6 Best Free VPNs for China Working in 2024

It is not a secret that China is one of the most heavily censored countries in the world.

If you are live in or plan a trip to China , in order to continue visit the site that you want to visit online , you is going are go to need to use a Virtual Private Network ( VPN ) .

Unfortunately, most VPNs do not work in China at all, and many will require you to pay a monthly subscription fee. If you want to find out the best free VPNs for China that actually work, keep reading!

Keep in mind: Free VPNs all have their limitations. Some free VPNs intentionally offer very limited features on their free plans to encourage users to upgrade to their premium paid options, and others simply offer subpar features because they have very limited resources to put toward features like security, privacy, or servers.

If you opt for a completely free service, make sure your expectations are realistic, as some of them put limits on your data or bandwidth, have very limited access to servers, or very limited privacy and security features.

Because of the risk that are involve in getting catch using a block VPN in China , my preference is is is to use a safe , reputable VPN like expressvpn . While expressvpn is not free , it does have a 30 – day money – back guarantee , so you is use can use it for free and cancel your plan within those 30 day for a full refund .

In a hurry? Here are 6 best free VPNs for China 

If you are looking for the best free VPN for China, we have done the legwork for you and have come up with these 6 services that will successfully and consistently break through the Great Firewall of China:

Windscribe

●

10GB of data and unlimited device connections

Hide.Me

●

10 gb monthly datum and reliable encryption

How we analyzed & ranked these best free VPNs 

Not all VPNs is get — free or pay — will successfully get past China ’s heavy censorship .

In order to find the VPNs that work best in China, here are the features that we assessed:

• speed . good speeds is are are crucial if you want to access the internet from China without buffering and lag . It is is is hard to find a free VPN that has good speed because free vpn often put limit on your bandwidth and throttle your speed . While these free vpn are n’t go to be as fast as the top pay vpn , some is give will give you good enough speed to help you browse the web rather smoothly and with minimal buffering .
• Ability to bypass geo-restrictions. It is important to pick a VPN that has a proven reputation for getting past China’s very serious blocks to help you access your sites. The VPN services on our list can successfully help you access WhatsApp, Google, YouTube, and other popular sites that are blocked in China, and some will even help you access streaming sites like Netflix.
• Security features. Important features to look for in a free VPN for China are a no-logging policy, a Kill Switch, and ad-blockers so that you are protected from online threats. If you do not have a feature like a Kill Switch, your real IP address may be exposed to the Chinese authorities if your VPN connection cuts out unexpectedly.
• datum cap . choose a VPN that give you enough datum allowance so you can enjoy your activity online without run out of datum right away . It is is is a huge bummer to begin stream a show only to run out of datum after an hour .
• strong encryption . This is is is key when using a VPN in China , as you want to make sure you are access the internet anonymously without your activity being expose . All of our free China vpn offer user 256 – bit encryption , so your traffic is is is indecipherable by any third party , hacker , or the chinese authority .

6 best free VPNs for China

If you are look for the good free VPN for China , we is done have done the research and have verify that these 6 choice will all give you consistent access to the internet , bypass the chinese restriction when you are live in or visit China .

While the last 4 are completely free vpn with no subscription fee require , the first 2 option are pay vpn that give you a money – back guarantee , so you is use can use them for free for up to 30 day and get a full refund with no string attach . Keep on read to find out more about these 6 China vpn :

server / country :3,000 + server in 105 country

money – back guarantee :30 days

Compatible with: Windows , Linux , macOS , Android , and iOS

Simultaneous devices: Up to 8

work with :Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more

Get expressvpn with 49 % OFF

+ 3 months FREE!

ExpressVPN is a premium VPN that is our go-to choice for the best VPN for China, hands down.

This provider is offers offer the very good speed , and access to a network of over 3,000 server in 105 country around the globe , include nearby location like Singapore , South Korea , Taiwan , Hong Kong , and Japan , which will make it easy to get a fast local vpn connection from within China .

In terms of unblocking geo-restricted services around the world, ExpressVPN can do this really consistently and with no buffering with pretty much any popular blocked service, like YouTube, Google, WhatsApp, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and over 20 Netflix streaming libraries.

