The best VPNs for Skype in 2023

Numerous countries have blocked or banned Skype. A VPN will allow the user to access various VoIP apps with no issues. Here’s what to look for from the best VPNs for Skype.

Skype has established itself as the leading platform for seamless internet-based voice and video calls, providing free communication services to users worldwide. However, when it comes to accessing Skype and other Voice over IP (VoIP) services while traveling abroad, challenges often arise due to restrictions imposed in certain locations.

Some countries have implemented comprehensive bans on VoIP services like Skype, citing regulatory concerns. For example, Russia's internet watchdog agency, Roskomnadzor, enforced a ban on Skype in March 2023. In other regions, such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, local telecom operators may take measures to block all VoIP services, leading to limitations for users. Additionally, even within school or office networks, access to Skype may sometimes be restricted.

The good news is that a Virtual Private Network (VPN) offers an effective solution to these challenges. VPNs work by encrypting all your internet traffic and directing it through a server located in a region of your choice. This not only restores your access to Skype but also bolsters your online privacy by concealing your online activities from prying eyes.

In the upcoming sections, we will explore the best VPN options designed to enhance your Skype experience. Each provider will be thoroughly evaluated, highlighting their unique capabilities and benefits to help you make an informed choice.

The best VPNs for Skype:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for Skype. Audited apps and infrastructure, strict no-logs policy, Meshnet, NordLynx, strong streaming support, one-click access to the Tor network, and effective obfuscation. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. 
2. Surfshark: Our top budget VPN for Skype. Servers in 100+ countries, unlimited device connections, advanced privacy features like an IP address rotator, and decent speeds and streaming access. 
3. ExpressVPN: Servers in 105+ countries, Lightway protocol, works well in restrictive regions, Onion site on the Tor network, and one of the best options for accessing various geo-blocked services.
4. Proton VPN: Ideal for accessing various VoIP services and offers advanced features like Secure Core servers and port forwarding. Impressive speeds, fully audited, and free servers available. 
5. Mullvad: RAM-only servers, anonymous sign-up available, the fastest connection speeds seen during testing. Works well in various restrictive regions like the UAE, unlimited bandwidth. 
6. IVPN: Provider aiming to improve anonymity with annual audits, IP address rotation, WireGuard, port forwarding, and a strict no-logs policy.  
7. CyberGhost: Popular provider with a large array of servers for Skype. Perfect for streaming and beginner-friendly apps for all devices. 

Summary Table

If you’re in need of a VPN for Skype, there are numerous services that will get the job done. 

We've been able to narrow the field with our inclusion criteria. Here are some of the non-negotiable characteristics we looked at when picking out the best providers for Skype:

• Skype support for a selection of devices and platforms, as well as servers in a wide range of locations to ensure that there’s always a local option to choose from 
• Connection speeds will dictate how efficiently the user is able to perform any online task, and will be especially important if you’re aiming to make voice or video calls via Skype
• Privacy and security, including everything from notable features to available protocols
• In order to qualify for one of the top three positions, the VPN must operate a 100% diskless server network and have had its infrastructure audited by a reputable third party

For more information about the specific criteria we used for picking the best VPNs for Skype, check out the testing methodology section found later in this article.

Best VPNs for Skype in 2023

Here’s a roundup with detailed information about each of the VPNs that have made it onto this list.

NordVPN is our top pick if you’re looking for a provider to use with Skype or any other blocked VoIP services. It has a large network with 6,000+ speedy (200 Mbps) servers to pick from in 60+ countries. 

Security is handled via strong encryption for all apps, alongside advanced features like Double VPN (MultiHop) and Tor over VPN. Obfuscation will be helpful in terms of preventing your ISP from detecting VPN usage in the first place. As such, it’s ideal if you want a VPN for Skype in a country like Iran. Along with excellent security, it offers streaming access to services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

NordVPN comes with a strict no-logs policy that allows the user to access Skype safely, and it has been independently audited by Deloitte. You’ll also find 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a sturdy kill switch. The NordLynx protocol is an interesting addition, as is the Meshnet private tunnel feature. You’re free to try the latter for yourself, as it’s available even without a subscription. 

