The Most Affordable VPN Options For Photographers In 2023
Keeping your images and data private is a big deal whether you are a professional or amateur photographer. The ability for individuals to trick your computer, tablet, or smart device into sending network data to a device they control is getting increasingly common. That’s why I’ve been looking into making sure all my data connections are secured when out in the field. The easiest way to do this is to set up a private network or VPN connection for your photography data. So what is the best VPN for Photographers? Let’s take a look.
Why You Need a VPN
If you’ve ever used public or hotel-based “free” wi-fi to access or save your images, the first thing you need to know is that any data you send over that hot spot can be spied on, altered, or copied by shady individuals (known as a man-in-the-middle attack).
The way around this is to use a VPN, as it lets you securely and privately connect to your photo storage system and exchange data with clients. There are a number of different VPN services available, so it can be tough to know which one is the best for photography. So to help keep your images and data safe and secure, I’ve researched and compiled a list of photographers’ VPN options.
Best Photography VPN Choices
Simplest – CyberGhost
Overview
CyberGhost is the perfect choice for photographers looking for a simple VPN with excellent security and top-notch network speeds.
CyberGhost is recognized for having user-friendly apps and millions of subscribers. It provides OS-specific apps with a feature-rich and user-friendly interface to easily control your VPN access. The app has an easy button setup to secure your Wi-Fi transmission and provide access to your media (photos) and business files.
Pros
Cons
Price
Currently, as low as $2.33 per month (August 2022)
Security Focused – NordVPN
Overview
NordVPN is a fantastic choice for photographers looking for a service that provides high security and excellent performance.
NordVPN includes security features like Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, Obfuscated servers, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch (application-specific and system-wide) to ensure maximum online security and privacy.
Pros
Cons
Price
Currently, as low as $3.29 per month (August 2022)
Fastest VPN – ExpressVPN
Overview
ExpressVPN is a great option for photographers who need to transfer many files as quickly as possible. Of the tested VPNs, ExpressVPN came out as the clear winner.
When moving large amounts of image data from your hotel wi-fi back to your home photo store, ExpressVPN will do the job faster than any other service. So if you’re on safari or just shot a huge wedding at a remote location, this is the best VPN to consider.
Pros
Cons
Price
Currently, as low as $8.32 per month (August 2022)
Free VPN – TunnelBear Free
Overview
If you are just dabbling with the idea of how a VPN service can be used in your workflow, consider setting up a free account with TunnelBear.
This free service limits the speed, amount of data you can use, and the number of devices – but it’s still packed with robust security features.
Additionally, you have access to all of their OS apps that make setting and managing this VPN a breeze.
Pros
Cons
Price
TunnelBear Free is $0 per month (August 2022)
Conclusion
When choosing a VPN service for photographers, it is important to consider the level of security offered, the number of server locations, and the speed of the connection. Additionally, free trials and money-back guarantees can be helpful in determining if a particular VPN service is a good fit for your needs. Our top choices for photographers are CyberGhost, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and TunnelBear.
Thanks for reading! I hope this helps you understand how a VPN can help you with your photography and the best VPN solutions based on your needs. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below!
If you’re interested in other Photography Business tools, check out our posts on SEO for Photographers and Tools to Make Running a Photography Business Easier. And for other great posts, look at our Guides Section.
Important VPN Properties
Speed
When choosing the best VPN service, speed is key. VPNs work by encrypting all the data you are transmitting over the network. If that process is making your data take too long to load or keeps dropping out, you’re going to find it difficult to use your VPN for anything other than basic browsing. That’s why looking for a VPN service with good speed performance is important.
Simplicity
Unless you are a network expert, one of the most important factors in choosing the best VPN is how user-friendly the service is. After all, you don’t want to spend time messing around with complex settings and menus just to connect to your secure network. That’s why it’s important to look for a VPN service that is both fast and easy to use.
Additionally, make sure that the VPN supports your computer or device’s OS. So make sure that no matter if you are on Windows, Mac, Android, or IOS, the VPN service has an application or clear instructions about how to set up the connection for your OS.
Number and Location of Servers
When it comes to choosing a VPN service, one of the most important factors is server location. After all, you want to make sure you can connect to the server closest to you for the best possible speed.
Additionally, you’ll want to ensure that the VPN service has servers in various locations. This will give you the best chance of finding a fast and reliable server, no matter where you are located.
And finally, you’ll want to ensure that plenty of servers are available in their network. Since you are sharing those servers with other users, you won’t want to be limited by a bottleneck.
Price
The final thing to consider is the price. A VPN service is going to typically run in the range of $2.50 – $10.00 per month, depending on the quality of the service and the length of the contract you are purchasing. You will need to know that the least expensive choices will come with a tradeoff in speed, the number of servers, or support choices. If you’re only using the service occasionally, choosing a budget-friendly service is a way to go.
Additionally, you should check if a free version is available so you can try it before buying. Also, verify that there is a 15 – 30 day money-back guarantee, so if the VPN is not working for your setup, you can get a refund.
More VPN Information
What is a VPN?
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a tool that helps to keep your data and identity safe while you are online. A VPN encrypts your internet connection, making it harder for hackers to access your information. Additionally, a VPN can help to hide your location and IP address, making it more difficult for people to track your online activity. Using a VPN is a great way to protect yourself when you are photographing in remote or public locations.
Do I need a VPN?
If you are concerned about online security and privacy, then a VPN is a good idea. Additionally, if you frequently photograph in public or remote locations and use public Wi-Fi to move files or run your business, a VPN can help to keep your data safe.
Three Things a VPN Can Help With
- Privacy – VPNs shield your actual IP address from websites you visit and peer-to-peer nodes you link to. They can also keep ISPs and mobile network operators from monitoring the domains and IP addresses you use.
- Data Security – VPN connections also help keep your data secure on the internet by shielding your connection from “Man in the Middle” and other prevalent network attacks. It’s useful at airports, hotels, cafés, and libraries when using Wi-Fi.
- Censorship – Unblock websites and content that are being blocked or censored. Some VPNs can assist you in accessing material and media that is otherwise inaccessible.
Four Things a VPN Won’t Help With
- Malware Infections – A VPN won’t protect your computer or devices from being infected with a virus or harmful software by a malicious website or email. Because these items are directly downloaded to your device, the VPN can’t prevent them from occurring.
- Home Network Security – A VPN will encrypt and secure all data leaving your computer but will not prevent devices on your network from interfering with each other.
- Unwanted Profiling – Social networks, websites, and Ad Networks use your behavior online to track activity. Using a VPN will prevent these networks from knowing your location, but if you log in to your social media account, these sites will track activities by your account, not your location.
- Financial and Personal Data – Keeping your personal and financial information safe is the responsibility of the companies you interact with. The data is in their computers when you purchase an item online or register your financial information with a company. If there is a data leak from one of these entities, a VPN won’t prevent the loss.
