Pornhub continues to block user access from most US states that require ID verification to access the site. Here’s how you can use a VPN to view Pornhub and protect your privacy at the same time.
As of December 2025, 25 states have enacted age verification laws that require adult sites to verify users’ ages and IDs, and others have proposed similar bills. These laws consider a site adult in nature if more than 33% of its content is explicit. In response, Pornhub has blocked or restricted access to users in these states, saying these laws violate the privacy of its users by forcing the company to collect sensitive personal information. Fortunately, VPNs excel at bypassing location-based restrictions, and we’ve been testing and reviewing them for years to find the best. However, some state bills, like the one in Michigan, want to ban VPNs entirely, precisely because they’re so good at protecting your privacy. Based on our testing, here are the best VPNs for Pornhub, how they can protect you, and why you should use one no matter what you do online.
Proton is the best VPN all around, and that remains true for site-specific tasks like accessing Pornhub. You can use it for free, which could be a good pick if you don’t want to spend any money just to access a single site. If you do want a premium subscription, you’ll find that Proton has a suite of advanced security tools that make it easy to protect your traffic, no matter which site you’re visiting. Why We Picked It
Features and capabilities: Proton has a generous set of features at an affordable monthly price. You can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously with a single subscription. Proton’s built-in ad and tracker blocker works well at reducing ad clutter on sites like Pornhub. Proton has servers optimized for streaming and peer-to-peer (P2P) traffic, which may be helpful if you want to find adult content elsewhere. You can try Proton out for free with its free plan, which provides eight servers (randomly assigned when you connect) and no data limits.
Privacy and security: You want a private VPN if you’re accessing content that is restricted in your country. Proton takes privacy seriously, with a steadfast commitment to transparency and accountability that is rare in the VPN space. All of Proton’s apps are open-source, so you never have to question if there’s a hidden vulnerability that could compromise your data. Furthermore, annual audits and regular transparency reports demonstrate that Proton consistently maintains its standards year after year.
Speed and performance: Proton’s servers rank in the middle of the pack in terms of performance, with a 20.11% decrease in download speeds, a 43.21% decrease in upload speeds, and a 351.26% increase in latency.
Streaming: We had no issues streaming Netflix with Proton. Proton’s premium servers worked flawlessly, granting us access to every regional catalog we tested. Our speeds were steady as well, so you shouldn’t have to worry about any annoying buffering issues on video sites.
User experience and ease of use: Despite being an affordable VPN, Proton’s apps feel anything but cheap. The VPN app is streamlined and easy to use, suitable for both beginners and experienced users. Features are easily accessible and clearly labeled on both desktop and mobile interfaces. It’s easy to tell when you’re connected to a server, and you can access advanced options with just a couple of clicks.Who It’s For
Users who want a free VPN: Proton’s free version is robust and packs in many features that competing free options lack. It’s an excellent tool for securing your privacy on a budget. If you can deal with the limitations, Proton’s free version is more than viable as your main VPN.
The privacy-conscious: If you’re going to be looking at Pornhub and other adult content, you’ll want the best in online privacy protection from every angle, since adult sites can be packed with malware. Proton is a solid choice thanks to stellar privacy standards and anti-malware protections through NetShield.
NordVPN comes with a lightweight antivirus called Threat Protection Pro, which will help protect you on Pornhub and other adult websites. It has also consistently delivered impressive performance scores in our tests. All this comes at a price, though, as NordVPN charges significantly above the average monthly price we’ve seen across the industry. You get your money’s worth and more, as Nord’s premium subscription offers a plethora of excellent features.Why We Picked It
Features and capabilities: NordVPN utilizes a custom implementation of the WireGuard VPN protocol, called NordLynx, on macOS, as well as OpenVPN and IKEv2. It also provides access to Tor and multi-hop connections, which add a layer of protection when browsing sensitive content. Threat Protection Pro antivirus doubles as an ad and tracker blocker, making browsing adult content safer.
Privacy and security: Nord maintains transparent privacy standards with third-party audits and a frequently updated transparency report. NordLynx utilizes open-source technology, allowing you to examine what makes the service tick. Nord doesn’t keep logs, and its no-logs policy has been independently verified in multiple security audits by VerSprite, Cure53, Deloitte, and PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC).
Speed and performance: Nord has consistently delivered excellent performance in our tests. It reduced our download speeds by just 5.20%, upload speeds by 5.78%, and increased our latency by 58.14%. Just remember that your experience may vary depending on your proximity to a Nord server.
Streaming: Streaming with Nord was streamlined. We didn’t experience any buffering or stuttering with videos. Additionally, Nord managed to unblock every regional Netflix library that we tested against. General video streaming was seamless with no stutters or long buffering times, thanks to Nord’s stellar performance scores.
User experience and ease of use: Nord’s desktop apps can be a tad cluttered and overwhelming, especially if you’re new to VPNs. The dashboard is excellent for advanced users, as it features a range of proper menus and tools. For an easier user experience, we recommend the mobile version of Nord. It features all the same great benefits, but in a more digestible format. Who It’s For
Video streamers: Those seeking to access location-locked streaming content will appreciate NordVPN’s extensive server selection. Those seeking reliable video quality across various sites will find Nord’s performance to be more than sufficient for high-quality video fidelity.
Users who also want an antivirus: Nord’s Threat Protection Pro has some limitations, but it’s one of the more affordable options out there, considering you also get Nord’s VPN bundled with it.
ExpressVPN offers one of the largest server networks in the world, comprising over 3,000 servers in 160 locations across 95 countries. Its network is one of the most geographically diverse and, thanks to server locations in every state, is especially suited for Pornhub access in the US.Why We Picked It
Features and capabilities: ExpressVPN is backed by post-quantum encryption, which should ensure your browsing habits stay anonymous against the most advanced attacks. Its Lightway protocol is fast, private, and reliable. It also features an advanced Network lock kill switch that terminates all outgoing data in the event of losing access to the VPN network. That way, nobody looking at your local traffic will be able to see what you were browsing, even if your VPN connection drops.
Privacy and security: ExpressVPN is relatively transparent about its data collection and handling practices. The service does log some aggregate data about user data usage, but the company claims that none of this information can be tied back to user accounts. Biannual transparency reports reinforce this claim, as well as the 22 independent security audits that Express has undergone.
Speed and performance: ExpressVPN decreased download speeds by 18.55%, upload speeds by 7.45%, and increased latency by 95.62%. These scores place it ahead of most services, making it a solid choice for data-intensive tasks like streaming or downloading.
Streaming: Netflix access was seamless with ExpressVPN.
