Is It Worth Setting Up an EC2 Instance in Asia for VPN Use?

Using services like Mullvad or Tailscale can be way easier than going through the trouble of setting up an EC2 instance. They generally cost under $10.

Have you checked other options like OVH or Hetzner? They can be cheaper alternatives for hosting.

I tried using an EC2 instance before, but it wasn't really cost-effective compared to a regular VPN. Plus, you have to pay for data transfer on top of the EC2 fees. For just a month, the price difference is minimal. If you're tech-savvy, you might want to look into setting up a Wireguard server or using Tailscale from your home base instead.

Honestly, a good VPN subscription costs around $5, so it might not be worth the trouble of setting up your own server. Have you considered something like Mullvad? It's a solid option without the hassle.

You can indeed set up a SOCKS proxy via SSH quickly, but keep in mind that many sites block IP ranges from cloud providers like AWS due to scraping activities. So, it might not work for all websites you need.

Setting up a Wireguard instance on a provider with free data egress, like OVH, is a great idea! Just make sure you really need an Asia-based server. Personally, I travel in Asia with my Canadian VPN, and it works just as well.

Just a side note, I find that using Wireguard on a Lightsail instance has been pretty seamless for my needs. Might be something to consider if you decide to go that route!

What's your main objective for using a VPN? Is it for accessibility, privacy, speed, or flexibility? That could influence your decision.