Which VPNs accept payment by gift card?

Are you a journalist, political activist, or whistleblower looking for complete online anonymity? Living in an area where VPN usage is illegal or restricted? Then you’ll want to know which VPNs accept payment by gift card so your purchases can’t be traced back to you.

In cases like those described above, using a no-logs VPN isn’t enough to keep you fully protected. VPN providers work with payment processors that are required to store your name, address, and payment data. In various jurisdictions, the VPN provider is obligated to hand over that information to law enforcement agencies when requested.

Fortunately, there are several VPNs that accept gift card payments, which you can buy with cash or crypto. We’ll list them and detail their features in the article below, plus answer some FAQs on the topic at the end.

Here’s a quick look at which VPNs accept payment by gift card:

1. NordVPN: Best overall VPN that accepts gift cards. Has its own branded gift cards that can be purchased with cash from various retailers around the world. Has amazing streaming support, thousands of torrenting servers, and great speeds. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Budget-friendly VPN with gift card payments. Gift cards available through CoinGate and purchasable with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, and others. Offers decent speeds, a strict no-logs policy, and supports P2P traffic everywhere.
3. Private Internet Access: Reliable VPN with plenty of customization options, fast speeds, and gift card payments through 70+ brands, such as Walmart, Target, and more.
4. PureVPN: Top-speed VPN you can subscribe to through Paymentwall, which accepts gift cards from over 100 retailers around the US.
5. Proton VPN: Extremely secure, open-source VPN based in Switzerland. Has its own gift cards through its Supporter page and also accepts cash payments.
6. TorGuard: Great VPN for advanced users, with solid customization and a no-logs policy. Accepts gift cards from 80 different retailers and has a Paymentwall option.
7. Mullvad: Privacy-first VPN that offers physical voucher cards through Amazon in 11 countries, as well as several Swedish, German, Austrian, and Dutch resellers.
8. VPN Unlimited: Adequate streaming VPN that lets you subscribe with Dollar General and Mint prepaid gift cards. Works in China and has some torrenting capability.

How we chose the top VPNs that take gift cards

Besides having the option to pay with gift cards, we focused on listing VPNs with excellent speeds and top-notch security. Bonus points for good streaming and torrenting support. We offer our full testing methodology later, but here are the key points:

• Fast connections: Privacy shouldn’t be a detriment to your online experience.
• Worldwide server network: Location variety is essential for bypassing geo-blocks on various services and minimizing the impact on your speeds.
• Advanced security options for people who prioritize privacy above all else.
• P2P and streaming support for avid torrenters and browsing different streaming libraries from around the world.
• Gift card privacy and availability: Bonus points for providers that have store-bought gift cards with untraceable cash payments.
• Top-notch customer support for troubleshooting issues with the service, or answering any questions about your subscription.

Why you should pay for a VPN with a gift card

Anonymity is the main reason to pay for a VPN via gift card. Buying a gift card with cash means you don’t need to offer up your name, address, or any other personal information typically used in online transactions. All you need is a gift card number and a disposable email, and you’re set.

This is pretty much essential for people living in countries where VPNs are illegal or restricted, such as Iraq, Iran, Belarus, Turkmenistan, and others. Journalists, whistleblowers, activists, and other privacy-conscious users often rely on such measures to stay under the radar.

The only real downsides are the noticeable lack of providers that take gift cards and their regional availability. Add the fact that you can’t get a refund if the VPN isn’t what you expected, and you can see why someone might be hesitant to sign up using this method.

Best VPNs that accept payment by gift card

Here’s a look at the features of each VPN that accepts gift card payments.

1. NordVPN

Sep 2024

NordVPN doesn’t have gift cards in the traditional sense. Instead, you can buy a physical copy from select retailers that includes a subscription code for activation. Besides an email, no personal info is required during sign-up, making this option as private as can be.

NordVPN gift cards are available through BestBuy, Walmart, Staples, NewEgg, and many more retailers in the US, UK, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands. Alternatively, you can buy them through Amazon in those countries, along with Italy, France, Spain, and Japan.

Your subscription nets you access to 6,300+ powerful servers in 110+ countries, the ability to unblock streaming services from anywhere, and a wide array of specialty servers. This includes double VPN, Onion over VPN, and obfuscated servers to mask your VPN activity.

NordVPN secures your activity with 256-bit encryption, a dependable kill switch (including an app-based option), and is fully leakproof. Customer support is available 24/7 and reps answer promptly with useful info.

BEST VPN WITH GIFT CARD PAYMENT:6,300+ fast servers in 110+ countries worldwide, including specialty servers fit for torrenting and anonymizing purposes. Has excellent streaming capabilities, and is available as a boxed product at major retailers around the world.

