← VPN laws and censorship by country
VPN in China: is it legal and which to use
VPN legal status
Restricted
VPNs are allowed only with significant restrictions. Check the details below before using one.
Internet freedom
9/100
Freedom on the Net 2025, Freedom House (higher = freer)
Restrictions and measures
- Only government-approved VPN services are allowed.
- The law prescribes fines or penalties for individuals in some cases of VPN use.
- Authorities actively block VPN protocols and servers.
- VPN apps have been removed from app stores at government request.
Blocked services
GoogleYouTubeFacebookInstagramWhatsAppTelegramSignalXWikipediaDiscord
VPNs with obfuscation
Plain VPN protocols are blocked here. These services offer obfuscation, which disguises VPN traffic. We have not tested them in this country, so this is not a guarantee that they work.
| # | VPN | Transparency | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amnezia VPN | 85 | Visit site |
| 2 | IVPN | 85 | Visit site |
| 3 | Mullvad | 85 | Visit site |
| 4 | NymVPN | 85 | Visit site |
| 5 | Proton VPN | 85 | Visit site |
| 6 | Windscribe | 85 | Visit site |
| 7 | ExpressVPN | 75 | Visit site |
| 8 | NordVPN | 75 | Visit site |
| 9 | Private Internet Access | 75 | Visit site |
| 10 | CactusVPN | 70 | Visit site |
| 11 | PureVPN | 70 | Visit site |
| 12 | Surfshark | 60 | Visit site |
| 13 | X-VPN | 60 | Visit site |
| 14 | Lantern | 50 | Visit site |
| 15 | Psiphon | 50 | Visit site |
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; last reviewed 2026-10. Check local laws before using a VPN.
Sources
- freedomhouse.org/country/china/freedom-net/2025
- freedomhouse.org/country/china/freedom-net/2024
- aljazeera.com/amp/economy/2017/7/30/apple-axing-vpn-services-from-china-app-store
- asianews.it/news-en/War-on-VPNs:-The-internet-wall-stifles-work-in-China-59245.html
- ooni.org/post/2019-china-wikipedia-blocking/