Installing a VPN comes with excellent perks and benefits, including access to hundreds of geo-blocked sites and contents, safe torrenting, online anonymity, and safety when connected to public Wi-Fi, amongst others.
But what happens when your VPN doesn’t meet all your needs? Maybe it’s a free VPN, and the data is never enough, or perhaps the VPN can’t unblock Netflix US? You might want to install another VPN to do whatever the first one can’t.
You have probably read that installing two VPNs on one device is a recipe for disaster and should never be done. Well, while it’s true that having two VPNs installed on one device can be problematic in some cases, they often work out fine, especially when you follow all the rules.
This article explains how a backup VPN can be helpful. We’ll also share tips for getting the most out of your dual VPN setup and how to keep them running smoothly.
Why Use Multiple VPNs At the Same Time?
One of the ways to protect your online privacy is to use a VPN, but if you can get double the protection, why not? There are several benefits to using dual VPN connections at the same time, including:
- Provides double security and privacy protection
- You can Bypass geo-restrictions on both VPNs.
- Connect to two networks (e.g., your work network and a public Wi-Fi network).
- Increase your internet speed by using a faster VPN server on one connection and a slower VPN server on the other.
- Get beneficial prices due to regional binding.
Like most things, there are also some potential downsides to using two VPNs.
For example, if one service is not configured correctly, it could leak your actual IP address. Using two VPNs can also slow down your internet connection, depending on the speed of the VPN servers and your internet service provider.
Using Two VPNs at Once: The Problem
Having two VPN apps on a device is no problem, but like Oliver Twist, some people want more; they want both apps running simultaneously. This is because they think that with both apps running simultaneously, they will get twice the level of encryption, an extra layer of protection, double security, double online anonymity and so on.
However, there is a problem: this system will not work in almost all cases for several reasons.
Take, for instance; you have two VPN apps on your device. In theory, the idea is that VPN 1 will encrypt your traffic, while VPN 2 will redirect encrypted traffic through its server, and you will get double protection.
However, in practice, both VPNs will fight for your traffic and work separately. Most often, either both VPN services stop working, one of them works, and the other fails to work, or the Internet connection fails until you restart the application.
Downloading two VPNs.
Before setting up a VPN, you must first install the VPN. You need to reset the VPN settings on your computer and reinstall the applications. This isn’t usually an issue for mobile users as you will only be required to download and install the mobile VPN app, but PC users may find it much more difficult. Solving them is straightforward though.
You see, when you download a VPN on Windows, it’s often accompanied by TUN and TAP adapters; these are virtual network promoters required to connect a PC to the VPN. If the app isn’t properly designed, it might get confused if multiple adapters may not connect.
So, if you install two VPNs on your computer and the first connects but the second won’t, then the problem could be because of network adapter or TAP errors. To resolve the issue, uninstall both VPNs and try installing the second VPN before the first one. With this, you shouldn’t experience installation issues, and both apps will run smoothly.
Once you have installed the VPNs on one of your multiple devices, you should check if they work. For this:
- Open a browser. Input “WHAT IS MY IP?” and write down the first result. This is the primary address from your ISP.
- Turn on the first VPN and repeat the first step. Re-record your result. If the numbers have changed, the VPN works.
- Turn off the first VPN and turn on the second. Repeat the first point if the result differs from the first and second then your second VPN works.
Using Two VPNs at Once: The Solutions
Using multiple VPNs is often accompanied by conflicting VPNs. Here are some solutions to the problem:
Use your Router
To ensure smooth operations of a dual VPN connection, install each VPN on two devices as against installing both on a single device. You can install the VPN app on your router and enable VPN on any of your multiple devices. After that, you can connect to your router and enjoy double protection.
The advantage of this method is that the two VPNs will not conflict since they are installed on different devices. However, installing a VPN on a router is not always easy and can take a long time.
Tor Browser
Alternatively, you can also use the Tor Browser. This method is one of the most secure ways of ensuring dual VPN work smoothly since Tor will not get the actual address but the VPN address and then hide it through a random server, making it impossible for you to be detected. Even if attackers find your IP address, they will not see your actual IP address but the VPN’s.
However, there’s a downside to using Tor Browser- poor performance. Your Internet connection may be unstable due to high consumption of resources. Due to the risk of losing one of the tools, we recommend enabling the VPN kill switch. This ensures that if there’s a sudden drop in VPN connection or your Internet turns off, your data and IP address will not leak to the Internet.
Double Hop
Double Hop allows you to send your data through one country and from there to another country using the same application. However, with this approach, enabling the kill switch function is still better so that your data is not in the public domain when the VPN connection is broken.
How to Set Up Two Simultaneous VPN Connections
Now you know that using a dual VPN on your device is possible. The problem, however, is that you may not know how to go about it. If that’s the case, then you are just in luck as we will teach you how to.
There are different ways to use two VPNs at once. Here are some of the most popular methods:
- Use two different VPN apps on your device.
- Connect to one VPN server with one app and another VPN server with another app.
- Use a VPN chain to connect to two different servers.
Each method requires a specific approach and skills in managing the settings of your computer or phone settings. However, the great news is that the procedure isn’t overly complicated. In just 10 minutes, you can quickly set up a double VPN on all your devices. Let’s take a closer look at each of these methods.
Method 1: Use Two Different VPN Apps on Your Device
To use two different VPN apps on your device, you’ll need to install both apps and sign in with your username and password. Haven done that; you can connect to each VPN.
This is convenient and easy as you don’t need to manually set up a VPN connection. However, it’s expensive, as you’ll need to pay for two separate VPN subscriptions.
Method 2: Connect to One VPN Server with One App and Another VPN Server with Another App
To connect to multiple VPN servers simultaneously, try using two different apps. For example, you could use the OpenVPN app to connect to one server and the Tunnelblick app to connect to another server.
To set this up, you’ll need to configure each VPN connection separately. Doing this can be a little more time-consuming than using two different VPN apps, but it’s more reliable.
Method 3: Use a VPN Chain to Connect to Multiple VPN Servers
Another way to connect to two VPN servers simultaneously and successfully is by using a VPN chain. A VPN chain is a configuration that allows you to connect to two different VPN servers at the same time.
To set up a VPN chain, you’ll need to configure each VPN connection separately. This can be a little more time-consuming than using two different VPN apps, but it’s also reliable.
Which Method Should You Use?
There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing a method for using two VPNs at the same time. It’s ultimately up to you to decide which way is best for your needs.
Using two different VPN apps might be the best option if you’re looking for convenience. But if you’re concerned about reliability or speed, connecting to two VPN servers with one app or using a VPN chain might be better.
How to double VPN on Mac and Windows?
If you’re looking for a way to setup double VPN on your Mac, there are a few things you need to know. First, double VPN is not built into the native macOS VPN client. So, you’ll need to use a third-party client that supports double connections.
Second, a double VPN will slow down your internet connection because it’s effectively doubling the number of hops your data has to take to reach its destination. So, if speed is a priority for you, a multiple VPN may not be the best option.
That said, if security is your top concern and you’re willing to sacrifice some speed, a double VPN can be a great option. Here’s how to use the Tunnelblick
third-party VPN client for macOS:
- Download and install Tunnelblick from https://tunnelblick.net/.
- Open Tunnelblick and click the “Create a new VPN configuration” button.
- Select “OpenVPN” as the type of VPN you want to create and click “Create.”
- Enter a name for your new double VPN connection and click “OK.”
- In the “Server Address/Port” field, enter the address of the first VPN server you want to connect to (this can be found in your VPN provider’s documentation). Then, enter the port number in the “Port” field (usually 1194 for OpenVPN).
- In the “Shared Secret” field, enter the shared secret for the first VPN server (again, this can be found in your VPN provider’s documentation).
- Select the “Use double encryption (SSL/TLS+OpenVPN)” checkbox.
- Click the “Add another configuration…” button and repeat steps 5-7 for the second VPN server you want to connect to.
Once both configurations have been added, click the “Connect” button next to each to connect to both VPN servers simultaneously.
How to Double VPN on Android and IOS?
Unlike macOS, double VPN is built into the native Android VPN client. So, you don’t need to use a third-party client to set it up. However, a double VPN will still slow down your internet connection because it’s effectively doubling the number of hops your data must take to reach its destination.
To set up a double VPN on Android:
- Open the VPN app and select the “Double VPN” option from the list of available configurations.
- Enter the address of the first VPN server you want to connect to (this can be found in your VPN provider’s documentation).
- Next, enter the shared secret for that server (again, this can be found in your VPN provider’s documentation).
- Finally, select the “Connect” button to connect to both VPN servers simultaneously.
The same procedure can be done to IOS devices but with a slight deviation. You need to download two VPN apps, add the configurations to your settings and turn them on. You can use alternatives like TOR+VPN/ VPN router+VPN on the phone if nothing works.
FAQ
How Does a Double VPN Work?
Your traffic is encrypted on your device before being sent to a distant VPN server.
It arrives at the server and is re-encrypted. The encrypted communication is then routed to a second VPN server and decoded. You access the Internet safely and privately.Why Can’t You Have Simultaneous VPN Connections?
Most of the time, the answer is no since VPN software only permits one connection at a time. Installing a second instance of VPN software and a second network interface card is unlikely to operate since the VPN clients may overlap and interfere with one another.
Is it safe to use a VPN?
A trustworthy virtual private network (VPN) can provide a secure means to access the Internet. VPN security can defend against IP spoofing and encrypt internet history, and it is increasingly being used to thwart government surveillance.
How much money do I need to pay for the VPN service?
Here is a short example demonstrating the average prices of the most popular VPNs:
NordVPN – $11.99/mo. $4.99/mo. if you pay for a year at once.
Surfshark – $12.95/mo. $3.99/mo. if you pay for a year at once.
ExpressVPN – $12.95/mo. $6.67/mo. if you pay for a year at once.
Hotspot Shield – $11.99/mo. $7.99/mo. if you pay for a year at once.