Best VPN for Iraq in 2025

I wouldn’t even consider using the Internet in Iraq without a high-quality virtual private network (VPN), and here’s why!  

The Iraqi government frequently imposes internet restrictions, blocks social media, and monitors online activity. Violating their regulations could result in serious consequences, including fines, harassment, or even jail time, making a VPN for Iraq crucial to protect your privacy.

Whether you’re looking to bypass censorship, safeguard your personal data, or access geo-restricted content, choosing the best VPN for Iraq is key.

After testing multiple services, I’ve picked out the 5 best VPNs for Iraq, allowing users like you to enjoy strong security, performance, and reliability.

 In a hurry? Here are the 5 best VPNs for Iraq

Here are my top picks for an Iraq VPN:

Key takeaways

1. The government of Iraq has intermittently restricted access to social media, messaging apps, and other services, particularly during periods of unrest.
2. Iraqi law does not support comprehensive data protection, and there have been reports of governmental online surveillance.
3. A premium Iraq VPN can connect Internet users to a server in another country via an encrypted tunnel,l ensuring private and unrestricted Internet access.
4. I recommend ExpressVPN as the best Iraq VPN.

State of Internet censorship in Iraq

Internet access is readily available in Iraq. However, restrictions, surveillance, and legal risks may limit your freedom.

Social media platforms, messaging apps, and other services can be blocked during protests or unrest exactly when you want it the most! On top of that, websites critical of the government or linked to opposition groups are frequently censored.

Concern over government surveillance of online activities has led to self-censorship by journalists and activists. Equally worrying, Iraq lacks strong data protection laws, leaving you vulnerable to monitoring and privacy breaches.

Iraqi law constrains online speech critical of the government, with individuals facing possible prosecution, harassment, or intimidation for their posts.

Using a VPN, you can protect yourself from censorship and surveillance and achieve full Internet freedom, even in Iraq.

Why you need a VPN for Iraq

Using a VPN in Iraq isn’t a luxury; it is a necessity. Here’s why:

• Internet freedom. Using a VPN for Iraq, you can securely connect to server locations in countries without Internet censorship for unrestricted access to social media, news sites, messaging apps, streaming services, and more!
• Online privacy. By sending your data through an encrypted tunnel with leak protection, an Iraq VPN protects you from government surveillance, so you don’t have to worry about the serious consequences of posting something the government doesn’t approve of.
• Online safety. The secure online experience you get using a VPN protects you from hackers, even while using public Wi-Fi.
• Geo-restrictions. Many websites, including online banking, streaming services, and gaming sites, are geographically restricted to specific regions. A quality VPN allows you to connect to virtual server locations worldwide so you can bypass these geo-restrictions.

What makes a great VPN for Iraq

All Internet users need to be cautious when selecting a VPN for Iraq. Here’s what I look for to ensure I can navigate government censorship and protect my online privacy:

• Security. A reliable VPN should offer advanced encryption, a kill switch, secure tunneling protocols, and DNS/IP leak protection to secure your data.
• Privacy. Make sure your online activities remain private by selecting a VPN service with an independently verified no-logs policy. I prefer VPNs that stick with RAM-only servers.
• Obfuscation. Look for a VPN with obfuscation technology to disguise your VPN traffic as regular internet activity, which keeps you under the radar.
• Unblocking. Choose a VPN with a proven track record of bypassing geographical restrictions and government blocks so you can access websites, messaging apps, news platforms, streaming services, and social media without limitations.
• Speeds. A good VPN should offer consistently fast speeds and stable connections for browsing, streaming, and other activities without lag.
• Server network. Look for a VPN with a broad global server network that includes servers close to Iraq. It will minimize latency, improve performance, and support smoother connections. It will also grant you access to diverse content worldwide.

5 best VPNs for Iraq

I’ve done a lot of research to come up with my list of the 5 best VPNs for Iraq. Keep reading to find the one that best matches your needs and budget.

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN stands out as the best VPN for navigating censorship, ensuring privacy, and accessing restricted content in Iraq. With its user-friendly apps, robust features, fast speeds, and a strong focus on security, it’s an excellent all-around VPN choice.

Features: I love how ExpressVPN’s automatic obfuscation keeps my VPN usage undetectable, especially under Iraq’s strict government oversight. It also has great bonus features for extra security, like ad-blocking, malware protection, tracker blocking, and a password manager. The server network of over 3,000 servers across 105 countries includes servers located in regions near Iraq, like Turkey and the UAE.

Speed: ExpressVPN is among the fastest VPNs available, maintaining 97% of its baseline download speed on local connections. These fast and consistent speeds are crucial in Iraq, where connections can already be hampered by throttling and restrictions.

