5 Best VPNs for Craigslist: How to Bypass IP Blocks in 2024

Craigslist offers a platform to buy and sell products locally, find a job, rent an apartment, and more. Still, you can earn an IP ban for many reasons, such as excessive posting, having listings in multiple cities, using inappropriate language, or selling restricted items. Also, geo-restrictions may prevent your access to specific features or listings, and even local censorship is an issue.

Luckily, there is a straightforward solution: you need a trustworthy VPN. A VPN will direct your data through a server and provide you with a new IP address to bypass Craigslist bans. Plus, you'll get to unblock the website, gain access to every Craigslist feature, and preserve your privacy.

In this article, we'll show you the 5 best VPNs for Craigslist. We’ll also explain how to use one, why you need a VPN, our process of testing and recommending VPNs, and how to choose the best option. Finally, we’ll answer some FAQs as well.

Best Craigslist VPNs - Our Shortlist

1. NordVPN – Our #1-Rated Best VPN for Craigslist in 2024
2. Surfshark – Proven VPN for Craigslist for Inexperienced Users
3. ExpressVPN – Speedy Craigslist VPN That Prioritizes Privacy
4. CyberGhost VPN – Automated VPN to Unblock Craigslist in an Instant
5. Private Internet Access – High-End VPN for Secure Access to Craigslist

How to Unblock Craigslist with a VPN

First, you must find a VPN provider compatible with the online marketplace. Once you do that, download and install the VPN on your device. Here is a simple step-by-step guide:

1. Sign up for a VPN that works with Craigslist (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN app on your preferred device.
3. Open the VPN app and log in or create an account.
4. Connect to a VPN server that will unblock Craigslist.
5. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies.
6. That’s it! You can now unblock Craigslist from anywhere with a new IP address.

Pick a VPN location based on the location of ads you wish to see on Craigslist, as the site will primarily display local results. If you're in an area where the site is blocked, connecting to a US server (in NY, for example) will unblock your access.

The Best VPNs for Craigslist in 2024

To get to the best options, you need to stick to the criteria we established in our guide on the best VPNs. First and foremost, your chosen VPN must have many servers in numerous countries so it can bypass Craigslist IP bans without any issues. This also means it will be able to unblock censored and geo-restricted content.

Furthermore, the provider must offer robust security and privacy features, such as a no-logs policy, strong VPN protocols, and military-grade encryption. Other features you should consider are obfuscated servers to hide your VPN usage, a kill switch to prevent data leakage, and split tunneling to optimize your VPN’s bandwidth.

The VPN you choose also needs to come with fast speeds and stable performance. On top of that, it must work with various devices, such as computers, phones, and tablets, as well as allow numerous simultaneous connections. Lastly, look for a VPN that offers a fair price, a money-back guarantee, and 24/7 customer support.

Based on these criteria, here are the 5 best VPNs to unblock Craigslist in 2024:

1. NordVPN – Our #1-Rated Best VPN for Craigslist in 2024

NordVPN is a reputable VPN with 6,500+ servers in 111 countries, allowing it to bypass Craigslist IP bans effectively. It is also a highly effective option for bypassing censorship, giving you access to practically any website or digital service out there.

It’s one of the most secure VPNs, thanks to AES 256-bit and ChaCha20 encryption that makes your traffic undetectable, an audited no-logs policy, and VPN protocols like NordLynx, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec for secure data transmission.

Its list of security features is quite extensive, so you will also benefit from obfuscation on many of its servers to hide your VPN usage. More advanced users will enjoy peace of mind that all their activities on Craigslist will stay secure due to the kill switch that prevents data leaks and reliable split tunneling.

NordVPN is one of the leading VPNs when it comes to speed. You will enjoy blazing-fast connections and dependable performance. Furthermore, this VPN comes with native apps for all popular devices, such as phones and computers, while supporting 10 simultaneous connections.

All that is available at $2.99/month (2-year plan). You can take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee, which allows you to test its services and get a refund. Last but not least, there is even 24/7 customer support, which you can contact if you encounter any issue and get help solving it in no time.

2. Surfshark – Proven VPN for Craigslist for Inexperienced Users

Surfshark features an extensive network of 3,200+ servers across 100 countries, which means that it can easily bypass Craigslist IP bans without any issues. Out of the box, it can also unblock sites with ease, especially if censorship is involved.

Surfshark also provides strong AES 256-bit and ChaCha20 encryption, VPN protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec, and an audited no-logs policy, so it doesn’t collect and share your data.

