Porn is not legal or accessible everywhere. In the US, for example, states like Mississippi, Virginia, North Carolina, Montana, and Utah restrict access to sites like Pornhub, and users are subject to an invasive age verification process. In other countries like the UAE and Qatar, the mere act of accessing such content could have serious repercussions.
If porn is blocked where you are, we can show you how to unblock any porn website and stream in complete privacy. All you need is a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
A VPN encrypts your data, so prying eyes can’t see what you’re doing online. Additionally, it assigns your device a temporary IP address in another location where porn is unrestricted. This both prevents your ISP from seeing what you get up to online and allows you to sidestep local censorship so that you can unblock sites that are not normally available in your region.
Best VPNs for unblocking pornography:
- NordVPN The best VPN for watching porn online. A veteran provider that refuses to compromise on server speeds or security. Boasts an expansive network, excellent streaming ability, and a risk-free, 30-day money-back guarantee.
TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for watching porn. - Surfshark The best budget VPN for porn. This low-cost service is quick and versatile and allows for any number of connections. Just as good for streaming as it is torrent, gaming, or making video calls. Strict no-logs policy.
- IPVanish A fast and secure VPN with no connection limit. Its newly-expanded network and zero-logs policy make it an excellent choice for streaming porn.
- ExpressVPN Another great option for anyone hoping to stream porn online. Very easy to use, with automatic ad-blocking and a hands-off approach to digital security.
- CyberGhost This service offers powerful security features, ultra-high speeds, and an audited logging policy. Works with lots of popular streaming sites, too.
- PureVPN Simple and streamlined, this VPN makes it as easy as possible to access porn sites abroad. Impressive speeds and a solid security toolkit.
- ProtonVPN Quick, zero-logs service with a huge server network and a fantastic reputation. Gives you plenty of ways to stay safe while streaming adult content.
- PrivateVPN This privacy-first VPN offers exceptional unblocking ability, even working in places like China. Also has reliable speeds, plenty of customization, and a generous connection limit.
Many VPNs claim to work with watching porn but most (especially free VPNs) are often blocked.
We regularly test the top 70 VPNs with all major streaming sites and this list only includes VPNs which reliably unblock watching porn and offer a full money-back guarantee, allowing you to try them risk-free.
WANT TO TRY THE TOP VPN RISK FREE?
NordVPN is offering a fully-featured risk-free 30-day trial if you sign up at this page. You can use the VPN rated #1 for porn with no limits or restrictions for a month. Needless to say, this is great if you want to stream safely and anonymously.
There are no hidden terms—just let customer support know within 30 days if you decide not to keep NordVPN and you'll receive a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.
How we find the best VPNs for porn
Choosing the right VPN for the job depends on several factors. For instance, if you’re looking to access adult content, you’ll need one with consistently high speeds and a strong focus on privacy. To find the best VPNs for porn, we tested providers in the following areas:
- Access: Our experts examined each VPN’s network to see which had a large server presence in places where ID isn’t required to access adult content.
- Speed: Streaming is fairly data-intensive, especially if you have multiple high-quality videos queued up. We tested each candidate’s US servers to measure their speed and, equally important, their consistency.
- Security and privacy: We used 16 individual metrics for calculating security and privacy scores. This involved looking at supported connection protocols, encryption standards, and privacy policies, among other important things.
- Ease of use: Our team looked into how easy it was to sign up and cancel a subscription, then scored each VPN its quality of life features and overall reliability. In all, we rated providers on 10 different criteria.
- Value for money: We used eight unique criteria for gauging whether providers offered good value for money. This took into account the lowest possible price, how often each service goes on sale, and whether any discounts are available.
You can see a more detailed breakdown of this process, plus the results of our tests, in the methodology section at the bottom of this post. First, let’s take a closer look at the providers that made the grade.
Best VPNs to watch porn: at a glance
We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for porn.
