3 Best VPNs for Russian TV in 2024: Stream Anywhere
Not a lot of VPNs work in Russia or offer Russian servers due to the specific VPN laws in the country, but my teammates and I found a few that proved to be reliable. Plus, due to licensing constraints, most Russian TV channels are only available to people within Russia. Russian TV platforms look at your IP address to determine where you’re connecting from. So you can’t watch some of these channels if you’re outside of Russia.
However, with a reliable VPN, it’s possible to get a Russian IP address and securely access Russian TV in great quality from anywhere. Using a VPN also encrypts your traffic, making it difficult for anyone to monitor your online behavior. This also has the added benefit of preventing ISPs from slowing down your streaming speed.
After my team and tested 50 VPNs, CyberGhost stood out as the best choice for uninterrupted streaming. It’s one of the few VPNs that still work reliably in Russia and offer Russian IP servers. Best of all, it provides a no-risk 45-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out for free. And since now you can't pay with QIWI (for CyberGhost and the other listed VPNs), you can pay with crypto and other popular methods. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process.
Stream in HD with CyberGhost >>
Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs to Watch Russian TV in 2024
- Editor's ChoiceCyberGhost
Simple and easy-to-use app for streaming Russian TV channels securely in HD in seconds. - Astrill VPN
Fast speeds and reliable Russian IP servers, but its plans are a little pricey. - Proton VPN
Customizable profiles to quickly watch Russian TV, but its live chat doesn’t work 24/7.
Best VPNs to Watch Russian TV in HD (Updated in 2024)
1. CyberGhost — Beginner-Friendly App Makes It Easy to Connect to a Russian IP Server
Tested December 2024 Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Best Feature | Simple and intuitive app interface suitable for beginner VPN users |
Server Network | 11,690 servers in 100 countries, including 50+ in Russia |
Speed | 21% average speed drop between short and long distances |
Works With | Channel One Russia, Russia Today, Russia-1, Match TV, NTV, TV Rain, Russia-24, and more |
CyberGhost’s easy-to-use apps make finding and connecting to a Russian IP server quick and easy. So, it’s a great choice for anyone new to VPNs. All you have to do is type “Russia” in the search bar and click the big power button to connect. You can even save servers to the Favorites tab, so you don’t have to scroll through a list every time.
CyberGhost has 50+ virtual Russian servers, meaning they’re not physically in Russia but offer Russian IPs. A large number of servers means fewer users on each server, which should translate to faster speeds since there’s less congestion. When we tested its Moscow IP server, our speed only dropped by 6%. You can normally expect a 10–20% when connected to a VPN, so this is impressive.
It’s compatible with tons of devices, too, so you can watch Russian TV securely in HD however you like. I tested it out on my Windows laptop, iPhone, and Android tablet, and setting up and using it was simple on each one. It also offers 7 simultaneous device connections, so you don’t need to worry about logging in and out whenever you want to use a different device.
One issue I noticed with CyberGhost is that it’s expensive when you sign up for a monthly plan, and it comes with a shortened money-back guarantee (just 14 days). However, it regularly offers big discounts on its long-term plans — you can save 84% right now. Plus, it offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, so you can test CyberGhost out for free.
Useful Features
- Content blocker. CyberGhost comes with a built-in content blocker that filters out pop-up ads and malicious websites. This feature enhances your streaming experience by reducing distractions and potential threats.
- P2P-optimized servers. CyberGhost is a great VPN for torrenting fans since it has a dedicated Russian IP server location for P2P. These servers are regularly maintained by CyberGhost’s team to facilitate secure and fast torrent downloads from anywhere. You can easily find the Russian P2P location in the For torrenting tab and download copyright-free Russian content.
- Smart rules. This is a set of automatic features that you can configure to your own needs. For example, you can make CyberGhost launch and connect to a server of your choice as soon as you open a certain Russian TV app that you designate in this setting.
