3 reasons VPN use is set to explode worldwide - and that might apply to you

BlackJack3D/iStock/Getty Images Plus Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways The global VPN market is set to grow by 17.4% (CAGR) by 2030. Growth drivers include remote work, cloud tech, and data security. VPNs also protect against censorship and surveillance. Analysts predict that the worldwide Virtual Private Network (VPN) market will grow at an astronomical rate over the next five years, with a changing work environment and security becoming key reasons for increased VPN adoption. Also: These popular free VPNs all share the same shady security practices - here's why According to a new report by Maximize Market Research, the global VPN market was valued at $48.7 billion in 2023, and this is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.4% until 2030. By the end of 2030, the market is projected to reach $149.72 billion, and the US is expected to take the lion's share of the market, dominating it with a 41% share by 2030 -- although the Asia-Pacific region will grow the fastest. There are three main drivers of VPN adoption we should expect to see, according to the report. The main VPN growth drivers Remote and hybrid working practices are the first reason for increased VPN adoption. While many organizations have mandated a return to the office following the pandemic, many others have accepted that the workforce now wants the flexibility to work from home -- and this presents a number of challenges. A VPN is often integrated into corporate networks to enable secure, encrypted remote connections to sensitive company resources. While it's not always foolproof, a VPN does give organizations more control over remote access controls -- a critical element in network security today. Also: Best VPN services 2025: The fastest VPNs with the best networks, ranked Another trend is a move toward cloud-based VPN deployment. This one is hardly surprising, as cloud technologies allow businesses to transition from on-premise software deployments to the cloud, which can reduce costs and improve work efficiency. Analysts say this movement is due to "ease of scalability, lower upfront infrastructure investment, and reduced maintenance." The most interesting growth factor concerns data privacy. Hardly a week goes by without a significant data breach or an email warning of a security incident related to an online account. While we can't control how an organization protects the data it holds on us, we can take specific steps to improve our online privacy. These include using a VPN. How VPNs protect you VPNs mask your original IP address and create an encrypted tunnel to hide your online activities, reducing the possibility of you being tracked or spied upon -- and helping to protect your data when you are accessing online services. Also: When you should use a VPN - and when you shouldn't It's also a key tool for avoiding censorship and circumventing ISP and government-level blocks. For example, recently, VPN downloads surged in the UK as the government imposed a controversial (and censorship-laden) online safety bill, while Nepalese protesters used them en masse to bypass a social media blackout. Overall, it's not just businesses that understand how valuable VPNs can be. Consumers, too, are now exploring VPN usage more, perhaps in part due to government mandates concerning online censorship, widespread data collection by brokers, and worries over online surveillance. If you're interested in trying a VPN out for yourself, check out our guide on the best VPNs of 2025.