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5 Best VPNs for PayPal in 2024 - Stay secure and pay from anywhere

VPNs provide privacy and security, and as such, are ideal for use with payment processors such as PayPal. Paying online is a procedure for which you can never have enough protection, so using a VPN when accessing PayPal is always a good idea.

Using a VPN for Paypal will also allow you to access it in locations where it is not available. When you connect to a VPN server, your IP address is switched for one owned by your VPN provider so you will look like you're in a country that doesn't block PayPal. 

In this article, we list the best VPNs for PayPal and give you some top tips on how to set your VPN up.

What are the best PayPal VPNs?

We list the best VPNs for Paypal below. Scroll below this list for an in-depth analysis of each of the VPN services listed below.

  1. ExpressVPN - The best VPN for PayPal. You get outstanding security features, consistently fast speeds, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
  2. TIP

    In our testing we checked that all ExpressVPN plans work for Netflix. The one year plan is the best value: three months free and a 30 day risk-free trial.

  3. NordVPN - NordVPN is the best mid-range VPN for PayPal. Offers lightning-fast speeds, advanced privacy features, and affordable plans.
  4. Surfshark - The best value-for-money PayPal VPN. It's packed with features and works with PayPal from anywhere. Easy to use.
  5. Private Internet Access - The most private VPN for PayPal. It has proven its zero-logs claims in court and it offers military-grade encryption.
  6. CyberGhost VPN - A beginner-friendly PayPal VPN with sleek apps on all popular OS, a large server network, and NoSpy servers.

Even though there are reports of subscribers being warned or even occasionally banned because of the practice, using a VPN for Paypal continues to be a popular, useful, and secure way to access PayPal services. All the services below include the following features:

List of the Best VPNs for PayPal

We take a closer look at our recommended Paypal VPN services. For more information about any of the services in the list, check out our detailed VPN reviews.

1. ExpressVPN
Editor's Choice | March 2024

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for PayPal. It offers the best speeds and privacy protections for PayPal users and it can unblock everything, all with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Pricing

    • 12 months + 3 months FREE + Backblaze backup: $6.67/mth
      49% OFF
    • 6 months: $9.99/mth
    • 1 month: $12.95/mth
  • Pros

    • An independently audited service with a zero-logs policy
    • Split tunneling - great for people who like to multitask
    • Super-fast servers - perfect for data intensive tasks
    • Servers in 94 countries worldwide, lots of choice
    • Security and privacy features to match
  • Cons

    • An expensive VPN but you get the highest levels of security
    • No port-forwarding, not ideal for torrenters
    • Only 5 simultaneous connections
  • Speeds

    • 100.00 Mbps
  • Server locations

    • 160
  • Available for

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Payment methods

    • Visa/MasterCard
    • Amex
    • PayPal
  • Website

ExpressVPN Demo

ExpressVPN Demo ExpressVPN Demo


ExpressVPN is one of the top services in the industry for PayPal, but it is a bit expensive. The company offers custom apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Kindle devices. It also offers a manual setup for Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and CentOS Linux.


There is a version of the VPN that can be installed on Chrome, Firefox, and Safari browsers, however, keep in mind that the browser extension only protects the traffic to and from that browser, so it works well for web-based transactions, but won't help you with standalone apps such as a torrent client. You can install ExpressVPN on Sabai, DD-WRT, Tomato, and Asus routers and on a range of set-top boxes for extra layers of security.


You can use the service on up to five simultaneous connections, but if you install ExpressVPN on your router, all the devices in your home will share a single VPN tunnel which counts as one connection. The ExpressVPN server network offers over 104 countries to choose from, making it an exceptional, albeit more costly, solution to providing the security and convenience you need for your PayPal transactions.

NordVPN is an all-around PayPal VPN with superb privacy features, including split tunneling that separates your sensitive and regular online traffic. A secure and affordable option.

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 3 months FREE: $3.69/mth
      70% OFF
    • 12 months: $4.99/mth
      59% OFF
    • 1 month: $11.99/mth
  • Pros

    • Consistently fast, no interruptions to your PayPal transactions
    • Proprietary NordLynx protocol, for even better speeds and security
    • Based in Panama - a country that's great for privacy
  • Cons

    • Affordable, but still more expensive than most VPNs on this list
    • Fewer servers than ExpressVPN and PIA
    • Only 6 simultaneous connections
  • Speeds

    • 58.69 Mbps
  • Server locations

    • 84
  • Available for

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Payment methods

    • Visa/MasterCard
    • Amex
  • Website

Nord Demo

Nord Demo Nord Demo


If you want to access PayPal from somewhere that it is blocked, NordVPN is a fantastic option. Not only is the VPN excellent value for money, but it has one of the most well-rounded security suites of any VPN.