No value | NordVPN | Surfshark | IPVanish | ExpressVPN | CyberGhost | PureVPN | Proton VPN | PrivateVPN |
Website | NordVPN.com | Surfshark.com | IPVanish.com | ExpressVPN.com | Cyberghost.com | PureVPN.com | ProtonVPN.com | PrivateVPN.com | Ranking for porn | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Popular Sites Unblocked | 95% | 88% | 85% | 86% | 85% | 80% | 87% | 85% | Simultaneous Connections | 10 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 8 | 7 | 10 | Free: 1, VPN Plus: 10 | 10 | Total number of servers | 7,164 | 3,200 | 2,400 | Undisclosed | 8,000+ | 6,000+ | 10,000+ | 200+ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best deal (per month) | $3.39 Up to 72% off 2 year plans | $2.19 86% OFF + 3 months free | $6.49 Best MONTHLY deal | $4.99 SAVE: 61% + 4 months free on 2 year plans | $2.19 SAVE 83% on the 2 year plan + 2 months free! | $1.99 85% off the 5-yr standard plan | $3.59 SAVE 64% on a 2-year plan | $2.00 Save 85% on a one year plan + 24-months free |
The best VPNs to access porn anywhere: In-depth analysis
Here’s a closer look at our top pick VPNs for accessing porn from anywhere:
1. NordVPN
Mar 2025
Unblocks PornTested Mar 2025
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 9.6 / 10 |
---|---|
Access: | 9.5 / 10 |
Ease of use: | 9.6 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 9.5 / 10 |
US speed: | 10.0 / 10 |
Value for money: | 9.5 / 10 |
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN is our top recommended VPN to unblock porn anywhere. This veteran provider operates 6,000+ servers (including several in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia Pacific) that allow you to access a wide range of porn sites abroad. Thanks to its obfuscated servers and brand-new NordWhisper protocol, it’s even a reliable option in places like China, the UAE, and Russia.

We tested the provider’s US servers three times over the course of a day to find out whether speeds were suitable for streaming in high resolution. The base speed of our connection without a VPN was 250 Mbps – the average US home broadband speed.
As you can see from the above, NordVPN was very quick. Overall, it averaged 197.34 Mbps, which was much faster than the combined average speed of the other providers in this article. In fact, this was actually the fastest VPN we tested.
So, how reliable is this service when it comes to streaming? As an experienced user, I can confirm that NordVPN works with just about every major streaming site, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Paramount+. These platforms have extremely powerful VPN-detection systems, so if you can access them, unblocking your favorite porn site simply won’t be an issue.
For the fervently privacy-conscious, NordVPN offers best-in-class encryption, a kill switch, a no-logs policy, and special servers that offer added security like double VPN and Tor over VPN. There’s even post-quantum encryption (on some platforms) and a Meshnet feature that’ll let you securely send files from one device to another.
NordVPN has apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS. Alternatively, you can follow manual configuration instructions to get it running on your home router.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want fast connections for high-resolution streaming
- You want access to servers across the globe
- You want advanced security and privacy features
- You want effective obfuscation to bypass VPN blocks
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You want port forwarding
BEST VPN FOR PORN:NordVPN is our #1 choice for streaming porn. It’s packed with strong security tools and boasts some of the highest speeds around. Connect up to 10 devices at once. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of NordVPN here.
2. Surfshark
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 8.8 / 10 |
---|---|
Access: | 6.0 / 10 |
Ease of use: | 8.9 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 9.5 / 10 |
US speed: | 9.9 / 10 |
Value for money: | 9.7 / 10 |
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark operates 3,200+ servers in over 100 countries. This means that wherever you are, it’s easy to get a low-latency, high-speed connection with unlimited bandwidth. Planning a visit to a country with repressive censorship? No problem: just activate NoBorders mode, and you’ll be able to access porn sites as though you were still back home. Best of all, Surfshark lets you secure every device you own.

Now, every VPN will reduce your speeds somewhat, and the impact tends to increase the further away your chosen server is. Luckily, Surfshark does a great job of minimizing speed loss. We tested its US servers three times while in the UK; here are the results:
Speeds averaged 195.34 Mbps overall, just a hair slower than NordVPN. This was still well above the combined average of the other providers we tested. It’s more than quick enough for watching adult content; you’re unlikely to notice any performance issues, even with multiple 4K videos loading simultaneously.
Users often mention that they’re impressed by how reliable Surfshark is when it comes to streaming. Our thorough testing revealed that it works flawlessly with platforms like Disney+, Netflix, and Hulu, among many others. It also allows you to torrent anonymously or play online games with friends in other regions, making this VPN an extremely versatile yet budget-friendly option.
There’s no need to worry about security, either. Surfshark uses powerful encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and automatic tracker-blocking to keep your browsing habits private. What’s more, it refuses to keep logs (a fact verified by several independent audits). We also really like that this VPN continues to innovate, adding periodic IP address rotation and upgrading its servers to improve its service.
Surfshark provides iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, and Linux apps. It can be manually installed on supported wireless routers.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want unlimited simultaneous device connections
- You’re looking for a cheap subscription
- One of your devices is running Linux
- You want a way to generate fake personas for website logins
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You want a VPN that isn’t based in a Nine Eyes country
BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is an inexpensive VPN that lets you stream just about anything, from just about anywhere. Boasts strong security features and a no-logs policy. A 30-day money-back guarantee is included.
Read our full review of Surfshark.
