5 best VPNs for Sweden in 2022 (dependable privacy and streaming)

A vast percentage of the Swedish population has access to the internet. Also, there isn’t censorship, and residents enjoy high rates of online freedom. However, this does not mean that scammers and other cyber criminals won’t get to you.

Moreover, the country is a member of the 14 Eyes Alliance, so it has data retention laws. This means that your data is not safe from government authorities.

Considering these issues, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is becoming a necessity in Sweden. It will encrypt your web traffic, making it impossible for third parties to read your data. In addition, you’ll be able to unblock international content like Netflix US and Disney+. Furthermore, if you plan to travel abroad, you can stay in touch with your favorite Swedish movies and TV shows with a VPN.

In this article, we’ll show you why using a VPN is essential in Sweden, the very best providers, the services to avoid, and much more.

A quick rundown of the best Sweden VPNs

We will cover each VPN in detail later in the article, but if you are short on time right now, here is a summary of our top choices after rigorous testing and research:

1. NordVPN – Our number one recommended VPN for Sweden. Remarkable unblocking capabilities, blazing speeds, Network Lock, AES 256-bit encryption, and 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark – Best budget-friendly Sweden VPN. Robust security and privacy features, unlimited simultaneous connections, bypasses most geo-restrictions, camouflage mode, and kill switch.
3. ExpressVPN – Boasts affordable plans to browse with Swedish IP address. Massive server network, DNS leak protection, perfect forward secrecy, CyberSec ad blocker, zero-logs policy, P2P support, and 24/7 live chat.
4. PrivateVPN – Best beginner-friendly VPN to unblock content in Sweden. Easy to install and use apps, the highest security levels, unlimited bandwidth, compatible with all major devices and multiple protocols.
5. IPVanish – All-round VPN for Sweden. Unrestricted device connections, kill switch, no-logs policy, military-grade encryption, and cryptocurrency payment option.

What you should look for in a VPN for Sweden

Currently, there are thousands of VPN services due to their increased popularity, which makes it challenging to choose the right one. This section covers essential things you need to consider when choosing a VPN provider.

Security and privacy

A good VPN should secure your connections and maintain privacy. So, before subscribing to a VPN, take a look at the security features it has to offer. Some standard features include AES encryption, kill switch, malware protection, double VPN, etc. Conversely, the VPN should not store any information that can identify you.

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Bypasses geo-blocks

Besides keeping you safe, the right VPN should bypass geo-restrictions seamlessly. When you connect to a server, the VPN should give you an IP address of the server location without failing. It will enable you to get around any geographic restriction and access streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, etc. Unfortunately, some VPNs have fewer IP addresses that are easily blocked. Therefore, choose a VPN with a large pool of IP addresses that are recycled regularly.

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Server network

A general rule of thumb is that the more the servers, the better the speeds. This is because having the vast network allows a VPN to handle high traffic efficiently, so there’ll be less congestion. Also, you’ll have numerous options to choose from if one of your connections fails. In addition, with a massive network, you can access exclusive content from any country you want.

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Speed

When connected to a VPN, the internet speed is slightly slower than using the direct connection. This is due to the encryption process and other additional security features. Regardless, choose a VPN that can maintain reliable and consistent speeds. You can check our VPN speed tests to see how different services perform. Finally, an important tip to improve your speed is connecting to a server close to your location.

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Customer support

Everything is prone to encountering issues, VPNs are not an exception either. A reliable provider should have dependable customer support available all the time. Hence, choose a service that offers a 24/7 live chat and other communication means such as phone, email, and request form.

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Best VPNs for Sweden today

Now that you know what makes a VPN best, it’s time to see top ones that perform as promised.

The following providers are tested for offering high-quality services. They will protect your data and maintain your privacy in Sweden, as well as give you access to any geo-blocked content on the internet.

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is an excellent option if you want to unblock streaming platforms in Sweden. This is because it has over 140 servers in Sweden, which will help you overcome the geographic restrictions quickly. Overall, its network features more than 5000 servers dispersed in 60 countries. As a result, you wouldn’t have any problem accessing geo-blocked content in other parts of the world.

Most VPNs are unable to unblock Netflix. However, NordVPN will give you easy access to any Netflix library you want. It also works well with other streaming services such as Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, etc.

Usually, connecting to a VPN server will slow your connection because of the additional security features. But, NordVPN uses high-quality servers, and you won’t notice any drop in your speed. In addition, it has recently introduced the Nordlynx protocol that helps to improve the speeds significantly.

The VPN will protect your data with the AES 256-bit encryption, which has become standard in the industry. Additionally, it uses perfect forward secrecy to assign you a new encryption key every time you start a VPN session.

