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Which one of the 7 VPNs is free?
Although I eventually abandoned my dream of playing in the NFL, there is no way that I will ever give up watching my beloved Oakland Raiders, or yelling at the screen as the Seattle Seahawks take on the Arizona Cardinals.
In a Hurry? Here's How to Watch NFL Game Pass from Anywhere
If you are looking to watch all 256 of this year’s NFL games live but do not have a US cable subscription, NFL Game Pass is the way to go. But there’s one catch: While you can freely watch all of the live games on International NFL Game Pass, watching the domestic NFL Game Pass from within the US only allows you access to games — preseason NFL games, game replays from the regular season, and postseason games – after their original live broadcast.
Now, what kind of football fan is OK watching a game after its original broadcast?
To gain access to the NFL streaming service from the US, I discovered that the only way around the restrictions was to either travel to one of the non-restricted countries, or to use a VPN server, and using a VPN seemed to be a much more affordable option.
7 Best VPNs For NFL Game Pass
We have narrowed our list down to the 7 best VPNs for NFL Game Pass that will allow you access and stream NFL network live coverage:
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is one of the largest VPNs, with over 3000 servers in 94 countries around the globe. This extensive server network means there is always a server available to you to give you access to tons of sports events like the NBA League Pass or the NFL Game Pass.
The ExpressVPN app is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux, and can be installed on gaming consoles and streaming media players, as well as on a router. With this VPN, customers can connect up to 5 devices with one account, so family members can watch different games from their own devices simultaneously.
When it comes to speed, ExpressVPN is one of the top choices, which is super important for NFL viewing. Who wants their streaming to buffer in the middle of an epic pass or a legendary final down?
As security features go, this VPN is also ranked at the top. It is compatible with OpenVPN connection protocol and uses AES 256-bit encryption to ensure maximal protection. Express also has a no-logs policy, so all digital activity remains private.
The Express customer support is reliable and readily available through a live chat option in just seconds, making troubleshooting any issues that arise very easy and quick.
While Express is very well-liked by users if you decide Express is not the best VPN for you, its 30-day money-back guarantee is a good “out” in case it isn’t the best fit for your needs.
Express Pros:
- Exceptional streaming speeds
- Many servers in a lot of countries
- Strong security and privacy features
- User-friendly for most platforms
- Great customer support
Cons:
- One of the most expensive
2. NordVPN
If you are looking for a VPN to help you watch your NFL game and are not sold on Express, NordVPN is another one of the best VPNs for NFL game viewing.
Nord has one of the largest networks, with 5,200+ servers in almost 60 countries, so customers will have no trouble unblocking NFL Game Pass, as well as many other sports networks, including ESPN.
Like Express, NordVPN offers excellent speeds, so watching the game should be a seamless experience with no interruptions or annoying pauses in the action.
Nord offers advanced security features with its 256-bit AES encryption with DNS and IPv6 leak protection, as well as a kill switch. It also offers double VPN, Tor over VPN, and malware blocker. Like Express, Nord has a no-logs policy, so your activity will remain private.
The Nord VPN app is compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac, and also supports Smart TVs, streaming media players, gaming consoles, and some routers. Up to 6 devices can be connected to Nord with a single account.
Like Express, you can try watching your games for a few weeks using this VPN app and use its 30-day money back guarantee to cancel if you find it doesn’t suit your needs.
NordVPN Pros:
- Very fast streaming speeds
- Top security features
- Cheap price on long-term plans
- 30 day money back guarantee
- Compatible with many devices
NordVPN Cons:
- Slow speed on advanced security
3. Surfshark
Surfshark has 3,200+ servers across 65 countries, which is not nearly as many as Nord and Express, but certainly enough to allow you to easily access Game Pass as the Seattle Seahawks take on the Arizona Cardinals.
Surfshark is impressively fast, even when you connect multiple users to the VPN account at once. Surfshark is one of the best VPNs if you are looking to connect your whole family at once, as it allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
In terms of security, Surfshark offers 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and offers protection against IPv6, DNS, and leaks. Like Express and Nord, Surfshark has a no-logs policy, so your personal information and activities are always private.
If you have any issues with your account, you can cancel your subscription easily with its 30-day satisfaction guarantee, and Surfshark’s customer support is also available 24/7 over live chat.
Surfshark Pros:
- Live chat
- 30 day money back guarantee
- Privacy-friendly jurisdiction
- Unlimited device connections
Surfshark Cons:
- Slight delay with some servers
- Fewer servers
4. CyberGhost
CyberGhost has the largest number of servers worldwide, with 7,300+ in 91 countries.
It is best known for its specialized streaming servers, which are great at unblocking geo-restricted content on streaming services, like Netflix and Hulu. No specialized servers are needed for Game Pass. This block can be overcome by signing on to any server out of the US or Mexico.
As far as speed, CyberGhost does not compare to Express or Nord, but the slight slowdown should not affect the football streaming or cause any buffering.
CyberGhost uses AES 256-bit encryption to protect your data; ad-blocking; anti-malware; and an automatic kill switch. And if you are worried about your privacy, CyberGhost also has a no-logs policy, and protects against IPv6, DNS, and leaks, so your activity will always remain private.
Cyberghost allows you to connect up to 7 devices at once. If you have any trouble, its live customer service is available 24/7. If you are still not pleased with your VPN, it offers a 45-day money back guarantee – more than all the comparable VPNs.
CyberGhost Pros:
- Fast streaming speeds
- Specialty servers for streaming, torrenting & gaming
- 45-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhost Cons:
- Slower long-distance speeds
5. UltraVPN
UltraVPN is a high-speed VPN with over 100 servers across 55 countries, making it the smallest of the bunch.
UltraVPN is safe to use, but it is important to note that it is based in the US, which is a member of the 5-Eyes Alliance. It does collect user address, location, and device information, but it does not keep activity logs. All of Ultra’s apps use 256-bit encryption and an automatic kill switch.
Overall, UltraVPN is fast and reliable and works well for streaming in HD, but it does not have an ad blocker, so users would need a third-party app or browser extension to block ads that will become a nuisance during games.
Although UltraVPN is priced competitively, it does not live up to the same standards of bigger VPNs, like Express and Nord. These have many more servers and features and cost only a small amount more per month. Unlike many other VPNs, however, Ultra offers a 7-day free trial on top of a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, so this might be a draw to some.
You can connect up to 3 devices with each subscription, which is also the lowest number of simultaneous connections among its competitors.
While the app is easy to use, it is difficult to set up; and, as it is a smaller VPN, its features are limited. Customer service is available through live chat and through 24/7 toll-free phone support. All in all, you can watch Game Pass with UltraVPN in HD with no problem at all for a very affordable price.
UltraVPN Pros:
- Fast multimedia-suitable speed
- 3 simultaneous connections
UltraVPN Cons:
- Does not work in China
- Based in US
- Least amount of servers
Private Internet Access (PIA) is another great option for NFL Game Pass. It has over 19,000 servers in 77 countries, making it a HUGE network.
As the name suggests, users do not have to worry about privacy with PIA due to its strict no-logs policy and fully secure servers. It will keep your connection safe with data encryption, IPv6 leak protection, DNS leak protection, and IP masking, as well as AES 128-bit encryption, or the option to customize your encryption protocols.
Despite their huge network of servers, PIA speeds can be inconsistent. Another downside is that it is not always able to unblock popular streaming sites around the globe consistently, and PIA does not currently work reliably in China.
The PIA app is user-friendly and can connect 10 devices simultaneously through a single subscription. PIA offers 24/7 live chat support, as well as a 30 day satisfaction guarantee.
Private Internet Access Pros:
- Large server network
- Verified no-logs privacy policy
- Advanced & customizable encryption
- 10 simultaneous device connection
Private Internet Access Cons:
- Doesn’t work in China
- Based in the privacy-unfriendly USA
- Inconsistent speeds
- Can’t unblock streaming sites
7. IPVanish
IPVanish is a US-based VPN that is one of the smaller of the bunch, with just over 1,900 servers in 75 locations.
Because it is in the US, and the US is a member of the 5-Eyes Alliance, some might worry whether they can rely on IPVanish to protect their privacy. Despite this, IPVanish claims that it does not store user data, which would mean that it would not be able to hand any data over to the authorities if it is ever requested.
IPVanish uses OpenVPN connection protocol with AES 256-bit encryption.
Perhaps because it is a small, self-managed VPN, it has not succeeded at unblocking streaming services that all the other VPNs on this list are able to unblock – like Netflix, Prime, and Hulu, and are also are not effective in China.
Despite any deficits, if your ultimate goal is watching NFL Game Pass without interruption, this VPN proved to deliver.
IPVanish allows the customer to connect up to 10 devices per subscription, but it only offers a 7-day money-back guarantee instead of the 30-day guarantee offered by most other VPNs. So, you need to be more sure of your decision before committing to IPVanish as your choice.
IPVanish Pros:
- Fast streaming speeds
- Allows 10 simultaneous devices
- Strong security features
IPVanish Cons:
- Doesn’t unblock all services
- Doesn’t work in China
- Based in the privacy-unfriendly US
- Short 7-day guarantee
How to Choose the Best VPN for NFL Game Pass
Server Coverage — How many servers does your VPN have? Usually, more servers equal better speed because there is less worry about running low on bandwidth. Servers should be widely spread geographically for best coverage options.
