- Which VPN is Best for Myanmar: Quick Overview
- Why Do I Need a VPN in Myanmar?
- Why Does Myanmar Block Websites?
- The Best VPNs for Myanmar: Detailed Overview
- How We Picked the Best VPNs for Myanmar
- Are VPNs Legal in Myanmar?
- What if My VPN is Blocked?
- Can I Use a Free VPN for Myanmar?
- Protect Yourself Against Military Surveillance in Myanmar
Myanmar has been in political turmoil since military forces overthrew its democratic government in 2021. Telecommunications are frequently shut down, government surveillance is prevalent, and websites and social media apps are often restricted.
If you’re in Myanmar, either as a resident or as a visitor, you can unblock content and safely access the internet with a Myanmar VPN. However, since VPN use is illegal, only the best VPN services are able to actually keep you safe online.
Are you looking for a safe and reliable virtual private network? After testing dozens of VPN providers, I recommend NordVPN as the best Myanmar VPN, thanks to its censorship-proof features and military-grade security.
Which VPN is Best for Myanmar: Quick Overview
Not every VPN is suited for Myanmar: since VPNs are illegal, you need a highly-secure VPN that keeps your VPN use hidden. I tested dozens of VPNs to see if they are good enough to make the cut.
Here are my top recommendations for Myanmar.
We dive deeper into each provider’s features and offers below.
Why Do I Need a VPN in Myanmar?
In Myanmar, the Tatmadaw, the military junta, has been keeping the internet under tight control since 2021. Using a VPN can help on many different levels:
- Access blocked websites: A VPN will help you bypass censorship in Myanmar and give you access to independent news sites, blocked social media platforms like X and Instagram, and communication apps like WhatsApp.
- Encrypt your internet traffic: When you connect to a VPN server, your internet traffic gets automatically encrypted. This makes it very difficult for third parties, whether websites or government agencies, to track you online. A VPN increases your online privacy in Myanmar.
- Limit surveillance: The best VPNs for Myanmar will block trackers and prevent (surveillance) malware from infecting your device.
- Unblock services from around the world: Are you traveling to Myanmar? You can use a VPN to access at-home services, whether banking apps or your favorite streaming services. All you need to do is change your IP address to your home country.
Why Does Myanmar Block Websites?
Myanmar has a long history of censorship, having long banned content related to alcohol, drugs, or LGBTQ+ issues. Since the military coup of 2021, however, censorship has reached new heights. It is used as an oppressive tool to keep anti-military sentiment from spreading.
By increasing surveillance and cutting people off from independent news sources, the junta attempts to hold the Myanmar population under control.
Which websites are blocked in Myanmar?
While the list of blocked and restricted websites in Myanmar keeps growing every day, the following content is permanently restricted:
- Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
- Foreign news websites, including BBC and CNN
- Various streaming sites
- Pornography sites
- Online gambling sites
- Crypto-trading platforms
- Dating and sexual education sites
- Certain websites belonging to NGOs and human rights organizations
- Any website, platform, or app that can be considered a threat to state security
Messaging apps are also heavily monitored. VPN services and other circumvention tools, such as proxies, are also officially banned.
The Best VPNs for Myanmar: Detailed Overview
VPNs redirect your internet connection through a virtual or physical server, thereby giving you a different IP address. Using a different IP address hides your real IP address, allowing you more privacy and access to blocked services.
Below, my top VPN recommendations for Myanmar in detail.
1. NordVPN: Best VPN for Myanmar
NordVPN is our #1 recommended VPN for Myanmar. Thanks to NordVPN’s Obfsproxy technology, your VPN use is hidden from government-controlled or monitored websites.
In terms of security, NordVPN offers military-grade 256-bit encryption and strong DNS leak protection. It also runs on the most robust VPN protocols available, including OpenVPN. You can use the MultiHop feature to run your VPN connection via two servers for extra protection.
With a server network of over 9300 VPN servers, you can get an IP address in most countries. This makes it easy to unblock (news) websites and other online services from within Myanmar.
You can use one NordVPN account on 10 devices simultaneously. The apps are easy to use and run very smoothly in the background of your device! You won’t have to worry about slow servers either, since NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs around. NordVPN pricing starts at $ 3.49/month.
Pros
- High-end security features including MultiHop and Threat Protection
- Fast and easy-to-use apps on all devices
- 9300 servers across 137 countries
- Zero-logs VPN with obfuscation technology to hide VPN traffic
- 7-day free trial available on Android
Cons
- On desktop, you have to login via the browser (can be difficult in Myanmar!)
Interested? With Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try the service out for yourself. If you’d rather read up on this provider a bit more, check out our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark: Affordable VPN for Myanmar
Surfshark is an affordable VPN for Myanmar with fast servers and 256-bit military-grade encryption. On top of that, Surfshark is a verified no-log VPN that keeps no data, thanks to its RAM-only servers.
