[2025 VPN Recommendations for Circumventing China’s Great Firewall] Surfshark vs PureVPN: A Real-World Comparison and Buying Guide

If you’ve ever tried “searching on Google” or “playing music on YouTube” in mainland China, you know the pain of having a “connected Wi-Fi, but feeling disconnected.”

Without a VPN, your internet is practically only good for checking the weather forecast.

VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are no longer just tools for “circumventing the firewall,” but a lifesaver for cross-border workers, marketers, designers, and even students studying abroad.

But with so many VPNs available, how do you choose in 2025? Today, we’ll test two popular brands—Surfshark and PureVPN—to see which is the true king of circumventing China’s Great Firewall.

What is a VPN? Why does everyone need it?

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network.

Simply put, it helps you create an encrypted tunnel that allows data to pass securely through the network while changing your IP address, making it appear as if you’re not in China but in Iceland, the UK, or even Hawaii.

For cross-border users, it’s like a “cyber bulletproof vest”. Whether you’re uploading design files, logging into a website’s backend, or simply want to watch Netflix, you can do so stably, securely, and without leaving a trace. Especially for users in mainland China, a VPN is practically an “essential survival tool.”

Why is it necessary to specifically choose a VPN to bypass the Great Firewall of China?

Mainland China’s internet environment is notorious for its “Great Firewall” (GFW). Ordinary VPNs simply can’t connect, or the connection is cut off after only two minutes.

To achieve stable access to the GFW, you must choose a service specifically optimized for the Chinese environment. Surfshark and PureVPN happen to be two of the most recommended mainstream options in 2025.

So which one is better? We’ll show you through our tests.

Surfshark Review: Stable, Fast, and Affordable

Let’s take a look at Surfshark, which has become incredibly popular in recent years. Its advantages can be summed up in three words: “Comprehensive, Fast, and Cost-Effective.”

• Comprehensive: Supports servers in over 100 countries and has no limit on the number of devices. No matter how many phones or laptops you have, one account handles them all.
• Fast: Surfshark uses the WireGuard protocol, resulting in astonishingly fast transmission speeds. In China, it uses NoBorders mode, effectively bypassing the firewall.
• Cost-Effective: Compared to other high-end brands, its price is much more affordable, offering excellent value for money.

According to a Surfshark review on vpn101.com.hk, Surfshark provides a stable connection in China, with an average download speed of around 80Mbps, making it suitable for watching 4K YouTube or using Zoom.

In terms of user experience, its interface is clean and intuitive, allowing even beginners to get started within three minutes.

To be honest, Surfshark is probably easier to use than ordering takeout.

PureVPN Review: A Veteran with Comprehensive Features but Slightly Traditional

PureVPN is one of the oldest VPN providers, having been popular worldwide long before Surfshark existed. Its strengths lie in its stability and versatility, especially for advanced users.

• Diverse Security Protocols: Supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, and others.
• Abundant Location Options: Over 6500 servers covering more than 70 countries.
• Many Additional Features: Such as split tunneling, dedicated IPs, and P2P support.

However, PureVPN’s interface is more technically oriented, and first-time users may find the setup process somewhat cumbersome. While it can successfully bypass internet restrictions in China, the speed is slightly slower than Surfshark’s. However, its stability is still commendable.

If you are a user who “likes to customize and want to be in control,” PureVPN will be a good fit for you.

Surfshark vs PureVPN: Which will be the top choice for circumventing the Great Firewall of China in 2025?

Let’s compare them directly:

In summary, Surfshark is more suitable for most general users. It achieves an ideal balance of speed, ease of use, and stability, performing particularly well in NoBorders mode in China. PureVPN, on the other hand, is suitable for users requiring specific settings or those with enterprise-oriented needs.

Recommended VPNs for Circumventing China: How to Choose the Best One for You?

Here are some practical selection tips to help you avoid VPN pitfalls:

1. Confirm support for connections to mainland China – Not every VPN can successfully bypass restrictions. It’s recommended to choose VPNs like Surfshark, PureVPN, or ExpressVPN, which have dedicated nodes in China.
2. Multi-device support is important – Modern people connect to the internet on their phones, laptops, and tablets, so a device-unrestricted plan is more cost-effective.
3. Choose brands with NoBorders or obfuscated servers – These technologies can “disguise” VPN traffic, making it less likely to be detected by firewalls.
4. The security protocol should be new – Protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN are fast and stable, much more reliable than older technologies.
5. Sincere Customer Support – In China’s volatile internet environment, customer support that can provide alternative servers promptly is crucial.

Expert Commentary

George Tam, Senior Editor at VPN101.com.hk, stated:

“In the era of globalized e-commerce, speed and security are core to brand competition. A VPN is not just a tool for circumventing internet censorship, but also a key to businesses connecting to markets across borders and ensuring data security. Based on our Surfshark review, a VPN that combines stability and speed can make cross-border operations, advertising testing, and supply chain collaboration smoother. This is precisely our initial intention in recommending VPNs on VPN101.com.hk—to help users turn digital boundaries into real business opportunities.”

Conclusion: Surfshark or PureVPN for VPNs in 2025?

If you are new to VPNs and want stable internet access, work, streaming, and cross-border account logins in mainland China, the answer is clear—Surfshark is the most comprehensive choice. It’s fast, reasonably priced, compatible with all devices, and easy to use. However, if you have technical requirements and want more advanced settings, dedicated IPs, or more complex privacy controls, then PureVPN is definitely worth considering.

Whichever one you choose, please remember: a VPN is not a “circumvention tool,” but an “information security tool.” Those who know how to use it can freely traverse the online world; those who don’t will be trapped outside the firewall. So don’t wait until your internet connection is jammed to search for “recommended VPNs for mainland China.” Choose a VPN that suits you now, because free internet access starts with knowing how to protect yourself.