3. IPVanish
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 8.7 / 10 |
---|---|
Access: | 6.9 / 10 |
Ease of use: | 9.4 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 8.9 / 10 |
US speed: | 8.7 / 10 |
Value for money: | 9.6 / 10 |
Website: www.IPVanish.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
IPVanish offers access to 2,400 servers worldwide and recently expanded its network to cover 100 countries on five continents. While it won’t work in countries like China, it’s still a great option for anyone who feels uncomfortable providing ID to access pornography. That’s because it’s a quick, newcomer-friendly service with no connection limit and the ability to access a ton of region-locked sites.

To find out what sort of speeds it was capable of, we carried out several tests while connected to its US servers. Our speed before connecting to a VPN was 250 Mbps – the average US home broadband speed. This ensures that our tests provide the most accurate, most representative results. Let’s take a look:
IPVanish performed well, with speeds consistently above 160 Mbps. Overall, it averaged 179.34 Mbps, which was more than the combined average speed of the other providers. Its speeds were fairly consistent, though they did dip slightly in the evening, which is to be expected. In short, IPVanish is a great option if you want to stream porn without lag, stuttering, or long periods of buffering.
Speaking of streaming, IPVanish works reliably with a whole host of popular services, from Amazon Prime Video to Netflix. It’s also extremely secure thanks to its uncrackable encryption, strict zero-logs policy, kill switch, tracker-blocking, and leak prevention tools. There’s even basic obfuscation for the OpenVPN protocol, although this isn’t strong enough to beat country-wide censorship, unfortunately.
If you want additional options for accessing adult content privately, IPVanish’s Advanced plan has you covered. In addition to the unlimited VPN, Advanced includes a secure cloud-based browser.
This ensures your browsing never touches your local network. Instead, everything happens on IPVanish’s remote servers, which you control remotely via a live video feed. This ensures that nobody can track your activities, and no traces are left behind on your device.
This makes the Secure Browser perfect for users who want total discretion, whether using a shared wifi network at home, or public wifi in a hotel. The remote browser also shields you from trackers, malware, and pop-ups, which are rampant on free adult sites.
Another big plus? You can choose from 10 different browsing locations, which helps access content that might be restricted in your country.
The only real limitation is that the cloud browser can only be used for 30 hours per month. This makes it better for occasional private browsing. If you need uninterrupted access or high-definition streaming, the full VPN is still the better choice.
Thankfully, you get all three services (VPN, secure browser, and cloud storage) for just $3.29, making it one of the best-value VPN bundles we have ever seen.
Subscriptions include slick apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. To install IPVanish on your Linux PC or router, you can just follow manual setup instructions.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want to stream porn without buffering
- You want unlimited simultaneous device connections
- You don’t want to spend much on a subscription
- You’d use a SOCKS5 proxy
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You’re connecting from China
- You feel unsure about using a US-based provider
UNLIMITED DEVICES:IPVanish users can connect any number of devices. An uncongested network that achieves great connection speeds. 30-day money-back guarantee on annual plans.
Read our full review of IPVanish.
4. ExpressVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 8.2 / 10 |
---|---|
Access: | 8.3 / 10 |
Ease of use: | 9.3 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 9.2 / 10 |
US speed: | 5.9 / 10 |
Value for money: | 8.4 / 10 |
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN goes the extra mile to prioritize user-friendliness. Its network spans an impressive 105 countries, and almost all of its servers are capable of accessing adult sites (except for those based in places where porn is blocked). Further, if this VPN realizes you’re somewhere with strict online limitations, it’ll automatically activate its obfuscation, allowing you to browse freely. In my professional opinion, this is one of the biggest things any VPN could do to improve ease of access to the wider internet.
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Slow speeds lead to all sorts of issues, from long loading times to videos that stop to buffer constantly. We carried out several speed tests to get an idea of how fast ExpressVPN was. You can see the results below.
Although slightly slower than the previous VPNs, ExpressVPN’s average speed of 141.34 Mbps is still more than suitable for interruption-free streaming. Notice how little its results varied at different times of day, too — this is a level of consistency most of its rivals can’t match.
ExpressVPN is able to reliably access most major streaming sites, including some (like Netflix or BBC iPlayer) that regularly stump its competitors. From a practical perspective, this means you should be able to use just about any adult site you like without any issues.
So, how does this service keep you safe? Its apps blend 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch (called a “network lock,” in ExpressVPN parlance). Its latest updates brought even more functionality, with the ability to block ads, shady sites, and trackers. Just be sure that the “block adult sites” option isn’t checked!
There are simple-to-use apps for Linux, Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. ExpressVPN is the only major service with its own router firmware.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want a smart DNS service
- You want network-wide protection via a router
- You routinely need to evade VPN blocks
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You’re on a tight budget
- You want the fastest connection speeds
LAG-FREE STREAMING:ExpressVPN is reliable, secure, and great at unblocking adult sites. Strong privacy features but remains easy for novices to use. It even offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of ExpressVPN.
