Best VPN for travel and restrictive networks
VPNs that say they work in China and offer obfuscation for networks that block VPN traffic. These are the providers' own claims.
- 1
ExpressVPN
States that it works in China and offers obfuscation by default. Owned by Kape, based in the British Virgin Islands.
- Cheapest plan
- $2.99/mo
- Renews at
- $99.95
- Owner
- Kape Technologies
- Devices
- 10
- Latest audit
- KPMG, 2025
- 2
Astrill VPN
Built around restrictive networks and says it works in China. It's the most expensive here, has no published third-party audit and its ownership isn't disclosed.
- Cheapest plan
- $12.50/mo
- Renews at
- $180.00
- Owner
- Undisclosed
- Devices
- 5
- Latest audit
- None published
- 3
PureVPN
States that it works in China, with obfuscation and port forwarding at a lower price. After the first 27 months it renews at $47.95 a year.
- Cheapest plan
- $2.15/mo
- Renews at
- $47.95
- Owner
- GZ Systems Limited
- Devices
- 10
- Latest audit
- KPMG, 2023
How to choose
Obfuscation disguises VPN traffic as ordinary web traffic. It helps wherever a network blocks VPN protocols: some countries, but also hotel, campus and office Wi-Fi.
Install the apps and sign in before you leave. Where VPNs are blocked, the provider's website and app store page often are too.
Keep a second option installed. If one provider's servers get blocked, another may still connect.
Every VPN checked
23 providers against the facts that matter here. Picks come first, outlined.
| VPN | Says it works in China | Obfuscation | Kill switch | Latest audit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | YesYes | YesYes | YesYes | KPMG, 2025 (no-logs) |
| Astrill VPN | YesYes | YesYes | YesYes | None published |
| PureVPN | YesYes | YesYes | YesYes | KPMG, 2023 (no-logs) |
 TorGuard | YesYes | YesYes | YesYes | None published |
 VyprVPN | YesYes | YesYes | YesYes | Leviathan Security Group, 2018 (no-logs) |
 AdGuard VPN | Doesn't claim itDoesn't claim it | YesYes | YesYes | None published |
 AirVPN | Not statedNot stated | YesYes | YesYes | None published |
 hide.me | Doesn't claim itDoesn't claim it | YesYes | YesYes | Securitum, 2024 (no-logs) |
 Hotspot Shield | Doesn't claim itDoesn't claim it | YesYes | YesYes | Aon, 2023 (no-logs) |
 IPVanish | Not foundNot found | YesYes | YesYes | Schellman Compliance, 2025 (no-logs) |
 IVPN | Not foundNot found | YesYes | YesYes | Cure53, 2025 (security) |
 Mullvad | Not foundNot found | YesYes | YesYes | Assured Security Consultants, 2026 (apps) |
 NordVPN | Doesn't claim itDoesn't claim it | YesYes | YesYes | Deloitte Lithuania, 2025 (no-logs) |
 Norton VPN | Not statedNot stated | YesYes | YesYes | VerSprite, 2025 (no-logs) |
 PrivadoVPN | Not statedNot stated | YesYes | YesYes | None published |
 Private Internet Access | Doesn't claim itDoesn't claim it | YesYes | YesYes | Deloitte Audit Romania, 2025 (no-logs) |
 Proton VPN | Doesn't claim itDoesn't claim it | YesYes | YesYes | Securitum, 2026 (no-logs) |
 Surfshark | Not statedNot stated | YesYes | YesYes | SecuRing, 2026 (infrastructure) |
 TunnelBear | Doesn't claim itDoesn't claim it | YesYes | YesYes | Cure53, 2025 (security) |
 Windscribe | Doesn't claim itDoesn't claim it | YesYes | YesYes | Packetlabs, 2024 (infrastructure) |
 Bitdefender VPN | Not statedNot stated | Not statedNot stated | YesYes | Auditor not named, 2025 (no-logs) |
 CyberGhost | Not foundNot found | Not foundNot found | YesYes | Deloitte Audit Romania, 2025 (no-logs) |
 Mozilla VPN | Doesn't claim itDoesn't claim it | NoNo | YesYes | Cure53, 2023 (apps) |
Worth knowing. Whether a VPN works in a given country changes week to week, and using one may be illegal there. Treat these as vendor claims and download the apps before you leave.