Best Free VPNs for Hong Kong: Be Safe From Surveillance
Hong Kong has not been linked with any sort of censorship. Popular social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are accessible from there. Also, you can connect to streaming platforms such as Netflix and Hulu while in the region. However, this could change at any point. If that happens, you will be unable to access most of these platforms (just as it is in China at the moment). In that scenario, your best bet to having a wholesome internet experience is through a VPN.
VPN providers often offer free services. This could either be in the form of a completely free plan/free-trial period, or a risk-free VPN. You aren’t required to make any payments before making use of the completely free option. However, to access the risk-free offer, you will need to get on a plan and make some payments before use. Risk-free offers give you a money-back guarantee period. You will be able to recoup your funds within this timeline if you so wish.
Below you will find a review of these two types of free VPNs for Hong Kong.
Best Risk-Free VPNs for Hong Kong
Risk-free VPNs give you an excellent trial experience. You will have a flexible opportunity to try out all the features of a premium VPN. Recovering your funds is also quite straightforward.
ExpressVPN
Features
- Number of servers: More than 3,000
- Speeds: Unlimited
- Server locations: 160 in 94 countries
- Maximum devices supported: 5
- 24 live chat: Yes
- 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
Pros/Cons
- Fastest VPN out there
- Strict no logs policy
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Few discounts
ExpressVPN is easily the best provider you can find for accessing Hong Kong. It offers remarkable services regardless of why you need it. ExpressVPN has more than 3000 servers in 94 locations. One of these countries is Hong Kong. These servers are optimized for speed and ease of connection. Additionally, you can be sure the servers will not lag as you use them.
ExpressVPN makes use of AES 256-bit encryption. It is also equipped with a kill switch, DNS-leak protection, and the best protocols you can find. All of these make sure that your details are safe. This provider does not keep logs of its users’ activities. It regularly wipes off any generated data on its servers. Additionally, when subscribing at first, it allows payment in cryptocurrencies. This all helps to make sure that you remain anonymous throughout the process.
ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee period. You will get on a plan, and then proceed to make use of the VPN. You can request a refund within this period and get your money back, no questions asked.
- Pros: Fastest VPN out there; Strict no logs policy; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $6.67
NordVPN
Features
- Cryptocurrency accepted? Yes
- Simultaneous connections: 6
- Dedicated IP-addresses? Yes
- Servers: 5342 in 58 countries
Pros/Cons
- Lots of pricing options
- Netflix support kept up to date
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Slow app
NordVPN boasts of more than 5000 servers in 59 countries. This makes it one of the leading providers in that regard. It further means that you will not find it difficult to get a server to connect to. This is also good news for you if you need to stream content from another location outside Hong Kong. With its extensive range of servers, you can almost bet that NordVPN will have servers in that location you are interested in.
NordVPN does not keep logs of your browsing habits or locations. It secures its servers using the AES 256-bit encryption. It also has the standard DNS leak protection and automatic kill switch. NordVPN has you covered in terms of security.
This provider gets around geo-blocks quickly. It enables you to stream content from Netflix, Hulu, iPlayer, etc. with no hassles. It allows a total connection of 6 devices simultaneously. NordVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee period.
- Pros: Lots of pricing options; Netflix support kept up to date; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $3.71
Best Free VPNs for Hong Kong
The VPNs discussed under this section will be ideal for you if you are uncomfortable making any upfront payment. Unfortunately, we were unable to find many providers who provide free servers in Hong Kong. However, the ones discussed here offer completely free trials. Thus, you can take advantage of their trial period to make unpaid use of the VPN.
ProtonVPN
Features
- P2P support? Yes
- 30-day money-back guarantee? Yes
- Country of origin? Switzerland
- Servers: 600+ in over 40 countries
- Simultaneous devices: 5
Pros/Cons
- Professional support
- Modern interface and apps
- AES-256 encryption
- Lesser known provider
ProtonVPN offers a free version as well as a paid one. The free version is one of the best in the market as it has no cap on the amount of data you could expend within the month.
However, one downside to it is that its free servers are found in just 3 locations. Hong Kong isn’t one of those. Not to worry, ProtonVPN gives 7 days of free trial for its premium version. This is ideal if you are making a quick trip out of Hong Kong. You will remain connected, having access to Hong Kong content wherever you are.
