The 6 Best VPNs for Skype in 2025: Use Skype anywhere

Best VPN for Skype

Users can keep in touch with distant family members, friends, and colleagues by using Skype, but some countries in the world have restricted the use of this VoIP software. This is why VPNs for Skype are important.

The governments and ISPs of some countries have either banned the use of Skype outright or placed heavy enough restrictions to make it difficult or impossible for Skype to operate in some areas. Skype can be accessed from anywhere in the world through the help of a VPN, or Virtual Private Network.

VPNs are privacy tools that will send your online communications through an encrypted tunnel and route it through a server located in a country or city of the user’s selection, effectively masking the user’s true location. In this article, I go into detail on each of my top six choices for using a VPN with Skype.

Here’s a short summary of my top Skype VPNs:

NordVPN: This is my top pick for using Skype with a VPN. Removes restrictions on Skype while protecting your privacy. Great for unblocking and streaming as well. Includes 30-day money-back guarantee.
Surfshark: This is my top budget choice for unblocking Skype. Unlimited connections and no logs. Combines security and speed into a single package. Try it out with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN: Excellent choice for streaming HD video, Skype, and using major streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. Uses strong encryption protocols to keep your connection private while you watch.
IPVanish: This privacy-first VPN is popular among Kodi users and torrent users. Unlimited simultaneous connections and 30-day money-back guarantee.
VyprVPN: Offers plenty of servers for super secure and fast connections. Works in China.
PureVPN: An inexpensive VPN with reliable security features. Keeps no logs, offers a 31-day money-back guarantee.

How to unblock Skype with a VPN

If Skype is banned or unavailable in your area, you can gain access to the service using a VPN.

Here’s how to unblock Skype with a VPN:

Sign up for one of the VPNs recommended below. I recommend NordVPN.
Download and install the VPN app for your device.
Open the app and select a server in a country where Skype is not blocked.
Hit the Connect button.
Wait a few moments for the connection to complete.
Open Skype and use it as you normally would.

Best VPNs for Skype

There are so many good VPNs on the market, but not all of them provide the best performance for Skype. I selected my favorite VPNs for Skype based on the following criteria:

Fast, stable connections for clear VoIP communications
Strong encryption
No logs policy
Apps for multiple operating systems
Wide selection of servers and locations

You can find more detail on how I assess VPNs further in this article.

For now, here are the 6 best VPNs for Skype:

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is the best VPN for Skype. It offers a vast network of over 5,200 fast servers in 59 countries with specialty servers optimized for specific purposes including streaming, anti-DDoS, Tor over VPN, and double VPN. Your traffic is secured with military-grade 256-bit AES encryption and DNS leak protection, and it even contains a kill switch to keep you from browsing the internet without protection.

NordVPN abides by a strict no-logs policy which means they don’t keep records on any of your online activities. The company is based in Panama where the company is not subject to any data retention laws.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and Android TV. Browser extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox.

Pros:

Top-notch encryption protocols
Thousands of servers worldwide
Works great for Skype
Unblocks most geo-restricted streaming sites
No logs policy
Specialized servers

Cons:

VPN beginners might have difficulty with the desktop version

TOP SKYPE VPN:NordVPN is number one on my list. Whether you want to unblock Skype, stream HD video, or browse the web securely, NordVPN will meet all of your needs. Try it out with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a low-cost, high-performance option with a network of over 3,200 fast servers in 65 countries, giving plenty of geographic variety for unblocking Skype. Surfshark’s unlimited simultaneous connections make it a great provider for users who want to share it with their friends and family or have a large number of devices.

Surfshark’s security offerings include 256-bit encryption, protection against WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leaks, a kill switch, a malware scanner, and an ad blocker. You can even hide the fact that you’re using a VPN at all by scrambling your traffic. Surfshark’s no-logs policy ensures that the company respects your privacy by not keeping records of your activity. This VPN includes a NoBorders mode that can bypass nationwide blocking and can even work in China.

