Ukraine is one of the countries where protecting your privacy and security is a more important and difficult task. This is why if you have anything to do with Ukraine in these troubled times, you must ensure you have a premium VPN service taking care of your digital security.
VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) ensure that all the incoming and outgoing traffic of a given device is routed through an encrypted tunnel. It’s easy to say, but the process is complex and powerful. The encryption scrambles your data so nobody can see what you’re doing.
In this article, we will discuss our top recommended VPN providers to use in Ukraine.
Top 5 Ukrainian VPNs – Quick list
In the rest of this text, we will explain our top five choices in full detail. But if all you need is the gist of the thing, then here’s our quick list.
- NordVPN: A close second choice that is also at the top of the industry. NordVPN is an excellent VPN for any task you could have in mind, and the Ukrainian use case is not an exception.
- Private Internet Access (PIA): The largest VPN network in the market by far. A good privacy policy and the most friendly apps in the VPN-verse make a case for PIA.
- ExpressVPN: Our top choice. A VPN that gives you speeds, security, privacy, and everything you could expect from the best VPN service.
- Surfshark: A market disruptor. Surfshark offers everything you can find in costly VPN services at a fraction of the price. In short, it is a premium VPN that can fit into any budget.
- PureVPN: Another good VPN to use if you are in Ukraine or want to pretend you are. It is one of the few VPNs that has an Apple TV app.
Why should you use a VPN in Ukraine?
Ukraine is going through a challenging period. So if you travel there, you must be extremely careful because it’s hard to know how much you could pay for a mistake.
Moreover, even during regular times, Ukraine wasn’t the world’s most friendly country for freedom of speech. The Ukrainian government has blocked thousands of websites, particularly those linked to the Russian oligarchy, Russian propaganda, or denial of Russian aggression in Ukraine. But besides political and military hostility, gambling and adult websites are also often blocked. Moreover, the local government’s approach to website bans is such that any foreign webpage can get banned any time.
Hence, citizens, journalists, activists, and other people doing sensitive work that the government deems “fishy” entails serious risks that need the security of a VPN. Things are much worse right now. Even once peace reigns again in the region, the chances are that a period of political stress will follow. In such an environment, staying safe is more important than ever. So, having a good VPN you can trust is more important than ever.
Remember: in the current Ukrainian environment, your privacy risks won’t mean you’ll have to pay a fine. On the contrary, death is on the cards, and a few bucks are minimal to pay to ensure you can remain safe.
The best five VPNs for Ukraine in 2024
Here is the detailed analysis of the best Ukraine VPN:
1. NordVPN
A sturdy VPN service empowering users with tremendous privacy control features, optimized servers, and fast speeds, hence becoming a trusted VPN for Ukraine and similar countries.
Over 5000 servers in 60 countries
Supports P2P
RAM-based server network
Military-grade AES 256 encryption
Double VPN
Supports Onion over VPN
Split tunneling
Allows 10 simultaneous device connections
30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- Fast-speed stable servers
- Tremendous unblocking capability
- Seamless services within Ukraine boundaries
Cons
- Sometimes takes more time to connect
NordVPN’s decade-long history has earned this VPN a reputation for reliability, versatility, and power that is well-earned and remains current.
The network includes five thousand servers around the globe that have several sets of specialized servers that can manage double connections, BitTorrent traffic, Onion over VPN, static IPs, and more. In addition, there are nearly 20 servers within the Ukrainian territory, so you can get a Ukrainian IP address if that’s what you need from the VPN.
Privacy and security features in NordVPN are up there with the best. AES-256 encrypts all the traffic with perfect forward secrecy, and the servers keep no logs. Notably, the servers can’t keep any records even if the company wants to because the network runs on RAM-only servers where the session’s information disappears every time the machine reboots.
NordVPN can deal with every type of IP leak without problems, so your actual location will never reach the open internet by mistake.
The provider’s tech platform includes adblocking, which helps keep malware, trackers, and other malicious code at bay.
The customer service is excellent and available 24/7 in live chat mode.
Apps and clients are available for iOS, Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux, and you can also install NordVPN on your router to secure your whole home network.
2. Private Internet Access (PIA)
A user-friendly VPN to protect online privacy in Ukraine. It offers reliable security features and comes with affordable pricing plans.
