The best Indonesia VPN
Escape government censorship with an Indonesia VPN

In its quest to stifle dissent and critical journalism, the Indonesian government has resorted to excessive content filtering, stringent internet regulations, and outright blocking of privacy-focused tools and anonymization services that refuse to bend the knee. Using the best Indonesia VPN will help you sidestep the country’s increasingly worsening internet censorship landscape.
With a high-quality VPN in your online toolkit, however, you’ll be able to not only anonymize your online activities and protect your data from invasive censorship-enforcing agencies but also access the internet, including geo-blocked sites and apps, without any restrictions.
However, only a handful of the best VPNs are secure and powerful enough to work in Indonesia. Our experts at Tom’s Guide have gotten hands-on with dozens of providers to identify the top 5 VPNs for Indonesia.
Keep reading to learn everything of importance about our chosen VPNs. However, if you’re in a hurry, here are our top 3 picks right now: NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN.
The 3 best Indonesia VPNs at a glance
1. NordVPN: the best VPN for Indonesia overall
NordVPN is our top recommendation for most use cases, and the same applies if you want to get around the latest regulations in Indonesia. With the highest number of Indonesian servers of any VPN we’ve tested, NordVPN blows the competition out of the water with an all-around service. It’s wickedly quick, has powerful apps, unblocks both local and foreign content with ease, and comes with cutting-edge obfuscation and security features (like Threat Protection Pro) to keep your browsing and downloads in Indonesia safe. Prices start at $3.39 per month plus tax for a two-year subscription ($81.36 plus tax up front for 24 months' coverage), but you can try it before committing thanks to a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: the best cheap Indonesia VPN
Surfshark is the best option for those looking to spend as little as possible but still get a premium service. At $1.99 per month plus tax for a two-year plan ($53 plus tax upfront for 27 months' coverage), there’s hardly a service that comes close to beating Surfshark’s value for money. The VPN has a physical server in Indonesia and comes with a huge assortment of privacy features, including its very own obfuscation technology, IP rotation, and double encryption. Despite being this cheap, Surfshark is a force to reckon with for unblocking geo-restricted content, is the quickest VPN in the industry, and also allows you to protect an unlimited number of devices – neither NordVPN nor ExpressVPN offers that. Try it out risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. ExpressVPN: the simplest Indonesia VPN
ExpressVPN is the best service on the market for first-time VPN users or those who value simplicity. In addition to having the simplest VPN apps of all – you can get and stay protected with just a single tap – ExpressVPN is also one of the most private VPNs, ideal for maintaining online anonymity in and outside Indonesia. Like Surfshark, it has a solitary Indonesian server, but near-class-leading unblocking abilities and connection speeds mean it’s more than up to the task of unblocking both regional Netflix libraries and banned social media apps in Indonesia. Sure, at $4.99 per month ($139 paid upfront for 28 months' coverage), it’s relatively quite expensive, but a slew of bundled extras make it worth the splurge. Plus, you can take it for a test drive with a 30-day money-back guarantee before risking a single penny.
How we chose the best Indonesia VPNs
Why you can trust Tom's Guide
We have over a decade of experience testing and reviewing VPNs, and we’ve used our know-how around important topics like VPN obfuscation and no-logging, as well as our in-house VPN testing setup, to zero in on five providers that can keep you safe in Indonesia.
In a nutshell, we prioritized the VPN’s privacy, including its ability to hide the fact that you’re using a VPN, servers in and around Indonesia, performance, and unblocking abilities. Other factors we considered for our rankings include pricing, ease of use, and customer support.
In our latest round of updates, we’ve checked and updated all facts and figures, such as server count, top speed, and streaming support, to ensure they’re up-to-date. I've also included recent updates from VPN providers, including NordVPN's audit by Deloitte in February of this year.
