Imagine for a minute you could access whatever apps and websites you want in China.

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp and more would all be a click away.

Posting the latest photos or chatting with friends would be easy.

But the reality is, accessing these types of apps is hard, right?

You can't post easily on social media.

Chatting with friends overseas is almost impossible.

You can't even binge-watch movies on Netflix.

You'll be pleased to know, it doesn't have to be this way.

The secret of unblocking any app you want in China is just a few seconds away below in this article.

You likely already know that unblocking Chinese internet access is where a VPN comes into play.

Below you'll learn which VPNs are suitable to use, which don't work and even those you should avoid entirely.

I'll show you exactly which VPN to use and provide speed test results, so you know you'll be getting the best possible download speed.

Watch the video below for some exclusive hints and tips that will help your VPN use in China go much more smoothly. You won't find these anywhere else.

How to choose a VPN

Are you struggling to find a reliable and more importantly working VPN for use in China?

Don't worry, you're not alone.

Finding a VPN specifically for use in China is like searching for one for no other purpose.

Below I've rounded up the five most reliable services, but more on that later.

First I want to help you choose a working China VPN so I've listed a few things you should consider before searching and definitely consider before signing up.

Works in China – OK, this one seems obvious and should go without saying. But if you're a visitor to China, you might not realise that most VPN services are blocked. It's essential to pick one that's confirmed as working… and not confirmed in 2016 either, one that's confirmed working this year. Things change fast.

– OK, this one seems obvious and should go without saying. But if you're a visitor to China, you might not realise that most VPN services are blocked. It's essential to pick one that's confirmed as working… and not confirmed in 2016 either, one that's confirmed working this year. Things change fast. Unique connection modes – The Chinese internet service is one of the best in the world in actively monitoring for VPN connections. Look for VPN services that work to evade the blocks and have unique connection modes just for internet users in China.

– The Chinese internet service is one of the best in the world in actively monitoring for VPN connections. Look for VPN services that work to evade the blocks and have unique connection modes just for internet users in China. Money back guarantee – A lot of times a VPN can be working and then all of sudden stop. Choose a VPN that offers a longer guarantee period, if you sign up and it doesn't work for you, just get your money back.

– A lot of times a VPN can be working and then all of sudden stop. Choose a VPN that offers a longer guarantee period, if you sign up and it doesn't work for you, just get your money back. Local payment options – If you're a Chinese resident or there for an extended period paying via a local payment method such as Alipay may be beneficial. However, how well these payment services are connected to the ‘regime' is up for debate. You might want to weigh up the pros and cons of using local payment methods.

– If you're a Chinese resident or there for an extended period paying via a local payment method such as Alipay may be beneficial. However, how well these payment services are connected to the ‘regime' is up for debate. You might want to weigh up the pros and cons of using local payment methods. Less popular services – Less popular VPN services usually manage to fly under the radar for longer than the popular ones. If everyone is talking about a specific VPN service that works, then you can put money on it being blocked and fast.

– Less popular VPN services usually manage to fly under the radar for longer than the popular ones. If everyone is talking about a specific VPN service that works, then you can put money on it being blocked and fast. Avoid local VPN services – You should avoid Chinese based services at all costs. Not only could they be a honeypot but officially registered services are monitored, which defeats the object. Those that are unregistered put the owners at risk and it isn't unusual to see local VPN sellers fined or even jailed. Stay well clear.

Most reliable VPN for use in China

With both on the ground reports from China and individual service testing, we found the following five services to work the best in China.

ExpressVPN – Our recommended choice! 12VPN Astrill Surfshark VPN.ac

Below you can read detailed descriptions of the benefits and negatives of each service.

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is our Editor's Choice VPN for 2020 and it's not without good reason. They are also our top choice for bypassing the great firewall and come highly recommended by users in China.

Server locations are available in some 94 countries including nearby Hong Kong and Taiwan. Our on the ground tests throughout 2019 and 2020 have shown them to offer some of the fastest download speeds, they've also been one of the most reliable.

September speeds were again strong which follow on from the last two months. This month ExpressVPN launched their own ‘Lightway' protocol. In our tests we found connections to be much quick and in many cases speeds to be faster, although much depends on the network you're using.

ExpressVPN continues to offer the most reliable connections overall. Some have noted long connection times depending on the network you're using.

There's also a vast range of apps for mobile devices and traditional desktop and laptops. A standout feature is their kill switch to keep your connection secure should the VPN drop unexpectedly.

In testing on China Telecom and other networks, ExpressVPN offered the fastest and most reliable speeds. However reports suggest the iOS app can drop connection.

Lucas Peterson of the New York Times said [1] his connection success was around 90 percent matching our assessment of their reliability.

ExpressVPN offers one of the most extensive ranges of payment methods available including all the regular payment methods such as Credit / Debit Card and Paypal plus Bitcoin, AliPay, Union Pay, WebMoney and a whole host more.

Our #1 Recommended VPN for China

30-day money back guarantee

2. 12VPN

You won't see 12VPN recommended on many VPN comparison websites and for the simple reason, most Chinese related VPN guides haven't done any extensive on the ground testing.

Our reports show that 12VPN is one of the best choices with a range of China specific security features. This Hong Kong-based service is active in unblocking access across China and works to ensure their service is continually accessible across the country.

Speed tests carried out showed extremely favourable results. However, the best rates are using Shadowsocks, so there's a lack of privacy for the speed advantages. OpenVPN speeds are generally good but slower than ExpressVPN.

September followed on from two positive months for 12VPN with a slight speed improvement.

Payments are accepted using a variety of international payment methods and local payments such as Alipay and UnionPay. The service also allows Bitcoin payments which is excellent if you're wary about signing up to a VPN in China or for use there.

We found an excellent resource over at TipsForChina where you can check out their results for 12VPN, Wireguard tests and other China related VPN information.

Unfortunately, there's no dedicated Android app so you will need to contend with installing various OpenVPN profiles if you wish to use their service on your phone.

The service offers a range of VPN protocols including WireGuard plus a SmartDNS and an auto-proxy.

3. Astrill

A couple of months ago we welcomed Astrill back after many months of offering poor speeds.

Astrill offers connection points in 61 different countries in over 113 cities. Apps, like most other providers are available for all the most popular devices so it won't matter what you're using in China, connection will be effortless.

Speeds have dipped quite a bit on last month which was already down on the prior month. They're still usable but we would hope to see improvements next month.

It simply goes to show that VPN providers can change month-by-month in China so it pays to keep updated with the latest results and not sign up for long periods.

Astrill's prices are horrendous though with the monthly package setting you back $20…. yes, TWENTY DOLLARS! This can be brought down with a yearly package but with hit-and-miss results in prior months we think this is too risky for long term use in China.

4. Surfshark

This month we welcome back Surfshark who dropped out of the list a few months back due to poor speeds.

Initially Surfshark worked well in China and then dropped off. This month we're happy to report that results are again favourable with multiple locations available for connection from within China, matching last month.

Speeds don't match those of earlier providers but are usable for a multitude of purposes.

A standout feature is the cheap pricing and ability to unblock most major streaming services including popular services like Netflix.

We would recommend only signing up for monthly payments even though they're much more expensive than taking a longer package. However due to the unreliability of any service in China it's the safest method for not being stuck with a non-working service in future.

5. VPN.ac

VPN.ac has been our go-to VPN service for some years and quite simply because they work and continue to work in China.

This Romanian-based VPN service is lesser known across the VPN-sphere and in China itself. We're a little apprehensive about letting this little-known secret out of the bag.

One of the best features of the service is they have a dedicated “China Optimized” section. These are specific servers that work well in China. While they span the globe, our tests show their Hong Kong and Taiwan servers work the best for download and upload speeds.

Speeds on the VPN.ac continued to be on the slow side this month. Their service is still reliable for use in China, just don't expect breakneck speed.

There are a couple of locations such as the UK, USA, France, Canada, Japan and Germany but your mileage may vary when using these distance servers.

You can pay for the service using Bitcoin which if you're in China is probably the best option.

However, local payment options such as AliPay and UnionPay are available. If you're travelling to China, then it's best to sign up before you go and can use any of their payment methods including Paypal and Credit Card.

