2024 Must-Have VPN Recommendations | Paid vs. Free VPNs: A Comprehensive Guide! Also Featuring Mainland China eSIM Recommendations

Paid and Free VPN Recommendations! VPNs can protect your personal privacy in everyday life, allowing you to play games, shop, and watch videos across countries more conveniently. Of course, they can also allow you to connect to desired areas when traveling. This article will recommend several high-rated VPNs that are easy to use and secure!

* **Security and Privacy:** Make sure the VPN offers strong encryption to protect your network traffic from surveillance. Also, review the provider's privacy policy to ensure they don't log your browsing data or personal information. * **Server Location and Coverage:** Choose a provider with servers in the country or region you'll be traveling to. * **Connection Speed and Bandwidth Limits:** Ensure the chosen VPN has sufficient connection speed for smooth video streaming, file downloads, etc. Some free VPNs may have bandwidth limitations, resulting in slow speeds or disconnections. * **Cross-Platform Support:** In addition to supporting mobile devices, it's recommended to find a VPN that supports both computers and tablets. * **Device Support Number:** Most VPNs limit the number of devices an account can use. If you need to use multiple devices or share with others, look for one that supports many or even unlimited devices. * **Refund Policy:** Before using a VPN, understand the refund service offered by the provider, especially for unused VPNs, to protect your rights.

There is no such thing as a perfect VPN, it cannot guarantee absolute anonymity and security, and you may discover connection failures only when you arrive at your destination. Therefore, choosing a well-established VPN with high ratings carries the lowest risk! The following VPNs are highly recommended by many people.

ExpressVPN services are available in 105 countries and regions, with extremely fast speeds. Each account can connect up to 8 devices simultaneously and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Its biggest advantage is its high success rate in bypassing the Great Firewall of China!
| One Year | Six Months | Monthly | |---|---|---| | US$8.32 | US$9.99 | US$12.95 |
ExpressVPN doesn't have a basic or premium version; pricing varies only based on the purchase duration. It is slightly more expensive than some other VPNs, but once purchased, you enjoy internet usage protection and an ad blocker.

This is a VPN widely recommended for its high value. It has over 6,000 servers distributed in 111 countries and regions, and offers fast connection speeds. It's not just a VPN; it also protects your devices from threats. Each account can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. | **Plan** | **Two Years** | |---|---| | Basic | HK$28 | | Upgrade | HK$37 | | Complete | HK$44 | The basic version already supports 10 devices. The upgraded version prevents malicious attacks and protects your data, while the premium version offers even greater security. Currently, you can get up to 50% off when purchasing, plus an additional 3 months free!

Surfshark currently serves over 100 countries and regions. Its biggest advantage is that there are no device connection limits, one account can be used on unlimited devices, it also provides CleanWeb ad blocking functionality, which can block annoying ads and trackers, and the price is very favorable, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. | | Two Years | One Year | Monthly | |----------|------------|-----------|-----------| | Basic | HK$16 | HK$21 | HK$118 | | Upgrade | HK$21 | HK$24 | HK$122 | | Complete | HK$33 | HK$39 | HK$138 | All three versions support unlimited devices. The Basic version can already block ads, the Upgrade version adds antivirus protection, and the Complete version prevents your data from being collected as marketing material by the company. Currently, you can enjoy up to a 40% discount with an additional 3 months free!

This VPN is more intuitive and basic, with only simple functions, but it's cheaper. Although the connection speed may not be fast, it can still protect your device security, prevent attacks, and allow you to connect to 30 countries and regions. Currently, there is only a one-year plan priced at $29 USD, which averages about HK$19 per month, making it very affordable. However, if you want to renew for the second year, the price will increase significantly. Remember to check the renewal price before it expires.

Serving over 50 countries and regions with over 4,000 servers, Bitdefender offers a free version with 200 MB of daily traffic. If you need more, you can try the premium version for 7 days free. The premium version supports 10 devices, has unlimited traffic, blocks ads, provides data protection, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee! | Year | Monthly | |---|---| | HK$28.57 | HK$59.99 | The upgraded price is divided into yearly and monthly subscriptions. The monthly subscription price is relatively cheap among many VPNs, plus the 7-day free trial, which is very friendly to new customers!

Norton is a well-established brand in the industry, starting with antivirus software and later expanding to VPN. The standard version already has antivirus protection, and the best part is that it comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee! | | Three Years | Two Years | One Year | |-------|------------|-----------|----------| | **Standard 1 Device** | HK$26.33 | HK$24.08 | HK$19.83 | | **Advanced 3 Devices** | HK$39.97 | HK$36.17 | HK$33.17 | | **Advanced 5 Devices** | HK$63 | HK$54.08 | HK$39 | There are multiple tiers and durations to choose from in terms of pricing. All three plans include antivirus software, password manager, and cloud backup, and there is a 14-day free trial period. The difference lies in the number of devices that can be used and the cloud backup capacity.

This product has a free version, although it can only connect to one device and the speed is relatively slow, but there are no data limits and it can also block advertisements; If you have high requirements for network security or personal privacy, I highly recommend ProtonVPN because its headquarters are in Switzerland and it is not subject to EU supervision, making data security much stronger than other brands, but the price is relatively higher, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. | Two Years | One Year | Monthly | |---|---|---| | US$4.49 | US$4.99 | US$9.99 | Upgrading to one version allows you to connect to 10 devices, block internet threats, and has good speed. You can connect to over 90 countries and regions with more than 4,500 servers. It may not be the most cost-effective VPN, but it is very secure in terms of security, speed, and stability.

Kuai Miao also offers free services, with 1 hour of free usage time each day. Although it's short, the free backup VPN is not a problem in the end, and many people say it can be used in mainland China.

If you're only going to mainland China for a short trip, eSIM is also a good option. You don't need to change a physical SIM card, and you can use unblocked internet services without needing to open a VPN separately. You can also buy data based on the number of days you travel, making the overall price more affordable. However, remember to check if your phone supports eSIM service! Here are two recommendations for inexpensive and high-value eSIM service providers.