Kazakhstan isn’t often mentioned in the same breath as China, Russia, and other countries with low internet freedom. But while it may not quite be in the top tier of heavily restrictive nations, there are several reasons to use a VPN for Kazakhstan. The government doesn’t shy around shutting down the internet in response to protests. Plus, it routinely blocks online content and monitors the online activities of residents in a bid to punish those who stray out of line.
Besides, when you arrive in the country from elsewhere, you’re cut off from much of the content back home. Similarly, when you travel away from Kazakhstan, Balapan TV, KTK, Qazsport, and other local platforms become inaccessible, and your banking transactions may be flagged.
This article highlights the best VPN providers that can help you circumvent these issues in Kazakhstan.
Top 5 best VPNs to use in Kazakhstan – Our Shortlist
- ExpressVPN – best all-around VPN for Kazakhstan
- CyberGhost – reliable VPN for streaming, P2P and more
- Surfshark – affordable VPN for Kazakhstani users
- NordVPN – beginner-friendly VPN for Kazakhstan
- Private Internet Access – versatile VPN to browse anonymously in Kazakhstan
The Best VPN Services for Kazakhstan in 2024
With so many providers out there, it’s easy to think you’re spoiled for choice and can simply select any VPN for Kazakhstan. In reality, most services don’t live up to their billing. To receive value for your money, you need to put some research into your choice.
To streamline your choice, we evaluated dozens of options and narrowed them down to the five best Kazakhstan VPNs. Here they are:
1. ExpressVPN
- Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands.
- Server count: 3,000+ in 105 countries, including Kazakhstan.
- Standout feature: TrustedServer technology.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chromebook, routers, browsers, gaming consoles, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Up to 8 devices.
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days.
ExpressVPN is our top VPN for Kazakhstan, which is no surprise considering it’s widely regarded as the best overall.
The provider implements military-grade AES 256-bit encryption to prevent hackers and other cybercriminals from intercepting and reading your data. It also comes with private DNS, forward secrecy, and leak protection.
We especially like the VPN’s TrustedServer technology. It keeps all of ExpressVPN’s servers up to date. Plus, each time a server starts up, the feature ensures it loads only the latest read-only image, essentially preventing any logs from being saved. This aligns with ExpressVPN’s zero-logs policy, which has undergone independent verification.
The VPN offers 3,000+ servers across 105 countries, currently the most extensive distribution of any provider. That includes a location in Kazakhstan and nearby countries.
You can expect more than just stable connections with the best VPN in Kazakhstan. ExpressVPN is comfortably the fastest VPN on the market, thanks to its high-performance infrastructure and blazing-fast proprietary protocol, Lightway.
Combine that with its exceptional unblocking capabilities, and you have a reliable VPN for watching content freely. ExpressVPN bypasses geo-restrictions on popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more. And when you travel abroad, you’ll have no issues enjoying local content on NTK-TV, NTV Plus, and more.
ExpressVPN works with a wide variety of platforms and devices, and a single subscription protects up to 8 devices simultaneously.
Buy the VPN for Kazakhstan, and your purchase is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, which means you can test it 100% risk-free.
2. CyberGhost
- Jurisdiction: Romania.
- Server count: 10,600+ servers in 100 countries, including 29 in Kazakhstan.
- Standout feature: In-house managed NoSpy servers.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, browsers, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Up to 7 devices.
- Money-back guarantee: Up to 45 days.
CyberGhost offers excellent value for money thanks to its wallet-friendly long-term plans, reliability, and top-notch functionality.
The VPN’s Wi-Fi protection feature protects your personal information from hackers and other nasties lurking around unprotected public networks. It automatically establishes a VPN connection as soon as it detects your connection to public Wi-Fi, even if you forgot to turn it on yourself.
In addition, CyberGhost uses bank-level AES 256-bit encryption, layering your online privacy and security with a kill switch and leak protection.
Your online sessions leave no digital footprints, as it has RAM-only servers and a strict no-logs policy. If Kazakhstan authorities demand log information from the VPN, there’ll be none to hand over — and the provider will document the requests in its quarterly transparency reports.
CyberGhost’s already massive network keeps on growing. Currently, it contains over 10,600+ servers — more than three times ExpressVPN’s size — and includes 29 VPN servers in Kazakhstan. With so many connection options, there’s little chance you run into congestion and slowdowns.
What’s more, it offers optimized servers for torrenting, online gaming, and streaming. The dedicated menu for streaming is tailored to various services, including Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, Spotify, and Disney+. That said, the VPN’s regular servers effortlessly unblock access to Kazakhstani TV channels and online platforms.
CyberGhost is compatible with computers, smartphones, streaming devices, routers, and more. It allows up to seven simultaneous device connections on one account. What’s more, there’s a generous 45-day money-back guarantee attached, so you have ample time to try it out.
3. Surfshark
- Jurisdiction: The Netherlands.
- Server count: 3,200+ in 100 countries, including Kazakhstan.
- Standout feature: Nexus with SDN technology for multiple server connections.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, browsers, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Unlimited devices.
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days.
Surfshark is another provider with a budget tag that doesn’t compromise security or quality. We also consider the versatile service to be one of the best VPNs around.
The VPN’s protocols use AES-256-GCM encryption, which makes your data practically impossible to decrypt for cybercriminals who manage to intercept it. Surfshark is one of a handful of VPNs with multihop, a feature that can come in handy in a restrictive country like Kazakhstan.
Industry-standard encryption shields your data from prying eyes. In addition, the provider offers a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and two distinctive obfuscation modes. Surfshark claims it won’t save your connection and user logs to its servers, and a third-party audit has found that policy to be airtight.
Each time you go online, you can choose from a collection of 3,200+ VPN servers spanning 100 countries, including a location in Oral, Kazakhstan.
Torrenters are in luck. While the VPN supports the activity on all its servers, it also comes with a dedicated menu of specialized options for P2P downloads and sharing.
For an affordable provider, Surfshark is pretty good at bypassing geo-restrictions on websites and online services. The VPN works hassle-free with Kazakhstani platforms, allowing you to follow live events and your favorite content from halfway around the world. In addition, international services like Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu don’t offer much resistance.
It’s not at ExpressVPN’s level performance-wise, but expect impressive connection speeds, regardless. Surfshark is updating its infrastructure to 10 Gbps globally, so we expect even faster VPN connections and less crowded servers shortly.
You’ll never need two Surfshark subscriptions, as a single one covers all your devices at the same time. The VPN also has a 30-day refund policy.
4. NordVPN
- Jurisdiction: Panama.
- Server count: 5,900+ servers in 60 countries.
- Standout feature: Custom NordLynx protocol built around WireGuard.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, ChromeOS, routers, gaming consoles, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Up to 6 devices.
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days.
NordVPN takes user privacy and security very seriously, which explains why it is among the most highly-rated VPNs in Kazakhstan and abroad.
The Panama-based provider is packed with features. It comes with high-level encryption protocols to keep shady operators and monitoring agencies from handling your data. There’s also a pretty advanced kill switch that you can tweak to work at the application or system level.
You can even hide your VPN use — the provider’s obfuscation feature makes it practically impossible to know you’re using one. NordVPN uses RAM-based servers, so nothing is saved locally. What’s more, the in-built Onion over VPN functionality adds an extra privacy layer, virtually guaranteeing your privacy while you browse, stream, or download.
NordVPN would be higher up this list if it had VPN servers in Kazakhstan. As it is, the provider offers a vast network with more than 5,900 servers across 60 countries. It’s the best torrenting VPN, with loads of specialized servers equipped to handle secure downloads and sharing.
As for performance, NordVPN excels. Thanks to high-level 10 Gbps infrastructure and a custom protocol built around WireGuard, it barely makes a dent in your original connection speeds.
As a result, you can enjoy buffer-less streaming, even on high-quality video resolutions. NordVPN’s unblocking capabilities are second to none. The VPN is a great choice for accessing exclusive catalogs on online streaming services, whether based in Kazakhstan or globally.
NordVPN lets you connect to servers on up to six devices simultaneously — but router support can extend protection to your local network. It has a 30-day money-back policy, so you can request a refund if you’re unsatisfied with the service.
5. Private Internet Access
- Jurisdiction: The United States.
- Server count: Servers in 91 countries, including Kazakhstan.
- Standout feature: Choice between AES 128-bit and AES 256-bit encryption.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, gaming consoles, and more.
- Simultaneous connections: Unlimited devices.
- Money-back guarantee: 30 days.
Private Internet Access is an excellent option for advanced Kazakhstan VPN users, with its highly customizable settings. It doesn’t hurt that it’s also pocket-friendly.
The elephant in the room: the VPN’s headquarters in the United States, smack in the jurisdiction of the Five Eyes alliance of countries. That said, the provider has made it crystal clear (in court, no less) that it doesn’t store details of users’ browsing sessions.
Plus, RAM-only servers that wipe out every trace of your online moves and an airtight third-party-verified zero-logs policy seal the deal.
The feature-rich provider implements military-grade encryption to make your internet traffic inaccessible to snoops. You can also switch to AES 128-bit encryption to boost your connection speed. Plus, PIA throws in several advanced features, including obfuscation and Double VPN.
Sadly, getting around geo-blocked content is not a strong focus for this VPN, even though it has a collection of specialized servers for streaming. Private Internet Access only provides limited access to Netflix US and other streaming services. If you regularly stream videos, you’re better off opting for an alternative like ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
In addition, while it’s certainly not slow, there’s much faster out there. Expect decent performance, but brace yourself for the occasional buffering.
Private Internet Access supports a wide range of devices, including gaming consoles and streaming boxes. Like Surfshark, you can protect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. If you cancel within 30 days of your purchase, you get a full refund, no questions asked.
How We Ranked the Best VPN for Kazakhstan — Our Methodology
When testing and ranking the best VPN providers for Kazakhstan, we took several factors into consideration. Here they are:
Privacy and Security
In Kazakhstan, a VPN’s first job is to mask your internet traffic from cyber threats and the government’s restrictive measures. We prioritized providers with robust encryption, a reliable kill switch, and leak protection. An uncompromising no-logs policy was non-negotiable, and bonus points went to those with independent audits for added credibility.
