If you live in a country where VoIP apps like Zoom are blocked, you will need a good Virtual Private Network (VPN). Even in countries where Zoom is available, many internet users are interested in finding a Zoom VPN due to the security issues and vulnerabilities discovered in the last few years. With so many people using Zoom to communicate ā whether for personal or business reasons ā a VPN for Zoom has become an essential bit of kit.
A VPN encrypts your data and conceals your IP address from the online services you use ā including from Zoom. It also allows you to use Zoom without your ISP and the government finding out. Plus, a VPN gives you added security by protecting your data in transit with an extra layer of encryption. This helps to protect your conversations against eavesdroppers and hackers.
Not all VPNs have fast servers and robust enough security features to protect you adequately while making Zoom video calls. This means you must pick a provider with care. In this guide, we have explained why it is a good idea to use a VPN for Zoom. We also explain how to set up a VPN to use with Zoom and recommend the best Zoom VPNs to use.
What are the best VPNs for Zoom?
Below, you can see a quick list of the best VPNs for Zoom. Scroll down for in-depth summaries that will help you pick between them, and for a guide on how to set up and use a Zoom VPN.
Best VPNs for Zoom:
- NordVPN: The best overall Zoom VPN. A highly secure VPN with a no-logs policy and robust AES encryption. Lots of advanced VPN features, including a kill-switch and leak protection. Fast speeds for making video calls. 30-day money-back guarantee.
TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly. - Surfshark: Best Budget VPN for Zoom. Lets you use the VPN on an unlimited number of devices. Strong privacy features. Apps for all devices. No logs policy. Fast WireGuard connections.
- IPVanish: Consistently fast servers for smooth Zoom calls. Has an audited no-logs policy and allows unlimited simultaneous device connections. Split tunneling is available.
- ExpressVPN: A reliable VPN based in the British Virgin Islands. Strong on privacy. Robust AES encryption. Fast Lightway protocol is ideal for making Zoom video calls.
- CyberGhost: A superb option for beginners. Fast WireGuard protocol is great for making Zoom calls, streaming, and torrenting. 45-day money-back guarantee.
- Private Internet Access: A fast and secure US-based provider. Customizable encryption options. Over 10,000 fast servers in 65+ countries.
- PrivateVPN: A solid performer with excellent security and privacy features. Apps for all devices. Easy to use. Works with around 20 Netflix regions. Fast for making Zoom calls
Many VPNs claim to protect your privacy and offer a fast, reliable connection but most (especially free VPNs) limit your connection speed or leak information.
We regularly test the top 70 VPNs for security and speed and this list only includes VPNs which are fast, reliable and are highly rated for privacy and security. Plus we only recommend VPNs which offer a full-money back guarantee allowing you to try them risk free.
WANT TO TRY THE TOP ZOOM 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 Zoom without limits or restrictions for a monthāgreat if you want to gain extra online security and privacy when using Zoom.
There are no hidden termsājust contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn't right for you and you'll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.
How to gain privacy and security with a Zoom VPNĀ
Not all VPNs offer high levels of security and privacy. We have tested the market in search of VPNs that are suitable for making Zoom calls. All of our recommendations have secure apps and fast servers. They also have a money-back guarantee, which means you can try them risk-free. To help you out we have explained how to set up a Zoom VPN below.
Here’s how to use a VPN for Zoom:
- Pick a recommended Zoom VPN. We suggest NordVPN because it is fast enough to make video calls securely. Alternatively, you can try Surfshark, which is reliable and cheap, or IPVanish, an excellent all-rounder.
- Head over to the VPNās website and take out a subscription. You can get the VPN at the lowest possible cost by following our link to make use of our automated coupon code.
- Download the VPN app, install it onto your computer or mobile device, and log in using your credentials from sign up.
- Connect to a VPN server to encrypt your connection and conceal your IP address from Zoomās servers.
- Use Zoom as you normally would.
As soon as the VPN connection is established, your internet connection will be encrypted which helps to prevent any eavesdroppers or cybercriminals from snooping on your internet traffic. Remember that if you want the fastest speeds possible, it is a good idea to connect to a server that is nearer to you geographically.
The Best VPN for Zoom
There are many dozens of VPNs on the market, but they are not all fast and secure enough to make them a good idea for making Zoom conference calls. To help you out, we tested a large cross-section of the VPN market, slowly working our way down to the seven best VPNs for Zoom users. Below, we have included the most important criteria we looked for when comparing VPNs for Zoom.
