Does Proton VPN Work in China? Paid & Free Plan Tested 2023

Proton VPN stands out due to its reputation for privacy, security, and its ability to bypass geo-blocks. But can it be used in one of the world’s most restricted online environments? My team and I tested both the free and paid plans of Proton VPN to see if it works in China.

TL;DR, the answer is no, Proton VPN doesn’t work in China — which is why my top choice for China is ExpressVPN. It protects your private data with military-grade encryption and an audited no-logs policy. Plus, you can use the fast server network to access your Google, Twitter, and YouTube accounts without restrictions. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free, as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Getting a refund is easy if you’re not satisfied.

Try ExpressVPN for China >>

Does Proton VPN Work in China?

No, the Chinese government banned Proton VPN on September 18, 2019. The authorities in China use several advanced tools to detect and block VPNs, like Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) or URL/DNS/keyword filtering. I reached out to Proton VPN support and got a list of 33 servers that you can try in China. However, the service can’t guarantee that any of them work. Plus, you can’t use Proton VPN in other restrictive locations like Russia, Turkey, or the UAE.

The VPN’s support team couldn’t guarantee any of their servers would work behind the Great Firewall

Despite the country’s harsh internet restrictions, some VPNs still work in China though. My team and I tested 60+ China VPNs to find  reliable services for the country. These VPNs can give you access to the thousands of domains currently blocked in China — like Google services, Zoom, Netflix, Twitch, Instagram, and more.

Best VPNs for China — Full Analysis (Updated in 2023)

1. ExpressVPN — Vast Obfuscated Server Network to Access All Your Accounts in China

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Tested July 2023

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

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Try ExpressVPN >

www.ExpressVPN.com

ExpressVPN offers an obfuscated server network that is highly effective in unblocking services in China. Obfuscation masks VPN traffic as a regular connection, allowing you to bypass VPN blocks imposed by the Chinese government. As everything is automatically enabled, I was always protected from ISP tracking in China without having to do any complicated setup.

The service also scrambles your traffic with military-grade encryption, making it unreadable to both hackers and snoops. During my ExpressVPN tests, I didn't encounter any IP/DNS leaks in China, meaning my real IP address was never revealed. Plus, it follows a strict no-logs policy audited by KPMG and PwC, meaning your information isn’t stored or shared with third parties or authorities.

You can reliably access global platforms from China thanks to the huge network. I had no trouble unblocking my Google account and streaming videos on YouTube with the US servers. Plus, ExpressVPN offers servers nearby China if you want to access Asian content while traveling abroad. The network covers Macau, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Laos, Myanmar, and more. All the servers are P2P-friendly for easy torrenting.

The VPN is beginner-friendly too. I easily set up ExpressVPN on my phone while traveling to China. It has a.onion site to help you download the VPN from China in case you forget before you go. Plus, there’s a responsive 24/7 email — [email protected] — if you need assistance with the installation process while in the country.

The only drawback is the cost, particularly if you choose the short-term plans. However, ExpressVPN offers deals to reduce the price. I got the 12-month subscription and received a discount of 49% — with a final cost of just $6.67/month. All plans support unlimited bandwidth, so you won’t hit any data caps during your sessions.

Useful Features

• Fast speeds. ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol gave me the fastest speeds of all the VPNs I tested. So you get streaming-ready connections even when using a server that’s far away from China. As well as Lightway, the VPN also supports the industry-standard secure OpenVPN.
• Split tunneling. Choose which apps use the VPN and which don’t. For example, you can use the Netflix US app on your phone with ExpressVPN but access local search results with your browser app.
• Dedicated kill switch. Network Lock protects you from data exposure in China by instantly disconnecting your connection if the VPN tunnel drops unexpectedly.
• Device compatibility. The VPN supports all major platforms including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, routers, and even Amazon Fire TV.
• 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, you can cancel your subscription within the first 30 days to get a full refund. I tested it and received my money back in just 2 days.

Try ExpressVPN for China >>

2. AstrillVPN — Optimized China Servers for Bypassing Strict Geo-Restrictions

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Router Smart TV More

Try Astrill VPN >

www.Astrill_VPN.com

AstrillVPN has servers that are specifically fine-tuned to get around the VPN blocks in China. These servers are located in 5 regions — the US, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore. So you can reliably unblock sites like Google, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube without any restrictions.

While it's slightly more inconsistent than ExpressVPN, I got mostly good speeds when testing AstrillVPN. The US servers helped me stream YouTube videos in 4K, and AstrillVPN also offers Supercharged servers for a speed boost in China.

StealthVPN and OpenWeb protocols help to bypass firewalls used by the Chinese government. Similar to ExpressVPN’s obfuscation technology, StealthVPN is a protocol that makes VPN traffic look like regular traffic — so you can’t get detected and blocked. There's also a Site Filter feature (split tunneling) that allows you to use your Chinese IP while routing other restricted sites through the VPN tunnel.

One downside is that the VPN does keep some connection logs, including your IP address. This information is deleted as soon as you disconnect but I’d prefer it not to be logged at all. That said, there are other good privacy features like leak protection, an automatic kill switch, and AES 256-bit encryption. To further enhance privacy, AstrillVPN channels all connections through its private DNS servers. This prevents third parties from tracking the sites you visit.

Unfortunately, AstrillVPN also comes with a hefty price tag — its most affordable rate is $12.50/month, nearly twice the price of ExpressVPN. Plus, it doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee so all payments are non-refundable. However, you can access AstrillVPN free for a month if you refer a friend who subscribes to a paid plan.

Useful Features

• App Guard. You can enable the App Guard feature to set some apps to always use the VPN. This automatically protects your online activity in China.
• Smart Mode. This feature simulates DNS and HTTPS traffic using a standard Chinese IP, so you can unblock global websites and services while in China.
• Reliable customer support. While the website is inaccessible from China, you can reach out to email support at [email protected] to get a mirror URL for downloading the VPN within the country.

Try AstrillVPN for China >>

3. PrivateVPN — Robust Security Features to Access Your Favorite Services Safely From China

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Router Smart TV More

Try PrivateVPN >

www.privatevpn.com

PrivateVPN scrambles your traffic with AES 256-bit encryption to keep your online activity secured in China. You also get DNS/IP leak protection and a dedicated kill switch, so your sensitive data isn’t revealed accidentally — even if the VPN connection drops for a second.

Like ExpressVPN’s and Astrill’s obfuscation tech, PrivateVPN’s StealthVPN mode also helps you bypass geo-restrictions and unblock your favorite social media services while you visit China. During my PrivateVPN tests, the StealthVPN mode helped me unblock my banking app and Google account without triggering alerts. However, you do need to manually turn on this obfuscation feature as it's not automatically enabled like with ExpressVPN.

The apps are beginner-friendly and offer a simple interface. I installed PrivateVPN on my Chromebook in minutes. Plus, you can also use the email ([email protected]) to contact customer support if you get stuck using the VPN in China. All queries are answered by actual VPN developers.

One downside is the smaller server network. However, with servers across 63 countries, I unblocked my global platforms without restrictions (such as Netflix, Facebook, and WhatsApp). The network also covers plenty of countries near China like Hong Kong and Japan.

Useful Features

• Independently audited no-logs policy. Private VPN is based in the not-so-privacy-friendly Sweden. However, it follows a strict zero-logs policy, meaning your information isn’t recorded or shared with government authorities anywhere.
• Unrestricted bandwidth. With unlimited bandwidth and fast speeds, you don’t have to worry about slowdowns, even with 4K streaming or large downloads.
• Multiple simultaneous connections. You can connect 10 devices at once to protect your devices in China.

Try PrivateVPN for China >>

Tips on How to Choose the Best VPN for China

As China's internet censorship and advanced VPN detecting tools are powerful, it’s a challenge to find VPNs that work in the country. Here are some important criteria to consider when choosing a VPN for China:

• Ability to bypass the firewall. Choose a service that can overcome the strict restrictions and VPN blocks used by the Chinese government. Look for features like obfuscation and a large global server network, which help hide your VPN use and unblock your chosen sites.
• Strong security and privacy features. Ensure your VPN has top-tier encryption, a strict no-logs policy, a kill switch, and DNS/IP leak protection. This helps you secure your sensitive information against monitoring on sites like WeChat, Weibo, QQ, or Douyin.
• Fast and reliable speeds. Congestion and slow speeds are quite common as your traffic is passed through many gateways in China. It's essential to use a VPN that offers impressive performance and doesn’t reduce your overall speeds by more than 35%.
• User-friendly apps. Ensure your VPN isn’t complex to set up and that it supports all your devices. That way you can start browsing in China without too much complicated configuration.
• Dependable customer support. A service that has responsive support (preferably with 24/7 live chat) is essential for prompt assistance when needed while using the VPN in China.
• Reputable money-back guarantee. Only consider a VPN with a tested money-back guarantee. That way, you know you can get a refund if the VPN doesn't meet your requirements.

Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free >>

FAQs on Proton VPN and VPNs for China

Who owns Proton VPN?

Proton VPN is owned by Proton Technologies AG, the same company that owns and operates ProtonMail — a secure email service. The VPN is secure but doesn’t work in restrictive countries like China or Russia. If you need a VPN that reliably works in China, there are some options that work.

Why is Proton VPN so slow?

Several factors could potentially slow down Proton VPN — server distance, ISP throttling, and the VPN protocol are all possible reasons for the slow performance. However, using a better VPN with quick servers can help you get fast and reliable speeds.

Proton VPN’s free plan can deliberately throttle your connection too. The limited 3 servers you get with a free subscription can also quickly become overcrowded, similarly limiting your speeds.

Are VPNs illegal in China?

There are some government-approved VPNs but the Chinese authorities have cracked down on the use of unlicensed services, making it harder to access them. There have also been instances where individuals in China have been penalized for using unauthorized VPNs. However, there are a few VPN services that reliably work in China and help keep your information protected.

How do I get my VPN to work in China?

Getting your VPN to work in China might require some preparation before you arrive because many VPN websites are blocked in China. However, once you have a VPN downloaded, it’s easy to get started in China. If you forget to download your chosen service before you go, choose a VPN with a.onion mirror site so you can access it from behind the Great Firewall.

Do free VPNs work in China?

No, most free VPNs don’t work in China. The government has many restrictions set in place to block VPN services. Even if you do find a free VPN that’s working, it may fall short in terms of speeds, restricted server locations, and limited security features. So, a premium VPN with a money-back guarantee is your best bet for using a VPN in China without issues.

Many free VPNs also resort to tracking and selling your metadata themselves or allowing other customers to use your IP address (like HolaVPN). Plus, some services may contain malware or spyware that can infect your device and leak your data (like GoVPN or OKVPN). So using a free VPN puts you at even more risk while in China.

The Tor browser can sometimes work behind the Great Firewall but is often far too slow for anything more than casual browsing. Some users have recommended the unblocking software Lantern or SOCKS5/Shadowsocks for China too. However, these proxies don’t have the same privacy protections as a VPN — which can leave you vulnerable to fines from the Guangdong police.

Get the Best VPN for China

Finding a reliable VPN that works in China can be challenging, given that the country has multiple restrictions on VPNs. The Chinese government only allows specific VPNs that are approved by the authorities and subjected to surveillance. However, every VPN mentioned in my list works in China while protecting your personal data and online privacy.

My top China VPN is ExpressVPN. It offers obfuscation on all servers and military-grade encryption to protect you online. It also follows a strict no-logs policy to keep your data safe from the Chinese government or any third parties. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free, as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Plus, getting a refund is easy if you’re not 100% happy.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs that work in China…

Rank

Provider

Our Score

Discount

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1

9.8 /10

Save 49%!

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2

9.8 /10

Save 59%!

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3

9.6 /10

Save 85%!

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