If you made a Venn diagram of people who use Bitcoin and people who use VPNs, more than a few of those people would land in the overlapping center. We share an interest in technology and a preference for online privacy. So, it makes sense that many of the best VPN providers accept Bitcoin as payment to appeal to privacy-conscious users.
While not completely anonymous, paying with Bitcoin allows you to buy a VPN subscription outside the scope of banks and other financial institutions. The price of a subscription is pegged to the same dollar amount that you would spend otherwise and thus adjusts according to the current price of Bitcoin. In countries where Bitcoin is banned and exchanges are censored or monitored, a VPN can help bypass these obstacles and allow you to trade cryptocurrencies freely.
If you tread carefully, you can sign up and pay for a VPN without leaving any trace of who you are. We’ll discuss that further later and provide detailed reviews of the best VPNs for the job. In case you’re short on time, though, we’ll start with a quick summary.
The best VPNs that accept Bitcoin payments:
- NordVPN: The best VPN for Bitcoin payments. Veteran provider that does not skimp on privacy and digital security. Keep no logs of browsing activities. Vast server network. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly. - Surfshark: Fast and secure, with a no-logs policy and no connection limits. This low-cost service allows users to pay in Bitcoin and ensures you’re protected at all times.
- ExpressVPN: Solid commitment to protecting the privacy and security of its users. Allows Bitcoin payments and doesn’t require an email address. Super-fast servers in 105 countries. Also works in China and throughout the Middle East.
- PureVPN: A fast VPN that offers excellent value for money. Strong on privacy, accepts Bitcoin, and works with many streaming services.
- Private Internet Access: Solid security and privacy offering. Accepts crypto payments and allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
- CyberGhost: Good beginner’s option. Extensive server network of over 10,000 in 100+ countries. Fast server speeds, strong privacy features, and the ability to retain anonymity.
- PrivateVPN: Direct Bitcoin payments accepted (no third-party middleman). Scores top marks at unblocking geo-restricted content.
- ProtonVPN: Highly advanced VPN that accepts Bitcoin. Solid no-logs policy. Apps for all popular platforms. Works with Netflix US. Ideal for secure torrenting.
VPNs often claim to keep you safe and private online but many VPNs (especially free ones) leak information.
We regularly test the top 70 VPNs for security and this list only includes VPNs which keep you anonymous and don't track your activity. Plus we only recommend VPNs which 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 our top VPN for Bitcoin users with no restrictions for a month—great if you want to see what all the fuss is about before committing to a longer subscription.
There are no hidden terms or conditions—simply tell support staff within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn't right for you to claim a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.
How we selected the best VPNs for Bitcoin payments
There are a huge number of VPNs on the market, but they don’t all provide the same level of service and can’t all guarantee your anonymity. In order to find the best VPNs for you, we evaluated providers in the following areas:
- Speed: The fastest VPNs won’t significantly impact your download speed while connected (though they do all cause some reduction). To find out which were the quickest, we carried out several speed tests while connected to each provider’s US servers.
- Cryptocurrency options: We looked for VPNs that accepted Bitcoin payments and made the signup process as straightforward as possible. We additionally checked which providers accepted other cryptocurrencies, such as Ethereum and Ripple.
- Security and privacy: If you use Bitcoin, then it’s likely that security and privacy are important to you. To find the VPNs most able to keep your connection safe, we evaluated providers against 16 criteria.
- Ease of use: Using a VPN shouldn’t be difficult. To find the providers offering the most user-friendly services, we scored them against 10 different metrics.
- Streaming: Some VPNs allow you access to new content from your favorite streaming services. Unfortunately, many don’t — despite claims to the contrary. We used 10 different criteria to fully assess which providers were good options for streaming.
The above is just an overview. You can read more about how we test VPNs – and the results of those tests – in our methodology section below. First, let’s take a closer look at the providers that made the list.
