8 products tested & ranked

We Tested 8 VPNs for China & Restricted Countries — Here's What's Actually Worth It

Not all VPNs work behind the Great Firewall. We test which services actually bypass censorship in China, Russia, Iran, and other restricted regions.

Featuring:

ExpressVPN·

VyprVPN·

Astrill VPN·

NordVPN·

Mullvad VPN+3 more

Helping 12,000+ professionals choose the right tools

Quick Answer

Our Top 3 Picks at a Glance

See all reviews

Best Overall

9.1

ExpressVPN

From $2.44/mo (Basic 2-year). Advanced from $4.49/mo. Pro from $7.49/mo. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Premium VPN with blazing-fast Lightway protocol, 105 country coverage, and a proven track record of working in China and other restricted regions.

Try ExpressVPN

Best for Small Teams

8.7

VyprVPN

From $3.00/mo (2-year plan). Monthly $12.95. 10 devices. Chameleon protocol. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Travel-tested VPN with proprietary Chameleon protocol designed to defeat VPN blocking, self-owned servers, and a strong track record in China.

Try VyprVPN

Best Value

8.5

Astrill VPN

From $10/mo (2-year plan). Monthly $30. 1-year $12.50/mo. No free trial. Premium pricing for China access.

Specialist VPN for China with StealthVPN and OpenWeb protocols designed to bypass the Great Firewall. Expensive but reliable in the most restricted countries.

Try Astrill VPN

The Challenge of Internet Censorship

Countries like China, Iran, Russia, and the UAE actively block VPN traffic and restrict access to popular websites and apps. Standard VPN protocols are detected and blocked by sophisticated firewalls. Travelers to these countries need VPNs with advanced obfuscation technology that disguises VPN traffic as regular web browsing.

How We Test in Restricted Countries

Our reviewers test VPNs from within China and other restricted countries using real devices on local networks. We verify access to Google, YouTube, WhatsApp, social media, and news sites. We also measure connection speed and reliability over extended periods, since censorship intensity fluctuates.

What to Look for in a Censorship-Bypassing VPN

The most important features are obfuscated servers (or stealth protocols), a proven track record in restricted countries, automatic protocol switching, and the ability to download the VPN app before arriving. Pre-trip setup is critical since VPN websites are often blocked in censored countries.

0Products Tested

0+Hours of Testing

0+Years Experience

0Expert Reviewers

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Our Top Picks

#1 Top Pick

ExpressVPN

Best for China

9.1

Excellent

Try ExpressVPN

#2 Runner Up

VyprVPN

Best Obfuscation Protocol

8.7

Very Good

Try VyprVPN

#3 Also Great

Astrill VPN

Most Reliable in China

8.5

Very Good

Try Astrill VPN

#1 Our Top Pick

Editor's Choice

From $2.44/mo (Basic 2-year). Advanced from $4.49/mo. Pro from $7.49/mo. 30-day money-back guarantee.

ExpressVPN

Travelers who want premium reliability and performance, especially in censored countries

