Best VPNs for accessing LINE when it is blocked or censored

Instant messaging app LINE is a popular choice for users in Asia and around the world. It’s well-liked for its captivating stickers and emojis, as well as other value-added services such as free voice calls and file transfers. Unfortunately, some networks and countries – such as China – block the app outright, and some of the app’s content is geo-restricted, with some stickers being available in Japan and South Korea but not in other parts of the world. That’s a downer for serious LINE addicts who can’t get enough of Brown and Cony. Luckily you can solve these issues by using a VPN.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) runs all your internet traffic through an encrypted server in the location of your choice. This allows you to spoof your location and bypass geographic restrictions and those put in place by work, school, or college Wi-Fi networks. In addition to this, VPNs protect your internet activities, keeping your data safe from prying eyes and adding a valuable layer of anonymity while online.

In this article, we’ll teach you how to use a VPN to access LINE from countries where it’s blocked and download stickers that are restricted due to your location. We’ll also list the best VPNs for the job and answer some common VPN questions. But in case you’re short on time, we’ll start with a quick summary.

1. NordVPN Our top pick for LINE. Hundreds of servers in Asia that are fast and secure. Apps are easy to use and have good privacy and security features. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark Our top budget pick for LINE. Great value provider with servers in 100+ countries, strong encryption and security, and no device limits.
3. ExpressVPN Good range of fast servers throughout Asia. Great security and privacy protections and can unblock most restricted sites and services.
4. CyberGhost Beginner-friendly choice with easy-to-use apps and a vast network of speedy servers ideal for accessing LINE anywhere.
5. IPVanish Strong security and privacy protections are built into the apps. Fast servers and easy to use. Allows unlimited device connections.
6. VyprVPN Won’t let you down for privacy and security features. Gets good speeds and has strong unblocking abilities.

TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly.

Best VPNs for LINE: 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 LINE.

The best VPNs for accessing LINE anywhere

There are plenty of VPN providers on the market, but they don’t all provide the same level of service. When putting together our list of the best VPNs for LINE, we looked for those providers that met the following criteria:

• Large range of server locations in Asia
• Speed and stability of connection
• Rigid encryption protocols so your location remains hidden
• Ease of use and knowledgeable customer support
• Apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS

This is just an overview, but if you want a more detailed account of how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend, then check out our VPN testing methodology article. For now, let’s take a closer look at the ones that made the grade.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for accessing LINE and all its features from anywhere:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2024

NordVPN is our top choice VPN for LINE. This veteran provider has been around for over a decade. The longevity means it’s engineered as an impeccable product that’s intuitive, easy to use, and an excellent option for advanced users who want customized options.

This VPN service simply declines to hold any user information. This includes browsing habits, timestamps, and server information. NordVPN has received official requests to fork over user data, but the policy meant it wasn’t able to. Government bodies took it a step further and physically confiscated servers but even then, there was nothing to find.

The company allows you to select servers based on your specific requirements such as anti-DDoS, video streaming, double VPN, Tor over VPN, or P2P – but users looking to access LINE probably need to simply connect to a standard VPN server. There are a whopping 5,500+ servers spread across 60 countries, with over 450 of them operating in the Asia Pacific region, including locations in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and more.

It doesn’t skimp on encryption standards, either. NordVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption by default coupled with 2,048-bit SSL keys. DNS leak protection is enabled.

There’s support for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.

BEST VPN FOR LINE:NordVPN is our #1 choice. A real contender in all categories. Has strong security features and allows up to 6 devices to be used simultaneously from one account. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test it out risk-free.

Here’s our full review of NordVPN.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a budget-friendly provider that doesn’t compromise on service. This provider offers over 3,200 servers in a whopping 100+ countries, including plenty in Asia, for accessing different versions of LINK. Also, this provider has strong unblocking abilities and can be used to access a variety of geo-restricted sites and services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.

With a single Surfshark account, it’s possible to connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. A subscription also includes access to 24-hour live chat and email support. When it comes to security, Surfshark ensures your data is safe with military-grade encryption, protection from DNS and IPv6 leaks, and a kill switch feature. Extra protection can be had by connecting to one of its MultiHop servers.

To use Surfshark, simply download and install a VPN app for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, or Amazon Fire TV. Alternatively, you have the option of using a Chrome or Firefox browser extension. Use with routers requires manual setup.

BEST BUDGET VPN FOR LINE:Surfshark is a great value VPN that allows you to connect all your devices t once. It offers strong security and privacy protocols, has servers in 100+ countries, and great unblocking ability. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Want to know more? check out our full Surfshark review.

3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a speedy VPN service that’s very easy to set up and comes with a minimalistic design. There are robust encryption standards, and the provider has hardly any downtime. The service offers over 3,000 servers spread across the world, so finding an adequate connection shouldn’t be a problem. The best part is that there’s a large network of servers spread across Asia, including countries like Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia. These are incidentally where the bulk of LINE users reside, so you should be able to download a plethora of free stickers simply by changing your location on the VPN app.

ExpressVPN will safeguard your data too. The company has a stated policy of not storing any user or traffic logs. The only minimal data it does retain is the “date (not time) of connection, choice of server location, and total bandwidth used.”. Your individual IP address is never stored.

Privacy advocates will feel safe with the military-grade encryption protocols in place. The service leverages 256-bit AES-CBC as the default encryption standard as well as HMAC authentication and perfect forward secrecy. An internet kill switch is included, which ExpressVPN refers to as a ‘network lock.’. For those unaware, what this feature does is halt web traffic if the connection drops unexpectedly. It’ll only be restored once the connection to the VPN server is stable again.

