How to watch Malaysian TV online abroad (outside Malaysia)

If you’ve tried watching Malaysian TV from abroad, you’ll likely have encountered a geo-restriction error of some kind. That’s because the likes of TV3 and NTV7 are region-locked and unavailable outside Malaysia. It’s not just TV channels either. Major streaming services like Netflix and some national news sites have the same type of regional restrictions. Luckily, there’s an easy way to bypass these restrictions: simply connect to a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

These services encrypt your internet traffic, making it effectively impossible for anyone to monitor your online activities. This traffic is then sent through a server in another country, changing your IP address and making it seem like you’re actually in that location. As such, platforms like TV3 won’t know difference and you’ll be able to watch all of your favorite Malaysian shows from anywhere — even abroad.

Can’t wait to get started? Here’s a quick summary of each of the best VPNs for watching Malaysian TV abroad. If you’d like more information to help you make a decision, I cover each VPN in more depth further below.

Best VPNs for watching Malaysian TV abroad:

1. NordVPN The best VPN overall for Malaysian TV
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Malaysia.
2. Surfshark Best for users on a budget
3. Total VPN Great choice for Malaysian TV
4. Proton VPN Excellent choice for privacy-focused users
5. ExpressVPN Best for users who want a premium VPN
6. IPVanish Best for security and privacy
7. CyberGhost Great choice for beginners
8. PureVPN Good for users connecting from restrictive countries
9. Private Internet Access Good choice for technical users
10. PrivateVPN Great choice for ease of use

How to watch Malaysian TV abroad with a VPN

New to VPNs and not sure how to get started? No problem — I’ll explain exactly how to unblock and watch Malaysian TV overseas step by step.

Here’s how you can watch Malaysian TV online from abroad:

1. The first step is to sign up with a VPN with servers in Malaysia. I particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Next, download one of the VPN’s apps. Make sure you install the correct version for the device on which you want to watch Malaysian TV.
3. Log in to the VPN app or browser extension and connect to a server in Malaysia. This will give you a Malaysian IP address, which will allow you to unblock Malaysian TV abroad.
4. Go to the website or open the app of your preferred TV platform or streaming service. All content should now be unblocked and available to stream.
5. If you’re still unable to watch Malaysian TV abroad, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies. Alternatively, you may want to contact your VPN’s customer support team for more detailed assistance.

Best VPNs for Malaysian TV: compared

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

My testing criteria for the best Malaysian TV VPNs

While there are many VPN services to choose from, not all of them offer the same level of service. I found the best VPNs for watching Malaysian TV abroad by choosing only those that performed well in the following areas of testing:

• Speed: To avoid lag or buffering while watching Malaysian TV, you’ll need a suitably quick VPN. I found the fastest providers by conducting multiple speed tests while connected to their servers in Malaysia.
• Network suitability: I looked for versatile VPNs with a strong global presence as well as servers in Malaysia. I also scored providers on their ability to access geo-restricted streaming platforms in Malaysia and elsewhere.
• Security and privacy: I’ve only recommended VPNs that offer effective protection against potentially malicious third parties. I gauged this using 16 security and privacy metrics.
• Ease of use: I value VPNs that are user-friendly. To find these providers, I used 10 different metrics that evaluated their apps as well as their customer support.
• Value for money: To find you the best deals, I used almost a dozen different value-for-money metrics that checked for everything from subscription costs to the length of any money-back guarantees.

The above is just a summary. You can read more about how I test and rank VPNs further below. First, let’s take a closer look at the ones that made the cut.

The Best VPNs for watching Malaysian TV abroad

In order to provide you with the most accurate VPN recommendations possible, I put each VPN through a battery of repeatable tests. This includes those related to server speed, security (such as whether a VPN protects against leaks), and even sending messages to a VPN’s customer support to gauge response time and answer quality.

