Telegram is a cross-platform instant messaging application. It allows users to send and receive text messages, files, photos, etc. The key advantage of the app is that it encrypts messages, which protects private communications from prying eyes. Unfortunately, this feature enrages the governments of many countries that severely regulate the media space, censor online content, and restrict access to resources that criticize or discredit the government. If you live or visit one of such countries, you just need a solution to unlock the app. So, today we review the best VPNs for Telegram that have proven to be safe, fast, and reliable.
Where and Why Telegram is Blocked
Many Middle East countries, such as Iran, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, attempt to block the messenger. The main reason why they ban Telegram is that the terrorists used Telegram to coordinate their actions. Iranian authorities blacklisted the messenger at the end of 2017 when anti-government demonstrations swept across the country. Soon, however, the blocking was lifted because Telegram played an important role in the country’s economy and thousands of people lost their jobs after this restriction.
The messenger is blocked in China, along with many Western services such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google, Instagram, and so on. In fact, China prohibits anonymity on the Internet whatsoever. Any negative statements about the political or socio-economic situation in the country may lead to imprisonment. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the government bans Telegrams where users can speak their mind freely.
The messenger is blocked or restricted by other countries such as Turkey, Pakistan, Vietnam, Venezuela, Turkmenistan but, perhaps, the most notorious case broke out in Russia when the authorities outlawed Telegram after the company refused to transfer the encryption keys to the Federal Security Service (a local version of FBI). It is ironic because the messenger was created by Russian developers.
Summary of the Best VPNs for Telegram
Before we go into more details, let’s take a glance at the services we recommend to use with Telegram:
- NordVPN The service is the world’s security leader that packs some of the most useful and powerful features. NordVPN boasts the largest server network spanned across 62 countries.
- ExpressVPN As its name suggests, ExpressVPN delivers the fastest connection speed. Not only that, it has a decent server network with even greater coverage (it is present in 94 countries), and serious security functions.
- PureVPN This is a log-free service that offers a balanced combination of speed, server coverage, and security at a very affordable price. You will like its user-friendly interface.
No matter which provider caught your attention, you can expect a great service at a surprisingly affordable price. Of course, you might want to save you a couple of bucks per month and opt for a free VPN but you must be aware of pitfalls. Free providers are very slow and unreliable and they have data caps. But the worse about such services is that they retain data about their clients and sell it to advertisers. We are sure you don’t want the details of your communications or browsing history to be revealed, that’s why you should stay away from free VPNs.
The Best VPNs for Telegram That You Can Trust
Why do we consider these VPNs to be the best for Telegram? It’s simple – all these providers have proven to be trustworthy due to refusal to keep user logs, favorable jurisdictions, and strong security features. They supply massive server networks with thousands of servers located across the globe. Not only will they mask your location and encrypt your traffic but also make your experience fast and enjoyable.
Now let’s learn more about VPN services that we recommend for Telegram:
NordVPN
For NordVPN, user security is the main priority. This premium service is registered in a country that respects people’s privacy. That’s why NordVPN was able to implement one of the best logging policies in the industry. Along with that, its users can benefit from the strongest protocols and the highest level of encryption (AES-256). The service even has a Double VPN encryption option if the standard functions are not enough. With its 5,400 servers, NordVPN is the biggest VPN network in the world.
Despite the abundance of various features and extra security tools, NordVPN remains a very affordable service with flexible subscription options. You can get the best deal purchasing one of its long-duration plans (1 month, 1-year, and 2-year tariffs are available). If you sign up for the service and it didn’t live up to your expectations, you can get your money back within 30 days. Getting started with NordVPN is really easy and risk-free, so you should give it a try.
ExpressVPN
This reputable offshore-registered provider has built a name on speed and performance. It masterfully bypasses even the harshest restrictions due to a solid global server network (3,000+ units) over the planet. Its servers are optimized to support the highest possible connection speed even with heavy encryption. Speaking of which, the military-grade AES-256 encryption combined with the strongest OpenVPN protocol guarantees that nobody can get their hands on your confidential data. You can rest assured that ExpressVPN always protects you since it implements a zero-logging policy and doesn’t cooperate with authorities.
ExpressVPN is not the cheapest provider around but its 12-month plan with a 49% discount is a reasonable investment in your security. Get an ExpressVPN subscription without any risk for your budget thanks to a 30-day refund policy. If you seek a fast and trustworthy VPN for Telegram, this service is an excellent option.
PureVPN
The last but not least is a BVI-based provider PureVPN. The service benefits from privacy-friendly jurisdiction and location outside the 14 Eyes area of influence. You can be sure that your data won’t fall into the hands of cybercriminals or law enforcement agencies because the provider does not keep any logs. Its industry standard encryption protocols and uncrackable ciphers will guard your privacy online. PureVPN operates a network of 6,500+ servers in 78 countries and their number is growing every day.
The service is liked by millions of users thanks to its competitive prices and no-questions-asked 31-day money-back guarantee. If you are looking for the best deal, opt for an 24-month subscription with a solid 82% off. All in all, PureVPN is a quality service on a par with the best companies in the VPN industry.
VPN for Telegram Conclusion
Telegram is a powerful and secure messenger app that, unfortunately, is blocked in some regions. Whether you live in a privacy-hostile country or visit as a tourist, you need to pair your device with a VPN to unblock Telegram. The messenger already has a strong encryption but you can go one step further and introduce an extra layer of protection by using a VPN. Servers located across the globe will successfully mask your original location and you can get access to Telegram even if authorities ban it. The providers we recommend don’t cost much. They are a reasonable investment in a reliable workaround solution.