If you’re traveling in the Philippines, you may not be able to access your home Netflix library. A VPN gives you total privacy in the country and overcomes geo-blocks on sites. But with hundreds of VPNs to choose from, I tested over 40 and shortlisted only the best. ExpressVPN is the best for the Philippines because it excels in critical areas like privacy, speed, and accessing global content. When you get ExpressVPN for the Philippines, your purchase is risk-free. If you don’t like it, you can just ask for a refund within 30 days. Use ExpressVPN in the Philippines
Quick Guide: Best VPNs for the Philippines in 2023
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The Best VPNs for the Philippines — Updated 2023
1. ExpressVPN — #1 VPN for the Philippines With Top Privacy Features, Speed, and Instant Access to Content
Key Features: ExpressVPN is the #1 top VPN I tested for the Philippines with the fastest speeds, the strongest security features, and servers that can bypass almost any geo-block. This is due to its proprietary Lightway protocol, maximizing performance without compromising your safety or privacy. You can also rely on ExpressVPN’s 24/7 live chat support if you need help in the Philippines — during my tests they were always responsive and knowledgeable. During tests, I confirmed ExpressVPN’s no-log policy is backed by TrustedServer technology. It uses RAM-based servers that can’t store your data in the Philippines. It also makes sure all its networks run up-to-date software rather than an imitation from hackers trying to steal your data. ExpressVPN also has:
Military-grade 256-bit encryption — mixes up your data to prevent unauthorized sites from seeing your personal information. HMAC authentication — works like a secret handshake between your device and the VPN server, making sure no hacker is able to compromise the connection. IP leak protection — keeps your traffic within the encrypted tunnel while you’re connected to a VPN server in the Philippines. Network Lock — disables your internet connection when it becomes unstable to stop your data from being accidentally leaked. British Virgin Islands’ jurisdiction — requires none of your data to be stored or shared with intelligence agencies in the Philippines or elsewhere. Anonymous payment option — accepts Bitcoin so that you don’t have to share any of your private details when subscribing to ExpressVPN.
Of all the VPNs I tested for the Philippines, ExpressVPN was the fastest, especially when I used its Lightway protocol. Servers near me averaged 92Mbps, which was perfect to play Valorant without lags as agent Sage. I also tried servers 5,000+ miles away from me and noticed just an 11% drop in speed while other VPNs were at least 16% slower.
With 3,000+ servers in 94 countries, ExpressVPN can access content restricted in the Philippines like Start Up PH, one of my favorite Pinoy shows. Its local and global networks can access many global streaming services like: You can connect up to 5 devices to ExpressVPN, and I got no slowdowns even at the limit. I downloaded the app to my Windows computer and connected to a server in the Philippines in under 5 minutes. If you have an incompatible device, configuring MediaStreamer takes about 20 minutes to set up and watch your favorite shows from the US on platforms like PS5 and Xbox. The only downside to ExpressVPN is that its long-term plans are more costly for the Philippines than others on this list. But given that no other VPN comes close to what ExpressVPN can do, $6.67 per month for the 1-year plan is a great deal. In addition to the unparalleled speed, security, and access to content, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money back guarantee. If you get ExpressVPN for the Philippines and it isn’t what you expected, it’s easy to get a refund. I just sent a message via its 24/7 live chat and an agent confirmed it immediately. 5 days later I got my money back. Get ExpressVPN for the Philippines
2. CyberGhost — Watch International Channels in the Philippines With Optimized Streaming Servers
Key Features: CyberGhost’s streaming-optimized servers in 20+ countries instantly access global channels from within the Philippines. These platform-specific servers are tested regularly to ensure they always work with international streaming sites. Between these and its regular networks in 91 countries, CyberGhost can unblock: When I tested speeds, CyberGhost’s local server was always fast enough to watch the Spitzes solve another string of murders on Netflix’s Murder Mystery 2 without interruptions. For the best speeds in the Philippines, I recommend using one of CyberGhost’s optimized servers. You can also use the ”Best server location” button to use the fastest option nearby, which was always fast enough for 4K shows like Stranger Things during tests.
Public hotspots in the Philippines aren’t safe, especially if you need to shop or use your online bank. Hackers know they’re not secure and watch these networks to steal your data. CyberGhost’s WiFi protection connects the VPN automatically when your device detects a public network in the Philippines. It also protects you with:
Military-grade encryption — hides your connections in the Philippines from hackers, spies, and other third parties. Perfect Forward Secrecy — changes the encryption key regularly so trying to hack your connection becomes pointless. Tor over VPN connection — encrypts your data and then routes it through the Tor network for an extra layer of security and privacy in the Philippines. Kill switch — disconnects you from the internet the moment your connection becomes unstable to prevent your private data from being revealed. Headquartered in Romania — protects your privacy by being based in a privacy-friendly country that’s also not part of the 14 Eyes Alliance.
You can use it with your devices in the Philippines easily since CyberGhost has apps for all major operating systems. Mobile apps are optimized to reduce clutter so not all the same settings are there, but they include all the key features that the desktop versions include. Plus, even when I used the maximum 7 connections, all the apps I tested still worked smoothly. The one minor con is that CyberGhost’s monthly subscription is slightly more costly than ExpressVPN’s. However, CyberGhost’s 2-year + 3 months plan is really affordable in the Philippines at $2.11 per month. It also gives you one of the longest money-back guarantee periods on this list — 45 days. I tested it to make sure the policy isn’t a marketing gimmick if you want to try CyberGhost in the Philippines. When I reached out to a 24/7 live chat support agent, I got an answer in minutes that my request was already processed. I was refunded in just 7 days. Get CyberGhost for the Philippines
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Large Network of Servers Prevent Congestion When Connecting From the Philippines
Key Features: PIA has 35,000+ servers to prevent overcrowding and give you reliable speeds when connecting from the Philippines. When a server is congested, its bandwidth is stretched and your connection becomes slow. But when I tested 8 PIA servers, I consistently got high speeds so there were no delays as I watched Niana Guerrero play a prank on her family with an electric shock pen on YouTube. So that you can use the internet safely in the Philippines PIA has MACE to block ads, trackers, and viruses. During my tests, MACE blocked at least 10 ads on philnews.ph. PIA also has several features that you can customize, such as its encryption strength. Its security and privacy features include:
Military-grade encryption — use 128-bit for faster streaming connections and 256-bit for increased security while shopping on sites like Lazada. Advanced kill switch — freezes your internet until the VPN connection has been re-established while the standard kill switch disables the internet when it’s unstable. Audited no-log policy — proved through sworn statements in multiple court cases that PIA doesn’t store personal information. Private subscription — accepts gift cards from major brands like Starbucks to keep you anonymous while paying for PIA.
Since PIA allows Unlimited simultaneous connections I tested it on my desktop, 2 laptops, 2 smartphones, a tablet, and a PS5, and didn’t notice a change in speed or reliability. I also liked that PIA’s servers are sorted according to latency and color-coded to help you choose the best one to use in the Philippines. I recommend PIA’s 2-year + 3 months plan for the Philippines. It only costs $2.11 a month and you’ll get a 30-day money back guarantee. If you’re not happy, you can ask for a refund. When I reached out for mine via 24/7 live chat, an agent replied in a few minutes saying they were processing my request. After 10 days, my money was returned to my bank. Get PIA for the Philippines
4. NordVPN — Double VPN Encrypts Your Data in the Philippines Twice for Extra Security
Key Features: NordVPN’s Double VPN encrypts your traffic twice for an extra layer of protection in the Philippines. Just use its Double VPN server in Hong Kong or Taiwan and it automatically connects you to a second server in another country. This makes it nearly impossible for anyone to see what you’re doing online. I also liked NordVPN’s other security and privacy features in the Philippines like:
NordLynx protocol — uses multiple servers at once and ensures that the second server has no interaction with your device, increasing your privacy and security. Obfuscated servers — make your connection look like regular traffic to get past anti-VPN firewalls and allow you to access your accounts in an emergency. Threat Protection — scans and blocks any viruses in your downloads as well as ads, trackers, and malicious websites. Cryptocurrency payment — accepts anonymous digital cryptocurrency so you don’t have to reveal any of your personal information during sign-up.
I connected to several NordVPN servers near the Philippines like Malaysia, Taiwan, and Singapore to test its speeds with Telegram video calls. Like all VPNs it reduced my baseline performance, but not enough to cause frozen screens or delayed audio. My video calls were clear with NordVPN during both day and night. In addition, NordVPN’s Meshnet can link your devices in the Philippines with others that are located elsewhere. Once enabled, you’ll get a Nord name and Meshnet IP address to access one platform from another. Meshnet created an encrypted tunnel after I linked my computers so I could retrieve a confidential file on my home desktop safely while working from a cafe. However, unlike ExpressVPN, NordVPN doesn’t have servers in the Philippines. This means it can’t access all the local streaming services. But its networks in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam can stream iflix TV shows and movies. Plus it has a total of 5700+ options in 60 countries to access: To try NordVPN in the Philippines, I recommend its 2-year plan. It costs $3.49 a month and you’ll get a 30-day money back guarantee so you won’t lose out if you change your mind. I contacted support via 24/7 live chat and my refund request was processed the same day. I got my money back 7 days later. Get NordVPN for the Philippines
5. Surfshark — IP Rotator Changes Your IP Address Constantly to Escape Eavesdroppers in the Philippines
Key Features: Surfshark makes it nearly impossible to track you in the Philippines by switching your VPN IP address every 5 to 10 minutes with its IP address rotator. When you use the same server for hours, eavesdroppers can cross-check your IP address with the sites you visit and trace your activities. I used its servers in the Philippines and Taiwan to upload a 2.3GB video to Instagram. Instead of taking at least 10 minutes like most VPNs I tested, Surfshark was fast enough to upload my video in just under 6 minutes. If you’re traveling in the Philippines, you don’t have to miss out on your favorite shows and news from back home. Surfshark has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries including the US to access the US Netflix library. Besides that, it also bypassed geo-blocks on: You can connect Unlimited devices to Surfshark at a time. I tested 8 and they all worked reliably whether I streamed, browsed, or played video games. Even if you’re new to VPNs, Surfshark’s intuitive apps make it easy to use in the Philippines. It has a ‘Quick-connect’ button plus 1-click options to use to a server marked ‘Fastest location’ or ‘Nearest country’. Unfortunately, Surfshark is based in the Netherlands which is a 9-Eyes Alliance country that shares internet surveillance data with foreign intelligence agencies. However, I wasn’t worried about my data since Surfshark has a strict no-log policy that has been audited by Deloitte. Surfshark also has:
Dynamic Multi-Hop servers — lets you select 2 different servers to encrypt your connections twice for enhanced security. CleanWeb — prevents ads, trackers, and malware from compromising your privacy and device security in the Philippines. Camouflage Mode — hides the fact that you’re using a VPN from firewalls on Pinoy sites and apps so that your traffic isn’t blocked.
You can try Surfshark without risking any money in the Philippines with its 30-day money back guarantee that comes with all paid plans. The 2-year subscription is only $2.39 a month. If you don’t like it, just ask for a refund via the 24/7 live chat. An agent approved my request immediately and I got my money back in 9 days. Get Surfshark for the Philippines
6. PrivateVPN — Dedicated IP Addresses Avoid Pinoy Website Blocks
Key Features: PrivateVPN has dedicated IP addresses that are less likely to be banned as you use them in the Philippines. Since the IP addresses in the US, UK, and other European countries aren’t reused, they’re not blacklisted. So you can access your foreign bank account without triggering security alerts while traveling in the Philippines. Other crucial PrivateVPN security features include:
Stealth mode — gets past anti-VPN filters on restricted networks like in schools and workplaces in the Philippines so you can access your rightful accounts in an emergency. Leak protection — makes sure your traffic stays within the encrypted tunnel to protect your identity when you’re connected to PrivateVPN. Split-tunneling — lets you route your traffic from certain apps outside the encrypted tunnel to connect to the local internet directly without disconnecting.
Whether you live in the Philippines or are just visiting, PrivateVPN can help you log into the TV and movie platforms you’re subscribed to from anywhere. It also bypassed geo-blocks during tests of these streaming services: If you need help, PrivateVPN offers remote setup. Just download the TeamViewer app, contact a 24/7 live chat agent, and share a code to give them remote access to your device. It took me about 16 minutes in Windows and installing the app myself less than 3, but the remote setup is really useful if you’re in the Philippines and need to troubleshoot. I initially worried that PrivateVPN might be slow since it has a smaller network compared to others on this list. But servers in Manila, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore were always fast enough to watch YouTuber Mary Bautista review an ASUS Zenbook foldable laptop without buffering. It’s also one of the best month-to-month VPN subscriptions but if you want an even better deal, PrivateVPN has the most affordable 3-year plan on this list. It costs just $2.00 a month and you’ll have 30 days to try it out in the Philippines. If you don’t like it, just ask for a refund. They replied to my email in 10 hours and returned my money in 12 days. Get PrivateVPN for the Philippines
7. IPVanish — Servers Owned In-House to Minimize Your Data Exposure to Filipino and Global Third Parties
Key Features: IPVanish manages its network of servers in-house so your data in the Philippines stay private and no third-party data center staff has access to its servers. That means you can trust that IPVanish can uphold its privacy policy, unlike other VPNs that blindly trust server farms to adhere to their data policy. Plus, it has:
Scramble — lets you use IPVanish in places where VPNs are blocked by hiding the fact that you’re using one, bypassing anti-VPN firewalls. No-log policy — audited by an independent cybersecurity firm to verify that IPVanish never stores your data in the Philippines. IP leak protection — makes sure the encryption is always working while you’re connected, even in situations where some of your data can leak past.
I spent an entire weekend watching comedian Jo Koy make fun of Filipino moms on Facebook Watch while connected to servers in Malaysia and Taiwan. Both of IPVanish’s Pinoy servers were fast and the videos loaded automatically within a second. Since IPVanish allows unlimited devices, I never felt the frustration of getting disconnected unexpectedly like I was on several VPNs with smaller connection limits. Plus, even securing all 12 of my devices with IPVanish didn’t affect its performance. Though it doesn’t have a server in the Philippines, IPVanish accesses major streaming services around the world including those from around Asia like: One thing I didn’t like is that IPVanish’s monthly plan isn’t covered by a money-back policy. But IPVanish’s 2-year plan is risk-free if you want to get it for the Philippines. It costs $3.33 a month and gives you 30 days to try. If you don’t like it, just cancel the plan in your account dashboard and your refund gets processed automatically. I was reimbursed in 10 days. Get IPVanish for the Philippines
Comparison Table: Best VPNs for the Philippines in 2023
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How to Choose the Best VPN for the Philippines
I used the following criteria to test the top VPNs in 2023 and select the best ones for the Philippines:
Strong security and privacy features — VPNs should have military-grade encryption, a kill switch, a no-log policy, and leak protection to make sure no one knows what you’re doing online in the Philippines. Global server network — the more countries a VPN has servers in, the more content you can access. To watch Pinoy shows safely, the VPN needs local servers. Fast speeds — all VPNs affect speed but fast VPNs will maximize your performance in the Philippines regardless of local network speeds. Apps for popular devices — native apps for operating systems like Windows, iOS, Mac, and Android make it easier to connect to a Filipino server quickly. Customer support — I only selected VPNs with 24/7 live chat so you’ll never be waiting long if you’re in the Philippines and need help from customer support. Money back guarantee — a minimum of 30 days is ideal to try the VPN risk-free in the Philippines in case it doesn’t work as you expected.
Buy ExpressVPN risk-free for the Philippines
3 Easy Steps to Get a VPN in the Philippines
Get ExpressVPN for the Philippines Get CyberGhost for free for the Philippines I recommend a VPN to keep your online activities private in the Philippines. However, use it responsibly because using a VPN to engage in illegal activities such as online piracy or cybercrime is still illegal and can result in prosecution. Unlike a VPN, proxies don’t usually fully encrypt your connection and only work on certain apps. Many don’t have no-log policies, and you can’t depend on them to bypass geo-blocks in the Philippines, since proxy servers are often blacklisted. Check if you’re using one of the VPNs recommended on this list as I have tested each one for leaks. You can also try changing servers as that can usually fix the problem. Otherwise, contact your VPN provider for help. Some games like Solitaire will work in the Philippines despite high latency, but a fast-paced FPS like Valorant requires fast response times to prevent lag from ruining your game. The best is if your rate is between 15ms and 45ms, but anything up to 100ms is still okay. Your second option is to connect to a gaming-optimized server if your VPN has one. If not, use a network with the lowest load. When there aren’t too many users competing for bandwidth, you’ll have better speeds for online games. If nothing works, contact your VPN’s support team to solve the problem. VPNs also encrypt your traffic and change your IP address so that nothing you post online can be traced back to you if your profile is anonymous. It also makes sure your direct messages and chats on apps like Telegram are private in the Philippines and can’t be monitored by others. ExpressVPN works with: If you often use public WiFi, you need a top-rated VPN with servers in the Philippines or you won’t be able to watch your favorite shows safely. A VPN with a server in the Philippines will make it seem as if you’re connecting from the country. Plus, they encrypt your traffic to protect you from potential hackers spying on public WiFi connections. Just remember that watching, downloading, and sharing pornographic content is illegal in the Philippines and legal action can be taken against you for using a VPN to access it. I don’t condone breaking any laws, so know what’s within your rights in the Philippines before using a VPN. VPNs lower speed because they encrypt your traffic and route it through an additional server. The further away it is, the longer it takes. That’s why you get better speeds connecting to VPN networks located in or near the Philippines while you’re there. Free VPNs also limit your data. I found allocations as low as 500MB a month which is enough to send a few WhatsApp messages in an emergency, but not for streaming or gaming. Many free VPNs also show annoying ads to manage costs. But it can get worse — my laptop was once infected by a virus from a fake free VPN app. Some are fronts for collecting your data and selling it in the black market. That’s why it’s better to use a premium VPN like CyberGhost for free in the Philippines. You’ll have 45 days to use all its safety and privacy features and specialized servers. When you no longer need it, getting a refund is hassle-free.
Get a VPN (That Works) for the Philippines Today!
You need a VPN in the Philippines to keep your identity private as you browse, stream, chat, and share your views online. Without a VPN, you risk becoming a target of hate crime or even arrest. If you’re only visiting the country, some of your accounts from back home could also be geo-blocked. Though there are hundreds of VPNs claiming to be the best for the Philippines, only a few are truly great. After testing dozens of them, I recommend ExpressVPN because it protects your privacy, has the fastest speeds, and accesses the most global content. It’s also risk-free when you get ExpressVPN for the Philippines. If it’s not for you, just ask for a refund within 30 days.
