Best VPN Apps for Ethiopia in 2023

The Internet in Ethiopia is too restricted nowadays. Violation of user rights is not a new phenomenon here but a norm. Restrictions, blocking, and monitoring are habitual for this African country. Thus, a reliable VPN app is a must-have tool in the country.

​​ I’ve tested 70+ services to pick out the ones that work without the speed drop and leaks in Ethiopia. I’ve used the VPN spiral method during my tests.

Well, here’s what you’ll find out after reading over this article:

• Everything you need to know about restrictions in Ethiopia
• Best VPN apps that work in the country in 2022
• Functions a good VPN performs
• The full truth about free VPNs

Recommendation: While choosing a VPN for Ethiopia, pay attention to their protocols, methods of data encryption, security features (e.g. kill switch), and test results. It’s recommended to make use of a VPN free trial period before paying for a long-term plan and check if it suits you.

What’s the reason to use a VPN in Ethiopia?

In the lead up to the May 2015 elections the increased number of critical news and oppositional websites were blocked.

Six bloggers were arrested and charged with terrorism when two of them were unexpectedly released.

A university political science teacher who is known for his Facebook activism was arrested and sentenced with terrorism too. Besides, the Ethiopian diaspora of journalists was attacked with surveillance malware from hacking team.

Internet censorship in Ethiopia

Since the year of 2016 numerous social media platforms and services for communication have been undergoing blacklisting in Ethiopia.

Thus, in case one browses with an Ethiopian IP address, the following services will be inaccessible:

​Unfortunately, this is not the whole “story”. In case a website, a blog or a post contains material on forbidden topic, it will be banned as well.

Here are few examples of taboo topics for Ethiopia:

• LGBTI issues;
• critics towards politics;
• human rights organizations.

Monitoring in Ethiopia

Content restrictions are not the only problem of the Ethiopians. As “Human Rights Watch” reports the government spies on its citizens through ZTE gadgets.

Phone calls and messages are eavesdropped and recorded. In such a way, there is no means to communicate free.

All these facts make Ethiopian netizens subscribe for a reliable tool – VPN.

Comparison of the main features of VPN services for Ethiopia

Service	Ranking (out of 10)	Stealth level (out of 10)	Speed, Mbps	Country selection	Number of servers	Price (monthly)
ExpressVPN	10	9	>100	94	3000+	$6.67-12.95
Surfshark	10	10	>50	59	1700+	$2.49-12.95
NordVPN	10	10	>60	63	5100+	$3.30-11.95
CyberGhost	9	9	40-70	90	6400+	$2.25-12.99
Mullvad	9	9	40-65	36	660+	€5

The best VPN to use in Ethiopia

In this part of the article, I’ll tell you about the best VPNs that work in Ethiopia and cope with the tasks relevant to this country. I’ll pay attention to figures, functions, and test results.

​​ ExpressVPN

Main advantages

• 3000+ servers
• 94 countries
• 30-day refund
• 7-day free trial (Android)

 

Overview

ExpressVPN is the best VPN app for Ethiopia because it serves to overcome content restrictions and monitoring when using any device (even router). 4 reliable protocols protect your data, whereas IPs of 160 locations help to unblock any site or service.

Price

The table lists the ExpressVPN plans and prices

	1 month	6 months	1 year
Price (monthly)	$12.95	$9.99	$6.67
Money-back guarantee (days)	30	30	30

Conclusion

Despite lack of obfuscation, ExpressVPN unblocks any site No leaks were observed

 

Main advantages

• 1700+ servers
• 63 countries
• 30-day refund
• 7-day free trial

 

Overview

Despite its really low cost, Surfshark is one of the best VPNs for Ethiopia. And here’s why. The provider offers the feature of obfuscation. It means that it serves to unblock sites even in China. Also, HackLock and BlindSearch make subscribers hidden from the prying eyes.

Price

The table lists the Surfshark plans and prices

	1 month	6 months	2 years
Price (monthly)	$12.95	$6.49	$2.49
Money-back guarantee	30	30	30

Conclusion

The app is easy to set up and use Advanced security features serve to make users private and secure

 

 

Main advantages

• 5100+ servers
• 59 countries
• 30-day refund
• 7-day free trial (Android, iOS)

 

Overview

Having installed the NordVPN app on your device (by the way, 6 are allowed), no one can know what you do online. All your traffic passes through a reliably protected VPN tunnel. 

Price

The table lists the NordVPN plans and prices

	1 month	1 year	2 years
Price (monthly)	$11.95	$4.92	$3.29 (2022 Winter promotion)
Money-back guarantee	30	30	30

Conclusion

The VPN is compatible with any device and OS There are no troubles with speed, bandwidth, or data leaks

 

 

• 6400+ servers
• 89 countries
• 14-45-day refund
• 24-hour free trial

 

Overview

The level of security CyberGhost provides is high enough to be convinced nobody knows about your browsing history. Besides, servers in 90+ regions of the world allow unblocking any content.

Price

The table lists the CyberGhost VPN plans and prices

	1 month	1 year	2 years	3 years
Price (monthly)	$12.99	$3.99	$3.49	$2.25
Money-back guarantee	45	45	45	45

• 660+ servers
• 36 countries
• 30-day refund
• No free trial

 

Overview

This VPN is on the list of the best ones for Ethiopia because it has not only fast servers but also a unique Bridge mode. It’s a chain of 2 servers that provide 100% anonymity on the Internet.

Price

The table lists the Mullvad VPN plans and prices

	1 month
Price (monthly)	€5
Money-back guarantee	45

Conclusion

Two reliable protocols for your data protection The email is not required for the signup

Read more:

• Open full Mullvad review

FAQ

How does the best VPN for Ethiopia work?

The finest VPN for Ethiopia presents several functional possibilities aimed at your online protection while using the Internet in Ethiopia.

⇒ IP masking

⇒ Traffic encoding

⇒ Anonymous web browsing

⇒ Access to Ethiopian content being abroad

⇒ Ad-free Internet surfing

⇒ Private conversations

Is it legal to unblock VoIP apps with a VPN?

It’s legal to use VPNs. Besides, when using a reliable VPN, your activity won’t be tracked by the ISP. Although Google Talk, Skype, and other apps are blocked in the country (since 2012), VPN will help to change your IP and unblock the service.

Can I use a free VPN in Ethiopia?

It’s not recommended to use free VPNs because they are too limited in functions and can keep logs. It’s better to use cheap VPN apps.

Read also:

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