Many WiFi networks use firewalls to block you from using Snapchat. You may encounter these restrictions on your work, school, or public library networks. Some strictly-censored countries also ban Snapchat completely, like China, Cuba, UAE, and Iran.
Thankfully, you can still access your Snapchat using a VPN. This simple app hides your internet traffic so you can get around firewalls and access your account from anywhere. But not all VPNs can unblock Snapchat reliably.
After testing 40+ VPNs, I recommend ExpressVPN to reliably access Snapchat. Thanks to its obfuscation feature and global network of fast servers, you can easily bypass restrictions without compromising speeds. Even better, it’s risk-free to try ExpressVPN as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. So if you find it’s not for you, you can claim a full refund.
Quick Guide: How to Unblock Snapchat With a VPN in 3 Easy Steps
- Get a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN because its global network of fast servers can quickly bypass the strictest firewalls and access Snapchat.
- Connect to a server. Choose a server in a country where Snapchat is available, like the US.
- Start using Snapchat. Head over to Snapchat, send snaps, start a live video chat, and more.
Why You Need a VPN to Unblock Snapchat
Many administrators and some high-censorship countries use firewalls to block Snapchat. These restrictions are usually implemented to prevent distractions and maintain a certain level of productivity or focus. Other times, it’s because of licensing agreements.
A VPN hides your online activity so nobody can see that you’re using Snapchat. They do this by sending your traffic through its private server network and encrypting it. This prevents your network administrator, ISP, and government from seeing which websites and apps you use.
However, only a handful of VPNs can reliably unblock Snapchat. Plus, many are not well-equipped to hide or spoof your locations so no one can use your snaps or the Snap Map to find out where you are.
Best VPNs to Unblock Snapchat From Anywhere in 2023
ExpressVPN — Impressive Speeds for Watching and Sending Snaps Uninterrupted
ExpressVPN provides the fastest speeds for sending and receiving pictures and videos in real-time of all the VPNs I tested. This is especially beneficial in schools and workplaces where many devices are connected to the same network, leading to congestion. ExpressVPN gets around this by providing a faster route for your data. I ran tests on several servers in the US and Europe, and my speed dropped by only 7.9% (from 79.29 Mbps to 75.23 Mbps).
Additionally, its Lightway protocol uses less CPU and memory, draining less battery. This leaves more resources for your device to run Snapchat, improving the app’s performance and responsiveness. So, you can use Snapchat for longer without worrying about your smartphone running out of juice.
It also uses obfuscation that is powerful enough to get around strong Snapchat-blocking firewalls. It even works in countries that block VPNs, like China. Obfuscation masks your VPN traffic to make it look like regular internet traffic so the network operator doesn’t detect and block your Snapchat activities.
Your Snapchat activity remains private, thanks to ExpressVPN’s military-grade AES 256-bit encryption and IP/DNS leak protection. It also has a powerful kill switch (Network Lock) that ensures that your data never gets accidentally exposed, even if the VPN drops unexpectedly. I tested the kill switch by rapidly switching between servers. Every time I changed, my connection was temporarily paused until I was securely reconnected.
You don’t need to worry about your data being logged and stored. ExpressVPN follows a super strict no-logs policy, which has been proven in court by a leading auditing firm. On top of that, ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, outside the data-sharing agreement of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances. This means it is not obligated to share data with any third party.
This VPN is a little more expensive than the other services on my list, with prices starting at $6.67/month. Fortunately, ExpressVPN often provides deals and discounts to help you save. I paid 49% less on its long-term subscription and got 3 months free.
All plans are also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. When I asked for a refund using its 24/7 live chat, the representative asked a few questions and promptly processed my request. The entire conversation took less than 3 minutes. I received the money back in my bank account after 3 days.