Best VPN for WeChat to access it securely anywhere

WeChat is extremely popular, both in and outside of China, with almost a billion daily users. However, talk of companies like TikTok being banned in the US has caused many people to question whether Tencent’s apps are compromising their security. Don’t worry: below, we’ll explain how you can encrypt your data and safely access WeChat from anywhere using a VPN.

So how does this all work? Well, VPNs encrypt your data, ensuring that it can’t be read without the correct, impossible-to-guess decryption key. As such, your activities are kept hidden from foreign governments, hackers, your employer, or anyone monitoring the public wifi hotspot you’re connected to.

In a hurry? Take a look below for a quick guide to the best VPNs for WeChat or scroll further down for a more in-depth review of each:

Best VPNs for WeChat:

1. NordVPN: The best WeChat VPN. A speedy service that places major emphasis on security and privacy. Keeps no logs and unblocks a host of popular sites and apps abroad.
2. Surfshark: This versatile, low-cost VPN makes it easy to message safely, wherever you are. Includes plenty of advanced security and privacy features. Also, allows any number of connections.
3. CyberGhost: A fast, beginner-friendly VPN that’s packed with security features. Boasts high speeds and a no-logging policy.
4. IPVanish: Fast and lightweight, with a top-notch security offering. This zero-logs VPN lets you connect as many devices as you like and unblocks several popular streaming services.
5. PrivateVPN: A particularly speedy VPN that puts user privacy above all else. Works great with platforms like Netflix. Also permits up to 10 connections at once.
6. Hotspot Shield: A solid everyday VPN with high speeds, powerful security features, and excellent unblocking ability. Allows you to secure five devices simultaneously.
7. Private Internet Access: Quick and security-conscious, with a truly expansive network, this service lets you safely use WeChat from anywhere in the world.

You could spend forever mulling over the differences between rival VPN providers but instead, we recommend finding a service that is a solid all-rounder. Below, you’ll find the criteria we used to determine which VPNs are best for WeChat:

• Offers access to a large network of high-speed servers
• Can reliably bypass region-locking on services like Hulu
• Uses numerous advanced security features to keep your activities private
• Does not log any data that could identify you
• Provides apps for all major operating systems

Best VPN for WeChat

Now, we’ll examine the best VPNs for WeChat in greater detail:

1. NordVPN

unblocks wechatTested May 2022

NordVPN offers unlimited bandwidth and access to over 5,000 speedy servers in 60 countries, making it an excellent choice for high-resolution video calling. As well as allowing you to safely chat on WeChat, this VPN will also let you access services like Skype and Facebook while in China. Up to six devices can be connected at once.

This service has a particularly impressive set of security features. First, there’s a kill switch, automatic malware scanning, and 256-bit AES encryption, as well as DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leak protection. There are also obfuscated servers designed to give you even greater privacy. NordVPN follows a true no-logs policy and accepts three cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple). Help is available over live chat, 24 hours per day.

NordVPN has Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS apps. If you’d like to secure every device on your network, it can also be manually installed on a wide range of wireless routers.

BEST VPN FOR WECHAT:NordVPN is a fantastic service that boasts one of the strongest security offerings on the market. With high speeds, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and a strict no-logging policy, this service is a great choice, whatever your needs.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

unblocks wechatTested May 2022

Surfshark has a network of roughly 3,200 servers in 65 countries. Its speeds are exceptional, so you’ll be able to stream or video call without any noticeable stuttering. Better still, this VPN even works if you’re in China. While most of its rivals have a strict connection limit, Surfshark lets its users secure any number of devices simultaneously.

This VPN protects you against DNS and IPv6 leaks, hides your activities with 256-bit encryption and ensures you never inadvertently browse without protection with its kill switch. Additionally, it boasts a NoBorders mode that can bypass even the most stringent web-blocking. Surfshark doesn’t keep any logs and allows you to pay in Ethereum, Ripple, or Bitcoin for a second layer of anonymity. It also offers a 24/7 live chat-based help desk in case you have any issues.

Surfshark users can install MacOS, Android, iOS, Windows, and Linux apps. It can be manually configured before use with supported network routers.