Features include VPN through Tor, double encryption, OpenVPN UDP and TCP encryption, obfuscated servers for getting around firewalls, a killswitch, and DNS leak protection. Thanks to its choice of servers in over 61 countries worldwide, NordVPN will permit you to pretend to be in many countries that accept PayPal.


What's more, because of its zero logs policy and base in Panama; you never have to worry about your privacy being compromised. To check whether you like having a secret PayPal account, you can test NordVPN using its risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Surfshark is a great value-for-money VPN for PayPal. It offers stealth servers to keep you secure online, blazing fast servers, malware protection, and much more.

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 2 months FREE: $2.3/mth
      83% OFF
    • 12 months: $3.99/mth
      70% OFF
    • 1 month: $12.95/mth
  • Pros

    • Highly customizable privacy features and top-notch encryption options
    • Unblocks Disney+, Netflix US, and HBO Max with ease
    • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Cons

    • One month price is not the cheapest
    • Fewer servers than ExpressVPN and PIA
    • Mac client isn't as fully-featured
  • Speeds

    • 56.10 Mbps
  • Server locations

    • 140
  • Available for

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Payment methods

    • Visa/MasterCard
    • Amex
    • PayPal
  • Website

Surfshark Demo

Surfshark Demo Surfshark Demo


Surfshark is based in the British Virgin Islands, Surfshark is a no-logs VPN service with great technical security, a bunch of useful features, and superb 24/7 support.


It is a relatively new VPN provider to the scene but has already become one of the favorite options for PayPal users thanks to the incredibly user-friendly interface, excellent encryption protocols, and blazing-fast speeds. On top of all that, you'll be able to connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously.


Best of all, with Surfshark, you get a superb and fully featured VPN service at an awesome price. If you want to add that extra layer of security to your PayPal transactions, you really can't go wrong with Surfshark. You can give it a try today, completely risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.  

Private Internet Access is the most private VPN for PayPal. It offers robust encryption, advanced privacy and security features, and a court-proven zero-logs policy.

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 2 months FREE: $2.19/mth
      82% OFF
    • 6 months: $7.5/mth
      38% OFF
    • 1 month: $11.95/mth
  • Pros

    • Strong encryption options to protect sensitive transactions
    • Tens of thousands of servers across the globe
    • A court-proven zero-logs policy
    • Cheap but feature-rich
  • Cons

    • No obfuscation (stealth servers), not ideal for countries like China
    • Slower than ExpressVPN and NordVPN
    • US-based company
  • Speeds

    • 23.93 Mbps
  • Server locations

    • 84
  • Available for

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Payment methods

    • Visa/MasterCard
    • Amex
    • PayPal
  • Website

PIA Demo

PIA Demo PIA Demo


Private Internet Access (PIA) is among the cheapest VPN services on this list, with servers located in over 84 countries worldwide. The VPN client software is provided for Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS. Users can select from several encryption choices including, Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) as well as our preferred favorite, OpenVPN.


VPN clients can also be installed on Ubuntu devices, as well as on routers running the DD-WRT, Tomato, or pfSense operating systems. The network provides excellent speeds, which makes it a perfect choice for use with traffic-intensive services.


All this along with a generous allowance of ten simultaneous connections provides a well-rounded service that will not only offer more than acceptable performance but will also provide you with security and peace of mind when connecting to PayPal and other payment services.

CyberGhost VPN has easy-to-use apps on Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. It offers excellent features and security for PayPal at cheap price, and a worldwide servers network.

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 3 months FREE: $2.11/mth
      83% OFF
    • 6 months: $6.99/mth
      42% OFF
    • 1 month: $11.99/mth
  • Pros

    • A very generous 45-day money-back guarantee
    • Servers in over 90 countries, plenty of choice
    • Based in Romania, so no government surveillance
  • Cons

    • Tests showed a WebRTC leak
    • Slower than ExpressVPN
    • No stealth servers, not suitable for countries like China
  • Speeds

    • 9.83 Mbps
  • Server locations

    • 126
  • Available for

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Payment methods

    • Visa/MasterCard
    • Amex
    • PayPal
  • Website

CyberGhost Demo

CyberGhost Demo CyberGhost Demo


CyberGhost VPN offers servers in over 126 locations spread across more than 100 countries across the globe, all at a comparatively competitive price. Other major strong points include a very simple and straightforward registration, payment, and installation process as well as an intuitive and incredibly user-friendly app.