Unlike other VPNs, NordVPN offers two kill switches: internet kill switch and app kill switch. The internet kill switch works by cutting your internet traffic if the VPN connection drops out of the blue. Conversely, the app kill switch lets you choose the apps to close when the VPN connection is compromised. Both features are not automatic, but you can easily activate them in the settings.

Another NordVPN’s feature is the inbuilt CyberSec ad blocker. It not only effectively prevents annoying ads, but also blocks trackers and malware. This feature will come in handy to obstruct the annoying advertisements on YouTube or other websites with aggressive ads.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is an excellent value VPN service for Sweden. It has native apps for almost all devices such as macOS, Windows, Android, Linux, iOS, and Amazon Fire Stick. All the apps are pretty much the same, and navigating through them is straightforward. The best part is that Surfshark supports unlimited connections on a single subscription.

Recently, the service has been extending its network and now operates more than 3200 servers in 65 countries. Therefore, accessing geo-restricted sites in other locations like the US or Canada will be easy if you reside in Sweden. Also, some servers are located in Sweden, which means you’ll be able to unblock websites and access local content when overseas.

Surfshark can maintain reliable and consistent speeds. We tested the servers in different locations and didn’t suffer any noticeable slowdowns no matter the activity we did. The quick-connect feature will automatically connect you to the fastest server, but you can also connect to any server manually.

It will protect your connections with AES 256-bit encryption, which is almost impossible to break. Furthermore, the provider uses diskless servers that delete all data automatically every time you end the VPN session. On top of that, IKEv2 is the default protocol, but you can also choose OpenVPN, Shadowsocks, and WireGuard protocols.

The MultiHop servers will help you add extra security if you are concerned with your privacy in Sweden. Also known as double VPN, this feature will route your traffic through two servers rather than one. However, it will take a toll on your speeds significantly.

Another feature worth mentioning is the Camouflage Mode. If you are a Swedish expatriate in a country with heavy censorship like China, it will disguise your VPN activities. This Surfshark’s feature is also known as obfuscation and will make your connection look like regular traffic.

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3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is probably the best Sweden VPN service. It is compatible with major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. Installing the apps is super easy regardless of the device you are using.

The VPN runs several servers in Sweden. This means you can get a Swedish IP address to watch Allsvenskan or any other local content if you have traveled abroad. Moreover, it has more than 3,000 servers in over 94 countries worldwide. Therefore, if you are in Sweden, you’ll be able to stream international content like Peacock TV, Hulu, Disney+, etc. seamlessly.

The provider will keep you safe with various high-level security features. First, there is a combination of AES 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, 4096-bit RSA key, AES 256-bit cipher, and SHA-512 HMAC authentication. Second, the service supports multiple connection protocols such as OpenVPN UDP/TCP, L2TP/IPsec, and PPTP. Also, it has a Network Lock feature (kill switch) that will secure your IP address and traffic if the VPN stops working accidentally.

Speed is one of the critical factors to consider when looking for a VPN. Fortunately, ExpressVPN servers produce incredible speeds to handle almost all online activities. For example, during testing, we could stream movies in full HD and torrent without any issues.

All the VPNs make bold assertions on their official sites that they’ll keep you private online. However, there are all kinds of loopholes in the fine print of their privacy policies. This means they might be storing users’ data behind the scenes. However, ExpressVPN’s policy is apparent that it doesn’t retain any connection or activity logs. In fact, it has been audited by third-party security inspectors such as Cure53 and PwC to confirm the claims.

ExpressVPN allows you to connect up to 5 simultaneous connections regardless of the plan you choose. It has an app for routers, which is rare (a great point) — meaning you can protect all the devices in your household, even those that don’t support VPNs.

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4. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is the best VPN to bypass Swedish content geo-restrictions. In fact, it is based in Sweden with servers in Gothenburg, Stockholm, and Kista.

The VPN has a network of only 200 server locations in 63 countries. This is relatively small compared to established services like NordVPN. Nonetheless, it is still able to maintain reliable speeds and good connections for most online activities.

PrivateVPN allows you to choose the encryption level depending on your connection. For example, AES 126-bit is lightweight and hence a bit faster than AES 256-bit. However, the latter is more secure. In addition, the VPN also offers multiple security protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, IPsec, and L2TP/IPsec. OpenVPN UDP is the default protocol, but you can switch to the other options in the settings.

As mentioned earlier, the provider is headquartered in Sweden, which is part of the 14 Eyes Alliance. This is a group of countries that collect and share information about their citizens. However, PrivateVPN is committed to protecting your online privacy by following a strict no-logs policy. This means it does not store any data, so there will be no information to hand over even when authorities force it.

PrivateVPN provides dedicated apps for all major devices such as Android, Windows, iOS, and macOS. There are also installation guides for Kodi, Linux, and routers. The apps are relatively similar, except that the kill switch is only available on the Windows app.

