5 Safest Ways to Pay For a VPN Anonymously

Protecting your privacy online goes beyond just using a VPN service – it also depends on how you pay for it. While credit cards and PayPal are convenient, they can tie your identity to your account.

If you’re looking to pay for a VPN anonymously, it’s important to choose a payment method that keeps your name, billing address, and banking details private. In this guide, you’ll learn all of the ways you can pay for a VPN without compromising your privacy.

Why Pay Anonymously for a VPN?

Even if you’re buying a VPN that follows a strict no-logs policy, paying with a regular bank card can leave you exposed. Your bank, the payment processor, and potentially the authorities can tie the purchase back to you. Whether you’re a journalist, whistleblower, activist, or in a country with strict internet controls – anonymous payment methods can offer you important peace of mind.

Advantages of Paying Anonymously

✔️ Makes It Harder to Trace

Paying anonymously keeps your real identity separate from your VPN account. Without a name, billing address, or bank account tied to your subscription, it’s much harder for your VPN usage to be traced back to you through payment records.

✔️ Reduces Risk of Data Exposure

Avoiding traditional payment methods reduces how many companies have access to your sensitive financial and personal data. With fewer third parties involved, there’s a lower chance of your information being compromised in a data breach. 

✔️ Avoids Surveillance 

For journalists, activists, whistleblowers, domestic abuse victims, or anyone living under an oppressive regime, anonymous payment methods offer an important layer of privacy and security. They can help protect users from legal, political, professional, or personal consequences and allow access to VPNs in places where simply purchasing one could attract attention.

Disadvantages of Paying Anonymously

While anonymous payment methods offer enhanced privacy, they may come with a few trade-offs:

❌ Limited Options

Not all VPN providers accept methods like gift cards, prepaid cards, or cryptocurrency. You’ll need to verify what options a provider offers before you buy.

❌ Difficulties with Refunds

Some anonymous payment types – especially cryptocurrency and gift cards – may not be eligible or may require additional steps to qualify for a refund. Price fluctuations can also make refunds for crypto payments unpredictable.

❌ Extra Setup Time

Using methods like cryptocurrency or prepaid cards can involve added steps, such as creating wallets or purchasing cards, compared to traditional payments.

❌ Potential Fees or Restrictions

Prepaid and gift cards may include activation or usage fees and might be limited in where they can be used, especially internationally.

5 Ways to Pay For a VPN Anonymously

1. Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency lets you pay without sharing banking or other personal information. It’s decentralized (no single company or government controls the network) and supports anonymous transactions. 

However, not all cryptocurrencies are anonymous. Privacy-focused coins like Monero are specifically designed to obscure transaction details, but Bitcoin transactions are publicly recorded on the blockchain and can be traced. If you’re using Bitcoin, you’ll need additional tools – like coin mixers or privacy wallets – to make your transactions harder to trace.

Many VPNs that prioritize user privacy offer crypto as a payment option. To stay more anonymous, avoid exchanges that require ID and use a private wallet when possible.

How to Pay For a VPN with Cryptocurrency

1. Set up a crypto wallet. Choose one that supports your chosen coin (e.g., Bitcoin, Monero).
2. Buy cryptocurrency. Use an exchange that does not require personal ID (where legally available).
3. Buy a VPN. Go to your VPN provider’s website, choose cryptocurrency as your payment method at checkout, and follow the prompts to complete your transaction.

Privacy Tip: Don’t pay directly from an exchange. First, move your crypto to a private wallet to help keep your identity and transaction history separate.

Pros	Cons
✔️ Highly private, especially with coins like Monero that offer built-in anonymity.	❌ Cryptocurrency can be volatile, affecting the price you pay for your VPN subscription.
✔️ Decentralized, meaning no third-party oversight or involvement.	❌ Not all VPN providers accept cryptocurrency.
✔️ Transactions are hard to trace – Monero offers built-in privacy, while Bitcoin can be anonymized with the right precautions.	❌ Refunds for cryptocurrency transactions may not be available, so always check the provider’s refund policy.

2. Prepaid Debit Cards

Prepaid debit cards, especially those bought with cash, can provide a hassle-free and anonymous way to pay for a VPN. Some require minimal information for online use, but others may need registration – so it’s worth checking that the card won’t compromise your anonymity before making a purchase. 

Prepaid cards are widely available and easy to use, though some may charge fees or not work for online or international payments.

How to Pay For a VPN with a Prepaid Debit Card

1. Choose a prepaid debit card. Where possible, choose a card that doesn’t require registration or ID verification for online use.
2. Purchase the card. For maximum anonymity, pay with cash at a retailer.
3. Go to your VPN provider’s checkout page. Enter the prepaid debit card details to complete your payment.

Pros	Cons
✔️ Simple to use and widely accepted by VPN providers.	❌ Some prepaid cards come with activation or usage fees.
✔️ When bought with cash, no personal information is required.	❌ Not all cards support international transactions.
✔️ Available at most major retailers.	❌ Some prepaid cards may still require registration for online use.

