Best VPNs for Philippines in 2023
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Andželika Jasevičiūtė
Writer
Whether you're a citizen or a traveler, using a VPN in the Philippines has tremendous value. If you don't already know, internet freedom has been a matter of concern in the country for years. As the government slowly imposes restrictions and surveillance, internet users are left to fend for their privacy.
Fortunately, a VPN service is a lifesaver when online freedom is restricted due to government censorship, geo-restrictions, or other online threats. It allows you to freely roam the internet without snoopers breathing down your neck. On top of that, a VPN helps anyoneto bypass geo-restrictions and watch favorite shows and movies, like The Voice Philippines or It's Showtime. Meanwhile, locals can binge-watch any library of Netflix, bypassing geo-restrictions.
Yet, there's a catch – to make the most of it, you need to choose a trustworthy and efficient VPN. Otherwise, you risk your cover being blown and your data leaking. But don't worry. In this article, we present the best 5 VPNs for the Philippines that excel in security, performance, bypassing geo-blocks, and even more important aspects.
Top 5 best VPNs for the Philippines
- Surfshark – Best VPN for Philippines overall
- NordVPN – Philippines VPN with the widest location coverage
- PureVPN – privacy-minded VPN for Philippines
- Windscribe – best freemium Philippines VPN
- Hotspot Shield – freemium VPN for bypassing geo-restrictions
How to choose a Philippines VPN?
If you want to pick the right Philippines VPN, here are a few suggestions on what to look out for:
- Privacy protection. A VPN can protect your data from cybercriminals, government officials, and other unauthorized parties. Yet, it's only efficient if it has advanced security measures, such as leak protection, obfuscated servers, and advanced encryption.
- Philippine or close-by servers. Look for VPNs that can offer Philippine or neighboring country server locations, as well as good global coverage. This way, you'll get great connection speed and bypass geo-restrictions.
- Streaming capabilities. If you are using your VPN for entertainment purposes, you need to ensure that the VPN is good at geo-unblocking. A good choice typically includes wide location coverage and specialized servers.
- Additional features. If you want to get the most value out of a VPN, look at the providers' feature list. Many great options include ad blockers, malware scanners, and other useful features.
The best paid VPNs for the Philippines – our detailed list:
After testing a dozen of providers, we came up with a well-researched list of the best 3 paid VPNs for the Philippines. To compile this list, we looked at the providers' location coverage, infrastructure, security, and additional features.
1. Surfshark — secure and well-performing VPN for Philippines
| Based in: | The Netherlands |
| Servers/countries: | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries |
| Price: | $2.30/month |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Get 82% OFF Surfshark + 2 months FREE 🔥 |
Surfshark is the best choice for the country's citizens and travelers outside the Philippines. This provider has everything you need – servers in Philippines, top-notch security, excellent speeds, and an impressive global server count.
Security and privacy: To ensure that outsiders can't access your data, Surfshark protects it with an advanced XChaCha20 cipher. On top of that, the provider guarantees that no one knows what you're doing online with an audited no-logs policy.
Servers: Surfshark boasts a network of 3200+ servers. They are scattered all around the world, or 100 countries to be exact, including the Philippines. You'll be able to find plenty of locations in neighboring countries, such as Malaysia or Hong Kong.
Features. While Surfshark ensures a stable VPN connection, a kill switch protects you from data leaks in case it ever drops. Then there's obfuscation mode, which works as a camouflage for the VPN. Your location is further protected with GPS spoofing. And let's not forget CleanWeb, which serves as a robust ad blocker capable of protecting you from malware.
Streaming. Surfshark is perfect for streaming. Specialized servers paired with excellent speed and high location count result in impressive unblocking success rates. You'll be able to watch all Netflix libraries, as well as Disney+, HBO Max, and many other services.
Price. You can get a Surfshark subscription with unlimited simultaneous connections for as low as $2.30/month. The provider offers a free Surfshark’s 7-day trial on Mac, iOS, and Android devices as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read more about this provider in our Surfshark review.
2. NordVPN – excellent security suite to protect your privacy in the Philippines
| Based in: | Panama |
| Servers/countries: | 5,800+ servers in 60 countries |
| Price: | $3.19/month |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Get NordVPN with 68% OFF + 3 months FREE! 🔥 |
NordVPN is a top-notch Philippines VPN choice when you need a full security suite. The provider has an impressive arsenal of features all wrapped in one user-friendly dashboard.
