Cambodia is known for its ancient grandeur, natural beauty, and cultural richness. Unfortunately, internet freedom is sketchy at best in the Southeast Asian country. Using the web involves putting up with wide-ranged restrictions, and authorities are not shy about monitoring online activities. However, the need for a VPN for Cambodia extends beyond these issues.
For instance, on platforms like Netflix, geo-blocks restrict your access to the limited content curated for that audience. That’s frustrating for any visitor looking to catch up with home. And if you’re a Cambodian traveling abroad, you may find JaiKonTV and Apsara TV off-limits until you return.
Thankfully, a top VPN service effectively handles these problems. Still, the fact remains that they’re not all on the same level. This article highlights the best VPN providers you should be considering for Cambodia.
Why You Need a VPN in Cambodia
According to Freedom House, the internet space in Cambodia leaves much to be desired.
In 2021, the government issued a sub-decree establishing the National Internet Gateway (NIG). The proposed rules required Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to route all internet traffic through one government-controlled chokepoint.
In essence, this move centralizes control, giving authorities a tool to monitor and regulate online activities more closely.
The NIG could be used to easily block websites deemed “inappropriate” by the government, effectively silencing critical voices and limiting access to information. Plus, all internet traffic passing through it would be subject to government surveillance, putting user data and online activity at risk.
This is in addition to a cybercrime law passed back in 2018 that granted a national agency enhanced powers to curb free speech. Even innocuous Facebook posts have led to criminal charges.
Thankfully, by encrypting your online traffic, a VPN service shields your data and activities from monitoring and helps you bypass these measures.
In addition, a VPN plays a vital role in protecting your private information from hackers and other cybercriminals. Tools like high-grade encryption ensure that even if your data is intercepted, there’s virtually no way to decipher it.
There’s more to restricted access to websites and online services than government restrictions. Major streaming services use geo-blocks to enforce copyright licensing agreements, which means you’re cut off from foreign libraries within Cambodia.
Unless you use a VPN service, of course. A provider with good unblocking capabilities circumvents those restrictions, opening a window to a full spectrum of streaming options.
The Best VPN for Cambodia — Our Top 5 Recommendations
The providers on this list are excellent at breaking through government or platform-enforced restrictions on online content and will mask your data from surveillance. On top of that, you won’t experience significant drops in performance while you’re online.
We’re focusing on premium VPNs for this list, as they are on another level when compared to free-access alternatives. More on that later.
Following extensive testing, here are the five best VPNs for Cambodia.
1. NordVPN
- Jurisdiction: Panama.
- Server count: 6,300+ servers in 111 countries.
- Standout feature: Custom NordLynx protocol built around WireGuard.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, ChromeOS, routers, gaming consoles, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Up to 10 devices.
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days.
Given its excellent suite of features, performance and reliability, NordVPN is the best VPN for people inside and outside Cambodia. As it is, the VPN offers an impressive network comprising around 6,300 servers across 111 countries.
Speaking of which, NordVPN provides lightning-fast connection speeds, especially when you switch to its custom-made NordLynx protocol. Thanks to high-bandwidth infrastructure, you never have to deal with sloth-slow performance, which would frustrate your efforts at streaming or other bandwidth-heavy activities.
With loads of P2P-friendly servers, NordVPN is an excellent torrenting VPN for Cambodian users. Unlimited bandwidth, high-level security features, and a SOCKS5 proxy mean you can download and seed files without a worry in the world. It’s also excellent at bypassing geo-restrictions and will unblock virtually any foreign streaming library.
NordVPN’s headquarters is in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction. Taking it a notch higher, the VPN follows a strict no-logs policy thoroughly examined (and okayed) by PwC and Deloitte. Besides, its RAM-based servers wipe clean after each reboot.
In addition, it implements the industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption and comes with an app-level and system-wide kill switch. If you’re especially paranoid about Cambodian authorities snooping in on your activities, features like Onion over VPN and Double VPN can prove useful for keeping them at bay.
A single NordVPN subscription covers up to 10 devices at the same time. You can try the provider for 30 days and request a refund if it doesn’t suit your preferences.
2. ExpressVPN
- Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands.
- Server count: 3,000+ in 105 countries.
- Standout feature: TrustedServer technology.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, ChromeOS, routers, browsers, gaming consoles, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Up to 8 devices.
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days.
ExpressVPN is an excellent VPN for Cambodia. The highly reputable service comes with 3,000+ servers across 105 countries. That’s one of the most expansive location distributions in the industry, so it’s no surprise that Cambodia makes the count.
Unlike many top competitors, there are no categories for various activities — the VPN’s regular servers are excellent across the board. For instance, it tops our streaming leaderboard, effectively unblocking Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and other popular streamers without hassle.
What’s more, you can expect blazing-fast connection speeds thanks to ExpressVPN’s 10 Gbps servers and a selection of secure and speedy protocols. No slowdowns or pesky buffering here.
ExpressVPN is serious about keeping you private. Your connection is protected from government monitoring and cybercriminals by military-grade AES 256-bit encryption. That’s the cipher favored by defense agencies around the world and is virtually uncrackable.
