Best VPN for China in 2023

China's Internet censorship, dubbed the "Great Firewall", poses a major challenge for both locals and expats who want to access websites and apps around the world. Lists of “best VPNs for China” often lack verifiable tests, so finding a reliable source for this information is important. Using a VPN not only allows users to circumvent these restrictions, but also provides a safe passage into this country known for its intensive surveillance.

Here are our top 6 most effective VPN recommendations for China based on our comprehensive testing. As China takes proactive measures to block VPN access, we recommend installing a VPN app before entering the country.

Top 6 VPN services for China

• ExpressVPN: Blazing Fast Internet Speeds
• NordVPN: The Ultimate Balance Between Price and Internet Speed
• surf shark: An Impressive Experience with a Fast-Growing Emerging VPN
• CyberGhost: Netflix Fast Streaming, 45-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
• Private Internet Access: Cheap and Popular VPN Service
• 12VPN: VPN optimized for China (If you live in China, you can buy it from this link)

table of contents

• What cities in China have you tested?
• Best VPN Service for China
  • ExpressVPN: Blazing Fast Internet Speeds
  • NordVPN: The Ultimate Balance Between Price and Internet Speed
  • Surfshark: An Impressive Experience from a Fast-Growing Upstart VPN
  • CyberGhost: Fast Netflix Streaming, 45-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
  • Private Internet Access: Low Price and Very Popular VPN Service
  • 12vpn (now known as 12vpx)
• Tips for choosing the best VPN for China
  • Adapt quickly to Chinese government regulations
  • Ensure sufficient communication speed
  • Secure a VPN contract before traveling to China
  • Maintaining multiple VPN subscriptions
  • Avoid free VPNs
• FAQ
  • What sites and apps are blocked in China?
  • What is the best VPN for China today?
  • Is it legal to use a VPN in China?
  • Which country's VPN should I use if I'm in China?
• in conclusion

What cities in China have you tested?

We conducted VPN connectivity checks in several cities across China, including Shanghai, Nanchang, Jiangxi, Suzhou, Jiangsu, and Ningbo, Zhejiang. The two images below show an example of the actual location where these tests were conducted.

Best VPN Service for China

Here are some great VPN services we recommend for China.

ExpressVPN: Blazing Fast Internet Speeds

ExpressVPN has the fastest internet speeds of any VPN I've ever used. ExpressVPN is consistently recognized as one of the fastest VPNs by review sites. Therefore, ExpressVPN has high reviews and popularity. With a network of over 3,000 servers in 94 countries, users have a wide range of options to change their IP address to another location. ExpressVPN prioritizes user privacy with a secure no-logs policy and offers additional features like a kill switch and 24/7 customer support.

Additionally, ExpressVPN stands out in China for its outstanding performance and connection stability. Many VPNs struggle to maintain consistent connections in such regions due to the Great Firewall, an advanced system used by the Chinese government to regulate internet access. However, ExpressVPN has proven to be a reliable choice for Chinese users, bypassing these restrictions and providing stable and secure access to the internet around the world.

June 2023 now

It is ideal for those who:

• Focus on internet speed
• I want to use the most popular VPN on the market

\30 days money back guarantee/

Try ExpressVPN

NordVPN: The Ultimate Balance Between Price and Internet Speed

NordVPN offers an excellent balance of price, internet speed, server coverage, and global reach, making it a leading VPN service. As a result, NordVPN has the largest market share worldwide. It consistently receives positive reviews from top industry experts. NordVPN has a vast network of over 5,500 servers in 60 countries, giving you a wide range of options for changing your IP address to different locations. NordVPN prioritizes user privacy with a secure no-logs policy and additional features like a kill switch and 24/7 customer support.

After registering, simply download the app and you will be able to easily browse the internet using NordVPN.

June 2023 now

It is ideal for those who:

• I want to consider the balance between charges and line speed
• I want to use the most popular VPN on the market

\30 days money back guarantee/

Try NordVPN

Surfshark: An Impressive Experience from a Fast-Growing Upstart VPN

Surfshark was founded in 2018 and despite being a relatively new service, it quickly gained a high reputation and popularity around the world. Compared to ExpressVPN and NordVPN, you may experience occasional delays in connection and slightly weaker geoblocking, but it's a big plus. If you choose the 24-month plan, you get Surfshark at a much lower price than ExpressVPN or NordVPN. Additionally, Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, allowing you and your family to connect and use all devices at the same time. Surfshark has over 3,200 servers in 99 countries, giving you a wide range of options. It also has a private and secure no-logs policy, a kill switch, and 24/7 customer support.

After registering, download Surfshark's app and you will be able to easily browse the internet using Surfshark.

June 2023 now

Best for:

• Those who want to secure a certain quality and budget
• Those who want to connect to many devices

\30 days money back guarantee/

Try Surfshark

CyberGhost: Fast Netflix Streaming, 45-Day Satisfaction Guarantee

June 2023 now

CyberGhost is a powerful VPN service that is great at unblocking websites. Enjoy blazing fast speeds and buffer-free streaming with Netflix dedicated servers optimized for streaming. CyberGhost boasts a vast network of 9,200 servers in 91 countries, making it an excellent choice for unblocking Netflix in various countries. Plus, choosing the 24-month plan is cost-effective and offers a 45-day money-back guarantee over the standard 30 days.

Best for:

• Want to extend your Netflix experience across borders?
• Ask for a sufficient trial period

\45 days money back guarantee/

Try CyberGhost

Private Internet Access: Low Price and Very Popular VPN Service

June 2023 now

Private Internet Access, commonly abbreviated as PIA, holds the third spot in market popularity as of 2023, behind ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Its established reputation has allowed PIA to capture significant market share around the world. PIA, in particular, which has been around for a relatively long time, offers competitive pricing, making it an affordable option compared to ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Especially if you apply for the 36-month plan, you can use PIA at a better price.
Reference: https://vpnpro.com/blog/vpn-market-share-overview/

Best for:

• People who value affordability and popularity

\30 days money back guarantee /

Try PIA VPN

12vpn (now known as 12vpx)

June 2023 now

12VPN (now known as 12VPX) is one of the most highly recommended for use in China. Known for its speed, stability and responsive support.

When using a VPN service in China, it is important to have a service that can quickly adapt to the regulations imposed by the Chinese authorities. 12VPN excels in this regard, offering a dedicated URL for Chinese users to log in without needing a VPN. This is a feature that many VPN services do not have, as many do not allow access to official pages from within China.

This site has been using 12VPN for over 10 years. If you have a connection problem from China, they will immediately provide you with solutions such as:

• send an email detailing how to resolve the issue,
• Change server location to ensure stable connection.
• Change the login URL window so that the site can be accessed from China.

Response time to inquiries is very fast, usually within one business day.

\14 days money back guarantee/

Try 12VPN

If you live in China, you can purchase from this link

Tips for choosing the best VPN for China

There are several important factors to consider when choosing the best VPN for China. Here are five considerations.

• Adapt quickly to Chinese government regulations
• Ensure sufficient communication speed
• Secure a VPN contract before traveling to China
• Maintaining multiple VPN subscriptions
• Avoid free VPNs

Adapt quickly to Chinese government regulations

The most important attribute of VPNs in China is their proven ability to quickly adapt to Chinese government regulations. China regulates the use of VPNs, and authorities closely monitor services that facilitate access to foreign video services, social networks, and other platforms. So it's not uncommon for VPN servers to suddenly become unavailable. Therefore, it is important to choose a VPN provider that is adept at avoiding regulatory roadblocks to ensure consistent service.

Ensure sufficient communication speed

Even if your VPN provider is adept at dealing with regulatory challenges, poor speeds can't provide a satisfying internet experience. This speed depends on your original internet connection speed and your geographical location within China. Please note that connection speeds in China can be very different from what you are used to in other countries. Therefore, we recommend avoiding VPN services that are known to perform poorly in terms of speed within China.

Secure a VPN contract before traveling to China

Using a VPN in China can come with caveats. Unless you already have a VPN, you are often unable to access the VPN provider's official website from within China. Therefore, we recommend arranging a VPN service before arriving in China. Exceptions are certain providers such as 12vpn. 12vpn provides a China-specific login URL that allows you to access the site, sign up, and download configuration files from within China. (12vpn can be purchased from) this link even if you are in China. )

Maintaining multiple VPN subscriptions

If you are visiting China for a short business trip, one VPN service might be enough. However, having multiple VPN services is of utmost importance for expatriates, as there is a risk that the server may suddenly become unavailable due to regulatory intervention by the Chinese authorities. We recommend using an alternative VPN as it can be difficult to access the VPN provider's website within China. Providers continually strive to overcome regulatory restrictions, but their success is by no means guaranteed. Therefore, we recommend that you designate one VPN as your primary service and maintain another VPN as a backup.

Avoid free VPNs

Free VPNs such as VPN Cat and VPN Gate exist, but are not recommended due to slow speeds, security vulnerabilities, and poor compliance with Chinese regulations. Notably, a Hong Kong free VPN service has previously caused a massive data breach, putting the information of 20 million users at risk. (See: Report: No-Logs VPN Reveals User's Personal Data and Logs)

Maintaining robust security and competent support always comes at a cost. For China, responding quickly to regulatory changes also has financial implications. Subscribing to two paid VPNs typically costs about $10-15 per month, and spends 30-50 cents per day. Considering that this will provide a safe and comfortable internet experience in China, it is a reasonable investment.

FAQ

What sites and apps are blocked in China?

Here are some notable examples of blocked services in China.

• All Google services (including Gmail, Google Translate, Google Search, Google Drive, Google Docs, etc.)
• Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and Pinterest.
• Video sharing platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, and Twitch.
• News media sites such as BBC, CNN, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Reuters.
• Various other platforms such as Dropbox, GitHub, SoundCloud, Flickr, Skype, WhatsApp, Spotify, Hootsuite, Slack, Wikipedia.

The duration of these blocks varies, with some sites being blocked temporarily and others being permanently blocked.

Regardless of the restrictions, Chinese users can unblock most of these websites and apps with a reliable VPN service. For seamless internet access, be sure to arrange a VPN service before entering the country.

What is the best VPN for China today?

That's ExpressVPN, which stands out as the best VPN to use in China right now. It's reliable, fast, secure, and very easy to set up and operate. The no-logs policy is backed by an audit conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, giving users peace of mind that their identities are well protected while surfing the web and streaming content in China. can. Additionally, ExpressVPN is unrivaled in its ability to unblock and circumvent prohibited websites and services. Combined, these qualities make ExpressVPN your first choice for surfing the internet in China.

Is it legal to use a VPN in China?

Essentially, a VPN's no-logs policy means that it doesn't keep usage logs. This means that no entity, including the VPN provider itself, can access or see what you do while connected to the VPN. This encapsulates your browsing history, bandwidth usage, and network traffic. Essentially, a no-logs VPN provides a level of privacy and anonymity that is otherwise unavailable when browsing the internet. Is it legal to use a VPN in China?

Which country's VPN should I use if I'm in China?

Using a VPN is not simply illegal in China. Using a non-government-approved VPN is technically illegal, but the law is primarily aimed at businesses and corporations rather than individuals. Therefore, the risk of being detected for personal VPN use is considered low. Penalties such as fines and imprisonment can be imposed if caught, but few individuals are prosecuted for illegal personal use of VPNs.

Here are four recommendations for using a VPN in China.

• Please use for personal use only and do not publish.
• Please do not disseminate overseas information unnecessarily.
• Avoid anything critical of the government.
• Avoid using free VPNs.

Recommended VPN services for use in China include domestically proven VPN services. ExpressVPN. As long as you use these VPNs responsibly and following the recommended guidelines, you are unlikely to be prosecuted in China.

in conclusion

in conclusion

• Importance of VPN in China: Due to China's "Great Firewall", local residents and expatriates often struggle to access websites and apps around the world. In such scenarios, a reliable and thoroughly tested VPN is essential, providing a secure solution to bypass internet restrictions and surveillance.
• Considerations when choosing a VPN: Five key factors to consider when choosing a VPN for use in China include the ability to adapt quickly to government regulations, offer satisfactory speeds, and the possibility of securing a contract before traveling to China. will be For longer stays, we recommend having multiple VPN subscriptions due to possible server failures. As attractive as free VPNs are, they often suffer from slow speeds, security vulnerabilities, and poor compliance with Chinese regulations. Investing in a paid VPN is the best way to ensure a safe and comfortable internet experience in China.

Top 6 VPN services for China

• ExpressVPN: Blazing Fast Internet Speeds
• NordVPN: The Ultimate Balance Between Price and Internet Speed
• surf shark: An Impressive Experience with a Fast-Growing Emerging VPN
• CyberGhost: Netflix Fast Streaming, 45-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
• Private Internet Access: Cheap and Popular VPN Service
• 12VPN: VPN optimized for China (If you live in China, you can buy it from this link)