5 Best Free VPNs for China in 2024

China's Great Firewall blocks access to VPNs and sites like YouTube, Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, and more. Tourists also have trouble accessing geo-blocked content from home. This also affects gamers who want to play geo-restricted games with minimal lag. Users want a cheap way around these issues. 

The solution is to use a VPN to preserve your privacy. However, most free VPNs log your data, offer mediocre speeds, allow limited bandwidth, and have small server networks. So, it’s best to consider a free trial of a premium VPN when looking for the best VPN for China.

In this article, we'll discuss the best free VPNs for China and give you some free trial options. We'll also discuss getting a VPN, compare the best options, and show you how to choose the best one. You'll learn why you need a VPN and the limitations of free ones, and we'll answer some FAQs.

How to Get a Free VPN Trial for China

First, find a VPN provider that can unblock the Great Firewall of China. Then, sign up and install its app, which is when you can start your VPN session. Go through the following steps:

1. Get a free trial of a China VPN (we recommend NordVPN's 30-day risk-free trial).
2. Download and install the VPN app on your device of choice.
3. Launch the VPN and log in with your credentials. 
4. Join a server in a country whose content you want to access.
5. Start surfing the Internet in complete privacy with a new IP address.

Keep in mind that you'll need an email service that works in China since Gmail doesn't work there. If you need help, take a look at our guide on how to use a VPN in China. Also, if you're trying to use domestic services from abroad, you'll need a VPN with local servers, as that's how you can get a Chinese IP.

The Best Free VPNs for China in 2024

In this guide, we'll follow the criteria laid out in our article on the top free VPN services. To start, your VPN has to easily bypass the Great Firewall. It should have a high bandwidth limit, allowing you to use it for streaming and gaming. It should also provide reliable performance and fast speeds. You'll also want access to QQ, YouKu, and Baidu, as well as non-Chinese sites like YouTube, Netflix, and more.

Security is important, so we focused on free providers with advanced VPN protocols, strong encryption, and a kill switch. A strict no-logs policy is a must, as it prevents free VPNs from storing your sensitive data. Your service should have a large global server network with locations near mainland China, like Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

A VPN with many simultaneous connections will allow you to protect every device in your network. If you decide to become a paying user, you'll want a good price, and make sure you get a generous money-back policy. In case you get stuck, you'll want a provider with 24/7 customer support through live chat.

According to all these criteria, here are the top 5 free VPNs for China:

1. NordVPN – Our Best-Rated VPN Free Trial for China in 2024

NordVPN offers pretty much everything you could imagine from a capable VPN. It's available on PCs, routers, smartphones, tablets, and browsers. It also offers a 7-day trial for Android, but you can test it on other supported devices for 30 days by getting a refundable subscription. It has no bandwidth limitations, and is great for bypassing the Great Firewall of China.

This provider has a massive network of 6,400+ servers in 111 countries around the world. This includes 70+ servers in Singapore and 130+ in Japan. Plus, it uses advanced VPN protocols, such as NordLynx, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec, delivering lightning-fast and stable connections.

You can also count on unblocking any website out there. If you're in China, NordVPN will help you access YouTube, Google's services, Netflix, and more. Plus, it offers obfuscation, so it's no surprise that NordVPN works in China so effortlessly.

NordVPN hides your data with AES 256-bit and ChaCha20 encryption. It also offers leak protection tools and a powerful kill switch to protect your identity in case something goes wrong. Since it follows a no-logs policy and uses RAM-only servers, none of your information will be stored on its servers.

With this provider, you get 10 simultaneous connections. All that is available at $3.39/month (2-year plan). If there are any issues while using the free trial, you can contact its 24/7 live chat support. 

2. Surfshark – Free Trial VPN for China with Extra-Fast Speeds

Surfshark is another excellent and reputable VPN provider that easily bypasses the GFW and provides unlimited bandwidth. This VPN has an app for most modern devices, like smartphones, tablets, PCs, and routers. There's a 7-day free trial for iOS, macOS, and Android, but you can use it for a month on all devices if you subscribe, as there's a 30-day refund policy.

Surfshark has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, with 60+ servers in Japan and plenty more in Singapore. So, you’ll easily be able to unblock websites and access platforms that don't work in China, like Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Google. 

With Surfshark, you get access to premium VPN protocols: WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec. No matter the server’s distance, this VPN can provide consistent performance with amazing speed. You won’t have to worry about your privacy or safety, as Surfshark follows a no-logs policy and uses AES 256-bit and ChaCha20 encryption and a kill switch to keep all your data secure.

Plus, Surfshark offers obfuscation across its entire server network. You can enable this feature on-demand, which makes it highly suitable for restrictive networks, like those in China.

The size of your home network also won’t matter since Surfshark provides unlimited simultaneous connections. Lastly, Surfshark costs $2.19/month for its 2-year plan. In case you run into any problems trying to download and install this VPN trial, you can make use of its 24/7 live chat support.

