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Best VPN for Beijing in 2025

fact-checked Fact-checked by  Dr. Mohamed Atef
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Using a virtual private network (VPN) in Beijing isn’t a convenience, it’s a necessity. Without a reliable VPN for China, many websites I rely on, like social media, news outlets, and streaming platforms, are completely blocked by the Chinese government, and not VPNs are up to the task.

That’s why I went on a hunt for the best VPN for Beijing. I narrowed the field down to the 5 best VPNs for Beijing. Each one ensures private, secure, and uncensored access to the Internet. Keep reading to learn more!

In a hurry? Here are 5 best VPNs for Beijing 

Only the best VPN services support secure, private, and uncensored Internet access in Beijing. Here are my top 5 picks for the best VPN for Beijing:

ExpressVPN

Best overall VPN

NordVPN

Best well-rounded VPN

Surfshark

Best budget VPN with premium features

CyberGhost

Best cheap VPN

Proton VPN

Best VPN with free plan

Key takeaways

  1. The government of China enforces heavy Internet censorship, blocking social media, messaging, news, and streaming sites.
  2. With a quality VPN, you can connect to a remote server and enjoy secure, private, unrestricted Internet access.
  3. Only the best VPNs are effective in China.
  4. I recommend ExpressVPN as the best VPN for use in Beijing.

Why you need a VPN for Beijing

The Chinese government enforces strict censorship laws that block access to many websites it considers inappropriate. This includes news outlets, social media platforms, streaming sites, and more.

With a reliable VPN, you can connect to a remote server and bypass these restrictions while staying secure and undetected. A good VPN allows you to access any site you need without interference. If you’re planning to live in or visit China and want unrestricted access to the internet, having a quality VPN is essential.

What makes a great VPN for Beijing

Here’s what I look for in a great VPN for Beijing:

  • Strong security and privacy features. A VPN with robust security and privacy measures is essential. I also look for obfuscation, which makes it harder for the Chinese government to detect that I’m using a VPN.
  • Reliable at bypassing the Great Firewall. A top VPN will have a proven track record of bypassing the Great Firewall of China.
  • Fast speeds. VPNs with fast speeds keep connections smooth for streaming, browsing, and other online activities.
  • Compatibility. A great VPN has intuitive apps that work with all common home and mobile devices.
  • Reliable customer support. Sometimes things don’t go as expected, so 24/7 live chat support is important.

5 best VPNs for Beijing

Find out all you need to know about the 5 best VPNs for Beijing in the sections below!

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN banner

Servers/countries: 3,000+ servers in 105 countries

Money-back guarantee: 30 days

Compatible with: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS

Simultaneous devices: Up to 8

Works with: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more

Get ExpressVPN with 49% OFF

+ 3 months FREE!

ExpressVPN is my top pick for the best VPN in Beijing. It’s also one of the best VPNs available for just about any online need.

Features: One of my favorite features of ExpressVPN is its automatic obfuscation, which disguises your VPN traffic, making it one of the easiest VPN services to use in Beijing. It’s also got nice bonus features like ad blocking, tracker blocking, and malware protection. It offers a robust global network with more than 3,000 servers in 105 countries, including locations near Beijing.

Speed: ExpressVPN consistently ranks among the fastest VPNs, thanks to its proprietary Lightway tunneling protocol. Even in Beijing, I’ve found its speeds to be reliable and stable.

Security: ExpressVPN has all the security features you need in China, like RAM-only servers, AES-256-bit encryption, IP/DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy. Its stealth servers mask your VPN usage in restrictive environments like Beijing.

Streaming: This VPN is a powerhouse for unblocking geo-restricted content on popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more.

Performance: Not only does ExpressVPN unblock websites for social media, news, banking, and more, but its fast and stable connections support great performance for streaming, gaming, and browsing.

Compatibility: ExpressVPN works seamlessly across most operating systems and devices, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, gaming consoles, and routers.

Pricing: Plans start at $6.67 per month plus 3 months free and come with a 30-day trial and 24/7 live chat support.

Pros

  • Automatic obfuscation
  • Robust security and privacy features
  • Fast speeds
  • Excellent unblocking capabilities
  • 30-day trial
  • 24/7 live chat support

Cons

  • A more expensive option

2. NordVPN

NordVPN Banner

Servers/countries: 7,100+ servers in 118 countries

Money-back guarantee: 30 days

Compatible with: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS

Simultaneous devices: 10

Works with: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more

Get NordVPN with 72% OFF

+ 4 months FREE!

