Best VPN for Ireland in 2025
Ireland doesn’t restrict internet use, but you still can’t access some platforms due to geo-restrictions. You need a VPN with a global server network to switch locations virtually and access anything you want while keeping your online activities private. Let’s look at the seven best VPN for Ireland options you can use.
Written by Arthur Sabayi (Writer)
Reviewed by Samuel Chapman (Writer, Editor)
Facts checked by Jasna Mishevska (Lead Fact-Checking Editor)
Last Updated:
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways: What Is the Best VPN for Ireland?
- NordVPN — Best overall Irish VPN with reliable user security. Sign up now to get 72% off the first two years.
- Surfshark — Most affordable VPN for Ireland. Surfshark offers 66% (plus 3 months free) off on the first two years for new users.
- ExpressVPN — Beginner-friendly VPN for Ireland. ExpressVPN is available at a 25% discount and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- CyberGhost — Largest VPN server network, including Ireland.
- Proton VPN — Best free VPN for Ireland.
- PrivateVPN — Best VPN for torrenting in Ireland.
Facts & Expert Analysis
- Ireland offers high internet freedom, but VPNs still provide extra protection for your connection.
- If you want to watch shows restricted to other geographical regions, a good streaming VPN will help you binge from anywhere.
- The best VPN for Ireland is NordVPN, followed by Surfshark. Both offer 30-day money-back guarantees.
Ireland enjoys unrestricted internet access with an international freedom index score of 97/100. Outside of that, Irish citizens and visitors have as much access to the internet as they do a foamy glass of Guinness. However, you still need the best VPN for Ireland to access geoblocked sites like Max, Qobuz or Peacock TV, which are unavailable there.
Accessing unsecured public hotspots across Dublin and other towns is risky because hackers lurk around looking for unsuspecting victims. A virtual private network (VPN) protects your web traffic with encryption that is extremely hard to breach. This allows you to access your banking apps while enjoying your coffee at a public cafe without worrying.
If you live in Ireland or plan to visit, and you want to keep tabs on your favorite shows and movies on platforms like Peacock TV, then this article is for you. We look at seven of the best Ireland VPNs and the features that make them a good fit for anyone living in or traveling to Ireland. So, read on to learn more.
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07/28/2021
Updated list of VPNs and restructured the article.
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10/17/2023
Updated the article to reflect ExpressVPN’s recent increase of 5 simultaneous connections to 8.
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02/20/2024 Facts checked
Article rewritten with more VPNs added to the list and a more detailed analysis of each provider.
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07/22/2024
Updated the article to reflect latest information on NordVPN’s allowed number of simultaneous connections.
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08/15/2024
Removed Atlas VPN as the service discontinued and merged with NordVPN last April 2024.
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10/01/2024
We updated the list to reflect the latest advancements in VPN technology and usability.
Cloudwards Editor's Choice: NordVPN
NordVPN is our best VPN service and the best Ireland VPN with a rich network of over 6,400 servers across 111 countries, including Ireland. This means you’ll be able to get an Irish IP address.
The VPN also offers reliable unblocking abilities, allowing you to access geo-restricted platforms, like Sling TV or Hulu, with fast streaming speeds. If you want to try NordVPN for free, make use of the 30-day money-back guarantee that you can use with the monthly plan.
How to Choose the Best Ireland VPN
We tested over 30 VPNs to evaluate their unblocking capability, connection speeds, user security, device compatibility, pricing and more. We chose the top seven VPNs for Ireland based on these factors.
Protect Your Privacy. Get Our Free VPN Guide Now!
- Comprehend the essential role a VPN plays in safeguarding your digital life
- Gain a deep understanding of how VPNs function under the hood
- Develop the ability to distinguish fact from fiction in VPN promotions
- Unblocking capability: One of the main reasons for using a VPN in Ireland is to access geo-restricted content unavailable in that region. The bigger the server network, the smoother the VPN performance and the more content you can access.
