Published on: March 27, 2023 Updated 6 times since publishing
- 🥇 ExpressVPN : Consistently works in places that block ChatGPT, maintains blazing-fast speeds on all of its servers, provides industry-leading security and privacy features, and has very user-friendly apps. ExpressVPN is affordable and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee on all first-time purchases.
ChatGPT is a great tool, but it blocks a lot of VPNs. If ChatGPT detects that you’re using a VPN, you’ll get an error message to disconnect from a VPN if you’re using one. Plus, some schools and workplaces block ChatGPT to prevent misuse of the AI tool. In addition, there are a few countries that continue to ban it because they believe it’s a security threat.
ChatGPT also restricts some of its advanced features to certain locations. Plus and Pro features like Deep Research, Operator, Sora, and Advanced Voice aren’t available in certain regions, like the UK and Switzerland.
Fortunately, a good VPN lets you access it (and all of its features) from anywhere, including schools, workplaces, and countries where it’s not available. I spent weeks researching and testing the top VPNs on the market with ChatGPT. I compared speeds, security, ease of use, and more to find the 5 best VPNs for ChatGPT in 2026. Each VPN on this list is a great pick, but my favorite is ExpressVPN because it’s very fast, secure, and user-friendly. Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Access ChatGPT With ExpressVPN
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for ChatGPT
Editor's Note: Intego ONE, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for ChatGPT
Basic 12-Months plan: $3.99 / month
1-month plan: $12.99 / month
ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for ChatGPT. It has a massive server network with a server location in 105 countries, making it easy to find a fast server close to you. I tested it with ChatGPT while connected to several different countries, and ExpressVPN worked every time. It comes with exceptional security features, maintains blazing-fast speeds on all servers, and consistently works in restrictive countries — it’s also ranked #1 on our list of the best VPNs in 2026.
I really like ExpressVPN’s obfuscation feature, which hides the fact that you’re using a VPN. This makes your traffic appear as regular traffic, which is useful if ChatGPT detects your VPN connection. In addition, obfuscation allows you to mask your VPN connection on a school or company network that blocks VPNs. ExpressVPN has obfuscation on all of its servers and protocols, and it’s enabled automatically, which is super convenient. It also worked flawlessly when I tested it with region-locked ChatGPT features like Deep Research and Advanced Voice.
It also has extras like split-tunneling, which allows you to choose which apps use the VPN connection and which ones use your normal network. For example, you can access ChatGPT via your browser’s app while connected to the VPN and route all of your other apps through your work or school network.
In addition, ExpressVPN’s apps are easy to use. Finding and connecting to any server is very simple and quick. Plus, there’s a cool Shortcuts feature that lets you create 1-click shortcuts for specific apps and sites — it’s conveniently displayed on your VPN window after you connect to a VPN server. I added ChatGPT to my Shortcuts menu, which allowed me to get instant access to ChatGPT’s site.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for ChatGPT because of its lightning-fast speeds, ability to access the web from almost anywhere, and top-notch obfuscation. ExpressVPN also has split-tunneling and very intuitive apps.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Access ChatGPT From Restrictive Countries
6-month plan: $7.50 / month
1-month plan: $11.95 / month
Private Internet Access is great for accessing ChatGPT from restrictive regions. It obfuscates your traffic through the Shadowsocks protocol, which disguises the fact that you’re using a VPN. It’s pretty easy to set up — you just go to the Multi-Hop tap under Settings, enable it, and select the server you want to use. The downside is that Shadowsocks is available in only 5+ countries, which means that if you’re not in or near one of those countries, it can noticeably slow down your connection.
PIA offers servers in 50 countries. While this is a smaller network than ExpressVPN offers, it still provides excellent global coverage that will let you connect to a nearby server no matter where you’re located. In my tests, it let me use Pro features like Sora (ChatGPT’s video generation model) with no trouble while connected to servers in the US, Netherlands, Australia, and more.
