If you’re traveling or looking to watch shows that are locked behind geographical areas, a VPN for streaming is your best friend. Taking a step back, a virtual private network (VPN) is software that allows you to protect your internet connection. You may have used VPNs at work or at school at some point, but as a reminder, it encrypts your data to keep all activity private and secure online. This comes in handy when you’re looking to stream content locked behind a certain region. With a VPN, you can set your location to a specific region, which will allow you to watch shows, movies, and sports from anywhere in the world. It can be a game changer if you want to watch titles you can’t find anywhere else or if there are local blackouts based on a sports network.
When it comes to choosing the best VPN service, there are a variety of factors that can influence your decision. You have to consider devices, (such as which is the best VPN for iPhone), speeds, customer service options, reliability, and security, to name a few. Each service offers different features and abilities at different price points, but it's recommended to choose a paid subscription over a free VPN in 2023 due to restricted speeds and access. In the end, what's defined as the "top" VPN depends on what’s most important to you right now.
TL;DR – These are the Best VPNs for Streaming
1. CyberGhost
Best Overall Pick
CyberGhost is our pick for the best overall streaming VPN. We also have ranked CyberGhost as the top streaming VPN for gaming, as CyberGhost can handle any streaming you might need. The service has over 6,900 different servers across 90+ countries you can connect to, depending on where the content you want to watch is available. This means that you will have the ability to bypass any series or movie that is geo-locked.
The greatest asset of this service is by far its app support. CyberGhost has apps for gaming consoles, web browsers, TVs, and mobile devices. So, you will be able to connect and use the VPN service regardless of your platform of choice. This alleviates any need to broadcast the VPN over your network to connect to devices like the PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch. Overall, CyberGhost is the most accessible VPN for streaming content, which makes it our top choice. Plus, you can sign up for a two-year plan and get two months for free, coming out be be even cheaper than Surfshark.
2. ExpressVPN
Best Service (& Customer Support)
ExpressVPN is a great overall choice when it comes to a streaming VPN. You’ll be able to stream any of your favorite sports games and subscription services, such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, or Hulu with no geo-locked content. The service is known for its native apps (including Android TV and Fire TV) and its quick speeds, which is a must for anyone looking to utilize a VPN for streaming. (It’s also our #1 best VPN for gaming as it manages incredibly low latency while gaming, as well as high bandwidth).
Another huge positive of ExpressVPN is the ease of use, with a great mobile app and website to use regardless of the device you want to stream from. In the event you run into any issues, your membership allows you to gain access to 24/7 live customer support that includes troubleshooting support and device-specific guidance. This service will cost you just under $13 a month, which is a great deal if you’re looking to stream consistently. In short, ExpressVPN is better than its competitors because everything is more accessible, faster, and intuitive.
3. NordVPN
Best Long-Term VPN
NordVPN is a popular choice for streaming VPNs, based on performance and accessibility. NordVPN works with most major streaming platforms (Hulu, Netfix, Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and DAZN for sports options). The service has well over 5,000 different servers, allowing you to choose from a wide range of locations. Strong speeds will allow for an optimal streaming experience, with minimal to no buffering or halts in video playback. Additionally, there are plenty of different security features that keep your information and identity safe when streaming content.
Pricing can be high with NordVPN, however. The service will run you $15 a month for its Complete package. However, you can get a great offer with their long-term deals. Here, you’ll be able to get NordVPN for anywhere from $4-6 a month by purchasing a year at a time. This makes NordVPN the most cost-effective option for higher-tier streaming VPNs, especially when compared to counterparts like ExpressVPN. If you decide to choose this VPN, the annual plans are the best bang for your buck.
4. PrivateVPN
Most Budget Friendly
PrivateVPN is not a company talked about as much as its counterparts, but they do offer a quality VPN service that is perfect for streaming. One of the features of this VPN is that the company offers dedicated streaming servers for anyone streaming content using the VPN. This means that your bandwidth is adjusted to better match streaming content, which could result in much fewer interruptions in the form of buffering.
Some reviews have pointed out that PrivateVPN customer support is sometimes challenging to get ahold of. If you’re not familiar with VPNs, it might be best to look elsewhere. Troubleshooting can be time-consuming and stressful if you’re unsure of the problem. Overall though, PrivateVPN is the best budget-friendly option, going as low as $2 a month on an annual basis.
5. ProtonVPN
Best Free Tier Plan
ProtonVPN has some quality features that help it stand out from its competitors. By far, the best part about this service is its free tier. You’re able to access this with only one device, but you gain access to the locations of Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States. If the content you’re looking to stream is in one of these countries, this could be a great option as you won’t have to spend a dime.
