The Best VPNs for Russia 2024

Many virtual private networks (VPNs) are banned in Russia, so you should be cautious before using one there. But if you’re interested in using a VPN while inside Russian borders, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost are our top recommendations. 

ExpressVPN’s advanced obfuscation technology allows you to browse with more assurance you won’t be flagged as using a VPN. Surfshark still works in Russia as of right now and is the most cost-effective option when it comes to VPNs. CyberGhost uses optimized P2P Russian servers, which help you to torrent anonymously.

The best VPNs for Russia 2024

ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost VPN connections can help circumvent the internet censorship happening in Russia. These options have many security features including AES 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, and lots of VPN server locations. 

These VPN providers are some of the fastest VPNs on the market because their large server networks aid with fast speeds.

• ExpressVPN: Best for hiding VPN usage
• Surfshark: Best price
• CyberGhost: Best for Russian-optimized servers

3 best Russia VPN services compared

VPN	ExpressVPN	Surfshark	CyberGhost
Starting price	Starts at $6.25/mo (billed annually)	Starts at $1.99/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at $2.03/mo (billed every two years)
Number of servers	Unlisted in 105 countries	3,200+ servers in 100 countries	Unlisted in 100 countries
Streaming support	Yes — Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more	Yes — Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more	Yes — Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more
Learn more	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review

ExpressVPN: Best for hiding VPN usage

Who it’s best for

ExpressVPN is best for anyone looking to hide the fact they’re using a VPN. VPN usage in Russia is increasing as the government tightens its grip on what information is allowed in and out of the country. Using a VPN at all is usually considered illegal in Russia, so using a VPN like ExpressVPN that can hide that it's a VPN can be helpful.

What we liked

ExpressVPN is powerful. Not only does it have a multitude of features like a kill switch that would be essential for use in a volatile place like Russia, but it also includes Threat Manager, which helps stop the apps on your devices from tracking you. Add this to its audited no-logs policy and you have a lot of privacy at your fingertips.

Something else we liked is that ExpressVPN is compatible with a multitude of devices, so you can ensure you have a VPN app on your Windows PC, Android, router, and other devices. You won’t need to worry about speed on those devices either as ExpressVPN is notoriously fast thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol.

What we didn’t like

The only qualm we really have with ExpressVPN is price. It’s one of the more expensive VPN options. Its one-year plan costs $6.25/mo (billed annually), which is about double the price of Surfshark and CyberGhost. 

If you’re really concerned about your privacy, however, it’s worth the cost. All of the protection features combined lead you to a truly private browsing experience. And, on a positive note, it accepts more anonymous payment methods like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP, and it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.

ExpressVPN specs

Price range	$4.99–$12.95/mo
Free version	No
Number of servers	Unlisted in 105 countries
Number of connected devices	8
VPN protocol	Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2
No-logs policy	No logs
Headquarters	British Virgin Islands
Kill switch	Yes
Split tunneling	Yes
Streaming support	Yes — Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Hulu, YouTube, ESPN, itv Player, Discovery+, and more
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

Surfshark: Best price

Who it’s best for

Anyone who’s looking for a VPN for privacy but has a tight budget should consider Surfshark. Surfshark is amazing if you're looking for privacy balanced with cost efficiency. 

What we liked

There are a lot of features included with a Surfshark subscription. Not only do you get a great VPN, but you get identity protection features as well. Surfshark also includes CleanWeb, an ad blocker that can also block trackers and malware. Surfshark One includes antivirus protection which can thwart malware attacks.

Surfshark also has plenty of payment options. As sanctions tighten in Russia, paying for goods and services is becoming more difficult. Being able to use crypto, credit cards, and other forms of payment means a higher likelihood of actually being able to purchase it safely.

What we didn’t like

If you want additions like cybersecurity software and identity protection, you’ll end up paying more, and Surfshark One and Surfshark One+ can get expensive. If you’re only looking for a VPN with lots of safety features, the standalone Surfshark VPN is one of the least expensive. 

Surfshark specs

Price range	$1.99–$17.95/mo
Free version	No
Number of servers	3,200+ servers in 100 countries
Number of connected devices	Unlimited
VPN protocol	WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN
No-logs policy	No logs
Headquarters	The Netherlands
Kill switch	Yes
Split tunneling	Yes
Streaming support	Yes — Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Hulu, DAZN, YLE Areena, AbemaTV, and more
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review

CyberGhost: Best for Russian-optimized servers

Who it’s best for

CyberGhost is great for someone who wants a Russian IP address that doesn’t comply with Russian control. CyberGhost has Russian-optimized servers, so you can hide while also staying secure. It even allows you to customize your level of privacy.

