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Best VPN for China in 2023 (Only 5 VPNs Still Work)

January 5, 2023 By Sven Taylor — 15 Comments
best VPN for China

With growing restrictions and the inability to reach common websites, many people are looking for the best VPN for China to restore online freedom and privacy. Whether you are in Shanghai or Beijing, we’ll give you everything you need to know for using a VPN in China – without getting blocked.

Important Note: Most VPNs in China are blocked due to advanced censorship efforts that utilize deep packet inspection (DPI). Thankfully, there are five VPNs that still work to defeat these VPN blocks and easily get around the Great Firewall in China and allow you to access your favorite websites. Even with the latest round of VPN blocks, the China VPNs in this guide are still working right now.

These are the five VPNs that are currently working in China:

nordvpn cheap

NordVPN Review

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Surfshark VPN Review

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VyprVPN

VyprVPN Review

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VPN.ac Review

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ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN Review

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So what can you do with a VPN for China?

  1. Easily break through the Great Firewall and access any online content you want.
  2. Get around China’s VPN restrictions by using obfuscation measures. (Even though China restricts most VPNs, it is generally legal to utilize a VPN for personal use.)
  3. Keep your data and browsing activities secure, safe, and private from third parties. (China monitors all online activity, but a VPN will encrypt your traffic and conceal your online activities from snooping eyes.)

Not another useless “VPN for China” guide: Having lived and worked in Shanghai, I personally know how frustrating the Great Firewall can be. I have researched and tested all of the most popular VPNs over the past 6+ years, and I know the best ways to use a VPN in China. This guide will give you everything you need to know, with step-by-step instructions for each of the recommended China VPN services.

Which VPN is best for China?

The best VPN for China that consistently works and gets through the Great Firewall is NordVPN. NordVPN has a large selection of obfuscated VPN servers, that you can easily use when you are in China. Simply open the NordVPN app and connect to one of these servers to get through the Great Firewall.

We will cover the best VPNs for China in detail below, before moving on to answer frequently-asked-questions about using a VPN in China.

IMPORTANT: Before you get to China, be sure to download and install your VPN service on all the devices you want to use. This is because VPN websites will be completely blocked in China, therefore limiting your access and ability to purchase any VPN subscription.

Here are the best VPNs for China that are working right now:

NordVPN – Best VPN for China that works in 2023

VPNNordVPN
Based inPanama
LogsNo logs (audited)
Price$2.99/mo.
Support24/7 live chat
Refund30 days
WebsiteNordVPN.com
NordVPN

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If you want a VPN that consistently works in China, but is not too expensive, NordVPN is the best choice. This VPN is regularly one of the top-ranked VPN services in many different categories. NordVPN offers a large selection of apps for different devices and also allows up to six simultaneous connections. It works great if you need a reliable VPN for streaming, which is a popular hobby for travelers in China.

NordVPN also offers some great privacy and security features, such as Tor-over-VPN servers, double-VPN servers, and even a split tunneling feature to route certain apps or traffic outside the VPN. It has a VPN ad blocking feature called CyberSec that blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing domains. All NordVPN apps come with built-in leak protection settings to ensure your real IP address and browsing history remains protected when you are surfing the web in China.

One of the biggest advantages you get with NordVPN is excellent performance, which is provided by the WireGuard VPN protocol. WireGuard is an open source protocol that delivers much faster speeds than other VPN protocols along with upgraded security. In recent speed tests for the NordVPN vs IPVanish comparison, we were able to get download speeds of 445 Mbps with NordVPN servers in Seattle:

fast VPN speeds in China
NordVPN is the fastest VPN for China we have tested to date.

Note: You will most likely not get VPN speeds in China that are this fast. And that is because China has really slow internet — as we’ll explain further below.

NordVPN is strategically based in Panama, which is a safe privacy-friendly jurisdiction. It is one of the few no-logs VPN services that has been audited and verified by third parties. NordVPN has also passed a security audit conducted by Versprite. Lastly, all servers in NordVPN’s network run in RAM-disk mode without hard drives, giving users a higher level of data security.

NordVPN’s obfuscation features (Stealth VPN) allow you to easily get through the Great Firewall and Chinese internet restrictions. They also have a huge selection of Obfuscated servers in their network, giving you lots of choices in Asia or abroad. The total network comprises of 5,500+ servers in 59 countries. They also offer lots of P2P servers, which makes this one of the best VPNs for torrenting.

How to use NordVPN in China

To use NordVPN in China, follow these simple steps:

  1. Go to the NordVPN website and sign up for a subscription (use the coupon below for the best prices).
  2. Download the NordVPN apps for the devices you want to use in China.
  3. Enter your login credentials in the app.
  4. Enable the obfuscated servers by going to: Settings > Show advanced settings > “I know what I am doing” > Obfuscated Servers (toggle to On).
  5. Now connect to one of the Obfuscated Servers by clicking on the Servers tab, then connecting automatically to the fastest VPN server with one click, or manually select a server location.
  6. Enjoy using NordVPN in China.
VPN that works in China

In the image above, you can see that we are using NordVPN’s Obfuscated Servers. These are the VPN servers you will want to use when in China.

+ Pros

  • User-friendly and reliable apps
  • Double-VPN and Tor-over-VPN servers
  • No logs (audited twice)
  • Strong encryption standards with full support for WireGuard
  • Works with Netflix and many other streaming services
  • Threat Protection feature to block ads, trackers, and malware domains
  • 24/7 live chat support
  • Dedicated RAM-servers with 10 Gbps bandwidth channels

– Cons

  • Big discounts only available with long-term subscriptions

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See the new and updated NordVPN review for more info and test results.


Surfshark VPN – Cheap VPN for China that works well

VPNSurfshark
Based inThe Netherlands
LogsNo logs
Price$2.30/mo.
Support24/7 live chat
Refund30 days
WebsiteSurfshark.com
Surfshark VPN

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Next up on our list of the best VPNs for China is Surfshark VPN. This VPN offers lots of features, user-friendly and reliable VPN apps, a very secure server network, and incredible speeds with the WireGuard VPN protocol.

Surfshark gives you all this plus unlimited connections with your subscription. It is also the cheapest VPN on this list of China VPNs and is only $2.99/month with the coupon below. Our speed tests with Surfshark were also great. We were able to hit 397 Mbps download speeds with Surfshark using the WireGuard protocol and Surfshark servers in the US.

Surfshark also boasts a large network of 3,200+ servers located in 100 countries., which is on par with ExpressVPN and IPVanish. Like NordVPN, Surfshark runs all servers in RAM without hard drives, making it impossible to store logs on any server. Surfshark offers secure browser extensions and has also passed third-party audits. This makes it one of the best VPNs for Chrome.

If you need a reliable VPN for streaming, Surfshark is hard to beat. It officially unblocks 15+ Netflix regions and even offers a dedicated streaming app if you need a VPN for Firestick. And with access to BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, and more, Surfshark delivers access to your favorite content, wherever you happen to be located in the world.

Surfshark also has a specific feature called NoBorders that allows this VPN to work in China, when other VPNs are getting blocked. Here’s how to use it.

How to use Surfshark VPN in China

  1. Go to the Surfshark website and sign up for a subscription.
  2. Download the Surfshark apps for the devices you want to use in China.
  3. Enter your login credentials into the VPN app.
  4. Enable the NoBorders feature by going to: Settings > Advanced > NoBorders (toggle to On).
  5. With the NoBorders feature activated, you can go about using the VPN as normal.
  6. Enjoy using Surfshark VPN in China.
VPN into China
The Surfshark NoBorders feature will allow you to use the VPN in China.

+ Pros

  • Unlimited connections
  • User-friendly apps for all devices and operating systems
  • CleanWeb feature to block ads, trackers, and malware
  • Works great with Netflix and many other streaming services
  • 24/7 live chat support
  • Strong encryption and security features (audited)

– Cons

  • Limited support for VPN routers
  • Average OpenVPN speeds (use WireGuard)

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Check out the Surfshark VPN review for more info.


VyprVPN – Fast and secure VPN to get through the Great Firewall in China

VPNVyprVPN
Based inSwitzerland
LogsNo logs (audited)
Price$5.00/mo.
Support24/7 live chat
Refund30 days
WebsiteVyprVPN.com
VyprVPN Review 2022

Another great option is VyprVPN, a safe, secure, and reliable VPN for China. VyprVPN utilizes an advanced obfuscation method that they call the Chameleon protocol. This is a self-developed OpenVPN protocol that obfuscates all VPN traffic to look like regular HTTPS encryption. When you use the Chameleon protocol with the VyprVPN apps, you’ll be able to easily get through the Great Firewall.

Do you want to stream media from China? Look no further. VyprVPN is a great VPN for Hulu, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and many other services. And it gives you excellent speeds, so buffering won’t be a problem.

VyprVPN is also unique in that they physically own all servers in their network (no rental servers from third parties). This provides VyprVPN users with excellent security and fast speeds. VyprVPN recently updated their network infrastructure and I’ve found speeds and reliability to be good. We were able to hit speeds over 300 Mbps in our tests:

vpn server china speeds

VyprVPN offers custom apps for Windows, Mac OS, iOS, Android, and routers. All VyprVPN subscription plans come with a 30 day money-back guarantee.

How to use VyprVPN in China

Here are step-by-step instructions for how to use VyprVPN in China:

  1. Go to the VyprVPN website and sign up for a subscription.
  2. Download the VyprVPN apps for the devices you want to use.
  3. After you download the apps and log in with your account credentials, go to Options/Preferences > Protocol > then select Chameleon for the VPN protocol. (This is the obfuscation/stealth VPN feature.)
  4. Then connect to the fastest server, or pick a server location from the map.
  5. Enjoy using VyprVPN in China and getting through the Great Firewall.
VPN China 2022

+ Pros

  • Secure applications with strong encryption
  • Excellent speeds with all servers tested
  • Full WireGuard support directly in VPN apps
  • Chameleon protocol (obfuscation)
  • Entirely self-owned server network
  • User-friendly apps for many devices/platforms
  • Based in Switzerland with an audited no-logs policy

– Cons

  • Requires name for registration
  • No cryptocurrency payment options
  • Above-average prices
  • Fewer features than some other leading VPNs
Get Started with VyprVPN here >>

See our VyprVPN review for more details and test results.


VPN.ac – Fast and secure VPN for China

NameVPN.ac
LocationRomania
Price$3.75/mo.
LogsNo logs
SupportEmail
WebsiteVPN.ac
VPN.ac

Next up on our China VPN list is VPN.ac, a security-focused VPN based in Romania. It offers excellent performance and works very well in China, even when other VPNs are getting blocked. While VPN.ac does not have a massive server network like ExpressVPN or NordVPN, their servers do offer great speeds and reliability.

For a smaller VPN provider, VPN.ac does well in many different areas, as explained in the VPN.ac review. The speeds are excellent and the apps have some great features. These features include double-hop VPN servers (22 to choose from), built-in leak protection settings, and numerous encryption options.

One minor drawback is that VPN.ac does not do a great job with unblocking streaming services. While it does work with US Netflix (usually), VPN.ac is more limited when it comes to unblocking Netflix regions. Nonetheless, VPN.ac is one of the best VPNs for China you will find, at a reasonable price.

How to use VPN.ac in China

To use VPN.ac in China, just follow these steps:

  1. Go to the VPN.ac website and select a subscription plan.
  2. Download the apps for the devices you want to use in China, then log in through the app with your account credentials.
  3. Within the application, go to ADVANCED > and then select “I am in China or other censored country” (toggle on).
  4. Then click CONNECT and select one of the servers from the list called CHINA OPTIMIZED. After selecting one of the “China Optimized” server location, toggle the VPN connection to ON.
  5. Enjoy using VPN.ac in China and having unrestricted internet.
VPN servers China
VPN.ac offers VPN servers that are optimized for China.

+ Pros

  • Dedicated bare-metal servers with self-hosted encrypted DNS
  • Excellent speeds with plenty of available bandwidth
  • Multi-hop (double VPN) server configurations
  • Obfuscation features with many different encryption options
  • Secure proxy browser extensions
  • WireGuard VPN support

– Cons

  • Does not work well for streaming
  • Fewer features than other leading VPNs
  • Limited refund window (7 days)
Get Started with VPN.ac Here >>

See our VPN.ac review for more info and test results.


ExpressVPN – A secure and reliable VPN for China

VPNExpressVPN
Based inBritish Virgin Islands
LogsNo logs (audited)
Price$6.67/mo.
Support24/7 live chat
Refund30 days
WebsiteExpressVPN.com
ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN remains a great VPN for people in China if you want to easily unblock websites and also achieve great speeds. While it is slightly more expensive than some other VPNs, it remains the best solution for those in China looking for fast and reliable connections.

If you want to stream your favorite media, ExpressVPN is easily the top choice. It is also currently the best VPN for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and other streaming services. This allows you to watch all your favorite shows from China, without any blocks.

Another advantage with ExpressVPN is that you can use their VPN on all types of devices – from computers and phones to tablets, routers, and TV boxes. Their customer service is also top notch with 24/7 live chat support and numerous information guides on their website. In China, you may be somewhat limited to desktop devices that can utilize the unblocking features (mobile devices may not work) – but this is common with all VPNs in China.

In the performance area, ExpressVPN differs from NordVPN and Surfshark in that it has not adopted the WireGuard VPN protocol. Instead, ExpressVPN uses the Lightway protocol, which has many similarities to WireGuard, but is self-developed. And while it is faster than the OpenVPN protocol, we found that WireGuard is still faster in our ExpressVPN vs NordVPN comparison.

ExpressVPN allows torrenting on all their servers and is one of the few no logs VPN services that have been verified and audited. Their applications utilize advanced leak protection settings to secure your IP address and DNS requests and stay private. The ExpressVPN apps have a “Network Lock” feature to ensure all traffic is encrypted through the VPN, even if your internet connection drops.

Refund: All ExpressVPN subscription plans come with a 30 day, no-hassle money-back guarantee.

How to use ExpressVPN in China

To use ExpressVPN in China, just follow these steps:

  1. Go to the ExpressVPN website and sign up for a subscription.
  2. Log in to your account and download the software for the devices you want to use with the VPN.
  3. Open the ExpressVPN app, then enter the activation code (from your account page).
  4. Now connect to one of the servers designated for China users (ask support which servers to use – not all servers will work from China) and then use the internet as normal.
  5. Enjoy using ExpressVPN in China and unblocking all online content.
ExpressVPN China working

+ Pros

  • User-friendly and secure apps
  • Split tunneling feature (for Mac OS, Windows, and routers)
  • Works with Netflix and most streaming services
  • 24/7 live chat support
  • Passed independent third-party audits for security and no-logs
  • Very large server network

– Cons

  • Above-average prices
  • Fewer features
  • Average OpenVPN speeds (use Lightway)
Get 49% Off ExpressVPN here >>

Check out our ExpressVPN review for more test results and information.


Alright, now that we’ve covered the best VPN services for China above, let’s examine some common issues and frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Can VPNs get through the Great Firewall?

VPN restrictions in China are generally a cat-and-mouse game. While most VPNs are blocked and will simply not work in China, the ones on this page consistently defeat these blocks to get around the GFW without trouble.

Occasionally, the Chinese government will roll out a new round of restrictions, which may temporarily block some providers. Fortunately, with the China VPNs recommended on this page, a server network update will usually fix that problem in a few hours. On a positive note, these temporary blocks are usually rare and not permanent.

So while there are no guarantees, the China VPNs in this guide should continue to work without problems.

Why are VPNs slow in China?

There are two main reasons that VPNs are slow in China.

First and foremost, the internet in China is slow, and VPNs cannot speed up your internet connection. China has some of the slowest internet speeds in the world, with an average download speed of only 2.4 Mbps. A VPN cannot help with this. This puts China in 141st place for global internet speeds.

Second, to use VPNs in China you will need to (probably) wrap your VPN traffic in HTTPS encryption. And to put it simply, this extra encryption slows things down a bit. As discussed above, this is called obfuscation and it allows your VPN to go through the Great Firewall. Unfortunately, obfuscation will further slow things down, on top of already slow internet speeds.

Do VPNs work on mobile devices in China?

Generally speaking, VPNs do not work well on mobile devices in China. The reason for this is that most mobile devices utilize IPSec encryption with VPNs, which can be detected and blocked by the Great Firewall.

The trick to obfuscate traffic with an extra layer of HTTPS encryption is difficult to do with mobile devices, but some VPN services may offer this.

Therefore when you go to China and expect to use a VPN, it will most likely only work on your desktop computer. However, if you connect your phone to a hotspot from your computer, which is connected to a VPN, you can get the benefits of the VPN on your phone.

Can you use a free VPN for China?

Not only will free VPNs likely not work in China, they are also notorious for being malicious, dangerous, data collection tools. As explained in my discussion of free VPNs here, these are often used to collect data, which is then sold to third parties in order to monetize the “free” service.

Unfortunately, the problems with free VPN services continue to affect people. Even today, we see news reports about free VPN services delivering financial malware to unsuspecting users.

But even if you tried to use a free VPN in China, it most likely would not even work. The VPNs recommended here in this guide have devoted tremendous resources to their network and software to consistently work in China. An out-of-the-box free VPN would surely fail, simply because these free VPNs do not offer obfuscation features. The OpenVPN traffic would be blocked thanks to deep packet inspection (DPI).

Bottom line with free VPNs: If something is free, then you are the product. (As an alternative to a free VPN in China, you can check out free trial VPN providers.)

VPN not working in China? Do this…

Occasionally Chinese authorities will roll out a new method for blocking VPN traffic, which may temporarily block services in China.

Here are a few steps you can take if your VPN is not working in China:

  1. Try a different VPN server
  2. Try a different obfuscation method or VPN protocol (if your VPN supports it)
  3. Try using a different port, such as port 443 (for HTTPS traffic)

If none of these tips are working and you still can’t connect to your VPN in China, then simply reach out to your VPN provider for help. You can do this either through a direct email or via their website (if you can access it).

If you are completely stuck and locked out of everything, and you need a fast solution, you may want to consider using Tor, but be mindful of the limitations and risks. We discuss these more in our VPN vs Tor guide.

It should also be pointed out that many VPNs will simply not work in China. For example, I have been told by IPVanish chat representatives that their service simply does not work in China. We found the same thing to be the case in our review of TunnelBear as well.

Some VPNs also advertise features that should work in China, but for one reason or another, they don’t. This is the case with ProtonVPN’s “Stealth” feature that is still blocked in China.

ProtonVPN stealth not working in China

The image above came from the Proton reddit account. (See our best VPN Reddit guide for more info.)

Can a VPN unblock websites in China?

Yes, a VPN is the best way to unblock websites in China and access the content you want.

When you connect to a VPN that uses a good obfuscation method, you can easily get around any blocks or restrictions. Here is how that works, with a diagram from VyprVPN:

VPN unblock websites in China

Here are some of the sites in China that are currently blocked, but will be accessible with a VPN:

  • All Google websites (Google search, Gmail, Google maps, etc.)
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Yahoo! Taiwan and Hong Kong
  • Mobile Wikipedia
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Skype
  • Whatsapp
  • Tinder
  • Snapchat
  • Reddit
  • BBC (but you can use the best VPN for BBC iPlayer)

For more, see Wikipedia’s article on websites blocked in mainland China.

Are VPNs legal in China?

Generally speaking, VPNs are legal to use in China, so long as you aren’t using the VPN to do something illegal. Nonetheless, the Chinese government is still working to prevent people from getting access to tools (VPNs) that can get around online restrictions.

In March 2018 Chinese authorities issued an ambiguous statement about the use of VPNs. Actions and policies of the Chinese government suggest that it is illegal for Chinese residents to create VPN services/companies inside China, which would be made available to others in China, but personal use of a VPN appears to be completely legal. We do not recommend using any Chinese-based VPN services.

In a move that angered many, both Apple and Google caved in to Chinese pressure and removed VPN applications from their app stores. This is also a major trend happening around the world, and not just in China.

I have also not seen anything to suggest that it is illegal for people to bring VPN software with them into the country. Additionally, there are thousands of Chinese businesses that use VPNs for secure networking solutions, and this is also perfectly legal. But if you wanted to create your own VPN company based in Beijing that would help other Chinese residents evade restrictions, that would probably be a bad idea.

Bottom line: Using a VPN in China for personal use is legal and very common, provided you aren’t using the VPN to do illegal stuff. Using an offshore (non-Chinese) VPN with a good track record (all of the VPNs in this guide) will further protect you from any issues. That being said, I’m not a lawyer, so do your own research and proceed with caution.

Conclusion: Use a good VPN for China in 2023

A lot has changed in the past few years, especially since coronavirus rolled out on the world stage. Since then, even getting to China has been challenging for many people, especially with some of the recent policies. But assuming you can even get there, you will want a good VPN for China to ensure a safe and free online experience.

Despite extensive and rigorous efforts to block websites in China, a VPN is a simple and easy solution that will consistently get through the Great Firewall and unblock content. And while a good VPN will cost a few dollars per month, it is a small price to pay for getting unrestricted access to all your favorite websites, while also restoring privacy.

Whenever you are using a VPN in China, be sure to only go with a safe, trusted, and reputable provider. As we pointed out above, most of the VPNs on the market are not suitable to use because:

  • they are blocked in China
  • they may leak your data and expose your activities/identity to third parties
  • they may collect your data (browsing history) and sell this to third parties (the main problem with free VPN services)

Nonetheless, a good VPN is your key to an unrestricted, free, and private internet connection wherever you are located. Below is a recap of the best VPNs for China based on my own testing and research.

Enjoy a private, unrestricted, and secure internet when you are in China with a good VPN. Stay safe!

This guide on the best VPNs for China was last updated on January 5, 2023.

About Sven Taylor

Sven Taylor is the lead editor and founder of Restore Privacy, a digital privacy advocacy group. With a passion for digital privacy and accessible information, he created RestorePrivacy to provide you with honest, useful, and up-to-date information about online privacy, security, and related topics.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Unhappy VPN user in China

    August 21, 2021

    I just tried SurfShark in China. Didn’t work for me at all. Was told that I need to download the config file and use OpenVPN GUI instead. Very troublesome…

    I am just getting to realize that VPN.ac has been reliable over the years and I appreciate how prudent they are to recommend their Chinese users to not purchase anything more than a 3-month subscription

    Reply
  2. Mac McMeans

    July 4, 2021

    Hey Sven,
    Nice resource here, thank you! I appreciate you calling out the shenanigans of services like Astrill and Hotspot Shield. 👍 VPN services that 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗰𝘆 (like those you mentioned) are just like secure email services that don’t respect privacy (ProtonMail): 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴.

    In your comparisons here, you include a VPN service that logs connections (VPN.ac) with those that don’t (the other four). Could you clarify your rationale, please?

    Reply
    • Sven Taylor

      July 5, 2021

      Hi Mac, I need to get this updated because VPN.ac changed their policy and is now a no-logs VPN. I will have this updated soon.

      Reply
      • Legroom

        December 23, 2021

        vpn.ac has worked great for me for the last few years. I’d like live support, but tickets are often replied to within a few hours.

        BBC iPlayer has been blocked a couple of times, but soon remedied.

        Just got a 1gb connection, an upgrade from a 500mb connection, so China’s internet is speeding up, even in a tier 3 city.

        Reply
    • hanw

      November 19, 2021

      what shenanigans by Astrill? Didn’t see anything mentioned about Astrill and there is nothing on the website search talking about Astrill. What about the shenanigans like NordVPN and touting the big four independent audit, but not posting the full audit report or selectively choosing server to assess? I’m skeptical when a company hires an “independent” audit and uses it heavily in marketing to profit from, especially without posting the actual report. This article actually reads like copy and paste from marketing from the VPN providers.

      Reply
  3. Ben

    June 24, 2021

    I lived in South China for 3 years and my top 4 VPNs are
    1. Hotspot Shield premium- cost a little high but highly reliable. Never dropped.

    2. PrivateVPN-lower cost and highly reliable.

    3. ExpressVPN-Expensive for its lower reliability.

    4. Vypr-cheap and good for Android but slips a bit. Ok for backup VPN.

    Reply
  4. Vince

    June 24, 2021

    I lived in Guangxi China for 3 years and have tried most of them. The top choice for me as being the most reliable is Hotspot Shield Premium. But it’s on the expensive side. Now I am trying out the PrivateVPN. A better deal and so far I can access all my U.S. sites without issues. Currently there is a 2 year subscription deal for $49.99. I tried NORD and it is highly over rated for China in my opinion, and did not function for me at all.

