Best VPNs for Singapore in 2024 for speed and security

Whether you're living in or traveling to Singapore, using a VPN is a smart idea for overcoming issues with internet freedom and maintaining online privacy. 

It may have some of the fastest broadband speeds on the planet, but Singapore is also known for censorship and a worsening level of internet freedom. New laws require internet service providers (ISPs) to hand over user data if the government asks for it, making the use of a virtual private network (VPN) necessary for any semblance of privacy. 

A VPN prevents ISPs from being able to see what you’re doing while online by encrypting your internet traffic. The best VPNs for Singapore can also hide the fact that you’re using a VPN at all. We’ll get into more detail later but, in the meantime, here’s a quick summary. 

The best VPNs for Singapore:

1. NordVPN: Best VPN for Singapore. A huge network of fast and secure servers, with 110+ in Singapore alone. Offers extra protection via double-VPN routing and obfuscated servers. You can try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Best low-cost VPN for Singapore. Large network of RAM-only servers with plenty of options for Singapore. Fast connection speeds and great for streaming.
3. ExpressVPN: Very fast connections and servers in multiple locations in Singapore. Excellent reputation for both privacy and security.
4. Proton VPN: Robust security and various options for avoiding censorship in Singapore. Decent speeds and good for both streaming and torrenting. 
5. Mullvad: Pioneering provider that allows for completely anonymous signup. Externally audited apps and 11+ servers in Singapore. Stable speeds, robust security features. 
6. IPVanish: Multiple servers in Singapore and an independently verified no-logs policy. Fast connection speeds and great for accessing streaming services. 

Summary Table

Choosing the best VPN for Singapore requires balancing the desire for speed with the ability to adequately protect your data. We assessed providers’ potential using the criteria outlined below:

• Servers in Singapore for a Singaporean IP address
• Security and privacy
• Fast speeds
• Ease of use
• Value for money
• Streaming 

 In addition, we require the top three providers to have the following attributes: 

• Diskless servers 
• Independently audited no-logs policy
• Independent audit of security infrastructure 

For more information on how we evaluate VPNs, check out the testing methodology section later in this article.

Best VPNs for Singapore

Now, here is our list of the best VPNs for Singapore:

NordVPN combines fast connection speeds with advanced security features and an easy-to-use interface. It’s a great choice for Singapore as it has more than 110 servers in the country and plenty of options to maximize online privacy.

These include one-click access to the Tor network; alternative routing for sending traffic through additional servers; as well as access to obfuscated servers, which make VPN traffic look like regular internet traffic. It works to access Singaporean streams such as Viu, HOOQ, Singtel TV GO, Toggle, tvN Asia, and StarHub Go from abroad or on restricted networks (such as at work).

NordVPN also works with all of the major streaming platforms, including Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. Its proprietary NordLynx protocol enables very fast speeds and buffer-free streaming of 4K content. 

NordVPN provides dedicated servers for torrenting, and features such as split tunneling and kill switches help ensure privacy. 

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, and Linux. You can also manually configure a connection to a wide range of routers. NordVPN offers responsive 24/7 customer support via live chat if you have any questions.

While connected, users’ internet traffic is protected using 256-bit AES channel encryption, together with SHA384 authentication and a 3072-bit DHE-RSA key exchange. Personal data is safe, thanks to a twice-audited no-logs privacy policy.

BEST VPN FOR SINGAPORE: NordVPN is our top recommendation. It has 110+ secure VPN servers in Singapore, very fast connection speeds, and numerous security features. You can try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full NordVPN review.

Surfshark provides an affordable service and an impressive array of features. It has a large RAM-only server network, with a number of options for high-speed connections in Singapore. 

Internet traffic is protected using 256-bit AES encryption, a SHA512 authentication hash, and a 2048-bit DHE-RSA key exchange. No personally identifiable information is retained by the company and it adheres to an independently audited privacy policy.

Features include split tunneling, a kill switch, an IP address rotator, and an alert service that monitors the dark web for compromised personal data. For additional privacy, subscribers can also connect using MultiHop routing and obfuscated servers. 

Surfshark is a solid choice for streaming, and works well with all major providers, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and HBO. It also offers a standalone smart DNS service that enables smart TVs and games consoles to access restricted content. Surfshark speeds are very fast, so you can expect to stream with no buffering. 

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. Surfshark can also be manually configured on compatible routers. If you need any help, a responsive customer support team is available 24/7 via live chat.

GREAT VALUE: Offers unlimited device connections and plenty of servers in Singapore. Great for both streaming and torrenting, with consistently fast speeds. Affordable plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark. 

ExpressVPN has a vast global network of RAM-only servers. In Singapore, these are located in the Central Business District, Jurong, and Marina Bay.

