The best VPNs for Israel: Top picks for speed and security

Are you eager to find the next undiscovered Israeli TV drama? Or perhaps you’re an Israeli abroad who needs to access a banking app at home? In either case, a VPN can help.

Virtual private networks (VPNs) provide subscribers with the opportunity to securely connect to a server in a different country. This enables them to then use the internet with that server’s Internet Protocol (IP) address. It offers a way to access country-specific sites that would otherwise be off-limits, such as streaming platforms and online banking services.

Plus, a VPN encrypts all the internet traffic flowing to and from your device, routing it via an intermediary server. This helps to guarantee anonymity and privacy while you're online.

In this guide, we highlight the best VPNs for providing you with an IP address in Israel and discuss which features are most important to look out for. We’ll get into more detail about individual VPN providers later. For now, here’s a summary of our top choices.

Best VPNs for Israel:

1. NordVPN: Our top choice VPN for Israel. Has 20+ RAM-only servers in Tel Aviv, with fast connection speeds and consistent access to streaming platforms. Includes one-click access to the Tor network, obfuscation, and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN for Israel. Provides fast, RAM-only servers in Tel Aviv, unlimited device connections, and access to MultiHop servers. It offers both static and rotating IP addresses, as well as effective obfuscation.   
3. ExpressVPN: Has a reputation for reliability and security, whilst also providing an easy-to-use service. It has fast, RAM-only servers in Tel Aviv; a dedicated app for routers; a separate Onion site; and excellent access to streaming services.
4. Proton VPN: Respected provider with 14+ servers in Petah Tikva and Tel Aviv, and two Secure Core servers. It has speed-boosting tech for long-distance connections and consistently good access to streaming platforms. 
5. Mullvad: Has three servers in Tel Aviv, a full GUI for its Linux app, and a strong commitment to transparency. It enables virtually anonymous sign-up and its subscription prices have remained unchanged since 2009. 
6. CyberGhost VPN: Notably fast connection speeds and a massive network of 11,500+ RAM-only servers, 51+ of which are in Jerusalem. Works with all major streaming platforms and has an audited no-logs policy.
7. PrivateVPN: Relatively small provider with one server in Tel Aviv and good access to all major streaming platforms. It’s great for torrenting, has fast speeds, and allows up to 10 simultaneous device connections. 

Summary Table

Choosing the best VPNs from the multitude on offer isn’t easy, which is why we used the following criteria to help narrow the field. These are expanded upon later in the article, where we discuss our testing methodology in more detail. 

• Servers in Israel
• Fast connection speeds
• Strong privacy and security features
• Ability to access streaming services
• Good value for money
• User-friendly apps
• Helpful customer support

To make the top three providers, we only accept VPNs that tick the following boxes:

• The VPN must not log identifying data on customers and must have had its logging policy audited by a reputable third party (such as PwC). This ensures that VPNs that claim to adhere to certain practices actually do so
• The VPN must own its entire network and have diskless (RAM-only) servers

Best VPNs for Israel

Now let’s explore each of our recommended providers in a little more detail:

NordVPN is one of the world's most recognized VPN brands and has helped push VPNs into the mainstream. It’s achieved this by being strong on innovation while also offering a suite of crowd-pleasing features. 

It’s a great option for Israel, with 20+ RAM-only servers in Tel Aviv and very fast connection speeds. The provider has undertaken multiple third-party audits of its software and infrastructure and adheres to a strict no-logs policy. Globally, it has a network of 8,000+ servers in 126+ countries. 

NordVPN works consistently well with all major streaming platforms, and can also provide access to geo-restricted content for VPN-incompatible devices via its SmartPlay feature. 

The company has P2P-optimized servers for large data transfers, MultiHop servers for additional encryption, and one-click access to the Tor network. Effective obfuscation disguises VPN traffic as regular internet traffic and enables NordVPN to bypass blocks in countries like China. 

The provider recently made its Meshnet tool – which allows people to create private networks between devices they trust to pass network traffic – free for anyone to use, irrespective of whether they have a NordVPN account.

Easy-to-use apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, and Linux. These all come with built-in leak protection, split tunneling, a kill switch, and a dark web monitor. While connected, users’ internet traffic is protected using a combination of 256-bit AES encryption, SHA384 for authentication, and a 3072-bit DHE-RSA key exchange. You can connect up to 10 devices at the same time.