2. Astrill VPN — Fast Speeds to Enjoy Bufferless Streaming of Your Favorite Russian Shows
Best Feature | Reliable speeds for smooth Russian TV streaming from anywhere |
Server Network | 142 servers in 56 countries, including in Russia (Moscow and St. Petersburg) |
Speed | 15% average speed drop between short and long distances |
Works With | Channel One Russia, Russia Today, Russia-1, Match TV, NTV, TV Rain, Russia-24, and more |
Astrill VPN provides fast speeds for streaming Russian TV lag-free. We averaged 112 Mbps while testing nearby servers — a drop of just 11%. Astrill’s servers are equipped with modern processors and dedicated bandwidth, ensuring high performance even under heavy load. This infrastructure makes Astrill VPN a reliable choice for streaming Russian TV without buffering from anywhere.
Its Stealth Mode lets you stream Russian TV securely in HD, even on restricted public networks, like those in schools, libraries, and workspaces. This facilitates both speed and security when streaming on any network. I tested Astrill VPN’s Stealth Mode at my school’s library, which blocks streaming sites, and I was able to stream Netflix in Ultra HD.
Something that can come in handy is Astrill’s private IPs for Russia which it offers for an extra fee. A private IP is one dedicated only to you, meaning your connection might be more reliable since no other people will be using it. Plus, you won’t suffer from user overload, which usually leads to slower speeds for streaming.
Astrill VPN is a little pricey compared to its competitors, with its subscriptions starting from $12.50/month. However, it lets you connect 5 devices simultaneously, meaning you can cover your most commonly-used devices all under one account. But note that it doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee like the other VPNs in this list.
Useful Features
- Ad Blocker. This enhances your streaming experience by blocking unwanted pop-up ads, ensuring a more streamlined and uninterrupted viewing experience. It also assists in giving you better speeds by reducing data download.
- Site Filter. You can control which websites are routed through the VPN and which use your local connection. This can further enhance your streaming speeds as you can reserve your VPN bandwidth for better streaming quality.
3. Proton VPN — Create a Profile for a Russian Server for a Quick Connection
Best Feature | Custom profiles for quick connections to Russian servers from anywhere |
Server Network | 9,306 servers in 112 countries, including 16 servers in St. Petersburg |
Speed | 18% average speed drop between short and long distances |
Works With | Channel One Russia, Russia Today, Russia-1, Match TV, NTV, TV Rain, Russia-24, and more |
Proton VPN lets you create custom profiles for quick connections to a Russian IP server. These profiles are organized neatly in their own tab to save you time searching through server locations. During testing, we created profiles named Russian TV and assigned it to Proton VPN’s Russian IP server. This lets you connect and start streaming safely in HD within seconds.
It also has great speeds that ensure a smooth streaming experience, especially with its VPN Accelerator feature that you can find in the Connection Settings. The accelerator enhances the speed and reliability of your connection, reducing buffering while watching Russian TV. We recorded a speed of 89.68 Mbps on its Russian IP servers — a 13% drop from their base speed, which was just a bit slower than CyberGhost.
One downside is that the live chat doesn’t work 24/7 — it works from 9 am till midnight from Monday to Friday. Also, you can’t use its live chat if you’re not logged in on the website. If you run into any issues with speeds or server connections, you might have to wait for assistance. However, it has a comprehensive knowledge base on its website, where you can usually find the answers you’re looking for.
You can also try Proton VPN for free since it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. However, keep in mind that it only promises prorated refunds, so you’ll only get your money back for the unused days of your plan.
Useful Features
- Quick Connect. You can set Proton VPN’s Quick Connect feature to connect you to your custom-made Russia profile. If you’re streaming regularly, this will save you a lot of time since you’re just a click away from connecting to a secure Russian IP server.
- Intuitive app. Proton VPN’s app is simple and easy to use for beginner or experienced VPN users. You can easily get connected to a server in seconds by clicking somewhere on the map or searching for a location in the search bar. Then, get straight to streaming securely in HD from anywhere thanks to its robust security features and fast speeds.
Quick Comparison Table: Russian TV VPN Features
The table below is to help you evaluate the most important features for streaming Russian TV securely that my VPN recommendations offer. Our global team of testers and I assessed each VPN’s lowest price, Russian IP server availability, average speed drop across short- and long-distance servers, number of simultaneous device connections, and the length of the VPN’s money-back guarantee.
Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process.
Tips on Choosing the Best VPN for Russian TV
The team and I used the following criteria to determine the best VPNs for watching Russian TV safely. These tips should provide you with a comprehensive framework for choosing the best VPN to suit your needs.
- Works in Russia. A lot of VPNs don’t work in Russia because of the specific VPN laws in the country. There are only a few that still work reliably there, and my recommendations are some of them.
- Russian IP servers. Unfortunately, few VPNs offer servers in Russia due to the privacy laws there. Some that offered these in the past now opted out or just changed them to virtual IP servers for better privacy. To stream Russian TV securely and without ISP throttling, a VPN with fast and reliable servers that can offer a Russian IP address is needed.
- Fast speeds. A VPN with fast speeds is essential for streaming Russian TV in HD without buffering from anywhere. We measured the average speed drop when connected to various servers and noted how each VPN's speed capabilities impacted the streaming experience.
- Diverse device compatibility. You need a VPN that works seamlessly across all your devices. This allows you to switch between your smartphone, tablet, and smart TV when watching Russian content securely in HD. Look for VPNs that support multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and smart TVs.
- Good value for money. The best VPNs offer a good balance between cost and features. Premium features such as high-speed servers and robust security protocols should justify the price tag. Long-term subscription plans often offer the most value.
- Excellent customer support. Responsive customer support can be a lifesaver if you run into any issues while using the VPN. I reached out to customer service via live chat and email to gauge response time and the quality of support.
- Trustworthy money-back guarantee. A free trial or money-back guarantee allows you to test the service without any financial risk. I made use of these options to evaluate the overall performance and ease of use for each VPN, particularly focusing on their capabilities to stream Russian TV.
Quick Guide: How to Watch Russian TV With a VPN in 3 Easy Steps
- Get a VPN with Russian IP servers. CyberGhost is my top recommendation for watching Russian TV due to its ease of use and fast Russian IP servers, which let you stream Russian TV in HD in seconds.
- Install the app. Once installed, open the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to a nearby server and stream. Search for a Russian server in the app (ideally close to your actual location), connect, and go to your favorite Russian TV channel’s website.
FAQ on the Best VPNs for Russian TV
Is it legal to use a VPN to watch Russian TV?
Using a VPN to watch Russian TV is generally legal, but it’s complicated. VPNs are legitimate and reliable tools widely used to enhance online privacy and security.
Moreover, if you're in a country where VPN usage is somewhat tricky, like Russia, due to the laws there, there may be legal consequences. For example, you are not allowed to use a VPN to access sites and services that are banned in Russia. Always be aware of local laws and regulations regarding VPN use. The team and I don’t condone using a VPN illegally or for illicit purposes.
Can I watch Russian TV with a VPN on Roku or Fire Stick?
Yes, you can watch Russian TV with a VPN on Roku or Fire Stick. Some VPNs offer native apps for Fire Stick, but Roku doesn’t natively support VPNs. If there’s no VPN app available for your preferred device, you may need to configure the VPN settings manually or use a VPN-enabled router. All the VPNs on this list can be installed on a router, so you can use them on any device connected to your network.
How can I get a Russian IP server to watch Russian TV?
You can get a Russian IP address by connecting to a virtual Russian server via a VPN. It routes your traffic through its private server network, replacing your actual IP address. This makes it possible to securely watch Russian TV from anywhere in just 3 steps.
A high-quality VPN also encrypts your traffic, rendering it unreadable to third parties. This makes it harder for anyone, including your ISP, to monitor your online activity and slow down your streaming speed.
Can I use a free VPN to watch Russian TV?
Technically, you can use a free VPN to watch Russian TV, but it's not recommended. Free VPNs often have limitations like slower speeds, data caps, and less reliable security features. Plus, I haven’t come across any free VPN that has Russian servers, and most of them don’t even work in the country. For a smooth and secure streaming experience, using a premium VPN with a money-back guarantee is advisable.
Get the Best VPN for Russian TV
With a fast and reliable VPN, it’s possible to watch Russian TV from anywhere safely without buffering. Be sure to choose one that won't negatively affect your speeds to maintain fast loading times and clear video quality. I recommend CyberGhost for watching Russian TV securely in HD. It’s one of the few VPNs that still work reliably in Russia and offers fast IP Russian servers. Plus, it offers a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, so you can try CyberGhost for free to see if you like it for streaming. If you’re not completely satisfied, you can easily get a full refund.
To summarize, these are the best VPNs for streaming Russian TV channels from anywhere …
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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