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 PrivateVPN 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
Best for budget-conscious users
- Fast connections
- Strong security
- Affordable plans
NordVPN
Best for balanced Iceland access
- Fast server speeds
- Reliable content unblocking
- Strong privacy and security
CyberGhost
Best for one-click server access
- Optimized servers
- Torrenting support
- Streaming and gaming support
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 8,400+ servers to unblock content in 167+ 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.
- PrivateVPN – Get a Reykjavik server for an Icelandic IP, port forwarding for torrent seeding, and ten simultaneous connections on one of the cheapest long-term plans here.
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 8,400+ servers in 167+ 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. Not every provider here labels its torrenting servers as clearly. 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 ten devices simultaneously, which is more than enough for a small household.
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
- 8,400+ servers in 167+ 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 ten 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 4,500+ servers to unblock content in 100 countries. Although it has the largest country reach, this VPN has the second-smallest server count here, ahead of only PrivateVPN.
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 CyberGhost!
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 some of the cheapest plans here, and its unlimited simultaneous connections across PCs and mobile devices make it the cheapest provider per device.
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
- 4,500+ 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 allows seven simultaneous device connections, fewer than every other provider here.
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 NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost.
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, 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 at least double 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
PrivateVPN – Reykjavik Server & Port Forwarding for Torrent Seeding in Iceland
PrivateVPN runs a lean network of 200+ servers in 63 countries, the fewest on this list, yet one of them is in Reykjavik, which is more than plenty of bigger providers can say about Iceland.
That Reykjavik server hands you an Icelandic IP address, so RUV and Stöð 2 keep playing after you leave the country, and Landsbankinn or Íslandsbanki won’t lock your online banking for logging in from a foreign address. At home, connecting to it hides your traffic from Vodafone, Nova, or Síminn without breaking access to local sites.
Torrenting is where PrivateVPN separates itself from the other budget picks here. Port forwarding is included on selected servers and protocols (no add-on to buy, unlike PureVPN), so seeding stays possible, and the kill switch works at the system level, which matters when Vodafone’s Deildu and Pirate Bay blocks are exactly what you’re routing around.
Speed isn’t the compromise you might expect from a small network. On the same 100Mbps connection, PrivateVPN managed 43Mbps, ahead of NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost and behind only PureVPN’s 87Mbps.
Its apps default to OpenVPN; WireGuard is now available in the Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS apps if you want to squeeze out more, and the app itself is a plain list of countries with a search box, so the Reykjavik server is one click away.
Iceland’s six-month ISP data retention is the reason to want a no-logs provider, and this is where I have to be straight with you. PrivateVPN says it keeps no logs, but nobody outside the company has audited that claim, unlike the other four providers here, and it’s based in Sweden, a 14 Eyes member. If audited privacy decides it for you, NordVPN or Surfshark is the safer pick.
For everything Iceland doesn’t get, the 63-country list includes the US, UK, Canada, Norway, and France, so the servers you need for Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Crave TV, NRK TV, and France TV are all there, and PrivateVPN names the US and UK among the Netflix regions it supports.
You get ten simultaneous connections, the 36-month plan works out to $2.08 a month (billed $75 a year after that), and a 30-day money-back guarantee covers your first month with the Reykjavik server.
Get these PrivateVPN discounts and put the Reykjavik server through its paces risk-free.
Pros
- Reykjavik server for an Icelandic IP address and local content
- Faster than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost: 43Mbps on the 100Mbps connection
- Port forwarding on selected servers and protocols for torrent seeding
- System-level kill switch and AES 256-bit encryption
- Ten simultaneous connections at $2.08/mo on the 36-month plan
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Smallest network here: 200+ servers in 63 countries
- No-logs claim has never been independently audited
- Based in Sweden, a 14 Eyes member
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 ten 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.






