How to beat the USA porn ban in Virginia, Utah, Texas and more

Since January 2023, a full half of America’s 50 states have introduced laws requiring citizens to provide photographic ID before they’re able to access adult content. Understandably, some US citizens are uncomfortable letting the government know that they peruse adult sites. Others see it as a huge privacy issue, with questions around how safe and secure such verification measures really are. Luckily, you can sidestep this requirement with a VPN.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) encrypt your internet traffic, which prevents the government, your service provider, and network administrators from seeing what you get up to. Then, this data is sent through servers in another location, obscuring your real location and IP address. In other words, you can simply use a VPN server located outside of your home state to spoof your location and access porn sites securely, safely, and without verifying your identity.

In this article, I’ll explain exactly how to use a VPN to bypass the porn ban in the US and we’ll list the best VPNs for the job. You can scroll down for a more detailed review of each, but in case you’re in a rush, here’s a quick summary:

1. NordVPN:  The best VPN for beating the US porn ban. Quick, secure, and known for its ability to unblock just about anything. Proven no-logs policy and lots of privacy tools. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Porn.
2. Surfshark: The best budget VPN to securely stream porn in the US. A no-logs provider with strong performance and a fantastic security toolkit. Connect any number of devices. Can access virtually any geo-blocked platform.
3. Total VPN: No-logs service with the ability to beat most online restrictions. High speed servers, strong security, and 24/7 support.
4. ProtonVPN: This reputable VPN puts your privacy first and doesn’t keep any logs. Excels at beating digital censorship and regional limitations.
5. ExpressVPN: A well-respected VPN for bypassing the porn ban. With servers in every US state, this is a great pick for streaming securely and is an equally good choice for torrenting or gaming.
6. IPVanish: This zero-logs VPN is one of the fastest I’ve tested and doesn’t compromise where security is concerned. As there’s no connection limit, you can secure every device you own simultaneously.
7. CyberGhost: A user-friendly VPN with simple apps and servers specifically designed for maximum privacy. Has a large number of US servers that can access popular geo-blocked streaming services.
8. PrivateVPN: A newcomer-friendly service that offers steady speeds, strong unblocking ability, and a true commitment to your privacy. Secure up to 10 devices at a time.

How to watch porn in America without age verification

A VPN is the easiest and most secure way of accessing adult content in states like Virginia, where it is now restricted. To get started, simply follow the steps below before accessing your chosen adult site.

1. Sign up for a reputable VPN (I recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN app. Every service in this list allows at least five simultaneous connections, so you can secure your most-used devices.
3. Log in using the credentials created during registration.
4. Select a server in a state where porn is unrestricted. You’ll usually get the best performance from one that’s nearby, but for obvious reasons, you can’t use a server in Louisiana or any other state with restrictions on pornography.
5. Visit your adult site of choice. Because your IP address now points to a different location, the site should not prompt you to verify your age with a government ID (though they may still display an “I am 18” button or similar).

How I found the top VPNs for bypassing US porn blocks

Not every VPN is suitable for getting around online porn restrictions. To complicate things even more, you’ll also need a service that’s fast enough to handle HD video, secure enough to protect your browsing habits from snoopers, and versatile enough to deal with anything else you throw at it. Here are a few of the non-negotiable things I kept an eye out for when choosing the best VPNs:

• Speed: To get the most accurate idea of each VPN’s speeds, I performed three tests on their fastest American server, while using a 250 Mbps internet connection. This is roughly the average household broadband speed in the US, so my results should broadly match those you’d get at home.
• Functionality: My next challenge was to determine which VPNs are the most versatile. I began by checking server counts (where this info was available), looking into how many countries were supported, and how many devices you can connect simultaneously.
• Security and privacy: Keeping your activities hidden is my top priority, which is why I decided to only recommend VPNs offering unbreakable encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and a no-logs policy. All in all, I scored providers based on more than a dozen security-related criteria.
• Ease of use: Ideally, your VPN would be able to handle whatever you throw at it. That’s why I created a scoring system designed to reward providers that make everyday usage nice and easy. They might, for instance, allow any number of connections, offer 24/7 live chat, or offer anti-censorship tools.
• Streaming ability: Finally, I wanted to be sure that the VPNs in this list can beat the toughest geo-restrictions. As such, I tested them against a wide range of porn sites and streaming apps like PornHub, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+.