Best VPNs for Bitcoin: 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 pick for the best VPN for Bitcoin payments.
| No value | NordVPN | Surfshark | ExpressVPN | PureVPN | Private Internet Access | CyberGhost | PrivateVPN | Proton VPN |
| Website | NordVPN.com | Surfshark.com | ExpressVPN.com | PureVPN.com | PrivateInternetAccess.com | Cyberghost.com | PrivateVPN.com | ProtonVPN.com | Ranking for Bitcoin: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Streaming Services | Netflix Amazon Prime Hulu BBC iPlayer Disney+ | Netflix Amazon Prime Hulu BBC iPlayer Disney+ | Netflix Amazon Prime Hulu BBC iPlayer Disney+ | Netflix BBC iPlayer Hulu | Netflix BBC iPlayer Hulu | Netflix Amazon Prime Hulu BBC iPlayer | Netflix Hulu | Netflix BBC iPlayer Hulu | Avg Speed (Mbps) | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 74 Mbps | 100+ Mbps | Activity logs | No identifying data | No identifying data | Devices Supported | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, Routers | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Chromebook, Routers | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV | Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, Android, Chromebook | Total number of servers | 7,164 | 3,200 | Undisclosed | 6,000+ | 1,000+ | 8,000+ | 200+ | 10,000+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best deal (per month) | $3.39 Up to 72% off 2 year plans | $2.19 86% OFF + 3 months free | $4.99 SAVE: 61% + 4 months free on 2 year plans | $1.99 85% off the 5-yr standard plan | $2.19 SAVE 82% on the 2 yr plan + 2 months free | $2.19 SAVE 83% on the 2 year plan + 4 months free! | $2.00 Save 85% on a one year plan + 24-months free | $2.99 SAVE 70% on a 2-year plan |
The best VPNs that accept Bitcoin payments
At Comparitech, we are committed to providing you with the best possible VPN advice. To do this, our team personally uses every provider and subjects them to rigorous real-world testing before we recommend them to you. The following reviews are based on those first-hand experiences.
Here’s our list of the best VPNs that accept Bitcoin payment:
1. NordVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
VPN Ratings:
| Overall score: | 9.7 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Cryptocurrency options: | 10.0 / 10 |
| Ease of use: | 9.6 / 10 |
| Security and privacy: | 9.5 / 10 |
| Streaming: | 9.2 / 10 |
| US speed: | 10.0 / 10 |
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN is our number-one choice VPN for Bitcoin payments. It accepts Bitcoin via BitPay for all of its plans, and those who use it still get the 30-day money-back guarantee. The only other information necessary to sign up is an email address.
NordVPN adheres to a strict zero-log policy. DNS and IPv6 leak protection come built in, as do two kill switches: one that allows you to block internet traffic across the entire device when the VPN connection drops and one in which you can specify which programs get cut off. On top of its normal servers, specialized servers include Tor over VPN, double VPN encryption, and anti-DDoS. 256-bit AES encryption is paired with perfect forward secrecy for an uncrackable tunnel.
In our speed tests, NordVPN was the fastest provider overall. It averaged an impressive 195.96 Mbps and was more than 89 Mbps faster than the combined average of the other tested VPNs.
NordVPN’s consistently fast speeds make it suitable for everything from gaming to streaming in the highest resolution available.
NordVPN has more than 7,000 RAM-only servers located in 118+ countries across the globe. It is a capable unblocker of geo-locked streaming channels. It works with the likes of Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. You can connect up to 10 devices at one time, making it a great option for a small household or office. US customers can also pay with cash at certain vendors.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want the fastest speeds available
- You want one-click access to the Tor network
- You want access to a huge server network
- You want powerful obfuscation
- You want a provider with an audited no-logs policy
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You want to pay using Bitcoin in the UK
BEST VPN THAT ACCEPTS BITCOIN:NordVPN is our top choice for users wanting to buy VPN with Bitcoin. Offers a robust network of servers. Strong security and privacy features. Allows up to 10 devices. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full NordVPN review here or check out the video review below.
2. Surfshark
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
| Overall score: | 9.4 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Cryptocurrency options: | 10.0 / 10 |
| Ease of use: | 8.9 / 10 |
| Security and privacy: | 9.5 / 10 |
| Streaming: | 9.2 / 10 |
| US speed: | 9.2 / 10 |
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is a high-quality, low-cost provider that allows users to sign up anonymously using a throwaway email address and Bitcoin, Ethereum or Ripple.
Surfshark keeps your traffic safe from snoopers using 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks. There’s also a split tunneling functionality and a NoBorders mode that helps bypass especially stringent web filtering in places like China.
