A VPN with robust security features hides your location and browsing activity. Not only that, the best VPNs for Iraq have global networks to bypass geo-restrictions so that you can access worldwide content (including social media networks, Netflix, and news sites). If you’re traveling overseas, you’ll also want a VPN with servers in the UAE or Israel so you can watch Shahid, CineMoz, and STARZPLAY. After testing 56 VPNs for Iraq, I found the best ones for privacy, unrestricted access, and speed. These VPNs protect your connection with obfuscation techniques, military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and a kill switch. Plus, you can stream videos in HD, play online games, and download torrents at high speeds. My top pick for Iraq is ExpressVPN because of its global network of fast servers in 94 countries that provides you secure access to local and international websites and services. You can try ExpressVPN with confidence as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Get the Best VPN for Iraq Now! Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free Today!
Best VPNs for Iraq — Full Analysis (Updated in 2023)
Iraq experiences heavy internet censorship and content restrictions, especially during times of political unrest. Using a VPN in the country is banned, so you need to be careful. I advise that you inform yourself of any legal consequences you could encounter. That being said, I tested dozens of VPNs to find you the best ones to keep your data absolutely secure if you need to use one. They will allow you to freely browse the web anonymously without slowing down your connection. The best VPNs for Iraq keep your online activity private with advanced security features. Plus, the VPNs I picked offer multiple simultaneous connections and are compatible with most operating systems. The best part is, all these VPNs come with excellent customer support and tried-and-tested money-back guarantees.
1. ExpressVPN — Robust Security to Avoid Government Surveillance
ExpressVPN is the best choice for protecting your internet connection in Iraq, with many powerful security features. Your identity and DNS requests stay hidden from third parties (including the government) with the VPN’s private DNS and rigorously tested OpenVPN protocol which uses military-grade AES 256-bit encryption to mask your actual IP address. In addition, Perfect Forward Secrecy changes your encryption key frequently so that even if your device could get hacked, your data is unreadable. The VPN will not retain any personally identifiable information as it follows a strict no-logs policy and is based in the British Virgin Islands (outside of the intelligence-sharing agreement of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance). If that’s not enough, its RAM-only servers wipe your data clean after every reboot. I didn’t detect any leaks while testing ExpressVPN, thanks to its DNS/IPv6/WebRTC protection and automatic kill switch (Network Lock) that disconnects you from the internet if your VPN drops. You can also sign up for an ExpressVPN subscription using a burner email account and pay with BitCoin to further increase your online anonymity. Online protection isn’t the only thing ExpressVPN is good for — you can also access international content without detection. ExpressVPN’s global network of 3,000 servers in 94 countries (including Europe, Asia, and North America) and obfuscation technology bypasses tough VPN blocks and geo-restrictions. So, you can watch videos on various streaming platforms, like Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and Pluto TV. ExpressVPN also has servers close to Iraq for accessing local TV channels like Shahid when traveling abroad. Speaking of streaming, I used ExpressVPN’s Smart Location feature to find the fastest server near me and watched YouTube TV in HD without buffering. Connections are also fast enough for gaming and file sharing, which you can do without restriction as the VPN doesn’t limit bandwidth. You can even maximize device performance when using split-tunneling to route P2P traffic outside the VPN tunnel while sending other apps through the encrypted network. You can try ExpressVPN completely risk-free on up to 5 devices simultaneously. Plus, if you’re not 100% happy with it, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. I canceled my subscription after 3 weeks and received my money back almost immediately. Try ExpressVPN Today!
2. IPVanish — Budget-Friendly VPN with Unlimited Simultaneous Connections
IPVanish provides affordable protection as you can connect an Unlimited number of devices simultaneously and only pay for 1 subscription. This is especially beneficial for small businesses or large households using multiple devices. The VPN works with all major operating systems, offering intuitive, user-friendly apps. While testing IPVanish on various devices, I found it is also compatible with Chromebook and Raspberry Pi. If you need help getting started or customizing the app to your preferences, the IPVanish website has detailed tutorials and 24/7 live chat. Keep your online activity secure with advanced features that include a kill switch, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, and a strict no-logs policy. Even though IPVanish is based in the US, which is part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance, the VPN is serious about user privacy and not retaining logs. IPVanish owns and operates its own server network, which minimizes the risk of user data being leaked to third parties. Additionally, IPVanish comes with AES 256-bit encryption and secure DNS to hide your identity and protect your data. Another great feature is OpenVPN Scramble that disguises VPN traffic as regular web traffic — these obfuscation techniques help you bypass VPN blocking technology. You won’t be weighed down by these numerous security features as IPVanish provides consistently fast connections. Its Best Server option finds you the fastest server based on your location. So, you can play games online without latency. When I tested the VPN’s speeds by video calling friends and family overseas, the voice and picture quality were excellent. On top of streaming and gaming, you can torrent without restrictions with IPVanish’s unlimited bandwidth and a dedicated SOCKS5 proxy masking your IP address during file sharing. Plus, when adding SugarSync to your IPVanish subscription, you can get 250GB of encrypted cloud storage for your downloaded files. With IPVanish’s 2,200 servers in 75 countries (including the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia), you can access international and local content from anywhere. I unblocked my HBO Max and BBC iPlayer accounts without problems. Iraqi citizens living or traveling overseas can still stream Shahid and STARZPLAY when connecting to servers located in the UAE. You can try IPVanish for up to 30 days using its money-back guarantee. I canceled my subscription by emailing the VPN’s support team. My request was processed within a few days, and I got a full refund that same week. Try IPVanish Today!
