Are VPNs legal in Russia and China?

VPNs exist in a legal gray area in both China and Russia. Technically, only government-authorized VPNs are legal. However, enforcement is inconsistent, and neither government goes after individuals — they mainly target businesses or people selling unauthorized VPN services. Authorized VPNs aren’t safe because they may share user data with the government and are required to comply with censorship policies, so people in both countries use VPNs to bypass government restrictions . Nonetheless, it’s important to understand the risks and to exercise caution when using a VPN in either country.

Is there a good free VPN for Russia and China?

No, it’s highly unlikely that a free VPN will work in either country. Both governments use sophisticated VPN detection technology to block VPN traffic, and only a few top VPNs are capable of bypassing these restrictions thanks to their excellent obfuscation tools and the fact that they refresh their IP addresses constantly.

How do I pay for a VPN in Russia?

While many global payment processors, like Visa and Mastercard, as well as international companies, like PayPal and Stripe, have suspended operations in Russia, all of the VPNs on my list support alternate payment methods that still work, including cryptocurrencies, YooMoney, and UnionPay.

How do I get a VPN to work in Russia and China?

Getting a VPN to work in Russia and China is pretty simple: Get a VPN that’s good for bypassing government censorship. Most VPNs don’t work in these countries, but ExpressVPN is a reliable option. Just note that because of China’s government restrictions, there may be some connection issues. ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for first-time users, too. Download and install the VPN. Run the setup file and follow the installation wizard’s instructions. Turn on obfuscation. This hides the fact that you’re using a VPN. ExpressVPN’s obfuscation feature works automatically when using the Automatic protocol. Connect to a VPN server. Choose a nearby or a recommended server for the best speeds.