The best VPNs for Iraq are:
In Iraq, the internet is heavily censored. Websites are blocked and internet blackouts are common due to ongoing protests against the government. For these reasons alone, anybody living in or visiting the country can greatly profit from using an Iraq VPN. Using a VPN for Iraq will give you privacy - while also letting you access censored websites, news, and online services.
Below, we have listed the best VPNs for Iraq alongside helpful tips for staying secure online in Baghdad or elsewhere.
Ongoing protests in Iraq have caused the government to enforce widespread internet restrictions and internet blackouts. And, the Iraqi government is attempting to pass a disturbing law that would impose lengthy prison sentences and large fines against peaceful protestors.
Under these increasingly troubling circumstances, a VPN for Iraq is the only way to ensure you can stay active online - while unblocking censored news and websites that could get you in trouble with the law.
What are the best VPNs for Iraq?
The following are the best VPNs to use in Iraq.
- ExpressVPN - The best Iraq VPN. Everything you need browse the web in privacy and bypass censorship in Iraq; a 30-day money back guarantee.
- NordVPN - The best buy Iraq VPN. You get blazing-fast servers worldwide, great privacy, and plenty of customization, at an affordable price.
- Private Internet Access - The most secure VPN for Iraq. Offers servers everywhere, a proven no-logs policy, and exceptional security features.
- PrivateVPN - The cheapest Iraq VPN on our list. You get very private connections and great unblocking power for streaming popular services.
- Surfshark - A feature-rich Iraq VPN. Offers fully-featured apps for all OS, unlimited connections, and it keeps zero logs to protect your privacy.
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| TEST WINNER ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Private Internet Access | PrivateVPN | Surfshark | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Website | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Private Internet Access | PrivateVPN | Surfshark |
| Ranking for Iraqi VPNs | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Performance | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 |
| Reliability | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 |
| Free trial | |||||
| Total servers | 3000 | 5300 | 3386 | 200 | 3200 |
| Payment | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency |
| Unblocks: | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu |
| Supported platforms | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android |
The Best VPNs for Iraq | In-depth analysis
Here you can read more about the best Iraq VPNs.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Iraq. This world-class VPN combines speed, unblocking, and security features into one attractive VPN package; a 30-day money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN Demo ExpressVPN is a veteran of the VPN industry. It is a service that is strong on privacy and has the features to back it up. A zero logs policy means it has no data held on file to hand to the authorities - if it is ever approached with a warrant. And because it is based in the British Virgin Islands, it is insulated from overreaching governments in the US and UK. A kill-switch and obfuscated servers ensure that you never leak data and can use the VPN without your ISP finding out. Plus, this VPN has servers in 94 countries - ideal for bypassing censorship and unblocking Netflix US or BBC iPlayer. This VPN can be used on 5 devices simultaneously and the service provides 24/7 live chat to help you when you need it. Finally, you can test it risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. NordVPN is the best budget VPN for Iraq. It doesn’t offer servers in Iraq, but you get blazing fast servers worldwide, top-notch features, and watertight privacy at a great price. Nord Demo NordVPN is a super-secure VPN from Panama that offers premium features at a budget price. You get to secure all your online activities in Iraq with robust encryption and multiple VPN protocols to choose from. These include the battle-tested OpenVPN protocol and NordVPN’s own NordLynx protocol – which is their custom version of WireGuard, and impressively quick and light-weight. It is a trustworthy zero-logs service that comes with sleek apps and an impressive roster of customizable VPN features. These include a kill-switch (to protect you from data leakages in the event of a VPN connection dropping), obfuscation (stealth servers), Tor over VPN, DoubleVPN encryption (which changes your IP address twice in a row), and many others – all of which are included in its affordable subscription plans. NordVPN doesn’t offer servers in Iraq, but it comes with thousands of lightning-fast servers in the neighborhood – all part of its worldwide server network. So, you’ll never run out of options for fresh daily content to stream or download. Besides, if you're in a rush and need to secure your online activities urgently, NordVPN offers a Quick Connect button that instantly picks the best connection for you at that moment. NordVPN also offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can compare it head to head with ExpressVPN (and other VPNs on this list) and decide which one suits your needs better. Private Internet Access is a secure Iraq VPN. It has a proven no-logs policy, offers loads of advanced features to keep you secure, and well-implemented encryption. PIA Demo Private Internet Access is a VPN that is based in the US. Admittedly, that is not considered the best location for a privacy service, however, it makes up for this with a strong zero logs policy that it has proven in court on numerous occasions. With PIA you get access to fast servers in 84 countries
, that are perfect for doing data-intensive tasks such as streaming, torrenting, and VoIP calls. And, when it comes to downloading P2P you can be assured of privacy thanks to its killswitch feature. And, if you want to stream more content, this VPN works with Netflix US. An excellent all-rounder with a lot of customizable settings and apps for all platforms. With PIA you can connect using up to 10 simultaneous devices, and the VPN provides a 30-day money-back guarantee to test the service – which is a great offer. PrivateVPN is the cheapest Iraq VPN on our list. It offers reliable servers all over the world, making it a perfect choice for unblocking and streaming with complete privacy. PrivateVPN Demo PrivateVPN is a service that is popular among its subscribers. This Swedish VPN stays true to its name thanks to its zero-logs policy and excellent privacy features. The VPN implements strong OpenVPN encryption which ensures that your data is always secure, and thanks to its DNS leak protection, cloaking feature, and killswitch - you can use it securely without leaking data to ISPs in Iraq. When it comes to unblocking content this VPN is superb, it provides access to popular streaming services such as Netflix US - and it will enable you to bypass any censorship imposed by the government. What's more, this VPN has live chat that is manned around 18 hours per day, meaning that you can easily get help when you need it. Well worth testing thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee! Surfshark is a fully-featured VPN for Iraq. You get a fast and secure VPN that is perfect for unblocking content in privacy, and unlimited simultaneous connections. Surfshark Demo Surfshark is a VPN based in the British Virgin Islands that is ideal for gaining privacy online. The VPN has apps for all platforms that provide strong OpenVPN encryption. This ensures that you can use the internet without your ISP or the government tracking the websites you visit. Surfshark implements a zero-logs policy, which means that it never has any evidence of what its users have done while connected to its servers. This ensures that even if it is approached with a warrant by the authorities, it never has any information to provide. Sursfhark subscribers get access to servers in over 100 countries
worldwide, which makes the VPN excellent for evading censorship or accessing geo-restricted services. This VPN has a superb reputation with subscribers worldwide, and it is easy to understand why. The VPN is fully featured and provides access to desirable services like Netflix US and BBC iPlayer. All this is impressive considering the cost, plus the VPN allows you to connect to its servers on an unlimited number of devices with just a single subscription, which is practically unparalleled in the VPN industry. Definitely worth testing using its 30-day money-back guarantee. VyprVPN is a great all-round VPN pick if you're in Iraq. This service offers fast VPN speeds and great levels of privacy through their proprietary network of servers. VYPR Demo VyprVPN is an excellent provider based in Switzerland. That is a location that is considered an excellent EU country for a privacy service to be based. Being based in Switzerland makes it highly unlikely that the VPN will be served a warrant, however, it also implements a zero-logs policy to ensure that it never has any customer data anyway. With VyprVPN you get access to a massive proprietary network of servers that belongs to its parent company Golden Frog. That means you can trust this VPN to provide excellent levels of privacy but also fast speeds. VyprVPN can unblock hard-to-get services like Netflix US, HBO Go, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. Besides, this VPN is perfect for streaming thanks to its fast speeds. This VPN is also fully featured with a killswitch, DNS leak protection, and obfuscation, which means that it can be used to bypass firewalls or for BitTorrenting securely. We love this VPN’s easy-to-use apps, which are available for all platforms. And you can ask questions at any time of day thanks to its live chat support. An outstanding VPN that can be tested thoroughly thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. HMA is the best VPN that offers servers in Iraq. Ideal for anyone who’s looking to access exclusive Iraqi content reliably and privately. HMA Demo HMA is the only VPN on this list that offers Iraqi IPs. Not only does it have fast and reliable servers in Iraq, but it also comes with an impressive network of servers in 210 countries
