Ranked for getting through censorship Facts checked 17 Oct 2026 Scores recalculated live
Best VPN for Iran
International internet returned on 26 May 2026 after an 88-day blackout, but Instagram, X, YouTube, Telegram, Facebook and Signal remain blocked. In total, 19 of the apps we track are restricted in Iran.
Top pick right now
ExpressVPN 80/100
Uses automatic obfuscation (with the protocol on Automatic) to disguise VPN traffic.
Why you'd use a VPN in Iran
What is blocked
Telegram (blocked), Signal (blocked), Discord (blocked), Messenger (blocked), Facebook (blocked), Instagram (blocked), X (Twitter) (blocked), TikTok (blocked). The status page has dates and sources for each one.
Not every VPN gets through
Our records show NordVPN (unreliable), ExpressVPN (unreliable), Surfshark (unreliable), Proton VPN (unreliable), CyberGhost (doesn't connect) and Private Internet Access (unreliable) here, which is why connection status carries extra weight in this ranking.
Before you connect
Expect frequent disconnections. Keep more than one protocol configured, and remember a VPN cannot restore a total shutdown.
Is a VPN legal in Iran? Legal with restrictions. Only licensed VPNs are legal, yet unlicensed VPN use is near-universal. During full shutdowns no VPN can help because there is no international connection to tunnel through.
The top 3 for Iran
#1
ExpressVPN 80/100
Unreliable
Uses automatic obfuscation (with the protocol on Automatic) to disguise VPN traffic.
Try ExpressVPN#2
NordVPN 75/100
Unreliable
Uses NordWhisper or obfuscated servers to disguise VPN traffic.
Try NordVPNFull ranking of the 6 VPNs we track
| # | VPN | Score | Connects here | Visitor reports | Website (OONI) | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ExpressVPN | 80/100 | Unreliable | Not enough yet | Too few tests | Try ExpressVPN |
| 2 | NordVPN | 75/100 | Unreliable | Not enough yet | Website blocked 191 tests | Try NordVPN |
| 3 | Proton VPN | 72/100 | Unreliable | Not enough yet | Website blocked 176 tests | Try Proton VPN |
| 4 | Surfshark | 68/100 | Unreliable | Not enough yet | Website blocked 172 tests | Try Surfshark |
| 5 | Private Internet Access | 54/100 | Unreliable | Not enough yet | Too few tests | Try Private Internet Access |
| 6 | CyberGhost | 28/100 | Doesn't connect | Not enough yet | Too few tests | Try CyberGhost |
"Connects here" comes from our Iran status page. Visitor reports count the last 14 days. Website checks come from OONI measurements over 30 days, refreshed 19 Oct 2026; a blocked website doesn't mean the app is blocked, but you'll need to install the app another way.
How we scored
Nobody pays for a position here. Each VPN gets a score out of 100 from these weights, chosen because the main reason to use a VPN in Iran is getting through censorship:
- Stealth / obfuscation
- 45%
- Connects in this country
- 30%
- Privacy & audits
- 10%
- Visitor reports
- 15%
Feature ratings are our editorial scores. If a VPN has too few visitor reports, that weight is shared among the other factors. A VPN that doesn't connect here is capped at 35. How we track
Questions people ask
What is the best VPN for Iran?
On our current scores, ExpressVPN (80/100), followed by NordVPN (75) and Proton VPN (72). Scores weigh getting through censorship most heavily for Iran and update as visitors there report what works.
Is using a VPN legal in Iran?
Legal with restrictions. Only licensed VPNs are legal, yet unlicensed VPN use is near-universal. During full shutdowns no VPN can help because there is no international connection to tunnel through.
Do all VPNs work in Iran?
No. Our records show ExpressVPN (unreliable), NordVPN (unreliable), Proton VPN (unreliable), Surfshark (unreliable), Private Internet Access (unreliable) and CyberGhost (doesn't connect). Pick one with an obfuscation mode and install it before you need it.
Why does this ranking change?
Part of each score comes from visitor reports in the last 14 days and from whether each VPN currently connects in the country. When those change, the order changes. The formula is shown on the page.
Sources
We earn a commission if you buy a VPN through our links. It never changes what we report as blocked. How we pick