Regardless of where you are in the world, a VPN is a necessary tool for ensuring that your privacy and identity is protected online. In addition, a VPN is essential for bypassing blocks on geo-restricted services that you can’t access while abroad.
This is the case in Ireland and in many other countries. So, if you’re from Ireland and don’t want to miss your Gaelic football team in action while you’re traveling or prefer to browse online using a secure connection, then a VPN is the answer.
Below, I have reviewed the top VPN providers for Ireland in detail. However, if you’re in a rush, here’s a quick summary.
The best VPNs for Ireland:
- NordVPN: My number one choice for Ireland. It has fast speeds and an expansive server network with over 7,000 servers in 118+ countries, including Ireland. It also has strong security measures and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Surfshark: The best budget choice for Ireland, offering the perfect balance of value for money and performance. It has thousands of servers globally and fast connection speeds.
- IPVanish: A great match for those looking to stream their favorite shows from back home. It offers fast streaming speeds and works well in Ireland as well.
- ExpressVPN: Another excellent option for streaming the latest movies and live sports, with servers optimized for streaming and a strong no-logs policy.
- PureVPN: A reliable option for users in Ireland. It is easy to use and allows for up to 10 simultaneous connections.
- CyberGhost VPN: Has the largest server network on this list, with over 11,000 servers globally (including in Ireland). It has servers optimized for streaming.
- Proton VPN: A solid choice for users wanting to get up and running with a simple-to-use VPN. It has servers in Ireland and 111+ other countries.
- PrivateVPN: A fast and secure, privacy-focused provider. Despite a smaller server network, it does have servers in Ireland and can unblock many services.
While choosing the best VPNs for Ireland, here are some of the criteria I have considered:
- Fast connections – zero buffering or lag when streaming
- Large server network with servers in Ireland
- Strong security and privacy measures
- Ease of use
- Value for money
Make sure you check out the testing methodology later in this article for more in-depth information about the criteria I used.
Best VPNs for Ireland
Whether you’re from County Dublin or County Cork, you’ll want a secure and private VPN provider that offers you reliable access to online services at home and abroad. With that being said, here are the best VPNs for Ireland.
1. NordVPN
NordVPN has a large, global network of over 7,000 servers that spans 118+ countries. This service’s fast connection speeds make it an excellent option for streaming, with the ability to unblock many different services such as Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.
NordVPN also has strong security measures in place. These include 256-bit AES encryption, an app-specific kill switch, an automatic ad-blocker, a malware scanner, and protection against WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leaks. This service also doesn’t store any logs and accepts cryptocurrency payments, which don’t associate users’ names with payments, unlike traditional credit cards.
Users can also download NordVPN client apps for many different devices. This includes apps for Windows, iOS, macOS, Android, and even Linux. Some routers can have this service manually installed on them. Users have the option of connecting 10 devices simultaneously and the customer service team is available 24/7 via the provided live chat.
Pros:
- Fast connection speeds
- Strong security measures in place
- No logs are stored
- Apps are available for many different platforms
- The customer service team is available 24/7
Cons:
- The desktop app can be slow at times
BEST VPN FOR IRELAND:NordVPN is the best option available for Irish users. It has over 7,000 servers (including in Ireland), strong security measures, and can unblock a wide variety of services. It also comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark
Surfshark is an excellent budget VPN. It has a vast VPN network with fast connection speeds and strong security measures in place. In total, there are more than 3,200 servers in 100+ countries. This server network can also be used to unblock restricted services.
The provider’s security measures include 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS, WebRTC, and DNS leaks. In addition, traffic scrambling is provided and cryptocurrency payments are accepted.
Surfshark has apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. In addition, some routers can have this service manually installed on them. The customer service team is available 24/7 and you can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously.
Pros:
- Can unblock many different services
- Fast connection speeds
- Strong security measures in place
- Unlimited number of connections supported
- Cryptocurrency payments accepted
Cons:
- Some servers can be slow at times
BEST BUDGET VPN FOR IRELAND:Surfshark is an affordably priced VPN option that can unblock services without hassle. It offers an unlimited number of connections and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. IPVanish
IPVanish is a secure platform that has strong streaming speeds. For this reason, it has been endorsed by the Kodi community for several years. IPVanish is also able to unblock many different services. In total, it has over 2,400 servers in 100+ countries.
The security features included with this provider are critical for user safety. They include 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. There is also a traffic scrambling option provided.
IPVanish apps are available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, and it can also be manually set up on some routers and Linux. An unlimited number of simultaneous connections are allowed and the customer support team is available 24/7.
Pros:
- Fast connection speeds
- Unlimited number of connections allowed
- No logs are stored
- Great option for Kodi users and torrenters
Cons:
- Apps don’t work in China
- Some servers don’t work with Netflix
UNLIMITED SIMULTANEOUS CONNECTIONS:IPVanish is a secure platform with fast streaming speeds. Users can enjoy the ability to connect an unlimited number of devices at once and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee.
4. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is an excellent provider for users who stream a lot, thanks to exceptionally fast streaming speeds. It has a network of over 3,000 servers in 105+ countries, making it a great option for users who need to access geographically restricted services. It is also very easy to use, making it one of the better choices for beginners.
The provider has strong security measures in place. These include 256-bit AES encryption, perfect forward secrecy, a kill switch, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. It also has a .onion site that can only be accessed via the anonymous TOR network. The TOR network is heavily encrypted and therefore is an excellent option for those wanting to browse anonymously. ExpressVPN also accepts cryptocurrency payments, stores no logs, and allows you to connect eight simultaneous devices.
Express VPN has apps available for iOS, Android, macOS, and Linux – it can also be installed on supported routers. The customer support team can be reached 24/7 via the provided live chat.
