Ahmed Khaled
Updated on: March 30, 2025
Fact-checked by Eric Goldstein
-
🥇 ExpressVPN
: It has exceptional security and privacy features, along with a massive server network in 105 countries. All its servers offer obfuscation, and it works consistently on restrictive networks and in censorship-heavy countries. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for first-time users.
The 4chan app has minimal moderation and censorship, which appeals to many users, but the site may be monitored by government agencies and other surveillance groups.
And despite its reputation for anonymity, you’re not truly anonymous on 4chan. While the site doesn’t require accounts, your IP address is still visible to administrators (and it’s linked to everything you post and comment). Your internet service provider can also see that you’re using the site.
Using a VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your connection, making it harder for anyone to track your online activity, including on 4chan. However, not all VPNs are trustworthy — some have weak encryption or keep logs that could compromise your privacy.
After thorough testing, I found the best VPNs for 4chan, with ExpressVPN as my top choice. It offers industry-leading security and privacy features and uses effective obfuscation technology to bypass restrictions — all while maintaining excellent speeds. Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for 4chan
Please Note: The VPNs listed below have strict no-log policies, meaning they don’t track or store records of your online activities. While this protects your privacy, it’s important to take full responsibility for your VPN usage and ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. Neither I nor anyone at SafetyDetectives supports any unlawful activities.
Editors’ Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for 4chan
Approved by our experts
ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for 4chan in 2025. It’s secure, incredibly fast, and easy to use. It has a large server network with server locations in 105 countries, so you can usually find a reliable, secure connection close to you while browsing 4chan. It also has exceptional security and privacy features — this is also why it’s ranked #1 on our list of the best VPNs in 2025.
I was particularly impressed with ExpressVPN’s automatic obfuscation feature on all servers, which helps disguise your VPN traffic. This means it’s much harder for your ISP or network administrators to detect your VPN usage — allowing you to access 4chan on school or company networks that block VPNs\. Plus, obfuscation lets you access 4chan where it’s restricted, like India.
I love its ShuffleIP Technology for 4chan because it changes your IP address every time you open a thread (or any webpage) in a new tab without disconnecting or changing your location. This not only helps you bypass IP bans, but it also prevents anyone from tracking which threads you’re interacting with since each one is assigned a new IP.
Its built-in ad blocker (Threat Manager) significantly enhanced my browsing experience on 4chan. In one instance, I clicked a suspicious link on a thread by mistake, and ExpressVPN instantly blocked the potentially harmful website — definitely a valuable layer of protection.
ExpressVPN offers reasonable pricing starting at £3.86 / month, especially when choosing longer-term plans. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee if it’s your first time trying the VPN, which lets you test it risk-free.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for 4chan in 2025. It keeps you anonymous with ShuffleIP, has fast speeds with Lightway, and gets around restrictions with automatic obfuscation in all its servers in 105 countries. The built-in ad blocker adds extra protection, and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee (for new users).
Read the full ExpressVPN review here
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Great VPN for Bypassing Restrictions to Access 4chan
Private Internet Access (PIA) works well for accessing 4chan in restrictive countries and networks. It uses the Shadowsocks protocol to obfuscate VPN traffic, helping you bypass censorship. However, this feature is only available in 5+ countries, so speeds may be slower if you’re far from one. Still, PIA’s 91-country server network helps you find a nearby fast and reliable server.
Moreover, it also lets you route traffic through TCP port 443 on OpenVPN, making your VPN traffic look like normal HTTPS traffic. Since this port is commonly used for encrypted websites, networks rarely block it, ensuring smooth access to 4chan even in heavily restricted environments without relying on slower obfuscation methods.
Its split-tunneling tool provides more flexibility by letting you control which apps or websites use the VPN, unlike ExpressVPN, which only routes selected apps. I configured it to route only the 4chan website through the VPN while leaving other activities on my local network. This way, I stayed anonymous on 4chan without affecting other connections like gaming or video calls on the same browser, which maintained full speed.
I’m a big fan of its built-in ad and tracker blocker called MACE; it’s the best VPN ad blocker on the market. It also blocks trackers and protects you from malicious domains linked in posts, enhancing privacy while browsing 4chan.
PIA is one of the most cost-effective VPNs, starting at just £1.69 / month. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access is a great choice for accessing 4chan in restricted networks. It uses Shadowsocks and TCP port 443 to bypass censorship, has a flexible split-tunneling tool, and comes with the best VPN ad blocker. Plus, it supports unlimited devices and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
Editors’ Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Automation Rules and NoSpy Servers for More Privacy on 4chan
CyberGhost VPN’s Smart Rule automation tool makes sure you never expose your real IP by mistake on 4chan. You can set it to automatically connect to your desired server whenever you open the browser you use for 4chan. This feature covers you in case you forget to turn on the VPN before accessing 4chan.
Its NoSpy servers keep your traffic out of reach from third-party data centers. These servers are based in Romania, which is great because it’s outside those surveillance-heavy countries. They’re independently operated by the company, so no other parties can access your data or browsing activity. This makes it super reliable for keeping your 4chan browsing truly private.
However, it lacks obfuscation on its server network (100 countries), which means it won’t work if you’re trying to use 4chan on a restrictive network or from a restricted location — ExpressVPN lets you access 4chan from any restrictive country.
It offers extras like split tunneling, but with limitations — it’s only available on Android (with app-based exclusions) and Windows (via the Exceptions feature). So, I prefer Private Internet Access and ExpressVPN for greater flexibility.
CyberGhost VPN offers flexible pricing (£1.92 / month) and has a generous refund policy. Long-term plans include a 45-day money-back guarantee, while monthly subscriptions provide a 14-day refund period.
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost VPN keeps your 4chan activity private with Smart Rules automation and NoSpy servers. While it lacks obfuscation and has limited split-tunneling options, it offers strong privacy protections and servers in 100 countries. Plus, it comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee on long-term plans.
Read the full CyberGhost VPN review
Editors’ Note: CyberGhost and this site are in the same ownership group.
4. NordVPN — High-End Security Features With Strong Privacy on 4chan
NordVPN’s Double VPN boosts your privacy by routing your traffic through 2 servers instead of 1. This makes it extremely hard for anyone to trace your activity on sites like 4chan, as your connection path changes locations twice. However, this extra security layer might slow your internet speeds slightly.
I like its app-based kill switch that automatically disconnects selected apps (like your web browser) from the internet if the VPN connection fails. This is especially useful for browsing sites like 4chan, where accidental VPN drops could expose your real IP address. Unlike a full system kill switch, this lets other apps (email, messaging, etc.) keep working normally while your higher-risk browsing activities remain secure.
It has server locations in 118 countries, including ones near locations that restrict 4chan — for example, if you’re in India you can use servers in Japan and Poland. Although it has obfuscated servers in 15+ countries, it doesn’t work in restrictive countries. However, it works for restrictive networks through a proprietary protocol called NordWhisper. That said, ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access can work in restricted countries and networks.
NordVPN’s plans start at £2.62 / month. They’re all backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN adds extra privacy on 4chan with Double VPN and an app-based kill switch to prevent IP leaks. While its obfuscated servers don’t work in restrictive countries, it still performs well on restricted networks with NordWhisper. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Surfshark — Budget-Friendly VPN With Intuitive Apps for 4chan
Surfshark is affordable and offers intuitive apps that make it easy to browse 4chan privately. I appreciate that each setting includes a clear explanation, so you won’t feel confused when configuring the security features.
I’m a big fan of Surfshark’s Rotating IP feature because it regularly changes your IP address without disconnecting you. This makes it harder for websites and trackers to build a profile on you, adding an extra layer of anonymity while browsing or posting on 4chan — it’s similar to ExpressVPN’s ShuffleIP tool.
Surfshark has servers in 100 countries, and I like that it provides obfuscation on all its servers through its Camouflage Mode. I tested this on a strict Wi-Fi network while accessing 4chan, and it worked without a hitch, keeping my browsing completely private. However, it doesn’t work well in restrictive countries like India and Iraq; instead, I recommend going with ExpressVPN or Private Internet Access.
Its split-tunneling feature, called Bypasser, is great — it lets you pick which websites or apps bypass the VPN, kind of like what Private Internet Access does, and it’s available on iOS and Android devices if you’re using 4chan on mobile (most VPNs don’t have split-tunneling on iOS).
Surfshark offers cheap plans starting at £1.69 / month and provides unlimited connections with a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans.
Bottom Line:
Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN with easy-to-use apps and strong privacy features for 4chan. Its Rotating IP makes tracking you impossible, while Camouflage Mode lets you browse freely on restricted networks. Though it struggles in highly restrictive countries, it has split-tunneling on iOS and provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Surfshark review
Quick Comparison Table
Editors’ Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
I carefully selected the best VPNs for 4chan to ensure they’re a great pick for the site using our proven testing methodology. Over several weeks, I evaluated a wide range of VPNs while browsing, posting, and interacting on 4chan. Each VPN underwent rigorous testing to verify that it met and exceeded strict performance standards. Below are the criteria I used to assess and rank each VPN:
- I prioritized strong security and privacy. I only recommended VPNs with strict no-logs policies to ensure that no data was stored. They use AES-256 encryption — the same level of security trusted by banks — and operate RAM-only servers that automatically wipe data upon reboot. They also have reliable kill switches to prevent accidental data leaks if the connection drops and comprehensive leak protection to prevent IP, DNS, and/or WebRTC leaks. During my testing, my actual IP address never appeared — only the VPN’s IP showed.
- I chose VPNs with a large server network and obfuscation. 4chan frequently bans IPs, so I looked for VPNs that regularly refresh their IPs to stay off blocklists. I only recommended VPNs with extensive server networks to reduce the risk of getting blocked. Additionally, obfuscated servers disguise VPN traffic as regular internet activity, making it easier to bypass restrictions on networks with strict filtering, such as workplaces and schools.
- I ensured the VPN had consistently fast speeds. VPN encryption naturally slows down connections, but the best ones reduce this impact. I tested VPNs that delivered high-speed performance for seamless browsing, quick image loading, and smooth posting on 4chan.
- I opted for user-friendly apps with extra features. The VPNs I recommended have intuitive interfaces, one-click connections, and simple setups across major platforms. Essential features like split tunneling let you route 4chan traffic through the VPN while keeping other apps on your regular internet connection. Many also include built-in ad blockers for a cleaner browsing experience.
- I looked for good value. A high-quality VPN should provide premium features without overcharging. The VPNs I recommend offer strong security, fast speeds, and multiple simultaneous connections at a fair price. The best options also come with money-back guarantees, allowing you to try them risk-free.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- TunnelBear. TunnelBear has user-friendly apps and reliable speeds. However, it has a smaller server network and doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee.
- IPVanish. IPVanish offers strong security and unlimited device connections, making it a flexible choice. However, it has difficulties in restrictive countries.
- Hola VPN. Hola VPN is a free service, but it comes at a cost — your traffic isn’t encrypted, and it logs way too much of your data. It also operates as a peer-to-peer network, which raises serious security concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need a VPN for 4chan?
4chan records your IP address. This means anyone (like site admins, your internet provider, or hackers) could track what you do there. A reliable VPN, like the ones on my list, can help you maintain your anonymity by hiding your real IP address. It encrypts your internet traffic, preventing others from spying on your activity.
How can a VPN help me bypass a 4chan ban?
A VPN lets you bypass an IP-based ban by assigning you a new IP address from a different location. When 4chan blocks your IP, connecting to a VPN server refreshes your online identity, allowing you to access the site again. All VPNs on my list refresh their IP addresses regularly.
Can 4chan detect if I’m using a VPN?
Yes, 4chan can detect if you’re using a VPN by identifying known VPN IP addresses. If an IP from a VPN provider has been flagged, you may be blocked from posting. I recommend using VPNs that frequently refresh their IP addresses, as this reduces the chances of detection. Additionally, choose a VPN with a large number of servers so that if you encounter a block, you can easily switch servers.
Is it legal to use a VPN for 4chan?
Yes, using a VPN for 4chan is legal in most countries. VPNs are widely used for privacy, security, and bypassing censorship. However, it’s important to remember that your activities on the platform must still comply with local laws.
How do I set up a VPN for 4chan?
Setting up a VPN for 4chan is easy and only requires a few steps:
- Choose a quality VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN for its strong security, fast speeds, and reliable access to 4chan. It also includes features like obfuscated servers for access in restrictive countries.
- Download and install the VPN app. Follow the on-screen instructions to set it up quickly.
- Connect to a server. Open the VPN app and choose a server location close to you to get faster speeds.
- Access 4chan. Once connected, visit 4chan and browse or post as usual.
Can I use a free VPN for 4chan?
Maybe, but I don’t recommend it. Free VPNs typically have weak encryption, limited server locations, and slow speeds, making browsing frustrating. Many free VPNs log your data and may sell it to third parties, defeating the purpose of using one for privacy. Additionally, 4chan often blocks IP ranges associated with free VPNs, so you may be unable to post. I recommend using a premium VPN with strong security features.
