Cambodia is a Southeast Asian country best known for its towering temples and tourism. However, when it comes to online media freedom, it is not the safest country.
A decree signed in 2021 on the establishment of the National Internet Gateway (NIG Sub-Decree) stated that the government will further control the internet and restrict freedom of expression. As a result of this decision, the need for the best VPN for Cambodia has grown significantly.
With internet security as strict as China’s Great Firewall, including similar internet blocks, filters, and online surveillance, users in Cambodia would need a dependable VPN to stay safe online.
We tested 150+ VPNs in this guide and came up with 6 super-secure VPNs for Cambodia to help you regain your internet freedom.
How to Get a Cambodian IP Address
To obtain an IP address in Cambodia, do the following:
- Sign up for a VPN service, such as NordVPN, the best VPN on this list.
- Download and install the provider’s app(s) on the connected device (s).
- Sign-in to a VPN server in Cambodia.
- Visit a site or service that you would not normally be able to access from outside Cambodia. (You may need to clear the cache and cookies in your browser.)
- Take advantage of your newly secured access to Cambodian content!
Try A Top VPN Risk-Free: Most VPN providers provide a no-risk free trial subscription period. (Every provider on this list provides at least 30 days to try their services.) This provides potential customers with a no-risk opportunity to try the VPN service and then cancel it for a full refund if the provider isn’t a good fit for their needs during the trial period.
NordVPN
NordVPN is a dependable and secure VPN service. Because the VPN is based in Panama, it can uphold its commitment to user privacy and the ability to not collect any user logs. Military-grade features like the kill switch, Nordlynx, CyberSec, DNS leak protection elements, and AES 256-bit encryption are also employed. As a result, it is one of the most secure VPNs for Cambodians.
With one of the largest and fastest-growing networks in the world (over 5,100), it can provide fast browsing and streaming services to those who are geographically limited. There are no servers in Cambodia, but there are many in neighboring countries such as Thailand and Vietnam. Users can still mask their IP address so that the Cambodian government cannot detect their online presence while streaming.
ExpressVPN
ExpessVPN has a global server network of over 3,000 servers, including Cambodian servers. It is based in the British Virgin Islands and is not required to keep any data. This provider appeals to privacy seekers because its encryption standards are among the best in the industry. Furthermore, users who want to stream television shows and movies will be pleased with the fast speeds.
Express VPN is compatible with American Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. Its live chat support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Top-tier encryption protocols include 256-bit AES encryption. An internet kill switch, perfect forward secrecy, and DNS leak protection are among the additional security features. ExpressVPN only saves non-identifying metadata; no IP addresses are saved.
There are apps for both Android and iOS, as well as modern, clean desktop versions for Windows and MacOS. There is also a Linux app available. A single subscription allows for five simultaneous connections, and the VPN can be configured directly on a wifi router.
SurfsharkVPN
Surfshark is a VPN provider headquartered in the British Virgin Islands. It’s a no-logs VPN service with excellent technical security, a slew of useful features, and excellent 24/7 customer service.
The VPN has servers in over 99 countries, giving you plenty of geo-spoofing options. This no-logs VPN also has the features you need to keep your ISP and the Cambodian government from spying on you, such as a kill switch and obfuscation (no borders mode).
Surfshark allows you to torrent without being tracked. It will also successfully unblock Netflix US as well as a variety of international catalogs. It also supports Hulu, YouTube, Dailymotion, iPlayer, and any other service you can think of. A great all-arounder that subscribers enjoy because of its low cost. Its 30-day money-back guarantee sets it apart from our other recommendations.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost VPN is an excellent VPN provider with over 6200 servers to which you can connect.
That is the largest currently available on the market. They have servers in Cambodia, which is great news.
Seventy-two of these are located throughout the country, so you won’t be stuck looking for a reliable connection point.
With your CyberGhost VPN subscription, you will be able to connect to 7 devices at the same time, which is ideal for protecting all of your devices.
With a solid reputation and a 45-day money-back guarantee, you can be confident that choosing CyberGhost VPN was a wise decision.
Private Internet Access
Torrenting is permitted on all PrivateVPN servers and is compatible with all major P2P clients. You can get even faster download speeds by using port forwarding or a SOCKS5 proxy. You can download and seed as much as you want because you have unlimited bandwidth and the VPN hides your traffic with Stealth Mode.
P2P file sharing is completely secure. To protect your data from prying eyes, PrivateVPN employs a kill switch, IP/DNS leak protection, and AES 256-bit encryption. During my testing of PrivateVPN servers, I found no evidence of data leaks. Furthermore, the VPN adheres to a no-data-logging policy, which means that your browsing history and identity will never be shared with anyone because it is never collected in the first place.
PrivateVPN, which has servers in 63 countries, is also a good option for fast access to Asian and international content. I tested servers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia while watching my favorite shows on Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and iflix. Although PrivateVPN does not have servers in Cambodia, it does have many in Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
A long-term PrivateVPN subscription costs $2.00 per month. I chose the 3-year plan because it is the least expensive and includes the same benefits (including free remote installation) as the more expensive short-term options.
All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied with it, you can request a refund. I filled out the ‘Contact Us’ form on its website, explaining why I was canceling and requesting a refund. After 5 days, the money was returned to my bank account.
Methodology: How we discovered the best VPNs in Cambodia
We understand that there are numerous reasons why you might want to use a VPN, such as to protect your privacy or to circumvent online content censorship. You might prioritize fast server speeds or excellent customer service. In any case, we discovered the best VPNs for Cambodia by looking for those that provide all of the following:
Global servers: A VPN should have servers in dozens of countries. We looked for companies that have servers in Cambodia whenever possible. All include options in countries such as the United States and Canada, giving you plenty of options for finding a fast server and unblocking content.
Speed: You should be able to browse, stream, torrent, and game normally when using a VPN. This necessitates fast server speeds as well as unlimited bandwidth. We were able to determine the fastest VPNs by performing speed tests on each VPN’s servers, so you won’t be limited in what you can do.
Unblocking: While browsing the web, you may come across some websites and services that are simply not available in your area. In Cambodia, for example, there is some censorship. The best VPNs for Cambodia can bypass blocks and provide a large number of IP addresses to do so.
Security: A VPN, of course, should protect your data from cybercriminals. This necessitates the use of advanced encryption. All of the VPNs mentioned in this article also include DNS leak protection and a kill switch. Double VPN servers are available in some cases for an additional layer of encryption.
Privacy: According to Freedom House, the Cambodian government monitors residents’ online activity. A VPN encrypts your data so that no one can see what you’re doing online, not even your ISP. We examined 140 VPN logging policies to identify those that provide true no-logs policies.
Usability: We only recommend VPNs that have high-quality desktop and mobile apps. Signup and setup should only take a few minutes, and live chat and email support are also available (24 hours a day in some cases). This is especially helpful if this is your first time using a VPN.
Value for Money: Each VPN listed offers a variety of subscription options, including monthly and annual plans. In general, the longer the subscription, the more you can save. Take note that you can save even more money by using the VPN discount coupons provided throughout this post.
All of the above (as well as testing each VPN in multiple areas) are part of our VPN testing methodology. This enabled us to identify the best VPNs for Cambodia, hopefully saving you time and money in the process.
Why do you need a VPN in Cambodia?
Every year, Cambodia’s online freedom deteriorates. Let’s take a look at three reasons why you need a VPN in Cambodia:
1. Censorship and restrictions imposed by the government
With the latest national internet gateway signed, which is intended to further restrict the country and increase internet surveillance, a VPN is the only way out of this situation.
Prior to the 2018 general elections, there was a significant increase in censorship and detentions to suppress freedom of expression online, as the ruling political party silenced critical voices by arresting bloggers and journalists.
In addition, the Cambodian government passed a cybercrime law in 2018 that expanded the powers of the National Anti-Cybercrime Committee (NACC) to further limit free expression on the internet.
The government’s increased authoritarianism did not end there. In yet another infringement on the free flow of information, the government established “working groups” to regulate and control online news in the country. It also issued inter-ministerial proclamations expanding government surveillance.
Because of their ability to mask users’ identities and encrypt their internet communications, VPNs have become a necessity for keeping yourself safe on the web.
2. Prevent cyberattacks
Malware attacks are fairly common throughout the world, including Cambodia. A Chinese Group launched a cyberattack on the Cambodian National Election Committee, according to a US-based research organization. During the attack, they also hacked computers in the foreign and interior ministries.
According to The Phnom Penh Post, eight out of ten computers are unprotected and vulnerable to all types of malware threats. As a result, you should get a VPN to keep your devices encrypted at all times.
3. Accessing restricted websites
The authoritarian rule in this country allows the relevant authorities to block websites whenever they see fit. The Cambodian government blocked 15 independent news websites in the country prior to the 2018 elections.
This is one important reason to use a VPN service in Cambodia. VPNs enable users to connect to a server in another country and easily access blocked websites and content.
How does a VPN in Cambodia protect me from spies and surveillance?
Cyber espionage groups are also a concern in Cambodia. For political purposes, spies and hackers collect sensitive information from government agencies, locals, and expats. Phishing emails are one type of hacking, and if you’re not careful, you could become a victim as well.
A Cambodia VPN masks your IP address and allows you to browse the internet anonymously. You can also connect to a different server location around the world by using a VPN server Cambodia or a Cambodia Proxy. This makes you less vulnerable to hacking and spying.
Some Cambodia VPN services also include NAT firewalls, DDoS protection, and a VPN + Cambodia proxy. Protocols are also becoming more sophisticated. These terms may be confusing but having them in a Cambodia VPN means you’ll have maximum protection against spies and surveillance.
Frequently Asked Question
Is it Possible to Use a Free VPN in Cambodia?
Although you can use a free VPN in Cambodia, doing so may put your personal data at risk.
Furthermore, free services restrict speed, critical security features, and server locations. As a result, it is preferable to use a premium VPN service such as NordVPN.
Will a Cambodia VPN work on all of my devices?
All of the VPN providers on our list are compatible with nearly all devices, including tablets, smartphones, desktop computers, and routers.
Some VPN providers even provide dedicated apps for Android TV and Amazon Fire.
Is it legal to use a VPN in Cambodia?
The simple answer to your question is a resounding yes.
VPNs are legal in Cambodia; however, using a reliable VPN to prevent snoops from accessing your data is strongly advised.
However, keep in mind that you should never use a VPN for illegal purposes.
Conclusion
With the problem of surveillance, censorship, and punishment for “insulting” speech in Cambodia, it’s obvious that you should use a VPN while online. It will shield you from online threats and keep you anonymous, while also providing you with other useful features.
Choose a VPN with good security and privacy, as well as a good server network, for circumventing any restrictions in Cambodia. Remember that if you want to access Cambodian-restricted content, you’ll need to use servers located in Cambodia.