ProtonVPN does well on security and speed. For the former, it makes use of AES 256-bit encryption and does not log users’ data. Also, its speed is topnotch, allowing you to stream and download content at top speed. This provider does not have an array of servers like the risk-free providers. However, it has a modest number that will serve your needs. Even more importantly, it has servers in Hong Kong that you can connect to if outside of the region.
- Pros: Professional support; Modern interface and apps; AES-256 encryption;
- Lowest price: €4
Trust.Zone
Features
- Complete anonymity? Yes
- Unblocking of all websites? Yes
- Pricing options: 4
- Servers: 164 in 80+ zones
- Free trial: Yes
Pros/Cons
- Military grade encryption
- Bitcoin accepted
- App for mobile devices
- Lesser known provider
Trust.Zone is another provider that gives you 3 days of unpaid trial. It also sets 1GB of data as the cap on the amount of download per user. You will be ineligible to use the service at the expiration of the 3 days or the 1 GB of data.
Trust.Zone has more than 180 servers in 40 countries. While this is not fantastic, it could suffice for short-term use. More so, its servers are fast. They get around geo-blocks relatively quickly. When connected to any of its Hong Kong servers, you can access geo-restricted content on Netflix, Hulu, etc. Thus, you will not have to miss out on your favorite Hong Kong shows while away.
It is located in Seychelles, which means that it is not bound by law to give up information about users. It also uses standard military encryption, trustworthy protocols like OpenVPN, and does not keep logs.
- Pros: Military grade encryption; Bitcoin accepted; App for mobile devices;
- Lowest price: €3
Hotspot Shield
Features
- Unlimited data? Yes
- Simultaneous connections: 5
- Military grade encryption? Yes
- Servers: Over 3200 in 80+ countries
Pros/Cons
- Unlimited HD streaming
- Blocks malware
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Unreliable support
Hotspot Shield is a reliable brand for your VPN needs. It has more than 3,200 servers in 80+ countries, including Hong Kong. These servers are fast, allowing you to stream and download content efficiently. It supports P2P file sharing as well as torrenting for its users.
This provider makes use of the standard military-grade encryption. It effectively masks your IP address and also prevents DNS leaks. It is one provider that keeps no logs of users’ activities. Hotspot Shield is compatible with most device types, supporting apps for Android, iOS, Linux, and Windows operating systems.
This provider has free servers in the United States. Thus, you can only connect to it to access content specific to that country. It does offer 7 days of free trial. Through this means, you can check out what the premium version of the app looks like before making any commitment.
- Pros: Unlimited HD streaming; Blocks malware; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $6.99
ZenMate VPN
Features
- IP cloaking? Yes
- Unblock streaming? Yes
- Locations: Over 35 countries
- Devices supported: All major ones.
- Browser extension? Yes, Chrome and Firefox
Pros/Cons
- Live sports streaming
- Over 2600 servers
- Anonymous IP
- Limited customer support
ZenMate VPN has more than 3500 servers in 74 locations. Its servers have lightning-fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth. It also allows for unlimited simultaneous connections. This means that you can connect as many devices as possible, and download or stream content without limit. You can do this free when taking advantage of its 7-day trial period.
ZenMate VPN guarantees your privacy while making use of the internet. It cloaks your IP address, masking you from potential hackers and even from the government. ZenMate has a simple user interface and an easy installation process. With one click, you can set up the VPN for your Mac devices.
ZenMate is compatible with all devices and also has Google Chrome extensions.
- Pros: Live sports streaming; Over 2600 servers; Anonymous IP;
- Lowest price: €1.64
Ivacy VPN
Features
- Cryptocurrency accepted? Yes
- Simultaneous connections: 5
- Supported devices? All, including TVs
- Servers: Over 1000 in 63 countries
Pros/Cons
- Streaming support
- Support for torrenting as well
- Military grade 256-bit encryption
- Speed issues
Ivacy VPN is a mid-tier provider that offers reliable web protection services. It has more than 1000 servers in 100 countries.
It allows for split tunneling, allowing you to be on an encrypted and unencrypted network simultaneously. More so, you can watch Netflix and Hulu with this VPN. You can beat the blocks on these platforms to access content outside of your Hong Kong. Users outside Hong Kong can also connect to its Hong Kong servers to access the country’s specific content.
This provider means business when it comes to security. It uses the AES 256-bit encryption and several protocols like OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, UDP, IKEv2, and TCP. Ivacy VPN operates a strict no-logs policy. It also is fitted with an automatic kill switch that kicks in when your network fails.
Ivacy VPN gives you one day of unlimited free trial.
