Gjurgjica Panova
Updated on: December 26, 2023
Short on time? Here’s the best VPN for Cuba in 2024:
- 🥇ExpressVPN: Comes with plenty of advanced security features to keep you safe while you surf the web in Cuba. It has the fastest speeds available and works really well for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. Plus, it has extremely user-friendly apps for every major device and operating platform, great privacy features, and backs all purchases with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Internet access in Cuba is highly regulated and restricted. This means every online connection passes through one of the government-approved Wi-Fi hotspots around the country. Unfortunately, these hotspots leave your sensitive personal data vulnerable to hacker attacks, and they don’t offer very good speeds either. What’s more, the Cuban government restricts access to social media platforms and other international sites.
Luckily, there’s a solution to this problem — using a VPN. VPNs hide your real IP address and give you an IP address from another country. This will allow Cubans to connect to a server in a nearby country to browse the web securely. Plus, they come with strong security features to protect you from cyber-attacks while using public Wi-Fi in Cuba.
However, not all VPNs are good for Cuba. Most of them lack advanced security features, have small server networks, and slow down your speeds, so your browsing experience will be interrupted.
I spent the past few weeks researching and testing VPNs, and I managed to find the top 5 VPNs for Cuba. My favorite is ExpressVPN, which has advanced security features to keep your data safe, blazing-fast speeds, and tons of server locations near Cuba. That said, every VPN on this list is a great choice for Cuba.
Quick summary of the best VPNs for Cuba:
- 1. 🥇ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Cuba in 2024 (with multiple server locations near Cuba + fast speeds).
- 2. 🥈Private Internet Access — Great VPN for torrenting (with P2P support on all servers + good privacy features).
- 3. 🥉CyberGhost VPN — Good VPN with dedicated servers for streaming and simple automation rules.
- 4. NordVPN — Top-notch security features for safe and private browsing in Cuba (with fast speeds).
- 5. Surfshark — Affordable VPN plans with an intuitive interface for users new to VPNs.
- Comparison of the Best VPNs for Cuba in 2024.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Cuba in 2024
Approved by our experts
ExpressVPN is my top pick for Cuba — it has a large server network with servers in 105 countries, including servers in countries near Cuba, like the US, Bahamas, Panama, and Mexico. It also has the fastest speeds on the market and excellent streaming, gaming, and torrenting support.
ExpressVPN comes with industry-leading security features, including:
- Strict no-logs policy. ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited and verified multiple times, confirming that it doesn’t log your browsing history, personal information, or what files you download.
- RAM-only servers. These types of servers run on volatile memory, so data is only saved to the RAM. This provides better security as every server reboot erases all data.
- Full leak protection. ExpressVPN comes with built-in leak protections against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks. I ran 5+ leak tests on servers in countries near Cuba, and my real IP address was never leaked.
- Perfect forward secrecy. This security feature changes your encryption key for each VPN connection, minimizing the amount of data potential hackers can access.
- Threat Manager. Prevents access to malicious sites and limits how much browsing data ad trackers can collect, so they won’t be able to see what you’re doing online.
ExpressVPN also has traffic obfuscation. This security feature provides extra privacy by hiding your VPN traffic, making it look like you’re browsing the web as normal. In addition, it has ExpressVPN Keys (a password manager), which secures your passwords in a digital vault, so they won’t be compromised when you use a public Wi-Fi hotspot in Cuba.
I was very impressed with ExpressVPN’s speeds in my tests. All sites loaded instantly, even the ones with many ads. And, I didn’t have trouble watching HD and 4K videos either since they loaded instantly and didn’t buffer. I was also able to play online games without any lag.
The VPN also has excellent streaming support. It works with 100+ top streaming sites like Netflix and Amazon Prime. You’ll also be able to watch Cuban shows on teleSUR — a local service. What’s more, ExpressVPN supports torrenting on all of its servers in 105 countries.
ExpressVPN’s apps are really user-friendly. I especially like the Shortcuts feature, which allows you to set up 1-click shortcuts for specific apps and sites, which appear on the screen after you connect to a server. You can use it to get instant access to frequently used apps and websites from within the ExpressVPN app.