Pros:
- Fast connection speeds
- Can unblock top-tier streaming services
- .onion site and acceptance of cryptocurrency payments
- Strong security measures
Cons:
- More expensive than some other options
- Lack of customizability could be frustrating for advanced users
GREAT STREAMING OPTION:ExpressVPN offers very fast streaming speeds and prioritizes security and privacy, as seen by its .onion site and acceptance of cryptocurrency payments. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. PureVPN
PureVPN has over 6,000 servers in 70+ countries (including Ireland) and fast streaming speeds, so you can easily access Irish services while you’re traveling abroad.
PureVPN has strong security measures in place, including AES 256-bit encryption. This VPN also makes use of the secure L2TP/IPSec protocol, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. PureVPN stores a timestamp and the total amount of bandwidth used when connected to a server, but logs no personally identifying information.
This provider has apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can also encrypt your phone with apps for Android and iOS. PureVPN allows 10 simultaneous connections.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Strong encryption protocol
- Allows torrenting
- Server locations in the US
Cons:
- Somewhat unpredictable speeds
- Can’t unblock Netflix
RELIABLE IRISH VPN:PureVPN is simple to use, keeps your data secure, and offers a huge server network. It works with some of the major streaming platforms and comes with a 31-day money-back guarantee.
6. CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost VPN has the largest number of servers of all the providers on this list. In total, it has over 11,500 servers in 100+ countries and can unblock many different services without hassle.
There are strong security measures in place as well. These include 256-bit AES encryption and a kill switch. This service also doesn’t store any logs and accepts cryptocurrency payments – more anonymous than traditional credit card payments.
CyberGhost apps can be downloaded for macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS. Some routers can be manually configured to work with this service. The customer support team is available 24/7 and you can connect seven simultaneous connections.
Pros:
- Apps are easy to use
- 24/7 customer support provided
- Huge network spread across a large number of countries
- Strong security and privacy measures
Cons:
- Blocked in the UAE and China
- Torrenting and P2P may not work on all servers
LARGE SERVER NETWORK:CyberGhost has over 11,500 servers in 100+ countries, including in Ireland. Apps can be downloaded for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. Offers a 45-day money-back guarantee.
7. Proton VPN
Proton VPN has 9,100+ servers in more than 112 countries, offering excellent access all around the world. Users can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously and it comes with a CLI app that is open-source.
The provider is a secure option for VPN users, with 256-bit AES encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch. It also stores no logs.
Proton VPN is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Unfortunately, the provider doesn’t offer live chat support, but it does come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros:
- Strong security measures
- Stores no logs
- Works for torrenting
Cons:
- No live chat support available
- Could be more user-friendly
IRISH SERVERS:Proton VPN can unblock many different services for Irish users, has strong security, and is a great Linux option. It even offers a CLI app and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
8. PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN has over 200 servers in 63+ countries (including Ireland). It can unblock many different services, offering fast streaming speeds when watching top-tier streaming platforms.
The provider has several security measures in place. These include 256-bit AES encryption and protection against leaks (DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6). No logs are stored either and it accepts cryptocurrency payments.
PrivateVPN apps can be downloaded for several platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Plus, some routers and Linux devices can be manually configured to work with this service. The customer service agents are only available during regular Swedish business hours, but the quality of customer service is excellent. 10 devices can be connected simultaneously.
Pros:
- Can unblock many services
- Fast connection speeds
- No logs are stored
Cons:
- Small server network
- Customer support not available 24/7
PRIVACY-FOCUSED VPN:PrivateVPN is a privacy-focused provider, with strong encryption in place and no logs stored. Connection speeds are fast and many services can be unblocked. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Testing methodology: How I chose the best VPNs for Ireland
Not all VPNs are created equal. For this reason, I have researched the best VPNs for Ireland in depth. Here are the factors I considered when making my decision:
- Servers: The greater the number of servers the better. This gives users more options for accessing different online services. In addition, I sought out VPN providers that had servers in Ireland.
- Ability to unblock services: While travelling abroad, you’ll want to access some of your favorite services from back home. Top-tier VPNs, such as the providers reviewed here, allow users to unblock different services, such as streaming platforms and online banking.
- Security: VPNs should provide users with an extensive range of security features. This helps to keep users safe online, especially when users are on open WiFi networks. In addition, these VPNs protect users’ privacy, keeping their information safe from prying eyes (governments, ISPs).
- Speed: While all VPNs slow down your internet connection a little, this slowing down should be negligible with a top-tier VPN service.
For more extensive information about these factors, take a look at my in-depth VPN testing guide.
How to use a VPN in Ireland
Follow these steps to get up and running with a VPN in Ireland:
- First, you will need to sign up for a reputable VPN service with servers in Ireland. I recommend NordVPN, as it has access to a large server network, can bypass blocks on geo-restricted services, and offers excellent security features.
- Now, you can download the VPN app onto the devices you’ll be using a VPN on.
- After downloading the app you can open it, log in, and connect to a VPN server in Ireland.
If you encounter any problems, be sure to contact your VPN provider’s customer support team.
The best VPNs for Ireland FAQs
Can I just use a free VPN?
I don’t recommend using a free VPN. While this may seem enticing, free VPNs don’t have the same infrastructure as paid VPNs. This means a higher likelihood of slow speeds and buffering and a lack of security. Also, some of these VPNs aren’t able to bypass restricted services (unlike paid VPN options). That’s why I recommend using one of the top-tier paid VPN options on this list.
Are VPNs legal in Ireland?
Yes, VPNs are legal in Ireland. However, this doesn’t mean that if you carry out illegal activity using a VPN you will be protected.
Would a proxy in Ireland work, rather than a VPN?
Yes, a proxy server would work. However, a proxy doesn’t necessarily provide the same security as a VPN and may not be able to unblock streaming services.