Fortunately, after extensive tests, I found 5 VPNs that still work in Turkey. These will protect your privacy and security online and allow access to international news sites and Turkish streaming services like TRT 1. Of the 5, ExpressVPN came out on top due to its top-notch privacy features, fast speeds, and ability to bypass geoblocks. Get ExpressVPN for Turkey risk-free. If you’re unsatisfied, you can ask for a refund within 30 days and get your money back easily. Get ExpressVPN for Turkey
Quick Guide: Best VPNs for Turkey
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Best VPNs for Turkey in 2023
1. ExpressVPN — TrustedServer Technology Doesn’t Store Your Data When Using the Internet in Turkey
Key Features: ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer technology doesn’t record your internet activities in Turkey. The independently-audited technology prevents the VPN from writing to a hard drive and runs entirely on RAM-based servers that wipe data every time they’re turned off. In the past, the Turkish authorities didn’t find any data when they seized one of ExpressVPN’s servers to aid a criminal investigation. Other ExpressVPN’s security and privacy features include:
Network Lock hides your real location from being revealed to firewalls when there’s a network failure, especially when using unstable Turkish public WiFi IP leak prevention ensures all internet traffic, including social media apps, always flow through an encrypted tunnel Threat Manager prevents third parties from tracking your activities on apps and websites to show targeted ads and content Based in the British Virgin Islands, so privacy laws don’t require sensitive data to be stored and shared with any third parties 256-bit military-grade encryption is near impossible to break into and keeps your online activities in Turkey safe from hackers and prying eyes Perfect Forward Secrecy further confuses hackers by changing the encryption keys every time you load a webpage
I also found that ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN on this list. Not only were the local servers in Malaysia fast, but also servers 5,000+ miles away in Istanbul. My speed averaged 88Mbps when I connected to a server in Turkey to test a 2-hour video call on WhatsApp. I experienced no delay in response, my screen didn’t freeze, and the audio was clear despite the distance my data had to travel. US-based tests on ExpressVPN’s global servers also showed excellent results on a 1Gbps network. One of the reasons for ExpressVPN’s fast speeds is that it uses a proprietary protocol called Lightway. You can also choose others like OpenVPN, which is more secure for the Turkish internet, and IKEv2, which is optimized for speed. But I decided to stay with Lightway since it gave me the fastest speed and was just as secure as OpenVPN. You’ll always be able to safely access all your social media accounts with one of ExpressVPN’s many servers near Turkey, like Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Georgia, or Armenia. The VPN’s large network of 3000+ servers in over 94 countries can also access Turkish and international streaming services like: You can secure up to 5 devices simultaneously with ExpressVPN, and they won’t be competing for bandwidth. It’s easy to install the apps on your iPhone, Windows computer, Mac, or Android devices within 3 minutes. The apps have an intuitive UI, so you’ll connect to a server in Turkey instantly. I used the Smart Location button to connect to the fastest server near me, and in less than a minute, ExpressVPN hid my connection from prying eyes. As a premium VPN, ExpressVPN is not cheap. The 1-year + 3 months plan is $6.67 per month, but it’s worth it if you value your privacy on the internet both in and outside Turkey. Plus, you can get ExpressVPN for Turkey completely risk-free as it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee in case it’s not for you. I requested a refund via live chat and got my money back in 5 days. Get ExpressVPN for Turkey
2. CyberGhost — Tons of Optimized Servers to Stream Favorite Shows From Turkey
Key Features: CyberGhost has optimized servers to watch Netflix Turkey and other streaming services from anywhere. They’re available in the US, UK, Spain, and tons of other countries, so it’s easy to access popular shows from other regions. Since these servers are regularly tested by CyberGhost’s team, they unblock shows on the first try: Optimized servers are also available to safely download torrents in Turkey and other countries in the region like Greece, Cyprus, and Romania. I don’t condone watching pirated movies, but you have the right to safety when downloading legal shows. CyberGhost hides your IP address and location to avoid cyberattacks. I also like that CyberGhost has many privacy and security features to protect your online data, whether you’re using the internet in Turkey or elsewhere. Some of these include:
Military-grade 256-bit encryption is nearly impossible to hack into to get your information if someone’s watching you A no-log policy that’s been audited by Deloitte and proven to store no sensitive data that can be stolen Located in Romania that’s free from the 14 Eyes Alliance’s pact to share intelligence with foreign agencies A free CyberGhost Private Browser that blocks trackers and allows you to browse the internet freely WiFi protection keeps your data away from cyber spies by activating a VPN connection whenever your device detects unsecured hotspots
Although CyberGhost doesn’t have its own security protocol like ExpressVPN, it supports WireGuard in Turkey as well as OpenVPN and IKEv2. WireGuard is faster than OpenVPN but more secure than IKEv2, which is why I use it when shopping online. Plus, WireGuard used less battery than the other protocols when I used my iPhone for navigation while traveling. When I connected the maximum number of devices CyberGhost allows, none of my activities on either of the 7 lagged. Installing the apps is also easy and took me less than 3 minutes each. If you face any problems, CyberGhost’s live chat help is available 24/7, so you won’t have to worry about your Turkish time zone. During tests, CyberGhost gave me speeds consistently above 88Mbps on the local servers. If you’re streaming in Turkey, CyberGhost’s speeds are excellent for watching movies in UHD, as you only need 25Mbps. Even servers up to 1,500 miles away from where I was, maintained speeds above 70Mbps for a bufferless streaming experience. The downside is that the speed dropped by almost 50% on servers 4,000+ miles away. Some shows buffered a little at the start, but they were smooth once loaded. However, CyberGhost’s servers near Turkey, like Greece and Cyprus, can support all your high bandwidth activities as they’re less than 1,000 miles away. If you’d like to try CyberGhost for Turkey, I recommend the 2-year + 2 months plan as it’s only $2.19 per month. Plus, it comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee, one of the longest available. I got my money back within a week when I asked for a refund via live chat. Get CyberGhost for Turkey
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — MACE Blocks Malware and Ad Trackers for Extra Privacy in Turkey
Key Features: PIA’s MACE blocks ads, trackers and malware when you use the internet in Turkey. This means you won’t see annoying pop-ups on sites like Sabah, and the pages will load faster without them. It’s safer to have MACE on by default, as it refused to load pages that I didn’t even suspect were phishing sites. PIA also has other features to protect you like:
Military-grade 256-bit encryption for top security to keep hackers away A gift card payment option to subscribe to the VPN anonymously from Turkey A kill switch that stops your data from being transmitted when the internet connection is unstable SHADOWSOCKS proxy to add an extra layer of obfuscation An audited no-log policy that makes sure none of your data is stored on any of its servers
Another reason I recommend PIA for Turkey is that it has the largest network of servers on this list. With over 35000+ servers in 84 countries, PIA can provide access to a wide variety of global news channels, social media platforms, and bank accounts from Turkey. Besides that, PIA can also unblock these international streaming services: I also tested the VPN’s speeds during streaming and both PIA’s local and long-distance servers were fast. I consistently averaged 70Mbps on local servers while servers 5,000 miles away in Turkey reached 55Mbps. It’s not as fast as ExpressVPN, but all 9 episodes of Inventing Anna played without buffering on both servers. As a PIA subscriber, you can automatically use SOCKS5 to protect your identity when downloading torrents in Turkey. I was also able to connect to more peers with SOCKS5 and downloaded a public-domain movie 13% faster. PIA’s SOCKS5 server is in the Netherlands — less than 2,000 miles away from Turkey, and can be used with uTorrent, QBittorrent, and more. PIA’s apps are easy to install in less than 3 minutes on devices like Windows, iOS, and more. If you use several devices in Turkey, PIA allows a maximum of 10. I only noticed a slight delay of 30 seconds in loading movies when I connected 8 devices at once. One minor problem with PIA is that it can’t access several streaming services like BBC iPlayer, DAZN, and 10play. However, since it can unblock many others, PIA is still a very good VPN for Turkey. The VPN also has very affordable subscriptions, with the 2-year + 2 months plan costing only $2.19 per month. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can try PIA confidently in Turkey because I got my money back a week after asking for a refund via email. Get PIA for Turkey
4. PrivateVPN — Stealth Mode Bypasses Firewalls That Block VPNs in Turkey
Key Features: PrivateVPN has a Stealth Mode to bypass firewalls that detect VPN traffic in Turkey and unblock international sites. VPNs without this obfuscation feature can’t bypass firewalls, which is why many don’t work in countries like China and Turkey. PrivateVPN, however, works everywhere it has a server as long as you turn on the Stealth Mode. Another reason I picked this VPN for Turkey is that PrivateVPN has some of the best privacy and security features to protect you online:
Military-grade 256-bit encryption to prevent hackers from watching your activities Selected servers in Europe and the US provide dedicated IP addresses to avoid triggering CAPTCHAs and security warnings in some sites Accepts cryptocurrencies to preserve anonymity A strict no-log policy
With PrivateVPN, you can protect up to 10 devices simultaneously in Turkey. There are apps for all the major devices, and they’re easy to install on Windows, iOS, Mac, and Android devices. PrivateVPN is also the only VPN I know that helps with the setup remotely via Teamviewer. Plus, the live chat agents responded in less than a minute when I asked them about their dedicated IP servers. I found PrivateVPN’s 200+ servers in 63+ countries could access many apps like WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, and others that are often banned in Turkey. Additionally, they could unblock several popular streaming services like: One thing that worried me about PrivateVPN was its small network. Since there are so few, I expected PrivateVPN’s servers to be overcrowded and slow. But I was pleasantly surprised when they maintained steady speeds above 60Mbps on local servers. Even servers 5,000+ miles away in Turkey allowed me to take video calls on Zoom without any lags or connection issues. If you’re not ready to commit to a long-term plan for Turkey, this is one of the best monthly VPNs. But if you want something more affordable, PrivateVPN’s 3-year plan is only $2.00 per month, and it’s the cheapest on this list. Since it also comes with a money-back guarantee, you don’t have to worry about a long-term commitment. If you no longer need PrivateVPN in Turkey after a few weeks, just ask for a refund within 30 days. When I asked for a refund via email, I provided a reason for cancellation and my money was back in my account in a week. Get PrivateVPN for Turkey
5. IPVanish — Secure Unlimited Devices in Turkey for Maximum Protection
Key Features: IPVanish allows you to secure all your devices in Turkey at once for continued protection. You don’t have to worry about logging off your devices and reconnecting when you need to use them again. I only tested my connection on 7 devices but didn’t feel any of them lagging or slow. In terms of speed, IPVanish did a decent job of connecting at around 65Mbps on local servers. When I connected to a server in the US, IPVanish still averaged 50Mbps which is good given it’s 10,000 miles away. This is fast enough to watch Kim’s Convenience without lags on Netflix. With 2000+ servers in at least 75 countries, IPVanish had no trouble accessing common apps within seconds of connecting to a server near Turkey like Cyprus and Greece. It was also able to unblock some of the top streaming services in the US and UK like: There’s also a lot to like about IPVanish’s ability to protect your privacy and security in Turkey. Some of its features include:
Zero DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks mean all your connections in Turkey are encrypted Free VIPRE antivirus add-on for up to 10 devices with the purchase of a yearly plan Military-grade 256-bit encryption for maximum security online
Additionally, IPVanish has a split-tunneling feature that allows certain apps to bypass the VPN and connect to the internet directly. So it’s possible to check out a news site in the US while using the same device to check out the current weather in Istanbul. The one problem with IPVanish is that it’s based in the US, which is the heart of the 5 Eyes Alliance that shares surveillance intelligence with other member countries. I was initially concerned by this, but after some research, I discovered that IPVanish’s servers have been verified to keep no logs. So, even if the servers are seized, they won’t contain any information. If you’d like to get IPVanish for Turkey, I recommend the 1 year plan. It’s only $3.99 per month and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Since I had a yearly plan, I canceled it through my account. I was reimbursed after a week without even following up. Get IPVanish for Turkey
Comparison Table: 2023’s Best VPNs for Turkey
How to Choose the Best VPN for Turkey
I ranked many top providers in the following areas to find the best VPNs on the market that actually work Turkey:
Strong security and privacy features — Features like 256-bit encryption, IP leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-log policy will make sure no one can spy on your internet activities in Turkey or steal your browsing data, especially on unsecured public WiFi. Global server network — The more global servers there are, the more international content, apps, and services are safely accessible from Turkey. Fast speeds — Long-distance connections are usually slower than local ones, so it helps to choose a VPN with servers closer to Turkey than the US or UK, like Bulgaria, Cyprus, or Greece. Apps for popular devices — No matter what device you use in Turkey, you want your VPN to support and secure all of them without technical and manual configurations. Customer support — Since it’s hard to know when you’ll need expert advice, I’ve only shortlisted VPNs with a knowledgeable and responsive live chat team that’s available 24/7.
