How to Watch Popcorn Time with a VPN in 2025

After a long day of researching and writing about VPNs, I like to unwind by rewatching some of my favorite movies and TV shows. However, sometimes, the streaming services I’m subscribed to don’t have the content I’m looking for. At times like these, I turn to Popcorn Time.

Popcorn Time is an internet platform that gives you access to a variety of content online. Unlike Netflix and Hulu, it’s a free service. However, due to the free access that Popcorn Time offers to a large amount of copyrighted content, the app’s legality varies in some countries.

If you’re interested in Popcorn Time’s broad selection of TV shows and movies but want to avoid legal trouble, I highly recommend using a VPN for Popcorn Time. With Popcorn Time, VPN usage will keep your internet activity private. Keep reading to learn how to use a VPN for Popcorn Time and how to choose the best VPN for you.

Key takeaways

1. It’s risky to use Popcorn Time without a VPN.
2. Using a free VPN for Popcorn time is also risky.
3. Read this article to understand what makes a reliable VPN provider and how to choose the best Popcorn Time VPN.

Why you need a VPN for Popcorn Time

Though Popcorn Time is not an illegal website, it provides access to copyrighted content. If you don’t use a VPN when you visit the site, your internet service provider may see what you’re doing and interfere via connection speed throttling or worse. Personally, I don’t want to start trouble with my ISP, so I use a VPN with Popcorn time. With a VPN service, I can switch IP addresses and have my internet traffic encrypted and rerouted, protecting my activity from the prying eyes of my ISP.

Furthermore, a VPN helps break past geo-blocks and access Popcorn Time in otherwise restricted countries.

What makes a great VPN for Popcorn Time

The best VPNs for Popcorn Time should include all of the following:

• Pricing. I always want to be sure that the product I choose is worth the price. For this reason, I suggest VPNs with free trial periods so that you can test them out yourself and decide which VPN is right for you.
• Security features. When selecting a VPN, I prioritize online security. A reliable VPN encrypts your browsing data and keeps your internet connection stable and secure.
• Speed. I prefer VPNs with fast, stable connections to avoid pixelation and buffering.
• Unblocking. I use a VPN primarily for streaming, which means I want a VPN that offers several server location options to easily bypass geo-restrictions no matter where I am.
• Compatibility. I prefer VPN services that run smoothly on whatever streaming device I choose.

3 best VPNs for Popcorn Time

Here are my top-recommended VPNs for Popcorn Time:

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is my first choice for several reasons.

Features: ExpressVPN keeps me safe with its myriad of robust security features like AES 256-bit encryption, Perfect Forward Secrecy, built-in protection against DNS leaks and IP leaks, a strict no-logs policy, and an automatic kill switch.

Speed: ExpressVPN’s Lightway Protocol creates fast and clear streaming quality.

Unblocking: Express offers an enormous server network of 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, strengthening its capability to unblock many popular streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Fire TV, and more.

Compatibility: The ExpressVPN app is intuitive and user-friendly, pairing easily with Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, Smart TV, Smart TV, and iOS. It also allows you 8 simultaneous device connections.

Pricing: ExpressVPN is pricey, but in my opinion, totally worth it. You can get a one-year plan for $6.67/month and receive an additional 3 months free! You also get 30 days to try it and make sure you’re happy or get your money back.

2. NordVPN

My second-place recommendation is NordVPN.

Features: Security-wise, Nord gives you military-grade encryption, a no-logs policy, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection, keeping your online activity and data safe.

Speed: NordVPN creates and maintains impressive connectivity speeds thanks to its very own NordLynx protocol. This creates an optimal streaming experience, making it a great possible VPN for Popcorn Time.

Unblocking: With more than 7,100 servers in 118 countries,Nord is well-equipped for bypassing annoying geo-blocks, helping you stream movies on many platforms.

Compatibility: NordVPN is compatible with Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, Smart TV, Smart DNS, Smart TV, and iOS and is highly effective on platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, and more. Furthermore, you can simultaneously connect 10 devices to the same account.

Pricing: Nord’s 2-year plan starts at only $3.39 per month, and the service lets you test the VPN for 30 days and get your money back.

3. Surfshark

Surfshark is both a high-performing and highly affordable VPN.

Features: Surfshark prioritizes your safety with AES-256 military-grade encryption, a kill switch, IP & DNS leak protection, a no-logs policy, malware protection, and an ad blocker.

Speed: Surfshark offers decent speeds and a large server network of3,200+ servers in 100+ countries.