Over 30,000 servers in 84 countries
Two-way AES encryption (128-bit/256-bit)
Secure kill switch
MACE malware and ad blocker
Split tunneling
Web leak protection
Strict no-logs policy
Allows unlimited simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- Unblocks Ukrainian content abroad
- Good for accessing geo-restricted streaming platforms
- Huge server network
Cons
- Headquartered in the US (5-Eyes region)
Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the most friendly services in the market, so it’s well suited for VPN newbies whose experience with this type of network is none or limited.
PIA boasts the market’s largest server network. More than 30,000 servers are available for every user, so you’ll be hard-pressed to find an overcrowded or overworked node.
PIA’s default encryption is AES-128 instead of the 256-bit version. While we’re not big fans of this feature, it’s not a deal-breaker because you can change the default setting to the stronger 256-bit version. Also, while AES-128 is inherently weaker than AES-256, it remains an uncrackable encryption algorithm.
Privacy is also strong with PIA. It sticks to a no-logs policy, as all the best VPNs do. But it’s had to walk the walk when the courts of law issued warrants to get the VPN’s logs in a couple of cases a few years ago. PIA complied by delivering all the records it had to the authorities: none whatsoever. So, while other VPNs are audited to certify their zero log-keeping, few have had to face the music within their domestic legal system.
Speeds are good with PIA, and while this VPN can’t unblock as many video streaming services as NordVPN or ExpressVPN, it can still manage to deal with the most popular ones.
3. ExpressVPN
This industry veteran never misses to secure users’ privacy in repressive regions. Hence, you can use it with trust even in Ukraine.
Over 3000 servers in 94 countries
Military-grade AES 256 encryption
Seamless P2P support
TrustedServer technology
Strict no-logs policy
Network Lock feature
Split tunneling
8 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- Blazing fast speeds
- Supports stealth browsing
- Works great in Ukraine
- Unblocks all major geo-restricted websites
Cons
- Relatively expensive subscription plans
The biggest name in the VPN-verse was our preferred VPN for Ukraine in 2024. It’s no surprise.
ExpressVPN offers reliable and fast-speed connections. Hence, it’s suitable for high-quality video streaming. Also, it supports BitTorrent and other P2P networks and offers many additional features that increase the value you get with your subscription.
The server network spans 94 countries, with over three thousand servers, some of which are within Ukraine. So, you can torrent away your bandwidth at your discretion. Moreover, it is one of the best VPNs for unblocking video streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, and Hulu; they all work well with ExpressVPN.
This VPN also scores high on privacy and security. Encryption is the military-grade AES-256 standard. In addition, the apps include a kill switch (Network Lock), and they prevent every known kind of IP leak. In other words, even if your link to the VPN server is lost, you will never broadcast an unencrypted data package to the internet or reveal your IP address.
Privacy is also strong with ExpressVPN because it doesn’t keep any user logs, and the new Threat Manager tool prevents any of your software from sending data to known trackers.
Customer service is excellent and available on a 24/7 basis. The agents are fast to answer, friendly, and knowledgeable, so they can assist you in any way you need.
The apps are powerful but straightforward and available for iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, and macOS. ExpressVPN can even provide custom firmware for a selected list of routers, so your whole network is secured within the VPN tunnel.
4. Surfshark
A cost-effective VPN service to provide you with stable IPs from around the world to use in Ukraine. You can also use it abroad to access Ukrainian content with local IPs.
3200+ servers in 65 countries
Dedicated P2P support
Robust AES 256-bit encryption
Strict no-logs policy
RAM-based server network
Solid kill switch
Offers split tunneling
Offers unlimited simultaneous device connections
30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- Fast-speed servers
- Seamlessly evades geo-restrictions
- Robust services inside Ukraine
Cons
- Unstable connections on distant servers
Surfshark is often described as the “best budget VPN in the market.” So it is, but don’t let the “budget” thing distract you. This VPN can compete with the best in the industry in every regard. The fact that it’s relatively cheap is a lucky result of the company’s business model.
Surfshark’s speeds are among the highest in the industry. In addition, the network is versatile and reliable, enabling it to unblock various video streaming services without problems.
The encryption is AES-256. It has a kill switch, stealth mode, leak protection, and many more additional features that enhance your security and overall functionality. For example, it keeps no logs and has an IP rotation policy that helps improve privacy and anonymity.
Since giving users value for money is one of the company’s priorities, the network allows unlimited devices with a single account.
As with the best vendors, you can use Surfshark directly from your router or one of the apps on offer for Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
5. PureVPN
Another reliable BVI-based service provider that you can trust for your data privacy. It also offers stable IPs to access any content from any regions in or outside Ukraine.
6500+ servers in 78+ countries
Supports P2P sharing
AES 256-bit encryption
Strict no-logs policy
Split tunneling
Internet Kill switch (IKS) feature
Web leak protection
Supports 10 simultaneous connections
31-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- Stable connections
- Seamless services in Ukraine
- Tremendous cross-platform compatibility
Cons
- Dull app UI
PureVPN is probably the least-known service on our list. However, this is a VPN with many features among the best in the market and a couple of unique specifications.
The network includes both virtual and physical servers. The servers are spread around 78 countries, with more than 6,500 nodes. PureVPN can deploy new servers quickly and offers users the option to request a new server in a land of their choice (previously not in the network) if they think they need one. All you need to do is ask customer service and wait a bit.
The speeds in PureVPN are good enough. However, they are in the middle between NordVPN’s speeds and PIA’s.
Additional features include a kill switch, split tunneling, port forwarding, and obfuscated servers. So, this VPN is as complete and versatile as any other you could imagine.
As a prospective new PureVPN client, you can use the full VPN service for 0.99 USD for a week. That means you can have a good go at the VPN at a ridiculous cost.
PureVPN has also introduced an innovative audit scheme in the VPN-verse –it’s always on audit. An agreement with the KPMG consulting firm means this VPN is constantly under observation to ensure it delivers to every department.
Therefore, PureVPN completes the list of excellent services that remain accessible to every user worldwide.
How to choose the exemplary Ukraine VPN service
There’s hardly any general rule to evaluate different VPNs. A feature is only as good as it helps you reach a goal. So, your intention is critical in judging a VPN’s quality.
As we sifted through the market to find the best VPNs for travelers or residents in Ukraine, we tried to find services that could perform the most critical tasks at the highest possible standards. That’s meant to ensure that any of our top five choices will give you what you need, whatever you want.
So here’s how we picked our top five ones:
- Speeds. Whatever you intend to do online, you want to do it at the highest possible speed. Using a VPN will always cost you some of your baseline bandwidth because the encryption and rerouting processes take time. However, the best VPNs are efficient enough to prevent your speeds from dropping unless you measure them.
- The server network. When you pick a VPN server, you have two priorities: you want one physically close to you for a robust and fast connection. Or, you want a specific country server to access its local internet. Therefore, a VPN network that will satisfy both priorities must be extensive, fast, and reliable.
- Security and privacy. Online privacy and security are always important. And when you are in a country with a dubious track record on free speech issues, they become even more critical, as expressing the wrong idea could get you in serious trouble. Therefore, a good VPN in Ukraine must ensure that no third party can get a clue about your online activity.
- Versatility. Specialized VPNs in the market only focus on a single task. But the entries in our list can do anything with efficiency, security, and privacy.
- Ease of use. VPNs are no longer toys for paranoid geeks. Instead, they have become must-have services for every user who cares about security and privacy. Consequently, the software involved shouldn’t be a technical labyrinth but a friendly app that gets you where you want quickly and painlessly.
FAQs
Ukraine has blocked numerous websites that conflict with its narrative and policies. Moreover, in these troubled times, the government isn’t thinking twice about arresting or imprisoning people whose social media posts or writings are “offensive.” Therefore, you shouldn’t assume your foreign passport will protect you if you slip. Using a VPN guarantees your ability to speak and communicate freely in Ukraine.
While you’re inside Ukraine, if you log into Netflix, you’ll only get access to the Ukrainian catalog.
If you come from the US and want to see the US Netflix catalog in Ukraine, you must use a US-based server from a premium VPN service. So, as long as you use one of the VPNs on our list, you can watch any Netflix catalog you want while in Ukraine.
First, get an account with a VPN service with servers in Ukraine. Then, log into the VPN and pick a Ukrainian server to join the network.