- Fast servers suitable for making Zoom calls, streaming, torrenting, and other data-intensive tasks.
- Apps for all platforms to let you secure your calls on any device.
- Many security features, including AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch.
- A zero-logs policy that promises watertight privacy at all times.
- 24/7 live chat so that you can get help and ask questions at any time of day.
Later in this article, we will provide further details about how we test and recommend VPNs for Zoom. For now, you can use the summaries below to pick between the best VPNs for Zoom.
1. NordVPN
Nov 2024 works with zoomTested Nov 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN is a no-logs VPN service based in Panama that is both fast and secure. It has servers in 59+ countries and apps for all popular devices. This means you can easily use it to gain added security and privacy on Zoom no matter which device you happen to own.
The apps come fully featured with a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, obfuscated servers, double VPN, Tor over VPN, malware filtering, and a smart DNS service. This makes the VPN perfect for gaining online privacy no matter whether you connect to the internet at home, at work, or on public wifi.
This VPN is also ideal for gaining online freedom. Its servers have been tested and work to provide access to many geo-restricted services from around the world. It is also a superb choice for bypassing restricted social media sites or other censored content in countries that impose blocks.
We tested NordVPN to securely access Netflix and found it works with around 15 international libraries. It also works with services like iPlayer and Hulu. If you want to ask questions or get help with setting up the VPN you can contact the 24/7 live chat support. You can also test the VPN completely risk-free with its 30-day money back guarantee. Fantastic value for money.
Pros:
- Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee
- Fast servers in 59 countries
- Military grade encryption and a no-logs policy
- Router compatibility
- NordLynx protocol ideal for making Zoom calls
Cons:
- Some servers take a while to connect compared to others
Our score:
BEST VPN FOR ZOOM:Our top pick to use Zoom securely and without lag. Superfast NordLynx protocol is great for video conferencing, playing games, and streaming in HD. Works with Netflix, HBO Max, and many more. Zero logs policy. Lots of advanced features. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
works with zoomTested Nov 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is a service that has only been around since 2018. However, it has quickly risen to be one of the most trusted and respected VPNs on the market. The service is cheap despite being one of the most well-rounded services available for your money. It also allows you to use a single account on an unlimited number of devices, which means that you and your family can use it to protect all your devices and Zoom calls.
Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Firesticks, and browsers. Those apps are lightweight, well designed, and feature-rich. The main VPN clients have a kill-switch, obfuscation, malware filtering, ad blocking, split tunneling, AES encryption, and DNS leak protection. This makes the VPN extremely good for gaining online privacy and security.
Surfshark has over 3,200 servers in 65+ countries around the world, and it provides secure access to around two dozen different Netflix regions. It is also extremely fast due to its WireGuard implementation. This makes it the ideal low-cost VPN for making secure Zoom calls ā or for torrenting and streaming in HD.
Its live chat agents are available around the clock so that you can ask any questions you may have either before or after you sign up. Best of all, you can test the VPN risk free thanks to its 30-day money back guarantee.
Pros:
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Super-fast WireGuard protocol for making Zoom calls
- Servers in 65+ countries
- Robust no logs policy and many advanced security features
Cons:
- Some servers are slower than others
Our score:
CHEAPEST VPN FOR ZOOM:Excellent value for money.Ā A consumer favorite on Reddit and TrustPilot. Super fast WireGuard protocol is fantastic for making Zoom calls, streaming, and gaming. Works with popular streaming services, including Netflix. Fast servers in 65 countries. Allows unlimited connections. 30-day money back guarantee.
Read our full Surfshark review.
3. IPVanish
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.IPVanish.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Weāve tested IPVanishās speed many times during its 10+ years of existence and it has consistently outperformed the vast majority of providers. It uses effectively uncrackable encryption to protect user-generated traffic and has an independently verified no-logs policy. All this makes it a great option for anyone hoping to place secure, private and good quality Zoom calls.
IPVanish allows split tunneling, and comes with a kill switch, public wi-fi protection, an ad and malware blocker, and free access to a SOCKS5 proxy. It is leak-free, which we checked ourselves by performing IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests.Ā
Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and FireTV. An IPVanish connection can also be configured on any router that supports OpenVPN. Users in restrictive countries can bypass VPN blocks using the Scramble feature ā which obfuscates all user-generated traffic.
