The quality of providers varies greatly. Some platforms deliver stable infrastructure, enforced security defaults, and genuine brand control. Others cut corners on encryption, overload shared servers, or lock partners into rigid pricing. At AdGuard we work with partners as affiliates, as resellers, and as technology partners on our own VPN SDK, and this guide is built on what those partners ask before they sign. It gives you a repeatable framework for evaluating white-label VPN providers and VPN SDKs: what to check in infrastructure, security, branding, user management, and monetization before you commit your brand to a third-party backend.

What is a white-label VPN?

A white-label VPN is a VPN service that a company rebrands and sells as its own. The provider supplies the server network, the connection technology, and the tools to manage users. The partner supplies the brand, sets the prices, and owns the customer relationship. You do not build the backend. You rent it and put your name on the front.

How it works

The model splits responsibilities cleanly. The provider handles the technical stack:

• Global server infrastructure and capacity
• The VPN protocol, encryption, and security defaults such as a kill switch
• Client software, either as ready-made apps or as an SDK your team builds on
• Provisioning, usage reporting, and updates to the core

The partner handles the business layer:

• Branding: app name, icon, colors, and store listings
• Pricing tiers and subscription rules
• Marketing, sales, and first-line customer support
• The end-user relationship and billing

There are two ways to integrate. Some providers hand you their existing apps to rebrand. Others give you a VPN SDK and an application programming interface (API), and your team builds the VPN into your own product. The first path is faster if you have no developers. The second gives you a product that looks and behaves like yours.

What is a VPN SDK

A VPN SDK is a set of libraries, documentation, and sample code that lets your developers add VPN connectivity to your own application. Instead of shipping a rebranded third-party app, you embed the provider’s VPN engine inside the app you already have, with your own interface, your own login, and your own subscription logic.

A good VPN SDK typically gives you:

• Client libraries for each platform you ship on, with a documented API to connect, disconnect, switch locations, and read connection state
• A server-side API to provision user access, usually as tokens or keys generated from your backend
• Usage reporting per user, so you can bill and manage tiers
• Sample apps that show a working integration end to end
• Security features exposed as settings: kill switch, exclusions, custom DNS, and encryption options

The VPN SDK route makes sense when the VPN is a feature inside a bigger product, when your users already have an account with you, or when brand consistency matters more than launch speed. It requires a development team, but it removes the “generic app with our logo” problem that undermines many white-label launches.

White-label VPN or VPN SDK: which integration path fits

Both paths end with a VPN under your brand. They differ in how much you control and how much you build.

If you already have a product and users, the VPN SDK path is almost always the better long-term choice.

White label, reseller, or affiliate: which model do you need

Affiliate, reseller, and white label all let you earn from someone else’s VPN technology. They differ in what you sell, what you invest, and who owns the customer.

When a white-label VPN makes sense

Four scenarios where renting infrastructure beats building your own.

Managed service provider (MSP) expanding a service bundle. An MSP can bundle branded VPN access into existing remote-work or endpoint-protection packages, turning a flat managed-services contract into a higher-margin recurring line. VPN seats carry low support cost per seat and renew close to full price, which makes them a natural anchor for a privacy offering.

Software as a service (SaaS) product adding VPN as a premium feature. Users expect privacy and safe access inside the tools they already pay for. A VPN SDK integrates so users log in with the same account, the interface matches the rest of the product, and billing runs through the existing subscription. Price it as a higher tier or an add-on, not a separate product.

Telecom or hosting provider monetizing an existing base. Internet service providers (ISPs), mobile operators, and hosting resellers already own subscriber relationships and billing. Bundling a branded VPN adds a few dollars of monthly revenue per opt-in user with almost no added infrastructure cost, and the provider’s servers carry the load.

Brand with an audience launching a privacy product. Creators, communities, and security-focused brands have distribution and trust. What they may lack is a VPN backend. A white-label launch or an SDK integration lets them ship branded apps across iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS while the provider handles servers, protocol, and updates.

How to choose a white-label VPN provider: eight criteria

Eight things separate a provider you can build on from one you will regret. The thread through all of them is control: how much of your product, your data, and your customer relationship you actually own.

1. Infrastructure: server network, locations, uptime, and SLA

Infrastructure is invisible during a pilot. It becomes the product once real usage hits. When routing gets inconsistent and latency rises, users lose trust and churn. They will not blame “the underlying provider.” They will blame you.

Ask specific questions. How many server locations are available? Is capacity redundant for traffic spikes? Are servers owned, leased, or virtualized? What do uptime history and incident response look like in practice? Shared environments and oversold capacity look fine until peak hours.

Push for a written uptime commitment in the service level agreement (SLA) with a real credit schedule, and clarity on whether you get notified before your users do.

2. Protocol and security: encryption, kill switch, and no-logs

The protocol question is not “which of the well-known protocols do you support.” It is “does your protocol work where my users are?” Standard protocols are easy to identify and throttle or block on restrictive networks: corporate Wi-Fi, some mobile carriers, and entire countries. A provider whose protocol disguises VPN traffic as ordinary browser traffic will keep users connected in places where a textbook implementation fails.

Beyond the protocol, baseline items should be native and consistent: modern encryption, a kill switch that behaves correctly and does not fail silently, Domain Name System (DNS) queries handled inside the tunnel, and safe handling of network changes such as Wi-Fi hops and sleep and wake cycles.

On logging, understand exactly what the provider stores. Ask whether connection timestamps, session duration, per-session traffic, or user identifiers are kept anywhere, and for how long. Ask whether the provider has independent verification of its no-logs policy and whether it covers the white-label build. A policy statement is not the same as a documented architecture.

3. Customization depth and brand isolation

White labeling is not putting a logo on someone else’s app. Users notice when something is generic: third-party identifiers in the interface, mismatched password-reset emails, or store listings that do not look like the rest of your product. Those gaps show up as lower conversion and higher refunds.

Check what you can brand end to end: mobile and desktop apps, onboarding, the connection experience, subscription tiers, and pricing. A VPN SDK gives you the most control here because the interface is yours by definition.

For multi-tenant platforms the bar is higher: per-tenant branding at the app and API layer, isolated credentials and session boundaries per tenant, usage-based billing scoped per tenant. Provisioning and offboarding should run through the same API for every tenant, not manual setup per customer.

4. Platform coverage and SDK or API integration

Users expect the same experience on a phone, a laptop, and a desktop. If you are rebranding provider apps, they should be production-ready and regularly updated on every platform you sell on.

If you are embedding VPN into an existing product, the VPN SDK itself is the deciding factor. Ask which platforms the SDK actually ships for, whether there are working sample apps for each, and how complete the documentation is. A provider that lists a platform on a slide but has no sample app and no documentation for it will cost you weeks. Check that the API lets your backend provision users, read usage, and manage tiers without manual steps.

5. Customer data ownership and billing control

Ownership, not encryption, is the real difference between white label and a regular VPN. A white-label VPN and a regular VPN can run the same technology. What changes is who owns the brand, the billing, and the customer data.

In a properly structured white-label deal, you own the customer data and the support tickets tied to it. Referring users to an external VPN instead creates a compliance gap: that provider becomes an uncontracted data processor under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), with no data processing agreement in place.

Billing should run through your system, not the provider’s. If you bundle VPN with other privacy products, a single per-seat billing model across all modules keeps expansion revenue inside one relationship.

6. Pricing transparency

Pricing structure can make or break long-term profitability. Some providers offer low entry pricing and then add fees for bandwidth, user growth, or technical support.

Three variables matter: setup or deposit cost, per-user monthly cost, and what is actually bundled: protocol features, server locations, platforms, and API access. These trade off against each other. A provider with a low per-user rate might charge a steep deposit. Another might waive the deposit but charge a flat rate that never drops as you scale.

Two questions to ask directly. First, what is the billing unit: per active user or per device? A user on a phone, a laptop, and a tablet can triple your cost under a per-device model. Second, is bandwidth billed separately? Some providers charge per gigabyte on top of the per-user rate, which turns streaming-heavy users into a margin problem.

7. Support, SLA, and account management

Downtime under your brand is your outage. You need an uptime commitment with a stated remedy, a clear escalation path, and defined response times.

Clarify who owns second-line and third-line support. In most white label and SDK arrangements, the partner handles first-line support for end users and the provider handles technical escalations and integration questions. Get that division in writing, along with response times.

8. Vendor lock-in and migration terms

Switching VPN providers later is a real risk. Before signing, ask: can we migrate users to another provider without rebuilding billing and onboarding? Can we take our customer data with us? What happens to app store listings if we leave?

An SDK-based integration is usually easier to migrate than a rebranded provider app, because the app, the account system, and the store listings are yours. The VPN engine is the part you swap.

White-label VPN pricing: what to expect

White-label VPN pricing usually combines a one-time setup fee with an ongoing licensing model. The setup fee covers onboarding, integration support, and sometimes an initial batch of user accounts. The ongoing cost follows one of three models, and that choice determines how your costs scale.

The three pricing models

Per active user. You pay a wholesale rate for every user who is active during a billing period, with volume tiers that lower the rate as you grow. This model scales linearly with your customer base and keeps unit economics predictable.

Revenue share. The provider takes a percentage of your retail price on every subscription, often combined with a per-user floor so the provider is protected if you price very low. Revenue share aligns incentives: the provider earns more when you do. Your cost per user is a percentage of your price, not a fixed number.

Flat platform fee plus revenue share. Some providers charge a fixed monthly platform fee on top of a revenue share or a per-user rate. Flat fees make sense once your user base is large enough that a per-user rate would cost more than the platform fee. Below that threshold they are an expensive way to buy predictability.

Setup fees: what you are actually paying for

Most providers charge a one-time onboarding or setup fee. The critical question is whether it is a sunk cost or a prepayment that converts into usable credit. A fee that disappears into “activation costs” is very different from one that becomes your first several hundred live user accounts. Ask directly, and ask whether the fee is negotiable at your expected volume.

What is included varies as much as the fee. A base package typically covers the SDK or branded apps, a shared server network, the standard protocol and encryption, and API access. Kill switch, split tunneling, dedicated IP addresses, and premium locations sometimes carry per-feature fees. Two providers with the same headline rate can differ a lot once you compare inclusion lists.

Unit economics: a concrete example

Say you launch at $10 per month retail on a per-active-user wholesale rate of $2.00, with a $2,000 setup fee.

At 100 users:

• Monthly revenue: $1,000
• Monthly licensing cost: $200
• Gross margin: 80%
• Setup fee breaks even after 2.5 months

At 1,000 users, on a volume rate of $1.00:

• Monthly revenue: $10,000
• Monthly licensing cost: $1,000
• Gross margin: 90%

Gross margins of 60 to 80% are achievable at scale for a well-run VPN service. The rest of the margin goes to customer acquisition, support (typically 10 to 20% of revenue), payment processing (2 to 3%), and compliance overhead. A small MSP charging $6 per seat on a $4 wholesale cost runs a thin markup around 33%. That is the floor. At volume the math improves, but only if the provider’s per-user rate actually drops as you scale.

What to watch for

Whether the per-user rate actually drops. Flat pricing looks simple early and stops being competitive once you cross a few thousand users. Ask for the volume schedule in writing.

What “included” means. Protocol features, server locations, platforms, and API access are the variables that trade off against each other. A low per-user rate might exclude the platform or feature you assumed was bundled.

Bandwidth. You do not host servers, but some providers bill the data your users tunnel. Ask whether the per-user rate includes unlimited traffic or whether there is a per-gigabyte charge, and plug worst-case usage into your model before you commit.

Questions to ask a provider before you sign

Feature lists tell you what a vendor has. Direct questions tell you what happens when the relationship is tested.

Customer data and ownership

• Who owns the customer data if we terminate? You should own the customer data and the support tickets tied to it.
• What is retained about our users, and for how long? Connection logs, billing records, and support transcripts. A defined retention window protects you from liability after a user cancels.
• Does the API support a true delete that removes personal data? Under GDPR you have one month to comply with erasure requests. Deactivating an account is not deleting it.

SLA and uptime

• What is the written uptime commitment, and what is the remedy if you miss it?
• Who owns second-line and third-line support, and what are the response times?

Brand isolation

• Is branding available at both the app layer and the API layer?
• Are credentials and session boundaries isolated per tenant?
• Will the App Store and Google Play listings belong to our company? If listings stay under the provider’s developer account, you do not control distribution.

Platforms and updates

• Which platforms does the SDK actually ship for, and is there a working sample app for each?
• How are security patches and protocol updates delivered, and what do we have to do on our side?

Pricing and billing

• Is the per-user rate volume-tiered, and what is the schedule?
• What is the billing unit: active user or device?
• Is bandwidth included, or billed per gigabyte?
• Does billing run through our system or yours?

Migration and exit

• What are the data portability and migration terms if we leave?
• Can we move users to another provider without rebuilding billing and onboarding?

Channel conflict

• Will you ever sell this VPN directly to the customers on our client list? A strong answer draws a written line between direct sales and partner accounts. A weak answer talks about “focus on the partner channel” without committing to anything.

Red flags when choosing a provider

Feature lists are marketing. Contracts confirm capabilities. The gap between the two is where partnerships fail a year in.

1. Opaque pricing with hidden add-on fees. A provider that quotes a flat per-user fee but charges separately for kill switch, split tunneling, dedicated IP addresses, or bandwidth is hiding the real cost. Ask for a written inclusion schedule that governs the contract, not the marketing page.

2. No trial, demo, or sandbox. If a provider will not let you test the API and a sample app before you commit, you are buying blind. Ask for a sandbox environment with API access and a test account. Providers confident in their platform offer this without hesitation.

3. No written SLA with a remedy. An uptime target is not an SLA. If the contract mentions 99.9% availability but no credit schedule, no escalation path, and no notification protocol, you have a marketing number.

4. Provider branding bleeds into the app. Vendor logos in notification trays, provider names in password-reset emails, store listings under the provider’s developer account, or “powered by” strings buried in settings. If branding is not isolated at both the app and API layer, you are reselling a utility with your logo on top.

5. No data export or migration path. If the provider cannot explain how you export customer accounts, billing records, and support history when you leave, you do not own the customer relationship.

6. Platform claims without an SDK to back them. A provider that lists routers, TVs, or desktop on a slide but cannot show a documented SDK and a sample app for that platform will not ship on your timeline. Ask to see the SDK package before you plan a roadmap around it.

