The Best VPN for Snapchat in 2024: Get Unblocked at School & Work
Snapchat has millions of users, but it’s often blocked on school or workplace networks, or even banned completely in some countries. You can get back to sending snaps by using a quality VPN for Snapchat. In this article, we’ll take a look at which VPNs are best.
Written by Kate Hawkins (Writer)
Reviewed by Samuel Chapman (Writer, Editor)
Facts checked by Simona Ivanovski (Fact-Checker)
Last Updated: 2024-11-01T13:30:44+00:00
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways: Best VPN for Snapchat
- NordVPN — Excellent security, great for strict country blocks, fair pricing. You can sign up for NordVPN with a (for Black Friday) 74% (plus 3 months free) discount and use the 30-day money-back guarantee if you change your mind.
- Surfshark — Affordable Snapchat VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections. Surfshark’s two-year plan offers (for the Winter Deal) 64% (plus 4 months free) off on the first two years with three months free.
- ExpressVPN — The best choice for circumventing strict country blocks, fast, secure. A (for Black Friday) 70% (plus 4 months free) discount is available for users who choose ExpressVPN’s extended subscription options.
- PrivadoVPN — The best free VPN for Snapchat, with unlimited data and 10GB without capped speeds.
- CyberGhost — Easy-to-use and configurable apps that work well for unblocking Snapchat.
How to Get Snapchat Unblocked at School With a VPN:
- Download a VPN that works with Snapchat. You can download NordVPN via the website or the app store. All plans feature a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Connect to a server near your location to ensure you have a fast and reliable internet connection.
- Start using Snapchat without running into issues with your school’s network restrictions.
Facts & Expert Analysis: How a Snapchat VPN Works:
- Why Snapchat is blocked: Some Snapchat blocks are in place to help students avoid distractions in school or to safeguard young people from issues like bullying. However, others have a darker motive, such as governments censoring social media platforms to curtail free speech.
- How a VPN can unblock Snapchat: A VPN, which stands for “virtual private network,” can access Snapchat by connecting you to an IP address outside the restrictive network or country.
- How to choose a VPN for Snapchat: Pick a VPN with strong security and privacy features, unlimited bandwidth, a network of servers in Snapchat-friendly locations, easy-to-use apps and reliably fast connection speeds.
If Snapchat is blocked, the easiest way to access it is to get a VPN for Snapchat. Using one of the best VPN services helps you bypass blocks by replacing your blocked IP address with a VPN server.
However, not all VPNs are suitable for unblocking Snapchat. You need a VPN provider with an extensive server network and fast connection speeds so you can check Snapchat whenever you want. We found five VPN providers that work with Snapchat. If you want a quick answer, we think NordVPN is the best VPN for accessing Snapchat.
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11/02/2023
Updated the article to reflect ExpressVPN’s recent increase of 5 simultaneous connections to 8, as well as its expansion of server presence to 105 countries, previously 94.
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10/01/2024
We revised the rankings to account for new security measures and speed enhancements.
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11/01/2024 Facts checked
We’ve updated our recommendations and added FAQs and a how-to guide for using a VPN to access Snapchat.
The 5 Best VPNs for Snapchat Compared
| VPN: | Price per month | Unblocks Snapchat | Unblocks Netflix | Speed | No-Logs Policy | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $2.99 | Very fast | AES-256 ChaCha 20 | |||
 | $1.99 | Very fast | AES-256 ChaCha 20 | |||
 | $6.25 | Very fast | AES-256 ChaCha 20 | |||
 | Free | Fast | AES-256 ChaCha 20 | |||
 | $2.03 | Fast | AES-128 AES-256 ChaCha20 |
1. NordVPN — The Best VPN for Snapchat Location Change
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
NordVPN is ideal for Snapchat. Its low-cost, long-term plans make it the best cheap VPN for students or users on a budget. Its network of 6,430 servers in more than 111 countries gives you plenty of connections to choose from locally and abroad. NordVPN is consistently fast across its network, so you won’t have huge speed drops.
Plus, NordVPN’s security and privacy tools are also great for Snapchat. NordVPN uses secure protocols like NordLynx, private DNS servers and a kill switch, and its strict no-logs policy is backed up by more than 10 years of scandal-free operation. These features are available on NordVPN’s mobile apps, so you can use Snapchat securely from anywhere.
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NordVPN Hands-On Testing
NordVPN’s mobile apps are intuitive and simple to use, for the most part. The map interface can feel clumsy to navigate, but scrolling down reveals a server list that makes connecting easy. The quick-connect button auto-connects to the best available server for faster, reliable connections, which is perfect for bypassing school and office networks.
The NordLynx protocol provides the best speeds and fast connections to servers. If you need to connect to one of NordVPN’s obfuscated servers — for example, if you’re using a VPN in Russia to unblock Snapchat — you’ll have to switch to the OpenVPN protocol first. These settings are tucked away in your account profile, which is a little tricky to find.
Notes From the Lab: NordVPN Speed Test Results
Notes From the Lab: NordVPN Security Analysis
NordVPN passed all our leak tests and kept our internet traffic secure and private. We also found no holes in its additional security tools, including the dark web monitor and the ad, malware and tracker blocker. The latter, called threat protection, helps you avoid harmful links even when the VPN isn’t switched on.
| Protocol: | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| NordLynx | ChaCha20* | Routers |
| OpenVPN | AES-256 | Routers |
NordVPN Pricing & Value
NordVPN is an affordable choice, especially its long-term plans. Prices start at $2.99 per month for a two-year subscription with an extra three months free. If you have an Android device, you can take advantage of a seven-day free trial if you sign up through the app store.
You can find out more by reading our in-depth NordVPN review, or try NordVPN yourself risk-free — a 30-day money-back guarantee backs all plans.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
2. Surfshark — The Best VPN to Unblock Snapchat at School
Very Fast
Very Fast
Good
Surfshark has unlimited simultaneous device connections, so you can share one account with friends at school and get past Snapchat blocks. Download speeds are reasonably fast across its server network, so you shouldn’t have any issues with Snapchat’s features loading and working correctly.
If you have an Android device, Surfshark has a GPS override feature that automatically matches your device’s GPS location with the VPN server location. This helps you avoid Snapchat account bans if you change locations too often, which is considered suspicious behavior.
Surfshark Hands-On Testing
For the most part, Surfshark’s mobile apps are intuitive and easy to use. The interface can feel cluttered at first glance, but all the information you need to choose a connection for Snapchat is readily available. The settings are simple to find and configure, so you won’t have to go hunting to turn on auto-connect or switch VPN protocols.
One slight issue with Surfshark’s usability is that it can take a long time to establish an initial server connection — sometimes 30 seconds or longer. Though this doesn’t impact the stability of the VPN traffic itself, it can be frustrating to have to wait to connect.
Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Speed Test Results
Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Security Analysis
During our tests, Surfshark prevented DNS, IP and WebRTC data leaks. We recommend the WireGuard protocol for fast and reliable connections, but IKEv2 is a solid option if you’re using an iPhone — it’s effective for switching between networks without interruptions.
| Protocol: | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| WireGuard | ChaCha20 | Routers |
| OpenVPN | AES-256 | |
| IKEv2 | AES-256 | |
Surfshark Pricing & Value
Surfshark’s long-term plans are very affordable, starting at just $1.99 per month for a two-year subscription with an extra four months free. However, there’s a big price jump if you want to use Surfshark for only a month, as even the basic monthly plan costs $15.45 per month — that’s also the renewal price. We recommend a longer-term subscription for the best savings.
You can get a seven-day free trial for iOS and Android by signing up through the app store. All plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try Surfshark risk-free. For more information, read our full Surfshark review.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Plans renew: $59.76 for one year, $59.76 per year for the two-year plan.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Plans renew: $79 for one year & $79 per year for the two-year plan.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Everything in One, plus Data removal Plans renew: $269.25 for one year, $404.65 for two years
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
3. ExpressVPN — The Best Snapchat VPN for Beginners
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
ExpressVPN is one of the top VPNs for beginners, with a simple interface that is intuitive to navigate — just tap the power button and ExpressVPN connects you to the best available server. Its Lightway protocol is designed for fast and secure connections, so you won’t see much of a speed drop even if you use long-distance servers for Snapchat.
