5 Best Free VPNs for China Tested in 2024: Fast & Secure

Finding a free VPN that works in China is difficult. Even some premium VPNs struggle to provide a reliable performance there, let alone completely free ones. In addition, many services, sites, and apps, including some VPNs and their websites, aren’t available in China, so it’s not easy to get one from within the country.

While no totally free VPN is guaranteed to be reliable in China, a few have been known to work there. Still, those that do sometimes have weak security and fail to protect your privacy, which is particularly worrisome in such counties. So it’s vital that the free VPN not only works but is also equipped with strong security to protect your personal data, which is rare.

That’s why I prefer to use a low-cost premium service like ExpressVPN, known to perform reliably in the country. Although it’s not 100% free, it outperforms the free options with automatic obfuscation on every server and the fastest speeds we’ve ever tested. Plus, its mirror site offers an alternative method for downloading the VPN privately from within China. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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Short on Time? Here Are the Best Free VPNs for China in 2024

Best Free VPNs for China — Full Analysis (Updated 2024)

1. ExpressVPN — Automatic Obfuscation Allows It to Reliably Work in China

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ExpressVPN’s automatic obfuscation on every server allows it to evade the toughest blocks, which is a rarity among completely free VPNs. Obfuscated servers detect the use of Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) and scramble the associated metadata. This is what makes ExpressVPN the most reliable China VPN, all without even having to configure any settings. The Automatic protocol option is selected by default and will activate the obfuscation.

You can create shortcuts to your favorite apps and sites that show up on the home screen

TrustedServer Technology (RAM-only servers) ensures your data is kept private. Plus, its independently audited no-logs policy and headquarters in the British Virgin Islands (outside the jurisdiction of the 5/9/14 Eyes) protect your online privacy further. Every server uses private DNS, too, so your requests go directly through ExpressVPN — not a third party. Almost no free VPN offers this level of privacy.

Its long-distance speeds are impressively fast, making it possible to use apps, websites, and services in China without lag. Most free VPNs cut your speeds by at least 60 to 80% at long distances. However, I tested ExpressVPN’s servers and was impressed with the speeds from Macau and Hong Kong, which are over 5,000 miles away. I lost just 26% of my base speeds.

True, ExpressVPN isn’t 100% free — but it’s my top choice for China because no completely free VPN can rival it in terms of reliability, speed, and security. It has a 30-day money-back guarantee and offers a few free months on signup (I received 3). Plus, you can pay privately since it accepts cryptocurrency and works with other payment methods that are also available in China.

Useful Features

• Mirror URLs. ExpressVPN offers 2 mirror URLs to download the app in China, which is a convenience that most free VPNs don’t offer. Simply email support to get the most up-to-date links (support@expressvpn.zendesk.com). You can also download the Android app as an APK file from its website.
• Strong security. On top of its bank-level AES 256-bit encryption, it uses perfect forward secrecy, which means that even if one encryption key was compromised, all past and future communications would remain completely secure. Plus, its Advanced Protection feature blocks ads, trackers, and malware.
• Choice of protocols. ExpressVPN offers the reputable OpenVPN protocol and its own proprietary Lightway, which was built to be lightweight, fast, and secure. Customer support advises that it’s best to set the protocol to Automatic while in China, though, for the most reliable connections within the country.
• Router support. Unlike most free VPNs, you can easily install and configure ExpressVPN on your router with a native app and firmware to protect all your devices in China. If you don’t want a router setup, you can use its apps on 8 devices simultaneously, which is more than enough for most people.

2. Proton VPN — Unlimited Data for Continuous Internet Access in China

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Proton VPN offers unlimited data, so you can stream all you like on platforms like Youku. Some free VPNs impose data limits as low as 500MB/month, but I didn’t hit any caps when I used Proton VPN to stream for hours on TikTok and YouTube. In China, though, you’ll only be able to connect to Japan since you can only use the nearest location.