TALK PRIVATELY ANYWHERE:Surfshark pays particular attention to privacy, with a no-logs policy and plenty of security features built-in. It’s fast and lets you secure every device you own from a single account. Still not convinced? There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Take a look at our comprehensive Surfshark review.

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3. CyberGhost

unblocks wechatTested May 2022

CyberGhost has over 7,000 servers in 91 countries, making it a solid choice for just whether you’d like to you’re use WeChat, stream, or torrent anonymously. It’s very fast too, and has no bandwidth limits, so you can do what you like, as much as you like. Better still, this VPN lets you protect up to seven devices simultaneously.

This service’s security features include DNS and IPv6 leak protection, an always-on kill switch, and effectively-uncrackable 256-bit AES encryption. There’s also a hybrid ad-blocker and malware-scanner, plus a feature that sends your data via a random port (which helps you avoid VPN-detection measures on public wifi networks). CyberGhost doesn’t store any data that could identify you. Privacy-conscious users can sign up almost completely anonymously by paying in Bitcoin. Additionally, live chat-based support is available around the clock.

CyberGhost apps are available for MacOS, iOS, Windows, Android, and Linux. To use this VPN with your wireless router, you can install it manually.

SECURE AND RELIABLE:CyberGhost is both highly secure and easy to use. It’s fast enough for flawless streaming, torrenting, or chatting, plus it has special servers for securely accessing stubborn platforms like Netflix. This VPN offers a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Interested? Find out more in our in-depth review of CyberGhost.

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4. IPVanish

unblocks wechatTested May 2022

IPVanish is a veteran provider with more than 1,900 servers in 60 countries. One of the best things about this VPN is that it doesn’t limit the user in any way. For instance, its speeds are high enough for most purposes, it unblocks a wide variety of geo-restricted services, and best of all, there’s no limit on the number of devices you can connect.

This VPN puts in a strong showing when it comes to security too. It offers 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and there’s even the option to block local connections. Users can scramble their OpenVPN traffic, which helps prevent you from being detected by services that usually block VPN users. IPVanish follows a strict no-logging policy, so your privacy is in good hands. Need help? Customer support is available 24/7 over live chat.

IPVanish provides lightweight, easy-to-use apps for Android, Windows, MacOS, and iOS. It works with Linux systems and supported network routers via manual installation.

PRIVACY-FIRST VPN:IPVanish doesn’t keep any logs and comes packed with strong security features. Further, it offers consistently high speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. As if that wasn’t enough, users can also connect any number of devices.

For more info, read our full review of IPVanish.

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5. PrivateVPN

unblocks wechatTested May 2022

PrivateVPN only has around 200 servers but it offsets this by covering 63 countries and providing far higher speeds than many of its rivals. As such, it’s already a strong choice for anyone looking to video chat or stream safely. However, this VPN boasts exceptional streaming capabilities, and not only works with services like Netflix, but can even bypass China’s Great Firewall. You can have 10 simultaneous connections per account.

This service uses 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against IPv6 and DNS leaks to keep your activities hidden at all times. That’s not all: it also boasts a stealth mode capable of hiding the fact that you’re using a VPN at all. Most importantly, PrivateVPN refuses to keep any logs at all. For even greater privacy, users can choose to pay in Bitcoin. If you run into any problems, you can reach support staff 22 hours per day via live chat or email.

PrivateVPN comes with apps for Android, iOS, MacOS, Windows, and Linux. Additionally, users can follow manual setup guides to install it directly on supported routers.

LIGHTNING FAST SPEEDS:PrivateVPN is extremely fast, making it a natural choice for anyone looking to stream or video chat. It also pays particular attention to user privacy, with advanced security features and a no-logs policy. A 30-day money-back guarantee is also included.

Check out the complete PrivateVPN review.

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6. Hotspot Shield

unblocks wechatTested May 2022

Hotspot Shield users can connect to more than 1,800 servers, spanning 80+ countries, and as such, should have no problems finding a high-speed, low-latency connection. Further, this VPN works in China and reliably works with popular services like Netflix abroad. With consistently high speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and a five-connection limit, there’s very little it doesn’t let you do.

