How to Watch Bilibili Outside China: The Easiest Way to Gain Access

Bilibili is China’s most popular video-sharing platform known for its quality content like animations, games, and comics. Bilibili also has a platform for users to add video subtitles for other users to download. It makes the user experience unique compared to other video sharing platforms. 

However, the company only bought the rights to air their contents in a particular location. Users who try to access the platform outside these locations get an error message denying them access to the contents. In order words, the content on Bilibili is geo-restricted, which means it is only available for users in China. 

How to Watch Bilibili with a VPN

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) allow you to connect to other networks over the internet securely. A VPN ensures that your connection is private and essential information like your IP address and physical location is secure. VPNs give you an encrypted channel through which you can access internet resources without being detected. VPNs allow you to change your IP address to seem like you are in another country, allowing you to access geo-blocked sites. To access geo-blocked platforms like Bilibili, download a VPN, select an IP address in China and visit Bilibili.com. You can now start to stream without restriction.  

Top VPNs for Accessing Bilibili Outside China

There are several VPNs out there you can choose to access Bilibili outside China. Here, we highlight the top five that guarantees you unrestricted access to Bilibili outside China.

Overall best in our tests

ExpressVPN

Overall score: 9.8

• Super-fast servers
• AES 256-bit encryption
• Supports private protocol, Lightway
• Money-back guarantee

Try ExpressVPN

30-day money-back guarantee

ExpressVPN is unarguably one of the best VPNs for accessing China-based geo-restricted websites. It is an all-round VPN service provider with superbly secured servers to guarantee your anonymity when surfing the internet. 

ExpressVPN is a highly secure platform that uses the Advanced Encryption Standard, with 256-bit encryption keys (AES – 256). Security experts endorse this encryption method because its military-grade strength keeps your internet activities and information safe. It also offers protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. 

It comes with an automatic kill switch to secure your connection if you lost connectivity to the internet. Since this VPN service takes security and privacy seriously, they guarantee a strict no-logging policy. It ensures that none of your data log or internet activity is stored. With this, no hacker or government agency can monitor your internet behavior.

ExpressVPN also offers high-speed internet connectivity, which will allow you to play games and watch videos on Bilibili without any connectivity issues. No need to worry about lag due to buffering or interrupted browsing or streaming. It allows up to 5 simultaneous connections. 

With ExpressVPN, you have access to over 3000 servers spread across 90+ countries, with five of them located in Hong Kong, China. You can connect to any of these five super-fast servers in this region to bypass the geo-restriction on Bilibili and other restricted websites in China. 

The monthly subscription to ExpressVPN’s services is slightly higher than other VPN providers. However, considering the unique features you get to enjoy with this VPN, the pay is worth it. It also does not offer a free trial as most VPN services do. It has a 30-day money-back guarantee, which allows you to request a full refund within 30 days of subscription if you are not satisfied with their services. 

Cheapest Option

NordVPN

Overall score: 9.6

• Incredibly fast servers
• Great security features
• Verified no-logs policy
• Unblocks streaming platforms

Visit NordVPN

NordVPN is another excellent VPN service provider with equally efficient access to Bilibili and other geo-blocked apps. Asides from being one of the most efficient, it is also very pocket-friendly, and you don’t have to break the bank before you can enjoy their services. 

Like ExpressVPN, it uses the AES-256 encryption method to ensure that your internet activities are secure and untraceable by the government and hackers. It means you hardly get any security or privacy threat. Asides from the encryption method used, NordVPN also comes with a kill switch to protect your data and internet activities in case of a drop in your internet connection. 

Only a few VPNs work in China due to the restrictions the Chinese governments pose on common apps and websites like Facebook and WhatsApp; fortunately, NordVPN is one. It has over 5000 servers located in 59 countries. These servers allow users to bypass the geo-restriction on Bilibili. 