worldwide, making it an ideal service for anyone looking to access both local and international content. HMA is a great VPN choice for streaming, too, with fast speeds and access to popular entertainment platforms, such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, and many sports streaming services. This VPN uses well-implemented, field-proven 256-bit AES encryption and offers a choice of strong protocols, including OpenVPN. Most importantly, HMA has undergone a major revamp in the privacy area, and is now a no-logs service. A kill-switch is also available to secure your sensitive online information in the event of a VPN dropout. On top of that, HMA offers some of the industry’s most advanced features, such as split tunneling (separates your VPN traffic from your local non-VPN traffic) and IP refresh (that gives you a new IP address in the same location). In the most recent upgrade, all the HMA servers have been strengthened against DDoS attacks. HMA offers great cross-platform compatibility with up to five simultaneous connections. The VPN has great apps, and it’s compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and even Linux and routers. All in all, it’s the best service for anyone looking to securely access local Iraqi services. Try it out for yourself with its 30-day money-back guarantee! And, if you have questions, you can always contact its support team available 24/7 via live chat. 1. ExpressVPN
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6. VyprVPN
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7. HMA
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Essential features if you are using a VPN in Iraq
- A zero logs policy - a no-logs policy is essential to your privacy. If a VPN doesn't log what you do online - they have no data to hand over should the Iraqi government approach it with a warrant. See our no log VPN guide for an in-depth overview of VPN logs.
- Obfuscated servers - This conceals OpenVPN encrypted traffic and disguises it as regular https. See our guide on Obfuscated servers for more info about how this works and why it is so important.
- DNS leak protection - DNS leaks allow your ISP to know what websites you are visiting. Check out our DNS leak protection guide for more information.
- kill switch - This blocks your internet if your VPN fails - to stop your ISP and the government accessing unencrypted data that would destroy your privacy.
- OpenVPN encryption- Military-grade encryption that ensures your data is kept secure inside a robust VPN tunnel.
Iraq VPN Considerations
The Iraqi government understands how citizens can bypass website restrictions. For this reason, it is important to get a VPN that can avoid detection. This is why it is so important to select a VPN with a killswitch, and obfuscation such as obfsproxy, stunnel, or XOR.
Using these kinds of features, citizens can use a VPN to ensure that they can access blocked news and services without being found out. Admittedly, the website blocks that Iraq has experienced have changed over time.
In many Middle Eastern countries access to chat and internet telephony applications, like Signal, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Skype is restricted. In Iraq, so far this isn't the case. However, this could change because internet restrictions are getting worse.
For this reason, it is a good idea to stay one step ahead by preparing for the worse. With a VPN you will be ready to bypass any blocks, while also protecting your privacy simultaneously.
Iraq Protests
Since 2018, Iraq has been experiencing a wave of protests. Citizens are discontent with the existing political situation and they are working hard to pressure the government for change. Citizens are sick of the high levels of unemployment, poor public services, state corruption, and the ongoing energy crisis across the country.
In 2020, protests have continued to regularly cause havoc across Iraq's cities and towns, resulting in a dismissive crackdown from the government. However, in October, the protest led to Iraqi security forces killing over 100 people and injuring more than 6,000 more.
In addition to this violent response from the army, Iraqi authorities have begun implementing more internet blocks than ever before.
Over the last few years, the government has blocked access to Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube at various times.
Internet Blackouts amidst violence in Baghdad
The blackouts that occurred in the early part of October 2020 were primarily designed to stop citizens spreading information about the level of violence experienced on Iraq's streets.
