It didn’t take long for Clubhouse to get blocked in China. After a brief and rare stint during which mainland China users could join and freely converse with people outside the country, access was blocked in February 2021. Given the audio drop-in app’s current lack of moderation and anti-abuse policies, other countries could soon follow suit.
At Comparitech, our rigorous research and exhaustive testing team have found a reliable solution: A VPN.
If you’re in China or another place where Clubhouse is censored, like a school or office, you can use a VPN to unblock it. A proficient VPN doesn’t just unblock Clubhouse; it acts as a digital cloak, encrypting your online interactions and rerouting them via a remote server to your chosen location. This allows you to access Clubhouse from the server’s location and hide your activity from internet service providers and network admins who enforce censorship measures.
If you’re just looking for a quick recommendation and don’t want to read the entire article, below is a shortlist of the best VPNs for Clubhouse in 2024.
Best VPNs for Clubhouse:
- NordVPN – Our top recommendation. Fast speeds, strong security, and works in China.
TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly. - Surfshark – Budget VPN that works in China.
- ExpressVPN – Super secure and super-fast, works in China.
- Hotspot Shield – Solid security with lots of servers.
- PrivateVPN – Smaller provider with competitive speeds and security
Many VPNs claim to work with streaming services but most (especially free VPNs) are often blocked.
We regularly test the top 70 VPNs with all major streaming sites and this list only includes VPNs which reliably unblock streaming services and offer a full money-back guarantee, allowing you to try them risk-free.
WANT TO TRY THE TOP VPN RISK FREE?
NordVPN is offering a fully-featured risk-free 30-day trial if you sign up at this page. You can use our top VPN for Clubhouse with no restrictions for a month. This is great if you’re interested in online privacy or are traveling somewhere VoIP services aren’t available.Â
There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn't right for you and you'll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.
All of these VPNs have been tested for Clubhouse access and meet the following criteria:
- Works in China
- Reliable high speeds for live audio streaming
- Strong security and privacy policies
- Prompt customer support
- Compatible with iOS and Android
See also: Best VPNs for China
How to unblock Clubhouse with a VPN
Using a VPN will allow you to unblock Clubhouse from just about anywhere. Whether your school blocks Clubhouse, work or government, a VPN can help. Just follow our simple step-by-step guide below to use Clubhouse from anywhere.
Here’s how to unblock Clubhouse using a VPN:
- Sign up for a suitable VPN service. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
- Download the appropriate VPN app for your device.
- Launch the VPN app and select a server where Clubhouse is not blocked (such as a server in the US).
- Navigate to the Clubhouse app, and it should now be unblocked!
If you encounter any issues, don’t be afraid to contact customer support, it’s part of what you are paying for, and they can advise you on the best servers for your needs.
Best VPNs for Clubhouse
From our experience, here’s the full breakdown of the best VPNs for Clubhouse:
1. NordVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN is our top recommendation. It’s one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, so it should offer more than enough bandwidth to use Clubhouse from anywhere. You get access to servers in more than 111 countries. NordVPN works in China and uses industry-best encryption. No identifying logs of your online activity are stored.
Live support is on standby 24 hours per day. You can connect up to ten devices at once. Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, and Linux
Pros:
- Fast speeds
- Works in China
- Strong security
- No identifying logs
- 24/7 support
Cons:
- Takes two clicks to disconnect on desktop
Our score:
BEST VPN FOR CLUBHOUSE: NordVPN is our top choice. It has everything you need and more to unblock Clubhouse from anywhere. It comes with a 30-day, risk-free, money-back guarantee.
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is a solid option if you’re looking for a budget-friendly VPN for Clubhouse. While not quite as fast as NordVPN, it offers competitive security, features, and server coverage. It also works in China.
Surfshark keeps no logs and uses military-grade encryption to keep your online activity private and secure. Live chat support is available around the clock.
This VPN doesn’t impose a device connection limit, making it a great option for a family or group of housemates with lots of phones and laptops. Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Fire TV.
Pros:
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Strong security
- No identifying logs
- Works in China
Cons:
- May prompt CAPTCHAs when browsing on mobile
Our score:
BUDGET CLUBHOUSE VPN:Surfshark can be used to unblock Clubhouse on as many devices as you want under a single plan. Comes with a 30-day, money-back guarantee.
Read our full Surfshark review.
3. ExpressVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN is a well-rounded VPN with blazing fast speeds. It’s a veteran VPN provider in China and has plenty of experience in bypassing the Great Firewall. The company keeps no identifying logs of your connections or online activity.
ExpressVPN’s security is the most robust of any commercial VPN provider. You get a kill switch, leak protection, uncrackable encryption, and servers that run entirely off of RAM to keep your data out of the hands of any third parties.
You can connect up to five devices at once. Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Fire TV, and certain wi-fi routers.
Pros:
- Extremely fast
- Works in China
- Strong security
- No identifying logs
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive than rivals
Our score:
SECURE CLUBHOUSE VPN:ExpressVPN pairs high speeds with excellent security in an easy-to-use app. It comes with a 30-day, money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
4. Hotspot Shield
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Hotspotshield.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
Editor’s Note: Hotspot Shield is owned by Pango, Comparitech’s parent company.
