Best VPN Manila

Whether you live in Manila or are on vacation, a VPN can prevent government censorship and surveillance to give you added freedom online. VPNs can also protect you against hackers and allow you to access international sites and streaming content that isn’t available in the Philippines.

VPNs function by directing your internet traffic through a highly secure and encrypted 256-bit AES tunnel, thereby safeguarding your online activity. Plus, VPNs let you connect to a server in a location of your choice, this effectively changes your IP address and disguises your actual location. This lets you bypass geo-restrictions and access content not usually available in your location.

In this guide, we list the best VPNs for Manila, explain how to use them, and answer some common VPN questions. We will go into more detail about the ones we recommend later in this article, but in case you’re short on time, here’s a quick summary.

Best VPNs for Manila:

  1. NordVPN: our #1 choice for a Manila VPN. Known for its strong commitment to security and privacy. Global network of over 5,500 servers to choose from. Provides stable connections and a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.
  2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN for Manila. Has servers in the Philippines. Easy to use on all devices. Great for bypassing geo-restrictions. Works with Netflix, iPlayer, and Hulu. Provides unlimited connections.
  3. ExpressVPN:  A trusted VPN brand with servers in 94 countries – including the Philippines. Ideal for torrenting, bypassing government censorship, and gaining privacy online. Works with Netflix, Disney+, and other streaming platforms.
  4. CyberGhost: An easy-to-use VPN that’s good for beginners. Apps for all platforms that work with Hulu, iPlayer, and Netflix. Good for gaining privacy at home and on public wifi. 40+ servers in the Philippines.
  5. PrivateVPN: A Swedish provider with a no-logs policy and feature-packed apps. Fast speeds and a choice of servers in 63 countries (including the Philippines). Permits torrenting.
  6. VyprVPN: A private and secure VPN with plenty of servers in Asia, including servers in Manila. Permits torrenting. Apps for all platforms. Works with Netflix US.
  7. Hotspot Shield: Servers in 80 countries, including the Philippines. Fast speeds and great for unblocking.
TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Manila.

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Best VPNs for Manila

There are any number of VPNs on the market, but they don’t all offer the same level of service. To help you find one that is suited to your needs, we only included VPNs that met the following criteria:

  • A wide global network of servers
  • Reliable apps for all devices
  • Fast speeds for uninterrupted streaming
  • Capable of bypassing the restrictions on popular sites
  • No-logs policy and robust encryption
  • Servers optimized for P2P connections and torrenting
  • World-class customer service with 24/7 live chat
  • Outstanding value for money

This is just an overview, but you can read more about how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend in our methodology section below. For now, let’s take a look at the ones that made the cut. 

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for Manila:

1. NordVPN

NordVPN Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background FireTV

Website:  www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN is our top recommended VPN for Manila. It’s a veteran provider that’s been around for decades and has a stellar reputation for performance and service. NordVPN runs over 5,500 servers in over 60 countries, and while those do not currently include the Philippines, they do include plenty of countries across Asia.

Unblocking geo-restricted content with NordVPN is very easy indeed. This is the fastest VPN we’ve tested, and this makes streaming TV shows and movies in HD an enjoyable experience without all of the annoying buffering and lag. NordVPN consistently finds ways around anti-VPN measures and successfully works with the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.

This service prioritizes your security with 256-bit AES encryption, protection against WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leaks, and an app-specific kill switch. NordVPN launched its own protocol recently, NordLynx, which is easier to audit than OpenVPN. Speaking of audits, NordVPN has twice had independent auditors verify its strict no-logs policy. If you have any problems, you can get in touch with support staff 24/7 over email or live chat.

NordVPN has its own Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and macOS apps. It comes with a six-device connection limit, but if you’d prefer to protect all your devices simultaneously, you can manually install it on a wide range of routers.

Pros:

  • Wide network of over 5,500 global servers
  • Excellent speeds for uninterrupted streaming
  • Strong security and privacy protocols
  • Independently verified no logs policy
  • Knowledgable customer service available 24/7
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

  • Desktop app can take a little getting used to

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

BEST VPN FOR MANILA:NordVPN is our #1 choice. It’s fast, reliable, secure, and has servers in 5,500 countries worldwide. Offers excellent speeds and unblocking abilities for unrivaled streaming. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Want to know more? Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.Surfshark.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

Surfshark is a VPN provider based in the British Virgin Islands, a location that is well out of reach of invasive jurisdictions like the USA. It has a strict no logs policy, which makes it ideal for gaining privacy both at home and on public wifi. And it provides military-grade encryption, a kill-switch, and DNS leak protection, to guarantee your online security.

