Iran VPN: Best VPN for Iran

Iran is one of the countries that has a heavily restricted online environment.

Last Update: May 2, 2022
MOST POPULAR

Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Features:
  • Unblock Any Content
  • Internet Kill Switch
  • Split Tunneling
  • Confirmed Zero Logs Policy
  • Unbreakable Encryption
Available on:
 available_devices

Overall Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Features:
  • Unlimited P2P and Torrenting
  • High-End Military-Grade Encryption
  • Confirmed Zero Logs Policy
  • Ad-blocker Feature
  • High-Speed Servers
  • Unblock 400 Streaming Services
  • 100% diskless encrypted RAM servers
Available on:
 available_devices

Overall Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Features:
  • 40,000+ shared IPs
  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • 256-bit AES encryption
  • IKEv2, OpenVPN, and L2TP/IPsec VPN protocols
Available on:
 available_devices

This country blocks social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and it does not let people access independent news websites. Freedom on the Net says Iran rates 15/100. This low score shows how limited Internet freedom is in Iran. In 2019, the country’s president even suggests an intranet as a replacement for the Internet.

With this kind of censorship, you will need a good VPN that will let you access content that is not available with Iran’s local connection. It will let you unblock social media platforms and websites. It also keeps your online activities away from government surveillance.

Here are some of the top-recommended VPNs for Iran:

Why Would You Need a VPN in Iran?

For Streaming

Iran is one of the countries that does not have Netflix. The only way to access any Netflix show is to use a VPN. When choosing a VPN for streaming, it’s best to check its bandwidth and speed. This will enable you to watch on Netflix or other streaming platforms without experiencing lags.

For Torrenting

Aiming to download files while you are in Iran? It’s best to turn on your VPN first. Using a VPN hides your IP address so the authorities won’t track your torrenting activities. The Iranian government may place sanctions if you download copyrighted content without proper consent.

Your VPN service should hide your IP address. Ideally, it should also have improved servers dedicated for P2P file sharing.

Privacy and Security

As mentioned earlier, Iran is one of the countries with heavily censored Internet freedom. The government is strict and even proposes surveillance over the activities of journalists, activists, and normal Internet users. This bill has not been finalized as of writing, but for privacy and security, subscribing to a VPN is a must when visiting the country. This way, you will avoid the surveillance of the government.

See to it that your VPN provider has RAM-based servers, or at the very least, has a zero-log policy.

What are the Best VPNs for Iran in 2022?

1. ExpressVPN

Netflix: As Netflix is not available in Iran, you will need a VPN to watch via this streaming platform. ExpressVPN will let you access different Netflix libraries through its 3000 servers located in different parts of the globe. It has an impressive number of servers, so there’s no doubt that you will find one that is suitable for you.

ExpressVPN lets you stream smoothly and without lags as it boasts of fast speeds, too.

Torrenting: ExpressVPN does not reveal your original IP address and provides leak protection for people who will use it for torrenting in Iran. It also servers optimized for file sharing.

Privacy and Security: No need to worry if ExpressVPN protects your anonymity. It has a no-log policy. Also, out of the many VPNs in the market, it is one of those that provides RAM-based servers for its users. It will automatically delete all your data once you disconnect from its server.

However, ExpressVPN does not have a malware blocker and other additional features.

Price: A monthly ExpressVPN subscription is priced at $12.95. This subscription lets you connect up to five simultaneous devices. ExpressVPN gives fast and reliable service, but price-wise, other VPNs are way cheaper.

2. NordVPN

Netflix: NordVPN has 5000 servers located in 60 different countries. It can help you unblock foreign Netflix without difficulty and provides fast Internet speed while you are in Iran. It will help you avoid any low-quality videos and lags.

Torrenting: NordVPN gives you the best server options when you are torrenting. However, it is important to take note that not every one of its servers are P2P-optimized. Nevertheless, it lets you use torrent without interruptions while protecting your anonymity.

Privacy and Security: NordVPN has a no-log policy and boasts of its additional features like a Double VPN and an Obfuscated Server. However, NordVPN experienced a hacking report. The VPN service admitted the issue, saying one of its servers was accessed without proper authorization.

As of today, NordVPN takes steps to further protect its users. It organized a bug bounty program which lets its users report the vulnerabilities of its service. NordVPN also aims to make all of its servers RAM-based soon.

Pricing: For $11.95 per month, you can connect up to six devices at the same time. If you find this expensive, you can subscribe to longer-term plans. A yearly plan can give you better discounts and value for your money.

3. IPVanish

Netflix: When it comes to streaming, IPVanish is not as fast as other VPN providers. Still, it can let you access different Netflix series and movies through its 1,500 servers in 55 different locations. But expect lags and buffering issues during your stream.

Torrenting: When you use IPVanish for torrenting, it guarantees leak protection and hides your original IP address. You will be able to conduct torrenting and download files in Iran with anonymity.

Privacy and Security: IPVanish states that it has a zero-log policy. However, we can’t rule out that it is under the jurisdiction of the USA, a Five Eyes country. Its subscribers became skeptical of this when the VPN service allegedly gave one of its users’ information to the authorities for an investigation. This tainted IPVanish’s security policies for good.

Pricing: IPVanish offers its service for $10.99 per month. It gives you better discounts if you subscribe to its other long-term plans.

4. CyberGhost

Netflix: CyberGhost has over 6000 servers in over 88 locations. This huge number of servers enables you to watch different Netflix shows without leaving Iran. It unblocks most of the geo-restricted content, but due to the volume of its servers, your stream quality may be affected.

Torrenting: While not all of CyberGhost’s servers are P2P-optimized unless you utilize its desktop apps, it still enables torrenting. So if ever you need to do some file sharing in Iran, rest assured that his VPN provider still hides your original IP address and protects you from any DNS leaks.

Privacy and Security: CyberGhost uses the military-grade AES 256-bit encryption along with 4096-bit RSA Key Exchange and SHA-256 Hash Authentication. However, its VPN protocols differ depending on the operating system you are using. CyberGhost boasts of its other features like the Data Compression for Android and Secret Photo Vault for iOS. It also has an ad and malware blocker and NoSpy Servers.

Pricing: CyberGhost offers its service for $12.99 monthly. This single subscription is good to secure seven devices at a time. Its longer-term plan offers high discounts—a two-year subscription allows you to have 83% off CyberGhost’s service.

5. Private Internet Access (PIA)

Netflix: Private Internet Access lets you unblock geo-blocked content through its 3,300 servers around the globe. But it can give you a low-quality stream from time to time. It can give you access to foreign content libraries, but it does not assure you of HD streams all the time.

Torrenting: This VPN service allows torrenting on all of its servers. It guarantees that it can protect you from any DNS leaks. Moreover, it does a great job of hiding your original IP address.

Privacy and Security: Private Internet Access is a VPN service located in the US, a Five Eyes nation. Still, it stays true to its no-log policy. It has impressive encryption and protocols. Moreover, it plans to transition its servers into RAM-based ones to give its subscribers more security.

Pricing: Private Internet Access is priced at 9.95 per month. But if you choose its longest subscription plan, you can save up to 78% off, making it more affordable than other services.

Ranking Criteria

It’s important to consider the price, features, and policies of a VPN that I will use in Iran. Given that it is a country with limited Internet freedom, a VPN should be able to give me security and privacy without sacrificing speed. It’s also essential to see if the VPN is affordable but still gives quality service.

By: Erwin Caniba
Eric is the co-founder of VPNOnline. He has been an avid user of VPNs since 2012. He has tested all of the major VPN providers and shares his findings on this website. Follow Eric on Facebook.