These days, it feels like we do everything online. From paying bills, to communicating with colleagues and friends, to playing games, everything seems to be done through the Internet.
However, this new world of virtual convenience has its downsides, and one these downsides is the fact that if you share any personal information online, there is a really good chance that at some point, it is going to be vulnerable to a cyberattack.
Hackers are getting more and discerning and finding more and more ways to get around security measures. This is where a VPN comes in.
A VPN is essential if you want to protect your personal information online; anything from your birthdate to your location, and even your credit card number.
Choosing the right VPN is incredibly important not only to protect your personal information, but it is also important to choose your VPN based on where you live.
A good example of this is that areas that tend to have a high level of censorship are going to require a VPN.
Countries like Pakistan, Russia, China, and more have a high level of censorship when it comes to what their citizens can do and see online.
VPNs are a really good option if you are located in Russia, and you’re trying to get around censorships.
However, what if you are somebody who is located outside of Russia, but you’re wanting to access something that is only available to those who are located within Russia?
This is where a proxy comes in.
A proxy is for those who are located outside of Russia but want to be able to access content that is only available within Russia.
Today in this article, we are going to discuss the best VPN Russia services in the industry, and we are also going to discuss a couple of proxy options as well, and why a proxy is essential for your online activity.
Best VPN for Russia 2024
Here are our top choices:
1. NordVPN
Recommended Guide: NordVPN Review
NordVPN is considered one of the best when it comes to being a VPN for Russia, because it offers more than 5000 VPN servers in 60 locations around the world, as well as file encryption with the cloud, and a password manager.
With these guys, you can connect to six devices with one subscription, which means that you can not only protect yourself, but you can protect your family as well.
This means that you can use this VPN on your laptop, smart TV, router, phone, and more.
When it comes to their password manager, you can easily organize your passwords, so that they can sync with all of your devices, and you can even store your credit card information without worrying about it being exposed.
- NordVPN is the industry leader (by a long way)
- 30-day risk-free trial
- Superfast speeds
- 5,442+ servers in 60+ countries
- Strict no-logs policy
- Next-generation military-grade encryption
- DoubleVPN, double privacy
- 6 simultaneous device connections
- Great for: Safety, security, anonymity & peace of mind
- Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, iPad & iOS, Linux, routers, Apple TV, FireFox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and more
File encryption is also going to make it easy for you to encrypt files and their storage capacity allows for 10 gigabytes.
All you need to do to encrypt a file properly is to drag and drop it. They’re going to automatically backup your data as well.
As far as their streaming feature goes, this provides no limit when it comes to bandwidth, as well as 24/7 customer support, and around-the-world access to thousands of those servers that we discussed above, so that you can connect to 60 countries around the world without any interruption.
They offer their clients a kill switch that is automatic if you lose your VPN connection, and they also have advanced technology that is going to protect you from dangerous websites, and general malware.
They have lightning-fast speeds, IP protection, dialogue policy, and private access while you are online.
As we have mentioned already, Russia is one of the countries in the world that has a lot of censorship when it comes to content on the Internet.
With this in mind, NordVPN is going to work for you in Russia, but it doesn’t have any servers. You will need to connect using a server that is outside of the country.
NordVPN is going to cost you $3.71 per month if you sign up for their two-year plan, and when it comes to their list of advanced features, these include Onion Over VPN, as well as double-hop servers.
This means that if you are a journalist or an activist that is currently located in Russia, you are able to make the most of their added layer of anonymity, so that you can protect your personal and sensitive information.
Also, a double-hop server is going to route your Internet traffic through two servers, which makes it twice as difficult for Russian hackers and authorities to infiltrate your data.
They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, and they are also a really good VPN if you are trying to torrent.
We’ve already discussed their two-year plan, but if you want to sign up for a one-month plan, this is going to cost $11.95 a month, and a one-year plan is going to cost you $4.92 a month.
