Iceland is known for upholding its citizens’ civil rights and liberties and has some of the strongest data privacy laws in the world. There are minimal restrictions on online content and no credible reports of surveillance. That being the case, is there any need for a VPN for Iceland?
Several, in fact. Iceland has much to offer in terms of beautiful landscapes and technological advancements. But the latter also means you must be wary of cyber threats. What’s more, you need a VPN to regain access to geo-restricted websites and online services when you travel abroad.
This article will highlight and discuss the best VPN services for Iceland in 2024. When you’re done, you’ll be set to choose the provider that suits your needs.
The Best VPNs for Iceland in 2024 — Our 5 Favorite Picks
The VPNs on this list came out on top of an extensive testing process. Each service offers a combination of high-end features to keep your online activities private while providing fast, stable connections.
We focused on premium services. You’ll find some decent free VPNs if you look hard enough, but usually, they are not worth your time and don’t offer servers in Iceland (if that’s something important to you).
Let’s get down to business.
1. ExpressVPN
- Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands.
- Server count: 3,000+ in 94 countries, including Iceland.
- Standout feature: TrustedServer technology.
- Compatible with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chromebook, routers, browsers, gaming consoles, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Up to 8 devices on 6- and 12-month plans.
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days.
ExpressVPN tops so many VPN rankings that many consider it the best provider overall. So it’s anything but a surprise to find it at the top of this ranking of the best VPNs for Iceland.
It offers a little over 3,000 servers spanning 94 countries, and with its VPN servers in Iceland, you can get an Icelandic IP address.
When you combine its 10 Gbps infrastructure and custom Lightway protocol, you get the fastest VPN provider in the market. ExpressVPN barely impacts your original connection speed. This means you can browse, stream, and play online games completely buffer-free.
So you can watch local content on RUV in high-quality video. From anywhere in the world, too. ExpressVPN bypasses geo-blocks on websites and streaming services to grant you unrestricted access. It’s just as effective for international as local platforms, and you can stream exclusive content on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, and others.
ExpressVPN’s pacesetting TrustedServer technology means servers run entirely on volatile memory or RAM. The implication is that the provider cannot store activity or connection logs, as they wipe clean after each reboot.
It has a glut of features to protect your data from malicious internet actors. For instance, the best-in-class AES 256-bit encryption keeps third parties from reading your communications. It has an automatic kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection to prevent online traffic exposure. Plus, ExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy.
The provider is compatible with all the major platforms and devices. A single ExpressVPN subscription covers up to eight devices at the same time.
Has this convinced you to try ExpressVPN, the best VPN in Iceland? A 30-day money-back guarantee ensures you’ll be doing so risk-free.
To learn more, check out our thorough ExpressVPN review.
2. CyberGhost
- Jurisdiction: Romania.
- Server count: 9,600+ servers in 91 countries, including 24 in Iceland.
- Standout feature: In-house managed NoSpy servers.
- Compatible with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, browsers, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Up to 7 devices.
- Money-back guarantee: Up to 45 days.
CyberGhost is the best VPN in Iceland for beginners due to its well-designed, easy-to-use interface. The affordable pricing doesn’t hurt, either.
The provider packs an enormous collection of VPN servers, with over 9,600 in 91 countries. Iceland’s share is pretty sizeable, with a couple dozen servers located in Iceland. That means there are plenty of options for stable connections.
Like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost operates 10 Gbps servers and has no bandwidth limits. You can expect fast connection speeds for your activities. Plus, it offers dedicated streaming, P2P, and online gaming servers. They are optimized for those activities, which means even faster speeds while downloading torrents, playing games, or watching videos online.
Speaking of which, CyberGhost is an excellent choice if you’re into streaming. You will not only be able to watch content in HD and higher, but it also unlocks access to geo-blocked catalogs. As a result, you can stream Netflix Iceland from the US, UK, or anywhere else.
Similarly, in Iceland, you’ll have no issues enjoying content that would ordinarily be blocked. So, you can hop on Netflix US to watch NCIS or Ripper Street.
With CyberGhost, your online privacy and security are in good hands. The provider implements military-grade encryption to scramble your data. Its strict no-logs policy is audited, and it uses RAM-only servers. Consequently, it cannot store any identifiable information on its servers, even if it wanted to.
What’s more, powerful Wi-Fi protection automatically kicks in as soon as it recognizes a new public network, protecting your traffic from interception and snooping.
You can use a single CyberGhost account for up to seven devices. If you’re dissatisfied with the VPN’s service, you can request a refund within 45 days of your purchase on long-term plans.
To find out more, read our detailed CyberGhost VPN review.
3. NordVPN
- Jurisdiction: Panama.
- Server count: 5,800+ servers in 60 countries, including 14 in Iceland.
- Standout feature: Custom NordLynx protocol built around WireGuard.