Remember: this is just a brief overview of my testing process. There’s a fuller explanation in the methodology section at the bottom of this post.

Best VPNs for Porn in the US compared

I’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – the #1 choice for bypassing the US porn ban.

Best VPN for getting around US porn bans

Let’s jump right in with my in-depth reviews of the best VPNs for beating American porn bans:

1. NordVPN

Jan 2026

NordVPN is my first choice for anyone trying to access porn anonymously. This provider has 8,000 servers spread across 120 countries, with more than 3,000 in 20 US cities. Not only that, it’s capable of accessing stubborn geo-blocked sites that most other VPNs can’t, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. NordVPN has a generous 10-connection limit and provides 24/7 support over live chat.

So just how fast is this service? To find out, I tested its American servers in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon while connected to a 250 Mbps test server. NordVPN averaged 209.31 Mbps, making it the quickest provider in this list by quite a large margin. In short, you’ll be able to stream porn, play online games, and torrent without any noticeable slowdown during peak times. Take a look:

There aren’t many services that can compete with NordVPN on privacy, that’s for sure. This VPN comes equipped with unbreakable encryption, protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks, and a customizable kill switch, plus a frequently-audited no-logs policy. NordVPN even has an obfuscated protocol called NordWhisper that can help you access adult content in countries with extreme censorship. It does store advertising IDs on mobile; be sure to clear these often so that you’re browsing as anonymously as possible.

NordVPN has its own iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, and Linux apps. Its website provides step by step instructions for router setup too.

BEST VPN FOR BEATING PORN BAN:NordVPN is the best option for evading porn bans. It’s fast, easy to use, and capable of accessing a huge range of content. Not only that, this service comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can try it totally risk-free.

Interested? Find out more in my full NordVPN review.

---

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is the best way to beat porn bans on a budget. As someone who uses this VPN regularly, I can confirm that it works with major platforms like Max, Peacock, and Disney+, so you’re unlikely to have issues accessing region-locked adult sites. There are 600+ servers in two dozen US cities and around 4,500 worldwide, plus users are allowed to connect as many devices as they like simultaneously. If you need help, staff are always ready to help over live chat.

Although this is a pretty inexpensive service, it actually outperforms most of its rivals. I performed three speed tests on its American servers, resulting in an average speed of 192.45 Mbps. That’s significantly higher than you’ll need for any day to day task and better still, Surfshark’s speeds barely fluctuated at all. In other words, you can expect a speedy, stable connection at any time of day.

There’s no need to worry about privacy either. Surfshark keeps your online activities private using uncrackable encryption, a kill switch, an independently-verified zero-logs policy, and protection against IPv6 and DNS leaks.Just recently, this VPN added a web content-filter and automatic ad and tracker-blocking, giving you full control over your browsing experience. There are more advanced features too, like the NoBorders mode which can help you sidestep country-wide censorship and a tool that’ll change your IP address every few minutes.

Surfshark has apps for Linux, Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. Select routers are supported too, but you’ll have to configure the service manually.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is my low-cost pick. It’s affordable but offers a suite of security tools most of its rivals can’t match. Top-tier performance and a true no-logs policy make it ideal for streaming porn anonymously. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Why not take a look at the complete Surfshark review?

---

3. Total VPN

Total VPN has servers in 24 US states and its network covers more than 80 countries worldwide. In other words, it’s a fantastic option for accessing geo-blocked content and getting around mandatory age-verification systems. In addition to most adult sites, this service can help you access platforms like Netflix without any issues. You can connect up to five devices at the same time and contact customer support 24 hours per day using live chat or the website’s ticket system.

To make sure Total VPN was actually quick enough for streaming, I measured its performance three times (morning, noon, and afternoon). On a 250 Mbps connection, Total VPN delivered an average speed of 174.62 Mbps, meaning it can handle tasks like torrenting, watching 4K content, or video calling without any issues. There was only 6 Mbps between its best and worst results too so it’s highly consistent.

This service takes your online anonymity very seriously. For starters, it keeps you safe using unbreakable encryption (AES-256), automatic DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch (on all platforms except Windows). There’s also a Hydra protocol designed to help you browse safely on networks that usually block VPN traffic entirely. Equally important, Total VPN refuses to keep any logs of your activities, meaning it’s virtually impossible for anyone to find out what you get up to online.

Total VPN offers beginner-friendly apps for iOS, Android, Windows, and MacOS. At the time of writing, it doesn’t support Linux or routers, unfortunately.

SECURE STREAMING:Total VPN has lots of reliable servers across the United States and has no issue sidestepping most online restrictions so you can access adult content safely. Annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out my complete Total VPN review for more details.

---

4. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a veteran provider with a network spanning more than 120 countries, with more than 400 servers in the USA alone. What’s more, I can safely say that this service is one of the best for streaming, readily unblocking major services like Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and ITVX from abroad. As such, you should be able to access virtually any porn site with no problems. There’s a generous 10-connection limit as well as 24/7 live chat (though only on paid plans, sadly).

Let’s talk about performance. ProtonVPN generally ranks pretty well in this area, but it’s important to retest providers regularly since any small optimization could make a hgue difference. After three tests, ProtonVPN’s US servers delivered an average speed of 157.88 Mbps, with roughly 7 Mbps of fluctuation throughout the day. That’s a competitive result, and well above what’s recommended for 4K streaming.

This service has a reputation for privacy, having been created by the team behind Proton Mail. However, ProtonVPN earned a place in this list on its own merits, securing your data using DNS and IPv6 leak protection, 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and a proven no-logs policy. There are also advanced tools like a Stealth protocol, automatic ad and tracker-blocking, and split tunneling. This is one of the only providers that includes port forwarding as standard, making it perfect for anyone interested in gaming or torrenting.

ProtonVPN has its own apps for iOS, MacOS, Windows, Linux, and Android. Alternatively, you can follow manual setup instructions to get it running on most home routers.

ANONYMITY FIRST:ProtonVPN is a well-respected service  with a strong focus on user privacy. Works flawlessly with major region-locked sites and streaming platforms, doesn’t keep logs, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.

Why not take a look at my full ProtonVPN review?

---

5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN goes the extra mile, offering servers in all 50 US states and a network spanning 105 countries in all. It’ll even automatically obfuscate your data, letting you stream porn, or access sites like OnlyFans, even in places with far-reaching digital censorship. Naturally, it’s able to access a wide range of popular streaming sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer too. Live chat-based support is available at any time, and you can secure between 10 and 14 devices, with the more expensive plans having higher connection limits.

ExpressVPN has its own protocol called Lightway, which was recently reworked to support multi-threading. Long story short, you should be able to connect more quickly and experience better speeds once you do. After testing this VPN’s American servers several times, I recorded an average speed of 127.81 Mbps. While that’s not the best result I’ve seen, it’s still well above what you’ll need for live streaming.

This provider does a great job of keeping you safe and best of all, it barely requires any setup. By default, ExpressVPN shields you using unbreakable encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch (which it calls its “network lock”). There’s also a strict, fully-audited no-logs policy in place so you don’t have to take this VPN’s privacy claims at face value. You can even take advantage of split tunneling to let certain apps bypass the VPN’s encryption. Finally, ExpressVPN can block ads and trackers automatically; just make sure the adult content filter is turned off!

ExpressVPN apps are available for iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux. This provider also has its own custom firmware that makes it very easy to use on a router.