Following a 2018 attack on a third-party data center in Finland, NordVPN made its entire server network RAM-only. It also started the process of collocation, whereby servers are purchased – rather than rented – and housed in purpose-built data centers.

BEST VPN FOR ISRAEL: NordVPN is our top recommendation. It has 20+ servers in Tel Aviv, high-speed connections, strong security, and excellent access to streaming platforms. You can try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of NordVPN.

Surfshark has continually improved its services since launching in 2018, while keeping its subscription prices relatively low. Despite merging with NordSecurity – parent company of NordVPN – it retains its own distinctive feature set. 

For one, subscriptions include unlimited simultaneous device connections – which makes it a great choice for larger households. It also provides in-session rotating IP addresses that make it more difficult for users to be tracked. 

Other features include a full GUI for Linux, a GPS-spoofing tool in its Android app, and the option to specify entry and exit servers when forming MultiHop connections. 

Surfshark provides numerous Israeli IP addresses via RAM-only servers in Tel Aviv, and it also has 3,2000+ servers in 99+ other countries. These are fast enough to stream 4K content without buffering, and provide easy access to the most popular streaming platforms.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, and Linux. These are equipped with automatic connection to dedicated P2P servers when an open torrent client is detected, and a CleanWeb tool that acts as a tracker, ad, and malware blocker.

Internet traffic is protected using 256-bit AES encryption, in conjunction with a SHA512 authentication hash and 2048-bit DHE-RSA key exchange. The company also has an audited no-logs policy and audited browser extensions.

GREAT VALUE: Surfshark has 20+ RAM-only servers in Israel and 99+ other countries. It’s great for streaming and has static and rotating IP addresses available. Subscriptions include unlimited device connections and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

ExpressVPN has a reputation for providing security and stability, which many feel justifies its relatively expensive subscriptions.

Security innovations include its Trust Server technology, which involves every server's operating system being reinstalled on a weekly basis, and a dedicated Onion site on the Tor network. In relation to Israel, the provider has RAM-only servers in Tel Aviv, as well as 104+ other countries worldwide.

Other ExpressVPN features include a speedy proprietary connection protocol, split tunneling, a Threat Manager that prevents access to websites harboring malware, and a kill switch. The company’s obfuscation enables connections in otherwise restricted countries like China. 

The service works particularly well for streaming and can access all of the most popular platforms. ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer tool helps devices like smart TVs and games consoles access geo-restricted content by spoofing their DNS addresses.

Well-designed apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, Nvidia Shield, Amazon Fire TV, and Linux. ExpressVPN also has a dedicated app for routers. This makes it easy for subscribers to protect every device in their home network, while only using one of their eight allotted device connections.

Since 2021, ExpressVPN has been owned by cybersecurity firm Kape Technologies. Kape Technologies was formerly known as Crossrider, and specialized in the creation of software designed to inject adware into users’ browsers. 

For its part, ExpressVPN says that it continues to operate autonomously. More saliently, it has had several independent audits of its software and infrastructure since its acquisition. It has also announced a one-time $100,000 bug bounty for anyone able to compromise its systems. 

TRUSTED SERVERS: ExpressVPN has servers in Israel and 104+ other countries. It offers a proprietary connection protocol, a dedicated app for routers, and excellent streaming capabilities. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

Proton VPN is well-respected by those who need to share sensitive information securely and also caters to those for whom streaming ability is a priority. It has 14+ servers in the Israeli cities of Tel Aviv and Petah Tikva, and two additional Secure Core servers. Globally, it boasts 13,000+ servers in 120+ countries. These provide an extra layer of protection by routing traffic through Proton VPN’s high-security data centers in Iceland and Switzerland. 

Proton VPN provides fast connection speeds, with a VPN accelerator tool that uses a modified version of OpenVPN to improve the quality of long-distance connections. The service can comfortably stream HD without buffering and provides solid access to the most popular streaming platforms. 

Other premium features include one-click access to the Tor network, built-in leak protection, a kill switch, split tunneling, and an ad, tracker, and malware blocker. Torrenters will also appreciate the addition of port forwarding, which allows them to connect to more peers and download files more rapidly.  

Open-source apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, and Linux. These can be used with up to 10 devices simultaneously and come with a stealth mode that enables access to China, Iran, and Turkey.

Internet traffic is protected using ChaCha20 for WireGuard symmetric encryption and authenticated with Poly1305. The OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols use 256-bit AES encryption, with a SHA384 hash and 4096-bit RSA keys. Proton VPN has had its privacy policy verified through independent audits of both its infrastructure and software.

STRONG ON PRIVACY: Proton VPN has 14+ servers in Israel, with two additional high-security options available. It has open-source apps and is a good option for both torrenting and streaming. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Proton VPN.

Mullvad is popular with those who are suspicious of the entangled interests of larger providers. It has three 10Gbps servers in Tel Aviv and a clearly defined privacy policy. It has also had both its infrastructure and software independently audited, which is reassuring given that it’s based in Sweden.  

Connection speeds are decent, though it’s not the provider best suited to those interested solely in streaming. Its features include access to MultiHop servers, automatic WireGuard key rotation, a kill switch, split tunneling, and obfuscation.

While Mullvad VPN’s obfuscation doesn’t enable connections in China, the company also provides access to the Shadowsocks proxy. This can – with some additional tinkering – be used to penetrate Chinese blocks.

Mullvad VPN apps – which all have a full GUI – are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Alternatively, subscribers can download configuration files to use with the official WireGuard or OpenVPN clients.

Subscriptions cost the same whether you sign up for a month, a year, or a decade. The monthly price – which is approximately $5.50 – has been the same since Mullvad VPN’s inception in 2009. Subscriptions can be paid in cash, and those who pay with cryptocurrency get a further 10% discount. Mullvad VPN is relatively unusual in that users do not need an email address to sign up – making it a good option for the privacy-conscious. 

PRIVATE AND SECURE: Mullvad VPN has three servers in Israel and a simple pricing structure. Connections are private and secure, with options for anonymous sign-up. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of Mullvad.

CyberGhost VPN is known for its large server network (11,500+ servers in 100+ countries) and fast connection speeds. It is a good choice for most countries, including Israel. It has an impressive 51+ RAM-only servers in Jerusalem, and its Android app provides automatic WiFi protection for anyone making use of Israel’s many free WiFi points. 

CyberGhost VPN is ideal for streaming, as it provides servers optimized for individual platforms – thus taking the guesswork out of finding a working connection. Moreover, it is fast enough to stream 4K content without buffering. 

Apps have a playful GUI and are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. These include built-in DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection, and a kill switch. Split tunneling is available, but only fully on the Android app. Windows users can set up a URL bypass with CyberGhost VPN’s Smart Rules tool. 

This same tool can also be used to automatically connect specific apps to specific servers. So, for example, Netflix could be set to automatically connect to a Netflix-optimized server when opened. 

CyberGhost VPN – like ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, and Zenmate VPN – is now owned by the aforementioned Kape Technologies. Since being acquired, CyberGhost has had its server network and management systems – and, by extension, its no-logs policy – independently audited by Deloitte. It has also continued to issue quarterly transparency reports detailing third-party data requests.

FAST CONNECTIONS: CyberGhost VPN has 51+ RAM-only servers in Israel and 11,500+ more worldwide. It has servers optimized for specific streaming platforms, as well as servers for torrenting. Plans come with a 45-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.

PrivateVPN is a relatively small provider that outdoes many of its far larger competitors in several areas. For example, it’s able to access many of the most popular streaming platforms, whilst at the same time providing good speeds.

It has one server in Tel Aviv and offers fast connection speeds and access to a SOCKS5 and HTTP Proxy. Other features include protection against IPv6 leaks and DNS leaks, and app-specific and system-wide kill switches.

PrivateVPN allows port forwarding, which means torrenters can connect to more peers in a swarm and download files more efficiently. The company has dedicated P2P servers in Sweden optimized to handle large file transfers.  

Customizable apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. Users can select the level of encryption they require and also the connection protocol. Different combinations can yield faster speeds or increased security. Protocol options include OpenVPN with UDP/TCP, L2TP, IPsec, PPTP, and IKEv2. Stealth Mode amounts to obfuscated servers. You can connect up to 10 devices at the same time.

While PrivateVPN appears to have a strict no-logs policy, this has yet to be verified via an independent audit. It is also based in Sweden, which enshrines public privacy in law, but is also a member of the SIGINT Seniors Europe international intelligence-sharing alliance. That these two don’t play well together has been documented elsewhere.

STEALTH MODE: Offers fast connection speeds, good access to streaming platforms, and optimized P2P servers. Has a server in Israel and a stealth mode that enables connections in restrictive countries. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

Methodology for choosing the best VPNs for Israel

With so many similar-sounding VPN services available, it can be a little overwhelming trying to choose just one. To better objectively compare them, we use a specific list of criteria. This enables us to identify which VPNs are the best for Israel and are useful for the widest range of people. 

