VPN is necessary in China to access most of the usual services – messengers, social networks, video services, mail and even search engines.
If you’re going to China, you’re probably aware that you’ll need a VPN to access sites and content.
You should learn more about why you need a VPN in China so you can choose the best service for your device. There are plenty of offers, and it is important to decide what characteristics and features you really need, and then choose a particular VPN provider based on these benefits.
Before we look at the top VPNs for China, let’s explore why do you need a really good VPN.
Why free VPN in China is a bad choise
In 2018-2019 there was a wave of shutdowns of VPNs, control by the Firewall increased, and in 2021 there are not many services left on the market that work confidently on various devices, provide high speed and connection stability, and really keep user data private. The latest traffic masking technologies are used, special channels and servers are involved, and technical support 24 hours a day to help solve problems.
With top VPNs you are protected from traffic checks, their use is absolutely legal and allows unhindered access to the network.
How do they restrict VPN in China?
If you’re in China right now, it’s impossible to have missed the hype surrounding China’s 70th anniversary celebrations. You probably also noticed that your VPN stopped working or worked very slowly. This is not the first time this has happened.
There are currently intermittent problems with access to services, but they are resolved fairly quickly. If you have any problems – contact technical support immediately, they will help you to connect. In our opinion the most stable VPNs in China are NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
5 reasons to use VPN in China
- Access. All necessary resources, corporate sites, search engine and messengers.
- Privacy. Mobile and Internet service providers check traffic, and collect information about users, which is at least unpleasant.
- Speed. During rush hour, the ISP manages traffic and limits the connection speed by almost half. This does not happen with a VPN.
- Payment security. There’s cybercrime in the country, and when you buy tickets, pay for something online, you’re taking a risk.
- Freedom. Many public networks in airports, cafes and restaurants are dangerous because of hackers stealing data.
NordVPN
P2P allowed
Strict no-logs policy
OpenVPN protocol
Military-level encryption
Kill switch
ExpressVPN
P2P allowed
Strict no-logs policy
OpenVPN protocol
Military-level encryption
Kill switch
SurfShark VPN
P2P allowed
Strict no-logs policy
OpenVPN protocol
Military-level encryption
Kill switch
List of tools, which do not work in China without VPN
Actualy, none of the messengers we are accustomed to work in China. Each service has its own regional versions, aimed at local residents. If you go to the country for a long time, you may need local messenger, which combines the functions of several applications at once. You’ll need a VPN to access the rest of the apps and services.
List of Messengers, which do not work in China without VPN: Whatsapp, ICQ, Viber, Instagram, Telegram, Youtube, Gmail.
Which VPN is best in China for 2021
Computer & laptop
If you plan to actively use your laptop to get online, you’ll need one of the top VPNs for China – fast, reliable, secure, and with unlimited bandwidth and traffic. To both watch videos in good quality, and play games, and messengers convenient to use. In our reviews VPN for computers or laptops in China, we have considered all the features of choosing a reliable provider.
Phone & tablet
Mobile devices especially need protection, especially if you’ll be using public Wi-Fi networks at airports, train stations or cafes. Mobile service providers control traffic more tightly, and there are even cases of disconnecting your entire device from the network because of bad VPNs. We tell you how to choose a reliable service that will protect you and allow you to use the network smoothly.
Router
If you’re going to China for a long time, or taking a lot of devices with you, it might be more convenient to connect a VPN in China on your router to protect your entire home Wi-Fi for laptops, phones, tablets, set-top boxes, Smart-TVs, and more. There are options for buying a router with a VPN already installed or setting it up manually. Manual setup is more complicated, but it’s free. Learn more about VPNs for routers in China.
Browser
Many VPN providers offer separate VPN extensions for the browser, but in China their use is not always justified. The extension only manages web traffic, so installed apps that work over the Internet won’t be able to connect. On the other hand, if all the messengers you need have web versions, the addon may be enough.