Watch Bilibili outside China With a VPN (Overseas Guide)

Watch Bilibili outside China With a VPN (Overseas Guide)

Bilibili needs no introduction for animation, comic, and game (ACG) lovers. It is one of the most popular video-sharing platforms among young people in China, and the go-to spot for top-quality content. Users can also view, add and submit subtitles on B site (as it is often referred to), which makes its user experience a lot better than other platforms.

However, there’s a showstopper. Bilibili’s content is geo-restricted, so you can’t watch them outside China. Once the error message pops up, there’s not much you can do unless you have a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN grants you access to all of Bilibili’s content by providing a Chinese IP address. With it, everyone on the network, including Bilibili’s systems, will think you are in China.

So, which VPNs are the best to watch Bilibili abroad?

Top 3 VPNs to watch Bilibili outside China

Here is the best VPNs for watching Bilibili:

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN devices

Features

  • Number of servers: More than 3,000
  • Speeds: Unlimited
  • Server locations: 160 in 105 countries
  • Maximum devices supported: 5
  • 24 live chat: Yes
  • 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes

Pros/Cons

  • Fastest VPN out there
  • Strict no logs policy
  • 256-bit AES encryption
  • Few discounts
Visit ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is one of the leading VPNs in its industry. Established in 2009, this VPN has had lots of time to polish its security, privacy, and unblocking features to suit the needs of its customers.

At the moment, ExpressVPN has more than 3000 servers in 94 countries, which makes it a lot easier to access Bilibili’s content from anywhere around the world. For each of these servers, the VPN provider offers stable and super-fast connection speeds, as well as the option to switch servers as many times as you want. You can also leave the tasking job of choosing the best server to access Bilibili to ExpressVPN’s Smart Location feature, which will do it automatically.

ExpressVPN provides top-quality software for Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and Windows operating systems, and you can connect as many as five of these devices on a single ExpressVPN account. But that’s not all. It is also available on game consoles, Smart TVs and routers.

ExpressVPN not only helps you to unblock Bilibili’s restricted content but also provides the best-in-class security system (AES-256 encryption) so that you don’t fall prey to hackers and other cybercriminals. To add to that, the VPN operates a strict no-logging policy, so you can feel a sense of security while you use it to access Bilibili from outside China.

You can get ExpressVPN risk-free for 30-days at an affordable fee, and the VPN provider has a 24/7 customer service that will put you through technical issues you may face.

  • Pros: Fastest VPN out there; Strict no logs policy; 256-bit AES encryption;
  • Lowest price: $6.67

NordVPN

NordVPN devices

Features

  • Cryptocurrency accepted? Yes
  • Simultaneous connections: 6
  • Dedicated IP-addresses? Yes
  • Servers: 5342 in 58 countries

Pros/Cons

  • Lots of pricing options
  • Netflix support kept up to date
  • 256-bit AES encryption
  • Slow app
Visit NordVPN

Another VPN that’ll allow you to escape Bilibili’s geo-restrictions in a breeze is NordVPN. It’s a top VPN provider with lots of amazing features.

NordVPN has 5656 servers in 58 countries and six different server types for you to pick from. The double VPN and onion-over servers are the most security-focused, but you can get a dedicated IP server that only you will have access too. Apart from its standard types, NordVPN also provides obfuscated servers if you stay in a country where there are heavy Internet access restrictions. It also has P2P servers for file sharing.

With its AES-256 encryption, users of this VPN hardly ever experience security threats. The VPN provider runs a no-logging policy, and it has an automatic kill switch to keep you safe even when your Internet connection drops. To add to that, you’ll get unlimited bandwidth to access as much ACG on Bilibili as you want.

NordVPN works on virtually every operating system out there, including Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, and iOS. One subscription is enough to secure six devices at a time, and the service also works on routers.

This VPN provider offers all these features as well as a 30-day guarantee that you’ll get your money back if you don’t enjoy its service.

  • Pros: Lots of pricing options; Netflix support kept up to date; 256-bit AES encryption;
  • Lowest price: $3.71

Surfshark

Surfshark devices

Features

  • Free trial? Yes
  • Simultaneous connections: Unlimited
  • Ad blocking? Yes
  • Servers: 1000+ in 61 countries

Pros/Cons

  • No footprints
  • Allows torrenting
  • 256-bit AES encryption
  • Not the fastest
Try Surfshark

SurfShark comes in midway through our list of the best VPNs to access Bilibili from outside China. It’s a relatively new provider in the industry and has threatened the older VPNs for their crowns in its short stay.

With over 1040 servers in more than 61 countries of the world, it’s stress-free to watch Bilibili outside China with this VPN. These servers are spread evenly across locations, and each one has a private Domain Name System (DNS) for top-notch user-privacy.

You shouldn’t get exposed while you watch Bilibili from outside China, and SurfShark ensures your connection stays fool-proof with its military-grade AES-256 encryption. This encryption, as well as other features like its camouflage mode, secure protocols and kill switch, ensures that you don’t experience any security problem when watching Bilibili.

SurfShark is available on Windows, Mac, iOS, Linux, and Android devices, and you can also get the browser extension for Chrome and Firefox. But the best part is that you get to connect unlimited devices to a single account; a feature that not a lot of VPN providers offer.