7. Channel conflict left unresolved. If the provider will not put channel protection in writing, you might be building their customer base, not yours.

AdGuard white-label VPN SDK

AdGuard has been building ad-blocking and privacy software since 2009 and serves more than 160 million users. The AdGuard VPN SDK is our technology-partner route for companies that want a fully branded VPN service under their own name: you integrate the SDK into your product, build your interface on top of it, and launch without building the infrastructure. We do not supply ready-made apps to rebrand. The white-label route with AdGuard is always an SDK integration, with sample apps and documentation as the starting point.

What the VPN SDK includes

• Client SDK for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows, with working sample apps for each platform plus a React Native sample, and full documentation. You build the app; the SDK provides the VPN engine.
• AdGuard VPN protocol, a proprietary protocol that makes VPN traffic look like regular browser traffic, so connections hold up on networks that throttle or block standard VPN protocols.
• Kill switch that blocks Internet traffic if the VPN connection drops.
• Exclusions, so users can route selected sites or apps outside the tunnel.
• Custom DNS inside the tunnel with support for encrypted DNS: DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS, and DNS-over-QUIC. You can point users at AdGuard DNS to add ad and tracker blocking on top of the VPN.
• Post-quantum key exchange option in the Transport Layer Security (TLS) handshake, so traffic stays protected against future quantum attacks.
• 85+ server locations on our own network.
• No-logging architecture. We collect no session-level data: no connection timestamps, no per-session traffic records, and no user identifiers.
• Server-side API for provisioning and reporting. Your backend issues access tokens through the API, and reads per-token usage and monthly active users for billing.

Access tiers built into the SDK

Two token types let you run both paid and freemium models from day one:

• Premium access: no limits on bandwidth, speed, or locations, and up to 10 simultaneous devices per user
• Limited access: a free tier with a monthly data allowance, reduced speed after the allowance, and a subset of locations, for freemium funnels and trials

One token corresponds to one end user, so billing stays per user rather than per device.

How pricing works

Pricing is per active user per month and drops with volume. A revenue-share model with a per-user floor is available as an alternative for partners who prefer to align costs with their retail pricing. There are no per-gigabyte bandwidth charges on premium access. Setup fee and minimum commitments are agreed individually, based on the partner’s expected volume.

What each side does

We provide integration support, second-line technical support, and the server network. You provide the app, first-line support for your users, marketing, and billing. Provisioning and usage data run through the API from your backend, so no one on your team needs a separate dashboard to operate the service.

AdGuard Partner Program: three models

Alongside the VPN SDK, the AdGuard Partner Program covers our three products: AdGuard Ad Blocker, AdGuard VPN with support for 10 simultaneous devices, and AdGuard DNS with network-level protection, parental controls, and anti-phishing.

Affiliate. Promote AdGuard products through your links, banners, or coupon codes and earn commission on every sale and on renewals at the same rate: up to 70% on AdGuard Ad Blocker, up to 60% on AdGuard VPN and AdGuard DNS Personal, and up to 40% on AdGuard DNS Team. New affiliates get a Welcome Boost with top-tier rates for their first 30 days. You also get a 365-day cookie window, weekly payouts, and a 5% referral commission on affiliates you bring in, and we handle customer support for your referrals. No upfront investment. Register as an affiliate

Reseller. Buy licenses in bulk and sell to your customers at your own prices. Discounts on app licenses start at 45% for an order of 50 licenses and reach 80% at 10,000 or more. AdGuard DNS is offered at a flat 40% off RRP with a minimum of one subscription. You get the AdGuard Partner Portal to generate license keys and manage orders, API access for automation, and prepaid or postpaid terms. You handle first-line support, and we back you on technical questions. Register as a reseller

White label (technology partner). Integrate the AdGuard VPN SDK to build a fully branded VPN service. You customize the interface, set your own pricing, and own the customer relationship. Requires SDK or API integration. Best for software vendors, device makers, and carriers. Apply as a technology partner

The short version: affiliate is the fastest way to earn from an audience you already have. Reseller is the way to build a customer base of your own under the AdGuard brand. White label is for companies ready to integrate so the product ships under their own brand.

FAQ

What is a white-label VPN?

A white-label VPN is a VPN service that a company rebrands and sells as its own. The provider supplies the server network, protocol, and management tools. The partner supplies the brand, sets the prices, and owns the customer relationship.

What is a VPN SDK?

A VPN SDK is a software development kit that lets your developers embed VPN connectivity into your own application. It includes client libraries for each platform, a server-side API to provision users, usage reporting, and sample apps. You keep your own interface, login, and billing, and the SDK provides the VPN engine.

White-label VPN or VPN SDK: which should I choose?

If you have no developers and want a standalone VPN product quickly, a rebranded provider app is the shortest path. If you already have a product and users, a VPN SDK integration gives you full control over the experience and is easier to migrate later, because the app and the store listings are yours.

Is a white-label VPN safe?

Safety depends on the provider, not on the white-label model. The risks sit in provider selection: shared infrastructure can create shared IP reputation problems, and a no-logs claim is only as strong as the architecture behind it. Ask exactly what is stored, for how long, and whether the provider can show independent verification.

How much does a white-label VPN cost?

Expect two cost layers: a one-time setup fee and ongoing licensing. Ongoing costs follow one of three models: per active user with volume tiers, revenue share with a per-user floor, or a flat platform fee plus revenue share. Ask whether the setup fee converts into usable credit, whether the billing unit is a user or a device, and whether bandwidth is included.

How does VPN SDK pricing usually work?

Most VPN SDK providers bill per monthly active user, with the rate dropping at volume thresholds. Some offer revenue share instead. Check whether there is a free tier for freemium models and whether bandwidth is included in the per-user rate.

What is the difference between a white-label VPN and a VPN reseller program?

A reseller buys licenses wholesale and sells them under the provider’s brand at their own pricing, owning the invoicing and support but not the brand. White label goes further: you integrate via SDK or API and ship the product under your own name. Reseller needs little technical effort. White label needs SDK or API integration.

Do I need my own servers to launch a white-label VPN?

No. In the standard model the provider owns and maintains the server network. You rent access and brand the front end. That is the reason white-label launches take weeks instead of months.

How long does it take to launch a white-label VPN?

Rebranded apps can go live in one to two weeks. A VPN SDK integration typically takes a few weeks, depending on your team and how deeply the VPN is woven into your product. Building a VPN in-house takes six to 18 months.

Can I white label a VPN on iOS and Android with an SDK?

Yes. A VPN SDK gives you client libraries for each mobile platform: your app, your store listing under your developer account, and the provider’s VPN engine inside. Confirm that the provider ships the SDK and a sample app for every platform you plan to support, including desktop if you need it.

Which VPN protocol should a white-label provider use?

There is no single right answer, and support for the well-known protocols is not a quality signal on its own. What matters is whether the protocol keeps users connected on the networks they actually use. Standard protocols are easy to detect and throttle. A protocol that makes VPN traffic look like ordinary browser traffic holds up better on restrictive networks. Beyond the protocol, look for modern encryption, a working kill switch, and DNS handled inside the tunnel.

How do I verify a provider’s no-logs claims?

Ask exactly which data points the provider stores: connection timestamps, IP addresses, session duration, traffic volume, and DNS queries. Ask for the retention period for each. If the provider offers independent verification of its no-logs policy, confirm whether it covers the white-label build, not just the retail product. Data that is never collected cannot leak, so a provider that keeps no session-level records at all is the simplest case to evaluate.

Does a VPN SDK cover routers and smart TVs?

Only if the provider actually ships an SDK build for those platforms. Router and TV support is often listed in marketing but not delivered as a documented SDK. Ask to see the SDK package and a sample for the platform before you plan around it.

What happens if I want to switch white-label providers later?

That depends on what you negotiated before signing. A clean exit covers data portability, a defined migration window, and continuity of your app store listings. If you integrated via SDK, you keep the app and the listings and swap the VPN engine, which is far less disruptive than migrating away from a rebranded provider app.

In this guide, you’ll learn the difference between the affiliate, reseller, and white-label models, what it really costs to start, how much margin the model leaves, how to choose the right VPN reseller program, and a step-by-step plan to launch and get your first customers — plus the honest challenges to expect. You will also find a practical launch plan, customer-acquisition tactics, and a checklist for evaluating providers before you commit.

What is a VPN reseller?

A VPN reseller is a business that buys VPN licenses in bulk from a provider at a wholesale discount and sells them to end customers at its own price, keeping the difference as margin. The reseller owns the sale, the pricing, and the customer relationship. The provider owns the infrastructure: servers, protocols, apps, and updates.

How the model works

• Buy wholesale. You order licenses or subscriptions at a discount off the recommended retail price. Discounts are usually tiered by monthly volume, so the more you sell, the deeper the discount.

• Sell at your own price. You decide what to charge and how to package it. The gap between your wholesale cost and your retail price is your margin.

• Control the commercial relationship with the customer. You typically manage billing, first-line support, and your customer records, subject to the program agreement and applicable privacy law. The customer relationship can become a valuable business asset — provided your contract and data-processing arrangements support that model.

• Skip the infrastructure. No servers to rent, no apps to build, no protocol engineering. That work sits with the provider.

In a standard reseller program you sell the provider’s branded product. Putting your own brand on the apps is a separate arrangement, usually called white label, with different requirements and costs. The next section compares all three models.

VPN reseller vs. affiliate vs. white label: which model fits you

AdGuard runs three partnership tracks, and they map onto the three models you’ll meet across the market.

The short version: an affiliate program is the fastest way to earn from an audience you already have; a VPN reseller program is the way to build a customer base of your own; white label is for companies that want the product to carry their own name and are prepared to integrate for it.

How much does it cost to start?

Startup costs differ by an order of magnitude between models, so start by deciding which business you’re actually in.

Two things to check in any VPN reseller program before comparing prices. First, whether there’s a setup fee at all — a program that charges one should be able to explain what it buys. AdGuard’s reseller program has none. Second, the payment terms. Most reseller programs start on prepayment; some open postpayment to partners with a track record, which matters for cash flow at volume.

Beyond the program itself, budget for the parts that are yours: a website or storefront, a payment provider, and the time you spend on support and marketing. In year one these usually cost more than the licenses. If you already run a store, most of it is in place, and the cost is shared across everything you sell through it.

How profitable is VPN reselling?

Gross margin is driven by your wholesale discount and retail price. Net profit depends on what remains after payment processing, refunds, customer support, marketing, taxes, and the cost of running your storefront. Renewals can improve unit economics because you may earn from the same customer more than once.

How the discount tiers work

AdGuard’s reseller discounts on app licenses are tiered by monthly volume, and the same tier table applies to AdGuard VPN and AdGuard Ad Blocker. Two rules to keep apart: the minimum order is 50 licenses for a single product, while your discount tier is set by your total monthly volume across both products. Selling VPN and Ad Blocker side by side therefore moves you up the tiers faster than selling either one alone.

Sample economics

AdGuard VPN retails at $47.88 per year, or $11.99 month to month. Run the annual license through the tiers:

At 150 annual licenses a month you’re in the 50% tier: each license costs you $23.94, and selling at the retail price leaves roughly $3,590 a month in margin. You’re not obliged to sell at RRP — pricing below it wins price-sensitive segments and costs you margin, pricing at or near it protects the margin and puts the weight on your service.

Repeat business — the real advantage

A one-off sale earns once. A subscription can earn again every year the customer stays with you, and that is where the model gets interesting: acquisition is the expensive part and you pay it once, while the margin can come back each cycle.

Worth being precise about how renewals actually work with licenses. There is no silent auto-renewal on the provider’s side: when a license expires, the customer buys a new one, and the question is from whom. With AdGuard you set a Renewal URL in the reseller settings, and the expiry page an end user sees points them to your store with their license key already passed in, instead of sending them to AdGuard’s own checkout. The renewal is a repeat sale you have to earn, but the path back leads to you.

That is why retention deserves as much attention as acquisition, and why longer plans are worth promoting even at a discount.

How to choose a VPN reseller program: 7 criteria

Choosing a program isn’t about finding the lowest wholesale price. It’s about what happens after you sign.

1. Infrastructure reliability

Your customers pay for a connection that works. When it doesn’t, they leave you, not the provider. Ask how the network is distributed, how capacity is handled at peak, and what the provider commits to in writing. If a program advertises an uptime figure, ask whether it’s backed by an SLA or is just marketing.

2. Protocol support and connectivity in your markets

Protocols matter for one practical reason: whether the product connects where your customers are. Standard protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN are widely supported — and also widely recognized and blocked on restrictive networks. Some providers run proprietary protocols that make VPN traffic look like ordinary HTTPS traffic, so the apps keep working where standard protocols get filtered. AdGuard VPN uses its own protocol for exactly this reason, built on HTTP/2 and HTTP/3 (QUIC), with AES-256 encryption and an optional post-quantum mode.

3. Branding: resell or white label

Decide early whose name goes on the product. Reselling a known brand is faster and cheaper to start, and the brand does part of the selling for you. White label puts your name on the apps and gives you full control of the experience, at the cost of an integration and a larger commitment. Both are legitimate; problems only start when a program is vague about which one you’re buying.

4. Customer data ownership

In a reseller model the customer relationship is yours by design: you sell, you invoice, and you hold the customer list. That is the structural advantage over an affiliate program, where the customer belongs to the provider, and it is what makes your customer base an asset: the same people can buy from you again when their licenses expire.

Ownership also means responsibility. Your customers write to you, not to the provider, and in most jurisdictions you are the data controller for that list, so privacy rules and consent are on your side of the line. What differs between programs is how much of the flow the provider touches: whether you generate and distribute the license keys yourself, what happens when an end user activates a key, and which records land where. Map that before you sign, so you know what you hold and what you can automate.

5. Pricing transparency

Cheap headline rates often hide the real cost. Watch for:

• Setup fees that buy nothing ongoing
• High minimum commitments
• Charges that continue for accounts you no longer sell to
• Protocols, locations, or dedicated IPs billed separately

A transparent program tells you the full cost structure up front, including what changes as you scale.