Its simplicity and speed comes with a steep subscription price, especially compared to other top VPNs. In addition, you won’t find a ton of configurable features, so it’s not ideal for power users who want to fine-tune their Snapchat connections.
ExpressVPN Hands-On Testing
ExpressVPN couldn’t be easier to use, with minimalistic apps that are identical across platforms. All settings are clearly described, so you’re not in danger of accidentally switching off important security features. Simply tap to connect to the smart location (the fastest server) or scroll through the server menu to choose a connection.
Notes From the Lab: ExpressVPN Speed Test Results
Notes From the Lab: ExpressVPN Security Analysis
Throughout testing, ExpressVPN worked well to protect our activity when connected to Snapchat. Lightway is the automatic protocol, and it provided near-instant server connections during our tests. You’ll also find advanced protection against trackers, ads and malware, as well as a kill switch to stop leaks if the VPN is interrupted.
| Protocol: | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| Lightway | ChaCha20, AES-256 | Routers |
| OpenVPN | AES-256 | |
| IKEv2 | AES-256, Camellia | |
ExpressVPN Pricing & Value
ExpressVPN is an expensive option. Plans start at $6.25 per month, which is more expensive than the other VPNs we recommend. You can also save money by sharing it, since each longer-term subscription works on up to eight devices.
You can try any of ExpressVPN’s plans with the backing of its 30-day money-back guarantee, which it always honors. Find out more in our ExpressVPN review.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
4. PrivadoVPN — The Best Free VPN for Snapchat
PrivadoVPN is the top free VPN provider thanks to its unlimited data allowance (though it caps the bandwidth after you pass 10GB). You can still connect to PrivadoVPN once you’ve used the 10GB, but it will be slower. However, it should still be fast enough to send and receive snaps at work or school. You can choose from servers in 10 countries in Europe, North America and South America.
PrivadoVPN’s free plan is missing the advanced features available on its premium plan — notably, the control tower security hub — but there is a “scramble” obfuscation option that works with the OpenVPN protocol. This can help avoid detection on networks that block VPNs automatically, especially nationwide firewalls like China’s.
PrivadoVPN Hands-On Testing
PrivadoVPN’s free apps keep things simple, with a quick-connect button that chooses the best free server for your location. If you want to manually select a server, just scroll up for the menu. All the free options are right at the top, so you won’t have to hunt through the list.
Notes From the Lab: PrivadoVPN Security Analysis
PrivadoVPN’s free VPN app passed our leak tests by keeping IP and DNS data secure — we never saw any servers leak our real IP address. You can also choose between different connection protocols. WireGuard has the fastest speeds, but if you need obfuscation, you’ll have to switch to OpenVPN and turn on the “scramble” feature.
| Protocol: | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| WireGuard | ChaCha20 | |
| OpenVPN | AES-256 | |
| IKEv2 | AES-256 | |
PrivadoVPN Pricing & Value
PrivadoVPN’s free plan is always free, with an unlimited data allowance that resets every month. If you want to try PrivadoVPN’s premium app, subscriptions start at $1.11 per month for a two-year plan with an extra three months free. One-year and two-year plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee. Read our PrivadoVPN review to find out more.
- 10GB
- 1
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
5. CyberGhost — Highly Customizable Snapchat VPN
Fast
Very Fast
Fast
CyberGhost’s apps are easy to set up and configure, with detailed explanations of each feature and real-world examples of when you can use them. They’re also customizable, so you can fine-tune your Snapchat connections.
In the settings, you can switch protocols, set up auto-connect to start the VPN as soon as you connect to your school network and even mandate a smaller packet size to improve speeds.
CyberGhost Hands-On Testing
CyberGhost is easy to set up and use. The mobile apps can unblock Snapchat and offer different features depending on your OS. iOS has only a couple of tools, like auto-connect for specific networks, while Android has WiFi protection and app-based split tunneling.
Notes From the Lab: CyberGhost Speed Test Results
Notes From the Lab: CyberGhost Security Analysis
CyberGhost passed our IP and DNS leak tests, which detected successful IP masking and active encryption on every server. WireGuard is the default, but IKEv2 is a good option for devices that frequently change networks, like your smartphone.
| Protocol: | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| WireGuard | ChaCha20 | |
| OpenVPN | AES-256 | Routers |
| IKEv2 | AES-128 | |
CyberGhost Pricing & Value
CyberGhost is budget-friendly, with plans starting at $2.03 per month for a two-year subscription plus an extra two months free. Free trials are available for Android (three days) and iOS (seven days).
