPN provider has servers located near Cleveland or at least in Ohio. This will provide you with much faster speeds over connecting to a distant server. Look for providers listing servers in Cleveland or major Ohio cities like Columbus or Cincinnati.
Speeds
In addition to nearby servers, verify that the VPN maintains good speeds across their network. The fastest options will have little impact on your connection speeds.
Encryption Protocols
Top providers will use AES 256-bit encryption as the minimum level to secure your traffic. This military-grade protocol prevents hacking or spying activity.
Number of Connections
If you have more than one device to connect, check the number of simultaneous connections that are allowed on one VPN account. The more options the better if you have multiple gadgets.
Customer Support
Even the best VPNs have technical issues arise occasionally. Responsive customer support via live chat or a ticketing system is vital for a quick resolution when problems occur.
Price
While free VPNs do exist, the paid options invest more into their network and provide better overall service. Expect pricing around $5-15 per month for a premium VPN, with big discounts on longer subscriptions.
The Top 3 Cleveland VPN Picks
Based on extensive research into the unique needs of Cleveland internet users, here are my top recommendations:
1. NordVPN
NordVPN earns the #1 spot thanks to excellent connection speeds, top-tier encryption, and servers located right in Cleveland.
Some key advantages include:
- 3500+ worldwide servers including a server in downtown Cleveland
- Next-gen encryption with NordLynx protocol
- Speeds ideal for HD streaming & gaming
- Strict no-logs policy to protect user privacy
One account supports connecting 6 devices simultaneously. This allows you to secure all your gadgets with a single NordVPN plan.
Apps are available for all major platforms like Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android. Configuring the VPN only takes a few minutes, even for less tech-savvy users.
NordVPN is reasonably priced at only $3.29 per month for their 3-year plan. Plus they offer a 30-day money back guarantee, allowing you to test the service with no risk.
Overall NordVPN is the best mix of speed, security and regional access for Cleveland VPN users.
2. Surfshark
Surfshark has quickly emerged as a market leader in the VPN space. With Cleveland servers coming online soon, Surfshark will serve as a top contender.
Benefits include:
- New Cleveland server location launching in early 2023
- RAM-only servers for max speed performance
- Allows unlimited devices to connect
- Solid 256-bit AES encryption
- 30-day money back guarantee
Surfshark is already available at a lower monthly price than competitors at just $2.49, offering even better value as more regions launch. They also provide 24/7 customer support via live chat for any connection issues.
For cost-conscious shoppers looking for full protection without restrictions on devices, Surfshark will be a compelling choice as soon as the Cleveland server goes live. Act now to lock in the early adopter price.
3. ExpressVPN
The long-time market leader ExpressVPN rounds out our top recommendations thanks to their blazing speeds.
Here‘s an overview:
- 3000+ servers in 94 countries but none yet in Ohio or Cleveland
- Leverages TrustedServer technology for enhanced security
- Unblocks a wide array of streaming services
- Allows 5 simultaneous connections
ExpressVPN continues to innovate on speed and security. They don‘t have any servers in the Cleveland region yet, but may add locations in the future. Still, with top speeds you can connect to nearby choices in regions like New York.
If you want the proven reliability of ExpressVPN and are less concerned about a local connection, they remain an excellent choice.
Pricing sits on the higher side at $8.32 a month for the annual package. But the level of quality makes it justified for the added peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions around using a virtual private network in Cleveland? Check out the answers below.
Why can‘t I access some streaming sites without a VPN?
Streaming providers will often geo-restrict certain content to local regions or countries. By using a VPN and connecting to a Cleveland-based server, you can make the site think you are accessing it from within the area. This allows you to view the restricted content library as if you were a local user.
Can my ISP detect that I‘m using a VPN?
Your internet service provider can see that you are connected to a VPN server, but they won‘t be able to see your activity or identify what sites you visit. The encryption masks all of the network data, hiding your usage from your ISP. Just make sure to select a reputable VPN that doesn‘t leak data or your IP address.
Does a VPN slow down my internet speeds?
Connecting to a VPN does add a bit of overhead that can minimally reduce your speeds. But providers like NordVPN offer speeds fast enough even for 4K video streaming and online gaming. For most users the speed difference is negligible, especially when connecting to a nearby VPN server location.
Get the Privacy You Deserve Today
After reviewing all the evidence, NordVPN stands out as the best VPN that meets the needs of Cleveland internet users.
With up to 6 device connections, access to geo-restricted content, and local Cleveland servers delivering max speeds, Nord checks all the boxes.
Don‘t leave your online privacy and security to chance for a moment longer.
