Best VPNs for Malaysia: Securing your online presence

Whether traveling to or living in Malaysia, a VPN is necessary to stay safe online. Malaysia’s cyber landscape has worsened in the past few years, with authorities clamping down on dissent by silencing the press and blocking websites that discuss corruption scandals. There have also been cases of bloggers and social media users being arrested for expressing their views online. For these reasons, we recommend a VPN to safeguard your privacy when accessing the internet in Malaysia.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts all the traffic flowing to and from your device, making it practically impossible for hackers or government authorities to determine your true location. Your data is tunneled via an intermediary server, keeping it safe and secure. A VPN is also an excellent choice for expatriates living in Malaysia who wish to access geo-restricted content from home. At the same time, Malaysian residents traveling abroad can also use a VPN to access channels like Astro.

In this article, we’ll list the best VPNs for Malaysia and walk you through how to use them. You can read detailed reviews of each below but, in case you’re short on time, here’s a quick summary:

The best VPNs for Malaysia:

1. NordVPN: Our #1 pick for a Malaysia VPN. A veteran provider that doesn’t compromise on privacy, security, or speed. It has thousands of servers in its global network. Also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Malaysia.
   
2. Surfshark: The best budget VPN for Malaysia. A strong all-rounder with servers in 100+ countries. Great security credentials and unblocking ability.
3. IPVanish: Favored for its user-friendly apps and impressive streaming speeds. Allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Servers in Malaysia.
4. ExpressVPN: A fast and reliable service, this provider has servers located in over 105 countries, including Malaysia, which is great for unblocking geo-restricted sites. Privacy and security are high-grade.
5. CyberGhost: A beginner-friendly provider with a vast network of fast-streaming global servers and more than 30 servers in Malaysia. Easy to install and use.
6. PureVPN: Top-tier performance and sleek, well-designed apps capable of accessing just about every major streaming platform.
7. ProtonVPN: No-logs VPN offering fast speeds, robust security, and dozens of Malaysian servers.
8. Private Internet Access: Easy-to-use apps with reliable servers in Malaysia. Works with several major streaming platforms and doesn’t keep any logs.
9. PrivateVPN: Epic unblocking ability, powerful obfuscation, up to 10 device connections, and low-cost subscriptions.

Note: This article focuses on the best VPNs to use while living in or traveling to Malaysia. The recommended providers are all fast, secure, and reliable; however, not all of them have servers located within the country. If you’re looking for information on accessing Malaysian content from outside the country, check out our article How to get a Malaysian IP address.

How we chose the top VPNs for Malaysian residents and visitors

VPNs at the same price point aren’t always of the same quality. It’s easy to end up with an inferior service if you take providers’ claims at face value, which is why we carry out a series of tests to objectively assess them.

For Malaysian VPNs, tests were concentrated in the following key areas:

• Speed: A fast VPN is vital for everything from streaming to video calling. We found the fastest by carrying out multiple speed tests while connected to each provider’s US servers.
• Features: We checked whether providers had servers in Malaysia. We then looked at whether they offered automatic public wi-fi protection. We also looked at their ability to obfuscate traffic in neighbouring countries, such as China.
• Security and privacy: Given Malaysia’s attitude to freedom of expression, it’s wise to choose a VPN with the ability to keep your data safe from interested third parties. We used 16 different metrics to evaluate providers’ relative security and privacy.
• Ease of use: To make sure your VPN experience is as free from hassle as possible, we evaluated each provider using 10 different ease-of-use metrics.
• Value for money: Cheap VPNs aren’t all bad, while expensive VPNs aren’t necessarily good. We use eight value-for-money metrics to find the best at each price point.

You can read more about our testing process in our methodology section later in the article. For now, let’s take a look at the ones that made the cut. 

The best Malaysia VPNs: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Malaysia.

The best VPNs for Malaysia

At Comparitech, we never recommend a VPN that we haven’t tested personally. We put all of the VPNs through a rigorous testing process, and the following reviews are the results of our first-hand experiences.

