Jio, also known as Reliance Jio, is a massively popular internet and 4G provider, and has been around since 2016. Fast forward to the end of 2019, and Jio became India’s largest mobile network operator with more than 400 million customers.
However, the service also has its fair share of privacy concerns. Jio is known to relentlessly throttle user bandwidth, prevent access to certain websites, and employ geo-restrictions, making the service unusable outside of India. How does someone navigate these obstacles? The answer: with a VPN for Jio!
In this article, we list the best VPNs for Jio and give you some top tips on the benefits of using a VPN.
What are the best VPNs for Jio?
You’ll find our top five VPN picks for Jio in the list below. To learn more about any of the services we’ve featured, keep scrolling and check out our detailed summaries!
- ExpressVPN - The best VPN for Jio. It has a handy Smart Location feature that pairs you up with a server based on download speed and distance.
- NordVPN - A large brand offering great value at a cheap price
- Surfshark - A cheap VPN for Jio. It can handle HD streaming, gaming, and VoIP calls – check it out using the 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Private Internet Access - The most secure Jio VPN. It is easy to use, can be installed on any device, making it a favorite of online privacy communities.
- CyberGhost VPN - A low cost VPN for Jio. It supports P2P activity and can unblock sites and streaming services from around the world.
To ensure you get the best VPN for Jio, all the services in the list above have the following features:
- Fast servers
- Strong encryption
- Compatible with popular devices
Best Jio VPN – an in-depth look
We take a closer look at the best VPNs for Jio below. You can learn more about the VPNs in this list by checking out our detailed review pages or visiting the provider websites.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Jio. It might be one of the pricier options, but its zero-logs service and Network Lock feature provide total peace of mind. ExpressVPN is a veteran of the VPN market, and has made a name for itself with lightning-fast servers and a premium-feeling service. Users can take their pick of over 3,000 servers across 94 countries, and ExpressVPN has no trouble accessing the most sought after streaming services – Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime included. When it comes to security, ExpressVPN impresses us with an audited no-logs policy and OpenVPN encryption that ensures Jio won’t be able to monitor your activity. Its Network Lock kill-switch is enabled by default, and similarly prevents data from leaking in the event the VPN connection drops. ExpressVPN is compatible with just about every device, and you’ll be able to connect up to five devices at any one time. We’d definitely recommend putting ExpressVPN to the test with its 30-day money-back guarantee. NordVPN is a no-logs VPN provider based in Panama that is strong on privacy. It is a reliable service with apps for all popular platforms that will easily let you bypass local censorship, access internationally geo-restricted content, or unblock content restricted by an admin in work, at school, or on public WiFi. NordVPN offers a wealth of market-leading security features that make it a good option for just about anybody. It also has rare privacy features such as double-hop connections, VPN over Tor, DNS-based malware protection, Smart DNS, and more, all at a very reasonable price point. Surfshark is the cheapest VPN for Jio. It more than proves it takes your security seriously with its NoBorders feature and obfuscated servers. Surfshark was founded rather recently – in 2018 – but has already taken a bite out of its competition. You’ll be able to connect to 3,200 servers in 65 countries, including India, and have access to 15 global Netflix libraries. Surfshark is a quick VPN provider, and its servers (including its obfuscated ones) are RAM-only – a nice bonus, as they’re wiped entirely when switched off. Jio users will particularly enjoy the service’s NoBorders feature. NoBorders detects restrictions on your network, and produces a list of servers that can offer a smooth surfing experience. NoBorders is automatically enabled, but you can manually switch it on, too. Surfshark is compatible with just about every device out there, and you’ll be able to use the VPN on an unlimited number of devices at the same time! Throw in an audited no-logs policy and a kill switch (that needs to be enabled), and you’ll understand why Surfshark has made such a splash. Private Internet Access is the most secure Jio VPN. It is deceptively fast when you consider how inexpensive a yearly subscription is, and comes with fantastic customizable security features. Private Internet Access (PIA) is a great low-cost option – and the service is going through something of a server boom at the moment. There are currently more than 20,000 servers in 76 countries to choose from, giving Jio users access to content from around the globe, as well as 56 servers in India. What’s more, PIA comfortably unblocks Netflix and BBC iPlayer. You’ll be able to install PIA on any device in just a few clicks thanks to its instant setup, and PIA supports P2P activity and 10 simultaneous connections. Obfuscated servers give users an extra layer of protection when visiting restricted websites, and PIA’s no-logs policy has been proven in court on multiple occasions, and means there’s no way to monitor your activity. You’ll need to enable PIA’s kill switch, but once you do, it’s got your back in the event the VPN falters for a moment. Check out PIA for yourself with a 30-day money-back guarantee! CyberGhost is a low cost VPN for Jio. It boasts 22 servers in India and a baked-in kill-switch, offering Jio users a safe way to browse the web. CyberGhost impresses us with a sprawling network of servers - there are over 6,700 in 90 countries, in fact. They're quick enough that buffering won't be an issue, and dedicated servers exist for streaming, torrenting, and heightened privacy. CyberGhost supports seven simultaneous connections, and you'll be able to install the VPN on any Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, or iOS device. We particularly enjoy how stylish and simple the CyberGhost UI is - beginners will feel right at home here. Being based in Romania means CyberGhost can truly abide by its zero-logs policy, as there are no data retention laws, and the VPN comes with an automatically enabled kill switch. Take advantage of CyberGhost's 45-day money-back guarantee, and field any questions to a helpful 24/7 live chat team. 1. ExpressVPN
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New to VPNs?
