NordVPN balances global servers to unblock content unavailable in Iceland as well as Icelandic servers to get local content, and P2P abilities for faster torrenting and ultra-fast privacy, making it the best VPN for Iceland.
It’s tough to beat such an extensive list of relevant features. Still, Surfshark, CyberGhost, PureVPN, and AtlasVPN come close as worthy VPN provider alternatives in Iceland.
I’m sure you must be wondering how I tested the VPNs that made it to the list as the top 5 performers in the land of ice and fire.
So, continue reading to discover how to set these VPNs up, what they offer in Iceland, and how to make the best out of them.
Top 3 VPNs for Iceland
Surfshark provides the ultimate speed, security, and utility package with the best price and affordable plans.
NordVPN provides a healthy balance of speed, security features, privacy, and reliable unblocking in Iceland over its 5300+ server network.
CyberGhost is an easy-to-use VPN to download torrents, play games online, and stream content. You can get onto your preferred internet activities through a one-click connection to optimized servers in no time.
Iceland operates one of the least restricted internet spaces. But if the government or Icelandic ISPs don’t impose censorship, you’ll still have to face geo-restrictions from content platforms like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix.
Furthermore, the Icelandic government has issued court orders to block torrent websites like The Pirate Bay. Under the same light, other bills have been making the rounds to ban online pornography and gambling content. Who knows how far-reaching such censorship will be when it finally comes into play?
On top of that, Iceland ISPs can retain the data of what you do online for up to 6 months. Given that the country cooperates with Europol and may join the 14 Eyes alliance countries, your online security and privacy are at risk.
That’s why I carefully selected these 5 VPNs to ensure they help solve most (if not all) of these problems.
So, why not glance at what they can do for you in Iceland?
Download Torrents Securely and Improve Your Online Privacy in Iceland With These VPNs
You don’t need a million features that most VPN providers pack on their sales pages in Iceland. Here are some straightforward ways my top VPNs can help:
- NordVPN – Get P2P-optimized servers to safely download torrents, enjoy 5300+ servers to unblock content in 59 countries, and a local Icelandic server to secure your local internet experience.
- Surfshark – Combine affordability with utility to stay secure, unblock and stream content in 100 countries over unlimited simultaneous connections.
- CyberGhost – Enjoy an easy-to-use platform with servers optimized for streaming, torrenting, and gaming across PCs, mobile phones, gaming consoles, and smart TV sets.
- PureVPN – Offers extra protection against ISP data surveillance, guarantees fast torrent download and seeding, and unblocks content in 78+ countries.
- Atlas VPN – Low on cash? Here’s a freemium VPN provider for you to explore for an unlimited time before committing financially.
If these short descriptions caught your attention already, then wait till you learn how these VPNs fared when compared to one another. That way, you’ll see which ones do certain things better and you’ll be able to make the best decision based on your preferred cocktail of features.
Let’s get to it.
Tests, Reviews, and Comparisons of My Best VPNs for Iceland
These VPNs emerged as the top five after testing 21+ VPN providers for speed, security, and privacy in Iceland.
Here’s how the top performers fared when compared to one another.
NordVPN – 14 Icelandic Servers, 5300+ Global Servers & P2P Support
The 14 Icelandic servers on NordVPN mean you can unblock Icelandic TV channels like RUV and Nova TV from abroad. You can also connect to these local servers when in Iceland to:
- Encrypt your internet connection from Nova, Vodafone, or other Icelandic ISPs without losing access to local content.
- Unblock torrent sites and download torrents faster over the closest P2P server.
- Hide your online transactions from your ISP and other snooping parties without losing access to your Arion Bank, Kvika Bank, or other online banking platforms.
- Secure your public Wi-Fi connection at Te & Kaffi, Café Babalu, or Haust without falling victim to scams, hacks, and other public Wi-Fi dangers.
If you don’t need an Icelandic IP address, you can also get thousands of other IPs from NordVPN’s 5300+ servers in 59 countries. This haul represents the smallest country count on the list, but you can still unblock stuff available on major content libraries globally.
For example, I tested NordVPN to unblock some of my streaming services and summarized the successful results in the table below.
| Unblocked Service | NordVPN Servers |
|---|---|
| Netflix US, Hulu, CNN Go, Amazon Prime Video | United States (1970+) |
| Crave TV, CBC | Canada |
| BBC iPlayer, Netflix UK | United Kingdom |
| NRK TV | Norway |
| France TV, beIN Sports | France |
You can unblock more services, but the table above shows you how reliable the top Iceland VPN is to help you access almost anything in the country.