Features include geo-spoofing in the browser extensions; split tunneling; a kill switch; private DNS on every server; and an ad, tracker and malware blocker. Torrenting is allowed and users are free to connect to any server. 

ExpressVPN is great for streaming, and works well with Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, and more. Its MediaStreamer smart DNS proxy service enables devices like Smart TVs and games consoles to access geo-restricted content. The ExpressVPN proprietary Lightway protocol provides speeds easily fast enough to stream 4K content without buffering. 

Users’ internet traffic is protected using 256-bit AES channel strong encryption, 4096-bit DHE-RSA keys, and SHA512 hash authentication. ExpressVPN adheres to a no-logs policy and is free from DNS, WebRTC, and IP leaks. 

Easy-to-use apps are available for iOS, macOS, Android, Linux, and Windows. ExpressVPN is unusual in that it also has an app for routers. This is handy as it enables you to protect all of the devices on your home network – even those that don’t support VPNs. 

TRUSTED SERVERS: ExpressVPN has multiple Singaporean servers spread over three locations. It offers highly secure, speedy connections and is a great option for both streaming and torrenting. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

Proton VPN is a Swiss provider with a strong focus on privacy and security. It’s a solid option for streaming and able to access platforms such as Netflix, BBCiPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max. 

Features include a stealth mode, which makes VPN traffic look like normal internet traffic; and alternative routing technology, which helps evade blocks by rerouting traffic along alternate pathways. Both of these can be useful in countries like Singapore, where internet censorship is an issue. 

Proton VPN also provides one-click access to the Tor network without needing to download and install the Tor browser; DNS leak protection; split tunneling; a kill switch; and an ad tracker and malware blocker. 

The provider has servers in 71+ countries, with 44+ in Singapore alone. It also has an additional 100+ Secure Core servers, which route internet traffic through Proton-owned servers housed in underground high-security data centers. These servers prevent timing/correlation attacks in high-risk countries by making data untrackable. Access to the two servers in Singapore is via Proton servers in Switzerland and Sweden.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, and Linux. Subscribers are permitted to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously.

Proton VPN is just one of the services offered by Proton Technologies: the others are ProtonMail, Drive, and Calendar.

EXTRA SECURE: Proton VPN uses the latest encryption technology and provides various options for safely connecting to the internet from Singapore. Strict no-logging policy and decent connection speeds worldwide. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of Proton VPN.

Mullvad is a small Swedish provider that is strong on both privacy and security. It has multiple servers in Singapore and the ability to obfuscate internet traffic to hide VPN use. Connection speeds are decent, though access to streaming services isn’t the best.

Other Mullvad features include MultiHop servers, which provide additional layers of encryption; an always-on feature; full support for IPv6; and an ad tracker and malware blocker. Apps have built-in kill switches that stop the flow of internet traffic if the VPN connection drops out; and split tunneling – though this is only easily available on the Android, Linux, and Windows apps.

The OpenVPN protocol is secured using AES-256-GCM encryption with 4096-bit RSA certificates. WireGuard uses ChaCha20 for symmetric encryption, which is authenticated with Poly1305. Mullvad has a notably clear privacy policy and doesn’t log any user activity whatsoever. In addition, you can sign up for a subscription without providing any personal information and even pay with cash. 

All Mullvad apps have undergone external security audits and are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Mullvad can be manually configured on compatible routers. 

The only slight concern with Mullvad is that it’s based in Sweden, which is a member of the SIGINT Seniors Europe international intelligence-sharing alliance. However, Mullvad is adamant that it would “cease operation of our service” if a “government somehow succeed[ed] in legally forcing us to spy on our users”.

ANONYMOUS SIGN-UP: Mullvad is a good choice for those who value their privacy. Users in Singapore can sign up and pay for subscriptions anonymously, and there are plenty of features for additional layers of protection. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of Mullvad.

IPVanish offers very fast connection speeds and plentiful company-owned-and-operated servers in Singapore. It’s not the greatest provider for streaming, but it has plenty to offer in terms of privacy and security. 

Features include split tunneling, which allows you to choose which apps are protected by the VPN; a kill switch; automatic start-up when internet traffic is detected; and built-in DNS leak protection. Torrenting is permitted on all IPVanish servers and there are no caps on either bandwidth or data. 

IPVanish has multiple connection protocols available, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and IPSec. Users can also make use of the SOCKS5 proxy to maximize connection speeds without encryption.

Subscribers are allowed unlimited simultaneous device connections. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Linux, and ChromeOS. IPVanish can also be manually configured on compatible routers.

