WhatsApp is a widely-used chat app with billions of users worldwide. It was acquired by Facebook in 2014 for an impressive $19 billion. Unlike other messaging apps, WhatsApp’s focus is on privacy and does not have any advertisements. However, its high level of security has led to its ban in some countries, but a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help in such situations.
By encrypting all your device’s internet traffic, including WhatsApp messages and video calls, and routing it through a server of your choice, a VPN provides greater security and bypasses geographic restrictions. We recommend reading the full article for a comprehensive guide on the best VPNs for WhatsApp, but here’s a quick summary:
Best VPNs for WhatsApp:
- NordVPN Our #1 VPN for WhatsApp. Encrypts all traffic and keeps no logs. Mobile apps work great with messaging and VoIP services and are easy to use. 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Surfshark Best budget alternative. With no connection limit, decent speeds, and a major focus on security, Surfshark makes it easy to use WhatsApp safely from anywhere.
- ExpressVPN Fast and secure. Effortlessly unblocks WhatsApp and most other VoIP and messaging apps.
- CyberGhost Beginner-friendly apps, 24/7 support, and a vast network of over 9,000 servers in 90+ countries.
- PrivateVPN This is one of the fastest VPNs around, and better still, it comes with several advanced security features. It keeps no logs whatsoever and easily unblocks WhatsApp abroad.
- VyprVPN Gained credibility for consistently circumventing Chinese censorship. Reliable and secure for WhatsApp and other messaging services but somewhat pricey.
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Where is WhatsApp blocked, and why?
WhatsApp features end-to-end encryption, which means all messages are encrypted on the sender’s device and remain encrypted until they arrive on the receiver’s device. Anyone who happens to intercept messages in transit–be it an ISP, hacker, government entity, or even Facebook–will not be able to decrypt their contents. WhatsApp uses the encryption suite developed by Whisper Systems, which makes the much-lauded and privacy-focused Signal messaging app.
This level of privacy is excellent for users, but some governments and law enforcement agencies argue that it protects activists, journalists, dissidents, criminals, and terrorists who can use the app to communicate secretly. As a result, WhatsApp has been banned, either temporarily or permanently, in over a dozen countries, including:
- Bangladesh
- Brazil
- China
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Montenegro
- Saudi Arabia
- The Gambia
- Turkey
- Uganda
- Zimbabwe
In some countries, WhatsApp’s voice calling (VoIP) feature is often blocked while the rest of the app is left open. VoIP allows users to make voice calls over the internet, similar to Skype, which is also blocked in some countries. WhatsApp voice calls are blocked in:
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Morocco
- United Arab Emirates
- Uzbekistan
Telecom companies in several countries have lobbied their respective governments to restrict WhatsApp as well. Because WhatsApp serves as a substitute for traditional calls and SMS, it cuts into the profits of legacy telcos.
The best WhatsApp 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 Whatsapp
| No value | NordVPN | Surfshark | ExpressVPN | CyberGhost | PrivateVPN | VyprVPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Website | NordVPN.com | Surfshark.com | ExpressVPN.com | Cyberghost.com | PrivateVPN.com | VyprVPN.com | Ranking to unblock Whatsapp: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Avg Speed (Mbps) | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 39 Mbps | 100+ Mbps | Server countries | 60 | 100 | 94 | 90+ | 63 | 70+ | Devices Supported | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, Routers | Windows, MacOS, Linux (command line), iOS, Android, Smart TVs Routers | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV | Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, Android, QNAP, Anonabox, Blackphone, Routers | Popular Sites Unblocked | 95% | 88% | 86% | 85% | 85% | 90% |
| Best deal (per month) | $3.19 SAVE 61% + 3 month FREE | $2.30 Get 2 Months FREE with a 2-year plan | $6.67 SAVE: 49% on the annual plan | $2.19 SAVE 82% on the 2 year plan + 2 months FREE | $2.00 SAVE 85% on the three year plan | $5 SAVE 50% on the annual plan |
Best VPNs for WhatsApp
We’ve curated a list of the best VPNs for WhatsApp primarily based on the following criteria:
- Strong encryption suite
- No usage logs
- DNS leak protection
- Mobile apps available including Android and iPhone/iOS
- Doesn’t reveal your online activity
Here’s our list of the best VPNs for accessing WhatsApp from anywhere:
1. NordVPN
Sep 2023
unblocks whatsappTested Sep 2023
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN is our top recommendation if you want the best VPN for WhatsApp. Thanks to their global network of thousands of servers, NordVPN gives you access to WhatsApp and other services from anywhere in the world. With NordVPN, you get military-grade encryption that uses 256-bit AES to protect your online communications. You can also connect to a double VPN or Tor over VPN for even more advanced security features.
NordVPN automatically routes your DNS requests through its own secure servers, which prevents any potential DNS leaks that could reveal your location. Their apps work on Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android, so you can stay connected across multiple platforms.
NordVPN’s subscription allows for six simultaneous connections, which makes it an excellent choice for families, offices, or shared households. On top of that, NordVPN supports popular streaming services like US Netflix and Hulu and boasts impressive connection speeds.
Pros:
- Securely access a wide range of geo-locked sites
- Customer service available via 24/7 live chat
- Kill switch keeps data safe even if your connection drops
- Faster than any other VPN we’ve tested
- Impeccable security credentials
-
30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Takes slightly longer to connect via desktop apps
Our score:
BEST VPN FOR WHATSAPP:NordVPN is our #1 choice. It unblocks all major VoIP, social media, and chat apps with ease including WhatsApp, Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Skype, and more. Allows up to 6 simultaneous connected devices. Great privacy and security credentials. A 30-day money-back guarantee makes it a risk-free deal.
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
unblocks whatsappTested Sep 2023
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is another young provider making a big splash in the VPN space by allowing users to connect an unlimited number of devices at the same time. That’s not the only card in its hand, though: Surfshark offers the security and online privacy you need to use WhatsApp from any country. It works in both the UAE and China. The company doesn’t store any logs and uses top-notch encryption.
If you want to access streaming sites securely, Surfshark has you covered. It reliably works with Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, among others. 24/7 live chat support is available when you need it.
Apps are available for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, and Fire TV.
Pros:
- Provides a secure, encrypted connection
- Servers in 100 countries
- Works in the UAE and China
- Strong security and privacy policy
- Connect all of your devices at once
Cons:
- Apps devote a lot of space to features that can’t be used without an additional monthly payment
Our score:
BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is ideal for sharing with family as it allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Reliable servers and user-friendly apps. No-logs VPN with 24/7 live chat support. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Surfshark review.
3. ExpressVPN
unblocks whatsappTested Sep 2023
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN offers cutting-edge security at every stage, including 256-bit encryption and perfect forward secrecy. The company keeps no logs of your activity or source IP address. DNS leak protection is built in so your true location is never revealed to your ISP, and the company operates its own private DNS servers. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux (command-line). ExpressVPN is fast, and servers are available in 94 countries. It’s also capable of providing secure access to a wide range of platforms, including US Netflix and Hulu.
Pros:
- Strong security and privacy features
- 24/7 live chat support
- User-friendly apps for major mobile and desktop platforms
- Operates over 3,000 servers in 94 countries
- Zero logs policy
Cons:
- More expensive than some of its competitors
- Only allows 5 simultaneous connections
Our score:
RELIABLE SERVICE:ExpressVPN is a fast and reliable choice. It works well with WhatsApp and other apps, boasts reliable connections, and has a huge range of countries available. Great privacy features and keeps no logs. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
4. CyberGhost
unblocks whatsappTested Sep 2023
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost is a top choice for unblocking WhatsApp thanks to its extensive server network, robust security features, and user-friendly apps. With over 9,000 servers in more than 90 countries, CyberGhost offers a reliable and stable connection to bypass any restrictions and access WhatsApp seamlessly, even in countries where it is blocked.
CyberGhost delivers impressive speed performance with unlimited bandwidth and allows you to connect up to seven devices simultaneously. In addition, if you ever encounter any issues or have questions, their 24/7 customer support team is available via live chat and email to provide assistance.
Security is a priority for CyberGhost, as they employ AES 256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch, DNS leak protection, and a strict no-logs policy. CyberGhost offers easy-to-use apps for all major platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
Pros:
- Beginner-friendly apps
- No logs policy and strong encryption
- Works with Netflix, Hulu, and other popular services
- Very easy to get help with any issues
-
45-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Doesn’t provide much control over advanced features
- Parent company has a poor record on privacy
Our score:
USER-FRIENDLY CHOICE:CyberGhost employs specialized servers for the task at hand, a kill switch on all platforms, and AES encryption. Plans include a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
5. PrivateVPN
unblocks whatsappTested Sep 2023
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN is an up-and-coming provider that offers all the security and features you would expect from a veteran player. It works in both China and the United Arab Emirates. The company stores zero logs about its users and employs uncrackable encryption. Perfect forward secrecy ensures that even if your encryption key is compromised, it can’t be used to decrypt past sessions. Leak prevention comes baked into all of the apps, but a kill switch is only available on the Windows version.
PrivateVPN is also great for securely accessing streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more. The apps are novice-friendly and simple to set up.
Apps are available for Windows operating systems, macOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. You can connect up to 10 devices at a time.