In terms of speed, NordVPN is almost as fast as ExpressVPN as it has more servers than ExpressVPN. This means lesser loads on their servers compared to VPN providers with fewer servers. It also has a quick-connect button that allows you to easily and securely connect to the best available server. 

Subscription to NordVPN’s services is as low as $2.99/month. With its 30-days money-back guarantee, you can be sure to get a full refund of your subscription fee within 30 days of subscription if you do not like their services. 

Best for connecting multiple devices

Surfshark

Overall score: 9.5

• Allows unlimited simultaneous connections
• Integrates Stealth mode
• Multihop feature available
• 3000+ servers

Visit Surfshark

Surfshark is another VPN provider that offers quality bypassing ability for Bilibili. This VPN provider boasts about 3200 servers in over 100 countries globally.

Security and privacy are essential for VPN providers, and Surfshark offers both at the best possible levels. It also uses AES 256-bit encryption and protects against DNS and IPv6 leaks. It comes with a kill switch to guarantee privacy even when there is a drop in your internet connection. Likewise, they have a strict no-logging policy. This ensures that none of your internet activities or personal information shared during browsing is stored. It is in a bid to deny prying eyes from having access to your data. 

With Surfshark you get to enjoy unlimited bandwidth with incredibly reliable and fast internet connections. It ensures that your gaming and streaming experiences on Bilibili are of top quality. It also works on major platforms, including Android, Windows, Mac, iOS, Linux, and FireTV. 

There are three different pricing plans on Surfshark, depending on how long you intend to sign up. A subscription for 24 months costs about $2.49 a month and also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you want to opt-out of the service within 30 days of subscribing. Payment options include PayPal and major credit cards like VISA and MasterCard. 

Best for Android

PrivateVPN

Overall score: 9.3

• Advanced configuration settings
• Unblocks restricted platforms
• Compatible with most device types
• Supports the OpenVPN, L2TP and IPSec protocols

Visit PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN has proven to be competent and efficient, competing with more experienced VPN services providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN. 

The company has over 2,000 servers located across 50+ countries. You can access Bilibili and other geo-restricted China-based streaming platforms without any hassle. Its unlimited bandwidth giving you access to unlimited videos or games to watch or play daily. 

PrivateVPN uses the impenetrable AES 256-bit encryption and firewall to secure users’ data and internet activities. It also does not keep a log of your browsing behavior or personal information. Therefore, you can rest assured that your information is safe from other internet users. There is also protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks.

The lowest subscription price on PrivateVPN is just $2.26, making it one of the market’s cheapest if you lock in monthly for 36 months. In case you do not like their service during the first 30 days of subscription, you are allowed to request a refund, and PrivateVPN will refund your money 100%. They also have a live chat platform to get in touch with their customer service. 

Broadest server reach in our tests

PrivateInternetAccess

Overall score: 9.2

• Great unblocking ability
• Supports WireGuard protocol
• Decent streaming speed
• Affordable subscription offers

Visit PrivateInternetAccess

Private Internet Access has fewer servers than most popular VPN providers, yet it covers a larger number of countries than most. To watch Bilibili from countries outside China, all you need to do is download this fantastic VPN and connect to any of the servers located in China. With this, Bilibili assumes you are using their services from China. You have full access to their services like you would have if you were in China. 

Security and privacy features offered by this VPN include IP address shuffler, protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, a kill switch (for desktop users), and AES-256 encryption.

PIA also has a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial. Subscription costs about $2.23/month, which will get you locked in for the 3-year plan. But this can be canceled within the 30-day money-back guarantee too.  

How to Identify the Best VPN for Bilibili

There are numerous VPN service providers out there, and choosing one that best suits your needs might be challenging. However, to guide your selection, below are some of the essential features you should look out for:

1. Unblocking Capacity

Users traveling out of China may have problems accessing Bilibili and other China-based streaming platforms due to geo-blocking. In choosing a VPN, it is best that you cautiously review the provider’s unblocking capacity. 

