5 Best VPNs for Russia in 2025

The internet in Russia has faced increasing censorship over the years. Recently, the federal agency that oversees the internet in Russia, Roskomnadzor, blocked or deleted about 138,000 websites. It also banned any content that doesn’t fit the official government narrative.

With such heavy censorship, Russians now face frequent blackouts on popular platforms like Facebook and Instagram. The government also enforces strict laws that make it nearly impossible to access unbiased news or global content. Because of this, VPN usage in Russia is at an all-time high. A VPN in Russia allows you to bypass restrictions, encrypt your traffic, and change your virtual location to access blocked websites and services.

However, not all VPNs work reliably in Russia. In fact recently in 2025, Roskomnadzor has asked Google to remove 47 VPNs from the Google Play Store. This makes it increasingly difficult to find a VPN with strong security and uninterrupted access. That’s why choosing the best VPN with robust privacy features and a wide range of servers is crucial.

In this article, we’ll help you find the 5 best VPNs that work in Russia in 2025. We’ll discuss their features, explain how to use them, and show you why having a reliable VPN is essential.

To Choose Best VPN for Russia, Keep These Key Things in Mind

• Robust Security & Privacy: Make sure the VPN has powerful encryption to keep your data safe from government surveillance. We highly recommend you to look for AES-256 encryption, as it is the highest form of encryption in the market.
• Strict No-Logs Policy: It must also maintain a strict zero-logs policy to ensure the VPN provider does not keep records of your sensitive data or activities.
• Obfuscation: This feature disguises VPN traffic as regular web traffic, helping you bypass deep packet inspection (DPI) used by the Russian government. A VPN that works in Russia must have obfuscated servers to avoid detection.
• Kill Switch Feature: This cuts your internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing your data from being exposed.
• Bypasses Censorship: Your VPN should be able to unblock restricted websites, news, social media, and streaming platforms like Netflix.
• Works in Russia: Many VPNs are blocked in Russia. Choose one that is proven to bypass restrictions and works reliably.
• Servers in Russia: If you need access to Russia-only content, pick a VPN with Russian servers. However, keep in mind that most Russian VPN servers are under government control, so it’s better to use a VPN with virtual Russian IP addresses.
• Fast Speeds: Since most VPN servers in Russia are banned, pick a VPN with servers in nearby countries for better speed and access. A slow VPN can ruin your browsing and streaming experience. 
• Money-Back Guarantee: Since VPNs are risky in Russia, choose one with a refund policy so you can test it safely.

Best VPN That Works in Russia in 2025

Finding a VPN that actually works in Russia is harder than ever. With strict censorship and frequent VPN bans, only a few services can still bypass restrictions. But don’t worry; we’ve tested and found the best VPNs for Russia in 2025 that keep you safe, private, and free online. Let’s dive into TechNadu's top picks and when you should choose each VPN for Russia.

	Proton VPN	ExpressVPN	NordVPN	CyberGhost VPN	Astrill VPN
Obfuscation	✅	✅	✅	❌	✅
No-Logs Policy	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Kill Switch	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Bypasses Censorship	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Blocked in Russia	❌	✅	✅	❌	❌
Russian Servers	✅	❌	❌	✅	✅
Virtual Servers	❌	✅	✅	✅	❌
Money-Back Guarantee	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Speed	Fast	Very Fast	Very Fast	Moderate	Fast
Price	Starting at $3.59/month	Starting at $4.99	Starting at $3.09	Starting at $2.29	Starting at $12.50

1. Proton VPN

Proton VPN is designed for people who value their privacy. It was developed by the same people who created Proton Mail. Proton VPN ensures your online activity stays protected. Whether you want to browse anonymously, access restricted content, or avoid censorship, Proton VPN has the tools to keep you secure.

That said, Proton VPN uses strong encryption to protect your data and has a strict no-logs policy, so your online activity stays private. Since many VPNs are blocked in Russia, Proton VPN stands out with its obfuscation technology (based on an implementation of WireGuard running over TCP), which helps disguise VPN traffic and bypass restrictions. And in case your connection drops, the kill switch is there to keep your identity under wraps.

Another major attribute is speed. Proton VPN guarantees quick and dependable connections for surfing, streaming, and gaming with its servers located in Moscow, Russia, and a variety of options in neighboring countries. Currently, Proton VPN has 53 physical servers in Russia. Using Proton VPN, social media, streaming services like Netflix, and news websites can all be readily unblocked.

Proton VPN also has a free plan, but for the greatest experience, you should get the paid version, which offers 24/7 support, high-speed servers, and sophisticated security measures. You can also try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you're not sure.

Proton VPN is a wise option if you want to stay anonymous and safe online. It is dependable, confidential, and designed to withstand the strictest limitations.

Want to see how Proton VPN stacks up? Check out our comprehensive Proton VPN review for insights into its NoBorders mode, unlimited device connections, and streaming performance.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN was one of the VPNs targeted by Russia's Roskomnadzor in 2021. As expected, the provider has remained committed to its fight for internet freedom and refused to implement the country's list of blocked websites. Furthermore, ExpressVPN removed all its servers from Russia to solidify its stance.

