Editor’s note: I’ve updated this article in end-April 2025. Financially, I’m not able to fly out to China again. If you’re in China and would be interested in testing some VPN services, send me a message.
Looking for a VPN in China that actually works?
To help you choose the right one, we flew out to Beijing and tested 28 paid VPNs against two of their ISP networks.
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.
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.
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 in 2025
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. ExpressVPN
Finding a VPN that packs both privacy and performance can be hard. Especially one that actually works from inside China.
What Our Tests in China Revealed
- Our first-hand experience shows ExpressVPN to be the best VPN for China.
- It’s one of the few VPNs we tested in China that worked on both ISPs: Ultra Kings Limited and China Unicom.
- ExpressVPN also successfully accessed all 19 sites we tested. Not only that, but Whatsapp, Telegram, Viber, and Skype worked on both ISPs.
ExpressVPN had a download speed of 2.7Mbps and an upload speed of 2Mbps on Ultra Kings Limited (with benchmarks of 3.9Mbps and 3.3Mbps respectively).
For China Unicom, we got a download speed of 4.28Mbps and an upload speed of 0.4Mbps (vs. the benchmarks of 5.14Mbps and 0.52Mbps).
Even more impressive is ExpressVPN’s dedication to staying one step ahead of Chinese censors by proactively monitoring its servers for accessibility in China and using advanced technology protocols behind the scenes.
ExpressVPN Summary
ExpressVPN’s no-logs claim has been tested in the real world: the Turkish government once raided their datacenter and seized their servers in an attempt to access logs on a particular user. Guess what they found? Nothing. This, and the fact that ExpressVPN is located in the British Virgin Islands, a VPN-friendly jurisdiction, makes it an attractive option for China VPN users.
Here are some high points that pushed ExpressVPN to the top of the list:
- Accounts are protected by a kill-switch feature that cuts your internet access altogether when your VPN connection fails, effectively preventing your connection from switching to a publicly visible alternative.
- The service provides strong AES-256 encryption with support for the latest security protocols including OpenVPN, WireGuard (via Lightway), and IKEv2.
- Their server network has expanded to 105+ countries with specialized servers that effectively bypass the Great Firewall.
- ExpressVPN now allows up to 8 simultaneous connections, an increase from their previous limit of 5.
- The customer support team is readily available and reliable, especially considering they have a 24/7 email and live chat support that’s not blocked in China.
Although ExpressVPN is a bit expensive at $6.67/mo, we are quite impressed with its real-life performance in China. We believe the cost is justified if you want a reliable VPN for China. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
2. 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 7,400+ servers across 118 countries, 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 $3.39/month 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.
3. 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 3,000+ servers in over 70 countries
- The same super-secure AES-256 encryption
- A reliable kill-switch
- Excellent streaming capability with Netflix, Disney+, and other services
- Up to 10 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 $4/mo, 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.
4. Surfshark
What Our Tests in China Revealed
- Surfshark has emerged as one of the most reliable VPNs for China in 2025, 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 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, providing excellent global coverage.
- Camouflaged servers that disguise VPN traffic as regular browsing activity.
- WireGuard protocol support for optimal speed and security.
At $2.21/month for their 2-year plan, Surfshark offers exceptional value, especially considering the unlimited connections. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Surfshark 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 500+ servers in 40+ countries
- 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/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 70+ 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 $8.33/month for an annual 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, ExpressVPN 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 2025.
What happened to Nord VPN in your China test ?
NordVPN just didn’t do that well inside the Great Firewall.
Hi. I agree with D about ExpressVPN.. my to trips in China, July and August, it failed to work 90% of the time. Even worst, EV constantly showed “connected” while simply bogus. I was so fed up that my EV just expired and I am not extending it.
I have used express with less than satisfactory results in recent months. But a mate swears by Astrill and although I used it many years ago and thought it was rubbish, he said it was holding out strong despite the recent attack on VPNs. I wonder if it’s worth switching back. But how does it fare?
