10 Best VPNs for Turkey: Which ones still beat the VPN ban in 2025?

If you’re planning a visit to Turkey, you will do well to remember that the internet is heavily censored there. In fact, according to Freedom House, it’s one of the worst offenders in the world, with its freedom ranking actively declining year on year. We’re not just talking about being unable to access your favorite websites (though platforms like WhatsApp and Twitter are blocked on the President’s whims); Turkey has previously imprisoned people for criticizing the government or even posting pro-LGBT content online.

It’s possible to sidestep this kind of content-blocking and browse the web anonymously by connecting to a Virtual Private Network (VPN). That’s largely why the government has tried its best to restrict access to these tools. However, stamping out VPN usage entirely is virtually impossible, and lots of high-profile providers still work perfectly in Turkey. All of our recommended services encrypt your traffic and hide your real IP address, allowing you to browse the web safely wherever you go.

Here’s a brief rundown of our top VPNs for Turkey:

Best VPNs for Turkey:

1. NordVPN Best all-round VPN for Turkey. Includes a wealth of powerful security tools and provides some of the highest speeds we’ve seen. Special servers designed to beat censorship, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Turkey.
2. Surfshark Best budget VPN for people in Turkey. Refuses to compromise on privacy and can secure every device you own. Fast speeds, no logs, and a very low price point.
3. Total VPN This functional and fast VPN makes it easy to sidestep government censorship and access the internet securely in places like Turkey.
4. ProtonVPN This VPN makes it easy to stay in touch with people back home or access geo-blocked sites in Turkey. Keeps no logs, prioritizes privacy, and delivers fast speeds.
5. ExpressVPN Ideal for novices. First-class obfuscation and router support, as well as servers in 100+ countries (including Turkey). Quick enough for any task you can imagine.
6. IPVanish A zero-log service with beginner-friendly apps and no connection limit. Works flawlessly in Turkey and offers 24/7 support just in case anything goes wrong.
7. CyberGhost Reliable, high-speed provider with servers that are specially-optimized to keep your traffic as safe as possible. Doesn’t keep logs. Strong presence in Istanbul.
8. PureVPN Privacy-first VPN with solid speeds, a proven no-logs policy, and great unblocking ability. Automatic obfuscation makes it a great choice for users in Turkey.
9. Private Internet Access This speedy, security-conscious VPN can protect every device you own simultaneously. Reliable Turkish servers and 24/7 support via live chat.
10. PrivateVPN A zero-logs VPN that goes above and beyond to keep your data secure. Reliable performance and top-tier obfuscation, plus it has servers in Istanbul.

Best VPNs for Turkey compared

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

How we found the best VPNs for Turkey

Just about every VPN claims to be the fastest, most secure service on the market. This obviously isn’t accurate and makes it difficult for most people to tell if they’re actually using a high-quality service or not. Our team has reviewed countless VPNs over the years and can tell almost immediately what’s relevant and what’s just marketing hype. To help with this process, we’ve developed a rigorous series of tests that evaluate everything a provider has to offer.

So what does this involve? For starters, we test each VPN ourselves, performing day-to-day activities like browsing the web, torrenting, and accessing geo-restricted content. We also examine their security claims, look into their audit history, and verify whether they’re fast enough to meet most people’s needs. You’ll find a brief overview of our testing methodology below, with a more detailed explanation at the bottom of this post.

• Speed: If your VPN is too slow, pages will take a long time to load. Worse still, you may occasionally lose connection, leaving your online activities visible to anyone monitoring the network. We tested each provider’s US servers three times a day and averaged the results to get a more realistic idea of the speeds you can expect.
• Unblocking ability: Many popular websites are inaccessible in Turkey, and the government has previously blocked social media platforms without warning. Our experts check whether the VPN can reliably unblock social media in Turkey and other services like Wikipedia and Hulu to ensure you’ll be covered regardless of any new blocks introduced. We also test Turkish servers from abroad to ensure they unblock Turkish TV channels such as TRT 1 and TRT 2.
• Security and privacy: To truly keep you safe, VPNs must use unbreakable encryption, prevent DNS and IPv6 leaks, and include a kill switch. For users looking to browse safely in Turkey, this is particularly important because authorities imprison people for their online activity semi-regularly. Further, we only recommend services with no-logging policies (and, ideally, an extensive audit history). Naturally, they have to be able to beat country-wide censorship as well.
• Ease of use: Most people aren’t computer networking experts, but you shouldn’t have to be. Here at Comparitech, we prioritize VPNs that make it as simple as possible to stay safe. That might be by offering task-specific servers, automatic obfuscation, or 24/7 support, though any feature that streamlines your experience is a huge plus in our book.

