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Using a VPN can protect your privacy and even spoof your location. For most people, that means making it harder for your data to be monitored by your ISP and stymieing advertisers trying to track you online. But VPNs have also been used to circumvent government censorship, which can have high stakes in China. Here, we explain the issues and examine which providers offer VPN servers in mainland China and Hong Kong. We've arranged this list with VPN services that offer servers in mainland China at the top and services that only offer servers in Hong Kong further down the list. Services are listed by the number of servers available in each region. Proton VPN is our top pick overall, but it isn't the only one worth considering, so read on to determine the best VPN for your needs.
Our Top Tested Picks
Proton VPN
NordVPN
CyberGhost VPN
HMA VPN
Private Internet Access VPN
Mullvad VPN
IVPN
Mozilla VPN
Best Overall
Proton VPN
- The best free VPN subscription
- Numerous advanced privacy tools
- Strong customer privacy stance
- Slick, accessible client
- Excellent speed test scores
- Awkward ChromeOS implementation
Proton VPN has over 20 servers in Hong Kong, and the company also offers multi-hop connections to Hong Kong via Iceland or Sweden. Proton VPN is also one of the very few VPNs to offer split tunneling, multi-hop connections, and access to Tor via VPN. All Proton VPN accounts also grant access to additional services, such as encrypted email from Proton Mail. The service has made a public commitment to continue operating in Hong Kong for as long as possible.
Proton VPN is a great choice for anyone who has never used a VPN before, or experienced users looking to add more privacy tools to their arsenal. We especially recommend it to anyone looking for a free VPN subscription because it's the only one we've seen that places no data limit on free users. Note that free subscribers can only access VPN servers in the Netherlands, Japan, or the US.
Most Servers in Hong Kong
NordVPN
- Multi-hop, split tunneling, and Tor connections
- Excellent design
- Traffic routing and file-sharing with Meshnet
- Built-in antivirus tools
- Expensive
- Lackluster malware-blocking results
- Limited utility of free Meshnet traffic routing
NordVPN has more than 70 servers in Hong Kong, and also provides obfuscated servers in the region. NordVPN is also one of the few companies providing VPN access to the Tor anonymization network and multi-hop connections. The company has recently introduced unique new features, such as the ability to route your web traffic through different devices.
NordVPN doesn't have the largest collection of servers, but it offers plenty of options for location spoofing. The company's apps are highly polished, easy to use, and consistent across all platforms. It's an all-around strong choice for anyone looking for a VPN, provided its comparatively high price can fit into your budget.
Most VPN Servers in China
CyberGhost VPN
- Large, well-distributed server fleet
- Allows up to seven simultaneous connections
- Several add-ons, including antivirus
- Outstanding speed test scores
- Newly completed third-party audit
- Expensive
- Confusing privacy policies
CyberGhost VPN has over 60 VPN servers in China. With servers in 90 other countries and a large presence across Asia, it also offers numerous nearby VPN locations.
CyberGhost VPN has an enormous collection of servers and a large global presence, which makes it a good choice for frequent travelers or anyone looking to spoof their location. However, it lacks some privacy tools in other services, such as multi-hop connections.
Best for Location Spoofing
HMA VPN
- Friendly, simple interface
- Exceptional upload speed test results
- Wide global distribution of servers
- Handy IP shuffler
- Lacks multi-hop connections and split tunneling on some platforms
- Middling total server count
- Bare-bones iOS version
HMA VPN has at least four servers in Beijing, all of which are virtual locations. This means they are physically located outside China but function as if they were in Beijing. HMA VPN relies heavily upon virtual locations to support its enormous collection of server locations—the most of any VPN.
With its cheeky sensibilities and approachable design, HMA VPN is a good choice for people new to VPNs. However, it lacks advanced settings and features, which could frustrate some users. HMA VPN only offers long-term subscriptions in some regions, so you may have to face a higher up-front cost.
Best for Network Tinkerers
Private Internet Access VPN
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Split tunneling and multi-hop
- Numerous server locations
- Completed third-party audit
- Expensive
- No free version
Private Internet Access VPN provides servers in China and Hong Kong but does not report how many servers or how many are virtual locations. With servers in 84 countries and a large server presence in Asia, Private Internet Access VPN is a strong choice for the region.
Although Private Internet Access VPN is fairly expensive, it's unique because it provides a modular app design. This lets you keep only the tools you need close at hand. Private Internet Access VPN also has numerous advanced settings, making it attractive to anyone who wants more control over their VPN.
Best for Maximum Privacy
Mullvad VPN
- Affordable
- Requires no email or account information
- Radically transparent
- Multi-hop, split tunneling, and port forwarding
- Awkward desktop interface
- Servers in a small range of countries
- Pay-as-you-go system may confuse some customers
Mullvad VPN provides at least a dozen servers in Hong Kong, as well as multi-hop connections to the region. The degree to which Mullvad VPN is transparent and protects its customers' privacy is unprecedented among VPN services. The company retains as little information as possible, to the point that it does not offer recurring subscriptions and users are issued only an account number instead of a username and password.