Read Full Review →

Excellent

Speed8.8

Setup Ease9.0

Obfuscation9.0

Censorship Bypass9.3

Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature	ExpressVPN9.1/10	VyprVPN8.7/10	Astrill VPN8.5/10	NordVPN8.5/10	Mullvad VPN8.3/10	Proton VPN8.0/10	IVPN7.8/10	StrongVPN7.5/10
Starting Price	From $2.44/mo (Basic 2-year). Advanced from $4.49/mo. Pro from $7.49/mo. 30-day money-back guarantee.	From $3.00/mo (2-year plan). Monthly $12.95. 10 devices. Chameleon protocol. 30-day money-back guarantee.	From $10/mo (2-year plan). Monthly $30. 1-year $12.50/mo. No free trial. Premium pricing for China access.	From $2.99/mo (Basic 2-year). Plus from $3.89/mo. Complete from $5.39/mo. 30-day money-back guarantee.	Flat rate: 5 euros/month (~$5.50). No contracts. Anonymous accounts. Cash payment accepted.	Free plan available with unlimited data. Paid from $3.59/mo (2-year). Proton Unlimited $7.99/mo. 30-day money-back guarantee.	Standard: $6/mo or $60/yr (2 devices). Pro: $10/mo or $100/yr (7 devices). Anonymous accounts.	From $3.97/mo (yearly plan). Monthly $10.99. 12 devices. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Works in China
Obfuscated Servers
Stealth Protocol
Server Countries	105	70+	50+	118	50+	127	45+	46
Censorship Bypass Rating	9.3	9.0	9.5	8.5	8.5	8.0	8.0	7.8
Monthly Price	$2.44/mo	$3.00/mo	$10/mo	$2.99/mo	€5/mo (~$5.50)	$3.59/mo	$5.00/mo	$3.97/mo
	Try ExpressVPN	Try VyprVPN	Try Astrill VPN	Try NordVPN	Try Mullvad	Try Proton VPN	Try IVPN	Try StrongVPN

Detailed Reviews

Very Good

VyprVPN

Best Obfuscation ProtocolTravelers to censored countries who need the Chameleon protocol to bypass VPN detection

Speed8.0

Setup Ease8.5

Obfuscation9.2

Censorship Bypass9.0

Pros

Chameleon protocol specifically designed to bypass deep packet inspection
Self-owned servers with Swiss privacy jurisdiction
Strong track record of working in China
10 simultaneous connections cover most travel needs

Cons

Smaller server network than major competitors
Slightly slower speeds compared to NordVPN and ExpressVPN
No free plan or trial available
Higher priced than budget alternatives like Surfshark

Pricing: From $3.00/mo (2-year plan). Monthly $12.95. 10 devices. Chameleon protocol. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Travel-tested VPN with proprietary Chameleon protocol designed to defeat VPN blocking, self-owned servers, and a strong track record in China.

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Very Good

Astrill VPN

Most Reliable in ChinaTravelers to China and other heavily censored countries who need guaranteed access

Speed7.5

Setup Ease7.0

Obfuscation9.5

Censorship Bypass9.5

Pros

StealthVPN and OpenWeb protocols designed specifically for China
One of the most reliable VPNs in heavily censored countries
Dedicated server infrastructure for restricted regions

Cons

Significantly more expensive than mainstream VPN services
Only 5 simultaneous device connections on standard plan
No free trial or always-available money-back guarantee
Interface feels dated compared to modern VPN apps

Pricing: From $10/mo (2-year plan). Monthly $30. 1-year $12.50/mo. No free trial. Premium pricing for China access.

Specialist VPN for China with StealthVPN and OpenWeb protocols designed to bypass the Great Firewall. Expensive but reliable in the most restricted countries.

Read Full Review →

Very Good

NordVPN

Power users who want a feature-rich VPN with the largest server network

Speed8.8

Setup Ease8.5

Obfuscation8.5

Censorship Bypass8.5

Pros

Massive network of 7,000+ servers in 118 countries
Threat Protection Pro blocks malware even when VPN is disconnected
NordLynx protocol delivers excellent speeds based on WireGuard
Double VPN and Onion over VPN for layered security
Obfuscated servers for bypassing censorship in restricted countries

Cons

Renewal prices significantly higher than initial promotional rates
China reliability is inconsistent compared to dedicated China VPNs
10-device connection limit may not suit large travel groups
Interface can feel overwhelming with so many features and server options

Pricing: From $2.99/mo (Basic 2-year). Plus from $3.89/mo. Complete from $5.39/mo. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Feature-packed VPN with 7,000+ servers in 118 countries, NordLynx protocol for top speeds, and advanced security tools including Threat Protection.

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Very Good

Mullvad VPN

Privacy purists, journalists, and travelers who need maximum anonymity

Speed8.8

Setup Ease7.0

Obfuscation8.5

Censorship Bypass8.5

Pros

Anonymous accounts requiring no email or personal information
Simple flat-rate pricing at 5 euros/month with no contracts
DAITA provides advanced AI traffic analysis protection
Accepts cash and cryptocurrency for maximum anonymity

Cons

Only 5 simultaneous device connections
Fewer server locations than major competitors
Not optimized for streaming service unblocking
Minimalist interface may be confusing for VPN beginners

Pricing: Flat rate: 5 euros/month (~$5.50). No contracts. Anonymous accounts. Cash payment accepted.

Ultra-private VPN with anonymous accounts, flat-rate pricing, and no personal data required to sign up. Favored by privacy advocates and journalists.

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Very Good

Proton VPN

Privacy-conscious travelers and those who want a reliable free VPN option

Speed8.5

Setup Ease8.0

Obfuscation8.0

Censorship Bypass8.0

Pros

Best free VPN plan with unlimited data and no ads
Swiss jurisdiction provides strong privacy legal protections
Secure Core routes traffic through privacy-friendly countries
Open-source apps independently audited for transparency
Stealth protocol helps bypass censorship in restricted regions

Cons

Free plan limited to servers in 5 countries with medium speeds
Premium plans slightly more expensive than Surfshark and PIA
Only 10 simultaneous connections on paid plans
Streaming unblock not as consistent as ExpressVPN and NordVPN

Pricing: Free plan available with unlimited data. Paid from $3.59/mo (2-year). Proton Unlimited $7.99/mo. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Swiss-based privacy-focused VPN with a generous free tier, Secure Core servers, and fast speeds across 127 countries. Built by the team behind ProtonMail.

Read Full Review →

Good

IVPN

Privacy-focused travelers who want a Wirecutter-endorsed VPN with transparent practices

Speed8.0

Setup Ease7.5

Obfuscation8.0

Censorship Bypass8.0

Pros

Recommended by EFF and NYT Wirecutter for travel
Anonymous account system with no personal data required
Open-source apps regularly audited
Multi-hop connections for enhanced privacy

Cons

Only 2 devices on Standard plan, 7 on Pro
More expensive than budget VPN alternatives
Smaller server network than major competitors
Not optimized for streaming service unblocking

Pricing: Standard: $6/mo or $60/yr (2 devices). Pro: $10/mo or $100/yr (7 devices). Anonymous accounts.

Transparent, privacy-first VPN recommended by EFF and NYT Wirecutter. Anonymous account system, open-source apps, and strong obfuscation for restricted regions.

Read Full Review →

Good

StrongVPN

Travelers who want a straightforward, no-frills VPN that works in China

Speed7.0

Setup Ease7.5

Obfuscation7.5

Censorship Bypass7.8

Pros

12 simultaneous device connections included
StrongDNS smart DNS feature for streaming on all devices
Works in China with obfuscation features
Straightforward no-frills approach to VPN service

Cons

Smaller server network limited to 46 countries
Speeds not as fast as top-tier competitors
App design is basic and could use a refresh
Less well-known with fewer independent audits

Pricing: From $3.97/mo (yearly plan). Monthly $10.99. 12 devices. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Straightforward VPN with 12 simultaneous connections, servers in 46 countries, and a proven track record of working in China via StrongDNS.

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Our Testing Methodology

We test VPN access from within China, Russia, and UAE using local SIM cards and hotel WiFi. We verify ability to reach Google, social media, streaming, and messaging apps. Testing covers multiple protocols and obfuscation modes over week-long periods.

Written by

Marcus RiveraSaaS Integration Expert

Marcus has spent over a decade in SaaS integration and business automation. He specializes in evaluating API architectures, workflow automation tools, and sales funnel platforms. His reviews focus on implementation details, technical depth, and real-world integration scenarios.

API IntegrationBusiness AutomationSales FunnelsAI Tools

Our Top 3 Picks at a Glance

The Challenge of Internet Censorship

How We Test in Restricted Countries

What to Look for in a Censorship-Bypassing VPN

Our Top Picks

Head-to-Head Comparison

Detailed Reviews

Pros

Cons

Pros

Cons

Pros

Cons

Pros

Cons

Pros

Cons

Pros

Cons

Pros

Cons

Our Testing Methodology

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