Manual Thomas
Updated on: May 1, 2025
Fact-checked by Katarina Glamoslija
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Watch CCTV Online From Anywhere in 2025:
- Download and install a VPN that works with CCTV. I recommend ExpressVPN, as it offers fast and reliable servers near China, ensuring smooth streaming of CCTV.
- Connect to a VPN server. Open the VPN app and connect to a nearby server to access CCTV.
- Log into CCTV and start watching. Visit the CCTV website, log in or sign up, and enjoy streaming your favorite Chinese channels.
CCTV is one of the popular streaming services for Chinese content, but it’s only accessible in China due to strict regional restrictions. This means if you’re traveling or living outside China, you can’t watch CCTV without facing geo-blocks, which the streaming service enforces by checking your IP address.
A VPN is the best way to watch CCTV. It’s an online app that has servers located in countries all over the world. When you connect to a VPN server, it hides your real IP address and assigns you one from your server location — this means it can access CCTV if you connect to a server in China or Hong Kong. VPNs also encrypt your internet traffic and offer lots of other security and privacy features, too, ensuring a safe streaming experience.
I tested several VPNs to find the best ones that work with CCTV — my top recommendation is ExpressVPN. It offers servers in all locations where CCTV is available, consistently works with CCTV, maintains lightning-fast speeds, and is incredibly easy to use.
Editor’s Note: All the VPNs I recommend below have strict no-logs policies, which means they don’t monitor or record your online activities. You are solely responsible for how you use a VPN to watch CCTV. Please ensure you comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Neither I nor anyone at SafetyDetectives condones copyright infringement or illegal activities.
Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
How to Watch CCTV Content on Any Device
1. Choose a VPN that works well with CCTV.
My personal favorite is ExpressVPN since it’s super-fast, reliably works with CCTV, and has user-friendly apps for all your devices.
2. Download and install the VPN app.
Visit the VPN provider’s website or your device’s app store to download the app — the setup process is straightforward, and you’ll be up and running in just a few minutes.
3. Open the VPN, connect to a server, and start watching CCTV.
Once connected, you’re all set to securely watch your favorite CCTV shows and movies from anywhere.
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for Watching CCTV in 2025
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Watching CCTV in 2025
Approved by our experts
ExpressVPN is my top choice for watching CCTV from anywhere since it has servers in Hong Kong that reliably work with CCTV — it also accesses other Chinese streaming services like iQiyi and Tencent Video. Plus, it has the fastest speeds on the market, simple apps, and tops our list of the best VPNs in 2025.
I particularly like the password manager, ExpressVPN Keys — it stores your CCTV account credentials in a secure vault and even auto-fills your logins, so you can start streaming right away. I also like the Shortcuts tool, which displays 1-click shortcuts to your favorite apps (such as CCTV) on the main connection window.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Excellent for VPN Beginners to Watch CCTV
Private Internet Access (PIA) is perfect for beginners who want to watch CCTV due to its user-friendly apps for multiple smart TVs, Windows, and macOS — they’re easy to navigate and include explanations of features and settings. For example, it displays server latency, so you can easily find the fastest servers in Hong Kong or China for streaming CCTV channels without buffering.
I really like PIA’s split-tunneling feature, which lets you choose which apps and websites use the VPN — most VPNs, including ExpressVPN, only let you split-tunnel apps. This is super convenient for watching CCTV while accessing local sites without slowdowns. Another cool thing is PIA allows unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can use it on as many devices as you wish.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — User-Friendly Apps With Good Automation Settings
CyberGhost VPN makes watching CCTV really easy with its Smart Rules feature. You can set it up so that it automatically connects you to the appropriate server for watching CCTV (either in Hong Kong or China) when you launch the VPN app, eliminating the need to manually select a server each time.
I also like how CyberGhost’s apps are very user-friendly. They have an intuitive design that makes it easy to watch CCTV, with a handy search function to quickly find and connect to the right server. You can even add servers to your favorites for one-click connections, and the app provides brief explanations for all settings so you never feel lost.
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review
Editors’ Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Quick Comparison Table
Editors’ Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
To come up with the best VPNs for watching CCTV, I followed our comprehensive testing methodology. I conducted thorough research and hands-on testing to evaluate each VPN’s performance specifically for streaming CCTV content. Below is the breakdown of the criteria I used to compare and rank the VPNs on my list:
- I checked for servers in China or nearby countries that work with CCTV. Not every VPN works with CCTV, but all the VPNs I recommend have servers in China or nearby regions like Hong Kong to ensure uninterrupted access to CCTV channels.
- I tested each VPN’s streaming speeds. Fast speeds are essential for watching CCTV in HD without buffering. I measured the download and upload speeds of each VPN to ensure they provided smooth streaming experiences. ExpressVPN delivered the fastest speeds in my tests, offering uninterrupted viewing.
- I evaluated security and privacy features. To protect your data while watching CCTV, I prioritized VPNs with strong security features, including 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch to prevent data leaks, a strict no-logs policy, and reliable protection against DNS, IPv6, and/or WebRTC leaks.
- I assessed the ease of use across all devices. I looked for VPNs with intuitive apps that are straightforward to install and use on all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and smart TVs — ensuring you can watch CCTV on any of your devices without hassle.
- I considered the overall value of each VPN. I selected VPNs that offer good value for money, with reasonably priced plans and deals, a minimum of 7 simultaneous connections, and useful features like split-tunneling to enhance streaming. All recommended VPNs also come with a money-back guarantee, so you can try the service without risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a free VPN to watch CCTV?
Using a free VPN to watch CCTV is generally not recommended. Free VPNs often lack servers near China, have limited bandwidth, and offer slower speeds, leading to poor streaming quality and buffering issues. For a better experience, consider a premium VPN like ExpressVPN or Private Internet Access, which both provide faster connections and more reliable service.
What’s the best VPN for watching CCTV?
After comprehensive tests, I found that ExpressVPN is the best VPN for CCTV. It has stable, incredibly fast connections, always works with CCTV, and comes with user-friendly apps.
Will using a VPN slow down my internet speed while streaming CCTV?
Yes, using a VPN can slightly reduce your internet speed due to the encryption process and the distance your data travels to the VPN server. However, all the VPNs on my list minimize this impact — they offer fast speeds that are great for streaming, so you can watch CCTV without any interruptions.
Will my ISP know I’m using a VPN to watch CCTV?
No. If you connect to a VPN before watching CCTV, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can’t see what content you’re accessing. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, ensuring that your online activities remain private.
