Today, I’m going to test PureVPN‘s performance on a MacBook in China. Since I’m not sure which servers are accessible here, I’ll be using a semi-blind approach to select servers. The VPN protocol is set to “automatic.” After a successful connection, I’ll share screenshots, at which point we’ll see exactly which protocol was used.
PureVPN Test Report Overview from the Past Six Issues: [View All]
Reviewing multiple test reports can help you gain a more comprehensive understanding of this VPN’s long-term performance.
- ISP: China TelecomBandwidth
- ISP Speed: 500Mbps
- Device: MacBook (Intel)
- Test Time: December 11, 2024 (China time)
HongKong: Connection successful; (Once, it takes about 5 seconds, Protocol IKEv2)
- SpeedTest: Download:64.8 Mbps; Upload: 27.6 Mbps; Ping: 285 ms; Jitter: 11 ms; Loss: 0%
- YouTube experience: very smooth speed, no lag
- Test duration: more than 58 minutes
Popular website connectivity test:
X(Twitter): Can be used very smoothly
ChatGPT: It cannot be used, and it prompts that VPN is detected. However, everyone needs to understand that ChatGPT is not open to Hong Kong. Therefore, even if you are in Hong Kong and use the local network, you cannot use ChatGPT. You need to use other IP address VPN servers to use it.
Claude AI (Anthropic): It prompts that it is not supported for use in Hong Kong.
Google Gemini: Can be used normally and smoothly.
I also tested Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon, and they all worked fine. However, this server cannot use TikTok because TikTok is not open to Hong Kong. During the entire test, the connection to the server lasted for 58 minutes. It was still connected and there was no downtime during this period.
Seoul KR: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
United States: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
Japan: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
London GB: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
Manchester GB: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
Manchester GB: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
Perth AU: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
Sydney AU: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
Ashburn US: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
Atlanta US: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
Chicago US: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
Houston US: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
Frankfurt DE: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
Toronto CA: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
Amsterdam NL: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
Singapore SG: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
Milano IT: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
Dublin IE: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
Vienna AT: Connection successful; (Once, it takes about 15 seconds, Protocol UDP)
- SpeedTest: Download: 5.14 Mbps; Upload: 12.9 Mbps; Ping: 178 ms; Jitter: 18 ms; Loss: 0%
- YouTube experience: very smooth speed, no lag
- Test duration: more than 20 minutes
Popular website connectivity test:
X(Twitter): Can be used very smoothly
TikTok: Can successfully unblock TikTok.
Claude AI (Anthropic): Can successfully unblock Claude AI.
ChatGPT: Can successfully unblock OpenAI ChatGPT.
Google Gemini: Can be used normally.
X(Twitter): Can be used normally.
Facebook: Can be used normally.
Cepenhagen DK: Connection successful; (Once, it takes about 10 seconds, Protocol UDP)
- SpeedTest: Download: 36.8 Mbps; Upload: 11.2 Mbps; Ping: 194 ms; Jitter: 89 ms; Loss: 0.36%
- YouTube experience: very smooth speed, no lag
- Test duration: more than 10 minutes
Popular website connectivity test:
X(Twitter): Can be used very smoothly
TikTok: Can successfully unblock TikTok.
ChatGPT: Can successfully unblock.
Claude AI: Can successfully unblock.
Google Gemini: Can successfully unblock.
Facebook: Can successfully unblock.
Oslo NO: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
Bucharest RO: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
Warsaw PL: Connection successful; (Once, it takes about 5 seconds, Protocol UDP)
- SpeedTest: Download: 36.7 Mbps; Upload: 6.95 Mbps; Ping: 208 ms; Jitter: 35 ms; Loss: -%
- YouTube experience: very smooth speed, no lag
- Test duration: more than 10 minutes
Popular website connectivity test:
X(Twitter): Can be used very smoothly
TikTok: Can successfully unblock.
ChatGPT: Can successfully unblock.
Claude AI: Can successfully unblock.
Google Gemini: Can successfully unblock.
Facebook: Can successfully unblock.
Prague CZ: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
Helsinki FI: Connection failed; (Error Code -408)
Today, I conducted a random test of several PureVPN servers to assess their usability in China. The results showed that the Hong Kong server performed the best, which aligns with my usual experience. Its stability isn’t limited to this test; it’s consistently reliable in daily use. However, I typically don’t test a wide range of servers during regular use, as doing so is time-consuming.
Among the servers tested, a few others were also usable. However, based on my experience, just because a server works during testing doesn’t guarantee it will always connect successfully during actual use. There’s a degree of variability involved. Overall, this test confirms that PureVPN is usable in China, at least on a MacBook. From my personal experience on Windows, the Hong Kong server also works well, though I didn’t include those results in this test. I cannot confirm the reliability of other servers.
If you don’t need to use AI tools like ChatGPT, the Hong Kong server is your best option. However, if you do require access to these tools, I recommend using my test results to find a relatively stable server that suits your needs.
For those visiting China for the first time, you might be surprised by how challenging it can be to access the internet freely. Unfortunately, this has long been the case in China. While the country’s internet infrastructure is highly advanced, it’s ironic that Chinese users are unable to freely access the global internet.
I hope this simple test report is helpful to you. Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or want to discuss further.