NordVPN is the best VPN for Vodafone users in Asian, African, Oceanic, and European countries where the ISP is present.
This VPN service is compatible with mobile devices and routers, protects you from DDoS attacks, keeps your data private from Vodafone, and bypasses throttling.
I reviewed 20+ other VPNs for Vodafone. Of these, Surfshark, PureVPN, ExpressVPN and PrivateVPN are also compatible with Vodafone.
In the rest of this guide, I’ll discuss how to set up a VPN for Vodafone.
I’ll also talk about lesser-known yet significant reasons to use a VPN on Vodafone – and how my top VPNs help in these cases.
Top 3 VPNs for Vodafone
Surfshark
Best for shared Vodafone use
- Unlimited connections
- 4,500+ global servers
- Local and global access
NordVPN
Best for Vodafone performance
- 8,400+ global servers
- Strong mobile support
- Fast encrypted connections
ExpressVPN
Best for bypassing firewalls
- Hides VPN traffic
- 3,000+ global servers
- Broad Vodafone coverage
In a Hurry? Here’s What Makes My Top VPNs for Vodafone Special
I didn’t just choose the first VPNs I came across. After extensive tests, I’ve summarized the reasons why each Virtual Private Network (VPN) made the list below:
- NordVPN – NordVPN offers 8,400+ servers in 167+ countries to unblock content reliably over Vodafone. You also get robust router software to protect your gaming consoles, smart TVs, and home units connected to the Vodafone network.
- Surfshark – Surfshark’s unlimited simultaneous device connections is the best bet for your household of devices and smart units connected to a Vodafone network. Also, unblock content from a generous 4,500+ server network in 100 countries.
- ExpressVPN – Enjoy fast obfuscation to bypass Vodafone’s VPN traffic blocks while unblocking content faster over a 3000+-strong server network.
- PureVPN – Industry-standard encryption over 6000+ servers in 65+ countries to unblock content, unlock faster speeds or secure your internet experience when surfing with Vodafone.
- PrivateVPN – A budget VPN for Vodafone mobile users with servers in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Australia, a kill switch in every app, and ten connections.
There’s more to these VPNs than meets the eye. During my tests over the Vodafone network, I discovered unique opportunities where they shine and compare to one another.
So, continue reading to make a better choice.
My Reviews and Comparisons of the Top VPNs for Vodafone
I tested 20+ VPNs for mobile support, compatibility with the Vodafone network, speed, privacy, and security.
Here’s how the top five of the group compare against the rest.
NordVPN – 8,400+ Mobile-Friendly Servers for Data Privacy on Vodafone Network
NordVPN’s 8,400+ servers in 167+ countries cover regions in:
- Europe
- Asia
- Oceania
- Africa
I’m interested in these regions since they’re where Vodafone operates.
Thus, you can find a local server to:
- Secure the internet over VPN in your country without losing access to local services
- Unblock local content from abroad via a server in your country while using the Vodafone network
- Connect to a closer server for secure gaming with less ping
- Encrypt your internet connection over public Wi-Fi networks without losing access to banking apps, local stores, etc.
Its coverage of Vodafone’s African and Middle Eastern markets isn’t complete, though. South Africa is its biggest African hub, Egypt is served through a virtual Cairo location, and its Middle Eastern list now includes the United Arab Emirates, Qatar (virtual), Turkey, and Israel, but not Oman. Surfshark and PureVPN fill some of those gaps, and PureVPN has an Oman server.
So, Vodafone users in a Middle Eastern or African country NordVPN doesn’t cover may have to set up split tunneling to use NordVPN over Vodafone in their country.
Moreover, you can only use split tunneling on Android, not iOS devices.
I’ve included a short, helpful video to setup NordVPN’s split tunneling on your Android devices below:
Fortunately, you can always connect to NordVPN’s international servers from anywhere to:
- Unblock region-restricted content libraries like Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video US, beIN sports, etc.
- Get access to geo-restricted platforms like Hulu, DAZN, Crave TV, etc.
