VPNs are not unheard of anymore. VPNs are used everywhere in the world today to surf anonymously and stay protected against online threats. Cybercriminals are at large, and no one is safe. Moreover, there are geo-restrictions in place. Certain regions such as Russia blocks websites and apps which can become painful for people traveling to or residing there.

So if you happen to be in Russia and wants to learn how you can access your favorite sites and apps, we have compiled a list of notable VPN providers that will allow you to bypass geo-restrictions. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the list.

1. IPVanish

The provider claims to be the best VPN in the whole wide world. But is it? Let’s see. The service packs close to 40000+ IP addresses, 1100 VPN servers in addition to locations spread out in more than 60 countries. Stats are impressive and may very well substantiate the VPN provider’s claims.

IPVanish subscription provides with ten simultaneous connections which is a feat in itself. The servers are optimized for P2P so all those folks who enjoy torrenting can easily do so in Russia without worrying about authorities on their tail.

Apps are available on all major platforms such as Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Firestick. The apps appear to be seemingly cluttered with features, settings, and options which are all over the place. Not a pleasant feeling that you would expect to navigate.

There is no built-in internet kill switch, and the price is unusually high for a VPN that lacks a basic feature. You are safe as part of its 7-day money back guarantee. Customer support is up to the mark as well. So give it go for unblocking websites and apps while in Russia.

For a VPN app (despite the ease of configuration) that says ‘best in the world,’ there’s still a long way to go.

2. ExpressVPN

The VPN provider has over 2000 servers in its arsenal spread in over 148 locations. Countries under its belt are 94 in number. With ExpressVPN you don’t enjoy apps for major platforms, but it also lets you configure it on VPN compatible routers.

ExpressVPN has DNS leak prevention available on streaming devices including smart TVs coupled with browser extensions. For any new VPN user, setting up a VPN or configuring it can become a cumbersome job but with the provider’s excellent customer support team, all matters are promptly addressed.

You get a 24/7 live chat option. Additionally, the wealth of articles are at the user’s disposal in the form of their support knowledgebase. Moreover, ExpressVPN scores in every area imaginable such as accepting payments in Bitcoin, unblocking Netflix US, optimized servers for P2P support and an internet kill switch.

Encryption protocols are rock-solid, and ExpressVPN is in total compliance with GDPR standards which is why it has a clear no browsing logs policy. Not many downsides, to be honest. No matter where you are in the world, let alone Russia, you can count on ExpressVPN for its impeccable support and performance in safeguarding your online privacy.

ExpressVPN does not offer any free trials, although you can enjoy its 30-day money back guarantee. The pricing is premium and why wouldn’t it be? After all, it fares superbly in all areas.

3. Hotspot Shield

It started as a free VPN, and it still has a free service. However, where the game changes, is with Hotspot Shield’s commercial premium subscription. It includes unrestricted bandwidth, access to over 2500+ servers in over 25 locations and simultaneous support on up to five devices.

Hotspot Shield has its trademark feature called Catapult Hydra – a protocol which enables users to experience top-notch speeds irrespective of servers distance. But due to the over-reliance on Catapult Hydra, Hotspot Shield failed in incorporating standards such as OpenVPN.

For this reason, VPN on routers, games, and consoles cannot be manually configured. Only the platforms such as Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS are supported. Other issues include no support for Bitcoin and inability to unblock Netflix US.

So if you are looking to unblock websites and certain apps when in Russia merely, it’s a decent VPN service, and you should give it a go, especially if you are on a budget. Hotspot is not only affordable but offers 7-day trial to its users. Company’s best-seller is its one-year plan, and if you are satisfied, you can opt for a lifetime plan afterward.

4. NordVPN

NordVPN headquarters are located in Central America which makes it a suitable choice for the users in Russia as cybersecurity laws are favored therein. The product offerings are unmatched with a NordVPN subscription. It has over 5000 servers in 60+ countries.

Security wise it provides 2048-bit encryption and supports up to six devices for simultaneous connectivity. The provider also has DNS leak prevention and two internet kill switches integrated into the app. Furthermore, you can pay in Bitcoin and bask in the protection of browser extensions AKA proxy servers.

If you are a fan of streaming and are unable to access your favorite TV shows and movies, with Nord’s SmartPlay feature you can bid farewell to geo-restrictions. Download speeds are above average. In terms of customer support, NordVPN lacks live chat, and the only channel reliable is email.

There are four major plans available namely monthly, one-year, two-year and a three-year plan. If you are looking to decide which plans suits you better, it is best to avail 7-day NordVPN trial and then settle on one.

5. TunnelBear

TunnelBear is of Canadian origin and offers ease of use. Its bear puns are one to marvel at! And ease of use often is shadowed by the latter. The humor is just that strong. It’s not meant to cater to an extensive market. In Russia, if you are seeking to unlock freedom, a TunnelBear subscription can come in handy.

It only has 20 locations and not many protocols either. Although, if you are seeking to set it up on your consoles and routers, its website offers all the support which you can use to your advantage. Apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS are all present. Browser extensions for both Chrome and Firefox are available and even for Opera.

US Netflix can be easily accessed whereas BBC iPlayer is unsupported (at the time of writing this piece). When it comes to privacy, TunnelBear’s commitment can be counted on. Why? Because the company has hired independent specialists for auditing its servers, codes, and systems in place. Which other VPN brand comes to mind that places this much emphasis on privacy? None.

Performance speeds are top notch with optimal ping timings from both UK and other European servers. Even the slow servers from Asian regions were found to be within acceptable speed bracket. What more can a user ask?

6. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a part Romanian and part German VPN service provider. The VPN is a winner among VPN users and if powerhouse performance and top-notch speeds are in question, what better than CyberGhost.

The user base is in tens of millions. The company has over 3000 servers in 60 countries which allows users with greater ease in connecting from a variety of locations all over the globe. There are apps in store for all major devices. It packs torrenting support as well as has a live chat features for catering to troubleshooting issues users may be facing.

Apps are categorized based on purpose selection. If it is streaming you are after; you connect to streaming servers. If unblocking is the intent, choose unblocking servers and voila! You have successfully bypassed the bans in place, etc. The app also lets you connect to the most optimized server in range with a single click!

Other extras include ad blocker on top of malware protection. It has automatic HTTPS enabled which ensures that whenever you connect, you are establishing the most secure connection. All in all, for a fair price, CyberGhost provides a good set of features.

The trial is merely for 24 hours which is a downside plus, North American and European servers are far and few. So yeah, there’s that too.

7. Private Internet Access

PIA is a budget-friendly VPN which lets you enjoy protection and anonymity when in Russia. You get 33 locations and a small number of servers but enough to make sure your internet privacy is well-guarded. Customer support is okay with email as the go-to means of issue resolution.

Performance wise too, it is alright. Not that great since speeds are inconsistent no matter which region you connect from. Although, a redeeming factor here is that PIA does not keep logs of its users. Apps for all leading devices are available. Moreover, browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera are available to users.

Malware protection and ad blocking come bundled in Private Internet Access subscription. The option to pay in Bitcoin is available as well as support for torrenting.

8. Windscribe

A bankable option when it comes to VPN providers. Clients for Windows, Mac, and Android among other devices are available. Extensions for all major browsers are also present at user’s disposal. You can manually set up Windscribe on routers and Kodi. The guide to doing so listed on the company’s website. So you’ll have no problems there.

Connections can at times be slow so expect lags in streaming, and there is no 24/7 customer support available which adds to cons of the service provider. When in Russia, Windscribe can help you surf the internet under the radar away from the eyes of government surveillance. That much it promises.

9. KeepSolid VPN Unlimited

KeepSolid has an array of protocols which you can choose from such as OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, IKEv2, and PPTP thereby allowing you to bask in improved security. Apps for Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS are available. Furthermore, KeepSolid has a dedicated IP feature which allows users to have their very own VPN server(s) say, New York server, etc.

List of servers is 400 and locations catered are more than 70. Only the Windows app does not pack a kill switch at this time whereas all other apps, has one. Limited torrenting support is available, and data logs of users are kept on a minimal level.

So if you can ignore these, you can get KeepSolid VPN for a 7-day trial and with a 7-day money back guarantee. What have you to lose!? Choose from their four aptly priced plans and surf the internet as it was meant to be, regardless if it’s Russia or anywhere else.

10. VyprVPN

Lastly, VyprVPN boasts a server/location list of 73. The company’s Chameleon technology obfuscates your IP address like no other VPN. If it’s Russia, China or Iran, Chameleon technology keeps prying eyes and surveillance at bay.

Additionally, support for major platforms, unblocking of notable streaming channels, and high speeds make VyprVPN a well-rounded service provider. Logs are kept for 30 days as per the company’s privacy policy, but no ethical violation has been reported, thus far. The company claims it is done to improve the quality of service.

Not the perfect VPN but enough to get you going in a country such as Russia.

To wrap it up

The above concludes our list for best Russian VPN providers. Let us know in the comments what do you think of the list and is there a VPN provider which has failed to make our list. As to which VPN provider to settle? That will largely depend on the reliability of its servers, its uptime, the number of locations, affordability, encryption standards and the likes thereof.