The 5 best Indonesia VPNs overall
1. NordVPN
The best Indonesia VPN overall
Number of servers: 7,400 | Server locations: 154 locations in 118 countries | Indonesian servers: Yes | Maximum devices supported: 10 | 24/7 live chat: Yes | 30 day money back guarantee: Yes
What we like:
NordVPN is the best all-around VPN in our testing, combining blazing speeds, comprehensive security, and seamless unblocking in an overall affordable package. Plus, with 11 servers in Indonesia and plenty more spread across nearby, it's also the best choice for Southeast Asia. Regardless of where you are in the region, you’ll always have a less congested server to connect to and enjoy faster connection speeds, better performance (your data won’t have to travel far), and more IP addresses, even during peak activity periods.
NordVPN is also one of the fastest VPNs on the market, clocking in at over 950 Mbps when using its proprietary NordLynx protocol in our latest tests. So, you can connect to and from anywhere without worrying that you'll be held up by slow connection speeds.
All NordVPN desktop and mobile VPN apps come jam-packed with security features, including AES-256 encryption, kill switches, and double encryption (a feature that sends your data through two servers, encrypting it twice) via Double VPN. Together, they’ll protect your data from nosy third parties in and outside Indonesia. A kill switch, for instance, will block your device’s internet access in case the VPN accidentally disconnects, preventing your real IP address and data from spilling over the “unprotected” internet.
NordVPN also comes included with built-in blockers for ads, phishing attacks, and malware – all part of NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro package. Additionally, you’ll also get a password manager, cyber insurance, data breach scanning, and encrypted cloud storage. These tools will add an extra layer of protection by securely storing your private data, alerting you to potential breaches, and helping you recover financially in case you fall victim to identity theft.
NordWhisper, NordVPN's proprietary obfuscation technology, can sidestep even the strongest network restrictions to hide your VPN usage. So, whether you're traveling to or living under Indonesia’s censorship, if you'd like to carry on your digital life uninterrupted, NordVPN is a great option for you.
What's more, NordVPN also submits its no-logs policy for regular verification. A no-logs policy is the VPN’s promise that it doesn’t track, store, or share any information about your online activity. NordVPN has undergone over five independent audits so far, with the latest one being in February of this year, when Deloitte confirmed that NordVPN doesn't log any user data. Regular independent audits confirm that the VPN company is actually following its no-logs policy, not just claiming to do so.
Last but not least,if you're someone who wants to continue streaming your favourite TV shows and movies while in Indonesia, or someone in Indonesia who wants to access regional content from other countries, NordVPN has got you covered. . As the best streaming VPN, NordVPN comfortably unblocked every streaming service I threw at it during testing, including the Netflix libraries of the UK, USA, Canada, Japan and Australia, as well as Amazon Prime Video, Disney + and even regional streaming services like ITVX and 9Now. Thanks to its excellent speeds, it did so without slow loading times or unwanted buffering.
What could improve:
On the downside, NordVPN's mobile apps aren't as user-friendly as their desktop brethren. The map-like interface, in particular, sticks out because of how non-thumb-friendly it is. This is only a minor nuisance, though, and could be deemed fairly subjective from person to person. Still, if you want a super simple, streamlined VPN experience, then consider going for ExpressVPN instead.
Next, while NordVPN is reasonably affordable for new users – $3.39 per month plus tax for a two-year plan – repeating customers have to put up with steep price hikes. So, if you want to stick with NordVPN but want to avoid the price increase, you'll need to cancel before your subscription ends and re-sign up with a new account.
On the topic of price, it’s worth noting that many of NordVPN’s features, including Threat Protection Pro, password manager, and encrypted cloud storage, are actually paid add-ons. If you want the same features from NordVPN that ExpressVPN offers as standard, then it's upwards of $6.99 per month.
Finally, NordVPN comes with limited simultaneous connections, meaning you can only run the VPN on a maximum of 10 devices at a time. Although this should be enough to cover all of your own devices and then a few more in your household, it doesn't compare to VPNs like Surfshark and PIA that offer unlimited connections at a fraction of the cost.
🔒 Read our in-depth NordVPN review for all the details.
Buy NordVPN if:
✅ You want a VPN for streaming. NordVPN is the one of the best VPNs for unblocking for local and overseas content thanks to fast speeds, a huge server network, and strong unblocking.
✅ You want a comprehensive suite of security. With built-in blockers for web tracking and malware, as well as a password manager and cyber insurance, NordVPN is more than just a VPN service.
✅ You want the best speeds in the industry. NordVPN sits at #1 in our fast VPN list.
Don't buy NordVPN if:
❌ You like consistent prices. Although it’s reasonably priced for newcomers, customers who renew their NordVPN plan will be disappointed with the price jump. Plus, if you want to use any of NordVPN's extra features, you'll have to pay for them.
❌ You want sleek mobile apps. Compared to the likes of ExpressVPN, NordVPN's map interface on mobile can feel quite busy.
2. Surfshark
The best cheap VPN for Indonesia
Number of servers: 3,200 | Server locations: 141 locations in 100 countries | Indonesian servers: Yes | Maximum devices supported: Unlimited | 24/7 live chat: Yes | 30 day money back guarantee: Yes
What we like:
Surfshark sits at the top of our best cheap VPN guide because it's simply the best in the business when it comes to combining premium features and low costs. In our detailed Surfshark review, we laid out that its network of more than 3,200 servers is neatly spread across 140+ locations, including Indonesia (Jakarta). An Indonesian server means you can use Surfshark to connect to local banking apps or streaming services when you're out and about.
For those inside the country of the Cyber Drone 9, Surfshark offers top-notch privacy. Its Camouflage Mode, for instance, will allow you to sidestep VPN bans and government censorship by hiding traces of VPN activity in your network. To further bolster your online anonymity in Indonesia, you can toggle Surfshark's rotating IP feature, which uses the VPN company's Nexus technology to change your IP address every five minutes. This means your IP will not stay the same for long, making it even harder for your VPN use to be detected.
If you want to add another layer of protection to your online activities Surfshark's Dynamic MultiHop is a great option. This tool will route your traffic through two servers (instead of the standard one), encrypting your data twice in the process.
Finally, its NoBorders mode will automatically sniff out VPN restrictions by analyzing your internet connection using Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) techniques and looking for signs such as blocked ports and unexplainable failures to establish encrypted VPN tunnels. If it senses you’re on a restricted network, it’ll serve up a list of servers optimized to bypass the restrictions you’re facing. This can come in extremely handy in Indonesia, which is known to block access to social media platforms, torrent sites, and even VoIP services.
Surfshark is also our top recommendation if you're traveling to Indonesia with a large group or you just have a lot of devices to cover. Unlike most of the competition, Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning you can share your VPN subscription with virtually everyone in your friends and family.
Despite being significantly more affordable than NordVPN, Surfshark does not skimp on performance. It came out on top as the best streaming VPN in our testing, unblocking every streaming service I tested it with with zero issues. For Indonesian VPN users, this means access to a wider range of movies, shows, and sports events, almost exactly like they were present in the US or UK.
It's also the fastest VPN on the market, with speeds clocking in at over 950 Mbps in testing on a 1 Gbps line and even around 1,300 Mbps on a 10 Gbps. Even on my relatively slow domestic Wi-Fi, it was able to achieve speeds of around 50 Mbps. High speeds mean that your VPN won’t slow you down when you’re in the middle of bandwidth-intensive activities such as streaming, online gaming, or torrenting.
What could improve:
Surfshark offers just a single Indonesian server, which is located in Jakarta. All Indonesian Surfshark users connecting locally will be routed through the same server, which can result in higher latency, slower speeds, and even disconnections. Although I didn't face any connectivity issues in our real-world testing – I was able to easily access local streaming services – our #1 pick, NordVPN, has 11 servers in Indonesia.
