Best VPNs for Ireland in 2024 for security and speed

Online security is more vulnerable than you might think in today’s digital age. Every click, search, and streamed video are all potential entry points for unwanted intruders. In this article, we will show you how to unlock a world of unrestricted content in Ireland. With a VPN, you can take control of your online security and content access, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable online experience.

Introducing the top VPNs for Ireland – a potent tool for the contemporary Celtic web user. We’ve discovered the pivotal role of VPNs through thorough research and rigorous testing. They not only shield your internet traffic with encryption, but also offer unique benefits tailored for the Irish audience. Imagine accessing your favorite Irish content from anywhere in the world, without any regional restrictions.

Have you ever been annoyed by the ‘content not available in your region’ message when trying to access Irish content while abroad? A VPN for Ireland is the answer. It’s as simple as clicking a button. By hiding your real IP address and replacing it with one from the main cities in Ireland, you can unlock a world of content that was previously inaccessible. Imagine enjoying your favorite streaming platforms from any corner of the globe, without any hassle.

And for those on the go, we’ve distilled our exhaustive research into a concise list of the best VPNs for Ireland. Rest assured, your online security and content access are never compromised with these VPNs:

1. NordVPN: Our #1 choice VPN for Ireland! A very fast VPN with an expansive network and strong unblocking capabilities. Premium features are designed to protect your online privacy, including apps for all major platforms and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Ireland.
2. Surfshark: The best budget Ireland VPN. Decent speeds. Works with most major streaming sites, including Netflix US, RTE Player, and Amazon Prime. Unlimited bandwidth and unlimited devices supported.
3. IPVanish: A speedy VPN that boasts a range of security features and allows ten simultaneous connections. Access your favorite content in Ireland or anywhere in the world.
4. ExpressVPN: Aa great VPN for streaming content and unblocking websites in Ireland. Strong encryption and a no-logs policy make it easy to stay anonymous online.
5. CyberGhost: Thousands of servers and the ability to unblock major streaming platforms or bypass censorship worldwide. Works with Irish platforms like RTE player and doesn’t keep connection logs.
6. PrivateVPN: Fast, reliable, and able to access online services like Netflix Ireland abroad. A real focus on security makes this one of the safest VPNs on the market.
7. PureVPN: A cheap and effective VPN for Ireland. Strong encryption, bypasses geo-blocks, has port forwarding, and allows up to 10 simultaneous devices.
8. ProtonVPN: Highly secure, reliable VPN. Servers in Ireland and 85+ other countries. Works with Irish and international services. 24/7 chat support.

The best VPNs for Ireland: Our hands-on review

We’ve tested and compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Ireland.

Best VPNs for Ireland

Choosing which VPN to use can be difficult as so many different services are vying for your attention. We researched services meeting the criteria below when finding the best VPNs for Ireland:

• Provides high speeds and stable connections
• Offers an expansive network and at least one server in Ireland
• Uses powerful encryption and includes additional security features
• Has apps for the most popular operating systems
• Doesn’t log any information that could identify you

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for Ireland:

1. NordVPN

Nov 2024

NordVPN is fast enough to stream live HD content with no interruptions. It has more than 6,200 servers spanning 111 countries, with 30+ in Ireland alone, perfect for watching Irish TV. In addition to providing servers optimized for anonymity and P2P file-sharing, this VPN is capable of reliably accessing sites like Netflix, RTÉ Player, and Amazon Prime Video from anywhere in the world.

This service puts a major emphasis on your privacy. It uses 256-bit encryption and protection against DNS, WebRTC, port-forwarding, and IPv6 leaks by default. There are also more advanced features like dual VPN, Tor over VPN, ad-blocking, and malware-scanning functionality. With various cryptocurrencies accepted and no logs kept, this VPN enables you to register and browse almost completely anonymously.

NordVPN has apps for Linux, Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. It works with network routers but must be configured manually.

BEST VPN FOR IRELAND:NordVPN is our #1 pick for Ireland. It’s ultrafast, security-conscious, and keeps no logs. Better still, it comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark has more than 1,000 servers in 60+ countries including Ireland. This service is known for its exceptional unblocking ability. Accordingly, you’ll be able to use platforms like BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video, regardless of where you are in the world. Better still, unlike most VPNs, Surfshark has no connection limit, which means you can secure every device you own with a single account.

This service’s security features include 256-bit AES encryption, protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks, and a kill switch (in every version of the app). Ads and malware are blocked automatically, and if you visit a country with strict online censorship, the NoBorders feature will let you browse freely again. Surfshark doesn’t log any data that could identify you although you can pay in Bitcoin, Ripple, or Ethereum if you’d prefer another layer of privacy. Customer support is on hand 24/7 over live chat to address any issues you might have.

