5 Best VPNs for France to Stay Safe and Anonymous in 2024
For the most part, the French online landscape is just as wonderful as the country’s physical landscape. However, you can never tell who’s monitoring your online activities. There are hackers constantly exploiting public WiFi to steal your information.
The best way to protect yourself online is with a VPN, but not all work as advertised in France. Some have poor security features and many have low speeds. After testing over 40 VPNs, I found only a few that you can rely on.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for France asi t keeps all your sensitive data secure from prying eyes. It also provides the fastest connection speeds for online streaming. If you’d like to check it out yourself, you can try ExpressVPN in France risk-free as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Quick Guide: Best VPNs for France in 2024
- ExpressVPN — Best overall VPN for France with trustworthy encryption and high-speed connections. You can try ExpressVPN for yourself risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- CyberGhost — Great to stream in high-speed with optimized servers, but the pricier option for short-term use.
- Private Internet Access — Access more content with a large server network, but it can’t access all streaming sites.
- PrivateVPN — Best for beginners with excellent customer support, but it has a smaller global server network.
- IPVanish — Connect on unlimited devices at the same time, but it doesn’t accept cryptocurrency payments.
The Best VPNs for France — Updated 2024
1. ExpressVPN — #1 VPN for France With Advanced Security for Best-In-Class Online Protection
Key Features:
- 3,000+ servers in 105 countries globally, with multiple IP addresses in France
- Strict no-logs policy to ensure no data is retained
- Lightway protocol for faster speeds and better security
- Connect up to 8 devices at the same time
- 30-day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for France because it offers top-notch security and privacy protection. You’ll be comforted to know that ExpressVPN uses AES-256 encryption, the highest standard available. The kill switch automatically disconnects your computer from the internet if the VPN connection drops, which prevents your actual IP address and location from being exposed. What’s more, the advanced safety features of ExpressVPN’s servers prevent all types of leaks, so your online activities are always kept private.
Since ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, it’s not part of the 5, 9, or 14 Eyes Alliance. The exclusion from the surveillance network means your privacy is protected in France, which is a member of the 9 and 14 Eyes Alliance. The VPN also doesn’t store your browsing data due to its strict no-log policy. Finally, ExpressVPN has TrustedServer technology, which erases all of your browsing history and internet activities upon sign-off.
If you are an avid streamer or online gamer, you’ll understand the agony of the buffering wheel. Even if it lasts for just 5 seconds. Of all the VPNs I tested, ExpressVPN has the fastest connection speeds. And it connects to the nearest server in a split second. Thanks to a consistent 100-109Mbps, I was able to stream videos, upload photos, and play online games without annoying delays.
The VPN recently launched its Lightway protocol, which is a next-gen protocol. OpenVPN and IKEv2 are also available, but Lightway connects you ultra speedily without sacrificing security. It does this by foregoing steps that are no longer necessary. Plus, it uses fewer resources so you conserve battery when connected.
With 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, ExpressVPN gives you access to the whole world. It’s able to bypass advanced geo-blocks used by some of the most popular streaming services. It takes 2 or less seconds to access Netflix and watch Stranger Things.
Despite all the advanced features, ExpressVPN is actually very easy to use and it’s compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, and more. It also has a special feature known as MediaStreamer to provide streaming access to overseas content from a wide variety of devices. Just set it up on your router, smartTV or gaming console and off you go. Be aware though that this is a SmartDNS service, and hence doesn’t offer the security of a VPN.
The only thing that’s not so great about ExpressVPN is that it’s slightly more expensive than the other VPNs I tested. The lowest price is $6.67 per month if you sign up for a 1-year + 3 months subscription. But it brims with advanced features and capabilities that no other VPN comes close to. For the best way to protect your right to online privacy and security in France, check out ExpressVPN. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN is compatible with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Kindle Fire, Nook HD, and more
ExpressVPN unblocks: Arte, TF1, Canal+, France 3, Eurosport, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and more
2024 Update! ExpressVPN has dropped prices for a limited time to a crazy $6.67 per month for the 1-year plan + 3 months free (you can save up to 49%)! This is a limited offer so be sure to grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
2. CyberGhost — Enjoy High-Speed Streaming With Optimized Servers Across the Globe
Key Features:
- 11,780+ servers in 100 countries including 2 locations in France
- Offers WireGuard protocol for guaranteed protection without sacrificing speed
- Connect to the fastest server automatically based on location
- Allows you to connect 7 devices at the same time
- 45-day money-back guarantee on long term plans
CyberGhost is another great option for France because it has optimized servers for a variety of high-bandwidth online activities including video streaming. It’ll allow you to access more than 35 streaming services worldwide including Netflix US and UK and BBC iPlayer.
If you prefer to download public domain movies instead of streaming, CyberGhost has more than 50 servers optimized for P2P sharing with unlimited bandwidth. Finding a server that works well with torrenting is easy since each location displays the number of users and load percentage. I only had to do it once and save the server to my favorites for high-speed download in the future.
This VPN also has optimized gaming servers in Paris, accessible with Windows devices. Each of CyberGhost’s optimized servers are fast enough for online gaming. There’s no buffering and it gives a more enjoyable gaming experience.
Changing servers or finding a server for each of your online activities might sound tedious. If so, just use CyberGhost’s Best Server Location feature. It automatically detects the fastest server based on your location and network.
As all good VPNs should, CyberGhost uses military-grade AES 256-bit encryption and offers strong protocols. It’s compatible with WireGuard, which makes sure your data is safe without losing speed. CyberGhost also has a no-logs policy to ensure none of your browsing details are saved. And it’s headquartered in Romania where there are privacy-friendly laws.
For those who frequently connect multiple devices at the same time, CyberGhost allows up to 7. And it has apps for all operating systems including Android, Windows, iOS, Mac, Chrome, Firefox, and more. I found setting up to be quite straightforward with step-by-step tutorials. But if you get stuck, customer support is available via email or 24/7 live chat.
The VPN’s short-term plan is quite pricey if you plan to get it during a trip to France. But you can use it for free with its 14-day money-back guarantee. If you live there, CyberGhost’s yearly plans are more affordable. You can get it for as low as $2.03 per month if you sign up for a 2-year + 4 months subscription. If you’re not satisfied with the service, you’ll have 45 days to get a refund.
CyberGhost is compatible with: Android, Windows, iOS, Mac, Chrome, Firefox, routers, Amazon Fire TV, consoles, and more
CyberGhost unblocks: Arte, Hulu, France 3, Eurosport, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, TF1, Disney+, M6, BBC iPlayer, and more
2024 Update! You can subscribe to CyberGhost for as low as $2.03 per month + get an extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 84%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Large Server Network to Provide Access to More Content
Key Features:
- Largest network with 35,000+ servers in 91 countries including France
- Fast enough to stream local and international content
- Has a built-in ad and tracker blocker, MACE
- Enjoy up to unlimited simultaneous device connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
PIA is another good VPN for France because it has over 35,000+ servers in 91 countries including France. This means the servers you access are less likely to be crowded, therefore slowing down your connection speeds. Although it’s not as fast as ExpressVPN, it’s possible to stream in UltraHD without buffering, upload photos quickly, and play online games competitively.
For those who prefer customizable security features, PIA is a great option. It offers both 128-bit and AES 256-bit encryptions which you can pair with different security protocols. PIA also has DNS leak protection, a no-log policy, and an automatic kill switch. Secure your devices and internet activities further with MACE to block ads, malware, and trackers.
The dedicated IP feature carries a small fee, but it’s worth it. Trying to access my overseas bank account with a VPN while traveling meant going through countless CAPTCHAs. The only way I was able to avoid the annoying verifications was by signing up for an IP address that was mine exclusively. After this, the security checks were no longer triggered and I could do my transactions faster.
If you’re likely to connect multiple devices at the same time, PIA allows up to unlimited with a single subscription. It’s also one of the easiest VPNs to use with a user-friendly interface. The setup is quite straightforward and took me less than 5 minutes to get started. If you face any problems, check out their useful signup guide or contact support via 24/7 live chat.
This VPN might not be able to access BBC iPlayer every time. But it’s able to unblock many other streaming services including Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. It’s also able to access Arte and France 3 channels in France.
It might not be the most powerful VPN for France, but PIA is quite an affordable VPN. You only need to pay $2.03 per month if you sign up for a 1-year + 3 months subscription. The 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to try it risk-free and get a refund within 30 days.
PIA is compatible with: Android, Windows, iOS, Mac, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, consoles, and more
PIA unblocks: Arte, France 3, Eurosport, Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, BMF TV, Disney+, and more
2024 Update! You can subscribe to PIA for as low as $2.03 per month + get an extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 83%)! This is a limited offer, so grab it now before it's gone! See more information on this offer here!
4. PrivateVPN — Get Started in No Time With Excellent Customer Support Service
Key Features:
- 200+ servers in 63 countries with one location in Paris
- Perfect forward secrecy to secure data
- Use across 10 devices at the same time
- 30-day money-back guarantee
One of the reasons I recommend PrivateVPN to complete beginners in France is that it has great customer support. It’s easy to use as you’re not presented with advanced features as you’re just signing in. But if you face any difficulties, PrivateVPN offers remote help and live chat support.
The text discusses the key security features of a particular VPN service. These include DNS leak protection and AES 256-bit encryption which secure your data and online activities. The perfect forward secrecy system enhances security by frequently changing private keys to prevent data theft. The VPN also adheres to a no-log policy, ensuring your activities aren’t tracked or recorded. In case of sudden disconnection from the VPN, an automatic kill switch is activated to safeguard your identity.
This VPN also does a good job of bypassing sophisticated geoblocks to provide access to major streaming services. It can access Netflix US reliably as well as other popular choices such as Amazon Prime Video. It’s also able to access popular French channels such as Arte and France 3.
PrivateVPN also has a port forwarding option for P2P file-sharing to improve torrent download speeds. Setting it up is easy, although I don’t condone downloading copyright-protected materials. To download public domain movies, just find the port number in the “settings” menu and enter it in your torrent’s connection settings under “port used for incoming connections”. Additionally, the SOCKS5 proxy boosts speed when downloading torrent files.
However, PrivateVPN has a smaller server network compared to other VPNs on this list. Plus, there is only one server location in France, so it’s easy to think that it’s slow. It’s not as fast as ExpressVPN, but it’s fast enough for streaming, downloading files and making long-distance video calls without lags.
This VPN is also quite generous as far as allowing up to 10 simultaneous device connections. It has one of the best monthly VPN plans on the market. With a 3-year subscription, you’ll pay as low as $2.00 per month, which makes it the cheapest VPN on this list. If you decide to give PrivateVPN a try and decide it’s not for you, request a refund and you’ll get your money back within a week.
PrivateVPN is compatible with: Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, routers, and more
PrivateVPN unblocks: Arte, Hulu, France 3, Eurosport, Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, and more
2024 Update! PrivateVPN has dropped prices for a limited time to a crazy $2.00 per month with the 3-year plan (you can save up to 85%)! This is a limited offer so be sure to grab it now before it’s gone. See more information on this offer here.
5. IPVanish — Protect All Your Devices With Unlimited Simultaneous Connections
Key Features:
- 2,400+ servers in 57 countries including France
- Privately-owned server network
- Offers unlimited simultaneous device connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee for the yearly plan
IPVanish allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices in France at the same time. And it has easy-to-use apps for all major platforms, so you can connect all your devices at home and office in France with the same subscription.
It’s also one of the few VPNs that own its entire network with no outsourced servers. This means no other third parties can see your connections or steal your information. It also protects your data with AES 256-bit encryption and security protocols such as WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. My IP address and DNS requests never leaked during my tests.
One of the things that make IPVanish user-friendly is that it has a Best Available Server feature. It automatically connects you to the fastest server to help you save time and headaches when there’s more than one server to choose from.
This is another great VPN to download torrents as IPVanish does not prevent P2P activities on its servers. In fact, it has a SOCKS5 proxy feature for anonymous P2P traffic. It might sound complicated, but the VPN has a dedicated online guide to help set this up and get torrenting quickly.
The VPN does a good job of accessing geo-restricted streaming services such as Netflix US, Kodi, and BBC iPlayer. The OpenVPN Scramble feature makes it look as if a VPN is not being used to access streaming sites that block VPNs.
Assistance is available 24/7 via live chat, email, and phone. The cheapest plan is only $2.75 per month if you sign up for IPVanish’s 2-year subscription. Although you can’t use cryptocurrencies to pay for IPVanish, it accepts payments via credit card and PayPal. If you’re not satisfied with the service, IPVanish offers a 30-day money-back guarantee with the yearly plan. It’s super easy to request a refund – I’ve tried it and got my money back in a week.
IPVanish is compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chrome, and more
IPVanish unblocks: Arte, France 3, Eurosport, Netflix, Kodi, and more
How to Choose the Best VPN for France
With so many options available, it’s risky to take any VPN’s claims at face value. I learned this lesson when comparing more than 40 VPN services in France to find the best VPNs based on security, server networks, speed, and device compatibility. I narrowed down my final selection using these criteria:
- Strong security and privacy features — At a minimum, a VPN must have top-grade encryption, DNS leak protection, and an automatic kill switch to protect your data.
- Global server network — If you’re getting a VPN to browse local content anonymously, choose one with servers in France or at least in Europe. To access global content, you’ll need a VPN with servers in that particular country/region.
- Fast speeds — Whether you’re streaming a movie in HD, gaming online or performing a bank transaction, you want to avoid VPNs that slow down your internet speed.
- Apps for popular devices — Not everyone owns the same type of device so a good VPN should support all popular operating systems such as Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
- Customer support — I’ve only listed VPNs with reliable and helpful customer service teams on top of online support, tutorials, and guides to help you get going without stress.
3 Easy Steps to Get a VPN in France
- Download a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN as it’s the best all-round VPN for France.
- Connect to a server. Choose a server from the list or let the VPN find the fastest one for you.
- That’s it! Now you can browse the web safely and anonymously from France.
FAQs on VPNs for France
Is using a VPN legal in France?
Yes. VPNs are legal in France as long as they’re not used for criminal or illegal activities. Millions of French citizens use VPNs to protect their data from hackers while business travelers and tourists use it to access restricted international services during their stay in France.
I have listed only the best VPNs for France here to keep you safe and private while online. And they’ll give you access to many global sites and services.
Can I use a proxy in France instead of a VPN?
Yes, you can but you shouldn’t. It’s often slow, unreliable and lacks the security often provided by premium VPNs like ExpressVPN. Proxies don’t have end-to-end encryption or no-log policies to keep your personal information and identity hidden.
All the VPNs I’ve listed go to great lengths to protect your browsing history and sensitive information with strong encryptions, kill switches, DNS leak protection, strong protocols, and zero log policies.
How do I check if my VPN works?
Is it safe to use a free VPN in France?
Technically you can, but I don’t recommend it due to the risks involved. Even the top free VPNs come with restrictions like data limits, slow speed, or limited servers. The worst free VPNs don’t work, and may actually put your data and device at risk.
If you need a VPN in France, choose a premium service such as CyberGhost to keep your online security intact regardless of your activity. With the 45-day money-back guarantee, you can actually use CyberGhost for free.
Get a VPN (That Works) for France Today!
You could want a VPN for France for any number of reasons whether you live in the country or are traveling there. If remaining anonymous online so that no one can steal your private information is your top priority, then you have to get the best VPN for France.
I shortlisted the VPNs on this list after weeks of testing. ExpressVPN stood out as the best VPN for France as it met all the requirements of speed, security, compatibility, and simultaneous device connections. The VPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try ExpressVPN in France with complete peace of mind.
