Mashable: Retain access to this new and exciting technology with the help of a VPN.

Not so long ago, artificial intelligence was just something people spoke about in movies set in the distant future. Now, it seems like it's all anyone is talking about. Advancements have been sudden and dramatic. There's still so much we don't know, but what's clear is that artificial intelligence is here to stay. And it's going to change the way we all live our lives.

A lot of the artificial intelligence discussion has centred around ChatGPT, and it's easy to see why. This artificial intelligence chatbot has been making waves with human-like conversations that at times defy belief.

What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence chatbot created by OpenAI and released towards the end of 2022. What's a chatbot? A chatbot is a computer program that uses AI and natural language processing to understand the questions you enter and automate responses, simulating human conversation.

It's difficult to describe something that's so new to the world, but the best way to better understand ChatGPT is to give it a try. You can ask questions and make requests of ChatGPT, and this self-learning AI tool will respond. We think you'll be impressed by what you get back. You might also be a little scared, and that's OK.

Do you need a VPN for ChatGPT?
In the most simplest terms, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide protection for your data and identity when you're online. They offer this service by creating a private network that hides your real IP address, making all of your activity untraceable and secure. It is this act that could be useful when it comes to ChatGPT.

It is not possible to access ChatGPT from certain countries such as Iran, China, Russia, and Egypt. Italy also banned the chatbot over concerns about its privacy policy and data protection, but has since restored access after these issues were addressed. On top of this, plenty of schools and workplaces have shut down access to ChatGPT. Schools obviously care about the potential for cheating, whilst many workplaces are trying to limit the risk of sensitive information being exposed. This reasoning seems totally justified, but it does mean that those seeking to use ChatGPT without bad intentions will also be blocked. And that seems a touch unfair.

VPNs can hide your real IP address and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can bypass restrictions to access ChatGPT from anywhere in the world. The process is quick and easy:

Sign up for a leading VPN
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports ChatGPT
Connect to ChatGPT
It really is that easy. There are plenty of services that can make light work of this task, including popular options like ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access. The best service for you will depend on a number of factors.

What should you consider when selecting a VPN?
Before you make any sort of decision on the best VPN for accessing ChatGPT, you should consider connection speed, server network, number of logins, security features, and privacy policy:

Connection speed — Even the very best services are going to produce a drop in your connection speed, but you shouldn't accept anything that is going to stop you from doing your day-to-day tasks. This probably goes without saying, but sure you select a VPN that doesn't negatively impact your connection speed to the point that you can't use ChatGPT without disruption.

Encryption — Whilst it's important to take note of the grade of encryption provided by your VPN, the best options will all offer powerful protection for your data. This is obviously massively important when bypassing online restrictions put in place by institutions.

Number of connections — Some of the best VPNs let you connect an unlimited number of devices with the same account, whilst others limit you to just a single device. Prioritise services that offer multiple simultaneous connections so you can enjoy the benefits of a VPN connection of all your devices.

Privacy policy — Pay close attention to the data-handling, storage, and usage practices of a VPN. Most VPNs require access to your IP address, online transactions, and browsing history, plus your personal details when you sign up. Your VPN of choice should not store these details under any circumstances. Any VPN worth your consideration should clearly lay out its data handling practises in a privacy policy.

Server network — You should seek out a VPN that offers the potential to connect to thousands of geographically diverse servers. This is useful because you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for accessing ChatGPT from anywhere in the world.

You also need to be conscious of things like price and subscription plans, but these features are a good starting point for anyone looking to invest in their first VPN.

Should you use free VPNs?
We'll start with the good news: There are plenty of free versions of popular VPNs, and free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan. The bad news is that there does tend to be a catch with free versions, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. These plans will work fine if you're just an occasional user, but this simply isn't going to work for anyone who lives online. Free trials come with everything you get in a paid plan, but they obviously don't last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.

You get what you pay for with VPNs, and the best option for securely accessing ChatGPT from anywhere in the world is with a paid subscription. To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you will need to invest. We're sorry to break it to you like this.

What is the best VPN for ChatGPT?
We have carefully researched all the leading VPNs and lined up a selection of the very best services for ChatGPT. We have tried to find something for everyone and every budget, and you can find popular services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost VPN in this roundup.

These are the best VPNs for ChatGPT in 2023.

