Best VPNs to unblock Snapchat in 2025

Snapchat might be super popular, but that doesn’t mean it’s universally accessible. Many schools, colleges, and workplaces block Snapchat to prevent students and employees from being distracted while working, and entire countries like China, Iran, and parts of the Middle East block the app completely. Luckily, there is a way to get around both forms of restrictions. You need to install a VPN to unblock Snapchat.

Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN connection masks your actual location by encrypting all the traffic flowing to and from your device. Next, it’s sent via an intermediary server, hiding your true location and allowing you to appear that you’re in another country entirely. In simple terms, once connected to a VPN, you’ll be able to unblock Snapchat whether you’re on campus or in a country where Snapchat is normally inaccessible.

In this article, we’ll explain exactly how to access Snapchat from anywhere and list the best VPNs for the job. But if you’re short on time and can’t get into the details, here’s a summary of our recommendations:

The best VPNs for Snapchat:

1. NordVPN: Our top VPN for Snapchat. Offers a ton of security tools and offers some of the fastest servers around. Huge network and exceptional unblocking ability. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Snapchat.
2. Surfshark: The best budget choice for unblocking Snapchat. Protects every device you own and doesn’t compromise on speed. Great set of privacy tools and impressive streaming ability.
3. IPVanish: An easy-to-use VPN boasting great speeds. Allows any number of connections, works with most geo-blocked sites (including Snapchat), and recently added several new security tools.
4. ExpressVPN: A fast and newcomer-friendly service that works well with Snapchat and most major streaming apps. Goes to great lengths to ensure user privacy and security, and can be used anywhere in the world.
5. CyberGhost: Perfect for novices. Makes it as easy as possible to change your Snapchat location, enhance your privacy, and unblock popular streaming apps. Also boasts a proven no-logs policy.
6. ProtonVPN: A blazing-fast, zero-logs provider with plenty of powerful privacy features. Unblocks Snapchat and most other region-locked sites with ease.
7. PureVPN: Can access Snapchat in places with strict online censorship. Delivers very high speeds and includes a strong set of security tools.
8. Private Internet Access: A zero-logs provider with one of the largest networks around. No issues unblocking Snapchat or most other region-locked services from abroad. Steady speeds and 24/7 customer support via live chat.
9. PrivateVPN: A reliable VPN that works consistently with apps like Snapchat. Delivers consistent speeds and has no problems in countries with extreme digital censorship.

How we selected the top Snapchat VPNs

Many VPNs are on the market, but they won’t all meet your needs. To save you the time and expense of searching through them, we compiled this list of the best VPNs for Snapchat based on a few non-negotiable criteria, such as the following:

• Quick and reliable connections
• A large number of servers in locations where Snapchat is unrestricted
• Strong encryption parameters so your Snapchat activity remains hidden
• Apps for Android and iOS
• Easy-to-use apps and live chat-based customer support
• Good value for money, including a money-back guarantee

In our methodology section below, you can read more about how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend and see the results of those tests. First, let’s look at the ones that made the cut. 

Best Snapchat VPNs: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Snapchat.

The best VPNs for Snapchat

The following detailed reviews are based on our first-hand experiences using and testing each VPN.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for accessing Snapchat at school, at work, or while abroad.

1. NordVPN

Apr 2025

NordVPN is our first choice for a Snapchat VPN. It has been in the business for over a decade and offers access to thousands of servers spread across 100+ countries. As well as Snapchat, this service can help you access platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video from anywhere in the world. It also just released a new protocol named NordWhisper that’s designed to beat country-wide censorship.

If speed is a priority, this VPN would be an excellent choice since it regularly places highly in our industry-wide speed testing. As part of our research for this post, we tested its US servers three times a day and recorded the results. Take a look:

NordVPN delivered the highest average speed of any provider we tested, an impressive 188.31 Mbps. Its lowest result was 170 Mbps, which is well above the 25 Mbps you’ll need to stream 4K content. In other words, you’ll have absolutely no problems sending or watching Snaps, even if your base connection is slower than ours (250 Mbps — the average US broadband speed).

NordVPN understands the need for privacy and online security and, therefore, declines to store customer data. There are no traffic or session logs of any kind. All internet traffic is encrypted via 256-bit AES and 2,048-bit DH keys. There’s also a kill switch, automatic tracker-blocking, and post-quantum encryption for added peace of mind.

