The 4 Best VPNs for Belarus in 2022

According to statistics, internet penetration in Belarus was 85% by 2021. Approximately 8.9 million people out of a population of 9.4 million have online access and are active internet users. The country has a robust ICT sector, but unfortunately, internet freedom is highly restricted. You can connect at any time, from anywhere, if you have the best VPN for Belarus.

Many people had not heard of Belarus until the protests a few years ago. They came after an allegedly rigged presidential election. Since the war in Ukraine started, an even bigger spotlight has been shone on the country; Russia uses it as a staging post for attacks.

Citizens and the media started to report internet censorship in 2020, and since then, the government has maintained a tight grip on what websites users can access. Talking about certain topics online can get you arrested and prosecuted.

Many media houses now self-regulate, taking care to stay within the bounds of what is acceptable to the government. This is because repercussions are often harsh. Journalists and civilians have been detained and even killed because of what they have reported.

How did it come to this?

A Brief History of Censorship in Belarus

In August 2020, the current Belarusian president won elections for one more term. He had already been in power for 25 years. Citizens took to the streets, and the government responded with force.

Immediately, authorities blocked the internet for 61 hours, and only 2G services were available. Users could only use their devices to call and text, nothing more. The government tried to blame cyberattacks for the disruption, but it was quickly established that they were the culprits.

A few days later, after further protests, the internet was shut down.

On August 23^rd, a private internet service provider, A1, sent out a notice to clients warning that “there would be temporary bandwidth restrictions of the company’s 3G networks due to requests by the authorities related to ensuring national security.”

All ISPs were suddenly required to connect through either the National Traffic Exchange Centre or Beltelcom. They are both state-controlled.

Since then, the government has taken steps to maintain its stranglehold on the internet. Journalist associations have been blocked, and it is also making concerted efforts to limit VPN usage.

The government shuts down social media and news sites whenever it wants to control information.

However, if you look for the best VPN for Belarus, you should have no trouble connecting news media websites, streaming services, and anything else you want online.

Why Use a VPN in Belarus?

There are several reasons why a VPN in Belarus is a good idea:

• The first is that you get unfettered access to news media. Russia is using Belarus to stage a war on Ukraine, and some news media sources have been censored.
• A VPN will ensure that your online activity is safe from the prying eyes of the government. Whether you want to read a news story or stream a show, the government cannot see your traffic.
• You will avoid more serious repercussions for illegal activities– in some countries where the internet is censored, punishment is a denial of service and maybe a small fine. In Belarus however, those caught flouting the rules face jail time, and some people have even died at the hands of the state police.
• A VPN gives you access to streaming services. You can watch Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO, and hundreds of other streaming platforms.
• A VPN keeps your data safe; this is particularly relevant for journalists who tend to pay a high price in Belarus for not toeing the line.
• You'll never have to worry about the government blocking any sites because a VPN will give you access.

How Does a VPN Protect You?

VPNs work to protect you in several ways:

1. The first is that a VPN gives you a new IP address that's located in the country of the server you're using. Whenever you log into a VPN, the first thing it asks you to do is choose a server. You can find one in the country you'd like to connect through, or you can let the VPN choose an ideal server for you. The server allocates you a new IP address. To anyone looking at your online activity, it looks like you're in a different country altogether.

2. A VPN connection also encrypts your data to hide any “illegal activities”. VPNs use strong encryption protocols, and anyone looking at data coming to or from your device will not find anything they can use. The best VPNs use 256-bit AES encryption.

3. VPN services use additional security measures to ensure you're safe at all times. These include a kill switch that kicks in when you lose your internet connection to make sure that your details don't leak. They also have DNS leak protection, and some pass your data through two servers for double encryption.

Should I Use Psiphon in Belarus?

According to a report by DW News, Psiphon user numbers in Belarus spiked from 10,000 a day to more than 1 million a day following the 2020 protests. Many people are using Psiphon to access blocked sites, and it begs the question, “is Psiphon better than a VPN?”

What is Psiphon?

It is an anti-censorship network. You can use it on Windows and mobile devices to gain access to blocked sites. You can use Psiphon to access any blocked website.

The reason why so many Belarusians opted to install Psiphon is that it is free and reliable. The software is open-source, and you can download and install it on your devices without paying a cent.

In addition to that, it is very easy to install and use.

Although it is a little like a VPN, there’s a lot a VPN can do that Psiphon cannot.

• It is not a privacy tool, which means that government trackers can find you
• You cannot use Psiphon to access Netflix or any other streaming platforms
• The software has a very small VPN server network
• It slows down some devices significantly
• There is no clear policy about data logs

In a nutshell, if you are really in need and cannot acquire a VPN right away, Psiphon is not a bad option for accessing blocked websites.

However, you should not use it in the long term because government monitors will eventually catch up with you.

How to Use a VPN in Belarus

Setting up and using a VPN for Belarus is easy.

• The first thing to do is find a good VPN. It should have AES-256 encryption and a kill switch and it should also be fast. Any of the VPNs discussed in this post work well for Belarus.
• Pay for the VPN and download the appropriate app for your device. If you'd like to connect several devices download apps for all of them. Log in and choose an appropriate server. If, for example, you want to watch Netflix US, choose a server in the United States. If you want to watch BBC News or BBC iPlayer, you should use a UK server.
• Connect the server and then visit any website. Once connected you can also stream from platforms like Netflix.

How to Choose a VPN (for Belarus)

The current political situation in Belarus demands that you take utmost care when choosing a VPN.

If you go with the first one you come across it may leak your details, and the government will realize that you're accessing websites that are banned or limited.

To find premium VPNs that work for this country, these are the factors that we took into account:

• A wide server network – this is important for two reasons. The first is that a wide server network allows you to access content in many different countries.
• The other reason you want a VPN with a wide server network is that it allows for a faster connection because there is no congestion.
• Ability to bypass geoblocks and access blocked websites – the best VPNs are those that can unblock as many sites as possible in different countries.
• A no-logs VPN – all VPNs keep logs of some sort. They use them to ensure the service is running smoothly. What you should look at is what user information they collect and how long keep it.
• Powerful encryption – the stronger the encryption, the better the VPN.
• Device compatibility – look for a VPN that works for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS and any other platforms you may be using.
• The number of simultaneous connections – it makes sense to buy a VPN that gives you multiple simultaneous connections. Some, like Surfshark, allow you to connect unlimited simultaneous devices.
• Money-back guarantee – if you buy a VPN and it doesn't meet your needs you want to be able to cancel your subscription and get your money back. Get one that, at the very least, has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

The 4 Best VPNs for Belarus

Surfshark

Surfshark tops our list for the best VPN in Belarus for several reasons. It is highly secure and uses AES-256 bit encryption.

The company has thousands of servers, allowing for fast connection speeds, and you can unblock almost any blocked site using this VPN.

If you're looking to unblock sites like Netflix, HBO, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus and other entertainment sites Surfshark is an excellent choice. It also works well for new sites like CNN, BBC and DW.

You can use one license to connect unlimited simultaneous devices, and the service itself is affordable.

The company collects minimal user logs, and it has been publicly audited to reassure users about security.

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NordVPN

We like NordVPN because it has thousands of servers across the globe and provides users with excellent speeds. The wide server coverage also reduces congestion so you'll be able to connect wherever you are in Belarus.

NordVPN has been around for a long time. It was one of the first VPNs in the market, and it continues to deliver excellent service to users.

The company employs the best security features in the market. It collects only minimal user information, and additional security measures include 256-bit AES encryption, DDoS and split tunneling.

You can use NordVPN on a variety of platforms including Windows, Android, iOS and macOS as well as Linux.

The software is easy to install and use and it comes with detailed usage guides.

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VyprVPN

This VPN makes our list because it has one of the toughest encryption protocols in the market.

Some users overlook it because it has a smaller server network than most. Having a small server network works very well for users because all servers are owned and maintained by the company.

As a result, users rarely experience downtime and they get excellent customer service.

VyprVPN is quite popular in China where users use it to beat the Firewall. It works equally well in other countries, like Russia and Belarus, where VPNs are continually thwarted by the government.

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ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs for Belarus because of its wide server network and fast speeds.

With servers in 94 countries, users in Belarus shouldn't have any problems connecting through international servers. They can use the Smart Location feature and let the VPN select the most ideal server for them.

The service uses AES-256 bit encryption and has a kill switch, as well as a variety of additional safety features.

It comes with apps for Android and iOS as well as Windows and macOS.

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FAQ

• Are VPNs legal in Belarus?

Unfortunately, VPNs were made illegal in Belarus in 2015. The Communication Ministry ruled that anyone found using a VPN or other type of data anonymizer would be subject to an unspecified fine. The government also blocked TOR in 2016…

However, the government isn't really in a position to do much about the proliferation of VPNs in the country. They are, by their nature, anonymous, so the government can't know you're using one by looking at your traffic.

• What is the best free VPN for Belarus?

While many free VPNs are available for download, you must be aware of the potential issues that come with them.

The first is that you'll have a hard time finding a VPN that is fast enough, so you'll not be able to stream or do any other bandwidth-intensive activity.

Free VPNs also come with a high degree of risk. Many of them don't use the best encryption protocols, and they regularly experience data leaks.

They also collect user details and sell them to third parties.

If you must use a free VPN you can try the ones discussed in this post. They all have a free trial period, and they are secure and fast.

• How to choose a VPN in Belarus?

The best VPN for Belarus is one that uses AES-256 bit encryption. It should also have additional security features like a kill switch and it should be able to prevent data leaks.

Speed is also important, and the ability to connect many devices simultaneously is a huge bonus.

You should look for a VPN that's easy to install and use, and that is affordable in the long term.

Conclusion

It is not clear how internet freedom in Belarus will evolve in the long term, but in the short term, VPNs will become critical for those looking to keep up with what's happening in the outside world.

Finding the best VPN for Belarus is easy if you know what to look for. Using a reliable company will ensure that you remain undetected every time you go online. The best Belarus VPN is one that allows you to connect as many devices at the same time as possible as it helps save money.