ChatGPT is a hot tech topic right now – but some places (like schools, workplaces, and even entire countries) have blocked it. So, if you need a reliable way to access the tool, you'll need one of the best ChatGPT VPNs.
At Tom's Guide, we've put dozens of the best VPN providers to the test, comparing how their security tools stack up, their overall performance, and how well they can unblock restricted sites and services like ChatGPT. Privacy is always my number one priority, but I'll also dig into what it's like to use these services every day.
In a hurry? No problem. NordVPN is my top pick, thanks to its awesome unblocking power and sleek apps, but Surfshark and ExpressVPN are great alternatives that pack a ton of features into sleek, easy to use apps. Keep reading for all the details and my in-depth analysis.
The 3 best VPNs at a glance
This update saw me change the rankings of our top ChatGPT VPNs, moving NordVPN to #1, Surfshark to #2, ExpressVPN to #3 Proton VPN to #4 and Private Internet Access to #5. I've also updated the layout to add quick evaluation boxes to all the mini reviews, as well as checking all the facts and figures to make sure all the info on the page is as up-to-date as possible.
The best ChatGPT VPNs in 2025
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NordVPN: the best ChatGPT VPN overall
NordVPN takes the number one spot in our ranking of the best VPN services, and it rtains that position as a VPN for ChatGPT. With fast speeds, great streaming support and excellent security, its a great choice as a ChatGPT VPN.
With a fleet of more than 7,400 servers worldwide, you should be able to get connected OpenAI's popular chatbot from just about anywhere. ChatGPT aside, NordVPN is a dab hand at unblocking other services, which is why it tops the rankings of our best Netflix VPNs, too.
As you'd expect from a cyber-security giant such as Nord, class-leading privacy features are included as standard. You get AES-256 encryption, a decent kill switch, and a range of protocols including the super-speedy WireGuard-based NordLynx, which maxed out our connection tests at over 950 Mbps. While a VPN can't actually increase your connection speed, with speeds like this you can be sure that NordVPN won't be slowing you down.
In terms of privacy and security, NordVPN has been independently audited as well as having a strict no-logs policy. This means that all of its privacy and security claims have been verified by an outside source, so you can use it safe in the knowledge that your data will not be stored, shared or tracked.
It also has a range of security features, including two kill switches, leak protection, and a Double VPN which routes your internet traffic through two VPN servers in order to further obscure it.
It also offers a comprehensive cybersecurity suite via built-in antivirus and antimalware, a password manager, Threat Protection Pro, encrypted cloud storage, data breach scanning, popup and ad blocking, and even cyber insurance. All these extras essentially mean you're getting everything you'd need to protect your devices in one subscription.
One of NordVPN's drawbacks, however, is that its apps can look a little cluttered. Its mobile apps are particularly guilty of this, with the same features and widgets that fairly organized on desktop crammed into a much smaller screen.
While this does not make NordVPN impossible to navigate, and users will most likely quickly pick up how to use it, if you're after a super simple VPN experience you should consider ExpressVPN or Surfshark.
Overall, NordVPN is a great option if you want a ChatGPT VPN that offers
🔒 Read our in-depth NordVPN review for all the details.
Buy NordVPN if:
✅ You want the best VPN on the market. NordVPN came out on top in our extensive VPN testing.
✅ You want a worldwide server network. With 7,400 servers in 118 countries, you're sure to never be searching for a server to use.
✅ You want a VPN with added extras. You can protect yourself in just one subscription, thanks to NordVPN's range of extra security features like Threat Protection Pro.
Don't buy NordVPN if:
❌ You're on a tight budget. At $3.09 plus tax per month for a two year subscription, NordVPN isn't the most expensive, but it's not the least either. If you're on a strict budget, consider Surfshark or PIA.
❌ You want clean, streamlined apps. NordVPN's apps aren't too hard to figure out, but they are more complex than Surfshark's or ExpressVPN's.
Surfshark: the fastest VPN
Surfshark is the best cheap VPN on the market, so it's a great option for ChatGPT users on a tight budget. Better yet, the low pricing (from as little as $1.99 a month plus tax for a two year subscription) doesn't translate to a lack of features.
For one thing, Surfshark is extremely fast. Indeed, when we last tested this VPN we found it to be the fastest VPN around, maxing out our testing line at over 950 Mbps when using WireGuard. This ensures that even with Surfshark active, you should have a smooth back-and-forth with ChatGPT, even when throwing it question after question.
Since Surfshark has more than 3,200 servers in 100 locations, we don't anticipate that you will have any trouble unblocking ChatGPT, not to mention your favourite geo-restricted streaming services. In fact, it's one of the best streaming VPNs on the market, unblocking both regional and global streaming services like Netflix, Disney+ and BBC iPlayer.
