How to watch Netflix in Russia with a VPN

Netflix is available in most countries, but they no longer include Russia. Netflix withdrew its service from the country in 2022. If you attempt to access Netflix while in Russia, you’ll come across a blank page which simply says, “Not Available”. The good news is that if you’re traveling to Russia, then you can access your usual Netflix library from home using a VPN.

When you use a VPN, all of your internet traffic is routed through a secure, encrypted tunnel through a VPN server in another location. You’re assigned a temporary IP address, and your real IP address is hidden in the process. Netflix and other services use your IP address to determine your location. By changing your IP address to that of the VPN server, you can spoof your location and bypass geographic restrictions (and internet censorship) to watch Netflix US, UK, Canada, and more from Russia.

Finding a VPN that works well with Netflix is no easy task. Netflix blocks VPN IP addresses to protect copyright and licensing agreements. We’ve tested many different VPNs with Netflix and narrowed down the options to the following:

Best VPNs for Netflix in Russia:

1. NordVPN: Best VPN for watching Netflix in Russia. Works with over a dozen Netflix libraries. Fast and offers specialty P2P and Double VPN servers. 24/7 live chat support.
2. Surfshark: Best value VPN for Netflix in Russia. Securely access 30 Netflix libraries. No simultaneous connection limit. Fast speeds and secure with MultiHop servers included.
3. ExpressVPN: Access a dozen Netflix libraries from Russia. Unlimited bandwidth and strong security with encryption. 24/7 support as well as an audited no-logs policy.
4. CyberGhost: Vast server network (10,000+ in 100 countries) and very good speeds for lag-free streaming of Netflix in Russia. Security includes an antivirus for Windows.
5. IPVanish: One of the fastest VPNs available. Works with Netflix US. Connect all of your devices at once via a single account. Now offers threat protection for Android and iOS.
6. PrivateVPN: Works with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more. Good speeds and very easy-to-use apps. Secure 10 of your devices simultaneously. Strict no-logs policy.

How to watch Netflix in Russia with a VPN

Despite the fact that Netflix actively blocks VPN IP addresses (and that many VPNs simply don’t work with Netflix), it’s not difficult to use a VPN to watch Netflix in Russia. Follow the steps below to get started.

Here’s how to use a VPN to stream Netflix in Russia:

1. Sign up with one of the Netflix-compatible VPNs covered in this post. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Next, download and install the VPN app that’s compatible with your streaming device.
3. Open the VPN app, log in, and connect to a server in your home country. For example, a server in the US will give you a US IP address.
4. Log in to your Netflix account. You should now be able to stream Netflix from Russia without further restriction.
5. Getting streaming errors? Clearing your cookies may fix the issue. You may need to try more than one server to find one that works. Failing this, try getting in touch with your VPN’s customer support, who might be able to recommend a specific server.

Our criteria for the best Netflix VPNs

You might be wondering why these VPNs have made our list (or why another VPN provider hasn’t made the cut). In order to be selected, a VPN had to meet all of the following key criteria:

• Works with Netflix (and other streaming platforms)
• Servers in dozens of countries worldwide
• Fast and unthrottled connections for high resolution streaming
• High level of encryption to secure your data
• Absolutely no logs that can be tied to your identity
• Live chat and email support, preferably 24 hours a day

Best VPNs to watch Netflix in Russia

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for watching Netflix in Russia:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2024

NordVPN is the best VPN you can use with Netflix, regardless of where you’re located. It works with well over a dozen Netflix regions including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan. It offers a generous network of more than 6,000 servers in 60+ countries and works with many other streaming platforms, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer included. Thanks to its proprietary NordLynx protocol and unlimited bandwidth, you can watch Netflix in Russia buffer-free.

You can rest assured that your data is secure from hackers and snoopers with NordVPN thanks to its use of military-grade encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. If you need a little extra protection, connecting to one of NordVPN’s Double VPN or Onion Over VPN servers provides you with two layers of encryption. NordVPN has a no-logs policy that has been independently audited. You can secure up to six of your devices at the same time.

NordVPN has apps for the following: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. It also provides Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browser extensions. To use NordVPN with a VPN-compatible router, you’ll need to manually configure the connection.

BEST VPN FOR NETFLIX IN RUSSIA:NordVPN is our #1 choice. It works with over a dozen Netflix libraries and has 5,000+ servers worldwide. Very strong security with the option of Double VPN servers. Audited no-logs policy and 24/7 support. You can try NordVPN risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark makes very light work of geographic restrictions surrounding Netflix in Russia. In fact, this VPN can securely access more Netflix libraries than most VPNs (30 in all). This is in part thanks to its very large network which now stands at 3,000+ servers across 100 countries. As such, you’ll be able to access a wide range of online content, be it streaming services, social media platforms, or online banking sites. Surfshark is fast too, averaging 189 Mbps in our tests.

If you have a number of devices you’d like to secure while browsing and streaming in Russia, know that Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections. 24-hour live chat support is also included as part of your subscription. When you connect to a Surfshark server, your device benefits from high-end encryption, protection from DNS and IPv6 leaks, and a kill switch that cuts your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This no-logs service also has MultiHop servers.

To use Surfshark, you’ll need to download and install an app for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, or Amazon Fire TV. Alternatively, you can use a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. Manual configuration is necessary in order to use Surfshark with a wifi router.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark offers excellent value for money with its vast server network covering 100 countries. It works with 30+ Netflix libraries and is more than fast enough for 4K streaming. MultiHop servers and unlimited simultaneous connections. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN works with most major streaming sites we’ve tested it against, Netflix included. In fact, it can be used to securely access over a dozen Netflix libraries such as the US, UK, Canada, and France. It has no trouble with the likes of Disney+ or Hulu either. ExpressVPN’s fast Lightway protocol and unlimited bandwidth ensure seamless, buffering-free streams. Overall, 3,000+ servers are offered in 105 countries.

This VPN routes your internet traffic through a 256-bit AES encrypted tunnel. It provides a kill switch as well as DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection. This is one of the most thoroughly and frequently audited VPNs on the market. It has undergone independent audits in areas including its VPN protocol, mobile apps, and no-logs policy. Should you have any questions, know that ExpressVPN’s live chat and email support is available around the clock.

You can connect up to 8 devices at once with ExpressVPN’s apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browser extensions are also available to download, as is custom firmware for quick and easy setup with compatible wireless routers.

JACK OF ALL TRADES:ExpressVPN has a large server network (3,000+ in 105 countries) and fast speeds for streaming Netflix in Russia. Uses 256-bit AES encryption and has an independently audited no-logs policy. Quality customer support. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has more servers than any other VPN we’ve covered in this post. Its 10,000+ servers are located across 100 countries. Needless to say, it’s an excellent choice for bypassing content restrictions while traveling abroad. We found that CyberGhost works with a number of Netflix libraries, the US version included. It ranks among the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, with an average download speed measuring 296 Mbps (it offers unlimited bandwidth too).

With a single CyberGhost subscription, you can secure up to seven devices simultaneously. 24/7 live chat and email support are included. CyberGhost doesn’t keep any logs which can be tied to your identity, allowing you to browse and stream anonymously while in Russia. Security consists of 256-bit AES or ChaCha20 encryption (depending on the VPN protocol used), DNS leak protection, an automatic kill switch, and even a Windows antivirus.

CyberGhost has desktop (Windows, Mac, and Linux) and mobile (Android and iOS) apps. You can find browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. It’s possible to manually configure a connection with compatible wifi routers.

10,000+ SERVERS:CyberGhost works with a number of Netflix regions and possesses a vast network of more than 10,000 servers (in 100 countries). Very fast server speeds and no bandwidth throttling. Very strong security includes a Windows antivirus. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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5. IPVanish

IPVanish upgraded to the WireGuard protocol, significantly boosting its speeds. As such, it’s highly suitable for streaming Netflix in Russia because you won’t have to contend with issues such as lag or buffering. There’s no shortage of servers for you to choose from (2,200+) and these servers are spread across dozens of countries. IPVanish works particularly well with the US version of Netflix. In fact, over roughly half of its servers can be found in the US.

