Instagram may be one of the most popular social networks in the world, but that doesn’t mean you can access it in every country. Heck, even some companies and schools in the West prohibit access to Instagram.
Luckily, there are good VPN services that let you bypass all kinds of restrictions, whether they have been enacted by a government or some organization. In other words, with a VPN app running your computer, smartphone, tablet or router — you can get around those restrictions and access Instagram… and do so much more.
Speaking of “so much more,” you shouldn’t get a “one-trick pony”; instead get a VPN that will also let you surf the web anonymously, download files with BitTorrent, stream movies and TV shows, and so on.
For the best VPN for Instagram (and other things), we suggest going through the list below. All of these services “get the job done,” but for the best experience — grab the one at the top, and let it to its magic in the background while you safely and securely access every corner of the Interwebs. It’s actually that easy. 😉
Pros
Cons
- 5,000+ servers in the network
- Easy to use - install it and forget it
- One license is good for up to 6 devices
- Strict zero-logs policy
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Chrome extension is just a proxy
- You can't pay with PayPal
Summary
NordVPN is also very secure, relying on the strong 256-bit encryption that is combined with secure VPN protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard and IKEv2/IPSec). But as a user, you get a seamless experience with all this technology working for you in the background.
NordVPN is well suited to pretty much every task you throw at it — accessing Instagram being just one of them. You can also rely on NordVPN to access other banned sites and video streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ — or just to keep a low profile on the web. It also doesn't keep any logs.
We highly recommend NordVPN to anyone looking for a reliable VPN.
Pros
Cons
- Good for both torrenting and streaming
- Works in China
- Solid network with servers in 60+ countries
- Easy to use apps on multiple platforms
- Live chat isn't always available
- Fairly pricey
Summary
Astrill is certainly not the most affordable option on the market, but it gets the job done and that's what matters the most.
In addition to Instagram, Astrill will have your back whether you need it for accessing video streaming platforms like Netflix or downloading files via BitTorrent — all while keeping your identity under the radar. And this is especially true if you live or work in China where the company's stealth protocols kick in to let you access all the popular sites that are by default blocked by the country's censors.
Astrill's apps are easy to use and available on all imaginable devices. Nevertheless, they still manage to provide a host of advanced features tech-savvy folks will appreciate. A highly recommended service.
Pros
Cons
- Feature-rich yet easy to use
- One of the best VPNs around
- Strong no-logging policy
- Reliable support you can reach 24/7
- Limited number of servers in Africa and the Middle East
- Kinda pricey
Summary
There are a few other VPNs that come close — and in some cases can even outshine ExpressVPN — but as far as the majority of users are concerned, this is the best VPN service they could buy.
ExpressVPN has great desktop and mobile apps, as well as browser extensions. Also, it is well suited for virtually all streaming services — including Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO, BBC iPlayer and more.
However, what makes it stand out is its ease of use. One could tell a lot of time has been spent making sure even the advanced features are easily accessible. Plus, let's not forget ExpressVPN's speed which tends to leave other services in the dust. So whether you need a VPN for Instagram or anything else - ExpressVPN won't let you down.
Pros
Cons
- Fast download and upload speeds
- Works with Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, etc.
- Great for torrenting
- Advanced privacy features (i.e. Tor over VPN)
- Relatively small number of servers
- There are no browser extensions
- Live chat support is not always available
Summary
You can also rely on PrivateVPN for streaming and torrenting without paying a premium. It is one of the most affordable options in its league and we love it for that.
Customer support could be better but it's not like you should experience any problems in the first place. You will get the same level of security and privacy as with other services, and a single license will let you run PrivateVPN on up to 6 devices. Pretty cool.
Pros
Cons
- Works in China
- Many servers in Asia
- Strict zero-logs policy
- Advanced services like VyprVPN Cloud
- No browser extensions
- Torrenting could be better
Summary
It manages to bypass restrictions in high-censorship countries by relying on its proprietary Chameleon protocol, which can easily slide under the radar. The same capability lets VyprVPN users access Instagram from wherever life takes them.
VyprVPN is also great for accessing services such as Netflix, Disney+, HBO and so on — delivering the true buffer-free experience every single time. It will also work with BitTorrent and Kodi media player.
Like many other top services, VyprVPN has a strict zero-logs policy.
Instagram 101
Created by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, the popular photo and video-sharing social network Instagram was launched back in 2010 – allowing users to upload media, which can then be edited with filters and organized with tags and location information. Every post can be shared publicly or with pre-approved followers. Users can like photos, browse and follow other users, and view trending content.
Originally an iPhone-only service, it got an Android app in 2012 – followed by a feature-limited web-based service. From there, support for other platforms was added — including Fire OS in June 2015 and Windows 10 in October 2016.
The growth of Instagram
Instagram was on a fast-growth trajectory ever since launching back in 2010. Here are the key dates and numbers:
- On October 6, 2010, the Instagram iOS app was officially released. Two months later it reached one million registered users and 10 million in a year.
- Apple named Instagram the “App of the Year” in December 2011.
- In April 2012, Facebook acquired Instagram for approximately $1 billion in cash and stock.
- In November 2012, Instagram launched website profiles, allowing anyone to see user feeds from a web browser with limited functionality.
- As of October 2015, over 40 billion photos had been uploaded.
- In 2015, Instagram topped the chart on Mashable’s list of “The 100 best iPhone apps of all time,” noting that it’s “one of the most influential social networks in the world.”
- As of January 2019, Stories are being used by 500 million users every day.
- As of January 14, 2019, the most-liked photo on Instagram is a picture of an egg, created with the sole purpose of surpassing the previous record of 18 million likes on a Kylie Jenner post.
- As of May 2019, Instagram had 1 billion users.
- In March 2020, Instagram launched the “Co-Watching” feature allowing users to share posts with each other over video calls.
- As of May 2020, the most followed person is footballer Cristiano Ronaldo with over 231 million followers, and the most followed woman is singer Ariana Grande with over 194 million followers.
With all that success, one would think Instagram can be reached from all around the world, but…
Why do you need a VPN for Instagram?
You don’t need a VPN if you access Instagram from any democracy in the world. Heck, even most countries with less than stellar freedoms will let you cyber-schmooze on Instagram. Then there are other places like China, which blocked it following the 2014 Hong Kong protests because a lot of videos and photos are posted.
Also, Turkey is known to periodically block social media sites and Instagram was among those affected. Similarly, you can’t always (if ever) access the service in Iran and Syria, and we would assume the situation is similar in a few other countries in the Middle East.
Finally, there is North Korea where people have a hard time accessing the Internet let alone social media.
In addition, some workplaces, schools and universities also block access to Instagram and other social media.
So, you will need a VPN to keep your access to Instagram no matter where you happen to be.
Look beyond Instagram
You need a VPN for many things, not just for accessing Instagram. Therefore, you should get an all-encompassing VPN that will:
- Protect your privacy from the government and big corporations
- Bypass restrictions imposed by the government or various organizations
- Change your IP address so you get unrestricted access to Netflix, Disney+, iPlayer, HULU, and other video streaming services
- Encrypt and protect private data from cybercriminals
- Download files with BitTorrent anonymously
Best services that check all these boxes — while also working with Instagram — include the following:
