Best VPN for China (2026)
Surfshark
Most affordable VPN that works in China — unlimited devices
- Most affordable VPN that works in China
- 97% success rate in China (manual connect)
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
Also great: AdGuard VPN, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, PureVPN
Compare all options
Surfshark
Best Value VPN- Most affordable VPN that works in China
- 97% success rate in China (manual connect)
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
AdGuard VPN
Ad Blocker + VPN- Built-in ad blocker + VPN in one app
- Custom protocol disguises VPN as regular HTTPS traffic
- Works in China and other restricted regions
ExpressVPN
Most Reliable- Highest success rate in China among major VPNs
- Lightway protocol reconnects in 2 seconds
- Trusted by expats and long-term residents in China
NordVPN
Most Popular- 14M+ users worldwide — most trusted VPN brand
- Works in China with manual configuration
- NordLynx protocol for fast speeds when connected
PureVPN
Budget Pick- Cheapest VPN option — great for budget travelers
- Works in China with obfuscation enabled
- 6500+ servers in 65+ countries
Surfshark | AdGuard VPN | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | PureVPN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Get VPN | Get VPN | Get VPN | Get VPN | Get VPN | |
| Badge | Best Value VPN | Ad Blocker + VPN | Most Reliable | Most Popular | Budget Pick |
| Price | From $2.49/mo | From $2.99/mo | $6.67/mo | $3.09/mo | $2.14/mo |
| China rating | |||||
| Protocol | WireGuard/OpenVPN | proprietary (HTTPS masking) | Lightway | NordLynx/OpenVPN | OpenVPN/WireGuard with obfuscation |
| Deep Linking | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| China Success Rate | 97% manual | — | 70-80% | low (default), moderate (manual setup) | moderate — varies by server |
| Simultaneous Devices | unlimited | — | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| Ad Blocker | — | ✓ | — | — | — |
| China Works | — | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Russia Works | — | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Manual Setup Required | — | — | — | ✓ | sometimes |
| Get VPN | Get VPN | Get VPN | Get VPN | Get VPN |
Frequently asked questions
Which VPN actually works in China?
Reliability changes month to month as the firewall updates. The most consistent options use obfuscated or proprietary protocols that disguise VPN traffic as normal HTTPS. Always install and test it before you leave home — VPN provider websites are usually blocked once you're inside China.
Is it legal to use a VPN in China?
Tourists using a VPN to access their normal apps have not been a target of enforcement. Only government-licensed VPNs are technically authorized, but foreign travelers routinely use commercial VPNs without issue. Use common sense.
Do I need a VPN if my eSIM bypasses the firewall?
If your eSIM already routes through an international gateway, you usually don't need a VPN for day-to-day browsing. A VPN is still useful as a backup, on hotel Wi-Fi, or if you switch to a local SIM.