Security is provided using 256-bit encryption, together with SHA512 for authentication, and a DHE-RSA 2048 key exchange. IPVanish has an independently audited no-logs policy, which is reassuring given that the company is based in the US – a key player in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. 

FAST SPEEDS: IPVanish is fast, secure, and stable. It has multiple servers in Singapore and plenty of features to protect internet connections within the country. You can try it with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of IPVanish.

Methodology for choosing the best VPNs for Singapore

Whether you’re traveling abroad and want to access a Singapore-based online service, or you’re already inside the country and seeking to prevent ISPs from snooping on your online activity, a VPN is an essential tool. The best VPNs provide local servers and robust security, but must also meet other criteria, which we’ve expanded on below:

• Servers in Singapore: Where possible, it’s usually preferable to connect to the nearest available VPN server. This ensures traffic never has to travel too far and helps maintain connection speeds. With this in mind, we’ve only recommended VPNs that have servers in Singapore. These also enable those abroad to access Singapore-only services that require an IP address in the country.
• Security and privacy: We check each VPNs logging policy to ensure that they keep no records of user data. We also require that they use effectively uncrackable encryption, and offer additional protections such as kill switches, leak protection, and obfuscated servers.
• Fast speeds: Singaporeans enjoy some of the world’s fastest internet speeds. The best VPNs can match these speeds, creating connections that are fast enough to stream 4K content and play bandwidth-hungry online games. We regularly test VPN speeds so that we can accurately compare providers. 
• Ease of use: The majority of people want their VPNs to secure their data with minimum fuss. This is why we look out for services that offer intuitive GUIs and straightforward sign-up processes.
• Value for money: We ensure that VPN providers can justify the fees they charge for subscriptions. We don’t include those that are unnecessarily expensive. 
• Streaming: The best VPNs are able to access geo-restricted streaming services. However, as this is getting increasingly more difficult, we regularly test whether providers work with major platforms, such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+.

Bonus points

As well as the criteria above, we also award bonus points to VPN companies that provide any of the following (applicable to each provider mentioned in our top three):

• Access to China: China is relentless in its desire to block VPNs. As it requires a lot of ongoing effort to breach the Great Firewall, most providers end up on the blacklist. At the time of writing, the only VPNs able to reliably provide access are NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN.
• Diskless servers: RAM-only servers prevent VPN providers’ operating systems and apps from ever writing to the hard drive. This means that user data cannot be permanently stored, which is an obvious plus for privacy-focused services. As well as reducing their appeal to hackers and intrusive government agencies, diskless servers are more efficient thanks to up-to-date software being reinstalled at server startup. 
• Incorporation outside the scope of intelligence alliances: Most countries with any kind of democracy try to limit the capacity for domestic spying. However, international agreements – such as the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes intelligence alliances – enable foreign powers to collect information on the citizens of other countries. The better VPNs intentionally place themselves beyond the jurisdiction of any known intelligence-gathering alliances. For example, ExpressVPN is registered in the British Virgin Islands, while NordVPN operates under the jurisdiction of Panama.
• Audited infrastructure: With so many VPN providers making seemingly identical promises about security and privacy, it can be difficult to know who to trust. This is where third-party audits come in. A software audit will check the VPN provider’s apps for exploits that could compromise the hardware running them or be used to reveal user activity. Infrastructure audits check servers for vulnerabilities and establish whether any data is inadvertently collected that would disprove no-logging claims. The best providers carry out both types of audit and use reputable auditors to do it. 

How to use a VPN in Singapore

It’s easy to get safely connected in Singapore. Just follow these steps.

Six simple steps to use a VPN in Singapore:

1. Choose a VPN with a strong commitment to privacy and sign up. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Download the relevant app onto your device. 
3. Restart the device when the installation is complete.
4. Open the app and choose a server that you’d like to connect to. If you want to access Singapore-based services, then you’ll need a server in Singapore. Alternatively, you can just press “Connect” and the VPN will choose the fastest available server for you.
5. Wait until the app notifies you that a connection has been established.
6. You can now safely and privately use the internet.

Can I use a free VPN in Singapore?

You can, but it won’t be much fun – particularly if you’re trying to access streaming services. Free VPNs tend to have a limited number of congested servers that aren’t up to the task of streaming HD – let alone 4K – content without buffering. Many don't offer unlimited bandwidth, and will be missing out on numerous advanced features and security settings. 

In addition, free VPNs are funded by advertisers, and some have no qualms about selling your data to third parties and letting trackers run free on your devices. The worst make it easy for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities and can act as conduits for malware. We strongly recommend that you take a look at our list of recommended VPNs, all of which can provide a significantly better service.