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5. IPVanish

IPVanish is a well-established service to browse with a Swedish IP address. It provides consistent connections and a good list of security features to keep you safe.

The mark of a reliable VPN is its ability to get past VPN blocks and geo-restrictions. Fortunately, IPVanish offers over 40,000 IP addresses that are recycled regularly. As a result, your connections are unlikely to get blocked by popular streaming websites like BBC iPlayer or Netflix.

Buffering is an issue that can spoil your streaming experience. While our latency suffered a bit during testing, it remained within the normal ranges. Also, the drop in our speed was barely noticeable when watching HD videos online.

It will safeguard your data and traffic with AES 256-bit encryption. So, even if authorities and malicious actors manage to intercept your connection, they’ll just see random letters and numbers.

The automatic kill switch will prevent your IP address from accidentally leaking in case the VPN connection drops. Unfortunately, IPvanish offers this feature only on Windows and macOS.

Did you know that your DNS requests can route through the ISP’s servers even when using a VPN? This can reveal your location and allow third parties to track your activities. IPVanish uses DNS leak protection to prevent this from happening.

IPVanish has apps for major platforms such as macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Chromebook, Linux, and Fire TV. Fortunately, it allows you to connect as many devices as you want with a single subscription. This is good news for small businesses or households with multiple devices.

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Can I use a free VPN in Sweden?

In this article, we have presented you with the top five subscription-based VPNs for Sweden. However, you will probably come across entirely free services in your hunt for an appropriate provider. The offering may be tempting, but we advise you not to fall into the trap.

First, since they don’t charge anything, they provide inadequate security features. As a result, there is no guarantee that you’ll be safe online. In fact, hackers and other malicious third parties can hijack your connection and steal your information. However, premium services like ExpressVPN and NordVPN use the latest security features such as military-grade encryption, kill switch, and perfect forward secrecy. This helps to keep completely safe and private online. 

Second, many free VPNs devise several ways to monetize their services. One common way is blasting users with advertisements, which come with malware. Another method of making money is by selling subscribers’ data to third parties. Most premium services follow a strict no-logs policy and do not retain any identifiable data. However, free VPNs have poor logging practices and store sensitive information such as IP address, timestamps, location, etc.

As mentioned earlier, a VPN affects internet speeds. Premium providers counter this by using high-quality infrastructure and providing expansive server networks. However, free VPNs offer few servers because of the limited resources. In most cases, the servers are congested, which reduces the speeds significantly.

Is there any safe free VPN in Sweden?

Above are some of the reasons why we urge you to avoid free VPNs. Nonetheless, there are a few reliable options you can use in Sweden for basic activities like browsing. They include:

ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a great choice if you want to download a free Sweden VPN. The good news is that it is a premium service that offers a free plan. However, you will only access servers in three countries and connect one device. Fortunately, this is the only free version VPN that does not have data limitations or intrusive ads. Also, it has a no-logs policy and is protected by Swiss privacy laws.

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Trust Zone

Trust Zone is a Seychelles-based VPN service. It provides a 1GB bandwidth limit on the free plan, which has an expiration period of three days. Remarkably, it’ll protect your connections with L2TP and OpenVPN security protocols. Other notable advantages include easy-to-use mobile apps and a cryptocurrency payment option if you want to upgrade to paid plans.

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VPNs to avoid in Sweden

Some VPNs have been caught illegally mining users’ data to sell to the highest bidder to make a quick profit. Others have collaborated with authorities leading to the arrest of users. Here are the providers you should avoid.

Hide My Ass (HMA)

HMA is a UK-based VPN service that has been featured in many reviews. However, in 2011, it allegedly handed over the login credentials of a user suspected of hacking Sony Pictures. That was inverse of the company claims that it has a no-logs policy and doesn’t store data. These actions contradict the assertions, and that is why you shouldn’t use the VPN.

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Betternet

Betternet VPN seems like a decent option as it is relatively fast and allows numerous simultaneous connections. In addition, on its website, the provider claims that it does not show any advertisements. On the contrary, selling ads is one of its main ways to make money. As a result, you’ll start receiving annoying ads immediately when you start a session.

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Hola

Hola VPN is an Israeli-based VPN service that became famous for creating a browser extension that easily circumvents geo-restriction. However, in 2015, the service was caught engaging in suspicious activities like selling users’ bandwidth, monitoring browsing history, and diverting traffic. These violations of privacy are the reason you should avoid the provider.

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Why should I use a VPN in Sweden?

Although Sweden is a first-world country, still, consumption of pirated content is very high in the country. In fact, the biggest torrenting site, The Pirates Bay, was founded by Swedish think tank Piratbyran. Moreover, New York Times indicates that Swedes downloaded over 280 million copyrighted TV shows and movies. In total, the article estimates that the country loses almost $100 million every year due to piracy.