6. Reseller panel and automation

You need a backend that runs a business, not a spreadsheet. A usable VPN reseller panel covers license generation and distribution, order history, analytics, a renewal URL that routes expiring customers back to your store, and API access so you can plug provisioning into your own systems. AdGuard provides bulk license generation and a Distributor API for automated distribution, so licenses can be issued and delivered by your own storefront without manual work.

7. Support quality and a named contact

You handle first-line support for your customers. What you need from the provider is a fast, competent second line and someone who knows your account. A partner manager and direct access to the technical team are a good sign that the program was built for partners rather than bolted on.

Quick checklist

How to become a VPN reseller: step-by-step

Step 1: Pick a niche and define your market

Decide who buys from you before you spend anything. Businesses and managed service clients, remote teams, travelers, families, a specific country or language — each has different expectations about price, support, and features. A reseller who serves one segment well beats a reseller who sells to everyone in general.

Step 2: Choose a provider and program

This is the decision that’s hardest to reverse. Run the seven criteria above against two or three providers, and pay particular attention to data ownership and pricing transparency. Check the brand you’d be reselling: in a reseller model your customers see the provider’s name, so its reputation becomes part of your pitch.

Step 3: Register and set up your reseller panel

Sign up, agree to the terms, and get access to the panel. Place your first order at the entry tier, confirm how licenses are generated and delivered, and test the whole path end to end with a license you activate yourself. If the program offers an API, look at it now — retrofitting automation later is more work than building it in from the start.

Step 4: Set your pricing and plan structure

Your wholesale cost sets the floor; your market sets the ceiling. Don’t default to undercutting. Work out what you need per customer to cover support, payment fees, and marketing, then decide where between cost and RRP you want to sit. Longer plans are worth promoting: they lock in revenue, reduce churn, and cut your payment-processing overhead per dollar earned.

Step 5: Set up billing, payments, and support

You need a storefront that explains the product, a payment method your market actually uses, and a support channel you can staff. Decide upfront what you handle and what you escalate to the provider, and publish response times you can keep. If your panel has an API, automate provisioning so a purchase turns into a working license without you touching it.

Step 6: Launch marketing and acquire customers

Start with a small cohort, watch where they get stuck, and fix onboarding before you scale spend. The next section covers the channels in detail.

Step 7: Scale — monitor, optimize, and grow

Track the numbers that decide whether this works: customer acquisition cost, churn, renewal rate, and margin per customer. Push monthly volume into the next discount tier when the demand is real. Add adjacent products to raise revenue per customer rather than chasing new logos only. Automate the repetitive parts before they eat your margin.

How to get your first customers

This is the make-or-break phase. Here are practical, channel-specific tactics — no fluff.

SEO and content marketing

1. Target comparison and use-case keywords — “VPN vs [competitor]” and “VPN for [specific use case]” pages catch buyers who already intend to purchase, and they convert far better than general explainers.

2. Create narrow guides — a guide for one profession, one platform, or one country ranks faster than a broad one, because you’re competing with fewer and weaker pages.

3. Build a deals page — people search for VPN offers by name. One well-built page with your current pricing captures that traffic.

Niche communities and Telegram

1. Run your own channel — a Telegram channel or newsletter with security tips and occasional offers builds an audience you own and can sell to more than once.

2. Work with micro-influencers — creators with a few thousand engaged followers in your niche cost far less than large accounts and convert better. Offer a free account and a revenue share.

B2B sales — MSPs and small businesses

1. Sell to the people who already manage someone else’s IT — MSPs and IT service providers have a customer relationship and want more revenue per client. VPN and DNS filtering are easy additions to what they already invoice for.

2. Do outreach with a specific reason — research the prospect, name the problem you solve for a company like theirs, and keep the first message short.

Local markets

1. Sell in the local language, and be local about it — translated marketing, local support hours, and local invoicing beat a global brand’s generic page more often than people expect.

2. Partner locally — coworking spaces, IT communities, hosting companies, and business associations all have audiences you can reach through a revenue share.

Existing client base (for IT and hosting companies)

1. Cross-sell to current clients — if you already sell hosting, domains, devices, or IT support, VPN is a natural addition to an invoice your customer already pays.

2. Bundle VPN with existing services — packaging raises average order value and makes the whole bundle harder to cancel.

Common challenges to expect

Reselling VPN isn’t all margins and repeat business. Here are the real headaches — and what to do about each.

1. Competition with consumer giants

You won’t outspend the large VPN brands on advertising, and you don’t need to. They optimize for scale, which makes them generic by design.

The fix: Compete on niche, not scale. Win where being specific matters — your language, your market, your industry, invoicing that fits local accounting, support from a human who answers. Own a narrow segment properly.

2. Dependency on your provider

Your service quality partly rests on someone else’s infrastructure. That’s the trade you make for not building it yourself.

The fix: Manage it like any supplier relationship. Read the agreement before you sign, know the pricing terms and the notice period, keep your own customer and billing records, and understand what happens to your customers if either side walks away. A serious provider will put all of that in writing.

3. Customer churn

Subscription businesses lose customers continuously; the only question is how fast.

The fix: Onboarding is where most of it is decided, so make sure the first session ends with a working, configured product. After that, contact customers with something useful rather than only with offers, promote annual plans, and fix problems quickly. Retention is cheaper than acquisition in every subscription business, VPN included.

4. Customer support — you are the front line

Your customers contact you, including when the problem is upstream.

The fix: Set expectations early with published support hours and response times, use a ticketing system rather than a personal inbox, and write canned answers for the handful of issues that will make up most of your volume. And test the provider’s support before you commit, because your escalations will only be as fast as they are.

Why resell AdGuard VPN

AdGuard has been building privacy software since 2009, its products are used by more than 160 million people in over 150 countries, and Forbes has called the company “the ad-blocking giant”. Its core apps are open source, so the privacy claims you’ll be repeating to your customers can be verified independently. The company is registered in Cyprus (EU) and operates under GDPR.

Three partnership models to choose from

Reseller program — buy licenses in bulk at 45% to 80% off RRP depending on your monthly volume, sell at your own price, and keep the margin. App licenses start at 50 per order of a single product, with the discount tier set by your total monthly volume. AdGuard DNS carries a flat 40% discount, with order size agreed individually. There’s no setup fee. You start on prepayment, and postpayment becomes available to partners with a sales history and a signed contract. You also get bulk key generation, a Distributor API for automated distribution, a configurable Renewal URL so expiring customers are sent back to your store rather than to AdGuard’s checkout, full marketing materials, and direct access to the technical team behind your first-line support.

Affiliate program — no investment and no minimums. Commission runs up to 70% on AdGuard Ad Blocker, up to 70% on AdGuard VPN and AdGuard DNS Personal, and up to 40% on AdGuard DNS Team, with rates set monthly by your results. New affiliates get the top rates for their first 30 days. Renewals pay at the same rate as the original sale, the tracking cookie lasts 365 days, coupon codes are available on request, and payouts run weekly. Ideal for content creators, bloggers, review sites, and communities.

Technology partner (white label) — ad blocking, VPN, and DNS SDKs for iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows, running on AdGuard’s server infrastructure under your brand and your pricing. A one-time setup fee acts as prepaid credit toward your usage, after which you pay for what you use. Terms are individual.

Product lineup

AdGuard VPN is a VPN service built on its own proprietary protocol, TrustTunnel. The protocol disguises VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic and keeps working where standard protocols get blocked. The service offers AES-256 encryption with an optional post-quantum mode, a strict no-logging policy, Kill Switch, split tunneling, 85+ locations, up to 10 devices per subscription, and apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, browsers, routers, and Meta Quest.

AdGuard Ad Blocker — system-wide ad and tracker blocking across browsers and apps on every major platform, and a high-conversion product that pairs naturally with VPN in a bundle.

AdGuard DNS — network-level filtering for an entire office, school, or household, with parental controls and phishing protection. The easiest product to sell to business clients, because it deploys once per network.

The B2B angle: AdGuard DNS

For resellers serving businesses, schools, and managed service clients, AdGuard DNS works differently and often better. The reseller discount on AdGuard DNS is a flat 40% off RRP with no volume tiers to climb, and order size is agreed individually. The product you sell to business clients is DNS Team: one subscription covers one end client with up to 2,000 devices, and clients larger than that move to AdGuard DNS Enterprise, which is quoted individually and sits outside the flat discount. DNS Personal carries the same 40% discount and fits consumer sales through your own storefront.

Example: an AdGuard DNS Team subscription for 200 devices retails at $239.99 per year and costs a reseller $143.99, leaving $96 per client per year. Ten managed clients on that plan is around $960 a year in margin, from a product that requires no infrastructure on your side and deploys once per network.

Ready to start?

Apply for the reseller program at adguardpartner.com. For white-label and technology partnerships, write to b2b@adguard.com and we’ll scope it with you.

FAQ

What is a VPN reseller program?

A VPN reseller program lets you buy VPN licenses or subscriptions from a provider at a wholesale discount and sell them to your own customers at your own price. You keep the margin, own the customer relationship, and handle sales and first-line support, while the provider runs the servers, the apps, and the network. Most programs discount by volume, so your margin grows as you sell more.

How much does it cost to become a VPN reseller?

It depends on the model. An affiliate program costs nothing to join. A reseller program costs whatever your first order costs. With AdGuard, app licenses start at 50 per order of a single product at 45% off RRP, with deeper discounts as your total monthly volume grows, and AdGuard DNS carries a flat 40% off, with order size agreed individually. There is no setup fee. White-label arrangements cost more because they involve integration and branding, and are quoted individually. Budget separately for your own storefront, payment processing, and support time.

Is VPN reselling profitable in 2026?

It can be, and the margins are structural rather than promotional. AdGuard’s reseller discounts run from 45% at 50 licenses a month to 80% at 10,000 and above. On an annual AdGuard VPN license retailing at $47.88, a reseller in the 50% tier pays $23.94 and keeps $23.94 per license sold at RRP — around $3,590 a month at 150 licenses. The bigger factor is repeat business: a customer who stays with you buys again when the license expires, and AdGuard lets you set a Renewal URL so that expiry page sends them to your store rather than to AdGuard’s checkout. Renewals also count toward your monthly volume, which pushes you into a higher discount tier and improves the margin on every license you sell, new ones included.

Do I need my own servers or technical knowledge to resell VPN?

No. The provider runs the infrastructure: servers, protocols, encryption, and app maintenance. Your work is sales, pricing, billing, and first-line support. Managing licenses through a reseller panel needs no engineering, and if you want to automate provisioning, an API is available for that.

What is the difference between a VPN reseller and a VPN affiliate?

An affiliate promotes the provider’s product and earns a commission on the resulting sales — and with AdGuard, on renewals too. The customer belongs to the provider. A reseller buys licenses wholesale and sells them at its own price, so the customer, the pricing, and the renewal relationship belong to the reseller. Affiliate is the faster start with no investment; reselling builds an asset of your own.

What is a white label VPN and how is it different from reselling?

A white label VPN carries your brand: your name, your apps, your customer portal, running on the provider’s infrastructure. Your customers never see the provider. Reselling means selling the provider’s branded product at your own price. White label gives full control of the experience but needs an SDK or API integration and a larger commitment; reseller programs start faster and cheaper. White label VPN pricing is normally quoted per project rather than published.

How do VPN resellers find customers?

The channels that work are content aimed at buyers rather than browsers (comparison and use-case pages), genuinely helpful participation in the communities where your buyers already are, B2B outreach to IT companies and MSPs who can add VPN to services they already invoice for, localized selling with local payment methods, and cross-selling to a customer base you already have from hosting, devices, or IT services.

Can I resell VPN services legally?

In most countries, yes — VPNs are ordinary commercial software. Some jurisdictions restrict VPN use or require providers to be licensed, and the rules change, so check the law in every market you plan to sell in and read your provider’s terms on permitted territories and use. Whatever the market, sell the product for what it is, a privacy and security tool, and keep your marketing claims accurate.

With v2.10, we are bringing that project to a close. The remaining sections — Website and app exclusions, Statistics, and Advanced settings — are now fully accessible for users relying on assistive technologies. Every single screen in the app supports VoiceOver and can be navigated entirely with a keyboard.

Clearer controls and predictable navigation

Here is what has changed in the final sections:

• Websites and apps exclusions: Interface elements now feature clearer labels and a logical focus order, making it straightforward to manage exclusions without a mouse.

• Statistics: VoiceOver accurately identifies controls, usage metrics, and active states so you can easily review your traffic data.

• Advanced settings: Focus behavior across complex options and modal dialogs is now consistent, preventing unexpected jumps.

Beyond these specific screens, we refined keyboard movement across the entire app. Focus transitions follow a clear sequence, ensuring you do not get stuck or lose your place while navigating.

Alongside accessibility enhancements, we included several stability fixes behind the scenes to keep performance smooth, fast, and reliable.

Share your feedback

Accessibility is an ongoing process, and user feedback directly guides our updates. If you rely on VoiceOver or keyboard navigation and notice anything that could be improved, let us know via Support in the app or on GitHub.

To stay in touch, follow us on X (Twitter), Telegram, or Instagram, and join our Reddit community.

Connect and disconnect in one click

Turning your VPN on or off is now even quicker. You can connect to or disconnect from the VPN directly from the extension’s context menu, so there’s no need to open the popup first.

It’s a small quality-of-life improvement, but one you’ll likely notice every day. The controls you use most are now right where you need them, making it easier to protect your connection whenever you want.

And here’s a fun fact: this feature was requested by one of our users on GitHub. We always appreciate your ideas, and whenever possible, we turn them into real improvements. So keep those suggestions coming — we’re listening!

More reliable exclusions for top-level domains

We’ve also improved the way the extension handles top-level domains (TLDs) in exclusions.

Previously, adding entries such as .com or .co.uk could result in invalid exclusion rules, preventing websites from bypassing the VPN as expected. The extension now processes these domains correctly, so your exclusions work reliably.

The result? Fewer surprises when configuring your VPN settings.

Plus the usual fixes and improvements

As always, we’ve made a number of smaller fixes and under-the-hood improvements to keep the extension running smoothly and reliably.

We’d love your feedback

Have you tried the new version yet? Let us know what you think. Whether you’ve spotted a bug, have an idea for a new feature, or simply want to share your experience, your feedback helps us make AdGuard VPN better with every release. You can share your thoughts through our social media or report issues on GitHub.

