ExpressVPN MacOS/IOS Test in China-20200926

Due to the current method of testing each VPN in turn, all today it’s finally ExpressVPN’s turn to be tested. Today I’d like to run a test of ExpressVPN on a Macbook/MacOS. If there’s time I’ll include a quick test in IOS/iPhone (only the results will be published), and if you’re an Android user you can leave a comment to let me know how you’re using it. Since it’s already the 26th of today and it’s almost October, hopefully the flip-flop restrictions will be looser this October. Well, let’s start testing!

Note: There will be a major firewall upgrade blocking operation at the end of September – beginning of October, so be aware!

Barry’s nag: I’ve been hoping to convey a message to my readers that the firewall will be around for the foreseeable future; with it, using any VPN or other tool in China is a dynamic process and there’s no one-and-done solution. That’s why I keep updating the [Daily Test] section. The purpose of the test is to tell you the real usage of the changed VPN at the moment, whether it is available or not, and I will tell you so. In order to speed up the testing, I will be running only SpeedTest tests on it as it is only a reference for the speed test.

Local Device and Network: Macbook/200M带/WiFi;
Speedtest Ping: 11ms; Download: 230Mbps; Upload: 16.7Mbps;

ExpressVPN Last 6 test reports: [See More]Checking out multiple test reports can help you understand more effectively how this VPN works in the long run.

• ExpressVPN Test Report in China March 20, 2025 - Today's ExpressVPN test was prompted by its recent update for Chinese users, which added several new servers. Previously, there were only five, but now the number has increased to ten. Could this be a sign that ExpressVPN is paying more attention to the Chinese market? Additionally, on March 6, 2025, ExpressVPN released an update for its Windows version (12.97.0). This update introduced Lightway Turbo and OpenVPN DCO to its protocol options. I wanted to test whether these enhancements would improve the VPN's performance for users in mainland China trying to bypass restrictions. Introducing Lightway Turbo – You can now experience even faster VPN speeds with our cutting-edge optimization. Lightway Turbo is on by default if you’re connected to Automatic or Lightway – UDP protocols. To adjust your Lightway Turbo settings: Click  > Options > Protocol. Click Enable Lightway Turbo to toggle it off/on. Enhanced OpenVPN Performance – Our upgraded OpenVPN Data Channel Offload (DCO) module gives you a smoother, faster connection. To…
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• ExpressVPN Windows test in China-20220510 - May 10, 2022 China VPN test, today will be a massive server spot check test of ExpressVPN's Automatic protocol option in Windows devices, the complete process of this test will be recorded via video recording software. The advantage of recording the screen is that it can be more intuitive to show the whole connection process to the reader, so that the reader can feel more intuitive, the VPN in the actual use of the process is a kind of experience. This test was conducted through SpeedTest for speed testing. If you have any questions, you can leave a message (anonymous) to communicate...
• ExpressVPN Win/Mac/iOS Test in China/20220421 - China VPN test on April 21, 2022. A field test of ExpressVPN for mainland China will be conducted today in Windows, Macbook, and iOS (iPhone). The test ExpressVPN has been checked and upgraded to the latest version, the specific version number will be explained in the test below. ExpressVPN is currently the most stable and secure sVPN in China, bar none. Even during the most severe blocking period there was only a brief (24 hours) or so connection difficulties or speed drops. If you have any questions, you can leave an anonymous message to communicate.
• Best 4 VPN in China, OMG, Just only one！ - On March 21, 2022, China VPN test will be conducted on a Windows 10 device today. The test VPNs include ExpressVPN, PureVPN, StrongVPN, and AtlasVPN. If there is enough time, we will test others. Each VPN will indicate its App version number, connection protocol and other information at the beginning before the test. As a result, the number of VPNs tested this time is large, so each VPN will usually randomly check 5-10 servers in different regions. If there are officially recommended servers, it will be explained in the test. If you have any questions, you can leave a message (anonymous) to communicate.

ExpressVPN – MacOS Test in China:

Starting Time: Sep 26, 2020, 1:52 PM

The following servers from official recommend;
Protocol: Auto;

Hong Kong – 4: First success. (Time efficiency: 55s)
Speedtest Ping: 225ms; Download: 7.2Mbps; Upload: 1.71Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 2.4Mbps;

Japan – Yokohama: First success. (Time efficiency: 4s)
Speedtest Ping: 156ms; Download: 5Mbps; Upload: 1.55Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 1.6Mbps;

Singapore – Marina Bay: First success. (Time efficiency: 36s)
Speedtest Ping: 210ms; Download: 4.84Mbps; Upload: 2.28Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 2.7Mbps;

USA – Los Angeles – 5: First success. (Time efficiency: 2分18s)
Speedtest Ping: 163ms; Download: 9.27Mbps; Upload: 3.26Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 2.7Mbps;

Summary: The above test of the officially recommended method: “Auto protocol + 4 servers”, can successfully connect to the wall. The speed is not very fast, but it is not a problem for normal users. It is worth noting that the time efficiency of “USA – Los Angeles – 5” is quite long, taking more than 2 minutes. Next I will test the IKEv2 protocol.

