Recent years have seen massive protests by Hong Kong residents and a renewed crackdown from mainland China’s government on the semi-autonomous city. This has led to concerns that Hong Kong’s special status will be eliminated altogether. Not surprisingly, the tensions have increased interest in VPNs as tools to evade censorship and protect online activities.
We rounded up our top-rated VPN services that have servers in Hong Kong, followed by some explanation of the challenges and benefits of using a virtual private network in Hong Kong. All of these VPNs have servers around the world, which make them good choices for spoofing your location as well. For more in-depth looks at each of the services in this story, click through the summaries below to read the full reviews.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Why We Picked It
NordVPN provides more than 70 servers in Hong Kong. It also supports multi-hop connections and access to Tor over VPN for additional security and anonymity. NordVPN uses the new and open-source WireGuard VPN protocol and offers obfuscated servers that may be accessible even if VPN traffic is being blocked.
Who It’s For
NordVPN has just about every VPN feature you could ask for and is one of only a very few services that offer split tunneling, multi-hop connections, and access to Tor over VPN. But the company has grown enormously, adding antivirus features with all its VPN subscriptions as well as a password manager and an encrypted file storage service that you can purchase separately or as a bundle. A unique feature called Meshnet lets you route traffic securely through one of your own devices, so you can trust that your data is secure. All this helps justify NordVPN’s high price tag. If cost is a concern, you should look elsewhere.
PROS
- Multi-hop, split tunneling, and Tor connections
- Excellent design
- Unique Meshnet features
- Built-in antivirus tools
CONS
- Expensive
- Lackluster malware-blocking results
CyberGhost VPN
Best for Choosing Servers
Why We Picked It
CyberGhost VPN provides 50 servers in Hong Kong, as well as 12 servers that appear as if they are in Shenzhen, China, but are actually located elsewhere. This VPN service has an enormous network of servers. It also uses the WireGuard VPN protocol. It does not offer multi-hop connections, however.
Who It’s For
Very few VPN servers have servers in, or which appear to be in, mainland China, and since CyberGhost VPN does, it’s a good choice for anyone who needs that flexibility. CyberGhost VPN also lets you choose specific servers on its network, which can be useful when you need to access resources that are only available in a particular part of the world.
CyberGhost VPN is another very pricey product. If you’re on a tight budget or want a free option, there are better VPNs.
PROS
- Large, well-distributed server fleet
- Allows up to seven simultaneous connections
- Several add-ons, including antivirus
- Outstanding speed test scores
- Newly completed third-party audit
CONS
- Expensive
- Confusing privacy policies
Why We Picked It
Proton VPN has 22 servers in Hong Kong. The company also provides multi-hop connections through its SecureCore servers. Subscribers can access Hong Kong via Sweden or Iceland. This service also provides access to the Tor anonymization network via VPN, for additional privacy and security.
Proton VPN also has a free subscription option, and is one of the very few VPNs that does not place a data cap on its free users. You can use Proton VPN for free for as long as you want and as much as you want. Free users are limited to a few servers in Japan, the Netherlands, and the US. It could work well for tunneling your data outside Hong Kong.
Who It’s For
Proton VPN’s free subscription makes it an excellent choice for anyone who can’t afford to pay for a VPN. If you choose to upgrade, Proton VPN won’t break the bank either. All users get access to Proton Mail and Proton Drive, offering a privacy-focused alternative to the Google suite. Paying Proton VPN customers can also protect up to ten devices, which is twice the average we’ve seen.
PROS
- Good pricing, including the best free subscription
- Numerous advanced privacy tools
- Strong customer privacy stance
- Slick, accessible client
- Excellent speed test scores
CONS
- Awkward ChromeOS implementation
Mullvad VPN
Best for Strict Privacy Protection
Why We Picked It
Mullvad VPN has 10 servers in Hong Kong. It supports the WireGuard VPN protocol and provides multi-hop connections for additional security.
While other VPNs might focus on features and pricing, Mullvad VPN’s central concern is protecting its customers’ privacy. It’s one of only a few VPNs that accept cash payments sent to its headquarters, and it uses an account number system that requires no information to sign up—no email, no username, no password. Mullvad VPN doesn’t even offer recurring subscriptions, which might be inconvenient for some people but ensures that the company retains as little information about its customers as possible.
Who It’s For
In addition to its strict privacy stance, Mullvad VPN has an extremely simple pricing structure. It costs just 5 euros per month (just about $5 as of writing), making it one of the most affordable VPNs available. Its collection of tools and strong customer privacy stance make it a great choice for anyone who is concerned about trusting a VPN. That comes at the cost of some convenience, but we found it eminently manageable.
PROS
- Requires no email or account information
- Extremely affordable
- Radically transparent
- Some advanced features, including multi-hop and port forwarding
CONS
- Awkward desktop interface
- Servers in a small range of countries
- Pay-as-you-go system may confuse some customers
Mozilla VPN
Best Nonprofit VPN
Why We Picked It
Mozilla VPN uses Mullvad VPN’s network of servers, and thus also provides 10 servers in Hong Kong. This VPN also supports the WireGuard VPN protocol and offers multi-hop connections.
Who It’s For
If you like the serious privacy stance of Mullvad but are put off by its payment system, Mozilla VPN is a good alternative. With recurring payments and a standard account system, it’s very familiar territory—albeit, without all of Mullvad’s privacy benefits. Mozilla VPN is also more expensive than Mullvad VPN but does help support a storied nonprofit organization. If you’re passionate about having your money not go to corporate interests, Mozilla VPN will meet that need.
PROS
- Helps support nonprofit Mozilla
- Powered by privacy hawk Mullvad
- Simple, snazzy design
- Multi-hop and split tunneling
- Excellent Speedtest scores
CONS
- Few server locations
- Expensive, limited compared with Mullvad
IVPN
Best for Flexible Subscriptions
Why We Picked It
IVPN has two servers in Hong Kong. This service also supports the WireGuard VPN protocol and gives you a unique multi-hop system where you can choose how your traffic is routed.
Liked Mullvad VPN, IVPN uses a privacy-focused account number system that protects your personal information and doesn’t need a password. Also like Mullvad VPN, IVPN accepts cash payments sent to its headquarters.
Who It’s For
IVPN and Mullvad VPN have a lot in common but IVPN offers recurring subscriptions, making it a little more accessible. IVPN also has an extremely flexible pricing structure starting at $2 per week to protect up to two devices, but you have to pay more for multi-hop connections. That flexibility is great for anyone trying out a VPN for the first time, or anyone who only wants to use a VPN for short periods.
PROS
- Flexible, affordable pricing
- Unique multi-hop system
- Privacy baked into its account system
- Strong stance on transparency
CONS
- Offers few server locations
- Multi-hop and Account ID might confuse some users
ExpressVPN
Best for World Travelers
Why We Picked It
ExpressVPN has two servers in Hong Kong. Along with NordVPN and Surfshark VPN, it’s one of a few VPN services that use RAM-only servers that write no information to disk, and are wiped if they are disconnected from power—making them harder to tamper with. ExpressVPN boasts VPN servers in 94 countries, making it a great choice for spoofing your location (or finding a nearby server while traveling).
Who It’s For
With a comparably high price, ExpressVPN may not fit in everyone’s budget. It also lacks privacy tools like multi-hop connections and access to Tor via VPN. What it does provide is an excellent client and user experience, and access to its large global server network.
PROS
- Large, diversely distributed fleet of servers
- Strong privacy and security practices
- Split tunneling
- Stylish interface
CONS
- Expensive
- No multi-hop connections
Surfshark VPN
Best for Large Families
Why We Picked It
Surfshark VPN offers servers in Hong Kong but does not report how many. It supports the WireGuard VPN protocol and provides obfuscation features to disguise VPN traffic. Surfshark VPN also supports multi-hop connections for additional security.
Importantly, Surfshark VPN has servers in 100 countries—nearly double the average we’ve seen across the industry. That gives customers lots of choices for spoofing their location.
Who It’s For
Surfshark VPN is not cheap and it doesn’t have every single VPN feature we’d like to see, but it more than justifies its steep price. For one thing, it places no restriction on the number of simultaneous connections, so you can easily protect all the devices in your household. For another, its Surfshark Nexus feature means that you can change VPN servers without disconnecting and have your IP address change at set intervals.
PROS
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Large global server presence
- Multi-hop and split tunneling tools
- Intriguing potential in Surfshark Nexus
CONS
- High monthly price
- Privacy policy needs clarification
- Confusing long-term subscription pricing
Private Internet Access VPN
Best for Multiple Simultaneous Connections
Why We Picked It
Private Internet Access VPN offers servers in Hong Kong and mainland China, but does not report how many. This service also supports the WireGuard VPN protocol as well as multi-hop connections. This VPN service also has servers in 84 countries, giving customers many options for location spoofing.
Who It’s For
Private Internet Access VPN has a price that’s quite a bit above average, but it helps that it allows up to 10 simultaneous connections. That’s double the average we’ve seen across the industry. Private Internet Access VPN also has a highly customizable app design, letting you keep the tools and information you want at hand. If you value customization, this is a good VPN for you.
PROS
- Split tunneling and multi-hop
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Numerous server locations
- Good Speedtest scores
- Completed third-party audit
CONS
- Expensive
- No free version
Opera VPN Pro
Best for Opera Browser Users
Why We Picked It
Opera VPN has servers in Hong Kong but does not report how many. However, it does use NordVPN’s servers, so we have some clue. Opera VPN Pro lacks multi-hop connections and does not support the WireGuard protocol, but stands out in one important regard: It costs only $5.99 per month and less than $24 per year, making it one of the most affordable VPNs we’ve reviewed.
Who It’s For
Opera VPN Pro places convenience above everything else by building its VPN product directly into the Opera browser. That’s less convenient if you don’t already use Opera, of course, but we appreciate the effort to keep its footprint at a minimum. Opera VPN Pro also isn’t available on iOS, limiting its appeal. That said, if you’re already an Opera user, or if you need an affordable VPN, Opera VPN Pro is a strong choice.
PROS
- Affordable monthly and annual pricing
- Limited free version
- Simple design and execution
CONS
- No iOS support
- Few features
- Few server locations
- Requires Opera browser
Buying Guide: The Best VPNs for Hong Kong in 2023
What Do VPNs Do in Hong Kong?
VPNs are handy tools for improving your privacy online. When you switch a VPN on at home, it transmits your web traffic from your computer to a server controlled by the VPN service. Along the way it’s protected within an encrypted tunnel, preventing your ISP, anyone on your network, or even whoever is running the network you use, from seeing what you are doing online.
You can use this to make your data travel far away from home. Let’s say you are trying to access a website that is only available within the UK. Instead of banging your head against the wall in frustration, you could simply connect to a VPN server inside the UK. Now your data is running from your home, across the ocean, and exiting onto the public internet from another country, and you should be able to view the web as if you were in London and not New York (or Hong Kong, of course).
Now let’s say that you live somewhere with a government that exercises near total control over the internet. That government could use its power to limit what you and others can see, and even monitor what you say and do. In such a place, you could use a VPN to tunnel past the restrictions to the uncensored internet and have a modicum of protection against surveillance—although that protection might attract its own attention. And it might well be against the law. It would be up to you to inform yourself of local regulations and to gauge your own tolerance for risk.
Which VPNs Have Servers in Hong Kong?
Some VPN companies have responded by pulling their servers from Hong Kong. TunnelBear VPN said that it was spinning down its presence in the region and suggested that users connect to nearby countries instead. It has beefed up its presence in nearby regions to help support users in Hong Kong. Both TunnelBear VPN and other companies have said they are taking this action out of an abundance of caution, and that their servers contain no useful user information that could be impounded by local authorities.
Are VPNs Legal in Hong Kong?
Let us be absolutely clear: We’re not giving out legal advice here—laws can change faster than we can update this story. You should absolutely check the current laws and regulations before using a VPN in Hong Kong.
Furthermore, we did not directly evaluate the security or privacy provided in Hong Kong by these VPNs. This is, rather, a list of our top tested VPNs (tested in our labs in New York City) that also offer some kind of service for users in Hong Kong. Several VPNs have servers in the region, and some offer specific tools which could be helpful for accessing a VPN in a hostile environment. Note, however, that this is a fluid political and potentially legal situation as much as a technical one. Check the VPN company websites to make sure the features you need are still available.
To reiterate: No tests were performed in Hong Kong—neither security tests nor performance tests. Also, bear in mind that if your aim is to tunnel past restrictions, you’ll want to access a VPN server outside the country you’re in. We have not tested for that capability, either.
Why are we being so careful here? In addition to the fact that we don’t do any Hong Kong-specific tests, we won’t make a recommendation that could conceivably put people in danger. The government of China reportedly has profound surveillance capabilities. The Great Firewall of China(Opens in a new window) is just one example of the depth and breadth of control that the Chinese government holds over its populace’s access to information.
We cannot endorse a VPN as 100% safe and secure in the best of circumstances, and we certainly can’t test for protection against a nation-state. To claim that any VPN could overcome such concerted surveillance would be a dangerous assertion on our part.
Recommended by Our Editors
Proven Privacy Services
Caveats aside, we have tested all these VPNs in the US, and we stand by that testing. Each of these services is well worth the money it charges, and each of them deliver a winning combination of features, performance, and privacy protection.
Let’s be clear, too, that we firmly believe that there are uses for VPNs that have nothing to do with state censorship. You might just be trying to protect your banking information when you access your account via a coffee shop, or you might be trying to stream a figure-skating performance that’s only available to viewers in the UK. The former is just common sense; the latter, while it might break some TOS agreements, hardly rises the level of international espionage.
(Editors’ Note: While they may not appear in this story, IPVanish and StrongVPN are owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag’s parent company.)
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