IPVanish works with a host of streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max. It has servers in 55+ countries, so there are always plenty of options for accessing new content.Ā
Subscriptions are competitively priced and subscribers can connect as many devices as they want simultaneously.
Pros:
- Very fast speeds
- Unlimited device connections
- Works with routers
- Obfuscation available
- Great for streaming
Cons:
- Based in the US
Our score:
LAG-FREE CALLS:IPVanish has consistently fast servers ideally suited for Zoom video calls. It has servers in 55+ countries and easy-to-use apps. Subscriptions include unlimited simultaneous device connections and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full IPVanish review.
4. ExpressVPN
works with zoomTested Nov 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN is a world-class provider that has maintained a stellar reputation for well over a decade. The VPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, a location that is ideal in terms of privacy. It is also a no-logs service that promises never to retain records of your activities while connected to its servers.
You can install and use Express on any device you own thanks to its versatile apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Firestick devices. It even has setup guides and a custom app for installing the VPN on select router models. Those apps come with a wealth of important privacy and security features that will help you to keep your online browsing and Zoom calls safe.
Users get access to kill-switch that cuts your internet as soon as the connection fails to ensure you never have to use the internet without the VPNās encrypted tunnel. It also has DNS leak protection, AES encryption (OpenVPN protocol), and obfuscation. This VPN is also incredibly fast thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol. And, it works to access around two-dozen Netflix regions.
We found ExpressVPN to have some of the best customer service agents on the market, and we love that they are always available 24/7 to let you ask questions about using or setting up any of the various apps. You can also compare it to any of our other recommendations yourself using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros:
- Over 3000 servers in 94 countries
- Strong privacy features, including a kill switch and AES encryption
- Advanced apps for all platforms and a no-logs policy
- Lightway protocol is perfect for making Zoom calls securely
- Works with Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, and many more
Cons:
- Quite expensive compared to our other recommendations
Our score:
HIGHLY RELIABLE:A performance-driven VPNĀ that offers high levels of online privacy and security. Plenty of servers worldwide to get the best possible speeds while video-conferencing. Super fast Lightway protocol is designed for tasks like making Zoom calls and streaming. Works with over 20 Netflix regions. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of ExpressVPN here.
5. CyberGhost
works with zoomTested Nov 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost is a provider based in Romania. This is a good place for a VPN to be located because the country has no invasive intelligence agencies or mandatory data retention directives to worry about. As a result, the VPN has a watertight no-logging policy and a track record of providing complete privacy for its many hundreds of thousands of subscribers.
The VPN has apps for all platforms that are very easy to use, which is why we often recommend this service to beginners. Despite being easy to navigate, the VPN has plenty of outstanding features to keep your data and Zoom calls safe. This includes AES encryption, DNS leak protection, a kill-switch, malware filtering, and ad blocking.
The VPN has also implemented the WireGuard protocol to give you even better speeds, and it provides unlimited bandwidth for all users on all servers so you can use it for torrenting, streaming, or making video calls securely on Zoom. In addition, this VPN works to access popular services like iPlayer and Netflix, which makes it a superb all-rounder.
In terms of servers, CyberGhost has an incredible 7000+ servers in 89 countries, allowing you to always avoid congestion no matter where you want to connect to in the world. It is also extremely generous, giving you a 45-day money-back guarantee to test the VPN or compare it to other options.
Pros:
- A choice of 7000+ servers in 89 countries
- Easy to use for beginners
- Apps for all devices with strong security and a no-logs policy
- Great speeds for making Zoom calls uninterrupted.
- Has a 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Fewer advanced features than our other recommendations
- Doesnāt work in China
Our score:
EASY TO USE:CyberGhost is a great VPNĀ for beginners. Fast WireGuard protocol is great for secure Zoom calls. Works with most popular streaming platforms, including Netflix. Servers in 89+ countries around the world. Can protect your privacy at home and on public wifi. No logs policy. Has a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
6. Private Internet Access
works with zoomTested Nov 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.PrivateInternetAccess.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a provider based in America that is known for providing high levels of online security. Despite being based in the US, which is the home of the NSA, the VPN has a strong reputation in the privacy community because it has proven its no-logging claims in court on more than one occasion.
The service has apps for all popular devices and they come with high levels of customization. This allows you to weaken or strengthen the encryption based on the security you require at the time. It also has DNS leak protection, a kill-switch, port forwarding (on specific servers only), ad-blocking, and WireGuard connections for even better speeds.