Surfshark has servers located in 60+ countries. This includes servers in the Philippines to let you use local services such as internet banking, social media, and news sites without being tracked by your ISP. It also means that you can stream Filipino TV streams while on vacation. And this VPN is perfect for accessing foreign services like Netflix, iPlayer, Hulu, and Prime Video.

This provider has apps for Android, iOS, Windows and Mac. Those apps have all the features you need to connect to public wifi without fear of hackers. Torrenting is permitted throughout its network, and it is fast to let you download or stream content without long waits and buffering. We love that this service has 24/7 live chat, and that you can test it using its 30-day money-back guarantee. Perfect for those who need a cheap VPN in Manila.

Pros:

  • Ideal for streaming
  • Servers in the Philippines
  • Budget-friendly
  • Can be used on an unlimited number of devices
  • Strong encryption and a no logs policy

Cons:

  • Occasional slow server

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

BEST BUDGET OPTION:Surfshark is the best value VPN for consumers in Manila. Works with Netflix. Optimized for torrenting. Great speeds. No logs and strong encryption to provide internet freedom without government tracking on an unlimited number of devices. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.ExpressVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

ExpressVPN is a world-class VPN that consumers trust to give them online privacy. It is a no-logs service with apps for all platforms that come with advanced features such as a kill switch, obfuscation, Lightway protocol, OpenVPN, and DNS leak protection.

Express has a proprietary Lightway protocol, which provides lightning-fast connections. This makes it ideal for torrenting, gaming, and streaming in HD. And this VPN works with two dozen Netflix catalogs – as well as Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max, to name a few. It even throws in a free SmartDNS (MediaStreamer) add-on to ensure you can unblock everything.

ExpressVPN provides access to servers in 94 countries. This includes IP addresses in the Philippines so that you can watch iFlix, HOOQ, iWantTV, and other Filipino TV stations while on vacation. With ExpressVPN, your privacy is always assured, which means you can bypass government censorship or torrent without fear of being monitored by your ISP.

Plus, this VPN has 24/7 live chat to ensure you can set up and use the VPN without any issues. Test it risk-free using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros:

  • Apps for all platforms
  • Servers in 94 countries, including the Philippines
  • Works with Netflix and BBC iPlayer
  • Superfast for streaming in HD
  • 24/7 live chat

Cons:

  • A little more expensive than others on this list
  • Lack of advanced configuration options

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

FAST AND RELIABLE:ExpressVPN is trusted and respected. Fast connections, strong on privacy, and provides IP addresses in the Philippines. Unblock massive amounts of content in 94 countries. Provides access to two dozen Netflix catalogs. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN Review.

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4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost is a service that is perfect for VPN novices who want an uncomplicated service that gets the job done. The provider is based in Romania; a location that is great for privacy purposes. It has apps for all platforms that come with military-grade encryption, and it has a trustworthy zero-logs policy to ensure that everything you do online stays completely private.

Using this VPN ensures that you can use the internet without being tracked both at home and on public wifi. This prevents surveillance capitalism and allows you to browse the web, read blogs, and access news without your ISP and the government monitoring you.

Despite having the features you need to torrent safely (a kill-switch and DNS leak protection) this VPN is extremely easy to use, which makes it great for beginners. And this VPN has live chat support to help you with setup or using the apps.

There is a vast network of over 9,000 servers located in a whopping 91 countries. This includes 44 servers in Manila to ensure you can use local services while on vacation or to gain privacy while in the Philippines. A reliable VPN that you can test for 45 whole days, and it even unblocks Netflix, Prime, and other sought-after services.