Privacy and security: ExpressVPN keeps all online activity private with features like a strict no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, AES-256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and secure tunneling protocols which is critical in countries with heavy surveillance like Iraq.

Performance. I’ve consistently enjoyed smooth performance for online gaming, streaming, browsing, and more with ExpressVPN.

Streaming: ExpressVPN excels at unblocking geo-restricted content on popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more. Whether you’re live-streaming global news networks or binge-watching your favorite shows, this VPN has you covered.

Compatibility: ExpressVPN is compatible with a wide range of devices, including mobile devices, PCs, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and more. You can also connect it to your router and cover all your devices at once.

Pricing: While ExpressVPN is more expensive than some competitors, starting at $6.67 per month, its high performance and advanced features make it worth the investment. Plus, you get 8 simultaneous connections, 24/7 live chat support, and 30 days to try it out risk-free.

2. NordVPN

If you’re looking for a reliable way to bypass censorship and stay safe online in Iraq, NordVPN will get the job done while striking a great balance between speed, security, and affordability.

Features: One of the reasons I recommend NordVPN for Iraq is its obfuscated servers, designed specifically to keep activity under the radar. I also like the extra protection that comes with its ad blocking, malware protection, tracker blocking, private DNS, and double VPN. It has over 7,100 servers in more than 118 countries, including server locations near Iraq.

Speed: Speed is critical for performance, and NordVPN didn’t let me down, maintaining 98% of its baseline download speed on local connections.

Privacy and security. I know I’ve got secure connections with NordVPN’s AES-256 bit encryption, automatic kill switch, IP/DNS leak protection, RAM-only servers, secure tunneling protocols, and a strict no-logs policy.

Streaming: When it comes to streaming, NordVPN makes it easy to bypass censorship and geographical restrictions on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more. I’ve had no trouble catching up on my favorite shows or checking out the latest news without regional restrictions getting in my way.

Compatibility: NordVPN works seamlessly across all operating systems, including Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Linux.

Pricing: The best part? NordVPN is surprisingly affordable, with prices starting at $3.39 per month plus 4 months free. You’ll also get 10 simultaneous devices, 24/7 live chat support, and a 30-day trial.

3. Surfshark

Want a budget Iraq VPN that’s safe, reliable, and packed with features? Surfshark is a great option, and its unlimited device connections make it perfect for securing every device in your household at a low price.

Features: Surfshark is an affordable Iraq VPN that doesn’t skimp on advanced features, including obfuscation, so your VPN usage remains undetected. It also offers ad blocking, tracker blocking, malware protection, data breach monitoring, static IP options, and dynamic selection, which lets you use two servers at once. With over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, including locations close to Iraq, it provides plenty of flexibility for bypassing restrictions and maintaining secure access to global content.

Speed: I got decent speeds using Surfshark, holding on to 79% of my baseline speed on local connections, which is fast enough for everyday browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Privacy and Security: Surfshark’s privacy protection includes military-grade AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, IP/DNS leak protection, RAM-only servers, secure tunneling protocols, and a verified zero-logs policy. These features ensure your data and activity remain private, even in regions like Iraq, with strict Internet monitoring.

Performance: From online gaming to streaming and file sharing, Surfshark provides smooth connections. While there might be occasional lag during high Internet traffic, it’s generally a high-performing Iraq VPN.

Streaming: Surfshark excels at unblocking geographically restricted content. Whether you want to stream Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Hulu, or other platforms, this VPN gets the job done.

Compatibility: Surfshark’s user-friendly apps work across all major devices and operating systems, including macOS, iOS, Linux, Android, and Windows.

Pricing: Surfshark is one of the most budget-friendly VPNs available, starting at just $1.99/month. Subscriptions include 4 extra months for free, 24/7 live chat support, unlimited simultaneous connections, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a cheap, no-frills VPN service that protects user privacy online while supporting unrestricted Internet access.

Features. One of the best things about CyberGhost is its massive server network of 11,500+ servers in 100 countries, including locations near Iraq. It includes specialty servers optimized for gaming, streaming, and P2P file sharing, as well as obfuscated servers, which I highly recommend using in Iraq.

Speed: On local connections, I maintained 72% of my baseline speeds. Long-distance speeds are less consistent, but CyberGhost’s 24/7 live chat support will help you find the fastest servers in the region of your choice.

Privacy and security: CyberGhost’s military-grade AES-256 encryption, kill switch, IP/DNS leak protection, secure tunneling protocols, RAM-only servers, and verified zero-logs policy let you browse safely, even under surveillance-heavy conditions.

