Best China VPN 2026: 8 Free & Paid VPNs Tested

Note: A VPN for China is intended for travellers visiting China only. Chinese citizens should think carefully about whether they need to use VPN tools, so as not to break Chinese laws. Using a VPN in China carries risk — choose carefully, and we recommend using a paid, verified VPN.

A VPN — short for Virtual Private Network — works by masking your real IP address, which strengthens your online privacy and keeps personal data and browsing history from leaking. It is also widely used to get around internet censorship, letting users bypass the Great Firewall and reach blocked sites and apps such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

A VPN builds an encrypted tunnel that protects your traffic from being snooped on or intercepted by third parties (hackers, ISPs, even governments), improving your online security and privacy — and letting you get around regional blocks.

When you connect, you can pick a server in a specific region: your real IP is hidden and replaced with that server IP. That lets you “pretend” to be there, unlocking geo-restricted websites and streaming platforms such as Netflix, or shopping at local prices.

China blocks many overseas websites, so whether a VPN connects comes down to whether the provider has optimised its routes for China. Below we rank them by tested success rate, then compare how stable each connection is.

The table below follows the China success rate column of our 9 VPNs for China comparison table, ordered from high to low (the more stars, the higher the tested success rate):

Beyond that table, this article also describes the tested performance of 4 more paid VPNs (Astrill VPN, Totoro Cloud, PureVPN and IvacyVPN) in the 8 Best Paid VPNs for China sections. Astrill VPN, for example, uses its own StealthVPN protocol to obfuscate traffic and is described here as stable in China.

Stability is not only about success rate — it is also about whether a VPN drops out during peak hours. Here is how each one performed in our China tests:

Surfshark does work in China, but you must install it and sign in before you travel, then switch on NoBorders (obfuscation) mode after you land for a better chance of connecting. Below we cover our test results, connection performance, pricing and refunds.

This VPN offers outstanding value and is one of the better mobile experiences, working out at just US$1.78 a month on a long-term plan, with unlimited simultaneous devices — handy for a whole family. In our tests, connections across most parts of China were reasonable, and its dedicated network-bypass mode helps against blocks. Overall it suits budget-conscious users, shared households, and short business or leisure trips.

(Image: Surfshark official website)

Our comparison table lists Surfshark at a China success rate of four stars and a connection speed of medium. To connect — and stay connected — there are a few settings worth noting from our tests:

⚠️ Important notes:

Surfshark is excellent value on a long-term subscription:

* Prices can change at any time; the figures above are for reference only. Always check the official website for current pricing.

Refund policy: the platform offers a 30-day refund (contact 24/7 Live Chat on the official website; it takes 3–7 working days). You can also apply later if you are not satisfied. Refund terms are subject to the latest details published on Surfshark official website.

Use the final column of the comparison table, Best for, to find your match quickly:

If you just want one VPN for the long term, read the Does Surfshark Work in China? and 8 Best Paid VPNs for China sections for our tested notes on each, then decide based on how you will use it.

If you only need internet access in China and would rather not install a VPN at all, take a look at the travel eSIM options below:

Below we go through 7 paid VPNs one by one, based on our own tests (Surfshark has a dedicated section above).

NordVPN focuses on online security and high-speed connections, with extra privacy protection on top, and is popular with users who care about data security. It costs about US$3.09 a month, supports 10 devices at once and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Speeds impressed us in testing, but in China it drops out or fails to connect fairly often at peak times, so stability is not its strong point — do not rely on it alone as your main VPN; keep another one as backup.

NordVPN subscription plans

* Prices can change at any time; the figures above are for reference only. Always check the official website for current pricing.

ExpressVPN has a built-in Smart Location feature that picks the smoothest server for you in one tap, with no fiddly manual setup. It costs US$3.59 a month, supports 10 devices and comes with a 30-day refund policy. In our tests the connection success rate was on the high side across China and stability was excellent overall, making it a good fit for beginners who want a hassle-free experience.

ExpressVPN subscription plans

Proton VPN's core selling points are strict privacy protection and keeping no usage records, which has earned it the trust of privacy-conscious users worldwide. Pricing is split across several plans, so there is plenty of flexibility. In our tests, though, it adapted poorly in China: overall success rates were disappointing, speeds were slow, and at peak times it was hard to connect at all — so treat it as a backup tool rather than your main one.

(Image: Proton VPN official website)

Proton VPN plans are very good value on a long-term subscription, and it is one of the few VPNs with a genuinely free tier:

⚠️ Important notes:

Astrill VPN is widely regarded as one of the most stable and highest-success tools for getting around the Great Firewall. It is headquartered in the Seychelles, outside the reach of the Fourteen Eyes alliance, and takes personal privacy extremely seriously. What keeps it standing under strict censorship is its own patented StealthVPN and OpenWeb protocols, which obfuscate traffic effectively enough to evade deep packet inspection (DPI).

Astrill's subscription is priced above most VPNs on the market and its software interface feels dated, but for business travellers, students and workers who spend a lot of time in China, its high connection success rate, optimised Asian VIP routes and consistently smooth cross-region experience make it the first choice for anyone who needs rock-solid connections.

(Image: Astrill VPN official website)

Astrill VPN subscription plans

* Prices can change at any time; the figures above are for reference only. Always check the official website for current pricing.

