While TikTok is still accessible, a US ban technically went into effect on January 19, 2025. If ByteDance (TikTok’s owner) doesn’t secure a US buyer for the company by June 19, 2025, the service will supposedly be banned for good. Whether or not this will happen is anybody’s guess, but a VPN will ensure you are prepared to weather whatever storm is to come. PCMag has been testing VPNs for more than a decade, and the services we identify here might help you circumvent a potential ban. If this is the first you’re hearing of a TikTok ban, we have answers to your most frequently asked questions about it, which explain all the reasons for the restriction and how it may (or may not) be enforced.
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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
- Best free VPN subscription yet
- Numerous advanced privacy tools
- Strong customer privacy stance
- Large server network
- Slick, accessible client
- Excellent upload speed scores
Proton is the best VPN overall. We like its free tier of service, too. Tack on a laundry list of advanced privacy tools in a friendly UI, and you have our top pick for streaming hours of TikTok dances.
Whether you’re looking for a top-tier free or paid plan, ProtonVPN has you covered. Free users may become frustrated with the lack of server options (you get just three countries to choose from), but the fact that they’re not paying anything extra to watch TikTok, which is also free, should appeal. Paid users, of course, have access to plentiful server locations and many other welcome features.
Simultaneous VPN Connections
10
Server Locations
117 countries
Free Version Data Limit
Unlimited
Learn More
Proton VPN Review
- Support for multi-hop, split tunneling, and Tor connections
- Bevy of available features and add-ons
- Good speed results
- Built-in antivirus tools
- Excellent design
- Friendly onboarding wizard
- Expensive
- Threat Protection Pro lacks full antivirus capabilities
- Deceptive annual renewal pricing
NordVPN includes a little bit of everything. It takes the privacy and security of its users more seriously than many in the industry by including multi-hop connections, access to Tor over VPN, and other great features. While it’s more than capable of connecting you to TikTok, we hope the added security features offered by NordVPN will turn even the most novice users into experienced privacy gurus.
NordVPN doesn’t have a traditional free tier of service, so it’s best suited to TikTok users who are willing to spend a bit of money to get a full-featured, privacy-forward experience. No matter what you want to do on your VPN, chances are good that Nord has already implemented the solution you’re looking for.
Simultaneous VPN Connections
6
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118 countries
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No Free Version
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NordVPN Review
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Good geographic diversity of servers
- Transparent privacy policy
- Small impact on throughput speeds in our testing
- Expensive
- Free trial only offered on annual plans via mobile app stores
There’s a strong chance you’re not the only one in your household addicted to TikTok. And while many VPN companies limit the number of devices you can have activated on each plan, IPVanish doesn’t have rules to dictate where you can use your subscription. This policy makes IPVanish perfect for families who want to get their scrolling in at the same time, whether it’s on a phone, tablet, or other device.
If you plan on connecting more than five devices to your VPN to stream TikTok—and remember that’s devices, not people—IPVanish is the perfect option because it has an unlimited device policy. While it’s not the most feature-rich pick on this list, IPVanish is tailor-made for large households, no matter how many devices are in it.
(Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag.com’s parent company. For more, see the ethics policy in our Editorial Mission Statement.)
Simultaneous VPN Connections
Unlimited
Server Locations
108 Countries
Free Version Data Limit
No Free Version
Learn More
IPVanish VPN Review
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Buying Guide: The Best VPNs for TikTok in 2025
Why Is the US Banning TikTok?
The battle with ByteDance is over media control and alleged security concerns regarding ByteDance’s intentions with the user data of US citizens. United States officials say they worry China could force ByteDance to hand over US citizens’ data, or the country could use the app for political influence.
The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA) was signed into law on April 24, 2024. This law allows the president to suspend or ban any platform they deem a “foreign adversary-controlled application.”
On January 17, 2025, the Supreme Court unanimously supported the proposal, claiming that the ban does not violate First Amendment rights regarding freedom of speech.
As of April 2025, ByteDance has made no motions to accept or consider a buyout. Without intervention or further extension, TikTok is set to be banned in June.
Will My VPN Work With TikTok?
Probably. VPNs will likely have no issues accessing the service, as many of the VPN apps we review work in regions with even heavier restrictions and government censorship. However, the nature of how the ban is implemented could pose hurdles. If ByteDance removes accounts registered in the US, you could be out of luck even if you have a VPN. While you could register a fresh account in a new geolocation, you would lose everything on your main account. Not the best solution, especially if you have an active following.
If you’re just looking to access TikTok and don’t care about maintaining what you had on your old account, then a VPN would be an ideal solution. Despite censorship, VPNs are helping people access Pornhub in the US following statewide bans that mimic the obscenity laws of yesteryear.
You’re not likely to get in trouble just for using TikTok in the US, because the bill does not authorize the US Attorney General to go after individuals using an app controlled by a foreign adversary. You may also be able to use a proxy server to circumvent the ban, though a VPN is easier to use and better suited for browsing TikTok.
Best VPN Features for TikTok
If you decide to download a VPN to access TikTok, complete this feature checklist first:
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Check for split tunneling: This feature allows you to send only TikTok traffic through the VPN while the rest of your traffic appears to come from your true IP address. With daily data breaches becoming more common, you may not fully trust a certain company to handle all of your data and traffic. Split tunneling makes accessing a banned app or website easy without bogging down your speeds on other sites you trust.
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Try the free or trial version: Always try any app before you sign up for a paid service. Most companies offer trials. You can also try free VPN apps, but do your due diligence. Some free VPNs can be predatory with your data. Regardless, ensure you can access TikTok using the app before signing up for an expensive or long-term subscription.
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Look for non-US server locations: It is critical that you choose a VPN that allows you to access server locations outside the United States. Always check the server list of a VPN before buying. The best options will be nearby servers, such as Canada or Mexico. Generally, the closer the server is to your real location, the better and more stable your speeds will be.
Finally, read the policies and terms of service. If the VPN is good, this information should be readily available and easy to parse. VPNs that hide this information or don’t display it at all are often not worth buying. For example, Proton offers easy-to-navigate privacy policies with links to sections of interest. You should also read the app’s terms of sale to find out if you can get a refund for any reason.
How a VPN Works
Will a VPN Affect My TikTok Streaming Speeds?
Yes, a VPN always impacts your data speeds. Your data will usually slow down even when using the fastest VPN services. In our latest round of testing, we recorded the median speed with and without a VPN running and calculated the percent change. The greater the change, the more the VPN impacts your internet connection speeds. To measure speeds, we use the Ookla Speedtest tool. (Note: Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag.com’s parent company. For more, see the ethics policy in our Editorial Mission Statement.)
Recommended by Our Editors
Here are the latest speed test results for all of the VPNs we’ve tested:
Remember that the numbers above represent optimal conditions; your experience may change depending on your location.
Do I Really Need a VPN for TikTok in the US?
A VPN could be your ticket to TikTok if the company doesn’t shut down service for US-based accounts. If the app disappears from the app stores, you may want to keep it on your phone. A VPN may allow you to access videos after the US TikTok ban.
Of course, there are other uses for a VPN. You can use it to spoof your location to access geo-restricted Netflix shows or mask your traffic from advertisers and snoops. If you’re looking for other ways to decrease your data footprint, check out our guide to disappearing online.
Chris Stobing contributed to this article.