The provider is perfect for accessing streaming sites from abroad. You’ll find apps for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS, and a single account can be used with six devices at the same time. 

THE BEST VPN FOR SKYPE: NordVPN should definitely be on your radar if you’re in need of a reliable Skype VPN. Fast speeds, no-logs, streaming support, various advanced features, audited apps for all major devices, and comes with a simple risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full NordVPN review.

Surfshark is a low-cost VPN that works well with various VoIP apps like Skype. With 3,200+ servers to pick from in 100+ countries, it’s a worthwhile selection if you’d also like to get an IP address from an obscure location. 

You’ll be able to use the VPN with an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, so it’s perfect if you’d like to share an account with others. There are apps for Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, and macOS. 

The provider offers numerous features which aim to improve security, including strong encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch. Surfshark comes with a strict no-logs policy that has been audited by Deloitte, and NoBorders works to bypass any network restrictions automatically. Camouflage Mode is its version of obfuscation. 

Speeds work out to roughly 190 Mbps, and servers can be used to access popular content like US Netflix or BBC iPlayer from abroad. It comes with Smart DNS, which can be used to stream geo-restricted content on devices like TVs and games consoles. 

THE BEST BUDGET VPN FOR SKYPE: Surfshark has lots of IP addresses in 100+ countries, and it’s an affordable solution for Skype, streaming, and more. Unlimited device connections, fully audited, NoBorders, Camouflage Mode, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of Surfshark.

ExpressVPN has a large network of servers found in 105+ countries, and works out to be one of the more reliable providers in terms of security and connection speeds (175 Mbps). 

The same is true when accessing geo-restricted sites and services. ExpressVPN is unmatched when it comes to bypassing blocks, whether it’s Skype, streaming platforms, or anything else. This is the case whether it’s a smaller service from a country like Australia, or a popular platform like Hulu. 

Apps are beginner-friendly, allowing for up to eight simultaneous device connections. It comes with a proprietary protocol (Lightway), along with obfuscation, and custom router firmware that includes a kill switch. ExpressVPN’s obfuscation is enabled by default. Users can sign up via its Onion site on the Tor network.

If you can stomach a slightly higher-than-average price tag, ExpressVPN is one of the best options for various VoIP apps like Skype. 

BEGINNER-FRIENDLY SKYPE VPN: ExpressVPN won’t let you down if you need to access Skype in a blocked region. Lightway protocol, impressive unblocking capabilities for various sites and services, no-logs, automatic obfuscation, router firmware, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

Proton VPN has over 3,000 servers to pick from in 71+ countries worldwide. Developed by the team behind ProtonMail, the provider has lots of interesting features that help to set it apart from the competition. 

The free version includes locations in the United States, the Netherlands, and Japan. It’s possible to use Proton’s free VPN servers with Skype, even if speeds are slower than you’ll find with its premium servers (320 Mbps).

Free servers have no support for Tor over VPN, and you’ll need to pay for a subscription if you want access to streaming services. Secure Core servers (MultiHop) are also a premium addition, alongside features like port forwarding. 

Proton is more expensive than the average provider, but it ticks all of the boxes to bypass VoIP blocks. Apps are open-source, and everything from its software to infrastructure has been independently audited. 

POWERFUL SKYPE VPN: Proton VPN is a performant provider which will be able to access Skype safely. Free locations, audited no-logs policy, fast connection speeds, Secure Core servers, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of ProtonVPN.

Mullvad offers fast connections that make it an ideal Skype VPN choice. Server speeds averaged over 660 Mbps during testing, so it’s unlikely to let you down when it comes to performance. 

It’s a great option for torrenting and other intensive tasks. One drawback is that it can’t be used for streaming, which might dissuade some users. The provider works well with Skype, and various additional blocked apps and sites, but Mullvad can’t be used to access services like Netflix. 