Performance: Whether you are streaming, gaming, or torrenting, CyberGhost’s local servers deliver strong performance. While speeds on distant servers may fluctuate, experimenting with different servers should lead you to a high-performing connection.

Streaming: CyberGhost can unblock popular streaming platforms like Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and more.

Compatibility: The CyberGhost apps are straightforward and work on all major platforms, including macOS, iOS, Linux, Windows, and Android.

Pricing: The 2-year plan costs just $2.03/month. You also get 4 bonus months, 7 simultaneous connections, 24/7 live chat support, and an extended 45-day money-back guarantee so you can test it risk-free.

5. Proton VPN

With a range of free and paid plans, Proton VPN offers flexibility without compromising privacy or security.

Features: On its paid plans, you can access over 8,600 servers across 112 countries, including VPN servers near Iraq. The Stealth Mode excels at bypassing censorship, and additional features include ad blocking, malware protection, secure core, and more!

Speed: Proton VPN delivers consistent speeds, retaining about 75% of its baseline speed on local VPN servers.

Privacy and security: Proton VPN uses military-grade AES-256 encryption, an automatic kill switch, secure tunneling protocols, and DNS/IP leak protection to keep your data secure. Equally importantly, it operates with a verified zero-logs policy, so your Internet activity remains completely private, an essential in Iraq, where surveillance is a concern.

Performance: Whether I’m online gaming, streaming, or downloading large files, Proton VPN delivers smooth performance.

Streaming: I’ve had no trouble accessing worldwide content on major streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more.

Compatibility: Proton VPN’s intuitive apps are compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Fire TV Stick, Chromebook, and Android TV.

Pricing: Paid plans start at $4.99/month and include 10 simultaneous connections, 4 bonus months, and a 30-day trial. If you’re on a tight budget, the free plan is an unbeatable option for basic browsing and privacy.

How we picked and tested the best VPNs for Iraq

I tested dozens of VPNs, focusing on the criteria necessary for bypassing restrictions and maintaining online security in a country with strict internet controls. Here’s what I looked at:

• Strong security and privacy features. Your online safety is paramount, especially in Iraq, where government surveillance and censorship are prevalent. I prioritized VPNs with robust security features, such as AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, DNS/IP leak protection, secure tunneling protocols, RAM-only servers, and zero-logs policies. Obfuscation technology was also a must, as it helps mask VPN usage from the authorities.
• Reliable at bypassing restrictions. I tested each VPN service for its ability to bypass Iraq’s internet restrictions. Whether it’s streaming services, news websites, messaging apps, or social media platforms, the best VPNs had to prove they could circumvent government-imposed censorship reliably.
• Fast speeds. I measured the speeds of local and distance servers to ensure the VPNs provided fast and stable connections without significant lag, even under heavy internet traffic.
• Extensive server network. I prioritized VPNs with diverse server locations, which is necessary for optimizing speed and accessing websites worldwide.
• Broad device compatibility. I chose VPNs that have easy-to-use apps for all common devices and support multiple connections under the same account.
• Customer support. Issues can arise at any time, so I gave preference to VPNs that offer strong customer support.
• Trial period. All my recommended Iraq VPNs come with a money-back guarantee, so you can try out the VPN provider risk-free.

Can I use a free VPN for Iraq?

The only free VPN for Iraq that I would consider is Proton VPN. It’s the only free VPN service that offers strong privacy and security protection as well as unlimited data and bandwidth.

Other free VPN services that I’ve tried out either can’t get past Iraq’s Internet censorship or don’t offer the necessary features to fully secure your Internet connection.

In addition, many no-cost VPN providers limit data, bandwidth, and servers, which will decrease your connection speed and impair your VPN performance.

Other country guides 

Besides Iraq, you can use a VPN to help secure your internet access in other countries, including:

• USA
• Syria
• Uganda
• Switzerland
• Jamaica
• Puerto Rico
• Mauritius
• Kenya

FAQ

Is it legal to use a VPN in Iraq?

Most VPNs are banned in Iraq. Only government-approved VPNs are permitted. It is important to research the legal implications of your VPN usage while in Iraq to protect yourself from prosecution, which could include fines or jail time.

Is the Internet restricted in Iraq?

Yes. The Iraqi government imposes some degree of Internet censorship. Social media platforms, messaging apps, and websites critical of the government have been intermittently blocked, especially during periods of unrest.

Conclusion

Navigating the online landscape in Iraq can be challenging due to frequent censorship and government surveillance. With the right Iraq VPN, however, you can secure your internet connection, bypass restrictions, and access the content you need with peace of mind.

I recommend ExpressVPN as the best VPN for Iraq due to its automatic obfuscation, easy-to-use apps, robust security features, fast speeds, and reliable performance in bypassing censorship.