Server Network
Size matters when it comes to VPN servers in Kazakhstan. We checked out the quantity and geographical distribution, giving extra weight to VPNs with servers within Kazakhstan for consistent, high-speed connections.
Speed and Performance
A VPN’s effect on your connection speed is inevitable, so we focused on providers with minimal performance impact. We prioritized those with high-bandwidth infrastructure and speedy tunneling protocols like Lightway, NordLynx, and WireGuard.
Bypassing Geo-Restrictions
Another vital test for a Kazakhstan VPN is its ability to overcome geo-blocks. Our evaluation included how well each provider unblocked popular global streaming services like Netflix alongside local platforms like Astana TV and Balapan.
User Experience
Seamless usability is essential. We favored VPNs with easy installation and configuration, as well as user-friendly interfaces, so there would be no steep learning curve for beginners.
Money-Back Guarantee
A money-back guarantee reflects a VPN’s confidence in its service. All listed providers in this ranking of the best VPNs to use in Kazakhstan offer a minimum 30-day guarantee, with CyberGhost extending it to 45 days.
Why You Need a VPN in Kazakhstan
VPN services are becoming more mainstream worldwide, but why do you need a VPN for Kazakhstan?
When it comes to internet freedom, Kazakhstan isn’t winning any medals, as per Freedom House, with widespread restrictions in the form of content blocking and throttling.
The government has even been known to flex its control over internet infrastructure by shutting it down nationwide in response to citizen protests. It frequently instructs ISPs to filter or block content considered “unlawful materials,” resulting in over 68,000 banned web pages in the country’s digital space.
Moreover, the government restricts anonymous communications and continues to crack down on VPN use. Monitoring private citizens using spyware is not unheard of.
Government interference aside, you also have to worry about cybercriminals looking to hijack your device and steal personal information.
A quality Kazakhstan VPN service, like those highlighted above, brushes past these measures to provide unrestricted access to users. It routes your internet traffic through a secure tunnel to a VPN server in another location and employs handy features like obfuscation, effectively circumventing government censorship and surveillance.
Plus, the top providers implement high-level encryption protocols to keep the most equipped hackers from accessing your data.
While geo-restrictions are not government-imposed, they also significantly impact your online experience. A quality VPN bypasses these blocks, allowing you to enjoy unrestricted access to your favorite content wherever you are.
The Best Free VPNs for Kazakhstan – Our Detailed List
To be clear, we prefer premium VPN services for Kazakhstan. Free VPNs may not require you to hand over cash, but the limitations on their services are rarely worth it. Most of the time, you have to deal with limited servers, snail-slow speeds, and, even worse, privacy and security vulnerabilities.
That said, a few free providers are heads and shoulders above the rest and make a compelling case for themselves. If you can’t afford a subscription, here are a couple of free Kazakhstan VPNs you should be looking at:
Atlas VPN
In just a few years since its launch, Atlas VPN has skyrocketed to the forefront of the freemium VPN scene. It offers 1,000+ servers across 49 countries. Unsurprisingly, there are no Kazakhstan VPN servers.
You would, however, only get a taste of three servers stationed in New York, Los Angeles, and The Netherlands.
For a free VPN, it does pretty well for torrenting and streaming. However, don’t expect Atlas VPN to unblock every streaming platform you throw at it.
The VPN’s connection speeds outpace most free VPNs. Performance isn’t everything, though. The monthly 5 GB data limit feels restrictive and is barely sufficient for light streaming and downloads.
On the security front, Atlas VPN impresses with military-grade encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and a strict no-logs policy. The VPN sweetens the deal with a data breach monitor and an ad/malware blocker. However, an independent audit, particularly for a US-based provider, would be reassuring.
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is another solid choice for Kazakhstani residents seeking a dependable free VPN, thanks to its standout features. A notably generous free plan with no bandwidth or data restrictions sets it apart. This is especially valuable in Kazakhstan, where ISPs regularly play the throttle game.
With 153 servers across the Netherlands, Japan, and the United States, ProtonVPN’s free service competes impressively with some premium providers. It holds its ground well in terms of performance, ensuring buffer-free online content streaming. We like its VPN Accelerator feature, as it gives an extra boost when you’re craving more speed.
On the flip side, if you’re into torrenting, look elsewhere — ProtonVPN lacks P2P support.
The VPN takes privacy seriously, boasting a third-party-approved no-logs policy and robust AES 256-bit encryption. Obfuscation and leak protection add an extra layer of security, which can come in handy in Kazakhstan.
Conclusion
Surfing the web without VPN protection in Kazakhstan exposes your traffic to cyber threats and surveillance, coupled with widespread censorship and restricted access to both local and international content.
For a trustworthy solution, a high-quality VPN service is your go-to. We recommend ExpressVPN, as it checks all the crucial boxes, from performance and unblocking capabilities to ensuring your privacy and security. Based on our extensive testing in Kazakhstan, there’s simply no better VPN out there.
Take advantage of a generous 49% discount to purchase its annual plan, and you’ll receive three extra months in the bargain.
