Best VPNs for PayPal in 2024

Most people assume that their online activities are private, but this simply isn’t the case. In fact, your Internet Service Provider (ISP), hackers, your employer, and, in some countries, the government can all see what you do on the internet. However, when you connect to a VPN, your traffic is encrypted and, as such, unreadable by any third-party observer. This is especially useful if you intend to use PayPal while traveling or when connected to a public wifi network, where hackers are known to lie in wait to steal information.

VPNs come with one other major benefit: they allow you to spoof your location and access geo-restricted services from anywhere in the world. This includes access to PayPal in countries where it’s blocked or restricted. Additionally, like many online services, PayPal limits access to accounts when the user logs in from a different country than usual. If you connect to a server in your home country beforehand, PayPal will think you’re still at home, and you’ll drastically reduce the likelihood of being locked out of your account.

In this article, we’ll explain how to use a VPN with PayPal and list the best providers for the job. We’ll cover each of our recommended VPNs in more detail later, but in the meantime, you’ll find a short summary below.

The best VPNs for Paypal:

1. NordVPN: Our top choice VPN for PayPal. A high-speed, reliable service with plenty of advanced security features. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for PayPal.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN option for PayPal. Boasts numerous security features, no connection limit, and excellent unblocking capabilities.
3. IPVanish: Lightweight yet powerful VPN with high speeds, strong security, and multi-platform support. Allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
4. ExpressVPN: A fast, secure, and privacy-focused VPN capable of unblocking a wide range of geo-blocked platforms abroad. Allows payment with PayPal.
5. CyberGhost: Fast and user-friendly, with excellent unblocking abilities and a large server network. Works great with PayPal.
6. PrivateVPN: A versatile, no-logs VPN with faster speeds than most and great unblocking ability. Allows 10 simultaneous connections.
7. Private Internet Access: Secure your data with encryption. No-logs VPN with servers in 80+ countries. Use it on unlimited devices at once.

How to use PayPal safely with a VPN

With the right VPN, it’s very simple to access PayPal abroad, even if you’ve never used a VPN before. Just follow the simple steps below:

1. Begin by signing up for one of the VPNs listed (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the app, making sure to get the right version for your device.
3. Connect to one of your VPN’s servers in your home country this will change your IP address, making it appear as if you are still at home.
4. Log in to PayPal. You should now be able to use the service as normal.
5. If not, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies, then reload the page.

How we selected the top VPNs for PayPal

With so many VPNs to choose from, it’s often difficult to find the best one for any given task. For this reason, when finding the best VPNs for PayPal, we only included services that met the following criteria:

• Offers consistent, high-speed connections
• Has a wide-reaching server network
• Does not log any information that could identify you
• Uses effectively uncrackable encryption and includes additional security features
• Provides apps for the most popular operating systems and devices

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 closer look at the ones that made the cut. 

The best PayPal VPNs: 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 Paypal.

The best VPNs for using PayPal safely

At Comparitech, we aim to bring you the most helpful and accurate VPN recommendations on the internet. To do this, we use and test each VPN thoroughly, and the following reviews are based on those first-hand experiences.

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

1. NordVPN

Nov 2024

NordVPN is our top recommended VPN for PayPal. It has a very large network, with more than 6,000 servers in 100+ countries. This all but guarantees you access to a reliable, high-speed connection, which is particularly useful if you use services like Skype for business. NordVPN can also easily access stubborn streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+, so PayPal won’t present a problem.

This VPN keeps your traffic private using 256-bit encryption, an app-specific kill switch, and protection against DNS, IPv6, port forwarding, and WebRTC leaks. That’s just scratching the surface, though: there’s also an ad-blocker and malware scanner, as well as dual VPN and Tor over VPN functionality. NordVPN logs no data and allows you to sign up anonymously using Bitcoin. Customer support is available via live chat 24/7.

NordVPN apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. It works on select network routers but must be installed manually. NordVPN works in China, the UAE, and other countries that restrict VPN use.

Note that while this VPN works well with PayPal, you can’t sign up for NordVPN and pay using PayPal.

NordVPN speed test data

BEST VPN FOR PAYPAL:NordVPN is our #1 pick,. Boasts customizable security, fast speeds, and strong unblocking ability at a very reasonable price. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it completely risk-free.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN that offers a high-quality service. It operates over 3,200 servers in 100 countries. It’s more than fast enough for PayPal; in fact, you’ll even be able to stream live HD video without any noticeable lag or buffering. This is particularly good news since Surfshark also works with platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer without any problems. This service has no connection limit, meaning one account lets you secure every device you own.

