4 Best VPNs for Iran to Stay Safe and Anonymous in 2024
Reading time: 21 min
Updated on November 14, 2023
You can’t access popular sites like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter in Iran. The government is notorious for its censorship and constantly monitors your online activities. A VPN is the best way that you can use global platforms safely and stay anonymous in Iran.
After testing 25+ renowned VPNs, I’ve picked the best ones for Iran. They all include top-tier security and privacy features like military-grade encryption and IP leak protection.
ExpressVPN is the best overall VPN for Iran, offering exceptional security, privacy, site unblocking potential, and speeds. You can buy ExpressVPN confidently as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Quick Guide: Best VPNs for Iran in 2024
- ExpressVPN — ExpressVPN is the #1 choice for Iran because it offers proprietary obfuscation, military-grade security, and privacy features, and excellent speed.
- Surfshark — Camouflage Mode hides that you’re using a VPN in Iran and provides easy access to global sites, but its MultiHop servers can reduce your speeds.
- PrivateVPN — Dedicated IP servers give you an exclusive IP address in Iran for accessing foreign bank accounts, but it has a relatively small server network.
- VyprVPN — Proprietary Chameleon protocol is designed to evade deep packet inspection in Iran, but speeds drop considerably on distant servers.
The Best VPNs for Iran — Updated 2024
1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Iran to Avoid Online Surveillance and Access Global Sites
Key Features:
- 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, including Pakistan, India, Turkey, and more
- TrustedServer technology, military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection
- Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chromebook, smart TVs, and more
- Connect up to 8 devices in Iran at the same time
- 30-day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN is my #1 choice for Iran as it has the best combination of security, privacy, and performance. Its TrustedServer technology uses RAM-only servers that are physically incapable of storing any data and run on the latest security hardware for maximum privacy. ExpressVPN also has the widest server coverage on this list, so it can access global platforms in Iran easily.
In my tests, ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol gave me blazing-fast speeds even on distant servers. Lightway is built for top-notch performance as its minimal codebase minimizes speed loss and latency. Low latency means your data travels faster while you use ExpressVPN in Iran, so you can enjoy fast P2P downloads and lag-free streams.
You can rest assured ExpressVPN will maintain your privacy in Iran with its excellent leak protection abilities. All 20+ servers in 16 countries that I tested passed my DNS, IP, and WebRTC leak tests. It also blocks IPv6 traffic, which is a common cause of leaks. Besides that, ExpressVPN protects you with:
- Military-grade encryption — uses a 256-bit cipher to make your data unreadable to third parties on Iranian and foreign websites and apps.
- Kill switch — prevents any unencrypted traffic from leaving your device during unexpected lost VPN connections (though all servers I tested remained 100% stable).
- Private DNS — ensures that your DNS queries never leave the encrypted tunnel and are handled by ExpressVPN instead of the ISP, preserving your privacy.
- Threat Manager — blocks websites and apps from profiling you or collecting your data to keep your browsing experience in Iran safe and anonymous
I tested ExpressVPN’s 8-device limit without glitches. All apps had a similar interface, so I didn’t have trouble locating advanced features. The Smart Location feature was also featured prominently on each app, and it connected me to the fastest available server. Usually, it chooses one near your real location.
Its 3,000+ servers in 105 countries provide global IP addresses in Iran. All of them are optimized for streaming and torrenting. ExpressVPN also replaces blacklisted IP addresses with new ones to keep up to date with geo-blocks. It can access all global platforms like Netflix US and:
| Amazon Prime Video | BBC iPlayer | CBC | ESPN |
| Disney+ | ITV Hub | Crunchyroll | DAZN |
| HBO Max | Sling TV | Hulu | Showtime |
A small issue with ExpressVPN is that it’s slightly more expensive than the competition. However, the extra security and privacy benefits you get make it completely worth it. It’s simply the best overall VPN for Iran, providing exceptional performance, server coverage, security, and privacy.
To get ExpressVPN at a % discount, you can sign up for the 2-year + 4 months free plan for just a month. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee for buying the service with confidence. I tested its refund policy firsthand — the live chat support agent didn’t ask me why I was leaving and immediately confirmed my refund. I got my money back after 4 days.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
ExpressVPN is compatible with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Nvidia Shield, Xiaomi Mi Box, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TVs, smart TVs, routers, and more.