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3 Easy Steps to Get a VPN in Turkey
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Is it legal to use a VPN in Turkey?
Yes, it’s legal to use a VPN in Turkey. Although the government bans most providers, the best VPNs for Turkey still work in the country. Several social media websites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have been blocked in Turkey in the past and will probably get blocked again. But you won’t get fined or jailed for accessing them with a VPN. Keep in mind that your online activity can get reported when you publicly criticize the Turkish authorities, even if you use a VPN. As long as you use your VPN for legal purposes, you won’t get in trouble.
Why isn’t my VPN working in Turkey?
Turkish ISPs block VPN traffic, so some VPNs might not work. You can try to change the port or turn on an obfuscation feature like the SHADOWSOCKS proxy in PIA. If you’re not sure how to do this, contact the provider via live chat. This is also why I recommend ExpressVPN — all its servers are obfuscated by default, so you don’t have to bother with advanced settings.
Which devices work with a VPN in Turkey?
Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices are compatible with the best VPNs for Turkey and have their own native apps. Using any of these VPNs for Turkey is easy on the dedicated browser apps for Chrome and Firefox, so you can safely browse on any device. I recommend you protect your device with ExpressVPN, which works with most operating systems. If you want to double-check that it’ll work on your device, just check the VPN’s website or ask customer support through the 24/7 live chat.
Is it possible to watch Netflix in Turkey with a VPN?
Yes, but not all VPNs work. All the best VPNs for Turkey have been tested and proven to unblock Turkish shows and movies on Netflix from other countries. The VPNs on this list can also unblock Netflix US from abroad to watch popular titles from the biggest Netflix library with Turkish subtitles. Tests show that ExpressVPN allows you to watch most Netflix shows and movies from anywhere by switching to servers in the UK, Canada, and Japan for more exclusive content.
Can I use a free VPN in Turkey?
Maybe, but I don’t recommend it. There are some free VPNs that can secure your connection but very few actually work in Turkey because of the firewalls that block VPN traffic. If you do find a free working server for Turkey, it might not unblock any local websites. Free VPNs also limit bandwidth to manage costs, so you’ll likely be unable to finish even a single episode of your favorite series. Also, they usually have very few servers in Turkey (if any) and elsewhere. These can get overcrowded really fast and become super slow when you download a file or stream videos. The worst free VPNs recoup their expenses by selling your data to advertising agencies and other risky third parties. Or they install malware on your device and risk your security. This is why it’s better to use a premium VPN like CyberGhost for free with its 45-day money-back guarantee. You can cancel your plan and get a refund when you no longer need a VPN for Turkey. Try CyberGhost for Turkey
Get a VPN (That Works) for Turkey Today!
Whether you live in Turkey or are traveling abroad, a VPN is crucial to access all your accounts safely. Unfortunately, not all VPNs work in the country or can access the content in Turkey. After testing dozens of VPNs vigorously, I only recommend the 5 on this list. But if you don’t want to risk your privacy in Turkey and still get excellent speeds while watching all your favorite shows without restrictions, I recommend ExpressVPN. It’s compatible with all your devices and even offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for complete peace of mind. If you get ExpressVPN for Turkey and decide it’s not for you, it’s easy to get a refund.