You can download apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux. Supported routers require manual configuration.

Pros:

Powerful security features
Lets you access Skype from anywhere
Works in China
Bypasses most restrictions on streaming sites
Unlimited simultaneous connections

Cons:

Has a few slow servers
Customer support could be improved

HIGH QUALITY FOR A LOW PRICE:Surfshark unblocks Skype from anywhere in the world, including censorship-heavy countries like China. A high-performance product for those on a budget. Includes a 30-day money back guarantee.

3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN gets high call quality on its network of over 5,000 servers in 94 countries. It secures your data with 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and perfect forward secrecy.

This VPN provider also offers a kill switch to automatically halt all internet traffic in case of a sudden loss of connection to the VPN to prevent unprotected web browsing. ExpressVPN only keeps logs of non-identifying metadata so your activities can’t be used to identify you. ExpressVPN is one of the few VPNs that work in China, the UAE, and other countries with governments that have strict limitations on the internet.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. Browser extensions are available for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.

Pros:

Fast speeds for video calls and streaming
Grants access to the most stubborn streaming sites
256-bit AES encryption, leak protection, PFS
No logs kept

Cons:

Fairly expensive
Few customization options for advanced users

SEAMLESS SKYPE CALLS:ExpressVPN is worthy option for unblocking Skype and other VoIP apps. A popular choice for streaming HD video. Use its 30-day money back guarantee.

4. IPVanish

IPVanish is a provider that owns its own network of over 1,600 servers, instead of renting them. It offers unlimited bandwidth without data caps, making it a good choice for video conferencing. Its security offerings include 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and traffic obfuscation. It is one of the few VPNs that allow an unlimited number of simultaneous connections.

IPVanish apps are available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Fire TV. Manual setup is required for Linux and routers.

Pros:

Independently-owned server network
Meets high security standards
Remote-friendly interface for Kodi users
Unlimited simultaneous connections

Cons:

Isn’t the best at unblocking major streaming platforms
No app for Linux

PROTECT EVERY DEVICE:IPVanish puts your privacy first. Unblocks Skype and features fast streaming speeds for high-quality Skype calls. Try another VPN if streaming is your priority. 30-day money-back guarantee.

5. VyprVPN

VyprVPN maintains high standards of privacy and performance from its network of 700 servers owned and operated solely by the company. Its default security settings feature 256-bit AES encryption on the OpenVPN protocol and SHA256 authentication, in addition to a proprietary “Chameleon” protocol that boosts your internet privacy.

A kill switch is included to stop your internet traffic in the event you abruptly lose connection to the VPN, which will prevent you from using the internet without protection. This security-focused VPN can work in countries with restricted internet and Skype access such as China. VyprVPN apps are available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

Pros:

Easily grants access to Skype from restricted regions
Fast and stable connection speeds
Places its emphasis on top-notch security
Works in China

Cons:

Relatively expensive
Small server network

WORKS IN CHINA:VyprVPN is user friendly. Performs well with Skype and plenty of other VoIP apps. Tough security but doesn’t offer the widest selection of servers. Comes with a 30-day money back guarantee.

6. PureVPN

PureVPN has over 6,500 server locations and offers the widest geographic range out of all the VPNs on this list, giving it considerable unblocking and streaming capability. You can make calls with Skype on servers with fast connection speeds and 256-bit AES encryption. PureVPN is an easy-to-use VPN for beginners that stores no traffic logs on its servers. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and DD-WRT routers.

Pros:

Server locations in 140 countries
Makes Skype calls seamless
Great for unblocking streaming sites

Cons:

Connection speeds aren’t the most consistent
Some past issues with privacy

GOOD FOR BEGINNERS:PureVPN's apps are easy to use. Make high-quality Skype calls from almost anywhere in the world. Its connections are usually fast but can sometimes be unpredictable. Includes a 7-day money-back guarantee.

TOM Skype: Chinese variant

The Chinese government contains domestic internet traffic within a national intranet colloquially known as “The Great Firewall of China”, which blocks out a lot of internet services based outside of the country.