Apps are available for Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS. You can even follow manual setup instructions to get this VPN running on your home router.

BEST VPN FOR SNAPCHAT:NordVPN is our top choice. Pegs the best connection speeds we’ve seen and is a real contender in all categories. Has strong security features and allows up to 10 devices to be used simultaneously from one account. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free deal.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is the best VPN for unblocking Snapchat on a budget. It works in countries with strict censorship and offers access to servers in 100+ countries. Not only that, its unblocking ability is second to none. Whether you want to use Snapchat or unblock BBC iPlayer abroad, it can help. Unlike most of its rivals, it has no connection limit, meaning it’s a great value option for families too.

You might be surprised to hear that a low-cost service like this is known for its high performance, but it’s true! Still, regular re-testing is important so we can keep track of how it’s improved over time. Here are Surfshark’s results from our latest round of tests using the US servers:

This was the third-fastest VPN overall, with an average speed of 176.28 Mbps. For context, that’s quick enough to download a 1GB file in about 45 seconds, so browsing Snapchat won’t be a problem at all. In fact, you could queue up around a dozen 4K videos and still not notice any performance issues.

It doesn’t disappoint where security is concerned, either. Surfshark uses 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and automatic tracker-blocking to keep you as safe as possible. It boasts a proven no-logs policy and even includes a tool called MeshNet that lets you securely transfer files between devices (even if one is offline). Most importantly, the NoBorders mode will help you bypass government blocks like Snapchat in China.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. To use this VPN with routers, you’ll have to follow manual setup instructions.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is a low-cost VPN with apps for all major operating systems and doesn’t impose connection limits, so you can access Snapchat anytime, anywhere. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish is another fast, reliable, and easy-to-use VPN provider that’s committed to ensuring an impeccable user experience. It recently added 50 new countries to its network, bringing its total to over 100. In other words, it’s a great VPN for travel. There’s no connection limit, and users often mention that they value this service for its ability to unblock stubborn streaming platforms. If you’re having trouble accessing Snapchat, you can get help via 24/7 live chat.

To measure this VPN’s performance, our experts performed three speed tests over the course of a day, using its US servers. Let’s see how IPVanish fared:

This service was extremely consistent, with roughly 4 Mbps of difference between its highest and lowest results. Its average speed was 133.53 Mbps, which places it firmly in the middle of the pack. Don’t be put off, though: this is enough for any day-to-day task, including going live on Snapchat.

Your activity on IPVanish can never be traced back to you – the service keeps zero logs on customers, so even its employees won’t know who’s browsing the web and what they’re doing. An internet kill switch is included with your subscription – resulting in no loose data flow if the connection drops. You’ll remain secure.

Encryption standards are equally tight. The VPN provider uses 256-bit encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default, SHA512 authentication, and a DHE-RSA 2,048-bit key exchange with perfect forward secrecy. That means that even if your account is compromised for some strange reason, hackers cannot decrypt past session data and uncover browsing history. Its latest updates introduced split tunneling functionality to its iOS app, a link safety-checking tool, and multi-hop servers.

IPVanish has apps for iOS, Android, MacOS, and Windows. You can manually configure it for use with Linux systems or routers. There’s even a new Advanced plan that bundles the VPN with 1TB cloud storage and a secure cloud-based browser, for just over $1 more a month.

UNLIMITED DEVICES:IPVanish is a great family choice as it allows you to connect all your devices. Good for Snapchat, strong security and privacy features. Long-term plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a veteran of the industry and has a network spanning 105 countries, making it a natural choice for anyone hoping to get a speedy connection while traveling. It excels at flying under the radar, which means it’s a fantastic choice for accessing stubborn streaming platforms, using Snapchat abroad or beating censorship in places like China. Of course, if you need help, there’s 24/7 support.

So, how quick is this provider? Drawing from years of experience, we can say that while it’s not the fastest, it’s generally fast enough for day-to-day tasks like torrenting, live streaming, or video calling. Let’s see how its American servers did:

ExpressVPN achieved speeds of over 110 Mbps in two of its three tests, but a poor result in the noon test led to its average dropping to 87.85 Mbps. That’s significantly more than the 25 Mbps needed to watch 4K video without interruption, though there is room for improvement on consistency.