During my tests, I found that NordVPN is fast enough to stream content in HD. Knowing that VPNs cause a connection drop due to their encryption, maintaining such speeds on its servers is impressive.
However, it’s generally not as fast as ExpressVPN and PureVPN.
Although, the speed differences are negligible enough that they won’t be a dealbreaker.
That said, NordVPN’s speeds are impressive enough to bypass Vodafone’s bandwidth throttling attempts. This allows you to:
- Stream content in HD or higher quality for longer
- Download content anytime without bandwidth throttling
- Play resource-intensive games without lag
I tested this and got better speeds on my connection over NordVPN as shown below.
Benchmark speeds without NordVPN:
Internet speed over NordVPN’s servers:
Speaking of playing games, I ensured NordVPN is compatible with mobile games. I tested it with Clash of Clans, Call of Duty, Fortnite, and PUBG, and it wasn’t slow. In fact, it allowed me to connect to foreign servers and play with peers I wouldn’t have had access to in my country.
Fortunately, NordVPN isn’t great on mobile phones alone.
You can also set up the NordVPN router software to broadcast a secure Vodafone network to your smart home and other internet-enabled devices.
This is the best way to:
- Unblock content on your smart TV units that can’t download a native VPN app
- Prevent DDoS attacks when gaming online on your PlayStation or Xbox consoles
- Get access to PlayStation/Xbox content not available in your region
Whether on mobile or PC, choosing the NordVPN-exclusive NordLynx protocol is best for the best speeds, security, and relatively minimal data usage.
Like me, you’ll also appreciate the NordVPN torrent support on mobile and PC devices.
It ensures Vodafone can’t see you’re accessing torrent sites or the files you’re downloading. Thus, the internet service provider (ISP) can’t log your activities, report you to copyright trolls or send you nasty copyright notices.
To seed torrents, though, your best bet is ExpressVPN.
Besides torrent activity, NordVPN’s 256-bit encryption prevents Vodafone from seeing the sites you visit.
On top of that, NordVPN doesn’t keep logs either. So, Vodafone/other unauthorized personnel can’t hack its servers to see what you were doing while connected.
NordVPN allows protection on up to ten devices on the Vodafone network. So, you can protect multiple mobile devices and Vodafone routers without paying for a new account.
Still, NordVPN is one of the most affordable VPN providers I reviewed.
Get these NordVPN discounts and enjoy a 30-day money-back guarantee on your purchase.
Pros
- 8,400+ servers in 167+ countries
- Privacy from Vodafone when downloading torrents
- AES 256-bit encryption hides your internet activity
- Audited no-logs VPN provider
- Easy-to-use mobile apps for Android and iOS
- Fast VPN to bypass Vodafone throttling and stream content fast
Cons
- No Oman server for Vodafone Oman users
- Doesn’t support torrent seeding
Surfshark – Unlimited Device Protection on Vodafone With 4,500+ Servers
Surfshark is the best VPN for a group of Vodafone users who need to unblock content access, get faster speeds, and protect their internet activity from the ISP.
The VPN provider makes this possible with unlimited simultaneous connections. Luckily, it slaps unlimited bandwidth on top of that, so you’re not sharing speed allocations with other users.
Surfshark’s 4,500+ servers in 100 countries are a smaller network than NordVPN’s, but it still gives you a good chance of finding a server in the Vodafone country you’re in. This includes African regions like Egypt and South Africa.
While this isn’t all the African regions with Vodafone’s presence, it’s solid coverage for the continent. Also, Surfshark beats NordVPN on device limits, though not in the Middle East: its United Arab Emirates server covers ¼ of the Vodafone-present countries in the region, and NordVPN has a UAE location too.
Thankfully, Surfshark also offers split tunneling for Vodafone users in countries where the VPN doesn’t have servers. Enable that to encrypt your connections while bypassing the VPN on sensitive apps (like your banking applications).
Like NordVPN, though, Surfshark’s split tunneling only works on PCs and Android devices.
Moving on, Surfshark isn’t the fastest VPN provider on this list.
