WhatsApp is by far the most popular online messaging service used these days as it provides users with features that include not only texting but voice calls and sending all types of media. It is also available on multiple platforms, from computers to mobile devices. WhatsApp also has its own encryption system as to secure any information sent or received through it. In addition to all that, it is a free zero-ads application. Sounds perfect right? Well, unfortunately in several countries around the world the joy of using WhatsApp is taken away one way or the other. Some countries like China and Iran banned the whole service all together. Other countries such as Saudi Arabia and UAE restricted the feature which allows users to make voice calls from it. The reason that some countries banned the whole service is that they were unable to track its usage due to that messages were being encrypted (as mentioned earlier). On the other hand, the countries that restricted the voice service is due to purely defending the profit made by telecommunication companies from international calls.
In all cases, restricting the service was extremely inconvenient for all its users as it took away a main source of both international and local communication, which was considered the most secure and private service available. Accordingly, users started seeking for a suitable VPN to overcome these restrictions and practice their right to free, private and secure online communication. The VPNs were picked according to their restriction bypassing capabilities (server placement outside of restricted country). Once that criterion is settled they needed to look at the security features to be able to go through with the bypassing procedure in a private and secure manner (level of security and logs policy). According to this selection process we were able to shine the light on the best 3 VPNs for this challenge.
Best VPNs for WhatsApp
IPVanish
During a lot of online challenges, the name IPVanish came up a lot. This was due to its high experience in the field of online security and privacy. From the high security measures to the advanced network of servers, IPVanish has what it takes to bypass restrictions placed on WhatsApp. Whether it’s partial (voice calls only), or full on banning.
Level of Security
- A secured network with a 256-bit AES encryption.
- Advanced security protocols supported (OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, SSTP, and IKEv2).
Network of Servers
- More than 750 servers spread across more than 60 countries worldwide.
- This network provides users with more than 40,000 shared IP’s for online anonymity.
Logs Policy
- Only basic contact information is kept in order to subscribe to an account.
- No online activities are monitored or recorded (zero traffic logs)
IPVanish is considered one of the most popular VPN names in the market and there are many more features that come with it, however these are considered the main features needed to bypass the restrictions made on WhatsApp.
NordVPN
NordVPN was launched in 2012 and grew to be one of the most successful names in the VPN arena. With over 200,000 users worldwide it is one of the largest providers worldwide. Its commitment to sustaining a free, secure, and private internet experience has always impressed its users and that is why it is highly recommended for the war against restricting WhatsApp.
Level of Security
- Network is secured with an AES 256-bit SHA encryption.
- The security protocols supported are the most advanced (OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, SSTP, and IKEv2).
- Additional security features include Double Data encryption, Automatic Kill Switch, DNS Leak Resolver, and Onion over VPN.
Network of Servers
- 918 servers spread across 57 worldwide countries.
- Anti-DDoS servers are available as well as optimized servers for different purposes (e.g. Ultra-Fast TV servers optimized to enhance connection speeds for online video streaming).
- Countless shared IP’s plus the availability of dedicated IP’s.
Logs Policy
- Like all the top VPN providers, NordVPN only keeps the basic contact information for the maintenance of the users’ accounts.
- No online activity logs are kept.
With its high dedication to online freedom, NordVPN has definitely come a long way since it was launched. All its impressive security features and bypassing capabilities are what made it a great VPN for WhatsApp.
BVPN
BVPN was launched in the Netherlands in 2014, and in a very short time it grew to be one of the strongest providers. This was not only due to its features, but also the uniqueness in these features. It has fought its way well among its competitors to become a highly considerable option for WhatsApp.
Level of Security
- Its entire network is secured with a military grade 256-bit encryption.
- Supports the most advanced security protocols ( OpenVPN over SSH, L2TP/IPSec, and its very own Smoke Tunnel)
- An additional security feature is the Public WiFi Hotspot protection.
Network of Servers
- More than 20 worldwide strategically placed server locations.
- Regular additions and expansions
- Provide users with numerous shared IP’s
Logs Policy
- The only information kept is that needed to subscribe (name, email, etc.)
- No internet activities are monitored or recorded. No logs kept.
It has been proven in several occasions all over the world that BVPN doesn’t take its security or bypassing measures lightly. For this, it has grown rapidly in a very short time and continues to grow and prove its name in the market. Restricting WhatsApp was surely no match for it.
Conclusion
With over 1 billion users in 180 countries worldwide using it to stay connected, WhatsApp is an essential part of our lives and the main source of communication. This is why banning it would be like keeping us imprisoned in one place, not being able to contact the outer world. This is why, for those people living in countries which don’t understand the importance of WhatsApp, critically need a suitable VPN to bypass these restrictions and stay intouch with the rest of the world.