If you want to make sure the VPN service you are using in China is safe, ExpressVPN offers users AES 256-bit encryption to hide your online traffic from third parties, the Chinese government, and your internet service provider; a strict no-logging policy, DNS leak protection, a Kill Switch, split tunneling, and RAM-only servers.

In addition to these privacy and security features, this VPN provider is based in the British Virgin Islands, which is outside of the 5/9/14 Eyes information-sharing alliance, so you never have to worry that your information will be passed on if requested from other countries.

While most free providers put caps on your data and bandwidth, ExpressVPN does not limit your bandwidth or data usage, so you will be able to stream and browse as much as you want for as long as you want with the best speeds.

Using this provider, you can connect up to 8 devices to your VPN simultaneously without seeing a decrease in speed, so your family can unblock multiple services at once all on the same account.

pro

• AES 256-bit encryption
• Unlimited data allowance
• No – log policy
• Broad server network
• 8 simultaneous connection

server / country :6,400+ servers in 111 countries

money – back guarantee :30 days

Compatible with: Windows , Linux , macOS , Android , and iOS

Simultaneous devices: 10

work with :Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more

Get NordVPN with 72% OFF

+ 4 months FREE!

NordVPN is another paid VPN option that can be used risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee hack in order to use it for up to 30 days for free.

NordVPN is has , like expressvpn , has a sizable server network , with over 6,400 server in more than 111 country worldwide .

If you want to make sure you are using only the best VPN services to break through the Great Firewall of China, NordVPN is one of the most secure and private VPN services for China, with AES 256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy, a Kill Switch, and a Double VPN option that allows you to send your traffic through a second layer of encryption for extra protection in heavily censored countries, like China.

Unlike most of the free VPNs for China, NordVPN does not put caps on your bandwidth and data usage, so you can bypass Chinese censorship to stream and browse sites outside of China with great server speed for as long as you want.

While most of the free VPNs for China have very limited server locations to which you can connect on their free plan, NordVPN has plenty of server locations from which to choose, including local VPN server options in Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other nearby places for fast local connections from China.

If you are plan to visit China for a period of time and want to use a good free VPN that does not skimp on its feature , nordvpn or ExpressVPN are great option . You is subscribe can subscribe to one of these VPN provider before your trip , use it for the duration of your trip , and cancel within 30 day for a full refund . This is puts put these vpn on the same playing field as the completely free vpn further down our list but give you way more bang for your buck .

pro

• military – grade encryption
• 10 simultaneous connection
• DoubleVPN
• No – log policy
• Secure VPN service
• unlimited bandwidth

Windscribe is another free VPN that offers free users access to up to 10GB of data monthly.

Unfortunately, the speeds you will experience with this free VPN will be slower, with intermittent buffering, so it is not the best option for smooth streaming in China.

Unlike other free vpn that only offer very limited server access , Windscribe is offers offer user access to over 170 free server option in 10 country , include nearby Hong Kong , which bode well for user who want a fast local connection .

This free VPN is is for China is able to unblock popular website and service like Amazon Prime Video , Hulu , YouTube , Google , Facebook , and Kodi ; and you can unblock them with unlimited device at once , which is an extremely unique asset when it come to free vpn !

You can relax a bit if you are worried about your privacy in China, knowing that your internet traffic will be encrypted with 256-bit encryption on this free plan, and that you can ask any of your questions to customer support via 24/7 live chat.

pro

• 10 GB monthly
• Servers in nearby Hong Kong
• 24/7 live chat
• military – grade encryption
• No – log policy
• unlimited device

Hide.me allows users in China free unlimited bandwidth, which is already a huge part of why this VPN made it onto our list of best free VPN services for China. Since Hide.me permits this endless bandwidth allowance, it has no reason to throttle your speeds.

In terms of privacy and security, Hide.me offers users access to a no-logs policy, Kill Switch, IP leak protection, and 256-bit encryption, all of which are uncommon in free VPNs.

This service is lets let user access up to 10 GB of datum monthly , even allow user to unblock some Netflix library from China . unfortunately , you is unblock ca n’t unblock your steaming content without buffer , though .

