5 Best VPNs for Cuba (2026)

NordVPN - Best Overall for Privacy and Streaming in Cuba

Unblocking Capabilities

NordVPN tops this review because it’s the one VPN here that gets both halves of the Cuba problem right: it hides the fact that you’re using a VPN from a government that treats VPN use as dissent, and it’s fast enough to stream once you’re through.

Its network of 8,400+ servers in 167+ countries is second only to CyberGhost’s by raw count, but it covers far more countries than anything else on this list, so you’re never stuck on an overcrowded server.

Like CyberGhost, this VPN provider has specialty servers, including P2P-optimized options, for the fastest torrenting speeds.

Thus, you can easily unblock torrenting sites like Pirate Bay or RARBG and download files faster.

Some US streaming platforms you can access from Cuba with NordVPN include Apple TV+, Peacock TV, and Sling TV. This is made possible by NordVPN’s extensive server network of 2000+ US servers, the largest US footprint on this list. These shared servers make it harder for anyone to track your activities when you access blacklisted online resources.

The feature that matters most in Cuba, though, is NordVPN’s Obfuscated servers. They wrap your VPN traffic to look like regular HTTPS, so a government-controlled ISP that blocks or flags VPN connections sees nothing unusual. Pair them with the Double VPN servers, which encrypt your traffic twice, when you need maximum cover.

Both cost speed (obfuscation especially), so I use them for messaging and posting, then switch back to a regular server for streaming and torrenting.

Privacy From Heavy Surveillance

On top of its Obfuscated and Double VPN servers, NordVPN has a kill switch for IP and DNS leak protection. It kicks into action when the VPN connection drops, stopping the Cuban government or its state-run ISP, ETECSA, from deanonymizing you.

The VPN provider also uses AES 256-bit encryption that scrambles your live traffic to stop third parties like the government, hackers, or your ISP from viewing or monitoring what you do online.

Since every piece of your online traffic goes through your ISP’s servers, you can imagine the danger you’ll be in if you’re critical of the Cuban government without a VPN.

And because most Cubans get online through public WiFi parks, NordVPN’s Threat Protection is a welcome bonus. It blocks malicious sites and trackers before they load, and the Pro version (on the Plus plan and up) also scans downloads for malware.

The strict no-logs policy is another NordVPN advantage to keep your activities far from the wrong hands. No matter what you say online, or the websites you visit, NordVPN won’t store your digital footprint, erasing everything behind you.

Furthermore, since it’s located in Panama, this VPN service isn’t obligated to hand over your usage data to the Cuban government as it’s not within its jurisdiction.

Connection Speeds

NordVPN can give you amazing speeds, depending on the servers and protocols you use. Using the P2P servers and its exclusive NordLynx protocol, I averaged 28 Mbps, the second fastest after ExpressVPN and level with Surfshark.

Streaming 4K content or downloading huge files within minutes was a walk in the park with this Virtual Private Network. In fact, you’ll bypass speed throttling by the government-controlled ISPs, unlocking true streaming freedom.

The only time it slows down is on the Obfuscated and Double VPN servers, which is the price of the extra cover. Switch back to a regular NordLynx server when you’re done.

Device Compatibility + Customer Support

NordVPN has native apps for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS. Most Cubans use these major operating systems, meaning you can avoid internet censorship on the move.

It also allows up to ten simultaneous connections: not unlimited like Surfshark, but three more than CyberGhost and enough for a family or a small activist group.

Finally, NordVPN is cheaper than ExpressVPN, though Surfshark and PureVPN still undercut it.

Don’t let that discourage you. You get a 30-day money-back guarantee on top of these exclusive deals. So, grab one while they last.

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Surfshark - Best Value for Money With Unlimited Device Connections

Unblocking Capabilities

Surfshark is my runner-up, and the VPN I’d point a family or an activist group to: it’s the most affordable premium VPN on this list, and it’s the only one with unlimited simultaneous connections.

Its 4,500+ global servers in 100 countries are fewer than NordVPN’s or CyberGhost’s, and it doesn’t have specialty servers like those two, but it unblocked every streaming site and restricted website I tested.

For those that love catching up with the latest movies and shows from American streaming sites, Surfshark has over 600 US servers, providing you with plenty of unblocking options. The same applies to content from Europe, Africa, and Asia, where the provider has servers spanning 100 countries.

Privacy From Heavy Surveillance

Surfshark comes with AES 256-bit encryption, rendering your traffic useless to anyone trying to see what you’re up to. Without the deciphering keys, all a hacker, ISP, or the government will see is a gibberish text without any valuable information they can use against you.

Additionally, IP leak protection through an advanced kill switch (two for Android users) stops your IP address from being seen when your VPN connection drops. You’ll get re-connected to the internet once the VPN server re-establishes the connection, keeping you extra secure.

Surfshark also answers Cuba’s VPN-hostile network with two features of its own. Camouflage Mode obfuscates your traffic so your ISP can’t tell you’re on a VPN, and NoBorders mode automatically surfaces the servers that work best on restricted networks.

You can rest assured Surfshark won’t give your information to the Cuban government, even when it comes with all the warrants in the world.

Its strict no-logging policy means that nothing related to user activities is saved in any format. Thus, there won’t be anything to hand over, to begin with.

Connection Speeds

Surfshark is fast, and it was no surprise when it registered average speeds of 28 Mbps after testing 5 random servers, matching NordVPN and finishing just 1 Mbps behind ExpressVPN. This can handle 4K streaming, live streaming, torrenting, and sharing huge files without delays or buffering.

Two things contribute to these amazing speeds: the fast protocols (WireGuard and IKEv2), and the VPN keeps upgrading its servers to keep up with the growing user demand as more people turn to VPNs to deal with censorship.

Furthermore, Surfshark can work around speed throttling and any other type of interference from the government-run ISP, ETECSA.

So you can say goodbye to slow speeds or sudden disconnections without warning.

Device Compatibility + Customer Support

The VPN is compatible with Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS and comes with clean user interfaces that are perfect for newbies.

Surfshark is also the only VPN here that allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously.

This is exactly what activist groups, tourists, and travelers need to secure all their devices using the same subscription.

The price plans are also among the most affordable for anyone needing a premium VPN in Cuba.

Where Surfshark gives ground to NordVPN is reach and extras. NordVPN nearly doubles its server count, covers 67 more countries, and adds Double VPN, specialty P2P servers, and Threat Protection, all of which count for a lot when the whole internet is being filtered. For a family or an activist group that has to cover a lot of devices on a tight budget, though, Surfshark is the better fit.

Check out these amazing discounts to save more if Surfshark is your preferred choice, and test it under its 30-day money-back guarantee.

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CyberGhost - Largest Server Network With NoSpy Servers

Unblocking Capabilities

One of the major reasons for CyberGhost making this list is its vast server network. It has 9000+ servers, the most of any VPN here, which is ideal for preventing server overcrowding for potential millions of VPN users in a country like Cuba that’s blocked from virtually every online resource in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

These servers unblock streaming platforms like Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime without buffering. The same applies to music platforms like Pandora, iHeartRadio, or Qobuz from Europe.

In fact, activists fighting censorship can upload their content to any global website through the VPN without getting caught by the government.

Another helpful feature that would facilitate private internet access in Cuba is the specialty NoSpy servers owned and operated by CyberGhost.

They make you untraceable online, something activists and government dissidents will truly appreciate.

That said, the feature Cuba demands most is the one CyberGhost is missing: it has no obfuscation. On a network that actively looks for VPN traffic, NordVPN’s Obfuscated servers and Surfshark’s Camouflage Mode disguise your connection, while CyberGhost can’t. It also lacks a proprietary protocol like NordLynx and a Double VPN option, and it was slower than NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN in my tests.

Privacy From Heavy Surveillance

CyberGhost keeps you safe from ISP and government surveillance through a reliable kill switch that prevents accidental IP leaks anytime your VPN connection drops. This could save your life, considering what could happen if the government got hold of your real information as a critic.

The AES 256-bit encryption is another buffer that keeps any government snooping out of your business. There’s nothing the Cuban government can do to breach this because, without the deciphering keys, even the most powerful computer ever made wouldn’t leave a scratch.

Furthermore, a public WiFi protection feature works alongside encryption to hide your traffic when using government-controlled WiFi hotspots in public.

Don’t lose sleep over CyberGhost handing over your user data to the Cuban government, either. The VPN provider has a strict no-log policy, storing nothing about you after each session. With its headquarters in Romania, a non-surveillance country, you can rest easy knowing nothing can be traced to you.

Connection Speeds

CyberGhost is fast, largely due to the streaming and torrenting servers that optimize speeds over everything else. I averaged 27 Mbps using random US, UK, and South Africa servers. This is fast enough to handle 4K streaming without buffering and download files quickly without long waiting times, even if it trails the top three by a couple of Mbps.

For the best results, select the WireGuard protocol before connecting to the nearest speed-optimized servers.

Furthermore, CyberGhost’s connection is stable without data caps or bandwidth limitations. No matter how much speed throttling ETECSA applies, you can stream anything you want without being affected.

Device Compatibility + Customer Support

CyberGhost assures Cuban users of flexibility as it’s compatible with Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux. So you can stay connected from any device, even when you’re on the move.

In addition, you can connect up to 7 simultaneous devices.

That’s short of what NordVPN and Surfshark offer but functional for a small group of users who need a secure way to download torrents, get important information out, or travelers looking to stay safe in the country.

This VPN provider isn’t expensive either, and it’s the only one with a 45-day money-back guarantee for long-term plans. Check out these exclusive discounts while they still last to save more on your purchase.

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ExpressVPN - Fastest Streaming Speeds + Automatic Obfuscation

Unblocking Capabilities

ExpressVPN has the smallest server network on this list with 3000+ servers, but it makes up in quality where it lacks in quantity, and they’re spread across 113 countries.

