Updated on: April 23, 2024
Short on time? Here’s the best VPN for China in 2024:
- 🥇ExpressVPN: Has obfuscated servers that work 100% of the time in China, offers industry-leading security features, and maintains the fastest speeds. Moreover, the VPN has a vast server network with servers in multiple countries near China. All plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Unfortunately, Proton VPN doesn’t work in China. This is due to the country’s sophisticated firewall, which prevents people in China from accessing foreign websites. And it’s quite good at detecting and blocking VPNs.
In fact, very few VPNs actually work in China. Plus, China blocks many VPN websites, so if the VPN provider doesn’t have a workaround, you won’t be able to download the VPN while in China.
I spent a couple of weeks testing VPNs and found the best ones that work in China. I recommend ExpressVPN as it has effective obfuscation that works consistently, offers mirrored links for downloading its apps in China, has top-notch security features, and provides super-fast speeds.
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Does ProtonVPN Work in China?
Proton VPN faces challenges in China due to its sophisticated firewall, which controls and restricts internet access. The firewall uses various technical methods, including DNS filtering, URL filtering, and deep packet inspection to restrict access to social media, news, and messaging apps and sites. Plus, the firewall detects and blocks access to many VPN servers and IP addresses.
As of Sept. 18, 2019, the Chinese government had included Proton VPN in its blocklist, preventing users in China from using the service. As a result, the VPN is actively investigating and developing countermeasures to bypass government blocks. It also recommends using a Tor bridge, or a special unlisted Tor server that can’t be detected or blocked by the Chinese government.
Best VPNs That Still Work in China in 2024
Quick summary of the best VPNs for China:
- 1. 🥇ExpressVPN — Best overall VPN for China in 2024 (with obfuscation on all servers + super fast speeds).
- 2. 🥈Private Internet Access — Secure VPN with highly customizable apps and top-notch security features.
- 3. 🥉PrivateVPN — Good for ease of use (with a user-friendly interface and decent speeds).
DISCLAIMER: Personal use of a non-government-approved VPN in China might be illegal. Although there are no instances of the Chinese government punishing individuals or foreigners for VPN usage, it’s important to comply with the local laws and regulations. I and my team don’t support or recommend the use of VPNs for any illegal activities.
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for China with Fast Speeds and Strong Security
ExpressVPN is my top choice for China. It works consistently in the country thanks to its highly effective obfuscated servers. These servers disguise your VPN traffic, so it looks like regular internet traffic (which the firewall won’t block). ExpressVPN has obfuscation on all servers and protocols but recommends using the Automatic protocol setting for China.
I like, too, that the VPN regularly refreshes its IP addresses, making it harder for the Chinese government to detect and block them. ExpressVPN also provides mirrored links, which are copies of its site with different URLs. If you’re having issues accessing the official site, you’ll be able to visit the ExpressVPN site and download the VPN in China with the new link. To get a mirrored link, you’ll need to email ExpressVPN’s customer support.
The VPN has tons of advanced security features for use in China. You get full IP leak protection, so your real IP address is never exposed, and an independently audited and confirmed no-logs policy (it doesn’t log what you do online). Plus, it uses RAM-only servers, so each server reboot erases all data, and perfect forward secrecy, which changes the encryption key each time you connect to a different server.
This provider also has split-tunneling, which lets you choose which apps use the VPN tunnel and which use the local network. This has a couple of benefits, like giving you faster speeds and allowing you to use local apps (like map and food delivery apps) while connected to the VPN.
ExpressVPN has the fastest speeds on the market. In my speed tests, websites loaded instantly, and HD and 4K videos played without lagging. It also has a large server network in 105 countries, including ones neighboring China, like Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore. This gives you plenty of nearby server options to find the server closest to your location, which usually provides the fastest speeds.
I found ExpressVPN’s apps quite user-friendly. The Shortcuts feature allows you to create 1-click shortcuts to your favorite apps and sites for quick access. Plus, the Smart Location tool automatically connects you to the fastest server in your location.
ExpressVPN has plans starting at $6.67 / month. All of the VPN’s plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN reliably works in China. It has obfuscation on all of its servers and regularly refreshes its IP addresses. What’s more, it has strong security features, maintains fast speeds, and has a large server network. The VPN also offers mirrored links to download the VPN in China safely. All of its plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Highly-Customizable VPN With Strong Security
Private Internet Access (PIA) is great for safely browsing in China. It uses the open-source Shadowsocks proxy for obfuscation, which PIA’s email and live chat representatives confirm work in the restrictive country. The VPN also provides plenty of user-friendly features and advanced security and privacy settings.
The Shadowsocks proxy servers are located in 6 countries, including Japan and the Netherlands. These servers are located under Settings and Multi-hop, so you can find and connect to one of them in just a few clicks.
PIA has advanced security features like RAM-only servers, full leak protection, perfect forward secrecy, and an audited no-logs policy. The VPN also has the best ad blocker on the market, called PIA MACE, which reliably blocks ads, ad trackers, and malicious sites. I also like that its apps are open source, which means that anyone can inspect the code for security issues.
I’m also a big fan of PIA’s customizable and easy-to-navigate apps. You can easily change protocols, encryption levels, proxy settings, connection options (like whether to connect to trusted or untrusted Wi-Fi networks), and choose a different layout and look for the app. All features are set to a default setting, so you won’t feel overwhelmed about changing them. What’s more, there are brief explanations for most of the settings.
Moreover, PIA had good speeds in my tests as websites loaded in 1–2 seconds and HD videos played in 2 seconds.
Private Internet Access offers affordable plans that start at $2.03 / month. Each plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access is a highly customizable VPN that’s great for China. It provides obfuscation through Shadowsocks proxy servers and has many advanced security features. It also has a vast server network and great speeds, its apps are intuitive, and all plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
🥉3. PrivateVPN — Intuitive VPN With Decent Speeds
PrivateVPN is great for protecting your online privacy in China. It has an obfuscation protocol called Stealth Mode, which uses obfuscation to mask the VPN traffic and make it look like any other normal internet traffic.
The VPN is a good pick for those new to VPNs. It’s very easy to find and enable Stealth Mode and connect to a server. Plus, you can easily switch from Simple View, which is great for beginners, to Advanced View, which gives you more control over settings and features.
This provider has servers in 63 countries, and the servers are evenly distributed around the globe. It has servers in Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore for fast connections in China.
The VPN had decent speeds in my tests — websites loaded in 3 seconds and HD videos played with minor interruptions.
I like that the VPN has advanced security features, like perfect forward secrecy and DNS and IPv6 leak protection. It also has Application Guard, which is like a customizable kill switch: it will shut down selected apps if the VPN connection disconnects. However, it’s missing RAM-only servers, WebRTC leak protection, and its no-logs policy hasn’t been independently audited. Plus, it lacks split-tunneling and an ad and malware blocker.
PrivateVPN’s plans start as low as $2.00 / month, which is pretty cheap. The VPN backs all of its plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
PrivateVPN is very easy to use and great for beginners. Its servers are evenly spread out across the globe and the VPN maintains decent speeds. Moreover, it has strong security features and low-cost plans that come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full PrivateVPN review
Comparison of the Best VPNs for China in 2024
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
How to Choose the Best VPN for China in 2024
- Choose a VPN that works in China. All the VPNs on this list reliably work in China and allow you to securely browse the web in China.
- Select a VPN with strong security. I only recommend VPNs that have industry-standard VPN security features, like 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch to disconnect you from the internet if your VPN connection fails, and a no-logs policy.
- Consider speeds. All VPNs slow down your speeds due to the encryption process but top VPNs maintain fast speeds across all servers. ExpressVPN had the fastest speeds in my tests.
- Go for a VPN that’s easy to use. The VPNs on this list have an intuitive interface, which makes it easier to find the fastest server near China or the obfuscation tool needed for use in the country.
- Look for a VPN that provides good value. All the VPNs on this list come with extra features, allow multiple simultaneous connections, and offer competitive pricing plans. Plus, they all offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
How to Use a VPN in China
Here’s how to use a VPN in China:
1. Download and install a VPN that works in China. You can download the VPN app from the vendor’s official site or from your app store. Then, make sure to follow the on-screen instructions. It’s also advisable that you download and install the VPN before visiting China as most VPN sites and apps are blocked by the government.
2. Open the VPN app. Scroll through the server list and connect to a server in a country near China, like Hong Kong or Taiwan.
3. Browse the internet freely. Enjoy normal browsing of the web safely in China!
How to Download a VPN If You’re Already in China
If you’re already in China, you probably won’t be able to access any VPN site as they’re almost all blocked by the government. Here are some alternative methods you can use to download a VPN in China:
- Use mirrored links. Mirrored links make it harder for firewalls to detect and block them as they are a copy of the VPN’s website with a different URL. ExpressVPN offers mirrored links but you’ll need to contact its customer support to get access.
- Use a free proxy. A proxy changes your IP address but it doesn’t encrypt your traffic. With a web proxy, you can just copy-paste the VPN’s site link in the search field.
- Ask for help from a friend outside of China. You can ask a friend who is living outside of China to sign up with the VPN and download it. Then, they can send you the installation files and login credentials via email.
- Use the SIM card from your country. If your SIM card enables roaming, you can use it to access the internet and sign up for the VPN through their official website. Because your roaming data isn’t controlled by your Chinese ISP, you can bypass any government firewalls or restrictions while using it.
- Email the VPN’s support to request the .apk app if you’re an Android user. If you’re an existing VPN subscriber using an Android device, consider installing the .apk app directly, bypassing the need for the app store. You can acquire the most recent .apk file by reaching out to the VPN’s email support team.
- Consider planning a trip to Hong Kong or Macau. While Chinese authorities conduct some online monitoring in these regions, they operate beyond the Great Firewall. This means that you’ll be able to access the VPN’s website, sign up, and download the app while in these areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Proton VPN’s free plan work in China?
No, Proton VPN’s free version (as well as the paid ones) doesn’t work in China. This is because of the Chinese government firewall that restricts individuals from accessing foreign sites and blocks VPNs. Luckily, all the VPNs on this list reliably work in China.
Which VPN is the best for China?
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for China. It has obfuscation on all servers and protocols and works reliably in China. It also maintains the fastest speeds on the market and comes with user-friendly apps.
Which VPNs work in China?
The VPNs in my list above work in China 100% of the time. That said, my top choice is ExpressVPN as it has obfuscation on all of its servers, maintains the fastest speeds on the market, and has advanced security features.
Are VPNs illegal in China?
The use of VPNs that the government doesn’t approve may be considered illegal. The Chinese government allows certain VPNs to operate as long as they share data with the state, so your data won’t be protected if you use them.