NordVPN is a premium VPN choice for anyone looking to use a VPN in China, offering great speed, security, privacy, and lots of advanced features.

Features: I’ve found many of NordVPN’s features to be especially helpful for use in China, especially its obfuscated servers, double VPN, tracker blocking, ad blocking, malware protection, and dedicated IP addresses.

Speed: Thanks to its proprietary NordLynx protocol, NordVPN delivers impressively fast speeds, even when connecting to a VPN server on the other side of the world!

Security: When I look for a VPN for China, I want industry-leading security features, and NordVPN has them all, including AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, and IP/DNS leak protection.

Streaming: NordVPN is excellent at unblocking geo-restricted content on streaming services worldwide,e granting access to Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more.

Performance: When you use NordVPN to unblock restricted websites from China, you can count on smooth performance for accessing foreign social media, streaming, gaming, browsing, and more.

Compatibility: This VPN works seamlessly with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, routers, Smart TVs, and more. Connect up to 10 devices simultaneously under one account!

Pricing: NordVPN is reasonably priced, with plans starting at $3.39 per month plus 4 months free. Subscriptions come with a 30-day trial and 24/7 customer support.

Pros

  • Obfuscated servers
  • Robust security and privacy features
  • Fast speeds
  • Excellent unblocking capabilities
  • 30-day trial period
  • 24/7 live chat support

Cons

  • Obfuscated servers only work on OpenVPN connections

3. Surfshark

Surfshark Banner

Servers/countries: 3,200+ servers in 100 countries

Money-back guarantee: 30 days

Compatible with: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS

Simultaneous devices: Unlimited

Works with: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more

Get Surfshark with 83% OFF

+ 4 months FREE!

If you’re looking for an affordable VPN that doesn’t skimp on features, Surfshark is a fantastic option. Best of all, it includes unlimited simultaneous devices, so you can cover your whole household for one low cost!

Features: One of my favorite things about Surfshark is the NoBorders Mode, which kicks in automatically if restrictions are detected on your VPN connection, and its Camouflage Mode, which keeps VPN traffic hidden from Chinese authorities. With over 3,200 servers across 100 countries, you can find the perfect VPN server location for your needs.

Speed: Surfshark offers the WireGuard tunneling protocol, which supports fast and stable VPN connections. When I did experience occasional drops in connection speeds, the 24/7 live chat support offered sound advice on a faster VPN server in the same region.

Security: Surfshark provides robust security with AES-256 encryption, a zero-logs policy, leak protection, split tunneling, and RAM-only servers.

Streaming: I’ve found Surfshark to be excellent at unblocking geo-restricted content on popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more, making it a reliable go-to for entertainment while in Beijing.

Performance: Unblock websites for foreign social media, gaming, streaming, and more with smooth performance using Surfshark VPN services!

Compatibility: Surfshark is compatible with macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, smart TVs, and more.

Pricing: Starting at just $1.99 per month plus 4 months free, Surfshark is one of the most budget-friendly VPNs around. Plus, it comes with a 30-day trial period, so you can try it risk-free.

Pros

  • Obfuscated servers
  • Robust security and privacy features
  • Low cost
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • 30-day trial
  • 24/7 live chat support

Cons

  • Occasional slowdowns

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost Banner

Servers/countries: 11,500+ in 100 countries

Money-back guarantee: 45 days

Compatible with: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS

Simultaneous devices: 7

Works with: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more

Get Cyberghost with 84% OFF

+ 4 months FREE!

If you’re looking for a cheap, dependable Beijing VPN with strong privacy and security features, CyberGhost is a great option.

Features: CyberGhost VPN offers an impressive network of 11,500+ servers in 91 countries, including someoptimized for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. It also includes a couple of high-end features like obfuscation, split tunneling, and ad blocking.

Speed: I experienced solid speeds on local connections and using the Wireguard protocols. Long-distance speeds are less reliable.

Privacy and Security: CyberGhost ensures privacy and security with AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and leak protection.

Performance: The VPN works well for streaming, gaming, and general browsing on nearby servers. However, speeds can drop on long-distance connections.

Streaming: CyberGhost makes it easy to unblock popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, and more, allowing me to access my favorite content from Beijing.