CyberGhost offers a free VPN service as well, however, be aware that it is about five times slower than its cheapest paid subscription and not as feature-rich. For use with PayPal, the free version may be sufficient, but if you want to use your account for more than just financial transactions, you may need to purchase one of the more robust packages. CyberGhost is an excellent choice with a more than adequate range of options for most users.

How to use a VPN with PayPal

All the PayPal VPN services in our list have easy-to-use VPN apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. To use a VPN safely with PayPal, all you have to do is follow the steps below:

  1. Subscribe to one of the PayPal VPN services in the list above. They all have the features you need to access PayPal from anywhere.
  2. Download the VPNs app on to your device, you will easily be able to find the download on their website.
  3. Connect to a server. Sticking to servers within your own country will reduce the VPNs impact on speed, but you will have the choice from a global list if your home country blocks the service or isn't covered by the VPN.
  4. Clear your browser cache or use a private tab and navigate to the PayPal website and log in. 
  5. You will now be able to use PayPal as usual!

How does a PayPal VPN work?

A VPN delivers security and privacy regardless of whether you are connecting from home, via an unsecured WiFi network at a coffee shop, or from your office network. This is because all the data transmitted between your device and the VPN server are fully encrypted.

Even if it is intercepted en route (over an unsecured WiFi network, for example), your data won’t be decipherable because of the strong encryption algorithms used by the VPN. This means you can be sure that your private information is kept private.

VPNs also allow you to access sites without revealing your physical location. Many websites use geolocation detection to restrict access to content, but with a VPN you can pretend to be in a different country to bypass those blocks. These are the key features of VPNs that can be very advantageous when using PayPal’s payment service.

Why do I need a VPN for PayPal?

So why would you want or need to use a VPN to access PayPal? Well, there are several reasons that make it very useful. First of all, a VPN adds an additional, important layer of security to any financial transaction performed on the internet, including those made via PayPal.

When using unsecured networks such as a public Wi-Fi connection, using a VPN means that your traffic, your financial information, and all of your confidential data, remain confidential.

Yes, the PayPal website uses secure protocols for its transactions. If you want to find out more about how these secure protocols work, take a look at our article on HTTPS. However, security problems have arisen in the past with these protocols. Even though they may be perfectly sound, if security is a huge issue for you and you feel safer with the additional encryption provided by a VPN, then using a VPN is an ideal solution. For more info on this topic check out our SSL/TLS article.

Secondly, you may want to connect to PayPal without revealing your physical location. Perhaps you are using PayPal while traveling and you don’t want PayPal to know where you are. Additionally, PayPal’s strict security policies may lock you out of your account if they see transactions taking place from a location outside your home country.

Further, PayPal may be unavailable in your country and you may want to spoof your location in order to gain access to otherwise inaccessible PayPal services. Whatever the reason, hiding your location can be very useful when using PayPal.

What Makes a Good PayPal VPN?

When evaluating the VPN providers, we analyzed certain attributes and features to find the best Paypal VPNs. The features we looked for are as follows:

Can I sign up for PayPal if it is blocked in my country?

Yes, you can use VPNs to spoof their location to the US (or elsewhere) to start a local PayPal there. By linking virtual card services to your PayPal account, you will appear to be elsewhere. This allows you to make international purchases easily, using PayPal to buy an online subscription, software downloads, and other local purchases -  and with the advantage of PayPal's buyer protection. 

Am I allowed to Use PayPal with a VPN?

As of the date of writing, no mention of VPNs has been found in PayPal’s current user agreement. However, according to some people, PayPal prohibits the use of VPNs to access their services. Browsing online forums indicates that some users have received warnings - and others have had their accounts suspended - after using a VPN. However, many people use PayPal over a VPN without a hitch.

When you use a VPN, remember that PayPal may have methods for spotting VPN use. If multiple PayPal subscribers use the same VPN provider to access the service a VPN IP address could become blocked by Paypal. If that happens, try another server to check if that one works.

