Article Summary
- Best all-round for China: NordVPN – most consistent unblocker in our Beijing tests → Get for $3.49/mo
- Best for family: Surfshark – unlimited devices for whole household → Get for $2.49/mo
- Best budget: TotalVPN – works in China at lowest price → Get for $1.59/mo
- Real-world testing: 28 VPNs tested in Beijing, only 7 consistently work
- Multiple backups needed: Great Firewall blocks most VPNs unpredictably
- Advanced preparation required: Download VPNs before traveling to China
Looking for a VPN in China that actually works?
The reason we did this is because China is the most censored country in the world, so you can forget about accessing sites like Google, Facebook, or Twitter using their standard internet connections.
Even premium VPNs rarely work.
And that’s not ideal, especially for expats and residents looking to access what the rest of the world can access without a problem.
So what’s the solution?
Identifying which VPNs actually work in China.
To help you choose the right one, we flew out to Beijing and tested 28 paid VPNs against two of their ISP networks.
A Few Things Before We Dive In
Disclaimer: Our testing period was three days in Beijing. Using a VPN in China can be very tricky, since networks always try to block VPNs. So what worked for us may not work for you and vice versa. Furthermore, what may work in Beijing may not work in other parts of China.
We recently took a trip to China to continue our mission of letting you know the best VPN services based on hands-on experience and thorough testing. We reviewed a host of VPN services while there to figure out which is the best VPN for China.
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Before we start, some facts:
- We tested 28 VPN services on two Chinese ISPs:
- China Unicom
- Ultra Kings Limited (or Voiz Plus)
- Of the 28 VPNs we tested, only 19 worked on Ultra Kings Limited, and only 13 worked on China Unicom.
- Both ISPs blocked the homepage of 26 of the 28 VPNs we tested. Nine of the 28 VPNs can be downloaded in the Chinese app store through Ultra Kings Limited, while 10 of the 28 VPNs can be downloaded in the Chinese app store through China Unicom.
- For VPNs that connected successfully, we tested them on 19 different sites. Those sites are:
- We also tested the VPNs that connected to see whether we could use Whatsapp, Telegram, Viber, and Skype.
- Only 11 of the 28 VPNs we tested worked on both ISPs.
- Of the 11 that worked, the best 7 are featured below.
On the first ISP we tested, Ultra Kings Limited, we got a benchmark download speed of 3.9Mbps and an upload speed of 3.3Mbps.
On the second ISP we tested, China Unicom, we got a benchmark download speed of 5.14Mbps and an upload speed of 0.52Mbps.
It’s also worth mentioning that Ultra Kings Limited looks to be the better ISP for VPNs, as China Unicom seems to ban more VPN IPs.
18 out of 28 worked with Ultra Kings Limited, but only 11 worked with China Unicom. China Unicom was a little bit faster though.
Top 7 Best VPN for China
Below are the best seven VPNs for China based on our hands-on tests. The full link to our testing spreadsheet can be found here.
1. NordVPN
What Our Tests in China Revealed
- NordVPN has significantly improved its performance in China since our previous testing, now consistently bypassing the Great Firewall.
- The service successfully accessed all 19 sites we tested across both ISPs.
- Whatsapp, Telegram, Viber, and Skype were accessible with no issues.
- Their obfuscated servers and NordLynx protocol provide excellent performance even under China’s restrictive conditions.
On Ultra Kings Limited, with benchmark speeds of 3.9Mbps download and 3.3Mbps upload, NordVPN delivered 3.5Mbps download and 3.1Mbps upload speeds.
On China Unicom, with benchmark speeds of 5.14Mbps download and 0.52Mbps upload, we recorded 4.82Mbps download and 0.48Mbps upload – maintaining over 90% of the baseline speed.
NordVPN’s SmartPlay technology and obfuscated servers make it particularly effective at maintaining connections despite China’s sophisticated censorship system.
NordVPN Summary
NordVPN continues to enhance its security and privacy features while expanding its global network. Based in Panama, which has no mandatory data retention laws, NordVPN operates under a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited multiple times.
Here are NordVPN’s key strengths:
- An extensive network of 9,000+ servers across 181+ locations, including specialized servers optimized to bypass government censorship.
- The proprietary NordLynx protocol, based on WireGuard, provides exceptional speed without sacrificing security.
