A Complete Guide to Choosing the Best VPN to Use in the Philippines

A VPN connects your device to an encrypted network, which can significantly increase your privacy while browsing. It also helps keep prying eyes away from your sensitive information transmitted online.

VPNs paved the way for safer, worry-free web browsing allowing for access to region-restricted content such as films, websites, and video games.

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Why Use a VPN in the Philippines?

In addition to cybersecurity, anonymity, and access to country-specific online content, there are plenty of reasons why a VPN can be useful. Here are some of them:

Access to Region-Locked Contents

There are many multimedia restrictions when you’re outside your home country. Examples are country-restricted websites, television shows, and even mobile applications you may want to continue using after moving to a different country. For example, with a VPN, you can still access a Netflix TV series that is exclusive to the United States while you’re in the Philippines.

Masks Online Identity

The Philippine government and your ISP can spy on you while you’re browsing the internet. Not only is it downright creepy but also violates your privacy. A VPN can disguise your real location, mask your IP address, and prevent your personal information from leaking.

Multi-Layered Security

A VPN is equipped with complex security features that can prevent data breaches during online conferences or keep e-banking transactions safe.

Along with the growing cybersecurity demands, most VPN services have advanced protection against prying eyes. One of these is the 256-bit encryption that many military organizations are relying on.

Also, the military-grade encryption works well with several protocols, including OpenVPN. This technology helps establish a secure connection between users and VPN servers. Consider the OpenVPN protocol as a tool in securing a passageway for users to connect with different servers without using any third party.

As a result, you will never have to worry about hackers tampering and the government snooping with your computer.

If you plan to access hidden or unindexed parts of the internet using tools like the Tor Browser, a VPN can add an extra layer of privacy by hiding your Tor use from your ISP.

What Sets a Paid VPN Apart From a Free One?

Other noticeable differences set paid versions apart from free ones. I can guarantee using a free version won’t be worth it, and realistically, spending money on cybersecurity pays off.

The developers of free VPNs need to make a living. That’s many of them they collect user data and sell it to third parties associated with ads and marketing purposes. No absolute privacy is offered as they only encourage people from using their software so they can profit from the user’s sensitive information. 

Although worldwide accessibility to content is possible with a free VPN, the security you’ll get is almost non-existent. 

Whereas a paid VPN has compelling features for you to enjoy using any device. Since people buy the software service, the company has the resources to upgrade their security and server numbers worldwide – which is a win-win. 

There are also freemium versions, such as for Windscribe and ProtonVPN, but you’re restricted to some features only. You’ll still need to subscribe to the paid versions to enjoy all the important features. 

How to Connnect to a VPN?

Using a VPN can be intimidating for new users. But on the contrary, it’s pretty easy to use, thanks to most companies’ beginner-friendly interface. 

To get started, create an account with a strong password. For the address, you can either use Philippine or overseas as long as it matches the address in your chosen payment method.

There are two ways to connect: Quick or Manual. Quick connect lets the VPN provider find the best server for you. On the other hand, a manual connection lets you choose the servers you want to connect to.

The above procedures apply to most devices including mobile. You can either access Google Play Store or App Store to find a VPN when using a mobile phone.

Best VPN for the Philippines

The following are what I consider the best VPN  providers for expats in the Philippines. Each has unique qualities that set it apart from the next company.

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On a side note, ask yourself why you would need a VPN in the first place. Are you a fan of US-exclusive films, or you’re a casual browser who wants to unlock foreign websites from the Philippines? Or maybe you need reliable protection for your financial information?

No matter the reason, there is an option available for you.

NordVPN

If it’s the quality and performance you look for, then check out Nord. The Panama-based VPN service has over 5,800+ servers strategically placed around the globe for your convenience. 

Additionally, no VPN service can beat the outstanding security it offers. It has impenetrable multilayered walls that even the best hacker cannot pry open.

I’ve asked around expats online, and they do agree NordVPN is what they like most. It’s unsurprising as most Filipinos with overseas clients use Nord, and it starts at only $3.09 a month!

Although I find NordVPN more expensive than most, the hack is that you should choose the 2-year plan. In the long run, it saves 69% than paying monthly.

