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RusVPN Review 2022 - Keep This in Mind Before Buying
RusVPN stands for “Reliable, Unlimited, Secure,” promises it fulfills — for the most part. It operates 1,260+ servers across 50+ countries, with military-grade encryption and an automatic kill switch. It doesn’t log any of its users’ data.
I put the VPN through a series of tests to determine if it delivers on its claims, assessing its speeds, security, privacy, streaming, and more.
RusVPN’s apps are available in 5 languages on Windows and up to 11 on iOS. Overall, it seems like a good choice for security and privacy, but not the best for streaming. Its speeds are great with nearby servers, but if you connect from a far distance, they significantly decrease.
Depending on your specific use for the VPN, you may want to compare RusVPN with alternative premium VPNs in the market. The good news is, you have plenty of opportunity for testing since RusVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee with all of its plans.
No-logs policy is transparent.The privacy policy states that no logs are recorded. The VPN is based in the Commonwealth of Dominica, outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances.
Streaming — Unreliable for Unblocking Streaming Sites
RusVPN fails to unblock several streaming platforms, including Netflix. When it did manage to bypass geoblocks, I couldn’t reliably watch in HD. I had fairly frequent buffering, and I can’t recommend this provider for watching your favorite movies and shows online.
Unblocked: Disney Plus
I was pleased that RusVPN worked successfully with Disney Plus.
I've found that this streaming site is particularly difficult to access, but RusVPN had no problem
However, in order to access this site, I used a US server called United States 31 which unfortunately gave me poor speeds. This resulted in quite a bit of lag and delayed loading times. I was hoping to speak with an agent regarding this issue. However, during this time, RusVPN’s live chat was not available.
Blocked By: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer
RusVPN didn't work with the other streaming platforms I tested it with, most notably Netflix. I used 4 different US servers to test it with Netflix. Most of the streaming platforms sent an error message, saying it detected my VPN.
I could tell it wasn't working with Netflix since the library didn't adjust to the new regions. Even when I tried searching for US-specific titles, they were not available.
First, I connected to a US server. I searched for The Twilight Zone, which is available in Netflix's US library, but it was not present.
Netflix only showed me titles similar to The Twilight Zone
Radium Girls was not accessible either. Without these titles present, this was a major indicator that RusVPN was not working with Netflix US.
This produced the same result, showing me similar titles to Radium Girls
So next, I tried it with Netflix UK. I searched for Only Fools and Horses but this was not present.
Unfortunately, the UK server also did not update Netflix's region for me
Netflix Japan should have Doraemon: the Movie — however, I did not find this in the library while connected to RusVPN in Japan.
Only similar titles to Doraemon were given to me as options
Then I tried it with BBC iPlayer in the UK with no success.
I was hoping to access this popular UK streaming site, but it did not work
And Amazon Prime Video picked up on my VPN use as well.
Once again, I received a notification telling me that the streaming site picked up on my VPN use
Having said this, I did manage to access Wikipedia, Reddit, Instagram, Vkontakte, and LinkedIn while connected to the VPN. It does live up to its claims for some non-video-based unblocking capabilities.
Speeds — Superfast Nearby but Slow Distant Servers
RusVPN's nearby servers produced excellent speeds, but its distant server speeds were very slow. Connection speed is one of the most important things to consider when you’re choosing a VPN. This has a major impact on streaming quality, your ability to game, and website loading times while you browse.
The important measurements of speed are:
Download speed — determines the quality of your streaming and how fast you can download data. It’s measured in Mbps.
Upload speed — measures the amount of traffic you can send. This is usually slower than download speed and is also measured in Mbps.
Ping — vital for gaming, you’ll want as low ping as possible. It’s the time it takes for a server to respond, measured in ms.
Local Speeds
I measured my base speed against the connection speed of the nearest RusVPN server first. It’s normal to experience some slow-down when you connect to a VPN, because your data needs to travel farther to reach the server. It also takes extra time to encrypt and decrypt it. However, the difference should be barely noticeable with a premium VPN.
When you’re browsing local sites, you’ll get the best connection speed by connecting to a server close to your physical location. My base speed before connecting to RusVPN was 92.99 Mbps download, 19.14 Mbps upload, with a ping of 7 ms.
