Updated on: August 29, 2024
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Watch YouTube in Russia in 2024:
- Choose a VPN that works well in Russia. The Russian government blocks some VPNs, so I recommend ExpressVPN — its obfuscation tool is easy to use and helps bypass censorship.
- Download and install a VPN. Simply follow the on-screen instructions to install the VPN on your device. If you’re traveling to Russia, you may want to download and install the VPN before you arrive, since the provider’s website may be blocked.
- Enable the obfuscation tool. Every VPN on my list has obfuscation to bypass VPN blocks. ExpressVPN’s obfuscation is available on all of its servers.
- Connect to a VPN server in another country. Open the VPN app and select a server in a country without YouTube restrictions. Choosing a nearby server will get you the fastest speeds.
Using a VPN is the best way to bypass Russian government restrictions on YouTube. VPNs have servers all over the world, and when you connect to one of these servers, you’re given an IP address that matches the server location. This can make it seem like you’re accessing YouTube from outside of Russia (thereby circumventing any restrictions).
I tested all of the top VPNs on the market and found 3 that work consistently in Russia. My favorite one is ExpressVPN because it has a great obfuscation tool to bypass censorship, top-notch privacy and security features, and lightning-fast speeds.
Editor’s Note: It’s important to research local laws and regulations before using a VPN in Russia. Using a VPN to access sites and services banned by the government could lead to penalties or other legal consequences. We at SafetyDetectives don’t endorse or promote the use of a VPN to break Russian law.
Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
How to Watch YouTube in Russia on Any Device
1. Choose a VPN that works well with YouTube in Russia.
The VPN should have obfuscation and servers in nearby countries where YouTube is unrestricted. ExpressVPN refreshes its IP addresses frequently to avoid VPN IP blocks, has an easy-to-use obfuscation tool, and offers servers in multiple countries near Russia.
2. Download and install the VPN to your device.
Simply follow the instructions provided by the installation wizard. This shouldn’t take more than 1–2 minutes.
3. Open the app, turn on obfuscation, and choose a server.
Make sure you’ve turned on obfuscation, that you’re connecting to a country where YouTube is available, and that you’re selecting a nearby server for the best possible speeds. That’s it! You can now enjoy watching YouTube in Russia with no restrictions.
Best VPNs for Watching YouTube in Russia in 2024
Quick summary of the best VPNs for watching YouTube in Russia in 2024:
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for watching YouTube in Russia in 2024 (works 100% of the time + fastest speeds).
- 🥈2. Astrill VPN — Has a proprietary VPN protocol for bypassing Russian government restrictions on YouTube.
- 🥉3. Proton VPN — Good free alternative for watching YouTube in Russia with unlimited data.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Watching YouTube in Russia in 2024
ExpressVPN is the #1 VPN for watching YouTube in Russia. It provides obfuscation on all of its servers and protocols but recommends using the Automatic protocol in Russia. This disguises your VPN traffic as regular internet traffic, which lets you bypass government blocks on VPNs. I really like how it turns on obfuscation automatically too, so you don’t have to mess with any settings to access YouTube.
It’s the fastest VPN on the market, so you won’t have to worry about long video load times or buffering when watching videos on YouTube. This is because its super-fast proprietary Lightway protocol supports obfuscation, whereas most other VPNs rely on a slower proprietary protocol or OpenVPN for obfuscation.
This provider has a large server network spanning 105 countries, including many countries near Russia. Additionally, it has servers in Sweden, the Netherlands (Rotterdam location), the UK (Docklands location), Switzerland, and Germany (Frankfurt 1 location) that are specifically optimized to work with Russian connections.
ExpressVPN’s plans start at $6.67 / month, and it backs all of its plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free. It accepts payment in Russia via Bitcoin, YooMoney (Yandex), and WebMoney.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Astrill VPN — Proprietary VPN Protocol for Accessing YouTube
Astrill VPN works consistently with YouTube in Russia thanks to its StealthVPN protocol, which provides obfuscation. It also comes with a great tool called Smart Mode, which improves your connection speeds and helps you dodge VPN IP blocks by using regional IP addresses.
This VPN has servers in 58 countries, including Ukraine, Finland, Romania, and Japan. When it comes to speeds, Astrill is very fast, allowing you to watch YouTube videos uninterrupted while connected to nearby countries.
Astrill VPN’s plans start at $12.50 / month, and it offers a 7-day free trial that you can use to test out its features. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a money-back guarantee. It accepts payment in Russia via UnionPay and cryptocurrencies.
Read our full Astrill VPN review
🥉3. Proton VPN — Good Free VPN for Watching YouTube in Russia
Proton VPN is one of the few free VPNs that work in Russia. This is thanks to its Stealth protocol, which provides obfuscation on iOS, Android, and Mac devices (but not Windows). Furthermore, its free plan has no data cap, so you can watch as many YouTube videos as you like.
Its free plan gives you access to a few servers in countries near Russia (Netherlands, Romania, Poland, and Japan). Upgrading to its paid plan will get you access to all of its servers in 100 countries.
Proton VPN’s paid plans start at $3.59 / month and are backed by a prorated 30-day money-back guarantee. Note that the only way to pay for the VPN in Russia is via UnionPay.
Read our full Proton VPN review
Comparison of the Best VPNs for Watching YouTube in Russia in 2024
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
To find the best VPNs for watching YouTube in Russia, I followed our proven testing methodology for VPNs. I looked specifically for VPNs with obfuscation and servers in multiple nearby countries. I also paid extra attention to each provider’s speeds, ease of use, and security features. Here are the criteria I used to rank and compare the VPNs on my list:
- I made sure each VPN works in Russia. Many VPNs don’t work in Russia due to government censorship. But all of the VPNs on my list work consistently in the country due to having good obfuscation tools.
- I looked for VPNs with servers in nearby locations. The distance between you and the VPN server you connect to when watching YouTube will affect your connection speeds. So I looked for VPNs with servers in countries near Russia, like Ukraine, Romania, Finland, Japan, and Mongolia.
- I tested each VPN’s speeds. Using any VPN will reduce your connection speeds slightly due to the encryption process. I chose VPNs that maintain fast enough speeds to watch YouTube videos in HD quality without any interruptions. ExpressVPN was the fastest in my tests.
- I chose VPNs with strong privacy and security features. All of the VPNs I recommend include industry-standard VPN security features to protect you from government surveillance and threat actors. These features include bank-grade 256-bit AES encryption, a strict no-logs policy, which means the provider doesn’t log your traffic, and a kill switch to disconnect you from the internet if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly.
- I picked VPNs that provide good overall value. The VPNs on my list all have reasonably-priced plans, come with some great extra features, allow a minimum of 5 simultaneous connections, and offer a money-back guarantee or free trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is YouTube not working in Russia?
In August 2024, the Russian government moved to restrict YouTube access. This has caused major slowdowns on the site for many users, while others are unable to access the website at all. The easiest way to circumvent the effects of the government restrictions is by getting a good VPN for Russia.
How can I get YouTube to work in Russia?
To get YouTube working in Russia, simply follow these 3 simple steps: First, get a VPN that works in Russia (I recommend ExpressVPN). Next download and install the VPN onto the device you want to watch YouTube on. Finally, launch the VPN app, turn on your provider’s obfuscation feature, and connect to a server in a nearby country where YouTube is unrestricted, and you’re all set!
Are VPNs legal in Russia?
Yes, VPNs are legal in Russia. That said, you could get into legal trouble for using a non-government-authorized VPN (that complies with its censorship and data monitoring laws) or for using a VPN to access sites and services that the government has banned. All of the VPNs on my list have strong privacy and security features to ensure your online anonymity.
Is there a good free VPN for watching YouTube in Russia?
I generally don’t recommend using a free VPN to watch YouTube in Russia. Most free VPNs won’t work reliably in the country. Free VPNs also tend to have slow speeds, which will cause long load times and constant buffering on YouTube, and/or have strict data caps that limit how much you can watch. Instead, I recommend getting an affordable paid VPN. If you’re only looking for a free VPN, Proton VPN is your best option.