NO STRESS STREAMING:ExpressVPN is reputable, easy to use, and able to bypass just about any online blocking. Whether you’re looking to stream, torrent, or browse the internet anonymously, it’s a great choice. A 30-day money-back guarantee is included.

I cover this service more fully in my exhaustive ExpressVPN review.

---

6. IPVanish

IPVanish can help you beat the US porn ban and is actually a great choice for most other tasks too. It has roughly 3,200 self-owned servers in 100 countries and reliably unblocks stubborn geo-blocked services like BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Max. What’s more, it allows you to secure as many devices as you like and offers around the clock customer support via live chat, so you can protect the whole family and get help as quickly as possible if something goes wrong.

I’ve seen IPVanish deliver outstanding results in previous tests. Still, I wanted to see what this VPN’s American servers were capable of now that it’s running 50 Gbps servers. After running three tests at different times of day, IPVanish had an average speed of 166.23 Mbps, placing it among the faster services on the market. It was remarkably consistent too, speeds varying by just 7 Mbps throughout the day.

If you’re someone who values privacy, IPVanish has a lot to offer. For instance, it uses unbreakable encryption, backed up by a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a zero-logs policy that’s been audited multiple times. That’s just the beginning though; this VPN has a ton of additional functionality including ad and tracker-blocking, obfuscation, split tunneling support, automatic wifi protection, and the ability to tell if links are safe to open. You can also take advantage of its multi-hop servers that encrypt your data twice if you’d like even greater anonymity.

IPVanish provides apps for iOS, MacOS, Android, and Windows. If you’d like to use it on Linux systems or home routers, you’ll have to configure it manually. There’s also a new Advanced subscription tier that bundles the VPN with 1 TB of cloud storage and a cloud-based browser.

GREAT ALL-ROUNDER:IPVanish isn’t just fast, it’s also secure. These characteristics make it ideal for browsing the web safely, hiding your activities from snoopers, and bypassing privacy-infringing age-verification tools. Sign up for a year to get a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out my comprehensive IPVanish review.

---

7. CyberGhost

CyberGhost makes day to day browsing as simple as possible. Its apps group available servers into categories, telling users exactly which ones are best for streaming, torrenting, and playing games. You can also choose one manually, which is helpful for avoiding locations with mandatory age-verification laws. This provider allows up to seven simultaneous connections and its customer support team can be reached, day or night, using the live chat service on CyberGhost’s website.

I’ve used CyberGhost extensively and its speeds have never left me wanting more. When I tested its servers in the US, it achieved an average speed of 145.49 Mbps; while there are quicker providers in this list, that’s a respectable result that’s orders of magnitude higher than what’s required for streaming porn, downloading torrents, or making video calls. Let’s see how those speeds varied throughout the day:

Don’t be fooled by its novice-friendly exterior, CyberGhost has plenty of powerful security features built-in. For starters, it prevents DNS and IPv6 leaks, boasts unbreakable encryption, and ensures you’re always protected using a kill switch. Most importantly, CyberGhost doesn’t keep any logs of your activities and has proven this with multiple audits. Its toolkit also includes ad and tracker-blocking, split tunneling support, and the ability to create smart rules to automate connection. There is a basic form of obfuscation (random port connection) which might help you bypass some forms of VPN-blocking but unfortunately, won’t work in China.

CyberGhost offers apps for Android, Windows, Linux, iOS, and macOS. Users can follow manual setup instructions to get it running on their home routers too.

BLAZING FAST SPEEDS:CyberGhost boasts easy to use apps, high speeds, anda great set of privacy tools. Task-specific servers and a no-logs policy make this a fantastic option for beating American porn bans. Comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Still have questions? You’ll find answers in my in-depth CyberGhost review.

---

8. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN intentionally keeps its network lean, prioritizing quality over quantity. It owns and hosts all 200 of its servers, even acting as its own ISP so that your data is never exposed to any third party. Not only can this VPN beat the American porn ban, it can access almost any streaming service and even works in countries like China and the UAE. You’ll be able to connect 10 devices at once and speak with support staff over live chat (though this is only available during European business hours).

I’ve tested PrivateVPN dozens of times over the years and while it won’t be setting speed records any time soon, it generally delivers solid performance. This time, its US servers achieved an average speed of 56.31 Mbps, with around 11 Mbps of fluctuation. I’d prefer to see a little less variability but overall, this VPN is quick enough for almost any task, though if your base connection is on the slower side, you may want to consider one of the other providers above. Here are my findings:

In a word, PrivateVPN’s security offering is outstanding. This VPN secures your data with 256-bit AES encryption (though this can be reduced for higher speeds), prevents IPv6 and DNS leaks, and uses a kill switch to ensure you never browse unprotected. PrivateVPN follows a no-logs policy, meaning it can’t reveal details of your activities under any circumstances. Additionally, it has a stealth mode capable of beating the world’s strictest online censorship, as well as split tunneling functionality which can allow specific apps to pass through unencrypted (for instance, if you wanted to download a file as quickly as possible and don’t care if anyone is watching).

PrivateVPN has Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS apps. Linux systems and wireless routers are supported, though you’ll need to follow manual setup instructions to get up and running.

PRIVACY FIRST:PrivateVPN is a novice-friendly VPN with steady speeds, phenomenal unblocking ability, and a real focus on user privacy. In other words, it’s perfect for beating the US porn ban. Not quite sure yet? There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Take a look at my more in-depth PrivateVPN review.

---

Bypassing the US porn ban with a free VPN

Free VPNs might seem like a good way to protect your browsing from snoopers, but in practice, they leave a lot to be desired. They often have very low bandwidth limits, which means you’ll usually only be able to use them for a short time each month. Additionally, because there are so many people all trying to access a small number of servers, you’ll almost always notice sluggish speeds. This leads to long buffering times, forced low-resolution video, and often, videos that refuse to play at all – making accessing porn with a free VPN an irritating experience.

There are also security aspects to consider when using free VPNs. While paid VPNs have been extensively tested, there are no such guarantees for free providers. These services often change webpages before you see them, inserting ads with the goal of pushing you towards an ad-free, paid subscription instead.

I’ve even seen free services mislead or outright lie about how private they are in a bid to gain users at any cost. While pricing is an important factor when making a decision, it shouldn’t be the only one. I’d recommend choosing based on privacy policy and reputation, instead of using a VPN just because it’s free.

States that have introduced restrictions on adult content

In the last few years, I’ve seen half of all US states introduce legislation mandating age-verification before access to adult content. Though officials have claimed pornography is a “public health crisis”, academics counter that it doesn’t meet the criteria and that the government is instead trying to “generate policies based on moral values”.

Here is a complete list of US states which block porn via age verification:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Wyoming

How does US porn age verification work?

Because there is no federal law mandating porn sites verify their users’ ages, the exact implementation process is different for each state. However, the days of simple “Are you 18 or over?” popups are behind us, as each adult site is now legally responsible for making sure its visitors from these states are of legal age.

Generally, this means that if you visit an adult site while in a location with age-verification laws, you’ll see a popup like the one below.

Clicking the Check my age button whisks you off to a third-party age-verification company’s website. Here, users are encouraged to create an account and add material that proves their age, most commonly a copy of their government ID, their credit card information, and/or their phone provider’s information.

Here’s the main problem: no online system is unhackable. It’s not possible to prevent employees from these companies leaking personal information, for instance, and there’s no guarantee that their databases are as secure as they believe them to be. Besides, location based-blocking is trivially simple to bypass — just ask the thousands of British people who flocked to VPNs after the UK’s Online Safety Bill was passed in 2023.

If you’re concerned about digital privacy, I’d recommend using a VPN at all times, brushing up on cybersecurity best practices, and messaging your local representatives to let them know how you feel about mandatory age-verification programs.

Related: How to bypass X age verification

USA porn ban: Frequently Asked Questions