ExpressVPN vs NordVPN in China
ExpressVPN is the better choice for China this week. It is rated "hit or miss", while NordVPN is "mostly blocked".
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Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | ExpressVPN | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Status in China | Hit or miss | Mostly blocked |
| Price | From ~$8/mo | From ~$3.50/mo |
| Protocols | Lightway, OpenVPN | NordLynx, Obfuscated servers |
| Best for | People who already pay for ExpressVPN and want to try it alongside a more reliable option. | Use outside China. Inside China, bring something else. |
| Good | Polished apps. Good support. Often works. | Cheap. Good outside China. |
| Not so good | Reliability has dropped. Frequently blocked during sensitive dates. | Mostly blocked in China. Obfuscated servers unreliable. |
Each VPN in detail
ExpressVPN
Sometimes. ExpressVPN still works for many people in China using the Lightway protocol, but reliability has dropped and it can be down for days during sensitive periods.
NordVPN
Mostly no. Despite the marketing, NordVPN is blocked for most people in mainland China. Its obfuscated servers occasionally connect but are not reliable.