8 Best VPNs That Actually Work in China (2026 Update)
Most VPNs claiming to work in China are blocked. We tested the top options. Here's what actually works in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- The Great Firewall uses deep packet inspection, DNS poisoning, IP blocking, and port blocking to detect and shut down VPN traffic. Most VPNs marketed for China do not survive these measures.
- In 30-attempt connection tests across three cities, ZoogVPN and Surfshark (using manual connection) both achieved a 97%% success rate. No other service on this list came close to that level of consistency.
- Only VPNs with dedicated obfuscation protocols and active China-specific maintenance stay functional over time. Services without these investments get blocked within weeks or months.
- Several providers maintain China-accessible mirror websites for signup. Check the provider’s official support page to confirm the current mirror URL before relying on it, as these can change.
- No VPN is guaranteed to work in China 100% of the time. Install at least two options before traveling and test both before you arrive.
How We Tested These VPNs (Methodology)
Choosing a VPN for China is fundamentally different from choosing one for general use. Server count and speed benchmarks are secondary if the service cannot establish a connection behind the Great Firewall in the first place.
The testing model focused on real-world reliability. We looked at 30 connection attempts per VPN service across three Chinese cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen) using three network types (China Mobile 4G/5G, China Unicom 4G/5G, and residential broadband). Each attempt was scored as a success (connection established within 60 seconds and maintained for at least 5 minutes) or a failure. We also factored in extended user reports, independent reviews, expat forum discussions, and direct feedback from travelers.
Connection Success Rate (30 Attempts Per VPN)
| VPN Service | Successful Connections | Success Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZoogVPN | 29/30 | 97% | Consistent across all cities and network types |
| Surfshark (manual connection) | 29/30 | 97% | Requires manual connection setup; standard app less reliable |
| NordVPN | 22/30 | 73% | Best results on broadband with IKEv2 configuration |
| CyberGhost | 21/30 | 70% | Intermittent failures, especially on mobile networks |
| AstrillVPN | 18/30 | 60% | Mixed results despite long China track record |
| Mullvad VPN | 11/30 | 37% | Requires Bridge Mode; better on Wi-Fi than mobile |
| ExpressVPN | 5/30 | 17% | Frequent failures across cities; occasional success on Wi-Fi |
| Private Internet Access | 5/30 | 17% | Not guaranteed by provider; Shadowsocks workaround unreliable |
Beyond connection success, we evaluated pricing, ease of setup, payment options available inside China, device limits, the quality of China-specific documentation, and customer support responsiveness.
Quick Comparison Table
| VPN Service | Price/Month | Servers | Devices | Success Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZoogVPN | From $2.49 | 1,000+ | 10 | 97% | Long-term expats, local payment needs |
| Surfshark | From $2.49 | 3,000+ | Unlimited | 97% | Families, multiple devices on a budget |
| NordVPN | From $4.99 | 5,800+ | 6 | 73% | Users who want a well-known brand |
| ExpressVPN | From $3.49 | 3,000+ | 10 | 17% | General VPN use outside China |
| AstrillVPN | $15 | 300+ | 5 | 60% | Expats already using it |
| PIA | From $2.03 | 90+ countries | Unlimited | 17% | Backup VPN only |
| Mullvad VPN | $5.91 flat | 700+ | 5 | 37% | Privacy-focused users |
| CyberGhost | From $2.11 | 6,800+ | 7 | 70% | Budget users who accept inconsistency |
1. ZoogVPN
Best for: Long-term residents in China who need reliable daily access and local payment options.
TL;DR: Achieved a 97% connection success rate in testing. Smaller global network than major competitors, but its custom Shadow protocol and local payment support (WeChat Pay, Alipay) make it the most practical option for sustained use inside China.
ZoogVPN is not a widely known brand, and it does not appear on most mainstream “best VPN” lists. Its server network of around 1,000 servers across 70+ countries is modest compared to providers like NordVPN or Surfshark. But in testing from inside China, it was among the most consistent performers, connecting successfully on 29 out of 30 attempts across Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen on both mobile and broadband networks.
The technical foundation for this is the Shadow protocol, a proprietary obfuscation method that disguises VPN traffic as standard HTTPS traffic. This makes it harder for the Great Firewall’s deep packet inspection to distinguish VPN connections from normal browsing. The protocol is purpose-built for censored environments, and ZoogVPN appears to update it regularly to keep pace with firewall changes.
A practical advantage for anyone living in China long-term is payment. ZoogVPN accepts WeChat Pay and Alipay. If you have dealt with the difficulty of paying for international services with foreign cards inside China, you understand why this matters. It removes one of the bigger friction points for subscription renewals.
