The TikTok ban went as quickly as it came, and currently those in the US are free to use the Chinese social media app, just like before the ban came into place. That means for now, you won't need to use a dedicated TikTok VPN to get access to everything on the platform.
However, the waters are still incredibly murky regarding the future of TikTok. Although President Trump has already signed an executive order to delay the ban for 75 days, TikTok may still be on borrowed time. If a buyer isn't found, we could be in exactly the same situation on Saturday, April 6, and demand for the best VPNs for TikTok may surge again.
What's more, the US isn't the only country to consider or implement a TikTok ban – many countries have restricted the app at some point, while others like India and Iran have blanket-banned TikTok.
From our experience during the short-lived ban in the US, and other restrictions around the world, it's clear that the best TikTok VPNs are effective in unblocking the app. You can check out our guide on how to get around the TikTok ban for more info.
My top 3 TikTok VPNs
My top recommendations for the best TikTok VPNs are NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Surfshark. This is down to their excellent unblocking ability to help you access content from around the world. My #1 VPN is NordVPN, thanks to its fair pricing, excellent privacy and super stable apps.
Why is TikTok being banned?
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TikTok is widely regarded to be one of the worst offenders when it comes to harvesting user data. Last year, the US, Canada and EU enacted bans on using the app on government devices, and it's now finally time for a blanket ban.
When it comes to harvesting user data, TikTok is widely regarded to be one of the worst offenders, so much so that in 2023, the EU, Canada and the US banned use of the app on government devices. Now, a complete US-wide ban seems likely.
Some have called the ban performative, pointing out that many other social media apps do the same thing as TikTok, including Meta's Facebook and Instagram, as well as X (formerly Twitter). However, the crux of the matter is that TikTok is that it is a Chinese-owned app, which has been deemed to be much riskier than apps based in Western nations.
How does a TikTok VPN work?
A VPN works by encrypting and rerouting your internet connection through its own servers located all across the world. In effect, this means it can make you appear to be in any country of your choice.
Also, seeing as a VPN routes your traffic through its own servers and makes it invisible to your ISP, any restrictions or blocks imposed by said ISP can be avoided. That means you can access things like torrenting sites which, while legal, are blocked by most providers.
Most commonly used to access blocked streaming media (check out our guide to the best Netflix VPN services guide for more info), some users think that the same technique might also grant them access to TikTok. However, due to the ban not yet being implemented, we can't guarantee any details or that a certain TikTok VPN will work. If you're worried about that, all our recommended providers come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The downsides of TikTok VPNs
It's still difficult to say exactly how a full-scale TikTok ban would work, because we only saw it in effect for about 24 hours.. Reports of TikTok VPN usage in India – where it’s been banned for some time – are unclear. Some say that VPNs are perfectly effective, while others find the restrictions impassable.
It all depends on how the US ban is implemented by the US government. If it's banned again, the US may follow much the same route as the Indian government, which means the mobile apps will be removed from app stores and service may degrade as time passes and updates can't be installed. This is especially likely to happen if TikTok itself blocks access at the app level for US users.
However, I highly recommend you seek out the most recent information about the legalities of the situation yourself to fully inform yourself of any risks, and no VPN services mentioned on this page claim to be either foolproof ways of accessing TikTok, or specifically designed for this purpose.
TikTok VPN FAQs
Will a TikTok VPN be illegal?
How the ban will be enforced by the US government is unclear – but we're comfortable saying that VPNs themselves are unlikely to become illegal.
However, using a VPN doesn't make any illegal activity legal, like downloading pirated software.
We're unlikely to see TikTok use criminalized, and if you do get access we doubt you'll be punished. After all, the legislation concerns the protection of data rather than illicit content, so the end user should be at very little risk.
What else could I use a TikTok VPN for?
Other than potentially accessing TIkTok, there are tons of other VPN uses.
One of the most popular reasons for having a VPN is to access geo-restricted streaming content. Netflix, for example, serves different shows to people in different countries, so you'll be able to watch content that's not available at home. Also, if you're on holiday, you'll be able to watch the shows you're used to at home.
The main reason for having a VPN, though, is to maintain privacy and anonymity online. You'll be able to avoid trackers and targeted adverts, and your internet service provider won't be able to see what you're browsing on the web.
Disclaimer
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.
