Singapore offers an incredible mix of ancient history, diverse culture, and unique traditions on the background of highly developed technology industries. The country welcomes millions of tourists every year who take their gadgets and can benefit from speedy Internet. But do you know that your privacy might be in danger if you don’t comply with the strict Internet regulations in Singapore? This is the key reason to use a VPN in this country but it’s not the only one. This post explains why you should set up a VPN on your device and how to choose the best VPN for Singapore. Are you ready? Let’s start.
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Why is it Important to Use a VPN in Singapore?
Many Asian countries are notorious for harsh laws on media regulation and censorship. Fortunately, Singapore took the path of more democratic development and internet censorship there is not as tough as in the neighboring states. However, this does not mean that you can freely express your thoughts and views in Singapore. On the contrary, there are many cases when bloggers were fined, arrested, and even sentenced to prison for insulting religious groups or authorities. For example, Roy Ngerng was ordered to pay a fine of 110,000 USD for slandering the country’s prime minister.
Not only bloggers are harassed but also large media resources. If the government believes that an informational portal violates the Singapore Penal Code, it may be ordered to shut down. Due to the tight Internet regulation and intolerance of criticism, Singapore has been recognized as a partly free country.
Singapore also blacklists gambling and pornographic websites. If you accidentally stumble upon a site with adult content, you will most likely avoid any harsh consequences. However, if you stay there for a while or download any materials, be prepared for a massive fine.
If you don’t want to compromise your privacy or sacrifice your online freedoms, you have to enhance your Internet connection with a VPN. Such software is able to hide your real virtual location and encrypt your Internet traffic. In addition, a VPN is an effective tool for unlocking geo-blocked sites and services in Singapore, such as Netflix, BBC Player, Hulu, etc.
Summary of the Best VPNs for Singapore
If you want to hide your online activities and remain anonymous, a top-notch VPN is a must. These 3 world-class providers will restore your online freedoms and open access to all blocked websites in Singapore:
- NordVPN – It is the world’s most secured VPN provider. If you are looking for ultra-safety, flexible connection options, and wide access to thousands of servers, NordVPN is the most balanced VPN for Singapore.
- ExpressVPN -This provider is highly regarded for the best possible speed in the VPN industry. If you are a torrent enthusiast, online gamer or TV show buff, ExpressVPN will deliver the best experience.
- CyberGhost – The provider offers user-friendly software, comprehensive security functions, and a straightforward privacy policy. CyberGhost is an excellent choice for entry-level users.
The Main Features to Look for in a VPN for Singapore
Each VPN provider is unique in terms of features it delivers. Some services focus on security tools while others benefit from clear and intuitive software. We believe that a trustworthy VPN for Singapore should have a combination of these qualities:
- Zero-logging policy. This feature ensures that your provider doesn’t collect or store data regarding websites you visit, content you view or download, and communications with other users.
- Privacy-friendly jurisdiction. This affects the amount and characteristic of user data your provider is obligated to collect. Additionally, some countries are members of intelligence alliances meaning they share information with each other, including data obtained from tech companies. Being registered in a privacy-friendly country means that your VPN service doesn’t have to retain or share any information about its clients.
- Strong encryption. A VPN you can trust must implement military-grade encryption with at least 128-bit key as well as advanced connection protocols.
- Speed. This factor is critical since it influences your overall experience with a VPN service. Optimized servers ensure you can stream and download without significant drops in the speed of your internet connection.
- Access to a large number of servers. Massive server networks are vital to avoid geo-blocking. You should choose services that have servers in Singapore (it will ensure a fast connection speed) as well as outside it. For instance, make sure your provider has units in torrent-friendly countries (if you are a torrent fan) a well as in America (since it helps you to unblock US Netflix and some other popular streaming services).
Besides these key factors, you should take into account DNS leak protection, internet kill switch, and overall performance.
The Best VPNs for Singapore to Protect Your Digital Privacy
We have already introduced the best VPNs in Singapore according to the VPNTrends experts. It’s time to take a closer look at these providers:
NordVPN
NordVPN is a big name in the VPN industry. The service is praised for its outstanding security features. First of all, it is registered in Panama, an off-shore country with lenient privacy legislation and no connection with the 14 Eyes treaties. Secondly, the service carries out the highest encryption standard AES with 256-bit key and top-of-the-line OpenVPN protocol. What sets NordVPN apart from other VPNs is a vast selection of extra security features such as Double VPN Encryption, Tor over VPN, obfuscated servers, and others. NordVPN even supplies its own anti-malware tool called CyberSec.
Despite being ultra-secure, the provider is very affordable. It offers various subscription plans with the lowest prices for 1, and especially 2-year deals. NordVPN accepts all major credit/debit cards, paypal and even anonymous payment methods such as Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. You can test the service out without any risk thanks to generous 30-day money back-guarantee. All these factors make NordVPN one of the safest and reputable VPNs for Singapore.
ExpressVPN
Another big fish on the VPN market is ExpressVPN. The provider stays true to the name and ensures ultra-fast connection. It boasts over 3,000 speed-optimized servers in 94 countries. Its proprietary SmartLocation function will help to connect to the fastest server based on your location and download speed. ExpressVPN is worth praise for its security functions as well. It employs the world’s leading encryption standard AES 256 backed up with unbreakable OpenVPN protocol. Thanks to the split-tunneling, Kill Switch, and strong DNS leak protection, you can safely surf the web in Singapore as well as anywhere in the world. The service is registered in the British Virgin Islands famous for its privacy-friendly laws. Such legislation made it possible to carry out zero-logging policy.
ExpressVPN is a little bit pricey but you can get a nice 49% discount if you opt for a 1-year subscription. 30-days refund guarantee allows you to test the service without any risk. When it comes to your security and user experience, ExpressVPN is a great choice for a VPN in Singapore.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is a rapidly developing VPN service operating from Romania. The country stays away from any intelligence alliances and it respects online freedoms. Thanks to such favorable legislation, CyberGhost exercises a user-friendly log-free policy . Its users are reliably protected thanks to 256-bit encryption and OpenVPN protocol. Kill Switch and DNS leak prevention technology are also in place. Its massive server network with more than 3,000 servers worldwide delivers pleasantly comfortable streaming and downloading experience.
CyberGhost is a very affordable provider offering generous discounts for 12-month and 18-month subscription. You don’t have to be afraid to purchase long-duration plans because the service boasts impressive 45-day money guarantee! With CyberGhost, you can get a great service at a really nice price, so if you think it will fit your needs, don’t hesitate to try it.
Free VPNs in Singapore – Are they Safe?
In a nutshell, free VPNs are never a good option for security-conscious people. By and large, they are not able to secure your privacy in the digital world. Most services have questionable logging policies and they won’t hesitate to hand your data over to authorities. Moreover, some providers have been caught red-handed selling user data to advertisers or allowing the third-parties to independently monitor clients’ traffic. Even relatively secure free VPNs have major flaws such as slow connection and a poor selection of servers. While reputable providers never limit bandwidth, their free counterparts implement data caps and throttling. We never recommend using free VPNs in Singapore due to their hostile security features as well as slow and limited connection. Don’t experiment with your privacy! Opt for trustworthy VPNs and enjoy all benefits of the free Internet.