The following server is random;
Protocol: IKEv2;

USA – Santa Monica: Failed. (Try once)
USA – New York: First success. (Time efficiency: 9s)
Speedtest Ping: 252ms; Download: 2.19Mbps; Upload: 2.05Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 400Kbps;

USA – San Francisco: First success. (Time efficiency: 45s)
Speedtest Ping: 259ms; Download: 3.93Mbps; Upload: 2.23Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 400Kbps;

USA – Chicago: First success. (Time efficiency: 10s)
Speedtest Ping: 203ms; Download: 3.8Mbps; Upload: 2.5Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 22Kbps;

USA – Washington DC: First success. (Time efficiency: 11s)
Speedtest Ping: 217ms; Download: 8.35Mbps; Upload: 1.98Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 1.9Mbps;

USA – Dallas: First success. (Time efficiency: 10s)
Speedtest Ping: 211ms; Download: 5.46Mbps; Upload: 2.98Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 1.3Mbps;

USA – Miami: First success. (Time efficiency: 73s)
Speedtest Ping: 226ms; Download: 3.79Mbps; Upload: 2.41Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 42Kbps;

USA – Los Angeles – 3: Failed. (Try once)
USA – New Jersey – 1: First success. (Time efficiency: 12s)
Speedtest Ping: 275ms; Download: 1.74Mbps; Upload: 2.53Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 130Kbps;

USA – Los Angeles – 1: First success. (Time efficiency: 78s)
Speedtest Ping: 154ms; Download: 3.21Mbps; Upload: 3.53Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 4.1Mbps;

USA – Los Angeles: First success. (Time efficiency: 5s)
Speedtest Ping: 214ms; Download: 18.1Mbps; Upload: 2.89Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 1.1Mbps;

Canada – Toronto – 2: First success. (Time efficiency: 2分23s)
Speedtest Ping: 235ms; Download: 10.3Mbps; Upload: 2.37Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 1.3Mbps;

Canada – Toronto: First success. (Time efficiency: 45s)
Speedtest Ping: 217ms; Download: 9.55Mbps; Upload: 2.91Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 60Kbps;

Canada – Vancouver: Failed. (Try once)
Canada – Montreal: Failed. (Try once)
Japan – Tokyo – 2: First success. (Time efficiency: 8s)
Speedtest Ping: 217ms; Download: 9.55Mbps; Upload: 2.91Mbps;
Netflix Fast: Can’t use the tool, But can open google and youtube;

Summary: Today I tested ExpressVPN’s IKEv2 protocol on a Macbook, and although the success rate was quite high, I personally felt that it took a bit longer than the previous tests with Time efficiency, and the speed seemed to be a bit less than before. I don’t know if this has anything to do with the big blockade in October. But on the whole, IKEv2 protocol still works fine in mainland China for connectivity over the wall. I’ll keep watching its actual usage as well.

ExpressVPN MacOS Version: 7.11.4 (4);  Protocol: Auto/IKEv2
Today’s Test Score: ★ ★ ★ ★

ExpressVPN – IOS/iPhone Test in China:

Due to time constraints, the following tests on IOS/iPhone are intended to test the server connection success rate, not the speed, so that you can test as many servers as possible. This is done in the hope of understanding its current use of the wall over the various IOS servers.

Device: iPhone/IOS
Starting Time: Sep 26, 2020, 4:03 PM
Network: 200M/4G

The following servers from official recommend;    Protocol: Auto

Hong Kong – 4: First success. (Time efficiency: 58s)
Japan – Yokohama: First success. (Time efficiency: 33s)
Singapore – Marina Bay: First success. (Time efficiency: 83s)
USA – Los Angeles – 5: First success. (Time efficiency: 70s)

The following servers is random;    Protocol: IKEv2

USA – Santa Monica: Failed. (Try once)
USA – New York: First success. (Time efficiency: 5s)
USA – San Francisco: First success. (Time efficiency: 21s)
USA – Chicago: First success. (Time efficiency: 3s)
USA – Washington DC: Failed. (Try once)
USA – Dallas: First success. (Time efficiency: 12s)
USA – Miami: First success. (Time efficiency: 72s)
USA – Los Angeles – 3: Failed. (Try once)
USA – New Jersey – 1: First success. (Time efficiency: 3s)
USA – Los Angeles – 2: First success. (Time efficiency: 5s)
USA – New Jersey – 3: First success. (Time efficiency: 20s)
USA – Seattle: Failed. (Try once)
USA – Miami – 2: First success. (Time efficiency: 25s)
USA – Denver: Failed. (Try once)
USA – Salt Lake City: Failed. (Try once)
USA – Tampa – 1: Failed. (Try once)
USA – Los Angeles – 1: First success. (Time efficiency: 70s)
USA – New York – 2: Failed. (Try once)
USA – Hollywood: Failed. (Try once)
USA – Dallas – 2: Failed. (Try once)
USA – Los Angeles: First success. (Time efficiency: 6s)
USA – Atlanta: Failed. (Try once)
Canada – Toronto – 2: First success. (Time efficiency: 43s)
Canada – Toronto: First success. (Time efficiency: 29s)
Canada – Vancouver: Failed. (Try once)
Canada – Montreal: Failed. (Try once)
Hong Kong – 2: Failed. (Try once)
Japan – Tokyo – 2: Failed. (Try once)
Japan – Tokyo: Failed. (Try once)
Singapore – Jurong: Failed. (Try once)
Singapore – CBD: Failed. (Try once)
Australia – Sydney: First success. (Time efficiency: 67s)
Australia – Melbourne: Failed. (Try once)
Australia – Perth: Failed. (Try once)
Australia – Brisbane: Failed. (Try once)
Australia – Sydney – 2: Failed. (Try once)

Summary: These are the tests of ExpressVPN in IOS/iPhone. I tested it on servers in the US, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia, all major regions. From these tests, you can get a general idea of how the IKEv2 protocol works in this device. However, it should be noted that due to the constant upgrades and changes in firewalls in China, the number of servers that can be connected will change accordingly. Therefore, the above tests should only be used for immediate reference. In the meantime, the officially recommended method is currently available.

ExpressVPN IOS/iPhone Version: 8.3.5(13231)；Protocol: Auto/IKEv2
Today’s Test Score: ★ ★ ★