Published on: December 1, 2023 Updated 4 times since publishing
- 🥇 ExpressVPN : Comes with obfuscated servers that can bypass China’s DPI blocks in Shanghai, hides all of your online activities from your Chinese ISP with advanced security features, and maintains the fastest speeds on the market. Plus, it has a large server network in 105 countries, including ones near Shanghai, and works with 100+ streaming apps. All plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee for first-time subscribers.
In Shanghai, and most regions of China, the Great Firewall restricts the internet. The government controls what online content people can see, usually favoring sites that agree to share data with it.
You need a VPN to access the free internet privately and securely. Whether you’re looking to access your favorite sites from abroad or stay connected to friends and family, you need a reliable and fast VPN to ensure your browsing and private data remain anonymous.
After weeks of testing, I found the best VPNs for Shanghai that maintain reliable connections in China. My favorite is ExpressVPN because it’s highly secure and the fastest VPN on the market. Due to strict regulations in China, VPN connections may be unstable, but ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you peace of mind if the service doesn’t meet your needs.
Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for Shanghai in 2026
Disclaimer: China’s strict regulations can sometimes cause VPN connectivity issues. Still, ExpressVPN is pretty reliable and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users to try it risk-free. The Chinese government only approves using certain VPNs that comply with its bans and requirements. There are no instances of individuals being punished for using VPNs, but it’s best to be cautious. I don’t recommend using a VPN for illegal activities, including copyright infringement, and I encourage following local laws and regulations.
Editor's Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Shanghai
Basic 12-Months plan: $3.99 / month
1-month plan: $12.99 / month
ExpressVPN is my top choice for Shanghai. It can access the web in Shanghai thanks to its obfuscated servers — the VPN has servers in 105 countries, including ones near Shanghai, like Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan. These servers not only offer excellent speeds, but also hide your VPN traffic to make it look like regular internet traffic (ExpressVPN recommends using the Automatic protocol in Shanghai).
- Obfuscation on all servers
- Fast nearby servers in Asia
- ShuffleIP improves privacy
- Can download even in Shanghai
- No server in China
The VPN is also extremely secure as it comes with tons of advanced security features. First off, its servers write data to RAM instead of a hard drive, so every time they are rebooted, all that data is gone forever. It also has ShuffleIP, which switches your IP address every time you open a new app or website, making it really hard for Chinese authorities to track your activities.
For browsing, ExpressVPN offers secure extensions for Firefox and Chrome, which also work on Edge and Brave. These extensions sync your browser’s location data with the VPN server’s IP, making it harder for ISPs and networks in Shanghai to detect or block your VPN use.
ExpressVPN also has mirror links, which are duplicates of its website under different URLs that the Chinese government hasn’t blocked. This way, you can download the VPN even if you’re in Shanghai. To get a mirrored link, you need to contact ExpressVPN’s customer support team via email.
The VPN is great for streaming in Shanghai. It can access 100+ streaming sites, including 10+ Netflix libraries, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Max, as well as iQiyi and Tencent video.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for Shanghai. It has obfuscated servers that can get around China’s internet restrictions. You can also download it via a mirror link from Shanghai. Plus, it’s good for streaming and offers many security extras, such as very secure browser extensions with a location spoofing feature, Shuffle IP, and more.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Strong Security Features + Customizable Apps
6-month plan: $7.50 / month
1-month plan: $11.99 / month
Private Internet Access (PIA) is secure and works in Shanghai. Its Shadowsocks protocol makes your VPN traffic look like regular traffic, allowing you to connect to a server in another country and visit any website you want. The VPN has servers in 90 countries, including China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
- Shadowsocks obfuscation
- Highly customizable apps
- Provides a local IP
- Some servers don’t have obfuscation
- Best for advanced users
I found PIA’s apps quite customizable — you can personalize 20+ settings. For example, you can route traffic via port 443 when using the OpenVPN protocol, which can not only offer better speeds than obfuscation but also make it harder for Chinese ISPs to track your online activities. Advanced users can also create custom configuration files, choosing not only the VPN protocol and server, but also ports, encryption levels, and more.
PIA also has the best ad blocker on the market, called PIA MACE, which blocks malicious sites and ad trackers (and they won’t see your browsing data).
The VPN has great privacy features. PIA releases regular transparency reports that prove that it doesn’t store or share user data with Shanghai authorities. In addition, PIA’s apps are open-source, meaning anyone can examine the source code for security issues.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access has strong security features and is highly customizable. Its Shadowsocks obfuscation protocol masks your VPN traffic as regular traffic, so it can work in Shanghai. It also has an excellent ad and tracker blocker, and unmatched customizability for securing connections in Shanghai.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
Editor's Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.
🥉3. PrivateVPN — Intuitive Interface With Decent Speeds
3-month plan: $6.00 / month
1-month plan: $11.99 / month
PrivateVPN is good for browsing the internet in Shanghai and protecting your privacy online. Its obfuscation setting is known as Stealth VPN, and it works reliably at various times of day. Plus, the VPN has servers in 63 countries that work with popular streaming sites such as Hulu, Netflix, and HBO Max. It also offers servers near Shanghai, like Hong Kong, for the best possible speeds.
- Stealth protocol
- Solid streaming support
- App-based kill switch
- Not as fast
- No RAM-only servers
The VPN has a user-friendly interface, so it’s a great option if you’re new to VPNs. It’s easy to use the Stealth VPN and manually connect to a server. Plus, you can use the Simple View, which doesn’t allow much customization, or switch to Advanced View, which allows you to change some settings.
PrivateVPN is secure for Shanghai, but unfortunately, it doesn’t use RAM-only servers — unlike ExpressVPN. That said, macOS and Windows users have access to Application Guard, which can automatically shut down apps if the VPN connection is unexpectedly lost. This protects your sensitive apps and online activities from being detected.
Bottom Line:
PrivateVPN is easy to use, very secure, and has fast speeds. It works in Shanghai due to its Stealth VPN feature and can access top streaming sites. It also has an app-based kill switch and has 2 interface options.
Read the full PrivateVPN review
4. TunnelBear — Beginner-Friendly VPN
12-month plan: $4.99 / month
1-month plan: $9.99 / month
TunnelBear is a user-friendly VPN that works in Shanghai. Its obfuscation tool, called GhostBear, can be enabled with a single click.
The VPN has servers in 47 countries, which is a smaller server network than ExpressVPN’s 105 countries. However, TunnelBear’s servers are evenly spread out across the globe with servers in Taiwan and Hong Kong and its servers can access top streaming services, like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
- Obfuscation on all servers
- Has servers nearby Shanghai
- Beginner-friendly
- Smaller server network
- No RAM-only servers
On desktop, TunnelBear includes an advanced option called TCP Override. This forces the VPN to use the TCP protocol instead of the default UDP. While TCP can be a bit slower, it’s far more stable on restrictive networks like those in Shanghai, where connections often drop or struggle to stay consistent. This means you’re less likely to get cut off mid-session.
Bottom Line:
TunnelBear is a great Shanghai VPN for beginners. It has servers in countries near Shanghai, maintains fast speeds, has good streaming support, and comes with high-end security features. It also comes with a cool TCP override function.
Read the full TunnelBear review
5. VyprVPN — Strong Security Features
VyprVPN has its own proprietary Chameleon protocol that hides your VPN connection. It has servers in 70 countries that can access 45+ streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu, and it has servers in nearby locations, including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
- Strong streaming support
- Advanced kill switch
- Automatic public Wi-Fi protection
- Slower obfuscation
- No ad blocker on Windows
The VPN has advanced security features, including VyprDNS, which replaces your regular DNS with a secure, private system, preventing DNS leaks and blocking local restrictions. In Shanghai, this means you can access websites reliably without your ISP seeing or interfering with your traffic. And its Chameleon protocol offers strong obfuscation and constant IP address switching. That said, this also slows it down compared to rivals such as ExpressVPN.
I like how user-friendly VyprVPN’s apps are. There are helpful explanations for all settings and features, so you won’t feel overwhelmed about using them. I particularly appreciate that the kill switch can remain active even after you close the VyprVPN app, so you don’t accidentally go online unprotected.
Bottom Line:
VyprVPN comes with a Chameleon proprietary protocol that helps you connect to a nearby country outside of Shanghai with fewer internet restrictions. It’s secure, can access lots of streaming sites, is fast, and has user-friendly apps.
Quick Comparison Table
Editor's Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
I used our thorough testing methodology to ensure I only recommend the best VPNs that meet our high standards for use in Shanghai. Each VPN was tested in real-life scenarios to assess its security features, speeds, ease of use, and value. Below are the criteria I used to decide which VPNs to include on my list and how each one ranked.
- I checked if their obfuscation works in restrictive countries like China. I made sure that all the VPNs offer obfuscation that can evade detection and access the free and open internet from Shanghai.
- I looked for strong security features. All of my VPN picks come with essential security features, such as 256-bit AES encryption, server obfuscation or IP switching technology, a kill switch that disconnects you from the internet if the VPN connection fails, and strict no-logs policies to ensure privacy and protect against data tracking.
- I tested the VPNs’ speeds. All VPNs reduce your connection speed due to the encryption process, but the best VPNs for Shanghai can maintain fast speeds across all servers, even with obfuscation (which further slows down a VPN’s speeds). ExpressVPN had the fastest speeds in my tests.
- I tested the mobile & desktop apps to make sure they work in Shanghai. Every VPN on my list lets you use obfuscation on mobile and desktop. I also made sure obfuscation is easy to enable across all apps.
- I assessed the value for money. All the VPNs come with generous money-back guarantees, affordable pricing plans, and extra features like split-tunneling to allow you more control over their internet traffic in Shanghai.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- CyberGhost VPN. CyberGhost VPN is a secure and fast VPN with a large server network. However, it doesn’t reliably work in restrictive countries like China.
- NordVPN. NordVPN has top-notch security features and fast speeds across all servers. However, its customer support representatives confirmed it won’t work in Shanghai.
- Surfshark. Surfshark is a user-friendly and affordable VPN, but it doesn’t work in restrictive countries like China.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best VPN for Shanghai?
ExpressVPN is my top choice for Shanghai — it can evade detection in China thanks to its obfuscated servers. Although connections can be unstable in China due to the country’s restrictions, the VPN is generally reliable and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
It also has the fastest speeds on the market, provides advanced security features, can access 100+ streaming sites (including lots of different international libraries), and comes with really user-friendly apps.
Can you use a free VPN for Shanghai?
Yes, but I don’t recommend it. Most free VPNs don’t reliably work in restrictive countries, have slow speeds and small server networks, and put data caps on a daily and monthly basis. Instead, I recommend purchasing a top VPN, like ExpressVPN — it can bypass China’s firewall, has fast speeds, and provides strong security features.
Can you use a VPN in Shanghai?
The use of non-government-approved VPNs is banned in Shanghai. Although there aren’t any instances of individuals being fined for using a VPN, it’s important to follow the local laws and regulations.
Will a VPN slow down my internet speed in Shanghai?
Most VPNs will slow down your speeds, but top VPNs can minimize this speed loss. Some speed reduction is expected due to the encryption process and rerouting of traffic. Luckily, the VPNs on this list maintain fast speeds across all servers. ExpressVPN had the fastest speeds in my tests.
Which VPN works best in Shanghai right now?
All of the VPNs from my list above work well in Shanghai, but if I had to pick one to recommend, it would be ExpressVPN. This is mostly thanks to its automatic obfuscation on all servers, the ShuffleIP feature, and generally fast and reliable servers near Shanghai.
Can I download a VPN once I’m already in Shanghai?
Yes, as long as you use ExpressVPN. Normally, downloading a VPN in China can be problematic, as the government keeps a list of blocked sites, which includes some of the most popular VPNs. That said, ExpressVPN has a collection of mirror links that aren’t blocked, so you’ll be able to download the app even if you forgot to do it before travelling to Shanghai.
Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