Proton VPN's app gives you one-click access to protected connections for China

Its security credentials are more impressive than some premium VPNs. Proton VPN´s no-logs policy has been independently verified, something that most free VPNs don’t have the budget for. So you can rest assured that your browsing in China is private. Also, its HQ is in Switzerland, which has some of the world’s strongest privacy laws.

Plus, it has a proprietary Stealth protocol, in case you’re struggling with firewalls. I recommend you only use it as a last resort, though, as it slowed my speeds down by 78%. However, WireGuard only gave a 7% slowdown, which isn’t as good as ExpressVPN’s nearby speeds but is better than some other premium VPNs we tested.

Useful Features

• Responsive customer support. While you have to upgrade to premium to get 24/7 live chat, you can at least get a reply to your queries via email. It tends to respond within 1 to 2 hours, so you won’t have to wait too long if you’re having tech issues or questions before going to China.
• WireGuard TCP. UDP protocols are usually faster, but TCP can be more reliable for unstable networks. That’s handy to have in China, and again, many free VPNs don’t offer this (although ExpressVPN has UDP and TCP versions of its Lightway).
• Open-source apps. All of Proton VPN’s apps are 100% open-source, meaning anyone can check its code and suggest improvements. When relying on a VPN in China, it’s reassuring to know that Proton is happy to put its tech to public scrutiny.

3. hide.me — Adjustable Settings to Customize Your Connections in China

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With hide.me, you can tweak your security settings to adjust your connections in China. For example, StealthGuard ensures your data and IP don't accidentally leak by assigning specific apps to only go online while connected to the VPN. You can even set this feature to work when hide.me is shut down to ensure the VPN always protects you in China.

The adjustable StealthGuard feature is a great way to protect your data in China

Unfortunately, there are no server locations at all in Asia Pacific. That said, the free version allows access to 8 locations, and you can connect to any of them from China (or anywhere else). As with Proton VPN, you get unlimited data for streaming and browsing in China.

But the real letdown is the speed loss. While testing it, I connected to hide.me’s US location in Florida and got a slowdown of 78%, making it the slowest service on my list. Florida is around 4,300 miles from me, but it’s twice as far from Shanghai and Beijing. Too bad, because hide.me supports torrenting (providing you configure its SOCKS5 proxy to your torrent client), but those speeds aren’t ideal for downloads.

Useful Features

• Lock App. This feature lets you set up a password-protected lock to prevent the VPN from being accidentally shut down. Along with StealthGuard, it’s another measure that ensures your data is protected in China.
• 24/7 live chat. hide.me offers 24/7 live chat on the website, which is unusual for a free VPN. There’s also a ticketing system on the app under Support. Such types of comms are useful should you run into tech issues in China.
• Split tunneling. You can save more data with split tunneling, which lets you select apps to bypass the VPN. It’s also possible to designate a browser for accessing sites via the VPN.

4. Hotspot Shield — Hydra Protocol Gives You Speed and Security in China

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Hotspot Shield’s proprietary protocol, Hydra, allows the VPN to easily overcome blocks — unlike the standard OpenVPN, which is slow and vulnerable to firewalls. I was also impressed by the low ping while using this protocol, so it’s also good for gaming, which is great news in the land of Pokémon GO and other gaming sensations.

Hotspot Shield's Hydra protocol has low latency, which makes for smooth gameplay

You can also use the app without signing up, which technically allows you to use it on as many devices as you want. Although, if you create a free account, it's only good for 1 device. The biggest annoyance was the number of ads that popped up trying to get me to upgrade, but you can try its 7-day free trial to temporarily forgo the ads.

Since it has unlimited data, you can browse all you want from China. Unlike most free VPNs, your data isn’t limited — so no matter how long you listen to Spotify, you won’t get cut off. Many free VPNs allow only enough monthly data for a couple of hours of browsing at best.