- Compatible with: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chromebook, routers, gaming consoles, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Up to 6 devices.
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days.
NordVPN is big on privacy and has a bunch of features to back that. That aside, it ranks near the top in many other areas.
The VPN has an impressive network comprising 5,800+ servers in 60 countries. Its European presence is heavy. Besides 14 servers in Iceland, there are loads of others in neighboring locations.
NordVPN barely cuts into your base connection speed. It’s reputed to be one of the fastest VPNs today, which is great if you’re big on data-intensive activities like streaming and downloading. You can watch videos in 4K resolution and higher, even when connected to servers some distance away.
Plus, the VPN effortlessly unblocks access to geo-blocked websites and platforms. For instance, you can follow along with Icelandic current affairs, movies, and shows on RUV and RUV 2 on vacation abroad, despite the regional restrictions on the online services that stream them.
Icelanders at home can also enjoy international variety. Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and other popular streaming platforms are no match for NordVPN’s unblocking capabilities.
Cybercriminals and other snoopers will have a tough time trying to intercept your data, thanks to the features in NordVPN’s arsenal. It offers industry-standard tools like bank-level encryption, leak protection, and an automatic kill switch. But there’s more where those came from, including Double VPN and Onion over VPN.
On top of that, the provider’s strict no-logs policy ensures you’re not leaving breadcrumbs after each session.
You can protect up to six devices with a single NordVPN account, one less than CyberGhost. If you’re not 100% satisfied within a month of your purchase, a refund is available on request.
Check out our NordVPN review to learn more. Alternatively, see how leading services differ in the CyberGhost vs NordVPN comparison.
4. Surfshark
- Jurisdiction: The Netherlands.
- Server count: 3,200+ in 100 countries, including Iceland.
- Standout feature: Nexus with SDN technology for multiple server connections.
- Compatible with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, browsers, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Unlimited devices.
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days.
Surfshark used to be underrated, perhaps because of its low long-term pricing. However, the versatile VPN has since gained popularity thanks to its stellar performance and offerings. It’s a very affordable VPN that can be used in Iceland and elsewhere in the world.
The Dutch-based provider offers a collection of 3,200+ servers in 100 countries. It’s one of the broadest location spreads in the industry and includes servers in Iceland.
All the provider’s servers run at least 1 Gbps connections, so it’s an excellent choice for high-quality video streaming and downloads. You can expect fast speeds, especially when using the WireGuard protocol. There’s even faster speed for P2P activities when you connect to one of its dedicated torrenting servers.
No optimized servers for streaming, but that doesn’t stop Surfshark from being great at it. The provider is one of the best VPNs for Netflix and mirrors that performance on other popular streaming services. And because you can get an Icelandic IP address, you’ll stay tuned to local content when you’re away, no problem.
You need not choose between staying safe and having fast connection speeds. AES 256-bit encryption scrambles your data so there’s no unauthorized access. It also has an audited no-logs policy and a powerful kill switch.
Worried about exposing your traffic? You shouldn’t be. Surfshark’s leak protection guards against IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks.
Thanks to excellent platform and device support and unlimited simultaneous connections, Surfshark is the ideal VPN for large households. A 30-day money-back guarantee means you have more than enough time to make up your mind.
Check out our in-depth Surfshark review for more details.
5. Private Internet Access
- Jurisdiction: The United States.
- Server count: Servers in 84 countries, including Iceland.
- Standout feature: Choice between AES 128-bit and AES 256-bit encryption.
- Compatible with: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, gaming consoles, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Unlimited devices.
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days.
Private Internet Access offers a massive network of servers, affordable service, and airtight protection for Icelanders.
PIA’s server collection had crossed 30,000 when it stopped releasing exact figures. That’s more than all the other Iceland VPNs combined. They are spread across 84 countries worldwide. Iceland makes the count with the VPN’s 10 Gbps servers in Keflavik.
The provider will not win speed contests against rivals like ExpressVPN and NordVPN — but that doesn’t mean it’s slow. You can still get smooth connections and buffer-free streaming. The best results come from nearby servers and the WireGuard tunneling protocol.
Private Internet Access works with plenty of Icelandic streaming platforms and TV channels. That means you can binge-watch Scandinavian shows like Trapped (Ófærð) and Katla on Netflix Iceland from anywhere to get a feel of home.
Quite a few VPNs are better with popular streaming services, but PIA will unlock exclusive content on Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and some other platforms.
This VPN shows up where it matters most: protecting your online traffic and keeping you private. You get a choice between encryption protocols — AES 128-bit and AES 256-bit. There’s a pretty advanced kill switch feature to keep PIA apps airtight. And its no-logs policy has passed intense scrutiny twice over — in court and by independent audits.
The provider offers a ton of advanced and extra features. It’s also open-source, so anyone with the ability to can confirm its claims.
One of our favorite PIA features is its unlimited simultaneous device connections. Like Surfshark, a single subscription allows you to install the VPN on as many devices as you want.
Its 30-day refund policy covers your purchase. If you’re unsatisfied, you can request your money back.
For more information, see our detailed Private Internet Access review.
Why You Need a VPN in Iceland
As mentioned earlier, Iceland is somewhat of a beacon for unfettered internet access. In fact, Freedom House considers it one of the best countries in the world for internet freedom, with little to no limits to access or restrictions on content.
But that doesn’t tell the entire story. The country’s laws allow internet service providers (ISPs) to retain data for up to 6 months. The justification is that the data can only be used for sorting out criminal investigations.
However, if you’re a privacy-conscious individual (like most VPN users are), that’s enough to feel uncomfortable about. Especially considering Iceland is a third-party contributor to the 5 Eyes Alliance, a collection of Western intelligence-gathering and sharing countries.
A VPN ensures that ISPs cannot collect or store your data to begin with. When you use the tool, it encrypts your traffic and routes it through a secure server before it reaches its destination. This process masks your online activities and makes it significantly harder for ISPs to monitor, collect, or retain information on your internet sessions.
It also reduces your chances of falling victim to cybercriminal activities, which Iceland is increasingly seeing more of. Encryption makes it exceptionally difficult for cybercriminals to intercept and decipher your data, effectively rendering it useless to them.
There’s more. People in Iceland have limited access to certain streaming platforms or regionally restricted content. That’s also the case when they travel abroad — they may lose access to platforms back home. A VPN allows you to bypass those geographical restrictions by virtually placing you in the region where the content is accessible.
How We Ranked The Best VPNs for Iceland
With so many VPNs to choose from, you’d think doing just that is fine. However, providers are not all on the same level, with some more secure, faster, and generally better in other areas than others.
We put dozens of providers through a comprehensive test to select the best VPN services for Iceland in 2024. There are some of the major deciding factors:
Privacy and Security
You may not have much to fear from the Icelandic government, but hackers and other cybercriminals are a different matter. The services in this selection come with built-in features to secure sensitive information. They include high-grade encryption, a kill switch to prevent accidental data leaks, and a strict no-logs policy.
We also considered providers with more advanced functionality in this area.
VPN Servers
The more servers a VPN has, the lesser the chances of slowdowns and congestion, allowing for stable connections. A wide network also plays a major role in helping streaming-inclined users access restricted content.
That’s why we preferred VPNs with servers in Iceland. There are not very many of them, which helped streamline the list considerably.
Speed and Performance
VPNs with consistently fast speeds guarantee reliable connections. We regularly conduct speed tests, so we can recommend blazing-fast services. A VPN will always impact your original speed, so you should choose one that minimizes performance drops.
Bypassing Geo-restrictions
Due to licensing agreements, many streaming services restrict their content libraries to different regions or countries. The VPNs on this list effectively bypass those restrictions so you can enjoy exclusive content. That way, you can stream Iceland-only videos from an international location and vice versa.
User Experience
The best VPNs for Iceland have apps for all the major platforms and devices and are easy to install. They are intuitive, so beginners don’t have a hard time using them. What’s more, the providers on this list all offer quality customer support around the clock to handle inquiries and difficulties.
Money-Back Guarantee
You pay for a VPN subscription plan, discover it falls short of its claims, and request a refund within a validity period. That’s how a money-back guarantee works, but not all VPNs offer it. For those that do, you want a validity period of at least 30 days on longer-term plans.
Conclusion
Iceland is one of the best countries in the world for privacy-conscious internet users. However, losing vigilance can result in painful, expensive consequences.
The best VPNs for Iceland help prevent that by encrypting your traffic and shielding it from hackers, scammers, and other malicious entities. Plus, they allow you access to geo-blocked streaming libraries wherever you are.
Our #1 recommendation is ExpressVPN. You can take advantage of a special offer to receive a 49% discount on its annual plan and get 3 months for free.
Iceland VPN FAQs
Are VPNs legal in Iceland?
Iceland has no regulations restricting or banning VPN use within its territories. Besides, Iceland is committed to online privacy and free expression, so you can use a VPN there without repercussions.
However, using a VPN for criminal activities may land you in legal trouble.
Can I use a free VPN for Iceland?
You may. However, we don’t recommend that you do. Free VPNs often have severe limitations in the form of data, bandwidth, and server use caps.
What’s more, some free VPNs sell user information to third parties. Even worse, some have security vulnerabilities that could lead to data breaches and hacking. If pricing is a significant factor, consider these affordable VPNs instead.
What is the best VPN for Iceland?
The best VPN for Iceland is ExpressVPN. It offers a massive network of servers, with some in Iceland. In addition, it ensures speedy connections. And with several features and a strict logging policy, ExpressVPN keeps your online activities and data safe and private.
