What Is a VoIP VPN, and Why Do You Need One?
With your internet network and an app or program, you can make calls to almost any destination securely at no cost. VoIP, or Voice Over IP, uses various innovative technologies to allow you to make voice or video calls over the internet by converting your voice or sounds into digital signals. Popular VoIP services are Zoom and Skype.
This technology eliminates the costs of calls as long as you’re connected to the internet, which guarantees data encryption. However, you could still experience eavesdropping and other malicious activities. VoIP services could also have certain geo-restrictions and other censorship.
What Is a VoIP VPN?
The simplest way to understand what a VoIP VPN is is to see it as a VPN that protects your VoIP services.
VPNs are highly sought-after because they allow you to bypass several government-imposed restrictions or geo-blocked content online. It establishes a highly encrypted tunnel to run your VoIP traffic and hides your IP address.
A very sophisticated VPN is what you’ll need to find your way around regulations and restrictions you might face. There are tons of VPN service providers on the market today, but you should only settle for the best. However, these services usually aren’t free.
Why Are VoIP Services Blocked?
Some VoIP services have sensors or complete bans on VoIP services. The reasons for this restriction vary among countries. Some governments place temporary bans during political uprisings or mass protests, while others, like the Chinese government, deliberately censor the nation’s internet.
The Chinese government’s restriction is well-known as the ‘Great Firewall of China.’ It is a highly sophisticated firewall that gives the government the ability to decide what content is accessible online.
Other countries that have also blocked VoIP services include:
United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia. North Korea, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Libya, Mexico, Paraguay, Caribbean, and Guyana.
How Can a VoIP VPN Help?
VoIP VPNs are useful for services like Google Hangout and Skype to provide security, bypass government censorship and other geo-restrictions.
VoIP VPNs give you a new IP address that is linked to a server it operates. Its encryption protocols make your calls a lot safer. VPNs can also boost your connection and improve your call quality.
The Benefits of Using a VoIP VPN
Here are some of the benefits of using a VoIP VPN:
1. Extra Protection
VoIP services like WhatsApp protect you through their built-in encryption system. As secure as such services may be, intruders with the right tools can snoop around your private data. However, you get an extra layer of security when you use a VPN.
2. Better Offers
Although VoIP services allow you to make unlimited international calls, some of these services require a subscription plan. The prices of these plans vary, depending on your location.
With a VPN, you can enjoy cheaper plans that otherwise would not have been accessible in a location.
3. Military-Grade Security
Like you know by now, hackers or governments can hack or spy on your calls. They can easily look for and take advantage of flaws to keep an eye on your conversations on a VoIP app. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can also monitor your traffic.
If you wanted to maintain a high level of privacy, a VoIP VPN is the best tool to use. IT uses top-notch encryption to secure your call connections.
4. No restrictions
Apart from being a top security tool, VoIP VPNs also bypass geo-restrictions. Your original location would no longer matter because you get thousands of servers in various locations at your disposal.
You also wouldn’t need to worry about limited international calls, or government censorship, because of your anonymity.
5. Stable Connections
Unlike your ISP, top-rated VPNs enhance your network’s connection and stabilize it. Your ISP slows down your connection speed once you start using a lot of data on your calls. A great VPN cloaks your traffic from the cautious eyes of your ISP. If they can’t see you, they can’t slow you down. Unstable networks can cause DNS leaks, but you stand protected against such security threats with a VPN.
How to Use a VoIP VPN
Setting up a VoIP VPN for use takes only three simple steps.
1. Subscribe to a VPN plan that you prefer. There are many offers today, including anonymous payments.
2. Download the VPN app or software.
3. Connect to a server in any of the available locations, and you’re good to go!
A great VPN doesn’t just change your IP address. It should also provide extra end-to-end security, with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption. Steer clear off most free VPNs. They are risky.
Great VPNs are usually available on multiple platforms such as Android, macOS, Windows, and iOS.
What is the best VoIP VPN available?
Recommendation — Best VPNs for VoIP
Here are two of the best VoIP VPNs we can recommend for you:
ExpressVPN
Features
- Number of servers: More than 3,000
- Speeds: Unlimited
- Server locations: 160 in 105 countries
- Maximum devices supported: 5
- 24 live chat: Yes
- 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
Pros/Cons
- Fastest VPN out there
- Strict no logs policy
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Few discounts
ExpressVPN is currently the best of the best! This VPN uses the very powerful 256-bit AES encryption and operates 3,000+ servers in more than 90 countries. ExpressVPN has its headquarters in the British Virgin Islands, which is away from many government restrictions. It is also equipped with L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, and other protocols to protect your identity and traffic.
ExpressVPN offers other useful features such as a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and a no-log policy. However, to enjoy any of ExpressVPNs services, you would need to subscribe to a plan. These plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. On mobile devices, you can enjoy a 7-day free trial.
- Pros: Fastest VPN out there; Strict no logs policy; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $6.67
NordVPN
Features
- Cryptocurrency accepted? Yes
- Simultaneous connections: 6
- Dedicated IP-addresses? Yes
- Servers: 7,000+ in 111 countries
Pros/Cons
- Lots of pricing options
- Netflix support kept up to date
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Slow app
NordVPN is another VoIP VPN with formidable security and operates over 5000 servers in more than 60 countries. The VPN has been serving users from Panama since 2012, far from any government’s scrutiny. It uses obfuscated servers that make it seem like you are not connected to a VPN even though you are. So you don’t get discovered and ultimately blocked.
It is equipped with 256-bit AES encryption and has other security features like Onion Over VPN, Kill switch and a no-log policy.
NordVPN is also a paid service, so you would need to pay to subscribe to it.
- Pros: Lots of pricing options; Netflix support kept up to date; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $3.71
Conclusion
If you are in a country where your government controls your internet, and you need to stay anonymous online or want access to restricted services, a VoIP VPN is what you need. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are currently the best VoIP VPNs available, so you may want to check them out.
Read more:
- Check out the best VPNs for Zoom.