This is our updated review of 12VPX (formerly 12VPN), based on real-world testing from inside China. Over the years, we’ve also tested and reviewed many other VPN services specifically for bypassing the Great Firewall. If you’re looking for reliable VPN options that work well in China, be sure to check our full list of recommended providers here: Best VPNs for China.
Pros:
- Good connection and fast speed.
- Designed for users in China with specialized connection modes that improve reliability during periods of heavy Great Firewall interference.
- China traffic filtering feature that keeps Chinese websites outside the VPN tunnel for faster loading inside China.
- No limit on the number of simultaneous devices as long as each device connects to a different server.
Cons:
- BitTorrent and other P2P downloads are not allowed.
- No real-time customer support. Support is only available through email.
- Short refund period of 14 days with a data usage requirement for eligibility.
- The price is high compared to other VPN apps.
- Mobile devices do not have a dedicated 12VPX app, so users need to rely on third-party apps to complete the setup.
Starting Price: $10.00/mo
About 12VPX:
12VPX (formerly 12VPN) is a long-running VPN service that originally started in Hong Kong but is now operated out of the Netherlands. Although the company has changed locations over the years, its focus has stayed the same: providing a simple, reliable way for people in China to get around the Great Firewall. The service is known for offering connection modes built specifically for the China network environment and for having years of hands-on experience helping China-based users stay connected to the global internet. If you’re looking for a provider that understands the challenges of using a VPN in China, 12VPX is one of the more established names in this space.
12VPX for China:
From our recent tests, 12VPX still works from inside China and can give you full access to blocked sites when it is set up correctly. The company has been serving China users for many years and it shows in the way the service is structured. The main 12vpx.com website is blocked on most mainland networks, so you usually need to use a special China-compatible link or an alternate portal that 12VPX shares in the user dashboard or by email. If you plan to live in China long term, it is a good idea to save those backup links somewhere safe before your connection gets blocked.
12VPX offers multiple connection types that are tuned for the Great Firewall, not just a single “on or off” VPN button. On Windows and macOS, you can choose options like China XTLS and China WEB, which send traffic to Chinese sites over your normal connection while sending everything else through 12VPX. In practice, that means local sites such as Baidu or Taobao stay fast, while Google, YouTube, WhatsApp, and other blocked services go through the encrypted tunnel. On Linux and some routers, 12VPX also supports setups like v2rayA with rules that exclude CN sites, which gives you similar behavior at the network level.
Connection quality still depends a lot on timing and politics in China. During big political events and crackdowns, some servers are blocked and you may need to switch locations or refresh the server list more than usual. 12VPX tends to email China users when this happens and provides updated access links and routing advice, which is handy when you suddenly lose a favorite server. Overall, if you are willing to learn the China-specific connection types and keep an eye on server updates, 12VPX remains a usable option for getting around the Great Firewall.
Features of 12VPX:
Server network and bandwidth
12VPX runs servers in multiple regions across North America, Europe, and Asia, including popular locations such as the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and several European countries. Most servers allow unlimited downloading for personal use, and you can switch locations as often as you like.
Supported protocols
12VPX is built around xray-core and supports modern proxy and VPN protocols such as VLESS and VMess (v2ray), Shadowsocks, Trojan, WireGuard, SplitHTTP, and OpenVPN. The exact protocol used depends on the app and setup you choose.
Apps and supported platforms
12VPX works on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and OpenWRT routers. On desktop you use the official VPNGUI app. On mobile and some other platforms you connect through third party apps such as Floxcore, Shadowscale, Shadowrocket, v2rayNG, or v2rayA using profiles from your 12VPX account.
Simultaneous connections
Each 12VPX account is for personal use and supports up to six devices online at the same time. If you see conflicts, it can help to connect different devices to different servers.
Streaming support
12VPX offers streaming focused modes and apps, such as Floxcore on iOS and Apple TV, that are designed to work with its own streaming service and major video platforms. Streaming often works well when you pick a suitable server, but access is not guaranteed for every site or region.
P2P and torrenting
12VPX does not allow Bittorrent, btSync, or other P2P style file sharing on its network. If you need a VPN for torrenting, you should use a different provider.
Security and privacy features
12VPX uses strong encryption and supports DNS leak protection, a kill switch on supported setups, and DNSSEC on most servers. All connections pass through a NAT firewall when you are connected, and the service states that it operates with a no logs policy for VPN usage.