Surfshark has apps for Android, Windows, iOS, MacOS, and Linux. It can be manually installed on supported network routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is a cheap and versatile service that easily unblocks major geo-blocked services abroad. More importantly, it gives you the tools you need to do so safely. Boasts a no-logs policy, decent speeds, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish is perfect for people looking to protect their whole household: it allows any number of connections while most of its rivals permit between three and six. This VPN has more than 1,100 servers across over 60 countries, including several in Ireland, allowing users to gain a low-latency connection wherever they are. Further, IPVanish is fast enough to stream HD content with no noticeable buffering.

Considering its apps are so lightweight, a good degree of security is built in. There’s 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch, for instance, as well as local traffic blocking. You can even choose to obfuscate OpenVPN traffic or switch IP addresses at regular intervals. There’s no need to worry about being tracked either as IPVanish doesn’t log any personally identifiable information.

IPVanish apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Firestick. After manual configuration, it even works on Linux systems and some wireless routers.

PROTECT ALL OF YOUR DEVICES:IPVanish boasts high speeds, exceptional multi-platform support, and a few unique security features, making it ideal for those who use multiple devices to access the internet regularly. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN offers access to over 3,000 high-speed servers across 94 countries, including Ireland. It has excellent multi-platform support and can be installed on routers relatively easily. Additionally, this service can access some of the most popular streaming platforms, like BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and ITV Hub.

ExpressVPN uses 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks to keep your traffic hidden at all times. This service doesn’t record any personally identifiable information and accepts Bitcoin, allowing for anonymous signup. Customer support is available 24/7 over live chat in case of any problems.

This VPN comes with apps for MacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. It can be quickly and easily installed on some routers using ExpressVPN’s custom router firmware (or an alternative).

HIGHLY VERSATILE:ExpressVPN is a strong all-rounder. It’s fast, has a large server network, and unblocks a wide array of geo-blocked services. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has 20+ Irish servers for an Irish IP address, and over 8,000 more throughout 89+ other countries. Users can choose not just which country they’d like to connect to, but also (in some locations) which city. There’s even a list of servers designed for accessing popular streaming services like Netflix, Sky Go, and BBC iPlayer, which makes watching your favorite shows abroad extremely simple.

CyberGhost includes a kill switch in both its mobile and desktop apps, ensuring you never have to browse unprotected. It uses 256-bit encryption by default, prevents WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leaks, and even offers automatic malware-scanning and ad-blocking features. This service does not log any personally identifiable information and accepts Bitcoin. If you need help, support can be reached over live chat, 24/7.

CyberGhost includes apps for Windows, Android, MacOS, Linux, and iOS devices. It can be manually installed on select internet routers.

Beginners' choice:CyberGhost is fast, secure, and inexpensive. Best of all, it’s extremely easy to use, even if you’re not particularly experienced with computers. Includes a 45-day money-back guarantee.

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6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN can reliably access major streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer abroad. It might not have the largest network (fewer than 90 servers in 57 countries), but it is faster than many competitors; you can stream live HD video without stuttering or buffering. As a bonus, PrivateVPN allows up to six simultaneous connections.

This VPN keeps you safe using 256-bit encryption as well as DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leak protection. It boasts a no-logs policy so you can rest assured your activities can’t be traced back to you. Bitcoin is accepted, though, so if you’re still not convinced, you can sign up anonymously using a disposable email address. The customer support team is particularly helpful, and can even remotely connect to your device (with your permission) to install the software for you.

PrivateVPN offers MacOS, iOS, Windows, and Android apps. It works with Linux systems and supported routers, although you’ll have to configure the service manually first.

STRONG GENERAL-PURPOSE VPN:PrivateVPN boasts better-than-average speeds and the ability to unblock some of the most popular streaming platforms. It’s highly secure, with a zero-logs policy for added peace of mind. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

7. PureVPN

PureVPN is an exceptional option if you want a cheap VPN with servers in Ireland. Its competitive pricing starts at only US$1.96 per month, and this will provide you with access to servers in Ireland and 65+ other countries around the world. This makes it perfect for accessing local Irish services like RTE, Volta, and IrishEyes.tv. It also works to watch international platforms like Netflix US, Hulu, and HBO Max.

Designed for a range of devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, PureVPN is versatile for both home and public wifi use. It’s particularly beneficial for Irish expats or travelers needing to access Irish streaming services and other regional content, as well as those within Ireland looking to bypass restrictions at work or school.

PureVPN ensures user privacy with strong encryption, facilitating the bypass of geo-restrictions with its Irish IPs. Its use of the WireGuard protocol enhances the experience for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and private video calls. Security is bolstered by features such as a no-logs policy, a kill switch, multiple protocols, DNS leak protection, and AES encryption.

Although live chat support may have slow response times, the overall value and effectiveness of PureVPN are impressive. The VPN offers a 31-day money-back guarantee, giving anybody ample time to test the VPN on their own devices and streaming services.