However, its servers weren’t enough to unblock certain content (like Voot from India) since it lacks servers in the relevant country. So, you may need to choose Surfshark, which has the most countries on this list.
Another reason NordVPN made the list is its decent speeds for streaming and torrenting. It scored 33Mbps on my 100Mbps connection test, showing it’s capable of 4K streams and fast torrent downloads.
You’ll get these speeds on its NordLynx protocol, and you can manage faster speeds if you connect to a server closer to you. That said, NordVPN falls behind the other listed VPNs on speed.
Still, it makes a case for being the top player with its specialty P2P servers, optimized for faster torrenting speeds. Only AtlasVPN doesn’t have an answer to this. But NordVPN pulls further ahead of the others with a “Threat Protection” feature that:
- Prevents you from downloading malicious files.
- Keeps you from visiting malicious websites (including malicious torrent websites.)
- Keeps away up to 96% of ads and trackers you’ll encounter on torrenting websites.
So, go ahead and unblock The Pirate Bay and Deildu, which have been restricted on ISPs like Iceland’s Vodafone, and download anything you want.
The best part is that NordVPN is based in Panama and operates an audited no-logs policy. In other words, the Icelandic government can’t ask them to hand over data on what you were doing online. Even if they ask, NordVPN won’t have anything to offer since it doesn’t collect any such data in the first place.
You can use your NordVPN account with PCs, mobile devices, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and routers to get these reliable unblocking, online security and privacy features.
It even allows you to connect six devices simultaneously, which is ideal for a small household or single user with minimal devices.
On top of that, it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
But it’s still a bit more expensive than the others. You can save more with these NordVPN discounts and get a 30-day money-back guarantee to test the VPN.
Pros
- 14 Icelandic servers to get local IPs and unblock local content
- 5300+ servers in 59 countries to unblock international content
- P2P support for secure and fast torrent downloads
- 33Mbps on a 100Mbps network to unblock and stream 4K content
- Audited no-logs provider based in Panama
- Works on PCs and mobile devices up to six connections
Cons
- Most expensive VPN listed here
- Not the fastest VPN provider
Surfshark – Reliable Unblocking and Secure Streaming on Unlimited Devices
Get Surfshark if you’re looking for the best value VPN provider, need a group-buy VPN, or want to protect many devices under the VPN technology.
It also has an Icelandic server to get Iceland’s IP address.
Connect to this server to stream RUV 2 as if you were in Iceland, unblock Kvika Bank from anywhere without setting off red flags, or encrypt your local connections.
Likewise, you’ll get 3200+ servers to unblock content in 100 countries. Although it has the largest country reach, this VPN falls short with the second least server count here, just ahead of AtlasVPN.
So, no matter where you’re coming from, what content you want to unblock, or what’s your desired IP address, you’ll stand a better chance of getting a relevant server thanks to Surfshark.
But given its server spread across many countries, I was concerned about overcrowded servers and how it may impact the VPN’s speed.
Surprisingly, Surfshark scored 39Mbps in my speed tests, faring better than NordVPN and AtlasVPN!
It’s even more impressive that Surfshark does this over the stock WireGuard protocol. In contrast, NordVPN has an exclusive NordLynx protocol for faster speed.
Unfortunately, Surfshark doesn’t translate these speeds into torrenting as well as NordVPN. This might be due to the lack of a P2P specialty server section, which would have ensured faster downloads. Instead, you can type ‘P2P’ into the Surfshark server search list to find a few P2P locations.
While it may not be as fast as NordVPN for torrenting, it’s just as secure.
You don’t have to worry about Vodafone, Hringdu, or your preferred Iceland ISP finding out that you’re downloading torrent files.
I tested the VPN with BitTorrent, Vuze, Deluge, and uTorrent, and it performed excellently. I’m confident you’ll also have good luck testing it with your preferred torrenting clients.
It even has an ad blocker like NordVPN, but only blocks 67% of the ads.
Plus, it doesn’t scan your downloads for malware as NordVPN does.
If those aren’t deal breakers, Surfshark is also an audited no-logs provider like NordVPN. It won’t collect any data about the sites you visit, the files you download, or anything else you do online.