When it comes to security features, Surfshark won’t let you down. Surfshark’s obfuscation technology, called Camouflage Mode, is designed to get you around the strictest forms of censorship. The NoBorders feature is specifically designed for high-censorship regions such as Myanmar.
Another great benefit to Surfshark VPN is the fact that it allows for unlimited simultaneous connections on one account, meaning it’s the perfect VPN to share with others.
Finally, Surfshark has 4500 servers in 100 countries. This allows you to access tons of information with IP addresses from all around the world! Surfshark pricing starts at $ 2.49/month.
Pros
- NoBorders mode specifically desgined for high-censorship regions
- 256-bit encryption and Camouflage Mode to protect your traffic
- Very fast VPN servers across 100 countries
- Cheap VPN for unlimited connections
- 7-day free trial on Android and iOS
Cons
- Fewer total servers than NordVPN: 4500 servers
For more information about this VPN provider, you can read our extensive Surfshark review.
3. Proton VPN: Fast VPN with excellent security
Proton VPN has a huge server network: with 20300 servers across 148 countries, including Myanmar itself, you’ll be able to find a secure IP-address easily. This will allow you to unblock international websites and services without issue.
In terms of security, Proton VPN is a very trustworthy VPN. Based in privacy-friendly Switzerland, you can use Proton VPN’s NetShield feature to protect yourself against ads, trackers, and malware. On top of that, Proton VPN offers SecureCore servers for optimal security.
If you’re using a VPN in Myanmar, another benefit is Proton’s Stealth protocol. This protocol is specifically designed to evade detection and allow you to bypass certain VPN blocking methods.
Proton is a little more expensive compared to NordVPN and Surfshark. It does offer a completely free plan, though we don’t recommend free VPNs for Myanmar, since they lack appropriate stealth features. Overall, the costs are worth the excellent security, fast speeds, and easy to use apps!
Pros
- Stealth protocol (obfuscation) to hide VPN use
- Zero-logs VPN servers for optimal security
- Can unblock websites and apps easily
- 20300 servers across the world
- 10 simultaneous connections
Cons
- More expensive monthly subscription than NordVPN and Surfshark
Want to see if Proton VPN is worth the money? Check out our comprehensive Proton VPN review.
4. CyberGhost: Easy-to-use VPN with secure features
Cyberghost is a reliable, user-friendly, and secure VPN. The VPN doesn’t offer obfuscation or stealth servers, but it is possible to request a dedicated IP address: this will make it less likely that your VPN usage gets detected.
In terms of server network, CyberGhost offers 11500 servers across 100 countries, including Myanmar. This makes it easy to unblock content from across borders. An added bonus are CyberGhost’s dedicated servers for streaming.
CyberGhost runs on the safest protocols, including WireGuard and OpenVPN. The VPN also has a verified no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, and 256-bit encryption to keep your data safe. You don’t need to worry about DNS and IPv6 leaks either.
While the provider is not as feature-rich as its competitors, it does offer great customer support, a 24/7 live chat, and some of the cheapeast subscription plans in the world! You can also try CyberGhost for 45 days (money-back guarantee) to see what the VPN can do for you.
Pros
- Secure VPN with RAM-only servers and industry-standard encryption
- The cheapest VPN on this list!
- Local servers in Myanmar available: 11500 servers worldwide
- Dedicated servers for gaming, streaming, and torrenting
- User-friendly apps on all devices
Cons
- No obufscated servers available
If you’d like to learn more about CyberGhost, have a look at our extensive CyberGhost review.
5. ExpressVPN: Secure VPN with local servers
ExpressVPN is one of the most well-known, fastest VPN providers in the world. Though it’s more expensive than other VPNs, you will get a reliable VPN when it comes to circumventing government censorship.
With local servers in Myanmar, as part of a global server network that spans 105 countries, you can use ExpressVPN to encrypt your internet connection in Myanmar and access foreign websites and apps easily.
ExpressVPN has stealth servers that hide your internet traffic from your internet service provider and other parties. On top of that, Express offers AES 256-bit encryption, a Network Lock (kill switch) and a Threat Manager to scan for malware.
The main downside to ExpressVPN are the costs. However, you can currently get 80% discount on your ExpressVPN plan. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee you can make use of.
Pros
- High-end security features: AES 256-bit, Network Lock, Threat Manager
- No-log VPN with RAM-only servers
- Local servers in Myanmar
- Obfuscation built-in on all servers
Cons
- Most expensive VPN on this list
Want to know more? Have a look at our ExpressVPN review.
How We Picked the Best VPNs for Myanmar
In Myanmar, everything you do online is monitored. This is why it’s essential to pick a VPN service that actually keeps your data safe at all times.