VPN disconnected (New Zealand)
RusVPN connected to Australia (closest)
RusVPN connected to Indonesia (2nd closest)
RusVPN connected to the US
RusVPN connected to the UK
Download Mbps
92.99
41.17
9.39
9.55
8.46
Upload Mbps
19.14
8.94
11.38
2.95
11.68
Ping ms
7
62
136
345
350
RusVPN does not have any server locations in my country (New Zealand). The closest I could find was in Australia. This produced a 55% speed drop, which is quite significant. However, 41 Mbps is generally more than enough for anything you want to do on the internet. I put a few searches into Google and checked my Facebook notifications just to test the normal browsing experience. The web pages loaded within a few seconds, and I could even watch Youtube videos with minimal buffering.
The only server which gave me good speeds was the one closest to me
However, while connected to the second closest server to me (Indonesia), I lost almost 90% of my speed. When I tested RusVPNs UK and US servers, they also produced about 9 Mbps.
I tested out these speeds to see what it would actually be like when browsing with 9 Mbps. I loaded 2 chili recipes from allrecipes.com and the Spiderman: No Way Home official teaser on Youtube. Unfortunately, I experienced long page loading times; the recipes both took about 10 seconds to load completely. With the movie trailer, I was interrupted by buffering twice — for about 5 seconds each time.
These interruptions were a bit frustrating for me. My usual internet speeds are fast and I've tested alternative VPNs that do not cause these types of speed drops. I personally wouldn't recommend RusVPN if you need to connect to a server far away from your location. There are tons of other VPNs with global server networks that have consistently fast speeds.
Are RusVPN’s Speeds Fast Enough for Gaming? Not Always.
Since RusVPN's speeds were only fast with its nearby servers, you won't have success in playing globally. For most gamers, a ping below 120ms is desirable, but this was only possible on nearby servers. Considering the significant ping increase with its distant servers, you're sure to encounter too much latency which will not work with gaming.
You’ll be able to use the VPN on your Xbox, Playstation, and more by setting up RusVPN on your router. This will enable any device connected to your WiFi to be securely routed through the VPN. It offers additional protection against DDoS attacks and other malicious online threats related to gaming.
With a RusVPN subscription, you get full access to 1,260+ servers in 50+ countries. It includes several key locations, like the US, the UK, France, Germany, and Spain. I was also pleased to find that RusVPN now offers server locations in South America and Africa, too.
You’ll get a large pool of IP addresses to choose from, so there are no problems here provided the servers work. However, even with servers in these locations, I was not able to consistently access their corresponding content.
RusVPN carries some robust encryption protocols which proved trustworthy in my leak tests.
Encryption and Protocols
You’ll get military-grade AES-256 encryption and the choice between protocols, including OpenVPN (2048-bit RSA, UDP/TCP), IKEv2, L2TP, and PPTPs.
It didn’t appear to select OpenVPN by default, which is definitely the most sensible option here. P2TP is quite up to scratch, and PPTP is an older protocol that doesn’t offer the same level of protection. IKEv2 can be an option, as it’s fast and suitable for mobile devices. If you set up the VPN using OpenVPN Connect, you’ll always be sure that you’ve got the most secure connection.
IP, DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC Leaks
The VPN kept my IP address and DNS requests secure. When I connected to its US server, the leak detecting tool showed my IP address in the US. It gave me a different DNS address (in Czechia). However, there were no traces of my actual location in New Zealand.
Leaks tests look for the following:
IP leaks — your location can be exposed, making you susceptible to online threats.
DNS leaks — risk your private internet traffic that can be intercepted.
WebRTC — the peer-to-peer communication between your browser and the web pages you visit can slip outside the safety net, and mistakenly reveal your IP
IPv6 — some data isn’t sent through the VPN ‘tunnel’, potentially falling into the wrong hands. Most VPNs disable it entirely.
The leak detector picked up no hints of my actual IP address
I wanted to double-check that you can rely on this, so I also tested it in the UK.
Both times I tested it proved that my location was not being leaked by RusVPN
Kill Switch
I tested out the kill switch and it proved successful. Its kill switch is essential for maintaining your secure connection. Should the VPN suddenly disconnect, your whole connection will be terminated to avoid detection.
