
In the light of anti-government protests across the country, Iranian authorities have blocked access to many websites, including social media websites such as Instagram, Telegram, and YouTube. While some of the bans were lifted, Telegram remains completely blocked even in 2023. Overall, internet freedom remains highly restricted in Iran.
Considering the current online landscape in the country, using the best VPN for Iran For Japanese Users seems like the only option to secure online privacy and anonymity. Aside from privacy and security, with a VPN, you can also access blocked websites and streaming platforms in Iran with ease.
To help you make a decision, we bring you 6 of the best VPNs for Iran in 2023 that will help you unblock social media websites and other blocked services without compromising privacy. We have tested 150+ VPNs on various criteria to bring you 6 providers that work best in Iran.
Quick Overview – 6 Best VPN for Iran For Japanese Users
Here is a quick overview of the 6 best VPN for Iran For Japanese Users in 2023:
- ExpressVPN – The Best VPN for Iran For Japanese Users. Offers 3000+ servers across 94 countries. Comes with top-notch features like a kill switch, no-logs, AES 256-bit encryption, and OpenVPN protocol. Unblocks Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and more. Offers an average speed of 88 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. Available at JPY931.28/mo (US$ 6.67/mo) (Get 49% Off + 3 Months FREE on its 12-Month Plan) with a 3-month free subscription and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Surfshark – Budget-friendly VPN for Iran. Comes at an affordable cost of JPY321.13/mo (US$ 2.30/mo) (Get 84% + 2 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan) with unlimited multi-logins and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. Offers 3200+ servers across 65 countries. Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. Comes with the latest WireGuard protocol. Also offers an average speed of 69 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection.
- NordVPN – Secure VPN for Iran. Offers multiple security features like Nordlynx, kill switch, split tunnelling, AES 256-bit encryption, and OpenVPN protocols. Has a server network of 5500+ servers in 59 countries. Unblocks multiple geo-restricted sites including Netflix and Hulu. Offers average speeds of 79 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. Starts at JPY557.09/mo (US$ 3.99/mo) (Get 57% Off + 3 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan) and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee along with 6 multi-logins.
- IPVanish – The Fastest VPN for Iran. Offers an average speed of 91.34 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection with 2000+ servers across 75 locations. Has a strict zero-logging policy, eliminates ISP throttling, and unblocks Netflix US, Hulu, CBC, etc. easily. Compatible with all popular devices. Comes with security features like AES 256-bit encryption, split tunnelling, and more. Starts at JPY 464.94/mo (US$ 3.33/mo) and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- CyberGhost – User-friendly VPN for Iran. Offers easy-to-use apps for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Fire Stick, and more. Has a server network of 9700+ servers including 14 servers in Iran. Offers an average speed of 68 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. Unblocks Netflix, NBC, Amazon Prime, and more. Starts at JPY294.6/mo (US$ 2.11/mo) and comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
- PIA – Best VPN for Torrenting in Iran. Largest P2P-optimized server network with 35,500+ servers across 78 countries. Comes with port forwarding and SOCKS5 support. Offers strong security with features like AES 256-bit encryption, split tunneling, no-logs, and more. Offers average torrenting speeds of 67 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. Starts at JPY294.6/mo (US$ 2.11/mo) and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee along with support for 10 multi logins.
6 Best VPNs For Iran For Japanese Users (In-Depth Analysis)
We tested 150+ VPNs on the basis of their security protocols, servers, privacy features, unblocking ability, etc, and concluded that the following 6 VPNs are the best ones to use in Iran:
1. ExpressVPN – The Best VPN for Iran For Japanese Users
Key Features:
- Iranian servers: Offers no servers in Iran, however, it offers 1 server in Turkey.
- Unblocks streaming services: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney Plus, YouTube TV.
- Encryption protocols: AES 256-Bit, OpenVPN, Lightway, IKEV2.
- Device compatibility: iOS, Mac, Android, Windows, Smart TV, Fire Stick, Kodi, Roku, PS4, etc.
- Speed: 88 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection.
- DNS leak test: Passed.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Iran For Japanese Users. It has apps available for all popular platforms and is incredibly easy to use. It is an all-rounder VPN offering the best speeds, security, and unblocking ability.
ExpressVPN offers more than 3000+ servers in 94 countries. Considering this and the fact that it offers speeds of up to 88 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection, it is one of the best streaming VPNs out there. With fast speeds, you’ll be able to stream content in HD quality without any buffering.
