What's blocked in Laos
Facebook and YouTube work, but online criticism of the government is a crime and internet providers must report users' data.
- WhatsApp: Works
- Voice & video calls: Works
- Telegram: Works
- Signal: Works
- Discord: Works
- Facebook: Works
- Instagram: Works
- X (Twitter): Works
- TikTok: Works
- YouTube: Works
- Google: Works
- Works
- Age-gated
- Partly blocked
- Slowed down
- Blocked
App by app
None of the 71 apps we track is blocked or restricted in Laos right now.
Not offered in Laos
These companies don't sell their service here. That's a business or sanctions decision, not government censorship.
Working normally
Chat & calls
Social media
Video, TV & music
Games
Privacy & tools
The 3 VPNs that fit Laos
Our assessment, plus what visitors in Laos are reporting this week.
Picked for heavy censorship: each can disguise VPN traffic.
ExpressVPN
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Proton VPN
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
NordVPN
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Not sure about these three? See 3 more VPNs Surfshark, Private Internet Access and CyberGhost
Surfshark
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Private Internet Access
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
CyberGhost
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
We earn a commission if you buy a VPN through our links. It never changes what we report as blocked. How we pick and how we make money
What's going on
Laos ranks 154th of 180 in RSF's 2026 press freedom index. A 2014 decree extended prison penalties for criticising the government to internet users, news pages on Facebook must register with the state, and providers must report users' names and search histories. Laos cooperates with China on internet surveillance.
Before you connect: A VPN hides what you browse from local providers, which are required to log activity.
Is a VPN legal in Laos?
Legal with restrictions
VPN use is not specifically banned, but the state monitors internet use closely and punishes online criticism.
This is general information, not legal advice.
Questions people ask
Are any apps blocked in Laos?
None of the 71 apps we track is fully blocked in Laos right now. Facebook and YouTube work, but online criticism of the government is a crime and internet providers must report users' data.
Which streaming and online services are not available in Laos?
Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, JioHotstar, Peacock and BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India) are not offered in Laos. That is the companies' decision, often because of licensing or sanctions.
Is it legal to use a VPN in Laos?
Legal with restrictions. VPN use is not specifically banned, but the state monitors internet use closely and punishes online criticism.
Which VPN works in Laos?
Our picks for Laos are ExpressVPN, Proton VPN and NordVPN. Check the live votes on this page for this week's results.
Will a VPN work during an internet shutdown in Laos?
No. A VPN can get around blocks on specific apps and sites, but during a full shutdown there is no connection to the outside world for the VPN to use.
Report a block
Seeing something different in Laos? An editor reviews every report before the page changes.