2. Location

The location of the VPN’s servers is essential. Before deciding to subscribe to a VPN service, confirm if they have servers in China, how many servers they have there, and how reliable they are. Only a few VPN services work in China due to China’s great firewall. Therefore, it is pertinent to carefully check the servers’ location if you intend to enjoy streaming videos and playing games on Bilibili outside China.

3. Speed and Bandwidth 

You should pay attention to the speed of the servers the VPN provider has in China. Selecting a VPN with excellent speed will guarantee you smooth streaming and gameplay on Bilibili. You also need to check the cap on their bandwidth, which may also affect your connection speed.

4. Simultaneous Connections Allowed

Only a few VPN service providers offer the capacity to connect multiple devices across multiple platforms at once. If you are the type that uses more than one device at once, it might be worth looking out for when choosing your VPN. 

5. Security and Privacy

These are the primary reasons why people use VPNs. Before choosing a VPN, you should ensure that you read reviews about the company’s policy on data logging and the security level they provide for your personal information and internet behavior. 

Can I Use Free VPNs to Watch Bilibili?

Free VPNs are limited in terms of features and strength. The only thing free about them is that you do not have to pay before using their services; however, you risk data exposure and limited service. Most free VPNs also do not have servers in China. Below are key reasons why you should not use free VPNs for Bilibili.

1. Privacy is dead

Free VPNs are not free. Although you do not pay directly to them before using their services, they have other means of making money through you. Under the guide of offering you content on Bilibili, free VPNs log your data and sell them. Selling your internet traffic, personal information, internet activities depend on the highest bidders. There is no guarantee of your privacy. 

2. Poor service 

Connection speed on free VPNs is terrible when compared to paid VPNs. Streaming and playing games on a platform like Bilibili will not be enjoyable as you will experience slow speed, lagging, and constant buffering. 

Conclusion

Enjoy your video streams and gameplay on Bilibili without any issue when you are outside China. Still, because of geo-blocking and the Chinese government’s level of restrictions on internet activities in the country, this may be very challenging. VPNs are the best way to bypass these restrictions and gain access to enjoy your favorite animations, comics, videos, and games on Bilibili. There are several VPNs to choose from, and we have been able to narrow them down for you by giving you key features of top VPN service providers to guide your choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About How To Watch Bilibili Outside China

Can any VPN subscription give me access to Bilibili outside China?

No. It isn’t every VPN provider that can get around the Great Firewall of China and the geo-restrictions imposed by Bilibili. However, the VPN providers on our list are your best options for changing your location and accessing Bilibili wherever you are outside China.

Can I access other platforms with my VPN for Bilibili?

Yes, you can. In fact, if a VPN can unblock Bilibili outside China, there is a huge possibility that it can unblock various other sites that impose blocks. This is because these Bilibili VPN services have fantastic unblocking capabilities. Thus, you likewise unblock Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, DAZN, and a host of other streaming services with these VPNs. If you wish, you could also use these VPNs to torrent files and play online video games.

How can I use a VPN to unblock Bilibili outside China?

The process for using a VPN service to unblock Bilibili outside China is as follows: Firstly, subscribe to a VPN service. Our first choice is ExpressVPN. It has awesome security features and unblocks Chinese-restricted content without any issues. Next, pay for the VPN subscription of your chosen VPN service, download and install the VPN app for your device. Then connect to a VPN server in China. If you can’t, then click on a server close to China and check if that works. Finally, try loading and watching a video on Bilibili. You should have access now.

What can I watch on Bilibili with a free VPN?

Bilibili is one of the foremost streaming services in China. Hence, it has a huge selection of video content to keep you entertained. Thus, you can access gaming and sports, art and music, anime, fashion shows, and daily vlogs. Also, remember that the platform allows you to comment directly on the videos you are streaming. This can be a little tricky and may make for a less-than-appealing experience. However, it helps foster a community of avid fans.