- Not every VPN provider lets you pay in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, forcing you to use a traditional payment method that identifies you.
- Fortunately, some VPNs do accept Bitcoin payments which gives you the chance to sign up pseudonymously.
- I’ve personally tested dozens of VPNs to find the best that accept Bitcoin payments.
- NordVPN is my top pick for paying in Bitcoin. It stands out for its vast server network, high-speed connections, and impressive security features.
If you made a Venn diagram of people who use Bitcoin and people who use VPNs, more than a few of those people would land in the overlapping center. That’s because they tend to share an interest in technology and a preference for online privacy. So, it makes sense that many of the best VPN providers accept Bitcoin as payment to appeal to privacy-conscious users.
While not completely anonymous, paying with Bitcoin allows you to buy a VPN subscription outside the scope of banks and other financial institutions. The price of a subscription is pegged to the same dollar amount that you would spend otherwise and thus adjusts according to the current price of Bitcoin. In countries where Bitcoin is banned and exchanges are censored or monitored, a VPN can help bypass these obstacles and allow you to trade cryptocurrencies freely.
If you tread carefully, you can sign up and pay for a VPN without leaving any trace of who you are. I’ll take you through this later and provide detailed reviews of the best VPNs for the job. In case you’re short on time, though, I’ll start with a quick summary.
The best VPNs that accept Bitcoin payments:
- NordVPN The best VPN overall for Bitcoin payments
TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Bitcoin. - Surfshark Best for users on a budget
- ProtonVPN Excellent choice for privacy-focused users
- ExpressVPN Best for users who want a premium VPN
- PureVPN Good for users connecting from restrictive countries
- CyberGhost Great choice for beginners
- Private Internet Access Good choice for technical users
- PrivateVPN Great choice for ease of use
VPNs often claim to keep you safe and private online but many VPNs (especially free ones) leak information.
We regularly test the top 70 VPNs for security and this list only includes VPNs which keep you anonymous and don't track your activity. Plus we only recommend VPNs which offer a full-money back guarantee allowing you to try them risk free.
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 our top VPN for Bitcoin users with no restrictions for a month—great if you want to see what all the fuss is about before committing to a longer subscription.
There are no hidden terms or conditions—simply tell support staff within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn't right for you to claim a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.
My testing criteria for the best VPNs that accept Bitcoin payments
There are a huge number of VPNs on the market, but they don’t all provide the same level of service and can’t all guarantee your anonymity. In order to find the best VPNs for you, I evaluated providers in the following areas:
- Speed: The fastest VPNs won’t significantly impact your download speed while connected but they do cause some reduction. To find out which were the quickest, I carried out several speed tests while connected to each provider’s US servers.
- Cryptocurrency options: I looked for VPNs that accepted Bitcoin payments and make the signup process as straightforward as possible. I additionally checked which providers accepted other cryptocurrencies, such as Ethereum and Ripple.
- Security and privacy: If you use Bitcoin, then it’s likely that security and privacy are important to you. To find the VPNs most able to keep your connection safe, I evaluated providers against 16 criteria.
- Ease of use: Using a VPN shouldn’t be difficult. To find the providers offering the most user-friendly services, I scored them against 10 different metrics.
- Value for money: It’s important that you get a VPN that’s good value. That’s why I looked into their pricing relative to similar providers, their connection limits, and how reliably they handle a wide array of different tasks.
The above is just an overview. You can read more about how I test VPNs — and the results of those tests — in the methodology section below. First, let’s take a closer look at the providers that made the list.