Like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, there’s no free-trial version for this VPN, but you can get the service risk-free for 30-days. The VPN also has a dedicated customer support system that is more than willing to put you through any issue you may experience while using the VPN.

  • Pros: No footprints; Allows torrenting; 256-bit AES encryption;
  • Lowest Price: $2.49

How do VPNs work?

Let’s demystify how a VPN works to allow you watch Bilibili from outside China.

The first step is to get a VPN. Once you’ve got a top VPN like any of the ones we’ve listed above, the next thing to do is to connect to one of its servers. Most VPNs help you out here by suggesting the best ones to connect to in each location.

Once you connect to a server, its IP address is then assigned to you. So, instead of using your IP address to browse, you’ll be using that of the server you are connected to. Your traffic is then sent through the server to the target website, which in this case, is Bilibili.

Are VPNs legal?

There have been one too many debates about the legality of VPNs, and it seems many people can’t reach a consensus. As a deciding factor to whether many people get a VPN or not, we’ll tell you that VPNs are legal in most countries. However, there are illegal ways to use these networks. For example, it’s illegal to use a VPN to get nuclear weapons or guns from the Dark Web, knowing that the VPN’s security feature will make it hard to trace the transaction back to you. However, it’s not illegal to use a VPN to watch Bilibili or many other sites from outside China.

Therefore, the takeaway point on the legality of a VPN is you should always confirm that their use is legal in your country.

Can’t I use a free VPN instead?

It has probably crossed your mind to get a free VPN instead of any of the paid versions we’ve listed above. But the truth is, even though they are ‘free,’ there are several reasons you shouldn’t give this type of VPN a second look. Here are a couple of them:

  1. Most free VPNs have limited servers and server locations: As we mentioned earlier, the best VPNs to watch Bilibili from outside China have thousands of servers around the world. These servers are also evenly spread, so you can watch Bilibili’s ACG from almost every country. You don’t get this sort of luxury with free VPNs because most of them have less than a hundred servers, which is barely enough for all their users. Even when you get one with servers that pass the 100-mark, you’ll find that they are not spread across many locations.
  2. Most free VPNs do not operate a no-logging policy: Nothing on the Internet is completely free. So, when you see a VPN that promises you all you can get from a paid version without you having to pay a dime, then you should know that there’s a clause to such an offer. Most free VPNs keep records of their users’ logs, and many of them sell this information to third parties. Isn’t it scary that your private details could be flying around the Internet without you realizing it?
  3. Most free VPNs have bandwidth caps: Bandwidth caps restrict the amount of content you can watch in a period (usually a day), and this goes against what users expect from a VPN: unrestricted access to the Internet. Unfortunately, you’ll hardly see any free VPN that offers unlimited bandwidth to its users.
  4. Many free VPNs offer sub-standard features: Going through our list of the best VPNs to watch Bilibili from outside China, you must have noticed the impressive features that each one has to offer. From lightning-fast speed to advanced security features and even a customer support platform, you name it! Those VPNs are well-equipped with features users need.

Free VPN providers do not come close to meeting this standard set by their paid counterparts. So, why would you go for a free VPN when you can get the best ones for as little as $3 a month?

Frequently Asked Questions

What devices can I use a VPN to stream Bilibili on?

Bilibili is a streaming service. So, like other streaming platforms, you can watch Bilibili with a web browser. Furthermore, you can access Bilibili through any web-connected gadget. These would include PCs, iOS, and Android devices. Also, many gaming consoles like PS and Xbox can connect to Bilibili. Fortunately, the VPNs on this list are also compatible with all these devices. So, you can spoof your IP address and connect to Bilibili through any of the gadgets you own.

Can I watch entire Bilibili posts with a VPN?

Yes, if you connect to a VPN, you can access full Bilibili posts. However, you’ll have to pay to view this content. Moreover, payment plans are as low as Y98. Now, this is where it gets tricky. At this point, you’ll have to be careful while inputting your financial details. It would help if you didn’t use any information that shows you aren’t connecting from China. If your real location leaks, you can lose the connection to Bilibili.

Can a VPN keep me anonymous while streaming Bilibili in China?

Yes, the solid VPNs on this list can protect your online anonymity in China. It doesn’t matter whether you’re streaming Bilibili inside China or abroad. The Great Firewall of China restricts the internet in China. Furthermore, the government actively clamps down on VPNs to prevent citizens from circumventing their censorship. So, many VPNs are blocked in China. However, the VPNs on this list can help you escape the government’s eye.

What’s the most important feature of a Bilibili VPN? 

The most crucial features for an excellent VPN are usually its privacy and security features and its server locations. Indeed, the first two characteristics are vital for streaming Bilibili in China to escape the government’s internet censorship. However, the most critical feature for a Bilibili VPN is its server network. A good VPN for Bilibili must have servers in China. This is because Bilibili is only accessible within China, and you need a Chinese IP address to stream abroad.

Final Words

It’s frustrating when you can’t access ACG on Bilibili because you’re not in China. Regardless of your location, you deserve to enjoy all the content on the site. And by using any of the VPNs we have reviewed, you’ll be able to bridge the distance gap and enjoy Bilibili’s content as if you were in China.

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