1. Top picks at a glance
2. Best Turkey VPN overall
3. Best Turkey VPN with antivirus
4. Best cheap Turkey VPN
5. Best free Turkey VPN
6. Best Turkey VPN for Linux
8. How to choose Turkey VPN
9. Turkey VPN FAQs
Thinking about Turkey, delicious food and beautiful beaches are perhaps the first things that come to mind. However, the country is also infamous for harsh online censorship—especially during periods of political turmoil—and surveillance practices. A virtual private network (VPN) can help, though, as it's security software that both encrypts internet connections and hides users IP addresses.
For example, a Turkey VPN proved to be a crucial tool as citizens were getting ready to face a potential information blackout during the 2023 presidential elections. Authorities have repeatedly restricted independent news sites and social media during times of crisis in the past, in fact. Even worse, a new disinformation bill would give a further blow to the state of censorship within the country.
It's worth keeping in mind that Turkish authorities are working hard to block specific VPN providers—around 16 providers have been targeted by new blocks in the last days of 2023. Yet, with 15 years of experience in reviewing security software under TechRadar's belt, our experts periodically test dozens of services to recommend only the best VPNs to our readers. Below, I shortlisted my top five VPN for Turkey available right now.
Today's top 3 best Turkey VPNs:
Recent updates
We periodically review the content of our buying guide to ensure all information is up-to-date and reflects the changing VPN industry and global need for digital privacy. During the latest round of updates, we included adjustments to the overall on-page structure and layout, but the on-page ranking remained the same.
The best Turkey VPN for 2024:
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See how my top picks VPN for Turkey compare in the following analysis and reviews. Keep reading as I discuss reasons to subscribe, reasons to avoid, our test results, what I liked most (and what I dislike) about each provider, and how they compare with the competition.
The best Turkey VPN overall
✔️ You value your online privacy: ExpressVPN offers advanced encryption protocols and top-level security features.
✔️ You value accessing geo-restricted content: the provider has a great unblocking record from streaming platforms to just any other blocked content.
✔️ You are a VPN newbie: excellent customer support and user-friendly interface is what you'll get when signing up to ExpressVPN.
❌ You are on a tight budget: if you are looking for a cheaper alternative, we recommend checking out Surfshark instead.
❌ You want to secure many devices: ExpressVPN's eight simultaneous connections should be enough for many, but some competitors are more generous on this front.
🔒 ExpressVPN is a top-tier VPN provider that prioritizes privacy and security, offering a vast server network, fast speeds, and user-friendly applications.
Our favorite overall service is ExpressVPN as it offers both superb online security and unblocking capabilities. We also praise its great commitment to transparency and security with 11 independent audits undergone in 2022 alone.
Speaking of features, privacy is a big priority for ExpressVPN with things like AES-256 encryption, plenty of protocols to pick from (including its very own open-source WireGuard-inspired Lightway which aced its second security audit in 2023), a kill switch, IPv6 leak protection, Threat Manager DNS blocker (now finally available for Windows, too) as well as a new ad and adult-site launched with its last feature-packed update.
► Try ExpressVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
With over 3,000 servers across 105 countries to choose from, Express also offers obfuscated servers to bypass any blocks while boosting your privacy even more. All that will keep you hidden and help you unblock geo-restricted content, allowing you to watch the likes of BBC iPlayer or US Netflix while in Turkey.
ExpressVPN's Turkey VPN servers aren't actually physically located there, though. Rather, they are virtual server locations based in the Netherlands (more on that in our FAQ) which act like a network physically placed in that country would. That's advantageous as the government cannot detain these servers. However, you'll only be able to watch Dutch Netflix when you're connected to these.
Despite not being the top fast VPN, its connection speeds improved during our last round of testing, with peaks passing from 560 to 750 Mbps when using Lightway. Our cybersecurity expert Mike Williams assures that these results should be more than enough for most users. Plus, you can always try it out yourself with its 30-day money-back guarantee. There's even a special offer for TechRadar's readers only...
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A clean and simple design that gives you everything you need, exactly when you need it | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Intuitive apps with auto-connect functionality make life easier | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Fast enough for anything you could throw at it, but slower than NordVPN and Surfshark | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Effortlessly gives you access to content around the world | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Express offers military-grade protection for total peace of mind | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Always available, friendly, and helpful | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | More expensive than leading competitors | ⭐⭐⭐ |
The best Turkey VPN with antivirus
✔️ You like blazing-fast speeds: Nord's placed itself among the fastest VPN services on the market we tried during our last round of testing.
✔️ You value your security online: strong encryption, Double VPN, ad/malware-blockers, and Onion Over VPN are just some of its advanced security features
✔️ You appreciate dedicated IP option: either you're a business or individual, you can enjoy the perks of a fixed IP with the security of a VPN for an extra tiny fee
❌ You use port forwarding: it allows for optimized connections, faster downloads and improved overall torrenting performance, which Express VPN offers.
❌ You need a Linux app: Nord is configured through Terminal on Linux, which may be more complex for those not familiar with Linux commands.
🔒 NordVPN is a secure and reliable choice, delivering complete VPN protection at staggering speed.
NordVPN is perhaps the biggest VPN name, and not without reasons. It's also one of the top VPN providers, together with ExpressVPN and Surfshark, to have been recognized as a secure and ethical product in 2023.
Top security smarts with double kill switches and AES-256 encryption, without losing speed thanks to over 6,000 international servers. Plus, its new addition Meshnet, which allows users to create their own secure network, is ideal for those working in Turkey who want to protect their workload across multiple devices. Even better as it's now free to use for all users.
▶ Try NordVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Some of those many servers are actually physically in Turkey, meaning you can get the best possible speeds by keeping your connection local. This is a great feature if you live locally and want to keep search results locally focused. Pick a server from out of the country, and you'll still be able to access any social media platforms, even when blocked.
Nord recommends turning on the Obfuscated Servers feature to make sure you're hidden well. As well as Obfuscated Servers, it's worth noting you'll also benefit from P2P-equipped servers, too. You can also turn on its Double VPN option to have all your internet traffic encrypted not once, but twice. That's a really handy option when you go online in a country like Turkey, where your internet anonymity is paramount.
NordVPN's performances improved even further this time around, with the top speeds reaching 950+Mbps with WireGuard—matching the result of our #1 fastest VPN Surfshark and other providers including Windscribe and Hide.me. In terms of unblocking, the provider has a great track record and performs well as both a Netflix VPN and BBC iPlayer VPN while you're in Turkey.
On a negative note, I'm still not a fan of its map-based interface on smaller screens and I think its browser extensions are still a bit basic. Linux users might find Nord's installation process a bit daunting, too. Again, a speedy live chat support and a 30-day money-back guarantee will make your purchase completely stress-free.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A fun design that can be a little busy for some people | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Everything is easy to find, but the map interface can be off-putting, and there isn't much attention to detail | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | The fastest VPN in our latest round of tests | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Perfect for Netflix and other streaming sites | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Every bit as strong as ExpressVPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Friendly, supportive and professional | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Fantastic value for money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best cheap Turkey VPN service
✔️ You are on a tight budget: Surfshark might be one of the cheapest VPN around, but it certainly doesn't compromise on security and performance.
✔️ You need larger protection: Surfshark offers a generous unlimited device allowance policy—that's great for securing all your household with just one subscription.
✔️ You value fast connections: Alongside NordVPN and few other services, Surfshark confirmed itself as one of the fastest VPNs during our last round of testing.
❌ You need advanced customization options: for specific features that are not available in Surfshark, we advise looking into NordVPN.
❌ You are after an ultra reliable gaming VPN: Surfshark's occasional drops in connection make ExpressVPN a most suitable option for gaming.
🔒 Surfshark stands out as an easy-to-use cheap VPN with strong security measures, censorship-bypassing capabilities, blazing speeds and unlimited simultaneous connections.
You may be drawn to Surfshark because of the price. But it's the impressive feature list which really makes this cheap VPN stand out. You can also expect top performance in terms of speeds and unlocking, and even use the service on unlimited devices at once. However, while it was among the fastest VPNs we tried out when using WireGuard also this time, its speeds were below average with OpenVPN.
Surshark offers Turkish servers, meaning you can get some of the best speeds possible while still keeping yourself secure and anonymous online within the country. Ideal for those that live there or are staying for prolonged periods and just have their online security at heart. Its no-log privacy policy was audited in 2023, too, so you can be sure the software doesn't retain any data about you.
▶ Try Surfshark with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Also Surfshark offers an obfuscation option—here called Camouflage mode—to escape VPN bans and boost reliability. Plus, its No Borders feature will automatically connect you to the servers performing the best under network restrictions. From Netflix and Hulu to iPlayer and Disney+, you'll be also able to access your favorite content during your stay in Turkey. Users can also get a dedicated IP now for an additional charge.
