When you’re outside of Ukraine, various streaming sites like Inter, ICTV, and TET — as well as various national sporting, gaming, and gambling platforms — become inaccessible. Using an Ukrainian IP address gives you access to these otherwise geo-restricted services.
The easiest way to get an Ukrainian IP address is by subscribing to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service. A VPN encrypts all of your device’s traffic and routes it through an intermediary server. By selecting a server located in Ukraine, you can acquire a Ukrainian IP address in a matter of seconds.
You’ll find in-depth descriptions of each of the providers we feature later in the article. If you’re short on time, here is our list of the best VPNs for getting a Ukrainian IP address:
- NordVPN: Our #1 Choice for getting an IP address for Ukraine! A huge network of superfast servers, including 14+ in Ukraine. Robust security and privacy like 256-bit AES encryption. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for the Ukraine. - Surfshark: Our top budget pick. Fast Ukrainian servers make streaming Ukrainian content like Kanal Ukraina and similar channels a breeze. Has a strict no-logs policy and unlimited simultaneous connections.
- IPVanish: Very fast connection speeds via six servers in Ukraine. Works great with streaming services and has an audited no-logs policy for demonstrable privacy. Allows unlimited simultaneous device connections.
- ExpressVPN: A fast and reliable network that comprises over 3,000 servers. Apps are secure, and connections are private. Great download speeds that works to access Ukrainian websites.
- ProtonVPN: Fast VPN with a few dozen Ukrainian servers to choose from. Boasts a high level of security and exceptional unblocking ability, as well as 24/7 customer support.
- CyberGhost: A user-friendly option with a huge network of servers. Excellent speeds make it a great option for streaming, playing online games, and downloading torrents in Ukraine.
- Hotspot Shield: User-friendly apps and an impressive list of security features makes this a great choice for gamers and streamers.
- PrivateVPN: The smallest network on this list, but makes up for it with powerful obfuscation and strong unblocking capabilities. Works great with Ukrainian services.
Many VPNs claim to work with the Ukraine but most (especially free VPNs) are often blocked.
We regularly test the top 70 VPNs with all major streaming sites and this list only includes VPNs which reliably unblock the Ukraine and offer a full money-back guarantee, allowing you to try them risk-free.
How to get a Ukrainian IP address
Don’t worry if you’re new to the world of VPNs. They’re remarkably easy to set up and get started with. Just follow the simple steps below.
Here’s how to get a Ukrainian IP address:
- Settle on a service that fits your needs (our recommendation is NordVPN).
- Once the online forms are out of the way, download the native software for your device.
- Connect to a server in Ukraine for a local IP address.
- Try accessing geo-restricted Ukrainian content.
- If it doesn’t work right away, you may have to clear your cache and cookies and try again.
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Criteria for selecting the best VPNs for a Ukrainian IP
If you want to obtain — and then take full advantage of — an Ukrainian IP address, you need a VPN that performs well in multiple areas. Our recommendations came as a result of tests in the following areas:
- Server availability: As well as checking for servers in Ukraine, we scored providers on the number of countries they supported and the number of servers they had. We also checked that obfuscation was available for bypassing any network blocks.
- Speed: We then checked whether each provider’s servers in Ukraine were fast enough for day-to-day use. VPNs that are too slow make browsing a miserable experience.
- Security and privacy: A VPN should enable users to browse safely online, free from third-party interference. To find those best able to do this, we evaluate providers against 16 different security and privacy criteria.
- Ease of use: Online privacy should be available to everyone. For this reason, we only recommend VPNs that are easy enough for complete beginners to use and that perform well against our 10 ease-of-use criteria.
- Streaming: We used nine different metrics for evaluating each provider’s relative streaming ability. As looked for features such as smart DNS as well as testing access to platforms like 1+1, ICTV, and Inter.
You can read more about this testing process and the results of those tests — in our methodology section below. First, let’s take a closer look at the providers that impressed us.
Our VPN recommendations compared
We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for getting a Ukrainian IP.
No value | NordVPN | Surfshark | IPVanish | ExpressVPN | Proton VPN | CyberGhost | Hotspot Shield | PrivateVPN |
Website | NordVPN.com | Surfshark.com | IPVanish.com | ExpressVPN.com | ProtonVPN.com | Cyberghost.com | Hotspotshield.com | PrivateVPN.com |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ranking for Ukraine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Server countries | 118 | 100 | 118 | 105 | 117 | 100 | 80+ | 63 |
Devices Supported | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, Routers | Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, Android, Chromebook | Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Chrome, Smart TVs, Routers | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV |
Avg Speed (Mbps) | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 74 Mbps |
Popular Sites Unblocked | 95% | 88% | 85% | 86% | 87% | 85% | 85% | 85% |
Best deal (per month) | $3.09 Up to 77% off 2 year plans + 3 months free | $1.99 87% OFF + 3 months free | $6.49 Best MONTHLY deal | $4.99 SAVE: 61% + 4 months free on 2 year plans | $3.59 SAVE 64% on a 2-year plan | $2.19 SAVE 83% on the 2 year plan + 2 months free! | $2.99 SAVE 77% ON THE 3 YEAR PLAN | $2.00 Save 85% on a one year plan + 24-months free |
What’s the best VPN for getting a Ukrainian IP address?
Here’s our list of the best VPNs on the market you can use to get a Ukrainian IP address from anywhere in the world:
1. NordVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 9.6 / 10 |
---|---|
Ease of use: | 9.6 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 9.5 / 10 |
Server availability: | 9.5 / 10 |
Streaming: | 9.2 / 10 |
Ukraine speed testing: | 10.0 / 10 |
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN is our first choice for obtaining a Ukrainian IP address. Speeds are blazing fast, and this provider tops our list of the fastest VPNs. In our tests it averaged 195.10 Mbps, which is more than 71 Mbps faster than the combined average speeds of the other tested providers.
Needless to say, NordVPN is capable of anything you can throw at it — whether that’s long-distance VoIP calls or multiplayer gaming.
The provider has one of the widest server networks of any VPN service, with more than 7,400 across the globe. Ukraine hosts more than 14 of them, so there are plenty of options for obtaining a local IP address.
The service is particularly adept at streaming HD video and works with services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video without any problems.

