Amnezia
Amnezia VPN is a free, open-source solution with the ability to deploy a personal VPN server in just a couple of clicks. It supports Cloak, WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols, allows you to get full control over your data and bypass DPI filters.
The material is of informational nature. The user must independently verify the legality of using VPN-services in his region in accordance with Federal Law No. 149-FZ.
What Amnezia VPN is and who it is suitable for
Amnezia VPN is a development by a Russian team, launched during the Demhack hackathon and developed since 2020 under the auspices of Roskomsvoboda and Privacy Accelerator. It is a self-hosted solution: the user deploys the VPN on their own VPS (DigitalOcean, Hetzner, AWS, etc.). There is also a free version of Amnezia Free, available via Telegram bot without registration. The service is suitable for those who want maximum privacy and control over the connection.
Key features
- Open client and server under MIT/GPLv3 license, code published on GitHub.
- Support for OpenVPN, WireGuard, AmneziaWG (modified WireGuard), Shadowsocks, Cloak, V2Ray, IKEv2 protocols.
- Traffic obfuscation (Shadow Mode / Cloak), resistant to DPI filtering in countries with strict control.
- AES-256-GCM, ChaCha20-Poly1305 encryption; no-logs policy - data is stored only on your server.
- Unlimited number of devices and traffic (depends on hosting capabilities).
- AmneziaWG protocol - improved WireGuard, hides headers from DPI analysis.
- Availability: runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS; installation via GUI, no command line.
- According to the data, Amnezia passed an independent security audit from 7ASecurity (low risk).
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros
- Flexibility and control - the user chooses the host, configuration and is not dependent on third parties.
- Full open-source, except for AmneziaWG, all components can be tested and modified.
- Strong protocols, including Cloak and AmneziaWG, resistant to DPI.
- AmneziaFree allows free access via Telegram bot without registration.
- Easy GUI installer without command line, even a beginner can start the server in 5 minutes.
Minuses
- Lack of infrastructure: speed depends on the selected VPS and its location.
- There is no mobile app yet; only the desktop with GUI works.
- Not designed for streaming - doesn't always work with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, etc.
- A basic level of technical training is still required - you will need to buy and configure a VPS.
Deployment: own server vs off-the-shelf VPS
| Variant | Level of knowledge | Speed/Tuning | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent VPS (e.g. DigitalOcean, Hetzner) | Minimal - GUI+script | Depends on the host | ≈ $5/month + domain |
| Amnezia Free. | There's no | Limited speed | 0 ₽ |
How to install Amnezia VPN on different devices
Download the client from the official Amnezia VPN website, select the hosting server, run the GUI installer. All operations are performed in the application window: installation, protocol selection, connection start. Windows, macOS, Linux are supported. There are no mobile clients. Shadow Mode, Kill Switch and protocol settings are available in the GUI settings.
Comparison with nearest competitors
Unlike commercial services, Amnezia VPN doesn't offer off-the-shelf servers and content streaming - instead giving you full private control. It's inferior in speed and support, but wins in autonomy and transparency. Compared to Outline VPN, Amnezia supports more protocols, including OpenVPN and Cloak.
Legal aspects of VPN use in Russia
Use of VPN is allowed by Articles 15.1 and 15.3 of Federal Law No. 149-FZ, if it is not used to access prohibited resources. Amnezia VPN can be used for legitimate purposes: public Wi-Fi protection, corporate remote access, testing network policies without violating the law.
FAQ - answers to popular questions
Is it legal to use a VPN in Russia?
Yes, provided that the Federal Law No. 149-FZ is complied with and there are no attempts to circumvent the prohibitions.
Is it possible to use amnezia vpn for free?
Yes, Amnezia Free provides free access via Telegram bot, with the server running on your side.
Where to download Amnezia VPN?
Download the client and server from the official amnezia.org website or GitHub repository.
Does amnezia support vpn on pc?
Yes - there are official clients for Windows, macOS and Linux. There are no mobile applications.
What are the reviews of amnezia vpn?
TechRadar, VPNDetectives and SecurityLab reviews note high privacy, flexibility and obfuscation, but point to limited speed and lack of mobile clients.
Conclusions
Amnezia VPN is suitable for those who want maximum control over their connections, value open-source and choose their own hosting. It's a great choice for data protection and bypassing DPI filters when used legally. But if you're looking for an out-of-the-box service for streaming or gaming, with a high level of speed and support - it may be better to consider traditional VPN solutions.
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