What Is the Best VPN for Telegram in 2024?

Telegram is an encrypted instant messaging and Voice over IP service that’s available for most popular desktop and mobile devices. Users can send and receive videos, photos, audio, stickers and files of various types. Unfortunately, many countries have blocked access to Telegram (such as Iran, Russia, China, India and others), leaving citizens unable to use the service.

Luckily, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can unblock access to Telegram in countries that block it. A VPN unblocks the service by making it appear as if the user (and their devices) are in a different country. A VPN does this by temporarily assigning them a new IP address, located in a different area.

How Does a VPN Help Keep My Telegram Activity Protected?

A VPN allows a user in Russia, China or another restricted area to appear to be in the United States or other countries, where the service is not blocked.

It also makes the use of Telegram available to you by encrypting your internet connection. The layer of encryption a VPN applies to your connection prevents outsiders from monitoring your online activities—including nosy governments (they can’t block what they can’t see).

When you’re considering a VPN to keep your Telegram conversations undercover, consider the following: security and privacy protections, customer support, app support and global server coverage.

In this article, I rank and review the top 6 VPNs to use with Telegram.

Best VPNs for Telegram

I put all of the best VPN providers through rounds of extensive testing, and I found that the following six VPNs work best with Telegram.

Here’s a quick summary:

1. NordVPN: My #1 pick for Telegram, this provider’s top-notch connection encryption, as well as its strict no-logs policy, help ensure your Telegram conversations are kept out of sight. The provider’s speedy connections mean files and videos will be quick to load.
2. Surfshark: The low-price leader of this bunch. Telegram users will be pleased with this provider’s global server coverage, as well as their privacy and security protections.
3. ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN provides a top-notch service in multiple categories, such as its global server coverage, which offers seemingly unlimited choices for locations.
4. CyberGhost: CyberGhost provides easy-to-use apps that offer one-click protection, making it an attractive choice for Telegram users who are new to VPNs and don’t want to fiddle with complicated settings.
5. Private Internet Access: This well-known VPN offers top-notch online security and privacy. The provider also delivers reliable access to geo-blocked content.
6. PrivateVPN: This provider offers plenty of bandwidth for Telegram file and video sharing. While this provider doesn’t have a large number of servers, their positioning will be sufficient to unblock Telegram in your region.

I evaluated and ranked the top Telegram VPNs according to the following factors:

• Global server coverage
• Strength of privacy and security protections
• Multi-platform support
• Customer support

Best VPNs for Telegram – Summary table

We’ve compared the most important features of the best VPNs below. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Telegram

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Here’s my list of the top six VPNs for use with Telegram.

1. NordVPN

Jul 2024

NordVPN is your best option for providing optimal protection for your Telegram messaging sessions.

With over 5,400 servers located in 60 countries, your global access needs are well covered. There won’t be any issues in connecting with friends and family, nor will you miss out on much geo-blocked content.

The provider’s download speeds are some of the fastest available from any VPN provider, easily capable of handling file transfers, streaming video and more.

Online security and user account privacy are guaranteed thanks to this provider’s military-grade 256-bit AES encryption and kill switch protection for connections. Their strict no-logs policy and welcome Bitcoin payment option keep your privacy under wraps.

NordVPN’s owned and operated servers keep outside contractors away from your personal information. The provider’s servers are all run 100% from RAM, with no data whatsoever being written to an actual hard drive. All data is completely wiped when a NordVPN server is rebooted.

Telegram is available on all of the major device platforms, and so is NordVPN. Apps for Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, Amazon Fire, Android TV and macOS (with native Apple Silicon support) from the lineup, as well as extensions for Edge, Firefox and Chrome browsers.

Optimal router coverage is available to protect devices not on the above list or to assist users who need more than 6 connections at any one time.

If you ever require assistance with your VPN setup, you’ll be well served by NordVPN’s 24/7 support chat, email support and searchable support library.

BEST VPN FOR TELEGRAM:NordVPN is the best option when it comes to supplying protection for your Telegram messaging sessions. The provider’s excellent encryption and global server coverage keep their customers well protected in overly restrictive countries. NordVPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a solid option for budget-minded users who want to use a VPN with Telegram, but not pay an arm and a leg to do so.