Security-wise, you get AES-256 encryption, several protocols to choose from, DNS protection, split tunnelling and even an extra protection layer with a Double VPN hop. An IP rotator and Dynamic MultiHop features included with its new Nexus technology make it even more difficult to track your online activities. Its full security suite Surfshark One with a newly added Alternative ID tool is then ideal to secure your digital life on all fronts.
On a negative note, we found its kill switch leaking under extreme situations. This occurred only on its Windows apps so nothing to worry about if you're using the VPN on mobile and/or a Mac device.
It is worth mentioning that Surfshark is committed to supporting journalists, NGOs and activists in Turkey and elsewhere internet freedom is at risk. So, it urges whoever is in need to reach out.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Easy to use and elegant | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Connecting only takes a few clicks—ideal for newbiesideal for newbe | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | One of the fastest providers we tested | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks virtually everything you'll need | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Not a comprehensive antivirus or ad-blocking solution, and some kill switch ossues | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Browsing support articles isn't as intuitive as I'd like | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Real value for money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best free Turkey VPN
✔️ You are after a secure free VPN: ProtonVPN offers a free plan with unlimited-bandwidth, 100 servers across three countries and great security.
✔️ You need advanced security: its Secure Core servers route internet traffic via multiple privacy-enhancing servers in different countries for extra protection.
✔️ You value Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS): even if your VPN connection is compromised, previously encrypted traffic remains secure.
❌ You need a free VPN for Netflix: Proton VPN supports Netflix and other advanced features just on their Premium plans.
❌ You need a free VPN for torrenting: again, you need to upgrade to its Premium plans to use its P2P-optimized servers.
🔒 ProtonVPN's free plan option is a good option for those looking for basic VPN functionality without spending money.
A certainty when it comes to privacy and security, ProtonVPN has recently teamed up with Deutsche Welle to offer people worldwide direct access to independent news content. It even built its very own "world-first" censorship resistant CAPTCHA system, too, and launched a VPN Observatory to map VPN usage worldwide and act as an alarm bell when sudden censorship takes place.
Proton even enlarged its network coverage for its unlimited bandwidth free VPN plan from 29 to more than 100 free servers. However, it's with its paid subscriptions that the Swiss-based provider really shines.
▶ Try Proton VPN's unlimited free plan.
With over 3,000 across 85+ locations now, premium subscribers can also connect through one of the eight located within Turkish borders. A great advantage is its Secure Core server option that defends your connection against network-based attacks by routing your traffic through multiple servers—meaning that even if the Turkish server is compromised, your unencrypted traffic will still be safe. Unlimited, Family and Business subscribers at higher risks can even enroll to its new Proton Sentinel program for extra security.
In terms of security, the fact that Proton is based in Switzerland already makes you feel a bit safer. This is enhanced by terrific kill switches, powerful encryption, strong protocols to choose from, DNS leak protection and built-in Tor support for accessing Onion sites. All its apps are also open-sourced so that everyone can quickly check for and fix any vulnerabilities.
Performance-wise, Proton boasts a good track record on bypassing geo-restrictions while unlocking all the major streaming platforms around. Its WireGuard top speeds dropped a little last time we tested its performances from peaks of 510 to 460Mbps, while OpenVPN results improved from 210 to 350Mbps. Overall, you will still be able to enjoy decent and reliable connections overall.
On another negative note, Proton doesn't have a 24/7 live chat just yet, either. This might be an issue to those users new to the VPN world.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | If you like dark mode, you'll love this interface | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Fairly easy on mobile, but a bit more complex on desktop | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Decent speeds, but there's a risk of congestion on free servers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Limits unblocking to premium services but otherwise fantastic | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Strong encryption and plenty of security add-ons available | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Agents can be hard to get ahold of, but there's a lot of very technical support available | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Moderately expensive premium plans, but a great free plan | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best Turkey VPN for Linux
✔️ You appreciate affordability: Alongside Surfshark, PIA is small in price but big in security and performance.
✔️ You are a Linux user: PIA boasts one the best VPN app for Linux we have seen so far, including an intuitive GUI.
✔️ You value customization options: PIA is great for more experienced users in need of shaping the software according their needs.
❌ You are a beginner: For those who prefer a visually appealing VPN experience, Surfshark can be a better option.
❌ You need immediate customer support: PIA's customer service instructs you to fill out a lengthy form in order to contact them, and they respond via e-mail.