Here’s my list of the best VPNs for watching Malaysian TV online from abroad:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2026

NordVPN is my top VPN for watching Malaysian TV from abroad. It has servers spread across more than 200 locations, with multiple servers in Malaysia that make streaming TV1 nice and easy. Of course, this VPN also works with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. There’s 24/7 customer support over live chat and each account lets you connect up to 10 devices at the same time.

To determine how quick NordVPN is, I ran three speed tests on its Malaysian servers (one in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon). These were performed on a 250 Mbps connection, leading to an average speed of 194.23 Mbps. This is an exceptional result and, in my experience, significantly faster than is needed for streaming Malaysian TV, playing games, or making video calls. Let’s see the full results:

NordVPN is known for its powerful set of privacy features. To begin with, it follows a fully-audited zero-logs policy, meaning it can’t reveal details of your activities under any circumstances. There’s also AES-256 encryption, an app-specific kill switch, and DNS and WebRTC leak protection, as well as automatic tracker and ad-blocking. This VPN even includes its own obfuscated protocol for beating censorship in places like China. If you’re a privacy-first user as I am, you’ll appreciate it’s possible to pay in cryptocurrency or gift cards if you’d like to sign up without providing any of your personal information.

Connect to a server in Malaysia via NordVPN’s apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, or Apple TV. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge extensions are also available. Use with routers requires manual installation.

BEST VPN FOR MALAYSIAN TV:NordVPN has servers in 200+ locations worldwide and some of the fastest speeds I’ve seen. Works with TV3, NTV7, and Netflix. Strong on security, with a proven no-logs policy. Includes a money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is the best low-cost VPN for streaming TV from Malaysia. Not only does it have around 4,500 servers globally, these are spread throughout 120 countries. I had great results using it with geo-blocked platforms like TV3, Netflix, 8TV, and BBC iPlayer. While it’s arguably one of the most novice-friendly VPNs on the market, Surfshark has a 24/7 live chat service in case you ever need assistance. Best of all, you’re allowed to connect as many devices as you like.

So how quick is this VPN? To find out, I tested the performance of its Malaysian servers in the morning, at midday, and in the evening using a 250 Mbps connection. This resulted in an average speed of 183.44 Mbps, which is more than 10 times the recommended speeds for streaming 4K video. Needless to say, Surfshark is fast enough to handle anything you have in mind. See for yourself:

For me, one of the best things about Surfshark is that it’s an affordable VPN that doesn’t compromise on privacy. All user traffic is secured by 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection, plus there’s a built-in ad and tracker-blocker too. Best of all, Surfshark doesn’t keep any logs. Its more advanced features include a Stealth mode, MultiHop servers, a tool that’ll let you know if your details are leaked on the dark web, and the ability to swap your IP address every few minutes.

You can watch Malaysian TV overseas by connecting to a Surfshark server. Apps are available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV, while Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also offered. Select routers can be configured manually.

BEST BUDGET CHOICE:Surfshark is the best budget VPN for watching Malaysian TV. It’s quick, reliable, and versatile, with high speeds and powerful security tools. Protect every device you own. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. Total VPN

Total VPN is a strong choice for anyone hoping to watch Malaysian TV abroad. In my latest testing, it worked with a huge range of streaming sites, including RTM, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video, plus its network covers 80+ countries, meaning you’ll never be short of things to watch. A maximum of five devices can be protected at the same time, and customer support is available via live chat as well as email.

Streaming is a data-intensive activity, so for the best experience, you’ll need a VPN that’s fast enough to keep up. I tested Total VPN’s Malaysian servers three times (in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon) to see just how quick they were. Equally important, I wanted to see how much their speeds were likely to slow down during busy periods like evenings and weekends. See the results for yourself:

With an average speed of 170.54 Mbps, Total VPN was significantly faster than most of its rivals. No matter whether you want to watch TV, play online games, or download large files, Total VPN is up to the task. However, its speeds did vary by 16 Mbps, and while that’s not a huge deal, I’d like to see that area improved upon.

