4 Best VPNs for Russia That Work in 2024: iOS, APK & More

Since the conflict in Ukraine, Russia has tightened its restrictions on internet freedom. Thousands of websites are blocked and banned, and citizens are restricted on what they can post online. Plus, many VPNs don’t work there, and others don’t host servers in or near the country.

However, some VPNs are working hard to protect the security and privacy of their users in Russia. So we’ve compiled a list of VPNs that still work in Russia that let you use the internet while protecting your privacy.

The best VPN for Russia is ExpressVPN. It has automatic obfuscation on every server that can detect deep packet inspection (DPI), an advanced form of VPN detection. Plus, it’s fast enough to let you stream, torrent, and game without lag or buffering from anywhere. You can even try it with no financial risk as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs for Russia in 2024

Best VPNs for Russia — Full Analysis (Updated 2024)

1. ExpressVPN — Automatic Obfuscation on Every Server Disguises VPN Use in Russia

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Tested October 2024

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www.expressvpn.com

Every one of ExpressVPN’s 3,000 servers has automatic obfuscation to disguise your VPN use as regular internet traffic. While VPNs aren’t illegal in Russia, their use may be viewed with suspicion by ISPs and other network owners. During our tests, we set the protocol to Automatic, as recommended by the chat support agents, and were able to safely access Instagram with no issues.

We tested servers in the US, the UK, Romania, and Ukraine, and each one worked with Instagram

The dedicated kill switch also automatically disconnects your internet if the VPN connection fails, ensuring you’re never left vulnerable while online in Russia. Additionally, I didn’t face any IP or DNS leaks during my tests. What’s more, ExpressVPN’s military-grade encryption with perfect forward secrecy means your encryption key changes regularly, ensuring that past or future sessions remain secure even if the current key is compromised.

The versatility of the servers goes even further — each one supports streaming, torrenting, and gaming. We were able to switch from YouTube to playing Among Us to torrenting a 3GB file, all on that same Ukraine server.

Like many VPNs, ExpressVPN doesn't have any servers in Russia due to the Yarovaya laws that would require them to record and hold user data. However, there are plenty of nearby servers in neighboring countries. You can try them for yourself entirely risk-free thanks to ExpressVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee. It also offers a variety of payment options like PayPal and cryptocurrencies.

Useful Features

• Exclusive Lightway protocol. Most VPNs use standard open-source protocols like OpenVPN, but ExpressVPN also offers its proprietary Lightway protocol. It was designed for fast and highly secure connections, making it a good choice for maintaining your privacy in Russia.
• TrustedServer technology. ExpressVPN’s RAM-only servers automatically wipe all data on reboot. Plus, its no-logs policy has been proven in court multiple times, so your internet activity in Russia will be free from prying eyes.
• Threat Manager. ExpressVPN continuously maintains and updates a list of domains that contain viruses and malware. Once you activate its Threat Manager feature, it will prevent you from accessing malicious sites in Russia.
• Mirror site for Russia. Websites for non-approved VPNs are blocked in Russia, so a mirror site is really useful as it lets you download the app there and access live chat support within the country. Just be sure to take note of the mirror site before traveling. If it changes before you arrive, you can contact customer support via email to get the updated link.

2. Astrill VPN — Multiple Russian Servers to Safely Use Local Sites

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www.Astrill_VPN.com

Astrill is one of the few VPNs that still offers Russian IP addresses, including city-level dedicated IPs for Moscow and St. Petersburg for an extra fee. This means that you're the only one using that IP, maintaining a stable connection and reducing the risk of being blocked. You can safely access local Russian websites without compromising your privacy. During testing, we had reliable connections with Astrill VPN’s servers.

For added privacy, you can use its StealthVPN protocol. This means that your online activity and the fact that you're using a VPN is hidden from Russian snoopers. You also get an automatic kill switch that shuts down your internet if the VPN connection fails (to avoid exposing your data or identity).