These features, along with its no-logging policy, make this VPN superb for bypassing censorship securely, for accessing websites or services that have been blocked on a local network, and for making Zoom calls with the added protection of the encrypted tunnel.
The only slight caveat with PIA is that it is not quite as good at accessing streaming services as our other recommendation. That said, it does work with around six Netflix regions, iPlayer, and some other popular international services. All we would say is that depending on which services you use, you may want to test its servers before you commit long term using its 30-day money back guarantee.
Pros:
- 10,000 servers in over 80 countries
- Highly secure and customizable encryption options
- Reliable apps for all platforms, with a kill switch and leak protection
- Allows you to connect up to 10 devices
- 30-day money back guarantee
Cons:
- Works with fewer streaming services than competitors
- Lacks obfuscation
Our score:
HIGHLY CUSTOMIZABLE:PIA provides fast speedsĀ and robust security for making Zoom calls. Lets you connect up to 10 devices simultaneously. Highly secure apps with encryption customization settings. WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols are both available. No-logs policy has been proven in court. SOCKS5 proxy. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
7. Private VPN
works with zoomTested Nov 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN is a service from Sweden that was started by privacy enthusiasts and activists who support Swedish consumersā right to torrent without being monitored. Since then, the VPN has become popular worldwide due to its high level of service and deep commitment to user privacy.
The VPN has a watertight no-logs policy, and it provides robust AES-256 encryption for all your data to prevent ISPs, local network providers, government snoops, and other eavesdroppers from tracking what you do online. Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. It also has set up guides for all those platforms and VPN-compatible routers.
The only drawback with PrivateVPN on paper is that it only has 250 servers in 63+ countries. However, while this may seem like few servers at first glance, it is worth noting that this VPN provides exceptional speeds for streaming, torrenting, and making Zoom calls. So whatever the VPN is doing to manage load and keep things running at peak performance is absolutely working.
This VPN is also one of the few providers that can give you access to around 20 Netflix regions, iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, and just about every other international streaming platform you can think of. This is also one of the few VPNs that has port forwarding, which makes it an ideal choice for torrenting
Pros:
- Fast for making Zoom calls securely and without connectivity issues
- Risk free 30-day money back guarantee
- Servers in 63 countries
- Works to stream around 20 Netflix regions
- Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android
Cons:
- Fewer servers in each country than our other recommendations
- Live chat isnāt 24/7
Our score:
STRONG ON PRIVACY:PrivateVPN provides excellent speedsĀ for making secure Zoom calls. Watertight no logs policy. Servers in 63+ countries. Allows torrenting throughout its network. Kill-switch and obfuscation. Perfect for streaming Netflix; and is an incredible streaming VPN all-around. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
Zoom VPN testing methodology
With so many VPNs on the market, it can be hard for consumers to pick a provider. Many VPNs use aggressive marketing techniques, which means it can be hard to know whether you are really getting what you pay for. This means that you must be wary when you see a VPN claim to be the fastest or most secure.
At Comparitech, we use a scientific VPN testing methodology to compare the worldās leading providers. We check the security provided by the service, test for IP and DNS leaks, try to access streaming services, and measure speeds. This allows us to confidently recommend VPNs for various use cases.
Below, we have included a list of the most important features we looked for when testing VPNs for Zoom:
- Apps for all platforms with strong military-grade encryption and a killswitch to ensure you always securely route data through the VPN tunnel
- Servers worldwide to let you get the best possible speeds for making Zoom calls.
- Allows you to bypass censorship and geo-restrictions to access services like Netflix, Hulu, iPlayer, internet banking, etc.
- A no-logs policy that ensures the VPN never retains any records that could be used to identify what you did while connected to the VPN
- Excellent customer service to help you with using the VPN at any time of day.
- Plenty of useful advanced VPN features, including obfuscation, split tunneling, DNS leak protection, malware filtering, ad blocking, and more.
Zoom VPN FAQs
Which countries block VoIP apps like Zoom?
Some countries block internet users from using VoIP apps like Zoom, Skype, and Whatsapp. They do this to prevent people from making private calls and to ensure that they have to spend money on regular phone calls. Below, we have included a list of countries where Zoom is known to be either blocked, restricted, or prone to being restricted.
- Belarus
- Burundi
- Central African Republic
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Iran
- Iraq
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Mali
- Nicaragua
- North Korea
- Pakistan
- Somalia
- Sudan and Darfur
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Ukraine (Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk regions)
- United Arab Emirates
- Venezuela
- Yemen
- Zimbabwe
Can I use a free VPN for Zoom?
