Last Update: May 3, 2022
Russia is a country that’s been increasing internet censorship in recent years. It has banned or restricted many websites and online services. As a result, citizens of the country and visitors have no means to readily access them except through a VPN service.
Many VPN providers claim to be the best to use in Russia. However, only a handful of them live up to their claims. Out of hundreds of VPN services available, our team has narrowed down our picks to these five:
Let us now have an in-depth discussion regarding all of these services:
Credit: expressvpn.com
ExpressVPN is considered by many to be the best VPN service available. It’s known for being able to bypass just about any geo-restriction there is. On top of that, it has a reputation for providing the best kind of digital protection for average internet users.
The security capabilities of ExpressVPN are great due in large part to its utilization of AES-256 encryption, which is military-grade. Additionally, the VPN service also maintains a massive RAM-based server network that’s incapable of tracking, gathering, and storing logs.
Besides what’s stated, ExpressVPN also has a strict no-logging policy along with a built-in kill switch feature. Furthermore, it supports a wide range of protocols, including Lightway, which is proprietary and known to be extremely fast and secure.
ExpressVPN’s speed capabilities are excellent. No matter what server you’re paired to, it is sure that you’ll have a decent internet connection. How come? Due to the VPN’s superb network and zero bandwidth limits. With it, gaming, downloading, and browsing will all be seamless.
Apart from being RAM-based, all of ExpressVPN’s servers are P2P enabled. That means each one of them is suitable for torrenting. One other thing to mention is that the VPN is compatible with major torrent clients such as uTorrent, BitTorrent, Deluge, and Vuze.
ExpressVPN allows for a maximum of five simultaneous device connections under a single user account. The service has native apps for Windows, Android, Linux, iOS, and macOS. It can also work with other gadgets that tap into the internet via a compatible router.
The applications of ExpressVPN are all user-friendly and aesthetically-pleasing. In addition, they are easy to download, install, then configure. Using them, you’re sure to have a very pleasing VPN experience. And yes, this remains true even if you’re not tech-savvy.
Sad to say, ExpressVPN is that it’s pricey. While it is within the reach of average consumers, it’s more expensive than competitors like Surfshark and NordVPN. However, if you’ve got the budget and are looking for a VPN for Russia, we can’t recommend anything better.
Credit: surfshark.com
Surfshark is a newer VPN provider that has been making waves in recent years. That’s because it offers great value for money and top-notch security. Additionally, it’s capable of bypassing almost any online censorship system that it is faced with, making it perfect Russia VPN.
Of course, the main goal of Surfshark is to protect its subscribers. Hence, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the service uses AES-256 encryption and has wide protocol support. Moreover, the VPN has a wide range of security features that you can take advantage of.
Another thing that makes the security capabilities of Surfshark great is its RAM-based network that’s not capable of storing logs. Yes. Like ExpressVPN, it can be trusted completely. You do not need to worry about having your private information secretly collected then disclosed.
Speed is one thing that Surfshark excels at. Because the service has unlimited bandwidth and top-notch servers, you’ll have no problems with internet speeds. In some instances, your base connection might even be improved as you’ll be freed from ISP bandwidth throttling.
Unfortunately, not all of Surfshark’s servers are P2P enabled. Despite that, you may still utilize it for torrenting purposes. Picking a location for the job is easy as all the VPN’s apps provide a list of optimized servers to choose from. From a convenience standpoint, this is excellent.
Surfshark’s developers have allowed it to facilitate unlimited simultaneous connections under one subscription. This makes the service a great option for those who wish to keep everyone within their household safe. Few competitors in the VPN industry have the same offering.
There’s a Surfshark app for every major operating system. In addition, browser extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox. You may also use the service with the Tor browser and Amazon Fire TV Stick. Finally, there’s an option to install it on a wide range of routers.
A 1-month Surfshark subscription will run you $12.95. With that said, it’s possible to use the VPN for as low as $2.49 per month. Thus, it is safe to say that it’s suitable for anyone who’s looking for a good VPN for Russia but is on a rather tight budget.
Credit: nordvpn.com
NordVPN needs no introductions. It’s one of the most famous VPNs out there and is known to work around any online restriction and provide excellent security. Using it, you’ll easily get to freely access the internet in countries like Russia, China, Iran, Belarus, and Turkey.
AES 256-bit encryption, numerous leading protocols, and a myriad of security features are what enable NordVPN to keep its subscribers safe. Despite the service not having a RAM-based server network, it’s trustworthy. Why? It regularly subjects itself to independent audits.
Online experts almost universally state that NordVPN is the fastest VPN around. My experience with it has been nothing but stellar. Of course, I’m not astonished since the service does not have any bandwidth limits, meaning unlimited data can be trafficked through its servers.
While its network is not 100% P2P enabled, torrenting is still possible using NordVPN. Its users won’t even have to go through the trouble of selecting an optimized server. That is because the service automatically connects you to a suitable location after downloading activity is detected.
You can connect up to six devices simultaneously under one NordVPN account. Compatibility is nothing to be worried about as NordVPN has apps and extensions for every major operating system and web browser. Like other top-tier VPNs, it may also be installed on routers.
The customer service of NordVPN is great. After subscribing, you shall be entitled to 24/7 email, chat, and ticket support. As such, troubleshooting won’t be an issue no matter where you’re located in Russia. A representative of the service will always be there to help you out.
NordVPN has some of the best VPN applications. These apps look great, are easy to use, and offer a high degree of configurability. What I liked about them, in particular, is that they allow users to pick out a server from either a map, list, or search bar for convenience sake.
It is important to know that NordVPN’s prices lie somewhere in the middle of ExpressVPN's and Surfshark’s. That means it isn’t cheap, but it isn’t expensive either. You can use the VPN for as low as $3.71 per month, which is great as other lower-ranked services charge more.
Credit: cyberghostvpn.com
CyberGhost is a Romanian provider that’s famed for having the largest VPN server network in the world. Its 7000+ servers make it possible for its users to bypass geoblocks and access the version of the internet in an almost unlimited number of locations. Hence, it is great for Russia.
The security of CyberGhost is decent but not the best. Although it uses standard AES 256-bit encryption and has every imaginable VPN safety feature, the service’s protocol support could be better. Why? Because the protocols it supports vary greatly from platform to platform.
You can have a blazingly fast or extremely slow internet connection when using CyberGhost. It all depends on the server you’re using. Therefore, I highly recommend that you bookmark each fast location that you pair to. When that’s done, always having fast internet speeds will be sure.
CyberGhost allows for torrenting activity on its network. Its apps even provide a list of servers that are suitable for the job. And as you might’ve expected, compatibility isn’t an issue as you may use the service with every single leading torrenting client that’s currently available.
Quite interestingly, CyberGhost allows for a good 7 simultaneous device connections with one subscription. Thus, it may be used to keep your entire family protected and even a few friends protected while browsing the web in Russia or anywhere it’s essential to remain safeguarded.
You can download a native CyberGhost app for each mainstream operating system. Extensions also exist for Chrome as well as Firefox. In addition, there’s router support and an app for Amazon’s Fire TV Stick. Thanks to that, you’ll get to stay safe on all your devices.
If you’re wondering, all of CyberGhost’s apps are quite user-friendly. They are easy to install, navigate, and configure. As mentioned earlier, they let you choose from a list of servers that specialize in torrenting. Besides that, they also let you pick from a list of streaming servers.
Until recently, CyberGhost had average prices for a VPN of its stature. However, just this year, the service updated its pricing schemes and became more competitive. Today, you may now use it for as low as $2.25, making it an excellent option for those looking to save big.
Credit: privateinternetaccess.com
Private Internet Access or PIA is the only US-based VPN on this list. Consequently, it’s the only one that falls under the jurisdiction of the Five Eyes Alliance. Despite that shortcoming, it is still a good option for a Russia VPN. That’s because it makes easy work of the country’s geo-restrictions.
The track record of PIA when it comes to security is excellent. On more than one occasion did it not disclose data to the authorities when it was requested to. Furthermore, the service utilizes AES-256 encryption and supports all must-have protocols, including WireGuard.
Besides what’s stated above, Private Internet Access also has great security due to the many features it boasts. Prime examples of which include a kill switch, split tunneling, and a highly-rated ad & malware blocker known as PIA MACE, which is free to use.
While connected to any one of PIA’s 3000+ servers, you can have a surprisingly decent internet connection. Though the service is by far not the fastest around, it’s still a good candidate for anyone who frequently downloads content, streams videos, and plays online games.
Each one of Private Internet Access’ servers is P2P enabled. Because of that, many say that it is the best VPN solution for torrenting. And yes, the service doesn’t leak when used for the job and is also compatible with all major torrenting clients such as uTorrent, Deluge, and Vuze.
PIA allows for a maximum of 10 simultaneous device connections with one account. It has apps for Linux, Android, Windows, macOS, and iOS. Moreover, the service can be installed on select routers and Amazon Fire TV Sticks. Lastly, it boasts extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.
The native apps of Private Internet Access all have a minimalistic vibe to them. Once opened, everything you’ll need to access shall be on the home screen. Thus, the applications are suitable for all kinds of users. Even children and the elderly are sure to like them.
PIA can be availed for a low as $2.69 per month. If anything, this makes it another ideal option for those who are on a tight budget. That said, it’s also important to mention that the service maintains a 30-day money-back guarantee for all of its available subscriptions.
Yes and no. To put it simply, VPNs are illegal to use in Russia if they’re employed to access any website that’s banned by the country’s government. However, anyone in the country may use a VPN for other purposes. For example, a person may connect to a virtual private network of the business they work for.
It should also be noted that the Russian government itself uses VPN for a variety of purposes, much like the Chinese government. Needless to say, this doesn’t serve as justification for anyone to break the law and use virtual private networks in a prohibited manner.
Please note that we do not condone the breaking of laws in any jurisdiction. If you’re planning to make use of a VPN in Russia, do so at your own risk. Remember that doing so can incur heavy fines or even jail time. If anything, it’s best to abide by local laws when in the country.
It’s necessary to use a VPN in Russia to access certain websites. That’s because the Russian government has banned many sites and online services that it regards as dangerous for the state. In reality, these websites aren’t really dangerous. They often just serve as mediums wherein people who don’t support the government express and spread their opinions.
Besides what’s stated, you may also want to use a VPN in Russia to bypass streaming website geoblocks then watch shows and movies that would otherwise be unavailable in the country.
One last reason to use a VPN in Russia is to keep yourself protected. As we all know, the web is a very dangerous place that’s full of cybercriminals. The right VPN will be able to make sure you’re protected whenever you surf the web. It’ll hide your IP address, mask your real identity, and prevent various third-parties from acquiring your personal information.
VPN providers are never created equal. Each service has its own set of pros and cons that make them either good or bad for Russia. As an average consumer, it may be hard for you to settle on the right VPN. Fortunately, my team is here to help you out.
By considering these factors, you’ll certainly find the best Russia VPN:
The VPN you decide to use in Russia must have excellent unblocking capabilities. It should be capable of bypassing any geo-restriction that’s thrown at it. That way, you’ll be able to readily access any piece of content, website, or online service you want whilst within the country.
Security is an essential thing every VPN for Russia must provide. How come? A VPN that’s not 100% can leave you open to becoming detected by the local authorities. Once that happens, they will likely charge you for using a VPN for illegal purposes even if you are not.
You must use a VPN with a large server network in Russia. That’s because a more established service has a lesser tendency to become overloaded. In addition, it is capable of providing you with more connectivity options. With it, you’ll get to access more of the web.
The speed capabilities of your VPN for Russia must be excellent. If not, you won’t get to quickly download content, browse seamlessly, play online games, and stream your favorite shows and movies in top quality. Your internet experience shall be bad, which is something nobody wants.
No one wants to have a negative experience with their VPNs, especially when they’re in a place like Russia. Thus, you should select a VPN provider that’s known for having user-friendly, aesthetically-pleasing, and highly-configurable apps to not have regret when using it.
Don’t settle for the cheapest VPN that you can get your hands on in Russia. Instead, go with the one that offers the greatest value for money. Pick the most affordable provider that has the most to offer. Remember that your online security is something never to be skimped on.
Many VPN users don’t know the first thing about protocols. As a result, they end up using what their provider defaults to. While this isn’t a bad thing, you should know that choosing the right protocol can leave you with having a faster, safer, and generally better VPN experience.
The standard protocol for use in Russia is OpenVPN. It’s supported by all major VPNs and is relatively fast and secure. With that being said, the protocol isn’t the best for use in Russia. If possible, go with WireGuard, which is newer, quicker, and much safer.
ExpressVPN users may opt to utilize Lightway. Since it is proprietary, it isn’t as popular as other protocols. That said, reviews on it by online security experts have almost unanimously been good. As such, it’s a great alternative for those looking to keep safe online in Russia.
I’d like to end things by looking back at the five best VPNs for Russia that I talked about earlier.
While each of these VPN services is great for use in the country, they have all got their sets of disadvantages that you should be aware of before buying them. After all, the worst thing possible that could happen is for you to have regrets after purchasing one of them.
ExpressVPN is hands down an excellent VPN to have in Russia. Besides being secure, it’s also more than capable of bypassing the country’s internet restrictions. One issue is that it is more expensive than most of its competitors, making it unsuitable for budget-conscious people.
Among all of the VPNs on our list, Surfshark offers the greatest value. While it isn’t the cheapest VPN, it provides the best package. With it, you’ll be able to keep an unlimited number of people with a single account. One downside is that the service only has 1700+ servers.
NordVPN is a well-rounded provider that gives you excellent security, has many servers, boasts great apps, and is really fast. The sole thing that keeps it behind is the fact that allows for a maximum of only five simultaneous device connections under a single subscription.
CyberGhost is a great VPN for those in Russia who aim to access the version of the internet in as many countries as possible. That’s because it operates the largest server network currently in existence. That said, its security needs improvement as its protocol support isn’t great.
Private Internet Access provides excellent security and can unblock most restricted websites in Russia. It also has a fairly large network and awesome applications. Sadly, it’s based in the US, which is the leading member of the Five Eyes Alliance.
