Last updated Mar 23, 2024 at 5pm ET
Boasting over 145 million users worldwide, BlueStacks is one of the most popular Android emulators for Windows and Mac users. But as with any software, it’s not entirely vulnerability-free, especially since it runs on an Android platform. This fact also throws geo-blocks into the mix, not letting users access the full scope of the Google Play library.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can quickly fix both problems. This technology encrypts all internet traffic, making you invisible to online snoopers. It also lets you change your region, allowing you to download content unavailable in your country. Read on to find out which VPNs for BlueStacks are the best for the job.
Best VPN for BlueStacks: shortlist
- The best VPN for BlueStacks9.7
- BlueStacks VPN with unlimited connections9.3
- All-rounder VPN for BlueStacks9.1
- Swiss-based VPN for BlueStacks8.7
How to install a VPN on BlueStacks
- Subscribe to a reliable BlueStacks VPN. Our top choice is NordVPN, now 74% off
- Download the client suitable for your PC
- Connect to a server located in a country of your choice
- Open BlueStacks and enjoy secure, unrestricted access!
Why do you need a VPN for BlueStacks?
BlueStacks is no stranger to vulnerabilities since it essentially runs as an Android platform. Several severe security holes have been found in the past couple of years. If exploited by cybercriminals, they could gain unauthorized access to your network. Not to mention the fact third parties can easily snoop on your online activities, your ISP included.
Accessing content around the globe is another issue. BlueStacks only shows you apps and Android programs available in your location. So, if you can’t find a particular game or tool on the Google Play Store because it’s blocked in your country, you won’t be able to download it.
These BlueStacks problems can be quickly fixed with a robust VPN, though. Encrypting your internet traffic makes you virtually untraceable, making you less likely to be targeted by malicious parties. And this technology changes your IP address, letting you bypass geographical restrictions to get the content you want.
VPN for BlueStacks in 2024
Naturally, not every service is up for the job. Our top picks ensure optimal performance, include powerful security features, and are user-friendly. Another important factor is having a sizable server network, which makes circumventing geo-blocks easier.
1. NordVPN – the top BlueStacks VPN
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6400
24/7 live chat, Email
- NordLynx-fuelled speeds
- Excellent for geo-unblocking
- Independently-audited and secure
- Only 10 simultaneous connections
NordVPN is the best VPN for BlueStacks, hands down. It’s one of the fastest services in the industry, comes with a robust feature set, and boasts some of the best security credentials overall. A subscription lets you secure up to 6 devices simultaneously, but if that’s not enough, manually setting it up on your router is an option.
The massive network of 6400+ RAM-only servers across 111+ countries will get you access to the content you want. And there’s no need to worry about BlueStacks taking too long to load your favorite apps. This provider comes with the in-house NordLynx tunneling protocol, an even faster, more secure version of WireGuard.
In terms of protection, NordVPN packs a punch. Threat Protection takes care of pesky ads and neutralizes malware, while obfuscated servers bypass restrictive internet firewalls. Another neat feature is split tunneling, which lets you route your VPN connection via select apps only.
Coming at $3.09/month, this is a BlueStacks VPN worthy of your time and money. Plus, you can test NordVPN with the free 7-day trial, available via the Google Play Store. Committing from the get-go is viable, too, with the 30-day money-back guarantee protecting your purchase.
For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark VPN – VPN for BlueStacks with top-notch security
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24/7 live chat, FAQ
- Infinite connections
- Great speeds due to WireGuard
- Plenty of perks for a low price
- Unaudited no-logs policy
Another solid choice for all your BlueStacks VPN needs is Surfshark VPN. The provider ensures total user anonymity, includes a few neat perks and is affordable to boot. Plus, there’s no limit to how many devices you can use simultaneously, letting you secure virtually everything you own.
This service boasts the largest region coverage in the industry – 3200+ RAM-only servers in 100+ countries. Thus, you can access almost everything you want on BlueStacks. And with the next-gen WireGuard tunneling protocol under the belt, performance won’t pose an issue. It, alongside the Nexus update, ensures low latency throughout.
Surfshark VPN comes with several useful features. There’s Camouflage and NoBorders modes for masking VPN usage, CleanWeb for keeping your devices malware and ad-free, and MultiHop for double the encryption. Even split tunneling is available, just under a different name – Bypasser.
$2.19/month isn’t much to pay for better BlueStacks security and unlocked access to regional apps. You can even see how it works yourself with Surfshark’s free 7-day trial, downloadable from the Google Play and Apple App Stores. And when you’re ready to sign up, do it risk-free with the 30-day money-back guarantee.
For a deeper investigation of Surfshark VPN, read our Surfshark VPN review.
3. PrivateVPN – affordable BlueStacks VPN
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24/7 live chat
- Great price-to-feature ratio
- 10 simultaneous connections
- 7-day free trial
- Lacks WireGuard
All your online activities, BlueStacks included, will remain anonymous with PrivateVPN. The service bypasses geo-blocks with ease, offers powerful security measures, and facilitates optimal performance no matter what you’re doing. And the cherry on top is that it won’t put a dent in your wallet, either.
While the fleet is modest, with just 200+ servers across 63+ countries, it will leave you pleasantly surprised. The speeds are great even during data-intensive activities, and the VPN connection remains stable as well. Most of this can be attributed to the reliable OpenVPN protocol and High Quality Network (HQN), bought straight from the source.
Now, for the features. PrivateVPN comes with Stealth VPN for bypassing Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), a SOCKS5 proxy, and port forwarding. There’s even a free dedicated IP if you want to be connected to a specific country at all times and be the only one using said address.
Utilize a PrivateVPN coupon to pay no more than $2.00/month for a great BlueStacks VPN. Take it out for a spin with the 7-day free trial version, or subscribe right away. After all, the 30-day money-back guarantee essentially lets you test the service at no cost for a whole month.
For a deeper investigation of PrivateVPN, read our PrivateVPN review.
4. Proton VPN – BlueStacks VPN with great connectivity
110
6550
Email, knowledge base
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Solid free version
- Independently-audited no-logs policy
- Few P2P servers
Those more focused on the security aspect of BlueStacks will benefit from Proton VPN. It’s Swiss-based, independently audited, and open-source, a rarity for most VPNs today. Furthermore, each subscription comes with great protection features, but if you don’t want to pay, there’s a free version with no bandwidth limits and 3 server locations.
The sizable network of 6550+ servers in 110+ countries gets the job done nicely. Using BlueStacks will be lag-free, too, with almost all hardware being 10 Gbps. And if that’s not enough, the WireGuard protocol, plus VPN Accelerator, is here to ensure stellar speeds and low latency.
Proton VPN specializes in robust security measures, meaning you’re getting a few neat perks. NetShield blocks ads, user trackers, and malware, while Secure Core provides double the encryption. You can even use the VPN in internet-restrictive countries, thanks to the Stealth protocol.
$3.59/month for a more secure BlueStacks experience? Take the deal, or try getting a better price with a Proton VPN coupon. Of course, no one’s stopping you from using the free version instead. But if it becomes too limited, remember that your subscription will be protected by the 30-day money-back guarantee just in case.
For a deeper investigation of Proton VPN, read our Proton VPN review.
How we selected VPNs for BlueStacks
If you don’t like our list and would like to do your own research, we recommend looking for providers that match these criteria:
- Ensured security. Your online privacy and total untraceability can only be guaranteed by the essential VPN feature trifecta. We’re talking about AES-256 encryption, IP & DNS leak protection, and a kill switch.
- Global network. Having plenty of servers across all continents means two things. One is access to a broader range of foreign content. The other is getting suitable connection points near you, meaning better performance and stability.
- Optimal speed. You don’t want BlueStacks to lag while gaming, thus, fast VPNs with the latest tunneling protocols should be prioritized. These ensure your internet doesn’t slow down to a crawl while you’re connected to a secure server.
- Extra perks. VPNs are useful for more than just BlueStacks. Depending on the provider, you can also get features meant to secure and boost streaming, torrenting, gaming, etc. If that is something you need, check the feature list for the appropriate perks.
- Reasonable price. Paying more doesn’t necessarily mean getting a better product. You’ll be surprised how many cheaper VPNs do a better job and offer more robust features than their more expensive counterparts. And if they don’t fit your needs, most come with some form of money-back guarantees.
- Customer support. If things don’t work as supposed to or you need guidance, 24/7 live chat customer support is a must. This way, you won’t have to wait for hours to get an email response.
How to use VPN on BlueStacks
What’s great about BlueStacks is that it lets you turn your computer into a virtual Android machine. And it works for both Windows and macOS PCs. Here’s how to secure this program on both operating systems.
Windows
- Head to BlueStacks’ official website and download the appropriate application. Install it.
- Sign up for a reliable VPN service. You can never go wrong with NordVPN, our top-rated provider.
- Get the VPN client and set it up on your computer. Sign into your account once you’re done.
- Connect to a server closest to you or in a country of your choice
- Boot up BlueStacks, browse the Play Store, and download any application you want!
Mac
- Download and install the BlueStacks application from the official website
- Subscribe to a recommended BlueStacks VPN. We found that NordVPN works best with this software.
- Set up the VPN program on your PC. Then log into your account once it is up and running.
- Pick a server in any country you want or the nearest one to you
- Open BlueStacks and enjoy better privacy!
BlueStacks not working with a VPN: solutions
Sadly, nothing is perfect in this world, and VPNs aren’t an exception. If the service stops working like it used to, no need to panic just yet. Instead, do some troubleshooting.
- Switch servers. If the current one you’re connected to is down for maintenance or overcrowded, tough luck getting past restrictions. The best solution would be to pick a new server in the same country or another region altogether.
- Check for IP & DNS leaks. Your IP address and DNS requests contain information about your actual whereabouts. If one or the other is visible, no wonder nothing is working as supposed to. Perform an IP and DNS leak test just in case.
- Toggle the settings. Make sure all the necessary security features are turned on. We also recommend cycling through the available tunneling protocols.
- Disable the firewall & antivirus. These programs could be flagging VPN traffic as suspicious, blocking all your attempts at extra protection. Whitelist your provider in the settings to see if this fixes the problem.
- Contact VPN customer support. The issue might be on the technical side, so getting in touch with knowledgeable specialists is definitely on the table.
Above steps didn’t solve anything? Maybe it’s time to switch to a BlueStacks VPN that works without causing you a headache.
Do we recommend using a free VPN for BlueStacks?
As tempting as free VPNs are, we strongly recommend against using such services. Costless providers are notorious for being unreliable, and some even participate in questionable practices. Namely, these are:
- User tracking. Free VPNs for BlueStacks manage to continue operating month after month by collecting data about you and then selling it to third parties. These tend to be advertisers who need such info to finetune their aggressive marketing campaigns.
- Intrusive advertising. The clients are usually cluttered with annoying ads, hindering the usability of the VPN. It’s also worth noting that they might contain viruses, so even accidentally clicking them is dangerous.
- Injecting malware. A few costless services have been caught injecting malicious software into their applications. They not only track your actions while you’re not using the VPN but also wreak havoc on your device.
Besides invading your privacy, free BlueStacks VPNs are very limited in their capabilities. Most don’t include even the basic security features, not to mention the severe data caps and minimal network scopes. Thus, bypassing geo-blocks isn’t possible, and everything will lag constantly.
If you’re that strapped for money, a better option is going for VPNs with free trial versions. Pick a provider, sign up for the trial, and use the service to the fullest for the allotted time. And once one ends, no one’s stopping you from jumping to another VPN and starting another trial.
Conclusion
BlueStacks is probably the best program you can use to turn your PC into a virtual Android phone. Unfortunately, it comes with its own security issues and geographical restrictions.
VPNs enhance your BlueStacks experience in several ways. Providers like NordVPN do so with advanced encryption, making you invisible to snoopers, and robust tools that allow to break through geo-blocks. And additional perks protect your browsing efforts as well, which is always a nice touch.
Which BlueStacks VPN would you recommend? Let us know in the comments below!
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FAQ
Is there a VPN on BlueStacks?
BlueStacks does not come with a VPN. Even if it did have a built-in VPN, we would still recommend using a separate service for ensured security and privacy.
How do I get a VPN to work on BlueStacks?
Our top BlueStacks VPNs work perfectly with this program. Simply pick a provider, download the VPN client, connect to a server of your choice, and that’s it. Open BlueStacks, and it should run as usual.
How do I change my IP address on BlueStacks?
The easiest way to change your IP address on BlueStacks is with a VPN. Connect to a server in a country of your choice, and this tool will do it automatically for you. Then open BlueStacks.
How do I change my region on BlueStacks?
You can quickly change your region on BlueStacks with a VPN. Pick any server located in another country and connect to it. This will automatically change your BlueStacks location once you open it again.
