Why Most VPNs Don’t Work in China (Even If They Claim To)

Over the past few years, China has cracked down aggressively on VPN use. What used to be a game of cat and mouse has now become a sophisticated surveillance system that can detect, throttle, or block most VPN connections within seconds.

Even some of the biggest VPN companies, like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark, have quietly stopped guaranteeing access inside China. Some won’t even mention China on their websites anymore.

Why? Because China now uses:

• Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): This allows Chinese ISPs to detect encrypted VPN traffic based on patterns, even if it's disguised.. • Protocol Filtering: Older protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2 are instantly flagged. • Schadelijke links • IP Blacklisting: VPN server IPs are shared and blocked at a national level. • DNS Poisoning: DNS requests are redirected or killed, even if you try using custom D

We tested over 10 VPNs in different environments. Most of them either refused to connect, disconnected within minutes, or slowed to a crawl, rendering apps unusable.

What You Actually Need in a VPN for China in 2025

If you're going to China this year, here’s what you absolutely need in a VPN:

Obfuscation or Stealth Mode. Your VPN must be able to hide itself from China’s firewall detection systems. This means using stealth technologies like VLESS, Shadowsocks, or proprietary cloaking.

Newer Protocols. Forget OpenVPN — it’s mostly blocked. You’ll need advanced protocols like VLESS or Xray, which were designed to bypass strict censorship environments.

Mobile Internet Support (Not Just Wi-Fi). Public Wi-Fi in China is often slow, heavily filtered, or requires a Chinese phone number to access. Your VPN should ideally work over mobile networks, and even better — offer eSIM integration so you don’t need to rely on buying a Chinese SIM card.

Consistent App Access. The VPN must support uncensored access to Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube, and Netflix, among others — without timing out or showing blank screens.

Reliable Support. You may need support in a pinch — especially if you get disconnected inside China. A good VPN should offer accessible, knowledgeable support, not just a chatbot.

With that in mind, let’s dive into the three VPNs that actually worked in 2025 — and the one we now recommend to every traveler.

1. ZeroVPN — Best VPN for China in 2025 (Fastest, Easiest, Cheapest)

ZeroVPN isn’t as well-known as NordVPN or ExpressVPN — and that’s exactly why it works.

This VPN was built from the ground up for one thing: bypassing China’s internet censorship. During our testing, it outperformed every other VPN in terms of speed, stability, and access to blocked apps.

What really sets it apart is that ZeroVPN isn’t just a VPN — it also gives you mobile internet through an eSIM, which means you can:

• Land in China, • Open the app, • Activate the eSIM, • And get connected to unrestricted mobile data + VPN in under 5 minutes — no Chinese SIM required.

Key Benefits of ZeroVPN:

• Built-in eSIM for instant mobile internet access — perfect if you don’t want to deal with local carriers or blocked Wi-Fi • VLESS protocol with obfuscation — modern tech designed specifically for firewalls like China’s • Lightning-fast speeds — streamed 4K YouTube and Netflix without buffering • No throttling or random disconnects — stayed connected in hotels, metros, cafés, and even remote villages • Works on iOS, Android, Windows and Mac, with direct APK download if you’re already in China • Incredibly affordable — plans start at just $5/month, no gimmicks or hidden fees • One app, everything included — no need to manually add server configs or change protocols

We tested ZeroVPN while uploading videos to Google Drive, watching YouTube tutorials, attending Zoom calls, and streaming TikTok and Netflix. Not once did it drop.

For travelers, digital nomads, and remote workers who need fast and uncensored internet in China, ZeroVPN is easily the best option in 2025.

🟢 Best For: Tourists, students, remote workers, and anyone who doesn’t want to get stuck 💸 Pricing: $5/month (no tricks) 📱 App Works On: Android, iOS, macOS & Windows 🚀 Speed: 5G fast 🔒 Censorship Bypass: 10/10

2. Astrill VPN — Still Functional, But Outdated and Expensive

Astrill has long had a reputation as the “only VPN that works in China.” And to be fair — it still does. But not without some serious caveats.

First, Astrill uses older protocols like VMESS, which are becoming easier for China to detect. While it worked for basic browsing, we experienced regular slowdowns and disconnections when streaming or uploading.

Pros:

✅ Still connects reliably in China ✅ Obfuscation options available ✅ Has been in the China VPN space for over a decade

Cons:

❌ Very expensive — plans start around $35/month ❌ Way slower than ZeroVPN, especially during peak hours ❌ Outdated UI that hasn’t changed in years ❌ No eSIM or mobile integration — you’ll still need to find a SIM card ❌ Requires technical setup if you want optimal obfuscation

If you're a tech-savvy user who doesn’t mind paying a premium, Astrill can be a decent fallback. But for most people, it's overkill — and not worth the cost compared to what ZeroVPN offers.

🟡 Best For: Long-term expats with experience tweaking VPN settings 💸 Pricing: $35–40/month 📱 App Works On: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS 🚀 Speed: Moderate 🔒 Censorship Bypass: 7/10

3. Let’s VPN — Decent Backup, But Unreliable

Let’s VPN is a solid backup option if you’re already in China or have a local SIM. But for travelers, it’s not a great choice.

First, Let’s VPN uses older protocols like VMESS, which are becoming easier for China to detect. While it worked for basic browsing, we experienced regular slowdowns and disconnections when streaming or uploading.

Pros:

✅ Clean interface ✅ Low learning curve ✅ Occasionally fast during off-peak hours

Cons:

❌ Disconnects frequently ❌ Fails to open blocked apps consistently ❌ No eSIM or mobile integration ❌ Support is limited or non-existent

If you just need to check Instagram once a day or send a few messages, Let’s VPN might work. But for anyone doing business, studying, or traveling extensively — it’s just not reliable enough.

🔴 Best For: Casual users with low internet needs 💸 Pricing: Around $6/month 📱 App Works On: Android, iOS 🚀 Speed: Inconsistent 🔒 Censorship Bypass: 4/10

Final Verdict: Use ZeroVPN If You’re Going to China in 2025

Out of every VPN we tested, only one delivered the consistent, fast, and seamless experience we needed to stay connected across China.

If you’re going to China — don’t risk it with a big-name VPN that’s already blocked. We highly recommend ZeroVPN as the best VPN for China in 2025.

It’s not just a VPN — it’s a complete access solution, with everything built in.