Additionally, you will receive a few more security features, such as obfuscation on all servers, a kill switch that cuts your connection if there's a VPN failure, and split tunneling that creates a unique tunnel for particular apps. Surfshark also has its unique Nexus technology that rotates IP addresses. 

We'll also add that Surfshark has a stellar performance. Whether you connect to nearby or remote servers, you can count on minimal throttling. This provider also supports various devices, such as computers, tablets, and smartphones. In addition, you will enjoy unlimited simultaneous connections.

Right now, this VPN's 2-year plan costs only $1.99/month. If you’re not sure whether Surfshark is right for you, there is a way to test it. Thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee, you can use the VPN for a month and get a refund if it doesn’t fulfill your needs. Ultimately, Surfshark has reliable customer support, which is available at any time and for any issue.

3. ExpressVPN – Speedy Craigslist VPN That Prioritizes Privacy

ExpressVPN is another excellent choice for Craigslist because, with thousands of servers located in 105 countries, you’ll be able to bypass Craigslist IP bans in the blink of an eye. Overall, ExpressVPN ensures safe and effective unblocking of geo-restricted and censored content.

It also has ultra-strong and proven VPN protocols like Lightway, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec for secure data transmission, an audited no-logs policy, and AES 256-bit and WolfSSL encryption that makes your traffic undetectable.

More so, this provider offers a reliable kill switch that maintains your safety at all times and split tunneling for using only particular platforms and apps. You will also get automatic obfuscation across all of its servers, and this feature comes enabled by default (it runs in the background).

Thanks to its lightning-fast speeds and reliable performance, you can use Craigslist from anywhere. There are even 8 simultaneous connections and dedicated apps for many devices, such as computers, phones, and tablets. 

This VPN is priced at $6.67/month (1-year plan). ExpressVPN also comes with a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Lastly, you can take advantage of its 24/7 customer support, which will help you resolve any issue you may encounter while using the VPN.

4. CyberGhost VPN – Automated VPN to Unblock Craigslist in an Instant

CyberGhost has a server fleet of thousands of servers across 100 countries. It effectively bypasses Craigslist IP bans, unblocking the online marketplace from anywhere. Also, you can use its servers optimized for different online activities to avoid censorship and unblock sites.

It also includes an audited no-logs policy, military-grade encryption (AES-256 and ChaCha20), and robust VPN protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec. It provides you with everything you need to safeguard your sensitive information online.

In addition to these features, you will also benefit from its unique NoSpy servers (owned by CyberGhost), a strong kill switch feature, and split tunneling, which allows you to use the VPN for certain activities only. Unfortunately, there are no obfuscated servers.

When it comes to speeds, CyberGhost isn't the fastest pick. However, it still has pretty decent speeds and stable performance. Furthermore, it has native apps for different devices, like phones, tablets, and computers, allowing 7 simultaneous connections. 

This VPN currently costs $2.03/month (2-year plan). It also has a 45-day money-back policy, allowing you to test its services extensively before making a final decision. Lastly, you can contact its reliable customer support team at any time.

5. Private Internet Access – High-End VPN for Secure Access to Craigslist

Private Internet Access (PIA) offers thousands of servers in 90+ countries and bypasses Craigslist IP bans without an issue. Its unparalleled set of features allows it to effectively unblock censored and geo-restricted content.

It also includes top-notch security features, like AES 128/256-bit and ChaCha20 encryption, an audited no-logs policy, and VPN protocols, such as WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec. 

PIA’s list of security features continues with obfuscated servers that hide VPN usage, and you even get to choose from two types of obfuscation. There are also a couple of different kill switch mechanisms, as well as split tunneling for more advanced users.

PIA has average speeds and reliable performance, so having a fast baseline connection would not hurt. Plus, it pays off to dive into its settings, which is how you can reach faster speeds. That said, it makes up for this with its support for many devices, such as computers, phones, and tablets, along with its unlimited simultaneous connections.

You can sign up for PIA for only $2.03/month (2-year plan). Due to its 30-day money-back guarantee, you can get a refund if you’re not satisfied with how it performs. To wrap it up, PIA also comes with 24/7 customer support that can help you resolve any issue you may come across.

How We Test the Best VPNs for Craigslist

We have analyzed over 50 VPN providers in-depth to find the best options. First, we checked each VPN's compatibility with Craigslist by connecting to various servers in the US and around the globe. After each successful connection, our team tested download and upload speeds, which is why none of the recommendations above will throttle your connection in a noticeable way.

We also reviewed each VPN's security and privacy measures, including various types of encryption, VPN protocols, and no-logs policies, and we also ran data leak tests. Overall usability and user experience are also crucial, and we did our best to highlight VPNs with easy-to-use UIs. Of course, more advanced features, such as a kill switch and split tunneling, were also part of our testing process.

You'll also benefit from ad-blocking and anti-tracking tools, so we gave extra points for that. Our team also interacted with each VPN's customer support, assessing each team's responsiveness and effectiveness. Before concluding, we also ranked VPNs based on their pricing, money-back guarantees, and overall value.

All of the recommendations in this article meet our strict criteria reliably and comprehensively. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide based on your specific needs, priorities, and budget.

7 Reasons Why You Need a VPN for Craigslist

The most prominent reason why you need a VPN is to bypass a Craigslist IP ban. That's because IP bans affect spammers and genuine sellers who create multiple listings on the website. Since a VPN changes your IP address each time you connect to a VPN server, it can bypass Craigslist's ban. Other reasons why using a VPN is beneficial are:

• Unlimited Access to Craigslist from Anywhere – Craigslist may not be available in your country due to geo-restrictions. Luckily, you can use a VPN and connect to a server where Craigslist works.
• Bypass IP Blocks on Craigslist - If the website blocks your IP address, all you need is a VPN that can change your virtual location and your original IP address.
• Bypass Local Internet Censorship While Traveling – There are some countries with rigorous online censorship, preventing access to sites like Craigslist. However, by implementing a reliable VPN that allows you to change your location to your home country, you will be able to overcome this issue.
• Browse the Internet Anonymously – A VPN ensures that trackers don't follow you online. They essentially anonymize everything you do on the Internet.
• Bypass School & Office Firewalls - If Craigslist is blocked in your school or workplace, you can use a VPN to bypass firewall-based Internet blocks.
• Use Craigslist Safely on Public Wi-Fi – When using public Wi-Fi networks, you put yourself at risk of different cyber threats. A VPN with encryption establishes a robust security shield.
• Stay Away from Malware - Some of today's VPNs offer anti-malware features, helping you avoid malicious Craigslist ads. Of course, their anti-malware tools on any website or digital service.

How to Pick the Best Craigslist VPN?

Ensure that your chosen VPN offers a sufficiently large network and strong content-unblocking abilities, and you'll also want robust security features (strong protocols, encryption, and a no-logs policy). Here's everything you need to keep in mind:

• Server Network Spread and Size – You need a VPN with a huge server network so that you can choose a server in a country where Craigslist works.
• Ability to Access Censored Content – Craigslist is geo-blocked or censored in some countries, so you should go for a VPN with strong unblocking capabilities.
• Audited No-Logs Policy – If you want to be sure that your data won’t be collected and shared, pick a VPN with an audited no-logs policy.
• Robust Protocols and Encryption – You need a VPN that has military-grade encryption and strong VPN protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN.
• Speedy Performance – A VPN with fast connections and consistent performance will give you a seamless online experience.
• Obfuscated Servers – Obfuscation comes in handy if you want your VPN to stay hidden. As a result, you will not experience VPN blocks from Craigslist.
• Kill Switch and Split Tunneling – The kill switch feature is crucial for cutting your connection if the VPN fails, while split tunneling creates a unique tunnel for any specified purpose.
• Simultaneous Connections and Supported Devices – Your chosen VPN needs to allow numerous simultaneous connections and have native apps for all popular devices. 
• Wallet-Friendly Pricing Plans - You'll want a VPN that offers an affordable long-term plan. Plus, most VPNs offer bonuses when signing up for a long-term subscription.
• Long-Term Money-Back Guarantees – Find a VPN that comes with a money-back guarantee and grants a full refund if you cancel your subscription.
• Reliable Customer Support – Your chosen VPN must offer 24/7 customer support that will help you resolve any issue that you encounter.

Final Thoughts

The fact is that Craigslist is geo-blocked in some regions and that posting from different locations can earn you a Craigslist IP ban. Plus, you must be careful about data logging and potential malware that spreads through malicious ads. That said, you only need a VPN to bypass all those issues.

The most effective option is NordVPN, which is the best VPN for Craigslists due to its robust features. It has an extensive server network, works with Craigslist and unblocks it from anywhere, easily bypasses IP bans, and provides next-level security features for a safe experience.

That’s all for our article on the best VPN for Craigslist. If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comment section below. Thank you for reading!