Why You Might Need a VPN
For Chinese Australians, a VPN serves two main purposes: accessing Chinese content (Bilibili, iQiyi, Youku) that is geo-blocked outside China, and accessing Australian content when traveling back to China where many Western services are blocked. VPNs also add privacy and security on public WiFi networks.
| VPN | Monthly Cost | Devices | Works in China? | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | $4.59/mo (2yr) | 10 | Yes (obfuscated) | Fastest |
| ExpressVPN | $8.32/mo (1yr) | 8 | Yes | Fast |
| Surfshark | $3.19/mo (2yr) | Unlimited | Sometimes | Good |
Verdict
Best overall: NordVPN — fastest speeds, reliable China access, good value on 2-year plan. Best budget: Surfshark — cheapest with unlimited devices, great for families. Best for China trips: ExpressVPN — most reliable for accessing Google, WhatsApp and Instagram from within China.