This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase a VPN through our links we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences our reviews or rankings.
Surfshark One
The best value VPN in 2026: unlimited devices, Antivirus, 4500+ servers, CleanWeb, Cybersecurity bundle, NoBorders, GPS override, Surfshark Everlink, fast servers in 100+ countries, and watertight privacy.
- Unlimited devices
- No-logs policy
- 100+ countries
- 24/7 support
As of October 2026, Pornhub is blocked in 25 US states, most of the UK, France, Australia and a long list of countries with outright censorship. Whether you’re facing a state age verification law or the UK’s Online Safety Act, a VPN is the fastest and most reliable way for adults to get access back.
I work full-time in cybersecurity and have published more than 600 VPN videos over 3+ years on my AllThingsVPN and VPNR channels. In this guide, I show how to unblock Pornhub in 2026, which VPNs work, where it’s blocked, and how to fix common problems.
How to unblock Pornhub: quick steps
Get a reliable VPN
My top recommendation is Surfshark One: the fastest VPN I’ve tested, strong privacy and unlimited devices for $2.79/mo on the 2-year plan.
Download and install the app
Get the app from the VPN’s official website, the App Store or Google Play. Installation takes about two minutes.
Log in and turn on protection
Sign in, then make sure the kill switch and DNS leak protection are enabled from the start.
Connect to an unrestricted location
New York, California, Canada, the Netherlands and Ireland all work. Avoid restricted US states like Texas, Florida or Utah, and skip UK, French, Italian and Australian servers.
Visit Pornhub
Open a private window and go to Pornhub. If you still see a block, clear cookies or switch to another server.
Best VPNs for unblocking Pornhub in 2026
I tested each of these VPNs myself for speed, privacy and how reliably they reached Pornhub. Here is my shortlist, in order.
Surfshark One
Unlimited devices at an unbeatable price
- Unlimited devices
- No-logs policy
- Antivirus
- 4500+ servers
- CleanWeb
- 100+ countries
- 24/7 support
IPVanish
Lightning fast speeds with no-log policy
- Unlimited devices
- No-logs policy
- 3200+ servers
- 24/7 support
Proton VPN
Open-source, audited and trusted by privacy experts
- Open source
- Swiss privacy laws
- No-logs audited
- Free plan available
PrivadoVPN
The cheapest VPN with a generous free tier
- Iceland-based
- No-logs policy
- 200+ servers
- Free plan available
- 10 devices
NordVPN
Fast, audited VPN with strong security extras
- Audited no-logs
- Threat Protection
- Double VPN
- 10 devices
VeePN
Affordable VPN with servers in 60+ countries
- 2500+ servers
- 60+ countries
- No-logs policy
- 10 devices
ExpressVPN
Simple apps that work well for beginners
- Lightway protocol
- Audited no-logs
- 100+ countries
- 10 devices on Basic
1. Surfshark One: best overall and the fastest VPN I tested
Surfshark One is the best-value VPN I’ve tested for unblocking Pornhub. Testing from Kansas City, it unblocked Pornhub on a Netherlands server with no issues and hit 582 Mbps on WireGuard.
Across all my tests it kept about 96% of my base speed, the best of any VPN. CleanWeb kills the aggressive ads and trackers common on adult sites, and Camouflage and NoBorders modes help on networks that block VPNs.
The One plan adds antivirus and identity alerts. Surfshark is part of Nord Security, the group behind NordVPN, and the deal is $2.79/mo on the 2-year plan with 85% off and 3 months free.
What I liked
- About 96% speed retention, fastest in my tests
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- RAM-only servers in 100+ countries
- CleanWeb blocks ads and trackers
- Audited no-logs policy
What I didn’t like
- Dedicated IPs cost extra
- Speeds vary a little on distant servers
Read my full Surfshark One review or the Surfshark coupon page.
Get Surfshark One for 85% OFF
+ 3 months free included. Just $2.79/mo on the 2-year plan with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. IPVanish: unlimited devices, fast speeds and budget friendly
IPVanish offers unlimited devices and good coverage across unrestricted US states. It kept about 93% of my base speed, plenty for HD streaming.
One thing to know: in 2016, under a previous owner, IPVanish handed user data to US authorities despite a no-logs claim. It has since changed owners and had its no-logs policy audited. The deal is 84% off at $2.39/mo, plus a 3 GB eSIM data gift. See my IPVanish review.
What I liked
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Good spread of US servers
- About 93% speed retention
What I didn’t like
- The 2016 data incident still worries some users
- Fewer privacy extras than Surfshark or Proton VPN
Not sure which VPN fits you best?
Surfshark One is my top pick overall, but you can compare every VPN I've tested side by side in my full guide.
See all VPN comparisons →3. Proton VPN: best for privacy, with a free plan
Proton VPN is the most privacy-focused option in my lineup. It’s built by the team behind Proton Mail, uses open-source apps and has an independently audited no-logs policy.
Secure Core routes traffic through privacy-friendly countries first, and NetShield blocks ads and malware. It kept about 92% of my base speed. The free plan has no data cap, but you can’t pick a US state, so it’s unreliable for this. The paid plan is $2.99/mo with 70% off. Read my Proton VPN review.
What I liked
- Open-source, audited apps
- Secure Core multi-hop routing
- Free plan with no data cap
What I didn’t like
- Free plan is slower with limited server choice
- Costs more than Surfshark One for fewer extras
4. PrivadoVPN: cheapest option and best free VPN
PrivadoVPN is the cheapest VPN I recommend at $1.11/mo on the 2-year plan, with 90% off and 3 months free. It’s based in Iceland and has a free plan with 10 GB per month.
It kept about 85% of my base speed, fine for HD. I haven’t seen a published independent audit of its no-logs policy, which matters if privacy is your top concern. Read my PrivadoVPN review.
5. NordVPN: one of the fastest, but pricier
NordVPN is also part of Nord Security. NordLynx hit 555 Mbps in my test, and overall it kept about 91% of my base speed, fast but behind Surfshark.
Its obfuscated servers disguise VPN traffic as regular HTTPS, and Threat Protection blocks malware and ads. It costs $3.59/mo on the Plus plan with 75% off and 3 months free. See my NordVPN review and Surfshark vs NordVPN.
What I liked
- Very large server network
- Obfuscated servers
- Audited no-logs policy
What I didn’t like
- Slower than Surfshark in my tests
- Pricier than Surfshark One
- 10-device limit
6. VeePN and 7. ExpressVPN
- VeePN: a budget pick for streaming at $1.99/mo with 83% off and 4 extra months, with about 88% speed retention.
- ExpressVPN: the easiest apps to use, about 91% speed retention, $2.79/mo with 78% off and 4 months. It’s owned by Kape Technologies, which also owns CyberGhost and PIA.
VPN comparison table
| VPN | Best for | Speed retention | Devices | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surfshark One | Best overall, fastest | ~96% | Unlimited | $2.79/mo, 85% OFF + 3 months |
| IPVanish | Unlimited devices | ~93% | Unlimited | $2.39/mo, 84% OFF |
| Proton VPN | Privacy, free plan | ~92% | 10 | Free or $2.99/mo, 70% OFF |
| PrivadoVPN | Cheapest, best free | ~85% | 10 | Free or $1.11/mo, 90% OFF + 3 months |
| NordVPN | Fast, pricier | ~91% | 10 | $3.59/mo, 75% OFF + 3 months |
| VeePN | Budget streaming | ~88% | 10 | $1.99/mo, 83% OFF + 4 months |
| ExpressVPN | Ease of use | ~91% | 10 | $2.79/mo, 78% OFF + 4 months |
All current deals are collected on my VPN deals page.
Where is Pornhub blocked in 2026?
As of October 2026, Pornhub blocks 25 US states. That’s Aylo’s own decision: rather than collect government IDs under state age verification laws, it pulls out, arguing that mass ID collection creates serious privacy risks.
