Due to strict government censorship in Iran, VPN services are a staple for internet users. A VPN will prevent the government, ISPs, and hackers from snooping on your internet activity. They will also help you unblock content that is censored by the Iranian state.
However, not all VPNs are suitable for the task. In this guide, we recommend five VPNs for Iran and give you some helpful tips on staying secure online, both in Iran and other countries that enact high censorship levels.
What is the best Iran VPN?
We have listed the best Iran VPN services below. If you need more information about any of the services in the list, scroll below to see our detailed in-depth analysis.
- ExpressVPN - The best VPN for Iran. It has stealth servers – great for bypassing geo-blocks, and it's super fast; a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- NordVPN - The best buy Iran VPN. It's very private, offers double-hop VPN, which changes your IP address twice in a row, and it's lightning fast.
- Surfshark - The best cross-platform VPN for Iran. Although it's cheap, it offers stealth servers and unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Private Internet Access - The most secure Iran VPN. Great option for techy users, with advanced security features and a court-proven zero-logs policy.
- CyberGhost VPN - CyberGhost is the best VPN for Iranian IPs. Super cheap, it offers beginner-friendly apps and an impressive server network.
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All the services in the list above have the following features:
- Stealth servers (except for Cyberghost)
- Strong encryption
- Severs around the world
- Fast connection speeds
All the Iran VPN services in this article offer a VPN free trial or a money-back guarantee so you can try the services for free before committing to a contract.
| TEST WINNER ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | Private Internet Access | CyberGhost VPN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Website | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | Private Internet Access | CyberGhost VPN |
| Ranking for Iran | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Performance | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
| Reliability | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
| Free trial | |||||
| Total servers | 3000 | 6200 | 3200 | 3386 | 11625 |
| Payment | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency |
| Unblocks: | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu |
| Supported platforms | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android |
The best Iran VPNs | In-depth analysis
We take a closer look at our recommended VPNs for Iran below. If you still want more information about any of these services, then take a look at our detailed VPN reviews.
ExpressVPN is the best Iran VPN. It's consistently one of the fastest services around, has stealth servers and strong encryption, and offers a offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN Demo ExpressVPN is one of the best VPN for Iran for several reasons. Firstly, it has very strong encryption and an excellent privacy policy. Next, it has all the necessary features to keep your data secure: a kill switch, Domain Name System (DNS) leak protection, and stealth mode (for bypassing government VPN restrictions). Servers are located all over the world and those servers are lightning fast, so perfect for streaming in HD or gaming. Peer-to-peer (P2P) torrenting is permitted and this VPN will also keep you secure when you are on public WiFi. The software is available for all platforms, can be used on three simultaneous devices, and is extremely easy to use. Finally, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test the service risk-free. NordVPN is the best buy VPN for Iran. It has fantastic privacy features and uses obfuscated servers to bypass censorship. Plus, it's a lightning-fast and affordable service. Nord Demo NordVPN is an excellent VPN for Iran for those who want extra security features. It comes with a kill switch, DNS leak protection, obfuscated servers, auto-connect, VPN into Tor, and double hop VPN. Of course, extra security features can and will slow down the VPN (if you use them). However, this VPN has exactly what you need to use a VPN as privately and securely as possible in Iran. Servers are located all over the world, and they are all in extremely useful locations. The software is outstanding and is available for all popular platforms. Finally, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Surfshark is the best VPN for cross-platform usage in Iran on this list. It offers unlimited simultaneous connections and fantastic privacy and security features. Surfshark Demo Surfshark is based in the British Virgin Islands and it is a great option for anybody living in Iran who wants to bypass censorship and access more content. Servers are located in over 90 countries, meaning you can easily pretend to be elsewhere to access restricted news or services. What's more, because Surfshark is cheap, it is an extremely affordable way to bypass government restrictions. And, despite offering value for money, this VPN provides all the most important privacy features including a kill switch, DNS leak protection, cloaking, and strong OpenVPN encryption. It also keeps zero logs, so you can trust it to keep your data secure at all times. You can give Surfshark a test run thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. Private Internet Access is the most secure VPN for Iran. A reliable VPN with a lot of advanced features, and a privacy policy that has been proven in court. PIA Demo Private Internet Access has a vast number of servers in 84 countries
worldwide, it provides strong OpenVPN encryption, and is one of the most popular VPN services among Reddit users. It also has live chat support and it works with Netflix US – which makes it a superb all-arounder. While PIA might be considered a bit techy for VPN beginners, it is absolutely perfect for advanced users wanting to torrent, or who require split tunneling. Plus it has a kill switch and obfuscation, which makes it a good choice for those living in Iran. PIA has apps for all popular platforms that provide strong OpenVPN encryption on all devices, and a trusted no logs policy. And it is a cheap VPN service that performs well above its pay grade. A superb all-arounder that lets users customize their encryption levels inside the app. You can test it in Iran, risk-free, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. The best VPN with servers in Iran. It’s also the cheapest VPN on this list that offers easy-to-use apps for all popular platforms and a great server network. CyberGhost Demo CyberGhost VPN is a reliable and beginner-friendly VPN option for Iran. Thanks to its slick, easy-to-use apps and great geo-spoofing capabilities, you’ll be able to access your favorite international content in the blink of an eye. CyberGhost is currently the only VPN on this list with servers located in Iran, allowing you to get Iranian IPs and access restricted local content from abroad. It’s also the cheapest VPN that we recommend for Iran, making it perfect for VPN users that are on a budget. CyberGhost is not the fastest VPN on this list, however, it provides decent speeds, more than sufficient for smooth streaming, torrenting, or similar data-intensive activities. This VPN comes with strong encryption and privacy features that will help you stay secure in Iran, both at home and when connected to public Wi-Fi. CyberGhost works great with most popular streaming services, including Netflix, and with servers in over 100 countries
worldwide, you'll never run out of interesting online content to stream or download. This VPN doesn’t offer stealth features, but it offers independently operated NoSpy servers that can help you increase your anonymity online. Besides, it comes with a kill-switch, and dedicated P2P servers allowing you to torrent securely. I love CyberGhost’s generous simultaneous connections allowance (up to seven devices) and even more generous 45-day money-back guarantee, which gives you plenty of time to test every single aspect of the service yourself. VyprVPN is an all-around Iran VPN. It has slick apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. It was audited by a third party, it keeps no logs, and offers stealth servers. VYPR Demo VyprVPN is a provider based in Switzerland that has proven itself to be extremely efficient at providing privacy for its users. Not only does it provide strong OpenVPN encryption, but it has a fantastic zero logs policy that ensures it never holds any connection or usage logs about its subscribers. What's more, this is one of the few VPNs that has proven the effectiveness of its service with a full third-party audit of its software and server network. The apps are available for all platforms, and because they provide high-end features like a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and cloaking, you can use this VPN safely to get around government restrictions imposed by Iranian ISPs. VyprVPN can easily bypass all censorship, and this top-of-the-range VPN provider can give you access to sought-after content like Netflix US or BBC iPlayer. Finally, VyprVPN provides a 30-day money-back guarantee for you to test the service risk-free. 1. ExpressVPN
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Iran VPN blocks
The Iranian government is working hard to block VPNs and it could use packet inspection to detect VPN users. Anybody found to be bypassing government blocks to access restricted content or to engage in the ongoing protests could potentially be singled out by the authorities.
For this reason, we urge you to exercise extreme caution and to stick to using VPNs that provide all the vital privacy features mentioned in this article.
Why do I need a VPN?
Iran severely restricts access to the Internet. Websites considered hostile to Shia Islam or Iran's regime are blocked by ISPs; and since 2013, a huge number of websites and services have been blacklisted.
The good news is that with a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for Iran, anybody in Iran can pretend to be elsewhere in the world. With a VPN, subscribers can unblock any website they wish by successfully circumventing government-imposed restrictions.
Iranian censorship
Since the Iranian general strikes and protests broke out in 2018, there have been growing efforts to censor content online. In August 2024, this led to a new law being passed that prohibits hosting companies from servicing websites that are blocked in Iran.
Due to that new law, any websites containing censored news and information about political and human rights issues must now host their content on foreign hosting companies. Since 2013, around 50 percent of the 500 most popular websites have been blocked, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus.
Sites blocked by the overreaching government include a surprising mix of topics including health and wellness, science, sport, news, and even shopping.
The good is that a VPN service can easily allow you to exit Iran's heavily controlled Intranet to access the Internet as it appears elsewhere in the world. Simply connect to a VPN server outside of Iran, and the blocks imposed by the government will disappear. And, as long as you use a secure VPN with obfuscated servers, you need not worry about your ISP knowing that you are using circumvention tools.
Is it safe to use a VPN in Iran?
The answer to this question is yes. However, it is very important to make sure you choose the right VPN for Iran. Firstly, it is vital that users don't use cheap local Iranian VPNs: these have been found to be honeypots belonging to the Iranian government. Please stick to VPN providers known to protect users' privacy. In addition, it is essential that a good VPN for Iran has certain features:
How to use a VPN and stay safe in Iran
A Virtual Private Network is an online service that lets subscribers conceal their real location. In addition, it protects their data by providing a strong layer of encryption. This stops ISPs, the Iranian government, and hackers, from being able to snoop on what VPN users are doing online.
There are two main reasons to use a VPN in Iran:
- To protect your digital privacy
- To access the uncensored web without fear of being persecuted
By connecting to a VPN server located outside of Iran, users can conceal their real Internet Protocol (IP) address. As soon as a user connects to a server, they appear to actually be in that country - and the internet behaves as if they were overseas. This allows them to access all the websites and services that are usually blocked by the government.
This has two effects: it permits people living in Iran to evade censorship - giving them access to websites that contain porn, dating services, and many other things that are blocked in Iran. In addition, it allows people to access geo-restricted services from foreign countries, for example, you can unblock YouTube videos restricted in Iran as well as access Netflix content from all over the world.
A VPN's encryption also stops landlords, workplaces, and universities (as well as Internet Service Providers and the government), from being able to tell what VPN users are doing online. This leaves VPN users free to visit any websites they want without fear of being discovered.
Important VPN features for Iran
Due to the unnerving political situation in Iran, citizens should exercise extreme caution when using a VPN. All of our recommended services have been carefully selected because they have the vital advanced VPN features necessary to keep your data and identity safe. If you need more information about how to stay secure online take a look at our VPN encryption guide.
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VPN Kill Switch
A kill switch is a technology your internet connection if the VPN connection drops out, this is a vital feature if you are using a VPN in a country like Iran. A kill switch works by not allowing any internet traffic to leave your device outside of the VPN tunnel, therefore making it very difficult for the Iranian government to find out what you are doing online. All the VPNs on this page offer a kill switch with their service. -
DNS Leak Protection
The VPNs in this guide have been tested and they have no DNS leaks. In addition, they provide specific DNS leak protection: so please turn on this feature in order to get the maximum protection from your service. -
VPN Obfuscation Technology
VPN "stealth mode" disguises VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic. This stops ISPs from knowing a VPN is being used. Concealing this information stops Iranian VPN users from drawing unnecessary attention to themselves and helps prevent ISPs from slowing your internet speeds.
Iranian Protests
Over the last three years, Iranians have been engaging in regular protests due to growing unrest with the nation's economic situation. From April 2018, and right through 2024, the Iranian general strikes have seen thousands of people protesting against austerity, the high cost of expenses, and inflation in the country.
During the shopkeepers, truckers, teachers, and Bazaar merchants have all been arrested for engaging in strikes - while protesters have taken to the streets to complain about the nation's economic, political, and social situation.
The ongoing protests, which have often been met with force by the authorities, have led to mass arrests of activists. Protests and strikes have spread throughout the country and have been seen in Sanandaj, Bukan, Saqqez, Marivan, Baneh, Miandoab, Tehran, Isfahan, Mashhad, Tabriz, and Chabahar. Those protests and strikes are heavily motivated by anti-government sentiment and by a stance that has led to chants like "death to oppressors - long live workers".
However, the motivation for the protests has shifted from time to time, from purely economic to anti-government, with antiwar sentiment and dissatisfaction about military force being used against Iranian Kurdistan taking center stage at times.
