The Best VPNs for South Korea in 2024

1. NordVPN - Best VPN in South Korea for Streaming

Editors Rating:

9.7 /10

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How We Review

Product Specs

Multihop	Yes
Camouflage Mode	Yes
Kill switch	Yes
Split Tunneling	Yes
Netflix	Yes
Torrenting	Yes

No VPN is perfect, but if you’re looking for something versatile that can be used in any occasion, chances are that you’re going to like NordVPN. It’s user-friendly, it uses cutting-edge technology to ensure privacy and security, and it’s affordable. It’s actually what I personally use for my day-to-day browsing and travels abroad. I recently traveled to Germany and used NordVPN following the recommendation of our best VPN for Germany list, and it didn’t disappoint.

But how does it perform in South Korea? Let’s find out.

South Korean Servers

NordVPN has a great selection of servers — more than 6,100 worldwide, with 10 physical servers located in South Korea in addition to 60 virtual locations. That means that while the physical server might not necessarily be in the country, it’s set up to give you a South Korean IP address while providing you with the fastest speeds. That’s another thing I really appreciate about NordVPN: It takes a lot of guesswork out of setting up your connection. Whether I’m doing research for a new article or just watching “Futurama” after work (we have a best VPN for Hulu list for you as well), NordVPN’s algorithms do the hard work of finding and connecting to the fastest server available.

Standout Features

So you know how I said that NordVPN is going to be your best bet for streaming content while you’re in South Korea? That has a lot to do with its server obfuscation technology. Streaming services constantly lock horns with VPNs. They don’t like people using VPNs to access geo-restricted content, so if a streaming site notices you’re using a VPN, you’ll likely get blocked.

Obfuscation technology allows NordVPN to hide the fact that you’re using a VPN. That means your traffic will look just like everyone else’s. While I’ve had some trouble accessing certain libraries with services like Private Internet Access and CactusVPN, NordVPN has worked nearly every single time for me.

I also really like the fact that NordVPN’s server fleet is RAM only, meaning they don’t — and can’t — physically write information to a hard disk. Plus, all of the information is irretrievably wiped once the server cycles down. There are a handful of other companies on our list — ExpressVPN and CyberGhost, for example — that also take this approach, but I’d say it’s currently the gold standard of privacy and the direction a lot of VPN providers are moving in.

Speed

You’ve probably heard that using a VPN is going to slow you down. While that’s true in a sense, it doesn’t mean those slowdowns are going to be extreme, or that there isn’t anything you can do to make them better. Speed is a function of many factors after all. Sure, when I turn on multi-hop that doubles the encryption, I can see my speed take a nosedive. But when I select a nearby server with low latency and a light load, I almost always get good speeds.

In fact, NordVPN is one of the most consistently zippy VPNs I’ve tested. It works great even on distant servers. When I connected to Australia from Manhattan using my MacBook Pro and an Acer laptop, my download speed dropped by only 25 percent and eight percent, respectively. Your mileage will vary, but that’s pretty tough to argue with.

>>Read More: Best VPN for Mac

Cost

NordVPN splits services up between three tiers and also offers three different subscription terms. You can read more about how this all shakes out in our guide to NordVPN’s prices, but here’s a quick breakdown of how it looks.

For context, this is just a touch more expensive than the industry standard of between $5 and $10 per month, but NordVPN is one of the more affordable options on our list, particularly when you buy a long-term subscription. For reference, ExpressVPN is a bit more expensive at $14.99 per month, but the differences in price aren’t crazy. For the most part, industry standard is between $5 and $10 per month.

2. CyberGhost - Best VPN in South Korea for Multiple Devices

Editors Rating:

8.9 /10

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How We Review

Product Specs

Multihop	Yes
Camouflage Mode	No
Kill switch	Yes
Split Tunneling	Yes
Netflix	Yes
Torrenting	Yes

CyberGhost is another rock-solid VPN service that’s well rounded enough for practically any use case. I’ve used this service all over the world and haven’t had many hiccups. There was that one time when I was backpacking through Ecuador that my connection kept failing, but I’ll blame that more on the unstable connection at the internet cafe than anything else. I’m confident that if you’re using CyberGhost in South Korea, you shouldn’t run into many snags.