Speed-wise, the provider is very quick — as you can see from the chart below.
Surfshark averaged 182.2 Mbps overall, which was more than 73 Mbps faster than the combined average speed of the other tested providers. It’s an excellent choice for anyone eager to preserve their base connection speed while using a VPN.
This service offers access to over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries worldwide. It works with a huge range of streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer, and as such, is an excellent choice for anyone who streams frequently. With no connection limit, users can secure every device they own simultaneously.
Surfshark offers MacOS, Android, Windows, iOS, and Linux apps. It can even be manually installed on supported network routers.
Buy this VPN if:
- You use Ethereum or Ripple in addition to Bitcoin
- You want a way of generating online personas
- You want fast download speeds
- You want to share an account with friends and family
- You want a low-cost subscription
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You’re uncomfortable using a provider based in a Nine Eyes country
BUDGET-FRIENDLY VPN:Surfshark is an affordable service with a lot to offer Bitcoin users. It’s the best VPN for Bitcoin payments on a budget. Strong unblocking abilities and powerful security features make it an obvious choice for streaming and gaming while abroad. Still not convinced? Why not take advantage of Surfshark’s 30-day money-back guarantee?
Read our full review of Surfshark here or check out the video review below.
3. ExpressVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
| Overall score: | 8.4 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Cryptocurrency options: | 10.0 / 10 |
| Ease of use: | 9.3 / 10 |
| Security and privacy: | 9.2 / 10 |
| Streaming: | 9.2 / 10 |
| US speed: | 4.2 / 10 |
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN accepts Bitcoin via BitPay for all of its plans. If you don’t see Bitcoin as a payment option, the customer service team advises to use this link.
The 30-day money-back guarantee still applies to those who pay with Bitcoin. To sign up, the only other necessary information is an email address.
ExpressVPN does not log your internet activity or your email address but does store some non-identifying diagnostic info like dates (not times) when you used the VPN, total amount of data transferred per day, and choice of VPN server. The apps use best-in-class security, including 256-bit AES military-grade encryption, perfect forward secrecy, and comprehensive leak protection.
To find out how fast the provider was, we carried out several speed tests while connected to its US servers.
As you can see from the above, ExpressVPN performed consistently across the three tests. Although slower than NordVPN and Surfshark, its average download speed of 93.76 Mbps is still more than fast enough for everyday tasks like streaming in 4K.
ExpressVPN operates more than 3,000 servers in 100+ countries. It’s one of the most reliable VPNs when it comes to securely accessing platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and HBO. A kill switch is built into the desktop apps.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and certain wi-fi routers.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want a 30-day money-back guarantee when using Bitcoin
- You want a VPN on your router
- You want always-on obfuscation
- You want easy-to-use apps
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You’re on a tight budget
SECURE AND VERSATILE:ExpressVPN provides plenty of connection protection. It has a vast server network that is optimized for high-speed connections. User-friendly apps for all operating systems. Hard to beat on privacy and security. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee too.
Read our full ExpressVPN review here, or check out our video review below.
4. PureVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
| Overall score: | 7.9 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Cryptocurrency options: | 10.0 / 10 |
| Ease of use: | 9.1 / 10 |
| Security and privacy: | 8.7 / 10 |
| Streaming: | 7.3 / 10 |
| US speed: | 4.5 / 10 |
Website: www.PureVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 31 DAYS
PureVPN starts at just $1.96, making it one of the most affordable VPNs on the market. Bitcoin payments are made via CoinPayments, which also allows other crypto to be used.
Despite its low cost, the VPN performs superbly in terms of privacy and security. It has a rock-solid no-logging policy that has been independently audited, and it provides a choice of protocols with robust AES-256 or ChaCha20 encryption.
The VPN uses the WireGuard protocol by default, though this has become fairly standard practice among top-tier providers. It performed well, but not exceptionally so, during our speed tests.
Overall, PureVPN averaged 99.04 Mbps — this was despite the first server we used being noticeably slow. If you don’t mind switching servers to find a faster one, you’ll be able to stream and game without issue.
The provider works with an impressive number of international streaming services, and provides a list of shortcuts to servers that work with particular platforms.