Pros:
- Provides a secure, encrypted connection
- No logs policy
- Fast servers
- allows 10 simultaneous connections
Cons:
- Support staff are good, but only operate during European business hours
- Fewer servers to choose from than other providers higher on this list
Our score:
HIGH-SPEED SERVERS:PrivateVPN has particularly fast servers making it a great option for WhatsApp calls.Very easy to use and offers live chat support. Secure with encryption. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
6. VyprVPN
unblocks whatsappTested Sep 2023
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.VyprVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
VyprVPN has built its reputation around its ability to bypass authoritarian censorship systems in countries like China, so it’s no stranger to unblocking apps like WhatsApp. In addition to an already impressive encryption suite–256-bit AES paired with SHA256 authentication–customers can also avail of its proprietary Chameleon protocol to hide the fact that they are using a VPN at all.
VyprVPN also works with some streaming services like US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. Speed shouldn’t be a problem for streaming, with VyprVPN making our list of fast VPNs. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
Pros:
- Fast, reliable connection
- Provides a secure, encrypted connection
- Can connect up to 6 devices simultaneously
Cons:
- Lacking options for advanced configuration
- Not the cheapest option on this list
- Fairly small network
Our score:
UNLIMITED DATA USAGE:VyprVPN has user friendly app. Reliable at unblocking WhatsApp. Good speeds and uptime as VyprVPN owns all servers. Not the cheapest option. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full VyprVPN review.
Using free VPNs to access WhatsApp
While we know that free VPNs are tempting, it is highly unlikely that you’ll find one that can reliably bypass a countrywide restriction on WhatsApp. A government that can block WhatsApp can just as easily block a VPN server, and free VPNs have too few resources and too little incentive to keep their servers off of these government blacklists. Paid VPNs are much better positioned to do so.
China and the UAE actively block most VPNs, even paid ones. However, the paid VPNs we recommend above have the expertise and resources to stay a step ahead. They also offer live customer support to users who experience any issues accessing WhatsApp.
Even if a free VPN grants access to WhatsApp, that access might not be secure. Free VPNs often come with security risks, such as subpar encryption and no leak protection to prevent snooping third parties from monitoring your connection. Additionally, most free VPNs have a limited range of servers to choose from, limit available bandwidth, and cap data.
We recommend avoiding free VPNs on Google Play and the App Store. These apps often track and log what you do online, inject advertisements, and can even infect your device with malware. And if the police come knocking on their door asking for information on a specific user, they aren’t going to risk their business to save someone who uses their app for free.
How to run WhatsApp through a VPN
Once you’ve chosen and signed up for one of the VPNs above, follow the instructions below to use WhatsApp in a country where it is censored.
Here’s how to unblock WhatsApp and make calls with a VPN:
- Download and install your chosen VPN provider’s app for your device. (We recommend NordVPN).
- Run the app and select a server in a country where WhatsApp is not blocked, such as the US.
- Hit the Connect button.
- Once the connection has been established, open WhatsApp and use it normally.
Methodology: How we find the best VPNs for Whatsapp
Comparitech aims to publish the most accurate, comprehensive, and useful VPN reviews and recommendations to our readers. To do that, we evaluate each VPN based on expert analysis, real-world experience, and several security and performance tests. When it comes to WhatsApp VPNs in particular, we look at:
- Security: We assess each VPN’s encryption scheme and test connections for various data leaks.
- Logging policy: We pour over each VPN’s terms of use and privacy policy for any language or lack thereof that could indicate the collection of personally identifiable data when using the VPN.
- Speed: We measure and record download speeds while connected to VPN servers worldwide and only recommend the fastest VPN services.
- Streaming: We check whether each VPN can access popular streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, HBO Max, Disney+, and Paramount+.
- Customer service: Our reviewers contact each VPN’s customer service as secret shoppers to gauge response times and quality.
- Ability to bypass censorship: We check whether VPNs can connect in countries with heavy censorship, like China and the UAE.
You can read more about our VPN testing methodology on our page about how we rate and review VPNs.
Using WhatsApp with a VPN: FAQs
Is using a VPN to unblock WhatsApp legal?
Using a VPN to unblock WhatsApp is completely legal unless you’re in a country where VPNs are explicitly illegal. That includes the UAE and Iran, among others.
Disclaimer: Although we’ve spent hours researching this topic, we are not legal experts. As such, nothing we’ve said above should be taken as legal advice. We encourage you to consult local laws or perhaps even seek a professional’s opinion before attempting to use WhatsApp in a place with VoIP restrictions.
Is WhatsApp’s encryption secure?
WhatsApp’s encryption is based on the same source code as Signal, the end-to-end encrypted private messaging app highly regarded by cybersecurity experts. Only the intended recipient of a message can decrypt its contents, so not even Facebook or WhatsApp can access your conversations.
That being said, WhatsApp does make some minor compromises in security for the sake of convenience. When you change phones, for example, your encryption keys are renegotiated so that you can still access messages that were stored on your old phone. That renegotiation opens up a vulnerability that could allow someone at Facebook to read a user’s messages.
I'm connected to a VPN but WhatsApp is still blocked. What should I do?
