Best VPN for Streaming in 2024

Who among us isn’t constantly using most of the major streaming service providers to watch movies and TV shows all the time these days? If you’re like me, then you’re probably spending your free time watching your favorites on lots of streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and more. Ending my day with a good Netflix binge is always a fun time.

But what happens when you want to watch a movie on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, only to find that it’s not available in your region? Maybe a quick Google search will help you learn that while it might not be available where you live, it is on one of the popular streaming services in a different country. But since we’re obviously not all about to jump on a plane just to watch the movie we want, how can you stream content from a different country? The solution is to use a virtual private network, also known as a VPN.

VPNs are a fantastic tool that allows you to change your IP address to another location so that it will seem as if you’re in a different place and can then access libraries on streaming websites around the world. It’s also great if you’re looking for a way to secure your internet connection while streaming, ensuring everything is private and secure while you’re online.

There are tons of VPNs out on the market right now, so it can feel overwhelming to figure out which is the best streaming VPN for your needs. The good news is that I’ve tested out dozens of different VPN services and am here to tell you, based on my experiences, which ones are the best streaming VPNs that you can find. I ultimately narrowed it down to my top five picks.

In a hurry? Here are 5 best VPNs for streaming 

Looking for the best VPN for streaming? Here are my top five VPN providers for you to choose from:

Why you should use a VPN for streaming

So, why is it worthwhile to use a VPN for streaming? Well, there are a few reasons why you might want to use one.

The big reason to use a VPN for streaming is so that you can get around geo-restricted content when it comes to accessing the shows and movies that you want to watch. A VPN will hide your public IP address and encrypt your internet traffic through a VPN server that’s in a different location. For example, this way, even if you’re physically located in the UK, you could change your server and access streaming content in the US. You could use this to stream movies, TV shows, live sporting events, and more. It opens up an entire new world of streaming for you.

Another big benefit of using a VPN is the privacy and security that it can offer you. A VPN encrypts your online traffic, keeping it safe from prying eyes, and makes sure you have secure access to any of the streaming services. Some will include ad-blockers to help you avoid pop-up ads and stabilize your internet connection so you can avoid buffering or any other issues while streaming.

What makes a good VPN for streaming  

It’s important to know that while there are plenty of VPNs to choose from on the market, not all VPNs have the capability to work well for streaming. So, when considering what makes a good VPN for streaming, keep the following in mind:

• Bypassing geo-blocks. Not every VPN is capable of getting around geo-restricted content, so it’s very important to make sure you’re choosing a reliable VPN that can accomplish this.
• Speed. Nothing is more annoying than buffering while streaming content, so make sure to choose a VPN with fast speeds.
• Privacy and security. Any time you’re engaging in online activities, it’s always important to make sure your data and information are as safe and secure as possible, so look for a VPN with robust security features.
• Server network. Look for a VPN that has a broad server network and plenty of server locations to choose from so that you can access content in as many countries as possible without getting slowed down.
• Device connections. If you’re someone who enjoys streaming content on more than one device, then be sure to look for a VPN that allows you to have multiple device connections under one account.
• Pricing. Everyone’s budgets are different, so it’s important to choose a VPN service that best fits your needs and your personal budget and take the price into account when you make your decision.

5 best VPNs for streaming

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is my number one pick and what I consider to be the best all-around VPN. It’s user-friendly, has excellent performance, and is great for streaming. It has over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, giving you plenty of options to choose from.

Features: ExpressVPN offers its user unlimited bandwidth, as well as 8 simultaneous connections for your devices. It includes a split tunneling feature and a password manager. It also comes with a MediaStreamer feature, which is a DNS service made to help those looking to stream content on devices that may not natively support a VPN.

Speed: This VPN is one of the fastest VPNs on the market, thanks to its Lightway tunneling protocol. It has seriously impressive speeds that will help provide you with seamless connections while streaming content, so you won’t have to worry about unwanted buffering or lag.

Security: ExpressVPN has top-of-the-line privacy and security features that include AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, an ad-blocker, RAM-only servers, DNS leak protection, and a strict no-logs policy.

Streaming: ExpressVPN is great at bypassing geo-blocks on most of the popular streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube, HBO Max, Hulu, Vudu, BBC iPlayer, and more.

Compatibility: This VPN is compatible with most major devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Smart TVs, gaming consoles, and routers.

Pricing: This is a more expensive VPN compared to others, with prices starting at $6.67 per month, but it does come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN does offer a 7-day free trial, but it is only available for mobile devices.

2. NordVPN

If you’re looking for a well-rounded VPN that can provide reliable access to streaming services, then NordVPN is a great choice. It has an impressive 6,400 servers located in 111 countries, so you’ll never be short on options for server locations.

