Best VPNs for China

China's Great Firewall blocks most VPNs completely. We test from inside China every quarter with help from our contacts there. Only a handful of VPNs work reliably — and you need to download them BEFORE entering the country.

Last updated: January 2026

Selection Criteria

Actually works in China (tested Q1 2026)
Obfuscated servers
Download before traveling
Works on mobile and desktop
Reliable connection speed
Top Pick for China
#1
ExpressVPN logo

ExpressVPN

9.6/10

Premium VPN with exceptional speeds and the best-in-class streaming capabilities.

93 Mbps average speed - near-zero slowdownMost reliable VPN for China (tested quarterly)Unblocks every major streaming platform
#2
NordVPN logo

NordVPN

9.8/10

Industry-leading security with blazing fast speeds and an extensive server network.

95 Mbps on 100 Mbps connection (fastest in our tests)Unblocks 15+ Netflix libraries reliablyDouble VPN and Onion over VPN for extra privacy
#3
Surfshark logo

Surfshark

9.4/10

Budget-friendly VPN with unlimited devices and impressive security features.

Just $1.99/mo - best value in our testsUnlimited devices (protect your whole family)89 Mbps speed - great for 4K streaming
#4
ProtonVPN logo

ProtonVPN

8.8/10

Swiss-based VPN from the makers of ProtonMail with strong privacy focus.

Swiss privacy laws - strongest in the worldFree tier with no data limits (3 countries)All apps are open source and audited
#5
Private Internet Access logo

Private Internet Access

9/10

Veteran VPN provider with proven no-logs policy and excellent customization options.

No-logs policy proven in court twice35,000+ servers - massive for P2P torrentingUnlimited devices on one subscription