One thing users will appreciate is ExpressVPN’s commitment to privacy. It uses unbreakable encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and tracker-blocking to keep you as safe as possible. This provider has been audited multiple times, too, so you can trust its no-logs policy. There aren’t many advanced options, but if you’re a novice user, that might be exactly what you want.

A subscription allows for use on up to eight devices simultaneously. Apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS are available. This is the only VPN with its own router firmware too, so securing your home network is as easy as possible.

SECURE AND PRIVATE:ExpressVPN is a fast and reliable VPN that unblocks all major chat and streaming services. Provides strong security and privacy and keeps no identifying logs. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our review of ExpressVPN.

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is an easy-to-use VPN with thousands of servers spread across 100 countries. What’s particularly interesting about this service is that it offers servers for specific tasks like streaming and torrenting. As such, it’s easy to unblock sites like Hulu or Max with minimal guesswork. Needless to say, it works great with Snapchat and other social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, but unfortunately, it can’t be relied upon in places like China.

So how quick is this service, and are its speeds reliable? To find out, we performed three tests throughout the course of the day. Let’s take a look at the results:

CyberGhost had an overall average speed of 182.48 Mbps, which means it’s the second-fastest VPN we tested. There was a small amount of variability depending on the time of day, but nothing major. Simply put, this VPN should be able to handle Snapchat and anything else you have in mind without too much trouble.

From a technical perspective, CyberGhost has everything you’ll need to use Snapchat safely. This includes 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and a verified no-logging policy. There are also a couple of advanced options, like the ability to connect via a random port or create smart rules that allow the VPN to connect on its own in specific circumstances.

This VPN has its own Android, iOS, MacOS, Windows, and Linux apps. If you want to connect more than seven devices simultaneously, you can always manually install it on your router as well.

10,000+ SERVERS:CyberGhost is great beginners' choice for accessing Snapchat from anywhere. Plenty of servers. Good on privacy. Streams HD video reliably. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

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6. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN has an exceptionally large network, with 11,000+ servers in over 110 countries. Not only that, but it also works with a huge range of geo-blocked services, from Snapchat to Netflix and everything in between. Users can connect up to 10 devices at a time and speak with support staff, day or night, over live chat.

From the moment you start using this service, you’ll notice that it has minimal impact on your connection speeds. However, we wanted to see how consistently it performed at busy times of day. You’ll find the results of our latest speed tests below:

All three of ProtonVPN’s results were above 140 Mbps, which is impressive but not the best we’ve seen. Whether you’re looking to stream, video call, or torrent, though, you’re unlikely to run into any problems.

So, how does this VPN fare in terms of security? For starters, there’s unbreakable encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and an independently audited no-logs policy. Additionally, this service offers split tunneling and port forwarding functionality, plus Secure Core servers designed to be as safe as possible from third-party interference. It even blocks ads and trackers automatically! Looking for an even greater level of privacy? No problem: just pay in Bitcoin or cash so that you don’t have to provide any identifiable info during registration.

ProtonVPN has apps for Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android, and iOS. It can also be manually configured to work with most home routers (setup guides are available from the website’s help section).

FIRST-CLASS SPEED:ProtonVPN is one of the fastest providers around. Not only that, it’s packed with advanced security features and effortlessly unblocks Snapchat (plus plenty of other sites). Offers a limited free plan and a 30-day money-back guarantee on all paid subscriptions.

Take a look at our in-depth ProtonVPN review.

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7. PureVPN

PureVPN has a network covering around 65 countries, meaning you’re never too far away from a high-speed, low-latency server. Unlike most other VPNs, it works anywhere in the world, even in places like the UAE and China. This makes it nice and easy to unblock Snapchat while traveling. There’s a generous 10-device limit and 24/7 customer support just in case anything doesn’t work as expected.

Of course, none of this matters if PureVPN can’t provide the speeds you need to maintain a stable connection. Our experts performed three tests over the course of a day to make sure it was up to scratch. Here’s what they discovered:

Looking at its AM test result, we can see that PureVPN is capable of breaking 100 Mbps. Its problem seems to be consistency, though, and its poor result at noon dragged its average score all the way down to 86.36 Mbps. That’s still reasonable, but it could have been quite a bit higher.

If you’re looking to secure your connection with minimal fuss, PureVPN is a great choice. By default, it keeps you safe using uncrackable encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. Plus and Max subscribers also gain access to an automatic tracker-blocker, though we’d prefer if this was available to everyone. This VPN follows a true no-logs policy and has proven it via four independent audits.

PureVPN has its own iOS, MacOS, Android, Windows, and Linux apps. It also provides manual setup instructions in case you’d prefer to install it directly on your router.

USE SNAPCHAT ANYWHERE:PureVPN can help you access Snapchat anywhere, even in places like China. It’s absurdly fast, comes with a strong security toolkit, and has repeatedly proven that it doesn’t keep logs. Every plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PureVPN review for more details.

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8. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) boasts servers in 91 countries and can reliably access Snapchat on just about any of them. While it doesn’t work in places with extreme censorship, it does do a great job at bypassing regional restrictions, making it a solid choice for anyone hoping to use apps like Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu. Best of all, there’s no connection limit whatsoever!

A common issue users face is finding out too late that their VPN isn’t fast enough for the tasks they had in mind. To make sure this doesn’t happen to you, we tested PIA’s US servers three times. Here are the results:

Its morning result was particularly impressive but we did notice some dropoff as the day progressed. Still, though, PIA managed to deliver an average speed of 110.05 Mbps, which is much higher than you’ll need for most everyday tasks. You could even go live on Snapchat without noticing any performance issues.

PIA is a logless VPN service, which means your information isn’t stored or monitored. All internet traffic is encrypted with 256-bit AES encryption and 4,096-bit RSA keys. DNS leak protection and an automatic kill switch are enabled by default. Its latest updates introduced automatic ad and tracker-blocking, obfuscation ability, and an automation tool that lets you choose how and when the VPN connects on its own. PIA also accepts Bitcoin as payment.

This VPN has apps for MacOS, Linux, Windows, Android, and iOS. Manual configuration is needed for use with routers.

UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS:Private Internet Access has great security. PIA stands tall among VPN providers for its many servers, rich security features, and great customer service. Works well with Snapchat, but speeds can be inconsistent for video streaming, torrenting, and downloading. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Private Internet Access.

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9. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN has a smaller network than many other providers but unlike them, it owns them all outright and acts as its own ISP, enhancing your privacy by restricting third-party access. There are only around 200 servers in 60+ countries, but in our professional experience, this is one of the best services for accessing tricky, region-locked apps like Snapchat, Netflix, or BBC iPlayer.

So, how quick is this provider, and can it deliver the speeds you’ll need for seamless video calling? We ran multiple speed tests to find out; take a look at the table below to see how PrivateVPN did:

One thing you’ll notice right away is that this VPN is quite a bit slower than others in this list, averaging 49.79 Mbps. However, there wasn’t a whole lot of variability in terms of performance, so if you’re more concerned about consistency than raw speed, it’s a solid choice.

Thanks to PrivateVPN’s security features, you can use Snapchat securely, including 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. PrivateVPN operates a strict no-logs policy and accepts Bitcoin, so it’s very much a VPN that respects your privacy. There’s also a stealth mode that lets you access the wider internet in places like China.

PrivateVPN provides apps for the following: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. While you can use it with Linux and compatible wifi routers, this does require manual setup on your part.

RELIABLE UNBLOCKER:PrivateVPN easily bypasses Snapchat blocks and even works with popular streaming services like Netflix. Unlimited bandwidth and up to 10 simultaneous connections allowed. No-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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How we found the best VPNs for Snapchat: our methodology

There are hundreds of VPNs on the market, both free and paid. This makes finding the best VPNs for Snapchat all the more challenging. Our methodology involves personally testing each service we consider and seeing how it fares in five key areas. Below, we’ll explain what these areas are and why they matter.

Speed

Speed is arguably the most important thing to consider when choosing a VPN. After all, if your connection is too slow, you’ll notice that Snaps take a long time to load. You may not even be able to watch live broadcasts or could find yourself disconnected from the VPN at random, losing you access and leaving you unprotected. To get the most accurate results, we tested each VPN’s US servers at three times of the day and normalized the results relative to one another. Take a look:

As you can see, NordVPN was the fastest provider we saw, closely followed by CyberGhost. PrivateVPN had the lowest score but was still fast enough for seamless video calling and streaming; it just struggled to match the pace set by its rivals.

