Although the best VPN can get you access to overseas content, there are very few true fake GPS VPN services on the market. That means that while websites will show you different content because your traffic is coming from a different server, mobile apps with location tracking enabled will still be able to tell exactly where you are.
Unfortunately, location spoofing is almost impossible to do on iOS, and while there are some programs you can use to fake GPS locations while your iPhone is plugged in to your PC, there’s not a good option for location spoofing on the go without jailbreaking your device.
On Android, though, you’ve got a few more options. One is to combine any VPN with a fake GPS app, and these are easily found in the Play Store. However, there’s one service that combines a premium VPN service with an in-built fake GPS function, and it just so happens that it’s the cheapest VPN that’s worth signing up to: Surfshark.
What makes a great fake GPS VPN?
What sets Surfshark apart from its rivals is the fact that it’s got a fake GPS system built in. That means that you don’t have to trust or rely on any other apps to change your location. However, seeing as there are other apps that can do that, many people might ask why you need a VPN at all.
It all comes down to IP addresses. If you’re changing your location to trick an app in order to use it in a way you’re not supposed to (Pokémon GO, for example), the app will typically compare your GPS location to your IP address. If your GPS says you’re in Spain but your IP address is in New York, the app will notice this and stop you using it – possibly banning your account in the process.
By using a VPN to match your IP to your GPS location, you can get around this – and Surfshark is the only service to do all of this in one app.
1. Surfshark – the best fake GPS VPN on the market
Surfshark is the only VPN on the market that has a built-in fake GPS location feature. Combined with its excellent performance and simple-to-use apps, Surfshark is a one-stop shop for staying private and effectively changing your location – and at only $2.49/mo, it’s incredible value, too.View Deal
2. ExpressVPN – the best fake GPS VPN alternative
If you don’t mind having to use a separate fake GPS app, our #1-rated VPN is ExpressVPN. With over 3,000 servers in 94 countries, class-leading privacy features and intuitive apps, it’s a full package. Plus, Tom’s Guide readers can claim a mega three months free on a year-long plan.View Deal
3. NordVPN – big name is a great all-rounder
NordVPN is great for streaming, security, and just about everything else – and with over 5,000 servers worldwide it’s got great reach, too. While not quite as brilliant on the whole as Express, it’s a worthy contender and is also great value at just $3.71 a month.View Deal
The best fake GPS VPNs today
Although Surfshark may be best-known for being a bargain VPN provider that offers a powerful yet simple experience, it’s got another ace up its sleeve that no one seems to talk about: in-built GPS location spoofing.
Yes, Surfshark’s Android app is the only VPN app on the market that can both route you through encrypted servers plus give you a fake GPS location – and while it is only available on Android, that’s more than any other provider can say.
This makes use of Android’s Mock Locations feature, and makes the process far simpler than trying to use a VPN in tandem with a dedicated fake GPS app. Plus, keeping it all under one roof means less human error on your part, and more accessing blocked content and location-spoofing fun.
However, Surfshark wouldn’t top this list if it wasn’t a stellar VPN in its own right, and even without the GPS feature it’s a safe choice. With 1,700+ servers in over 63 locations with private DNS on every one, plus excellent streaming powers that can unblock Netflix, iPlayer, Hulu and tons more, it’s an excellent all-round privacy solution.
Granted, it’s not quite as fully featured as some of the VPNs further down this list, but as the only one that can spoof your location without using a separate app, we had to place it first.
And we haven’t even mentioned the price – just $2.49 a month when you sign up to an annual plan. Combined with unlimited simultaneous connections Surfshark offers great value, and if you want to trick your apps into thinking you’re somewhere else, it should be your first choice.
Great value plus built-in fake GPS
With plenty of servers, GPS spoofing, unlimited simultaneous connections and one of the cheapest prices on the market, Surfshark pretty much has it all. Plus, you’ll also get a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test it out for yourself and make sure it works.
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At Tom’s Guide, we think ExpressVPN is the best service on the market – but unfortunately the one feature it lacks is an in-built fake GPS spoofer. However, if you’d rather have ExpressVPN than Surfshark (we don’t blame you), it’s really easy to combine it with a different fake GPS app to get similar results.