Hey!
Astrill is a great VPN provider. The reason you don’t see Astrill in the top 3 is mostly because it’s just too expensive compared to others. The cheapest option, signing up for one year will still set you back 150 USD. If you don’t mind, get back to us after you’ve used tried it out. Financially, we’re not able to fly out to China again to conduct proper tests.
Well, I have to say that this review has let me down BIG TIME by not including Astrill. I know that sounds suspiciously like a comment s.b. from Astrill would write but let me explain. I believed this review to the point that the only VPN I have and would consider in China for the last few years was Express, and I would point people to the research done by this article. But it’s been a shit show to be frank. With express you’re still paying for premium services but when the govt in China wanna block, it will be done. But my mate who had Astrill insisted his always worked even during big political events. I’ve been sceptical cos it wasn’t on this list. Well, after 2 weeks of restricted internet 97% of the time from Express, and dozenz of weeks of similar throughout the year, I asked to test his Astrill acount on my computer. Boom, it just bloody worked. Hello youtube, finally. So I’m quite anoyed that I have persevered with the wrong service for so long. Not only has this had adverse affects on my wind-down time after work (couldnt just watch nextflix with the missus), my work, but also connecting with my friends and family abroad whilst I am de facto forced to remain here because of travel rules issues (it’s a long story).
I see that the authors have mentioned in the comments that they exluded astrill because it was too expensive. Well, you need to factor in this – people could share an account. It’s really a big deal when express cant do it’s job for weeks at a time. And another thing they fail at is alerting you when there’s a new update. Even then, the updates to pretty much f all these days. You have to manually keep checking if there a new update by going to their website. Only about 10% of the time do they show an update banner in the app. Recently they started saying ‘you need to update’ at the bottom of the app but it’s like fine print. Not seamless. Not doing its job.
You guys should have been more impartial and let the readers make up their own choice. It raises questions about impartiality and whether you have been paid off.
Hey Dan,
Thank you for your comment! I hope that people will be driven towards Astrill through your input here. We had limited time in China & were testing it on very slow internet. I think our tests are more for tourists rather than expats that live in China. We just didn’t have the time to experience & test the VPNs as someone who would be living there daily. We flew out to Beijing only to test VPNs for 5 days. Financially, I won’t be able to do it again – but I’m looking for people who live there who have a bit of time to test the services once again.
Thank you for your feedback!
Best wishes,
Rob
Hi, i live in china and I’m using Astrill for last 8years. But i;m experiencing a very bad performance for the last month, with lots of disconnections and slow speed, despite I’m paying how fully expensive VIP package (I’m ashame to tell the full price). I’d be glad to help you test vpn if you need , i live in shanghai. Best,
To the editer, sorry I’m not trying to bust your balls here but it is quite clear your article is no longer applicable and will likely lead people to make bad choices.
I recently mentioned about Express, here’s another: I can confirm Proton no longer works in China (never did for me). Been in correspondence with them. They are quite inept. In a recent email where I criticised their lack of preparedness to help with people in China, or have working mirror websites or instructions for people in China a member of their team said:
“Please keep in mind that China has taken some of the strictest and most aggressive measures to block and interfere with VPN connections. Our team is closely monitoring the situation and actively working on finding new solutions to bypass the restrictions in order to provide our users with the best possible service.”
In other words they aren’t ready and the service is ineffective. Not only aren’t they ready now, but they weren’t ready a couple of years ago when I wanted to check out the free trial then too. Even back then I couldn’t even log in to their app because of blocks. Couldnt. Even. Log. In. Same now. They have no workarounds in place for people who experience this. You have to contact them via THEIR BLOCKED WEBSITE which is outrageous. Their app didn’t have an email address you could contact them on. (Well actually it did but it BOUNCED!). So I connected to a working VPN in order to inform them theirs doesn’t work. Nice service guys.