Finding a reliable free VPN in China can be challenging due to the strict internet restrictions. Many free VPNs lack security features and may compromise user data.
Some also have slow speeds and limited data caps, making them less than ideal for regular use. Despite these challenges, there are a few free VPN options that offer good value and perform fairly well in China. While uptime cannot be guaranteed, these recommended VPNs provide a decent solution for accessing restricted content.
Here’s a guide on selecting the most suitable free VPN for China in 2024:
- Ensure the VPN is functional in China by verifying its compatibility.
- Check if the VPN frequently updates its server IP addresses to evade detection and blocking by the Chinese government.
- Look for a VPN with obfuscation capabilities to conceal your VPN traffic and bypass network restrictions.
- Prioritise security and privacy features when choosing a VPN, such as a no-logs policy, data leak prevention, strong encryption, and DNS protection.
- Select a free VPN with generous data caps, aiming for at least 2 GB per month; hide.me is recommended for offering unlimited data.
- Opt for a VPN that maintains fast browsing speeds even with encryption, particularly on servers both near and far from your location.
- Choose a provider with server locations close to China, like Singapore or Japan, to enhance connection speeds.
- Consider customer support accessibility since live chat may not be available in China; responsive email support is crucial.
- Look for value in paid plans of free VPNs that offer additional features like an extensive server network and support for streaming services.
Best Free VPNs for China
Bright VPN
Bright VPN offers a user-friendly experience with quick setup, a sleek interface, and a focus on security, privacy, and freedom. It enables access to restricted websites while safeguarding online safety. Despite being endorsed by top antivirus programs and not requiring an email for registration, the service has been found vulnerable to DNS leaks.
Users can utilise all features without any cost but cannot opt for paid plans that would prevent sharing website data. Bright Data collects public information similar to what is visible during regular browsing or in anonymous mode, like flight prices and product ratings.
The service claims not to monitor or store browsing history, traffic destinations, data content, or DNS queries. Users can customise data usage rules on the desktop app by setting time frames for collection and selecting which companies can access the data. While users must choose from five company types for sharing content, they cannot alter the type of information shared with these entities. Bright VPN ensures that data collection does not occur during heavy computer use to maintain internet speed.
Free VPNs that claim to protect your privacy are often guilty of mining personal data, completely undermining their purpose. However, Bright VPN stands out as a truly secure and confidential option. When you install Bright VPN, you won’t need to provide any personal information like names or email addresses, and there’s no need for payment details since it’s free to use.
The logging policy of Bright VPN reflects its dedication to user privacy by not storing browsing history, traffic destination, or data content. It only retains technical data briefly for troubleshooting purposes, such as outgoing VPN addresses.
In the event of criminal activity, Bright VPN will report a user’s IP address to the authorities. Following security breaches in its previous P2P-network product Hola VPN, Bright Data created Bright VPN with a focus on maximising security using the IKEv2 protocol.
In terms of antivirus compatibility, Bright VPN has been approved by AVG, McAfee Microsoft Defender, and others. Its code undergoes external audits every three months to ensure ongoing safety and coherence. A VirusTotal test confirmed the safety of the installation file; however, DNS leaks remain a concern even though efforts are being made to address them soon.
Currently available only for Windows users with plans for MacOS and mobile versions in progress; LG Smart TV owners can access global content through a dedicated app. Browser extensions are available for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Opera as convenient remote controls.
While excelling in privacy protection features, customer support is lacking with only email contacts provided for inquiries which may lead to longer response times. Despite this drawback, comprehensive FAQs and blog posts offer detailed information on policies and problem-solving tips.
Bright VPN fulfils the crucial need for a globally accessible free VPN that safeguards users from cyber threats while enabling access to geo-restricted content effectively.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN stands out as the top choice for VPN users in China. Although it doesn’t offer a free plan, it does provide a hassle-free 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can request a refund without any conditions if you’re not completely satisfied. This allows you to test the VPN without risk, ensuring your peace of mind.
The service excels as a VPN for China, seamlessly bypassing restrictions imposed by the Great Firewall. Its swift rotation of VPN server IP addresses makes it difficult for Chinese authorities to detect and block connections. Additionally, ExpressVPN supports obfuscation on all servers and across all VPN protocols, disguising your traffic as regular internet data to evade detection via deep packet inspection.
Moreover, ExpressVPN prioritises security in China with features like RAM-only servers that wipe data with each reset, perfect forward secrecy for unique encryption keys per session, and protection against IPv6, WebRTC, and DNS leaks. The provider’s independently audited no-logs policy ensures privacy while its Advanced Protection feature blocks ads and malicious websites.