This provider does a great job of securing your connection. It uses 256-bit AES encryption, which security experts agree is currently uncrackable. There’s also a kill switch on most platforms and automatic protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. Total VPN can also allow specific websites to go unencrypted, or make them inaccessible if the VPN isn’t connected. Finally, it supports the Hydra protocol, which is obfuscated to hide the fact that you’re using a VPN at all.

Total VPN has its own apps for iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.

MALAY TV ANYWHERE:Total VPN can help you stream Malaysian TV while on vacation abroad. Better still, it’s highly secure, delivers some of the fastest speeds around, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you pick its annual plan.

Read our full Total VPN review.

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4. Proton VPN

Proton VPN is a highly suitable VPN for any international traveler. It has a hugely impressive network of nearly 20,000 servers in 145+ countries including Malaysia. In my testing, it worked flawlessly with major Malaysian platforms like Astro Go, Dimsum, tonton, and iflix, as well as international services like Netflix and Hulu. Users can connect up to 10 devices at the same time, plus customer support is available during business hours over live chat. Additional features like split tunneling and port forwarding enhance its suitability for torrenting.

Next up, I decided to test Proton VPN’s performance at three different times of day. It did very well, with an average speed of 147.87 Mbps and just 8 Mbps of variability. For context, that’s quick enough for streaming Malaysian TV in 4K, making video calls, or gaming without interruption. Let’s see that full set of results:

There are all kinds of powerful security tools built into this service. For instance, users can rely on unbreakable AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, plus Proton VPN’s strict, professionally audited no-logs policy. There’s also multiple protocols including one designed for bypassing censorship, plus Multi-hop and Tor over VPN servers. You can even use Proton VPN’s profile feature to set up automated connection routines for a more customized experience.

Proton VPN has its own apps for Linux, Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Fire TV, and Apple TV. Moreover, it can be manually installed on most routers — just check its website for step-by-step instructions.

FULLY FEATURED:Proton VPN caters to tech-savvy users. It’s ideal for torrenting and gaining watertight online privacy. Servers are available in over 120+ countries, including Malaysia. It’s ideal for bypassing restrictions to watch Malaysian TV abroad.

Read our full Proton VPN review.

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5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPNhas more than a decade of industry experience and, in my experience, is one of the most intuitive VPNs on the market right now. You can choose from servers in 105 countries including Malaysia itself, and if the service realizes you’re in a country with extreme censorship, it’ll obfuscate your traffic automatically. Of course, ExpressVPN is a great choice for streaming too, working effortlessly with stubborn platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer in my testing. Customer support is available via 24/7 live chat and users are permitted between 10 and 14 simultaneous connections.

So what kind of performance can you expect from ExpressVPN? I put its Malaysian servers to the test, checking their speeds in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. ExpressVPN achieved an average speed of 131.44 Mbps, making it quick enough to deal with everyday tasks like streaming, torrenting, and playing video games. Based on my experience in testing, you shouldn’t notice any performance issues even when multiple people in your home are using the internet at the same time.

This service is strong on security but doesn’t actually ask all that much of the user since most of its privacy tools are enabled by default. These include unbreakable, quantum resistant encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch that stops sending data the moment your connection drops. Recently, ExpressVPN added a tool that blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites too. ExpressVPN doesn’t keep any logs and has had its privacy policy, servers, and apps all professionally audited to prove this.

This service recently switched to a tiered pricing system, which means it’s available at a lower price than ever before. That’s not all: ExpressVPN’s connection limit grew too. You’ll now get 10 devices on the Standard plan, 12 on the Advanced plan, and 14 if you choose the Pro subscription tier.

ExpressVPN offers beginner-friendly apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Apple TV, and Fire TV. You can also download browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, and custom firmware for routers.

INCREDIBLE SPEEDS:ExpressVPN is a reliable choice. It’s quick, very easy to use, and capable of streaming TV3, Netflix, and most other Malaysian channels abroad. Boasts strong security tools, a proven no-logs policy, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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6. IPVanish

IPVanish has made dramatic improvements to its service in recent years. Not only does it offer access to 3,200 servers in over 150 locations, it refuses to impose any bandwidth or connection limits. Better still, this VPN allows torrenting and I found it works flawlessly with most streaming services including TV2, Netflix US, NTV7, and BBC iPlayer. If you ever run into any problems, support staff can be reached, day or night, using IPVanish’s 24/7 live chat system.

