Some countries in the Middle East and Asia are clamping down on IMO – but a VPN will help you unblock the instant messaging app and stay connected.
Luckily, I already have an excellent recommendation.
After hours of research, I found Surfshark to be the best VPN for IMO, thanks to its top-class security, huge server network, and blazing fast speeds.
This means you can enjoy fast, unrestricted access to IMO from anywhere in the world, with your ISP and government being none the wiser.
Plus, you can get an exclusive discount deal here!
But ExpressVPN and NordVPN are close runners-up.
So, if you want to see which VPN is the best for you, keep reading!
Top 3 VPNs for IMO
As an industry leader, NordVPN’s huge server network and impressive security are just a tap away thanks to its user-friendly VPN apps for all IMO devices.
With a budget-friendly cost, RAM-only servers, and two user-friendly obfuscation features to ensure safe, unrestricted access to IMO, Surfshark wins first place as the best VPN for IMO.
ExpressVPN offers thousands of high-speed RAM-only servers and user-friendly apps for all IMO devices at a premium cost, making it one of our top recommended IMO VPNs.
The most trustworthy VPN for IMO will include robust security features to ensure your ISP and government can’t spy on you using the app.
It will also have a huge server network and fast speeds, so you can enjoy talking to your friends from anywhere in the world without sacrificing connectivity.
And finally, it will include apps for all devices – making sure you can stay connected whether on a phone, tablet, or browser.
All the VPNs listed in this guide fill the necessary boxes to come out on top.
To see how I came to my conclusions, stick around! I discuss everything in-depth below.
The Top VPNs for IMO: A Cheat List
Nearly as instant as IMO’s messaging service, this cheat list will give you an idea of which of the 5 top-rated VPNs for IMO is the best for you:
- Surfshark – Top Choice RAM-Only VPN for IMO
- NordVPN – User-Friendly VPN Security
- ExpressVPN – Premium TrustedServer Security
- IPVanish – Unlimited Multiple Connections
- CyberGhost – Beginner-Friendly VPN for IMO
But if you want the details of why each VPN is the best for IMO instead, let’s jump in!
Surfshark
Thanks to its fast speeds, RAM-only servers, and two of the most user-friendly obfuscation features in the industry, Surfshark stands head-and-shoulders above the competition. Plus, in addition to offering unlimited simultaneous connections on a single account, the provider also offers the most budget-friendly premium solution for unblocking IMO worldwide!
Detailed List of the 5 Best VPNs for IMO
1. Surfshark – Top Choice RAM-Only VPN for IMO
Surfshark offers everything you need to unblock IMO safely, securely, and quickly, no matter where you live.
This is largely thanks to its two obfuscation features, which let you easily and reliably bypass all geo-location restrictions without your VPN usage being detected by your ISP or government (AKA: the people blocking IMO in the first place).
The more lightweight Camouflage Mode is applied by default if you connect using the OpenVPN UDP or TCP protocol.
At the same time, the more robust NoBorders Mode is ideal for users in countries with stringent online censorship.
You can also add an extra layer of security to your IMO experience with the MultiHop feature!
On top of that, Surfshark doesn’t merely have an independently audited no-logs policy. The provider is also the best VPN with RAM-only servers… 3,200+ of them, to be exact.
This means every time the servers are rebooted, any data stored is permanently erased.
So, even if your government or ISP tries obtaining proof of your IMO use from Surfshark, the provider will have nothing to give.
Surfshark also regularly proves itself to be one of the fastest VPNs on the market without sacrificing any of its security.
You’ll also find all of its VPN apps (available for all IMO-supported devices) incredibly easy to use.
Perhaps the only area this budget-friendly premium VPN for IMO falls a little short is needing to enable the kill-switch yourself.
Luckily, it’s easy to do – and you only need to do it once for every device!
To sweeten the deal further, Surfshark also lets you connect unlimited devices to the same user account simultaneously.
This means you can enjoy talking to your friends over group video and voice calls on IMO while being logged in on all of your devices!