It seems unlikely that you will suddenly be cut off from PayPal without first receiving a proverbial warning.  And it seems highly unlikely that you will get in trouble for using a legitimate PayPal account from back home when you are on vacation. 

People who have experienced problems are much more likely to be using a Paypal account from a country they do not live in.

Can I use a free VPN for PayPal?

If you're thinking of using a free VPN for PayPal, it's important to know which ones to use, and which ones to avoid. There are countless free VPNs available that promise the world, but will actually do more harm than good. If a free VPN is offering unlimited speeds and data, you can almost guarantee it'll come with at least one of the following issues:

  • Weak encryption: offering little/no security and making it easy for others to see your internet usage.
  • Congested servers: only offering a select few servers that are regularly packed with people, leading to queuing and sluggish connections – just because it offers unlimited speed doesn't mean that it's fast.
  • Invasive privacy policies: Monitoring and selling on your information to third parties as part of their terms of service.
  • Malware: some free VPNs have been known to install adware and spyware on users' devices.

If you want to use a free VPN for PayPal, you must be extremely careful, otherwise, you risk opening yourself up to a cyberattack. The good news is that there are some great free VPNs that offer robust security without sacrificing privacy. However, keep in mind that even the best free VPNs come with restrictions, and are usually stripped-back versions of premium services.

A free VPN will never be as good as a premium VPN, and a good VPN doesn't have to break the bank. If you're looking for the best cheap VPN services, then there are plenty to choose from. Unfortunately, these aren't necessarily guaranteed to perform as well as the suggestions in this article.

The VPNs in this list are tried, tested, and should work perfectly with PayPal, allowing you to get the most out of your VPN without hassle. If you want to ensure your PayPal usage is private and secure, then using one of the services listed above is the best option, and you can utilize their money-back guarantees to test each service and find which one suits you best.

How to pay for a VPN with PayPal

Many VPN providers accept PayPal as a method of payment. In fact, all the providers listed in this article accept PayPal - which makes them easy and fast to subscribe to. Paying with PayPal is advantageous because it has an excellent dispute resolution center, which makes it easier to cancel payments and to seek a refund if you believe you deserve one. Most providers also allow you to renew your subscription via PayPal. So if you are already a subscriber, you can probably set up a recurring payment without any issues.

Is it safe to pay for a VPN using PayPal?

Now that we have clarified that it is possible to pay for a VPN using PayPal, you may be wondering whether it is safe to do so. The answer is that yes, for most people the act of paying for a VPN with PayPal (or indeed a debit or credit card) is not going to create a concerning paper trail. Paying for a VPN using something tied to your name (and potentially your IP address) will create evidence that you purchased a VPN. However, it will not create a way to ascertain what you did with your VPN while connected. 

Of course, depending on your personal threat model, you may prefer not to leave any paper trail at all. Some people like to sign up for their VPN using a fake name and a burner email. Those people will likely prefer to pay for the VPN using vouchers, or a cryptocurrency payment. This is an option, because some VPNs do accept these kinds of payment methods.

However, for the vast majority of people, paying for a VPN with PayPal is not going to cause any real privacy concerns.

How to Test your PayPal VPN for Leaks

Before actually using your VPN to initiate PayPal transactions, it’s always a good thing to test your VPN for leaks. VPN providers may claim to protect your anonymity and data, but there are ways to test their claims. We’ve already tested the VPNs on our list, but don’t just take our word for it. Test them yourself.

There are a multitude of VPN testing sites that will tell you what you look like on the Internet from their perspective. These will include information such as your IP address, your physical location, and your DNS and WebRTC information. You can find detailed information on how to test your VPN for leaks at our Complete Guide to IP Leaks.

How can I ensure that my VPN doesn't interfere with PayPal's security measures?

To prevent your VPN from interfering with PayPal's security measures, we recommend a secure VPN that has strong security measures and plenty of reliable servers. This should prevent PayPal from detecting VPN use, which will allow you to use your PayPal account securely from anywhere without issues.

Generally speaking, we recommend that you connect to a server located in the country where you usually use your PayPal account. That said, PayPal is international, so you may have a better experience when connected to a server that is geographically close to your physical location.

If PayPal is available in the country you are in, but you want the added privacy and security of the VPN (for example if you're using the internet in a public place or hotel) you may prefer to connect to a server in the same country. This will provide you with an encrypted connection to PayPal, while also reducing latency that could interfere with PayPal's security measures.

If possible, we recommend using your VPN on a device that you have previously used PayPal on as this should reduce the potential for triggering PayPal's security measures. 