2. Surfshark
Recommended Guide: Surfshark VPN Review
Surfshark is another excellent VPN that offers really affordable pricing, meaning that you can make the most of them for just $2.49 a month if you sign up for one of their two-year plans.
They are definitely one of the more user-friendly VPNs in the industry if you’re trying to get around Russian government surveillance.
They aren’t as quick as some other options that we’ve talked about on this list, but they are definitely fast enough for streaming or torrenting.
We don’t think that you are going to have any issues watching Russian TV if you’re overseas.
- Surfshark is the best budget VPN
- 30-day risk-free trial
- Strict no-logs policy
- 3200+ servers in 95 countries
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Great for: private browsing on a budget
- Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone & iOS, Linux, FireFox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and more
They have more than 3000 servers that you can make the most of located in 60 countries, and some of their services are even located in Russia.
This means that you are going to be able to access content that is restricted to IP addresses located in Russia only, like bank accounts.
It is safe to connect to servers like these because this VPN hasn’t complied with the current censorship demands of Russia.
Surfshark also offers a camouflage mode, which means that your ISP isn’t going to detect that you are using a VPN, which is really good if you don’t want to get in trouble for violating censorship laws in Russia.
One of the biggest advantages to this VPN is that it is pocket friendly, because it is going to set you back just $2.49 a month, and this is for a 2-year plan.
They also offer a money-back guarantee, so that you can thoroughly test out their features, and enjoy more than one connection at the same time.
They offer unlimited bandwidth on unlimited devices, and while their two-year plan is going to set you back $2.49 a month, if you sign up for one month, this is going to cost you $12.95 a month, and six months is going to cost you $6.49 a month.
What’s really interesting about these guys is that they are proof that a VPN can be cheap, but they don’t have to be low quality.
They really go above and beyond when it comes to their security features, because they include DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and split tunneling.
They have a long list of advanced privacy and security tools, including their camouflage mode that we’ve mentioned already, and a double VPN feature.
3. Atlas VPN
Recommended Guide: Atlas VPN Review
Atlas VPN is another great VPN because it delivers the protection and security that is required when you are online.
They are passionate about protecting their client’s online privacy, and every time you connect to a server, they’re going to provide you with a different IP address, so that you can get another layer of protection against cyber-attacks.
- Atlas VPN is the best free VPN
- Privacy Pro servers
- 750 servers in 40+ locations
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Great for: people seeking a freemium VPN
- Compatible with: Windows, MacOS, Android, iPhone & iOS, Android TV, Fire TV Stick
This VPN has over 750 servers in more than 40 locations, and when it comes to their speeds, they are lightning quick.
When it comes to their software, it is gold standard, and they are consistently updating it in order to avoid surveillance.
They offer a high speed for all of your streaming needs, and they continue to be innovative when it comes to their VPN servers, so that you can feel confident that you’re always using the latest and the greatest.
They even remove all of your data every time you reboot, and they don’t store any of your personal information.
As a result, not even the Russian government is going to be able to see what you’re doing online.
As far as their security features built into their system, these include DNS leak protection, as well as a kill switch, so that you can keep all of your personal information safe while you are online.
They also use advanced technology that is going to get rid of all the information on the VPN server every time you turn it off and on.
This means that even though the Russian government is asking for your information, Atlas VPN isn’t going to have anything to share with them.
4. VyprVPN
Recommended Guide: VyprVPN Review
VyprVPN is a VPN that can make your life a whole lot easier, and considering they are going to cost you $8.33 a month on their annual plan, they are up there in price, but also they are up there in quality.
They have servers in Moscow, and they also have really good security, which should be your main focus if you’re trying to find a VPN for Russia right now.
They offer good security features, which include leak protection, as well as a kill switch, so that you can stay safe online.
They also offer a firewall, which is going to block unrequested inbound traffic from hackers, and botnets.
When looking at their server network, it is smaller compared to competitors, which means that they have under 1000 servers that cover 60 countries.