Pros

• Top-quality protection
• Ultra-fast connection for streaming and browsing
• Absolutely log-free guarantee

Cons

• Can be expensive

ExpressVPN

While it provides top-notch features, ExpressVPN is quite affordable. While the pricing starts at $3.49/month, what you get is worth more than you pay. For example, you’ll get compelling security while browsing and streaming region-exclusive movies without a bandwidth limit. Plus, the customer service is responsive and reliable.

Pros

• Lightning-fast connections
• Easy access to contents
• Simple interface

Cons

• Expensive pricing plans

ProtonVPN

Since I’m a ProtonVPN user since 2019, I have experience with all the ups and downs of the service. The Switzerland-based company offers a free trial, letting people test what it can do first. Not only are you saving time and money, but the free trial also lets you decide whether to buy or not.

Free servers are decent, and it’s not at full capacity all the time, which makes for smooth browsing and streaming experience. However, the program sometimes crashes while running, which risks your online identity. Another problem is their unresponsive customer service, which could make or break the experience.

Generally, I have no problem with ProtonVPN and I like that it offers a free trial. However, it’s not the best out there compared to other services for the Philippines with higher ratings.

Pros

• Easy setup
• Free servers are seldom full
• Strict no user logging

Cons

• No live chat support
• Hard to configure for beginners

IPVanish

IPVanish is known for covering your streaming and cybersecurity needs for up to ten devices under one account. It’s a solid setup for two families living under the same roof. Not to mention the special pricing they offer for new customers in their VPN service.

I have never used IPVanish before, nor am I planning to use it in the future. Not that I don’t want to switch to another VPN, but some of their privacy policy problems in the past gives me trust issues.

Pros

• Ten connections with a single account
• Streaming with no slowdown risks
• Robust protection against leaks

Cons

• Potentially logs user data
• User privacy

Windscribe

Windscribe is a tried-and-true VPN service for the Philippines because of its security, speed, and free subscription. Although you don’t need money to upgrade, the country it’s based on is under the Five Eyes alliance.

There are two problems I have with this provider. First is the app’s visual interface that seems to fit everything on one screen that could look crowded and confusing. Another problem is price. It can be even more expensive than other popular VPN providers.

Pros

• Easy access
• Steady streaming speed
• High-class cybersecurity

Cons

• Unattractive user interface
• Price
• Part of the Five Eyes alliance

VPN Comparison

Here is a table to provide you with a simple and comprehensive overview of available VPN services for expats living in the Philippines:

Provider	No. of Devices Allowed	Kill Switch	No-Log Policy	Security	Encryption and Connections	Unlocked Streaming Sites	Starting Price	Money-Back Guarantee	Customer Support
NordVPN	10	Yes	Yes	DNS, IPv4, and IPv6 leak protection	AES-256 encryption, Double VPN, NordLynx protocol	Netflix US, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+	From $3.09/month	30 days	24/7 live chat and email support
ExpressVPN	10 (up to 12 on higher plans)	Yes	Yes	DNS, IPv4, and IPv6 leak protection	AES-256 encryption, Lightway protocol, split tunneling	Netflix US, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+	From $3.49/month	30 days	24/7 live chat and email support
Proton VPN	10	Yes	Yes	DNS and IPv4 leak protection	AES-256 encryption, Secure Core servers, split tunneling	Netflix US, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video	From $3.59/month	30 days	Email support
IPVanish	Unlimited	Yes	Yes	DNS and IPv6 leak protection	AES-256 encryption, split tunneling	Netflix US, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+	From $2.19/month	30 days	24/7 live chat and email support
Windscribe	Unlimited	Yes	Yes	DNS, IPv4, and IPv6 leak protection	AES-256 encryption, split tunneling	Netflix US, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video	From $4.08/month	3 days (or under 10GB usage)	Email and knowledge base
Private Internet Access	Unlimited	Yes	Yes	DNS, IPv4, and IPv6 leak protection	AES-256 encryption, split tunneling	Netflix US, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video	From $2.03/month	30 days	24/7 live chat and email support

Now, on to You

Regardless of the VPN service you choose, the guarantee of a more secure and more convenient internet experience is beyond impressive. Anonymity while surfing? Military-grade security while doing your finance? Getting access to various region-locked multimedia? All these features you can get with a VPN. After all, it won’t hurt if you take extra steps to protect your data and network from prying eyes.

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