Think back to when Netflix first came out. They were notorious for being lax about sharing passwords with friends and family. It seemed like every account had someone else stealing it (it's me, hi, I'm the leech, it's me).
Today, Netflix and other streaming services do everything they can to prevent account sharing, but where do the best VPNs stand on this policy? After all, it’s much more affordable to split the cost with someone else.
Share Accounts Over a VPN
First, let’s get one thing straight. When it comes to the best free VPNs, there’s really no reason to share an account, just download it for yourself! However, to share a paid VPN, your first step is to check your provider’s terms of service.
Many premium VPNs have a strict limit on the number of devices that can connect to them. But before you randomly give out your login, make sure to check how it’s worded. If the plan supports 10 simultaneous connections like NordVPN, that’s not too bad, but if it’s a strict limit of 10 devices you can install the VPN on (like Norton VPN), think twice before sharing it.
If you have a NordVPN subscription, you can use its MeshNet system to create your own VPN network of up to 60 devices worldwide using a P2P connection. Next up, we have Surfshark. One of our top VPN picks, Surfshark supports unlimited simultaneous connections, so install it on as many devices as you want!
Who should you share with?
The answer is simple: someone you trust. While the most secure VPNs don’t keep logs of your activities, you don’t want to share them with someone who has malicious intentions or who might invite others to use your account.
If you share your home with roommates or family members, it may be a good idea to get a VPN router that automatically applies protection to the entire network. Providers like NordVPN and ExpressVPN even sell their own routers with built-in VPNs.