Useful Features

• Good speeds. Despite the free app stating its speeds are capped, I only got a reduction of 24% on its UK server and 37% from Singapore. That’s fast, considering I’m over 6,500 miles away.
• Free servers in 3 continents. Its free plan offers 5 server locations in the US, the UK, and Singapore. While you only get access to 3 countries, you can at least select from all of them, unlike with Proton VPN.
• Solid security features. Hotspot Shield’s free plan protects you with AES 256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch, IP leak protection, and split tunneling.

5. TunnelBear — A Fun and Simple App for Easy Web Access in China

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www.tunnelbear.com

TunnelBear’s quirky, user-friendly app is ideal for one-click protection in China. There’s a world map interface to help you quickly find your desired location. Alternatively, it has a drop-down menu server list. During my tests, I clicked the tunnel to connect to its Taiwan location, and the animated bear dug its way there and let out a big “rawr.”

TunnelBear only took 2 seconds to connect to a Taiwan server that was 6,000 miles away

You also get access to multiple servers in every one of TunnelBear’s 47 locations, which is rare for a free VPN. You get numerous options near China, ensuring better performance to keep your online activities running smoothly.

I was a little disappointed by the 2GB/month data limit. For context, that’s only enough for a few hours of streaming on BiliBili. It’s more than many free VPNs but a lot less than the other options listed here. That said, speeds are reliable — I got a 54% loss from the US location, and given the number of countries it offers, you’ll rarely be that far from a server.

Useful Features

• Strong security. The kill switch (called VigilantBear) cuts off all traffic if your VPN connection drops, while DNS leak protection is automatic.
• Split tunneling. This feature (called SplitBear) can designate certain Chinese sites to override the VPN, saving more bandwidth for secure browsing.

Quick Comparison Table: Free China VPN Features

All the VPNs on my list are trustworthy and secure for use in China, though they present considerable differences in the features they provide. Your choice might hinge on the specific reasons you need a VPN.

Obfuscated servers (or Stealth VPN modes) are a big plus since they hide the fact that you’re using a VPN. Fast speeds, a generous data limit, and a vast server network are also necessary to browse without limitations. And if you prefer not to share your email or other details, some free VPNs don’t require signup.

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Tips on Choosing the Best Free VPN for China

It's already challenging to locate a high-quality premium VPN that functions in China, let alone a completely free one. These are the criteria I took into account while selecting free VPNs for China.

• Works reliably in China. It’s useful to have a selection of protocols in case one stops working. Obfuscation (sometimes called Stealth) can help evade blocks by hiding your VPN use and making it look like regular internet traffic. Custom DNS settings allow you to beat DNS-level blocking.
• Global servers. For safe access to worldwide content, a VPN should have servers spread across multiple countries. Also, more servers mean less crowding, which is needed for better speeds.
• Fast speeds. China has little bandwidth for international traffic, so fast speeds are essential to make your browsing on international sites bearable. Nearby servers also give you much faster speeds than ones far away, so look for servers in places like Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, or Indonesia.
• Enough data. A free VPN is fine for light browsing, but they have limits. For more data-intensive activities like torrenting, gaming, and VoIP calls, I recommend using a low-cost premium service for better reliability in China.
• Top security features. Free VPNs often lack key security features, which you shouldn’t compromise when you’re up against the Great Firewall. All the VPNs on my list have 256-bit encryption to hide your data. I also ensured they all passed a DNS/IP leak test and offered kill switches to maintain online privacy in China.
• Alternative download methods. I checked that every listed VPN offers an APK file link, so you can download it discreetly from China. Some VPNs also have mirror URLs for an alternative way to sign up and download.
• Reliable customer support. It’s helpful to have 24/7 live chat in case you run into technical issues. If that's not available, it should at least provide support via email, a contact form, or a searchable knowledge base to answer your questions.
• Cross-platform compatibility. I made sure each VPN supports the most popular devices and operating systems.

Expert Tip: Most Free VPNs for China Aren't Safe

Several free VPNs generate revenue by tracking your data and trading it with third parties. This not only jeopardizes your security but can also result in an influx of "customized" advertisements. Certain free VPNs are particularly dubious and notorious for carrying viruses and malware within their applications.

On top of that, they usually don’t provide strong enough security to maintain your privacy online, especially not in China. Some have weak or broken encryption, while others don’t offer important features like leak protection or a kill switch.

Free VPNs to Avoid

It's quite remarkable when a free VPN works in China. However, not all VPNs that function in China are secure, and I've identified some that can subject you to alarming security threats. It's strongly recommended to steer clear of these hazardous free VPNs:

• Hola Free VPN. While this “VPN” is very popular, it’s not actually a VPN. Hola’s free service is actually a P2P network where you share IP addresses with random strangers. It offers no encryption and exposes your personal IP to anyone on the network. That means someone could connect to your IP address and commit an illegal act online, and you’d be the one who got in trouble for it.
• Touch VPN. Touch VPN logs a frightening amount of user information, including your browsing activity, location, and device information. It also allows its business partners to monitor and record your data. Plus, its headquarters are in the US (the heart of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance), so it is obligated to share this data with international governments upon request.
• LinkVPN. The origins of LinkVPN are unclear (never a good sign). It seems to be the creation of a lone developer in China who was responsible for other dodgy, privacy-violating VPNs like SuperVPN. Its own privacy policy states that LinkVPN can monitor and record your data and share it with affiliate companies.

Tips to Get a VPN From Within China

The Great Firewall blocks VPNs, so it’s best to get one before you travel to China. Google Play is completely blocked in the country. The Apple App Store is available, but thousands of apps are missing, including non-government-approved VPNs. On top of that, you’ll probably find your VPN’s website is blocked within the country, so you can’t download the app directly.

Here are a few alternate methods you can try if you’re already in China and struggling to find a reliable VPN.

• Use a mirror site. For example, ExpressVPN has 2 mirror sites for users in highly censored countries where its regular website isn’t available. It regularly switches up the URLs to avoid blocks from China and other countries, so you can download it, update the software, and even get in touch with customer support. You can request an up-to-date address from ExpressVPN at support@expressvpn.zendesk.com.
• Change your App Store’s location. The Apple Store isn’t blocked in China (unlike the Google Play Store). Still, you won’t find any VPNs on it that aren’t monitored by the government. You can create a new Apple account and set the country to one where VPNs are available to overcome this. Or change the region of your current account. Just log into the App Store, go to your profile, and tap Country/Region.
• Use hotel WiFi. Many hotels in China have VPNs integrated into their WiFi, so tourists can visit the regular websites they use at home. If you can connect to a hotel’s WiFi that offers this, you should be able to download a VPN.
• Use a web proxy. While proxies are less secure than VPNs, they can change your location so you access the VPN’s website to download the app.
• Download an APK file. Third-party sites offer APK files for all the VPNs on this list. However, be aware that third-party links aren't always safe and sometimes contain malware. If you’re trying this method, I recommend installing antivirus software first.
• Use the Tor browser. Tor has many settings, so the configurations needed for it to work in China change almost daily. Therefore, this method is quite time-consuming. However, once set up, it may be possible to use Tor to access a VPN website and download a free VPN.

FAQs on Free VPNs for China

Is it illegal to use a VPN in China?

Only state-approved VPNs are legal to use in China. However, since VPN companies tend to advocate for online freedom, some VPNs offer apps specifically designed to allow their services to work in China. It’s not possible for a VPN to provide this if it’s been approved by the Chinese government because it would have to log and share data with those authorities.

And while using a VPN that’s not approved could result in a fine or charge, there have been very few cases of this happening. There are no publicly-reported cases of visitors or tourists being prosecuted for using a VPN in the country. Even so, we recommend you read up on the latest rules and regulations to be informed.

