Best Russian VPN in 2021
Accessing the Internet in Russia
Whether you live in Russia, or plan to visit Russia on a business trip, you will need to know about the government’s involvement with your internet usage. The Russian government openly monitor internet usage. When it comes to internet content, the Russian central government will block or restrict content that they deem as offensive. You are not able to have completely free use of the internet in Russia without fear of your private data being monitored by officials.
There is a way around this though. If you use a virtual private network or VPN in Russia, your data and internet usage will be kept private and secure. This means that you will be able to access any blocked or restricted content in Russia. You will also be able to use the VPN to access your favorite Russian streaming sites when traveling to different countries. A VPN will also keep your personal information, including banking details, safe from potential hackers.
Regardless of which country you are from, we always recommend using a VPN to secure your data. With countries such as China and Russia, who both have strict censorship laws, using a VPN is even more important.
The Best VPNs for Russia
#1 ExpressVPN
At the top of our list is ExpressVPN which is the best VPN for Russia. The company uses the latest high-tech 256 Bit AES encryption which is essential when keeping your data safe. When using a VPN in Russia it’s vital to know that you’re in safe hands and that your information is secure. With this VPN service we’re confident that you’ll be in safe hands as they also provide a kill switch which essentially cuts off your internet connection if, for any reason, your VPN cuts out. You can safely browse previously censored websites knowing that your identity is anonymous.
ExpressVPN provides a lightning speed connection with over 1700 servers in 100 countries so you can access this all around the world. Access your favorite Russian streaming services from other countries or just use the service to keep your personal information safe from hackers.
The company provides a 30-day money back guarantee as they are confident that you will love their service. They offer a range of deals, with the 15-month deal being the best value for money that we’ve seen.
ExpressVPN provides fast and efficient customer service with 24/7 representatives available via a dedicated online chat service or email.
Starting from as low as $6.67
Check out the full review here.
#2 NordVPN
We always choose the VPN services with the very best reputations and NordVPN is no exception. These guys have a fantastic reputation for internet security and provide military-grade methods to keep your private data safe and secure. Personal data thieves and government surveillance is something you won’t have to worry about when using a VPN provider that uses multiple layers of security.
Like many other top-rated VPN services, NordVPN has a strict no-logging policy, which again means that your data, including personal details, communications and internet search history, will never be stored.
NordVPN also has a kill switch feature which adds an extra layer of security when using the internet in Russia.
If you want to sample the product before making a commitment then you’ll be pleased to hear that they offer a 30-day money back guarantee. Why not give it a go and if you’re still not sure you can try other VPNs to see how they compare?
Starting from as low as $2.99
Read the full review here.
#3 SurfShark
What makes us feel particularly safe and secure with the SurfShark VPN service is that the company provide a strict no-logging policy. This means that they hold zero data on you. This is a vital feature when using a VPN in Russia. They offer an impressive pricing structure which is inexpensive and we found the two-year subscription provided the best value for money.
SurfShark provides a fast VPN connection which is unsurprising as they have over 500 servers in 50 different countries.
A unique feature that it also boasts is the unlimited device policy. Most other VPN service providers only allow two devices to be used at once, but with SurfShark you can connect literally every device you own while in Russia.
Starting from as low as $1.99
Check out the full review here.
#4 CyberGhost
CyberGhost VPN service operates 5,944 servers, which means that you can choose your IP location from a vast range of countries. This is perfect for Russia, where your security and hidden identity is a priority. The software is reasonably priced and customers will find that the 18-month plan offers the best value for money.
CyberGhost is a trusted brand with good customer service. If you need to ask for help or just have a query then you will be able to access the team via the online chat service or email.
This company also operates a no-logging policy, which means that your details are never stored.
There is a 45-day money back guarantee if you want to try without fully committing. However, with CyberGhost’s reputation, we’re sure that most of their customers stay with them after this trial period.
Starting from as low as $2.75
Check out the full review here.
#5 ProtonVPN
This great VPN has over 620 servers in 44 locations around the globe, with four of those located within Russia. There are apps available for platforms like Windows, iOS, Linus, Android and iOS with the interface being very simple to use making it perfect for those just starting out with a VPN.
The green and charcoal interface comes complete with a large map where you can select a particular location or have a pre-generated location picked for you based on the fastest or a random connection.
Great features include things like Secure Core which will offer you additional protection against things like external attacks by rerouting your traffic through to two different server locations.
You can also assess your connection performance through a traffic graph and enable security features like the kill switch. Anonymity is something that is of incredible importance to ProtonVPN, which they make crystal clear in their privacy policy,
“ProtonVPN respects its users’ privacy and enforces a No Logs policy. This means your VPN connections remain private and we do not store information about your connections or the websites you visit.
For the purpose of securing your account and making sure it’s you who is signing in, we store a single timestamp of your account’s most recent login. Again, we do not store any information about where you signed in from or how long you were logged in.”
When signing up to their service you can do so anonymously by using a ProtonMail email and you can also use Bitcoin to pay for the service.
Starting from as low as $4
Check out the full review here.
