Best VPN for Hong Kong 2026: national security law, ViuTV, TVB

Our ranking

Which VPN to choose for Hong Kong in 2026?

NordVPN is the best VPN for Hong Kong in 2026: obfuscation to bypass growing post-2020 filters, servers in Hong Kong + nearby Taiwan/Japan, Panama jurisdiction. ExpressVPN is the most reliable alternative against growing censorship. Surfshark offers the best price with unlimited connections — ideal for the rapidly expanding HK diaspora.

Hong Kong has undergone a major turning point since the 2020 national security law. From Internet freedom oasis in Asia, the territory has moved to progressive censorship — not at mainland China level, but in clear evolution. A VPN has become essential for journalists, activists, expats and the growing diaspora.

The Internet context in Hong Kong: before/after 2020

Before 2020 — Near-total freedom

Hong Kong was one of Asia’s freest countries on Internet: no censorship, free access to Google/Facebook/Twitter, free media (Apple Daily, SCMP, HK01). Freedom House gave ~73/100.

After 2020 — Progressive erosion

The national security law imposed by Beijing (June 2020) transformed the landscape:

• Apple Daily closed (June 2021) after founder Jimmy Lai arrested
• HKChronicles blocked (January 2021) — first political block in HK
• Stand News closed (December 2021)
• Citizen News closed (January 2022) — self-censorship under pressure
• Chinese Wikipedia periodically restricted
• Multiple VPNs blacklisted by HK ISPs under pressure
• “Patriotic” education introduced in schools
• Massive self-censorship of local digital platforms

Freedom House downgraded Hong Kong: from “partly free” to “not free” in its 2023 report.

In 2026, Hong Kong isn’t yet at mainland China level (Google, YouTube, Facebook officially accessible), but the trend is clear. A VPN becomes a precautionary tool for anyone wanting to preserve access to a truly free and private Internet.

Why a VPN is useful for Hong Kong

Case 1 — You’re in Hong Kong (resident, expat, journalist)

• Access to independent media — in exile but still accessible (Stand News Reloaded, HKFP)
• Protection against state surveillance — growing since 2020
• Communications security — journalists, activists, academics under pressure
• Access to locally blocked sites (HKChronicles, some human rights sites)
• Keep access to home streaming (BBC iPlayer, Netflix US, France.tv) from HK

Case 2 — You’re in the HK diaspora (~1M post-2020)

The HK diaspora has exploded since 2020-2021 — about 1 million people have emigrated, mainly to UK (BN(O) visa), Canada, Australia, Taiwan, Europe.

• Viu Premium (Cantonese dramas)
• TVB and myTV SUPER — historic HK channels
• HKTV, ViuTV (HKTV Entertainment) — TVB competition
• Now TV (PCCW)
• HK banks — HSBC HK, Hang Seng, Bank of China HK, Standard Chartered HK
• HKTVmall, Taobao HK — Cantonese e-commerce
• Cantonese radio and podcasts

Case 3 — Journalist, researcher, diplomat in HK

High-risk context. Several journalists/foreign academics have been interrogated, expelled, or arrested since 2020. A robust VPN (obfuscation + audited no-log + safe jurisdiction) is non-negotiable.

Case 4 — You travel to Hong Kong

• Public Wi-Fi traditionally well secured, but VPN adds a layer
• Keep access to home services from HK

The 3 criteria that matter for Hong Kong

1. Obfuscation (preventive)

HK ISPs (PCCW, HKT, SmarTone) are starting to filter some VPNs. Obfuscated Servers (NordVPN), Lightway Stealth (ExpressVPN), Camouflage Mode (Surfshark) guarantee stability if the situation deteriorates.

2. Jurisdiction outside China + outside 14 Eyes

Crucial criterion given political context. NordVPN (Panama), ExpressVPN (BVI), Surfshark (Netherlands) — all well positioned, outside Chinese pressure.

3. Recent credible no-log audit

NordVPN (triple PwC + Deloitte 2026 audit), ExpressVPN (TrustedServer + audits), Surfshark (audit) — all fine.

Detailed ranking

1. NordVPN — The best overall pick for Hong Kong

Hong Kong score: 9.2/10

NordVPN combines (preventive) obfuscation, HK + nearby servers (Taiwan, Japan), Threat Protection, and Panama jurisdiction.

Why it works for Hong Kong:

• Obfuscated Servers
• Hong Kong + Taiwan + Japan servers
• NordLynx — speed
• Unblocks Viu Premium, TVB, HKTV, myTV SUPER
• 10 simultaneous connections
• Threat Protection
• Triple no-log audit
• Panama jurisdiction

Price: €3.09/mo on a 2-year plan. 30-day guarantee.

2. ExpressVPN — The most reliable against growing censorship

Hong Kong score: 9.1/10

ExpressVPN cited among the most reliable in high-censorship contexts (China, Iran, Russia, and increasingly Hong Kong).

Why it works for Hong Kong:

• Automatic Lightway Stealth
• TrustedServer RAM only (important against possible raids)
• 24/7 support
• BVI jurisdiction

Price: €6.12/mo + 3 months free. 30-day guarantee.

3. Surfshark — Best price with unlimited connections

Hong Kong score: 8.9/10

Surfshark with Camouflage, unlimited connections, ideal diaspora.

Why it works for Hong Kong:

• Camouflage Mode
• Unlimited connections
• HK servers
• CleanWeb

Price: €2.19/mo on a 2-year plan. 30-day guarantee.

Setting up the VPN in Hong Kong

1. Install the VPN before arrival if tense political context.
2. Enable obfuscation + kill switch.
3. Add HK, Taiwan, Japan, home country, USA as favourites.
4. Multiple backup servers.
5. On public Wi-Fi: VPN systematically.

What NOT to do

• ❌ Use a Chinese VPN or mainland China-based VPN
• ❌ Ignore HK Internet freedom degradation — prepare your tools
• ❌ Publish sensitive political content from HK even with VPN — real risks
• ❌ Pick a VPN without obfuscation — future unavailability risk

Verdict: which VPN for Hong Kong in 2026?

• Best overall: NordVPN — Obfuscated Servers, Panama. From €3.09/mo.
• Most reliable: ExpressVPN — Lightway Stealth, TrustedServer. From €6.12/mo.
• Best price: Surfshark — unlimited connections. From €2.19/mo.

To go further: our overall best VPN comparison, our China VPN article (useful comparison), our Taiwan VPN article for contrast.