GREAT VALUE:PureVPN is cheap and effective for getting an Irish IP address. It works to prevent Irish ISPs from tracking your web visits and will protect against hackers on public WiFi. Strong encryption means you can bypass blocks at work without being found out. Port forwarding is available for torrenting as an optional extra. 31-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

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8. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a highly trusted and reliable VPN developed by the same team responsible for Proton Mail. Its Swiss base means the VPN benefits from excellent privacy laws, and as you would expect from such a reputable brand – it includes a fully audited no-logs policy.

ProtonVPN has apps for all platforms that are equipped with strong security features like AES encryption, a kill switch, multiple protocols, obfuscation, multi-hop connections, and Tor over VPN, along with self-owned Secure Core servers in 60 locations. This makes it safe for any Irish internet user seeking robust online privacy, whether at home, at work, on campus, or using public wifi.

The VPN’s WireGuard protocol is fast and it connects faster than just about any other VPN. This makes it a reliable choice for Irish users in need of a VPN for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and private calls. Servers in Ireland provide local IP addresses for streaming RTE, or anything else that takes your fancy while on holiday. You can also connect to servers in 85+ countries, and those servers work to watch iPlayer, Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, and dozens of other international platforms.

ProtonVPN is great for torrenting, offering split tunneling and port forwarding. It also provides 24/7 live chat support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee allows users to trial the service. The only drawback is that it is a touch more expensive, so it is probably going to be better suited to people who need all its advanced features.

FULLY FEATURED:ProtonVPN is a highly secure and reliable VPN based in Switzerland. It has servers in Ireland and 85+ other countries. Performs exceptionally well for streaming Irish content and international services, including Netflix US. Has more advanced features than most of its competitors. 24/7 live chat support on its website. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

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Our methodology: How we chose the best VPNs for Ireland

Comparing multiple VPNs can be tricky but is well worth doing since every service is slightly different from its rivals. For instance, some prioritize speed above all else, while others focus on providing the strongest possible security. To ensure that we only recommend the best of the best, we came up with some characteristics that the best VPNs for Ireland must have:

• Network size and scale: Generally, the larger a provider’s network, the more reliable your experience will be. Additionally, having servers in more countries theoretically opens up the range of content you can access. We’d like to see some Irish servers available since nearby servers almost always provide the best speeds.
• Performance: You can have the most secure VPN in the world, but it’s useless if it’s too slow to browse. We run periodic speed tests to verify that our recommended services are fast enough for tasks like gaming, streaming, and torrenting.
• Unblocking capabilities: Some of your favorite services might not be available in Ireland. Don’t worry, though: we test each candidate on a wide range of platforms, including Hulu, Disney Plus, and HBO Max, to find out which services it can access abroad.
• Security and privacy: This is a key consideration, regardless of where in the world you are. To make our list, VPNs must offer a no-logs policy, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and 256-bit encryption. This is a minimum requirement, though; more sophisticated security tools (such as stealth modes) are always welcome.
• Ease of use: We look for providers with user-friendly apps that anyone can use. If there’s no connection limit, 24/7 support, or anything else that lowers the barrier to entry even further, that’s even better.
• Pricing: We’ll never recommend a service that charges more than it’s worth. As well as comparing price points to similarly-featured rivals, we highlight any available deals, discounts, or guarantees to ensure you never pay a cent more than you have to.

Believe it or not, this is only the first stage of our testing. If you’d like to learn more, we have a whole post dedicated to explaining how we test VPNs at Comparitech.

How to use a VPN for Ireland

Here’s how to use a VPN for Ireland:

1. Start by choosing a suitable VPN provider for Ireland (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the appropriate version of the app for your device.
3. Connect to a VPN server in your desired location. For instance, to unblock the RTÉ Player, you’d use an Irish server to get an Irish IP address.
4. Try loading a video on your chosen site. It should load straight away, but if it doesn’t, clear your browser’s cookies and cache, then reload the page.
5. If problems persist, contact your VPN provider’s customer support team for help.

Internet restrictions in Ireland

For the most part, users in Ireland can browse the internet without restriction. However, like in the UK, Irish ISPs block access to various file-sharing and streaming sites known for hosting unlicensed content. These include The Pirate Bay, Putlocker, RARBG, and EZTV. Further, while Eircom has had a three-strikes copyright violation policy since 2015, additional ISPs are poised to implement similar schemes in the near future. These policies will see users receive two warning letters if they’re discovered to be downloading copyrighted content, while a third violation will see their details given to the copyright holder.

There may be more restrictions on the horizon: The Times (paywall) reports that a bill set to block pro-anorexia and pro-suicide sites has cross-party support. While it’s hard to argue against blocking this kind of content, governments don’t seem to have realized that bypassing their often heavy-handed blanket restrictions is laughably simple with a VPN. In fact, one Pirate Bay proxy was (as of May 2018) the 115th most-visited site in the UK, despite the government having blocked the main site since 2012.

VPN for Ireland: FAQs