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5 Best Free VPNs for China in 2024

Last updated August 12, 2024
Written by:
Novak Bozovic
Novak Bozovic
Tech & VPN Content Specialist
Why You Can Trust TechNadu
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Our experts have reviewed 53 VPN providers, which were put through extensive rounds of testing. To learn more about that process, here’s how we review VPNs, where we explain our criteria and our policy of being fully transparent.

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.

Quick Summary: Best Free China VPNs

  1. NordVPN - Our Best-Rated VPN Free Trial for China in 2024
  2. Surfshark - Free Trial VPN for China with Extra-Fast Speeds
  3. Windscribe - Best Free VPN for China with Reliable Security
  4. Hide.me - Capable Free China VPN with Unlimited Bandwidth

Why You Can Trust TechNadu: Our experts have reviewed 53 VPN providers, which were put through extensive rounds of testing. To learn more about that process, here's how we review VPNs, where we explain our criteria and our policy of being fully transparent.

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

Editor's Pick
Servers
Countries
Apps
Windows
Android
Mac
iOS
Linux
Router
Chromebook
Kindle
Chrome
Firefox
PlayStation
Apple TV
Xbox
Amazon Fire TV
Nintendo Switch
All game consoles
Chromecast
Parallel Connections
Live Chat

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

PROS

  • Can easily bypass China's GFW. 
  • Great for unblocking websites.
  • No-logs VPN with obfuscation.
  • Fast worldwide server network.
  • 30-day refund policy.
  • 24/7 live chat support.

CONS

  • Pricey monthly subscription plans.

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

Servers
Countries
Apps
Windows
Android
Mac
iOS
Linux
Router
Chrome
Firefox
Amazon Fire TV
All game consoles
All smart TVs
Parallel Connections
Live Chat

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.

PROS

  • Affordable no-logs VPN.
  • Unlocks content in China.
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections.
  • Fast and consistent server speeds.
  • 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • 24/7 live chat support.

CONS

  • Can take a while to connect.

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

Servers
Countries
Apps
Windows
Android
Mac
iOS
Linux
Router
Parallel Connections
Live Chat

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.

PROS

  • Successfully unblocks websites in China.
  • Impressive security features.
  • Supports unlimited connections.
  • Solid cross-platform support.
  • Reliable performance and moderate speeds.

CONS

  • Lacks live chat support.
  • Available in just 11 countries.
  • Collects anonymized data.

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

Servers
Countries
Apps
Windows
Android
Mac
iOS
Linux
Router
Chrome
Firefox
Amazon Fire TV
Parallel Connections
Live Chat

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.

PROS

  • Can bypass China's restrictions.
  • Advanced security features.
  • Obfuscated servers.
  • Free no-logs VPN app.
  • 24/7 customer support via chat.

CONS

  • Only 1 simultaneous connection.
  • Low number of servers.

Comparison of the Best Free China VPNs

Jurisdiction Panama Netherlands Canada (5 Eyes Alliance) Malaysia
Logging No logs (independently audited) No logs (independently audited) Collects anonymized data No logs
Servers 6,800+ servers in 111 countries 3,200+ servers in 100 countries Undisclosed servers in 69+ countries 2,600+ servers in 91+ locations
Protocols NordLynx, IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN WireGuard, OpenVPN (UDP, TCP), IKEv2, Stealth, and WStunnel OpenVPN, IKEv2, SSTP, WireGuard, and SoftEther
Features Kill Switch, split tunneling, Private DNS, Threat Protection Pro, Dark Web Monitor, Meshnet, dedicated IPs, and plenty more Kill switch, split tunneling, private DNS, Dedicated IPs, CleanWeb, Alternative ID, Bypasser, Camouflage Mode, and more DNS/IPv6 leak protection, kill switch, split tunneling, full R.O.B.E.R.T. control, static IPs, port forwarding, and more Custom DNS functionality, split tunneling, kill switch, port forwarding, Multihop, StealthGuard, SmartGuard, Bolt “Fast Proxy”, and more
Supported Devices Windows (including ARM-based devices), macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, browsers, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, and more Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, and more Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Fire TV, and Android TV Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, Web browsers, and more
Simultaneous Connections 10 Unlimited Unlimited 10
Performance Ultra-fast Ultra-fast Medium Medium
Supports Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, BBC iPlayer, torrenting, gaming, and more Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, torrenting, gaming, and more Torrenting, gaming, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more Torrenting, gaming, Netflix US, Max, Paramount+, Channel 4, and more
Customer Support Email, 24/7 live chat, tutorials, and FAQs Email, 24/7 live chat, knowledge base, and FAQs Chatbot, FAQ, email support, and more Support tickets, 24/7 live chat, knowledge base, and community
Money-Back Guarantee 30 days 30 days 7 days 30 days
Price From $2.99/month $1.99/mo From $3.00/month From $2.29/month
Score 9.6 out of 10 9.4 out of 10 8.1 out of 10 8.5 out of 10
Rating

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:

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:

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:

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:

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.

FAQ

What's the Best Free VPN for China?

Windscribe is the best free VPN in China. It provides you with up to 10 GB of monthly bandwidth, solid performance, and unlimited simultaneous connections. However, it does collect anonymized logs. For the best experience, we recommend using NordVPN's free trial.

Is There a Free VPN for China?

Yes, Windscribe and Hide.me are all free VPN for China options. They all have kill switches and provide decent performance. Plus, they also have obfuscated servers, making them the best free VPNs to use in China.

Can I Use Windscribe in China?

Yes, you can use Windscribe in China. It has advanced VPN protocols, obfuscation, and a kill switch, and it provides moderate speeds. On top of that, Windscribe allows unlimited simultaneous connections,

Does Hide.Me Work in China?

Yes, Hide.Me works in China without any issues. This free provider offers unlimited bandwidth and a strict no-logs policy. However, keep in mind that you'll get relatively slow speeds and only a single active connection.

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! 



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