Pay For Your VPN with Cryptocurrency and Stay Completely Anonymous in Russia
With new laws passed in Russia that allow the Kremlin to switch off internet connections within Russia in an “emergency”, it is clear that privacy is something that is hard to come by in the region.
“Now the government can directly censor content or even turn Russia’s internet into a closed system without telling the public what they are doing or why,” said Rachel Denber, Human Rights Watch’s deputy Europe and Central Asia director.
When you go to purchase a VPN subscription, you will likely choose to go with a credit card or your PayPal account. It might be a better idea to pay with your bitcoin wallet instead. Why? Your credit card and PayPal transactions can be directly traced back to you, including information like your name and your address.
With a bitcoin payment, the only information will include details as to the verification on your bitcoin wallet as well as for instructions to extract the funds from the wallet. The best way to stay anonymous in Russia is to use a bitcoin payment so your billing details are not linked to your VPN account.
Are VPNs Legal in Russia?
With some bloggers in Russia facing violence for their articles and the rest of Russia subjected to restricted and blocked content, it’s really no wonder that there is an increase of VPN usage in Russia. However, the issue of VPNs in Russia is a complicated matter.
In November 2017, the Kremlin banned the use of unapproved VPNs in Russia, but it’s not as simple as that.
Bear with us because the issue gets a little complex….
Due to several notable breaches in security over the years, the government has really cracked down on security, which means that not only is the internet constantly monitored, but there are restrictions to which type of VPN Russians can use too. The only Virtual Private Networks that are allowed are the services which comply with Russia’s censorship restrictions. This means that the VPN providers should also block its users from accessing banned websites and they will be required to store personal information too. This brings up its own set of questions with regards to ethics. Once VPNs begin to block content for the user, many people believe that they are undermining their security and ultimately their purpose.
The Russian government has made it mandatory for search engines such as Google to delete any mention, promotion or sharing information related to VPNs. It is clear that the government does not want anyone in the country to be able to access blocked or censored content.
There are large fines for people who are caught using non-compliant VPNs. However, it is worth noting that it’s difficult for the government to find people using an unauthorized VPN as they simply do not have the technology to do this on a mass scale.
The internet should be a free source of information for all and that’s why it’s important to use a VPN which does not log information. If a VPN provider doesn’t store information then they literally have nothing to show, if ever information is requested.
In short, a Russian-compliant VPN provider should be used to access only websites that are allowed in Russia. A non-compliant VPN service provides you with more freedom to use the net as you wish.
Can I Access Blocked Content in Russia with a VPN?
A new Russian law introduced in December 2018 allows for the Russian government to cease internet connections at will. The new law, Runet, obligates all Russian internet providers to abide by its new rules by the beginning of 2021 directing all internet traffic via Russian channels only.
Although the government states this new law will be enforced in order to protect the nation’s security many people are worried that this will be a new way to control what is being seen and heard by the Russian people. Foreign communication services will find it virtually impossible to function under these new laws and it is said that VPNs will be much more difficult to use.
If you use a non-compliant VPN then yes, you can access websites that are blocked in Russia as well as keeping your identity anonymous through a no-logging feature. This is the safest way to use a VPN in Russia. However, if you choose to use one of the many ‘approved’ VPNs which are compliant with Russian internet regulations then the same content that is normally censored may be blocked through the VPN. Trying to access the content may run the risk of a heavy fine.
Streaming in Russia
There are a few popular streaming services in Russia which provide movies, TV shows, and music. Using a secure VPN means that you’ll be able to access your favorite Russian television shows no matter where you are in the world.
One of the most popular websites in Russia. Yandex is the go-to website for images, search, email, and maps. You can also use Yandex as a browser. By far the most popular use for Yandex is streaming video content. Think of it as the YouTube of Russia, with music content and live music streaming available. Yandex is available in all countries when you use a VPN.
A company that most of us are very familiar with, Netflix is one of the largest movie streaming services in the world. Unsurprisingly, it’s available in Russia, giving Russians access to a huge library of movies, TV shows, and documentaries. Netflix content changes from country to country, which can be frustrating if you’re in the middle of a new TV series and leave the country only to discover that your version of Netflix is unavailable. A VPN gets around this issue and gives you the added value of security too.
This free television channel is the website to visit if you want to catch up on the latest news around the world. You can watch a live stream of events as well as engage in discussions and watch tv shows, documentaries, interviews, movies, and more.
Why You Need a VPN in Russia
Everyone can benefit from using a good quality VPN but the reasons hugely increase when you live in a destination where your internet content is restricted and your human rights and your right for freedom of speech is compromised. Russia has strict laws against what it deems to be offensive content. The Internet is heavily monitored and the websites that you are allowed to browse have all been through a type of screening process to check to see if they’re suitable. If you want the freedom to enjoy your internet access free from censorship then it’s vital to use a VPN.
A VPN will encrypt your data which essentially means that it scrambles your internet activity so government officials or hackers will not be able to decipher the codes. Simply put, your internet history and personal information (banking, medical, etc) will be safe from prying eyes.
Furthermore, using a VPN means that you can access your favorite Russian streaming services whilst out of the country.
So, not only will you be anonymous and safe from any type of digital interception, but you’ll also be free to view what you want when you want without fear of a large fine.