Unblocking: Thanks to its aforementioned server network, Surfshark is also a master at bypassing geo-restrictions enforced by platforms such as Hulu, Netflix, Android TV, and more.

Compatibility: Surfshark offers unlimited device connections and bandwidth alike. It’s also compatible with Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS.

Pricing: The 2-year plan costs only $1.99/month and includes an extra 4 months free! Additionally, Surfshark subscriptions give you a 30-day money-back guarantee.

How we selected VPNs on the list

• Security features. Your online privacy is super important, so I’ve recommended VPNs that prioritize your online safety.
• Speed. I specifically recommend VPNs that both reach incredible speeds and have large server networks that allow you to switch servers if you land on one that is too overloaded.
• Unblocking. In addition to connection speed, unblocking capabilities are another great benefit of vast server networks. My top VPN choices offer wide server networks to optimize unblocking content worldwide.
• Compatibility. If you’re like me, you have both mobile and desktop devices, and you want a VPN that runs smoothly on both.
• Pricing. I specifically review VPNs that include a 30-day full refund period so that you can take the time you need to test the VPNs.

Beware: Popcorn Time users sometimes encounter a Popcorn Time VPN warning (a message that appears as a reminder to use a VPN for Popcorn Time) on the web version. If you’re using a VPN, you can just close this message and start streaming.

Can I use a free VPN for Popcorn Time?

Though using a free Popcorn Time VPN may sound like a thrifty hack, I strongly advise against it. Even the best free VPNs are known to be lower in quality, service, and security. Let me explain.

Though free for you, the VPN service still needs to turn a profit somehow. Unfortunately, in most cases, this means that free VPN providers will happily sell your data to suspicious third parties, making free VPNs a significant security risk.

Most free VPNs are also known to have lower connection speeds due to having limited server networks with overcrowded servers and, in some cases, letting other people use your idle bandwidth. This can cause buffering, pixelation, and loss connections.

Furthermore, many free VPNs are less effective at bypassing geo-blocks, which means that they can’t even perform the most basic function of a VPN. If that’s the case, what’s the point?

In my humble opinion, the best free VPN alternatives are premium VPNs. Though they don’t offer a free plan, you can subscribe to their service and cancel within the refunded trial period, essentially making the service free.

Popcorn Time not working with a VPN: Solutions

Occasionally, Popcorn Time glitches, even with a VPN. If you encounter problems accessing Popcorn Time, here are some things you can do:

• Make sure peer-to-peer traffic is permitted. If you’re using a free VPN, torrenting might not be allowed. In this case, I suggest using a premium VPN and making sure that it permits P2P file-sharing.
• Switch servers. I encounter connectivity and performance problems when I work on an overcrowded server. If this happens to you, try switching servers and see if your situation improves.
• Turn off your firewall and antivirus. Your protective software could be registering your VPN traffic as a threat, which prevents the VPN from working. If you suspect this might be the case, try switching off your antivirus and firewall software. If this is the problem, make sure you whitelist them on your VPN app.
• Reboot, reboot, reboot. Sometimes, a simple restart is all you need. I’ve found that when I have connectivity issues, restarting my streaming app, VPN app, or even my device itself solves the problem.
• Delete and reinstall Popcorn Time’s app. Poor connectivity can be caused by using an outdated version of an app. Try deleting and reinstalling your app before you give up.

If you’ve tried all of these things and something still isn’t working, you can contact your VPN’s customer service team for additional support.

Popcorn Time alternatives

If you don’t want to use Popcorn Time to stream movies and shows, you have many other options.

One option is Kodi, a software you can download or add as a browser extension. If you go with this option, I recommend still pairing Kodi with a VPN.

You can also use a paid streaming service such as Netflix or Hulu. Using a VPN with these platforms also increases the amount of content you can access.

FAQ

Can I use a VPN with Popcorn Time?

You can use a VPN with Popcorn Time, and in my opinion, you should.

Is Popcorn Time legal?

The platform itself is not illegal. However, it is largely used for downloading and streaming copyrighted material, making it legally murky. I strongly recommend using a VPN to hide your internet traffic from your ISP.

Is it legal to use a VPN with Popcorn Time?

Using VPN software to watch Popcorn Time is not only legal but strongly recommended.

Conclusion

Popcorn Time is sort of like a cool, free version of Netflix. However, I strongly recommend against using a free VPN for Popcorn Time. Due to the site’s risks, you should protect yourself with a reliable premium VPN.