When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Our experts have reviewed 53 VPN providers, which were put through extensive rounds of testing. To learn more about that process, here’s how we review VPNs, where we explain our criteria and our policy of being fully transparent.
Snapchat is one of the most popular messaging apps, but it isn’t always available. It’s banned in countries like China, Iran, and Cuba, and often blocked on school and workplace networks. Even where it works, some features, such as filters, are region-specific. On top of that, privacy concerns remain, as data can still be intercepted or monitored.
The best way to bypass these issues is with a VPN. A VPN masks your IP address, lets you access Snapchat from anywhere, and keeps your messages and snaps private with strong encryption. It also secures your connection on public Wi-Fi and helps prevent tracking from ISPs, governments, or hackers.
Here’s why you need a VPN for Snapchat:
✅ Unblock Snapchat Anywhere – Access the app in countries where it’s banned and on restricted networks like schools and workplaces.
✅ Unlock Region-Specific Filters – Change your virtual location to enjoy filters, badges, and content released in other regions.
✅ Encrypt Messages & Media – Protect snaps and chats with military-grade encryption.
✅ Stay Safe on Public Wi-Fi – Keep hackers from intercepting your data on unsecured hotspots.
✅ Hide Your IP Address – Conceal your location, protect your identity, and even trick Snapchat into thinking you’re abroad.
In this article, we’ll present the 5 best VPNs for Snapchat, explain how to change your location on the app, show you what to look for when choosing a VPN, and answer the most common questions.
Ever tried logging into Snapchat only to be hit with a “network blocked” message? You’re not alone and chances are, your VPN might be the reason. While VPNs are powerful tools for privacy and access, Snapchat doesn’t always welcome them with open arms. So is using a VPN for Snapchat a clever workaround or a risky move? Let’s break it down.
Using a VPN to access Snapchat is legal in most countries, including India, the U.S., and the UK. VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and mask your IP address, often used to bypass school or workplace restrictions, or access Snapchat in regions where it’s blocked. But legality doesn’t always mean compliance with Snapchat’s internal policies. If your VPN usage triggers suspicious activity or violates their terms, your account could be flagged or temporarily restricted.
Snapchat’s help documentation clearly states that network blocks may occur if their systems detect suspicious behavior from your IP address, especially if it’s linked to a VPN. While VPNs themselves aren’t inherently suspicious, they can resemble bot-like behavior when used excessively or in combination with automation tools. Snapchat uses IP addresses to monitor access patterns, and a sudden shift in location or repeated logins from different regions can raise red flags.
If a VPN is used to bypass content filters or access restricted features, it may be seen as an attempt to circumvent Snapchat’s safeguards. Their terms explicitly prohibit such actions, including uploading malicious code or accessing unauthorized areas of the service.
Free VPNs, while accessible, often lack the transparency and security needed to safely navigate Snapchat’s detection systems. That’s why we only recommend VPNs that we've tested ourselves, evaluating their privacy policies, speed, and ability to maintain stable access without triggering blocks. Our recommendations are built on firsthand testing, not guesswork. Follow them confidently to protect your privacy without crossing the line.
Now that we’ve cleared the air on VPN legality and Snapchat’s terms, let’s talk solutions. If you’re looking to change your location on Snapchat, whether to unlock geo-specific filters, access region-exclusive content, or simply protect your privacy, you’ll need a VPN that’s not just fast, but stealthy and reliable.
Not all VPNs are created equal. Some trigger Snapchat’s security systems, others leak your IP, and many free ones come with privacy trade-offs that aren’t worth the risk. That’s why we’ve done the heavy lifting. But before we disclose our recommendations, first, let's understand some common grounds we kept in mind while filtering the nest:
✔ Unblock Snapchat anywhere – Bypass geo-restrictions and access the app even in countries where it’s banned.
✔ Wide server network – More global servers mean more options to change your location and find optimized connections.
✔ Strong protocols & encryption – Military-grade encryption with modern protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN) keeps your snaps and chats secure.
✔ Unlock region-exclusive filters & features – Access stickers, badges, and filters only available in specific countries.
✔ Avoid account bans – Get a fresh IP address if your current one is blocked.
✔ Travel-friendly access – Stay connected to Snapchat even in countries that ban social media.
✔ Stable mobile apps – Well-designed VPN apps optimized for iOS and Android.
✔ Optimized for video-heavy apps – Upload and stream stories or videos without buffering.
✔ Strict no-logs policy – Ensures none of your online activities are recorded.
✔ Obfuscated servers – Hide the fact you’re using a VPN, crucial in regions with heavy censorship.
✔ Kill switch – Protects your real IP from leaking if the VPN connection drops.
✔ Multiple device support – Use Snapchat on your phone, tablet, laptop, and more at the same time.
✔ Fast, consistent speeds – Smooth snapping, chatting, and story uploads with no lag.
✔ Money-back guarantee – At least 30 days to test the VPN risk-free.
✔ 24/7 customer support – Quick help whenever you face issues unblocking Snapchat.
With all this in mind, we present the 5 best VPNs for Snapchat:
NordVPN is by far the best VPN to change location on Snapchat. With it, you can easily unblock Snapchat and any other social media apps from anywhere in the world. The provider has an impressive network spanning 7,400+ servers in 118 countries.
Many of them also provide obfuscation, which allows your VPN use to remain undetected. All your outgoing data will be protected by powerful AES-256-GCM and ChaCha20 , which will scramble it beyond recognition. NordVPN also has a no-logs policy, so it doesn’t keep a record of anything you do. Plus, if your connection drops for any reason, its kill switch will prevent data leaks.
NordVPN offers NordLynx, NordWhisper, IKEv2/IPsec, and OpenVPN to choose from. They will allow you to easily change your location on Snapchat. It delivers both unparalleled speed and reliable performance, so you can expect a smooth experience. With this VPN, you are only allowed 10 simultaneous connections, which can be tricky for large households.
NordVPN is available on computers, smartphones, tablets, and other modern devices that are compatible with VPNs. If you need help unblocking Snapchat, just contact its 24/7 live chat support to find all the answers. Lastly, this VPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get your money back if you are not impressed.
NordVPN Features That Make Snapchat Accessible, Safer and Faster:
PROS
CONS
Surfshark is a low-cost Snapchat VPN to change your location. It can reliably unblock Snapchat and any other social media website or app that you desire. This VPN has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, so you can always expect an optimized connection.
Since Surfshark adheres to a no-logs policy, your privacy will be completely protected. Its AES-256-GCM and ChaCha20 will scramble all your outgoing data, and its powerful kill switch will prevent identity leaks. All Surfshark servers are obfuscated, allowing you to hide the fact that you’re using a VPN.
This VPN supports multiple advanced WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN. Surfshark is very fast and provides stable performance, so you can use it quite efficiently. Moreover, it supports all modern devices, from computers and smartphones to tablets. You can even install it on a router.
Surfshark provides unlimited simultaneous connections with a single subscription, so you can protect all your devices. If you run into issues and can't change your Snapchat location, just get in contact with its 24/7 live chat customer support for help. Finally, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can fully test it without risk.
Surfshark Features That Enhance Your Snapchat Experience
PROS
CONS
ExpressVPN is another solid VPN to unblock Snapchat with, and it also works on other popular social media platforms and websites. It has undisclosed number of servers in 105 countries, including many locations where Snapchat is fully available. So, you will be able to use servers from 20+ US locations, 5 French locations, and 5 Swedish locations.
This VPN offers OpenVPN, Lightway, and IKEv2. With them, ExpressVPN achieves dependable performance and ultra-high speeds. Its app is available on every device that supports Snapchat, including smartphones, tablets, computers, and even routers.
ExpressVPN has automatic obfuscation on nearly all its servers, allowing you to hide your VPN usage. For security, there's AES-256 and ChaCha20/Poly1305 and various leak protection tools. If your connection drops, you can count on its kill switch to prevent your data from leaking online. Furthermore, since this is a no-logs VPN for Snapchat, your privacy will remain intact.
You can use ExpressVPN to make 8 simultaneous connections, which should be more than enough for a small household. In case you can't change your location, you can easily get help from its 24/7 live chat support. It also has 30-day money-back guarantee in case you change your mind.
ExpressVPN Features That Can Help Snapchat Users
PROS
CONS
Proton VPN makes it easy to bypass Snapchat restrictions in regions where the app is blocked or limited. Its 9,600+ servers in 117 countries (including multiple US locations) provide fast and reliable connections, so you can send snaps, upload stories, and chat without interruptions. For extra privacy, it offers Secure Core servers that route your traffic through privacy-friendly countries, shielding you from surveillance.
Proton VPN uses advanced AES-256 and ChaCha20 ciphers and includes a reliable kill switch to keep your Snapchat activity private. It enforces a strict no-logs policy and supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Stealth. While it doesn’t offer full obfuscation, the Stealth protocol (available on certain platforms) helps bypass tough firewalls, making it a strong option for unblocking Snapchat in restricted areas.
This VPN also comes with NetShield, which blocks malware, ads, and trackers, keeping Snapchat running faster and safer. Automatic Wi-Fi protection secures your snaps on public hotspots, while custom profiles let you launch Snapchat with your preferred server automatically.
You can install Proton VPN on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and routers, with up to 10 simultaneous connections.
Proton VPN includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. And if you need assistance, Proton VPN offers responsive customer support via email and a detailed knowledge base.
Proton VPN Features That Help You Bypass Snapchat Blocks
PROS
CONS
Private Internet Access (PIA) is our final recommendation, and it can easily unblock Snapchat and access other geo-blocked social media. It provides users with undisclosed number of servers in 91 countries. Most importantly, it has plenty of server locations in the US, France, and Sweden, all of which are countries where Snapchat is fully available.
PIA provides obfuscation through the Shadowsocks proxy, which, along with PIA's no-logs policy, will keep your data and activities completely private. To ensure the security of your sensitive information, this VPN combines AES-128-GCM, AES-256-GCM, AES-128-CBC, AES-256-CBC, and ChaCha20 with a strong kill switch to make your outgoing traffic indecipherable and prevent leaks.
This VPN offers WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IPsec (IKEv2) on its servers. While it delivers consistent performance, its speed is often disappointing. PIA supports multiple devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and computers, and can also be set up on a router. With its unlimited simultaneous connections, you can protect every device you own.
If you have any problems trying to change location on Snapchat filters, you can contact PIA directly, as it has customer support available 24/7 via live chat. Fortunately, the risk you take is negligible since this VPN offers 30-day money-back guarantee.
PIA VPN Features That Improve Snapchat:
PROS
CONS
To change Snapchat location with VPN assistance, you will need to subscribe to a premium service that can unblock this popular social media platform. Here are the simple steps that you need to take:
To change your location on Snapchat Map on your devices, you will need to use a premium VPN and connect to a new server to change your IP. This process will differ depending on the device you use.
It's fairly straightforward to change your location on Snapchat Map on iPhone. You will just need to set up a VPN that works with iOS. This can be done in five easy steps:
It's slightly more complicated to change your location on Snapchat Map on Android. This requires that you subscribe to a VPN and access the Developer Mode on your phone. Just follow these instructions:
Yes, you can use free VPNs to change your Snapchat location, but we wouldn't advise it. By getting a free VPN for Snapchat, you might be stuck with terrible encryption. You will also have fewer servers to choose from, and they will provide you with slower speeds as they get congested. Given below are a couple of more reasons why we do not recommend it:
❌ Weak or outdated encryption leaves your data vulnerable.
❌ Limited server options often result in poor access to apps.
❌ Slow speeds due to server congestion make streaming and chatting frustrating.
❌ Bandwidth caps restrict how much you can actually use the VPN.
❌ Missing advanced tools like split tunneling, obfuscation, and kill switch.
❌ Often fail to reliably change or spoof your location.
❌ High risk of malware hidden in free VPN apps.
❌ Many free providers sell user data to advertisers for profit.
A much better alternative is to use a premium VPN with a 30-day refund policy. If you need some suggestions, take a look at our guide on the best VPN services.
Snapchat is unavailable in countries like China, Iran, and Cuba, and it’s frequently blocked in schools and workplaces. Even worse, messaging apps sometimes monitor your data, which undermines your privacy and security. And let's not forget that some features are available only in certain regions. This is why you should use a VPN to change your location on Snapchat.
We recommend NordVPN as the best VPN for Snapchat. It will allow you to bypass all restrictions and has plenty of fast servers in countries where Snapchat is available. It also follows a no-logs policy and provides obfuscation, so you can safely and privately use it to unblock Snapchat.
For Snapchat users, Surfshark is a great pick if you want unlimited device connections and ad-free browsing, while ExpressVPN stands out with its global servers and lightning-fast performance for smooth snaps and stories. Proton VPN is the go-to choice for strong privacy and secure messaging, and Private Internet Access is perfect for power users who want full control with advanced customization.
Some Guides for Your Reference:
And that's all there is to know about the best VPN for Snapchat. If you still have questions, we welcome you to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading.