To bypass censorship and unblock your usual services, your best bet is to connect to a VPN. Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN will encrypt all of your internet traffic and route it through an additional server of your choice. Your real IP address will be switched with that of the VPN server. This enables you to circumvent government blocks and access services that would normally be restricted. Better still, a VPN will help keep your internet use private and more secure.

Plus, if you use a VPN that has servers in Venezuela (as some providers on our list do), you’ll be able to access Venezuelan content, such as that from Venevisión and Telesur TV, while traveling abroad. We’ll go into detail about the best VPNs for Venezuela below, but here’s a brief look at our top picks.

Best VPNs for Venezuela:

  • NordVPN: Our top choice for Venezuela VPN users. This provider delivers top security features and is known for its unblocking abilities. Comes with a 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee.
  • Surfshark: The best way to browse safely on a budget. This VPN works everywhere, unblocks most streaming sites, and doesn’t limit connections.
  • ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is super fast and very reliable. Offers a good range of security features too.
  • CyberGhost: This VPN is great for streaming and has servers in Venezuela.
  • Hotspot Shield: With an expanding network of high-speed servers, Hotspot Shield is another solid option.
  • IPVanish: If you’re looking for fast speeds, privacy, and reliability, this is another superb option
  • PrivateVPN: Not to be overlooked, PrivateVPN is super-reliable and great at unblocking.

While there are a ton of VPNs to choose from, there is a great deal of variation when it comes to things like speed, security, and customer support. We’ve based our selections on the following criteria:

  • Works in Venezuela
  • Has a global network of servers (Venezuela options are a bonus)
  • Offers fast, reliable connections
  • Employs strong encryption and other security features
  • Doesn’t store user data
  • Provides prompt and knowledgeable customer support

Best VPNs for Venezuela

Here is our list of the best VPNs for Venezuela:

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 top recommendation. It has a large network of more than 5,500 servers in 59 countries. Although there are currently no servers in Venezuela, it does have servers in nearby Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Costa Rica.

NordVPN is highly secure with features including strong encryption, a kill switch (in all apps except Android), protection against leaks, and automatic wifi protection. It has special obfuscated servers designed to evade detection by web filtering techniques, such as those employed by oppressive governments. NordVPN keeps no logs whatsoever.

This provider has a six-device limit and offers apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It works with select home routers as well.

NordVPN is our #1 choice. Lets you browse safely in countries where there are attempts to block VPN usage and can enable access to all your favorite sites. Subscriptions come with a risk-free 30-day refund policy.

Pros:

  • Special obfuscation servers
  • Faster than any other service we’ve tested
  • Unblocks most popular streaming sites
  • Impressive security features
  • True no-logs VPN

Cons:

  • Can sometimes take a while to connect

Our score:

Dive into our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website: www.Surfshark.com

This provider has been steadily adding security features, with the current roster including 256-bit encryption, a kill switch in all apps, leak protection, automatic wifi protection, and split tunneling. It keeps no logs of any user data.

Another great perk is the fact that Surfshark doesn’t impose a device limit. You can share the subscription with your whole family and connect as many devices as you like. The VPN can be manually configured with select home routers, and apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN that easily bypasses censorship and enables you to access all the content you want on any device. Packages include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Easily bypasses restrictions

  • Very high speeds

  • Keeps no logs

  • Reliable connections

  • Lets you connect all your devices at once

  • Customer support has room for improvement

Read our in-depth review of Surfshark.

3. ExpressVPN

Website: www.ExpressVPN.com

ExpressVPN is known for its ability to bypass government censorship and even works reliably in more restrictive countries such as China. ExpressVPN operates more than 3,000 servers in 94 countries. It even has server options in Venezuela, so if you usually live there and want to access your favorite services while abroad, this VPN is ideal.

With security and privacy being a primary concern in Venezuela, you’ll be happy to learn that ExpressVPN employs military-grade encryption and a suite of other security features. You have perfect forward secrecy, a kill switch in the desktop apps, split tunneling, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. This provider keeps some metadata logs, such as date stamps, but doesn’t record any information that could be used to identify users.

EXTREMELY VERSATILE:ExpressVPN is quick, secure, and reliable, making it ideal for use in Venezuela. It even bypasses some of the most stringent online censorship. This company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Large server network (includes Venezuela)

  • Extremely fast speeds

  • Keeps no logs

  • Employs strong encryption

  • Has a slightly larger price tag than some competitors

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

4. CyberGhost

Website: www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

Security is a strong focus of this provider and features include 256-bit encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch in all apps. CyberGhost never keeps any traffic or connection logs so your privacy remains protected.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, and the VPN can be configured with some routers. CyberGhost permits up to seven simultaneous connections.

GREAT VALUE:CyberGhost has an expansive server network and is excellent for unblocking streaming media and other sites. Plans come with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

  • Has a huge network of servers

  • Pegs great speeds

  • Maintains no logs at all

  • Uses strong encryption

  • Doesn’t have as many configuration options as rivals

Check out our in-depth review of CyberGhost.

5. Hotspot Shield

Website: www.Hotspotshield.com

                    Editor’s Note: Hotspot Shield is owned by Pango, Comparitech’s parent company.

Hotspot Shield is another provider with a network spanning numerous regions. It has around 1,800 servers in over 80 countries, including Venezuela. Servers in various locations performed extremely well in speed tests, and we’ve had success using it to unblock restricted content from Netflix, Hulu, and more.

This provider uses its own proprietary “Catapult Hydra” protocol. Although it’s not open source, it has been reviewed by multiple top cybersecurity firms. Encryption is military-grade and you get a kill switch in all apps, along with leak protection and automatic wifi protection. Hotspot Shield logs IP addresses while you’re connected but deletes them immediately upon disconnection.

This service is compatible with Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS, with native apps available for all of these systems. It now works with some home routers as well. A single subscription allows for up to five simultaneous connections.

FAST AND RELIABLE:Hotspot Shield has servers across the globe and offers solid speeds. This company offers a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

  • Includes server options in Venezuela

  • Very fast speeds

  • Doesn’t log identifying data

  • 45-day money-back guarantee

  • Customer support is inconsistent

Discover more in our Hotspot Shield review.

6. IPVanish

Website: www.IPVanish.com

IPVanish is another strong contender for a Venezuela VPN. Although it’s not necessarily our first choice for bypassing government blocks (it isn’t reliable for internet users in China, for example), it works without issues in Venezuela where restrictions are less advanced. And IPVanish works to access popular streaming media platforms, including Netflix US from in Venezuela.

This provider has your back in terms of security, with 256-bit encryption with perfect forward secrecy, leak protection, and a kill switch in desktop apps. IPVanish never maintains any traffic or connection logs. Admittedly, it doesnt have servers in Venezuela, but it does have plenty in nearby Brazil, Peru, Argeintina, Chile, and Colombia, which gives you plenty of decent options.

SECURE AND SPEEDY:IPVanish employs strong security protocols and won’t keep tabs on your activity. This company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Great speeds for browsing and streaming

  • Secure, private connections

  • Prompt customer support

  • Doesn’t unblock as many sites as some competitors

  • Doesn’t accept Bitcoin

Learn more from our full review of IPVanish.

7. PrivateVPN

Website: www.PrivateVPN.com

Security and privacy are a strong focus for this provider and you can expect military-grade encryption, a kill switch (Windows only), and protection against leaks. PrivateVPN is another true no-logs provider.

You can connect up to six devices at a time and apps can be downloaded for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. PrivateVPN also works with Linux and can be set up on some home routers.

PRIVATE AND SECURE:PrivateVPN is a surprisingly high-performance VPN for its size, and offers great speeds and unblocking ability. You can request a refund within 30 days of subscribing.

  • Offers fast speeds

  • Keeps no logs at all

  • 30-day refund policy

  • Limited number of servers

  • Live chat isn’t always available

Find out more details in our full PrivateVPN review.

Can I use a free VPN in Venezuela?

We recommend avoiding free VPN services for several reasons. While you don’t pay for these services, the providers need to make money somehow, and that’s often done at the expense of your privacy. They have been known to track users’ internet activity and sell the resulting data to third parties. This also means they have a trove of information to hand over to anyone who requests it, including government personnel.

Free VPNs fall short from a practical standpoint. Drawbacks include low data caps, wait times to connect to servers, and slow, choppy connections. If you’re looking to unblock streaming services, free VPNs will likely disappoint.

What’s more, some free VPN apps aren’t really VPNs at all, but rather malicious apps posing as VPNs to deliver malware to unsuspecting victims. Even those that are “legitimate” often suffer from weak encryption standards and lack of other security features such as a kill switch and leak protection.

When you take these factors into account, it becomes clear that the better option is a paid VPN that delivers on its promises.

How do I use a VPN in Venezuela?

If you’ve never used a VPN, not to worry; it’s very simple to get started. By connecting to a VPN server in your home country, you’ll have unrestricted access to all the content you’re missing from home. Below are the steps to access Netflix and other platforms while in Venezuela.

Here’s how to configure a VPN for Venezuela:

  • Select a suitable VPN provider and subscribe. We recommend NordVPN.
  • Download a desktop app from the provider’s site or find the mobile app in the appropriate app store.
  • Run the install, launch the app, and log in with your new credentials.
  • Select a server in a location of your choice. For example, for Netflix UK, you’d choose a British server, and for Hulu US, you’d select a US server.
  • Navigate to the content you want to access and you should be good to go!

If it doesn’t work right away, one common fix is to clear your cache and cookies and try again. Otherwise, it may be that you need to connect to a different VPN server in that location. A VPN customer representative can usually help you with this as well as troubleshoot other issues you might be having.

How do I access Venezuelan TV while traveling abroad?

If you usually live in Venezuela or you’ve spent a length of time there, you may be looking to find out how to access Venezuelan services while outside the country. For example, services like Globovisión, Telesur TV, and Venezolana de TV are usually only available to those with a Venezuelan IP address.

Not many VPNs have servers in Venezuela, but several on our list do: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Hotspot Shield all have you covered if you want a local IP address. All you need to do is sign up with one of those providers and follow the steps above; selecting a server located in Venezuela from the server list when is time to do so..

Aside from accessing streaming content, these VPNs will provide you with a Venezuelan IP address, enabling you to unlock other sites that may be restricted, including online banking sites like Central Bank of Venezuela, Banco de Venezuela, and Banesco.

Why else do I need a Venezuela VPN?

One of the primary reasons for using a Venezuela VPN is to improve online security and avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime. This is especially important if you’re traveling in any country (including Venezuela) as you’ll likely need to frequently connect to public wifi networks. These are notoriously unsafe and offer a prime opportunity for hackers to lie in wait. Connecting your mobile device to a VPN will ensure that even if someone intercepts your internet traffic, it will be unreadable.

Another reason to use a VPN is to bypass government blocks. In 2019, the country achieved an internet freedom score of just 30 out of 100 from Freedom House, putting it firmly in the “not free” category. There have been many reports of censorship in recent years, mainly involving social media blocks and restricted access to some news sites.

To circumvent these restrictions, many users turned to Tor, an anonymous browsing network. However, Venezuela banned this tool as of mid-2018, and while it may still be possible to access Tor in the country (using a workaround solution involving “bridges”), it’s far simpler to use a VPN.

It’s important to note that we do not recommend using a VPN to unblock content which is considered illegal. If in doubt, you should consult local laws for clarification. While there have been attempts to block traffic from certain VPNs, the use of VPNs, in general, is not illegal in Venezuela.