The Best Russia VPNs That Work in 2024 — Tested and Secure

The internet is heavily regulated in Russia, and many foreign news sources, social media platforms, and chat apps are inaccessible. Due to these restrictions, it’s critical to secure yourself with a VPN in Russia. VPNs encrypt your connection and ensure unrestricted internet access, letting you safely and freely use the internet from anywhere.

Not all VPNs work in Russia, as most of the ones that don’t conform to the government’s requirements are blocked. However, after extensive tests, I’ve found the best VPNs that work in Russia. These apps offer airtight security, many servers to choose from, and can work around VPN blocks.

Overall, ExpressVPN is the #1 VPN for Russia. All its servers obfuscate traffic, allowing safe and unrestricted internet access. It also has a no-logs policy to ensure your activity isn’t stored. Plus, the 30-day money-back guarantee lets you get a full refund if you’re unsatisfied. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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Quick Guide: Best VPNs for Russia in 2024

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: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Why You Need a VPN in Russia in 2024

There are multiple reasons why you need a VPN if you want to safely use the internet in Russia in 2024. Some of these include the following:

• Roskomnadzor. This regulatory authority controls Russian media, making it hard to access many websites and apps with a Russian IP. Also, it enforces strict data collection, meaning everything you do can be monitored.
• Deep Packet Inspection (DPI). Russia uses Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) tools to filter keywords and avoid transmitting unfavorable data packets.

A VPN works by changing your IP address and encrypting your connection. This makes it look like you’re using the internet from another country, ensuring access to important websites. Plus, the encryption keeps government agencies and other third parties from spying on your traffic.

Russian Internet Censorship and Regulation

There have been several cases over the years of Russian agencies censoring and regulating the internet, further cementing the need for a VPN. Some of these include the following:

1. “The Telegram Blocking” (2018)

Roskomnadzor attempted to ban Telegram by blocking over 19 million IP addresses. While Telegram stayed online, hundreds of other websites were restricted. These include Twitch, MasterCard, e-commerce, and other banking websites. It took a month to make these services available again, even though they were never the target.

2. The Yarovaya Law (2016)

“The Yarovaya Law” criminalized online extremism, including modest protests and the “humiliation of national dignity.” It carries a sentence of up to 5 years in prison. The law also lets Russian telcos and ISPs store detailed communication records and a history of everything you’ve done online for 6 months and metadata for up to 3 years.

3. Sovereign Internet Law (2019)

The Sovereign Internet Law is Russia’s biggest step towards online censorship. It aims to establish Russia’s own local alternative to the global internet, letting the country switch off access to the global internet during “emergencies.”

The Russian government has also developed its own version of Wikipedia, Ruwiki, in a bid to share”‘reliable” information. It allows the state to spread information in a way that’s Kremlin-compliant.

The Best VPNs for Russia (Tested in 2024)

1. ExpressVPN — The #1 VPN for Russia With Airtight Security and Advanced Obfuscation

Outstanding

Outstanding

📍Servers	3,000+
📱Devices	8
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

ExpressVPN’s reliable obfuscation makes it the best VPN for Russia. It effectively masks your VPN traffic as regular traffic, ensuring you can get around anti-VPN measures and freely surf the web. Plus, it has a strict no-logs policy to ensure your activity is never stored, and it includes the following features for enhanced protection:

• AES 256-bit encryption — makes it impossible for anyone to see what you’re doing online.
• Threat Manager — blocks malicious websites and trackers while surfing the web.
• Ad blocker — stops ads from loading, leading to faster and smoother browsing.
• TrustedServer Technology — RAM-based servers that are wiped with every reboot and never store any browsing data.
• Network Lock kill switch — stops your internet if the VPN is unstable to ensure you remain anonymous.
• Leak protection — keeps you from leaking your IP address and other sensitive information online.

I was impressed with ExpressVPN’s variety of security features, and they all performed well. When I tested its leak protection, ExpressVPN never revealed my actual IP address online, keeping me completely anonymous while surfing the web.

If you ever need assistance, ExpressVPN provides top-quality customer support. It has 24/7 live chat, a detailed knowledge base, and other useful support channels that let you get help whenever you need it.

While it’s not the cheapest VPN for Russia, you can get ExpressVPN for as low as $4.99/month with the 2-year + 6 months free plan. Also, the app has a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you lots of time to try it without risk. If you’re unsatisfied, you can contact support and ask for a full refund during this window.

Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

2. CyberGhost — Has a Virtual Russian Server Location for Accessing Local Content

Outstanding

Outstanding

📍Servers	11,676+
📱Devices	7
💰Refund	45 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

CyberGhost is the only VPN on this list that lets you get a Russian IP address. It doesn’t have a physical server in the country, but it provides a virtual location you can connect to for a local IP address. This ensures you can access Russian websites like Start.ru without issues while keeping yourself protected.

Of course, CyberGhost also guarantees online security. It provides the following to ensure you stay safe and anonymous while in Russia:

• AES 256-bit encryption — secures your connection against prying eyes trying to spy on your activity.
• No-logs policy — ensures no logs of your browsing activity are stored on CyberGhost servers.
• NoSpy servers — privately owned servers in Romania with a much lower risk of tampering.
• Leak protection — keeps you from leaking sensitive information like your IP address online.
• Kill switch — stops your internet if the VPN is unstable, keeping you anonymous.

