5 Best VPNs for Philippines in 2024

Internet freedom in the Philippines is limited, as the government engages in widespread surveillance and censorship of its citizens. People who speak out against power face legal charges and even physical violence. Aside from government bans, many global websites and services are also inaccessible in the country due to geo-restrictions. 

In addition, some Filipino websites are only available in the country, making them inaccessible when traveling abroad. Luckily, all these issues can be fixed with a VPN, which will hide your online activity and avoid online tracking by authorities. You can also use a VPN to change your virtual location, effectively bypassing geo-blocks inside and outside the country. 

In this article, we’ll share the 5 best VPNs for the Philippines and thoroughly review each one. We’ll also show you how to use a VPN in the Philippines, how to pick the best option for you, answer some frequently asked questions, and more. 

Best Philippines VPNs - Our Shortlist

1. NordVPN – Best VPN for the Philippines for Privacy and Geo-Unblocking
2. Surfshark – Highly Capable and Beginner-Friendly Philippines VPN 
3. ExpressVPN – Fully Obfuscated and Fast-Performing VPN
4. Private Internet Access – High-End VPN with In-Depth Customization
5. CyberGhost VPN – VPN with Specialized Servers for Different Activities

How to Use a VPN in the Philippines

After you pick a VPN that is aligned with your needs, you need to download and install it. Then, you'll log in using your credentials and connect to a server VPN server location, like so:

1. Sign up for a VPN that works in the Philippines (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN app on your device.
3. Launch the VPN app and sign in to activate your account.
4. Connect to a VPN server anywhere to change your IP address to that country.
5. That’s it! Now, you can surf the web safely and without restrictions.

To access Filipino content while traveling, you’ll need a Philippines IP address. You can learn how to get a Philippines IP address in our handy guide—it will show you how to use a VPN to change location. This will allow you to access local websites and services from anywhere in the world because the Philippine server address for the VPN will display instead of your location. 

The Best VPNs for the Philippines in 2024

To find the best VPN for the Philippines, you can use the criteria we established in our article on the VPN providers with the most servers as a guide. According to that, the first criterion you should focus on is finding a VPN with servers in the Philippines and a wide global server network. Your VPN also needs to provide fast speeds and reliable performance.

Next, get a VPN that can unblock websites inside and outside the Philippines, like Sky Direct and Cignal. In addition, your VPN must offer obfuscated servers (which hide that you’re using a VPN), a kill switch (which turns your Internet off if your VPN connection fails), a no-logs policy, strong and speedy VPN protocols, and solid encryption.

Moreover, make sure the VPN provider you choose allows multiple simultaneous connections so that you can cover all your devices. Speaking of devices, find a VPN that’s compatible with many different ones and that has native apps for them. Lastly, ensure that your VPN offers a fair price, a solid money-back guarantee, and reliable 24/7 customer support.

Based on the criteria mentioned above, these are the 5 best VPNs for the Philippines in 2024:

1. NordVPN – Best VPN for the Philippines for Privacy and Geo-Unblocking

NordVPN is perhaps the most capable VPN you'll find today and the best VPN for the Philippines overall. It offers a group of servers in Manila, as well as 6,600+ servers in 111 countries worldwide. On top of that, it provides ultra-fast connections across all its nearby and remote servers, making it suitable for any online activity imaginable.

Furthermore, NordVPN can unblock many sites inside and outside the Philippines and give you a domestic or foreign IP address so that yours stays hidden. Whether you wish to unblock Sky Direct, Cignal, Netflix's US library, or Hulu, this VPN will serve you well.

NordVPN also excels in security and privacy, going the extra mile and giving you an added layer of security through its "Double VPN." It also comes with obfuscated servers, a kill switch, a strict no-logs policy, data leak protection, secure VPN protocols (NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec), AES 256-bit and ChaCha20 encryption, an ad-blocker, and more. 

By purchasing one NordVPN subscription, you can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously. You can use it on various gadgets, including PCs, laptops, routers, smart TVs, phones, tablets, and more.

Everything listed above is available at $2.99/month if you pick NordVPN's 2-year plan. In addition, this provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and reliable 24/7 customer support, available to you via its official website.

2. Surfshark – Highly Capable and Beginner-Friendly Philippines VPN

Surfshark is a beginner-friendly VPN with multiple servers in the Philippines and easy-to-use apps that anyone can navigate. Overall, Surfshark has a server network of 3,200+ servers in 100 countries worldwide, so it’s no secret that it has top-notch content-unblocking capabilities. 

This provider is also one of the fastest VPNs, so you can expect super-fast connections and reliable performance from this VPN. Furthermore, Surfshark can unblock many sites in and outside the Philippines, including Sky Direct and Cignal.

Surfshark comes with top-tier security and privacy features, such as obfuscated servers, secure VPN protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec), military-grade encryption (AES-256 and ChaCha20), a no-logs policy, a capable kill switch mechanism, data leak protection, a Multi-Hop feature, and more. In addition, it offers unlimited simultaneous connections. 