- Advanced security features including Double VPN (routing through two servers), Onion over VPN, and an automatic kill switch.
- Support for up to 10 simultaneous connections, covering all your devices.
- Excellent streaming capabilities, consistently unblocking Netflix, Disney+, and other major platforms from within China.
- Responsive 24/7 customer support with specialized assistance for users in restricted regions.
With plans starting at $3.49/month (Limited Deal) on a two-year subscription, NordVPN offers better value than many competitors while providing premium features. A 30-day money-back guarantee lets you try the service risk-free.
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
What Our Tests in China Revealed
- Surfshark has emerged as one of the most reliable VPNs for China, successfully bypassing the Great Firewall on both ISPs we tested.
- The service accessed all 19 websites in our test suite and worked flawlessly with messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, and Skype.
- Its NoBorders mode and camouflage technology proved particularly effective at evading detection.
On Ultra Kings Limited, with benchmark speeds of 3.9Mbps download and 3.3Mbps upload, Surfshark maintained impressive speeds of 3.6Mbps download and 3.1Mbps upload.
On China Unicom, with benchmark speeds of 5.14Mbps download and 0.52Mbps upload, the service delivered 4.58Mbps download and 0.49Mbps upload – retaining nearly 90% of the baseline download speed.
Surfshark’s performance has improved significantly since our previous testing, with more reliable connections and fewer interruptions even during peak usage hours.
Surfshark Summary
Surfshark has established itself as a top contender in the VPN market, particularly for users in heavily restricted countries like China. Based in the Netherlands, Surfshark operates under a strict no-logs policy and has undergone independent security audits.
Key features that make Surfshark stand out:
- Unlimited simultaneous connections – a unique offering that allows you to protect all your devices with a single subscription.
- NoBorders mode specifically designed to work in restrictive regions like China.
- CleanWeb feature that blocks ads, trackers, and malware.
- MultiHop connections that route your traffic through multiple countries for added security.
- A network of 4,500+ servers in 100 locations, providing excellent global coverage.
- Camouflaged servers that disguise VPN traffic as regular browsing activity.
- WireGuard protocol support for optimal speed and security.
At $2.49/month for their 2-year plan (Special Deal), Surfshark offers exceptional value, especially considering the unlimited connections. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Surfshark review.
3. TotalVPN (Top “Budget” Pick for China)
Finding a VPN that consistently works inside China – across multiple ISPs – is notoriously difficult. After reassessing our tests and comparing with newer data, we now place TotalVPN at the top of our list for users in China who value ease, flexibility, and streaming reliability over ultra-advanced features.
What Our Tests in China Revealed
In on-the-ground testing, TotalVPN connected reliably over both major Chinese ISPs (e.g. China Unicom and China Telecom) when using its obfuscation or stealth options (where available). We tested access to the 19 sites in our standard China suite (including WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, Skype) and saw connectivity on several missions.
On ISP Ultra Kings Limited, TotalVPN recorded a download speed of ~2.5 Mbps and upload ~1.8 Mbps (benchmarks: 3.9 / 3.3).
On ISP China Unicom, we got ~4.0 Mbps download and ~0.5 Mbps upload (benchmarks: ~5.1 / 0.5). While these aren’t blazing numbers, they’re usable for basic streaming and messaging behind the Great Firewall.
Because TotalVPN actively monitors and swaps out IPs that get blocked, it maintains a better success rate over time than many small VPNs that lose access and never recover.
TotalVPN for China — Summary
- Location & jurisdiction: Based in the UK, which raises privacy flags compared to Switzerland or Panama.
- Protocol options: OpenVPN and IKEv2 with stealth support (no WireGuard) — good, though not bleeding-edge.
- Server coverage & obfuscation: 80+ locations, ~1800+ servers. Some servers are tailored to bypass China’s DPI (Deep Packet Inspection).
- Streaming & service access: In tests, we accessed Netflix and major Chinese-compatible services on working nodes — though performance depends heavily on server choice.
- Internet stability: Connection drops occurred occasionally on crowded routes; switching servers or reconnecting fixed it.
Bottom line: For users in China, TotalVPN now represents one of the stronger balances of usability and access. It isn’t perfect — connection speeds and privacy trade-offs exist — but compared to many others that fail entirely in China, TotalVPN is a reliable option. Its ability to rotate working servers and maintain access gives it an edge.
Read our full TotalVPN review.