What we liked

CyberGhost is committed to internet freedom. This VPN is extremely serious about unrestricted internet access and the ability to bypass censorship. In fact, it’s so emphatic about its stance on privacy, CyberGhost has an entire guide on its site dedicated to open and free internet usage.

We aren’t sure how it’s able to operate its servers in Russia without having to comply with reporting requirements, but we guess it’s this deep commitment to privacy that keeps them operational.

In addition to its commitment to privacy, CyberGhost makes itself available on a variety of devices. You can protect your computer and phone, sure, but you also can connect your router, TV, gaming console, and more, so you’re still able to enjoy shows you love since it also unblocks Netflix and other streaming services. 

We also love the option to use Romanian-hosted no-spy servers for speed, stability, and increased security.

What we didn’t like

The customer support experience took longer than we’ve experienced with other VPNs. It took 10 minutes to connect with an agent via live chat, then it took one to three minutes between responses. It was time-consuming, and we were encouraged to check the online guides rather than have the rep provide a personalized experience.

CyberGhost specs

Price range	$2.03–$6.99/mo
Free version	No
Number of servers	Unlisted in 100 countries
Number of connected devices	7
VPN protocol	OpenVPN, IKev2, WireGuard
No-logs policy	No logs
Headquarters	Romania
Kill switch	Yes
Split tunneling	Yes
Streaming support	Yes — Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Hulu, Discovery+, Crunchyroll, AppleTV, and more
Torrenting support	Yes
Learn more	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review

Honorable mentions

If you’re going to use a service where it's illegal, you might as well have one of the best, right? If the three options we suggested don’t work for you, these three other VPNs might.

It’s important to make sure you’re using a VPN with a variety of payment options, a kill switch, and strong encryption. These three honorable mentions have that and more.

• Private Internet Access (PIA): PIA has high-speed servers in 91 countries worldwide. It also accepts a variety of payments, which is useful in sanctioned Russia. If the fact that it's headquartered in the United States (and therefore within the 5 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance) doesn’t bother you, this may be a good choice.
  
  Get PIA | Read Our PIA Review
  

• Proton VPN: Proton VPN has a lot of security features similar to its competitors. Its “Secure Core” feature is similar to other VPNs’ double VPN feature and allows you to route traffic through more than one VPN server. It also offers Tor over VPN servers, so you can access hidden services for extra privacy.
  
  Get Proton | Read Our Proton VPN Review
  

• IPVanish: IPVanish is another unlimited VPN that allows you to connect to every device you can. Its zero-logs policy and five protocol options are all great for security. What we really like, though, is the ability to unblock the Telegram messaging app, which has been tested with success in Russia.
  
  Get IPVanish | Read Our IPVanish Review
  

Russia's stance on VPN use

If you’re in Russia and want to use a VPN to access content, you must be cautious because Moscow is watching. In 2017, President Putin signed a law banning specific VPNs in Russia under the premise that VPNs circumvent online censorship and mask online activities.^[1]

The Russian government has used that law to enact broader technology restrictions, including most VPN services. VPN usage has increased since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent broadcasting of current events on social media sites. We believe everyone has the right to privacy, but rights and laws often conflict.

FAQs

Bottom line: The best Russian VPN services

If you’re in Russia and willing to flout the laws that outlaw VPN usage, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost are some of the strongest VPNs you can use inside its borders. 

With their commitments to privacy and additional features to help keep you hidden, they’re being used effectively in the country, even under the bans. But even with the extra protections these services offer, nothing is infallible, and we suggest using it with caution.

The best VPNs mask your internet traffic from your internet service provider (ISP) and offer plenty of privacy features. Not everyone wants to access restricted content like BBC News or social media platforms, but even using a VPN for privacy can be seen as suspicious. 

3 best VPNs for Russia 2024

	Starting price	Best for	Learn more
ExpressVPN	Starts at $6.25/mo (billed annually)	Best for hiding VPN usage	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review
Surfshark	Starts at $1.99/mo (billed every two years)	Best price	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review
CyberGhost	Starts at $2.03/mo (billed every two years)	Best for Russian-optimized servers	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review