However, as we’ve already mentioned, they do have servers in Moscow, so if you’re trying to access content that is restricted to Russia, these guys are going to be a good option.
They also allow for torrenting, which means that you are going to be able to make the most of the majority of streaming sites out there.
They offer their clients chameleon protocol, which is going to scramble packet metadata, and as a result prevent detection through deep packet inspection.
As a result you can bypass restrictive networks in Russia without worrying about inspection or spying by government agencies.
They offer their clients both a yearly and a monthly plan.
As far as their yearly plan goes, it is going to be cheaper, and they have a money-back guarantee that runs for 30 days.
Another reason why this VPN is a good option is because they are easy to use, which is why we believe that they are a really good choice if you are somebody who hasn’t got a lot of experience using a VPN.
5. Private Internet Access
Recommended Guide: Private Internet Access Review
Private Internet Access is another VPN that is transparent and focused on privacy, and they can also help you access unlimited content, with no restriction.
They are compatible with the majority of devices out there, including Android, Apple, and Windows, and they arguably have the most servers of any VPN on this list, with more than 29,000 servers located in 78 countries.
As a result, you are easily going to be able to access music, apps, and shows, without any issues.
They have a no-logs policy that makes it easy for you to avoid a cyber-attack, because they aren’t going to store or record any of your Internet traffic.
Speaking of personal information, they have an open-source guarantee, as well as easy configuration, for an easy and fast setup process.
When it comes to anti-virus, they have a large array of features to help you with this, including flexible scan setting, as well as prevention engine, and detailed security reports.
All of their features are quite different when it comes to characteristics, but their goal is the same thing: to protect you from viruses, cybercriminals, and malware.
6. IPVanish
Recommended Guide: IPVanish Review
IPVanish is a VPN that has a lot of different locations for you to capitalize on. They have more than 300 servers, and these are located in 55 different countries.
You don’t have to worry whether somebody is tracking what you’re doing online, because these guys are really good at protecting your privacy.
Unlike other VPN services out there, they don’t have a limit on how many devices you can connect to their server.
They offer advanced encryption, as well as secure access, which means that you can have access anywhere, and they are going to safeguard your information.
They continually update their servers and evaluations, so that they can continually meet the demands of their clients.
They promise data protection, as well as end-to-end network encryption, user-friendly apps, secure VPN access and a no-log privacy.
7. CyberGhost
Recommended Guide: CyberGhost
CyberGhost is a really good VPN option, because they are considered one of the safest options in the industry.
They can help you with military-grade encryption, and they can also help you browse online while staying completely anonymous.
They have more than 7000 servers for you to make the most of, and they operate outside of government watchdogs, as well as other surveillance agencies.
These guys are a great choice if you are trying to stream popular streaming services including Hulu, Amazon prime, and Netflix.
They aren’t going to take a record of your browsing history, websites that you have access to, how much bandwidth you have used, or how long you spend on the Internet, yet you can connect as many as seven devices through one subscription, and these can be anything from a smart TV, to a gaming console.
You can also analyze codes with vulnerability, and because they are constantly working on improving their features, it is a lot less likely that you are going to be hijacked by surveillance agencies.
They are incredibly versatile, which makes them a great option for performance, security, and speed.
They offer their clients unlimited bandwidth, and they provide simultaneous connection for as many as seven devices, as we mentioned.
As far as their pricing goes, it is going to cost $2.25 a month on their three-year plan, and it has a kill switch that is permanently enabled, which means that you don’t have to worry about your online activities being logged.
When it comes to their advanced anonymity service, they can ensure that nobody is going to be able to trace your private data, or your online activity, not even the authorities that are located in Russia.
The only downside is that there isn’t a specific server in Russia so you will need to use one in another location.
If you want to try them out before you buy, they offer a free trial for seven days, and this is compatible with both iOS and Android.
Their money-back guarantee is going to last for 14 days, and this is applicable to their monthly plan. They have a money-back guarantee for their longer plans that lasts for 45 days.
Compared to other VPN options, these guys are dirt cheap, without compromising on things like functionality.
How to Get a Russian IP Address
If you’re trying to get your hands on a VPN, then the first thing that you will need to do is decide on the VPN service that suits your personal preferences.
Visit their website, and either view a demo if they have one, or take a look at the different features and price points that they have.
Once you’ve done this, you can sign up for an account with them and select the correct service, based on your budget.
You will be taken through the payment processing page, and from here, you should be connected to your closest VPN for Russia server, so that you can begin to access Russian content immediately.
Gaming with VPNs for Russia
Of course, as we have mentioned, the Internet holds many different facets, for many different people. One of these is gaming.
If you are an avid gamer, then you are definitely going to want to use a VPN.
Gaming online, just like with anything else that you do online, can come with threats from malicious content and hackers, so in order to protect yourself correctly, you need to make the most of a VPN.
Let’s take a look at a number of things you need to think about so that you are ensuring that you are getting the most out of your gaming experience with the VPN.
Robust Protection:
Having the right level of protection lets you mask your IP address, so that you can avoid attacks from cybercriminals.
Increased Connectivity:
Another thing that is really important when you are gaming online is being able to access unlimited bandwidth, so that you can reduce how much your game lags.
Getting around Throttling:
When you limit your ISP from slowing your connection, this is going to prevent your information from being exposed to hackers.
Access More Online:
If you invest in the latest DLC, you will be able to get your hands on games from other counties, before launch.
Play on Multiple Devices:
With a VPN, you want to make sure that they can help you play on any device that you prefer, including Xbox, Nintendo switch, PlayStation, or even your mobile phone.
Gaming without Borders:
When you change your region with a VPN, you can easily play games with wherever you want to in the world.
Choosing the right VPN depends on what you need.
For a VPN that is more private it is going to be suggested and recommended that you use a server that is not part of the 9 eyes, 5 Eyes, and 14 eyes countries, because these countries could threaten your privacy.
10 Reasons for Needing a VPN Service in Russia
Serious Censorship:
As you have probably seen from the recent news, Russia has cracked down on what its citizens can view and what they can’t view on the Internet.
Of course, this has a good side, because it can prevent offensive content from being released like child pornography, but it also means that you are probably not going to be able to access your favorite websites, like your favorite social media platforms.
Limited Communication:
Russia is determined to block a number of different social media sites, including Telegram. This means that you have very limited communication if you are located in Russia.
Heavy Internet Monitoring:
Russia makes the most of IPS software, that lets the government look at people’s Internet usage.
Even if you’re using public Wi-Fi in Russia, it is legally required to store your personal data, including your password, before you are allowed access.
If you use a VPN, you can prevent your information from being stored on servers like public Wi-Fi.
Be Careful About What You Say Online:
If you are someone who believes in free speech, and is outspoken about your government, then you need to be really careful when you are talking about Putin or Russia online.
In fact, if you say negative things about either, you could get up to 15 days in jail if you post something negative online, and you are caught for it.
You can also be fined as much as $75 for each post that they see as fake news, and fines can go up to $15,000.
Russia Has an IP that Stores Everything:
Using a VPN in Russia is really important, because it is going to offer you the security and privacy that you need.
Telecom providers in Russia store your personal information for six months from voice calls, messages, and the web.
You can Stream Faster with a VPN:
If you’re trying to stream your favorite content like Netflix in Russia, you’re not going to be able to do so without a VPN.
Protect Your Identity from Thieves and Hackers:
Again, as we’ve already mentioned, even if you’re using public Wi-Fi, this isn’t going to prevent your personal information from being compromised by thieves and hackers.
This is why it is really important to use a VPN, so that you can encrypt your personal information.
