The internet is like an open frontier, but in some places, it is not as open as one would like to imagine. For instance, in Nepal, governments and authorities have imposed strict regulations and censorship.
In 2023, Nepal had 58/100 in a freedom index score (a 70+ score is considered free). It banned several social media platforms like TikTok that year. While the country gained some stability after 2015, the government is still imposing strict regulations.
As of 2025, the government blocked several social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter). The authorities lifted the ban after citizens’ heavy protests that led to clashes with police. However, you must secure yourself online from surveillance.
Solution? A handy tool like a VPN. A VPN encrypts your internet connection and routes traffic through servers in other countries. It also bypasses blocks, protects your online privacy, and avoids surveillance.
To help you with that, we have curated a list of the top VPN services (after immense research and homework) to use in Nepal.
Top VPN service to use in Nepal – Quick list
- NordVPN: A first-class service with fast speeds that has advanced security features like double VPN, Threat Protection, and more.
- Surfshark: One of the cheapest service that allows unlimited device connections; thus, an excellent choice for families or big groups.
- ExpressVPN: A well-known name, super-fast speed, and easiest option to use for beginners.
- Proton VPN: It’s a freemium option with advanced security and privacy features and user-friendly apps.
- Total VPN: Budget friendly VPN that comes with a trusted antivirus, offering a good foundation for secure browsing.
Why do you need a VPN in Nepal?
Nepal is one of those countries that has less freedom of speech. The government and authorities keep banning platforms and services for failing to meet rules and regulations. Besides social platforms like TikTok, Nepal had also banned 24,000+ adult content sites in 2018.
Government surveillance and ISP throttling are some other issues you may face in Nepal. Here are some reasons why you must have a VPN if you live or intend to travel to Nepal:
- Prevent government censorship: The government of Nepal has a long history of banning online platforms, including a recent ban on popular social media sites. A VPN masks your real IP address and gives you a new one, helping you get around these restrictions as it will direct your traffic through servers in other countries to help you navigate back into the free internet.
- Access geo-blocked content: Many famous streaming platforms, news services, and other websites restrict access based on geographic location. A VPN permits you to “relocate” to a different country, unlocking an entire body of content that you would otherwise have to sit and watch advertisements for.
- Enhance online privacy: ISP tracking is one of the universal issues no matter where you are, it can trace your online activities. Using VPNs actually means encrypting your data, making it unreadable to the ISP or for any possible surveillance. This allows you to have a secure and uninterrupted browsing experience.
- Secure public Wi-Fi: Working or browsing from labs, hotels, and airports while using a public Wi-Fi can give criminals a stranglehold on your online information, resulting in identity theft and financial loss. A VPN can therefore be the perfect lock and a tunnel to secure your traffic to avoid data theft and cyberattacks over an unsafe public network.
- Dodge bandwidth throttling: Some ISPs will deliberately slow down your internet whenever you try to do activities such as streaming or torrenting content. They even do this on purpose to free some load. Since a VPN hides your online traffic from your ISP, it can’t throttle your connection just based on what you are doing (if you have a robust VPN service).
Most reliable VPNs for Nepal today – Detailed list
1. NordVPN
A leading VPN network that provides a secure connection with its top-notch features and helps you access blocked content.
More than 8,000 VPN servers present in 120+ countries
Has P2P optimized servers
Offers double encryption mode
Allows connections to 10 devices simultaneously
30 days of pay-back guarantee
Super-strong protection for web leaks
Has double VPN feature
Comes with customizable kill switch
SmartPlay feature
Has Tor compatibility
Pros
- Unblocks almost all major platforms in Nepal
- Easy and beginner-friendly apps
- Extensive number of servers
Cons
- Provides limited DDoS protection
For years, NordVPN has been the preferred option for users looking for speed and security. With its own NordLynx protocol developed on WireGuard, it offers amazing speeds, making it simple to stream and download, especially since the all-around speeds in Nepal can vary so much.
The speed is important, considering it doesn’t have a local Nepal VPN server address. But with servers in a staffed region like India or the region in Singapore, NordVPN has a lot of VPN servers nearby.
The apps are user-friendly and easy to navigate. The VPN has several advanced security features, including Threat Protection (to block malware and ads), the Double VPN (provides double encryption), a strict no-log policy, and more.
2. Surfshark
A budget-concsious service with super-impressive features and fast speeds at a low cost.
More than 3,200 servers scattered in 100 countries
Robust AES 256-bit encryption
MultiHop mode
No limit for simultaneous connections
Refund your money within 30 days
Boasts CleanWeb feature
Has effective Camouflage mode
Pros
- Special offers for students
- Minimum lags
- A reliable customer support
Cons
- Some features are a bit complicated for beginners
Surfshark is a worthy choice, especially for those who are on a budget. It stands out by offering unlimited simultaneous device connections with a single subscription. This means you can protect your entire household, from your desktop to your smartphone, without paying for multiple accounts. It’s truly a game-changer and makes it one of the most value-packed options available.
For users trying to access social media in Nepal, Surfshark’s network and features are a huge help. The service has around 3,200 servers in 100 locations worldwide (with one server in Nepal).
Its CleanWeb blocks ads and trackers, while its Multi-hop feature provides an extra layer of privacy by routing your traffic through two different VPN servers. If you’ve got to get around restrictions, the NoBorders mode is a valuable feature for working around censorship.
3. ExpressVPN
Another well-known and users’ favorite service that provides optimum security and privacy features.
More than 3,000 speedy-VPN servers in 100+ countries
Supports P2P connections
Has effective split tunneling
AES 256-bit solid encryption
Allows up to eight connections at once
TrustedServer technology
No leaks
30 days refund policy
Pros
- Stealth protection against DDoS attacks
- No data logging or monitoring
- Super-fast speed across all locations (almost)
Cons
- Mobile app has limited features as compared to the desktop one
If reliability and simplicity are your top priorities, then ExpressVPN is the answer. It is one of the best VPNs on the market, and very well deserved to be. ExpressVPN uses the custom Lightway protocol that provides fast speeds and reliable stability, even if the connection is on a less-than-desirable network.
The service allows seamless browsing and streaming. ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries, which gives it the flexibility to unblock content from anywhere.
The apps are extremely easy to use, so with minimal setup, it is easy to see how ExpressVPN makes an excellent option for anyone looking for a reliable and easy-to-use VPN. With its high-level security features like a kill switch and AES 256-bit encryption, your digital privacy is safe with you.
4. Proton VPN
A top freemium VPN service that has impressive speed and top-notch security and privacy features, helping users to stay safe while accessing geo-blocked content from Nepal.
13,000+ VPN servers spread in 122 countries
Solid encryption of AES 256 bits
Connections for 10 devices at once
Pay-back policy of 30 days
Has a strict no-logs policy
Boasts a NetShield feature
Pros
- Based in a privacy-friendly region (Swizz Privacy Jurisdiction)
- Has a free tier
- Great speeds for gaming
Cons
- Distant servers have higher ping
As a Switzerland-based service, it has the advantage of being in a jurisdiction with some of the strongest privacy laws in the world. The VPN also has a no-logs policy that is independently audited.
Proton VPN even has one of the most unique and useful plans: a completely free plan with unlimited data. While their free plan limits the choice of available server locations, it is a great way to test out a legitimate VPN service. Plus, if a user is looking for a reasonable free option in Nepal, Proton VPN is the one.
More importantly, it is one of the few paid VPN in the world with a dedicated Nepal VPN server address, which is a big win for people who need a local IP. Plus, as the service adheres to a strict no-log policy (that is audited and proven), you don’t need to worry about your browsing activities.
5. Total VPN
A well-established VPN network that provides impressive security features with decent speeds.
50+ VPN servers present in 30 countries
AES 256-bit robust encryption
Premium plan allows 5 simultaneous connections
Refund policy of 30 days
No-logs policy
Offers unlimited bandwidth
Pros
- Budget-friendly plans
- No data limitations
- User-friendly apps
Cons
- No advanced features
Total VPN is an accessible and economical option, especially for users looking for an antivirus and a VPN in a single bundle.
While not a large-scale service like dedicated VPN providers like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, it is a dependable and secure solution to aid your day-to-day browsing in Nepal. Coverage in over 50 locations worldwide, and reliable encryption protects user data at a minimum level.
Because of its entry-level nature and price point, it is an excellent value for money concerning its bundled solution. A serious consideration for users looking for a simple and reliable service without the initiative of advanced features.
Best VPN for Nepal: Quick comparison table
| VPN | Lowest monthly price | Simultaneous connections | Number of servers | Number of streaming services it can access | Best for | Money back guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | $3.09 | 10 | 8,000+ | 12+ | Security and speed (gives it all) | 30 days |
| Surfshark | $1.99 | Unlimited | 3,200+ | 10+ | For budget-conscious and unlimited devices | 30 days |
| ExpressVPN | $3.49 | 10-14 | 3,000+ | 20+ | Beginners and streaming | 30 days |
| Proton VPN | $3.59 | 10 | 1,700+ | 10+ | Privacy and a free plan | 30 days |
| Total VPN | $1.99 | 5 | 50+ | 5+ | Bundled antivirus & simple use | 30 days |
Testing methodology: Comparison and ranking criteria
To provide you with the most accurate and most useful recommendations, we utilized a defined set of criteria to test and rank each VPN provider. We aimed to analyze each provider for the given quality of service for the users of Nepal:
- Security & privacy: These include AES-256 encryption, kill switching, DNS leak protection, and a strict zero-log policy. Considerations were also given as to a VPN’s jurisdiction, governed by whichever country in which the VPN company is residing.
- Speed & performance: We conducted speed tests by connecting to servers in nearby countries to see how fast a VPN would be, and how much speed would be lost in the process. A minimal speed drop is very important, especially if you are streaming or video calling.
- Server network: We checked the number of servers and, more importantly, the number of server locations. We gave preference to providers that had a good density of Asian server locations (because their physical locations within the continent have shorter travel distances for users across Asia, giving users a smoother experience with lower ping and latency) to ensure that the connections would be fast and reliable.
- Unblocking capability: For many people in Nepal, the primary purpose of utilizing a VPN is to get around censorship and geo-restrictions. We also examined the capability of each one to unblock the major streaming platforms and social media.
- Domain of user-friendliness: We tested user interfaces on different devices, i.e., PC, Mac, iOS, and Android, with emphasis placed first on applications that are easy to download and navigate even for novice users.
- Value for money: We looked at how much different VPNs charge for their subscriptions, how many simultaneous connections, and features to weigh which VPN is the best value, price per performance balance.
How to use a VPN in Nepal: A step-by-step process
Using a VPN is pretty simple; you could finish in a few minutes. Follow this simple set of steps:
1. Choose your VPN
First, you need to choose a VPN that meets your needs and can protect you online. We recommend you choose a premium service to give you the best experience possible, like NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
2. Download the app
After you have selected your VPN, go to its website and download the app. Most of the top providers will offer you a Nepal VPN free download via their website for most devices/operating systems (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS).
3. Install and log in
Install the application, open it, and then sign in to the application with your credentials created during the sign-up process.
4. Connect to a server
Then, connect to a server in an alternate country to avoid any local restrictions. Just open the app, select a server from the list, and all set. If a provider offers a Nepal VPN server address, then connect with it, and you’ll have a local IP.
Otherwise, connecting to a nearby country’s server in India, Singapore, or the United States should work as well in unblocking content.
5. Start browsing
A VPN not only hides your IP address, it also encrypts your internet traffic, making it almost impossible for third parties like your ISP to monitor what you’re doing online.
Why does Nepal ban social media platforms?
In the past few years, the government of Nepal has sought to limit or prohibit access to major social networking sites. There are other reasons for these acts beyond the present forms of legal obligations, although they are rooted in legal obligations.
- The directive for social media regulation: The fundamental reason for the ban is the Government of Nepal’s Social Media Regulation Directives. The directive mandates setting up a registration and local liaison office in Nepal. It is to ensure the platform can comply with the local laws and be made accountable for any harm-causing or illegal content.
- Controlling misinformation and illegal content: The government has concerns regarding social media manipulation for online fraud and misinformation, especially regarding the sharing of content that promotes disharmony or is threatening to national security. As such, the government wants to increase control over misinformation and illegal content by forcing social media platforms to register.
- Economic and revenue aspect: The government has also mentioned the economic factor. They want to regulate these applications, to put them into the country’s legal and tax framework, and want to make sure they pay taxes to generate revenue for Nepal.
- History of censorship: Nepal has a long history of banning social platforms. They have also banned apps like TikTok, showing a pattern of limiting accessibility to the digital space.
FAQs
A VPN is generally legal in Nepal. There are no laws prohibiting any person from using VPNs either to access online content or protect their privacy. Obviously, VPN for illegal purposes is still illegal.
Most major VPN providers have servers across neighboring countries (including India, Singapore), but only a limited number have an actual VPN server in Nepal. Proton VPN and Surfshark both have one server location in Nepal.
Although a free VPN is a good option if you are on a budget (and don’t know much about online threats), you should be aware that most free services are associated with risks. Many free VPNs obtain monetary benefit from selling your information to other sources and having weak security protocols, and some are even known to deliver malware. If you want to achieve true privacy and security, reach for a paid service, or you can opt for a freemium option like Proton VPN.
A VPN will encrypt your traffic and can slow you down in some cases. On the other hand, if your ISP is throttling your speed because you are gaming or streaming, a VPN will keep what you are doing hidden from your ISP, and potentially speed you up because they can’t throttle your speed for that activity.
