Best VPNs for Singapore and which ones to avoid

Singapore’s status as a business and technology hub in Southeast Asia has never been doubted, but there are question marks over the levels of internet freedom granted to residents of the Lion State. The best Singapore VPNs can keep you safe while living or working in the country, but finding the right provider can be a time-consuming and expensive task. Luckily, we’ve taken the guesswork out of it for you through our rigorous research and uncompromised testing, factoring in key elements like robust security, absolute online privacy, and the power to unlock global streaming channels.

Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN encrypts all the internet traffic flowing to and from your device and tunnels it via an intermediary server outside your location. Hackers or surveillance agencies can’t keep track of what you’re doing online, including which websites you’re visiting and the content you stream.

A VPN is also a handy tool for expatriates living in Singapore looking to securely access local media content from back home, such as BBC iPlayer, various Netflix libraries, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, SkyGo, ESPN, BeIN Sports, or any other video streaming services. Several of these providers can also give you a Singaporean IP address to watch Singaporean content, such as shows on Singtel TV, while traveling outside the country.

This guide reveals our top picks for Singapore VPNs to help you stay safe while living or traveling in Singapore. We cover all of our recommended providers in more detail, but if you’re in a hurry, we’ll start with a quick summary.

Discover the best VPNs for Singapore:

1. NordVPN: Our top pick for Singapore. Veteran VPN provider with a strict no-logs policy, strong security, and anti-censorship tools. Great speeds make it an ideal choice for streaming. 30-day money-back guarantee included.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Singapore.
2. Surfshark: The best budget VPN for Singapore. Offers a high level of security, a total lack of connection limits, and the ability to beat almost any online limitation.
3. IPVanish: A P2P-frendly, no-logs VPN with steady speeds, AES-256 encryption, and no connection limits. Can reliably access most streaming platforms and won’t be stopped by Singaporean censorship.
4. ExpressVPN: Well-designed apps with great security, fast speeds, and the ability to access stubborn platforms like Netflix US. Servers in Central Business District, Jurong, and Marina Bay.
5. PureVPN: A fast VPN that’s perfect for streaming Singaporean content. Boasts always-on obfuscation and supports up to 10 simultaneous device connections.
6. ProtonVPN: A reliable no-logs VPN with a strong pedigree. Doesn’t compromise on security. Works with virtually every geo-blocked site we tested.
7. Private Internet Access: A speedy, versatile VPN. Its Singapore servers make accessing your favorite content abroad as easy as possible. High level of security and beginner-friendly apps.
8. CyberGhost: A reliable VPN service with an extensive server network. It has plenty of advanced features to protect your internet activity, and doesn’t keep any connection logs.

Criteria for choosing the best VPNs for Singapore

Our ranking of the best VPNs for Singapore was based on the following factors:

• Speed: We conducted multiple tests to find out how fast each VPN was while we were connected to its servers in Singapore.
• Features: We checked whether providers had the ability to bypass blocks in China and protect users against rogue public wi-fi hotspots. We also evaluated them based on the number of countries in which they had a presence and the number of connections they permitted.
• Security and privacy: To find the VPNs most capable of keeping you safe online, we evaluated them against 16 unique criteria, including the level of encryption they used and whether they keep logs of user details or activities,
• Ease of use: Our team knows that you’re probably not going to rely on a VPN if it’s a nuisance to use. That’s why we look for the most streamlined services by evaluating them on 10 individual metrics including and customer support and the ease of sign up and cancellation processs.
• Streaming: Many people use VPNs to access streaming platforms, making this a key area for testing. We used nine different criteria to evaluate how suitable each VPN provider was for streaming.

You can read about the tests we carried out for each of these areas later in the article. More importantly, you can see the results for each test. First, let’s take a close look at our recommended services.

The best VPNs for Singapore – our hands-on review

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

The best VPN services for content and streaming access in Singapore

From real-world testing, here’s our list of the best Singapore VPNs:

1. NordVPN

Feb 2025

NordVPN is one of the most popular VPN services and has been in the business for over a decade – a testament to the high standards the company maintains for itself.

It continues the tradition of holding zero data about its users – no real IP address, browsing habits, timestamps, or server information. The company has received requests for information in the past, but it says nothing on its servers could incriminate users. Best of all, it’s been professionally audited four times, meaning you don’t have to blindly trust its privacy claims.