CyberGhost VPN

Best For Newbies

The good
Easy to use Good value No restrictions on browsing Generous money-back guarantee
The Bad
No free version Not as many servers as NordVPN
The Bottomline
CyberGhost could be the best option if you're new to the VPN game, and want an easy to use service with a strong set of features.
Specs
1 year plan: £4.59/month
1-year plan: £3.45/month
2 year plan: £3.09/month
2-year plan: £2.98/month
3 year plan: £2.10/month
3-year plan: £1.59/month
Jurisdiction: Romania
Kill switch: Yes
Money-back guarantee: Yes (14 days with monthly plans, 45 days with long-term plans, ); free 24-hour trial
Monthly: £10.29/month
Monthly plan: $12.99/month
Most recent external audit: 2022
Network size: Over 9,100 servers in 91 countries
One-year plan: $4.29/month (billed $51.48 every year)
Pricing: $2.11-$12.99/month
Simultaneous connections: 7
Split tunneling: Yes, but only for Android
Support options: Live chat, online support center
Three-year plan: £2.10/month
Three-year plan + 3 months: $2.29/month (billed $89.31 every three years)
Three-year plan + three months for free: £1.59 per month
Two-year plan: $3.25/month (billed $78 every two years)
CyberGhost is a VPN that combines a lot of the essentials that you want from a service. It’s available in loads of locations, it’s not restrictive, and it’s discreet. CyberGhost hosts over 4500 servers in 90 locations across over 60 different countries. This makes CyberGhost a preferred VPN for those that travel the world for business or pleasure. It doesn't place restrictions on browsing habits, so users benefit from unlimited traffic and bandwidth. CyberGhost utilises 256-AES bit encryption to protect your payment info from cyber-criminals and hide your browsing data from ISPs. So you can rest assured that your sensitive data is secure. CyberGhost is one of the leading VPNs because it is able to combine usability with unique tools and powerful features, as well as a privacy policy that protects customers. In a nutshell, it does what a VPN should, without the unnecessary frills that sometimes populate other services. There is not a free service, but CyberGhost can usually be picked up for just £2.10 a month, depending on what deal is being offered. If the price is currently too high for you, then chances are CyberGhost will offer a special discounted price soon enough. If you do take the plunge on CyberGhost, then rest assured that, just like NordVPN, you do get a 45-day money back guarantee.

NordVPN

Best For Security

The good
Money-back guarantee Number of servers No ads
The Bad
On the pricier side
The Bottomline
One of the most popular services on the market, due to large number of servers and high degree of privacy.
Specs
1 year plan: £5.35/month
1-year plan: £3.64/month
2 year plan: £3.05/month
2-year plan: £2.91/month
3 year plan: £2.29/month
Annual plan: $4.99/month (billed $59.88 for your first two years, then $99.48/year thereafter)
Monthly: £9.20/month
Monthly (Complete plan): $14.19/month
Monthly (Plus plan): $12.89/month
Monthly (Standard plan): $11.99/month
Monthly plan: $11.99/month
One year: £5.66/month
One-year plan: £3.79/month
Three-year plan: £2.82/month
Two years: £4.04/month
Two-year plan: $3.99/month (billed $95.76 for your first two years, then $99.48/year thereafter)
NordVPN is one of the most popular services for securing your online activities. NordVPN now has almost 5000 servers around the world, making it one of the largest services in the world, too.

Privacy is a major issue when it comes to VPNs, and NordVPN makes all the right noises about keeping your information private. NordVPN states that the company does not insert ads into your web traffic, and doesn’t profit from the sale of user data. On top of that, NordVPN only collects aggregated app-crash statistics and voluntary diagnostic data, meaning that the service doesn’t collect any personally identifiable information. Good news.

NordVPN is consistent across every platform on which it's offered, and includes ad blocking as an added bonus. You can also connect up to six devices at the same time.

Even if NordVPN doesn’t work out for you, they have a 30-day money-back guarantee. So you are completely covered either way. You can either be impressed with the service, and continue with your plan, or — if you don’t like what NordVPN offers — you can get out for free.

Private Internet Access

Best For Server Network

The good
Number of servers Decent connection speeds 10 simultaneous connections
The Bad
Lacking some of the more advanced features
The Bottomline
Private Internet Access keeps things simple to offer a slick streaming experience.
Specs
1-year plan: £2.52/month
2-year plan: £2.20/month
Monthly: £9.99/month
Monthly plan: £5.25/month
One year: £2.71/month
One-year plan: £2.71/month
Two years: £2.19/month
Two-year plan: £2.19/month
A great buy at just $2.59 a month with a two-year plan, Private Internet Access, or PIA, is the best VPN you can get for less than a Starbucks latte: It installs in a jiffy, offers 24/7 live chat coverage, stands by a strict no-log policy, and maintains an absolutely massive server network. Its app is pretty basic and its platform support is limited, but it makes up for that with free email breach monitoring and a tool called MACE that blocks ads, trackers, and malware. Supported platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera

Surfshark

Best For Multiple Devices

The good
Unlimited number of connections User-friendly interface Cheap if you commit
The Bad
Pricey if you can't commit to a two-year deal
The Bottomline
User-friendly VPN that lets you stream on all your devices at the same time.
Specs
Monthly: £9.48/month
One month: $12.95
One year: $3.99/month
Six-month plan: £4.75/month
Two years: $2.30/month
Two-year plan: £1.82/month
Two-year plan + three months for free: £1.64 per month
Surfshark is one of the best VPNs for streaming and large households, as you can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously with the same plan. Surfshark also offers a wide range of impressive features including split tunnelling and enterprise-grade infrastructure, with a 30-day money-back guarantee meaning you can access everything for free. Just don't forget to cancel your subscription if you're using this method. If you choose to commit to Surfshark, the best rates are reserved for the longest contracts. If you're willing to commit to a longer contract, the monthly rate comes down sharply.

ExpressVPN

Best For Streaming

The good
Servers in China, Russia, and Turkey Lots of servers Multi-device support Money-back guarantee
The Bad
Relatively expensive Only three simultaneous connections
The Bottomline
It might be on the pricey side, but ExpressVPN offers a selection of high-end features to keep you protected.
Specs
15 month plan: £5.24/month
15-month plan: £5.13/month
6 month plan: £7.85/month
6-month plan: £7.44/month
Annual plan: $8.32/month (billed $99.95 every 12 months)
Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands
Kill switch: Yes ("Network Lock")
Money-back guarantee: Yes (30 days)
Monthly: £9.80/month
Monthly plan: $12.95/month
Most recent external audit: 2022
Network size: 94 countries
One-year plan: £5.05/month
One-year plan + three months for free: £5.13 per month
Pricing: $6.67-$12.95/month
Simultaneous connections: 5
Six-month plan: $9.99/month (billed $59.95 every six months)
Split tunneling: Yes
Support options: 24/7 live chat, email, online support center
ExpressVPN is relatively expensive compared to its competitors, so is it worth the extra cost? Well it has a really strong distribution of servers and a slick interface, plus it allows BitTorrent and other P2P services — so maybe, yes. ExpressVPN has over 1,000 servers in 145 locations, covering 94 countries. This list includes China, Russia, and Turkey, three countries that have notably repressive control over the internet. So that’s a pretty impressive feather in their hat. It’s not all good news, though; ExpressVPN does limit you to three simultaneous connections from different devices. Other services generally offer slightly more than this. However, three connections is probably plenty for one user. If you are using a VPN for a household, though, then another service may be better suited. ExpressVPN has all the essentials covered. This service includes multi-device support, a lot of servers, good geographic distribution, BitTorrent support, and a nice interface. It is however a little more expensive than some, at around £10 a month (or around £5 if you commit to 15 months), and it doesn't offer nearly as many simultaneous connections as cheaper alternatives. It’s a strong VPN, so the extra cost may be worthwhile. There is no free trial available, but there is a 30-day money back guarantee. So once again, you are protected against disappointment.

Proton VPN

Best for Security Sticklers

The good
No-logs policy and independently audited software Based in Switzerland Rates don't increase after initial term Up to 10 VPN connections with Plus plan (2 with Basic plan) 30-day money-back guarantee AES 256-bit encryption Kill switch Built-in ad/tracker/malware blocker Unblocks Netflix Supports torrenting
The Bad
Small network of 1,700 servers in 60 countries No live chat support Split tunneling only available on Windows/Android Doesn’t accept crypto
The Bottomline
No free VPN comes without a catch, but Proton VPN's free version is as good as it gets.
Specs
One-month Plus plan: $9.99/month
One-year Plus plan: $5.99/month (billed $71.88 for your first year, then $119.88/year thereafter)
Two-year Plus plan: $4.99/month (billed $119.76 for your first two years, then $239.76 every two years thereafter)
Read our full review of ProtonVPN.

Founded by scientists at MIT and CERN, Proton VPN isn't the biggest or most well-rounded VPN on this list, but it deserves major props for its commitment to consumer privacy: It's stashed its critical infrastructure inside a high-security Swiss datacenter that requires biometric access, and it maintains open-source apps — meaning anyone can scrutinize the code. (That code has also been audited by independent security experts, which is a huge plus.) We'd like it better if it offered 24/7 chat support, maintained a bigger server network, and made split tunneling available to non-Windows/Android users, but if those aren't must-haves for you, Proton VPN is a pretty solid pick.

Real heads may have noticed that Proton VPN got a makeover in the spring of 2022, debuting a space in its name, a new logo, a new look, and some simpler restructured pricing. It now has only one paid plan (instead of three), which includes access to its entire server network, streaming and torrenting support, a NetShield malware and ad blocker, and a tool that routes your traffic through the Tor network by default.

Supported platforms: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Chromebook, and Android TV.