Lately, Sweden has been trying to remove the perception it is a hub for illegal content and streaming. For example, a court ruling issued in February 2018 compelled an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to deliver names of users who download illicit content.

That generated heated debate, with the ISP turning down the request to uphold its customers’ privacy. The matter is currently under appeal. If the decision is upheld, other ISPs in the country may be forced to provide users’ identifiable information.

Another reason why you should use a VPN in Sweden is the Spridningskollen (Sharing Watch). This is an initiative established by a PR agency, Prime, and debt collector, Gothia Law. They work for copyright holders Noble Entertainment, Scanbox Entertainment, Crystalis Entertainment, and Atlantic. Generally, the initiative lets the copyright holders access your internet data through your ISP without permission from the courts or police.

Spridningskollen uses special software to see whether you are downloading pirated content. If you are caught, you can be charged a fine of up to $250 for each violation. While the indictment rate has been slow, you can still get into trouble. The involvement of a private debt collector worsens the situation as it’ll be aggressive to demand payments and track your online activities.

So, if you are torrenting directly without any extra security in Sweden, you are putting yourself in danger and at risk of subpoenas. In fact, Spridningskollen cooperates with some ISPs and shares part of the collection.

Does Sweden have strong privacy laws?

Swedish privacy laws are mixed a bit. On one side, measures have been put in place to ensure residents access the web freely and unrestricted. This is in line with the country’s image as a vibrant democracy and beacon for human liberty and free speech.

However, the stance on the enforcement of intellectual property is threatening personal freedom. As mentioned in the previous section, copyright trolls and private debt collectors are harassing unsuspecting residents.

Furthermore, the FRA law that gives state authorities to surveil internet traffic came into effect in 2009. This sparked debate as the provisions proposed by the law contravened the mandate of surveillance proposed by the European Commission.

Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) tried to compel their customers to pay for VoIP services like Skype. For example, one of the biggest telecommunication providers in the country, TeliaSonera, attempted this in 2012. However, it was forced to withdraw the plans after intense criticism.

Sweden at the forefront of internet privacy

The Kingdom of Sweden has a long-standing history of free speech. Moreover, being neighbors to temperate Nazi Germany made them commit to it to the man. During the early adoption of the Web, Sweden created a secure infrastructure while other countries lagged behind. 

There is a sense in the country that they were among the first to use the internet. In fact, the government got involved way early before the controlling, surveilling, and selling of data online. These were the innocent days before the system got corrupted by malicious actors and punitive laws.

Basically, internet usage in Sweden began on the right foot, and they don’t want it to deteriorate. Moreover, most people currently working in government got accustomed to this system, and it works for them. So, why would they change it?

Sweden is one of the few countries that advocate for internet privacy. This is the actual internet that does not have any form of censorship, as it is meant to be.

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How to access Netflix libraries in Sweden?

It is no secret that Netflix supplies content depending on the geographic location. So, for example, if you open your Netflix account in Sweden normally, it’ll present you with the Sweden library. This does not matter if you registered your account in Canada or the US.

The only way to bypass these restrictions and access Netflix content from any country is by using a VPN. For instance, if you are in Sweden, you can connect to the US server to stream Netflix US.

Lately, Netflix has been blocking VPNs due to licensing issues. In most cases, you’ll receive an error message if you use a blocked VPN to access your account. However, the providers we’ve highlighted above work well with the service.

Watching Swedish TV and accessing banking services from overseas

Many Swedish residents travel abroad for various reasons, including work, education, and tourism. With a Swedish IP address, you can be able to watch local programs or use online banking from anywhere.

The dominating Swedish Television networks include TV4 Group, Sveriges Television, Discovery Networks Sweden, and Modern Times Group. They provide a wide range of free free-to-stream and paid packages you can choose from. Some will allow you to use an IP address from any country, while others will only work with a Swedish-specific one.

On the other hand, banks and financial institutions don’t use geo-blocks. However, most of them put strict compliance controls preventing you from accessing your account with a non-local IP address. This means you’ll have to go through a myriad of security questions or get in touch with customer support.

The best solution in both cases is to connect to a VPN server in Sweden to get a Swedish IP address. Besides protecting your connections, you’ll be able to access anything you want in the country if you are abroad.

Conclusion

Sweden does not censor internet usage like many other countries such as China and Iran. However, recently enacted laws allow authorities to surveil users online, which can compromise your privacy. Also, cyber crimes have increased in the country, with data breaches as the primary concern.

These are some strong reasons why you should consider using a VPN in Sweden. Apart from protecting your data and traffic, it will also enable you to unblock content worldwide. Among all the options available, NordVPN is our top choice as it operates multiple servers in Sweden, boasts robust security, and has a reputation for bypassing geo-restrictions.