VPN Statistics: Market Share, Security, and More

Online data security is a significant global issue, especially in the era of digitalization. Data breaches have become a daily occurrence. One way to prevent them is by implementing fundamental privacy policies.

One of the security protocols anyone can use is a VPN. It stands for Virtual Private Network and allows a user to browse the internet safely and anonymously. 

To learn more about its usage and necessity in the digital world, here is a list of 30 VPN statistics that might make you double-check your online safety.

Top VPN Facts: Editor’s Choice

  • There has been a 124% increase in VPN use in the USA ever since the COVID-19 pandemic took place. 
  • By 2027, the VPN market will reach a total value of $71.33 billion.
  • The USA is one of the countries with the lowest VPN usage statistics.
  • 93% of users are concerned about online data privacy.
  • 82% of companies have workers who don’t follow data privacy policies.
  • Only 37% of companies claim that they are prepared for a cyberattack.
  • Necessary data security efforts could prevent 93% of cyberattacks.
  • 68% of adult internet users in the USA use free or paid VPN.

VPN Statistics by Region and Market Share

VPN is available all over the world, but some countries have more access than others. In this section, we will see which countries use VPNs the most. We will also answer the question of how many people use VPN?

1. There has been a 124% increase in VPN use in the USA ever since the COVID-19 pandemic took place. 

Due to the recent surge of people staying at home for their health and safety, internet usage has skyrocketed. Along with this increase, using VPN has also become more popular.

However, is a VPN worth it? A 124% increase in VPN use since the quarantine started answers that question.

2. More than two-thirds of adults in the USA know what a VPN is. 

According to VPN statistics, 72% of adult Americans are familiar with VPN. Logically, adults aged 60 years and over are less familiar with VPNs, with only 50% able to explain their purpose. 

3. At least 68% of adult online users in the USA have access to VPN.

The worldwide demand for setting up an online protection system has increased exponentially. Fortunately, it’s the same situation in the USA. According to VPN usage statistics, around 68% or 142 million adult internet users in the USA use free and paid VPNs. 

4. An estimated 63% of American households list identity theft as the biggest online threat.

With cyberattacks becoming more frequent in the USA, many citizens have chosen to avoid the internet for specific tasks. They believe that personal data can easily be stolen or misused. As stated in studies about VPN internet privacy, around 63% of American households fear online identity theft. 

5. By 2027, the VPN market will reach a total value of $71.33 billion.

VPN usage has become valuable for both individuals and businesses. It’s not only optional, but it has become necessary to secure your online experience. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the VPN market is expected to hit $71.33 billion by 2027.

6. Among all age groups, people aged 16–24 use a VPN the most.

According to VPN use statistics, people aged 16 to 24 are the most frequent VPN users. They comprise at least 35% of all VPN clients in the world. Following that number are people aged 25 to 34, accounting for at least 33% of the VPN population.

7. There has been a massive increase in VPN users from the USA during the quarantine.

As everyone’s staying at home, more people are getting involved in online activities. Therefore, improving privacy on the internet has become a top priority.

According to VPN statistics, there was a huge increase in VPN users in the USA when quarantine started. For example, NordVPN recorded a 165% increase, while Atlas VPN recorded a 124% increase in VPN use. 

8. The demand for VPN has suddenly increased by 41% in March 2020 in the USA.

VPN is now an accessible protocol for many. For the majority of online users residing in the USA, it’s become essential in daily browsing. Due to the rising awareness of online security, the market demand for VPN in the USA increased by 41%, as recent VPN facts show. 

9. By 2026, the VPN market is expected to grow by 12% year on year.  

VPN had already been popular before the pandemic, but the demand spiked during the lockdown. According to projections, the VPN market will be worth $70 billion by 2026. 

10. The USA is one of the countries with the lowest VPN usage statistics.

While VPN services have become an everyday occurrence, some parts of the world haven’t jumped on the bandwagon. According to statistics, the four countries with the lowest percentage of VPN clients are Germany (6%), the UK and USA (5%), and Australia (4%). 

VPN Users and Data Security Statistics

Aside from global access, many individuals choose to utilize VPN services for other reasons. One of those reasons is online security. The following segment will explain in more detail why VPN is essential for online protection. 