If you’re new to VPNs – or fancy refreshing yourself on just what they can do – we have a whole host of articles and guides you can check out!
Why are these the best VPNs for Jio?
A VPN has to meet some important criteria before they snatch a spot in our 5 best VPNs for Jio list. That criteria is as follows:
- Anti-throttling measures – Jio is notorious for monitoring and throttling user’s bandwidth if they begin streaming, downloading, or gaming. You’ll want a VPN that can put a stop to this!
- OpenVPN – OpenVPN encryption is the gold standard across the market, and allows users to browse the web securely, which is particularly important for folks living with oppressive internet laws.
- Server network – to be used with Jio, a VPN should have servers in India and other key locations around the globe. This means you’ll be able to check out streaming services wherever you actually are, and check out shows usually only available in the US or UK.
- Compatibility – nowadays, most people access the web on more than one device! Look for a VPN that offers apps for computers, mobiles, and routers if you’re interested.
The VPNs we’ve selected for our guide tick all of the above requirements – and come jam-packed with even more benefits. Think fast VPN servers, kill switches, obfuscation measures and more.
Why do I need a VPN for Jio?
A VPN is the perfect tool for anyone looking to bolster their privacy – and there are myriad reasons to invest in one. First and foremost, however, they’re designed to keep you and your identifiable information safe online, and this is done with encryption.
The VPN establishes a secure tunnel connecting your device to the VPN server, and then to the wider web (and back again!). Your traffic passes through this tunnel and gets encrypted. As a result, nobody will be able to read it – not your ISP, not your government, and not any cybercriminals.
These measures come in particularly handy for Jio users, and below we take a closer look at three key reasons why you really should be using a VPN when connected to the network.
Censorship and privacy
It’s no secret that Jio restricts access to a number of sites and online services. This isn’t how the web was intended to be used, and if you’re interested in restoring free access to these pages, you’ll want a VPN. When a VPN encrypts your traffic, it renders it unreadable to your ISP. This means they won’t be able to monitor your online activity, and so can’t prevent you from accessing censored websites.
ISP throttling
In order to preserve bandwidth and ensure that all customers experience a smooth connection, internet providers like Jio can slow down certain kinds of traffic – and this is particularly prevalent on its 4G network. This is called throttling, and it usually targets data-intensive tasks like HD streaming, online gaming, P2P activity, and large downloads. Because a VPN encrypts your traffic and cloaks your original IP address, your ISP won’t be able to see what you’re up to when you connect to one – thus, can’t tell if you’re streaming or not, and won’t be able to put the breaks on your activity.
Geo-restrictions
Unless you’ve activated international roaming, you won’t be able to use or access the Jio network from outside of India. Additionally, some streaming services only make their content available for folks in a particular location – anyone outside of that country is out of luck, and won’t be able to tune in. Unless they have a VPN! VPNs use a technique called "geo-spoofing” to grant access to overseas streaming services. When you connect to a VPN server in another country, you’ll also be assigned a new IP address that fools the sites you visit into thinking that you’re physically located there, too. In this way, you can use the sites and services without any issues, because they won’t know your request originated from outside of the country!
So, a VPN is a one-stop-shop if you’re interested in a free, unrestricted internet. Your VPN will act as a shield between you and the sites you visit, and becomes a key you can use to unlock geo-restricted content. But that’s not all. With a VPN you can enjoy the following benefits:
- Hide your online activity from your ISP
- Prevent your ISP performing data retention on behalf of the government
- Bypass geo-restriction and local censorship
- "Spoof” your location to appear elsewhere in India, or the world
- Engage in P2P activity, safely
- Remain secure when using public WiFi hotspots – notorious hangouts for cybercriminals
Is JIO cracking down on VPNs?
Since early 2019, Jio customers have reported that it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to access VPN sites and proxies when connected to the network. This isn’t the case with other internet providers in india – so why is Jio blocking access to VPNs?
India has already taken steps to regulate internet usage. Pornographic content has been targeted previously, and it now looks as though the Indian Government has now turned its attention to VPNs, hoping to redress the way its citizens use the web. It’s entirely possible that Jio has banned access to VPNs as a preemptive measure, so the company can ensure its toeing the line of any new government restrictions before they’re rolled out.
These actions raise the question of whether net neutrality is being targeted, too. Jio only has a small selection of apps available to download, and so the banning of VPNs doesn’t come as a total surprise – but it does make it more difficult for users to protect their privacy and ensure that their data isn’t being collected.
Can I use a free VPN with Jio?
There are hundreds of VPNs available on the market, and just as many "free” counterparts exist – particularly for mobile devices. You’ll want to exercise caution if you plan to use one with Jio, however. A free VPN service will typically be an offshoot of a larger, premium provider, and exist as a means to tempt you into purchasing a full subscription. Think of it like a sample!
But these free services often come with the following limitations:
- Bandwidth caps – most free VPN providers will saddle you with a bandwidth allowance, making it more likely that you’ll encounter lag and frequent buffering.
- Monthly data limits – generally, free services give their users around 500mb per month. This isn’t a lot of data by any means, and if you’re planning to stream, it won’t last you long.
- Reduced server availability – premium VPN services have dozens, even hundreds or thousands, of servers across the globe, but a free version of the same service might only let you connect to a handful.
There’s an even darker side to free VPNs, however. Services that claim to be "unlimited” should be avoided – sure, it might be tempting to think about getting all the benefits of a VPN without the cost, but it’s almost always going to be too good to be true. We’ve never found one of these providers that lives up to their "unlimited” claim. More often than not, they provide very little – if any – encryption, and log user data as a means to pay their bills in lieu of a subscription model. Users can also encounter malicious ads and ransomware as a result of installing a free VPN. This is the opposite of what you want!
If you’re looking for a budget option, we’d recommend putting one of our recommended VPNs money-back guarantee periods to good use. By doing so, you’ll have a month to trial the service without restrictions. We do also have a shortlist of trustworthy free services you can check out – though bear in mind they might be more suited to day-to-day browsing, and not extensive streaming or downloading.
Will using a VPN speed up my JIO connection?
Unfortunately not. It’s a common misconception that a VPN can increase the speeds you receive from your ISP. In fact, because a VPN encrypts and decrypts your data via an encrypted tunnel (extending how far it has to travel), you should expect a slight loss of speed when connected to a VPN server.
This loss should only ever be nominal, however, and never noticeable. If you’re experiencing real slow-down after connecting to a VPN, there are a few tricks you can try, but it’s also a good idea to reach out to your provider’s customer service team.
- Check if any special measures are toggled on – you may need to strike a compromise or make a sacrifice, as a VPN’s special features (like obfuscation measures and double encryption) can cause further slow-down. Switching off these features could free up some bandwidth, but you should only do so if it’s safe to access the web without them.
- Reevaluate your server location – if you live in India and are connected to a VPN server in the US, that’s a long way for your data to travel! Connecting to a VPN server that’s physically closer to you can reduce your latency and improve performance, and you might also escape congestion in your prior location, too.
- Check for specialized servers – a lot of VPNs now offer servers dedicated to activities, like streaming, stealth, and P2P activity. Try joining a streaming server if you’re having frequent buffering issues.
Conclusion
If you’re a Jio customer, a VPN is near enough a necessity – the service enforces stringent censorship, throttles traffic, and is seemingly opposed to net neutrality. This is a worrying precedent to have set, but using a VPN goes some way to future-proofing your privacy and ensuring that the web remains free and open.
Any of our top five VPN picks would be an ideal option for Jio, and just in case you need a reminder, here’s the rundown one last time!
- ExpressVPN - The best VPN for Jio. It has a handy Smart Location feature that pairs you up with a server based on download speed and distance.
- NordVPN - A large brand offering great value at a cheap price
- Surfshark - A cheap VPN for Jio. It can handle HD streaming, gaming, and VoIP calls – check it out using the 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Private Internet Access - The most secure Jio VPN. It is easy to use, can be installed on any device, making it a favorite of online privacy communities.
- CyberGhost VPN - A low cost VPN for Jio. It supports P2P activity and can unblock sites and streaming services from around the world.
FAQS
We’ve hopefully covered all you need to know about why using a VPN with Jio is so important, but just in case, we’ll also tackle some additional queries.