Totoro Cloud is a subscription provider focused on high-quality proxy services, using fully relayed, enterprise-grade IEPL international dedicated lines. Even during sensitive periods or peak network hours it still delivers ultra-stable, low-latency, high-bandwidth connections. Totoro Cloud reliably unblocks streaming platforms such as Netflix and Disney+ and supports AI tools including ChatGPT and Claude. It offers monthly subscriptions and non-expiring data packs, which makes it a good fit for heavy streamers and gamers who want speed and are used to clients such as Clash or Shadowrocket.

(Image: Totoro Cloud official website)

Totoro Cloud subscription plans

* Prices can change at any time; the figures above are for reference only. Always check the official website for current pricing.

PureVPN is a veteran VPN provider with a network of 6,500+ servers across more than 70 countries. Alongside 256-bit military-grade encryption and a Kill Switch, it was among the first to add quantum-resistant encryption to get ahead of future decryption risks. PureVPN has passed an independent KPMG no-logs audit, so privacy is well protected. It supports up to 10 devices and you can add port forwarding and a dedicated IP, which makes it a great fit for everyday users who want well-rounded security and P2P downloads.

(Image: PureVPN official website)

PureVPN subscription plans

* Prices can change at any time; the figures above are for reference only. Always check the official website for current pricing.

IvacyVPN is all about value for money and is the best choice for anyone on a tight budget. It offers 5,700+ servers worldwide plus split tunnelling, so you can decide which apps get encrypted while keeping local speeds. IvacyVPN also has P2P-optimised servers for fast, anonymous downloads. A single account supports 10 simultaneous devices, and on a long-term plan it works out at just over US$1 a month, which makes it very appealing to students and families.

(Image: IvacyVPN official website)

IvacyVPN subscription plans

* Prices can change at any time; the figures above are for reference only. Always check the official website for current pricing.

The free VPNs we tested here (Kuaimiao VPN, Thunder VPN and X-VPN) can all be used without paying, but their speeds, stability and support all lag behind paid plans, so treat them as emergency backups only.

As a popular free tool, Kuaimiao VPN is simple to download and register for, and its phone interface is easy to follow, which suits complete beginners. The free version does cap speed, throws up a lot of ads and drops out frequently at busy times. Use it only for light tasks such as looking something up or sending a quick message — it is not suited to long video sessions or heavy data use.

⚠️ Please note:

(Image: Kuaimiao VPN official website)

Kuaimiao VPN also offers paid plans alongside the free tier, which you can buy as needed:

Thunder VPN is an Android-only VPN app built around being completely free, requiring no registration and connecting in one tap. It has been downloaded more than 100 million times and holds a 4.4-star rating on Google Play. It is extremely simple to use — just open the app and tap — which suits casual users who do not want to pay or fill in their details. The downsides are obvious too: few servers, wildly variable speeds and some regions where it cannot connect at all. Free software also tends to skimp on data protection, which brings a risk of information leaks, so keep it on your phone only as a last-resort backup.

⚠️ Please note:

(Image: Thunder VPN official website)

Many VPNs advertise themselves as permanently free, but in practice most run on a freemium model: you can connect on the free tier, but it usually comes with speed, data, node or ad limits that only disappear once you pay.

Our comparison table lists 3 free VPNs, all with Free in the price column. X-VPN has a success rate of three stars and is on the slow side, and its Best for column notes long-term light use and backup.

Bear in mind that the refund policy column for every free plan reads None, and support is not always offered. If you need something stable over the long term, consider the paid plans with 30-day refunds (Surfshark, NordVPN and ExpressVPN are all listed that way in the comparison table) so you can try before you commit.

The risk with free VPNs is the word free itself: to keep operating, providers often make money from ads, data or add-on services. Here are the risks and watch-outs we have put together:

It is not compulsory to download a VPN before going to China, but if you need overseas services such as Google, YouTube, Facebook or WhatsApp, you must install and sign in before you leave (many VPN websites and app stores may not be accessible or downloadable in China). If you only use Chinese apps such as Amap, Meituan or Douyin, you do not need a VPN at all.

➡️ Key points:

VPN apps on the market come in free and paid versions. Many free VPNs not only offer worse connection quality and stability, but may also contain malware that lets a device be taken over without the user knowing, or be used to launch network attacks. That is why you should choose a certified, well-regarded paid VPN service where possible. On top of that, China has strict rules on VPN use, so evaluate both your choice and the way you use it carefully to avoid breaking local law by accident.

A reminder for Hong Kong travellers: using a VPN in China without official authorisation sits in a legal grey area, so stay alert. The information gathered here is intended only as a reference for Hong Kong readers making short trips north, to help with basic internet needs while travelling.

When choosing a VPN, go for a well-known international paid brand with a solid reputation and security record — it is more reliable and better protected. At the same time, remember to follow Chinese regulations and never use a VPN to do anything that breaks the rules. Whatever the purpose, use it prudently and keep your internet use legal and sensible so the trip goes smoothly.

If all you want is to send messages, read maps and use social platforms normally in China, you may not need a VPN at all. The difference between the two is:

Travelling north to shop and eat but worried about getting online? A China eSIM keeps you connected wherever you go: from booking a hotel to using maps to finding local recommendations, you can use Google Maps, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LINE without a VPN. Trip.com eSIM has a range of China plans with different data allowances and durations to choose from.