5. CyberGhost
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 8.2 / 10 |
---|---|
Access: | 5.0 / 10 |
Ease of use: | 9.1 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 8.9 / 10 |
US speed: | 8.7 / 10 |
Value for money: | 9.5 / 10 |
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost has more than 10,000 servers across over 100 countries, all of which are RAM-only, meaning they delete all data when they’re rebooted. Users can choose a server manually or pick one that’s specifically optimized for maximum privacy, streaming, gaming, or torrenting anonymously. In other words, it’s a solid all-rounder that’s perfect for anyone new to the world of VPNs.
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The real question is whether this service is quick enough to provide you with the streaming experience you deserve. To find out, we tested CyberGhost’s US servers at three different times of day. You’ll find the results in the chart below:
CyberGhost averaged an impressive 180 Mbps, making it the third-quickest provider we tested. Further, its results were remarkably consistent, with just 13 Mbps of difference across all three tests. Needless to say, it’s fast enough to smoothly stream in HD or even 4K resolution.
When it comes to streaming, CyberGhost is one of the most reliable options on the market. It specifically tells you which servers are best for accessing sites like Netflix, ESPN, and Peacock. While there aren’t any specifically for unblocking porn sites, in our testing, the general-purpose servers worked just fine.
Let’s not forget about security. This provider boasts uncrackable AES-256 encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. It’s also capable of blocking ads, trackers, and malicious downloads automatically and steadfastly refuses to keep any logs whatsoever. If you’re interested in customizing your connection, you can set up automated routines, change the port used, or allow certain apps to bypass the VPN.
Apps are available for Android, Windows, Linux, MacOS, and iOS. The CyberGhost website provides step by step instructions for router configuration.
Buy this VPN if:
- You only want a VPN for streaming
- You want easy-to-use apps
- You want access to a vast server network
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You want to connect more than seven devices simultaneously
- You’re connecting from China
VALUE AND PERFORMANCE:CyberGhost is another good-value VPN that takes your privacy seriously. It offers high-speed encrypted connections, a no-logging policy, a strong focus on security, and a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Check out the complete CyberGhost review
6. PureVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 8.1 / 10 |
---|---|
Access: | 6.3 / 10 |
Ease of use: | 9.1 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 8.7 / 10 |
US speed: | 8.2 / 10 |
Value for money: | 8.1 / 10 |
Website: www.PureVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 31 DAYS
PureVPN has 6,000 servers spread across 65 countries. Some of its servers are optimized for streaming, with shortcuts provided to popular platforms in the app. We’re big fans of how easy this service is to use, and particularly its automatic obfuscation. This will come in handy if you’re in a place like China, the UAE, or anywhere else that restricts access to pornography.

We tested PureVPN’s speeds multiple times over the course of a day while connected to its US servers. You can see the results in the table below.
PureVPN was fast, with speeds consistently above 160 Mbps and an average of 173.34 Mbps. It compared favorably against the combined average speed of the other providers, making it a great choice for streaming in high resolution.
When it comes to streaming, PureVPN is a solid choice. It has no issues helping you access popular region-locked apps like Netflix and works with a ton of adult sites too. It sometimes struggles with less popular platforms, but if you’re having issues, support staff are on-hand 24/7 over live chat.
This provider supports multiple secure protocols and uses effectively uncrackable encryption to help keep your online activities private. There’s also a customizable kill switch, leak protection, and an independently verified no-logging policy for additional peace of mind. PureVPN may not have as many advanced features as some of its rivals, but it does offer automatic tracker-blocking and split tunneling functionality.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. Not only that, it has a GUI-based Linux app and supports manual installation on most routers.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want always-on obfuscation
- You want fast connection speeds
- You want a cheap long-term subscription
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You want a built-in ad-blocker
- You want access to multi-hop servers
EASY TO USE:PureVPN is a reliable option for porn thanks to its strong security and steady speeds. Very beginner-friendly, with great streaming capabilities and 24/7 support. Offers a 31-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
Read our full review of PureVPN here.
7. ProtonVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 7.7 / 10 |
---|---|
Access: | 5.9 / 10 |
Ease of use: | 8.8 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 9.3 / 10 |
US speed: | 7.3 / 10 |
Value for money: | 7.4 / 10 |
Website: www.ProtonVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ProtonVPN offers access to 11,500 servers in more than 110 countries. It excels at evading detection and beating online restrictions, so whether you’re looking to access your favorite services abroad or just to stream porn anonymously, it’s got you covered. There’s a generous 10-connection allowance too, meaning you can protect all of your most-used devices simultaneously.

