| Updated: January 18, 2025
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VPNs are powerful online tools, often used to hide our IP addresses and online identities. However, some of your information, like your email address and credit/debit card details, is still shared with the VPN provider when you purchase an account.
But what if I told you there are ways to buy a VPN anonymously? By using Bitcoin or gift cards, you can keep your personal information private.
So, if you want to buy a VPN anonymously, opt for payment with gift cards or cryptocurrencies. Personally, I recommend the gift card method, especially when purchased with cash from a physical store.
How do you buy a VPN anonymously?
This article will explore each method for getting a VPN anonymously in detail, with step-by-step instructions. I’ll also explain why buying a VPN anonymously is beneficial.
We use VPNs to hide our online identity, and the global market size of VPNs is expanding yearly. A VPN changes our IP address, encrypts our data, and uses sure VPN servers to make us anonymous online, but what if I tell you there are more things you can do for complete privacy?
To get a VPN subscription, we have to share our information with the VPN provider, including our email address, credit card information, etc. But did you know you can buy a VPN anonymously without giving out sensitive data? Yes, you can, and this article will discuss everything about it, including the steps and methods.
Everyone has their reasons for buying a VPN anonymously. Some might live in a country where VPNs are illegal or want to participate in online activism. Here are a few reasons why someone would like to purchase a VPN anonymously.
As long as your reason for getting a VPN secretly does not contradict morality, I am with you. In fact, I prefer subscribing to a VPN anonymously because I am not comfortable sharing my personal data with the VPN provider.
You might be surprised by how much information is shared with the VPN provider. But they have to take that information in order to make your VPN experience great and help you troubleshoot the VPN.
Here is the information we give to our VPN providers:
I recommend we avoid giving this information to the VPN provider and buy a VPN anonymously. However, there are downsides to it, which are mentioned below.
There are downsides to buying a VPN anonymously, and you can get stuck anywhere without going back. Here are some disadvantages of buying a VPN anonymously.
The process of getting a VPN can be frustrating, with overwhelming steps. However, if you need to do it and have made up your mind, then here are the steps you need to take:
These steps took me a few minutes to write, and you took a few seconds to read them. However, completing them will take longer once you start following them. There will be roadblocks and hindrances, which can cause frustration. But remember, all good things take time and effort.
Alternatively, you can buy a VPN anonymously with a gift card from a physical store like Best Buy.
You won’t be able to claim a refund if you have purchased the VPN subscription via gift cards or Bitcoin. This is because there is no payment information available, and you can’t claim your money back.
However, you can disclose your identity to the VPN provider to get your money back. But doing that will expose your identity and dismiss the efforts you made to keep your information private in the first place.
Refunds are issued in cryptocurrency, but the amount will match the dollar value of your purchase, regardless of cryptocurrency fluctuations. Here are more details on the cancelation and refund processes of popular VPNs:
You need to give in to your identity to get a refund if you are not satisfied with the VPN you got anonymously via Bitcoin or gift cards. Just think of it for a second, how would the VPN provider pay you back if you have purchased the VPN with a gift card or cryptocurrency, they cant.
To refund you, they will need your email address and bank details, which will expose your identity. You will have to choose between your identity and money.
Buying a VPN anonymously can be a tedious process with frustrating steps and the possibility of no refunds. However, it can be life-saving for some who are working against a dictatorial regime or bypassing VPN blocks and firewalls.
You are safe and secure if you purchase a VPN subscription via cryptocurrency or gift cards. This is because you must provide details about yourself whenever you make a purchase with regular gateways like credit card, PayPal, or bank transfer.
Your bank details are enough for the VPN provider to know who you are and what you do. Therefore, I advise getting a VPN with Bitcoin or a gift card to eliminate the money trail.
Here are more details on these methods, but before that, let’s see which VPNs accept cryptocurrencies and gift cards.
| VPN providers | Cryptocurrency | Gift card |
| NordVPN | ||
| Surfshark | ||
| ExpressVPN | ||
| CyberGhost | ||
| Proton VPN |
—The table above includes only the VPNs I’ve tested with gift card and cryptocurrency payments. I encourage everyone to test their VPN before using it.
Cryptocurrencies are becoming more popular with users who want to maintain their online identity. The good news is that most VPN providers accept payments using Bitcoin and other popular cryptocurrencies. Your VPN provider won’t have your details if you pay via crypto, but the exchange will maintain a record of this transaction and have your email address.
With that said, paying in cryptocurrencies is the most secure method to keep your identity anonymous. I prefer paying with Bitcoin to buy a VPN anonymously. Here is a list of cryptocurrencies accepted by VPN providers.
Here are the steps that I used to get a VPN anonymously with cryptocurrency.
I used Hotspot Shield (free) and the Tor browser to get 100% anonymity before signing up on the crypto exchange. I did this to eliminate any risks associated with exposing my identity and for the sake of testing.
Additionally, I wanted to experience this process before I wrote everything down. You can also use public WiFi to add another layer of anonymity with a free VPN and Tor browser. I used Hotspot because it was already installed on my device and has the Catapult Hydra VPN protocol for data encryption. You can use it or Proton VPN, which is another reputable VPN that uses WireGuard and OpenVPN for data encryption.
After securing your traffic, it’s time to sign up for a crypto wallet. I used Coinbase, one of the oldest crypto exchanges with a good reputation. I signed up for an account using the anonymous email address I created; the details are mentioned above in this article.
Coinbase will ask for a lot of personal information to mitigate the risk of fraudulent activities from the platform. Alternatively, you can use other wallets like Sparrow Wallet or Coin Wallet, which are less strict on personal information.
I didn’t use these wallets because of the financial risks associated with them. The FBI and other government agencies recently seized a popular crypto wallet ‘Samuri wallet’ over fraudulent activities.
Now that you have successfully made a crypto wallet, it’s time to buy cryptocurrency. I used the Bitcoin ATM to fill my wallet. I used the anonymous SIM card to get the verification code and send crypto to my wallet. This is the same SIM card I used to register the anonymous email address.
I passed a Bitcoin ATM on my way to Hermann Park, where I played golf. The Coin ATM Finder website can help you locate the nearest Bitcoin ATM.
Alternatively, you can ask your friend to transfer you x amount of Bitcoins to your wallet and pay them in cash. This is one of the best ways to buy cryptocurrencies safely. This method of transfer is also known as a P2P crypto exchange.
A gift card is the best way to buy a VPN anonymously. It is better than crypto and credit cards because you use fiat currency to purchase a gift card, which does not leave a money trail. Gift cards are available in physical stores like Best Buy and Walmart in the United States and Canada.
VPN gift cards can be purchased from online stores like Amazon, Ebuyer (UK), Media Markt (Germany), etc. You can also purchase VPN gift cards with crypto wallets from Coingate, Biterfill, etc.
What will you get in the gift box purchased from a store?
You will get a physical gift box that will have all the things you need to activate your VPN account and start browsing the internet safely and anonymously. Here is what you will be getting in a gift box.
Here are other methods of buying VPN online anonymously.
Prepaid debit cards are just like your regular credit/debit cards powered by Master or Visa. These can be easily purchased from physical or online stores and loaded with cash.
You can get a prepaid debit card to purchase a VPN anonymously. These cards won’t leave a money trail, keeping your online privacy intact. They can cost around $10, which is an additional cost.
I have used a prepaid debit card to purchase a NordVPN subscription. Here are the steps to take to do it.
Virtual credit cards act like regular credit cards and can be used to purchase VPNs anonymously. However, making an account and verifying it for a virtual credit card can be difficult but not impossible.
Here are the steps to buy a VPN with a virtual credit card.
We have discussed the best methods for buying a VPN anonymously. This is not for everyone, but only for those users who are conscious of their online identity and require a VPN.
—My recommendation
The safest and most secure method to purchase a VPN online is with cast from a physical store. NordVPN’s gift boxes are available at Walmart and Best Buy in the United States. If you are not in the US, ask a friend to purchase it for you and send the activation code.
The second most secure way to buy a VPN anonymously is with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Prepaid debit cards and virtual cards come in third and fourth.
If you’re a privacy-focused VPN user, check out VPN for What’s Homepage for insights on VPN uses and limitations. Additionally, explore these articles to enhance your knowledge of online security and privacy.
I found gift cards purchased from Walmart or Best Buy to be the safest method of buying a VPN anonymously. However, these methods are also safe, and you can use them without worrying.
Most VPN providers offer an express checkout option through payment apps like:
While these apps provide some privacy by not directly sharing your bank or card details with the VPN provider, they still link the transaction to your personal identity.
Not all, but some of us require complete online privacy and anonymity. This is why we prefer to hide our data from going to a VPN provider. The list includes,
Not at all, you are doing nothing illegal here! However the legality of VPNs may vary from country to country. Paying for a VPN with cash, cryptocurrency, and prepaid cards are all valid options.
The best and most secure way to pay for a VPN anonymously is via cryptocurrencies. Most commercial VPNs accept crypto payments and offer a refund. You can also get a VPN subscription with gift cards.
Mustafa is a cybersecurity analyst and a co-founder of VPN for What. Since 2017, Mustafa has gained international experience, working with governments, NGOs, and the private sector as a cybersecurity and VPN expert and advisor.
