One of the most popular social networks, Reddit, is not only inaccessible from many parts of the world but is also blocked in some workplaces, schools and so on.
There are easy ways to circumvent these restrictions – by using a proxy or a VPN. We prefer the latter, since it also adds an additional layer of encryption to the mix, while also unlocking the Internet in its entirety. With a VPN running on your devices — not just your computer but also your smartphone and even a tablet — you get to access all the services that could otherwise be outside of your reach. These would include US Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, and so on and on.
In addition, a VPN will keep you protected while accessing public Wi-Fi hotspots so that no one can snoop into your traffic and potentially get ahold of your personal information.
That being said, we think everyone should be using a VPN these days, and here are the best options for Reddit:
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
Its network includes more than 5,000 servers spread across 60 countries, which directly translates into faster speeds. NordVPN is also very secure, relying on the strong 256-bit encryption combined with secure VPN protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec). But as a user, you get a seamless experience with all this technology "doing its thing" in the background.
NordVPN is well suited to pretty much every task you throw at it — whether it's accessing a banned site from some country that filters out the internet, torrenting, accessing streaming services, or just wanting to keep a low profile on the web. It also doesn't keep any logs.
We highly recommend NordVPN to anyone looking for reliable 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
ExpressVPN has great desktop apps for Windows and Mac, mobile apps and browser extensions. Also, it is well suited for video streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and others.
However, what makes it stand out is its ease of use. We can't emphasize this enough. One could tell a lot of time has been spent making sure even the advanced features are easily accessible. And we love it for that. Plus, let's not forget ExpressVPN's speed which tends to leave other services in the dust.
Pros
Cons
- It's super fast!
- Works with Netflix, BBC and others
- Easy to use apps, browser extensions
- You can try it for free!
- Some advanced features are not configurable
- Not the best for high-censorship countries
Summary
Furthermore, thanks to the availability of browser extensions - Hotspot Shield is also one of our top choices for Chrome and Firefox VPNs.
Your privacy is equally well protected, with the software only collecting some anonymized that help continually improve its service.
There is one caveat though - it won't work in high-censorship countries like China. If you don't need that in the first place, we highly recommend Hotspot Shield.
As that's typically the case with most VPN services out there, the longer you commit - the better deal you get. However, what makes Hotspot Shield even better is the fact that it offers a 7-day free trial of its service. A few other top VPN providers do the same. Plus, its money-back guarantee lasts for 45 days, making for a risk-free purchase. Cause, you can always get your money back. Sweet and just the way we like it.
Pros
Cons
- One the best VPNs for torrenting
- Works well with Netflix
- Simple setup on all popular devices
- Strict zero-logs policy
- Doesn't work with BBC iPlayer
- Doesn't work in China
Summary
Its desktop apps are not among the prettiest ones, but they get the job done. The important thing is that installation is easy and straightforward, and that no logs are kept by the company.
When it comes to pricing, IPVanish is somewhere in the middle — it's not the most affordable option but also not the most expensive one. As noted, it will be most appreciated by heavy BitTorrent users, and — related — Kodi fans.
Pros
Cons
- Reliable download and upload speeds
- Works with Netflix and BBC iPlayer
- Strict zero-logs policy
- Lets you use it on unlimited number of devices
- Low number of servers in Africa and Australia
Summary
You can rely on it for streaming and torrenting, with included extra features like CleanWeb and MultiHop, delivering a that much better — and more secure — experience.
Surfshark, the company, is based in the British Virgin Islands and with its zero-logs policy makes for a powerful combo to anyone looking to keep its web whereabouts under the radar.
The service is easy to use and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What’s Reddit all about?
For those who haven’t heard of it, Reddit is a social news aggregation, web content rating, and discussion website that allows its members to submit links, text posts, images, and videos — which are then voted up or down by other members. All these posts are organized by subject into user-created boards called “communities” or “subreddits”, covering more than 130,000 different topics. Submissions with more up-votes appear towards the top of their subreddit and, if they receive enough up-votes, ultimately on the site’s front page. That being said, it is important to add that Reddit has moderators who ensure there are no harassments on the platform.
As of February 2021, Reddit is the 18th-most-visited website in the world and the 7th most-visited website in the US, according to Alexa Internet.
The site was founded by University of Virginia roommates Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian, and Aaron Swartz in 2005, and was later acquired by Condé Nast Publications. In 2011 however, Reddit became an independent subsidiary of Condé Nast’s parent company, Advance Publications.
Reddit Premium
Formerly called Reddit Gold, Reddit Premium is (obviously) a premium membership that allows users to view the site ad-free. Users may also be gifted coins if another user particularly valued the comment or post, generally due to humorous or high-quality content. Reddit Premium unlocks several features not accessible to regular users, such as comment highlighting, exclusive subreddits, and a personalized Snoo (known as a “snoovatar”). Reddit Gold was renamed Reddit Premium in 2018. In addition to gold coins, users can gift silver and platinum coins to other users as rewards for quality content.
Reddit community
Reddit is known for its open nature and diverse user community that generates its content. Its demographics allow for wide-ranging subject areas, as well as smaller subreddits to serve more niche purposes. The possibilities that subreddits provide create new opportunities for raising attention and fostering discussion across various areas. In that sense, Reddit has been a platform to raise publicity and funds for a number of causes.
Specifically, Redditors raised more than $600,000 for charity in support of comedians Jon Stewart’s and Stephen Colbert’s Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear; more than $180,000 for Haiti earthquake relief efforts; and delivered food pantries’ Amazon wish lists.
Also, in 2010, Christians, Muslims, and atheists held a friendly fundraising competition, where the groups raised more than $50,000. A similar donation drive in 2011 saw the atheism subreddit raise over $200,000 for charity.
Reddit itself wowed to donate 10% of its annual ad revenue to non-profits voted upon by its users. As a result of the campaign, the company helps organizations such as Electronic Frontier Foundation, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Doctors Without Borders, Erowid Center, Wikimedia Foundation, Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, NPR, Free Software Foundation, Freedom From Religion Foundation, and Tor Project.
Statistics from Google Ad Planner suggest that 74% of Reddit users are male. Also, its users tend to be significantly younger than average with less than 1% of users being 65 or over.
Reddit is known in part for its passionate user base, which has been described as “offbeat, quirky, and anti-establishment.”
AMAs
AMAs, or “Ask Me Anything” interviews, are among Reddit’s most popular features that allow users to ask questions to interviewees. Notable AMA participants include former-United States President Barack Obama (while campaigning for the 2012 election), Bill Gates (multiple times), and Donald Trump (also while campaigning). AMAs have featured CEO Steve Huffman, as well as figures from entertainment industries around the world (including Priyanka Chopra and George Clooney), literature (Margaret Atwood), space (Buzz Aldrin), privacy (Edward Snowden), and others.
You need a VPN for Reddit…
The website has been blocked in many countries, including Indonesia, China, India and Russia. And that, unfortunately, is not the complete list as there are many democratic countries where some employers are limiting access to certain websites, Reddit occasionally being one of them.
So yes, you’ll want to have a VPN running on your devices so that you can bypass these sorts of restrictions. And it’s not just about Reddit — a good VPN will help let you do many other things, as well. For instance, it 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
The top contenders that check all these boxes include the following:
