Key Takeaways: What Is the Best VPN for Nepal?
- ExpressVPN — Best VPN overall
- NordVPN — Reliable user privacy and security
- Surfshark — Affordable plans
- CyberGhost — Largest VPN server network
- Private Internet Access — Fastest speeds for streaming and gaming
Nepal may be home to some of the world’s most breathtaking natural landscapes, but it’s far from a haven for free speech and internet freedom. You need to connect to the best VPN for Nepal to unblock geo-restricted content and stay anonymous.
As of 2023, Nepal had a freedom index score of 58/100. Despite the country gaining some stability after 2015, the government still operates with a heavy hand. Nepal blocked more than 25,000 porn sites in 2018. This was followed by a ban on apps and websites that facilitate cryptocurrency deals and online betting.
A TikTok ban was enforced in November this year, and there are plans to tighten control over other social media sites. Clearly, authorities in Kathmandu are keen to control internet freedom, which is why using a virtual private network (VPN) when in Nepal is vital.
If you live in Nepal or want to visit the country, this article is for you. With the right VPN, you can access streaming platforms like Disney Plus or place bets on your favorite gambling sites regardless of the laws the government enacts. For a quick answer, we recommend using ExpressVPN.
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11/02/2023
The article was updated to reflect ExpressVPN’s recent increase of 5 simultaneous connections to 8, as well as its expansion of server presence to 105 countries, previously 94.
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11/12/2023
Updated to include information on HMA’s money-back guarantee.
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01/21/2024
Updated the information on our experience with HMA’s money-back guarantee.
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02/01/2024 Facts checked
We have replaced some VPNs with options better suited for Nepal.
Cloudwards Editor’s Choice
After thorough testing, our experts agree that ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Nepal. Reasons include its large and well-distributed server network, which includes a Nepali server. ExpressVPN also offers consistent unblocking capabilities, standout security and privacy features, and fast and reliable connection speeds. Its pricing can be a deterrent for some, but we believe it’s worth the investment.
How to Choose the Best Nepal VPN
After testing more than 30 VPN services, we narrowed down our list to five based on the following key factors.
- Unblocking capabilities: People in Nepal can’t access major streaming platforms like Peacock TV or Disney Plus due to geo-restrictions. The perfect VPN for Nepal should have a large server network in as many countries as possible; this increases the chances of unblocking these sites and other online resources.
- User anonymity: Nepal’s biggest threat to privacy is the government, which uses censorship and heavy surveillance. The ideal VPN should encrypt your internet traffic to hide it from prying eyes. It should also offer a kill switch for IP and DNS leak protection. Bonus features like double VPN and obfuscation are an added advantage.
- Connection speeds: The VPN should be fast enough for streaming without buffering and gaming without lags. Internet service providers throttling speeds is another problem that a good VPN should be able to bypass to give you the fastest speeds possible. The minimum speed for streaming 4K content is 25 Mbps.
- Device compatibility: The more devices a VPN can run on, the more flexible it is. You should be able to switch between devices without losing protection. The number of simultaneous devices you can connect on one account is also important — the more, the better.
The 5 Best VPNs for Nepal
We will explore the server network sizes, connection speeds, and security and privacy features that make these VPNs ideal for Nepal. Furthermore, we will examine their usability and how quickly you can get them up and running. Let’s begin.
1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Nepal
More details about ExpressVPN:
- Pricing: $6.66 per month
- Website: ExpressVPN.com
Pros:
- Offers Nepali IP addresses
- Reliable streaming speeds
- Unlocks geo-restrictions
Cons:
- Expensive
ExpressVPN has 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, including Nepal. You can get a Nepali IP address to unblock local sites like Suryodaya TV with a single tap. The Nepali server is virtual and connects you through Singapore.
Additionally, ExpressVPN has physical servers in the United States that can unblock U.S.-only content like Sling TV, allowing you to stream live sports like the NBA from Nepal.
ExpressVPN encrypts your internet traffic to avoid Nepali government surveillance. It doesn’t collect your online activity or connection logs. Every server is wiped clean with each reset, assuring your privacy in case the police seize a server.
Furthermore, ExpressVPN automatically switches you to an obfuscated server when it detects network restrictions. ExpressVPN’s obfuscation is the only one on this list that operates automatically no matter which protocol you’re using.
For NordVPN and Surfshark, you need to manually switch to the OpenVPN protocol, while Private Internet Access requires you to first enable multihop and obfuscation in the app settings before choosing a Shadowsocks server.
ExpressVPN is also fast. We streamed without buffering during each test using ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol, which we highly recommend in our ExpressVPN review. There are no bandwidth caps, so it won’t hold you back when playing online games like Fortnite.
ExpressVPN Hands-On Testing
You can use ExpressVPN on devices like macOS, Windows, Android and iOS and connect up to eight simultaneous devices on the 12-month plan. The servers are listed by continent. The search function allows you to search for a Nepali server. The network kill switch can be activated from the app settings with a single tap and is available across all apps.
ExpressVPN Pricing & Value
ExpressVPN’s best deal is the 12-month plan, which costs$6.66 per month and comes with an extra three months. The next cheapest options are the six-month plan at $9.99 per month and the monthly plan for $12.95. A 30-day money-back guarantee covers all three.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
2. NordVPN – Best User Security & Privacy
More details about NordVPN:
- Pricing: $3.99 per month
- Website: NordVPN.com
Pros:
- Fast speeds for streaming
- Unlocks geo-restrictions
- Double VPN and obfuscation
Cons:
- No Nepali IP addresses
NordVPN doesn’t have a Nepali server; Thailand is the closest server location in South Asia. However, you have unlimited access to more than 6,000 servers in 60+ countries for unblocking foreign streaming platforms, cryptocurrency websites and online gambling.
The VPN provider makes up for the lack of a Nepali server with some of the fastest speeds on this list and is even featured on our list of the fastest VPNs. Regardless of how physically far away you are from a server, you can stream without buffering, conduct high-speed downloads and play online games with minimal latency.
We had latencies of 236 ms when using the farthest server in the US. That can handle online games, which is impressive considering the huge distance. Like ExpressVPN, NordVPN has its own proprietary protocol — called NordLynx — that offers the best speeds.
NordVPN offers double VPN and obfuscated servers. Double VPN routes your traffic through two VPN servers, which is called VPN server chaining. That extra layer of protection makes it twice as hard for anyone to breach and decipher your traffic.
In addition, NordVPN’s obfuscated servers bypass VPN-blocking firewalls anywhere in Nepal by changing your data packets. This makes it hard for VPN-blocking tools to detect the encryption on your traffic. However, obfuscated servers only work with OpenVPN protocols (TCP or UDP).
NordVPN Hands-On Testing
NordVPN is compatible with Android, iOS, macOS and Windows and allows up to six simultaneous device connections. This is the smallest number of connections on our list, but is sufficient to cover your most important devices.
It’s easy to change protocols if one isn’t working for you. Read our NordVPN review for a detailed breakdown of how all these features combine to keep you anonymous in Nepal.
NordVPN Pricing & Value
NordVPN Standard — the cheapest plan — comes with full VPN service. The two-year plan is the best deal by far, costing $3.99 per month and with an extra three months tacked on. This is followed by the one-year plan, which costs $5.79, and finally, the monthly plan for $13.79. NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for all its premium plans.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
3. Surfshark – Affordable Long-Term Plans
More details about Surfshark:
- Pricing: $2.48 per month
- Website: Surfshark.com
Pros:
- 4 servers in Kathmandu
- Unlimited device connections
- Unblocks content anywhere
Cons:
- Expensive monthly plan
Surfshark comes with four physical servers in Kathmandu as part of a network of more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries. These servers offer multiple options for IP addresses, making it easy to unblock a wide range of sites without dealing with slow, overcrowded servers.
Surfshark packs fast speeds that are sufficient for streaming, gaming and torrenting.
Furthermore, the VPN encryption keeps the Nepali government and ISPs like Subisu out of your online business. Surfshark doesn’t store user logs and all its servers are RAM based, so they reset periodically and delete your browsing history. We offer more reasons to believe its strict no-logs policy in our Surfshark review.
Camouflage mode (obfuscation) is another important security feature. It removes VPN traces from your connection to avoid detection on networks that block VPNs. It’s not illegal to use VPNs in Nepal, but it’s wise to expect government surveillance.
If you’re still worried about your online safety, switch to Surfshark’s Dynamic MultiHop, which connects you via two VPN servers for double the protection. The two servers are pre-selected for you and are always located in different countries to make triangulation tracking harder.
In addition, the NoBorders feature detects network restrictions like government censorship. Once activated in the app settings, it offers a select list of servers that perform best under the network restrictions you may run into in Nepal. NoBorders is available on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
Surfshark Hands-On Testing
Navigating Surfshark’s apps is very easy for first-time users. It has Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows apps, and it’s the only VPN on this list that offers unlimited simultaneous connections. We talk about the advantages of this in our article on the best VPN for multiple devices.
You can find the kill switch and NoBorders buttons in the app settings along with quick descriptions of what they do.
Surfshark Pricing & Value
Surfshark is one of the most affordable VPNs on the market. It has a 24-month plan for $2.48 per month plus an extra four months. There’s also a 12-month plan for $3.99 per month and a monthly plan for $10.99. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
4. CyberGhost – Largest Global Server Network
More details about CyberGhost:
- Pricing: $2.37 per month
- Website: CyberGhost.com
Pros:
- Largest server network
- Offers Nepali IP addresses
- User-friendly apps
Cons:
- No obfuscation
- Slowest speeds
CyberGhost has one of the largest server networks of any VPN, but the total number tends to fluctuate as CyberGhost seeks to improve its server reach and overall performance.
It had slightly more than 9,000 at the start of 2023 and currently has more than 10,000 servers in 100+ countries, including Nepal. We successfully connected to a physical Kathmandu server and unblocked several local channels like Mountain Television.
Your IP address is masked through encryption to keep everything you do online private and safe from prying eyes. We didn’t see our real IP or ISP details when we ran encryption and DNS leak tests — proof that they work.
CyberGhost doesn’t store user logs either, and it can’t be compelled by the Nepali government to retrieve your data, as confirmed in a 2022 independent audit.
However, CyberGhost is the only VPN on this list without obfuscation; therefore, it may not work for networks that monitor and block VPNs. However, you can rely on the kill switch to maintain your anonymity by shutting down your internet access when your VPN connection fails.
Furthermore, though CyberGhost wasn’t as fast as the four alternatives, it still managed to handle streaming, gaming and fast downloads. You shouldn’t have any trouble as long as your connection is above 30 Mbps to start; with slower internet, try ExpressVPN or NordVPN instead. The fastest protocols are WireGuard and IKEv2, as explained in our CyberGhost review.
CyberGhost Hands-On Testing
You only need to use CyberGhost once to understand why it appears on our best VPN for beginners list. All its apps, available on Android, iOS, macOS and Windows, are well labeled and have a search button for servers. It’s also one of a few VPNs with specialty servers for activities like streaming and torrenting, which saves you time and energy when looking for the right server.
The kill switch doesn’t require manual activation; it works automatically the moment you connect to any server. With CyberGhost, you can have up to seven simultaneous connections, beating NordVPN by one.
CyberGhost Pricing & Value
CyberGhost plays in the same budget league as Surfshark. The best deal is the 24-month plan, which costs $2.37 per month and comes with four free months. If two years is too long for you, you can try the six-month plan, which costs $6.99per month. The last option is the monthly plan, which costs $12.99. The monthly plan comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee, whereas you get 45 days with the longer plans.
- Unlimited GB
- 7
- Yes
5. Private Internet Access – Fastest for Streaming & Gaming
More details about Private Internet Access:
- Pricing: $2.19 per month (three-year plan)
- Website: Private Internet Access
Pros:
- Offers Nepali IP addresses
- Unblocks sites worldwide
- Fast & reliable speeds
Cons:
- No obfuscation on iOS
Private Internet Access (PIA) has a virtual server in Nepal that you can use to access local content from abroad. When in Nepal, you can connect to servers in Europe and North America to access cryptocurrency platforms like Binance and gambling websites like Bet365.
Your privacy is assured because PIA uses reliable encryption to stop Nepali ISPs and the government from monitoring your traffic — our tests showed no IP leaks with any protocol on the Nepali server.
Furthermore, PIA uses RAM-only servers, which never store permanent data and wipe everything with each reboot. Your logs can’t be retrieved for sharing, even with a court order. PIA also has an effective tracker blocker called PIA MACE that stops IP trackers before they get a chance to load through a DNS-level detection system.
Despite its amazing performance in other areas, PIA doesn’t have obfuscation on iOS. That makes it unreliable for iPhone users on networks that restrict VPN use. We also experienced trouble unblocking Hulu with the different U.S. servers. These are the reasons why PIA ranks last on our list.
Private Internet Access Hands-On Testing
PIA is compatible with Android, iOS, macOS and Windows, and you can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, as with Surfshark. You can see latency values next to the servers to help you determine the fastest ones without testing them all. You can change protocols, set up port forwarding, activate the kill switch and more from the app settings.
Private Internet Access Pricing & Value
PIA’s best deal is the longest one on this list. It lasts for three years, comes with an extra four months and costs $2.19 per month. This is followed by the 12-month plan, which goes for $4.17 per month, and finally, the month-long plan for $11.95. You can read more about these plans and their features in our Private Internet Access review.
- 10
- Yes
How to Use a VPN in Nepal
Using a VPN in Nepal is easy. Here’s a quick guide you can follow. We used ExpressVPN as an example since it has a Nepali server.
- Subscribe to a VPN
Open the VPN website and choose a plan that fits your budget.
- Download and Install the VPN
Open the app download page and download the app for the device you intend to use.
- Launch the VPN and Connect to a Nepali Server
Launch the VPN, find Nepal on the server list, and connect. If your VPN does not offer a Nepali server, choose a location close by for the best speeds.
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Final Thoughts
ExpressVPN remains our top recommendation for residents of Nepal and visitors. It didn’t fail us when we tested its unblocking capabilities and passed all our security tests. You can access any content you want without worrying about government surveillance. If ExpressVPN doesn’t meet your expectations, the alternatives we suggest are worth checking out.
Have you struggled with unblocking popular streaming services when in Nepal? Do your speeds drop suddenly from time to time when using Nepali ISPs? Drop us your feedback and comments below. Thank you for reading.
FAQ: Best Nepal VPN
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You can get a Nepal VPN for free by installing a free VPN that offers Nepali IP addresses. Unfortunately, most free VPNs don’t have Nepali servers. We recommend using an affordable VPN with Nepali servers, like Surfshark or CyberGhost.
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Yes, you can use NordVPN in Nepal. It offers encryption that protects you from invasive government surveillance and has fast speeds for streaming and gaming.
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You can connect to a VPN in Nepal by subscribing to and downloading a VPN with Nepali servers and then connecting to one. The best VPNs with Nepali servers include ExpressVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost and Private Internet Access.
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Yes, it is legal to use a VPN in Nepal. However, using a VPN for illegal activities could get you in trouble with the law.
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