5 Best VPNs for Discord (2025): Secure Access & Avoid Bans

Most VPNs won't protect you while using Discord, and some might even get detected by Discord's systems, leading to frustrating connection issues and potential account bans. Yet, finding one that works reliably is crucial for privacy and consistent access from anywhere.

My team and I tested over 40 VPNs to find the best ones that work seamlessly with Discord. We focused on VPNs with fast speeds for low-latency gaming voice chats, strong security to prevent data leaks, and the technology needed to avoid triggering Discord's anti-VPN detection. We also prioritized VPNs that can access Discord in places with regional restrictions and school/workplace blocks.

ExpressVPN emerged as the best VPN for Discord thanks to its high-speed servers worldwide and Lightway protocol, which kept my voice chats crystal clear without any disconnections. You can try ExpressVPN with Discord risk-free since it's backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee*.

Best VPNs for Discord — Full Analysis (Updated 2025)

1. ExpressVPN — Fastest Discord VPN for Smooth Streaming and Video Calls

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Tested June 2025

Available on:

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www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN provides the fastest speeds for a clear experience without added lag on Discord, which is crucial if you’re a gamer or a content creator. During our tests on nearby servers, speeds only dropped to 241.04Mbps from our base 249Mbps connection while using Discord voice channels. This allowed me to communicate without robotic sounds or audio cutting out, and screen share without losing picture quality.

While some online games block VPNs, I never had this issue with ExpressVPN

All ExpressVPN servers have automatic obfuscation enabled, making accessing Discord on restricted networks easy. Whether at school, work, or in a country that limits VPN usage, ExpressVPN disguises your VPN traffic as regular web browsing. I successfully used Discord through ExpressVPN on my university network, where VPNs are usually blocked.

Leak protection prevents your real IP address, DNS queries, and WebRTC data from slipping through while connected. This is crucial for avoiding Discord account bans, especially if using the platform from a restricted region. Even brief IP or DNS leaks can alert Discord’s systems, but ExpressVPN’s built-in leak prevention tools block these vulnerabilities, keeping your identity and location hidden at all times.

While the VPN's cost is higher than that of competitors, the reliable Discord access and superior speeds justify the price. You can test ExpressVPN without financial risk as it has a 30-day money-back guarantee on all purchases. I found their 24/7 live chat support quick to process refunds without hassle — I got my money back within 5 days.

Useful Features

• Lightway protocol. The VPN’s Lightway protocol is designed for speed, helping reduce latency during Discord voice chats. It connects faster than traditional protocols and smooths your connection even on unstable networks, making conversations clearer and reliable. It’s also great for mobile as it consumes less battery.
• Split tunneling. You can route only Discord traffic through ExpressVPN while letting your games use your regular internet connection. This gives you the privacy and protection you need on Discord without slowing your gameplay.
• TrustedServer Technology. ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer tech runs every server entirely on RAM, not hard drives, so no data is ever stored. So, your Discord activity is never logged or left behind, giving you complete peace of mind.

2. CyberGhost — Low-Latency Gaming Servers Allow Competitive Play and Crystal-Clear Discord Audio

Available on:

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www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost's dedicated gaming servers maintain optimal performance for Discord voice chats and online gaming. When you expand the app, you’ll find them under the For Gaming tab. When we tested its New York gaming server, our Discord call quality was crystal clear while playing Apex Legends, with ping staying under 30ms throughout a 3-hour gaming session.

Each server shows its distance and latency to easily find the fastest one

Your privacy is taken seriously with CyberGhost's verified no-logs policy. This means none of your Discord activities or gaming data is ever recorded. Plus, the VPN has its headquarters in Romania, outside the data-sharing countries of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about the government compelling the VPN to hand over any of your data.

With a drop of just 8%, speeds are more than enough for Discord voice chats and streaming, even though it’s not quite as fast as ExpressVPN. I like its Best Location option, which automatically connects you to the fastest available server based on your location. It’s very convenient for a quick setup and reliable Discord performance.

While the monthly offering is expensive and has a shorter refund period, long-term purchases come with an extended 45-day money-back guarantee. This gives you plenty of time to test CyberGhost with Discord and your favorite games.

Useful Features

• Dedicated IPs. For a small additional fee, you can get a unique IP address that prevents Discord from flagging your account for suspicious login patterns. It also helps avoid CAPTCHAs and temporary blocks.
• Smart Rules. This automatically connects to your preferred gaming server when you launch Discord. You can even create custom rules for different Discord servers or gaming sessions.
• Block Content. Enable this feature to prevent malicious files and links shared in Discord from reaching your device. It also blocks trackers that could compromise your privacy while using Discord.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Extensive Server Network to Reliably Access Discord Anywhere

Available on:

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Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

PIA's vast network of servers makes it easy to find a working Discord server from anywhere. We connected to servers in multiple regions where Discord is popular among gamers, from the US to Japan, and enjoyed reliable connections without disconnection issues. The wide server distribution helps avoid overcrowding issues that could affect call quality.

I liked that I could configure PIA exactly how I wanted for my gaming setup. You can choose between OpenVPN (max security) and WireGuard (max speed). If you go with OpenVPN, you can also select your level of encryption — 256-bit military-grade protection or the slightly faster 128-bit. While testing PIA, WireGuard consistently gave us fast gaming and streaming speeds on Discord.

Select a small MTU size to reduce lag, voice distortion, and disconnects on Discord

Some users might find the extensive customization options intimidating, but PIA's default configuration works perfectly for Discord right out of the box. This means you don’t need to adjust anything before using the VPN, unless you want to fine-tune your experience.

Its long-term options provide the best value for money, and with its trustworthy money-back guarantee, you can test PIA with Discord for free for 30 days. You can also use it on as many devices as you want, as it offers unlimited simultaneous connections.

Useful Features

• MACE ad-blocker. This blocks malicious links, scam sites, and trackers targeting Discord users, eliminating potential security threats. I noticed faster Discord web load times with ads removed.
• Port forwarding. Use this to optimize connection speeds for Discord file sharing and direct connections. This feature helped resolve connectivity issues in voice channels.
• SOCKS5 proxy. This provides an additional layer of privacy for Discord connections without the overhead of full VPN encryption. It’s useful if you want to change your server location for Discord gaming sessions without affecting speed too much.

4. NordVPN — Advanced Security Features To Safeguard Your Discord Conversations from Hackers and Snoops

Available on:

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Try NordVPN >

www.nordvpn.com

NordVPN's advanced security features make it one of the safest options for Discord users. Its Double VPN servers route your connection through two different locations, making it nearly impossible to hack. During our tests, we successfully used Discord's voice and video features through these double-encrypted servers with minimal impact on call quality.

While Double VPN enhances anonymity, it’s not ideal for gaming

I found the Dark Web Monitor handy — it alerts you if your Discord-linked email address appears in data breaches across the dark web. This adds an extra layer of protection against Discord account takeovers, phishing attempts, and identity theft. I tested this by linking my email and was immediately notified of an old breach involving a forgotten account.

Threat Protection shields you from malicious links posted on Discord chats and other online threats. It blocks potentially harmful domains from communicating with your device. On the downside, server connection times can take slightly longer, sometimes up to 10 seconds to establish. However, once connected, Discord performance remains stable and secure.

All NordVPN offerings come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you plenty of time to test its security features with Discord. To claim a refund, simply contact customer support via 24/7 live chat.

Useful Features

• NordLynx. A proprietary protocol developed by NordVPN, NordLynx combines WireGuard's speed with enhanced security. This protocol is enabled by default, making your Discord voice chats noticeably smoother than other protocols.
• Meshnet. Use this feature to create secure private networks between you and your Discord friends for gaming sessions. It lets you connect directly to other devices without exposing your real IP address.

5. Surfshark — Intuitive Apps Make it Easy to Encrypt Your Discord Activity

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

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Try Surfshark >

www.surfshark.com

Surfshark's user-friendly apps simplify protecting your Discord chats and calls, regardless of your technical level. During our tests, finding optimal servers was straightforward — the Quick-connect feature automatically selected nearby options that worked perfectly for Discord voice channels.

Favoriting your preferred gaming servers makes reconnecting for future sessions quicker

Like PIA, Surfshark lets you simultaneously connect as many devices as you want. This means whether you’re on your computer, phone, or tablet, you can use Discord securely without logging off another device. As a multitasker and someone with a lot of devices, I found it really convenient. I even shared it with some family members during testing, and it worked smoothly on all 9 devices.

