Best China VPN: Services that will work in 2024

China, of course, has one of the most restrictive censorships in the world. Dubbed the Great Firewall, it’s a very complicated formula to get around if you need to use the internet privately.

If you’re a local, tourist, or in town for business, you need one of the most productive VPNs to access some of the world’s largest internet sites, including YouTube, Facebook, Netflix, and Wikipedia. Many lower-quality VPNs probably won’t cut it.

When opting for a Chinese VPN, you deserve to prioritize a feature called “obfuscated servers. ” This basically means that the VPN app can hide the fact that you are a VPN. This gives you the most productive chance to escape the Great Firewall. and we deserve to provide you with access to an open and flexible Internet.

At Tom’s Guide, we tested dozens of VPNs. Below are the ones we tested that are the most productive options possible for China. Choose from our 3 most sensible picks or take an in-depth look at all the contenders.

All of the VPNs below have a proven track record of evading Chinese censorship. Of the many VPNs I’ve reviewed, those are the providers I consider to be true with the most for accessing content, however, when it comes to China in particular, there are no guarantees. However, one way to improve your luck is to install your VPN on your devices before you leave home. Some VPN sites are blocked by Chinese authorities, so it’s imperative to get them up and running before you leave. .

Best overall Chinese VPN

✔️ You need simple VPN servers in China: Setting up NordVPN in China is as simple as setting it up anywhere else, especially thanks to its friendly visitor support.

✔️ You need a solid privacy package: NordVPN goes beyond privacy, with excellent ad blocking, malware protection, and built-in antivirus at no additional cost.

✔️ You need Netflix everywhere: As the most productive Netflix VPN, Nord unblocks all Netflix libraries and even more specialized places like Japan, in all countries.

❌ You’re a big torrent: NordVPN is perfectly capable of protecting P2P traffic, although other VPNs offer a better experience.

❌ You need an undeniable mobile interface: North’s map-style interface may be fun to look at, but it’s not the simplest to use, especially on Android and iOS devices.

NordVPN is my number one VPN overall, and as a Chinese VPN, it can’t be beaten as well. With a next-generation VPN protocol like NordLynx, an advisor on how to manually set up your VPN (if it comes down to it), and incredible unblocking capabilities, NordVPN is a wonderful choice.

In my expert NordVPN review, I explored the service’s strong DNS leak protection, its dual kill switches, and its incredible connection speeds via the secure NordLynx protocol. Additionally, for those traveling or living in China, it is the most productive option to escape surveillance. and censorship.

Obfuscated servers and a variety of fully automated protocols mean that Nord makes it undeniable to set up your VPN. If you’re in China, you’ll find it and apply the settings that are most suitable for connecting.

You’ll be able to watch the full diversity of streaming media, from Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Prime Video to Disney Plus, Hulu, and YouTube. Nord’s more than 5000 servers will allow you to connect to a server that is quite close to anywhere. in China.

With a maximum speed of over 950 Mbps, Nord is one of the fastest VPNs I’ve tested. However, since you only need 20 Mbps to stream HD content and the average web speed in China is around 90 Mbps, it arguably doesn’t make the biggest difference; However, it’s smart to know that you have a lot of speed. Up.

Something I noticed in my last round of testing is the fact that Nord has a particularly superior server network. While it was once behind the festival with only 60 circular countries served, there are now 110 countries with server spots available. It’s now comparable to ExpressVPN and Surfshark, and that gives me one less thing to complain about.

Meshnet works like a LAN and allows you to connect up to 60 devices securely. This makes sharing logs, playing multiplayer, and engaging with your co-workers safer, while the new Threat Protection Pro tool adds new levels of antivirus. such as coverage with automatic filtering of suspicious URLs, malware and phishing scams.

There is also a rich database of guides and tutorials available on the website that deserve to be more than enough to solve maximum problems. For additional support, 24/7, live and via email deserve to be effective.

NordVPN offers 10 simultaneous connections, which is appropriate compared to five from its big rival, Chinese VPN Astrill. If you want a VPN that covers unlimited devices on a single plan, you have value in Surfshark. However, if you’re looking for a VPN for China with tons of extra features at a moderate price, NordVPN is your most productive option, and as you’d expect, there’s a 30-day guarantee in case you’re not a fan.

Premium is amazing in China

✔️ You need a secure VPN: With regular audits and a proven no-logs policy, ExpressVPN is by far the most productive security cash you can buy, making it our number one pick overall.