Surfshark's biggest downside, though, is the price hike upon renewal. Its two-year subscription initially costs just $1.99 per month plus tax but jumps to about $6.60 per month plus tax after the first term. So, if you like Surfshark but want to avoid the price hike, you'll be better off cancelling and resubscribing.
🔒 Read our in-depth Surfshark review for all the details.
Buy Surfshark if:
✅ You want ultra-fast connections. With peak speeds of over 950 Mbps in our latest tests, Surshark is the fastest VPN right now.
✅ You have a lot of devices to cover. Surfshark is one of the few VPNs to offer unlimited simultaneous connections.
✅ You’re a bargain hunter. If you’re a first-time subscriber, you’ll hardly find a better VPN deal than Surfshark.
Don't buy Surfshark if:
❌ You like consistent prices. Surfshark’s steep price hike makes it an unattractive option for repeating customers, but you can cancel and resubscribe.
❌ You like to customize the VPN. In its attempt to be beginner-friendly, Surfshark has pared back on complex customization options.
3. ExpressVPN
The easiest-to-use Indonesia VPN
Number of servers: 3,000 | Server locations: 160 locations in 105 countries | Indonesian servers: Yes | Maximum devices supported: 8 | 24/7 live chat: Yes | 30 day money back guarantee: Yes
What we like:
If you're new to the world of VPNs and would like the simplest possible experience, choose ExpressVPN. It's the best VPN for beginners thanks to intuitive and easy-to-navigate apps that stay consistent no matter what platform you're using them on.
While you can simply tap the big on/off button on the VPN app to instantly connect to the fastest server near your location, the ExpressVPN app also comes with a straightforward server list, where you'll find the option to grab an Indonesian IP address.
On paper, NordVPN might have twice the number of servers as ExpressVPN, but during our time testing for our full ExpressVPN review, we found that all of ExpressVPN's servers are RAM-only. This means that they erase all data after every reboot, so you can rest easy knowing that the VPN company won't have anything to hand over to the Indonesian authorities if they come with a warrant for information.
In fact, we consider ExpressVPN to be the pinnacle of VPN security. In addition to having its no-logs policy audited over 18 times – the most by any provider by a long shot – ExpressVPN also comes with super-secure AES-256 encryption and IPv6 leak protection. All in all, the VPN ensures that not only is your online activity never recorded or stored, but your data is also scrambled using one of the strongest encryption standards available, protecting it from theft and accidental exposure.
Combined with its proprietary VPN protocol, Lightway, which has been designed with obfuscation-by-default, ExpressVPN makes it incredibly difficult to identify that you’re using a VPN. What's more, ExpressVPN was also one of the first providers to employ post-quantum encryption to protect its users against Q-Day.
We also found ExpressVPN to be very effective at unblocking geo-restricted content abroad. In testing, I was able to access multiple different Netflix libraries, as well as Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, 9Now, 10Play, and more.
Plus, with peak speeds of 898 Mbps during our latest testing, ExpressVPN is also speedy enough to ensure a buffering-free experience.
What could improve:
Easily the biggest argument against ExpressVPN is its pricing. It's an out-and-out premium VPN, with even its cheapest plan costing $4.99 per month, and that is if you commit to two years upfront. The monthly plan will set you back a whopping $12.95, so it's not a great option if you're looking for the best monthly VPN to cover yourself during a short-term trip to Indonesia.
It’s worth noting, though, that ExpressVPN includes several “extra” features, such as a password manager and ad, malware, and tracker blocking, as standard that other VPNs offer as add-ons. So, while it’s good value for money when compared pound-for-pound against, say, NordVPN, if you’re looking for a complete online security package, it’s still an expensive choice if you just want a basic VPN.
For the price, ExpressVPN's 8 simultaneous connections is also the lowest number of simultaneous connections available on this list. While it should be enough to cover you, this offering is disappointing, especially when far cheaper Surfshark and PIA are offering unlimited connections.
