How to Order iHerb From Russia in 2024 (Safe Ways to Buy)
iHerb is currently not accepting orders from Russia. The company's website is blocked if you try browsing it using a Russian IP address. This restriction is due to logistical reasons and government control measures.
Don't worry; this doesn't mean you can't order from iHerb if you're in Russia. A premium VPN allows you to access the whole iHerb website safely by masking your Russian IP address via a connection to a server in another country.
Of the 40+ VPNs my colleague in Russia tested, ExpressVPN came out on top for reliably ordering iHerb from Russia. It has servers in 105 countries and uses obfuscation and military-grade encryption to securely and anonymously access and order iHerb. Plus, you can try it risk-free in Russia since it's supported by 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.
Quick Guide: How to Order iHerb From Russia With a VPN in 3 Easy Steps
- Get a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN to safely shop iHerb from Russia, thanks to its servers worldwide and robust security. With its 30-day money-back guarantee, you can confidently try ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a nearby server. Choosing a server in a country close to Russia, where iHerb operates, will provide the fastest connections.
- Order iHerb. Your Russian IP is concealed, and your connection is now secure to order your nutritional supplements.
Why You Need a VPN to Order From iHerb in Russia
In 2019, a Russian court ordered that the iHerb app be removed from the country's Google Play and App Store due to the sale of uncertified biologically active supplements.
As a result, over 1,000 products can't be ordered from iHerb by customers in Russia, as they fail to comply with local technical regulations. Roskomnadzor blocks these product pages to anyone with a Russian IP address.
With a VPN, you can order your iHerb supplements in Russia with an IP address from another country. However, we advise caution as this goes against Roskomnadzor. Therefore, it's important to check the local regulations for your area before using a VPN for iHerb.
Best VPNs for Ordering iHerb in Russia in 2024
1. ExpressVPN — Global Network for Successful iHerb Ordering
Tested November 2024 Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Best Feature | Many servers near Russia, including Mongolia and Kazakhstan, to access iHerb |
Server Network | 3,000 servers in 105 countries, even South Korea, where iHerb has a warehouse |
Security & Privacy | A kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection safeguards your data from exposure |
Speed | Fastest VPN I tested for uninterrupted browsing on iHerb |
ExpessVPN's servers worldwide make establishing a secure and reliable connection to iHerb easy. Such an extensive network also means you avoid slowdowns due to overcrowding. While testing ExpressVPN, my teammate in Russia quickly accessed iHerb using a server in Mongolia and didn't experience any disconnects. The VPN also regularly updates its IP addresses to avoid blocklisting.
All servers use obfuscation technology to avoid detection by concealing your VPN traffic as regular internet traffic. This makes it more difficult for restrictive networks (like those at work or school) to block you when purchasing on iHerb. And if you wish to direct only iHerb traffic through ExpressVPN, with other apps and websites outside the Vtunnel, its split tunneling feature allows this. You'll also get better speeds since only some traffic gets encrypted.
ExpressVPN's military-grade AES 256-bit encryption protects your personal and financial information from third parties like hackers and online spies. Perfect Forward Secrecy further bolsters your privacy by regularly assigning you new encryption keys. So, even in the rare event a key is compromised, you remain protected. The VPN enhances your safety with top-grade security protocols, like the gold-standard OpenVPN and its proprietary Lightway.
A slight drawback is that our Russian tester found you need to combine ExpressVPN with a Russian-approved VPN (like Kaspersky) the first time you use it so it complies with the country's regulations. However, this didn't slow our tester down too much, and he could purchase his health supplements without issues, even when connecting multiple devices — you can use ExpressVPN on up to 8 devices simultaneously. All plans also have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Useful Features
- Smart Location. ExpressVPN uses this feature to auto-connect you to a server that’ll give you the fastest speed. The shortcut feature is another aspect you'll find beneficial, as it can provide instant access to iHerb once you establish a connection.
- Verified no-logs policy. The VPN won't keep any records of your sensitive data or online activities. The use of RAM-based servers further reinforces this by deleting your web history with every reboot. Plus, it's based in the British Virgin Islands, a privacy-friendly country with no data retention laws.
- Threat Manager. This feature enhances your shopping experience by preventing websites and apps on your device from communicating with malicious trackers and sites. ExpressVPN also has a built-in ad blocker that you can toggle on when using the Lightway protocol.
- Responsive 24/7 live chat. Even on weekends, I managed to connect with a live agent in under 1 minute.
2. Astrill VPN — Proprietary Protocol Designed to Keep Your iHerb Activity Private
Best Feature | StealthVPN scrambles your connection to make it undetectable |
Server Network | 142 servers in 56 countries, many in the US where iHerb is based |
Security & Privacy | Based in a country outside the intelligence sharing group of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance |
Speed | Speed and security with its WireGuard protocol to shop iHerb without delays |
Astrill VPN’s StealthVPN facilitates uninterrupted ordering on iHerb by making your encrypted connections (secured with AES 256-bit encryption) look like normal internet traffic. Our tester's Russian IP address never leaked using any of Astrill VPN's servers he tested with ipleak.com, meaning its IP/DNS leak protection and kill switch kept his real location under wraps.
Thanks to its dedicated IPs, the VPN also prevents unjust blocklists and eliminates the hassle of repeated CAPTCHAs, a common issue with shared IPs. This was echoed by my colleague in Russia, who enjoyed a seamless shopping experience on iHerb via US and France-based dedicated IPs. However, there’s an additional fee for using these IPs.
With server locations near Russia, it's easy to establish connections that load iHerb quickly. Even with a 10.7% speed drop (from 127.22Mbps), our tester in Russia didn’t have a problem connecting to servers in Finland and the US.
Unfortunately, Astrill VPN doesn’t issue refunds and plans are expensive. However, it does have a 7-day free trial that grants you access to all its features. On top of that, you can earn a month of free use if you refer a friend and they sign up for a paid subscription.
Useful Features
- Mirror URL. Astrill VPN has an alternative website that’s accessible within Russia, which is useful if the main site is unreachable and you want to download it from within the country.
- Application and site filters. I use these features to choose what traffic from specific apps/sites moves through the VPN and which bypasses the VPN tunnel. This way you can order iHerb via Astrill and still get local search results on Google.
- Customization option. OpenVPN offers encryption levels of 256, 192, and 128 bits, with the option to disable encryption entirely. Lowering encryption can speed up your connections, and I recommend doing so if your starting speed is too slow.
3. Proton VPN — High-Level Encryption to Secure Your iHerb Transactions
Best Feature | AES 256-bit encryption protects your online information and identity |
Server Network | 8,795 servers in 112 countries, including Russia, for secure access to local services |
Security & Privacy | Secure Core servers offer double encryption for safer online shopping |
Speed | My average download speed was reduced by only 13% on nearby servers |
Proton VPN uses the same level of encryption employed by militaries and cybersecurity firms to safeguard their data, so you're well protected against hackers and online surveillance. Like ExpressVPN, its Perfect Forward Secrecy frequently changes your encryption keys. Leak protection and its kill switch also prevent accidental data exposure. In our Russian teammate's tests, he found his real IP address remained hidden.
It’s headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances, and Proton VPN adheres to a strict no-logs policy. This means it won't collect or share your personal or shopping information with anyone, not even if requested by the Russian government.
One small con is that live chat support is exclusive to paid accounts, but its website offers plenty of self-help options like setup guides, detailed FAQs, and troubleshooting tips. You can also contact the support team via email, social media, or subreddit, but the response times might take longer.
Subscriptions include up to 10 device connections, split tunneling, and NetShield (malware and tracker blocker). You can test Proton VPN with iHerb for free using its 30-day money-back guarantee. Getting a refund is straightforward if you change your mind.
Useful Features
- VPN Accelerator. This feature is designed to boost your speed on distant servers by tackling protocol-specific issues that cause slowdowns and interrupt transactions mid-way on iHerb.
- WireGuard protocol. Similar to Astrill VPN, Proton VPN supports WireGuard, known for its lower data and battery consumption — ideal for shopping on iHerb using your laptop or smartphone.
Tips on Choosing the Best iHerb VPN
I ranked my recommended VPNs based on the criteria below, focusing on their ability to access iHerb and secure data. If you wish to run your own tests, feel free to use my checklist:
- Global network. A VPN with an extensive server network in iHerb-supported countries gives you a multitude of choices for quickly locating and connecting to nearby servers from Russia.
- Robust security features. Choose a VPN with obfuscation, AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and a strict zero-log policy to stay anonymous when placing orders on iHerb.
- Fast speeds. Avoid long loading times and order from iHerb in minutes by choosing a VPN that retains at least 80% of your base internet speed. Opt for one with a quick connect feature, as it automatically selects the fastest server available.
- Easy to use. Buy from iHerb right away by picking a VPN that offers user-friendly apps and multiple connections to protect all your devices. Also, make sure its support team is available 24/7 and reliable before you commit to a plan.
- Device compatibility. To shop on your preferred devices, choose a VPN compatible with all major operating systems, including Windows, iOS, Android, and Mac.
- Trustworthy money-back guarantee. A reliable refund policy means you can test all the features a VPN offers and get your money back if it doesn’t meet your needs.
FAQs on Ordering iHerb in Russia With a VPN
What else can a VPN do?
Besides enabling uninterrupted browsing and ordering from iHerb in Russia, a good VPN also safeguards your data and transactions against online tracking and cyber threats that could compromise your privacy.
On top of that, VPNs can reduce the risk of your internet speed being unfairly throttled, which might cause extended loading times on iHerb. This is particularly relevant if you’re shopping on iHerb while simultaneously engaging in bandwidth-intensive activities like torrenting.
Can I use a free VPN to order from iHerb in Russia?
Most free VPNs don't work in Russia. I don't recommend using even those that do, as they don't have the security features to keep you safe from hackers and snoops. A better alternative is a premium VPN backed by a reliable money-back guarantee or free trial. They protect your data with military-grade security features, can access iHerb from anywhere, and won't share your online information with anyone.
Some free VPNs sell your data to advertisers or embed malware in their apps that can compromise your privacy. They usually have a limited server selection, making it difficult to find a fast one near you for smooth online shopping.
Are VPNs illegal in Russia?
VPNs themselves aren’t illegal, but the government tightly regulates their usage. Only those services that adhere to the country's censorship and data regulations are permitted. Nonetheless, there are a few independent VPNs with strong security features that still function well in Russia.
vpnMentor advocates for the responsible use of VPNs in Russia, so we urge you to stay up-to-date on the country's laws to avoid inadvertently violating any laws when shopping on iHerb or any other website.
Access iHerb From Russia in Minutes
You may be unable to access all of iHerb's products in Russia due to government restrictions. However, a VPN allows you to shop the entire iHerb catalog securely. Still, it's best to regularly check local regulations before accessing iHerb from Russia using a VPN so you don't accidentally break any rules.
ExpressVPN is my top choice for ordering iHerb from Russia. It has fast servers across the globe to load iHerb in seconds. On top of that, it's easy to use and won't compromise online privacy and security. You can also test ExpressVPN without risk as it’s backed by a 30 -day money-back guarantee.
To summarize, these are the best VPNs for iHerb...
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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