hide.me
A rare genuinely usable free plan (no card, P2P allowed on the 10 GB free tier) plus audited no-logs claims twice over - DefenseCode 2015 and Securitum 2024…
audited crypto accepted
intro €2.69/mo (about $3.04/mo)
VPNs in Cuba
restricted Freedom on the Net: 20/100
No source reviewed documents an explicit ban on VPN use, but the environment is hostile: the 2019 Decree-Law 370 regime (subject of an Access Now unconstitutionality campaign) criminalizes dissemination of information against the constitutional order, connectivity runs exclusively through state operator ETECSA, and the state imposed a nationwide shutdown during the July 2021 protests plus ongoing selective disruptions of activists. Freedom House documents Cubans using VPN-class apps (Psiphon, Turbo VPN) to reach blocked independent media sites such as CubaNet, 14ymedio and Diario de Cuba.
What works there
Psiphon · Turbo VPN (documented in use per Freedom House) · consumer VPN apps generally, on slow and intermittent state-controlled connectivity
Honest advice: Treat the tool as tolerated but the connectivity as controlled: use Psiphon-class apps for reliability on the ETECSA network, and assume that anything you circulate that authorities deem subversive carries Decree-Law 370 exposure regardless of the tool. Shutdowns during unrest are total, so offline planning matters more than provider choice.
VPN providers with servers in Cuba
From each provider's own public server list, 2026-10-31. A local exit IP matters for expats who want "home" catalogues, and for lower latency.
| Provider | Cities | Servers | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Internet Access virtual IP | 1 | 10 | Visit |
| ExpressVPN virtual IP | n/a | n/a | Visit |
Where a provider's list is not machine-readable (Proton, CyberGhost, PureVPN and others), it is missing here on purpose - we do not guess.
Obfuscation-capable providers
Providers that document obfuscation or stealth protocols - the feature class that matters where VPN protocols themselves are blocked. Directly relevant in Cuba.
Mullvad VPN
The most honest VPN on the internet, and in 2026 still the one this industry is measured against: numbered accounts, cash or Monero accepted, open-source…
court-proven no-logs audit open source crypto accepted
intro €5/mo (about $5.65/mo)
CactusVPN Smart DNS
CactusVPN is the bundle case in the Smart DNS vertical: a 2011 Moldovan three-friends shop that once sold Smart DNS as its own product line and has now folded…
audited
intro $3.96 /mo
Amnezia VPN (self-hosted with obfuscation)
The most credible self-hosting on-ramp in the VPN space, built by and for people inside the censorship: the app is free and open source, you connect it to your…
audited open source
intro $5 /mo
IVPN
The anti-affiliate champion candidate holds up: no affiliate program (stated out loud on the homepage), flat honest pricing, quarterly warrant canary, annual…
audit canary open source crypto accepted
intro $5/mo
Proton VPN
The most honest mainstream deal in 2026: open-source apps, real audits, a genuinely usable free tier with no data cap, and a transparent renewal model - and in…
audit open source crypto accepted
intro $3.49/mo renews $83.88 / 12 mo ($6.99/mo)
Tips & tricks for Cuba
- Cuba does not have an explicit law banning VPNs, but the legal environment is restrictive. Decree-Law 370 criminalizes sharing information deemed contrary to the constitutional order, which can include content accessed or shared via a VPN. Using tools to bypass restrictions carries legal risk if authorities interpret your activity as subversive.
- Internet access is fully controlled by the state operator ETECSA. Connections are slow, often interrupted, and subject to nationwide shutdowns during political unrest—like the July 2021 protests. During such events, no consumer VPN will work. Offline access to information and communication planning are essential.
- Apps like Psiphon and Turbo VPN are documented as being used to access blocked independent media (e.g., CubaNet, 14ymedio). Psiphon, in particular, is designed for high-censorship environments and may perform more reliably on ETECSA’s network than standard consumer VPNs.
- Streaming or accessing foreign content libraries (e.g., Netflix catalogs from other countries) is possible at times, but latency and bandwidth limitations make it inconsistent. Prioritize lightweight tools and low-bandwidth modes when available.
- Always have two access methods ready—such as a VPN and an obfuscated proxy or Tor (where usable). If one fails due to filtering or performance, you can switch quickly. Avoid relying on any single provider.
- Do not assume privacy or protection just because you're using a VPN. State surveillance and legal exposure under Decree-Law 370 remain concerns, especially for politically sensitive content. Avoid transmitting or storing material that could draw scrutiny.
- Payment and signup for foreign services are difficult due to financial restrictions and limited access to international payment systems. Some users rely on prepaid cards or third-party access to subscribe.
FAQ
Is using a VPN legal in Cuba?
No source reviewed documents an explicit ban on VPN use, but the environment is hostile: the 2019 Decree-Law 370 regime (subject of an Access Now unconstitutionality campaign) criminalizes dissemination of information against the constitutional order, connectivity runs exclusively through state operator ETECSA, and the state imposed a nationwide shutdown during the July 2021 protests plus ongoing selective disruptions of activists. Freedom House documents Cubans using VPN-class apps (Psiphon, Turbo VPN) to reach blocked independent media sites such as CubaNet, 14ymedio and Diario de Cuba.
What actually works in Cuba?
Per current research: Psiphon, Turbo VPN (documented in use per Freedom House), consumer VPN apps generally, on slow and intermittent state-controlled connectivity. During crackdowns or sensitive periods, even working methods can be disrupted - have at least two options configured.
Which providers ship the needed obfuscation?
hide.me, Mullvad VPN, CactusVPN Smart DNS, Amnezia VPN, IVPN, Proton VPN document obfuscation features. Self-hosted AmneziaWG or VLESS/Reality on your own server is the strongest option.
last checked 2026-11-04 · information, not legal advice