For protesters who fear being monitored by the government, VPNs and secure messengers have been providing the digital privacy necessary for workers to coordinate strikes and protests without fear of being constantly monitored. Is Telegram blocked in Iran?
Yes, Telegram has been blocked completely for over a year. The government is aware that internet users are coordinating their strikes and protests using private messengers, and this has led to the government restricting access to platforms such as Telegram.
Telegram has been officially blocked by ISPs for over a year now, so the only way to download or use Telegram is to install a VPN. It is believed that half of Iran's population - approximately 40 million people - continue to send encrypted messages on the Telegram app by using a VPN to bypass government blocks.
It is worth noting that despite the government's claims that Telegram blocks cannot be bypassed with a VPN, this is disinformation designed to put people off seeking a reliable VPN service.
For anybody having trouble getting hold of Telegram, there are other options on the market, the best of which is Open Whisper's Signal. Signal, WhatsApp, and Telegram all provide encrypted messaging and are all viable options for sending private messages.
Best Iran VPN services – Round-up
Staying safe online, while at the same time fighting to regain one's online freedom, is particularly difficult in Iran. Luckily, there are some stellar VPN options out there that can help you kill these two birds with one stone. Here are they once again:
From $6.67/month
The best VPN for Iran. It has stealth servers – great for bypassing geo-blocks, and it's super fast; a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- ProPrivacy TrustScore:
- 10 out of 10
- Simultaneous connections
- 8
- Server locations
- 160
- Free trial
- No
From $3.69/month
The best buy Iran VPN. It's very private, offers double-hop VPN, which changes your IP address twice in a row, and it's lightning fast.
- ProPrivacy TrustScore:
- 9.9 out of 10
- Simultaneous connections
- 10
- Free trial
- No
- Server locations
- 135
From $1.99/month
The best cross-platform VPN for Iran. Although it's cheap, it offers stealth servers and unlimited simultaneous connections.
- ProPrivacy TrustScore:
- 9.8 out of 10
- Simultaneous connections
- Unlimited
- Server locations
- 140
- Free trial
- Yes
From $2.19/month
The most secure Iran VPN. Great option for techy users, with advanced security features and a court-proven zero-logs policy.
- ProPrivacy TrustScore:
- 9.7 out of 10
- Simultaneous connections
- Unlimited
- Server locations
- 84
- Free trial
- No
From $2.11/month
CyberGhost is the best VPN for Iranian IPs. Super cheap, it offers beginner-friendly apps and an impressive server network.
- ProPrivacy TrustScore:
- 9.6 out of 10
- Simultaneous connections
- 7
- Free trial
- Yes
- Server locations
- 126
Best VPNs for Iran – FAQs
[[post-object type="accordion" question="Are VPNs illegal in Iran?" answer="VPNs aren't entirely illegal in Iran, but their usage is terribly restricted. Iranians may use government-approved VPNs, which, as you can guess, aren't of much use – especially for regaining online freedom. These VPNs won't work with Facebook, YouTube, Netflix, or any other blocked services in Iran. Using a VPN that would actually be effective in fighting censorship could lead to strict penalties.
For the time being, the Iranian government is more interested in prosecuting cyber criminals and revolutionists than people using a VPN to access Netflix, and so there haven't been known instances of such arrests. In any case, choosing a VPN with strong security features is extremely important in Iran. Besides, if the new <a href='https://www.article19.org/resources/iran-human-rights-groups-sound-alarm-against-draconian-internet-bill/'>draconian Internet Bill</a>, proposed at the beginning of 2024, is passed, the situation could significantly worsen." /]]
[[post-object type="accordion" question="Can I go to jail for using a VPN in Iran?" answer="Currently, there is no law in Iran that would put you in jail solely on the basis of you using a VPN, although certain online activities are already punishable by law – such as data theft and online fraud.
But, these are illegal in most countries of the world, regardless if you used a VPN while conducting them or not. If the new Iranian Internet Bill is passed, however, starting from 2024, the usage/distribution of commercial VPNs and proxies could lead to up to two years in prison." /]]