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Free VPN detection test

Am I Using a VPN?

See your connection the way a website does: does it look like a VPN, a proxy or an ordinary home connection?

VPN and proxy check

Runs automatically. We look at your network, compare time zones and check WebRTC.

What we test, what we do not, and what we store

Full method →

We test

  • Whether the network name matches VPN, proxy or hosting patterns
  • Whether the network number is on a short list of hosting and VPN networks
  • Whether your browser time zone matches your IP location
  • Whether WebRTC reveals a different public IP

We do not test

  • A VPN on a residential-looking address, which this cannot detect
  • Whether your VPN leaks DNS or WebRTC (use those tests)
  • Anything with certainty: companies, universities and some ISPs can look like VPNs

What we store

  • Nothing is written to a log or database
  • Short-lived in-memory request counters per network to block abuse
  • Anonymous usage counts only: which tool was completed and a coarse result category, never what you typed, your IP address or your results. Nothing is sent if your browser signals Global Privacy Control or Do Not Track.

Third parties that see data: Geolocation providers receive your IP to return network data; a STUN server (Google by default) sees your address during the WebRTC part.

How websites detect a VPN

There is no single flag that says "this visitor uses a VPN". Websites infer it from several clues, and so does this tool. Streaming services, banks and online shops use similar checks, which is why a VPN can sometimes get you blocked or asked for extra verification.

The signals we check

  • Network name and number. Home connections belong to consumer ISPs. VPNs and proxies run on data-centre networks owned by hosting companies. We compare the network name against known VPN, proxy and hosting keywords.
  • Known hosting networks. A short, curated list of network numbers (ASNs) that commonly carry VPN traffic.
  • Time zone mismatch. Your browser reports your device's time zone. If your IP points to a different one, the connection may be routed elsewhere.
  • WebRTC. If WebRTC reveals a public address different from the one the site sees, a tunnel or proxy is probably involved (and leaking).

Each signal has a weight. A hosting-network match is strong; a time zone mismatch alone is only a hint, because travellers and people who set their clocks manually trigger it too.

What the verdict means

VerdictMeaning
Probably a VPN, proxy or hosted networkStrong evidence. Sites will likely see you the same way.
A VPN or proxy is possibleWeaker evidence, such as a time zone mismatch.
No VPN or proxy detectedYou look like an ordinary connection. If you are on a VPN, it is a residential-style or well-hidden one.

Why sites care

Streaming services must honour regional licences, so they block known VPN ranges. Shops and banks treat a sudden change in apparent location as a fraud signal. Forums and games ban users who evade bans by switching addresses. Even sites with no rule at all may serve you extra CAPTCHAs because data-centre traffic is more often automated. The same detection that annoys you is part of why a VPN address is shared with many other people, which is a modest privacy benefit.

If you expected a different answer

You use a VPN but see "not detected". Your VPN may be routed through residential IP addresses, or may not be active in this browser. Check the IP shown on the home page against your VPN app.

You do not use a VPN but see "likely". Corporate networks, universities, cloud desktops and some mobile carriers share addresses that look like hosting. Satellite and CGNAT providers can too.

Detection lists age quickly and no public list is perfect, so treat this as a good estimate and not a guarantee. Learn more in our guide to hiding your IP and VPN vs proxy vs Tor.

Last reviewed 2026-10-26. Found a mistake? Report a correction (how we handle them).

Fix it and learn more

VPN vs Proxy vs TorVPN vs proxy vs Tor compared: what each hides, who can still see your traffic, speed, cost and which to choose for streaming, privacy or anonymity.How to Check If Your VPN Is Leaking Your IP AddressA five-minute checklist to test your VPN for IP, DNS, WebRTC and IPv6 leaks, and what to do if any test fails. Free tools, no sign-up.How to Test Your VPN Kill SwitchA kill switch should cut your internet when the VPN drops. Here is a simple, safe way to test it with a repeating IP check, on Windows, Mac and Linux.VPN connected but your real IP is still visible: causes and fixesTest shows your real IP while the VPN says connected? Check IPv6, WebRTC, DNS, split tunnelling and a dropped tunnel in order, and how to confirm each.

Also check your…

WebRTC Leak TestFind out if your browser reveals your real IP behind a VPN.DNS Leak TestSee which DNS servers answer your lookups, and whether your VPN leaks them.Full Privacy ScanRun every check at once and get a 0–100 privacy score with fixes.Browser Fingerprint TestHow unique is your browser? Computed on your device, never uploaded.

Frequently asked questions

Can websites tell I am using a VPN?

Often, yes. Many VPN servers live on well-known data-centre networks that sites can list. Whether they block you depends on the site.

Why does my VPN show a different country than I chose?

IP geolocation databases are estimates and are sometimes wrong, especially for newly assigned address blocks. Some VPN providers also use virtual locations.

Does this test work for proxies and Tor?

It flags proxies running on hosting networks. Tor exit nodes are public, so many sites block them, but this test does not currently check the Tor exit list.

Is my VPN working if the test says no VPN?

Not necessarily broken. Compare the IP above with your real one by disconnecting the VPN and reloading. If the addresses differ, the VPN is working but looks like a residential connection.