Astrill
The China specialist — purpose-built obfuscation, priced well above the mainstream options.
Quick Specs
| Developer | Astrill VPN LLC |
| Headquarters | Sakartvelo (Georgia) |
| Category | VPN & Privacy |
| Pricing | Paid |
| Free Tier | None |
| Auth Method | Email account |
| API Available | ❌ No |
| Format | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers |
| China Access | ✅ Works in China |
| Last checked | July 2026 |
What Is Astrill?
Astrill is widely clong had a following among China-based expats and business travellers, built on its purpose-designed StealthVPN protocol. It has been operating since 2009 and has consistently maintained functionality through periods when other VPNs were blocked around sensitive dates (National Congress, national holidays).
Astrill's reliability comes from its proprietary protocols: StealthVPN and WireGuard Asia are specifically designed to evade deep packet inspection (DPI) used by the Great Firewall. Unlike standard VPN protocols that are easily detected, Astrill's obfuscation makes VPN traffic look like normal HTTPS traffic.
The tradeoff is price: Astrill is significantly more expensive than NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark, with no free tier and no significant discount plan. For users who need guaranteed China access, the premium is worth it — but for users outside China or with occasional needs, cheaper options like NordVPN offer better value.
Key Features
Astrill Pricing (2026)
1 month
$30/mo- ✓ 1 device
- ✓ All servers
- ✓ All protocols
Best for: Short-term use
1 year
$12.50/mo- ✓ 1 device
- ✓ All servers
- ✓ All protocols
- ✓ Best annual price
Best for: Regular users
Multi-device (Add-on)
+$5/mo- ✓ 5 extra devices
- ✓ Family sharing
Best for: Multi-device households
Astrill: Pros & Cons
+ Pros
- ✓StealthVPN protocol purpose-built for heavily filtered networks
- ✓Long-standing reputation among China-based users
- ✓Obfuscation on all plans
- ✓Fast speeds in Asia
- ✓Router support
− Cons
- ✗No free trial
- ✗Most expensive major VPN
- ✗Only 1 simultaneous device on base plan
- ✗Less value for non-China users
Best Use Cases for Astrill
Living in China
Reliable daily access to ChatGPT, Google, and international services from mainland China.
Business travel to China
Consistent VPN access when visiting China for work — important when other VPNs might fail.
Critical access needs
When reliability matters more than cost — journalists, researchers, and professionals who need guaranteed access.
How to Get Started with Astrill
- 1
Go to astrill.com and create an account
- 2
Purchase a subscription — 1-year plan offers best monthly rate
- 3
Download the Astrill app for your device
- 4
Open the app and connect before entering China
- 5
Select StealthVPN protocol for best China performance
✅ Works in China: Astrill in China
Astrill is accessible from mainland China without a VPN. Purchase and install before entering China — VPN provider websites may be blocked inside China.