While browsing on Chrome, I suddenly disconnected RusVPN's US server to switch to Canada. Immediately, my internet connection was cut; RusVPN notified me that the kill switch was actively protecting my data from being leaked.
This setting is super easy to enable and disable within the app
DoubleVPN
This feature splits your traffic between two separate tunnels, giving you an extra layer of encryption. The webpage description explains that “your traffic is routing through two different servers (instead of one) and therefore gets encrypted twice”. The best way to imagine this is if you shredded a document, and split the pieces between 2 trash cans — it’s extremely unlikely anyone would be able to put it back together again.
The VPN outlines its terms and doesn’t appear to misuse your data. It’s important to research VPN policies before using them, to avoid your data being handed over to 3rd party advertisers, or worse. I don’t condone using a VPN for any illegal purposes of course, but this is still a reassurance that your private info won’t be sold on.
Location
Based in the Commonwealth of Dominica, RusVPN is outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances. This reinforces the trust that your data cannot be passed on, and will remain strictly private.
RusVPN Doesn’t Keep Logs
The policy is transparent enough to determine that RusVPN won’t hold onto your information. It does state that their legal department will be in touch should you download any material with copyright infringement. This is common practice for VPN providers. Again, I don’t condone illegal downloads — so long as you’re using the VPN lawfully this isn’t a concern.
It’s not evident that RusVPN has undergone independent security auditing. This is a sure-fire way to boost confidence in a company that handles your online traffic, and I’d like to see this done in the future.
Torrenting — Supported and Safe
RusVPN references torrent downloads on its webpage, suggesting they are allowed. Provided you are only downloading files without copyright infringement, you shouldn’t have any problems. On top of this, torrenting is completely illegal in some countries, so I advise that you read up on your local rules and regulations to avoid getting penalized.
Additionally, torrenting can make you vulnerable to various cyber threats. For safe torrenting, I can recommend RusVPN. It offers strong security features like encryption, a kill switch, and no-logs to keep you protected from malicious online threats and hackers.
I found it to be pretty fast for torrenting. I was able to download Mabel's Strange Predicament (copyright-free film) in just over 2 minutes while connected to its US server.
I used its US server to access uTorrent
In conclusion, RusVPN provides the security, privacy, and support needed for torrenting.
Does RusVPN Work in China? Yes.
My team contacted RusVPN’s support and they confirmed that it works in China. Not all VPNs have this capability, so this speaks for RusVPN's level of security. It also makes it a good option if you’re planning a trip to China. However, you need to install the apps before you arrive since they will not be available for download from China.
Most VPNs fail to work in China, so I can recommend RusVPN for traveling purposes
Simultaneous Device Connections — Up to 10
RusVPN allows 10 simultaneous device connections, which is more than many VPNs provide. I tested this while connected to Australia and accessing YouTube on my Windows laptop. I also connected my iPhone and tablet to RusVPN at the same time. Having multiple devices connected didn't compromise my connection speeds. I was still able to quickly load and watch videos.
RusVPN has a good range of device support and installation options. It was easy to determine what options there were, and determine the best way to use the VPN. The browser extensions are free but offer limited server choices. However, you can easily sign up to your premium account in the browser extension to unlock RusVPN's full server network.
You’ve got dedicated apps for Windows, macOS/OSX/iOS, Android, and Linux. Browser extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox, with manual setup options for OpenVPN and routers.
The ability to install the VPN via OpenVPN is a bonus. This will automatically set you up with the strongest protocol available. By enabling RusVPN on your router, you’ll be able to use any WiFi device with it including smart TVs. I’d like to see Opera and Internet Explorer extensions added too.
Ease of Use
6.4
Set-Up & Installation — Tricky With Windows but Easy OpenVPN Guide
Windows/macOS
RusVPN has dedicated apps for Windows and macOS. I encountered some difficulties while installing it on my Windows laptop. However, I found out that the Windows Defender feature was blocking the app, and you can easily bypass this in settings.
Initially, Windows Defender identified the app as unrecognized, which caused an alarming pop-up to appear. I felt a bit hesitant to install the app it at first, but upon further research, I found out this is a common issue. Hopefully, RusVPN will resolve this for future users by digitally signing the file so it’s approved in Windows.
I just had to click "Run anyway" to continue installing the app
I decided to go forth with installing the file and created a desktop app.
