The Astrill VPN China setup is well known for sidestepping censorship and unblocking content. But does Astrill VPN work in China in 2026? Having tested it ourselves, we can confirm it does. However, as is the case with any VPN in China, it’s not a plug-and play experience. We’ll explain how to set up Astrill VPN for China to make it work as best as it could. Before we start, you may want to read our Astrill VPN review, as well.
Astrill VPN China 2026: How to Set It Up and Use It
When discussing VPNs for China, Astrill VPN tops the list. It’s reliable and simple to set up. Unfortunately, it’s very expensive but based on our tests, it works. Here’s how to use Astrill VPN in China in 2026:
- Subscribe to Astrill VPN.
- Set up the VPN on your device by installing it and signing in to the app.
- Enable the kill switch to ensure connection loss doesn’t expose your IP.
- Use the StealthVPN or OpenWeb protocol for the best results.
- Connect to a server of your choice and go online safely and securely.
If you find Astrill VPN too expensive and would rather not buy it, NordVPN is a perfect alternative that works in China in 2026. Astrill VPN offers no refunds, so think carefully before purchasing it.
Does Astrill VPN Work in China?
As said at the beginning of our Astrill VPN China guide, it’s among the most reliable Chinese VPNs. If we compare it to CyberGhost which has no obfuscation, it’s easy to see why this provider works. It utilizes obfuscation to conceal your VPN traffic and make it look like regular traffic. In 2026, our testers did quite a lot with this provider in China (streaming, P2P, gaming, browsing ,etc.).
They reported immense success with the service, as it easily bypasses the Great Firewall and allows for unblocking censored sites. In addition, Astrill VPN is safe and offers excellent security features with a no-logs policy. The situation is clear. Astrill VPN is working in China.
Why Astrill VPN Works in China: Fully Explained
We promised that we’ll explain why this VPN is so good in this country compared to its many rivals. Let’s go through some crucial features that make this provider incredibly reliable for circumventing censorship.
OpenWeb & StealthVPN Protocols
The highlight of this provider lies in its in-house protocols. We’re talking about proprietary protocols made by this company. If you take a look at NordLynx from NordVPN, you’ll see how great it is, even when talking about bypassing censorship and firewall restrictions. Well, Astrill VPN developed OpenWeb and StealthVPN, both of which the company nearly perfected.
These two protocols add obfuscation, which is why Astrill VPN works in China. StealthVPN, in particular, is known for some impressive results. This protocol, when enabled, allows users to enjoy the free internet in this country 10/10 times. Even OpenWeb, another TCP-based protocol, works flawlessly. It has multiple layers of encryption and authentication, allowing it to be among the safest options.
In addition, OpenWeb uses AES-256 encryption, the highest level. StealthVPN, on the other hand, supports both UDP and TCP protocols. It’s based on OpenVPN in its core but thanks to obfuscation, even the most advanced firewalls can’t detect it. Our tests indicate that both protocols are very reliable. We had no IP or DNS leaks while using them and they worked incredibly well in China and plenty of other similar countries.
Best of all is that both protocols are available for major platforms, such as:
- Windows, macOS, and Linux computers
- iOS and Android phones and tablets
- Routers (StealthVPN)
This allows you to use Astrill VPN in China regardless of the selected device.
Bank-Grade Encryption
Speaking of encryption, Astrill VPN takes no chances. AES-256 encryption is the base of every protocol and it’s the same level of encryption used by the banks and military across the planet. However, it’s worth noting that, when using OpenVPN, you can select the level of encryption.
Users can then opt for 128-bit or 196-bit encryption for performance gains. A lower level of encryption means faster speeds but with modern VPNs, that’s not always the case. Thus, if you’re using Astrill VPN in China, our suggestion is to stay with OpenWeb/StealthVPN and the default level of encryption.
Plenty of Servers in Asia (Close to China)
Does Astrill VPN work in China, after all? Well, it’s pretty clear that it does. Unlike its competitors, the provider takes the utmost care of people in China. It has 10 Gbps, RAM-only servers across nearly 60 worldwide countries. But the point is that a big portion of the server fleet is in Asia.
These servers are here by default and aren’t paid additionally. We found plenty of them in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and other neighboring countries. However, there are two more features we’d like to discuss. One is the ability to buy a dedicated IP. Users can get a dedicated IP from China for just $5 a month.
These IPs are called “Supercharged” and are offered in 6 locations in China. The word “Supercharged” is here to imply that they’re optimized for speeds and performance, crucial in this country. Another feature is a VIP add-on. It’s expensive and costs from $10 to $100 a month, offering from 100 to 1,000 GB of traffic a month.
These servers offer reduced latency and blazing-fast speed for people in Asia, especially gamers. A VIP add-on prioritizes performance above all and even includes MultiHop for added security. It will allow you to double your encryption by routing your traffic through two servers, resulting in additional privacy online. Once again, Chinese residents will find this feature very handy.
No-Logging Policy (Must-Have for Using Astrill VPN in China)
The Chinese authorities have no problem trumping your privacy. They’ll monitor your every step , read your messages, and spy on your voice/video calls. Besides, TOM-Skype, a popular Chinese version of Skype, is made with this in mind. Astrill VPN maintains a no-logging policy, so storing your personal data isn’t a thing.
Astrill VPN is working in China well because it respects your privacy and is based in Seychelles. With no obligatory data retention laws in this country, the company isn’t coerced into storing logs. Its no-logging policy is crystal-clear. This includes your IP address, DNS requests, geolocation, timestamps, connection logs, etc. Alas, the VPN has no external audits like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, which is still one of the main downsides.
Various Security Features
Aside from advanced protocols, the VPN has a slew of security features we mentioned in our Astrill VPN vs NordVPN comparison. One of them is WireGuard, a protocol for its speed, security, and connection stability. The provider even has OpenVPN, which comes with tons of customization options.
Chinese users will like its ad blocker which can also block malicious sites. Astrill VPN works in China well also because it has an automatic kill switch. It shuts down all traffic to prevent leaks, preventing the Chinese authorities from tracking you. Other notable features include split tunneling, also called application or website filter. This allows you to tunnel only selected apps or sites while the others remain intact.
Astrill VPN is fully compatible with Onion over VPN, making it great for browsing the darknet. Plus, the VPN Sharing feature lets you share the VPN connection with other devices at no additional cost.
Fast Speeds
Astrill VPN isn’t the fastest VPN by any stretch. However, it holds its ground against the best VPNs pretty well, offering solid speeds across the board. Its 10 Gbps servers are very fast, especially when using WireGuard or OpenWeb protocols. If you want a faster VPN, consider NordVPN. But keep in mind that Astrill VPN is working in China a bit better, so it’s a better option in this country.
Multi-Device VPN Plans
Finally, Astrill VPN can be enjoyed on up to 5 devices at a time. While it doesn’t have unlimited simultaneous connections like some of the best multi-device VPNs, 5 is still more than enough. Besides, Astrill VPN works on all devices, so compatibility is the last of worries.
How to Use Astrill VPN in China?
Using a VPN in China often requires a few tweaks. It’s not the same as, let’s say, using a French VPN where you just need to connect. Due to the Great Firewall, enabling certain features and turning on obfuscation is often required. Thankfully, Astrill VPN makes this process very simple and requires no special knowledge to be used in China. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Subscribe to Astrill VPN. This is a premium-only VPN and offers NO free trials of any sort.
- Install the VPN on your device. We recommend using either Windows or macOS apps, as they’re the most feature-rich and have everything the provider has to offer.
- Open the app and sign in with the email/password you provided in the first step.
- Choose either StealthVPN or OpenWeb protocol before you connect. StealthVPN works well but OpenWeb is also great for circumventing censorship. Try StealthVPN first and if you have issues, switch to OpenWeb. Don’t use WireGuard because it’s not going to work.
- Finally, connect to the server you want and enjoy going online safely and anonymously.
A Cheaper and Better Alternative to Astrill VPN: NordVPN
So, does Astrill VPN work in China in 2026? Yes, it is, but it has a few annoying issues. For one, it’s very expensive. Its monthly plan costs $30 a month, while even the longest 2-year plan will have you pay $300 upfront. You’ll agree that 90% of people won’t be able to afford it. Even if they could, paying $300 for a VPN sounds silly.
Another thing is that Astrill VPN has no third-party audits and the user experience isn’t very polished. For China, it’s reliable and is currently the best choice. But if you you can’t afford it, get NordVPN. It’s just a slightly less reliable provider in China. However, it also has obfuscation and it can work just as well as Astrill VPN.
Why Use NordVPN Instead of Astrill VPN in China?
Advantages
- Faster than Astrill VPN
- More security features
- Audited no-log policy
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Optimized for streaming
- 4 times cheaper than Astrill
- 30-day refund policy
Shortcomings
- Not as customizable
- No servers in China
- Slightly less reliable in China
As a great Astrill VPN China alternative, NordVPN offers 9,200+ servers in 135 countries, more than Astrill VPN. We found it to be surprisingly good for streaming, torrenting, and bypassing various firewalls. For example, it’s also a reputable VPN for Hong Kong, as it offers plenty of servers there.
If you’re in China, you’ll get a number of servers in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Korea, and Japan. This allows you to connect to nearby servers and get excellent speeds. While we’re at it, NordVPN is very fast. Users enjoy 4K movies and shows on Netflix, with impressively fast speeds for torrenting due to P2P servers.
Obfuscated servers are why NordVPN can replace Astrill VPN in China. Since they hide your VPN use, you can sidestep the firewall easily. Not to mention, it has an audited no-log policy (Astrill has no audits), and offers Double VPN connections by default. Unlike Astrill, NordVPN also blocks ads, trackers, and malware.
Overall, NordVPN is a notch or two above its competition, including Astrill VPN. We have a separate article where we explained why NordVPN is so safe and secure. Best of all, it costs very little, and the Basic 2-year plan starts at about $3.09 per month; Astrill’s equivalent costs 4 times as much. NordVPN even has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you no longer need it or it doesn’t work for you, a refund is always an option.
Does Astrill VPN Work in China: Conclusion for 2026
For the final time, you can use Astrill VPN for China effortlessly. As a whole, Astrill VPN is excellent, and the #1 choice for this country. But with its premium quality comes a premium price. Might we add, an unjustifiably high one. While we can’t deny its censorship-bypassing capabilities, you can still find nearly as good VPNs, like NordVPN or even ExpressVPN, both considerably less expensive.
That said, we do recommend Astrill VPN for China but only if you can truly afford its minimal price of $12.5 per month or $300 for 2 years. If that’s an overstretch, choose NordVPN with more security features, faster speeds, and more simultaneous connections. At $3.09 (sometimes less) a month, it’s the top choice for bypassing the Great Firewall. Here is how to use NordVPN in China, as well.
FAQ About Astrill VPN China
✅ Is Astrill VPN good for China?
Yes, Astrill VPN is good for China because it offers obfuscation and advanced security features. While obfuscation masks your VPN traffic, its other security features (encryption, MultiHop, kill switch, ect.) keep you safe and anonymous, essential for avoiding Chinese surveillance and censorship.
⚖️ Is it legal to use Astrill in China?
Yes, it's legal to use Astrill in China, but the situation is more complex. China allows only government-approved VPNs, and Astrill isn't one of them. In theory, using Astrill VPN in China is illegal, but in practice, no one got arrested or prosecuted for using a non-government-approved VPN. So, you can safely use Astrill in China but don't promote or distribute it; VPNs are in the so-called "grey area".
🔗 How to access the Astrill China website?
You can't access the Astrill China website. The provider doesn't have a special Chinese version of the website. If you want to use Astrill VPN for China, the best way is to subscribe before you arrive there. Conversely, you can do this in Hong Kong that doesn't ban or restrict VPNs.
