The Great Firewall is known to be one of the most stringent censorship protocols in the world, blocking services that the rest of the planet’s internet users take absolutely for granted. Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites are unavailable to Chinese citizens and just as difficult to access if you’re a visitor to the country.
There are ways to unblock the internet in China, such as by using a Virtual Private Network (or VPN) to encrypt all the data and traffic you send back and forth while you’re logged on. It’s not illegal, and it’s incredibly secure. So how do you find the best VPN service to use in China in 2013?
First Things First: Find A VPN Service Not Yet Banned In China
Before you begin your search, it’s important to be aware that certain Virtual Private Network providers have been banned in China and their services will no longer help you get around the blocking issues you face. Fortunately, there are still hundreds available that will help you unblock the internet while you’re in China.
Security Issues: Making Sure You’re Safe Browsing The Internet In China
When choosing a VPN provider, the single most important thing you are looking for when you’re identifying the best VPN service to use in China in 2013 is the encryption protocols on offer. PPTP is not able to bypass The Great Firewall; some VPN providers will only offer this protocol and are therefore of no use when finding a VPN to use in China. The best VPNs for China will offer you either the most secure protocols on offer, such as openVPN, or will give you the choice between several protocols.
Features And Differences: What To Look For In A VPN For China In 2013
Once you’ve found a VPN provider that is able to operate in China and offers the right encryption protocols for your needs, there are still several features that you might be interested in. The best VPN services for China will be compatible with your operating system (or systems) of choice, will have a secure enough bandwidth not to slow down your system while you’re using it and will have servers outside China to increase the protection you enjoy while browsing the internet.
The best VPN service for China in 2013 will also have servers in a country that speaks your native language; if you’re not a native Chinese speaker, you’ll want to look for one with servers outside China so you aren’t navigated to language versions of websites that you can’t understand.
Our comparison tables below will help you get started finding the best VPN service for use in China to keep you free from censorship and safe from prying eyes as you browse the web:
| Rank | Provider Name | Starting Price | Money Back Guarantee |
Visit Provider Site |
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ExpressVPN | $6.67/month | 30 Days |  |
| 2 | IPVanish | $10.00/month | 7 Days | |
| 3 | Hidemyass | $11.52/month | 30 Days | |
| 4 | VyprVPN | $10.00/month | 7 Days | |
| 5 | StrongVPN | $21/ 3 months | 7 Days | |
