Best VPNs to unblock Snapchat in 2023

Snapchat’s surging popularity has also been a bit of a downside. Many schools, colleges, and workplaces now block Snapchat to make sure students and employees concentrate on work, and entire countries like China, Iran, and parts of the Middle East restrict access completely. The only way to get around this filter is by installing a VPN for Snapchat.

Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN connection masks your true location by encrypting all the traffic flowing to and from your device and tunneling it via an intermediary server. Network administrators will not be able to determine your browsing activity. Hence even if you’re logged on to your college or school wifi, using a VPN connection will help you unblock Snapchat by hiding your real IP address.

In this article, we’ll 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: Is our top VPN for Snapchat. It leads the pack with speed and reliability. It runs a vast network of reliable servers that work great with Snapchat and can unblock geo-restricted content. This VPN also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Budget choice for unblocking Snapchat and most sites and content. Strong online security and allows unlimited VPN connections. Impressive connection speeds and works with other social media apps.
3. ExpressVPN: Has lightning-fast speeds and works well with Snapchat. Excels at unblocking popular streaming content. Goes to great lengths to ensure user privacy and security including 256-bit AES encryption.
4. CyberGhost: Beginner-friendly VPN can hide your real Snapchat location and encrypt your Snapchat messages. An extensive server network and excellent security.
5. IPVanish: Easy to use and has good speeds. A reliable option that allows unlimited connections and can unblock geo-blocked content, including Snapchat.
6. PrivateVPN: A reliable Snapchat VPN that consistently bypasses Snapchat blocks. No-logs VPN with unlimited bandwidth and allows up to 10 simultaneous connections.
7. Private Internet Access: Trusty network with lots of support to get you started. A large server network and solid unblocking ability.

How to access Snapchat using a VPN

1. Pick a VPN that’s best suited for you. (We recommend NordVPN)
2. Navigate through the options and select a plan.
3. Download the companion app for your phone, either Android or iOS
4. 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.
5. Once the VPN connection is established, open the Snapchat app and use it like you normally would.

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

To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the best VPNs that work with Snapchat flawlessly. They’re ranked on the following factors:

• Speed and stability of service
• Fast connection speeds
• Large number of server locations
• Strong encryption parameters so your Snapchat location remains hidden
• Apps for Android and iOS
• Ease of use

You can read more about how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend in our methodology section below. For now, let’s take a look at the ones that made the cut. 

Here’s our list of the best VPNs to help you access Snapchat at school, at work, or while abroad.

1. NordVPN

Oct 2023

NordVPN is our first choice for a Snapchat VPN. It has been in the business for over a decade, and its seamless product is the main reason for its longevity. This VPN offers the whole package: incredible internet speeds, reliable connections, ease of use, and strong encryption.

NordVPN understands the need for privacy and online security and therefore declines to store any 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. A single subscription grants access to six devices. An internet kill switch is also present.

Servers are optimized for speed, and there are more than 5,500 in 60 countries across the globe. Apps are available for Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS.

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 6 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.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a low-cost, privacy-focused VPN that doesn’t log any user data. It’s excellent at unblocking popular sites, such as Snapchat and YouTube, as well as geo-restricted streaming services like Netflix.

Internet connections are secured by 256-bit encryption in conjunction with perfect forward secrecy. Features include a kill switch, protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks, automatic wifi protection, and split tunneling. NoBorders mode will help you out if you need to bypass government blocks, for example, in China.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. There’s no limit on the number of devices you can connect at a given time.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark has apps for all the 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.

3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN combines military-grade encryption protocols with a minimalistic design that works smoothly at all times. It consistently provides fast, stable connections.

With over 3,000 servers spread across 94 countries — including a ‘smart location’ option that’ll indicate what the service intuitively feels will be best suited for you — finding an adequate connection should not be a problem.

Encryption standards are equally resilient – ExpressVPN uses OpenVPN connections encrypted with 256-bit AES as default. 4,096-bit DHE-RSA keys are identified by a SHA-512 hashing algorithm. No user-identifying logs are kept, and there’s a kill switch in the desktop apps.

A single subscription allows for use on up to five devices simultaneously. Apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS are available.

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.