Blocked US states (25 as of October 2026)
| State | Status |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 🚫 Blocked |
| Arizona | 🚫 Blocked |
| Arkansas | 🚫 Blocked |
| Florida | 🚫 Blocked |
| Georgia | 🚫 Blocked |
| Idaho | 🚫 Blocked |
| Indiana | 🚫 Blocked |
| Iowa | 🚫 Blocked (since July 2026) |
| Kansas | 🚫 Blocked |
| Kentucky | 🚫 Blocked |
| Mississippi | 🚫 Blocked |
| Missouri | 🚫 Blocked |
| Montana | 🚫 Blocked |
| Nebraska | 🚫 Blocked |
| North Carolina | 🚫 Blocked |
| North Dakota | 🚫 Blocked |
| Oklahoma | 🚫 Blocked |
| South Carolina | 🚫 Blocked |
| South Dakota | 🚫 Blocked |
| Tennessee | 🚫 Blocked |
| Texas | 🚫 Blocked |
| Utah | 🚫 Blocked |
| Virginia | 🚫 Blocked |
| West Virginia | 🚫 Blocked (since June 2026) |
| Wyoming | 🚫 Blocked |
Countries where Pornhub is blocked or restricted
Outside the US, Pornhub is blocked or restricted in many countries. Some are democracies with new age verification laws; others ban pornography outright.
| Country | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 🚫 Blocked for new users | Online Safety Act; verified iPhones allowed since May 2026 |
| France | 🚫 Blocked | Aylo suspended access in 2025 over France’s age verification law |
| Australia | 🚫 Blocked | Aylo blocked Australia before the March 2026 age check deadline |
| Italy | ⚠️ Age checks required | Age verification rules for adult sites |
| Russia | ⚠️ Restricted | Several adult sites blocked |
| China | 🚫 Blocked | Pornography is illegal |
| Iran | 🚫 Blocked | Pornography is illegal, with serious penalties |
| Saudi Arabia | 🚫 Blocked | Pornography is illegal |
| UAE | 🚫 Blocked | Pornography is illegal |
| Indonesia | 🚫 Blocked | Pornography is illegal |
| Turkey | 🚫 Blocked | ISP-level block on porn sites |
| Pakistan | 🚫 Blocked | Government censorship |
| Egypt | 🚫 Blocked | Pornography is illegal |
Best server locations for unblocking Pornhub
Pick a location where Pornhub is freely available and that’s close to you for speed.
| Location | Pornhub accessible | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New York, California, Washington (US) | ✅ Yes | Best option for US users in blocked states |
| Canada | ✅ Yes | Fast and reliable; an age verification bill is moving through Parliament |
| Netherlands | ✅ Yes | Great for UK and European users |
| Ireland | ✅ Yes | The closest option for UK users |
| Switzerland | ✅ Yes | Strong privacy laws, solid speeds |
Why is Pornhub not working? Top reasons and fixes
1. You’re in a blocked US state or country
Your IP address reveals your location, and Pornhub blocks it automatically. Fix: connect to a VPN server in New York, California, Canada or the Netherlands.
2. Age verification is required
Louisiana uses AllpassTrust and LA Wallet, and the UK only lets in pre-verified accounts and Apple-verified iPhones. Fix: connect to a server in a region without age checks.
3. Your VPN server is in a blocked location
This catches a lot of people. A server in Texas, Florida, the UK or Australia will still be blocked. Fix: check your server location and switch.
4. Browser cookies or cache
Your browser may have cached the block page. Fix: clear cookies and cache or open a private window.
5. Network-level block
Some networks block adult sites. A VPN encrypts your traffic so the network can’t see which sites you visit, though you should respect the rules of networks that aren’t yours.
6. VPN IP detected and blocked
Some VPN IP ranges end up on blocklists. Fix: switch servers in the same region, or turn on obfuscation, such as Surfshark’s Camouflage mode.
7. Server outage or DNS issue
Pornhub has occasional downtime. Fix: check Downdetector, and keep DNS leak protection on in your VPN app.
Is it legal to watch Pornhub with a VPN?
In the US, UK, Canada and most of Europe, using a VPN is legal, and watching legal adult content as an adult is legal too. State age verification laws and the UK’s Online Safety Act put obligations on websites, not on adult users.
In July 2026, the UK government decided not to restrict VPNs, and no US state punishes adults for using one. Indiana and Utah have instead pressured adult sites to deal with VPN users.
The exceptions are countries where VPNs or pornography are themselves illegal, such as China, Iran and the UAE. There, a VPN carries its own legal risk.
How to watch Pornhub without a VPN (alternatives)
- Tor Browser: hides your location but is far too slow for video.
- Web proxies: rarely beat Pornhub’s regional blocks, offer little encryption and may expose your activity.
- Changing DNS: can bypass ISP DNS filters but not Pornhub’s IP-based blocks.
- ISP content filters: you may be able to disable these in your ISP account, but that won’t help with Pornhub’s own blocks.
Bottom line: if Pornhub blocks your location, a VPN is the only option that reliably works.
The UK situation explained
The Online Safety Act requires adult sites to verify UK users’ ages, and most sites added checks. Aylo instead cut off new UK users on February 2, 2026, arguing that mass ID collection is risky and pushes users to less regulated sites.
Pre-verified accounts still work, and since May 2026 iPhone users who pass Apple’s age check can get back in. Everyone else needs a VPN, and Irish or Dutch servers are the cleanest option.
Louisiana: age verification explained
In Louisiana, Pornhub is still available after an age check. You’re redirected to AllpassTrust, a Cyprus-based company, and verify your age with LA Wallet, Louisiana’s official digital ID app.
I went through the process myself, and it’s more hassle than it should be: you bounce between platforms and enter several confirmation codes. A VPN is the simpler alternative.
FAQ
Why is Pornhub blocked in my state?
Your state passed an age verification law, and Aylo chose to block it rather than collect IDs. As of October 2026, that’s 25 states. A VPN lets you appear to be in an unrestricted state like New York or California.
What’s the best server location from the US?
New York and California are the most reliable. Canada and the Netherlands also work well.
What’s the best server from the UK?
Ireland and the Netherlands are closest and fastest. Switzerland also works. Avoid France, Italy and restricted US states.
Can I use a free VPN to unblock Pornhub?
I don’t recommend most free VPNs: data caps, slow servers and questionable privacy. PrivadoVPN’s free plan and Proton VPN’s free plan are the two I’d trust, but a paid plan works far better.
Is Pornhub blocked in Ohio?
No. Pornhub is still accessible in Ohio as of October 2026, because Aylo says Ohio’s law is structured differently from other states.
Pornhub is still blocked with my VPN. What do I do?
Check that your server isn’t in a blocked state or country, clear cookies, then try another server. Turn on obfuscation, such as Surfshark’s Camouflage mode, or switch between WireGuard and OpenVPN.
How does Louisiana’s age verification work?
You’re sent to AllpassTrust and verify with the LA Wallet app. It works but it’s tedious, and connecting to an unrestricted state with a VPN is much simpler.
Is it legal to use a VPN to bypass Pornhub’s blocks?
Yes, in the US, UK, Canada and most of Europe. Age verification laws target websites, not adults using privacy tools. It’s a different story in countries where VPNs or porn are illegal.
Will a VPN slow down Pornhub?
With a fast VPN, barely. Surfshark kept about 96% of my base speed. Choose a server close to you for the best results.
Why did Pornhub block the UK?
Aylo argues the Online Safety Act’s ID checks create serious privacy risks and push users to less regulated sites, so it blocked new UK users on February 2, 2026. It has since allowed iPhone users verified by Apple.
Surfshark One
The best value VPN in 2026: unlimited devices, Antivirus, 4500+ servers, CleanWeb, Cybersecurity bundle, NoBorders, GPS override, Surfshark Everlink, fast servers in 100+ countries, and watertight privacy.
- Unlimited devices
- No-logs policy
- 100+ countries
- 24/7 support
Read next:
