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5 Best VPNs for Russia in 2022

Last updated: January 19, 2023

William Sams

Russia's strict internet laws have made life a living hell for expats. Read this comprehensive guide on the best VPN for Russia to bypass geo-blocks and watch your favorite VoDs with a hassle-free experience!

Russia is slowly and eventually transforming into the next China – thanks to its tough internet censorship and data retention laws, which prevent users from exploring the web freely and unrestricted.

To stop the citizens from accessing blocked websites, Russia has demanded VPN providers link the Russian servers to the blacklist of websites recently.

And as a result, it has become difficult to find the best VPN for Russia that works 100% in the Russian jurisdiction.

While some services agreed to cooperate with the Russian government, many VPNs have stopped providing Russian servers which was a result of not going by the country’s rules as it would have clashed with their privacy policies.

In this article, I will tell you about the best Russian VPNs that can bypass this country’s heavy digital restrictions while protecting your online identity to avoid getting in trouble.

It will also allow you to access geo-blocked streaming services like BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Hulu, or Netflix to watch your favorite content in an acceptable resolution.

So without any further ado, let’s check out the quick summary.

5 Best VPNs for Russia in 2022 – Quick Summary

After testing 30+ providers, considering the factors of speed, security, Russian VPN server list, streaming, customer support, and pricing, here is a quick analysis of one of the top Russian VPNs.

Learn how to set up a VPN in Russia!

Best VPNs for Russia in 2022: In-Depth Analysis

1. ExpressVPN: The Overall Best VPN for Russia

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Russia as the service offers fast speed, high-end security, and servers in 160 locations.

The provider is headquartered in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands, which is not a member of the 14 Eyes Alliance Group.

It is safe to say that ExpressVPN doesn’t log or track user traffic as the provider offers a strict no-logs policy, and in addition, it has been independently audited with a third-party firm called PwC.

The service has a network of 3200 servers in 65 countries but there are no ExpressVPN Russia servers available to connect.

However, you can connect to Russian neighboring states, including Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. Also, you can connect to all the servers to access content unavailable in Russia.

The ExpressVPN speed test resulted in an average speed of 93 Mbps with no problems while bypassing the popular streaming sites, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, and more.

ExpressVPN uses the best-in-class AES 256-bit encryption method to make sure your online identity is super-safe while routing your traffic with top-notch protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Lightway.

Compatible apps are available for all platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. You can test the service by using the 7-day free trial or the 30-day money-back guarantee hack.

With a single ExpressVPN account, you can simultaneously use the app on 5 different devices. However, if you want to cover more than 5 devices at a time, configure ExpressVPN on your router using the dedicated router app.

More features of ExpressVPN include; Threat Manager, IP/DNS/WebRTC Leak Protection, Split Tunneling, TrustedServer Technology, RAM-only servers, Network Lock kill switch, and Public Wi-Fi Safety.

ExpressVPN has 3 plans. The monthly plan costs $12.95, the 6-month plan costs $9.99/mo., and the 1-year plan has a cost of US$ /mo . which is the best deal of the provider offering 49% off.

You can pay for your service with various payment options, including PayPal, cryptocurrency, debit cards, and credit cards.

Visit our ExpressVPN guide for more information!

2. NordVPN: The Most Secure Russia VPN

Registered in Panama, one of the safest locations in the world, NordVPN is the most secure VPN for Russia as the region doesn’t welcome data retention laws, and it is also a non-member of 14 Eyes.

NordVPN boasts a no-logs policy and provides military-grade, 256-bit AES encryption for maximum security in Russia.

At the same time, it offers all the advanced features to keep your identity anonymous when unblocking websites and censored pages.

These include Automatic Kill Switch, DNS Leak/IPv6 Protection, P2P Servers, Onion over VPN, Dedicated IPs, and Double VPN! You also leverage cheap pricing if you decide to go with the 2-year plan, you only pay US$ 3.99 /mo (Get 57% Off + 3 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan).

NordVPN has a massive network of 5600 servers in 59 countries, but the NordVPN Russia servers were destroyed by the provider when the Russian government tried to seek access in 2019.

However, the VPN is available through available channels, and you can connect to Russian-adjacent Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. You can also bypass geo-blocks to stream on major platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, and more.

Upon testing NordVPN, the VPN performed exceptionally well, and I achieved an average speed of 91 Mbps with no buffering issues on the above-mentioned streaming platforms.

NordVPN is available to download on many platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. You can also test the service by signing up for the 7-day free trial or hacking the 30-day money-back offer.

NordVPN offers 6 simultaneous connections and compatibility for Fire TV and Apple TV. On top of that, you can manually configure the VPN on your router to cover devices with no support for native VPN apps.

One of the newest and advanced features of NordVPN is Threat Protection, previously known as CyberSec. It keeps you safe from cyberattacks like malware, trackers, and intrusive ads.

Visit our NordVPN guide for more information!

3. Surfshark: Best VPN for Multiple Devices in Russia

Surfshark is the best Russian VPN for multiple devices, as the provider doesn’t impose a limit on simultaneous connections, which means you can connect as many devices as you want with a single Surfshark account.

One of the demanding features of Surfshark is the NoBorders technology which allows users to use a VPN and bypass geo-blocks in a heavily restricted country like Russia.

Introduced in 2018, Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands, a safe jurisdiction and away from the reach of the 14 Eyes.  The service offers a verified “no logs” policy along with a transparency report by Cure53.

The service boasts a network of 3200 servers in 65 countries but the Surfshark Russia servers were removed on March 2, 2022, by the provider as it did not want to support the Russian state in any way amid the Russia-Ukraine war.

However, the provider still has servers available for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. You can also bypass geo-blocks and access your favorite content on BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu.

The Surfshark speed test performance resulted in an average speed of 89 Mbps, and I could carry out my activities smoothly, including gaming, casual browsing, and streaming.

Along with all this, Surfshark has a Camouflage Mode, which makes your VPN traffic look like regular traffic to your ISP, and you can easily bypass geo-restrictions in heavily restricted countries like Russia.

More features of Surfshark include; MultiHop, IP/DNS/WebRTC Leak Protection, CleanWeb, Bypasser, Smart DNS, and Kill Switch.

Paying for your Surfshark subscription is very convenient as the provider offers many forms of payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and even cryptocurrency.

Visit our Surfshark guide for more information!

4. CyberGhost: The User-Friendly VPN for Russia

CyberGhost is the best user-friendly VPN for Russia, with a wide range of easy-to-navigate apps for all platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.

Based in Romania, this provider is another great candidate for leveraging anonymity and unblocking capabilities for gaining access to unrestricted internet in Russia.

Users receive strong security via AES 256-bit OpenVPN encryption. You even have the ability to connect to up to 7 devices simultaneously.

Upon testing CyberGhost, I achieved an average speed of 82 Mbps, and access to major streaming services was smooth as I could easily unblock US Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.

Best part of all: You can use CyberGhost’s in-house NoSpy servers, located in an independent data center from which you can easily operate the open web in Russia.

Moreover, CyberGhost is the only VPN in our list that still has working servers in Russia. It has a huge network of 6000+ servers in 88 countries, including 127 servers located in the city of Moscow in Russia.

CyberGhost is the only VPN that offers a 45-day money-back guarantee offer. This means you get extra two weeks to test your VPN service compared to other providers. However, if you don’t want to provide credit card details, then sign up for CyberGhost’s 24-hour free trial.

Visit our CyberGhost guide for more information!

5. PureVPN: Reasonable VPN for Russia

PureVPN is the most reasonable VPN for Russia with a budget-friendly VPN deal of US$ 1.99 /mo 70% Discount. on the 2-year plan with an upfront payment of $53.95.

The provider is based in the British Virgin Islands and boasts a network of 6500 servers in 78 countries, but unfortunately, no servers are offered for Russia other than Shared IPs for the Moscow region.

You can easily bypass geo-blocks on streaming services that only work in selective regions. Some of them I could unblock were Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Disney+, with no buffering issues as the VPN delivered decent speed. Upon testing PureVPN, I achieved an average speed of 80 Mbps.

PureVPN offers compatibility for all widely-used operating systems, including Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, and macOS. The VPN allows 10 simultaneous connections, and you can also configure it on your router.

The service offers no free trial, you have to pay $1 to use PureVPN for 7 days. You can also hack into the money-back offer of PureVPN to use it free for 31 days.

PureVPN uses military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, and you can switch between some of the most advanced protocols in the industry, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and L2TP/IPSec.

Visit our PureVPN guide for more information!

Why do I need a Russian VPN?

There are a number of reasons why you might need a VPN for Russia. Here are some of the most common ones:

To Bypass Government Censorship

The Russian government is known for its heavy-handed internet censorship regime. It blocks access to a number of websites and online services, including social media platforms, news sites, and more.

A VPN can help you bypass these restrictions by encrypting your traffic and route it through a server in a different country. This way, you can access the internet freely without worrying about government censorship.

To Protect Your Privacy

Russia has some of the most intrusive data retention laws in the world. This means that your ISP is required to keep track of all your online activity and hand over this data to the government upon request.