3. Windscribe – Best Free VPN for China with Reliable Security

Windscribe is a long-standing and capable free VPN that works in China. Its apps work on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices, but routers aren't supported. As a free service, Windscribe offers limited bandwidth to its users. It starts at 2 GB/month, but you can increase it to 10 GB/month by registering your email, recommending it to others, or promoting it via tweet.

Windscribe has a limited number of servers in 11 countries, but it's the only free VPN with a server location near mainland China in Hong Kong. It offers 5 advanced VPN protocols: WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, Wstunnel, and Stealth. Windscribe can bypass the GFW, letting you access restricted websites. Obfuscation is available, so you can hide the fact you’re using it. 

For a free service, Windscribe offers solid security features. There’s the AES 256-bit and ChaCha20 encryption, along with the Windscribe Firewall, which is their version of a kill switch. However, although it says it's a no-logs VPN, it still collects anonymized data logs. We'll also add that you can use it to unblock sites like Facebook, Twitter, Google's services, and more.

Since Windscribe is a free service, you can expect average speeds and decent performance. What pleasantly surprised us is its allowance of unlimited simultaneous connections. If you decide to unlock all Windscribe features, you'll need to pay $5.75/month (1-year plan). Finally, if any issues arise while using Windscribe, you can get in contact with its customer support through email.

4. Hide.me – Capable Free China VPN with Unlimited Bandwith

Hide.me is our final pick for a free VPN to use in China. Its app is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and browsers. Its free plan offers unlimited bandwidth, which is a rare thing to see in the world of free providers. With solid unblocking capabilities, it can bypass the GFW to access YouTube, Facebook, Google, WhatsApp, and other platforms.

While the app offers a huge server network for its subscribers, those using a free plan only get 8 server locations in 7 countries, one of which is near China in Singapore. Hide.me offers 4 VPN protocols: WireGuard, IKEv2/IPsec, SoftEther, and OpenVPN. Plus, all your data will be unreadable to third parties thanks to the AES 256-bit and ChaCha20 encryption. 

Hide.me also provides obfuscation, so you can surf the Web in complete privacy. This is a no-logs VPN, so your activities won’t be recorded. There's also a kill switch to keep you safe if your VPN session becomes unstable. Fortunately, using this VPN won’t have too significant an impact on your connection, delivering steady performance and moderate speeds.

Unfortunately, Hide.me provides only 1 simultaneous connection to free users. The lowest you can pay to unlock this VPN fully is $3.00/month (15-month plan). In the end, if you need help with troubleshooting this VPN, you can contact its 24/7 live chat support.

Comparison of the Best Free China VPNs

How to Choose the Best Free VPN for China

You need to look for a VPN that can easily get past the GFW and unblock all the websites and platforms you wish to access. Here are other things you'll need to pay attention to:

• Ability to Go Over the GFW – China's strict censorship makes it crucial to look for a VPN that can bypass the Great Firewal.
• Bandwidth Restrictions – Check the VPN's monthly bandwidth limit to ensure it meets your needs. You'll want to get a service that provides at least 10 GB/month.
• Security and Privacy – Focus on free VPNs that offer strong security features, like advanced AES encryption, solid VPN protocols, and a strict no-logs policy.
• Server Network Size – You'll want a large network, which improves your chances of finding a server with ideal performance.
• Servers Near China - Aim for servers in Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong, as those servers will help you preserve the original speed of your Web connection.
• Support for Obfuscation - Obfuscation is needed to hide your VPN traffic, allowing you to more easily bypass China's Internet restrictions.
• Stable Performance – Get a VPN with fast and reliable connections because this is essential for smooth browsing and streaming content.
• Kill Switch – Having a solid kill switch is important, as it will automatically disconnect you from the Internet if your VPN connection drops.
• Apps for All Your Devices - You'll want a VPN that works on all your devices. Pick one that offers native apps across the board.
• Simultaneous Connections – Use a free VPN that supports many simultaneous connections, so you can use it on multiple devices.
• Affordable Price - Maybe you'll want to get more features out of your VPN, which is done by paying. So, ensure you get an affordable price from the get-go.
• Reliable Money-Back Guarantees – If you use a premium VPN with a free trial, make sure that it has a refund policy. This will allow you to test it a bit longer.
• 24/7 Support – Reliable customer service is essential, so look for a VPN with 24/7 live chat support.

Do You Need a Free VPN Trial for China? 

