TorGuard

#5 Power Users

Verdict: 6.5/10 — Best for Developers & Advanced Users (Mar 2026)

Last Verified: Aug 21, 2026

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Quick Synthesis

Verdict: TorGuard suits power users, developers and engineers in China. It expects technical setup (Stealth VPN plus Stunnel configuration) but offers port forwarding and dedicated IPs, which nothing else here does. Not a first VPN — ExpressVPN is far easier if you just want it to work.
Protocol Mechanism: Stealth VPN (OpenVPN + Stunnel obfuscation)
GFW Resistance: Medium (Stunnel wraps OpenVPN traffic in SSL encryption, making it harder for GFW to detect. Effectiveness depends on proper manual configuration.)
Performance (China): 180ms Latency, 78% Uptime (Tested: Mar 2026 via China Telecom Shanghai)
Best For: Developers & software engineers, Users who need port forwarding, Advanced users comfortable with VPN configs, Those who need dedicated IPs

Context: TorGuard's Stealth VPN uses Stunnel (SSL tunneling) to obfuscate OpenVPN traffic. This is more effective than basic obfuscation but requires manual setup: selecting Stealth servers, configuring ports, and troubleshooting connection issues. Success rate: 75-80% when properly configured.

Why Choose TorGuard for China?

TL;DR: TorGuard is ranked #5 (6.5/10) because it offers advanced features (port forwarding, dedicated IPs, Stealth servers) that appeal to developers and power users. But it requires technical setup and has a shorter refund window (7 days) than Astrill VPN (30 days) or ExpressVPN (30 days).

Strengths

→ Stealth VPN servers: Dedicated China-optimized servers with Stunnel obfuscation
→ Port forwarding: Unique feature for running servers or apps that need incoming connections
→ Dedicated IPs: Optional add-on for clean, private IP addresses ($7.99/mo extra)
→ CLI/scripts support: Command-line tools for automation
→ Business plans: Team management, centralized billing, dedicated support for enterprises
→ No bandwidth limits: Unlimited data on all plans

Weaknesses

→ Requires technical setup: Not one-click like ExpressVPN or Astrill
→ US jurisdiction: Based in 5 Eyes country (worse than Astrill's Swiss jurisdiction)
→ Only 7-day refund: Shorter testing window vs Astrill VPN (30 days) or ExpressVPN (30 days)
→ Clunky UI: Desktop app is functional but not beginner-friendly
→ Lower success rate: more consistent than Astrill VPN (81%) or ExpressVPN (85%)

Technical Specifications

Protocol: Stealth VPN (Stunnel)
GFW Resistance: Medium-High
Success Rate: 75-80%
Avg Latency: 180ms (Shanghai)
Price: $5/mo (annual)
Refund Window: 7 days
Jurisdiction: USA (5 Eyes)
Best For: Power Users

How to Set Up TorGuard for China

Setup Difficulty: TorGuard requires manual configuration. If you're not comfortable with VPN settings, choose Astrill VPN (#1) instead — it works out of the box with one-click Chameleon 2.0 obfuscation.

Step 1: Purchase Before Entering China

TorGuard's website is blocked in China. You MUST purchase and download the app before entering China.

Go to TorGuard.net and purchase annual plan ($59.99/year = $5/mo)
Download the desktop app (Windows, macOS, Linux) or mobile app (iOS, Android)
Log in with your account credentials

Step 2: Enable Stealth VPN Mode

Stealth VPN uses Stunnel to obfuscate OpenVPN traffic as HTTPS. This is REQUIRED for China.

Open TorGuard app → Settings → Connection Settings
Protocol: Select "OpenVPN"
Enable "Stealth VPN" checkbox
Port: Select "Port 443" (SSL standard port)
Click "Save" and restart the app

Step 3: Select Stealth Servers

Only servers labeled "Stealth" work in China. Regular servers will fail immediately.

In server list, filter by "Stealth" or look for "ST" prefix
Recommended locations: Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Los Angeles
If connection fails, try 2-3 different Stealth servers before giving up

Step 4: Test Connection

After connecting, verify that your VPN is actually working and not leaking your real IP.

Connect to a Stealth server
Visit ipleak.net — your IP should show the VPN server location (not China)
Test access to blocked sites: Google, Facebook, Twitter
If it fails, try a different Stealth server or contact TorGuard support

TorGuard vs Top Alternatives

VPN	Rank	Score	Success	Price	Refund	Best For
Astrill VPN	#1	6.1/10	81%	$5/mo	30 days	Privacy + Value
ExpressVPN	#2	7.2/10	85%	from $3.49/mo	30 days	Travelers / Simple
Astrill	#3	7.1/10	98%	$30/mo	7 days	Max Reliability
Surfshark	#4	7.0/10	60%	$2.19/mo	30 days	Budget Backup
TorGuard	#5	6.5/10	75-80%	$5/mo	7 days	Power Users

Recommendation: If you're a developer or power user who needs port forwarding or dedicated IPs, TorGuard is worth the technical setup. For everyone else, Astrill VPN (#1) offers better ease of use, longer refund (30 days vs 7 days), and Swiss jurisdiction.