This is all very impressive, but it doesn’t mean much if ProtonVPN’s speeds can’t keep up. To find out how fast this service was, we carried out several speed tests while connected to its US servers.
The provider was consistently quick, with an average overall speed of 161 Mbps. This was roughly equal to the combined average speed of the other providers and a solid result. As well as being fast enough for streaming in 4K, ProtonVPN is great for torrenting, particularly as it allows port forwarding.
There’s no need to worry about anyone monitoring your activities when you use this service. That’s because ProtonVPN has effectively uncrackable encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch that stops you from browsing the internet unprotected after a connection outage. Better still, it automatically takes care of the ads that plague most adult websites.
ProtonVPN follows a true no-logs policy (something confirmed by four successive audits), which means there’s no way it could ever reveal details of your browsing habits. If you’re looking for even greater anonymity, you can pay in Bitcoin or cash or use one of the Secure Core servers (though these are quite a bit slower).
ProtonVPN supports Windows, Android, MacOS, iOS, and Linux devices. Further, it can be manually installed on home routers to protect every device on the network.
Buy this VPN if:
- Privacy and security are important to you
- You want access to a large server network
- You do a lot of torrenting
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You’re connecting from China
- You’re on a tight budget
AD-FREE STREAMING:ProtonVPN ensures you have the best possible experience by providing fast, reliable connections and automatic ad-blocking. Clearly values your privacy and works almost anywhere. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Why not read our comprehensive ProtonVPN review?
8. PrivateVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 6.6 / 10 |
---|---|
Access: | 6.4 / 10 |
Ease of use: | 8.6 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 8.6 / 10 |
US speed: | 1.2 / 10 |
Value for money: | 8.2 / 10 |
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN has servers in 63+ countries, though its overall server count is lower than the above providers. Nevertheless, it works well with a range of otherwise difficult-to-access streaming platforms, meaning you should be able to access popular porn sites with ease. Users can secure 10 devices at the same time, and customer support is available almost (but not quite) 24 hours per day.
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While it’s never been the quickest provider on the market, PrivateVPN generally provides decent performance. Still, it’s important to test regularly, as VPNs are constantly tweaking and upgrading their infrastructure. We tested PrivateVPN’s US servers at three times of day; you’ll find the results below:
PrivateVPN was one of the slower providers that we tested, but it is still fast compared to the vast majority of VPNs. With an average speed of 78.34 Mbps, you shouldn’t notice any problems when streaming porn, playing online games, or video calling, even if multiple people are sharing your connection.
When it comes to keeping you safe, this provider doesn’t compromise. It boasts adjustable encryption, a customizable kill switch, leak protection, and a stealth mode capable of bypassing the world’s strictest digital censorship. It’s also a good option for torrenting, as it allows port forwarding.
PrivateVPN has apps for iOS, Android, Windows, and MacOS. It supports Linux systems and routers, too, but requires manual installation.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want a low-cost subscription
- You want port forwarding
- You’re connecting from China
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You want access to a large server network
- You have a slow internet connection
SECURE AND PRIVATE:PrivateVPN scores well on security, privacy, and streaming abilities. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of PrivateVPN.
Recent VPN Product updates
VPN providers can’t afford to get complacent. Digital threats are constantly evolving, and streaming platforms are always looking for ways to improve their VPN-detection systems. That’s why regular updates and improvements are a necessity. Here are some of the most impactful updates our top VPNs have released lately:
NordVPN
- Released NordWhisper, its second custom protocol. Unlike NordLynx, which was designed to address issues with the WireGuard protocol, NordWhisper is designed to beat country-wide censorship (January 2025)
- Improved the Threat Protection feature by adding the ability to block malicious sites as well as ads and trackers (December 2024)
- Continued enhancing the Meshnet tool by removing file size limits, adding asynchronous transfer support, and making multiple tweaks to the interface (September 2024)
- Began rolling out encryption designed to thwart the next generation of ultra-powerful quantum computers (September 2024)
Surfshark
- Began offering dedicated IP addresses for a small additional fee alongside your subscription (September 2024)
- Upgraded its network to use 10 Gbps servers, with the goal of providing higher speeds and more consistent connections (September 2024)
- Launched its own data-breach alert tool that’s completely free to use (October 2024)
- Added split tunneling (the ability to let specific apps bypass the VPN) functionality to the iOS app (October 2024)
IPVanish
- Began offering an advanced plan that bundles the VPN with cloud file storage and a secure browser (October 2024)
- Added 50 new server locations and secured its spot as the VPN with the most server coverage in South American (October 2024)
- Introduced a tool that lets Android users check the safety of links before they open them (December 2024)
ExpressVPN
- Began offering free coverage for Rhino.fi users (September 2024)
- Launched a suite of identity theft protection and credit monitoring tools for users in the United States (November 2024)
- Rolled out an ARM-optimized app for Windows Copilot+ devices (September 2024)
Our VPN testing methodology
To find the best VPNs for watching porn, we tested them in several key areas:
Access
As the majority of users of the world’s largest porn sites are in the US, we scored VPN providers out of 10 on the number of US server locations they had. We also scored providers on the extent to which they had servers in locations where identification wasn’t required to access porn sites.