ExpressVPN has plans that start at $6.67 / month. Each plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for Cuba. It has advanced security features and some extra ones, like obfuscation and ExpressVPN Keys. It also comes with blazing-fast speeds, excellent streaming and P2P support, and user-friendly apps. All of its plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Very Good VPN for Torrenting
Private Internet Access (PIA) provides really great P2P support. All of its servers support torrenting, and it works with popular P2P apps, such as uTorrent and Vuze. It also allows port forwarding, which lets you connect to more peers to get faster speeds — my speeds increased by 10–15% when I enabled port forwarding. Plus, it offers SOCKS5 proxy support, which changes your IP address and provides much faster speeds but doesn’t encrypt your traffic.
PIA comes with advanced security features, such as perfect forward secrecy, full leak protection, a verified no-logs policy, and RAM-only servers. Plus, it has MACE, the best VPN ad blocker on the market, which blocks ads, ad trackers, and malicious websites. In my tests, I saw zero ads, and the tool prevented me from accessing malicious sites.
The provider also had very fast speeds in my tests. Every site I visited loaded instantly, HD videos played right away, and 4K videos loaded in 2 seconds. That said, ExpressVPN still provided me with faster speeds.
PIA works with popular international streaming sites like Netflix and Amazon Prime. It also works with local platforms like Cubavisión and Cuba TV on servers in countries near Cuba, like Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama.
I like how customizable PIA’s apps are, especially the Android app. It allows you to change protocols, adjust encryption levels for faster speeds, and manage your connection options. For example, you can set PIA to automatically connect to a server when you connect to an unsecured public Wi-Fi hotspot in Cuba. What’s more, PIA offers unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can use it on as many devices as you want.
Private Internet Access offers very affordable plans that cost as low as $2.11 / month. All of the plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access is a great choice for torrenting in Cuba. It allows P2P traffic on all of its servers and offers port forwarding and SOCKS5 proxy support. It also has advanced security features, good speeds, customizable apps, and plans that have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Has Dedicated Servers for Streaming
CyberGhost VPN is excellent for streaming because it works with all popular streaming services, including Netflix and Amazon Prime. The VPN also has 8,000+ dedicated P2P servers in 100 countries.
CyberGhost comes with advanced security features, such as perfect forward secrecy, strong leak protection, and RAM-only servers. I also like that its no-logs policy has been audited and verified.
Also, you get Content Blocker, a feature that blocks ads and malicious sites. In my tests, it prevented me from accessing shady sites, so you won’t accidentally visit a site that contains malware. However, I wasn’t impressed with its ad blocking function, as I saw some ads on media outlets and social media sites. What’s more, I also like its Identity Guard feature that informs you if your email address and passwords have been leaked on the dark web.
During my tests, CyberGhost had fast speeds. The sites I visited loaded instantly, HD videos took 1–2 seconds to load, and 4K videos loaded in 2 seconds with minor buffering at the start. That said, CyberGhost is slower than ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access.
I’m also a big fan of the Smart Rules, which allows you to automate VPN connections. You can configure CyberGhost to automatically connect you to a server location near Cuba when you open the VPN app, or you can make CyberGhost launch a specific app after it connects you to a server.
With prices starting at $2.03 / month, CyberGhost VPN has pretty cheap plans. Its long-term plans come with a 45-day money-back guarantee, and the shortest plan has a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost VPN has very good streaming support, strong security features, fast speeds, and user-friendly apps that allow customization of VPN connections. All long-term plans have a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full CyberGhost VPN review
4. NordVPN — Very Strong Security Features
NordVPN provides high-end security for securely surfing public Wi-Fi in Cuba. I really like NordVPN’s ad blocker called Threat Protection, which blocks ads, ad trackers, and connections to malicious sites, and even protects your device from malware-infected downloads. What’s more, it keeps on working even if you aren’t connected to a server.
The VPN also comes with advanced security features, including RAM-only servers, full leak protection, a verified no-logs policy, and perfect forward secrecy. I also like its Dark Web Monitor tool, which informs you if your NordVPN account login has been compromised on the dark web. This is helpful if you use the same credentials for other accounts.
NordVPN had fast speeds during my tests. I was able to access sites in 3 seconds, and HD videos loaded in 3 seconds with some buffering. However, once they loaded, they played without interruptions. However, NordVPN is still noticeably slower than ExpressVPN.
This provider works with multiple streaming sites thanks to the SmartPlay feature. This feature uses smart DNS and VPN technology so you can use a VPN on more kinds of devices. NordVPN works with all of the top international streaming apps, as well as local ones like Cuba TV and Cubavisión. It also supports P2P traffic on all of its servers and works with popular torrenting clients — plus, it has SOCKS5 proxies which enable faster speeds for downloading.
