Accessing international websites and streaming services in China is often restricted. Choosing a stable, secure, and fast VPN will not only allow you to enjoy global content but also protect your privacy.
This guide recommends the 7 best VPNs for China. They offer high-speed connections, secure encryption protocols, and affordable pricing, helping you easily bypass the Great Firewall.
7 Best VPNs for China
1. LightningX VPN- Best Free VPN for China
LightningX VPN is a VPN service from the United States. It is designed for Chinese users to unblock streaming sites and social media outside of China. It successfully unblocked over 20 websites we tested, including Telegram, WhatsApp, Netflix, and more.
Furthermore, its advanced encryption protocol effectively bypasses the Great Firewall of China, providing a more secure online experience for users in China.
Why LightningX VPN is the Best VPN for China:
- Over 2,000 high-speed servers in 70+ countries.
- Uses AES-256-GCM and ChaCha20-Poly1305 encryption to bypass the Great Firewall of China and protect user privacy.
- Works with iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, iPad, smart TVs, and browser extensions
- Easily unblocks apps like Netflix, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and more.
- Offers advanced features like a VPN kill switch and a BT proxy download.
- Free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee for new users.
Prices and Plans:
You can enjoy high-speed nodes in the United States, Taiwan, and Japan for free after downloading it. If you want to purchase, you can refer to the price package:
- 1 Year: $59.99
- 3 Months: $19.99
- 1 Month: $9.99
- 1 week: $3.99
2. ExpressVPN: Premium Choice for Reliable Access in China
ExpressVPN is consistently recommended by users in China for its speed, stability, and strong privacy features. Its proprietary Lightway protocol minimizes disconnections and reconnections, making it more reliable than its competitors during censorship crackdowns.
In our testing within China, ExpressVPN worked smoothly on major Chinese ISPs. It successfully accessed most of the blocked websites we tested, including Google, YouTube, Netflix, and international news sites. Popular apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype, and Viber also connected smoothly.
Why ExpressVPN is the Best VPN for China:
- Easily bypass the Great Firewall of China with advanced obfuscation technology and continuously monitored servers.
- Over 3,000 servers in over 105 countries provide smooth streaming, HD video calls, and online gaming.
- Proprietary Lightway protocol ensures faster reconnections, fewer dropped connections, and optimal mobile performance.
- Military-grade AES-256 encryption, TrustedServer, and a strict no-logging policy.
- Support up to 8 devices simultaneously connecting to Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, routers, and smart TVs.
- Kill switch protection prevents accidental data leaks if the VPN disconnects.
- 24/7 live chat and email support, accessible from within China.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN’s basic plan costs $12.99 per month, which is more expensive than many VPNs. However, if you have high requirements for VPN speed, security, and stability, ExpressVPN is a worthwhile choice.
3. Surfshark: Reliable Censorship Bypass with Advanced Privacy
Surfshark VPN ranks among the best VPNs for China thanks to its powerful unblocking capabilities and privacy-focused design. Many users in China find it particularly useful for bypassing the Great Firewall of China without being flagged by ISPs, thanks largely to its advanced obfuscation features.
In our real-world testing, Surfshark successfully unblocked most overseas websites. Even under strict censorship, speed test results were excellent.
Why Surfshark VPN is the Best VPN for China:
- Unlimited simultaneous connections protect all your devices at once.
- No Borders mode and camouflage servers are designed for restricted regions like China.
- Multi-hop connections route your traffic through two servers for enhanced privacy.
- CleanWeb automatically blocks ads, trackers, and malware.
- Over 3,200 servers in over 100 countries.
- A verified no-logging policy ensures transparency and security.
- WireGuard support provides faster streaming and downloading speeds, and lower ping for gaming.
- P2P/torrenting support is available on optimized servers.
- 24/7 live chat support is available within China.
4. NordVPN: A Reliable VPN for China with Strong Security
NordVPN’s built-in NordLynx (WireGuard-based) engine and built-in traffic obfuscation ensure smooth connections even when censorship is tightening. SmartPlay also automatically unblocks streaming services, ensuring the service remains operational.
In our tests, NordVPN successfully accessed most streaming sites. The speed performance is also good.
Why NordVPN is the best VPN for China:
- Over 7,400 servers in 118 countries, including an obfuscation option optimized for restricted networks.
- NordLynx provides fast and stable connections for HD streaming, calls, and everyday browsing.
- Security stack: AES-256, kill switch, DNS/IP leak protection, double VPN, Onion over VPN.
- SmartPlay unblocks Netflix, Disney+, and more without manual DNS tricks.
- Headquartered in Panama, it has a strict no-logs policy and has undergone multiple independent audits.
- Connect up to 10 devices simultaneously.
- 24/7 live chat and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. CyberGhost: Best VPN for Streaming
CyberGhost is one of the VPNs that combines a vast global network with privacy features, making it particularly attractive to users in China. CyberGhost provides Chinese users with flexible ways to bypass internet restrictions and access global content.
CyberGhost’s performance rivals that of top VPNs like ExpressVPN. Many Chinese users have praised its reliability for streaming, video conferencing, or browsing foreign news platforms. Its strict no-logging policy also provides peace of mind for users who value online privacy.
While some advanced features, such as NoSpy servers, require additional payment, the core service offers strong performance.
Why CyberGhost is the Best VPN for China:
- 11,700+ servers in 100 countries for fast and flexible global access.
- Strict no-log policy under Romania’s privacy-friendly jurisdiction.
- High-speed performance suitable for streaming, gaming, and browsing.
- Dedicated streaming servers optimized for Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more.
- 7 simultaneous device connections, convenient for both personal and family use.
- 45-day money-back guarantee, longer than most VPN providers.
6. Astrill VPN: A VPN designed specifically for users in China
Astrill VPN is one of the best VPNs for China, renowned for its powerful obfuscation tools, advanced security features, and long-standing reliability. Astrill VPN’s built-in StealthVPN is specifically designed to defeat China’s Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), effectively bypassing strict censorship.
Astrill VPN supports multiple protocols, including OpenWeb, OpenVPN, and StealthVPN, and utilizes AES-256 encryption for maximum security. Built-in ad blocking, split tunneling, and a kill switch give you greater control over your privacy and performance.
Astrill VPN’s streaming capabilities are also noteworthy. It effectively accesses websites censored in China, such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+, as well as apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Google services.
Most importantly, Astrill offers 24/7 customer support, a significant advantage for users in China.
7. Hide.me: A Budget-Friendly and Private VPN for China
Hide.me, one of the best VPNs for China, combines effective obfuscation technology with advanced security tools to effectively bypass the Great Firewall of China. In testing, it achieved an 84% success rate when accessing restricted websites and apps in China.
Even over long distances, Hide.me remains one of the fastest VPNs. On local routes (for example, from mainland China to Hong Kong), users reported speed drops of only 5%. This ensures smooth streaming and online gaming.
In addition, Hide.me allows you to select both entry and exit servers. This customization is particularly useful for circumventing censorship blocks.
It offers AES-256 encryption and security protocols such as OpenVPN, WireGuard, SoftEther, and SSTP. A reliable kill switch ensures your true IP address remains private in the event of a VPN connection drop.
How to Choose the Best VPN for China?
Finding the best VPN for China can be challenging, especially with the Great Firewall blocking most providers. To make the right choice, focus on the features that truly matter.
If your main purpose is streaming, gaming, or staying connected with global apps, you’ll need a VPN with fast speeds and nearby servers in Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Singapore. These nodes can significantly reduce latency and ensure smooth video playback or online gaming.
A reliable VPN for China must offer strong encryption protocols (like AES-256-GCM), DNS leak protection, and a strict no-logs policy. This way, your online activities remain hidden from ISPs, hackers, or third parties.
At the same time, advanced obfuscation technology is essential to bypass the Great Firewall. Without it, even the fastest VPN won’t stay reliable in China.
Finally, the best VPNs for China aren’t necessarily the most expensive. Look for providers that combine affordability with strong performance, plus a free trial or money-back guarantee so you can test stability before committing.
FAQ about the Best VPN for China
1. Is VPN legal in China?
The use of VPNs in China exists in a legal gray area. VPN technology itself is not illegal, but the Chinese government strictly regulates its use. Only VPNs that are approved by the government are considered legal.
Read more: Are VPNs Legal? Everything You Need to Know!
2. How does the Great Firewall impact VPN performance in China?
The Great Firewall monitors and filters network traffic, making VPN connections vulnerable to disconnection. Because traffic is filtered, VPNs are often slower, affecting streaming and downloading for users in China.
VPNs that need additional traffic routing to bypass restrictions can also increase latency, affecting real-time activities such as gaming and video calls.
3. What are the risks of using free VPNs in China?
There are several risks associated with using a free VPN in China. First, free VPNs are less secure and may not effectively protect your data. There is also the risk of selling user information. In addition, free VPNs are often unstable and slow to connect, and some even carry malware that compromises device security.
Free VPNs often have limited features and often restrict traffic and server selection. Most importantly, using an unauthorized VPN may violate Chinese law.
