beat the USA porn ban

Thanks to recent legislation, Americans living in Virginia, Louisiana, Utah, Texas, and several other states now have to provide a photographic ID before they’re able to access adult content. Understandably, some US citizens are uncomfortable letting the government know which adult content they are watching. Others see it as a huge privacy issue given how frequently adult sites are breached. The good news is that it’s possible to sidestep these measures quickly and easily by using a VPN.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) encrypt your internet traffic, which prevents the government and network administrators from seeing what you get up to. Then, this data is sent through servers in another location, obscuring your real location. 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 we’ll explain exactly how to use a VPN to bypass the porn ban in the US and we’ll lsit 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, we’ll start with 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. 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.
  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 almost 20 US cities, 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 we’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 over 1,000 servers in the US and works with most 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.
Get NordVPN - the #1 VPN for Porn
Warning

Many VPNs claim to protect your privacy and offer a fast, reliable connection but most (especially free VPNs) limit your connection speed or leak information.

We regularly test the top 70 VPNs for security and speed and this list only includes VPNs which are fast, reliable and are highly rated for privacy and security. Plus we only recommend VPNs which offer a full-money back guarantee allowing you to try them risk free.

How to bypass the porn ban in the USA

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. We recommend NordVPN.
  2. Download the VPN app. Our recommendations have at least five simultaneous connections, so they can be installed on any device you use for streaming adult content.
  3. Sign in to the VPN app.
  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).

WANT TO TRY THE TOP VPN RISK FREE?

NordVPN is offering a fully-featured risk-free 30-day trial if you sign up at this page. You can use the VPN rated #1 for beating US porn laws with no restrictions for a monthgreat if you want to access adult content without providing personal information or having your activities monitored. 

There are no hidden termsjust contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn't right for you and you'll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

How we find the top VPNs: our criteria

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 you throw at it. Here are a few of the non-negotiable things we looked for when choosing the best VPNs:

  • Speed: Each VPN is tested on US servers throughout the day, in the morning, afternoon, and evening. We then record the average speeds and compare them to the average of the other providers to create our speed rankings.
  • Functionality: To assess functionality, we examine the number of servers available, device connection limits, and other criteria.
  • Security and privacy: We have 16 security and privacy criteria, including activity logs, encryption, DNS leak protection, and much more.
  • Ease of use: Our 10 ease of use assessment criteria include app design, usability, unblocking consistency, and more.
  • Streaming ability: We look at all aspects of streaming to determine our score. This includes the unblocking ability, speed test results, and whether or not it operates in high-censorship countries.

This is just an overview of our scientific testing criteria. You can read more about the process and see the results of those tests in our methodology section below. First, let’s take a look at the providers that impressed us.

Best VPNs for Porn compared

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 bypassing the US porn ban.

No valueNordVPNSurfsharkTotalVPNProton VPNExpressVPNIPVanishCyberGhostPrivateVPN
WebsiteNordVPN.comSurfshark.comTotalVPN.comProtonVPN.comExpressVPN.comIPVanish.comCyberghost.comPrivateVPN.com
Ranking for Porn12345678
Avg Speed (US)100+ Mbps100+ Mbps100+ Mbps100+ Mbps100+ Mbps100+ Mbps100+ Mbps100+ Mbps
Devices SupportedWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, LinuxWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TVWindows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Apple TVWindows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, Android, Chromebook Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, RoutersWindows, MacOS, iOS, AndroidWindows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV
Popular Sites Unblocked95%88% 88%87%86%85%85%85%
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Best VPN for getting around US porn bans

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

1. NordVPN

NordVPN Jul 2025

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background FireTV

VPN Ratings:

Overall score: 9.5 / 10
Ease of use: 9.6 / 10
Functionality: 9.1 / 10
Security & privacy: 9.5 / 10
Sitewide Streaming: 9.2 / 10
US speed: 10.0 / 10

Website:  www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN is our #1 VPN choice for bypassing the US porn ban for a few good reasons. First off, it has almost 2,000 servers in the US, with a total of 7,000 around the world. What’s more, its specialized obfuscated servers can get around even the strictest online censorship – it’s one of the few providers that still works in China, so porn sites and streaming services pose no problems at all. In fact, NordVPN recently added a custom protocol (NordWhisper) designed for situations where the slower obfuscated servers aren’t suitable.

