Best VPN for Craigslist in 2024: Bypass Craigslist IP Block Bans
Craigslist bans users for various reasons. Regardless of the reason for a ban, a VPN can help unblock Craigslist. However, not all VPNs can do so -- in this guide, we help you find the best VPN for Craigslist.
Craigslist sellers often face unexpected bans. Frequently posting or creating listings in multiple cities can sometimes lead to an account ban. Craigslist might even ban you for intolerable behavior or inappropriate language. If you’ve been banned or want to avoid a ban, consider using a Craiglist VPN. In this guide, we’ll help you find the best VPN for Craigslist.
The top VPNs for Craigslist not only unblock Craigslist, but also secure your connection and help you acquire another location’s IP address. Securing your connection helps you stay safe when accessing Craigslist via public WiFi by protecting you from man-in-the-middle attacks and other types of cyberattacks.
We recommend taking a look at our best VPNs guide if you’re looking for the best VPNs overall. Below, we discuss the top five VPNs for Craigslist and their feature set so you can pick the one that best fits your needs. If you don’t want to spend time reading the full guide, here’s the scoop: We recommend NordVPN.
Achieve Online Privacy and Security Even as a VPN Novice
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04/12/2024 Facts checked
We updated the list of VPNs and the information about their feature sets, and included an easier-to-read format.
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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 these rankings to reflect current VPN performance, features and pricing.
How to Choose the Best Craigslist VPN
It’s important to consider a VPN’s security and privacy, feature set, speed and server network. Here’s why:
- Security and privacy: VPNs with good security help protect your data when you’re online. This is especially important if you use Craigslist while connected to public WiFi.
- Feature set: Top VPNs offer extensive feature sets, including obfuscation and split tunneling. Obfuscation conceals VPN usage, which is important when you’re using it to access websites you’ve been banned from or don’t have access to.
- Speed: VPNs generally slow down your connection, but they still need to be fast enough to load web pages and videos without significant lag.
- Server network: A large server network gives you access to IP addresses in more locations, which is helpful for unblocking Craigslist.
The 5 Best Craigslist VPNs
1. NordVPN — Best Craigslist VPN With Excellent Security Features
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly service that offers superior performance and unblocks Craigslist, NordVPN is your best bet. Thanks to its extensive network of servers, which includes servers in 15 U.S. cities, you can always switch your IP address if you get banned — just connect to one of the U.S. servers to unblock Craigslist and create a listing.
NordVPN Hands-On Testing
NordVPN’s home screen has a map in the background and a VPN server list docked to its left. You can select a server from the list, or if you want a server near a specific location, you can locate one on the map. All server types — P2P, double VPN, Onion Over VPN, dedicated IP and obfuscated servers — are available right on the home screen, making it easy to switch servers.
NordVPN Pricing & Value
NordVPN is priced attractively considering its feature set and performance. The best deal (the two-year plan) costs $3.99 per month. Shorter-term plans include annual and monthly plans for $4.99 and $12.99 per month, respectively. The VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk free, or learn more about the service in our NordVPN review.
- *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 — Best VPN for Using Craigslist on Multiple Devices
Very Fast
Very Fast
Good
Surfshark is an excellent VPN if Craigslist has banned your home IP address and you need to access the site from multiple devices connected to your home or office router. For example, if you often cross-post job ads on your Craigslist account but your office IP address is banned, you can use Surfshark to access Craigslist on as many devices as you need.
The VPN provider effectively unblocks all the popular streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu. It also secures your connection with VPN encryption protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2 and WireGuard combined with AES-256 or ChaCha20. The app is loaded with features like CleanWeb (ad and malware blocker) and “camouflage mode” (obfuscation).
Surfshark Hands-On Testing
The VPN provider’s app interface is designed for efficiency, but it does take a few extra seconds for the app to launch. It lists server types at the top of the home screen and has a recommended server section, a list of recently used servers and a full server list. The quick-connect button appears on the right, and settings and other sections are docked to the left.
