Taiwan has the luxury of being one of the freest countries in the world [1].

But like in any country, the need for a VPN is high. This is why we have compiled this guide to help you find the Best VPN for Taiwan.

In this guide, you’ll learn which are the best Taiwan VPNs to use and more importantly some of the reasons why you’ll want to be using a VPN for Taiwan.

After multiple tests and hours of research (which I’ll cover more later), I’ve broken this list down into the leading Taiwan VPN options for various purposes.

Ultimately, a large cloud hangs over Taiwan in the form of Communist China, which erroneously claims sovereignty and regularly launches cyberattacks and spying missions.

As we have seen recently with the hostile military reaction to the visit of US Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the threat is real.

Chinese hackers and online trolls are a constant thorn in the side of almost all internet users in Taiwan and they are a big reason why VPNs are so important there. Taiwan is the recipient of more cyber attacks and fake news than any country on earth.

Censorship in Taiwan is minimal, but unblocking geo-restricted streaming services and online gaming platforms is more of an issue.

Before we delve into which is the best VPN for Taiwan, let’s find out what you should look for to get a reliable Taiwan VPN service.

How to choose a VPN

There are a lot of Taiwan VPNs you can choose from and often the number of options can be overwhelming.

There is a way to reduce this number and considering the following features when choosing the best VPN for Taiwan will help you do that:

• Strong encryption – China is a constant threat to Taiwan, so you need to be sure your VPN connection is securely encrypted to ensure your internet traffic is travelling down a secure connection. Look for providers that offer 256-bit encryption. They’ll often use marketing terms like ‘military-grade encryption’ to highlight this. Also keep an eye out for other advanced security features such as a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and secure servers.
• No user logs – Keeping your personal information private is important, especially if you are critical of the Chinese regime online. You, therefore, need a VPN that doesn’t record details of what you do while connected. Look for a VPN service with a strict no logs policy, ideally one which has been independently verified.
• Servers – Local Taiwanese servers are essential for speed and will also enable you to get a Taiwanese IP address and access Taiwanese content abroad. Taiwan servers are reasonably common on a lot of VPNs as they are popular inside Communist China. But it is also helpful to have servers in other countries in the region and beyond as well, especially if you want to unblock geo-restricted content and streaming services from places like Hong Kong and Japan.
• Fast connection speeds – If you are using a VPN to access major streaming services and stream movies and TV shows or to play online games, you need the fastest possible internet connection speeds to avoid buffering and other delays.
• Device compatibility – Most people access the internet on multiple devices so always look for a VPN provider which offers VPN software that is compatible with the devices you want to use.
• Simultaneous connections – Most of us have multiple internet-connected devices, so being able to protect them simultaneously is a distinct advantage for a VPN. Make sure your chosen Taiwan VPN provider has enough to use with all your devices.

Top 7 VPN services

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is our number one recommendation for a Taiwan VPN as it ticks all the boxes, with fast download speeds, robust security, and plenty of servers in Taiwan and other locations you need.

ExpressVPN deploys 256-bit AES military-grade encryption as standard for all its users alongside a range of extra security features including a kill switch, split tunneling, and DNS leak protection.

They complement this strong encryption and security with a strict no-logs guarantee that is set in stone thanks to ExpressVPN’s headquarters being in the British Virgin Islands. There are zero mandatory data retention laws there meaning your privacy is ensured.

As the name suggests, ExpressVPN offers super-fast speeds. But just as important, they are consistent over their entire VPN server network.

That network of VPN servers is a big one with in excess of 3,000 available in 94 different countries. This includes plenty of local servers in Taiwan as well as neighbouring countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong making it ideal to access region-locked content.

The ExpressVPN apps are well designed and easy to use and can be used on just about any device. Struggling to find a negative, the pricing is a little on the high side so you’ll want to take their yearly package for the most substantial saving.

You get up to 5 simultaneous connections with every account which means you can secure all your desktop and mobile devices. You also get unlimited bandwidth and a terrific live chat support service.

Throw in a 30-day money-back guarantee too, and ExpressVPN offers a compelling proposition and is undoubtedly top of the list of best VPNs for Taiwan.

Our #1 Recommendation

30-day money back guarantee

2. NordVPN

NordVPN offers internet users in Taiwan a premium Virtual Private Network service at a budget price with the bonus of a 30-day money-back guarantee thrown in too.

There is a big server network with more than 5,000 servers in 59 countries including several super-fast Taiwan-based servers. Connections are generally at pretty fast speeds, and thanks to NordVPN’s recent infrastructure upgrades, it also offers an impressively stable connection too.

All NordVPN users get 256-bit AES encryption as standard as well as the option of several additional security features such as double-hop servers (including a Taiwanese one), Onion-over-VPN servers, split tunneling, a kill switch, port forwarding, and more.

These are available across all their VPN app selection, which are compatible with all major devices meaning you can set up a VPN tunnel on just about anything.

NordVPN’s HQ is in Panama, which means its no user logs guarantee and privacy policies are watertight and trustworthy. You can connect up to six devices simultaneously and it is capable of unblocking all major streaming platforms including BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video.

3. CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost VPN is great for beginners but has plenty to offer all users in Taiwan.

If you’re a novice you will enjoy their easy-to-use VPN software which includes lots of beginner-friendly features and you can download them onto most devices.

Security is good with 256-AES encryption as the default setting along with a no logs policy that you can rely on. There are also various features such as an automatic kill switch and split tunneling that will help you to use the internet safely.

The CyberGhost server network consists of 7,000 servers in 90 countries, including several servers in Taiwan and numerous other countries in the region allowing you to access regional and international services with ease.

Connection speeds on these servers are generally excellent and consistent too. It is a rare thing if your VPN connection drops out.

CyberGhost VPN offers a reliable and functional VPN provider and it comes with a huge 45-day money-back guarantee in its package too as well as allowing up to seven simultaneous connections. One of the best Taiwan VPN services, particularly for novices.

4. VyprVPN

VyprVPN is an established and well-regarded VPN that offers another good option for Taiwanese internet users.

It offers a decent server network with several Taiwan servers located in Taipei as well as a lot of countries in the region. There are more than 70 VPN server locations and connection speeds on all of these servers held up pretty well in all of our tests.

The ‘military-grade’ encryption used by VyprVPN is robust and they also offer a trustworthy no logs policy as part of a comprehensive privacy policy.

They have now simplified their subscription packages which all offer a 30-day money-back guarantee and decent value for money.

You also get up to thirty simultaneous connections, a kill switch, split tunneling, and decent live chat support.

This VPN protects users and their personally identifiable information. While it is not overwhelmed with advanced features, it has all the core functions you need to be a decent Taiwanese VPN option.

5. IPVanish

IPVanish has been around a long time and built a solid reputation based on the secure and dependable service they offer.

The VPN services it offers come with great-looking and user-friendly VPN apps that are available for almost every device. IPVanish connection speeds are dependable and consistent across its entire server network and it comes with unlimited bandwidth too.

The IPVanish server network includes 2,000+ servers in around 75 countries globally, including several servers in Taiwan. That means you can get a Taiwan IP Address and bypass geo-restrictions to watch Taiwanese content abroad.

The IPVanish security is pretty robust as well with secure 256-bit AES encryption and a few useful extra security features thrown in too such as a Kill Switch and DNS Leak Protection protecting your online activities.

There is also a good privacy policy despite IPVanish being a US company. This includes a no-user logs policy you can trust despite some recent rumours to the contrary.

IPVanish now offers unlimited connections and a 30-day money-back guarantee in line with industry standards making it undeniably one of the best VPNs for Taiwan.

6. Surfshark

Surfshark is a relative newcomer to the market but it is already shaking things up thanks to its impressive all-around service which makes it another good VPN for Taiwan.

There is already a server network consisting of more than 3,200 servers in 65 countries. This includes multiple servers in Taiwan (meaning you can get a Taiwan IP Address with ease) and many other south-east Asian countries.

Like the other VPN for Taiwan options in this guide, it uses 265-bit AES encryption as standard and also offers a comprehensive privacy policy which includes a strict no-logs policy that means neither the Taiwanese Government, the Chinese Communist regime, nor any opportunist hackers can see your private data.

Surfshark has fast speeds that are also consistent and ideal if you use your VPN service for streaming or to torrent safely.

Prices are very competitive when compared to other VPN providers and is one area they stand out. There is a lengthy month money-back guarantee available and you get unlimited simultaneous connections too.

7. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) offers thousands of servers in 84 countries including a decent number of servers in Taiwan.

It is one of the best VPNs for Taiwan allowing you to get a Taiwan IP Address with ease and access streaming services as diverse as BBC iPlayer and Android TV.

PIA is not the fastest VPN on this list but speeds are consistent and when using servers in Taiwan, you should have no trouble doing all the usual online activities.

There are a decent range of apps that offer multiple features including dedicated IP Addresses (not offered by many VPN providers), DNS leak protection, and, of course, a kill switch.

PIA deploys high-grade 256-bit AES encryption as standard and offers a dependable privacy policy too. It comes highly recommended by industry experts alike, K.G Orphanides of Wired especially liked their no-logging policy which has been “demonstrated in court”. [3]

With PIA you can connect up to 10 devices at the same time. Prices are reasonable when compared to other VPNs for Taiwan and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee available too.

While it is listed as number seven here, PIA is definitely one of the best VPNs for Taiwan.

Why you need a VPN for Taiwan

Cybersecurity experts recommend every internet user should use a VPN.

But a VPN in Taiwan is especially important.