Mullvad VPN appeals to people who want the most privacy protection possible and who want to pay as little as possible. The company only offers one subscription: a flat 5 euros per month ($5.41 as of this writing), and you can pay in cash sent to the company's HQ. The downside is that Mullvad VPN's uniqueness means it has an unusual learning curve compared with other VPNs.
Best for Flexible Subscriptions
IVPN
- Flexible, affordable pricing
- Powerful multi-hop system
- Privacy is baked into its account system
- Strong stance on transparency
- Offers few server locations
- Multi-hop and account ID features might confuse some
IVPN provides two servers in Hong Kong. IVPN is very similar to Mullvad VPN in many respects. Neither requires users to create an account, both use a privacy-protecting account number system, and both accept cash payments. IVPN distinguishes itself by providing far more flexibility with its subscriptions, some starting as low as $2 per week. IVPN also lets you choose the route for your multi-hop connections, pairing any two locations you wish.
If you like what Mullvad VPN is doing but want something slightly more approachable, IVPN is a good choice. Its flexible subscriptions also make it a good choice for anyone who only wants a VPN for a short time (for a vacation, for example). Also, its anonymous signup process is perfect for anyone who is concerned about the practice of VPN logging, as one should be when connecting from China.
Best for Open Web Supporters
Mozilla VPN
- Helps support nonprofit Mozilla
- Powered by privacy hawk Mullvad VPN
- Simple, classy design
- Multi-hop and split tunneling
- Few server locations
- Gathers some user information
- Expensive compared with Mullvad VPN
Mozilla VPN uses Mullvad VPN's server network, so it has access to the same Hong Kong-based servers as that company. Mozilla VPN also offers multi-hop connections for additional security. Mozilla VPN does require you to create an account, making its login experience more familiar (if less privacy-protecting) than Mullvad's. We also found that Mozilla VPN's apps are far easier to use than Mullvad's.
Although Mozilla VPN licenses Mullvad VPN's service, you'll pay more for Mozilla VPN. That money, however, goes toward supporting a nonprofit, longtime champion of the open web. It's a great choice for anyone who wants their dollars to do more than go to a for-profit corporation.
Will a VPN Keep You Safe in China?
The short answer is that we don't know whether a VPN can protect you in China. When confronted with a well-funded and state-backed organization determined to monitor your communications, you will likely be unable to hide your activities completely. This is why we stress that using a VPN in any region with repressive policies could put you in danger.
We also don't know if a given VPN will work in China because PCMag cannot test in the region. To assemble this list, we searched our top-rated services and singled out the ones that maintain servers in China or Hong Kong. As such, these VPNs are not guaranteed to work or protect you in the region.
Most VPN providers offer additional tools for operating in China. Some companies offer specialized servers for the region, designed to be accessible and secure. Some companies include a stealth or obfuscation mode in their apps, which disguises VPN traffic as HTTPS traffic, making it harder to identify and block. We've noted these additional features where available.
A few VPN services provide access to the Tor anonymization network. When you route your traffic through Tor, it's much harder to trace back to you, and you can access hidden sites on the Tor network. Note that you don't need a VPN to access Tor—it's a free service that provides its own tools. Based on Tor's own documentation, connecting to the network from within China may be difficult.
Multi-hop connections are similar to Tor. Instead of going through one VPN server, a multi-hop connection routes your traffic through two servers. The goal is that even if one of these servers is somehow compromised, your privacy will still be assured.
How to Circumvent Censorship in China
If you're in a region that censors the internet, you can theoretically get around that censorship by connecting to a VPN server in a different country. This routes your web browsing from your machine to the VPN server, which isn't held to the censors' restrictions.
In practice, spoofing your location may not be that easy. VPN traffic may be blocked, or it might attract unwanted attention from the authorities—precisely what you're trying to avoid.
Recommended by Our Editors
Note that you shouldn't connect to a VPN server in China if you want to access the uncensored internet from within China. The whole point is to access the internet from somewhere else. Connecting to a VPN server in China may have some uses: if you need to communicate locally or access a service only available within the country. It may also offer additional privacy protections, but there's no way we at PCMag can be certain that it would be effective.
Is Using a VPN in China Worth It?
We sincerely hope these VPN companies can live up to their word and provide a safe and secure service for people who truly need it, whether they’re looking to keep their communications private from their governments or simply to protect themselves from snoops on an unsecured Wi-Fi network. Ultimately, however, it will be up to you, the user, to decide if the risks are worth the benefits of using a VPN in China.
In addition to this list of VPNs for China, you can also read our feature on the best VPNs for Hong Kong if you're specifically interested in privacy and security in that semi-autonomous city.
