How to Watch Netflix in China in 2025 (Safe & Easy)

In China, Netflix is blocked by a virtual barrier jokingly nicknamed the Great Firewall of China. This firewall prohibits users from accessing foreign websites like social media pages, streaming platforms, and news websites. In the case of Netflix, the circumstance is mutual – Netflix doesn’t license content to be accessible in China, meaning there is no such thing as China Netflix.

In most normal geo-block cases, the solution to this problem is using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to reach the platform. However, due to the aforementioned internet censorship imposed by the Chinese government, many VPNs have also been blocked. Luckily, we’ve taken the time to thoroughly investigate 20 VPN providers to determine which ones can actually pass over the Great Firewall and establish a reliable connection between you and your Netflix account.

Whether you’re planning on relocating to China or just passing through for a visit, it’s worthwhile to invest in a good VPN if you want to watch Netflix in China.

How to choose the best VPN for watching Netflix in China

When deciding which VPN to use to help you watch Netflix in China, consider the following factors:

• Features. You want a trustworthy VPN with top-of-the-line security features that can safely override Netflix content blocks and keep your location and identity safe.
• Speed. A worthwhile provider should get you to speeds fast enough to stream your favorite TV series and movies withoutthe annoyances ofbuffering and lagging.
• Streaming.  A high-quality VPN service should give you access to a variety of server locations around the world to help you unlock as many region-restricted TV series and movies as possible.
• Compatibility. You want to pick a VPN that is compatible with and works smoothly on the devices and operating systems that you use regularly.
• Pricing. There is no need to break the bank.For this reason, our top recommendations all permit you a trial period for each subscription, where you can get a complete refund if you aren’t happy with the product.

3 best VPNs to watch Netflix in China

Even if you have a VPN, you may still be unsure about how to watch Netflix in China. Not every VPN can get you over the Great Firewall of China, but there are a few that can. Here are our top three picks:

1. ExpressVPN

Since ExpressVPN has more than 3,000 dedicated servers in about 100 countries, it lets you access Netflix libraries around the world. Furthermore, Express’s slick security features make it our top VPN provider recommendation for watching Netflix in China.

Features: Express users can connect up to 8 devices simultaneously on unlimited bandwidth. Express also has rock-solid security features such asAES-256 encryption, leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy.

Speed: ExpressVPN achieves incredibly fast speeds by usinglightway tunneling protocol.

Streaming: Express VPN is highly effective at unblocking content on Chinese internet and gives you a fighting chance to unblock Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and others.

Compatibility: You can use Express to watch Netflix on devices operated by Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux.

Pricing: Subscriptions start at $6.67/month and include a free 30-day trial with a money-back guarantee.

2. NordVPN

NordVPN is very fast and secure when unblocking any Netflix library and has 7,100+ servers in 118 countries.

Features: Nord lets users connect up to 10 devices at a time and operates on unlimited bandwidth. Nord also offersmilitary-grade encryption with double VPN protection, split tunneling, leak protection, a kill switch, and an audited no-logs policy.

Speed: NordVPN’s NordLynx protocolhelps it reach high connectivity speeds.

Streaming: Nord can unlock tough geo-blocks and access Netflix, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and more.

Compatibility: Nord can be used with Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Apple TV, and more.

Pricing: Subscriptions start at $3.39/month and allow for a 30-day trial period after which you can cancel and get your money back.

3. Surfshark

Surfshark is a secure and affordable option to help you watch Netflix in China, offering you 3,200 servers in 100 countries, including server locations in Macau and Hong Kong.

Features: Surfshark gives subscribersunlimited simultaneous connections and infinite bandwidth, and protects them with military-grade encryption, split tunneling, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy.

Streaming: Surfshark breaks past streaming service barriers on platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max.

Speed: Surfshark reaches incredible speeds and has a large server network, meaning you can always connect to a server in a different location to see if that server works better if there is too much internet traffic on your original server.

Compatibility: Surfshark operates smoothly on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and more.

Pricing: Subscription plans start at only $1.99/month and offer a free 30-day trial with a money-back guarantee.

