You may have noticed by now that you can’t access some websites on the internet. Many schools and offices blocklist several sites, and streaming services usually geoblock content. Even worse, some governments censor the internet in their countries. However, there’s good news: a VPN unblock can get you into almost any website.
Key Takeaways: Unblock Sites with a VPN
- You can unblock virtually any website by changing your virtual location.
- Although you can use a proxy server or Tor browser, a virtual private network (VPN) is the most effective solution. Plus, VPNs offer encryption and obfuscation, keeping your web traffic away from third parties.
- The best VPN for unblocking is ExpressVPN because it can unblock virtually any website, its connections rarely drop and its servers come with obfuscation.
- NordVPN has specialty servers and is faster, while Surfshark is cheap and reliable. Mullvad and VyprVPN are trustworthy wildcard options.
Short for “virtual private network,” a VPN can change your online location, making it seem to your internet service provider and any websites you visit that you’re elsewhere. That way, you can access websites unavailable in your physical location. However, not all VPNs are good at changing your location or hiding the fact that you’re using a VPN.
We’ve tested numerous VPNs against all kinds of blocklists and restrictions. In this guide, we’ll show you some of the best VPNs for unblocking any site. If you want a head start, ExpressVPN is the best VPN to unblock any site, owing to its wide range of IP addresses, obfuscation features, and solid security and privacy features.
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ExpressVPN is the best VPN to unblock websites because all of its servers, in 94 countries, are equipped with metadata obfuscation.
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A VPN can unblock any website at your school by accessing websites as though you’re in another location.
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You can unblock websites on your school Chromebook using a proxy server, Tor browser or even by typing in the website’s IP address instead of the domain name.
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Top VPNs For Unblocking Websites
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Choosing a VPN: Unblock Websites from Anywhere
When choosing a VPN for bypassing restrictions, look out for field-tested unblocking ability, obfuscation, an extensive server network, and good privacy and security features. The VPNs below passed all those tests and more with flying colors.
- ExpressVPN — The best unblocking VPN, with obfuscation on every server
- NordVPN — A secure VPN that can unblock sites with specialty servers
- Surfshark — An affordable VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections
- Mullvad — Privacy-focused VPN that can unblock sites
- VyprVPN — Useful VPN for unblocking, with a stealth protocol
If your purpose for using a VPN is to unblock websites, then you have to choose one that unblocks them reliably and consistently. For instance, some VPNs can get past a school or office web block but struggle with streaming providers like Netflix.
Another critical VPN feature worth looking out for is obfuscation. As the name suggests, a VPN with obfuscation conceals your use of a VPN. This is vital because networks and systems often monitor internet traffic to see if anyone is using a VPN to outwit bans. For example, China uses deep packet inspection (DPI) to identify VPN users.
Moreover, you need a VPN with excellent security and privacy features. It should ensure that your IP address never leaks; otherwise, your cover could be blown. In addition, the VPN should have an automatic VPN kill switch that cuts your internet connection immediately if your VPN connection is disrupted.
You also need a VPN with a strict no-logs policy, which means it won’t save, store or share data that can be traced back to you.
Why Are Some Websites Banned?
Some websites have been blocklisted because authorities consider them disruptive or distracting. For instance, a school might ban a social media site to prevent people from using it while studying.
Other websites have been geoblocked because of international copyright restrictions. For example, Netflix’s catalog differs from country to country because it doesn’t have the rights to show some titles in specific locations. That’s why the U.K.’s Netflix library is different from that of the U.S.
Finally, some countries have banned or censored certain websites, ostensibly to protect their citizens from misinformation and external influences. China and North Korea are classic examples of countries with internet censorship. Social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, don’t work there.
Why Are VPNs Blocked in Some Countries?
Certain countries have banned VPNs to ensure citizens can’t use them to access restricted sites. The bans differ from country to country. Some have banned VPN servers by blocking protocols and ports, while others have shut off specific VPN websites and apps.
