Best VPNs for Instagram: Access Instagram from Anywhere

Instagram is blocked by network administrators in many schools and places of work. In addition, the governments of some countries (such as China) block access to the social network. The best way to evade restrictions on Instagram is by using a VPN.

Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN service hides your real location by encrypting all the traffic flowing to and from your device and tunneling it via an intermediary server location of your choice. As such, system administrators will be unable to determine what you’re doing online. A VPN can also make it appear that you’re in a different physical location, enabling access to geo-restricted content from the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

We get into detail later about each of the VPNs that made our list for unblocking Instagram, but if you haven’t got time to read the whole thing, here are our top choices:

Best VPNs for Instagram

1. NordVPN: Our top pick for an Instagram VPN. Large network of extremely fast servers able to unblock Instagram and most other restricted content. Secure and private with easy-to-use apps. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Instagram.
2. Surfshark: Best value VPN for Instagram. No-logs provider that unblocks all popular platforms and doesn’t impose a device limit.
3. IPVanish: Reliable, versatile, and fast VPN capable of accessing Instagram from almost anywhere in the world. No connection limit and keeps no logs.
4. ExpressVPN: Operates a secure network with speedy server locations dotted around the globe. Tight online privacy and works in China.
5. PureVPN: A simple but effective way to unblock Instagram in places like China. Great performance and a large network of reliable servers.
6. ProtonVPN: Privacy-first service with lots of advanced features. Doesn’t work in China, but it can help you securely access Instagram from anywhere else.
7. Private Internet Access: Easy-to-use apps, speedy servers in 91+ countries, no device limit, and 24/7 support available when you need it.
8. PrivateVPN: Secure service that’s great for unblocking sites from anywhere. Stealth mode works in China.

Our criteria for the best Instagram VPNs

There are hundreds of VPNs on the market, but they don’t all offer the same level of service. In order to find the best VPNs specifically for Instagram VPN, we tested all providers in the following key areas:

• Speed: A fast VPN means you can watch reels on Instagram or broadcast live without interruption. We found the quickest VPNs by speed testing their US servers at multiple points during the day.
• Network availability: To gauge global server availability, we checked how many servers each provider had, and where these were. We also checked which streaming platforms each provider was able to access.
• Security and privacy: To find the VPNs that enable you to access Instagram safely and securely, we evaluated each of them against 16 security and privacy criteria. Those who performed poorly were rejected.
• Ease of use: To provide you with a hassle-free experience, we looked for VPNs with thoughtfully designed apps and top-notch customer service. We used 10 individual metrics for measuring providers’ overall ease of use.
• Value for money: Getting a good deal is important, which is why we looked beyond just the monthly cost of VPN subscriptions when evaluating them. In all, we use eight different value-for-money metrics for testing, including simultaneous connection limits, free trials, and money-back guarantees.

You can read more about our testing methodology — and see the results of our tests — in the methodology section below. First, let’s take a closer look at the providers that impressed us.

The top VPNs for Instagram: At a glance

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

Best VPNs for Instagram

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for Instagram:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2025

NordVPN is our top recommendation for an Instagram VPN. It has a huge network of servers with more than 7,400 in 118 countries. Users can pick a location from a map or search for a particular city or country manually.

The provider pegs the fastest VPN speeds we’ve seen. In our tests for this article, NordVPN was the only provider to surpass 200 Mbps, and stayed above there for all three tests, hitting an average speed of 210.98 Mbps.

This is fast enough to stream in 4K on up to eight devices simultaneously, and more than fast enough for anything you’ll need to do on Instagram.

In addition to its regular servers, NordVPN allows you to pick a server based on your security and privacy preferences — whether that’s accessing the Tor network or using a double VPN setup.

The provider’s obfuscated servers works well for bypassing VPN blocks such as those imposed by the Chinese government. NordVPN also has a dedicated protocol — NordWhisper — that can obfuscate traffic while using any server.

The company secures web traffic with 256-bit AES encryption and perfect forward secrecy. DNS leak protection is enabled, and there’s a kill switch in all apps except Android. NordVPN keeps no logs whatsoever and accepts payment in Bitcoin, which allows for anonymous payment if used with a mixing service. If you need help, know that NordVPN provides live chat and email support around the clock.

Apps are available for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android. A single subscription grants access to 10 devices.