With servers all over the world, you’ll be able to access popular geo-restricted streaming services and channels in Iran such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney Plus, YouTube TV, and more.
We ran a speed test while connecting to ExpressVPN’s foreign servers just to see what speeds we can expect to get from Iran, and here are the results:
ExpressVPN Recommended Servers | Speed Result |
The UK – London | 88 Mbps |
Canada – Toronto | 82.5 Mbps |
The USA – Chicago | 83.51 Mbps |
Turkey | 87.21 Mbps |
You can check out our ExpressVPN speed test guide for the detailed speeds of this VPN’s offshore servers.
Aside from server coverage and speed, ExpressVPN offers security features like 256-bit AES encryption and an extensive set of protocols which include OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP/IPSec, and SSTP.
In addition, the provider offers an Internet Kill Switch, Split-Tunneling, and server obfuscation to keep your private information fully protected from agencies and cybercriminals in Iran. We ran an IP leak test just to confirm if it has what it takes to protect our DNS and IP address from leaking.
As you can see, our original DNS and IP address are not exposed from the screenshot above. Overall, it is an amazing VPN option for anyone living in Iran. If we talk about pricing, it starts from JPY931.28/mo (US$ 6.67/mo) (Get 49% Off + 3 Months FREE on its 12-Month Plan) and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
If you want to know more about this service, you can refer to our ExpressVPN review.
2. Surfshark – Budget-friendly VPN for Iran
Key Features:
- Iranian servers: Offers no servers in Iran, however, it offers 1 server in Turkey.
- Unblocks streaming services: Netflix, Crave TV, Amazon Prime, CBC, Hulu, Disney Plus.
- Encryption protocols: AES 256-Bit, OpenVPN, IKEV2, WireGuard & Shadowsocks.
- Device compatibility: iOS, Mac, Android, Windows, Smart TV, Fire Stick, Xbox, and more.
- Speed: 69 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection.
- DNS leak test: Passed
Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN for Iran. It comes with a low price of JPY321.13/mo (US$ 2.30/mo) (Get 84% + 2 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan) with a 30-day money-back guarantee. One feature that makes Surfshark so distinctive from the rest of the providers is its unlimited simultaneous connections.
Surfshark offers 3,200+ servers in 65 countries that are perfectly capable of unblocking US Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, ITV, Channel4, UKTV, and any other foreign websites that are blocked in Iran.
If we talk about speeds, Surfshark performs quite well. As per our testing, it is capable of delivering speeds of up to 69 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. With such speeds, you’ll have no trouble torrenting, streaming, or browsing in Iran. We also performed speed tests on various servers, and the results are as follows:
Surfshark Recommended Servers | Speed Result |
The UK – London | 69 Mbps |
Canada – Toronto | 66.78 Mbps |
The USA – Chicago | 68.45 Mbps |
Turkey | 67.12 Mbps |
If you want more details about its offshore servers speeds, then you can check out our Surfshark speed test guide.
It offers excellent privacy-boosting features such as CleanWeb, MultiHop, and WhiteLister. It also boasts 256-bit encryption along with DNS and IP leak protection. We tested its leak protection feature and found no leaks whatsoever. Check out the screenshot below:
Like ExpressVPN, Surfshark is also located in the British Virgin Islands, and it also doesn’t store logs of any kind. From a privacy standpoint, it doesn’t get better than this.
Thanks to its unlimited simultaneous connection feature, you can set up Surfshark on macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, Chromecast, router, Roku, PS4, Xbox, and many other devices on a single subscription plan. Overall, if you’re on a budget, this is the best budget VPN to get in Iran.
Check out our Surfshark review if you want additional information about this VPN.
3. NordVPN – Secure VPN for Iran
Key Features:
- Iranian servers: Offers no servers in Iran, however, it offers 8 servers in Turkey.
- Unblocked streaming services: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, CBC, Disney+, YouTube TV.
- Encryption protocols: AES 256-Bit, OpenVPN, IKEV2.
- Device compatibility: iOS, Mac, Windows, Android, Smart TVs, Fire Stick, Xbox, PS4, Kodi, Roku.
- Speed: 79 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection.
- DNS leak test: Passed.
NordVPN is the most secure VPN in Iran. NordVPN offers DNS leak protection, and other powerful security features, including Obfuscation technology, Onion Over VPN, Internet Kill Switch, and DoubleVPN.
With over 5500+ servers in 60 countries, NordVPN is among the best VPN in Iran in terms of network coverage.