This is one service that takes your security seriously. It offers 256-bit encryption, WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch, plus automatic ad-blocking and malware scanning. If you’d like, you can use the split tunneling functionality to bypass the VPN with certain apps. Surfshark doesn’t log any information that could identify you, but if you’re worried about privacy, feel free to pay in cryptocurrency. 24/7 support is on-hand over live chat in case you have any problems.

Surfshark apps are available for MacOS, iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. This service can be manually configured for use with select network routers.

Surfshark speed test data

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark manages to provide good speeds, strong security, and the ability to unblock platforms like PayPal at a very reasonable price. Better still, this no-logs VPN even comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish has over 2,000 servers across around 60 countries. With fast, reliable connections, excellent multi-platform support, and decent unblocking capabilities, this provider makes it easy for you to access services like PayPal wherever you are. Further, since any number of simultaneous connections are allowed, you can use IPVanish to protect all of your devices at once.

For a service with such lightweight apps, there are a surprising number of security features built-in. IPVanish uses 256-bit encryption, a kill switch (desktop only), and DNS and IPv6 leak protection by default, but you can choose to obfuscate OpenVPN traffic to hide the fact that you’re using a VPN at all. Further, this service doesn’t log any information that could identify you. If you need help, you can reach customer support 24/7 via live chat.

IPVanish provides apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire devices. Manual installation is required for Linux-based platforms and selects internet routers.

IPVanish speed test data

BROWSE SAFELY ANYWHERE:IPVanish is a versatile, high-speed VPN with no connection limit. Excellent multi-platform support and decent unblocking capabilities. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN currently has more than 3,000 servers spread over 100+ countries. It can unblock PayPal as well as popular streaming platforms like FuboTV and Amazon Prime Video abroad. This service is fast, reliable, and capable of streaming live HD video without any issues, so there’s no need to worry about your connection dropping mid-transaction.

This provider puts major emphasis on your security. 256-bit AES encryption is enabled by default, and there’s IPv6 and DNS leak protection, perfect forward secrecy, and a kill switch (in desktop apps) that stops all traffic should you disconnect unexpectedly. ExpressVPN doesn’t log any personally identifiable information, and you can pay with Bitcoin if you’d like another layer of privacy. If you run into any problems, you can contact support 24/7 over live chat.

ExpressVPN has apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS. It offers custom firmware for routers which simplifies the installation process considerably.

ExpressVPN speed test data

SPEED AND SECURITY:ExpressVPN a great option for using PayPal. It’s secure, privacy-conscious, and has a wide network of high-speed servers to choose from. Additionally, this service includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost currently offers access to more than 10,000 servers in 100+ countries and puts particular emphasis on ease of use. This service provides consistent, high-speed connections, easily unblocks sites like PayPal, and allows up to seven devices to be connected at once. If you’re looking for a VPN that is super easy to use out of the box, CyberGhost is a strong choice.

One of the best things about this service is that its security features are enabled by default. There’s 256-bit encryption, automatic ad-blocking and malware-scanning, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and an always-on kill switch included in every version of the app. You can pay with Bitcoin if you’d like, but CyberGhost doesn’t log any identifiable information, so your privacy is guaranteed either way. Need help? You can reach customer support 24/7 over live chat.

CyberGhost offers Windows, Android, MacOS, Linux, and iOS apps. Manual configuration is required for use with select wireless routers.

CyberGhost speed test data

VALUE AND PERFORMANCE:CyberGhost is a user-friendly VPN with high speeds, a strong privacy policy, numerous security features, and no problems unblocking PayPal abroad. It includes a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN has a smaller network than many rivals (with only around 200 servers in 60+ countries) but makes up for this by providing better-than-average speeds and exceptional versatility. It has no problems securely accessing platforms like PayPal, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video abroad and allows 10 simultaneous connections, so you can cover all your devices at once.

This service protects your traffic using 256-bit encryption, IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection, as well as a kill switch (Windows only). Additionally, it has a strict no-logging policy, so there’s no risk of your activities being traced back to you (although you can sign up with Bitcoin for added anonymity). Live chat is available almost 24/7 (it’s offline from 1-3 PM PST), and the staff can even remotely install the software for you with your permission.

PrivateVPN has MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android apps. It must be manually installed on Linux systems and select routers.

PrivateVPN speed test data

PRIVACY GUARANTEED:PrivateVPN is a logless, secure, high-speed VPN which lets you use PayPal from anywhere in the world. Allows 10 simultaneous connections. Better still, its plans all come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

7. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access has servers in more than 80 countries. As such, it’s very easy to access PayPal regardless of your physical location. This VPN is a reliable unblocker of content and can be used with many popular streaming services. The fact that PIA has unlimited bandwidth means that you’re not limited as to what you can do online. Better still, PIA lets you connect unlimited devices at the same time.