NordVPN operates around 6,200 servers in 110+ countries – with some optimized for double VPN connections, beating censorship, and accessing the dark web. In other words, this VPN should cater to your needs regardless of your requirements. It also recently added a new proprietary protocol (NordWhisper) that’s designed to work in countries with strict digital censorship.

Around 70 of these servers are located in Singapore, which is ideal for local residents who want to access Singaporean websites while traveling abroad. Further, NordVPN works with many international services, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.

We tested how fast NordVPN’s servers in Singapore were by carrying out three speed tests over the course of a day. We used a connection with a base speed of 249.77 Mbps without a VPN and you can see the results below.

NordVPN was consistently fast, with an overall average speed of 165.47 Mbps. This was more than 50 Mbps faster than the combined average speed of the other providers in our tests. If you like streaming in 4K, this is the provider for you.

Encryption standards are impressive — NordVPN uses the 256-bit AES protocol encryption standard by default coupled with 2,048-bit SSL keys. DNS leak protection is enabled. NordVPN also offers automatic ad and tracker-blocking, plus wi-fi protection which is especially handy if you connect to public wi-fi on a regular basis.

There’s support for Linux, Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. Alternatively, you can follow manual setup instructions to get it running on most home routers.

BEST VPN FOR SINGAPORE:NordVPN is our top pick. Solid security and privacy and works reliably in Singapore. Use up to 10 devices at once with great connection speeds. Offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark operates around 3,200 servers in 100 countries including Singapore. Users will appreciate that its speeds are fast enough for streaming live, high-definition video, and this service is capable of securely accessing all sorts of streaming platforms (Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer to name a few). Best of all, with no connection limit, you’re free to secure all of your devices with a single account.

We tested Surfshark’s servers in Singapore to find out how fast they were. The results are shown below.

Surfshark’s speeds were on a par with NordVPN, though not quite as consistent. Overall, the average download speed was 164.14 Mbps, which is 50 Mbps faster than the combined average speed of the other providers. Like NordVPN, Surfshark is a great choice for gaming or streaming in high resolution.

The provider takes your online security very seriously. It protects you from DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks, uses 256-bit encryption to hide your traffic from snoopers, and automatically blocks ads and malware for you. There’s even a kill switch, which ensures you never accidentally browse without protection, even for a second. For maximum protection, we’d suggest turning on the NoBorders and rotating IP address features. Surfshark keeps no logs whatsoever of your online activities, meaning you’re almost completely anonymous when using it.

Surfshark apps are available for MacOS, iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. Manual installation is required for use with wireless routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark lets you enjoy reliable streaming and browsing on any device, with no limit on connections. Highly affordable and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish is another excellent choice for anyone hoping to browse the web safely in Singapore. It delivers impressive performance and just recently expanded its network to cover 50 new countries. This means it’s easier than ever to access platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, or BBC iPlayer while traveling. What’s more, this is one of the only major VPNs that doesn’t have a connection limit.

If you’re concerned about security, IPVanish has you covered. It uses 256-bit encryption on the WireGuard protocol by default, SHA512 authentication, and a DHE-RSA 2,048-bit key exchange with perfect forward secrecy. In the unlikely event that a hacker gains control of your account, they will still be unable to decrypt past session data to figure out what you’ve been up to on the web. This VPN has been independently-audited to prove it doesn’t keep logs of your activities.

IPVanish also includes an internet kill switch, which means traffic will be temporarily halted if the VPN connection drops out and recently added a Secure Browser feature for added peace of mind.

Servers are optimized for speed, stability, and security — with almost 2,000 of them spread across 60+ countries (almost 40 of which are in Singapore itself). We tested the speed of the Singapore servers over the course of a day using a connection with a base speed of 249.77 Mbps without a VPN. You can see the results below.

Speeds were consistently above 120 Mbps, which is a great result. It was faster than the combined average speed of the other providers, and the third-fastest VPN we tested overall. In real-world scenarios, this means you shouldn’t notice any performance hiccups when gaming, making video calls, or torrenting.

There are mobile apps for both iOS and Android as well as desktop support for Windows and MacOS. IPVanish can also be manually installed on routers.

SECURE EVERY DEVICE:IPVanish has fast Singaporean servers and is extremely versatile. Adhere to the highest standard of digital privacy and works well with popular streaming sites. Long-term plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN combines a neat, minimalistic, and functional design with impeccable service, making it a great choice for anyone in Singapore. The company operates over 3,000 secure VPN servers spread across 105 countries. In fact, this includes servers in three locations in Singapore: Central Business District, Jurong, and Marina Bay. This allows users to access websites like StarHub TV, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer while traveling abroad.

