Since Tumblr's launch in February 2007, it has gradually grown into one of the most popular blogging and social networking sites around. Impressed by its initial success, Yahoo snapped it up for over $1.1 billion in 2013, and nowadays, the site is owned by WordPress creators Automattic. In 2024, creatives all across the globe are still using Tumblr to bring their personal stories to life, but are repeatedly becoming blocked by government bans and censorship.
In this article, we discuss how users can bypass government and local censorship to unblock Tumblr. We list the best VPNs for the job and give you some top tips on how to access the service safely.
The Best VPNs to Unblock Tumblr
Our experts have hand-picked the best VPNs for Tumblr. To find out more about each provider, and why they made our list, keep reading for our in-depth analysis.
- ExpressVPN - The best VPN for Tumblr. Offers lighting-fast servers in 94 countries, strong security features, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Surfshark - The best buy Tumblr VPN. It's jam-packed with features, top-notch encryption, and can be used on an unlimited devices.
- Private Internet Access - A secure Tumblr VPN. Offers cheap plans, strong (and customizable) security features, and a court-proven no-logs policy.
- CyberGhost VPN - The cheapest Tumblr VPN. Offers servers in over 90 countries, beginner-friendly apps, and works with most streaming services.
- VyprVPN - A great all-round VPN Tumblr. Unblocks most streaming sites and has been audited by a third party – and great for new users!
In order to make this list, each Tumblr VPN must have the following features:
- Robust encryption and privacy practices
- The ability to bypass government censorship and other restrictions
- A reliable global servers network
- Apps for all major platforms
- Kill-switch functions to protect users
- Consistently good speeds for a seamless Tumblr experience
The Best VPNs for Tumblr – in-depth analysis
Want to know more about what makes our chosen providers so exceptional? Here's a deeper look at why these are the best VPNs for Tumblr. For even more info, head over to the providers' websites, or check out our detailed VPN reviews.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Tumblr. It's consistently fast, has thousands of fast servers worldwide and top-notch security features – all with a 30-day money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN Demo ExpressVPN continues to lead the pack in terms of security, reliability, and user experience. Whilst it is not uncommon for VPNs to keep some logging data relating to your browsing activity – even though many claim not to – ExpressVPN has designed its servers specifically to eliminate the holding of sensitive information. Complete with a kill-switch to disconnect your device should you lose the VPN connection, it's a safe choice. With servers in over 105 countries
worldwide, ExpressVPN can ensure excellent speeds all over the world. This is particularly useful for accessing Tumblr in countries where it is blocked – if you're forced to connect to a server outside the country, you can rest assured that one will be near enough to avoid compromising your browsing speed. Accessing Tumblr in China, for example, can be achieved through ExpressVPN's dedicated 'stealth servers' in nearby Hong Kong. Designed to counter China's draconian censorship laws, they are extremely useful. ExpressVPN has excellent multi-platform availability, which is useful if you're planning on accessing Tumblr on the go on mobile as well as on your home computer. Plus, a 30-day money-back guarantee means you can take it for a test ride, no strings attached. Surfshark is a great value-for-money VPN for Tumblr. It offers blazing speeds, lots of privacy features, unlimited simultaneous connections, and a 30-day trial with a money-back guarantee. Surfshark Demo Surfshark is a VPN that boasts excellent customer reviews, and at a little over $2 a month, it is significantly cheaper than its closest market competitors. Located in the British Virgin Islands, their VPN can enter 'camouflage mode', which makes it impossible to tell that you're even using a VPN. Some countries that ban sites like Tumblr may also take issue with personal privacy software on the whole, so this is incredibly useful. As well as the standard safety features all good VPNs have, such as a kill-switch and leak protection, Surfshark also boasts a number of innovative features such as Multi-hop, which sends your internet traffic through private servers in at least two different countries to ensure an even more secure browsing experience. Perhaps its biggest USP is the fact you can use their product on an unlimited number of devices for no extra cost - if you have friends and family also struggling to access Tumblr, you can help them out. Surfshark is another VPN that provides a 30-day trial with a money-back guarantee, and with no limits on device numbers, you're not the only one who'll be able to try it out. Private Internet