Belarus has an amazingly poor track record when it comes to Internet freedom (and in general). The government completely shut down most of the Internet after protests in the country, which took place up to and during the 2020 elections. Any media outlets need to be registered and regulated by the Ministry of Information (or be blocked), meaning the state has full control over any narrative. You'll need a capable Belarus VPN to avoid such blatant cases of censorship.
VPNs mask your IP address and assign you a new one depending on which server you use. Connect to a VPN server near Belarus (e.g. Poland, Lithuania, etc.) and access the uncensored with no blocks. This includes geo-restrictions such as those on Netflix and other streaming sites. A user in Belarus can access US and UK Netflix with a VPN, for instance.
More importantly, VPNs encrypt your traffic to hide your activity online - both from hackers and your ISP. Considering Belarus's treatment of political dissidents and activists, using a VPN is pretty much essential to protect yourself.
Here's how to use a VPN in Belarus and regain your freedom.
How to Use a VPN in Belarus
It's easy to set up and use a VPN in Belarus in just a few minutes. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Sign up with a VPN that works in Belarus (get the best results with ExpressVPN).
- Download the app and install it on all your devices.
- Launch the VPN and log in using your account information.
- Connect to a VPN server outside Belarus.
- Browse the Internet without restrictions!
Note that the further away a VPN server is from Belarus, the slower your speeds will be. That's because your data needs to travel further than usual to reach its destination. If you're not planning on streaming content exclusive to popular regions (the US, Canada, etc.), then it's better to connect to a VPN server close to Belarus. Say, in Poland, Lithuania, and similar locations.
Best Belarus VPN
To get the best VPN experience in Belarus, you'll need fast servers in (or around) Belarus, as well as around the world. Strong encryption, a strict no-logs policy, leak protection, and a kill switch are necessary to protect your data against state surveillance. You'll also want easy-to-use apps and powerful unblocking capabilities to experience the content you couldn't normally get in Belarus. Any other features that improve your Internet experience (such as split tunneling) are a huge plus.
Based on these criteria and hundreds of hours of in-depth testing, these are the 5 best VPNs to use in Belarus.
- ExpressVPN - Our #1 Rated VPN for Belarus
- NordVPN - Advanced Security Belarus VPN
- CyberGhost VPN - Best VPN with NoSpy Servers
- Hotspot Shield - Best Belarus VPN with a Free Plan
- HideMyAss (HMA) - Week-Long Free Trial Available
1. ExpressVPN - Our #1 Rated VPN for Belarus
ExpressVPN is the best Belarus VPN both for the fact that they have a cluster of servers in the country but also 3,000+ in 93 other countries. You'll have no trouble finding a blazing-fast server in Belarus or nearby locations, whether it's for streaming or just uncensored browsing.
The VPN boasts strong encryption with fast speeds thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol. You're free to use OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, or IKEv2 to secure your data as well. ExpressVPN keeps no logs whatsoever (with a security audit to prove their claims). Their Trusted server technology complements this well, as any data-in-transit is periodically wiped (and on reset too).
Streaming-wise, you can unblock most services available. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, you name it. We've also tested VPN servers in Belarus to watch content on Belarus 1 to Belarus 5 and others. Useful if you're an expat and miss local TV shows while living abroad.
ExpressVPN works with all major platforms, and they have a router app as well (which you can use to get around the 5-device limit). You can try the VPN risk-free for 30 days due to their generous money-back policy. And you also have 24/7 live chat that responds fast and on point.
PROS
- Easy-to-use apps on all platforms.
- Super-fast servers in 94 countries (including Belarus).
- Can unblock most streaming sites.
- Audited no logs policy.
- Expert 24/7 live chat.
CONS
- Only five devices per account.
2. NordVPN - Advanced Security Belarus VPN
NordVPN is the best VPN to use in Belarus if your primary concern is data security and privacy. Their NordLynx protocol is super fast (as it's based on WireGuard) and provides military-grade security. The provider has recently undergone an independent security audit. You can rest assured that they keep no logs of your activity while using their service.
The VPN comes with a kill switch, includes double VPN and stealth servers for extra anonymity (at the cost of speed), and offers specialized ones for torrenting. Over 5,000+ of them, in fact - out of a total of 5,500+ RAM-based servers in around 60 countries. No servers in Belarus, unfortunately. But you do have some nearby servers in countries like Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, and Ukraine.
You also get Threat Protection included with your plan. Block ads, intrusive tracking on websites, filter malicious pages (phishing and malware) and scan for viruses on Mac and Windows. NordVPN offers excellent support for streaming, from Netflix and Amazon Prime Video to BBC iPlayer and more.
Their apps are intuitive and available for all popular platforms, both PC and mobile. Your subscription allows for 6 simultaneous connections and is backed up by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Naturally, you're free to contact live chat support 24/7 for any issues.
PROS
- User-friendly interface.
- Amazing speeds.
- Advanced security options.
- Verified no logs policy.
- 24/7 live chat available.
CONS
- No servers in Belarus.
- Covers only around 60 countries.
3. CyberGhost VPN - Best VPN with NoSpy Servers
CyberGhost VPN is a decent VPN for Belarus, especially if you're more interested in the streaming side of things. The provider has over 9,000+ servers in 90+ countries, including 30+ high-speed servers in Belarus. Use them to unblock over 40 different streaming platforms from around the world or bypass censorship in Belarus.
Security-wise, CyberGhost VPN comes with bank-grade encryption (including support for WireGuard). They maintain a strict no-logs policy and have even successfully passed a security audit recently. Best of all, they have an always-on kill switch to ensure your data never leaks - not even during random disconnects.