There are plenty of features designed to keep you safe too. Among these, you’ll find 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch, as well as the ability to connect automatically whenever you use an unsecured network. Further, Hotspot Shield doesn’t store any personally identifiable data after you’ve disconnected. Further, users can quickly get help with any issues by contacting support via 24/7 live chat.

Hotspot Shield has Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS apps. Manual configuration is required for use on Linux devices and internet routers.

EXTREMELY VERSATILE:Hotspot Shield is great for messaging privately on WeChat. With solid speeds, a strong security focus, and impressive streaming ability, it’s ideal for streaming or torrenting safely as well. This VPN also offers a 45-day money-back guarantee.

We go into even more detail in the full Hotspot Shield review.

7. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) has more than 30,000 servers in 78 countries around the world. As you might expect, this makes it a popular choice for people looking to stream. That said, it also performs admirably when it comes to torrenting and video calling thanks to its above-average speeds. Notably, PIA allows up to 10 simultaneous connections — far more than the industry standard.

Of course, if you’re looking to chat safely, security features are a top priority. PIA includes 256-bit AES encryption, as well as IPv6 and DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and a simple togglable feature that blocks ads and malware automatically. Crucially, this service doesn’t keep any logs whatsoever. Live chat-based support is available around the clock.

PIA offers apps for MacOS, iOS, Windows, Android, and Linux. Further, it can be manually installed on supported home routers.

PLENTY OF CHOICE:PIA has thousands of speedy servers, solid unblocking ability, and very powerful security features, meaning there really isn’t much it can’t do. What’s more, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full PIA review for more info.

How to use WeChat with a VPN

It really isn’t that difficult to protect your activities from snoopers with the right VPN. Just follow the simple steps below and you will be messaging privately on WeChat in no time.

Here’s how to use WeChat with a VPN:

1. First, sign up for one of the VPNs above (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Next, install the VPN app on any device you use often. Usually, you’ll be permitted five connections at once but this number varies from one provider to another.
3. Log in and connect to your chosen server. WeChat is available nearly everywhere so the location doesn’t really matter, but you’ll usually find that the closer your chosen server, the higher your speeds.
4. Finally, open the WeChat app or web client and log in. You should now be able to chat as normal, regardless of your physical location. If not, try a different server or contact your VPN provider for more assistance.

Methodology: How we chose the best VPNs for WeChat

It’s trickier than you might think to find a VPN that’s suitable for WeChat. For starters, there are plenty of providers with disappointing speeds and lots of others that aren’t able to access other services you normally use back home. To ensure we only recommended the best of the best, we used the criteria below to weed out subpar candidates:

• Server options: Nearby servers tend to provide the smoothest performance. The more locations your VPN supports, the more likely it is that there’ll be a server nearby. Additionally, having a presence in more countries means that you can theoretically access a far wider range of content.
• Performance: Video calling isn’t the most data-intensive task, but you’ll still need decent speeds to avoid lag, stuttering, or buffering. That’s why we only recommend services that impress during our regular VPN speed testing.
• Unblocking ability: Perhaps you’re traveling in a country where VoIP services like WeChat are inaccessible. Maybe you’d just like to watch TV shows from back home. Whatever the case, a VPN can help. We look for those that work reliably with a wide range of services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Stan, and Disney+.
• Security and privacy: It’s probably not possible to keep your conversations private on WeChat but to protect the rest of your traffic, we look for VPNs with 256-bit encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch. A no-logs policy is another must-have, and we welcome any additional security tools a service might offer.
• Ease of use: The services above are easy to use, even if you’re completely new to VPNs. They all support multiple operating systems and provide live chat-based support. Some even let you connect all of your devices simultaneously.
• Price: If a service charges more than seems reasonable (based on the tools it offers), we simply won’t recommend it. Additionally, we provide info on any available deals, discounts, and money-back guarantees so that the price is always as low as possible.

This is actually only the first part of our testing process. If you’re interested in learning more, we have a post that explains how we test VPNs in more detail.

WeChat via VPN: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)