To make doubly sure, it comes with advanced features. On top of that, there’s no chance your online activities will be traced to you because the provider operates a water-tight logless policy and uses RAM-only servers.
ExpressVPN works with a wide range of platforms (it offers a reliable VPN app for Android) and shields up to eight devices at the same time. A 30-day money-back guarantee backs your subscription, so you can request a refund in the unlikely event that you’re unsatisfied with the service.
For any questions or concerns, you can count on the provider’s responsive customer care team, available 24/7 through live chat.
3. CyberGhost
- Jurisdiction: Romania.
- Server count: 11,000 servers in 100 countries, including 23 in Cambodia.
- Standout feature: In-house managed NoSpy servers.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, browsers, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Up to 7 devices.
- Money-back guarantee: Up to 45 days.
CyberGhost is a really cheap VPN for Cambodia if you subscribe to one of its longer-term plans.
The Romanian-based provider offers a massive network, with over 11,000+ servers across 100 countries worldwide. With any of the 23 servers in the capital city of Phnom Penh, you can get a Cambodian IP address for seamless connections.
CyberGhost is an excellent option if you’re heavily into streaming movies, TV shows, and more online. We found the VPN capable of unblocking exclusive libraries on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and other top streaming services. You’ll experience the best results with its optimized servers for the function, appropriately labeled “For streaming.”
There are also dedicated servers for online gaming and torrenting. The servers in these categories are specially designed for lag-free connections and faster, secure downloads.
With CyberGhost’s bank-level encryption, you needn’t worry about hackers and other snoops. The VPN also offers modern, secure tunneling protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2). A kill switch and leak protection features ensure you’re not leaving any loopholes that can be exploited.
What’s more, an independent audit has found CyberGhost’s no-logs policy to be just as strict as claimed.
CyberGhost works with various computers, smartphones, streaming devices, and smart TVs. You can protect up to seven devices simultaneously, but router support lets you extend beyond that limit.
The VPN stands by the quality of its service, backing each subscription with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t like what you see, you can request and receive a refund within that time frame.
4. Surfshark
- Jurisdiction: The Netherlands.
- Server count: 3,200+ in 100 countries, including 4 in Cambodia.
- Standout feature: Nexus with SDN technology for multiple server connections.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, browsers, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Unlimited devices.
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days.
Surfshark hasn’t been around for very long but is already one of the best VPNs in the industry. Not bad for a versatile service with budget pricing.
It comes with a collection of 3,200+ servers in 100 countries. If you’re keen on accessing Cambodian content from outside the country, its four servers within the country will come in handy. For instance, you can easily catch up on news, sports, and entertainment on Bayon TV or Netflix Cambodia from anywhere else worldwide.
The provider reflects that ability on international streaming services. As a result, you can follow your favorite content on American Netflix, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and more.
Expect reliable, buffer-free connections while you stream. Surfshark isn’t the fastest, but it consistently provides decent performance anyway. You won’t run into any extended slowdowns or interruptions, especially when using WireGuard.
The VPN is impeccable when it comes to safeguarding your online traffic. AES 256-bit encryption keeps prying eyes away, and Camouflage Mode effectively disguises your VPN use from your ISP. Surfshark’s multihop chains two VPN servers, adding an extra layer of protection. The provider even allows you to choose your entry and exit servers, a rare, applaudable configuration option.
Say authorities demand your browsing details from the VPN. There’ll be none to hand over because Surfshark keeps no personally identifiable logs and uses 100% diskless servers.
Surfshark is compatible with a long line of platforms and devices. But will you ever need an extra subscription? Not with this VPN and its unlimited simultaneous device connections allowance.
What’s more, you can experience Surfshark risk-free with the reassurance of a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Private Internet Access
- Jurisdiction: The United States.
- Server count: Servers in 91 countries, including Cambodia.
- Standout feature: Choice between AES 128-bit and AES 256-bit encryption.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, gaming consoles, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Unlimited devices.
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days.
Private Internet Access is an affordable, privacy-focused VPN service with loads of standard and advanced features. Just what you need for a Cambodian VPN.
CyberGhost’s server network is pretty impressive. However, that pales in comparison to PIA — its over 30,000-strong collection dwarfs the combined total of the other providers on this list. Cambodia is one of the 91 countries that host those servers, albeit virtually.
PIA is another VPN with streaming-optimized options. According to the provider, they offer full access to a host of streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and HBO Max. That said, while they will unblock some libraries, our tests didn’t find them quite as effective as advertised. Still, with your PIA-provided Cambodian IP address, local platforms like JaiKonTV and Netflix Cambodia are open to you.
Private Internet Access saves the best of its service for where it matters the most. Cambodian authorities can monitor your activities, even if you’re not suspected of any wrongdoing. Not if PIA has anything to say about it, though.
Highly secure encryption ciphers protect your data from brute-force attacks, MACE does the job against malicious websites, and an advanced kill switch helps to prevent exposure when your VPN connection drops.
While PIA operates from a Five Eyes member country, the provider is committed to guaranteeing user privacy, as proven in a US court.