One issue many have seen with ProtonVPN is drops in speed throughout use. While we didn’t experience any drops in our testing, they have been cited within the community by plenty of active ProtonVPN users. Most drops tend to be slight, with small amounts of buffering and occasionally a slight dip in resolution. This is something that can affect your streamed content and make for quite an unpleasant experience. The paid plan for ProtonVPN will run you $9.99 a month on its monthly plan, or $5.99 a month on its 1-year plan. It's even cheaper if you elect to purchase the 2-year option at $4.99 a month, (saving you $120).
6. Surfshark
Most Geographic Options
Surfshark is a great streaming VPN choice for entertainment lovers, with access to over 100 different countries and locations, and no limit on device connections. It should be equipped to work across popular services like Hulu, Disney+, Netflix, Max, and Prime Video. You gain access to impressive features such as NoBorders, which allows you to use the Surfshark VPN in countries where VPNs are blocked and not allowed. Additionally, the service offers quick speeds that will allow you to stream Netflix or whatever streaming service you’d like at 4k.
The top-tier edition of Surfshark’s offerings will run at $20.65 per month for Surfshark One+, granting data protection through databases as well as other premium security features. However, like other services, the 12-month and 24-month plans are much cheaper. At the time this was published, the 24-month Surfshark Starter plan has the best value for basic secure VPN, ad blocker and cookie pop-up blocker at $2.39/month and is still refundable within 30 days.
7. IPVanish
Best for the Basics
IPVanish is a solid option for anyone looking to stream content. Like Surfshark, IPVanish also allows you to connect as many devices as you’d like to the VPN. This is great if you’re looking to share this service with a friend so you can both check out content that would otherwise be geo-locked. There are a total of 75 different servers you can choose to connect to. Also, it’s priced relatively well at only $48 for your first year.
Speed could be better here, though. When you are connected to multiple devices, the service does suffer slightly when it comes to content streaming. This could require you to potentially lower your resolution on certain applications, notably Netflix, in some cases. That said, there are plenty of settings that you can tweak to get the best viewing experience. You can set the active protocol to either WireGuard or IKEv2 for the fastest speeds IPVanish offers. Some of these are not available in other VPN services, but with IPVanish you can customize every small thing about your VPN and how it operates.
What to Look for in a VPN
What kind of speeds are offered?
Speed is the most important variable when streaming content through a VPN. If the service you end up choosing does not have proper speeds suitable for streaming content, you could be forced to stream at a lower resolution or see consistent buffering throughout the content. No one wants this while watching a TV show or movie, so you should make speed a priority above most other variables.
What regions can I connect to?
Additionally, you’ll want to make sure the VPN you pick has the ability to connect to the region you want to watch content in. Some VPN services only have servers in limited regions, meaning that you will only be able to connect and access the content from those specific regions. Most of the services on our list have plenty of options that should have all your bases covered, but keep this in mind if you start to look at other offerings. For example, any of the above VPNs will allow you to connect from the US to watch a UK-based show, like, Love Island UK or the Champions League.
How many devices can I use simultaneously?
If you want to share your VPN with others or watch on multiple devices simultaneously, most VPN services will allow you to connect to multiple devices at once. However, some of the premier services will only allow one connection at a time, so look through the specifications to ensure you are picking the right service for you.
Does customer service matter?
In plenty of cases, customer service is essential when using a VPN. Connecting to one can be tiresome and tricky, which makes great customer support essential. With cheaper options, you’re not going to have access to priority live support with quick, quality help. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are two quality options with customer support ready to fix any issues that may occur.
What security options should I look for?
Next, security is essential for any VPN option. Especially when streaming, you want to make sure that your data is safe with the provider you choose. This begins with AES 256-bit encryption, which is the same encryption that enterprises and militaries use to protect their data. Additionally, you want to find a VPN with a no-log policy. NordVPN, for example, has a no-logs policy that has been backed by both PricewaterhouseCoopers AG Switzerland and Deloitte via audits.
Beyond these features, a good and secure data breach protection policy is essential for any VPN you choose. This goes hand and hand with the no-logs policy, but it ensures that your data will not be leaked in the event of a data breach. Finally, be sure to check through the available security protocols your VPN service offers for you to stream through.
How can I check to see if a VPN is working?
When you access a VPN, you should ensure that it is working properly and reliably. You can check this easily by checking what your IP address currently reads as on a website like WhatIsMyIPAddress. If your location isn’t showing up and instead where you selected your VPN, then it is working as intended.
What else can you use a VPN for?
A VPN isn’t just exclusive to streaming; you can use a VPN in a wide variety of ways to protect yourself and your data when browsing the internet. A great example of this is installing a VPN client to run your VPN through your router, protecting yourself with any device connected to your Wi-Fi. Also, a VPN is great for connecting to public networks, like your local coffee shop. It will mask your identity and encrypt traffic to prevent anyone from obtaining your data. Regardless of what you decide to utilize a VPN for, it is worth your time for the safety, security, and accessibility features.
Noah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for games and technology. He co-founded Final Weapon, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to various publishers including Hard Drive, TheGamer and more.