It’s particularly important to use a VPN while conducting financial transactions online. PIA offers security features, including 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. This ensures that your data can’t be intercepted by hackers or snoopers. Furthermore, PIA doesn’t keep any logs (not even connection logs). This VPN includes live chat and email support which is contactable around the clock.

You can use PIA on desktop (Windows, Mac, and Linux) and mobile (Android and iOS), as well as Amazon Fire TV. Chrome, Firefox, and Opera browser extensions are also available. To use PIA with a compatible router, you’ll need to configure this manually.

Private Internet Access speed test data

PRIVACY PROTECTION:Private Internet Access works with PayPal. Servers in 80+ countries. Unlimited bandwidth and also lets you securely access Netflix. Connect unlimited devices simultaneously. Operates a strict no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

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Using a free VPN for PayPal

We know looking for a free VPN for Paypal is tempting, but free services come with several significant disadvantages that paid ones don’t. Take their speeds, for instance: free VPNs usually have far more users than their servers can support. This causes network slowdown, which manifests as painfully long loading times, random disconnection, and an inability to use services like PayPal effectively. Further, as free VPNs are usually the first to be blacklisted by geo-blocked platforms, there’s no guarantee you’ll even be able to access your chosen service.

Building and maintaining server networks isn’t cheap, and free VPNs have to make money somehow. You’ll often find that they insert large, obnoxious ads into the pages you visit, but some have resorted to even shadier tactics. By storing a tracking cookie on your device, they can monitor your activities and build a detailed consumer profile. Once enough information has been accumulated, your profile can be sold to advertisers, usually without your knowledge. By acting in this way, free VPNs remove any control you have over who can see your data.

These services also pose a real security risk. A 2016 survey of free VPN apps found that over one-third contained malware of some kind. Perhaps more worryingly, 18% were content to let you browse without any encryption, and more than 80% leaked personal information over IPv6. Your safety isn’t guaranteed with a well-known service either, as we found out during the Hola botnet scandal.

To stay as safe as possible online, we recommend spending a few dollars a month on a quality VPN that has a proven history of protecting customers’ privacy.

Methodology: How we chose the best VPNs for PayPal

Whenever you’re dealing with financial services or online banking, security is the number one thing to look for in a VPN. However, it’s not the only requirement; you’ll also need reliable connections, strong privacy features, and decent speeds. Below, you’ll find a list of criteria we used to filter out the best VPNs for PayPal:

• Security toolkit: At a bare minimum, we need our top VPNs to have a kill switch, a no-logs policy, 256-bit encryption, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. Of course, you can never be too careful where digital security is involved, so more advanced tools are always welcome.
• Performance: If your speeds are too slow, you could find that you can’t reliably access your usual services like PayPal. You could even experience sporadic disconnections, which can lead to failed (or repeated) transactions. That’s why we only recommend providers that have performed well in our latest VPN speed tests.
• Server locations: Attempting to log into financial services abroad often leads to a temporary hold being placed on your account for fraud-prevention reasons. However, by using a server located in your home country, the odds of this happening are reduced.
• User-friendliness: Nobody wants to spend their vacation messing around in the settings. The VPNs, above all, offer beginner-friendly apps, live chat-based customer support, and the ability to unblock PayPal just about anywhere.
• Pricing: We frequently compare VPNs to similarly-priced competitors to make sure that they’re really worth the price. What’s more, if there’s a discount, free trial, or money-back guarantee available, we’ll always let you know.

This is just the beginning of our VPN selection process! We have a whole methodology post explaining how Comparitech tests VPNs in case you’d like to learn more.

Why should you use a VPN with PayPal?

You don’t always need to use a VPN for PayPal. Most of the time, it’s safe and secure to use it on its own. However, in certain situations, it pays to have the added layers of security that a VPN can provide.

For example, if you use PayPal while connected to public wi-fi networks, such as in cafes and hotels. Public wifi hotspots are not as secure as we’d like, often attracting hackers and snoopers looking to steal users’ data. A VPN can help with that, protecting your data and reducing the risk of cyberattacks.

PayPal is also unavailable or restricted in certain countries such as Pakistan or Cuba. A VPN can help you access your account as normal while visiting such places.

In addition, if you’re traveling abroad, you might struggle to access your PayPal account as normal. This is because PayPal, like many financial institutions, is suspicious of log-ins from abroad. If you use a VPN and connect via a server in your home country, you reduce the risk of being flagged by the fraud squad or having your account locked.

So, while you don’t always need a VPN when using PayPal, there are certain times when it’s a handy tool to have. And when it comes to your finances, you don’t want to take any risks!

Using PayPal with a VPN: FAQs