It consistently falls behind ExpressVPN and NordVPN in some of my tests, but there’s a silver lining:
The VPN provider is fast enough to unblock HD streams and bypass Vodafone’s speed throttling in your region.
I even tested it for mobile gaming, and it did well with titles like:
- League of Legends
- Clash of Clans
- Fortnite
- PUBG
Likewise, Surfshark’s speeds make it great for unblocking Plex, Vuze, Hulu, Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, and other region-specific streaming services over Vodafone.
Unlike NordVPN, though, Surfshark doesn’t have its own protocol.
Instead, it relies on the stock WireGuard protocol for the best mobile and PC speeds/security.
I didn’t forget torrent downloaders, either.
Here, Surfshark supports private and anonymous torrent downloads but not seeding. Its AES 256-bit encryption promise holds up, preventing Vodafone from seeing who’s downloading torrents (or the files you’re downloading.
Again, ExpressVPN is the best bet to seed and download torrents without Vodafone finding out.
If that won’t be a dealbreaker, you’ll find Surfshark’s mobile apps easy to use, install, and set up. Luckily, the iOS and Android apps have a similar interface. So, you’re not lost in the settings and setup if you switch devices.
Additionally, you can install the Surfshark router software to encrypt your Wi-Fi internet if supplied by Vodafone. This is also an excellent way to protect smart home units and gaming consoles and unblock content on smart TVs.
To know if your router can support the Surfshark VPN software, check the short video guide below:
Even though you get unlimited simultaneous connections with Surfshark, it’s still very affordable.
These Surfshark discounts offer you an even better deal and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- 4,500+ servers in 100 countries
- Download torrents without getting caught
- AES 256-bit encryption for data privacy
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- User-friendly mobile and router apps
- Egypt, South Africa, and UAE servers for Vodafone’s African and Middle Eastern markets
Cons
- Not as fast as ExpressVPN and NordVPN
ExpressVPN – Private Torrent Download & Seeding on Vodafone Network
ExpressVPN mimics Surfshark by providing servers in:
- Europe
- Oceania
- Asia
- Only Egypt and South Africa in Africa
- No parts of the Middle East
So, PureVPN is the better choice of the two for Middle Eastern Vodafone users who want to retain access to the local internet while encrypting their connection.
When you’re not worried about local content, ExpressVPN’s 3000+ servers in 113 countries offer the same protection and reliable unblocking.
In fact, I’ve tried the US servers to successfully unblock Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, CNN Go, and Disney+.
But that’s not the best thing about ExpressVPN. This VPN provider uses fast obfuscation on all servers and protocols.
This allows your VPN traffic to pass through Vodafone’s systems if the ISP monitors and blocks VPN traffic.
It’s more impressive because obfuscation protocols usually cause massive connection drops. However, ExpressVPN has managed to keep it ultra-fast. Always connect via the Lightway (UDP) protocol on mobile to get the best obfuscation speeds and security without incurring significant extra data usage.
Another big selling point for ExpressVPN is torrent download and seeding support. I’ve downloaded a ton of torrent files over this VPN, and I’ve never gotten:
- Speed throttling issues since Vodafone can’t see what I’m doing
- Notices from copyright trolls
- Nasty “cease-and-desist” messages from Vodafone
This is partly due to ExpressVPN’s AES 256-bit encryption.
This level of encryption is also responsible for keeping Vodafone’s (and its advertising partners’) noses out of your private online sessions and internet data.
Additionally, a twice-audited no-logs policy ensures your internet data is at lesser risk of getting into the wrong hands. With ExpressVPN in the BVI, Vodafone has no jurisdiction to ask for your VPN connection data.
I’m equally impressed with my relatively low ping on ExpressVPN’s tests.
In real life, it has helped me unblock games like League of Legends, Apex Legends, Fortnite, FIFA 21, and PUBG over foreign servers without laggy gameplay. This further shows its support for mobile Vodafone devices.
Fortunately, it also offers in-built DDoS protection on every server, unlike PureVPN.