- Connection speeds: The VPN needs to be fast with unlimited bandwidth. It should handle streaming without buffering and gaming without latencies. Bonus points if it has specialized servers for streaming and gaming, along with speed-focused protocols.
- User security: You may need to use unfamiliar WiFi connections in Ireland, especially if you’re new to the country. A good VPN should protect you against hackers and snoopers on any network with solid encryption. It’s beneficial to have a specialized “trusted WiFi” feature for controlling how the VPN behaves when it detects new networks.
- Device compatibility: The VPN should be compatible with the devices you plan to use in Ireland. The number of simultaneous device connections supported is also important if you use different ones regularly, or have family and friends who may need a VPN.
- Price: Affordability is just as important as the VPN’s ability to do its job. The ideal option should be affordable and leave room for a refund if it doesn’t meet the buyer’s expectations.
The 6 Best VPNs for Ireland
| VPN: | Starting Price | Average Speed* | No-Logs | Security | Connections |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $2.52 per month | 94Mbps (6%) | AES-256 ChaCha20 | 10 | |
 | $2.19 per month | 89Mbps (11%) | AES-256 ChaCha20 | Unlimited | |
 | $4.99 per month | 92Mbps (8%) | AES-256 | 8 | |
 | $2.19 per month | 81Mbps (19%) | AES-256 ChaCha20 | 7 | |
 | $0 per month | 16.49Mbps (17%) | AES-256 ChaCha20 | 10 | |
 | $2 per month | 77.04Mbps (62%) | AES-256 AES-128 | 10 |
1. NordVPN — Best VPN for Ireland
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
NordVPN’s unblocking capabilities are on par with the best VPNs, thanks to its wide network of over 6,000 servers in 61 countries. On our first try, we unblocked Tubi on a Canadian server and streamed a few episodes of ‘Merlin’. NordVPN also has specialty P2P servers that are faster and more reliable for torrenting, especially with the NordLynx protocol. Our NordVPN review has the details.
NordVPN Hands-On Testing
NordVPN can be installed on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, and you can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously. Another handy feature for those who love using public WiFi is “auto-connect,” which turns on the VPN the moment you connect to an untrusted network. You can activate it in the app settings alongside the kill switch.
Notes From the Lab: NordVPN Speed Test Results
NordVPN averaged 94 Mbps on our unprotected network of 100 Mbps, giving us a 6% speed drop. This makes it the fastest on our list. You can see all that and more in our constantly updated VPN speed comparison.
Notes From the Lab: NordVPN Security Analysis
NordVPN’s other biggest asset is security. On top of the VPN-standard AES 256-bit encryption, it has a reliable double VPN, as we discuss in our best multi-hop VPNs article.
Multi-hop is an extra layer of encryption that keeps you safe on any hotel or cafe network. NordVPN also passed our DNS leak test without exposing our actual IP address or any related information.
| Protocol | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| NordLynx | ChaCha20 | Windows macOS iOS Android |
| OpenVPN | AES-256 | Windows macOS iOS Android |
| IKEv2 | AES-256 | Windows Android |
NordVPN Pricing & Value
The NordVPN Essential tier is the cheapest and comes with three price plans. You’ll get the best offer with a 24-month plan that costs $4.39 monthly plus two extra months for free. The next best option is the 12-month plan, then the monthly plan. All the plans are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- **VAT may apply
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are shown only apply for the first 12 months.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- **The prices are applicable only for the first 24 months. Secure, high-speed VPN Threat Protection Pro™: Anti-malware and advanced browsing protection Threat Protection Pro™: Ad and tracker blocker Password manager with Data Breach Scanner 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage Identity and SSN monitoring and alerts Credit monitoring services Up to $1M in identity theft insurance Up to $100K in cyber extortion insurance
- 10
2. Surfshark — Most Affordable Irish VPN
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
Surfshark offers an Irish server as well as over 3,200 VPN servers in 100 countries. You can unblock many different geo-restricted streaming platforms, websites and apps. We used a U.S. server to access NFL games on Sling TV without any issues. Like NordVPN, this Irish VPN offers multi-hop servers, and you can even choose your own multi-hop nodes.