Best VPNs for Bitcoin compared
I’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read my in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – my #1 choice for Bitcoin.
| No value | NordVPN | Surfshark | Proton VPN | ExpressVPN | PureVPN | CyberGhost | Private Internet Access | PrivateVPN |
| Website | NordVPN.com | Surfshark.com | ProtonVPN.com | ExpressVPN.com | PureVPN.com | Cyberghost.com | PrivateInternetAccess.com | PrivateVPN.com | Ranking for Bitcoin: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Streaming Services | Netflix Amazon Prime Hulu BBC iPlayer Disney+ | Netflix Amazon Prime Hulu BBC iPlayer Disney+ | Netflix Amazon Prime Hulu BBC iPlayer Disney+ | Netflix Amazon Prime Hulu BBC iPlayer | Netflix BBC iPlayer Hulu | Netflix BBC iPlayer Hulu | Netflix BBC iPlayer | Netflix Hulu | Average Speed (Mbps) | 195.95 | 182.19 | 168.64 | 93.76 | 99.04 | 155.72 | 51.13 | 43.22 | Activity logs | No identifying data | No identifying data | Devices Supported | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV | Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, Android, Chromebook | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, Routers | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Chromebook, Routers | Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV | Total number of servers | 8,900 | 4,500+ | 18,158 | Undisclosed | 6,000+ | 8,000+ | 1,000+ | 200+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best deal (per month) | $3.09 Up to 76% off 2 year plans | $1.88 Up to 88% OFF + 3 months free | $2.99 SAVE 70% on a 2-year plan | $3.49 SAVE 73% + 4 months free on 2 year basic plan | $1.99 Up to 87% off on 5 year plans | $2.19 SAVE 83% on the 2 year plan + 2 months free! | $2.03 SAVE 83% on the 2 yr plan + 4 months free | $2.00 Save 85% on a one year plan + 24-months free |
The best VPNs that accept Bitcoin payments
I aim to provide you with the best possible VPN advice. To do this, I personally use every provider and subject them to rigorous real-world testing before making any recommendations. The following reviews are based on my first-hand experiences.
Here’s my list of the best VPNs that accept Bitcoin payment:
1. NordVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN
9.4Scores calculated algorithmically.
| Cryptocurrency options | 10.0 |
|---|---|
| Ease of use | 9.6 |
| Security and privacy | 9.5 |
| US speed | 10.0 |
| Value for money | 7.9 |
NordVPN is my top choice VPN for Bitcoin payments. It accepts Bitcoin via CoinGate for all of its plans, and those who use it still get the 30-day money-back guarantee. The only other information necessary to sign up is an email address. NordVPN can also unblock crypto trading platforms like Crypto.com, KuCoin, Gate.io, and Bybit.
NordVPN adheres to a strict zero-log policy. DNS and IPv6 leak protection come built in, as do two kill switches: one that allows you to block internet traffic across the entire device when the VPN connection drops, and one in which you can specify which programs get cut off. On top of its normal servers, specialized servers include Tor over VPN, double VPN encryption, and anti-DDoS. 256-bit AES encryption is paired with perfect forward secrecy for an uncrackable tunnel.
In my speed tests, NordVPN was the fastest provider overall. I was impressed by the fact it averaged 195.96 Mbps and was almost 90 Mbps faster than the combined average of the other VPNs I tested.
In my experience, NordVPN’s consistently fast speeds make it suitable for everything from gaming to streaming in the highest resolution available.
NordVPN has servers in 200+ locations across the globe. It’s a highly capable unblocker of geo-locked streaming channels. I found it worked well with the likes of Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. You can connect up to 10 devices at one time, making it a great option for a small household or office. For fully anonymous payment, you can purchase a NordVPN subscription box in cash in the following countries: USA, UK, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, France, Spain, Japan.
Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want to pay with Bitcoin and still be covered by a 30-day refund policy
- You need the fastest VPN for streaming, torrenting, and trading crypto
- You’re seeking privacy features like double encryption to mask crypto activity
- You’d like reliable access to Bitcoin exchange sites from restrictive countries
- You value a large global server network to access crypto services
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You want a kill switch on Android
BEST VPN THAT ACCEPTS BITCOIN:NordVPN is my top choice for users wanting to buy VPN with Bitcoin. Offers a robust network of servers. Strong security and privacy features. Allows up to 10 devices. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark
9.2Scores calculated algorithmically.
| Cryptocurrency options | 10.0 |
|---|---|
| Ease of use | 9.1 |
| Security and privacy | 9.5 |
| US speed | 9.2 |
| Value for money | 8.1 |
Surfshark is a high-quality, low-cost provider that lets users sign up anonymously using a throwaway email address and by paying in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Ripple.