Connection Speed — An important feature when you use a VPN is the connection speed. A VPN will always slow your connection slightly, but a fast one will be less likely to experience interruptions and buffering, which means less chance of you missing that history-making pass that scores the winning touchdown of the game.
Security and Privacy — These days, security and privacy are necessities in all online activities. Many free VPNs do not offer enough of these features. When looking to use a VPN, it is important that it uses AES 256-bit encryption and supports OpenVPN protocol. It is a huge asset when a VPN has a no-logs policy.
Compatibility and Accessibility — Because you may want to watch NFL games from an array of electronics, it is important that a VPN has dedicated apps for a range of devices. It also may be important to a consumer to connect more than one family member to a VPN at once, so VPNs that allow for many simultaneous connections are more appealing.
Customer Support — Responsive, fast customer service can be the difference between a good VPN and a great VPN. You want to be able to know that any issues will be addressed professionally and immediately so that you are able to continue watching your game and using their product. Part of good customer service is acknowledging that one VPN may not be right for every customer, and allowing for a money-back policy if the VPN is not a good fit.
Why You Need a VPN to Watch NFL Game Pass in the US
Playing a game of football is something you can do anywhere in the world — All you need is a $20 nerf ball. Watching the Arizona Cardinals, the NY Giants, or the Seattle Seahawks throw around their official NFL pigskin is not quite as easy.
Due to broadcasting blackouts, the NFL live streaming service is not freely accessible throughout the world. US TV Stations pay the NFL an insane amount of money to air live games on their networks. Allowing Americans access to these very same games for a small fee through NFL Game Pass would create direct competition with these stations.
To circumvent broadcast restrictions that prevent access to live NFL games, a VPN service is an inexpensive and easy solution. A VPN can change your IP address to help fans connect to a server in an area with no blackouts.
A VPN works by routing your device’s internet connection through a private server instead of through your local ISP. You are essentially disguising your IP address so that you can unblock International Game Pass using IP addresses in permitted areas, allowing you to be able to watch regular season games, the Super Bowl, and any available programming on the NFL network.
And not only will using a VPN give you game-time access, quick content downloads, and a vivid streaming experience, but it will also reduce the annual subscription fee for NFL Game Pass, so you win, even if your team has a bad season.
FAQs
Can I access NFL Game Pass with a free VPN?
It is true that there are free versions of VPNs. It is understandable that if you are not paying for cable, you may be looking to cut corners and avoid paying for a VPN as well. There are free VPNs out there, but no matter what they claim, they do not offer the same security and product as the reputable VPNs we have listed above. One of the reasons to avoid using a free VPN when watching NFL Game Pass is that they are typically much slower, which will lead to poor streaming and annoying interruptions in your viewing. This is likely not the outcome you’ll want when watching your player near the end-zone.
Here is the more convincing reason to be wary of “free” VPNs:
Have you heard the phrase “There’s no such thing as a free lunch?” This could not be more true when it comes to VPNs. They are not offering up their service for free. Instead of charging a subscription fee, they make money by placing ads on their sites and by tracking your activities and selling your data to a third party.
This brings us to the most crucial problem with free VPNs: security. Aside from tracking your online footprint, some free VPNs are looking to install viruses on your device. It is best to spend a few bucks to use a VPN that is verified as safe, secure, effective, and professional.
Can I get NFL Game Pass on my smart TV?
Game Pass has recently become available on Samsung and LG Smart TV apps, compatible with Samsung and LG TVs from 2016. It is also available on laptop or PC web browsers, iPad, iPhone, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Xbox, and PS4
How much does NFL Game Pass cost?
NFL Game Pass Pro Is available for an annual fee of $69.99, or two installments of $38.14. This plan gives you access to NFL live streaming and all 22 coaches film footage. If you opt for this annual Pro plan, you are able to first have a 7-day free trial before committing. You can also sign up for weekly payments of $19.99 for this Pro plan, but no free trial is offered.
You can sign up for the Game Pass Essential Plan for $39.99/year.
And as a side note – If you are fine not watching live NFL streaming services, you can sign up for the Game Pass account for free with no credit card required until July 31, 2021.
What is the 2020/21 NFL schedule?
The 2020/21 NFL season began on September 10 and will end on February 7, 2021, with Super Bowl LV. You can access more information and the full schedule on the NFL website’s schedule page.
Conclusion
Want to see the Arizona Cardinals take on the Seattle Seahawks and every game in between? If you are like me and you are stuck in the US without any plans to leave in the near future, a VPN can disguise your US IP address and “take” you to countries that you are not currently allowed to see in person. Sign on to one of the VPNs listed above and access your games in real time, because, these days, we need all the excitement and action we can get.
Click on our links to get the best VPN deals out there, and enjoy your live NFL games!