I also like that NordVPN’s apps have multiple connection automation. For example, you can set up NordVPN to connect you to a server near Cuba whenever you connect to a public Wi-Fi hotspot.
NordVPN’s plans ($3.39 / month) are very competitive, and each purchase is backed with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN’s excellent range of security features keep your data safe online in Cuba. It also has fast speeds, great streaming and torrenting support, and customizable apps. All of its plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Surfshark — Beginner-Friendly VPN With Affordable Plans
Surfshark’s apps are very easy to navigate, as its settings and features come with helpful explanations. They all include a quick-connect button that connects you to the fastest server, and the VPN lists the previous servers you connected to — allowing you to connect to them with 1 click.
What’s more, this is one of the most affordable VPNs on the market. So it’s a great pick if you’re in need of a value-packed VPN for Cuba but are on a budget. Plus, Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, so it’s great if everyone in your family wants to safely surf the web in Cuba.
Surfshark had fast speeds in my tests. I could watch videos in HD and 4K with a little buffering, and websites loaded in 3 seconds. That said, Surfshark isn’t as fast as ExpressVPN, especially on distant servers.
It also has advanced security features, including RAM-only servers, a verified no-logs policy, and perfect forward secrecy. Surfshark only has DNS leak protection, but I didn’t experience any leaks in my tests.
Surfshark offers budget-friendly plans ($1.99 / month), which are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Surfshark is great for beginners because of its user-friendly interface. It also has strong security features, affordable plans, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Surfshark review
Comparison of the Best VPNs for Cuba in 2024
How to Choose the Best VPN for Cuba in 2024
- Look for servers near Cuba. Most top VPNs don’t have servers in Cuba, so you’ll need a VPN that has server locations near Cuba. All VPNs on this list provide access to servers in countries near Cuba, such as the Bahamas, Panama, and Mexico.
- Choose a VPN that works in restrictive countries. The government of Cuba limits access to specific sites and social media platforms. They also disapprove of using VPNs. That said, the customer support agents from my top recommendations confirmed their VPNs work in Cuba.
- Choose a VPN with strong security features. Each VPN on this list has industry-standard security features, like 256-bit AES encryption, IPv6, WebRTC or DNS leak protection, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch, which disables your internet connection if your VPN connection drops.
- Pick a VPN with fast speeds. All VPNs slow down your speeds because it takes time to encrypt your traffic. But top VPNs are able to minimize the speed loss, so it becomes unnoticeable. ExpressVPN provided me with the fastest speeds in my tests.
- Consider streaming and P2P support. Ideally, you want a VPN that works with all of your favorite streaming services. The VPN should also allow torrenting on its servers, specifically the ones near Cuba.
- Go for a VPN with good value. The VPN should allow at least 5 connections, have affordable plans, and come with a generous money-back guarantee.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- ActiVPN. ActiVPN is missing essential security features, like RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch. On top of that, it doesn’t work with top streaming platforms and doesn’t have native apps.
- Borderless VPN. Borderless VPN lacks advanced security features, such as RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy. What’s more, it doesn’t work with most streaming services.
- StrongVPN. This VPN is fast, secure, and has easy-to-use apps. However, it doesn’t have a lot of servers near Cuba, and it lacks perfect forward secrecy, RAM-only servers, and WebRTC and IPv6 leak protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best VPN for Cuba?
ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for Cuba — it has servers in locations near Cuba, provides the fastest speeds on the market, and has industry-leading security features. It also comes with user-friendly apps and excellent streaming and P2P support.
Can I use a free VPN for Cuba?
Maybe, but I don’t recommend this. Many free VPNs have small server networks and don’t have servers near Cuba. Moreover, they lack advanced security features to keep your data safe and have slow speeds.
Instead, I recommend getting a premium VPN like ExpressVPN. It has servers near Cuba, blazing-fast speeds, and advanced security features that will protect your data from hackers when using public Wi-Fi hotspots in Cuba.
Is using a VPN allowed in Cuba?
Yes, you can use a VPN in Cuba. I did some research, and I wasn’t able to find any information confirming that it’s against the law to use a VPN in Cuba. That said, I still recommend researching the local laws to make sure that you’re not doing anything illegal.
Which VPN works in Cuba?
All the VPNs on this list work in Cuba and have server locations near Cuba. My top pick, ExpressVPN, has servers in countries near Cuba, such as Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama — and it also comes with fast speeds, advanced security features, and user-friendly apps.