Still, I was concerned since the provider is based in the Netherlands, a member of the 14 Eyes Alliance, which Iceland is known to cooperate with sometimes. The only saving grace is that Surfshark has never been caught logging data or cooperating with authorities against a user.
Looking past that, Surfshark offers the second-cheapest plans here, behind PureVPN on the list. That turns it into the cheapest provider because of its unlimited simultaneous connections across PCs and mobile devices.
This makes it easier to secure all the devices in my office without worrying about bandwidth drop-offs.
Want to get Surfshark at these low prices too? Enjoy these HUGE discounts and get a 30-day money-back guarantee on top.
Pros
- Iceland servers to get local IP addresses and stream content
- 3200+ servers to unblock content in 100 countries
- Faster than NordVPN: 39Mbps over a 100Mbps connection
- Offers P2P servers for secure torrent downloads
- Audited no-logs provider
- Unlimited simultaneous connections covering PCs, mobile devices, and other units
Cons
- Not as fast for torrenting as NordVPN
- Ad blocker not as efficient as NordVPN’s
- Based in a 14 Eyes country member
CyberGhost – 12 Icelandic Servers & 9000+ Global Servers for Streaming and Torrenting
CyberGhost might not have as many Icelandic servers as NordVPN, but 12 servers in Reykjavik is more than enough to stream the latest on Hringbraut and NENT.
These servers are also P2P-enabled, meaning you can connect to them to download torrents faster without letting your ISP, government, or copyright trolls know what you’re up to.
But if sites like The Pirate Bay and RARBG remain blocked on the Icelandic servers, CyberGhost operates a network of 9000+ servers in 90+ countries to unblock them.
This is the largest server count on the list and the second-largest country haul after Surfshark, making it an ideal choice to unblock content from almost anywhere.
That said, why is CyberGhost my best bet for easy access to torrenting, gaming, and streaming platforms?
First, the VPN is faster than NordVPN and almost as fast as Surfshark, scoring 38Mbps in my speed tests. That already qualifies it for these speed-intensive activities.
Furthermore, CyberGhost provides specialty servers that are optimized for unblocking and streaming content, downloading torrent files securely, and playing games online. Connect to any of these pre-optimized servers, and you’ll get the best internet experience.
The best part is that the optimized streaming servers aren’t just filtered by country; you can see what services they’re optimized for.
Sadly, there are no optimized streaming servers in Iceland.
But does that mean you can’t stream Icelandic content like Nova TV on CyberGhost? Quite the contrary. Connect to any of the provider’s servers to download torrents, stream content, and play games online.
The optimized servers provide a more reliable performance, that’s all.
I like that CyberGhost is based in Romania, another privacy-friendly country. Even though it’s in the EU like Iceland, Romania doesn’t subscribe to many of the region’s data collection and retention laws.
On top of that, CyberGhost also has a recently audited no-logs policy.
So, Vodafone, Simmin, and Nova can’t see your encrypted internet traffic over CyberGhost, and they can’t ask the VPN provider for records of what you’re doing online. Thus, defeating the 6-month ISP data retention rule in your favor.
Finally, CyberGhost does better than NordVPN by offering seven simultaneous device connections but falls short of the rest.
It’s also cheaper than NordVPN if that influences your buying decision.
The best part is that you’ll be able to test the VPN risk-free for 45 days when you grab these amazing offers before they run out.
Pros
- 12 Icelandic servers for local IP addresses and faster P2P support
- 9000+ servers to unblock content in 90+ countries
- Faster than NordVPN: 38Mbps over 100Mbps connection
- Features servers optimized for torrenting, streaming, and gaming
- Audited no-logs provider based in Romania
- Seven simultaneous device connections
Cons
- Slower than Surfshark
- Not as many simultaneous connections as Surfshark
PureVPN – 6 Servers in Iceland & 6500+ Global Servers for Secure Wi-Fi and Unblocking
I like PureVPN for its advanced security and quantum-resistant protection on some of its servers. Even if your government, ISPs, hackers, copyright trolls, or other parties invest in quantum computers to hack your live traffic, PureVPN’s servers will stop them.
That makes it my go-to public Wi-Fi network security provider at Sand Bar Bistro, 66 Degrees North, Joe & The Juice, or elsewhere you find these networks in Iceland.
The only drawback here is that it doesn’t have the same automatic Wi-Fi protection on mobile as I get with the others (besides Atlas VPN).
So, I always have to remember to connect to PureVPN before doing anything data-sensitive on public Wi-Fi in Iceland.
Barring that, this provider offers 6 servers in Iceland that let you watch Stöð 2 if you’re traveling outside the country, unblock your Landsbankinn web platform abroad, or secure your internet experience inside Iceland without losing access to local online content.
You can also connect to any of its 6500+ servers in 78+ countries to unblock content unavailable in Iceland. This represents more servers and locations than NordVPN, giving you more options to explore content in areas that NordVPN doesn’t reach.
I’ve tested the VPN with France TV (over France servers), Netflix Japan (they’ve got the best anime), and BBC iPlayer (UK) without buffering or lag.
It even has optimized streaming servers like CyberGhost and AtlasVPN, but they’re limited to the US.
Again, remember that you can connect to other servers to stream content regardless. These ones were just engineered better for that task alone.
Here’s the best part:
PureVPN is the fastest VPN provider I tested, recording 87Mbps on the 100Mbps connection!!! And that’s on the WireGuard protocol, not some specialty protocol like NordVPN has.
That’s almost 3x what the other providers manage. I even had to do a leak test to ensure the VPN’s encryption was working, and it is.
So, PureVPN surely knows how to bring the speed for crispy and clear HD streaming and secure torrent downloads.
Speaking of torrenting, PureVPN also has a dedicated P2P server section like NordVPN and CyberGhost. It does, however, fare better with port forwarding support for torrent seeders to upload their torrent files.
But there’s a downside:
You must pay extra to get the port forwarding add-on. The good news is that PureVPN is an inexpensive provider, so the port forwarding price might not make a dent.
Don’t worry about your torrent download or activity history landing in the wrong hands. PureVPN has been audited twice for its no-logs policy, and it’s based in the privacy-friendly BVI.
So, you’re doubly sure it won’t have any data to share with copyright trolls, your government, ISPs, or other interested parties looking into your online activity. Even if it had such data (it doesn’t!), it’s way outside Iceland’s jurisdiction to be threatened with a court summons.
Besides being cheaper than NordVPN and CyberGhost, it offers ten simultaneous device connections – more than those two.
Don’t wait for these prices to go up. Get these PureVPN deals and test the VPN risk-free for the first 31 days of purchase.
Pros
- 6 Iceland servers to unblock Nova TV and other local content
- 6500+ servers in 78+ countries to unblock content anywhere
- P2P-optimized servers and port forwarding for torrent downloads/seeding
- Fastest VPN provider: 87Mbps on 100Mbps connection
- Twice audited no-logs provider based in the BVI
- Affordable VPN with ten simultaneous device connections
Cons
- Port forwarding for seeding is a paid add-on
- Not as many connections as Surfshark
- Automatic public Wi-Fi protection isn't on iOS
AtlasVPN – Best Freemium VPN Service for Iceland
I strongly advocate against free VPN services since they’re often lacking in security, but Atlas VPN changed my mind. That may be because it has a paid version and must impress with the free option to convert willing users.
Even so, it’s not all rosy with the free version.
I like that the free VPN offers two servers in the United States and one in the Netherlands. Since the US is a huge content hub for popular streaming services and websites, you can access most of the web over these free VPN servers.
However, what happens when you want Netflix Japan (Japanese servers), NRK TV (Norway servers), France TV (French servers), BBC iPlayer (UK servers), or other content that these free servers can’t reach?
In fact, Atlas VPN has optimized streaming servers, but you get none on the free plan!
What’s more, Atlas VPN clearly lacks an Icelandic server on the free version. Sadly, it doesn’t have one on the paid version, either.
Consider this before putting money into the VPN.
But AtlasVPN isn’t all bad — it scored 37Mbps on the 100Mbps network I tested the others on.
Even so, I prefer NordVPN since you only get 5GB monthly bandwidth on the free Atlas VPN. That’s about 2-3 high-quality movies on Netflix before you stop getting access to the VPN’s encryption and unblocking for the rest of the month.
The free US and Holland servers are also reliable for unblocking torrent websites. They’re not specifically engineered for P2P activity, but they’ll ensure your anonymity when downloading torrent files.
Yet, how many files would you download before the bandwidth cap is reached and you’re left without VPN protection?