Access is the most secure VPN for Tumblr. Offers robust encryption and a court-proven no-logs policy for a cheap price – with a 30-day money-back guarantee. PIA Demo Private Internet Access is one of three high-quality VPNs under the guise of London-based cybersecurity firm Kape Technologies. A yearly subscription fee that won't break the bank and the provision of secure peer-to-peer torrenting are both enticing features, but it's the host of security features available to users that makes Private Internet Access stand out from the crowd. Along with sturdy encryption protocols, a zero-logs policy, and a multi-platform kill-switch, PIA can offer users ShadowSock5 proxy which disguises VPN usage as normal internet traffic – ideal for accessing Tumblr in countries that actively seek to block not just the website, but VPN users. Having been in the VPN game for a decade, US-based PIA has now established tens of thousands of servers in 84 countries
worldwide. Illustrating their journey from strength to strength, they recently launched its "Next Generation Network", which officially came out of beta in August 2020. The network offers security measures and runs off RAM, so every time their server restarts, all previous data is erased. PIA switched to a month-long money-back guarantee in February of this year, so now there's no excuse not to take it for a spin. CyberGhost is the cheapest VPN for Tumblr. It offers lots of useful features, easy-to-use apps for all popular platforms, servers everywhere, and a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. CyberGhost Demo CyberGhost VPN has its HQ in Romania and is one of the most well-recognized and highly regarded VPNs out there, with a 4.8 rating on Trustpilot and a wide range of security features. Their NoSpy data center stationed in Romania, a country where the government has no penchant for mass surveillance, is managed by a team dedicated to preserving users' privacy. They have servers in 100 countries
and can provide coverage on all sorts of devices, from mobile phones to smart TVs. Their encryption model is ultra-sensitive to interruption and a kill-switch can be activated at lightning speed, meaning if you wish to purchase something through Tumblr, you need not worry about your payment info being exposed. They also offer WireGuard protocol, which has improved capacity to encrypt your traffic, and IKEv2, which ensures reconnecting to networks is a swift and secure process. CyberGhost's is so confident in their no-logs policy that they publish legal requests lodged against the company on their website and produce a transparency report four times a year. Still not convinced to part ways with your hard-earned cash? Join the other 30 million users on their networks for free with a 45-day trial to make up your mind. VyprVPN is an all-around VPN for Tumblr. It owns and maintains all of its servers and has been audited by a third party – making it a trustworthy service, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. VYPR Demo VyprVPN is based in Switzerland and is known for its ability to access a vast number of online streaming platforms and speedy service provision. Like most of the top VPNs, it operates a no-logs policy – but uniquely, VyprVPN's policy has been subject to a public audit, most recently in 2018. In terms of other security features, VyprVPN offers a kill-switch, impressive encryption protocols, and a camouflage feature. On top of this, however, the company offers a dedicated no-knowledge DNS service just for VyprVPN users, which can stop middleman attacks from government regimes that direct your traffic to fraudulent servers. Many VPN providers look to Europe as the main hub for their servers, and although VyprVPN has good coverage on the continent, it has a string of servers across Asia, North America, and The Middle East. This means secure accessing Tumblr in countries with notoriously invasive censorship laws can be done at consistently fast speeds. VyprVPN servers are managed and owned by the company, which has now been in the personal internet security market for over a decade – and they're confident enough in their service to offer a 30-day trial period. 1. ExpressVPN
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5. VyprVPN
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How does ProPrivacy review VPNs?
There are countless VPNs on the market, making it hard to pick out the best one for Tumblr and your other day-to-day online activities. Without the help of expert reviews and comparisons, you could end up with a slow VPN that'll cause all sorts of disruptions, or even worse, with an unsafe one that sells your data on to the highest bidder.
Luckily, here at ProPrivacy, our team of experts are constantly reviewing VPNs, so we're already well aware of their weaknesses and strengths. The VPNs in this guide are also the same services we use ourselves at home, to protect our digital footprints, so we can offer an in-depth first-hand account of their individual features and capacities.