Features: NordVPN lets its users have up to 10 simultaneous connections for their devices, as well as unlimited bandwidth. It also comes with split tunneling and a SmartPlay feature to make streaming even easier and help you access content safely.

Speed: This VPN has super-fast connection speeds thanks to its proprietary NordLynx protocol, which will help ensure that your streaming experience is as smooth as it can be.

Security: NordVPN offers some of the top security features on the market, which include AES-256 encryption, a Dark Web monitor, DNS leak protection, malware protection, a kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy.

Streaming: NordVPN is great when it comes to bypassing geo-blocks on many streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Hulu, Disney+, and many other streaming services.

Compatibility: This VPN is compatible with most devices, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, smart TVs like Android TV and Apple TV, gaming consoles, and routers.

Pricing: Prices for NordVPN start at $3.39 per month and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. It also offers a 7-day free trial on all devices, so you can try it out before making a commitment.

3. Surfshark

If you’re looking for an affordable VPN for streaming that doesn’t sacrifice on premium features and quality, then Surfshark is my go-to recommendation. It comes with over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, giving you plenty of streaming libraries to choose from.

Features: In addition to unlimited bandwidth, Surfshark stands out by offering unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can use it on as many devices as you want under one account. It also offers split tunneling, a double VPN feature, and it has a NoBorders mode for those looking to use a VPN in restrictive countries.

Speed: While it might not be as fast as Express or NordVPN, Surfshark is still a very fast VPN that utilizes the WireGaurd protocol and provides strong connection speeds.

Security: Surfshark comes with many of the top standard privacy and security features, including AES-256 encryption, an ad-blocker, a cookie pop-up blocker, obfuscated servers, a kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy.

Streaming: Surfshark works great at unblocking streaming sites, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+.

Compatibility: Surfshark is compatible with many devices, including Mac, iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, Smart TVs, gaming consoles, and routers.

Pricing: Prices for Surfshark start at just $2.19 per month and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. It also has a 7-day free trial available.

4. CyberGhost

If saving money is really important to you, then CyberGhost is a decent, cheaper option for you. It has a massive number of servers, with over 11,500 servers in 100 countries, giving you plenty of servers to choose from for streaming.

Features: CyberGhost lets you have up to 7 simultaneous connections on your devices. It also has split tunneling, as well as specialized servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming.

Speed: It might not be the fastest VPN on my list, but CyberGhost still has fast connection speeds and uses WireGaurd protocol.

Security: CyberGhost has good privacy and security features that include AES-256 encryption, an ad-blocker, DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy.

Streaming: CyberGhost is able to bypass geo-restrictions and unblock streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and HBO Max.

Compatibility: This VPN is compatible with many popular devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, some Smart TVs, and routers.

Pricing: Prices for CyberGhost start at $2.03 and come with an impressive 45-day money-back guarantee. Free trials are available depending on your device, which are a 1-day trial for desktops, a 3-day trial for Android, and a 7-day trial for iOS users.

5. ProtonVPN

If you’re specifically looking for a VPN that offers a free version, then Proton VPN is the one that I’d recommend as the best free VPN around. However, be aware that with the free service, you’ll only have access to servers in 5 countries. Whereas, with their premium plan, you have access to 5,200 servers in 91 countries.

Features: Proton does offer an unlimited free version. However, with this free version, you can only use it on 1 device, and you won’t have access to some of the premium features. With a paid premium account, you will be able to use it on up to 10 devices and have access to features such as secure streaming servers, P2P support, and high-speed servers.

Speed: Proton’s free version does offer decent speeds, but be aware that the VPN traffic could get overcrowded depending on the server location. Its premium version offers fast speeds and connections with special high-speed servers.

Security: Both the free and premium versions offer strong encryption with AES-256 bit encryption, as well as a built-in kill switch and a strict no-logs policy. With the premium version, you will also get secure core servers and a NetShield ad-blocker.

Streaming: Streaming services work great with Proton VPN’s premium version, and you’ll be able to stream Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Hulu, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer.

Compatibility: Proton VPN is compatible with many devices, including Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, Chromebook, Fire TV stick, and Android TV.

Pricing: Proton offers an unlimited free version, but for its premium service, prices start at $4.99 per month. And it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

How we picked and analyzed the best VPNs for streaming

When testing the many VPNs out there, I had several factors in mind for picking the top 5 best VPNs for streaming.

• Server network. A large server network can make all the difference for streaming. If it’s too small, then the servers available can get overcrowded, leading to slower speeds. Plus, I want there to be lots of countries available for me to choose from so I can access as many streaming libraries as possible.
• Unblocking abilities. One of the main things I check when analyzing VPNs is how they do at unblocking streaming sites. The VPNs I chose for this list all work great when it comes to bypassing geo-blocks on most of the major streaming services and are good if you want to stream sports online in other countries as well.
• Security features. I always look for VPNs that have solid security and privacy features like a kill switch, strict no-logs policies, and strong encryption, and the VPNs I’ve picked for this list all fit the bill.
• Speed. When it comes to picking the best streaming VPNs, it is important to test the speed of the VPN provider. While a VPN won’t improve upon the speed you already have from your internet service providers, a good premium VPN should have minimal impact on your internet speed. In my experience, the VPNs on this list are some of the fastest around.
• Customer support. Let’s face it, not everything will go right 100% of the time, and sometimes you may need to reach out to your VPN provider’s customer support team. In my experience with testing these VPNs, I found that they all had great customer support systems, whether through live chat or email, with fairly quick response times and helpful advice.

What streaming services can you unblock with a VPN

There are tons of streaming services that can be unblocked with a VPN. Think of your favorite popular streaming service, and it will probably work with a VPN. I’ve tested VPNs out with numerous streaming platforms, including:

• Netflix
• Hulu
• Amazon Prime Video
• Disney+
• Peacock
• HBO Max
• BBC iPlayer
• Sling TV
• Apple TV
• YouTube
• Fubo
• Vudu
• Crunchyroll
• ITV Hub

Can I watch international sports with a streaming VPN?

Besides using a VPN to watch movies and shows on streaming services, you can also use a streaming VPN to watch international sports. All the best streaming VPNs will help you access sites and platforms that stream live sports in countries around the world, whether it’s BBC iPlayer, ESPN, or other local channels.

Should I use a free VPN for streaming?

When you’re on a budget, it’s understandable that you might decide to completely forgo subscribing to a VPN service and instead try one of the many free VPNs out there. However, this is not something I would recommend you do for several reasons.

On the surface, a free streaming VPN might sound great, but the truth is that most of the time, a free VPN will not be able to bypass geo-restrictions. So, if you’re looking to use a VPN to watch a show in a different country, you’ll likely be unsuccessful with a free one.

Free VPNs also tend to have very limited server networks, which means they will likely be very slow with speeds and have crowded servers. It will also limit the content libraries you can access.

Beyond its abilities to help you stream, free VPNs also tend to have some major security concerns. Many lack the security features that premium VPNs have, leaving you vulnerable to hackers or other third parties who might take your personal information and data. Furthermore, there have been many cases where it was found that free VPN companies were making their money by selling their users’ data to third parties, which could leave you exposed and cause many problems.

For these reasons, I usually advise people to stay away from free VPN providers, even if it’s tempting not to have to pay anything. Instead, I recommend finding a fantastic VPN that’s reliable and secure and where you can get the most for your money, such as ExpressVPN or Surfshark.

FAQ

Is it legal to use a VPN for streaming?

It depends on which country you’re in, but generally, VPNs are legal in most countries, including the United States and Canada. Streaming services often don’t allow VPNs in their terms of service and will try to ban VPN servers, but there are no serious legal consequences for using one on a streaming service.

Which VPN is the best for streaming?

While there are many good VPNs for streaming out there, I personally recommend ExpressVPN as the best VPN for streaming. It is user-friendly, has a great server network and strong performance, and is consistently able to unblock streaming services.

What is the best VPN for streaming Netflix?

In my experience, the best VPN for streaming Netflix is ExpressVPN. It works great at bypassing geo-blocks on Netflix.

Can streaming sites detect a VPN?

If you’re using a quality streaming VPN, then most of the time, your streaming service should not be able to detect a VPN. However, sometimes streaming services are able to identify VPN servers as belonging to a VPN and will block them. If this happens, simply switch to a different VPN server and try again.

Will a VPN slow down my internet connection when streaming?

Inevitably, all VPNs slow down your internet a bit when they’re in use. However, with a quality premium VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN, with super fast speeds, the drop in speed will be virtually unnoticeable, and it won’t affect your streaming experience.

Which VPN protocol is best for live streaming?

WireGaurd is generally considered the best protocol to use for live streaming.

Conclusion

In this day and age, streaming is the go-to for consuming content around the world. Whether you’re watching on a desktop computer, mobile device, or Smart TV, streaming services are available everywhere we go. But what happens when you’re trying to find your favorite TV series to watch on one of your streaming services, and you find out that it’s not available for you but is available on that site in a different country?

The solution is to use a VPN. Using streaming VPN services is a great way to bypass any geographical restrictions that may be preventing you from accessing the content library in another country. VPNs are an amazing tool that can open up a whole new world of content for you, letting you access movies, shows, sports, and more all around the world.

But it’s important to remember that not all VPNs are created equal, which is why you’re going to want to use a top-quality streaming VPN, like ExpressVPN, to access streaming sites.