Surfshark also offers incredibly affordable prices:
But if you find yourself less than satisfied, they do offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Camouflage Mode and NoBorders Mode bypass all geo-restrictions and VPN detection methods for easy IMO access
- Unblocks VoIP features
- 3,200+ RAM-Only VPN servers in 65 countries worldwide
- Independently proven no-logs policy
- Fast & stable speeds for audio or video calls
- Easy-to-use apps for all IMO-supported devices
- MultiHop connections for extra privacy
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
Cons
- Need to manually enable the kill switch the first time you open the VPN app on any device
2. NordVPN – User-Friendly VPN Security
NordVPN is an undisputed industry leader and more than earns its place as one of the best VPNs for IMO.
To start, NordVPN offers RAM-only servers for a safe and secure IMO experience, along with a proven (and independently audited) no-logs policy.
They back this up with multiple features designed to enhance your online privacy and security.
For example, their Double VPN feature lets you enjoy twice the security when using IMO – though routing your traffic through two of NordVPN’s 5,400+ VPN servers slows things down.
And despite getting fast VPN speeds with a single server when using the VPN with IMO, NordVPN is still noticeably slower than Surfshark.
Usually, you can minimize the speed reduction by using NordLynx.
But they warn the proprietary VPN protocol is still in development.
NordLynx also doesn’t let you use NordVPN’s obfuscation feature yet, which is only available with OpenVPN TCP.
And unfortunately, in countries where IMO is restricted or banned, the obfuscation feature is essential.
Luckily, the NordVPN apps (available for all IMO-supported devices and more) are easy to use, with the kill switch on by default.
You can also be logged in to IMO on six devices simultaneously!
Moreover, NordVPN is affordably priced, so no stress if you’re running a tight budget!
Better yet, get a discount on your two-year subscription by signing up with this link!
But if you decide NordVPN isn’t the provider for you, rest easy by utilizing their 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Easy-to-use obfuscation feature for accessing IMO in a safe online environment
- 5,447+ RAM-Only VPN servers in 94 countries worldwide
- Independently proven no-logs policy
- Fast speeds
- Easy-to-use apps for all IMO-supported devices
- Double VPN connections for extra privacy when using IMO
- Up to 6 simultaneous connections
Cons
- Slower VPN speeds than other top 3 VPNs for IMO
- Obfuscation feature only available with OpenVPN TCP protocol
- Faster NordLynx protocol not suitable for countries where VPN usage is restricted or banned
3. ExpressVPN – Premium TrustedServer Security
ExpressVPN is a strong contender as one of the best VPNs for IMO, thanks to its TrustedServer security.
This means all 3,000+ ExpressVPN servers run on RAM-only.
No data is ever written to the hard drives, adding an extra layer of trust to their independently audited no-logs policy.
This means every server is optimized for obfuscation – so your IMO experience will remain safe and secure at all times.
Fortunately, the server(s) you use won’t influence your speeds too much when using IMO.
In fact, every time I test ExpressVPN, I get blazing fast connection speeds on every server I use – including the recommended ones for China and the UAE.
This is especially apparent when using ExpressVPN’s proprietary, open-source Lightway protocol – a faster, more secure protocol than WireGuard and OpenVPN.
And it makes calling with my family a breeze!
It also gives you the option of an “always-on” VPN connection protected by Network Lock, ExpressVPN’s kill switch feature.
The only downside to Lightway is it isn’t available with the iOS VPN app yet.
But for any other IMO-supported device (Android, Windows, and Mac), ExpressVPN’s easy-to-use apps come with everything you need.
Unfortunately, you’re only able to connect to IMO from five devices simultaneously.
And while you’ll need to pay a fairly steep premium subscription fee for ExpressVPN, the provider has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Plus, you can save a massive amount with this link!