When testing our VPNs, we pay specific attention to the following characteristics:
- Top-notch encryption and security features. A good Myanmar VPN needs to have unbreakable encryption, as well as a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and ideally, a malware or spyware tracker. On top of that, considering the fact that VPN use is illegal, obfuscation technology is a must. This will hide your VPN use from your internet service provider or any government agencies.
- Privacy policy. We value secure VPN services with privacy-sensitive features and a strict no-logs policy. This means not storing any user data on any hard disks but using RAM-only servers instead.
- Server network. Finally, it’s important that your VPN connects you to the rest of the world and allows you to unblock banned websites you want access to. The larger a VPN server network, the higher your unblocking possibilities. VPN providers that offer multiple servers in the region, as well as local IP addresses in Myanmar, are a plus.
Are VPNs Legal in Myanmar?
No, using a VPN service is not legal in Myanmar. In fact, it’s punishable by law and can result in significant fines and even imprisonment. The junta has been known to confiscate people’s phones on the street to check for VPN connections.
It is unclear whether there are serious consequences for tourists traveling to Myanmar and using a VPN. On Reddit, users have reported that fines may be handed out, but that people still continue to use VPNs.
If you wish to use a VPN in Myanmar, you need a VPN with excellent obfuscation features. This makes it more difficult to detect your VPN traffic. However, we recommend remaining cautious at all times. If possible at all, we recommend hiding the app.
More importantly: if you are traveling to Myanmar, make sure your VPN is already installed, since you likely won’t be able to access VPN websites.
What if My VPN is Blocked?
If you’re located in Myanmar, you might struggle to access VPN providers to download the required software. For travelers, it’s best to have your VPN installed before you travel. Don’t put the app on your homescreen and protect your app list with a password.
Can’t use your VPN? There are a variety of other ways you can bypass censorship. We highlight a few of them:
- Contact a VPN provider’s customer service and request a link to a mirror site: NordVPN, Proton VPN and Surfshark all have mirror versions of their websites, specifically created for highly censored regions.
- Use The Onion Browser (Tor) to browse the web: This anonymous browser allows you to access websites that are otherwise blocked, including many VPN sites.
- With caution, you can download a VPN service from an alternative software platform such as Softpedia. Just make sure you only download VPN software from trusted VPN providers.
Can I Use a Free VPN for Myanmar?
We don’t recommend using free VPNs in Myanmar. Too often, free VPNs come with faulty software, poor security, and restrictions. More importantly, a free VPN is much easier to detect: since VPN use is illegal in Myanmar, don’t risk it.
A premium VPN with stellar obfuscation tools is really the only way to go. I recommend downloading a secure but affordable VPN service like NordVPN over any free VPN for Myanmar.
Protect Yourself Against Military Surveillance in Myanmar
In the hostile and oppressive political environment of Myanmar, you need a VPN to get access to an unrestricted internet. However, VPNs are illegal, which is why residents and tourists in Myanmar need to be cautious.
The best VPNs for Myanmar have obfuscation features that hide VPN use and don’t collect any user data. The #1 VPN I can recommend for security and privacy online is NordVPN, which has a verified zero-logs policy and military-grade encryption.
When using a VPN in Myanmar, stay vigilant and avoid free VPN providers. Consider improving your general cybersecurity.
Traveling around? Have a look at our related articles:
Are you wondering how to safely use a VPN in Myanmar? Or which VPN you should choose? Check out our FAQ below for some answers!
You can get a VPN in Myanmar by downloading and installing a VPN directly from the provider’s website. For example, NordVPN, one of the best VPNs in the world, is a great pick for Myanmar.
If you’re unable to reach the VPN’s website, you can try to get there via the Tor browser or use a different way to bypass censorship.
If you want to get access to independent news and unblock restricted content in Myanmar, you’ll need a VPN. A VPN also keeps your data encrypted, which provides you with an important layer of cyber protection.
Keep in mind that using a VPN in Myanmar is illegal. While the consequences of using a VPN remain unclear, we recommend you stay cautious and only use VPN software you trust.
NordVPN does not have any local servers in Myanmar. They do have servers in neighboring countries. A good alternative VPN that does have a server in Myanmar is Proton VPN.
We don’t recommend using a free VPN in Myanmar. Since the authorities have made VPN use illegal, using a free VPN is a risk. This is because free providers often lack the technology to make your VPN connection look like regular internet traffic.
While good free VPNs do exist, the risk in Myanmar is too high.
No, using a free VPN in Myanmar is not safe. A free VPN often comes with risky privacy settings and subpar security features. Your data will likely be exposed to the military junta.
If you want to bypass censorship in Myanmar, the best thing to do is invest in a trustworthy premium VPN with obfuscation technology. That way, your VPN use will be hidden.