This journey began in v2.8, when we started bringing accessibility improvements to AdGuard VPN. With v2.10, we’re completing that work by making the last remaining sections — Web & App Exclusions, Statistics, and Advanced settings — fully accessible. As a result, every key area of the app now supports screen readers and can be navigated entirely with a keyboard.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s changed in these sections.

Better keyboard navigation

You can now use AdGuard VPN entirely from your keyboard without losing any functionality.

We’ve improved how focus moves throughout the interface, making navigation more logical and predictable. No more unexpected focus jumps or getting “stuck” in certain parts of the app. This means faster navigation and a smoother overall experience, whether you’re a power user or simply prefer keyboard shortcuts.

Improved screen reader support

Screen readers can now correctly identify and announce interface elements, including their names, roles, and states. This makes interacting with settings and more complex sections of the app significantly easier.

Stability improvements

Alongside accessibility enhancements, we’ve also worked on improving the app’s stability to make your everyday VPN experience even more reliable.

Help make AdGuard VPN even more inclusive

Accessibility is an ongoing process, and we’re always looking for ways to improve. If you use screen readers, keyboard navigation, or other assistive technologies, we’d love to hear your feedback. Whether you’ve spotted an issue, have a suggestion, or simply want to share your experience, your input helps us build a more inclusive AdGuard VPN for Windows for everyone.

You can share your feedback through our social media or on GitHub. Every report helps us make the app more accessible and user-friendly.

To be precise, SplitVPN is not entirely free. It offers both free and paid plans, while its Google Play listing says the app contains ads and in-app purchases. But the free version still sells that enticing idea of privacy without payment. For those users, the price becomes clearer in the small print.

The privacy policy linked from the current Google Play listing says third-party advertising services may collect information such as advertising IDs, IP addresses, device details, app usage, and approximate location. It also acknowledges that, under California privacy law’s definition, some ad-supported versions of its product may “sell” certain data to advertising partners. The policy explicitly says this does not include users’ VPN browsing activity, so it does not by itself contradict SplitVPN’s no-logs promise. But it does complicate the promise of privacy at no cost: free users may not pay a subscription fee, yet their attention and other data can still have commercial value.

In late July, the idea that user data can have commercial value took on a darker meaning. Messages on hacking forums claimed that a database stolen from SplitVPN, previously marketed as NotVPN, had been put up for sale. The seller alleged that it contained data on millions of users, including emails, IP addresses, device and subscription information, and payment records. It supposedly also included nearly 58 million connection logs — a particularly damaging claim for a service built around a no-logs promise.

SplitVPN/NotVPN confirmed the breach but disputed the claim that it had leaked connection logs. The company said someone had accessed its subscription database on July 21 and acknowledged that users’ email addresses, countries, subscription statuses, device names, and limited payment information had been exposed. However, it insisted that it does not record which websites users visit, saying that attackers invented the connection-log table to make the dump appear more valuable.

It was not the first time NotVPN had come up in a privacy context. A recent academic study of Android VPNs found that packages linked to the app sent some app-generated data over unencrypted connections and were easy to recognize as VPN traffic. Importantly, the researchers did not accuse NotVPN of leaking browsing traffic or keeping activity or connection logs.

But NotVPN was only one part of a much larger and more troubling pattern.

Many free VPNs are privacy and security time bombs. Servers, bandwidth, development, and maintenance all cost money. If users are not paying for the service, the provider may be making money through advertising, tracking, or data collection instead. And because a VPN has privileged access to their internet connection, the potential price is much higher than with an ordinary free app.

Collectively, the problematic apps identified in the study had amassed more than 2.4 billion installations. Below are the key findings.

Free VPNs: what was surveyed

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan, the University of New Mexico, and IIT Delhi and presented at the Network and Distributed System Security Symposium (NDSS) in February 2026.

The team assembled its dataset in November 2024 by searching Google Play for 40 popular terms associated with VPNs, including “VPN,” “free VPN,” “best free VPN,” “secure VPN,” “VPN with no logs,” “VPN for privacy,” “VPN for streaming,” and “VPN for gaming,” and so on. Google Play returned up to 30 apps for each search term, producing as many as 1,200 results per country before duplicates were removed. The final sample contained 281 free VPN apps.

Then they tested them on a physical Android 14 device using MVPNalyzer, a framework developed for the project. The apps were checked for:

• unencrypted communication between the app and its own servers;

• DNS or browsing traffic escaping the VPN tunnel;

• advertising identifiers and other device data being sent to trackers;

• weak or outdated VPN configurations;

• VPN traffic that could be easily recognized and blocked.

Traffic and DNS leaks, tracking and fingerprinting — the dangers behind free VPNs

The first problem went against the very purpose of using a VPN: 61 apps sent their own data to servers without encryption. This was app-generated traffic, not users’ browsing traffic, but it could still be seen or altered by the user’s internet provider, the operator of a public Wi-Fi network, or an attacker monitoring the connection. In 5 cases, apps even downloaded their VPN configuration files this way. An attacker could potentially replace the file and redirect the supposedly protected connection to a server they controlled — while the app continued to show that the VPN was “connected.”

Another 29 apps allowed traffic to escape the tunnel. This traffic might still be encrypted by a website through HTTPS, but it would bypass the additional protection and privacy the VPN was supposed to provide. This included apps leaking DNS requests, leaking browser traffic, and creating tunnels that carried data without adding any VPN encryption. Each of these independently defeats a basic reason for using a VPN. A DNS leak, for example, can reveal which websites or services someone is trying to reach even if the pages themselves remain encrypted.

The scale of tracking was even more striking. More than 80% of the tested apps contacted advertising or tracking domains. The researchers identified them using EasyList, EasyPrivacy, Disconnect, and the AdGuard Mobile Ads filter.

Seventy-six apps transmitted the Android Advertising ID, while others shared IP addresses, device models, operating-system versions, language, or location information. One app even transmitted precise coordinates. Most of these details may appear harmless. Combined, they can build a persistent device profile, connect activity across apps and sessions, and potentially link it back to a real network or location. Instead of removing a layer of surveillance, a free VPN may simply add a new one.

The configurations hidden behind the “Connect” button were hardly more reassuring. Of the 108 OpenVPN configurations the researchers obtained, 107 failed at least one security check. Many relied on weak authentication, outdated settings, or lacked basic protections against known attacks.

OpenVPN is a widely used technology for creating an encrypted connection between your device and a VPN server. Its configuration tells the app how to set up and secure that connection.

For users relying on VPNs to bypass censorship, there was another catch. The researchers could easily identify 169 apps as VPNs through standard ports, common protocols, or obvious domain names. In 101 cases, apps contacted domains containing the word “vpn.” Once a censor can recognize a VPN connection, blocking it becomes much easier.

The researchers aimed to survey the most popular Android VPN apps, so if you think these were obscure services with only a few thousand users, that is unfortunately not the case. Current Google Play listings show that several of the VPNs mentioned in the report have surpassed 100 million downloads:

• Instabridge — 100 million+ downloads — was flagged for unencrypted traffic, tracking, easy detection, and configuration problems.

• VPN Proxy Master — 100 million+ downloads — was linked to unencrypted traffic, tracking, and easy detection.

• Super VPN — 100 million+ downloads — was found to transmit some data without encryption.

• Thunder VPN — 100 million+ downloads — was among the apps found to transmit Advertising IDs.

If anything, the download numbers make the findings more unsettling. These apps were not hiding in obscure corners of the internet: users found them on Google Play, surrounded by ratings, download counts, privacy labels, and checkmarks that made them look vetted.

Google guardrails are not enough

Google Play does impose requirements on VPN apps. To remain in the store, they must declare their use of Android’s VPN service and encrypt data between the device and the VPN endpoint, follow Google’s user-data and malware policies, publish a privacy policy, and complete the Data safety form. Google also says that it reviews apps for compliance with its policies. From a user’s perspective, this understandably looks like Google has checked that the app is safe.

The problem is that these checks are far less comprehensive than the labels suggest. The Data safety section is largely a self-disclosure completed by the developer — not the result of Google independently examining everything the app sends. Google’s own documentation states: “You alone are responsible for making complete and accurate declarations in your app’s store listing on Google Play”. Google may act when it discovers a discrepancy, but it does not claim to verify every declaration before users see it. So, what may look like Google’s seal of approval in fact is little more than a developer’s word. Worse still, instead of providing transparency, these declarations can give a false sense of security.

For example, the current Google Play Data safety page for VPN Proxy Master says that data is encrypted in transit and displays an “Independent security review” checkmark. Yet the version examined by the MVPNalyzer researchers was flagged for unencrypted traffic, tracking, and VPN traffic that was easy to identify.

Google Play’s current Data safety page for VPN Proxy Master, captured on July 30, 2026.

The researchers tested the app in November 2024, while the listing was updated in July 2026, so the current version may differ.

Google’s Verified badge is more meaningful. To earn it, a VPN provider must undergo a Mobile Application Security Assessment at Level 2, or MASA Level 2. This is the higher of the program’s two assurance levels: instead of relying mainly on the developer’s answers, a Google-authorized lab manually tests the app against an international mobile-security standard. AdGuard VPN passed this assessment too. That is certainly more reassuring than self-disclosure, but it still covers a particular version at a particular time — not every server request or future update.

Then there is the metric that may be most persuasive of all: install count. A VPN with 100 million downloads feels tried and tested. But even when the number is genuine, it is no guarantee that the app works properly or keeps its privacy promises. And the count itself can be heavily inflated. As the study showed, popularity tells you how far a VPN has spread — not how well it protects you.

If the product is free, you are likely the product

Free VPNs do not run on good intentions alone. Servers, bandwidth, development, and maintenance all cost money, so if users are not paying the bill, someone else must be, and, more often than not, it would be advertisers or companies interested in user data.

This does not make every free VPN unsafe. Some providers offer a limited free version supported by subscriptions. AdGuard VPN’s free plan, for example, includes 3 GB of monthly traffic, four server locations, and support for two devices, while paid users get unlimited traffic and more locations.

So how do you separate a reasonable free plan from a privacy trap? Here is a quick cheat sheet for choosing a VPN:

• Google its name. Search for the VPN and its owner alongside words such as “breach,” “leak,” “privacy,” or “scam.”

• Find out who runs it. A real company should have a proper website, clear contact details, and some history. A developer offering dozens of nearly identical VPNs under generic names is a red flag.

• Check how the free version makes money. The provider should explain whether it relies on subscriptions, advertising, or something else. Its privacy policy should also clearly say what data it collects.

• Look beyond ratings and downloads. Read recent reviews, especially the negative ones, but remember that even millions of installs and a high score cannot prove that a VPN is safe.

• Check its permissions. If a VPN wants access to your contacts, photos, microphone, or precise location without a convincing reason, choose another one.

None of these checks takes long, but together they can tell you far more than a download count or a shiny badge. Before handing a VPN the keys to your internet connection, it is worth finding out who is standing on the other side. A VPN should give you one less thing to worry about, not add another one to the list.

This is an important milestone for us. In early 2026, AdGuard VPN first entered the Meta environment as a browser extension for Meta Quest Browser. It protected traffic inside the browser — but that was only part of the picture. Now AdGuard VPN is available as an app, with system-level protection instead of browser-only coverage.

We’re especially glad to be among the first VPN providers to launch a full-fledged app on the platform, helping bring privacy tools to a new generation of devices early on.

AdGuard VPN for Meta Quest works just like our mobile apps: it encrypts your traffic, hides your IP address, and secures your personal data, giving you a safer, unrestricted, and completely private virtual reality experience. Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or exploring virtual worlds in your Meta Quest headset, AdGuard VPN helps you stay secure and anonymous in any app. AdGuard VPN works on Quest 2, Quest Pro, Quest 3, and Quest 3S.

How to install AdGuard VPN from the Meta Horizon Store

Getting started is really simple:

1. Open the Meta Horizon Store on your device and search for AdGuard VPN
2. Choose the app and tap Download
   
3. Once downloaded, launch it from your App Library
   

And you’re set! All that’s left is to open AdGuard VPN, choose your preferred server location, configure App exclusions if needed, and explore virtual reality with complete privacy.

Improved app security

We’ve significantly strengthened security in two key areas. Integration mode with AdGuard Ad Blocker now uses an updated connection protocol with credential-based authentication, allowing the ad blocker and VPN to sync securely and automatically without any extra steps from the user, while preventing third-party apps from monitoring their interaction.

If you already use AdGuard VPN together with AdGuard Ad Blocker, make sure to update both apps to the latest versions — v2.16.2 and v4.13 respectively — so SOCKS5 and Integration mode continue to work properly.

Moreover, the local SOCKS5 proxy is now protected with authentication. Previously, some apps could detect an open proxy and connect to it without your knowledge, potentially exposing the proxy server’s IP address. To prevent this, we’ve introduced authentication for the proxy using a login and password, keeping your connection better protected.

App exclusions

Android TV users now have App exclusions, a highly requested feature. You can choose which apps the VPN applies to — either only selected apps or all apps except those in your exclusions list. This gives you more control over your network traffic and ensures a smoother experience on your TV.

Stability improvements

As part of this update, we’ve also fixed a number of bugs and made performance improvements. The app now runs more smoothly and feels more stable overall.

Let us hear you

As always, your feedback is what drives us forward. If you run into any bugs or have ideas for new features, please let us know by opening an issue on GitHub. And if you’re simply enjoying the new version, write a line or two on our social media channels.

In this guide, we’ll look at why these differences occur, how Netflix libraries vary across regions, and what you can do to get a more consistent streaming experience.

Why is Netflix blocked for you?

Netflix is a global streaming service, but your experience can vary depending on where and how you connect. There are several common reasons why certain titles or even the service itself may not be fully accessible.

Regional availability and content difference

Netflix offers different content libraries depending on your location. The platform determines your region based on your IP address and then shows the catalog available in that area.

This is largely due to licensing agreements. In many cases, Netflix only has the rights to stream specific titles in certain countries rather than worldwide. As a result, a show available in one region may be missing or removed in another, sometimes without notice.

Restrictions on school, college, and work networks

Netflix streaming services may not always be available on shared networks such as those in schools or offices. Network administrators sometimes limit access to high-bandwidth or entertainment platforms to maintain performance and productivity.

If you’re connected to such a network, you might notice that Netflix is blocked, doesn’t load properly, or is unavailable altogether.