Being able to Torrent Safely:
If you are trying to safely torrent in Russia, then you will definitely need a VPN. This way, you can unblock torrent sites, and you can also get around government censorship.
Not as Easy to Track Internet Activity:
When you use a VPN service, your VPN is a lot less traceable than your original IP address.
Help with Work and School Networks:
Not only are shopping sites and social media blocked in Russia, but school and work Wi-Fi is also on the denial list of the government.
VPNs make it easy for you to navigate around restrictions and boundaries like this.
Why You Need a VPN in Russia
The reality of the day and age that we live in is that Internet censorship is common in a lot of countries, but for some, it is worse than others.
As an example, China has some of the worst restrictions when it comes to Internet usage as a result of the great firewall of China.
Russia isn’t as bad, but over the last few years, people living in Russia have seen their Internet freedom slowly being taken away.
The Russian government has implemented and developed laws that restrict access to specific content and websites.
This includes content related to the war in Ukraine, and the political opposition.
Aside from this, the government has also implemented a number of different agencies that get to decide what gets blocked.
The bottom line when it comes to the Russian government is that they are at liberty to restrict any content that they wish with a court order.
When it comes to ISPs, the Russian government doesn’t need a court order to block content related to extremism, copyright violations, drug propaganda, and more.
Back in 2017, the government in Russia banned a lot of websites that are considered undesirable, under a law made in 2015 that was aimed at companies that the Kremlin accused of facilitating political dissent.
In the same year, local ISPs were told to block 8000 pirate sites, and 600 more pirate mirror sites in 2018.
Also, if you are trying to use a VPN but you aren’t located in Russia, then you might want to rely on a proxy instead.
A proxy can help you with an IP address if you are located in Russia, and we discuss our favorite proxy companies a little bit further on.
Messaging Apps and Social Media in Russia
The government in Russia has continued to expand their legislation around Internet usage and has introduced new laws that increases the pressure on social media companies.
A new law was brought into effect at the beginning of 2021, that defined a social network as any platform that receives more than half a million visitors every day.
These platforms are now required to take down content or censor content that is considered illegal according to Russian law.
Any platform that fails to comply with this can be fined as much as $54,000, and repeat offenses can attract a penalty of as much as 10% of the annual revenue of the company.
Social Media Networks that are Blocked in Russia
There are a number of companies out there that have had to deal with the stringent regulations of the Russian government.
Back in 2016, LinkedIn was blocked, because it didn’t transfer the processing of the Russian people’s personal data to Russian territory.
Russian law requires foreign and domestic companies to store personal information of Russian citizens on servers that are hosted within Russia.
Companies that refuse to do so could be blocked or face a fine. In 2018, Telegram was blocked because it didn’t comply with provisions under the law.
Provisions require that online services work with authorities to decode data that is encrypted.
Telegram offers its users a feature where they can encrypt their text messages, and some companies have accused the messaging app of being used for terrorism.
What’s interesting about Telegram is that despite Russia’s efforts to block it, it is still accessible.
In 2021, the Russian government fined Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for restricted and inappropriate content.
Online Surveillance in Russia
One thing that you can be assured of if you are located in Russia is being subject to online surveillance.
With ever-expanding laws that restrict control over online content, as well as Internet infrastructure, more and more people are being censored.
Back in 2016, the Russian government introduced a law that required ISPs to store communication metadata for three years, and ISPs to retain personal data for one year.
What’s most troubling about this is that the Russian government doesn’t need a court order to access this personal information.
Freedom of Speech in Russia
Of course, the Russian government, just like most other countries out there, has a clause around freedom of speech, but this hasn’t stopped the government placing a lot of restrictions on it.
When you combine this with Russia’s intrusive surveillance, you are really restricted online when it comes to what you’re allowed to say if you are located in Russia.
Russia claims to be targeting the political opposition and civic groups when it comes to freedom of expression, but at the end of the day, these rules apply to everybody in Russia.