Another saving grace for this VPN is the offer of unlimited simultaneous connections, like Surfshark, even on the free plan. As impressive as that is, consider that the 5GB bandwidth limitation is imposed on the account, not per device.
I can only imagine how long it’ll take for multiple users to consume that bandwidth on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu. Even when simply surfing websites, you could exhaust the bandwidth in less than a week.
The major red flag on Atlas VPN is that it’s based in the USA and has never been audited for its no-logs claims. It hasn’t been caught in any data-sharing or data-logging scandal, though, so that should mean something.
I don’t recommend you to suffer through the limitations of the free plan if you can upgrade. The price per month would be less than half a cup of coffee because it’s the most inexpensive VPN of the list.
Interested in that deal? Grab these AtlasVPN discounts, and enjoy so much more.
Pros
- Freemium VPN version with US and Netherlands servers
- Faster than NordVPN: 37Mbps speeds on a 100Mbps network
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Affordable VPN pricing plans (if you choose to upgrade)
Cons
- No servers in Iceland, even on the paid version
- No P2P optimized server section
- 5GB monthly bandwidth limit
- Unaudited provider in the USA
How to Setup a VPN for Iceland?
Set up a VPN for Iceland by choosing the fastest VPN connection protocol, enabling the kill switch, and connecting to the fastest/most preferred server.
Here’s a stepwise guide to getting you connected in less than five minutes:
- Buy your selected VPN for Iceland. I recommend NordVPN.
- Download the VPN app for your preferred device. You can get NordVPN for PC and mobile. I’ll use the Windows app for this demonstration.
- Launch the app and log in with your credentials.
- Choose the fastest protocol. It’s usually WireGuard or IKEv2 for most providers, but it’s NordLynx on NordVPN.
- Enable the VPN kill switch for IP/DNS leak protection on random disconnections.
- Click the “Quick Connect” button to get the fastest/nearest VPN server. Or search for a preferred server location. I’ll choose Finland for this example.
- Optional: If your server location has multiple cities, click the main location to get the fastest server there. Or choose a preferred city.
- Enjoy the secure internet, unblock content, and get better online privacy.
How to Get an Iceland IP Address?
Traveling abroad and in need of an Iceland IP address to unblock local content back home? Or do you need a local Iceland VPN server to encrypt your internet connection from Vodafone/Nova/Siminn?
Try this:
- Get a VPN with an Iceland server. You can grab these NordVPN discounts.
- Optional: If you’re in Iceland already, conduct an IP leak test (www.ipleak.net) and note the IP address. You’ll need this later.
- Continue with steps 2-5 from above.
- Search for “Iceland.” Click on the server location to connect.
- Wait for the confirmation that it connected successfully, then test for IP leaks again.
If your new IP address matches the old one, you’re leaking IP requests.
Disconnect from that server and reconnect, then try the leak test again.
But suppose you get another IP address back. In that case, you’re now protected over the VPN-assigned IP address, and your ISP can’t see what you’re doing online anymore.
Can You Use a Free VPN in Iceland?
You can use a free VPN in Iceland, but they’re notorious for being slow, unreliable at unblocking content streams, capping your bandwidth allocation, throttling your internet speeds, lacking Icelandic servers, and offering limited global servers.
Furthermore, some of them may collect your internet data to sell to third parties, making a profit off your VPN usage since you’re not paying.
That’s why you shouldn’t trust these providers. Instead, choose reputable VPNs like NordVPN, with a relatively affordable plan on six simultaneous devices and optimal security/privacy to match.
FAQs
Are VPNs Legal in Iceland?
VPNs are legal in Iceland, with no local, state, or federal laws blocking their usage. However, ensure to never commit cybercrimes on a VPN server.
Otherwise, you’ll breach Iceland’s laws and the VPN provider’s terms of service.
Have Fun in the Skerry
You shouldn’t be isolated from the rest of the world in Iceland. Get a VPN to get a taste of home by unblocking content anywhere. And if you’re an Icelander, you can enjoy a VPN to encrypt your local internet service or explore content libraries abroad.
If that sounds interesting, NordVPN is my top pick, and it has never disappointed on speed for streaming and downloading, reliable unblocking, security, or privacy.
Still skeptical? Get these NordVPN deals to test it risk-free (and get a full refund if you want it) within 30 days of your first purchase.