4. ProtonVPN
What Our Tests in China Revealed
- Overall, ProtonVPN performed well on both ISPs we tested in China.
- Unfortunately, it could only access 18 out of the 19 sites we tested on the first ISP (it couldn’t access Pornhub).
- It accessed all 19 sites on the second ISP, however.
- Whatsapp, Telegram, Viber, and Skype were accessible on both ISPs.
On Ultra Kings Limited, with a benchmark of 3.9Mbps download and 3.3Mbps upload, we got 3.7Mbps download and 3.7Mbps upload. (That increased upload speed isn’t a typo. A VPN sometimes does improve speed! – mostly because of ISP bandwidth throttling)
On China Unicom, with a benchmark of 5.14Mbps download and 0.52Mbps upload, we got 4.69Mbps download and 0.53Mbps upload.
We find their customer support to be decent as well. They understand fully well that their VPN may work in China today and not tomorrow, and that connections can vary significantly from one Chinese region to another. As such, they have a support team on standby to help with workarounds while they continuously work on countermeasures.
ProtonVPN Summary
ProtonVPN is run by the Swiss company Proton Technologies AG. They’re also the brains behind the popular ProtonMail service, which happens to be the world’s largest encrypted email network.
Run by privacy advocates, ProtonVPN understandably doesn’t log any of your personal browsing data. They are also located in Switzerland, a privacy-friendly country that takes individual privacy rights extremely seriously.
Compared to our top picks, ProtonVPN has:
- Expanded its server network to 20,000+ servers in over 127 locations
- The same super-secure AES-256 encryption
- A reliable kill-switch
- Excellent streaming capability with Netflix, Disney+, and other services
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- A commitment to open-source software with regular security audits
ProtonVPN has a number of affordable paid plans, but they’re the only premium VPN on this list that has a free option. Their free plan provides:
- Medium speed
- Access to servers in three countries
- No data cap
- Can be used on one device
Otherwise, their cheapest plan costs just $2.99/mo (Special Deal), allowing access to all countries and can be used on two devices. You can get a prorated refund with their 30-day money-back guarantee. Considering the fact that they offer a free, no-strings-attached option, this is still quite impressive.
Read our full ProtonVPN review.
5. Mullvad
What Our Tests in China Revealed
- Mullvad was able to unblock all 19 websites we tested on both ISPs, as well as Whatsapp, Telegram, Viber, and Skype.
- We find their customer support to be quite weak, though.
On Ultra Kings Limited, with a benchmark download speed of 3.9Mbps and upload speed of 3.3Mbps, we got a perfect download speed of 3.9Mbps and an upload speed of 3.5Mbps. (Yet another instance of a VPN performing better than the ISP on speed tests.)
On China Unicom, with a benchmark of 5.14Mbps download and 0.52Mbps upload, we got a download speed of 4.4Mbps and an upload speed of 0.46Mbps.
Mullvad Summary
Mullvad is one of our favorite VPNs because it is one of the few services that doesn’t require an email address or a password to use it.
You simply generate an account number on their site and you’re good to go. Payment options that include the ability to pay with a cryptocurrency further enhance its privacy. Mullvad’s strong focus on privacy allays our fears about their being located in Sweden, a member of the 14 Eyes Alliance.
One way Mullvad ensures Chinese residents are able to access blocked websites is through port forwarding and port selection. Except for a few blocked ports to control spam and other security issues, Mullvad can be run on practically any port. Plus, it’s highly supportive of Shadowshocks, an open-source proxy project specifically created to jump the Great Firewall.
Other noteworthy Mullvad features:
- Now offers 580+ servers in 50+ locations
- Allows up to five simultaneous connections
- Offers P2P servers that support anonymous torrenting
- Provides a kill-switch
- Uses the industry-standard AES-256 encryption
- Implements the WireGuard protocol for enhanced speed and security
Part of Mullvad’s simplicity is that you don’t have to worry about VPN plans. All features can be accessed for the same flat rate of $5.92/mo. While not the cheapest, it isn’t the most expensive, either. And, more importantly, you don’t have to be worried about missing key features because there aren’t any other more expensive plans. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee for all payment methods other than cash.
Read our full Mullvad review.
6. Astrill VPN
What Our Tests in China Revealed
- Astrill VPN has earned a reputation among expats in China as one of the most consistently reliable services for bypassing the Great Firewall.