Get ExpressVPN's Black Friday Deal! You can subscribe to ExpressVPN for as low as per month + get extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to %)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
2. Surfshark — Camouflage Mode Bypasses All Web Filters in Iran
Key Features:
- 3,200+ servers in 100 countries like India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, and more
- NoBorders mode, IP address rotation, military-grade encryption, and leak protection
- Compatible with macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, and more
- Encrypt up to unlimited devices simultaneously in Iran
- Try it with its 30-day money-back guarantee
Surfshark’s Camouflage Mode can overcome online censorship in Iran, providing easy access to popular sites like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Snapchat. It obfuscates your data, making it seem like regular internet traffic unassociated with a VPN. Therefore, no one can block sites or throttle speeds. Besides that, Surfshark also offers:
- NoBorders mode — automatically senses network restrictions in Iran and gives you the best servers for accessing global platforms in the country.
- MultiHop — routes your data through 2 servers for double encryption, making it virtually impossible for anyone in Iran to track your activities or see your data.
- IP rotation — changes your IP address every few minutes, making you untraceable on Iranian networks.
With unlimited simultaneous connections, Surfshark protects all your devices in Iran. It took me under 10 minutes to install it on my Windows laptop, MacBook, iPhone, iPad, and Android phone. You can also encrypt your traffic directly in your browser with its Chrome and Firefox extensions, just keep in mind that this only protects your browser activities and not other apps.
I averaged fast speeds of 87Mbps on the 10+ Surfshark servers I tested — it was more than enough to stream Graceful Giants, a captivating UHD nature documentary on YouTube. I didn’t get any buffering except for the first few seconds, which is normal. My ping also remained below 40ms which allowed me to play Left 4 Dead 2 for 3 hours without any lag.
| Netflix Iran | Hulu | Disney+ | Divar TV |
| iFilm | Amazon Prime Video | Aparat | Golrang TV |
| IRIB TV 3 | ESPN | Tiwibox | IranRadioTV |
The only issue with Surfshark is that its MultiHop connections can substantially reduce your speeds on Iranian websites and apps. However, you don’t need double encryption as a single 256-bit cipher is enough to protect you while you browse, stream, game, and download.
The 2-year + 4 months plan offers the best value at just $1.99 a month. You can even try Surfshark risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. I asked for my refund via live chat and had to provide the invoice number to the support agent. The confirmation process took 5 minutes and I got my money back after 5 business days.
Surfshark is compatible with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, smart TVs, routers, and more.
3. PrivateVPN — Dedicated IP Servers Make You Almost Impossible to Track in Iran
Key Features:
- 200+ servers in 63 countries India, Malaysia, Turkey, and Singapore
- Stealth VPN, a kill switch, IP leak protection, and military-grade encryption for secure browsing in Iran
- Easy-to-use apps on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Get global IP addresses on up to 10 devices simultaneously in Iran
- Use risk-free for 30 days with its money-back guarantee
PrivateVPN’s dedicated IP addresses provide 100% privacy in Iran. They give you a unique IP address exclusive to you, so you can access your bank account while visiting Iran. Banks have powerful security systems in place that identify VPN traffic and can block you. Having these special servers in 14 countries makes it easy to use online banking and other services.
StealthVPN obfuscation is handy for bypassing online censorship in Iran. It disguises your data as regular non-VPN traffic, so network administrators and anti-VPN detectors on sites can’t recognize that you’re using a VPN. PrivateVPN also secures you with:
- No-logs policy — ensures your online activities in Iran aren’t logged on the VPN’s servers, guaranteeing no third-party can monitor your activity.
- IP leak protection — prevents your traffic from leaking past the encrypted tunnel, so your traffic is essentially invisible to eavesdroppers in Iran.
- Military-grade encryption — provides peace of mind in online banking on public networks in Iran, guaranteeing safety from potential hackers.
Dedicated IP servers were 11% faster than regular ones in my tests. However, regular connections still gave me more than sufficient speeds for high-bandwidth activities like torrenting. I downloaded a 5GB public domain movie A Farewell to Arms without any issues — the download time difference between a regular and dedicated IP server in Australia was under 2 minutes.
You can secure up to 10 devices simultaneously in Iran with PrivateVPN. Its apps have intuitive and beginner-friendly layouts, and you get flexible encryption on mobile. You can reduce it from 256-bit to 128-bit for faster speeds. Although both are still secure, I recommend using 256-bit encryption on unsecured public networks since they’re less well-protected.
My only reservation was that PrivateVPN has a smaller network than other top competitors like ExpressVPN. However, its unblocking potential is surprisingly pretty good so the smaller network didn’t end up affecting my experience negatively. With a growing network of 200+ servers in 63 countries, PrivateVPN can access:
| iFilm | BBC iPlayer | Aparat | Amazon Prime Video |
| Disney+ | IRIB TV 3 | Netflix | Divar TV |
I recommend PrivateVPN’s 3-year plan as it provides a 83% discount, but it also has great deals on its short-term options making it among the best monthly VPNs. Your purchase is also risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. Getting a refund was straightforward — I emailed customer support with my subscription details and got a confirmation after 4 hours. The money was in my account after a week.
