Consider that you are thousands of miles from home. You need to make a quick WhatsApp call to your family – but instead of a ringtone, you get an error. It might annoy you at the time, but it’s only then that most people start to wonder why WhatsApp isn’t working. The reality is simple: many countries deliberately block voice and video calls. And in some countries, WhatsApp is cut off altogether.
The solution? A VPN that bypasses all this. But not everyone can do it. And not all of them are secure. I’ve experienced these restrictions myself a few times, and I’ve tested different VPNs just to get around WhatsApp blocks. Now, let’s take a look at which VPNs work really reliably – and why sometimes it’s better to pay extra for quality than risk it with the “free versions”.
Why doesn’t WhatsApp work at all?
Some countries just don’t like people calling or messaging each other without being able to snoop. WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption, which means that even the app itself can’t see what you’re texting or saying. But that doesn’t sit well with governments like Iran, China, UAE even Egypt or Turkey. So they’ll simply ban the service. In some places, they’ll restrict calls altogether.
Typical reasons for blocking Whatsapp
- Inability to supervise communications (due to encryption)
- Support for home-grown alternative applications (e.g. in the UAE BOTIM and C’Me applications)
- Political reasons (e.g. using WhatsApp to organise protests)
- Total censorship of the Internet (typical of China or the DPRK)
Fortunately, there are ways around it. And it’s quite simple – through a good VPN.
What should a VPN for WhatsApp do?
Not every VPN service is made to fight censorship. If you want WhatsApp to really work, you need a VPN that:
- has servers with obfuscation capabilities (masking VPN traffic as regular internet)
- works in countries such as China, UAE, Iran, Pakistan or Syria
- has high transfer speeds (for delay-free calls)
- offers stable apps for Android, iOS and desktop
- respects your privacy (ideally audited services without logging)
In my experience, weaker or unpaid VPNs sometimes allow messages, but calls are often stuck or don’t start at all. It really is worth paying extra for quality here.
TOP 5 VPNs for WhatsApp that I recommend
1. ExpressVPN – when you want reliability in every situation
ExpressVPN is clearly the top of the line. With its own Lightway protocol and a network of 3000+ servers in 108+ countries, it can handle WhatsApp even in countries with heavy censorship. It works for me both in Dubai and when testing over Chinese servers. What I appreciate most is:
- lightning connection (ideal for calls)
- obfuscation mode automatically on all servers
- no logs, no risks (audits by PwC, KPMG, Cure53)
- apps that work seamlessly on every device
The downside? Price. ExpressVPN is not cheap. But in this case, I’d say – deservedly so. If WhatsApp is crucial to you (e.g. for work or contact with family), it’s an investment that makes sense.
2. CyberGhost – ideal price/performance ratio
CyberGhost offers a huge number of servers (12,000+ in 100+ countries), fast connections (thanks to WireGuard) and a very intuitive interface. If you don’t need a VPN for China, but for the UAE, Saudi Arabia or Indonesia, for example, it works absolutely great.
Pluses of CyberGhost
- excellent price (long-term plans from 2 €/month)
- blocking ads and malware
- NoSpy servers in Romania for better security
- 45-day money back guarantee
Minuses? It doesn’t have servers with obfuscation, so it just doesn’t work in Iran or China
3. NordVPN – security at its best
NordVPN is the perfect choice for those who want not only WhatsApp, but overall high-level security. It offers obfuscated servers, so it works really anywhere – including China and Iran. It adds:
- Double VPN (double encryption)
- Threat Protection (blocks malware, trackers, ads)
- Meshnet (connecting remote devices as a LAN)
- NordLynx protocol for fast calls
The price is lower than ExpressVPN, and enough users appreciate the wider range of variable features.
