Xiaohongshu, also called RedNote, is a popular social media platform from China. From breaking news to life hacks and everyday outfits, this platform gathers diverse content. However, Xiaohongshu is currently blocked in certain regions, such as Taiwan. This means that if you’re located in these areas, you’ll need to change your IP address to access the platform, which is where a VPN comes in handy.
Below, we recommend the best VPN services for unlocking Xiaohongshu, covering both paid and free options, enabling you to safely and freely enjoy the platform’s content.
1. LightningX VPN – Affordable and Fast VPN for Xiaohongshu
LightningX VPN is one of the top VPNs for accessing Xiaohongshu, thanks to its fast connection speed and robust security.
- It offers 2,000+ servers in 70+ countries. The large server fleet ensures a stable and smooth browsing experience on Xiaohongshu.
- LightningX VPN offers free servers on Android and iOS, with server locations like the US, the UK, and Hong Kong. All servers have no bandwidth limitation.
- LightningX VPN’s Dedicated Line Forwarding (also known as split tunneling) feature allows you to route only Xiaohongshu traffic through the VPN instead of your entire network, which promises a faster connection.
- While Xiaohongshu is safe, LightningX VPN adds an extra layer of protection. Its military-grade encryption (AES-256-GCM and ChaCha20-Poly1305) keeps your data safe from tracking or hacking, and its strict no-logs policy ensures your information is never collected or stored.
- It supports Windows/macOS/Android/iOS/Apple TV/Android TV/Linux/Chrome/Edge/Firefox, allowing 3 simultaneous connections.
- It has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark
Surfshark is also a great VPN for unblocking and browsing Xiaohongshu, thanks to its large server network and strong security features.
- It has 4,500+ servers in 100 locations, including Hong Kong, the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia, giving you plenty of alternatives if one server doesn’t work with Xiaohongshu.
- With lightweight protocols like WireGuard, Surfshark delivers fast connection speeds, whether you are downloading the Xiaohongshu app or browsing the platform.
- Its NoBorders mode helps you access Xiaohongshu even in restricted regions.
- Surfshark uses AES-256 encryption and follows a strict no-logs policy to safeguard your activities on Xiaohongshu and other apps or websites.
- It includes an ad and malware blocker to prevent intrusive ads and harmful content when browsing on the Xiaohongshu website.
- Surfshark is available on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and other major platforms.
- It allows unlimited simultaneous connections, which is great for multi-device users.
- Surfshark has a 7-day free trial (on mobile) and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. ExpressVPN
Based on the top-grade encryption and a large server fleet, ExpressVPN excels at accessing Xiaohongshu from worldwide.
- With 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, including Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, the US, and the UK, ExpressVPN makes it easy to access Xiaohongshu and other Chinese social media platforms.
- Its Lightway protocol delivers fast and stable speeds, ensuring smooth scrolling, loading, and video playback on Xiaohongshu.
- ExpressVPN uses TrustedServer technology, which wipes data on every reboot, combined with AES-256 encryption and a verified no-logs policy to safeguard your Xiaohongshu activity.
- Its Threat Manager feature blocks trackers and malicious domains, helping reduce potentially harmful content while browsing online.
- ExpressVPN supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Apple TV, Android TV, Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
- Its basic plan allows up to 10 simultaneous connections, suitable for users with multiple devices.
- You can try ExpressVPN risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
4. ProtonVPN Free – Free Unlimited VPN for Xiaohongshu
ProtonVPN Free is one of the few free VPNs offering unlimited data, making it a solid choice for basic browsing on Xiaohongshu.
- It provides free servers in the US, Singapore, Canada, Japan, and other countries, allowing you to access Xiaohongshu without restrictions.
- While the server speeds are generally stable, ProtonVPN Free has a smaller server network, which may occasionally result in minor lag when browsing Xiaohongshu.
- With unlimited data, ProtonVPN Free is superior to most free VPNs capped at 5–10GB, making it ideal for extended Xiaohongshu browsing.
- ProtonVPN Free uses secure protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN to maintain stable connections and encrypted transmission, and it follows a strict no-logs policy to safeguard your privacy.
- It supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, and Firefox.
- Note that ad and malicious site blocking (NetShield) is available only in the paid plans.
5. Windscribe Free
Windscribe Free is also a reliable free VPN that works with Xiaohongshu, offering basic browsing capabilities with some limitations.
- It provides free servers in 10 countries or regions, including the US, UK, Hong Kong, Germany, and more, allowing you to access Xiaohongshu successfully.
- The free version offers 10GB of monthly data (requires account registration), enough for browsing Xiaohongshu and everyday internet use.
- Windscribe supports secure protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 to ensure connection security and privacy, following a strict no-logs policy to protect your Xiaohongshu activities.
- The free version includes built-in ad and tracker blocking (R.O.B.E.R.T.), reducing intrusive ads and threats from malicious websites.
- It is available on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, and other platforms, making it convenient for multi-device use.
How to Access Xiaohongshu with a VPN
After choosing a VPN, you can access Xiaohongshu from a geo-restricted country or region. Here’s how:
- Connect your device to a server in a country or region where Xiaohongshu is accessible. Choosing a nearby server usually provides the fastest speed.
- Open the Xiaohongshu website or app on your device.
- Log in or sign up for a Xiaohongshu account.
- You can now start browsing Xiaohongshu freely.
Fixes for VPNs Not Working with Xiaohongshu
If your VPN is not working with Xiaohongshu, it could be due to several factors. Here are some solutions you can try:
- Switch the VPN server: Try connecting to a different server, preferably in a nearby region, for better speed and accessibility.
- Clear the app or browser cache: Xiaohongshu may store your original IP address, which can block access. Clear the app cache or browser cache, then reconnect with your VPN to ensure your location is recognized correctly.
- Use a dedicated IP: A dedicated IP can help avoid detection that sometimes happens with shared VPN IPs.
- Switch VPN protocols: If your VPN offers multiple protocols (e.g., WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2), try changing the protocol based on your needs. WireGuard usually offers faster speeds, OpenVPN provides wide compatibility, and IKEv2 is more stable when switching networks or on mobile devices.
- Restart your device or router: This can refresh your network connection and solve caching issues.
- Contact VPN support: If you still can’t access Xiaohongshu, reach out to your VPN’s support team. A responsive and professional support team, like the one provided by LightningX VPN, can help resolve the issue.
Wrap Up
Using a VPN is the easiest way to access Xiaohongshu. However, not all VPNs work equally well with the platform. By following our guide to the 5 best Xiaohongshu VPNs above, you can successfully access the platform and enjoy a smooth browsing experience.
