Best VPNs for Syria in 2024

Syria has some of the most repressive internet censorship in the world, with widespread surveillance and prison terms for anyone spreading “false news”. In fact, it received a score of 17/100 in Freedom House’s 2020 report, earning a ‘not free’ rating, and has barely improved since. As such, we strongly recommend using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to keep yourself safe and hide your online activities from the government when in the country.

VPNs encrypt your internet connection, rendering your traffic unreadable to anyone who might be watching. They also change your IP address, making it harder to trace your activities back to you. As user data is sent through a server elsewhere in the world, VPNs can help you access sites that are normally blocked in Syria, such as human rights organizations and sources of unbiased information like Wikipedia.

In this article, we’ll list the top VPNs for Syria, explain how to use them, and answer some common VPN questions. We’ll start with a quick summary, but scroll down for a more detailed review of each.

The best VPNs for Syria:

1. NordVPN: The #1 VPN for Syria. Offers lightning-fast speeds, a proven no-logs policy, and servers designed to provide online freedom in countries with extreme censorship. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: The best budget VPN to use in Syria. Has plenty of advanced features, no simultaneous connection limit, and 24/7 customer support.
3. IPVanish: A fast, zero-logs provider that can secure every device you own. Beginner-friendly apps and around-the-clock support via live chat.
4. ExpressVPN: Uses automatic obfuscation to prevent the Syrian government seeing what you get up to online. Quick, reliable, and available on all platforms.
5. CyberGhost: A reputable VPN service with first-class performance and a strict no-logging policy. Can reliably access most geo-blocked sites from abroad.
6. PrivateVPN: Goes above and beyond to keep your online activities private. Doesn’t keep logs, and offers a stealth mode that’s ideal for Syrian users.

How we selected the top VPNs for Syria

Online activists in Syria are at risk of violence, imprisonment, or worse, so there’s no room for error here. Our experts carefully considered the most important features to ensure that we only recommend services capable of keeping your activities hidden while in Syria. Here are a few of our must-have criteria:

• Uses uncrackable encryption
• Doesn’t keep any logs that could identify you
• Can consistently beat Syrian internet restrictions
• Provides high-speed servers in multiple countries
• Permits multiple simultaneous connections
• Offers apps for all major platforms
• Lets you speak to support staff directly if any problems arise

You can read more about how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend in our methodology section below. For now, let’s take a look at the ones that made the cut. 

Best VPNs for Syria: 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 Syria.

Best VPNs for Syria

The following reviews are the result of our extensive real-world testing and first-hand experiences.

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

1. NordVPN

Dec 2024

NordVPN is our top choice VPN for Syria. It’s based in Panama, a country with no mandatory-data retention laws, and has proven its no-logs claims with multiple independent audits. There are more than 6,000 high-speed servers spread across 100+ countries, but we recommend using the obfuscated servers, which were expressly designed to beat repressive digital censorship.

Key features include 256-bit AES encryption, a customizable kill switch, and protection against IPv6 and DNS leaks. Additionally, NordVPN blocks ads, trackers, and malware automatically. This service accepts three forms of cryptocurrency and even gift cards, so it’s easy to sign up anonymously. Live chat is available at all times and in our experience, staff are more than happy to help resolve any issues you might have.

Apps are available for IOS, Android, Linux, Windows, and MacOS. There are also browser extensions and manual setup instructions in case you’d like to install it on your router. A basic plan allows for up to 10 simultaneous connections.

NordVPN speed test data

BEST VPN FOR SYRIA:NordVPN is our #1 choice. Combines fast speeds, numerous security features, a wide server network and exceptional unblocking capability. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.

Read our review of NordVPN.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is the best low-cost VPN for Syrian internet users. It has servers in 100 countries, far more than most of its rivals, and delivers very high speeds. More importantly, this VPN has been audited to prove that it doesn’t keep any logs. In addition to 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, it offers a few more powerful features. For instance, there’s automatic tracker-blocking and the ability to change your IP address periodically.

Our team found that Surfshark was able to reliably access most geo-blocked sites without any problems. As such, it’s a great choice for human rights activists, journalists, or anyone trying to communicate anonymously with people back home. Support is available 24/7 over live chat and best of all, Surfshark doesn’t have a simultaneous connection limit.

Surfshark has apps for Windows, Mac, Android, Linux, iOS, and Fire TV. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browser extensions are also available. Manual setup is required for use with compatible routers, however.

Surfshark speed test data

BEST VALUE VPN FOR SYRIA:Surfshark is the best budget VPN. Fast, reliable, and security-conscious, with servers in 100 countries. Doesn’t keep logs and allows unlimited devices. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

3. IPVanish

IPVanish has over 2,000 servers in around 60 countries and can protect every device you own simultaneously. More importantly, it follows a strict no-logs policy and can obfuscate your traffic (though only on OpenVPN connections for the time being). Thanks to its uncrackable 256-bit encryption, leak protection, and kill switch, you can browse safely without worrying about who might be monitoring your activities.

This service has spent a great deal of effort to improve its unblocking ability lately. It now works with a ton of geo-restricted platforms, though you may have to manually configure your connection if you’re browsing from a country with strict censorship. Still, support staff are happy to help with any issues, and you can reach out at any time using the 24/7 live chat service.

IPVanish offers apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS. Manual setup is needed for Linux systems and routers.

IPVanish speed test data

PROTECT YOUR DEVICES:IPVanish has high speeds and a few unique security features, making it ideal for those who often use multiple devices to access the internet frequently. 30-day money-back guarantee on annual plans.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a novice-friendly service that’s perfect for first-time VPN users. Your internet traffic is secured by 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch, plus malicious websites are blocked without you having to do anything. What’s more, ExpressVPN can tell if you’re in a country with repressive censorship and will turn on obfuscation automatically to keep your activities hidden.

This VPN has a strict no-logs policy. We know this for sure because it’s been verified by independent experts. There’s also around-the-clock customer support over live chat, and the website has detailed setup instructions in case the apps stop working while you’re in Syria. Up to eight simultaneous connections are permitted on monthly plans, but this increases to 10 if you sign up for a year or more.

ExpressVPN offers apps for Android and iOS, as well as desktop clients for Windows, Linux, and MacOS. This is the only major VPN with its own router firmware, making it as easy as possible to protect your whole home network.

ExpressVPN speed test data

HIGHLY RELIABLE:ExpressVPN is strong in all areas with fast speeds, comprehensive security and excellent customer service. It even acincludes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our review of ExpressVPN.

5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is another strong choice for anyone looking to keep their online activities hidden. There are more than 10,000 servers located in 100+ countries, including some in the company’s Romanian headquarters, far out of reach of the Syrian authorities. Crucially, this VPN doesn’t keep any logs and has been repeatedly audited to prove it. It also publishes regular transparency reports that reveal how many legal requests it has received each quarter.

Apps include 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks but that’s only the beginning. There’s also tracker-blocking, the option to connect over a random port, and smart rules that you can customize to have the service connect automatically in certain situations. Support staff are ready to help, day or night, over live chat.

CyberGhost is available on Android, Linux, iOS, Windows, or MacOS. A single subscription allows for seven devices to connect concurrently.

CyberGhost speed test data

FAST SPEEDS:CyberGhost is secure, fast and inexpensive. It’s very easy to use, even if you’re not very tech savvy. 45-day money back guarantee included.

Read our full user review of CyberGhost.

6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN focuses on delivering quality over quantity, which means the server offering is relatively small – with around 200 servers. However, these are strategically located in 60+ locations and are all owned and hosted by the company, meaning no other organization ever has access to your traffic. What’s more, PrivateVPN doesn’t keep any logs and offers a stealth mode specifically designed with beating censorship in mind.

Users can take advantage of 256-bit encryption, a customizable kill switch, and leak protection, but there aren’t a ton of other security options to configure. On the plus side, this service works with a ton of stubborn geo-blocked platforms including NBC, BBC iPlayer, and more, giving you plenty of ways to access unbiased information while in Syria. A basic plan allows for 10 devices to connect at the same time.

The provider offers apps for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.

PrivateVPN speed test data

FAST STREAMING:PrivateVPN is fast, reliable, and puts your privacy first. Strong unblocking ability and privacy tools plus a 30-day money back guarantee.

Read our review of PrivateVPN.

How to use a VPN in Syria

Don’t worry if you’ve never used a VPN before, the process is quite simple. Just follow the easy steps below, and you’ll be streaming and browsing securely in no time.

Here’s how to use a VPN for Syria in simple steps:

1. Decide on a provider that meets your requirements. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Once you’ve made up your mind, simply sign up with your credit card information. Some providers also accept PayPal, Bitcoin, and other payment methods.
3. Download the relevant apps for your device directly from the provider’s site.
4. Restart all devices once installation is complete.
5. Open your VPN app and use it to connect to a server of your choice – e.g., if you just want to browse securely, opt for a location close by; if you want a US IP address, connect to a server in the US.
6. Congratulations; your internet activity is now private and secure! If you’re struggling to connect, try clearing your browser’s cookies and cache before reloading the page.

Methodology: Choosing the best VPNs for Syria

The situation in Syria remains extremely volatile, with many websites inaccessible. Further, journalists frequently face violent retaliation for reporting on the country’s ongoing conflict. For this reason, not just any VPN will do. Here are the key areas we focused on when finding the best VPNs to use in Syria:

• Security tools: Your safety is our top priority. That’s why our top picks had to include 256-bit encryption (which is effectively uncrackable), a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. We strongly prefer services with stealth modes, tracker-blocking, and obfuscation features.
• Privacy protections: It’s vital your VPN follows a strict no-logs policy. This prevents them from revealing what you do online, even in the face of legal pressure. Ideally, services would have undergone third-party audits to prove their privacy claims, and provide at least one anonymous payment method.
• Performance: We’ve run hundreds of speed tests and can confidently say that the services above are quick enough and reliable enough for anything you have in mind.  
• Multi-platform support: Users must be able to browse safely on any device, from Android phones to desktop PCs. We also require providers to offer manual setup instructions, since updates to the government’s censorship tools may temporarily stop VPN apps from working properly.
• Ease of use: Digital privacy should be available to everyone. As such, we prefer VPNs with high connection limits, beginner-friendly apps, and quality of life features such as automatic obfuscation.
• Pricing: Our goal is to keep you safe, not to profit from a difficult situation. Our experts will never recommend services that overcharge, and will always let you know if there’s a free trial, money-back guarantee, or long-term discount.

We perform rigorous testing before we recommend any VPN. To find out more, read our full VPN testing process post.

Using a VPN in Syria: FAQs