Anybody who is seen as violating this law could spend up to five years in prison.
Crackdown on Activists in Russia
There are an increasing number of Russian citizens that are being prosecuted for social media posts, online videos, media articles, and interviews.
Over 1000 criminal cases have been filed for online activity, and 98 of these required a prison sentence. There are a lot of people that have been prosecuted for criticizing religion.
What Makes a Good VPN for Russia?
When you are deciding on the right VPN to use for Russia, you need to make sure that it has a number of important features, including really good privacy and security, and the ability to get around Russian censorship.
You will also need to make sure that it offers good speeds.
Perhaps most importantly, a VPN needs to offer you really good security to protect you from what is considered to be intrusive surveillance.
It should also protect your online privacy. A VPN should have a strict no-logs policy available, which means that it isn’t going to keep track of what you’re doing online.
Another thing to think about when considering a VPN is that the more servers there are available in different countries, the better your chance of being able to access streaming services located in other countries, like Netflix.
To ensure that you aren’t always waiting for content to load, you need to find a VPN that has a good speed, as well as unlimited bandwidth.
Both of these features are really important if you want to be able to stream online without any glitches.
The Russian VPN Ban
One of the most important things to know about the Russian VPN ban is that back in 2017, Russia started to block VPN services.
Providers who had being able to allow users access to content that was otherwise prohibited would be restricted, unless they agreed to restrict their users from visiting websites that were banned.
If the provider agreed to this, they could continue to operate in Russia. The majority refused to comply with this, and some just ignored the request.
The Russian government attempted to make further restrictions in 2019, but none of the VPN service said they were willing to cooperate. As a result, a lot of them ended up shutting down their Russian servers.
If it’s really important for you to be able to get your hands on a Russia VPN service, or an IP address for Russia in general, then you might want to make the most of a proxy.
A proxy is really good if you are located outside of Russia, and you are trying to access content that is otherwise blocked.
If this is the case and you are wanting to use a proxy, then we highly recommend that you go for Bright Data and Proxy Seller.
Both proxy providers offer Russian IP addresses that can protect your personal information, and ensure that you aren’t going to get in trouble with the Russian government for accessing content that would otherwise be restricted.
FAQs
Can I Use a VPN in Russia?
Yes, you can use a VPN in Russia. Despite the fact that there are a lot of VPN servers out there that don’t have VPNs in Russia anymore, you are able to use them to connect to servers in countries that are close to Russia, or elsewhere in the world.
Are VPNs Legal in Russia?
Yes, it is legal to use a VPN in Russia. VPNs aren’t technically banned in Russia, but the country does like to block URLs of VPN services that are allowing its users to access to blocked content, or access to websites that Russia has rejected.
How Do I Get and Find a VPN for Russia?
To find a VPN that is going to serve you well, you need to find a VPN service that offers really good security, as well as privacy, so that you can easily hide your digital footprint.
A VPN also needs to offer you the ability to get around Russian websites that have been Geo restricted, and be quick enough to stream torrent videos, without any buffering.
Which VPNs Have Russian Servers?
VyprVPN and Surfshark are among a few VPN providers that still offer VPNs in Russia.
In Summary, the best VPNs in 2025 are;
| Rating | VPN Service | Get Offer |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Top Rated | NordVPN – #1 VPN in the industry | FREE Trial |
| #2 Top Rated | Surfshark – top budget VPN | Start Now |
| #3 Top Rated | Atlas VPN – best free VPN | Start Now |
Final Thoughts
Now you can see why it is really important to use a VPN.
We hope that you have found this article helpful and have used it to find a really good VPN service.
Just make sure that it has excellent privacy and security, as well as a really good network server, so that you can get around any blocks or restrictions.
We have gone over what you need to look out for when it comes to a Russia VPN serice so just make sure that it is prioritizing security and privacy and that you are going to be able to achieve everything you want to through your VPN.