But our meticulous reviewing procedure doesn't end there! I took the time to check each of the VPNs on this list myself, making sure there were no discrepancies between what a provider promises to do and the service you actually get. I also checked whether the VPNs could reliably unblock Tumblr from various different server locations and put their speeds to the test – so you can rest assured that all of our picks can keep up with HD streaming, VoIP calls, and online gaming sessions.
After that, I checked if the advanced privacy and security features work flawlessly and tested for data leaks. Only the services that met the above criteria (and didn't cost a small fortune) made it into the list of the best VPNs for Tumblr.
Why do I need a VPN for Tumblr?
Unfortunately, Tumblr is either permanently or temporarily banned in several countries. But even in places it isn't – like the United Kingdom – companies and schools can ban access to the site on their networks.
A VPN is a great way to bypass any online restrictions, because it funnels your internet traffic through a private server, masking your IP address and encrypting your internet traffic in the process.
VPNs have all sorts of supplementary uses, too – some countries that ban Tumblr also ban other popular sites like Netflix, so it has the potential to be the solution to a multitude of browsing problems.
Furthermore, like all social media, Tumblr is full of links to other sites, forums, and online shops – continuously running into 'this content is not allowed in your country will become frustrating without software available to bypass them.
Where is Tumblr blocked?
At present, Tumblr is permanently banned in China, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and Iran. Reasons for the bans vary from state to state, and can range from the prevalence of pornography on the platform to the existence of LGBT+ content. The blogging platform is also blocked in Pakistan, which, more recently, blocked a number of dating apps including Tinder and Grindr. If you're looking to unblock Tumblr in these countries, a VPN is the perfect tool.
How to access Tumblr with a VPN
Accessing Tumblr with a VPN couldn't be easier! Simply:
- Sign up for one of the best VPNs for Tumblr above.
- Download and install the app from the provider's website.
- Log in and activate any privacy features in the settings (we recommend utilizing a kill-switch and obfuscation/stealth).
- Connect to a server in a country where Tumblr is legal.
- Open Tumblr and blog to your heart's content.
Always ensure that your VPN is on when accessing Tumblr. This will ensure that your internet traffic is always encrypted.
Can I use a free VPN for Tumblr?
If you're concerned about your online privacy but hesitant to commit to a paid service, free VPN services may seem a good compromise. But as the old saying goes, if something is too good to be true, it probably is.
Free services can come with a plethora of dangers, especially if you're trying to access a site like Tumblr from a country where access is prohibited.
- Free services regularly utilize concerning privacy policies to monitor and sell on your information and internet usage. If you're trying to bypass censorship, then this can be outright dangerous.
- Adverts and malware are commonplace on free services, the presence of the former proving that some sort of user-tracking is being deployed.
- Free providers do not have the financial resources to offer features like camouflage modes and dedicated spy centers, nor an onus to keep their software updated, meaning that they're unlikely to offer the security needed to bypass government restrictions in the first place.
- Free services often provide sub-par encryption (and sometimes none at all) – putting yourself at risk.
If you want to get a premium VPN service, but don't want to risk your cash, then take advantage of money-back guarantees or VPN free trials! All of our chosen providers offer extensive money-back guarantees, so you can put their services to the test before committing to the subscription.
Conclusion
We always advise using a VPN to secure your internet activity – whether you're dishing out payment information, streaming sports, or playing games online.
For Tumblr, it is no different. Whether you're looking to unblock the content you've found through Tumblr, that's just not available in your country, or bypassing blanket government bans on the website, a tried and tested VPN service is your best bet.
If you want to unblock Tumblr and improve your internet security, here's a quick reminder of our top picks:
- ExpressVPN - The best VPN for Tumblr. Offers lighting-fast servers in 94 countries, strong security features, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Surfshark - The best buy Tumblr VPN. It's jam-packed with features, top-notch encryption, and can be used on an unlimited devices.
- Private Internet Access - A secure Tumblr VPN. Offers cheap plans, strong (and customizable) security features, and a court-proven no-logs policy.
- CyberGhost VPN - The cheapest Tumblr VPN. Offers servers in over 90 countries, beginner-friendly apps, and works with most streaming services.
- VyprVPN - A great all-round VPN Tumblr. Unblocks most streaming sites and has been audited by a third party – and great for new users!