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 Myanmar
illegal unless registered Freedom on the Net: 9/100
Since the February 2021 coup the military has imposed nationwide internet blackouts, blocked social media, and escalated against circumvention tools: Freedom House's Freedom on the Net 2024 report (score 9/100, tied worst with China) records that in May 2024 the military arrested and fined people found with VPN apps on their phones and that Psiphon and NordVPN became inaccessible. The Cybersecurity Law (Law 1/2025), in force January 1, 2025, criminalizes unauthorized VPN installation or service with up to six months in prison and a fine. Unapproved VPN use is therefore effectively illegal, and enforcement is both technical (ISP-level VPN blocking) and physical (arrests).
What works there
Starlink terminals - unauthorized under Myanmar's Telecommunications Law but used at scale; Wikipedia cites the Myanmar Internet Project estimating over 3,000 smuggled dishes active in 2025 and describes Starlink as the only reliable source of unrestricted internet · residual unblocked commercial VPNs and rotating endpoints - VOA reported in 2024 that the junta's VPN block was partial and analysts called it a major threat to access, so coverage varies by provider and ISP
Honest advice: Do not assume any commercial VPN will connect, and do not treat possession as risk-free - people were arrested and fined in 2024 simply for having VPN apps, and the 2025 Cybersecurity Law criminalizes unauthorized VPN use. Starlink hardware is the realistic uncensored channel but is itself illegal.
VPN providers with servers in Myanmar
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 |
| NordVPN | 1 | 2 | Visit |
| Surfshark | 1 | 1 | 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 Myanmar.
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 Myanmar
- Internet censorship in Myanmar is severe and actively enforced. Since the 2021 coup, the military has blocked social media, imposed nationwide blackouts, and targeted tools that bypass restrictions. The 2025 Cybersecurity Law makes using or installing unauthorized VPNs a criminal offense, punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine. Arrests and fines for having VPN apps on phones were reported in 2024, even if not actively used.
- Commercial VPNs are inconsistently blocked. Some providers with rotating endpoints or obfuscated servers may still work, but connectivity varies by ISP and location. Do not assume any VPN will connect reliably. Even attempting to use one can draw attention, and merely having a VPN app installed has led to penalties.
- Starlink is the most functional option for uncensored access, with over 3,000 unauthorized terminals in use as of 2025. It operates outside government control and provides the most stable connection. However, Starlink hardware is illegal under Myanmar’s Telecommunications Law, and possession carries legal risk.
- If relying on internet access, have two methods ready—such as a physical satellite terminal and a resilient communication app (e.g., Signal via limited mobile data). Avoid accessing politically sensitive content from identifiable devices or locations.
- During periods of unrest or political escalation, internet shutdowns and enforcement actions increase. Monitor local digital rights sources for real-time network status. Do not depend on a VPN during full blackouts—many services fail when national filtering intensifies.
- Never assume privacy or safety online. State surveillance is extensive, and digital activity can be traced. Avoid logging into personal accounts or transmitting sensitive data unless using end-to-end encrypted tools over a trusted connection.
FAQ
Is using a VPN legal in Myanmar?
Since the February 2021 coup the military has imposed nationwide internet blackouts, blocked social media, and escalated against circumvention tools: Freedom House's Freedom on the Net 2024 report (score 9/100, tied worst with China) records that in May 2024 the military arrested and fined people found with VPN apps on their phones and that Psiphon and NordVPN became inaccessible. The Cybersecurity Law (Law 1/2025), in force January 1, 2025, criminalizes unauthorized VPN installation or service with up to six months in prison and a fine. Unapproved VPN use is therefore effectively illegal, and enforcement is both technical (ISP-level VPN blocking) and physical (arrests).
What actually works in Myanmar?
Per current research: Starlink terminals - unauthorized under Myanmar's Telecommunications Law but used at scale; Wikipedia cites the Myanmar Internet Project estimating over 3,000 smuggled dishes active in 2025 and describes Starlink as the only reliable source of unrestricted internet, residual unblocked commercial VPNs and rotating endpoints - VOA reported in 2024 that the junta's VPN block was partial and analysts called it a major threat to access, so coverage varies by provider and ISP. 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