Best VPN you can buy with a gift card in 2025

When paying for services, credit cards, PayPal, and even crypto might leave a trail leading back to you. As someone who takes my privacy seriously, finding a way to pay for a VPN without a trace is crucial. So what’s the best approach? Simple – buy a VPN gift card or pay by cash. It's the simplest way to ensure that your payment is as private as your browsing.

For instance, some of the best VPNs that accept gift cards include NordVPN, Proton VPN, and Private Internet Access (PIA). So you can buy a prepaid VPN like NordVPN as a boxed copy in select retail stores, and for added privacy, pay with cash instead of a credit card. No trace, no worries – true privacy.

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Best VPNs that accept gift cards in 2025: shortlist

1. NordVPN

   The top VPN service that accepts gift cards
   9.8
2. Proton VPN

   Security-oriented VPN that accepts cash
   8.6
3. Private Internet Access VPN

   A VPN with unlimited device connections that accepts gift cards
   8.1

Why should I pay for a VPN with a gift card

Generally speaking, picking the best service and paying for a VPN with a gift card is a great idea. However, it's important to understand that no payment method is flawless. Each has pros and cons, and paying with a gift card is no different.

Pros

• Hassle-free. You can buy VPN gift cards in various places for cash (department stores and gas stations).
• Anonymity. No information is shared except the requested gift card details (card number and PIN).
• Your money is safer. Gift cards have a fixed amount, so a service cannot charge you for an automatically renewed subscription.
• No-brainer. Simply enter the card number and PIN code when purchasing a reliable VPN online.
• As good as cash. Paying with a gift card maintains the same level of anonymity as paying with cash.

Cons

• No automated recurring payment. You have to repeat the process of buying or topping up VPN gift cards, which can be inconvenient.
• Regional limitations. It's possible that your chosen VPN service only accepts US-based gift cards or non-US brands that use the same network, i.e., Paygarden. VPN services may not even offer this method based on your physical location unless it's the US, Canada, the UK, or Germany.
• Different pricing. You might need to pay a bit more when buying a VPN with a gift card.
• Not refundable. VPN providers are unlikely to refund gift cards (and cryptocurrency). It's best to look for a VPN with a free trial or free version to test it first.

Paying with gift cards or cash offers the highest level of anonymity since cryptocurrencies aren’t completely untraceable. You can also choose to buy a VPN with a gift card either offline or online. Additionally, I recommend picking the best no-logs VPN for maximum confidentiality.

Best VPNs you can buy with gift cards or cash: overview

1. NordVPN – top VPN choice for paying with gift cards
2. Proton VPN – best VPN for secure cash transactions
3. Private Internet Access VPN (PIA) – budget-friendly VPN with unlimited devices and gift card payments

I’ve compiled a list of VPN services that accept gift cards or cash. Not all of them can be found among our most secure providers, but they are still great for protecting your privacy. Hopefully, more VPNs will start offering anonymous payment methods in the near future.

1. NordVPN – the best VPN that accepts gift cards

NordVPN is the best VPN that accepts gift cards in the form of a subscription box. These NordVPN gift cards are available in different stores, such as Amazon, Target, or Walmart. Also, if you wish to stay anonymous, don't forget to pay for it in cash.

Additionally, NordVPN is also the fastest VPN in 2025, thanks to the proprietary NordLynx tunneling protocol. It also offers 7100+ servers in 118+ countries. Plus, the service is excellent for unblocking Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and other streaming platforms. Best of all, you’ll be able to watch things in 4K globally.

Moreover, it comes with nifty security features, such as Threat Protection Pro. It will fend off trackers, malware, and obnoxious ads. Furthermore, you can use Double VPN to increase your security and privacy. Obfuscated servers will allow you to browse freely in highly restricted countries, like Egypt or the UAE.

Currently, the best NordVPN price is $3.09/month with a special coupon. As a prepaid VPN, NordVPN also allows users to pay with gift cards through third-party services. I like that there's also a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee. One account lets you connect up to 10 devices simultaneously.

For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.

2. Proton VPN – security-oriented VPN that accepts cash

Proton VPN is a security-first provider that offers an excellent freemium version. Not to mention, the provider accepts cash payments, which is something I appreciate for extra privacy. For cash payments, you first need to create a free account and upgrade it to a premium plan. As a prepaid VPN, Proton VPN also accepts cryptocurrency, allowing users to pay without linking a credit card.

Located in Switzerland, a country without data retention laws, Proton VPN also has a no-logs policy. This guarantees that your data won’t end up in the wrong hands. For extra protection, you can use SecureCore, Stealth, and Tor over VPN features.

