Does Snapchat Work in China in 2024?

China’s main mobile phone service providers are China Unicom, China Telecom, and China Mobile. After arriving in China and inserting a SIM card from one of these companies into their phones, users will notice they cannot access Snapchat or a huge range of other apps they normally can.

China is known for having some of the toughest internet censorship laws in the world, to the point where the phenomenon has been nicknamed the Great Firewall of China. If you enter Chinese borders and try to access services and websites you routinely use in other countries, you’ll be disappointed. Due to tough restrictions enforced by the Chinese government, you won’t be able to access content on many websites, streaming sites, and apps.

If you’re traveling to China and concerned about the Great Firewall, don’t worry — bypassing censorship is possible. With a trustworthy VPN service, you can securely access Snapchat, streaming sites, and more on the internet without any problem.

Key takeaways

1. Many popular websites and applications in the West are inaccessible in China.
2. You can still access these platforms with a VPN or use equivalent Chinese applications.
3. Be sure to set up your VPN and be fully aware of Chinese VPN laws before traveling to China.

Does Snapchat work in China in 2024?

Snapchat is among the many apps and websites blocked in China. To use Snapchat in China, you’ll need the help of a trustworthy VPN service.

Why is Snapchat not available in China?

The Chinese government is one of the leading enforcers of internet censorship worldwide. From popular social media platforms to everyday office apps, China blocks many websites from its citizens. This phenomenon has been tenderly nicknamed the Great Firewall of China.

However, you can use Snapchat and surf the internet in China with a VPN.

Why you need a VPN to use Snapchat in China

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, connects you to a foreign server and spoofs your IP address, making it appear that you are using the internet from another location. This can help you unblock Snapchat and other websites during your stay in China.

Furthermore, a quality VPN channels your internet data through an encrypted tunnel that protects your online traffic – your browsing activity stays hidden from Chinese authorities.

What makes a good VPN for using Snapchat in China

In my opinion, a good VPN for using Snapchat in China requires:

• Security features. I want a VPN with military-grade encryption that keeps the prying Chinese authorities out of my online activity.
• Speed. I always choose VPNs with speedy connections to avoid buffering and lagging.
• Streaming. Streaming quality depends on servers, so I recommend VPNs with servers near China for optimized internet use.
• Pricing. I want to subscribe to a reliable VPN without going broke, so I look for VPNs that achieve a careful balance of quality and affordability.

Important preparations before moving to China

Want to surf safely in China? I have two important tips for you:

First: Research, purchase, and download a VPN before you fly since sites for most VPN apps are banned in China.

Second: Take advantage of your chosen VPN’s customer service team. If you have any doubts before or on your trip, the folks at customer support can help you.

3 best VPNs to unblock Snapchat in China 

I’ve analyzed about 20 VPNs to determine which ones are the best VPNs for China to use Snapchat. Here are the 3 best:

1. ExpressVPN

When it comes to speed, security, and quality, ExpressVPN is the best VPN.

Features: ExpressVPN keeps your browsing data secure with AES 256-bit encryption, Perfect Forward Secrecy, built-in IP & DNS leak protection, a strict no-logs policy, and an automatic kill switch. It also blocks annoying ads and malware via a threat manager.

Speed: ExpressVPN’s Lightway Protocol allows subscribers to watch content quickly without interruption.

Streaming: Express has unbeatable streaming quality thanks to its large server network of 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, and its unblocking capabilities that effortlessly access Snapchat, Google Services, and more.

Compatibility: ExpressVPN’s app is smooth and intuitive and it’s compatible with Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS and lets you to connect to 8 devices at the same time.

Pricing: Though Express is a bit pricy, I still recommend it for its value. With its one-year plan, you can pay $6.67/month and get another 3 months free! Moreover, you get 30 days to try it out and if you’re not happy, you can get fully refunded.

2. NordVPN

My next recommendation, NordVPN, is speedy, safe, and extremely high-quality.

Features: Using top-notch security features such as AES 256-bit encryption, IP & DNS leak protection, a strict no-logs policy, and an automatic kill switch, Nord keeps you secure online.

Speed: Nord is widely adored for its rapid connection speeds, made possible by NordLynx protocol.

Streaming: With Nord’s 6,400 servers in 111 countries, you won’t deal with buffering, pixelation, or dropped connections, and you can easily unblock sites like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and others.

Compatibility: NordVPN is highly compatible with Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS. Nord allows up to 10 simultaneous device connections per account.

Pricing: Currently, users who sign up for two years for $3.39/month can get 4 extra months free. You can also cancel within 30 days and get your money back if you aren’t satisfied.

3. Surfshark

Surfshark is a great option if you’re looking for a safe, stable, and highly affordable VPN service.

Features: Surfshark keeps you safe with AES-256 military-grade encryption, a kill switch, IP & DNS leak protection, a no-logs policy, malware protection, and an ad blocker.

Speed: Surfshark offers you 3,200+ servers to connect to in 100+ countries, which means you can always switch servers if you encounter any lag while streaming or gaming.

Streaming: When it comes to unblocking geo-restricted content on popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and others, Surfshark is very successful.

Compatibility: Surfshark’s best feature, in addition to its bargain price, is its unlimited simultaneous connections. It’s also highly compatible with Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS.

Pricing: With Surfshark, you save! If you purchase the 2-year plan for only $2.19/month, you get an extra 4 months free! Additionally, all subscriptions offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

How we picked and analyzed VPNs on the list

When deciding which VPNs qualify as my top three best VPNs, I do so very carefully according to several strict criteria:

• Features. I look for trustworthy VPNs that can override geo-blocks and keep my browsing data safe in an encrypted tunnel to protect my online privacy.
• Speed.  A good VPN can connect me to many speedy servers so I can enjoy smooth streaming without pixelation, buffering, and lagging.
• Streaming.  I rank services higher if they can provide a broad global server network because it means I can easily access popular streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus no matter where I am.
• Compatibility. A quality VPN should also be easy for me to use on all types of devices and operating systems.
• Pricing. I don’t want to overspend on a VPN, but I also want to make sure I’m getting a good product. Therefore, I specifically recommend VPNs that include 30-day refund policies.

Websites, apps, and services that are blocked in China

The Snapchat app isn’t the only thing that is blocked for Chinese users. Whether you choose to use a VPN or a Chinese version of your favorite app, it’s important to be aware of which apps and social media websites are blocked within Chinese borders so that you can have realistic expectations about your stay.

Video Sharing and Streaming Platforms

You’ll find that many popular entertainment platforms such as Netflix, SoundCloud, Pandora Radio, Twitch, Vimeo, YouTube, BBC iPlayer, TikTok, Daily Motion, and Spotify are unreachable in mainland China.

Apps

Google Play, WhatsApp, Messenger, Viber, Telegram, and Discord are banned in China.

Work and Productivity Tools

Working from abroad? Plan ahead accordingly because Gmail and other Google services, Zoom, Dropbox, and Slack are all blocked by the Great Firewall’s reach.

Search Engines

Even standard search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Duck Duck Go are banned in China.

Social

You can’t simply connect to social media websites like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, Twitter, or Quora either because the Chinese government has geo-restrictions on these sites.

Snapchat alternatives that work in China

If you can’t access Snapchat in China, you could try a popular equivalent Chinese app such as WeChat, Feifei, or Renren.

Can I use a free VPN to unblock Snapchat in China?

While it might be tempting to cut cost corners and go for a free VPN, I strongly recommend against it, especially if you’re planning to use it in China.

Overall, free VPNs are ineffective and unsafe. Many of them just remain blocked, especially in China. Even if you manage to bypass regional restrictions, servers can become overloaded with internet traffic, which causes lag and other issues. Additionally, free VPN companies have no shame selling your browsing data for profit and exposing you to online threats.

Experienced internet users all agree that the best VPN is a reputable paid one.

FAQ

Can I use Snapchat in China?

You can use Snapchat in China as long as you first subscribe to a reliable VPN service and connect to a foreign server.

Is it legal to access Snapchat in China with a VPN?

There is nothing illegal about using a VPN as long as the Chinese government approves of it. If you deviate from government standards, just be aware of what you’re risking in terms of legal consequences, which differ based on your legal status in the country. Consequences range from paying fines to serving time in jail. I urge you to do research and make the most informed choice.

Conclusion

Though Snapchat and many other apps and popular websites are prohibited by the Great Firewall, you can still access them in China as long as you arrive prepared and armed with a trustworthy VPN.