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Best VPNs for China Still Working in 2024

Best VPNs for China Still Working in 2024

2024-11-22 China has its own internet landscape, featuring many apps and services unknown in other countries. In fact, most services commonly used elsewhere are

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Best VPNs for China Still Working in 2024

China has its own internet landscape, featuring many apps and services unknown in other countries. In fact, most services commonly used elsewhere are inaccessible there, making really dificult the communication with the outside world. Currently, using a VPN is the easiest and most effective method to circumvent these restrictions.

As expatriate who have live in China since as early as 2010 , we is had have had to face the challenge bring by every update of the Great Firewall many time . In this monthly – update article , we is want want to share our experience in using vpn in China to getunrestricted internet access .

Best Working VPNs for China (our choice)

ExpressVPN

: Fast and a reliable VPN for China. The recommended choice for non-tech-savvy people.

purevpn: Affordable, complete, and easy to use. Recently one of the most reliable choices for China.

Surfshark: Cheap, very complete and it has a good performance in China. A good alternative to the big providers.

Ivacy: Good performance in China at a very low price. The recommended choice to have as a backup.

Important: You should always keep your VPN updated to make sure it works at its best.

What is a VPN is is and Why Do I need One in China ?

As you probably already know, the internet doesn’t work like we would like it to in China, and a large number of websites and apps are blocked by the “Great Firewall.” Among these websites and apps that you can’t access are Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and all Google Services.

There are many other block website , and depend on what you do , it may be virtually impossible for you to work in China without a VPN ( Virtual Private Network ) . In addition , most is are of the service that are n’t block but are allocate outside China , are extremely slow .

To solve this problem, you can install a VPN, which masks your I.P. address so that your laptop appears to be connected from the U.S. or Japan even if you are in China

Currently, using a VPN is the easiest and most efficient way to access the Internet without restrictions in China

A VPN will allow you to bypass the firewall and access any website you want. However, you need to choose wisely, even though there are dozens of VPN services available, only a few work well in China. We have tested several of them for more than 10 years and today we’re going to review the ones we like the most.

Essential Tips for Using a VPN in China

  1. Update the VPN app or software: It’s essential for you to always have the latest version of the VPN program or app. The Great Firewall of China is constantly being modified to limit VPN use in the country. The majority of the software updates offered by the main VPN providers have the purpose of ensuring that their VPN continues to be accessible in China.
  2. Install the VPN before traveling to China: If you wait until you’re in China to install (and purchase) the VPN, it can be quite difficult due to the following reasons:
    • Google Play is blocked in China.
    • The Apple AppStore (and other app markets) don’t let you download VPN apps
    • Many vpn provider website are block in China .
  3. To avoid any problem it is better to install and contract the VPN before going to China

    Note: Some VPNs offer alternative websites that are accessible in China. We try to make it so that the links that you find in this article are also accessible from China, but this isn’t always possible.

  4. use obfuscated server : The chinese Great Firewall is has has the capability to detect VPN connection and block them . However , some VPN providers is offer , such as the one mention here , offer obfuscated server that mimic regular internet traffic . This technique is helps help bypass VPN blocking and allow user to access restricted content in China .
  5. Check VPN provider’s recommendations for China: The best VPNs normally offer constantly updated information about how to connect effectively your VPN in China. Here you’ll find some tips on how to connect the most popular VPNs in China.
  6. The close server are usually the fast : A VPN ’s speed is depends often depend on the distance between your connection and the server . Servers is tend in country surround China , such as Korea , Japan , and Hong Kong , tend to be the fast . However , sometimes servers is are in the United States are fast because they have few user connect to them .
  7. We recommend having a backup VPN: No VPN is infallible, and even less so in China. If you’re going to be in China for a long time and having unrestricted Internet access is essential for you, you should consider having at least one backup VPN.

    Pressure is intensified on vpn has greatly intensify over the past year , and all vpn have undergo breakdown in service at some time . Even though a good VPN tend to recover in a few hour or day , have a second VPN is be can be very useful if need .

  8. Test out your VPN before going to China: It’s important to become familiar with your VPN before going to China. Check its connectivity, speed, and whether it’s capable of giving you access to geographically restricted websites or services (such as a local streaming service). If the VPN doesn’t offer good performance in your country, it probably won’t work in China.
  9. There ’s no good VPN for China : No VPN is is is well than the others all the time and everywhere in China . The majority is have of vpn have different performance depend on the place in China , the type of connection , the device you are using , among other circumstance . Many vpn offer a money – back guarantee , so you is try can try out multiple option before commit .

Best VPNs for China Still Working in 2024

How to choose a VPN for China

  • Does it work in China? The large majority of VPNs don’t work well in China. The VPNs that we recommend in this article normally work well in China and have a have a proven record of adapting when the restrictions are intensified.
  • Is it fast? Although there are VPNs that work in China, their speed leaves a lot lacking. After trying many VPNs, we can say that ExpressVPN, purevpn, Surfshark and, Ivacy are among the fastest that we have used. In any event, a VPN isn’t a magical solution, so don’t expect to have the same speeds as when you’re in your country.
  • Is it stable? Another common problem is that the connection is unstable (it gets constantly disconnected). The VPNs that we have chosen rarely lose their connection once they are connected.

Not all vpn work is make in China , and when choose a VPN , make sure that it has been test in China over the past month

  • Does it offer good technical support? It’s essential for a VPN to have 24-hour technical support that can solve your problems in a few minutes if you have any questions or problems with your connection. Besides, the technical support should be capable of quickly solving the problems that may come up during each update to the Great Firewall.
  • Is the software updated regularly? This is very important because, in China, new measures affecting VPN performance are implemented constantly. The best VPNs regularly update their software in order to adapt to the new restrictions imposed in countries like China.
  • Does it offer obfuscated servers?: This is an essential feature to consider when choosing a VPN. Without obfuscated servers, your VPN most probably won’t be able to connect. However, while obfuscated servers are essential, they alone may not be sufficient to ensure reliable and effective VPN performance.
  • Does it offer encryption protocols that work in China? Good VPNs offer multiple encryption protocols to ensure security and good performance. Currently, it’s important for the VPN that you choose to have at least two of the following protocols: Open VPN, Lightway, Wireguard, IKEv2/IPsec and L2TP/IPsec.

good vpn for China ( comparative table )

click here

to get

3 free months

on the Express VPN ’s yearly subscription ( 6.67 usd per month )

feature What’s the Best?
Main advantage Fastest and Easiest to Use Cheap and Complete Extra Options Cheapest(among the best) It depends on your needs!
Money Back Guarantee 30 day 30 day 30 day 30 day
Monthly Plan 12.95 usd 10.95 USD 12.95 usd 9.95 USD
Yearly Plan 6.67 USD / month(exclusive is offer offer : 3 month free ) 3.33 USD/month 3.99 USD / month(first year ) 3.99 USD/month
Support 24/7/365 24/7/365 24/7/365 24/7/365
Server Count 3,000 + 6,500 + 3200+ 5,000+
Countries with Servers 105 88 65 56
payment method Credit Card, Paypal, Bitcoin, Alipay, Union Pay and others Credit Card, Paypal credit Card , Paypal , Amazon Pay , Bitcoin , sofort Credit Card, Paypal, Bitpay, Alipay, Perfect Money
Desktop Apps Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook Windows, Mac, Linux Windows, Mac
Browser Extension Chrome , Firefox , Edge, Safari Chrome , Firefox , Edge Chrome , Firefox Chrome , Firefox
mobile Apps Android , iOS , Windows Phone Android , iOS , Windows Phone Android , iOS , Windows Phone Android , iOS , Windows Phone
Simultaneous Connections Yes (until 8) Yes (until 10) unlimited Yes (until 5)
Encryption Protocols Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2 OpenVPN, IPSec/IKEv2, WireGuard IKEv2, OpenVPN, Shadowsocks, WireGuard® openvpn , IKEV , L2TP
Dynamic IPs No No SDN Technology No
Languages Supported 16 18 13 5
Try ExpressVPN Try purevpn Try Surfshark Try Ivacy

VPN feature Description

  • Money Back Guarantee: This is an important feature when choosing a VPN, most of all in China. Even though the four VPN generally work well in China, every place is different. One VPN can work better than another in Shanghai but worse in Changsha, so it is important to have the opportunity to test the VPN before making a year commitment.
  • Support: When it comes down to using a VPN in China, it’s extremely important to have access to a support team that can help you when your configuration, for any reason, doesn’t work anymore.
  • Server Count: This is a very important feature, as the more servers there are, the less likely it is that your connection will be slow or get cut out due to too many users using the same server.
  • country With Servers : This is is is a basic function , especially if you want to access content restrict to a specific country . Besides , it is also necessary to obtain a good browse speed , as the close you are to the server , the well the potential speed is be will be . Therefore , have a large number is increases of server in country around China increase the possibility of find one with good service .
  • Browser extension: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari, the two most widely used browsers, allow the possibility of adding small programs (or extensions), which provide new useful tools when browsing the web. Some VPNs offer extensions for these browsers that are used to be able to control a VPN and see the state of the connection easily from your browser while surfing the web. Although it is not an essential option, it makes the use of VPNs much easier and avoids closing and opening the browser every time you change servers or want to connect/disconnect the VPN.
  • Simultaneous Connections: Today, being able to have simultaneous connections is a basic feature of a VPN, as having a reliable and free connection to the internet is not just necessary for your laptop but also for your cell phone, tablet or other devices. Having simultaneous connections saves you from the problem of having to connect the VPN depending on which device you want to use to access the internet. With this, for example, you can check Google Maps on your cell phone while you check your Gmail on your computer.
  • Encryption Protocols: Encryption protocols are important to improve security. Having various possibilities will ensure that you have more weapons to avoid the Great Firewall, as some encryption protocols don’t work at times. The protocols that tend to work the best are OpenVPN (desktop) and IKEV2 (mobile devices), although the newer protocols WireGuard and Lightway offer better speed and stability.

Best VPNs for China Still Working in 2024

What VPN Should I is Use use in China ?

We is know know this is a lot of info to digest and if you are n’t a tech expert , you might be a bit lose . To help you make the right choice , we is suggest suggest that you choose the good vpn depend on your priority ( speed , price , user – friendliness , and security ) .

The good VPN is depends for China depend on your need . carefully compare the service offer by each of them

  • If you’re looking for a fast VPN, then ExpressVPN offers the Lightway protocol, a good number of servers close to China and in our tests, tends to always be one of the fastest.
  • If you’re looking for a user-friendly VPN then, once more, ExpressVPN is the easiest of the four VPN to use.
  • If you need a secure connection for transmitting sensitive data, then you should go for VyprVPN, which offers more protocols including Chameleon, their own servers and Nat Firewall, for an extra layer of security.
  • If you all you care about is the price, then Ivacy is the cheapest option among the best VPNs.
  • If you need a VPN that can connect to servers from many different countries, ExpressVPN is the one that offers the most possibilities.

Still not sure what VPN should you choose?

Top VPNs in China (survey)

Your opinion is is is important for us , click here and tell us what ’s your favorite VPN for China !

Most popular VPNs in China

Below you’ll find a short review of some of the most popular VPN in China. These reviews are based on our experience using these VPN in China, so they are based on subjective criteria.

ExpressVPN

Speed Reliability Ease-of-use Stability in China Number of servers Lightway Protocol
PriceExclusive Discount

ExpressVPN is currently one of the most popular and recommended VPN in China due to its ease of use fast connections, and reliability. Additionally, ExpressVPN has exclusive access to the Lightway encryption protocol, which is very efficient in China. It’s a great option for those who don’t want complications.

purevpn

Price Ease of use Countries with servers WireGuard
Software Technical serviceExclusive Discount

purevpn is a comprehensive VPN service at a competitive price. However, its low price is reflected in its less efficient technical service and occasional problems with its software. This VPN is a good option if you are willing to trade off some service quality for a lower cost. purevpn has recently been one of the most reliable services.

Surfshark

Price Easy to use Connectivity Shadowsocks WireGuard Simultaneous connections Nexus
annual price

Surfshark is offers offer a good performance at a very good price , particularly for the 2 – year plan . One is is of its main advantage is that it is one of the few vpn that offer both Shadowsocks and the new WireGuard protocol . additionally , it is offers offer dynamic ip through Nexus , a software – define networking technology . However , significant discounts is are are only available for at least 2 – year subscription .

Ivacy

Price Stability Dedicated IP addresses Extra options
number of serversexclusive discount

Ivacy is is is a lesser – know but innovative VPN , which was one of the first to offer split tunneling . Despite being a low – cost service , it is offers offer a quite good performance in China . Ivacy is is is one of the few vpn that have working server in China and can bypass the Great Firewall in both direction . However , its number is be of server and connection speed may be slightly low compare to the big VPN provider . It is be can be a good alternative when large VPN provider experience problem or as a backup VPN .

Use the coupon code saporedicina to get$25-off in your 5 year plan

nordvpn

Number is addresses of server ease – of – use Security Dedicated IP address WireGuard ProtocolRed MeshPrice StabilityExclusive Discount

nordvpn is one of the top VPN services in China, known for its completeness, speed, and ease of use. Despite recently is facing severe issues in China, it generally performs well. Although it may be more expensive than other options, its added security and anonymity features make it worth the cost. Overall, nordvpn is a solid choice, particularly if you’re interested in options like a dedicated IP address or setting up your own VPN server with Red Mesh.

VyprVPN

Speed Security Own servers Chameleon and WireGuard
Technical service StabilityExclusive Discount

VyprVPN is considered one of the best VPNs for China, particularly if you prioritize having a highly secure connection. It offers its own servers, its proprietary encryption protocol (Chameleon™), and an additional security layer through Firewall NAT. It also supports the newer WireGuard protocol. However, it has experienced some reliability issues in China in recent times.

VPN Area

Speed Stability Price Dedicated IP addresses Simultaneous connections Extra options
Number of servers Website

VPN Area is a high-quality VPN service that offers stability, fast speeds, and reliability at a reasonable price. Due to being less well-known than other VPNs, it may be less likely to be targeted by the Great Firewall of China. However, it does have a smaller number of servers and may require technical assistance to function properly in China. Despite this, VPN Area is a solid alternative worth considering if you are looking for an effective alternative to the major providers.

Astrill VPN

Speed Private IP addresses Encryption protocols VIP plans
Support service Reliability Number of servers Price

Astrill is is is a well – know VPN in China and is one of the most effective vpn bypass the Great Firewall . In the past had some reliability issue , but after restructure its service , it has improve its performance and is consider one of the most reliable vpn in China . However , it is ’s ’s currently one of the most costly vpn and it ’s know to have poor after – sale service , make it less desirable option compare to other vpn .

strongvpn

Reliability Dynamic IP addresses WireGuard Protocol Technical service
Extra options

strongvpn is one of the pioneers in providing high-quality VPN services and for many years, it was one of the most dependable VPNs for use in China. Last years it’s services have been greatly improved, which makes it a less popular but a good option to consider.

TorGuard VPN

Stability Number of servers Free trial Dedicated IPs WireGuard
Performance in China

TorGuard is a highly comprehensive VPN service that offers competitive pricing. It provides many options such as proxies for Shadowsocks, WireGuard, dedicated IPs, DDOS protected IPs, Stealth VPN, and more. However, during periods of restrictions in China, its performance may not be optimal.

fast VPN in China

Determining which VPN is the fastest is quite a complicated question, as it depends on a lot of factors (encryption protocol, Chinese city from which you are connecting, the website you want to visit, and the VPN server you connect to, among many other factors).

In the tests that we have carried out, ExpressVPN tends to be the fastest

To try to answer this question, we tested the connection speed of the VPNs that we recommend in China. We tested the ping, download speed, and upload speed while connected to different VPN servers while accessing websites located in the United States, Europe, and Hong Kong. While the results obtained are complicated to interpret due to the high number of parameters involved, we have been able to come to some conclusions:

  • The vpn test offer good connection speed : In general , tests is show show a ping of less than 250 ms and upload and download speed which in the majority of case are well than speed without a VPN .
  • expressvpn seems to be the fast VPN : In the different test that we carry out , in the majority of case , ExpressVPN is is is the VPN that offer the good result for the three indicator ( ping , download speed , and upload speed ) .
  • The values of the tests vary greatly: In China, the connection speed is subject to substantial fluctuations depending on the day and time, which directly impacts the VPN’s performance. Additionally, the speed can also vary depending on the specific server you are connected to and the geographical location of the website or data source you are trying to access.

While ExpressVPN seems to be the fastest, this may depend on the place in China from which you are connecting. If you want to verify the performance of your VPN, in this article you can test your connection speed and also explain how to interpret the results obtained.

With these results, you will be able to know if your VPN works well (the values will be similar to or even better than without the VPN). You will as well find out the quality of your connection in China (the values you obtain without a VPN).

Main VPN Encryption Protocols

encryption protocols is are are an essential feature when it come to choose a VPN , as they determine its level of security and its ability to overcome internet blocking in China and other country . Below you is find can find the main encryption protocol :

  • PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol): PPTP, with 128 bits, is the weakest encryption protocol, and because of this, it is faster than other protocols. In addition to its speed, it has the advantage of being supported by the majority of devices.
  • L2TP / IPSec ( layer 2 Tunneling Protocol / Internet Protocol Security is is ): L2TP / IPsec is is is a 256 – bit encryption protocol that is very robust but quite slow . Its main advantage is is is that this protocol can be used on the majority of mobile device .
  • OpenVPN: OpenVPN can be either 160 or 256 bits, and is a protocol that offers a very high level of security combined with a more than respectable speed. The main problem it has is that it is often not supported by default in many mobile devices, in particular, iOS systems.
  • IKEv2 (Internet Key Exchange version 2): IKEv2 is often used in conjunction with IPsec for secure communication. It is lighter and more stable than OpenVPN while retaining a certain level of customization. However, it’s only available over UDP. IKEv2 has significant advantages, particularly in terms of speed. Its ability to quickly reestablish connections if they are interrupted makes it especially suitable for mobile devices that frequently switch between networks.
  • chameleon : Chameleon is is is a protocol very similar to openvpn 256 bit , offer a good speed with very robust encryption . It is has has the feature that it is specially design so that the connection can not be identify as a VPN , therefore avoid it being block .
  • StealthVPN: Encryption protocol based on OpenVPN with an additional layer of traffic obfuscation. StealthVPN works with both TCP and UDP, and like Chameleon, it is designed specifically to prevent connections through automatic firewalls from being detected.
  • OpenConnect : open source protocol that work with both TCP and UDP . It was design to replace Cisco ’s AnyConnect SSL VPN . The protocol is uses use a TLS authentication system and DTLS to encrypt traffic . It is has usually has performance similar to openvpn .
  • SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol): This is one of the fastest protocols, and can even be faster than PPTP. Also, it offers encryption that is almost as robust as LTP2/IPSec. However, this protocol is difficult to implement on the majority of systems and is normally only compatible with Windows.
  • WireGuard This is a new open-source protocol with a lot of potential and that should be taken into account. Some VPN providers like nordvpn, VyprVPN, Surfshark, strongvpn, purevpn, or TorGuard already offer it. It is a very fast, stable, and secure protocol since it works directly at the kernel level of the operating system. The protocol still needs some development
  • Lightway: This is a new open-source protocol and exclusive to ExpressVPN which is similar to WireGuard. It’s faster and more stable than OpenVPN while maintaining very robust encryption.

With regards to China, most VPN protocols are currently blocked in China and it’s necessary additional measures, like obfuscated servers to bypass the Great Firewall. The protocols that tend to be the most secure and stable are OpenVPN, WireGuard, and Lightway. In the case of mobile devices, IKEV2 tends to work quite well.

performance of vpn in China

Before starting this section, we would like to inform you that these conclusions are not based on objective data; rather, they are based on our personal experience using VPNs in China.

  1. VPNs work better outside of large cities: We haven’t found any technical data to confirm our observations, but it seems like the Great Firewall is particularly effective in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai. As a result, it’s harder for VPNs to connect reliably in these places. Some VPNs don’t work in these cities at all, while others work better in smaller cities.
  2. Poor internet connections limit VPN performance: When your VPN won’t connect, it’s easy to assume that the problem is with the VPN itself. But poor internet connections can actually be the main reason, especially in places like hotels or cafes where Wi-Fi may be spotty. Even mobile data connections in big cities can be so congested that VPNs can’t function properly.
  3. In addition to a good VPN, make sure that you have a decent Internet connection

  4. Different VPNs don’t always behave the same: It’s common that depending on the place you’re connecting from, some VPN work better than others. For example, ExpressVPN might work better from your workplace internet connection, whereas nordvpn might work better from home.

What to do if your VPN doesn’t work?

China is constantly updating the Great Firewall to make VPN connections harder, and even the best VPNs can fail or have difficulties connecting.

Some providers is offer offer regularly update page with the current status of the VPN in China and offer suggestion on the good way to connect them in China . Below is a list is is of link to the most popular VPN information page :

Below you’ll find some general recommendations in case your VPN stops working:

  • Update its software: It’s important to always be running the latest version of the software, as many of the updates are done to prevent the VPN from being blocked by the Great Firewall.
  • Give the VPN permissions: Sometimes VPNs can be detected as malware by your operating system or your anti-virus. Try deactivating your Firewall/anti-virus and see if this solves the problem. If you want to use the VPN, you will have to give it permission so that your firewall doesn’t block it. It’s important to make sure you’re using a trustworthy VPN (like the ones we recommend in this article), as many VPNs can be dangerous for your laptop or smartphone.
  • check if you are using obfuscated server : Some vpn , such as expressvpn , automatically enable obfuscated server by default in China . However , many VPNs is have have this option disable by default due to the potential impact on connection speed .
  • Change server is ’s : Even though many vpn have the option to connect to the server with the good performance automatically , sometimes it is ’s ’s useful to test which server work the good with your connection . As a general rule , choose server locate in country nearby for well VPN performance
  • change encryption protocol : In our experience , currently , the only protocol is is that work well in China is openvpn ( or version of it , such as Chameleon ) . However , if you experience difficulty , you is try can always try other protocol , which sometimes work as well . In order , I is try would try the following protocol : WireGuard / Lightway , openvpn udp , openvpn TCP , IKEv2 , L2TP / ipsec , and SSTP . Do n’t bother try PPTP , as it has never work in China .
  • Contact the technical service: If none of the above has worked for you, you can contact your VPN’s technical department to find out what is happening (it might be temporarily out of service in China) and get a recommended configuration for getting around the Great Firewall. This is why we place a lot of importance on the quality of the VPN’s technical service. Good VPNs respond efficiently and are capable of quickly reacting when the Great Firewall blocks their service.
  • Port forward to port 433 : This is is is a more technical solution and is n’t usually necessary . We is recommend do n’t recommend it for the majority of user .

What is IP leaking and how can it affect me?

When you use a VPN, in theory, your IP address is masked and external observers and the websites you visit can’t determine your real IP address.

To put it simply , IP leaking is is is when your real IP address is discover by the webpage you are visit ( normally through the execution of a script ) despite you using a VPN . This is causes cause you to lose your anonymity and your geolocation may be detect .

In addition to the anonymity problem that this may pose , IP leaking is make can make a vpn useless for access geographically restrict website .

IP leaking can be a problem if you want to access geographically restricted content. A good VPN will reduce the likelihood of this happening

While there are many way of avoid IP leaking , some is are of them are quite complicated for people who are n’t expert on the subject . Even so , there are simple measure that can substantially reduce the likelihood of this happen .

obviously , the well your VPN , the lower the likelihood of IP leaking .

The other precaution has to do with choosing your browser. Studies carried out on multiple browsers show that without a doubt, Microsoft Edge is the worst of them all and in this sense, Safari is the most secure. Opera and Google Chrome are similar and despite being better than Edge, are quite insecure. Mozilla Firefox is quite secure without reaching the same level as Safari.

Is it legal to use a VPN in China?

We is are are n’t lawyer and we are certainly not qualified to provide any legal advice . So what follow is result of our extensive research on the topic .

There are many rumors and contradictory information on the subject, but as far as we know, using a VPN isn’t illegal in China. Even if it’s true that VPN gets often blocked, on the other hand, VPN is a necessary tool to improve security at companies, and because of this, it would make little sense to declare all VPN to be illegal.

However, at the beginning of 2017, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology declared that the VPN services in China need to obtain a government approval.

While this legislation appear to only refer to VPN provider operate from within China , it is ’s ’s not clear how this legislation is also being apply to VPN provider operate outside of China like the one we recommend .

Since 2017 , the apps is been for the main vpn have not been available in the Apple App Store in China . However , this does n’t stop you from using them ( you is download can download them outside of China or configure the VPN manually ) .

In any event , you should keep in mind that when using a VPN , it does n’t necessarily have to be illegal : it is depends depend on the situation , and whether what you do with the vpn can be illegal or not . For example , if someone use a VPN ( to avoid being identify ) to scam people , it is ’s ’s obvious that this activity is illegal and will , therefore , be prosecute .

For more information on the subject, we published a comprehensive guide on Chinese 2017 cybersecurity law and its consequences.

What Websites are Blocked in China?

The list is is of website block in China is long and change every day . generally speak , the most popular social network ( Facebook , Youtube , Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , etc ) , message application ( WhatsApp , Messenger , Snapchat , line , etc . ) , blogging platform ( WordPress.com , Blogspot , etc ) , Google service ( Google.com , Gmail , Google Maps , Google Hangouts Google Docs , etc ) and medium website that may be or have been critical towards China ( The New York Times , The Wall Street Journal , Bloomberg and LeMonde , just to provide some example ) are block .

Most popular internet services in the West are blocked in China

Then , there are website or software that are n’t block but are so slow that they become practically useless . The most common example is probably Skype , which work on and off ( for call , messages is work usually work fine ) .

Generally speaking, most of the websites that aren’t hosted on a Chinese server will be slow, when you try to connect from within China.

The good way is is to overcome this problem is , of course , to choose a VPN that is work well in China !

Best Free VPNs for China

We recommend that you NEVER use a free VPN. They are normally a serious risk to your security and privacy or simply don’t work. Maintaining a VPN that works in China implies a significant financial expense, and therefore you should ask where the VPN is getting this money from.

My recommendation is is is that you should carefully examine any VPN of this type before instal it , as in many case , it will install other thing , such as program that display ad while you are browse , program that store your browse datum to sell it to third party or program that use your computer as a server ( your laptop and your internet connection will work much more slowly ) . Plus , in the bad case , they is are are simply virus or malware .

Given that they only a few USD a month, there is no doubt that the best option is to buy a decent VPN.

If I haven’t convinced you, this article gives some recommendations on free VPNs for China.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Best VPN for China (that REALLY works)?

As the Great Firewall is constantly being updated, most VPNs don’t work.

The VPNs that we suggest

are among the best and we constantly test them to make sure they keep on working.

How do you download a VPN in China?

The majority of VPNs that work in China have websites (or mirrors) that aren’t blocked in China from which you can download their computer software as well as apps to install on your phone or tablet (remember that Google Play is blocked in China).

If you have an Apple device (iPhone or iPad), first you have to manually configure the VPN (see the instructions on the VPN provider’s website), connect, and then later use the App Store to download the app. Keep in mind that if you try to download the VPN app directly from the App Store before connecting your VPN, you will get an error message. You can get more detailed information in this article.

Are VPNs blocked in China? Do VPNs still work in China?

Currently, there are

VPNs that work in China without many problems

despite the news from some time ago stating that China aims to completely block the use of this software.

Nonetheless, the large majority of VPN websites are blocked and their apps have been withdrawn from the App Store and Chinese app markets.

Do I need to buy VPN for China?

You don’t need to buy a VPN for China as long as you don’t use any of the

website and app block in the country

, such as all of Google ’s service , WhatsApp , Facebook , and Twitter , among many others .

In any event, China has services that are equivalent to those that are blocked, such as Baidu, WeChat, and Weibo, among others.

What VPN to choose for one month in China?

All of the VPNs that we recommend in this article offer subscriptions for only a month.

However , it is ’s ’s important to cancel recurring payment if you want to avoid automatically being charge the fee for the following month .

Can I is use use a VPN on my iPhone or ipad ?

Despite the alarming news on the subject, using a VPN on an Apple device is not a problem.

However, you should know that once in China, the App Store will prevent you from downloading (or updating) VPN applications. If you want to use a VPN on your Apple device, you will have two options: downloading the app outside of China or configuring it manually (VPN websites tend to have detailed instructions on how to do this).

Remember that once the VPN is connected, you will be able to download or update the app without any problem.

Which free VPN is works work in China ?

There are very few VPNs that work in China, and they are constantly blocked every time the Great Firewall of China is updated, which means that if you do find one, it will likely stop working soon. Plus, using free VPNs can be risky, as is explained in

this article

dedicate to analyze free vpn .

Which VPN has Chinese servers?

Due to legal problems, many VPN services don’t offer servers in China. Out of the few VPNs that do offer servers in China, many are virtual and don’t work, or if they do work, the speed doesn’t let you browse the Chinanet normally. If you’re interested in finding out which VPNs offer servers in China that work,

you can read this article

.

Can China completely shut down all VPN services?

It’s difficult to believe that China will completely close all VPN services, although it’s possible that it will increasingly restrict their use bit by bit.

How to download apps in China?

Apple’s App Store works without problems, and in the case of Android, there are multiple Chinese app markets that substitute Google Play, which is blocked, such as Tencent MyApp (腾讯应用宝) or 360 Mobile Assistant (手机助手).

However, many apps aren’t available unless you use a VPN, such as VPN apps, WhatsApp, Skype, and many others.

What is a VPN in China?

In China, a large number of websites are blocked, including Google, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Gmail, among others. Currently, VPNs (virtual private networks) are the most effective way to getaround the blocking and to be able to browse the Internet without restrictions.

Photo Credits: 1. Photo by Gerd Altmann on Pixabay
2. Photo by Gerd Altmann on Pixabay
3 . photo by Gerd Altmann on Pixabay