During the clashes, Iraq's army admitted to using excessive force. However, reports have surfaced of unknown snipers taking out protesters and police. This has caused confusion over how and why violence erupted across Baghdad and in other locations.
However, two anonymous Iraqi security officials have gone on the record claiming that Iran-backed militias deployed those snipers. This has led to backlash among protesters and has led to a massive surge of anti-Iranian sentiment, which has led to two leading commanders of an Iran-backed PMU group being dragged out of an ambulance and lynched by protesters.
Internet censorship laws
In order to keep control over the country, the government is planning to introduce new laws designed to stop citizens from expressing dissenting opinions. These laws will take away citizens' ability to express dissenting opinions and to organize protests against the country's corrupt government.
Amnesty International is warning that the government is preparing to issue peaceful protesters with harsh penalties that will make it increasingly dangerous for citizens to express anger towards the government. The proposed cybercrimes law would impose lengthy prison sentences and hefty fines against any citizens who dare to criticize the government online.
As a result of this law, it is becoming vital for citizens to be extremely careful when accessing or creating online content that is critical of the government. All attempts must be made to gain digital privacy, and to ensure that you cannot be tracked when you access and use services that could cause the government to arrest you.
With terrifying laws like this on the cars - and surveillance already becoming a massive problem in the country - there has never been a better time for citizens to get a VPN for Iraq.
Bypassing Iraqi internet blocks
Anybody who wants to bypass restrictions imposed by the government must do so using a VPN. However, It is important to note that if you want to use a VPN to unblock YouTube videos, or to stream other content, a fast VPN service is needed.
However, it is worth bearing in mind that a VPN can only help with website blocks. If the Iraqi government turns off the internet - a VPN cannot help.
Despite this, a VPN is the best way to gain privacy online and to bypass any social media or website blocks that might occur in the future. And, because VPNs are still currently available, it is better to seek out a good service now; before the government potentially decides to start blocking VPN websites.
WiFi Security Weaknesses
If you rely on WiFi hotspots for access to the internet, you run the risk of having your web browsing habits intercepted or tracked. It is also possible to be hacked, which means that you could become a victim of cybercrime - or could end up being snooped on by the government.
Anytime that you connect to public WiFi, the only way to ensure you cannot be hacked is to encrypt your data with a VPN. A VPN will ensure that you cannot fall victim to hacking, cybercrime, or government surveillance leveraged against that public WiFi hotspot.
Iraq VPN for Streaming
A VPN's ability to unblock websites is useful for entertainment as well as for evading censorship. With a VPN, you can easily access video streaming services from overseas. That means you can watch use a VPN for Netflix to access more TV shows and movies or unblock BBC iPlayer.
When you use a VPN, you can pretend to be in a different country to access services from around the globe. Depending what you like, be that sport, comedy, news, or movies; you can use a VPN to quickly unblock masses of content from around the globe.
When you turn the VPN on, simply select a server location. As soon as it connects, you actually appear to live in that country and can access the internet as if you were really there! A VPN is also useful for torrenting. It will allow you to download content without your ISP finding out! For more information, please read our best VPNs for torrenting guide.
Best VPNs for Iraq: Conclusion
The internet in Iraq is not as restricted as it is in many places in the Middle East. However, the ongoing protests are changing things quickly, and due to the unrest - and mounting pressure the government is under - it seems probable that control over the internet will begin to be used to maintain the government's stranglehold over the nation.
The internet blackouts that occurred at the start of October are a worrying omen, and proposed cybersecurity laws could see citizens being arrested simply for being critical of the corrupt Iraqi government.
This is extremely concerning because Iraqi forces are exerting disproportionate violence and are acting with impunity. The VPNs in this list are the best way for citizens to prepare for any potential blackouts that might occur. With these services you can access foreign sites, access geo-restricted content, and access any restricted websites not currently available in the country: without fear of being tracked and punished.