In addition, Proton VPN has 9900+ servers in 117+ countries. The service uses the WireGuard tunneling protocol and VPN Accelerator technology to ensure stable and fast speeds. Moreover, Proton VPN unblocks Netflix and Hulu. Torrenting is allowed but on select servers only.

As for today, Proton VPN costs $3.59/month with a discount coupon. One account lets you connect 10 devices at the same time. Plus, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. Private Internet Access VPN (PIA) – a VPN with no connection limits and gift card payments

Private Internet Access (PIA) is another prepaid VPN that accepts anonymous payments via gift cards and cryptocurrency. So whether you’re buying with a gift card or crypto, your payment details stay untraceable, ensuring complete anonymity.

With 29300+ servers in 90+ countries, PIA is a robust streaming and torrenting VPN, that unblocks platforms like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer. It supports port forwarding and SOCKS5 proxy, making it ideal for P2P file sharing.

Regarding security, PIA secures your connection with AES-256 encryption, the industry standard for VPN protection. It also supports WireGuard and OpenVPN connection protocols. Plus, for an extra layer of security, PIA includes a kill switch and MACE, its built-in blocker for ads, trackers, and malware.

Best of all, PIA allows unlimited device connections, meaning that you can secure all of your devices without any additional fees. Plus, it’s an affordable premium VPN – you can get PIA at just $2.03/month with a special coupon. Private Internet Access offers a 7-day free trial on Android and iOS devices, and you can test the service out risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Best gift card VPNs compared

How to choose the best gift card VPN

If you want to pay for a VPN anonymously, you’ll have to do some research to find out which services offer such a payment option. Additionally, there are extra must-have features that every solid gift card VPN should have. To save you time, I’ve listed them down below:

• Guaranteed privacy. A reliable VPN should never collect any logs. Moreover, it should be based outside Fourteen Eyes Alliance's jurisdiction.
• Top-notch security. You should have encryption that’s at least NASA-grade, along with a solid kill switch and IP leak protection. Additionally, some providers also offer tracker blockers and antivirus software.
• Excellent global coverage. The more servers you have, the better. Especially if there are any servers nearby your location for better speeds.
• Superb connectivity. A VPN shouldn’t significantly reduce your speeds. Therefore, choose a service that offers the WireGuard or Nordlynx tunneling protocols. The fastest provider on the market is NordVPN.
• Quality-cost ratio. You shouldn’t overpay for a virtual private network. You can find a sublime VPN for less than $4.00/month.
• Compatibility & multiple connections. What’s the point if you can only use the service on one certain OS or device? Make sure to pick a multi-device VPN with apps for all major operating systems.

How to buy a VPN with a gift card or cash

While it shouldn’t be the case with reliable services, some VPN providers may record your payment details. If the VPN company is legally required to share user data, authorities could use this to identify you and link you to specific web traffic.

In other words, buying anything online with a credit card or PayPal makes you vulnerable. These payment methods are far from anonymous and untraceable. In fact, quite the opposite. So, what’s the point in using them if you’re buying a VPN to stay anonymous in the first place?

Even if the chance of being identified through your payment details is minimal, it’s wiser to purchase a subscription anonymously. I recommend this method to journalists, activists, whistle-blowers, and anyone else whose safety might be at stake.

There are 2 completely anonymous purchase options for you to consider:

• Cash: buy a boxed version from a retail store
• Gift cards: buy a gift card from Amazon, Walmart, Starbucks, Target, and other retailers.

Crypto vs VPN gift card: which one’s better?

Although more and more VPN providers offer Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies as an alternative option, it’s not as anonymous as gift cards or cash. You see, your crypto transactions might be traced if someone puts in the effort. While you can make the process safer by setting up your own node, it’s too expensive and technical for most users.

Therefore, if you want to stay completely anonymous and untraceable, I suggest paying for a VPN with a gift card. That way, no purchase information will be stored if you pay by cash. For example, you can purchase a NordVPN gift box at your local Target, Walmart, or Best Buy.

Be anonymous with NordVPN

Buy a VPN with a gift card offline

Unfortunately, there’s only a handful of quality VPNs that you can buy offline with cash or a gift card. Moreover, providers often are not too keen on advertising such a possibility. So, it’s also possible that you won’t find such information directly on their website.

If something is sold for cash, well, chances are you can buy it with physical gift cards, too. In any case, both methods are completely anonymous – no personal data is shared. Let’s take a look at some of the examples.

How to buy a NordVPN gift box

NordVPN is the best prepaid VPN, offering a retail box option that can be purchased with cash or gift cards. It’s available in many popular stores, such as Target, Walmart, and Amazon. Most options are in the US, but you can also buy in Canada, the US, and Germany.

Here’s a step-by-step guide for getting NordVPN in a gift box:

1. Go to your local store, i.e., Target, that offers NordVPN retail boxes
2. Pay for the box with cash or a gift card
3. Open the package and find a product key card
4. Set up your account by following the tutorial inside the box
5. Start using NordVPN and stay incognito!

However, the retail box versions only cover the 1-year subscription plan. If you want a better deal, I suggest visiting NordVPN and purchasing a plan online.

Get the best NordVPN plan

How to get Proton VPN with cash

Proton VPN accepts cash, but the whole process of getting the service might take a while. However, it’s well worth it, given the quality of this VPN and the privacy you get from paying in cash.

The provider accepts USD, EUR, and CHF. Don’t send any checks, money orders, or other non-cash payments. So, to buy Proton VPN with cash, do the following:

1. Create a free Proton VPN account
2. Write down your user Proton name and put it in the package with the money
3. Send it to Proton headquarters – you can find the address on the support page
4. Notify Proton support about the incoming payment
5. Your account credit will be topped up, and you can enjoy anonymity!

Download Proton VPN

Buy a VPN with a gift card online

While buying a VPN with cash in-store guarantees maximum anonymity, paying with gift cards online also provides strong privacy, as it doesn’t require linking credit cards or bank accounts. Besides, this way, you get more options to choose from.

For example, some VPN providers partner with payment processors that accept a wide range of retail gift cards, letting users purchase subscriptions without traditional payment methods. Additionally, certain VPN services offer subscriptions via app stores, accepting Google Play Store and Apple App Store gift cards. However, keep in mind that these platforms may store user data, reducing overall privacy.

Notably, Private Internet Access (PIA) accepts gift cards from over 70 major brands, like Starbucks, Walmart, and Best Buy. However, while gift cards help protect your identity, true anonymity also depends on the VPN provider’s account creation policies and logging practices. Always check the VPN’s privacy policy to ensure it aligns with your security needs.

Bottom line

Before buying a VPN, consider how much you value privacy and anonymity. Credit cards, PayPal, even cryptocurrencies – all of these leave some trace back to you.

If you want to get a VPN anonymously, use either cash or a gift card. For the best service, consider getting NordVPN. It offers excellent security, the fastest speeds, and plenty of extra features for a reasonable price. Plus, you can get the gift box at major US stores.

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You may also like to read:
How to bypass VPN blocks
Best Dark Web search engines
Is torrenting illegal in your country
How to unblock websites from anywhere
Best VPN for crypto trading
Most secure Web Browsers

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FAQ

Can I buy ExpressVPN with a gift card?

Yes, ExpressVPN supports gift card payments, making it a great prepaid VPN option. This allows you to pay without linking personal financial details. However, gift card purchases are non-refundable and do not qualify for the 30-day money-back guarantee.

Can I buy Surfshark using a gift card?

Yes, you can buy Surfshark with a gift card. For anonymous payment options, use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. You can buy Surfshark gift cards through third-party services like CoinGate and Bitrefill to get a prepaid VPN subscription without sharing your payment details.

How do I buy a VPN with a gift card?

Buying a VPN with a gift card is simple. First, see what kind of gift cards they accept. Then, buy the card online or in the store and use it to pay for the VPN of your choice. You can also check our step-by-step guides for buying with a gift card.

Can I gift a VPN?

Yes, you can gift a VPN. You can buy it and give the person its account details. However, NordVPN offers its service neatly packed in a gift box.

Can I pay for a VPN using a gift card?

Yes, you can pay for a VPN using a gift card from supported retailers. Depending on the provider, you can use Google Play Store, Apple App Store, or retail gift cards from third-party platforms to buy a VPN.

Can I use a gift card on NordVPN?

Yes, you can buy NordVPN with a gift card, but only through third-party resellers. Alternatively, boxed copies of NordVPN are available at Walmart, Target, and Best Buy, letting you pay in cash for more privacy.

Why pay for a VPN with a gift card?

Paying for a VPN with a gift card is one of the best ways to stay untraceable. This ensures that your personal information isn't linked to the payment. As a result, you remain truly anonymous. For more details, check out the pros and cons section on using gift cards.

Is using a credit card for a VPN gift card safe?

No, I do not advise using a credit or debit card to purchase VPN gift cards. That’s because your payment details are stored and can be tracked down if needed. Therefore, I highly suggest using cash to buy gift cards for VPNs.

Does Mullvad accept gift cards?

Even though Mullvad doesn't have traditional gift cards, it provides alternative purchase methods, like physical voucher cards and cash payments. To buy Mullvad anonymously with cash, all you have to do is place your payment token and money in an envelope and mail it to the provider.