On the downside, ZoogVPN’s smaller server network may be limiting if you also need a VPN for streaming geo-restricted content from many different regions. Brand recognition is low, and there is less publicly available third-party testing data compared to bigger providers. ZoogVPN does document its China-accessible mirror websites on its official support pages, and we recommend checking those pages for the most current URLs before signing up from inside China.
Key features: 1,000+ servers across 70+ countries, custom Shadow protocol, WeChat and Alipay payment support, up to 10 simultaneous connections, apps for all major platforms, free plan available, paid plans from $2.49/month with a 7-day free trial.
China access: ZoogVPN maintains mirror sites for users inside China. If you are inside China use Zooog.info, if you are outside zoogvpn.com
2. Surfshark
Best for: Families and travelers who need to cover many devices on a tight budget.
TL;DR: Matched ZoogVPN’s 97% connection success rate in testing when using the manual connection method. Unlimited device connections and strong pricing make it the best value option, though it requires a setup step beyond the standard app.
Surfshark has built a solid reputation as a value-oriented VPN, and its China performance backs that up. It was one of only two services in testing to achieve an impressive connection success rate of 29 out of 30 attempts, though this result depends on using the manual connection method rather than the standard app.
The difference is important. Surfshark’s regular app connection is not reliable behind the Great Firewall. The manual connection setup, which Surfshark provides documentation for after signup, routes traffic in a way that makes it significantly harder for the firewall to detect. The setup process is not complicated, but it does require following instructions and configuring your device beyond the typical “open app, press connect” workflow. Once configured, the connection is difficult for the firewall to identify as VPN traffic.
The unlimited simultaneous device connections on a single subscription set Surfshark apart from every other provider on this list. If you are traveling to China with family or simply use multiple devices, this eliminates the need to manage device limits or buy multiple subscriptions.
Where Surfshark falls short relative to ZoogVPN is in ease of getting started from inside China and in local payment options. Surfshark does maintain a China-accessible website, and we recommend checking their official support documentation for the current mirror URL. It does not accept WeChat Pay or Alipay, which adds a step for in-country renewals. The 30-day money-back guarantee helps offset risk if the manual setup does not work for your situation.
Key features: 3,000+ servers in 100 countries, unlimited simultaneous connections, AES-256 encryption with a verified no-logs policy, works on Windows, macOS, Fire TV, Android, Linux, iOS, Firefox, and Edge, plans from $2.49/month on a 2-year plan, 30-day money-back guarantee.
China access: Surfshark maintains a mirror site for users inside China. If you are inside China, use surfshark.co.uk, if you are outside China, use surfshark.com.
3. NordVPN
Best for: Users who prefer an established brand with strong overall security features.
TL;DR: Connected successfully 73% of the time in testing. Requires IKEv2 manual configuration for best results. Larger infrastructure and brand reputation than the top two, but less consistent behind the Great Firewall and more expensive.
NordVPN is one of the most recognized names in the VPN industry, and it has put more effort into supporting Chinese users than most big-name providers. Rather than relying on its standard app, NordVPN directs China-based users to a dedicated mirror site with specialized setup documentation. The recommended approach uses the IKEv2 protocol, and NordVPN’s support team provides step-by-step guides for the configuration.
In our testing, NordVPN connected successfully on 22 out of 30 attempts, a 73% success rate. Performance was strongest on residential broadband connections and weakest on mobile networks. During periods of heightened censorship, which tend to coincide with political events, some users have reported temporary disruptions that resolve within hours or days.
NordVPN’s massive server network of over 5,800 servers gives it an advantage when individual servers get blocked, since there are usually alternatives to switch to. It also brings features that go beyond China access, including an independently audited no-logs policy, built-in malware protection through Threat Protection, and a well-regarded security track record. If you want a single VPN subscription that serves both as a China tool and an everyday security product, NordVPN covers that ground better than most.
The trade-off is cost. At $4.99/month, it is roughly double what ZoogVPN and Surfshark charge. It also caps connections at 6 devices, which is adequate for individuals but less flexible than Surfshark’s unlimited option.
Key features: 5,800+ servers in 60 countries, independently audited no-logs policy, Threat Protection malware blocking, apps for all major platforms plus browser extensions, plans from $4.99/month, 30-day money-back guarantee.
China access: NordVPN maintains a China-accessible mirror website. If you are inside China, use nordwangluo.com, if you are outside china use nordvpn.com.
4. ExpressVPN
Best for: General VPN use outside China; carry as a secondary backup if you already subscribe.
TL;DR: Connected successfully only 17% of the time in testing (5 out of 30 attempts). Despite strong obfuscation technology and a large server network, real-world performance inside China is unreliable. Not recommended as a primary VPN for China.
ExpressVPN is one of the most popular VPN services globally, and it has the technical features you would expect to perform well in China. Its Lightway protocol includes obfuscation that disguises VPN traffic, it operates servers in 105 countries, and the company invests in regular updates to counter new blocking methods.
In practice, our testing told a different story. ExpressVPN connected successfully on only 5 out of 30 attempts across Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Failures were common on both mobile data and broadband, though the limited successes tended to occur on Wi-Fi connections using servers in Japan or Los Angeles. This aligns with what we have seen in user reports, where experiences range from “works fine” to “completely unusable” depending on city, ISP, and timing.
The inconsistency is the core problem. When ExpressVPN connects, it can be fast and stable. But a 17% success rate means you are far more likely to be staring at a “connecting” screen than actually browsing the open internet. The ExpressVPN website is also blocked inside China, so you need to install and configure everything before arriving.
ExpressVPN does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee and responsive customer support, which means you can recover your money if it fails. As a general-purpose VPN for use outside China, it remains a competitive product. But for China-specific use, there are clearly better options.
Key features: 3,000+ servers across 105 countries, Lightway protocol with automatic obfuscation, AES-256 encryption, up to 10 simultaneous connections on the Basic plan, apps for all major platforms, plans from $3.49/month on a 2-year plan, 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. AstrillVPN
Best for: Existing long-term subscribers who are already familiar with the service.
TL;DR: A longtime China-market player that connected 60% of the time in testing. Multiple protocol options provide flexibility, but the $15/month price tag and lack of a money-back guarantee make it hard to recommend over cheaper, more reliable alternatives.
AstrillVPN has been catering to the Chinese expat community for years and has a dedicated user base. It offers a wider variety of VPN protocols than most competitors, including proprietary stealth options, which gives you flexibility to switch methods when one gets blocked. This adaptability has historically been Astrill’s selling point.
Our testing showed a 60% connection success rate (18 out of 30 attempts), which is decent but notably lower than what ZoogVPN, Surfshark, and even NordVPN achieved. Results varied by network type, and the multiple protocol options meant that a failed connection could sometimes be rescued by switching protocols, though this adds friction to the user experience.
The biggest obstacle is pricing. At $15 per month even on an annual plan, Astrill costs roughly six times more than Surfshark or ZoogVPN on their long-term plans. It also does not offer a money-back guarantee, only a 7-day free trial. Its server network is relatively small (around 300 servers), and the interface feels dated compared to more modern competitors.
For long-term expats who have used Astrill for years and are comfortable with it, switching may not be worth the hassle. For everyone else, the price-to-performance ratio does not hold up against the rest of this list.
Key features: 300+ servers across 57 countries, multiple VPN protocols including proprietary stealth options, unlimited bandwidth, up to 5 simultaneous connections, apps for all major platforms, $15/month on an annual plan, 7-day free trial (no money-back guarantee).
6. Private Internet Access (PIA)
Best for: Carrying as a secondary backup alongside a more reliable primary VPN.
TL;DR: Only 17% of connection attempts succeeded in testing. PIA’s own support team has confirmed the service is not guaranteed to work in China. A strong general-purpose VPN with excellent privacy credentials, but not a viable primary option for China.
Private Internet Access has a lot going for it outside of China. Unlimited simultaneous device connections, a court-tested no-logs policy, open-source apps, servers in over 90 countries, and pricing that starts as low as $2.03/month on a long-term plan. For everyday privacy and security, PIA is among the better budget options on the market.
China is where it falls apart. PIA connected successfully on only 5 out of 30 attempts in our testing. This tracks with what PIA’s own customer support has told reviewers: the service is not guaranteed to work in restrictive countries like China. PIA does support obfuscation through Shadowsocks, and some users have found that combining the WireGuard protocol with a 4G mobile connection can occasionally produce better results. These are workarounds rather than solutions, and they did not produce consistent outcomes in our tests.
The 30-day money-back guarantee means you can get a refund if it fails during your trip. If you already have a PIA subscription and want to test it as a backup alongside a more reliable primary VPN, there is no harm in trying. Buying PIA specifically for China use, though, is not something the data supports.
Key features: Servers in 90+ countries, unlimited simultaneous connections, Shadowsocks obfuscation support, AES-256 encryption with a court-proven no-logs policy, open-source apps for all major platforms, plans from $2.03/month on a 3-year plan, 30-day money-back guarantee.
7. Mullvad VPN
Best for: Privacy-focused users willing to handle manual configuration and accept moderate reliability.
TL;DR: Connected 37% of the time in testing. Exceptional privacy credentials (no email required, anonymous payment accepted, audited no-logs policy), but limited China reliability, slower speeds with obfuscation, and a smaller server network. Best as a niche choice for privacy purists, not as a standalone China VPN.
Mullvad is built for people who place privacy above all other considerations. No email address is needed to sign up. The service generates a random account number, and that is your entire identity on the platform. You can pay with cash, cryptocurrency, or traditional methods. The code is open-source, and independent audits have verified the no-logs policy. For anonymity, Mullvad is hard to match.
In China, Mullvad can work, but it requires manual configuration and the results are inconsistent. You need to enable Bridge Mode in the app settings, which routes traffic through Shadowsocks proxy servers. The recommended setup is WireGuard protocol with multi-hop enabled, connecting through servers in Japan or Singapore. In our testing, this configuration succeeded on 11 out of 30 attempts, a 37% success rate. Performance was better on Wi-Fi than mobile data, and speeds dropped noticeably when obfuscation was active.
Mullvad’s server network is smaller than most competitors at around 700 servers in 49 countries. Customer support is limited, with no live chat. Connections are capped at 5 devices. And Mullvad does not work reliably with most streaming services, which limits its usefulness to privacy-focused browsing.
If you are an existing Mullvad subscriber heading to China, configuring Bridge Mode before your trip is worth doing. But carry a second VPN as your primary tool for day-to-day access.
Key features: 700+ servers in 49 countries, no email or personal data required to sign up, WireGuard and OpenVPN with Bridge Mode for censored regions, AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, audited no-logs policy, 5 simultaneous connections, flat rate of approximately $5.91/month with no contract, 30-day money-back guarantee.
8. CyberGhost
Best for: Budget-conscious users who can accept intermittent disruptions.
TL;DR: Connected 70% of the time in testing, placing it fourth overall. Large server network and competitive pricing, but no dedicated China protocol means performance dips when the firewall updates. The 45-day money-back guarantee gives you more time to test than any other provider.
CyberGhost operates one of the largest VPN server networks available, with over 6,800 servers in 85+ countries. It also has one of the longest refund windows in the industry at 45 days and offers free browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.
In our testing, CyberGhost connected on 21 out of 30 attempts, a 70% success rate. This places it in a similar range to NordVPN, though with less consistency. CyberGhost does not offer a dedicated China obfuscation protocol or specialized setup guide, which means it relies on standard connection methods that the Great Firewall can detect and block more readily. Performance may be stable for weeks, then suddenly degrade when the firewall updates its detection patterns.
The 45-day money-back guarantee is a meaningful advantage here. It gives you more time than any other provider on this list to test whether CyberGhost works for your specific city, ISP, and use case. If you are looking for a budget VPN and can tolerate the possibility of periodic outages, CyberGhost is a reasonable gamble at $2.11/month on a long-term plan.
For anyone who needs dependable daily access, though, the higher-ranked options offer better odds.
Key features: 6,800+ servers in 85+ countries, free browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, AES-256 encryption with an audited no-logs policy, apps for all major platforms, plans from $2.11/month on a 24-month plan, 45-day money-back guarantee.
Practical Tips for Using a VPN in China
Install before you travel. Most VPN websites and app store listings are blocked inside China. Download the apps, log in, and verify that the connection works before you board your flight. This is the single most important step.
Carry at least two VPN options. No provider is immune to temporary blocks. Even services with strong track records can go down during crackdowns or political events. Having a second VPN installed and configured prevents you from being stuck without access.
Follow China-specific setup instructions. Standard app settings are often insufficient. Providers that work in China typically offer manual connection guides, recommended server lists, or protocol configurations for the Chinese market. Check the provider’s official support pages for these resources.
Prefer Wi-Fi over mobile data. VPN connections tend to be more stable on broadband and Wi-Fi than on cellular connections through Chinese carriers. If your VPN will not connect on mobile data, switching to Wi-Fi often resolves the issue.
Expect disruptions around sensitive dates. The firewall gets more aggressive around political anniversaries, government events, and periods of social tension. VPN disruptions during these windows are common across all providers and usually resolve within hours or a few days.
Verify mirror URLs before relying on them. Several VPN providers maintain China-accessible mirror websites for signup and downloads. These URLs can change when they get detected and blocked. Always confirm the current address through the provider’s official support page or customer service before depending on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are VPNs legal to use in China?
