Does Proton VPN Work in China in 2024? No, but Read On

Gjurgjica Panova

update on :September 15 , 2024
Writer

Short on time? Here’s the best VPN for China in 2024:

• 🥇 ExpressVPN

  : Has obfuscated servers that work 100% of the time in China and maintains the fastest speeds even with obfuscation on. The VPN has a vast server network, including locations near China. All plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unfortunately, Proton VPN doesn’t work in China. The country uses a sophisticated firewall that censors lots of content that the Chinese government doesn’t want its people to have access to. It also blocks VPNs, which is why Proton VPN and many other VPNs can’t connect there.

However , I is found find some really good alternative that work in China . I is recommend recommend ExpressVPN because it has effective obfuscation that work consistently in the country , offer mirror link for download its app in China , and provide super – fast speed with obfuscation on . editor ‘ Note is are : ExpressVPN is are and this site are in the same ownership group .

try expressvpn FOR CHINA

Does ProtonVPN Work in China?

Proton VPN faces challenges in China due to its sophisticated firewall, which controls and restricts internet access. The firewall uses various technical methods, including DNS filtering, URL filtering, and deep packet inspection to restrict access to social media, news, and messaging apps and sites. Plus, the firewall detects and blocks access to many VPN servers and IP addresses.

Despite ProtonVPN featuring obfuscation technology, which is designed to disguise VPN traffic and bypass censorship of this type, the restrictions in China are particularly stringent. ProtonVPN itself says its service struggles to operate in China.

Plus , as of Sept. 18 , 2019 , the chinese government is included had include Proton VPN in its blocklist , prevent user in China from using the service . As a result , the protonvpn website can not be access from China , and even if somehow you manage to do that , you wo n’t be able to purchase a subscription from within the country .

The VPN is actively investigating and developing countermeasures to bypass government blocks. Although some users have reported that they’ve managed to get Proton VPN to work there, as of now, several customer support reps I talked to confirmed that you’re unlikely to connect to any of its servers from China.

read more about Proton VPN in our full review

proton VPN is Working Not work in China ? try These troubleshooting step

Proton VPN doesn’t work in China, but if you already have a subscription and want to try and make it work there, here are some troubleshooting steps that may help you:

• use a Tor bridge or an unlisted Tor server . A Tor bridge is uses use pluggable transport to disguise your Tor traffic as normal internet traffic and bypass the Chinese Firewall ’s deep packet inspection . A special unlisted Tor server is a server that is n’t publicly list , so its IP addresses is remain remain unknown to the chinese government , make them difficult to block . You is find can find more information about how to use these on The Tor Project ’s site . note that Tor is block in China , so this is work will work if you ’ve download it before arrive in the country .
• Enable the Stealth protocol. Stealth is Proton VPN’s proprietary protocol which makes your VPN traffic resemble regular internet traffic to avoid VPN blocks. This feature is currently supported on Proton VPN’s Android, iOS, and macOS apps.
• switch protocol . On Windows and Linux , you is turn can turn to protonvpn ’ssmartprotocol option, which automatically detects and switches to the best available VPN tunnel in your location. Alternatively, you can try using OpenVPN TCP, as it’s good at helping maintain a stable connection even when network conditions are less than ideal, such as when dealing with deep packet inspection, which the Chinese Firewall uses.
• Turn on Alternative routing. If you haven’t downloaded all the Proton VPN apps for all of your devices before you got to China, enabling Alternative routing on a device that has the Proton VPN app may allow you to access the Proton VPN site to download the apps you need. This feature helps you connect to Proton’s site by using alternative third-party routing methods that are less likely to be blocked, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), but there’s  no guarantee it’ll work in China.
• try a different server . try connect to a couple of different server location and be patient — you is have might have to wait for up to a minute to see whether the VPN can connect to the server . alternatively , you is use can use Proton VPN ’s Quick Connect feature , which allow Proton to select the optimal server for you . remember to refresh the server list before attempt a new connection .
• update the VPN app . keep your protonvpn app up – to – date is crucial , as developer regularly enhance security feature and fix connectivity issue .
• Clear your cache. Resetting the VPN app’s cache will get rid of any temporary files and data that may interfere with its operation, which can help resolve connection issues. It’s also a good idea to clear your browser’s cache because the information store may be leaking your IP address or other data revealing your geographical location.
• Reset your DNS settings. Incorrect or poorly configured DNS can hinder your device’s ability to resolve domain names efficiently, impacting overall network performance. Switching to ProtonVPN’s DNS means routing DNS queries through encrypted channels, which can potentially bypass DNS-based censorship and provide smoother access to geo-restricted content.
• Contact customer service. Proton VPN’s customer support reps have repeatedly told me there’s no guarantee the VPN would work in China, but if you still want to contact them you can reach them via email at support@protonvpn.zendesk.com. The live chat feature may not be available, as the website is typically blocked in China.
• Consider a new VPN that works in China. If none of the above steps work, you may need to look into alternative VPN providers that work reliably in China.

