Unless the Supreme Court steps in at the last minute, a US TikTok ban will go into effect on January 19, 2025. If you’re looking for ways to get around the ban using a VPN, keep reading. And if this is all news to you, you can catch up with answers to frequently asked questions about the US TikTok ban, which explains all the reasons for the restriction and how it will (or will not) be enforced.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
- Best free VPN subscription yet
- Numerous advanced privacy tools
- Strong customer privacy stance
- Large server network
- Slick, accessible client
- Excellent upload speed scores
Proton is the best VPN overall. We like its free tier of service, too. Tack on a laundry list of advanced privacy tools in a friendly UI, and you have our top pick for streaming hours of TikTok dances.
Whether you’re looking for a top-tier free or paid plan, ProtonVPN has you covered. Free users may become frustrated with the lack of server options (you get just three countries to choose from), but the fact that they’re not paying anything extra to watch TikTok, which is also free, should appeal. Paid users, of course, have access to plentiful server locations and many other welcome features.
Simultaneous VPN Connections
10
Server Locations
112 countries
Free Version Data Limit
Unlimited
Learn More
Best Premium Features
NordVPN
- Support for multi-hop, split tunneling, and Tor connections
- Bevy of available features and add-ons
- Good speed results
- Built-in antivirus tools
- Excellent design
- Friendly onboarding wizard
- Expensive
- Threat Protection Pro lacks full antivirus capabilities
- Deceptive annual renewal pricing
NordVPN includes a little bit of everything. It takes the privacy and security of its users more seriously than many in the industry by including multi-hop connections, access to Tor over VPN, and other great features. While it’s more than capable of connecting you to TikTok, we hope the added security features offered by NordVPN will turn even the most novice users into experienced privacy gurus.
NordVPN doesn’t have a traditional free tier of service, so it’s best suited to TikTok users who don’t mind spending a bit of money to get a full-featured, privacy-forward experience. No matter what you want to do on your VPN, chances are good that Nord has already implemented the solution you’re looking for.
Simultaneous VPN Connections
6
Server Locations
111 Countries
Free Version Data Limit
No Free Version
Learn More
Best for Multi-Device Households
IPVanish VPN
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Good geographic diversity of servers
- Transparent privacy policy
- Small impact on throughput speeds in our testing
- Expensive
- Free trial only offered on annual plans via mobile app stores
There’s a strong chance you’re not the only one in your household addicted to TikTok. And while many VPN companies limit the number of devices you can have activated on each plan, IPVanish doesn’t have rules to dictate where you can use your subscription. This policy makes IPVanish perfect for families who want to get their scrolling in at the same time, whether it’s on their phone, tablet, or other devices.
If you plan on connecting more than five devices to your VPN to stream TikTok—and remember that’s devices, not people—IPVanish is the perfect option because it has an unlimited device policy. While it’s not the most feature-rich pick on this list, IPVanish is tailor-made for large households, no matter how many devices are in it.
(Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag.com’s parent company. For more, see the ethics policy in our Editorial Mission Statement.)
Simultaneous VPN Connections
Unlimited
Server Locations
108 Countries
Free Version Data Limit
No Free Version
Learn More
Buying Guide: The Best VPNs for TikTok in 2025
Why Is the US Banning TikTok?
Simply put, the fight between the US government and TikTok is about your attention and your data. United States officials say they worry China could force ByteDance (TikTok’s owners) to hand over US citizen’s data, or the country could use the app for political influence. Last year, President Biden signed a bill that gave ByteDance until January 2025 to sell its app to a company not under “foreign adversary” control or face a ban. Last week, TikTok said it will shut down in the US if the ban is upheld, signaling the company isn’t open to a buyout.
On January 10, the Supreme Court began hearing arguments concerning whether or not the ban violates the First Amendment. Without intervention from the highest court, the ban means TikTok will be removed from app stores on January 19.
(Credit: Justin Sullivan via Getty Images)
Will My VPN Work With TikTok?
That answer isn’t clear yet. Right now, none of the VPN apps we’ve reviewed have announced policies against or in support of TikTok. That means you should be able to access TikTok’s web app using a VPN if the ban holds. Still, a VPN may be a short-term solution at best. If TikTok removes accounts registered in the US as part of the ban, you won’t be able to use your account, even with a VPN.
Is the answer to download a VPN today, before the ban goes into effect, and create a new TikTok account using a different geolocation? Perhaps. After all, VPNs are helping people access Pornhub in the US following state-wide bans that mimic the obscenity laws of yesteryear. You’re not likely to get in trouble just for using TikTok in the US, because the bill does not authorize the US Attorney General to go after individuals using an app controlled by a foreign adversary. You may also be able to use a proxy server to circumvent the ban, though a VPN is easier to use and better suited for browsing TikTok.
Best VPN Features for TikTok
If you decide to download a VPN to access TikTok, complete this feature checklist first:
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Check for split tunneling: This feature allows you to send only TikTok traffic through the VPN while the rest of your traffic appears to come from your true IP address. It is helpful if, in the midst of daily data breaches, you don’t fully trust a company to handle all of your data and traffic safely and only wish to access a banned app or website.
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Try the free or trial Version: Always try any app before you sign up for a paid service. Most companies offer trials or totally free VPN apps. Ensure you can access TikTok using the app before signing up for an expensive or long-term subscription.
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Look for non-US server locations: Remember to choose a VPN that allows you to access server locations outside the United States. Some free VPNs have severe server location limitations, so check before downloading. Ideally, you’ll want access to server locations that are close by, such as Canada or Mexico, so your connection speed will remain speedy and stable.
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Read the policies and terms of service: This is a potentially painful step, yes, but remember: if any app is free, your data is the product for sale. The good news is that some VPN services, such as Proton, offer easy-to-navigate privacy policies with links to sections of interest. You should also read the app’s terms of sale to find out if you can get a refund for any reason.
How a VPN Works
Will a VPN Affect My TikTok Streaming Speeds?
Yes, your streaming speeds will likely be a little slower, even when using the fastest VPN services. In the latest round of testing, we recorded the median speed with and without a VPN running and calculated the percent change. The greater the change, the more impact the VPN has on your internet connection speeds. To measure speeds, we use the Ookla Speedtest tool. (Note: Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag.com’s parent company. For more, see the ethics policy in our Editorial Mission Statement.)
Here are the latest speed test results for all of the VPNs we’ve tested:
Keep in mind that the numbers above represent optimal conditions, and your experience may change depending on where you are in the world.
Do I Really Need a VPN for TikTok in the US?
A VPN could be your ticket to TikTok if the company doesn’t shut down service for US-based accounts. If the app disappears from the app stores, you may want to keep it on your phone. Using a VPN may allow you to access videos after the US TikTok ban.
Of course, there are other uses for a VPN. You can use it to spoof your location to access geo-restricted Netflix shows or mask your traffic from advertisers and snoops of all kinds. If you’re looking for other ways to decrease your data footprint, check out our guide to disappearing online.