Beyond spoofing your location, though, ExpressVPN handles pretty much every other VPN task with ease. Want to stream Netflix from the USA, France, Japan or pretty much anywhere else? Express has got you covered. You’ll also be able to get BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu and loads more.
You’ll have private DNS on every server, a wide choice of protocols, a kill switch, split tunneling, and a simple but powerful interface that will please newbies and experts alike, all alongside class-leading speeds on just about every server.
If we had to find a fault, it’d be the fact that Express only offers five simultaneous connections – but you can still install the app on as many devices as you like and simply log in and out to get around this.
If you’re looking for the best service overall and don’t mind having to use another app to adjust your GPS location, ExpressVPN could be the one to go for.
Get 49% off plus 3 free month of ExpressVPN
Tom’s Guide readers can get three free months of ExpressVPN by signing up to its 12 month plan – and you’ll be protected and spoofing your location as soon as you download a separate fake GPS app. Plus, you’ll be covered by 24/7 live-chat support and a 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal
As the biggest name in the VPN world, NordVPN lives up to the hype and delivers an excellent security-focused experience that millions of people trust the world over.
One reason for this is its massive server network that delivers good speeds pretty much everywhere, but what really impresses is Nord’s focus on security. With 2048-bit double encryption your data will be as safe as can be, but it doesn’t stop there.
You’ll get Onion over VPN which utilises the encrypted Tor network, Double VPN which will send your connection through two servers, and a wide range of obfuscated server. The latter are especially useful for accessing the web in authoritarian regimes like China and the UAE.
There’s also a great balance of usability, too, and the apps on all devices are simple and intuitive. However, the map-based interface on Android and iPhone can prove to be a little clunky, so we recommend just going straight to the server list. And, of course, it doesn’t have a built-in fake GPS feature.
Overall, though, NordVPN is an excellent service, and usually comes in well under $4 a month, offering a great combination of power and value.
Sign up now on the NordVPN website
IPVanish has been one of the top-rated VPNs on the market for a long time now, and although not quite up there with the very best any more, it’s still a worthwhile option – especially for users in the US thanks to searing speeds in the States.
Again, it doesn’t have a built-in fake GPS feature, but will work well with any third-party spoofing app you choose.
While IPVanish’s aesthetics are somewhat divisive, we commend the choice of both the distinct color scheme and displaying quite so much information about what the app is doing at any one time. Many rivals keep everything behind the scenes, but IPVanish displays rolling graphs of data used, connection speeds, and tons more.
If you’re a streaming fan you’ll be pleased too, because IPVanish can get access to Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and a bunch more. However, if you’re looking to stream British TV you might be out of luck, as we struggled to access BBC iPlayer in our testing.
If IPVanish has caught your eye, every plan includes 250GB of free SugarSync cloud storage. If you’re after storage and VPN, this could be your best option.
Sign up now on the IPVanish website
CyberGhost is hugely popular, with over 10 million users around the world. We can see why, too, as while it lacks a dedicated fake GPS function, it has a unique server filtering feature that makes it super easy to get great speeds for whatever you want to do.
Combine that with a vast number of servers in 90 countries, and you’ll have a huge range of locations to explore when your fire up your third-party fake GPS app.
But, while it’s got a massive network and excellent streaming power, CyberGhost’s apps just aren’t quite up to scratch with the very best in the business. They seem a little crude in comparison, but if you can get past that they’re still very functional – and we can’t forget to comment on how affordable the service is (very!).
Sign up now on the CyberGhost website
Fake GPS VPN FAQ
Is a fake GPS VPN legal?
Using a a fake GPS VPN isn’t illegal itself. However, using one to break the law certainly is.
If you’re using a fake GPS VPN to trick apps like Pokémon GO, be aware that doing so is probably against the app’s Ts&Cs. If you get found out, expect to lose functionality or perhaps even have your account terminated.
What can I use a fake GPS VPN for?
Other than changing your location in Pokémon GO, GPS spoofing is useful for other things.
If you’re worried about apps like Messenger, Instagram, Airbnb and Google Maps tracking your location, changing your GPS will keep your true location truly private. Even apps like Uber and Snapchat which use your location for certain legitimate reasons might feel intrusive, so with Surfshark you can keep them at bay until you need to use them.