Want to know more about our criteria and ranking process? Head to the methodology section to see our detailed testing process and the results of those tests. First, let’s take a closer look at the providers that impressed us.

Top VPNs for browsing safely in Turkey

It’s time to take a closer look at what makes each of our recommended VPNs special. Here’s our list of the best VPNs for Turkey:

1. NordVPN

Dec 2025 Works in TurkeyTested Dec 2025

NordVPN is our top VPN pick for anyone visiting Turkey. It has dozens of reliable servers in Istanbul for a Turkish IP address and more than 8,000 servers in 120 countries. It offers both obfuscated servers and a special protocol named NordWhisper, both of which are configured to help you sidestep extreme online censorship. As such, NordVPN has you covered whether you’re looking to speak freely or just access streaming services from back home. This provider works with stubborn platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer and Turkish TV channels, including ATV and Kanal D. If you’re having problems, just let support staff know; they’re on hand 24/7 via live chat.

NordVPN has a fairly busy interface but it won’t take you long to get the hang of it. The right-hand side is mostly devoted to Threat Protection metrics, with the left side showing the full server list. There are a few other tabs in the sidebar but these deal with features that are only available to Plus and Ultimate subscribers. The settings page is well-organized too, and each option has a short description fo what it does.

Now, you’ll want to use a server in a different country to access the wider internet during a trip to Turkey. The further away your chosen server, the more latency you’ll experience. That said, the US servers generally offer the best performance. Our speed tests revealed that NordVPN was the fastest VPN provider in this list, averaging 385.67 Mbps. That’s extremely impressive, especially considering the lowest result we recorded was 348 Mbps (which is fast enough to stream nearly two dozen 4K videos simultaneously. Here are the full results of our performance testing:

This provider takes your security seriously. It uses unbreakable encryption and works in China, Turkey, and the UAE. There’s also a customizable kill switch, automatic tracker blocker, and custom protocol (NordLynx) to address some of WireGuard’s privacy concerns. Our testing showed that NordVPN doesn’t leak info via WebRTC, IPv6, or DNS. This VPN has been independently audited several times, proving that it doesn’t keep logs of your activities.

NordVPN’s monthly subscription costs just under $13, which aligns with the industry average. There are also annual and two-year plans that cut the price pretty significantly, with additional discounts for students, graduates, healthcare workers, teachers, first responders, and military members. For a couple of dollars more each month, it’s possible to upgrade to a Plus or Ultimate plan. These come with bonuses such as cyber insurance, a password manager, and encrypted cloud storage.

NordVPN has apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. You can also install this service on most routers, bypassing the 10-device limit. Just check the website’s help section for manual configuration instructions.

BEST VPN FOR TURKEY:NordVPN is our first choice. It works perfectly in high-censorship countries, offers a wide range of security tools, and won’t be beaten on speed. Also comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of NordVPN here.

---

2. Surfshark

Works in TurkeyTested Dec 2025

Surfshark is the best low-price VPN for anyone in Turkey. All in all, it has 4,500 servers in 100+ countries, with roughly half a dozen in Istanbul. Just activate NoBorders mode in the settings, and you can access all of your favorite websites and bypass regional blocks the Turkish government has implemented. This VPN works flawlessly with TRT 1, Show TV, and Netflix, among many other platforms. There’s 24/7 live chat-based support and a total lack of connection limits too!

We’re big fans of the app’s design and the fact that it’s almost the same no matter what device you use. Switching locations only takes a few seconds, and recently used servers are at the top of the server list for faster access. The settings menu is split into several tabs, and every option has a short description of what it does, so you’re less likely to accidentally change something important without meaning to. We will say that four of the six tabs on the left are for tools that are only included with Surfshark One, so if you’re not on these plans, these are essentially pointless – it’d be nice to be able to hide these, but hardly the end of the world.

