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Best for Hiding VPN Usage
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More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost
Best for Low Price
Best for Russian-Optimized Servers
Many 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 among 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 within Russia as of right now and is the most cost-effective option when it comes to VPNs. And CyberGhost uses optimized P2P Russian servers, which help you to torrent anonymously.
While there are some free options like Privado VPN that may work, we encourage you to use a paid service. Subscription VPNs like the ones we’ve listed provide more security than free options. In fact, you’ll see all the features and protections in place in our breakdown.
If you’re in Russia and want to use a virtual private network (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.
ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost VPN connections can help circumvent the internet censorship happening in the country. You'll 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.
| VPN |  ExpressVPN |
 Surfshark |
 CyberGhost |
| Starting price | Starts at $6.67/mo (billed annually) | Starts at $2.19/mo (billed every two years) | Starts at $2.19/mo |
| Number of servers | Servers in 105 countries | 3,200+ in 100 countries | 10,400+ 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 |
Hides intrusive display ads when browsing the web, improving page speed and easing data usage on mobile
Privacy and safety benefits of a VPN with best-in-class encryption and innovative server technology in 105 countries
Enjoy no activity logs, malicious sites and trackers protection, and more on up to 8 devices
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.
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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.
The only qualm we really have with ExpressVPN is price. It’s one of the more expensive VPN options. It's one-year plan costs $6.67/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.
| Price range | $6.67–$12.95/mo |
| Free version | No |
| Number of servers | Unknown number of servers in 105 countries |
| Number of connected devices | Up to 8 |
| VPN protocol | Lightway, L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, & more |
| 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 |
All-in-one VPN app with 24/7 protection thanks to 3,200+ RAM-only servers in over 100 countries
Real-time malware defense, webcam protection, alternative ID creation, ad blocking, and more
One subscription covers unlimited devices for your entire household with access to 24/7 support
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. It even includes tools to protect your identity.
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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. And Surfshark One plans include 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.
Pricing for 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. If you want additions like cybersecurity software and identity protection, you’ll end up paying more.
| Price range | $2.19–$17.95/mo |
| Free version | No |
| Number of servers | 3,200+ 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 |
High-speed global servers offering industry-leading 256-bit AES encryption and no data logs
Unlimited bandwidth, DNS and IP leak protection, and automatic kill switch available for up to 7 devices
Configurable with your router, smart TV, Amazon Fire TV stick, or gaming console
CyberGhost is great for someone who wants a Russian IP address that doesn’t comply with Russian control. CyberGhost has over 60 Russian-optimized servers, so you can hide while also staying secure. It even allows you to customize your level of privacy.
CyberGhost NoSpy servers /images/2023/04/12/cyberghostvpn-review_servers-nospy.jpeg)
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 page 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.
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.
| Price range | $2.19–$12.99/mo |
| Free version | No |
| Number of servers | 10,400+ servesr 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 |
If you’re going to use a service where it is 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.
There is no one “best VPN service” for use in Russia. All VPN usage comes with a risk. ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost all have advanced features and protocols that minimize the risk. This doesn’t mean you eliminate it completely, but you have a better shot with one of these.
As far as free VPNs go, we’re partial to Privado VPN. It has a strict no-logs policy and also allows for 10 GB of data per month. In our testing, we found Privado to run without a noticeable slowdown in service.
There are no NordVPN servers in Russia. We found Reddit posts from February 2023 posted by people in Russia.[2] Apparently, their NordVPN subscriptions weren’t working, and no amount of troubleshooting would fix the issue. There’s no evidence to support this has changed.
Basically, no, it's not legal to use a VPN in Russia. The Russian government has a few approved VPNs, but we couldn’t find a definitive list, and any company wanting to do business in Russia has to accept Russia’s reporting criteria. This defeats the purpose of a VPN, and many services have pulled their servers from the country.
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. If you’re just looking for security on Wi-Fi connections, fast connection speeds, or unlimited bandwidth to go with a reliable VPN, you’ll still need to be careful.
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.
| Starting price | Best for | Learn more | |
ExpressVPN |
Starts at $6.67/mo (billed annually) | Best for hiding VPN usage | Get ExpressVPN
Read ExpressVPN Review |
Surfshark |
Starts at $2.19/mo (billed every two years) | Best price | Get Surfshark
Read Surfshark Review |
CyberGhost |
Starts at $2.19/mo | Best for Russian-optimized servers | Get CyberGhost
Read CyberGhost Review |
Hides intrusive display ads when browsing the web, improving page speed and easing data usage on mobile
Privacy and safety benefits of a VPN with best-in-class encryption and innovative server technology in 105 countries
Enjoy no activity logs, malicious sites and trackers protection, and more on up to 8 devices
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