5 best VPNs for Iran to use in 2023

Ruheni Mathenge  - Streaming Expert
Last updated: June 8, 2023
Read time: 15 minutes Disclosure
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Are you unable to access Facebook, YouTube, or any other site in Iran? Check out these secure and tested VPN services to avoid censorship and surveillance in the country.

Iran is among those countries that have imposed harsh internet censorship and surveillance laws. Many websites and apps with foreign government links, including popular social media platforms, are blocked in Iran. The ISPs and the Cyber Division Rapid Reaction Center officially monitor and log the online activities of Iranian citizens and visitors, making VPN a must-have tool for internet users. Nonetheless, choosing the perfect VPN for Iran is challenging because of strong vigilance against unauthorized VPNs. In this guide, we have enlisted the best Iran VPNs that will enable you to bypass geo-restrictions, protect your privacy, and bluff the anti-VPN technology by masking your VPN traffic.

Iran is a beautiful country despite the negative Western media coverage. However, the government has strict internet censorship and surveillance, blocking many famous sites and apps. While it’s troublesome for the citizens, these restrictions also apply to the visitors, making using a VPN for Iran inevitable.

Moreover, using a VPN in Iran is also necessary for online privacy. That’s because internet service providers (ISPs) are forced to collect data on internet usage. So, you can get into trouble for accessing unauthorized sites, publishing anything immoral, or opposing the government.

Although, using a VPN is the best way to avoid such issues and access whatever content you want online. However, finding a reliable VPN service isn’t easy to keep you safe. Therefore, after thorough research and testing, we have compiled top services list that will safeguard your data and internet traffic in Iran.

Best Iran VPNs – The quick list

Here are our quick summaries of the top VPNs for Iran if you are short on time:

  1. NordVPN – Our top choice VPN for Iran. It has an extensive server network, obfuscated servers, a kill switch, and an ad blocker. 
  2. ExpressVPN – It has one of the fastest servers in the industry. Also, it has robust encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and diskless servers. 
  3. Surfshark – The best value-for-money Iranian VPN. It has all the necessary VPN security features and lets you connect as many devices as possible
  4. ProtonVPN – The provider offers excellent protection with features like AES 256-bit encryption, kill switch, DNS leak protection, and multiple protocols. 
  5. Hide.me – Has a free plan that lets you connect to 5 servers. Also, there is an option to upgrade the plan to access more servers and features. 

Why do Iranians need VPNs today?

The latest Freedom House report ranks Iran as ‘Not Free’ with an internet freedom score of 16/100 (0=least free, 100=most free). That is because the Iranian government controls the internet and restricts what citizens can and can’t do. 

Numerous popular platforms such as Facebook, Telegram, YouTube, Twitter, and any website with foreign government links are blocked as authorities keep cracking down on local sites and media outlets deemed immoral or criticize the government.

Going against the restrictions can lead to severe punishment. For example, you risk penalties, fines, flogging, and incarceration if caught using gambling, porn, or dating sites. In addition, the government aims to create a ‘Halal’ internet so people can live by Sharia laws even online. 

Making it worse, the government established Cyber Division Rapid Reaction Center to monitor online content and activities. A warning gets sent, but if the user is persistent, they can be traced via the IP addresses and arrested for prosecution.

Using a virtual private network (VPN) is an excellent way to keep your online activities out of the radar. It will create an encrypted tunnel and mask your IP address, preventing authorities, ISPs, and third parties from snooping on your activities. The VPN will also come in handy to access censored websites and services, including streaming sites and social networking platforms.

Top 5 VPNs for Iran today – The detailed list

Remember that a VPN is designed to protect your internet connections and help bypass geo-restrictions. It means the tool cannot help you access the internet in case of a blackout, no matter how great it is. Nonetheless, the VPNs on this list will maintain your security without sacrificing speed. 

1. NordVPN 

NordVPN

The best Iran VPN that ensures thorough anonymity by offering some rare features like server obfuscation and anti-VPN detection technology.

servers 5,000+ servers in 60 countries
P2P optimized servers P2P optimized servers
encryption Double encryption
Kill switch Kill switch
Ad Blocker feature CyberSec ad-blocker
Zero-logs policy No logs
simultaneous connections Up to 6 simultaneous devices
protection Web protection
MultiHop mode Double VPN feature
money-back guarantee 30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
  • Great encryption
  • Effective kill switch
  • Affordable long-term packages
Cons
  • Old-fashioned desktop app

NordVPN is one of the best Iran VPNs in the market for good reasons. Precisely, it has many security features to keep you completely safe.

First, it utilizes AES 256-bit encryption, which is strong enough to prevent government agencies from accessing your online activities.

Second, it has both the kill switch and DNS leak protection. Even with the best VPN service, your traffic and data can leak accidentally, exposing your identity. The kill switch will cut the internet connection when the VPN drops to prevent this from happening. On the other hand, the DNS leak protection will stop your DNS request from rerouting through your ISP’s servers.

On top of that, it uses a double VPN feature to add an extra encryption layer. It works by routing your traffic through two servers instead of one, although it may slow your speed slightly. Also, it has perfect forward secrecy (PFS) that changes the encryption key frequently to prevent unauthorized access.