The server network extends to 65 different countries, which makes it a good option for accessing regional content or bypassing censorship. It has apps for all popular platforms, and each subscriber can install the VPN on up to 10 devices consecutively.
Live chat support is available on its website, but the wait times can be quite long. Other than that, the VPN is a fantastic all-rounder. You can try it out without risk thanks to its 31-day money-back guarantee.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want to use other crypto in addition to Bitcoin
- You want simplified access to streaming platforms
- You’re connecting from China
- You want a low-cost long-term subscription
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You want a built-in ad-blocker
- You need multi-hop servers
FAST & CHEAP:PureVPN is a service that ticks most home users's boxes. It has fast servers, works to watch Netflix, and has strong encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. IP addresses in 65+ countries. 31-day money-back guarantee to test the service.
Read our full review of PureVPN.
5. Private Internet Access
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
VPN Ratings:
| Overall score: | 7.9 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Cryptocurrency options: | 10.0 / 10 |
| Ease of use: | 9.6 / 10 |
| Security and privacy: | 9.3 / 10 |
| Streaming: | 8.6 / 10 |
| US speed: | 1.8 / 10 |
Website: www.PrivateInternetAccess.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Private Internet Access (PIA) has great value three-year plans available that users can pay for using Bitcoin (via bitpay). Subscriptions allow unlimited device connections to secure your entire digital life without breaking a sweat.
Security-wise, PIA is a fortress. In addition to letting you retain your anonymity by paying with a variety of cryptocurrencies, it has built-in ad blocking, a kill switch to serve your connection if the VPN drops, and DNS leak protection to keep your browsing habits under wraps.
It also has a strict no-logs policy, ensuring your data stays yours. And let’s not forget the military-grade encryption that keeps prying eyes at bay.
The provider’s streaming abilities are excellent. It works with Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney Plus effortlessly, so your binge-watching sessions are sorted.
We wanted to find out how fast PIA’s servers were, so we carried out several speed tests over the course of a day.
As you can see from the above, PIA was slower than the majority of providers in this list. That said, it’s average speed of 51.13 Mbps is still sufficient to stream Netflix in UHD. We would, however, recommend choosing a faster VPN if your base connection speed is much slower than ours (which was 250 Mbps for testing).
Need help? Their live chat support is available 24/7.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want to use Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for payment
- You want a low-cost subscription
- You want streaming-optimized servers
- You want to share an account with friends and family
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You’re uncomfortable using a US-based service
- You want to connect from China
WIREGUARD ON:Private Internet Access allows unlimited simultaneous devices, servers in 91+ countries and solid security credentials. Allows Bitcoin payments. Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Private Internet Access review.
6. CyberGhost
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
| Overall score: | 7.7 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Cryptocurrency options: | 5.0 / 10 |
| Ease of use: | 9.1 / 10 |
| Security and privacy: | 8.9 / 10 |
| Streaming: | 7.8 / 10 |
| US speed: | 7.5 / 10 |
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost accepts Bitcoin payments via BitPay on all of its plans, and you still get the 45-day money-back guarantee. CyberGhost uses 256-bit encryption and perfect forward secrecy to create a super-secure tunnel to the VPN server.
The company boasts a clear no-logs privacy policy. You can also avail of extra security features like anti-malware and anti-tracking. DNS and IPv6 leak protection is built-in. Some servers are equipped with double encryption for added security.
We tested CyberGhost’s servers to find out how fast they were at several points during a single day. You can see the results below.
The provider was exceptionally quick in the morning and at noon. However, we landed on a slow server (it happens) for the afternoon test. Even then, CyberGhost still averaged 152.15 Mbps, which is an excellent result.
CyberGhost allows you to connect up to seven devices at the same time. Over 11,000 servers are available to choose from in 100+ countries. You can select a server based on how you plan to use the VPN, such as streaming or anonymous browsing. CyberGhost can help you securely stream several streaming channels like Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want a long (45-day) money-back guarantee
- You want access to a large server network
- You want easy-to-use apps
- You’re primarily interested in streaming
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You need to connect more than seven devices simultaneously
- You’re connecting from China
GREAT FOR NOVICES:CyberGhost is easy to use and set up. Great security and privacy with zero logs and DNS leak protection. Unblocks popular streaming platforms. Ideal for beginners looking to buy a VPN with crypto. 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
7. PrivateVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
| Overall score: | 7.3 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Cryptocurrency options: | 10.0 / 10 |
| Ease of use: | 8.6 / 10 |
| Security and privacy: | 8.6 / 10 |
| Streaming: | 7.8 / 10 |
| US speed: | 1.3 / 10 |
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN is a great option if you want to send Bitcoin directly to the VPN company with no middleman. The majority of other VPNs that accept Bitcoin go through BitPay, which handles the transactions on their behalf.