Surfshark’s global server network includes 3,200+ servers in 65+ countries, giving you plenty of international access.

Surfshark supplies satisfying connection speeds, ensuring you will experience speedy file transfers and good performance while streaming and performing other online activities.

Military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and an ad-blocking feature protect your connection. The provider also offers a “MultiHop” ability that routes your connection through two VPN servers, giving you increased protection.

Surfshark follows a strict no-logs policy and accepts Bitcoin as a private payment option.

Multi-platform support is composed of apps for the iOS, Android, Windows, macOS (with native Apple Silicon support), Linux and Fire TV platforms. There are extensions for Chrome, Edge or Firefox browsers, and support for routers means you can protect all of your devices through a single point of access.

Surfshark offers an unlimited simultaneous connections policy, meaning you can connect as many devices to its servers at once as you want.

When it comes to customer service, Surfshark has you covered. A 24/7 live support chat, a “contact us” form, and a searchable support library are available.

BEST FOR BUDGET:Surfshark is a worthy choice for Telegram users on a budget or those who would prefer to spend their money elsewhere. Above-average global server coverage and connection security keep Surfshark users safely connected with friends and family. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of Surfshark.

3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN delivers all-around great service, performing highly in the global server coverage, download speeds, and connection protection categories.

With 3,000+ servers well placed in 94 countries around the world, ExpressVPN offers thousands of Telegram-unblocking options for users trapped in restrictive countries. The provider’s extensive global server network also opens up content-unblocking possibilities for video streaming and gaming lovers.

ExpressVPN provides well-protected, blazingly fast connections. Customers’ connections are protected using military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, as well as kill switch protection in many of their apps. The provider never restricts your online activities with data caps or bandwidth restrictions.

Privacy is one of ExpressVPN’s best features thanks to their faithful no-logs policy, saving absolutely no records of your online travels. They also accept Bitcoin as a subscription payment option.

ExpressVPN also runs all of its servers 100% from RAM. No data is ever written to a physical hard drive, meaning all data is securely wiped when an ExpressVPN server is rebooted or shut down.

ExpressVPN has all of the popular app platforms covered, and they even cover a few of the lesser platforms. Native app support is available for the Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, Amazon Fire, Chromebook and Linux platforms. Browser extensions cover your Chrome, Edge or Firefox browsing sessions.

Router support is available to protect any connected devices not included in the above list or to cover additional devices if you need more than 5 concurrent connections.

Customer support is another category where ExpressVPN scores well thanks to its 24/7 live support chat, email support, support ticket tracking system, and searchable knowledge base.

WELL-ROUNDED VPN:ExpressVPN performs well in many categories, including security and privacy protections, connection speeds, multi-platform support and more, making it an all-around good option. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is the best choice for Telegram users who need their VPN to be simple and easy to use.

With 7,600+ servers stationed in over 90 countries around the globe, CyberGhost can open access to the rest of the world, covering all of your Telegram and content connection needs.

CyberGhost’s connection speeds are very fast, and their use of military-grade 256-bit AES encryption keeps your online activities from being noticed. No one will ever find out the history of your online antics, either, as the provider follows a strict no-logs policy and accepts Bitcoin to keep payment details incognito.

The provider delivers when it comes to app support, with easy-to-use apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android devices. Also available are Chrome and Firefox browser extensions, as well extensions for Amazon Fire Stick and Android TV devices.

Router compatibility has all of the rest of your devices protected and offers unlimited protection when CyberGhost’s 7 concurrent connections allowance isn’t enough.

CyberGhost also scores well in the support category, delivering 24/7 live support chat, a searchable support library and an easy-to-use support ticket tracking system.

The provider also offers a password manager and will alert users when their email is uncovered in a data breach. Windows users can also benefit from the provider’s antivirus and anti-malware protection, as well as its Windows privacy utilities.

BEST FOR BEGINNERS:CyberGhost is the optimal choice for Telegram users new to the VPN world who want something simple to thoroughly protect their Telegram sessions. The provider’s great speeds and wide server coverage are added bonuses. CyberGhost comes with a 45-day no-risk money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

5. Private Internet Access

This well-regarded VPN provider delivers reliable protection for your Telegram messaging, as well as the rest of your online activities.