Our methodology for finding the best VPNs for China

If you’re in China and want to watch Netflix, VPN usage is a must. However, not every VPN is created equal. Here is the logic we used when selecting the best VPNs for you:

• Features. In an internet environment like China’s, we want to make sure you are protected, therefore we look at VPNs thatare fiercely committed to your security and won’t compromise your online data while you watch Netflix in China.
• Streaming.Since China has tough restrictions on its internet usage, we recommend a VPN that stands a chance of bypassing even the toughest blocks and has a large VPN server network so that if your connection is slow, you can easily switch to a secondary server.
• Speed. China is known for having lots of heavy server traffic. Therefore, we advise you to choose a super speedyVPN that will help you avoid dealing with pixelation and lagging as you watch Netflix in China.
• Compatibility. Whether your goal is to watch Netflix in China or anywhere else, we want to be sure that the VPN you choose has an app that is compatible with and works smoothly on your preferred operating system, such as Mac or Windows.
• Pricing. Your budget matters to us and we don’t want you to break your bank spending money on several VPN subscriptions at once as you work out how to watch Netflix in China. For this reason, we only recommend VPNs with good deals that allow you to try out the product and get your money back if you aren’t satisfied with the service.

The reason behind Netflix’s geo-restrictions

Though Netflix is widely available around the world, the content that it hosts in each country varies. These geo-restrictions are due to strict distribution agreements Netflix has with the broadcasting companies that supply their content libraries.

Why is Netflix not available in China?

To put it bluntly, Netflix China doesn’t exist. This is because the Chinese government has a strong grip on what is or isn’t permitted within the country, similar to places like North Korea and Russia.

Chinese authorities feel threatened by the idea of their citizens accessing the variety of Western ideas within Netflix content. For that same reason, if you travel to China, you’ll discover that many widely-used platforms, such as YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, are also banned. The only way to access these platforms from China is by using a VPN.

Can I use a free VPN?

In general, we advise against using free VPNs due to the serious security risks and quality reduction that come with doing so. In the case of China, we especially advise against using free VPNs.

In China, free services will only work if they have been approved by the Chinese government. However, such VPNs are mandated to log a user’s online activity and report it to the government. As for non-approved ones, they aren’t guaranteed to bypass the Great Firewall, so they defeat the whole purpose of you trying to use one to watch Netflix in China in the first place.

If you want to be sure that you have a safe, secure, and trustworthy product that also stands a chance of getting you over the Great Firewall, then it’s worth it to invest in a premium VPN such as the ones we’ve recommended.Furthermore, our recommendations include flexible plans in which you can subscribe, try out the service for a month, and then cancel and receive a full refund if you aren’t satisfied. This way, you can get a safe and powerful product that makes it feel like you’re using a free VPN.

What are the most popular Netflix alternatives in China?

If you decide that you’d rather stream without the hassle of VPN connections, then you’ve got to make do like the locals and start streaming entertainment from other services. Here are some alternative streaming services that the local Chinese people enjoy:

• iQiyi – This streaming platform is basically the Chinese version of Netflix, but the majority of the content is directed at the typical Chinese consumer, meaning that the options for shows and movies in English are very limited.
• Youku – Sort of like the YouTube of China, this platform is owned by Alibaba and shows standard content like drama, romance, and action, along with the occasional Western film accompanied by Chinese subtitles.
• Tencent Video – This streaming platform is more similar in form to Blockbuster than any other, and is also kind of like a Chinese version of Netflix. In recent years, the platform has expanded to broadcast a number of British movies and shows in addition to its Chinese content.

FAQ

Can I Watch Netflix in China?

You cannot watch Netflix in China without a VPN because China doesn’t allow its citizens to access Netflix, and Netflix blocks access from China.

Is it Legal to Use a VPN in China?

Technically, using a VPN in China is perfectly legal but only if approved by China’s government. If you’re planning to use a VPN that doesn’t conform to government standards, it’s best to be fully informed about the risks and legal consequences, which depend on several factors. These include your legal status in China (tourist, resident, or citizen), and the reason you were using a VPN and more.

Depending on these factors, consequences range from paying a fine to going to jail. That said, it’s important to do your research ahead of time and be aware of the risks.

What VPN should I use in China?

You want a VPN that is safe and also powerful enough to bust China’s tough internet blocks. Our top three recommendations are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark.

Conclusion

Before traveling to China, you should know that many Western websites and platforms, such as Netflix, are forbidden by the government. This means you won’t be able to access them on the Chinese internet.

However, with a dependable VPN, you’ll be able to leap over the Great Firewall of China and enjoy your favorite Netflix shows and movies despite your location.