If you live in the United States, you have probably heard all the ruckus about TikTok. While there was talk about the US banning this service a few years ago, nothing came of it. Now, suddenly, there is a very real possibility of the United States banning TikTok.
If you’re searching for the best VPNs for TikTok to navigate through geo-blocks and protect your online presence, this no-nonsense guide is for you. We’ve evaluated VPNs that stand out for their reliability, security, and speed while using TikTok, so you can stay connected with confidence, wherever you are located in the world.
Key takeaways for using a VPN with TikTok
Using a VPN with TikTok ensures secure and private access to the platform, with premium VPNs offering advantages in speed, reliability, and security over free VPNs.
- The potential banning of TikTok in the US could necessitate the use of a TikTok VPN for continued access, with factors such as server location and advanced security protocols being crucial for an optimal TikTok experience.
- Based on our test results, the best VPN for TikTok is NordVPN (with a 74% off coupon). It offers exceptional performance, strong security features, and the ability to bypass geo-restrictions and blocks with ease.
Unlock TikTok with Top VPNs: 2024 Edition
With the potential for a US TikTok ban looming, VPNs have become a necessity for accessing the platform and ensuring user privacy. But choosing the best VPN for TikTok can be a daunting task. Factors to consider when selecting a VPN for TikTok include:
The ability to reliably unblock geo-restricted content
Strong security features
- Excellent performance with fast speeds and strong reliability
Overall great value
Taking these factors into account will help you find the best VPN for accessing TikTok. By testing out the best VPN services on the market, we were able to narrow down the choice to determine the best VPNs for TikTok.
These VPNs have proven to work flawlessly with TikTok, offering users the ability to change their location and enhance their security and privacy without conflicting with the platform’s Terms of Service. We will now examine each of these VPNs and their unique features.
NordVPN: The Best VPN for TikTok Users
Website | NordVPN.com |
Based in | Panama |
Logs | No logs (audited) |
Price | $2.99/mo. |
Support | 24/7 live chat |
Refund | 30 days |
Deal | 74% Off Coupon |
NordVPN is recognized as the top choice for TikTok users seeking to bypass potential bans. Not only did NordVPN perform very well in all of our tests, it offers some great advantages for TikTok users:
- Vast server network with over 6,100 servers across 83 countries
- 10 simultaneous device connections allowed
Stable connections for TikTok usage globally
- Ensures that users can always stay connected to their favorite platform
The NordVPN apps we tested out performed very well. We found that connects were very fast to establish and the VPN provided us with fast and consistent speeds.
This is not just a great VPN for Windows, macOS, and Linux, it also performs well on mobile devices. NordVPN offers some excellent VPN apps for Android and iOS, allowing you to easily unblock TikTok on your phone, tablet, and any other device through the VPN.
Security is a top priority for this premium VPN service. Here are some of the security features they offer to protect users’ data on TikTok:
Their custom NordLynx protocol, based on the highly secure and speed-optimized WireGuard VPN protocol ensures a secure and fast TikTok streaming experience.
RAM-only VPN servers provide an extra layer of security by not storing any data on the server where a powerful attacker might conceivably get access to it.
The Double VPN feature encrypts your internet traffic twice, making it even more secure.
- Their audited no-logs policy and privacy-friendly jurisdiction protect the privacy of TikTok users.
- Since NordVPN is one of the best VPNs with dedicated IP addresses, you might even opt for a dedicated IP address in a “safe” jurisdiction to simplify TikTok access. Our NordVPN dedicated IP guide shows you how to get it set up.
- Threat Protection feature that blocks ads, trackers, malware, and dangerous phishing domains.
See all NordVPN features here >
These features give users peace of mind while using the TikTok app. You can get this peace of mind too. Use the coupon below to get NordVPN at the best possible price. The service provides and 30-day money-back guarantee, and 24/7 live chat customer support, which makes this a no-risk opportunity for anyone who wants to use a VPN to watch TikTok videos.
NordVPN's Holiday Deal is live:
Get 74% Off NordVPN with 2-year subscriptions plus 3 extra months:
(Coupon is applied automatically; 30 day money-back guarantee.)
NordVPN is more than just a great TikTok VPN. It is one of the best general-purpose VPNs you will find anywhere. Here are some of the categories where NordVPN shines:
- Best VPNs with Ad Blocking
- Best VPNs for Torrenting
- Best No-Logs VPNs
- Best VPNs for Netflix
- Best WireGuard VPNs
Get more information about this versatile service in our complete NordVPN review.