Surfshark keeps your traffic safe from snoopers using 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks. There’s also a split tunneling functionality and a NoBorders mode that helps bypass especially stringent web filtering in places like China.
Speed-wise, I found this provider to be very quick — as you can see from the chart below.
Surfshark averaged 182.2 Mbps overall, which was more than 70 Mbps faster than the combined average speed of the other tested providers. To me, it’s an excellent choice for anyone eager to preserve their base connection speed while using a VPN.
This service offers access to over 4,500 servers in 100+ countries worldwide. It works with a huge range of streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer, and as such, is ideal if you’re like me and find yourself streaming frequently. With no connection limit, users can secure every device they own simultaneously.
Surfshark offers macOS, Android, Windows, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV apps. It can even be manually installed on supported network routers.
Buy this VPN if:
- You use Ethereum, Ripple, and Bitcoin for VPN payments
- You want a no-connection-limit VPN to secure every device you trade on
- You need a budget-friendly service with anonymous payments
- You’d appreciate a NoBorders mode to bypass crypto blocks
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You want to avoid a provider based in a Nine Eyes country
BUDGET-FRIENDLY VPN:Surfshark is an affordable service with a lot to offer Bitcoin users. It’s the best VPN for Bitcoin payments on a budget. Strong unblocking abilities and powerful security features make it an obvious choice for streaming and gaming while abroad. Still not convinced? You can always take advantage of Surfshark’s 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Surfshark review.
3. ProtonVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ProtonVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Proton VPN
7.9Scores calculated algorithmically.
| Cryptocurrency options | 5.0 |
|---|---|
| Ease of use | 9.6 |
| Security and privacy | 9.3 |
| US speed | 8.4 |
| Value for money | 7.3 |
ProtonVPN is a reliable and advanced VPN that was developed by the team behind ProtonMail. The VPN is based in Switzerland — a country that has strong data privacy laws — and is dedicated to user privacy with a solid no-logging policy. In addition to allowing Bitcoin payments, it also allows crypto payments by Monero, Litecoin, and Ethereum.
For added security, Proton VPN has self-maintained, secure core servers. And it’s worth noting that the entire service has been subjected to a third-party security audit,
The VPN has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Linux, and they are some of the most advanced VPN apps I’ve ever used. You’ll benefit from AES encryption, a choice of protocols, obfuscation, a system-level kill switch, multi-hop connections, split tunneling, and port forwarding. The latter makes Proton VPN, in my experience, a superb option for torrenting.
ProtonVPN performed well in my speed tests, pegging an overall average of 168.64 Mbps.
The provider is fast enough for streaming, gaming, and torrenting, provided that you have a decent base connection speed to begin with.
Almost 20,000 servers are available in 145+ countries, and you can get an IP address in any of those locations. While testing, I was able to access many popular streaming services, including five different Netflix regions, British TV services, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney Plus, and many other popular services.
For me, the biggest drawbacks are the relatively high cost of this subscription and the fact that it may be a bit tricky for beginners to use. However, if you want an advanced VPN with many features and super-fast speeds, this VPN is worth considering.
Note that if you do want to pay with Bitcoin (or have the option to pay anonymously in cash), you need to sign up for one of ProtonVPN’s free accounts first, and then upgrade to a paid plan.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want Swiss jurisdiction for strong privacy protections over crypto transactions
- You need advanced features like multi-hop and Secure Core for anonymity
- You prefer a VPN with a transparent, audited security setup
- You’d like access to a wide variety of geo-restricted exchanges
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You’re looking for the cheapest subscription
- You need obfuscation that works in China
SECURE AND PRIVATE:ProtonVPN is one of the best VPNs for Bitcoin payments. Highly advanced service based in Switzerland and has a solid no-logs policy. Apps are available for all popular platforms and include AES encryption, a kill switch, and obfuscation. Works with Netflix US and ideal for secure torrenting. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full ProtonVPN review.
4. ExpressVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN
7.8Scores calculated algorithmically.
| Cryptocurrency options | 10.0 |
|---|---|
| Ease of use | 9.0 |
| Security and privacy | 9.2 |
| US speed | 4.0 |
| Value for money | 7.0 |
ExpressVPN accepts Bitcoin via BitPay for all of its plans. If you don’t see Bitcoin as a payment option, the customer service team advises you to use this link. The 30-day money-back guarantee still applies to those who pay with Bitcoin. To sign up, the only other necessary information is an email address.
ExpressVPN does not log your internet activity or your email address, but does store some non-identifying diagnostic info like dates (not times) when you used the VPN, total amount of data transferred per day, and choice of VPN server. The apps use best-in-class security, including 256-bit AES military-grade encryption, perfect forward secrecy, and comprehensive leak protection.
To find out how fast the provider was, I ran several speed tests while connected to its US servers.
As you can see from the above, ExpressVPN performed consistently across the three tests. Although slower than NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN, its average download speed of 93.76 Mbps is still more than fast enough for everyday tasks like streaming in 4K.
This VPN operates servers in 100+ countries. I’ve found it to be one of the most reliable VPNs when it comes to securely accessing platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and HBO. A kill switch is built into the desktop apps.
ExpressVPN recently switched to a three-tier pricing format — Basic at $3.49, Advanced at $4.49, and Pro at $7.49. Though this is still more expensive than many providers on the market, these options let you choose the level of protection and expense that works best for you. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Fire TV, and Apple TV. There’s even custom router firmware.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want to pay with Bitcoin while keeping the 30-day money-back guarantee
- You need a VPN that works reliably in high-censorship countries
- You’d like a VPN app for routers to protect all crypto trading devices
- You’re seeking always-on obfuscation without manual setup
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You’re on a tight budget and want the lowest cost
- You want the fastest speeds for real-time crypto trading
SECURE AND VERSATILE:ExpressVPN provides plenty of connection protection. It has a vast server network that is optimized for high-speed connections. User-friendly apps for all operating systems. Hard to beat on privacy and security. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee too.
Read the full ExpressVPN review.
5. PureVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PureVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 31 DAYS
PureVPN
7.7Scores calculated algorithmically.
| Cryptocurrency options | 10.0 |
|---|---|
| Ease of use | 9.1 |
| Security and privacy | 8.7 |
| US speed | 4.3 |
| Value for money | 6.4 |
PureVPN starts at just $2.15 a month, making it one of the most affordable VPNs on the market. Bitcoin payments are made via CoinPayments, which also allows other crypto to be used.
Despite its low cost, the VPN performs superbly in terms of privacy and security. It has a rock-solid no-logging policy that has been independently audited, and it provides a choice of protocols with robust AES-256 or ChaCha20 encryption.
The VPN uses the WireGuard protocol by default, though this has become fairly standard practice among top-tier providers. It performed well, but not exceptionally so, during my speed tests.
Overall, PureVPN averaged 99.04 Mbps — this was despite the first server I used being noticeably slow. If you don’t mind switching servers to find a faster one, you’ll be able to stream and game without issue.
The provider works with an impressive number of international streaming services. If you stream with your VPN like me, you’ll appreciate that it provides a list of shortcuts to servers that work with particular platforms.
PureVPN’s server network extends to 65 different countries, which makes it a good option for accessing regional content or bypassing censorship. It has apps for all popular platforms, and each subscriber can install the VPN on up to 10 devices consecutively.
Live chat support is available on its website, but the wait times can be quite long in my experience. Other than that, the VPN is a fantastic all-rounder.
Buy this VPN if:
- You’d like to pay with Bitcoin or other altcoins via CoinPayments
- You need easy server shortcuts for unblocking crypto exchanges
- You want VPN access from inside China for Bitcoin trading
- You prefer having a large country list for accessing region-specific services
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You need a built-in ad blocker to avoid crypto scam ads
- You want multi-hop or other advanced anonymity features
FAST & CHEAP:PureVPN is a service that ticks most home users's boxes. It has fast servers, works to watch Netflix, and has strong encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. IP addresses in 65+ countries. 31-day money-back guarantee to test the service.