It has lots of customizable options to optimize your connection for speed or security

Astrill VPN also comes with a Site Filter that lets you choose which websites are routed through the encrypted tunnel and which ones stay on your regular IP address. App Guard is a similar feature where you can prevent selected apps from running if the VPN isn’t active. These features allow for a great degree of control over what aspects of your online activity are protected in Russia.

If you’re a techie like me, you may find the app a little basic. But it’s easy to use, and everything works, so it’s a good choice for VPN newcomers. Astrill is definitely on the pricier side. It’s the most expensive on this list, and it doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee. However, it does offer a 7-day free trial.

Useful Features

• Ad blocker. This ensures your browsing experience in Russia is free of intrusive ads and trackers, improving both privacy and webpage load times. It’s also really useful if you’re not a fluent Russian speaker, as it’ll protect you from harmful ads that you may not be able to recognize.
• P2P-optimized servers. Astrill VPN also lets you torrent in Russia without restrictions. It’s compatible with clients like BitTorrent, LimeWire, and uTorrent.
• Multi-hop VPN. Multi-hop routes your traffic through multiple servers for better security and privacy while in Russia — but it’s only accessible for an additional fee.

3. Proton VPN — Increase Your Protection in Russia With Secure Core Double Encryption

Available on:

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Try Proton VPN >

protonvpn.com

Proton VPN’s Secure Core connections route your data through 2 separate servers, doubling your online security in Russia. We tested the UK via Switzerland connection; it slowed our UK base speed by around 20%, and we had to wait over a minute to connect. But it was worth the wait as it covers your sensitive data with an extra layer of encryption.

It also comes with NetShield, a feature that safeguards you against pop-ups and dangerous links. It’s a great safety net to have, particularly if you're not fluent in Russian and you’re not confident whether you can discern if a site is malicious or not. My tests confirmed Proton VPN’s NetShield effectively blocks malicious websites, pop-up ads, and trackers.

You can enable these extra security features in the Advanced Settings in the app

My main concern with Proton VPN is that it has a smaller server network compared to the others on this list. That said, it does have a lot of optimized options to choose from. It offers servers specifically designed for quick torrenting, HD streaming from anywhere, and Tor. Each one worked reliably during our tests, with consistent speeds and no connection drops.

Proton VPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try it for free. If you’re not completely happy, claiming a refund is easy.

Useful Features

• Stealth protocol. Similar to Astrill, Proton VPN’s Stealth protocol is ideal for use in Russia as it masks VPN use. Proton VPN’s chat support agent recommended its Stealth protocol particularly for Mac, iOS, and Android devices. For Windows and Linux users, they recommend using the OpenVPN TCP protocol.
• Tor over VPN. Servers marked with an onion logo let you access the dark web in Russia on a regular browser (instead of Tor).
• Perfect forward secrecy. This feature continuously changes your encryption keys. So, even in the incredibly unlikely event a key is compromised, past and future VPN sessions will remain protected as they use different keys.

4. PrivateVPN — Easy-to-Use Russia VPN, Great for VPN Beginners

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Try PrivateVPN >

www.privatevpn.com

PrivateVPN has simple apps that are easy to navigate, even if you’re a VPN beginner. It allows you to sort servers based on distance, which lets you choose a low-ping server for gaming. You can also add a server location to Favorites for an easy future connection. Experienced users can switch to its Advanced View and optimize connection as per security needs in Russia.

You can access advanced features by clicking on the Advanced View in the app

However, I was concerned that PrivateVPN is based in Sweden, which has a variety of data retention and surveillance laws that can affect VPN providers. It’s also part of the 14 Eyes Alliance. However, it has a strict no-logs policy, so your online activity remains private.

PrivateVPN is pretty affordable — you can get a subscription for just $2/month. The plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can also test it for free.

Useful Features

• Stealth mode. PrivateVPN’s Stealth VPN mode scrambles your metadata to make your VPN traffic look like regular internet traffic. This lets you use the VPN on restrictive networks, so you can safely visit sites and apps in Russia.
• Remote support. If you’re new to VPNs, PrivateVPN’s support team can take control of your devices remotely to set up the VPN or solve any technical issues you may have in Russia.
• OpenVPN protocol. PrivateVPN doesn’t have a proprietary protocol like ExpressVPN’s Lightway, but it does offer OpenVPN, which is one of the safest and most reliable options for Russia.

Quick Comparison Table: Russia VPN Features

The table below helps you evaluate the most important features of a VPN for Russia. We assessed each VPN’s pricing and money-back guarantees, as well as their local speeds, servers in or near Russia, compatibility, and whether there is a mirror site for Russia to let you download the VPN from the website and access live support.

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Our Methodology for Testing VPNs for Russia

We follow a robust testing methodology to determine the best VPNs for Russia. First, we only consider VPNs that offer military-grade security to protect your privacy, and we favor those that offer obfuscation. We then ensure that they follow a strict no-logs policy and we check to see if and when it was proven by a third-party audit.

We perform a series of tests to check the VPN’s speeds, both on local servers and those further away. We do this to make sure that it’s fast enough for everything from basic browsing to HD streaming from anywhere. And, finally, because Visa and Mastercard don’t work in Russia, we check to make sure that you can use alternative payment methods, like cryptocurrency.

Internet Censorship in Russia

The digital landscape in Russia has changed a lot over the years. Historically, the internet in Russia was a relatively free space, but recent years have seen a shift towards more strict regulations and censorship. This has been driven by a combination of political, security, and ideological concerns.

Key Legislation and Actions

• Yarovaya Law (2016). One of the most significant pieces of legislation affecting internet freedom in Russia is the Yarovaya Law. Introduced in 2016, it mandates telecom companies and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to store detailed user communication records for six months and all connection metadata for three years. This extensive data retention allows the government unprecedented access to user activities online. The law also criminalizes certain online behaviors, like posting things that hurt “national dignity.”
• Blocking of Telegram (2018). In a move against encrypted communication, the Russian authorities attempted to block the messaging app Telegram in 2018. This resulted in the unintentional shutdown of over 4 million IP addresses, affecting various unrelated services, from Mastercard to Twitch. Despite the massive blockade, Telegram remained accessible in the country.
• Sovereign Internet Law (2019). Aiming to establish greater control over the domestic internet, the Sovereign Internet Law was enacted in 2019. This legislation empowers the Russian state to disconnect from the global internet during perceived "emergencies." It also requires internet providers to use deep packet inspection (DPI) to track data and filter banned content.
• Social media bans (2022). After the conflict in Ukraine began in 2022, Russia made any negative comments about the war illegal and banned several websites and social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X (Twitter).
• Blocking of VPNs (2024). Russia has been restricting VPN use for several years. It started by requesting VPNs comply with Russian laws by voluntarily adding their names to an allowed list of VPNs. In March 2024, it then started blocking VPN IP addresses and access to VPN websites to make it impossible to download the services. At the time of writing, VPNs remain legal in Russia.

Current State and Future Implications

Presently, content critical of the government, especially regarding its actions in Crimea and the Ukrainian conflict, is frequently filtered. Independent news outlets are also under pressure, with many experiencing legal and financial challenges. The trajectory suggests a potential further isolation of Russia's internet from the global community, raising concerns about access to unbiased information and freedom of expression.

FAQs on Using a VPN for Russia

Is it legal to use a VPN in Russia, or have they been banned?

It’s complicated — it is legal to use a VPN in Russia, but it’s illegal to access sites that the government has banned. Using a non-government-authorized VPN is also against the law. The government has intensified its efforts against VPN providers that don't comply with their content restriction policies, resulting in several of them being banned.

We don’t condone illegal activities, so please stay up-to-date on the country's laws to ensure you don’t accidentally break rules by accessing a banned site.

Can I access Instagram, Facebook, and other social media sites with a VPN from Russia?

A reliable VPN makes it possible to safely access Instagram, Facebook, and other social media platforms from anywhere. It does this by masking your IP address and encrypting your traffic. We tested each of the VPNs on this list with our social media accounts, and each of them worked with no issues.

However, please remember that Instagram, Facebook, and other social media platforms are banned in Russia. Thus, you may face legal consequences for using these platforms within the country. Please always exercise caution in Russia; we do not condone using a VPN in a way that flouts the law.

Can you download a VPN in Russia?

It is possible, but Russia currently blocks VPN websites. Before traveling, you can ask the provider for an alternate URL or “mirror” site (an identical site with a different URL that Russia doesn’t block). The first 2 VPNs on this list offer mirror websites, so you should be able to download them within Russia, but that’s subject to change.

VPNs that offer these switch up these URLs frequently to evade detection, so it’s a good idea to take note of the VPN’s customer support email in case you can’t access the site to reach support.

Which VPN has Russian servers?

During my tests, I found 2 safe VPNs with Russian servers that can give you a Russian IP address.

Most reputed VPNs no longer offer servers within Russia. The ones that do only offer virtual servers to give you a Russian IP address that isn’t physically located in the country. This is in response to the latest call for VPNs to comply with Russian law by The Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor). If a VPN had physical servers in Russia, it would have to store your data for up to 3 years to comply with Russian law.

What websites and apps does Russia block?

Russia blocks or bans many websites and apps, including Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), TikTok, Messenger, and LinkedIn. It also blocks thousands of international news websites, including Ukrainian news and independent media. Sites like BBC, CNN, NYTimes, and Google News are inaccessible in the country. Most VPN websites, as well as Tor, have also been blocked. Over 138,000 websites are reported to be blocked at the time of writing.

This is because of the government’s strict regulations about permissible content. As another example, ISPs are required to store user data for up to a year. And the government doesn’t need a court order to access that data.

What is the best VPN protocol for Russia?

Most VPNs recommend using either Stealth (obfuscated) protocols or OpenVPN in Russia. The first VPN on this list will automatically choose the best VPN protocol for you depending on your network and location when you choose Automatic in the settings. This is ideal since it eliminates the need to try different protocols to find the best one.

Russia blocked some VPNs in March 2024, and particularly the popular WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols. The newer WireGuard protocol has struggled to keep up with the restrictions, but OpenVPN is often reliably maintained to overcome them.

OpenVPN is regarded as the most secure protocol — it’s open-source and has been around for several years — but it’s not as fast as WireGuard. Stealth VPN protocols are also good options since they obfuscate your connection, disguising it as standard internet traffic.

However, no VPN protocol is guaranteed to work in Russia. Some users have been successful setting up a connection with a VPS. This is a much more complicated setup than using a traditional VPN, though.

Why do I need to use a VPN in Russia?

Under the Yarovaya laws, Russian ISPs and other telecommunication operators must record phone conversations, text messages, and internet history and store this data for up to 6 months. The associated metadata can also be stored for up to 3 years. Using a reputable VPN with strong encryption protocols in Russia is the best way to restore your online privacy.

How can I protect my privacy online in Russia?

To protect your privacy online, a reliable VPN can help. It encrypts your data and masks your IP address, meaning that your online activities remain hidden from ISPs, government surveillance, and hackers. This is important in Russia, where internet restrictions are prevalent. The VPN should offer features like a kill switch and DNS leak protection to prevent any accidental exposure of your data if the VPN connection drops.

Can I use a free VPN for Russia?

Yes, but I don’t recommend it. It’s better to use a low-cost premium VPN in Russia with solid security features and a strict no-logs policy, which most free VPNs can’t offer.

Many free VPNs collect and share your data with third parties. In addition, they lack essential security features. All this can put your privacy at risk. Some premium VPNs offer free versions, but these are severely restricted. You’ll often have limits on speeds, server access, and data.

Get the Best VPN for Russia

The Russian government imposes strict restrictions and surveillance. It blocks thousands of websites, including popular social media platforms, international news sites, and more. Most VPNs are blocked in the country, so finding one that works isn’t easy. However, I’ve shortlisted the most reliable options for Russia at the time of writing.

My top recommendation for protecting your privacy is ExpressVPN. It offers automatic obfuscation on every server, allowing it to work well in Russia. Plus, it has an ad blocker and strong security features to safeguard your online activities. You can even try ExpressVPN with no financial risk since it has a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not 100% satisfied, you can easily claim a refund.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for Russia…

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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