There’s no compromise on safety standards, with 256-bit encryption, an ad-blocker, anti-malware defense, and protection against WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leaks. NordVPN doesn’t log any personally identifiable information and users can pay with Bitcoin to maintain privacy. It also offers obfuscated servers specifically designed for beating country-wide censorship.

Apps are available for Linux, Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS. Customer support via live chat is available 24/7.
Buy this VPN if:
- You need the fastest speeds for Ukrainian servers (averaged 71 Mbps faster than other providers in our tests)
- You want access to 14+ servers located in Ukraine, giving you multiple options for obtaining a local IP
- You require excellent streaming performance with services like Inter, ICTV, and TET
- You want a VPN that accepts Bitcoin payments to maintain privacy
- You need obfuscated servers designed to bypass country-wide censorship
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You prefer a simpler desktop app design
BEST VPN FOR UKRAINE:NordVPN is our first choice It boasts incredible speeds, strong security, and excellent unblocking potential. It also ships with a 30-day money-back guarantee making it a risk-free option.
Here’s our full review of NordVPN.
2. Surfshark
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 9.3 / 10 |
---|---|
Ease of use: | 8.9 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 9.5 / 10 |
Server availability: | 9.2 / 10 |
Streaming: | 9.2 / 10 |
Ukraine speed testing: | 9.7 / 10 |
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is a low-cost VPN that provides access to around 3,200 servers spread across 100 countries, including Ukraine. Speeds are very impressive, so you shouldn’t have any issues finding a fast Ukrainian server. We certainly didn’t in our tests, where speeds consistently hovered around the 190 Mbps mark.
Like NordVPN, Surfshark was significantly faster than the combined average speed of the other providers, making it suitable for a range of demanding online tasks.
This VPN reliably unblocks plenty of geo-restricted streaming services including Kanal Ukraina and STB from abroad. It also works well with numerous international platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Perhaps best of all, it lets you secure as many devices as you like with unlimited simultaneous connections.
You can stream Ukrainian TV securely in the knowledge that you’re protected from snoopers. This is because Surfshark uses 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch to keep your activities private.

It doesn’t keep any traffic logs, either, and so can’t reveal what you get up to under any circumstances. With 24/7 live chat, you’re never more than a few minutes away from help.
Surfshark has MacOS, Linux, Windows, Android, and iOS apps. If you’d prefer, it can be manually installed on supported wireless routers, too.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want nearly top-tier speeds (around 190 Mbps) at a significantly lower price point
- You need reliable unblocking of Ukrainian TV channels like Kanal Ukraina and STB
- You want strong security features like 256-bit encryption
- You need to connect unlimited devices simultaneously
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You require specialized servers for specific tasks like streaming
BEST BUDGET OPTION:Surfshark is ideal for novices thanks to its beginner-friendly apps and strong unblocking ability. Of course, it also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, solid speeds, and a wide range of security features.
Read our full review of Surfshark here.
3. IPVanish
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 9 / 10 |
---|---|
Ease of use: | 9.4 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 8.9 / 10 |
Server availability: | 8.6 / 10 |
Streaming: | 8.8 / 10 |
Ukraine speed testing: | 9.1 / 10 |
Website: www.IPVanish.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
IPVanish has six servers located in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. We’ve found, over the years, that IPVanish is consistently one of the quicker VPNs available. We wanted to know if this was the case for its servers in Ukraine, so we carried out three speed tests over the course of a day.
The results were impressive, with an overall average download speed of 180.61 Mbps. This made it the third-fasted provider that we tested.
IPvanish works with local Ukrainian TV services and international streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.

Torrenters will appreciate that IPVanish makes a SOCKS5 proxy available, while those in restrictive countries can navigate blocks using the obfuscation feature.
IPVanish’s apps are well-designed and easy to use, with plenty of connection details – and advanced options – available for those who need them. We like that the ping time and relative load for each server is clearly visible.

This makes it easy to find the fastest available server at any one time. Supported platforms include Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, and Amazon Fire Stick/ FireTV.
Reassuringly, IPVanish passed the IP, WebRTC and DNS leak tests we carried out. This confirms that the provider will keep your actual IP address hidden while connected to a server in Ukraine. Everything you do while online will also be kept private thanks to the combination of strong encryption and an independently verified no-logs policy.
Buy this VPN if:
- You need servers specifically located in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital (6 servers available)
- You need a SOCKS5 proxy option alongside your VPN connection for torrenting
- You want a VPN that displays ping time and server load for selecting the optimal Ukrainian serve
- You want unlimited simultaneous device connections for your household
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You need a smart DNS service for streaming on VPN-incompatible devices
UNLIMITED DEVICE CONNECTIONS:Easy access to Ukrainian online services and competitively priced subscriptions that come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Here’s our full review of IPVanish.
4. ExpressVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 8.3 / 10 |
---|---|
Ease of use: | 9.3 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 9.2 / 10 |
Server availability: | 9.1 / 10 |
Streaming: | 9.2 / 10 |
Ukraine speed testing: | 4.9 / 10 |
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN is reliable and fast, and its apps have a clean, minimalist user interface. At the moment, it offers more than 3,000 high-speed servers spread across the globe. Servers in Ukraine are available, and there are options in 104 other countries should you need them.
One of ExpressVPN’s standout features is its ability to securely access services like Netflix, Hulu, Fox, Sky, and more. It also has a smart DNS service, should you wish to access geo-restricted content on a VPN-incompatible device.

Speed-wise, the provider consistently exceeded 110 Mbps in our three tests. Overall, it averaged 116.22 Mbps.
Although slower than the combined average speeds of the other providers, ExpressVPN is still more than fast enough for streaming HD and 4K video without any noticeable lag.
ExpressVPN guarantees your privacy by leveraging military-grade encryption protocols. 256-bit encryption, an internet kill switch, perfect forward secrecy, and protection against IP, WebRTC and DNS leaks are all included.

What’s more, the company adheres to a policy of not storing any detailed user traffic logs. If you’re stuck, 24/7 customer support will be able to help. There’s also the option of paying via Bitcoin if you prefer.
ExpressVPN offers apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS. There’s also custom firmware that makes it a breeze to install on supported routers.
Buy this VPN if:
- You need a clean, minimalist user interface with easy access to Ukrainian servers
- You require perfect forward secrecy for maximum security
- You want a VPN that works reliably across international streaming platforms
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You need connections for more than eight devices simultaneously
USER-FRIENDLY VPN:ExpressVPN another great service with user-friendly apps and the ability to securely access lots of streaming services. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our review of ExpressVPN.
5. ProtonVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 8.1 / 10 |
---|---|
Ease of use: | 8.8 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 9.3 / 10 |
Server availability: | 9.8 / 10 |
Streaming: | 6.7 / 10 |
Ukraine speed testing: | 6.0 / 10 |
Website: www.ProtonVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ProtonVPN operates more than two dozen servers in Ukraine. Users can choose between individual servers rather than ProtonVPN choosing for them.

While connected we were able to access Ukrainian streaming channels as well as content from more stubborn international platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

We specifically tested its speeds while connected to servers in Ukraine. Overall, ProtonVPN averaged a very respectable 133.39 Mbps — though this was only marginally faster than the combined average speeds of the other tested providers.
In practice, the provider is a solid choice for almost any day-to-day task such as torrenting, watching Ukrainian TV, or staying safe on public wi-fi.
There really aren’t many VPNs with as much functionality as this one. Users can set up split tunneling or port forwarding, activate the accelerator feature for better performance, or connect to a Secure Core server to make themselves even harder to track.
Naturally, there’s unbreakable encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection, too, as well as a professionally verified no-logs policy. Finally, ProtonVPN accepts multiple anonymous payment methods, allowing you to sign up without providing any identifiable info.
ProtonVPN offers apps for iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, and Linux. Alternatively, you can follow the website’s manual setup instructions to get it running on your home router.
A maximum of 10 devices can be protected simultaneously and this VPN even includes a built-in ad-blocker. Support staff are on-hand 24/7 to help with any issues you might run into.
Buy this VPN if:
- You need advanced features like split tunneling, port forwarding, and secure core servers
- You want to select specific individual servers in Ukraine (over two dozen available)
- You value a professionally verified no-logs policy for your Ukrainian connections
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You want to get a Ukrainian IP on the free plan (only available on paid plans)
- You need a VPN with many advanced customization options
PROTECT YOURSELF ONLINE:ProtonVPN is a security-first service boasting impressive speeds and first-class streaming ability. Won’t be stopped by most online restrictions. Offers 24/7 customer support and a 30-day money-back guarantee on all paid plans.
Interested? Check out our full ProtonVPN review.
6. CyberGhost
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 7.7 / 10 |
---|---|
Ease of use: | 9.1 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 8.9 / 10 |
Server availability: | 6.3 / 10 |
Streaming: | 7.8 / 10 |
Ukraine speed testing: | 6.5 / 10 |
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost operates north of 10,000 servers across 100 countries, including almost 60 in Ukraine. It’s extremely easy to get acquainted with because it’s designed with newbies in mind.

This provider is known for its streaming and unblocking capabilities and even provides separate lists of streaming and privacy-centric servers in its app.

CyberGhost is fast enough for streaming in high resolution if that’s your thing. With faster than average speeds, it’s also suitable for placing VoIP calls and gaming.
Speeds were notably consistent and averaged at 141.11 Mbps overall.
All traffic is secured by 256-bit AES encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default (though new versions also offer WireGuard support). There’s a kill switch included, as well as leak protection and a bunch of nifty add-ons, including an ad blocker, anti-malware defense, and anti-tracking functionality.
The company is registered in Romania, where laws don’t require VPN providers to store user data, and the service keeps no logs. Live chat is available around the clock.
Apps are available for Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, and MacOS. It allows for seven devices to connect at the same time.
Buy this VPN if:
- You need access to a large number of Ukrainian servers (almost 60 available)
- You want a user-friendly interface designed specifically for VPN beginners
- You need specialized servers optimized for streaming Ukrainian content
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You need advanced customization features beyond basic VPN functionality
- You need more than seven simultaneous device connections
USER-FRIENDLY OPTION:CyberGhost is a low-cost VPN service which doesn’t compromise on the basic security and privacy features of a top-tier provider.
Here’s our in-depth CyberGhost review.
7. Hotspot Shield
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 6.8 / 10 |
---|---|
Ease of use: | 9.1 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 8.6 / 10 |
Server availability: | 8.6 / 10 |
Streaming: | 6.7 / 10 |
Ukraine speed testing: | 1.0 / 10 |
Website: www.Hotspotshield.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
Editor's Note: Hotspot Shield is owned by Point Wild, Comparitech's parent company.
Hotspot Shield offers access to more than 1,800 servers, including some in Ukraine. Thanks to this provider’s strong unblocking ability, you shouldn’t have any issues securely accessing Ukrainian TV regardless of where you are in the world. In fact, it even works with international platforms like Netflix and Disney+.

Tested speeds were a little slow compared with the other providers in this list, though still good when compared to the VPN market as a whole.
On average, Hotspot Shield managed an overall download speed of 40.08 Mbps. This is comfortably fast enough to meet Netflix’s minimum speed requirement of 15 Mbps for 4K steaming, though it will quickly be eater up if there are several of you streaming at once.
Hotspot Shield comes with lots of security tools built-in. There’s 256-bit encryption, for instance, plus DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and automatic wi-fi protection.

What’s more, Hotspot Shield doesn’t store any identifiable data after your session is over. if you run into any issues, customer support is available around the clock via live chat and email.
Hotspot Shield has apps for Linux, MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. Users can also manually install it on supported routers.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want a 45-day money-back guarantee to thoroughly test Ukrainian connections
- You need user-friendly apps with straightforward access to servers
- You require automatic Wi-Fi protection
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You want to sign up anonymously
- You need the fastest possible speeds for Ukrainian connections (slowest in speed testing)
STRONG ALL-ROUNDER:Hotspot Shield is a quick, security-conscious VPN that makes it as easy as possible to get a Ukrainian IP address abroad. Works with all manner of services and offers a 45-day money-back guarantee.
8. PrivateVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
Overall score: | 6.7 / 10 |
---|---|
Ease of use: | 8.6 / 10 |
Security & privacy: | 8.6 / 10 |
Server availability: | 7.2 / 10 |
Streaming: | 7.8 / 10 |
Ukraine speed testing: | 1.4 / 10 |
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN has a smaller choice of server locations as compared to the other VPNs we’ve recommended on this list. But it offers robust security, and top-notch unblocking capabilities. The provider is able to thwart geo-restrictions on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, and many more.

Tested download speeds averaged 61.24 Mbps, which is fast enough for streaming in 4K or making VoIP calls.
If you need a faster connection, PrivateVPN is one of the few providers that allows you to drop the level of encryption used on your traffic.
At the moment the provider has approximately 200 servers in 63 locations, with two servers located in Ukraine. It uses 256-bit AES encryption along with perfect forward secrecy on the OpenVPN protocol. An internet kill switch is included.
Apps are available for Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS. These are notably easy-to-use, making PrivateVPN a good choice for those with no VPN experience.

While customer support isn’t available around the clock, it’s still helpful and will get the job done — even offering remote control assistance when needed.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want the option to adjust encryption levels to improve speed on Ukrainian connections
- You want a smaller VPN provider with a focus on quality over quantity of server locations
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You want access to a large number of Ukrainian servers (only two available)
- You need a VPN with specialized servers for specific tasks in Ukraine
VERSATILE & HARDY:PrivateVPN is an impressive newcomer and backs its commitment to quality with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Here’s our full review of PrivateVPN.
Can I use a free VPN to obtain a Ukrainian IP address?
While the internet is swarming with free VPN options, we advise that you refrain from using them. Yes, these services are tempting because you can sign up without forking over credit card details or signing up for recurring monthly payments. But the overall experience that such services offer is typically unreliable and your data is often very poorly secured.
Most free VPNs have a limited number of server locations and probably won’t have any in Ukraine. What’s more, free VPNs often engage in bandwidth throttling if there’s network congestion (that’s the situation when too many users try to log on at the same time).
Overall, it’s best to stay away from free VPNs if you can. If you only need a VPN for a short period of time, then it’s possible to get a top-tier VPN for free by taking advantage of a money-back guarantee. Beyond that, even if you have to spend a couple of dollars each month, it’ll be worth it.
Methodology: Finding the best VPNs for a Ukraine IP address
In theory, any VPN with Ukrainian servers can get you a Ukrainian IP address. However, in reality, there are several other things to think about. Your chosen service might not be fast enough for live streaming, for instance, or might not offer you the level of protection required for safe browsing. To make sure we covered all bases, we carried out comprehensive testing in the following areas:
Speed
If you want to do anything more taxing than basic Google searches while using an Ukrainian IP address, you’re going to want a fast VPN. While all providers slow your connection to some extent, there a great deal of variation between them.
To find the fastest, we connected to each VPN’s Ukraine servers and carried out three speed tests: one in the morning, one at noon and one in the afternoon. Measurements were taken using the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app. To try to simulate the average user’s experience, we rate-limited our base connection speed to 250 Mbps (which is near the median broadband speed in the US).
Once the results were in, we averaged and then converted them to scores out of 10 for each provider.
As you can see from the above, NordVPN scored highest. This makes it the most suitable provider if you want the least speed reduction while connected to a server in Ukraine. Surfshark and IPVanish also scored highly.
Server availability
If you’re paying for a VPN subscription, you’ll no doubt want to use it to get IP addresses in other countries — not just Ukraine. With this in mind, we scored providers on the number of countries they supported. We also scored them on the number of servers they had, as too few can result in congestion. Finally, we scored them on whether they had obfuscation capable of bypassing network blocks.
To make quick comparison possible, we combined these scores and converted them to an overall score out of 10.
ProtonVPN scored highest this time, thanks to an ever-increasing server network that includes 64 servers in Ukraine. NordVPN and Surfshark are good alternatives.
Security and privacy
A good quality VPN will hide your online activity from your ISP and other interested third parties. It will also prevent your true location being revealed when connected to a server in Ukraine. To best achieve this, providers should perform well against the criteria in the table below.
If the terms used above are unfamiliar, you can simply look at the table below to see how the providers compare. This was generated using scores assigned to each metric, which were converted to overall scores out of 10.
The results suggest that NordVPN and Surfshark are the most capable in terms of security and privacy. ProtonVPN and ExpressVPN will also provide more than adequate protection while online.
Ease of use
While there are some VPNs that seemingly delight in alienating new users, we tend to leave those alone. Instead, we seek out those that put effort into making their services easy to use. We do this by evaluating them against the metrics in the table below.