However, you can use it to connect to foreign servers and access websites no longer available in the country. It offers servers in over 100 countries, including the UK, U.S., Canada, Australia, and many others, along with neighboring options like Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, and more.

It also uses AES-256 encryption which is one of the safest encryption standards available. It also supports multiple secure VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, Lightway, and IKEv2. These protocols help protect your data from hackers, ISPs, and surveillance efforts.

To further enhance privacy, Proton VPN operates on RAM-only servers, meaning no user data is ever stored permanently. Each time the servers restart, all information is wiped, reducing the risk of data exposure. By combining strong encryption with advanced security protocols, Proton VPN ensures a smooth, private, and highly secure browsing experience.

Since it comes with obfuscated servers, ExpressVPN works perfectly fine in countries like Russia and China, known for their aggressive stance against VPNs. It features lightning-fast speeds, and it's suitable for just about any purpose (including browsing the Web, streaming media, downloading torrents, and plenty more).

As you'd expect from any capable VPN, ExpressVPN comes with 24/7 live chat support. On top of that, it offers a 30-day money-back policy, which comes with no questions asked.

Want to learn more? Read our detailed ExpressVPN review for an in-depth analysis of features, pricing, and performance.

3. NordVPN

This is yet another VPN that has refused to comply with the Russian media regulator's demands and subsequently shut down its Russian servers. However, you can still use it to connect to the servers of other countries. In order to use it, you will first have to connect with their service network, who will provide you with a special link to install it.

NordVPN features a vast network of fast servers worldwide - including the countries neighboring Russia, so that shouldn't be much of an issue. Additionally, NordVPN offers obfuscation via specialized servers backed by NordLynx, NordWhisper, IKEv2/IPsec, and OpenVPN protocols, disguising your VPN traffic as regular traffic. It also has Onion over VPN servers for extra privacy by routing traffic through the Tor network. These features are highly useful in case Internet regulations in Russia become even more stringent, which is likely to be the case in the future.

For travelers, NordVPN is great for streaming content from home or accessing restricted Western media. Its fast speeds ensure smooth streaming without buffering. Plus, NordVPN's premium packages include built-in antivirus, password management, and cloud storage, keeping your data secure across devices.

This VPN takes great pride in its security-first features (its no-log policy being verified by Deloitte), including standard and specialized servers. Using those, you can connect to P2P servers, access the Tor network, double-encrypt your data, and more. The purpose of those features is to hide your personally identifiable data, which they manage to do with plenty of success.

We'll also mention that this VPN comes with 24/7 live chat support. And, as you can expect, your purchase will be backed by a 30-day money-back policy.

Curious about NordVPN’s full potential? Read our detailed NordVPN review to explore its advanced security features, obfuscation, and speed test results.

4. CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost is a VPN provider based in Romania that wasn't on the list of VPNs asked to comply with the new Russian law. So, it still operates around 60 servers in Moscow. All of those are physically located in the country, making this VPN one of the best VPNs for Russia.

That said, CyberGhost is a VPN suitable for both people who wish to bypass geo-blocks and those who wish to use Russian IPs. If you want to bypass geo-blocks, it provides secure connections to international servers, giving you unrestricted access to the web. At the same time, for those who need a Russian IP, CyberGhost offers physical servers in Moscow. This allows you access to local content while maintaining privacy.

CyberGhost offers robust security features, including 256-bit AES encryption and OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols, which ensure that your online activities remain hidden from ISPs and government surveillance. It also includes DNS and IP leak protection, preventing your real location from being exposed. With CyberGhost’s automatic kill switch, your data won’t leak even if the VPN disconnects unexpectedly, thereby keeping you safe online.

Another thing worth mentioning is that CyberGhost VPN has a server recommendation feature that can help you choose the optimal server for different scenarios. Using its interface, you can pick servers based on your planned activity, including streaming, downloading torrents, playing online games (available on Windows only), and similar.

Finally, this VPN has a 45-day money-back policy on its long-term plans, a benefit rarely found elsewhere. And in case of any questions, you can turn to its 24/7 live chat customer support.

Interested in a budget-friendly yet powerful VPN? Our CyberGhost VPN review covers its strong encryption, stealth mode, and overall performance in detail.

5. Astrill

Astrill VPN provides robust security and high speeds, and it can easily bypass strict internet censorship. It further safeguards user data using AES-256 encryption and a selection of VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, Stealth VPN, OpenWeb, and WireGuard, to defeat VPN blocks. The no-logs policy ensures complete privacy, meaning no records of browsing history or online activities are stored.

The service also comes with features like Smart Mode and Site & App Filter, which help unblock restricted websites and streaming platforms effortlessly.

From streaming to gaming and browsing, Astrill VPN makes it all better with its high-speed servers for smooth, lag-free internet access. Astrill also has some servers in Russia (Moscow and St. Petersburg), so if you are looking for a VPN with Russian servers, check out its server list.

Also, it has a kill switch that cuts off your internet connection if the VPN connection goes down. This prevents you from any potential data leaks and guarantees uninterrupted security. Its obfuscation technology hides VPN activity and makes them look like regular internet traffic, which protects you from being caught.