I also experienced some streaming issues with ExpressVPN during my latest tests. I was unable to get past ITVX, a UK-based streaming service, as it was able to detect ExpressVPN. Similar issues cropped up when I tried the service with Netflix’s Japan and Australia libraries. While the issue was resolved by switching to a different server, NordVPN and Surfshark served up more flawless experiences.
🔒 Read our in-depth ExpressVPN review for all the details.
Buy ExpressVPN if:
✅ You want a super simple VPN. ExpressVPN has some of the simplest VPN apps we’ve seen, with a consistent user interface that stays the same, no matter which platform you use it on.
✅ Your top priority is privacy and security. Military-grade encryption, a repeatedly audited no-logs policy, and robust kill switches will keep your data safe.
✅ You want lots of bundled extras. Alongside the VPN, ExpressVPN also offers a password manager, ad, tracker and malware blocking and even ID Theft insurance.
Don't buy ExpressVPN if:
❌ You’re on a tight budget. If you’re not going to be using all the bundled extras, ExpressVPN is quite expensive. Consider Surfshark or PIA instead.
❌ You want to protect a lot of devices. ExpressVPN allows only 8 simultaneous connections, which may not be enough for large households.
4. Proton VPN
Proven Swiss security and super-fast speeds
Number of servers: 12,000 | Server locations: 144 locations in 117 countries | Indonesian servers: Yes (virtual) | Maximum devices supported: 10 | 24/7 live chat: No | 30 day money back guarantee: Yes
What we like:
Proton VPN is the brainchild of the same scientists who founded the largest encrypted email provider, Proton Mail. As such, it’s really no surprise that Proton VPN is one of the most secure VPNs on the market today. For starters, it’s headquartered in Switzerland, a country outside the EU and U.S. jurisdiction and any data-sharing alliances, meaning it can't be coerced into spying on its users. This means you can use it safely in the knowledge that your data will not be stored, collected or shared.
Proton VPN also has an anti-censorship arsenal, which includes its very own "world-first" censorship-resistant CAPTCHA system as well as its proprietary Stealth protocol. This protocol uses cutting-edge obfuscation technology to make your Proton VPN connection almost completely untraceable. It will disguise your VPN traffic to look like regular internet activity, allowing you to bypass VPN blocks and censorship in and outside Indonesia.
Also in its super-secure offering is its Secure Core technology, which routes your internet traffic through an ultra-secure server in either Sweden, Switzerland, or Iceland (chosen specifically for their strict data privacy laws) before finally connecting you to your destination. This is beneficial to those using the VPN in Indonesia because it provides an extra layer of protection against government surveillance and tracking, so even if your local network is compromised, you’ll be protected. Proton VPN boasts a massive fleet of over 12,000 servers in 117 countries.
While Proton VPN doesn’t have a physical server in Indonesia, its Smart Routing virtual server works equally as well. It’s located in Singapore but provides access to Indonesian IP addresses, just like a Proton VPN server physically located in the country would do. Also, Proton’s virtual servers run on the company’s bare metal servers, meaning they’re equally secure. It’s worth noting that Proton VPN has opted not to have a physical server in Indonesia due to the country’s questionable privacy practices. The VPN company follows a privacy-first approach and wants to always steer clear of any censorship or security concerns.
It eked out an eye-dropping 950 Mbps in our most recent tests, rivaling the likes of NordVPN and Surfshark for the top spot in the list of the speediest VPNs. So, whether you’re in Indonesia or another location halfway across the globe, you can rest easy knowing that Proton VPN will power your video conferences, online gaming, and streaming without throwing up any interruptions.
I also didn’t come across any issues when trying to stream local Indonesian or foreign content. From Filmdoo, Viu, and HOOQ.tv to Netflix, Prime Video, and iPlayer, Proton VPN effortlessly unblocked all streaming platforms in our testing. So, if you want to use your Indonesia VPN to stream global or regional content without running into content blocks or buffering, Proton VPN is a great choice.
