Best VPN for France
The use of VPNs by the French is increasing day by day. With the close monitoring of online activities, especially in France, the freedom of internet users is decreasing. Nowadays, many people are turning to VPNs in order to secure their data. French expats living abroad are also not allowed to access their favorite French streaming channels due to geo-restrictions. The only way around these geoblocks is to get a French IP address while living overseas. By connecting to a virtual private network, or VPN, you can spoof your location online and protect your privacy. In this article, we will explore the need for the virtual private network in France and some of the best and safest to invest in.
Best VPN for France Revealed
The VPNs mentioned below are ranked according to their server coverage, speed, performance while streaming geo-restricted content, their prices, and their business ethics.
1. ExpressVPN
If you need a VPN to stream Netflix or use Peer-to-Peer torrenting, ExpressVPN is an excellent choice. The shows are streamed in HD and there are no lags in online games. They have a huge network of servers optimized for speed and stability.
ExpressVPN cares a lot about privacy. They operate in their headquarters in the British Virgin Islands, a pro-privacy legal climate, and they don’t log traffic or DNS queries. They use OpenVPN, 256-bit AES-CBC encryption, SmartDNS and perfect forward secrecy.
They have three plans. The yearly subscription is for $99.95. The bi-annual plan is for $60 and the monthly one is $ 13.
Pros:
- Cross-platform
- Zero logs, great encryption and OpenVPN
- Located in BVI
- Fast speed
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Kill-switch
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- No ads blocker
- 5 simultaneous connections only
- Expensive monthly plan
2. NordVPN
NordVPN is the proud holder of 830+ self-managed servers and has a true zero-logs policy backed by OpenVPN over TCP and AES 256-bit encryption.
It is one of the most sturdy VPNs in terms of encryption and security. Their video streaming is in HD. They have double VPN and anti-DDoS, with other pros that are mentioned below. However, their increased security with double encryption reduces the speed.
NordVPN allows streaming videos lag-free, unblocks geo-blocked contents. Add to that, Peer-to-Peer file-sharing is unlimited. They are based in Panama, which means the absence of 14 Eyes, Big Brother or any data retention laws.
Their subscription monthly costs $12, which might be a little bit expensive. The bi-annual plan costs $42 and the annual one is for $70.
Pros:
- Based in Panama
- Solid encryption, zero-logs
- Kill-switch
- Allows 6 connections
- Unlimited P2P
- Fast speed
- Accepts Bitcoins
- 30-days money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Does not block ads
- Expensive monthly plan
3. VyprVPN
VyprVPN has an excellent reputation. They have 700+ self-managed servers, with superb speeds. So, you can have HD streaming, unlimited P2P file-sharing. It also unblocks streaming services like BBC iPlayer and Netflix. It has a convenient cross-platform client that’s easy to maneuver.
They don’t offer a refund policy, but they have a 3-day free trial. That lets you try out the performance and speed. Two plans are presented. The basic plan, which allows up to three connections, costs $60/year billed annually and $120/year billed monthly. Whereas the premium plan, which allows up to five connections, costs $80/year when billed annually and $155.4/year when billed monthly.
Pros:
- Based in Switzerland
- Premium plan with 5 connections and additional features
- Unlimited P2P
- Cross-platform
- 3-day free trial
Cons:
- No ad blocker
- No refund policy
- Three connections with the basic plan
- Does not accept Bitcoin
4. IPVanish
IPVanish offers hundreds of self-managed servers. It’s an excellent VPN for France. You get great coverage of Europe and the US with great speeds and performances. They present unlimited torrenting, HD video streaming including access to websites such as Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
They offer 40,000+ shared IPs, 1000+ VPN servers in 60+ countries. The subscriptions are affordable. They have a seven-day money-back guarantee. The monthly plan costs $10/month and the annual one costs $6.49/month.
Pros:
- 7-day refund
- Simple cross-platform software
- No logs
- Unlimited P2P torrenting
- DPI protection
- No third party can access the data
- Fast speed
- 10 connections
Cons:
- Based in the US
Reasons to Get a VPN in France
Access Geoblocked Content
First, most TV shows from the US and UK aren’t fully unlocked. For instance, Netflix, HBO Now, Hulu, BBC iPlayer don’t let you access their full content. A lot of the restrictions aren’t reasonable. You might have troubles downloading some apps on your phone with your French IP address. Even applications like Youtube are subjected to filtering.
If you’re French and traveling anywhere in the world, you’re also going to face troubles. It won’t be possible to access channels like Canal+, Molotov TV, France TV, Eurosport or Play TV. So, getting a VPN is important.
Evade ISP Surveillance
Moreover, France is a member of the 14 Eyes. France has data retention and surveillance laws that mandate for the ISPs to keep your data for one year. This means state agencies can access your data without oversight. If the French Constitutional Council finds someone suspicious, it obliges ISPs to monitor their online activity. The collected information is sent to intelligence agencies. So the ISPs and law enforcement install stealth cameras and keyloggers to analyze the person’s data for skeptical actions. The laws in France grant surveillance of electronic data sent and received from abroad as well.
Safe Downloading
Illegal torrenting is punished with a large fine if your ISP catches you torrenting copyrighted materials. ISP can do so by the anti-piracy law HADOPI. It lets them bypass the legal procedure and carry out private policing of copyright.
Without a decision from a court or judge, officials can remove and block any content by the emergency legislation and Anti-Hatred laws. Thus, there’s a lot of censorship and filtering on the websites and the contents they provide in France.
Increase Online Security
Furthermore, in France, like other countries such as the USA and Australia, cyber crimes are occurrent. In the last year, the attacks recorded increased by 51%. So, to be safe while browsing the internet, you need a VPN.
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- 30-Day Money-back Guarantee
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- Apps For All Your Devices
- 24/7 Live Support
Top VPN for France – Parting Words
Living in France means you are subject to a lot of restriction and surveillance. If you like your privacy and like to unblock certain contents, you should get a VPN. A lot of VPNs offer many advantages and disadvantages. So, it’s up to you to pick the one that suits you better and invest in it. No matter which one you choose, make sure it’s valid, secure and has a decent refund policy.
Best VPN for France
Name: ExpressVPN
Description: ExpressVPN is exactly what French citizens need to escape government surveillance and regain privacy.
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Access Geo-Restricted Content
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About Author
Charles
Streaming gadgets geek. Interested in every little thing there is to know about bypassing regional restrictions. An avid believer in the right to protect online privacy. Charles has also reviewed plenty of VPN service providers and knows how to separate the good apples from the bad ones.