Installing a VPN in China can be difficult with no access to Google Play Store or any App Stores. Let’s follow this guide to learn how you can get a VPN in China.
A good VPN is the best way to secure your data and online activity. They are also the most effective method to bypass geo-restrictions and off-tracking your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and the government from monitoring you over the internet.
All you need to do is spend a few bucks on a Chinese VPN to become anonymous over the internet.
How can I download a VPN in China?
Unfortunately, most VPN sites are blocked in China by the government. But all top VPN sites have created mirror websites that can be accessed within China. Here is ExpressVPN’s mirrored site for China.
Now, let’s guide you into downloading a VPN in China on different devices:
Android
Google Play Store doesn’t work in China. Therefore, you need to configure a VPN on Android using the .apk file. Here’s how you can do that:
1. Sign up for your desired VPN (preferably ExpressVPN) using their website (or mirrored website).
2. Now, use your phone to access ExpressVPN’s site and download the .apk file.
3. Open the .apk file after its downloaded without using Google Play.
4. Launch the app, connect it to a server, and enjoy!
Mac and Windows
1. Visit ExpressVPN’s site and subscribe to a plan.
2. Sign in to your account and download its Windows/Mac app.
3. Install the ExpressVPN app on your Windows or Mac.
4. Connect it to a server and enjoy!
All iOS devices
1. Subscribe to a plan after visiting ExpressVPN’s website.
2. Search for the manual configuration settings, preferably IKEv2 or LTP2 for ExpressVPN.
3. Visit Settings, then General. From there, click VPN > Add VPN Setting. Insert the configuration file that was provided to you by ExpressVPN.
4. Activate the configured ExpressVPN.
5. Get the ExpressVPN app from the App Store and download it.
6. Turn off the manual VPN and use the ExpressVPN app directly.
What are the Best VPNs for China?
We’ve listed some of the best VPNs that can be used in China below:
1. ExpressVPN — Top VPN for China and the World
If you’re looking to bypass geo-restrictions from China without any problem, then ExpressVPN should be your go-to without a doubt. ExpressVPN works great in China. While being slightly pricey, this VPN offers a compelling service proven to work from within China and worldwide.
You won’t just be able to access websites, but ExpressVPN will also let you unblock all streaming services using its 3000+ servers present in 94 countries.
This VPN also offers an average of over 80 Mbps of speed on a 100 Mbps connection. That’s a fantastic speed stat if you think about it.
It also offers military-grade encryption so no one can snoop in on your internet activity, and a kill switch that disconnects your wifi in case of a drop in the VPN connection.
Other premium security features include private DNS, split tunneling, and no-logs. You can try out their service for 30-days risk-free and if you don’t like it, you can always get your money back.
2. Hotspot Shield – Speedy and reliable VPN for China
Hotspot Shield is a VPN that offers the most speedy servers, and we mean it. With 3200 servers across the world, this VPN works effectively to bypass all Chinese geo-restrictions.
Along with the vast range of servers, it offers a zero-logs policy, so you never have to log in to the VPN app. It also offers 256-bit AES encryption for a complete encrypted network, and an automatic kill switch ensures your IP address never leaks to the government.
If you have any queries, go to Hotspot Shield’s live chat support. You can unblock Netflix in China and enjoy the streaming service without lags, thanks to Hotspot Shield’s Hydra Catapult protocol.
You can also torrent anything you like with this VPN. This VPN provider will ensure that your P2P activity is completely hidden from the world. For more information, check out our Hotspot Shield review.
3. Windscribe – Offers the best streaming experience in China
Windscribe is all around an excellent VPN to use in China that offers multiple security features to ensure your privacy.
The service offers many servers that let you connect to parts of the world and access geo-restricted websites. This VPN offers the R.O.B.E.R.T. feature that combats all ads and malware reaching out to you.
Windscribe stands out for its top-tier security features, including a no-logging policy, a robust kill switch, and military-grade 256-bit encryption. With multiple security protocols like IKEv2 and OpenVPN, users enjoy customizable settings tailored to their preferences.
Notably, Windscribe is recognized as the best free VPN for China, providing an exceptional combination of privacy and accessibility in navigating online restrictions. Its commitment to security makes it a standout choice for users seeking reliable protection in challenging online environments.
Using its features together, you can effectively bypass geo-restrictions and stream all popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and YouTube in HD with no buffering of any sort. For more information, check out our Windscribe review.
Criteria of testing and ranking the VPNs above
We listed the VPNs above after testing their capabilities and features. These VPNs matched our criteria which were as follows:
1. Bypassing geo-restrictions effectively:
The first aspect we judged these VPNs on was their ability to bypass Chinese censorship and unblock websites and streaming services efficiently from across the world. We tested different servers of each VPN to confirm this. The VPNs above were able to unblock services like Google, Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Whatsapp, and more. I was also able to watch BBC iPlayer in China with a VPN for free.
2. Speed:
We also ran speed tests of various servers of each VPN to determine if they offer good speeds. For example, ExpressVPN showed an average speed of over 80 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection, which is excellent. Similarly, the VPNs above other than ExpressVPN offered speedy connections and were added to our list of the best VPNs for China.
3. Encryption:
VPNs that offer high encryption protocols are mentioned above. None of these VPNs offer encryption less than 256-bit, which is standard encryption for high-quality VPNs.
4. Security features:
One final way to pass our tests was to have adequate security features. All the VPNs above offer a no-logs policy, a kill switch, and high-security protocols. They also provide distinctive features of their own, like Windscribe’s R.O.B.E.R.T. feature.
FAQs
Is using a VPN illegal in China?
Chinese authorities have banned most VPNs so the people in China cannot access any banned websites in the country. In order to bypass this restriction, you need a VPN that is proven to work in China.
How do I bypass the Great Firewall of China?
The only way to bypass the Great Firewall of China is to use a VPN. A VPN will mask your identity online and let you access any service in the world without notifying the Chinese government.
Why is VPN banned in China?
China banned most VPNs in the past few years as Chinese residents actively tried to get around the geo-restrictions imposed by the Chinese government. With all popular services banned in China, residents wanted to access them using a VPN, but sadly, only the best VPNs like ExpressVPN can bypass these geo-restrictions now.
Conclusion
Most social media, streaming sites, and other crucial websites are blocked in China. The Great Firewall of China keeps a keen eye on what users are doing on the internet. To stay anonymous over the internet and to enjoy geo-restricted services, you can get a VPN by using the steps above.
