Best VPNs to unblock WhatsApp

Despite being one of the world’s most popular messaging apps, WhatsApp isn’t available everywhere. There are a couple of reasons for this: firstly, this service uses end-to-end encryption. That’s a problem for countries like China, whose government heavily surveils its citizens’ activities. In places like the United Arab Emirates, meanwhile, you can only use text chat due to restrictions surrounding who is allowed to offer VoIP services. Luckily, with the right VPN, you’ll be able to unblock WhatsApp from anywhere in the world.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs for short) encrypt all traffic from your device (including the contents of your WhatsApp messages) and send it through a server in a location of your choice. This not only lets you bypass geographic restrictions but also improves your security by hiding your real IP address, location, and browsing habits from anyone who might be monitoring you.

In this article, we explain exactly how to access WhatsApp from anywhere with a VPN and list the best VPNs for the job. We’ll go into more detail about each provider later on, but in case you’re short on time, we’ll start with a quick summary.

Best VPNs for WhatsApp:

1. NordVPN Our #1 VPN for WhatsApp. Encrypts all traffic and keeps no logs. Mobile apps work great with messaging and VoIP services and are easy to use. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for WhatsApp.
2. Surfshark Best budget VPN for WhatsApp. With no connection limit, first-class speeds, and a major focus on security, Surfshark makes it easy to use WhatsApp safely from anywhere.
3. IPVanish A privacy-conscious provider boasting exceptional speeds and no connection limit. Works with WhatsApp, Telegram, and similar messaging services. Recently introduced a link-safety checking tool.
4. ExpressVPN Fast and secure. Effortlessly unblocks WhatsApp and most other VoIP and messaging apps from anywhere. Servers in 100+ countries. One of the best options for novice users thanks to its 24/7 customer support.
5. CyberGhost Beginner-friendly VPN with easy-to-use apps, 24/7 support, and impressive unblocking abilities. Offers a variety of task-specific servers.
6. ProtonVPN Boasts a brand new design, lots of powerful security features, and the ability to unblock WhatsApp. Fast and privacy-conscious, with no logs kept.
7. Private Internet Access Customizable, privacy-first VPN that lets you protect every device you own at the same time. Great unblocking ability and a very large network.
8. PureVPN A simple yet effective way to access WhatsApp in places it’s normally blocked. Good set of privacy tools and a no-logs policy, plus steady speeds.
9. PrivateVPN This zero-logs VPN can unblock WhatsApp in places like China and works well for streaming too. Extremely privacy-conscious, with reliable servers in 60+ countries.

TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for WhatsApp.

Where is WhatsApp blocked, and why?

WhatsApp features end-to-end encryption, which means all messages are encrypted on the sender’s device and remain encrypted until they arrive on the receiver’s device. Anyone who happens to intercept messages in transit–be it an ISP, hacker, government entity, or even Facebook–will not be able to decrypt their contents. WhatsApp uses the encryption suite developed by Whisper Systems, which makes the much-lauded and privacy-focused Signal messaging app.

This level of privacy is excellent for users, but some governments and law enforcement agencies argue that it protects activists, journalists, dissidents, criminals, and terrorists who can use the app to communicate secretly. As a result, WhatsApp has been banned, either temporarily or permanently, in over a dozen countries, including:

• Bangladesh
• Brazil
• China
• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• Jordan
• Kazakhstan
• Montenegro
• Saudi Arabia
• The Gambia
• Turkey
• Uganda
• Zimbabwe

In some countries, WhatsApp’s voice calling (VoIP) feature is often blocked while the rest of the app is left open. VoIP allows users to make voice calls over the internet, similar to Skype, which is also blocked in some countries. WhatsApp voice calls are blocked in:

• Azerbaijan
• Bahrain
• Morocco
• United Arab Emirates
• Uzbekistan

Telecom companies in several countries have lobbied their respective governments to restrict WhatsApp as well. Because WhatsApp serves as a substitute for traditional calls and SMS, it cuts into the profits of legacy telcos.

If you’re located in any of the countries listed above, don’t worry, read on for a way around the restrictions by using the best VPNs for WhatsApp and Skype.

How we selected the top VPNs for WhatsApp

There are an endless number of VPNs on the market, all promising the earth. Finding the ones that actually work for what you need them to can be tricky and time-consuming. Well, we’ve done the legwork for you and narrowed the choices down considerably by only including VPNs that meet the following non-negotiable criteria:

• A wide network of global servers in countries where WhatsApp is unrestricted
• Speeds fast enough for uninterrupted VoIP calling and streaming
• Strong security and privacy protocols
• Keeps no usage logs
• Mobile apps available, including Android and iPhone/iOS
• Allows you to protect multiple devices at the same time
• Provides live chat-based customer support
• Good value for money and a money-back guarantee

This is just the highlights of what we look for in the VPNs we recommend. You can read more about our testing criteria in the methodology section below. First, let’s take a closer look at the VPNs that impressed us.

The best WhatsApp VPNs: at a glance

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

Best VPNs for WhatsApp

We aim to bring you the most accurate and helpful VPN recommendations possible. To do that, we personally use and test every VPN to ensure they’re up to our standards and yours. The following reviews are the result of those first-hand experiences. Let’s take a closer look at the ones that impressed us.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for accessing WhatsApp from anywhere:

1. NordVPN

Jun 2025 unblocks whatsappTested Jun 2025

NordVPN is our top recommendation for WhatsApp. It boasts thousands of servers spread across 100+ countries and the ability to sidestep virtually any online limitation. Whether you’re looking to access WhatsApp in China or just stream TV from back home while on vacation, it’s up to the task. Users are allowed to connect 10 devices at the same time, and in the unlikely event that you run into problems, 24/7 customer support is available over live chat.

Video calling requires a fast and stable connection, so we had to be sure that NordVPN was up to the challenge. That’s why we tested its American servers at three times of day on a 250 Mbps connection (the household broadband average in the US). Below, you’ll see how fast NordVPN’s servers were and, equally important, how much their speeds varied throughout the day:

This provider’s average speed was 200.14 Mbps, marking about a 20 percent reduction compared to our base connection speed. NordVPN was actually the quickest provider we tested and handled tasks like streaming, chatting, and downloading large files with ease. There was only around 6 Mbps of difference between its best and worst results, too, which means you can expect excellent speeds at all times of the day.

NordVPN is known for its robust security. There’s 256-bit encryption, a customizable kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and an independently-audited no-logs policy but that’s only the beginning. This VPN also blocks ads and trackers automatically, allows users to securely send files between their devices, and alerts you if your personal info is leaked on the dark web.

NordVPN has its own iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, and Linux apps. It can also be manually configured to work with most home routers.

BEST VPN FOR WHATSAPP:NordVPN is our #1 choice. It unblocks all major VoIP, social media, and chat apps with ease, including WhatsApp, Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Signal, and more. Allows up to 10 simultaneously connected devices. Great privacy and security credentials. Try it risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

unblocks whatsappTested Jun 2025

Surfshark is the best low-cost VPN for unblocking WhatsApp. It offers access to servers in over 100 countries and, unlike most other providers, lets you connect every device you own simultaneously. As well as helping you stay in touch, it’s capable of providing secure access to a wide range of streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer, even if you’re in a country like China. Best of all, there’s 24/7 live chat, making it as easy as possible to resolve any issues.

Low pricing doesn’t always mean low quality, and nobody proves that better than Surfshark. In fact, we’ve seen it outpace more expensive services on several occasions! The chart below shows how quick Surfshark’s US servers were in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon. This also lets us see how consistent its performance, and how much slowdown you can expect at peak times:

As expected, Surfshark was quickest in the morning and got slower as the day went on, though only by around 8 Mbps, well within expected ranges. It had an average speed of 196.92 Mbps — just 4 Mbps slower than NordVPN. For context, that’s quick enough to download a 1 GB file in about 40 seconds, so you shouldn’t have any issues streaming, playing online games, or making video calls.

When it comes to security, this provider has you covered. By default, it uses unbreakable encryption, a kill switch, and automatic tracker and ad-blocking, plus DNS and IPv6 leak protection to keep you safe. Its more advanced features include IP addresses that change periodically, a censorship-beating NoBorders mode, and split tunneling support. Most importantly, Surfshark doesn’t keep any logs of your activities and has been audited to prove it.

Apps are available for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, and Fire TV. Surfshark also provides manual setup instructions for most routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is the best budget option. Works flawlessly with WhatsApp and allows any number of connections. Reliable servers and user-friendly apps. No-logs VPN with 24/7 live chat support. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

Unblocks WhatsAppTested Jun 2025

IPVanish is a veteran provider that just keeps improving. It recently expanded its server coverage from 60 countries to 100 and introduced a new tool that checks whether links are safe to open (needless to say, that pairs well with WhatsApp). This VPN reliably unblocks most region-exclusive content, working perfectly with Disney+. Prime Video, and more. Support staff are ready to help via 24/7 live chat, and there’s no limit to the number of devices you can connect.

If your VPN is too slow, you’ll notice all sorts of problems when video calling, from random disconnections to laggy, robotic-sounding audio. To see if IPVanish was fast enough, we performed speed tests at multiple times of day. Let’s take a look and see just how quick its American servers were:

With an average speed of 186.39 Mbps, IPVanish proves that it’s capable of handling just about anything. Video calling won’t be an issue, and we had excellent results using this service for live streaming, playing games, and torrenting too. Best of all, its speeds only varied by around 5 Mbps throughout the day, so you’re all but guaranteed a quick and reliable connection.

So, what does the service offer in terms of privacy? For starters, IPVanish has an independently verified no-logs policy, which means it couldn’t reveal details of your activities even if it wanted to. There are plenty of additional safeguards too, such as a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, automatic tracker-blocking, and traffic obfuscation (though this only works on OpenVPN connections). We’d prefer if there were some anonymous payment options, though, as many competing VPNs allow you to sign up without providing any personal information.

IPVanish works on Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. It can also be manually installed on most popular router firmware. This provider recently launched an Advanced subscription tier, which includes the VPN, 1 TB of cloud storage, and access to a cloud-based browser.

CHAT SECURELY:IPVanish works flawlessly with WhatsApp, even in countries where the service isn’t normally available. Offers ultra-fast servers, unlimited connections, and strong security, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee on annual and two-year subscriptions.

Interested? Read our in-depth review of IPVanish.

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4. ExpressVPN

unblocks whatsappTested Jun 2025

ExpressVPN boasts access to servers in 100+ countries and is one of the most reliable options for accessing geo-blocked sites. In fact, it even works in places like China (automatically obfuscating your data), so whether you’re hoping to browse the wider internet, unblock WhatsApp, or catch up on your favorite shows abroad, it’s an excellent choice. Customer support is available 24 hours per day, and users can connect up to eight devices at the same time.

Let’s talk about speed. Every VPN will slow down your connection to some degree, but some providers have more of an impact than others. We decided to test ExpressVPN’s US servers over the course of a typical day to see how quick they were and how much their performance varied during peak times. See for yourself:

This provider delivered an average speed 141.84 Mbps, varying by 7 Mbps, which is well within the expected range. Considering 4K video only takes around 15 Mbps, you’ll be able to make WhatsApp calls (and even share your screen) without any noticeable issues. We’d suggest using ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol, as this minimizes speed loss when using distant servers.

ExpressVPN is known for its strong security focus. It uses uncrackable AES-256 encryption, backed up by DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and a newly added Threat Protection tool that blocks ads, trackers, and suspicious sites automatically. This provider doesn’t keep logs, something we know for sure thanks to its lengthy audit history. Want to sign up anonymously? No problem: ExpressVPN accepts prepaid cards and Bitcoin.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux (command-line). This is the only major VPN with its own router firmware too, making it as easy as possible to chat safely across all of your devices.

RELIABLE SERVICE:ExpressVPN is a fast and reliable choice. It works well with WhatsApp and other apps, boasts reliable connections, and has a huge range of countries available. Great privacy features and keeps no logs. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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5. CyberGhost

unblocks whatsappTested Jun 2025

CyberGhost is a fantastically versatile VPN that goes out of its way to remain welcoming to new users. There are servers in 100+ countries, and those that are optimized for gaming, P2P activity, or streaming are kept in separate lists so that it’s simple to find one that meets your needs. This VPN is great for accessing platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, WhatsApp, and Disney+ while traveling, plus it allows you to secure up to seven devices at the same time.

Speed is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a VPN, so we wanted to make sure that CyberGhost was fast enough for day-to-day usage. This involved testing its American servers at three times of day and performing a variety of tasks to simulate everyday usage. Let’s take a look at how this VPN did:

CyberGhost managed to provide an average speed of 142.12 Mbps, placing it roughly in the middle of our rankings. Its speeds fluctuated by roughly 5 Mbps, which is functionally unnoticeable and won’t impact your video calling experience at all. Naturally, with speeds like these, you’ll also be able to watch live broadcasts, torrent, and play online games without any issues.