ISP-level blocks

In some regions, ISPs may block or restrict access to Netflix entirely due to local regulations that require them to limit access to certain platforms. In these cases, users might see messages indicating that the service isn’t accessible in their area.

Connection quality can also play a role. Some ISPs may manage network traffic during peak times, which can affect streaming performance and lead to slower speeds or buffering.

Understanding Netflix content libraries

Netflix operates multiple regional catalogs across the world. While there is often overlap, each region may feature unique titles, local productions, or different release schedules. For example, the US Netflix library is often considered one of the most extensive, while countries like Japan are known for strong anime selections. Other regions may focus more on local or regional content.

When accessing Netflix from different network setups or locations, you may notice variations in what’s available. Most setups grant full access, allowing you to browse and watch the content typically available for your current region. Sometimes, the available catalog may be reduced, focusing on globally available titles such as Netflix Originals. And in rare cases, the service may not work at all due to network or regional limitations.

3 ways to improve your Netflix experience

Depending on your needs and technical comfort level, there are several ways to make your Netflix experience more consistent and reliable across different networks and regions. Below are three common approaches, ranging from full-device solutions to simple browser-based options.

Use a VPN

A VPN is one of the most versatile tools for improving how streaming services work across different environments. It routes your Internet connection through a remote server and encrypts your traffic, which can enhance both privacy and connection stability. A reliable VPN for Netflix can also help you enjoy your favorite shows while traveling, just as if you never left home.

By connecting through different server locations, users may also notice changes in how content is presented, depending on the region associated with the connection.

AdGuard VPN is a freemium service designed to provide secure and flexible Internet access across a range of platforms, including streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max. There is, however, one important detail to keep in mind. Streaming access is only supported through servers in regions such as the US, Japan, France, Spain, Germany, Korea, Turkey, the UK, and Canada.

Pros:

• Works across apps: Unlike browser-only solutions, AdGuard VPN supports native apps on Windows, iOS, MacOS, and Android, allowing you to use streaming services beyond just the browser.

• Custom DNS options: Users can select different DNS servers, including options with ad-blocking features, which can improve overall browsing comfort.

• TV support: A dedicated app for Android/Google TV makes it easier to stream content on larger screens.

• Free plan and 7-day free trial: A limited free plan is available. A separate 7-day trial with full access is provided with annual subscriptions via the App Store or Google Play (billing starts after the trial; cancel anytime).

• Up to 10 devices: One subscription covers up to 10 devices at the same time.

Cons:

• Free plan limits: The free tier includes a monthly data cap and reduced speeds, which may only be sufficient for occasional streaming.

Smart DNS

Smart DNS is a specialized solution often used to improve Netflix streaming on different devices. Unlike a VPN, it does not encrypt your traffic or reroute your entire connection. Instead, it focuses on specific requests related to location data that streaming platforms use to determine available content.

Pros:

• High speeds: Since there is no encryption overhead, Smart DNS typically delivers fast streaming performance with minimal latency.

• Wide device support: It works on devices that don’t support VPN apps, such as Apple TV, Roku, PlayStation, Xbox, and many Smart TVs.

Cons:

• No added privacy: Smart DNS does not encrypt traffic or hide your IP address, so it does not provide additional security or anonymity.

• Manual setup: Configuration usually requires changing DNS settings on your device or router and linking your IP address with the service provider.

• Inconsistent results: Because the connection itself isn’t fully modified, streaming platforms may not always respond the same way across different sessions or servers.

Proxies and browser extensions

A proxy server acts as an intermediary between your browser and the Internet. It can change how your web traffic is routed, but, unlike a VPN, it does not encrypt the connection and only protects traffic within that specific browser — other apps on your device remain unaffected. Browser extensions are the most common and convenient way to use proxies.

Pros:

• Easy to use: Most extensions can be enabled with a single click directly in your browser.

• Lightweight: They require fewer system resources compared to full VPN applications.

Cons:

• Limited coverage: Proxy extensions typically only affect traffic within the browser, while other browsers and apps on your device use your regular connection.

• Variable compatibility: Streaming platforms may recognize and treat proxy-based connections differently, which can affect how content is displayed or accessed.

• Potential security concerns: Some free proxy services may lack encryption or have unclear data-handling practices.

How to use AdGuard VPN with Netflix: Step-by-step

Step 1. Install AdGuard VPN on your device

AdGuard VPN is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, browser extensions (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera), and Android TV.

For devices that don’t support VPN apps directly (such as some Smart TVs, Apple TV, PlayStation, or Xbox), you can set up the VPN at the router level.

Step 2. Connect to a server in the desired country

After launching the app, open the list of available server locations and select a region. Different locations may offer different Netflix libraries and performance characteristics.

For example, some users prefer US servers for a broader catalog, while others may choose regions like Japan or the UK for specific types of content. Once selected, connect and allow a few seconds for the connection to establish.

If the experience isn’t optimal right away, switching to another server in the same region can sometimes improve stability or content availability.

Step 3. Log in to Netflix and start watching

With the VPN active, open Netflix in your browser, mobile app, or TV app and sign in as usual. The Netflix content you see may reflect the region associated with your current connection.

If the catalog doesn’t update immediately or playback behaves unexpectedly, try reconnecting to a different server or refreshing your app or browser (clearing cache and cookies can also help in some cases).

How to watch Netflix on school or college networks

School and college networks often limit access to streaming platforms like Netflix, Twitch, YouTube, or social media. This is usually done to reduce bandwidth usage and keep the network focused on academic activities. As a result, some services may not load or may work inconsistently when you’re connected to campus WiFi.

One way to improve your experience is by using a secure connection that helps maintain privacy and stability across restricted networks.

Here’s how to get started:

Step 1: Open your device’s app store and search for a VPN app like AdGuard VPN

Step 2: Download and install the app on your mobile or desktop device

Step 3: Launch the app and connect to a server

Step 4: Once connected, open Netflix and sign in as usual

Step 5: If needed, switch servers or refresh the app to improve playback

A secure connection can help ensure that your traffic is handled more consistently on managed networks, which may improve how streaming services load and perform.

Netflix connection behavior: why access may vary and how to improve stability

When using a VPN with Netflix, the experience can sometimes vary depending on the server and connection type. Streaming platforms continuously adjust how they handle different network patterns and shared IP environments, which can occasionally affect how content is delivered. Understanding these dynamics can help you maintain a more stable streaming experience.

How Netflix identifies connection patterns

Netflix determines available content based on your IP address, which provides general information about your network location. When a VPN is used, your traffic is routed through servers that are shared by many users, which can make the connection appear different from a typical residential one.

Streaming platforms may analyze overall connection patterns, such as repeated usage from shared server environments or high traffic coming from the same IP range. Additionally, services may maintain internal lists of network ranges associated with shared or commercial infrastructure.

In some cases, this can result in a reduced or simplified content catalog, often focusing on globally available titles.

What to try if playback is inconsistent

If Netflix does not load as expected or the catalog appears different, there are several ways to improve consistency:

1. Try a different server. Switching to another server in the same region can sometimes improve performance or restore a more typical browsing experience.

2. Use streaming-optimized servers. Some VPN providers offer servers designed for media streaming, which may provide more stable connections during peak hours.

3. Refresh local browser data. On desktop browsers, clearing cache and cookies can help remove stored session data that may affect how the service loads.

4. Use the full application. A dedicated VPN app can provide more consistent behavior across different devices compared to lightweight browser-based options.

5. Consider a dedicated IP option. Some providers offer a dedicated IP address that is not shared with other users. This can result in a more stable and consistent connection experience, although it may come at an additional cost and with different privacy trade-offs.

6. Check provider recommendations. VPN services often maintain updated guidance on which servers perform best for streaming platforms, which can help improve reliability.

FAQ

Is it legal to unblock Netflix with a VPN?

Using a VPN is not illegal. There are no laws that prohibit using VPNs in most countries. However, Netflix may technically restrict or limit access when VPN or proxy connections are detected, since it uses measures to enforce regional licensing agreements.

Can Netflix ban my account for using a VPN?

Netflix does not state that it bans or terminates accounts for using a VPN. Instead, when a VPN or proxy is detected, Netflix may restrict or alter what you can watch. In most cases, this means you may only see titles that are available globally, or you may be unable to stream certain content while the VPN is active.

Why does Netflix have different libraries in different countries?

Netflix offers different content libraries depending on location due to licensing agreements. In many cases, Netflix only has rights to stream certain titles in specific countries, which is why available content can vary between regions.

What is the best free way to unblock Netflix?

Use AdGuard VPN’s free plan. A 7-day trial with full access is available when subscribing via the App Store or Google Play (annual plan, billing starts after the trial, and can be canceled anytime).

How do I unblock Netflix on a Smart TV?

AdGuard VPN has a dedicated app for Android/Google TV. For devices that do not support VPN apps directly (such as some Smart TVs, Apple TV, PlayStation, or Xbox), the VPN can be set up at the router level.

Can I unblock Netflix at school or college without a VPN?

School and college networks often restrict access to streaming platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and social media. These restrictions are typically applied to manage bandwidth and maintain productivity, so Netflix may not load properly or may be unavailable on campus WiFi without a VPN.

Does AdGuard VPN work with Netflix?

Yes. AdGuard VPN supports streaming services including Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max.

The reason for blocking xHamster may be related to the goal of protecting children from pornography and the porn industry as a whole, since many countries have strict laws that prohibit minors from accessing adult videos. In order to safeguard children from inappropriate content, governments may block access to websites such as xHamster.

Additionally, some Internet providers may also block xHamster based on court decisions or in response to requests from law enforcement agencies. See below how to bypass such restrictions and unblock xHamster and other types of porn sites.

If you are facing locks on other adult resources as well, check out our universal guide on how to unblock porn sites to keep your favorite entertainment accessible.

Why is xHamster not working?

If you try to open the website and it fails to load, it is important to diagnose the exact issue. Is xHamster down, or is it blocked specifically for you? Use this quick checklist to find out:

1. Check if xHamster is down: Sometimes the service experiences server outages. You can use free third-party tools like DownDetector or IsItDownRightNow to check the global status of the website.
2. Look for a block screen: If your workplace, ISP, or country blocks adult content, you will usually see a network error, a blank page, or an official notice stating that the site is restricted.
3. Verify your state location (US users): If you are browsing from certain US states, you won’t see a connection error; instead, you may see an official landing page from xHamster explaining that access has been disabled due to local age verification laws.

If you’ve encountered network-level blocks in general, you can learn more about how they work and how to access blocked websites of any kind in our dedicated blog post.

The porn ban in USA: Understanding age verification laws

A rapid wave of state-level age verification laws has completely changed how people access adult content in the US. Often called the porn ban in USA, these new rules force adult websites to prove that visitors are at least 18 years old before letting them view any content.

To comply with these laws, websites are legally required to verify users’ age. This typically involves requiring visitors to upload a digital scan of a government-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license), submit to commercial third-party facial age-estimation scans, or log in through private verification networks that cross-reference public records.

As of 2026, twenty five US states have enacted adult content age verification laws: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia. The exact enforcement date and scope vary by state.

A common point of confusion is thinking that local state governments are running a state-wide firewall to block adult websites. In reality, instead of implementing a risky xHamster age verification system, the platform has chosen to block access to these states entirely by tracking visitor IP addresses. This is because failing to comply or pull out of these regions exposes the platform to extreme financial fines ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 per violation.

Furthermore, complying with an age verification law means partnering with third-party verification companies. Collecting, processing, and validating government ID data creates massive database targets for hackers and identity thieves, so xHamster and other adult networks decided it was safer to pull their services from those states entirely to protect user privacy.

The legal battleground for these restrictions peaked in Texas with the landmark case Free Speech Coalition (FSC) v. Paxton. Advocates argued that the Texas age-verification mandate (H.B. 1181) violated the First Amendment and compromised online privacy. However, the courts ultimately ruled in favor of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton — setting a powerful legal precedent that encouraged other states to pass similar legislation.

This regulatory clampdown has naturally driven up search queries on how to bypass xHamster age verification. But uploading sensitive personal documents to any site or its third-party verification vendor is a massive security risk. Cybersecurity experts continuously advise against providing government-issued IDs to verify age online due to data leak histories. You can read more about this in our privacy experts’ open letter.

How to unblock xHamster

If you are looking for ways to access xHamster without VPN connections, or simply want to explore alternative xHamster no vpn methods, there are several tools you can use. Below is a detailed breakdown of all the working techniques, ranging from full encryption to lightweight routing workarounds.

• VPN: A Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows you to access blocked websites, including xHamster. Install a VPN application on your device and connect to a server in a different country where access to xHamster is not limited. Once you initiate the VPN, your Internet provider will no longer see which specific websites you’re accessing, rendering its blocking policies ineffective. Moreover, the VPN service encrypts your traffic through a VPN tunnel, providing added privacy and security while using xHamster or any other online services.

• SmartDNS: Smart DNS is a technology that helps you access region-specific content on streaming platforms (such as Netflix or BBC iPlayer) by adjusting your DNS settings. This is an excellent alternative if you want to view xHamster without encrypting your entire internet traffic.

1. SmartDNS works by rerouting only the specific DNS queries that reveal your physical location (GeoIP) through a proxy server located in an unrestricted region.
2. Since it does not encrypt your data, it doesn’t slow down your connection at all, making it ideal for smooth, high-speed HD video buffering on your computer, phone, or smart TV.
3. However, keep in mind that SmartDNS does not hide your browsing activity from your ISP or network administrators. It is strictly a tool to bypass geographical blocks, not a privacy solution.

• Proxy servers: Proxy servers enable you to redirect your traffic through them, circumventing the blocking. Find a functional proxy server and configure it in your browser.

1. You connect to a proxy server located in a country or region where xHamster is not blocked.
2. Your traffic is routed through this proxy server, which acts as an intermediary between you and xHamster.
3. When you request access to xHamster, the request is sent from your computer to the proxy server, which then forwards it to xHamster.
4. xHamster responds to the request and sends the response back to the proxy server.
5. The proxy server passes the response back to you.

Unlike using a VPN for xHamster, the use of a proxy is not guaranteed to unblock xHamster and other types of porn content. This is because the address of the target website is transmitted to the proxy server in an open, unencrypted form and can still be detected by the provider, which may lead to a block in the connection. This statement does not apply to secure proxies that you connect to using TLS.

• Web proxies (Anonymizers): Web proxies are the quickest way to access xHamster without VPN apps, requiring absolutely zero software installation.

1. You visit a public web proxy website (often called an anonymizer) in your browser.
2. You paste the xHamster link directly into the proxy’s input bar and click Go.
3. The proxy website fetches the content of xHamster and displays it within your current tab, masking your IP address from the adult platform.
4. While extremely convenient, free web proxies are often slow, struggle to load heavy video player scripts, and do not provide secure encryption (unless they run over a secure TLS connection). For a detailed look, check out our comparison on VPN vs. proxy.

• Tor browser: Tor Browser is a browser that ensures anonymity and security when you use the Internet. It can help you gain access to blocked websites. Tor Browser, routes user requests through several nodes (onions). These are volunteer servers that participate in the Tor network. Each node encrypts and forwards the request to the next node, complicating user tracking and identification. All traffic within the Tor network is encrypted, which prevents eavesdropping or tracking by third parties.

Additionally, the Tor Browser automatically changes the user’s IP address for each request, enhancing anonymity even further. Significant drawbacks of the Tor Browser include low content loading speeds and the potential attention from law enforcement agencies to Tor Browser users. Therefore, if the goal is solely to unblock xHamster, unblock Pornhub, or other adult websites, this method might not be preferable, especially when compared to using a VPN for xHamster.

• Changing DNS servers: DNS (Domain Name System) is a system that translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses. Domain name resolution takes place before establishing a connection with a remote server. Sometimes, website blocking occurs at the DNS level. Technically, it works as follows: the ISP’s DNS server sees a request with the name of a blocked domain and either ignores the request or returns an incorrect IP address, hindering the connection to the website. In this case, using an alternative DNS server on the user’s device or router can be helpful. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Find a reliable DNS provider that offers DNS services without restrictions. Some popular providers include Cloudflare, Google Public DNS, and OpenDNS. You can find a more comprehensive list in our Knowledge base.

2. Change the DNS settings on your device. This is usually done in the Network or Internet section of your device’s settings. You’ll need to specify the DNS server address of your chosen provider.

3. After you’ve changed the DNS server settings, your device will use the new server for translating domain names into IP addresses and will no longer be subject to the restrictions imposed by your Internet service provider.

It’s worth noting that while DNS blocking is often used for basic filtering by schools, workplaces, and some Internet providers, it is relatively easy to bypass. Therefore, consider using this xHamster no VPN bypass method only if you’re certain that your network configuration relies solely on DNS-level restrictions. In other cases — especially when dealing with advanced deep packet inspection (DPI) or IP-based geoblocks — this method won’t work. Once again, using a dedicated VPN for xHamster remains the most reliable and secure option.

Comparison: Methods to access xHamster without restrictions

How to unblock xHamster using a VPN

1. Choose and install a VPN application: Use a reliable VPN provider that offers a high-quality server in a country where xHamster is not blocked. We recommend using AdGuard VPN, which features a super-fast connection and a no-logs policy.
2. After installation, launch the VPN application on your device.
3. Select a server: Within the application, choose a server in a country where xHamster is not blocked. For example, Germany.
4. Connect to the chosen server: Press the Connect button or a similar option in your VPN application to establish a connection to the selected server.
5. Check xHamster’s availability: Once successfully connected to the server, verify xHamster’s accessibility by opening it in your browser or app.
6. Enjoy using xHamster: By using a VPN for xHamster access, you should now have unrestricted access to xHamster and its adult content.

If you want to test the connection first, you can start with a trusted free VPN option before upgrading.

Why AdGuard VPN

Using a VPN is one of the effective ways to protect your online activity from monitoring and content restricted for being considered unacceptable by some, such as online porn. Let’s delve into all the advantages that AdGuard VPN offers to its users:

• TrustTunnel — AdGuard’s open-source protocol: AdGuard VPN avoids off-the-shelf solutions and uses its own protocol. The TrustTunnel protocol is more complex to detect and faster than traditional VPN protocols.
• Exclusion lists: With AdGuard VPN, you can choose for which websites and applications to enable or disable the VPN. For instance, you can default to turning off AdGuard VPN for all sites, using it only for sites explicitly added to the list.
• Custom DNS servers: AdGuard VPN users aren’t bound to use DNS servers provided by their Internet service provider. They can select a DNS server from a list of reputable providers or configure their own DNS server.
• Locations with the highest speeds: AdGuard VPN provides you with the ping time for each VPN location. Typically, the server with the lowest ping is the fastest — maximize your connection speed by choosing the right location. The high speeds will make your streaming experience much more efficient.
• VPN servers in over 60 countries: Regardless of your location, you can always count on a fast and stable connection with an extensive list of VPN servers.
• QUIC support: AdGuard VPN helps you stay connected even in less-than-ideal conditions, such as when connected via a mobile network.
• Kill Switch: This essential VPN feature automatically cuts off your Internet connection if the VPN connection drops. It ensures complete protection of your web surfing from prying eyes, avoiding information leakage. You won’t be vulnerable to attackers trying to access your personal information.
• Auto-protection: This feature automatically activates AdGuard VPN when connecting to unsecured or public Wi-Fi networks.
• Simultaneous connections: AdGuard VPN Unlimited users can simultaneously enable VPN on 10 different devices and have an unlimited number of devices connected to their account.
• Strict no-logs policy: AdGuard is a privacy-focused VPN that doesn’t track, collect, or store user activity logs.

FAQ

How to unblock xHamster

There are many ways to unblock xHamster. The most convenient is the use of a VPN for xHamster. This method allows you to change your IP address, bypass the geographical restrictions and encrypt the information received by your ISP. Besides, you can use the Tor Browser to unblock xHamster. This is a free and trustworthy alternative that also encrypts your traffic and masks your IP address. However, it works slower than a VPN for xHamster and can be forbidden in many countries due to legal issues associated with its use. The next method is the use of a proxy server, which also hides your IP address and helps bypass geographical restrictions on the server side. The disadvantage of using a proxy server is that it doesn't encrypt traffic and can’t offer a 100% guarantee that xHamster will be unblocked.

How to unblock xHamster on the computer

In order to unblock xHamster in your computer in the simplest and most effective way, you should use a VPN for xHamster. If you’d like, you can also try the Tor Browser, but it will significantly slow down your Internet connection. Additionally, you can use anonymizers and proxy servers to unblock xHamster.

How to unblock Pornhub on mobile devices

The use of a VPN for xHamster is the simplest and most effective way to unblock xHamster and all its content on your phone. Another option is to use the Tor Browser, but it considerably reduces your Internet connection speed. You can also try anonymizers and proxies.

Why is xHamster blocked in my state?

If you live in states like Texas, Utah, or Virginia, xHamster is unavailable because your state legislature passed strict age verification laws. Because these laws require the platform to verify visitors’ government IDs, xHamster chose to withdraw its services from your region completely to protect user privacy.

What happened to xHamster in the US?

xHamster is not shut down; it is simply geoblocking traffic from specific US states with strict privacy-invasive laws. You can still access your account and all features if you connect from an unrestricted state or country.

Is xHamster down or blocked just for me?

If you can load other websites but xHamster gives you an error, the site is likely blocked on your current network (such as school, office, or public Wi-Fi) or by your ISP. If you are in a restricted US state, you will see an information screen instead of the standard website homepage.

Can I unblock xHamster without a VPN?

Yes. You can use SmartDNS, configure secure proxy servers, use the Tor Browser, or change your router’s DNS settings. However, a VPN remains the easiest and only method that simultaneously secures your connection with military-grade encryption.

Is it legal to use a VPN to access xHamster?

Generally, yes. Utilizing a VPN to protect your online identity and browse the open web is completely legal in the United States and most democratic nations.

Does a free VPN work with xHamster?

Most completely free VPNs have harsh data limits (e.g., 500MB per month) and slow speeds that make video streaming impossible. Instead of risking your privacy with sketchy free providers that sell your data, use a reputable freemium tier like AdGuard’s free VPN option, which secures your data without compromising your device.

This isn’t a new version of the app — it’s the same AdGuard VPN you already know and love, but now more convenient to install and manage.

Easy and secure

Getting started takes just a couple of clicks. Open the store page, sign in, and hit Install — that’s it.

Downloading from the Microsoft Store means that you can be sure you’re getting the official build. You can also turn on automatic updates to make sure all your apps — including AdGuard VPN — update in the background.

And another nice touch: billing still goes through the AdGuard website, not through Microsoft’s billing system. That means no store lock-in, and flexible subscription options under your control.

Of course, if you’d rather download the app straight from our website, that option is still available here.

Your feedback matters

Now that we’re on the Microsoft Store, you can rate and review AdGuard VPN right there. This helps our team make the app even better. It’s also easier to share the app with other Windows users by sending them a reliable store link.

As always, we’d love to hear from you on our social media and GitHub.

Simple and trustworthy

Downloading and updating AdGuard VPN for Mac has never been more straightforward. Just search the app on the Mac App Store and hit Get. And with Automatic Updates enabled, important updates install quietly in the background — you don’t have to worry about staying up to date.

All requirements met

Over the past several releases, we’ve been refining our app to meet Apple’s requirements — including migrating to Apple’s system framework for managing VPN connections on macOS. Our work has paid off. We’re confident that our app meets every Apple standard.

Easy to share and review

You can now rate and review the app directly on the Mac App Store, which helps us improve faster. It is also easier to share the app with fellow Mac users — send them the store link, or just AirDrop it.

Please note that there are certain differences between the Mac App Store version and the standalone version — find out more about them in our Knowledge Base.

As always, we’d also love to hear from you on social media and GitHub.

In AdGuard VPN Browser Extension v2.10, we’ve added custom profiles. Now you can save different VPN setups and switch between them instantly.

Custom profiles

You may use your VPN differently throughout the day: one setup for work, another for studying, and a third for streaming or watching cartoons with your kid. Each case may require a different VPN location, DNS server, or exclusion list.

Custom profiles make switching easier. You can save a set of VPN settings once and return to it whenever you need. The VPN extension supports up to 10 profiles in total.

To try the new feature, click the AdGuard VPN icon in your browser → three-line menu in the upper-right corner (☰) → Profiles.

Profile settings

You can choose a name for each profile and configure the following settings:

• Server location
• WebRTC
• DNS server
• Exclusions

After creating profiles, you can switch between them directly from the extension popup.

How profile locations work

Here’s one detail worth knowing: the location set in a profile stays saved until you change it in that profile’s settings.

You can still switch locations from the extension popup. This change is temporary. When you switch profiles or reopen the browser, AdGuard VPN will use the location saved in the selected profile’s settings.

Other settings work differently. If you change WebRTC, DNS server, or Exclusions while a profile is active, AdGuard VPN saves these changes to that profile.

That’s all for AdGuard VPN Browser Extension v2.10. Update the extension, try profiles, and tell us what you think on GitHub or social media.

Upd. This promotion is over. If you didn’t get a chance to buy AdGuard Ad Blocker, AdGuard VPN or AdGuard DNS at a discount, don’t worry — we often run other promotions. Not to miss the next one, subscribe to our newsletter — we’ll keep you in the loop!

Long, long ago, when the Internet was a very different place — full of Flash animations and clumsy ad algorithms, with no Instagram and no mobile-first everything — AdGuard was born. Hard to believe, but that was 17 years ago!

AdGuard then and AdGuard now are worlds apart. But some things have stayed with us from the start: we believe in the cleaner Internet and better privacy for everyone. And yes, no AdGuard birthday is complete without discounts.

This time, we’ve prepared discounts for:

🎂 AdGuard Ad Blocker: 50% off 1-year licenses and 45% off lifetime ones
🎂 AdGuard VPN: 83% off 2-year subscriptions
🎂 AdGuard DNS: 60% off Personal and Team yearly plans

Mark AdGuard’s birthday by removing annoying ads, protecting your traffic from third parties, and blocking unwanted DNS requests. Extend or upgrade your current subscriptions and licenses — or get new ones for yourself or as a gift. Either way, we’ll be happy to have you celebrate with us.

What is going on in the UK

Over the last few years, the UK has passed — or proposed — several controversial laws affecting the online sphere. The Online Safety Act, passed in 2023, has made the biggest waves. As the country’s main online safety framework, it requires regulated online services to assess risks to children and take steps such as age checks, safer recommendation systems, and stronger moderation where minors are likely to use the service.

The need to protect children from online harms regularly appears in UK legislation as a justification for new restrictions and limitations. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act, passed earlier in 2026, was also presented in part as a child-safeguarding measure and includes, for example, powers to require internet service providers to prevent or restrict children’s access to certain services. On March 2, the UK government launched the “Growing up in the online world” consultation to explore additional online safety measures for minors, including curfews, social media age limits, restrictions on features like infinite scroll and autoplay, AI chatbot restrictions, and ways age verification or age assurance could support enforcement.

The government itself acknowledges that enforcing minimum age rules may require adults to verify their age in order to access certain services, creating privacy trade-offs and additional friction for users. Still, those concerns have done little to slow the push toward broader age-assurance requirements, and the trend shows no signs of stopping.

From privacy concerns to internet checkpoints

In our previous articles, we already outlined how this trend — and it is by no means limited to the UK — threatens online privacy. Age verification often means collecting or processing IDs, biometrics, phone numbers, payment credentials, or other sensitive data. The more often users are asked to verify themselves, the more opportunities there are for leaks, scams, and misuse of personal information.

But the UK debate adds a whole other layer to the discussion. The issue goes beyond simply asking what happens to your data once you upload it. It becomes a question of what the internet itself will look like when identity checks become the norm. The risk is not only that your passport scan could be leaked — it is the normalization of asking for that passport scan in the first place.

In the joint statement mentioned earlier, the signatories warned that widespread age gates could undermine the decentralized nature of the web and push it toward a more permission-based model. Age verification at scale creates an infrastructure of permission: more services need to know who you are, how old you are, where you are, and whether you are allowed to enter. This is very different from the web many users have grown accustomed to — one based on open standards, shared protocols, and cross-border interoperability. Critics warn that if governments continue expanding age-assurance requirements, that model of the web may gradually give way to one increasingly built around identity checks and access controls.

VPNs under age checks: when privacy tools become restricted

VPNs provide a clear example of how this shift toward mandatory identity checks could affect basic privacy tools. The aforementioned UK consultation identifies VPNs as a possible circumvention tool and asks whether restricting children’s access should be prioritized. It even asks respondents whether, in principle, “everyone should go through age checks to access a VPN if it would prevent children from using them.”

But treating VPNs as mere loopholes misses the broader point. For many users, a VPN is an essential part of basic digital hygiene and an indispensable privacy protection tool — and now this tool itself could potentially be placed behind an age check.

And it’s hard to attribute this to ignorance. The government’s consultation acknowledges that VPNs have legitimate uses, including remote work, protecting sensitive communications, and safeguarding privacy, and notes that early evidence does not suggest the post-age-assurance VPN spike was driven by children trying to bypass checks. Yet the question of age-gating VPNs remains on the agenda, undermining rights while failing to address the root causes of online harm.

The real problem

Age-gating websites and restricting VPNs and other privacy tools is a superficial fix that misses the underlying problem. The real issue is not that children might outsmart the system and access harmful material; it is the system itself — the predatory tactics that exploit adults and minors alike, and the large platforms optimized for mass data collection and precise ad targeting. If anything, going further down the age restriction path would only solidify the dominance of Big Tech gatekeepers, as few large-scale apps and platforms controlled by tech giants would very likely decide who can and who can’t access content online.

The solution should not be “collect even more sensitive data but promise to handle it carefully.” Instead, it should be “collect less data in the first place.” It should mean designing spaces and services that are safe for children by default, reducing tracking, improving parental controls, and — perhaps most importantly — holding platforms accountable for intentionally harmful design.

Despite the warnings of privacy advocates, the trend so far points in the opposite direction. Age verification in the UK is just one example, but it reflects a broader pattern already present in other countries. As an individual, you can take steps to protect yourself: be cautious when a site asks for an ID, biometric data, or phone number. Even legitimate requests may affect your privacy, and fraudulent ones can have severe consequences. Be especially wary of shady “bypass services,” fake verification tools, and unknown apps promising easy access. And if you are concerned about the direction the web is heading, raise your voice — collectively, our voices may be heard.

The UK debate illustrates where online safety policy may be heading next. If every new online risk leads to more age checks, identity verification, and restrictions on privacy tools, the result could be an internet that is neither safer nor more private. Children deserve protection online, but everyone — including children — also deserves privacy. A safer internet should not require building a less private one.

Why Pornhub might not be available

Pornhub is one of the most visited websites in the world in the category “Adult”. But due to different reasons, it can be blocked.

Age verification laws. This is currently the most common reason for blocking in the United States and parts of Europe. Since 2023, dozens of US states — including Texas, Virginia, Utah, Mississippi, Louisiana, Indiana, North Carolina, and Montana — have passed strict age verification laws. Rather than implementing invasive ID-tracking systems that compromise user privacy, Pornhub has chosen to completely disable its service in these regions. Consequently, you may find Pornhub blocked at the state level.

National сensorship. Governments in countries like Thailand, India, the Philippines, China, UAE ban adult content at a national level. In these regions, strict state firewalls are used to block Pornhub and maintain control over web content.

Local restrictions. Pornhub is also frequently banned in offices, schools, and public spaces. Network owners use firewalls to restrict access simply because these are not considered appropriate environments for viewing such content, or to maintain a professional atmosphere.

Bandwidth consumption. Just as other media content, adult video is quite demanding on network resources, and bandwidth costs money. That’s why travelers can often find that porn is blocked in hotels or on public Wi-Fi networks specifically to save bandwidth and reduce costs.

In most cases, access to Pornhub is restricted by blacklisting the website’s domain on a network firewall. The good news is that it’s possible to unblock Pornhub and here is the how-to.

How to unblock Pornhub

There are several ways to unblock Pornhub. Let’s see them all.

Tor browser

Tor looks like a usual browser, but in fact, with Tor, you can bypass blocking, improve your anonymity and privacy online. Tor is a free browser that you can safely download from the official website, install and start to use quickly. Even if Tor is not available to download in your country, the company allows users to get it from one of the official mirrors, or via the service GetTor. There are versions for all popular OS and mobile devices.

Tor encrypts all your internet traffic. In other words, your online activity is hidden from your ISP and anyone who might watch your connection locally. By default, Tor Browser doesn’t save your browsing history and deletes cookies at the end of each session.

Additionally, all data is encrypted and sequentially transmitted via multiple nodes within the Tor network, none of which have full information about the source and destination points of the data. And finally, your real IP address is masked.

VPN

A Virtual Private Network, or VPN for short, is probably the easiest way to access blocked websites, especially if you want to visit them regularly. Let’s look at how it works.

When you turn on a VPN it creates an encrypted tunnel for all your traffic between your device and a VPN server. This means that your ISP sees only an active VPN connection and nothing more. All your online activity becomes hidden and protected from being tracked, gathered, and sold to advertisers, marketers, and different third-party companies. Thus your ISP, or your colleagues, can’t see websites you visit and can’t block access to them.

Once your request reaches the VPN server, it is decrypted and forwarded to the internet from the server’s own IP address. To the rest of the web, your actual IP address is hidden. This is crucial because many websites restrict content based on a user’s geographical location. By masking your IP, you can easily unblock xHamster or other adult platforms that might be restricted in your specific region.

Another benefit of using VPN is encryption, which makes your online activity unreadable. This helps to avoid blocking from your ISP, Wi-Fi owner, or other organization, which can’t see what you are doing online while you use VPN.

There are several tips that can help you choose the best VPN provider:

• Number of locations. Choose a VPN provider that offers a wide list of server locations worldwide so you can always find a server with the highest speed.
• Quality of encryption. Modern secure VPNs use AES-family encryption (AES-128, AES-256) as a de-facto standard. These standards offer excellent security and are hardware-accelerated on most platforms, including mobile devices. This ensures high speeds and low battery consumption.
• Clear logging policy. Some VPN providers log too much user data. Carefully read the privacy policy to ensure that your VPN collects only the minimum information required for technical support.
• Paid subscription. While free VPNs may look tempting, they are often riskier than using no VPN at all. Since these providers still need to cover their costs, they often do so by selling your data to third parties. If you prefer not to pay right away, opt for a reputable freemium service. A trusted free VPN to unblock websites lets you bypass restrictions safely without risking your personal data.

Smart DNS

Smart DNS is a popular method that is often simpler than a VPN and works exceptionally well for streaming. Unlike a VPN, which routes all your data through a remote server, Smart DNS only redirects the specific parts of your DNS queries that reveal your geographical location.

The most significant advantage of this method is connection speed. Because there is no encryption involved, your bandwidth remains untouched, making Smart DNS a perfect choice for watching 4K adult videos without any buffering or lag. Furthermore, it can be easily configured on devices that do not naturally support VPN software, such as Smart TVs or gaming consoles.

To set up Smart DNS, you generally need to obtain the DNS server addresses from your provider and manually enter them into your device’s network settings. However, keep in mind that this method does not hide your IP address or encrypt your data. While it is excellent for accessing content worldwide, it doesn’t provide the same level of anonymity as a VPN or Tor, meaning your ISP might still be able to see which domains you are visiting.

Changing DNS server

The Domain Name System (DNS) maps domain names to the IP addresses that computers use to locate websites. This allows you to browse the web using comfortable names instead of strings of numbers.

However, it is possible for ISPs to monitor your DNS requests and block access to specific content. You may try replacing your default DNS server in the system preferences with one from Google or Cloudflare and check if it helps to unblock Pornhub, for example.

Modern technology has made this method even more reliable through DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) and DNS-over-TLS (DoT). While standard DNS requests are sent in plain text, these protocols wrap your requests in a layer of encryption. Most popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge now support encrypted DNS. By enabling this feature in your browser’s security settings, you can ensure that your ISP cannot easily intercept your requests, making it a much more robust way to bypass DNS-based blocking.

You can also change the DNS server from the one assigned by your ISP to Google’s public DNS server on different devices:

For some users, it might seem too complicated and time-consuming. Also, this method is not a hundred-percent solution. Unlike VPN, it does not encrypt your traffic, so if the network is monitored your browsing history will be recorded.

Proxies

Proxy servers work as intermediaries between your device and the web server. After your traffic passes through a proxy server your IP address changes to the IP address of the proxy server. As a result, you hide your IP address and can unblock the website only if the content is restricted because you are not in a required geographic area. Proxies are not as secure as VPNs (to be precise, they have nothing to do with security), but it is a good option if you can’t install a VPN on your device and can’t access a website because of server side geo-blocking.

The traffic to proxy servers is not encrypted and remains visible to network owners. That’s why this method doesn’t give a 100% guarantee that it will help to unblock Pornhub. The result depends on what kind of Pornhub blocking strategy the owner of the network uses.

Another disadvantage of using a proxy is that you need to set up a proxy server connection on your OS or browser to start using it. This might be challenging for a non-technical person.

Web proxies (anonymizers)

Finding a web proxy is an easy task. With a quick search, you can get a list of dozens of web proxy servers with almost the same functionality. To start using it you needn’t make any additional setups. Just go to the web proxy website and enter Pornhub’s website address in the address bar. Web proxy acts like a middleman and changes your real IP address, but also adds an additional layer of security (when HTTPS is on), which makes it more probable to get Pornhub unblocked.

How to unblock Pornhub: Comparison of methods

Why choose AdGuard VPN

Using VPN is one of the effective ways to protect your online activity from monitoring and blocking your access to content that somebody considers unacceptable. Let’s explore all benefits that AdGuard VPN offers its users:

• In-house developed VPN protocol. AdGuard VPN avoids ready-made solutions and uses a proprietary protocol TrustTunnel. AdGuard VPN protocol is more difficult to detect and it’s faster than traditional VPN protocols.
• Lists of exclusions. With AdGuard VPN, you can choose on which websites and apps you want your VPN to be on and off. For example, you can turn off AdGuard VPN for all websites by default, so it will run only on those websites you add to the list.
• Custom DNS servers. AdGuard VPN users do not need to use DNS servers provided by their ISP. They can choose a DNS server from the list of known providers or set up their own DNS server.
• Locations with the fastest speeds. With AdGuard VPN you know ping times to every VPN location. Usually, the server with the lowest ping is the fastest one — maximize your connection speed by choosing the right location.
• VPN servers in 55+ countries. Regardless of where you are, you can always be sure of a fast and stable connection with a wide list of VPN servers.
• QUIC support. AdGuard VPN helps you stay connected even in non-ideal conditions: for instance, when you’re connected through a mobile network.
• Kill Switch. It’s an essential VPN feature that automatically cuts off your internet connection if your VPN connection is suddenly lost.
• Auto-protection. This feature automatically turns on AdGuard VPN when you connect to Wi-Fi networks, which often might be unsecured.
• Simultaneous connections. Users of AdGuard VPN Unlimited can simultaneously switch on the VPN on 10 different devices and have an unlimited number of devices logged in but disconnected.
• Strict no-logging policy. AdGuard is a privacy-oriented VPN that does not track, gather or store users’ activity logs. Privacy policy

FAQ

On April 28, 2026, we received an email from Apple notifying us that the app would be removed because it “includes content that is illegal in Russia” and therefore does not comply with the App Review Guidelines.
The notice also cited Apple’s policy that developers are responsible for ensuring their apps comply with all local laws in the regions where they are distributed. The takedown request referenced Russia’s law “On Information, Information Technologies and Information Protection,” specifically Article 15.1, which regulates the restriction of access to prohibited information and empowers authorities to block related services: https://blocklist.rkn.gov.ru/article15-1/

It’s important to note that while the TrustTunnel iOS client is no longer available in the Russian App Store, it remains accessible in other regions.

“While your app has been removed from the Russia App Store, it is still available in the App Stores for the other territories you selected in App Store Connect,” Apple stated in the letter.

Why is this happening: bigger picture

This takedown is not an isolated case. Apple has repeatedly complied with similar requests from Russian authorities. In July 2024 alone, dozens of VPN apps were removed from the Russian App Store, including AdGuard VPN.

Since then, Roskomnadzor has only intensified its campaign against VPN services, particularly after the introduction of a 2024 law that effectively criminalizes the dissemination of information about bypassing internet restrictions.

More recently, the scope of enforcement has expanded. In March 2026, reports indicated that the regulator had shifted focus from mainstream, ready-to-use VPN services to more flexible tools — including custom VPN clients and proxy apps that allow users to connect to private servers or configure their own networks.

This marks a clear escalation: not just targeting services, but targeting tools.

And now TrustTunnel — an open-source protocol with a simple client — has been caught in that widening net.

Our position: TrustTunnel client is a neutral tool

The TrustTunnel client, as such, is just that — a client application. It does not provide any built-in circumvention capabilities on its own.
On its own, without a server, it is effectively useless. It does not bypass restrictions by itself and does not contain any prohibited content.
It is a neutral tool that depends entirely on how it is configured. The same client is used in a wide range of legitimate scenarios, including corporate VPN infrastructures, private secure connections, and internal networking. For that reason, holding it accountable makes little sense. It is no different from blocking a web browser simply because it can be used to access restricted websites.
Unfortunately, in practice, nuance is often ignored. Takedown requests are issued broadly to anything associated with VPNs, without regard for context or actual functionality.

How users are affected

For users in Russia who have already installed the TrustTunnel iOS client, nothing breaks immediately: the app will continue to function. However, they will no longer receive updates through the App Store, which over time may affect stability, compatibility, and overall service quality.
For new users in Russia, access becomes more complicated but not impossible.

If you want to download or update TrustTunnel for iOS, you’ll need to use a non-Russian App Store account. In practice, this means creating or switching to an Apple ID registered in another country. Here is guidance on how to change your App Store region.

It’s also worth pointing out that TrustTunnel is open-source. That means the code is publicly available on GitHub: https://github.com/TrustTunnel/TrustTunnel, and the app can be built and installed manually. If you’re comfortable with Apple’s developer tools, you can compile and sideload the app yourself. It’s not a one-click experience, but it’s a fully workable fallback.

Also worth noting: the app remains available on Google Play, so Android users are not affected by this removal.

Alongside these changes, we’ve also made a few smaller updates that might be less noticeable at first glance, but still help improve the overall experience. Let’s take a look at everything in order.

Accessibility improvements

Now AdGuard VPN for Mac is much easier to navigate without relying on visual cues. Interface elements are properly labeled and structured, allowing screen readers to accurately describe buttons, statuses, and actions. In practice, this means the app can “speak” clearly — helping users understand what’s happening and interact with it more confidently.

We’ve expanded accessibility support across key sections of the app, including Settings, App settings, DNS servers, Authorization, Support, Home, Onboarding, and Promo. These improvements make the experience more intuitive and predictable for users with visual impairments.

Dark app icon support

AdGuard VPN now supports a dark app icon on macOS, allowing it to better match your system’s appearance. It’s a small detail, but one that helps the app feel more at home in your environment.

Updated system requirements

Starting with version 2.9, AdGuard VPN for Mac requires macOS 12 (Monterey) or later. This change allows us to take advantage of newer system features and continue improving the app going forward.

We’re always working to make AdGuard VPN better for everyone, and your feedback plays a big part in that. If you have ideas, suggestions, or something you’d like to see improved, feel free to share them on GitHub, on social media, or through the Support section in the app.

Here are methods that are commonly used to block access to websites:

• DNS-based blocking. DNS-based blocking disrupts the domain name resolution process when a user’s device searches for an IP address of a website by its domain name. As a result, the website doesn’t give the IP address in response to the browser request and the user can’t get access to the website.
• URL- and DPI-based blocking. Blocking by IP address and deep packet inspection blocking are used to restrict access when a browser establishes connection to a server or requests content from it.
• Search results blocking. All popular search engines have some kind of ‘Safe search’ option, when all ambiguous search results, including porn, are filtered out.

Content-blocking techniques can be used at different levels:

• National level. All traffic that enters or leaves the country potentially can be blocked via national gateways or firewalls.
• ISP level. Telecommunications carriers, including mobile carriers, may install specialized software and hardware equipment to censor certain types of web content.
• Local network level. Network owners may use filtering software to prevent access to certain websites.
• Endpoint level. Specialized software may be installed directly on users’ devices or even be a part of their operating systems. This is commonly used in home and work networks, usually for security or parental control reasons.

The best techniques for unblocking porn websites

Undoubtedly, using VPN is the most effective and reliable way to unblock porn. But there are also other methods, which have their own advantages and shortcomings. Let’s review them.

Get access with a VPN

Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is definitely one of the most convenient ways to unblock porn regardless how it was blocked. Let’s compare browsing with and without VPN to clarify how VPN can help to unblock porn sites.

When you go online without a VPN, your ISP, router, network owner, and anyone who has access to your traffic can know (and partially block) the websites you visit. Besides that, the websites themselves can be configured to perform IP-based blocking, usually to prevent access from certain countries.

A VPN is a technology that creates an encrypted connection between your device and a VPN server. It makes your traffic securely encrypted and no one can know what you are doing online. Thus, your browsing becomes more private and free. After your request reaches the VPN server, your current IP address gets hidden behind the IP address of the VPN server and for the entire Internet, your online activity is associated with it. Which, in turn, helps you to bypass restrictions and provides a reliable way to unblock xHamster or any other adult platforms restricted in your area.

One of the most common complaints about using a VPN is that it slows down connection speed. And to some extent this is true. When you use a VPN your data has to pass a longer way to reach the server and it naturally requires additional time. However, the used VPN protocol, quality of a VPN app and server load also affect the connection speed. Premium VPNs usually do their best to provide customers with high-quality service and minimize the impact. Free VPNs often don’t focus on that, but may still look tempting because they don’t require payments. For some users, it might be the main benefit. But be careful — free VPN service providers still need to cover costs and they successfully do it by selling users’ data. If you want to avoid these risks without spending money, stick to reputable services. A reliable free VPN backed by an established provider offers basic protection and decent speeds without compromising your personal data.

How to choose a good VPN?

Here are some useful tips which can help you find the best VPN for your online needs:

1. VPN server locations. Choose a VPN provider with a wide list of VPN servers all over the world. So you can find the server location which suits you best.
2. The type of encryption standard. Nowadays AES-128 and AES-256 encryptions are the industry standards which work fast and guarantee strong protection.
3. Useful security features for additional protection. Premium VPNs usually provide some additional useful features. For example, Kill Switch cuts your Internet connection if the VPN connection suddenly drops. So you can be sure you are always under protection.
4. Clear no-logging policy. It’s important that VPN providers log only minimum data, which is only needed for the smooth work of a VPN service and technical support.

Built-in browser VPNs: A quick and easy alternative

If you don’t want to install standalone software, using a browser with a built-in VPN is one of the most effective free and easy ways to unblock porn sites.

• Opera Browser: This is the most popular choice for the “free VPN” segment. Opera features a built-in, unlimited VPN-proxy that requires no subscription. You can access adult platforms with a single click.

• Brave Browser: Brave is highly regarded for its privacy features. It offers a “Private Window with Tor,” which routes your traffic through the Tor network. This effectively hides your IP and allows you to unblock porn websites while maintaining high anonymity. Brave also provides a premium, system-wide VPN for those seeking advanced protection.

Use the Tor browser to unblock porn

Tor is a powerful browser, which looks almost like other popular browsers, but it works on completely different principles, providing users with high anonymity, privacy, and personal data protection. If you are undecided between this method and a VPN, you can read a detailed comparison of the Tor browser vs VPN to see which fits your needs better.

Using Tor is completely free. Everyone can download it safely from the official website. There are versions for all popular platforms and devices. Also, the company has developed additional methods to get Tor for those users who can’t download it from the official website. It’s GetTor service and official mirrors.

Let’s see how to unblock porn sites with the Tor browser. Tor browser encrypts all your traffic. This means that neither your ISP, nor anyone else between you and the Internet can see or interfere with what you are doing online. And particularly can’t prohibit accessing porn.

On other hand, as the traffic is routed through a chain of Tor nodes, websites and web services can’t see your real IP address and can’t geo-block you (though they might not be friendly to IPs associated with Tor nodes either).

The most important disadvantage of using Tor is that it significantly slows down your connection speed. That’s why Tor doesn’t seem a perfect choice for circumventing porn blocking — it just will take forever to download content. Also, Tor traffic is closely monitored and even blocked by governments of some countries because only with Tor it’s possible to get access to the DarkNet, which is often associated with illegal activity.

Use Smart DNS for high-speed access

Smart DNS is another popular method that is often simpler than a VPN and works exceptionally well for streaming and unblocking content. Unlike a VPN, which encrypts all your traffic and routes it through a remote server, Smart DNS only redirects the specific parts of your DNS queries that reveal your real geographical location.

The way it helps to unblock porn sites is quite straightforward: when you attempt to access a restricted platform, Smart DNS replaces your local DNS address with a server from a location where the content is available. This effectively “tricks” the website into granting you access without the overhead of heavy encryption.

The most significant advantage of this method is connection speed. Because there is no encryption involved, your bandwidth remains untouched, which makes Smart DNS a perfect choice for watching high-definition adult videos without any buffering or lag. Furthermore, it can be easily configured on devices that do not naturally support VPN software, such as Smart TVs or gaming consoles.

To set up Smart DNS, you generally need to obtain the DNS server addresses from your provider and manually enter them into your device’s network settings. However, you should keep in mind that Smart DNS does not hide your IP address or encrypt your data. While it is excellent for accessing content around the world, it doesn’t provide the same level of anonymity as a VPN or Tor, meaning your ISP might still be able to see which domains you are visiting.

Use a proxy server

Another way to unblock porn is to use a proxy server. It might be a cost-free solution, because it is not hard to find a free proxy (putting aside questions of stability and privacy). To unblock porn with this method, you need to manually set up a proxy server on the desktop or your phone.

When you use a proxy, your browser transmits your traffic through a proxy server in a different country and your visible IP address gets replaced with an IP address of the proxy server, which definitely helps to circumvent server-side restrictions.

However, a proxy is not a silver bullet and it has its own drawbacks. For instance, proxies do not add an additional level of encryption, like VPNs and Tor do, so network equipment might keep seeing the domains you visit, and restrictions may stay in place. This lack of security is the main reason why the protection levels of a VPN and a proxy differ so significantly.

Use web proxies or anonymizers

A web proxy is a web page through which a user can anonymously visit another website. Web proxies are easy to use because they don’t require any additional settings, unlike proxy servers. All you need to unblock access to a porn website is to paste its address into the address box of an anonymizer. Given that an anonymizer provides HTTPS access and is not blocked in your network, you’ll probably circumvent even severe access restrictions.

Although the use of web proxies is convenient, they don’t guarantee privacy to their users. Also, anonymizers are often blocked by governments or ISPs, along with porn sites. Another disadvantage is that anonymizers are usually full of pop-ups, pop-unders and other types of annoying ads. And finally, not all functionality is guaranteed to work smoothly when going this way.

Use the Wayback Machine

The Wayback Machine is an internet archive service that stores old versions of websites so that they could be viewed later. It’s an interesting experience to see how your favorite website looked several years ago. One can use Wayback Machine to get access to adult content from the past. Here is how to do it:

1. Go to the Web Archive official website.
2. Type URL of the required website in the search bar.
3. Select a date. On the calendar you’ll see the dates when your website snapshots were made. You can view only these snapshots.
4. After you pick the date you can explore an archived version of the website.

To summarize, you can use the Wayback Machine to unblock porn, or at least some of it, for free from anywhere in the world. But be prepared that the speed will be really slow. Besides, the Wayback Machine archives images, not videos.

Change your DNS server

The Domain Name System (DNS) maps the domain name people use to locate a website to the IP address that a computer uses to locate it. This allows you to access websites by domain names instead of IPs, which is obviously more comfortable.

However, it’s possible to monitor your DNS requests and block your access to porn. You may try replacing a DNS server in your system preferences, with DNS from Google or Cloudflare, and check if it helps to unblock Pornhub, for example.

Modern technology has made this method even more reliable through DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) and DNS-over-TLS (DoT). While standard DNS requests are sent in plain text, these protocols wrap your requests in a layer of encryption. Most popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge now support encrypted DNS. By enabling this feature in your browser's security settings, you can ensure that your ISP cannot easily intercept your requests, making it a much more robust way to bypass DNS-based blocking.

Here is how to change the DNS server from the one assigned by your ISP to Google’s public DNS server on different devices:

Here is how to change the DNS server from the one assigned by your ISP to Google’s public DNS server on different devices:

Windows

1. Go to the Control Panel → Network → Internet and Network Connections.
2. Click the network you use. Select Properties.
3. Double-click Internet Protocol Version (TCP/IPv4/IPv6). A new pop-up will open where you can modify the IP and DNS server addresses.
4. The current Google’s public DNS server IPv4 addresses are “8.8.8.8” and “8.8.4.4.”. Enter them in the Use the following DNS server addresses section. You should always double-check your DNS server address.

macOS

1. Click the Apple icon in the upper left corner → System Preferences → Network.
2. Select the connection for which you want to configure Google Public DNS.
3. Click Advanced → DNS.
4. Click + to enter the Google IP addresses. For IPv4 use “8.8.8.8” or “8.8.4.4”. For IPv6 use “2001:4860:4860::8888” or “2001:4860:4860::8844”.
5. Click OK → Apply.

Android

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Private DNS.
2. Select Private DNS provider hostname.
3. Enter dns.google or 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com and tap Save. This will automatically encrypt your DNS queries across all networks.

iOS

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi and tap the i icon next to your network.
2. Scroll down and tap Configure DNS → Manual.
3. Tap Add Server and enter the IP addresses (like 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1).
4. Tap Save in the top right corner.

For some users, it might seem too complicated and time-consuming. Also, this method is not a hundred-percent solution. Unlike VPN, it does not encrypt your traffic, so if the network is monitored your browsing history will be recorded.

Comparison of unblocking methods

FAQ

Upd. This promotion is over. If you didn’t get a chance to buy AdGuard Ad Blocker, AdGuard VPN or AdGuard DNS at a discount, don’t worry — we often run other promotions. Not to miss the next one, subscribe to our newsletter — we’ll keep you in the loop!

We often think of self-care as something that happens offline — mental health walks, the treasured eight hours of sleep, guided meditations. But sometimes we forget that feeling in control online matters just as much.

Constant notifications, ads, and endless scrolling can make spending time online overwhelming. Thankfully, there are simple steps you can take to streamline your digital experience.

Take care of your passwords

Reusing the same password (or slight variations of it) is common — I’ve definitely done it and then struggled to remember which tiny symbol I changed.

A password manager can help by generating and storing strong, unique passwords, so you only need to remember one master password. There’s no need to keep track of every tiny change you made.

Clear your browser regularly

Another simple thing you can do right away is clear your browser’s cache and cookies. Doing this on a regular basis limits tracking and makes your browser run more smoothly. Just use a shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Delete on Windows/Linux or Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac.

If you want to block tracking cookies but keep your login sessions, AdGuard can help. Just click Delete third-party cookies in Tracking protection.

Delete apps you don’t use

Unused apps take up space and can become security risks if they’re outdated. Make sure to delete your account if you no longer use the app. Then delete the app from your phone altogether — and breathe a little easier.

Block notifications you don’t need

Most phones are filled with notifications you don’t really need — you may receive dozens of push messages urging you to subscribe to a new service, order fast food, or keep playing a game that’s been taking up too much of your time.

Take a few minutes to turn off non-essential notifications. While you’re at it, check app permissions in Settings. Some apps may be tracking your location or accessing more data than necessary in the background.

Get rid of ads

Imagine trying to close an ad before a video, but it opens another popup, then another. Suddenly, you’re on the verge of a mental breakdown in the middle of your lunch break.

An ad blocker like AdGuard can help clean up your browsing experience by removing intrusive ads and banners and making it much harder for companies to track your activity.

Use a VPN to protect your privacy

If you’re worried about websites and advertisers tracking your activity, a VPN can help hide your IP address and encrypt your connection.

Try AdGuard VPN — it is designed to protect your connection without logging your activity or selling your data.

Set up DNS filtering

Some devices, like smart TVs, don’t support ad blockers. This is where DNS filtering comes in handy — it can protect all devices on your home network from ads and trackers.

You can also set up security features to block harmful content or reduce the risk of phishing.

Special discounts for AdGuard digital self-care week are valid through April 28.

And remember: small steps are enough. It’s impossible to block every single ad or tracker, or protect yourself from every single password leak. But what matters is knowing you are making your online experience safer.