Screenshot showing NordVPN's US server locations
There are more than a dozen US locations to choose from, including plenty of states with no mandatory age-verification requirements for adult content

Now, even if your VPN can access adult sites, it doesn’t mean much if your connection is too slow to watch anything. With this in mind, we tested NordVPN’s USA servers at multiple times of day to see how fast and consistent it is. Let’s take a look at the results:

With speeds of over 200 Mbps in all three tests, NordVPN was the fastest provider we tested. There was a sizeable gap between its average speed (209.31 Mbps) and every other VPN in this list, and just 7 Mbps of variance, which is exceptional. Whether you want to stream adult content, torrent, or play games, this VPN is more than up to the task.

There are all kinds of features designed to keep you safe. These include uncrackable encryption, leak protection, automatic tracker blocking, and a kill switch that’ll stop sending data the moment your VPN disconnects. NordVPN follows a no-logging policy, and while it does collect advertising IDs on mobile devices, these can be easily reset to keep yourself as anonymous as possible.

NordVPN has its own iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, and Linux apps. It can also be manually installed on a wide range of routers.

Buy this VPN if:

  • You want obfuscated servers in states with strict porn bans like Utah and Louisiana
  • You prioritize the absolute highest speeds for streaming adult content
  • You need lots of US servers to pick states without age-verification laws
  • You want advanced privacy tools like NordWhisper protocol
  • You value a top-tier reputation for avoiding government tracking

Don’t buy this VPN if:

  • You’d rather have unlimited device connections

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 our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

VPN Ratings:

Overall score: 8.7 / 10
Ease of use: 9.1 / 10
Functionality: 7.0 / 10
Security & privacy: 9.5 / 10
Sitewide Streaming: 9.2 / 10
US speed: 8.9 / 10

Website:  www.Surfshark.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

Surfshark is the best way to beat porn bans on a budget. This service offers access to around 3,200 servers in 100 countries and excels at beating geographic restrictions. In fact, we’ve had no issues accessing notoriously tricky platforms like Disney+, Max, and Peacock with it active. Best of all, Surfshark can secure all of your devices simultaneously.

Screenshot showing Surfshark's USA server locations
This VPN offers access to servers all around the US — just click the arrow beside the United States option to expand the full list of locations.

Surfshark has a reputation for speed, despite its wallet-friendly price point. Our experts ran three tests (in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon) to see how quick and reliable its US servers really are. Take a look at the chart below to see how it held up:

With an average speed of 182.82 Mbps, this service is significantly faster than most others on the market. There was very little difference between its highest and lowest results, meaning you’re all but guaranteed a speedy connection, even at peak times. In our professional opinion, with speeds like these, you shouldn’t experience any issues when streaming, downloading large files, or video calling.

This VPN protects your privacy using high-end encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. It’s also capable of stopping ads, malware, and trackers automatically. Surfshark follows a no-logs policy and has had its apps and infrastructure audited to prove this. If you’d like, you can even enable the rotating IP feature to make yourself even harder to track. Customer support is available around the clock over live chat.

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

Buy this VPN if:

  • You’re on a budget but still want a VPN that can access adult content
  • You want unlimited simultaneous connections (perfect for multiple devices)
  • You like rotating IP addresses for extra anonymity
  • You want solid streaming speeds for smooth video playback

Don’t buy this VPN if:

  • You dislike that some advanced privacy features cost extra

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is our 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 our complete Surfshark review?

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3. Total VPN

TotalVPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

VPN Ratings:

Overall score: 8.4 / 10
Ease of use: 9.4 / 10
Functionality: 6.8 / 10
Security & privacy: 9.1 / 10
Sitewide Streaming: 8.8 / 10
US speed: 7.8 / 10

Website:  TotalVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

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 the website’s ticket system.

Screenshot showing Total VPN's Las Vegas US server
This VPN boasts a sleek, simplistic design that’s very novice-friendly, plus it handily sidesteps state-specific restrictions on accessing adult content

Streaming requires a fast and consistent connection, so not just any VPN is suitable. To find out what Total VPN was capable of, our team performed three speed tests on its American servers, one in the morning, one at noon, and one in the afternoon. This way, we can see not only how quick this provider is, but also how much its speeds varied during busier times of day. Let’s take a look:

Total VPN delivered an average speed of 174.62 Mbps, making the one of the fastest providers in this list. It’s also one of the most reliable, speeds fluctuating by 5 Mbps throughout the day. Whether you’re hoping to stream adult content anonymously, torrent, or anything else, this service is up to the challenge. Note that our tests were run on a 250 Mbps connection; if your base speeds are lower, your speeds when connected will be as well.

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.

Buy this VPN if:

  • You want fast speeds for streaming adult videos without buffering
  • You prefer a VPN with beginner-friendly apps for easy porn ban bypassing
  • You’re looking for servers in 24 U.S. states for plenty of options
  • You like the Hydra protocol for slipping past networks blocking VPN traffic

Don’t buy this VPN if:

  • You’re a Linux user (Total VPN lacks native Linux apps)
  • You want more than five device connections simultaneously

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 our complete Total VPN review for more details.

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4. ProtonVPN

Proton VPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

VPN Ratings:

Overall score: 8.1 / 10
Ease of use: 9.6 / 10
Functionality: 7.8 / 10
Security & privacy: 9.3 / 10
Sitewide Streaming: 7.2 / 10
US speed: 6.8 / 10

Website:  www.ProtonVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

ProtonVPN has the largest network of any provider, with over 13,000 servers in 120+ countries. There are more than 3,000 servers in the US alone, covering 19 separate cities, so bypassing regional content blocks won’t be a problem. This service offers a generous 10-connection limit and 24/7 customer support via live chat, plus the ability to securely access stubborn platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Screenshot showing ProtonVPN's United States servers
This provider recently redesigned its apps, making it easier than ever to find a suitable server, swap between profiles, and access key settings

This provider has a solid reputation where speed is concerned, so we went into this latest round of testing with high expectations. Our team tried ProtonVPN’s servers in the US three times (in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon) using a 250 Mbps connection typical of the average American home. The chart below shows how our results and, equally important, how much fluctuation there was throughout the day.

ProtonVPN managed to achieve an average speed of 157.88 Mbps. That’s a highly-competitive result, and well above what’s needed for streaming 4K video. There was about 7 Mbps between its highest and lowest results but realistically, this shouldn’t even be noticeable. In short, ProtonVPN has the speed and stability for any day-to-day task including unblocking adult content.

There aren’t many providers that can compete with ProtonVPN on privacy. By default, it uses 256-bit encryption to obscure your browsing habits from anyone monitoring the network. There’s also DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, automatic ad and tracker-blocking, and an independently-verified no-logs policy. Better still, split tunneling and port forwarding are included as standard, plus there’s a Stealth protocol that can hide the fact that you’re using a VPN at all.

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.

Buy this VPN if:

  • Privacy is your number one concern for accessing adult content anonymously
  • You want split tunneling to separate porn browsing from other activities
  • You’d like a stealth protocol for hiding VPN usage from ISPs
  • You value a very large U.S. server network (3,000+ servers in 19 cities)

Don’t buy this VPN if:

  • You prioritise the fastest speeds over privacy
  • You prefer simpler apps over more complex services

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 our full ProtonVPN review?

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5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

VPN Ratings:

Overall score: 8 / 10
Ease of use: 9.0 / 10
Functionality: 7.6 / 10
Security & privacy: 9.2 / 10
Sitewide Streaming: 9.2 / 10
US speed: 4.9 / 10

Website:  www.ExpressVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

ExpressVPN has roughly 3,000 servers in 105 countries, including around 20 locations in the US. This service keeps things simple, minimizing clutter and allowing users to beat digital censorship without the need for any settings changes or manual configuration. Not only does it work in China, it’s particularly adept at beating the VPN-detection systems used by popular streaming services.

Screenshot showing ExpressVPN's US server locations and lightway notification
This VPN has a large presence in the United States and its servers are faster than ever thanks to the newly-revamped Lightway protocol

ExpressVPN generally has quite high speeds, but we wanted to see how fast it was now that its Lightway protocol has had another update. After all, it was already quite lightweight, and the codebase has been slimmed down even further. Here are its speeds at three times of day using the US servers:

As you can see, this provider never fell below 120 Mbps, ten times what you’d need to stream 4K video without interruption. Its average was slightly higher, at 127.81 Mbps, meaning you should be able to watch at any time of day, even if multiple people are using the internet at the same time.

This provider has all of the tools you’ll need to access adult websites safely. These include 256-bit encryption, protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, and a kill switch, as well as a custom protocol named Lightway. This is extremely lightweight, meaning it doesn’t drain your battery as quickly, and as a bonus, it’ll even keep your connection secure while switching networks. ExpressVPN doesn’t log any data that could personally identify you. Its split tunneling feature lets certain apps pass through the VPN. Support staff can be reached day or night using the live chat help desk.

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.

Buy this VPN if:

  • You prefer a super-simple, one-click solution for bypassing porn bans
  • You value split tunneling to keep adult browsing separate from regular traffic
  • You want servers in over 20 U.S. cities for easy avoidance of porn restrictions

Don’t buy this VPN if:

  • You want the most budget-friendly provider available.
  • You want a full complement of advanced features

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.

We cover this service more fully in our exhaustive ExpressVPN review.

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6. IPVanish

IPVanish

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

VPN Ratings:

Overall score: 7.9 / 10
Ease of use: 8.1 / 10
Functionality: 7.4 / 10
Security & privacy: 8.7 / 10
Sitewide Streaming: 7.8 / 10
US speed: 7.3 / 10

Website:  www.IPVanish.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

IPVanish has more than 2,400 self-owned servers spread across around 100 locations, around 1000 of which are based across 20+ US cities. It has no issues with platforms like Netflix and Max, which often stump competing providers. Although IPVanish doesn’t work in China or the UAE, it is absolutely capable of beating US porn bans. What’s more, this service is far faster than most, and it’ll secure every device you own simultaneously.

Screenshot showing IPVanish's US server locations
IPVanish has a growing network and lots of options in the US for people hoping to sidestep forced ID verification on adult sites

In previous testing, IPVanish has delivered impressive results. That said, it’s important to have up-to-date data since VPNs are constantly upgrading and improving their infrastructure. With that in mind, here’s how well IPVanish’s American servers performed throughout a typical day:

We really appreciated this VPN’s consistency. There was just 7 Mbps of difference between its highest and lowest results. Further, its average speed was 166.23 Mbps, which means it’s one of the quickest providers available right now. In short, IPVanish is suitable for virtually any task, including streaming 4K video.

There’s no need to worry about anyone monitoring your online activities since IPVanish uses uncrackable encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch to ensure all of your data is properly secured. You can also block local traffic, automatically reconnect, or have the app connect whenever you use an unsecured network. This VPN has a true zero-logs policy, which means it can’t reveal details of your activities under any circumstances, and the introduction of the Advanced tier means subscribers now get access to an additional secure browser and a huge 1 TB of cloud storage. Customer support is on-hand day and night to help with any issues you might have,

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.

Buy this VPN if:

  • You want to protect unlimited devices at once while browsing adult content
  • You prefer a VPN that owns its own servers for better security
  • You value consistent speeds for streaming without performance drops

Don’t buy this VPN if:

  • You want to pay anonymously (IPVanish doesn’t yet accept cryptocurrency)
  • You want a VPN based outside of the US, a 5 Eyes country.

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. This VPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our comprehensive IPVanish review.

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7. CyberGhost

CyberGhost

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

VPN Ratings:

Overall score: 7.8 / 10
Ease of use: 9.1 / 10
Functionality: 7.2 / 10
Security & privacy: 8.9 / 10
Sitewide Streaming: 7.8 / 10
US speed: 6.0 / 10

Website:  www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost is famous for having a huge network. There are around 11,000 servers in 100 countries, with almost 1,500 in the US alone. Several of these are optimized for enhanced privacy and secure streaming. You can connect up to seven devices simultaneously, and customer support is available 24/7 via live chat.