After clicking "Install" the app was ready for use within seconds
The Windows and Mac apps are easy to use. You can choose your server and connect easily, and the connection status is displayed on the main screen. The kill switch option is in the settings menu, with one-click buttons for enabling and disabling.
In the app's settings, you’ll also be able to choose your preferred connection protocol — I recommend OpenVPN. OpenVPN is the most secure VPN protocol, as it is open source. This means that it's continuously being observed and scrutinized by third parties. If there is ever a vulnerability found, it is addressed and improved upon immediately.
RusVPN gives you super easy-to-follow instructions for installing and using OpenVPN. It can be intimidating to import individual servers’ configuration files. However, RusVPN's installation guide makes the process a whole lot easier to follow. You'll also need to use the guide to import your server configuration files into the app.
I found the OpenVPN configuration steps to be clear and easy to follow
Android and iOS
The RusVPN Android and iOS apps are streamlined and easy to navigate. I downloaded the Android version from the Google Play Store and had it up and running in seconds. It’s worth noting that mobile users get a 7-day free trial.
I found it super easy to navigate and adjust the security settings within the iOS app
I found the kill switch easily in the app's settings, along with an auto-connect option; this way, you don’t have to keep selecting the same server. There are no protocol options to be found in the mobile apps. The app will modify some connection settings within your device protocols automatically. You’ll find server recommendations to help narrow down your choice.
RusVPN’s iOS counterpart is sleek and easy to use, but a bit unclear with which level of security it provides. When reviewing the details before downloading it, I could not find any indication of which encryption it gives you. It just states that it has "strong encryption"
However, after downloading, I had no issue locating its other security features including the kill switch and auto-connect. I found it helpful that it gives you the option to connect to your last selected location. This way, I was automatically connected to the Australia server which allowed me to browse the web at the fastest speeds. All of these features can be enabled with one tap in settings, making it a user-friendly option.
That being said, with the kill switch, auto-connect, and last-used location feature, the RusVPN iOS app is overall user-friendly and accessible.
Extensions
You can download the Chrome and Firefox browser extensions for free. The navigation is similar to the apps, but as this is a proxy setup only. So you'll get basic security without many options for customizing your protection. For instance, the kill switch and ability to change security protocols is not available with the Chrome extension. However, this is typical for proxy VPN extensions. Its main function is to disguise your IP address from the sites you visit. This offers you anonymity and an easier time accessing geo-restricted content. Features like the kill switch aren’t available, but this is pretty standard for VPN extensions.
Once I signed into my premium account, I could access all of RusVPN's server locations with the Chrome extension.
RusVPN’s longer plans attract a heavier discount, with the three-year plan offering the best value for money. You can subscribe to the service for one month, one year, or three years. You can also save tons of money on your subscription if you take advantage of RusVPN's 81% discount.
Payment options include most credit cards, WebMoney, and even Bitcoin. I was impressed to see that it accepts Bitcoin, as many VPN companies do not.
There’s a 7-day free trial for mobile users, and every plan comes with a 30-day money back policy. This lets you try RusVPN totally risk-free.
RusVPN has affordable prices, but based on my experience and testing results, I don’t think it’s value for money if you’re looking for a full-featured VPN. It’s got great security features but your speeds will slow down if you connect to servers located further away. I found this really restricting as a user as I was limited by the servers I could use to get good speeds. There are other providers with similar price plans that have more reliable performance.
RusVPN offers 24/7 support, but the live chat isn’t always available. There’s an email address to contact, as well as an online form option. I used the live chat service, and the first time I got connected straight away. A friendly agent answered my question about using the VPN in China without hesitation.
Another time I went to the support page, the live chat wasn’t available. It was replaced by another web form. RusVPN could improve its service by having live chat available 24/7. There doesn’t appear to be any phone-based support.
I couldn't find a live chat option with the 24/7 support
The online blog isn’t really a true help center. It’s difficult to navigate and a lot of the articles aren’t really specific to any problems you might encounter. or instance, I tried to use the search tool to find an article that may help me with using the VPN to access Netflix. I typed "Netflix" in the search bar I found on the blog page. I was disappointed to see that it didn't pull up any articles related to this topic. Instead, it suggested posts about Tinder Bots and VPN trends. I think RusVPN could answer a lot of common queries with a more comprehensive support page.