Surfshark: Unlimited TikTok Access on All Your Devices
Website | Surfshark.com |
Based in | The Netherlands |
Logs | No logs (audited) |
Price | $1.99/mo. |
Support | 24/7 live chat |
Refund | 30 days |
Deal | 87% Off Coupon |
Surfshark is another safe, reliable VPN worth considering. Its ace in the hole for TikTok VPN users is the capability to provide unlimited simultaneous connections for all devices. It is also one of the fastest VPNs on the market, as you can see in the Surfshark vs CyberGhost comparison. These characteristics make it possible for numerous household members, or even individuals with multiple devices, to view TikTok videos simultaneously without experiencing any slowdowns.
Surfshark also offers additional privacy for TikTok users, similar to NordVPN, with features like RAM-only servers and MultiHop (double VPN) servers. Surfshark performed very well in all of our tests, with download speeds consistently over 600 Mbps. This is a great VPN for iPhone and Android devices, as well as computers, tablets, and Smart TVs.
But it takes privacy even further with features like dynamic MultiHop and rotating IPs, which periodically change users’ IP addresses while maintaining a secure VPN connection.
We have also found Surfshark to be one of the top VPNs for streaming. It not only excels in accessing Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu and more, it also is a great VPN for Firestick with a dedicated app you can download from the Amazon app store.
Like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, Surfshark comes with a full 30 day money-back guarantee. They also offer 24/7 live chat support if you need any help with setting up and using the VPN.
Surfshark VPN Coupon:
Get 87% off Surfshark VPN plus an additional 4 months extra with the coupon below:
(Coupon is applied automatically; 30 day money-back guarantee)
As shown in our NordVPN vs Surfshark VPN comparison, Surfshark is also an excellent all-around VPN, scoring high in categories like:
You can get the full story on this great VPN in our complete Surfshark VPN review.
ExpressVPN: Fast and Reliable VPN for TikTok Streaming
Website | ExpressVPN.com |
Based in | British Virgin Islands |
Logs | No logs (audited) |
Price | $6.67/mo. |
Support | 24/7 live chat |
Refund | 30 days |
Deal | 49% Off Coupon |
ExpressVPN is a very secure VPN service that lacks some of the advanced features found in other VPNs (such as we see with NordVPN and ProtonVPN) but it is very easy to use. The user interface is consistent across a range of devices, looking much like this everywhere:
While it doesn't have all the advanced features we see with Mullvad and NordVPN, ExpressVPN is recognized for how well the features it does have, work. These features include:
- Fast, RAM-only servers (TrustedServer), delivering smooth, buffer-free TikTok VPN video streaming
- Audited no-logs VPN that can bypass geo-restrictions and unblock TikTok
Based in the British Virgin Islands, an excellent privacy jurisdiction
ExpressVPN offers the following features for an optimal TikTok experience:
Exclusive Lightway protocol for fast and secure connections
- Large network with servers in 105 countries where you can download and stream TikTok videos
TrustedServer system of RAM-only servers for enhanced privacy
Seamless TikTok viewing and content-creation experience
ExpressVPN Coupon:
Sign up for the 12-month plan and get 3 months added to your subscription for free.
(Coupon is applied automatically.)
When it comes to general VPN activities, ExpressVPN is no slouch. During our testing, it has earned itself a place in several “best of” categories, including:
See our complete ExpressVPN review for more information.
IPVanish: Secure and Affordable TikTok VPN
Website | IPVanish.com |
Based in | USA |
Logs | No logs (audited) |
Price | $2.19/mo. |
Support | Email and Chat |
Refund | 30 days |
Deal | 83% Off Coupon |
Like Surfshark, IPVanish offers unlimited connections, a definite advantage in households with multiple TikTok users. It’s also known for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to connect to TikTok without hassle.
Despite being based in the United States, IPVanish uses secure encryption and features an audited no-logs policy that protects TikTok user privacy. Although it lacks some of the advanced security features of the other VPNs, its impressive download speed and affordability make it a viable contender as the best VPN for TikTok.
In our own speed tests, we were able to hit speeds over 800 Mbps with some IPVanish servers in the US. While these are impressive speed test results, we still found that NordVPN had a performance advantage in the IPVanish vs NordVPN comparison.
If you're looking for an affordable VPN for TikTok that is reliable and secure, IPVanish is worth considering.
IPVanish Coupon:
Get 75% off IPVanish on 2-year plans with the coupon below:
(Coupon is applied automatically.)
See our IPVanish Review for more on this VPN service.