To enforce the ban, some countries threaten people who use VPNs with penalties, including fines and even imprisonment. If you’re going to use a VPN in a restrictive country, we recommend choosing one with obfuscation. That way, the authorities in your country/jurisdiction won’t notice your VPN use and therefore won’t be able to penalize you for it.
The 5 Best VPNs for Blocked Websites
Now, let’s turn our attention to the five best VPNs to unblock any website on the internet. We’ll highlight their advantages and disadvantages, and explain why we chose them. ExpressVPN, our favorite VPN, is first on the list.
1. ExpressVPN
More details about ExpressVPN:
- Pricing: $6.66 per month (15-months plan)
- Provider website: expressvpn.com
Pros:
- Unrivaled unblocking ability
- Large server spread
- Excellent security features
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
In terms of unblocking, ExpressVPN is a cut above the rest. Pit it against any website or streaming service anywhere in the world, and you’re likely to get in with ease. Unlike other VPNs, ExpressVPN doesn’t have specialty servers optimized to access blocked websites. Instead, all of its servers are equipped with best-in-class unblocking capabilities.
ExpressVPN’s security and privacy credentials are also top-notch. It has IP and DNS leak protection, so your details will not be exposed. Plus, it has a kill switch (called Network Lock), which ensures you never unwittingly use the internet without VPN protection. ExpressVPN abides by a strict no-logs policy and has passed audits by reputed firms, including Cure53, KPMG and PwC.
Obfuscation on All Servers
ExpressVPN stands out because all its servers, spread across 94 countries, have obfuscation. For perspective, many other VPNs only provide a handful of obfuscated servers. Regardless of the ExpressVPN server you connect to, no third party will know that you’re actually using a VPN. There’s more in our ExpressVPN review.
ExpressVPN scores high marks in all but one area: price. It’s expensive compared to other VPNs. ExpressVPN’s one-month plan costs $12.95 per month, while the six-month offering is priced at $9.99 per month. However, the one-year plan drives down the price to $6.66 per month, and it includes three free months. All plans are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Unlimited GB
- 5
- Yes
2. NordVPN
More details about NordVPN:
- Pricing: $3.49 per month (two-year plan)
- Provider website: nordvpn.com
Pros:
- Fast streaming speeds
- Specialty servers
- Many security features
Cons:
- Server breached in the past
Coming in second is NordVPN, a privacy and security juggernaut that rivals ExpressVPN when it comes to unblocking sites. You get to choose between over 5,000 servers in 60 countries to access any platform. From our experience, any of NordVPN’s servers can get past geoblocks, whether you want to unblock websites on a school Chromebook or access Spotify at work.
Furthermore, NordVPN boasts fast download speeds and low latencies. It’s currently the best fast VPN on the market, making it the ideal choice for data-intensive activities like streaming Netflix in HD or 4K and playing Minecraft or Call of Duty. You can learn more about NordVPN’s features in our NordVPN review.
Enjoy a Suite of Specialty Servers
NordVPN is known for its collection of servers optimized for specific purposes. It has obfuscated servers, which mask your VPN use and help you get around network firewalls. It also has double VPN servers, which make it twice as hard for anyone to crack your internet traffic. You can get a dedicated IP from NordVPN to avoid blocklists and bypass CAPTCHAs.
On a monthly basis, NordVPN costs $11.99. The real savings are on the longer-term plans. If you purchase NordVPN for a year, it will cost you only $4.99 monthly. The best bang for your buck is the two-year plan, which costs $3.49 per month. You can test NordVPN for 30 days risk-free.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
3. Surfshark
More details about Surfshark:
- Pricing: $2.49 per month (two-year plan)
- Provider website: surfshark.com
Pros:
- Servers in 100 countries
- Affordable plans
- Unlimited device connections
Cons:
- High latency on faraway servers
Surfshark is often commended for its affordable pricing. However, there’s much more to this all-rounder than its cost. First, it has over 3,000 servers in 100 countries, more than any other VPN on this list. This means that you should be able to find a nearby server to unblock any site, regardless of your location.
