Best VPN for New Jersey in 2026: 3 VPNs With NJ Servers

New Jerseyans who travel face a different problem. Local streams, such as the NJ PBS livestream, play only to viewers in the station’s area. A VPN for New Jersey encrypts your traffic on public networks and keeps local streams working while you’re out of state.

It isn’t a way to bet from outside the state, though, because state rules allow online betting only within New Jersey’s borders. Here’s our shortlist.

New Jersey VPNs Compared

VPN	New Jersey servers	NJ PBS livestream	Speed loss on NJ servers	Devices	Long-term price
NordVPN	Trenton	Played	2.6%	10	$3.49 a month
Proton VPN	Secaucus	Played	28.8%	10	$2.99 a month
ExpressVPN	Several locations	Played	15.0%	10	$2.99 a month

The Best VPNs for New Jersey Ranked

1. NordVPN: Best Overall VPN for New Jersey

NordVPN unblocked the NJ PBS livestream on its Trenton servers. On those servers, it lost only 2.6% of our speed. It also unblocked every streaming service in our wider tests, from Netflix US to BBC iPlayer. Its apps cover Windows, macOS, iPhone, Android, and Linux, and one plan protects 10 devices.

Our guides to the best gaming VPNs and best VPNs for Mac compare it with other VPNs for those uses. Our NordVPN review covers the rest. NordVPN’s Basic plan is $94.23 for 27 months, about $3.49 a month. It renews at $139.08 a year. Write down the renewal date when you subscribe, and check prices again a month before it.

You can also cancel within 30 days for a full refund.

Visit NordVPN

2. Proton VPN: Best for Privacy in New Jersey

Proton VPN unblocked NJ PBS on its Secaucus servers. Proton operates under Swiss law, and it ranks among the most secure VPNs we’ve tested. Its paid plans also support port forwarding, a setting that helps with torrenting. Its free plan doesn’t let you choose New Jersey.  For NJ PBS and other local streams, the VPN Plus plan is required.

Its Secaucus servers were also slower, with a 28.8% speed loss. That’s still ample for HD streaming, but NordVPN’s Trenton servers kept far more speed for large downloads. Two years of Proton VPN Plus cost $71.76, or $2.99 a month. From the third year, it’s $83.88 annually. Refunds in the first 30 days cover only the unused part of the plan.

Visit Proton VPN

3. ExpressVPN: Best for Easy Setup

ExpressVPN also unblocked NJ PBS on its New Jersey servers. Its speed loss there was 15.0%. Its quick connections help when your phone switches between Wi-Fi and mobile data on the train. When you travel abroad, it can also change your Netflix region back to the US library. It unblocked HBO Max in our streaming tests too, and our HBO Max VPN guide explains the setup.

It has few advanced settings. If you want more control, NordVPN’s apps have it. ExpressVPN’s Basic plan also has a lighter ad blocker. Pair it with an ad-blocking browser extension. ExpressVPN’s Basic plan comes to $2.99 a month on a 28-month term ($83.72). After the first term, you’ll pay $99.95 a year.

Visit ExpressVPN

Why Use a VPN in New Jersey?

Public Wi-Fi is the first reason. NJ Transit’s bus Wi-Fi requires no password, and Newark Liberty offers free Wi-Fi to every traveler. On a public network, a VPN encrypts your traffic before it leaves your phone or laptop. At home, your ISP can see which sites you visit.

New Jersey’s privacy law lets you opt out of targeted ads and the sale of your data. It doesn’t stop your ISP from seeing your browsing, though, and a VPN does. Our overall ranking of the best VPNs covers more VPNs and features.

How to Get a New Jersey IP Address Away From Home

Connect to a New Jersey server, and NJ PBS plays as it does at home. PBS livestreams play only within each station’s area, and NJ PBS played on all three VPNs’ New Jersey servers. Live sports are stricter.

Devils and Nets games on DAZN are limited to subscribers in the teams’ home territories, and blackout rules apply. The steps take a few minutes:

1. Install a VPN with New Jersey servers, such as NordVPN.
2. Connect to a New Jersey server, such as NordVPN’s Trenton servers.
3. Restart the NJ PBS app or reload its website.
4. Press play on the livestream.

Is There a Free VPN With New Jersey Servers?

Not among the free VPNs we know of. Proton VPN’s free plan is the best free alternative. It has no data cap and keeps no logs, but it assigns a server automatically, and you can’t choose New Jersey. For public Wi-Fi, a free VPN is better than no protection.

For NJ PBS or other local streams, a paid VPN with New Jersey servers is required. Our best free VPNs list covers the alternatives, and our guide to cheap VPNs covers low-cost paid plans.

Try Proton VPN Free

Can You Use a VPN to Bet in New Jersey?

No. New Jersey law requires online bettors to be physically in the state, and that includes New Jerseyans on a trip. Licensed sites check your location with geolocation software that detects VPNs, and FanDuel tells its users to disconnect from any VPN before betting.

The state enforces the rule. In 2019, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement had $90,113 forfeited from a California man’s accounts after he gambled from outside the state. If gambling has stopped being fun, you can call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Verdict

To conclude, my overall favorite is NordVPN. Its Trenton servers lost only 2.6% of our speed, it has servers in every US state, and Threat Protection blocks malicious sites on bus and airport Wi-Fi. For privacy, Proton VPN comes second, with a no-logs policy audited every year.

Its free plan also protects you on public Wi-Fi at no cost, though it can’t connect to New Jersey. ExpressVPN is the simplest to set up on a phone. NJ PBS played on each VPN’s New Jersey servers in our tests, and local news stays available when you leave the state.

Try NordVPN Risk-Free

---

Frequently Asked Questions