3. Gift Cards

More than just a birthday fallback, gift cards offer a smart, anonymous way to pay, especially when bought with cash. Some VPN providers accept gift cards, but availability may vary depending on the retailer and the VPN service.

How to Pay For a VPN with a Gift Card

1. Buy a physical gift card. Pay with cash at a retail store (e.g., Target, Walmart).
2. Go to your VPN provider’s checkout page. Choose the gift card payment method.
3. Enter the gift card details. Follow the instructions for redeeming your gift card to complete the transaction.

Pros	Cons
✔️ Easy and convenient.	❌ Only supported by a small number of VPN providers.
✔️ No personal details are required when bought with cash.	❌ Typically limited to specific retail gift cards only.
✔️ Good option for those without access to traditional payment methods.	❌ Limited availability in certain regions or stores.

4. Disposable Virtual Credit Cards

Disposable virtual credit cards are like digital burner phones, designed for one-time use in online purchases. They provide an additional layer of security by masking your real credit card information. However, they are not as private as cryptocurrency or cash methods, because your transaction history will remain visible to your credit card provider.

How to Pay For a VPN with a Disposable Virtual Credit Card

1. Get a disposable virtual credit card. You can do so through your bank or a third-party service.
2. Use an alias email for extra privacy. Consider signing up with a burner or masked email address to avoid linking your real identity to the disposable card.
3. Go to your VPN’s checkout page. Enter the virtual card details just like you would with a normal credit card.

Pros	Cons
✔️ Helps protect your real credit card details from merchants.	❌ May still be linked to your actual bank account.
✔️ Useful for one-off payments or short-term subscriptions.	❌ Not as private as cryptocurrency or cash-purchased prepaid cards.
✔️ Adds an extra layer of privacy for online transactions.	❌ Refunds may not process properly, especially if the VPN has a delayed refund system.

5. Cash by Mail

When it comes to anonymity, paying with cash by mail is king since it doesn’t involve sharing your personal details. You send the exact cash amount to the VPN provider’s address, with no digital trace of your transaction. However, this method is slower and may not be available for all VPN services.

How to Pay For a VPN Anonymously with Cash

1. Choose a VPN provider that accepts cash by mail. Check their website or contact support for details.
2. Select a subscription plan. Note the exact payment amount.
3. Mail the exact cash amount. You should also include your account username or order ID, as instructed by the provider.
4. Wait for confirmation. You should receive word from the provider once they’ve received your payment.

Pros	Cons
✔️ Provides the highest level of anonymity with no digital footprint.	❌ Not all VPN services accept cash payments.
✔️ No need to share any personal or financial information.	❌ Mailing can be slow, and packages may be lost without tracking.
✔️ Completely disconnects your identity from the payment process.	❌ Inconvenient for international users due to postage or currency issues.

Extra Tips to Stay Anonymous When Buying a VPN

Choosing an anonymous payment method is a great start to boosting your privacy when buying a VPN service, but it’s not the only thing you can do to protect your identity. Here are some extra steps you can take:

• Use a proxy or privacy-focused browser: Make your VPN purchase through a proxy or Tor browser to help mask your IP address and reduce the chance of linking the transaction to your real location.
• Create a new email account or use a masked email service: Set up a separate, anonymous email address just for your VPN subscription. To enhance privacy, choose an email provider that values user anonymity and avoid services that require phone number verification. 
• Turn off auto-renewal: Manual renewals reduce ongoing links between your identity and payment method.

How to Pay For PIA VPN Anonymously

Being one of the most privacy-focused VPNs on the market means PIA offers several easy ways to pay that won’t expose your personal information.

Cryptocurrency

To pay with crypto:

1. Visit our main checkout page and choose a plan. 

2. Select Cryptocurrencies > BitPay at checkout.

3. Enter the email address associated with your BitPay account and click Pay Now.

4. In the BitPay window that opens, simply log in to your BitPay account to complete the purchase.

We accept the following coins:

• Bitcoin (BTC)
• Ethereum (ETH)
• Dogecoin (DOGE)
• Shiba Inu (SHIB)
• Polygon (MATIC)
• Litecoin (LTC)
• Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
• ApeCoin (APE)
• Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC)
• USD-pegged stablecoins (GUSD, USDC, USDP, DAI, BUSD)
• Euro Coin (EUROC)

Third-Party Gift Cards

To pay with a third-party gift card:

1. Go to our gift card payments page.

2. Scroll down to the Pay anonymously with many major brand gift cards section, and click Get VPN Access.

3. Select your gift card brand.

4. Enter your gift card details following the on-screen prompts.

Here are just some of the gift card brands we accept:

• Walmart
• Target
• Amazon
• Best Buy
• Home Depot
• Apple Store and iTunes
• Starbucks
• Nike
• Lowe’s
• GameStop
• Costco
• +63 more

Prepaid Debit Cards and Disposable Virtual Credit Cards

To pay with a prepaid or disposable payment card, visit our main checkout page, choose a plan, and enter the disposable card’s details under Credit/Debit Card.

FAQ