Plus, Russia uses advanced strategies to block VPNsthat dont conform with its data retention philosophy.
Using a VPN in ways not in line with Russian regulations could lead to penalties or legal consequences.
April 2025 update:Weve updated our reviews to highlight the pros and cons of each VPN for Russia.
We also fact-checked everything on this page to ensure the information is 100% accurate and up to date.
Although its not free, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee allowing you to test it risk-free.
Obfuscation disguises your VPN traffic as standard internet traffic to bypass VPN blocks and connection restrictions.
For best results, the VPN recommends using theAutomaticprotocol setting in Russia.
It also lists recommended countries to connect to when using the VPN in Russia.
These locations are optimized to work best with Russian connections.
If you cant enter the official ExpressVPN website from Russia, the VPN offers mirrored links to its site.
They typically work since theyre not posted publicly and change frequently.
To get one, you just have to ask customer support.
I also like that ExpressVPN allows P2P traffic on all of its servers in 105 countries.
I also really like its ShuffleIP feature, which is useful for users who are extra cautious.
ExpressVPN offers several payment methods in Russia, including Bitcoin, YooMoney (Yandex), and WebMoney.
Kaspersky VPN is a government-approved VPN in Russia that complies with the governments censorship and data requests.
Proton VPN works well in Russia because of its advanced obfuscation through the Stealth protocol.
That said, I do prefer ExpressVPNs obfuscation since its automatic on all servers and protocols.
The VPN has good customer support for getting troubleshooting help in Russia.
It has an email ticket support system as well as detailed guides on its website for using the VPN.
I like its Secure Core servers for Russian connections because they add another layer of privacy.
Theres also Alternate Routing, which activates automatically to help with internet restrictions.
The free plan doesnt allow streaming, but the paid plan works with 90+ streaming apps.
Also, only the premium plan supports torrenting.
ExpressVPN offers more payment options.
Its customer support is also pretty good, but live chat isnt available on the free plan.
It comes with beginner-friendly apps that consistently work in Russia.
Astrill VPN offers a 7-day free trial for those that want to give the VPN a go.
Astrill VPN also lets you route all of your traffic through port 443 when you use the OpenVPN protocol.
Its customer support is also really good.
If you prefer another payment method, check out ExpressVPN.
Astrill VPN is a secure and beginner-friendly VPN that works really well in Russia with its StealthVPN protocol.
However, most free VPNs dont have a lot of important features that paid VPNs have.
Upgrading to a premium VPN is typically the way to go if you need a VPN for Russia.
Moreover, most premium VPNs include a money-back guarantee, giving you a risk-free opportunity to test their service.
Free VPNs for Russia to Avoid
Do Free VPNs Work in Russia?
Most VPNs, let alone free VPNs, are generally ineffective in Russia.
Free VPNs rarely have the means to confirm their product works well in restrictive countries like Russia.
My colleague in Russia tested all top free VPNs, and its the only one that worked for him.
It comes with other perks like unlimited bandwidth and decent speeds for all online activities, too.
But as a free VPN, it has its limitations.
This is why I prefer paid VPNs that work in Russia (including Proton VPNs paid version).
Is It Safe to Use Kaspersky Free VPN in Russia?
First thing first the free Kaspersky VPN does work in Russia.
The free plan comes with some security features, butunlike the VPNs I recommend here, its pretty limited.
Why Does Russia Block Some VPNs?
Russia blocks certain VPNs as part of its broader internet censorship efforts.
This includes political content, material that criticizes the government, and sites promoting certain social movements or ideologies.
TheVPNs on this listdont share data with the government or follow its censorship rules.
Note that neither I nor anyone at SafetyDetectives condone using a VPN to break Russian law.
Protect Your Data on Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi networks are one of the easiest targets for hackers.
Since VPNs encrypt your traffic, they significantly reduce the risk of this happening to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whats the best free VPN for Russia?
ExpressVPNis my top pick for Russia.
It comes with advanced security features and obfuscation that reliably lets you browse the open web in Russia.
If you insist on a truly free VPN, I recommend Proton VPNs free plan.
How do I browse the web from Russia with a free VPN?
Which VPN has Russian servers?
Proton VPNis one of the few VPNs that still has physical servers in Russia.
Can I get a Russian IP with a free VPN?
Unfortunately, you cant.
No reputable free VPN currently has servers in Russia due to the countrys mandatory data retention laws.