No. Although there are some free VPNs available on the market, they are not really suitable for making regular Zoom calls. Free VPNs are oversubscribed and they have few servers that become congested easily. This makes free VPNs slow, which results in poor quality Zoom calls and connection issues, including dropped calls. In addition, free VPNs often impose bandwidth limits and download caps. This makes it impossible to use a free VPN for making regular Zoom calls because you will suffer constant connectivity issues and find yourself being cut off during important calls.
Besides these performance issues, free VPNs are a bad idea due to the fact that they have invasive privacy policies that allow them to profit from their users. To this end, free VPNs harvest user data, including information about their online habits. They use this personal information to profile users and sell data to third parties, such as marketing companies and data brokers.
Furthermore, free VPNs have been found to lie about the security levels they provide. Studies have revealed that free VPNs often have weak encryption, and sometimes even no encryption at all. This means they are giving you a false sense of security while completely failing to protect your internet connection against eavesdroppers.
Other studies have shown that free VPNs suffer from critical app or server vulnerabilities, have severe IP and DNS leaks, serve users invasive ads, inject code into browsers for advertising purposes, and even hide malware in their apps.
Is it safe to use Zoom without a VPN?
Over the last few years, multiple instances of vulnerabilities being exploited by hackers have led to concerns over the Zoom platform. In addition, concerns have been raised over the companyās ties to China and the potential that any data that is processed on Chinese servers might be subjected to espionage.
For added transparency over the privacy and security concerns surrounding Zoom, we have included a list of previously-discovered security issues, below. In our opinion, this makes it a good idea to use a VPN with Zoom.
- Zoom harvests sensitive personally-identifying information such as your IP address, your phone number, device-level identifiers, and information, including details about your operating system.
- Hackers were discovered infiltrating Zoom calls, removing attendees from meetings, and sending fake messages that appeared to come from legitimate callers.
- Hackers were discovered hijacking shared screens to show unwanted, obscene, or otherwise nefarious content. In addition, a bug in the screen sharing feature was allowing users to access potentially sensitive information.
- Zoom was criticized for a lack of security that allowed hackers to easily disable anti-tampering measures. This resulted in cybercriminals being able to more easily create malicious versions of the Zoom app that were infected with malware.
- Zoom was found to be accidentally leaking users’ email addresses and photos to strangers.
- Zoom was found to have lied about providing end-to-end encryption.
- Zoom shared data with Facebook and Google without user consent or knowledge (even when those users did not actually have a Facebook account).
While these are serious issues, it is worth noting that Zoom has been actively working to improve its platform and to plug any vulnerabilities that are discovered. Thus, the service is always in the process of moving one step in the right direction. In addition, the vast majority of users, including many businesses, have used Zoom up until now without any problems.
Despite this, it is really up to each individual consumer to decide whether they feel safe using Zoom. At Comparitech, we think it is an extremely wise choice to use a VPN with Zoom. A Zoom VPN will provide you with an additional layer of encryption for your calls, and conceal your IP address from Zoom whenever you use the service.
What else can a Zoom VPN do?
First and foremost, a VPN is an online privacy tool designed to prevent online tracking. The encryption and DNS privacy services provided by a VPN allow you to use the net without your ISP monitoring the websites you visit. This stops the ISP from being able to keep a detailed record of your web browsing history. It also prevents invasive communications metadata from being harvested that could potentially be used for surveillance purposes.
A VPN also conceals your IP address from the websites you visit. This prevents those websites from tracking you each time you return to their site. This increases your privacy but also provides the opportunity to gain added freedom online. Below, we have included some of the things you can do by connecting to a VPN:
- Access geo-restricted internet banking, government services, and other important region-locked internet services while abroad.
- Watch your usual streaming platforms and TV services while on vacation. This includes accessing services like Netflix US from abroad.
- Watch foreign sports competitions, and get access to foreign sports platforms like BeIN Sports.
- Access game servers from overseas to play with different opponents. You could even purchase games cheaper in a different region.
- Bypass online censorship imposed by the government to access restricted news, educational resources, and social media sites that have been blocked.
- Use VoIP services that have been blocked by overreaching governments in countries like the UAE and Egypt.
- Use online gambling sites, poker sites, and online casinos securely from anywhere in the world.
- Bypass restrictions on wifi networks to access websites and services that have been blocked on public hotspots, at work, in school, or anywhere else.