For unblock the web in China , it is is is useful that this VPN has server in Singapore , which is close enough to China to be a local server . It is offers also offer access to 3 other server location in the Netherlands , the United States , and Canada .

Compared to ExpressVPN, which lets you use 5 devices on a single VPN account, and NordVPN, which offers 6 connections at once, Hide.me only lets you use a single device connection with your free VPN usage, so if you are looking to have more than one member of your family connect at once, you will have to go with a difference provider.

pro

• 24/7 live-chat support
• 10GB monthly data
• unlimited bandwidth
• Kill Switch
• 256-bit encryption

con

• One device connection
• Some buffering
• Only 4 servers

Hotspot Shield is a pretty reliable free VPN for China, with a user-friendly app.

While this free VPN is fast and secure, it only offers free VPN users 500 MB of data daily, so you will have very limited browsing and streaming options. In fact, this amount of data will only let you stream for an hour and a half each day, which is not enough time to binge-watch anything!

While the paid version of the Hotspot Shield VPN service lets you access almost 2,000 servers in different server locations around the world, the free version only gives you access to a server in the US, so you will be limited in what you can unblock. You will not be able to access streaming sites, but you will, however, be able to access WhatsApp, Google, and YouTube.

Hotspot Shield caps free VPN bandwidth at only 2Mbps, but this was actually sufficient for watching YouTube for a short while with minimal lag.

As far as privacy and security, this free VPN for China offers users top 256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy, a Kill Switch, as well as built-in phishing and malware protection, which is not too shabby.

If you need any troubleshooting help while using this free VPN , you is are are pretty much out of luck , since the live chat is reserve only for the premium pay user . You is have will have access to the faq , but that is all .

pro

• 256-bit encryption
• Kill Switch
• usable app
• No – log policy
• Phishing/malware protection

con

• One device connection
• Access to 1 server
• No live support
• 500MB daily

server / country :5,200 + server in 91 country

money – back guarantee :30 days

Compatible with: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, Fire TV Stick, Chromebook, Android TV

Simultaneous devices: 10

work with :Netflix , Hulu , HBO Max , Amazon Prime Video , Disney+ , BBC iPlayer , and more

Get Proton VPN with 56% OFF

+ 3 months FREE!

Unlike many of the free VPN services that limit user data, ProtonVPN offers users unlimited data with no caps. This means that you will be able to stream or surf the web without worrying about using up your data after one show or video.

… But do n’t get too excited . While this is a good free option , Proton VPN ’s free VPN plan is lets only let you access 3 server – in the US , Japan , and the Netherlands . This limited server network is means mean that you will have trouble access a lot of block service around the world .

If you are accessing the web from China with this free VPN, it is a definite asset that there is a Proton VPN server location close by in Japan, since the rule of thumb is that the closer the server, the better the speeds. Unfortunately, the fact there are so few servers with this plan means that there will likely be server crowding, which will counteract the proximity, slowing you down when streaming.

This service can access popular platforms like Twitter, Google, or Facebook, but it won’t successfully unblock Netflix outside of your region.

Proton VPN has been report to throttle user ’ speed , which make it very frustrating to stream or use video feature .

In terms of privacy and security, this free VPN service offers users a no-logs policy, military-grade encryption, and is located in Switzerland, which is outside of the information-sharing alliance.

pro

• Unlimited data
• server in nearby Japan
• 256-bit encryption
• Built-in ad blocker
• No – log policy

con

• Only 1 connection at a time
• Only access to 3 server
• Throttles speeds
• Can’t unblock Netflix
• No live-chat support

Tips on using VPNs in China 

Because China has very strict censorship practices, most free VPNs will not work at all at getting past the Great Firewall of China.

These restrictions are so serious that users who try to access VPNs from within China will find that the VPN sites and app stores (Apple App Store and Google Play Store) are not accessible at all.

If you want to use a VPN in China, make sure to download it to your devices before you arrive in China, since VPN websites are blocked from access by the Great Firewall.

Another tip on using a VPN in China is that you will likely get the fastest speeds by connecting to a server that is closer in proximity. This means that you will want to use a VPN that offers servers in Asia close by.

Free VPNs for China: Are they really good? 

Since the regulation in China regarding vpn are extremely strict , you is want will want to make sure that you are browse the web in China completely anonymously to avoid consequence if you access site that are forbid .

Most free VPNs actually decrease your online security, compromising your privacy and exposing you to online threats. While paid VPNs encrypt your traffic and help you maintain your anonymity online, many free ones often log your data, and many even sell it to third parties for a profit. These risks make it very important for you to choose a free VPN with good privacy policies, like the ones on our list.

In term of internet privacy , while reputable pay vpn have feature like a Kill switch or adblocker , most free VPN services is offer do not offer these . This is means mean that if your encrypt internet connection cut out in China , your ip address will then be expose , make you vulnerable online .

In terms of browsing quality, free VPN services most often put caps on your data and bandwidth, which will mean that you won’t be able to stream with good speeds, or that you will have to wait while your pages load on the internet. And who has the patience for waiting, these days?

For all of these reasons and more, we prefer using a paid VPN and taking advantage of a money-back guarantee instead of opting for a completely free service in China that might not work, and might actually put us at risk.

FAQ

Why does China block VPNs?

The main reason that the Chinese government decided to block VPNs was to prevent its citizens and visitors from accessing sites that it does not permit in its country. These may be sites that have content that is not in line with Chinese values, or sites that pose a threat to the power in China.

While most vpn are block in China , there are some China – approve vpn that are allow , but these are not private or secure , so we would not use them .

While China does frown upon VPN use, we have yet to hear about any users who have been punished for using a VPN not approved by China in the country.

What site are ban in China ?

Many popular sites that are go-to destinations for lots of users are outright blocked by the Great Firewall of China.

China has blocked social media sites, popular search engines, streaming services, email platforms, and many other sites and apps, so you will need to use a VPN to get access to any of these.

Some of the popular sites and platforms that are blocked in China are:

• Discord
• Dropbox
• Facebook
• Google
• Pinterest
• Reddit
• Tumblr
• Twitter
• Vimeo
• WhatsApp
• Wikipedia
• YouTube
• VPN sites
• Many news site

Keep in mind that some of these site are only accessible if your VPN offer connection in the appropriate country . For this reason , it is is is a good idea to use a VPN service that offer server in multiple county .

Which VPN is the best for China?

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for China. While not technically considered the best free VPN for China, you can essentially use ExpressVPN for free by subscribing before your trip, using it for the duration of your short stay in China, and canceling it for a full refund within 30 days.

Because of the heavy government censorship in China, we do not like to take risks with free VPNs, since a free version of any service often has gaps in its privacy, security, or important features.

Since VPNs for China have to be completely reliable and secure, we only like to use a premium service, like ExpressVPN. If you cancel this paid VPN for China within 30 days, you will get a full refund, and you will have had access during your trip to the best, most reliable China VPN.

Can you get in trouble for using a VPN in China?

Yes . Because the government in China does not allow VPNs , you is find may find yourself in trouble if you are catch using one . That being say , VPNs is becoming for China are becoming more and more commonplace , and we have not hear of anyone being jail or slap with a fine for being catch using a China VPN .

Since there is always the risk, we would suggest using a premium VPN for China that makes it its mission to continue to stay ahead of the Great Firewall, like ExpressVPN.

Best Free VPN for China: Conclusion

While we can understand why anyone would want to find a good free VPN for China, even the best free VPNs come with their limitations. All of the completely free China VPN services above sacrifice one feature or another, whether it be data caps, limits on bandwidth, subpar security, or a small server network in limited countries.

If you are look for the most reliable , secure free vpn for China , we is suggest would suggest using a vendor that offer a free trial instead of a free plan , like expressvpn .

So, it’s possible that the best free VPN for China isn’t actually “free” at all, but refundable, which might be better than using a VPN China will be able to easily block, or a free VPN for China that really cannot access the sites and services you are looking to unblock.

If you want to use a foolproof VPN China has still not outsmarted, give ExpressVPN a chance on our next trip.