Compatibility: This VPN is compatible with major devices and operating systems, including macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux, and it supports 7 simultaneous devices.

Pricing: CyberGhost is budget-friendly, starting at just $2.03 per month. The plan includes 4 free months and a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Pros

  • Obfuscation
  • Robust security and privacy features
  • Low cost
  • Chinese servers
  • 30-day trial
  • 24/7 live chat support

Cons

  • Occasional slowdowns

5. Proton VPN

Servers/countries: 8,600+ servers in 112 countries

Money-back guarantee: 30 days

Compatible with: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, Fire TV Stick, Chromebook, Android TV

Simultaneous devices: 10

Works with: Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more

Get Proton VPN with 56% OFF

+ 3 months FREE!

If you’re looking for a secure, privacy-focused VPN with a free option for use in Beijing, Proton VPN is a great choice.

Features: Proton VPN’s paid plans offer access to over 8,600 VPN servers in 112 countries. It also includes useful features for Beijing, such as stealth mode to bypass censorship and double VPN for added security.

Speed: I’ve found Proton VPN’s speeds to support most online activities. For the best speed, select the Wireguard protocol.

Privacy and Security: Proton VPN prioritizes privacy with military-grade encryption, a no-logs policy, and leak protection.

Performance: Whether I’m streaming, gaming, torrenting, or just browsing, Proton VPN performs consistently well, even under the restrictive conditions in Beijing.

Streaming: Proton VPN works effectively to access geo-restricted content on streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and others, making it a great choice for entertainment in Beijing.

Compatibility: The VPN is compatible with a wide range of devices, including iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, Linux, Fire TV Stick, Chromebook, and Android TV.

Pricing: Proton VPN’s paid plans start at $4.99/month and include 3 free months, support for 10 simultaneous devices, and a 30-day trial. There’s also a free plan with limited features available.

Pros

  • 30-day free trial
  • Strong security and privacy
  • Obfuscation
  • Free version

Cons

  • No RAM-only servers
  • Limited hours for live chat support

How I tested the best VPNs for Beijing

Here’s how I tested the best VPNs for Beijing:

  • Security and privacy. I ensured each VPN prioritized user safety by verifying that they offer an independently audited no-logs policy, AES 256-bit military-grade encryption, an automatic kill switch, and DNS and IP leak protection.
  • Speed. I tested the connection speeds for each VPN to be sure they could handle VoIP calls, streaming, gaming, and browsing without interruptions or lag.
  • Unblocking capability. I focused on VPNs equipped with obfuscation technology and a proven ability to bypass geo-blocks and China’s firewall.
  • Compatibility. I selected VPNs with user-friendly apps that work seamlessly across all major devices and operating systems and allow for multiple simultaneous connections.
  • Customer support. I prioritized VPNs that offer reliable 24/7 customer support and a 30-day money-back guarantee for risk-free trials.

How to set up a VPN in Beijing

I recommend setting up your VPN services before getting to Beijing, as many VPNs are blocked by the Chinese government. Here’s how:

  1. Subscribe to one of the best VPNs for Beijing. My personal favorite is ExpressVPN.
  2. Install the VPN app on your device.
  3. Open the VPN app and connect to a nearby server.
  4. Enjoy secure and unrestricted access to the Internet!

Other country VPN guides

Check out these guides for VPN usage worldwide!

Can I use a free VPN for Beijing?

The only free VPN for China I would consider using is the free version of Proton VPN. While features are limited, the free version of Proton VPN doesn’t skimp on security or privacy with high-end protection like military-grade encryption, a no-logs policy, and leak protection.

Most free VPNs don’t have the necessary software to get past China’s firewall and tend to have weaker security and privacy features, making them risky for use in China.

In addition, most free VPNs have limited servers, data, bandwidth, and speed which hinders online performance.

FAQ

Yes. However, while they’re not outright illegal, many VPNs are either heavily monitored or completely blocked, and users are expected to stick to government-approved services.


Which VPN works in Beijing?

All of my recommended VPN services work in Beijing. These include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, and Proton VPN.


Is NordVPN blocked in China?

Yes, NordVPN, along with many other VPN services, is blocked in China.

NordVPN can bypass China’s restrictions so you can access the service, but make sure you subscribe before getting there!


Conclusion

With the right VPN for China, you don’t have to compromise on your online freedom, security, or privacy. I recommend ExpressVPN as the best VPN for use in Beijing and around the world!

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