Best Free VPN for Russia

Russia is a very tightly restricted and monitored nation. You cannot access many popular websites without using a VPN or proxy. This is due to the blocking and blacklisting of several sites by the Russian government, so it’s understandable why someone would look for the best free VPN for Russia.

If you reside in Russia or want to visit, you must use a reliable VPN to circumvent internet restrictions. If you’re located outside of Russia and wish to get a Russian IP address, it’s also essential to utilize a reputable VPN provider.

A VPN service encrypts your data and renders it unreadable. VPNs are also simple to use and inexpensive should you choose one of the top providers. Thankfully, we cover a range of VPN providers and offer fair and unbiased reviews of all of these services.

Best Risk-Free VPNs for Russia

This kind of VPN is risk-free since it provides VPN services without the risk of underlying fraudulent activities that certain VPN providers may participate in. Furthermore, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, ensuring that you will get a refund if you are unhappy with their services.

Overall Best in Our Tests

ExpressVPN

Overall score: 9.8

• Super-fast servers
• AES 256-bit encryption
• Supports private protocol, Lightway
• Money-back guarantee

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Due to its exceptional all-around service and best-in-class security, ExpressVPN is one of the best Russian VPN services to use. It encrypts your communication with AES 256-bit encryption and secure VPN methods. Without something like ExpressVPN, the Russian government, internet service providers, or hackers, will be able to view or record your online activities.

You can watch Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming services with ease. ExpressVPN takes pride in bypassing any geo-location restrictions with pinpoint accuracy. This VPN unblocks Hulu, BBC iPlayer, SkyTV, and other streaming services.

ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries to help you circumvent Russian internet restrictions. So, whether you’re a foreign expatriate or a Russian citizen, you have several choices for unblocking restricted websites and using international services without restrictions. Unfortunately, however, ExpressVPN has shut down its servers in Russia, like many other popular VPN services. Therefore you may be unable to get a Russian IP address.

ExpressVPN comes with a kill switch and DNS leak protection. These features get enabled by default to protect your sensitive data while browsing the web.

The VPN supports MacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Amazon Kindle Fire, etc. There’s also router support and Safari, Chrome, and Firefox browser extensions, and a single account grants access to five devices. To learn more about it, take a look at our full ExpressVPN review here.

Cheapest Option

NordVPN

Overall score: 9.6

• Incredibly fast servers
• Great security features
• Verified no-logs policy
• Unblocks streaming platforms

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NordVPN guarantees your anonymity and privacy. As a result of its great security and wide server network, NordVPN is another of our top VPNs for Russia. It has over 5,800 servers in 60 countries. So you should have no trouble getting over Russian geo-blocking.

Many online streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, are compatible with the service. It facilitates torrenting. It’s one of the fastest VPNs, so you can watch videos and conduct video calls without buffering.

NordVPN, like ExpressVPN, used to have servers in Russia. However, when the authorities passed tight VPN regulations, the country shut down NordVPN’s Russian servers.

Its security is among the strongest on the mark. Additionally, it makes use of obfuscated servers to provide an extra layer of protection and anonymity. There’s also a kill switch and DNS leak prevention for added security.

NordVPN adheres to a strong no-log policy. Russian authorities cannot access or monitor your personal information. NordVPN offers Onion Over VPN, and double-hop servers. If you’re a Russian political activist or journalist, Onion over VPN adds an additional layer of secrecy to your communications, enabling you to deliver important material securely. The double-hop servers pass your internet traffic across two servers. This makes deciphering your data twice as difficult for Russian authorities and hackers.

256-bit AES and 2,048-bit SSL keys encrypt all communication. You can access NordVPN on Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. Read everything you need to know about this particular VPN in our NordVPN review.

Best Free VPNs for Russia

In this category of VPNs, you’ll discover VPNs that offer free plans to customers. They offer high-quality services for free. They include:

Best VPN with a Free Version

ProtonVPN

Overall score: 9.0

• Free version available
• Strong security features
• Reliable no-logs policy
• Allows Perfect Forward Secrecy

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This VPN is fast enough to provide you with a superb browsing experience. It allows you access streaming services and watch HD video content without any buffering.

ProtonVPN offers a free subscription as well as three premium options. Its free plan offers unlimited bandwidth. Nevertheless, it only allows you to connect to servers in the United States, the Netherlands, and Japan. Unfortunately, this means you cannot connect to a Russian server!

You’ll need to upgrade to one of ProtonVPN’s premium plans to receive a Russian IP address. As a result, you can only view geo-restricted content in these locations. Of course, this would not be a problem, thanks to its large capacity. You may also connect to these servers if you are in Russia for safe and secure browsing.

Switzerland is home to ProtonVPN. This gives you access to some of the most stringent privacy laws globally. The nation is not a “Five Eyes” surveillance network member.

To keep everything safe and confidential, ProtonVPN employs an industry-standard encryption technique. It also comes with complete forward secrecy, a kill switch, Tor over VPN, and other security features. It has an always-on function in the mobile app. The feature re-establishes the VPN server connection. Furthermore, it prevents the divulging of your IP address. Hence, you won’t have to be concerned about security or privacy issues when using the service.

ProtonVPN supports Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS. It also offers fast connection speeds, an automated kill switch, and responsive customer support. Read our ProtonVPN review.

One of The Cheapest VPNs

Hide.me

Overall score: 9.1

• Advanced IP Leak protection available
• 1,800+ servers in 72 countries
• AES 256-bit encryption
• Offers a completely free version

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Hide.me provides rapid speeds and is especially effective across long distances. Hide.me hides your IP address and secures your WiFi connection using industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption. WireGuard, OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), IKEv2, SoftEther, and SSTP are among the connection protocols it utilizes. Users can select between all of these protocols on both desktop and mobile applications.

Built-in leak prevention, custom DNS, IPv6 support, and Stealth Guard are other security features. In the case of an unexpected connection loss, there is also a kill switch to safeguard your IP address.

Hide.me is an extremely secure service. To sign up, you simply need to provide your email address, and the minimal amount of data stored by Hide.me is wiped every few hours. At no time is sensitive data kept.

However, the VPN’s free edition only has five VPN servers. The free servers’ locations are in Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, and the United States. In addition, the free plan restricts you to 10GB of data each month. There are no speed limits within the 10GB monthly data limit in the free edition.

As a result, free users will enjoy speeds like premium clients. However, once you exceed the monthly data maximum of 10GB, speeds are restricted to 3Mbps.

Malaysia is the location of this VPN. Malaysian legislation does not compel VPN firms to store client connections or network activity records. Take a look at our Hide.me review.

VPN with the Best No-Log Policy

Windscribe

Overall score: 8.3

• Available in 60+ countries
• Unblocks geo-restricted platforms
• Offers a free version
• Blocks ads and malware

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Windscribe is fast enough for high-definition (HD) and 4K streaming and torrenting huge files. It has a paid and free VPN service. Both plans have exceptional streaming capabilities. With its free plan, you can access Netflix, DAZN, and BBC iPlayer. 

Windscribe has its VPN obfuscation algorithm, dubbed Stealth VPN, which reliably works in Russia. The VPN service works well for those new to the concept of VPNs. Its applications are light, simple, and attractive without sacrificing complex capabilities.

Windscribe has an excellent logging policy. It only stores the bare minimum of weblogs that cannot identify you personally. Canada is home to the headquarters of Windscribe. In addition, the VPN service offers a comprehensive set of security and privacy options. 

If you don’t subscribe to the premium tier, you’ll be limited to 10GB of monthly data consumption. This data limit is substantial for a free VPN. However, high-bandwidth activity like streaming or torrenting may rapidly exhaust it.

In Russia, Windscribe allows access to blocked websites and applications. It offers a privacy-friendly logging policy and good speeds, and the premium subscription even includes three Russian servers. It works effectively against censorship on PC, Mac, and Android.

VPN with Easy User Interface

Hotspot Shield

Overall score:

• Super-fast server speed
• Remarkable unblocking ability
• Intuitive user interface

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Hotspot Shield is excellent for streaming, and it is compatible with popular services such as Netflix Russia. The VPN has one server in Russia. Its Hydra protocol allows it to deliver rather fast speeds.

A free plan and a few premium ones are available with Hotspot Shield. Unfortunately, its free plan only allows you to connect to one server in the United States, so you won’t be able to receive a Russian IP address. To utilize a Russian server, you must upgrade to one of Hotspot Shield’s premium subscriptions.

Strong encryption, leak prevention, a desktop kill button, and automated WiFi protection are just a few of the security features offered by this company (in the mobile apps). The nicest thing about this service is its fast download rates, making it ideal for huge files.

It makes use of shared IP addresses and has no bandwidth restrictions. It can safely access Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, among other popular streaming services.

The interface of Hotspot Shield is simple. It offers applications for all major devices. These devices include Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and smart TVs.

Moreover, the applications are simple to install and use. Therefore, finding and connecting to Hotspot Shield’s Russian server is very easy.

How to Choose the Best VPN for Getting a Russian IP Address

1. Strong security

All of the VPNs on our list contain industry-standard VPN security features, including 256-bit AES encryption, protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks, a kill switch, and no-log policy. A kill switch disables internet access when a VPN connection fails, preventing data breaches. The VPNs no-log policy prevents your IP address and traffic from being logged.

2. Ease of use

The above options feature simple-to-install programs for all major platforms with straightforward UI that make finding and connecting to a Russian server a breeze.

3. Fast speeds

Due to the encryption VPNs utilize, they can reduce your speed. Nevertheless, the best VPNs will reduce it to a minimum. For torrenting, streaming, and surfing, all of the VPNs discussed offer browsing experiences with fast speeds.

Related: Best VPNs for ChatGPT

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal in Russia to use a VPN?

VPN software can unblock internet information considered incompatible with the Russian government’s views. It does this by encrypting your traffic and altering your IP address. Consequently, Russia blocked numerous VPNs. This action was part of a bigger effort to bring the content on the internet in line with Russian official principles.

It is not illegal to use a VPN in Russia. However, it is unlawful to use an ‘unauthorized’ VPN. In Russia, using an unlicensed VPN is punishable by a fine of 300,000 RUB ($5,100) for the user and 700,000 RUB ($12,000) for the VPN service provider.

What does it take to be an approved VPN service?

To become an ‘approved’ VPN service, a firm must work with the Russian government. Also, the company must agree to block any websites on the Kremlin’s massive internet blocklist. Additionally, they must also agree to share information on users with Russian security agencies.

In terms of privacy and anti-censorship, using an ‘approved’ VPN in Russia is pointless. It’s quite likely that your traffic will be detected or intercepted if you utilize the finest VPNs with strong encryption and efficient obfuscation technologies.

What can I do with a Russian IP address?

You can browse Russian sites as if you were in Russia if you have a Russian IP address. Some of these sites might not work in other countries.

Is it possible to acquire a Russian IP address using a free VPN?

 No, since most free VPNs lack Russian servers. Even if you locate a free VPN with Russian servers, you should detest it. Free VPNs often lack essential security and privacy features, restrict how much data you can use, and have sluggish connections.

What are websites blocked by the Russian government?

Blocked web content in Russia includes websites from the LGBT+ community, certain Wikipedia articles, and popular apps like LinkedIn and Dailymotion.

The Russian government blocked websites like LinkedIn and Dailymotion after refusing to agree to its Personal Data law. Under this law, any internet company with users in the country must consent to store its data on servers within Russian borders. The Russian state has enforced this law under ‘protecting Russian internet users.’

Will my VPN have Russian servers?

Many VPNs do not have server locations in Russia. This follows the government’s recent request that the most popular VPNs comply with Russian legislation, including giving over user data.

Almost all of the biggest VPNs have so far failed to comply with these requests. This prompted several of them to shut down their Russian servers and leave the country completely.

Some of the smaller VPNs haven’t been addressed by the government yet. So, you may still connect to Russian servers. However, it’s advisable to utilize a server in another nation if you want to avoid government restrictions and bans and prevent the government from intercepting your traffic or records.

Conclusion

In summary, getting a VPN server in Russia is hard. Hence, one cannot access blocked content both home and away without a reliable service. Thankfully, the free and paid VPN service providers on our list allow you to browse safely within and outside Russian cyberspace. So, you just need to choose one and get started.