Surfshark has two modes that you should know about. The camouflage mode, which is essentially obfuscation, ensures that no one can decipher your VPN use. The NoBorders mode automatically detects network restrictions and puts together a server collection that can bypass them. We dig deeper into Surfshark’s features in our Surfshark review.
Unblock Sites on an Unlimited Number of Devices
Some VPNs limit the number of devices you can connect to at one time. If you own several devices, including mobile devices (Android/iPhone), laptops, workstations, iPads and tablets, or have a family, one subscription will not be enough. However, Surfshark allows you to enjoy VPN unblocking on as many devices as you’d like.
As we already hinted, Surfshark is a low-cost VPN service. The monthly plan is priced at $12.95 per month, while the one-year plan cuts it to $3.99 per month. The most affordable plan is the two-year plan, which costs $2.49 per month and adds two months free. You can request a full refund within 30 days of purchasing a Surfshark subscription.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
4. Mullvad
More details about Mullvad:
- Pricing: $5.30 per month (one-month plan)
- Provider website: mullvad.net
Pros:
- Excellent speeds & latency
- User-friendly interface
- Accepts cash payments
Cons:
- Small server network
Mullvad is a privacy-focused VPN that is reasonably good at unblocking websites. It has a collection of more than 600 servers in 42 countries. As we touched on in our Mullvad review, most of these servers are rented, but they can still get you around most geoblocks. The VPN service has implemented obfuscation on some of its bridge servers (multi-hop feature).
Our major gripe with Mullvad is that it’s inconsistent at unblocking streaming services. However, many of the major ones, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer, work just fine. In the security department, Mullvad serves up a decent collection of features, including a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols.
Privacy-focused VPN
Many VPNs promise not to log identifiable customer data and leave it at that. Mullvad takes its no-logs policy a step further by gathering as little customer data as possible. You don’t need to use your email address when creating a Mullvad account. Instead, it assigns a string of numbers that make it hard to trace your data back to you. Plus, it accepts cash payments.
Mullvad’s pricing structure is different from most. The VPN costs €5 per month (around $5.30), whether you sign up for a month, a year or even a decade. Note that the price is in euros, so if you want to pay in dollars, keep an eye on the exchange rate. If you don’t like Mullvad’s service, you can request a refund within 30 days. Unfortunately, this refund window doesn’t apply to cash payments.
- Unlimited GB
- 5
- Yes
5. VyprVPN
More details about VyprVPN:
- Pricing: $5 per month (one-year plan)
- Provider website: vyprvpn.com
Pros:
- Chameleon obfuscation tech
- Unblocks big streaming apps
- Strong security
Cons:
- Slow speeds
VyprVPN snags the final spot on this list thanks to its excellent unblocking ability. In our testing, VyrprVPN was able to unblock all the major streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and Disney Plus. What’s more, you can choose from over 700 servers to unblock virtually any website or platform.
The most concerning aspect of VyprVPN is that its speeds don’t stand up to the competition. If you check our VyprVPN review, you’ll see that it posts inconsistent download and upload speeds across the board. VyprVPN’s latency is not great either, so it might not be the best for gaming. That said, it’s valuable for unblocking regular sites.
Chameleon Protocol to Conceal VPN Traffic
One of VyprVPN’s trump cards is that it can conceal VPN use with the chameleon protocol, a tool to bypass geoblocks and censorship. It works by mixing up your OpenVPN data packets so that not even deep packet inspection can identify them as VPN traffic. This protocol is why VyprVPN is one of the best VPNs for China.
VyprVPN’s pricing plans are straightforward. If you want the service for a month, you’ll pay $10. This price point is cheaper than what most VPNs offer. If you want it for a year, you’ll have to pay $5 per month. Again, this is a relatively affordable deal. Both plans are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Unlimited GB
- 30
- Unlimited GB
- 30
- Includes 3 Users, $99 per year per additional user, Multiple User Management. Global Business Servers, Dedicated Account Manager
- Unlimited GB
- 3
- Includes 3 Users $99 per year per additional user, Multiple User Management, Your own dedicated server, Fast and easy deployment
- Unlimited GB
- 3
Can a Free VPN Unblock Websites?