11. 93% of users are concerned about online data privacy.

Even though it’s recommended, not everyone uses a VPN. This dire situation can be a common occurrence for businesses that need online protection the most. 

According to VPN statistics, around 93% of users are most concerned about online privacy and security. Furthermore, 86% of internet users think they are at high risk of falling victim to cybercriminals. 

12. 82% of businesses have employees who don’t follow data privacy policies.

It has been reported that many businesses are not up-to-date with VPN and privacy policies. According to online privacy facts and statistics, around 82% of employees don’t adhere to data privacy policies. If not prevented, this situation can lead to data breaches and financial losses.

13. Only 37% of companies claim that they are prepared for a cyberattack.

With data privacy being a significant priority for business owners, some companies have taken precautionary measures. According to a survey, only 37% of businesses are ready for a potential cyberattack. If this percentage increases in the future, data security will become less of a worry. 

14. 95% of American citizens are concerned about companies using their data.

Examining these facts and stats, it seems that the demand for proper VPN access is growing. Looking at the VPN users’ statistics in the USA, a whopping 95% of American citizens have expressed their concern about data security. They are mostly concerned about how companies handle their data. 

15. 87% of polled Baby Boomers think that data privacy laws should be enforced.

According to VPN statistics, people aged 54–72 years place great importance on data privacy laws, with 87% of surveyed individuals saying that the country needs better laws. The most indifferent generation is Generation Z, with only 53% of individuals concerned about data privacy laws and better protection of data online. 

16. The average cost of a data breach is $3.86 million.

According to NordVPN statistics, $3.86 million is the average cost of a data breach, but this sum depends on the country. For example, data breaches cost the most in the USA and can go up to $8.64 million. 

17. 80% of citizens in the USA and Hong Kong are concerned about their governments spying on them. 

It seems that American and Chinese citizens are most concerned about their governments monitoring their online activities. Some go one step further to protect themselves by supplementing TOR with a VPN. Still, according to statistics, VPN over TOR won’t improve the security and anonymity of any online activity. 

18. Around 91% of Americans believe that people have lost control over how information is collected.

Personal information collection can be a risk to your data security, especially if it involves unverified platforms and sources. However, it’s not often seen as a big deal.

According to global internet access statistics, 4.66 billion people use the internet worldwide. Of that number, 284.05 million are American citizens.

Even though a vast majority of Americans use the internet, around 91% of citizens believe that people are no longer in control of how their personal information is collected. With an ever-increasing number of internet users comes the ever-increasing concern about data security. 

19. Necessary data security efforts could prevent 93% of cyberattacks.

Setting up an effective protection system for your online data doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple VPN program, whether free or paid, can get the job done. 

According to Avast VPN statistics, around 93% of data breaches are preventable. Prevention would be possible if businesses and internet users had fundamental data security protocols.

20. 74% of Americans have limited their online data usage due to concerns about their privacy.

People often wonder about how to have privacy on the internet. The answer for many users is to limit themselves online.

In the USA, approximately 74% of American citizens have limited their data usage because of their online security concerns.

Why Do People Use VPN

Now that you know how many people use a VPN and how important it is for your online safety, it’s time to discuss the reasons people opt for this service. 

21. 77% of VPN customers purchase digital content every month.

Even though 50% of VPN users opt for this service to access better entertainment content, it’s important to know that they don’t resort to illegal means of obtaining digital content. For example, 33% of VPN users pay to download music, while 27% pay for music, movie, or TV streaming services.

According to web browser usage statistics, Google Chrome is still the most popular browser people use for online purchases, accounting for 63.21% of the global market share.

22. More than 50% of VPN users want improved privacy.   

According to research, 51% of American and British VPN users use VPN for internet privacy, especially when using public WiFi networks. Moreover, 44% want to stay anonymous online, 37% look for safe online communication, and 23% want to access restricted content. 

23. 29% of VPN users watch Netflix every month.

Netflix is a popular American production company and a streaming service provider. It requires a monthly subscription and is available in more than 190 countries. 

However, for those who can’t access Netflix, using a VPN can be a potential solution. As VPN statistics show, more than 29% of VPN users watch movies and TV series on Netflix each month. 