The website explains:
“When you’ve payed the correct amount, you will receive a Transaction ID from your Bitcoin account provider, and in order for us to complete your payment, we have to match your Transaction ID towards your Order ID.”
You’ll get 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, and a no-logs policy. DNS and IPv6 leak protection comes standard, and you can simultaneously connect up to 10 devices.
PrivateVPN is one of the best streaming VPNs in the business despite its smaller server network. You can securely access Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video from abroad. In our tests, the provider easily surpassed Netflix’s 15 Mbps requirement for streaming in UHD. You can see the full test results below.
While PrivateVPN’s average of 43.22 Mbps is satisfactory for everyday use, if you have a very slow base connection speed, you may want to opt for one of the faster providers in this list. For reference, our test speed was 250 Mbps.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want to pay with Bitcoin directly
- You want a cheap, long-term 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 want the fastest speeds
DIRECT PAYMENT:PrivateVPN is consistently reliable and will take Bitcoin payments directly. Good for general-purpose use and HD Streaming. Great security and privacy. Allows up to 10 devices to connect at once. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
8. ProtonVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
| Overall score: | 7.2 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Cryptocurrency options: | 5.0 / 10 |
| Ease of use: | 8.8 / 10 |
| Security and privacy: | 9.3 / 10 |
| Streaming: | 6.7 / 10 |
| US speed: | 6.1 / 10 |
Website: www.ProtonVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ProtonVPN is a reliable and advanced VPN that was developed by the team behind ProtonMail. The VPN is based in Switzerland, a country that has strong data privacy laws, and the VPN is dedicated to user privacy with a solid no-logging policy.
For added security, it has self-maintained, secure core servers. And it is worth noting that the entire service has been subjected to a third-party security audit,
The VPN has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire TV, and Linux, and they are some of the most advanced VPN apps we have ever used. You can make use of AES encryption, a choice of protocols, obfuscation, a system-level kill switch, multi-hop connections, split tunneling, and port forwarding. The latter makes it a superb option for torrenting.
ProtonVPN performed well in our speed tests, pegging an overall average of 126.55 Mbps.
The provider is fast enough for streaming, gaming and torrenting, provided that you have a decent base connection speed to begin with.
Servers are available in 117+ countries, and you can get an IP address in any of those locations. While testing, we were able to access many popular streaming services, including five different Netflix regions, British TV services, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney Plus, and many other popular services.
The biggest drawbacks are the relatively high cost of this subscription and the fact that it may be a bit tricky for beginners to use. However, if you want an advanced VPN with many features and super fast speeds, this VPN is well worth testing using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Best of all, you can pay with Bitcoin using a burner email if you want to. Note that if you do want to pay with Bitcoin, you need to sign up for one of ProtonVPN’s free accounts first, and then upgrade to a paid plan.
Buy this VPN if:
- Security and privacy are important to you
- You want easy access to the Tor network
- You do a lot of torrenting and want port forwarding
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You’re looking for the cheapest subscription
- You need obfuscation that works in China
SECURE AND PRIVATE:ProtonVPN is one of the best VPNs for Bitcoin payments. Highly advanced service based in Switzerland and has a solid no-logs policy. Apps are available for all popular platforms and include AES encryption, a kill switch, and obfuscation. Works with Netflix US and ideal for secure torrenting. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.
VPN testing methodology
Our recommendations are based on a series of performance and security tests. When it comes to Bitcoin VPNs, we specifically looked at the following areas:
Speed
VPN providers vary widely in how fast they are. A fast VPN means that you can do all the things you normally would but with added protection. To find which VPNs were suitable for tasks such as streaming and gaming, we carried out three speed tests using each provider’s US servers.