There are no privacy worries here, either. Standard security features like AES-256 encryption, ad blocking and a kill switch plus more complex ones like Dynamic MultiHop mean that Surfshark is as reliable as it is fast. Surfshark also offers obfuscation in the form of Camoflauge Mode which scrambles your VPN traffic, avoiding detection and allowing you to chat away in peace.
Another great thing about Surfshark is that it offers unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning that you and your family/friends can access ChatGPT on as many devices as you like.
In testing I found the mobile apps to be polished a professional, offering a simple way to get connected from anywhere in the world. However, if you're after a more customizable VPN experience, you might find them a bit too simple. For the very technically-minded who want to get under the hood of their VPN, I recommend Proton VPN or PIA instead.
Another thing to consider is the fact that while Surfshark is undoubtedly great value for money, this value only lasts for your first subscription. If you let your plan auto-renew, you'll suffer a nasty price hike. If you like Surfshark and want to continue using them but avoid this, you're better off cancelling your subscription before it ends and then singing up for a brand new one.
🔒 Read our in-depth Surfshark review for all the details.
Buy Surfshark if:
✅ You're on a strict budget. Surfshark is one of the best value for money VPNs on the market, with prices starting at $1.99 plus tax per month for a 2-year subscription.
✅ You want a VPN with simple apps. Surfshark's keeps its streamlined design consistent across all of its apps, so you can device-hop without having to re-learn its UI.
✅ You want a ChatGPT VPN that can unblock streaming services, too. In my testing, Surfshark was able to unblock every streaming services I tried it with.
Don't buy Surfshark if:
❌ You want a customizable ChatGPT VPN. Surfshark does not offer a great deal of configuration, so if this is something you're after, you're better off going for Proton VPN or PIA.
❌ You want a VPN with an extensive server spread. While a 3,200-strong server network is nothing to sniff at, there are VPN services with much bigger networks.
ExpressVPN: the best ChatGPT VPN for ease of use
ExpressVPN is one of the best all-around VPN services on the market today. It's excellent at unblocking geo-restricted services such as Netflix, so you won't be surprised to hear that it's also excellent at unblocking ChatGPT too.
With speeds of 898 Mbps, it may not be as fast as NordVPN or Surfshark, but it's not slow by any means and it's not likely to slow down your connection, either. This is essential because if you've ever engaged ChatGPT in conversation, you'll know that it can take a while to answer complex queries. The last thing you need is a sluggish VPN causing further delays.
With more than 3,000 servers in 160 locations, you should be near a server and be able to connect in seconds wherever you are in the world. Plus, this range of locations comes in very handy if you need to virtually relocate yourself.
ExpressVPN has a lot to offer in terms of security, too. You'll get industry-standard AES-256 encryption as well as an audited no-logging policy, an effective kill switch, and split tunneling. All that will be enough to satisfy even the most discerning ChatGPT users facing censorship issues.
On top of this, ExpressVPN offers some great cybersecurity extras as standard that competitors tend to offer as paid add-ons. This includes its ad, tracker and malicious site blocker Threat Manager as well as its password manager, ExpressVPN Keys.
Don’t be intimidated by feature set, though. All of ExpressVPN's apps are as simple as thye are powerful, and offer a beginner-friendly, 'plug and play' experience on both desktop and mobile devices.
Still, it's worth noting that ExpressVPN's quest for simplicity has caused it to sacrifice some of the more complex options for customization other VPNs offer. If you're after a VPN service that lets you tinker around with basically every aspect of it, you're better off going for Proton VPN or PIA.
While its price may be a sticking point for some potential users, it's important to note that if you want a security suite as well as a VPN, ExpressVPN is actually pretty good value for money. Getting the same features that ExpressVPN offers as standard from NordVPN, for example, would cost you up to $6.99 per month, as compared to ExpressVPN's $4.99.
🔒 Read our in-depth ExpressVPN review for all the details.
Buy ExpressVPN if:
✅ You want super simple ChatGPT VPN. ExpressVPN's apps are streamlined yet powerful, making them incredibly easy to use.
✅ You want a ChatGPT VPN with added security features. ExpressVPN's added features like a password manager and ad and malware blocking ensure you'll stay safe online.
✅ You want cutting-edge privacy. ExpressVPN has consistently been the one of the first VPN services to address up-and-coming areas in the privacy realm.
Don't buy ExpressVPN if:
❌ You're on a strict budget. ExpressVPN is one of the more expensive VPNs on the market at $4.99 per month for a 2-year subscription. If you're looking for a cheaper VPN, consider Surfshark or Private Internet Access.
❌ You need the absolute fastest speeds. While ExpressVPN's speeds are definitely not bas, there are some other VPNs (like NordVPN or Surfshark) which are slightly faster.