Plans for six months or longer feature a 45-day money-back guarantee, so you can try CyberGhost risk-free. The monthly plan comes with the standard 14-day money-back guarantee. Read more about the VPN in our CyberGhost review.
- *The 2-year plan includes 4-months free which breaks down the 56.94 t0 $2.03 per month. *The price under the 2-year plan is billed yearly after the first two years.
- Unlimited GB
- 7
- Yes
Our Methodology: How We Tested the Best Snapchat VPN Services
All VPNs undergo rigorous and impartial testing to make sure we recommend the top choices for Snapchat. We look at how well the VPN overcomes network restrictions that block Snapchat access, check connection speeds for instant messaging and run tests to see how the VPN keeps your online activities secure and private.
- Speed: We put the top VPNs through regular speed tests on both short- and long-distance servers, so you can send and receive messages on Snapchat without delays.
- Server network: We look at how many servers each VPN has in Snapchat-friendly locations and check which city-level servers are available for precise local connections.
- Device compatibility: Snapchat is available on Android and iOS devices, so we run tests with each VPN to make sure they work flawlessly on both mobile platforms. VPN apps must be intuitive to use and compatible with the latest OS updates.
- Privacy and security features: We put VPNs through a range of tests, including DNS, IP and WebRTC leak tests, to make sure all your Snapchat activity is secure. Plus, we carefully verify each VPN’s privacy policy so we don’t recommend a service that might share your data with third parties.
- Price and value: We look at the pricing plans for each VPN to find affordable or free options that are suitable for use with Snapchat. We also examine the features and tools each VPN offers to see which service provides the best possible value.
Can You Use a Free VPN for Snapchat?
Yes, you can use a free VPN to access Snapchat. PrivadoVPN is a top choice, with servers in Snapchat-friendly locations and reliably fast speeds for Snapchat messages. However, make sure you choose the right free VPN. Many free VPNs don’t work properly, and some can even compromise your security by sharing your data.
How to Get Snapchat Unblocked at School
Here’s a quick guide for how to use Snapchat with a VPN at school, using our top choice, NordVPN, as an example.
- Download and Install NordVPN
Subscribe to NordVPN through the website and follow the link to the official app in the Google Play or Apple app store. This way, you’re protected by NordVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee. If you sign up via the Apple app store, you’re subject to Apple’s refund policy and won’t be able to request a refund from NordVPN.
- Connect to the VPN Server Closest to You
The VPN can automatically choose the best server for your connection, or you can manually choose a server from the menu. Click to connect.
- Enjoy Unblocked Snapchat at School
You can now access Snapchat at school and stay secure while messaging friends.
If you’re interested in using your VPN subscription to access blocked content on your Chromebook, check out our article on how to set up a VPN on Chromebook.
How to Change Your Location on Snapchat
To change your Snapchat location, follow the same steps as above, but don’t let the VPN choose your server automatically. Instead, connect to a country- or city-level VPN server in your desired location.
Final Thoughts: Snapchat Blocked
You don’t have to wait to test the newest Snapchat filter when you’re at school or work as long as you have a quality VPN to avoid annoying network blocks.
Using a VPN is also a great way to keep your Snapchat activity secure and private, preventing third parties from spying on your information. Our top recommendation is NordVPN; luckily you can try NordVPN plans using the 30-day money-back guarantee, even the monthly plan.
Do you use a VPN when you connect to Snapchat? How do you usually avoid network restrictions at work or school? Do you use a VPN that we haven’t included on our list? Leave us a comment below. Thank you for reading.
FAQ: The Best VPNs to Unblock Snapchat
Snapchat is blocked in China, so the only way to access the app in the country is with a VPN.
Yes, several high-quality VPNs like NordVPN and Surfshark work with Snapchat, so you can access the app even on restrictive networks.
Using a VPN is unlikely to get you banned on Snapchat, as it doesn’t explicitly go against the terms of use. However, your account may be locked temporarily if Snapchat detects suspicious behavior, such as frequently changing your location.