Hotspot Shield has all the essentials for unblocking Clubhouse from China or anywhere else in the world. It bypasses the Great Firewall so you can access its huge server network from inside mainland China. Speeds are decent, certainly good enough for Clubhouse. Hotspot Shield doesn’t store any identifying logs and uses strong encryption to secure your privacy.
Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, FireTV, and Linux. You can connect up to five devices at once.
Pros:
- Works in China
- Strong security
- No logs
Cons:
- Customer support could use improvement
- Kill switch not in all apps
Our score:
UNBLOCK CLUBHOUSE:Hotspot Shield offers everything you need to uncensor Clubhouse. It comes with a hefty 45-day, money-back guarantee.
Read our full Hotspot Shield review.
5. PrivateVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN is a smaller provider but it’s certainly worth your consideration. It works in China and offers competitive speeds, despite a slimmer selection of servers. Security is airtight thanks to strong encryption and a no-logs policy. Live chat support is available on the website. The apps are simple and easy to use, a great option for novices.
Up to six simultaneous connections are allowed. Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.
Pros:
- Works in China
- No logs
- Strong security
Cons:
- Smaller server network
- Kill switch only in Windows app
Our score:
PRIVATE CLUBHOUSE VPN:PrivateVPN makes it easy to unblock Clubhouse. It comes with a 30-day, money-back guarantee.
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
Our Methodology: Finding the best VPNs for Clubhouse
Struggling to decide which VPN to use for Clubhouse? There’s certainly a lot to consider, including performance, unblocking ability, and overall security. Below, you’ll find a guide to the most important things a VPN for Clubhouse must offer:
- Server choice: Your speeds tend to get slower the further away your server is. That’s why a large network is so vital; it ensures that there’ll always be a server fairly close by. Additionally, it helps spread the load and maintain consistent performance at peak times.
- High speeds: If your connection is too slow, you could find yourself disconnecting unexpectedly, or getting robotic-sounding audio during chats. To prevent this, we decided to only recommend VPNs that performed well during our latest speed testing.
- Strong unblocking ability: To ensure you can access Clubhouse in hotels, offices, and countries where VoIP apps are blocked, we looked for VPNs that are capable of avoiding detection. Further, we tested potential recommendations against a variety of geo-blocked platforms including HBO Max, Disney Plus, and Sling TV to see how versatile they are.
- Powerful security tools: To keep your online activities hidden from snoopers, hackers, and ISPs, we only chose VPNs with 256-bit encryption, leak protection, and kill switches. What’s more, providers must follow a no-logs policy to earn a spot in our list.
- Easy-to-use apps: It’s vital that our top VPNs be as user-friendly as possible. That’s why we strongly prefer services with 24/7 support, apps for all the most popular operating systems, and quick-connection buttons.
This is far from the only testing our top VPNs undergo. Interested? We have a post that breaks down exactly how Comparitech tests VPNs.
Clubhouse VPN FAQ
Can I use a free VPN to unblock Clubhouse?
A free VPN will most likely not provide you with sufficient bandwidth to stream Clubhouse audio. Free VPNs often impose data caps or bandwith limits and have slow, congested servers. Furthermore, almost no free VPNs work reliably in China.
Free VPNs can have the opposite effect you want on your privacy. They often harvest your browsing activity and personal details to sell to third-party advertising networks, and can even inject ads into your web browser. Some free VPNs even carry malware payloads.
In short, stick to paid VPNs.
Why is Clubhouse blocked in China?
China blocks most western social networks, news media, and chat apps. It added Clubhouse to that list on February 8, 2021.
Clubhouse does not record or make transcripts of discussions held on its app, so the content is fairly ephemeral. That makes it even more difficult for authorities in China to monitor.
Prior to getting blocked, Chinese Clubhouse users were reported to have joined discussions on Beijing’s maltreatment of the country’s Uighur Muslim minority, the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre, and Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement—all subjects that Chinese authorities don’t want their constituents discussing or learning about.
Will Clubhouse get blocked in more countries?
Most likely. Countries that frown upon free speech will follow China’s example and block the app. Expect it to get blocked in the same countries that block other social media, chat apps, and VPNs. Those include Iran, Iraq, the UAE, and Turkey, among others.
My VPN provider's website is blocked in China. What can I do?
If you’re traveling to China, it’s always recommended that you download and install the VPN app before you land in the country, as connecting to a VPN website directly will be blocked. Unfortunately, if you’re trying to access the VPN’s app page without an encrypted connection, it’s likely to be detected and blocked by China’s Great firewall.
Does Clubhouse access your contacts?
Yes, Clubhouse can access your contacts, but it’s important to note that you have control over this. Initially, Clubhouse required users to upload their contacts to invite others to the app. This was a part of the app’s strategy to grow its network by suggesting friends and acquaintances you might know.
However, in a significant move to address privacy concerns, Clubhouse has updated its policy. As of a 2021 update, it is no longer mandatory for users to upload their contacts to send invites. You now have the option to invite friends without granting access to your entire address book. If you do choose to grant access, Clubhouse will show you which of your contacts are on the app and suggest you follow them, putting you in control of your privacy.
