Best VPN For China in 2022

The Bottom Line

ExpressVPN is probably the most popular VPN provider in China. While it is not the cheapest VPN out there, it is a favorite for many users for good reason. It has a vast server network, fast and consistent speeds, 24/7 live support, and allows up to five connections at the same time.

The ExpressVPN app is incredibly easy to use, and is compatible with all major mobile and desktop platforms. That includes iOS, Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, Fire TV, and routers. The VPN service supports torrenting on all of its servers, and a handful of its servers are compatible with Netflix.

ExpressVPN is our recommended choice for China as it reliably bypasses the country’s Great Firewall, and unblocks WhatsApp, Facebook, Skype, Instagram, Google, Netflix, and more. Its connections are incredibly fast and are available in a huge number of countries.

The Bottom Line

Originally in operation almost everywhere but China, NordVPN’s entry into China was met with great relief. The VPN service offers great value for money, allowing up to 6 simultaneous connections on one subscription. Impressively, it also maintains a strong server network in over 60 countries.

NordVPN successfully allows access to streaming sites like US Netflix and Hulu, unlike most other VPNs, and torrenting is supported on most of its servers.

NordVPN also boasts impressive privacy and security features. It stores no logs of user activity and maintains very strong security and encryption standards. Specialized servers are optimized for ultra-fast streaming, double VPN, anti-DDoS, and Tor over VPN.

Both desktop versions for MacOS and Windows work well in China. If you are an Android user, the beta version of NordVPN’s newest app will be best for surfing the web in China. Unfortunately, NordVPN’s iOS app version does not currently bypass the Great Firewall.

The Bottom Line

One of the smaller VPNs on this list, PrivateVPN is proof that size doesn’t equate reliability. PrivateVPN is built for privacy, as its name implies, and that is clearly seen in its top-of-the-line security features. Based in the privacy-friendly nation that is Sweden, it keeps absolutely no logs of your data.

The VPN reliably breaks through the Great Firewall of China, as well as most other geo-blocks. You’d find over 150 servers distributed across 60 countries to choose from, including servers in the less restrictive Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan.

Another impressive feature of PrivateVPN is its speed. Connections are typically fast and steady, regardless of the server location. Once connected, you will be able to successfully access Netflix (US and others), Google, your mail, and more.

For internet access within China, you’re advised to enable Stealth mode. This feature hides your VPN traffic, disguising it as regular internet traffic. This tricks your ISP into opening up access to any site. Customer service is available 24/7 so feel free to contact them with any concerns or queries.

The Bottom Line

With just over 1700 servers in 63+ countries, Surfshark boasts one of the fastest growing server networks. Its pricing and allowance for unlimited simultaneous connections means its an affordable option for large families.

Surfshark provides fast and reliable connections from any server, allowing you stream in HD without endless buffers. With the powerful NoBorders Mode activated, you can get past even the toughest of geo-blocks – including the Great Firewall of China.

To further ensure your success, the VPN allows a Camouflage mode that transforms your VPN traffic into regular traffic. This makes it impossible for your connection to ever be detected by the Chinese. With its base in the British Virgin Islands, the VPN also boasts an excellent privacy credential.

Other critical features include the CyberWeb feature which blocks out malware, ads and trackers; the Whitelist feature which enables you set particular sites to bypass he VPN, thus allowing you browse local and international sites simultaneously; and the MultiHop feature which bounces your traffic through several servers, making it more difficult to trace you.

The Bottom Line

Hide.me is a surprising VPN. Not only does this VPN work in China, it also allows free users try out the server in Singapore which works just fine from inside mainland China. The VPN reliably unblocks domestic as well as international sites from China, depending on your needs.

The VPN is fast enough for streaming, allowing you stream without too many buffer issues. But it’s also highly secure. A 256-bit AES encryption and kill switch keeps it impenetrable. Likewise, Hide.me keeps no logs and offers a strong leak protection to safeguard against IP and DNS leaks.

A new Stealth Guard feature allows you block certain apps from opening without the VPN connected. Throw in a split-tunneling feature, money-back guarantee, and a valuable customer care system, and it makes for a great deal.

If you simply want to watch all of your favorite shows from within China, hide.me reliably unblocks Netflix. It also gets you into Facebook, Google, and other sites. It also works great with a ton of devices, including your router, ensuring you have no issues with compatibility.

The Bottom Line

One of the faster VPNs in town, Hotspot shield is a reliable VPN with worldwide reach and a sprawling server network. It boasts an impressive security system, with a security protocol of its own that rivals the OpenVPN protocol – providing both speed and security.

Hotspot Shield successfully breaks through the Chinese firewall with ease, employing an automatic kill switch to keep you protected even when your connection drops. Its proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol enables it perform at extraordinary speeds.

With over 3,000 servers in 80+ countries, servers are available in countries around China, including China itself – meaning you can even access domestic sites privately. And with strict privacy and security features, as well as an impressive 45-day money-back guarantee, the VPN is a great choice for China.

The Bottom Line

Ivacy continues its slow but steady rise to prominence. A not-so-popular VPN, Ivacy is highly innovative and very inexpensive. It recently added a feature to bypass the Great Firewall.

The VPN service unblocks streaming services like Netflix, allows torrenting, and has a 24/7 live support to address user queries. Ivacy has a strong zero-logging policy and protects connections with an un-hackable encryption. It also has a built-in leak protection and a kill switch.

Ivacy allows users set up split tunneling – and was indeed one of the very first VPNs to offer this feature. This means users can choose which apps go through the VPN’s connection, and which ones go through an unencrypted connection.

The VPN service also allows up to five simultaneous connections, and its apps are available for MacOS, iOS, Windows, and Android. Its connection speeds can be a bit touch and go, though, and its low server count leaves you with limited options.

The Bottom Line

VyprVPN is one of the few top tier VPN services that provides internet support for users, which means that it does not rent but owns all of its servers. VyprVPN assures its users of fast, reliable speeds and excellent uptime – and tests prove that it meets those lofty standards.

Its Pro version has a proprietary “Chameleon” protocol designed to mask VPN traffic, making users’ online activity less susceptible to China’s Great Firewall technology. It’s a bit pricey, though, but users in China will be happy to know that the VPN service accepts from Alipay, a popular payment solution in China similar to PayPal.

VyprVPN offers a good number of server locations. There is also a live chat support feature, ensuring user queries can be addressed as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, it is susceptible to the occasional downtime where it struggles to break through the nation’s firewall. While these have often been quickly resolved, it explains why the VPN appears lower on our list.

The Bottom Line

One of the oldest VPN services in the world, StrongVPN remains a reliable source of protection online. For many years, it ranked highly amongst the best VPNs for China, but this has now changed as other VPNs have blazed past it.

StrongVPN remains a valuable asset, though. In recent times, it has improved its services, making it faster and more capable of breaking past Chinese restrictions.

However, the VPN’s website is not accessible from within China. If you intend using this VPN in China, you’d be best served downloading it before getting into China. You may find some success using proxy sites in China to download the VPN app, but there are no guarantees.