Screenshot of CyberGhost's US server locations
CyberGhost offers access to servers all across the US, with several clusters in larger cities like Los Angeles

From a performance standpoint, CyberGhost has never let us down. While there may be quicker providers on the market, this VPN tends to deliver consistently high speeds that are enough for most tasks. Below, you’ll find the results from our latest testing:

This VPN delivered an average speed of 145.49 Mbps, which places it firmly among the fastest services we’ve tested. Users will be able to stream, torrent, play games, or make video calls without any noticeable performance issues, provided their base connection speed is similar to ours (250 Mbps).

This VPN has a wide range of security tools, including uncrackable encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection, as well as automatic tracker blocking. Although CyberGhost won’t work in China, its random port connection feature might help you bypass less-stringent VPN-blocking tools such as those used by some public networks. This provider doesn’t store any personally-identifiable information, as verified by an independent auditor.

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.

Buy this VPN if:

  • You want dedicated privacy-optimized U.S. servers to avoid age-gated states.
  • You’re new to VPNs and want user-friendly apps with everything preconfigured.
  • You like having over 2,000 U.S. servers to switch between in case of blocks

Don’t buy this VPN if:

  • You’re a power user (It’s more suitable for beginners)
  • You plan to use your VPN in China or other highly censored countries

BLAZING FAST SPEEDS:CyberGhost tops our list of the fastest VPNs and doesn’t disappoint where security is concerned either. 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 our in-depth CyberGhost review.

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8. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

VPN Ratings:

Overall score: 6.2 / 10
Ease of use: 8.2 / 10
Functionality: 5.5 / 10
Security & privacy: 8.6 / 10
Sitewide Streaming: 7.8 / 10
US speed: 1.0 / 10

Website:  www.PrivateVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

PrivateVPN might only have around 200 servers globally, but don’t let that put you off. This provider owns all of these outright and even acts as its own ISP so that no third parties ever have access to user traffic. On top of all that, PrivateVPN is exceptional at getting around digital censorship – it works against China’s Great Firewall, so Louisiana’s age-verification requirements for adult content don’t stand a chance. Users can connect up to 10 devices at once.

Screenshot of PrivateVPN's US server locations
This service has a smaller network but still provides access to around a dozen US server locations. You can even see which has the lowest ping!

PrivateVPN takes a different approach from most of its competitors in that it doesn’t try to achieve the highest possible speeds. Instead, it focuses on providing a stable, reliable connection that’s quick enough to handle day-to-day browsing. Here’s how well its US servers performed across a day of testing:

There was a small degree of variance across our three tests but generally, PrivateVPN’s speeds remained fairly close together. Its average speed was 56.31 Mbps, significantly faster than what you’ll need to watch 4K video without any noticeable buffering or stuttering.

This VPN prevents DNS and IPv6 leaks, secures your data with 256-bit AES encryption (though this can be reduced for higher speeds), and uses a kill switch to ensure you never browse unprotected. If you’d like, you can let certain apps pass through the VPN unencrypted, for instance, if you want to download an update as quickly as possible. PrivateVPN doesn’t keep any logs and has a stealth mode specially designed to beat online censorship.

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.

Buy this VPN if:

  • You want a stealth mode that beats censorship even in highly restrictive places
  • You want one of the most privacy-focused providers on the market.

Don’t buy this VPN if:

  • You want the fastest VPN available, or you have a slow base connection
  • You need a large U.S. network (Only a dozen U.S. server locations)

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 our more in-depth PrivateVPN review.

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Recent VPN Product Updates

Our comprehensive VPN monitoring ensures reviews stay current with provider innovations. Here are the latest changes:

NordVPN

  • Connection stability advanced through smart reconnection algorithms (June 2025)
  • Collaboration workflow enhanced via Meshnet’s drag-and-drop file sharing (June 2025)
  • Privacy surveillance expanded to monitor 50 email addresses through Dark Web Monitor (June 2025)
  • Cybersecurity fortified with Threat Protection Pro’s advanced malware filtering (May 2025)
  • Linux desktop experience revolutionized with graphical user interface (May 2025)

Surfshark

  • Market leadership demonstrated through Nexus technology’s software-defined networking innovation (February 2025)
  • Traffic management perfected via Bypasser’s cross-platform implementation (April 2025)
  • Geographic coverage enhanced with seven new dedicated IP cities: Istanbul, Warsaw, Las Vegas, and additional locations (April 2025)
  • Linux accessibility streamlined through Flatpak package manager integration (October 2024)
  • iOS platform enriched with Bypasser functionality for granular traffic control (October 2024)

Total VPN

  • Apple TV compatibility established through tvOS application launch
  • Android security reinforced via “always on” killswitch protection mechanism
  • iOS and macOS intelligence leveraged through “connect on demand” features
  • Universal optimization achieved through WireGuard protocol deployment
  • Traffic sophistication enhanced via Android split tunneling implementation

Proton VPN

  • Big-screen entertainment secured through Apple TV app introduction (October 2024)
  • Network protocol advancement via IPv6 support in extensions and Linux applications (2024)
  • Instant connectivity enabled through Android guest mode without registration (2024)
  • Threat detection enhanced via NetShield’s anti-phishing capabilities (Spring 2025)

ExpressVPN

  • Technological advancement supported through Windows Copilot+ hardware compatibility (September 2024)
  • Privacy protection expanded via Identity Defender service for United States users (November 2024)
  • Service quality improved through account deletion procedure enhancements (March 2025)

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. We’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. We’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

There are now a number of states that consider pornography a “public health issue” and actively impose similar age verification blocks on adult content.

The states that actively block porn through agree verification include:

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

USA porn ban: Frequently Asked Questions

Why are US states banning porn?

The primary reason for the porn ban is to tackle the impact on children’s mental health, hence it being declared a public health issue.

Now, you might be thinking that these laws are an infringement of your First Amendment rights. Civil liberties campaigners agree, with experts all but certain these restrictions will be challenged in court. However, Utah Senator Mike Lee has introduced a bill (Interstate Obscenity Definition Act) that aims to prevent this defense by defining what is “obscene” once and for all. This is important because existing law says obscene content is not protected under the First Amendment and cannot legally be transmitted. In other words, if this bill passes, it would effectively ban pornography across the entirety of the US.

It’s not the only country taking this route. The UK is also discussing banning certain types of porn and adding age verification systems to adult sites to protect children.

Are age-verification systems safe?

Age-verification systems vary greatly in complexity. For instance, a pop up that asks you whether you’re under 18 collects no personally identifiable information and also helps defend websites against legal repercussions. On the other hand, more robust systems usually require more decisive proof, such as a photo of your driver’s license or passport.

Even if this data isn’t stored or shared with other organizations, there’s always a risk. For instance, the system could be hacked or one of the employees responsible for verification could simply leak your information. The company that provides the age-verification service could even be bought over by someone with less noble intentions at a later date.

As such, while it’s understandable to want to protect young people from adult content, requiring users to upload their ID (which may reveal their home address, date of birth, and full name, all of which can be used by identity thieves) is not the way to go.

Are VPNs legal in the US?

Even though each state has different privacy laws, VPNs currently aren’t illegal anywhere in the US. You are still liable for any crimes you commit while connected to a VPN, and in some cases, this may actually be an aggravating factor. Still, as long as you don’t do anything illegal, there’s no reason you’d get into any trouble.

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 before attempting to access adult content in places where its access is restricted. 

Can I get in trouble for evading Louisiana's age-verification system for porn?

Louisiana’s Act No. 440 doesn’t actually say anything about evading its proposed restrictions or punishing individuals who get around them. In fact, the five-page bill states that its goal is to hold accountable “commercial entities who distribute material harmful to minors”, which is later defined as just about anything sexual that lacks “serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value”.

The act does lay out penalties for adult sites that fail to implement robust age-verification measures in Louisiana. However, if you’re using a VPN to evade these blocks, the site is not at fault. We believe it’s unlikely that penalties for individuals who work around the ban will be introduced. That’s because there’s no way to tell what sites you visit while using a VPN, and Louisiana’s limitations wouldn’t apply to someone who simply crossed into a neighboring state. Given that neither of these things is a crime, there’s very little chance of any repercussions.