When it comes to security, CyberGhost has a lot to offer. For instance, it uses 256-bit AES encryption, which is currently considered uncrackable. There’s also a kill switch, protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, and an independently verified zero-logs policy. This VPN even blocks ads and trackers, offers a customizable smart rules tool, and can bypass some forms of VPN-blocking using its random port connection feature.

CyberGhost offers its own apps for Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS. Further, it provides detailed manual setup instructions in case you’d like to install it on your router.

USER-FRIENDLY CHOICE:CyberGhost streamlines the process of using WhatsApp safely with task-specific servers, fantastic unblocking ability, and robust security on all platforms. Plans include a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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6. ProtonVPN

unblocks whatsappTested Jun 2025

ProtonVPN is one of the most versatile services on the market. First off, it has a truly astounding network, with around 14,000 servers in over 120 countries. Additionally, this VPN can access virtually any geo-blocked platform, from Netflix to Amazon Prime Video. In other words, WhatsApp won’t pose much of an issue. There’s even 24/7 support and a 10-connection limit; the only downside is that this VPN doesn’t work reliably in China.

Chatting on WhatsApp isn’t particularly data-intensive, but if you want to have your camera on or share your screen, you’ll want a VPN with a quick and reliable connection. Our experts tested ProtonVPN’s American servers periodically to see firstly, what kind of speeds it was capable of and second, how much they varied across a typical day. You’ll find the results in the chart below:

With an average speed of 147.35 Mbps and a variance of just 6 Mbps, ProtonVPN was one of the quicker services we tested. We were able to perform a variety of day-to-day tasks with no problems, from streaming geo-blocked content to playing fast-paced online games. In other words, users will be able to stay in touch and make video calls safely, from anywhere in the world (barring a few high-censorship countries).

ProtonVPN was developed by the team behind Proton Mail, so it’s no surprise that it puts privacy first. It offers unbreakable encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and an audited no-logs policy, plus a Stealth protocol designed to help you browse safely on networks that normally block VPN traffic. Its more advanced functionality includes split tunneling, port forwarding, and support for multi-hop connections.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux. Alternatively, you can manually install this service on most router firmware.

ADVANCED VPN:ProtonVPN is very strong on security and effortlessly unblocks Whatsapp (as well as most other region-locked services. Highly customizable, with a huge network and a 30-day money-back guarantee on paid plans.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

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7. Private Internet Access

unblocks whatsappTested Jun 2025

Private Internet Access (PIA) operates RAM-only servers in 90+ countries (including all 50 US states), making it a fantastic option for anyone hoping to use WhatsApp, Netflix, or Max during a trip abroad. It recently removed its connection limit too, allowing you to secure every device you own simultaneously. While its apps are very newcomer-friendly, this service offers around-the-clock support via live chat.

Private Internet Access has generally done quite well in our previous speed tests, but regular testing is necessary if we’re going to provide the most up-to-date results. Below, you can see how quick this provider’s US servers were on a typical day, using a 250 Mbps connection. Note that if your base speeds are lower, your speeds when connected will be too.

As you can see, this service delivered an average speed of 119.64 Mbps. While there are quicker VPNs above, this is still competitive and significantly higher than you’ll need for most tasks. Our team was able to make and receive video calls on WhatsApp, for instance, without any stuttering or choppiness. Of course, Private Internet Access is also capable of streaming and torrenting.

Its commitment to security is evident through 256-bit AES encryption and the inclusion of both OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. A staunch no-logs policy and PIA’s DNS leak protection bolster your online privacy, ensuring your real IP address remains hidden. The VPN’s “MACE” feature is a game-changer, effectively blocking ads, trackers, and malicious websites at the DNS level, thus enhancing your browsing experience and security.

This VPN has its own apps for iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, and macOS, plus it can be manually configured to work with most types of router firmware.

HIGHLY CUSTOMIZABLE:Private Internet Access has servers in 90+ countries, doesn’t log your activities and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

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8. PureVPN

unblocks whatsappTested Jun 2025

PureVPN has a network of over 6,000 servers in 65 countries and can effortlessly unblock even the trickiest region-locked platforms. Whether you’d like to watch Amazon Prime Video while traveling abroad or access WhatsApp in China, this beginner-friendly service can help. There’s a generous 10-connection allowance and 24/7 customer support available over live chat.

So, how fast are PureVPN’s American servers? To find out, our team performed three tests (one in the morning, one at noon, and one in the afternoon) on a 250 Mbps connection. We were interested in seeing this provider’s top speed, but also how much its performance varied throughout the day. Let’s see those results:

PureVPN was slower than the other providers we’ve seen, averaging 64.07 Mbps across three tests. All the same, that’s more than enough for day-to-day usage. WhatsApp won’t be an issue, and our experts were able to perform tasks like streaming and torrenting just fine. There was under 6 Mbps of variability across three tests, but realistically, this should be virtually unnoticeable.

Of course, the important thing is whether this service can keep you safe. PureVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption (the gold standard), coupled with a kill switch to ensure that your activities are never visible to anyone. There’s also DNS and IPv6 leak protection, tracker-blocking (on every plan, not just the Plus and Max ones), and port forwarding support, though this costs a little extra.

PureVPN apps are available for macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, and Linux. Its website also provides setup instructions in case you’d prefer to install it directly on your router.

LOW-COST STREAMING:PureVPN has a choice of servers in the US that work to bypass WhatsApp blocks at work or abroad. Fast speeds for streaming Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, and many others. Servers available in 65+ countries. Strong encryption means you can use WhatsApp privately. Easy to use on all devices. 31-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

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9. PrivateVPN

unblocks whatsappTested Jun 2025

PrivateVPN owns and operates roughly 200 servers spread across 63 countries. What’s unique about this service is that it acts as its own ISP, preventing any third party from ever having access to your traffic. This VPN works flawlessly with WhatsApp, Netflix, and various other geo-blocked platforms, plus it allows up to 10 simultaneous connections. Live chat-based support is available almost 24 hours a day, so you’ll never have to wait too long to get help.

In previous tests, PrivateVPN has struggled to match its rivals where speed is concerned. To see what it’s really capable of, we tested its servers in the US across a standard day, using a 250 Mbps connection designed to replicate American home broadband. Take a look at the chart below to see how this VPN did:

With an average speed of 60.61 Mbps, there isn’t much that this service can’t do. There was less than 6 Mbps of variance across the day, making WhatsApp calls seamless, and we didn’t notice any performance issues even when sharing our screen. Are there faster VPNs on the market? Absolutely. However, if you just want a reliable service that can access virtually anything, PrivateVPN is well worth trying out.

From a security perspective, PrivateVPN is a strong contender. It boasts 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPV6 leak protection, and a kill switch that can be configured to kill specific apps when your connection drops. This provider doesn’t keep any logs of your activities and even boasts a stealth mode capable of sidestepping China’s Great Firewall.

Apps are available for Windows operating systems, macOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. Manual setup is needed for Linux systems and routers.

HIGH-SPEED SERVERS:PrivateVPN has particularly fast servers making it a great option for WhatsApp calls.Very easy to use and offers live chat support. Secure with encryption. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

How to run WhatsApp through a VPN

Don’t worry if you’ve never used a VPN before; they are surprisingly user-friendly. Just follow the instructions below, and you’ll be all set up to use WhatsApp anywhere in no time.

Here’s how to unblock WhatsApp and make calls with a VPN:

1. Select a VPN provider – we recommend NordVPN.
2. Download and install the VPN apps, making sure to get the correct versions for your devices.
3. Run the app and select a server in a country where WhatsApp is not blocked, such as Europe or the US.
4. Hit the Connect button, open WhatsApp, and use it as normal!
5. If you’re having problems, try connecting to a different server or contact your VPN’s support team for more help.

Finding the best VPNs for WhatsApp: our Methodology

Every VPN is different, and while this means that there’s a service for every situation, it also makes it tricky for newcomers to decide which one to use. Luckily, we have an exhaustive testing process that breaks down how well providers fare in five key areas. Below, we’ll explore each of these in more detail and explain why they’re so important:

Speed

Speed is one of the first things we think about when considering a VPN. The reason is simple: if your connection is too slow, you’ll run into problems like choppy video, robotic voices on WhatsApp, and dropped calls. So, how do we go about seeing which VPNs are the fastest?

