WeChat is China’s largest social media platform, since Facebook is blocked in that country. Apart from offering messaging and social features, it supports a mobile payment option. Developed Tencent and released in 2011, We Chat is a popular mobile app, not only in China, but also around the world. In 2018, it was estimated that over 1 billion people use WeChat every month. WeChat offers an extensive selection of features and it is a flexible solution for communication and payment needs. However, in order to ensure that you don’t put your privacy at risk when using WeChat, it is important that you use a VPN service that protects your communications and all your activities.
The problem is that in China, the internet is under the strict control of the government and that includes apps developed in the country. The Chinese authorities don’t only place blocks that prevent people from accessing content that is considered to go against the country’s ideals, they also apply heavy surveillance over all the activities of users. It is likely that Chinese developers have to cooperate with the government, making their apps accessible to this surveillance. VPNs are an effective way to defeat the blocks that those in China have to face when they want to add international websites and popular foreign apps like Twitter and Facebook. A VPN allows you to get an IP address from a different location. If you connect to a VPN server outside China, you can overcome the restrictions that are applied there.
In the case of WeChat, since the app is very popular, it is highly recommended to use a VPN because there is a risk that the app is used as a way to get access to users’ information. Using a VPN helps you to enhance the security of your information, because it establishes a secure and private connection with a high level of encryption. When the data is encrypted, it is not possible for third parties to understand it so they won’t know what content you are accessing or what you are talking about when you chat with friends. VPNs are valuable tools to defeat censorship and geographical restrictions, giving you online freedom. Plus, a VPN also lets you keep your internet traffic protected, thanks to the use of encryption.
How to use a VPN for WeChat
The process to get started with a VPN is generally the same. Once you select a VPN (we will provide a list of recommended options), you need to click Connect and wait some time for the connection to be established. When you get connected, your IP address changes and your data is encrypted. This means that third parties won’t be able to see what you are doing. Encryption secures your internet traffic and defends it against eavesdroppers. Plus, the fact that your real IP address is masked and replaced with an IP address from another country, hides your location and identity. Getting an IP address from another location, also gives you access to content that is available in that region.
One of the main things to look for a VPN for WeChat is up to date encryption and a transparent privacy policy. Speed is another crucial factor, particularly if you want to stream content or play online games, but you also need it to ensure seamless communication on WeChat. It is also important to choose a VPN service that doesn’t keep logs of your online activities and that won’t share your data with third-parties. Being able to access content without issues and high privacy protection are key aspects when you look for a VPN for WeChat. The first thing is to look for a high level of encryption that protects you from online surveillance. You also need to be able to unblock content and defeat government censorship. As we mentioned, a no logs policy is also important and last but not least, check that the VPN you select offers support for multiple platforms including mobile devices.
Best VPN Services for WeChat
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is fast, secure and versatile. It comes with all the features that ensure that your information remains protected at all times. The high level of encryption used keeps your conversations and activities protected from online surveillance and other threats to privacy. ExpressVPN has servers in over 90 countries and it doesn’t keep any logs of your traffic. You can bypass restrictions and enjoy WeChat’s advantages without compromising your privacy.
NordVPN
NordVPN is known in the VPN industry for its commitment to help users to protect their privacy. This provider is based in Panama, a safe location for privacy as it doesn’t apply strict data retention laws like other countries. Thanks to this, NordVPN can offer a zero logs policy. NordVPN has over 5000 servers in more than 60 countries, giving you fast speeds and reliable performance to get around blocks. NordVPN also has excellent apps for all platforms so you can enjoy WeChat anywhere you are.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is also in our list of recommended options for WeChat. This provider has excellent unblocking features that help you to overcome blocks without hassle. It has been around for over a decade and it is one of the most reliable names in the VPN industry. CyberGhost doesn’t monitor your data and doesn’t keep logs and it applies strong encryption to your traffic to stop third parties from seeing what you are doing online. There are over 3000 servers in more than 50 countries in CyberGhost’s network.
Surfshark
Surfshark is the youngest provider in our list, but it offers as good quality as the most experienced providers in our list. It has servers in over 60 countries and it supports advanced security features, as well as powerful unblocking capacity. Surfshark is also a fast solution that lets you overcome restrictions and access the content that you want. You can use as many devices as you want at the same time and use WeChat on your mobile, desktop and more.
Private Internet Access
This is one of the most popular providers available and it is not only because it offers affordable plans, but also becomes it comes packed with impressive features. You can get around blocks effectively and at the same time, keep your information secure. PIA used high encryption and includes kill switch, which prevents that your real IP address is leaked, even if the VPN connection suddenly drops. PIA doesn’t keep logs of your activities and it offers fast speeds for WeChat and other messaging apps.
