As more online services and social networks become blocked daily, a VPN is increasingly essential. It enables access to Instagram, allows visiting restricted sites, and helps prevent disruptions like YouTube becoming unavailable. Not everyone can pay for a VPN due to payment method issues, but this collection highlights services that remain accessible and usable.
Remark: The information is current as of March 18. VPN services are regularly blocked, but the situation is monitored and the collection is updated accordingly.
Hide My Name. Free trial
Hide.My.name offers a 24-hour free trial. Users can enter their email on the site to receive a code that enables unrestricted browsing for a day.
If the service meets expectations, users may proceed to payment. Pricing remains reasonable: monthly access is 670 rubles, while annual plans average 270 rubles per month. Accepted payment methods include QIWI, Bitcoin, Yandex.Money, and other crypto options.
Website overview
Surfshark. Competitive price and guarantee
Free VPNs with high speed and no throttling are rare. For regular access to Instagram, Facebook, and other blocked sites, paid options are generally preferable.
Surfshark is a trusted name with no limit on connected devices, solid bandwidth, 1700 servers, and 64 countries. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if the service does not meet expectations.
Pricing tends to be favorable: a 30-day plan is about 1300 rubles, while a yearly subscription can bring monthly costs down to around 400 rubles. Payment methods include WebMoney, UnionPay-compatible cards, and Bitcoin.
Website overview
NordVPN. A decade of operation
NordVPN has grown from a six-server setup in 2012 to a robust network with thousands of servers and automatic country and protocol selection for convenience and security.
Key protections include malware and ad blocking features. Endorsements from notable creators have highlighted its reliability. A two-year plan typically runs around $3.49 per month, with payment options including Bitcoin and UnionPay cards.
Website overview
Touch VPN. Free option with limits
Touch VPN is suitable for sporadic use. The free tier provides decent speed when connected to an optimal server, and there is no mandatory registration. However, daily data is capped at 500MB, which is enough for casual browsing but not for streaming or heavy use.
To unlock full benefits, a paid plan around $6.5 per month allows location selection, up to five devices, higher speeds, and more features.
Website overview
Do you use a VPN?
ProtonVPN. Free with throttled speed, paid options available
The free version of ProtonVPN does not limit traffic but reduces speed by about half. A 100 Mbps connection may deliver around 50 Mbps with ProtonVPN, which is still usable for many tasks and appreciated for its no-cost option.
If higher speeds or access to more locations matter, the paid tier opens up access to 63 countries and enhanced performance. Prices start around $4 and cryptocurrency payments are accepted.
Website overview
ZenMate. Free option for low-speed needs
ZenMate remains a popular choice with many servers across 80 countries. Pricing starts at about $2.22 per month, and a seven-day trial is available. Registration is required to access the trial, and repeat trials are possible if needed to verify quality.
For light users, the free ZenMate browser extension is an option, though speeds typically do not exceed 16 Mbps.
Website overview
CyberGhost. Forbes-recognized VPN
CyberGhost is frequently cited by major outlets as a top VPN, offering 6000 servers across 91 countries and consistently strong connection speeds. A longer-term plan provides a 45-day money-back guarantee, longer than many competitors.
Protection for up to seven devices is available, with pricing around $1.84 per month when committing to a three-year term. Payments can be made with Bitcoin or via a mobile balance that supports Google Pay.
Website overview
Hola. Free option with a twist
Hola provides a standard VPN service with common perks such as a 30-day guarantee and high speeds, starting from about $2.99 per month. The free version is intriguing because it includes a free browser with thousands of servers and IPs, but users participate in IP sharing, which may raise privacy questions.
Website overview
ExpressVPN. Blocked yet functional
ExpressVPN faced official blocking, but it remains widely usable in practice. A 30-day money-back guarantee is offered, and monthly costs are around $6.67 depending on the selected plan.
Speed is a key advantage, approaching near-light performance for many connections. With 94 country options, users can typically find a fast server. Payment methods include Bitcoin and WebMoney, with QIWI as a convenient option.
Website overview
Avira Phantom VPN. Free with device flexibility, limited traffic
Avira Phantom VPN imposes a daily traffic limit of 500 MB, making it suitable for light usage across multiple devices. For unrestricted data, a monthly plan around 416 rubles or an annual plan around 3118 rubles is available.
Website overview
Which VPN service is on the list for you? And do you use one at all? Share thoughts in the comments later.
Are you willing to pay for a VPN?
Source: VG Times