Anyone who tries to download Skype from the China-compliant version of the Microsoft website will end up downloading TOM Skype instead, a version of Skype that allows Chinese authorities to spy on user conversations and censor them.

As you can imagine, this version of Skype can seriously compromise your online privacy. I recommend using a VPN to bypass the country’s Great Firewall and download the international version of Skype for secure voice and video calls. VyprVPN and Surfshark are two VPNs on this list that work in China.

Methodology: How I find the best Skype VPNs

I assess each VPN in detail before recommending it to my readers. Here are some of the things I look for in a VPN for Skype:

Server locations – The VPN should have good geographical coverage, particularly in areas that make accessing Skype more difficult, like China. A good selection of servers also means better access to geo-blocked content on streaming platforms.
Unblocking capability – As well as servers in specific locations, the VPN service needs to be able to unblock restrictions. Not every VPN can do this, so I put each to the test against Skype’s blocks, and popular streaming sites like Amazon Prime Video.
Speed – Making voice or video calls on Skype requires a fast and reliable network connection. With some VPNs known to slow your internet down, I do speed tests to check that each VPN recommended can maintain fast speeds.
Devices – You can use Skype on almost any device, so you should be able to use your VPN on the same. I test for compatibility on popular devices and operating systems, like Windows, IOS, macOS, Linux, and Android.

Read my full VPN testing methodology to find out more about the testing process.

VPN for Skype FAQ

What countries is Skype blocked in?

Skype is blocked nationwide in Guyana, Kuwait, Libya, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE. Skype is regionally limited, banned by certain ISPs, or periodically blocked in Bahrain, Brazil, several Caribbean countries, China, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Pakistan, Paraguay, Panama, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Vietnam, Russia, Venezuela, and Yemen.

Will using a VPN with Skype prevent government surveillance?

Consumer VPNs are good for evading passive monitoring from ISPs, hackers, and some government surveillance, but they probably won’t overpower the dedicated efforts of surveillance from government agencies.

The revelations of Edward Snowden in 2013 indicated that the NSA had access to voice and video calls on Skype that were presumably encrypted. Snowden claimed Skype was cooperating with the NSA even before its acquisition by Microsoft in 2011, and since then the amount of data collected by Skype has increased dramatically.

Connecting to a server in another country through a VPN can prevent monitoring by your ISP and the government. But if there’s a reason why a government agency would take an interest in you, then it could approach Microsoft without the need to hack your connection.

Can’t I use a free VPN provider where Skype is banned?

Hundreds of free VPNs are available through major app stores, but they fail to meet the high standards of performance and security that you would find on a quality paid service.

Free VPNs usually don’t provide enough bandwidth for voice calls and data-intensive video calls, so your calls will most likely suffer from poor quality and connection loss, assuming you can make the calls in the first place. Free VPN providers also have a history of compromising their users’ privacy instead of reinforcing it. Free services have to make their money like any other business and they typically do so by tracking and selling user data to third-party advertisers. Free VPNs come with data caps and bandwidth limits that make it even harder to make calls with, and some have even been known to spread malware.

In my opinion, free VPNs are more trouble than they’re worth. I recommend making the investment in a paid VPN to make high-quality Skype calls without compromising your privacy. If you're concerned about cost, check out some cheap VPNs.

How can I make Skype run faster?

The quality of your calls relies on the total bandwidth available on your device. The first step to alleviating frequent lag is to assess your device’s bandwidth consumption. Downloading and streaming will slow down the connection speed of your device and so will running multiple programs at once. If other devices are connected to the same network, they may also be contributing to poor call quality, especially if they are streaming or downloading. Distance between your device and your chosen VPN server affects connection speeds as well. Selecting a server far away from you means that the data will take a longer time to reach you than if you connected to a relatively near VPN server. All of the VPNs on this list offer a wide range of locations to choose from, so if one server is being slow, you can connect to another.

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