Read the full PureVPN review.
6. CyberGhost
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost
7.6Scores calculated algorithmically.
| Cryptocurrency options | 5.0 |
|---|---|
| Ease of use | 9.1 |
| Security and privacy | 8.9 |
| US speed | 7.6 |
| Value for money | 7.2 |
CyberGhost accepts Bitcoin payments via BitPay on all of its plans, and you still get the 45-day money-back guarantee. CyberGhost uses 256-bit encryption and perfect forward secrecy to create a super-secure tunnel to the VPN server.
The company boasts a clear no-logs privacy policy. You can also find extra security features like anti-malware and anti-tracking. DNS and IPv6 leak protection is built-in. Some servers are equipped with double encryption for added security.
I tested CyberGhost’s servers to find out how fast they were at several points during a single day. You can see the results below.
I found CyberGhost to be exceptionally quick in the morning and at noon. However, I landed on a slow server (it happens) for the afternoon test. Even then, CyberGhost still averaged 155.72 Mbps, which is an excellent result.
CyberGhost allows you to connect up to seven devices at the same time. Servers are available in 100+ countries. One of my favorite features is that you can select a server based on how you plan to use the VPN, such as streaming or anonymous browsing. CyberGhost can help you securely stream several streaming channels like Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video.
Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want a long 45-day money-back guarantee even when paying with Bitcoin
- You prefer an easy, beginner-friendly interface for casual use
- You need access to a very large server network for trading abroad
- You’d like extras like anti-tracking to reduce your exposure to phishing sites
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You need to connect more than seven devices simultaneously
- You’re connecting from China or other high-censorship countries
GREAT FOR NOVICES:CyberGhost is easy to use and set up. Great security and privacy with zero logs and DNS leak protection. Unblocks popular streaming platforms. Ideal for beginners looking to buy a VPN with crypto. 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
7. Private Internet Access
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.PrivateInternetAccess.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Private Internet Access
7.2Scores calculated algorithmically.
| Cryptocurrency options | 10.0 |
|---|---|
| Ease of use | 8.6 |
| Security and privacy | 9.3 |
| US speed | 1.5 |
| Value for money | 6.5 |
Private Internet Access (PIA) has great value three-year plans available that users can pay for using Bitcoin (via BitPay). Subscriptions allow unlimited device connections to secure your entire digital life without breaking a sweat.
Security-wise, PIA is a fortress. In addition to letting you retain your anonymity by paying with a variety of cryptocurrencies, it has built-in ad blocking, a kill switch to serve your connection if the VPN drops, and DNS leak protection to keep your browsing habits under wraps.
It also has a strict no-logs policy, ensuring your data stays yours. And let’s not forget the military-grade encryption that keeps prying eyes at bay.
PIA’s streaming abilities are excellent. When I used it for streaming, it worked with Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney Plus effortlessly, so your binge-watching sessions are sorted.
I wanted to find out how fast PIA’s servers were, so I carried out several speed tests over the course of a day.
As you can see from the above, PIA was slower than the majority of providers in this list. That said, its average speed of 51.13 Mbps is still sufficient to stream Netflix in UHD. I would, however, recommend choosing a faster VPN if your base connection speed is much slower than mine (250 Mbps for testing).
Need help? PIA’s live chat support is available 24/7.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want to pay with Bitcoin and many other cryptocurrencies
- You need unlimited device connections for crypto mining rigs and traders
- You’d benefit from streaming-optimized servers
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You’re uncomfortable using a US-based service
- You want to connect from China
WIREGUARD ON:Private Internet Access allows unlimited simultaneous devices, servers in 91+ countries and solid security credentials. Allows Bitcoin payments. Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Private Internet Access review.
8. PrivateVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN
6.9Scores calculated algorithmically.
| Cryptocurrency options | 10.0 |
|---|---|
| Ease of use | 8.2 |
| Security and privacy | 8.6 |
| US speed | 1.11 |
| Value for money | 6.5 |
PrivateVPN accepts Bitcoin as well as Ethereum via Coinify, which handles the transactions on their behalf. With this VPN, you’ll get 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, and a no-logs policy. DNS and IPv6 leak protection come standard, and you can simultaneously connect up to 10 devices.