With roughly 650 RAM-only servers in 43+ countries, it doesn’t have the largest network by any means. However, it does offer ample privacy features such as a watertight no-logs policy, and the ability to sign up anonymously. You’ll also find MultiHop support, a Shadowsocks proxy, split tunneling, obfuscation, and more. 

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Mullvad can be used with up to five devices at the same time. 

SPEEDY AND SECURE SKYPE VPN: Mullvad is perfect for anyone hoping to improve online privacy. Audited apps and infrastructure, allows the user to sign up anonymously, zero-logs policy, and exceptional speeds. 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of Mullvad.

IVPN is a transparent provider that is ideal for improving privacy. For anyone traveling in countries like China, Vietnam, or Iran, you’ll be able to take advantage of obfsproxy (obfuscation), which is available with IVPN’s Windows, macOS, and Linux apps. 

The service is independently audited each year, tying into a business model based on trust. It comes with speedy WireGuard connections, along with MultiHop support. AntiTracker blocks ads, adware, malicious websites, and more.

Servers are self-owned and operated by IVPN, but there are fewer locations to pick from than others on this list. It’s not the best option if you’re interested in streaming support, even if it works well with VoIP apps like Skype.

Open-source apps are available for all major devices, and they can be used with up to seven devices simultaneously. It's ideal if you're aiming to improve online security. 

ANONYMOUS SKYPE VPN: IVPN is a trustworthy service with a strict no-logs policy. Works well in restricted regions, WireGuard, open-source apps for all devices, regular audits, MultiHop, and anonymous sign-up available. 30-day money-back guarantee. 

CyberGhost is the final option to make our list. The provider openly advertises its ability to access VoIP apps from anywhere in the world. 

A collection of 10,000+ servers in 100+ countries is hard to beat. Average speeds of roughly 300 Mbps make it one of the faster VPNs on the market. It’s ideal for tasks like torrenting, and won’t have any issues with various services like Skype. 

Streaming is where CyberGhost really begins to shine. The provider has gone to great lengths to make the VPN user-friendly, including labeled servers for specific platforms in the app. This is the case for 22+ countries, so it’s perfect for accessing a range of content from abroad. 

It has a strict no-logs policy, and offers DNS leak protection. NoSpy servers are owned, operated, and controlled by the provider. CyberGhost can be used with up to seven devices simultaneously per account, and it has apps for all popular devices. 

STREAMING SKYPE VPN: CyberGhost is an affordable VPN which allows the user to access a host of blocked services like Skype from abroad. Impressive speeds, massive server network, user-friendly apps, and an extended 45-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.

Methodology: How we chose the best VPNs for Skype 

Rather than picking out providers at random, we’ve compiled a comprehensive VPN testing methodology. We test and compare the best VPNs in the business. 

Our strict criteria means that only providers dedicated to digital privacy, with excellent usability and optimal performance, can make it onto our list. Below, you can see the criteria we used to pick the best VPNs for Skype:

• Server locations: We’ve factored in the number of server locations on offer, ensuring coverage in multiple popular locations. Skype support is also necessary in this instance.
• Speeds and performance: Fast speeds will ensure no lag, even if you’re connecting to servers located halfway around the world for video calls. The VPN needs to be reliable, especially if you’re planning to use a VoIP app. High-speed connections are always preferable. 
• Privacy and security: How does the VPN perform in terms of security and privacy? We look at features, their implementation, and everything from leak protection to encryption and protocols. This is handy if you're using public Wifi networks. 
• Third-party audits: Trust is the foundation of the value that VPNs provide. You are essentially placing more faith in your VPN provider than you are in your ISP. Almost every provider says they are a ‘no-logs' VPN. The only ways to test this claim are either through the courts or through audits. We will only consider providers for our top three positions if they have undergone infrastructure audits from a reputable third party. While this isn't foolproof, it's the closest the industry has to a verification process for logging policies.
• Diskless infrastructure: Again, this is a prerequisite to be considered for one of the top three positions on BleepingComputer. While the data stored on a VPN server should be minimal, it could, theoretically, be accessed if the servers were seized or hacked. Moving processes to RAM means that no information can be physically taken from servers and it is wiped on shutdown. It can also easily be wiped as a part of regular security procedures.