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

1. NordVPN

Apr 2025 Works In MalaysiaTested Apr 2025

NordVPN is our number one VPN choice for Malaysia. This veteran company operates over 7,400 servers in 118+ countries. Several of these servers are located within Malaysia, so residents traveling abroad can use the service to watch content from back home. The provider also works with many international streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, and it supports torrenting.

Speeds are superb. When we tested the provider’s US servers, it averaged 201.66 Mbps and was more than 70 Mbps faster than the combined average speed of the other tested providers. NordVPN was not only the fastest provider we tested, but one of the most consistent, with only 4 Mbps of variation across the day. Practically, it means NordVPN is fast enough to stream 4K video on up to eight devices simultaneously. 

NordVPN is one of the few services that separates its servers according to specialty. It has some specifically for double VPN, Tor over VPN, and dedicated IP, guaranteeing fast speeds and strong encryption.

Nord VPN uses the 256-bit AES encryption by default and 2,048-bit SSL keys. DNS leak protection is also enabled, as is protection from IPv6 and WebRTC leaks. There’s also a no-logs policy that has thwarted attempts by government agencies to sniff out its user data.

The company has been in the VPN business for over a decade and continues to improve its already excellent service. Nord recently introduced its NordWhisper protocol for traffic obfuscation on any server. Its Meshnet feature allows you to access and connect other devices safely, and Threat Protection provides an added level of security.

There are apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, and 24/7 live customer support should you need it.

BEST VPN FOR MALAYSIA:NordVPN is our top pick. With an extensive range of servers, including a few in Malaysia, this is a good all-rounder option that works with Netflix and most other streaming services. There are great privacy and security features like double VPN and Tor over VPN servers. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can try it risk-free.

Read our in-depth review of NordVPN here, or check out the video review below.

---

2. Surfshark

Works in MalaysiaTested Apr 2025

Surfshark has over 3,200 servers spread across 100 countries, including Malaysia. It boasts strong streaming ability and has no problem securely accessing services like TV1, Netflix US, or Hulu from abroad.

However, the thing that really sets this VPN apart is that it doesn’t restrict the number of connected devices you can have. As such, you can secure every device you own with just one account.

It’s also very fast. In our tests, its average download speed was an impressive 189.14 Mbps. This makes it suitable for a wide range of online tasks, including streaming, gaming, and torrenting. 

This service puts major emphasis on your security. It hides your activities from snoopers using a kill switch, protection against DNS, WebRTC, IPv6 leaks, and 256-bit AES encryption.

You can also block ads and malware automatically or turn on NoBorders mode to bypass country-wide internet censorship. Surfshark doesn’t log any personally identifiable information, and you can sign up almost completely anonymously by paying in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Ripple. 24/7 customer support is on hand over live chat in case of any problems.

Surfshark apps are available for macOS, Android, Windows, iOS, and Linux systems. If you’d prefer, you can manually install it on your wireless router.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark might be a security-first VPN but it remains affordable and can unblock a wide range of streaming services from abroad. With no connection limit, you can protect all your devices simultaneously. This service comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark here, or check out our video review below.

---

3. IPVanish

Works in MalaysiaTested Apr 2025

IPVanish is a strong VPN for Malaysia. It checks all the boxes for speed and unblocking while also being mindful of maintaining user privacy and anonymity. The only time it stores any details is when an account is created for the first time. After that, your activity is hidden – this includes things like session history and choice of servers.

Speed-wise, the provider’s test results ranged between 171.26 Mbps and 180.63 Mbps. Its overall average download speed of 176.36 Mbps makes it fast enough for uninterrupted streaming, gaming or video calling. 

IPVanish uses 256-bit encryption on the WireGuard protocol by default, SHA512 authentication, and a DHE-RSA 2,048 key exchange with perfect forward secrecy. This means that hackers can’t decrypt past data to glean your internet history, even if your account is compromised.

There’s an internet kill switch included, which means the company will temporarily block all traffic to and from your device if the connection drops. The VPN servers are optimized for speed and stability, and there are over 2,400 of them spread across 140 locations worldwide, including Malaysia. That means a suitable connection is never far from reach.

IPVanish is popular with torrenters because it permits torrenting on all servers. Many users also find it particularly good for Kodi because it allows them to download the Android APK directly to their device. The interface is also remote control-friendly for Kodi devices that lack a keyboard and mouse. The recently created Advanced Tier comes with access to a secure browser and a huge 1 TB of cloud storage.

The provider is able to access a variety of popular streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+. It also works well with iQIYi and Dimsum.

There are apps for both iOS and Android, as well as desktop support for Windows and macOS. And as a bonus, you can connect all your devices simultaneously.

FAST SERVERS IN MALAYSIA:IPVanish allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Great for families. It works well in Malaysia and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our review of IPVanish here, or check out the video review below.

---

4. ExpressVPN

Works in MalaysiaTested Apr 2025

ExpressVPN offers a sturdy combination of effectively uncrackable encryption, reliable speeds, and efficient connections. The design is clean and minimalist, and the service works without any fuss.

ExpressVPN offers possible connections to over 3,000 servers spread across 105 countries, including some in Malaysia. It’s an ideal choice for foreign expatriates living in the country and residents trying to unlock local content. ExpressVPN works effortlessly with Netflix. It’s also compatible with Hulu and BBC iPlayer and supports torrents.

Speeds are consistently fast. When connected to ExpressVPN’s US servers, we recorded download speeds that only differed by 6.69 Mbps between the slowest and fastest results. Overall, the provider averaged a respectable 125.43 Mbps.

The company has a stated policy of not storing any traffic logs whatsoever. However, there is some metadata retention – specifically the date (not time) of connection, choice of server location, and total bandwidth used. It’s important to note that your IP address won’t be logged, so there’s no way your web activity can be traced back to you. At the same time, it’s possible to sign up via a burner email account and pay with Bitcoin to maintain anonymity.

Encryption protocols are similarly robust – the service leverages 256-bit AES-CBC, utilizing both HMAC authentication and perfect forward secrecy. An internet kill switch temporarily halts all web traffic if the connection drops unexpectedly.

There are apps for Android and iOS, as well as desktop support for Windows, Linux,  and macOS.

STREAM SECURELY ANYWHERE:ExpressVPN is a great choice. It has a large server network that is optimized for high-speed connections. It is hard to beat on privacy and security, and it unblocks streaming sites that other VPNs struggle with. There is a 30-day no-quibbles money-back guarantee too.

Read our review of ExpressVPN.

---

5. CyberGhost

Works in MalaysiaTested Apr 2025

CyberGhost is ideal for beginners looking for a fast, reliable connection with a simple interface and a wide selection of servers. It has over 10,000 servers spread across 100+ countries, including more than 30 servers in Malaysia.

Interestingly, it also has servers for specific tasks — including gaming, streaming, and torrenting. Usefully, the streaming servers each have a label indicating the platforms that they work best with.

We tried the servers for BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Netflix. All of them worked as expected. Moreover, we experienced no buffering while connected, suggesting decent speeds. This was borne out by subsequent testing, which showed download speeds averaging an impressive 146.98 Mbps. 

CyberGhost uses 256-bit encryption on the WireGuard protocol by default, along with 2,048-bit RSA keys and MD5 HMAC authentication. That means it passes the test of stringent encryption. There’s protection against IP leaks and an internet kill switch included, which means web traffic will stop if the connection drops. The company also operates a strict no-logs policy that’s been independently audited.

You’ll find CyberGhost apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. Chrome and Firefox extensions are also available, and you can enjoy unlimited simultaneous connections if you manually configure CyberGhost with a compatible router.

BEGINNER-FRIENDLY:CyberGhost has a simple setup as well as great privacy and security. It has a vast server network, is reliable in Malaysia, and comes with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our full review of CyberGhost.

---

6. PureVPN

Works in MalaysiaTested Apr 2025

PureVPN is a solid choice for anyone looking to browse the internet safely during a trip to Malaysia. It operates more than 6,000 servers worldwide (spanning 65 countries) and delivers consistently fast speeds.

In our tests, PureVPN averaged 143.47 Mbps. This is fast enough for streaming 4K video on five devices simultaneously — which is perfectly possible as PureVPN allows up to ten simultaneous device connections. 

What’s more, it can securely access a wide range of streaming platforms, from Netflix to BBC iPlayer. Its “Shortcuts” tab provides a list of servers for specific streaming services, and even opens the platform’s website when you establish a connection.

Its apps are beginner-friendly, though if you do get stuck, support staff are available 24 hours per day over live chat (though sometimes they take a minute or two to respond).

This service keeps you safe using uncrackable encryption and industry-approved connection protocols. It prevents IPv6 and DNS leaks automatically, and since there’s a built-in kill switch, you’ll never accidentally perform sensitive tasks unprotected.

PureVPN has been audited four times and does not keep any logs of your activities. It blocks trackers automatically as well, though confusingly, this feature only works if you choose the Plus or Max subscription. That’s a bit of a shame since it’s fairly unusual for providers to limit functionality for paying customers.

PureVPN has apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Alternatively, users can follow manual setup instructions to get it running on their home router.

HIGH PERFORMANCE:PureVPN is a fast and secure service with an expansive network. Not only that, it prioritizes ease of use and excels at beating regional restrictions.

Read our full PureVPN review.

---

7. ProtonVPN

Works in MalaysiaTested Apr 2025

ProtonVPN operates more than 12,000 servers in 117 countries, with more than 30 in Malaysia. Users can choose between individual servers in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru rather than have ProtonVPN choose for them.

Connection speeds are great, even when covering long distances. In our tests, the provider averaged a solid 130.89 Mbps.

This makes it a strong choice for anyone hoping to stream their favorite shows while on vacation. Of course, it’s also suitable for torrenting, video calling, and playing online games securely. ProtonVPN boasts a generous 10-connection limit, 24/7 customer support, and the ability to block ads automatically.

We’re big fans of this VPN’s security offering. It supports multiple protocols, uses effectively uncrackable encryption, and blocks trackers by default. There are a few additional tools as well, such as a kill switch, leak protection, split tunneling functionality, obfuscation and port forwarding.

Most importantly, ProtonVPN has a no-logs policy, which means it couldn’t reveal details of your activities even if threatened with legal action. Anyone hoping for a higher level of privacy can use the multi-hop Secure Core servers and sign up anonymously by paying in Bitcoin or cash.

ProtonVPN has apps for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux devices. Further, its website provides manual installation instructions just in case you’d like to install it on a router instead.

SAFE AND SECURE:ProtonVPN is a no-logs provider with plenty to offer. Its high speeds and powerful security tools make it ideal for international travelers or even just those looking to enhance their online privacy.

Why not check out our ProtonVPN review?

---

8. Private Internet Access

works in MalaysiaTested Apr 2025

Private Internet Access has a large network, with servers in 91+ countries, including Malaysia. The provider also has dedicated streaming servers available that make it easy to access platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

While connected to PIA’s US servers, we recorded download speeds of between 77.24 Mbps and 88.36 Mbps. Although slower than the VPNs we’ve already mentioned, this is still fast enough for streaming in high resolution on three devices at the same time.

PIA has no connection limit, so users are free to protect every device they own with a single account. You’re unlikely to have any problems, but just in case, support staff are standing by, ready to help 24/7 over live chat.

This VPN’s security toolkit includes 256-bit encryption (with the option to reduce this for faster speeds).

There’s also a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. More advanced options include the ability to use a different port or change DNS servers. Private Internet Access follows a strict no-logging policy, a fact that has been verified by independent auditors. 