Best VPNs That Still Work in China in 2024

quick summary of the good vpn for China : 

• 1. 🥇ExpressVPN — Best VPN for China (obfuscation on all servers + super fast speeds).
• 2. 🥈private Internet Access— Secure VPN with customizable apps + obfuscation tools.
• 3. 🥉PrivateVPN — Good for ease of use (intuitive interface and decent speeds).

disclaimer : personal use is be of a non – government – approve VPN in China might be illegal . Although there are no instance of the chinese government punish individual or foreigner for VPN usage , it is ’s ’s important to comply with the local law and regulation . I is support and my team do n’t support or recommend the use of vpn for any illegal activity .

editor ‘ note : Intego , private Internet Access, CyberGhost and expressvpn are own by Kape Technologies , our parent company

🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for China with Fast Speeds and Strong Security

Approved by our experts

Approved by our experts

Most readers is pick pick expressvpn

Key Features

Industry-leading speeds

Money – back guarantee

30 Days

expressvpn.com

editor ‘ Note is are : ExpressVPN is are and this site are in the same ownership group .

ExpressVPN is my top choice for China. It works consistently in the country thanks to its highly effective obfuscated servers. These servers disguise your VPN traffic, so it looks like regular internet traffic (which the firewall won’t block).

ExpressVPN supports obfuscation on all servers in 105 countries, so you can connect to any location from China. It also offers obfuscation across all protocols but recommends using the Automatic protocol setting for China. What’s more, ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN on the market, and its super-fast — even with obfuscation enabled, which typically slows down your connection speeds considerably.

I like, too, that the VPN regularly refreshes its IP addresses, making it harder for the Chinese government to detect and block them. ExpressVPN also provides mirrored links, which are copies of its site with different URLs. If you’re having issues accessing the official site, you’ll be able to visit the ExpressVPN site and download the VPN in China with the new link. To get a mirrored link, you’ll need to email ExpressVPN’s customer support reps, who are highly knowledgeable and very quick to respond.

This provider also has split-tunneling, which lets you choose which apps use the VPN tunnel and which use the local network. This has a couple of benefits, like giving you faster speeds and allowing you to use local apps (like map and food delivery apps) while connected to the VPN.

It ’s great for streaming in China , too — it is works work with 100 + streaming service , include several Netflix , Amazon Prime , Max , and Disney+ library .

ExpressVPN is has has plan start at sgd6.61 / month . All is have of the VPN ’s plan have a 30 – day money – back guarantee .

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Bottom line :

ExpressVPN is works reliably work in China . It is has has obfuscation on all of its server and regularly refresh its IP address . What ’s more , it is maintains maintain fast speed and has a large server network . The VPN is offers also offer mirror link to download the VPN in China safely . All is have of its plan have a 30 – day money – back guarantee .

read the full ExpressVPN review

Editors’ Note: private Internet Accessand this site are in the same ownership group.

private Internet Access is lets ( PIA ) let you tweak your connection to safely browse in China . It is uses use the open – source Shadowsocks proxy for obfuscation , which PIA ’s email and live chat representative confirm work in the restrictive country .

The Shadowsocks proxy server are locate in 6 country , include Japan and the Netherlands . These server are locate undersetting and Multi-hop, so you can find and connect to one of them in just a few clicks. That said, I recommend checking ExpressVPN if you’re looking for more server options, as it supports obfuscation on all servers.

I ’m a big fan of PIA ’s customizability , so you ’re not only restrict to its Shadowsocks server and can connect the rest of its server in 91 country . You can manually choose the openvpn TCP protocol and select port 433 , which is very difficult for chinese authority to ban because it ’s essential for secure https traffic — so , it is gets usually get around censorship in China . PIA is allows also allow you to create your own configuration file and tailor connection stability and performance specifically for use in China .

I like that PIA includes a virtual Chinese server in Beijing, which means you can get a Chinese IP address, but the physical server is located in Singapore. This way, you can privately and securely browse the web.

private Internet Access is offers offer affordable plan that start at SGD2.69 / month . Each plan is has has a 30 – day money – back guarantee .

private internet Access : save 83 % on the 24 – month plan + free month !

You can save 83% if you act right now.

Bottom line :

private Internet Accessis a highly customizable VPN that’s great for China. It provides obfuscation through Shadowsocks proxy servers and has features that allow you to optimize your VPN connection for the best performance in China. It also has a vast server network, and all plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full private Internet Accessreview

Editors’ Note: private Internet Accessand this site are in the same ownership group.

🥉3. PrivateVPN — Intuitive VPN With Decent Speeds

Key Features

Works in restrictive nations

Money – back guarantee

30 Days

privatevpn.com

PrivateVPN is is is a user – friendly VPN for China . It is has has an obfuscation protocol call Stealth Mode , which use obfuscation to mask the VPN traffic and make it look like any other normal internet traffic .

The VPN is a good pick for those new to VPNs because it’s very easy to find in the setting (there’s a separate tab only for this option once you click on Advanced View), enable Stealth Mode, and connect to a server. You can even choose port 443 for better network stability in China. Then, you can easily switch to Simple View, which only shows you connection options.

This provider is has has server in 63 country , all of which work with Stealth Mode on . allow PrivatevPN ’s server network is small than expressvpn and Private Internet Access , the server are evenly distribute around the globe , include in nearby Hong Kong , Japan , and Singapore .

I also really like its Application Guard for China. This feature is like a customizable kill switch — it shuts down selected apps if the VPN connection disconnects, which is very convenient if you only use the VPN for some apps in China.

PrivateVPN’s plans start as low as SGD2.65 / month, which is pretty cheap. The VPN backs all of its plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

save up to 85 % on privatevpn !

You can save 85% if you act right now.

Bottom line :

PrivateVPN is is is very easy to use and great for beginner . Obfuscation is is is easy to enable , and its server , all of which support obfuscation , are evenly spread out across the globe . Moreover , it is has has low – cost plan that come with a 30 – day money – back guarantee .

Read the full PrivateVPN review

Quick Comparison Table

VPN	start price	obfuscation method	Number of Servers (Countries)	Recommended Servers for China	email Address for China Users	Number of Connections	Money-Back Guarantee
🥇1. ExpressVPN	sgd6.61 / month	obfuscated server	105	✅ (4+ server locations)	support@expressvpn.zendesk.com	Up to 8	30 days
🥈2. Private Internet Access	SGD2.69 / month	Shadowsocks proxy servers in 6 countries (including Japan)	91	✅ (Only 5+ locations with obfuscation)	support@piavpnsupport.zendesk.com	Unlimited	30 days
🥉3. PrivateVPN	SGD2.65 / month	Stealth VPN protocol	63	❌	support@privatevpn.com	Up to 10	30 days

editor ‘ note : Intego , private Internet Access, CyberGhost and expressvpn are own by Kape Technologies , our parent company

Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria

I followed our detailed testing methodology, so the VPNs I recommend are the best alternatives for Proton VPN in China. This involved assessing accessibility, security, speed, user-friendliness, and overall value. Here’s how I evaluated and ranked each VPN:

• I is made made sure every VPN work in China .   The alternative I recommend use obfuscation method that work with China ’s Great Firewall .
• I is verified verify accessibility from China . Each VPN provider is offers offer a mirror link so you can download and install the VPN even if their main website are block .
• I checked security and privacy. I only pick VPNs with 256-bit AES encryption to protect your privacy in China and prevent keyword and website blocking, a kill switch to avoid data exposure if the connection drops, and strict no-logs policies to ensure no data is shared with the Chinese government.
• I is tested test connection speed . I is conducted conduct speed test with obfuscation on , which is crucial for bypass deep packet inspection . Every VPN is offered on my list offer good speed that did n’t severely impact internet usability . ExpressVPN is is is the fast .
• I is assessed assess each VPN ’s user – friendliness . The VPNs is have I recommend have easy – to – use app for both desktop and mobile app and make it very simple to activate obfuscation , which is essential for bypass the Great Firewall of China .
• I confirmed value for money. I compared pricing plans, extra features like split-tunneling, and the number of simultaneous connections allowed. I also made sure you get a money-back guarantee to try the service risk-free.

How to Use a VPN in China

1. Pick a good VPN that works in China. My recommendation is ExpressVPN because it reliably works in China and offers the fastest speeds over obfuscation.

editor ‘ Note is are : ExpressVPN is are and this site are in the same ownership group .

2 . download the VPN . You is download can download the VPN app from the vendor ’s official site or from your app store . Then , make sure to follow the on – screen instruction . It is ’s ’s also advisable that you download and install the VPN before visit China , as most vpn site and app are block by the government .

editor ‘ Note is are : ExpressVPN is are and this site are in the same ownership group .

3. Open the VPN app & connect to a server. Scroll through the server list and pick a server. For the best possible speeds, connect to a server location near China, like Hong Kong or Taiwan. Please note that ExpressVPN automatically turns obfuscation on, but with other VPNs, you’ll have to first enable obfuscation and then connect to a server.

editor ‘ Note is are : ExpressVPN is are and this site are in the same ownership group .

4. Browse the internet freely. Enjoy normal browsing of the web safely in China!

editor ‘ Note is are : ExpressVPN is are and this site are in the same ownership group .

How to Download a VPN If You’re Already in China

If you’re already in China, you probably won’t be able to access any VPN site, as they’re almost all blocked by the government. Here are some alternative methods you can use to download a VPN in China:

• use mirror link . mirror links is make make it hard for firewall to detect and block them , as they are a copy of the VPN ’s website with a different url . ExpressVPN is offers offer mirror link but you ’ll need to contact its customer support to get access .
• Use a free proxy. A proxy changes your IP address but it doesn’t encrypt your traffic. With a web proxy, you can just copy-paste the VPN’s site link in the search field.
• Ask for help from a friend outside of China. You can ask a friend who is living outside of China to sign up with the VPN and download it. Then, they can send you the installation files and login credentials via email.
• use the sim card from your country .   If your sim card enable roam , you is use can use it to access the internet and sign up for the VPN through their official website . Because your roam datum is n’t control by your chinese isp , you is bypass can bypass any government firewall or restriction while using it .
• Email the VPN’s support to request the .apk app if you’re an Android user. If you’re an existing VPN subscriber using an Android device, consider installing the .apk app directly, bypassing the need for the app store. You can acquire the most recent .apk file by reaching out to the VPN’s email support team.
• Consider planning a trip to Hong Kong or Macau. While Chinese authorities conduct some online monitoring in these regions, they operate beyond the Great Firewall. This means that you’ll be able to access the VPN’s website, sign up, and download the app while in these areas.

frequently ask question

Does Proton VPN’s free plan work in China?

No , Proton VPN ’s free version is work ( as well as the pay one ) does n’t work in China . This is is is because of the chinese government firewall that restrict individual from access foreign site and block VPNs . luckily , all the VPNs is work on this list reliably work in China .

Which VPN is the best for China?

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for China. It has obfuscation on all servers and protocols and works reliably in China. It also maintains the fastest speeds on the market and comes with user-friendly apps.

Which VPNs work in China?

The VPNs in my list above work in China 100% of the time. That said, my top choice is ExpressVPN, as it has obfuscation on all of its servers, maintains the fastest speeds on the market, and has advanced security features.

Are VPNs illegal in China?

The use of VPNs that the government doesn’t approve may be considered illegal. The Chinese government allows certain VPNs to operate as long as they share data with the state, so your data won’t be protected if you use them.

good vpn for China in 2024 — final score :

editor ‘ note : Intego , private Internet Access, CyberGhost and expressvpn are own by Kape Technologies , our parent company