How to use a VPN with Skype  

VPNs can be daunting for new users, but it’s easy to start using a VPN with Skype. If you’re not sure what to do, we’ve put together a quick step-by-step guide to make things easier.   

Here’s how to set up a VPN with Skype:

1. Pick a VPN service that works with Skype. We’ve listed several top options above. 
2. Select a plan, and sign up with the service. 
3. Download the relevant VPN app to your device, and sign in. 
4. Select a nearby server location in a country that doesn’t block Skype. 
5. Wait to be connected to the VPN server. 
6. You’ll now be free to use Skype. Make sure to enable the VPN’s kill switch just in case the connection drops out unexpectedly. 

You’ll be free to access any blocked sites and services available in the region that you’ve chosen for as long as you’re connected to the VPN server. 

Download Skype with a VPN

If you are in a country where Skype has been blocked, you may not be able to download the application from Google Play Store. You may also have trouble downloading the desktop client from Microsoft's website. If this is the case you will need to use one of our recommended VPNs to regain access. The VPNs in this guide will allow you to access an international version of the Skype website or app store in order to regain access to the app and install it on your devices. 

Make free calls with a Skype VPN

In countries where Voice over IP (VoIP) services like Skype are blocked or restricted, using a VPN can be a game-changer. By connecting to a VPN server located in a region where VoIP services are accessible, you can unlock the ability to make free calls through Skype.

If you are sick of making expensive phone calls, you can follow these steps to make free calls:

1. Select a VPN provider: Begin by choosing a reliable VPN provider that offers servers in locations where VoIP services are not restricted. Our recommended VPNs have servers strategically placed around the world to bypass such restrictions.
2. Subscribe and install the VPN: You can get the VPN cheaper by following the link in this guide. When you have an account, download and install the VPN application on your device. After installation, connect to a VPN server in a country where VoIP services like Skype are freely accessible.
3. Launch Skype: With the VPN connection in place, launch your Skype application as you normally would. I you don't have the application, you will now be able to download it privately thanks to your VPN.
4. Enjoy free calls: You can now make free voice and video calls through Skype, regardless of where you are in the world. The VPN masks your actual location, making it appear as though you are connecting from a region where Skype is unrestricted.

By using a Skype VPN, you can stay connected with friends, family, or colleagues through free VoIP calls, even in regions where VoIP services are typically blocked. This simple workaround ensures that communication remains seamless and accessible, no matter where you are in the world. It also means that ISPs and government agencies can't monitor your Skype use, giving you complete online privacy.

Skype VPN FAQs

Can I use a free VPN where Skype is banned? 

It’s inadvisable to use a free VPN within a country that has banned or blocked Skype. 

The majority of free VPN services are lacking when it comes to everything from speeds to offering basic encryption. Some free providers have been caught selling user data, and it’ll be tough to find an option with streaming access. As such, it’s not a good idea to use a random free VPN if you need to be sure of privacy. 

If you’re in desperate need of a free VPN for Skype, Proton offers an unpaid tier, with various limitations that are discussed above.

Where is Skype blocked?

In the past, Skype has been banned in countries such as Guyana, Kuwait, Libya, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE. 

The service has been blocked to some degree in countries including Bahrain, Belize, Brazil, various Caribbean countries, China, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Pakistan, Paraguay, Panama, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Vietnam, Russia, Venezuela, and Yemen.

Is it illegal to use a VPN with Skype?

VPNs are legal in the vast majority of countries worldwide, but that might not be the case if you’re in a region that already blocks services like Skype. Make sure to take the time to learn more about local laws in the country before downloading a provider. As for Skype itself, using a VPN may go against its terms of service.

What to do if Skype won’t work when connected to VPN?

If you’re having trouble accessing Skype while connected to a VPN, it might be due to your ISP throttling traffic, or restricting access. If you’re in a region that is known to restrict VPN usage, then select a VPN with obfuscation. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN are all examples of providers with effective stealth modes.