Most quality VPNs allow you to connect multiple devices simultaneously but IPVanish doesn’t impose a connection limit at all. Devices can benefit from strong encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. More recently, IPVanish has introduced threat protection (ad, tracker, and malicious site blocking) for Android, iOS, and Fire TV. It operates a no-logs policy and, should you need any help, provides 24-hour support via live chat and email.

IPVanish apps are offered for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. You can use IPVanish with Linux and select routers, but manual setup is needed. IPVanish provides instructions to make configuration easier.

NO CONNECTION LIMIT:IPVanish has high-speed connections for high resolution streaming of Netflix from Russia. Some 1,400+ servers in North America. Unlimited simultaneous connections and a new threat protection feature for mobile. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is particularly adept at bypassing geographic restrictions. Notably, you can use it to navigate strict internet censorship thanks to its Stealth VPN feature. Although this VPN has a relatively small server network of just over 200 servers, plenty of locations are covered (60 countries). This is particularly the case in the US where PrivateVPN has servers in a dozen cities. Netflix doesn’t pose much of a problem for PrivateVPN, and neither does Disney+ or HBO Max.

Not only does PrivateVPN provide live chat support, it has free remote help and installation too. Information such as your real IP address and the sites you visit is encrypted so that it can’t be seen by hackers or snoopers. Further security features include DNS leak protection and a kill switch. PrivateVPN offers a true no-logs policy (with no connection logs) too.

If it’s your first time using a VPN, you’ll appreciate how easy it is to use PrivateVPN’s apps. You can connect up to 10 devices at once with apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. PrivateVPN is also compatible with Linux and select routers, although manual configuration is required.

STREAMING-FRIENDLY:PrivateVPN is compatible with many popular streaming platforms, Netflix included. Very easy to use desktop and mobile apps. Live chat support and free remote help. No-logs VPN which allows 10 simultaneous connections. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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VPN testing methodology: how we found the best VPNs for watching Netflix in Russia

We set out a list of key criteria for a VPN to meet in order to separate the many VPNs that are now on the market. Below, we go into a little more detail regarding our methodology so you can better understand our process.

• Servers worldwide: Netflix is available in most countries so we looked for VPNs that offer servers in countries worldwide. There was a particular focus on the most popular Netflix regions such as Netflix US. As such, you shouldn’t have any issues finding a server that meets your needs, allowing you to securely access a wide range of content.
• Speed: Many VPNs are simply too slow for streaming Netflix. This may be due to the VPN protocol used, heavy server load, or because they throttle bandwidth. To compare the speeds offered by VPN providers, we run speed tests. This helps us find the fastest VPNs so you can stream in high resolution without lag or buffering.
• Bypass blocks: If you’re traveling abroad, chances are you’ll come across other websites and services that are region-locked. This is particularly common with streaming services but may also include news sites and online banking platforms. We’ve selected the VPNs that most consistently bypassed these restrictions.
• Security: A VPN should secure your internet traffic with encryption but some VPNs may not do this properly. Indeed, a VPN may lack important features such as protection from DNS leaks or a kill switch. We found VPNs that tick all of these boxes. Some even provide extras, be they Double VPN servers or an ad or tracker blocker.
• Privacy: It goes without saying that a Virtual Private Network is supposed to provide privacy. The irony is that some VPNs (particularly free ones) log and sell user data. Some of this data, such as browsing logs, can be linked to your identity. Having studied 140 VPN logging policies, we know which VPNs protect your privacy.
• Ease of use: You’re here because you want to watch Netflix in Russia. Chances are you don’t want to have to waste hours trying to configure your VPN. For this reason, we test each VPN hands-on to find those with user-friendly apps as well as the best possible customer support. This should make the process that much quicker and easier.
• Value for money: It may seem like we’re asking for a lot, but it needn’t break the bank. There are so many VPNs competing for customers that there are always great deals to be found. Speaking of which, you can save even more when you take advantage of the discount coupons listed throughout this post. Every VPN we recommend has a risk-free money-back guarantee.

To find out more about how we analyze VPNs and test in areas including speed and security, take a look at our VPN testing methodology post.

Related: VPN for Russia

Watching Netflix in Russia: FAQs