The 3000+ servers can unblock anything you want from Cuba, but the real kicker comes from the automatic obfuscation that works with all protocols and servers without slowing down speeds.

So, you get to stream your favorite shows or download files at high speeds while getting cloaked from heavy surveillance, even the kind that blocks VPNs.

However, you only get 25 servers in the US, which is both bad and good:

It’s bad because the chances of landing on an overcrowded server are high, and, depending on different factors, can affect overall performance.

It’s good because a crowded server means you’re using shared IPs, making it hard for the Cuban government or your ISP to track you in a sea of hundreds of other users.

Privacy From Heavy Surveillance

First, a Network Lock kill switch shuts the internet down when the VPN connection drops. This prevents IP leaks, and the little inconvenience you may get is better than spending months in prison because you said something critical about the government on an exposed IP.

That’s not all.

ExpressVPN has state-of-the-art encryption that uses 256-bit keys to secure your live internet traffic. This keeps you safe and secure on public networks that the Cuban government constantly monitors.

Furthermore, ExpressVPN doesn’t share your data with anyone, thanks to a strict no-log policy. Sensitive information tied to you, like your IP address, browsing history, traffic destination, metadata, and DNS queries, will never see the light of day.

So, browse confidently without looking over your shoulder.

Connection Speeds

ExpressVPN has always been fast, and I registered average speeds of 29 Mbps over random servers worldwide. This is fast enough for speedy downloads and 4K streaming without buffering.

The VPN provider will also help you skirt speed throttling from Cuba’s state-run ISP, ETECSA, giving you the freedom to enjoy the fast internet you pay for.

Besides the constant server speed upgrades, ExpressVPN relies on its in-house Lightway UDP protocol, the fastest in its arsenal, to supply these fantastic speeds. Combine that with the closest servers around Cuba, and you’ll have the best browsing experience in such a restrictive environment.

Device Compatibility + Customer Support

Like all the other alternatives on this list, you can install ExpressVPN directly on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux, with up to 10 simultaneous connections on its Basic plan, matching NordVPN and PureVPN. That’s enough to secure every device in your possession and ensure you’re always using encrypted tunnels for all your online activities.

Unfortunately, ExpressVPN is costly, more than 2x what you’d pay for PureVPN. The good news is you don’t have to list your kidney on eBay to afford a subscription. We have these sweet discount deals you can take advantage of right now.

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PureVPN - Best for Live Streaming + WiFi Protection

Unblocking Capabilities

PureVPN is a secure VPN with one of the largest server networks here, at 6500+ servers, behind only CyberGhost and NordVPN. Of these, 1800+ are located in the US, so you can bypass censorship and unblock Hulu, HBO Max, Sling TV, Peacock, Amazon Prime, or Netflix, among many others.

PureVPN also has P2P and streaming servers and is particularly known for being very reliable in live streaming. You can catch NBA action with a US server or keep tabs on your favorite football team from the comfort of your beach house in Havana if you’re a European football fan like me.

Privacy From Heavy Surveillance

PureVPN is equipped with AES 256-bit encryption to ensure all your online activities are safely hidden behind an impenetrable wall that no hacker, ISP, or government agency can breach. If someone were to apply brute force hacking, it would take them billions of years to crack due to the sheer number of possible combinations.

In addition, you get a decent kill switch that takes care of accidental IP leaks whenever your VPN connection is interrupted. This ensures your online identity and any associated information aren’t leaked, holding the fort until the VPN connection is restored.

But where PureVPN truly excels is the Secure WiFi feature that protects you on public WiFi hotspots you may connect to like at ​​Hotel Deauville Habana or Ignacio Agramonte in Havana. Secure WiFi constantly scans any new WiFi you connect to, checking for potential hackers and traffic surveillance.

Otherwise, you may fall victim to hacking, man-in-the-middle, session hijacking, or phishing attacks.

Lastly, PureVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, like ExpressVPN, which isn’t part of any surveillance alliances. This means the VPN provider can’t be legally compelled to share your browsing history, actual IP address, or the DNS requests your devices send because the Cuban government doesn’t have jurisdiction in the BVI.

Connection Speeds

PureVPN registered 26 Mbps on my speed tests, just a little short of CyberGhost. But this is enough for 4K streaming, torrenting, and watching live events without buffering or lag. Additionally, the VPN doesn’t have data caps, so you don’t have to worry about ISP speed throttling.

It owes its speeds to constantly-upgraded servers to accommodate the growing needs of its clientele. The presence of fast protocols like WireGuard also ensures stable PureVPN connections to sustain prolonged usage without connection drops.

Device Compatibility + Customer Support

PureVPN can be installed on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux, so Cuban residents can secure preferred devices to counter government interference. Furthermore, the VPN allows 10 simultaneous device connections, level with NordVPN and ExpressVPN and second only to Surfshark’s unlimited plan, which is sufficient for a large user group.

It gets better.

This VPN service provider is one of the cheapest, with a 31-day money-back guarantee, the second longest after CyberGhost. Remember to grab these exclusive deals if this VPN service ticks all your boxes.

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