Security and privacy. NordVPN delivers complete privacy for your peace of mind. It does so with unbreakable XChaCha20 encryption, which is paired with a strict and audited no-logs policy. As a result, no one can intercept your browsing traffic, and your personal data is not logged.
Servers. NordVPN has a massive fleet of 5500 servers in 60 countries. The provider offers a wide variety of locations close to the Philippines. It is perfect for Filipinos trying to access geo-restricted content abroad.
Features. The provider increases your security further with a handful of powerful features. With a reliable kill switch, your data won't leak in case the connection drops. Meanwhile, obfuscated servers ensure that no one can suspect you're even using this VPN. On top of that, NordVPN comes with Threat Protection, which blocks dangerous websites.
Streaming. When it comes to geo-restricted content, this VPN is especially sneaky. During our tests, it managed to unblock all major streaming services. Thus, you'll be able to stream virtually any library of Netflix, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and other platforms.
Price. The subscription prices of NordVPN start from $3.19/month for 6 simultaneous connections. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee and can even try it beforehand with a free NordVPN 7-day trial on Android.
Read more about this provider in our NordVPN review.
3. PureVPN – privacy-minded provider when you need IP in the Philippines
| Based in: | British Virgin Islands |
| Servers/countries: | 6,500+ servers in 78 countries |
| Price: | $2.08/month |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Get PureVPN, now 83% OFF + 3 months FREE!🔥 |
PureVPN is another great provider with servers in Philippines that delivers advanced privacy protection. It aims to make your connection anonymous and your data secure.
Security and privacy. There's no doubt about the trustworthiness of PureVPN's no-logs policy. This provider is always on audit, diminishing any worries about its advanced privacy protection. On top of that, this VPN encrypts it using the unbreakable XChaCha20 chiper.
Servers. The provider comes with an impressive server fleet. With a handful in the Philippines, 6500+ PureVPN servers are in 71 countries. A server count like this prevents traffic congestion and lags.
Features. Just like other leading providers – Surfshark and NordVPN –, PureVPN comes with a solid kill switch and obfuscation. It ensures that you remain anonymous while no one can even suspect you're connected via VPN.
Streaming. Even though PureVPN is better at keeping you anonymous than unblocking streaming sites, it's still a solid option for entertainment. You'll be able to watch Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
Price. PureVPN prices start from $2.08/month, letting you connect 10 devices. It also offers a 31-day money-back guarantee.
Read more about this provider in our PureVPN review.
The best free VPNs for the Philippines – our detailed list:
If you're on a tight budget, try out a free VPN for the Philippines. After all, using a free VPN is better than not using one at all.
1. Windscribe – ultra secure freemium VPN for Philippines
| Based in: | Canada |
| Servers/countries: | 480+ servers in 69 countries |
| Price: | $5.75/month |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Get 55% OFF with a 1-year plan!🔥 |
Windscribe is a free but secure VPN for the Philippines that keeps your identity hidden. It comes with solid features and transparency reports.
Security and privacy. Windscribe offers advanced ChaCha20 encryption, which is one of the most secure ciphers. While the provider's no-logs policy has not been audited, Windscribe regularly publishes transparency reports.
Servers. This freemium provider comes with a modest server fleet compared to paid providers. It has a total of 480 servers in 63 countries. However, only the paid version has servers in the Philippines. With the free version, the closest location is Hong Kong. You can also benefit from the Netherlands, the US, Canada, France, and many other IPs.
Features. Instead of a kill switch, Windscribe offers a firewall, which is just as efficient at preventing your IP from leaking. While the provider has a data cap of 10GB/month, it doesn't limit speed.
Streaming. While it's not the top streaming VPN, Windscribe has solid unblocking capabilities. However, don’t expect much from the freemium version – its best capabilities are unlocked with the premium version.
Price. If you feel like the freemium version is not powerful enough, prices for Windscribe premium service start at $5.75/month. The subscription has unlimited simultaneous connections but only a three-day refund policy.
Read more about this provider in our Windscribe review.
2. Hotspot Shield – free Philippines VPN for unblocking streaming platforms
| Based in: | United States |
| Servers/countries: | 3,200+ servers in 80 countries |
| Price: | $2.99/month |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Save up to 77% OFF Hotspot Shield! 🔥 |
Hotspot Shield is a freemium VPN for Philippines with great unblocking capabilities. It delivers fast speeds, excellent server count, and leak protection.
Security and privacy. If you're especially security-minded, Hotspot Shield may not be a sufficient provider for you. While its paid version delivers adequate protection, the free version lags greatly because the no-logs policy doesn't apply. On the brighter side, Hotspot Shield comes with efficient AES-128 encryption.
Servers. The provider has a solid fleet of 3200+ servers across more than 80 different countries. However, the free version doesn't offer the Philippines location. Instead, you can use the closest Singapore servers or countries like the UK, New York, and Los Angeles.
Features. The provider comes with great leak protection. The reliable kill switch protects your data from leaking even if the VPN connection drops. However, you'll need to get a subscription to unlock the full feature list, such as a password manager or antivirus.
Streaming. Hotspot Shield is great for streaming. During our tests, it successfully unblocked major streaming platforms. So, you can watch Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and YouTube with no issues.
Price. If you'd rather get the benefits of a paid version, it will cost you $2.99/month. An additional bonus is a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read more about this provider in our Hotspot Shield review.
How we tested these Philippines VPNs
In order to compile a list of best VPNs for Philippines, we’ve evaluated dozens of VPN providers. Each of them was compared according to the following criteria:
- Number of servers. A large number of servers can prevent traffic congestion and maintain a lag-free experience. Of courses, it’s also important to see if providers offer VPN in Philippines and neighboring countries.
- Security and privacy. We selected VPNs that employ the most advanced security and privacy measures. A security-minded provider should offer an AES-256 encryption cipher, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy.
- Speed and performance. Some VPNs indeed reduce your browsing speed so much that you forget why you wanted to visit the page in the first place. Thus we tested the speed as well as connection stability. Only the fastest and well-performing VPNs were included in our list.
- Obfuscation. Obfuscation is a must when you want to stay anonymous while posing as a regular user. This feature prevents the websites you visit from detecting you're using a VPN in the Philippines.
- Price. We made sure to include budget-friendly options as well as free VPNs. This way, everyone can enjoy a safer and private internet experience.
Why use a VPN in the Philippines?
Using a VPN in the Philippines can provide several benefits, including:
- Enhanced privacy and security. Privacy on the internet is not a guarantee. Thus, you need to take measures to ensure no one knows what you do online. A VPN can efficiently encrypt your internet traffic, making it difficult for anyone, including your internet service provider (ISP), government, or cybercriminals, to intercept or spy on your online activities.
- Identity protection. If you want to roam the web anonymously for whatever reason, a VPN can cover your tracks. It masks your IP address and location, making it impossible for anyone to track down who you truly are.
- Accessing censored content. While not as prevalent as in such countries as Iran or China, censorship in the Philippines exists. The government has been known to censor certain websites and content, such as political or religious websites. You can bypass these restrictions using a VPN and access the content you want.
- Bypassing geo-restrictions. Other than security, VPNs are especially useful for entertainment. That's right, with a VPN, you can easily bypass any geo-restrictions and catch up on any Filipino TV series or access the worldwide streaming platforms from the comfort of your home.
Best VPNs for Philippines compared
| Surfshark | NordVPN | PureVPN | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand |  |  |  |  |  |
| Rating |
| ||||
| Streaming services | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube |
| Logging | No logs, independently audited | No logs, independently audited | No logs, always-on audit | No logs, not audited | Yes |
| Servers | 3,200 servers in 100 countries | 5,800 servers in 60 countries | 6,500 servers in 78 countries | 480 servers in 69 countries | 3,200 servers in 80 countries |
| Simultaneous connections | Unlimited | 6 | 10 | Unlimited | Up to 5 |
| Price starting from | $2.30/month | $3.19/month | $2.08/month | $5.75/month | $2.99/month |
| Review | Surfshark VPN review | NordVPN review | PureVPN review | Windscribe review | Hotspot Shield review |
How to get a Philippines IP address with a VPN
Using a VPN is unbelievably simple, especially if you choose a provider like Surfshark. Its user-friendly design makes the whole process so simple it can be done in three steps. Here's how it works:
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Head to the Surfshark website.
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Download and install the VPN app.
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Sign up for the service.
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Then, pick a Philippines server and connect to it.
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Go to the browser and try to access the geo-blocked service. That's it!
Internet freedom in the Philippines
Internet freedom in the Philippines has been at risk for several years now. According to the Freedom House, the net is only partly free there. The government has implemented several measures that restrict free access to the internet and raise concerns about censorship and surveillance. There have been instances of media censorship and the shutdown of news sites, which further raise concerns about press freedom and free speech.
These internet freedom restrictions can limit access to information and restrict freedom of expression. Online activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens who disapprove of or criticize the government face legal or extralegal repercussions. Moreover, the restrictions may impact economic and social development, as online businesses may struggle to operate in an environment hostile to free expression and the free flow of information.
There have been attempts to bring more attention to the concern. However, in 2019 the attempt to pass legislation called Magna Carta for Philippine Internet Freedom, which would guarantee users' civil and political rights on the internet, has failed.
The future of internet freedom in the Philippines remains unknown. Considering that a recently elected president Marcos Jr. has mobilized various disinformation campaigns to manipulate online narratives even before his election, the situation is highly unlikely to change.
Are VPNs legal in the Philippines?
Yes, VPNs are legal to use in the Philippines. There are no laws that specifically prohibit the use of VPNs, and many citizens, as well as travelers, are using the service. It aids in protecting users' privacy, bypassing internet censorship, and accessing geo-restricted content.
Yet, that doesn't mean the Philippine government doesn't monitor internet activity. In fact, if the government suspects illegal activity or feels that national security is threatened, it may still attempt to monitor or restrict VPN use. To prevent potential surveillance, you must use a VPN provider with strong encryption and privacy policies.
Can I watch Philippines TV from another country using a VPN?
Yes, it is possible to watch Philippines TV from another country using a VPN. Connecting to a VPN server in the Philippines allows you to access streaming content as if you were physically present in the country. This can be useful for Filipinos living abroad who want to keep up with their favorite TV shows, news, and sporting events, as well as anyone interested in watching Philippine content.
ABS-CBN, GMA Network, TV5, and CNN Philippines are some of the most popular TV channels in the Philippines. These channels provide a wide range of content, such as news, drama series, variety shows, and sporting events.
If you're a big fan of series, there are plenty of streaming platforms that may spark your interest. Apart from the well-known Netflix, the Philippines has such services as HOOQ, iWantTFC, and Viu. These are subscription-based platforms that offer a variety of movies and TV shows you can binge-watch with a VPN, no matter where you are.
Should I use a free VPN in the Philippines?
Sure, you can try out a free VPN in the Philippines and see how it goes for you. Yet, no matter how lucrative free VPNs may look, a paid VPN is typically a better choice for several reasons. Undoubtedly, paid VPNs can offer higher security as they invest more in building efficient server infrastructure and offer advanced encryption technology. As a result, they are more effective at bypassing censorship and geo-restrictions and protecting you from data leaks.
In contrast, free VPNs are often slower, lack security features, and come with limitations such as the number of devices and data caps. These VPNs remain free by omitting other important services, such as customer support. So, you may need to figure out technical issues on your own. Additionally, free VPNs typically offer small server fleets.
All these drawbacks aside, most regular users will benefit more from a free VPN rather than no VPN at all. It's especially true for those who simply need more privacy online. Yet, if you're a journalist with your career or freedom at stake, getting a paid VPN, such as Surfshark or NordVPN, will allow staying anonymous and safe on the web.
Final thoughts
Using a VPN in the Philippines has many benefits. Not only does it allow you to safeguard your privacy, but it also bypasses government censorship. Even if privacy doesn't concern you, VPNs provider other value. They can unblock geo-restricted content and help you get better deals for purchases.
Yet, you have to pick the right provider to reap the vast value a VPN can provide. We recommend Surfshark. This provider has slayed all of our tests, proving it's the top VPN for the Philippines. It offers top-notch security without compromising speed or performance. The provider offers a large fleet of servers, just the right amount in the Philippines. The best part is that it is budget-friendly and costs just $2.30/month.
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FAQ
What is the best VPN to use in the Philippines?
According to our test, Surfshark is the best VPN for the Philippines. It has advanced security features, excellent speed, and impressive unblocking capabilities. On top of that, the provider boasts an impressive server fleet, with a handful of them in the Philippines and 99 other countries.
How much does a VPN cost in the Philippines?
While ultimately, the price depends on the provider you choose, getting a Philippines VPN is not expensive. Our recommended provider is Surfshark which costs only $2.30/month. Given such a low price, the provider has impressive security features and excellent performance.
Does NordVPN work in the Philippines?
Yes, NordVPN works well for those who are residing in the Philippines. The provider offers a large fleet of servers with 60 worldwide locations. With NordVPN, you can access any geo-restricted content, such as streaming or gaming platforms.
Which VPN has a Philippines server for free?
If you need a free Philippines server, TunnelBear may be a good option for you. While its performance can't match top providers like Surfshark, it is still better than not using a VPN at all.
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