Feature | NordVPN | Surfshark | IPVanish | ExpressVPN | Proton VPN | CyberGhost | Hotspot Shield | PrivateVPN |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps for all major platforms | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Novice-friendly design | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Ease of signup (reviewer to score) | 5 (easy) | 4 | 5 (easy) | 5 (easy) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Router support | Standard | Standard | Standard | App | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Unblocking consistency | Great | Great | Great | Generally works | Great | Great | Great | Generally works |
Task specific servers | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Network | 60+ countries | 60+ countries | 60+ countries | 60+ countries | 60+ countries | 60+ countries | 60+ countries | 60+ countries |
Ease of cancellation | Very easy | Very easy | Very easy | Very easy | Very easy | Very easy | Very easy | Very easy |
Interface | Well-organised | A little cluttered | Well-organised | Well-organised | Takes some getting used to | A little cluttered | Well-organised | Well-organised |
Feature parity | Most features available on all versions | Most features available on all versions | Most features available on all versions | All features available on all versions | Most features available on all versions | Most features available on all versions | Most features available on all versions | Most features available on all versions |
To make direct comparison between providers a little easier, we score each of the above metrics, and then combine them to generate scores out of 10.
The top scorer — and easiest to use provider — was NordVPN (with a score of 9.6). That said, IPVanish and ExpressVPN also scored particularly highly (9.4 and 9.3 respectively). All three providers have user-friendly apps and strong customer support.
Streaming
Many people who take out VPN subscriptions do so in order to access geo-restricted content from their favorite streaming platforms. Unfortunately, many providers don’t work as well as they should in this respect. We use nine different metrics to help us gauge each provider’s true streaming ability. You can see how each performs in the table below.
Feature | NordVPN | Surfshark | IPVanish | ExpressVPN | Proton VPN | CyberGhost | Hotspot Shield | PrivateVPN |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number of locations in relevant country | 5+ locations | 5+ locations | 5+ locations | 5+ locations | 5+ locations | 5+ locations | 5+ locations | 5+ locations |
Regional speed test results | 300-500 Mbps | 500+ Mbps | 300-500 Mbps | 300-500 Mbps | 100-299 Mbps | 100-299 Mbps | 100-299 Mbps | <100 Mbps |
Includes ad-blocker? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Works in high-censorship countries | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Offers a smart DNS service | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Streaming device apps | 2+ apps | 2+ apps | 2+ apps | 2+ apps | 1 app | 2+ apps | 1 app | 2+ apps |
Can Unblock Tier 1 Streaming | Reliably | Reliably | Reliably | Reliably | Unreliably | Reliably | Unreliably | Reliably |
Can Unblock Tier 2 Streaming | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Can Unblock Tier 3 Streaming | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
As before, these individual metrics are scored, and then the scores are combined to generate overall scores out of 10.
First place was tied between three providers: NordVPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN. All three are capable of unblocking pretty much an streaming service and additionally come with a smart DNS service for VPN-incompatible devices.
Getting an IP address from Ukraine FAQ
Can I use a VPN to watch Ukrainian TV online?
By downloading a VPN and switching your IP address to Ukraine, all host websites and apps you log in to will operate under the assumption that you’re physically located in the country.
Hence, the local Netflix library will be made available, as well as channels like Inter, ICTV, TET, NTN, and Channel Ukraine. Some channels may require you to register before they grant you access to their live stream. Be sure to check individual websites for clarity.
What sites are blocked in Ukraine?
Ukraine’s authorities have recently cracked down on content deemed to be pro-Russian. There are more than 400 websites covering news, current affairs, and social media that users aren’t allowed to access in the country. Kyiv is also one of the world’s most surveilled cities, so if you are living in Ukraine, it’s well worth getting yourself a VPN.
Is it illegal to get a Ukrainian IP address?
It’s not illegal to get a Ukrainian IP address, no. Indeed, VPNs are legal in most countries. Many people use VPNs to browse more securely and to navigate censorship. However, it’s worth remembering that some online activities (such as torrenting copyrighted material) are still illegal, regardless of whether you’ve used a VPN to get a Ukrainian IP address.
How can I test if my IP address has changed to Ukraine?
Testing if your IP address has changed to Ukraine is quite simple. You can use our IP address testing page to check the current location of your internet connection. This will allow you to see the country that your connection appears from, so you’ll be able to determine whether it’s connecting from Ukraine or not.