Those who use Vodafone on their router get the same level of privacy with ExpressVPN’s robust router software. It’s also easy to set up for beginners like the other providers on this list.
ExpressVPN’s Basic plan now covers ten simultaneous Vodafone device connections, level with NordVPN, PureVPN, and PrivateVPN. It still costs more than Surfshark, PureVPN, and PrivateVPN, though.
Considering its fast obfuscation, reliable unblocking speeds, and decent server spread, it’s worth it.
So, save more with these ExpressVPN discounts and get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- 3000+ VPN servers in 113 countries
- AES 256-bit encryption for privacy over the Vodafone network
- Twice audited no logs policy
- Fast obfuscation on mobile, PC, and router
- Beginner-friendly mobile apps for Vodafone users
- DDoS protection is enabled by default
Cons
- No unlimited-connections option like Surfshark’s
- Expensive VPN provider
PureVPN – Reliable Encryption on 6000+ Servers to Unblock Services on Vodafone
PureVPN extends on Surfshark’s server lead, providing local Vodafone VPN users with servers in:
- Egypt
- South Africa
- Oman
- Bahrain
- United Arab Emirates
This is in addition to the several servers in Europe, Asia and Oceania regions where Vodafone is present. Fortunately, the majority of its 6000+ servers are US-based, which ensures
- Premium access to US-only content like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video US, Netflix US, HBO, Twitch, etc.
- Access to a more unrestricted internet from US servers
- Defeating Vodafone’s throttling over fast US servers
PureVPN also impresses with its speed for unblocking content streams without buffering. Gamers will also appreciate the low ping and latency they’ll get on PureVPN to play mobile games like:
- Mobile Legends
- Clash of Clans
- League of Legends
Fortunately, PureVPN is also plenty fast to unblock and encrypt your online gameplay over PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles.
Thanks to its AES 256-bit protection, you get
- Privacy to prevent other gamers, internet users, advertisers, Vodafone itself, and your government from deanonymizing you online
- Extra support for reliable unblocking by hiding your actual IP address
However, I’m concerned that PureVPN offers DDoS protection as a paid add-on rather than part of the package.
This is most important for online gamers using Vodafone’s network or other internet users at risk of getting DDoS-ed. Thus, I’ll recommend NordVPN if you’re looking for a fast VPN provider that doesn’t charge you extra for this security feature.
If you’re more of a torrent downloader than a gamer, PureVPN has you covered with P2P-optimized torrent download-supporting servers.
Being a twice-audited no-logs VPN provider based in the British Virgin Islands, it won’t tell Vodafone what torrent sites you visited or files you downloaded there.
You should know that heavy torrent downloaders on Vodafone’s network stand a higher chance of speed throttling during large-volume downloads.
Since Vodafone can’t see what you’re doing online (thanks to PureVPN’s encryption), its systems can’t throttle your bandwidth.
PureVPN is no Surfshark, but it matches NordVPN and ExpressVPN with ten simultaneous device connections. You can choose to share these slots with other family members using Vodafone or protect your other devices.
Speaking of other devices, you can set up PureVPN on your smartphones, router, and PCs.
Thankfully, the VPN provider isn’t expensive.
Get these HUGE Savings on PureVPN + a 31-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- 6000+ servers in 65+ countries
- Servers in Oman, Bahrain, and the UAE for Vodafone’s Middle East
- Twice audited no logs VPN provider
- Uses AES 256-bit encryption for internet data privacy
- Unblocks content fast without lag
- Offers ten simultaneous device connections
Cons
- Paid DDoS protection package
- Limited simultaneous connections
PrivateVPN – Budget VPN for Vodafone Mobile Users With a Kill Switch in Every App
PrivateVPN is the small Swedish provider I’d point a Vodafone customer to when the budget decides it and the phone is the main device.
