5 Best free VPNs for Ireland in 2024: Irish IP, Speed & Security

ExpressVPN sets the gold standard when it comes to the provision of VPN services. It usually comes tops in any discussion about the best VPNs for any purpose. Due to its powerful features, we have no qualms recommending it for use in and outside Ireland.

This provider has 3000+ servers in 90 countries and 120 locations. Several of these servers are in Ireland. This is perfect for Irish citizens outside the country who want to access Irish TV like RTÉ. In addition, if you are within Ireland, you can connect to any of the servers in other locations to have uninhibited access.

You also get unimpeached security on this service. ExpressVPN secures its servers with the AES 256-bit encryption model. It supports split tunneling and has a Network Lock kill switch. It has DNS and IP leak prevention mechanisms. Its privacy policy is top-notch as it neither retains nor shares users’ data with third parties.

Cross-platform compatibility is also another strong suit of ExpressVPN. You can use it on iOS, macOS, Android, Linux, Windows, routers, game consoles, and Smart TV systems. In addition, you will find extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browsers. You are allowed to connect five devices to one ExpressVPN account, and you get a generous 30-day window within which you can request a refund if unsatisfied with the quality of service.

NordVPN is also another solid recommendation for Ireland. This provider ranks second only to ExpressVPN. However, this is not to suggest that it provides subpar services. On the contrary, NordVPN is one of the strongest providers you can find for use in and outside Ireland.

This provider has 5000+ servers in 59 countries, with more than 50 in Ireland alone. These servers are primed for speed and connectivity. Even more so, the servers are great for unblocking geo-restricted content. Thus, with these servers, you can access content on Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and more.

You also get uncompromised security on this service. NordVPN uses the modern AES 256-bit encryption model. This is the same standard used by the United States military. In addition, this provider blocks ads and malware and provides obfuscated servers and double VPN options. NordVPN has its headquarters in Panama. This, coupled with its reliable no-log policy, ensures that your data does not fall into the wrong hands.

Just like ExpressVPN, NordVPN has a high threshold of compatibility with multiple devices. You can connect 6 devices to one account. Its subscription plans are a little pricey but get cheaper the lengthier the plan is for. You also get access to a 24/7 response system if you run into any challenges with the platform.

Newcomer Surfshark is the third VPN on our list. It comes highly recommended also. Even though it is a recent entrant into the VPN space, users have lauded its efficacy. It handles your security like a pro and grants access to restricted content quite easily. This provider is a strong recommendation for use in Ireland.

A lot of users commend Surfshark’s unblocking ability. This provider has about 3200 servers in 63 countries. These servers are great for unblocking geo-restricted content. Thus, if you are looking to unblock Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, or Amazon Prime libraries of any location, perhaps Ireland, Surfshark is a great VPN to use. It also does amazing for torrenting, P2P file sharing, and online gaming.

Surfshark’s security features are not subpar. You get the standard AES 256-bit encryption system on this service. More so, Surfshark’s specialized features such as CleanWeb, MultiHop, NoBorder mode add extra perks to the VPN service. It supports all these with a no-log policy that has been tested and trusted.

This provider is one of the few that allow unlimited simultaneous connections to one account. The beauty of this is enhanced by the fact that Surfshark provides apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android devices. Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial for Android and iOS users. Should you decide to subscribe after enjoying the free trial, know that the subscription plans are affordable, and you get the standard 30-day money-back window for each subscription.

ProtonVPN is a security-focused VPN that can serve your needs for a VPN in Ireland. Apart from security, however, ProtonVPN has other features that users have come to love. It’s interesting to know that you can enjoy all of these features for free.

ProtonVPN is a worthy recommendation for use in Ireland and beyond. You can use it for free in Ireland to access content restricted to other locations such as the United States, Netherlands, and Japan. However, if you’re looking to unblock Ireland-restricted content, you may not be able to do so on its free version. What you can do instead is to tap into its money-back guarantee and use it risk-free.

This provider has about 1200 servers in 59+ countries. This might not seem like a lot, especially when compared with the big wigs in the industry, but they are sufficient to meet your needs. These servers are super fast, with some dedicated solely to torrenting and streaming.

As mentioned earlier, security is a strong suit for this provider. It makes use of the standard military-grade encryption patterns on all of its servers. In addition, its Secure Core feature routes user traffic through privacy-friendly countries, the Perfect Forward Secrecy option protects past VPN sessions, and support for the Tor Browser enhances protection.

You get unlimited bandwidth and data on the service. There is also professional support if you run into any challenges while using the service. This provider is the perfect all-rounder you need to have all your needs sorted.

Canada-based Tunnelbear is a VPN service that offers a completely free plan. With this VPN, you don’t need to add to your expenses before accessing Irish content. You have access to servers in over 40 countries, including Ireland. So, you will have no problems unblocking local and international content. In addition, it does not block P2P traffic; you can download torrents without issues.

TunnelBear might not be as fast as the top VPNs in the market, but it is decent enough to keep you glued to your device. Like most VPNs, you are better off connecting to servers close to your location. You might encounter speed issues with long-distance servers. To get the best out of TunnelBear, always use the Fastest Tunnel feature, as it helps you connect to the best server performance-wise.

Despite having its headquarters in Canada, TunnelBear keeps a detailed privacy policy that explains what it does with your data. Fortunately, it is a strict No-Log VPN. So, even if a government agency requires access to its servers, there is not enough information to identify users. In addition, it uses AES-256, IPsec, OpenVPN, IKEv2 to ensure the VPN tunnel is secure. Furthermore, you can trust TunnelBear as it includes a yearly external audit as part of its operations.

TunnelBear’s custom applications work on Windows, iOS, macOS, and Android. It is also available on browser extensions and offers manual configuration instructions for Linux devices. You cannot use more than five devices with a single TunnelBear account.

Hide.me’s free VPN plan is one of the most regarded in the industry. However, beyond that, this provider offers the traditional services you’ll need while in Ireland. You can unblock content restricted to other locations such as the US, Canada, Germany, etc. from Ireland. That said, connecting from any remote location to Ireland on its free version might be a challenge. An alternative to that is to use it risk-free through the money-back guarantee it provides.

This provider has about 1900 servers in 75 locations. These servers are speedy and prove useful for high-end activities such as streaming and torrenting files.

Hide.me boasts of some advanced privacy features. Some of these include split tunneling, Stealth Guard, Advanced IP Leak Protection, IPv6 support, amongst others. Hide.me does not log information pertaining to users and does not even log payment information.

Apart from the free plan, you can take advantage of its 30-day money-back window, especially if you only need it for a short while. If you run into any challenges while downloading, installing, or using the VPN, you can reach out to this provider’s customer care personnel to have the issues sorted.