This VPN is compatible with a wide range of devices, including phones, PCs, tablets, routers, laptops, smart TVs, and many more. All of those devices have their own Surfshark apps, which are very easy to use.

At the moment, Surfshark is priced at only $1.99/month (2-year plan). Lastly, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and offers excellent 24/7 customer support, which you can contact via the live chat feature on Surfshark’s website.

3. ExpressVPN – Fully Obfuscated and Fast-Performing VPN

ExpressVPN is a long-standing and highly reputable VPN with multiple high-performance servers in the Philippines and has strong content-unblocking capabilities. Aside from the Philippines, ExpressVPN has a network of thousands of servers in 105 countries worldwide. 

ExpressVPN offers high-end speeds with minimal throttling, so you can expect lightning-fast speeds and reliable performance. Plus, since it covers so many countries, ExpressVPN can easily unblock sites inside and outside the Philippines, giving you access to worldwide content and sites like Sky Direct and Cignal, no matter where you are.

ExpressVPN comes with excellent security and privacy features to keep your information safe and hide your real IP address. Some of those features include obfuscated servers, an independently-audited no-logs policy, a capable kill switch, secure VPN protocols (Lightway, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec), military-grade encryption (AES-256 and WolfSSL), and more.

With ExpressVPN, you can connect up to 8 devices simultaneously, including phones, tablets, laptops, routers, PCs, smart TVs, and more. We can also praise the design of ExpressVPN's apps, which are suitable for first-time VPN users as well.

You can sign up for $6.67/month by opting for ExpressVPN's annual plan. Also, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free via its 30-day money-back guarantee. Lastly, you’ll get reliable 24/7 customer support via live chat on ExpressVPN’s website.

4. Private Internet Access – High-End VPN with In-Depth Customization

Private Internet Access (PIA) features an ultra-wide server fleet, offering thousands of servers in 90+ countries. It also has multiple servers in the Philippines, so it can give you a Philippines IP address when you’re traveling.

Out of the box, you get medium-fast performance. However, this VPN offers in-depth customization, which means you can achieve faster speeds if you optimize PIA. Aside from that, this VPN provider can unblock sites inside and outside the Philippines, allowing you to watch content on Sky Direct, Cignal, and many other Filipino sites no matter where you are.

You can expect excellent security and privacy features, such as obfuscation, two types of kill switches, a no-logs policy, military-grade encryption (AES-256 and ChaCha20), secure VPN protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec), a Multi-Hop feature, and more.

With PIA, you’ll get VPN coverage on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, including phones, laptops, PCs, routers, tablets, smart TV devices, and more. Needless to say, this VPN offers native software across the board.

You can also count on an affordable price - only $2.19/month (2-year plan). In addition, PIA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Lastly, you’ll get knowledgeable 24/7 customer support from PIA via its live chat feature.

5. CyberGhost VPN – VPN with Specialized Servers for Different Activities

Lastly, we have CyberGhost, a powerful VPN provider that offers optimized servers for various activities like streaming and gaming, and an extra-large server fleet. More specifically, this VPN has thousands of servers in 100 countries, with 70 servers in Manila, Philippines alone. 

With CyberGhost, you’ll get medium-fast Internet connections and solid performance. Keep in mind that you might notice some slowdown if you use overly remote servers. Also, since CyberGhost has servers in and outside the Philippines, it can unblock Filipino and worldwide sites. It allows you to access Sky Direct and Cignal from all over the world by giving you a Philippines IP address. 

You’ll also get all the necessary security and privacy features, including a no-logs policy, secure VPN protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec), AES 256-bit and ChaCha20 encryption, a kill switch, data leak protection, and more. Unfortunately, CyberGhost doesn’t offer obfuscation, so you can’t hide your VPN usage as easily.

On the bright side, CyberGhost supports plenty of parallel connections — 7 simultaneous connections, to be exact - and supports a wide range of devices, including phones, laptops, PCs, routers, smart TVs, and more. 

You can get started for only $2.19/month (2-year subscription plan). Lastly, this VPN offers dedicated 24/7 customer support, a 45-day money-back guarantee on longer-term plans, and a 14-day money-back guarantee on its monthly one.

Why Use a VPN in the Philippines?