We combined these two scores to give an overall access score. You can see how the providers compared below.
NordVPN provides the best overall access to sites like Pornhub. ExpressVPN is a great alternative — though it’ll cost you more.
Speed
Constant buffering gets annoying fast, which is why we test each VPN’s speeds before making any recommendations. We carried out three speed tests in all: one in the morning, one at noon, and one in the afternoon.
Measurements are taken using the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app. We use a virtual machine with a download speed that’s rate-limited to 250 Mbps. This is the median average of fixed broadband speeds in the US, and thus, most likely to reflect the experience of the average user.
NordVPN was the fastest provider overall and fully up to tasks ranging from video calling to gaming or streaming in 4K. Good alternatives are Surfshark, IPVanish, and CyberGhost. All three providers achieved average speeds of around 180 Mbps or higher.
Security and privacy
If you’re using a VPN to stream porn securely, the last thing you want is for it to collect records of your online activity. Similarly, you don’t want one that suffers from DNS, WebRTC, or IPv6 data leaks. We evaluate providers against these and a range of other criteria, which you can see in the table below.
VPN Provider | Activity logs | IP logs | Encryption | Authentication | Keys | Perfect Forward Secrecy | DNS leak protection | IPv6 leak protection | Private DNS | Torrenting allowed | Kill switch | HQ outside 9 eyes | Obfuscation | Supported protocols | Anonymous payment options | Additional security features |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NordVPN | No activity logs | No IP logs | AES-128 or higher | SHA-384 | 4096-bit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | All platforms | Yes | Stealth | Own protocol | Multiple | Yes |
Surfshark | No activity logs | No IP logs | AES-128 or higher | SHA-512 | 4096-bit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Mobile app-level | No | Stealth | Secure protocols only | Multiple | Yes |
IPVanish | No activity logs | No IP logs | AES-128 or higher | SHA-256 | 4096-bit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | All platforms | Yes | Stealth | Secure protocols only | None | No |
ExpressVPN | No activity logs | No IP logs | AES-128 or higher | SHA-512 | 4096-bit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Mobile app-level | Yes | Automatic | Own protocol | Multiple | No |
CyberGhost | No activity logs | No IP logs | AES-128 or higher | SHA-256 | 4096-bit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | All platforms | Yes | Stealth | Secure protocols only | Multiple | No |
PureVPN | No activity logs | No IP logs | AES-128 or higher | SHA-256 | 4096-bit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Some platforms | Yes | Automatic | Secure protocols only | One | No |
Proton VPN | No activity logs | No IP logs | AES-128 or higher | SHA-512 | 2048-bit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | All platforms | Yes | Stealth | Secure protocols only | One | Yes |
PrivateVPN | No activity logs | No IP logs | AES-128 or higher | SHA-256 | 2048-bit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Some platforms | Yes | Stealth | Secure protocols only | One | No |
We assign points for each data point so that we’re left with an overall score out of ten. This makes it easier to compare providers.
NordVPN and Surfshark score particularly highly in security and privacy, combining strong encryption, effective obfuscation, and fully audited no-logs policies. ProtonVPN is an excellent alternative.
Ease of use
Nobody likes needlessly complicated software or unhelpful customer support.Our team of experts evaluate VPNs on numerous criteria to find out which is the most beginner-friendly overall:
VPN Provider | Apps for all major platforms | Novice-friendly design | Ease of signup (reviewer to score) | Router support | Unblocking consistency | Task specific servers | Network | Ease of cancellation | Interface | Feature parity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NordVPN | Yes | Yes | 5 (easy) | Standard | Great | Yes | 60+ countries | Very easy | Well-organised | Most features available on all versions |
Surfshark | Yes | Yes | 4 | Standard | Great | No | 60+ countries | Very easy | A little cluttered | Most features available on all versions |
IPVanish | Yes | Yes | 5 (easy) | Standard | Great | No | 60+ countries | Very easy | Well-organised | Most features available on all versions |
ExpressVPN | Yes | Yes | 5 (easy) | App | Generally works | No | 60+ countries | Very easy | Well-organised | All features available on all versions |
CyberGhost | Yes | Yes | 4 | Standard | Great | Yes | 60+ countries | Very easy | A little cluttered | Most features available on all versions |
PureVPN | Yes | Yes | 3 | App | Great | Yes | 60+ countries | Very easy | A little cluttered | Most features available on all versions |
Proton VPN | Yes | Yes | 4 | Standard | Great | Yes | 60+ countries | Very easy | Takes some getting used to | Most features available on all versions |
PrivateVPN | Yes | Yes | 4 | Standard | Generally works | No | 60+ countries | Very easy | Well-organised | Most features available on all versions |
We attached a certain number of points to each of the above criteria and then used these to create an overall rating out of 10 for each provider. NordVPN took the top spot with a score of 9.6. Its streamlined registration and cancellation processes certainly helped, as did its novice-friendly apps and reliable streaming ability. IPVanish came in second, while ExpressVPN took third place.