The legal situation is a gray area. China’s regulations prohibit the use of non-government-approved VPN services, and the government actively blocks unauthorized VPN traffic at the network level. However, enforcement against individual users, particularly foreign visitors and tourists, has focused on blocking the technology rather than prosecuting people who use it. There are no widely reported cases of foreign travelers being fined or detained for personal VPN use. That said, the regulatory environment can change, and this guide does not constitute legal advice. Major VPN review outlets and China travel guides generally note this same nuance. If you have concerns, consult a legal professional familiar with Chinese internet regulations before traveling.
Can I download a VPN after I arrive in China?
It is very difficult. Most VPN websites and app store listings are blocked. Some providers maintain mirror sites accessible from inside China, but these URLs change frequently. Your safest approach is to install and configure everything before your trip. If you are already in China without a VPN, check the provider’s official support channels (often reachable via email) for current mirror site information or alternative download methods.
Why do some VPNs work in China while others do not?
The services that work in China invest in obfuscation technology, which disguises VPN traffic to resemble normal web browsing. They also commit ongoing engineering resources to updating these systems as the Great Firewall adapts. Most VPN providers do not invest at this level, which is why the majority of services get detected and blocked.
Which VPN protocol works best in China?
This changes over time as the firewall evolves. Protocols with built-in obfuscation tend to perform best. Custom implementations like ZoogVPN’s Shadow protocol and manual connection setups like Surfshark’s have shown the strongest results in our testing. NordVPN’s IKEv2 configuration and Mullvad’s Bridge Mode (WireGuard with Shadowsocks) also work, though with lower consistency. Having multiple protocol options available is a practical advantage, since you can switch if one gets blocked.
Will a free VPN work in China?
In almost all cases, no. Free VPNs lack the obfuscation technology, dedicated server infrastructure, and continuous maintenance required to stay ahead of the Great Firewall. They also tend to come with weaker encryption, data caps, and concerning data practices. A paid service with a money-back guarantee is a better investment.
How fast are VPNs in China?
Expect slower speeds than what you experience outside China. Obfuscation and encryption layers add latency and reduce throughput. In our tests, the better-performing services provided speeds sufficient for video streaming, video calls, and general browsing. Connecting to geographically close servers in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, or South Korea consistently produced the best speeds. Mobile data connections were generally slower than broadband for VPN use.
What should I do if my VPN stops working in China?
Start by switching to a different server within the same provider. If that does not help, try changing protocols. Restart the VPN app and your device. Check the provider’s support channels or status pages for updates about current China connectivity. If nothing works, switch to your backup VPN. The Great Firewall goes through enforcement cycles, and sometimes waiting a few hours is all it takes for service to resume.
Can I use a VPN on my phone in China?
Yes, but mobile data connections through Chinese carriers (China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom) tend to be less stable for VPN use than Wi-Fi. In our tests, connection success rates were generally higher on broadband and Wi-Fi networks. If your VPN will not connect on cellular data, try a Wi-Fi network. Install and test the VPN on your phone before traveling to China.
How often should I check for VPN updates before traveling to China?
Check within the week before your trip. VPN providers that serve the China market frequently release updates to counter new blocking methods. Running an outdated app version can significantly reduce your chances of connecting. Also confirm that any mirror URLs or alternative download links you plan to use are still active by checking the provider’s official support page.
Final Thoughts
There is no perfect VPN for China. The Great Firewall is a moving target, and every service on this list comes with trade-offs. What separates the top performers from the rest is a measurable commitment to maintaining China-specific solutions: custom obfuscation protocols, mirror websites for in-country access, manual connection documentation, and in some cases, local payment support.
Our test data shows a clear gap between the top tier and the rest of the field. ZoogVPN and Surfshark (with manual connection) both achieved 97% connection success rates across cities and network types. NordVPN and CyberGhost fell in the 70% range. Everything below that was a coin flip or worse.
The practical takeaway: pick one of the higher-performing options as your primary VPN, install a second as a backup, configure both before you travel, and do not assume anything will work perfectly every day. The users who run into the least trouble in China are the ones who plan for disruptions rather than hoping they will not happen.
This article reflects testing and research conducted as of February 2026. VPN performance in China changes frequently. We update this page monthly based on continued testing and user reports.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn commissions from purchases made through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence. Our rankings are based on independent testing, and we are not paid by any VPN provider to influence placement. For details on how we test and rank VPN services, see our methodology section above.
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