Snapchat’s surging popularity has also been a bit of a downside. Many schools, colleges, and workplaces block Snapchat to make sure students and employees concentrate on work. Entire countries like China, Iran, and parts of the Middle East restrict access. The only way to get around this filter is by installing a VPN for Snapchat.

Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN connection masks your true location by encrypting all the traffic flowing to and from your device and tunneling it via an intermediary server. Network administrators will not be able to determine your browsing activity. Hence even if you’re logged on to your college or school wifi, using a VPN connection will help you unblock Snapchat by hiding your real IP address.

If you’re short on time and can’t get to all the details in this article, here’s a summary of our recommended VPNs:

  • NordVPN Is our number one Snapchat VPN. It leads the pack with speed and reliability. It runs a vast network of reliable servers that work great with Snapchat. Won’t break the bank or skimp on privacy and security. 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • Surfshark Budget choice for unblocking most sites. Strong security and allows unlimited VPN connections.
  • ExpressVPN Works well with Snapchat and excels at unblocking popular streaming content. Goes to great lengths to ensure user privacy and security.
  • CyberGhost Beginner-friendly VPN that is easy to set up and to use. Reliable privacy and security.
  • IPVanish Easy to use and good speeds. Cheap and reliable option.
  • Private Internet Access Trusty network with lots of support to get you started. Well priced but inconsistent speeds for streaming and downloading.

How to access Snapchat using a VPN

  • Pick a VPN that’s best suited for you. (We recommend NordVPN)
  • Navigate through the options and select a plan.
  • Download the companion app for your phone, either Android or iOS
  • Open the VPN app, login, and select a server preferably outside your country of residence
  • Once the VPN connection is established, open the Snapchat app and use it like you normally would.

Which are the best VPNs for Snapchat?

To help you out we’ve compiled a list of the best VPNs that work with Snapchat flawlessly. They’re ranked on the following factors:

There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t right for you and you’ll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

  • Speed and stability of service
  • Large number of server locations
  • Strong encryption parameters so your Snapchat location remains hidden
  • Apps for Android and iOS
  • Ease of use

Below we’ll look at each VPN in detail to help you decide which is the best VPN to help you access Snapchat at School, at work or while abroad.

Best VPNs for Snapchat – at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Snapchat.

1. NordVPN

                    Jan 2023

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background
  • FireTV

Website: www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN is our first choice for a Snapchat VPN. It has been in the business for over a decade and its seamless product is the main reason for the longevity. This VPN offers the whole package: incredible internet speeds, reliable connections, ease of use, and strong encryption.

Nord understands the need for privacy and online security and therefore declines to store any customer data. There’s no traffic or session logs of any kind. All internet traffic is encrypted via 256-bit AES and 2,048-bit DH keys. A single subscription grants access to six devices. An internet kill switch is also present.

Servers are optimized for speed and there are more than 5,000 in 60 countries across the globe. Apps are available for Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS.

BEST VPN FOR SNAPCHAT:NordVPN is our top choice. Pegs the best connection speeds we’ve seen and is a real contender in all categories. Has strong security features and allows up to 6 devices to be used simultaneously from one account. Includes 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free deal.

Pros:

  • Extremely fast speeds
  • Easy-to-use apps for Android and iOS devices
  • Offers secure, encrypted connections at all times
  • Vast server network can unblock most geo-restricted content including Snapchat
  • Operates over 5,000 servers in 60 countries
  • Round-the-clock chat support

Cons:

  • Desktop app requires a bit of getting used to and may frustrate beginners

Our score:

Read our full review of NordVPN.

2. Surfshark

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website: www.Surfshark.com

Surfshark is a low-cost, privacy-focused VPN that doesn’t log any user data. It’s excellent at unblocking popular sites, such as Snapchat and YouTube, as well as geo-restricted streaming services like Netflix.