Speed-wise, the provider achieved respectable results in our tests. It wasn’t the fastest, but neither was it the slowest.

An average download speed of 89.36 Mbps is plenty fast enough for streaming high-resolution content — provided you have a fast base connection speed (ours was 249.72 Mbps). At the same time, there is always room for improvement in this area.

ExpressVPN does not store any traffic logs, so it ranks well from a privacy and anonymity perspective. It does record some minimal user information such as the “date (not time) of internet connection, choice of VPN Singapore and server location, and total bandwidth used.” This can’t be used to identify you and is only used to improve service quality standards. If you’re still feeling uneasy, it’s possible to sign up for the service via a burner email account and pay through Bitcoin. There’s no way for the activity to be traced back to you.

Security features and encryption standards are robust. The service leverages 256-bit AES-CBC protocols as well as HMAC authentication and perfect forward secrecy. An internet kill switch is included, referred to as a ‘network lock’, which means all web traffic will be temporarily halted if the connection drops unexpectedly. Just recently, this service launched an Advanced Protection feature that can block ads, malicious sites, and trackers automatically.

There are Android and iOS apps and desktop clients for Windows, MacOS, and Linux. Also, this is the only major VPN with its own custom router firmware.

EXTREMELY VERSATILE:ExpressVPN is a reliable choice. Works extremely well with Netflix and other stubborn streaming sites. Has an app for routers and effective built-in obfuscation. 30-day no-quibbles money-back guarantee.

Here’s our in-depth review of ExpressVPN.

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5. PureVPN

PureVPN is a practical and cost-effective way to keep your browsing habits private while in Singapore. With more than 6,000 servers in around 65 countries including Singapore, it’s ideal for anyone hoping to stream, use online banking safely, or protect themselves while using public wifi networks. What’s more, you can connect up to 10 devices at the same time.

The provider is ideal for unblocking geo-restricted content on Singaporean platforms like meWATCH and StarHub as well as Netflix US, Hulu, Max, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, British TV, and many more. You can also use it to bypass blocks at workplaces or on campus within Singapore.

We carried out several speed tests while connected to PureVPN’s servers in Singapore. For reference, our base connection speed was 249.72 Mbps.

PureVPN performed well in all three tests, with an overall average speed of 125.50 Mbps. This was a little faster than the combined average speed of the other providers and makes it suitable for activities like streaming, gaming, and torrenting.

In terms of security, PureVPN offers strong protection with AES encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak prevention, and a stringent no-logging policy. You can also choose to let certain apps pass through the VPN unencrypted (for instance, if you want to access local services as well as those from other countries simultaneously).

Though customer support response times can be slow, we believe the overall reliability of PureVPN offsets this minor caveat. You can check it out yourself on any device using its 31-day money-back guarantee.

PureVPN has apps for iOS, Android, Windows, MacOS, and Linux (both GUI and command line). Alternatively, you can manually configure it with most home routers.

LOW COST:PureVPN is a low-cost VPN ideal for accessing Singaporean services on vacation. It has servers in over 65 countries, including Singapore. Robust privacy and security features. Fast WireGuard protocol and apps for all platforms.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

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6. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a flexible service that’s perfect for experienced users and newcomers alike. It is based in Switzerland and was developed by the creators of the well-regarded ProtonMail. It boasts an umatched 12,000 servers in 110+ countries, with around 30 in Singapore itself. Our tests revealed that ProtonVPN works with Singaporean streaming services like meWATCH, StarHub Go, and Singtel TV GO, as well as international apps such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer.

As reviewers who’ve seen hundreds of VPNs over the years, we can safely say that this is one of the most secure. It keeps you safe using 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and a verified no-logs policy but that’s just the beginning. It also offers a different routing system to ensure you can still access the ProtonVPN website in places with severe online restrictions and a Stealth protocol designed to beat even the toughest censorship.

We tested out its servers in Singapore to find out how fast they were. You can see the results below (note that our base connection speed without a VPN was 249.72 Mbps).

The first server we connected to was slow. This can happen to any provider, so it’s nothing to worry about. The important thing is that the average speed, which, even with the aforementioned slow server, was still a respectable 109.02 Mbps.

ProtonVPN’s customer support is accessible 24/7 through live chat, and you can try the VPN risk-free using its 30-day money-back guarantee. Finally, it’s a fantastic option for torrenting, thanks to its split tunneling and port forwarding functionality.

HIGHLY SECURE:ProtonVPN is a reliable and trusted VPN with servers in 110+ countries, including Singapore. It works to access Singaporean streaming services abroad or while at work within Singapore. Strong AES encryption and a kill switch. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ProtonVPN review.

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7. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) has a larger network than most other providers, offering access to nearly 10,000 servers in 90+ countries, including Singapore. We’ve had great results using this service to access region-locked platforms like Netflix and Hulu abroad, though it’s not a reliable option if you’re planning on visiting China.

So how does this VPN fare on performance? We tested PIA’s speeds at multiple times of day using its Singaporean servers to find out. Here are the results:

It delivered an average speed of 73.25 Mbps. That’s not the fastest result we’ve seen but it’s still more than enough for interruption-free streaming, provided that you have a good base connection speed to start with (our was 249.72 Mbps).

Users don’t have to worry about their privacy, either. Traffic is hidden using 256-bit encryption (though you can lower this for slightly faster speeds), a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. It’s even possible to automate your connection or activate obfuscation to help you get around Singaporean censorship.

Notably, PIA includes a tool that can block ads and malware automatically. You can also switch to the speedy WireGuard protocol if you’d like, or use a different port to help obfuscate your OpenVPN traffic. Having trouble? No problem: customer support is free and on-hand 24/7 over live chat.

PIA apps are available for Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android, and iOS. You’ll have to follow manual setup instructions to get it running on supported routers.

UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS:Private Internet Access can handle almost anything you throw at it. It offers powerful privacy tools and quick servers all over the world (including in Singapore), plus a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our full review of PIA.

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8. CyberGhost

CyberGhost really makes an effort to be as beginner-friendly as possible. While you could choose one of its 10,000+ servers manually, it also lets you see which are best for a given task. For instance, there are servers dedicated to accessing Netflix Singapore, torrenting anonymously, and getting the best performance while gaming.

We carried out multiple speed tests while connected to CyberGhost servers in Singapore. You can see the results below.

The provider achieved an average speed of 99.55 Mbps, which is good enough for streaming in 4K or making international video calls. We were impressed by how little its speeds varied throughout the day.

CyberGhost is a security-conscious VPN with 256-bit AES encryption on the WireGuard protocol by default, 2,048-bit RSA keys, and MD5 HMAC authentication. It includes all of the necessary safeguards (kill switch, leak protection, and a zero-logs policy), plus a few more advanced tools like random port connection. In short, there’s no need to worry about your online activities being monitored while connected.

Apps are available for both Android and iOS, as well as desktop support for Windows, MacOS, and Linux. To get this VPN up and running on routers, you’ll have to follow manual setup instructions.

NOVICE FRIENDLY:CyberGhost is easy to use. Achieves safe and reliable connections with an impressive range of servers. Great online privacy with zero logs and DNS leak protection. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

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How to use a VPN for Singapore (a first-person guide)

Whether you’re a traveler looking to stream TV from back home or a Singapore native who wants a little extra security while browsing the web, a VPN is a great tool to have. Below, I’ll explain how to get set up in a few simple steps:

1. First, you’ll have to sign up for a reputable VPN. In this example, I’ve used NordVPN, but after years of testing these services, I can safely say that most of them look quite similar. This means that you shouldn’t have any issues following along, even if you chose one of the other providers mentioned in this post
2. We’ll begin by visiting Comparitech’s IP address checking tool and making a note of the IP address that’s shown. This way, we’ll be able to verify that the VPN is working properly in a couple of minutes

   

3. Now, open up your VPN app. In NordVPN, you have to click the downwards arrow in the top-left to show the full server list, but this is visible by default in Surfshark (ExpressVPN users have to click the Selected Location button)
4. You’ll usually get the fastest speeds from a nearby server, so I’d suggest using a Singaporean server if you’re concerned about security. On the other hand, if you want to access region-exclusive services like BBC iPlayer, you’ll have to select a server from that specific country. On this occasion, I searched for “United Kingdom” and picked a server in London

   

5. After a moment, the screen will change to let you know that you’re connected to the VPN. We can verify that it’s actually working by going back to the IP address checker – it should now think that you’re in the same country as the server you chose earlier

   

6. From this point on, you should be able to access your usual streaming services and torrent anonymously and play games with friends in other countries. However, if you’re having trouble, you might want to try a different server or open the website in a private tab to make sure that old location data isn’t what’s causing the issue.
7. Still having trouble? In that case, I’d recommend getting in touch with your VPN’s support team. All of the providers above offer live chat (just click the popup in the bottom-right of their website) and in my experience, this is the quickest and easiest way to get help.

Our methodology: How we found the best VPNs for Singapore

There are some challenges that come with browsing the web from Singapore. Aside from some international websites and services being geo-blocked, there’s also an increasing level of censorship in the country. As such, we had to make sure that the VPNs we recommend are suitable, reliable, and versatile. Below, we reveal the tests involved in choosing the best VPNs for Singapore.

Speed

We wanted to know how fast each VPN’s servers in Singapore were. To do this, we carried out three speed tests over the course of a day: one in the morning, one at noon, and one in the afternoon. We then averaged the results.

We used a virtual machine for testing that had been rate limited to 250 Mbps. This is the median average of fixed broadband speeds in the US, and thus, most likely to reflect users’ real-world experiences.

As you can see from the above, NordVPN and Surfshark were easily the fastest providers. If neither of these appeal, IPVanish and PureVPN are good alternative options. All of these providers offer excellent speeds suitable for Singapore’s fast broadband.

Features

We scored providers on whether they could effectively obfuscate traffic — even in countries like China, which have particularly stringent blocks. We also scored them on the number of countries they had servers in, the number of connections they permitted, and whether they offered public wi-fi protection. All of these features are important if you’re living or traveling in Singapore.

For ease of comparison, we combined the scores into a single ‘features’ score.

Surfshark scored highest, largely thanks to its unlimited device connections and generous distribution of servers. NordVPN is a good second-best option. Both providers work in China and offer public wi-fi protection.

Security and privacy

Given the Singaporean government’s attitude toward internet freedom, it’s wise to use a VPN that prioritizes privacy and security. To find which providers do this, we evaluated them against the criteria shown in the table below.

We assigned a score to each criterion so that we were left with an overall score out of ten. This makes it easier to compare providers.

All of our recommended providers scored relatively highly. However, NordVPN and Surfshark had a slight edge over the other VPNs.

Streaming

If you’re in Singapore, chances are you’ve come across geo-restricted content or even censorship enforced by the Singaporean Government. As such, you’ll want a VPN that is able to bypass restrictions and unblock a wide range of websites and services. To evaluate each provider’s ability to do this, we used the following metrics.

Scores for each metric were combined to produce a total score out of ten. We can use this to conveniently compare providers.

The top streaming VPNs are NordVPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN. All excel at bypassing restrictions and provide seamless access to international streaming platforms.

Ease of use

All of the above is important, but it means little if the VPN is too complicated for you to use! The following criteria helped us evaluate each VPN’s service.

Each of these criteria was given a score, which we combined to create an overall score out of ten. We can use this to meaningfully compare providers.

The VPNs with the easiest-to-use services were NordVPN and Private Internet Access. Both have particularly well-design apps and a streamlined sign-up process.

Be aware: VPNs to avoid while in Singapore for secure content access

Many people are wary of the steadily-increasing online censorship in Singapore, and choose to use a VPN to protect themselves. However, this only works if the VPN has a strong record on privacy.

The VPNs mentioned in this article have had no documented cases of violating that trust, but there are some others floating around that have compromised their ethical commitment to maintaining privacy without a second thought. We recommend you turn your back on them. Here’s an example:

HolaVPN

Israel-based Hola, which once boasted a user base of almost 50 million, shockingly turned this critical mass into a massive botnet in 2015.

Part of users’ bandwidth was bifurcated illegally by the company for Distributed Denial of Service Attacks and for distributing copyrighted content. That’s without any user consent whatsoever. We recommend you avoid Hola like the plague.

While we don’t condone the use of VPNs to commit illegal acts – which is clearly what both Cody Kretsinger and Chris Dupuy were accused of doing – we do maintain that a VPN company needs to put ethics and privacy as its top priorities. So when it violates that principle, there should be no second chances.

Internet surveillance in Singapore

The Singapore government monitors the country’s internet. The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) oversees this, and all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must adhere to the Internet Code of Practice. Over the years, the government has increased its control over online content, leading to concerns about internet freedom. They’ve used advanced technology to monitor citizens, including tracking apps and other tools, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is why we highly recommend that privacy-conscious netizens use a VPN while living, working, or traveling in Singapore.

FAQs about VPNs for Singapore:

See also: