Thankfully, there are reliable PIA alternatives that work in China. These apps use effective obfuscation and other methods to mask VPN traffic and bypass The Great Firewall of China. Plus, they have various extra safety features to keep you safe and anonymous. Of all the alternatives, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for China. It obfuscates traffic on all 3,000+ servers and works in China without issues. Plus, it has unbreakable AES 256-bit encryption, RAM-based servers, and many more features for protection and privacy. You can buy ExpressVPN with confidence, as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology. Browse freely with ExpressVPN in China

3 Easy Steps to Use PIA in China in 2025

Does Private Internet Access Work Well in China?

No, there’s little chance of PIA working in China. It might work, but here are some considerations:

Some Chinese ISPs may block PIA, but not all of them. Using a mobile network instead of broadband may improve your chances of connecting. Some PIA servers in China can work, but connecting to them can take many tries.

Even if PIA connects, it won’t work long because the Great Chinese Firewall actively blocks PIA traffic. I also contacted PIA support via 24/7 live chat to ask if it works. The agents said it’s difficult for the VPN to connect in China, even though they’re exploring workarounds.

Even the PIA support page states that China is one of the countries actively blocking its connectivity.

For the above reason, using a reliable alternative like ExpressVPN in China is a better choice. It should work without any manual configuration or trying multiple servers to see which one works. Note that it’s best to install the ExpressVPN app before traveling, as it’s difficult to install the app in China.

How to Set up PIA in China

If you’ve already subscribed to the VPN and don’t have an alternative. The following solutions might help PIA work in China:

1. Use SOCKS5 Proxy Connection

Using the SOCKS5 proxy might make PIA work in China. You can use the following steps to set it up on desktops: Since PIA’s website is blocked in China, do this before entering, or you won’t be able to log in to your account to get your SOCKS username and password.

2. Connect With the PIA Browser Extension

3. Try PIA’s WireGuard Protocol

4. Switch to OpenVPN Protocol

5. Connect With the OpenVPN Connect App

If it still doesn’t work, I recommend getting one of the top VPNs for China to ensure you can access the internet without issues.

To change the protocol, open PIA, click the three dots in the quick settings section, select the Protocol tab in the options panel, and choose WireGuard.

Access PIA’s settings menu again, navigate to the Protocols menu, switch back to OpenVPN, and try again.

First, you’ll have to download both the PIA and OpenVPN Connect apps to your device. On its website, PIA has detailed guides on configuring OpenVPN Connect for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices. The basic process is as follows:

How to Get Private Internet Access in China

China actively blocks VPN websites, but using a mirror link might let you download the VPN. Before traveling to China, contact PIA support and ask for a mirror link where you can download the VPN.

Access Private Internet Access’s Site With a Free Proxy

Free proxies aren’t safe, but they can sometimes bypass restrictions and help you access blocked websites. So, try a few reliable free proxies to see if they help you access the PIA website in China.

Use Your Home Country’s SIM Card

Your home country’s SIM card might connect to an unrestricted network, so this may be a good approach to try when downloading the PIA app in China.

Get Help From an Overseas Friend

An overseas friend can subscribe to PIA and send you the setup files. You can pay your friend back using methods that work in China, like direct bank transfers or cryptocurrencies.

Head to Macau, Hong Kong, or Taiwan

If none of the above methods work, you can travel to a nearby country like Macau, Hong Kong, or Taiwan to download PIA. These apps aren’t restricted in these countries, so you can access their websites, download the VPN, and travel back to China.

The Best PIA Alternatives for China in 2025

1. ExpressVPN — The #1 VPN for China With Network-Wide Obfuscation and Unbreakable Security

Key Features: ExpressVPN is the #1 VPN for China. It’s faster, more secure, and better at bypassing China’s Great Firewall than its competitors. Additionally, all its servers are obfuscated by default, meaning all your VPN traffic gets masked as regular traffic. Plus, you don’t have to manually choose a specific protocol or configure anything else before using it. The vast network of 3,000+ ExpressVPN servers across 105 countries ensures you can easily connect to an uncrowded server near China. Even with the default settings, ExpressVPN maintained consistently fast connection speeds in my tests. I only experienced an average download speed drop of 15% compared to my baseline speeds. Since ExpressVPN doesn’t have servers within China, it doesn’t have to comply with internet surveillance regulations. Also, ExpressVPN uses TrustedServer technology to guarantee your data isn’t recorded. It also has the following safety features to enhance protection:

Military-grade encryption — uses AES 256-bit encryption to keep hackers and spies from monitoring your traffic. Network Lock kill switch— blocks all traffic if the VPN connection is unstable to protect your privacy. Internally-hosted DNS servers — avoid using a Chinese ISP’s DNS, hiding your connection from third parties. Leak protection —keeps your IP address and other identifying information from leaking. British Virgin Islands jurisdiction — has privacy-friendly laws, meaning ExpressVPN doesn’t have to keep records of your online activity. Threat Manager — blocks trackers and malware while surfing the web.

ExpressVPN accepts Bitcoin, meaning you can subscribe to the app anonymously without revealing personal details. It also accepts other payment options, such as UnionPay, IDEAL, and more, letting you pay using whichever method you prefer. While it’s costlier than the competition, ExpressVPN’s airtight security, vast server network, and superfast speeds make it worthwhile. Plus, you can get it for as low as $$4.994.99/month through the 2-year + 4 months free subscription. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee, letting you request a full refund if you’re unsatisfied with the app’s performance. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

2. PrivateVPN — Includes the Stealth Mode to Ensure a Reliable VPN Connection in China

Key Features: PrivateVPN uses the Stealth VPN feature to obfuscate traffic and ensure secure connections in China. This feature disguises your VPN traffic as regular traffic and stops the Great Firewall of China from detecting a VPN connection. You can easily enable it by accessing the Stealth VPN menu in PrivateVPN’s settings menu.

Its speeds aren’t as good as ExpressVPN’s, but PrivateVPN maintained a fast connection in my tests. I tried various servers across its network of 200+ options, including options near China, like Taiwan and Hong Kong. My connection speed only dropped an average of 30%—I experienced some buffering when loading high-quality videos, but nothing too significant. Privacy and security are critical when using the internet in China, and PrivateVPN has some of the best safety features available, including the following:

Military-grade encryption — safeguards our traffic with AES 256-bit encryption to make your activity invisible. Dedicated IP servers — these include locations in the US, UK, Germany, and a few other countries and are less likely to be blocked in China. Leak protection — makes sure your real IP address and other identifying information is never exposed when using the internet in China. Strict no-log policy — doesn’t collect or store your browsing data or identifying information.

PrivateVPN is one of the cheapest monthly VPNs, and you get it for even less through its 3-year plan. This plan offers a 83% discount, letting you buy PrivateVPN for just $2.00/month. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can try PrivateVPN risk-free and ask for a full refund if you’re unsatisfied.

3. VyprVPN — Provides the Chameleon Protocol to Circumvent Deep Packet Inspection

Key Features: VyprVPN’s Chameleon protocol scrambles your connection data to shield it against the Chinese firewall’s deep packet inspection. It also uses Smart IP, which regularly changes your IP address to make the VPN connection even harder to detect. Additionally, the app has the following security features that add extra layers of safety and privacy:

Unbreakable encryption — uses AES 256-bit encryption to safeguard your traffic against prying eyes. Public WiFi protection — connects the VPN automatically when you use an unrecognized WiFi network to keep your devices safe in China. IP Leak protection — ensures your information travels through the encrypted tunnel in China as long as you’re connected to ExpressVPN’s server. Privacy-friendly jurisdiction— based in Switzerland, which has no mandatory data-retention laws.

VyprVPN’s network of 700+ servers is smaller than its competition, but the app provides servers in locations close to China, like Hong Kong and Macau. In my tests, my connection speed dropped an average of 35% when connected to these servers from a long-distance location, meaning they should be even faster when used from China. You can get VyprVPN for $3.00/month with the 2-year plan, which offers a 70% discount. It’s also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee that lets you try VyprVPN risk-free and ask for a full refund if the VPN doesn’t fit your requirements.

Final Thoughts on Using PIA in China

In conclusion, it’s best to get an alternative to PIA if you want a VPN in China. Even after following multiple troubleshooting tips, the app may not work in the country. Thankfully, there are other VPNs that reliably work in China by using obfuscation and other advanced technologies to circumvent the Great Firewall.

Political control — suppresses views with anti-government sentiments. Social stability — prevents social unrest by stopping alternative thinking. National security — blocks misinformation that could be a threat to national security. Economic preservation — stops outside companies from competing with local Chinese alternatives.

Reliable security — pick a VPN with top-grade encryption and other safety features to ensure your traffic isn’t spied on. Privacy — use a VPN that offers a no-logs policy and other privacy-focused features. Fast speeds — select a VPN that doesn’t compromise connection speeds. Servers near China — find a VPN with servers in locations near China, like Hong Kong and Macau. Mirror links — look for a VPN that has mirror links you can access in China to download the app.

There are some good VPNs for China with free plans, but using a top, paid alternative is always the better choice for safety. While all the above choices are effective, ExpressVPN is my top choice for China. Its network-wide obfuscation, impenetrable security, TrustedServer technology, and other safety features make it the best option. Plus, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, letting you get a full refund if unsatisfied.

Summary: Top VPNs for China in 2025

Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.