Somewhat unusually, this is not because of the actions of Taiwan’s government but rather those of a hostile foreign regime.

The ongoing threat posed by Communist China makes a VPN necessary for security and privacy in Taiwan. But there are some other reasons why they are advantageous.

These include:

1. Security and Privacy

Chinese hackers and government spies are seeking to infiltrate Taiwanese websites, online accounts, and social media accounts every day.

Prominent political figures [5] and companies are targets but so too are ordinary Taiwanese people [6] who might be voicing any opinions contrary to the flawed ‘One China’ policy.

If you want to keep your online data secure and private, the best way to do so is with a Taiwan VPN service.

When you connect to a VPN, everything you do online is encoded. There is also no record of the websites you visit. A VPN is a vital part of your online security toolkit in Taiwan and you should always look to choose the best VPN available.

2. Unblocking geo-restricted streaming sites

Lots of ex-pats in Taiwan want to watch streaming services from the USA or the UK. Lots of Taiwanese citizens wish to view content from places like Japan and South Korea. But a lot of these are blocked in Taiwan.

With a VPN, you can unblock streaming services from anywhere.

All you need to do is connect to a server in that country and then log into the website or use their app as usual.

All of our recommended Taiwan VPN providers offer servers in multiple countries around the world including servers in Taiwan if you want to watch Taiwanese content while abroad.

3. Online gaming

E-sports and online gaming are massive industries [7] in Taiwan but players often find themselves down the pecking order when it comes to new games and releases.

These are frequently released in the USA, the UK, and many other countries first.

But if you have a Taiwan VPN, it is possible to spoof your IP Address and fool these gaming companies into letting you play all the latest games first. All of our recommended VPNs for Taiwan will allow you to do this.

What’s the best server to use?

If you want to keep your data secure and private, you are best to choose a VPN server based in Taiwan.

All of our recommended VPNs offer these and they will give you the fastest possible connection speeds.

If you want to switch your geo-location outside Taiwan, we would suggest you choose a location as close to Taiwan as possible to maximise potential speeds.

Hong Kong is considered a good option but due to the current political instability there you may want to reconsider. Japan, Singapore, and South Korea all offer suitable alternatives.

If you want to unblock English-language content, Australia is probably the closest option. If you need content from the USA, it is best to choose servers on the west coast as these also offer the best possible speeds in Taiwan.

Any good free VPNs?

No. You should avoid a free VPN at all costs. This is especially true for Taiwanese internet users.

This is because recent research has revealed that the ownership of most free VPNs can be traced back to Communist China.

A free VPN will offer no security and privacy for Taiwanese internet users. It may even put your online security at even greater risk.

Free VPNs are also known to routinely sell user data to third parties presenting additional security risks. A free VPN will also often have lax security on their networks, making them susceptible to hackers and other external attacks.

For online gaming and streaming, free VPNs are also generally useless because of the speed and data restrictions that are routinely deployed. Their limited apps can also mean they don’t work on some mobile devices too.

Given that a premium VPN costs just a few dollars a month, free services are not worth the hassle. Taiwanese VPN users are best to give free VPNs a miss.

Are VPNs legal in Taiwan?

In short, yes.

Taiwan is one of the freest countries on earth and it is absolutely permitted to use a VPN there.

As with most countries, there are certain activities that are not permitted whether you are using a VPN in Taiwan or not.

Just be careful if you travel from Taiwan to their Communist neighbours, where VPNs are illegal and the penalties for being caught using one can be severe.

Summary

VPNs are legal, easy to use, and absolutely essential to use in Taiwan for many reasons.

Staying safe from Chinese hackers and spies is the main one but VPNs also help to unblock geo-restricted streaming sites and help online gamers access all the latest titles.

There are also hundreds of other uses too.

ExpressVPN is our number one VPN for Taiwan because it offers the most extensive set of features and come highly recommended not only by ourselves but by other industry experts. They also offer a terrific 30-day money-back guarantee too.

The choice is yours and if you wish to do further research it’s worth taking a look at all seven options above.

Most importantly, don’t worry too much because they’ve all been tried and tested. Plus if you’re not happy with the service you choose they all offer a money-back guarantee of at least 30 days which you can take advantage of.

I would love to hear your thoughts about VPN use in Taiwan. Have you had a good or bad experience? Let me know in the comments section below.

Sources

1. Freedom House | Freedom in the World 2022
2. Wired | ExpressVPN review: protects your privacy, no matter what
3. Wired | Private Internet Access review: a good value, privacy-oriented VPN
4. LifeHacker | Why You Should Be Using a VPN (and How to Choose One)
5. Reuters | Chinese cyber attacks on Taiwan government becoming harder to detect source
6. Forbes | China’s Hackers Accused Of ‘Mass-Scale Espionage’ Attack On Global Cellular Networks
7. Steemit| Taiwanese Hotel is a Gamers Paradise