Features

Next, we tried to get a better understanding of each VPN’s unblocking abilities. First off, we looked into the number of countries its network covered since this is the largest predictor of how much regional content you can access. Next, we checked whether it offered any kind of obfuscation and, if so, whether the VPN could help you access the wider internet in places like China. Finally, we assigned scores, normalized them to give a rating out of 10, and put this data into the chart below:

NordVPN and ExpressVPN tied for first place. The former offers two censorship-beating tools: obfuscated servers and the custom NordWhisper protocol. ExpressVPN, however, simply obfuscates your data automatically as required. Surfshark comes a very close third with 9.7/10.

Security and privacy

A VPN’s main goal is to hide your online activities from prying eyes. In other words, a service that can’t keep you safe is of no use to anyone. Our team of experts evaluated providers on 16 privacy-related criteria, such as whether they used industry-approved encryption, followed a no-logs policy, and included all of the necessary safeguards like leak protection and a kill switch.

Once all of the data was collected, we assigned scores out of ten. Let’s see how our top picks held up:

This was a close race, but NordVPN and Surfshark both scored an impressive 9.5 out of 10, earning the top spot. We were impressed by how many advanced features these providers had, and how easy they were to use. PrivateVPN, meanwhile, had the lowest score. It’s still highly secure; it just lacks some of the more advanced tools of its competitors.

Ease of use

Here at Comparitech, we believe everyone should be able to protect themselves online. That’s why our team prioritizes VPNs that are easy enough for newcomers to use without too much trouble. We’re not just talking about the app designs themselves, though. Part of our research involves looking for quality-of-life features like unlimited connections, task-specific servers, and 24/7 support.

Once we’d taken into consideration all the important categories, we translated this information to a score out of 10. Here’s how the best VPNs for Snapchat compared to one another:

Once again, we have a tie. PIA and NordVPN each earned 9.6 points thanks to their extensive help sections, 24/7 live chat, and well-described settings menus. IPVanish came in second — we particularly liked that it allowed any number of connections and kept its apps nice and simple despite its many advanced features.

Value for money

Our goal is to get you the best possible protection for as little as possible. We begin by making sure VPNs are fairly priced for what they offer, but that’s only the beginning. Our team works tirelessly researching how often each service goes on sale, what its lowest possible price is, and whether it offers discounts for students. There is one non-negotiable, though: VPNs must offer a money-back guarantee so you can try the service for yourself with no risk. You can see the areas in which we judged the VPNs here:

We took this information and assigned each VPN a score out of 10; let’s see those scores:

Surfshark took the top spot with a near-perfect 9.7 points. We really liked its low-cost subscriptions, deep discounts on long-term plans, and the fact that you can secure all of your devices with a single account. ProtonVPN had the lowest score, a very respectable 7.4, since it does offer a free trial that you can use indefinitely (albeit with several limitations).

Want to know more? Check out our article detailing our scientific VPN testing methodology.

How to access Snapchat using a VPN

Don’t worry if you’ve never used a VPN before; they’re very user-friendly. Follow the steps below, and you’ll be up and running in no time.

Here’s how to use a VPN to access Snapchat anywhere:

1. Pick a VPN that’s best suited for you. (We recommend NordVPN)
2. Download the companion app for your phone, either Android or iOS
3. Open the VPN app, log in, and select a server in a country where Snapchat is available. For example, a server in the US or the UK.
4. Once the VPN connection is established, open the Snapchat app and use it like you normally would.
5. That’s it! You can now use Snapchat on any network in any country.

Free VPNs that can unblock Snapchat

The majority of Snapchat’s users are teenagers, which means they’re not exactly flush with cash to splurge on a paid VPN. It’s tempting to opt for a free service in this case.

But our recommendation is to invest in a VPN. That’s because free versions are inferior. They’ll throttle your bandwidth, offer very limited server choices (usually only one or two), enforce data caps, and could also make you wait in line if there’s network congestion.

Additionally, such services aren’t free in the proper meaning of the term. They’re monetizing somehow – after all, they’re companies that have overheads such as staff costs and server maintenance – with the most obvious product being yourself.

As a user, your browsing habits are a potential goldmine for pesky advertisers. Free VPN providers have been caught inserting tracking cookies in their users’ devices and mining that data to sell to the highest bidder. That’s completely unethical.

Even if this doesn’t happen to you, you’re definitely going to get a ton of invasive advertisements that’ll induce a migraine. Best to avoid.

Unblocking Snapchat with a VPN: FAQs