Pros:

  • The best option for beginners
  • Over 9,000 global servers with 40+ in Manila
  • No logs policy
  • Works with Netflix and other popular streaming sites
  • Robust encryption

Cons:

  • Lack of advanced features
  • Doesn’t work in China

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

BEGINNER-FRIENDLY OPTION:CyberGhost is a fantastic choice for non-techy users and beginners. Has the primary features you need to gain privacy at home and on public wifi. Prevents government censorship and surveillance. Huge server network and a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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5. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.PrivateVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

PrivateVPN is a popular service based in Sweden. It is a no-logs VPN with a proven track record of providing privacy. It has apps for all platforms that implement OpenVPN with AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. This makes it ideal for gaining privacy both at home and on public wifi.

PrivateVPN has servers in 60+ countries, including servers in the Philippines, to access local content without being tracked by your ISP or local network administrators. Those servers will also allow you to stream Filipino TV and movies while on vacation. Plus, PrivateVPN is one of the few services that work to access Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and other popular international services.

Considering the level of service this VPN provides and the live chat support that is available on its website, this VPN is actually very cheap. Plus, this VPN lets you use up to 10 devices at once, which makes it even better value for money (and is more than enough for most power users). Torrenting is permitted with this VPN, and it provides superb speeds and a SOCKS5 proxy. An excellent VPN that you can test risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros:

  • Ideal for streaming Netflix and other services
  • Super fast speeds
  • Strict no-logs policy
  • Servers in the Philippines
  • Strong AES-256 encryption

Cons:

  • Live chat support is not 24/7
  • Fewer servers than its competitors

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

STRONG ON PRIVACY:PrivateVPN has apps for all platforms that are easy to use. Plenty of privacy and security features. Works with Netflix and iPlayer. Servers in the Philippines to unblock TV streams on vacation. SOCKS5 proxy and port forwarding for torrenting. 30-day money-back guarantee to test the service.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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6. VyprVPN

VyprVPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.VyprVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

VyprVPN is a Swiss-based provider that is well-represented in Asia. It has servers in the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and elsewhere to ensure you can always get outstanding speeds.

This provider implements a strict no-logs VPN, with apps for all platforms with a kill-switch, OpenVPN with AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and proprietary obfuscation called Chameleon. VyprVPN also has split tunneling (called “Connection per app”). This makes it perfect for bypassing censorship or using the internet without being tracked by your ISP, employer, or public Wi-Fi providers.

VyprVPN permits torrenting, and it completely controls its entire network, which improves privacy for its users. Plus, the NAT firewall can be disabled to enable all incoming ports. The service has endured a full third-party audit that verified the authenticity of its no-logs claims and the security of its apps. It also has 24/7 live chat to help you when you most need it.

When it comes to streaming, this service can unblock popular Filipino services and streams. It also works to access BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Hulu, and other popular services. You can try it yourself using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros:

  • Servers in the Philippines and across Asia
  • Fast connections
  • Allows torrenting

Cons:

  • Not as fast as our other recommendations
  • Smaller network than other providers

Our score:

4 out of 5

COMPLETELY PROPRIETARY NETWORK:VyprVPN has servers in 70+ countries. Easy to use, ideal for torrenting, and fast enough for streaming in HD. Works to unblock Netflix and iPlayer. Gives you privacy at home and on public wifi. Prevents wifi hacking. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full VyprVPN review.

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7. Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.Hotspotshield.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

Editor’s Note: Hotspot Shield is owned by Pango, Comparitech’s parent company.

Hotspot Shield is a US-based provider that hundreds of thousands of people use. This is primarily due to its free plan, which lets you connect to a server in the US to download 500 MB of data each month. The free plan is useful, but it does not work to unblock Netflix. It is also fairly slow and does not provide any support.

The good news is that those who pay for premium get 24/7 support, apps for all platforms, advanced privacy features, and the ability to unblock Netflix, iPlayer, and other popular services. A paid account gives you access to servers in 80+ countries. This includes IPs in the Philippines to access local content without being tracked – and to access Filipino services while outside of the country.

Hotspot Shield is super fast, thanks to its proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol, which makes it a great option for making video calls, streaming, and playing games. Torrenting is permitted, however, you will not find any port forwarding or split tunneling.

Finally, this VPN is quite expensive when you purchase it directly. However, it gets much cheaper when you use our coupon. You can also test it for 45 days using its generous money-back guarantee.

Pros:

  • Servers in the Philippines and 80+ countries
  • Works with Netflix US
  • No usage logs

Cons:

  • Based in the US – a 5 Eyes member
  • Had some privacy issues in the past

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

A POPULAR VPN WITH A FREE TRIAL:Hotspot Shield has servers in the Philippines. Secure and private with a fast global server network that unblocks many sought-after international services. IPs in the Philippines. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Hotspot Shield review.

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Methodology: How we find the best VPNs for Manila

There are hundreds of consumer-facing VPNs on the market, but they are not all created equal. Some VPNs are slow and will cause your internet to come to a grounding halt. Others lie about the level of protection they provide. Below, we have included a comprehensive list of the criteria we used to pinpoint the best VPNs for Manila.

Our testing criteria:

  • A global server network. Our recommendations all have servers throughout the world. This allows you to not only protect yourself while in the Philippines but also to access a wide range of international, restricted content like a variety of Netflix libraries and other popular services.
  • Apps for all devices. Our recommendations have apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. This lets you use the VPN to gain privacy and security while using public wifi and at home.
  • OpenVPN with robust AES encryption. This level of encryption ensures that your data is completely secure as it passes over the internet to prevent data theft and to ensure you gain online privacy.
  • A no-logs policy. Only VPNs with a no-logs policy can be trusted to never store any records of what you do online. Our recommendations all have trusted policies that keep your data safe in Manila.
  • Optimized for Torrenting. Many consumers want a VPN for torrenting, which is why we always recommend VPNs that permit torrenting and have servers optimized for P2P connections.
  • Outstanding apps packed with privacy features. VPNs for Manila must have a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and a choice of advanced privacy features for various purposes and use cases (check the summaries to find out more).
  • Fast speeds for streaming. We always test VPN speeds. This is super important due to how slow the internet is in the Philippines. As a result, our recommendations have fast servers for streaming and making video calls.

Want to know more about how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend? Check out our full scientific testing methodology here.

How to use a VPN for Manila

Using a VPN to gain privacy and freedom online is extremely easy. Simply follow the steps below to get a VPN and start using it immediately.

Here’s how to set up a VPN for Manila:

  1. Pick a VPN for Manila. We recommend NordVPN because it has plenty of servers where you need them, fast speeds, and the ability to unblock tons of international services.
  2. Subscribe to the VPN and download the correct apps for your devices.
  3. Log in to the VPN app using your credentials.
  4. Choose a VPN server from the list and click Connect. Nearby servers will offer the best speeds, but for unblocking purposes, make sure you choose a server in a relevant country. For example, a server in the Philippines will let you safely access Filipino content, while a US server will allow you to unblock American Netflix,
  5. That’s it! You now have a secure, encrypted connection to the internet and can browse and stream content securely.
  6. If you’re having any issues, try clearing your browser’s cookies and cache and then reload the page.

VPNs for Manila: FAQs

Can I use a free VPN in Manila?

While they might seem tempting, most free VPNs are problematic, highly restrictive, and have slow servers that lower your internet speeds by half or more. This makes them unsuitable for use in the Philippines–where the internet is already slow. In addition, most free VPNs that appear in app stores are not suitable for privacy purposes.

A CSIRO study carried out in 2016 revealed that a large percentage of free VPNs suffer from leaks, have insecure apps, lie about the level of data security they provide, and even contain spyware and tracking cookies. This makes those VPNs a massive risk to their users.

Some premium VPNs provide a limited free plan to advertise their service and to let people trial the VPN. Those VPNs have download limits, speed restrictions, fewer server locations, and other annoying restrictions. This is to ensure that users must upgrade to premium to get full use of the VPN.

If you want to try an unrestricted VPN for free in Manila, we advise making use of the money-back guarantees provided by our recommendations. You can also check out the cheapest VPNs to find a service that provides privacy at the lowest possible cost.

Why is it so important to get a fast VPN in the Philippines?

The Philippines is known for having some of the world’s slowest internet speeds. This is due to local circumstances and infrastructure. According to Globe (the Philippines’ leading ISP) it takes up to 35 permits to install the tech required to provide internet to Filipino customers, which drives up costs and results in less innovation.

Average mobile internet speeds in the Philippines come in at around 22.5 Mbps. Broadband is faster with speeds closer to 40 Mbps. However, 60% of internet users currently rely on mobile internet rather than a fixed connection. This makes it essential for consumers in the Philippines to use the fastest VPNs available.

To provide its service, a VPN must encrypt your data and route your traffic to a remote location. This causes slower connection speeds than what you pay your ISP for. Unreliable VPNs with sluggish servers can slow your internet between 50 and 90 percent. This can cause connection speeds to decline too much, causing serious issues for consumers living in the Philippines.

In this guide, we have recommended VPNs that have Tier 1 networks of lightning fast servers with gigabit connections. These VPNs ensure that the slowing of your internet is kept to a minimum. As a result, you will still be able to stream, torrent, and play games without suffering.

Do ISPs engage in throttling in the Philippines?

Due to the lack of infrastructure and the ease with which Filipino networks become congested, ISPs there are known to engage in bandwidth throttling. Filipino ISPs do this at peak times to prevent customers who torrent, stream in HD, play games, or do other data-intensive tasks from using up too much bandwidth.

Bandwidth throttling is hugely frustrating because it can make already slow internet conditions almost unbearable. According to reports and opinions in the Philippines, the ISP Globe sometimes throttles people’s internet to speeds of just 64 Kbps. Those are extremely slow speeds, which makes it a good option to try a VPN.

ISPs throttle internet users who engage in data-intensive tasks. They do this to prevent congestion and to keep the average connection speed up for other users. By connecting to a VPN, you prevent Globe (and other Philippine ISPs) from knowing what you do online. This can prevent you from being throttled when you stream, play games, and do other data-heavy things.

The good news is that all the VPNs recommended in this guide have a money-back guarantee. This means you can test the VPN to see whether it improves your connection speeds. If you believe your ISP is throttling you, it is well worth testing a VPN from this guide.

Do I need a VPN for torrenting in Manila?

In 2012, the government of the Philippines passed the CyberCrime Prevention Act. The law makes it illegal to download copyright protected content including videos, music, and software. The legislation means that Filipino citizens can be prosecuted, fined, and even imprisoned for torrenting.

It is also worth mentioning that consumers in the Philippines sometimes complain about ISPs blocking access to popular torrent sites like The Pirate Bay, RARBG and 133tx. What’s more, as of April 2021, the Philippines Government and ISPs have reached an agreement that allows piracy websites to be blocked quickly and more often.

The new arrangement increases the likelihood that streaming and torrenting websites will be blocked – making it impossible to access popular torrent repos without a VPN. The good news is that all of the VPNs recommended in this guide permit torrenting and can be used to visit torrent sites with complete privacy.

Comparitech does not condone or encourage any violation of copyright restrictions. Please stick to legal torrents and consider the law, victims, and risks of piracy before downloading copyrighted material without permission

Is censorship common in Manila and the Philippines?

Citizens living in Manila generally experience unrestricted access to social media sites, instant messaging services, international news sites, and other vital online content and services. With this in mind, freedom of the net is still generally unrestrained.

That said, censorship and freedom of speech is a growing concern in the Philippines. The government often uses intimidation and harassment to prevent news outlets from expressing dissenting opinions, which creates an environment in which self censorship is common.

In 2020, the government forced closure of the news outlet ABS-CBN. The decision was a huge blow to freedom of speech in the country. In addition, Google has reported removal requests from the government on various occasions. It is also worth noting that the government has introduced bills that would make takedown requests possible without judicial oversight.

With internet freedom in decline according to Freedom House, it is vital for citizens with dissenting opinions, and who are critical of President Duterte’s government, to use a VPN. Only with a VPN can netizens express themselves without fear of persecution. Thus, a VPN is the best way to escape the bubble of propaganda created by the authorities.

It is also worth noting that pornographic content and websites are illegal in the Philippines. As a result, you will need a VPN to access pornographic content safely in Manila.

What can I unblock with a VPN for Manila?

Consumers use VPNs to unblock huge amounts of content from around the world. With a VPN you can easily bypass any censorship or restrictions imposed by the government. You can also bypass geo-restrictions to access international services like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, HBO, BeIN Sports, BBC iPlayer and much more.

A VPN is also immensely useful if you leave the Philippines on vacation or for business. All the VPNs recommended in this guide have servers in the Philippines so that you can stream Filipino TV channels and streaming services like iFlix, HOOQ, and iWantTV from outside of the country.