Surfshark Hands-On Testing
Surfshark has user-friendly apps for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows and more. It’s also one of the VPNs with unlimited simultaneous connections, and we talk about those benefits in our best VPNs for multiple devices breakdown. You can change the protocols and enable the kill switch from the app settings with a single click.
Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Speed Test Results
All Surfshark servers are optimized for speed. Each comes with at least one 1 Gbps port, which offers less congestion and provides better bandwidth. Surfshark gave us average speeds of 89 Mbps on our unprotected speeds of 100 Mbps, an 11% speed drop. It also features specialty P2P servers for torrenting; more on that in our Surfshark review.
Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Security Analysis
Our real IP address and the name of our ISP weren’t exposed when we conducted a Surfshark DNS leak test, which is solid proof that it’s secure. Surfshark has a “trusted networks” feature that makes the VPN automatically connect when the device detects new WiFi. Read our piece on the dangers of public WiFi to understand why this is important.
| Protocol | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| WireGuard | AES-256-GCM | Windows macOS iOS Android |
| OpenVPN | AES-256-GCM | Windows macOS iOS Android |
| IKEv2 | AES-256-GCM | Windows macOS iOS Android |
Surfshark Pricing & Value
Surfshark is near the top of our list of the best cheap VPNs, offering one of the most affordable long-term plans. The 24-month Surfshark Starter plan costs $2.19 per month, and you get an extra free month. There’s also a 12-month plan and a monthly plan. Each plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Everything in One, plus Data removal Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
3. ExpressVPN — Beginner-Friendly VPN for Ireland
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
ExpressVPN offers over 3,000 servers in 105 countries that can unblock major streaming platforms like Peacock TV. You can watch sports events like the WWE Royal Rumble on its U.S. servers. The VPN also provides Irish IP addresses for local channels such as RTÉ One. Its P2P support lets you download files from blocked sites like The Pirate Bay; just ensure you don’t infringe on any copyrights.
ExpressVPN Hands-On Testing
You can install ExpressVPN on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows and more, with support for up to eight simultaneous connections. However, the number of devices you can connect at once depends on your plan.
The “smart location” option connects you to the best available server if you don’t have time to go through the location list. You can access all the vital security features, like the kill switch, VPN protocols and ad blockers, through the app settings.
Notes From the Lab: ExpressVPN Speed Test Results
ExpressVPN averaged 92 Mbps on our unprotected 100 Mbps network, an 8% speed drop on the Lightway UDP protocol. We didn’t experience buffering when streaming movies and shows on platforms like Hulu. The gaming experience was also smooth with no lags.
Notes From the Lab: ExpressVPN Security Analysis
Our leak test for ExpressVPN didn’t expose our IP address, proving that the VPN hides everything related to your location. That keeps you safe from potential threats and snooping on any network, which is perfect for public hotspots and also the reason that ExpressVPN is one of our best VPN for public WiFi picks.
Here is an overview of ExpressVPN’s protocols and encryption offerings.
| Protocol | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| Lightway | AES-256 | Windows macOS iOS Android Linux routers |
| OpenVPN | AES-256 | Windows macOS Android Linux |
| IKEv2 | AES-256 | macOS iOS |
ExpressVPN Pricing & Value
ExpressVPN is the costliest VPN provider on the list. The two-year plan offers the best deal at $4.99 per month, and you get a bonus of four months. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can read more about the VPN in our ExpressVPN review.
- Pricing for the annual and biennial plans applies only on the first year.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
4. CyberGhost — Large Server Network
Very Fast
Very Fast
Fast
CyberGhost has a massive network of over 9,000 servers in more than 100 countries, including Irish servers. The advantage of having such a big network is that it greatly lowers your chances of ending up on a crowded server, which can negatively impact overall streaming and gaming performance.
CyberGhost even offers a special Ireland server optimized for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the official Irish national broadcaster. Our CyberGhost review explains the benefits of these specialized servers.
