Key Takeaways: These Are the Best VPNs for Indonesia
- ExpressVPN — Overall best VPN for Indonesia, with solid security and fast speeds.
- NordVPN — Best VPN for Indonesia with double VPN servers.
- Surfshark — VPN for Indonesia with unlimited connections and dynamic MultiHop.
- Private Internet Access (PIA) — Best cheap VPN for Indonesia, with automation rules.
- CyberGhost — Affordable Indonesia VPN with smart rules.
Facts & Expert Analysis About the Best VPNs for Indonesia
- VPN restrictions in Indonesia: While VPNs are legal in Indonesia, Article 9(4)(c) of the Ministerial Regulation 5 (MR5) prohibits electronic devices that provide methods or access to prohibited information or documents. This appears to ban the use of VPNs.
- Surveillance systems in Indonesia: Indonesia has been monitoring online activity since 2012 using tools like FinFisher. The formation of the “Cyber Unit” in 2021 gave the national police additional power to monitor social media using Pegasus spyware.
- Censorship In Indonesia: In 2018, the Indonesian government implemented a powerful internet-censoring system configured to block any website deemed to have “negative” content, including gambling, LGBT subjects and what it believes to be fake news.
Indonesia has been enacting strict laws and investing in surveillance systems to gain overly broad control of the country’s online landscape. As a result, internet freedom is on a steep decline. If you’re visiting or living in Indonesia, you need the best VPN for Indonesia to bypass censorship and surveillance while safeguarding your online security.
According to FreedomHouse, Indonesia’s global freedom score has fallen from 65% in 2017 to 57% in 2024, indicating that censorship and surveillance are growing. It’s not uncommon for the government to ban popular services like Netflix and Reddit. We recommend getting the best VPN before landing in Indonesia in case your go-to service is unavailable.
A VPN for Indonesia should prioritize security, privacy, content unblocking and fast connection speeds. We tested various VPN providers and narrowed down the options to five that work flawlessly in Indonesia.
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11/02/2023
Updated the article 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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07/26/2024
Updated the article to reflect latest information on NordVPN’s allowed number of simultaneous connections.
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08/28/2024 Facts checked
We rewrote this article and adjusted this list of VPN providers to include services that perform better in Indonesia and updated the rest of the content to reflect recent performances.
Cloudwards Editor’s Choice: ExpressVPN
Cloudwards Editor’s Choice: ExpressVPN
For me, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Indonesia because of its excellent security, privacy and streaming performance. The VPN provider uses secure protocols to circumvent censorship. It also unblocks all streaming platforms and delivers an interruption-free viewing experience. But you don’t have to take my word for it, you can try ExpressVPN yourself using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
How to Choose the Best Indonesia VPN
When picking the best VPN for Indonesia, focus on features such as:
- Ability to bypass censorship: Pick a VPN with security and privacy features for defeating surveillance and censorship. Some features to look for include a no-logs policy, a kill switch, secure protocols with solid encryption ciphers, double VPN and obfuscation.
- Ability to unblock content: The VPN should be able to access your go-to online services, apps and platforms. For example, if streaming is your cup of tea, pick a VPN that can unblock Netflix — and make sure to come armed with Netflix secret codes.
- Speed: The VPN service should be fast enough for online activities like video calling, streaming, torrenting and gaming.
- Servers: The provider should have VPN servers in your countries of interest. For example, pick a VPN with U.K. servers if you intend to stream movies on BBC iPlayer. A service with locations in or near Indonesia will also improve your speeds.
- Device compatibility: Choose a VPN that is compatible with your devices. You should also consider the number of simultaneous connections — the higher the device limit, the better.
- Value for money: Select a VPN service that offers the features you need at an affordable price.
The 5 Best Indonesia VPNs
| VPN: | Price | Connections | Netflix | Speed | No-Logs Policy | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
$6.66 per month | 8 | Very fast | AES-256, ChaCha20 |
||
 |
$3.09 per month | 10 | Very fast | AES-256, ChaCha20 |
||
 |
$2.19 per month | Unlimited | Fastest | AES-256, ChaCha20 |
||
 |
$2.19 per month | 7 | Fast | AES-256, ChaCha20 |
||
 |
$2.19 per month | Unlimited | Fast | AES-256, ChaCha20 |
Next, we’ll explain in detail what each VPN brings to the table.
1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Indonesia
89 Mbps
Very Fast
9 Mbps
Very Fast
6 ms
Very Fast
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Indonesia thanks to its tested security, fast speeds and excellent unblocking ability. It has servers in 105 countries, including Indonesia. This makes it ideal for residents looking to circumvent censorship in Indonesia, while Indonesians living abroad can get an Indonesian IP address to access content back home.