Internet connections are secured by 256-bit encryption in conjunction with perfect forward secrecy. Features include a kill switch, protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks, automatic wifi protection, and split tunneling. NoBorders mode will help you out if you need to bypass government blocks, for example, in China.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. There’s no limit on the number of devices you can connect at a given time.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark has apps for all the major operating systems and doesn’t impose connection limits, so you can access Snapchat anytime, anywhere. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Bypasses blocks with ease

  • Lots of security extras

  • Use on unlimited devices

  • Fast enough for uninterrupted streaming

  • Accepts a variety of cryptocurrencies

  • Fewer servers than some rivals

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

3. ExpressVPN

Website: www.ExpressVPN.com

ExpressVPN combines military-grade encryption protocols with a minimalistic design that works smoothly at all times. It consistently provides fast, stable connections.

With over 3,000 servers spread across 94 countries — including a ‘smart location’ option that’ll indicate what the service intuitively feels will be best suited for you — finding an adequate connection should not be a problem.

Encryption standards are equally resilient – ExpressVPN uses OpenVPN connections encrypted with 256-bit AES as default. 4,096-bit DHE-RSA keys are identified by a SHA-512 hashing algorithm. No user-identifying logs are kept and there’s a kill switch in the desktop apps.

A single subscription allows for use on up to five devices simultaneously. Apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS are available.

SECURE AND PRIVATE:ExpressVPN is a fast and reliable VPN that unblocks all major chat and streaming services. Provides strong security and privacy and keeps no identifying logs. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Consistent, speedy connections

  • 3,000+ servers in 94 countries

  • Hard to beat on online privacy and security

  • Easy to use and set up with apps for Android and iOS devices

  • Keeps no traffic logs of personal data

  • Bit pricier than rivals

Here’s our review of ExpressVPN.

4. CyberGhost

Website: www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost is registered in Romania and says it doesn’t store any data. But it was recently acquired by an Israeli firm headquartered in the UK so we’ll have to wait and see if the policy changes at all.

However, it’s encryption standards are solid. There’s 256-bit AES encryption on the OpenVPN protocol which is considered robust. And with approximately 5,700 servers in 90 countries, there’s enough choice when it comes to hiding your location.

Access to seven devices on a single plan. The provider supports both Android and iOS.

PERFORMANCE & VALUE:CyberGhost is great beginners’ choice. A budget choice for Snapchat. Good on privacy. Streams HD video reliably. 45-day money-back guarantee.

  • Vast server network is great at unblocking Snapchat wherever it is restricted

  • Operates a network of more than 5,700 servers in 90 countries

  • Decent, reliable speeds

  • Android and iOS apps are easy to use

  • Doesn’t work in China

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

5. IPVanish

Website: www.IPVanish.com

IPVanish is another fast, cheap, and easy-to-use VPN provider that incorporates sturdy encryption with a commitment to ensuring an impeccable user experience.

Your activity on IPVanish can never be traced back to you – the service keeps zero logs on customers so even its own employees won’t know who’s browsing the web and what they’re doing. There’s an internet kill switch included with your subscription – with the result that there’s no loose flow of data if the connection drops. You’ll remain secure.

Encryption standards are equally tight. The VPN provider uses 256-bit encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default, SHA512 authentication, and a DHE-RSA 2,048-bit key exchange with perfect forward secrecy. That means even if your account is compromised for some strange reason, it’s impossible for hackers to decrypt past session data and uncover browsing history.

There’s an option to choose between 850 servers spread across 60 countries.

IPVanish allows ten devices to connect at one time, making it an even cheaper option than Express if you decide to share with friends. There are apps for both Android and iOS.

UP TO 10 DEVICES:IPVanish is a great family choice as it allows 10 multiple connections. Good for Snapchat but look elsewhere if you want to unblock some popular video streaming services. 7-day money-back guarantee.

  • Impressive speeds and reliable connections

  • Apps work well on Android and iOS devices

  • Handles multiple simultaneous connections well

  • All the security and privacy features you need for most situations

  • Doesn’t accept bitcoin

  • Customer support is a little slow

Read our full review of IPVanish.

6. Private Internet Access

Website: www.PrivateInternetAccess.com

Private Internet Access (PIA) may deceive you with its ungainly looks but it does its job very, very well. It scores high on efficiency and ease of use.

It’s also another VPN service that chooses not to retain customer information of any nature. Encryption standards are similarly impressive – there’s an option of using the OpenVPN protocol with 256-bit AES encryption, SHA256 authentication, and 4,096-bit RSA keys.

PIA offers a massive 3200+ servers spread across 25 countries. You can connect up to five devices simultaneously with one account.

There are apps for both Android and iOS.

LOW PRICE:Private Internet Access has great security. PIA stands tall among VPN providers for its low price, rich security features, and great customer service. Works well with Snapchat but speeds can be inconsistent for video streaming, torrenting and downloading. 7-day money-back guarantee.

  • Apps for both Android and iOS devices

  • Operates over 3,200 servers

  • Impressive security features and privacy protections

  • Be prepared for troubleshooting in community forums

  • Other providers in this list are more capable at unblocking more major streaming sites

  • Streaming speeds can be inconsistent

Read our full review of Private Internet Access.

How we found the best VPNs for Snapchat: Our methodology

There are hundreds of VPNs on the market, both free and paid. This makes finding the best VPNs for Snapchat all the more challenging. Our methodology helps us narrow down the options and involves looking for the following in each VPN we recommend:

Free VPNs that can unblock Snapchat

The majority of Snapchat’s users are teenagers which means they’re not exactly flush with cash to splurge on a paid VPN. It’s tempting to opt for a free service in this case.

But our recommendation is to skip that Miley Cyrus concert the one time and use your savings to invest in a VPN. That’s because free versions are inferior. They’ll throttle your bandwidth, offer very limited server choices (usually only one or two), enforce data caps, and could also make you wait in line if there’s network congestion.

Additionally, such services aren’t free in the proper use of the term. They’re monetizing somehow – after all, they’re companies that have overheads such as staff costs and server maintenance – with the most obvious product being yourself.

As a user, your browsing habits are a potential goldmine for pesky advertisers. Supposedly free VPN providers have been caught inserting tracking cookies in their users’ devices and mining that data to sell to the highest bidder. That’s completely unethical.

Even if this doesn’t happen to you, you’re definitely going to get a ton of invasive advertisements that’ll induce a migraine. Best to avoid.

When an institution blocks an essential app like this, parents need a workaround. The easiest recourse is to use a VPN - you’re not breaking any laws or engaging in any illegal activity if you’d just like to check up on the safety and well-being of your child.

We don’t, however, condone the use of Snapchat for anything illegal which includes things like revenge porn or sharing compromising pictures and videos with consent.

Just be careful and prudent. A VPN will mask your location and encrypt internet traffic - which means your network administrator will not be able to figure out that you’re using the app - but a teacher might physically observe the phone in your hands and get wind of things. Don’t use it while in class and definitely try to refrain if the penalties are strict.

We’ve offered you what we feel are the five best options for unblocking Snapchat but the end decision is yours. Take a look at the pricing plans as well as servers in the country you’re most likely to connect from. If you want to explore further, then we recommend you read through the full reviews (they’re at the bottom of each recommendation).

Once you’ve made up your mind, just click on one of the links, register an account, and sign up.

2. Download software

After you’ve signed up and paid you’ll get a confirmation email from the VPN service of choice. Included in the email will, most likely, be links to relevant apps (either iOS or Android). Click on the one that’s relevant to your device, download the software, and enter your login details.

Once that’s done, clear the cookies in your browser to remove any old location identifiers and restart your phone.

3. Open the VPN app

Once your phone has rebooted click on your VPN provider’s app. Browse through the server locations and try to select a country/location that’s not too far from you geographically. You shouldn’t face any problems establishing a solid connection.

4. Use Snapchat normally

Wait a few seconds for your VPN to latch on to the server of choice. When it does so successfully it’ll send you a notification that you’re good to go. This means Snapchat (and all the other apps on your phone) are now no longer subject to the browsing restrictions put in place by your current network. You can enjoy a premium internet experience.