CyberGhost Hands-On Testing
CyberGhost features in our best beginner-friendly VPNs list as it’s easy to use. Whether you’re on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS or any other device, you can access all the vital features with a single click.
The most amazing features are the servers optimized for specific streaming platforms, cutting down the time spent hunting for the one that works best. Furthermore, you can connect up to seven simultaneous devices, enough to cover your essential devices and leave a few extra slots for your friends and family.
Notes From the Lab: CyberGhost Speed Test Results
CyberGhost’s speeds were also impressive, averaging 81 Mbps on our unprotected speeds of 100 Mbps, which translates to a 19% speed drop. We recommend combining the WireGuard protocol and specialty servers if you experience slow speeds anywhere in Ireland.
Notes From the Lab: CyberGhost Security Analysis
CyberGhost passed our DNS leak test, so no one can see your online movements when the secure connection is active. The “smart rules” security feature allows you to configure how the VPN behaves when you connect to a new, untrusted network. You can make the VPN ignore the new network, always connect to it (the best option) or disconnect from it.
| Protocol | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| WireGuard | ChaCha20 | Windows macOS iOS iPadOS Android |
| OpenVPN | AES-256-GCM | Windows Linux Android Fire TV |
| IKEv2 | AES-256-GCM | macOS iOS Android |
CyberGhost Pricing & Value
CyberGhost is fairly priced — the cheapest option is the 24-month plan costing $2.19 per month with an extra two months. Next up is the six-month option, then the monthly plan. The monthly plan offers a 14-day money-back guarantee, and the two long-term plans have a 45-day money-back guarantee, the longest on our list.
5. Proton VPN — Best Free VPN for Ireland
Proton VPN tops our best free VPN list. It chooses the fastest server out of five possible locations, including the United States, which are fewer locations than other top free VPNs offer. However, you get unlimited data instead, which is a great trade-off if you don’t need servers in specific locations, but makes it a bad option for unlocking streaming libraries.
The premium version gives you manual server selection and wider server access, with over 3,000 servers in 71 countries. All the servers also have P2P/BitTorrent support, allowing you to share files without internet restrictions.
Proton VPN Hands-On Testing
Proton VPN is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and more, with support for up to 10 simultaneous devices (only one for the free version).
We love that the VPN shows how busy a server is, which helps you avoid the crowded ones (orange/red) and only connect to the uncrowded ones (green). Read our Proton VPN review to learn the differences between the free and premium versions.
Notes From the Lab: Proton VPN Security Analysis
Proton VPN only displayed the virtual Arizona IP address we used for the DNS leak test. The virtual IP you’re using is the only thing any potential snoopers will see. Hence, Proton VPN keeps you safe as long as it’s active. It also offers an ad blocker called “NetShield” that blocks malicious scripts and some forms of tracking on any network.
| Protocol | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| WireGuard | ChaCha20 | Windows macOS iOS iPadOS Android |
| OpenVPN | AES-256-GCM | Windows Android iOS |
| Stealth | AES-256-GCM | macOS iOS Android |
Proton VPN Pricing & Value
Proton VPN offers three pricing plans, the cheapest being the 24-month plan, which costs $4.49 monthly. Next up is the 12-month option, and finally, there’s the monthly plan. Each plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Unlimited GB
- 1
- Yes
- 500 GB storage 1 user 15 extra email addresses for you Support for 3 custom email domains Unlimited folders and labels Unlimited hide-my-email aliases Dedicated customer support Ultra fast and private VPN Encrypted password manager Encrypted cloud storage for photos and documents Advanced account protection
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- **Renewal prices differ for the 1-year and the 2-year plans. Price includes all premium Proton services (Proton Mail, Calendar, Drive, VPN, Pass, & Wallet)
- Unlimited GB
- 10
6. PrivateVPN — Best VPN for Torrenting
You can unblock many kinds of geo-restricted media with PrivateVPN using over 200 servers in 63 countries. This may be the smallest server network on our list, but it still managed to unblock Radio France using a French IP address.
Furthermore, PrivateVPN has servers in Ireland that you can easily connect to from abroad to access local Irish content. PrivateVPN allows port forwarding, which is vital for torrenting, as explained in our PrivateVPN review.
PrivateVPN Hands-On Testing
PrivateVPN is compatible with Android, iOS, macOS and Windows, and you can connect a maximum of 10 devices, each with a unique IP address. That’s enough for your daily needs and leaves you with room to share with others. The app has a straightforward interface that lets you search for specific servers, activate the kill switch or change the VPN protocols.
Notes From the Lab: PrivateVPN Security Analysis
PrivateVPN didn’t expose our locations when we ran the DNS leak test; it only displayed the French IP address we used to unblock Radio France. While the VPN has no features that control how it behaves on public networks, the standard encryption still protects you whenever you connect to a new or insecure network.
| Protocol | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| PPTP | 128-AES 256-AES | Windows macOS iOS Android |
| L2TP | 128-AES 256-AES | Windows macOS iOS Android |
PrivateVPN Pricing & Value
PrivateVPN’s best value option is the 36-month plan, which costs $2 per month, making it one of the cheapest VPNs on this list. However, the next best plan is drastically shorter than the first, lasting only three months. Finally, you have the monthly plan, with each plan offering a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
Can You Use a Free VPN for Ireland?
You can use a free VPN for Ireland to unblock content in different parts of the world, but we don’t recommend using just any free VPN. Most free VPNs aren’t secure; some even profit from selling user data to third parties, compromising your online privacy and security. Furthermore, free VPNs are often slow, so you can’t achieve much with them.
The Best Free VPN for Ireland: Proton VPN
Proton VPN is the best free VPN for Ireland. It offers random servers in Japan, the U.S., the Netherlands, Romania and Poland, which you can use to access geo-restricted content from anywhere in Ireland. The free Proton VPN version comes with top encryption that protects your internet traffic against hackers and snooping — learn how in our description of encryption.
How to Use a VPN for Ireland
Using a VPN for Ireland is easy. If you want to unblock restricted platforms in Ireland using the top provider in our list, follow these quick steps.
- Subscribe to a VPN
Grab your VPN subscription plan based on your use-case and preferences. We recommend NordVPN, but any of the options above will work well.
- Download and Install the VPN
Go to the VPN’s official download page and get the app that’s compatible with the device you intend to use.
- Launch the VPN and Connect to a Server
With the VPN installed, launch it and connect to a server of your choice, depending on what you want to unblock.
Why Use a VPN in Ireland?
You need to use a VPN in Ireland for online security and to unblock geo-restricted content. Streaming platforms like Max, Peacock TV and Tubi are unavailable in Ireland, so connecting to a U.S. or Canadian server will switch your location and allow unrestricted access. A VPN also protects you against hacking and snooping if you frequently use public hotspots or hotel WiFi.
Final Thoughts
The Irish government hasn’t imposed internet censorship and freedom scores highly, so there’s no risk of getting in trouble with the law when using the internet normally. However, you still need a VPN to protect you and to gain access to restricted content.
To that end, NordVPN remains our top recommendation. It’s secure, has over 6,400 servers, offers fast speeds and works on multiple devices. Curious about NordVPN? The 30-day money-back guarantee lets you try it risk-free.
Have you been to Ireland before, and which VPN worked best for you? Did you experience buffering when streaming movies and shows? Tell us all about it in the comment section below, and we appreciate you for always reading our blog.
FAQ: Best Ireland VPN
You can get an Irish IP address by subscribing to a VPN that offers servers in Ireland. You can then connect to an Irish IP address to access local content from abroad.
All seven of the VPNs we discussed above work in Ireland. Each offers global servers for accessing restricted foreign content from Ireland, and they also provide Irish IP addresses for accessing local content abroad.
Proton VPN is the best free VPN for Ireland. It offers random servers in the U.S., the Netherlands, Japan, Poland and Romania.
VPNs are legal in Ireland. However, using VPNs for illegal activities like copyright infringement may get you in trouble with the law.