Best VPN for Iran in 2022: Safely Bypass Internet Censorship

Man putting a Best VPN badge icon to a VPN shield icon, trophy and Iran flag
Short on time? Here's a summary of this article!
Best VPN for Iran in 2022: Safely Bypass Internet Censorship - A Quick Guide

There is plenty of internet censorship in Iran and the government has blocked Western news websites, social media sites such as Facebook, streaming sites such as Netflix, and more. At the same time, the government tracks and collects information about users’ online activity.

This makes it vital to use a good VPN that can bypass censorship and keep you anonymous online. We’ve picked out the best VPNs for Iran that offer the best blend of speed, security, and affordability.

Our top 3 premium Iran VPNs are:

  1. CyberGhost
  2. Surfshark
  3. NordVPN

Our top choice is CyberGhost as it is the only VPN with virtual servers in Iran. This means you can get a local Iranian IP address while still unblocking websites in Iran and staying private.

It also has thousands of other server locations, high speeds, and security features like a kill switch and industry-standard encryption. Moreover, it’s super affordable at just over $2 a month for a two-year subscription.

For more information about how to install a VPN in Iran, and a couple of free VPN suggestions that you can use, read the full article below!

Censorship iconIt’s always good to use a virtual private network or a VPN service when accessing the internet. But a VPN becomes a virtual necessity in regions with high censorship or lack of online security and privacy.

One such country is Iran, where many Western news websites, social media platforms, streaming services, etc. are blocked by the government. Moreover, authorities continually collect information about your internet use.

To help you protect yourself and gain unfiltered access to the Web, we did some research to find the best VPN for Iran that can help secure you online, unblock streaming services, and access blocked websites.

These services can be incredibly useful for people living in Iran or even those visiting the country for a short time. If you want to bypass censorship in Iran to enjoy greater internet freedom and online security, take your pick from the top Iran VPN options below.


The 3 Best VPNs for Iran in 2022

We recommend subscribing to a premium VPN for Iran to enjoy secure and private internet access without restrictions. A VPN with vital security features like end-to-end encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch (disconnects your device if your VPN connection breaks) will protect you while granting you access to content from around the globe without any restrictions.

Whether it’s unblocking social media sites that are banned in Iran or streaming Netflix and other services, these VPNs have everything you need for a safe and seamless online experience.

They work across different devices and offer the best speeds along with unlimited bandwidth and essential privacy and security features. You also get to choose from thousands of servers spread throughout the globe. Here are our top three picks for the best VPN in Iran that you can rely on.

1. CyberGhost: The best cheap VPN for Iran

Screenshot of CyberGhost website page with logo

The advantage that CyberGhost holds over other top VPN providers like Surfshark and NordVPN is that it has virtual servers in Iran. This means the IPs are registered in Iran but the physical servers are located in different countries.

Nonetheless, this makes it easy to mask your online activity in Iran without sacrificing your connection speed. We tested CyberGhost’s Iran servers as well as other servers and are pleased to share that it’s the fastest VPN you can get.

Although we tested these from distant locations, the connection was always smooth and we could watch Netflix HD videos without interruptions.

Hardly any other trustworthy VPNs have servers in Iran while CyberGhost has 14 at the time of writing. These offer unlimited bandwidth and support P2P traffic. Moreover, CyberGhost also supports WireGuard, which is a highly secure and fast VPN protocol.

You can also use OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec. Further, your data is secured with reliable industry-standard encryption and a no-logs policy.

CyberGhost has apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. You can use it on up to seven devices simultaneously with one subscription. And, you can unlock a variety of foreign content thanks to a server network of 7,900 servers in 91 countries.

At the same time, CyberGhost boasts all the essential security features like an automatic kill switch, split tunneling for website traffic, and an ad blocker that blocks connections to malicious sites.

What’s more, you get this at an unbeatably affordable price of $2.29 a month for a two-year subscription. This makes CyberGhost a great budget VPN. There’s also a 45-day money-back guarantee, and 24/7 live chat and email support in case you face any issues.

You can read more about this provider in our CyberGhost review or click the button in the box below to get CyberGhost at a massive discount!

CyberGhost
Deal:
Try CyberGhost for $2.15 per month!
From
$2.29
8.8
  • Very user-friendly
  • High quality for a low price
  • Torrents and Netflix possible
Visit CyberGhost

2. Surfshark: Best VPN for Iran with unlimited connections

Surfshark VPN provider website homepage with added logo to the corner

Surfshark is just as affordable as CyberGhost but has the advantage of unlimited connections on a single subscription. So, you and your family can use it on all your devices without restriction.

However, it has a smaller server network than CyberGhost with 3200+ servers in 65 countries. Also, it does not have any servers in Iran which means you won’t get an IP that’s registered in Iran and your connection speeds might vary.

Nonetheless, Surfshark performed well in our tests on different server locations, even those that were geographically far. So, it can help you unblock Netflix in Iran as well as most other streaming services and social media sites.

Of course, it also keeps you safe as it supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Wireguard protocols. Add to that strong military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak prevention, and you get complete online anonymity and security.

Further, you can use Surfshark’s Camouflage Mode to disguise your VPN usage as normal internet traffic, while the MultiHop feature routes your connection through two VPN servers for extra anonymity.

At the same time, this provider never keeps any records of your online activities thanks to a strict no-logs policy. It’s also among the best VPNs you can buy with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. This helps you stay anonymous by not providing personally identifiable payment information.

Surfshark can be installed on Windows, macOS,  iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and routers. It also has extensions for Google Chrome and Firefox browsers.

Subscriptions start at $2.49 a month for a two-year subscription, but there are often deals that reduce the price even further. This makes Surfshark one of the best budget VPNs. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you’re not satisfied with the services as well.

Surfshark
Deal:
Safe and anonymous internet for only $2.30a month
From
$2.30
9.0
  • Very user-friendly and works with Netflix and torrents
  • 30-day money-back guarantee. No questions asked!
  • Cheap with many extra options
Visit Surfshark

3. NordVPN – Best Iran VPN for torrenting

Screenshot of NordVPN provider website with added logo in the corner

Although it’s slightly more expensive than CyberGhost and Surfshark, NordVPN is still among the best VPNs for Iran. It offers blazing speeds and a server network of over 5000 servers in 60+ countries. The value for money it offers is unparalleled.

\It can seamlessly unblock almost any site such as Netflix, Facebook, YouTube, and other blocked platforms. It is also the best VPN for torrenting in Iran and around the world. It has specialized P2P servers that offer a fast and secure way to download torrents anonymously.

At the same time, NordVPN boasts all the essential safety features like military-grade encryption, obfuscated servers, and a kill switch. You can also use custom DNS servers to help protect against DNS leaks.

Further, the “Double VPN” protection, routes your internet connection through two VPN servers, adding another layer of anonymity to protect your connection.

A transparent, no-logs policy and the company’s location in privacy-friendly Panama adds to NordVPN’s appeal as one of the best VPNs for Iran.

It has apps for Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, and Android TV, along with Chrome and Firefox browser extensions. It allows up to 6 simultaneous connections on a single subscription, and router support is available if you need to secure all devices connected to a router.

Subscriptions begin at $3.99 per month for a 2-year plan. You can buy anonymously using cryptocurrency and avail of a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you’re not satisfied with the service.

NordVPN
Our pick
Our pick
Deal:
Only $3.29 a month for a two-year subscription with a 30-day money-back guarantee!
From
$3.29
9.3
  • Excellent protection and a large network of servers
  • Nice and pleasing application
  • No logs
Visit NordVPN

The Best Free VPNs for Iran

Get around censorship iconIf you’re looking for a free VPN for Iran, we have picked two of the best options for you. However, you should note that free services come with disadvantages like only a few servers and bandwidth limits.

Moreover, many free VPN services for Iran and other countries may not be the safest and might put your privacy at risk. So, it’s always best to pay for a premium VPN provider like the three we recommended above. Nonetheless, if you want to try a free one, below are two reliable options we recommend.

PrivadoVPN: Best free Iran VPN for streaming and torrenting in Iran

PrivadoVPN is one of the best truly free VPNs to bypass internet censorship in Iran. It offers fast speeds, zero logs, and access to a server network in 12 cities.

You can unblock social media and other blocked sites as well as stream Netflix, YouTube, and other services. Moreover, it also supports P2P file sharing which is hard to find in other free VPNs.

The major limitation is that free users only get 10GB of VPN traffic per month. To unlock unlimited VPN traffic and access to the full range of servers in 60 cities, you need to subscribe to the premium plan that begins at $4.99 per month for a year.

This is significantly pricier than much better options like Suefshark and CyberGhost described above.

PrivadoVPN works on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Android TV. It also has a FireStick App so you can use this VPN on different smart TVs.

Moreover, it comes with vital safety and privacy features like a kill switch, leak prevention, and a zero logs policy. Check out our PrivadoVPN review to learn about this VPN service.

PrivadoVPN
From
$2.50
8.0
  • Secure VPN with strong encryption
  • Doesn't keep logs
  • Limited server network
Visit PrivadoVPN

ProtonVPN: Free unlimited VPN traffic

A key advantage of this VPN provider is that there’s no cap on data usage per month like most other free VPNs. But the limitation is that it cannot help you unblock content. For that, you need to sign up for a premium plan. Thus, it effectively defeats the purpose of using a VPN in most situations.

However, if you don’t necessarily want to unblock content, ProtonVPN is the best free VPN to secure your connection and prevent the Iranian government from monitoring your online activities. This provider has a transparent privacy policy and does not keep any logs of user data.

Further, it uses industry-standard AES-256 encryption and the secure OpenVPN protocol along with IKEv2/IPSec. There’s also a kill switch to protect your identity in case the VPN connection drops.

Although it does not have servers in Iran, it has a strong network of over a thousand servers across 50 countries. However, the free version only allows access to three servers locations in Japan, the US, and the Netherlands.

