Finding a VPN that supports IPv6 isn’t easy since this protocol isn’t as assimilated into our everyday lives as IPv4 is.
However, I managed to find a few VPNs that are decent.
My favorite is hide.me VPN . Its native IPv6 support and abundance of great features make it a rare find.With the internet slowly moving towards an upgraded internet protocol and responding to users’ needs, some VPNs are falling behind.
Still, I find it reassuring knowing that VPNs like hide.me, AzireVPN, and OVPN offer quality services and are updated with the new IPv6 protocol.
Let’s check them out.
Top 3 VPN Services with IPv6 Support
NordVPN
Best for blocking IPv6 leaks
- Blocks IPv6 traffic to stop leaks
- Thousands of servers, 225+ locations
- 10 devices on one subscription
Hide.me VPN
Best for native IPv6 support
- Integrated IPv6 support
- Up to 10 connections
- Broad device compatibility
AzireVPN
Best for native IPv6 access
- Own dedicated servers
- Native IPv6 support
- Strong privacy features
I was surprised to learn that some of the biggest names in the VPN industry don’t support IPv6.
For the time being, it’s not a big deal.
But, eventually, all VPNs will have to deliver this feature, or they’ll lose their credibility on the market.
On the flip side, even if a VPN supports IPv6, it still has to check all the other boxes.
For me, it’s top-notch security, absolute privacy, and good value for the money, but also supporting features like server count, simultaneous connections, device compatibility, and refund policies.
For now, there are still some good options, so I took the time to narrow down and review the best of them.
5 Best VPNs That Support IPv6
It’s easier to find a VPN that blocks IPv6 traffic altogether than one that supports it.
Still, there are a few options I recommend if you’re looking for quality service.
My top picks are:
- Hide.me VPN: Overall best for IPv6 use.
- NordVPN: Blocks IPv6 instead of supporting it – the safe pick if you don’t need IPv6 itself.
- AzireVPN: Self-managed servers and great speed.
- Proton VPN: IPv6-ready browser extensions, a free plan, and a huge network.
- OVPN: Very user-friendly and fast.
Below you’ll find a detailed overview of all five picks, including how each one handles IPv6.
Hide.me VPN
Hide.me is the best VPN with IPv6 support.
It has a bit of everything, from server locations to affordable pricing.
The VPN service comes with servers in 92 locations.
But the thing I really like is that the servers are self-maintained.
On the website, the provider says that each server “stores sensitive cryptographic keys in a temporary storage to minimize attack surface.”
Security-wise, hide.me is a very decent option.
The provider supports OpenVPN, SSTP, WireGuard, and even the SoftEther VPN protocol.
Plus, it comes with good encryption, offering up to AES 256-bit.
I had some minor concerns about the privacy aspects, though.
From its privacy policy, you’ll see that the VPN keeps some logs, like the assigned IP address and the bandwidth you spend during your VPN session.
However, the company claims to delete these so-called “troubleshooting logs” after a few hours.
With so many features, hide.me was the obvious first choice for IPv6 support.
Plus, it helps that hide.me VPN comes with a free plan.
Obviously, it has its limitations.
However, a free plan is always a good thing to have in a VPN.
You can take advantage of the free plan to test hide.me VPN and see if it’s user-friendly and works on your devices.
Even without the free plan, I like that hide.me has affordable prices, especially on its long-term plans, and some even better discounts.
Pros
- IPv6 support on all servers
- Free plan
- Servers in 92 locations
- Self-maintained servers
- 10 simultaneous connections
Cons
- Keeps some logs for a limited time
NordVPN (Blocks IPv6 Instead)
NordVPN is the one pick on this list that doesn’t support IPv6 – and I’m including it on purpose.
Instead of carrying IPv6 through its tunnel, NordVPN blocks IPv6 traffic completely, so your IPv6 address can’t leak while you’re connected.
As I explain in the FAQ below, that’s the next-best setup when a VPN doesn’t run dual-stack servers.
So, if you don’t need to reach IPv6-only sites and simply want to be sure nothing slips past the tunnel, NordVPN is a safe choice. If you do need IPv6 connectivity, stick with hide.me, AzireVPN, Proton VPN, or OVPN.
