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 inaccessible in Russia. A VPN can help people in Russia access censored sites, apps, and services abroad. It also hides your IP address and encrypts your connection, so Russian ISPs cannot track what you do online.

If you can’t stick around to read the rest of this article, here’s a summary of our top VPN picks for Russia:

The deteriorating nature of online freedoms in Russia necessitates the use of a VPN while browsing the web. 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 spoofs 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 and with a sharply reduced fear of getting caught (more on that later in this article). At the same time, a VPN greatly enhances your browsing experience by allowing you to regain access to your usual services (such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, ESPN, and Vudu) while you travel.

Best VPNs for Russia – at a glance

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

The Best VPNs for Russia

Our list of the best VPNs for Russia is based on the following factors:

• Speed and stability of service
• A large network of servers across the world.
• Work with 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

Update: Russia has demanded several popular VPN providers link their servers in the country to the state censorship agency. As a result, many of the providers below have refused to comply and therefore do not currently have servers in Russia. However, you can still use these providers in Russia in order to bypass censorship. You just can’t connect to a Russian server or get a Russian IP address.

1. NordVPN

Jun 2023 Works in RussiaTested Jun 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’s a bunch of powerful features packed into an intuitive app, including obfuscated servers designed for beating 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 valuing 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 out of it. 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. Like we mentioned before, you can pick one for your specific requirement.

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.

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 Jun 2023

Surfshark has a network of more than 3,20 servers in 100 countries. It’s 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.

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 Jun 2023

ExpressVPN offers a large network of over 3,000 servers spread across 94 countries, although it doesn’t specify how many exactly are located in that country. 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 you based on your current location.

Encryption protocols are uncompromising. ExpressVPN uses 256-bit AES-CBC wit 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.

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 Jun 2023

CyberGhost will appeal to users on a budget who aren’t looking for a fancy VPN with a deluge of customizable options. It does its job quietly and efficiently but comes without the bells and whistles of the pricier VPNs on this list. Having said that, there is an extremely large server network and truly exceptional speeds.

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.

Currently, there are over 9,000 servers spread across 90 countries including around 60 in Russia and a decent number in Eastern Europe and North America.

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.

EASY TO USE: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 Jun 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 1,900 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.

There are apps for both iOS and Android as well as a desktop client for Windows and macOS.

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.

LARGE SERVER NETWORK:IPVanish works with any number of connected devices. Fast connections, lightweight easy to use apps, 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 Jun 2023

VyprVPN has some of the toughest encryption protocols we’ve seen. It complements this with around-the-clock online customer support service, a free 3-day trial, and a decently-sized server network (over 700 servers). 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 help it finetune the service and puts 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 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 is user friendly. Good speeds and uptime as all servers are owned by VyprVPN. Not the cheapest option in this list. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of VyprVPN.

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7. Hotspot Shield

Works in RussiaTested Jun 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 wifi 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.

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

GREAT LOW-COST VPN:Hotspot Shield comes at a low price and 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 VPN for Russia can result in a headache. There are many VPNs available on the market, but they do not all have Russian 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 VPN testing methodology. 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 also looked for servers in Russia to let you use local services while still encrypting your traffic for privacy reasons.
• Apps for all platforms: A useful VPN for Russia 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 is not suffering 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 and 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 VPNs for Russia to ensure that they can access Netflix US, 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. 

How do I 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 if you’re a foreign expatriate living in Russia looking to obtain an IP address from back home or another non-Russian location:

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
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 login
7. Select a server from the country you’re trying to obtain an IP address – such as Canada or Spain
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

If you are a Russian resident traveling abroad and want to access your usual services and websites from home, simply select a VPN with Russian servers and choose Russia in step 7 above.

Russia VPN FAQs