The following VPN services are recommended for use in China, as they can swiftly navigate Chinese government regulations and offer transmission speeds conducive to a seamless internet experience.
- ExpressVPN: Ultra-fast Internet Speeds
- NordVPN: The Ultimate Balance of Price and Internet Speed
- SurfShark
: Impressive Experience with Fast-growing Emerging VPN - CyberGhost: Fast Netflix Streaming, 45-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
- Private Internet Accesss: A Highly Popular VPN Service at a Low Price
- 12VPN: An Optimized VPN for China (If you are in China, you can purchase it from this link)
Internet censorship in China, termed the “Great Firewall,” poses significant challenges for both locals and expats who wish to access global websites and apps. With lists of “best VPNs for China” often lacking verifiable testing, it’s crucial to find trustworthy sources for this information. VPNs not only allow users to bypass these restrictions but also provide a safe path in a nation known for intensive surveillance.
Here are top six recommendations for the most effective VPNs for China, based on our comprehensive testing. Given China’s active measures to block VPN access, it’s advisable to install your VPN app before entering the country.
Tips to Choose the Best VPN for China
When choosing the best VPN for China, there are several key factors you should take into account.
- Adapting Swiftly to Chinese Government Regulations
- Ensuring Satisfactory Communication Speed
Adapting Swiftly to Chinese Government Regulations
The most crucial attribute for a VPN in China is its demonstrated ability to adapt rapidly to Chinese government regulations. VPN usage is regulated in China, with authorities vigilantly monitoring services that facilitate access to foreign video services, social networks, and other platforms. Consequently, it’s not unusual for a VPN server to abruptly become unavailable. Thus, it’s vital to select a VPN provider proficient in evading regulatory obstacles to ensure consistent service.
Ensuring Satisfactory Communication Speed
Even if a VPN provider is adept at handling regulatory challenges, it cannot provide a satisfactory internet experience if its communication speed is inadequate. This speed is dependent on your original internet connection speed and your geographic location within China. Note that the connection speed in China may significantly differ from what you’re accustomed to in other countries. Therefore, it’s advisable to avoid VPN services that are known to perform poorly in terms of speed within China.
Best VPN Services for China
Here are some excellent VPN services we recommend for China.
- ExpressVPN: Ultra-fast Internet Speeds
- NordVPN: The Ultimate Balance of Price and Internet Speed
- SurfShark: Impressive Experience with Fast-growing Emerging VPN
- CyberGhost: Fast Netflix Streaming, 45-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
- Private Internet Accesss: A Highly Popular VPN Service at a Low Price
- 12VPN: An Optimized VPN for China (If you are in China, you can purchase it from this link)
We conducted VPN connection checks in several cities across China, including Shanghai, Nanchang in Jiangxi Province, Suzhou in Jiangsu Province, and Ningbo in Zhejiang Province. The two images below show examples of the actual locations where we carried out these tests.
ExpressVPN: Ultra-fast Internet Speeds
| Prices | 1-Month: $12.95 6-Months: $9.99/month 12-Months: $6.67/month |
| No-log-policy and kill switch | Yes |
| Countries and servers | 105/3,000+ |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| 24/7 customer support | Yes |
| Maximum devices supported | 8 |
| Headquarter | British Virgin Islands |
ExpressVPN has some of the fastest internet speeds of the VPNs we have used. ExpressVPN is consistently found by review sites to be one of the fastest VPNs. Therefore ExpressVPN receives great reviews and popularity. With a network of over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, users have a wide range of options for changing their IP address to different locations. ExpressVPN prioritizes user privacy with a secure no-logs policy and offers additional features such as a kill switch and 24/7 customer support.
Moreover, ExpressVPN stands out for its exceptional performance and connection stability even in China. Many VPNs struggle to maintain consistent connections in such areas due to the Great Firewall, a sophisticated system used by the Chinese government to regulate internet access. However, ExpressVPN has proven to be a reliable choice for users in China, successfully bypassing these restrictions and providing stable and secure access to the global internet.
- Place a high importance on internet speed
- Want to use the VPN with the greatest market popularity
\30-day Money-Back Guarantee/
NordVPN: The Ultimate Balance of Price and Internet Speed
| Prices (standard plan) | 1-Month: $11.99 12-Months: $4.99/month 24-Months: $3.99/month |
| No-log-policy and kill switch | Yes |
| Countries and servers | 60/5,800+ |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| 24/7 customer support | Yes |
| Maximum devices supported | 6 |
| Headquarter | Republic of Panama |
NordVPN has established itself as a leading VPN service, offering an excellent balance of price, internet speed, server coverage, and global reach. As a result, NordVPN has gained the largest market share worldwide. It consistently receives positive reviews from top experts in the industry. With a vast network of over 5,800 servers across 60 countries, NordVPN provides a wide range of options for changing your IP address to various locations. NordVPN prioritizes user privacy with a secure no-logs policy, along with additional features such as a kill switch and 24/7 customer support.
After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using NordVPN just by downloading their app.
- Want to balance price and internet speed
- Want to use the VPN with the highest market popularity
\30-day Money-Back Guarantee/
Surfshark: Impressive Experience with Fast-growing Emerging VPN
| Prices (standard plan) | 1-Month: $12.95 12-Months: $3.99/month 24-Months: $2.39/month |
| No-log-policy and kill switch | Yes |
| Countries and servers | 100/3,200+ |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| 24/7 customer support | Yes |
| Maximum devices supported | Unlimited |
| Headquarter | Netherlands |
Surfshark, established in 2018, has quickly gained a strong reputation and popularity worldwide despite being a relatively new service. While it may have some occasional delays in connecting and slightly weaker region-blocking capabilities compared to ExpressVPN and NordVPN, it offers significant advantages. By opting for the 24-month plan, you can obtain Surfshark at a much lower price than ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Additionally, Surfshark provides unlimited simultaneous connections, allowing you and your family to connect and use all your devices simultaneously. With over 3,200 servers in 99 countries, Surfshark offers a wide range of options. It also boasts a private and secure no-logs policy, a kill switch, and 24/7 customer support.
After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using Surfshark by downloading their app.
- Who want to some constant quality and budget
- Who want to connect with lots of devices
\30-day Money-Back Guarantee/
CyberGhost: Fast Netflix Streaming, 45-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
| Prices | 1-Month: $12.99 6-Months: $6.99/month 24-Months: $2.11/month |
| No-log-policy and kill switch | Yes |
| Countries and servers | 91/9,500+ |
| Money-back Guarantee | 1-Month: 14 days 6-Month/24-Month: 45 days |
| 24/7 customer support | Yes |
| Maximum devices supported | 7 |
| Headquarter | Romania |
CyberGhost is a powerful VPN service that excels at unblocking websites. With streaming-optimized servers dedicated to Netflix, you can enjoy ultra-fast speeds and buffer-free streaming. CyberGhost boasts a vast network of 9,200 servers across 91 countries, making it an excellent choice for unblocking Netflix in various countries. Additionally, you can take advantage of its cost-effectiveness and a 45-day money-back guarantee, surpassing the standard 30-day period, by opting for the 24-month plan.
- Want to expand your Netflix experience across borders
- Seeking an ample trial period
\45-day Money-Back Guarantee /
Private Internet Access: A Highly Popular VPN Service at a Low Price
| Prices | 1-Month: $11.95 12-Months: $3.33/month 36-Months: $2.03/month |
| No-log-policy and kill switch | Yes |
| Countries and servers | 84/Undisclosed |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| 24/7 customer support | Yes |
| Maximum devices supported | Unlimited |
| Headquarter | United States |
Private Internet Access, commonly abbreviated as PIA, has secured the third position in market popularity following ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Its established reputation has enabled PIA to capture a significant market share worldwide. Particularly known for its relatively long-standing presence, PIA offers competitive pricing, making it a more affordable choice compared to ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Applying for the 36-month plan, in particular, allows you to obtain PIA at a much cheaper price.
Reference: https://vpnpro.com/blog/vpn-market-share-overview/
- Who prioritize affordability and popularity
\30-day Money-Back Guarantee /
12vpn (Now known as 12vpx)
| Prices | 1-Month: $19.99 6-Months: $12.99/month 12-Months: $8.99/month |
| No-log-policy and kill switch | Yes |
| Countries and servers | 31/Undisclosed |
| Money-back Guarantee | 14 days |
| 24/7 customer support | Yes |
| Maximum devices supported | Unlimited |
| Headquarter | Netherlands |
12VPN, now known as 12VPX, is one of our strong recommendations for use in China. It is renowned for its high-speed, stability, and responsive support.
When utilizing a VPN service in China, it’s crucial to have a service that can quickly adapt to the regulations imposed by the Chinese authorities. 12VPN excels in this regard, providing a dedicated URL that allows users in China to log in without needing a VPN. This is a feature that many VPN services lack, as they often do not allow access to their official pages from within China.
We have been using 12VPN for over a decade on this site. Whenever we encounter connection issues from China, they promptly provide us with solutions such as:
- Sending an email detailing how to resolve the issue,
- Changing the server location to ensure a stable connection,
- Modifying the login URL window to allow us to access the site from China.
Their response time to inquiries is excellent, and we typically receive a response within one business day.
\14-day Money-Back Guarantee /
If you are in China, you can purchase it from this link
Is it legal to use a VPN in China?
The use of a VPN may also be restricted by Chinese regulations and policies, so it needs to be used with caution. But as far as individuals are concerned, it is unlikely that they will be caught if they are just accessing the internet across borders, playing games or browsing the web for personal use.
For more detailed about using a VPN in China, please refer to the following articles.
Notes on Using a VPN in China
When using a VPN in China, there are three important considerations to keep in mind.
- Securing a VPN Contract Before Travelling to China
- Maintaining Multiple VPN Subscriptions
- Steering Clear of Free VPNs
Securing a VPN Contract Before Travelling to China
Using a VPN in China can present a catch-22: you often can’t access a VPN provider’s official site from within China without already having a VPN. Thus, we advise arranging your VPN services before your arrival in China. The exception lies with certain providers like 12vpn, which offers a China-specific login URL that enables access to their site, sign-up, and configuration file downloads even from within China. (You can purchase 12vpn from this link, even if you are in China.)
Maintaining Multiple VPN Subscriptions
If you’re visiting China for a brief business trip, one VPN service may suffice. However, for expats, having multiple VPN services is paramount due to the risk of sudden server unavailability resulting from regulatory interventions by the Chinese authorities. As accessing VPN providers’ websites can prove challenging within China, having an alternate VPN is advisable. Even though providers strive continuously to overcome regulatory restrictions, their success is never guaranteed. Hence, we recommend designating one VPN as your primary service and maintaining another as a backup.
Steering Clear of Free VPNs
Though free VPNs like VPN Cat and VPN Gate exist, we discourage their usage due to compromised communication speed, security vulnerabilities, and inadequate response to Chinese regulations. Notably, a free VPN service in Hong Kong previously caused a massive data breach, compromising 20 million users’ information. (Reference: Report: No-Log VPNs Reveal Users’ Personal Data and Logs)
Maintaining robust security and competent support always incurs costs. For China, responding promptly to regulatory shifts also entails financial implications. Subscribing to two paid VPNs typically costs around $10 to $15 per month, amounting to a daily expense of 30 to 50 cents. Given the secure and comfortable internet experience this provides in China, it’s a reasonable investment.
FAQ
What sites and apps are blocked in China?
Here are some notable examples of services blocked in China:
- All Google services (including Gmail, Google Translate, Google Search, Google Drive, Google Docs etc.)
- Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and Pinterest.
- Video sharing platforms including YouTube, Vimeo, and Twitch.
- News media sites like the BBC, CNN, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Reuters.
- Various other platforms such as Dropbox, GitHub, SoundCloud, Flickr, Skype, WhatsApp, Spotify, Hootsuite, Slack, and Wikipedia.
The duration of these blocks can vary, with some sites being blocked temporarily, while others are blocked permanently.
Regardless of restrictions, users in China can unblock most of these websites and apps by employing a reliable VPN service. Always remember to arrange your VPN service before entering the country for seamless internet access.
What is today’s best VPN in China?
It is ExpressVPN which stands out as the best VPN for use in China today. It’s reliable, fast, secure, and remarkably easy to set up and operate. An assurance of its no-logging policy is given by the audit conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, providing users with the confidence that their identities will be well-protected while surfing the web and streaming content in China. Moreover, ExpressVPN is unrivaled in its ability to unblock and bypass restrictions on banned websites and services. These qualities combined make ExpressVPN the prime choice for navigating the internet in China.
Which VPN country should I use when in China?
In China, the use of VPNs is not straightforwardly illegal. While it is technically illegal to use non-government approved VPNs, this law primarily targets companies and corporations rather than individuals. Therefore, the risk of personal VPN use being detected is considered low. If detected, there could be penalties such as fines or imprisonment, but cases of individuals being prosecuted for illegal personal use of VPNs are almost non-existent.
There are four recommended things for using a VPN in China:
- Use it only for personal use and don’t publicize it,
- Don’t disseminate information from overseas unnecessarily,
- Avoid content that is critical of the government,
- Avoid using free VPNs.
Recommended VPN services for use in China include those with a proven track record in the country, such as ExpressVPN. As long as you use these VPNs responsibly and in accordance with the recommended guidelines, it is unlikely that you will face prosecution in China.
Conclusion
- Importance of VPNs in China: Due to China’s “Great Firewall,” locals and expats often struggle to access global websites and apps. Reliable and thoroughly tested VPNs are vital in such a scenario, offering a secure solution to bypass internet restrictions and surveillance.
- Considerations for Choosing a VPN: Five key factors to consider when selecting a VPN for use in China include its ability to swiftly adapt to government regulations, provide satisfactory communication speed, and the feasibility of securing its contract before traveling to China. For long-term stay, it’s recommended to have more than one VPN subscription due to possible server disruptions. Free VPNs, while tempting, often suffer from slow speeds, security vulnerabilities, and poor responsiveness to Chinese regulations. Investing in paid VPNs is the best way to ensure a secure and comfortable internet experience in China.
- ExpressVPN: Ultra-fast Internet Speeds
- NordVPN: The Ultimate Balance of Price and Internet Speed
- SurfShark: Impressive Experience with Fast-growing Emerging VPN
- CyberGhost: Fast Netflix Streaming, 45-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
- Private Internet Accesss: A Highly Popular VPN Service at a Low Price
- 12VPN: An Optimized VPN for China (If you are in China, you can purchase it from this link)