Surfshark Pricing & Value
Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN. The best deal (the two-year plan) costs $2.19 per month. Shorter-term plans are also available — the annual plan costs $2.99 per month, while the monthly plan costs $15.45. Like other VPNs on this list, Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. To learn more before you sign up, read our comprehensive Surfshark review.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Plans renew: $231.75 for one year, $417.15 for two years
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Plans renew: $239.25 for one year, $430.65 for two years.
- 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 — Best User-Friendly VPN for Craigslist
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
ExpressVPN is a stellar VPN for Craiglist because it offers top-notch security and lightning-fast connection speeds. The VPN uses AES-256 encryption along with VPN protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2 and Lightway (ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol) to secure your connection when accessing Craigslist, though protocol availability varies by device.
If Craiglist notices you’re using a VPN, it will permanently block the VPN IP address. However, all of ExpressVPN’s servers use obfuscation technology, which goes a long way in preventing a ban. Obfuscated servers are more effective at hiding the fact that you’re using a VPN. ExpressVPN also offers other essentials like a kill switch and split tunneling.
ExpressVPN Hands-On Testing
Using ExpressVPN is fairly straightforward. The interface has a minimalist home screen with a one-click connect button and the option to select a server. All other options are housed in the settings section, which opens as a separate window. Switching between servers is almost instantaneous. The app also recommends the fastest location to optimize performance.
ExpressVPN Pricing & Value
ExpressVPN is a premium VPN, and it’s also more expensive than other VPNs on this list. If you don’t mind spending a little extra, the best deal (the annual plan) is available for $6.66 per month. Shorter-term plans include the six-month plan for $9.99 per month and the monthly plan for $12.95.
You can try the VPN yourself risk free with the 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not completely satisfied, you can claim a full refund, no questions asked. If you’re still not convinced, read our extensive ExpressVPN review to learn more about the service.
4. CyberGhost — Craigslist VPN With Huge Server Network
Fast
Very Fast
Fast
CyberGhost has more than 11,600 servers to choose from in more than 100 countries. This means you’ll never run out of IP addresses when using Craigslist. The app lets you switch between OpenVPN, IKEv2 and WireGuard combined with AES-256 or ChaCha20, depending on the device you’re using.
During our tests, we unblocked Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Hulu using CyberGhost, but we couldn’t get into Amazon Prime Video. On the bright side, CyberGhost allows you to automate various aspects of the VPN. For example, you can automatically connect to a specific server each time you launch the browser and visit Craigslist so you never have to manually connect to a server.
CyberGhost Hands-On Testing
CyberGhost offers one of the best desktop interfaces of any VPN on the market. It’s cleverly designed and has great aesthetic appeal. We like how the app lets you sort servers based on distance from your location and server load — this makes it easier to select an optimal server.
CyberGhost Pricing & Value
CyberGhost is a low-cost VPN. The best deal (the two-year plan) costs $2.19 per month. Shorter-term plans are also available. The six-month plan costs $6.99 per month, while the monthly plan costs $12.99.
The VPN provider offers a 45-day money-back guarantee with all plans except the monthly plan, which comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee. This means there’s no risk in trying CyberGhost. However, if you want more information before signing up, head over to our CyberGhost review.
5. Proton VPN — Best Free VPN for Craigslist
Proton VPN offers a generous free plan, with unlimited data and access to servers in five countries — the U.S., the Netherlands, Japan, Romania and Poland. However, pre-existing accounts only have access to servers in the U.S., the Netherlands and Japan.
If you only want a VPN to access Craigslist, Proton VPN is an excellent choice. It can unblock Craigslist, secure your connection and help you access geoblocked content and websites like Netflix at zero cost.
Most Proton VPN features, including the kill switch, split tunneling (only available on Windows and Android) and profiles, are available on the free plan. If you want more from Proton VPN — such as access to more server locations, the ability to select the server location you connect to and features like an ad blocker — you’ll need to switch to a paid plan.
Proton VPN Hands-On Testing
Proton VPN packs in quite a few features on the home screen. There’s a map on the right showing server locations and a left-hand sidebar where you’ll find a one-click connect button, a server list and tabs for features like the kill switch, Secure Core servers, NetShield (ad and malware blocker) and port forwarding.