Its network is a fraction of the others’ at 200+ servers in 63 countries, but a look at its server list (checked today) turns up the Vodafone markets that matter:
- United Kingdom (London and Manchester)
- Germany (Berlin and Frankfurt)
- Italy (Milan)
- Spain (Madrid)
- Australia (Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney)
- Ireland, Portugal, the Netherlands, Greece, Czechia, Romania, Hungary, and Turkey
- South Africa, India, and New Zealand
What’s missing matters just as much: there’s no Egypt, Qatar, or Oman server, and PrivateVPN has no split tunneling to work around that, so Vodafone users in those countries should look at NordVPN (for Egypt and Qatar), Surfshark, or PureVPN instead.
Every location hands out a shared static IP, so your banking app sees the same address each time your phone reconnects to, say, the London server – calmer than a new IP every morning.
The reason it’s on this page, though, is the kill switch. Mobile is where VPN connections drop – hopping from Vodafone 5G to Wi-Fi, or losing signal on a train – and PrivateVPN’s blocks your internet until the tunnel is back, so Vodafone never sees the sites you were on in the gap. On Android it’s a toggle in the app; the iOS app doesn’t expose a switch, so read my PrivateVPN kill switch guide before you rely on it there.
Speed is fine for a phone. In my Sweden roundup, PrivateVPN averaged 44 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection, enough for HD streams and to beat Vodafone’s throttling on video, though it isn’t in ExpressVPN’s or PureVPN’s league. Pick WireGuard or IKEv2 in the app rather than the OpenVPN default: IKEv2 reconnects fastest after a signal drop, and both use less data and battery than OpenVPN.
If Vodafone’s filtering ever starts dropping VPN connections, PrivateVPN’s Stealth VPN mode makes the traffic look like regular internet traffic so it passes networks that try to block VPN use. It’s a manual toggle and slower than ExpressVPN’s always-on obfuscation, so save it for when you need it.
Torrenting on Vodafone broadband is covered too: port forwarding is included on selected servers and protocols, every server allows P2P, and seeding works, which on this list only ExpressVPN also allows.
Two caveats. PrivateVPN’s no-logs policy has never been independently audited, unlike NordVPN’s, Surfshark’s, ExpressVPN’s, and PureVPN’s, and it’s based in Sweden, a 14 Eyes member; Vodafone can’t see your traffic either way, but the audited providers give you proof rather than a promise. And there’s no Smart DNS and no router app of its own, so protecting a Vodafone-supplied router or a smart TV means a manual setup on a third-party router (my PrivateVPN router guide covers it).
Apps cover Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS, and one subscription runs on ten devices, level with NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and PureVPN. The 36-month plan works out to $2.08 a month (billed $75 a year after the first term), cheaper than NordVPN and ExpressVPN, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Get these PrivateVPN discounts if a cheap, kill-switched VPN on your Vodafone phone is all you need.
Pros
- Servers in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, and other Vodafone markets such as Ireland, Portugal, and Turkey
- Kill switch in every app to cover signal drops on mobile
- Shared static IP on every location
- Port forwarding and P2P on every server for torrenting on Vodafone broadband
- Stealth VPN mode if Vodafone starts blocking VPN traffic
- Ten simultaneous connections at $2.08 a month on the 36-month plan
Cons
- Only 200+ servers, with no Egypt, Qatar, or Oman location
- No independent audit of its no-logs policy, and Sweden is a 14 Eyes member
- No Smart DNS, split tunneling, or router app
How to Setup a VPN With Vodafone?
The best way to set up a VPN over Vodafone is by enabling the kill switch, choosing the suitable protocol, and connecting to the best server.
Find the stepwise guide to enabling your VPN on Vodafone below.
- Choose your preferred VPN. I use NordVPN on Vodafone.
- Choose a VPN protocol. Tap the Account icon > Settings > Protocol > NordLynx.
- Search for a preferred server. I’ll connect to the US for this example.
- Wait for the connection confirmation.
- Test for leaks.
- Enjoy a secure, unfiltered version of the web.
Can I Use a Free VPN for Vodafone?
You shouldn’t use a free VPN for Vodafone if you genuinely care about speed, online privacy, and security. Even a reputable free plan like Proton VPN’s runs at reduced speed on a randomly assigned server, which is no answer to ISP throttling or VPN-induced connection drops.