South Korean Servers

CyberGhost is another VPN provider with a massive fleet of servers — 7,891 in 100 countries, to be exact — with 24 of those in Seoul. This means you can get an anonymous South Korean IP address with ease and surf the web in near-total anonymity. It’s worth noting, though, that these are virtual servers, as they are physically located in Tokyo, Japan. This doesn’t really create any performance issues, though, since we’re talking about only 700 miles difference. It’s also worth pointing out that CyberGhost’s physical servers are RAM-only, meaning that even if they wanted to collect your data, they couldn’t. It’s gone once the server powers off, which they do pretty frequently.

Standout Features

One thing I really liked when I tested CyberGhost is that it’s easy to use on just about any device. And I’m not talking about desktops, phones, and tablets only. I’m talking about routers and smart TVs too. I have a Samsung Frame at home, which usually doesn’t natively support a VPN. For CyberGhost, though, it wasn’t an issue. I just signed up for the service, downloaded and configured the app on the TV, and boom — I was streaming K-dramas in no time.

>>Learn More: Top VPNs for Roku

Speed

Like I said above, speed is determined by a list of factors a mile long, and the way you set up your VPN is going to influence it considerably. Easy-to-use VPNs like CyberGhost, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and others on this list are pretty fool-proof when it comes to this, but there are definitely buttons you can press and dials you can turn to get the most out of the service.

I will say that CyberGhost performed consistently better on my Mac than it did on my PC. Last time I checked, my ping was only reduced by 14 percent on the MacBook Air, while it increased by 78 percent on my VivoBook. Again, it’s difficult to say that this will be a universal experience, but if you use a Mac exclusively, this should perk your ears up.

Cost

On a month-to-month subscription, CyberGhost costs exactly the same as a standard NordVPN subscription: $12.99. The difference, though, is that CyberGhost doesn’t split its service into tiers based on features. It’s one service across the board. That said, you’ll pay less per month if you sign up for a longer subscription term. Here’s the breakdown:

Before you go, make sure you read the fine print! If you sign up for two years, you’ll pay $56.97 upfront, but once those two years are up, you’ll pay that price annually, effectively doubling the monthly cost after the initial subscription is up. Don’t worry; we’re always looking out for you. As such, we’ve compiled this list of the best cheap VPNs on the market.

3. ExpressVPN - Best VPN in South Korea for User Experience

Editors Rating:

9.1 /10

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How We Review

Product Specs

Multihop	No
Camouflage Mode	Yes
Kill switch	Yes
Split Tunneling	Yes
Netflix	Yes
Torrenting	Yes

There are two types of VPN users out there: those who want to pop the hood and fiddle around with things, and those who want something that’s going to work in the background out of the box. If you’re the latter, ExpressVPN is a great option. I literally just pop it on when I start my day and never think twice about it while I’m doing work, checking my email, shopping online, or checking my bank account balance.

South Korean Servers

ExpressVPN does have South Korean locations, but it’s a little difficult to tell how many servers there are or if they’re virtual or physical. That’s the drawback of using a “user-friendly” VPN like this. I guess the company assumes the majority of its users aren’t really going to care about those details. But I do, and you should too.

To test it out, I connected through South Korea and tried to access Netflix from Brooklyn. Sure enough, I was able to sneak past the firewall and watch anything I wanted. I landed on “Physical: 100.” It’s an awesome athletic challenge show that is available in the U.S., but only the cheesy dubbed version. It’s much better in the original Korean with subtitles.

>>Read About: How to Change Your Netflix Region

Standout Features

It’s a little difficult to convey this accurately, but one of ExpressVPN’s strongest suits is how basic it is. There aren’t a lot of flashy features to distract you or a bunch of levers to pull or dials to turn to get things optimized. But don’t take that simplicity to mean it’s somehow too basic.

ExpressVPN was one of the first to transition its fleet of servers to RAM only, and it’s always pushing the envelope in terms of what this technology can do. Its proprietary Lightway protocol is designed to be fast and use less power than other traditional protocols. I must say that I’ve noticed a difference on my iPhone. The thing lasts almost all day, even with ExpressVPN running in the background. It’s definitely a great innovation for the always-on sect.

Overall, if you’re looking for a VPN that you’re not going to have to constantly fiddle with to protect you in South Korea, ExpressVPN is one to check out.

Speed

I’ll stop running through the song and dance about how speed is determined by a variety of factors and just say that ExpressVPN is plenty fast, anecdotally speaking. In my most recent test from a Brooklyn co-working space — yes, I’m one of those — I noticed a similar decrease in the download speeds on both the Mac and the Windows computers. The Mac slowed by about 39 percent, and the Windows computers slowed by about 37 percent. That’s definitely not enough for me to be frustrated by performance issues, as everything was still working fast enough to get my work done and watch some YouTube videos.

>>Learn More: Best VPN for Windows

Cost

Here’s where I have to dock some points. There’s no way around this: ExpressVPN’s pricing is at the high end compared to other VPN providers. Here’s the subscription breakdown:

While it’s the most expensive provider on the list, it’s not that much more expensive. So, if you value simplicity in a product that’s solid to the core, it might be worth a couple extra bucks per month.

4. Proton VPN - Best VPN in South Korea for Privacy

Editors Rating:

8.8 /10

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How We Review

Product Specs

Multi-hop	Yes
Camouflage Mode	Yes
Kill switch	Yes
Split Tunneling	Yes
Netflix	Yes
Torrenting	Yes

ProtonVPN is a great choice for someone looking for the ultimate in security while they’re in South Korea. If you’re looking to defeat internet censorship over there, this may be the VPN for you.

South Korean Servers

While Proton doesn’t have a huge fleet of servers compared to the others on our list — ExpressVPN, for instance, has over 3,000 across the globe — it does have a respectable 1,300 in 60 countries, eight of which are in South Korea. This means you’ll have a few options to select from, and you can always switch over to another in-country server should you notice the one you’re on slowing down too much.

Standout Features

Proton has a reputation for being one of the most security-focused VPNs on the market today. If you’re really looking for privacy, this is your VPN. The company is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, which means it isn’t under the jurisdiction of any international surveillance alliances, and its mission is to better protect journalists and activists around the world. While I’ve never had to interview anyone for an extremely sensitive story, I can imagine use cases where protecting sources is hugely important for the safety of the journalist and the people they’re in communication with.

One of the coolest security features Proton offers is Tor over VPN. With this feature enabled, you’ll be able to access the Tor network — one of the most secure ways to browse the web — and visit .onion sites from your regular browser. The only other VPN I’ve found that has this same functionality is NordVPN, and they both work really well for keeping your anonymity online. And yes, this is also how you access the so-called dark web. You shouldn’t really go poking around there. You could end up in some pretty unsavory places.

Speed

When I tested the speeds of ProtonVPN, I used a MacBook Pro running Mojave and a ThinkPad T430 running Windows 10. I also used Proton’s Quick Connect feature to connect to the optimal server from the Brooklyn office. I have to say, it performed pretty well. While the decline in speed was significant, it still remained over 60 Mbps on both platforms — plenty fast for browsing and streaming.

>>Read About: VPN Speed Tests: VPN Speeds Compared

Cost

ProtonVPN’s pricing is pretty straightforward, and I do like that it is one of the few VPN providers out there that offers an honest-to-goodness free version of its product. It’s stripped down, for sure, but if you’re on the fence about using it, you can definitely get a taste of what it’s like. Here’s a quick breakdown of plans and prices:

Keep in mind that these rates are locked in for life once you start an account. If Proton ever changes its prices, you’ll still be charged only what you’ve agreed to. That’s good peace of mind. Overall, its prices are on the lower side compared to the others on this list, which means you can stay safe in South Korea while saving some money.

5. HMA VPN - Best VPN in South Korea for Server Locations

Editors Rating:

8.3 /10

How We Review

Product Specs

Multi-hop	No
Camouflage mode	No
Kill switch	Yes
Netflix	Yes
Torrenting	Yes

If you’re looking for high speeds and a mile-long server list, HMA is a good place to start. Since it has a server location in almost every country, it’s a great option for folks who like to travel as much as I do.

South Korean Servers

With 1,100 servers across 290 countries, you’ll always be close to an HMA server location, no matter where you’re traveling. And since HMA has 10 servers in Seoul, if those travels take you to South Korea, you’re going to be set. The last time I tested HMA, all 10 of those servers worked well for browsing social media, doing some banking, or streaming “Seinfeld” on Netflix. That’s my go-to comfort show when I’m away from home, and it’s nice to know I’ll always be able to access it with a solid VPN like HMA.

Standout Features

That huge server list is what really does it for me. I travel a lot, and I’m often going to some pretty remote locations. Since HMA has a presence in 290 countries, that means no matter where I’m going, I’m going to be close to a connection point, which means much better performance. I guess if I’m planning to go to Antarctica, I won’t be super close — the nearest location would be Chile — but if I somehow end up there, I don’t think I’m going to be watching Netflix.

HMA also offers a powerful Chrome extension VPN, which is great if you’re looking for some more lightweight protection. Keep in mind, though, if you’re just using the extension, you’re going to be protecting the data originating from that specific browser only, not everything on the computer.

Speed

I always remind people that speed tests are a good tool to gauge performance, but they aren’t universal. If I connect using my Acer Aspire 5 in Brooklyn, I’m going to get different speeds than you will on your iMac in Toronto. That said, after using this VPN for as long as I have, I have noticed some trends. For one, it’s a lot faster on a Mac than it is on a PC. If you use Mac products exclusively, it might be a good option for you.

Cost

HMA is one of the few VPNs that offers a free trial, so you can get a sense if it’s the right service for you. Once you’re done with that seven-day period, though, here’s what HMA VPN prices look like:

This is right on par with CyberGhost in terms of affordability, and it doesn’t get much cheaper than this when we’re talking about high-quality VPN services.

6. PureVPN - Best VPN in South Korea for Traveling

Editors Rating:

8.9 /10

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How We Review

Product Specs

Multi-hop	No
Camouflage Mode	Yes
Kill switch	Yes
Split Tunneling	Yes
Netflix	Yes
Torrenting	Yes

If you travel as much as I do, you need a VPN that can keep up. PureVPN is lightweight and fast in every country I’ve ever visited — 26 and counting.

South Korean Servers

The last time I checked, PureVPN had 48 servers in South Korea, meaning it has the largest presence there out of any VPN on our list. And you know what that means: performance, performance, performance. I’ve never had any significant connectivity issues with PureVPN, whether that’s streaming or torrenting, its optimized servers handled whatever I threw at them.

Standout Features

When we reviewed PureVPN, its dedication to privacy really stood out. It regularly undergoes third-party audits to ensure its strict no-log policy is enforced. So if you’re looking for a VPN that’s going to be reliable and safe to use while you’re in South Korea, this certainly helps.

» Further Reading: Remain Anonymous on the Internet

PureVPN also has a huge number of servers — a whopping 6,500, to be exact. While those servers aren’t as far-flung as they are with HMA, this is still a massive fleet, so you’re unlikely to run into issues of overcrowding while you’re in Seoul, Busan, Incheon, or anywhere else in South Korea.

Speed

As you’d expect with such a large fleet of servers, PureVPN’s speeds are pretty darn fast. I tested it on both my Mac and Windows computers and saw about average speed decreases. On a Mac, they were a little more pronounced, but no more so than any of the other VPNs on this list. I’d say it’s about comparable in speed to NordVPN or maybe Proton. Regardless, like I said above, I’ve never had any major connectivity complaints when using PureVPN.

Cost

PureVPN costs are where it gets a bit of a ding. The month-to-month plans start at $12.45 and go up to about $20 with the Max plan. So it’s a little expensive — comparable to ExpressVPN’s somewhat steep prices. Here’s the breakdown:

Keep an eye on the fine print. Your prices go up with PureVPN at the conclusion of your subscription term.