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is registered in Romania and says it doesn’t store any data. But it was recently acquired by an Israeli firm headquartered in the UK, so we’ll have to wait and see if the policy changes at all. It works great with Snapchat and other social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

However, its encryption standards are solid. There’s 256-bit AES encryption on the OpenVPN protocol, which is considered robust. And with approximately 9,000 servers in 90 countries, there’s more than enough choice when it comes to hiding your location.

Access to seven devices on a single plan. The provider supports both Android and iOS.

9,000+ 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.

5. IPVanish

IPVanish is another fast, reliable, and easy-to-use VPN provider that incorporates sturdy encryption with a commitment to ensuring an impeccable user experience.

Your activity on IPVanish can never be traced back to you – the service keeps zero logs on customers so even its own employees won’t know who’s browsing the web and what they’re doing. There’s an internet kill switch included with your subscription – with the result that there’s no loose flow of data 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, it’s impossible for hackers to decrypt past session data and uncover browsing history.

There’s an option to choose between 850 servers spread across 60 countries, making this a great VPN for travel.

IPVanish allows unlimited devices to connect at one time, making it an even cheaper option than Express if you decide to share with friends. There are apps for both Android and iOS.

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. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a very strong unblocker of content, be it Snapchat or streaming services. Although it offers a smaller network of around 200 servers, these servers are located across more than 60 countries. As such, it’s always easy to find a server close to your location for a faster, more consistent connection. PrivateVPN offers unlimited bandwidth, so it’s ideal for streaming and torrenting.

You’ll be able to use Snapchat securely thanks to PrivateVPN’s security features which include 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. If you need any help, there’s live chat and email support and even free remote help and installation.

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.

7. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) may deceive you with its ungainly looks but it does its job very, very well. It scores high on efficiency and ease of use.

It’s also another VPN service that chooses not to retain customer information of any nature. Encryption standards are similarly impressive – there’s an option of using the OpenVPN protocol with 256-bit AES encryption, SHA256 authentication, and 4,096-bit RSA keys.

PIA offers thousands of servers globally and lets you connect unlimited devices simultaneously. There are apps for both Android and iOS.

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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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 helps us narrow down the options and involves looking for the following in each VPN we recommend:

• Servers worldwide: Having access to servers worldwide allows you to access Snapchat and plenty of other geo-blocked websites and services. It also increases your chances of being able to find a fast server closer to your physical location. The VPNs we’ve covered offer thousands of servers across dozens of countries.
• Speed: Whether you’re using Snapchat, streaming Netflix, or torrenting large files, you’ll want a VPN that offers high-speed connections as well as unlimited bandwidth. The best VPNs for Snapchat tick both boxes. Indeed, our speed tests show that they’re among the fastest VPNs around, so you’re unlikely to encounter performance issues.
• Unblocking: Access to Snapchat may be restricted in your country or your school or office network. Of course, each VPN included in this post is able to bypass restrictions. However, we also tested each VPN against a wide range of other online content including popular streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.
• Security: While Snapchat encrypts Snaps (a picture or video sent through the app), text messages and group chat interactions are not. Many websites and services offer even less security, while security threats are ever-present regardless of your location. A quality VPN encrypts your data and protects you from leaks so you can stay safe online.
• Privacy: Depending on your country, your ISP may be keeping logs of your browsing data. This may then be shared with the government on request. To prevent this, look for a VPN that encrypts your data and operates a no-logs policy. We’ve looked at 140 VPN logging policies to find those that don’t keep any logs by which you can be identified.
• Ease of use: A VPN needn’t be complicated to use. Setup should only take a minute or two, while connecting to a server can be done in seconds. Our hands-on testing has helped us find the most beginner-friendly apps available. Better still, all of the best VPNs for Snapchat even include live chat and email support, available 24 hours a day.
• Value for money: The longer the VPN subscription you opt for, the more you can potentially save. However, you can get an even better deal thanks to our VPN discount coupons (available for all of the best VPNs for Snapchat). Keep in mind that each VPN also includes a money-back guarantee of at least 30 days, so you can try it risk-free.
• In conjunction with looking for all of the above, we test each VPN extensively as part of our VPN testing methodology. That way, we can verify for ourselves whether a service is of high quality or lacking in key areas such as server speed or security.

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 use 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. Supposedly 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