We use VPNs to protect our online activities from potential threats. Such as online surveillance, data mining, targeted marketing, or cybercriminals. A VPN can allow users to remain hidden on the internet. It also encrypts data traffic to ensure security. Hence, no other party can intrude into what you do online if you employ it. But is it possible to use VPNs everywhere, including Russia? The short answer is no. Many countries reject the notion of VPNs altogether.
They cite reasons like national security or citizen protection to monitor data traffic via the ISP. A VPN can prevent them from doing so. Thus, these countries actively ban VPN use or make it harder to use it by using legislation and regulations. Russia is one such country that profusely denies VPNs. It blocks IP addresses and practices censorship against websites that sell VPN products to curb the service at its source. But there are still VPNs that can function in Russia. W are here to present a list of services that make the best VPNs for Russia.
Disclaimer — The article is subjective. We do not recommend using VPNs against the law. Our advice is to practice discretion when employing a VPN in specific scenarios.
Are VPNs banned in Russia?
A VPN can allow you to bypass restrictions placed by authorities. Thus, countries that practice censorship, like Russia, do not welcome VPNs. As such, they outright restrict or regulate such services. Russia also bans the use of VPNs. It does so to curate the internet conforming to the government ideals. Although technically speaking, VPNs are not illegal in Russia. However, using an “unauthorized” VPN is against the law. Furthermore, the punishment for such activity is 300,000 RUB ($5,100) for the user and 700,000 RUB ($12,000) for the VPN service.
Becoming an “authorized” VPN vendor is also easy. All the company has to do is cooperate with the Russian state and agree to block all the websites they order them. Also, the company must agree to share all user data with the relevant authority. But doing so will undermine the whole meaning of having a VPN in the first place, as the service will be rendered useless from a privacy and anti-censorship perspective. Hence, it is hard to find a legitimate VPN service in Russia.
How to use a VPN in Russia?
The question now remains, “How to employ a VPN in Russia?” Note that using a VPN in Russia can be tricky, especially for an unauthorized service. Luckily, the VPNs we have listed in the article provide alternate methods to download and install a VPN within Russia. You can also follow the steps detailed below to ensure a safe download and installation:
- Ensure you have an active VPN subscription before entering the country.
- However, those already in the country can contact the VPN vendor to find an alternative download URL.
- Next, always ensure that you run the OpenVPN protocol.
- In the case of some VPNs with exclusive stealth protocol, you can also choose to use the Automatic VPN protocol setting.
- Ensure that you always employ a kill switch and set the VPN to load at startup to avert leaks.
- Select servers within Russia or nearby countries to prevent throttling.
Best VPNs for Russia
Listed below are the few services that are the leading providers of VPNs for Russia:
1. Astrill VPN
Undoubtedly, Astrill remains the top choice for VPNs with anti-censorship qualities. Although it is the costliest product on the list, the 100% uptime makes it worthwhile. Astrill is a strict no-logs VPN that hails from the privacy-friendly jurisdiction of Seychelles. Furthermore, the company is well known for its ability to bypass censorship. The VPN has two custom-made obfuscated protocols that can render even DPI (Deep Packet Inspection) useless. Astrill has physical servers in Russia that allow for a fast VPN connection. Also, the service comes with a kill switch and auto-start feature to prevent IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks.
However, the VPN has an unremarkable UI (user interface) At $10 per month, Astrill may be the most expensive VPN on the list, but the aggravating absence of a refund policy makes it more unreliable. Also, the mobile apps from Astrill are not suitable for Russia. With 107 servers, it is a niche VPN service that focuses on bypassing censorship. You can learn more about the service by reading our Astrill VPN review.
2. Windscribe
We have included Windscribe on the list as the only VPN with a free version. Although the free app offers limited experience in terms of bandwidth limitation of 10 GB, Windscribe delivers a simple and fast VPN service with obfuscation technology that can work in Russia. The VPN is an entry-level service, i.e., it mainly targets beginners.
Thankfully, it has the necessary features to enjoy an uninterrupted VPN experience in a high censorship state. The in-house protocol enables the user to bypass most blocks. Moreover, the exclusive servers ensure a stable connection in the country. Although the VPN lacks obfuscation on iOS devices, this Canadian provider is a good choice for your VPN needs while in Russia. On another note, you can look at our detailed Windscribe review to understand what the service has to offer.
3. Surfshark VPN
Surfshark is another VPN that has servers in Russia. It is also one of the cheapest VPNs on this list. However, bear in mind that it is slower and has a restrictive network. At $2 per month, it is a reputed beginner VPN. The vendor hails from the Netherlands and offers a decent network of over 3000 servers. But it lacks port forwarding, and sometimes it leaks an IPv6 address, which can be troublesome in Russia. However, it comes with a customer NoBorders mode that uses obfuscation technology to access restricted content safely.
Furthermore, the company also offers alternate methods to download and install the VPN to those already within the country. The good thing about Surfshark is that the obfuscation works well on mobile devices too. But the service suffers from slow speed and an irregular connection delay. To learn more about the vendor, you can read our Surfshark VPN review.
4. PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN is an all-rounder. It offers obfuscation on all platforms, is relatively cheap, has servers in Russia, and hails from Sweden. Furthermore, their subscription costs are as low as $1.8 per month. As if that wasn’t enough, its mobile apps are equipped with Stealth VPN, their proprietary protocol. The company has only 200 servers, including Russia, Ukraine, and Latvia. PrivateVPN comes with all the necessary features to ensure safety, but its customer support may not reply as fast.
Although, the company hails from Sweden and practices a strict no-logging policy. It makes the service a potential choice for the privacy-centric crowd. However, before committing to the service, you can always enjoy the free 7-days trial to familiarize yourself with the company. You may also read our detailed PrivateVPN review for further information.
5. VPNArea
The final VPN on our list is an obscure vendor that works remarkably well within Russia. It has regional servers and IP addresses, making it easier to bypass censorship. Also, the vendor offers X-Stunnel servers that utilize obfuscation to prevent VPN blocking. By a stroke of luck, VPNArea is not banned, and it can run at decent speeds. But sadly, the VPN has a small network of 130 servers. However, the VPN operates from Bulgaria and adopts a strict t no-logging policy, ensuring your privacy and security.
Another positive is the $3 per month price tag. But the service is relatively unknown and comes with a confusing client. There is an absence of an independent audit, and the refund policy is too short. Although, the company does accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as payment. Unfortunately, we do not have a detailed review available yet.