Which free VPNs have servers in China?

Not many. It’s extremely difficult to get a China IP address since the country has such invasive data retention policies. Having servers in the country would invalidate a VPN’s no-logs policy. Plus, free VPNs usually only offer a few server locations, usually in the US or Europe. That being said, some free VPNs offer safe servers in places nearby like Macau, Hong Kong, Singapore, or Indonesia.

Are free VPNs safe in China?

Not always — many free VPNs are unsafe. While some offer secure access to the internet in China, there are important safety concerns to consider. Free VPNs often lack robust security measures, leaving your data vulnerable to hackers in China. Plus, certain free VPNs might contain malware or display invasive ads, jeopardizing your privacy.

Can I use a free VPN for streaming in China?

Yes — all the VPNs listed allow for at least some streaming in China. However, you may be limited by data caps and/or slowdowns. As a guide, you need 5 Mbps for HD streaming and 25 Mbps for Ultra HD. So if you want to stream in the best quality, I recommend using a low-cost premium VPN.

What if my free VPN stops working in China?

First of all, make sure you’re using a free VPN that’s been verified to work in China. Very few VPNs work reliably. If you’re still running into problems, here are some solutions you can try:

• Change protocols. Go into the security settings and try to connect using each protocol. Proprietary protocols are a good choice since they’re not as highly used, so they tend to be harder to detect and block: ExpressVPN’s Lightway and Hotspot Shield’s Hydra are 2 examples. You can also adjust your protocol’s settings — try using TCP rather than UDP.
• Enable obfuscation. Scrambling your data can help you by making your VPN look like regular internet traffic. Check to make sure obfuscation (sometimes called Stealth) is toggled on.
• Enable the kill switch and leak protection. If your VPN is leaking any of your real info, chances are the VPN connection will be detected and blocked, so it’s important to enable both these important settings.
• Change ports or DNS settings. Some apps let you switch ports and manually configure your device’s IPv4 and IPv6 DNS settings to 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare).

Which free VPNs have Android APK files for download?

All the VPNs on this list have APK files, although ExpressVPN and hide.me are the only VPNs with an official APK file for Android. They host it on their websites, so you can be certain it’s legit. The other VPNs have APK files, but they’re on third-party sites. Wherever possible, I recommend that you only download APK files from the VPN’s official site. Third-party downloads can be risky since the files aren’t verified.

Why are VPNs, Google, and other apps and sites banned in China?

The Chinese government heavily censors online content for political reasons. In fact, at the end of 2022, the Chinese government strengthened the Great Firewall’s VPN-blocking technology, which consequently made it hard for even some of the most reputable paid VPNs to work in China. However, there are still a few VPNs that offer strong security features (like obfuscation).

Popular socials that are blocked due to censorship include Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Instagram, and more. It also censors sites, like Google (and related services), Yahoo, YouTube, Spotify, and other platforms. Independent news sources such as the BBC and The New York Times are also unavailable.

Why is my VPN so slow in China?

With so much foreign content blocked, there is little bandwidth for data leaving China. A VPN with nearby servers in Macau or Hong Kong is the best option to maintain speed.

While all VPNs slow you down a little, free VPNs take this further by imposing data/speed caps and limiting their server networks. So, if you need smooth browsing, it’s best to go with a low-cost premium VPN that doesn’t limit your speeds.

Get the Best FREE VPN for China

Many free VPNs aren’t equipped and secure enough to work in China. DNS leaks, weak encryption, and outdated protocols can mean you end up disappointed. The VPNs listed in this article are known to work reliably in China.

Even though it’s not completely free, my #1 recommendation for China is ExpressVPN. Its reliability, fast speeds, automatic obfuscation, wide server network, and unlimited data make it undeniably better than any free VPN. Plus, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out.

Can’t find a suitable free VPN? Here are the best premium alternatives for China…

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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