You should use a VPN in the Philippines because it allows you to protect your personal information, avoid government monitoring, and bypass censorship and other restrictions. Other benefits you’ll get by using a VPN include the following:

• Hide IP Address – VPNs can hide your IP address by providing you with a new one every time you connect to a VPN server. 
• Conceal Online Activity – We've seen instances of the country's libel law in action, used against journalists and activists. Also, the Philippines conducts surveillance of mobile and Internet communications, which makes using a VPN crucial in keeping your privacy intact.
• Bypass Bandwidth Throttling – ISPs slow down your Internet when you use a lot of data at once. By hiding your activity, VPNs can help you avoid this and enjoy fast connections all the time.
• Avoid Local Censorship – Sites like PornHub and RedTube are banned in the Philippines. We're also witnessing a rise in censorship as Filipino politicians are lobbying for more restrictive measures. With a VPN, you can bypass local censorship by getting a foreign IP address.
• Unblock Geo-Restricted Content – Some websites and services (like Crunchyroll, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu) are only available in certain regions outside the Philippines. By connecting to a VPN server in another country, you can access global content that is blocked in the Philippines. 
• Find Better Prices – Companies often offer lower prices in some countries. With a VPN, you can get the best prices online by connecting to a VPN server in the location with the lowest prices.
• Shop Safely Online – A Philippines VPN will protect your financial information by encrypting your connection, allowing you to shop safely from anywhere. 
• Browse from Home While Abroad – By connecting to a VPN Philippine server, you’ll get a Philippines IP address, via which you can access the same content you would watch at home, no matter where you are. 
• Use Public WiFi Safely – Public WiFi networks are risky and unprotected and can leave you vulnerable to information theft. Luckily, VPNs encrypt your data and make public Internet connections much safer to use. 
• Securely Download Torrents – Torrenting can expose your location and IP address to hackers. Plus, ISPs and the Philippines government will be able to see what you download. A VPN will encrypt your connection and make downloading torrents much safer. 
• Improve Gaming Experience – VPNs can lower your ping and facilitate a smooth and fast gaming experience because they offer VPN servers closer to the game servers you’re playing on. 

What Makes a Good VPN for the Philippines

Pinpointing the most reliable, trustworthy, capable, and fast-performing VPN requires paying attention to a series of features. For example, you should be after a Philippines VPN with a broad network, strong security features, reliable support, and more - as explained below.

• Local Filipino and Worldwide Servers: A capable VPN should offer servers in the Philippines, as well as in nearby and remote countries, allowing you to obtain an IP from practically any location.
• Reliable and Stable Performance: Aside from offering fast speeds and minimal throttling, you'll want a VPN that can minimize your ping and latency, making it suitable even for gaming.
• Ability to Go Around Geo-Blocks: With a strong ability to bypass geo-blocks, your chosen VPN can give you access to local sites from abroad, as well as foreign sites from the country.
• Support for Obfuscation: Obfuscation helps you hide your VPN traffic, which is recommended for a country like the Philippines, where widespread Internet surveillance is present.
• Kill Switch Support: The purpose of a kill switch is to protect your data from leaking. This feature shuts down your Internet connection if your VPN connection drops for whatever reason.
• Robust Security and Privacy: We recommend aiming for protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard, which should come paired with AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption algorithms.
• Support for P2P Traffic: Most Filipino ISPs employ measures to downgrade P2P traffic, which makes torrenting impossible. A high-end P2P VPN can fix that issue with ease.
• Parallel VPN Connections: You'll want a sufficient number of simultaneous connections, which allows you to protect your entire household at once and use your VPN on the go.
• Device Support and Native Apps: By having native apps for all your devices, you ensure that you can use your VPN up to its full potential. Avoid VPNs that come with manual configuration only.
• Affordable Pricing: You'll be happy to know that even a high-end VPN doesn't have to cost a lot, especially if you purchase a long-term subscription plan.
• Straightforward Money-Back Guarantees: Make sure that your VPN investment is risk-free, done by relying on a generous money-back guarantee.
• Always-There Customer Support: You'll also want access to 24/7 live chat support, providing you with an easy and quick way to resolve any technical issue.

Can You Use a Free VPN in the Philippines?

Yes, you can use a free VPN in the Philippines, but we don’t recommend you do so. One of the reasons is that your personal information will not be fully protected and will likely be sold to third parties instead. 

Also, you won’t be able to access geo-restricted content with a free VPN, nor will you be able to unblock global content like you would with a premium one. And even if you get the best free VPN in the Philippines, you’ll still get restricted resources like limited bandwidth.

Thus, we recommend you go straight for a premium VPN. Only the best VPN providers can protect you from online tracking and monitoring and allow you to access content inside and outside the Philippines without issues. 

Final Thoughts

It's clear that the Philippines has its fair share of restrictions and geo-blocks on adult sites and global platforms. Moreover, when traveling abroad, Filipino citizens can’t access Philippines-exclusive sites like Sky Direct and Cignal. Let's not forget the country's firm stance toward censorship and digital surveillance. Fortunately, an adequate VPN can solve all these issues at once.

Based on our hands-on test, we recommend NordVPN as the best VPN for the Philippines because it will allow you to watch Filipino content while traveling and unblock geo-restricted content from within the country. In addition to bypassing censorship, NordVPN will protect you online and prevent the Philippines government from monitoring your online activity. 

That’s all for our guide on choosing the best Philippines VPN. If you have any more questions or remarks, feel free to share them via the comments section below. Thanks for reading!