Expats needs to use all the tech tools they can get their hands on to make the transition to living in a new country simple and hassle-free.

But which tech tools should you use? Which ones are worth your time (and money)?

In this quick guide, we'll list the best expat tech tools on the market (all tested by us):

1. VPNs

VPNs are online tools that hide your IP address and encrypt your traffic. To use a VPN, you sign up to a provider, download and install an app, and use it to connect to a VPN server.

VPNs are extremely good expat tools. By hiding your IP, they spoof your geo-location. That helps you unblock any site you want - you can now watch your favorite Netflix shows anywhere in the world! What's more, VPNs circumvent government censorship, so you can access any site you want in restrictive countries (like China).

On top of that, VPNs encrypt your traffic, making it completely unreadable. Government and ISPs can't spy on your online browsing anymore. And hackers can't exploit WiFi vulnerabilities to steal sensitive data from you either. Also, VPN encryption stops ISPs from throttling your bandwidth.

And here's the best part - a VPN can help you save money on stuff like plane tickets, bookings, and car rentals! It hides where you're from, so sites can't use geographic price discrimination against you anymore.

Want to learn more about VPNs (including how to find a good one) and other useful expat tech tools? Here is a great resource to learn more about privacy tools for expats. It's a blog written by a US expat who moved to Budapest (in Hungary). It's chock-full of useful information that helps you learn how to make life easier for you as an expat.

2. Duolingo

Learning a new language can be scary - especially if it's a difficult language like Hungarian, Japanese, Hebrew, Greek, etc. 

There are tons of apps that help you better learn and master difficult languages, but Duolingo stands out the most. It's very easy to use and has tons of courses for many languages. Even better, Duolingo uses gamification to make learning a new language fun and interactive.

And here's something we know you'll love - Duolingo is completely free to use! You only pay for it if you want an ad-free experience.

3. Travel Adapter + Power Bank

If you're always on the move, you know how frustrating it is when your battery runs low. While it can be easy to find public USB chargers, they're not safe to use. Hackers can exploit them and use juice jacking to steal important data from you.

The best solution is to get a portable power bank - the kind that has built-in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

Also, make sure the power bank is paired with a travel adapter. That way, you never have to worry about forgetting that the country you're moving to or traveling through has different electrical outlets.

4. High-Resolution Webcams

If you move to a different continent, visiting your loved ones in person won't be very doable - at least not as often as you'd like to do it. So the next best thing is to see them over a video call.

This is why you need a high-resolution webcam. It will deliver a crystal-clear picture that's free of freezes, stutters, and quality drops (as long as your Internet is fast, of course). 

Even better, a high-resolution webcam will come in handy if you plan to work from home. You'll definitely need it for the weekly Zoom meetings or for VoIP interviews.

Which Expat Tech Tools Do You Use?

We'd love to hear what tools (either apps or hardware) you use to make life as an expat easier. Please tell us about your favorite ones in the comments.