Best free VPN (Available in China) for 2024

For residents and visitors in China, using a VPN is essential to connect to websites like Facebook, YouTube, Netflix, and other Western platforms blocked by the Great Firewall. While most VPNs require payment, there are a few providers offering free connections.

This guide will address common questions regarding using free VPNs in China: Can free VPNs still be used in China? Are free VPNs safe? How to download and install free VPNs? What are some free VPNs for mobile phones and computers? Do free VPNs have time and speed limitations? Can free VPNs unlock Netflix streaming?

Free VPNs on the market generally fall into two categories: those offering free trials and those that are truly free but may come with security risks.

1. Paid VPNs Offering Free Trials (Available in China)

Many paid VPN providers offer free trials ranging from 7 days to up to 45 days. For example, PureVPN offers a 31-day full refund policy, effectively allowing you to use it for free for 31 days. These VPNs can be downloaded and used in China and provide the same benefits as paid users, such as unlimited bandwidth, unlimited traffic, unlimited speed, and the ability to unblock various streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, YouTube, and torrent downloads.

• ExpressVPN: Offers a 30-day free trial, ideal for bypassing the Great Firewall in China, known for its fast speed.
• PureVPN: Provides a 31-day free trial, works in China, excellent at unlocking streaming services, supports P2P sharing, and offers dedicated IP addresses.
• SurfShark: Offers a 30-day free trial, allows unlimited devices to be connected simultaneously, provides private browsing.

2. Completely Free VPNs

Truly free VPNs often come with traffic limitations since the providers need to make profits. They offer free services to encourage users to purchase their premium versions. Thus, the features may not be as comprehensive, and there are limitations to using truly free VPNs.

• Lantern: 500MB limit per month, has both free and paid versions, not recommended to purchase the paid version due to stability issues in China.
• PrivadoVPN: Offers more servers than most free VPNs, supports a kill switch, with a monthly 10GB traffic limit.
• ProtonVPN: Provides a paid version, with no traffic or bandwidth restrictions, but may slow down during peak hours, aiming to encourage users to switch to their paid version.
• Hotspot Shield: Offers a paid version with most features, with a monthly 15GB traffic limit for the free version.
• Hide.me: Provides a lifetime free VPN with a 10GB data limit, usable on only one device.
• Windscribe: Comes with traffic limitations, ranging from 2 to 10GB per month, with relatively slower speeds.

This guide aims to help users in China navigate the options available for accessing the internet freely and securely.

Differences Between Free VPNs and Paid VPNs

Paid VPNs offer many advanced features that free VPNs lack, such as encrypted data traffic, prevention of DNS leaks, and the ability to unlock streaming media platforms. However, this doesn’t mean free VPNs are inherently bad. It’s just that free VPNs come with many limitations when used in China. We’ve outlined the differences between paid and free VPNs in the table below to help you choose the right option for yourself.

	Free VPNs	Paid VPNs
Connection Speed	Slow speed, unstable, data transmission limit	Provides optimal connection speed
Number of Servers	Fewer IP nodes, prone to being blocked	Offers thousands of servers globally
Availability in China	Unable to bypass China’s Great Firewall	Works for bypassing China’s Great Firewall
Device Compatibility	Limited simultaneous connections, usually for mobile only	Supports various devices, can be used simultaneously
Customer Support	No customer support, no guarantee	24-hour customer support
Security Features	Lacks security features, prone to privacy leaks, insecure	Built-in tunnel splitting, kill switch, AES encryption, etc.
VPN Protocols	Limited VPN protocols, susceptible to cracking	Multiple VPN protocols for faster and safer connections

Which is Better: Free VPNs or Paid VPNs?

After reading about the differences between free and paid VPNs, you likely have an initial judgment. However, the decision between free and paid VPNs ultimately depends on individual needs. In summary, free VPNs are suitable for users who don’t have high demands for internet connection speed. For users in China or those who require advanced security features, paid VPNs are recommended. Below are the pros and cons of both free and paid VPNs.