The only downside to CyberGhost is that it doesn’t have obfuscation, meaning it’s harder for the app to bypass VPN blocks. However, trying different servers and protocols could fix the issue if you’re unable to access the web with CyberGhost.

You can use CyberGhost on up to 7 devices at once. Plus, the app works on all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, meaning it’s easy to secure all your devices at once with it.

CyberGhost costs just $2.19/month with the 2-year + 2 months plan, making it a great value. It also has a generous 45-day money-back guarantee for long-term plans, giving you a long time to test it risk-free.

Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Offers a Massive Server Network With Options in Many Countries Near Russia

Excellent

Excellent

📍Servers	35,000+
📱Devices	Unlimited
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

PIA’s enormous network of 35,000+ servers in 91 countries makes it a solid option for Russia. This extensive network ensures you can easily find an uncrowded server near Russia that’ll provide fast connection speeds for lag-free browsing, streaming, and downloading.

You’ll get good security with PIA. The app lets you choose between AES 128-bit and 256-bit encryption, with 128-bit being faster and 256-bit being safer. Plus, it has other helpful features to help you stay protected in Russia, like the following:

• No-logs policy — never keeps logs of any browsing activity on its servers.
• Kill switch — disconnects your internet if the VPN connection drops to ensure you stay anonymous.
• Obfuscation — masks VPN traffic as regular traffic to avoid VPN blockers.
• MACE — blocks ads, trackers, and malware for smoother and safer web browsing.

One issue with PIA is that it’s headquartered in the US, putting it in the 5 Eyes Alliance’s jurisdiction. However, PIA has a strict no-logs policy that’s been independently audited by Deloitte, ensuring none of your browsing data is stored on PIA servers.

At just $2.03/month with the 2-year + 4 months plan, PIA delivers good value for money. The app also supports cryptocurrency payments, ensuring you can pay for it in Russia without issues. Plus, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee that lets you try PIA risk-free.

Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Comparison Table: 2024’s 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: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

3 Easy Steps: How to Use a VPN in Russia

3 Easy Steps: How to Get a Russian IP Address

How to Pay for a VPN in Russia

Since Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal are not available in Russia, you can use the following methods to pay for a VPN in Russia:

• Cryptocurrency — ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and PIA
• UnionPay — ExpressVPN and CyberGhost
• WebMoney — ExpressVPN

How to Download a VPN in Russia

You may be unable to access a VPN website in Russia due to censorship, thus stopping you from installing one on your devices. However, the following solutions will help you get a VPN in Russia:

1. Download Brave browser. Once open, click the three lines at the top-right to open a dropdown menu and click on “Open a new private window with Tor.” This lets you access the VPN’s website through the Tor network.
2. Get help from outside Russia. Contact a friend who lives elsewhere to subscribe to a VPN and provide you with a direct download link. You can also contact your VPN provider and ask for a download link. When I contacted ExpressVPN’s support team, they responded with a download link in just a few minutes.

How I Tested and Ranked the Best VPNs for Russia

I used the following criteria to pick the best overall VPNs that you can use in Russia:

• Works in Russia — I picked VPNs that work reliably in Russia by using obfuscation or other advanced methods.
• Servers near Russia — I chose VPNs with servers near Russia to ensure you can find an uncrowded server near Russia for fast speeds.
• Advanced security and privacy — I selected VPNs with unbreakable AES 256-bit encryption, strict no-logs policies, and more to ensure you stay protected and anonymous in Russia.
• Multiple payment methods — I found VPNs that support payment methods like cryptocurrencies, meaning you can easily subscribe to them while in Russia.
• Responsive support — I selected VPNs offering helpful 24/7 live chat and other support channels you can use to get help whenever needed.
• Money-back guarantee — I only chose VPNs with money-back guarantees, meaning you can try any of them without risk.

FAQs: VPNs and Russia

Use a Reliable VPN to Surf the Web Safely in Russia

Since the country requires VPN providers to block specific sites and share data with Roskomnadzor, many VPNs have withdrawn their services from Russia. However, some top VPNs still work in Russia and keep you secure while ensuring unrestricted internet access.

The VPNs listed above ensure security in Russia and let you surf the web without issues. They offer impenetrable encryption, no-logs policies, and many extra security features to protect your online activity. Most also offer obfuscation to mask your VPN traffic as regular traffic and get around VPN blockers.

Of my top choices, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Russia in 2024. Its advanced obfuscation, RAM-based servers, no-logs policy, and various safety features make it the #1 option. Plus, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free. The app’s 30-day money-back guarantee lets you ask for a full refund if you’re unsatisfied with its performance.

Summary — The Safest VPNs for Russia in 2024

Rank

Provider name

Our score

Price

Top Ranked Top Choice

1.

9.8

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$4.99 / month Save 62%

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2.

9.6

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$2.19 / month Save 83%

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3.

9.4

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$2.19 / month Save 82%

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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: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.