PrivateVPN is compatible with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Blackberry, Raspberry Pi, Chrome, Firefox, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Xiaomi Mi Box, Google Chromecast, Android TVs, routers, and more.
2024 Update! PrivateVPN has dropped prices for a limited time to a crazy $2.00 per month with the 3-year plan (you can save up to %)! This is a limited offer so be sure to grab it now before it’s gone. See more information on this offer here.
4. VyprVPN — Proprietary Chameleon Protocol Protects You From Iran’s Deep Packet Inspection
Key Features:
- 700+ servers in 63 countries and nearby locations like Pakistan, India, and Turkey
- Includes a kill switch, data leak protection, secure protocols, and military-grade encryption
- Supports most operating systems including iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows
- Lets you protect a maximum of 10 devices in Iran at once
- Makes your purchase risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee
VyprVPN’s proprietary Chameleon protocol can evade deep packet inspection in Iran. Network administrators use DPI to scrutinize your traffic including emails, chats, and browsing history. Chameleon scrambles your traffic’s metadata, which anyone could otherwise use to identify you. This ensures you’re invisible online in Iran. VyprVPN also includes:
- DNS and IP leak protection — keeps your real IP address hidden from potential eavesdroppers in Iran by ensuring your data doesn’t leave the encrypted tunnel.
- Perfect Forward Secrecy — generates a unique key for each session, making it difficult for snoopers in Iran to spy on you.
- Military-grade encryption — hides your internet traffic from prying eyes in Iran by ciphering it with a 256-bit protocol.
With its zero-knowledge servers, VyprVPN ensures secure torrenting in Iran so no one can snoop on your online data. While it doesn’t have P2P-specific connections, all its 700+ servers in 63 countries support torrenting. This also enables VyprVPN to unblock global sites from Iran like:
| Netflix US and UK | Aparat | Crunchyroll US | iFilm |
| BBC iPlayer | Amazon Prime Video | Divar TV | Disney+ |
The 10-device limit is more than enough for a single user. I tested it on 8 different platforms and VyprVPN worked perfectly on all of them. You can also set up the VPN on your smart TV for marathon streaming. I appreciate that VyprVPN’s mobile and desktop apps are indistinguishable, so you’ll have no problems navigating features if you travel to Iran using the VPN on multiple platforms.
The reviewer had an issue with VyprVPN as its speed significantly decreased on remote servers located in the US and Australia. However, they suggest switching to the WireGuard protocol to mitigate this issue since its lightweight code base makes it the fastest option for VyprVPN.
You can sign up for VyprVPN’s 2-year plan to get a 70% discount. You’ll have a 30-day period to try it out risk-free with its money-back guarantee. The refund process was fully automated. I logged in to my client dashboard, clicked Cancel Service under the Account tab, and was reimbursed within 3 days via PayPal.
VyprVPN is compatible with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Blackberry, Raspberry Pi, Chrome, Firefox, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and more.
Comparison Table: Best VPNs for Iran in 2024
| Number of servers | Servers in countries | Top security feature | Max device connections | Money-back guarantee | |
| ExpressVPN | 3,000 | 105 | TrustedServer technology | 8 | 30 days |
| Surfshark | 3,200 | 100 | Camouflage Mode | unlimited | 30 days |
| PrivateVPN | 200 | 63 | Dedicated IP addresses | 10 | 30 days |
| VyprVPN | 700 | 63 | Chameleon protocol | 10 | 30 days |
Browse securely in Iran with ExpressVPN
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
How to Choose the Best VPN for Iran
Iran is known for its strict internet censorship, so choosing the right VPN is crucial for browsing anonymously in the country. I tested smaller providers as well as the top VPNs on the market, and below are some factors I considered when selecting the best VPNs for Iran:
- Strong security and privacy features — I picked VPNs with military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and Perfect Forward Secrecy to ensure privacy in Iran.
- Global server network — my top picks have extensive networks with servers nearby Iran, so you can get fast speeds for bandwidth-intensive activities.
- Fast speeds — all VPNs on this list gave me excellent speeds in locations nearby Iran, so you can expect UHD-friendly speeds for lag-free streaming and online gaming.
- Apps for popular devices — the VPNs I selected are compatible with all major platforms with easy-to-use apps.
- Customer support — I tested each VPN’s support options and evaluated them on fast and helpful replies, so you can troubleshoot if you run into any problems in Iran.
Stay anonymous in Iran with ExpressVPN
3 Easy Steps to Get a VPN in Iran
- Download a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN in Iran due to its military-grade security and privacy features that keep you secure from hackers and surveillance.
- Connect to a server. Pick a server in locations nearby Iran to get the fastest speeds. I also suggest turning on obfuscation to evade Iran’s online censorship.