Value for money
When considering the best VPNs for porn, we knew price was going to be an important decision-making factor for a lot of people. That’s why we only recommend providers that offer good value for money. This includes fair subscription costs, generous simultaneous device connections, free trials, and money-back guarantees. You can see all the metrics we use in the table below.
VPN Provider | Money-back guarantee | Connection limit | Subscription terms | Sale frequency | Monthly pricing | Lowest price | Free trial available | Student discount |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NordVPN | Yes | 6+ | 3 terms+ | Frequently running deals | <$13 | <$5 | Yes | Yes |
Surfshark | Yes | Unlimited | 3 terms+ | Frequently running deals | <$10 | <$5 | Yes | Yes |
IPVanish | Yes | Unlimited | 3 terms+ | Frequently running deals | <$13 | <$5 | Yes | Yes |
ExpressVPN | Yes | 6+ | 3 terms+ | Frequently running deals | $15+ | $5+ | Yes | Yes |
CyberGhost | Yes | 6+ | 3 terms+ | Frequently running deals | <$13 | <$5 | Yes | Yes |
PureVPN | Yes | 6+ | 3 terms+ | Frequently running deals | <$13 | <$5 | Yes | No |
Proton VPN | Yes | 6+ | 3 terms+ | Frequently running deals | <$10 | $5+ | Yes | No |
PrivateVPN | Yes | 6+ | 3 terms+ | Frequently running deals | <$10 | <$5 | Yes | No |
Scores for each metric are combined to produce a total score out of ten, which we can use to conveniently compare providers.
Surfshark is the best value for money out of the providers we tested, though IPVanish is a good second-best. Both allow unlimited device connections and good-value long-term subscriptions.
How to unblock porn sites with a VPN
Here’s how to unblock and safely access porn by using a VPN:
- Download and install a VPN app on your device. NordVPN is our top recommendation.
- Sign in to the VPN app.
- Select a server location and connect. We’d recommend choosing a nearby country where porn isn’t censored. This will change your IP address and hide your location.
- Open private browsing or “incognito” tab in your web browser. Note that this doesn’t protect you from ISP snooping, it just prevents your activities from being saved in the browser’s history.
- Open your favorite online porn site and start watching! Neither the website nor your ISP will be able to track you.
The VPN service you signed up for may include a kill switch. If it does, you want to make sure you keep this enabled. This will ensure that if the VPN server drops, your connection will be cut, preventing any data leaking outside your VPN connection. Choosing a service with a kill switch is particularly recommended in countries that carry harsher penalties for accessing adult content.
Using a free VPN to unblock and stream porn
We don’t recommend using a free VPN for unblocking and streaming porn.
First, their networks won’t be as robust as paid alternatives. Often, free services have a limited choice of servers, so they are over-subscribed and can rarely offer the speeds required for streaming. They also lack the unblocking capabilities necessary if you are trying to access a geo-restricted website.
Another reason why we don’t recommend free VPNs for unblocking porn is due to their sometimes dubious data handling policies. Not all free VPNs harvest your data, but many do and will sell it to third parties.
If you don’t want to spend cash on a VPN for porn, why not take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee that many premium services offer. This allows you to try before you buy. So, providing you follow the instructions on their website and apply for your money back within the period, you can unblock porn sites without parting with your cash.
All of the VPNs we recommend above offer a money-back guarantee.
Why use a VPN in countries where porn is legal?
If you live in a place where there a no restrictions on accessing adult content, there could still be benefits from using a VPN for porn. Depending on the site you visit, it could contain malicious adverts or overly aggressive tracking. These can be used to track your future online activity and even infect your device with adware.
Your ISP can also track what you watch online, in addition to the sites you visit. They can gather this behavior data to compile a profile of your online activities.
By changing your real IP address to one shared with dozens of other users, a VPN makes you virtually untraceable. IP addresses are usually unique, so they’re often used to serve advertisements to users. By simply connecting to a VPN before you watch porn, it becomes much more difficult for advertisers and ISPs to track you.