With servers in 100 countries including nearby locations like Singapore and Japan, connecting to ExpressVPN is convenient and guarantees optimal speeds. Users can expect consistent high-speed performance for browsing, streaming, and torrenting activities in China. Furthermore, ExpressVPN seamlessly unlocks content from over 100 streaming platforms such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield offers an excellent free VPN plan tailored for users in China. With unlimited data, robust security features like perfect forward secrecy and DNS leak protection, and the innovative Hydra VPN protocol for obfuscation, it ensures a secure and reliable browsing experience. The free plan includes server access in the US, Singapore, and the UK, with the added benefit of Singaporean servers for faster connection speeds from China. Despite a speed limit of 2 Mbps on the free plan, Hotspot Shield’s efficient Hydra protocol ensures quick loading times for most websites and HD videos.
However, there are some drawbacks to the free plan. It logs IP addresses for advertising purposes and limits support options to their library only. For more comprehensive assistance while in China, upgrading to the paid version is recommended. The paid plans offer access to 1800 servers across 90 countries (including locations near China), support for streaming and P2P connections, faster speeds without limits, enhanced customer support through live chat and email, as well as an ad-free experience with no IP logging.
Starting at $7.99 per month, Hotspot Shield’s paid plans provide great value for users looking to enhance their online security and browsing capabilities. Additionally, each purchase is backed by a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
hide.me
hide.me’s complimentary VPN package offers unlimited data and robust security features. By utilising RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, full leak protection, and an audited no-logs policy, you can safeguard your internet traffic. Additionally, the option for obfuscation allows you to conceal your VPN activity.
If this is a critical factor for you, Hotspot Shield may be a better choice as its free plan consistently functions in China and offers unlimited bandwidth. The free plan also grants access to servers in five countries, including Singapore which is geographically close to China. During my travels in China, I consistently experienced reliable connection speeds with hide.me’s free VPN plan.
Upgrading to the premium version unlocks additional benefits such as streaming and P2P support, connectivity for up to 10 devices (compared to one connection with the free plan), servers in 50 countries, the unique Bolt feature designed to enhance VPN speeds, and SmartGuard which blocks ads, ad trackers, and suspicious websites. With budget-friendly pricing starting at $2.69 per month and a 30-day money-back guarantee on all purchases, hide.me proves to be a reliable choice for VPN services.
Windscribe
Windscribe offers a unique free plan that supports streaming on popular sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney, and YouTube TV. With servers in 10 countries, including one near China in Hong Kong, the free plan boasts robust security features such as RAM-only servers and leak protection. Additionally, it includes an effective ad blocker called R.O.B.E.R.T., although access to this feature is limited on the free plan. Users can enjoy up to 15 GB of data per month by signing up (2 GB), confirming their email (up to 10 GB), and tweeting about Windscribe (up to 15 GB).
While uptime in China is not guaranteed, many users have reported no issues using Windscribe there. For a more reliable option in China with unlimited data, consider Hotspot Shield’s free plan. Windscribe’s paid plans start at $5.75 per month and come with a 3-day money-back guarantee if less than 10 GB of bandwidth has been used. In comparison, hide.me offers a free VPN plan with unlimited bandwidth and strong security features across servers in five countries. Upgrading to the paid version grants access to more servers globally and an ad blocker, all backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
TunnelBear
TunnelBear stands out as a highly user-friendly VPN service available today. The provider’s applications are designed with simplicity in mind, making it incredibly easy to locate and connect to servers. Additionally, all settings and features are accompanied by clear explanations. The unique touch of incorporating digital maps and adorable bears that tunnel to server locations adds an enjoyable aspect to using the apps.
Moreover, TunnelBear allows for unlimited connections, which is a notable feature. Their free VPN plan is quite impressive, offering access to servers in 45 countries, including locations close to China such as South Korea and Japan. This plan also includes all features like GhostBear for obfuscation and ensures robust security measures with full leak protection.
Despite its strengths, the free plan does have limitations with a monthly data cap of 2 GB, suitable for only a few hours of secure browsing. For users requiring more bandwidth, alternatives like Hotspot Shield or hide.me may be more suitable as they offer unlimited data on their free plans.
Transitioning to paid options with TunnelBear begins at an affordable $3.33 per month, positioning it as one of the most cost-effective VPN services available. It is worth noting that TunnelBear does not provide a money-back guarantee with their plans.
In summary, TunnelBear emerges as an intuitive free VPN service choice thanks to its user-friendly apps and unlimited connections feature. The extensive server network spanning 45 countries coupled with robust security measures enhances its appeal despite the data limitations on the free plan and absence of refund policies on paid subscriptions.
Astrill VPN
Astrill VPN is effective in bypassing web censorship in China due to its specialised protocols, OpenWeb and StealthVPN. While it lacks a free plan and money-back guarantee like ExpressVPN, Astrill VPN’s strong security features, including RAM-only servers and leak protection, ensure a reliable connection.
Additionally, the option for multihop VPN connections adds extra encryption layers for enhanced security. With servers in 55 countries, including nearby locations like Vietnam and Japan, users can easily access fast browsing and streaming speeds in China. However, with plans starting at $12.50 per month, Astrill VPN is considered one of the pricier options on the market. It is recommended to subscribe only if completely satisfied with its offerings.