✔️ You need a VPN you don’t have to keep an eye on: ExpressVPN’s auto-connect feature means you only have to connect to the VPN once.

✔️ You need global access: Unlike NordVPN, ExpressVPN has servers in 160 locations in 105 countries, including Hong Kong, India, Pakistan and Taiwan, which means there is a server nearby whether you are in China or elsewhere.

❌ You’re on a tight budget: ExpressVPN is really cheap and is almost 3 times more expensive than Surfshark, my top budget VPN.

❌ You need a built-in antivirus: ExpressVPN is very secure and even offers a free password manager; however, if you’re looking for an on-premises antivirus solution, opt for Nord.

ExpressVPN is easy to use for those looking for a VPN for the first time, but it also has plenty for experts. It’s fast, wonderful for unlocking content, and there are few features more wonderful when it comes to security. For travelers who need the internet they know at home, this is a wonderful option.

In my hands-on review of ExpressVPN, I found it to be one of the most productive providers I’ve tested overall, and it’s also known for operating in China.

The fact that no servers run through ExpressVPN in mainland China means that the service is not subject to domestic company data processing legislation and as such can also ensure that it does not store any identifiable data, ideal if it is necessary. to be sure that your activity remains absolutely private.

Express has servers in a wide variety of locations (160), including Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Mongolia, China’s neighboring countries. No matter where you are in China, you’ll easily find a nearby server for performance.

Unlike its archrival Astrill, which I’ll return to below, ExpressVPN excels in streaming, seamlessly unblocking all the platforms I offer: foreign catalogs Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer and more. However, NordVPN does the same thing for a lower cost.

You don’t have to worry about accidental data leaks thanks to ExpressVPN’s rugged kill switch. Your activity will remain personal even if your VPN connection is interrupted.

Threat Manager provides even more security and anonymity by preventing apps or internet sites on your device from tracking your activity and sharing with third-party companies.

All of ExpressVPN’s apps, whether on Android or macOS, are beginner-friendly and have simple, easy-to-use interfaces. A single click on the app’s home screen will identify a connection, and an auto-connect feature will allow you to set up the VPN and: you’ll always be connected to a secure ExpressVPN server.

Overall, ExpressVPN is one of the safest VPNs for users in China, with special add-ons and essentials like 256-bit AES encryption, RAM-only servers, and an audited no-logging policy.

Although it is more expensive than NordVPN or Surfshark, it is almost part of Astrill’s value and is one of the most productive services in the world. If you’re looking for a super easy way to escape Chinese censorship, ExpressVPN is a great option.

China VPN expensive, but the most reliable

✔️ You need a compromised VPN for China: Astrill VPN has tons of privacy and anonymity features from China that will keep you safe from the blocks imposed by the Chinese government.

✔️ Better Security: Astrill VPN comes with two kill switches and a traditional smart/stealth VPN mode for connecting in China. There’s also port forwarding and a multi-hop VPN.

✔️ You need a configurable VPN: Astrill’s desktop app is highly configurable, and fortunately, technical users can spend a lot of time exploring the features and settings.

❌ You need a cheap VPN: Astrill is one of the most expensive VPNs I’ve reviewed; make sure you can.

❌ You need to stream content: Astill doesn’t unlock anything, it’s as undeniable as that. If this is a priority for you, opt for NordVPN or ExpressVPN.

❌ You need a money-back guarantee: Astrill does not offer a money-back guarantee and offers a 7-day free trial.

Astrill VPN is a beloved yet popular Chinese VPN that is known for respecting privacy in this restrictive country thanks to its internal generation of obfuscation, and that is its main point of promotion. If you want to access global streaming sites, this is a very smart choice.

Astrill VPN is one of the most well-liked providers I’ve reviewed, but when it comes to bypassing Chinese restrictions, it’s one of the most trusted and trusted VPNs. consistent with the market.

Astrill VPN has a proprietary protocol on Stealth VPN that specializes in evading the Great Firewall’s two strictest censorship methods: Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) and Firewall Blocks. Stealth VPN is more reliable at evading detection than the more usual OpenVPN and WireGuard. protocols.

Deep packet inspection is the procedure of examining data packets as they pass through a checkpoint on the network and is one of the most effective tactics for detecting VPN usage. Astrill’s ability to escape this is commendable.

Another feature that makes Astrill VPN an option for users in China is its Smart Mode. Instead of assigning you a foreign IP address that is very easy for governments to block, Smart Mode assigns you a regional IP address. This helps you in two ways: you get the fastest possible speeds, which wouldn’t be the case with a foreign IP, and secondly, you can seamlessly stream local TV and news channels in China.

Now, you may need more security for yourself – that’s where Astrill’s multi-hop feature comes into play. This routes your traffic through an additional VPN server so that anyone who wants to track your activities will lose track, and while this is probably overkill in peak situations, it provides added peace of mind.

However, there are some drawbacks. First of all, Astrill VPN is mediocre as a streaming VPN – in my hands-on review of Astrill VPN, I was only able to access American Netflix, while BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and Disney were completely blocked. Not great, considering competitors like NordVPN and Surfshark can unblock just about anything under the sun. Both providers are also much less expensive than Astrill VPN.

Astrill also has relatively few servers (around three hundred), which means that in peak periods you may end up with slower connections.

However, for those who really depend on their Chinese VPN to integrate with local IP addresses and bypass all kinds of blocks used by the Chinese government, this is probably the most effective VPN for the job, and it is widely recommended on the forums. and Reddit, which can only be a smart thing. Just make sure you can do it.

Fast as a shark and as hidden as a shark

✔️ You need unlimited connections: You can protect as many devices as you need, adding friends and family, with a single Surfshark account.

✔️ You’re a fast VPN: With average speeds of over 950 Mbps, Surfshark emerged as one of the fastest providers in my recent test circular.

✔️ You need a cheap VPN: Surfshark is without a doubt the solution. Enjoy unlimited connections, servers in over a hundred countries, and the fastest speeds in the industry for just a fraction of the value of other VPNs.

❌ Needs solid security: While decent, Surfshark removal transfer has potential issues as it adds leaks under excessive pressure, so if you’re a privacy purist, opt for NordVPN or ExpressVPN.

❌ You need a VPN for torrenting: While Surfshark supports torrenting, it’s just as smart as ExpressVPN or PIA.

Surfshark is your most productive option for a Chinese VPN if you’re on a budget. It’s incredibly fast, allows unlimited simultaneous connections, and unlocks content easily. Death transfer is a hit or miss case but still decent. You can get it for less than $2. 50 per month, with a 30-day money back guarantee.

Surfshark, founded in the Netherlands, is my favorite reasonable VPN and is also a smart choice for those traveling to China. With charmingly undeniable interfaces, its mobile and desktop apps, which ranked high in my specialized Surfshark review, are incredibly undeniable to use and offer perfect performance.

However, that doesn’t mean it lacks power. Although not as configurable as ExpressVPN, Surfshark provides wonderful security thanks to strong encryption, a host of other protocols, a handy kill switch, and split tunneling. There’s also a double jump and the NoBorders feature combined with Camouflage mode allows you to unlock content in China.

Camouflage mode gives your VPN traffic the appearance of a normal web connection by cutting off all VPN traces. This makes it less difficult to overcome content restrictions, since the Chinese government may not be able to monitor your activities.

The exclusive NoBorders mode is designed in particular to increase maneuverability in very limited spaces such as China, and is analogous to what other suppliers call “obfuscation”. If the Surfshark app on your device detects restrictions on your existing connection, it will allow you to go without borders – it will give you a list of servers that can bypass those restrictions, ensuring that you enjoy a fancy connection. Browsing VPN connection.

I tried the delete transfer on all supported devices and it worked exactly as I expected on most of them. However, when taken to the extreme, the Windows deletion transfer leaked; However, this is a scenario that is highly unlikely to occur in the genuine world.

Surfshark is also a very fast kit, and thanks to its unlimited simultaneous connections policy, you’re sure to be able to cover any device you have, whether for some inexplicable reason you’ve taken a dozen phones on vacation to China or you need to cover all of your family’s devices with the Great Firewall. This way you will get your money’s worth.

As one of the most productive cheap Chinese VPNs, Surfshark offers just the right value for money, and if you’re willing to lack some complex features found on Nord or Express, there’s nothing better, including speeds, unblocking, and super VPNs. . . Friendly Surfshark Visitor Support. There is also a one-month money back guarantee, so you can check it out before committing to it.

Small provider’s stealth VPN technology works in China

✔️ You need compromised servers for China: TorGuard has “Asian-optimized” servers for those in China. The top generation of Stealth VPN protects your VPN traffic from governments and hackers.

✔️ You want a highly configurable VPN: TorGuard has many customizable options and you can configure your VPN connection exactly how you want.

