What Works in China & How To Use 2024

Posted on October 14, 2024October 14, 2024 by cloudmatrix.website

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Surfshark has apps for multiple popular platforms, making it easy to use WeChat on your mobile device or desktop browser. If you need a Chinese IP address, there’s a virtual server location in Macau and physical VPN server locations in Hong Kong. Plus, Surfshark’s RAM-based servers delete your online activity to prevent third-party surveillance.

Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Security Analysis

Protocol:	Encryption	Devices
WireGuard	ChaCha20	Routers
OpenVPN	AES-256
IKEv2	AES-256

Surfshark’s security prevented accidental data leaks during tests. The WireGuard protocol is the fastest and least likely to be detected, making it a solid choice for WeChat in China. If you want to use Surfshark’s obfuscation, you’ll need to switch to the OpenVPN protocol, which is just as secure but not quite as fast.

Surfshark Pricing & Value

Surfshark is one of the top cheap VPNs, with a range of plans. We recommend signing up for Surfshark Starter, as it offers the best value, starting at $1.99 per month for a two-year subscription and an additional three months free. Take advantage of the seven-day free trial by signing up via the Google Play store or Apple app store.

All of Surfshark’s plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. For more information, take a look at our full Surfshark review.

Surfshark Starter

Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Plans renew: $59.76 for one year, $59.76 per year for the two-year plan.
Unlimited GB
Unlimited
Yes

Surfshark One

Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Plans renew: $79 for one year & $79 per year for the two-year plan.
Unlimited GB
Unlimited

Surfshark One+

Everything in One, plus Data removal Plans renew: $269.25 for one year, $404.65 for two years
Unlimited GB
Unlimited

2. Mullvad VPN — Double Obfuscation With Multi-Hop in China

Pros:

Double obfuscation for better security in China
Advanced kill switch boosts privacy for WeChat
Fast speeds for instant messaging & lag-free video calls

Cons:

Only 5 simultaneous devices
Long-term costs can be expensive

Mullvad VPN provides double encryption with its multi-hop feature, which sends your WeChat traffic through two servers protected by the WireGuard protocol. This means that even if one server fails for any reason, the other one will still protect your personal exchanges on WeChat.

Though Mullvad VPN has a smaller network and no IKEv2 support (meaning shakier connections on mobile devices), it’s a reliable option in countries with restrictive networks. Local VPN servers in Hong Kong keep speeds fast for messaging, streaming and playing online games.

Notes From the Lab: Mullvad VPN Security Analysis

Protocol:	Encryption	Devices
WireGuard	ChaCha20
OpenVPN	AES-256	Routers

Mullvad VPN easily kept all our data secure during leak tests. It offers only two protocols, but both are secure and reliable. With WireGuard, you can take advantage of Mullvad VPN’s double obfuscation. The lockdown mode kill switch blocks internet access when the VPN is disconnected, protecting you from connecting to unsecured servers.

Mullvad VPN Pricing & Value

Mullvad VPN has only one subscription option — a monthly plan for about $5.30. This can be costlier than other VPNs if you plan to use it for a long time, as there are no discounts for long-term use. Mullvad VPN does not have a free trial period.

You can cancel your plan at any time, so it’s worth trying Mullvad VPN for yourself. Read more about its features and subscription plan in our Mullvad review.

Mullvad

*Price is converted from Euros
Unlimited GB
5
Yes

3. Astrill VPN — Most Reliable Connections in China

Pros:

Unlimited device connections
Obfuscated servers avoid proxy detection
Provides the most reliable connections in China

Cons:

No money-back guarantee
Very expensive subscription plans

Astrill VPN is the most reliable VPN for using the WeChat app in China, with connections that consistently circumvent the Great Firewall. It features a Stealth VPN protocol that provides access to obfuscated servers, which are the best option for avoiding China’s proxy detection.

There’s also a VIP plan specifically for users in Asia, which claims to offer optimized speeds and lower latency for an extra $10 per month. However, Astrill VPN is already an expensive option, and it doesn’t have a money-back guarantee. If your internet connection is slow in China, VIP is worth the extra cost — otherwise, stick with the standard service.

Notes From the Lab: Astrill VPN Security Analysis

Protocol:	Encryption	Devices
OpenVPN	AES-256	Routers
WireGuard	ChaCha20
Stealth VPN	AES-256	Routers
OpenWeb	AES-256

Astrill VPN successfully kept all our traffic secure from data leaks during testing. It offers several protocols, including its proprietary Stealth VPN protocol, which provides obfuscation to bypass China’s Great Firewall. You can also try OpenWeb, which avoids deep packet inspection (DPI) and performs well on restrictive networks.

Astrill VPN Pricing & Value

Astrill VPN is the most expensive service we’ve tested — the cheapest subscription is $12.50 per month and locks you into a two-year plan. If you choose the monthly plan, you’ll be paying $30. Astrill VPN doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee, refunds or a free trial, so do thorough research before you subscribe.

If you’d like to learn more about this provider, check out our in-depth Astrill review.

Pros:

Unlimited device connections
Huge server network makes connections easy

Cons:

Doesn’t always work in China
App can feel confusing to navigate

Private Internet Access (PIA) has 144 servers in its network in 91 countries, with a virtual server location in China and nearby VPN servers in Hong Kong, South Korea and more. With so many servers, it’s easy to find a local connection that doesn’t suffer from lag caused by user congestion, even at peak traffic times.

However, it’s not always easy to find a working internet connection for WeChat while in China. As China’s intense censorship and proxy detection evolve, PIA can face blocked VPN servers and issues navigating around restrictions. PIA’s large network means you can usually switch to a different server that works, but you may have to do so several times.

Notes From the Lab: PIA’s Security Analysis

Protocol:	Encryption	Devices
WireGuard	ChaCha20
OpenVPN	AES-256 AES-128
IPsec (IKEv2)	AES-256

PIA’s secure encryption worked well during tests, keeping all WeChat connections and online activity safe. PIA recommends using the WireGuard protocol in China, as it provides faster connections. PIA also offers multi-hop obfuscation with Shadowsocks or a SOCKS5 proxy, and the MACE ad, tracker and malware blocker for extra security.

PIA Pricing & Value

PIA is one of the cheapest VPN services, costing just $79 for a three-year plan and three months free. It offers a seven-day free trial for iOS and Android if you sign up through the app store. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try PIA risk-free. To learn more about PIA, take a look at our full Private Internet Access review.

Standard Plans

**$56.94 for the first two years, and yearly thereafter
10
Yes

5. VyprVPN — Proprietary Chameleon Protocol Works in China

Pros:

Chameleon protocol uses obfuscation to work in China
Owns & operates entire network for maximum data security

Cons:

Smaller server network means slower speeds
No up-to-date audit since acquisition by Certida

VyprVPN’s unique Chameleon protocol uses obfuscation to avoid deep packet inspection, which lets you bypass local restrictions that block all VPN traffic on sight. This does impact VyprVPN’s speeds but also makes it possible to use WeChat safely.

VyprVPN owns and operates its entire server network, which reduces the risk of third-party interference and improves data security. The network is smaller than some on this list, but you’ll find VPN servers near China in Hong Kong, Macau and Japan.

Notes From the Lab: VyprVPN Security Analysis

Protocol:	Encryption	Devices
Chameleon	AES-256
WireGuard	ChaCha20
OpenVPN	AES-256
IKEv2	AES-256

During testing, VyprVPN was able to protect all sensitive data and avoid leaks while connected. The Chameleon protocol makes VyprVPN a top VPN for China, since fast obfuscation is the best way to navigate a restrictive network.

VyprVPN Pricing & Value

VyprVPN is an affordable choice, with three subscription tiers. The two-year plan offers the best value, at $72. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so it’s easy to try VyprVPN for yourself and see if it suits you. You can read more in our dedicated VyprVPN review.

More plans

Business

Includes 3 Users, $99 per year per additional user, Multiple User Management. Global Business Servers, Dedicated Account Manager
Unlimited GB
3

Business Cloud

Includes 3 Users $99 per year per additional user, Multiple User Management, Your own dedicated server, Fast and easy deployment
Unlimited GB
3

Can You Use a Free VPN for WeChat?

You could use a free VPN with WeChat, but it’s difficult to find a free service that works. Even the top free VPNs don’t always have essential security and privacy tools to avoid detection when accessing WeChat. Some free VPNs even sell your data to third parties or put you at risk of identity theft and cybercrime.

How to Use a VPN for WeChat

Below, we provide a quick and easy step-by-step guide on how to sign up for WeChat and use the app with a VPN. In this guide, we’ll be using the top VPN for China, Surfshark.

Download a Secure and Private VPN Provider to Your Device
Download the VPN from an official source to ensure you get the authentic version. On mobile, go through the VPN’s website to get a link to the official mobile app in the relevant app store.
Log in to the VPN With Your Account Credentials
Some VPNs have multiple login methods, so you can choose which one is easiest for you. For Surfshark, log in with the account details you chose when you subscribed.
Connect to a Server in a WeChat-Friendly Location
If you’re in China, you can connect to a nearby server in Hong Kong or Macau for the fastest speeds.
Open the WeChat App or Navigate to WeChat in Your Browser
You can download the WeChat app on your computer or mobile device, or access WeChat directly in your browser.
Log in to Your WeChat Account and Start Sending Messages
Log in to your WeChat account using your login details or your mobile number, or by scanning the QR code to use the desktop or browser apps.

How to Download and Use WeChat in India

Many Chinese apps, including WeChat, are banned in India. If you want to download and use WeChat in India, you’ll need a provider with reliable VPN servers in WeChat-friendly locations. Here’s how to do so:

Download a trustworthy VPN app with strong security features, such as Surfshark, to your device.
Connect to a VPN server outside of India in a location that allows you to access WeChat (like the U.S., Taiwan or Hong Kong).
Open the app store and search for “WeChat” or visit the WeChat website in your browser, then download the WeChat app to your device.
Sign up for WeChat or log in with your existing WeChat account details.
You can now access WeChat in India. Make sure to stay connected to the VPN server for uninterrupted messaging and video calls.

Methodology: How We Tested the Best WeChat VPN

We subject all VPNs to strict and rigorous testing to determine which providers offer the best service for WeChat in China, and rank them according to the results in these areas:

Works reliably in China: We only recommend VPNs that work consistently in China, avoid the always-evolving proxy detection technology of the Great Firewall and can access the global internet. Use our Chinese firewall test tool to see which sites are blocked.
Security features: Tools like server obfuscation, proprietary connection protocols, AES-256 encryption, a kill switch and data leak protection are vital for establishing a working connection.
Top-tier privacy: With internet communications being heavily monitored in China, your chosen VPN needs to have a strict no-logs policy to ensure no data is stored where it might be accessible by the authorities.
Solid connection speeds: You should be able to send and receive WeChat messages and make video calls without lag, so each VPN is tested for fast connection speeds and low latency.
Multi-device compatibility: WeChat is available on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS devices, as well as through your browser. The VPN you choose should be compatible with the devices you use on a day-to-day basis so you can connect to WeChat wherever you are.
Value for money: The recommended VPNs have a range of plans to suit your budget and needs. Plus, most VPNs have a money-back guarantee, so you’re not risking your money if the service doesn’t meet your expectations.

Why You Need a VPN for WeChat

A VPN is an essential security and privacy tool for WeChat. Not only does a VPN allow you to access or sign up for WeChat anywhere (even in locations where WeChat is blocked), but it also provides protection for your WeChat activity. A VPN connection encrypts your traffic, so no one can gain access to your data or read the messages you send.

Is WeChat Safe?

WeChat is safe in the sense that it doesn’t contain malware and it uses encryption to protect messages in transit. However, there are security and privacy concerns regarding WeChat. The app is known to comply with regulations set by the Chinese government, which means WeChat messages can be monitored.

Community Feedback: VPNs That Work In China on Reddit and Other Forums

Users on Reddit have mixed opinions on which VPNs work in China, mainly because it can be difficult to find ones that work consistently. Though many users find Surfshark works reliably in mainland China, others have reported trouble connecting and find manual connections better than automatic connections. ²

On the other hand, users state that Mullvad VPN works well but isn’t always reliable on mobile devices, while Astrill VPN is an expensive but more consistent option. ¹ Ultimately, forum contributors agree that using a VPN in China is difficult, but working services are available. It helps to have more than one VPN, just in case.

Final Thoughts

It’s not easy to securely access WeChat, especially in places where the app has been blocked or the network isn’t private. Fortunately, you can use WeChat safely and privately with a quality VPN. The VPN encrypts your connection so you can use WeChat anywhere without third parties spying on your messages.

Have you used a VPN to unblock WeChat? Which VPN do you like best for securing connections in China? How do you protect your data when using messaging apps? Let us know in the comments, and thank you for reading!

FAQ: WeChat VPNs

The top VPN to use for WeChat is Surfshark. Its NoBorders feature works well to automatically avoid network restrictions, and its servers close to China are reliable and fast. Plus, it’s an affordable option when you choose a long-term plan.
Using a VPN may affect WeChat if the VPN has slow connection speeds. This could lead to delays in opening the app and sending or receiving messages, and may result in difficulty accessing some of the app’s features.
The best VPN to use in China is Surfshark. It has reliable servers near China for fast connections, “camouflage mode” obfuscation to hide your VPN traffic and avoid detection, and MultiHop servers that provide secure double encryption, making you difficult to track.
The best VPN for Macau is Surfshark. It has a virtual server in Macau SAR China, so you can use it to get a Macau IP address for secure browsing and access to local content.