In my recent speed tests, IPVanish hit an average download speed of 150.76 Mbps, making it suitable for streaming Malaysian TV in the highest resolution available. There was nearly 17 Mbps of variation throughout the day, which isn’t ideal, but at these speeds, you probably won’t notice. 

That’s not all; IPVanish also boasts an impressive set of security tools. To begin with, it uses unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption, meaning your activities can’t be monitored by anyone. There’s also DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, automatic ad and tracker-blocking, and split tunneling support in case you’d like to let certain apps bypass the VPN entirely. IPVanish doesn’t keep any logs and just recently added multi-hop servers and a link safety checking tool.

This provider offers two subscription plans: Essential (which just includes the VPN) and Advanced (which includes the VPN, 1 TB of cloud storage, and a remotely accessible private browser). Given that the Advanced plan is only around a dollar more, I think it’s well worth considering.

Sign up with IPVanish, and you’ll have access to apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. You can use IPVanish with Linux and select routers, although manual setup is required.

CONNECT UNLIMITED DEVICES:IPVanish is a reliable choice for streaming Malaysian TV channels like TV1. Also works with Netflix US. Can be used on all your devices at once. Protects privacy with encryption and a no-logs policy. Annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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7. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is one of the best options for novices. Not only does it offer access to reliable servers in 100+ countries, it’ll even tell you which are best for a given task. For instance, there are servers designed for torrenting, playing video games, and accessing platforms like Netflix , Disney Plus, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video abroad. Each account lets you connect up to seven devices at the same time and there’s 24/7 customer support over live chat just in case anything goes wrong.

This provider is known for its strong performance. To get the most accurate representation of its speeds, I tested its Malaysian servers three times while on a 250 Mbps test connection. CyberGhost averaged 132.74 Mbps, placing it roughly in the middle of the pack. This is way above what’s needed for streaming, downloading large files, or torrenting, and with just over 5 Mbps of fluctuation, I found this VPN to be highly consistent too. Let’s take a look at the full test results:

CyberGhost clearly cares about your privacy. Not only does it use unbreakable encryption (AES-256 on the OpenVPN protocol and ChaCha20 on WireGuard), it prevents DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks and uses a kill switch to ensure you don’t browse unprotected following an unexpected disconnection. Users can also set up smart rules that tell CyberGhost to connect and open apps automatically in specific situations. There’s a strict no-logs policy in place, plus a basic form of obfuscation that can help hide the fact that you’re using a VPN at all.

CyberGhost offers apps for Android, iOS, MacOS, Linux, Windows, and Amazon Fire TV. There are also browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, as well as manual setup guides in case you’d like to install a VPN on your router.

PRIVACY PROTECTION:CyberGhost has fast servers in Malaysia for streaming Malaysian TV overseas. Very strong security thanks to effectively uncrackable encryption. Includes 24/7 support and can be used on up to seven devices. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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8. PureVPN

PureVPN is a cost-effective provider that makes it easy to get a Malaysian IP address. In fact, with servers in more than 65 countries, there’s very little you won’t be able to do. I was able to stream Netflix, Hulu, and TV8 while traveling abroad, and torrenting is permitted on any server, which is great to see. Support staff are ready to help 24 hours per day over live chat and up to 10 devices can be protected at the same time.

This VPN usually does quite well in performance tests. Following a full day of testing on its Malaysian servers, I recorded an average speed of 131.35 Mbps, which is slightly above the combined average speeds of our other top providers. In my experience, that’s fast enough for HD streaming, gaming, torrenting, and making video calls. Best of all, its speeds only varied by around 9 Mbps.