RusVPN is secure and easy to use but isn't consistent with speeds or streaming. While Windows Defender warns against installing the app, this is easy to bypass. Hopefully, RusVPN resolves this issue since it comes across as a bit discouraging.
It passed all of my leak tests and the kill switch automatically protected my traffic. Plus, RusVPN gives complete transparency on its no-logs and privacy policies.
You’ll get the best value for your money by subscribing for 3 years. Customer service wasn't too difficult to contact. When I was able to use live chat, it provided a quick response. I would, however, like to see the live chat extended to 24/7 availability.
If streaming is the main selling point for you, you may want to consider another VPN. Its speeds were inconsistent and I couldn't unblock Netflix and most of the other platforms I tested.
However, for security and privacy-conscious users, I can recommend this VPN. It's strong security features and transparent privacy policy ensure your data is kept safe. You can test it for yourself risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back policy.
Unblocks some geoblocked content like Disney+, Wikipedia, Reddit, and Instagram.
Superfast nearby servers for quick downloads and smooth streaming.
Transparent no-logs policy, and based in the Commonwealth of Dominica.
Plenty of servers worldwide for bypassing geoblocks.
Torrenting allowed.
7-day free trial for mobiles.
30-day money-back policy so you can try RusVPN risk-free.
Yes it is. I didn't detect any IP or DNS leaks during my tests, which shows that RusVPN successfully masked my real location. It also offers strong security features like AES 256-bit encryption and a kill switch. Plus, its privacy policy is transparent and it adheres to a strict no-logs policy. So I can recommend this VPN for keeping your data secure.
You'll likely encounter slow speeds with increased distances. In my tests, my speeds decreased the farther away I connected to each server. However, its server nearest me (Australia) gave me superfast speeds of about 41 Mbps. This is fast enough for streaming in HD, browsing, gaming, and torrenting.
Can I download a modded APK for RusVPN?
Downloading a modded APK is not recommended. Downloading files that modify an app from an unverified source is a recipe for disaster. You seriously expose yourself to the risk of viruses, malware, and hackers. Attempting to hack the app won’t provide you with any benefits or free access. RusVPN has you covered with a 7-day free trial for mobile users, and a 30-day money-back policy anyway. You can try it completely risk-free.
They appear to be scammers, because they won't let you cancel subscriptions.
I signed up for a monthly subscription. It was slowing my speed, so I wanted to cancel it. There is no option on their website to cancel subscriptions, so I contacted support. They asked me why I wanted to cancel my subscription. I replied to their email and heard nothing more from them, so presume my subscription was canceled. However, my subscription was renewed and I got charged again. Unfortunately, they don't accept PayPal as a payment method, as you can cancel recurring payments from your PayPal account.
I emailed them yesterday asking why my subscription wasn't canceled. I have not yet received a reply. Either they are slow to answer, or more likely, they won't reply and I'll have to get my bank to reverse the charge. This is the first time I've had trouble canceling a VPN subscription.
I would like to share my experience of using a paid RUSVPN subscription. I have been using the subscription for several months and there have never been any failures in the service. At any time of the day, all sites open quickly. VPN synchronizes with the server instantly. This resource is worth its money, I will definitely continue to use a subscription to RUSVPN.
For some reason, I couldn't go to many sites recently. I thought there was a problem with the Internet. Then I decided to look for a good VPN service. I was recommended this VPN by a friend of mine. Worked for a week. The speed is good and there are a lot of locations. I liked. Then I decided to buy a subscription and bought it in one year. Because 50% is cheaper.
I signed up for a monthly subscription. It was slowing my speed, so I wanted to cancel it. There is no option on their website to cancel subscriptions, so I contacted support. They asked me why I wanted to cancel my subscription. I replied to their email and heard nothing more from them, so presume my subscription was canceled. However, my subscription was renewed and I got charged again. Unfortunately, they don't accept PayPal as a payment method, as you can cancel recurring payments from your PayPal account. I emailed them yesterday asking why my subscription wasn't canceled. I have not yet received a reply. Either they are slow to answer, or more likely, they won't reply and I'll have to get my bank to reverse the charge. This is the first time I've had trouble canceling a VPN subscription.