Speed measurements were taken using the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app. This was installed on a virtual machine, which we’d rate-limited to 250 Mbps (which is the median average of fixed broadband speeds in the US). This enabled us to simulate an average user’s experience.
As you can see from the above, NordVPN was the fastest provider overall, though Surfshark wasn’t far behind. Both VPNs are excellent choices for users who wish to preserve their base connection speed.
Cryptocurrency options
We scored providers on whether they offered Bitcoin as a payment option, and whether they also accepted other cryptocurrencies. You can see how they performed in the chart below.
All of our recommended providers accepted Bitcoin. All bar CyberGhost and ProtonVPN accepted additional cryptocurrencies.
Security and privacy
If you’re striving for online anonymity, you’ll want a VPN with a kill switch, 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a no-logs policy. You’ll also, no doubt, want a provider that meets some of the additional security criteria we tested for 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| PIA | No activity logs | No IP logs | AES-128 or higher | SHA-256 | 4096-bit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | All platforms | No | Stealth | Secure protocols only | Multiple | Yes |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
We scored providers on each of the above criteria. We then combined the scores to give an overall score out of 10 for comparison.
Although all of the providers scored highly, NordVPN and Surfshark were the pick of the lot. If you want the very best security and privacy features available, opt for one of these two providers. ProtonVPN is also a great choice.
Ease of use
Some VPNs are easy to use. Others seem to intentionally make life difficult. To sort out which is which, we evaluate providers using the criteria outlined in the table below.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Ease of Use | Ease of Use | Ease of Use | Ease of Use | Ease of Use | Ease of Use | Ease of Use | Ease of Use | Ease of Use | Ease of Use |
| 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 |
| ExpressVPN | Yes | Yes | 5 (easy) | App | Generally works | No | 60+ countries | Very easy | Well-organised | All 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 |
| PIA | Yes | Yes | 5 (easy) | Standard | Great | Yes | 60+ countries | Very easy | Well-organised | Most 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 |
| PrivateVPN | Yes | Yes | 4 | Standard | Generally works | No | 60+ countries | Very easy | Well-organised | 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 |
Each of these criteria was given a score, which we combined to create an overall score out of ten for comparison.
NordVPN and IPVanish tied for the top spot thanks to their well-designed apps and simplified onboarding and offboarding processes. ExpressVPN was also notably user-friendly.
Streaming
VPNs are particularly useful for accessing geo-restricted content — but only if you choose the right one. We test which providers work with the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime as well as evaluating them against the metrics shown in the table below.
| VPN Provider | Number of locations in relevant country | Regional speed test results | Includes ad-blocker? | Works in high-censorship countries | Offers a smart DNS service | Streaming device apps | Can Unblock Tier 1 Streaming | Can Unblock Tier 2 Streaming | Can Unblock Tier 3 Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Streaming | Streaming | Streaming | Streaming | Streaming | Streaming | Streaming | Streaming | Streaming |
| NordVPN | 5+ locations | 300-500 Mbps | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2+ apps | Reliably | Yes | Yes |
| Surfshark | 5+ locations | 500+ Mbps | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2+ apps | Reliably | Yes | Yes |
| ExpressVPN | 5+ locations | 300-500 Mbps | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2+ apps | Reliably | Yes | Yes |
| PureVPN | 5+ locations | 100-299 Mbps | No | Yes | No | 2+ apps | Unreliably | Yes | Yes |
| PIA | 5+ locations | <100 Mbps | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 app | Reliably | Yes | Yes |
| CyberGhost | 5+ locations | 100-299 Mbps | Yes | No | No | 2+ apps | Reliably | Yes | Yes |
| PrivateVPN | 5+ locations | <100 Mbps | No | Yes | No | 2+ apps | Reliably | Yes | Yes |
| Proton VPN | 5+ locations | 100-299 Mbps | Yes | No | No | 1 app | Unreliably | Yes | Yes |
We assigned a score to each of the above metrics so that we were left with an overall score out of ten. This makes it easier to compare providers directly.
NordVPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN are the best options for streaming. All three work with all popular streaming platforms and come with a smart DNS feature that allows VPN-incompatible devices to bypass location restrictions.
How to buy a VPN with cryptocurrency – Bitcoin
Assuming you already have a Bitcoin wallet with funds in it, follow the steps below to purchase your chosen VPN with cryptocurrency.