Free VPNs can unblock all kinds of websites. However, the results differ based on the free VPN you’re using. For instance, some free VPNs can unblock regular websites but struggle against streaming services like Netflix. Besides, free VPNs often have data limits. The worst free VPNs even sell user data and contain malware.
If you’re going to use a free VPN, we recommend choosing one of the best free VPNs. For general unblocking of websites, opt for Proton VPN. Although you only get access to three free servers, it should suffice if you’re looking to bypass a geoblock. Plus, Proton VPN’s free plan has a stealth VPN protocol for obfuscation and has no data limits. Learn more in our Proton VPN review.
Another free VPN worth using is Windscribe. Unlike Proton VPN, Windscribe limits user data to a maximum of 15GB of free data each month. This is enough for accessing regular sites such as business and news websites, but it may not be enough for streaming. It’s also reasonably fast. Discover more about this VPN service in our Windscribe review.
Unblocking Websites Without a VPN
There are a few ways to unblock websites aside from a VPN. We’ll highlight three of the most popular ways in the paragraphs below. However, none of them are as effective at encrypting and hiding your traffic as a VPN is.
Use a Proxy
A proxy server acts as a middleman between you and the website you want to visit. Ordinarily, when you enter the URL of the website you want to open, your information, including your IP address, is sent to the website’s servers. However, when you go through a proxy server such as HMA’s, the website you’re visiting sees the information of the proxy website instead of yours.
The downside of using a proxy server is that it doesn’t encrypt your internet traffic the way a VPN does. This means that your information might be revealed to ISPs, hackers and governments. Besides, proxy servers struggle to unblock some geo-restricted websites, and you might not have any luck with streaming services like Netflix.
That said, a proxy server might be a good option if you’re using a public computer that doesn’t allow the installation of VPNs, or if you need to quickly unblock a regular site without covering your tracks.
Browse With the Tor Browser
Another popular option for unblocking websites is the Tor browser. Short for “the onion router,” Tor routes your traffic through a network of anonymous nodes before reaching the website you want to access. As a result, the browser is able to hide your IP address and web traffic from the websites you open. It also gives access to non-indexed sites on the dark web.
In spite of the anonymity it offers, Tor has a number of issues. First of all, the network of nodes is run by volunteers, who can be cybercriminals or law enforcement agencies. A hacker could be running an exit node to steal user data or spread malware. Plus, you might have a hard time browsing since some websites identify and block Tor exit nodes.
Try the IP Address Instead of the URL
Aside from a domain name, websites have an IP address. Some blocking software restricts access to domain names, but not IP addresses. If you’re able to find the website’s IP address, you can access it even if the domain name is blocked. However, with this method, you won’t have any encryption or protection while using the internet.
One great website to use to find the IP addresses of websites is the Whois lookup tool. When you look up a domain name, it will give you a wide range of information about the website, including its servers and IP addresses. You can type the IP address into your browser, and if the IP address is not blocked, you’ll gain entry.
Final Thoughts
If you need to unblock any website, be it a regular website or a streaming service, there are various options available. A proxy server or Tor browser can help, but it won’t provide the kind of encryption and protection from prying eyes that a VPN does. VPNs are more reliably able to unblock most websites.
The best VPN for unblocking any website is ExpressVPN. It has a trove of obfuscated servers in 94 countries with top-notch unblocking ability on its apps or its VPN browser extension. NordVPN is a faster alternative with a suite of specialty servers. Surfshark is much cheaper but still offers reliable unblocking. Mullvad is extremely privacy-focused, while VyprVPN’s chameleon protocol makes it a good option.
Have you tried using a VPN to access a blocked website? Which VPNs did a good job, and which ones drew a blank? If you never have, which VPNs on this list are you interested in trying? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments section below. As always, thanks for reading.
The post Using a VPN: Unblock Any Site in 2023 appeared first on Cloudwards.