The Private Internet Access (PIA) global server network includes 3,300+ servers in more than 80 countries. This means once you’re finished with Telegram, you can enjoy geo-controlled content from around the globe.

PIA’s connections are not the fastest I’ve ever seen, but the VPN’s connections deliver more than enough bandwidth for just about any online activity. No data caps or bandwidth throttling to worry about when using this VPN.

All PIA connections are well-protected, thanks to the provider’s use of government-grade 256-bit AES encryption, IP/DNS leak prevention, and a kill switch. Ads, trackers, malware and malicious sites can also be blocked.

A strict no-logs policy and an acceptance of Bitcoin as subscription payment means your privacy is protected.

Native app options from PIA include offerings for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux devices. Opera, Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also available, along with comprehensive router compatibility.

Up to 10 devices can be connected at once on a single account.

PIA’s customer support options include live support chat, a trouble ticket form, and a support/troubleshooting knowledgebase.

RELIABLE PROTECTION FOR TELEGRAM USERS:The provider provides reliable protection for Telegram users. PIA’s comprehensive privacy and online security protections keep you incognito. The provider does have a few issues working properly in overly restrictive countries. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read our full review of Private Internet Access.

6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN competes well on the connection speed, security and privacy levels, but lags a bit when it comes to global server coverage.

A server count of 200+ servers lags well behind many other providers in the industry. However, PrivateVPN has strategically placed the servers around the globe, in 60+ countries.

PrivateVPN’s speedy connections are well-protected thanks to the provider’s military-level 256-bit AES encryption. They also have you covered in the privacy department, with a strict no-logs policy and a Bitcoin payment option.

PrivateVPN’s app support is limited to iOS, Android, Windows and macOS, but that covers all of the most popular platforms that Telegram supports. (Linux coverage is available if you’re willing to do some manual configuration.) The app offers a significant number of advanced options, but be careful when changing options, as customer support isn’t available 24/7.

Router coverage takes care of any of the devices not on the list, as well as additional devices if you need more than 6 simultaneous connections.

Customer support is somewhat limited. Support chat is available, but it’s limited to business hours. A “Contact Us” form and a non-searchable FAQ section round out the support features.

BEST FOR EXPERIENCED VPN USERS:PrivateVPN is a great option for experienced users who don’t mind tinkering with settings and don’t need much hand-holding. The provider’s fast download speeds are great for video chats. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

Methodology for Assessing a VPN With Telegram

If you’re using Telegram to communicate with other users, privacy and security should be important to you. This makes the VPN that you use to protect your conversations an important consideration.

These are the most important features to consider when considering a VPN for use with Telegram:

• Speed: While Telegram may be used mostly for text-type messaging, it can also be used to send and receive video, images, audio and other types of content. This makes a VPN’s connection speeds an important factor to consider. Slow connections result in extended wait times for your content to get to you. NordVPN, my top VPN for Telegram, offers fast connection speeds.
• Server Network: It is important to research a VPN provider’s presence in countries around the globe. This will allow you to access Telegram and other sites and services from around the globe. A large number of servers is also important, as that means the provider’s servers won’t be overloaded with users, maintaining a high level of performance.
• Value: A VPN’s value can be calculated by weighing its list of features against its asking price. Never settle for a VPN service that doesn’t offer a high level of features, functionality or a reasonable price. NordVPN is a reasonably-priced provider that definitely offers a high level of service for its asking price.
• Ease of Use: Just because a VPN is powerful it doesn’t mean it should be complicated to use. Plus, Telegram is available on multiple connected devices, so the more connected devices a VPN supports, the better. NordVPN offers easy-to-use apps for most popular devices.
• Security and Privacy: Your online security and privacy are important, especially when you’re using an app like Telegram. A VPN should offer, at minimum, banking-grade 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch and DNS and IP leak protection. Additionally, it is important to make sure the VPN never saves any server logs related to your online activities. NordVPN offers all of the above and more.

My VPN research isn’t limited to the above listed features. The factors above are just a small part of my comprehensive VPN testing methodology. This data-driven approach helps me recommend only VPNs that are a good fit for your needs.