24. Of all internet users, more than 26% rely on VPN.

The internet is a limitless world where you can find virtually everything. However, it can also be a risk if you’re not careful. 

Fortunately, internet users have become aware of this fact and upped their online security. According to statistics, social media privacy is a major concern for 76% of global and 83% of American consumers. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that more and more people are interested in using VPN services. 

25. The global size of the VPN market can reach approximately $35.73 billion by 2022.

With its quick growth rate, the global market size of VPN services can be an investment for business companies. It has been reported that its market worth can reach up to $35.73 billion by 2022.

26. 47% of people use a VPN for personal matters when traveling abroad.

People become more concerned about their online security when traveling to another country. According to VPN statistics, around 47% of people traveling abroad use a VPN for personal matters, while 36% use a VPN for business matters. 

27. 34% of VPN users want to gain access to social networks and news services.

Aside from those who like online shopping and entertainment, what type of people use VPN? Contrary to popular opinion that people mostly use a VPN for fraudulent activities, the reality is that they use it to get access to information. The numbers show that 34% of people use a VPN to access social networks and news services. 

28. 25% of people use a VPN to communicate with their loved ones.

Sometimes, having internet access is not enough, especially when you want to communicate with family members or friends who live abroad. According to VPN usage statistics, 25% of VPN users feel the same way. 

29. Europe and North America use VPNs the least. 

According to VPN statistics by region, people living in the Asia-Pacific region use VPNs the most. Indonesia and India are the top countries with 38% of VPN users, followed by Turkey with 32%. Latin America and the Middle East have 23% and 19% of internet users who use VPNs, respectively. Europeans and North Americans use VPNs the least, standing at 17%. 

30. 30% of internet users use VPNs to access websites, files, and services at work. 

Even though 50% of internet users use VPNs for entertainment at home, 30% use VPNs to access different websites and files at work.

Key Takeaways


After our in-depth analysis of VPN services, it’s time to give a final answer to the question, “is a VPN worth it?” A virtual private network is created for many practical reasons, and it can meet anyone’s needs. 

Whether it’s for personal or professional purposes, a VPN service can become part of your online experience. It can make your browsing experience better and safer. It’s vital to examine and evaluate the VPN statistics.

The main concern to look into is the level of your data security. It has become a significant issue in the era of digitalization. Looking at these statistics, it’s apparent that you don’t have to get a complicated protection system for your data. Using a VPN can be the solution you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does being on a VPN do?

A VPN encrypts your data during online activities and creates a stable connection between two platforms. For VPN users, it’s an online data shield.

Because of its functions, it’s often used internationally. VPN allows safe browsing and anonymity, especially when accessing region-restricted websites or using public WiFi.

What percent of people use a VPN?

For the most part, people who know how a VPN works are active internet users. According to VPN statistics, 68% of adult internet users in the USA utilize VPN either for work or entertainment. This percentage amounts to approximately 142 million users.

Which country uses VPN the most?

While online data protection is gaining value nowadays, some countries have more VPN users than others. As VPN usage statistics show, the top-ranked countries that use VPN are Indonesia and India.

Is VPN 100% safe?


The primary function of a VPN is online protection. It encrypts your data and becomes an online shield for your online activities. However, a VPN doesn’t work as a standard antivirus program, so it won’t protect you if you fall victim to a phishing attack or download a malicious file. 

Another question we need to answer is, “does using a VPN use more data?” According to estimates, a VPN increases data usage by 10–15%. You should keep that in mind if you have a limited data plan. 

Can police track VPN?

According to research, police officials can’t fully keep track of live, encrypted data traffic protected by VPN. However, they have several other methods to track your data if they have an official court order, as VPN facts show.

For example, they can inquire about your connection and usage logs. An internet service provider or a VPN provider can also reveal crucial information due to jurisdiction and other legal factors.

Which VPN uses the least data?

Every VPN protocol has its encryption standard. According to research, 128-bit PPTP uses the least data. Unfortunately, it has inadequate security measures. Therefore, it’s not recommended to use this VPN protocol to connect to the internet. 

As VPN statistics show, it’s better to opt for 256-bit OpenVPN if you want top security and moderate data use.

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