The original Omegle shut down in November 2023, so ProtonVPN can’t get you onto it any more – and it didn’t work with Omegle while the site was running, either.
I tested dozens of its servers with no luck. However, in my quest to find a VPN that worked with Omegle, I found an alternative: PrivateVPN.
Omegle’s users have since moved to sites built on the same idea, such as OmeTV, Chatroulette, Emerald Chat, and Monkey. For those, I’d start with NordVPN, with Surfshark next and PrivateVPN as a solid third choice.
In 2026 a different company relaunched the omegle.com address as a new, 18+ video-chat service with age verification. The same VPN routine applies there too.
In this guide, I’ll show you why ProtonVPN didn’t work with Omegle and give more details on the alternatives.
Why Didn’t ProtonVPN Work With Omegle?
ProtonVPN didn’t work with Omegle because the chat site banned IP addresses associated with VPNs to keep out abusers, like spammers, phishers, and bots.
And since ProtonVPN can be used to evade bans, Omegle blocked VPN IPs from the start to eliminate all risks.
Its replacements ban shared VPN addresses in much the same way, and ProtonVPN has nothing to fall back on there: it only sells dedicated IP addresses to business users. Its free plan also picks your server for you from 10 countries, so you can’t choose where the chat site thinks you are.
VPN Alternatives for Omegle’s Replacements
When Omegle was running, I tested several VPNs with it, including NordVPN and Surfshark, and could only get in with PrivateVPN. However, I had to try several servers before finding one that worked.
Ultimately, I used the Sweden – Stockholm server.
OmeTV went better: NordVPN unblocked it on my first try with a US server, and Surfshark got me chatting with a stranger in Australia. That’s why, for OmeTV, Chatroulette, and the rest, I’d start with NordVPN, with Surfshark next and PrivateVPN as a solid third choice.
Each of them has its own OmeTV guide: NordVPN on OmeTV, Surfshark on OmeTV, and PrivateVPN on OmeTV. For more options, see my roundups of the best VPNs for OmeTV and the best VPNs for Chatroulette.
How to Tell if Your VPN Works With OmeTV or Chatroulette?
Follow these steps to tell if your VPN works with a random video chat site. My screenshots are from Omegle’s app before it shut down, but the check is the same on its replacements:
- Connect to your preferred VPN server. I used NordVPN in my example.
- Open the chat site or app on your device.
- Start a text or video chat.
- Accept the terms and conditions.
- If you’re banned straight away, the site has blocked that server’s IP address, so switch to another server or try a different VPN.
Summary
ProtonVPN has many great features but couldn’t bypass Omegle’s strong VPN ban, and it has no dedicated IPs on its consumer plans to fall back on when OmeTV or Chatroulette bans a shared address.
For those sites, I’d start with NordVPN, with Surfshark next. PrivateVPN, which got me onto Omegle with its Sweden – Stockholm server, is a solid third choice.
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