Best VPN for China in 2025: Bypass the Great Firewall Easily

 If you’re planning a trip to China or living there long-term, one of the first things you’ll notice is just how different the internet feels. Popular sites like Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and even many news outlets are blocked by the country’s extensive censorship system, known as the Great Firewall.

A virtual private network (VPN) is the best way to get around these restrictions, letting you connect to the open internet just like you would at home. But here’s the catch: most VPNs don’t work in China. That’s why I’ve put together this up-to-date China VPN guide to the best VPNs for China in 2025, so you can find one that’s fast, secure, and most importantly, actually works where you need it.

In a hurry? Here are the 7 best VPNs for China

Looking for the best VPNs to use in China? Here are our top 7 choices of VPN providers for China:

Keep reading for more of the best VPNs for China

Key takeaways

1. The Chinese government implements heavy Internet censorship, blocking most social media, news, work, and messaging apps and websites.
2. You can bypass China’s firewall with a good VPN; however, not every reputable VPN provider will work.
3. The most reliable VPNs for China are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark.

Quick overview of the 7 best VPNs for China

ExpressVPN is my top pick for the best VPN for China. I love that it doesn’t need any special configuration. You just open the app and it’s ready for use in China. It’s also a reliable, fast, and secure VPN that can meet the demands of a China VPN.

NordVPN is a close runner-up. It’s the fastest VPN provider around, which comes in handy for VoIP calling or streaming in China. It comes with tons of features, which means you’ve got a bit more to configure, but it also lets you customize your settings the way you like them. And like all my recommended VPNs, it’s got all the best privacy and security features you’d expect from a premium VPN.

Now, if you’re looking to save some cash without compromising much on quality, Surfshark is a strong choice. It’s the cheapest VPN provider that I recommend and comes with unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can cover your whole household at once. Plus, it doesn’t skimp on privacy and security and even comes with some nice bonus features.

CyberGhost is perfect for anyone looking for a cheap, user-friendly VPN provider without a lot of bells and whistles. It’s got all of the security and privacy essentials, including a kill switch, a no-logs policy, and strong encryption. The big downside to CyberGhost is that it does not offer obfuscated servers, so it’s less effective in China than Express, Nord, or Surfshark.

I like Private Internet Access for its intuitive design that can easily be customized to meet all of my VPN needs, including use in China. It’s a bit slower than the premium VPN providers, but it’s a reliable and secure VPN that doesn’t cost a lot and has all the essentials, like a kill switch and obfuscated servers. It is, however, less dependable at bypassing China’s tough firewall than Express, NordVPN, or Surfshark.

PrivateVPN is another affordable China VPN. It comes with a Stealth mode for bypassing China’s firewall, though it’s not as powerful as Express, Nord, and Surfshark’s obfuscation, making its performance a bit less consistent. It has strong encryption and a no-logs policy to keep you safe. Speeds are inconsistent, but are usually good enough for most online activities, especially with nearby servers.

How to choose the right VPN for China

Here are the key features to consider when choosing the best VPN for China.

• Security. Government surveillance is the norm in China, so you want a VPN with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, DNS & IP leak protection, and an automatic kill switch to secure your internet connection.
• Privacy. Make sure all your activities stay private by choosing a VPN with an independently audited no-logs policy and RAM-only servers, so you know none of your data is being stored.
• Obfuscation. China will block VPN traffic, so you’ll need obfuscated servers, which are specifically designed to hide your VPN usage so you don’t get blocked.
• Speed. Look for VPNs with average speed drops of around 10% or less so you don’t run into issues with lag, buffering, or dropped connections.
• Server network. Ideally, you want large VPN server networks, including server locations close to China, like Hong Kong, Thailand, or Japan.
• Customer support. You’ll want a VPN with both 24/7 live chat support and email support, in case you can’t reach them from China any other way.
• Trial period. Finding a reliable VPN for China is tough, so make sure it comes with a money-back guarantee so you can be sure it works before you’re locked into a long-term contract.