In my experence, PrivateVPN is one of the best streaming VPNs in the business despite its smaller server network. I was able to securely access Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video from abroad. In my tests, the provider easily surpassed Netflix’s 15 Mbps requirement for streaming in UHD. You can see the full test results below.
While PrivateVPN’s average of 43.22 Mbps is satisfactory for everyday use, if you have a very slow base connection speed, you may want to opt for one of the faster providers in this list. For reference, my test speed was 250 Mbps.
Buy this VPN if:
- You’d like a reliable unblocker of popular streaming platforms
- You need port forwarding for crypto node hosting or mining
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You need the fastest speeds for heavy crypto workloads
- You want advanced anonymity tools like multi-hop or Secure Core
DIRECT PAYMENT:PrivateVPN is consistently reliable and will take Bitcoin payments directly. Good for general-purpose use and HD Streaming. Great security and privacy. Allows up to 10 devices to connect at once. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full PrivateVPN review.
Recent VPN Product Updates
We maintain current VPN reviews by tracking provider innovations. These are the most significant recent developments:
NordVPN
- Windows users now receive AI-powered “Fastest server” recommendations based on live network conditions (December 2025).
- Threat Protection Pro™ expanded to check links inside Gmail and Yahoo inboxes (December 2025).
- Linux apps saw tray improvements plus multiple stability fixes (December 2025).
- Open-sourcing the Linux app increased transparency and community oversight (October 2025).
- Timezone spoofing support was added to NordVPN’s browser extensions (October 2025).
Surfshark
- An AI-assisted email scam detection feature launched as part of Surfshark One and One+ (December 2025).
- Dedicated IP connections became available in the Linux GUI client (December 2025).
- New 100Gbps servers were introduced in Amsterdam to boost capacity (October 2025).
- Server expansion increased global coverage to 4,500+ servers (October 2025).
- A content-blocking tool aimed at keeping minors safer online was added (October 2025).
Proton VPN
- Support for iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 was discontinued, requiring users to update their operating system (January 2026).
- City-level server selection was introduced in the tvOS app with version 1.4.0 (December 2025).
- Linux CLI enhancements introduced manual selection of P2P, Secure Core, and Tor servers (December 2025).
- Server lists on iOS devices now prioritise load-based sorting (December 2025).
- Support for additional cryptocurrencies such as Monero, Litecoin, and Ethereum was added (October 2025).
ExpressVPN
- ExpressVPN updated its router firmware to v4.2.8, enhancing Lightway performance (December 2025).
- Linux app enhancements included visual upgrades, faster navigation, and server Favorites (November 2025).
- A redesigned iPad interface was rolled out (October 2025).
- Flexible pricing tiers were introduced (September 2025).
- EventVPN launched as ExpressVPN’s free VPN offering (September 2025).
IPVanish
- The Q4 2025 transparency report confirmed no user data was shared despite external requests (January 2026).
- App updates added the ability to sort servers by RAM-only status (December 2025).
- IPVanish became available on Amazon’s Vega OS following Fire TV VPN support updates (December 2025).
- RAM-only servers went live in regions including Australia and Europe (October 2025).
- Server expansion increased IPVanish’s footprint to more than 150 cities worldwide (October 2025).
How to buy a VPN with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies
Assuming you already have a Bitcoin wallet with funds in it, follow the steps below to purchase your chosen VPN with cryptocurrency.
Here’s how to buy a VPN with Bitcoin:
- Go to your chosen VPN provider’s website and begin the signup process. I particularly recommend NordVPN.
- When you get to the crypto payment section, find the Bitcoin or cryptocurrency option.
- Each VPN provider uses a third-party payment system, such as BitPay or CoinGate, to handle Bitcoin transactions. You can either sign up or continue as a guest. For this example, I choose the latter.
- Enter any necessary contact details, such as your email address, and continue. This will vary depending on the payment system used by your VPN provider.
- Next, you’ll be presented with a payment URL and QR code. You can either use the Bitcoin wallet app on your phone to scan the QR code or copy and paste the URL.
