Updated on: April 24, 2024
Short on time? Here’s the best VPN for China in 2024:
- 🥇ExpressVPN: Includes obfuscated servers that consistently work in China. Comes with industry-leading security features to protect your online traffic in China and maintains super-fast speeds. It also has a large server network, with lots of servers near China, and all plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
NordVPN doesn’t work in China. It has obfuscation, which hides your VPN traffic and helps you use the VPN in censorship-heavy regions, but its support reps don’t recommend trying to use the service in that country, as there’s virtually no chance that you can configure it to work there.
There are very few VPNs that work in China, anyway. This is because the Chinese government bans unauthorized VPN providers that refuse to share user data. The good news is I’ve found top VPNs that work in China and don’t compromise your privacy.
I recommend getting ExpressVPN, which consistently works in China and other restrictive countries without any issues.
Best NordVPN Alternatives That Work in China in 2024
Quick summary of the best NordVPN alternatives that work in China:
- 1. 🥇ExpressVPN — Best NordVPN alternative that works in China in 2024 (works 100% + blazing-fast speeds).
- 2. 🥈Private Internet Access — High-end security features to protect your traffic in China + flexible apps.
- 3. 🥉PrivateVPN — Easy-to-use VPN for China with good security (great for VPN beginners).
DISCLAIMER: This article is only for informative purposes and should not be taken as legal advice. VPN usage in China is a legally gray area, so I strongly recommend researching the local laws of the region you’re in to make sure you don’t risk facing any legal repercussions for using a VPN.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for China
ExpressVPN is my #1 NordVPN alternative for China — I spoke to multiple support reps, and they all confirmed that the VPN reliably works in the country.
ExpressVPN uses obfuscation on all servers, which allows it to work in restrictive countries like China. This feature makes your VPN traffic look more like regular traffic, so it’s harder for the Chinese monitors to detect and block you. Although all of ExpressVPN protocols have obfuscation, ExpressVPN’s support reps recommend using the Automatic protocol setting in China.
Plus, you get servers in 105 countries, including nearby servers in Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore for the fastest possible speeds.
The VPN has advanced security features, such as full leak protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks, so your IP address never leaks online, In addition, ExpressVPN uses perfect forward secrecy, which changes your encryption key every time you connect to a new server, and RAM-only servers, which reset all data upon reboot. In terms of privacy, the VPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited and confirmed, confirming that it doesn’t monitor or log any of your traffic.
One of ExpressVPN’s best features is that it offers mirrored links, which are super helpful if you can’t access the normal website in China. Mirrored links are links to a copy of ExpressVPN’s website that isn’t blocked by China’s firewall. To get the latest one, you simply have to contact the VPN’s customer support.
I’m also a fan of ExpressVPN’s browser extensions for use in China. Unlike many other browser extensions, they protect your entire device, not just the browser they’re installed on (ExpressVPN has extensions for Chrome and Firefox that work in China). The most important feature, though, is that they block HTML Geolocation which reveals your real location (this makes sure your IP matches your server location).
I really like that ExpressVPN comes with split-tunneling. This feature lets you decide which apps use the local ISP network and which ones follow the VPN tunnel. With it, you can access local services and websites in one browser while your other apps use the VPN for free internet.
The VPN also has top-notch customer support. All of its reps are super knowledgeable and are available 24/7 via email support and live chat in case you need help connecting in China. Plus, there are a bunch of recommendations on how to fix common connection issues, as well as detailed instructions on how to get the connection working.
ExpressVPN offers several plans, starting at $6.67 / month. This is very affordable, considering that it offers tons of value. Plus, all plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is the best NordVPN alternative that works in China. It offers obfuscation on all servers and protocols, so you’ll be able to connect to any server location you want, and it has a large server network with lots of servers near China for the best possible speeds. ExpressVPN is highly secure and backs all plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Highly-Secure NordVPN Alternative for China
Private Internet Access (PIA) offers very secure online connections in China. It uses the Shadowsocks proxy servers to disguise your VPN traffic. The proxy servers are located in 6 privacy-friendly countries, including Japan and Switzerland. It takes just a couple of clicks to find and connect to one of the Shadowsock servers.
PIA is ultra-secure, with full leak protection, an audited no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, and perfect forward secrecy. Plus, all of PIA’s apps are open-source, which means anyone can inspect them for holes in security.
I’m a huge fan of its advanced split-tunneling feature. PIA allows you to split-tunnel both apps and websites, so you won’t have to exclude your entire browser from the VPN if you only want to protect your connection on a couple of websites in China. On top of that, PIA has the best ad and malware blocker on the market.
I really like how customizable PIA’s apps — they let you choose different encryption levels and automate your connections. But, they’re also user-friendly and come with helpful explanations.
The apps also let you choose to use port 443 when you use the OpenVPN (TCP) protocol. This port is the default option for HTTPS traffic and is extra secure compared to standard HTTP. It forms a more secure tunnel for your internet traffic as it travels from your web browser to a website. This helps protect your sensitive data.
Private Internet Access’s plans are cheap, starting at just $2.03 / month. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access hides your VPN traffic via the Shadowsocks protocol, allowing you to connect a server in a privacy-friendly nation. It also offers user-friendly and customizable apps. All plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
🥉 3. PrivateVPN — Beginner-Friendly VPN for China
PrivateVPN is a great NordVPN alternative for VPN beginners in China. It obfuscates traffic with the Stealth VPN protocol, which is very easy to find and enable in its apps.
PrivateVPN’s apps are very intuitive — finding and connecting to any servers while in China doesn’t take more than a couple of clicks. All features come with helpful explanations, which is great for anyone new to VPNs, and it allows you to customize your connections, so it’s also good for advanced users.
You also get servers in 63 countries, which is fewer than ExpressVPN, but I think it’s great that there are servers in nearby locations like Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore.
In terms of security, you get perfect forward secrecy and DNS and IPv6 leak protection. PrivateVPN lacks built-in WebRTC leak protection, which is pretty easy to enable in your browser, but I wish it used RAM-only servers like ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access. Plus, PrivateVPN doesn’t have an ad blocker or split-tunneling.
The VPN also has great customer support that you can reach out to any time of day or night if your connection in China isn’t working.
PrivateVPN’s plans start at $2.00 / month, it backs all plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
PrivateVPN is a really good pick for beginners that need a VPN in China. It uses the Stealth VPN protocol to disguise your VPN traffic as regular, comes with advanced security features, and has servers nearby China. Its apps are very user-friendly and its plans are very affordable. All plans offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full PrivateVPN review
Comparison of the Best NordVPN Alternatives That Work in China in 2024
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
- I looked for VPNs that reliably work in China. All VPNs I’ve selected include obfuscation servers or tools, allowing you to freely browse the web in China at any time.
- I considered the security features. Essential VPN security features to look for include 256-bit AES encryption, used by banks and militaries, IP leak protection, a kill switch to disconnect you from the internet when the connection to the VPN server drops, and a strict no-logs policy.
- I tested its obfuscation speeds. While all VPNs slightly reduce speeds due to encryption, and obfuscation may slow it further, I made sure the VPNs on my list still maintain fast speeds — the fastest one in my tests was ExpressVPN.
- I checked the server network. To get the best speeds possible, the VPN should have servers in regions close to China, such as Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, or Taiwan.
- I only recommend VPNs that provide good value. The VPNs listed here offer affordable plans, support multiple simultaneous connections, and include a money-back guarantee, allowing you to try them risk-free.
Why Does China Try to Block VPNs?
China uses a firewall, often referred to as The Great Firewall, blocking access to popular online platforms, including news sites, streaming services, Google services, and social media sites like Instagram and Twitter. The Chinese government also conducts mass online surveillance by tracking users’ online activities, including which sites they browse.
However, VPN technology allows people in China to bypass online censorship and hide their web traffic. This is why the Chinese government aggressively tries to detect and block access to VPNs — it wants total control over the online content its citizens can view.
Luckily, some top VPNs still work in China, including ExpressVPN. It uses obfuscation technology that makes your VPN traffic look more like regular traffic. This makes it very hard for the Chinese government and its ISPs (Internet Service Providers) to block you.
Is It Legal to Use a VPN in China?
I spent weeks researching this topic, and my conclusion is that this is a gray legal area. Many sources claim that only government-approved VPNs are allowed — though using one would mean the Chinese government could track your VPN traffic. However, I wasn’t able to find information about specific laws that make it illegal to use a non-government-approved VPN.
Many online posts also claim China treats expats and tourists differently than Chinese nationals. Basically, only Chinese nationals are likely to face legal repercussions if they’re caught using non-government-approved VPNs — or if they promote non-approved VPNs on social media sites and messaging apps. I have also seen reports about people being arrested in relation to using VPNs in China — that said, all of those people were operating non-government-approved VPNs.
This is why I recommend researching the local laws before using a VPN in China. It’s the best way to avoid facing legal repercussions if you’re caught using one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if NordVPN doesn’t work in China?
You should try another VPN. NordVPN doesn’t work in China, and its customer support reps have told me that it’s not worth trying to make it work, including through manual configuration, in the country.
I recommend using a different VPN like ExpressVPN. All of its apps consistently work in China, it secures your data with industry-leading security and privacy features, maintains the fastest speeds on the market, and comes with excellent streaming and torrenting support.
Can I use NordVPN on iOS and Android in China?
No, as NordVPN doesn’t work in China. Connecting to its servers, even if you perform a manual setup, won’t give you access to the free and open web.
It’s best to use a different VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN because its iOS and Android apps consistently work in China, the apps are easy to use, they have high-end security features, and provide lightning-fast speeds.
Can I use hotel Wi-Fi to access NordVPN’s site in China?
Probably not. I found a couple of sources online that suggest using hotel internet works, but most articles indicate that hotels in China tend to enforce the government-imposed restrictions. Even if you do access NordVPN’s site to download the VPN, NordVPN simply doesn’t work in China.
I recommend opting for a VPN that works in China, like ExpressVPN. This provider has the fastest speeds on the market, offers excellent security and privacy, and has user-friendly apps that are easy to set up and use in China.
Can I use Shadowsocks to connect to NordVPN in China?
No, NordVPN doesn’t support Shadowsocks connections and doesn’t work in China, as confirmed by its support representatives. I also personally tested a manual Shadowsocks connection to a NordVPN server, and unfortunately, it did not work.
If you’re interested in using Shadowsocks with a VPN, I recommend Private Internet Access — it comes with built-in Shadowsocks obfuscation, and it also consistently works in China.
Does NordVPN have servers in China?
No, and the VPN also doesn’t work in China. I instead recommend trying ExpressVPN — it consistently works in China and lets you bypass the government’s firewall by connecting to nearby countries, including Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Macau, the Philippines, and Taiwan.
How do I install NordVPN if I’m already in China?
Although there are some ways to try and install the VPN in China, NordVPN doesn’t work there. The best way is to use NordVPN’s mirrored links, which are alternative URLs provided by NordVPN. Alternatively, you can try a free proxy service, which may still be unblocked in China, or ask a friend outside of a restrictive country to sign up and send you the VPN setup details.
But, even if you succeed in installing the VPN while in China, it won’t work there — as confirmed by multiple NordVPN customer support reps I talked to.
Can I access NordVPN’s website from China?
Unfortunately, access to NordVPN’s website from mainland China is typically blocked due to the country’s internet censorship policies. China’s Great Firewall, a sophisticated system of internet censorship, restricts access to many foreign websites — including most VPN services.
You may still be able to access NordVPN’s website using a proxy or mirrored link, but keep in mind that NordVPN doesn’t work in China. I instead recommend getting a VPN that works there, like ExpressVPN.
Does NordVPN have a free plan?
NordVPN doesn’t have a free plan. However, it does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you have 30 days to test the service and all of its features before deciding if it’s right for you. If you’re not impressed by NordVPN, you’ll get your money back if you request a refund within the 30-day timeframe.
If you’re looking for a free VPN, there are some decent options. But if you need a VPN for China, I recommend skipping NordVPN and any free VPN service and getting any of these affordable alternatives that actually work in China.