PIA has its own iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux apps. If you’d like to install it directly on your router, you’ll have to follow manual setup instructions.

GREAT EVERYDAY VPN:PIA can handle just about everything so it’s a great option for anyone hoping to secure their connection in Malaysia. All plans include 24/7 customer support and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Still, have questions? Find answers in our complete PIA review.

---

9. PrivateVPN

works in MalaysiaTested Apr 2025

PrivateVPN is a reliable and fast VPN provider that offers a high level of security and privacy. It has servers in 63 countries, including Malaysia, so you can access geo-restricted content anywhere.

In addition, PrivateVPN uses military-grade encryption, has a strict no-logs policy, and a feature called Perfect Forward Secrecy that changes your encryption key every 60 minutes to prevent hackers from decrypting your data.

In our speed tests, PrivateVPN achieved a high of 66.37 Mbps. Its average download speed was 58.04 Mbps, which is fast enough for high definition streaming on two devices simultaneously.

If you need a faster connection than this, the provider allows users to drop the level of encryption used on their traffic. The reduced computational effort improves speeds.

PrivateVPN also has a kill switch that cuts off your internet connection if the VPN drops, leak protection that prevents your DNS and IPv6 requests from being exposed. The provider’s stealth mode enables connections in countries that try to block VPNs, like China.

In addition, PrivateVPN supports torrenting on all servers and works well with popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more.

PrivateVPN also has a 30-day money-back guarantee and a friendly customer support team to help you with any issues. If you are looking for a VPN that works well in Malaysia and offers excellent value for money, PrivateVPN is a good choice.

STREAMING POWERHOUSE:PrivateVPN has decent server coverage, excellent streaming capabilities, an intuitive app library, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

---

How to use a VPN in Malaysia

Don’t worry, even if you’ve never used a VPN before, getting set up is easy. Just follow the simple steps below, and you’ll be browsing securely in no time.

Here’s how to set up a VPN in Malaysia:

1. Choose your favorite VPN provider from our list of recommendations. NordVPN is our top choice.
2. Register an account and add your payment information.
3. Download the relevant apps for each of your devices.
4. Open the VPN app and log in using your registration information, usually an email address and password.
5. Select a server in your preferred location. For example, you would need a server in Malaysia to connect to Malaysian services from outside the country. Or a server in the US to access American Netflix. Any server will work for privacy, but the closer a server is, the better speeds you will have.
6. That’s it! A successful connection notification will appear, and now your browsing is completely safe and secure.
7. If you struggle to access certain websites or services, try clearing your browser’s cookies before reloading the page. Alternatively, contact your VPN’s customer service team for more help.

Methodology: How we found the best VPNs for Malaysia

Our tests allow us to confidently recommend VPNs for Malaysia that have all the features you need — whatever your chosen activity. Let’s take a closer look at what these tests involved.

Speed

Slow connections can ruin your online experience, which is why we carry out multiple speed tests before recommending VPNs. For this article, we connected to each provider’s US servers and measured the resulting download speed in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon. We used the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app for measurements, and rate-limited our base connection speed to 250 Mbps (an approximation of the average user’s download speed in the US).

Each provider’s results were averaged and then converted to a score out of 10 relative to the others. This makes a direct comparison much easier — as the chart below demonstrates.

NordVPN was the fastest provider overall, and the only one to surpass 200 Mbps. Surfshark was a close second, with a score of 9.2. IPVanish also did well, with a score of 8.3. All three providers are great options for users who enjoy streaming, gaming or video calling.

Features

We scored providers on whether they had servers in Malaysia. This is essential if you want to access Malaysian streaming content or other geo-restricted online services from abroad. Next, we scored them on whether they had public wi-fi protection. This helps ensure that you don’t unwittingly form an unprotected connection to a rogue wi-fi hotspot while in Malaysia. Finally, we scored each VPN on whether they had obfuscation that could bypass blocks in restrictive countries such as China.

These scores were weighted and combined to generate an overall score out of 10 for each provider.

The top three providers were NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN. All three VPNs have automatic public wi-fi protection, multiple servers in Malaysia, and obfuscation that works in China.

Security and privacy

We tested each VPN app for IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks to ensure that it provided the security it claims. We also checked the VPN protocols and only recommended those services that have robust AES encryption. If a provider met the other criteria outlined below, then all the better.

Each of the above metrics is assigned a score based on its relative importance. These scores were then combined to generate an overall score out of 10. This makes a side-by-side comparison possible.

NordVPN and Surfshark each scored 9.5, and offer similarly robust protection. Both providers use strong encryption and RAM-only servers. Furthermore, they undergo regular independent audits to check their software and infrastructure. ProtonVPN and PIA also achieved impressive scores, and make great alternatives.

Ease of use

Whether you are a long-time user or somebody new to VPNs, well-designed apps make life a lot easier. A reliable customer service department to communicate with is also extremely useful. You can see the other metrics we used to gauge each provider’s relative ease-of-use in the table below.

As before, each test metric was given a score. These were combined to generate overall scores out of 10, which we used for the chart below.

NordVPN and PIA were the easiest to use providers overall. Their apps are incredibly user-friendly — though different in focus — and their customer support teams are responsive and knowledgeable. IPVanish and ExpressVPN are also well-suited to VPN newbies.

Value for money

We all love a good deal, which is why we thoroughly investigate which VPNs provide the best value — whether that’s through discounts or generous connection limits. You can see the various lures individual providers use in the table below.

Again, each metric was given a score. These were combined to create an overall score out of 10 for each provider.

Surfshark, with a score of 9.7, was the best-value provider overall. It allows unlimited simultaneous device connections and has low-cost two-year subscriptions available. IPVanish costs a little more, but also allows unlimited connections. If you don’t need to connect more than 10 devices at the same time, NordVPN is a solid alternative.

Using a free VPN in Malaysia

There are many free VPNs on the internet, but their speed and encryption standards aren’t up to scratch with paid options. A prime example of this is HolaVPN, which has a free package but can pose a risk to users.

Free VPNs usually monetize by bombarding you with invasive advertisements, inserting tracking cookies and selling your data, or by unwittingly turning your computer into a massive botnet army. The threat of a malware infection is also real, which can lead to widespread data loss.

In short, we recommend avoiding free VPNs. Instead, some of the VPNs listed in this article offer free trials, and all of them have a money-back guarantee, which you can use to test out the service before committing to it.

Internet freedom in Malaysia

There are serious limits to content if you try to access the web from a Malaysian IP address, and internet freedom is almost non-existent. Many blogs, news sites, and social media profiles have been closed after facing accusations of criticizing the government.

Because of these facts, Malaysia’s internet has been ranked as “partly free” by the advocacy body Freedom House. That’s despite the fact that over 84% of the Malaysian population are internet users. The same report adds that press freedoms are “not free”, highlighting the muzzling of bloggers and journalists as the reason behind this status. These numbers are backed by our findings in our annual internet censorship report.

Back in 2016, the Malaysian government reneged on pledges never to censor the web and proceeded to block several websites that had reported on Prime Minister Najib Razzak’s corruption scandals. Online news site The Malaysian Insider went out of business as a direct consequence of this decision.

Efforts by Malaysian authorities to expand internet access throughout the country have certainly borne fruit, with a focus on affordable smartphones in rural areas. But this has also led to greater political awareness and criticism of public officials – developments that the Malaysian government is extremely wary of.

At the same time, authorities are vying for even more sweeping powers of censorship. There are plans to strengthen both the Official Secret Act and the Communication & Multimedia Act, which would place more control over news sites, ISPs, and ordinary users. There could likely be more surveillance of the web in the future.

Related: How to blog anonymously: a guide for activists, whistleblowers, and journalists

Using a VPN in Malaysia: FAQs