Best VPNs for Russia in 2023

Russia’s internet has long been sliding towards authoritarianism and complete muzzling of free speech. The country’s invasion of Ukraine has only accelerated things, with dozens of international news sources, chat apps, and social media services now inaccessible in Russia. The deteriorating nature of online freedoms in Russia has made it more important than ever to protect yourself online by using a VPN.

Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN encrypts all the traffic flowing to and from your device and routes it via an intermediary server of your choice. It hides your location from nosy surveillance agencies and hackers and makes it very difficult for intrusive elements to pry into your online behavior. VPNs can also be used by bloggers, social media activists, and others to continue to post online anonymously with a reduced fear of getting caught. At the same time, a VPN lets you regain access to your usual streaming services and home sites while you travel.

In this article, we’ll list the best VPNs for Russia, explain how to use them, and answer some common questions about Russia’s internet status and VPNs. We’ll go into more detail about each of the VPNs below, but if you don’t have time to read the whole article, here’s a quick summary of our top picks.

Best VPNs for Russia

1. NordVPN Best all-around VPN for Russia. Huge network of blazing-fast servers able to circumvent most restricted and geo-blocked sites. Best-in-class privacy and security features. 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Russia.
2. Surfshark Best budget provider. Boasts powerful security and privacy protections. Servers in 100+ countries. Has no connection limits.
3. ExpressVPN Large network of servers in countries close to Russia, good speeds, and works with all popular streaming services. Solid security and privacy.
4. CyberGhost Beginner-friendly VPN and one of the few still with servers in Russia capable of gaining a Russian IP address. Strong security and privacy
5. IPVanish Preferred by Kodi and Fire TV Stick users for easy remote integration with app. Good speeds and great security features.
6. VyprVPN Impressive speeds and goes to some lengths for privacy and security. Servers in Moscow.
7. Hotspot Shield A good choice for popular streaming sites. Offers fast speeds and servers in Russia.

How we choose the top VPNs for Russia

There are a huge number of VPNs on the market, but they do not all provide the same level of service. When you’re dealing with a country with strict internet censorship, such as Russia, you need to make sure you’re using a quality provider. So, we put together our list of the best VPNs for Russia based on the following factors:

• Speed and stability of service
• A large network of servers across the world
• Ability to access popular streaming services, including Netflix
• Strong encryption parameters to maintain privacy and anonymity
• Ease of use
• Unlocks geo-restricted content without any problems
• Suitable for torrenting
• Apps for Android and iOS

This is just an overview, but you can learn more about how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend in the methodology section below.

Update: Russia recently demanded VPN providers link their servers in the country to the state censorship agency. Many popular providers refused to comply with this and removed their servers from Russia. You can still use these providers while in Russia to connect to a server outside of the country and bypass censorship. However, you can’t use them to connect to a Russian server. Check out our post on how to get a Russian IP address for providers that still have servers in the country.

Best VPNs for Russia: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Russia.

The best VPNs for Russia

Here’s our list of the best VPNs to keep you safe online while in Russia:

1. NordVPN

Dec 2023 Works in RussiaTested Dec 2023

NordVPN is our top choice for a Russia VPN. This is a mature VPN provider, having been in the business for over a decade. There are a bunch of powerful features packed into an intuitive app, including obfuscated servers designed to beat government censorship.

Both speeds and privacy were excellent during our extensive testing of the product. It abides by a rigorous no-logs policy, which means it retains absolutely no information about user sessions, traffic, or timestamps. This policy has served to be a boon for people who value privacy. There have been at least two instances where NordVPN was approached by government agencies demanding that the company fork over user data. But there simply wasn’t any incriminatory information on its servers. Authorities even confiscated physical servers once but couldn’t glean any information from them. Furthermore, the company is incorporated in Panama, which means it’s not subjected to any mandatory data retention laws.

NordVPN operates one of the larger server networks we’ve seen, with over 5,500 servers in 60 countries, including several of Russia’s neighboring countries. The service works with many online streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. It allows torrenting. It’s one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, so you can stream and make video calls in high quality without buffering.