The VPN’s split-tunneling tool is really good as well. In addition to apps, it also lets you split-tunnel websites (like ChatGPT’s site), which is very convenient — ExpressVPN’s split-tunneling feature only allows you to exclude apps. Plus, the provider allows unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can use it on as many devices as you want.
Bottom Line:
PIA is a reliable VPN that provides Shadowsocks servers for accessing ChatGPT from restrictive countries. It also has fast speeds, provides really good split-tunneling, and allows unlimited connections.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
Editor's Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Highly Customizable Apps + Fast Speeds
6-month plan: $6.99 / month
1-month plan: $12.99 / month
CyberGhost VPN’s apps allow you to customize connection preferences, which helps you quickly connect to your desired server and start using ChatGPT. Plus, it has a server location in 100 countries, which makes it easy to find a fast server close to you.
I really like the automation options with the Smart Rules feature — for example, I configured the VPN app to automatically connect to the fastest server and open the browser I use to access ChatGPT on launch.
Unfortunately, CyberGhost VPN doesn’t provide obfuscation, so accessing ChatGPT from schools and companies could be a problem if they have savvy network administrators. The VPN doesn’t work in restrictive countries like China and Russia, either. ExpressVPN, on the other hand, provides obfuscation on all its servers in 105 countries and generally works in restrictive countries, and it was much more consistent in letting me access ChatGPT features not yet rolled out to my location.
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost VPN has flexible and easy-to-use apps that are great for users who want to customize and automate their VPN connections for using ChatGPT. The VPN is also very fast and secure.
Read the full CyberGhost VPN review
Editor's Note: CyberGhost and this site are in the same ownership group.
4. NordVPN — Provides Access to High-End Security Features
Plus 24-month plan: $3.59 / month
Complete 24-month plan: $3.99 / month
Prime 24-month plan: $6.99 / month
NordVPN has great web protection tools to secure your connections as you chat with ChatGPT. For starters, I’m a big fan of its app-based kill switch, which is a convenient tool. You can select specific apps, like ChatGPT, to shut down if your VPN connection drops. This way, all of your other apps or browsers aren’t affected.
NordVPN makes obfuscation available on 100+ servers in 15+ countries. It also has a proprietary protocol called NordWhisper that’s designed to overcome restrictive networks, such as bypassing a ChatGPT block at your workplace. Unfortunately, NordVPN doesn’t work in restrictive countries, so you won’t be able to use it from places like China and Russia. That said, NordVPN has server locations in 149 countries, which makes it easy to connect to a nearby server location that has the advanced features you want, such as accessing Operator in Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, or the UK.
Also, there’s Dark Web Monitor, which sends you alerts if the email address linked to your NordVPN account is leaked on the dark web — this is really handy if you use the same email address for your ChatGPT account. For additional privacy, you could also use NordVPN’s Double VPN feature, which sends your traffic through an extra server for double the encryption.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN comes with many strong web protection tools that protect your data while you use ChatGPT. It has advanced features, decent obfuscation, and a dark web monitoring tool. Plus, the VPN maintains good speeds.
5. Surfshark — Cheap VPN That’s Great for Beginners
One 24-month plan: $2.49 / month
One+ 24-month plan: $4.19 / month
Surfshark has cheap plans and intuitive apps that are easy to use with ChatGPT — even if you’ve never used a VPN before. The settings have helpful descriptions, there’s a customizable quick-connect feature, and I really like that Surfshark lists the recent servers you’ve connected to for quick access (you won’t have to manually scroll through the 100 countries to find your favorite one for ChatGPT).
Surfshark offers obfuscation on all its servers through its Camouflage Mode. It’s also available on all of Surfshark’s apps in case you want to make your VPN traffic look like regular internet traffic when using ChatGPT. Unfortunately, the VPN doesn’t reliably work in restrictive countries like China and Russia.
It also has a GPS Override feature on Android devices, which ensures your device location matches the VPN location (this is helpful for accessing sites like ChatGPT that block regional IP addresses). It also means accessing geo-restricted Pro features like Advanced Voice is more consistent since your locations match. Another cool tool is Surfshark’s IP rotator feature — it refreshes your IP every 5 minutes, adding additional privacy since your online activity isn’t traceable to a single IP address.
Bottom Line:
Surfshark has cheap plans and very intuitive apps. It has a large server network and provides pretty strong security for accessing ChatGPT. I also really like that it has a GPS spoofer on Android, which makes it that much less likely for ChatGPT’s app to block your access.
Read the full Surfshark review
Quick Comparison Table
Editor's Note: Intego ONE, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
I used our proven testing methodology to ensure that only the best VPNs for using ChatGPT made it onto my list. I spent several weeks testing a wide range of VPNs with real-world conversations with ChatGPT. I focused on the VPNs’ connection speed, obfuscation capabilities, security and privacy features, split-tunneling functionality, and the user-friendliness of their applications. Each VPN was rigorously tested to make sure it not only meets but exceeds our stringent standards, thus ensuring the best possible recommendation for using ChatGPT with a VPN. Here are the standards I used to choose each VPN and how I ranked them:
- I tested for latency and download/upload speeds to determine the impact of each VPN on internet speed, which is crucial for seamless ChatGPT interaction.
- I tried a variety of near and far server locations to see how this affected speed, with a focus on servers in the US, India, Germany, the UK, and Australia. I also looked for a large server network, which means you can more easily connect to a fast server close to you.
- I checked for effective obfuscation capabilities because this can be important if you’re trying to use ChatGPT at a school or work location that blocks VPN connections. This can also be important in the few countries that still ban ChatGPT.
- I evaluated security and privacy features, such as the use of 256-bit AES encryption, secure protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard, a no-logs policy that ensures the VPN doesn’t record your browsing, and thorough leak protection and a kill switch so that your IP address is not accidentally revealed to third parties like ISPs and network administrators.
- I verified split-tunneling capabilities and examined how easy it is to set up and customize. Split-tunneling is a convenient way to use ChatGPT with a VPN while routing the rest of your traffic through your regular internet connection.
- I confirmed the user-friendliness of the VPN’s apps by making sure their interface was intuitive and easy to use and that they worked with all major platforms (iOS, Android, Windows, and MacOS). I also checked for consistency in security features, speed, and functionality across all device types to ensure a uniform experience when using ChatGPT.
Why Do You Need a VPN for ChatGPT?
There are several reasons why you might need a VPN to access ChatGPT. For starters, many educational institutions and workplaces are leery of their students or employees using ChatGPT for shortcuts in their written assignments or work. Moreover, there are still a few countries where ChatGPT isn’t freely available — some countries like China, Russia, and Iran deem it to be a security risk or negative influence on their populations. With a VPN, that’s no longer a problem. Your actual location is disguised, and you can access ChatGPT no matter where you are.
Even if you’re in a place with access to ChatGPT, a VPN also adds a security blanket to your ChatGPT data by encrypting it and making it unreadable to any prying eyes. It’s like having a private, unbreakable code for all your ChatGPT conversations. It also hides private information that OpenAI (the owner of ChatGPT) might otherwise have access to, including your IP address and your location.
Finally, some advanced features available to Pro plan users are geographically restricted. Connecting to a VPN server from another country allow you to access these features from anywhere.
So, using a VPN for accessing ChatGPT offers you multiple benefits, including unrestricted access and a higher level of data privacy and security.
All the VPNs on this list are good options for connecting to ChatGPT, but I personally recommend ExpressVPN for its blazing-fast speeds, excellent security, privacy features, and very intuitive apps.
How to Use a VPN to Unblock ChatGPT
Using a VPN to access ChatGPT is easy. Just follow these simple steps:
- Choose a good VPN. ExpressVPN is my top choice since it always works with ChatGPT, has great security and privacy features, and has incredibly fast speeds.
- Download and install the VPN. Install the VPN app for your device. This is easy, it usually just takes 2 minutes.
- Select and connect to a server. Pick a server where ChatGPT is available (which is easy, as ChatGPT is available in most countries worldwide). Choosing a server location in the US unlocks the most advanced features.
That’s it. Now you can chat with the AI securely!
Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- Proton VPN. Proton VPN is a secure VPN with strong security and fast speeds. It also has a free version, which is a bonus. However, it doesn’t work well in restrictive countries like China.
- TunnelBear. TunnelBear is a user-friendly VPN with a cute and playful design. However, it’s slower than the VPNs on this list, and it doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee.
- IPVanish. IPVanish is a good VPN with fast speeds and solid security, but it doesn’t work in restrictive countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a VPN to access ChatGPT at work or school?
Yes, a VPN is a great way to use ChatGPT while at work or school. A VPN encrypts your online traffic so that network administrators can’t see what websites you’re visiting. A VPN also changes your IP address, so it’s important to note that some savvy network administrators will be able to tell that you’re using a VPN and, assuming you’re not using the VPN for appropriate purposes, block your connection.
That’s why it’s important to use a VPN that has obfuscation capabilities if at all possible. Obfuscation makes your VPN connection look like a regular internet connection, thereby hiding the fact that you’re using a VPN. I recommend getting ExpressVPN because it has obfuscation on all its servers and protocols and is super-fast and easy to use.
Can I use a free VPN for ChatGPT?
Yes, but I don’t recommend it. While there are some decent free VPNs available, they often come with drawbacks such as slow connection speeds, a limited number of server locations, and intrusive advertisements. Additionally, some free VPNs may not offer the same level of security and privacy as paid VPNs do, so I recommend only using a premium VPN like the ones I chose for this list.
Can a VPN slow down my connection to ChatGPT?
Yes, because of the encryption process, but all of the VPNs on this list maintain fast speeds for a smooth experience with ChatGPT, streaming HD videos, and other online activities.
Is it legal to use a VPN for ChatGPT?
Yes, but note that some countries ban VPNs, so I strongly recommend you first research your local laws to make sure it’s perfectly okay to use a VPN in your location. As long as you’re in a country that allows VPNs, I recommend using ExpressVPN because of its fast speeds, top-notch security features, and intuitive apps.
Where is ChatGPT banned?
ChatGPT is banned or unavailable in only 8 countries: Belarus, China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and Venezuela. This is mostly due to strict internet censorship in these countries. It’s currently available in 175+ countries.
Why do some countries ban ChatGPT?
Every country has its own specific reasons for banning ChatGPT. However, the reasons can be grouped into 3 broad categories. The first one is that ChatGPT falls under a wide umbrella of Western internet platforms that some governments don’t want influencing their populations. These countries, such as China, Russia, and Iran, already have strict internet restrictions in place.
The second reason is that some governments believe ChatGPT poses a security threat. The regimes of Cuba, Syria, and Venezuela, for example, are very sensitive to any tool that might be used to spread anti-government messages more easily.
The third reason is that certain governments believe ChatGPT is a risk to the privacy of its citizens. Italy stated as much in April 2023 when it temporarily banned the use of ChatGPT in the country. However, the ban was later lifted when ChatGPT provided privacy safeguards for Italian users.
The best way to get around these bans is to use a quality VPN, which encrypts all of your traffic and allows you to connect to a server in a different country where ChatGPT is allowed.
How to fix the “Access Denied” error on ChatGPT?
If you see an “Access Denied” error, start by clearing your browser cache and cookies, as stored data can trigger blocks. Next, switch to a different VPN server — some IPs may be restricted, so connecting to another country or location often helps. If your VPN offers an obfuscation or stealth mode (like ExpressVPN), enable it to disguise your VPN traffic. You can also try accessing ChatGPT through a different browser or device, as some restrictions are browser-specific. If none of these work, contact your VPN’s support for further assistance.
Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