To begin with, we perform multiple tests. This helps offset the impact of one poor result and gives a better idea of how the VPN’s speed is impacted during busy periods like evenings and weekends. It’s also important to note that we run these tests on our 250 Mbps test server; it’s designed to replicate the average American household broadband connection, which should mean that anyone with a similar connection should get similar results to us. Here’s how our top VPNs compared:

NordVPN was the quickest provider we saw, closely followed by Surfshark and IPVanish. Still, even the lowest-ranking VPNs in our list are still significantly quicker than most on the market and are more than capable of handling tasks like video calling. The only difference is that some have more of an impact on your base speed than others.

Functionality

The next step was gaining an understanding of how versatile each VPN was. To do this, we looked into how many countries their networks covered and whether they worked in high-censorship countries like China. Finally, we checked to see if they were capable of unblocking popular streaming platforms abroad, and if so, whether we had to try a few different servers before finding one that worked. Let’s take a look at the overall functionality scores of our top WhatsApp VPNs:

Surfshark took the top spot here, scoring 9.7 points of a possible 10. NordVPN came in second, with ExpressVPN not far behind. CyberGhost had the lowest score, despite its large network and strong streaming ability, simply because it doesn’t include robust obfuscation capable of beating China’s Great Firewall.

Security and privacy

The whole point of a VPN is to keep your online activities hidden from snoopers. With that in mind, we decided to only recommend providers offering unbreakable encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a no-logs policy. That’s just a starting point, though: all in all, we consider 16 privacy-related criteria when assigning scores. Check out the full list in the following table:

Don’t worry if some of the terms above left you a little confused. Below, you can see each VPN’s overall security score. Simply put, the higher the score, the more privacy-conscious the VPN is.

NordVPN and Surfshark both scored 9.5 points, putting them right at the top of our rankings. Each has a wealth of advanced functionality but even straight out of the box, they do a great job of keeping your connection secure. The only improvements we’d suggest is for NordVPN to shore up its authentication slightly and for Surfshark to consider being based outside of a Nine Eyes country.

Ease of use

Realistically, nobody wants to use a VPN that makes day-to-day browsing a nuisance. Our team keeps an eye out for services that streamline things as much as possible, whether by allowing unlimited connections, providing task-specific servers, or simply offering exceptional customer support. The table below shows every factor that goes into our scoring decision:

Private Internet Access and NordVPN share first place here, both with 9.6 points. We really appreciated how flexible they were and how they introduce their more advanced functionality in a way that doesn’t alienate novice users. Of course, the lowest score we recorded was an 8.6, so all of our VPNs did very well here, and any would give you a great user experience.

Value for money

Our final task is making sure that the VPNs we recommend are actually worth paying for. We first look into their functionality and broader capabilities and compare them to those of similarly priced services. Next, we check whether there are any discounts for emergency workers, teachers, or students, and if it’s possible to save even more by signing up for a longer period of time. We also look into how often each VPN goes on sale. Our one requirement is that providers offer a money-back guarantee, as this effectively allows you to try the service risk-free.

Surfshark earned an astounding 9.7 points in this category, beating all other challengers. It boasts extremely steep discounts on long-term plans, the ability to connect every device you own, and even reduced rates for students. Not bad considering it also works in China and unblocks every streaming service we tested!

Want to know even more about our testing process? You can read more in our article detailing our full VPN testing methodology.

Using free VPNs to access WhatsApp

While we know that free VPNs are tempting, it is highly unlikely that you’ll find one that can reliably bypass a countrywide restriction on WhatsApp. A government that can block WhatsApp can just as easily block a VPN server, and free VPNs have too few resources and too little incentive to keep their servers off these government blacklists. Paid VPNs are much better positioned to do so.

China and the UAE actively block most VPNs, even paid ones. However, the paid VPNs we recommend above have the expertise and resources to stay a step ahead. They also offer live customer support to users who experience any issues accessing WhatsApp.

Even if a free VPN grants access to WhatsApp, that access might not be secure. Free VPNs often come with security risks, such as subpar encryption and no leak protection to prevent snooping third parties from monitoring your connection. Additionally, most free VPNs have a limited range of servers to choose from, limit available bandwidth, and cap data.

We recommend avoiding free VPNs on Google Play and the App Store. These apps often track and log what you do online, inject advertisements, and can even infect your device with malware. And if the police come knocking on their door asking for information on a specific user, they aren’t going to risk their business to save someone who uses their app for free.

Using WhatsApp with a VPN: FAQs