Beyond IPv6, it’s a very complete VPN: thousands of servers in 225+ locations, 10 devices on one subscription, and apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, and Apple TV.
There’s also a paid dedicated IP add-on in 31 countries if you’d like an address of your own.
Its Basic plan works out at $3.49 a month on the 2-year deal. Grab the best deal here.
Pros
- Blocks IPv6 traffic, so it can’t leak
- Thousands of servers in 225+ locations
- 10 devices on one subscription
- Dedicated IP add-on in 31 countries
Cons
- No IPv6 connectivity – it blocks IPv6 instead
- Not a fit for IPv6-only networks
AzireVPN
AzireVPN comes with its ups and downs.
There are many things I like about this provider.
Its native IPv6 support is one of them.
But, the first time I looked into it, my initial concern was that AzireVPN is a Swedish provider, and Sweden is a country with data retention laws that require companies to keep user data for up to six months.
However, since AzireVPN’s servers are self-managed and run on RAM disks, they don’t keep any logs.
VPNs with RAM disk servers are one of the most trustworthy alternatives because once the VPN server restarts, all data that was stored is completely deleted.
I’d say that’s a huge plus.
In fact, the VPN is keen on providing the best security and privacy. It’s one of the few VPNs on the market that work with WireGuard, a relatively new protocol that’s fast and secure.
For those who don’t want to risk it, AzireVPN also works with OpenVPN and provides strong encryption.
What I didn’t like was the low number of servers – a total of 65 servers in 19 locations around the world.
Compared to hide.me or Proton VPN, that’s significantly less, but not as much compared to the other VPNs on the list.
Thanks to its other features, I didn’t find this to be a huge disadvantage.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that AzireVPN comes at a decent price, and all of the price plans include a very useful 7-day refund policy.
If you think AzireVPN is just what you’re looking for, make sure to get it right now!
Pros
- Servers are self-managed and keep no logs
- IPv6 support on all servers
- Affordable prices
- 7-days refund policy
Cons
- Lacks kill switch on desktop clients
- Low server count
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is the biggest name on this list, and it earns its spot with IPv6 support in its browser extensions.
According to Proton, the Chrome and Firefox extensions fully support IPv6.
They even work on an IPv6-only internet connection, and if your connection offers both protocols, the extension prioritizes IPv6.
That’s exactly the behavior you want from an IPv6-ready VPN, and it’s rare among the big providers.
The extensions also work in other Chromium- and Firefox-based browsers, though not in Safari, which doesn’t support the tools needed to create a VPN tunnel.
The other big draw is scale. Proton VPN, based in Switzerland, runs a network that’s huge by this list’s standards: 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries.
Its desktop and mobile apps cover the rest of your device – just run the IPv6 leak test from my FAQ below after connecting, as you should with any VPN.
Proton VPN also has a free plan, and free users can use the browser extensions, too.
It’s limited to one device and servers in 10 countries that are picked for you at random, but there’s no data cap, which makes it an easy way to test the IPv6 behavior on your own connection.
If you upgrade, VPN Plus covers 10 devices and costs $3.49 a month on the 2-year plan.
All in all, Proton VPN is the easiest recommendation here for anyone who wants IPv6 in the browser without giving up a big, polished service. Give it a try.
Pros
- Browser extensions fully support IPv6
- Free plan with no data cap
- 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries
- Extensions work in Chromium- and Firefox-based browsers
- Up to 10 devices on VPN Plus
Cons
- The extensions only cover your browser traffic
- Free plan picks your server country at random
OVPN
OVPN is another Swedish VPN provider.
But just like AzireVPN, it’s also reliable.
Despite being located in a privacy-invasive country, OVPN is a verified no-logs VPN and owns and maintains its hardware.
Like my other picks on this list, OVPN is very transparent, which is a big plus.
Each month, the VPN publishes monthly transparency reports that you can find here.
One of the first things I noticed about OVPN, besides its native IPv6 support, is that it takes its security seriously.
For example, you can make great use of its Multihop feature that routes your traffic through two servers instead of one, providing you with double the protection.
If you get one of the longer subscription plans, you get this feature for free.
OVPN’s IPv6 support is set as the default option on the VPN client.
However, if needed, you can disable IPv6 either through your VPN client or OVPN’s website in your profile’s settings.