What could improve:
As mentioned above, Proton VPN doesn’t have a physical server in Indonesia. While virtual servers are typically associated with slower speeds, that shouldn’t be a problem for Proton VPN because it’s one of the fastest VPNs around. Also, Singapore (where the virtual server is actually located) isn’t too far from Indonesia, meaning slower connection speeds usually caused when your data has to travel a long way won’t concern you, either.
A much more noticeable downside, especially for beginners, is Proton VPN’s lack of 24/7 customer support. As a result, you might have to wait several hours if you want a live human agent to assist you with an issue. While it does have helpful how-to articles on its support site, if you have a more complex issue or just want to speak to a human about your problem, you might be disappointed.
Also, at $3.59 per month for a two-year subscription, Proton VPN is one of the most expensive VPNs on this list. Sure, privacy-focused features like Secure Core are worth their weight in gold, but if you're on a budget, Surfshark or PIA will most likely suit your needs for a fraction of the price.
🔒 Read our in-depth Proton VPN review for all the details.
Buy Proton VPN if:
✅ You’re in a country with strict censorship. Proton VPN is perfect for use in Indonesia thanks to its huge assortment of anti-censorship tools.
✅ You want a super-secure VPN. Proton VPN’s Swiss security, audited no-logs policy, and open-source apps ensure complete peace of mind.
✅ You’re a Linux user. Proton VPN is one of the few VPNs to come with a full graphical user interface (GUI) for Linux installations.
Don't buy Proton VPN if:
❌ You like a bargain. Compared to the likes of Surfshark and PIA, Proton VPN is a relatively expensive pick.
❌ You want 24/7 support. Proton VPN keeps you waiting before assigning you a human agent to resolve your query.
5. Private Internet Access
An incredibly secure and affordable Indonesian VPN for all your device
Number of servers: 10,000+ | Server locations: 151 locations in 91 countries | Indonesian servers: Yes (virtual) | Maximum devices supported: Unlimited | 24/7 live chat: Yes | 30 day money back guarantee: Yes
What we like:
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a long-standing favorite of privacy purists, and for good reason. It’s the only VPN on this list to have proven its no-logs policy in court on two separate occasions. The American authorities presented PIA with a warrant for information, but it displayed its commitment to user privacy by having no data to give away in the first place. So, if you want a VPN that puts user privacy as its top priority, PIA is a great choice.
Under the hood, PIA impresses with encrypted DNS servers. This means that your DNS requests are handled directly within the VPN tunnel and not by your ISP. This not only prevents DNS leaks but also stops third parties from exploiting your DNS queries, thereby completely anonymizing your browsing. Even better, these DNS servers didn’t leak when we tested them. It also has reliable kill switches across all of its apps and an above-average ad, tracker, and malware blocking service called MACE, so you can browse on public Wi-Fi networks in Indonesia without worrying about serving up your data to those trying to collect it.
Plus, with a total of over 10,000 servers in 91 countries, including one in Indonesia, PIA won’t leave you wanting for more servers or server locations. Plus, each one of them supports P2P activity, making PIA a great choice if you're after one of the best torrenting VPNs as well as one of the best VPNs for Indonesia.
PIA’s crown jewel, however, is its value for money, with a two-year PIA subscription costing just $2.03 per month. Plus, it doesn’t hike up its prices upon renewal, either. You’ll also be able to use your PIA login to protect as many devices as you want – it’s the only other VPN on this list besides Surfshark to offer unlimited simultaneous connections.
PIA ticks pretty much all boxes in streaming, too. It successfully unblocked Netflix (in multiple regions), Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, 9Now, and 10Play. That’s a clean sweep of streaming services, on par with the best in the business.
What could improve:
PIA isn’t nearly as quick as its top competitors. Where rivals have hurtled ahead in WireGuard speeds, PIA maxed out at 436 Mbps. Still, it’s worth noting that there would only be a noticeable difference if you have ultra-fast internet that allows you to benefit from gigabit speeds. PIA is still comfortably quick to carry out day-to-day online tasks without running into issues.
Additionally, in my hands-on testing for its streaming prowess, there were quite a few instances where streaming platforms were able to recognize PIA. For instance, I was unable to access Amazon Prime Video except when using the US West “streaming optimized” server. PIA also got caught in its tracks with regional streaming services, like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, All4, and 10 Play. Although you can typically get around this by simply switching to a different server, it could be a problem if a local streaming service in Indonesia recognizes your VPN IP, as PIA offers just the sole Indonesian server.
We also believe either ExpressVPN or Surfshark will be a better fit for you if you’re a VPN newbie. Sure, PIA comes with a quick-connect button, but its apps are just not as easy to navigate because they prioritize customization over simplicity. As a result, the settings menu in PIA’s apps is packed with toggles for port forwarding, custom encryption, and protocol selection, which can easily overwhelm casual or new VPN users.
🔒 Read our in-depth Private Internet Access review for all the details.
Buy Private Internet Access if:
✅ You’re looking for a good cheap VPN. PIA is only second to Surfshark when it comes to low-cost VPNs with insane value for money.
✅ You want high customizability. With port forwarding, connection automation, custom DNS, adjustable encryption, and more, PIA is tailor-made for experts.
✅ You want to protect a lot of devices. Thanks to unlimited connection allowance, one PIA subscription is enough to cover your entire household, and then some.
Don't buy Private Internet Access if:
❌ You like simplicity. PIA’s long list of customization options makes it difficult to recommend it to beginners over the likes of ExpressVPN and Surfshark.
❌ You want the best speeds. PIA is less than half as quick as speedsters NordVPN and Surfshark.
Can I use a free VPN for Indonesia?
Free VPNs are generally not recommended for use in and outside Indonesia. Most of them don’t have the necessary security infrastructure to keep you safe from the privacy-invasive internet censorship landscape in Indonesia. On the other hand, providers like Proton VPN Free, which offer premium-like security, come with way too many restrictions that leave them of little use in the real world.
These restrictions include stringent data limits (often just 10 GB per month), throttled speeds, and fewer servers, as well as fewer server locations. In fact, none of the free VPNs we’ve tested has a server in or around Indonesia.
While you can use a good free VPN from a reputable provider for occasional protection on the internet or for testing before committing to one of its paid plans, you’ll be better off with a paid-for VPN if you want round-the-clock VPN protection or you’re a big streamer, gamer, or torrenter.
Is using a VPN legal in Indonesia?
While VPNs are totally legal in Indonesia, it’s worth noting that VPN providers, just like other online tools and services, are required to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology of the Republic of Indonesia (MCIT), also known as Kominfo.
However, as long as you pick one of the VPNs recommended in this guide, you don’t have to worry about your data being logged, let alone handed over to the Indonesian government.
Also, just because using a VPN is legal in Indonesia, it doesn’t recuse you from your legal obligations. So, if you use a VPN to commit illegal activities in Indonesia, you can be slapped with heavy fines, jail time or both, depending on your crime and the law of the land.
What is the best VPN for Indonesia in 2025?
According to our testing, NordVPN is the #1 Indonesian VPN. For starters, it has the highest number of Indonesian servers (11) of any VPN we’ve tested. Combined with over 7,400 servers worldwide and strong unblocking powers, it’s also our top recommendation if you’re looking to access geo-restricted content, whether that’s inside or outside Southeast Asia.
Moreover, NordVPN comes with an all-around security suite. From essentials such as an independently audited no-logs policy and VPN obfuscation to nifty extras like built-in ad-blocking and antivirus tools and double encryption, it goes above and beyond to keep you and your data safe, even if you’re under strict online censorship like in Indonesia.
