There’s plenty to love about St Helena, not least its incredible scenery and unique culture. However, it does provide a couple of challenges for travelers, with internet speeds that effectively prevent streaming and a lack of legally binding data protection legislation. While we can’t do anything about the speeds (visitors may want to wait until 2022, when the country is finally connected via undersea cable), we can help ensure your privacy with a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for St Helena.
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, preventing it from being read by your ISP, the government, or whoever owns the network you’re using. You’ll also be assigned a new IP address that points to whichever country your chosen server is in, hiding your true location and providing another layer of anonymity.
Below, you’ll find a quick rundown of the best VPNs for St Helena. If any stand out to you, just scroll down for a more detailed review.
Best VPNs for St Helena
- NordVPN: Our first choice for St Helena. A speedy, no-logs VPN that ranks very highly in terms of security. Works with all manner of geo-blocked services. Also comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Surfshark: The best low-cost option for St Helena. This zero-logs provider boasts impressive speeds, a fantastic security and privacy toolkit, and absolutely no connection limit.
- ExpressVPN: An extremely fast service that offers both security and unblocking ability. Has servers in 94 countries and also offers unlimited bandwidth.
- CyberGhost: An easy-to-use service with a wealth of security tools, consistently high speeds, and thousands of servers to choose from. Also offers 24/7 customer support.
- IPVanish: This VPN keeps no logs, allows any number of connections, and provides quick, secure connections. Has no problems unblocking region-locked websites from abroad.
- PrivateVPN: Blazing fast speeds, a true no-logs policy, and exceptional unblocking ability are just a few of this service’s strong points. A real workhorse with lots of potential for everyday use.
- Hotspot Shield: Offers quick and reliable speeds plus an impressive set of security features. A solid choice for almost any task.
You could spend days trying to find a VPN that is definitively the best for a given task. However, at a certain point, you’re just splitting hairs. The truth is that the average user will almost always be better off with a well-rounded service. To ensure that you’re not going to choose a VPN that falls over at the first hurdle, the services we’re recommending meet all of the criteria below:
- Offers access to plenty of high-speed servers
- Has a minimal impact on your connection speed
- Can unblock popular geo-blocked websites from abroad
- Uses encryption and a variety of other security tools
- Protects your privacy by refusing to store any personally identifiable data
- Provides apps for the most popular operating systems and devices
If you’d like to know more about our research process and testing methodology then you can find the full details of our VPN analysis in our how we test VPNs post.
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Best VPNs for St Helena
Now, let’s examine each of the best VPNs for St Helena in a little more depth:
1. NordVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN is our top pick for users in St Helena. It operates roughly 5,500 servers in 59 countries and can reliably unblock a whole host of geo-restricted websites, including Spotify and YouTube Music, neither of which are normally available in St Helena. This provider is also known for its high speeds, which means that it’ll have as small an impact as possible.
This service places major emphasis on user privacy. In fact, recent updates have enhanced its already substantial security offering even further, complementing the 256-bit encryption, kill switch, leak protection, and automatic malware scanning with NordLynx, a proprietary protocol based on Wireguard. Further, NordVPN keeps no logs at all, a fact that is periodically verified by independent auditors.
NordVPN comes with apps for MacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. It can even be manually installed on a wide range of supported routers. Additionally, customer support is available around the clock over email and live chat.
Pros:
- One of the fastest services around
- Works with many popular streaming services
- Extremely strong on security
- Proven no-logs policy
- 24/7 support desk
Cons:
- Desktop apps sometimes take a little longer to connect
Our score:
BEST VPN FOR ST HELENA:NordVPN is our first choice for St Helena. It’s extremely fast and offers several features sure to appeal to travelers who are concerned about their privacy. What’s more, this zero-logs VPN comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Still not sure? Why not read our complete NordVPN review?
2. Surfshark
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is the best budget option for anyone traveling in St Helena. It offers access to more than 3,200 servers in 65 countries and lets users connect as many devices as they like. If you’re planning on visiting places with better internet, you’ll appreciate Surfshark’s impressive unblocking abilities; it even works with tricky geo-blocked services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
This provider is a 2021 Cybersecurity Excellence Award winner, and it’s easy to see why. Surfshark uses effectively-uncrackable 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection to help shield your activities from prying eyes. Better still, it keeps no logs and features a NoBorders mode that even lets you browse freely in China.
Surfshark has its own Linux, Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS apps. Further, users can manually configure it to work on their home’s wireless router. Need help? Live chat and email support are both available 24/7.
Pros:
- Very high speeds
- Lots of servers to choose from
- Strong security and privacy credentials
- Unblocks plenty of streaming services abroad
- Connect all of your devices at once
Cons:
- Customer support has room for improvement
Our score:
BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is a fantastic low-cost VPN with plenty to offer. Whether you need cutting-edge security features or just want to make sure none of your devices are left unprotected, this is an excellent choice. Further, all plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Take a look at the full Surfshark review.
3. ExpressVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN is an exceptionally versatile service. It has around 3,000 servers in 94 countries whereas most of its rivals only offer 60 locations or so. It’s also much faster, with its proprietary Lightway protocol providing an average speed of 135Mbps. This matters less in St Helena, where you’re limited by the infrastructure, but will make all the difference if you plan on visiting other countries during your travels. ExpressVPN works with popular platforms like Netflix and allows up to five connections at once.
Users are kept safe with a combination of DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leak protection, 256-bit encryption, and a kill switch. You can also choose to allow specific apps to bypass the VPN, for instance, if you want the fastest possible download speeds and aren’t bothered about concealing your activities. Additionally, ExpressVPN doesn’t store any personally identifiable info and allows you to pay in Bitcoin for added anonymity.
ExpressVPN offers Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and MacOS apps. Additionally, its custom router firmware just had a facelift, making it easier than ever to protect your entire home network. Users can contact support staff, day or night, over email or live chat.
Pros:
- Ranked #1 for speed in our most recent tests
- More supported locations than any other major VPN
- Privacy-conscious provider
- Won’t be stopped by most regional restrictions
Cons:
- On the higher end of the pricing spectrum
Our score:
GREAT EVERYDAY VPN:ExpressVPN has everything you need to browse safely during your visit to St Helena. Also boasts truly exceptional speeds and fantastic streaming potential. If you’re still unsure, you can always take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our in-depth ExpressVPN review.
4. CyberGhost
CyberGhost has one of the largest networks around, with almost 7,000 servers in 91 countries. Needless to say, this gives you a lot of choice when it comes to accessing geo-restricted content. Notably, there are even specific servers optimized for torrenting and streaming. Speeds are generally decent, and up to seven simultaneous connections are permitted.
This service clearly values your privacy. Its dedicated IP system is set up so that even it doesn’t know which address you were assigned, and recent updates have added support for the security-focused Wireguard protocol. Additionally, there’s 256-bit encryption built-in, plus an always-on kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and an automatic tracking-blocker. CyberGhost doesn’t log any data that could identify you.
CyberGhost provides high-quality Android, Windows, iOS, MacOS, and Linux apps. You’ll have to follow manual setup instructions to get it working with supported routers, though. Users can contact customer support at any time over email or live chat.
Pros:
- Speedy servers in 90+ countries
- Highly versatile
- Puts your security first
- Very user-friendly
Cons:
- May not be customizable enough for advanced users
Our score:
NOVICE-FRIENDLY:CyberGhost goes the extra mile on security, but it remains extremely easy to use. Its high speeds, 45-day money-back guarantee, and huge network make it an appealing option for any traveler, whether you’re in St Helena or not.
For more details, read our complete review of CyberGhost.
5. IPVanish
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.IPVanish.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
IPVanish is a solid general-purpose VPN with lightweight apps and more than 1,600 servers spread across 60+ countries. One of its standout features is that it allows users to connect an unlimited number of devices; needless to say, this makes it an attractive option for large households. In January 2021, IPVanish upgraded its infrastructure to provide faster speeds. Further, it’s capable of unblocking platforms like Netflix US from abroad.
This VPN has a wealth of security tools built-in, including IPv6 and DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and 256-bit AES encryption. It also lets you scramble your OpenVPN traffic, which can help you access services that usually block VPN users entirely. IPVanish is a zero-logs provider, which means even it doesn’t know what you get up to while connected.
IPVanish comes with apps for MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. Linux systems and select routers are supported, but manual installation is required. There’s a 24/7 customer support help desk (live chat and email) in case you run into any problems.
Pros:
- Fast and reliable connections
- Pays particular attention to security and privacy
- No limit on number of devices you can connect
Cons:
- Doesn’t work with as many streaming services as others in this list
Our score:
BROWSE WITHOUT LIMITS:IPVanish is a solid choice for anyone who travels often thanks to its fast speeds and reliable servers. This VPN boasts an extremely powerful set of security tools, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and the ability to secure every device you own at once.
Why not read the full IPVanish review?
6. PrivateVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN is a reliable choice for anyone who travels regularly. Earlier this year, it expanded its network to offer around 200 servers in 63 countries. Additionally, it’s among the fastest we’ve tested, averaging 71Mbps (although your speeds will be far lower due to St Helena’s poor internet infrastructure). Users can connect up to six of their devices at a time.
This service has a lot to offer security-conscious travelers. First, there’s 256-bit encryption, and the option to reduce this to 128 bits for a small speed boost. Further, PrivateVPN offers a customizable kill switch, protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, and a stealth mode that can bypass all kinds of geographic restrictions. Better still, this VPN doesn’t store any logs at all.
PrivateVPN users can install apps for Linux, Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. Plenty of internet routers are supported, although these have to be configured manually. You can talk to support staff over live chat or email most (but not all) hours of the day.
Pros:
- Top-tier speeds
- Among the best at bypassing regional restrictions
- Powerful security features and a true zero-logs policy
Cons:
- Doesn’t have the largest network
- Support isn’t available 24/7
Our score:
IDEAL FOR TRAVELING:PrivateVPN is a reliable provider with consistently impressive speeds and top-tier unblocking capabilities. Additionally, it comes packed with powerful security and privacy tools. This no-log provider even offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our comprehensive PrivateVPN review.
7. Hotspot Shield
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Hotspotshield.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
Hotspot Shield has it all: reliable speeds, a large network (over 1,800 servers in 80+ countries), and impressive unblocking capabilities. It not only lets you access services like Spotify on St Helena, but can even unblock difficult services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer. As such, it’s an invaluable tool wherever you go. With a five-connection limit, you should be able to secure all of your most-used devices at the same time.
Here’s a service that is both easy to use and exceptionally secure. 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch keep your activities hidden at all times, and there’s even an automatic connection feature so you don’t forget to turn the VPN on while on public networks. This VPN recently added split tunneling functionality too, which is handy if you want to access geo-blocked services from two countries at once. Hotspot Shield refuses to log any data that could be traced back to you.
Hotspot Shield has apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Select routers are also supported, but you will have to install the service manually. Support staff are on-hand via live chat and email 24 hours per day just in case you need their help.
Pros:
- Boasts impressive speeds
- Secure yet easy to use
- Unblocks popular streaming services with ease
Cons:
- Has had privacy issues in the past
- Doesn’t accept cryptocurrency payments
Our score:
NO FUSS VPN:Hotspot Shield is capable of handling almost anything you throw at it. Provides stable, speedy connections and a great set of security tools. Also unblocks stubborn streaming services with ease and offers 24/7 support. Better still, there’s a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Hotspot Shield review.
How to protect yourself online in St Helena using a VPN
Despite what you might think, VPNs are really quite simple to use. Below is a quick two-minute guide to staying safe online in St Helena (or anywhere else abroad).
Here’s how to set up a VPN for St Helena:
- Begin by creating an account with one of the providers above (we recommend NordVPN)
- Next, download the app onto whichever devices you use most often. You can expect a five-connection limit on average, although this varies from one VPN to another.
- Login to the VPN and connect to any available server. Generally, the closer your chosen server is, the less impact it will have on your speed, so if possible, a South African server would be a good choice.
- Hit the Connect button, and that’s all there is to it — your online activities are now encrypted and safe from snoopers.
Using a VPN in St Helena: FAQs
Can I use a free VPN in St Helena?
We advise against using free VPNs at the best of times, but doing so is a particularly bad idea if you’re in St Helena. These services are notoriously slow, since their networks are often too small to cater to their huge user bases. St Helena’s internet speeds are already among the slowest in the world, and adding such a bottleneck would only compound this problem.
It’s worth asking yourself why you want to use a free VPN. If it’s to unblock geo-restricted services, you can do better. Free providers are usually the first to be blacklisted. If it’s for privacy, you may be overestimating how secure these services actually are; recent research indicates that almost 40% of free VPN apps come infected with malware, and nearly 20% fail to encrypt your data at all. Instead, we’d recommend checking out a service’s reputation, logging policy, and average speed, rather than basing your decision solely on price.
Are VPNs legal in St Helena?
VPNs are legal in most of the world, which is fortunate, since millions of citizens, journalists, and businesses rely on them on a daily basis. There are no laws specifically forbidding the use of a VPN in St Helena. This means that you have no reason to worry about getting into trouble unless you’re using one of these services for nefarious purposes.
What are the internet speeds like in St Helena?
In a word: slow. At the moment, the entire country’s population (around 4,500 people) share a single 40Mbps satellite connection. This is understandably a shock for international travelers, many of whom are used to having more than this amount of bandwidth for themselves alone.
Change is coming, though. Island residents will see a dramatic difference when Google finishes laying its 18Gbps undersea cable sometime in 2022. Assuming even half of this bandwidth is utilized, this represents a 2250% increase in download speeds, and will finally usher St Helena into the age of online streaming. Of course, service providers will have to expand here too; currently, Netflix is the only major streaming platform with a specific version of its website for St Helena.
Can I get an IP address from St Helena?
Currently, no major VPN has servers in St Helena, or even a virtual server that pretends to be on the island. However, you don’t actually need a St Helena IP address. This is because the country has an extremely limited selection of TV channels, and none of them are exclusive to St Helena. SuperSport, for instance, is available in many countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, while MTV can be accessed from anywhere with a US IP address.
L’article Best VPNs for St Helena in 2021 est apparu en premier sur Comparitech.
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