Accessing foreign websites in China can be challenging. Platforms like Google, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) are blocked and inaccessible without additional tools. This creates inconveniences not only for Chinese citizens but also for foreign tourists and business travelers. Choosing the right VPN (Virtual Private Network) becomes crucial—but are the recommendations you see online trustworthy?
After personally testing several mainstream VPNs, I’d like to share my insights.
Please NOTE: These are based on my own experiences, so I encourage you to test them yourself before committing to a long-term plan.
All test below was based on China Unicom in GuangDong.
Astrill VPN: Stable but Outdated and Pricey
Performance: Astrill generally performs well for me, especially on Android devices. However, its iOS app is plagued by sudden disconnections, and the desktop client feels ancient. Compatibility issues arise with software like Steam or NetEase UU gaming tunneling services. Frankly, I find it frustrating that Astrill hasn’t updated its drivers or clients to meet modern standards.
Stability: While it’s stable most of the time, there’s no guarantee this will remain the case as the internet landscape evolves.
Pricing: At around $300 for a two-year plan, Astrill is among the most expensive VPNs on the market. The only time it feels remotely affordable is during its annual Black Friday sale for about $120.
Speed: Astrill’s speeds are just average. Even when connecting to my preferred server, performance can vary significantly. It prioritizes stability over raw speed, but it doesn’t excel at either.
Verdict: A decent option if you value stability and don’t mind the price tag. But they need a major overhaul of their apps to justify their cost, especially for Windows.
Mullvad VPN: Fast, Transparent, and Reliable
Performance: Mullvad has been a game-changer for me. Priced at €5 (roughly ¥750 JPY) per month with no discounts or gimmicks, it offers excellent value. With China Unicom’s 1Gbps connection, I regularly achieve download speeds of around 80MB/s—This represents an average value rather than the peak performance. It’s also one of the few VPNs that doesn’t slow down significantly during peak evening hours. SpeedTest
Streaming and Downloads: Mullvad handles file downloads and streaming effortlessly, making it my go-to choice for heavy usage.
Limitations: The only downside is its lack of support for unusual devices like Apple TV, requiring manual configuration via WireGuard. Additionally, while ¥750 per month isn’t cheap, I believe it’s a fair price for the quality it delivers.
Verdict: Mullvad balances speed, reliability, and simplicity perfectly. It’s my top recommendation if you’re looking for a no-nonsense VPN.
Surfshark VPN: Inconsistent Performance
Performance: Surfshark is unpredictable. Sometimes, it works like a charm for streaming services, but at other times, it struggles with stability and speed—particularly during politically sensitive times in China. SpeedTest
Server Availability: The number of servers optimized for China is limited (e.g., Hong Kong, Japan, UK). While these servers are more stable, the restricted selection doesn’t justify the full subscription price.
Verdict: Surfshark might work as a backup option, but I wouldn’t rely on it as a primary VPN.
Proton VPN: Great Globally, Mediocre in China
Performance: Proton VPN excels internationally, especially with its free plan offering random servers in countries like Japan and Germany. However, in China, the experience is inconsistent. As we all know, the government blocks VPN services, so providers must implement ‘backup methods’ to connect to their identity servers for user authentication, retrieving server information, and other essential processes. On Android devices, these methods often involve temporarily connecting to a free server to verify login credentials and API data, which can sometimes work on iOS as well. However, on Windows and Mac, these methods are completely ineffective. SpeedTest
Strengths: I appreciate Proton’s transparent privacy practices and public third-party audits, which make it more trustworthy than most free VPNs.
Verdict: A respectable service globally, but it requires significant improvement to be viable in China.
That said, we should all appreciate the availability of free services like this, which offer valuable options to people worldwide. A heartfelt thank you to the Proton Foundation for their efforts.
IVPN: Expensive Without Distinction
Comparison: Similar to Mullvad but more expensive and limited to two devices, need additional costs for multi-hop. Connectivity issues are also a concern.
Verdict: Mullvad is the better alternative.
Geph VPN: Reliable for Emergencies
Performance: While not fast, Geph is optimized for China, offering consistent connections. Its free plan, capped at 120KB/s, is useful for simple tasks like messaging family upon arrival in China.
Verdict: A practical emergency backup, but not suitable for long-term or heavy use.
ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Others
Despite their global reputation, services like ExpressVPN and NordVPN are disappointing in China. Logging in often fails, servers are hard to connect to, and even when successful, performance is underwhelming.
Like ExpressVPN is particularly expensive, but its much-touted Lightway protocol offers poor performance here; Although for NordVPN, NordLynx is an improved version based on the Wireguard protocol, its user experience is not as good as Wireguard.
PIA / TunnelBear / HMA VPN / HotspotShield , Boom, too suck. They rely on a public protocol is not a problem (it is an advantage because it is open and transparent.) but fail to account for challenges such as logging in under special circumstances or accessing the API. Imagine needing to connect to one VPN just to use another—does that sound reasonable?
Verdict: These VPNs are unsuitable for use in China. Unless they address the issue of API blocking, they will remain impractical for this region.
Let’s VPN: Untrustworthy and Overpriced
Pricing: At $59.99 for just two devices, Let’s VPN is prohibitively expensive.
Concerns: Its lack of transparency and similarities to dubious Chinese VPNs make it hard to trust (like PandaVPNPro, which has already run away once. He has betrayed the trust of all paying users.), despite claims of international registration.
Verdict: Avoid this one.
Technical Tips for Using VPNs in China
- Test Before You Commit: Subscribe to a monthly plan first. Many VPNs offer free trials, especially on Google Play.
- Enable IPv6: Activating IPv6 can significantly improve your connection. Mullvad, for instance, saw a noticeable boost when I switched from IPv4 to IPv6.
- Choose Strategic Servers: Surprisingly, servers in regions like Canada or Europe may offer better speeds than those in Hong Kong due to superior international routing via China Telecom and China Unicom.
- Stay Updated: China’s network infrastructure are constantly evolving. Regularly check for updates from your VPN provider to maintain connectivity.
Final Thoughts
VPNs are an essential tool for accessing the open internet in China, but their performance can vary widely. My experiences reflect a snapshot in time; as service providers evolve, so will their reliability.
If you’re planning a long-term stay, investing time in testing different VPNs is essential. I hope my insights help you navigate the options more effectively. If you’ve had your own experiences or recommendations, feel free to share them in the comments!😊
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