While Surfshark occasionally had higher latency on distant servers, its automatic server recommendation tool helped me find stable connections. I maintained clear audio quality in Discord voice chats by connecting to nearby servers with ping times under 50ms.

You can try Surfshark risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. When I tested the refund process through 24/7 live chat, I got my money back within 5 business days.

Useful Features

• Camouflage Mode. This hides your VPN traffic from Discord and network administrators, preventing potential account flags and detection on restricted networks like schools or offices.
• GPS Spoofing. Enable GPS spoofing to match your virtual location with your VPN server location on mobile devices. This prevents Discord from detecting location mismatches that could trigger security alerts.

Quick Comparison Table: Discord VPN Features

Features like speed, server coverage, and security are crucial when choosing a VPN for Discord. I've compared the most important aspects of each VPN to help you make an informed decision based on your specific needs.

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, CyberGhost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Our Methodology for Testing VPNs for Discord

We extensively tested each VPN's ability to maintain stable Discord voice chats and reliable connections across multiple servers. Performance was crucial — we measured latency and connection speeds to ensure smooth Discord calls without lag or dropouts. We also verified that each VPN could prevent IP bans and protect against data leaks that could compromise Discord accounts.

FAQs on Best VPNs for Discord

Why shouldn't I use a free VPN with Discord?

Free VPNs can seriously compromise your Discord security and privacy. You're better off using a premium VPN like ExpressVPN, which offers a money-back guarantee. Most free services lack proper encryption, making your messages and voice chats vulnerable to snooping. They also frequently log and sell user data to cover operating costs. Many also cause significant lag in Discord calls due to bandwidth throttling and overcrowded servers.

Can I bypass a Discord ban with a VPN?

A VPN provides a new IP address, which could help access Discord after an IP-based restriction. However, bypassing bans risks permanent account closure. If you're dealing with an accidental ban from sharing an IP with a banned user, creating a fresh account is possible by connecting to a VPN server.

Is it legal to use a VPN to access Discord?

VPN use with Discord is legal in most countries, but some regions restrict VPN access. Countries like China, Russia, and the UAE have specific regulations about VPN usage. I always recommend checking your local laws before using a VPN with Discord or any other service.

Can Discord detect when I use a VPN?

Discord can potentially detect VPN usage, especially with lower-quality VPNs that use flagged IP addresses. However, premium VPNs with regularly refreshed IPs and proper obfuscation (hiding your VPN traffic) are much harder to detect. Quality VPNs rarely trigger Discord's VPN detection.

How do I fix my VPN not working with Discord?

This usually happens due to the VPN server’s IP address, protocol issues, or DNS conflicts. To resolve the issue, switch to a different VPN server — preferably one closer to your location or optimized for VoIP or gaming. If that doesn’t help, try changing the VPN protocol in your VPN settings. Also, clear your DNS cache and restart both your VPN and Discord.

Still stuck? Contact your VPN’s support team or switch to a Discord-friendly VPN like ExpressVPN or CyberGhost. The best VPNs offer fast speeds, leak protection, and obfuscated servers that work reliably with Discord.

Is Discord banned in the UAE and China?

Discord voice chat is blocked in the UAE, while the entire platform is banned in China. Text messaging through Discord works in the UAE, but only a reliable VPN can provide access to voice features from anywhere. In China, internet restrictions block Discord completely, making a VPN essential for access.

Other countries where Discord is banned or restricted include Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Oman, Russia, and North Korea. While a VPN can provide unrestricted access in these countries, vpnMentor does not condone breaking their rules and regulations. Familiarize yourself with the laws of the country you're in before using a VPN.

Get the Best VPN for Discord

Many VPNs claim to work with Discord but end up causing connection issues, high ping, or getting your account flagged. A VPN that maintains fast speeds for lag-free voice chats while providing solid security against data leaks and IP bans is crucial for an uninterrupted Discord experience.

ExpressVPN stands out as the best VPN for Discord with its high-speed servers, automatic obfuscation, and advanced leak protection. You can test ExpressVPN's performance with Discord risk-free since it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.