4. Surfshark – a sensible choice for families and tech enthusiasts
Surfshark has always amused me mainly because it doesn’t limit the number of devices. Do you have a family, lots of mobile phones, a tablet, a laptop and a smart TV? No problem. You can connect everything for one price. That’s what counts. Surfshark has:
- 3200+ servers in 100+ countries
- NoBorders censorship circumvention mode
- MultiHop (hiding behind two VPNs at once)
- a clear app that also works on Android TV
It’s a fine VPN that can stand up to countries like the UAE, Egypt or Turkey. Only the speeds are a bit slower if you want a 4K stream – but for video calls on Whatsapp, it’s plenty fast enough.
5. Private Internet Access (PIA) – the cheapest of the quality
PIA is a well-known old VPN that has an incredible number of servers – over 31,000! It works in tougher conditions, but not in China. Which is the biggest plus for me:
- very low price
- advanced features (SOCKS5 proxy, port forwarding)
- blocking ads and tracking scripts (MACE)
- open-source applications
Granted, its speed is lower than ExpressVPN or NordVPN, but if you’re looking for a cheap WhatsApp solution in the UAE or Pakistan, it definitely makes sense.
Why are countries and governments blocking WhatsApp anyway?
Many people ask me, “Why would someone block something as common as WhatsApp?” And the answer is simple – control and monitoring. Some governments simply don’t want citizens communicating without surveillance. Encryption prevents monitoring, and that’s a problem.
Typical reasons:
- Support for local applications (e.g. BOTIM in the UAE)
- Limiting foreign influence and communication
- Efforts to censor protests (Syria, Iran)
- General intolerance towards independent internet (China, DPRK)
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Can I use a VPN for WhatsApp legally?
This is a bit of a grey area. Most countries don’t ban VPNs as a technology, but they do ban specific uses. In the UAE, for example, VPNs are legal, but using them to unblock WhatsApp calls may no longer be.
Good news? In practice, it’s virtually unaffected. I don’t know of a single real case where someone has been fined for making a WhatsApp call using a VPN. Unless you’re a hacker or a political activist under scrutiny, this probably passes you by.
This is more for the authorities and high profile people who want to be in control. The government is definitely not interested in the average tourist.
How do I know my VPN on WhatsApp isn’t working?
If you connect via VPN and WhatsApp still doesn’t work, there may be a problem:
- VPN does not have servers with obfuscation
- you are using a blocked server (e.g. a US server in the UAE)
- WhatsApp has an old version
- cookies and caches reveal your location
Try the following:
- Clear cache and cookies.
- Connect via another server (ideally in Europe).
- Try a different VPN protocol (e.g. WireGuard vs OpenVPN).
- Switch to a VPN that has obfuscation features – like ExpressVPN.
What about free VPNs – do they work at all?
Frankly, mostly no. Free VPNs don’t have obfuscated servers, offer few servers and severely limited speeds and even data capacity. If you’re serious about WhatsApp, free just won’t cut it. But if you’re still tempted, here’s my candidate.
Proton VPN (free version)
- unlimited data
- servers in the USA, Japan and the Netherlands
- often overloaded and slow enough!
A free VPN is better than nothing. But for just €2 a month you can have SurfShark or CyberGhost – and the difference between Proton VPN and them is huge.
Summary: Which VPN to choose for WhatsApp?
- ExpressVPN – the best choice for the discerning, works anytime, anywhere.
- CyberGhost – an excellent choice for beginners and frugal users.
- NordVPN – a robust solution for advanced users.
- Surfshark – ideal for multiple devices and families.
- PIA – a cheap variant with advanced features but weaker performance.
If you travel frequently or live in a country where WhatsApp is blocked, a quality VPN is a must-have tool. It will not only help you bypass the blocks, but also protect your data and privacy all over the internet!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does the VPN for WhatsApp work on both mobile and desktop?
Yes, all the recommended VPNs have apps for Android, iOS, Windows and macOS.
Can WhatsApp block my account because of a VPN?
No. WhatsApp does not prohibit the use of VPNs.
Does the VPN work on the hotel Wi-Fi?
Yes, VPNs are even more important on hotel networks because of the public Wi-Fi and tracking capabilities.
Do you recommend any particular server?
Ideally servers in the EU (Germany, Netherlands) or USA. Especially not in a country where WhatsApp is blocked.
