Psiphon is circumvention software for Windows and mobile devices that provides access to internet content blocked by censorship.
Lantern
A nonprofit VPN, Lantern helps users bypass internet censorship. Its site says the service is free to start and accepts donations.
About Lantern
Lantern is a nonprofit VPN, built by Brave New Software Project, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to help users reach blocked websites and apps. By default, its Smart Routing sends blocked and sensitive traffic through its network and connects other traffic directly. Users who want all traffic protected can switch to a Full Tunnel mode. The service runs on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux. It is free to start, and the site says donations and the Pro plan help fund free access in censored regions.
According to the site, Lantern does not collect browsing activity, connection history, or personal data, and its security is regularly reviewed by independent experts. These are the site's own statements and have not been verified in this entry. In most countries the free version has a daily data limit. Lantern Pro removes that limit and adds server selection, ad blocking, and up to 5 devices. Where paying for Pro is blocked or unsafe, the site says the free version has no cap.
Key features
- Smart Routing sends blocked and sensitive traffic through Lantern and connects other traffic directly
- Optional Full Tunnel mode to route all device traffic through Lantern
- Optional Private Server mode to run Lantern on your own hardware or cloud account
- Multiple protocols that switch automatically when one connection method is blocked
- Ad and tracker blocking, which the FAQ lists as a Pro feature
- Apps listed for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux
Best for: People in countries with heavy internet censorship who need access to blocked websites and apps.
Good for
- Operated by a registered nonprofit, according to the site
- Smart Routing keeps unblocked traffic direct, which the site says helps keep connections fast
- The site states it does not collect browsing activity, connection history, or personal data
Watch out for
- The free version has a daily data limit in most countries
- Private Server mode requires paying your own server costs
- Server selection and ad blocking are listed as Pro features in the FAQ
Lantern at a glance
- Website
- lantern.io
- Category
- Privacy & Security › Censorship Circumvention
- Type
- Website
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Web
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Lantern alternatives
Tools and sites you could use instead, ranked by how closely they match.
NymVPN is a decentralized VPN using mixnet technology and zero-knowledge proofs to protect metadata as well as IP addresses.
Free trial
8 alternatives
Route Android app traffic through Tor with Orbot, a VPN-style proxy app.
Built to resist ISP-level censorship, Geph is a VPN with architecture and protocols designed for use behind strict national firewalls.
Open source
8 alternatives
On Android, v2rayNG provides a V2Ray client that supports the Xray and v2fly cores, with releases and usage documentation linked in its repository.
Open source
13 alternatives
Xray-core is a proxy and tunneling project described as an open platform for varied uses, with support for protocols including VLESS and VMess.
Open source
14 alternativesPopular in Censorship Circumvention
Well-known listings from the same topic.
Lantern FAQ
Does Lantern keep logs?
The site states that Lantern does not collect browsing activity, connection history, or personal data. It also says the software is open source and independently audited. These are the site's claims and are not guaranteed.
Is Lantern free?
Lantern is free to use. In most countries the free version has a daily data limit. Lantern Pro removes that limit and adds server selection, ad blocking, and up to 5 devices. In places where paying for Pro is blocked or unsafe, the site says the free version is not capped.
Does Lantern work in China, Iran, or Russia?
The site says Lantern is designed for heavily censored environments and adapts in real time when other tools cannot connect. This is the site's claim and does not guarantee access in any specific country.
Is something wrong or out of date?
Tell us and an editor will check it.
Own this website?
Claim this listing
Claim the listing and suggest updates yourself. An editor checks every claim first.