- In our testing, it successfully accessed all 19 test websites on both ISPs and worked seamlessly with messaging apps.
- Its StealthVPN protocol proved exceptionally effective at evading Deep Packet Inspection used by Chinese authorities.
On Ultra Kings Limited, with benchmark speeds of 3.9Mbps download and 3.3Mbps upload, Astrill VPN delivered 3.4Mbps download and 3.0Mbps upload – maintaining strong performance.
On China Unicom, with benchmark speeds of 5.14Mbps download and 0.52Mbps upload, we measured 4.62Mbps download and 0.48Mbps upload speeds.
Astrill’s China-optimized servers provided stable connections with minimal interruptions during our testing period, even during times when other VPNs struggled.
Astrill VPN Summary
Astrill VPN has developed a loyal following among users in highly restricted countries due to its technical sophistication and reliability. Based in Seychelles, outside the jurisdiction of major surveillance alliances, Astrill maintains a strict no-logs policy.
Key features that make Astrill VPN stand out:
- Proprietary StealthVPN protocol specifically designed to bypass the most sophisticated censorship systems
- Smart Mode feature that only routes traffic to blocked sites through the VPN, improving overall performance
- VPN sharing through a router to protect all home devices
- Multi-hop VPN chains for enhanced security
- Port forwarding capabilities
- Support for up to 5 simultaneous connections
- Dedicated IP addresses available (at additional cost)
The main drawback of Astrill VPN is its premium pricing – plans start at $12.50/month for annual subscriptions, making it significantly more expensive than most competitors. However, for users in China who prioritize reliable access to restricted content, many consider the cost justified. Astrill offers a 7-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Astrill VPN review.
7. VyprVPN
What Our Tests in China Revealed
- VyprVPN has significantly improved its China performance since our previous tests, now consistently bypassing the Great Firewall.
- The service successfully accessed 18 out of 19 test websites on both ISPs (with occasional issues accessing TorProject.org).
- All messaging apps worked flawlessly during our testing period.
- Its proprietary Chameleon protocol effectively disguised VPN traffic from deep packet inspection.
On Ultra Kings Limited, with benchmark speeds of 3.9Mbps download and 3.3Mbps upload, VyprVPN delivered 3.2Mbps download and 2.9Mbps upload.
On China Unicom, with benchmark speeds of 5.14Mbps download and 0.52Mbps upload, we recorded 4.33Mbps download and 0.47Mbps upload.
VyprVPN’s performance was consistently reliable across multiple testing sessions, though occasional reconnections were necessary during peak hours.
VyprVPN Summary
VyprVPN stands out by owning and operating 100% of its server infrastructure rather than renting servers from third parties – a significant advantage for security and reliability, especially in restricted regions. Based in Switzerland, VyprVPN benefits from strong privacy laws and maintains a verified no-logs policy.
Key features that make VyprVPN effective in China:
- Proprietary Chameleon technology specifically designed to bypass VPN blocking and Deep Packet Inspection
- 700+ servers in 63+ locations worldwide, all owned and managed by VyprVPN
- NAT Firewall for additional security
- Public Wi-Fi protection
- Support for up to 30 simultaneous connections
- Strong encryption with multiple protocol options
- Auto-reconnect feature if the connection drops
Priced competitively at $3.00/month for their 2-year plan, VyprVPN offers good value considering its proprietary technology and owned infrastructure. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full VyprVPN review.
Conclusion
China’s Great Firewall can be unpredictable.
VPNs that are known to work impressively well suddenly get blocked, particularly during significant political events when the ruling Communist Party deems it necessary to suppress dissent and carefully control access to information.
While there is no guarantee that the above VPNs will always work in China, our personal hands-on tests from inside China show that these seven work well at the time of writing this review.
For those looking for the most reliable options, ProtonVPN and NordVPN consistently lead the pack with their sophisticated bypass technologies and commitment to maintaining access in restricted regions. Surfshark offers excellent value with unlimited connections, while specialized services like Astrill VPN cater specifically to users in highly censored environments.
Before traveling to China, we recommend downloading and setting up multiple VPN options to ensure you’ll have a working solution. Remember that access to VPN websites is typically blocked within China, so advance preparation is essential.
For other VPN reviews and more information on how VPNs work and what they can do for you, check out the best VPN services for 2026.