5 Best VPNs for AT&T in 2024  

AT&T is the largest wireless carrier in the US and also provides media, technology, and other telecom services. Despite excellent overall service, users regularly complain about bandwidth throttling on AT&T networks during peak hours. Plus, the carrier can compromise user privacy by surveilling and recording its users' browsing histories. 

This company also uses geo-restrictions to block content based on your location because of licensing and distribution agreements. That said, AT&T provides its own VPN solution (ActiveArmor), but you'll be much better off with a commercial VPN. A capable VPN will bypass throttling, help you get around any geo-blocks, and protect your online data with strong encryption.  

This article recommends the 5 best VPNs for AT&T, as well as how to set one up. We'll also discuss why you need a VPN, how to choose the best one, and wrap up with some FAQs.

Best VPN for AT&T Router - Our Shortlist

1. NordVPN – Our Best-Rated VPN for AT&T in 2024
2. Surfshark – Best VPN for AT&T for Unblocking Online Content
3. ExpressVPN – Capable VPN for Complete Privacy on AT&T
4. CyberGhost VPN – VPN for AT&T Routers with Specialty Servers
5. Private Internet Access – High-End VPN for Advanced AT&T Users

How to Set Up a VPN on AT&T Router

First, find and sign up for a suitable VPN service. After this, download the VPN, set it up on your router, and connect to a server. Here are the steps that you need to follow:

1. Sign up for a VPN that is compatible with routers (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN on your computer.
3. Launch your VPN's website and locate its router installation guides.
4. Follow the appropriate router installation method for your AT&T router.
5. Configure it to connect to a US server close to your location for top performance.
6. That’s it! You can now use your AT&T Internet securely without throttling. 

If you want more detailed instructions, consult our guide on how to add a VPN on your router for further help. This guide explains how to complete an AT&T VPN setup for the most popular router brands.

The Best VPNs for AT&T

Follow our criteria for choosing the best VPN for all devices to pinpoint the best option as per your needs. The first thing to look for in your VPN is its ability to safeguard your online data. It must have military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and multiple VPN protocols. In addition, it should adhere to a strict no-logs policy. Only select a provider with fast speeds and stable performance. 

Your VPN must have a reliable global server network with ample coverage in North American countries like the US, Canada, and Mexico, where AT&T operates. These servers are essential to prevent throttling and improve your Internet speed. Choose a provider with obfuscation to mask your VPN usage and bypass geo-blocks even on restrictive networks. 

If you want to encrypt selective online data, find a VPN with split tunneling. Moreover, it must support all daily use devices like computers, tablets, mobiles, routers, and more. It should also be able to protect multiple devices simultaneously. Lastly, make sure you get a good price, a money-back guarantee, and 24/7 customer support. 

Following are the top 5 VPNs for AT&T routers that we have selected based on the above criteria:

1. NordVPN – Our Best-Rated VPN for AT&T in 2024

NordVPN provides a global network of 6,400+ servers in 111 countries. It includes 1,970+ servers in the US, 480+ in Canada, and 30 in Mexico. These servers can reliably bypass bandwidth throttling, and you can use them to unblock censored or geo-restricted content. This means you’ll get access to US-exclusive content from anywhere. 

If you want to set up a VPN on an AT&T router, NordVPN allows you to do this easily. In addition, it supports all popular devices like computers, tablets, mobiles, and more, allowing 10 simultaneous connections. You’ll get super-fast speeds for interruption-free Internet access. Moreover, it safeguards your online privacy by following a strict no-logs policy.

NordVPN has military-grade encryption and a kill switch. Plus, it offers OpenVPN, NordLynx, and IKEv2/IPsec protocols. It also employs obfuscated servers to use on restrictive networks like the ones in schools or offices. Its Double VPN feature doubles your encryption for increased online security. All these features allow NordVPN to deliver stellar overall performance.

You also won’t have to deal with any annoying pop-up ads thanks to its Threat Protection feature. NordVPN also prevents malware and trackers from compromising your online privacy. If you want to protect selective online data, you can implement split tunneling.

Right now, this VPN is priced at $3.09/month (2-year plan)(. Lastly, it comes with a solid 30-day money-back guarantee to test it risk-free and offers 24/7 customer assistance.

2. Surfshark – Best VPN for AT&T for Unblocking Online Content

Surfshark is a stellar provider that works great for unblocking geo-restricted content and evading bandwidth throttling. It has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries worldwide, including 600+ servers in the US, 120+ in Canada, and 4 in Mexico. It allows you to connect unlimited devices simultaneously and has very fast speeds to support interruption-free Internet access on all connected devices. 

In addition to being a very good VPN on AT&T routers, you can use Surfshark on all your devices, like computers, tablets, and smartphones. It protects your online data with a kill switch, a no-logs policy, and military-grade encryption. You can choose between WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec protocols, allowing it to deliver consistent performance.

Surfshark also has advanced features like split tunneling and obfuscation. Its Camouflage Mode automatically obfuscates your online data whenever it detects network restrictions.

You can use it to access unfiltered Internet on restricted school or office networks, as its NoBorders Mode displays a list of servers that perform the best on networks like these. Also, you don’t have to worry about ads, malware, or trackers with Surfshark because its Cleanweb feature can eliminate all three.

This VPN costs $2.19/month for its 2-year plan. It also has a solid 30-day money-back guarantee to test all its features without risk. Finally, Surfshark has 24/7 customer support and also offers an extensive database of support articles you can consult to solve any issue yourself.

3. ExpressVPN – Capable VPN for Complete Privacy on AT&T

ExpressVPN is another solid provider that can bypass throttling with tons of servers in 24 locations in the US, 4 in Canada, and 1 in Mexico. In total, it has thousands of servers in 105 countries that allow it to unblock geo-restricted and censored content. It’s a great option if you want to install a VPN on AT&T routers, as it supports almost all types of Internet routers.

This VPN delivers very fast speeds and reliable performance while employing robust security features like AES 256-bit and WolfSSL encryption, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy. You can learn more about these in our full review of ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN has OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec, along with Lightway, which is optimized for increased speed and security. Plus, it offers automatic obfuscation and a split tunneling feature.

ExpressVPN can protect up to 8 devices simultaneously and can be used on many different devices, such as computers, tablets, mobiles, and routers. It also has a Threat Manager feature to keep you safe from ads, malware, and harmful trackers. It also uses RAM-based servers and TrustedServer technology to increase your online security.

This VPN's lowest price is set at $6.67/month (annual plan). You can try out all its features completely risk-free with its trustworthy 30-day money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN also has highly responsive 24/7 customer support. During our tests, we always had a support agent assigned in under a minute every time we contacted them.

4. CyberGhost VPN – VPN for AT&T Routers with Specialty Servers

CyberGhost is an excellent AT&T router VPN since, with thousands of servers in 100 countries, it can help you avoid throttling by the wireless carrier. Its network includes 1,500+ servers in the USA, 480 in Canada, and 50 in Mexico. It also has optimized streaming, torrenting, and gaming servers. Moreover, you’re allowed to make 7 simultaneous device connections.

Delivering medium-fast speeds and dependable performance, CyberGhost can safeguard your online data with military-grade encryption and a kill switch. You can choose between WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec protocols based on your requirements. It also adheres to a strict no-logs policy to protect your online performance.

In addition, CyberGhost offers a Content Blocker to prevent ads, malware, and trackers. Don’t worry about using unsecured networks like public Wi-Fi, as it has automatic Wi-Fi protection. Although it lacks obfuscation, it can still reliably bypass geo-restrictions and censorship. Plus, it offers split tunneling, so you can pass only selected traffic through the VPN.

CyberGhost is also a very good option if you want to add a VPN to an AT&T router, as it supports all popular devices like routers, computers, tablets, smartphones, and more.

You get a great price as well - only $2.19 for its 2-year subscription. Lastly, it offers an extended 45-day money-back guarantee, which is considerably longer than what most VPNs offer, as well as 24/7 customer support.

5. Private Internet Access – High-End VPN for Advanced AT&T Users

Private Internet Access (PIA) has thousands of servers in 91 countries, including multiple servers in all 50 US states. It also offers servers in 4 locations in Canada and 1 in Mexico. You can count on medium-fast speeds out of the box. However, since PIA offers a high-end level of customization, reaching faster performance is a possibility.

Thanks to its massive network, PIA can bypass throttling and unblock geo-blocked and censored content. In addition, it delivers stable performance. You can customize multiple VPN settings to prioritize speed over security and vice versa.

For example, you can choose between AES 128-bit or 256-bit encryption. In addition to a regular kill switch, it offers an advanced one to completely block your Internet unless you connect to the VPN first. You can also choose between OpenVPN, WireGuard, or IKEv2/IPsec protocols. Plus, PIA follows a proven no-logs policy despite having its headquarters in the US. 

PIA has split tunneling to optimize your VPN usage and a Multi-Hop mode with the Shadowsocks proxy for obfuscation. Moreover, its MACE feature blocks ads, malware, and trackers. Plus, you can use PIA on all popular devices like computers, tablets, mobiles, routers, and more. It allows unlimited device connections, making it one of the best available budget options.

PIA's 2-year subscription is available for $2.19/month. Like other reputable VPNs, you can count on its 30-day money-back policy. There's also 24/7 live chat support on board.