- In your crypto wallet app, confirm the transaction details and send the Bitcoin. You might need to wait for your transaction to be verified on the blockchain. The time varies depending on your transaction fees and how many times the transaction needs to be validated in subsequent blocks.
- Once the payment has been made, continue with the sign-up as usual.
Bear in mind that if you’re buying a VPN with Bitcoin to stay anonymous, you’ll need to take additional precautions. These include signing up with a burner email and hiding your IP address and other identifiers from the VPN’s website – more on that below.
Transaction fees when buying a VPN with Bitcoin
Bitcoin transaction fees are as volatile as the price of Bitcoin itself, so by the time you read this, the cost will likely have changed. That being said, fees have generally been creeping downwards. At the time of writing the average fee is about $0.32. Fees have reached more than $100 on average in the past, so be sure to check before making a purchase.
Using a money-back guarantee if you pay with Bitcoin
This depends on each provider’s policy. Due to the volatility involved in the price of cryptocurrencies, some VPNs do not provide a money-back guarantee for users who pay with Bitcoin or other altcoins.
For this reason, I generally recommend that you contact your provider to check that the money-back guarantee will still apply if you pay using Bitcoin. All of my recommendations offer live chat support on their website, which means you can easily ask whether the money-back guarantee will protect you.
The good news is that my top recommendation, NordVPN, always honors its money-back guarantee, even if you pay via Bitcoin. This means you can pay anonymously if you want to and still request a refund if you aren’t satisfied.
However, bear in mind that the VPN will return the value of the VPN subscription at whatever the crypto exchange rate is at the time of the refund. This could mean that the exact amount of Bitcoin you get back is more or less than what you paid initially.
How to anonymously buy a VPN subscription
A common misconception is that Bitcoin is anonymous. In fact, the sender, receiver, and amount of every transaction are recorded in the blockchain, a digital public ledger of all cryptocurrency transactions on the Bitcoin network. Whether you use a VPN or not, the blockchain will record your wallet address, the wallet address of the recipient or sender, and how much bitcoin was transferred. That means your purchase of a VPN with Bitcoin can still be traced back to you.
However, only the wallet addresses of each transaction are recorded, and wallets aren’t necessarily tied to their owner’s real identity. This pseudo-anonymity will be sufficient for many, but if you really want to anonymously spend Bitcoin on, say, a VPN subscription, be prepared for a few more steps and fees.
If you want to spend your Bitcoin anonymously, check out this guide on how to mix Bitcoin. It explains how to use Tor Browser to hide your IP address, create burner email accounts on Mailinator, and ultimately tumble Bitcoin to hide its origin.
Where to get a burner email address
Most VPNs at least require an email address to sign up. You can use your own email address if you’re not too concerned about leaving a trace, but Bitcoin users might want to use a burner email to make the entire transaction as anonymous as possible.
A couple of our favorite free burner email services are Mailinator and Guerrilla Mail. To use them anonymously, access their websites with a VPN or Tor Browser. The VPN website should also be accessed using Tor Browser or a VPN. This prevents websites from logging your IP address, which can be traced back to you (note that the VPN services we recommend don’t record IP addresses, but their websites likely do).
Mailinator allows you to receive email at any address you can think of that ends in “@mailinator.com”. Just make something up, e.g., paulbischoff@mailinator.com, when you sign up. There’s no need to set anything up ahead of time; just go to Mailinator and check the email address you just invented. Note that anyone can check the same email, as all emails are part of the public domain—but no registration or authentication is necessary, so as long as you’re on the Tor Network, nothing can be traced back to you. You can’t reply using Mailinator, but you probably only need the email for account verification and app activation, anyway. Also, emails are deleted every eight hours or so, so make sure to copy any important information ahead of time. Although emails get deleted, the email addresses do not, so you can continue to receive mail at the same address as long as you check within eight hours of receiving it.