If you wish to stay updated with your favourite international shows offered by foreign streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, ESPN+, BT-Sports, NordVPN is one the best VPN to get.
NordVPN offers reliable speeds. We got a fast download speed of 79 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection, which is more than enough for HD streaming, torrenting, and even gaming. Here is a table with speed results of various NordVPN’s international servers that we tested:
NordVPN Recommended Servers | Speed Result |
The UK – London | 79 Mbps |
Canada – Toronto | 75.31 Mbps |
The USA – Chicago | 70.21 Mbps |
Turkey | 78.88 Mbps |
If you want more details of its speeds on its international servers including Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore, then you can simply check out our NordVPN speed test guide for it.
NordVPN also offers IP and DNS leak protection for maximum security. We also ran leak tests using NordVPN’s servers and found that it did not leak our IP or DNS. Here’s a screenshot of that:
You can easily configure NordVPN on various devices such as macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, router, Linux, PS4, Xbox, Chromecast, and many others.
But despite offering such amazing features, NordVPN only costs a modest JPY557.09/mo (US$ 3.99/mo) (Get 57% Off + 3 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan) and is covered by a NordVPNs 30-day refund policy.
For more information, check out our exclusive NordVPN review.
4. IPVanish – Fastest VPN for Iran
Key Features:
- Iranian servers: Offers no servers in Iran.
- Unblocked streaming services: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney Plus, HBO Max.
- Encryption protocols: AES 256-Bit, OpenVPN.
- Device compatibility: iOS, Mac, Android, Windows, Smart TVs, Fire Stick, gaming consoles.
- Speed: 91.34 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection.
- DNS leak test: Passed
IPVanish is the fastest VPN for Iran. With our base internet connection, we managed to get a fast download speed of 91.34 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection.
IPVanish offers over 1,600+ servers from over 75+ countries. It may not have servers in Iran, but its international servers will allow you to unblock all foreign content that can’t be accessed in Iran. We managed to stream Netflix, BBC iPlayer, ESPN+, Spotify, BT-Sports, UKTV, CBS, NBC Live, and more in HD quality.
As far as compatibility is concerned, you can set up IPVanish on your Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and more. You can also manually configure it on routers as well. IPVanish also manages to offer fast speed on all its servers. The table below shows speed results on IPVanish’s international servers:
IPVanish Recommended Servers | Speed Result |
The UK – London | 91.34 Mbps |
Canada – Toronto | 90.45 Mbps |
The USA – Chicago | 89.56 Mbps |
Australia | 88 Mbps |
We further tested this VPN’s offshore servers in countries like Switzerland and India. If you want to check out their speeds, then you can go through our IPVanish speed test guide.
The provider is based in the United States, which raises some eyebrows. However, its zero-log policy and military-grade AES-256 bit encryption are surely enough to keep the user’s personal data and online activity logs secure. Some other appealing features of IPVanish include Split-Tunneling, Internet Kill Switch, and unlimited simultaneous connection.
To be extra sure, we tested IPVanish to see if it had what it takes to prevent our DNS and IP address from leaking. Despite testing it rigorously, we encountered no leaks. Check out the screenshot below:
IPVanish is also quite affordable. It is available for just JPY290.41/mo (US$ 2.08/mo) and comes with 30-day money-back guarantee.
Please visit the IPVanish review for more information on this provider.
5. CyberGhost – User-friendly VPN for Iran
Key Features:
- Iranian servers: Offers 14 servers in Iran.
- Unblocks streaming services: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, HBO, CBC, Crave TV, YouTube, Hulu.
- Encryption protocols: AES 256-Bit, OpenVPN.
- Device compatibility: iOS, Mac, Windows, Smart TVs, Roku, Fire Stick, PS4.
- Speed: 68 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection.
- DNS leak test: Passed
CyberGhost is one of the most user-friendly VPNs for Iran. Its apps are amazing and offer various modes to help you stream, torrent and download without putting a lot of effort into finding optimized servers.
This VPN offers 9700+ servers in 91 countries worldwide and 14 servers in Iran to help you unblock pretty much any blocked content you can think of. With so many servers, you can access foreign streaming platforms such as Fox-Sports, HBO Max, Euro-Sports, Nine, ABC, Sling TV, and more in Iran.
With its local servers, you can also easily access local Iranian channels such as IRINN, IRIB Nasim, and even iFilm Farsi abroad.
If we talk about speeds, then CyberGhost managed to offer a speed of up to 68 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. We also tested other servers offered and found them to be just as fast as their local servers. Check out the speed test results covered below:
IPVanish Recommended Servers | Speed Result |
The UK – London | 68 Mbps |
Canada – Toronto | 65.45 Mbps |
The USA – Chicago | 59.56 Mbps |
Australia | 67 Mbps |
That’s not all, we tested its servers in a few more countries in detail. You can check out our CyberGhost speed test guide for it.
If we talk about security features, CyberGhost comes with AES 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, split tunneling, kill switch, OpenVPN protocol, and more. To test its leak protection feature, we connected to one of CyberGhost’s servers. We found no leaks even after testing it multiple times.
Best of all, with a single CyberGhost account, you can connect up to 7 devices simultaneously. CyberGhost is also quite affordable with a price of JPY294.6/mo (US$ 2.11/mo) , and it also comes with a 45-days money-back guarantee.
For more information on this provider, please visit our CyberGhost review.
6. PIA VPN – Best VPN for Torrenting in Iran
Key Features:
- Iran servers: Does not offer servers in Iran
- Unblocked streaming services: Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO, YouTube, Hulu, NBC.
- Encryption protocols: AES 256-Bit, OpenVPN
- Device compatibility: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Kodi, Fire Stick, PS4.
- Speed: 67 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection
- DNS leak test: Passed
PIA is the best VPN for torrenting in Iran. It offers 35000+ servers across 84 countries. All these servers are optimized for P2P. It also offers P2P optimized features such as SOCKS5 proxy for safe torrenting.
With so many international servers, PIA can help you with pretty much any foreign content you can imagine. Netflix, HBO, Amazon, Vudu, Yupptv US, UKTV, Channel4, and ITV are to name a few that can be easily accessed with PIA in Iran.
You can set up Private Internet Access on devices such as macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Android TV box, Firestick, Chromecast, Roku, and more. It also supports 10 multi-logins.
Private Internet Access (PIA) offers an average speed of 67 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection, enough for buffer-free streaming and downloading large torrent files. Here are PIA’s top 3 recommended servers and their speed result:
PIA Recommended Servers | Speed Result |
UK – Manchester | 75.8 Mbps |
USA – New Jersey | 73.5 Mbps |
Canada – Toronto | 67 Mbps |
If you want to learn more about this VPN’s speeds, then you can check out our PIA speed test guide. In this guide, we have covered 9 countries’ speeds in detail.
PIA offers 256-bit encryption, Internet Kill Switch, Port forwarding, and Split Tunneling, for online privacy and security. It also offers protection against IP and DNS leaks.
We tested DNS and IP security of PIA by connecting to a Sri Lankan server, and you can see that it does restrict your actual IP from being revealed:
PIA’s subscription plans start from JPY294.6/mo (US$ 2.11/mo) , and all of its plans are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Please look at our PIA review for more information.
Verdict
ExpressVPN is undoubtedly the best VPN for Iran For Japanese Users due to its fantastic unblocking ability, privacy features, and security. ExpressVPN offers 3000+ servers in the world that Iranian users can use to unblock geo-restricted streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and more easily.
It also comes with some top-notch security features like an automatic kill switch, AES 256-bit encryption, RAM servers, split tunneling, and more to ensure online security at all times.
With 5 simultaneous connections, users in Iran can enjoy its 3-month free subscription or try it risk-free for 30 days using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Testing Methodology: How we tested the best VPNs for Iran For Japanese Users
The political situation in Iran is volatile and alarming. Citizens should exercise extreme caution when using a VPN. While selecting the 6 best VPNs for Iran, we tested 150+ providers on the following criteria:
- Encryption: All the VPNs mentioned above offer the strongest 256-bit AES encryption for data protection. They also offer an internet kill switch to keep you safe online.
- DNS Leak Protection: All the VPNs that we have on our list are thoroughly tested for DNS leaks and found to be DNS leak-proof. Also, they all offer their very own DNS leak protection, so make sure to turn on this feature to get maximum online protection.
- Server network: The best VPN for Iran For Japanese Users should offer global server coverage with servers in all major countries. The VPNs on our list offer thousands of servers across the world.
- Unblocking ability: VPNs on our list work with all major geo-restricted platforms in Iran like Netflix, BBC, Hulu, HBO, and more.
- 24/7 customer support: We made sure to include the VPNs that offer 24/7 customer support, and live chat in case you face technical issues.
- Money-back guarantee: The VPNs on the list offer at least a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test the service risk-free in Iran. Among the VPNs, CyberGhost offers an extensive 45-day money-back guarantee.
