Key Takeaways: What Is the Best VPN for Ireland?

Ireland enjoys unrestricted internet access with an international freedom index score of 97/100. Outside of that, Irish citizens and visitors have as much access to the internet as they do a foamy glass of Guinness. However, you still need the best VPN for Ireland to access geoblocked sites like Max, Qobuz or Peacock TV, which are unavailable there.

Accessing unsecured public hotspots across Dublin and other towns is risky because hackers lurk around looking for unsuspecting victims. A virtual private network (VPN) protects your web traffic with encryption that is extremely hard to breach. This allows you to access your banking apps while enjoying your coffee at a public cafe without worrying.

If you live in Ireland or plan to visit, and you want to keep tabs on your favorite shows and movies on platforms like Peacock TV, then this article is for you. We look at seven of the best Ireland VPNs and the features that make them a good fit for anyone living in or traveling to Ireland. So, read on to learn more.

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Learn more about our editorial team and our research process.

Cloudwards Editor’s Choice: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is our best VPN service and the best Ireland VPN with reliable unblocking abilities and a rich network of over 3,000 servers in 105 countries. You can access geo-restricted platforms like Sling TV or Hulu and enjoy fast streaming speeds. It’s also secure enough to keep your online activities hidden from your internet service provider (ISP), the government or hackers.

How to Choose the Best Ireland VPN

We tested over 30 VPNs to find the right fit for Ireland, and we chose the top seven based on these factors.

• Unblocking capability: One of the main reasons for using a VPN in Ireland is to access geo-restricted content unavailable in that region. The bigger the server network, the smoother the VPN performance and the more content you can access.
• Connection speeds: The VPN needs to be fast with unlimited bandwidth. It should handle streaming without buffering and gaming without latencies. Bonus points if it has specialized servers for streaming and gaming, along with speed-focused protocols.
• User security: You may need to use unfamiliar WiFi connections in Ireland, especially if you’re new to the country. A good VPN should protect you against hackers and snoopers on any network with solid encryption. It’s beneficial to have a specialized “trusted WiFi” feature for controlling how the VPN behaves when it detects new networks.
• Device compatibility: The VPN should be compatible with the devices you plan to use in Ireland. The number of simultaneous device connections supported is also important if you use different ones regularly, or have family and friends who may need a VPN.
• Price: Affordability is just as important as the VPN’s ability to do its job. The ideal option should be affordable and leave room for a refund if it doesn’t meet the buyer’s expectations.

The 7 Best VPNs for Ireland

VPN:PriceAverage Speed*Netflix?No-LogsSecurityConnections

	$6.66 per month (15-months plan)	92Mbps (8%)			AES-256 ChaCha20	8
	$3.39 per month (two-year plan)	94Mbps (6%)			AES-256 ChaCha20	6
	$4.99 per month (two-year plan)	89Mbps (11%)			AES-256	Unlimited
	$2.37 per month (two-year plan)	81Mbps (19%)			AES-256 ChaCha20	7
	$4.99 per month (two-year plan)	16.49Mbps (17%)			AES-256 ChaCha20	10
	$2 per month (three-year plan)	77.04Mbps (62%)			AES-256 AES-128	10
	$1.99 per month (three-year plan)	239.63Mbps (19%)			AES-256 ChaCha20 Poly1305	Unlimited

* Percentage drop from unprotected connection

1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN Overall

ExpressVPN unblocked Peacock TV with a U.S. server.

ExpressVPN offers over 3,000 servers in 105 countries that can unblock major streaming platforms like Peacock TV. You can watch sports events like the WWE Royal Rumble on its U.S. servers. The VPN also provides Irish IP addresses for local channels such as RTÉ One. Its P2P support lets you download files from blocked sites like The Pirate Bay; just ensure you don’t infringe on any copyrights.

ExpressVPN Hands-On Testing

ExpressVPN comes with a reliable kill switch.

You can install ExpressVPN on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows and more, with support for up to eight simultaneous connections. However, the number of devices you can connect at once depends on your plan, as we explain in our ExpressVPN review.

The “smart location” option connects you to the best available server if you don’t have time to go through the location list. You can access all the vital security features, like the kill switch, VPN protocols and ad blockers, through the app settings.

Notes From the Lab: ExpressVPN Speed Test Results

ExpressVPN averaged 92 Mbps on our unprotected 100 Mbps network, an 8% speed drop on the Lightway UDP protocol. We didn’t experience buffering when streaming movies and shows on platforms like Hulu. The gaming experience was also smooth with no lags.

Notes From the Lab: ExpressVPN Unblocking Capability Test Results

Service:Unblocked?

Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Max
Disney Plus
BBC iPlayer
Hulu / ESPN Plus

Notes From the Lab: ExpressVPN Security Analysis

ExpressVPN passed the DNS leak test.

ProtocolEncryptionDevices

Lightway	AES-256	Windows macOS iOS Android Linux routers
OpenVPN	AES-256	Windows macOS Android Linux
IKEv2	AES-256	macOS iOS

Our leak test for ExpressVPN didn’t expose our IP address, proving that the VPN hides everything related to your location. That keeps you safe from potential threats and snooping on any network, which is perfect for public hotspots and also the reason that ExpressVPN tops our best VPN for public WiFi list.

ExpressVPN Pricing & Value

ExpressVPN is the costliest VPN provider on the list. The 12-month plan offers the best deal at $6.66 per month, and you get a bonus of three months. If that’s not within your budget, you can try the shorter six-month plan that costs $9.99 monthly. The last option is the monthly plan, which will set you back $12.95. All the plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

2. NordVPN — Most Secure VPN for Ireland

Access Tubi from anywhere in Ireland with NordVPN.

NordVPN’s unblocking capabilities are on par with the best VPNs, thanks to its wide network of over 6,000 servers in 61 countries. On our first try, we unblocked Tubi on a Canadian server and streamed a few episodes of ‘Merlin’. NordVPN also has specialty P2P servers that are faster and more reliable for torrenting, especially with the NordLynx protocol. Our NordVPN review has the details.

NordVPN Hands-On Testing

NordVPN lets you set the rules for using unsecured networks.

NordVPN can be installed on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, and you can connect up to six devices simultaneously. Another handy feature for those who love using public WiFi is “auto-connect,” which turns on the VPN the moment you connect to an untrusted network. You can activate it in the app settings alongside the kill switch.

Notes From the Lab: NordVPN Speed Test Results

NordVPN averaged 94 Mbps on our unprotected network of 100 Mbps, giving us a 6% speed drop. This makes it the fastest on our list. You can see all that and more in our constantly updated VPN speed comparison.

Notes From the Lab: NordVPN Unblocking Capability Test Results

Service:Unblocked?

Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Max
Disney Plus
BBC iPlayer
Hulu / ESPN Plus

Notes From the Lab: NordVPN Security Analysis

NordVPN didn’t expose our IP address in the DNS leak test.

ProtocolEncryptionDevices

NordLynx	ChaCha20	Windows macOS iOS Android
OpenVPN	AES-256	Windows macOS iOS Android
IKEv2	AES-256	Windows Android

NordVPN’s other biggest asset is security. On top of the VPN-standard AES 256-bit encryption, it has a reliable double VPN, as we discuss in our best multi-hop VPNs article. Multi-hop is an extra layer of encryption that keeps you safe on any hotel or cafe network. NordVPN also passed our DNS leak test without exposing our actual IP address or any related information.

NordVPN Pricing & Value

The NordVPN Essential tier is the cheapest and comes with three price plans. You’ll get the best offer with a 24-month plan that costs $3.99 monthly plus two extra months for free. The next best option is the 12-month plan, which goes for $4.49 per month, and then the monthly plan, which costs $12.99. All the plans are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. Surfshark — Most Affordable VPN

Surfshark unblocked Sling TV.

Surfshark offers an Irish server as well as over 3,200 VPN servers in 100 countries. You can unblock many different geo-restricted streaming platforms, websites and apps. We used a U.S. server to access NFL games on Sling TV without any issues. Like NordVPN, this Irish VPN offers multi-hop servers, and you can even choose your own multi-hop nodes. 

Surfshark Hands-On Testing

Surfshark offers three VPN protocols.

Surfshark has user-friendly apps for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows and more. It’s also one of the VPNs with unlimited simultaneous connections, and we talk about those benefits in our best VPNs for multiple devices breakdown. You can change the protocols and enable the kill switch from the app settings with a single click.

Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Speed Test Results

All Surfshark servers are optimized for speed. Each comes with at least one 1 Gbps port, which offers less congestion and provides better bandwidth. Surfshark gave us average speeds of 89 Mbps on our unprotected speeds of 100 Mbps, an 11% speed drop. It also features specialty P2P servers for torrenting; more on that in our Surfshark review.

Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Unblocking Capability Test Results

Service:Unblocked?

Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Max
Disney Plus
BBC iPlayer
Hulu / ESPN Plus

Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Security Analysis

Surfshark passed the DNS leak test.

ProtocolEncryptionDevices

WireGuard	AES-256-GCM	Windows macOS iOS Android
OpenVPN	AES-256-GCM	Windows macOS iOS Android
IKEv2	AES-256-GCM	Windows macOS iOS Android

Our real IP address and the name of our ISP weren’t exposed when we conducted a Surfshark DNS leak test, which is solid proof that it’s secure. Surfshark has a “trusted networks” feature that makes the VPN automatically connect when the device detects new WiFi. Read our piece on the dangers of public WiFi to understand why this is important.

Surfshark Pricing & Value

Surfshark is near the top of our list of the best cheap VPNs, offering one of the most affordable long-term plans. The 24-month Surfshark Starter plan costs $2.29 per month, and you get an extra free month. There’s also a 12-month plan for $3.49 monthly and a monthly plan for $10.99. Each plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. CyberGhost — Largest Server Network

CyberGhost can unblock restricted content from Austria and beyond.

CyberGhost has a massive network of over 9,000 servers in more than 100 countries, including Irish servers. The advantage of having such a big network is that it greatly lowers your chances of ending up on a crowded server, which can negatively impact overall streaming and gaming performance. 

CyberGhost even offers a special Ireland server optimized for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the official Irish national broadcaster. Our CyberGhost review explains the benefits of these specialized servers.

CyberGhost Hands-On Testing

With CyberGhost, you get servers for each streaming service.

CyberGhost features in our best beginner-friendly VPNs list as it’s easy to use. Whether you’re on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS or any other device, you can access all the vital features with a single click.

The most amazing features are the servers optimized for specific streaming platforms, cutting down the time spent hunting for the one that works best. Furthermore, you can connect up to seven simultaneous devices, enough to cover your essential devices and leave a few extra slots for your friends and family. 

Notes From the Lab: CyberGhost Speed Test Results

CyberGhost’s speeds were also impressive, averaging 81 Mbps on our unprotected speeds of 100 Mbps, which translates to a 19% speed drop. We recommend combining the WireGuard protocol and specialty servers if you experience slow speeds anywhere in Ireland. 

Notes From the Lab: CyberGhost Unblocking Capability Test Results

Service:Unblocked?

Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Max
Disney Plus
BBC iPlayer
Hulu / ESPN Plus

Notes From the Lab: CyberGhost Security Analysis

CyberGhost doesn’t leak your IP address.

ProtocolEncryptionDevices

WireGuard	ChaCha20	Windows macOS iOS iPadOS Android
OpenVPN	AES-256-GCM	Windows Linux Android Fire TV
IKEv2	AES-256-GCM	macOS iOS Android

CyberGhost passed our DNS leak test, so no one can see your online movements when the secure connection is active. The “smart rules” security feature allows you to configure how the VPN behaves when you connect to a new, untrusted network. You can make the VPN ignore the new network, always connect to it (the best option) or disconnect from it.

CyberGhost Pricing & Value

CyberGhost is fairly priced — the cheapest option is the 24-month plan costing $2.37 per month with an extra two months. Next up is the six-month option, which is $6.99 monthly. If you only need it for a month, you’ll have to pay $12.99. The monthly plan offers a 14-day money-back guarantee, and the two long-term plans have a 45-day money-back guarantee, the longest on our list.

5. Proton VPN — Best Free VPN for Ireland

Proton VPN offers U.S. servers for unblocking Max.

Proton VPN tops our best free VPN list. It chooses the fastest server out of five possible locations, including the United States, which are fewer locations than other top free VPNs offer. However, you get unlimited data instead, which is a great trade-off if you don’t need servers in specific locations, but makes it a bad option for unlocking streaming libraries.

The premium version gives you manual server selection and wider server access, with over 3,000 servers in 71 countries. All the servers also have P2P/BitTorrent support, allowing you to share files without internet restrictions.

Proton VPN Hands-On Testing

Proton VPN has user-friendly apps for beginners.

Proton VPN is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and more, with support for up to 10 simultaneous devices (only one for the free version). We love that the VPN shows how busy a server is, which helps you avoid the crowded ones (orange/red) and only connect to the uncrowded ones (green). Read our Proton VPN review to learn the differences between the free and premium versions.

Notes From the Lab: Proton VPN Speed Test Results

Proton VPN managed average speeds of 16.49 Mbps on our unprotected speeds of 100 Mbps. This was an 84% speed drop, the slowest among all the alternatives, but you should get better speeds if you use the WireGuard protocol.

Notes From the Lab: Proton VPN Unblocking Capability Test Results

Service:Unblocked?

Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Max
Disney Plus
BBC iPlayer
Hulu / ESPN Plus

Notes From the Lab: Proton VPN Security Analysis

There were no issues with Proton VPN’s DNS leak test.

ProtocolEncryptionDevices

WireGuard	ChaCha20	Windows macOS iOS iPadOS Android
OpenVPN	AES-256-GCM	Windows Android iOS
Stealth	AES-256-GCM	macOS iOS Android

Proton VPN only displayed the virtual Arizona IP address we used for the DNS leak test. The virtual IP you’re using is the only thing any potential snoopers will see. Hence, Proton VPN keeps you safe as long as it’s active. It also offers an ad blocker called “NetShield” that blocks malicious scripts and some forms of tracking on any network.

Proton VPN Pricing & Value

Proton VPN offers three pricing plans, the cheapest being the 24-month plan, which costs $4.99 monthly. Next up is the 12-month option that costs $5.99 per month, and finally, there’s the monthly plan that goes for $9.99. Each plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

6. PrivateVPN — Best VPN for Torrenting

PrivateVPN unblocked Radio France.

You can unblock many kinds of geo-restricted media with PrivateVPN using over 200 servers in 63 countries. This may be the smallest server network on our list, but it still managed to unblock Radio France using a French IP address.

Furthermore, PrivateVPN has servers in Ireland that you can easily connect to from abroad to access local Irish content. PrivateVPN allows port forwarding, which is vital for torrenting, as explained in our PrivateVPN review.

PrivateVPN Hands-On Testing

You can favorite your frequently used servers with PrivateVPN.

PrivateVPN is compatible with Android, iOS, macOS and Windows, and you can connect a maximum of 10 devices, each with a unique IP address. That’s enough for your daily needs and leaves you with room to share with others. The app has a straightforward interface that lets you search for specific servers, activate the kill switch or change the VPN protocols.

PrivateVPN performed decently in our speed tests, averaging 77.04 Mbps on our unprotected speeds of 100 Mbps. This was a 23% speed drop, which is still impressive considering the small size of the server network. The likelihood of experiencing overcrowding during peak hours is higher compared to alternatives like CyberGhost.

Notes From the Lab: PrivateVPN Unblocking Capability Test Results

Service:Unblocked?

Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Max
Disney Plus
BBC iPlayer
Hulu / ESPN Plus

Notes From the Lab: PrivateVPN Security Analysis

PrivateVPN passed its DNS leak tests.

ProtocolEncryptionDevices

PPTP	128-AES 256-AES	Windows macOS iOS Android
L2TP	128-AES 256-AES	Windows macOS iOS Android

PrivateVPN didn’t expose our locations when we ran the DNS leak test; it only displayed the French IP address we used to unblock Radio France. While the VPN has no features that control how it behaves on public networks, the standard encryption still protects you whenever you connect to a new or insecure network.

PrivateVPN Pricing & Value

PrivateVPN’s best value option is the 36-month plan, which costs $2 per month, making it one of the cheapest VPNs on this list. However, the next best plan is drastically shorter than the first, lasting only three months at $6 monthly. Finally, you have the monthly plan for $9.90 per month, with each plan offering a 30-day money-back guarantee.

7. Atlas VPN — Best VPN for Simultaneous Device Connections

Atlas VPN unblocked Japanese Netflix.

Like Proton VPN, Atlas VPN has a free version, but you only get four locations in the U.S., the Netherlands and Singapore. You can still unblock geo-restricted content like Hulu or Max from Ireland with a U.S. server. If you want more access, the premium version has more than 1,000 servers in over 45 locations, including Ireland. That’s how we unblocked Japanese Netflix and streamed ‘Gintama’ episodes without issues.

Atlas VPN Hands-On Testing

Atlas VPN offers beginner-friendly and navigable apps.

Atlas VPN is compatible with Windows, iOS, Android and some versions of macOS. Read our Atlas VPN review to know the exact versions that are compatible. Like Surfshark, you can connect unlimited devices simultaneously, making it ideal for large groups of people who need to secure their devices without paying extra.

Notes From the Lab: Atlas VPN Speed Test Results

We got average speeds of 239.63 Mbps in our Atlas VPN speed test, which was high enough to handle streaming and gaming without issues on our end. We recommend using the WireGuard protocol, as it offers better speeds than IPSec/IKEv2. 

Notes From the Lab: Atlas VPN Unblocking Capability Test Results

Service:Unblocked?

Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Max
Disney Plus
BBC iPlayer
Hulu / ESPN Plus

Notes From the Lab: Atlas VPN Security Analysis

Atlas VPN didn’t leak any sensitive data.

ProtocolEncryptionDevices

WireGuard	ChaCha20 Poly1305	Windows macOS iOS Android
IKEv2	256-AES	Windows macOS iOS Android

Atlas VPN aced our DNS leak test, only showing the virtual IP address of the server we were using. Whether you have the free or premium version, you can rest easy knowing that no one can snoop on your online activities. Its twice-audited no-logs policy means no government agency can access your browsing data, even with a court order.

Atlas VPN Pricing & Value

The most affordable Atlas VPN option is the three-year plan, which costs $1.99 per month and gives you another six months free, the longest add-on yet. The next best option is the one-year plan that costs $4.08 per month, followed by the monthly plan at $11.99. A 3-day money-back guarantee covers the longer plans, while the monthly plan gives you a 14-day window.

Can You Use a Free VPN for Ireland?

You can use a free VPN for Ireland to unblock content in different parts of the world, but we don’t recommend using just any free VPN. Most free VPNs aren’t secure; some even profit from selling user data to third parties, compromising your online privacy and security. Furthermore, free VPNs are often slow, so you can’t achieve much with them.

The Best Free VPN for Ireland: Proton VPN

Proton VPN is the best free VPN for Ireland. It offers random servers in Japan, the U.S., the Netherlands, Romania and Poland, which you can use to access geo-restricted content from anywhere in Ireland. The free Proton VPN version comes with top encryption that protects your internet traffic against hackers and snooping — learn how in our description of encryption.

How to Use a VPN for Ireland

Using a VPN for Ireland is easy. If you want to unblock restricted platforms in Ireland using the top provider in our list, follow these quick steps.

1. Subscribe to a VPN

   Grab your VPN subscription plan based on your use-case and preferences. We recommend ExpressVPN‘s yearly plan, but any of the options above will work well.

   

2. Download and Install the VPN

   Go to the VPN’s official download page and get the app that’s compatible with the device you intend to use.

   

3. Launch the VPN and Connect to a Server

   With the VPN installed, launch it and connect to a server of your choice, depending on what you want to unblock.

   

Why Use a VPN in Ireland?

You need to use a VPN in Ireland for online security and to unblock geo-restricted content. Streaming platforms like Max, Peacock TV and Tubi are unavailable in Ireland, so connecting to a U.S. or Canadian server will switch your location and allow unrestricted access. A VPN also protects you against hacking and snooping if you frequently use public hotspots or hotel WiFi.

Final Thoughts

The Irish government hasn’t imposed internet censorship and freedom scores highly, so there’s no risk of getting in trouble with the law when using the internet normally. However, you still need a VPN to protect you and to gain access to restricted content.

To that end, ExpressVPN remains our top recommendation. It’s secure, has over 3,000 servers, offers fast speeds and works on multiple devices. Best of all, the 30-day money-back guarantee lets you try it risk-free.

Have you been to Ireland before, and which VPN worked best for you? Did you experience buffering when streaming movies and shows? Tell us all about it in the comment section below, and we appreciate you for always reading our blog.

FAQ: Best Ireland VPN

• How Do You Get an Irish IP Address?

  You can get an Irish IP address by subscribing to a VPN that offers servers in Ireland. You can then connect to an Irish IP address to access local content from abroad.

• Which VPN Works in Ireland?

  All seven of the VPNs we discussed above work in Ireland. Each offers global servers for accessing restricted foreign content from Ireland, and they also provide Irish IP addresses for accessing local content abroad.

• What Is the Best Free VPN for Ireland?

  Proton VPN is the best free VPN for Ireland. It offers random servers in the U.S., the Netherlands, Japan, Poland and Romania.

• Are VPNs Legal in Ireland?

  VPNs are legal in Ireland. However, using VPNs for illegal activities like copyright infringement may get you in trouble with the law.

The post Best VPN for Ireland in 2024: Top 7 VPNs to Access Popular Streaming Services appeared first on Cloudwards.