How to Use Telegram With a VPN

Protecting your Telegram conversations with a VPN is just a matter of a few clicks of the mouse or taps of a screen:

1. Subscribe to a VPN.
2. Download, install and run the VPN provider’s app(s) on your device(s).
3. Connect to a VPN server. If you’re located in a country where Telegram is blocked, be sure to connect to a server in a different country.

Is a Free VPN a Good Option For Use With Telegram?

A “free” VPN isn’t an optimal solution for any online activity. There, I said it!

But a freebie provider is DEFINITELY not a good option for protecting your Telegram conversations.

“Free” VPNs may not take money directly out of your bank account, but they do cost you in other ways. Those providers cost you in terms of privacy and convenience.

Even freebie providers need to keep the lights on and the servers humming, so they need to make money in some way. Many do this by tracking their users’ online travels, saving the information and then selling it to advertisers and other nosy nellies. The providers have also been known to insert unwanted ads and tracking cookies into your browsing sessions.

Free providers are also inconvenient to use. Many gratis providers make their users wait in a queue for a period of time before allowing them to connect to a VPN server. Then, once a user is allowed to connect, they find that their server selection is greatly limited if they get to choose a server at all.

Once connected, users often find that their connection speeds are throttled and that their usage is restricted via monthly data caps or bandwidth restrictions. None of this sounds like a good deal, does it?

Quality VPN protection costs less per month than most streaming services (and a VPN can help you access more content from those services, as you’ll see in the next section). I strongly recommend you avoid “free” VPN providers like the plague.

What Else Can I Do With a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network isn’t limited to protecting you from being monitored or blocked while using Telegram to stay in touch with friends and family.

When it comes to protecting your online privacy and security, a VPN is a virtual Swiss Army knife of protection. Plus, a VPN opens up online content you might not normally be able to access.

It Unblocks Content

The same IP-“spoofing” ability that allows you to use Telegram in countries where the service is blocked can also open access to streaming and gaming content that may usually be inaccessible in your region.

Video and audio streaming services (such as Netflix, Hulu and Spotify) all limit their content to specific regions due to their content licensing agreements with movie and record companies.

A VPN can make it appear as if your device is connecting from numerous locations around the world, opening up access to that region’s content. A VPN can also open access to gaming servers and in-app downloads that might be unavailable in your area of the world.

It Prevents Throttling

A VPN also protects you from throttling. Some Internet Service Providers – ::COUGH!:: Comcast ::COUGH!:: – have been known to throttle connection speeds of users who are accessing “unapproved” content or participating in file sharing.

A VPN encrypts your internet connection, preventing your ISP from throttling your online activities, as it won’t be able to tell what you’re doing.

It Prevents Monitoring

A VPN protects your online privacy by not keeping any records of your online activities.

Many ISPs keep track of their customers’ online activities, then sell that information to advertisers and other interested parties. The U.S. government can also petition to have access to that information.

Your ISP can, at best, only see that you’re connecting to a VPN, so they won’t be able to track your activities for later sharing.

Other Ways to Maximize Your Online Privacy

While Telegram keeps your messages encrypted, there are security risks related to using the computer or device Telegram is installed on.

In addition to a VPN, consider installing a few extra security tools on your computer or device to better protect your all-around privacy and security.

Security tools include:

• Antivirus software
• A firewall
• Anti-rootkit software (when available)
• Security-focused browser extensions
• A password manager

Another way to maximize your anonymity and security is by avoiding public Wi-Fi hotspots. In addition, use an encrypted email provider – and if you really want to stay incognito, download and install a secure browser, like Tor.

Telegram VPN FAQs

Conclusion

If you’re looking for the optimal method of enhancing and protecting online Telegram conversations, you’ll find that the best way to do so is by using a Virtual Private Network.

NordVPN offers the best all-around VPN protection available today to protect your Telegram conversations from any over-zealous government wanting to monitor or block your access.

The provider also protects your other online activities, opens access to content from around the globe and provides connection speeds well up to streaming any kind of entertainment content.

For more information or to purchase a subscription, visit the NordVPN website.