One of three things is likely to be causing this problem.
The first is that your internet service provider or mobile carrier, on behalf of the government, has blocked the IP addresses of known VPN servers. If this is the case, you won’t be able to access anything online while using the VPN, not just WhatsApp.
If this happens to you, contact the customer support of your VPN provider and ask them which servers to use to unblock WhatsApp in your country. Most will have a range of servers you can specifically use that haven’t been blacklisted by authorities.
The second possible cause could be that you’re leaking DNS requests. DNS, or domain name system, is used to correlate a domain name with a web server IP address. For example, when you type comparitech.com into your URL bar, a DNS request is sent to look up which IP address this website has been assigned. That request gets sent to the nearest DNS server, which is normally operated by your ISP. Most government-led internet censorship is conducted at the ISP level.
A DNS leak occurs when the DNS request is sent outside of the VPN tunnel to your ISP instead of your VPN provider’s DNS servers. This reveals the real destination of your web traffic, and the ISP blocks the connection accordingly.
To get around this, ensure your VPN offers DNS leak protection (all of the providers we recommended above do). You may need to enable it in the app settings if it’s not on by default. Additionally, you can try disabling IPv6 on your device.
Finally, your ISP could be blocking traffic traveling to or from specific ports used by WhatsApp. Your VPN app might support port forwarding, which will route traffic from WhatsApp through a different port. Consult the provider’s website or customer service.
Will a VPN patch the WhatsApp backdoor?
Short answer: no.
Long answer: First off, WhatsApp doesn’t have a backdoor so much as it has a minor vulnerability in its end-to-end encryption scheme.
Here’s how it works: when you send a message on WhatsApp, it is encrypted before it leaves your phone, sent through the internet, and never decrypted until it lands on the recipient’s phone. Only the recipient’s phone contains the key that can decrypt the message. Private keys are generated and exchanged between users before any messages are ever sent.
But if the recipient changes their phone, they no longer have the encryption key necessary to decrypt messages. This can result in messages that are never delivered. In a compromise of security in favor of convenience, WhatsApp implemented what many critics allege is a backdoor. The key exchange is renegotiated without the recipient’s knowledge, and the backlog of messages are re-sent. WhatsApp users can toggle a preference in their settings to let them know if the recipient has changed phones and the keys have been renegotiated, but this is not enabled by default.
The result is that if someone simply turns off their phone or is disconnected from the internet for any period of time, WhatsApp–and ergo Facebook–could fake the existence of a new phone and private key in order to read someone’s message history.
To do this, one would need WhatsApps explicit compliance and a specific target. This is not something that can be exploited through any sort of mass dragnet surveillance or by hackers without WhatsApp’s help. So for most people, it is not a concern. If you feel you are being targeted to such a degree, you can find more details on this issue and read up on available WhatsApp alternatives.
Back to our original question, a VPN will not protect you in any way from this vulnerability. The exploit would have to occur on WhatsApp’s servers, not on your internet connection or device.
Will a VPN protect me from being arrested for using WhatsApp?
Short answer: No.
Long answer: There have been several news reports from multiple countries about people being arrested for posting or sending illicit content on WhatsApp. This content is often labeled defamatory, libelous, explicit, or even contains information about planned coup d’etats.
Please realize, however, that the government did not hack WhatsApp to get this information, nor steal it in transit as it made its way across the internet, nor cooperate with WhatsApp to obtain the contents of someone’s WhatsApp messages. WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption system protects against these sorts of snooping.
Instead, authorities obtained the information in one of the following two ways:
- Someone in a WhatsApp group or private chat tipped off the police
- The police seized the phone and, if necessary, coerced the owner to unlock it
That’s it. There’s no hacking going on here.
Why do I need a VPN for WhatsApp?
In some countries, WhatsApp is blocked. In China, for example, WhatsApp is completely inaccessible, and in other countries just the VoIP (voice and video calling) features are disabled. Messages won’t be sent or received and the app might be removed from local app stores.
A VPN lets you access WhatsApp and all of its features normally. It also hides the fact that you’re using WhatsApp from your ISP and authorities.
Why is WhatsApp blocked in certain countries?
Several countries have blocked WhatsApp for different reasons, such as government control over information, security concerns, and competition with local telecom companies. Some of these countries view WhatsApp’s high level of encryption as a possible threat to national security since it could obstruct surveillance efforts. Meanwhile, others see WhatsApp’s free messaging and calling services as a rival to traditional telecom providers.
Can I use a VPN for WhatsApp on any device?
You can use a VPN for WhatsApp on any device that has VPN software support. Numerous reliable VPN providers have apps available for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Some VPNs even provide browser extensions and router configurations, enabling you to secure all devices connected to your network. This guarantees that you can use WhatsApp safely and without limitations, whether using a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
whatsapp not working in china