Skype has become a global Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service for voice and video calls over the internet. Anyone anywhere in the world can create an account and call other Skype users for free or call mobiles and landlines for a few cents a minute.
However, in many countries Skype is banned or restricted. ISPs block access to Skype either at the request of the government or for their own benefit. The reasons for this vary from country to country. In some places, such as Belize, the major telecommunications providers do not want OTT VoIP services like Skype to compete. In other countries, such as Egypt, the government does not allow Skype to operate because it has no control over people’s communications. Finally, Skype is too expensive to operate in some countries. In the United Arab Emirates, for example, Skype was not able to get the necessary telecom operator licences.
But no matter where you are, you can access Skype through a good VPN service. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, which encrypts all internet traffic from your device and transmits it via an exchange server to an online location of your choice. The encryption hides the content of the online activity, while the server hides the destination.
How to use a VPN for Skype
If you decide that you want to protect yourself and your IP address when using Skype, then using a VPN on Skype, as mentioned above, is a good idea and can provide additional security and anonymity. The way you use a VPN depends on your service provider and the device you are using Skype on (Skype is now available on a range of platforms including PCs, tablets and smartphones). Here are the general steps for using a VPN on Skype.
- Sign in to a VPN service and register an account.
- Get a VPN account
- Get a VPN client for your device
- Login to the VPN service
- Connect to the VPN server of your choice
Once you are connected to the VPN server and the service is running, you can use Skype as your IP address and personal data are protected. To further increase your anonymity, you may consider using a second email address or not using your real name when signing up for an account.
NordVPN
Let’s take a look at NordVPN first. They are easily the industry leader in virtual private networks and should therefore be one of the first to consider. They offer a free version for about three days – after that you have to pay a subscription fee. The cheapest package costs just $2.75 per month, which makes it really affordable. Plus, the 30-day money-back guarantee ensures that you’re not taking any chances here – if you don’t like NordVPN, you’ll get a full refund!
NordVPN has a really great infrastructure. They have over 4,000 servers on their network, which makes for great internet speeds when you connect to a VPN. They also take security seriously – no one can spy on you when you’re protected by 256-bit AES encryption keys, SHA256 authentication, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, etc.
SurfsharkVPN
Surfshark is an affordable VPN that offers full multi-platform support, unlimited simultaneous connections, fast connections and more – all at an affordable price. Surfshark offers a rapidly growing global server network with over 3,200 servers in 64 countries around the world.
The provider offers native app support for iOS, Android, Android TV, Linux, macOS, Windows and Amazon Fire platforms. In addition, extensions are available for the Chrome and Firefox browsers.
You can also configure the VPN on different router brands and models. Surfshark has an unlimited connection policy, which means all your compatible devices can use the service simultaneously.
The provider’s app protects your online journey with kill switch protection and blocks online advertising and tracking cookies. They also offer “MultiHop” protection, which helps hide your actual IP address by routing your internet connection through two VPN servers.
The provider’s military-grade encrypted connection is more than capable of seamlessly transferring Skype calls. Your privacy is fully protected here, as the provider keeps no record of your online activity when you connect to Surfshark’s servers. You can also anonymise your payment details if you choose to pay with Bitcoin.
ExpressVPN
If you’re tired of Skype’s bugs and slow calls, you should switch to ExpressVPN. It’s one of the fastest VPNs in the industry, offering lightning-fast speeds around the world. With over 3,000 global servers, it’s a breeze to unblock Skype worldwide.
Apart from unblocking Skype, its speed also makes it one of the best VPNs for streaming. As for security, ExpressVPN has split tunnels, zero-knowledge DNS and strong encryption for ultimate security and privacy.
In addition, no logging and a 30-day refund policy are ExpressVPN’s key selling points. Even though ExpressVPN comes at a cost, it is still one of the best VPNs for Skype.
Private Internet Access
To use Skype properly, you need a stable internet connection, especially for video calls. So naturally, you want a VPN that doesn’t affect your connection in any way.
Kape Technologies’ Private Internet Access is one such VPN service that offers you complete security without any drawbacks. Enjoy unrestricted access to our anonymous VPN network. and eliminate geo-restrictions and protocol filters to watch Netflix in Europe or Asia in the US, for example.
It also blocks pop-ups and some annoying ads to make your browsing experience as fast as possible. Whether you want to surf, stream or chat with a loved one without being watched, Private Internet Access delivers.
It’s worth noting that Private Internet Access also supports P2P and is one of the best VPN tools with its lightning fast speeds. All in all, this VPN offers great features and it is one of the best VPNs on the market due to its extensive server and no-logging policy.
VyprVPN
Our final choice is VyprVPN, a decent VPN with a strong focus on security. One of the reasons it lands in last place is its lack of server penetration. It does have servers covering over 60 countries, but it has less than 1,000 servers in total.
This should still allow you to find the right servers for Skype, but speed is another issue. While it’s fine for most activities, it’s too slow compared to our other options. However, you do get unlimited bandwidth.
As for security and privacy, it has excellent and customisable security features. You can choose from a variety of protocols, one of which is VyprVPN’s own Chameleon protocol, which is basically like not using a VPN at all. A death switch is available, and the company does not maintain any protocols.
While this article is aimed at people who use Skype, we thought we should point out to privacy-conscious readers that Golden Frog, the company behind VyprVPN, also offers additional privacy services. One of these is an encrypted messaging app called Vypr, which is free and easy to use – you just need to make sure the person you’re trying to contact is using it.
You can use VyprVPN on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It has one of the best mobile apps, making it one of the best VPNs for Android. The interface is a little dated, but still easy to use, as you can read in our VyprVPN review.
The price of VyprVPN depends on which package you want. The standard package includes three simultaneous connections, while the premium package includes five connections and uses the Chameleon protocol. The longer rates make the service more affordable and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Why can’t I use Skype everywhere?
Unfortunately, you can’t access Skype in many countries around the world even if you wanted to – here are some of the reasons why.
- Strict government censorship – This can go as far as blocking the IP address of the user’s device, making it impossible for them to download Skype.
- Financial motivation – Due to the nature of Skype’s free video calls, major telecommunications providers are concerned about the resulting and potential loss of revenue. Monopolistic communications companies see Skype as a serious threat to their profits and are calling for Skype to be blocked to protect those profits. Belize is just one example.
- There is no control over the service – this is the case in Egypt and China, which wants to know what its citizens are doing and saying.
Summary
When it comes to video messaging and video conferencing, Skype is probably the first thing that comes to mind. The service is very popular, with around 300 million monthly active users. In this guide, we’ve featured five of the best VPN services for Skype.
These VPNs have everything you need to make secure video calls with Skype. They have strict privacy policies and strong military-grade encryption. These VPNs also have fast servers around the world so you can video conference without the signal being too slow and dropping your connection.
Our best recommendation for using Skype is ExpressVPN, as it’s the best in the game. However, the other four VPNs we recommend also offer great service for Skype. All of these VPNs for Skype are reliable and trustworthy. They have almost 100% uptime, and you can choose servers in many locations around the world. With this in mind, you are free to choose any of these excellent Skype VPN services. So, go ahead and choose a VPN for Skype with confidence.