Map of internet porn restrictions
The rules regarding pornography vary from country to country. It’s difficult to give a straightforward “illegal” or “not illegal” because of various factors. Porn might be blocked but not illegal. The rules might apply to hardcore but not softcore or “artistic” material. Enforcement might be so lax that while porn is illegal according to the law, it’s effectively legal in practice. Regulations might also vary between provinces or cities.
With that said, here is a helpful map that can point you in the right direction, courtesy of Wikipedia:
In the USA, several states have passed laws that require users to verify their age to access porn sites. This requires you to upload proof of identity, which is obviously terrible for your privacy. In response, many porn sites simply deny access to users from those states, rather than complying with the law. A VPN can get around these restrictions if you connect to a state where such laws don’t exist.
Using a VPN to access porn in restricted US states
At the time of writing, 19 US states have passed legislation requiring users to verify their age before accessing adult content. These are:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nebraska
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
So what does this mean for the average user? Well, these laws prevent users from privately accessing major porn sites, including Pornhub, Redtube, and XHamster. Rather than comply with these laws, Pornhub and Redtube now block users with IP addresses from those states, while XHamster requires you to upload a copy of your ID. You can bypass the blocks and age verification by connecting to a VPN in another state.
These laws aim to shield minors from accessing pornographic material due to concerns over its impact on human brain development, self-esteem, and mental health and its alleged links to increased demand for illegal activities.
Some adult sites like Pornhub have chosen to shut down their sites in those states to avoid collecting user’s personal data. This means that anybody visiting the site from an IP address in a restricted state will now be served an error message that says something like:
“We have made the difficult decision to completely disable access to our website in Texas. In doing so, we are complying with the law, as we always do, but hope that governments around the world will implement laws that actually protect the safety and security of users.”
If you want to watch porn in one of these states follow these steps:
- Choose a VPN recommendation from this page. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
- Subscribe to the VPN and install the software.
- Connect to a VPN server in a state without porn restrictions, such as California or Pennsylvania.
- Navigate to your preferred site. You should be able to watch as normal, without any restrictions.
Best VPN for porn: FAQ
Will using a VPN for porn slow down my internet connection speed?
All VPNs will slow down your connection to some degree, but you are less likely to notice it with a fast VPN. All of the VPNs we recommend offer sufficient bandwidth to stream video in HD and even 4K.
Video streams sent from websites to your device have to first pass through the VPN server, adding an extra hop along the way. On top of that, the VPN app on your device must decrypt the video data as it reaches your device. Both of these factors contribute to a slight decrease in overall speed—expect about 5 percent depending on your device and distance from the VPN server.
Free VPNs typically have more users than their servers can reasonably handle. You’ll be competing for bandwidth and probably won’t get enough to stream in decent quality without buffering when using a free VPN.
How do I anonymously watch porn?
A VPN will allow you to privately watch porn, hiding the contents of your connection from your internet service provider and anyone else who might be listening in.
But porn sites can still track you. Even with your true IP address hidden by the VPN, websites can still place cookies on your web browser. Cookies are used to track repeat visitors, and tracking cookies can remain active even when you move on to other websites.
To watch porn anonymously, turn on the VPN and use your web browser’s private browsing or incognito mode. This will prevent websites from reading or placing cookies.
What’s the best country to set my VPN to for porn?
Choose any country where access to porn is unrestricted and service providers have no data retention requirements to store your browsing history. The United States and Canada are not bad options (if you avoid the US’s restricted states), and most VPNs operate fast servers there. Stay away from servers in the UK, Singapore, and most Muslim-majority countries.
In truth, if your VPN is secure and the provider keeps no logs, you should be able to unblock porn from any country where it isn’t censored by internet service providers.
Can I use a VPN to watch porn on my phone?
Yes. All of the VPNs we recommend make apps for both iOS and Android. They typically come with the same features, performance, and privacy of their desktop counterparts.
Can my ISP see that I'm watching porn?
Yes. Your ISP handles all your traffic and DNS requests and knows the names of the domains you visit, including if you visit any adult websites or pornography.
In some countries, ISPs must even retain records of each user’s web visits for the government, which means that it has a detailed profile of all your web visits in its database. In the US, that web browsing information may even be shared with third parties to create a profit.
Most people would prefer their ISP not to have a record of the pornography websites they visit. After all, this is private information that it is not necessary for ISPs to know about.
The good news is that you can encrypt your internet traffic using a VPN. A VPN proxies your DNS requests and internet traffic inside a secure tunnel. This prevents your ISP from knowing what you are doing online.
As a result, ISPs cannot profile you or retain mandatory data retention logs on behalf of the government. This gives you complete privacy online when visiting pornography or doing anything else.