Read more about our top pick in this NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is yet another VPN that accepts payment by gift card, albeit with no cash option, which is a bit of a letdown. Still, you can purchase a Surfshark gift card through CoinGate using Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, XRP, and 11 more cryptocurrencies.

Surfshark is equipped with 3,200+ speedy servers in 100+ countries, all of which support P2P traffic. Naturally, the provider does not log your online activities, comes with secure protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPSec (on mobile), and does not leak your data.

It’s also fairly capable at bypassing geo-restrictions on popular streaming services. Speeds remain consistent thanks to the VPN’s Nexus technology, which takes full advantage of the provider’s network to route your data.

Each subscription lets you connect any number of devices simultaneously. Also, you can rely on Surfshark’s 24/7 live chat support for troubleshooting and tips.

CHEAP CRYPTO ALTERNATIVE:Comes with 3,200+ torrent-friendly servers in 100+ countries, unlimited simultaneous connections, and can unblock streaming content with ease. Has gift cards available through CoinGate, which you can purchase securely with various crypto options.

Check out this Surfshark review for more details.

3. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is a US-based VPN provider which, predictably, accepts gift cards from over 70+ retailers across the States. This includes major companies like Starbucks, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy, among others. Users in other regions may need someone stateside to purchase one on their behalf.

In any case, PIA boasts a vast network of thousands of servers in 91+ countries and delivers fairly decent speeds for most activities. Like Surfshark, the VPN allows for unlimited simultaneous connections and has a proven no-logs policy.

We appreciate the great degree of customizability within its apps. You can change protocol, encryption strength, handshake type, port number, whether you want to use PIA’s DNS servers or custom ones, or even enable port forwarding on servers outside the US. Unsurprisingly, the VPN lends itself well to torrenting.

The provider has 24/7 support via live chat, though it’s been pretty hit-or-miss recently. Keep that in mind if this is a priority for you.

TORRENTER’S FAVORITE:Gift cards available through 70+ retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, Home Depot, Target, and so on. Has fast connections and a nice degree of customizability that makes it a great fit for your torrenting station.

Our Private Internet Access review covers everything about the service.

4. PureVPN

PureVPN’s gift card payments are less straightforward than other VPNs. You can subscribe using Paymentwall, a secure service that accepts gift cards from 100+ popular international and US retailers, such as Home Depot, Target, Best Buy, and so on.

With its decently sized network (6,000+ servers in 65+ countries), you’ll be able to access geo-restricted content from a variety of locations. Avid torrenters can make use of PureVPN’s port forwarding add-on for a meager extra fee.

It ranks highly on our list of the fastest VPNs, so you can expect buffer-free streaming, blazing fast torrenting, and an otherwise smooth online experience. Its no-logs claims have been certified by one of the Big Four audit firms, ensuring complete privacy.

As always, PureVPN provides 24/7 live chat, though reps might have trouble with more complex questions now and then.

LIGHTNING-FAST VPN:One of the fastest no-logs VPNs on the market. Has a vast network of 6,000+ servers in 65+ countries and is great for bypassing region blocks. Subscribing is possible through Paymentwall, which accepts over 100+ gift cards in the US.

Explore more features in our PureVPN review.

5. Proton VPN

Proton VPN is a highly secure Swiss VPN with a gift card payment option. You can buy them directly from their online Supporter page, though remember you can only use a credit card or PayPal for your purchase. This is unfortunate for those who want to minimize payment trails, though Proton also offers the possibility of direct cash payments through mail.

Otherwise, the VPN has a full suite of security features to safeguard your data. From industry-standard protocols like AES-256 OpenVPN/IKEv2 and WireGuard, to self-hosted SecureCore servers in countries with strong privacy protections.

It’s not too shabby in the streaming and torrenting department either, especially considering its vast network of 7,100+ servers in 112+ countries. Take advantage of its VPN Accelerator feature to boost your speeds, or hide your presence with its built-in Stealth protocol (obfuscation).

Proton VPN also has 24/7 live chat, but unfortunately it’s only for existing customers. Understandable, but it can be a pain if you need some extra info before subscribing.

ROBUST SECURITY:Features a wide variety of features to boost your online privacy, including self-owned Secure Core servers, a strict no-logs policy, and open-source apps. You can subscribe by mailing cash directly, or purchasing digital gift cards via its Supporter page.

We have a more in-depth analysis in this Proton VPN review.

6. TorGuard

TorGuard has gift card options for both US and international subscribers. American users can select “Gift Card” during checkout and use PayGarden to convert gift card currency into TorGuard invoice credits. 50+ brands are available, including Best Buy, NewEgg, Target, and more. Meanwhile, the Paymentwall option allows for gift card payments internationally.