• Servers in Israel: To get an IP address in Israel, you’ll need to connect to a server in the country. Providers with more servers are able to provide a greater range of IP addresses and are less likely to experience congestion. Ideally, these servers should also be physically present in Israel, rather than virtual servers, which have less straightforward routing. Additional points are rewarded for multiple Israeli server locations.
• Fast connection speeds: Finding a VPN with decent connection speeds is crucial if you want to carry on using the internet with your current speeds intact. Choose poorly and you could find your connection bogged down and rendered practically unusable. We know how important connection speeds are, which is why we regularly test VPN providers. Those that we deem too slow are not included. At the very least, they should be able to stream HD content without buffering. 
• Strong privacy and security features: Keeping your online activities safe from third-party interference requires several features to be present. For example, we require that VPN companies provide 256-AES encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and a clear no-logs policy. Ideally, they should also offer access to MultiHop servers, obfuscation, split tunneling, and port forwarding. It needs to offer secure connections via Israeli servers. 
• Ability to access streaming services: VPNs are a convenient way to bypass geo-restrictions: for example, you could be traveling in Israel and wish to access content from a streaming platform in your home country. Unfortunately, very few actually work with the most popular streaming platforms, which have become adept at blocking anyone using them. We find which VPNs still work by regularly testing providers with services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. 
• Good value for money: We try to find VPN services that suit a range of budgets. If a particular VPN subscription is priced above the average, it should be able to offer a higher level of service. Those that charge too much – while providing too little in return – are not included.
• User-friendly apps: VPN apps should be straightforward to use, with a clean graphical user interface (GUI) that enables connections to be established in seconds. Consistency across platforms is a definite plus, as is the opportunity for more advanced configuration. 
• Helpful customer support: VPN services backed by a knowledgeable and responsive customer support team are more likely to keep their customers long-term. If that support team is available via 24/7 live chat, then so much the better. We also value VPN providers that provide access to an up-to-date and searchable knowledge base. 

Bonus points

To make it to one of our top three positions, VPN companies must additionally offer the features below:

• Access to China: In a bid to control the flow of information through its borders, China has developed some of the world’s most sophisticated tools for blocking VPNs. All but a few VPN services now work in the country. It can be assumed that any VPN that works in China will also work in other similarly restrictive countries. 
• Diskless servers: The better VPN providers only use RAM-only servers in their networks. Because these run on volatile memory, they are incapable of storing customer information long-term. As well as being less of a security risk, diskless servers are also more efficient, as they can all run from copies of the same up-to-date software. 
• Incorporation outside the scope of intelligence alliances: The Snowden leaks confirmed the existence of international intelligence-gathering alliances such as the Five Eyes. Members of these alliances can circumvent laws preventing them from spying on their own citizens by using intelligence gathered by other members within their borders. It’s a murky business, and one that the better VPNs try to distance themselves from by registering their companies in countries beyond the reach of any known alliances. 
• Audited software and infrastructure: It’s not enough for VPNs to state that they don’t log user data. A few cases of supposedly no-logs providers handing over personally identifiable information to law enforcement authorities have eroded what trust there was. In response, good quality VPN providers now have their software and infrastructure independently audited. As well as verifying their no-logs claims, these audits ensure that any vulnerabilities or exploits are identified. 

How to use a VPN to watch Israeli TV abroad

If you don't want to miss your favorite Israeli TV shows, movies, and live sports while you're traveling overseas, you will need a VPN. Getting started is simple if you follow the steps below.

How to use a VPN for Israel:

1. Choose a VPN provider from this list of VPNs. Our number-one choice is NordVPN, thanks to its servers in Israel, fast speeds, ability to access geo-blocked sites, and strong security features. Plus, it comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Download and install the VPN app onto your device(s). Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections.
3. Connect to an Israeli VPN server. This will give you an IP address in Israel, so you can access your favorite content from back home.
4. Start streaming as you would in Israel, no matter your location in the world.

If this doesn't work, try clearing your cache and cookies. Still experiencing issues? Get in touch with your VPN provider's customer support team.

Can I use a free VPN for Israel?

You can try, but we wouldn’t recommend it. Free VPNs are only free because they rely on advertising revenue for income. While in-app ads may not concern you, the fact that most have some form of logging policy might. This enables them to collect your data, which can then be sold on to third parties. 

In use, free VPNs tend to be slow. Their limited server networks typically can’t cope with the large numbers of people trying to use them. Servers are only usually available in a few countries. Those with smaller populations – like Israel – are not represented.    

Best VPNs for Israel: FAQs

Is the internet censored in Israel?

Israel has some legislation that enables websites to be blocked. For example, the 2017 Website Blocking Law allows the court-ordered blocking or removal of internet sites promoting terror-related or criminal activity – such as illegal gambling, drugs, or pedophilia.  

According to research published by Comparitech, Israel ranked fifth in the world in terms of the number of content removal requests made to the likes of Google, Twitter, Facebook, Microsoft, and Wikimedia.  

Its high ranking is largely due to the activities of the Israeli security services, which routinely monitor social media to try and identify anyone likely to carry out an attack in the country. As this surveillance is widely known, self-censorship is likely common.

What Israeli TV can I watch with a VPN?

Israel has produced some memorable TV shows over the years, including BeTipul, Hatufim, and Shtisel. While some of these have been made available internationally courtesy of streaming platforms like Netflix, and others are Israel-only. Using a VPN, you can access Israeli TV channels such as the following:

• Keshet 12
• Channel 13 – Reshet 13
• Channel 7 – INN 
• Kan 11
• Makan 33
• Yes Drama

Are VPNs legal in Israel?

Yes, VPNs are legal in Israel. That’s not to say they should be used to carry out illegal activities. Hate speech and "expressing support for illegal or terrorist organizations" is illegal in the country, as is publishing content that is “liable to crudely offend the religious faith or sentiment of others”.

Should I use a VPN in Israel?

Unlike some countries, Israeli ISPs won’t limit your bandwidth when downloading large files. Israel also has several laws enshrining its citizens’ right to privacy. 

Nevertheless, using a VPN is still a good idea, as the country also has several laws acting against any pro-privacy legislation. For example, the amendment to 2007 Criminal Procedure Law enables security agencies to acquire – without judicial oversight. – citizens' private communication data from ISPs. A VPN will prevent data about visited websites from being gathered by ISPs in the first place. 

A VPN can also protect anyone who uses public WiFi. Israel has a generous amount of free WiFi available – in museums, shopping malls, cafes and even at monuments, beaches, and parks. The risk with these – often unsecured – networks is that they can be intercepted by bad actors. Some attackers even set up fake hotspots to capture passing devices set to auto-connect to WiFi. 

Can I watch Israeli TV with a VPN?

Whether you are an Israeli on vacation abroad, or you are currently living or working abroad in the US or elsewhere, you may wonder whether you can use a VPN to watch home TV services. The good news is that you can easily connect to a VPN server in Israel to watch your usual streaming services abroad.

The important thing to remember is that the vast majority of VPNs have slow servers that are unsuitable for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and other data-intensive tasks. In addition, leading streaming providers have already blocked many VPNs. This means that you must pick a VPN to stream Israeli TV very carefully. 

The VPNs we have recommended in this guide have fast servers in Israel and quick protocols, such as WireGuard and OpenVPN UDP. This makes our recommendation a superb option for watching Israeli streaming services abroad. 

The only caveat is that each VPN service differs slightly and may work with different streaming services. For this reason, it is a good idea to test whichever VPN you decide on with your specific streaming services to check that it actually works. All of our recommendations have a money-back guarantee, meaning that you can easily test and compare them to find the best VPN for your needs.

Below, we have included a list of Israeli streaming services you can watch with a VPN:

• HOT VOD (HOT Video on Demand)
• Yes VOD (Yes Video on Demand)
• Reshet.tv
• KAN 11
• Mako
• Cellcom TV
• Partner TV
• Idan+
• Sting TV
• Hop! TV
• Logi TV
• Arutz HaYeladim (Children's Channel)
• i24NEWS
• Sport 5
• Keshet 12
• Channel 13
• Israel Plus
• Ego Total
• Comedy Central Israel
• Food Channel
• Israeli Educational Television
• Music 24

Can I bypass blocks at work with a VPN?

Yes. You can use a VPN to bypass blocks on any network in Israel. Whether you are at work, at school, or using public WiFi, a VPN will let you bypass any restrictions placed on the local network.

By connecting to a VPN, you will encrypt your connection and gain watertight online privacy. This means that you can bypass blocks without worrying that anybody will find out.

As a result, you will get the freedom to watch Israeli TV channels, YouTube, Netflix, play games, or use social media without anybody being able to track you.