VPN.ac recommend you stick with their shorter deals due to the uncertainty around VPN connections in China. However, if you have problems connecting, then their helpful customer service usually gets them resolved.

Which VPN should you choose for China?

Choosing a VPN for China needs to be critically thought about.

Unfortunately due to the ‘Great Firewall of China' accessing most commonly recognised sites is impossible.

That's where a VPN comes into play. While ExpressVPN has proven itself to be continually the fastest and best for China, you may find that your specific needs call for different VPN companies.

Below we've listed some of the most common usage scenarios in China to help you choose the best VPN for your needs for accessing a free and open internet.

If you want the overall best VPN, choose ExpressVPN. With a range of nearby servers and local payment options, ExpressVPN is unrivalled. They've also got some of the fastest confirmed speeds in our recent tests.

If you want unique modes for China, choose Surfshark. Surfshark uses Shadowsocks which although doesn't encrypt your connection will allow you to beat the great firewall blocks.

If you a service with local knowledge, opt for 12VPN. They're lesser known in the western world and as they're based in Hong Kong they have a greater insight into what works in China and what doesn't. They've also got a range of modes suitable for access in China.

Get stuck? Their customer support will help you out.

If you want a lesser-known service, get VPN.ac. They're a popular service that is lesser known across the industry. Coupled with their China-specific modes, they're able to fly under the radar while other services feel the blocking heat.

If you want a risk-free test, choose ExpressVPN. They offer a 30-day money back guarantee to give you plenty of time to test it in China.

Why VPN port selection matters in China

No matter which virtual private network you use in China, it's always going to be a hit and miss affair.

A lot depends on the VPN server you select but sometimes there are options that you can change that both increase the reliability of your connection and the speed.

One of the best to consider is the ‘Port' your VPN connection is using. Most VPN apps allow you to change the port of the VPN connection and by testing various ports you may gain distinct speed advantages.

Most VPN apps will allow you to change their port in the settings area.

Is there a free VPN for China?

Free VPNs, in general, are a terrible idea due to their insecurity and I wouldn't recommend them for use outside China.

Inside China, they come even less recommended. Free VPNs don't have the investment to put effort into keeping their service working in China.

There's also the more pressing issue that shady companies in China itself operate many free VPN services. What they are doing with your data is unknown and you could end up being monitored when using them.

Hayden Field of Entrepreneur said [2] that free VPN services can be used for “identity theft purposes” with troves available to purchase on the dark web for just a few dollars.

For the sake of a few dollars, it's not worth the risk.

Services that don't work in China

There are many VPNs for China that don't work.

You'll find poor recommendations all over the internet with little to no testing. Here are some very well respected services for other purposes and countries that don't work in China:

NordVPN

PrivateInternetAccess

HideMyAss

IPVanish

CyberGhost

VPNCity

Astrill

What's the best to use for Facebook, YouTube, Whatsapp etc

There's no one single ‘best' service to use specifically for any social media website or chat app.

All five services recommended above disguise what you're doing on the internet. So as long as you can connect then they are suitable for accessing all types of websites and apps.

This includes social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram but also extends to any chat apps like Whatsapp, Messenger or Telegram.

You will also be able to unblock video streaming sites like Youtube, Netflix and BBC iPlayer. However, you'll need to have fast enough speeds to stream in decent quality.

What websites and apps are blocked in China?

China blocks so many websites and apps there are too many to list here.

Some of the most popular that are blocked that you will need a VPN to access include:

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

Tinder

Grindr

Snapchat

Whatsapp

Messenger

Viber

Skype

Telegram

Line

In Summary

Through our extensive testing and research, we found ExpressVPN to be the most reliable VPN for China, regarding speed and stability keeping you safe from the prying eyes of the Chinese government.

However, the other 4 VPN services listed in this guide also work well. You may need to try a few to get the best both for your location and types of usage.

Remember, gaining any access to the outside internet in China should be considered a bonus as many VPN services are blocked in China.

While some VPN services do offer good enough speeds to stream video, it's often the case that whatever you receive is as good as it gets.

Ready to get a VPN? Try our recommended China VPN service Top choice for China

Excellent speeds

Plenty of payment options Get ExpressVPN »

References

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