Here’s how to buy a VPN with Bitcoin:
- Go to your chosen VPN provider’s website (we particularly recommend NordVPN) and begin the signup process.
- When you get to the crypto payment section, find the Bitcoin or cryptocurrency option.
- Each VPN provider likely uses a third-party payment system, such as BitPay or CoinGate, to handle Bitcoin transactions. You can either sign up or continue as a guest. For this example, we’ll choose the latter.
- Enter any necessary contact details, such as your email address, and continue. This will vary depending on the payment system used by your VPN provider.
- Next, you’ll be presented with a payment URL and QR code. You can either use the Bitcoin wallet app on your phone to scan the QR code or copy and paste the URL.
- In your crypto wallet app, confirm the transaction details and send the Bitcoin. You might need to wait for your transaction to be verified on the blockchain. The time varies depending on your transaction fees and how many times the transaction needs to be validated in subsequent blocks.
- Once the payment has been made, continue with signup as usual.
Bear in mind that if you’re buying a VPN with Bitcoin to stay anonymous, you’ll need to take additional precautions. These include signing up with a burner email and hiding your IP address and other identifiers from the VPN’s website – more on that below.
Transaction fees when buying a VPN with Bitcoin
Bitcoin transaction fees are as volatile as the price of Bitcoin itself, so by the time you read this, the cost will likely have changed. That being said, as of the time of writing, the average fee was about $2.5, which is the lowest it’s been in a long time. Fees have reached more than $60 on average in the past.
Using a money-back guarantee if you pay with Bitcoin
This depends on each provider’s policy. Due to the volatility involved in the price of cryptocurrencies, some VPNs do not provide a money-back guarantee for users who pay with Bitcoin or other altcoins.
For this reason, we generally recommend that you contact your provider to check that the money-back guarantee will still apply if you pay using Bitcoin. All our recommendations offer live chat support on their website, which means you can easily ask whether the money-back guarantee will protect you.
The good news is that our top recommendation, NordVPN, always honors its money-back guarantee, even if you pay via Bitcoin. This means you can pay anonymously if you want to and still request a refund if you aren’t satisfied.
However, bear in mind that the VPN will return the value of the VPN subscription at whatever the crypto exchange rate is at the time of the refund. This could mean that the exact amount of Bitcoin you get back is more or less than what you paid initially.
How to anonymously buy a VPN subscription
A common misconception is that Bitcoin is anonymous. In fact, the sender, receiver, and amount of every transaction are recorded in the blockchain, a digital public ledger of all cryptocurrency transactions on the Bitcoin network. Whether you use a VPN or not, the blockchain will record your wallet address, the wallet address of the recipient or sender, and how much bitcoin was transferred. That means your purchase of a VPN with Bitcoin can still be traced back to you.
However, only the wallet addresses of each transaction are recorded, and wallets aren’t necessarily tied to their owner’s real identity. This pseudo-anonymity will be sufficient for many, but if you really want to anonymously spend Bitcoin on, say, a VPN subscription, be prepared for a few more steps and fees.
If you want to spend your Bitcoin anonymously, check out our guide on how to mix Bitcoin. We explain how to use Tor Browser to hide your IP address, create burner email accounts on Mailinator, and ultimately tumble Bitcoin to hide its origin.
Where to get a burner email address
Most VPNs at least require an email address to sign up. You can use your own email address if you’re not too concerned about leaving a trace, but Bitcoin users might want to use a burner email to make the entire transaction as anonymous as possible.
A couple of our favorite free burner email services are Mailinator and Guerrilla Mail. To use them anonymously, access their websites with a VPN or Tor Browser. The VPN website should also be accessed using Tor Browser or a VPN. This prevents websites from logging your IP address, which can be traced back to you (note that the VPN services we recommend don’t record IP addresses, but their websites likely do).
Mailinator allows you to receive email at any address you can think of that ends in “@mailinator.com”. Just make something up, e.g., paulbischoff@mailinator.com, when you sign up. There’s no need to set anything up ahead of time; just go to Mailinator and check the email address you just invented. Note that anyone can check the same email, as all emails are part of the public domain—but no registration or authentication is necessary, so as long as you’re on the Tor Network, nothing can be traced back to you. You can’t reply using Mailinator, but you probably only need the email for account verification and app activation, anyway. Also, emails are deleted every eight hours or so, so make sure to copy any important information ahead of time. Although emails get deleted, the email addresses do not, so you can continue to receive mail at the same address as long as you check within eight hours of receiving it.