3. CyberGhost — Dedicated Servers for Fast Streaming, Gaming, and Torrenting
Bypassing geo-restrictions and government limitations are effortless with over 9,074 servers in 90 countries, including more than 1000 in the US alone. But, for the fastest connection, use CybrGhost’s Best server location, which automatically connects you to a server closest to where you really are. Your IP address and online activity remain private with CyberGhost’s AES 256-bit encryption and choice of multiple security protocols (including OpenVPN, L2TP, IPsec, and PPTP). Stay anonymous with CyberGhost’s strict no-logs policy. The VPN doesn’t even record your registration details — new subscribers are given an anonymous user ID and can pay with BitCoin. CyberGhost also comes with additional privacy features like the Block content setting (blocking domains that are riddled with ads, malware, and trackers), DNS/IPv6/WebRTC leak protection, and an automatic kill switch which prevents accidental data exposure. For extra security, you can upgrade to CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers — the network is based in privacy-friendly Romania and can only be accessed by the CyberGhost team, thus drastically reducing the chance of third party interference. CyberGhost is great for beginners — just press the large power button in the middle of the screen for instant connection. Plus, you can secure up to 7 devices simultaneously. If you have more devices, install the VPN on your router and protect your entire home network. However, if you need help, CyberGhost’s 24/7 live chat support is always ready to assist. While the VPN’s monthly plans are expensive, annual subscriptions cost only a fraction of the price and you can try CyberGhost for a legthy 45 days using its money-back guarantee. After using CyberGhost for an entire month, I submitted a refund request and got my money back with no questions asked. Try CyberGhost Today!
4. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Huge Network of P2P-Supported Servers for Anonymous Torrenting
Private Internet Access (PIA) has 29,650 P2P-supported servers in 84 countries, making it a great choice for file sharing. While you can’t torrent on the VPN’s US servers, servers in Europe are safe. I’m also happy to report that I got super fast download speeds while testing PIA. PIA’s quick file-sharing abilities are partly due to its vast network reducing the chance of server overcrowding and partly because the VPN has SOCKS5 Proxy and port forwarding to help speed up downloads. On top of all that, PIA offers unlimited bandwidth so that you won’t get cut off mid-torrenting. While on the subject of speed and server count, PIA can unblock and stream content from various popular platforms without much speed reduction. I also made a few VoIP calls and didn’t have any calls dropping or slow connections. PIA hides your actual location and online activity with its powerful security features that you can customize to suit your needs. For example, you can choose AES 256-bit encryption for the strongest protection (but get a slightly slower connection) or speed things up with the less secure 128-bits. PIA also offers multiple security protocols, including the widely popular OpenVPN and WireGuard, or IPsec for iOS. I also tested PIA’s built-in ad and malware blocker (MACE), and it successfully blocked malicious websites from loading and annoying ads that suck up your data. Even though PIA is based in the US, it commits to maintaining your privacy with a proven no-logs policy, DNS/IP leak protection, and a kill switch. You can protect up to Unlimited devices simultaneously with PIA’s user-friendly apps that work with most operating systems. Its 24/7 live chat support and easy-to-follow setup guides are available should you need help. You can put all PIA features to the test for yourself with its 30 money-back guarantee. Try PIA Today!