However, I don’t like that the provider limits some features for the short-term subscriptions, plus the prices aren’t that cheap compared to other providers.
It’s still a good deal, though, and I like that you get a 10-day money-back guarantee.
Another thing this VPN lacks is servers.
I prefer more options, and OVPN has no more than 100 servers in around 20 countries.
But if the server count isn’t an issue for you, I’d recommend this VPN any day, so make sure to give it a try.
Pros
- Private, keeps no logs
- 10-day money-back guarantee
- Cash payments are available
- Transparent company and policies
Cons
- Multihop not available with all price plans
- High prices compared to the value you get
- Low number of server locations
Buying Guide: What to Look for In a VPN That Supports IPv6?
The first thing to look for is whether your VPN genuinely supports IPv6.
Many providers try to manipulate potential customers by saying they protect against IPv6 leaks. This, to some extent, is the truth.
But, they fail to mention that, instead of running IPv6 traffic through the encrypted tunnel, they block it.
VPNs that support IPv6 are called dual-stack VPNs.
This dual-stack configuration allows the servers to run both IPv4 and IPv6.
A VPN without dual-stack servers can’t protect against IPv6 leaks.
That being said, it’s also crucial to look for reliable VPNs.
It won’t matter if a VPN supports IPv6 traffic if it doesn’t protect you from other types of leaks, like DNS or WebRTC leaks.
So, be on the lookout for VPNs that have a good reputation and are known to be reliable and trustworthy.
Regular IP leak checks are also very helpful.
Another thing to keep an eye on is the security and privacy of the VPN.
Look for a VPN that doesn’t keep logs and is preferably located in a country without data retention laws.
When it comes to security features, make sure the VPN supports the OpenVPN protocol on most devices and operating systems and offers at least the AES 256-bit encryption.
Things like price, number of servers and their location, and device compatibility are something that depends on your personal preferences.
I recommend going for a VPN that also comes with some form of “guarantee” like a free trial or a decent money-back guarantee.
That way, you can test drive the VPN to ensure you’re getting the best value for your money.
Do VPN Providers Support IPv6?
Many VPNs don’t support IPv6.
It means they only route IPv4 traffic through an encrypted tunnel, leaving IPv6 traffic exposed.
That puts your online privacy in danger.
For the time being, IPv6 support is still a relatively new concept because IPv4 addresses are globally accepted as the “norm.”
Chances are, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) doesn’t support IPv6 yet.
But, if it does, you also need a VPN that supports the protocol.
Otherwise, it can’t fully protect you online.
Some ISPs around the world are already implementing IPv6 for their users.
If you’re one of them, it means you’re using both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses.
To avoid possible privacy leaks, some VPN providers without IPv6 support take another approach – blocking IPv6 traffic altogether.
That way, IPv4 traffic passes through the encrypted tunnel, and IPv6 traffic is completely blocked.
As a temporary solution, this works well for popular VPNs like NordVPN.
But, in the long run, the providers will have to adapt to the market needs and implement technologies that support rather than block IPv6 traffic.
Can I Use A Free VPN With IPv6 Support?
It’s hard enough to find a premium VPN with IPV6 support, let alone a free one.
In my search for free VPNs with IPv6, I stumbled upon a few options.
However, none of them were reliable or trustworthy.
Most free VPNs track and sell data to third parties and are generally shady and unreliable.
In other words, it’s best to avoid them.
As an alternative, you can go for free plans from premium VPNs.
For example, hide.me VPN has a decent free plan, and although it comes with a limited server count, all of the servers are dual-stacked.
And if you like its free plan, you’ll love its premium plan. Make sure to grab the best deal!
IPv4 vs. IPv6: What’s the Difference?
The IPv4 protocol still carries around 90% of all internet traffic, but its IP address storage is limited to a little over 4 billion IP addresses.
IPv6, although still new, can store up to 2^128 addresses or over 340 undecillion unique IP addresses.
That’s the key difference between the two protocols.
IPv4 dates back to the 80s.
Today, this internet protocol remains a crucial component to identify devices on a network.
The internet protocol uses the 32-bit scheme that stores 2^23 IP addresses.
But as times change, the internet spreads with tremendous speed, and the limited capacity of IPv4 is slowly starting to become an issue.