Encryption standards are tight. All traffic is secured via the 256-bit AES protocol by default and uses 2,048-bit SSL keys. DNS leak protection is enabled. Your privacy and anonymity are pretty much assured.

There’s support for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android. You can install it on select routers via manual configuration.

NordVPN speed test data

BEST VPN FOR RUSSIA:NordVPN is our top choice. It boasts incredible speeds, offers solid security and privacy, and works reliably in Russia. Use up to 6 devices at once with great connection speeds. It’s risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our in-depth review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Works in RussiaTested Dec 2023

Surfshark is a budget-friendly provider that doesn’t compromise on service. It has a network of more than 3,200 servers. This no longer includes Russian VPN servers since Surfshark removed them from the country following the invasion of Ukraine. However, you will find servers in neighboring countries and 100+ others worldwide.

Surfshark is fast enough for most purposes and has exceptional unblocking ability, so you shouldn’t have any issues when torrenting or trying to safely browse the internet. Better still, this service doesn’t limit the number of devices you can connect simultaneously, so it’s perfect for families or anyone looking to secure their whole household.

As if that wasn’t enough, Surfshark also comes packed with security features. These include a kill switch, protection against WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leaks, automatic ad-blocking and malware scanning, and 256-bit encryption. A NoBorders feature is also present, which allows you to bypass strict country-wide blocking. Surfshark doesn’t log any personally identifiable info, but you can pay in cryptocurrency for additional privacy. You can reach customer support over live chat or email 24/7.

Surfshark offers apps for macOS, Android, Windows, iOS, and Linux. It also works with select wireless routers, although you’ll have to configure it manually.

Surfshark speed test data

BEST BUDGET OPTION:Surfshark is ideal for anyone looking to browse safely in Russia. It’s security-conscious, capable of securely accessing plenty of services, and has no connection limit. What’s more, this VPN keeps no logs and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

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3. ExpressVPN

Works in RussiaTested Dec 2023

ExpressVPN offers a large network of over 3,000 servers spread across 94 countries, including plenty of Russia-adjacent locations. Foreign expatriates living in Russia and local citizens traveling abroad shouldn’t face any problems in acquiring a speedy and stable connection. Subscribers also have an option of connecting to a ‘smart location’, which will select the best server for them based on their current location.

ExpressVPN has a proven history of working reliably in tricky countries such as Russia and China. Encryption protocols are uncompromising. ExpressVPN uses 256-bit AES-CBC with the utilization of both HMAC authentication and perfect forward secrecy. An internet kill switch is included with all packages. The company refers to this as a ‘network lock’ – with the feature temporarily halting all web traffic if the connection drops. ExpressVPN doesn’t keep any logs that could identify users.

ExpressVPN works well with platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. Further, it supports torrents on all servers.

There are apps for Android and iOS. It’s also possible to use a desktop client for Linux, Windows, and macOS. The VPN can be configured will some routers.

ExpressVPN speed test data

SECURE VPN:ExpressVPN is a strong choice. Optimized for high-speed connections. Works well with Netflix and other streaming sites. Great on privacy and security. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our review of ExpressVPN.

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4. CyberGhost

Works in RussiaTested Dec 2023

CyberGhost is one of the few VPNs left with Russian VPN servers. The provider has a vast server network of over 9,000 in 90+ countries worldwide. Almost 60 of these are virtually located in Russia, which means they can give you a Russian IP address without CyberGhost having to comply with Russia’s data retention laws.

The company has an internal policy of not storing any user logs or data. It’s also headquartered in Romania – so it’s not forced by law to store data in the first place. Encryption standards are firm. The company avails 256-bit encryption on the WireGuard protocol by default, alongside automatic tracker blocking and leak protection. There’s also an internet kill switch included.

Apps are available for both Android and iOS, as well as desktop support for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Torrents are allowed on all servers except those in the USA, Singapore, Australia, and Hong Kong.

CyberGhost speed test data

RUSSIAN VPN SERVERS:CyberGhost has a simple set up. Works well in Russia. Good option if you are looking for a fast, reliable connection and an easy-to-use interface. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our full review of CyberGhost.

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5. IPVanish

Works in RussiaTested Dec 2023

IPVanish emphasizes speed, security, and privacy. It’s a recommended option for users looking to download torrents and maintain the highest privacy settings. Our user review gave the service an impressive 8/10 rating, and it’s easy to see why.

Users in Russia will be happy to know that IPVanish declines to store any user information. All details like session history, choice of servers, and bandwidth will be hidden.

Encryption parameters are unflinching. IPVanish leverages 256-bit encryption on the WireGuard protocol by default, with perfect forward secrecy. The latter feature means that even if hackers break into your account, which is a far-fetched scenario to begin with, it’ll still be impossible for them to decrypt past session data. An internet kill switch is included with all packages, ensuring you never accidentally browse the web unprotected.

The service offers over 2,000 servers spread across around 60 countries. At the moment, there isn’t an option for Russia, but there are plentiful servers in former Soviet republics such as Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Latvia, Estonia, and Bulgaria.

IPVanish doesn’t work reliably with some streaming services, but it does permit torrenting on all servers. Many users find it an excellent option for Kodi because it allows them to download the Android APK directly to their device. The interface is also remote control friendly for Kodi devices that lack a keyboard and mouse. There are apps for both iOS and Android, as well as a desktop client for Windows and macOS.

IPVanish speed test data

UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS:IPVanish works with any number of devices simultaneously. Fast connections, lightweight, easy-to-use apps, and good multi-platform support. Reliable in Russia. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our review of IPVanish.

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6. VyprVPN

Works in RussiaTested Dec 2023

VyprVPN has some of the toughest encryption protocols we’ve seen. It complements this with around-the-clock online customer support service and a free 3-day trial. Vypr offers a decently-sized server network, over 700 servers in 70+ locations, including Moscow.

The company is able to overcome even the strictest barriers that governments impose on netizens. VyprVPN made a wise decision to physically own and manage entire data centers, which helped it fine-tune the service and put it in a class above other VPN companies. The normal industry standard is to either rent servers or outsource to a third party. This helps VyprVPN further secure user traffic.

This service keeps you safe using 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and some of the strongest obfuscation we’ve seen. Users can choose to use WireGuard or switch over to the proprietary Chameleon protocol to get around even the strictest online censorship. It even works in China, which is increasingly difficult.

Apps are available for both Android and iOS, as well as a desktop client for Windows and macOS. It supports torrenting.

INDEPENDENT NETWORK:VyprVPN has servers in Moscow. Good speeds and uptime, as all servers are owned by VyprVPN. Not the cheapest option on this list. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of VyprVPN.

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7. Hotspot Shield

Works in RussiaTested Dec 2023

Hotspot Shield has faced criticism in the past for its logging policy, but it has come a long way. It now only logs encrypted IP addresses during a VPN session but deletes them immediately afterward, so they can never be viewed by third parties. This provider offers excellent security features, including strong encryption, leak protection, a desktop kill switch, and automatic Wi-Fi protection (in the mobile apps). The best thing about this provider is its superior speeds, which make it a great choice for downloading large files.

Hotspot Shield uses shared IP addresses and imposes no bandwidth limit. It can securely access plenty of popular streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. With a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, you can always test the service out to see if it’s a good fit. Servers are located in 80+ locations, including Russia and neighboring countries.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

FAST SPEEDS: Hotspot Shield is ideal for streaming. Its fast speeds and excellent unblocking abilities make it a great option for browsing safely in Russia. It even comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Hotspot Shield.

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Russia VPN testing methodology

Finding a reliable Russia VPN can result in a headache. There are many VPNs available on the market, but they do not all have Russian VPN servers – or the privacy features you require to use a VPN without concerns about getting in trouble with the law. 

To find VPNs that are highly effective and have solid privacy and security features, we use a carefully constructed scientific method. Below, we have included some of the most important features we looked for when testing VPNs for Russia:

• Reliable servers: To access restricted content in Russia and use the internet with privacy and added freedom, you will require a VPN with plenty of servers around the globe. In this guide, we pinpointed services with fast servers capable of HD streaming and torrenting. We looked for servers in Russia to let you use local services from abroad and servers elsewhere for ultimate flexibility.
• Apps for all platforms: A useful Russian VPN must-have apps for all popular devices. This ensures that the VPN is versatile and can be used to gain privacy and online accessibility, whether at home, at work, or when using public Wi-Fi. In this guide, we have recommended VPNs with apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. We also recommended VPNs that let you use the VPN on multiple devices simultaneously.
• DNS leak protection. We tested each VPN to check that it does not suffer from IP or DNS leaks. We also checked for dedicated IPv4 and IPv6 leak protection to ensure that your browsing requests will always be safely proxied to prevent your ISP or the government from snooping on you.
• Military-grade encryption. The tunnel that is established between your device and the VPN server must be highly secure to stop it from being penetrated by eavesdroppers such as government snoops. In this guide, we have recommended top-tier services that provide secure VPN protocols with strong AES-256 encryption.
• Outstanding accessibility. Not all VPNs have servers that work to access popular international services. We tested our VPNs for Russia to ensure that they can access multiple Netflix regions, iPlayer, Hulu, and apps and content that the government has censored, including apps like Telegram.
• Live chat support. In this guide, we have recommended VPNs that provide plenty of useful guides and FAQs on their website. Our recommendations also provide email and live chat support to let you get help with setting up and using the VPN. 

Want to know more about how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend? Check out our detailed article on our VPN testing methodology.

How to use a VPN in Russia

In this section, we’ll take you through exactly how to set up your VPN. Follow the steps outlined here, and you’ll be browsing safely in no time.

Here’s how to use a VPN in Russia:

1. Browse through our recommended list of VPN services and decide on a plan that works for you. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Register and pay for the service
3. Once that’s done, download the companion apps (for your phone) or software (for PC or macOS)
4. Clear your cookies and cache in all web browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, Opera, UCWeb) to remove old location identifiers
5. Restart your device
6. Open the VPN companion software and log in
7. Select a server in the location of your choice. For example, in the US to gain a US IP address or in Russia to gain a Russian IP.
8. Allow a few seconds for the connection to be established. Once that’s done, there should be a green notification icon in the taskbar or on the top of your smartphone screen
9. Browse the web like you normally would. You’ll notice that host websites will assume your location is in the country you’re currently connected to, and a bunch of previously unavailable content will now be accessible

The future of internet freedom in Russia

Internet advocacy body Freedom House says the digital landscape of Russia is “not free”, pointing to a series of new legislative amendments known as ‘Yarovaya’s Law’ which undermines the security of encrypted communications and increases government access to user data.

“Inciting” or “justifying” terrorism online is now punishable with a maximum sentence of a 7-year jail term, with the Russian administration using vague and broad language in the bill to target social media users.

The monitoring agency puts the finger of blame on Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that the clampdown on online freedom is a direct attempt to consolidate his authority. Content critical of the government’s actions in Crimea and involvement in the Ukrainian conflict is constantly filtered, with independent news outlets facing legal and economic pressures from the Kremlin.

If the last few years are any yardstick, it’s unlikely that the Russian internet landscape will be headed for a greater degree of freedom anytime soon. Authorities have continued to use new legislation to restrict access to content related to radical Islam, conflict with Ukraine, or any form of organized political opposition.

Human Rights Watch explains that Russian intervention on the web has been a major policy of the state since 2012 after state authorities realized the need to prevent the kind of mass uprising witnessed during 2011-12. Previously the internet had been viewed as some sort of benign space without the effect to mold public opinion, and ministries had largely focused their efforts on curtailing content on television, print, and radio.

The internet is now viewed as the only medium where there was a significant degree of opposition to the ruling party’s policies and one that needs to be brought under control. The situation now is so bad that ordinary Russian citizens are unaware of what constitutes free speech and what doesn’t. Arbitrary definitions of laws are used to silence the truth while state-run media outlets continue to spew out biased reporting, particularly when it comes to regional conflicts.

See also: Russia cyber profile

Using a VPN in Russia: FAQs