Likewise, free VPNs are notorious for being ad-supported. Thus, they introduce you to a more cluttered web version, collect data for advertisers and further invade your privacy with the ads.
Furthermore, most free VPN providers only offer a handful of servers, usually not in regions where Vodafone is present. Besides limiting your reliable content unblocking ability, this also makes it almost impossible to find local servers.
So, if cost is an issue, choose a provider like Surfshark that can be crowd-bought by a group since it offers unlimited simultaneous connections, or PrivateVPN, whose 36-month plan works out to $2.08 a month for ten devices.
What to Do When Your VPN Isn’t Working With Vodafone?
You might lose internet access after enabling your VPN, get a massive connection drop, fail to unblock content, or encounter several other issues. Here’s how to troubleshoot these issues.
- Choose a reliable VPN. Picking a robust VPN is the solution to most VPN-related problems I faced with Vodafone. I recommend NordVPN if you’re stuck between options.
- Test the internet connection. Sometimes, your Vodafone internet connection might be down. In this case, a VPN can do nothing until your ISP fixes the issue.
- Try obfuscation. I don’t always recommend obfuscation on Vodafone, but it works if the ISP is blocking VPN traffic. I recommend ExpressVPN for fast, automatic obfuscation.
- Switch VPN protocols. Always use the fastest (WireGuard/NordLynx/Lightway) protocols for Vodafone. Alternatively, IKEv2 is also an excellent protocol for mobile users.
- Get a third-party router. Installing your VPN on a Vodafone-supplied router might not work as well. I suggest you get a third-party router for your VPN.
- Speak with customer support. I recommend speaking with your VPN customer support before Vodafone. Fortunately, my top VPNs for Vodafone have 24/7 customer support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Put a VPN on Vodafone Router?
You can’t put a VPN on most Vodafone-supplied routers as they don’t support tunneling or VPN clients. However, you can still encrypt your Vodafone Wi-Fi by purchasing a third-party router and signing up for a router-supported VPN like NordVPN.
Thus, you can subscribe to Vodafone internet on your router and still bypass internet restrictions via the VPN on the router.
Does Vodafone Block VPNs?
Vodafone sometimes blocks VPN websites when its internet filtering settings are enabled but doesn’t restrict the VPN traffic. In cases where Vodafone turns on VPN traffic blocks, you can bypass those with obfuscation protocols masking your VPN traffic as regular traffic.
I recommend ExpressVPN for this, considering its fast obfuscation to mask your traffic without suffering a considerable speed blow.
Does Vodafone Provide Its Own VPN Service?
Vodafone provides an IP-VPN for business users, ensuring encrypted communications between the business and its employees.
However, this Vodafone IP-VPN alternative doesn’t help bypass restrictions, unblock content unavailable in your region, encrypt your internet activity from the ISP or prevent Vodafone’s tracking.
Thus, getting a reliable third-party VPN like NordVPN to safely unblock content from anywhere and get robust online security and privacy from the ISP is best.
Is It Legal to Use a VPN on Vodafone?
Using a VPN isn’t illegal on Vodafone, provided you don’t do anything illegal on the network. So, you can install a VPN on your mobile devices/router using the Vodafone network to bypass restrictions, surf the web anonymously, and bypass speed throttling.
How Do I Get Around Vodafone Content Block?
The best way to get around the Vodafone content block is via a VPN.
A reliable Vodafone VPN like NordVPN changes your IP address, removing you from the list of Vodafone-assigned IPs subjected to packet inspections and web filtering.
Besides unblocking content restricted on the Vodafone network, good VPNs will also unblock content not usually available in your region from its relevant servers.
The Future Is More Exciting With a VPN
I know Vodafone promises that the future is exciting on its network.
Still, you can enjoy a more exciting future with these VPNs.
Imagine getting access to content from anywhere, faster download/upload speeds, torrenting without spooking copyright trolls, and keeping your online activity private from Vodafone.
If that sounds like something you’re interested in, get these NordVPN discounts.






