So I know the VPN topic has been done to death but I’m still unsure. I’ve narrowed it down to astrill and express vpn. These seem to be the most reliable and popular VPNs from what I can tell. Which is best though? I use IOS if that makes a difference. Mostly need it to stream tv like Netflix and google. I’ll be living there long term.
Astrill is all you need - Ive used both and been loyal to Astrill for 3+ years. During major events when VPNs have been known to fail (like on national anniversaries or when congress meets), Astill almost always soldiers on while Wechat groups are filled with messages from people wanting to know how to fix Express.
Ive used both and have both now. Astrill is better. Express is the backup.
Astrill.
Now stop talking about vpns.
Astrill all the way baby
google cloud gives $300 for new user. Choose the server in Taiwan, it is fast af.
Don’t go Express.
It’s crap!
Astrill is my pick.
Android is Astrill. ExpressVPN is iOS. PC is your choice. Never recommend any VPNs to Chinese though. Most of the down time both of them experience is due to Chinese users leaking fixes on tieba.
Exactly this and I will add OP, get the astrill router for your home.
It’s used in conjunction with your account, and you won’t need to use the app for your phone or software for your laptop.
Even through the worst restrictions, the router keeps on going.
Thanks! Do you use the vip add on for astril? Or is it fast enough without it
I’m not sure why this keeps being said. I’m iOS and have no issues with Astrill on it.
Would you say the biggest advantage to the router is the convenience (ie not having to use the app) or reliability (keeps going even when the app won’t connect). Or is it faster?
I looked into getting one but never pulled the trigger - curious to hear from people who actually use it.
And did you buy the router from Astrill or just install it yourself?
We don’t use VIP and have no issue with Youtube, Netflix, etc.
I never tried it. I’ve read too many articles that said it wasn’t worth it. It’s pricey too. I think you can try it free for 2 days if you ask. Give it a shot.
Because the best feature hands down, app filter, isn’t available on iOS. You can have the best of both worlds at all times without pressing a button.
Convenience for sure but the reliability is unrivalled. During the recent heightened time, the router was pretty much immune.
You can also purchase a TV box like Amazon FireTV stick and if you have a smart TV, you can convince your TV you are in your home country and watch TV like normal with out all this connecting your laptop to the TV bollocks.
You can get routers from other companies and they might be better if you’re tech savvy. If you’re not, the astrill one is pretty much plug in and go.
You can also get VPN routers from Tek Shanghai, that’s who the Rooster got there’s from, it’s super reliable there too
But ExpressVPN also doesn’t allow app filtering on iOS, so it’s a wash there.
Thanks! I’ve heard of the router thing. Do I just order that from astril when I get to China ?
Yeah.
They send it world wide but it actually gets sent from Guangdong province so no point sending it from China to overseas just to bring it back.
When you order it, chat to the customer service to give them your address in Chinese.