    Reply
    • Sven Taylor

      June 24, 2021

      Ok, but you should know that Hotspot Shield has been in the news numerous times over the years for various data security scandals. And if you look at all the bad headlines, you’d probably conclude it is neither private nor secure. They were even busted for having tracking libraries in their Android VPN apps and redirecting traffic to e-commerce sites.

      Reply
  5. Gavin

    April 10, 2021

    Hi all,

    NordVPN is very unlikely to work if you live in Shanghai or Suzhou. It never connected in any of these 2 places for me and still doesn’t according to most reports of friends that try it. The same applies for Vypr VPN. I have never tried Surfshark but also never heard of anyone using it.

    The only 2 that xpats use in Shanghai area that actually work consistently well are Express and Astrill. I have used both for the last 10 years and found Astrill to be the best by far. Their customer service is not the best but the VPN is never down and their are plenty of servers to keep you going.

    Reply
    • TheOneInTheQuarantineJail

      October 17, 2022

      hi,
      i have to confirm that NordVPN does not work in Shanhai!!!
      When u go to the NordVPN- Support page they recognize that problem and u get a list of what other App u have to install and all those other hints u have to follow.
      in my opinion this can’t be the best VPN vor China!!!

      Reply
  6. Omega39

    September 23, 2020

    Hi Sven, I’ m from China, I like your contents, they are very informative.
    Regarding this VPN list however, I’d like to report that VyprVPN may not work properly in China as of now. I tested it from September 10 to September 13, and I had no connection at all with their servers, even with Chameleon protocal. Not sure if this has something to do with my ISP.

    I got it refunded and I’ m now using Surfshark with mannul setup of OpenVpn GUI (their app does not work all the time for me), they have specific OpenVpn GUI configurations for China if you ask their customer service for it.
    Also from what I have heard, Nord’s app does not work very well in China these days (including obfuscated servers), mannul setip using OpenVpn GUI is required as well. (I did not test it though)

    I used to buy V2ray service from a samll provider, it was fine but i am not sure if they are 100% trustworthy, that’s why I switched to large VPN provider. I think I will still keep the V2ray service as a backup just in case.

    Reply
    • NotRenewing ExpressVPN

      November 19, 2020

      ExpressVPN is also absolutely useless. Tey have 5 servers only for China and most te time these dont work or you have to trial and error in a round robin fashion as only one is working, and it varies day by day, but mostly you can not connect at all, I am in China and I found Expressvpn an expensive waste of both money and time.

      Reply
  7. Rhesus Smith

    February 29, 2020

    Your article comments on best vpn’s to use while in China, but what is the best product to use if you want to send email to someone in China?
    My mail never reaches the person i am trying to communicate. It is like it drops into a dark hole. I do not receive a message that the mail was undeliverable, or any error message.
    I have tried sending email using yahoo, aol, and comcast mail with no success.
    Any info would be appreciated.

    Reply
    • Shawn

      March 18, 2020

      I think if you want to send email to someone in China, you may try the mail service provider Tencent which is a local company in China. You can sign up their qq mail. QQ mail works very well in China. And almost everyone in China has a qq mail. But I don’t guarantee your data would be safe for some reason.

      Reply
  8. Sir Lucane

    February 28, 2020

    NordVPN for China is the worst choice for IOS.
    Their IOS app cannot connect to any server… a shame! (the technical support did admit it, but why do they go on advertising for China???)
    NordVPN Windows app does not work very well in China, you need to try *many* servers before being able to connect. Often it completely fails, and you don’t want to spend 30 minutes to find a working server.
    I know that Astrill is working in China (but did not used it myself recently), I can only recommend 12VPN which is located in Hongkong, it works well and it’s very fast for users in China.
    Anyway, avoid NordVPN is you are in China.

    Reply

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Restore Privacy Checklist

  1. Secure browser: Modified Firefox or Brave
  2. VPN: NordVPN (68% Off Coupon) or Surfshark
  3. Ad blocker: uBlock Origin or AdGuard
  4. Secure email: Mailfence or Tutanota
  5. Secure Messenger: Signal or Threema
  6. Private search engine: MetaGer or Brave
  7. Password manager: NordPass or Bitwarden

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