7 Best VPNs for China

1. ExpressVPN

Overall, ExpressVPN is a top-tier VPN provider and my go-to choice for staying connected in China. It delivers excellent security, dependable privacy, lightning-fast speeds, and a setup process so simple that anyone can get started right away.

Features: What makes ExpressVPN stand out as the best VPN for China is the built-in obfuscation on all its servers, disguising VPN traffic as normal internet use, which is a must for bypassing the Great Firewall. Its proprietary Lightway protocol combines speed, stability, and stealth, perfect for staying online in restrictive environments. ExpressVPN also rotates its server IPs regularly to avoid detection, since China regularly blocks VPNs. With a VPN server network of 3,000+ servers across 105 countries, including nearby locations like Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan, you’re never short on connection options. It also comes with split tunneling, ad-blocking, tracker blocking, and a password manager to improve your online experience.

Speed: ExpressVPN has some of the fastest VPN connections around. While a small dip in speed is inevitable when using a VPN, the drop here is barely noticeable. I retained about 90% of my baseline speed on most servers, which is more than enough for smooth browsing and streaming.

Privacy and security: From its independently audited, strict no-logs policy to its AES-256 encryption, ExpressVPN checks every box for protecting your data. The Network Lock kill switch prevents accidental data leaks if your VPN connection drops, and its strong IP and DNS leak protection ensures your real location stays hidden. It also uses RAM-only servers, which means all of your data gets wiped clean with every reboot.

Performance: Whether I’m browsing, streaming, making VoIP calls, or downloading, ExpressVPN delivers consistently fast and stable connections without frustrating interruptions or dropped connections.

Streaming: Even with China’s Great Firewall, I’ve been able to unlock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more, making it one of the most reliable VPNs for streaming.

Compatibility: The apps are intuitive, quick to navigate, and available for Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, and Linux. You can connect up to 8 devices at once, or install it on your router for whole-network coverage.

Pricing: The best deal comes with the 24-month basic plan, which works out to $3.49/month and includes an extra 4 months for free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it risk-free. Plus, the VPN service provides strong customer support, 24/7.

2. NordVPN

NordVPN is in a close second place for the best VPN for China. It is a premium VPN with first-rate privacy and security features. On top of that, it’s faster and offers more features than ExpressVPN and even costs a little bit less.

Features: Nord has a huge server network, with 7,800+ servers in 165 locations, including VPN server locations near China, like Hong Kong and Japan. It offers specialty servers, like obfuscated servers for getting around China’s tough Internet censorship, double VPN servers for an extra layer of encryption and security, onion over VPN servers for connecting to the Tor Network, and dedicated IP addresses that you don’t have to share with anyone. Nord comes with lots of advanced features like split tunneling so you can choose which apps you want to use your VPN with, Threat Protection Pro, for ad, tracker, and malware protection, and Meshnet for creating a secure private network.

Speed: When it comes to speed, Nord’s proprietary Nordlynx protocol outperforms all the other VPNs, with average speed drops as low as 1-3%. It’s so minimal that you’ll never notice the difference.

Privacy and security: You get your choice of secure VPN protocols, including Nordlynx, OpenVPN, and IKEV2. Every VPN connection is protected by military-grade AES 256-bit encryption and strong leak protection, even if your VPN connection drops. Nord has a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited, and runs on RAM-only servers, so no data is ever stored on a hard drive.

Performance: With NordVPN’s unparalleled speed, you can expect a strong performance for browsing, streaming, VoIP calling, messaging, and downloading large files. It may need a bit of configuring to maximize VPN performance in China.

Streaming: China’s Great Firewall won’t get in the way of you enjoying your favorite shows on sites like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and more when you use NordVPN.

Compatibility: Nord has intuitively designed VPN apps for macOS, iOS, Android phones, Windows, and Linux. You can connect 10 devices at once, or use it on your router to cover your whole network at the same time.

Pricing: You get 2 years of service on the NordVPN basic plan for $3.39/month. Every VPN subscription comes with 24/7 customer support and a month-long, money-back guarantee.

3. Surfshark

There’s no need to spend a lot on a VPN for China. Surfshark is private, secure, and can get past the Great Firewall of China. Best of all, it comes with unlimited devices, which can pile on the savings for big families or households with lots of devices.

Features: You get plenty of great features with this budget VPN. It has over 3,200 servers in 100 countries with a choice of specialty servers, including obfuscated servers, static IP, and dedicated IP addresses. Split tunneling lets you hand-select which apps you want to use with the VPN, and CleanWeb protects you from malware, ads, and trackers. It even comes with a cookie pop-up blocker. Plus, it’s got a NoBorders mode, specially designed to work in countries with heavy internet censorship, like China.

Speed: Using the WireGuard protocol, you can expect to hold on to 85-90% of your baseline speed, which is a bit slower than the premium VPNs, but still considered very good in the world of VPNs.

Privacy and security: Surfshark doesn’t skimp on your privacy and security features either. It uses military-grade AES 256-bit encryption and protects you from data leaks, even if your VPN drops unexpectedly. Its no-logs policy has been independently audited, and the RAM-only servers get wiped clean with every reboot. It also offers more than one VPN protocol, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2.

Performance: Overall, Surfshark performs well for VoIP calling, browsing, streaming, and downloading large files. If, however, you find it lagging, just try connecting to a different server in the location you need. Keep in mind, the closer the server, the faster your connection will be. Make sure you’ve got it on NoBorders mode when using it in China.

Streaming: Surfshark is a good VPN for streaming, with a strong track record for unblocking popular streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and more.

Compatibility: The apps are easy to use and set up for use in China. It’s compatible with macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, and Linux, and you can use it on an unlimited number of devices all at the same time.

Pricing: At just $1.99/month for the 2-year starter package, Surfshark VPN is a great deal! It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can decide for yourself, risk-free. And if you need any help, just reach out to the 24/7 live chat support.

4. CyberGhost

If you don’t need a lot of bells and whistles but just want a cheap and reliable VPN, consider CyberGhost.

Features: CyberGhost has a huge server network of over 11,000 servers in more than 100 countries, including VPN server locations near China, like Hong Kong and Japan. It has specialty servers for streaming, gaming, and torrenting, but unfortunately, it does not have obfuscated servers, making it less reliable for use in China. It also comes with split tunneling and ad and tracker blocking.

Speed: The speed on CyberGhost is, on average, very good, with speed drops limited to about 10-15%, though it can dip to as much as 40% if the servers get overcrowded. If that happens, switching servers is a simple fix. CyberGhost has plenty to choose from. And as always, you’ll get the best speed by sticking with nearby server locations.

Privacy and security: CyberGhost lets you explore the Internet anonymously thanks to its independently audited no-logs policy, military-grade encryption, and strong leak protection, so you’re safe even if your VPN drops unexpectedly. And for an extra layer of protection, it uses RAM-only servers that erase your data with every reboot.

Performance: When it comes to bypassing China’s Great Firewall, CyberGhost isn’t as reliable as Express, Nord, or Surfshark, mostly because it’s lacking obfuscated servers, so it does a great job of spoofing your location, but it’s much easier for the Chinese government to detect your VPN usage so you may want to have a backup VPN on hand. Other than that, it’s got the speed and stable connections you need for smooth VoIP calling, streaming, gaming, and downloading.

Streaming: You can use CyberGhost to unblock all of the major streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, and many more. If you get any buffering, just switch to another server in the same location.

Compatibility: CyberGhost has well-designed apps for Windows, Android, Linux, macOS, and iOS operating systems, and you can use it with up to 7 devices at the same time.

Pricing: When you sign up for the 2-year plan, you’ll pay $2.19 per month, and it includes 2 months free as well as a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

5. Proton VPN

The free version of ProtonVPN wins the prize for best free VPN, thanks to the unlimited data and bandwidth and strong privacy and security features. For the best performance in China, you may want to upgrade to the paid plan.

Features: Both the paid and free versions of ProtonVPN come with stealth VPN, which uses obfuscation designed to disguise your VPN traffic, as well as unlimited data and bandwidth. The free plan comes with just 100 servers in 5 locations, while the paid plan has a lot more options with 14,000+ servers in 122 countries. Paid subscribers also get advanced features like split tunneling, ad blocking, malware blocking, Tor over VPN, and more.

Speed: The paid version of ProtonVPN is fast enough for all your online needs, while the free tier often starts out fast, but can slow down, especially if the servers get crowded.

Privacy and security: Everyone who uses ProtonVPN gets the benefit of its independently audited no-logs policy, military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, and strong leak protection even if your VPN drops. It runs on RAM-only servers for extra privacy protection.

Performance: Even in stealth mode, ProtonVPN can’t always get past the Great Firewall, so it’s a good idea to have a backup plan for use in China, but its strong security and privacy protection means there’s not a lot of risk in giving it a try, especially with the free version. If you are using the free VPN version, however, you may get some slowdowns, especially during peak use hours.

Streaming: When it comes to streaming, ProtonVPN can unblock all the popular streaming services, like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Disney+, and more. Just keep in mind, the free version only has servers in 5 countries, so you’re still quite limited in the amount of content you can access.

Compatibility: ProtonVPN has compatible apps for macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. It allows for 10 simultaneous connections on the paid plan, and while the free version only allows for one, you can open as many subscriptions as you want.

Pricing: If you choose to upgrade to the paid plan, the best deal is the 2-year plan at $4.49/month, which comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

6. Private Internet Access

If you’re looking for an affordable VPN with a proven track record on privacy, Private Internet Access (PIA) is a solid choice, but to be completely honest, its ability to get past The Great Firewall isn’t as consistent as the top 3 VPNs, Express, Nord, and Surfshark.

Features: PIA has an extensive server network of over 35,000 servers in 91 countries, with nearby server locations to China, like Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore. It supports advanced features like split tunneling and built-in ad, tracker, and malware blocking. However, it doesn’t offer fully integrated obfuscation on all servers, making it less reliable in China.

Speed: Speeds on PIA are generally good, with most tests showing speed drops between 15–25%. As with most VPNs, you’ll get the fastest results by connecting to servers close to your physical location. If a server feels sluggish, switching to another nearby server is easy and usually improves performance.

Privacy and security: PIA is well-regarded for privacy thanks to its independently audited no-logs policy, AES-256 encryption, WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols, and reliable DNS and IP leak protection. It’s also got measures in place to protect you if your VPN drops its connection. It runs on RAM-only servers and uses full disk encryption for extra privacy.

Performance: When it comes to bypassing China’s Great Firewall, PIA struggles compared to top performers like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark, though it has proven effective on occasion. Still, it’s probably a good idea to have a backup VPN for use in China.

Streaming: PIA can unblock popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and more, though some servers work better than others for certain services. If you run into buffering or access issues, switching servers usually resolves the problem.

Compatibility: PIA offers well-designed apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, and you can use it on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, something few VPNs offer.

Pricing: The 3-year plan costs just $2.03 per month and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

7. PrivateVPN

If you want a simple VPN with strong encryption and a small but capable server network, including obfuscation, PrivateVPN is worth considering, but full disclosure, its reliability in China isn’t guaranteed.

Features: PrivateVPN has a modest network of around 200+ servers in 63 countries, including nearby locations like Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore. It supports advanced features such as port forwarding and a stealth mode designed to disguise VPN traffic, which can help in restrictive environments like China. However, the limited server count means fewer fallback options if one connection gets blocked.

Speed: PrivateVPN generally offers fast speeds for its size, with drops averaging between 10–20% on nearby servers. Long-distance connections can slow down significantly, so using the closest possible server to China is key for maintaining performance.

Privacy and security: PrivateVPN enforces a strict no-logs policy, though, unlike the other VPNs I recommend, it has yet to undergo an independent audit, so you’ll have to take their word for it. It uses military-grade AES-256 encryption, along with your choice of VPN protocol, including OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, and IKEv2. You also get leak protection, even if your VPN drops its connection unexpectedly.

Performance: The stealth feature has been successful at bypassing the Great Firewall, however, performance can be hit-or-miss, with certain servers working one day and being blocked the next. While it’s more capable than VPNs that lack obfuscation entirely, it’s still not as consistently effective in China as top-tier providers like ExpressVPN or NordVPN. Having a backup plan is recommended.

Streaming: PrivateVPN can unblock most major streaming platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, Max, and Amazon Prime Video. Its smaller network means you may need to experiment with different servers to find one that works smoothly.

Compatibility: PrivateVPN offers apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, and supports up to 10 simultaneous device connections. It can also be manually configured on routers for whole-network protection.

Pricing: The 3-year plan costs $2.00 per month and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it a viable low-cost option.

How I picked and analyzed the best VPNs for China

I tested dozens of the top VPNs to find the best China VPNs around. Here’s what I looked at:

• Privacy. I chose VPN services that have an independently audited zero-logs policy, and gave preference to those that use RAM-only servers.
• Security. I looked for the gold standard in security features, including AES 256-bit encryption, strong tunneling protocols, and an automatic kill switch.
• Obfuscation. Since China blocks VPNs, I always check for obfuscation, which is the most reliable way to get past China’s VPN blocks.
• Speed. I analyzed speed test results and looked for VPNs with connection speeds fast enough to support smooth browsing, streaming, and VoIP calling.
• Servers. I prioritized VPNs with a broad network of servers, including server locations near China, like Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan, since those will give you the best speeds while in China.
• Customer service. I asked customer service questions via live chat and email to make sure they offer prompt and professional advice.
• Trial period. All my recommended China VPNs come with a reputable 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try them out, risk-free.

Why you need a VPN for China

Using a VPN in China is the key to fast, private, secure, and unrestricted access to the Internet. Many websites and services are blocked in China, including things like Instagram, Twitter, Slack, YouTube, Netflix, and lots more.

A VPN lets you bypass Internet censorship by connecting to an IP address in a different country, so you canaccess all of the websites, apps, and streaming content available in that location. Just use your VPN to connect to a server back home, and you’ll have unrestricted access to all of your favorite social media, work, news, and entertainment sites, without getting blocked.

A premium VPN also protects you from Chinese government surveillance by passing all of your data through an encrypted connection, making it impossible for anyone to decipher what you’re doing online.

Internet censorship in China

Visiting or living in China is a pretty limiting internet experience, thanks to the infamous “Great Firewall.” Basically, the government blocks access to tons of popular websites and apps like Google, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and even some news sites. Instead, you’ll find local alternatives for everything, but it can still feel pretty restrictive.

China’s censorship isn’t just about blocking sites either. Some search results are filtered, certain keywords are banned, and some foreign content just won’t load at all. It’s one of the strictest internet control systems in the world, which is why so many people rely on VPNs to get around it.

How to use a VPN in China safely

The Chinese government enforces heavy censorship and surveillance of the Internet. Take these steps to make sure you stay safe:

• Set up your VPN before you get to China. If possible, download, install, and configure your VPN before you get to China. Most VPN websites are blocked in China, so doing this after you arrive is challenging.
• Use strong VPN protocols. OpenVPN, IKEv2 (for mobile devices), or WireGuard are all safe choices. You can also use Wireguard equivalents like ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol or NordVPN’s Nordlynx.
• Use obfuscation. This is designed to hide your VPN usage, which will make your VPN less likely to get blocked.
• Activate your kill switch. The kill switch automatically cuts your Internet connection if your VPN drops, protecting you from accidental leaks.

How to get the most out of VPN in China

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your VPN in China:

• Sign up before you get to China. Most VPNs are blocked in China, so you’re going to want to subscribe and download the app before you get there.
• Use obfuscation. Obfuscated servers make it tough for China to detect your VPN usage, and are overall more secure and effective.
• Choose your protocol. I recommend using OpenVPN or IKEv2 for mobile devices.
• User nearby servers. The closer the server location, the better your speed will be. Hong Kong, Japan, and Thailand are all good options.

Popular websites and services blocked in China

Most social media, news, and networking sites and services are blocked in China, including the following:

• Amazon
• Dropbox
• Instagram
• Line
• Netflix
• Slack
• Snapchat
• Spotify
• Telegram
• Tinder
• Twitch
• Twitter
• Vimeo
• YouTube
• Zoom

VPNs that don’t work in China 

Most of the free VPNs don’t work in China. That’s because many free VPNs lack features like obfuscation and rapid IP rotation capabilities that are necessary to get past China’s firewall. The free VPNs also tend to be quickly identified based on the large number of users coming from a single server and are quickly blocked.

Can I use a free VPN for China?

Yes, there are free VPNs that work in China. However, if you want to use one of these free VPN providers, there’s a catch.

In order for these free services to work in China without constant interruption, the VPN service must be approved by the Chinese Communist Party. This is because most free VPNs are weak when it comes to security and reliability and simply do not have the means to bypass the Great Firewall without approval from the Chinese government.

The risk with using one of the Chinese government’s approved VPNs is that it means the VPN services are required to log all their users’ data and online activities and share it with the government. So, you essentially would have no online privacy measures in place.

Some free VPN services offer premium plans you can subscribe to, which don’t then need to share logs with the government. However, their scope still tends to be limited, and they usually struggle with bypassing the Great Firewall. We recommend sticking to premium VPN providers that have been demonstrated to work well in China and provide robust privacy and security features.

My VPN is not working in China: How to fix

Even the best VPN for China can have a tough time getting past China’s Great Firewall. If you find your VPN just isn’t getting you onto the sites you want, here’s how to fix the problem.

• Change your server. Sometimes a specific server has been blocked, so simply switching to another server in the region you want can fix the problem.
• Change your VPN protocol. Try switching to the OpenVPN protocol, or IKEv2 if you’re on a mobile device.
• Use obfuscation. Use obfuscated servers, which are designed to make your VPN connection look like regular Internet traffic.
• Change your port. Try a different port, like 443.
• Reach out to customer support. Email your VPN’s customer support team for advice.

FAQ

Is it legal to use a VPN in China?

Yes. The Chinese government permits VPN use in China, but only with state-approved VPN services. It doesn’t want people to use VPN software to circumvent government restrictions.

Is NordVPN blocked in China?

Yes. NordVPN is blocked in China. That’s why it’s important to get the VPN installed before you get to China.

Which VPN should you use in Beijing?

For Beijing, we recommend using ExpressVPN and connecting to a server in Hong Kong or Taiwan.

Do tourists need a VPN in China?

No. Tourists don’t need a VPN in China, but without one, your access to the Internet will be severely limited, and you should assume none of your online activities are fully private.

Is ExpressVPN blocked in China?

Yes. Like most VPN companies, ExpressVPN is blocked in China. It is still possible to use ExpressVPN in China, especially if you install the VPN app outside of the jurisdiction of the Chinese government.

Which VPN works in China in 2025?

ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark reliably work in China.

Conclusion

China’s Great Firewall is one of the toughest censorship systems in the world, and if you want unrestricted access to the internet, you need a VPN that’s built to get around it. While there are plenty of VPNs on the market, only a handful can bypass China’s blocks reliably, and even the best providers occasionally require switching servers, tweaking settings, or enabling obfuscation. That’s why I recommend installing your VPN before you arrive in China, testing it on multiple devices, and keeping a backup option handy.

Whether you go with ExpressVPN for its simplicity, NordVPN for its speed, Surfshark for its budget-friendly unlimited connections, or one of the other top picks in this list, you’ll have the tools you need to stay connected, secure, and in control of your online experience.