- Pros: Streaming support; Support for torrenting as well; Military grade 256-bit encryption;
- Lowest price: $2.45
Are Free VPN Services Good?
Our short answer — not really. Generally, the quality of services free VPNs provide is usually not up to par. Free providers intend to convert free users to paying customers. Thus, in some cases, they deliberately provide subpar services in the form of slow servers’ speed, a limited number of servers, etc. to force their users to go for the premium versions. Also, you cannot count on being protected while using free VPNs. Their services may not be up to date, leaving you vulnerable to malware.
Additionally, in some cases, these providers sell the users’ data to third parties to generate funds to run their VPN service. A risk-free VPN is a better choice for full, protective services on the web.
Features to Look Out for in a Free VPN
1. Number of servers: You must consider the number of servers a VPN has and their various locations. The number of servers will determine how broad your reach will be. A provider that has a lot of servers makes it easy for you to find a server that is fast and reliable. Regarding location, in this instance, you have to be sure the provider has servers in Hong Kong. The providers discussed above have servers in Hong Kong.
2. Privacy Policy: The privacy policy will let you know if a VPN keeps logs of your data and shares the same with third parties. Choose a provider that has a strict no-logs policy. When a provider does not keep records, it will have no data to give up when subpoenaed. Also, in the unlikely case that the provider gets hacked, your data will be safe. The risk-free providers discussed above maintain a strict no-logs policy. Unfortunately, we cannot give the same guarantee for free providers.
3. Data Limit: Most free providers have a limit to the data you can expend in the trial period. This provision varies from provider to provider. Alternatively, others have a time limit within which you can make use of the VPN for your free trial. This time limit usually ranges from 7 days and downwards. As expected, this cap on data may hinder you from carrying out a lot of actions with the VPN.
For instance, you can hardly expect to stream or download a lot with the 1GB of data ProtonVPN provides. In the same vein, the time limit makes it hard for you to explore the VPN to your satisfaction. However, that is not the case with risk-free providers. There is usually no cap on the data limit you can expend. Also, the money-back period is generally between 30 and 45 days. This gives you ample room to explore the features of the VPN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Use a VPN?
Using a VPN in Hong Kong allows you to secure your connection and access geo-blocked content from different parts of the world. It will change your IP address and make it appear as you reside in another location or country.
Whenever you travel, you can also use the VPN to access your favorite home content, regardless of your location. Moreover, using a VPN drastically improves your online security and privacy. It eradicates the risk of cyber attacks, as your internet connection will be encrypted and kept away from snooping eyes. Whether you’re using a public or home network, you will be free from government surveillance, hackers, and data breaches.
Is It legal to use a VPN in Hong Kong?
Yes, it is legal to use a VPN in Hong Kong. Unlike other places in China, the government in Hong Kong operates an open internet. Social media applications like Whatsapp, Twitter, and VPNs that are banned in China, are allowed in Hong Kong. You can conveniently use a VPN service in Hong Kong to access geo-blocked content, secure your connection from surveillance, and remain private/anonymous on the web. However, we recommend that you do not engage in illegal activities while using the VPN service.
Is it safe to use a VPN?
Yes, it is safe to use a VPN. A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is a way to protect your privacy when you are online, especially when you log in from a public space in Hong Kong. It will be difficult to know if someone around you is picking up on your keystrokes or logging your IP address. A VPN can encrypt your network and prevent such activities. However, some VPN providers can store your online activities or sell it to a third party. To ensure your online safety, we recommend that you use a VPN provider with a strict no-log policy. Such providers will not store any information regarding your online activities. Your internet connection will be free from surveillance.
What’s the difference between a paid and free VPN?
The difference between paid and free VPNs goes beyond the cost factor. Free VPNs offer to secure your internet connection and typically make their money through ads. You may be forced to watch numerous ads before you access the VPN connection. Since it’s free, they may put limitations on the number of servers or data bandwidth you’ll have access to. A paid VPN on the other hand, will encrypt your network, give you access to top security features and protect your privacy. A reliable paid VPN will always outshine a free VPN. However, using a free VPN may be safer than not using any VPN.
Conclusion
There is no argument about the necessity of a VPN. Even if you are not worried about censorship from the government, it protects you from hackers, cybercriminals, and other malware. More so, it helps you stream geo-blocked content from anywhere in the world. We’ve highlighted the two broad categories of free VPNs available, and you’ve seen our top recommended choices. While you may wish to choose from either category, we leave you with one last piece of advice: you cannot go wrong with risk-free providers!