Proton VPN Pricing & Value
The free plan is Proton VPN’s best offer. The paid plans are more expensive compared to superior services on this list like NordVPN. The best deal (the two-year plan) costs $4.49 per month. If you want to opt for a shorter-term plan, you have two options: the annual plan, which costs $4.99 per month, or the monthly plan, which costs $9.99.
All plans offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can always claim a full refund if you’re not satisfied. If you want to learn more about Proton VPN’s feature set and capabilities, head over to our Proton VPN review.
- Unlimited GB
- 1
- Yes
- Renewal prices are different after the first year for the 1-year plan, and after the second year for the 2-year plan.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
Community Discussion: Best VPN Service for Craigslist
NordVPN is the most commonly recommended VPN for Craigslist. By contrast, most customers face problems when using Private Internet Access (PIA). One Redditor commented, “About 75% of the time on PIA IP addresses Craigslist blocks my IP. Disconnect from the VPN and I’m golden.”
IPVanish is another option. One user swears by IPVanish, saying, “I’ve done MUCH research about VPNs for several years, and finally settled on IPVanish, which I’m using right now in Thailand. It also works on Craigslist and every other site I’ve used it on.”
We also noticed that PrivateVPN was mentioned in a few discussions, but those don’t seem to be effective at unblocking Craigslist. We’ve also come across forum discussions mentioning the Craigslist proxy server. Most of the proxy servers don’t work, and none of them secure your connection.
How to Use a VPN for Craigslist
Using a VPN for Craigslist is a simple, three-step process. It’s no different than using a VPN for any other purpose. However, if it’s your first time using a VPN, here’s a step-by-step guide you can follow:
- Install NordVPN
Go to NordVPN’s website (or that of another VPN provider from the list) and sign up for a plan. Download and install the VPN on your device after signing up.
- Connect to a Server
Once you’ve installed the app, launch the VPN. Log in using your credentials. Find and connect to a server from the list of servers.
- Access Craigslist
Access Craigslist like you normally would. If you can’t get access, try disconnecting and reconnecting to the VPN, or connect to a different server.
Why You Need a VPN for Craigslist
Craigslist bans users for various reasons. Although blocking is a great way to make things a bit more difficult for spammers, the blocks also affect genuine sellers trying to create listings on Craigslist. In many cases, Craigslist bans users for creating listings for multiple locations or too frequently.
The service registers your IP address. If Craigslist has banned you and you try to access the site using the same IP address, you’ll see a message denying you access. VPNs help you get past these bans by assigning a new IP address to your device. Whenever Craigslist bans you, you can switch the VPN server, change your IP address and unblock Craigslist.
Final Thoughts
Though IP address bans do help lower the number of scammers on the platform, the service often ends up blocking innocent users. A VPN can help you get past Craigslist’s IP address block. Therefore, if Craigslist bans your IP address, you can always switch servers to get past the block.
We recommend using NordVPN if you’re dealing with an IP ban on Craigslist. If NordVPN seems interesting to you, you can check it out risk-free and claim a refund within 30 days if you’re not satisfied.
That said, other options on this list are also worth considering. Have you used a VPN to unblock Craigslist and post ads? Which one did you use, and were you able to unblock Craigslist? Let us know in the comments below, and as always, thank you for reading.
FAQ: Unblock Craigslist With a VPN
Craigslist blocks VPNs to prevent spammers and fraudsters from creating fraudulent listings. Moreover, Craigslist focuses on local transactions and discourages creating listings in another country. However, VPNs with large server networks in your preferred region or VPNs that frequently add new IP addresses can still help you unblock Craigslist.
You can get around a Craigslist ban by using a VPN with a large server network in your preferred region or a VPN that frequently adds new IP addresses. Craigslist uses IP addresses to block users. When you use a VPN to change your IP address, Craigslist can’t detect the VPN use and grants you access.
Proton VPN is the best free VPN for Craigslist. The free plan offers unlimited data and servers in three countries — the U.S., the Netherlands and Japan. New accounts have access to two more locations — Romania and Poland. Proton VPN effectively unblocks Craigslist for free. Switch to the paid plan if you want access to servers in more countries and features like an ad blocker.