A VPN trial will remove bandwidth limitations and improve your speed in comparison to completely free providers. Here is a list of all the benefits:

• Access Geo-Restricted Content – A more capable VPN can easily bypass China's Great Firewall, providing access to banned content like Facebook, Tinder, and WhatsApp.
• Go Beyond Local Censorship - VPNs work great for bypassing China's censorship, giving you access to news sites and search engines like Google, Wikipedia, BBC, The Guardian, and more.
• Access to More Server Locations – A premium VPN will give you more server locations to choose from, as well as a way to obtain a China IP address.
• Better Security and Privacy – High-end providers use military-grade AES encryption, obfuscated servers, and you can even find a VPN with a China server to anonymize your traffic.
• Hide Your Web Browsing Activity – VPNs with strong encryption and obfuscation can conceal your online activities from the government, your ISP, and hackers.
• Bypass ISP-Induced Bandwidth Throttling – By connecting you to a different server, a VPN can stop your ISP from slowing down your Internet when you use a lot of data, ensuring a consistent and fast connection.
• Connect Safely to Any Public Wi-Fi – Public networks have many weak points, making them ideal for cyber attacks. By using a VPN with advanced security, you can effectively protect yourself.
• Access Your Home Sites While Traveling – Since China is known for strict censorship, you'll want a powerful VPN that can overcome regional restrictions and let you access your local content.
• More Streamlined Gaming Experience – An ideal VPN will let you join bot lobbies, eliminate lagging, and protect you from DDoS attacks. You'll also be able to unblock geo-restricted games.
• Safe and Anonymous Torrenting – Using P2P servers allows you to torrent in complete privacy, as your ISP and the government will remain unaware of your activities. 
• Shop on E-Stores Safely and Securely - With a VPN, you'll get high-end data encryption. So, your interactions with online store will be safe and hidden from anyone, including your ISP.

What Are the Limitations of a Free China VPN?

Free providers come with a range of constraints that make them less than ideal for users looking to bypass the Great Firewall and access blocked content. Here's a list of the most common downsides:

• Not Functioning Properly in China – The Great Firewall of China is known for blocking many services, and there's a chance that your free VPN won't work as intended.
• Limited Data Bandwidth – Free services impose data limits to prevent servers from getting overcrowded. If you use yours for gaming or streaming, you may quickly spend your monthly allowance.
• Low-End Privacy and Security – Free VPNs often offer subpar encryption and lack features like obfuscation or a kill switch, which can endanger your privacy.
• Overly Restricted Server Network – These services have fewer servers, making it challenging to find an optimized connection in China.
• Not Enough Supported Devices – Free VPNs have limited device support in comparison to paid alternatives. Plus, their applications are most often poorly designed.
• Minimal Simultaneous Connections – With free providers, the number of connections you can hold simultaneously is restricted, making them unsuitable for users with multiple devices.
• Sluggish Speed and Inadequate Performance – Due to the high demand, free VPNs’ available servers can get overcrowded, resulting in slower speeds and unreliable performance.
• Limited VPN Features – You can forget about fancy features that enhance your VPN experience, like split tunneling, an ad-blocker, double VPN technology, and more.
• Cannot Unblock Content – Free VPNs may be unable to bypass all restrictions imposed by Chinese authorities, limiting your ability to access your favorite content.
• No 24/7 Customer Support – These services often lack responsive customer support, leaving users to figure it out themselves or wait for help via email.

Why Free China VPNs Might Be Dangerous

Free VPNs can compromise users' online security and privacy. While the appeal of accessing restricted content or bypassing censorship for free may be enticing, these potential drawbacks may outweigh the benefits:

• They Provide Weak Security and Encryption – Many free VPNs have inadequate security measures, using weak, if any, encryption protocols that leave your data vulnerable to interception and surveillance.
• Your Sensitive Information Can Get Exposed – Free providers may also leak your private information. This way, hackers can easily obtain it.
• You'll Be Followed by Aggressive Trackers – Some free VPNs utilize trackers that can reveal your real location, compromising user privacy and defeating the purpose of using a VPN in the first place.
• They Can Be Breached More Easily – The lack of advanced security features makes free VPNs susceptible to hacking, potentially exposing users to various online threats.
• Your Private Data Will Be Sold – To generate funds, many VPN providers resort to extracting user info, compromising the very privacy users aim to protect.
• You'll See More Online Ads – Users may find themselves bombarded with intrusive ads in free VPN software that can even expose them to phishing attacks.
• There's a Risk of Malware Infection – A free VPN may contain malware. They are designed to extract sensitive user data and sell it for profit.
• You'll Use Outdated Software – Without financial incentives, free providers may neglect to update their software regularly, leaving users exposed to known vulnerabilities.

Final Thoughts 

China uses the Great Firewall to restrict access to platforms like Google, Facebook, YouTube, and even news sites. Thus, travelers to China can't access content from home. Then, of course, there are security and privacy concerns due to surveillance and agressive data logging. Users look for a cheap solution with free VPNs, but free providers come with a host of risks.

Your best option is to pick NordVPN, whose trial will give you premium security features, blazing speeds, strong unblocking capabilities, and a huge server network. However, if you don't want to use a free trial, you should get Windscribe, as it's the best alternative. While it doesn't have a local server, it does have one in Hong Kong, making it the best free VPN for China as of right now.

And that's all we've prepared for this guide. If you have any remaining questions, don't hesitate to leave a comment. Thanks for reading!