Guerrilla Mail offers disposable temporary email addresses. A new email address is generated as soon as you go to the website (again, use Tor Browser). You can send and receive emails, reply, and open attachments. No registration is necessary. Like Mailinator, anyone can check your inbox without a password, but emails are not part of the public domain. Email addresses last indefinitely, but the emails themselves only last for one hour before being deleted. Guerrilla Mail is open source and accepts Ethereum donations.
How to unblock Bitcoin sites and apps
If Bitcoin-related websites and apps, such as cryptocurrency exchanges, are blocked in your country, you can use a VPN to gain access. A VPN encrypts all of a device’s internet traffic and routes it through an intermediary server in a location of your choosing. That means you can access blocked sites and apps by connecting to a server in a country where Bitcoin is legal.
Here’s how to unblock Bitcoin sites with a VPN:
- Sign up for one of the recommended VPNs above. I particularly recommend NordVPN.
- Download and install the VPN app
- Run the VPN app and select a server located in a country where Bitcoin is legal and open
- Access the website or app as you normally would
It’s that easy! You can even gain access to exchanges and other Bitcoin-related services that are region-locked to specific countries, although exchanges in other countries will likely require local forms of payment.
Buying VPNs with Bitcoin: FAQs
Why use Bitcoin to buy a VPN?
VPNs are primarily designed to enhance your privacy, and some people worry that using a traditional payment method, such as a credit card, will leave their real name and bank details somewhere in the VPN’s system.
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin can help by obscuring your identity a little, though it’s not impossible to tell who owns a specific wallet by any means. To really sign up anonymously, the best option is to find a VPN that accepts gift cards and buy one of these in person with cash.
Why doesn't every VPN accept cryptocurrency?
One of the biggest problems with crypto is that it’s extremely volatile. For instance, Bitcoin has previously lost half of its value in a matter of months. This makes setting a price particularly difficult, especially since transaction fees are also wildly unpredictable.
Of course, for consumers, the problem is that currently, crypto can’t really be used to buy very much. VPN providers know this, and can capitalize by taking unwanted crypto in exchange for access to their services. There is, after all, a small chance that the crypto’s price will skyrocket in the future, though this may be too optimistic to gamble on for smaller providers.
Is cryptocurrency fully anonymous?
No, most cryptocurrency is not fully anonymous, including Bitcoin. All transactions that occur using Bitcoin are recorded and verified on a public ledger called the blockchain. Those records include wallet addresses from which cryptocurrency is sent and received. Although a wallet address doesn’t constitute an identity, in most cases, it’s not hard to figure out who the owner of a wallet is or what device that wallet is stored on. For this reason, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are often considered pseudo-anonymous, or “pseudonymous” for short.
Some cryptocurrencies are more anonymous than others, such as Monero. Cryptocurrency can also be tumbled (a.k.a. “washed” or “mixed”) to better obscure the connection between sender and receiver, though such services operate in a legal grey area.
Can I buy a VPN with other cryptocurrencies?
Most VPNs don’t support any cryptocurrencies and those that do usually only accept Bitcoin. This makes sense: it’s the most well-known coin and has maintained a high value for a long time. However, there are a couple of providers that accept other forms of crypto. NordVPN, for instance, lets you pay in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple. Surfshark supports the same cryptocurrencies.
Should I use a VPN for crypto trading?
It’s always a good idea to have additional security and privacy online, especially when you’re engaging in sensitive activities. Crypto exchanges aren’t always secure, and many traders have fallen victim to cyber-attacks and security breaches. Plus, some cryptocurrency trading platforms are geo-blocked and not available everywhere. A VPN for cryptocurrency can help with these issues and give you some extra peace of mind.
Can I use a free VPN for Cryptotrading?
You can, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Using a free VPN for crypto trading comes with pretty big risks. Free VPNs often have weaker security, may log or even sell your data to third parties, and tend to have limited server capacity and slower connections. These issues may just be inconvenient, but in the worst case they could undermine your trading or even put your investment at risk.
Some crypto exchanges block IP ranges known to be used by free VPNs, though paid VPNs can also run into similar problems.
This time I used bitcoin to extend my subscription with Nordvpn. By the way, recommend their product to someone looking to add an extra layer of security to your daily life on the web