A VPN can help you protect your privacy by encrypting your traffic and routing it through a server in a different country. This way, your ISP will not be able to see what you are doing online and will not be able to hand over your data to the government.

To Unblock Geo-Restricted Websites and Services

If you want to access websites and online services that are not available in Russia, such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, etc., then you will need a VPN.

A VPN can help you bypass geo-restrictions, and you will be able to access the internet freely and watch your favorite content with no problems.

How to Setup Russian VPN in 5 Easy Steps

What is the Research Methodology to Choose a Good VPN for Russia?

Not all VPNs are created equal, which is why you need to be careful when selecting a provider. There are a number of factors that you need to take into account, such as:

• Servers: The number of servers a VPN has is directly proportional to the number of locations it can unblock. The more servers, the better. Look out for a VPN that covers the major regions around the world.
• Compatibility: A VPN must be compatible with all the major platforms, such as Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and more. If you have plans to set up a VPN on your router then check for your router’s compatibility with the VPN.
• IP & DNS Leak Protection: This is a must-have feature, especially if you want to keep your identity and location hidden at all costs. If you want to verify it yourself, then simply connect to your VPN and visit www.ipleak.net to see if your IP or DNS is leaking.
• Streaming Support: If you want to unblock geo-restricted streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, etc., then make sure that your VPN has dedicated streaming servers.
• Security: A good VPN will offer military-grade encryption and a strict no-logs policy. This ensures that your data remains safe and secure at all times.
• Customer Support: In case you face any issues while using a VPN, you should be able to get in touch with customer support 24/7.
• Pricing: The best VPNs usually come with a price tag. However, that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to get your hands on a decent one. There are plenty of affordable options out there.

Is there a Russian VPN for Android?

If you are looking for Russian VPN services to use on Android devices, then you can actually sign up with any of the above-mentioned providers.

Each of them offers dedicated apps for all platforms, which includes smartphones with Android. Simply visit the website and head towards the “Download” section just install the software from Google Play Store.

FAQs: Best VPN for Russia

Are VPNs legal in Russia?

Yes, VPNs are legal in Russia. VPNs and other services that geo-spoof your location aren’t banned in Russia. However, the country blocks VPN provider URLs that give access to Russia’s “reject list” websites and other blocked content. CyberGhost is the best VPN for changing to Russia region if you want to hide your traffic from your ISP.

Which free VPN has Russia?

ProtonVPN is the best free VPN for Russia. The provider offers 16 servers in the city of Saint Petersburg, Russia. You can easily get a Russian IP address by connecting to one of the servers.

Are VPN blocked in Russia?

While you can use a VPN in Russia, many VPN websites are blocked in Russia. So if you’re visiting Russia, download and install the VPN app beforehand so you don’t have to face geo-blocks while residing there.

What is the punishment for using a VPN in Russia?

The VPN company and the user can be fined with RUB300,000 (US$4,783) to RUB700,000 (US$11,160) if the VPN company is found to be out of compliance with the Russian law.

Which is Russian VPN chrome?

ExpressVPN is the best Russia VPN Chrome. It offers a lightweight and strong extension for Chrome. You have to download and install it beforehand on your Chrome browser to bypass geo-blocks while you’re in Russia.

How do I access Russian websites from abroad?

Although the Russia VPN ban would not let you download a VPN while you’re in the country, you can easily use one if you’re abroad to access Russian websites. But for that, you need a VPN that still offers Russian servers.

Step 1: Sign up with a VPN that offers servers in Russia. We recommend CyberGhost as the provider has 127 Moscow servers in Russia.

Step 2: Download the VPN on your device.

Step 3: Log in with your credentials.

Step 4: Connect to a Russian server.

Step 5: Visit any Russian website you want.

Can I get a free VPN for Russia?

ProtonVPN is an excellent VPN you can use free for Russia. Even though it’s a paid VPN that offers 16 Russian servers in the city of Saint Petersberg, you can also download its free version to connect to different server locations while residing in Russia.

How do I blog anonymously in Russia?

You can blog anonymously by just connecting to a VPN server of another location. Use a reputable VPN that has a strict “no logs” policy so no entity can track you back to your original location.

Wrapping Things Up

Sadly, the internet laws around the world are getting stricter and tougher. What started out to advocate “freedom of speech” is now slowly getting controlled and dominated by those in high-power and regressive governments/regimes, which includes Russia.

Sign up with the best VPN for Russia if you want to bypass the silly restrictions and censorship while protecting your online identity.

ExpressVPN is the best choice if you want to connect to foreign servers while residing in Russia. However, if you want to connect to a Russian IP address, then CyberGhost is well off with its Russian VPN server list that also supports P2P traffic.

For any other queries related to the article, feel free to comment below!