Extra tools and connection management
The desktop client can start with your computer and auto connect to a preferred server. You can also enable connection sharing so that your computer acts as a local proxy and other devices on your home network can reuse the same 12VPX connection.
12VPX’s Price & Free Trial:
12VPX currently offers three pricing plans. The 1 Month plan costs $27.99 per month and is billed every month. The 1 Year plan works out to $12.50 per month and is billed $149.99 once a year, which saves $185.89 compared to paying monthly. The 2 Years plan works out to $10.00 per month and is billed $239.99 every two years, which saves $431.77 compared to paying monthly. All plans include the same features and come with a 14-day money back guarantee.
New orders are covered by a 14-day 100% money back guarantee, but there are a few conditions to qualify. You need to request the refund within 14 days of your order date, and it must be the first order on your account, so renewals are not included. You also have to follow the Acceptable Use Policy and Terms of Service, use less than 5 GB of bandwidth, and not activate the included eSIM. In addition, you cannot have received a refund from 12VPX before under this policy.
Desktop Software:
12VPX provides its own desktop app for Windows and macOS. After you sign up, you download the 12VPX installer for your system, install it, and log in with your account. The app then pulls down the current server list and lets you pick a location to connect to.
In the desktop app, you can connect and disconnect with one click, change servers, and switch between different connection types such as WEB, China WEB, XTLS, and China XTLS. This makes it easy to choose a setup that works best for your network, especially when you are in China.
When the 12VPX app is running, an icon sits in the system tray on Windows or the menu bar on macOS and shows whether you are connected or not. From there you can quickly open the app, change servers, or disconnect. The app also includes basic options like starting with your computer and automatically connecting to a preferred server.
Mobile Apps
12VPX does not offer its own mobile app, but it works well with a number of trusted third-party clients. This approach is a bit more technical than tapping a one click VPN app, but it gives you more control and makes it possible to run 12VPX on a wide range of phones, tablets, and streaming devices.
12VPX for Android
On Android, the usual setup is to install an app like v2rayNG, then import your 12VPX configuration using a subscription link or QR code from the 12VPX dashboard. Once it is set up, you can pick China focused modes that keep Chinese sites on your normal connection and send blocked sites through 12VPX.
12VPX for iOS
On iOS, 12VPX provides setup guides for apps such as Floxcore, Shadowscale, and Shadowrocket. You add your account to the app with the subscription link from 12VPX, then choose a suitable profile or China mode inside the client. Floxcore can also be used on Apple TV for streaming.
Customer Support:
12VPX does not offer live chat like many big VPN providers. Instead, support is handled through email, a Telegram bot, and a U.S. voicemail line. For most issues, you contact their support team by email, and they aim to reply within about 24 hours. If you prefer messaging, you can send questions through their Telegram bot, which is also handled by the same support team. They publish a U.S. phone number for leaving voice messages, but support engineers do not take live calls, so in practice you should expect to troubleshoot mainly by email.
Recommended alternatives to 12VPX for China
If 12VPX does not quite fit your needs because of the price, lack of a simple mobile app, or its limited support for streaming and P2P, there are other VPNs that work well in China. Below is a list of recommended 12VPX alternatives that we have tested from inside China, so you can compare options and choose the service that best matches your budget and usage. For more details, you can visit our Best VPNs for China (Chinese version: 中国好用的VPN推荐) page.
✔ Good at countering VPN blocking
✔ 30-day money-back guarantee
VPN Review: ExpressVPN Review
✔ 30-day money-back guarantee
VPN Review: Surfshark VPN Review
12VPX Review Conclusion:
12VPX is still a relatively small provider, but it feels like a specialist that understands the China market. Its China focused connection modes, flexible protocol support, and long history of serving users behind the Great Firewall make it a strong option if you are willing to spend a bit more and follow the setup guides carefully.
The main tradeoffs are the higher price, the lack of a simple first party mobile app, and the fact that streaming access and P2P are not its strong points. If your top priority is getting a stable, everyday connection to Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, YouTube, and other blocked services from inside China, 12VPX is easy to recommend. If you care more about Netflix, heavy torrenting, or the lowest possible price, you may want to compare it with a few alternatives first.