IPv6, short for Internet Protocol version 6, became the “new generation” internet protocol.
It uses a 128-bit scheme and can store significantly more IP addresses.
It’s safe to say that there won’t be any need for another version anytime soon.
FAQ
What’s an IPv6 Leak?
IPv6 leaks happen when your ISP supports IPv6, but your VPN doesn’t.
The ISP will assign you both an IPv4 and IPv6 address.
So, when you connect to a VPN server without IPv6 support, only IPv4 traffic passes through the secure VPN tunnel.
If you open an IPv6-enabled website, the server won’t recognize the address, and the traffic will go over the encrypted tunnel, causing a leak.
To prevent this from happening, ensure you get a VPN provider that supports IPv6 or at least blocks IPv6 altogether, preventing IPv6 leaks.
How to Check for IPv6 Leaks?
Many online tools can help determine if your VPN leaks your IPv6 address.
For example, IPLeak can detect different leaks, including an IPv6 leak.
To test your VPN if it’s leaking your IPv6 address, do the following:
- Connect to a VPN server.
- Open the website and wait a few seconds as it automatically checks your IP address and DNS.
- If the results don’t show an IPv6 address, it means your VPN is working as it should.
Other websites to check for IPv6 leaks are TestIPv6, BrowserLeaks, or IPLeak.net.
Is It Safe to Use A VPN That Doesn’t Support IPv6?
VPNs that don’t support or block IPv6 aren’t entirely safe to use.
VPNs can prevent IPv6 leaks in two ways.
They either implement technology that supports IPv6 or take the “easy way out” and block IPv6 addresses.
Ideally, you want a VPN that supports IPv6.
But even those that block it are still far more secure than a VPN that allows IPv6 leaks.
You risk your privacy if you’re not on the lookout for one of these two options.
So, make sure you use a reliable VPN and always check for leaks.
Why Is My VPN Not Working With IPv6?
If you can’t access IPv6 websites with your VPN, it probably means the VPN is blocking all IPv6 traffic to protect you from IPv6 leaks.
VPNs that don’t support the IPv6 internet protocol tend to block it, so your access to certain websites might be limited.
This is the better of the two alternatives.
The other one is a VPN that doesn’t work with IPv6 at all.
In other words, it doesn’t support nor block it. That’s when leaks happen.
You can access a website, but when you check for IP leaks, you can see that your IPv6 address is exposed.
Can I Use a VPN with IPv6 Support on Android?
Older versions of Android don’t support IPv6.
Android versions 6.0 and above should work with the IPv6 protocol.
So, when you use a VPN that supports IPv6 on your Android, presuming you’re using one of the latest software versions, your VPN should work fine.
However, there have been some claims that, in more recent years, Android still has some issues with IPv6.
Hopefully, they’ll fix all issues before the new generation protocol takes over the internet.
Does NordVPN Support IPv6?
NordVPN doesn’t support IPv6.
However, the provider implements technology that prevents IPv6 leaks by blocking IPv6 traffic completely.
In their own words, when you use NordVPN, “the IPv6 traffic is effectively rerouted to a “black hole” within the device.”
You can read their full explanation here.
Does ExpressVPN Support IPv6?
At the moment of writing, ExpressVPN doesn’t support IPv6.
Instead, it blocks your IPv6 traffic to prevent leaks and protect your privacy.
However, the provider considers updating its technology when IPv6 becomes more widely used.
In the meantime, you can use one of the VPN providers with full IPv6 support like hide.me VPN.
Does FRITZ!Box Support IPv6?
Yes, FRITZ!Box supports IPv6.
It actually comes with native support for both IPv4 and IPv6 internet protocols and allows you to use them simultaneously.
Setting up IPv6 takes time, but it’s easy if you carefully follow all of the steps.
For more information on how to set up IPv6 on your FRITZ!Box, check out this step-by-step tutorial here.
Conclusion
There isn’t much left to say on the topic other than to remind you to always take care of your privacy and keep an eye on the ever-changing online world.
IPv6 is just one of the many things we’ll be seeing more of in the future, so it’s about right to find a VPN that supports it.
In the meantime, get yourself a VPN that supports IPv6 like Hide.me and enjoy the many benefits it offers, including this great deal!