Guerrilla Mail offers disposable temporary email addresses. A new email address is generated as soon as you go to the website (again, use Tor Browser). You can send and receive emails, reply, and open attachments. No registration is necessary. Like Mailinator, anyone can check your inbox without a password, but emails are not part of the public domain. Email addresses last indefinitely, but the emails themselves only last for one hour before being deleted. Guerrilla Mail is open source and accepts Ethereum donations.
How to unblock Bitcoin sites and apps
If Bitcoin-related websites and apps, such as cryptocurrency exchanges, are blocked in your country, you can use a VPN to gain access. A VPN encrypts all of a device’s internet traffic and routes it through an intermediary server in a location of your choosing. That means you can access blocked sites and apps by connecting to a server in a country where Bitcoin is legal.
Here’s how to unblock Bitcoin sites with a VPN:
- Sign up for one of the recommended VPNs above, we particularly recommend NordVPN.
- Download and install the VPN app
- Run the VPN app and select a server located in a country where Bitcoin is legal and open
- Access the website or app as you normally would
It’s that easy! You can even gain access to exchanges and other Bitcoin-related services that are region-locked to specific countries, although exchanges in other countries will likely require local forms of payment.
Buying VPNs with Bitcoin: FAQs
Why use Bitcoin to buy a VPN?
VPNs are primarily designed to enhance your privacy, and some people worry that using a traditional payment method, such as a credit card, will leave their real name and bank details somewhere in the VPN’s system.
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin can help by obscuring your identity a little, though it’s not impossible to tell who owns a specific wallet by any means. To really sign up anonymously, the best option is to find a VPN that accepts gift cards and buy one of these in person with cash.
Why doesn't every VPN accept cryptocurrency?
One of the biggest problems with crypto is that it’s extremely volatile. For instance, Bitcoin has previously lost half of its value in a matter of months. This makes setting a price particularly difficult, especially since transaction fees are also wildly unpredictable.
Of course, for consumers, the problem is that currently, crypto can’t really be used to buy very much. VPN providers know this, and can capitalize by taking unwanted crypto in exchange for access to their services. There is, after all, a small chance that the crypto’s price will skyrocket in the future, though this may be too optimistic to gamble on for smaller providers.
Is cryptocurrency fully anonymous?
No, most cryptocurrency is not fully anonymous, including Bitcoin. All transactions that occur using Bitcoin are recorded and verified on a public ledger called the blockchain. Those records include wallet addresses from which cryptocurrency is sent and received. Although a wallet address doesn’t constitute an identity, in most cases, it’s not hard to figure out who the owner of a wallet is or what device that wallet is stored on. For this reason, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are often considered pseudo-anonymous, or “pseudonymous” for short.
Some cryptocurrencies are more anonymous than others, such as Monero. Cryptocurrency can also be tumbled (a.k.a. “washed” or “mixed”) to better obscure the connection between sender and receiver, though such services operate in a legal grey area.
Can I buy a VPN with other cryptocurrencies?
Most VPNs don’t support any cryptocurrencies and those that do usually only accept Bitcoin. This makes sense: it’s the most well-known coin and has maintained a high value for a long time. However, there are a couple of providers that accept other forms of crypto. NordVPN, for instance, lets you pay in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple. Surfshark, meanwhile, supports 10 different cryptocurrencies including Tron, Litecoin, Beam, Monero, and Dogecoin.
Should I use a VPN for crypto trading?
It’s always a good idea to have additional security and privacy online, especially when you’re engaging in sensitive activities. Crypto exchanges aren’t always secure, and many traders have fallen victim to cyber-attacks and security breaches. Plus, some cryptocurrency trading platforms are geo-blocked and not available everywhere. A VPN for cryptocurrency can help with these issues and give you some extra peace of mind.
This time I used bitcoin to extend my subscription with Nordvpn. By the way, recommend their product to someone looking to add an extra layer of security to your daily life on the web