3 Reasons Why You Need a VPN in Iran For Japanese Users
Here are 3 major reasons why you need a VPN in Iran For Japanese Users:
1. Online Censorship
Internet censorship is widely prevalent in Iran. In fact, Freedom House, a US-funded non-government organization, ranks Iran 16 on its internet freedom rankings. Along with these restrictions, there are also growing concerns about government surveillance in the country.
The government in Iran also controls media outlets, as even newspapers and magazines face censorship. Similarly, foreign websites are filtered as well, including news sites, and social media platforms. What’s more surprising is that satellite dishes are banned in the country, as in the past the police have raided private homes for confiscating satellite dishes.
Under such tight censorship, VPN becomes a necessary tool in Iran. With a VPN, people of Iran can connect to foreign servers and enjoy geo-restricted content. Not just that, VPNs can also hide your IP address to stop the government from monitoring your digital activity.
2. Online Surveillance
Although hard to believe, the Iranian government actively monitors the online traffic of its citizens. Believe it or not, the Iranian government eavesdrops on its citizens’ email messages and even chat conversations. Worst of all, the government mandates all local ISPs to store logs of their citizens for a minimum of 90 days.
Not only are the Iranians restricted from accessing popular social networking and video streaming websites, but their online activity is also observed for any violation of the country’s moral codes. It can be said that using a VPN in Iran is not even a choice, but a necessity.
3. Blocked Websites in Iran
Blocked websites are a problem in Iran. The government has restricted access to all those websites that intervene in their social value. The Iranian government does not compromise on those values.
Even in 2023, most foreign websites are blocked in Iran. According to one estimate, more than 500 mainstream websites are blocked in the country. You can’t access YouTube, Facebook, and not even Twitter.
Here is a list of websites that are blocked in the country:
- Netflix
- Google Services
- Hulu
- HBO
The only way to access these websites from Iran is by using a VPN service. We recommend using ExpressVPN since it is one of the best overall VPN in terms of performance, security, and unblocking ability.
VPN guides for other countries
Here are a few VPN guides for other countries:
- Best VPN for Uganda
- Best VPN for Sudan
- Best VPN for Ecuador
- Best VPN for Belarus
- Best VPN for Jamaica
- Best VPNs for UK
- Best VPNs for Canada
- Best VPNs for Australia
- Best VPNs for Lebanon
- Best VPNs for Pakistan
FAQs – Best VPN for Iran For Japanese Users
Here are a few FAQs answered over the best VPN for Iran For Japanese Users:
Is using a VPN legal in Iran For Japanese Users?
Yes, using a VPN is legal in Iran For Japanese Users but be careful when using a VPN in strongly restrictive countries like Iran. The country began restricting access to VPNs in 2013, and the restrictions continue to this day.
Should For Japanese Users use a free VPN in Iran?
Free VPNs are always tempting, but we don’t recommend using one in Iran. You see, a VPN that offers a free service normally gains profits by selling users’ information and personal data to third parties. Also, these free VPN providers are known to offer a limited number of servers and a limited amount of bandwidth that is just too little.
These limited servers are congested with users, thus offering extremely slow speeds that you are bound to experience constant buffering and lags. If you truly wish to gain ultimate control over your online security, and privacy then you need to subscribe to a premium VPN provider like ExpressVPN.
Which VPN has Iranian servers?
Only CyberGhost has servers located in Iran. CyberGhost has 14 servers in Iran that you can use to access local TV channels like IRIB, Namayesh TV, and more from abroad. You can also unblock local websites and news platforms from outside Iran with these local servers.
Which VPN is best for Android in Iran For Japanese Users?
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Android for users in Iran For Japanese Users simply because of its handy features, such as advanced leak protection, split tunnelling, network protection (kill switch), and shortcuts to your favourite services. It comes with a Google Play Store rating of 4.4 out of 5 and an updated app for Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, and Lollipop.
Best VPN for Iran – Conclusion
Iran imposes harsh restrictions on the online liberty of its citizens, even to this day. Similarly, there is increased online surveillance as the government controls the internet and limits access to information, especially from abroad.
Fortunately, with the best VPN for Iran For Japanese Users, you can access all blocked social media apps, websites, and streaming platforms in Iran. Our top recommendation is ExpressVPN with its military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, obfuscation technology, and ability to bypass geo-blocks.
ExpressVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 12 months + 3 months free offer so you can test the service risk-free in Iran.