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.
Grindr is banned in certain countries like Turkey, Indonesia, Lebanon, and China due to political and religious censorship. Additionally, considering its sensitive nature, you may want to enhance your privacy on Grindr. Other risks of using dating apps include the collecting and selling of user data.Â
The most effective solution is to use a VPN. More precisely, a VPN will help you bypass any Grindr ban and effortlessly unblock the platform. That way, you'll be able to access the app from abroad, find more matches, ensure consistent access while traveling, and unblock the app in schools and workplaces.Â
In this article, we’ll present the 5 best VPNs for Grindr and teach you how to get unbanned from the dating service. We’ll discuss why you need a VPN, compare the best options, and show you how to choose the best one. We’ll wrap up by explaining why Grindr is blocked in some countries and answering some useful FAQs.Â
You first need to find a provider with unrestricted access to the dating app. Then, download it, install it on your device, and change your location by connecting to a server in a supported region. Here is a more in-depth guide to the process:
Remember that your chosen VPN location will dictate the people you see on Grindr. So, pick a location based on your current place of residence or where you plan to travel. It's also worth paying for Grindr if you wish to explore additional locations regardless of your chosen VPN server's location.
We recommend you take your pick by following the criteria we’ve provided in our guide to the best VPN for dating sites. Most importantly, your chosen VPN must unblock Grindr and similar apps. Therefore, it needs to have a big server range, with servers in countries where Grindr works, such as the US.Â
The VPN should have fast speeds and stable performance so you can prevent lagging. On top of that, the provider should offer obfuscated servers, a kill switch, a no-logs policy, VPN protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN, and military-grade encryption. As a result, you’ll be able to use Grindr anonymously.
In addition, always look for a VPN with numerous simultaneous connections and dedicated apps for phones, computers, and tablets. Lastly, your chosen provider needs to offer a fair price, a money-back guarantee, and round-the-clock customer support.Â
Based on these criteria, here are the top 5 VPNs to bypass the Grindr ban in 2024:
NordVPN is a hugely capable VPN provider with 6,400+ servers in 111 countries, 1,970+ of which are across 16 US locations. This allows it to unblock Grindr and other dating apps from any location without issues. In other words, its extensive server network helps you connect with people from all over the world and enhances your online dating experience.Â
NordVPN will enhance your online security with its obfuscated servers that hide your VPN usage, strong AES 256-bit/ChaCha20 encryption, and a reliable kill switch. It also offers strong VPN protocols like its unique NordLynx, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec, as well as an audited no-logs policy. It also comes with anti-tracking tools to get past Grindr bans, as well as an anti-malware scanner.
Furthermore, you will benefit from NordVPN’s blazing speeds and steady performance regardless of your distance from your chosen server. What’s even better is that NordVPN has dedicated apps for all popular devices, such as computers, phones, and tablets. Plus, it allows 10 simultaneous connections.
Right now, this VPN is priced at $3.39/month (2-year plan). You’ll even receive a 30-day money-back policy that allows you to test its services for a while. As a result, you can cancel your subscription if you’re not satisfied. Last but not least, NordVPN offers customer support available 24/7 to help you solve any potential issue.Â
PROS
CONS
Surfshark is one of the most user-friendly providers out there. With a server fleet of 3,200+ servers across 100 countries, including 600+ US servers in 25 locations, Surfshark manages to get around Grindr ban issues very effectively. As it can unblock Grindr and other dating sites, you will get a seamless online dating journey no matter where you are in the world.Â
Moreover, Surfshark comes with numerous fantastic security features, like AES 256-bit/ChaCha20 encryption, obfuscation, and a kill switch that will cut your connection if the VPN shows signs of failure. In addition, you will benefit from an audited no-logs policy and industry-leading VPN protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec) that ensure fast transmission of data.Â
Surfshark will provide you with stellar speeds and dependable performance from anywhere. But that’s not all! You can spoof your Grindr location on any device because of Surfshark’s native apps for phones, computers, and tablets. There are even unlimited simultaneous connections that let you use the VPN on multiple devices at the same time. Â
All this is available for $2.19/month (2-year plan). To make the best decision, you will get a 30-day test period, as Surfshark has a generous money-back guarantee. You will also be able to take advantage of its knowledgeable customer support and resolve any issue that arises. The best part is that you can get assistance at any time.Â
PROS
CONS
ExpressVPN has always been known for its privacy and widespread server network. This is because it comes with thousands of servers located in 105 countries. Also, it has US servers in 20+ locations that allow you to bypass Grindr bans and unblock Grindr, as well as other similar dating apps.Â
Thanks to ExpressVPN’s fantastic security features, you will be able to get unblocked on Grindr without risking your privacy. It has automatic obfuscation on most of its servers, an audited no-logs policy, and VPN protocols like Lightway, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec. On top of that, it offers AES 256-bit and WolfSSL encryption ciphers that hide your traffic, as well as a reliable kill switch.Â
ExpressVPN also has native apps for various devices, such as tablets, computers, and phones. Plus, you will be able to enjoy 8 simultaneous connections. This VPN is among the fastest providers on the market, with fantastic speeds and consistent performance no matter how far away you are from the server you’re using.Â
This VPN's lowest price is $6.67/month (annual plan). Furthermore, ExpressVPN enables you to get a full refund—it has a 30-day money-back guarantee that allows you to test it for some time and make an informed decision. Lastly, it offers 24/7 customer support. So, if an issue comes up and you are stuck, you can get immediate help.
PROS
CONS
CyberGhost has built its reputation on content-unblocking. Thanks to the huge server network of thousands of servers across 100 countries, CyberGhost unblocks Grindr and other similar apps from anywhere. This is because CyberGhost comes with 2,000+ servers in 10+ US locations, which is a region where Grindr works best.Â
CyberGhost has amazing security features, such as a kill switch, AES 256-bit/ChaCha20 encryption, and an audited no-logs policy that ensures your data won’t be shared with others. As our CyberGhost review notes, it also has VPN protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec. While CyberGhost doesn’t have obfuscation, it offers extra-private NoSpy servers that the company entirely owns.Â
Moreover, CyberGhost offers decent speeds and stable performance. It also comes with native apps for various devices, such as tablets, phones, and computers. The provider's apps are suitable even form complete beginners. Plus, each app has 7 simultaneous connections, which allow you to install the VPN on more devices at the same time.
It's also an affordable option - only $2.03/month (2-year plan). CyberGhost is all about user-friendliness, which is why you will get a 45-day money-back guarantee that helps you make the best decision. Lastly, this amazing VPN comes with helpful customer support that is reachable 24/7, contributing to an issue-free experience.Â
PROS
CONS
Private Internet Access (PIA) offers a sizable server network with thousands of servers across 90+ countries. It also has US servers in all 50 states (the only VPN provider that offers such an option), allowing it to unblock Grindr and other dating platforms effortlessly.
Furthermore, you’ll get top-notch privacy due to its high-end security features. PIA has a strong kill switch, obfuscation via the Shadowsocks proxy, and VPN protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec. Plus, two more features allow you to bypass the Grindr ban annoyances safely: AES 128/256-bit and ChaCha20 encryption, as well as an audited no-logs policy.Â
PIA doesn’t stop there! It provides you with moderate speeds and reliable performance. In addition, there are dedicated apps for various popular devices, like phones, computers, and tablets. PIA also offers unlimited simultaneous connections that help you prevent a Grindr device ban on any platform, as you can read in our full Private Internet Access review.
You can become a user for only $2.03/month (2-year plan). Plus, you can test PIA and get a full refund because of its 30-day money-back guarantee. Last but not least, this VPN has reliable 24/7 customer support, allowing you to reach them at any time and get over any issue that comes up. Â
PROS
CONS
A VPN can unblock apps such as Grindr, whether your country, Internet provider, school, or workplace blocks it. Plus, it safeguards your digital privacy. Let's find out more:
You need to ensure your chosen VPN meets certain criteria. Evaluate the unblocking abilities of the VPN, the security features it offers, and its server network size. Let’s have a look at the requirements:
Grindr is blocked in certain countries because of different legal, political, or cultural factors. Some regions also block it due to security issues. Overall, the countries are divided into 3 groups: those that delisted Grindr from app stores, countries that sanction its usage, and countries where it’s restricted by the government.Â
Here is a complete list of the countries where Grindr is unavailable for any reason:
Unfortunately, not all countries reveal why the Grindr app is restricted. However, the main reason is that Grindr promotes homosexuality, which these countries don’t support. For example, Russia is one of the countries that block the platform because of this reason, although it is not officially outlawed. This also goes for countries like Syria and North Korea.
On the other hand, there are countries like China and Saudi Arabia that have strict online censorship. For example, the Chinese government censors platforms like the Grindr app because they are perceived as promoting politically sensitive content or even violence toward social and cultural values. Therefore, if you try to download the app, you won’t be able to.
Yes, you can try using a free VPN service for Grindr, but be prepared for all kinds of obstacles. In other words, we really can't recommend using a free VPN, as those come with limited bandwidth and slow speeds, and they typically use low-end protocols and encryptions.
As such, they're prone to data leaks and exposing your sensitive information online. Furthermore, most free VPNs generate revenue by logging your sensitive information. We've also seen some malicious VPN apps on various App Stores that come with malware and overly aggressive tracking.
In all fairness, nothing can replace a premium VPN. Most of those are quite affordable, as highlighted in our guide to the top VPN services, and they'll properly protect your digital privacy and security. Most importantly, they'll ensure you have uninterrupted access to Grindr.
Grindr is blocked in many countries, including China, the UAE, Turkey, Russia, and more. There are also concerns that this app can compromise online security and privacy. Therefore, if you want to use it securely and bypass bans, you need a reliable VPN. That's how you'll unblock the app from anywhere, find more matches, use it even while traveling, and keep your privacy intact.
The best option right now is NordVPN, which has ultra-strong features that help you unblock the app, preserve your privacy, and even get unbanned from Grindr. It works on any device, has fast speeds, and it's suitable even for first-time users, making it the perfect VPN for Grindr and more.
That’s all for our guide on choosing a VPN to unblock and secure your access to Grindr. If you have any questions, leave them in the comment section below. Thank you for reading!