TorGuard Pricing

Business Plans Available: TorGuard offers enterprise plans with team management, centralized billing, dedicated account managers, and priority support. Perfect for businesses with remote teams in China. Contact sales for custom pricing.

Monthly Plan

$9.99/month

Unlimited bandwidth
8 simultaneous connections
Stealth VPN servers
7-day refund

BEST VALUE

Annual Plan

$5.00/month

Billed $59.99/year

Unlimited bandwidth
8 simultaneous connections
Stealth VPN servers
7-day refund

Add-Ons

Optional extras (per month):

Dedicated IP: +$7.99/mo
Streaming Bundle: +$7.99/mo
Extra Locations: Varies

Refund Warning: TorGuard only offers 7 days to test and request a refund. This is much shorter than Astrill VPN (30 days) or ExpressVPN (30 days). Test immediately after purchase to ensure it works on your China ISP.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does TorGuard work in China in 2026? ▼

Yes, TorGuard works in China with reasonably consistent results when using Stealth VPN servers and OpenVPN Stunnel configuration. It requires manual setup and is not as reliable as Astrill VPN (81%) or Astrill (98%), but offers unique features like port forwarding and dedicated IPs that appeal to power users and developers.

What are TorGuard Stealth VPN servers? ▼

Stealth VPN servers are TorGuard's obfuscated servers designed for restrictive countries like China. They use Stunnel (SSL tunneling) to disguise OpenVPN traffic as regular HTTPS. You must manually enable Stealth mode in the TorGuard app settings and select servers labeled 'Stealth' for China bypass.

Can I torrent in China with TorGuard? ▼

TorGuard supports port forwarding which makes torrenting possible, but torrenting copyrighted content is illegal in China and can result in warnings from ISPs or legal action. TorGuard's port forwarding is primarily useful for developers running servers or applications that need incoming connections.

Is TorGuard hard to set up for China? ▼

Yes. TorGuard requires technical knowledge compared to ExpressVPN or Astrill. You must manually configure Stunnel, select Stealth servers, adjust port settings, and troubleshoot connection issues. Not recommended for beginners or non-technical users. If you want one-click setup, choose Astrill VPN (#1) instead.

TorGuard vs ExpressVPN for China — which is better? ▼

ExpressVPN (7.6/10) is better for most users: simpler setup, more consistent reporting, and better customer support. TorGuard (6.5/10) is better for power users who need port forwarding, dedicated IPs, or fine-grained control. For ease of use, choose ExpressVPN. For advanced features, choose TorGuard.

Does TorGuard have a money-back guarantee? ▼

Yes, TorGuard offers a 7-day money-back guarantee. This is shorter than Astrill's 30 days or ExpressVPN's 30 days, giving you less time to test reliability in China. We recommend testing immediately after purchase to ensure it works on your China ISP.

What is TorGuard's jurisdiction and logging policy? ▼

TorGuard is based in the United States (5 Eyes jurisdiction), which is not ideal for privacy compared to Astrill's Swiss jurisdiction. TorGuard claims a no-logs policy but has not undergone an independent audit like Astrill VPN. If privacy is your top concern, Astrill VPN (#1) is the better choice.

How much does TorGuard cost? ▼

TorGuard costs $9.99/month or $59.99/year ($5/month annual). This is competitive with ExpressVPN (from $3.49/mo) but TorGuard has a shorter 7-day refund vs Astrill's 30 days. Additional costs: Dedicated IP ($7.99/mo extra), Streaming Bundle ($7.99/mo extra).

Does TorGuard offer business or enterprise plans? ▼

Yes, TorGuard offers business plans with team management, centralized billing, dedicated account managers, and priority support. This is ideal for companies with remote employees in China who need reliable VPN access. Contact TorGuard sales for custom enterprise pricing based on team size.

Final Verdict: Should You Use TorGuard in China?

TorGuard earns 6.5/10 for its advanced features (Stealth VPN, port forwarding, dedicated IPs) that appeal to developers and power users. But it requires technical setup and has a short 7-day refund window.

Who should use TorGuard: Developers, engineers, or users who need port forwarding for running servers in China.
Who should avoid TorGuard: Beginners, travelers, or anyone who wants one-click setup — choose Astrill VPN (#1) or ExpressVPN (#2) instead.

Choose TorGuard if:

→ You're a developer or engineer working remotely from China
→ You need port forwarding for running services/apps
→ You want a dedicated IP address for clean reputation
→ You're comfortable with manual VPN configuration
→ You need CLI/script access for automation

Avoid TorGuard if:

→ You want one-click setup (use Astrill VPN #1 instead)
→ You're not comfortable with technical configuration
→ You need the highest success rate (use Astrill #3: 98%)
→ You want a longer refund window for testing (Astrill VPN/ExpressVPN: 30 days)
→ You prioritize Swiss jurisdiction over US (use Astrill VPN #1)

Try TorGuard (7-Day Refund)

Or compare with Astrill VPN #1 (easier setup, 30-day refund) or ExpressVPN #2 (best for travelers)

GFW Technical Lab VPN Testing Engineer Editorially reviewed

Testing VPN protocols and configurations from China since 2023. Verified from Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen networks.

View Methodology | Transparency Report