🔒 Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN is a cost-effective software, ideal for advanced users in and out Turkey.
A technically great service, Private Internet Access (PIA) has recently cut its price so that it even beats Surfshark as one of the cheapest services on the market. Despite this, we saw its speed peaks dropping from 510 to 360Mbps with WireGuard. We're happy to see, though, a no-logs independent audit completed and a full security check coming soon.
PIA has also drastically increased its servers, currently around 10,000 across 84 countries. Some of those are located in Turkey, too. You will be then able to browse locally during your stay, if you are interested in doing so. You can also claim your own dedicated IP when you subscribe (you can choose among five countries) to gain extra VPN usability.
▶ Try Private Internet Access on unlimited devices.
PIA offers a healthy mix of privacy features and security protocols (including WireGuard), an excellent kill switch, browser extensions with extra privacy perks, open-source apps and a live chat support service. Due to its highly customizable features, the software is well-suited for both everyday users and IT experts. Even better as it now support unlimited connections with just one subscription.
A recently added SmartDNS feature will help you to smoothly bypass online censorship and streaming geo-restrictions, too. During our testing, it successfully unlocked every platform we tried, even 10Play and some foreign Netflix catalogs that failed the time before.
It's also worth noting that PIA has also proven its no-logs policy in court on two occasions. I'm also very excited to hear that PIA engineers found a solution for making split tunneling available for MacOS. The feature is expected to be released sometime in January as part of its larger 2024 product roadmap—be prepared for a new app interface, too.
What makes a good VPN for Turkey?
Given the government’s prying eyes, the security of any Turkey VPN needs to be top-notch. So look for tight encryption, extra features on the security front, and a clearly defined privacy policy.
Speed and geo-restrictions blocking are also important factors. Once online, you'll want to actually be able to enjoy streaming shows or have WhatsApp chats without talking to a mess of jumpy pixels.
Surfshark, NordVPN, Windscribe, Hide.me and IPVanish logged the fastest time of all the VPNs we tested with a top speed of 950+Mbps.
As mentioned before, authorities are working hard to block VPNs' usage. This means you should look out for a service with strong obfuscation technology in place that can make your connections look like normal traffic instead.
A 24/7 live chat support is also invaluable as it'll mean you can rest easy knowing even if you run into problems, there is a professional that's probably dealt with them before ready to help.
Turkey VPN: FAQs
What is a VPN?
Short for virtual private network, a VPN is security software that encrypts all the data leaving a device. This helps boost people's online privacy and anonymity when they browse the web. This feature is especially important when accessing the internet via unsecure shared Wi-Fi connections.
People in Turkey can also use a VPN to easily access otherwise blocked content like social media apps, news sites, and foreign streaming libraries. That's because it spoofs your real IP location, tricking your ISP to think you are browsing from outside the country.
Are VPNs legal in Turkey?
Yes, it is legal using a VPN service in Turkey. Despite not being an official ban, the Turkish government has been restricting their use since 2016. On that occasion, authorities banned 10 VPN providers and the Tor browser to allegedly protect national security and fight terrorism.
More recently, in December 2023, about 16 providers were reportedly blocked in yet another attempt to prevent citizens from accessing restricted websites, including local independent news sites or international media outlets.
Luckily, the Turkish government hasn't been able to block VPN services as effectively as other countries did. We recommend checking our updated guide on VPN still working in Turkey before making a purchase.
Why are VPNs in Turkey so popular?
Interest in Turkey VPNs have skyrocketed in the last few years, and it's no surprise that this peaks in instances of bans on social media or restrictions on free access to information. The country has developed quite the reputation for having websites and online services blocked in Turkey.
A spokesperson from NordVPN told us: "In October 2016, interest in VPN services grew in the aftermath of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and WhatsApp being shut down. The action aimed to prevent protests after a failed coup."
"A couple of months later, direct access to the anonymous browsing network Tor was blocked as part of a wider effort to stop people from circumventing internet censorship."
What is a virtual server?
As mentioned above, our #1 pick ExpressVPN doesn't actually have a physical presence in Turkey. That's mainly for security and quality reasons, as it explains in its blog. It also uses virtual server locations in the likes of Argentina, India, Pakistan and Vietnam.
A virtual server lets you connect to a registered IP address in the location of choice, without having to process through a physical server there. Connections should still be fast, secure, and reliable (if you use a reputable VPN like those above) but there's no risk of the server being seized, and it means the provider doesn't have to gain access for maintenance.
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