TorGuard has fair worldwide coverage, with 3,000+ servers in 50+ countries. Not the largest provider out there, but it does the job. Its desktop apps are also packed with various settings, which can be overwhelming to novices but a welcome sight for seasoned VPN users.

A majority of servers allow P2P traffic, and the VPN has built-in port forwarding, with SOCKS5 proxies being available as an add-on. However, its streaming capabilities fall short. Unless you opt for the extra “Streaming Bundle” among its convoluted pricing tiers, TorGuard’s streaming options are limited.

Live chat support is available round-the-clock and reps are generally helpful. Good news considering the VPN’s apps aren’t as intuitive as other providers.

DECENT GIFT CARD VPN:Fast downloads and has port forwarding and SOCKS5 proxies for torrenting. Not the best for streaming without paying extra for the “Streaming Bundle,” however. Still, it has gift card payments for the US (via PayGarden) and Paymentwall internationally.

Here’s a detailed TorGuard review for more information.

7. Mullvad

Mullvad has a stellar reputation among privacy buffs. First off, you can purchase physical Mullvad gift cards from Amazon in 11+ different countries, as well as five European resellers: Inet and Webhallen in Sweden, ProxyStore in Germany, SerialCart in Austria, and Laptop with Linux in the Netherlands.

These gift vouchers have an activation code that you can redeem to activate your account instantly. No email or other personal data is required—just sign in with your newly activated account number.

It’s pretty fast for its cheap cost, has a proven no-logs policy, and all the industry-standard security features required of a top VPN. There’s also multihop (Bridge) and some light customization for its available protocols (WireGuard/OpenVPN). Moreover, it allows torrenting on all servers. Unfortunately, streaming enthusiasts are better off going with another VPN.

Besides being unsuited for streaming, Mullvad notably lacks live chat support. At least their reps answer emails within 24 hours, which is nice to see.

EXCELLENT PRIVACY:Mostly for those seeking absolute privacy without extra bells and whistles. Does not collect sign-up info, generating a random number as an identifier instead. Physical voucher codes available through Amazon (11 countries) and various EU retailers.

Read more about the VPN in our complete Mullvad review.

8. VPN Unlimited

VPN Unlimited users can pay with gift cards from Mint or Dollar General (the latter option is US-only). In spite of the provider’s name, the selection is pretty limited, especially compared to other VPNs that accept payment by gift card.

It’s comparable to TorGuard in network size, featuring 3,000+ servers in 80+ locations worldwide. As for security, it’s everything you’d expect nowadays: 256-bit AES encryption, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch. Its KeepSolid Wise protocol acts as obfuscation, allowing you to use the VPN in China and other restrictive regions.

The provider restricts torrenting to three locations: Ontario, Romania, and France. Speed-wise it’s nothing to write home about, either, though the addition of a SOCKS5 proxy is welcome. Its saving grace is that it can unblock US Netflix and several British streaming sites, such as BBC iPlayer, All4, and ITVX. Still, there are better performing options out there.

Another notable omission is live chat support. Fortunately, the provider is fairly responsive through email, as we got replies in under two hours.

GOOD FOR STREAMING:User-friendly VPN with a large network, and all the standard security features you expect from a VPN, including a kill switch, no-logs policy, and AES-256 encryption. Unblocks a decent chunk of streaming sites and supports Mint gift card payments.

Find out more in our VPN Unlimited review.

VPN testing methodology

As promised initially, here are the details of how we determined the best VPNs that accept payment by gift card:

• Performance: We perform speed tests fairly often on all our picks. Even with a smaller pool of VPNs that accept gift cards, we prioritized those that offer fast and reliable connections.
• Extensive server network: This ensures you always have a fast server nearby for torrenting, streaming, browsing, and everything in between. Location variety also increases your chances of unlocking content.
• Privacy and security: Since most of you want to buy a VPN with a gift card to protect your data, we’ve listed providers with strict no-logs policies, strong 256-bit encryption, bulletproof leak protection, and a reliable kill switch to cover all your bases.
• Torrenting and streaming support: All our recommendations support P2P traffic. Options are more limited on the streaming side of things, but you can still unblock a good variety of services.
• Payment options: VPNs with cash-bought gift cards are the best in terms of privacy. That said, we’ve also listed some providers that accept gift cards purchased with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum.
• Customer service: Whether you’re having trouble with the app or just want to clear things up regarding payments, it’s nice to have reliable support teams on the job.

As always, you can check out our in-depth VPN testing methodology if you’re curious about the whole process.

Which VPNs accept payment by gift card? — FAQs

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