ProtonVPN works on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, but free users cannot have multiple connections. We recommend you try out this free VPN for Iran and if you like it, you can take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee to try the full-featured premium version too. Premium plans start at $4.00 a month if you choose a yearly plan.

ProtonVPN
Deal:
Very good VPN provider with its own anonymous email service and encrypted drive
From
$3.29
7.9
  • Strong encryption
  • Specialized servers
  • Free subscription available
Visit ProtonVPN

What To Look For When Choosing the Best VPN For Iran

If you want to do your own research to find the best VPN for Iran that suits your needs, there are several factors you should keep in mind. These include the following:

  • The VPN should have a strict no-logs policy to ensure that your data is never leaked or shared with other parties. This would be a massive invasion of privacy and could even get you in trouble with the Iranian government.
  • The VPN should have servers in Iran or neighboring countries to ensure good connection speeds. At the moment, CyberGhost is the only trustworthy VPN with servers in Iran so we highly recommend you subscribe to it.
  • The VPN should be capable of bypassing virtual geographical restrictions enforced by the Iranian government. This will help you enjoy blocked content such as streaming services, blogs, and social media.
  • The VPN should have ample security features which include AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection.

We’ve done this research for you to suggest the best VPNs for Iran mentioned above. You can also take advantage of the money-back guarantee offered by these providers to try out the services before committing to a plan.


How To Set Up a VPN in Iran

Downloading and installing a VPN is pretty straightforward. However, it might pose a problem if you cannot access your chosen VPN’s website on Iran’s heavily censored internet. So, if you’re traveling to Iran, we recommend you install a VPN on your devices before going there so it’s ready to use on arrival.

But if you’re already in Iran and cannot access a VPN website, you can try using the Opera browser, which has a built-in VPN, or downloading the Tor browser and using that to access a VPN’s official website from where you can download it.

Here’s an overview of the installation process for most VPNs in Iran and elsewhere:

How to install VPN software on your desktop, 6 steps infographic

  1. Go to your chosen VPN provider’s website and purchase a subscription or create an account. Most VPN providers have a sign-up button displayed on the homepage.
  2. Download the VPN app for your device from the website.
  3. Open the downloaded file to install the VPN software. Just follow the instructions on-screen and you’ll be set in a few minutes.
  4. Open the installed VPN client and log in using the credentials you used to sign up for a subscription.
  5. Use the settings or options menu to customize things such as selecting a protocol or enabling the kill switch.
  6. Choose a VPN server from the available list and click the “Connect” button to establish a secure connection.
  7. Once connected, your IP address will change to one assigned by the VPN and you can browse the net anonymously.

Final Thoughts: Internet Censorship in Iran

That wraps up our guide about the best VPN for Iran to bypass the blocks on the internet that the Iranian government has enforced. These blocks include a ban on most Western news media and human rights groups’ websites, social media and blogging platforms, and messaging apps like Telegram.

There is not much internet freedom in Iran due to the authorities’ attempts to restrict access to any content they consider to be “counter-revolutionary,” “anti-Islamic” or “anti-social.”

What’s more, the Iranian authorities engage in plenty of surveillance to monitor what users are doing online. This makes it absolutely vital to use a VPN for secure and private internet access in Iran.

Moreover, censorship is a problem in many other countries too such as Russia, China, Nigeria, and most recently, Ukraine. Fortunately, there are several excellent paid and free VPN providers that can help you out, as we’ve explained above.

Let us know in the comments below if there’s something else you’d like to know!

Best VPN for Iran in 2022: Safely Bypass Internet Censorship - Frequently Asked Questions

Got a question about the best VPNs for Iran? Check out our FAQ section below. Just click a question to view the answer.

The best VPN for Iran is CyberGhost because it has the advantage of virtual servers in Iran. This means you can get an Iranian IP address while still being able to access blocked websites like Facebook in Iran.  It also has lots of security and privacy features at a super affordable price. Other good options are Surfshark and NordVPN.

PrivadoVPN is one of the best free VPNs that work in Iran and can help you access blocked sites like Facebook, YouTube, Netflix, etc. It also keeps you safe and does not collect logs.

CyberGhost has 14 virtual servers in Tehran, Iran. This makes it one of the best VPNs for Iran as you can bypass censorship while still having an Iranian IP address. Read our full CyberGhost review for more details.

Yes, Surfshark works well in Iran with high speeds and security. It does not have any servers in Iran but even distant servers offer great speed. At the same time, it boasts great safety and privacy features at an affordable price. Read our full Surfshark review for more details.

Facebook and other social media sites are banned by the Iranian government. But you can bypass this Iranian censorship using a VPN like CyberGhost or Surfshark. A VPN helps you enjoy internet freedom while staying anonymous online so authorities can’t track you.

Tech journalist
Mehak has been writing for over a decade and is passionate about helping people have safer, healthier relationships with all things tech. She has a master’s degree in communication and is especially interested in the impact of technology and the internet on global communities.