- That’s it! Now you can browse the web safely and anonymously in Iran.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
FAQs on VPNs for Iran
Is using a VPN legal in Iran?
Yes, it’s technically legal — but it’s still against the law to use VPNs to bypass the government’s heavy internet restrictions. I’ve picked the best VPNs to keep you anonymous in Iran so you can use the web safely there. Using one of these top options is crucial as the government sees VPNs as a potential violation of national security.
Accessing blocked websites in Iran can result in severe consequences like heavy fines and imprisonment. I don’t condone violating Iranian law, so make sure you’re complying with all local regulations when you’re in the country.
Can I use a proxy in Iran instead of a VPN?
Yes, but they won’t keep you safe in Iran. You should use a top VPN from this list to browse securely and stay anonymous in the country since proxies don’t offer the same level of security and privacy as VPNs.
Like VPNs, a proxy hides your IP address by routing your data through a server. However, it doesn’t always encrypt your internet traffic and might even collect and sell your personal information to third parties. Given the Iranian government’s history of cracking down on the internet, using a proxy in the country is a sure way to get caught by local ISPs.
What settings should I use to get my VPN to work in Iran?
After installing a VPN with this 3-step guide, you can tweak advanced settings to enhance your security and privacy in Iran. For instance, you should enable obfuscation or stealth protocols before you connect, to disguise your data as regular internet traffic. This hides the VPN connection while you use the websites you need in Iran.
Additionally, you can switch to a more secure protocol like WireGuard or OpenVPN. VPNs like ExpressVPN and Surfshark offer powerful obfuscation to ensure their traffic doesn’t get flagged for coming from a VPN service.
Can I get a VPN anonymously in Iran without using app stores?
Yes, but it’s technical. If you’re traveling to Iran, I suggest downloading and installing the VPN beforehand. My #1 choice for Iran is ExpressVPN because of its top-tier security, privacy, and performance. Follow these steps to get it:
- Go to ExpressVPN’s official website and download the setup file for your platform.
- Click Download VPN and run the installation wizard once the download is complete.
- Complete the installation and run ExpressVPN’s app (use the activation code).
- Connect to a server and encrypt your traffic in Iran.
If you’re already in Iran, try downloading ExpressVPN directly from its site using the Tor browser or a similar anonymizing service. Another option is to purchase a pre-configured router with ExpressVPN installed.
How do I check if my VPN works?
Use this online IP address checker to see if your VPN is working. It should show a location that matches the country of the server you chose. I recommend repeating this test multiple times to be sure you have no data leaks.
To double-check and make sure no information like your IP address is being exposed, you can run DNS, IP, and WebRTC leak tests. To avoid issues with data escaping encryption, pick a reliable VPN from this list that includes leak-prevention technology.
How does the internet get censored in Iran?
The government of Iran censors the internet to control and monitor its citizens’ online activities. Using a reliable VPN that meets my criteria is the best way to evade censorship It does this in multiple ways, including:
- Blocking websites and apps — The government has a list of websites and apps that are blocked, including social media platforms, news websites, and pornography sites.
- Filtering content — Official filters imposed by the government block certain keywords and phrases from being searched or accessed. For example, the word “democracy” is often blocked.
- Online surveillance — In Iran, all your internet traffic is monitored to track your online activities. The government identifies and prosecutes people who criticize it.
Iran’s National Information Network (NIN) is a system that routes all internet traffic through a centralized filter. It uses deep packet inspection to identify and block various content, including political opposition and social media platforms that can be used to organize protests.
Is it safe to use a free VPN in Iran?
No, free VPNs can put you at serious risk in Iran since they can reveal your identity and online activities. It isn’t worth the consequences when working VPNs like ExpressVPN are reliable for keeping you safe online in the country. Plus, it has a money-back guarantee of 30 days which makes your purchase risk-free.
Many free VPNs harvest your data and sell it to third parties. The worst of them can infect your device with data-stealing malware, putting you at serious risk. While some free VPNs are safe to use, they still have limitations like data caps and overcrowded servers so they aren’t practical for most things. Without powerful obfuscation, they don’t work in Iran.
Get a VPN (That Works) for Iran Today!
Accessing the open internet in Iran is dangerous and you could be jailed for up to 2 years for violating the country’s censorship laws. Using a VPN is the best way to bypass censorship and stay anonymous in Iran. However, not all VPNs are powerful enough to evade Iran’s surveillance.
After testing numerous providers, I’ve picked the best VPNs for Iran. ExpressVPN is the best overall choice due to its robust security and privacy features with lightning-fast speed and proprietary obfuscation. You can also buy ExpressVPN confidently as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee — if you think it’s not suitable, you can easily get a refund.
Summary: These Are The Best VPNs for Iran in 2024
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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