Best Turkey VPN Still Working in 2024
It’s never been more important to have the best VPN for Turkey installed on your device. With increasing surveillance and persecution of anyone who speaks out against the government, you need a reliable way to ensure your privacy online. Today’s guide outlines how to get around Internet censorship and cybersecurity threats, plus recommends our editor’s choice of top-tier VPN providers.
Turkey today faces severe restrictions on internet freedom, with frequent internet blackouts and blocking of social media sites by the government during times of unrest. Since 2016 the situation has only gotten worse, with the government filtering and blocking more websites – including major platforms such as YouTube – throttling bandwidth during political events, and even fully shutting down internet access for periods.
Due to these repressive restrictions, many people in Turkey use a VPN to access the internet freely and without monitoring. During times of political turmoil, internet access becomes even more essential. However, in the same period since 2016, a wave of VPN blocks have been put in place to make it harder for people to make use of VPN services in the country.
We have identified a list of VPN providers which have been reported to still work in Turkey. In this article, we’ll describe how you can use a VPN to get around internet restrictions and then share our recommendations for the best VPNs for Turkey.
Editor's Pick October 2024
How To Select A VPN Provider
With internet access being more important to freedom of communication and personal liberties than ever before, it’s clear how essential a VPN is for use in Turkey to get around government-forced blackouts. But as we mentioned, not all VPNs work in Turkey. As well as looking for a provider which does work to get around VPN blocking software, what other features should you look for in a VPN? When you’re trying to select a VPN provider, here are the issues that you would want to consider:
- Strong encryption. To keep data safe you need strong encryption which will be almost impossible to crack. 256-bit encryption is the industry standard for strong security.
- No logging policy. Some VPN providers keep records of what sites their users visit and how they have used their internet connection. This is a problem as a government can force a VPN provider to hand over their data about their users, compromising your privacy. So you want a VPN provider which keeps no logs of your internet use, therefore when they’re asked to hand over data they have nothing to give to authorities.
- A large network of servers. You want a VPN with plenty of servers available for your use so that you can find one which works. It’s also helpful for those servers to be located in a broad range of countries so that you can access the internet as if you were in any of those locations.
Fast connection speeds. You don’t want a slow VPN that will make your internet sluggish and painful to use. The best VPN providers have super-fast connections which you won’t even notice are there.
Comparison Of The Best VPNs For Secure Internet In Turkey
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 24/7 Live Chat
- Yes
- 24/7 Live Chat
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
- Netflix,
- Disney+,
- Amazon Prime,
- iPlayer,
- YouTube,
- Hulu
Best VPNS for Secure Internet in Turkey
We’ve used these factors and information on which providers are still working in the country to compile a list of the best VPNs for Turkey:
1. ExpressVPN
- Unblocking Netflix, iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime
- Fastest servers we have tested
- Secure encryption & VPN protocols
- No logging policy well enforced
- Great support (24/7 chat)
- Slightly more expensive than some other options
The strong 256-bit encryption and no-logging policy ensure solid security, and the massive network of more than 3,000 servers in 94 different countries means that you can access websites from all over the world. The connections are super fast and the software is easy to use and can be installed on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android devices and is also available as an extension for the Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox web browsers.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
2. NordVPN
- Unblocks American Netflix
- Extensive server park of over 5,400 different servers
- Torrenting is explicitly permitted
- Retains no metadata of your browsing
- Money back guarantee policy
- Refund processing can take up to 30 days
For the highest level of security when you want the absolute best protection, we recommend NordVPN. This company offers a special double encryption service that puts your data through two separate layers of encryption. Once your data is first encrypted and sent out from your device, it goes to a server where it is encrypted again and sent to a second server. At the second server, it is decrypted and sent to its destination. These two layers of encryption ensure the best possible security for your data by making it virtually impossible to crack.
As you would expect, the company uses strong encryption and has a no-logging policy. In addition to excellent security, the service has a large network of 5,700 servers in 60 different countries. You can install the software on Windows, Mac OS, Linux, iOS, Chrome OS, Android, and Windows Phone devices.
Read our full NordVPN review.
3. PureVPN
If you’re new to VPNs and you want the simplest, easiest-to-use VPN service, then we recommend PureVPN. This service was confirmed to still be working in Turkey during the last blackout. In addition to the highly effective VPN, a subscription to the service comes with a bundle of extra security software. This includes anti-virus and anti-malware protection, ad blocking, anti-spam, and app filtering options, making the service an all-in-one security package.
The VPN component of the service gives you access to a network of 2,000+ servers in over 140 different countries, to help you get around regional restrictions. It uses 256-bit encryption and has a no-logging policy for your privacy. It also has extra options like a dedicated IP add-on and an internet kill switch in addition to protection against DDoS. The software is available for Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, and Android TV, plus browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.
Read our full PureVPN review.
4. VyprVPN
If you most want to be able to use the internet even during blackouts and to be able to get around almost any kind of VPN detection software, then VyprVPN is your best choice. The special feature of this software is its Chameleon protocol which is designed to defeat VPN blocking mechanisms. It works by encrypting both the data that you send over the internet and its metadata. This metadata contains information about the data like its origin and destination, and normally a network can scan this metadata to detect VPN use. With the Chameleon protocol active, it is not possible for the network to see the metadata and so networks cannot detect VPN use. This means that you can continue to use this VPN even when networks are using VPN blocking. The service was reported to still be working in Turkey during the last blackout.
The encryption used is strong and there is a no-logging policy. The server network offers 700 servers in 70 countries, and the software is available for Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android.
Read our full VyprVPN review.
Using A VPN To Get Around Internet Restrictions
When the government decides to block a website such as Facebook in Turkey, they compel internet service providers (ISPs) to prevent all of their customers from accessing that site. The ISPs put rules in place so that when you try to access the Facebook website, your internet connection is blocked from accessing the site’s data. This is what happened during the late 2016 period of unrest, in which many of the major ISPs in the country blocked access to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and WhatsApp to prevent people from learning about or discussing the political situation.
If you’re in Turkey during an internet blackout period, you can access blocked websites by using a VPN. A VPN is a small piece of software that you install onto your phone or computer and which decrypts all of your data before your device sends it over the internet. This encrypted data is passed to a server run by your VPN provider where it is decrypted and then sent on its way to its original destination.
This encryption means that no one can see the contents of the data that you send across the internet. The government cannot see what sites you are looking at or read the communications that you send. And also, because your ISP cannot see which website you are connecting to, they cannot block access to particular sites. When you turn a VPN on and connect to a server, you can continue to use the internet as usual for browsing websites, sending emails, or sending instant messages. You can access blocked sites like Facebook or YouTube and use them as normal. But now all of the information you are sending over your connection will be encrypted to protect your privacy and to allow you to use the internet freely.
However, some networks in Turkey have started to use VPN detection software to block connections from VPNs. This means that not all VPNs will work in Turkey as some of them will be detected and blocked. VPN providers are in a constant game of cat and mouse with developments in the blocking software, trying to find new ways to let people continue to access the sites that they want to use.
RELATED READING: How to Make Your VPN Undetectable
Additional Reasons To Use A VPN
As well as getting around blackouts and letting you access blocked websites, there are several other advantages to using a VPN:
Protect Yourself From Government Snooping
As we alluded to above, using a VPN will protect your data from observation by the government as well as from tracking by your ISP. When your data is encrypted before it’s sent over the internet, it will be almost impossible for outside observers of any kind to access it and gather data. If you don’t want your emails to be read or your internet history to be tracked, then using a VPN makes it almost impossible for even sophisticated spying technology to snoop on you.
Improve Your Cyber Security
Another concern related to online security is hacking of your devices, whether it’s the government trying to collect data or criminals trying to steal your identity. Whenever you connect your device to a public wifi network you run the risk of someone else on that network being able to hack your device by observing the data you send across the network. Using a VPN to encrypt that data closes this security hole and ensures that people can’t access data from your device when you’re using public wifi.
Access Content From Other Countries
If you want to watch the news from a foreign source like the British provider BBC or to see news, video, or media from other countries, then you can use a VPN. Even a site like the BBC iPlayer which is normally only usable within the UK can be used from within Turkey with a VPN.
You just need to choose a server in your country of interest to connect to, then you’ll be able to browse the internet as if you were in that country. If you connect to a VPN server in the UK and then visit the iPlayer website, you’ll be able to watch live and on-demand content including the news, documentaries, and other kinds of shows. A good VPN provider will have servers in countries all over the world, so you’ll be able to use websites from almost anywhere as if you were browsing them locally.
Using a VPN to get a Turkish IP Address when abroad
While there are many methods for getting IP addresses from Turkey, VPNs are by far the best of the lot. Proxies and website-based services can be slow and unreliable, and they’re also known to deliver viruses and malware to users. With a VPN, you can be sure your data is secured every moment you’re connected. Other options won’t give you this protection and should be avoided at all costs.
With the right VPN you can enjoy an unrestricted internet connection with the IP address of your choice. They also open up a new realm of content to explore, including new movies, live TV, and other benefits listed below.
Watch Videos from Turkey
Using services like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, or YouTube means accessing only a small portion of their content at a time. Your IP address tells the sites your location, then they deliver streams based on your region. Certain movies or TV shows may not be available if you’re in the “wrong” area, which is frustrating for travelers and citizens alike.
VPNs can get around this restriction to let you watch videos and live sports from anywhere in the world. They accomplish this through encryption and virtual IP addresses, the combination of which protects your real identity and makes it appear as if you’re located elsewhere. Want to watch TV shows from Turkey? Get a Turkish IP address using a VPN, visit a site, and let the streams begin.
Alternatively, if you’re in Turkey, you can use the same method to unblock streaming sites from other countries.
Access Turkish News Media
President Erdogan’s government keeps a tight control over Turkey’s media, so we generally suggest VPNs as a solution to get unbiased news from outside the regime. Perhaps counterintuitively, there is a case to be made about using a Turkish IP address to get news from within the country as well. Many native Turks live abroad in places like Germany and the Netherlands, and have only limited access to Turkish-language news media to keep up with events back home. Unfortunately, Turkish news stations in Europe are almost entirely controlled by Turkey’s government, and these outlets are used to push the regime’s propaganda.
By dialing back into Turkey to unlock local publications, you actually broaden your access to a wider variety of Turkish news than you’d otherwise have access to abroad. Sure, the list of unbiased domestic stations and publications within Turkey’s borders isn’t massive, but it still allows you to cultivate a more balanced diet of Turkish news coverage. We recommend you check out Soczu, Halk TV and Fox TV.
Access Accounts Back Home
If you live or work in Turkey, chances are you have bank accounts, credit cards, and other services inside the country’s borders. In some cases, if you try accessing these from another area, you’ll find your connection immediately blocked. This is a security measure used to help keep your identity safe, but it can be annoying when you’re traveling or on vacation. VPNs can fix this problem in a flash. All you have to do is launch the app, sign in, choose a Turkish IP address, then access your accounts as normal.
Conclusion
The repressive internet restrictions repeatedly imposed by the Turkish government during times of unrest seek to stop citizens from accessing social media sites, news websites, and more. This attempt to crack down on free communication has hampered the usability of the internet for large sections of the population during the very times when this communication is most important.
Many people in Turkey use a VPN to continue using the internet freely during periods of government-enforced internet blackouts. However, recently the Turkish government has employed VPN blocking to stop people from being able to use their VPNs to get around restrictions.
We have provided a list of VPN providers which have been reported to still be working in Turkey, along with recommendations for which services would suit different types of users. These VPNs represent the best chance at continued free access to the internet when you’re living in or traveling through Turkey.
Have you had experience with blackouts and restrictions when using the internet in Turkey? Which VPNs have you found to still work there? Let us know the details in the comments below.
If you need a VPN for a short while when traveling for example, you can get our top ranked VPN free of charge. NordVPN includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. You will need to pay for the subscription, that’s a fact, but it allows full access for 30 days and then you cancel for a full refund. Their no-questions-asked cancellation policy lives up to its name.
