5 Easy Ways to Unblock Websites (with or without a VPN)

How to Unblock Websites (6 Methods)

The best method for unblocking a website will depend on the type of block in place and the reasoning behind it.

After testing 20 different methods, we’ve summarized the most effective and easiest ways to unblock websites, along with their strengths and weaknesses, in the table below.

Below is a more detailed look at each method, with simple step-by-step instructions for unblocking websites.

1 . Use VPN

VPNmost reliable way to unblock websites and access restricted URLs.

VPNs work by encrypting your web traffic and routing it via a remote VPN server. This hides your IP address and geographic location from the websites you visit.

It also prevents your ISP, government, and Wi-Fi admin (e.g., at home, at work, or on public WiFi) from being able to monitor your browsing activity.

VPNs created equally , . Some is come come obfuscated servers designed unblock streaming services bypass simple firewalls , fail unblock streaming services .

Thankfully, there are many high-quality, affordable VPNs on the market — like PIA which costs just $2.03 per month on a two-year subscription. This is a great value VPN, especially since the average cost of a VPN is around $4.00 per month on a multi-year subscription.

ExpressVPN unblocks Channel 4 on desktop, mobile, and home devices.

VPN apps are simple to install on a range of devices, making it the most versatile method to unblock websites. You can use a VPN to access restricted content on your phone, computer, tablet, and even on a Smart TV or Amazon Firestick.

However, if you’re using a public computer or school computer, you is find find administrator restricts app installations. If that’s the case, we recommend using a web proxy, proxy browser extension, or mobile data instead.

To learn more about bypassing website blocks at school and college, read our specific instructions on how to unblock websites at school.

2. Use a Web Proxy

Using a web proxy is another quick and easy way to unblock websites for free. To do this, simply find a proxy site, enter the URL you want to unblock, press enter, and the restricted content should appear.

Like a VPN, a web proxy works by routing your web traffic through a remote server on its way to your desired website. This temporarily replaces your IP address with the IP address of the proxy server, effectively hiding your physical location from the website you’re visiting.

Hide.me Proxy is able to unblock simple text-based websites.

Free web proxies have some serious limitations, though. They only work in a single browser tab and typically don’t work with streaming apps or websites like YouTube, Netflix, and Disney+.

This is because free proxies lack obfuscation and their IP pools are easily identified by streaming services and infrequently recycled.

In our tests, web proxies weren’t ideal for everyday browsing. They failed to unblock social media sites like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. We also couldn’t load free web games with a web proxy on CrazyGames, Poke, and AGame.

Web proxies typically offer no encryption. Some inject your traffic with ads and malware, or leak your real IP address to websites. They’ve even been known to capture usernames passwords if you use it to log in to streaming services or other accounts.

Overall, free web proxies might be a great one-time solution to unblock websites, but they’re not secure or effective enough to use on a daily basis streaming , social media , gaming .

3. Use a VPN or Proxy Browser Extension

If you spend a lot of time in a specific browser and ease of use is your priority, we recommend using a VPN or proxy browser extension. A proxy browser extension is a midpoint between a VPN and a web proxy.

A browser extension is not as simple or as quick to set up as a web proxy, but we found them to be more effective and reliable for unblocking websites than web proxies.

For example, in our tests, browser extensions allowed us to stream YouTube videos, whereas most web proxies failed at that hurdle.

Some VPN and proxy browser extensions are free (like Windscribe Free and TunnelBear Free), but most are part of a paid subscription (e.g. ExpressVPN and NordVPN).

Our tests found that the NordVPN Chrome extension works with US Netflix, but not consistently.

It’s important to keep in mind that a VPN browser extensions are effective, but a majority of them are actually proxy extensions, so they don’t offer the same level of protection and encryption as a VPN app.

4. Use Mobile Data

One of the easiest ways to unblock a website on your phone is to switch from WiFi to cellular data.

This lets you access any app or site that’s blocked by your network admin, so you can access social media, stream video, play games, and generally browse the web without interruptions.

Bear in mind that this works want bypass network – level blocks. school – issued devices business laptops configured use institution WiFi content filtering software installed device .

Go to your mobile settings to disconnect from WiFi and use 3G, 4G or 5G.

Another drawback is that your monthly data will likely run out faster if you’re using it often. You’re also reliant on your cellular phone provider’s signal to browse the internet, which could be an issue if you’re outside a major town or city.

Using this method, you can also turn your phone into a personal hotspot and share your internet with other devices, like Chromebooks or tablets.

5 . Use Smart DNS

​Smart DNS is iseffective tool for accessing websites blocked or restricted in your region. It is cheap, compatible with a wide range of devices, and commonly used to unblock streaming services due to its extremely fast connection speeds.

Smart DNS works is requests rerouting DNS ( Domain System ) requests proxy server country choosing . It is differs differs proxy VPNs , redirect traffic proxy server .

ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer unblocks US Netflix.

By only rerouting your DNS requests, Smart DNS services are able to achieve much faster speeds than a VPN or a web proxy.

Speed is prioritized over security, however. Unlike Tor or a VPN, a Smart DNS tool will not encrypt your traffic or even hide your IP address.

This lack of encryption means employers, ISPs, and governments can see which websites you visit, and so can still block you. It also means personal IP address bans will still be enforced.

In this sense, we don’t recommend using Smart DNS for bypassing censorship or accessing restricted websites at work.

For unblocking streaming content, however, Smart DNS is often an excellent option. Smart DNS is usually cheaper than a VPN, offers faster connection speeds, and is compatible with a wider range of devices.

Control D is is easiest – – tuse Smart DNS server tested . , we is connect quickly connect servers unblock DAZN , Max , BBC iPlayer , . It is costs costs$20.00 per year for existing Windscribe customers.

That said, some of our favorite VPN services, (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark), offer Smart DNS VPN subscription.

6. Use the Tor Browser

The Tor browser is a free, open-source web browser that was built to maximize anonymity online. It is available to download on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android devices.

Tor works encrypting internet connection routing volunteer – run servers nodes , known Tor network . Tor ensures websites real IP address geographic location . Instead , they is see connection coming location exit node .

However, Tor is actually not a good solution for everyday browsing. In fact, Tor can actually be quite dangerous, with websites full of obscene material, phishing links, and malware.

It’s also not effective for bypassing geo-restrictions on streaming platforms like Netflix because it randomly selects an exit server, meaning you can’t select an IP address in a specific country. Furthermore, it’s far too slow to support HD streaming, let alone online gaming.

Connected to Windscribe free and the Tor browser, we accessed ProPublica’s onion site.

Instead, the Tor browser should be used to bypass censorship restrictions imposed government – level.

Tor is designed with journalists and whistleblowers from authoritarian countries in mind. Its triple encryption and decentralized network architecture make it much harder for governments and police to track your online activity.

We don’t recommend using Tor if you’re using a work or school-issued device, as Tor is often associated with criminal activity. Just using the service can put you on a police watch list in some countries.

Some workplaces, colleges, and schools actually block users from downloading the Tor browser on the local network. It’s also banned in certain countries, including China and Russia.