Navigate the Ban: How to Use a VPN with TikTok
Having identified the top VPNs for TikTok, we can now delve into their usage. We’ll use NordVPN as an example to illustrate the process. To start, download and install NordVPN’s application on your device. Then, to access your TikTok account, follow these steps:
Launch the NordVPN app.
Select a specific server in a country where TikTok is available.
Alternatively, use the ‘Quick Connect’ button for automatic server connection.
Once connected to the selected VPN server, your internet connection will be encrypted.
Your IP address will be changed, making your TikTok activity secure and private.
With the VPN connection active, access TikTok to view content as normal, bypassing any network or government-imposed restrictions.
Comparing TikTok VPNs
While all four VPNs we’ve discussed offer great value, each has its unique strengths and weaknesses. We'll cover the most relevant ones here.
Jurisdictions: NordVPN (Panama), Surfshark (the Netherlands), and ExpressVPN (the British Virgin Islands) are all based in privacy-friendly jurisdictions outside the USA, where any US TikTok ban would not apply. This means they will likely continue to support the service even after the United States has banned TikTok (assuming that finally happens).
IPVanish is based in the United States, so might come under pressure if they do get TikTok banned. But considering that IPVanish is an audited no-logs VPN provider, it would be hard to selectively stop US users who want to access TikTok.
Speed: When it comes to viewing TikTok content, speed is crucial. NordVPN and Surfshark both use the WireGuard VPN protocol and are extremely fast, with NordVPN providing faster average download speeds thanks to its NordLynx protocol.
Meanwhile, IPVanish also uses WireGuard. It turned in the fastest individual download speed ever seen in our US-based lab, but its speed is more variable than either of the others.
ExpressVPN lagged in our speed testing. As you can see in the image below, ExpressVPN's best result was less than half as fast as the other VPNs profiled here. See our ExpressVPN vs Surfshark comparison article for more comparisons.
Simultaneous connections: For households with multiple users, Surfshark and IPVanish offer unlimited simultaneous connections, which is a significant advantage in today's world where darn near everything connects to the internet. However, NordVPN with 10 simultaneous connections, and ExpressVPN with eight are sufficient for most typical users.
Value: In terms of value for money, NordVPN and Surfshark are both high-performance, high-quality services that still manage to charge low prices. As a result, both of them appear in our guide to the best cheap VPNs. Based on recent improvements in quality and performance, coupled with a reduced price, IPVanish may soon join the other two on that list.
At the end of the day, NordVPN holds the top spot, and it also comes with a great 74% off coupon.
Why TikTok Might Face a U.S. Ban: Understanding the Legislation
The potential ban on TikTok in the US is not just a rumor or speculation. The House of Representatives has passed a bill that could result in a banned TikTok in the U.S. unless Chinese parent company ByteDance divests the app. The bill is labeled as an effort to shield national security and American citizens’ data from foreign adversaries. It is a bipartisan bill introduced by Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
President Joe Biden has indicated a willingness to sign the bipartisan bill should it pass Congress, whereas former President Donald Trump has reversed his previous position and now opposes banning the app. If this bill is passed, TikTok could potentially face a national ban as early as October 2024. However, there have been concerns about the constitutionality of legislation specifically targeting a social media app like TikTok, raising questions about legal precedent and potential violations.
As the future of TikTok in the United States remains in limbo, you may have questions about the legality of using VPNs for TikTok. As of mid-March, 2024, using a VPN for TikTok is still legal in most countries, including the United States.
Overcoming Restrictions: Best Server Locations for TikTok VPNs
When using a VPN for TikTok, the server location you choose can have a significant impact on your streaming experience. The following countries have traditionally been considered the best server locations for VPNs to access TikTok due to their robust infrastructure and absence of restrictions on TikTok:
United States
Canada
United Kingdom
Australia
However, if a US TikTok ban goes into place, it would be best to avoid all of these countries. As members of the Five Eyes alliance, they reputedly spy on each other's citizens and share the data between them to evade domestic privacy restrictions. We will have to wait and see what the final legislation (if any) looks like before we know for sure the best routes for your VPN traffic.
Given all the uncertainty, this is where these four VPNs come in:
NordVPN
Surfshark
ExpressVPN
IPVanish
With their strong security and privacy protections, and extensive server networks spread across numerous countries, they provide many TikTok connection options that are outside of the danger zone.
Premium vs. Free VPNs for TikTok: What You Need to Know
While free VPNs for TikTok may be tempting, they often come with significant limitations when compared to premium options. For instance, premium VPNs like NordVPN offer:
Unlimited bandwidth unlike many free VPNs, which limit download speeds or have monthly usage caps
Fast, stable connections which are crucial for a smooth TikTok streaming experience
Multiple simultaneous connections unlike free VPNs that typically limit users to a single connection
Dedicated customer support compared to little or no support from free services
A larger, faster server network than any VPN that doesn't charge a fee can support
Advanced security features, ensuring secure TikTok usage
Beyond these issues, some free VPNs make their money by selling user data. Even worse, numerous free VPNs have been found to install malware on their user's computers and other devices! While no free service is ideal for TikTok, some are not too bad for limited use. Here's a link to our guide to the best free VPN services.
User Experiences: Testimonials on Accessing TikTok with VPNs
Users who have utilized VPNs to access TikTok have generally reported positive experiences. For instance, TikTok user sidneyraz posted a video endorsing NordVPN for providing a smooth, buffer-free internet and secure connections while traveling.
Users on platforms like Reddit and Twitter have expressed satisfaction with NordVPN’s ability to unblock TikTok, commending its reliable and stable connections. NordVPN’s Dark Web Monitoring alerts TikTok users if their credentials are compromised, providing an extra security layer for their accounts. The File Protection feature in NordVPN's Threat Protection scans downloads for malware, securing the process of downloading TikTok videos on desktops.
Troubleshooting Common VPN Issues with TikTok
If you encounter issues while using a VPN with your TikTok app, fear not! There are several effective troubleshooting methods available. If TikTok isn’t working with your VPN, trying a different server in another location or contacting your VPN provider for support can resolve the issue. NordVPN and the other three services we reviewed in this article all provide 24/7 live chat support to help you through problems like this.
Simple steps like rebooting your device and clearing your browser’s cookies and cache can also help resolve connectivity issues with TikTok when using a VPN. Flushing the DNS cache on your device can fix issues related to DNS leaks, ensuring proper VPN functionality and providing DNS leak protection. This prevents revealing your actual location to TikTok.
Keeping your VPN application up to date and experimenting with different VPN protocols can optimize TikTok performance over a VPN.
Maximizing Your TikTok Connection
To maximize your TikTok connection, you can follow a few helpful tips and tricks. For instance, using NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol, which is built on the speedy WireGuard, provides rapid TikTok streaming without buffering.
When using OpenVPN, switching between OpenVPN TCP and UDP can result in faster VPN speeds, with UDP being preferable for TikTok’s live video streaming. Also, to minimize latency and boost speed, it is a good idea to select the VPN server geographically closest to your actual location when streaming TikTok.
Certain VPN services automatically connect to an optimal server when launching TikTok, streamlining the process for secure and fast streaming. Restarting both your device and router can resolve temporary conflicts and refresh the system for improved VPN speeds. While disabling firewalls and antivirus software temporarily may identify if they are impeding VPN speed, it’s crucial to ensure ongoing protection from malware.
Conclusion
In summary, given the uncertain future of TikTok in the US, a dependable and secure VPN could be a pivotal tool for online security. Among the top contenders, NordVPN stands out as the best option for most users.
Its advanced security features, reliable connections, and fast streaming capabilities make it an ideal choice for TikTok users. Whether you’re an influencer, a casual user, or a business utilizing the platform for marketing, NordVPN ensures your TikTok experience remains uninterrupted and secure, regardless of where you are.
You can begin using NordVPN for TikTok in just minutes. Use the discount coupon below to get the best price possible, along with NordVPN's 24/7 live chat support and 30-day money-back guarantee:
NordVPN's Holiday Deal is live:
Get 74% Off NordVPN with 2-year subscriptions plus 3 extra months:
(Coupon is applied automatically; 30 day money-back guarantee.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on the subject of the best VPNs for Tiktok:
Can I use a free VPN for TikTok?
While you can use a free VPN for TikTok, it may come with limitations such as limited data usage and potential security risks. Premium VPNs like NordVPN offer superior performance and security.
What is the best VPN for TikTok?
Based on our testing and user feedback across the internet, NordVPN is generally considered to be the best VPN for TikTok due to its extensive server network, speedy connections, and advanced security features.
Is it legal to use a VPN for TikTok?
Yes, using a VPN for TikTok is generally legal. However, it may be banned in a few countries with strict censorship laws. At the time of this review (mid-March, 2024) it appears that a US ban on TikTok is coming very soon.
This review of the best VPNs for TikTok was last updated on November 25, 2024.
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