For even better value for your money, there’s no cap on the number of devices you can connect to simultaneously, which is great considering the provider works with many platforms. You can try it out risk-free for up to 30 days.
What We Looked Out for While Choosing the Best VPN for Cambodia
It appears like there are new entrants into the VPN market every day. Even though the cream tends to rise to the top, there’s a chance that randomly choosing a Cambodian VPN would fetch you a dud.
Because there are several things to watch out for, we did the hard work for you to narrow down your options. If you’re interested in the factors we took into account, here they are:
Privacy and Security
To begin with, a VPN should act as a fortress for your online privacy, whether you’re in Cambodia or elsewhere.
We scrutinized each provider’s privacy and security features, watching out for encryption standards, no-logs policies, and the commitment to user confidentiality. Advanced features that give cybercriminals a tough time, like multihop and malware blocking, are also weighed in our evaluation.
Cambodia is a restrictive country and regularly spies on the online activities of residents. These tools are also effective for bypassing censorship measures and blocking snoopers.
Server Collection
The breadth and distribution of a VPN’s server network play a significant role in determining its effectiveness. We prioritize providers with well-distributed networks, as they help minimize latency and ensure faster connection speeds.
Having servers within Cambodia is a significant advantage. NordVPN is our favorite VPN because it has servers in Cambodia.
Speed and Performance
While you can get steady connection speeds in Cambodia, the internet is hardly super-fast there. With that in mind, we prioritized VPN services with unlimited bandwidth that don’t significantly tank your internet performance when you establish a server connection.
The best VPNs in Cambodia on our list offer high-performance servers and speed-adapted protocols like WireGuard and Lightway.
Bypassing Geo-restrictions
A quality VPN effortlessly unlocks restricted online content, both local and international. We rigorously tested each provider’s ability to offer access to exclusive libraries on popular platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.
Local services within Cambodia were not left out. From outside the country, these VPNs let you stream content on JaiKonTV, Apsara TV, Bayon TV, and others.
User Experience
We only recommend VPN services with easy-to-use apps for desktop and mobile platforms.
We prefer that there’s no steep learning curve for signing up, setup, configuration, and navigation, so even VPN newbies can keep up. What’s more, various customer support channels must be available around the clock to handle user inquiries and concerns. Every provider on this list checks these boxes.
Money-Back Guarantee
The best VPN services offer a safety net for new users with a money-back guarantee. A refund policy ensures that you can request your subscription fee back within a time frame if you’re unsatisfied with the service.
Every entry on this list gives you at least 30 days to decide whether to commit (or not).
How to Use a VPN for Cambodia
Follow these straightforward steps to use the internet safely and anonymously in Cambodia:
- Decide on a VPN service. Consider the factors highlighted above, such as speed, server network, and privacy functionality. We recommend NordVPN as the best VPN in Cambodia.
- Subscribe. Create an account and activate your plan. If the provider offers a trial, try that out first.
- Download & Install. Follow the instructions provided to install the app on your device.
- Establish a VPN connection. Launch the VPN app and select a server of your choice. If you’re outside Cambodia, you may choose a server there. Click to connect.
- Verify your IP address. Use an online tool (like whatismyipaddress.com) to confirm your new IP address.
- Enjoy secure access. Explore the internet with anonymity & access unblocked content.
Can You Use a Free VPN Instead?
Considering a free VPN for your online adventures in Cambodia? Think again. While the idea of a cost-free VPN service might be tempting — and a few quality options exist — the reality often falls short.
To begin with, Cambodia isn’t on the radar for many free VPN providers, so you’ll likely struggle to find servers in the country. Your options are slim to nonexistent if you’re hoping to get a Cambodian IP address with one.
Still, even if you want to replace your IP address with a foreign one, you have to deal with several inhibitions. They include limited bandwidth, data caps, small server networks, ad intrusions, and sluggish connections that make even basic browsing a chore.
Even worse, security and privacy concerns are pretty common. Consequently, they may provide loopholes for hackers to exploit, or you may unknowingly hand your data over to third parties.
Conclusion
Browsing the internet without a VPN in Cambodia exposes your online activities to cyber threats, surveillance, extensive censorship, and limited access to both local and international content.
But you don’t want to settle for the first provider that crosses your radar, as that may be putting your identity or personal information at risk. This article lists several reliable solutions for encrypting your data and safeguarding your online presence.
While they are all excellent options, our #1 choice VPN for Cambodia is NordVPN, with its high-level performance, reliability, and functionality.
FAQs
Are VPNs legal in Cambodia?
Yes, VPN services are legal in Cambodia, as in most other countries. While it’s a restrictive country in terms of internet freedom, the Cambodian government has not introduced any measures to curb VPN use by residents.
That said, breaking existing laws while using a VPN may land you in trouble, especially if you use a subpar service.
How do I change my IP address to Cambodia?
You must use a VPN service with server locations in Cambodia, like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or CyberGhost. Simply launch the app, choose a Cambodian server, and connect to it.
What is the best VPN for Cambodia?
NordVPN is the best VPN for Cambodia, thanks to an unparalleled blend of speed, reliability, privacy functionality, and user-friendliness.