Cons of Free VPNs

• Store user browsing logs, sell to third parties
• Fewer servers provided by free VPNs, and they tend to be unstable
• Unable to bypass China’s Great Firewall
• Need to watch advertisements to use for free
• Usage often comes with time limits

Pros of Paid VPNs

• Access to globally restricted websites and social media platforms
• Thousands of servers worldwide, including in the US, UK, Brazil, Argentina, Japan, South Korea, Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan
• Offers 24/7 customer support and a 30-day money-back guarantee
• Advanced security features like tunnel splitting, kill switch, ensuring internet traffic anonymity, difficult to trace
• Works in China, bypassing the Great Firewall
• Supports various mainstream devices like mobile phones, computers, routers, browsers, tablets, and TVs
• No time, speed, or traffic restrictions

Paid VPNs Offering Free Trials

While completely free VPNs on the market aren’t truly free and come with many security risks, they also fail to bypass the Great Firewall of China. If you have higher quality requirements for VPNs, we recommend these 4 paid VPNs. These VPNs offer a 7-45 day refund guarantee, meaning you can purchase them and request a refund within the specified period, effectively allowing you to experience the VIP user service for free during this time.

1). ExpressVPN: Top Choice for Free VPNs, Essential for Bypassing China’s Firewall, Free to Use for 30 Days

ExpressVPN excels in bypassing China’s Great Firewall and offers excellent stability overall. Its proprietary Lightway VPN protocol provides Chinese users with faster and more stable internet access. This protocol, different from traditional VPN protocols, effectively disguises and encrypts traffic, making it difficult for the Great Firewall to trace your online activities, thus ensuring data security.

With over 3600 servers deployed globally, each supporting streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, HBO, Hulu, etc., ExpressVPN boasts fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth. You can also use ExpressVPN’s dedicated servers for torrent downloads, ensuring security and anonymity.

ExpressVPN offers user-friendly client experiences across various devices including Windows PCs, Macs, Android phones, iPhones, iPads, Linux systems, routers, and browser extensions. One account allows simultaneous connections on up to 5 devices. Additionally, ExpressVPN supports usage on gaming consoles like Nintendo, PS5, or Xbox.

You can also enable ExpressVPN’s split tunneling feature directly within the ExpressVPN client, making it very convenient.

2). PureVPN: Free to Use for 31 Days, Great Value VPN

With PureVPN, you can use it for free for 31 days and simultaneously connect to it on up to 10 devices, including Android phones, iPhones, Windows PCs, Macs, etc. This free VPN can unlock American Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, YouTube, Line, KakaoTalk, and even support torrent downloads, making it a powerful choice.

Comprehensive advanced security features include a kill switch, split tunneling, P2P support, and an easy-to-use interface. With over 6500 servers in 78 countries, PureVPN provides dedicated IP addresses and robust server support.

3). SurfShark: Free to Use for 30 Days, the Only VPN with Unlimited Devices

Founded in 2018, Surfshark offers a 30-day free trial and stands out for its unlimited device connections, quickly attracting a large user base. It’s relatively new in the VPN industry but has become popular in China due to its advantages in not limiting devices or online connections.

With over 3200 servers in more than 65 countries/regions globally, Surfshark meets the internet access needs of the vast majority of users. It provides advanced security features including OpenVPN protocol, port forwarding, UDP & TCP, WireGuard protocol, DNS leak protection, AES-256 encryption, double VPN, kill switch, and split tunneling.

Surfshark makes it easy to bypass China’s Great Firewall and unlock streaming services like American Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more.

Truly Free VPNs

• 1. Lantern: 500MB limit per month, with both free and paid versions.
• 2. PrivadoVPN: Offers more servers than most free VPNs, supports kill switch.
• 3. ProtonVPN: Unlimited bandwidth, no bandwidth restrictions, may slow down during peak hours.
• 4. Hotspot Shield: Offers most features of the paid version.
• 5. Hide.me: Lifetime free VPN, secure with no ads, 10GB data limit, usable on one device only.
• 6. Windscribe: Can unlock Netflix, with traffic limitations.

1). Lantern

Pros vs Cons:

• 500MB monthly traffic limit.
• Based on SOCKS5 proxy protocol.

Several years ago, Lantern was indeed a free proxy software usable in China. It was based on the SOCKS5 proxy protocol, allowing easy bypassing of China’s firewall restrictions. It had a faster startup speed than regular VPNs and consumed less memory. It used OpenVPN and Lightway protocols, both employing AES with 256-bit keys, the highest industry standard. However, in recent years, due to being targeted by the Great Firewall, most Lantern VPN servers have been blocked. Currently, only a few IP addresses are available, and its connection in China is not very stable.

Read the full Lantern review.

2). PrivadoVPN

Pros vs Cons:

• Offers more servers than most free VPNs.
• Provides a kill switch, auto-connect feature.
• Speed is not very good.
• Has traffic limitations.

PrivadoVPN is a powerful free VPN, especially suitable for beginners. It offers 10GB of monthly traffic limit, sufficient for daily browsing if not binge-watching. One very attractive feature is that during our testing of this VPN, we found that using it does not encounter Google’s reCAPTCHA verification.

In terms of speed, it may not compete with paid VPNs, but it’s still decent among free VPNs. It provides a kill switch, which automatically disconnects the VPN if there’s a connection drop, ensuring your online privacy.

PrivadoVPN supports usage on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices. It has servers in the US, Canada, Mexico, UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, and its headquarters in Switzerland.

Supports P2P torrent downloads, auto-connect, and also supports streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus.

Read the full PrivadoVPN review.

3). ProtonVPN

Pros vs Cons:

• Unlimited bandwidth
• Relatively good privacy protection
• Does not support P2P torrent downloads

ProtonVPN offers unlimited bandwidth and speed, which is uncommon among free VPNs. It’s suitable for unlocking streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, etc., with decent speed and can be used in China.

However, it’s worth noting that usage during peak hours may slow down, and it only supports usage on one device. The software also offers paid services. If you want better support, you can upgrade to their premium membership.

ProtonVPN is zero-logs, does not record user personal information, and employs military-grade encryption protocols, ensuring strong security and privacy. It also features built-in DNS leak protection.

Read our full ProtonVPN review.

4). Hotspot Shield

Pros vs Cons:

• Offers most features of the paid version
• Extremely fast internet speed
• Only one server available
• Data limit of 500MB per day

Hotspot Shield offers both paid and free versions. The free version provides most features of the paid version but with a data traffic limit of 500MB per day, approximately 15GB per month. Like most paid VPNs, it uses military-grade encryption protocols and supports usage on mobile phones or computers.

Read our full Hotspot Shield review.

5). Hide.me

Pros vs Cons:

• Focuses on security and privacy
• Monthly ad and speed limits
• Supports usage on only one device

Hide.me offers both paid and free versions. The free version provides a 10GB data limit and can only be used on one device. It can connect to five servers, including those in the US and Canada, which can be used for P2P file sharing and torrent downloads. It can also unlock streaming services like Netflix.

This VPN does not limit speed or traffic, has no ads, and even does not store user logs, making it secure and easy to use.

Read our full Hide.me review.

6). Windscribe

Pros vs Cons:

• Can unlock Netflix
• Advanced security features
• Strong privacy protection
• Traffic limit of 2-10GB per month

Windscribe comes with a traffic limit ranging from 2 to 10GB per month and can connect to 11 servers, including those in the UK, Hong Kong, Germany, Canada, Turkey, and the US. It can bypass China’s firewall restrictions and unblock streaming services like Netflix.

It features built-in ad-blocking functionality, does not retain user logs, and does not track which sites users visit. However, its speed may sometimes be subpar.

Read our full Windscribe review.

Best Free VPNs Comparison Table (100% Free)

Free VPN	Lantern	PrivadoVPN	ProtonVPN	Hotspot Shield	Hide.me	Windscribe
Unlimited Speed	Limited	Limited	Limited	Limited	Limited	Limited
Monthly Traffic	500MB	10GB	10GB	5GB	4GB	2GB
Number of Servers	8	8	3	5	7	10
Supports Netflix	No	No	No	No	No	No
Supports P2P Torrents	No	No	No	No	No	No
Supported Devices	Android	Android	Android	Android	Android	Android

Issues with Free VPNs

While there’s no such thing as a free lunch, everyone loves freebies. When browsing through Google Play, App Stores, and seeing so many free VPNs, you might wonder why bother paying for a VPN? We understand the allure of freebies, but free VPNs do come with some issues. Here are some common problems summarized for you:

• Free VPNs are not truly free; they also offer paid versions. You may need to watch ads to unlock free usage time, and beyond that, payment is required.
• Free VPNs come with some limitations, such as time usage restrictions, speed caps, and traffic limits.
• Free VPNs have limited functionality and only support unlocking certain streaming services, unable to unlock all streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney Plus, let alone P2P torrent downloads.
• Free VPNs have poor security and privacy, as they may sell user data or personal information to third parties.
• Some free VPNs are phishing software.
• Free VPNs have limited device support; some only offer Android versions and do not support usage on computers.

How to Choose a Free VPN?

1. Choose a VPN that doesn’t hide subscriptions. Some VPNs masquerade as free to attract users to download and install them, then automatically charge after a period of use. All the free VPNs recommended in this article are genuinely free and do not engage in such practices.
2. Choose a VPN that doesn’t retain user logs. Some free VPNs may log user activity or sell personal information to third parties. If you’re unsure whether the VPN you’re using stores user logs, it’s recommended to choose one recommended by our site.

Note: Free VPNs may not meet all your VPN needs, as most advanced features are unavailable in free services, and security is not guaranteed. If you want to know about reliable and affordable paid VPN service providers, it’s recommended to choose ExpressVPN (free to use for 30 days).

Free VPN Revenue Models

1. Ad-based revenue. Many free VPNs require you to watch ads to unlock free usage time, which may be limited, such as only being able to use for one hour or having traffic limitations.
2. Selling user data. Some free VPNs may sell your personal information and usage data to third-party platforms, compromising security and privacy. The free VPNs recommended in this article do not engage in such practices, and we have detailed notes on points to be aware of when using free VPNs.
3. Guiding you to pay for services. Some free VPNs offer both free and paid versions, with the free version serving as a gateway to encourage users to upgrade to paid membership. I personally recommend using free VPNs with paid versions. At least you know their revenue model, which is much better than free VPNs that sell your data.

Free VPN for PC

Free VPNs provide dedicated applications compatible with Windows PCs, Macs, and even Linux operating systems, offering browser proxy plugins for easy use on PCs. Generally, free VPNs can be installed on Windows 7 and above, allowing users to download torrents and unlock Netflix and other streaming services on PCs using free VPNs.

Downloading Free VPN

Downloading a free VPN is very simple, as they all provide one-click installation packages. Choose the one that suits you from our recommended list of free VPNs, then visit their official website and download the VPN for your desired device.

After downloading the VPN, register to start the free trial. All the free VPNs recommended in this guide provide VPN client applications for Windows, PC, Android, iOS, and other devices. When downloading a free VPN, be sure to verify to avoid downloading counterfeit VPN software.

Common Questions About Free VPNs

What is a VPN?

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, which is a technology that allows you to create a secure connection to another network over the internet. In simpler terms, a VPN enables you to browse the internet securely and anonymously by encrypting your internet connection and masking your IP address.

In the context of China, VPNs are commonly referred to as “climbing over the wall” tools, as they enable users to access websites and applications that are blocked by the Great Firewall of China.

VPN has long been regarded as a tool that is both risky and secure. It’s considered risky because in some countries or regions, VPN usage is restricted or prohibited. On the other hand, it’s considered secure because VPN, based on its encryption protocols, can protect users’ online security and privacy by creating an encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN server, preventing ISPs from tracking your browsing activities.

With increasing concerns about privacy protection and the unavoidable leakage of personal information while browsing the internet, VPN usage has gradually become more widespread globally. However, navigating the complexities of the online environment requires a comprehensive approach to privacy protection. Thus, I recommend using the following four tools together, which I call the “Privacy Protection Suite”:

• VPN
• Password Manager
• Two-Factor Authentication
• Antivirus Software

Can Free VPNs Be Used in China?

China’s firewall imposes strict restrictions on VPN usage, and many paid VPNs cannot guarantee uninterrupted service throughout the year, let alone free VPNs. Therefore, if you want to use a free VPN in China, I recommend opting for the free trials offered by paid VPN providers. You can enjoy VPN services for free, just like paid members.

Why Are Free VPNs Free?

Developing a VPN requires a significant investment of resources, especially in terms of server procurement, which can be quite expensive. VPN providers are not charitable organizations, so why do they offer free VPN services? There are generally three main reasons:

1. Guiding users to their paid versions.

Many free VPNs also offer paid versions. Users are initially attracted by their promotion of “lifetime free VPN,” but after using it, they find that such free VPNs provide very few servers, can only be used on one device, or have time and traffic restrictions. Then, at an opportune moment, they will prompt you to upgrade to a paid membership with discounted offers. After upgrading, you’ll have unlimited bandwidth and access to more servers. Without time limits, you can do more with a free VPN, such as accessing Netflix and more. Therefore, these free VPNs are essentially paving the way for users to pay. I actually recommend using this type of free VPN because their revenue model is obvious, there is no suspicion of selling your data, and if you can resist the temptation, you can still use it for free without spending a penny.

2. Generating revenue through advertisements.

Many free VPNs make money by allowing users to watch ads to unlock usage time. After all, there is no such thing as a completely free lunch.

3. Logging your usage and selling data for profit.

Some free VPNs may secretly log your usage, including personal information, devices, and even contain viruses that may steal your banking information. These free VPNs have extremely poor security and privacy.

Is It Worth Buying a Free VPN?

To be honest, there’s no straightforward answer to this question because it depends on your use case for the VPN. If you’re simply browsing websites occasionally and don’t use it frequently, then purchasing a free VPN might be sufficient, and paying for one might be overkill.

However, if your primary purpose is to unlock streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, Amazon Prime, or if you want to download BT Torrent files, and you use the VPN frequently across multiple devices such as smartphones, computers, TVs, browsers, and routers, then free VPNs might not meet your needs.

In summary, whether a free VPN is worth buying depends on your usage and budget considerations.

Is It Legal to Use Free VPNs?

Whether using a VPN is legal depends on what you use it for. VPN software itself is legal, similar to other mainstream software. However, if you use it for activities that violate local laws and regulations, then it’s illegal. For residents of China, using VPNs is considered illegal. However, for tourists, there’s no need to worry. In fact, the Chinese government tacitly allows tourists to use VPNs.

Can Free VPNs Unlock Streaming Services?

No, they cannot.

Netflix, for example, has been cracking down on VPNs and various circumvention tools due to copyright concerns. They have tightened the IP blocking cycle from several days to real-time. This requires free VPNs to frequently update their IPs. Procuring servers behind this operation can be expensive, and many paid VPNs struggle with this, let alone pure free VPNs. Therefore, it’s impossible to unlock Netflix streaming restrictions using purely free VPNs without spending a penny.

However, there are alternative solutions. You can use the free trial periods offered by paid VPNs. PureVPN offers a 31-day money-back guarantee, and SurfShark also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can purchase them first and use their services to climb the wall in China, just like paid users. Remember to apply for a refund from their customer service before the 30-day refund deadline.

You might worry about whether they will refund you. Rest assured, we have tested this many times. Once, when applying for a refund from PureVPN, it was 32 days, past the 31-day deadline, but they still provided a full refund.

Is It Safe to Use Free VPNs in China?

Many people believe that free VPNs are inferior in functionality to paid VPNs and cannot meet their internet browsing needs. However, the most serious problem with free VPNs is that they offer almost no security. They often require access to various unnecessary sensitive information (such as your contacts, photos, and social media). Some free providers may even infect your devices with spyware and other malicious software.

Differences Between Using Free VPNs and Paid VPNs in China

Free VPNs may not meet all your VPN needs. Most circumvention features are unavailable in free services, and security is not guaranteed.

Free VPN	Paid VPN
Cannot protect your personal information, risk of privacy leakage	Much faster connection speed and stability than free VPNs
Many VPN service providers are registered in China, which may pose phishing risks	You can connect to and use multiple devices simultaneously with one account
No customer support, unable to contact customer service when encountering usage issues	Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS/iPad, TV, Linux, routers
Unable to download P2P files	Supports Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime, etc.
Unable to play games, high server latency	Can safely download P2P files, BT downloads
Secretly stores user logs	Paid VPNs offer refund guarantees and customer service support

How Do We Choose Free VPNs?

• Choose free VPNs registered outside the jurisdiction of mainland China. The free VPNs we select are headquartered outside mainland China and are not part of the Fourteen Eyes surveillance alliance, ensuring strong security and privacy as they do not log your activities.
• Provide stable and reliable connection speeds. Many free VPNs cannot provide stable and fast connection speeds. We have tested globally renowned VPNs and selected free VPNs suitable for everyone. While some have limitations such as traffic and time restrictions, security concerns are not an issue.
• Compatible with various devices. Some free VPNs do not support all devices. Some are only available on mobile phones or computers. However, the free VPNs we recommend are suitable for use on any mainstream device, such as Windows PCs, Macs, iPhones, and Android phones.

Summary of Free VPNs

There are no truly free VPNs among the known free VPNs. Most have limitations or incentivize you to watch ads. Furthermore, we do not recommend using purely free VPNs, as you may end up paying for it with your personal information and financial losses.

We recommend purchasing the paid VPNs mentioned in this article and then taking advantage of their free trial opportunities. Utilize the 30-45 day money-back guarantee promises offered by these paid VPNs to use them for free. However, if you find these VPNs satisfactory, you can also become a long-term paying user. Additionally, by referring these VPNs to friends, you can earn free usage time, allowing you to truly experience free VPN services without spending a penny.