Should You Use a VPN for AT&T?

If your goal is to bypass throttling and improve your Internet speed, a VPN is the best option. In addition, it can secure your online data from both hackers and ISPs, allow you to shop safely online, as well as optimize your torrenting and gaming. Let's take a closer look:

• Hide Your Online Activity – ISPs can see your online activity and share it with governments. A VPN hides your history not only from your ISPs and authorities but also from hackers.
• Bypass ISP Bandwidth Throttling – A VPN helps you avoid deliberate slowdowns imposed by ISPs and allows you to use the Internet at your subscribed speed. 
• Protect Your Sensitive Data – VPNs use robust security features like military-grade encryption, a kill switch, multiple VPN protocols, and a no-logs policy to safeguard your online data.
• Access Blocked Websites and Content – Streaming platforms and sites use geo-restrictions to display content based on your location. Using a VPN helps you bypass these geo-blocks.
• Access Your Local Sites from Abroad - When traveling abroad, a VPN will help you use your local sites by connecting to a VPN server in your home country/state.
• Bypass Local Censorship – VPNs allow you to use unfiltered Internet even in regions with strict censorship. They also allow you to access the Internet on restrictive networks.
• Use Public Wi-Fi Networks Safely - You can also use a VPN on-the-go, on your mobile device, which allows you to secure your access to the Web even on public Wi-Fi.
• Lower Latency for Gaming - By re-routing your traffic, VPNs can lower your ping. You'll get a lower latency overall, resulting in more responsive gameplay sessions.
• Anonymous P2P Downloads - When downloading torrents, it's imperative to prevent anyone from tracking you, so a VPN can actually help you stay away from copyright notices.
• Bypass Price Discrimination - By changing your virtual location to one where lower prices are present, you'll get to save when shopping online.
• Use Online Shops Securely - A VPN ensures that your data is put through a secure tunnel, so your payment information remains safe when using online shops.

Selection Criteria for the Best AT&T Router VPN

Aside from being able to bypass throttling and Internet restrictions, your chosen VPN should deliver fast speeds, support for routers, a kill switch, and proven protocols and data encryption. Here's everything you need to keep in mind:

• Proven Protocols and Encryption – Choose a VPN with strong encryption (AES-256 and ChaCha20) and secure VPN protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN to safeguard your online data.
• Trustworthy No-Logs Policy – Always opt for a VPN that follows a no-logs policy to ensure that it does not record any of your online activities and protects your privacy.
• Stable Performance – Look for a VPN that consistently delivers impressive performance without slowing down your speed too much so that you can use the Internet without interruptions.
• Obfuscated Servers – Obfuscation masks your VPN traffic as normal HTTPS traffic, allowing you to access unfiltered Internet even in areas with strict censorship.
• Kill Switch, Split Tunneling, and Ad-Blocking – Split tunneling lets you use your VPN for select online activities while using your regular Internet for others. A kill switch protects your data during accidental disconnections, while an ad-blocker helps you get rid of annoying ads.
• Server Network Distribution and Size – The VPN you choose must have an extensive global server network to avoid issues like overcrowding.
• Ability to Unblock Censored/Geo-Restricted Content – Select a VPN that can reliably bypass Internet censorship and geo-restrictions to unblock your favorite content from anywhere.
• Sufficient Simultaneous Connections – Make sure that you can simultaneously use your VPN on multiple devices, as you'll want to protect your privacy even when outside your home.
• Support for Additional Platforms - Aside from being compatible with your AT&T router, your chosen VPN should offer support for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more.
• Fair Pricing Plans - By getting a long-term plan, you ensure that you get the lowest price possible. Also, long-term plans typically come with enticing extras and bonuses.
• Liberal Money-Back Guarantee – You can test a VPN with a money-back policy without any financial risk. Most VPNs today come with 30-day money-back guarantees.
• 24/7 Customer Support – Make sure that your VPN has 24/7 customer support to help you whenever you need assistance.

Final Thoughts

Being the largest wireless service provider in the US, AT&T's users regularly experience bandwidth throttling during peak hours. In addition, this ISP can monitor all user activity on its networks and share it with authorities. AT&T also uses geo-restrictions to block individual sites. Fortunately, you can avoid all these issues with a VPN.

NordVPN should be your #1 pick, as it can safeguard your browsing history by hiding it even from your ISP. Its worldwide server network, including thousands of US servers, can easily bypass throttling and unblock geo-restricted content from anywhere. This VPN for AT&T also guarantees your online privacy, ensuring everything you do online stays anonymous.

That's all for our guide on VPN providers to use for your AT&T-covered Internet devices. If you have any questions, please leave them below in the comment section. Thank you for reading!