The VPN has a built-in ad-blocker that also filters out various online threats. It works much like NordVPN's Threat Protection, minus the anti-malware scanning. For a small extra fee, you get to access faster NoSpy servers in Romania, the provider's HQ. These are self-owned by CyberGhost VPN to avoid having your encrypted data handled by any third-party data centers.
The VPN is easy to use (on all platforms), and every subscription comes with seven simultaneous connections. They also have 24/7 live chat support and the most generous money-back plan out of our Belarus VPN options.- 45 whole days for longer subscriptions!
PROS
- Always-on kill switch.
- Streaming-optimized.
- 30+ servers in Belarus.
- 45-day money-back policy.
- Live chat available 24/7.
CONS
- Slower speeds than top picks.
- No obfuscation.
4. Hotspot Shield - Best Belarus VPN with a Free Plan
Hotspot Shield is a VPN with Belarus servers and 80+ other countries that comes with a useful (though limited) free plan. If a VPN subscription is not in the budget, Hotspot Shield's free plan should work to defeat Internet blackouts in Belarus. You can also encrypt your connection with the provider's own Hydra protocol or choose from OpenVPN, WireGuard, or IKEv2.
As mentioned, though, their free plan comes with some limitations. For one, you can only use one location (the US). There are also ads (on Android) and data logging, as well as a 500 MB daily data limit. This is about what you'd expect from most free VPNs. Upgrading to the premium version removes all these restrictions and lets you access their full 1,800+ server network.
Hotspot Shield lets you connect up to ten devices on their premium plan and works with a limited selection of streaming sites. Not the best in that category, but decent enough for the affordable price. At least their speeds are pretty good, and they fully support torrenting.
Their apps are user-friendly and work on Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, Linux, and smart TVs. Like CyberGhost VPN, Hotspot Shield also provides a 45-day money-back guarantee - this time on all their plans. Unfortunately, live chat support is limited to premium subscriptions.
PROS
- Free plan available.
- Servers in 80+ countries (+Belarus)
- Fast speeds.
- Supports torrenting.
- User-friendly apps.
CONS
- Data logging, ads (on the free version).
- Limited free plan, live chat only on the premium version.
- Not the best for streaming media.
5. HideMyAss (HMA) - Week-Long Free Trial Available
HideMyAss is one of the few providers that still offer 7-day free trials. If you need a temporary VPN to connect to in Belarus (with no restrictions), then HMA is a great choice. For one, you can access all their premium 1,100+ servers in 190+ countries (including two in Belarus).
They also have decent support for streaming (e.g. Netflix, BBC iPlayer) and safe torrenting, Their no-logs policy has been verified by VerSprite, and your data is secured with industry-standard protocols. This includes OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPSec. No support for WireGuard, unfortunately, and encryption is limited to AES-256 - making HMA a slower option overall.
HMA also has a kill switch, although it's only available on Windows, Mac, and Android. At least their apps are intuitively designed and work on all these platforms (plus iOS and Linux). You can install the VPN on unlimited devices but may only connect five at the same time.
As always, the VPN comes with 24/7 live chat and a hefty 30-day money-back plan. However, their website mentions they may ask some questions "to improve their services" before refunding. Keep that in mind if you prefer a more hassle-free option.
PROS
- Wide server network (190+ countries)
- Has servers in Belarus.
- 7-day free trial.
- Unblocks popular streaming sites.
- 24/7 live chat.
CONS
- Fewer servers than the competition.
- Based in the UK (Five Eyes).
Why Do I Need a VPN for Belarus?
The main reasons to get a VPN in Belarus are to bypass excessive government censorship, unblock streaming content, and protect your data. More details are below:
- Avoid censorship - change your IP address to one outside Belarus and get around Internet blackouts and other state-imposed blocks.
- Upgrade your streaming experience - connect to a VPN server outside Belarus and experience all new Netflix and Amazon Prime Video libraries, BBC iPlayer, and more.
- Secure your data - encrypt your network traffic and keep your online activity a secret from ISP or state surveillance. Plus, you avoid a good deal of cyber attacks.
Can I Use a Free VPN for Belarus?
Yes, you can use a free VPN in Belarus if your budget doesn't allow for a full subscription. However, we recommend against it for several reasons. One, free VPNs usually have intrusive data collection policies, selling your data to advertisers to cover costs. And two, free VPNs tend to offer poor speeds, data caps, and few servers that end up being overcrowded.
More importantly, some free VPNs may outright not work in Belarus. The government officially bans VPNs and uses DPI and other techniques to scan and block VPN traffic. Premium VPNs are more adept at staying under the radar and avoiding the Belarus VPN ban.
Even if a free VPN does happen to work in Belarus, it's unlikely you can stream any geo-locked content. Data caps and speed issues aside, Netflix and other platforms also filter VPN traffic. They usually do so by blocking VPN IP ranges, which are pretty easy to obtain from free providers.
All in all, it's better to avoid the hassle and try out one of the best VPNs for Belarus we've listed above.
Final Thoughts
Life is difficult enough in Belarus without the government deciding to shut off 70% of the Internet on a whim. Using the best VPN for Belarus is the only way to stay on top of state-imposed censorship. At the same time, they're the most reliable way to watch geo-blocked content in Belarus, as well as protect your data against ISP logging and cyber threats.
Use ExpressVPN to get the best experience possible. They have 3,000+ ultra-fast servers in 94 countries (including Belarus), and they all come with built-in obfuscation to hide your VPN activity. Moreover, it's easily the best VPN when it comes to unblocking content unavailable in Belarus. Explore various streaming sites and international libraries at your convenience.
Finally, have a look at our best VPN guide for even more providers you can test out.
How is the censorship in Belarus affecting you? Have you ever used a VPN in Belarus to browse the Internet freely? Let us know your experiences in the comments.