The best VPN for China 2024

Finding the best VPN for China is a task faced by many due to the infamous restrictions imposed on foreign content. VPNs, virtual private networks, provide a safe, effective, and affordable way to bypass these issues. These services need to ensure you can truly trust them, as poor services could leave you exposed to China's laws.

Some of the best VPN services will give you access to not only the secure online connection you need to access foreign content in China, but will also enable you to access your favorite streaming services hassle-free, and offer features to further protect your identity such as Alternate ID, Multi-hop connections, and more.

To help you find the best China VPN for your needs, the TechRadar VPN team and I have used our combined expertise and experience with these VPN services to curate a list of the very best. Whether you simply want to choose our top VPN for China, which right now is NordVPN, or you want to pick a VPN with specific features you prefer, we've got the best choices for you.

The three best China VPNs today

Looking for a quick answer? Here are my three best VPNs for China in 2024 that work to bypass the Great Firewall while keeping you protected:

1. NordVPN - from $3.39 per month
The best VPN for most people
NordVPN is my #1 pick overall – and it packs a ton of security features into seriously small prices. In addition to a built-in ad blocker and malware protection, you'll get access to more than 6,000 servers in 111 countries, allowing you to regain access to all of those sites that've been banned in China. Oh, and on that note, NordVPN is virtually unbeatable when it comes to unblocking streaming services. Try NordVPN for yourself, risk-free, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

View Deal

2. ExpressVPN - from $6.67 per month
The best VPN for beginners
ExpressVPN is the service I recommend most often to VPN newbies. It only takes a few clicks to get set up and connecting to a server is as simple as hitting the big "Connect" button. ExpressVPN lives up to its name, too, offering wickedly fast speeds that are more than capable of keeping up with any HD or 4K streaming you get up to. There's no denying that ExpressVPN is expensive, especially compared to NordVPN and Surfshark, but you get a premium service in return for a premium price. See for yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee.

View Deal

3. Surfshark - from $2.19 per month
The best cheap VPN
Surfshark leads the pack when it comes to sheer value for money. You'll get awesome speeds, apps for all of your devices, and tons of security features - so you can get around bans, blocks, and pesky geo-restrictions no matter where you are. I especially like that Surfshark gives users unlimited simultaneous connections. You can use these to cover all of the gadgets in your home or share your login with friends and family - if you're feeling generous. Take Surfshark for a test drive with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

View Deal

The best VPNs for China in 2024

Here's a more in-depth look at what makes these top picks the best VPNs to use in China. We've analyzed how each of them keep you safe when you're browsing foreign content online and what features each offer to ensure you can trust them with your online data.

The best VPN for China overall

NordVPN is the best China VPN thanks to its blend of security, functionality, ease of use, and cost. It's a security-focused VPN solution that can evade the Great Firewall of China and help you use your favorite social media apps, torrent files, or unblock geo-restricted content. Plus, with its obfuscated (VPN cloaking) servers in nearby territories such as Japan and Hong Kong, alongside its Double VPN feature, you can get anonymity, privacy, and security, all without breaking the bank.

Those local servers are just a small part of NordVPN's massive server network of over 6,000 servers in 91 countries. Thanks to its global footprint, you can connect to servers outside of Asia to enjoy your favorite TV shows and movies, all with reliability and consistency. NordVPN unblocked every streaming service in all regions in my latest tests, making it a reliable streaming VPN solution, too.

For example, if you are a British person visiting China, you can pick a server in the UK and start watching your favorite BBC iPlayer content as if you were home. NordVPN’s top speeds continue to impress when we put it to the test, reaching a staggering 950+ Mbps with WireGuard, and continuing to be one of the fastest services out there. These speeds meant we found no issues when we tried streaming or torrenting, especially if you use its proprietary WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol.

Like most top-notch VPNs, there's a clear no-log policy, too. But Nord has gone the extra step here by inviting external auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers to verify the security of its apps. An exciting new addition is its Meshnet feature. This advanced feature lets you establish an encrypted connection between up to 60 devices. That allows you to securely share files without sending them to a server cloud, making it perfect for those visiting China for business.