You might be surprised to learn that this low-cost provider was significantly faster than most other VPNs we tested. There was around 30 Mbps of variance between its highest and lowest results, leading to an average overall speed of 348.67 Mbps. In other words, Surfshark is fast enough for anything you have planned, whether it’s torrenting, streaming, or video calling. You’ll find a full rundown of our results below:

Surfshark is exceptionally secure, offering uncrackable encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. Thanks to several independent audits, we know that it doesn’t keep any logs of your activities. There’s also automatic wifi protection, ad and tracker-blocking, and the ability to periodically rotate your IP address. Better still, Surfshark recently added a new content filtering tool that hides several different kinds of adult content, which shows that it’s committed to continously improving its service.

There are three subscription terms to choose from: a month, a year, or two years. Prices start at around $13 per month and decrease the longer you sign up. There’s also a generous student discount, as well as the Surfshark One plans. These cost a little more but offer benefits like real-time breach alerts, a private search engine, and an antivirus app. Most people will be fine with just the basic subscription, but it’s always nice to have the option.

Surfshark provides iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV Stick apps. It also supports the most popular router firmware, and detailed setup guides are available that walk you through the configuration process step by step.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is the best low-cost option for Turkish users. Boasts impressive speeds, a high degree of privacy, and the ability to protect all of your devices at once. Best of all, every subscription includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full user review of Surfshark.

---

3. Total VPN

Works in TurkeyTested Dec 2025

Total VPN is a well-respected provider with plenty to offer. For starters, it has roughly 1,800 servers throughout 80+ countries, including Turkey. In addition to keeping your activities hidden from authorities and public hotspot owners, this service works with popular streaming platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer. Users can connect five devices at the same time and contact staff, day or night, via email.

When it comes to speed, Total VPN generally does quite well. To get the most accurate idea of its abilities, we decided to test its American servers at three points throughout a typical day (morning, noon, and afternoon). This also lets us see how much its speeds slow down during busier times. Let’s take a look:

Total VPN delivered an average speed of 285.33 Mbps, with 33 Mbps of difference between its fastest and slowest results. That might sound like a lot, but with speeds this high, a swing of around 10 percent shouldn’t even be noticeable to most people. Needless to say, this VPN is much faster than is required for any day-to-day task; our team was able to watch live broadcasts, play online games, and torrent without any issues.

This VPN boasts a strong set of privacy features, including its unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch (on Android and iOS), protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks, and a strict no-logs policy. It also offers a special protocol named Hydra that can bypass some forms of VPN detection, allowing you to browse safely virtually anywhere. Finally, users can enable split tunneling, forcing certain sites to only load if the VPN is active (or only if it’s disabled).

Total VPN has its own apps for macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android.

SECURE BROWSING ANYWHERE:Total VPN effortlessly bypasses country-wide restrictions and can be relied upon in places like Turkey. Strong security, good streaming ability, and a 30-day money-back guarantee if you sign up for a year.

Take a look at our in-depth Total VPN review.

---

4. ProtonVPN

works in TurkeyTested Dec 2025

ProtonVPN was created by the company behind Proton Mail, so it has an impressive set of privacy credentials. You can use its free plan indefinately, but we’d suggest upgrading to gain access to the full network (15,000+ servers in 120 countries), a higher connection limit (10 devices maximum), better speeds, and access to 24/7 live chat-based customer support. You also can’t access geo-blocked platforms like Prime Video, Roblox, Netflix, and Disney+ unless you upgrade.

ProtonVPN recently reworked its interface, making it easier than ever to access specialty servers and tweak important settings. That said, we’d rather the kill switch wasn’t included, since this is something you’ll want on virtually all of the time. The settings menu is neatly organized and explains what each option does, so while this VPN looks like it’s designed for experts, it’s actually quite newcomer-friendly.

ProtonVPN delivered a solid performance, with an average speed of 191.34 Mbps. That said, we did notice a fairly high degree of variance. During our testing, its worst result (at noon) was a full 90 Mbps lower than its highest. Even this was quick enough to handle day-to-day tasks like video calling without any issues. You’ll find the full results of our tests below:

The million-dollar question is whether this VPN can keep you safe. ProtonVPN rises to the occasion, using first-class encryption that can’t be broken. There’s a kill switch, protection from DNS and IPv6 leaks, and a NetShield feature that blocks ads, trackers, and malware without any input from the user. Not only that, but it’s regularly audited to prove its no-logs claims. While in Turkey, you’ll want to activate the Stealth mode and potentially use the Secure Core servers (which are kept far from the prying eyes of oppressive governments), but just be aware that both of these features will slow your connection slightly.

One interesting thing about this provider is that it has a lower monthly price than most of its rivals, just under $10. However, while there are solid discounts on the annual and two-year plans, it can’t quite match the steep reductions that some of its competitors offer. Signing up for multiple years lowers the cost to around $4.99 per month (or $8 if you’re interested in bundling tools like a password manager, calendar, and cloud storage).

ProtonVPN apps are available for iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, and Windows. This service can be manually installed on most routers; you’ll find detailed setup guides in the website’s help and support area.

EXTREME SECURITY:ProtonVPN is packed with advanced tools, from port forwarding functionality to its unique speed accelerator. Doesn’t keep logs, works in Turkey, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our complete ProtonVPN review.

---

5. ExpressVPN

Works in TurkeyTested Dec 2025

ExpressVPN has an expansive network, covering more than 105 countries around the world. What’s more, this provider excels at beating regional restrictions, and can reliably access Turkish TV services like BluTV and TRT 1, as well as international platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer. Users can connect up to 10 devices at the same time with a Basic subscription or up to 14 on the Pro plan. Customer support is available around the clock via live chat.

Our team has tested dozens of VPNs over the years and can safely say that ExpressVPN is one of the most user-friendly. The main panel has one purpose: to get you connected and browsing safely. You can also open the server list from here, and it’s possible to favorite specific locations if you find one that works well. Heading into the options menu, you’ll notice a series of tabs – the first four are really all you’ll need, and even then, activating features is as simple as clicking a checkbox. The one exception is split tunneling, which requires you to select individual apps from a list.

ExpressVPN isn’t the quickest provider on the market, but it still boasts solid performance. Our lowest result was around 120 Mbps, which should still be more than enough for whatever you have planned. Its speeds were highest in the morning, which is to be expected given fewer people online at that time. Still, after three tests, this VPN averaged an impressive 127.67 Mbps. Let’s take a closer look at its results:

ExpressVPN automatically obfuscates your traffic if it realizes you’re in a country with extreme digital censorship, like Turkey or China. It’s been audited over a dozen times to prove it doesn’t keep logs of your activities and includes all of the features you’ll need to browse the web safely. This includes unbreakable encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. This VPN also has automatic ad, tracker, and malicous site blocking, plus a custom protocol named Lightway that can keep you safe while switching networks.

ExpressVPN had long been known for its higher price tags. To make things more budget-friendly, they’ve recently adopted a tier system that allows users to select how much protection they want. The plans are now Basic ($3.49/month), Advanced ($4.49/month), and Pro ($7.49/month). Although these rates remain above many competitors’, it’s definitely an improvement. Another plus is that ExpressVPN frequently runs flash sales and accepts Bitcoin, so it’s a great choice for anyone hoping to sign up anonymously.

ExpressVPN has its own Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS, and Linux apps. Further, it’s the only major provider with its own custom router firmware. This means you can secure every device on your network without losing access to a kill switch, ad-blocking, or Lightway protocol.

GREAT UNBLOCKER:ExpressVPN has solid speeds and can reliably access foreign websites in Turkey, regardless of any blocks that may be in place. Strong security, 24/7 support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN here.

---

6. IPVanish

Works in TurkeyTested Dec 2025

IPVanish owns and operates over 3,200 servers across 100+ countries, with almost a dozen to choose from in Turkey. This VPN excels at accessing blocked websites. Not only does it work with Star TV and TRT 2, it even works with stubborn streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. It’s more than capable of bypassing Turkish censorship but be aware that it won’t help you browse freely in places like China. This service provides 24/7 customer support over live chat, and allows subscribers to secure unlimited devices simultaneously.

The good news is that IPVanish has designed its apps with newcomers in mind. Everything you need to get connected is close at hand, plus the alphabetical server list shows each server’s current load, helping you avoid any that are too busy. The settings menu is broken into five tabs, with most options activated (or disabled) using toggle switches. Even the more complex functionality, like the ability to allow traffic to certain sites to pass through unencrypted, is easy to set up. As someone who’s tested dozens of VPNs, we can safely say this is one of the most beginner-friendly.

IPVanish generally provides very high speeds in the region of 180 Mbps. After testing its US servers at three different times of day, our team recorded an average speed of 186.34 Mbps. That’s quite a bit less than NordVPN and Surfshark, but still well above what you’ll need to stream, torrent, or access websites safely. In fact, even if your entire family is performing data-intensive tasks, you should be completely fine (assuming your base connection can handle it). Here’s a more detailed look at our speed test results:

This provider has recently enhanced its security offering with the inclusion of multi-hop servers, automatic ad and tracker-blocking, and a tool that checks whether links are safe to open. IPVanish also boasts unbreakable AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leak, as well as an independently-audited zero-logs policy. There’s an obfuscation setting too, but this only works with the OpenVPN protocol and won’t beat country-wide censorship.

IPVanish has several reasonably priced plans, with steeper discounts the longer you sign up for. There’s also an Advanced tier which costs around a dollar more each month. This comes with the VPN itself, a terabyte of secure cloud storage, access to phone support, a file-syncing tool, and a cloud-based browser. Cloud storage alone would usually cost more than this, so getting all of the above is a real bargain.

We found the cloud browser feature to be a standout addition, allowing users to browse the web from 10 different countries without installing a VPN app. Since it operates via a live video feed, none of the web traffic actually reaches your device, providing strong protection against malware while preventing ISPs and government agencies from monitoring your activity.

A major advantage of the cloud browser is its ability to change your IP address and bypass network blocks at work or school, even on devices where VPN installations are restricted. This makes it a great option for accessing geo-restricted content on locked work computers. However, in our tests, we found the secure browser to be a bit slow, making it less ideal for streaming.

IPVanish offers apps for iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux. Alternatively, you can follow manual setup instructions to run this service on any home router.

FAST AND PRIVACY-FOCUSED:IPVanish is a fantastic choice for everyday usage. Its high-speed Turkish servers offer a strong level of privacy, and there aren’t any connection limits. Annual plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our full IPVanish review.

---

7. CyberGhost

Works in TurkeyTested Dec 2025

CyberGhost has a network spanning more than 100 countries including Turkey. This VPN splits its server list up, making it easy to see at a glance which are best for streaming, torrenting, or gaming. We had no issues using platforms like Kanal 7, TV8, and Netflix while connected, though customer support is available via 24/7 live chat in case you run into any problems. Users can connect up to seven devices at the same time.

This service has a three-panel layout, which is a little different from its rivals. On the left, you can choose which set of servers you’d like to look at. You can then select one in the middle window, and get connected using the button the right. The settings could be better organized, though; they’re spread across multiple menus which can make it difficult to find the one option you’re looking for.

Our team performed three speed tests using CyberGhost’s American servers (in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon). With an average speed of 164.34 Mbps, this one of the fastest providers we saw. There was only 8 Mbps of difference between its highest and lowest results too, so it’s also one of the most consistent. Needless to say, you should be able to watch Turkish TV without any stuttering, even if your whole family is using the internet. Here’s a breakdown of our results:

When it comes to privacy, CyberGhost has you covered. It follows a strict zero-logs policy and uses uncrackable 256-bit AES encryption to keep your activities private. This is backed up by DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and automatic wifi protection that kicks in whenever you use an unsecured network. There are even special NoSpy servers that are kept in a high-security data center to limit third-party access. Finally, CyberGhost lets you create Smart Rules that control when the VPN connects on its own, which servers it uses, and which apps it’s allowed to open.

CyberGhost’s monthly plans cost less than $13, but you can grab steep discounts on medium and long-term plans. This VPN also offers dedicated IP addresses and an antivirus app (Windows only) for a small additional fee. Apps are available for Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. The support section of its website contains detailed instructions for manually installing this VPN on most routers.

HIGHLY SECURE AND VERSATILE:CyberGhost is fast, prioritizes your privacy, and can handle almost anything. Perfect for staying anonymous online or accessing your favorite content while visiting Turkey. Offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, even on monthly plans.

Find out more in our full CyberGhost review.

---

8. PureVPN

works in TurkeyTested Dec 2025

PureVPN has a pretty large network, with 6,000+ servers spread across more than 65 countries. It’s a strong choice for anyone hoping to access region-locked platforms like ATV, Tabii, Netflix, or Amazon Prime Video from abroad. Better still, this service works in high-censorship countries like Turkey, the UAE, and China. Users are allowed 10 simultaneous connections and can speak directly with support staff, day or night, using PureVPN’s 24/7 live chat system.

This is one of the most newcomer-friendly VPNs we’ve tested. You can connect, activate tracker-blocking, and monitor your connection without leaving the main screen. It’d be nice if users could hide the large right-hand panel since this is only used to tempt you into upgrading, and it takes up a third of the screen, but all things considered, that’s a pretty small complaint. Changing location is easy thanks to the searchable and filterable server list (just note that streaming servers are under the “Shortcuts” tab). Even the settings are straightforward – just enable the features you want using the toggle switches.

When it comes to speed, PureVPN has an excellent reputation. It regularly ranks very well in our industry-wide speed tests and as you’ll soon see, fared very well on a home broadband connection too. PureVPN’s average speed was 164.67 Mbps, which would have been higher except for a lower than expected noon result. In other words, this VPN is quick enough to handle any day-to-day task. Let’s take a closer look at its speeds:

PureVPN has plenty to offer from a security perspective too. It uses 256-bit AES encryption (which experts agree is functionally uncrackable), a kill switch, and leak protection to keep your browsing habits hidden at all times. There’s also a strict zero-logs policy in place, as verified by multiple audits. This VPN obfuscates OpenVPN traffic by default, so this is your best bet if you’re in a country where the internet is heavily censored. If you’re looking for a little more control over your connection, you can let specific apps bypass the VPN’s encryption, set up port forwarding, or enable PureVPN’s tracker-blocking feature.

Customers have the option to choose a monthly, annual, or two-year subscription. As you might expect, the longer you sign up for, the lower the price. There are plenty of addons in case you’re interested in getting a dedicated IP address, port forwarding functionality, additional tools (such as a password manager), or a higher connection limit.

PureVPN offers apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Further, it’s one of the only providers with a graphical Linux app. This service works with most routers, too, though you’ll have to follow manual setup instructions.

ANTI-CENSORSHIP:PureVPN automatically obfuscates your traffic, allowing you to browse freely in places with tightly controlled internet. It’s very easy to use, delivers exceptional performance, and includes a 31-day money-back guarantee on all plans.

Read our full review of PureVPN to learn more.

---

9. Private Internet Access

works in TurkeyTested Dec 2025

Private Internet Access is another fantastic option for anyone hoping to browse the web safely in Turkey. It has thousands of servers scattered across 90+ countries and does a fantastic job of sidestepping tricky online restrictions. For instance, this VPN can help you access stubborn platforms like BluTV, Discord, Prime Video, and Paramount+ from anywhere in the world. Customer support is available over live chat 24 hours per day and there’s no limit on how many devices you can connect.

You’ll see a large quick-connect button when you first open the app. Clicking the location bar below will take you to an alphabetically arranged list of every available server location. Each of these displays its latency and it’s possible to favorite locations, which puts them on the home screen (though they’re hidden until you click the downwards arrow). The options menu is broken into tabs, keeping things simple. Every setting has a short description of what it does, and most can be enabled using a checkbox, with more advanced features generally using drop-down lists.

There’s no denying that Private Internet Access was the slowest service we tested. Despite this, it delivered average speeds of 94.34 Mbps, meaning it’s more than suitable for streaming 4K video, downloading large files, or making video calls. As expected, performance was better in the morning (generally because fewer people are using the service), but it also delivered decent speeds in the evenings. The chart below shows a breakdown of our speed test results at different times of day:

Private Internet Access has everytihng you’ll need to protect yourself online. For instance, there’s unbreakable AES-256 encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. Additionally, this VPN refuses to keep any logs of your browsing habits. It’s highly customizable too, offering split tunneling and port forwarding functionality, a Stealth protocol, and a feature called MACE that can block ads and trackers automatically.

This VPN has three subscription terms: monthly, quarterly, or annually. At a little under $12 per month, Private Internet Access is slightly cheaper than its rivals, with larger discounts available on long-term plans. There are apps for MacOS, iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. Alternatively, you can follow manual setup guides to install this VPN on your home router.

SECURE BROWSING:Private Internet Access has a great record on privacy and solid performance, as well as strong security. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Private Internet Access to learn more.

---

10. PrivateVPN

Works in TurkeyTested Dec 2025

PrivateVPN may not have the largest network but it owns, operates, and acts as an ISP to all 200 of its servers. That alone is great news for privacy-conscious users since it means there’s virtually no chance of outside interference. This service does a great job of evading detection, working in high-censorship countries like Turkey, and offering instant access to major streaming platforms during a trip abroad. You can secure up to 10 devices at the same time and speak with customer support staff using the live chat service on PrivateVPN’s website.

PrivateVPN’s apps are pretty straightforward, though we’d recommend using its Advanced view since there are some features (such as the Stealth mode) that you can’t access in Simple mode. The main panel shows your current location and how much bandwidth you’ve used as well as your current port forwarding settings. Most options are controlled via simple toggle switches too, so it’s easy enough to customize your connection.

This provider does struggle to keep up with its rivals where speed is concerned. That said, it’s still fast enough for any day to day task. Our testing delivered an average speed of 118.67 Mbps, with around 24 Mbps of variability over the course of a full day. As such, you can expect a fairly stable connection for streaming, making video calls, torrenting, or playing online games.

PrivateVPN lets you choose between 128-bit and 256-bit AES encryption depending on whether you want stronger security or faster speeds. It prevents IPv6 and DNS leaks, offers a customizable kill switch, and follows a no-logs policy too (though we’d like to see this service undergo an independent audit). Its more advanced features include a censorship-beating Stealth VPN mode and split tunneling support, allowing you to let certain apps bypass the VPN’s encryption entirely.

This is one of the most affordable VPNs on the market. A single month of coverage costs less than $10, and users can cut this to around $6 by choosing a three-month plan. For the biggest savings, though, you’ll want to choose the annual subscription. This currently comes with two YEARS extra free, meaning that you’ll pay an average of $2 monthly over the full term. That’s a discount of over 80 percent on a service that effortlessly sidesteps Turkish censorship.

PrivateVPN has its own iOS, macOS, Windows, and Android apps. This service supports Linux systems and most routers too but you’ll need to follow manual configuration instructions for the initial setup.

BEAT CENSORSHIP:PrivateVPN works flawlessly in countries where the internet is heavily restricted. What it lacks in speed, it more than makes up for in unblocking ability and security. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our review of PrivateVPN.

---

A guide to Turkish internet censorship

Turkey is one of the most hostile places in the world for journalists. Its Press Freedom Index has dropped steadily every year since 2021, and the country is classified as “Not Free” by Freedom House, with a score of just 31 points out of 100.

So what sets Turkey apart from other totalitarian regimes? Well, censorship is baked into the country’s history, with the Sultan having the right to stop certain books from being printed as far back as 1857. Nothing has changed, apparently, with almost a million websites blocked in Turkey as of December 2023.

To begin with, Turkey restricts access to most social media and independent news sites (and tends to crack down even harder during times of political turmoil). Adult content is also blocked, as are popular messaging apps like Discord, gambling sites, anything pro-LGBTQI+, and PayPal. Most privacy, anti-censorship, and VPN-related sites are blocked too, as are the VPNs themselves.

The real issue is that in 2022, authorities passed a law promoting “national values” and “morality”, which says that any information that hasn’t been verified by the government can be considered misinformation. In other words, the government can tell you to take down true information… because it’s false. Anyone who doesn’t comply risks years in prison, torture, fines, or deportation.

If you’re planning a trip to Turkey, we strongly advise you install a VPN beforehand. This will prevent the government from seeing what you do online, sidestep any online censorship, and keep you safe, even on public networks.

VPNs for Turkey: FAQs