Does Dropbox Work in China in 2024?

The Chinese government doesn’t want anyone to use Dropbox in China. They are afraid you will use it to bypass censorship and government surveillance since files are shared directly through the cloud. That’s why they set up The Great Firewall of China, which blocks Dropbox and thousands of other websites they don’t approve of.

I wasn’t about to let government restrictions get in the way of getting my work done on my business trip and I set off to find the best way to access Dropbox in China.

The solution I found is using a virtual private network (VPN).

Key takeaways

1. Dropbox is blocked in China. Due to government censorship, Dropbox is inaccessible in China.
2. Using a VPN will get you access to Dropbox in China. Set up a VPN before arriving and connect to a server in another country to access Dropbox.
3. Choose the right VPN. You need a VPN with strong security features and obfuscated servers to unblock Dropbox in China.
4. A VPN offers online protection. A VPN with strong privacy and security features will protect you from government surveillance.

Is Dropbox available in China?

No. China blocks thousands of apps and websites and your Dropbox account is one of them. The company tried to get around the block by switching its HTTPS protocol, but the Chinese Government responded by blocking access to that as well.

Chinese citizens and visitors who want to access Dropbox and other blocked sites from their home country while in China will need a good VPN service that can get past China’s firewall.

Visiting users will also need to set up internet access either through a SIM card, international roaming, renting a mobile device, or Wi-Fi (available in limited locations).

Why is Dropbox not available in China?

Dropbox doesn’t comply with internet regulations imposed by the Chinese government since it allows for uncensored file sharing. Because users share files through cloud services, they can avoid government filters and regulations, so China blocked the site completely.

Instead, you can use one of the Chinese Dropbox alternatives such as FileCloud for quick sharing of files via the cloud.

Why use Dropbox in China

I like to use Dropbox in China because it can store files in the cloud, which means that when I share business files or personal information, it isn’t subject to surveillance.

How to choose the right VPN for Dropbox in China

Look for these features when selecting the best VPN services to access Dropbox in China.

• Customer care. Stick with VPNs that offer 24/7 live chat support and a money-back guarantee.
• Unblocking capability. You want a VPN that has proven its ability to get past The Great Firewall of China.
• Security. Protect your internet traffic from government surveillance by getting a VPN with advanced security features, including military-level encryption, a Kill Switch, and leak protection.
• Privacy. Make sure your identity remains private by getting a VPN with an independently verified no-logs policy.
• Servers. Select a VPN with a large network of servers in countries that prioritize internet freedom. If you want to gain access to blocked websites in China, obfuscated servers are a must.
• Speed. Fast VPNs allow for quick transfer of files, streaming, gaming, browsing, and other online activities.

3 best VPNs to use Dropbox in China

After looking into 20 of VPN options, I’ve rounded up my top three choices for VPNs that allow you to freely access the internet in China while keeping your online data safe and secure.

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is my top choice for bypassing China’s restrictions. It’s a premium service that provides the speed, security, privacy, and reliability needed to navigate China’s strict internet censorship.

Features: ExpressVPN offers split tunneling, obfuscated servers (a must for bypassing China’s Great Firewall), ad-blocking, a password manager, and more. With over 3,200 servers offering IP addresses in 105 countries, you’ll have plenty of options to maintain a fast and secure connection.

Speed: During my speed tests with servers near China, ExpressVPN retained an impressive 89% of its original download speed.

Privacy & Security: ExpressVPN comes with military-level encryption, a Kill Switch, DNS leak protection, and a strict no-logs policy, so your internet traffic remains secure and private.

Performance: I found ExpressVPN worked flawlessly for syncing files, browsing, and streaming.

Streaming: ExpressVPN can access libraries worldwide on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more.

Compatibility: Its easy-to-use apps are compatible with macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, and Linux. Plus, you can connect up to 8 devices at once.

Pricing: While the monthly service for ExpressVPN is a costly $12.95/month. The 12-month plan is available for a more reasonable $6.67/month, which includes 3 extra months for free and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

2. NordVPN

NordVPN is another excellent choice for accessing Dropbox in China. It offers fast speeds, strong security, unblocking capability, and an extensive server network.

Features: NordVPN has over 6,400 servers in 111 countries and includes features like DoubleVPN, obfuscated servers, ad-blocking, malware protection, and more.

Speed: NordVPN retained 90% of my original download speed on servers in the Far East, supporting smooth performance in China.

Privacy & Security: NordVPN uses military-grade encryption, a Kill Switch, leak protection, and a strict no-logs policy to keep your data safe.

Performance: Whether I’m uploading large files to Dropbox, streaming, or browsing, NordVPN delivers a fast, stable connection.

Streaming: NordVPN can get past geo-blocks on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and other popular streaming sites.

Compatibility: NordVPN supports macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, and Linux, and allows up to 10 simultaneous devices.

Pricing: Plans start at $3.39/month, with 4 extra months for free, plus a 30-day trial.

3. Surfshark

If you’re looking for an inexpensive, safe, and reliable VPN for Dropbox in China, Surfshark is a great choice.

Features: Surfshark comes with obfuscated servers, split tunneling, a data breach monitor, an ad-blocker, and more. Plus it comes with a network of 3,200 servers in 100 countries.

Speed: I still retained 71% of my original download speed on long-distance servers, which is fast enough for most online activities.

Privacy & Security: Surfshark offers military-grade encryption, a zero-logs policy, a Kill Switch, and leak protection to ensure your data stays protected.

Performance: Surfshark works well for transfers on Dropbox, streaming, gaming, and general browsing, though speeds can dip during peak times.

Streaming: You can also use Surfshark to access global libraries on Netflix, Hulu, and more from anywhere.

Compatibility: Surfshark supports macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, and Linux. Plus, you can connect unlimited devices under one account.

Pricing: Surfshark starts at just $2.19/month for a 2-year plan, plus 4 free months, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Websites, apps, and services that are blocked in China

By now, you’ve probably figured out that many of your favorite websites, apps, and search engines you used in your home country aren’t available to users in China. Here are some common examples.

Video sharing and streaming platforms

Chinese government restrictions prohibit using these sites:

• BBC iPlayer
• Daily Motion
• Netflix
• Pandora Radio
• SoundCloud Twitch
• Spotify
• Tik Tok
• Vimeo
• YouTube
• Netflix

Apps

The following apps are not allowed in China:

• Discord
• Google Play
• Messenger
• Telegram
• Viber
• WhatsApp

Work and productivity tools

Access to these tools is blocked in China:

• Dropbox
• Gmail
• Slack
• Zoom

Search engines

The following search engines are not available in China:

• Duck Duck Go
• Google Drive
• Yahoo

Social

The following social media platforms are subject to government censorship:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Quora
• Snapchat
• Twitter

Can I use a free VPN for China?

I don’t recommend using a free VPN for Dropbox in China, and here’s why.

Most free VPNs don’t offer obfuscation or the geo-spoofing technology needed to bypass censorship in China.

Free VPNs rarely offer the advanced security and privacy features you get with one of the trusted subscription VPNs. In fact, some free VPNs will sell your private data to third parties for profit, which is a long way from the privacy protection you need for a VPN in China.

FAQ

Is it legal to use Dropbox in China?

It’s not illegal to use Dropbox in China.

However, Dropbox, like many other sites, is blocked in China. If you want to share documents for work or personal reasons, you can either use the government-approved FileCloud website or use a good VPN to unblock Dropbox.

Conclusion

If you want to use Dropbox in China, you’re going to need a good VPN!

The Chinese government has blocked Dropbox and other platforms that don’t comply with their internet regulations.

When you use a quality VPN connection to a VPN server in a country with full internet freedom, you’ll gain access to Dropbox and be sharing files in no time, no matter how restrictive the government is in your current location.

I recommend using ExpressVPN. It has the security, privacy, and unblocking capability needed for safe, unhindered access to the internet.