What we think differentiates NordVPN from other providers is the quality of its optional features, including a cross-platform password manager, data breach scanner, and 1 TB cloud storage that come with its more expensive plans. Each of its plans has a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try its services for free.

The best China VPN for beginners

ExpressVPN is perfect for VPN beginners looking to travel. Its easy-to-use apps automate all the difficult manual settings you'd normally need to configure yourself with most other providers. It's a go-to service for many Hong Kong locals because it deftly navigates around censorship. ExpressVPN's wide array of over 160 server locations is a big plus, with Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mongolia, and Japan-based servers especially useful for people in China looking for a nearby server.

From tight control over its TrustedServer setup to military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, ExpressVPN still ranks as our best secure VPN for good reason. Express actively monitors its network for accessibility in China and ensures it stays ahead of censorship efforts to block connections, alongside automatically using obfuscation protocols, a kill switch, and parallel VPN connections to ensure you're always protected, and no information can leak that might allow Chinese authorities to detect you are using a VPN.

Its average speeds improved massively in my last round of testing – jumping to 898 Mbps from 410 Mbps, more than enough for most users. However, it's worth noting that NordVPN and Surfshark both maxed out my speed testing line at over 950 Mbps. Alongside this, ExpressVPN's ability to unblock websites and avoid geo-restrictions is exceptional. In my latest tests, ExpressVPN successfully unblocked the most popular streaming services: international Netflix catalogs, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, and more.

Despite ExpressVPN recently adding a new 2-year plan, it's still more expensive than other providers, though the addition of new identity protection features makes the price much better value than previously. If you need a more budget-friendly option, NordVPN or Surfshark are better choices thanks to their longer plans and greater long-term savings.

Where ExpressVPN stands out, though, is its industry-leading customer support—it's available 24/7 and provides timely, expert advice. Its easy-to-use apps are ideal for first-time VPN users looking for a simple and effective solution. See for yourself why it's one of my go-to picks for a VPN in China with its 30-day guarantee.

The best cheap VPN for China

Thanks to its great value price points and user-friendly interface, Surfshark features high in many of my VPN buying guides. Plus, it has undoubtedly improved its security credentials, acing its first no-logs independent audit in recent years.

Surfshark offers over 3,200 servers in more than 100 countries, which creates ample possibilities. In addition, Surfshark is among the best for keeping things simple thanks to its easy-to-use interface and one-click solutions like its "Quick Connect" function.

It also offers advanced security and privacy features, which are necessary to avoid extensive surveillance by the Chinese government. AES-256 encryption is in place to ensure that nobody can discover what sites you've been using. Additionally, Surfshark's recently launched service Incogni automatically requests the deletion of personal data stored by data brokers to shield you from invasive data-tracking practices.

My latest round of tests confirmed Surfshark is one of the fastest VPNs when using its WireGuard protocol, with impressive peaks of over 950 Mbps, it maxed out my testing line along with NordVPN. Its unblocking power was quite impressive, too. From Netflix and Hulu to iPlayer and Disney+, I managed to access virtually all the streaming platforms on the market.

Despite the low pricing, Surfshark offers blazing-fast speeds and unlimited simultaneous connections. That makes it an ideal pick for families, friend groups, or even business owners, as it allows you to keep those closest to you safe online. Besides, you can use its services risk-free for a month, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Other China VPNs I've tested and recommend

Astrill VPN is a popular choice for Chinese natives. It's got a great reputation for evading China's firewalls and unblocking foreign content, but to do so requires expensive dedicated IPs, especially if you're focused on streaming with your VPN.

It has a strong focus on providing a highly configurable platform, with apps offering various in-depth features, including adjustable levels of encryption and changing maximum transfer unit (MTU) values. This means you can send smaller, less noticeable, data packets while taking advantage of traditional features like split-tunneling and kill switch.

Astrill VPN offers advanced privacy options. The VPN service offers its own Stealth VPN feature for obfuscation, called "Smart Mode," which automatically uses your VPN IP address on international websites but keeps your real IP for local sites. It claims to offer an additional encryption layer on top of OpenVPN, which aims to make your connections hard to identify and block by firewalls. Regarding privacy, Astrill shows a clear commitment to transparency by thoroughly describing its no-logging procedures and what the firm does to protect your data. The downside is that it might need to collect your phone number and address, depending on your payment method.

Though offering numerous security options, I found Astrill VPN's smartphone apps are somewhat behind in comparison to its Windows and Mac clients, which, in part, is why I see solutions like Surfshark and ExpressVPN as superior for mobile users. Plus, Astriil VPN continues to be notably more expensive, making Surfshark a better choice for budget-conscious users. Thanks to the level of configuration on offer, and the remarkable reputation it has in the country, I'm still confident that Astrill VPN is still one of the best solutions for Windows and Mac users who want internet freedom and anonymity in China.

While tech-savvy users will appreciate its customizable interface, first-time users might find it hard to navigate. You can see for yourself with a 7-day trial, or try its free Android plan for a limited taste of what's on offer.

Private Internet Access (PIA) is another budget-friendly solution on my list, with a strong focus on user privacy and security. Its transparent and strict no-logs policy prevents the company from gathering data on its users’ online activities, and its RAM-only architecture lets you rest easy knowing each server reboot deletes all your session data.

Besides extensive security, PIA provides excellent network coverage with over 35,000 servers across 90 countries. If you live in China or plan to visit soon, you’ll be glad to know it offers high-speed servers in neighboring countries, which allow you to stream content, download torrents, or browse the internet safely.

PIA offers a feature-rich service that includes highly secure OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, an excellent kill switch, browser extensions with extra privacy perks, open-source apps, and a live chat support service. Although ads and third-party trackers aren’t as intimidating as country-wide surveillance, you’ll appreciate its PIA MACE ad blocker that stops intrusive ads, trackers, and malware at the DNS level. In addition, it prevents device fingerprinting.

With PIA's impressive Smart DNS and obfuscation (stealth) features, you can effortlessly overcome geographical limitations and access restricted content, enhancing your device's streaming capabilities. I saw an improvement during my latest testing, in fact, as it managed to access everything with ease—even 10Play, which it failed at during the previous round.

PIA isn't yet among the fastest services, either, dropping its top speeds from 360 to 330 Mbps when using WireGuard and from 310 Mbps to 257 Mbps with OpenVPN. Besides, its desktop apps are more suitable for experienced users, so PIA would not be the best option for those who prefer simplicity.

PIA lets you establish unlimited simultaneous connections, allowing you to protect all your devices or ensure the safety of those closest to you, including your family and friends. Subscribing to its three-year-long plan nets you an additional three months on top of what you paid for, and PIA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try its services risk-free.

How to choose the best VPN for China

As mentioned before, the Chinese government goes to great lengths to prevent people from bypassing their strict controls. This means that even some of the top VPN providers might struggle to get around the Great Firewall. That's why doing your research early and finding a working VPN for China really pays off.

VPN services with reliable obfuscation technology in place are the best bet you have to escape these blocks. This feature allows you to mask the fact you're using a VPN, making your encrypted connection look like normal traffic.

We would also recommend that you go for a service with a proven reputation and a strict no-logging policy, looking out for a large range of available servers (particularly those in Asia), reliably fast connection speeds, and tight security features. This will help ensure you can truly trust the provider you use to not leak your information and leave you vulnerable.

Finally, high-quality customer support is a must with China VPNs - it's not uncommon that you'll need some help on hand to direct you to the best servers to use. So make sure your choice has a 24/7 live chat service.

How we test VPNs for China

When it comes to a VPN for China, the most important thing is security. Without a secure infrastructure, you put yourself at risk of being detected using an unlicensed VPN, and/or accessing restricted content. Because of this, we always confirm the following before recommending any service on this list:

• The VPN provider isn't associated with the Chinese government: most of the recommended VPN services approved by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will log your usage information and report any illegal activity to the authorities—no surprises there.
• There's a robust no-logs policy: this means no usage logging, IP logging, or anything that can be tied back to you as an individual, not by the VPN provider, nor by any of their partners. There have been a few instances of services reaching out to be included on our lists claiming they're a "no-logs" provider, but a quick look at their privacy policies shows us that they're riddled with data-mining ad partners.
• There are VPN servers in or near China and/or Hong Kong: The closer a server is to you physically, the lesser the impact on your speeds. Having servers in the surrounding regions means you'll be able to get fast, reliable connections, and a better overall experience.
• There are obfuscation (VPN cloaking) measures in place: we make sure that any VPN service we recommend isn't going to make it blitheringly obvious that you're using a VPN. To put it simply, we look to see whether the VPN traffic looks like normal internet traffic, or whether it's just clearly VPN traffic with a metaphorical sheet thrown over it.
• The safest encryption protocols are available: we'll always check that a VPN service is offering either WireGuard or OpenVPN protocols, so your data is genuinely safe, and not just giving you a false sense of security.
• Necessary security tools are present: if the VPN doesn't have a kill switch to protect you from leaking data (if the VPN connection drops), we won't recommend it.
• The VPN apps actually work: while some apps are easier to use than others, we always make sure that any service we recommend is fit for purpose, especially if we're recommending it in China. That means decent, usable speeds, clear designs, and secure apps available for the most popular platforms.

If a VPN service doesn't meet our standards, we won't include it on this page. Ultimately we ask ourselves "would I be comfortable using this service myself or recommending it to someone I love?" Because if the answer is "no," then we couldn't justify asking you to use it.

If you're interested in the nuts and bolts of how we put VPNs through their paces, head on over to our VPN testing methodology page.

TechRadar's China VPN testers

Meet the experts behind our VPNs for China guide:

Mike Williams

Mike leads our testing efforts—going far beyond what most others will do to check the security of a service at a code level. If there's a skeleton in the closet, he'll find it (and he's uncovered quite a few in his decades of experience).

Chiara Castro

Chiara's investigations into censorship and geopolitical developments help us stay ahead of the curve when it comes to VPNs for China. She keeps a finger on the pulse of digital oppression so we can help you maintain your internet freedoms.

How to stay safe in China with a VPN

While most countries are as simple as hitting "Connect" and leaving it at that, China's extreme censorship and low tolerance mean you need to make sure you're properly set up. there are three vital steps you need to take to ensure you're fully protected when using a VPN in China:

1. Pick the right encryption protocol: I recommend only using OpenVPN with AES 256-bit encryption when you're in China, as this is the best way to protect yourself. Whether you use TCP (better for torrenting) or UDP (better for streaming and gaming) implementations, getting your encryption protocol right is vital.

2. Only use obfuscated (stealth) servers: they hide your VPN usage, so no one, not even the CCP will be able to tell if you're using a VPN. A rudimentary form of obfuscation can be achieved by connecting through TCP over port 443, but it's not as bulletproof as a dedicated stealth server with proper implementation. Most obfuscated OpenVPN servers use Shadowsocks proxies which are proven to get around China's censorship securely.

3. Always use a kill switch: a handy tool that cuts your internet if your data isn't encrypted. It is non-negotiable that you use a kill switch. Without one, you risk leaking your data if your VPN connection is disrupted. Always make sure your kill switch is on before connecting and browsing foreign content.

For additional security, you can use services like TOR for increased anonymity, and even the likes of VyprVPN's Chameleon protocol to evade DPI—the most invasive form of data snooping.

VPN for China FAQs

Edited by

Edited by

River Hart

River is a VPN expert and digital privacy advocate with over four years in the industry. They've written and edited hundreds of buying guides, reviews, deals, and news pieces during their time at TechRadar and ProPrivacy.