Travelling in Russia limits access to social media, messaging and news sites. So if staying in touch is important to you, investing in a VPN for Russia is non-negotiable.
We’ve been doing some research here at Strafe.com, checking out the legal situation regarding the use of VPNs in Russia. Digital controls are particularly tight right now, which is why it’s so important to consider ways of locking down your private online information if you’re planning a visit.
The subject of VPN use in Russia isn’t straightforward, as it’s not illegal. What you’re not allowed to do is use one to access banned sites - which is extremely easy to do. Plenty of VPN services have been shut down for failing to abide by Russia’s VPN laws, making it exceptionally hard to get started once you’re inside the country. So it’s best to choose and install your apps before you head to Russia - storing the software somewhere out of sight on your device is a good idea to avoid it being spotted and deleted.
The list of blocked sites in Russia is growing by the day and includes broadcast media as well as most social media channels. Examples include - but are certainly not limited to:
A good VPN will reroute your internet traffic through a hidden tunnel, giving you access to otherwise restricted content, but without leaking any personal data that could identify you, your device or your physical location. And if traffic is diverted via a VPN server in Russia, it won’t trigger any warning signs about prohibited activity, adding an extra layer of protection.
Everyone loves a freebie, and even more so when it’s a software service that helps to keep us safe online. Even the briefest of online searches will highlight plenty of free VPN platforms that claim to protect your online privacy in Russia. There are some areas in life in which it’s perfectly acceptable to cut a few financial corners, but here at Strafe.com, we suggest that digital security and anonymity in Russia are not one of them!
Every business wants to make a profit. So if a provider is giving away free software, the chances are that it’s selling on your details. And even worse, for VPN users in Russia, you can be certain that free VPN software isn’t going to offer the same high level of security offered by all of the top paid-for services. Unless you’re genuinely not going to be using any of your devices for anything other than checking over accessible Russian websites, a paid-for VPN really is absolutely essential.
We’ve picked out three VPN services which we believe are particularly suitable for use in Russia. We’ve tried to select a range of features and prices to accommodate all needs and budgets - but of course, this is only a starting point. We have plenty of reviews and guides for you to explore, covering every aspect of choosing and using a VPN. The following options all offer Russian IP addresses and outstanding data safety protocols.
With over 40 servers in Russia, CyberGhost offers users the benefits of a Russian IP address and obfuscation technology, effectively hiding any trace of VPN use. All of the Russian servers allow torrenting, and the interface is one of the easiest to be found for any VPN. The apps are ready to use with no prior knowledge or experience, with top level security to ensure your private data remains private.
Surfshark comes with an innovative ‘NoBorders’ feature, which has been created to access restricted websites easily and safely - even in Russia. Just be sure to enable the Kill Switch manually from within your account Settings menu, as the default is set to ‘Off’. It’s an essential defense against potential data leaks if your connection drops, so it’s important not to overlook it. Surfshark has servers in Latvia, Finland and Poland to facilitate faster speeds, and provides unlimited connections at an attractive price.
With more than 3,000 servers and a long history of providing a safe and secure VPN service to millions of users around the world, ExpressVPN is a great choice for internet users in Russia. Military-grade AES 256-bit encryption ensures even the best computers wouldn’t crack the code for hundreds of years, ensuring complete data safety. This is one of the fastest VPNs in Russia too, making it a great option for catching up on streamed content from Netflix, Disney+, Hulu and more.
| VPN Service | 1 Month | 6 Months | 1 Year | 2 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CyberGhost | $12.99 | $6.99 | - | $2.19 |
| Surfshark | $12.95 | - | $3.99 | $2.49 |
| ExpressVPN | $12.95 | $9.99 | $8.32 | - |
You won’t find many straightforward free trials for VPNs, but they all offer the chance to pay for just one month - although the convenience comes at an inflated price which makes it less appealing than longer-term subscriptions. But all the best paid VPNs for Russia offer a money-back guarantee covering the first month of use - it won’t automatically apply to all devices, so check the details before signing up.
We can’t claim that any specific service is the best VPN for Russia without knowledge of your browsing habits, the devices you use, whether you enjoy streaming, torrenting or gaming, and what your VPN budget stretches to. But however you enjoy your internet use, we’re here to help you make appropriate decisions.
Use our reviews, guides and articles to track down the best VPN provider for you, offering the features you need - and often at a heavily discounted price too. And remember - using a VPN in Russia isn’t illegal, but visiting banned websites is, so be careful and stay safe.
It goes without saying that internet use is subject to close surveillance throughout Russia. But nobody wants to get caught out in possession of illegal software, so what’s the answer? Here at Strafe.com we’ve been checking out the VPN rules in Russia - everything you need to know is right here.
Before you buy a VPN for Russia, you need to be absolutely certain that it’s right for your needs, and that it provides you with the necessary layers of data and online identity protection. That’s something we can help you with here at Strafe.com, thanks to insightful reviews and helpful guides. We’ve got information about heavily discounted deals too - come and see!
A VPN is essential if you want to be able to access the wider internet while in Russia. But staying on the right side of the law is even more important, which is why you need to come and check out our guide here at Strafe.com. We explore what’s legal, what your options are and how to stay safe online, no matter where in the world you happen to be.
Whether you’re searching for the best VPN for your country, or you need to access online content when travelling in Russia, we’ve got plenty of suggestions and recommendations for you to consider here at Strafe.com. From catching up with friends on messaging platforms, to streaming TV shows, gaming and more, we’ve got helpful advice and news on the safest and most secure VPN services available in Russia.
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