Proton VPN: a privacy-focused ChatGPT VPN
Swiss-based Proton VPN is a tempting proposition that combines an unlimited data cap with excellent privacy credentials, excellent connection speeds and a sleek overall user experience.
What really stands out, however, is Proton's free VPN offering. Proton VPN Free is one of the best free VPNs on the market, with not data or time limits as well as a kill switch, WireGuard, and access to tech support. So, if you're looking for a ChatGPT VPN which doesn't cost a thing, it's a great option.
You should know, though, that Proton VPN's free version does not come with streaming support, so if you were looking for a free ChatGPT VPN that you could also stream content with, you might want to look at PrivadoVPN Free.
The premium version, however, offers top-notch streaming support. As one of the best streaming VPN services, it unblocked every streaming service we tested it with.
It's also one of the most secure VPNs on the market. Its 12,000-strong server network is exclusively made of "bare metal" servers, meaning that all its servers are physical, not virtual. This removes the slight security risk posed by virtual servers as well as giving Proton VPN more control over its servers. Plus, Proton VPN owns all its own server, further increasing its control over its server network and eliminating the possibility of third-party data leaks.
Another handy privacy feature is Secure Core. Essentially, this routes your connection through an ultra-secure server (Iceland, Switzerland, or Sweden) before sending it on to your location of choice. This means that your internet traffic is encrypted twice, further obscuring it and keeping your data extra safe. That's great news if you need to access ChatGPT from a 'risky' location.
One of the main issues with Proton is its lack of 24/7 support. While it does have handy how-to guides and FAQs, as well as a live chat, this live chat is only availbale in certain hours. While you should generally be able to fix any issues you run into by using Proton VPN's guides, if you have a more complex issue it's frustrating to have to wait until an agent is available.
Additionally, while Proton VPN's Windows, Android and iOS apps have recently been redesigned and are a lot more streamlined, they may still be a little complex for beginners. This is down to its advanced settings and configuration options. While this may be attractive for those familiar with VPNs that want to customize their connection, it is something for those new to VPNs to consider.
🔒 Read our in-depth Proton VPN review for all the details.
Buy Proton VPN if:
✅ You want an extensive server network. With over 12,000 servers in 144 locations across 117 countries, Proton VPN ensures you won't need to search for a useable server.
✅ You want a secure ChatGPT VPN. Proton VPN's parent company, Proton, is well-known for its dedication to user privacy and security, and this dedication is seen in its VPN, too.
✅ Speed is a top priority. With speeds of 950 Mbps in testing, Proton VPN's performance matches up to that of NordVPN and Surfshark.
Don't buy Proton VPN if:
❌ You want a cheap ChatGPT VPN. Proton VPN may not be the most expensive VPN on this list, but at $3.59 per month for a 2-year subscription, it's not the cheapest either.
❌ You want a simple ChatGPT VPN. While Proton VPN isn't the most complex VPN out there, its expert-level features may be intimidating for those new to VPNs.
PIA: the most customizable ChatGPT VPN
Boasting more individual servers than almost all of its competitors at over 10,000 at last count, Private Internet Access (PIA) makes it easy to find a connection and get chatting to ChatGPT, wherever you happen to be located.
While PIA generally offers decent streaming support, it has been experiencing some issues lately. In recent testing, it had issues when unblocking Netflix in Australia, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Amazon Prime and 10Play. While I was only completely unable to access ITVX and 10Play, if you want a VPN that's more reliable for streaming, check out Proton VPN or Surfshark.
Privacy-wise, PIA is an impressive package. As one of the most private VPNs, comprehensive zero-logging policy combined with quarterly transparency reports, prove that PIA has not and will not store or share any user information.
With features such as port forwarding and a command line tool that allows you to write your own scripts that automate the program, as well as extensive features that allow users to completely customize their VPN connection, PIA also has a lot to offer those looking for a ChatGPT VPN that's built for power users.
As a result of these advanced features, PIA's apps are a little less user-friendly than the competition. While they do have an easy quick connect button, their navigation is not as intuitive as other VPN services.
If you're looking for a ChatGPT VPN you can use on mobile, you may want to look elsewhere. Its iOS app makes use of quick settings via icons, with the meaning of these icons not immediately obvious. While, the meaning of these icons can be found in its settings, this may be confusing to first-time VPN users.
Additionally, PIA's speeds aren't the best, clocking in at 436 Mbps on WireGuard. While these shouldn't slow you down during ChatGPT sessions, they definitely aren't as impressive as those of NordVPN, Surfshark or Proton VPN.
With unlimited connections and a prices that start at just over $2 per month for a 2-year subscription, PIA offers pretty good value for money. Plus, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it out for yourself, risk-free.
How to choose the right VPN
A VPN is a simple application that changes your IP address and hides your DNS requests. This allows you to safely and privately bypass any restrictions your ISP place of work imposes without leaving a trace – including avoiding ChatGPT bans.
We've tried and tested pretty much every VPN you can think of and the best examples offer powerful unblocking capabilities, rock-solid privacy and excellent connections speeds. All three of these factors come into play when choosing a VPN for ChatGPT.
Unblocking is the biggie. If you live in a country with restrictive censorship laws, or are subject to a ban imposed by your workplace of school, a top VPN will restore your access to ChatGPT in an instant. Here, obfuscated connections will be essential. In short, obfuscation makes your connection look like it's not using a VPN – even though it really is.
Privacy is important too. When you data travels to and from ChatGPT, you want that data to remain private and secure at all time, safe from prying eyes. That's especially true if you plan on using ChatGPT when connected to public wifi hotspots.
ChatGPT – and its more advanced, subscription-based sibling, Chat GPT 4 – can provide access to an incredible wealth of information. But even accessing certain informations can be controversial is certain parts of the world. But with a VPN, you can ask ChatGPT anything, whilst enjoying a high degree of privacy.
Of course, a good VPN can perform many other miracles. You'll also be able to stay protected from all manner of snoopers and unblock your favourite streaming services when travelling away from home.
Overall, NordVPN is our top-rated ChatGPT VPN thanks to its combination of super-fast speeds, excellent streaming support and top-of-the-line security. However, that's not to say the other VPN services in this ranking aren't great VPNs for ChatGPT, too.
How we test VPN services
Every six months we undertake a comprehensive review process of the best providers. Our expert team tests the reliability of apps on a range of devices, digs deep to find flaws, and sees if features like kill switches are truly up to task.
We also test them with various online services – in this case ChatGPT – to see if they're able to unblock everything a potential user might want it to, without any snags or slowdowns. After all, you wouldn't want to leave ChatGPT hanging!
Finally, we judge how good a package the VPN provides as a whole. This includes comprehensive speed testing on our 1Gbps uncontested line, checking out the live chat support, seeing how intuitive the apps are, and any extra goodies like bundled antivirus or dark web monitoring.
FAQs
What is the best VPN for ChatGPT?
To cut a long story short, we consider ExpressVPN to be the #1 VPN for ChatGPT.
With a more than 3,000 servers in 160 locations, Express makes it a easy to unblock anything from famous AI chatbots to movie streaming services and more. ExpressVPN is also a very speedy VPN, so you can be assured of great speeds when conversing with the ChatGPT and it's even smarter, subscription-based cousin, ChatGPT 4.
ExpressVPN isn't the cheapest VPN on the market, though. So if price is your main concern, try Surfshark – it's currently available for as little as $2.50 a month.
Why do I need a VPN to use ChatGPT?
Generative AI applications such as ChatGPT are hugely powerful tools. But while they can be used to help humans achieve all sort of tasks at speed, they're not welcome everywhere.
At the time of writing, ChatGPT is 'unavailable' – effectively banned – in China, Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Egypt, North Korea and Belarus. It's also been kicked out of numerous workplaces (Amazon, JP Morgan, Verizon and others) and some schools in Australia and France.
This means that when you try to access ChatGPT, you might find yourself confronted with a blocking notice or an error message that reads, "ChatGPT is not available in your country".
By firing up a VPN, you'll be able to spoof your location, thus removing the block and giving you access to ChatGPT – not to mention a wealth of other geo-blocked sites and services.
Can I use a free VPN for ChatGPT?
You can, but I wouldn't recommend it – free VPNs come with a lot of drawbacks. These typically include hefty monthly data caps, bandwidth restrictions, and a limited pool of servers to choose from. Plus, free services are often slower than their premium counterparts, which could negatively impact your conversations with ChatGPT.
It's also worth noting that some free providers are known to inject ads into your browsing sessions. This far from ideal, seeing as a lot of people install VPNs to avoid ads and trackers in the first place.
If you won't be using your VPN much at all, a free service could work for casual use and the odd interaction with ChatGPT. However, if you want to make the most of what the world-famous AI bot has to offer, try ExpressVPN. It's a superb all-rounder and came out top in our rundown of the best VPNs for ChatGPT.
Just want the cheapest option? Surfshark starts at around $2.50 a month.
Is it legal to use a VPN?
Yes, it's legal to use a VPN in most countries around the world – though there are a few exceptions. In China and Russia, for example, you're limited to government-appointment services, whereas VPNs are banned totally in North Korea and Iraq. Remember, regardless of where you are, the things you do while connected to a VPN can still be illegal, even if using a VPN isn't.
- Want to cover your phone? Read about the best iOS VPN...
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We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