NordVPN is also very reasonably priced, with its two-year subscription costing just $3.39 plus tax per month. Plus, you can also try it out risk-free before committing thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Do I need a VPN for Bali?
Using a VPN is generally good practice, but it’s particularly important if you’re in a country like Indonesia that imposes strict internet censorship. Under the garb of maintaining national security, combating “negative content,” and protecting children and youth from being exposed to inappropriate content, the Indonesian government has blocked independent news media and privacy-focused online tools and services to clamp down on dissent and criticism.
Moreover, according to the Ministerial Regulation 5 (MR5) legislation, social media sites, messaging apps, and search engine providers in Indonesia are required to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology of the Republic of Indonesia (MCIT), also known as Kominfo, and give access to all their systems and data.
Using a VPN in Bali, therefore, is crucial if you want to reclaim your privacy. The best VPNs for Indonesia come with top-notch privacy: a verified no-logs policy, strong encryption, leak protection, and VPN obfuscation to protect your personal info from falling into the hands of any nefarious third parties.
Additionally, a VPN will also allow you to sidestep the restrictions placed on foreign content within Indonesia, meaning you can stream your favorite movies and TV shows no matter where you are, whether in Bali, Jakarta, or Bandung.
How does a VPN work for Indonesia?
A VPN for Indonesia protects your data and hides your IP address so that you can stay safe and sidestep the restrictions placed by the Indonesian government on the country’s internet.
To achieve this, the VPN sends your internet traffic through one of its own servers instead of the ISP’s. Depending on the VPN you pick, your data will either directly be routed to your destination or sent to another VPN server before finally heading over to the final location.
In either scenario, the packets of data will be sent through an end-to-end encrypted tunnel, which will, for all intents and purposes, make it impossible for anyone, including hackers, to make any sense of it, i.e., even if they do manage to grab it.
Alongside protecting your data, a VPN also replaces your real IP address with one from its own server – in a location of your choosing. So, for example, if you connect to a British server while you’re physically in Indonesia, online services in the UK, including streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer, will see it as if you’re physically in the UK, thereby allowing you access to content that’s otherwise restricted in Indonesia.
Back to the best Indonesia VPNs ^
How we test the best Indonesia VPN services?
We begin our VPN testing at the provider’s website, where we carefully read through its support options, privacy policy, and other claims it makes. We do so to find out whether the VPN can be trusted with sensitive user information.
Next, we sign up for the service anonymously, download it on all compatible platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux, and put its core privacy and usability features through the wringer. While we evaluate the apps, we also make a subjective assessment of how easy they are to use.
Once we’ve completed multiple speed tests to arrive at the VPN’s real-world performance, we check the provider’s streaming support by both using a semi-automated tool to check access as well as real-world testing scenarios (e.g. trying to access streaming platforms using the VPNs).
To know everything about our VPN testing process, check out our full explainer on how we test VPNs.
Back to the best Indonesia VPNs ^
The experts that test VPNs at Tom's Guide

Mo has written about VPNs for Tom's Guide, day-in, day-out, for five years. He's an expert when it comes to what makes a VPN truly usable, and loves it when a VPN makes staying safe online as easy as possible. He is also a contributor to TechRadar, T3, and What Hi-Fi?.

Anthony Spadafora is the Senior Security and Networking Editor at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches and malware to password managers. He also undertakes VPN testing for Tom's Guide and TechRadar, which includes running all of our US-based speed tests.
INSERT CORRECT PROVIDERS IN THE WIDGET BELOW AND DELETE THIS TEXT BOX
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.

Krishi is a VPN writer covering buying guides, how-to's, and other cybersecurity content here at Tom's Guide. His expertise lies in reviewing products and software, from VPNs, online browsers, and antivirus solutions to smartphones and laptops. As a tech fanatic, Krishi also loves writing about the latest happenings in the world of cybersecurity, AI, and software.
- Olivia PowellTech Software Commissioning Editor