PureVPN offers a robust set of privacy tools but it presents these in a way that won’t overwhelm new users. After all, its 256-bit AES encryption, kill switch, and leak protection are all enabled by default, and most other features (like its ad and tracker-blocker) are enabled with a simple toggle button. Crucially, PureVPN follows a zero-logs policy and has been audited several times. The only time you’ll have to actually do any configuration is if you want to take advantage of PureVPN’s split tunneling or port forwarding functionality.

This VPN has its own apps for Linux, Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. It also offers step by step setup guides for anyone interested in installing a VPN on their home router.

OUTSTANDING VALUE:PureVPN offers one of the cheapest ways to get a Malaysian IP address. It’s easy to use and comes with all the features needed to get watertight online privacy. Boasts strong encryption, a no-logs policy, and a 31-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PureVPN review.

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9. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access has an expansive network spread across 90+ countries, Malaysia included. I’ve also found it to be exceptionally good at beating regional restrictions. So whether you’re visiting a high-censorship country or trying to streaming your favorite shows on Amazon Prime Video or Netflix, PIA has you covered. There’s absolutely no connection limit and if you need help, staff are available 24/7 via live chat.

I noted Private Internet Access’ speeds at three times of day (morning, noon, and afternoon) while on a 250 Mbps connection. That’s the average US broadband speed, so should best reflect the actual speeds you’re likely to get. PIA averaged 71.69 Mbps with 9 Mbps of fluctuation, which is respectable. Streaming, gaming, and torrenting won’t be an issue but if you have a slower than average connection, you may want to try a different service.

So how secure is this VPN, really? Well, it uses 256-bit AES encryption which is currently considered uncrackable. This is backed up by IPv6 and DNS leak protection plus a kill switch that keeps you safe after an unexpected disconnection. Private Internet Access has a strict no-logging policy, plus a wide range of advanced features like split tunneling and port fowarding support, an ad and tracker-blocker, and the ability to automate the connection process. I like that you can even pay anonymously using gift cards and cryptocurrency.

You can download PIA apps for the following: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. There are also browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. PIA works with select wireless routers with manual configuration.

PRIVACY-FRIENDLY:Private Internet Access provides secure connections and consistent access to Malaysian TV from abroad. Use it on any number of devices simultaneously. No-logs service with the option to pay anonymously. Every plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

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10. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a versatile, reliable provider with roughly 200 self-owned and managed servers in 60+ countries. Despite its relatively small network, I’ve found this VPN can effortlessly access tricky services like TV1 and Netflix. Compared to other VPNs I’ve tested, its apps are minimalistic, plus you can connect 10 devices at once, which should be plenty for most people. Live chat-based customer support is available during European business hours (though I’d rather it was 24/7).

PrivateVPN is extremely easy to use, offering desktop and mobile apps with a simplified view for inexperienced users. Those who want easier access to the provider’s features can use the “advanced view”, which has options for changing the protocol and adjusting the level of encryption.

PrivateVPN has never been the fastest provider on the market. That said, it’s vital I retest regularly to account for any recent improvements. Following three tests on its Malaysian server, this VPN delivered an average speed of 50.25 Mbps. While this is the slowest provider in this list, it’s still capable of handling tasks like streaming, gaming, and torrenting without any noticeable lag or stuttering. Take a look:

This service has a strong commitment to your security. It uses uncrackable AES-256 encryption to keep you safe (with the option to lower this for faster speeds). There’s also a kill switch and protection against IPv6 and DNS leaks, plus a Stealth mode for anyone planning a visit to a country with extreme online censorship. PrivateVPN doesn’t keep any logs, though I’d like to see it audited at some point. Additionally, while this supports WireGuard connections, they have to be configured manually, which is a shame considering most other VPNs have this functionality built in.

PrivateVPN apps are available to download for the following operating systems: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. You’ll need to follow manual setup instructions in order to use PrivateVPN with compatible routers.

FAST SPEEDS:PrivateVPN is a good choice for streaming thanks to its reliable unblocking. Stream TV3, TV9, and Netflix. Security includes encryption and a true no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

Watching Malaysian TV with a VPN: FAQ