5. PrivateVPN — Easy-to-Use VPN That’s Excellent for Beginners
PrivateVPN offers lightweight apps that are great if you’re new to VPNs. It took me less than 5 minutes to install and set up PrivateVPN during my testing, and you can connect to a server with a click of a button. I particularly like that PrivateVPN offers a simple mode for beginners and an advanced mode for those wanting to customize settings. Plus, you only need one license to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously. PrivateVPN also has designated streaming servers — simply select your preferred platform/location, and the VPN will automatically find the best server. In addition, the VPN offers full P2P support, port forwarding, and unlimited bandwidth on all 200 servers. You can download several large files while streaming in HD without experiencing any delays. With multiple security protocols and encryption options (128-bits or 256-bits), PrivateVPN ensures your data won’t fall into the wrong hands. Stealth Mode further helps you stay undetected by hiding your VPN traffic. PrivateVPN provides DNS/IPv6/WebRTC leak protection and a kill switch feature if that wasn’t enough. PrivateVPN is committed to a strict no-logs policy so that your personal information will not be shared with anyone, not even the government. Plus, you can pay for your subscription with BitCoin for added anonymity. Live chat support might only be available 22 hours a day, but your questions are answered by technical professionals — you’re connected straight to a developer instead of a freelance rep. You can use PrivateVPN for free up to 30 days using its money-back guarantee and test if it’s the right option for you. Try PrivateVPN Today!
Tips on How to Choose the Best VPN for Iraq
You can use the below criteria I’ve created for finding the best VPNs for Iraq to choose a VPN that meets all your needs:
Strong security. To avoid government surveillance and ISP tracking, choose a VPN that offers military-grade encryption, IP/DNS leak protection, and a kill-switch. These features will secure your connection against prying eyes and also prevent accidental data leaks. No-logs policy. In Iraq, you must keep any personally identifiable information private, so it’s vital that a VPN follows a strict no-logs policy. Global server network. Bypassing geo-restrictions requires a VPN with a global server network, like the ones on my list. To access Iraqi content and services when abroad, opt for a VPN with servers near Iraq. Fast speeds. Using a VPN will inherently reduce your base speed, but the difference is barely noticeable with the best VPNs (like those on my list). So, you can game without lag and stream buffer-free. For the fastest speeds, connect to a server closest to your actual location. Multiple device connections. Ideally, your VPN should secure all the devices in your household. The VPNs on my list offer multiple simultaneous connections with one subscription. Customer support. Look for a VPN that offers live chat, email support, and an expansive knowledge base to help you get started and customize settings. Ease of use. A VPN should be quick to set up and easy to navigate. The VPNs I recommended take minutes to install, and most have a one-click-connect feature. Money-back guarantee. With a trustworthy refund policy, you can try out a service to see if it meets your requirements. Every VPN on my list comes with a tried-and-tested money-back guarantee.
Try ExpressVPN for Iraq Risk-Free Today!
Is the use of VPNs legal in Iraq?
VPNs are illegal in Iraq. However, visitors to the country can generally use the internet freely when connecting to public hotspots. But, using a VPN to conduct unlawful activities remains illegal. A VPN with robust security and privacy features keeps you safe from surveillance and allows access to blocked content. My recommendation for Iraq is ExpressVPN to securely access content and get fast, reliable connections every time. Best of all, ExpressVPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Why do I need a VPN for Iraq?
Iraq uses various forms of censorship to prevent citizens from accessing outside information. To bypass restrictions and unblock apps and websites you should rightfully have access to, choose a VPN that uses obfuscation technology to help you stay undetected. All the VPNs on this list use military-grade encryption and don’t keep logs so that you can access global content without fear of government surveillance.
Can I use a free VPN in Iraq?
Yes, but I don’t recommend using free VPNs in restrictive countries like Iraq. Some free services sell your information to third parties to make money. Other free VPNs limit their security, speed, and unblocking abilities so that you are forced to upgrade to their paid versions. Instead, give one of the VPNs on this list a risk-free try since they come with money-back guarantees, and you can get full access to all features immediately.
Which popular Iraqi TV channels can I watch with a VPN?
Choose a VPN with many servers close to Iraq, like ExpressVPN, so you can watch local content from popular services like Shahid, CineMoz, and STARZPLAY. Plus, ExpressVPN has a global network so that you can also access international content with ease.
The Bottom Line
Internet use in Iraq is subject to heavy censorship and government surveillance. Your online activities are constantly being monitored, and a new bill is set to restrict your internet freedom even more. Using a VPN with robust security features and servers worldwide can help you bypass geoblocks while remaining undetected. My top pick for Iraq is ExpressVPN, as it uses a global network of obfuscated servers, high-level encryption, and a no-logs policy to keep your identity and online activity private. Plus, you can claim a full refund within 30 days if you’re not 100% happy with it.
To summarize, here are the best VPNs for Iraq
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