BEST VPN FOR INSTAGRAM:NordVPN is our top pick. It’s super fast, works well to unblock Instagram from anywhere, and allows up to ten simultaneous connections. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee, making this a risk-free deal.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a great low-cost alternative adept at unblocking Instagram and a ton of other platforms. It has a broad network of servers with roughly 3,200 in 100 countries.

This VPN is also known for offering particularly fast speeds. In our tests, Surfshark’s download speeds ranged between 170.76 Mbps and 192.55 Mbps.

Overall, the provider averaged 181.14 Mbps. This was more than 33 Mbps faster than the combined average speed of the other providers that we tested and more than fast enough for Instagram and anything else you want to do online.

Surfshark’s NoBorders mode is especially helpful for getting around network restrictions to access Instagram anywhere.

This is a true no-logs provider that backs its privacy focus with strong online security features. You can expect military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, perfect forward secrecy, a kill switch on all platforms, and protection against leaks. It even offers extras such as a malware and tracker blocker, and MultiHop servers for two layers of encryption.

A major selling point of Surfshark is that it imposes no limit on the number of devices you can connect at one time. Apps are available for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is known for its unblocking abilities which are complemented with strong security and privacy features. This provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our in-depth review of Surfshark.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish owns and operates all its own servers for added privacy and security. Its server network has recently been expanded to cover over 100 countries, and it excels at flying under the radar. In other words, it’s a great way to access Instagram securely, even in places where the site isn’t normally accessible.

This service is extremely fast too, with an average tested download speed of 185.71 Mbps.

Unless your base internet speeds are extremely slow, you’re unlikely to notice any performance issues, even when going live. If you do run into trouble, support staff are on hand 24 hours per day via live chat.

Plenty of VPNs claim to keep no logs, but IPVanish has been audited, proving it beyond all doubt. It includes a wide range of security features, such as uncrackable encryption, a kill switch, and automatic tracker blocking.

If the network you’re using normally blocks VPN traffic, just activate the obfuscation tool – this hides any indicators that you’re using a VPN in the first place.

While IPVanish works perfectly in places like the UAE, it’s not a reliable option for people in China. However, it’s consistently upgrading its performance, so there’s a chance this will improve in the future. And they have recently released an advanced subscription tier, which includes access to a secure server and 1 TB of cloud storage.

IPVanish works with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS platforms. It also provides manual configuration guides for most popular types of router.

KEEPS NO LOGS:IPVanish puts your privacy first by refusing to store any details of your activities. Effortlessly unblocks Instagram and similar sites without compromising on performance. Long-term subscribers can take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more with our comprehensive IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN uses rugged encryption protocols and works reliably in China (with no special setup required). This VPN operates a vast server network comprising 3,000 servers spread across 105 countries. Apps include a ‘Smart Location’ feature, which selects the fastest connection based on your current location.

In our speed tests, the provider averaged an impressive 133.52 Mbps. This is more than sufficient for Instagram-related activities.

It’s also plenty fast enough for high-resolution streaming — which you’re likely to do given ExpressVPN’s excellent unblocking ability. We successfully used it to access multiple content libraries from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.

ExpressVPN’s encryption standards will keep you protected – this provider leverages 256-bit AES encryption with perfect forward secrecy by default. A kill switch (dubbed a network lock) in the desktop apps will freeze web traffic if the connection drops, and leak protection is built into all apps.

ExpressVPN also offers particularly good customer support, which you can contact 24 hours a day via live chat as well as email.

A single subscription grants access to eight devices simultaneously. There are apps for both Android and iOS, as well as desktop clients for Windows, Linux, and macOS.

UNBLOCK ANYTHING:ExpressVPN is a great unblocker. It enables access to restricted and censored services and has a large network of servers optimized for speedy connections. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our full review of ExpressVPN.

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5. PureVPN

PureVPN is a fantastic option for anyone hoping to use Instagram safely abroad. It boasts more than 6,000 servers in 65 countries as well as always-on obfuscation that works in China.

Its download speeds ranged between 148.45 Mbps and 161.71 Mbps in our tests, resulting in an overall average of 156.59 Mbps.

This is an excellent result and means you’re unlikely to experience stuttering or buffering while streaming — and should even be able to broadcast your own live streams without any issues.

It’s not just Instagram either: this VPN works with platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Netflix, and Disney+, to name but a few services.

There is a 10-connection limit, and support staff are on-hand 24 hours per day over live chat.

Let’s talk about security. PureVPN uses industry-approved encryption and supports multiple connection protocols. It also offers safeguards like a kill switch (that stops sending data the moment your connection drops), automatic leak protection, and a tracker blocker.

User traffic is obfuscated as needed, and since there’s a strict no-logs policy in place, you don’t have to worry about anyone monitoring your activities.

PureVPN has its own Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS, and Linux apps. Further, it supports a wide range of routers, though you’ll have to follow manual setup instructions for these.

FASTER THAN MOST:PureVPN is one of the quickest services we’ve tested and works flawlessly with Instagram. Not only that, but you’ll be able to stream, use public wi-fi, and torrent safely too.

Check out our PureVPN review.

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6. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN has a huge server network, with roughly 12,100 servers throughout 117+ countries. This means that there’ll almost always be a high-speed server nearby.

We tested the provider’s speeds while connected to one of its servers in the US. As you can see from the chart below, speeds varied by just over 15 Mbps throughout the day.

ProtonVPN’s overall speed was 143.14 Mbps, which makes it quick enough to stream live 4K video, never mind Instagram reels.

While connected, users can reliably access all manner of geo-blocked platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. Note, however, that this service does not work in China at the time of writing. If you run into any problems, support staff are available 24 hours per day.

One of the great things about ProtonVPN is its versatility. You can choose to allow certain apps to bypass the VPN entirely, set up port forwarding, or block ads and trackers automatically. There are also Secure Core servers that route your data through multiple countries for a second layer of protection.

ProtonVPN uses industry-approved encryption and follows a strict no-logs policy (a fact verified by independent auditors). Looking for even greater anonymity? In that case, consider paying via cash or Bitcoin.

Proton VPN has apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Alternatively, you can follow manual setup instructions to get it running on most home routers.

DOESN’T KEEP LOGS:ProtonVPN is a solid choice for anyone hoping to use Instagram while traveling. Boasts high speeds, a no-logging policy, and a wide variety of security features.

Read our full ProtonVPN review.

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7. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access and Instagram are an ideal match, with PIA effortlessly unblocking the social media platform from any of its servers in 91+ countries. It uses military-grade encryption to keep Instagram and other online activities safe from prying eyes like your ISP.

It has dedicated streaming servers in countries such as the UK and US. Users outside of these countries can connect to them to access geo-restricted services such as BBC iPlayer and Hulu.

We tested PIA’s download speeds while connected to its servers in the US. The provider achieved a maximum speed of 67.2 Mbps and an overall average of 57.77 Mbps.

While speeds weren’t as fast as the previously discussed VPNs, they’re more than adequate for streaming videos on Instagram.

PIA doesn’t monitor your activity and bolsters your privacy with ad blocking, malware blocking, a network kill switch, and leak protection.

Unfortunately, PIA is based in the United States, meaning it is a member of the Five Eyes Alliance. However, it is transparent in its privacy policy and has appeared in court where it’s been requested to provide logs of user data, but hasn’t been able to provide such information.

Private Internet Access allows unlimited simultaneous device connections and provides support 24/7. Its apps are available on desktop and mobile. Try Private Internet Access for 30 days risk-free today.

MILITARY-GRADE ENCRYPTION:Private Internet Access has secure servers in 91+ locations. It offers 24/7 support and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Private Internet Access.

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8. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is an even smaller provider, but still a worthy contender as an Instagram VPN. It only operates around 200 servers in 63 countries, but prioritizes providing access to blocked platforms and services.

The VPN works well in China and other restrictive countries. Use the “Stealth VPN” mode to obfuscate your traffic and ensure it’s undetectable.

We’ve found PrivateVPN to offer decent enough speeds for browsing, streaming, and torrenting. With an average download speed of 50.66 Mbps, it’s not the fastest — though it does have the option of reducing the encryption key length for a slight improvement.

This provider employs 256-bit AES military-grade encryption along with perfect forward secrecy by default. Apps have built-in leak protection, and the Windows client includes a kill switch. No logs are maintained at all. PrivateVPN stands out for providing free remote help and installation should you need it.

Mobile apps are available for iOS and Android, and desktop clients for Windows and macOS. You can connect up to 10 devices at a time.

MAINTAIN PRIVACY:PrivateVPN has a stealth mode to help you access all your favorite services. Plus it’s secure and private. Plans come with a 30-day refund policy.

Find out more details in our full PrivateVPN review.