Although VPNs are legal in Indonesia, using one to access content blocked by the government can lead to imprisonment and hefty fines. ExpressVPN encrypts your traffic, making it difficult for authorities to monitor your online activity. It also uses built-in obfuscation to scramble VPN metadata from your traffic, hiding the fact that you’re using a VPN.
Under the MR 5/2020 law, authorities in Indonesia can coerce private electronic systems operators (ESOs), including VPN companies, into giving up user data. ExpressVPN would have nothing to share if authorities requested data, since its RAM-only servers (which it callsTrustedServer technology) wipe data and browsing history with every reboot.
ExpressVPN Hands-On Testing
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for beginners thanks to the intuitive user interfaces (UIs) of its mobile and desktop versions. The features on the home UI, such as the power button, location picker and hamburger menu, are well organized to simplify navigation. In addition, there’s a server search bar, which makes it easy to find servers by city or country name.
Notes From the Lab: ExpressVPN Speed Test Results
Upload Speed (Higher is better)
Latency (Lower is better)
ExpressVPN consistently reaches 89% of our unprotected speeds on nearby connections. It also hits over 71% of unprotected speeds when connecting to servers on other continents, with relatively low latency. ExpressVPN slows down internet speeds by a negligible degree, so you can stream movies, call friends and play online games without interruption.
Notes From the Lab: ExpressVPN Security Analysis
| Protocol: | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| OpenVPN | AES 256-bit | |
| Lightway | ChaCha20, AES 256-bit |
Routers |
| IKEv2 | AES 256-bit | |
ExpressVPN passed our IP, WebRTC and DNS leak tests. This means it effectively encrypts your traffic, so internet service providers (ISPs) and government agencies in Indonesia should not be able to monitor your online activity.
ExpressVPN Pricing & Value
ExpressVPN’s only drawback is the steep pricing. You can subscribe to an extended plan to claim a discount, such as the yearly plan, which costs $6.66 per month. ExpressVPN has a seven-day free trial on mobile and a 30-day money-back guarantee on paid plans. Learn more in our full ExpressVPN review.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
2. NordVPN — Best Indonesia VPN With Double VPN
73 Mbps
Fast
9 Mbps
Very Fast
5 ms
Very Fast
NordVPN offers advanced security features like double VPN, which routes traffic through two VPN servers instead of one. This feature makes it difficult for authorities to trace online activity back to a VPN user, and helps journalists, rights activists and government critics in Indonesia sidestep persecution for their online activity.
NordVPN has more than 6,400 servers in 111 countries, which allows Indonesian residents to access blocked content in most of the world. In addition, the service has 11 servers in Jakarta, which enable Indonesians abroad to safely access content and keep up with events back home.
NordVPN Hands-On Testing
NordVPN features a well-organized and clutter-free UI with a world map in the background. The menu of servers and connection types makes it easy for beginners to navigate the app. You can connect to a server by clicking on any dot on the map. You can also use the server search bar to find a relevant server by country or city name.
Notes From the Lab: NordVPN Speed Test Results
Upload Speed (Higher is better)
Latency (Lower is better)
When connected to servers in home or neighboring countries, NordVPN reaches 73% of unprotected download and 90% of unprotected upload speeds, with negligible latency. It reaches 68% and 90% of unprotected download and upload speeds on connections across continents.
Notes From the Lab: NordVPN Security Analysis
| Protocol: | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| OpenVPN | AES 256-bit | |
| NordLynx | ChaCha20 | |
| IKEv2 | AES 256-bit | * * * * * |
NordVPN successfully avoided IP, DNS and WebRTC leaks during our tests, making it apt for defeating surveillance in Indonesia. Indonesian authorities, ISPs and hackers can’t breach the VPN tunnel to monitor your online activity. NordVPN also offers threat protection, which blocks trackers and prevents malware from ending up on your device.
NordVPN Pricing & Value
Like ExpressVPN, NordVPN is pricey on a month-to-month basis. However, extended plans are budget-friendly, like the two-year plan, which costs $3.09 per month. NordVPN offers a seven-day free trial on Android and a 30-day money-back guarantee on paid plans. Learn more in our full NordVPN review.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
3. Surfshark — Best VPN for Indonesia with Unlimited Connections
94 Mbps
Very Fast
9 Mbps
Very Fast
112 ms
Good
Surfshark is a great all-around service for Indonesia that gives our top two picks a run for their money. With servers in more than 100 countries, including Indonesia, it offers a vast pool of IP addresses to bypass censorship. The obfuscation feature, called “camouflage mode,” runs automatically when you use the OpenVPN protocol.
Surfshark also supports double VPN, but it has an advantage over other VPNs with its dynamic MultiHop tool. You can manually choose the entry and exit nodes in your double VPN connection. This nice-to-have feature enables you to route your traffic through countries near Indonesia for better speeds before reaching your destination.
In addition, Surfshark has a unique security tool called “IP rotator.” As the name suggests, the tool adjusts your IP address periodically without altering your virtual location. This makes it even more difficult for ISPs and government authorities to track online activity back to you.
Surfshark Hands-On Testing
Surfshark’s home UI displays a lot of details, so it may look cluttered and intimidating to beginners. However, there’s a reason for all those elements, as each one is designed for quicker-than-usual access to an important VPN feature. For example, Surfshark makes it easier to sort servers by category and toggle features without opening the settings page.
Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Speed Test Results
Upload Speed (Higher is better)
Latency (Lower is better)
Surfshark has become incredibly fast over the last few years. Our latest automated speed tests suggest that it’s edging ahead of our top two picks. It reached over 93% and 90% of unprotected download and upload speeds, regardless of whether we connected to nearby servers or ones several continents away.
Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Security Analysis
| Protocol: | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| OpenVPN | AES 256-bit | |
| WireGuard | ChaCha20 | Routers |
| IKEv2 | AES 256-bit | * * |
Surfshark came out clean during our IP, DNS and WebRTC leak tests, indicating that its VPN tunnel is effective. You can rest easy knowing hackers, ISPs and government authorities can’t monitor your traffic. In addition, Surfshark’s CleanWeb feature blocks ads, trackers and malware.
Surfshark Pricing & Value
Surfshark’s extended plans offer appealing discounts. The best deal is the two-year plan, which costs $2.19 per month. Surfshark is ideal for sharing with friends or family because of its unlimited simultaneous connections. There’s a seven-day free trial on Android and iOS, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Read our full Surfshark review to learn more.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Plans renew: $231.75 for one year, $417.15 for two years
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Plans renew: $239.25 for one year, $430.65 for two years.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Everything in One, plus Data removal Plans renew: $269.25 for one year, $404.65 for two years
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
4. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Best Cheap VPN for Indonesia
91 Mbps
Very Fast
9 Mbps
Very Fast
3 ms
Very Fast
Private Internet Access (PIA) stands out because of its auto-connect feature, which comes in handy for users relying on unsecured networks in Indonesia. You can configure PIA to automatically connect when it detects a new public WiFi or wired connection. This ensures you’re always protected from surveillance when using unsecured networks.
PIA offers features to bypass censorship in Indonesia, including multi-hop and obfuscation. These two features are entwined; activating multi-hop (double VPN) will enable obfuscation. In other words, it’s impossible to activate just one of them.
PIA’s multi-hop tool routes your traffic through a VPN server and a Shadowsocks or SOCKS5 proxy. Both proxies cloak your real IP address, but while Shadowsocks encrypts your traffic, SOCKS5 doesn’t. We recommend using Shadowsocks multi-hop in Indonesia, as it makes it harder for law enforcement agencies and ISPs to trace online activity back to you.
PIA Hands-On Testing
The PIA app sports a clutter-free UI with a large connection button and a connection details area. The server search bar lets you find a VPN server by country or city name. The settings tab is also well organized, with the main features listed in the menu on the left to help you jump straight to any settings you need to change.
Notes From the Lab: PIA Speed Test Results
Upload Speed (Higher is better)
Latency (Lower is better)
PIA is one of the fastest VPN services on near-distance connections. The provider reaches 89% of unprotected download and 90% of unprotected upload speeds, with low latency. However, PIA manages only 39% and 90% of unprotected download and upload speeds on long-distance connections.
Notes From the Lab: PIA Security Analysis
| Protocol: | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| OpenVPN | AES 256-bit, AES 128-bit |
* |
| WireGuard | ChaCha20 | |
| IKEv2 | AES 256-bit |
PIA passed our DNS, IP and WebRTC leak tests, so it’s a good candidate to defeat censorship, surveillance and ISP throttling in Indonesia.
PIA Pricing & Value
PIA is one of the cheapest VPNs for Indonesia. The monthly plan costs $11.99, which is cheaper than monthly plans with our other picks. The most affordable option is the three-year plan, which costs $2.19 per month. Take advantage of the seven-day free trial on mobile or the 30-day money-back guarantee to see if PIA works for you. Learn more in our full PIA review.
- **$56.94 for the first two years, and yearly thereafter
- 10
- Yes
5. CyberGhost — Affordable Indonesia VPN With Smart Rules
for when the VPN connects automatically.
68 Mbps
Fast
9 Mbps
Very Fast
51 ms
Fast
Like PIA, CyberGhost lets you automate connections to enhance protection on unsecured networks. However, CyberGhost’s smart rules are more advanced. For example, you can set CyberGhost to connect automatically when it detects a new WiFi network. Alternatively, you can configure the VPN to launch and connect automatically when you open an app.
CyberGhost Hands-On Testing
CyberGhost has many advanced customization options, which can be intimidating for newbies. The apps’ home UIs are designed for ease of use — they are comfort-focused and minimalist. However, some settings options on the desktop UI, such as smart rules, are tucked away in unintuitive places, which can steepen the learning curve for beginners.
Notes From the Lab: CyberGhost Speed Test Results
Upload Speed (Higher is better)
Latency (Lower is better)
On near-distance connections, CyberGhost reaches 73% and 90% of unprotected speeds, suitable for most daily tasks. However, latency on nearby servers is high compared to other VPNs on our list. High latency slows down the response time of video conferencing and gaming apps, interfering with the user experience.
On long-distance connections, the download speed drops significantly. It manages only 39% of unprotected download speeds, but the upload speeds remain unchanged, at 90%.
Notes From the Lab: CyberGhost Security Analysis
| Protocol: | Encryption | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| OpenVPN | AES 256-bit | |
| WireGuard | ChaCha20 | |
| IKEv2 | AES 256-bit | |
CyberGhost passed our DNS leak tests, proving its VPN tunnel is robust. In addition, CyberGhost offers a “block content” feature that blocks domains known for malware, trackers and ads.
CyberGhost Pricing & Value
CybeGhost’s monthly plan costs $12.99 and has a 14-day money-back guarantee. Extended plans are more affordable and offer a 45-day money-back guarantee. The two-year plan costs $2.19 per month, making it the best deal. CyberGhost has a one-day free trial on desktop. Read our full CyberGhost review to learn more.
- *The 2-year plan includes 4-months free which breaks down the 56.94 t0 $2.03 per month. *The price under the 2-year plan is billed yearly after the first two years.
- Unlimited GB
- 7
- Yes
Our Methodology: How We Tested the Best VPNs for Indonesia
Our selection criteria is based on rigorous testing. We put each VPN service through a series of tests to ensure it fits the bill for use in Indonesia. Here’s what our testing entails.
Can You Use a Free VPN Service for Indonesia?
Yes, you can use a free VPN in Indonesia, provided the service is secure. Sadly, most free VPNs have poor infrastructure and lack the features to bypass surveillance and censorship. Some free VPN providers also collect and sell user data, while cybercriminals use others to facilitate cyberattacks.
The Best Free VPN for Indonesia: TunnelBear
TunnelBear is the best free Indonesia VPN thanks to its well-built security and extensive network of free servers. This free service has servers in 47 countries, including Indonesia. However, it limits free use to 2GB of data per month, which is not enough for streaming. See our TunnelBear review to learn more.
How to Use a VPN for Indonesia
We’ll use ExpressVPN to show you how to use a VPN and access blocked content in Indonesia.
- Download and Install the VPN App
Download the VPN app from the vendor’s website and install it on your Windows or Mac device. For mobile devices, install the VPN app from Google Play or the Apple app store.
- Configure the VPN Settings
Launch the VPN and open the settings page. Make sure basic security tools like the kill switch and the malware blocker are activated. Select your preferred protocol and choose a double-hop VPN if that feature is available.
- Connect the VPN
Select a server based on what you want to accomplish online. If you intend to access blocked websites, select any server outside Indonesia, preferably in a neighboring country where the website isn’t banned. If you want to access Netflix U.S., connect to a server in the United States.
- Access the Blocked Content
Run an IP address test to confirm the VPN is connected to your preferred server location. If everything looks okay, open the website with the blocked content, which should load as normal.
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Why Use a VPN for Indonesia?
You need a VPN for Indonesia to sidestep censorship, defeat surveillance and counter cyber threats.
Final Thoughts
We’ve named the top five Indonesia VPNs to meet a whole spectrum of needs, from defeating censorship and surveillance to boosting WiFi security. What works best for you will depend on your specific needs and how much you’re willing to spend.
If you want an all-around performer, use ExpressVPN. It’s secure, fast and the quickest content unblocker. It also delivers an excellent, interruption-free streaming experience. However, if ExpressVPN’s pricing is off-putting, try Surfshark or NordVPN.
Have you used a VPN in Indonesia? Which VPN service did you use? What did you like most about the VPN service? We’d like to hear about your experience in the comments. As always, thanks for reading.
FAQ: Best VPN Indonesia
-
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Indonesia thanks to its security, fast speeds and unblocking ability.
-
Yes, VPNs are legal in Indonesia, but using one to access government-blocked content can land you in trouble.
-
To get an Indonesian VPN, pick the most affordable service that meets your needs, such as defeating censorship and surveillance.
-
Yes, NordVPN works in Indonesia without a hitch.
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