It is also worth noting that some VPNs may have already been blocked by PayPal. This is why it is important to stick to a secure and reliable VPN provider with decent servers around the world that are compatible with PayPal.

PayPal FAQs

ProPrivacy for PayPal Conclusion

VPNs are very useful and versatile tools for anonymity and security on the internet at large. If you are concerned about your PayPal transactions being compromised, or about the location-based restrictions that exist on PayPal subscriptions, then VPNs are the definitive solution.

With a little care and knowledge about the potential drawbacks due to the financial services provider frowning upon VPN usage for accessing their services, you can go a long way to improving your PayPal experience and maintaining your privacy.

The VPNs in this article have been chosen based on the strengths they possess, specifically for use with PayPal services. But the choice of which of the above five VPN services is best for you really comes down to you.

All the proposed services provide either a free trial or a low-cost initial usage plan (with a money-back guarantee), allowing you to experience them firsthand and test their level of anonymity with the tools provided. We hope these recommendations have been informative and will lead you to the best choice for your PayPal VPN.

From $6.67/month

The best VPN for PayPal. You get outstanding security features, consistently fast speeds, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

ProPrivacy TrustScore:
10 out of 10
Simultaneous connections
8
Server locations
160
Free trial
No

From $3.69/month

NordVPN is the best mid-range VPN for PayPal. Offers lightning-fast speeds, advanced privacy features, and affordable plans.

ProPrivacy TrustScore:
9.9 out of 10
Simultaneous connections
6
Server locations
84
Free trial
No

From $2.30/month

The best value-for-money PayPal VPN. It's packed with features and works with PayPal from anywhere. Easy to use.

ProPrivacy TrustScore:
9.8 out of 10
Simultaneous connections
Unlimited
Server locations
140
Free trial
Yes

From $2.19/month

The most private VPN for PayPal. It has proven its zero-logs claims in court and it offers military-grade encryption.

ProPrivacy TrustScore:
9.7 out of 10
Simultaneous connections
Unlimited
Server locations
84
Free trial
No

From $2.11/month

A beginner-friendly PayPal VPN with sleek apps on all popular OS, a large server network, and NoSpy servers.

ProPrivacy TrustScore:
9.6 out of 10
Simultaneous connections
7
Free trial
Yes
Server locations
126

Written by: Ray Walsh

Digital privacy expert with 5 years experience testing and reviewing VPNs. He's been quoted in The Express, The Times, The Washington Post, The Register, CNET & many more. 

7 Comments

Dave
on June 26, 2019
Known of these truly accepts paypal payments without a credit card attached to the account.This is simply another way an ISP or government agency can track the user. ITS A LIE...
JC
on August 30, 2018
as of today (8.30.2018) they will not allow NORDVPN. paypal have locked my account down, provided the worst "customer service" imaginable, and have request everything short of naked photos to verify my ID and let me back into my account. apparently changing multiple pieces of contact info and using NORDVPN caused this. they said "turn off your vpn, or use another payment processor" its been a nightmare with these clowns so far. we all need to demand online retailers accept other online payment processors instead of paypal.
doctor owl
on July 1, 2018
I'm not sure why, but your table shows nothing! It has the headings: Provider, Price, Score. But nothing shows up... Additionally they aren't mentioned in the article by name either. I was very much hoping to figure out whether Nord VPN or Tunnelbear were on this list as they're my preferred VPNs...
https://cdn.proprivacy.com/storage/images/2024/01/douglas-crawfordpng-avatar_image-small_webp.webp
Douglas Crawford replied to doctor owl
on July 2, 2018
Hi doctor owl, Hmm. The table looks ok to me. I'll pass this message onto our tech department just in case its an issue at our end. NordVPN is at no. 3 on this table.
Istvan
on September 11, 2017
I have been using express vpn for many years. Few years ago when I tried to log in to my PayPal account using vpn it was flagged and limited. Is it allowed now in 2017?
https://cdn.proprivacy.com/storage/images/2024/01/douglas-crawfordpng-avatar_image-small_webp.webp
Douglas Crawford replied to Istvan
on September 12, 2017
Hi Istvan, This can occasionally happen when using a VPN thanks to the actions of another user using the same shared IP address. In general, however, I use a VPN all the time (including logging into PayPal), and have never experienced any issues. So there is a very small risk that you may be flagged again, but is it very unlikely.

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