If you’re really adamant about using a free VPN, try one from a respected provider that works on a freemium basis i.e. with the ultimate goal of making you a paying subscriber. These, at least, use the same privacy and security configurations as their parent products, though the number of extra features and servers you can access will be greatly decreased. Many others aren't a good idea in terms of online security. 

Best VPNs for Singapore: FAQs

Does Singapore allow VPN use?

VPNs are legal in Singapore and we’d recommend using one while in the country for two reasons. The first is that public WiFi is commonplace, with much of it unsecured. An unsecured network requires no password to connect to, and is thus accessible to anyone. 

While this is undoubtedly convenient, it’s also dangerous. Bad actors can eavesdrop on your internet activities or even set up a fake hotspot to lure you in. A VPN helps protect you in these situations by encrypting all of your internet traffic. 

The second reason to use a VPN in Singapore is that ISPs in the country are legally obliged to provide information on their users to the government if required to do so. Using a VPN to mask your online activity ensures that your ISP cannot know which websites you visit or what you do whilst there. 

The Singapore government's Singapore Broadcasting Authority (SBA) has been monitoring internet activity and content since 1996. It provides the licenses needed by ISPs to operate, and makes these conditional on the ISPs restricting the publication of prohibited online material, defined as that which is "objectionable on the grounds of public interest, public morality, public order, public security, national harmony, or is otherwise prohibited by applicable Singapore laws.”

More recently, Singapore’s parliament passed the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA), part of which allows the home affairs minister to order the removal of online content. Critics have denounced the bill as a tool to prevent dissent. The non-profit Freedom House organization, which advocates for US-style democracy, gives Singapore a rating of 54 out of 100 for internet freedom, deeming it “partly free.”

What this means in practice is that citizens and visitors should aim for anonymity while using the internet in the country – particularly when publishing content that might be open to interpretation by an overzealous state. The best VPNs offer this anonymity, and are suitable for use where internet freedoms are severely curtailed, such as in China or Egypt.

Which free VPN has a Singapore server?

The Tunnelbear free plan gives you access to a server in Singapore but, as you’re limited to 500MB of data, it’s arguable how useful this is. On the whole, we’d recommend against using free VPNs in Singapore. Standalone services normally come with some form of logging policy, which means some of your data could potentially be handed over to the authorities if the VPN was asked for it.

How much does a VPN cost in Singapore?

Like anywhere else, you get what you pay for when it comes to VPNs in Singapore. As a rough guide, a monthly subscription to one of the best VPNs will cost approximately S$17 a month. Longer subscriptions are better value, and average between S$7 and S$12 a month. Most decent VPN providers also offer a reduced rate for the first year of annual subscriptions.

Do ISPs throttle bandwidth in Singapore?

ISPs in Singapore should legally abide by the principles of net neutrality, which have been law there since 2011. These require them to treat all internet communications traffic equally. However, in practice, several ISPs do in fact throttle users’ bandwidth when they visit certain sites. Offending ISPs include Starhub, Singtel, and M1 Limited. Using a VPN when connecting to the internet prevents these ISPs from limiting your bandwidth by masking which sites you choose to visit.

Can I access streaming services from Singapore with a VPN?

Yes. When you connect to a VPN server in Singapore, you get a valid IP address in that country. As a result, you can watch any region-locked streaming services and TV platforms from Singapore even if you are abroad.

The benefit of a VPN is that you can also bypass any blocks imposed by a local network. So, if your workplace, school, or public WiFi hotspot is blocking access to specific streaming services or websites, you can regain access by connecting to a VPN server in Singapore.

The VPNs we have recommended in this guide have large server networks that allow you to get an IP address in numerous countries around the world. This means you can use the VPN not only to watch Singaporean streams while on vacation abroad – but also TV networks from all around the globe while in Singapore.

Below, we have included a list of TV platforms you can access by connecting to a VPN server in Singapore:

1. Netflix
2. Amazon Prime Video
3. Disney+
4. Viu
5. meWATCH
6. HBO Go
7. StarHub TV+
8. Toggle
9. iQiyi
10. Viki
11. Mediacorp
12. StarHub TV
13. Singtel TV
14. Channel NewsAsia
15. Channel 5
16. Channel 8
17. Channel U
18. Suria
19. Vasantham
20. Okto
21. Toggle Originals
22. Toggle News
23. Toggle VOD

Please bear in mind that most VPNs have now been blocked by streaming services around the globe. This means that you must stick to a recommended VPN with fast servers that have been tested to access popular TV networks and streaming providers like Netflix.

The VPNs we have recommended are all reliable, but they also differ slightly and may work with different streaming services. This is why it is always a good idea to test the VPN that interests you using its money-back guarantee. This lets you check that the VPN works with your favorite streaming services completely risk-free.