There are apps for both Android and iOS, as well as desktop software for Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

FAST AND RELIABLE:ExpressVPN is a strong choice. It has a vast server network that is optimized for high-speed connections. User-friendly apps for all operating systems. Hard to beat on privacy and security. There is a 30-day no-quibbles money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.

Here’s our in-depth review of ExpressVPN.

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a suitable option for beginner users who want a no-frills service that delivers fast speeds and strong encryption standards. There are over 9,000 servers to choose from spread across 90+ countries with locations in Asia, including Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. That’s perfect for people looking to get the best LINE stickers or simply unblock the service.

The company is headquartered in Romania, which means it’s not subject to any mandatory data retention laws. Its internal policy of nil data storage is an additional plus. Its choice of encryption protocols means your data should stay safe and secure at all times. CyberGhost uses 256-bit AES encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default, along with 2,048-bit RSA keys and MD5 HMAC authentication. An internet kill switch is included as well.

Apps are available for both Android and iOS, as well as desktop support for Windows and MacOS.

BEGINNERS CHOICE:CyberGhost has a simple set up and easy-to-use apps. Great privacy, zero logs, and DNS leak protection. Works with LINE and most popular streaming sites. Comes with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

5. IPVanish

IPVanish is a popular choice for users because it’s an excellent option for those looking for fast speeds and sturdy encryption at a price that won’t break the bank. The company has a completely logless policy – meaning it’ll never retain user data. This includes metadata storage. The only rudimentary data retention is when an account is registered for the first time. Nothing after that.

IPVanish doesn’t compromise on encryption protocols either. The company leverages 256-bit encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default, SHA512 authentication, and a DHE-RSA 2,048-bit key exchange with perfect forward secrecy. What this means that even if hackers gain access to your account, it’ll be impossible for them to decrypt past session data to figure out what you’ve been up to on the web. Having said that, this is an extremely unlikely scenario in the first place because of the impressive systems in place.

Servers are stable, secure and deliver blazing-fast speeds. There are over 2,000 of them spread across 75 worldwide locations, including locations in Asia such as Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, and Hong Kong. There are apps for both iOS and Android, as well as desktop support for Windows and MacOS.

IPVanish is popular with Kodi users 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.

UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS:IPVanish has a large network of servers. An uncongested network achieves good speeds. Strong security and privacy features. lets you connect all your devices at once. 30-day money back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

6. VyprVPN

VyprVPN is a favorite with privacy advocates because it’s one of the few VPNs that’s able to circumvent China’s Great Firewall. It does, however, choose to retain some user data. Specifically, that’s “the user’s source IP address, the VyprVPN IP address used by the user, connection start and stop time, and total number of bytes used.”

But VyprVPN insists that such information is only kept for a period of 30 days and is used for troubleshooting. So far, we haven’t noticed any troubling incidents of the data being exploited or used for nefarious purposes.

Encryption standards are among the best in the business, so it’s difficult for intrusive entities to break in. All traffic is secured by the OpenVPN protocol, 256-bit AES encryption, 2,048-bit RSA keys without perfect forward secrecy, and SHA256 authentication. The company also has a policy of running and managing its own data centers – as opposed to other providers that opt for a combination of renting and outsourcing to 3rd party operators – which helps it add an additional layer of security.

There are over 700 server locations to choose from, including a healthy choice in Asia. Some countries on the list are Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. This should unlock a huge range of cutesy stickers.

Apps are available for both Android and iOS, as well as desktop support for Windows and MacOS.

EASY TO USE APP:VyprVPN is user friendly. Works well with LINE and most popular chat and streaming services. Secure browsing. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of VyprVPN.

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Some VPNs to avoid

One of the principal caveats of using a VPN is the surety that your privacy, anonymity, and data are secured at all times. The VPNs mentioned in our recommended list have steered clear of any such controversies but not all VPNs are created equal. Some have a poor track record of turning their back on users. We recommend you steer clear.

Here are two such cases:

1. HolaVPN

Israel-based Hola, a popular VPN extension for Chrome, once had an impressive user base of almost 50 million. But despite the trust it had garnered, the company chose to leverage its critical mass in order to turn it into a massive botnet. This meant that a part of every user’s bandwidth was scuppered to carry out DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks and illegally spread copyrighted material.

2. Free VPNs

Free VPNs lurk around on the interwebs and are heavily advertised by their respective providers. This might be a tempting option for cash-strapped users who are looking for a quick fix. But tread with caution – lots of free VPNs have been caught red-handed inserting tracking cookies, mining user data, and selling it to the highest bidder.

That’s because even supposedly free VPNs are registered businesses, too. They need to pay for salaries, server rentals, and other associated overheads. It’s a good reminder of the fact that when the product is free, you end up becoming the product.

You cannot expect the same service levels as paid VPNs. There will definitely be bandwidth throttling, weak encryption standards, and data caps. You might also have to wait in line if the service has reached its user cap. The cherry on top? Tons of invasive advertisements and the threat of a malware infection. Because of these reasons, we recommend you avoid free VPNs.

How to use a VPN to access LINE from anywhere

Even if you’ve never used a VPN before, the process is quite simple. Follow this step-by-step tutorial for the best results:

1. Sign up for a VPN. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Register for the service and download the software for your phone, making sure to get the right version for your device.
3. Clear your cookies and restart your device to remove old location identifiers
4. Log in to your VPN provider and connect to a server in Asia, such as Japan, South Korea, or Singapore, or whichever country’s version of LINE you’d like to access.
5. Open the LINE app and use it as normal.

Using a VPN with LINE: FAQs