❌ You need a VPN that’s easy to use – many setups are smart for some, but they might prove too bulky for beginners.

❌ You have a VPN for streaming: TorGuard is very poor at bypassing geo-blocking on streaming platforms.

❌ You need a reasonable VPN: TorGuard is appreciated for the features it offers, and I would recommend the maximum to approve with Surfshark or NordVPN.

TorGuard does a job when it comes to keeping your VPN connection untraceable in China, but it suffers when it comes to streaming and isn’t very ideal for beginners either. It’s available in just 50 countries, and its higher-value tag makes it a tough pick compared to features like Surfshark and NordVPN.

Like Astrill, you may not see TorGuard in my other guides, but it’s a great option when it comes to acting as a Chinese VPN. It uses Astrill-like Stealth VPN generation to disguise your VPN traffic as normal Internet traffic and give you unlimited Internet access when you are in China.

You can choose one of its many Stealth VPN servers from the app. I propose “Optimized for Asia” for the most productive experience, as those servers can work on all popular ISPs, such as ChinaTelecom, ChinaUnicom, and Taiwan’s HiNet. It seems that the provider is also updating its apps to include the help of Chinese VPN, and that can only be a smart thing to do.

While the more than 3000 servers are more than decent and almost on par with ExpressVPN and Surfshark, TorGuard is offered in around 50 countries, making it the smallest VPN on the list.

For everyday use, TorGuard is also very good. In my TorGuard review, it matched Surfshark in terms of connection speeds, at 950 Mbps when WireGuard is employed.

However, if you’re looking for a VPN to unblock streaming content, TorGuard is rarely the right choice – I couldn’t access any premium streaming site, BBC iPlayer, once I logged in.

That said, TorGuard does offer a paid add-on that works best for streaming, but for its price, I expected more: ExpressVPN and NordVPN are still my top picks for streaming.

It should be noted that in order to reliably escape the firewall, you will need to configure TorGuard according to your needs.

While this type of setup is a plus for tech-savvy people, those new to VPNs might have problems. The interface is also chaotic and clunky, definitely not practical for beginners.

Overall, TorGuard is a very useful VPN committed to unblocking the Internet in China. Their 7-day money-back guarantee is rarely as generous as the others, but you can at least check it out before you commit.

Since many VPNs don’t work in China, simply going online as a China VPN is a useful first step.

The Great Firewall of China is constantly evolving, meaning it is more capable of tripping and banning VPNs. In addition, the Chinese government imposes strict measures to keep other people away from certain sites, services, and platforms.

I propose that you go through a VPN that has obfuscation (masking) technology that will help you escape this censorship. Obfuscation hides the fact that you’re a VPN, so to any snooper, your encrypted connection will look like general traffic.

DNS leak coverage and a reliable delete transfer are also a must. If you rely on your VPN to keep your virtual footprint private, you may not need to unknowingly reveal non-public information. DNS leak coverage ensures that you won’t leave behind an identifiable ID. trace on the web. It will trigger a kill transfer and cut off your internet connection if the VPN goes down, preventing your original IP address from being leaked.

Next, I highly recommend looking for a service with 24/7 live chat support. If you have any problems with your Chinese VPN, you will be able to contact your provider and they deserve to be able to fix your problem. It’s also worth finding a cash-back guarantee, as no VPN can guarantee a one hundred percent good luck rate in the country. If that fails, at least you’ll get your money back.

When reviewing ExpressVPN, the provider checked all of those boxes, which is why it is indexed here. However, for many, the most productive Chinese VPN will be Astrill VPN. Although their apps are not as polished as those of the big names, they are highly and widely regarded as one of the most productive for getting online in China.

NB: I highly recommend signing up and installing a VPN before boarding the plane to China. Once there, you’ll likely find that your provider’s app is blocked and the app has disappeared from your app store.

When it comes to opting for a server, you will want to choose one located as close to your actual location as possible. This means your knowledge doesn’t have to travel as far and ensures you get the most productive speeds imaginable and a reliable connection.

However, if you are in China, this can be a complicated task. The country is huge and, as a result, your closest server is on the other side of the border.

For example, if you are looking for a VPN for Hong Kong, ExpressVPN has local servers that will work perfectly for you. However, if you are miles away from Xinjiang, you are better off joining a server in India. , Pakistan or Mongolia, as they will be closer, more stable and offer higher speeds.

When it comes to recommending a product that users will likely accept as valid in each and every byte of their online life, I need to be sure that my possible options are correct and well-tested.

Unlike some sites, we don’t just roll out a whitepaper and declare the vendor with the most impressive claims the winner. Instead, we have a committed internal team that connects with all indexed providers (and more).

Every 6 months, after we’ve scoured the online page for new claimed features or policy changes, we sign up for a plan and install it on a variety of devices. The Windows app undergoes the most rigorous testing and this is where we’ll review to break the kill switch, make sure any leak coverage is working properly, and measure connection speeds.

Other apps, such as VPN for Mac, VPN for iPhone, and VPN for Android, are also fully tested, and we’ll check all the settings available in each app to make sure it works as promised by the provider.

As we use the apps, if something behaves strangely, we’ll investigate. We may simply dig into the source code or look at the contents of your RAM. It is also at this general use level where we make decisions about aesthetics. and usability: they are certainly more subjective.

Next are the transmission controls. We’ll check both VPNs against all the major streaming sites from various locations to make sure it works as advertised. Since Netflix remains incredibly popular and problematic when it comes to VPNs, we checked the biggest providers one month and two months. to make sure my recommendations remain relevant.

To be more informed, I’ve explained precisely how we check VPNs.

The short answer is yes, if it is the right provider. In recent months, the Chinese government has taken some serious action against VPNs, and some old favorites like ExpressVPN and NordVPN have started to get into trouble.

We’ve kept those vendors on this list for the time being and are tracking their performance. However, we present our provider Astrill VPN if you need to be safe.

Censorship, content blocking, and severe restrictions are the nightmare of the virtual world, and in China they are not unusual practices. The Chinese government has infamously celebrated access to a ton of popular sites, ranging from social media to communication platforms. As a result, it’s much more complicated to keep in touch with people who enjoy it and stay up to date with the latest news.

The Chinese government also uses invasive surveillance to detect VPN traffic, such as deep packet inspection (DPI).

Fortunately, a VPN can put an end to this surveillance and defeat censorship, helping you access the internet without restrictions. Connecting to a VPN server encrypts your traffic and provides you with a new transient IP address, so feel like you’re living somewhere else. . As a result, governments, ISPs, and hackers may not be able to see what you’re doing online.

There are free VPNs on the market, such as Hotspot Shield, but while they’re great for infrequent and occasional use, they all come with some restrictions.

Almost all of them have a monthly or monthly knowledge limit, which will cut your connection when it runs out. Some slow you down, while others inject classified ads and possibly even sell you knowledge, which contradicts the main explanation of why others. people opt for a VPN first.

If you’re going to be using your VPN for more than a few minutes a day, we highly recommend opting for a paid version. When you can get unlimited service from a provider like Surfshark for less than $2. 50 per month, there’s no explanation as to why. to contain yourself with a loose version.

China has banned VPNs, removing all VPN apps from the Chinese Apple Store, but you still need them. For companies to securely share data outside of China, VPNs are commonly used and since China does not need to curb foreign industry and growth, making VPNs absolutely illegal would not make sense.

Instead, the country said that web and telecom corporations will have to download government approval before VPNs for cross-border approval purposes.

A personal VPN user was fined 1,000 yuan ($145) in January 2019. While this is an example, it can’t realistically work on a national scale, so use a Chinese VPN at your own discretion as the threat is minimal but real.

If you’re not Chinese, many sites that you’re likely to use in a basic way will be blocked.

The list of banned sites is incredibly long and includes: Google, YouTube, Twitter, Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, Gmail, Twitch, BBC, NY Times, Dropbox, Slack, Etsy, and Steam. Plus, almost every single adult site you can think of is also blocked.

We verify and review VPN installations in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Access a service from some other country (subject to the terms and situations of that service). 2. Protect your online security and online privacy abroad. We do not support or tolerate illegal or malicious use of VPN facilities. Consumption of paid pirated content is not endorsed or endorsed by Future Publishing.

Mo is the VPN editor at Tom’s Guide. On a daily basis, he monitors VPN, privacy, and cybersecurity content, and also conducts independent testing of VPN installations to make sure his recommendations are accurate and up-to-date. When you’re not stuck in the details of a VPN you’ve never heard of, locate it by running around in your Peugeot 205 GTi or watching Peep Show instead of setting up those shelves.

Tom’s Guide is from Future US Inc. , a foreign media organization and leading virtual publisher. Visit our corporate website.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply