The Great Firewall is China’s huge censorship system that blocks residents from accessing thousands of foreign websites that have been banned by the government.
Though you could evade it using a virtual private network (VPN), China has further disabled most of the VPN providers from working in the country.
This post looks at the VPN services that still work within China using obfuscation technologies and additionally includes tips to help you make the most of these services.
Best VPN for China Tips
You need a reliable VPN service to get around the Chinese Firewall’s censorship and ensure your online privacy. Here are some tips to help you with choosing the right provider.
- Reliability: A tried and tested VPN provider is the best option, as it guarantees enough server locations, reliable connections, and updated technologies to bypass all forms of censorship and government meddling.
- Obfuscation: China’s Great Firewall can detect when you are using a standard VPN service, so they have succeeded in blocking them. A VPN service with obfuscation technology re-assembles and re-routes your connection in a way that makes it seem more like normal browsing and less like a VPN tunnel, hence evading the firewall.
- Speed: Using a VPN slows down your Internet experience, so you want a service that is as fast as possible. Go for optimized systems with good download speeds, such as 4 Mbps or faster.
- Server Locations: The more server locations a VPN provider offers, the easier it is to optimize your connection and speeds.
- Kill Switch: A kill switch ensures that your online activities remain private by disconnecting your network once it discovers a leak or breach of the data encryption.
Best VPN For China
| Rank | Name | Highlights | Pricing | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | NordVPN | Overall best, robust & versatile | $5.79/mo | nordvpn.com |
| 2. | ExpressVPN | Reliable, fast, & user friendly | $8.35/mo | expressvpn.com |
| 3. | Surfshark | Budget-friendly | $3.99/mo | surfshark.com |
| 4. | AstrillVPN | Feature rich & robust | $15/mo | astrill.com |
| 5. | CyberGhost | Free browser extensions | $6.99/mo | cyberghostvpn.com |
| 6. | VyPrVPN | Chameleon protocol | $5/mo | vyprvpn.com |
| 7. | PIA | 35,000 servers | $3.33/mo | privateinternetaccess.com |
| 8. | Mullvad | Anonymity & flexible payments | €5/mo | mullvad.net |
| 9. | UltraVPN | User- and budget-friendly | $4.99/mo | ultravpn.com |
| 10. | TunnelBear | GhostBear system | Freemium | tunnelbear.com |
| FAQs |
1. NordVPN
Best For: Robust and versatile system
Features:
- Fast VPN with no-logs policy
- Malware protection included
- Available for all devices and browsers
- 5800 servers in 60+ countries
Platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge
Number of Servers: 5,800+ in 60 countries
Price: $4.99 per month
Free Trial: 30 days
NordVPN is a popular service with a robust and versatile offering. It is fast, has servers in 60+ countries, and includes extra features such as doubleVPN for extra protection, a no-logs policy, AES 256-bit encryption, and integrated access to the Tor network.
You also get malware protection and an ad blocker, in addition to standard features like a kill switch, streaming support, connection for up to 6 devices, and 24/7 customer support.
NordVPN works on all devices and popular browsers, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Chrome, Firefox, and many more.
Accounts are available in three plans – the Standard for $4.99 per month with basic features, the Plus for $5.79 with data breach scanning, and the Complete for $6.99 with an additional 1TB online storage.
2. ExpressVPN
Best For: Speed & user-friendliness
Features:
- Fast & reliable VPN service
- AES-256 encryption
- 3,000+ servers in 94 countries
- 24/7 customer support
Platforms: Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, routers
Number of Servers: 3,000+ in 94 countries
Price: $8.32 per month
Free Trial: 30 days
With top download speeds of 8+ Mbps, ExpressVPN is a top-tier service with reliable performance and one of those that continues to work in China.
It does not maintain servers in the country, so it doesn’t need to adhere to the government’s rules. Otherwise, it maintains servers in 94 other countries, encrypts your data using AES-256, allows up to 8 devices, and maintains a no-logging policy.
ExpressVPN is also available for nearly every platform, including Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, and routers. Plus, its 24/7 live chat support guarantees that someone will always be there for you.
Plans start at $8.32 per month if you are paying annually or $12.95 if you are paying for a single month.
3. Surfshark
Best For: Budget-friendly users
Features:
- Over 3,000 servers in 100 countries
- Low priced plans
- Unlimited data for all plans
- No logs policy
- Strong encryption
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Fire TV, Android, Linux, iOS, Firefox, Edge
Number of Servers: 3,000+
Price: $3.99 per month or $2.49 with 2-year payment
Free Trial: 30 days
Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN platform with quality services. It offers unlimited data from a fleet of over 3,000 servers spread across 100 countries and is equally fast and responsive.
Surfshark comes in three plans. The cheapest is The Surfshark Starter plan, which costs $3.99 per month with annual billing or $2.49 per month for 24 months. It includes VPN access, an ad blocker, and a popup blocker.
The next plan is The Surfshark One at $3.19 per month with a 2-year billing. It additionally includes device protection, such as webcam and malware protection, as well as identity protection features like data breach alerts, personal security reports, personal details, and masked email generators. The third plan is The Surfshark One+ for $4.97 per month.
4. AstrillVPN
Best For: Feature-rich plan
Features:
- Lost of features
- 300+ servers in 115 cities
- Offers choice of VPN protocol
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Up to 5 simultaneous devices
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Routers
Number of Servers: 300+ in 115 cities, in 57 countries
Price: $15 per month with annual subscription
Free Trial: 7 days
Unlike most other VPN service providers, AstrillVPN has only one account type, though still available in 3 plans. For this reason, you get all its full features, including unlimited bandwidth, unlimited devices, 24/7 customer support, and many more.
You can pay with BitCoin and AstillVPN follows a no-logs policy. You can also choose your desired protocols, including StealthVPN, OpenWeb, WireGuard, and OpenVPN.
Paying for a single month, however, costs $30, while 12-month billing costs $15 per month, with 24 months costing $12.50 per month. Extra services like static IP addresses and VIP traffic are also available.
5. CyberGhost
Best For: Free browser extensions
Features:
- Large server network
- Free browser extensions
- Uses AES-256 encryption
- Strict, audited no-logs policy
Platforms: Windows, Android, macOS, Firefox, Chrome
Number of Servers: 6,800+ in 85+ countries
Price: $6.99 per month with 6-month billing or $2.11 with 24-month
Free Trial: Available
With 6,800+ servers spread out across 85 countries, CyberGhost is a massive VPN network with AES 256-bit encryption, up to 7 simultaneous devices, and support for all platforms, including free extensions for the Chrome and Firefox browsers.
There is a strict no-logs policy, split tunneling, and fast server speeds. You also get unlimited bandwidth, a 45-day money-back guarantee, plus WireGuard and OpenVPN protocol support.
CyberGhost offers a user-friendly interface and competitive pricing starting from $6.99 per month for 6-month billing and as low as $2.11 per month for 24-month billing.
6. VyprVPN
Best For: Chameleon protocol
Features:
- Multiple VPN protocols
- Up to 10 simultaneous devices
- High-speed streaming support
- Audited no-log policy
Platforms: Windows, Android, macOS, iOS
Number of Servers: 700+ in 70+ locations
Price: $5 per month
Free Trial: 30-day money-back guarantee
VyprVPN developed its chameleon protocol to help customers evade countries that place restrictions on the Internet by obfuscating the data transfer and making it unrecognizable using Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) approaches.
In addition, there is a no-logs policy, leak protection, split tunneling, a kill switch, and a choice of VPN protocols, including WireGuard. Vypr has servers in 96 worldwide locations, supports high-speed streaming applications, and includes 24/7 customer support.
Pricing is simple with a flat $5 per month plan with yearly billing or a 1-month purchase for $10.
7. PIA
Best For: 35,000 servers in 91 countries
Features:
- Huge network with 35,000+ servers
- Servers located in 91 countries
- No-logs policy
- Split tunneling
Platforms: Linux, macOS, Android, Windows, Chrome, Opera, Firefox
Number of Servers: 35,000+ in 91 countries
Price: $3.33 per month
Free Trial: 30 days money-back guarantee
PIA stands for Private Internet Access and is a well-established VPN network with 35,000+ servers connected by buffer-free 10 Gbps lines through 91 countries.
The system features RAM-only architecture, which guarantees that all your data is completely deleted after each session. There is also a no-logs policy, multi-hop obfuscation, unlimited bandwidth, and unlimited device connections.
PIA works on most platforms, including Linux and Android, as well as on browsers. A yearly billing plan costs $3.33 per month, while 3-year billing comes down to $1.98 per month, with a single month’s subscription costing $11.95.
8. Mullvad
Best For: Flexible payments & anonymity
Features:
- Very privacy-focused
- Accepts cash & crypto payments
- No email needed to register
- Simple, flat-rate pricing
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Mullvad browser
Number of Servers: 870+ servers in 68 cities
Price: €5 per month
Free Trial: 30-day money-back guarantee
Those interested in full online anonymity can check out Mullvad VPN. First, the service doesn’t even require an email address to register. Plus, you can pay with cash or cryptocurrencies.
You get anti-censorship features and obfuscation, automatic key rotation in WireGuard, an advanced kill switch, and apps for the most popular devices. Mullvad even has a privacy-focused web browser designed in collaboration with the Tor Project.
Pricing is simple at €5 flat per month. The system is externally audited, follows a no-logging policy, is easy to set up and use, and is based in the privacy-safe jurisdiction of Sweden.
9. UltraVPN
Best For: User- & budget-friendly
Features:
- Military-grade encryption
- Unlimited data & bandwidth
- 830+ servers in 125+ locations
Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Number of Servers: 830+ in 125 locations
Price: $4.99 per month
Free Trial: 30 days guarantee
UltraVPN offers a clean and simple interface that makes it a user-friendly VPN provider. It allows you to secure up to 10 devices simultaneously and includes a kill switch and no-logs policy.
The network has over 830 servers in 125 locations and has no bandwidth limitations, so it works well with streaming services. Further features include a Dark Web Scan for your private information with an alert service, a password manager, and 24/7 customer support.
A single month of UltraVPN costs $11.99, while a 12-month plan costs $4.99 per month and 2 years cost $1.99.
10. TunnelBear
Best For: Ghostbear & freemium plan
Features:
- GhostBeast traffic obfuscator
- Connects unlimited devices
- Strong AES-256 encryption
- P2P networking support
Platforms: Windows, Android, macOS
Number of Servers: 5,000+
Price: Freemium, $3.33 per month for unlimited
Free Trial: Yes
TunnelBear is a user-friendly service with a freemium business model. It offers the GhostBear system to help evade government censorship, by making your VPN traffic less detectable. The system works on Windows, macOS v4, and on Android devices.
Other TunnelBear features include AES-256 encryption, split-tunneling, ease of use, and a no-logging policy. The network hosts more than 5,000 servers in 47+ countries worldwide and allows protocol selection between OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard.
The Free plan is limited to 2GB of data per month, while the Unlimited plan features unlimited everything – browsing, devices, premium server selection, and priority customer support. There’s also a plan for teams at $5 per user per month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions that people ask about VPN services in China.
Q: Why do I need a VPN for China?
A: A VPN encrypts your online activities and enables you to evade China’s Great Firewall. You need a VPN if you are in China and want to access websites that are banned in the country.
Q: Are VPNs legal in China?
A: It’s complicated. VPNs are heavily regulated in China, so only VPN providers that adhere to the government’s regulations and censorship are legal. Adhering to these regulations, on the other hand, defeats the purpose of a VPN for most people.
Q: Do free VPNs work in China?
A: You may find free ones, but you won’t be impressed.
Q: What if my VPN stops working in China?
A: You will need to contact customer support for assistance. So, if you might need customer support, then make sure to get a VPN provider with good support.
Q: What sites are blocked in China?
A: Over 10,000 websites are blocked in China. These include Google, Facebook, Twitter, and most other social websites, news sites, messaging apps, blogging platforms, and porn sites.
Conclusion
We have gone through this list of the best VPNs for China and you have seen the fastest, most reliable, and affordable services. You have also witnessed the different obfuscation techniques used by VPN providers to evade packet inspection from the Great Firewall.Where you go from here and which service you eventually choose is up to you, as this is based on your needs. But if you want a recommendation, then go for NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