Pros
- All servers are obfuscated for safe, secure, and unlimited access to IMO
- 3,2000+ RAM-Only TrustedServer VPN servers in 94 countries worldwide
- Independently proven no-logs policy
- Fast speeds
- Easy-to-use apps for all IMO-supported devices
- Lightway VPN protocol
- Private DNS
- Automated Network Lock kill switch
Cons
- Limited choice of recommended servers for heavily restricted countries like China and UAE
- Only 5 simultaneous connections
- More expensive than other top IMO VPNs
- No automatic app updates
4. IPVanish – Unlimited Simultaneous Connections
IPVanish came a long way in recent years, earning itself fourth place in my list of the most reliable VPNs for IMO.
A few years ago, one of the provider’s previous parent companies was caught handing user data to government agencies.
But the new parent company fought hard to regain our trust.
For starters, the updated no-logs policy makes it clear there won’t be any repeats of the past – so you can rest easy knowing your IMO usage will remain secret.
The provider also introduced a new obfuscation feature, “Scramble.”
This is incredibly convenient for IMO users in countries where the app is heavily restricted or banned.
Unfortunately, Scramble is only available with the OpenVPN protocol.
And while you’re in the Settings > Connection tab, you’ll also want to check the boxes for the Auto Reconnect and Kill Switch features.
Luckily, you only need to do so the first time you open the app, which is easy to use and available for all IMO-supported devices!
IPVanish also makes up for having a smaller network of 1,600+ VPN servers by letting users enjoy unlimited simultaneous connections.
Though I noticed my internet speed tends to get cut by 50%.
Fortunately, you won’t be strapped for cash if you opt for a long-term subscription!
You can try IPVanish risk-free with our exclusive discount and the provider’s 30-day money-back guarantee.
IPVanish is currently unavailable in some countries that block IMO, namely Iran and North Korea.
The website is also blocked in China, Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE (among others not currently restricting IMO access), though the VPN service works in these countries.
Pros
- Easy-to-use obfuscation feature (Scramble) for unlimited IMO access in most countries
- 1,600+ VPN servers in 75+ locations worldwide (40,000+ IP addresses)
- Strict no-logs policy
- Easy-to-use apps for all IMO-supported devices
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
Cons
- Not suitable for IMO-users in Iran or North Korea
- Harder to access for IMO-users in China, Egypt, Qatar, and UAE
- Obfuscation feature only available with OpenVPN protocol
- Slower VPN speed
5. CyberGhost – Beginner-Friendly VPN for IMO
CyberGhost is one of the most beginner-friendly VPNs on the market for accessing IMO – though ease-of-use comes at a price.
Although the provider offers 6,800+ VPN servers worldwide, you’re forced to use the NoSpy Servers if you’re in a country that blocks IMO and restricts VPN usage.
This has been shown to cut original speeds by 50%.
The NoSpy Servers are also the closest you’ll get to an obfuscation feature – and they’re all located in Romania. They also cost extra.
On the bright side, CyberGhost’s easy-to-use VPN apps are available for all IMO-supported devices, and you can connect up to seven of them at the same time.
They also have the provider’s kill switch feature enabled by default.
Unfortunately, there’s another big catch.
Most countries that block or restrict IMO also block CyberGhost’s website, making it next to impossible to sign up or install the app.
However, users in Egypt, Jordan, and Kuwait and those planning to visit any of the countries that block or restrict IMO can still use this link to get a discount on a three-year CyberGhost subscription (plus three free months).
Just remember – while in restricted countries, you need to use the OpenVPN TCP, UDP, or IKEv2 VPN protocol and NoSpy Servers, or follow the provider’s instructions for manual configuration to try getting a working connection.
If CyberGhost isn’t working for you, they offer a 45-day money-back guarantee.
This is impressive – the other providers on my list only offer 30-day money-back guarantees, if that.
Pros
- Obfuscated NoSpy Servers (located in Romania) for easy access to IMO
- 6,818 VPN servers in 91 countries worldwide
- Easy-to-use apps for all IMO-supported devices
- Automatic internet Kill Switch
- Up to 7 simultaneous connections
Cons
- Impossible to sign up or download the apps in most countries that block or restrict IMO
- Might require complicated manual configuration to find a working connection in restricted countries
- Slow speeds with NoSpy Severs (average 50% of regular connection speed)
Are There Free VPNs for IMO That Work in the UAE?
While using a free VPN is tempting at first, there are many reasons why you should avoid them in general – especially if you’re trying to unblock IMO in the UAE or other countries that restrict access to the instant messaging app.
The companies that create free VPNs spend the bulk of their small budget on marketing themselves.
And that means you’re left with substandard VPN security, limited features, and severe bandwidth limits.
Even many premium VPN providers struggle to give users in restricted countries like the UAE and China safe, secure access to an internet free from censorship.
Worse, the only way for free VPN providers to generate more money is bombarding you with ads or selling your data.
For these reasons, I strongly recommend sticking to a tried and trusted premium VPN like Surfshark.
Here’s What to Look for in the Best VPNs for IMO
When testing dozens of providers to finalize my favorite recommendations for the best VPNs to unblock IMO, these are the features I looked for:
- Affordable subscriptions or a premium cost worth the extra features for unlimited access to IMO
- Strong data encryption and (ideally) obfuscation for a safe and secure IMO experience
- No IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks detected to ensure the VPN service does its job with no detected vulnerabilities
- Large global server network (RAM-only servers a huge plus), so you can chat with your friends on IMO from anywhere in the world
- Fast speeds to guarantee unlimited IMO connectivity, even while using obfuscation features/servers
- Easy-to-use apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac (IMO-supported devices)
Is IMO Safe for Privacy?
Some IMO-advocates claim the app uses TLS and SSL encryption, but I can’t find any mention of it anywhere on the IMO website or its Google Play download page.
The Mac App Store page says it’s encrypted but doesn’t say how.
IMO’s Privacy Policy promises they “take privacy very seriously” in the same paragraph as a disclosure saying they “deployed advanced artificial intelligence technology to identify public content 24/7.”
Add the fact that the free version is bogged down with ads (which include tracking cookies to analyze your online activity off the app as well), and I have to say no, I see nothing to convince or reassure me that IMO is safe for privacy.
However, using a reliable VPN like Surfshark means your data is encrypted and your privacy reinstated.
FAQ
Is IMO Banned in the US?
No, IMO is not banned in the US, and there are no official restrictions against using IMO in the US.
However, schools and businesses might block IMO on their network.
You can get around this by using a VPN for IMO, such as Surfshark.
Is IMO Banned in Hong Kong?
IMO isn’t banned in Hong Kong at the moment.
However, the messaging app is banned in China, and Hong Kong is increasingly under China’s political control.
If you live in Hong Kong or plan on visiting, consider setting up a VPN now to avoid issues in the future, should Hong Kong later block IMO (or other apps).
Is IMO Blocked in the UAE?
Yes, IMO is blocked in the UAE and most Gulf countries, as are all other VoIP services not regulated by the TRA.
IMO’s instant messaging feature might still work, but this isn’t guaranteed.
You can get around this by using an IMO VPN that’s easy to access and set up in the UAE, such as Surfshark.
Is IMO Blocked in Qatar?
Yes, IMO is blocked in Qatar and most Gulf countries, as are most other VoIP services.
IMO’s instant messaging feature might still work, but this isn’t guaranteed.
You can get around this by using an IMO VPN that’s easy to access and set up in Qatar, such as Surfshark.
Conclusion
Unsurprisingly, countries with heavy censorship laws tend to either restrict IMO users to the instant messaging feature or block the app completely.
Luckily, with a reliable VPN, you can still connect to friends and family worldwide, no matter where you are.
Thanks to its easy-to-use obfuscation features, huge server network, and fast VPN speeds, Surfshark is undoubtedly my top pick as the most reliable VPN for IMO!
Sign-up for Surfshark with this link to save on your subscription right now!
