NordVPN vs ExpressVPN in Mainland China, they both have their problems

VPN
1

This is the continuation of a post I made about a month ago asking for VPN recommendations.

Here is that original post.

https://www.reddit.com/r/dumbclub/comments/adsegt/anyone_use_a_vpn_that_can_get_over_the_great/

​

Based on the advice, I have signed up for Nord and Express for use in Mainland China.

I am testing both out and both services have disappointed me.

​

NordVPN’s app works on my MacBook but their mobile apps do not work on my iPhone or iPad.

If I use what Nord calls “Obfuscated Servers” within the Mac NordVPN app, I can connect, normal servers don’t work. (Nord also has an app called, “NordVPN IKE”, it doesn’t work in China at all)

Additionally, Nord’s Mobile Apps don’t have the Obfuscated Server feature. So, the Nord iOS App appears to suck for Apple devices.

​

ExpressVPN works on my iPhone and iPad using their mobile apps but NOT on my MacBook, unless I disconnect the ethernet and create a Wifi Hotspot using my China Mobile connected iPhone.

It seems that I have a stubborn ISP who is not cooperating with Express. It is an ISP that I did not choose and everyone in my building has to use it but it is just a typical crappy Chinese ISP.

​

I do think I ran through all the possible Protocols with Express MacOS app, (Auto, UDP, TCP, L2TP?).

​

I am sad because I really wanted to use either Express or Nord to set up my router as a VPN Wifi router, but now I don’t trust either of these companies.

​

Can anyone recommend a VPN that works both on Macs and iOS devices AND can be installed on routers?

​

Or do I have to run two VPNs to do everything I want to do.

​

I did contact Nord’s by email but their advice was fairly useless for me.

I will make some attempts to contact Expresses Chat help line but I am not hopeful.

​

2

I used to use Express and Vypr both worked on iOS but some days they work some days they don’t. I now use a VPS and it seldom has problems.

3

For a new person looking to get easy access, I’d recommend getting a server and getting Outline on it.
It’s very simple to setup.

4

Go for pandapow…

Thank me later

5

I use ExpressVPN in mainland China on Windows 10 and Android devices without any issues. I would highly recommend you change the topic to Apple Mac issues running these VPN clients that you choose. Likely however its not a problem with the client but the machine or ISP which neither product is responsible for.

Thanks,

6

Sorry, gonna disagree with you here. The OS has little to do with how well a VPN works or does not work IN MAINLAND CHINA.

The Chinese great firewall is not the monolith people think it is. It has holes and its effectiveness depends more on the ISP or where you are physically located in China.

First, some parts of China are special security zones and the internet in those places is more tightly controlled. Second, some ISP cooperate more closely with government polices and some don’t. Finally some ISPs don’t want to pay foreign access fees and therefore slow down any browser calls to locations outside of China. They are willing to give you full access to Chinese movie streaming sites that have their servers in China but if they see a high data rate call to servers outside China, they are going to limit it. Thus, my shitty Chinese ISP will data limit any call to a VPN server located outside China. Unfortunately, I can’t force my apartment building management to change our ISP.

If I create a China Mobile hotspot with my iPhone and use that as the source for my MacBook’s VPN connection, I get better speeds. This proves it is not the hardware.

7

You didn’t read too carefully. Astrill is way better.

8

jichang机场

What is this? (I do not know Chinese.)

9

I have been using Panda Pow for over 4 years. It is often pretty slow with my apartment’s internet service provider. Now, I have learned that other VPNs are also slow with my provider.

10

I heard Astrill is the worst.

11

Used it for 3 years and it was awesome. Maybe something has changed: that ended forever when I GTFO of Shina last June.