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How to access Instagram with a VPN

Getting started with a VPN is really very simple; just follow the step-by-step guide below.

Here’s how to use a VPN for Instagram so you can get access anywhere:

1. Select a VPN that’s best suited for you and submit payment. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Download and install the relevant app for your device.
3. Log in and connect to a server in a location of your choice.
4. Once the connection is established, open Instagram and use it normally.
5. If you’re still unable to access Instagram, try clearing your browser’s cookies and reloading the app. If that doesn’t work, contact your VPN provider for help with troubleshooting.

Finding the best VPNs for Instagram: our methodology

There are several factors to take into account when deciding on the best VPNs for Instagram. Aside from the ability to unblock the social media platform, a VPN should offer good speeds and strong security. Below, we discuss the key areas we focused our tests on:

Speed

Server speed is particularly important if you’re streaming content on Instagram. VPNs offering fast connections and unlimited bandwidth (such as those listed in this post) allow you to watch without issues such as lag and buffering.

To find the fastest providers, we carried out three rounds of speed tests: one in the morning, one at noon, and one in the afternoon. We used each provider’s US servers and took measurements using the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app.

Our own connection was rate-limited to 250 Mbps to better approximate the average user in the US (where the median download speed is 279.93 Mbps).

Once the results were in, they were averaged and then converted to a score out of 10 for each provider. These scores are relative, which is why it’s possible to get a perfect 10 — which is exactly the score NordVPN received.

The other highest-scoring VPNs were IPVanish and Surfshark — though both were at least 25 Mbps slower than NordVPN.

Network availability

Having access to servers worldwide makes it much easier to unblock Instagram and find a fast server close to your physical location. We scored each provider on the number of servers it had, as well as the number of countries it supported. We then scored providers on their compatibility with various region-locked websites and services — Instagram included.

These results were summed, averaged, and converted to a score out of 10 for ease of comparison.

NordVPN again scored highest, though Surfshark was only half a point behind. Both VPNs excel at accessing streaming services, though Surfshark has the smaller network. ExpressVPN comes in a close third with 8.9/10.

Security and privacy

In order to browse Instagram privately and securely, you need a VPN that offers high-end encryption (256-bit AES), protection from DNS leaks, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy. You can see how each provider stacked up against these and other criteria in the table below.

This time, NordVPN and Surfshark both scored an impressive 9.5. In addition to their strong encryption and audited no-logs policies, both providers offer an extra layer of security in the form of Double VPN servers.

Ease of use

We tried out each VPN’s apps to find those that were particularly user-friendly. Importantly, we also looked at things like the availability of live chat. The table below shows all of the metrics we used when evaluating each provider’s overall ease of use.

Each of the metrics was assigned a score, which we combined to generate an overall score out of 10. This makes a side-by-side comparison much easier — as the table below demonstrates.

NordVPN and PIA each scored 9.6, suggesting that they are the easiest to use services overall. Indeed, both have well-designed apps and a straightforward onboarding and offboarding process. However, as you can see from the chart, none of our recommended providers scored less than 8.6 (PrivateVPN), so you won’t have a hard time with any of these providers.

Value for money

The best VPNs for Instagram should offer excellent value for money. We checked whether VPNs frequently run special deals or offer long-standing discounts. Below, you can see how each provider performed against these, and other, value-for-money metrics.

As before, each metric was assigned a score, which we used to create an overall score out of 10 for each provider.

As you can see from the above, Surfshark was the best value for money overall. It combines competitively priced subscriptions with unlimited device connections. IPVanish and NordVPN are also well worth their subscription fees.

Using a free VPN to unblock Instagram

Free VPN services are heavily advertised on the internet and can be tempting. However, we don’t recommend using them. These services can rarely bypass blocks, and even if they do, you’ll end up with poor performance.

Free VPNs typically operate a small number of servers that are shared among many users. You may have to join a queue to connect, and then have to deal with slow, unreliable connections.

As we know, no service is truly free, and with a free VPN, it’s more than likely that you become the product. It’s common practice for these services to keep logs of user activity and sell user profiles to third parties.

Security usually isn’t stellar either. If you’re lucky enough to have an encrypted connection (some free VPNs forgo this step), it will likely be weak, meaning you aren’t well protected from snoopers, including hackers.

Overall, we recommend paying a small fee to use a solid VPN.

Instagram VPN FAQs

See also:

• Best VPNs for China
• Common Instagram scams