Although they do not publicly advertise a money-back guarantee, they do offer a 7-day free trial, making this a credible option for those in need of a VPN in Russia that can run uninterrupted.

Looking for a more detailed take? Read our Astrill VPN review to learn about its optimized servers, streaming capabilities, and privacy protection.

How to Use a VPN in Russia?

Installing and using a VPN requires cautious planning because of Russia's continuing VPN prohibitions. It can cause some major issues, such as the death penalty and jail term, if it is not carried out properly. Therefore, let's talk about how to use a VPN in Russia both when you're a visitor and when you live there.

When Visiting as a Traveler

If you're traveling to Russia, it's crucial to set up your VPN before you arrive, as most VPN websites and app stores are blocked there. 

• Subscribe to a VPN (select any VPN mentioned above)
• Download the VPN app & install it
• Launch the VPN app & login with your account credentials
• Enable features like obfuscation or NoBorders mode
• Test different servers to ensure you have stable connections
• Enable auto-connect

For Residents

If you're in Russia, getting a VPN can be challenging due to app store restrictions and website blocks. Here's what you can do:

1. Some VPNs might still be available on third-party app stores like F-Droid (for Android) or through direct APK downloads from VPN provider websites.
2. VPN providers often have alternative download links. Check their official emails, social media, or support pages for updates.
3. If you have a friend or relative outside Russia, they can download the VPN app and securely send you the installation file.
4. If you already have a VPN on one device, you can use it to access the VPN provider's website and install it on other devices.
5. Some VPNs support manual setup using OpenVPN, WireGuard, or Shadowsocks, which can help bypass restrictions. However, do this only if you have knowledge of VPN.

Why Do I Need a VPN for Russia?

Over the past few years, Roskomnadzor has enforced strict censorship laws and online surveillance. They have blocked many websites and applications, including Telegram, Skype, Snapchat, and many more.  

This has made it absolutely necessary for people in Russia to use a VPN. A VPN is essential not just for privacy and security but also for unrestricted internet access. Without one, your data is exposed to government monitoring, and many websites remain inaccessible. But this is not it. There are numerous other reasons why you should get a VPN for Russia. This includes:

• Avoiding Government Surveillance: ISPs in Russia are required by laws such as the Yarovaya Law to retain user data for a period of six months. A VPN is essential in these situations because it encrypts your communication, making it impossible for authorities, hackers, and ISPs to track you.
• Keeping Safe on Public Wi-Fi: In Russia, hackers frequently target unprotected connections, making public networks dangerous. However, a VPN protects you from online risks by securing your data.
• Using Social Media & Messaging Apps Freely: Some of the most popular messaging apps, like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, have faced bans or restrictions. Using such circumstances, using a VPN that truly works in Russia will allow you to stay connected with no limitations.
• Protecting Your Identity & Anonymity: Activists, journalists, and everyday users face online threats. A VPN hides your real IP address, keeping your online identity private.

Are VPNs Banned in Russia?

Yes, VPNs are banned in Russia. The country criminalized the use of VPNs for accessing blocked content in 2017 and threatened VPN services to comply with its demands.

Since last year, Russia has taken an even stricter approach towards blocking popular VPNs like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and IPVanish as their popularity soared in the wake of Internet blackouts.

Using a VPN successfully implies you are using the VPN’s ability to remain undetected by the prying eyes of the government. We recommend using the VPN services reviewed in this article, which have been tested for reliability.

Some also offer obfuscated servers, which will disguise VPN traffic as HTTP traffic. By hiding that you’re using a VPN, obfuscation technology will help you bypass Russia’s total VPN ban and advanced firewalls.

Can I Use a Free VPN for Russia?

No, you should not use a free VPN for Russia. You need a premium VPN to successfully bypass Russia’s advanced firewalls.

Free VPNs are not built the same way as premium VPNs. They lack the necessary functionality, such as strong encryption and obfuscation, to truly keep your Internet activities private. Their other major problem is their lack of speed and reliability - free VPN services offer slow speeds, minimal server selection, and limited bandwidth usage.

Free VPN services are also terrible at protecting your data. They are known to collect your browsing history and sell it to advertisers without your awareness or permission. Hence, we recommend you use paid plans of good VPN providers (some of which we have mentioned above).

Final Thoughts

A reliable VPN is crucial if you want unrestricted as well as secure internet access due to Russia’s strict censorship laws. According to our research and testing, the best VPN for Russia that we would recommend in 2025 is Proton VPN. It not only offers strong privacy, obfuscation, and reliable speeds but also has its servers in the country. However, if speed is your major concern, then ExpressVPN should be your priority. You should choose NordVPN if you want unmatched security.

For those needing VPN servers in Russia, Proton VPN, CyberGhost VPN, and Astrill VPN are the top choices. However, we highly advise you to avoid free VPNs, as they lack security and reliability. Instead, choose a premium plan of a trusted VPN that offers strong encryption and guarantees privacy and access to the global web in Russia without limitations.

That’s all for our guide on the 5 best VPNs for Russia in 2025. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!